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[1. CALL TO ORDER-6:30 pm]
THIS REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.[2. ROLL CALL-6:31 pm (ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATED)]
DIRECTOR CRAMER IS UNABLE TO BE HERE.DIRECTOR SMITH IS UNABLE TO BE HERE. DIRECTOR CHASE.
>> I'M DIRECTOR KATIMS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, SO WE HAVE A QUORUM.
MINER TO DO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
[3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-6:32 pm]
>> THANK YOU, DR. KATIMS. WE ACKNOWLEDGED [OVERLAPPING]
>> CAN I ASK IF PEOPLE NEED TO TALK FOR THEM TO DO IT OUT IN THE LOBBY SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON? THANKS.
>> WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THIS PLACE, THE SADOBISH PEOPLE AND THEIR SUCCESSORS, THAT WILL THEIR TRIBES, WHO, SINCE TIME AND MEMORIAL, HAVE TAKEN CARE OF, HUNTED, FISHED, AND GATHERED ON THESE LANDS.
WE RESPECT THEIR SOVEREIGNTY, THEIR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, AND WE HONOR THEIR SACRED, SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH THE LAND AND WATER.
BY ACKNOWLEDGING THESE HOMELANDS, WE COMMIT TO WORKING WITH TRIBAL NATIONS TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION AIMS THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, IF EVERYBODY, I'LL RISE AND JOIN ME IN THE FLAG SALUTE.
[4. FLAG SALUTE-6:33 pm]
>> NEXT IS APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA-6:34 pm]
I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE MAKE ONE ADDITION TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.I PROPOSE THAT WE ADD AS ITEM 9.28 THE MOUNT LAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FIELD TRIP TO PULLMAN, WHICH OCCURS JUNE 26TH THROUGH THE 28TH.
THE FIELD TRIP MEETS ALL DISTRICT GUIDELINES FOR OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIPS.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND TO ADD THIS ADDITION TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING?
>> I MOVE THAT WE ADD THAT TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING.
>> THANK YOU. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'D LIKE TO JUST POINT OUT THAT THE REASON THAT I'M MAKING THIS AMENDMENT IS, EVEN THOUGH IT BREAKS A RULE THAT WE ARE PRETTY HARD LINED ON IN TERMS OF DEADLINES FOR GETTING THEM TO US.
THERE WAS SOME, I THINK LACK OF UNDERSTANDING FROM NEW STAFF IN THE DISTRICT ABOUT THE PROCEDURE, SO WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT IT TO BE A DETRIMENT TO OUR STUDENTS GETTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FIELD TRIP.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A VOTE ON ADDING THIS ITEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING HI.
NOW WE CAN VOTE ON THE AMENDED AGENDA.
>> I MOVE TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TOO AND A SECOND TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY ABSTENTIONS, AND THE AMENDED AGENDA IS APPROVED.
DR. MINER, WILL NOW GIVE THE SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT.
[6. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-6:35 pm]
>> WELL, THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT WILL BE BRIEF TONIGHT.
BUT WE DID CELEBRATE THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TODAY, AND OUR STUDENTS MADE IT HOME SAFELY.
WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST FOR THIS SUMMER.
HOPE THAT THEY WILL ACCESS OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE MEALS AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
DO LOTS OF READING, GO TO THE LIBRARY, AND DO ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL THINGS.
WE ALSO HAD THE OAK HEIGHTS, WHICH OTHERS MAY BE I WILL TALKING ABOUT LATER GROUNDBREAKING TODAY, WHICH WAS VERY EXCITING, SO BOTH OF THOSE WERE REALLY WONDERFUL TO CELEBRATE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, ALL GOOD THINGS.
[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-6:40 pm]
WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES. WE'LL TAKE THEM SEPARATELY.THE FIRST IS, DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 4TH, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
>> I WAS NOT HERE, SO I'LL BE ABSTAINING.
>> THAT'S FINE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY HI.
[00:05:03]
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY, AND ANY ABSTENTIONS?
>> THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 4TH, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING ARE APPROVED.
NEXT, WE'LL APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11TH, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
>> ANYBODY OPPOSED, SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 11TH, 2024 SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING ARE APPROVED.
NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[8. PUBLIC COMMENTS-6:45 pm]
THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD.SINCE THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ABOUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR SPECIFIC WORK GOING ON WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT A TIME FOR THE AUDIENCE TO ADDRESS EACH OTHER.
PEOPLE MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR BOARD MEETING, EITHER BY READING YOUR COMMENT ALLOWED IN PERSON OR BY SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENT IN WRITING.
THE BOARD READS ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS, WHICH ARE LATER ATTACHED TO THE MEETING AGENDA AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE BOARD DOCS WEBSITE.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE FOUR WRITTEN COMMENTS.
THREE HAVE TO DO WITH THE STUDENT INTERVENTION COORDINATORS AND THE NEED FOR THEM AND OVER THE FACT THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO COVER ALL OF THE SCHOOLS THE WAY WE WOULD LIKE TO BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET.
THE FOURTH WAS SUPPORT FOR THE TWO FOUNDATIONS, THE FOUNDRY 10 AND THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR US TO APPROVE THE GRANTS THAT THEY'RE GIVING FOR ARTS AND MUSIC FUNDING.
THOSE WERE THE FOUR COMMENTS WE HAVE IN WRITING.
IF YOU ARE PRESENTING YOUR COMMENT IN PERSON, PLEASE BEGIN YOUR COMMENT BY STATING YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE DISTRICT, AND THE AGENDA ITEM OR SCHOOL DISTRICT TOPIC THAT YOU'RE ADDRESSING.
WE REQUESTED IF YOUR COMMENT CONSISTS WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF TEXT VERBATIM FROM AN ARTICLE OF POST, AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK, ET CETERA, THAT YOU SIMPLY SEND US THE LINK TO THE TEXT, AND THEN SPEND COMMENT TIME TELLING US HOW THIS INFORMATION RELATES DIRECTLY TO DISTRICT WORK.
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO 3 MINUTES.
IF A COMMENT BECOMES TOO LENGTHY, I MAY HAVE TO INTERRUPT IN ORDER TO ALLOW EACH PERSON EQUAL TIME.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR STATEMENT IN A CIVIL MANNER WITHOUT DISPARAGING, NAME CALLING, OR OTHERWISE TARGETING ANYONE PERSON OR GROUP IN THE DISTRICT.
SIMILARLY, WE ASK EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE TO SHOW RESPECT BY LISTENING QUIETLY, WITHOUT TALKING OR WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HEAR EACH COMMENT.
ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING ARE NOT TYPICALLY ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD AT THIS TIME, BUT MAY BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND, OR STAFF AT A LATER TIME.
THE BOARD ALSO ACCEPTS COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME THROUGH EMAIL.
WE READ EACH EMAIL THAT WE RECEIVE AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT IT TAKES FOR THOSE WHO WRITE THEM.
THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE GIVEN AT THE PODIUM HERE, AND WE ASK THAT YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE SO THAT EVERYBODY, NOT ONLY HERE, CAN HEAR THEM, BUT IN TERMS OF THE LIVE STREAM THAT PEOPLE CAN HEAR THEM.
TONIGHT FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE FIRST ONE, I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG LIST.
HERE WE GO. TONIGHT'S PUBLIC COMMENTS START WITH PATTI WHITEMARSH.
NOW I'VE MADE IT BIGGER. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AM I ON?
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS PATTI WHITEMARSH.
I'M A LONG TERM RESIDENT OF THE EDMONDS COMMUNITY, AND I HAVE A LOT OF SPIRITUAL CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS I'M A STAKEHOLDER AS A TAXPAYER.
I WANTED TONIGHT TO DECLARE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD AND HAVING THE MANDATE FROM LOUISIANA.
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WILL BE POSTING THE 10 COMMANDMENTS IN EVERY SCHOOL FROM K THROUGH COLLEGE UNIVERSITIES, AND IT'S A BIG CELEBRATION.
I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE TONIGHT.
WE HAD A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING,
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AND IT WAS JUST LAST WEEK THAT THIS WAS DECIDED, AND WE'RE SURE PRAYING THAT WASHINGTON STATE WILL FOLLOW THE SAME.WE NEED TO DO A LOT OF GOODNESS AND MORAL AND CIVIL DIRECTION, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT THING FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON TO HAVE ALSO.
KUDOS TO LOUISIANA, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> NEXT IS TEBRA CASSIDY DRAPER.
>> PERFECT. THANK YOU, HI, MY NAME IS TEBRA CASSIDY DRAPER.
I'M A SCRIBER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ALUMNI GRADUATING CLASS OF 2012.
I COME TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT SCRIBER IS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS FACING SOME SEVERE BUDGET CUTS.
I UNDERSTAND THESE CUTS ARE ACROSS THE BOARD, AND I WANTED TO APPEAL TO YOU THAT SCRIBER IS AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.
I HOPE THAT THERE IS A WAY THAT IT CAN BE TREATED IN AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.
I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN 2007, THERE WAS A SUPREME COURT CASE THAT LED TO THE ADJUSTMENT OF FUNDING BASIC EDUCATION, AND THAT THEN BECAME A REQUIREMENT.
BUT BASIC EDUCATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF.
IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SECOND SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WRITING PROGRAM THAT HAS GIVEN STUDENTS STRENGTH AND GIVEN THEM VOICE.
