[laughter] >> It seems good. >> Yeah, they were all >> All right. I'm going to call this meeting to order. Candace, roll call, please. >> Davidson >> Here. >> Gilman S >> Here. >> Gordon >> Here. >> Greenstreet >> Here.
>> Um before we go on and approve the agenda, I just want to say that um Keegan is not here as everybody can see tonight and our thoughts and prayers are with her as she helps her um father recover um from a serious
illness in in Florida. She is missed, for sure. Um I need a motion to approve the agenda. >> I make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Davidson >> I >> Gilman S >> I
>> Gordon >> I >> Greenstreet >> I >> Um and we are here to have discussion about the JROTC program here. It's your up. >> Hi everyone. Let's spin this around. We
just celebrated the East Spin it. These people are fairly different. Standing in the top. So, it's going to be a big week for Robin Park. So, I thank you for taking the time tonight to listen to the junior ROTC program presentation. I made it a
little bit longer tonight um just because there's a lot of misconceptions out in the community and I really want to get facts out in front of people so that they have all the information. Um this is Let me Yeah, do a little disclaimer on the slideshow. Any slide that you see
with a gray band at the top and the two green people in the corner, those are the um junior Air Force ROTC slides that they presented to us when they came and presented the program. I did not alter them. If I did, I highlighted a few
things, um I put it in green. And so, you'll see green slides and that's our information. Sorry. This is just a picture that they shared with us specifically what a program looks like all dressed in blue and um and forgive me, I'm not military background and so, I don't have all of
the terms just right. So, if I say things wrong, you'll have to correct me, okay? >> Okay. >> That's your job. All right, you'll notice that Candace brought around some two pieces of information. Um one is our mission, vision, and values and so, and the second one is our seven
priority areas and I thought it would be >> Can you slide this way just a hair? >> Oh, yes. Perfect. >> Like that? That's good. >> Thank you. >> Um play a little bingo with me. And so, as I >> [clears throat] >> present things tonight, be looking for things that align to our mission,
vision, and values and our seven priority areas. Okay? Question that's coming up a lot um I've heard a lot in the community this week is why Junior ROTC Junior ROTC now? And this is actually been a three-year
process. We started applying to this program three years ago, and part of it was because we looked around at our curriculum diversity. We have 38 college AP career I'm sorry advanced pathway courses in our course catalog. We offer many of them each year, but 37 CTE or
career prep courses. We only have two military or civil service courses. One is an online ASVAB course, and the other is a service leadership class. And we're really missing a major demographic of our students, and there's some there's desire for
the civil service especially like service leadership. Students want to give back to their community. They're very excited about the opportunities to be involved and really belong to something bigger. And um we started looking around like what can we do with our students, and Junior ROTC
was a major possibility for us. We had them out and they did a site survey three years ago, and we entered into this process. Excuse me. We also have four privately the way engineering courses, and so aerospace is a new one that we added recently, and
you'll notice the Junior ROTC ties [clears throat] beautifully with those courses. So, students could take two. And be growing throughout their high school career. >> [clears throat] >> Every year in the school system, we look at reallocating our resources, junior and senior high staff, and we to meet
the needs of students that are in front of us. This year or excuse me three years ago, we saw this the need for this, and we did some reallocating of resources this year. And so, this is a teaching staff position, and so if we do not
choose to move forward with Junior ROTC, would be looking at bringing in another teacher because it's just it's an FTE position. So, that's how it is funded. It is a teaching position. The last thing is Junior ROTC, they could be a tremendous culture builder in
a school. They bring in a lot of that community service piece, a lot of pride, a lot of excitement about serving the people, and they definitely military model where they follow very rigorous standards and has high expectations. Can change entire culture of a school, which
is something that's very exciting for us as well. Logistics and partnerships there, we've got 300 students at least, home school students in our area. I don't know if you've been watching the news lately, but the Senate bill 26 -2, sorry, 023
just came out and that's redefining what home school students can can be involved in with state money. So, we're still there's lots of information coming out about it. We don't have all the things defined yet, but basically they're cracking down on private fly
fishing lessons and private ski lessons with taxpayer money for student for school experiences. And so, we really need to take advantage of the opportunity right now that we have with programs closing down around the state, they're going to
become more difficult to get into. This is something that'll be available for home school students and for our students. So, it'd fit fit the requirements [clears throat] of this state bill there. Excuse me. Colorado's also considering making
Junior ROTC a CTE pathway, and there's potential additional funding if they do that. That ties us into the CTE and the Perkins pathway with federal money. And so, there could be additional funding that's available later on. There's It was two part-time classes at
William Park that we get a part-time student moment and that would be a tremendous thing. So, we're trying to advertise in the whole school communities if we go forward with this program to come and take this course or take a college course that we offer, an AP course that we offer, any of the CTE
courses uh so that it may come in, that's additional funding that would come into our system. We had seven full-time students for 14 part-time enrollments. It would pay fully for this FTE position. There is hope for future partnerships and participation in these schools in
the area. So, I know Merit Manitou, and even Creek-Victor, there's a possibility of them being able to come in. We're not ready for that this first year. Uh we don't have those agreements in place for any of the schools right now. Uh but we would like to go there in the future.
One thing at a time here. I just said another piece, Coronado's also in process to open next year. So, it would have opened up a local fairly local school. So, for students that are really wanting this program, it's a driving distance for them. And so, we really want to take advantage of this
time to be able to open our own program. Maybe they'll come here. So, this is again slides from um the Air Force JROTC here. Their mission is all about developing citizens of character. Here are their goals. Instilling values of citizenship, which
we've talked about being a core value of this as well. Register. So, you can hit that um big blue card for you. Couple of details, there are 96 cadets um currently around the country and they're trying to open
um moving it to 1,050 different programs around the country. So, they're really trying to expand this. Um collectively, 1.6 million hours community service is what they're totaling annually. The curriculum it focuses on character.
