--------- Good evening everyone. You got me You took care of it for everybody. Are you sure? Okay. So, I'm going to do it one more time. Good evening, everyone.
Thank you so much, sweetheart. I heard you over there. Oh, you. Yes. Very good. The time right now is 6:03 p.m. Um, and we are going to go ahead and convene our meeting. Um, I want to call the January
22nd, 2026 Board of Education meeting to order. Um, before we get started, um, I have a thing in front of me. Okay. Um, before I get started, members of the public who desire to address the board on any topic related to board work must
sign the roster. It's back there in the center table. So, if you want to do that, um, you have until 6:30 p.m. to do that. So, right now, I'm going to call the meeting to order. We're going to begin with a roll call. So, Mrs. Ambi,
if you could please give us the roll call. >> Yes, Madam President. Miss Frasier, >> here. >> Dr. Robinson >> here. >> Miss Tamayo >> here. >> Mr. Williams >> here. >> Mrs. Wells Hill >> here. >> Mr. Gos
>> here. >> Miss Don Juan. >> Miss Don Juan is excused for this evening for a volleyball game, >> basketball game, wrong season. >> And madame president, we have a quorum. >> Thank you so very much.
We're moving on to item 1.3. Um, we have some very important guests on this evening. Um it's going to be led by Otto Elementary students. So for the pledge we have Brooklyn Archeletta,
Callum Merritt and Maurice Ren and then that'll be followed by the mission statement by Diana Diana sorry Santana Perez and Amelia Ross. So at this time we'll do the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The mission of D2 is to graduate college and career ready students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to personally succeed and contribute to the common good. Um, I do believe I observed. Did you
recite that like you learned it or were you reading the piece of paper? You you memorized that. Well, we're going to give you an extra special hand. You all did a phenomenal job. We are moving on to um item 2.1
to adopt the agenda. And I just at this time need a recommended motion, please. >> Madame President, I move to approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Motion to approve the agenda as presented by Mr. Williams, second by Miss Frasier. All those in favor?
>> I I >> This meeting is officially come to uh order. All right, then we are now at item 3 3.1. It is showcasing Otto Elementary School. We have uh principal Amy Bonine
and assistant principal Sarah Lomcool. So at this time it is in your hands. Good evening D2 board of education Harrison friends and family. We're love our school because we take steps to grow and learn. Our school is calm and safe
and we have lots of clubs. As you can see in the tables, we are a diverse community. We love diversity because it allows you to be yourself and feel like you belong. We have a dedicated staff and we love our teachers. Our teachers at Alterara
are kind, supportive. They listen to us and help us solve problems. They teach us new things, encourage us when learning is hard, and make us feel special. Our teachers take time out their day for us, even eating lunch with
us to make sure we feel supported and cared for. Our military families are celebrated throughout the year and make special. It is a perfect home for military families because we make sure they are recognized
for Veterans Day and in April for for military child appreciation month. We offer supports with the fulltime M flag and counselor who have a deeper understanding of military life. We celebrate different cultures, meet new
people, and make new friends. Community part community partnerships help Otto serve our families with monetary food and other generous donations. Thank you Toys for Tots, Cheyenne Press Church, Steels,
Buffalo Wild Wings and Otter Staff for being our greatest contributors over the holiday season. With your contributions, we served over 50 families. Thank you children's literacy center for pro providing
free afterchool tutoring. Also with your support 14 of 15 students have showed literacy growth. One thing I enjoyed about liter CLC is learning is reading new things.
My tutor is also awesome because they explain how the story makes sense and we also play games together. We also have lead we also have leading edge for before and after school care. I love that we get to
do arts and crafts and other activities. Okay. So, when you look at our data, although we're not where we wanted to be, we this year we've made significant changes in our systems as we try to establish like the the root causes of our problems and we're streamlining next
steps to focus on growth and achievement for all of our students. So, like Miss Lemool said, we're making major changes changes so that we're focused more on core. So we launched this year with ERRI which is early reading initiative and we're really
having best practices at the face and anchor of all we're doing. Short cycle one what we did is we are aligning on best teaching practices using something called an IPG instructional practice guide. Right now we're in short cycle two which we're focused on collaborative
planning which we're really internalizing lessons and getting down to the standard and aligning task along the way. And then in short cycle three, we we will be focused on learning walks. So evaluating our teachers or looking at those best practices and then following
up with them. Um like I said earlier, we adjusted structures. Um we even changed our whole schedule this second semester focused more on core and we hope that we are aligning everything in math. We are committed to improving student
behavior by focusing on the whole child. Our approach is rooted in strong relationships between students and staff among peers and in partnerships with families. Staff intentionally model and practice regulation strategies, helping students develop skills to manage
emotions and behaviors in healthy ways. Through techniques such as box breathing, finger breathing, and purposeful movement breaks embedded within the classroom day, students are supported in staying engaged and ready to learn. By building trust with families and maintaining consistent, supportive practices, OTOR fosters an
environment where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. At students learn from their mistakes. They make sure every student has a trusting adult to talk to and they listen to all sides of the story. Everyone's perspective is heard and we
work out the problem by determining next steps so we don't make the same mistake again. Alter has many clubs and opportunities to learn new things. My favorite club is leadership because I get to do activities that help my school and my community. One of my favorite activities we've done in leadership club is helping
our teachers clean the rooms after school to take pride in our community. At our school, we have At our school, we have clubs. My we we have a lot of clubs. Mine is robotics. We
build our program and do missions. >> Good evening. My name is Alexis Ren. I've been an Otto parent for going on eight years now. Um during my time there, me and my family have felt very supported. the staff and teachers have always been there whenever our kids have needed it. We've gone through reading
plans, IEPs, um all kinds of stuff and our principal and our staff body has always been there to support us. Um I definitely appreciate the consistency that I've seen the last eight years at OTOR. Thank you for your time. Parent testimonies have highlighted what
makes Otto special. Best decisions for a child with additional needs. caring, dedicated teacher and staff. Students are treated with kindness and respect. Parents feel confident and secure. Children are happy, comfortable, and excited to learn. Strong support and
positive school environment. And families are deeply grateful for Otto. All right, Panthers. Let's close out with our weekly launch. We are tell
them we are the Panthers. The mighty mighty Panthers. Do you have any questions for us? Uhhuh. Okay, I'll turn it over to the kids. They can answer them. You guys ready? Okay. I want to commend you. I can't recall
since I've been on the board where we had a parent testimony. So, Miss Alexis, parent of eight years, thank you for coming before the board to tout your
school and its achievements. Thank you. >> Just wanted to say great job um to elementary. You guys make us so proud to sit here on the board. Special shout out, of course. >> Thank you. >> I was just going to ditto Vice President
uh Frasier. It was just really neat to have to see to hear and see a parent um come up and present. >> Thank you. Our families are definitely and our students are the best part of this job. So, thank you. You guys all did a phenomenal job,
especially you guys who memorized your parts all on your own. Um, I sat on this dis for about two years and had to read the mission statement myself and I still don't know it by heart. I I still stumble and and fall in in a few, you
know, words of patterns and you did a phenomenal job. You guys did great. Um what you don't see on the slides and what you don't see in the data is that they have some of the best instructional coaches in the district sitting right here in the front row. Um
so the data does not match what is happening there. They are really working on the data matching what's happening there. Um we are also excited that they are going to go up for a military support award um because they do so many things for their military families. And then students, tomorrow your principal
owes you something cuz you had to talk and she didn't. So she owes you something. Don't worry guys, we got pizza. Again, thank you so very much. That was a really great um presentation. um just re-echoing the importance of a
parent coming and taking out the time to really you know show interest in not just in the school but even just to come to a board meeting and to speak to us that's greatly appreciated. um the young man who um came up here last, he's
sitting next to the parents. He's >> robotics. >> Yeah, that took a lot of courage to get up and and speak before the board, but I did want to acknowledge that you really have a really nice haircut as well.
I knew I could get a smile out of you. Did you cut your hair special to come to the board meeting? Okay. Okay. It's fresh. It's a fresh haircut. Thank you, Miss Amy, for what you've done. And
um I see you even though you're standing in the back. Um I know the effort that it took and we just appreciate that you're doing an excellent job. So, thank you very much to Otto and all the parents and students. So now um don't
leave because you know we give a chance to take a picture with the board and we have a little something for you. Is that okay? So you all can come up front and let's take a picture. Okay, stop. All right, everybody.
Awesome. All right. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. JJ, did he tell you where he was? You know, like the All right, we're going to continue on with the meeting. Guess we know how to
clear out a room or something. But we are moving on with um item four, communicating with the board and we are 4.1 presentations from schools for school board recognition month and we're
going to turn it into the hands of Dr. Bhanszel. >> We are super excited to honor the board this month. I have a little statement but then I'm going to go off the script too. Um, tonight we recognize our school board for their commitment, dedication, engagement, and informed leadership.
