Jan 27, 2025 School Board Meeting

>> THANK YOU, SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, CAMAS SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, CAMAS SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANKS, CAMAS SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, CAMAS SCHOOL BOARD.

>> THANK SCHOOL BOARD.

>> NO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU SAID [INAUDIBLE]

>> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THESE GIFTS ARE MADE BY A COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP.

WE JUST PUT THIS FOR THEM.

>> THAT'S COOL. THANK YOU.

>> FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE, JANUARY IS THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH, AND WE EMBARRASSINGLY GET SHOWERED WITH GIFTS AND MEMORY FOOD, SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE.

WE GOT SOME COATERS THAT THE KIDS AT DISCOVERY MADE.

>> THERE'S A CANDLE.

THERE'S A CANDLE IN HERE.

>> YOU GOT A CANDLE.

>> [INAUDIBLE] PRINCIPAL THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS BROUGHT US DINNER.

>> WHEN WE PLAY FOOTBALL.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU ALL.

NOT ON OUR AGENDA, BUT I THINK WE HAVE A STUDENT REPORT FROM SKY RIDGE, IS THAT TRUE? COME ON DOWN.

>> NOT NECESSARILY A REPORT, BUT SOME OF OUR ARTISTIC SKYHAWKS MADE SOME CARDS FOR YOU GUYS TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SKY RIDGE HAS DONE SELF PORTRAITS OF OURSELVES, WHICH HAVE BEEN AWESOME.

DOCTOR. LOOK AT YOU LIKE SUPERMAN.

>> COME ON.[OVERLAPPING]

>> I GOT A SKYHAWK.

>> YOU'RE ALWAYS LOOKING SWEET.

>> THAT'S SO SWEET. SORRY. WE DO HAVE SELF PORTRAITS NOT SELF PORTRAIT, BUT SK. SORRY, I DO.

>> WE WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING OUR STUDENTS.

>> I JUST NEED TO POINT OUT I GOT BEST BOARD MEMBER.

>> YOUR DAUGHTER PUT THAT ON THERE.

[00:15:01]

MINE'LL SAY THAT LATER. THANK YOU.

AGAIN. WE HAVE ONE LAST STUDENT REPORT FROM THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

DO WE HAVE OUR STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE COME ON DOWN.

>> HI, EVERYBODY. I'M MAYA SHEVIN, AND I'M AN EIGHTH GRADER AT ODYSSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> MY NAME IS JUSTIN FISHER.

I'M A SOPHOMORE AT CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WINDOWS AND MIRRORS IS A METAPHOR USED TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT OTHERS IN ORDER TO LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND TO REALLY GROW UPON PAST EXPERIENCES AND MISTAKES.

WINDOWS AND MIRRORS STARTED AS A PILOT PROGRAM IN ONE FIFTH-GRADE CLASSROOM THREE YEARS AGO, AND THIS YEAR WILL MARK THE SECOND YEAR OF GOING INTO ALL FIFTH-GRADE CLASSROOMS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE WILL HAVE INTERACTED WITH OVER 1,000 CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS BY THE END OF THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK.

>> THIS LESSON PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND TO DISCUSS WITH THE HOPES OF CARRYING THIS LESSON AND ITS MESSAGE TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE OUTER REACHES OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> SORRY, MY BAD. SO FAR WE HAVE PUT A LOT OF WORK IN TO GET TO THESE CLASSROOMS, BUT THEN ALSO WE HAVE MADE SOME EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.

THESE EXTENSION ACTIVITIES ARE MEANT TO HELP INSTILL OUR MESSAGE IN THE KIDS AND REALLY SHOW THEM WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TEACH THEM THROUGH THESE LESSONS.

ONE EXAMPLE OF THIS HAS BEEN, WE GAVE THEM AN ACTIVITY TO WHERE THEY TAKE A PIECE OF PAPER AND THEY CRUMPLE UP THE PIECE OF PAPER AND THEN THEY TRY TO FLATTEN IT OUT AGAIN.

THIS IS TO SHOW THAT WORDS AS A METAPHOR HAVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE, AND EVEN THOUGH IF YOU'RE ABLE TO HEAL THOSE WOUNDS, IT WILL NEVER COME BACK TO NORMAL, JUST LIKE THE PAPER WILL NEVER BE PERFECTLY FLAT AGAIN.

AT OUR LESSONS, WE PLAY THIS VIDEO, WE PLAY IT THROUGH TWICE IN TOTAL.

THE FIRST TIME WE PLAY IT THROUGH, WE HAVE THE KIDS JUST WATCH THE VIDEO, JUST SEE HOW THEY FEEL.

THEN AFTER THAT, WE GO OUT AND WE TALK TO THEM AND WE SEE HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THE VIDEO, THE EMOTIONS THEY FELT, WHY THEY FELT THAT WAY.

THEN WE BRING IT BACK, WE WATCH THE VIDEO A SECOND TIME, BUT THIS TIME, I HONESTLY, THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE LESSON, THEY GET TO SHOUT OUT EMOTIONS THEY FEEL DURING THE VIDEO, AND WE WRITE THOSE EMOTIONS DOWN AT THE BOARD.

MOST OF THE TIME, ONCE YOU'RE ABOUT 30 SECONDS IN AND THE FIRST KID IS SHARED, THEY REALLY GET INTO IT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO WRITE DOWN ALL OF THOSE WORDS.

I, MYSELF, HAVE HAD TO DO THIS SINGLE-HANDEDLY.

AFTER THAT, WE GO BACK OUT AND WE TALK TO THEM ABOUT LABELS THEY'VE CARRIED THEMSELVES.

THIS CAN GET REALLY DEEP, BUT WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE STUDENTS REALLY WELL.

WE BRING IT BACK ONE MORE TIME AND WE TALK ABOUT LABELS WE'VE CARRIED AND LET THEM SHARE IT THEMSELVES.

AFTER THAT, WE HAVE ONE MORE THING THAT I'LL GET TO LATER, BUT WE'RE GOING TO PLAY THE VIDEO FOR YOU GUYS.

>> [MUSIC]

[00:20:33]

>> THAT'S THE VIDEO. WITH THIS VIDEO, THE MAIN MESSAGE THAT WE TRY TO TEACH THE KIDS IS THAT WORDS HAVE POWER, AND WE REALLY WANT TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY CAN USE THEIR OWN WORDS TO LIFT PEOPLE UP AND TO TRY NOT TO USE NEGATIVE WORDS.

BUT OUR FINAL THING IS THAT WE GIVE THEM A LABEL AND THAT IS THAT THEY ARE LOVED.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME FOR YOU GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. GREAT JOB.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] QUESTIONS?

>> I WILL. BUT, NO, I'LL I'LL SAY I WAS ABLE TO WATCH ALL OF YOU AT ONE OF YOUR ADVISORY MEETINGS EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR JANUARY.

THEN I WAS ABLE TO GO TO PRUNE HILL WITH JOHN AND SHAWNA TO WATCH ALL THREE OF THE CLASSROOMS. IT WAS FASCINATING, REALLY.

SOME CLASSROOMS HAD DIFFICULTY SPEAKING ABOUT IT.

OTHERS THEY ALL FLOODED IT.

BUT, YES, IT WAS A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE, CHANCE TO SEE IT.

SO THE OTHER DIRECTORS, IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, I'D DEFINITELY MAKE THE TIME WHEN THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> GREAT JOB.

>> SOMEDAY WE'LL HAVE EVERY FIFTH GRADER AND UP HAVING GONE THROUGH THIS, AND I'M HOPING WE CAN MEASURE THE IMPACT.

THAT'S POWERFUL. THANK YOU, GUYS.

>> I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THAT IMPACT A LITTLE BIT NOW.

I KNOW SOME OF THE NEW SIXTH GRADERS DO REMEMBER THIS LESSON, AND IT'S VERY NICE TO SEE THAT THEY REMEMBER THESE THINGS AND THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO CARRY IT WITH THEM IN THEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS.

>> AWESOME. GREAT. THANK YOU, GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU WANT TO SNEAK OUT AT THIS POINT, PLEASE FEEL FREE. WE'LL MISS YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

THE FUN IS JUST STARTING.

WE'RE GOING TO POP THESE GRAPE JUICE BOTTLES.

[LAUGHTER] WE'LL JUST MOVE INTO BOARD COMMUNICATION.

>> I'M NOT USED TO STARTING.

FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE I FORGET, I JUST WANT TO INVITE ALL OF YOU AND ANYBODY WHO'S WATCHING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HOST IN MY DAY JOB IS THE NORTH COUNTY HONOR BAND.

IT'S LIKE AN ALL STAR TEAM FOR BAND KIDS.

WE DO EIGHTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, AND WE HAVE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN THERE FROM ALL OF OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND THEN ALSO FROM DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL.

THAT CONCERT IS TWO SATURDAYS AWAY, FEBRUARY 8TH AT SIX O'CLOCK OUT AT HAWKINSON.

ADMISSION IS FREE, AND FREE IS A VERY GOOD PRICE.

IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE, COME OUT AND CHECK THAT OUT IT'S PRETTY COOL.

THEY GET TOGETHER THE DAY BEFORE AND START REHEARSING AND REHEARSE THE NEXT DAY.

IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, THEY PUT A PRETTY COOL CONCERT TOGETHER.

VERY COOL. JUST ONE OF THE MANY IT'S AN HONOR BAND SEASON.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HONOR GROUPS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS, TOO.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHO QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE HONOR GROUPS AND SOME OF THE NORTHWEST HONOR GROUPS THAT ARE GOING ON. THOSE ARE COMING UP SOON TOO.

JUST WANTED TO GET THAT PLUG IN AS WELL.

OF COURSE, WE ALL HEARD ABOUT ETHAN CHESSIN, WHO IS A GRAMMY NOMINEE FINALIST OF THE CAMUS HIGH SCHOOL, AND JUST A LONG LINE OF AMAZING THINGS THAT ETHAN CONTINUES TO DO WITH THAT CHOIR PROGRAM THERE, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM AND WE'RE ROOTING FOR HIM.

THAT'S COMING UP IN FEBRUARY, I THINK, WHEN THE AWARDS ARE ACTUALLY ANNOUNCED OR THE FINAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED.

BUT IT'S A PLEASURE TO JUST BE NOMINATED.

I ALSO HAVE HAD SOME TIME NOW THAT MY PLATE HAS FREED UP A LITTLE BIT TO REALLY DIG INTO MY LEDGER REP DUTIES, AND I KNOW THAT JOHN'S GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT SOME LEGISLATIVE UPDATES IN HIS REPORT, BUT JUST I WANTED TO UPDATE THE BOARD THAT TRACY AND I WERE ABLE TO MEET FIRST WEEK AFTER WE GOT BACK FROM BREAK.

I WANT TO SAY JANUARY 8TH WITH JOHN, AND WE WERE ABLE TO MEET REPRESENTATIVE WATERS AND REPRESENTATIVE STEUBE WHO IS

[00:25:01]

OUR BRAND NEW ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE AND WALK THEM THROUGH OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, TELL SOME STORIES ABOUT HOW THOSE THINGS ARE AFFECTING US HERE IN CAMAS, WHICH MEANS THAT THAT ALONG WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION, WE HAD BACK IN NOVEMBER, WHERE SENATOR HARRIS, AT THAT TIME, SENATOR ELECT HARRIS, AND ALSO SENATOR CORTEZ, WHO TECHNICALLY DOES NOT REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT, BUT HE'S AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY WERE AT OUR LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION AND GOT TO HEAR FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE, FOLKS.

WE'VE MADE THOSE PERSONAL TOUCHES WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OR LEGISLATORS THIS YEAR, WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT.

I KNOW THAT WE JUST HAD A CONTINGENCY FROM OUR LAC GROUP GO UP LAST WEEK AND MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVE WATERS AND STEUBE IN PERSON.

THEY ALSO WERE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH SENATOR HARRIS AT ONE OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE THIS GROUP.

THE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE COMMITTEE HAS JUST DONE SO MANY GREAT THINGS THIS YEAR, AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE IN ITS SECOND YEAR, WE'RE HITTING OUR STRIDE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LEARNING HOW TO BE ADVOCATES.

DEREK J. QUEZ HAS BEEN A GREAT HELP WITH THAT AS WELL.

HE DID A PRESENTATION, I THINK BACK IN DECEMBER, JUST ON HOW OLYMPIA WORKS.

THEN ALSO, WE EVEN HAD FOLKS PRACTICING THEIR ELEVATOR PITCHES FOR WHEN THEY GET THOSE 15-MINUTE MEETINGS WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS.

IT'S BEEN A REALLY GREAT THING, JUST NOT ONLY TO HELP OUT OUR DISTRICT, BUT JUST TO TRAIN PEOPLE HOW TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS.

I JUST ENCOURAGE IF YOU GUYS GET A CHANCE AND ARE ABLE TO SIT IN ON ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS, THAT'D BE GREAT.

WE AS A BOARD, DO NEED TO SIT DOWN AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO GO UP AND DO OUR OWN DAY ON THE HILL.

I THINK GAIL IS GOING TO BE REACHING OUT TO YOU WITH SOME STUFF ON THAT.

I ALSO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SIGNING IN PRO ON THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS LAST WEEK.

TWO OF OUR FIVE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND MSOC FUNDING, THOSE ALL GOT HEARINGS.