Um >> [clears throat] >> developing leadership skills, life skills, introduction to civics and national government, effective communication, personal awareness. These are all the things that we want for our engaged students. There's no other thing for your bingo card. Financial literacy, ACT and SAT prep.
The teachers would be teaching these courses. Highly accredited program. >> Karen, sorry, really quick. I just wanted to um the in the last presentation you gave us at the work session it also talked about an aerospace I don't know if it was engineering but aerospace >> Aerospace and leadership are the two so
it's like 40% of the time is spent on aerospace type concepts. Um 40% of the time is spent on leadership type concepts and then 20% is like physical fitness in general. The instructors custom develop the courses for the students every year. And so it's
a mix match of 13 different courses that they can offer and they work work with the administration to develop the program. Okay, thank you. Accredited through all different organizations and I'm not going to read them all. Just want you to know this has been well vetted.
It's been around for a long time, too. Instructor pay, I know that's a hot topic. Each unit starts with two instructors. So we have one officer and one enlisted. This is from their slideshow specifically. There it is um instructor pay is
is governed by this title 10 law. The school pays instructor and then the Air Force reimburses the school for half of the instructor cost for the two instructors. So it's equivalent to one FTE for us. That means full time full time equivalency for a teacher.
Um they have different programs around the country, they're not all the same. And so schools custom build what they want with the Air Force. There are some things that are negotiable, some things that are not. Um they asked right away to see if they could have a 12-month employee, so you pay them more than a
regular teacher, and if stipends and extra bonuses, and we said, "No, we can't afford that right now." And um so we're going to just going to have a regular 10-month contract just like teachers, and um not We won't be giving bonuses and extra
extra perks right now. We're just not in that place. >> Karen, can I ask a question on this slide? Um what about benefits? Do you know, do we pay their benefits or do they >> Sometimes yes, sometimes no. >> Okay. >> And they become really just like a teacher. So teachers are in that same situation. So when we hire a teacher, we
look at their transcripts for college, and if they are like have a doctorate degree, they get paid more than if they have a bachelor's degree. Sometimes they want benefits, sometimes they use their spouse's benefits. It's it's the same for this situation. >> And what about like para? >> Yeah.
>> We will pay para for them. Or do you know? Very likely >> It depends on the situation again. They're all different, and this is my lack of knowledge with the military classifications. There's They come from all different >> Yeah. >> different situations, and so we just
work with the individual directors. >> Got you. >> Yeah. >> Karen, is that So is an would an instructor also be active duty military or are they uh civilian instructor? >> of both is my understanding. It can be They're all different classifications,
different ranking, different years of experience, different ages. >> It could be active duty or retired. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just depends on who they recruit for us. >> Karen, do you believe that we would have to do any additional employment background checks? I know that they come
>> Yes. Um we do the regular like the background checks like we do the fingerprinting and all of those things. They'll go through They would become our staff member. So kind of that seconded to um idea where they're if they're still enlisted
Am I using the correct terms right? They're still enlisted if they're still active. Okay, yes. I don't know my terms here. But yes, we will be going through the full vetting process with on our end as well. So here's a little graphic to show you that information they gave me in January
based on the salary scale at time was $71,000 is that kind of that floor. And so if they got a doctor's degree, it does go up a bit. But this is what they expect for a officer and enlisted in this area.
So I do have the full sheet if you'd like to see all the different states and all the different I mean they base they list it out all the different classifications and there are eight different categories. So but this is this is what we're told. Um the additional
initial expenses I know were some concerns. Local field trips would be on the district. And so that's any time like our students go and do do the color color guard ceremony at like a a legion hall meeting um
or they go down to I don't know. There's all different kinds of a parade for instance in the community or if they go march somewhere. If they're within 20 miles, the district our group would need to kick in for so we would need to raise funds for that. If it's 41 miles and beyond, the Air
Force actually or sorry the the Junior ROTC program actually pays for lodging, meals, and transportation for our students. And so it's a self-supporting program for the bigger trips, which is incredible. Um I write a lot of checks. Um I see the
money that goes out. Um I actually have to sign them all and um our trips and our activities they're very expensive to take a group of students um spend the night somewhere. So. The other thing we would have to pay for is storage room organization. So um we're looking at the
hosting this program at Gateway. And so, we would need to buy some closet bars to put in along our walls and have some shelving in there. Fortunately, we do have a lot of shelving at Gateway already. And so, it's just a matter of reconfiguring and moving things around. So. >> [clears throat]
>> Kieran, I know that they've also asked for climate controlled storage areas. Has Has the Air Force come out and looked at the proposed storage areas? >> Yes. Yeah. They've actually come out twice now. And so, Gateway was approved as a site. And so, when they talk about climate control, they're looking for air
conditioning in the summer and which we don't need in Woodland Park, let's face it. And then heat in the winter and Gateway is a controlled space and they're very satisfied. They did ask for a secure lock on the door so just they can key in to it or just a couple of people have a
key, but not a lot of people. So, some school responsibilities. We do need to We need to adhere to policies and procedures. And there is an agreement that we have to sign. We have to grant academic credit toward graduation. Right now, [clears throat] that would be in the form of elective
credit. In the future, there's potential to crosswalk some standards and see if it would be equivalent like after 2 years of being in the junior ROTC program if it would qualify for PE credit, for instance, because they do exercise, they do workouts every week like on Friday, I think. And so, we just
need to spend some time with the program and work with the instructors to figure out what's what they qualify for, what's the kind of credit. Um maintain that adequate classroom space. They will They're seeking five rooms. And so, um two of those are closets, one is a
classroom, one's an office, and then the drill space, wherever that would be. They really like the front of Gateway. And so, if you can just imagine cadets out there doing the drills, um marching on the the AstroTurf lawn right there in front of Gateway, They were
thrilled with that space. And in inclement weather, they would be in the gym at Gateway. They also did approve, I should say, um some space in the high school as well. And so, if we decide that Gateway's not their permanent place, the high school also has what they need. Um talked about the field trips there.