Thank you for your continued service to our student, staff, and community. To mark schoolboard appreciation month, our schools would like to present you with gifts as a thank you for your service. Not on the paper is in a time in public education where public education is getting criticized and politicized and
people are pulled into all different venues, you all have stayed the force. You have kept kids first and you have allowed us as leaders, principles, directors to do what we need to do for our community. And that goes into the cube award you received. That goes into
people saying, "How do you keep the main thing the main thing? How do you have high retention rates? How do you have people happy to go to work?" That's because of the board we have. Thank Thank you to each of you. It is not a full-time job, but it seems like a
full-time job. and I know that you have heart for every one of our kids and every one of our schools and it's felt thoroughly and I am very appreciative that I get to work here with you. I would not want to be anywhere else with another board as would many of our principles. So please principles can you
stand and give them a round of applause to start and it's so easy to talk about why D2 is great starting with the school board. So it makes it really easy to tell others and they don't have our school board so they can do be great. Um, so we're gonna start with our student board rep and
Miss Richie Rap is going to honor our student board rep. >> Thank you. >> So this is from executive team. If it's not good, it's from someone else. >> Um, okay. Uh, no pressure. I just wrote
this speech on my phone. Uh, bear with me. So, as you know, January is school board recognition month. Harrison School Districts, who is one of the very few school board school districts that or school boards that has student board
representatives. Um I don't know of another district, but I think there's at least two others. So um Miss John Juan, as we mentioned before, is at Sier High School this evening supporting her basketball teammates. it is senior night
and she wanted to support her teammates which we completely support. Thank you Marissa wherever you are. Um and thank you to Aiden Gyos. Uh you are one of the smartest and wellspoken young people
that has crossed our paths. Um we appreciate you making time to serve on the board especially while you're juggling high school classes. cross country top honors as valadictorian at Harrison High School. Woohoo. Uh and
interviewing for I don't know admissions to schools like Princeton. Uh so thank you very much. And in honor of your service, uh I would like to present you with this token of appreciation. Yes, please come up. Are you doing a
dance or was that okay? Can you share what schools this is from and some words for your board member? >> Yes. So, this is from uh Gersonen Elementary, of course. Um >> Oak Creek. >> Oak Creek. Sierra High School and
Centennial Elementary. In the absence of our two colleagues, we are honoring you. We wanted to say thank you so much for your willingness, words of encouragement, and always making us smile no matter what's happening going on. So, we decided to show you all of
the smiles you have given. So that's why at your desk you have pictures that are going across your screen that of the different memories that you have created across our district with different students, staff and
administrators. But we appreciate you. We appreciate your presence and we thank you for supporting us. So we have you a comfort bin to go along with you watching your memories. You're going to start eating whatever's
in there like Yeah. Hey, you ready for your photo? >> Okay. He's like, "Okay, next." Miss Frasier schools if you can line up Secret information. Can you share what schools are you guys
all representing and then your words for your board members? >> Ricker, >> Fox Meadow >> and and Pano. Yeah. And Turman Elementary. So, um, we just wanted to, um, thank you so much
for everything that you do for our district. It's people like you that make our district and our schools a better place, and we appreciate all of your time and care and heart that you put into um, everything on the book. So, we just bend you with this small token of
appreciation. Mr. Williams Schools, if you can grab your stuff. And then it's going to be Dr. Robinson because we're taking a little bit longer than we should as principles, but that's okay. Good evening, Mr. Williams. Um, behalf
of Monteray Mountain Vista School, Thrive, Thrive Home School, I was bullied in best dress. Um, we just want to thank you here to lose. Um, we want to thank you for everything that you do. um wonder our
campuses just bring such an authentic presence joyful and bubbly and you interact with students staff and just you or you and your um we appreciate your presence and
um even ready to jump with our um even and they you're doing it to model for them. So we appreciate you and Wow. Another All right.
But a very important job. A very important job. >> Please understand that that I have been volunttoled. Did not volunteer. Nevertheless, excited and honored be able to honor Dr.
Robin of Police had this long speech written out. They told me only had 60 seconds. >> 60 seconds. words and praise and gratitude
not tell the story too. I've been in our shoes, walked in our shoes, understood what it means to be an Uber driver, serve many lunches,
write many small noses. for truly two stands for going to honor you tonight as a role model, relationship builder,
educator, administrator, school board. Sometimes good as we saw you in action today,
but only you have because of your relationship building first, second generations, third generations as well. So your impact in a different way.
We have our mail community school, San Creek International. Last but not least, PREC, the Dr. Pam Robertson. Thank you for all you do.
We won't make you say anything, but you can already used all my top five steps at the board presentation. >> She told us, Miss Tamayo, that she couldn't possibly speak tonight because she was speaking the whole beginning of the meeting. Now we know the truth, but you worked with me for a long time.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Miss Tamayo, we just want to say thank you so much for um dedicating your time to be part of our school board and um help support our district. um as your
first board appreciation um month, we get the unique opportunity to give you bag from our schools so that now when you come visit, you can support the different shirts and that sort of thing along with some artwork from some
students and um couple other items that I and we just want to say thank you from Oo Elementary. Um Wildflower Boring Eagles and we are missing
bust and if he were running tonight there would be lots of >> Do you want to add it? Come on down. We'd like one group picture with all the board and all the principles, please.
Mr. Williams, I was told that you have one more gift coming. You're going to get driving lessons from M. Oh >> y'all, I came in like a bat out of you know what, >> trying to make that light. And I came
around and saw Miss Pat and I said, "Oo, I'm in trouble." And I rolled my window down and sure enough, she thought I was a student. I was like, "I thought you might think I was a student as well." But when I saw what face was behind the other car, I was like, "Oh, I'm in trouble. Uh this is where the uh board members
can if you wanted to say something you can at this time. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate the support but I'm going to be reading for the next 15 minutes. So I'mma leave it that for now. I will be seeing you guys uh when I visit your schools. If you haven't seen
me, it's because I've been working on my dissertation. So, I've been focusing on that, but uh I got a little time on my hands now, so I should be able to see you guys pretty soon. So, thank and thank you. >> Okay. As the newest member of the board,
I am so honored to serve on this incredible, incredible community and to really help represent all of the people um who make up D2. For the principles that I have met, I'm so honored to be able to serve you for these next four
years um because I know that together um we can we can help a child um achieve anything that they want. And I'm so grateful to this board to be a part of just really great colleagues, really great working culture. Um, you know,
with our moral imperative to serve all students and to make sure and prepare all families to support their students. Um, nothing is more sacred in my heart. So, I want to give a big shout out and just so much appreciation. Um, dang it, I might cry. I might be like
um a good thing uh um um Vargas is uh Dr. Mr. V is not here, Mr. Vargas, because I be so crying right now. Um, but um, I just wanted to give a thank you. Every day you are on the front line of what community means, and I thank you
so much. So, I sit here with some of the most greatest human beings that I've gotten to know. So, thank you >> to my principles this year, my principles from the past, my principles in the future.
I love you. I love what you do. I love observing what you do. I appreciate you all. Since 2021, getting elected to serve Harrison School
District 2, not only on this board, but to serve our students, our teachers, our staff, our administration. It's been truly a highlight of my life
and I look forward to the next four years serving you all. You are wonderful. Our district is known all over the country for what we do. Let's keep it moving.
But I love you all. Thank you. And of course, you know, as um as was stated, I've definitely walked in your shoes. And so that makes me respect you even more. And so although some
people think I'm not retired because I have these little things I do here and there, but one of the little postretirement jobs I have I go to to districts across the state, especially
in the southern area. And then another I go to some schools out in here in this city. And I will tell you all the work you do is second to none. Um I am so
proud to be a part of Harrison and I know for a fact there are days where you think oh my goodness. But on those days you have to know you are shining stars. And even though all the schools I visit, I know we're all
working for the good of kids, but I just I have not encountered anyone as relentless and student focused as you all. And so so proud to have been a colleague and so proud to serve you now. And please know that I will always
always keep my feet in your shoes. So thank you so much all of you. >> And now it's my turn. So everybody um I just wanted to say that thank you especially from the executive team for recognizing for my
achievements but for somebody who has made a lot achievements I want to be recognized for my impact because I believe that consistency is the most important thing when being part of this board and especially with the principles recognizing for us in the month of January of how much we have done for our
district and as JJ said that we are like known everywhere in the states. I feel like that since we keep doing this, we had to keep the momentum up. And then you two principles, you guys are doing amazing. As Miss Moore over there, Carmemell back in the day was pretty much I was consistent with me. I was
trying to grow as a leader from elementary to middle all the way to high school. And then when being recognized, I'm willing to keep making the impact to make sure that D2 is represented because as a student board representative, even though I might only have two months left, I will make sure those two months are the most important in my years.
I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to say at this point coming behind Aiden especially, but I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you that is sitting here. It is really
um the pleasure and the privilege of my life to be on this board and to serve. Um, it's because of you, who you are, that I sit here and I do what I do. Um,
we serve at the pleasure of you to make sure that you have everything that you need to pour your life into our children, our students, our families, and make them successful. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. those of
you who honored me on this evening, those who again honored me in the past. Um, I appreciate the fact that you make no excuses for what you do and that you
make us shine. And so, thank you. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from the bottom of all of our hearts. Thank you for what you do. I'm going to give you a hand because without you there would be none of us. So, thank
you for what you do. Well, with that being said, since we know how to clear out a room, um we know that um school is still on for tomorrow. >> Yeah. However,
we have two people that I need for them to come sit up front because they've been clowning all night long. So, they get to stay and everybody else gets to leave. So, I'm going to need for um Derek and Dr. Paige to come sit right up here.
And the rest of you are dismissed. >> Thank you all. Oh, not together. Not together. >> Dr. Paige, you're on this side. No. They're killing me. >> He's like, "What am I doing?" >> Dererick can leave.
>> Derek, Derek, >> Derek, you know, you can leave. We just wanted to poke it. >> Okay. He said it's VIP city >> preferential seating. >> All right. So with whoever is remaining,
we're going to move on uh to item 4.2. Um, we have student board members report and uh this evening it'll be given by Mr. Aiden Gyos. >> Yes. Hello >> Flushman. You can leave if you'd like.