I WENT IN THERE AND CHECKED, WE ALL SIGNED IN PRO ON THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT.

THEY WERE AT OUR LAST LAC MEETING, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SIGNING IN PRO ON THESE EDUCATION BILLS, JUST STATEWIDE, IS JUST OVER THE TOP BIG.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S HELPING TO REALLY PUSH EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY AND SHOW THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING PEOPLE CARE.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT WE'RE PUSHING MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT NOW IN THIS SESSION, BUT WE ARE LAYING THE GROUNDWORK, AND I THINK THE MESSAGE IS BEING RECEIVED. STAY UP ON THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO PUSH TO OR REPEAT TOO MUCH OF WHAT JOHN'S GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN HIS REPORT, BUT JUST WANTED TO JUST BRAG A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING SOME FANTASTIC WORK AND THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN SHOWING UP TO THOSE MEETINGS, ASKING GREAT QUESTIONS, AND THEN STEPPING UP AND GOING UP AND MEETING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, JUST REALLY GOOD STUFF.

>> I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT WINDOWS AND MIRRORS.

THAT WAS REALLY A SPECIAL EVENT.

IF YOU DO HAVE THE TIME, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN IT? IT'S REALLY QUITE SPECIAL. I'LL COVER THAT.

THREE THINGS THAT I HAD THIS MONTH.

ONE IT WAS A SPECIAL EVENING.

I THINK SEVERAL OF YOU WERE IN BUDGET MEETING AT THAT TIME, WAS OUR VARSITY BOYS PLAYING THE GRADUATED UNIFIED STUDENTS FANTASTIC TIME.

WHEN I SAW CHARLES HINES, HE SAID ALL THE PARENTS LOVED BOOING AGAINST THEIR OWN VARSITY BOYS.

[LAUGHTER] BUT IT WAS SUCH A SUPPORTIVE EVENT.

AT THE END, ALL THE PLAYERS, ALL THE ATHLETES GET TOGETHER.

THEY'RE ALL JUMPING UP AND DOWN TO THE FIGHT SONG.

IT WAS JUST A REALLY SPECIAL NIGHT. STILL IN MY MIND.

I'VE GOT MORE PHOTOS OF IT ON MY PHONE THAN MY KIDS FROM THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

IT WAS GREAT. LET'S SEE.

SHARE ALSO BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO COME UP NEXT MONTH, BUT THEATER, CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL IS IN THE REHEARSAL IN BUILD TIME FOR THEIR PRODUCTION OF HADESTOWN, WHICH WILL BE MARCH 14TH, 15TH, 21ST, 22ND.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.

AT LEAST COME SO YOU CAN SEE MY PART OF HELPING BUILD THE [LAUGHTER] STAGE.

BUT THE STUDENTS ARE WORKING REALLY HARD IN THOSE.

IT'S A DIFFERENT PRODUCTION THAN OTHER MUSICALS BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A SPOKEN MUSICAL IN MANY PARTS.

JUST KEEP THAT ON YOUR SCHEDULE FOR MID-MARCH.

THEN FINALLY, MY OTHER SIDE THING THAT I WORK ON IS ROBOTICS.

ROBOTICS IS IN, AGAIN, THEY'RE COMPETITIVE SEASON, THEY'RE INTO WEEK 3 OR 4 NOW, BUILDING.

THOSE EVENTS I'LL SEND OUT ANNOUNCEMENTS BEFORE THEY COME UP IN MARCH, THE REGIONAL EVENTS.

[00:30:01]

STUDENTS ARE WORKING VERY HARD IF YOU'RE AT ALL INTERESTED OR EVEN THE PUBLIC EVER WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING EITHER AT STEMNASIUM, ALMOST EVERY NIGHT THAT'S OPEN IF YOU WANT TO GO IN AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON, AND THEN THE SHOP AT LIBERTY.

BUT I DO WANT TO THANK THE DISTRICT FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE ROBOTIC STUDENTS, THE SPACE THAT THEY HAVE.

IT'S REALLY FANTASTIC.

IT'S A VERY REWARDING EVENT FOR ME TO BE A MENTOR AS PART OF THE ROBOTICS BOOSTER BOARD.

THOSE ARE THE THREE THINGS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.

>> THIS MAY SOUND OFF, BUT MY HIGHLIGHT WAS THE BASKETBALL GAME THIS MONTH.

I'VE NOT BEEN TO A CAMAS HIGH BASKETBALL GAME BEFORE, SHAME TO SAY.

MY WORLD REVOLVES AROUND SOCCER.

ALL MY KIDS PLAY SOCCER, BUT IT WAS REALLY EXCITING TO BE IN THAT FULLY PACKED, ESPECIALLY BEING THAT IT WAS AGAINST UNION, GO CAMAS.

THAT WAS ONE. THE OTHER ONE WAS, WAS IT THE CAC MEETING THIS MONTH, TOO?

>> YEAH.

>> RIGHT. ATTENDED THAT TOGETHER AND THE CONVERSATION STILL CONTINUES ON CELL PHONE POLICY.

DEFINITELY LOTS OF COLLABORATION GOING ON IN THAT GROUP TO COME TO SOMETHING WITH THAT.

I ALSO REPRESENT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON THE, WHAT'S IT CALLED? CAMAS STRATEGIC PLAN COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

IT'S A LOT OF SAYING AND LOT OF WORDS.

THERE'S LOTS OF WORK BEING DONE.

WE'VE HAD, I THINK THIS WILL BE, NEXT MONTH, IT'LL BE THE LAST MEETING, SO REPRESENTING THE VISION AND MISSION AND PRIORITIES OF THE CITY GOING FORWARD, LIKE THEIR NEXT FIVE-YEAR PLAN.

THEY'RE WORKING WITH A GROUP TO HELP THEM COME UP WITH THE LAYOUT OF THE LAND FOR CHEMISTS, AND IT'S BEEN REALLY GREAT TO BE A PART OF THAT TO REPRESENT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND OBVIOUSLY AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED EACH OTHER. IT'S BEEN GOOD.

>> THAT'S GREAT. THAT'S THE PERFECT LEADING.

JUST RIGHT BEFORE OUR MEETING TONIGHT, MATHEW AND I, ATTENDED THE CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE, WHICH WE HAVE ROUGHLY ONCE A MONTH WHEN THERE ARE THINGS TO DISCUSS, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION IS THEIR WORK ON THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN ENVISIONING AND JUST SHARED A LOT OF WHAT EACH ARE UP TO.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE'VE MET A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL THAT I'VE BEEN UP TO.

ANY GO-BACKS? YOU GOT IT?

>> THE ONLY THING I'D SAY IS JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE SUBSCRIBED TO WASDAS IN SESSION EMAIL.

THEY SEND AN EMAIL EVERY FRIDAY WITH UPDATES OF WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU DON'T GET IT, I CAN FORWARD IT TO YOU TOO.

>> WE'LL CHECK ON FRIDAY. THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO SECTION 3, LEARNING.

[3. LEARNING]

FOR THAT, I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO DR. ANZALONE TO AWARD THE TIPTON SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> YES. THANKS, CONNIE.

TYPICALLY, LISA GRASSE WOULD AWARD THIS.

SHE'S OUT TODAY, SO I WILL HAPPILY DO THIS IN HER PLACE.

WE'RE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS HONORED WITH THE TIPTON PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LEGACY AWARD FOR THIS YEAR '24, '25.

MARY AND GARY TIPTON'S DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT 2005-2016 LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON OUR COMMUNITY.

THEIR LEADERSHIP PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN FOSTERING GROWTH IN NUMBERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

IN TRIBUTE TO THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS, THE TIPTON PROFESSIONAL LEARNING LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT STAFF WHO EXEMPLIFY LEADERSHIP AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT OUR DISTRICT THROUGH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.

NOW, LET'S CONGRATULATE THIS YEAR'S WELL-DESERVING RECIPIENTS, TONIA ALBERT, KENDALL DE VERA, JENNIFER FENNERI, AND CODY LANE.

ARE ANY HERE THIS EVENING? AWESOME. [APPLAUSE]

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? THANK YOU.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE HONORED WITH THIS SCHOLARSHIP.

I HAD LOOKED AT THE OPPORTUNITY YEARS PRIOR, AND I THOUGHT, WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

THIS YEAR, I REALLY FELT DRAWN TO THERE'S A MULTI-SENSORY MATH CONFERENCE THAT'S HAPPENING, IT'S A TRAINING, THAT STARTS IN APRIL.

I THOUGHT, GOSH, IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT TO DO THAT, AND FINANCIALLY, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT BEYOND WHAT I COULD DO PERSONALLY.

I THOUGHT THIS IS MY CHANCE.

I WENT FOR IT AND I GOT THE CONGRATULATIONS NOTICE. I WAS VERY EXCITED.

EXCITED TO TAKE PART IN THAT, SHARE IT WITH MY SCHOOL, WITH MY STUDENTS, AND THE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. THE DEDICATION

[00:35:02]

TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND THE BETTERMENT OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY IS TRULY INSPIRING.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WITNESSING YOUR CONTINUED POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON OUR STUDENTS IN DISTRICTS.

PLEASE COME BACK AND SHARE HOW THAT EXPERIENCE WHEN IT'S OVER.

THANK YOU, AGAIN. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THAT'S GREAT. LET'S GIVE THEM ALL ANOTHER HAND.

THANK YOU. MOVING TO NUMBER 4, SYSTEMS AND PATHWAYS.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

>> THANKS, CONNIE. JANUARY 27, 2025, I WANTED TO UPDATE YOU AS ALWAYS ON ENROLLMENT AND WHERE WE ARE.

OVERALL, SOME REALLY POSITIVE NUMBERS HERE.

WE'VE INCREASED BY 10 STUDENTS SINCE BEFORE WINTER BREAK.

REALLY, FROM 15TH OF DECEMBER UNTIL JANUARY 15TH, ENROLLMENT AT SECONDARY HAS GONE UP NINE STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL HAS STAYED FLAT.

HIGH SCHOOL, WE SEE THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE YOU'LL START TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF AN INCREASE IN CCA, ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER, OR WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST SEMESTER, SO STUDENTS WILL LOOK FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

THANK YOU, DR. DAN, WHO ACTUALLY WAS HERE FOR REALLY EMBRACING THOSE STUDENTS.

CHS, TYPICALLY THE STUDENTS WILL COME FROM CHS, SO THAT'S WHY MOST LIKELY YOU SEE A -9 THERE OUTSIDE OF STUDENTS WHO MAY HAVE GONE TO HAYES OR MAYBE OUT OF DISTRICT.

DISCOVERY HAS HAD ALSO A SMALL DROP, WHICH AGAIN, IS TYPICAL THIS TIME OF YEAR, STUDENTS MOVING TO OTHER OPTIONS.

HAYES FREEDOM HAS ACCEPTED TWO ADDITIONAL STUDENTS, WHICH PROBABLY QUALIFIES THAT -9 FROM CAMUS HIGH SCHOOL.

I'D HAVE TO TALK TO MRS. HOLMES TO SEE EXACTLY.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS STAYED PRETTY FLAT.

CCA MIDDLE SCHOOL LOST ONE.

HOWEVER, LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL GAINED THREE STUDENTS, ODYSSEY LOST ONE, ESSENTIALLY RIGHT AT BASELINE, AND THEN SKY RIDGE HAS BEEN STAYING CONSISTENT.

JUST AN UPDATE THERE ON MIDDLE.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS WHERE YOU START TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF MOVEMENT THIS TIME OF YEAR AS WELL.

WE HAD ONE ELEMENTARY STUDENT ADD TO OUR ONLINE PROGRAM.

WE DID LOSE FOUR AT DOROTHY FOX.

HOWEVER, FIVE WERE GAINED OVER AT GRASS VALLEY.

HELEN BALLER ALSO +3, AND LACAMAS A +1, PRUNE HILL, +3, AND WOODBURN A +7.

MY THOUGHT ON THAT, I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO MR. PARMAN YET TODAY, BUT MY GUESS IS THAT WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THAT BUILDING AND A LITTLE BIT OF MOVEMENT AS FAR AS PEOPLE GETTING INTO THOSE HOMES.

THERE'S A COUPLE APARTMENT COMPLEXES ALSO ON THE EAST SIDE OF WASHOUGAL OR WEST SIDE OF VANCOUVER, EAST SIDE OF CAMAS THAT IS HELPING THAT.

CONNIE AND MATTHEW AND I HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION TODAY AT CITY SCHOOLS WITH DOUG QUINN AND MAYOR HOGAN, AND ALLEN WAS THERE FROM THE CITY, AND THEY'RE REALLY BEING POSITIVE ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE GROWING AS FAR AS GROWING UP AND PROVIDING A LITTLE BIT MORE CAPACITY FOR FAMILIES.

SOME RENTERS, BUT STILL THE RENTS ARE STILL STAYING VERY HIGH.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT INFLUX QUITE YET.

BUT THE CITY BUILDS, THE MORE DEVELOPERS LOOK AT TRYING TO BUILD A LITTLE BIT MORE DENSELY, I THINK THE MORE WE'LL SEE THAT BOUNCE BACK.

AGAIN, NOT TO BELABOR THIS, I REALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN THE POSITIVE, AND LET'S SEE IF THAT TREND CONTINUES THROUGH THE SPRING.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON ENROLLMENT? WELL, CONNIE.