Um maintaining required minimum enrollment. So, they give us 3 years to get to 50 students um based on our enrollment. >> How many students do we have that have shown interest at this point? Okay. >> I've got a great slide for you. Yep.
So, classroom facilities, this is what it looks like when you This is not These are not our pictures. This is their slide. But basically, they need some logistics for uniform storage, for instance. They want 400 square feet minimum. We've got lots of classrooms um for this that would just work great.
So, for us, um Gateway, we've talked about that already. Instructor status, something these the two um Air Force people I'm sorry, the junior ROTC officers that come and help us, they would be our full teachers. They would have access to Infinite
Campus, just like our teachers. They would have We do need to give them provide a computer if they don't have one, just like our teachers. Um give them an email, help them get them set up with all of our network and all of those pieces, um just like our teachers. They have an academic role with our students.
They would be They can host an advisory class, which is wonderful. And so, we get two additional caring staff members supporting our kids. And um that's something we're very interested in, of course. Um cross-town agreements we hope to have in the future that could provide
some additional funding um at some point. Class structure, we have flexible um instruction. Grades 8 to 12 can be in the same classroom this first year, and so they would run six sections of the same course. And so that frees as
a high school person trying to work with scheduling, it is very difficult sometimes to find the right class for these 10 freshmen, and you're trying to shift shuffle them around and try to open a classroom. This would provide an opportunity some
overflow capacity as well. And so that's a really wonderful thing to have such an open same class for six periods is amazing. Um there's no commitment to join the military. I know parents might be concerned about that, but really on the flyer that I gave you, the
myth busters, I'm about 4% of students that participate in Junior ROTC actually join the military. But if they do join the military, they go into higher rate, and so higher pay rate, and so that is significant for those students. So student interest, we surveyed our
students a couple months ago because that's important even though we started 3 years ago trying to figure out if we want to do this. Um we want to know what the students currently sitting in front of us thought. Um as of right now, um 47% said they
were interested. And so that's very significant to have half your student body interested. Now this is only out of 121 students, so I do want to put that out there. We did not survey seniors because they're out the door actually, they're out the door now. They're gone. Um but interestingly enough, look at the middle school right there.
You can see in the graphic, those are middle school students in the red and the blue. So a lot of our middle school students expressed interest. So seventh and eighth grade, which is great because they're the ones that are incoming. They're They would really want to go after their interest in this program.
From student survey, um this is some of the feedback that they gave. There was strong interest um in Air Force and military just in general. Students viewed the program as a gateway for base knowledge or reliable backup career path. And that's okay. When you're 7th and 8th grade, you need
lots of backups and you need lots of different ideas of things you're interested in. The skill development and education based on that, and especially wanting to get connected to the aerospace fundamentals course, um with our Project Lead the Way course, like there's a beautiful tie and
connection. They teach different things but from a different perspective, but they it merges together. And um the college preparation component, the exploration opportunity, they're just curious. Want to know what this is all about and want to see if see if this is of interest to them.
We did a survey and unfortunately, the timing was lousy. I'm just going to say that right now, a little bit um blind to the moment of the information with the activities and athletics. Um but it was meant to go out last month. And so, forgive me for that. Um we did get 84
responses from parents. Um 32 of them specifically said they had very high interest in participating. You can see there along the chart. So, 53.6 had very or just high interest in their student participating in the program. They cited um and I did use an AI
generator to um combine the all of the feedback that we got. Many of you did this an incredible, great opportunity, beneficial asset, strong interest. One parent wanted strong consideration. Um need for more information. That's part of what I'm sharing with you tonight. This So, there is a lot of
information out there. Any student can be involved in the program as long as they meet the requirements. And there are requirements for dress code. For instance, um earrings can only be they can only have one piercing visible um when they're in dress uniform. And so, there are some requirements. Hair
lengths and the way you a woman pulls up her hair and things like that, even for high school students. And so, if a student's unwilling to cooperate with their expectations, then they can't be in the program. And that's just in uniform. That's in uniform as I understand it. Yeah, not during like the
PE portion of or class time. But it's just there are expectations of dress. Yeah. Um financial concerns, um heard this from the community as well. There's some misinformation unfortunately. >> [clears throat] >> Um just because programs out there cost $5,000 does not mean that that is what
we have agreed to in Woodland Park. But another school might very well have agreed to that Woodland Park. But again, this is an FTE. It's a teacher position. >> Can I piggyback off that for a moment? So, I just want to make sure that the board and the community understand that
when obviously this was planned, we started working on this 3 years ago. However, the FTE, if we were not doing Junior ROTC, we would be hiring another teacher because the that need we we kind of
>> Yeah. >> put them together. And so, if if not this, we will have to hire another teacher anyway. So, I just want to make sure that's very clear that this is not additional. This is instead of. >> So, this is not a plus of that is added
to our curriculum right now. This is something that was planned for and financially your organization agreed to. >> But I know there's been some misinformation out there, so I wanted to make sure that that is very clear. >> Yeah. So, if this did not happen, funds
wouldn't be reallocated to our program >> to other programs. It would be Saugus >> same as instructional >> Yeah, it's this instructional money. And so, and right now, um looking at the class numbers, we have quite a few classes that are sitting at 30 students plus at the junior and senior high.