The other one can't. So >> yeah. >> Oh yes. All right. Good evening everybody. So I would like Oh, thank you. So stand for Harrison High School, we are the IB diploma program and I would like to just tell you some good news about that. So
for this year, the IBCP and DP enrollment growth has actually exponentially increased by a lot, especially in the career program. With the new graduation framework, students are accessing high rigor classes and preparing for future studies, which is a lot better. And for this year, our academic focus is on the emphasis on
challenging coursework and preparing students for post-secary opportunities. for attendance and performance. The attendance success is Harrison's ranked second in the district for attendance performance in January showing major improvement. And we even have a little fun game called Candyland which show we
have all the ninth, the 10th and 11th and the 12th competing against each other for attendance and we get a prize at the end if we win. So go seniors. Now for the executive team because you guys understand this more the SPF performance is continued focus on maintaining strong results on the school
performance framework to avoid returning to priority improvement status and with according to for the juniors for SAT we have been doing a lot more practice towards multiple choice questions prepared to math and English for activities and engagement we're now emphasizing on family engagement towards
our extracurriculars that are available because the survey results highlight the need to further involve families in extracurricular opportunities offered at Harrison such as getting more students attend girls basketball games, boys basketball games. Doesn't matter what the sport. I just would like to see that more families come in and engage like
how the board does with the schools that they were, especially the principles. And today for the Gerotc cadetses was something very cool. And while I was doing my board report is that uh Captain Schmidt was pretty much setting up bringing the Sierra and Harrison kids
together at Harrison High School to do a stock market stimulation where pretty much this was pretty much buy sell and it was chaos. But kids were getting the honest feedback on how to actually run the stock market and be successful in the future. So I thought that was very
important especially for kids who want to get involved with investing in the future. Upcoming events is on February 6, the J GROTC registration visit. February 12th is the CASBY winter legislative event. I think that will be there which is very going to be fun. And March is our Makea-Wish Foundation
fundraiser at Harrison. Thank you. That was excellent. Wow. You always represent so well. Thank you again. We are moving on to item five. I don't believe we have any communications. Um,
>> no, we do not >> no comments. All right. All right. So, that takes us to number six. Um, matters reserved for board action 6.1. It is the Black History Month resolution. Uh, Mr. Williams, if you
would not mind, please, if you could read the resolution for us. >> Madame President, Harrison School District number two, Black History Month resolution. Whereas, Black History Month is celebrated every February as tribute to the achievements of African-Americans
who have shaped American history from 1619 to the election of the first black president and vice president of the United States of America in 2008 and 2020 respectively and beyond. And whereas a week was chosen in February of
1926 to celebrate black history as it ex acknowledged the as it acknowledged the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th and of Frederick Douglas on February 20th, both of whom were recognized as champions of freedom and equality for all men. And whereas in the
late 1960s, America experienced the civil rights movement and prominent civil rights activists supported the evolution of the week into an entire month. And whereas Black History Month is now celebrated in the United States during the month of February and is promoted by a yearly theme, which for
2026 is a century of Black History commemorations. This theme marks 100 years since National Black History Commemorations began in 1926, highlighting the enduring focus of African-American history and contributions in the United States. This
theme reflects a century of honoring black life, struggles, and achievements with a renewed focus on accurate and inclusive history. Whereas Harrison School District number two believes in celebrating African-Americans that have shared their talents for the betterment of American society such as Thood
Marshall, Martin Luther King Jr., Washington, uh, George Washington Carver, Sir Jordan Truth, Harriet Tubman, IdaB Wales, Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, uh, Web Deo, and countless others that have inspired America to respect the dignity and
equality of all people. And whereas Harrison School District number two believes America is better off and stronger because African-American leaders have helped af America for generations to strive for equality, democracy, and truth that all people are
created equal. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of Harrison School District number two hereby proclaims the month of February 2026 to be Black History Month in district 2. The district will observe throughout the year and through various programs and activities the
contributions African-Americans have made and continue to make in our nation 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 22nd day of
January 2026. >> Thank you. Moving on to item 6.2. It is opposition to tax credit resolution. Mr. Williams, >> you're so eloquent of a reader. We appreciate you. >> Madame President, Harrison School
District number two, resolution opposition to tax credits. Whereas a free public education for all is a virtue of our American society and tuition tax credits and voucher schemes continue to pose a serious threat to
public education. And whereas American public education is the foundation of our democracy where all children are accepted regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability or economic status. And whereas in recent years, the push to
divert public dollars to private schools has incentivized uh has intensified across the country through vouchers K through 12 savings accounts and schemes that provide lucrative tax credits for donations that
fund scholarships to private schools. And whereas in state afterstate voucher programs have been shown to exceed cost projections and strip funding from our already underfunded school systems. Whereas school privat privatization
prop uh proponents knowing the term voucher causes some concern have taken to creating new terms for school privatization schemes such as tuition tax credits. And whereas multiple studies have shown that voucher programs
often subsidize students from wealthy families already attending private schools. And whereas voucher programs have been shown to increase school segregation. And whereas private schools are not required to disclose how they spend funds they receive, measure their
academic achievement, make their academic standards public, hold public meetings, or educate children with disabilities. And whereas voucher-funded schools strips students of important rights, including the First Amendment rights, services, and protections they
receive in public schools, going so far as to refuse to offer services to students with special needs and English language learners. And whereas, according to the National Coalition for Public Education, vouchers cause a decline in academic achievement that
rivals or even exceeds those caused by natural disasters and the CO9 pandemic. Be it resolved that Harrison School District number two, Board of Education, opposes the diversion of public funds to any discriminatory voucher or tax credit
program, federal or state, which reduces public financial support to our cherished public schools, and be it resolved that the board that the board will partner with like-minded organizations to support fully funded public schools, in witness whereof, we
have unto set our hands, and caused the official seal of Harris School District number two to be here unto affixed this 22nd day of January 2026. Thank you, Mr. Williams. We're moving on to item 6.3. It is the
resolution granting easement pertaining to property at Panorama Middle School and certificate of incumbency. Madame President, Harrison School District number two, resolution granting easement pertaining to 2145 South
Shelton Road and certificate of incumbency. Whereas the district owns the property located at 2145 South Shelton Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80916, and more particularly identified as situated in the county of El Paso, state
of Colorado, and described as lot 17, block 4, uh, B1, subdivision, unit number one, except that portion as conveyed indeed recorded on April 18th, 1988 in book 5496, page page 1330 at
reception number 016-92456 County of El Paso, state of Colorado, also known as the property. Whereas the district entered into the certain that certain land, building and rooftop lease agreement dated November 30, 2018. the
lease whereby the district leased a portion of the property to Verizon Wireless known as VAW LLC. Verizon Wireless and its successors and assigns collectively the leasees for the purpose of installing, operating, maintaining
and repairing a rooftop cellular antenna and rooftop and ground related equipment. And whereas pursuant to the terms and conditions of the lease and various associated agreements, the district receives monthly income from the lease related to the use of the
property as an income stream. Whereas the district has been approached by Infraus Wireless One LLC, a Delaware limited liability company uh known as Unison, concerning the potential sale of the income stream to Unison pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the lease. Whereas the district desires to enter into agreements with Unison concerning the potential sale of the income string and whereas the district entered into that certain terms of agreements of agreement dated July 1st, 2025 with
Unison's affiliate Unison US Opco uh LLC. Whereas the district desires to grant certain easements an easement in and to a portion of the property together with the assignment of the lease associated therewith and located
on the property. The easement and lease are collectively referred to as subject property to unison. Now therefore be it resolved that Cory Arise the chief financial officer of the district and Dr. Dr. Wendy Bhansel, the superintendent of the district, both
known as authorized signitories, are hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to enter to to enter into, execute, and deliver on the behalf of the district any and all documents and agreements necessary to convey the subject property to Unison, including
without limitation the wireless communication easement assignment agreement, net profits agreement, settlement statements, and other such agreements and documents collectively known as the sale documents as may be required in connection with
the transaction and the execution of any such sale documents by the authorized signatory shall be binding obligation of this district and said authorized signatory for the district shall be authorized empowered and directed to enter into execute and deliver any and
all documents and instruments and to take any and all acts necessary on behalf of the district to effectuate the transfer of the easement and assignment of the lease and the approval of the me members of all corporate power and authority for such action shall be
conclusively presumed by the signature and said authorized signatory. Further resolve that the easement shall have a term as specified in the agreement dated July 1, 2025 subject to a surrender period of inactivity at the property.
Further resolve that the district has deemed the conveyance of the subject property to be within the powers of the district pursuant to Colorado revised statute 20 uh 22-32-110 and further resolved that uh said authorized signatory of the district is
hereby authorized directed and empowered on behalf of the district to do so to do such other acts and things as may be necessary or advisable in order to carry out and perform on part of the district, the com the covenants, conditions, and
agreements on its part to be carried out and performed as provided in the sale documents and in order to carry out and give effect to the full intent and purposes of these resolutions. Further resolved that the foregoing resolution shall remain in full force and effective
until written notice of their amendment or recision shall uh or recision shall have been received by such title vest agency inc the title company uh departments offices branches and
correspondents as may be concerned and that receipt of such notice shall not affect any obligations entered into by the board prior thereto or action taken by the title company prior thereto and further
resolved the that the members certify to the title company the passage of the foregoing resolutions and certify that the provisions therefore thereof are in conformity with the policies and other resolutions of the board. The board of
education of Harrison School District 2, also known as El Paso County School District number two, El Paso County, Colorado, hereby certifies the district is in good standing and exists within the state of Colorado as a corporation on the date hereof.
There are no proceedings of any nature whatsoever relating to bankruptcy, merger, liquidation, or dissolution of the district pending or contemplated. The foregoing resolutions have not been amended or rescended in any manner, are
in full force and effect as of the date hereof, are not inconsistent with any provisions of the policies of the board, policies of the district or any other resolutions of the board currently in effect and are within the power of the board to pass as provided in the in the
policies of the board and the policies of the district. and that there is no provision in the policies or the or other res resolutions of the board limiting the power of the board to pass the foregoing resolutions. The following individuals are the incumbent officers
of the board on that date hereof shall continue to perform the duties of their respective offices through the date of execution of any and all sale documents requested by title company in connection with the sale. And as such, officers are
authorized to designate the authorized signatory to be the authorized signatory for the district in the herein contemplated sale. Offices held. President name Michelle Wills Hill. Office held. Vice President name Janice
JJ Frasier. Office held. Secretary name Corey Williams. Office held. Treasurer name Pamela Rabinson. Office Hail Director name Emily Tamayo. This board finds and determines that all formal actions of this board and any of
its committees concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were taken and that all deliberations of this board and any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were held in meetings open to the public and in compliance with the law. To the board's knowledge, the policies of the
board and policies of the district are true, accurate, and complete, and have not been amended as of the date hereof. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of Harrison, the board of education of Harrison School District number two, hereby authorizes the
granting of an easement as described above, and certifies its incumbency as described above. In witness whereof we have unto set our hands and cause the official seal of Harrison School District number two to be here to here
unto affixed this 22nd day of January 26, 2026. Thank you, Mr. Williams. Item 6.4 is resolution granting easement pertaining to property at the Pamela Robinson Education Center.