>> MAYBE JASON WILL COVER THIS, BUT WHERE DOES THIS BRING US IN RELATION TO WHAT WE HAD BUDGETED FOR THIS YEAR? WE'RE BELOW?

>> WE'RE STILL BELOW.

>> I KNOW ONE OF OUR STUDENT REPORTS MENTIONED AN LUU, BUT I DID WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE WERE ABLE TO SHARE SOME TIME WITH HIM AT ROTARY THIS MONTH.

HE'S SOPHOMORE OF THE MONTH.

REMEMBER, ROTARY SELECTS A SOPHOMORE EVERY MONTH, AND THEN AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, THEY'LL PROVIDE A $500 SCHOLARSHIP TO ONE WINNER.

BUT EVERY TIME THE FAMILIES ARE THERE, THEY'RE SO EXCITED BECAUSE THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW MANY SOPHOMORES WE HAVE BETWEEN US AND WASHOUGAL.

THIS IS A HECK OF AN HONOR.

AN WAS AMAZING. HE'S A LITTLE SHY, BUT HE GOT UP THERE, HE SPOKE ABOUT HIS FUTURE.

HE STILL DOESN'T KNOW REALLY WHERE HE WANTS TO BE.

BUT SOPHOMORES, WHERE DID ANY OF US KNOW AT THAT POINT? AN IS A GREAT YOUNG MAN, AND IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE WITH HIM.

I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT TO TO PRUNE HILL THIS MONTH AND READ TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS IN MRS. BURTON'S CLASS. THEY'RE AWESOME.

THIS BOOK, "THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT".

ACTUALLY, THE QUOTE SHOULD BE ON THE OUTSIDE OF QUIT, MY FAULT.

THIS BOOK WAS REALLY TELLING BECAUSE EACH CRAYON HAS A PERSONALITY, AND THE STUDENTS WERE JUST SO INVOLVED.

YOU COULD SEE THEM POINTING OUT, PROBABLY CORRECTING ME ALONG THE WAY.

BUT I REALLY AM THRILLED TO GET OUT THERE EVERY YEAR.

THANKS, MRS. BURTON, IF YOU'RE WATCHING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

[00:40:01]

ALSO, AS MENTIONED A LITTLE EARLIER, THIS IS A HECK OF AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

KIERRA BROKE THE 1,000-POINT MARK, AND SHE'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO SOAR THIS YEAR.

REALLY, AS A POINT GUARD LEADING THE WAY, AND SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE HER PLAY THIS YEAR AND REALLY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROBABLY PLAY AT THE NEXT LEVEL.

OUR GIRLS HAVEN'T REALLY MISSED A BEAT THIS YEAR.

THAT WIN AGAINST UNION WAS AWESOME AND SAME WITH THE BOYS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO A BASKETBALL GAME YET, IT IS AWESOME AND, BAMINI SAID AT BEST, JUST A PACKED HOUSE, SO AWESOME STUFF, KIERRA.

ALSO, COREY, THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING ETHAN.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED, WE'RE CROSSING OUR FINGERS AND OUR TOES THAT HE TAKES HOME THE GRAMMY.

BUT HUGE NOMINATION FOR CAMAS, AND FOR ETHAN SPECIFICALLY.

WHAT HE DOES OVER THERE WITH THOSE STUDENTS AND THE FEEDER PROGRAM THAT HE'S ABLE TO ASSIST WITH IS JUST PHENOMENAL.

EVERY TIME YOU GET TO A PERFORMANCE OF HIS, YOU CAN SEE IT'S JUST ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT YOU TYPICALLY SEE IN A COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL.

KUDOS TO ETHAN, HOPEFULLY, HE BRINGS HOME THE GOLD.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A GOLD AWARD.

I WANTED TO GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE BUDGET SIDE, AND COREY ALLUDED TO A LOT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL.

I WILL TELL YOU, WE ARE POUNDING THE PAVEMENT.

I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE PARENTS THAT HAVE JOINED THE LAC, THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND, AND EVEN STAFF.

WE TOOK A NICE RIDE OF TO OLYMPIA LAST WEEK.

WE HAD ONE OF OUR PSE MEMBERS JOIN US AND A FEW ARE OUR PARENTS.

BUT REALLY, WE'RE WATCHING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MEDIA AND THEY'RE FOLLOWING VERY CLOSELY.

A COUPLE OF STORIES THAT CAME OUT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

YOU SEE IN A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR, THE PRESSURE IS ON AND YOU CAN FEEL IT.

THE CONVERSATION IS STRONG.

WE'RE HOPING THAT IT PAYS DIVIDENDS.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THIS YEAR, AND I THINK MR. WILLIAMS MENTIONED IT AT OUR LAST BUDGET MEETING IS HOW UNITED THE CONVERSATION IS.

ACROSS THE STATE, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, TALKING ABOUT THE BIG THREE.

IT WAS FINALLY TO COREY'S POINT SO GOOD TO SEE IT GO TO COMMITTEE AND HAVE SOME REALLY ROBUST CONVERSATION AROUND THE BIG THREE.

THERE'S STILL SOME CONVERSATION AROUND REGIONALIZATION AND TK, WHICH IS GREAT.

THOSE ARE TO LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

BUT I JUST WANT TO ALLUDE TO THE FACT THAT I DO BELIEVE THE PRESSURE IS ON THE STATE AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS SESSION IT COMES THROUGH, WE'RE REALLY HOPEFUL FOR THE NEXT COUPLE SESSIONS.

I'M REALLY HEARING POSITIVE THINGS AROUND THE PROTOTYPICAL MODEL AND PUTTING A CONSORTIUM OF PEOPLE TOGETHER.

I THINK DEREK'S HERE, DEREK WAS SELECTED TO BE ON THE WORK GROUP THAT'S GOING TO LOOK DEEPLY INTO THE PROTOTYPICAL MODEL, CORRECT, DEREK? THE WORK HASN'T STARTED YET. BUT YOU WERE SELECTED?

>> NOW, THEY'LL OFFICIALLY PUT OUT INVITATIONS.

>> SO I'M JUMPING THE GUN A LITTLE BIT.

MAYBE THAT'S INSIDE BASEBALL.

BUT THAT'S A HUGE STEP FORWARD, CONNIE, I KNOW YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT THAT, AND THAT'S REALLY THE BIGGER ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE A FIX THIS SESSION, BUT WE'RE HOPEFUL.

THE OTHER STORY I WANTED TO POINT OUT IS HOW SOME OF THE PARENT GROUPS AND WEA IS ALSO A BIG PART OF THIS.

THEY'RE CALLING IT THE BILLION DOLLAR BAKE SALE.

IT'S REALLY MORE OF A METAPHOR FOR GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO GET THE WORD OUT, THAT THIS IS A STATE WIDE ISSUE.

WE NEED TO FUND PRE-K12.

THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO GET TOGETHER, HAVE A BIG SALE, BUT REALLY TALK ABOUT THE BIGGER CONVERSATION, WHICH IS MAKING SURE OUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED.

GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS, MOSTLY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND WEA.

REALLY GOOD STUFF. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THOSE ARTICLES YET, THOSE WERE BOTH OUT OF THE COLOMBIAN.

THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SMALL, BUT I BELIEVE GAIL GAVE YOU A HANDOUT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, WE CAN PROBABLY GET YOU A COPY IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THIS A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID, AND DEREK, THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AS WELL.

WE DIRECTED OUR LAC MEMBERS INTO THE BILL TRACKER, HOW TO LOOK UP BILLS, HOW TO, AS COREY SAID, VOTE PRO, VOTE CON, TESTIFY IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THAT.

THAT WAS SOME OF THE WORK WE DID IN THE LAST LAC.

BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW BILLS THAT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO BE FOLLOWING.

IF YOU LOOK AT HB 1289, IT'S GOING TO EXACT SESSION.

IT'S AROUND GATHERING SURVEY INFORMATION TO APPROVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS, WE'RE SEEING A MAJOR DROP OFF IN STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LET ALONE WASHINGTON STATE.

WE'VE LOST WELL OVER 50,000 STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON STATE TO PRIVATE, HOME SCHOOLING, OTHER OPTIONS OUT OF STATE SINCE COVID.

THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION TO OUR BUDGET.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS THIS BILL WOULD FORMULATE A SURVEY THAT GOES OUT TO FAMILIES WHO

[00:45:01]

HAVE LEFT THE DISTRICT OR LEFT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND REALLY FORMALIZE A SURVEY.

I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BILL.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT COST IS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS YET.

THERE'S SOME PRETTY HEAVY TRACTION ON THIS BILL.

I MENTIONED THIS BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE ASKED OUR PRINCIPALS HERE IN CAMAS TO DO REALLY SOME INFORMAL EXIT SURVEYINGS WITH OUR FAMILY, AND WE GET OF DIFFERENT REASONS FOR LEAVING.

MOST OF OUR ISSUE RIGHT NOW IS JUST NOT HAVING THE INCOMING, LET ALONE PEOPLE LEAVING THE DISTRICT.

BUT THAT WAS ONE I WANTED TO POINT OUT TO YOU AS WELL.

THERE'S PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT ARE BEGINNING ON TK.

AS YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE TK PROGRAM HERE.

WASHOUGAL HAS MULTIPLE, AND WE ARE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS.

WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT TK WILL BE FULLY FUNDED.

I HEAR I HEAR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A PARTISAN ISSUE, SADLY, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT COMES OUT.

BUT I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT ALIA AND HER TEAM AND HER STUDENTS OVER AT GRASS VALLEY AND HOW MUCH WE WOULD LOVE TO EXPAND IF WE HAD THE RESOURCES.

A COUPLE OF OTHER HIGHLIGHTS.

AS COREY MENTIONED, WE'RE STARTING TO HEAR THESE BILLS GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE SENATE BILL 5192, WHICH CONCERNS OUR MSOC, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE FEELING SOME REALLY GOOD POSITIVE TRACTION, AND THEN AGAIN, SPECIAL ED FUNDING.

KEEP THOSE NUMBERS IN THE FRONT OF YOUR MIND, 5192 AND 5263.

WE DIDN'T GET UP THERE IN TIME TO SEE THOSE HEARINGS.

THOSE WERE ON TUESDAY, AND I BELIEVE WE WENT UP THERE ON WEDNESDAY.

BUT WE DID ACTUALLY GET TO HEAR SOME BILLS AROUND RURAL SCHOOLS, AND SOME OF THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH PRIMARILY AROUND BUS TRANSPORTATION, KIDS THAT ARE TAKING BUSES HOUR-AND-A-HALF, TWO HOURS TO SCHOOL ACROSS THE RURAL DISTRICT.

THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR.

THEN YOU'LL SEE SOME OTHER HOUSE BILLS ON THE BOTTOM THERE.

BUT THOSE ARE THE ONES I WANTED TO HIT.

DEREK, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THAT OR COVERS IT?

>> THAT'S EVERYDAY. THERE'S MORE BILLS RELEASED EVERY DAY IN THE HOUSE AS A HUGE SLEW OF BILLS THAT WILL COME OUT NEXT WEEKS.

THE SENATE JUST DOES POLICY AND FISCAL BILLS TOGETHER, ACTUALLY, AND THE HOUSE REPRESENT [INAUDIBLE] BILLS.

THE FISCAL BILLS START IN THE APPROPRIATIONS AND THEN GO TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THOSE BILLS COME OUT LATER THE HOUSE.

>> THANKS, DEREK. I THINK THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS THAT CAMAS IS SMALL AND MIGHTY.

WE'RE REALLY NOTICED UP THERE, WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE FROM WEA, AND CEA, PSE, BUT EVEN NOW SOME OF OUR FAMILIES.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE WHEN WE GO UP THERE, THE SENATORS AND THE REPRESENTATIVES WILL ACTUALLY STEP OUT OF THEIR COMMITTEES TO MEET WITH US, TO GREET US, TO SAY HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE US DURING THE HEARINGS TO SAY, HEY, CAMAS IS HERE, AND THEY'RE VOCAL.

DEREK, I THINK, HIM AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK, WE'RE REALLY GETTING THAT RECOGNITION AS BEING A SMALLER DISTRICT WHO'S STANDING UP AND SAYING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST SIT BACK AND HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE.

IT FEELS GOOD. IT FEELS GOOD WHEN WE'RE UP THERE.

AGAIN, TO COREY'S POINT, I CAN'T THINK THAT COMMITTEE ENOUGH.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON ANY OF THESE BILLS OR THE PROCESS IN GENERAL?

>> I WOULD SAY, THANK YOU FOR THIS LIST OF BILLS.

WHEN YOU SEE THESE COMING UP FOR A HEARING, IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT WE PRIORITIZE LIKE SPECIAL ED AND THAT STUFF TO JUST TAKE A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO GO IN AND SIGN IN FOR THOSE BILLS JUST TO GET YOURSELF ON THE RECORD OF BEING SUPPORTING, OPPOSING OR OTHERWISE.

>> COREY, TO THAT POINT, MOST OF THOSE ARE HYPER LINKED.

ANYBODY EITHER WATCHING OR SEES THIS PLAYBACK, IF YOU CLICK ON ANY OF THOSE, IT'LL TAKE YOU RIGHT TO THE PAGE WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO IN AND TESTIFY OR VOTE, OR YOU CAN TYPE IN ANOTHER BILL IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S PRETTY EASY TO DO.

