Um, welcome to our back started. Today is August 21st 5. I'm now at 6:03. All I want to make sure that everyone had a chance to read a
we are going and get started. There's education of hereson. here. I don't see The mission statement is as follows. Aim to graduate career and college ready students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
behaviors to personally succeed to item three. I will just Please, Madam President, I move the agenda as amended. Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
I'm sorry, as amended by Mr. Corey Williams, second by Miss Frasier. All those in favor? I. This meeting is now called to order. We're now at item four. I think you all are going to be happy
that we're going to be here two hours. Oh, communicating with the board. Item 4.1, it is recognition of Dr. Naxton.
He is now the principal of Mountain Vista Community School, but she is also the case assistant principal of the year. So on this evening, we are honored to recognize Dr. Paxton who was named the
2025 Colorado Middle level assistant principal of the year. This prestigious award reflects her commitment to educational excellence and student advocacy. Dr. Paxton is a fierce advocate for students, championing
opportunity and access for all. She brings a comprehensive systems approach to education, investing wholeheartedly in building teacher capacity while ensuring that every student is seen, valued, and heard. Over the past 11
years, Dr. Paxton has served Harrison School District 2 with distinction. First as assistant principal at Sierra High School and then at Mountain Vista Community School, where she was recently promoted to principal. Her innovative leadership in Mountain Vista has yielded
remarkable academic achievements, including the development of the district's first CTE middle school pathway, the implementation of a comprehensive counseling calendar, and the establishment of a robust restorative justice system that empowers
students to help their peers repair harm and grow from their experiences. Dr. Paxton's influence extends beyond our district through her service on the board of the Colorado Association of Middle Level Education and her membership in the National Association
of Secondary School Principles. She has shared her expertise and innovative practices by presenting at both state and national educational conferences. Her recognition as Colorado's outstanding middle level
assistant principal of the year is a testament to her dedication, vision, and the positive impact she has made on countless students, teachers, and families. On this evening, we congratulate you, Dr. Paxton, on this
welldeserved honor and thank you so much for your exceptional service to our educational community. Let us give her a standing ovation. And you must come up because you know it's a picture moment.
So, I'm not really sure like how to do this. So, it's just kind of weird because it's a award for supporting me. I don't know why you get an award for that, but thank you. So this is from the ASA and it's awarded to the Harrison School District 2 board for supporting
Superintendent Wendy Bhanzel during her service as member of AASA executive committee. So thank you Huh? I think Dr. Paxton got away with something. I'm going to correct that right now. Would you like to come up and
have words and then we can say something? Uhhuh. Yeah, there's 3,000 assistant principles across the state, right? And so to see our assistant principles for several years and principles, you know, serving
and earning these awards, right, puts D2 on the map. Like, we're doing the right work and I'm really proud of it. I just got to speak to I mean honestly I've spoken to like Chalkbeat and K12 and education week and I always will um share about the great work that D2 is doing because I believe in the work that
we're doing and I will continue to be passionate about it. Um and then today is my first day. Um they just did a press release and I sent it to uh Christine that um I just earned a spot on the board of education for um the National Association of Secondary School Principles. So I'm gonna take it
national. Yeah. Thank you. and and also to uh Dr. Valdez. She's nominated me several times, but I've never felt worthy of it. But uh finally, she's like, "You better do it." And I'm so glad that I did. Thank you. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait. Goodness. Maybe board members want to individually say something to me. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Maybe this is your time, board members. Yeah. I'll just say congratulations to you and uh on the day that I was in the
building I know you're busy so don't fret anytime I step in the building don't stop what you're doing to to tend to me thank you you um are one of those will assist us in achieving great heights keep up the
good work and I hope that just you will do thank Yeah. And so again, like I said to you, congratulations. I'm extremely proud of you. And it was so neat last year once
um we found out that Dr. Valdez was going to transition to uh district admin. And so I had student teachers over at Mountain Vist. It was so neat to hear that you were in they were in the hiring process
and you definitely your name bubbled. I mean the staff wanted you and that's that's what it's all about. And so um just looking forward to seeing more great stuff. Yeah. And I just say I would say even in the transition like so
many peers have just reached out or been supportive or checked on me my first week like almost everyone here and it's been really great. So like we come from good people, right? Thank you. That are me good. So thank you so very much.
Congratulations again. You know, you're the right person to fill some big shoes that were left. Big shoes. But you're the right person. This is the right time. And I know you're going to shine. So congratulations again and thank you.