Madame President, Harrison School District number two, resolution resolution granting easement pertaining to 200 Lumis Avenue and certificate of incumbency. Whereas the district owns the property
located at 200 Lumis Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 and more particularly identified as situated in the county of El Paso, state of Colorado, and described as a tract of land situated in the east 1/2 of section
five township 15 south range 66 west of the 6 p.m. County of El Paso, state of Colorado, as described indeed recorded December 20th, 1962 in book 1939 at page
719 ex uh accepting that portion conveyed to El Paso County by and through the board of county commissioners of El Paso County, Colorado in bargain and sale deed recorded December 14th, 2011 at
reception number 211. 1 1 2 3592 known as the property. And whereas the district entered into the certain land and rooftop lease agreement dated December 30th, 2014 as amended by that certain first amendment to land and
rooftop lease agreement dated March 6th, 2024, collectively known as the least, whereby the district leased a portion of the property to Verizon Wireless, known as VAW LLC. Verizon Wireless and its uh Verizon Wireless and its successors.
That's just DBA uh other other names for that company. Uh that's why I keep skipping it. And and assigns collectively the lease for the purpose of installing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a rooftop cellular antenna and rooftop ground related equipment.
Whereas pursuant to the terms and conditions of the lease various associated agreements, the district receives monthly income from the lease related to the use of the property and income stream. Whereas the district has been approached by infraus wireless one
uh LLC, a Delaware limited liability company known as Unison concerning the potential sale of the income stream to Unison pursuant to the terms and conditions of the lease. Whereas the district desires to enter into agreements with Unison concerning concerning the potential sale of the
income stream and whereas the district entered into that certain terms of agreement dated July 1, 2025 with Unison's affiliate Unison US Opco LLC. Whereas the district desires to grant
certain easements an easement in and to a portion of the property together with the assignment of the lease associated therewith and located on the property. The easement and lease are collectively referred to as subject property to unison. And now therefore be it resolved
that Corey Ar, the chief financial officer of the district, and Dr. Dr. Wendy Bhansel, the superintendent of the district, each known as authorized signitories are hereby authorized to and empowered and directed to enter into, execute, and deliver on behalf of the
district any and all documents and agreements necessary to convey the subject property to Unison, including without limitation the wireless communication easement and assignment agreement, net profits agreement, settlement statements, and other such agreements and documents collectively.
ly known as the sale documents as may be required in connection with the transaction and the execution of any such sale documents by the authorized signatory shall be the binding obligation of this district and said authorized signatory for the district shall be authorized empowered and
directed to enter into execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments and to take any and all acts necessary on behalf of the district to effectuate the The transfer of the easement and assignment of the lease, and the approval of the members and all
corporate power and authority for such action shall be conclusively presumed by the signature of said authorized signatory and further resolved that the e easement shall have a term as specified in the agreement dated July 1, 2025 subject to surrender period of
inactivity at the property and further resolved that the district has deemed the conveyance of the subject property to be within the powers of the district pursuant to Colorado revised statutes 2022 I'm sorry 22 uh-32-110
and further resolved that said authorized signatory of the district is hereby authorized directed and empowered on behalf of the district to do such other acts and things as may be necessary or advisable in order to carry out and perform on part of the district
the covenants conditions and agree agreements on its part to be carried out and performed as provided in the sale documents and in order to carry out and give effect to full intent purposes of these resolutions. and further resolved that the foregoing
resolution shall remain in full force and effect until written notice of their amendment or recision shall have been received by such a title vest agency incorporated. the title company um departments, offices, branches, and correspondents as may be concerned. And
that receipt of such notice shall not affect any obligations entered into by the board prior thereto or action taken by the title company prior thereto. and further resolve that the members certify to the title title company the passage
of the foregoing resolutions and certify the provisions therefore thereof are in conformity with the policies and other resolutions of the board. The board of education of Harrison School District 2, also known as El Paso County School District number two, El Paso County,
Colorado, hereby certifies that the district is in good standing and exists within the state of Colorado as a corporation on the date hereof. There are no proceedings of any nature whatsoever relating to the bankruptcy, merger, liquidation, or dissolution of
the district pending or contemplated. The foregoing resolutions have not been amended or rescended in any manner, are in full force and effect as of the date hereof, are not inconsistent with any provisions of the policies of the board,
policies of the district, or any other resolution of the board currently in effect, and are within the power of the board to pass as provided in the policies of the board and the policies of the district. and that there is no provision in the policies or resolutions of the board limiting the power of the
board to pass the foregoing resolutions. And the following individuals are the incumbent officers of the board on the date hereof and shall continue to perform the duties of their respective offices through the date of execution of any and all sale documents requested by
title company in connection with the sale. And as such, officers are authorized to designate the authorized signatory to be the authorized signatory for the district in the herein contemplated sale. Office held. President name Michelle Wills Hill.
Office held vice president name Janice JJ Frasier. Office held secretary name Corey Williams. Office held treasurer name Pamela Robinson. Office held director name Emily Tamaya. This board finds and determines that all formal
actions of this board and any of its committees concerning and related to the adoption of this resolution were taken and that all deliberations of this board and any of its committees that resulted in such formal actions were held in meetings public to the meetings open to
the public in compliance with the law. To the board's knowledge, the policies of the board and policies of the district are true, accurate, and complete, and have not been amended as of the date hereof. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of education
of Harrison School District number two hereby authorizes the granting of an easement as described above, and certifies its incumbency as described above. In witness whereof we have unto set our hands and caused the official seal of Harrison School District number
two to be here unto affixed this 22nd day of January, 2026. We're going to No, we're not done. We got one more. Item 6.5 is adoption of the fiscal year 2025 2026
midyear budget modifications. Madame President, resolution use of beginning fund balance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. Be it resolved in accordance with Colorado Revised
Statutes 20 uh 22-44-105 section 1.5 subsection A and subsection C. The board of education of Harrison School District 2 in the county of El Paso and state of Colorado authorizes the use of a portion of the fiscal year
2025 2026 beginning fund balance for the following funds for the purposes set forth. General fund in the amount of 5 million 5,963,645 to spend down beginning fund balance.
Insurance reserve fund in the amount of 173,336 to spend down beginning fund balance. Nutrition services fund in the amount of $659,990 to spend down beginning fund balance. Pupil activity fund in the amount of
$25,000 to spend down beginning fund balance. Building fund in the amount of 1,265,745 to spend down beginning fund balance. Capital reserve fund in the amount of $1,630,781 to spend down beginning fund balance.
Land trust fund in the amount of $156,000 to spend down the beginning fund balance. I do not have anything after that. >> Thank you, Mr. Williams. I'm going to give Mr. Williams a break and ask someone else to give me a
recommended motion, please. >> Yes. All right. I got it. Madam President, be it resolved by the board of education of Harrison School District 2 in the county of El Paso and state of Colorado that the amount shown in the following schedule be appropriated to each fun as approved on January 20. uh
January 22nd, 2026 for the current fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. >> This the dates. That's correct. Yes, that's the motion. It's it's it's made. >> I just We just need to second it.
>> Second. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um recommend a motion by Mr. Williams, second by Dr. Pamela Robinson. All those in favor? >> I I
>> Okay, moving along. Item seven, it is the board consent agenda. 7.1 is the approval of minutes of the December 12th, 2024 combined work session/board meeting.
Item 7.2 2 OE3 treatment of stakeholders monitoring report from 123 2025 and item 7.3 OE4 personnel administration indicator report dated
123 2025. At this time I just need a recommended motion please. >> Madame President I move to approve the board consent agenda. I second >> motion to approve the um board consent
agenda by Mr. Williams, second by Mr. Deio. All those in favor? >> I I >> approved. All right, we're going on to item eight. It is the superintendent consent agenda. Uh we have 8.1. It's the
January personnel and comparison report. Again, I just need a recommended motion, please. Madame President, I move to approve the superintendent consent agenda. >> Second. >> Motion to approve the superintendent consent agenda by M. Williams, second by
Miss Frasier. All those in favor? >> I. >> Approved. Item nine, monitoring board performance. We have the annual work plan.
>> There are no changes from two weeks ago. Right. Thank you. We're going into uh item 9.2. It is legislative updates. Um board, you will have received an email from Mrs. Richie Rap giving you an outline of the
current bills. Um over 50 bills have already dropped. The deadline for their first two bills to get in is a week away and so we'll see probably double that come. Um, we are actively supporting Senator Exum's bill on um, affordable housing and so we will send a letter of
support and probably testify when that comes. It's really to allow nonprofits, school districts to be able to put uh, housing on their property and not have to jump through all the hoop hoops that we had to do. So, it's really something that we want for our community and for
our partners. And so, he's asked for our support. Um, Case will support it. I think Casby's supporting it. Pikes Peak Alliance is supporting it. So, um, the voucher bill, I'm trying to find a sponsor to put a bill out to oppose it. It will do nothing because the governor
will veto it, but it will send a message that it's wrong. Um, there is going to be some bills from discipline. We have not heard anything, nor has anyone reached out. So, those were concerned of what might come up.
There is a bill about 504s. Um what the state is trying to do right now is fix everything that the feds got rid of which is very very dangerous um because the state does not have capacity to do some of those things and it opens up a ton of liabilities back to school
districts. So basically every bill that we see if it's not talking about giving school finance adequate funding we are opposing it because we should not be passing any bill with any fiscal note when we don't even fund schools appropriately. So that's really been the message. 50 bills still dropped and many
have fiscal notes. So, the message is not being sent or heard, but um we continue to send that same message. >> Thank you, Dr. Behanszel. We're just about excuse me, at the end, I do want to make one special mention.