JUST WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW, THOSE ARE LINKED.

>> JUST ONE LITTLE CLIP FOR.

IT'S NOT ACTUALLY VOTING.

SIGNING IN PUTTING YOUR NAME IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD, SAYING THAT YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF A BILL OR NOT.

>> GOOD CORRECTION. YOUR VOTE WON'T REALLY COUNT. GOOD POINT.

>> WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY LEARNING FROM OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, MY GOSH, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH EDUCATION FUNDING, THE COMMENT THAT WE HEARD LAST YEAR ALL THE TIME WAS LIKE, WELL, EDUCATION FUNDING IS SO LOW ON THE PRIORITY OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.

[00:50:03]

YOU WOULD THINK, WELL, IT'S A NO BRAINER.

WE KNOW WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

BUT IT'S LIKE THE SQUEAKY WHEEL, THAT IF THEY DON'T HEAR FROM US AND THEY'RE HEARING FROM OTHER GROUPS, LIKE, WE'LL LISTEN TO THE LOUDEST VOICE.

THE POWER OF SO MANY VOICES AND SO MANY PEOPLE WEIGHING IN IS MUCH GREATER THAN, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN THE PAST.

IT REALLY HAS AN IMPACT WHEN YOU SAY, THEY'RE LISTENING, NOTICING WHEN CAMAS IS ENGAGING, AND JUST THE MORE PEOPLE WHO GO IN AND SAY, HEY, I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS, WE'RE ALL CONSTITUENTS OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY AT HOME AND HERE TO WEIGH IN, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BECAUSE IT COUNTS.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THE OTHER THING TOO IS THAT A LOT OF THESE ARE BIG SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS. IF WE THINK ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE PRE-MCCLARY, I THINK IT WAS SIX OR EIGHT YEARS BETWEEN THE MCCLEARY LAWSUIT AND WHEN THEY ACTUALLY GOT AROUND TO THE FIX THAT REALLY WASN'T ANYWISE.

I WON'T EDITORIALIZE ON THAT TOO MUCH, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT EVEN IF IT ISN'T ADDRESSED IN THIS SESSION, WE HAVE TO RE SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE SESSIONS FOR THINGS TO REALLY GET SOME TRACTION FOR THERE TO BE AN APPETITE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO REALLY ATTACK A BIGGER THING.

EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING INTO THE ABYSS.

>> BECAUSE LIKE YOU ALLUDED TO BEFORE, WE HAVE TO KEEP ASKING FOR THE MONEY THAT WE NEED, KNOWING THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE LITTLE BITES OUT OF IT, BUT IF WE STOP ASKING FOR THE WHOLE FIX, WE'LL NEVER GET IT.

WE NEED $1 BILLION. WE START FACING.

>> MAYBE TWO.

>> NO, WAY UP.

>> COULD YOU CLICK ON ONE OF THE LINKS BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK DALE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> JUST BECAUSE THERE'S TWO IMPORTANT THINGS IF YOU CLICK, IT DOES GO TO THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S THE ABILITY FOR ANYONE TO SEND COMMENTS FROM THAT LINK. WE'LL SEE IF WHEN IT COMES UP.

THERE'S A LITTLE BOX ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.

THERE'S SEND A COMMENT, SO ANYONE CAN DO THIS, ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN SEND A COMMENT.

I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO THIS. I'VE SENT A FEW IN.

YOU CAN ALSO GET E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TIME EVERY DAY TO GO IN AND CHECK WHERE ALL THESE ARE.

I JUST SIGNED UP FOR E-MAIL NOTIFICATIONS.

IT IS VERY NICE. BUT I LIKE THIS LIST.

I KNOW IT'S GOING TO GROW, THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE THINGS WE'RE INTERESTED IN.

CAN WE GET THIS OUT OF THE PRESENTATION AND GET IT ON OUR WEBSITE, MAYBE SOMEWHERE SO THAT BOTH US AND ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC CAN SAY, WHAT ARE WE ALL WATCHING? SINCE IT CHANGES SO QUICKLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> BECAUSE THESE LINKS ARE REALLY HELPFUL, SINCE I DON'T HAVE TO GO TRY TO FIND IT, BUT SENDING COMMENTS AND IT TAKES ALMOST NO TIME.

>> GREAT IDEA.

>> SOMETHING I READ IT ON FACEBOOK, YOU CAN GIVE A COMMENT TO OUR LEGISLATORS, I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT'S REALLY WELL ORGANIZED, AND SO I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IF WE COULD GET IT ON THE WEBSITE.

>> YEAH. YOU BET. ANYTHING ELSE ON BILLS? JUST A REMINDER TO EVERYONE WATCHING WHAT THE CAMAS PRIORITIES ARE.

WE'RE RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE STATE, SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING, NUMBER 1, LOOKING AT THE PROTOTYPICAL MODEL.

TWO, REGIONALIZATION MSOC, AND FULLY FUNDING TK.

AGAIN, OUR LEGISLATORS KNOW OUR PRIORITIES.

WE BROUGHT THEM ADDITIONAL COPIES.

THEY'RE RIGHT ON THEIR DESK, THEY HAVE THOSE KEEN TO MEMORY.

>> WHAT WOULD BE REALLY AWESOME IS IF YOU MERGED THE LAST DOCUMENT OF ALL THE BILLS WITH OUR PRIORITIES AND CATEGORIZED THEM.

HERE'S ALL THE ONES THAT FALL UNDER SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING.

HERE ARE ALL THE PROTOTYPICAL SCHOOL MODEL.

>> THAT'S GOOD.

>> GREAT. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS DOING THAT, BUT IF IT'S PRETTY EASY TO IDENTIFY.

>> GOT IT. GREAT SUGGESTIONS, EVERYONE. MOVING ON.

THIS IS A SLIDE THAT WE CONTINUE TO JUST I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO REPEAT.

CONNIE, IT GOES TO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING EARLIER.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF ISSUES, MAJOR ISSUES IN THE STATE.

BUT CORE, YOU'RE RIGHT, SO MANY OF THOSE SYSTEMIC ISSUES WE TRULY FEEL AS EDUCATORS THAT WE CAN HIT ON.

THEY TALK A LOT ABOUT UNSHELTERED POPULATION AND PEOPLE WITH OPIOID ADDICTION ACROSS THE STATE.

WE'RE HAVING OBVIOUSLY MAJOR IMMIGRATION CONVERSATIONS RIGHT NOW.

MANY OF THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES ARE DEALT WITH IN THE CLASSROOM.

OUR TEACHERS AND OUR STAFF ARE REALLY WORKING WITH KIDS ON JUST BEING BETTER PEOPLE AND GOOD PEOPLE, AND WHAT ARE THOSE VALUES? WE TALK ABOUT THE PROFILE OF A GRADUATE AND WHAT OUR COMMUNITIES LOOKING FOR IN A GRADUATE FROM CAMAS.

I THINK SOMETIMES THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EITHER WORKED IN EDUCATION OR IT'S JUST BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THEY'VE BEEN IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

[00:55:01]

I THINK THEY FORGET THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE WHOLE CHILD SO MUCH, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO HARP ON.

I THINK SOMETIMES OUR POLITICIANS LOOK AT THESE ISSUES IN LITTLE SILOS WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE THINGS IN BIGGER BECAUSE OUR BUSINESS IS THE HUMAN BUSINESS.

AGAIN, IF WE CAN GET THAT PIECE OF THE PIE BACK TO WHAT IT WAS IN 2019, THAT'S REALLY ONE OF THE ULTIMATE GOALS.

TO JUST SEE THAT 43% DWINDLING EVERY SINGLE SESSION, IT'S HARD TO WATCH.

BUT OUR LEGISLATORS ARE HEARING US.

I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD GRAPHIC AND WE KEEP PUSHING THAT.

THEN THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT TOO, AND WHERE OUR LEVEE FUNDS HAVE HAD TO GO.

ALMOST $26 MILLION HAS GONE TO PLACES THAT LEVEES REALLY NEVER WERE MEANT TO GO.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT POTENTIALLY LIFTING THE LEVEE CAP IS A FIX.

IN MY OPINION, THAT'S ASKING US TO GO BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM LOCALLY RATHER THAN GETTING IT FIXED FROM THE STATE.

WE ALSO SHOW THIS TO OUR LEGISLATORS TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS MEANT TO DO, AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE FORCED TO DO.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GET INTO TOO MANY POLITICS THERE AROUND THE LEVEE LIFT.

I MEAN, WE'LL TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET.

BUT I WORRY SOMETIMES ABOUT DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE THAT DON'T HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS AS US.

IS THAT REALLY A FIX FOR THEM? IT'S NOT.

THAT'S WHY I THINK UNITING AROUND THE BIG 3 HAS BEEN REALLY VITAL.

THIS IS JUST SOME SHOTS FROM OUR TRIP UP THERE.

THE ONE ON THE LEFT IS WITH KEVIN WATERS.

THE ONE ON THE FAR RIGHT WAS WITH MAYOR STUB AND NOW REPRESENTATIVE STUB, AND THEN THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE, WE ACTUALLY RAN INTO.

ACTUALLY, SENATOR HARRIS CAME OUT OF HIS HEARING.

HE SAW US LEAVING AND HE SAID, WAIT, HOLD ON.

I WANT TO SAY HELLO AND SAY, THANK YOU. WE GRABBED A PICTURE.

WE DID ALSO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FACETIME WITH ADRIEN CORTEZ, REPRESENTATIVE OF COURSE, SENATOR CORTEZ, HE'S GETTING THE FIRE HOST TREATMENT RIGHT NOW.

HE'S LEARNING AS FAST AS HE CAN, BUT IT'S SO REFRESHING TO HAVE A FELLOW EDUCATOR UP THERE.

WORKS AT CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL, SO HE'S IN THE TRENCHES EVERY DAY TO BE UP THERE REPRESENTING US.

AGAIN, CAMAS IS REALLY SHINING UP AT THE STATE.

THEN KEVIN WATERS ACTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET OUT TO ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS TO VISIT THE KIDS.

THIS IS HIM WITH SARA LOGAN OVER AT SKY RIDGE AND THANK YOU CLINT FOR HOSTING.

KEVIN WAS SPEAKING REALLY HIGHLY OF THIS TRIP DOWN TO CAMAS WHEN WE WERE UP IN OLYMPIA.

JUST SWITCHING OVER TO MORE OF OUR LOCAL BUDGET AND TRYING TO FIND THIS BALANCE HERE.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR PRINCIPLES GOING INTO THIS BUDGET REDUCTION, ALWAYS KEEP STUDENT IMPACT MINIMIZATION AT AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR THOUGHTS.

JUST WANTED TO REMIND THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT AS WE GO INTO THIS REDUCTION PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING THESE PRINCIPLES TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

WE CAN'T ALWAYS FOLLOW THEM 100%.

WE DO THE BEST WE CAN BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY SO MANY BUCKETS OF MONEY TO GO TO.

BUT THIS KEEPS OUR WORK GROUNDED AND WE KEEP REMINDING OURSELVES OF THAT WORK.

SOME UPDATES ON THE PLAN.

TONIGHT, I WILL ASK THE BOARD TO DISCUSS AND POTENTIALLY APPROVE A MODIFIED EDUCATION PROGRAM, WHICH, IN OTHER WORDS, IS A RIF RESOLUTION.

THIS WILL REALLY ALLOW THE STAFF TO LOOK AT SOME REDUCTIONS TO THE TUNE OF 10-12% OF WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.

IF THE BOARD MOVES FORWARD WITH THAT, THEN WE WILL START TO NOTIFY EMPLOYEES.

WE WILL NEED ABOUT A WEEK OR SO TO REALLY GATHER OURSELVES, TO WORK WITH HR, TO MAKE MAKE SOME OF THOSE LEADERSHIP MOVES, AND THEN START NOTIFYING PEOPLE ON FEBRUARY 7TH, WHICH IS NEXT FRIDAY.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PRINCIPLES COUNCIL.

WE ACTUALLY WILL BRING THE PRINCIPALS TOGETHER ON THE SEVENTH AS WELL, JUST TO GO THROUGH THE DAY, AND THEN WE'LL MEET AGAIN ON THE 18TH.

WHAT THAT MEETING WILL REALLY BE IS TO GATHER OUR BUILDING PRINCIPALS TO REALLY SEE, NOW THAT THE DUST IS STARTING TO SETTLE, WE HAVE A BETTER OUTLOOK OF WHAT NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, HOW COULD WE SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOLS? BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT'S THE TOP OF THE LINE.

WHO'S GOING TO BE WITH YOU? WHO'S NOT? WE MAY NOT KNOW THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF THE REDUCTION IN FORCE AT THAT DAY, BUT WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PLANS IN PLACE TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO BE LEANER HERE AT CENTRAL OFFICE.

HOW DO WE STILL PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO YOU? IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE LEANER AT YOUR SCHOOLS, HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE WHAT THEY NEED? WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE MEETINGS WITH OUR PRINCIPALS THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER,

[01:00:03]

THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND TRY TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS, KNOWING THAT WE'RE GOING INTO NEXT SCHOOL YEAR WITH A SMALLER STAFF.

THEN WE'LL CONTINUE HAVING OUR BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

THESE ARE SOME GREAT MINDS.