We have not opened any of those Junior ROTC program seats. So, once we do, students will slide out of those higher classes and bring class sizes down and populate this program. So we need and we need that. Yeah. So,
um as far as our unit timeline, um we are down in step four. We're at the place where we just need to sign the MOA. And that is why we want to present tonight so that the board has knowledge of all of this and we can get this out in front of the community. Um and they're already working on hiring
instructors and um training them. And cuz there are several units like Coronado for instance in the area, um they have the job is out there for people. And so they're looking for They're looking to train and hire people. And basically we'd be able to roll this ball
if this goes forward. Keys to success is base boils down to strong community and teacher support. And um something that I have not yet talked about is that um the officer role from the Junior ROTC would be involved
in some of the leadership meetings at the at the building. And so that's important Anything in town they're talking about this program, he he or she needs to be there in the room. Um getting people on board is just so important. They'll be part of the the attending staff development days and
connecting with teachers, learning the program, learning the system along with all of our teachers. They're big They become our teachers. And they're out They're visible. Um they can come and do be around during lunch, during the beginning of the day, the end of the day, all of those things to help
connect with kids. Something that everybody needs to know is that the programs are very student and kid cadet led. And so you will not see the officers doing the colors the color guard like at a basketball game. It's always the students. And so you
have to understand that when students um leadership sometimes comes from mistakes and some growing pains of just not being right on top of everything. And so, everybody understanding that the instructors become the mentors to students. Um so, that's an expectation. And
there's lots of activities. Um all kinds of um doing colors like ball games and flag ceremonies. And we will see them out and about in every single grade that we have. Um it's very They're very visible. And of course, um junior air
the Air Force specifically is in the service of technology and STEM, um which we love because it fits so well with our Project Lead the Way programs. And why it works. Um the military model, all those clear expectations, training, mentorship, accountability, self-discipline and
achievement. We want that for our kids so badly. Um that is the whole purpose of school um is really getting them to become self-directed, self-disciplined people. Um belonging to something bigger than themselves. That's Our students are craving that right now.
Even though everybody loves their iPhone, um that is not Every They also know that that's not the entire world there. And so, really being involved in the service and community. Um instructors, they're long-term role models, leaders, and
mentors. Many of the friendships go well beyond the school years just like they do with our regular teachers. Um program is inclusive, provides a safe place for every student as long as they meet those program requirements, and a sense of belonging for the cadets. It really becomes like a family.
These are the pictures they they shared with us. And so, you'll likely see that flag out there out on our field um before football games. Something like that. There's all kinds of opportunities for kids to get involved in Oh my goodness, there's so many things. There's so many
things these kids can do. And this really fits a niche of our population that is They're not doing a lot. And it's We're not targeting I know one of the questions I received from someone was what are the unintended consequences and will this
force other programs to close down because of this? I don't believe so. First of all, many of our students are three-season athletes and they're in drama and they're in choir and they do, you know, college classes. They're amazing kids. And but there's a lot of students that are not connected. They
don't want to go out and do a big performance or make a lot of speeches or stand on a, you know, sing up front in a play or be hit on the football field. Like they want to They're diff- it's a different group of students and anybody can be involved here. And so, I think
it'll really tap into getting the extra kind of an extracurricular component for some of the students that are they're not engaged right now. So, yeah. What questions do you have? >> I just really love the perspective that
it's an investment and that really, you know, on one of your slides you said just seven full-time employees student athlete cover the program new enrollments. And I think it would be great if we could track that, like,
you know, come back next year and show like what did this program what did JROTC bring in? Because it could even help us with our funding for our other programs so that it could go over the seven.
>> It's really targeting a new group of students and expanding what we can offer. In our area, nobody else offers it other than Corcoran and maybe if they get approved. >> Can I share a little bit more just a little bit more of some big picture data for our county, too?
>> Yeah. >> Um 20% of our of Tulare County are either veterans or active duty and so I definitely think there is support in our community for this program and then currently right now we have 100 families who are
affected by a family member being part of the war that's currently going on. So I do see this as an opportunity to provide um a different pathway like Karen talked about and really giving students an opportunity for some selfless service
and and learning those leadership skills that they wouldn't get in some of our other pathways right now. Any questions? >> Uh Karen, I'm curious about what um just to clarify like what our current if any like engagement with the military looks
like at Blue Heart. Like even if it's just like how often we engage with like recruiters or things like that. Like what is that what is our baseline? >> Um recruiters come in occasionally. Um I my guess is five to six times a year kind of a thing. Uh they used to come in more often
but they haven't as much recently. Uh They come in for lunches and usually they'll do like chin up um competition and that gets the I know it gets the students if they all come out and they all gather around. It's actually pretty fun um to watch them try to best each other basically.
>> Um another question I have too is I know that there's been some general like lamentation around the fact that we haven't had kids attending uh military academies in a while. >> Yeah. >> And you mentioned the pathway to um like directly into service, right?