I WANTED TO APPEAL TO YOU THAT WHILE BASIC EDUCATION IS BEING FUNDED, THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL NEEDS MORE SUPPORT.
THE MARGINALIZED KIDS OF THE ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOLS FACE DETRIMENTAL EXPERIENCES IN THEIR LIVES THAT BRING THEM WHERE THEY ARE, AND I AM ONE.
I AM NOW IN A SUCCESSFUL PLACE IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I WENT TO SCRIBER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL.
THE TEACHERS THERE, THE ENVIRONMENT THERE, THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THAT I RECEIVED WAS UNBELIEVABLE.
THOSE FRIENDSHIPS HAVE STUCK WITH ME TO THIS DAY, MY TEACHERS.
I HAD NEVER FELT I WAS BELIEVED IN, HEARD, SUPPORTED, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE A CHILD NOT HAVING THAT SUPPORT.
IT BREAKS MY HEART TO KNOW THAT WITHOUT THE FUNDING AND THE SUPPORT THAT STUDENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I DID.
I KNOW THAT THIS COMES FROM ABOVE THESE CUTS, AND I KNOW THAT IN A LOT OF WAYS, YOU GUYS ARE THE MESSENGERS, AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
BUT I WOULD LOVE IF WE COULD SOMEHOW WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS WORK BECAUSE I JUST COULDN'T STAND THE THOUGHT OF SCRIBER KID NOT GETTING THE SAME LOVE AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JASON MOORE.
>> SURE. I DIDN'T LOOK BUT YOUR TIME WASN'T UP, I DON'T THINK.
>> FOR THE BOARD, I HAVE BROUGHT A COPY OF EACH PUBLISHED SCRIBER BOOK.
AS WELL AS COMMENTS MADE ON THE EDMONDS NEWS PAGE FROM SCRIBER ALUMNI.
>> I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I HAVE THOSE BOOKS.
>> IF YOU CAN GIVE THEM TO AARON, SHE'LL MAKE SURE AND DISTRIBUTE THEM CAUSE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT TONIGHT, TOO.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT STUDY SESSIONS AGAIN.
I'VE HAD SOME CORRESPONDENCE BACK AND FORTH WITH THE BOARD ABOUT STUDY SESSIONS.
I NOTICED THAT THE TIME HAS CHANGED, SO I THINK IT USED TO BE AT 4:30, AND NOW IT'S AT 5:00, AND I STILL DON'T THINK THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH.
[00:15:03]
I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE LATER THAN THAT.LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THE LINWOOD CITY COUNCIL DOES THEIR STUDY SESSION WORK SESSION ON THE ALTERNATING WEEKS, SO THAT WAY, IT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND.
I JUST DID THE COMMUNITY SERVICE TODAY AND RECORDED THE STUDY SESSION FOR EVERYBODY.
I'LL BE POSTING THAT ON YOUTUBE SO YOU GUYS CAN FIND IT.
I FIND IT PUZZLING, I KNOW UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF BUDGET CUTS HERE, BUT JUST LOOK AT THIS ROOM AND ALL THE TECHNOLOGY IN HERE THAT COULD BE UTILIZED TO RECORD THE STUDY SESSIONS.
WHY ISN'T THAT BEING DONE? WHY ARE NOT THE PDFS FROM THE PRESENTATIONS UPLOADED SO THE PUBLIC CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THAT? IT SHOULD BE UPLOADED WHERE THE MINUTES ARE POSTED AND THE LINKS TO THE VIDEOS ARE SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW THAT INFORMATION.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FOR TODAY ABOUT STUDY SESSION, SO PLEASE CONSIDER THOSE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND PARENTS TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THE DISTRICT IS UP TO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ELIZABETH LUNSFORD.
I LIVE IN LINWOOD, AND I HAVE TWO CHILDREN.
SOON, BOTH WILL BE GOING TO SPRUCE.
I CAME LAST TIME SPEAKING ABOUT THE LACK OF JUMP START AND THE COMMUNICATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THANKS TO DR.
MINER FOR COORDINATING WITH ME TO GET CLEAR EXPECTATION OF THE CAPABILITIES.
CURRENT CAPABILITIES A DISTRICT CAN DO TO HELP THE INCOMING KINDERGARTEN.
I'M STILL NERVOUS WITH THE LACK OF PARENTS NOT COMPLETELY KNOWING OR BEING TRAINED TO WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR IN KINDERGARTEN.
FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I HAVE CONFIDENCE BECAUSE AT SPRUCE SCHOOL, THE CURRENT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ARE PHENOMENAL.
[NOISE] THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT THE SEASONED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
MANY MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT I'M ACTUALLY A VETERAN AND WENT TO WAR.
I WOULD SERVE WITH ANY SEASONED KINDERGARTENER [LAUGHTER] AND PRESCHOOL TEACHER ANY DAY OVER ANY MILITARY RECORDS. [LAUGHTER]
>> ANOTHER THING THAT I'LL SAY IS THESE CHILDREN, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE FIVE, THEY ARE SEASONED.
THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS PANDEMIC, THEY WERE TRAPPED IN THE HOUSE WITH US [LAUGHTER] ADULTS.
THEY'RE A NEW GREAT AND I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO REALLY LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS, INITIATIVES TO DEAL WITH THESE KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE BUDGET CUTS.
THEY'RE SERIOUS, AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME OUTSIDE THE BOX, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH WORRY AND CONCERN FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR AND EVERY DAY THAT WE MOVE CLOSER, THERE'S MORE CIVIL UNREST, THERE'S MORE CONTROVERSY AND LESS RESOURCES.
I PERSONALLY THINK THE YOUTH AND THE STUDENTS IS WHERE THE SOURCE WILL COME TO HELP, PERSONALLY, AND MAKING THOSE MAYBE INVESTMENTS FOR SOME MAYBE A COORDINATOR OF SOME SITUATION TO HELP START GETTING COMMUNITY AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT BECAUSE THE NEED FOR SAFETY OF KIDS TO FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL IS JUST INCREASING WITH THE THREATS, AND WITH THESE RISKS, IT'S VERY CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MANY THAT ARE VERY RIGHTEOUSNESS AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.
SCHOOL IS A SAFETY ZONE, AND I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE BUDGET CUTS AND HOW THE WORLD'S GOING THAT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THESE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WELCOMED IN OUR SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING HERE.
YOU GUYS, I KNOW YOU'RE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION, AND IT'S SUNNY OUT, I ACTUALLY GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A SUNBURN JUST FOR AN HOUR EARLIER, SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SACRIFICE BEING UP TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ROBERTO GARCIA.
[00:20:05]
MY NAME IS ROBERTO GARCIA.I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING AT MIDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, AS WELL AS LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.
GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE BOARD AND MY COMMUNITY.
BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
INDIVIDUALS LIKE MARIA SERKA, JUSTINE LOCKE, RIGHT NEXT TO ME, AND VICTORIA CASINATA, AND LASTLY, MY MOM.
TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS SCHOOL SAFETY AND OUR INTEGRITY AS A COMMUNITY.
AS OF NOW, HOURS AND POSITIONS HAVE BEEN CUT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SECURITY/DISCIPLINE/RE-ENGAGEMENT OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION.
STUDENT INTERVENTION IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD MATTER TO EVERYONE, AS IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS STUDENT GROWTH AND SAFETY.
WITHOUT SOMEONE TO HOLD SPACE FOR THEM, TEACH THEM RIGHT FROM WRONG, I FEAR WE MAY FAIL MANY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
INSTEAD OF POINTING FINGERS, IT'S TIME WE COME TOGETHER AND UNITE LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT FOR TRAGEDY TO IMPLEMENT CHANGE.
I AM ASKING FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO SET DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND COME TOGETHER.
WE NEED SUPPORT IN GRANT WRITING/ OR LOOKING FOR A GRANT TO FUND OUR POSITIONS.
ANY HELP WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.
IF YOU ARE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT PEOPLE IN MY POSITION DO AS STUDENT INTERVENTION COORDINATORS, A COUPLE OF THEM SITTING RIGHT HERE SO I AM SHAKING LIKE CRAZY NERVOUS.
IF YOU'RE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT WE DO, WE SHIFT COMMUNITIES FOR THE BETTER.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WANT TO THANK MY COMMUNITY FOR TEACHING ME MORE THAN I COULD EVER TEACH THEM.
I AM FOREVER THANKFUL IN UNITY, WE BATTLE.
>> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] NEXT IS JOHN RUDER.
>> MY NAME IS JOHN RUDER AS YOU ARE JUST TOLD.
>> I GET A LITTLE CLOSER. THAT'S FINE. THANK.
>> I HOPE I CAN GET. GOOD. AS I SAY, JOHN RUDER, I AM A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, AND I THINK DR K. ADAMS AT SCRIBER, WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT I WAS PRESIDENT IN HER POSITION WAY BACK IN THE 60S AND IN THE LATE 60S, I LEFT THE BOARD TO BECOME COUNSEL FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH I WAS FOR A FEW YEARS UNTIL I WENT TO THE SUPERIOR COURT BENCH UP IN EVERETT FOR 16 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN IN THE DISTRICT, MY KIDS HAVE COME THROUGH THE SCHOOLS HERE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO COME TONIGHT BECAUSE OF MY INVOLVEMENT IN KOHANUS, AND IT'S THE KOHANUS CLUB'S WORK WITH SCRIBER HIGH SCHOOL.
