[Music] [Music] Yes. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, [Music] hey. [Music] Hey, heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Hey, Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] How can you [Music] [Music] [Music] Oo. Oh. [Music] [Music] You ready? [Music] [Music] [Music] I like you. [Music] [Music] [Music] uh study session for the Aurora um city council for Monday, August 11, 2025 is called to order. Would the clerk please call the role? >> Mayor Kaufman, >> here. >> Council member Bergen, >> here. >> Council member Kums, >> present. Council member Gardner >> here. >> Council member Hancock >> here. >> Council member Dinsky >> here. >> Council member Cass >> here. >> Council member Lawson >> here. >> Council member Medina >> here. >> Council member Mario >> present. Mayor Pro Tim Sunberg >> here. Uh there's no uh mayor's update. Are there any issue updates? Seeing none, uh then we'll have the uh Aurora public schools uh visioning process. Uh let's see. Um and Dr. Anne Kiki um u president of the board of education. U the floor is yours. >> And you move it. Okay, there we go. I'll yield it to um Director Carter. >> Uh good afternoon. Uh my name is Michael Carter. I'm the vice uh president of the Aurora Public School Board. Um we appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to um speak regarding uh um our survey and what we're asking for um from the the city council. Um, basically you understand that uh last year we passed a generational bond and part of that generational bond was um our willingness and our commitment to um speaking with all members of the community. Um we are currently at about 40,000 students. Um we have about 6,000 staff and you can probably double that um regarding the footprint of the individuals who are connected to Aurora public schools. So, at this point, um, part of our outreach program was to put together a survey. Um, and we are inviting and actually hoping that you will help us, um, push that survey out. Um, part of the reasons that we're doing the survey is to, um, understand and share the perspective. Um, you are well aware that Aurora is the most diverse city in the state of Colorado. Um, there are some communities that are harder to get to and and so part of that survey is to get that perspective. Um, we also we are in the midst of uh that billion dollar bond and we need to know what the um group and what our what that population would like like us to do specifically um with that billion dollar bond. Uh and then finally um one of the things that we have been about is that accountability and so um the best way to get accountability is to ask um our population exactly what they want us to do and then do it. Um I will then allow Dr. Kiki can actually walk you through the survey. It is really quick. It takes about four or five minutes. Um but the reality is it's going to give us a wealth of information and we're asking uh the city council to be a partner um in that survey. Go ahead, Dr. Kiki. >> Thank you so much, Director Carter. And I do have a presentation. I'm not sure who is supposed to um put the presentation up. Yeah, you would have to share that. >> It's not a problem. I came ready and I can do that. Um, all right. Mayor Mayor point of order. I thought um our staff generally share the the PowerPoint. I'm glad Dr. Kiki's prepared, but that was my understanding that our staff usually does that presentation. Katie, Katie, >> thank you. >> Yes. No, norally staff does not and I'm sorry, Dr. Kiki, I thought that was um communicated to you, but if not Jason's sharing, I was about to pull it up for you. >> Awesome. I'm sharing right there. So, go ahead, Dr. Khi. Take it away. >> Awesome. Um, so should I present? Should I share or Okay, I guess everyone is on um can see the screen here. And as director uh Carter said um this is why we are here. We want to engage to share our vision and values. uh which 5 years ago um before we were on the board, we were told that that was something that was sought by the board before crafting um what we monitor every month as far as student outcome and student well-being. Um, and now that we have reached the 5-year mark, uh, we would like the community to weigh in again as far as what they would like to see the board, um, work on or monitor for our students and as well our staff. Next. So, uh, Director Carter also did, uh, share a little bit about the demographic of student that we the district's demographic and the type of students that we we uh we serve. Um it's well known that we are the fifth largest uh district and the most diverse in the state of Colorado and we serve now 40 uh,000 students and uh uh they come from over 130 uh countries of origin. We do serve 74 if you would 75% of our students are free and redu reduced and we have 42% of our students who are multilingual kind of like me. Uh we have grown as far as employees or staff. We are now 6,000 staff strong. Uh which is great. And we still do serve 59 schools. We still do have 59 schools and four programs that we offer to uh the communities that we serve. Uh next, so for the past five years, this was the vision that we have been um uh the vision of the community and this is what we have been monitoring every month when the board uh meets. We have two meetings a month. The first meeting is to just monitor uh goals and guardrails or the vision and the mission of the community and then the second month we do take care of other uh districts business. So the first meeting of the month when we meet as a board we monitor early literacy. So we want to know um how our students are doing as far as uh CAMS in you know literacy in English and um and language art. We also do monitor uh high school graduation. We want to make sure that that also goes up because that is the vision of the community and we do uh care about equity. We want to close the gap between um uh black and brown and the Caucasian and Asian pairs uh peers uh in sixth grade in math and literacy as well cuz we've seen that the gap was too wide and do the same thing. We also do the same thing for ninth grade. All of that to say, we want to make sure that our sixth grade uh and our ninth grade students uh regardless of background are at the same level and produce the same um have the same outcome when it comes to math and uh English language art. So those we monitor. Uh next next again the limitation is the value that we have come to find the community has charged us to um watch as well and those we have five uh we do uh have diversity, equity and inclusion in a sense that the superintendent