WE HAVE GREAT UNION LEADERSHIP AT THOSE MEETINGS TO REALLY TALK THROUGH.

THOSE ARE SOME DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS FOR SURE.

BUT THAT'S WHERE WE'LL TALK THROUGH, HERE ARE SOME OF THE DECISIONS WE'RE MAKING.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONSIDERATIONS? WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS MOVING FORWARD? THAT'S REALLY JUST THE TIMELINE FOR FEBRUARY.

I DIDN'T PUT MARCH YET.

I'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOU NEXT MONTH.

BUT ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, FEEDBACK ON THAT TIMELINE.

WITH THAT SAID, A LITTLE BIT ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN UP DATE, JUST TRY TO KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR WORK GROUPS.

AGAIN, OUR THREE GOALS, HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION, CULTURE OF SAFETY, BELONGING, AND RESPONSIVE PATHWAYS.

I ALWAYS SAY THAT AS WE GET LEANER, THOSE GOALS ARE HARDER TO HIT BECAUSE WE HAVE LESS PEOPLE DOING THE WORK, BUT THAT STILL HAS TO STAY AT THE FOREFRONT.

HOW CAN WE, EVEN WITH A REDUCED BUDGET? HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE THAT CAMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR? AGAIN, IT BECOMES HARDER, BUT I THINK THIS COMMUNITY, AND THIS STAFF KNOWS HOW TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GET THE JOB DONE, IF ANYONE CAN DO IT EDUCATORS CAN.

THE PROFILE OF A GRADUATE IS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL, SO MAKING SURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE FEELING THESE VALUES THAT ARE LEARNING THESE CHARACTERISTICS, AND SO KEEPING OUR EYE ON THIS NORTH STAR.

THOSE ARE AGAIN, A REFRESHER OF OUR WORK GROUPS AND WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE WORK ON THE PLAN.

YOU CLICK ON STRATEGIC PLAN, YOU GO TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND, OR TO THE COMMUNITY CORNER.

IF YOU GO ON TO THE COMMUNITY CORNER, YOU'LL SEE A JANUARY UPDATE.

IT'S PRETTY UP TO DATE. THERE WAS A STANDARDS BASED LEARNING MEETING LAST WEEK.

WE DON'T HAVE A UPDATE YET ON, BUT WE'LL GET THAT UP THERE REALLY SOON.

BUT THE MOST RECENT ONE IS AROUND OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND CURRICULUM WORK GROUP.

JUST A QUICK UPDATE FROM THE WORK GROUPS, THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM REVIEW AND SELECTION COMMITTEE MET.

THEIR PURPOSE IS OF THEIR FOURTH MEETING WAS TO ENGAGE IN LEARNING AROUND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND CURRICULUM IN ORDER TO REVIEW AND INFORM A DRAFT ACTION PLAN.

AS YOU KNOW FROM THE WORKSHOP, WE'VE CREATED A PROGRESS REPORT.

EACH MONTH WHEN WE HAVE OUR WORK GROUPS COME, NEXT ONE IS SEL.

WHAT WAS THE SECOND ONE NEXT MONTH, SEL, IS THERE TWO? BLESS YOU.

>> UPDATE WILL BE FROM PORTRAIT OF GRAD.

>> A PORTRAIT OF GRAD AND SEL, AND THEY'LL PRESENT TO YOU THEIR PROGRESS REPORT JUST LIKE LAST MONTH.

THEN ALSO, AS I SAID, STANDARDS BASED LEARNING MET ON THURSDAY, AND THERE'S SOME ROBUST CONVERSATION AROUND THE STANDARDS BASED REPORT CARD AND SOME OF THE CHANGES DUE TO THE TRANSITION TO CUMULATIVE THAT ARE HAPPENING.

QUICK UPDATE THERE. GOING BACK VERY QUICKLY, I WANTED TO JUST REITERATE A THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.

WE HAD SOME TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK ON A COMMUNITY MESSAGE THAT WE PUT OUT.

THE FIRST MESSAGE CAME OUT THIS MORNING FROM GOVERNOR FERGUSON, AND HE WANTED FROM THE STATE LEVEL TO LET THE STATE KNOW THAT HE HAS TASKED I GUESS A TASK FORCE TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW TO ASSIST IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN COULD BE POTENTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

BEFORE THAT CAME OUT, WE AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, ALSO PUT OUT A MESSAGE, I WOULD SAY, A VERY HEAVY SUPPORT ON THE MESSAGE.

WE DID TRY TO MAKE IT THE LEAST POLITICAL REALLY JUST LET OUR FAMILIES KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE A BOARD POLICY IN PLACE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR KIDS, AND IF, IN FACT, WE EVER DID HAVE AN OFFICIAL FROM ICE COME TO OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE A POLICY THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO VERIFY A SIGN WARRANT BEFORE WE COULD EVEN HAVE ICE SPEAK TO A STUDENT.

WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING THIS HAPPENING IN CAMAS ALTHOUGH THERE'S CHANGES EVERY DAY HAPPENING WITH THIS FEDERAL POLICY.

I THINK YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY E-MAILS I RECEIVED LAST WEEK ALONE FROM FAMILIES JUST NEEDING REASSURANCE THAT WE HAVE A POLICY. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD.

IT WAS WRITTEN IN 2021, AND YOUR FORESIGHT REALLY IS COMING TO FRUITION NOW.

WE'RE ACTUALLY HAVING TO POTENTIALLY ENACT POLICY.

AGAIN, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE WATCHING OUR FRIENDS IN THE BORDER STATES AND SOME OTHER STATES THAT ARE BEING HIT PRETTY HARD BY THIS AND OUR BIGGEST CONCERN AGAIN,

[01:05:01]

NOT TO POLITICIZE THIS, BUT REALLY OUR KIDS, POTENTIALLY BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND TRYING OUR BEST TO HELP.

WE SPOKE TO CHIEF JONES TODAY AT CITY SCHOOLS, OUR POLICE CHIEF, AND SHE SAID HONESTLY, WE'LL BE THERE TO SUPPORT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO FEDERAL MANDATES, IT'S VERY HARD FOR LOCAL POLICE TO ASSIST.

WE'LL WORK TOGETHER THE BEST WE CAN AND JUST HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE DON'T RUN INTO THIS, BUT WE'RE KEEPING ALL OF OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND OUR THOUGHTS ON THIS BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE SCHOOL PORTION OF THIS FEDERAL POLICY.

SORRY TO END ON A ROUGH NOTE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY KNEW THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MESSAGE, BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS SENT OUT TO FAMILIES.

I KNOW, MOST OF US PROBABLY RECEIVED IT, YOU DID, TOO, CONNIE.

THERE'S THE LINK THERE FROM THE MESSAGE.

THANK YOU TO THE TEAM FOR GETTING THAT MESSAGE OUT.

SORRY FOR THE EXTENDED REPORT, BUT A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS. OF COURSE, WE'LL END WITH MY LITTLE GUY THERE WITH HIS THUMBS UP, SAYING EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD. THANKS, CONNIE.

>> THANK YOU. DR. ANZALONE.

THAT LEADS US TO OUR MONTHLY BUDGET REPORT AND MR. MCKEE AND, TAKE IT AWAY.

[4. SYSTEMS/PATHWAYS]

>> GOOD EVENING. THIS TONIGHT'S BUDGET STATUS UPDATE ACTUALLY COVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE OUR SECOND MEETING IN DECEMBER.

WE'LL COVER A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE WE GET THERE.

QUICK DATE. WE HAVE TWO STATE AUDITS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

OUR ANNUAL AUDIT WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE AUDITORS OFFICE.

THEY LOOK AT OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHAT HAVE YOU. THAT'S ONGOING.

IT STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

ALSO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW, WHICH IS BASICALLY AN AUDIT OF OUR SPECIAL SERVICE GRANTS.

THAT'S TAKEN UP QUITE A BIT OF TIME FOR OUR SPECIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS DEREK OVER HERE IS DEDICATED TO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME.

THINGS ARE GOING WELL. THE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW, HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY SEVEN YEARS, I THINK, WHEN THEY'RE HERE, IT'S PRETTY INTENSE.

BUT ANYWAYS, WE HAD AN ENTRANCE CONFERENCE FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

I EXPECT THEY WILL WRAP UP HERE HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT TWO, THREE WEEKS.

I SHOULD HAVE A REPORT FOR OUR FEBRUARY MEETING.

WITH THAT SAID, I'LL GET INTO NOVEMBER BUDGET STATUS REPORT.

PRETTY TRADITIONAL.

FLOW OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES, FOR THE MOST PART, A COUPLE OF THINGS TO NOTE.

NOVEMBER IS ONE OF THOSE MONTHS WHERE WE LEAN ON OUR FUND BALANCE PRETTY HEAVILY.

IT'S MOSTLY IN PART DUE TO OUR STATE APPORTIONMENT.

WE GET A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE EACH MONTH. WE ONLY GET 5%.

PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE LIKE 1/12TH IS JUST OVER 8%.

IT'S BELOW JUST EVEN A MONTHLY CASH FLOW AMOUNT.

WE LEANED ON THE FUND BALANCE TO TUNE ABOUT 4.7 MILLION DOLLAR.

THEN ALSO TO KEEP PLEASE NOTE, YEAH, WE RECEIVED SOME BUSES THAT WE ORDERED LAST YEAR.

WE RECEIVED AND PAID FOR THOSE IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, SO ABOUT 1.4 MILLION WORTH.

THE OTHER FUNDS ARE PRETTY NORMAL IN NOVEMBER. DECEMBER.

>> SOME THINGS TO TALK ABOUT THIS DECEMBER IS OVERALL THAT ENDING FUND BALANCE PROJECTION, IT'S CHANGING A LITTLE BIT, $100,000 DIFFERENCE EVER FLOW.

BUT WHAT'S UNIQUE IS THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS AS OF THE END OF DECEMBER, WE HAVE A FUND BALANCE THAT HAS TO CARRY AND COVER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INTO MONTH OF JANUARY.

AS WE'RE LOOKING AT JANUARY, ACTUALLY, OUR PAYROLL HAS EXCEEDED OUR FUND BALANCE, FIRST I THINK I'VE SEEN SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

THAT'S JUST THAT DRAWDOWN OF OUR FUND BALANCE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

IT'S GOING TO CREATE SOME CASH FLOW ISSUES, OBVIOUSLY, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT WE'RE TAKEN TO REDUCE COSTS.

[01:10:03]

BUT IT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON, AND I'VE GOT A FUTURE SLIDE HERE, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO PAY OR PAY ROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.

IF THERE WERE A MONTH IN THE FUTURE WITH WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE FUND BALANCE TO COVER, WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE SHORT TERM BORROWING SET UP SO WE COULD ACCESS THAT PAYER BILLS TILL WE WERE ABLE TO REPAY THAT LOAN.

JUST A WORD OF WARNING.

WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT HERE IN A FEW MINUTES.

ALSO, DECEMBER IS ONE OF THE TWO MONTHS IN THE YEAR THAT WE PAY OUR DEBT SERVICE.

I WAS VERY HAPPY TO GET A RELATIVELY SMALL BOND.

IT WAS ABOUT $15 MILLION THAT WE GOT THAT PAID OFF THIS PAST DECEMBER.

IT WAS A BIT UNIQUE AND THAT WE WEREN'T PAYING IN A TRADITIONAL MANNER WE'RE PAYING TO A SINKING FUND.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU PAY INTO THIS ACCOUNT AND THEN YOU MAKE ONE BALLOON PAYMENT AT ITS MATURITY.

IT MATURED IN DECEMBER I WAS GLAD TO GET THAT OFF OUR BOOKS. IN DECEMBER.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE PROJECTION AS OF DECEMBER, SEE DOWN HERE, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET DEFICIT BEING A LITTLE OVER SEVEN MILLION, AND NOW WE'RE APPROACHING CLOSER TO EIGHT MILLION.

THIS HAS VARIED 100,000 UP OR DOWN OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, BUT HOLDING FAIRLY STEADY.

THAT'S WHAT'S DRAWING DOWN THIS FUND BALANCE.

IF YOU RECALL BACK IN AUGUST, WE WERE LIKE, HEY, WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT SOME EARLY REDUCTIONS BECAUSE THAT $3.7 MILLION WAS AN UNCOMFORTABLE LEVEL.

WE'VE ALL TALKED ABOUT HOW ENROLLMENT, THE DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT PLAYED A PART IN THAT CORNNIE YOU ASKED A QUESTION, WHERE DOES THAT PUT US TODAY? WE'RE STILL OVER 50 KIDS BELOW FORECAST.

WE STARTED THE YEAR AT ABOUT 70 FORECAST.

WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS, BUT IT'S STILL BELOW WHERE WE REALLY NEED TO BE.

THIS IS LOOKING AT THAT MONTHLY ENDING FUND BALANCE PROJECTION, AND THIS IS GOING TO BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE AND MORE DISCUSSION AROUND CASH FLOW BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IN A GIVEN YEAR IS THAT WE HAVE SPIKES IN REVENUE.