Enlistment or through commission, but I'm curious about what opportunities that if there is any advantage I guess in terms of potential for attending a military academy. >> I'm not fully sure. I know that they enter at a higher pay rate if they go
through the You have to be in the Junior ROTC program for 3 years um and complete that successfully with the correct grades and then you're a program finisher. And so you can stay in it longer, but sometimes that it starts kind of repeating. So, if a student goes into eighth grade, like about grade
eight, might be a little frustrated. It might be the same thing. Um but it's a great starter for them. I don't know about rank and all those pieces. >> Well, I'm specifically talking about admission to an academy. So, like the Air Force Academy or West Point or the
Naval Academy. So, I just didn't know if there was any advantage again for I imagine there is because of the participation in >> Yeah, you have I didn't know of anything direct. So, >> The relationships, I think I mean they're building it into a network. And so, really getting to know those
better officers if they're their two teachers is they're it's opening the world of connection to them. And so, depending on their pathway and and what armed service they might want to go into, I would imagine there's a lot of connections there. >> Yeah, Cassidy, there's there's no guarantee if a student goes through this
that they'd be accepted into academy. >> Mhm. >> However, if they spend two, three years in junior ROTC, it's the culture of discipline. >> Right. >> Looks good on an application. Yeah. >> I would and I would say not just
academy, but ROTC programs at the college level. >> That's true, too. >> And I don't know this, I just saw somebody who does know about it, you go in at a higher rank if you go in enlisted. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Thank you again. >> So, here you talked at the very first line, I think it said Air Force and you caught my attention with the Space Force. >> Oh, yes. Yeah. >> So, do we have to make a distinction on which area we're focusing it on or is it a little of both?
>> My My understanding is that we applied for the junior ROTC, the Air Force. >> The Air Force. >> Now, I do see that on many on all the application with Amber work it's both listed. So I don't know how that works, but I'm sure you might have a preference. But Cassidy might get
nervous about that. >> [laughter] >> I thought they're together Rob. >> Oh, actually Carol might have preference too. >> But because the Air Force Academy is also for Space Force Academy. >> It is. >> So I would imagine these two programs are together.
>> And I think the interest of the students will drive which path. More of a space and aerospace science it's you build upon it. >> It's into. >> It's space. >> Yeah. >> Space. So now that that was a that got my attention cuz I thought we may have
had to choose between of us. Doing both is excellent. You mentioned um the cost for the two instructors is about 142K. So all these other It's not a lot. These other additional
costs, what is the anticipated ballpark figures for like the transportation, the reimbursable cost? >> The program will start slower and so the answer to next year versus three years from now will be different. Um right at
start I would imagine around five to seven thousand dollars for a field trips for the local field trips and that would that would need to be fundraised for. >> And I can talk a little bit more about that. Yesterday I spoke with Commissioner Dan Williams and
we talked a long time about this program and he offered to connect us more directly with our military community and um to help us fundraise some of that money for the overage.
>> The 42 will get covered. It's the additional >> Well, actually it's actually it's actually well 72. Yeah. >> We have to pay it and then get reimbursed. >> It is >> It's model. Yes. yes, it is a reimbursement model. >> Just like many of our grants are the same way and actually it's helpful for
me to consider the JROTC program like a grant. It's just a grant that we have some skin in the game because we're paying some of the money in. But it's actual money that they're giving to us. They provide all the uniforms and the the even the PE like
sweatpants and t-shirts and socks and all that stuff and the dress blues and the they provide all of that. The marching the cadet I'm sorry I don't know the names the the rifles but they're not rifles. They're like >> They're fake rifles. >> They're fake rifles. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, they provide all that stuff and
the the flags and the >> They do have replica >> insignia and all of the things. Thank you. Yes. >> That is part of what they will provide. >> All that. So they're actually infusing a lot of money into our communities and
into our students. >> Okay, can you clarify because that says that total initial investment is that change on an annual basis? So we would pay a certain amount to start the program and then a different amount like in year two or three that we'd be kind of committing to.
>> Um the initial their first I probably should have rephrased this just a little bit. Um there's far more than just that instructor salary. The the initial startup cost with I mean they ship everything to us with all the equipment and all of that. So they're really pouring far more into
us at the beginning. And so after that it's just that instructor half the half instructor salary. >> And is that sorry is that is that the 72,000 then or is that a lesser amount? Sorry. >> 72,000 is just the instructor salary that we'll end up paying after
reimbursement. >> Okay. But are there and then the additional expenses sorry you mentioned the field trips 5 to 7,000. So I just want to understand net bottom line impact to the school district for startup and then expected annually. >> Yeah, oh for okay startup, we're talking
Yeah, $5,000 would be what we would fundraise for. The storage room, we need some closet bars, you know, just the dowels with the hooks and all of that. We need those installed in it would That's the assumption we're going to go to Gateway. Then we need to move the shelves into the room and there'll be some reconfiguring of you
know, brackets and hooks and things like that to make it safe. Um attached to the wall, but it's very nominal cost to do that. Um our Jason So now, I guess I Jason in the office. I never Is he back there? Yeah, Jason. Yeah, I'll need your help.
>> Um Karen, do we have a uh certain number of year commitment that we have to do this? >> We have 3 years to get to that um 50 students or 10% of the population, depending and seventh graders don't count. So, that's important to know. Um
but they do count, but they don't count for this in the number with the program. Um if we don't make it by then, they'll work with us to try to boost our program um and they will help us to encourage students to do it, but there's a possibility they could pull
out. And but as far as our commitment, if we decide our students say they ask regardless of the survey results, they're not interested, they don't attend, we can we can certainly back out of it. >> Okay, and you did say earlier that home school students would be have the opportunity to attend this
>> less >> first year? >> Absolutely. We want because we would like to get home school students in if they take two classes with us, they're part-time students and they still can receive funding and program support from their home school program. >> And then Merit Academy would also have
an opportunity once an agreement was in place. >> Once an agreement is in place, yeah. Yeah, currently we don't have those agreements, um but we have expressed the desire with our CTE program to in to invite and to work with them. So, we've talked to their administration about that.
But we're not We don't have an agreement yet. >> Okay. >> Scheduling is also really difficult. >> It's so >> Yeah. Going off of Carol's question, from what I read, it it was saying like it's an annual we revisit the contract. Yeah.