Um Christine O'Brien's birthday is tomorrow. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to
you. Happy birthday dear Christine. >> Happy birthday to you. >> I think we're supposed to say cha cha cha after every phrase. >> All right. It has been a really great
meeting. Thank you again to um of course they're not here to here to thank you again. >> Oh yeah, that's right. Derek is here. You passed that along. Our words of thanks and appreciation for um all of the uh pleasantries exchanged on this
evening. Um we hope that you all have a good safe evening and drive home. So at this time we are at item 10.1 and I just need a recommended motion please to adjourn. >> Madam President with no further business I move to adjourn the board of education
board meeting. >> I second. >> Motion to adjourn the board of education board meeting by Mr. Williams second by Miss Tamayo. All those in favor I. Meeting is officially adjourned. Thank you. Part: 2
Good evening everyone. time right now is 6 p.m. I'm goinghead and start it with so I'm going combined work set and board public here
that's the board topic related so at this time. Um, now it's 6:01 p.m. Bay, please call >> here. >> Here, >> here. >> Good.
At this time we are going to stand for the pledge of Right. And our mission graduate right graduate college and career ready student
attitude and behaviors to now we are moving on to item three. Right now I just to Madam President, I'll move to approve the agenda as presented.
>> Second >> I thank you. We are now going to item fouring with the.1 R11 report. It is the midyear update. Rachel
Laugher assistant learning. Well, good evening. As you know, every year we bring to you a midyear data um report. It encompasses our own internal midyear
assessments that we administer primarily in December, but a little bit in January, plus some state data that we get back during that same window. So each February, we update you on where we are in relation to our targets. So I'll turn it over to Director Welden to walk
you through the 26 slides that you have. Thank you, Rachel. Um, so we have I Ready that we assess beginning, middle, and end of year, and that's in grades K through eight, both reading and math. We set targets for achievement and growth
for every grade. Um, and we report to you how we're doing at the middle of the year. I um at a broad high level overview, we are basically doing as well as we were last year. Um there's nothing too shocking in the data. Um achievement
targets obviously we have to grow to get to the end. Kindergarten makes a lot of growth between beginning, middle, and end. Uh slows down as you get older. Um the growth targets we do adjust for middle of year. We're only expecting them to have hit half their growth for
the year because half the year's gone through. Um, and then we do have our idealistic target that all of our students will hit their growth target. A general rule of thumb though, where you see uh growth that hits um 60% or
higher, that is a really good sign. It's in the 50s, we're okay. Um, so as you review the slides, just keep that in mind. um I do think three through five reading is a little bit stronger than K2 this year, which is an interesting thing.
Um throughout the slide deck, and if you ever have questions, you can always send them to me after the meeting. Uh we do district, we plot where the district is for each grade level and then we give you the plot that shows every school. So there's a lot of variability in our
schools where they are on these plots. So it just runs through. Now we're at middle school. We segment this out by grade cluster. Um finally we have our fun little bubble chart. Uh you can think of this as like
a a kettle of fish in each bubble going or like a school of fish. So they're going from K to one to two to three to four. And we have on the right side what year they would graduate. So our kindergarteners would graduate in 2038. Hard to think about. Um and then we have
like the eighth graders who are going to graduate 2030 when they or high school this next fall. Um four more years. But you can see the progression. So generally they will increase obviously from beginning to end of their grade level. But remember I ready is testing
them on each grade level. So they reset when they get to the next grade. That proficiency goes down and then it has to climb back up. Then we have the exact same slides but for math. Uh I won't spend too much time.
There's really not much else to say. We have the same bubble chart here. Uh the other big test that we do um that the state tracks is Dibbles for our K3 read act.
Um Dibbles is actually showing really strong results. Uh we have less students with significant reading deficiencies and we have more students that are on or above grade level. Um there is a middle range there where you're not significantly behind but you're a little
bit behind. That's why the there's we don't present that number. We present the kids who are way behind and the kids who are on grade level. So in almost every case we have average or above average growth uh scores there.
Uh and then finally, and this is something that the district's been celebrating a lot, our high schools have been celebrating, and it's public now. So, we have our graduation rates. Uh these become published every January by CDE. Uh so, now on this chart, I will spend a
little bit of time. You can see Harrison High School is up to 92.2%. Fouryear on-time graduation rate. That's incredible. Uh Sierra is also up big uh to 85 now. The district as a whole if
you round it up is up to 90%. Um basically every school went up the one I'll explain Aspire both Aspire and career readiness have small groups of students who graduate each year. So a few students here or there swings the percentages a lot. So you can see Aspire
did drop but career readiness went up. So volatility cuts both ways. Um little hard. I don't think you can see the sevenyear. Yeah, you can. That's um
Colorado gives you seven years to graduate. So if you don't make it in four, you can come back as a fifth year, senior, sixth year, seventh year. So I also have the published rates from the class of 22 that now been seven years since they've graduated. You can see how those numbers compare.
And then we have one more slide which I have control of the right now. Um so this is another slide that we are very uh excited about and proud about. This is uh the varying demographics and the difference between district 2 and the
state of Colorado. Everything in green we are above. So nearly every single category we are beating the state. You can see our Hispanic students, they are 10% uh higher than the state in their graduation rate. Black or
African-American also 10% higher. Uh free reduced lunch eligible 10% higher. Uh the two areas we didn't beat were within like a percent. Um students with disabilities way higher, multilingual students way higher. So
it's not just um basically no one's being left behind. the the district is doing a very good job of graduating our students. That is why you've been seeing probably a lot of communication go out about our graduation rates.
Um that's the last slide. So stop here for any questions. I mean, we're looking at each other as anything to say. Um, other than obviously this is phenomenal.
just so happy to we're all just so happy. So congratulations and to Dr. Bhanzel and to everyone that has worked so hard to get us to this data. I mean it just
kind of speaks for itself. and even when we get our chance to talk about our trip to uh Washington DC, the things that we were able to share with others about the great work that we do here in in D2, we're just very proud to
serve this capacity. So, thank you again for everything that you've done. Excellent report. I was just excited when I saw because you know we've been seeing the graduation rates, but when I saw the looked in the agenda and saw the
breakdown of our, you know, the students who are just making it happen and we know they can. And so kids in kindergarten, that would be the ones who stay with us. That would be kindergarten up. You know, we all have a
hand in in >> I'll just share from the back row. Um, you know, every time we have success, we get criticized. And so I was asked by a Northern Colorado Springs superintendent, "How'd you do it? Did you make it easier?"
Every time. Every single time. Um, and my response is, "Come see our schools. I can't explain it. You have to come meet our kids." But I think I just I know you said it's amazing, and it is, but I need to point out sped. That does not happen.
And when I'm talking sped, you've seen some of our special friends who have some serious barriers to learning, but yet they're right in there. They have teachers, they have staff, they have support. Like, we take everyone who comes to our doors
and 90% are graduating. It doesn't matter what your barrier is. And that's not happening anywhere across the state. Um, some of our future governor candidates have reached out to me and asked like, "What is the plan to make everyone do this?" I said, 'You can't because the culture and the mindset isn't there.
This is great, but it's we have to get the mindset that every kid can, and that's what we believe here. Um, to not have learning gaps or academic gaps. We've known that for a long time in D2 because we've not had the gaps. Um, I will say our gifted students, we don't have many. So, that's another low-end
number compared to the state. But um just super proud of the students that whoever comes to our door, we educate and we close that gap. And you know, we've talked about we have kindergarteners that don't know their name or are not even potty trained or have never been in school coming in
third grade, but yet whatever time we have with them, we get them across that line so they can go into society successful. So just super super proud of the work of our team. And you know this, it it's not unintentional or unstrategic. It's what we do with our budget. It's what we do with our
support. It's where we put our energy. And Scott won't talk about it, but his data mind and his team is crucial to this because it keeps us on track of who's on track to graduate or who's on track to drop out and what do we do to catch them in between and what are the
warning signs. So, um, Scott's work has been remarkable in getting us to this point and he'll never say that, but I'm going to say it for him. I will ditto that because I have been a product of success. So thank
>> also just want to say with that data um President Michelle Wills Hills definitely said it. We used that graduation uh graduation rate um you know when we met with our senators and representatives to say that public
education for all students does work and that is this is the biggest story that we can tell as a district as a title one district that public education does work for all students. Thank you again. >> Thank you.