I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU FOLKS ARE UP AGAINST IT ON BUDGET LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'RE ALL CONCERNED WITH THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALL OF THE STUDENTS.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PARTICULAR POINT, PRESS A POINT FOR THE BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP TO GIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TO.
I'M SURE THAT IN THE ATTEMPT TO DEAL EQUITABLY, YOU MAY NOT LOOK BEYOND YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ALONE TO THE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU FOCUS WITH ME ON ONE SPECIFIC FACTOR IN CONSIDERING SCRIBER LAKE THAT I THINK IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT.
IN ADDITION TO WANTING TO GIVE THESE PARTICULAR KIDS EVERY OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE, PLEASE DO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
AS A FORMER JUVENILE COURT JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE COST SAVINGS SOCIALLY AND FINANCIALLY WHEN YOU FULLY SUPPORT SCRIBER BECAUSE OF SCRIBER AND THE DEDICATION AND THEIR SUCCESS, YOU WILL HAVE FEWER DRUG ADDICTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, LESS ALCOHOLISM, FEWER CAR THEFTS, FEWER BURGLARIES, FEWER ASSAULTS, FEWER CUSTODY BATTLES, AND YOU'LL HAVE FAR MORE TAX PAYING RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
THANK YOU. I'LL JUST SAY AS LONG AS I'VE GOT A SECOND OR TWO [LAUGHTER] I WOULD SAY THAT THESE, SINCE MY DAYS, THESE BLACKBOARDS, ARE KIND OF INTIMIDATING.
THERE OUGHT TO BE A MORE COMMUNITY FRIENDLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THE TIME [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU, MR. RUDER [APPLAUSE] AFTER I MET YOU AT THE SCRIBER LAKE GRADUATION,
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I WENT HOME AND I TOLD MY HUSBAND AND HE WAS LIKE, THAT GUY HAS TO BE A COOL GUY.NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[9. CONSENT AGENDA-7:45 pm]
TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH CONSISTS OF OUR ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WE CAN EITHER VOTE ON AND DISCUSS AS A GROUP OR SEPARATE IF WE WANT TO CONSISTS OF 27 ITEMS. TWENTY OF THEM HAVE TO DO WITH PERSONNEL.MOUS, WAIVERS, RESOLUTIONS, ETC THAT HAVE TO DO WITH PERSONNEL, SCHOOLS, AND STAFF.
ONE IS OUR BILLS AND VOUCHERS, AND SIX NOW OUR FIELD TRIPS.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA AS WE HAVE AMENDED IT.
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
ANY ABSTENTIONS, AND TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
NEXT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET.
[10. PUBLIC HEARING- 8:00pm]
WE WILL NOW RECESS THE REGULAR MEETING AND OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING TO ACCEPT TESTIMONY REGARDING THE 2024 2025 BUDGET.PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS HEARING IS LIMITED TO COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST ANY PART OF THE BUDGET SO WE HAVE FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK SO WE ARE NOW IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE FIRST ONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS JASON MOORE.
>> I THINK THERE WAS ONE ABOVE THAT NAME.
SORRY I THINK YOU MISSED IT'S FINE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. MINER.
THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF PAPER.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
MY POINT IS THE PRIORITIES ON THE BUDGET PERTAINING TO SPECIFICALLY THE DEI PROGRAM AND HOW MUCH THIS PROGRAM IS COSTING THE BUDGET ANNUALLY.
I UNDERSTAND IT'S APPROACHING THREE QUARTERS OF $1 MILLION AND WHERE ELSE CAN THIS MONEY BE UTILIZED BESIDES THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS SOMEWHAT FUZZY IN MY MIND AS TO WHAT DEI MEANS.
THE REAL MANAGEMENT STYLE OF THIS BOARD, I BELIEVE, WAS REVEALED IN THE SELECTION OF THE BOARD MEMBER THAT WAS SELECTED THE OTHER NIGHT, AND DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT, I THINK IS A MORE PRONOUNCED OR APPROPRIATE MEANS FOR US TO THINK OF DIVERSITY.
YET THE SELECTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WAS ONE THAT I THINK COMPLIED OR HAD THE SAME MENTALITY OR APPROACH TO ISSUES THAT THIS CURRENT BOARD COMPRISED OF AND FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AND DEALING WITH BUSINESS AND OTHER ISSUES OVER THE YEARS, HAVING DIVERGENCE OF THOUGHT AND OTHER IDEAS BROUGHT FORTH TO THE BOARD, I THINK IS A CONSTRUCTIVE ASPECT, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THE BOARD IN THE FUTURE, WOULD CONSIDER GETTING A MORE DIVERSE VIEWPOINT ON DIFFERENT ISSUES AND HAVE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT DIFFER WITH THE PREVAILING ATTITUDE THAT IS PREVALENT IN THIS BOARD.
THE POINT BEING THAT WITH THIS DEI, IF YOU COULD COME CLOSE TO REVOKING THAT PROGRAM AND USING THAT MONEY TOWARD THE OVERALL BUDGET.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO COME CLOSE TO DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES, THE SHORTFALL CHALLENGES YOU HAVE, YET IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A CONSTRUCTIVE STEP BECAUSE FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, THE DEI PROGRAM DOES NOT REALLY ASSIST STUDENTS BECOME BETTER STUDENTS AND SUCCESS IN LIFE. THANK YOU.
>> JASON MOORE LYNWOOD, I WOULD AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER ABOUT THE WAY THE BUDGET IS BEING ADDRESSED.
THE REAL IMPORTANCE HERE IS THAT THESE CHILDREN AND STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE, AND THEY LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY, ESPECIALLY THE HISTORY OF THIS NATION AND EVEN IF THE DEI PROGRAM IS CUT OR REMOVED ALTOGETHER,
[00:30:04]
WE REALIZE THAT IT WORKS THAT THESE DEPARTMENTS OR TITLES OF THESE POSITIONS WILL BE CHANGED TO SOMETHING ELSE, AND THEY STILL WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING BECAUSE THERE'S ALL SORTS OF LAWSUITS GOING DOWN ABOUT DEI PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY AT UNIVERSITIES, THAT'S GOING TO TRICKLE DOWN EVEN TO LIBERAL PLACES LIKE WASHINGTON HERE, THE LAW IS THE LAW SO YOU CAN ONLY GET AWAY WITH VIOLATING THE LAW SO MUCH, AND THEN IT'S GOING TO CATCH UP TO BITE YOU SO, IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE BUDGET, THEN YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT A BUNCH OF LAWSUITS COMING AGAINST A DISTRICT FOR DISCRIMINATION AND RACIST POLICIES AGAINST DIFFERENT SORTS OF PEOPLE.THEN YOU'RE CUTTING PROGRAM OR YOU DIDN'T CUT WORK EXPERIENCES, AND I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE STUDY SESSION THAT, YOU'RE TRYING TO RESTRUCTURE THIS WORK EXPERIENCES PROGRAM, AND WHATEVER YOU DID, IT DIDN'T EVEN SAVE YOU ANY MONEY AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE REASON THAT YOU DECIDED TO CHANGE THIS SO YOU COULD SAVE MONEY AND THEN IT DIDN'T EVEN SAVE YOU MONEY.
IF I'M WRONG, I COULD BE CORRECTED, BUT THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WAS SAID.
NOT ONLY DEI, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT COULD PROBABLY BE RESTRUCTURED OR RENEGOTIATED OR STOPPED ALTOGETHER, LIKE I READY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS DON'T EVEN LIKE USING THIS SO HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE DISTRICT SPENDING ON THIS, THAT'S NOT EVEN USEFUL FOR THEM, AND IT'S PROBABLY MAKING THINGS WORSE.
ANOTHER ONE IS, PANORAMA SURVEYS, SBA TESTING I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HOW IS OUR MONEY BEING SPENT? YOU WANT TO CUT ORCHESTRA AND HAND AND SIGN LANGUAGE DIRECTORS AND REPLACE THEM WITH SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HAND AND SIGN LANGUAGE.
WHAT KIND OF SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? COME ON. LET'S USE OUR COMMON SENSE HERE.
>> SORRY, I'M SHORT. HI. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH CLARK.
I AM SCRIBER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI FROM 2010.
AS ONE OF MY TEACHERS HERE KNOWS, I VERY MUCH HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.
AS YOU KNOW, SCRIBER IS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR BUDGET CUTS.
SCRIBER IS VERY MUCH AND WAS EVERYTHING THE TEACHERS AND STAFF HELPED ME ON MY JOURNEY TO HEALING AFTER MY MOM PASSED AWAY.
THEY GAVE US THEIR TIME, THEY GIVE US THEIR HOPE, EVEN WHEN WE HAD GIVEN HOPE ON OURSELVES.
TO FATHOM ME THINK THIS HIGH SCHOOL TO FADE AWAY IS UNIMAGINABLE OF THE FUTURES IT CAN GIVE TO STUDENTS THAT ARE DEEMED TROUBLEMAKERS UNINTELLIGENT AND NOT WORTHY ENOUGH.
I HAVE MET SOME OF THE MOST KIND, CARING PEOPLE HERE THAT HAVE GONE ON TO BE NURSES, CHEFS, ELECTRICIANS, BUSINESS OWNERS, ETC.
I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE TO SEE FUTURE STUDENTS BE ABLE TO THRIVE IN A BROKEN SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT WOULD TRY TO DIMINISH THEIR LIGHT BY TAKING AWAY THEIR RESOURCE THAT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND IN NURTURING OUR FUTURE LEADERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP IS ELIZABETH LUNSFORD.