So, and that that if both parties are mutually agreed, like it would be even a 30-day notice. >> We operate in a year system. >> We're committing for 5 years or >> Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. >> Gotcha. Yeah.
>> Okay. >> All right. >> But, we commit for a year. >> Yeah. >> For sure. >> Okay. >> Um can we go back to the timeline again real quick? >> Oops. This guy? That guy? >> Yeah.
Um so, my question is like I'm I'm concerned about the timing of this just given the nature of everything that's happening and the impacts that we're expecting on some of our activities. And I just want to know if we if there is a a if if we have more time
to try to address some of those other concerns or figure out ways to I I want to be sensitive to what we've discussed as part of our strategic planning process of the sort of stabilize, strengthen, and grow, and just the really a lot of the optics around bringing a new program while we're
taking away from others, even if it's not exactly a one-to-one take. You know what I mean? You understand. It's this is still that new to the community when other things we may be losing support funding in other areas. So, I just want to know like I know this is in front of us tonight, but do we have more time to
consider or rally more support around this while we solve for other areas or what is there any urgency to the to a deadline in terms of making decision? >> Um Yes and no. Um we're in a really key time right now with that new Senate bill
Um that is going to limit what home school families can can do. So right now there is the door is open and so there are a lot of organizations, school systems, programs all over the place that are giving families money for
instance like I'll give you $1,500 to buy curriculum and supplies and a computer and I I participated in one of those programs years and years ago in Alaska. And Senate the new Senate bill is saying no that has to stop. And so families are going to be look families that have been participating in
snowboarding lessons and fly fishing lessons and horseback riding and all these great really cool things that those of us that send our kids to public school have to pay for directly. They're look they're going to be looking for what to get their kid involved in. And so this is a really key time right now
that we want to be available as other programs are closing down around the state. We want to say come here we've got a great program for you. There's an option. And I would to be honest with all of our concurrent enrollment classes like families don't have to go down the hill they just
I mean we offer 15 different concurrent and dual enrollment college classes on our campus as well as I don't know just as many AP courses. So >> So can you tell me from step four where it's like we're selected and or we agree how much lead
time do we need to sort of stand up a program before the start of school year? Like is that now? >> The yes Yes this is now and that's why we added it to the agenda for tonight versus waiting till June 10th. Cuz we really need to get going on this if we're going to do it. So >> Okay.
>> There's not a cost the other part of your question was there's not a cost to us if we wait a year there's just a lost opportunity there on the site. >> Yeah. >> And we'll have to hire a team. >> And we have to hire a team right now. >> To fill out like the staff if we're not doing this. >> So we definitely need help with the education component. This is a This is a
teaching position as an FTE. It's not We're not taking from athletics to be able to fund this program. It's It's a teaching position. So. And we would need to look at at this late date, we've already
reconfigured our entire junior senior hire around this. And so, we would really need to look for what position to to hire because we've already We were pretty far down the selection. Compared to you. >> And just so you know, I was bringing
those comments from what I was hearing in the community as well, because people are reading it and it was This is taking the money away from activities, athletics, stipends, and it's not. You're You're paying for a teacher one way or the other. In this case, this program
hits all seven of our priorities. It's all you know, to include in in enrollment. Increasing enrollment opportunities for students that may not be part of even our not only the school, but this may be completely online somewhere.
But this would be an opportunity for them. But >> I think the other piece to know with grant funding Uh we just received and Ginger Fiebig shared this or not. >> Sorry. >> All right. So, you go ahead and make sure you're good. >> Nope.
>> Enjoy your gift. We just received grant funding for two different You've heard about the literacy And so, what people are going to experience in this system is they're going to experience with grant funding comes in, it's like a department swells and all of a sudden it has all these resources, but it feels
unfair to other programs. I'm just going to give you a very specific example. We got $5,000 in menstrual hygiene products grant this year. So, we have boatloads of menstrual hygiene products and no band-aids. So, Right. [laughter] It just is. Like, why
do we keep getting these boxes? But, that's the way grants work. Um the other grant is a school health professional, and so you're going to see our student services department swell. Meanwhile, we're cutting other programs. But, that's it's just the nature of grants. And so, it's frustrating cuz they don't just give you the money and you can
spend it how you want. It's like a birthday gift. Might not be exactly what you want, but you're grateful they got it. >> I do love the idea of it possibly becoming a CTE pathway as well. Cuz that's something that's right >> consideration in Colorado right now.
>> And it's 27 other states have already done that. >> So, that's great. >> Yeah, that is the movement. >> You know, I think one thing that we as a board have not gotten to um publicly weigh in on are some of the
rumors about the activities in athletics and the funding and all that. And I feel like that that um got out there, and there's a lot of rumor that's involved in that as well. And I And just speaking to other board members,
um and y'all correct me if I'm speaking out of turn here, but I feel like as a board, we are committed to work hard to make sure that our activities in athletics are are funded and available to all kids because we see the
leadership potential and you know, grit Grit's one of my favorite words. And a lot of times, it's those activities in athletics, things like chair to teach Say it so hard to say. It's so pretty to say. Um it it really really does help develop
that in kids. And so, I um you know, I I would just say that for those that are out there that are worried and concerned, I would I would just like to commit that we're working hard on that. >> Can I say something real quick? >> Yeah, you can talk. Yeah.