>> Okay, so we are going to move on. Um we're at item 4.2. Um it is the uh student board members report. So we have Mr. Aiden Gyos and
Miss Marissa Don Juan. So take it away, please. Great. Good evening everybody. Thank you. So now I am about to give out a very very detailed board report because I'm very excited to tell everybody what's going on at Harrison High School, including some side
projects as a student board representative myself that I have been working on. So for Harrison High School, what I learned from Miss Leot is that there's multiple scholarship finalists recognized this year's from the Daniels Fund, Betcher, Greenhouse, it doesn't matter. We have a lot this year. So that
means that scholarship fund money for the class of 2026 is going to be extremely high. Another great news, but speaking of this is the unified basketball team remains undefeated. So that's a good clap right there. And I believe they have one more game. So they'll have a completely undefeated
season. And so with that, also speaking on the topic of sports, winter sports are officially wrapping up, meaning that spring sports are coming. So I'm going to be doing track and field. So I'm completely excited about that. At Harrison, we had an official signing day, which you can see on the Instagram page, where five Harrison High School
student athletes were committed to continue with sports as high as D2. So, that's completely impressive for ongoing academic focus. Like last time, we're continuing to prep students for SAT testing for the state testing. So, teachers are getting very involved with
changing their making sure the warm-up is more aligned towards SAT questioning. for student leadership and culture. Spirit week is going to be happening at Harrison High School where we're having a Valentine's Day theme, spirits. So, if you come in next week, make sure you have your Valentine's Day outfit on. For
pure mediation, which I'm part of, is very good because we're working towards conflict resolution and running a Valentine's Day fundraiser, which you can buy a rose as cheap as $2. And we, as in pure mediation, all made handmade flowers. So, we can you can purchase those for $5 if you don't know what to
get somebody during Valentine's Day. And also with some research with peer mediations involving with our school conflict fighting has gone down significantly lower at Harrison High School. We haven't seen one in about a month which is amazing. And now for the
huge event that's coming tomorrow is speaking with AfroJotc. This will be undergo by a formal headquarters inspection next well this Friday. This inspection includes all 870 plus a JTC units worldwide evaluated by
regional directors but unfortunately due to government shutdown they will not be able to hear but the principles and admins will be overseeing what's going on and in total the daily oper operations professionalism teamworks and leadership structure will be shown towards all 88 cadets at Harrison High
School/ Sierra plus the drill and color guard performances from 8 to 9:15 a.m. in the gym at Harrison High School. And for that, that's pretty much very important for tomorrow. But I'm going to talk about some side projects I have been doing. Recently, I got $1,500 in
grant funding towards my project with Gen Youth. And I recently been trying to promote nutritional literacy towards all D2 schools. So, I have created two projects and been working with the school nutritional director, Sean. And my goal is to get these posters printed with it and then go to every single
school with my D2 badge to be able to put up these posters and get the principles to post in front of it and also to elaborate further with their students about nutritional literacy talking about macro/micronutrients. Now, on the side gig, I'm not gonna I'm gonna say this as a surprise, but I recently been teaming up with, if you remember from the D2 cell phone policy
when I was presenting, my friend over here has been working towards something similar, but towards political education where we've been holding petitions and been holding a lot of commitment, research towards something that he wants to present next board meeting about how we can increase political education
within our school system. And he has a lot of things to share with the board when he when it comes to that time. So that's everything I have. >> Okay, I want to start with some celebrations. So as mentioned earlier, our graduates our grad rates did come in and Sierra was at 85.2% which is the
highest in school history. And I just really wanted to shine light on that. I think that's really important. And then we also had um a girls basketball um team member, her name is Deja Burns. She broke the record for career blocks with 363 and they are still counting because
our season is ongoing. Some upcoming events, we have our second um mock SAT exam of the year on March 3rd and then following that we do an SAT boot camp for seven weeks which focuses on test taking strategies and works to um like gain confidence in students so they can
feel ready to take the SAT. And then we also just had our NHS induction last night and I think we inducted around 50 members. So it yeah, the numbers went down because of COVID and they're slowly building back up. So that's very nice. And then like Aiden said, winter sports
are coming to a close. We have a couple more home games. So for boys basketball, if you guys can show out, Saturday the 7th, they play Elizabeth and on Tuesday the 10th they're playing Mitchell. And then girls basketball has their last home game of the season on Friday the
13th versus TCA. And then girls swim and our wrestling also has regionals coming up. And then spring sports are starting at the end of February. And then continuing on with events, we have parent teacher conferences the week after next during that February break. And then I also wanted to mention we are
hosting a Panda Express fundraiser next Wednesday on February 11th. if you go in and show um like a poster, you can be a picture of it, which I have some on me. Um we get 20% of the um proceeds and that goes towards our prom. So, I encourage you all to go to Panda Express
on the 11th. And then some other things, our maker space is almost ready to go. So, this is just a space to get kids really interactive. It has 3D printers, t-shirt presses, robotics, and a photography black room. So, we're really excited to see that um getting like
ready and good to go. And then I did want to bring up a student concern. So there is a concern with the athletic bus schedule. So we've noticed that it leaves a lot earlier than necessary sometimes. Like we will be leaving at 1:30 for a 4:00 game when the school is
15 minutes away. And this is a big deal because student athletes need to put being a student first. And when you're missing critical class time, you can't do that. It's hard to catch up. And another big problem is that usually you're missing the same class every time cuz games are often on like Tuesdays and
Thursdays. So for example, if you're leaving at 1:30, you're consistently missing your fourth period. And so it's hard to catch up when you can't be in class and you can't hear these lectures and you can't put student before athlete if you're getting pulled out of class when you don't need to be leaving that early. And that leads to eligibility
problems and loss of our um student athletes. And then there also have been time changes last minute. I know for girls basketball, our game um I think it was on Tuesday, we were supposed to leave at 2:45 and it got changed and we ended up leaving at like 1:30 and we
were sitting in the cafeteria of the other school and it's just unnecessary when games are way later and it's hard to catch up on the work when you're missing it. So that's definitely something that students have been concerned about and yeah and I think that should be worked on getting
resolved. Thank you. Well, you asked, you shall receive. >> It's already been resolved. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> And it is an issue. It was an issue. >> It's not an issue.
>> Right. Dr. Paige, that's Dr. Paige's people. >> Thank you for bringing that to our attention, though, nonetheless. Absolutely. >> Um, Aiden, I just had one question. When When did you say the ROTC day was again?
>> Yes, it is tomorrow, 8 a.m. at Harrison High School's gym, and I believe everybody here should definitely attend, especially with how many cadets are there willing to present and show off their leadership and also
their skills that they've been practicing for a while. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> I was speaking to the tech sergeant. I think that's what is his rank is in the in the Air Force earlier this week. They have some new cadetses who uh just joined this week and so they were going
through uh practicing the motions and moving in formation um on Wednesday. Uh the uh district admin meeting was also at Zman uh that particular day, but I believe Mr. Roachcha will be standing in as the inspector uh for the um
commencement of of the ceremonies tomorrow. More questions or comments? Thank you so very much. We are moving on. Um and we are now at
operational expectations. Item five, 5.1 is 09 communicating with the board monitoring report. Mrs. Christine O'Brien, the chief communications officer. >> Madame President and members of the board, I'd like to present OE9, the
monitoring report to you tonight. You will notice this OE is compliant with some exceptions noted. So, your board takes a survey twice a year, April and October. In April, all five board members responded to the survey, but in
the October survey, we only had four responses despite numerous attempts to get a 100% participation. So, in this OE, there are many indicators that rely on that survey. And currently, it's set up that 100% of the
board members would agree to one of these pieces of evidence. So you'll see everywhere where we've got the survey, it's in compliance for the April survey and out of compliance because one member did not respond in October. Um when we
go through this, we do have something for you all to consider when we move to actually the indicator report for this. Um, so if we proceed, I'm just going to cover everything else in this OE was in compliance as it should have been. But
you'll notice 9.2 that we had an issue here. Um, not all of the board members in October answered. So, we could not say that we were in compliance with you believing that you've been provided all of the information and communicated with in a
timely manner. The same falls true in that same indicator there in a survey where in October only four board members agreed that the superintendent had provided
them with the trends, facts, and other information relevant to the board's work. You'll see that carry over again when you get to 9.4. Um the first evidence of compliance is
that the April and October board surveys showed all members responding in April, but only four believed that they had been provided adequate information from a variety of viewpoints. Again, that was just one board member abstaining from
taking that survey. And the trend continues in 9.5. Same thing. We were actually monitoring there whether or not they felt that they had significant um information about significant
reports, stories or commentary that could appear in local or national media. We just had one abstain from taking that. I do want to draw your attention to 9.7.
The first piece, the first evidence of compliance. This one there's a little difference. All five board members felt that they had been treated equally and had equal access to information. In April, that trend switched a little bit.
We had three of the four board members respond that they felt they had been provided or treated equally and had equal access. But one of the four that had responded did not reply to that question. So there
you will notice three board members replied that they felt like they had equal access to information and been treated equally. Same thing with 9.9. We just had one board member who abstained from taking
the October survey. Everybody else felt they were in compliance and that they had been provided adequate information regarding administrative decisions that are delegated to our superintendent but required by law to be approved by you,
the board, and everything else is in compliance. So, I'd be happy to take questions and then maybe offer a solution moving forward when we go to the indicator report. You said um the board member abstained.
So in essence, we'll be out of compliance should that occur again unless we >> if we leave the indicators written as they are now. And so maybe I'll just
jump to one possible solution would be to switch these up so that we say of the board members who respond to the survey makes sense to me. Thank you. >> Sure. Are there other questions?
And I would just ask, what other way can we get board members to take the survey? Because this is now causing us to have an OE out of compliance that's not within our control. We have at least five documented reachouts to the board and still no response. And so if there's
something we're missing, if there's a different way we can do it, please let us know because this is important feedback both for you all as a board as well as for us to hear. and we're kind of at a stop gap because there's nothing else that we know to do to get the feedback.
I think I mean I'm thankful for the gentle reminder that I get and so when I see that um and Norma usually helps me with that and she knows so I think cuz I think I probably would have been I mean
I did it but I'm just saying that those gentle reminders are very helpful so I would not want that to go away and I am putting in red in April too. So, thank you.
>> I personally don't believe that there's anything you can do differently or more that you should have to do that we own this one. So, >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> So, does anyone have any additional
questions? Right, we're moving on to 5.2. Oh, I'm so sorry. Uh, Mr. Ramid, could you please move this to the consent agenda? Thank you so much. Um, 5.20e3.
It is treatment of stakeholders indicator report. Again, this is Christine O'Brien. It is in your hands. >> All right. Well, we'll make this super short and sweet. OE3.1 I am recommending that we change the district's attorney
to the district's legal counsel in that first indicator of compliance. And then where it says and tracked via the communications department digital file, we just would like to propose that that is the district legal
council's Kora file because the communications department no longer tracks KOR request once we actually hired in-house district legal counsel. And I greatly appreciate these ladies to
my left and to my right. And that's all. >> Everything else we propose remains the same. >> Thank you. Um, does anyone have any questions? Right.
Um, again, Mr. Rambade, if you could move this to the consent agenda. Thank you so very much. Um, we are at item six, public comment. Um, I don't know that we had
anyone to bring public comment on this evening. So, we're going to continue on and go to seven matters reserved for board action. Um,
it is women's history month that will be happening in the month of March and we do have a resolution for women's history month. So, if you don't mind, Mr. Williams, if you could read that on our behalf.
Madame President, Harrison School District number two, Women's History Month resolution. Whereas the advocacy efforts of the National Women's History Project led to an annual observance of Women's History Month, which highlights the contributions of women in events in
history and contemporary society and is celebrated during March in the United States. And whereas women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made significant and historic contributions to the growth and strength of our society in countless recorded and
unrecorded ways. And whereas the leadership of women in elected office, including the contributions of our own board of education directors, serves as an example of community and civic engagement for girls and women in our community. And whereas women have been
leaders not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, which created a more fair and just society for all. And whereas Harrison School District
number two believes in honoring the achievements of women during Women's History Month and throughout the year. And whereas Harrison School District number two is committed to supporting efforts to improve opportunities for girls and women. Now, therefore, be it
resolved that the board of education of Harrison School District number two hereby proclaims the month of March 2026 to be Women's History Month in District 2. The district will observe throughout the year and through various programs and activities the contributions women
have made and continue to make in our nation. In witness whereof, we have unto set our hands and cause the official seal of Harrison School District number two to be here unto affix this fifth day of February, 2026. >> Thank you, Mr. Williams.