>> ELIZABETH LUNSFORD 98037, HOW IT GOES.
I'M KNOWN FROM THE LITTLE THING OF THIS THING CALLED AMPLIFY VOICES THAT CAN'T BE HERE AND I'M GOING TO AMPLIFY THE CHILDREN'S VOICE.
[00:35:05]
MORE FIELD TRIPS.THERE'S A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
BUT I WANTED TO INTRODUCE THIS I'M GETTING FAMILIAR WITH A SCHOOL BOARD OF A METRIC THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST CALLED CORE MEMORY MATRIX OF WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER AT?
>> THIS METRICS WOULD BE TO GET SAY HOW MANY FIELD TRIPS DOES A STUDENT GET TO HAVE AND COMPARE THOSE TWO TO THOSE.
MAYBE IT EXISTS, MAYBE IT DOESN'T.
BUT ALL I KNOW IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THIS WEEK, EVEN IN MY OWN SCHOOL, THERE'S INEQUALITIES.
THAT SOME GRADES, IN MY KIDS IN SECOND GRADE, I HAD THE PLEASURE OR HONOR TO BE A CHAPERONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO GO TO THE ZOO.
I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE ALL THE SECOND GRADES.
THIS WAS NOT ALL THE SECOND GRADES FIRST FIELD TRIP.
IT MIGHT SEEM MINOR TO US, BUT THAT'S A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU'RE IN ACTUAL SCHOOL ABOUT THESE OUTINGS.
I MIGHT NOT HAVE THE WORDS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIG WORDS OF BELONGING AND HOW THIS IMPACTS THE CHILDREN, BUT THESE CORE MEMORIES, IT HURTS BECAUSE WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, EVEN WITHOUT THE BUDGETS, THERE'S PARENT INVOLVEMENT GROUPS AND TIES THAT ARE NOT DOCUMENTED AND HAVE AN IMPACT IN OUR SCHOOL IN OUR DISTRICTS.
ONE THING THAT HURTS WITH ME IS THAT BOTH MY KIDS DIDN'T HAVE A PRESCHOOL OR KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION.
THAT PHOTO OF A LITTLE CHILD IN A CAP AND GOWN IS PRICELESS.
I HAD THE MEANS TO BE ABLE TO ORDER ONE MYSELF AND BE ABLE TO GET MY PHOTO BECAUSE I'M ELIZABETH ANNE LUNSER. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
[LAUGHTER] I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THOSE TYPE OF EXPERIENCES BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND COMMUNICATED WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT OF WHO'S GOING ON THE FIELD TRIPS, WHO'S GETTING GRADUATIONS, WHO'S GETTING DANCES.
BECAUSE TO THE KIDS AND FAMILIES, THAT'S WHAT WE REMEMBER. I'M SORRY.
AS MEMBERS HAVE EVEN FOR OURSELVES, THOSE ARE SUCH ENRICHING TIMES THAT CAN BE INVALUABLE LESSONS THAT WE CAN PLAY OFF AS WE GET OLDER IN THE WORKPLACE AND WHATNOT BECAUSE SCHOOL IS BRUTAL.
[LAUGHTER] BUT IN HAVING INVESTMENTS IN THOSE FUN THINGS, I THINK REALLY HAS A PAYOFF TO EVERYBODY IN THE STATES.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, AS PART OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET, IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET? GO AHEAD. HI, CHRIS.
>> I WASN'T PREPARED TO DO THIS, BUT I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ONE OF MY FORMER STUDENTS.
THIS IS REGARDING [OVERLAPPING].
>> CAN WE GET YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME FOR US, PLEASE?
>> I'M CHRIS BROWN, NOT THE RAPPER.
[LAUGHTER] TEACHER HERE IN THE DISTRICT FOR 48 YEARS NOW AND 33 OR FOUR OF THOSE AT SCRIBER LAKE.
THANKS. [BACKGROUND] WITH REGARDS TO POTENTIAL CUTS IN PARTICULAR TO SCRIBER, I JUST WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF A FORMER STUDENT OF MINE WHO COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.
IT WAS ABOUT I WANT TO SAY FIVE YEARS OR SO AGO I WAS UP AT SCHOOL.
OFFICE MANAGER CAME AND SAID WE GOT A PHONE CALL FROM A FORMER STUDENT OF YOURS.
WE TOLD HIM WE DON'T GIVE OUT PHONE NUMBERS, BUT HE LEFT HIS. I CALLED HIM.
THIS IS MIKE MAYO, A FORMER STUDENT.
MIKE ENTERED SCRIBER WITH A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF ZERO POINT SOMETHING.
HE FINISHED WITH ME BEFORE HE GRADUATED.
HE WAS PART OF MY OUTDOOR ED CLASS AND SIGNED UP FOR THE NAVY, WENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST, DID HIS TOUR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND WHEN HE WAS DONE WITH THAT, HE SIGNED UP FOR THE ARMY.
WHILE HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AGAIN, HE STEPPED ON AN IED.
THE VA TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF HIM.
[00:40:03]
WHEN WE TALKED ON THE PHONE, HE INVITED ME TO DINNER.HE'S LIVING IN PUYALLUP. I WENT DOWN.
HE SAID TO ME THAT HE WAS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON HIS UNDERGRADUATE WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON IN PSYCHOLOGY, WHERE HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT HE NEEDED TO GET STRAIGHT AS IN EVERY CLASS THAT HE TOOK, SO HE SAT UP FRONT, ALWAYS, NO DISTRACTIONS BECAUSE HE WAS AND IS NOW COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE HE'S IN THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SO HE CAN HELP OTHER VETS DEAL WITH PTSD AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN, AND AGAIN, THAT'S GOING TO GIVE BENEFITS TO WHO KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE JUST WARMS MY HEART AS DO THESE PEOPLE RIGHT HERE.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET? YOU'VE ALREADY MADE A COMMENT.
>> THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SAY WITH THE LIMITED TIME THAT I HAD.
I WANTED TO SEE IF I COULD SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE.
I HAD MENTIONED THE 2007 SUPREME COURT CASE.
BUT WHAT I DID NOT MENTION WAS THAT WHAT THEY FOUND THROUGH SEVERAL STUDIES ASSESSING SCHOOLS THAT DID FACE BUDGET CUTS, THAT THEY THEN RESULTED IN ON AVERAGE 7% LESS GRADUATION RATE COMPARED TO THOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE THE BUDGET CUTS.
I WANTED TO ALSO REMIND THAT SCRIBER DOES NOT HAVE A FULL ENOUGH STAFF TO OFFER THE FULL SCHEDULE.
THE BASIC EDUCATION THAT I MENTIONED IS NOT ABLE TO BE COVERED.
E-LEARNING HAS BEEN ALSO TACKED ON TO SCRIBER'S PLATE.
THEY'VE LOST STAFF BUT YET ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO PERFORM AN ADDITIONAL TASK.
I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS WELL.
ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET?
>> ROBERTO GARCIA. LAST ONE WAS PLANNED.
THIS ONE ISN'T. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK FROM A PLACE OF HONESTY.
WHEN OUR POSITION GOT CUT STUDENT INTERVENTION, WE WERE TRYING TO COMPILE DATA TO TRY TO PROVE TO YOU ALL OR JUST TO THE COMMUNITY AS TO WHY WE SHOULD STAY.
I THINK THAT THE WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
IN PULLING THIS POSITION FROM THE SCHOOLS, IT'S NOT JUST FROM THE SCHOOL, IT'S FROM THE COMMUNITY.
THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPENT YEARS OF THEIR LIVES TO DEDICATE TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE DATA THAT PEOPLE MAY BE LOOKING FOR TO FUND THAT ARE THINGS THAT WE DON'T HAVE DATA FOR.
WE DON'T HAVE DATA FOR HOW MANY KIDS WE'VE PULLED OUT OF GANGS, HELPED FIND A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE.
WE DON'T HAVE DATA FOR HOW MANY FIGHTS WE'VE HELPED PREVENT OR EVEN LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN SAVED.
I THINK WE NEED TO SHIFT OUR MINDSET IN THE WAY THAT WE SEE THINGS.
THESE CUTS HAVE TO BE REALLY THOUGHT THROUGH.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT PERSON DIDN'T, BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT DIDN'T.
IT JUST FEELS LIKE THE CUT WAS MADE, AND THE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED TO BE SPOKEN TO WEREN'T ADMINISTRATORS, JUST THE SCHOOL IN GENERAL.
I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND JUST FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD WITH OTHER THINGS AND WITH THESE CUTS BEING MADE, THERE'S A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS.
WE DON'T FEEL SUPPORTED AND RESPECTED.
I'VE BEEN LET GO THREE TIMES THREE YEARS IN A ROW.
AFTER THE FIRST ONE, I GOT USED TO IT.
BUT I CAN SAY THIS TIME BEING CUT AND THERE BEING NO PATH TOWARD WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO, THAT DOES GIVE A FEELING OF HOPELESSNESS.
BUT LUCKILY, I WAS RAISED BY A MOM THAT TAUGHT US TO NEVER GIVE UP.
THAT'S WHY I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO HOPEFULLY SPEAK FOR THE VOICELESS.
THERE'S A LOT OF COMMUNITY THAT IS TOO SCARED TO EVEN COME UP AND GRAB THE MIC AND SPEAK.
THEY'RE PROBABLY WATCHING AT HOME RIGHT NOW. SHOUT OUT TO THEM.