THERE ARE THREE PRETTY DISTINCT SPIKES, ONE IN OCTOBER, PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION, ONE IN APRIL, PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION, AND THEN A SPIKE TOWARDS THE END, WHERE WE GET ABOUT A QUARTER OF OUR STATE REVENUES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO CARRY SOME OF THESE COSTS DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR UNTIL THAT CASH FLOW COMES IN IN ANY GIVEN MONTH.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WHEN WE TALK CASH FLOW, HERE'S THAT SPIKE I MENTIONED IN OCTOBER, APRIL, AND YOU SEE WE'RE IN THIS PERIOD RIGHT NOW, WHERE WE'RE DRAWING DOWN OUR RESERVES, AND WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY.

STILL 3.6 MILLION IS VERY LOW.

THAT DOESN'T COMPLY WITH FUND BALANCE POLICY. WE ALL KNOW THAT.

SPIKES AGAIN BECAUSE WE GET PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS, AND THIS IS THE TROUBLE SPOT THIS MONTH OF JUNE.

THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO CHEMISTS.

A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THIS IS A VERY TIGHT MONTH.

IT PLAYS LARGE IN PART TO US GETTING ALMOST A QUARTER OF OUR STATE REVENUES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS THERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING TO REALLY WATCH FOR.

1.6 MILLION MIGHT SOUND LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK COLLECTIVELY, WE'RE 250 MILLION, $240,000,000 WORTH OF TRANSACTIONS GOING BACK AND FORTH DURING THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES, 1.6 IS A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE.

CERTAINLY WELL BELOW 1% WHEN YOU COUNT REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES TOGETHER.

THE CONCERN IS, IF THIS TREND TO CONTINUE IS, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO THEN COVER THE FOLLOWING MONTHS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE? BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND.

THIS IS AS OF THE END OF EACH MONTH.

THESE ARE POINT IN TIME DEMARCATIONS, IF YOU WILL.

[01:15:05]

WE DON'T GET OUR STATE APPORTIONMENT UNTIL THE VERY END OF A MONTH.

IF WE HAVE TO PAY BILLS DURING THE COURSE OF THE MONTH, THAT COMES OUT OF THE MONEY THAT WE STARTED THE MONTH WITH, IF YOU WILL.

WE'RE GOING TO START JULY AT LEAST AT THIS RATE, WITH 1.6 MILLION.

NOW, WE'VE SPENT PROBABLY ON AVERAGE SOMEWHERE AROUND EIGHT TO 900,000 IN A GIVEN JULY IN THE PAST.

YOU CAN SAY, WELL, WE SHOULD BE OKAY.

NOW WE'RE GETTING INTO WELL BELOW A MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH ON HAND.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO PAY PRETTY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS, BUT DON'T BE SURPRISED IF I COME TO THE BOARD WITH A REQUEST TO HAVE AT LEAST A SHORT TERM BORROWING SET UP THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO SCRAMBLE IN THE MONTH OF JULY WHEN EVERYONE'S OUT OF TOWN.

TRYING TO GET A SPECIAL MEETING TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO GET A SHORT TERM LOAN AND ALL THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

WE NEED TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THAT.

NOT SAYING WE HAVE TO RIGHT NOW.

BUT ALL INDICATIONS ARE IT'S POSSIBLE.

I'M JUST GOING TO PAUSE THERE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION I JUST SHARED THERE. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> NOT REALLY A QUESTION, BUT I KNOW YOU SAID THIS SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO CAMAS AND THAT A LOT OF OTHER DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE ARE EXPERIENCING IT.

BUT IT ALSO IS UNIQUE IN THAT WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THESE TERRITORIES BEFORE, AT LEAST IN RECENT HISTORY.

I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME.

>> IT WOULD BE BACK IN THAT 2008 ERA, I WOULD GUESS.

I WAS PRETTY TIGHT BACK THEN.

MAYBE 2% ISH.

HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CASH FLOW TREND WAS BACK THEN I WOULD ASSUME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY RELATIVELY THE SAME.

PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS HAVE BEEN STANDARD, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IF THE STATE CHANGED THEIR PAYMENT SCHEDULE OVER THAT TIME PERIOD OR NOT, BUT THIS IS VERY TIGHT.

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT WORTHY IF YOU WILL.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE CASH FLOW VARIABLES AND I JUST I'VE ALREADY POINTED THESE OUT.

I DON'T NEED TO GO OVER THEM AGAIN, BUT ONE THING I WOULD ADD, YOU LOOK AT SAFETY NET, FOR EXAMPLE.

I THINK OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS THIS PAST YEAR.

WELL, THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE DON'T SEE THAT MONEY UNTIL AUGUST.

WE'RE CARRYING THAT EXPENSE AND IT'S GROWING ALL YEAR LONG.

WHEN YOU START TO THINK ABOUT, WE'VE FACTORED THAT INTO OUR MODELING, SO WHEN I SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO END THE YEAR WITH, SAY, 3.7 MILLION OF FUND BALANCE, VAST MAJORITY OF THAT'S GOING TO BE THAT SAFETY NET MONEY THAT COMES IN THE LAST MONTH.

>> BUT WE ALSO CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT'S COMING IN, RIGHT?

>> CAN'T GUARANTEE IT.

BUT WE HAVE TO ANTICIPATE IT.

THESE ARE SPECIAL SERVICE FOLKS, THEY'RE PROS.

THEY KNOW THE SAFETY NET RULES, AND THEY DO REALLY A GREAT JOB OF ESTIMATING.

WELL, WE CAN'T COUNT ON IT.

YOU'RE CORRECT, COREY, I THINK WE DO TRY TO MAKE REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS NOT TO OMIT ANYTHING THAT'S MATERIAL AND THAT WOULD BE CERTAINLY MATERIAL.

THERE'S A FEW OTHER THINGS, BUT THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT THINGS WILL START TO MATTER.

WE NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT COLLECTION OF TAXES.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY A LITTLE BIT CLOSER ATTENTION TO.

WHAT IS THAT COLLECTION RATE? ARE FOLKS PAYING THEIR TAXES ON TIME BECAUSE IT COULD MEAN FOR A LEAN MONTH FOR US? AS THINGS TIGHTEN UP, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT BEGIN TO REALLY MATTER.

WE'LL KEEP YOU A PRIZED AND ON A MONTHLY BASIS, IF NOT ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS BECAUSE AS THINGS GET TIGHTER, WE'LL BE DOWN TO DOING CASH FLOW ON A DAILY BASIS, WHERE IT'LL COME DOWN TO.

>> QUESTION ON ONE OF YOUR BULLET POINTS.

I'M SORRY. ARE YOU DONE WITH THE SLIDE?

>> YEAH, I GO FOR IT.

>> YOUR LAST ONE UNDER EXPENDITURES, EXTRA WORK AND SUB COSTS ARE OUTPACING OUR BUDGET THUS FAR THIS YEAR.

MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR JOHN,

[01:20:02]

BUT IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE TO CURTAIL SOME OF THAT OR TO TRY AND TRUE THAT UP?

>> THANKS, COREY. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT ALL YEAR AND EVEN BEFORE THAT.

HR HAS DONE A REALLY, REALLY NICE JOB.

I THINK AMY'S HERE.

SHE'S REALLY TIGHTENED UP THE BELT AS FAR AS OVERTIME AND EXTRA WORK STIPENDS.

AMY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SHARE ANYTHING MORE ON THAT.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT SINCE YOU GOT HERE.

THEN SUB COST IS HARD.

PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE THE DAY AND HAVE A SUB, SO THAT ONE'S A TOUGHER ONE TO WATCH.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME TALK AT THE STATE LEVEL AROUND SUBS, BUT YEAH, WE'VE BEEN DOING THE BEST FROM OUR LOCAL STANDPOINT TO TIGHTEN THE BELTS FOR A WHILE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING AROUND LOOKING AT CERTAIN SUB COSTS THAT MAY NOT BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY? I'M THINKING LIKE TRAININGS OR EVEN MEETINGS AROUND THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THAT KIND OF STUFF?

>> ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GREAT SUGGESTIONS AT THE LISTENING POST PRIMARILY, AND EVEN AT THE CABINET TABLE, JUST LOOKING AT MAKING SOME CHANGES NEXT YEAR SPECIFICALLY, USING THE WEDNESDAYS DIFFERENTLY.

I KNOW A LOT OF THE TEACHERS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, THE LISTENING POST HAVE SAID THAT THEY'D BE WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON WHETHER IT'S LETTERS TRAINING OR OTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS BEING DONE ON DAYS WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A SUB.

REALLY, A LOT OF THE TEACHERS WE'VE TALKED TO YOU HAVE SAID, IT'S REALLY AN INCONVENIENCE FOR MANY OF THEM TO DO THAT, BUT THERE'S ALSO OBLIGATIONS TO WEDNESDAYS.

WEDNESDAYS AREN'T EXACTLY A FREEBIE ALL THE TIME.

BUT DEFINITELY BEING MORE STRATEGIC ON HOW WE'RE USING THOSE DAYS.

I THINK WE'LL SEE MORE OF THOSE COST SAVINGS, COREY NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.

IT WAS HARD TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE SHIFTS THIS YEAR.

GREAT QUESTION. ASTON ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD ON THAT?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO. THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS A BREAKDOWN OF THIS TABLE IS THE SAME.

BASICALLY, AS WHAT WE'VE PRESENTED IN THE PAST, IT JUST UPDATES YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN THE DIFFERENT REVENUE LIGHT ITEMS, LOCAL TAX, LOCAL NON TAX, STATE GENERAL PURPOSE, STATE SP IS SPECIAL PURPOSE, AND THE OTHER CATEGORIES.

OVERALL, VERY CLOSE, REALLY VARIANCE FROM BUDGET VERY SMALL, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE UNDER A HALF PERCENT VARIABILITY IN TOTAL.

WE DO HAVE SOME VARIABILITY.

I THINK GIVEN THE LOSS OF ENROLLMENT GOING INTO THIS YEAR, I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE ONLY VARYING BY THIS AMOUNT.

IT DEFINITELY COULD BE A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

THIS IS THE SAME SAME GRAPH THAT I'VE SHARED IN THE PAST.

I WILL NOTE THAT, THESE GREEN BARS DOWN HERE.

THIS IS CASH FLOW INFORMATION RIGHT HERE.

I NORMALLY DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS SLIDE HERE.

SAME INFORMATION JUST TAKING THAT IN A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PRESENTATION AND HIGHLIGHTING THAT PIECE OF THAT SLIDE.

IT'S SMALL FONT AND STUFF PRESENTATION PURPOSES.

ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JASON. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS DAY COMING FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WE KNEW THAT AS THE MCCLEARY REALITY MET WITH THE EXPENSE OF OUR EDUCATION, THAT WE WERE GOING TO COME ACROSS THIS CLIFF.

BUT THEN COVID PUSHED IT OUT A BIT, AND THEN WE LOST ENROLLMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FACTORS TO WHY WE'RE HERE NOW.

WE KNEW IT WAS COMING, BUT I THINK THAT AT THE EVEN THOUGH WE DELAYED IT, AND THEN THE FACTORS, THE ENROLLMENT, AND LIKE THE INSURANCE COSTS AND OUR SPECIAL ED EXPENSES, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S SO ABRUPT, BUT WE SAW THIS STAY COMING, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PREPARE FOR IT.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ANY EXTRA IN OUR SYSTEM ANYMORE, AND SO EVERY EXPENSE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, IS GOING TO HURT IS GOING TO BE TOUGH.

I KNOW NOBODY HERE IS DOING IT LIGHTLY, AND I KNOW SOMETIMES WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT SO MUCH THAT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THAT'S ALL WE TALK ABOUT,

[01:25:02]

BUT IF YOU JUST TUNE IN TODAY AND HEAR THESE THINGS, IT COULD BE PRETTY ALARMING.

BUT IT HAS BEEN ANTICIPATED LONG TERM COMING, BUT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY EASIER.

THAT'S MY SOAPBOX.

NEXT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM C UNDER FOUR ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA.

DID EVERYBODY GET A CHANCE TO SEE THE ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA? DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT? NO. THEN IT'S IN THE CONSENT, WHICH IS COMING.

I DON'T SEE IT ON HERE. SORRY, I'M FILLING IN FOR OUR PRESIDENT.

I'M A LITTLE RUSTY TONIGHT.

NEXT, WE GO TO NUMBER 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[5. CULTURE]

WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM SUE LUELEEN.

IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO TURN THAT MIC ON.

OH, SORRY. I WILL READ TO YOU SORRY, LET'S START.

>> LET ME READ THIS. THIS IS THE BOARD VALUES INPUT.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD IS TO LISTEN AND REFLECT ON PUBLIC COMMENTS ACTIVELY.

THE BOARD MAY ONLY DISCUSS AND ACT UPON ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN AGENDA.

FOR THAT REASON, BOARD MEMBERS CANNOT RESPOND TO ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT CAN ASK THE SUPERINTENDENT TO FOLLOW UP ON ISSUES RAISED DURING PUBLIC TESTIMONY.

GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC INPUT, EMPHASIZE THE RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS.

BOISTEROUS CONDUCT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED AT ANY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NOR WILL ANY HARASSING OR THREATENING REMARKS BE TOLERATED.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE AS A PERSONNEL MATTER.

THE BOARD REQUESTS THAT ANYONE WHO HAS SUBMITTED WRITTEN COMMENTS, REFRAIN FROM READING THEM DURING THIS PORTION OF OUR MEETING TO ALLOW OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR COMMENTS.

EACH PERSON PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES.