has to make sure that everyone feels seen. and heard both students and staff and also our families. That's what we call DEI. Um our the second limitation uh as far as the superintendent is concerned is to make sure that the whole child is taken into consideration when it comes to education. Um so the superintendent has to make a to make sure that there is a balance between academic and also the students well-being social, emotional, mental and um physical education as well. The third value that we um the community charged us is stakeholder engagement. This is why we're here. We want to make sure that when there are uh any uh decision that is made, stakeholder decision made, the superintendent and the board engages with students, parent, community and staff. Same thing the board is doing. And we also uh are charged to monitor student and family climate and culture. making sure that the superintendent ensures that our parents, our students um feel safe, dignified, respect, respected and uh welcome in our buildings and that we monitor as well by way of um survey once a year. And the last one is staff retention. We want to make sure that our um staff reflects the population of students that we uh we educate. And so we make sure that uh the stu the superintendent does not allow the retention rate of black and brown educators to be significantly low. Um those are the five values that we uphold and we monitor every month along with the um uh divisions which we seen earlier. Next. Now we want to identify new vision and values. This is where you come in. Next. Okay. So, we want to use this uh we want to listen to the community and want to we want to pretty much know what do they want uh our student to do and know and be able to pretty much do. We also want to listen to your values if there are new values uh which is what are the non-negotiables that you have? Um, what is it that you want us to honor during our journey to accomplish the mission that you would uh uh the vision that you would give us and that will inform the five-year um plan for the board. So what we are asking the the survey that we're asking you to do uh to take is going to inform the work that the district or the board is going to um uh to have and also the charge of the whole district next. So how are we going to use this input that we're asking you to have here in a minute? We're going to create new goals or new vision. We are going to use that to create new uh guard rails or new values. And again, this is going to be what we are going to routinely monitor. And just so you know, we use those missions and um and those visions and values to also um evaluate the superintendent and evaluate ourselves. So it is important for us that the whole community weighs in so that um it reflects everyone in within the APS community. So that being said, next this is the QR code. If you would please um get your phone out and scan this QR code. There are just four questions but those are vital questions for us to uh do the work that uh we have been uh elected uh by the community to do and this is important to us. Thank you so much for your time and thank you for taking the survey and you do have a copy of this um presentation. you can send this survey to your community as well um members of your different communities to take. Thank you. >> Well, thank you very much. I really appreciate uh I really appreciate it. Uh does anybody have any questions? Uh thanks so much. Yeah. Uh Council Member Sunberg. >> Oh, thank you. Thanks for the presentation, Dr. Kiki and Mr. Carter. Um, under I think it was about the third slide, APS results. I know you're hitting these on a weekly basis, these different categories. How are the student outcome results uh measured from say, I don't know, three or four years ago? Are they are they improving in your estimation, reading, writing, the basics, math? Director Carter, do you want to answer that or I um one of the things that happened when we first came on the board, this is 2021, I believe same time actually, uh um Mayor Pro Tim Sunberg was on the board or came on the council, um we were walking out of the pandemic. Um our students, our staff, our teachers, our parents were uh in flux is the best way to say it. Um, I can tell you at this point we are one of the few um, cities or school districts that are actually growing um, in the state of Colorado. And not only we're growing um, in numbers, but our actual um, factual numbers are growing. Our graduation rate is um, exploding our um, we have actually put in metrics that that at a certain point we were only looking at graduation rate. We now have uh, put in metrics that we are starting in ninth grade. um and beyond. So that when a kid gets to his junior year or even his sophomore year, we just did a a half graduation where we were honoring students who are who are on track to graduate once they got knowing their their um their sophomore year. Um so we have uh pushed the metric out to that the numbers of our individual students are growing and we've also started keying in on those ninth and tth graders so that we don't have to play catch-up when they get to their junior year. So I can tell you right now, yes, our graduation rate is is is growing exponentially as well as the numbers of students that are actually going to Aurora public schools. >> Uh and thank you. But how about um measurements for increased reading and and math and like let's say at the third grade level for reading that also is improving and it's been um a fiveyearong work but we are seeing improvement uh happening. our uh sub our interim measurements are showing growth um even disagregated growth and students are catching up together. So we are seeing uh result though slow but we are seeing result >> and and and I apologize if I can get back in here. Um I I I think I I see where uh or where council member Sberg was headed. One of the key metrics that we had to learn or actually um the district knows but I guess uh I as a board member had to come to understand that third grade level um and how much of an impact or where their student is in third grade will determine whether or not um they are going to graduate. And we have, you know, I I have to tell people we're just lucky in finding Superintendent Giles and him being so um laser focused on on those metrics, but also on the teacher and the students and the parents well-being, but our third grade reading and math scores are uh are by any metric going up. They're they are they are they are higher at this point. Sorry. Council member Hackard. >> Thank you. >> Well, thank you for