[00:45:03]
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN, AND I HOPE THAT COMMUNITY CAN COME AND PROVIDE MORE SOLUTIONS BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GOING TO HAPPEN TOGETHER.WE'RE AN EXAMPLE TO THE YOUTH.
THE WAY THAT WE HANDLE THINGS IS HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE THINGS, AND SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN HANDLE IT ACCORDINGLY.
>> ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT?
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. I'M JUSTINE LOCKE, HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR FOR LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.
I ALSO WAS NOT PLANNING TO SPEAK.
I LEARNED AFTER I SPOKE THE LAST TIME THAT IT IS APPARENTLY TABOO FOR ADMINISTRATORS TO SPEAK AT SCHOOL BOARDS, BUT I WOULD BE OUTSIDE OF MY INTEGRITY TO NOT ASK US TO THINK CREATIVELY FOR WAYS TO FUND THE THINGS THAT WE ARE CUTTING, WHETHER IT IS STUDENT INTERVENTION COORDINATORS WHO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY.
IF IT IS SCRIBER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS A SPOT THAT WE USE TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO OR HAVE DIFFICULTY IN A STANDARD COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO BE SUPPORTED IN AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SETTING THAT TO ME SHOULD ACTUALLY BE THE REGULAR SETTING THAT WE HAVE IN SCHOOLS.
I AM AN ADMINISTRATOR OF A HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAS LOST FOUR STUDENTS.
I'VE BEEN THERE TWO YEARS, AND I'VE LOST FOUR STUDENTS ALREADY.
WHEN I THINK ABOUT LOSING MY STUDENT INTERVENTION COORDINATOR WHO IS PURPOSEFUL AND INTENTIONAL WITH CREATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE OUTSIDE, THEY ARE REFERRED TO AS THE FRINGE.
WE ARE TALKED ABOUT AS THE WILD WILD WEST.
WE HAVE THIS REPUTATION, BUT WE HAVE THIS LOVE AND COMMUNITY IN OUR BUILDING THAT IS UNPARALLELED.
I JUST ADVOCATE FOR CREATIVE THINKING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CANNOT DO AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH WITHIN WHAT WE HAVE.
BUT I ALSO CHALLENGE US TO BE CREATIVE IN STANDING BY OUR VISION OF BELONGING AND SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS.
IT IS THIS WORK OF BEING AN ADMINISTRATOR IS REALLY SOMETHING AND THE WORK THAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO DO AND THEN TAKING AWAY THE SUPPORTS FROM THAT IT IMPACTS EVERYBODY.
IF I CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE KIDS, ROBERTO HASN'T BEEN HERE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY BECAUSE HE'S BEEN IN THE TRAINING.
EVERY DAY, I'VE GOT 50 KIDS UP IN MY OFFICE, "MS. LOCKE, WHERE'S ROBERTO? MS. LOCKE, IS ROBERTO COMING BACK? HOW CAN I TALK TO ROBERTO? HE'S NOT GOING TO BE BACK NEXT YEAR? WE HEAR HE'S NOT GOING TO BE BACK NEXT YEAR." I SAY WE'RE WORKING CREATIVELY.
I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT HE'S NOT GOING TO BE BACK.
I'M GOING TO HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET?
>> SORRY, MY NAME IS CAROLINA MOONEY.
I'M A GRADUATE OF SCRIBER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS A FORMER STUDENT OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ALSO AS A PARENT OF EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
MY DAUGHTER ATTENDS BRIER ELEMENTARY AS A FOURTH GRADE.
WELL, TODAY WAS HER LAST DAY AS A FOURTH GRADER.
SHE WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR IF IT HADN'T HAVE BEEN FOR THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.
BUT I KNOW THAT THAT'S A BIG THING THAT'S CUT, AND LIKE I SAID, MY KID WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
I ALSO WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF IT WEREN'T FOR SCRIBER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL.
I KNOW THERE'S AT LEAST THREE OF US HERE WHO WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THROUGH.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS.
THAT'S WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS IS THAT THE BUDGET CUTS DON'T IMPACT THE AVERAGE STUDENT.
THEY DON'T IMPACT THE AVERAGE TEACHER.
THEY IMPACT THE KIDS WHO ARE JUST FALLING BEHIND A LITTLE BIT AND THE TEACHERS WHO MAKE THAT MUCH MORE OF AN IMPACT.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT SUCKS THE MOST. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I GUESS THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT ME, PERSONALLY, MY FAMILY, AND MY FRIENDS WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT.
MY FAVORITE TEACHER OF ALL TIME WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT
[00:50:01]
IF BUDGET CUTS CUT THEIR BUDGET.[LAUGHTER] SORRY FOR WORDS ESCAPING ME.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING THE BUDGET? I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO HAS SPOKEN AND EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY PASSIONATE AND CARING, WE ARE LOOKING AND CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO JOIN THE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN THAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR WITH STATE LEGISLATORS.
WE WANT STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STAFF WHO FEEL AS PASSIONATELY AS YOU DO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS, JUST EMAIL ME.
EVERYBODY HERE I WISH COULD BE SAYING THIS TO ALL OF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
SO THAT'S MY PERSONAL COMMENT [LAUGHTER] THAT I'M ADDING.
SEEING THAT THERE ARE NO FURTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TESTIFY CONCERNING THIS MATTER, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW FORMALLY CLOSED, AND WE GO BACK TO OUR REGULAR BOARD THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING.
>> WE HAVE THREE ITEMS OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS THIS EVENING.
[11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS- 8:30 pm]
THE FIRST IS A SECOND READING TO APPROVE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH ADOPTION.WE HAD A PRESENTATION ON THIS AND A FIRST READING AT THE LAST MEETING.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH ADOPTION?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
>> I'M JUST PLEASED THAT WE ARE UPDATING OUR HEALTH CURRICULUM AFTER 20-SOME YEARS OF NOT HAVING AN UPDATED CURRICULUM.
>> I'M SATISFIED THAT THE PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH IS A GOOD ONE AND CONSIDERED A VARIETY OF VIEWPOINTS.
I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE STAFF IN THE STUDENT LEARNING DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE TEACHERS WHO PILOTED IT AND WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS BECAUSE I AGREE THEY DID A GREAT COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS THAT I THINK MEETS BOTH THE TEACHERS' NEEDS AND THE KIDS' NEEDS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. HEARING, NO MORE DISCUSSION, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH ADOPTION IS APPROVED.
>> SECOND ITEM THIS EVENING IS 11.2, A SECOND READING TO APPROVE REVISED BOARD POLICY 4130 TITLE 1 PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.
THIS POLICY RECEIVED A FIRST READING AT THE LAST MEETING, AND ITS PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE CONTINUED COMPLIANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TITLE 1 APPLICATION.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND FOR REVISED BOARD POLICY 4130 REGARDING THE TITLE 1 PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. REVISED BOARD POLICY 4130 REGARDING THE TITLE 1 PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS APPROVED.
FINAL ITEM OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS THIS EVENING IS ITEM 11.3. SECOND READING.
APPROVED. REVISED BOARD POLICY 2030 ANIMALS IN SCHOOLS.
THERE WERE NO UPDATES TO THIS POLICY MADE BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND READING.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE RECEIVED A LOT OF INPUT FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HAPPY THAT THE POLICY IS SAYING THAT NO LONGER WILL THERAPY ANIMALS BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS, BUT SERVICE ANIMALS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS.
I'VE TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THOSE WHO'VE EMAILED TO US ABOUT THIS THAT THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE MAKING ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATE POLICIES THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION, ADA COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS GUIDANCE FROM OUR OWN RISK ASSESSMENT GROUP, WHICH ENSURES US.
THERE WAS A LOT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[00:55:02]
TO GUIDE THE REVISION OF THIS POLICY IN THIS DIRECTION.ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> BOARD POLICY 2030 REGARDING ANIMALS AND SCHOOLS AS APPROVED?
[12. NEW BUSINESS- 8:45 pm]
>> SEVEN ITEMS OF NEW BUSINESS THIS EVENING, THE FIRST IS A FIRST READING, NO ACTION REQUESTED OF RESOLUTION 2416, THE 2024/2025 BUDGET.
THE BOARD HAS HAD NUMEROUS STUDY SESSIONS ON OUR BUDGET CHALLENGES THIS YEAR.
>> YEAH, I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
THIS IS THE LEAST FUN THING EVER.
I DON'T MEAN THAT FRIVOLOUSLY.
IT'S TERRIBLE THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS.
WE'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH IT SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD.
NONE OF THESE CUTS, EVERYONE WHO CAME AND SPOKE TONIGHT, I DON'T WANT TO CUT YOUR STAFF.
I DON'T WANT TO CUT YOUR POSITIONS AND RISK THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR KIDS IN SCHOOLS LIKE LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH HAS MY HEART GRADUATED TWO OF MY OWN.
I DON'T WANT TO DO THESE THINGS.
BUT THERE'S, LIKE, NO EXTRA MONEY.
EVERY PERSON WHO'S COME THROUGH JUST ABOUT HAS HAD A REALLY GOOD CASE FOR KEEP MY THING.
BUT WHEN I KEEP YOUR THING, SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING TO GO.
I WOULD ALSO URGE EVERYONE TO GET ON BOARD WITH THE ADVOCACY.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP US NOW, BUT IT'LL HELP US HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM IS NOT GOOD OF SCHOOL FUNDING IN THIS STATE IS JUST NOT GOOD.