Thank you. Hey, we are at item five, matters reserved for board action and it is 5.1. It is Hispanic Heritage Month in the month of September.
With that being said, we do have some um uh resolutions and we're just so happy because the district that we serve, we know that we have about 52 53% Hispan Hispanic population and so it means it's very
meaningful for us to honor um any of these heritage months. So with that being said, we have English and we have Spanish version. So at this time, Mr. Williams is going to read the resolution
for us. Harrison School District number two, Hispanic Heritage Month resolution. Whereas the Harrison School District number two board of education takes pride in recognizing and celebrating September 15 to October 15, 2025 as
National Hispanic Heritage Month, which highlights the historical and present contributions of Hispanic Americans to American society and culture. And whereas Hispanic Americans trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-sp
speakaking nations of the Caribbean. And whereas the observance was born in 1968 when Congress authorized the US president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Two decades later, lawmakers expanded the observance
to a month-long celebration stretching from September 15th to October 15th. And whereas the observant co the observance coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua
celebrate theirs on September 15th, followed by Mexico on September 16th, Chile on September 18th, and Bise on September 21st. And whereas we celebrate the vibrant Hispanic American spirit that influences our nation's art and
culture, as well as the significant contributions and advances that Hispanic Americans have made and continue to make in our country, state, nation, and the world. We see the greatness of America in those who have risen above injustice and enriched our society, including
civil rights icons Caesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Herta. And whereas Hispanic Latinx students represent the largest racial ethnic group in Harrison School District number two. And whereas in continued efforts to honor National
Hispanic Heritage Month and to promote equity and diversity, Harrison School District number two remains dedicated to providing resources and supports for Spanish-sp speakaking communities and continues to support safe schools and resources for undocumented students and
their families. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Harrison School District number two board of education proclaims September 15th to October 15, 2025 as National Hispanic Heritage Month and encourage activities to celebrate this occasion in our education
communities. In witness whereof, we have unto set our hands and cause the official seal of Harrison School District number two to be here unto affixed this 21st day of August, 2025th. Harrison Harrison.
americanosperia. celebr. national and various peso America Costa Rica El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicarawa September, Chile.
Fore Cesar Chavez. Grandeto Harrison Harrison Alfres. Sorry. I'm good. I'm good. Good. September
Harrison. Thank you so very much. We are going on to item six. It is the board consent agenda. 6.1 Approval of minutes combined meeting June 5th, 2025.
6.2 2 OE8 asset protection monitoring report. This is Corey Arare CFO. 6.3 OE5 learning environment treatment of students indicator report. Dr. Angela Valdez, assistant superintendent of
personnel support services. Item 6.4 OE12 student discipline indicator report. Dr. Angela Valdez, assistant superintendent of personnel support service. 6.5 OE2 emergency superintendent succession
monitoring report Dr. Wendy Bhanel superintendent item 6.6 I just need a recommended motion please. Madame President I move to approve the board consent agenda items as stated. Second
motion to approve the U board consent agenda for items as stated by Mr. Williams, second by Dr. Pam Robinson. All those in favor? I. Motion approved.
Item seven, communicating with the public. Don't see that we have any public to comment on this evening. And so we are going to
continue on with the agenda. That takes us to item eight, consent agenda. It is 8.1 July and August 2024 personnel
reports and comparison reports. At this point in time, I just need a recommended motion, please. Madame President, I move to approve the superintendent consent agenda items as stated. Second.
Motion to approve the superintendent consent agenda items as stated by Mr. Williams, second by Dr. Pam Robinson. All those in favor? I approved. Item nine.
Item nine it is monitoring board performance. It is the annual work plan. Do we have any adjustments, additions? No ma'am. Just what you have before you. Thank you. Does anyone have any
questions or comments regarding the work plan? All right. We are moving forward to item 9.2. It is legislative updates. So, usually I wouldn't have many because we'd be just worried about school opening, but special session was called
back. Um, and so I want to give you some updates on what's happening. Special session was called back because there's an 800 800 million gap in the state budget and they have to have a balanced budget. So, the governor called them back and they have to fix that. Um,
right now what's on the docket to fix that is that there's going to be a Senate bill that will require the governor to work with the JBC joint budget committee out of session to decide the cuts. We are fiercely pushing back on that.