>> Um just since we're talk since you brought that up, um I am meeting with the new administrative team from the junior senior high school tomorrow morning. We are going to create a plan of action. We will be communicating
um that plan of action as soon as possible to the community about sports and activities and funding. Um I also I want to I know there's a lot of rumors and false information and fear and I understand that, but I also um
just want to share something else that was brought to my attention yesterday or the day before, but I clarified it yesterday. Um our athletic director got a call from CHESSA
because um they had received information from Chad Cosner and Shawn Tekrun from uh Merit. Um they had reached out to CHESSA sharing that they were concerned that we were going to cut sports and activities here and that has
never ever been the discussion. Yes, we have to be creative, we have to find some means for funding, but we have never said we were going to cut programs. So, CHESSA called Cat Becker, they were concerned and Cat
cleared that up. I did um also call Bethany Burkins myself yesterday. Um she is the she oversees new schools and so that information was concerning to her, so I also talked to her about it
um and she said that um they were hoping to get an expe- like expedited membership and she said that that doesn't happen. Um there is a strict timeline. And so, what she shared with me is that it's a two-year process,
and the fall of '28 is when Merit would be able to be part of CHASA, and I just want to clear that up. I I really want to do good work and be transparent with the community, so we are working on a more
in-depth plan of action um looking at all sports and activities as one team and working together for the fundraising and the sponsorships that we need. So, I just want to make sure that everyone understands that information,
and we will be communicating more after that plan of action is created with my team um starting tomorrow. >> I just want to add as a parent with two kids at the junior senior high and really involved in activities, I have
shared the concerns of parents about you know, the timing of adding something and and taking away potentially from others like funding everything. And I think you did a great job, Karen, of of laying it out as
this is an investment that you know, we could invest in another teaching position, but would it be one that shows the return that this does? I think this has potential to serve great can again help
uh finance our other programs too by bringing in more comfortable revenue. So, thank you. >> That's actually what we need. Get our students back. >> We do. >> I'm not never ready. >> We do. I mean, and I Karen and I talked about this in uh was it 3 years ago, 4
years ago? Now I've forgotten. But anyway, for for probably 5 years previous to about 4 years ago the in our community within our district boundaries.
The home school, 100% home school, so you got to use any any other pro- any other district's program. 100% home school has hovered around 100 students, and in the last 3 years it's grown to 326. Yeah, it's crazy.
>> Why is it back? >> Yes, we want our kids back. >> Time would be even would be great, too, because they can benefit from these programs. >> Yeah. Um I um Karen, I would I would also encourage you if we if we vote to approve this, I would encourage you to
create a fact sheet to put on the website so that the parents that are concerned about the activities, you know, that this is taking away dollars. >> Yeah. >> So, the other piece I you know, Kirk and I don't usually do this. We're usually
pretty quiet about when we when we give money to things, but Kirk and I talked about this, and we think that um the Air Force Academy developed something out of our son that could not have been developed elsewhere. And and
we really believe that it was the teachers and the coaches from this high school that prepared our son and the five other air students from William Park High School that were at the Air Force
Academy in 2010 to 2011. And I've checked recently, and I don't know about one of them, but five of them are still in. That is remarkable. That is remarkable, and several of them are at the Pentagon right now.
Isn't that funny? Yeah. Yeah. So, Kirk and I are are committing $1,000 to this program. And if if we vote to approve it, and if it's not needed by this program, we'll shoot it over, you know, to activities and athletics or something
else. But I um I believe that that Oh, one of the other things I was going to say is, you know, with the newspaper wanting to headline that we're not doing American Birthright Standard anymore, I think this helps show that we are not a
board or a district that is not patriotic, that's anti-American, and that we're trying to to move politically one direction. This This reflects our community. I mean, I From what I understand, we have one of the highest
um um military service counties in the whole [clears throat] nation. And I'm not choked up about it. It's a cult. >> [laughter] >> And I I really believe that we'll get support for this program. >> Maybe along with the fact sheet or even
just putting the slideshow on the website would be great. >> It would It would get I They were not my >> The green ones are my slides, and I can remake things to to be suitable. Um but I want to be mindful that they're not mine. They belong to you.
>> Yeah, junior ROTC program. Yeah. Yeah. >> Any other questions, comments, any more discussion Oh, Karen, I think I mean, is there any more questions for Karen? She can sit down. >> Yeah. Any Any other discussion that you guys
want to have right now? >> I got I have four pages of questions, and you can have them. >> Okay. >> The concerns that I was receiving from folks in the community. I'm excited about this program. Well, I had that discussion there a second, I guess.
>> Okay. I think my concern now, just noting all that's been shared and discussed so far is I just want to I think we need to be really thoughtful about the communication that immediately follows this decision because I think it's
it can it will quickly get its own legs if we don't I think really thoughtfully follow it up with the um plan of action that we're talking about for athletics and and activities. And so I personally am really hesitating with making this decision tonight because of
the sensitivity of that, but and I don't know I don't know that it's helpful to even suggest we wait it like a week to try to get ahead of it in some way, but I just want to be really considerate of the communication and what we're sharing not only about the program and the facts around it, but its
relationship to other programs that we have. So I I would I would not I'd be happy to be part of that, be involved in that discussion, but I just I'm really sitting it's it's hard it's weighing on me right now. Just saying. Yeah. >> Yeah, I agree that the timing is
unfortunate and I do wish there was more out about our athletics and the plan that um but I also feel like we are we're kind of What's the word? Like
it's a missed opportunity if we say no and it's well, you know, if we say yes, there's going to be negative feedback from some as well. So it's like there'll be negative feedback whether we
say yes or no is my my opinion. And what we really need to think about is and from my business background is investment. Like this is an expense that's going to happen
one way or another. And so we're looking at it as investment into something we hope will return for all the good of our schools and our community. Um >> Do you think the perception changes if
we waited a week or two to get ahead of the messaging on the other topics or not? >> The feedback from Ginger's meeting tomorrow would help with that discussion. But in either case, this money is going towards an FTE.
