Good afternoon, everyone.

I apologize for the delay in getting started.

We had some technical difficult difficulties with our live stream, but we're ready to roll.

Viewers can watch the council meeting live on YouTube at Boston.gov backslash city dash council TV.

At this time, I ask my colleagues and those in attendance to please silence their cell phones and electronic devices.

Also, pursuant to rule forty two.

I remind all in this chamber that no demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted, including not but not limited to signs, placards, banners, cheering, clapping, booing, etc.

And if such demonstrations are made, the gallery or public seating area will be cleared.

This rule will be strictly enforced.

Thank you.

Mr.

Clerk, will you please re uh call the role to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

Councillor Braden.

Yes, here.

Councillor Colorado's a part of Councillor Calpepper.

Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Lou Jen, Councillor Mihia, Councillor Murphy, Council Be Penn, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, and Councillor World of Quorums.

Thank you.

I have been informed by the clerk that a quorum is present.

Mr.

Clerk, I'd like to call on you to offer some brief remarks as an invoction today.

And following which we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you, Councillor.

Good morning, everyone.

Let us pray.

Spirit of life and love which moves through us and through all the world.

May we this day be grateful for the gift of life which is ours, remembering today and always that the life we have and hold is to us a mystery and precious.

May we this day be reminded of the responsibilities we carry, not so that we are intimidated or overwhelmed, but so that we may be true to them.

So that we may be faithful in carrying them forward.

May we this day be inspired, be filled with new breath, and be filled with new enthusiasm, be ready to use fresh opportunity, new perspectives, unnoticed avenues for action and resolution.

And may we this day remember those virtues that bless our lives and bless the lives of others, the virtues of caring and concern, the virtues of honesty and respect, the virtues of charity, industry, and patience.

And may the members of the Boston City Council maintain a high sense of their calling.

Remember that we are invested here with honor and call to a wider vision of the world and a world made more fair, more just, more equitable by their efforts.

Amen.

Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Great Public, for which is indivisible with a justice for all.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

We have two presentations today.

Councillor Mejia is recognizing BPS paraprofessionals, and following that, Councillor Weber will be recognizing the BPS Cross Country State Championship champions.

Oh, did you want to go first?

Councillor Mejia, you are up first.

Good afternoon, everyone.

It is so good to see this chamber full with people who we work for.

So welcome to your chamber.

So good afternoon.

I am really excited today to recognize and celebrate the paraprofessionals of the Boston Public Schools.

And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the difficult moment many are experiencing.

This year, Boston Public Schools proposed the elimination of a hundred and sixty one paraprofessional positions as part of a broader staffing reductions across the district.

Okay?

While the Boston public while the Boston City Council's role in the BPS budget process is limited to voting yes or no, because that's the job of the appointed school committee, the overall budget is just for us a yes or no.

But we do not have the authority to amend the school department budget itself, and we must recognize the symbolic impact of our votes and the message that they send to the people who make our schools work every day.

Behind every position is a person who has spent countless hours helping students succeed, providing one on one-on-one support, assisting teachers, supporting students with disabilities, helping multilingual learners, and ensuring that young people feel seen, safe, valued, affirmed in our classrooms.

And so to our power professionals who have dedicated their entire careers to helping to support our most vulnerable learners, we are recognizing today as your day in the Boston City Council.

Come on down, y'all.

Let's give it up for our power professionals.

And we would like to just I'll read this into the record and then we'd love to give you all an opportunity to speak.

So this is an official resolution from our office.

It's send it's congratulations to the Boston Public School paraprofessionals in recognition of their dedication to supporting students across the city of Boston through their daily commitment and care.

They help create supportive and enriching learning environments for countless young people.

We honor the essential role of power professionals of the Boston Public Schools in strengthening our schools and uplifting the next generation.

So let it be resolved that the Boston City Council extends its best wishes for continued success, and that this resolution be signed by the president of the city council and attested to with a copy transmitted by the clerk of the city of Boston.