That is a very big conflict of checks and balances. The executive committee should not be making the cuts in isolation and we're concerned of what they'll cut. So what they have said they will cut are um different state reserve. They'll go into the reserve. So they'll
go into what they have been saving which is really draining. They're going to cut programming and they're going to pass tax laws to have some deductions cut but we don't know any details. So we're very concerned of what that could look like if it gets out of the Senate. Um and
that was on the floor about an hour ago. On the other side, there's an AI bill that the governor has tried to push. School districts have been pushing back fiercely on this. And now we have two amendments that we are pushing back. Really, we would not support, but so
that we play nice, we're saying we'll amend them. Um, one is from Representative Rodriguez. Um, it's a huge liability to school districts and it will cost every school district to have to hire an extra attorney just to run the AI work. Um, one example just so
you can really understand what he's asking us to do is we buy a program from company A, they tell us it's AI compliant, we put it on our computers, we find out it's not AI compliant, we are now on the hook for every lawsuit from every parent that it's not AI
compliant and there's no way for us to fix it because it's not our coding sitting under the program. So that's really a no and he's not really taking feedback on his amendments. So, that's going to be a no support by tomorrow. Um, Linquist's bill, also AI, he just
has vague language, but that is the better of the two options, but it's really vague language, and we're just worried about how it's going to be interpreted by lawyers or by lawsuits of who want to use this bill. So, um, this again is coming from Governor Polus. He really wants an AI bill. School
districts are really struggling. If you saw the news yesterday, DPS said we support the Rodriguez bill, which is the first one I mentioned, and we don't know why Case and Casby are not making a motion or other school districts. Today, EPS was fully informed of what's in the
bill, and they've retracted that statement and say, "No, amend is the way to go." So, um, there's a lot happening up there, and we're not sure what's going to come out of it. A lot of it's driven by our governor. Um, but I think the AI bill we will have to make work
either way. I think the bigger one is what they end up cutting. They said they will keep Medicaid whole. 800 million's a lot to not touch Medicaid or schools. Thank you, Dr. Behanszel. Does anyone have any questions or
comments? We're moving on to item 10. Oh, yes. Aiden. How can I forget about Aiden, our superstar, school board, high school representative?
We want to know about your first day back and all the great things you are involved with because we didn't make room for the students to speak. So, here's your time.
Thank you. Um, so my summer has been pretty busy. I think I took about seven trips this summer of other organizations paying to fly me out and be able to speak at other events. And a couple of organizations that I've been working
with well since the beginning of the school year is peer mediation because my first day is when the freshman came and I know I'm a senior with a freshman doesn't go exactly right but I'm the ambassadors I'm the mentors for them and pretty much we were giving them the perspective of how high school is going
to be truly is that might be their high school for the next four years and I'm grateful to be part of Harrison High School and being a mentor I gave them information about how to successfully go through high school because I went through all the the battle battlefield going through all the sticks and stones that may break my bones. But I was
successfully able to tell everybody there that pretty much just play your cards right, know the people, network, show, build your reputation in the beginning of the freshman year because you never know exactly what you're going to experience in high school because everything will change from here from now. I look completely different from
freshman year personality-wise and looks wise. So everything changes. Other than that, um, I pretty much just been enjoying myself a lot. I gotten better in my leadership style from sophomore all the way to now. I believe that I feel like an empowering leader. I feel
like I'm better myself towards learning how to get into people's heads to understand and learn to better better my definition of empathy, which I've been learning because during my trips, I met people internationally from Shanghai, China, all the way from India, all the way from almost all 50 states. and I
talked to all of them and they all have different diverse stories and hearing them I just offer my feedback and I was able to speak to them with open-mindedness not being one-sided and I was able to better understand everything about culture which basically made me feel like that I can have the
ability to talk to anybody without having to feel that I'm too scared or they won't like me. I just going to try to impact that and do that for my entire senior year in the hopes to go to Princeton University. And you must have forgot to make mention
that you're still number one, right? Yeah, I'm still number one in my senior class of the class of 2026. I'm still fighting for it because saludiatoran is 0.005 GPA away from me.
Oh, to have those problems again. Thank you so much, Aiden. You're always a treat and we are all very, very proud of you and honored to have you on this board. So, now we are at item number 10,
which is to adjourn. I know that everyone in the audience is so disappointed. Um, but it is that time. I need a recommended motion, please. Madam President, with no further business, I'll move to adjurnn.
Second. Motion to adjurnn by Mr. Williams, second by Dr. Pamela Robinson. All those in favor? I We are adjourned.