It's not going to If it doesn't go towards the Junior ROTC FTE, it is going to another teacher. And the benefit for the doctor that you're getting out of this FTE instructor position, you're getting two actually in this room. You have to get reimbursed, but you're getting two
teachers for one one way and the priority areas that this touches on, the need not only in our school, not only in our community, but our nation, but just what we're looking for in our next generation. Junior ROTC provides
one of those avenues. And you know, I I I was hearing that way as well about how do you How do you say you're going to add this while at the same time you're you're talking about the stipend changes and
as maybe we let the you know, the facts get out instead of what the rumors were. And I think that's what was fearing or providing a lot of fear was the rumors. And when you take those off the table, to me that just needs to be communicated that those are rumors. Those were not vetted
positions. That was not the the the central office's position. And it wasn't the board's position. So, let's get the facts out. But I don't think we have Yeah, I I'm getting emotional. I've seen what the I've seen what the
Junior ROTC provides and creates those leaders, yes. The you know, men and women in our nation who do want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. And you ask the leaders I've had 35 years working the privilege of working next to them.
And when you ask them, "Why did you join?" It was always, "I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself." And this starts here. This is an opportunity for them to get that, to see that. So, I guess you can see where I'm going with it. >> I can. And Cassidy, I I understand what
you're saying. And I think, you know, what what what really changed it for me in terms of concern was the fact that this was a just a funding teacher position. That it's not it's not taking an extra
I mean, up up till yesterday when I talked to Ginger, I thought it was you're going to have to come up with another $80,000. And in that case, it was very challenging to want to jump in there and say that. But I think, you know, explaining to parents that are concerned
about the other that if we bring in four students, there's actually less strain on the activities and athletics you know, budgets. And so, I think, you know, and I and I think Ginger needs [clears throat] to as soon as
they've got their meeting finished tomorrow, they've got to get out um in some way to parents and coaches. They've got to get communication going on it. And I would say tomorrow one of the priorities also is is to get the facts
out about this and the reasons why if we choose if we if we approve it. Um the reasons why you know we as a board decided that it was important for to approve it for our community. But I
with like what Karen said in terms of reaching out to home school population right now. Uh I think it's I think it's a key time for that and also again having to get another instructor
if we don't. So it probably re-plan some coursework and all of that for the you know junior senior high. >> Yeah and I want to I want to clarify too like the hesitation I is not because I am excited about this program like as a
military spouse for many years this is something I am super thrilled about bringing to our schools. I just want to be so cautious about taking care of the families and the kids that are involved in activities that were we know are going to be impacted and I think if we
have a high level of confidence that we're going to be able to address those concerns like if the concerns about budget to your point too were ones that I had and I think they have been addressed. It's really just about the communication about resolving the you know the rumors to your point Rob. Like I don't disagree that this is something
that we need and now is the time. I just want to be really thoughtful about the sequencing and making sure that our students and families feel heard and supported through that. So >> Yeah I hear I get that too. >> Yeah. And I think I understand correctly from
you Ginger it's but is the plan to get more communication out about the athletics absolutely >> I'm hoping to we have a meeting first thing in the morning. And so I think that we can come back with
some communication. It might not be the full plan yet, but it is definitely us working together, working as one team, not dividing every sporting activity, sports and activity group separately. That's my hope. Um, I can't answer for
everyone that's going to be at that meeting, but I I know that we have a really amazing group that's going to meet tomorrow morning and I've worked with this group a lot on collaboration and thinking outside the box and I I feel confident we're going to come up with a plan. I already have some ideas, but I'm not going to share them yet because I
want to make sure that I'm collaborating with everyone, but But yes, communication is key, I agree. >> Um, Cassidy, I have a question. Would you um, consider writing a statement or something for the board? Um,
about about our decision that could be put on out on the website? >> Yes, and that was what I was going to ask you just specifically about the action is I don't know I don't think we have like a resolution per se in front of us, do we for that?
>> It's it's approving the contract, I believe, or the MOA. >> I was going to ask you about the notes of that like whether if it was stated in a resolution or as a motion to be really specific about what we're approving and the amount
of money that we're authorizing for the program. Is that something that is helpful at all in this? Just so that like yes, we need a fact sheet and we need supplementary resources, but that the decision reflects I think the just being thoughtful from a budget perspective
based on the information that we've been presented. You know what >> It sounded like we're just approving the the the FTE, you know, that's already approved. So, I don't feel like we're approving more money. Are we approving more money?
>> No, it's just saying that you support the Junior ROTC program. >> Right, yeah. Because the and they talked about fundraising for the the other piece the the field trips field trips and that sort of thing.
So I don't think that we're actually approving any additional dollars. >> Okay, I just wanted to clarify because if there's a perception that we're approving this very expensive program and it can be clearly stated that the decision we've made is just to authorize a program that's already more or less
funded. I think I don't know if that would be helpful, but >> Okay. >> We're really authorizing that the superintendent signs an animal pay with the Air Force. >> Mhm. >> Which commits us to providing the funds for whatever curriculum they want to
>> Mhm. >> Okay. >> And and the storage space and all the other other >> [clears throat] >> other reimbursable things as well. So >> Yeah. >> Do I have a motion to approve the JROTC program? >> I would like to make a motion to approve
the junior ROTC Air Force/Space Force >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Davidson. >> Aye. >> Duganess. >> Aye. >> Fording. >> Aye. >> Greenstreet. >> Aye. >> Motion passes.
All right, I need a motion to adjourn um this special board meeting. >> I move to adjourn the special board meeting. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Davidson. >> Aye. >> Duganess. >> Aye. >> Fording. >> Aye. >> Greenstreet.
>> Aye. >> All right. Now we're going to rearrange. >> Sweet.