ONCE CALLED UPON, PLEASE STEP TO THE PODIUM, FACE THE BOARD, AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

THE BELL WILL RING AT THREE MINUTES TO REMIND YOU THAT YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS SUSAN LEWALLEN, AND I'M A RETIRED EDUCATOR.

SECONDARY TEACHER OF ENGLISH AND GERMAN.

THIRTY-FOUR OF THOSE 38 YEARS WERE SPENT IN THIS AREA.

BUT THIS IS MY FIRST ATTENDANCE AT THE BOARD MEETING, AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS, THE 95TH DAY OF JANUARY, WHERE EVERYONE IS ALREADY HEARING [LAUGHTER].

AS AN ENGLISH TEACHER, I FOUND THAT COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS PROACTIVELY IS OFTEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREEMPT PROBLEMS WHEN LATER ON DIVISIVE OR EMOTIONALLY CHARGED OR IN TODAY'S ATMOSPHERE.

POLITICALLY CHARGED ISSUES MUST BE DISCUSSED.

IN THAT SPIRIT, I COME TODAY.

I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY THE VIDEO ABOUT THE LABELS BECAUSE, I DON'T HAVE MY MICROPHONE, I NEED TO MOVE CLOSER, I DISCOVERED THAT I'VE BEEN LABELED AS SOMEONE WHO INDOCTRINATES CHILDREN.

WHEN I SEE ENROLLMENT DECLINING AND MORE AND MORE FAMILIES GOING TO HOME SCHOOLING, I'M VERY DISHEARTENED, BECAUSE FOR ME, THE GREATEST HONOR TO BE A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WAS TO SEE PEOPLE VERY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER, LEARNING TO SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND RESPECTFULLY LISTEN, RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE, RESPECTFULLY DISCUSS.

THAT IS LOT OFTEN IN OTHER FORMS OF EDUCATION.

I THINK PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE TEACHERS DON'T PUSH BACK AGAINST FALSE LABELS.

I SPENT A LONG TIME AS AN EDUCATOR BUILDING A PLATFORM FOR LEARNING THAT INVOLVED CONSISTENT ROUTINE.

MY STUDENTS KNEW THAT WE GOT TO WORK WHEN THE BELL RANG, AND WE WORKED FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD, BECAUSE AS I TOLD THEM, I WAS A HIGHLY PAID PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND THEIR PARENTS WOULD NOT WANT US TO BE FOOLING AROUND.

HOWEVER, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT SOMETIMES IN THE THIRD MONTH OF THE SECOND SEMESTER OR THIRD MONTH OF SCHOOL, 30 MINUTES INTO A 55-MINUTE PERIOD,

[01:30:04]

I WOULD SEE A STUDENT NOT FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIVE TO TAKE NOTES.

WHEN ASKED WHY THE STUDENT WAS NOT COMPLYING, I WAS OFTEN TOLD, WELL, I DON'T HAVE A PENCIL.

IN SPITE OF MY BEST EFFORTS, I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO INDOCTRINATE THAT STUDENT TO BRING THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, AND THIS WENT ON, OFTEN, NO NAME WOULD BE ON THE PAPER.

BUT YET I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED BY THE MEDIA, AND IN GENERAL.

IF I COULD FINISH, I PROMISE I WILL REALLY BE BRIEF, WHICH IS TOUGH FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS, BUT I WILL TRY.

WE NEED TO PUSH BACK AND TELL THE PUBLIC, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AS TEACHERS IS CREATE CRITICAL THINKERS WHO ARE ABLE TO FORM OPINIONS BASED ON DOCUMENTABLE EVIDENCE, AND WHO ARE ABLE TO LISTEN TO LOTS OF DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

WE ARE NOT INDOCTRINATORS.

WE ARE EDUCATORS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

IF WE START TO DISCUSS THAT NOW, BEFORE AS IN SCHOOL DISTRICT, PROUD BOYS CAME TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, OTHER GROUPS CAME TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, PERHAPS, IT WILL BE LESS DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT OTHER CONTROVERSY ISSUES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I HAVE NO GIFT.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

[BACKGROUND] WE DO HAVE ONE WRITTEN COMMENT FROM KAREN AND CLARK VITECK, AND THAT IS ON THE WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC VIEW.

THAT BRINGS US TO NUMBER 6,

[6. SYSTEMS/PATHWAYS: CONSENT AGENDA]

SYSTEMS PATHWAYS AND OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

IF YOU GUYS HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE ITEMS ADDED.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COREY, SECONDED BY BOMANI.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> OPPOSED? UNANIMOUS. THAT BRINGS US DOWN TO NUMBER 7;

[7. SYSTEMS AND PATHWAYS - Policy Review for Second Reading and Approval]

SYSTEMS AND PATHWAYS POLICY REVIEW FOR SECOND READING AND APPROVAL.

THIS IS ALWAYS THE MOST EXCITING TIME OF THE NIGHT.

JUST KIDDING. [LAUGHTER] FOR THOSE OF YOU FOLLOWING ALONG.

>> WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, THOUGH.

>> THAT'S DO THIS JOB BECAUSE WE'RE GEEKS AND LIKE THIS STUFF.

WE HAVE SOME POLICIES FOR SECOND READING AND POLICIES FOR FIRST READING.

DO YOU GUYS WANT TO GO OVER THEM INDIVIDUALLY OR DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE POLICIES FOR SECOND READING?

>> WE WENT OVER A LOT OF THESE AT OUR WORKSHOP AS WELL.

I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT FOR THE ONES THAT WE'RE DOING SECOND READING AND AN APPROVAL TONIGHT, THESE ARE ONES WE DID FIRST READING FOR A WHILE AGO, AND IT JUST FELL OFF OUR SCHEDULE FOR WHATEVER REASON, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THOSE ON.

BUT ONE THING, SINCE THESE WERE A WHILE AGO, WHEN I SAW ON THERE THAT WE WERE RETIRING ONE OF THE POLICIES, I JUST LOST, SORRY, IS THAT ON THIS ONE OR IS THAT COMING UP? I'M SORRY, THEN I'LL SAVE IT. NEVER MIND. I'LL WAIT.

UNLESS THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE POLICIES 2,410, 3,122, 03,141, 5,005, 5,010, 05,050, 5,271, AND 5,400 FOR SECOND READING AND APPROVAL.

>> IT WAS MOVED BY COREY, SECONDED BY MATTHEW.

ANY DISCUSSION, COMMENTS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

THEN THAT WILL MOVE US TO THE SECOND GROUP

>> UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

[8. SYSTEM AND PATHWAYS - Policy Review for First Reading]

OF THOSE COMING TO THE BOARD FOR A FIRST READING.

>> THESE ARE THE ONES THAT WE WENT OVER AT OUR WORKSHOP JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

I WANTED TO SPECIFICALLY COMMENT ON THE RETIREMENT OF 3,111, BECAUSE ON ITS FACE, ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON, MAYBE IN THE NEWS AND IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LATELY, TO SEE THE BOARD RETIRING 3,111, NON-DISCRIMINATION IN EQUITY WOULD BE MAYBE ALARMING FROM SOME PEOPLE.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE POINTING OUT THAT THE REASON WHY WE

[01:35:04]

ARE TIRING THIS POLICY IS BECAUSE SINCE THAT POLICY HAS BEEN WRITTEN, WE HAVE ANOTHER POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION, ANOTHER POLICY ON EQUITY, AND THIS POLICY IS REDUNDANT, AND IN SOME CASES, CONTRADICTORY.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE BEING VERY CLEAR THAT THIS BOARD IS NOT ROLLING BACK ITS COMMITMENT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUITY.

WE ARE, IN FACT, MAKING OUR POLICIES MORE EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE SO THAT THINGS LIKE NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUITY CAN BE MORE EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND ACCESSIBLE TO OUR STAFF AND OUR PUBLIC. JUST SAYING THAT.

>> CLARIFICATION. ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THESE? THERE ARE A COUPLE NEW POLICIES; DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND MEDIA LITERACY, AND ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER.

WE CAN REALLY DIVE INTO THAT ONE, IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> I THINK IT'S JUST WORTH NOTING AND NOT THAT WE'RE JUST SKIPPING THROUGH IT, BUT WE DID REVIEW THESE AT WORKSHOP, AND WE'LL HAVE A SECOND READING AS WELL.

>> YES. OUR NORMAL POLICY IS TO REVIEW AS A BOARD IN A WORKSHOP.

AS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THEN THAT GOES BACK TO STAFF, THEY COME BACK WITH UPDATES, AND THEN WE BRING IT TO A FORMAL BOARD MEETING AT THE END OF THE MONTH, AND WE APPROVE A FIRST READING, AND IT GOES TO A SECOND READING, AND THEN THERE'S STILL MORE TIME TO LOOK AND DIG INTO IT AND MAKE CHANGES IF NEED BE, AND THEN WE VOTE ON A SECOND READING, AND THEN THAT BECOMES POLICY.

>> I ADDED A LOT OF COMMENTS IN OUR WORKSHOPS, SO DON'T THINK WE'RE JUST STAMPING THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> YES. MATTHEW IS THE POLICY INVESTIGATOR RESEARCHER, YOU APPRECIATE.

ANY COMMENTS, ANY MOTIONS?

>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THESE POLICIES FOR FRESH READING.

>> DO YOU WANT TO READ THE NUMBERS?

>> NUMBERS 2,004, 02,022, 2,023, 03,111, 3,520, 05,005, 5,400, 05,409, 6,111, 6,020, 06,213, 6,217, 06,220, 6,530, 6,701.

>> I'LL SECOND.

>> IT WAS MOVED BY BOMANI. SECONDED BY COREY.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

THAT BRINGS US DOWN TO NINE SYSTEMS AND PATHWAYS,

[9. SYSTEMS/PATHWAYS: INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES]

INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES.

WE HAVE A BOARD RESOLUTION, RESOLUTION 24-02, A MODIFIED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AND VOTE ON.

I'M GOING TO READ THE WHOLE RESOLUTION.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT AFTER I READ IT? GET READY. I GOT TO ENLARGE IT.

>> CAN WE PUT THAT ON THE SCREEN AS WELL FOR THE PUBLIC DON'T HAVE IT UP, SO THEY CAN LISTEN TO YOU, BUT.

>> PERFECT. THAT'S NOT IT.

THAT'S SOMETHING, BUT NOT IT.

I'M GOING TO GET STARTED, AND WE'LL LET THAT CATCH UP.

MODIFIED EDUCATION PROGRAM, BOARD RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-02, WHEREAS THE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 117, THE DISTRICT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE DISTRICT FACES A FINANCIAL EMERGENCY DUE TO LOSS OF ENROLLMENT, LOSS OF REVENUE, INCREASED STAFFING COSTS, AND THE EXHAUSTION OF COVID RELIEF FUNDS.

WHEREAS THE BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE GENERAL FUND, CASH RESERVE, AND CONTINGENCY FUND WILL BE INADEQUATE TO PERMIT THE DISTRICT TO MAINTAIN ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE SAME LEVEL FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

WHEREAS THE DISTRICT FORMED THE SUPERINTENDENT BUDGET COMMITTEE WHICH SOUGHT INPUT FROM, CONFERRED WITH, REVIEWED, AND PROPOSED PROGRAMS WITH, AND SHARED DETAIL REPORTS ON THE DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL CONDITIONS WITH THE CAMAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES OF CAMUS, CAMAS ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL OFFICE PROFESSIONALS, CAMAS ASSOCIATION OF PRINCIPALS, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES, AND THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY.

WHEREAS THE DISTRICT HAS PRELIMINARILY IDENTIFIED PERSONS WITHIN THE CEA, PSE, CAP, AND UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES WHO INTEND TO RESIGN, TAKE LEAVES OF ABSENCES, AND/OR RETIRE.

WHEREAS ON AUGUST 26, 2024,

[01:40:03]

THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AT THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT 112 PROVIDED A DETAILED BUDGET PROJECTION ANALYSIS TO THE BOARD, AND HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE REGULAR BUDGET UPDATES TO THE BOARD, INCLUDING ON JANUARY 27TH, 2025.

WHEREAS, UNLESS CORRECTED, THE DISTRICT FACES A BUDGET DEFICIT OF APPROXIMATELY $13-16 MILLION FOR THE '25/26 SCHOOL YEAR.

WHEREAS THE DISTRICT HAS DETERMINED THAT A MINIMUM UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE, BOARD POLICY 60-22 OF APPROXIMATELY 6.5 MILLION SHOULD BE BUDGETED FOR THE '25/26 SCHOOL YEAR.

WHEREAS THE BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT A REDUCTION IN THE WORKFORCE OR R-I-F, RIF IS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

WHEREAS THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD ADOPT A MODIFIED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 117 AS FOLLOWS.

NUMBER 1, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT A MODIFIED EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES, A, REDUCING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CERTIFICATED POSITIONS BY APPROXIMATELY 10% BY MEANS OF PROGRAM REDUCTION AND/OR REDUCED STAFFING.

B, REDUCING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CLASSIFIED POSITIONS BY APPROXIMATELY 13% BY MEANS OF PROGRAM REDUCTION AND/OR REDUCED STAFFING.

C, REDUCING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CENTRAL ADMINISTRATOR POSITIONS BY APPROXIMATELY 29% BY MEANS OF PROGRAM REDUCTION AND/OR REDUCED STAFFING.