the report. I'm just going to press you a little bit more to give us I I'd be very interested in hearing some hard data and statistics around those increases. Cuz you know, on the surface, this report looks really nice and glossy and fluffy, but I know looking online at the data and statistic that our students are still falling. That's Colorado statewide. They're failing the metrics in math. They're failing in reading, comprehension, and writing. So, I want to know what what Aurora Public Schools is doing to help increase overall competencies in math and reading. Um, particularly if you can't do it by third grade, it's really going to be hard to catch up. So, we're looking at high school and these students are still falling way behind the national average. You know, we've gone from third to 40th. And so I want to know what APS is doing to, you know, outside of the whole DEI thing, I'm talking about fundamental principles of how to read, write, and count. How are we helping our students achieve that? >> Director Connor, you want me to take that one or you you want to >> Thank you. I appreciate that. And outside of the whole DEI, which again I want to make sure that that DEI um acronym is well understood here, we are not going to not we are not going to ignore the inclusivity because of how diverse we are and we are dead set on it. That's one. But to answer your question, you want to see the numbers, you want to see the hard numbers, we we are happy to send those numbers to you and we are also happy to extend an invitation to visit any school that you would like to visit with any of us or even with the superintendent. We are proud of what we are doing because this is over 5 years coming. This governance model that we have that is called student outcome governance model. Student outcome governance model. We are focused on the students outcome is now producing results. You you did you did mention something that is key here. The falling behind is statewide. It's nationwide and we're seeing all over. But APS has made it very clear that we are going to beat that. That's why we chose that governance model five years ago and we are seeing results. We are going to continue to press and see even more. It is important that our third graders know how to read before even getting of out of elementary school. This is the reason why we have set this metric and we are coming back to you asking if this metric by way of this survey if this metric is still what we want to see or if we want to change. So that being said, I would love to send you the numbers and I would love to extend an invitation also to come and visit any of our school with either um either a board member or with the company of the superintendent. We're glad to have you. Uh, council member Mario. >> Thanks, Mayor, and thank you to our two uh directors. Um, may So, I have a just a clarification thing and then um uh some questions just on the presentation. Um, I think I I'm glad that you presented. I definitely I think I misunderstood the limitation piece. Um I I I yeah so it's it's helpful to know and just to clarify for the public if they're reading the and and watch the presentation the limitations are the board's direction to and guard rails to the superintendent. Is that correct? >> Not that or is a limitation but that you are putting that limitation. Okay. >> Thank you. Um uh thank you councilwoman Murio. It's if you would for lack of better word the thou shalt not of the the superintendent. This is how we the board contain the whole um delegated uh authority that he has. >> Perfect. Okay. Um you could imagine my deep concern when I initially read it and didn't understand that that key difference. So that's I just wanted to clarify that for anyone else who had those questions. Um, I also was just curious to hear from either or both like what does um, you know, maybe some examples of what that accountability looks like for um, the superintendent on some of these, you know, the the guard rails or kind of limitations um, to use the language um, that y'all are using. What does that look like for the superintendent? because I understand, you know, he has a a lot of um influence and similar, you know, to our city manager. Uh I would love to just understand what that might look like for the superintendent. >> I mean, I I'll let I will let Dr. Kiki go deeper into that, but the reality is, >> excuse me, one thing, just one thing. We're uh running past time and we're going to have to uh uh we need staff needs time to set up for the listening session. And so, um, Council Member Mario's question will be the last question. Please go ahead. >> Briefly, what I will state is, um, those results and limitations are how we determine, um, whether or not we go forward with this superintendent in this contract on the simplest basis of these are the metrics. This is how we're going to determine whether or not you're doing your job. And if you cannot complete those metrics, then that's going to impact whether or not you're brought back as a superintendent. And we've literally every um we are about to do another evaluation of our superintendent this month and we've done one. This will be our third one since we've been on the board. >> Okay. Perhaps I can follow up with um on more specifics and to take you up on the offer to tour a school. That's all, mayor. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you very much. >> I can reach out to all of you and extend that invitation and whoever takes it on, we will be glad to host you. >> Thank you very much. Uh >> thank you for having us. >> Motion before us is the adoption of the consent count calendar item number 9C1. Um >> just item number 9C1. Uh motion. >> So moved. >> Moved by Mayor Pro, seconded by >> I'm sorry who? >> Oh by Cass. Uh any I mean discussion uh is there any >> I'm sorry this is Katie for the August 11th study session the consent calendars item 2 A through 2F >> that's the whole thing >> I'm sorry item 2 A through 2F okay I just got item 91 on the consent calendar on motions >> that's for the regular council meeting. >> Oh, he gets out. >> So, mayor, we just need somebody to update the motion to nine or to 2A to two. >> May you may I move to uh >> 2 A through 2F? >> Yes, please. 2 A through 2F, please. >> Okay. >> Uh discussion. Uh seeing none, is there any objection from moving the consent calendar item number 2 A through 2F forward? Uh seeing none uh item number 2A through 2F move forward and u um the study session is adjourned. Uh we will reconvene um at 6:00 uh for the public comment listening session. [Music]