Thank you. We are moving forward in our agenda to the superintendent consent agenda item 8.1. It is the February personnel and comparison report. And right now I just need a recommended motion. Please.
Madame President, I move to approve the superintendent consent wh >> second. >> My apologies. I move to approve the superintendent consent agenda item as stated. My apologies.
>> Motion to approve the superintendent consent agenda items as stated by Mr. Williams. Second by Dr. Pam Robinson. All those in favor? I >> I >> is approved. >> Um item nine, it is the board consent
agenda 9.1. It is approval of minutes for board work session January 8th, 2026 and board meeting January 22nd, 2026. Um 9.20e communicating with the board monitoring
report. Mrs. Christine O'Brien, PIO. Item 9.3 OE3 treatment of stakeholders indicator report Mrs. Christine O'Brien and item 9.4 I just need a recommended motion please.
>> Madame President I move to approve the board consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Motion to approve and accept the board consent agenda as presented by Mr. Williams. Second by Miss Frasier. All those in favor >> I
>> I >> it is approved. Item 10, it is monitoring board performance. Item 10.1 it is the annual work plan and if we have some updates or
things we need to add at this time. >> Yes ma'am. Please, if you will look in the um month of of April um is when the board does their self- evaluation and the
superintendent's formative evaluation. So, we just need to set a date for that. Am I looking at the wrong wrong calendar? No, I haven't. We just need to look at dates for a board retreat.
So that's for the month of April and not February or March. >> I'm sorry. >> So the board retreats. >> Uhhuh. >> That's for the month of April and not um Unless you want to change it.
Would you rather have it in March? Um I think I'm just recalling in the um seeing the month of March in the um help me. What am I trying? >> Typically it is the month of March. >> That's what I thought. Last year it was pushed to April cuz you couldn't get together or something, but typically and
according to the contract it's you need to do it in March for me. >> I I'd like to stay in the month of March. I just need some dates on when everyone would be available. At this time, my Fridays are open except
for the week of the 22nd when spring break. So, the 27th, I'm not open. But if we stick to Fridays, I'm open the 6, 13th, and 20th. >> Should definitely get it done before the
the 20th. So, yeah. Uh 6, 13th, or 20th. Those days are open for me as well. I'm good with the 6th or the 13th as well. >> I as well the 6th or the 13th of those
Fridays work for me. >> Yeah. As soon as >> So the 6. >> Yep. >> Okay. So March 6 >> our usual is 3:30. Is does that still work for everybody? >> Yes.
>> Okay. 3:30 the 6th of March. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Can you let me know what you need from me >> so that you can complete that? That again is the formative, not the sumitative for my email part. >> That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> And um we uh last year for the month of June we had a combined board meeting. This year we have been separated. Uh would you all like to do the two meetings in June? Um or a combined
meeting >> combined for me? >> Yeah, I think we agreed a combined would be better. >> Okay. >> Not that we don't like to see each other, but >> Yeah. >> Okay. And during the work session,
>> the fourth. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. If there's nothing else to add to the annual work plan, um I think upcoming also would be for student board
reps for Harrison because Aiden thinks he's graduating and going somewhere else. Okay, very good. I was just seeing if Aiden was paying attention to me. Um,
we're going to go on to item 10.2. It is board updates. And I think we have some things that we would like to share this evening. So, um, we can start with maybe Miss Tamayo and just work our way down.
>> Great. um for my updates. Um I'm just really going to talk about I've been really enjoying my visit visiting um the schools. Um just really been enjoying meeting all the principles and the staff and seeing our schools in action. Um as
a new board member, I'm just really honored to the ability to serve. Um, and then I also attended um I went to the state capital in Denver um and met with um um Mark Snyder as well as um
Representative uh Dr. Regina English um to really discuss some of the upcoming state legislation that are that is impacting um public education and also talk about the state budget. um utilize the data
that was provided to me through our board members um through I mean our board meetings as well as um student stories that I gathered from my meetings with schools. Um this is through the Colorado um Association of School Boards. Next um I joined my fellow board
members um who attended um at our nation's capital. We went and um this just passed. We came by what? Yesterday. Yeah. Um to um attend our nation's capital and learn more about advocacy and about um
what's happening on the nation's level in regards to the funding of public education and the idea. Um as well as a bunch of other issues that have been impacting um our students and our families and our staff. Um so from my
end I met with um um and of course with Dr. Pam who will discuss that as well. Um I met at the offices of uh Representative Lauren Boowbert, Jeff Crank, and Diana Deette. And we all met
with um at the offices of Senator Hickin Looper and Bennett. Um those are the three representatives and two senators that I went to the offices of. Um, yeah, it's been a really great environment and culture. Um, and I will continue to work
hard looking at our legislation and continue to represent and share the stories of our students and families um with our people um and our representation um of legislators. So, let's keep public education alive.
again just to ditto um Emily just been having a wonderful time going to these winter sports um wrestling and so on and basketball learning a lot getting just talking to parents and I will get into the schools
more formally but I just love just touching base with parents the community just trying to find out what the vibe is and how they're feeling about what we're doing and it's just a perfect time to do that. Um, I definitely want to thank our legal counsel for the talking points.
They were wellreceived. Um Matt Cook, our uh lobbyist for CASBY, was very, I think, in his comments, impressed at the um comments that we shared from the just talking about the
amount of students that we serve here for special ed, the amount of money we get and do not get, and where we have to, as I told them, we robbed Peter to pay Paul in D2, but we make it happen. And so we had a wonderful time up there
learning about advocacy and as always always have a wonderful time visiting community functions and seeing the kids in action our student athletes. >> Um in addition to I'll talk about advocacy institute but um I had a
opportunity to participate with the superintendent student council. Um, I'm always just blown away at those conversations and I just glean so much from them. They
give me hope for the future generation will be taking over. Um, but it's an experience and I want to um encourage other board members if you have an opportunity to um reach out to Dr.
Bhanzel and go and participate in those advisory councils just I don't you know I'm at a loss for words but um I walk away from those experiencing or those experiences and
and it's just like wow this this really happened and I understand why that's one of her favorite days of the month just having that council meeting. Um and then in preparation for the um advocacy
institute I did attend the um advocacy 101 there were virtual trainings on Mondays. So every Monday at 4:00 in the month of January um I was in the Zoom meeting where we learned how to prepare
how to prepare for a meeting. Um, I've sent letters to all of our um cong our senators and our representative. Uh, shock shock. One of them only gave me a form letter return. Um, the other one I
did get some actual response letters and the last one I received nothing, but that's okay. we um made our appearance and I I think um I want to say that um D2 was in the house when we went to uh
visit with uh congressional staffers. Um we were the only ones who actually brought literature on our schools. So thank you to Christine O'Brien >> for pres giving us the that information.
Um and also Miss Tanya Thompson and um you know we we just can't thank you enough for the information that you provided us because we're like here you go and by the way call us cuz we want you to come and visit our school. So we
we represent it very well. So just really grateful for the opportunity to go and be in that kind of a platform. >> I had I um had the opportunity to attend
Harrison's 8th grade. Is it spirit day? >> Oh, he discovered Oh my goodness. Harrison was really But when I came in the front door, they met me with all this cheering and
clapping and I said, "What's going on?" But um it was really a joy to see the eighth graders come in and they were just all in on like this is high school. So it was great to see that. Um I also
quarterly attend the Latino community lunchon and that is so important and they have very good speakers. Uh, I encourage everyone to come on March 11th, their next one, and they're
honoring women, Hispanic women, and um, that's always a great thing. I visited two of my four schools. I also as the CASBY region 6 director for Harrison, I
joined with two of my other region six directors from Canyon City and Cheyenne Mountain and we attended a board retreat up in Bailey, Colorado. Does anyone know
where that's at? Oh, you do? Okay. Well, trust me, I didn't. And um it was cold up there. But um we uh distributed created and distributed our very first newsletter that went out to
superintendent, board members, and their admins for 22 school districts, which we represent. So, we were really proud about that. Um and what else? Oh, I also
attended the National School Boards Association ad advocacy institute. I'm telling you the discussion um the information we received the
speakers was very very informative and I'm glad that we all had an opportunity to go. Um, I had the privilege of meeting with the congressional staffs of Senator Michael Bennett, John Hickinlooper, and Representatives Joe
Nagus, Jeff Crank, and Britney Peterson Peterson. And um, we did tout Harrison School District 2, also provided information for them to take and read at
their leisure. I thought though there was an added bonus because as we were in the Senate, we were in the hallway leaving Senator Hickinlooper's office and here comes rushing down the hall is
Senator Corey Booker from New Jersey. So he did just wonderful person and uh he took pictures with us and all of that. And then one of our presenters at the institute was Senator Ed Marky from
Massachusetts and he shared something with us I didn't know. So he in 1996 authored the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act and the Vchip
legislation which allows parents to block violent programming and content. Who' have thought? I mean, you know, I wouldn't have known that had he not been a presenter. So I say kudos to National
School Boards Association. It was wonderful and I thank you for your time. Thank you all for preparing us so well. And we're going to get thank yous to uh each congressperson staff.