D, AND NON PERSONNEL CUTS.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT IS FURTHER DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY AND PROPOSE TO THE BOARD FOR ACTION AT A LATER DATE, SPECIFIC NON-EMPLOYEE-RELATED REDUCTIONS IN THE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND OR EXTRA CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS. AYE. THE SUPERINTENDENT IS FURTHER DIRECTED TO IDENTIFY AND PROPOSE TO THE BOARD FOR ACTION AT A LATER DATE, SPECIFIC NON-EMPLOYEE-RELATED REDUCTIONS IN THE CURRICULAR OPERATING BUDGET, THE BUILDING OPERATING BUDGETS, THE OPERATING BUDGETS OF EACH SUPPORT SERVICE.

NUMBER 2, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS DIRECTED TO PREPARE A 25/26 OPERATING BUDGET THAT REDUCES EXPENDITURES NEARLY TO THE LEVEL OF REASONABLY ANTICIPATED REVENUES AND REASONABLY AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE SUBJECT TO UNASSIGNED CASH RESERVE LIMITATIONS NOTED ABOVE.

THREE, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS DIRECTED TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO NOTIFY CERTIFICATED, CLASSIFIED, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY REDUCTIONS IN PETITIONS, AND FOUR, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE SUCH OTHER PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THE REDUCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AS ARE NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE DISTRICT.

THAT'S A LOT OF HEAVY STUFF.

ANY DISCUSSIONS?

>> YEAH, WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSIONS. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR READING THAT INTO THE RECORD.

LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN ANTICIPATING COMING FOR YEARS NOW.

I THINK I STARTED ON THE BOARD IN 2018 AND BY THE FALL OF 2018, WE WERE REALLY TALKING ABOUT THIS.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUSH IT OFF AS LONG AS WE CAN WITH EXHAUSTING OUR FUND BALANCE.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN TERMS OF TIGHTENING WHERE WE CAN, AND THEN ALSO ADVOCATING AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR FIXES TO THIS AS HAVE SO MANY OTHER DISTRICTS AROUND US.

IF THERE'S ANY, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO SAY SILVER LINING, BUT THERE ARE OTHER DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR YEARS, AND NOW IT'S REACHED OUR SHORES.

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT ANYBODY LIKES DOING OR WANTS TO BE DOING, BUT WE ARE SHORT OF ANY, MIRACLE ACTIONS COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OF OUR OPTIONS HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP ADVOCATING FOR THAT.

I DO APPRECIATE THAT OUR DISTRICT IS MAKING THESE PLANS AHEAD OF TIME TO GIVE STAFF AS AMPLE OF NOTICE AS POSSIBLE, IF THEIR JOB MAY BE IN JEOPARDY FOR NEXT YEAR, AND REALIZING THAT IT IS OUR JOB TO ALSO PLAN FOR WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR A LOT OF THIS, THAT WITH A LOT OF OUR CONTRACTUAL DEADLINES APPROACH BEFORE THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT COMES FROM THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION,

[01:45:05]

WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

THERE MIGHT BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THIS LATER ON, BUT IT'S A HEAVY DAY FOR US AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE TAKES THIS LIGHTLY AT ALL.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS FOR YEARS.

I MEAN, YOU READ IT OFF IN THE RESOLUTION WITH THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE DONE ALL THE WORK WE CAN TRIMMING WHERE WE CAN ALONG THE WAY TO MITIGATE ALL OF THIS AND HERE WE ARE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO END THAT. I NEEDED TO GET THAT ALL OF THAT OFF MY CHEST RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING ANYBODY ENJOYS, BUT WE'VE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. THAT'S WHERE IT IS.

>> I CONCUR, COREY, THANK YOU.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OVER ERICA'S ROLE.

I KNEW THIS WAS HERE AS PART OF THE CITIZENS' ADVISORY.

EVEN BEFORE THAT, KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

STILL, I KNEW THAT I WANTED TO JOIN BECAUSE I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.

I LOVE OUR EDUCATORS.

I LOVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

NO ONE WANTS TO DO THIS, BUT I DO APPRECIATE EVEN UP TO THIS POINT, BUSINESS SERVICE IS KEEPING US VERY WELL INFORMED.

I HAD THE CHANCE IN NOVEMBER, THE WASDA CONFERENCE, AND OTHER DISTRICTS DON'T NECESSARILY GET THAT OR FEEL IT.

SOME DISTRICTS OUT THERE FELT LIKE THE BOARD DIRECTORS SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

WELL, WE KNEW, AND I THINK WE'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF COMMUNICATING IT.

I KNOW I HAVE FAITH IN THE ADMINISTRATION TO STICK TO OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

JOHN, YOU HAD MENTIONED AT THE CITY SCHOOLS MEETING THAT WE WERE IN JUST BEFORE THIS ABOUT, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

WHAT WOULD WE MAKE OUR CHOICES ON? A GUIDING DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND THE CITY IS FACING SIMILAR SITUATION.

THEY'RE WORKING ON A STRATEGIC PLAN KNOWING THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE A GUIDING DOCUMENT.

I HAVE FULL FAITH AND CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, DIFFICULT CHOICES FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S OUR PRIMARY THING WE'RE LOOKING AT.

WE WANT TO MAINTAIN OUR CONTROL AND FOCUS ON THE STUDENTS.

APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN PUT INTO THIS, AND I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD.

>> SAME SENTIMENT.

I THINK WHEN I WALKED INTO THE BOARD POSITION, THAT FELT LIKE THIS WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE FACING TODAY.

IT GETS MUCH BETTER.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ALL ADVOCATING FOR A SOLUTION THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE SCHOOL AND THE KIDS THAT WE SERVE.

SOME OF THESE THINGS, I DO THINK IT TAKES TIME, BUT I DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER FOR THE SAME REASONS.

I'M NOT SAYING TOO MUCH.

I THINK I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL ALL WORK ON THIS TOGETHER AND FIND A SOLUTION.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER, BEING PROACTIVE AND COMMUNICATING, BEING OUT THERE, ADVOCATING, I DO FEEL THAT A LOT OF US ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING.

THIS IS AND SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE.

NOTHING THAT WAS A SECRET TO START WITH.

HOPEFULLY, PEOPLE ARE WELL INFORMED, WELL AWARE, AND THEN WE'RE ALL GOING IN THIS TOGETHER.

BUT IT IS QUITE SADDENING TO BE IN THIS PLACE.

THAT'S A LOT. ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN TALK ABOUT NUMBERS AND LOOK AT CHARTS AND THINGS, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THEIR PASSION AND CAREER AND LIVELIHOOD, AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ANYBODY TAKES LIGHTLY AND NOBODY WANTS TO BE HERE.

LIKE YOU SAID, WE'VE EXHAUSTED ALL OPTIONS AND PUSHED IT OUT AS FAR AS WE COULD HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE A MIRACLE FROM THE LEGISLATURE, KNOWING THAT THERE'S PROBABLY NOT, BUT STILL CROSSING OUR FINGERS AND STILL ADVOCATING AND PUSHING AND HOPING BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO GET FIXED.

IT'S A STATE-WIDE ISSUE AND BOARD ROOMS ACROSS THE STATE ARE HAVING TO PASS THESE SIMILAR TYPES OF RESOLUTIONS.

IT'S NOT AS THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

WHAT'S BEST FOR WASHINGTON KIDS? THIS IS NOT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT I WANT, THAT ANYBODY WANTS.

WE KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HAVE A GREAT FUNCTIONING SYSTEM, AND THIS IS NOT HEADING US THERE.

WE HAVE TO PUSH BACK AND GET OUR LEGISLATORS TO GET US BACK ON THE TRACK OF HAVING A STELLAR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND GIVING US

[01:50:02]

THE RESOURCES TO STAFF OUR CLASSROOMS WITH GREAT TEACHERS AND BE ABLE TO HAVE PARA EDUCATORS HELPING WHERE NEEDED AND THE RESOURCES FOR OUR CHILDREN TO GIVE THEM A 21ST-CENTURY EDUCATION.

THIS CURRENT BUDGET SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN BECAUSE OF THE STATE IS NOW LEADING US THERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND CONTINUE TO PUSH AND GET THROUGH THIS AS BEST WE CAN.

HOW DO YOU END THAT? WITH THAT, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR MOTION? AGAIN, SORRY, THIS RESOLUTION GIVES POWER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT TO MAKE REDUCTIONS IN FORCES AS HE AND HIS CABINET BEST DECIDE.

WE'RE JUST VOTING ON THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT.

>> CORRECT. I ALSO JUST WANT TO POINT OUT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, EVEN IN BUDGET COMMITTEE OR DURING BUDGET REPORTS.

WE REALLY CAN'T CONTROL OUR REVENUES.

OUR REVENUE IS DETERMINED BY ENROLLMENT, AND OUR REVENUE IS DETERMINED BY STATE AND FEDERAL APPORTIONMENT BASICALLY.

WE CAN CONTROL IT WITH LEVY, BUT THE THING THAT WE CAN CONTROL IS OUR EXPENDITURES, AND THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY LEVER THAT WE REALLY HAVE LEFT TO USE HERE.

I KNOW THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL THING FOR A LOT OF US RIGHT NOW.

IT'S JUST AS I SIT HERE, AND I ESPECIALLY LOOK AT, IT'S SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH, AND WE'RE GETTING THESE THINGS AND THEN HAVE TO MAKE THIS DECISION ON THIS DAY.

IT'S GOING TO SOUND HOLLOW, BUT I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW GENUINE IT IS THAT THE FIVE OF US UP HERE AND TRACY WHEN SHE'S HERE, IT'S LIKE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING, AND WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS DISTRICT, AND WE WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL OF US, AND WE APPRECIATE SO MUCH THAT ALL OF YOU DO.

LIKE I SAID, IT SOUNDS COMPLETELY HOLLOW AND THE WORDS DON'T DESCRIBE IT.

AS AN EDUCATOR MYSELF AND AS SOMEBODY WHO'S LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY, MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I'M NOT GOOD WITH ENDINGS ON THIS, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT A HEAVY DECISION THIS IS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, FOR ALL OF US UP HERE, AND WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE RAMIFICATIONS OF WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

WITH THAT, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF BOARD RESOLUTION 24-02.

>> IT'S MOVED BY COREY, SECONDED BY MATTHEW.

ANY OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

>> TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>> IT'S UNANIMOUS.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO BE RATIFICATION OF THE CAMAS HIGH SCHOOL AND LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL RISO COPY AGREEMENTS.

REALLY? SORRY. THAT WAS A BAD ORDER OF THINGS.

[LAUGHTER] I'M SORRY.

DO WE NEED THAT THIS MONTH? SAVING US MONEY?

>> SAVING US MONEY.

>> YEAH CONNIE, IF I CAN CHIME IN ON THAT.

THE REASON WHY THIS IS HERE IS OBVIOUSLY WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE COPY CENTER, WE'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR OF THE DISRUPTION OF SERVICE THAT THAT COULD BE.

HOWEVER, THE SAVINGS ON THAT IS ABOUT $200,000, WHICH YOU CAN EQUATE THAT TO HOWEVER YOU WANT PERSONNEL-WISE.

WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR PRINCIPALS, WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR TEACHERS THAT WE NEED MORE DIRECT SERVICE.

LOSING THE COPY CENTER, LOSING THE SERVICE AND ANGELA WAS TOUGH.

ESD IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

HOWEVER, TWO SCHOOLS SPECIFICALLY HAVE ASKED FOR A RISO MACHINE, WHICH WE BELIEVE IN THE LONG RUN WILL HELP TO SAVE COST AND ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICE.

I KNOW WE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE THIS UNDER ADVISEMENT NOW, BUT WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE SOONER WE CAN GET THESE ORDERED, THE SOONER WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, AGAIN, THE BEST WE CAN.

[01:55:02]

>> A $200,000 SAVINGS AND IN PLACE A 60-MONTH AGREEMENT AT A COST OF $5,338.

IT'S SILLY THAT THE BOARD IS APPROVING THIS, BUT I KNOW IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT.

>> WE'RE DOING IT AS YOU PROBABLY SAW AS A LEASE.

IT'S LIKE $82 A MONTH.

I THINK THE OVERALL BENEFIT, THIS WILL HELP.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST OF MANY MOVES IN THAT DIRECTION OF TRYING TO CUT BACK AND CHANGE MOVES DOWN THE ROAD THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE.

THIS IS JUST FIRST OF MANY. THANK YOU.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE A 60-MONTH LEASE WITH PACIFIC OFFICE AUTOMATION FOR TWO RISO SF5130 COPIERS, ONE TO BE PLACED AT CHS AND ONE AT LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR A TOTAL OF $5,330.20, INCLUDING SALES TAX TO COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

>> BEEN MOVED BY COREY, SECONDED BY BAMINI.

I HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION. WHAT IS A RISO MACHINE?

>> REALLY FAST.

>> IT'S NOT THE KIND THAT YOU HAVE TO CRANK BECAUSE IT'S PURPLE AND IT SMELLS REALLY GOOD?

>> IT'S THE KACHUNK KACHUNK ONE.

>> WE'LL HAVE THAT NEXT MONTH, SHANNON.

>> OKAY.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE BLUE.

>> I LIKE THAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

AYE. UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU.

WITH THAT, THAT ENDS OUR REGULAR SESSION.

THERE IS NO EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING, SO WE'RE DONE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.