THE STATE CONSISTENTLY CHANGES US AND CONSISTENTLY MAKE THESE TERRIBLE DECISIONS AND PUTS US IN THESE POSITIONS I CAN SAY THIS BECAUSE I'M LEAVING, I GUESS.
PUTS US IN THIS TERRIBLE POSITION.
I DON'T EVEN GET PAID FOR THIS.
I CAN'T GET SOMEBODY TO STEP UP AND TAKE MY PLACE.
WE HAD VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION.
I DON'T BLAME YOU. A PARENT CAN'T TAKE THIS POSITION, A PARENT WITH KIDS IN SCHOOL.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS? OR IF YOU HAVE TO WORK, WE DON'T HAVE TWO PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING OR TO HAVE THE KINDS OF MEETINGS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MR. MOORE, WHERE WE HAVE EVERY OTHER WEEK OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT RELIES ON ALL OF US TO BE BASICALLY RETIRED, INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY, HAVE LOTS OF TIME ON OUR HANDS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC OFF.
>> [OVERLAPPING] FOR QUESTION AND ANSWER OR DISCUSSIONS.
>> I'M ENCOURAGING YOU TO HELP WITH THIS ADVOCACY BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS.
IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING BETTER.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW IN OUR STUDY SESSION, AGAIN, IS WE SEE OUR FOUR YEAR FORECAST.
OUR FOUR YEAR FORECAST ALWAYS HAS US START FALLING OFF A CLIFF IN TWO OR THREE YEARS OR FOUR YEARS.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED HERE BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TONIGHT IS JUST IT'S US AGAINST EACH OTHER.
I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE TO THINK THAT AT A POINT, IT'S BY DESIGN.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO I'M SORRY, AND THEN I'LL SHUT UP.
BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TALK ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT, WHICH CAME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I HEAR YOU WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND TALKING ABOUT HOW EQUITY SHORT CHANGES THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THE MOST. HOW DOES THAT WORK? I WAS A PARENT IN A HIGH POVERTY SCHOOL.
I WAS LIKE RAISING MONEY FOR SOAP IN THE BATHROOMS. I WAS RAISING MONEY FOR TISSUES,
[01:00:01]
FOR ART SUPPLIES. WE HAD NOTHING.WE DID IT. WE WERE PROUD OF OURSELVES. WE DID IT.
WE GAVE OUR KIDS THINGS THAT THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OTHERWISE, OCCASIONAL FIELD TRIPS.
I COMPLETELY AGREE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THIS PASSION TO OLYMPIA THIS YEAR DURING THE LONG SESSION.
>> IS THERE OTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BUDGET? > I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND LYDIA, IN PARTICULAR, FOR THE MANY REVIEWS OF THE BUDGET THAT WE'VE HAD CULMINATING IN THE STUDY SESSION THAT WE JUST HAD RIGHT BEFORE THIS MEETING.
I REALLY APPRECIATE TAKING ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS AND BEING VERY THOROUGH AND HONEST WITH WHERE WE WERE IN THE BUDGET.
I KNOW IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT FROM YOU AND A LOT OF STAFF MEMBERS. THANK YOU.
>> AGREED. I NOT ONLY WANT TO THANK LYDIA, WHO'S DONE AND CONTINUES TO DO A MAGNIFICENT JOB OF EDUCATING US ON THE BOARD, AS WELL AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET, IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.
WE ARE HINDERED DRAMATICALLY BY WHAT THE STATE IS NOT DOING TO HELP US.
WHEN YOU SAY, WHAT CAN YOU DO? EMAIL ME, AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW.
I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO THE BUDGET WEBSITE ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE ALREADY ALL OF THE ADVOCACY THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT WE DID IN THE LAST YEAR TO GET BREADCRUMBS FROM THEM, BUT WE DID GET SOME BREADCRUMBS, AND WE JUST HAVE TO CONTINUE IT.
I ENCOURAGE YOU STRONGLY TO GO TO THAT BUDGET WEBSITE, LOOK AT THE FAQS, LOOK AT THE ADVOCACY, AND REALLY GET A SENSE BECAUSE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SAID IN COMMENTS TONIGHT ARE NOT TRUE ABOUT THE BUDGET.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO DETAILS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON, AND THE PROBLEM COMES IN A SHORTFALL FROM THE STATE WHO ARE NOT MEETING THEIR PARAMOUNT DUTY TO FULLY FUND BASIC EDUCATION IN THE STATE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK DR. MINER AND ALL OF THE STAFF WHO PUT TOGETHER THE BALANCING ACT.
I THINK WE DID A BETTER JOB THIS YEAR THAN HAS EVER BEEN DONE IN MY 25 YEARS OF WORKING IN AND WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE IN TERMS OF GETTING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY EXACTLY WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET, WHAT THINGS COST, AND WHAT'S DISCRETIONARY, WHICH IS NOT THAT MUCH COMPARED TO WHAT'S MANDATED, WHICH WAS LOCKED, AND PEOPLE WOULD SAY, WHY IS THIS LOCKED? WHY ISN'T THIS OTHER THING LOCKED MATTERS TO US? THEY'RE STATE MANDATES, THEY'RE FEDERAL MANDATES, THEY'RE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS, ALL OF WHICH WE HAVE TO MEET IN THE BUDGET.
BUT THE BALANCING ACT, AND IF YOU DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN IT, I HOPE WE DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
I HOPE IT'S NOT AS DRAMATIC IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CUT.
BUT THERE'S BEEN A GREAT EFFORT TO COMMUNICATE THROUGHOUT THE LAST NUMEROUS MONTHS SO THAT TONIGHT, THIS SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE TO PEOPLE.
IT'S BEEN OUT THERE VERY TRANSPARENT.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT LAST YEAR.
I PERSONALLY WROTE A GRANT TO THE EDMOND CITY COUNCIL TO GET $200,000 TO KEEP SINKS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THAT DIDN'T HAVE IT.
THE DISTRICT CAN'T EVEN AFFORD A GRANT WRITER.
EDMOND CITY DOESN'T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY, THEY'RE BANKRUPT NOW, BUT WHATEVER, AT LEAST WE GOT IT FOR THE SHORT TERM.
IT'S NOT LIKE EVERYBODY HASN'T BEEN TRYING.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE SCRIBER LAKE IS AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL.
THE REASON WHY I GO TO EVERY GRADUATION AND I MAKE MY SPEECH ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS AND HOW IMPORTANT THOSE KIDS ARE IS FOR JUST THESE KINDS OF STORIES THAT WE KNOW ARE TRUE.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO READ THE BOOKS.
I THINK THEY'RE NINE OF THEM THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY SCRIBER KIDS.
THEY'RE AMAZING. WE SUPPORT YOU.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY THAT STATEMENT HAS BEEN MADE, BUT WE CARE.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE WITH THE STATE.
AGAIN, I ASK FOR EVERYBODY TO JOIN US, BUT I THINK THE STAFF HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF TRYING TO MAKE EVERYTHING TRANSPARENT AND UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT.
WE'LL BRING THE BUDGET BACK TO YOU AT OUR JULY BOARD MEETING?
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 13.2.
THIS IS A SINGLE READING REQUESTING APPROVAL THIS EVENING FOR AN MOU WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION, FOUNDRY 10.
[01:05:05]
THIS AGREEMENT WITH FOUNDRY 10 WOULD FUND THREE FAMILY RESOURCE ADVOCATES, AN INCREASE OF ONE FAMILY RESOURCE ADVOCATE OVER WHAT THEY FUNDED LAST YEAR, AND 2.4 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT TEACHING STAFF FOR DRAMA AND VISUAL ARTS COURSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOLS.>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
>> THIS REALLY DOES STRIKE ME AS A CREATIVE WAYS FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING SOME FUNDING WITH THESE PARTNERSHIPS.
HAVE WE DONE OUTREACH WITH FOUNDRY AND WORK LIKE THIS WITH FOUNDRY 10 BEFORE?
>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE DISTRICT, AT LEAST, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IS EVER ACCEPTING CERTIFICATED STAFFING.
THERE'S SOME COMPLEXITIES OF THAT, WHICH YOU CAN SEE REFERENCE IN THE COMPLEXITIES OF THESE MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING, BUT THEY HAVE FUNDED OTHER POSITIONS FOR US IN THE PAST, NOT CERTIFICATED, HOWEVER.
>> I REALLY WANT TO THANK FOUNDRY 10 FOR STEPPING UP AND ADDING TO THE GRANT THAT THEY'VE GIVEN TO US IN THE PAST.
PRETTY MUCH WITH NOT A LOT OF STRINGS ATTACHED, WHICH IS VERY APPRECIATED THAT THEY TRUST THAT WE'LL USE IT WELL.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. THE MOU WITH FOUNDRY T10 IS APPROVED.
>> ITEM 12.3 IS A SINGLE READING REQUEST TO APPROVE AN MOU WITH THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION WOULD FUND 1.4 FTE TO SUPPORT MUSIC AND VISUAL ARTS CLASSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS NOTED ON THE MOU.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
>> JUST THANK YOU TO DEB BRANDY AND THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION. DITTO.
>> I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THE MESSAGE THAT WE NEED HELP AND BE CREATIVE AND HELP US MOVING FORWARD AND HELPING THE STUDENTS IS BEING HEARD.
>> PARENTS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE CAMPAIGN TO RAISE THE MONEY WITH THE FOUNDATION.
AGAIN, PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY IT TAKES A VILLAGE.