>> All right. Good evening everybody. Uh some of my highlights come from Soaring Eagles Wildflower and uh Carmel Community School today. So, uh, big shout outs to the kiddos at Wildflower. I witnessed two littles. I want to say
first and second grade. Well, first, they were in the same class and these two individuals had an issue with one another. Um, they had a verbal altercation with one another. And I happen to I I kind of mosey through the school. Uh, I move very quietly. I uh often people get shocked when they see
me come up like maybe behind them or something. They don't see me coming and I move very quietly. that these children were having a conversation about an issue that they had amongst themselves. And one student is saying, "No, I said these things happened and you interpreted them as these things
happen." And the second student says, "Okay, I understand where I went wrong. These kids are having adult conversations about problems that they're having with one another better than adults are having." That was at Wildflower. That's that's the first hallway walking in. at Carmel I I spoke
to and I and I forget her name but when I introduced who I was she said I'm just a parah and I said no ma'am you are not just a parah I need more paras like you there are other districts who are scrging for paras you are not just a
parah I am not an educator I need you the community does not need need me I need you and another uh highlight over at uh Carmel there were students who were in art class and I was walking through and I love to see I have a lot of our students are in my home. So, I
see a a a an image that this student is working on and he says, "I don't really like it." And I said, "I think it's pretty dope." And the art teacher was walking behind me and she said, "I said the exact same thing." And so, we start speaking about
this particular piece of art. And these kids really just need to be uplifted. Um that their artwork is phenomenal. I I mean I I saw a flag where some students got together and you know how you have
the various uh renditions of the United States flag. So you might have uh bag the blue, you might have support firefighters, you might have support um this ethnicity or that ethnicity. I saw a collage of these
flags all together side by side and written in different languages so that each of these uh students was represented. My final highlight comes from Soaring Eagles. I got to read to some of our littles in Miss Messik and Miss Kirby's class. That was
amazing for me. Um I almost got taken out. Um this young lady, I mean, she had to be no more than two and a half feet. And when I walked in, as I calmly walk in, this young lady notices me and she says, "Hugs." And she runs up. And I
mean, if she had wrapped me up and had football pads on, she That was a clean tackle at the knee. A clean tackle at the She almost took me out. I was so excited. And she hugged me so tight. I said, "Oh, hello. Hello." Um, and I almost got swamped by Miss Messik's class uh at the end when we were asking
questions. Do you have any questions for me? And they all run up to me. I'm like, "Wow. I don't deal with littles. Not that many. I have one, but um definitely seeing uh the opportunities
that our littles have. Um the the littles were the highlight for me this week. Um the littles were the highlight for me. Of course, I do appreciate seeing our our um student board reps shine the way that they do. Um but the littles definitely took it this week for
me. Yeah. But I did not go to DC with the rest of the board. You were there with us in spirit. Thank you everyone. Um now we're going to go to the person who is sitting off to the side in the corner for
legislative updates. 10.3 three. So it is in your hands, Dr. Bhenzel. So to start off, thank you for experiencing DC and advocacy and um presence matters as you saw. Um every time I go somewhere
there, they always say why is DTU always have a voice? Because we do and we'll share it. Um I think right now there's a lot of bills coming through that are kind of sitting and waiting. Interestingly enough, um a lot haven't dropped their bills and they're due I think next week, the first
round. the bill drafters are a lot a lot of them are new so it's taking longer to draft bills and that's okay because they might get not get drafted in time and that is okay because the less bills the better for a lot of that um right now some of the key bills that we are
watching are school finance bill of course there's infighting about the school finance bill they're mad they dropped it already and everyone supported it we support it because finally you're going to put school finance at the front which it should be um so there's a lot of infighting around that. Um, the Dems are fighting with the
Dems and the Dems are fighting with Republicans and the Republicans are fighting with the Republicans. So, there's all kind of just a lot of animosity in different camps. Um, the governor is already saying he's vetoing multiple bills that haven't even made it through. Um, so that is can be
frustrating with all that effort. One of the bills that we want to support is um it's an early childhood bill that eliminates kindergarten testing from being mandatory and um we would still do dibbles. We would still do some of that, but some of the other tests do not help us. They are not developmentally
appropriate. They do not help with instruction. Um he wants to veto that bill because he doesn't think educators will actually monitor kindergarten learning if we don't have a bill that makes you do so. Um, so there's just interesting political movements being
made. Um, the voucher situation is still a hot topic and a very big concern. Um, waiting to see our governor elect what they will do with that. One governor candidate has said he will cancel it. He's the only one willing to say
anything right now in public. Um, and that is Billiser. So, he's the only one who has said he will get rid of vouchers on his first week. the others are not talking about it. Um, and that's just pretty much where we are. We, um, Katherine got to testify for Senator
Exum's bill on housing. Um, and she got interrupted a million times with a million phone calls during, of course, but she did a good job. They were very happy to have her testify. Um, haven't seen any bills from our representative yet, so not sure what those will be about or what they're covered. And
that's pretty much it. just continuing to monitor and see where we are from the federal side. You lived that last week. Um they're celebrating that the government came back. It's until the next time and that's the
frustration and you saw like fighting for education yet again like funding till September is great but then September we have a crisis again and so just the continued uneasiness of what are we really focused on? Um
I think some of the big bills that have not got through yet but we've given feedback against are um Rep. Bacon's trying to do a lot of things that the federal governments are getting rid of like 504s and equity work and um
some of the things you can do. She wants to do them at a state level. the state does not have the capacity to do so and it's going to create a lot of legal lawsuits that come against districts because we will be mandated for certain things that the state can't help with.
So there's a lot of Democrats trying to do things because of what the feds have eliminated. They want to bring them to Colorado and they want them in statute here without the systems to support. So a lot of those things we're giving a lot of feedback on. Um Dr. Stanley helped do
uh Rep. Pamrick with her bill because she met him when she came to our legislative update. So, we have those connections and people are reaching out to get us to testify and get our opinion because they do know we will have an opinion and we will speak out. So, um
we're still having our weekly legislative lobbyist calls with our group down here and getting feedback. So, just ongoing. It's just beginning. There'll be a lot dropping in the next week, I would imagine, but because the bill drafters are kind of new, it's taking longer.
>> Like to share one point that was brought to our attention and it was two of the visits that we had. One was a Republican office, one was a Dem, but they each of them mentioned the the surprise in Governor Polus and his support for the
vouchers. And they one did mention that he basically is the only Democrat governor that did that. So, um it's it's interesting. they were they they were into our lived experiences and um I
really felt I'm a one that reads bodies and I really felt that the majority of them were very sincere and even one Republican we visit he began one of the staffers he began to share his wife's kindergarten stories when we talked
about the early childhoods so again um Christine did not mean to because the literature was great and um But thank you guys for preparing us. >> Yeah, I just wanted to say like as followup um there are this is a really
spicy legislative season. Um and I would encourage those who are here and in the board minutes and the recording that um well this is a work session and combined session but please give us as many stories as you can. We are watching issues on immigration. We are watching
issues with um our gifted and our um um special ed um varying abilities uh students, all abilities students. Um we are watching all those very carefully because there's so much legislation that is coming forward that will impact staff
the pay payment of staff um the fully funded IDA um all these things that um that are education is an extremely extremely hot topic but we know you know and I can
speak from you know fellow board members when we were there advocating is that education is really a great canary in the coal mine, but it's also the sensor and touch base for other things that are happening in the community. So there are a whole bunch of legislation that we are
watching um to ensure that we can maintain that seat at the table and that your stories all stories from your staff, administrators, students and families will be heard because the personalization to have to come with data but to also
have personalized stories when you advocate is absolutely essential. The humanization of these numbers is critical to how we will maintain and also thrive and succeed and have the audacity to continue to thrive. So, thank you again for all your hard work.
We cannot do this without you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Tom. We do know that there's three immigration bills coming, two from the Democrat side and one from the Republican side. We have yet to see them. They haven't been fully drafted. Um but we do know those were coming and those will take up a lot of session time
because those will be a lot of lot of feelings about that. Um and then the other thing you uh talked about is sped. So part of this with the 504 that they're trying to do is they're trying to make 504s like IEPs.
That is a problem in so many ways. And you see how underfunded we are for our IEPs with IDA. Now you triple that with 504s. And 504s, for those of you who don't know, it's really anything that kind of takes away from your learning.
It can be diagnosed by an outside doctor. It can be diagnosed by your friend who's a psychologist. It is very very slippery slope if we go down that slope of allowing all those resources to go to any 504. One quick note that with the
immigration, one of the offices we visited and they definitely talked about the impact of the incidents in Minnesota and one of the staffers shared with us that yes, they're going to start recalling some of the ICE, but they're sending them to other states and she did
mention that Colorado whether it but she mentioned and she's on the end and so that gave me a little pause, but she did mention that Colorado was possibly on that. There's a short list, but she said on that list. >> So when you push back against the
current administration, you get on a short list. Colorado, Illinois, California, Minnesota are the highlights right now for everything. That's why DHS money is getting cut. That's why childc care money is getting cut. That's why ICE might have been on Fountain and
Shelton today. I mean, it's very, very obvious what's happening when you push back. Just to add on that though, um it seems very grim, but from going to Washington and meeting with other fellow boards as well as talking to people in the
community around these issues, we have more friends and allies than we do have people who are attacking us. And I want to maintain that hope because it is the absolute truth. you know, reason why I went to um some very outspoken um
legislators because even though they may stand maybe on the opposite end of the spectrum of my beliefs or even what what I see here in the district, our talking points and the way that we frame our issues and the language we
use, we can gain way more friends and more allies. And I know that with all my being that that is the case. Thank you, Dr. Behanszel. Um, I think based on the experience that we just had, um, I can probably speak for others
and saying if you need us to come and testify or whatever help that you need, call us, let us know what you need, we'll be there. So, >> and thank you. It's exhausting. I know you got to experience it is exhausting, but you did have beautiful weather while
you were there. So, she's being facitious. It was 23° >> one day -3. They don't they don't believe in um plowing the streets for real or the
sidewalks. And apparently at the capital they think that you're supposed to remove snow with a straight edge shovel and chip through it. It's like they don't know what a snow broom is or a snow blower. None of
that. So yeah, that part we are now at item 11 11.1 and I just need a recommended motion please to adjourn. Madame President, with no further business, I move to
adjourn the board of education combined work session and board meeting. >> Second. >> Motion to adjourn the board of education combined work session and board meeting by Mr. Williams. Second by Dr. Pam Robinson. All those in favor? I. This
meeting is adjourned. Thank you.