>> AYE. THE MOU WITH THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT IS APPROVED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS 12.4 A SINGLE READING APPROVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE FOUNDATION FOR EDMOND SCHOOLS.
AS THE FOUNDATION IS A CLOSE PARTNER TO THE DISTRICT, WE DO PROVIDE THEM WITH A RENTAL SPACE HERE IN THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK.
THE CURRENT AGREEMENT EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT BACKGROUND.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING, NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> DIRECTOR KATIMS. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EDMUND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE FOUNDATION FOR THE EDMUND SCHOOL DISTRICT IS APPROVED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS 12.5, A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE PROJECT AWARD TO DIMENSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS THREE THE KCDA CONTRACT NUMBER 22405 FOR THE EDMONDS WOODWAY HIGH SCHOOL INTERCOM SYSTEM UPGRADES.
THESE UPGRADES FUNDED OUT OF THE 2020 LEVY FUNDS FOR TECHNOLOGY DO REPLACE OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT WITH A DIGITAL INTERCOM SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES THE CAPABILITY OF NOTIFYING OUR DHH, DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STAFF AND STUDENTS IN CASE OF ACTUAL EMERGENCY OR OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR THAT BACKGROUND.
DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'D LIKE TO THANK THE VOTERS WHO VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2020 LEVY.
THIS IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT USES OF THAT MONEY ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. THE PROJECT AWARD TO DIMENSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH KCDA CONTRACT 22405 FOR THE EDMONDS WOODWAY HIGH SCHOOL INTERCOM SYSTEM UPGRADES IS APPROVED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS 12.6, A SINGLE READING AUTHORIZATION TO USE GENERAL CONTRACTOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER, GCCM.
[01:10:02]
PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD FOR THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT AT FORMER ALDERWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE.>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
>> KIDS WHO WENT TO FORMER ALDERWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL.
>> HEARING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. THE AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR'S LAST CONSTRUCTION MANAGER PROJECT DELIVERY METHOD FOR THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT AT FORMER ALDERWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE IS APPROVED.
>> FINAL ITEM OF NEW BUSINESS IS 12.7, A SINGLE READING REQUEST APPROVAL OF GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE ONE AMENDMENT FOR MONTLEY TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL, HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT, APPROVED BUDGET AUTHORIZATION, AND DELEGATE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
>> HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> AYE. AND THE GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE ONE AMENDMENT TO THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL HVAC REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AUTHORIZATION AND DELEGATE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY IS APPROVED.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. DIRECTOR CHASE.
[13. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS WE HAVE MENTIONED IT'S YEAR ROUND ADVOCACY IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE TOPIC IS THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.
ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS, THE PUBLIC COMMENTS WE HEAR, WE HEAR YOU AND WE KNOW THAT AND YOU KNOW, THAT WE ARE VERY LIMITED IN SOME OF THESE BUDGET DECISIONS BY THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM THE LEGISLATURE.
AS SUCH, WE HAVE NINE LEGISLATORS THAT WE CONTACT, AND WE'RE BRINGING YOUR STORIES TO THEM.
TO DATE, WE'VE MET IN THE 32ND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT WITH SENATOR SOLOMON, REPRESENTATIVE RYU, REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS.
IN THE 21ST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, WE'VE MET WITH SENATORS STANFORD AND REPRESENTATIVE KLOBA.
IN THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, WE'VE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVE LILY ORTIZ-SELF.
WE BROUGHT PARENTS WITH THEIR EXPERIENCES, ADMINISTRATORS, THE TEACHERS UNION; NANCY IS OUR PRESIDENT, REBECCA IS OUR SUPERINTENDENT, TO SHARE WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM YOU, AND LEARN FROM THEM WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP ADVOCATE.
WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT OUR LAWMAKERS IN OUR DISTRICTS ARE IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT I THINK THEY NEED TO FEEL THE URGENCY THAT WE ALL FEEL BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.
WITH THESE MEETINGS, WHAT DIRECTOR KATIMS IS SAYING IS JOINING THE COALITION AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR NEEDS IN OLYMPIA IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER RIGHT NOW.
BECAUSE AS MY GOOD COLLEAGUE, WHO IS LEAVING AFTER THE NEXT MEETING SAID, WE JUST LOOKED AT THE FOUR YEAR BUDGET FORECAST, IT DOESN'T GET BETTER.
THE URGENCY IS NOW, AND WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN THE COALITION, AND I BELIEVE DIRECTOR KATIMS, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THESE MEETINGS ALSO.
>> WELL, WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS TWO BIG THINGS WITH THE LEGISLATORS.
WE'RE CATCHING THEM EARLY, AND WE'RE GOING TO CATCH THEM EARLY AND OFTEN [LAUGHTER] BETWEEN NOW AND THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH WILL BE A LONG ONE NEXT YEAR AND GO THROUGH JUNE.
WE HAVE SHARED THE IMPACTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HAPPENING FROM THE DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE, AND LYDIA HAS PROVIDED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, AS WELL AS DR.
MINER IN TERMS OF WHAT'S GOING ON FOR DISTRICT IMPACTS.
WE HAVE SHARED FROM THE PARENTS WHO'VE JOINED US THEIR STORIES AS TO HOW THEY AND THEIR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND THEY'VE GIVEN SOME.
IT INCLUDES VENIDA, WHO I'M SMILING AT, WHO'S OUR PTA PRESIDENT FOR THE DISTRICT PTA, WHO SEES A WIDE PERSPECTIVE FROM PARENTS FROM A LOT OF SCHOOLS, AND OTHER PARENTS WHO HAVE BROUGHT THEIR VARIOUS SITUATIONS.
WE HAVE ANDY NASGER, WHO HAS SHARED THE TEACHER AND SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE VERY ELOQUENTLY.
WE HAVE, DIRECTOR CHASE AS WELL AS MYSELF FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THEY'VE LISTENED.
THE NEXT THING THAT WE DO IN EACH OF THESE MEETINGS WITH THEM IS WE ASKED THEM TWO THINGS, WE ASKED THEM TO PLEASE EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE BACK ROOM THINKING WAS, WHY THE BILLS LAST YEAR THAT WE TRACKED VERY CAREFULLY THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED US WERE
[01:15:06]
EITHER CUT BACK FROM LARGER TO SMALLER OR KILLED, AND JUST NEVER MADE IT THROUGH.WHILE THEY'VE SAID THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BACK ROOMS. THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING US BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT SOME OF THE THINKING IS AND WHY MONEY GOES TO SOME OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES.
THE SECOND THING THAT WE ASK FROM THEM IS THEIR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT STEPS SHOULD WE TAKE THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THEY'VE BEEN PRETTY FORTHCOMING IN GIVING US GOOD ADVICE.
WE'VE LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN.
THEY ARE ALL VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE DISTRICT, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPETING PRIORITIES.
BUT I THINK THESE SO FAR AND THE FACT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER, AND I WANT TO THANK ERIN IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK IT HAS BEEN PULLING TOGETHER THE SCHEDULES FOR THESE STATE LEGISLATORS.
[LAUGHTER] BUT THE FACT THAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS TO START WITH WITH SIX OUT OF OUR NINE IS PRETTY GREAT, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A STATEWIDE EFFORT.
ANDY IS WORKING WITH SOME OTHER DISTRICTS TO PUT TOGETHER WHAT SHE'S CALLING THE BIG FUNDING MEETING IN THE FALL THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WORK.
I THINK, BASED ON THE LEGISLATORS WHO WE'VE TALKED TO, THEY'RE DISCUSSIONS WITH US, IT'S BEGINNING TO GET THROUGH TO THEM THAT THIS IS SERIOUS, AND BASICALLY THEY'VE SAID JUST BE LOUDER AND STRONGER IN WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
THAT SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS JUST THINK THAT ONCE THE MCCLEARY DECISION WAS CHECKED OFF THE LIST, THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE, AND THAT THAT SOLVED EVERYTHING, INSTEAD OF THE FACT THAT PART OF THE MCCLEARY DECISION JUST CAUSED MORE BUDGET DEFICITS, LIKE THE LEVY LID AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? I THINK WE'RE DOING WELL. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THERE'LL BE MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER WHERE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS GOING TO BE MEETING SO IN JULY, WE DO NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
>> WE'LL NEED YOUR GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP IN TERMS [OVERLAPPING]
>> OF SETTING OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE DISTRICT AS WELL.
>> JUST DOUBLE CHECKING ON THAT.
WE HAD THAT SLATED FOR THE FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.
YOU WANT US TO ADD THAT TO THE AGENDA TO JULY?
>> NO, I BELIEVE SEPTEMBER WAS OKAY.
IT COMES OUT IN JULY. IT COMES OUT IN JULY AND-
>> -THEN FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. THANK YOU.
>> YOU GUYS GOT THAT STRAIGHTEN OUT.
>> JUST WE HAVE TO READ IT IN JULY.
>> THEY HAVE HOMEWORK IN JULY.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT IN SEPTEMBER.
>> WE HAVE HOMEWORK ALL THE TIME.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.
[14. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]
BOY, I MISS OUR STUDENTS WHO ALWAYS HAVE WONDERFUL COMMENTS.BUT DIRECTOR CHASE, YOU GET TO GO FIRST.
>> DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? YES. I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS IN THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF, BUT I WAS REALLY PROUD TO REPRESENT THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT AT THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.
LAST WEEK IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, WONDERFUL DAY, I WAS REALLY PLEASED TO JOIN RICK LARSEN AND THE MAYOR OF LINWOOD UP IN PROCLAIMING OUR SUPPORT FOR JUNETEENTH.
I ALSO REALLY ENJOY GOING TO THE GRADUATIONS AND HAPPY LAST DAY OF THE SCHOOL.
>> GRADUATIONS ARE ALWAYS JUST THE BEST.
THAT'S DEFINITELY ONE REASON I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE UP HERE, IS THAT I GET TO GO TO GRADUATION.
I GET TO GO TO CELEBRATIONS WITH OUR STUDENTS, AND I GET TO TALK TO OUR STUDENTS AND SEE THEM IN THE CLASSROOM, AND THAT'S BEEN JUST SUCH A WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE.
I FORGOT TO SAY WHEN I WAS COMPLAINING ALL ABOUT BEING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I'M NOT COMPLAINING.
WHEN I SAID THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTORS, IT'S A CERTAIN DIRECTOR AND IT'S BY DESIGN.
THE STATE SAYS YOU CAN PAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS SO MUCH.
THE STATE SAYS, AND IT'S LIKE $50 A MEETING OR SOMETHING UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT PER YEAR.
THE STATE DICTATES THESE STRUCTURES, AND THEY RESIST CHANGING THESE STRUCTURES, AND WE GET TO BE THE BAD GUY AND ALL THESE BUDGET ISSUES.
I GUESS I'M NOT FEELING AS GENTLE TONIGHT ABOUT OUR LEGISLATORS.
[01:20:06]
WE'RE LIKE, WE GET TO TAKE THE HITS, BUT THEY'RE THE ONES REALLY THAT WE NEED TO BE TALKING TO.MAYBE THE CURRENT LEGISLATORS DIDN'T DO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, BUT THEY'RE HAPPY TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO TRY TO CHANGE THIS STRUCTURE, TO MAKE IT SO THAT THE BOARD DIRECTORS ARE MORE DIVERSE, TO MAKE IT SO THAT REGULAR PEOPLE COULD BE ON THE BOARD, AND THOSE HAVE ALWAYS FAILED.
THOSE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KILLED SO THEY'RE HAPPY TO KEEP IT THIS WAY.
ONE OTHER COMMENT THAT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT I ALSO AGREE THAT THE BEST THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW, HAVING BEEN IN THE SITUATION WHERE SOMETIMES THE BUDGET CUTS ALWAYS HIT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE DISTRICT, ALWAYS.
IN OUR EFFORTS I THINK THE BEST THING WE CAN DO, UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE HAVE NO MONEY IS TO GET DOWN TO BASICS.
IT IS TERRIBLE IF OUR KIDS LEAVE US WITHOUT HAVING GOOD READING SKILLS, WITHOUT HAVING GOOD MATH SKILLS.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT WE HAVE HERE TO MAKE IT SO THAT KIDS ARE PREPARED TO LEARN AND OUR SYNCS ARE AMONG THOSE FUNCTIONS, OUR BEST TEACHERS ARE PART OF THAT.
ALL THE THINGS WE TRY TO DO, THEY'RE PRETTY ESSENTIAL TO GETTING OUR KIDS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO LEARN, AS WELL AS ANYBODY ELSE WHO DOESN'T HAVE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT SOME OF OUR KIDS HAVE.
FINALLY, I HOPE THAT WE DON'T FORGET THAT OUR STATE ALSO LOOKS AT OUR BUDGET AND SAYS, BOY, YOU GUYS HAVE ALL THIS MONEY, AND GIVES US MORE STUFF TO DO WITH NO MONEY.
THAT IS OFTEN ALSO THE CASE, IS THAT WE GET ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, ADDITIONAL LAWS, ADDITIONAL MANDATES FOR TEACHING CERTAIN THINGS OR ACCOMPLISHING CERTAIN FUNCTIONS WITHOUT THE MONEY.
I WOULD HOPE THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE ADVOCACY, SHAKE THINGS UP, I KNOW YOU WILL.
DIRECTOR KATIMS IS SUCH A GREAT LEADER FOR THIS TIME, AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL SHAKE THINGS UP AND GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S SOME FUN THINGS GOING ON, AND SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING, I HAVE ATTENDED THE E-LEARNING GRADUATION, THE SCRIBER LAKE GRADUATION, THE MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AND TODAY, I GOT TO SEE THE MOST ADORABLE GROUP OF LITTLE KIDS FROM VERY LITTLE TO UP TO I GUESS SIXTH GRADE WITH THEIR HARD HATS AND THEIR GOLD SHOVELS DIGGING AND DOING THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE OAK HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
SO IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK THAT OUR VOTERS FUNDED AND APPROVED WITH 65% APPROVAL RATING TO TAKE CARE OF FIVE NEW SCHOOLS AND A LOT OF OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
SEEING THAT WAS VERY EXCITING AND FUN.
I ALSO GOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLIMATE TOWN HALL THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY STUDENTS AT MAPLEWOOD COOP AND IT WAS SO HEARTWARMING TO HEAR THESE STUDENTS WHO HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH ON CLIMATE AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOW BUILDINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED AND WHAT WE DO IN SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO IMPACT AND IMPROVE THE CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON.
THERE WAS AN EXCHANGE, THERE WERE SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE FROM CAPITAL PROJECTS AND SOME OF OUR CONTRACTORS WHO CAME AS WELL, WHO ARE MUCH MORE AWARE OF THE CONTENT OF THAT THAN I AM BUT THE KIDS ENGAGED IN VERY THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION, AND CLEARLY HAD DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH WHERE THEY GAVE A LOT OF THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION TO THESE REALLY IMPORTANT TOPICS BECAUSE LET'S BE REALLY HONEST ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS IS MAKING OUR KIDS NOT ONLY READERS, WRITERS, AND MATHEMATICIANS, BUT MAKING THEM SCIENTIFIC THINKERS,
[01:25:02]
SO THEY CAN HELP PROTECT OUR EARTH FOR THE FUTURE.I WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A WONDERFUL SUMMER, AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT ALL THOSE WONDERFUL FOLKS ON THE BACK TABLE AND THE PEOPLE HERE I KNOW THAT AS A FORMER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR MYSELF, WILL BE WORKING VERY HARD THIS SUMMER, WHILE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE TAKING LOVELY VACATIONS AND ENJOYING THE SUMMER LIKE THEY SHOULD AND RELAXING.
BUT THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF WORK THAT GOES ON IN THE DISTRICT IN TERMS OF PLANNING FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, AND I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING, AND I READ SOMETHING THAT'S STARTING THURSDAY OR SOMETHING IN TERMS OF PLANNING WITH A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.
[LAUGHTER] HOPEFULLY, EVERYBODY, INCLUDING EVERYBODY AT THE BACK TABLE WILL GET SOME RELAXATION, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF PLANNING GOES ON. THANK YOU.
ON THURSDAY, WE HAVE OUR DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM.
WE'RE GOING TO BE GATHERING FOR SOME GOAL SETTING FOR NEXT YEAR AND PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT DOING THAT FIRST DAY OF OUR RETREAT IN JUNE THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF WAITING TILL AUGUST, SO THAT WE CAN REALLY GET THE SUMMER WORK SEASON KICKED OFF.
A LOT OF WORK GOES ON IN OUR BUILDINGS OVER THE SUMMER.
IN SOME WAYS, THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR OUR CUSTODIANS, OUR GROUNDS, OUR MAINTENANCE IS REALLY THE FIRST DAY OF DIGGING IN AND GETTING READY FOR NEXT YEAR.
I'M GRATEFUL, AS DR. KATIMS SAID, EVERYBODY WHO'S WORKING THIS SUMMER.
SECONDLY, I NEED SOME BUS DRIVERS SO ANYBODY HERE, ANYBODY AT HOME.
WE NEED 20 BUS DRIVERS FOR NEXT YEAR.
WHILE BUILDING A NEW OAK HEIGHTS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY.
MOVING THE KIDS TO FORMER ALDERWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR SCHOOL FOR THE YEAR CREATES A NEED FOR BUS DRIVERS.
WE'RE PRINTING BUTTONS WITH OUR LITTLE DISTRICT BUTTON MAKER THAT SAY, ASK ME ABOUT DRIVING A BUS FOR EDMOND SCHOOLS.
YOU'LL SEE ME WEARING IT ALL SUMMER UNTIL WE HIT 20.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, IT'S PAID TRAINING, PLEASE REACH OUT TO OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
ANYBODY HERE WHO MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE AT HOME WHO'S INTERESTED IN THAT, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
FINALLY, IT IS ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES LAST MEETING THIS EVENING.
I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE LISA GONZALEZ.
SHE WAS HERE IN OUR DISTRICT FOR TWO YEARS HER CONTRIBUTIONS WILL NOT SOON BE FORGOTTEN OR LEFT BEHIND.
SHE'S DONE INCREDIBLE WORK IN THE REALM OF STUDENT LEARNING, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HER FOR JOINING OUR TEAM.
>> THAT JUST MAKES ME SO SAD, WHICH I HAVE TOLD LISA OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
ANY ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION,
[15. ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION OR INFORMATION]
I THINK WE GOT THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ON THERE.WE'LL BE HAVING A RETREAT THIS SUMMER TO REALLY PLAN OUT OUR CALENDAR.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO WITH US.
>> WITH THAT BEING THE LAST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THIS MEETING OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.