[2. CLOSED SESSION]
[3. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER]
[00:01:45]
THIS TIME, TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 AN OPEN SESSION AND THE BOARD THAT ADJOURNED TO CLOSE SECTION AT 4:01 P.M. WE WILL RECONVENE THE MEETING AND RECONVENE AT 6:01. THEY WERE STUDENT MATTERS, PENDING LITIGATION, LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. REPLACEMENT PAGES FOR THIS ITEMS 10.3.1.1 WHICH IS A CALENDAR WILL BE PLACED AT THE BACK OF THE TABLE WHEN THE ITEMS ARE WITHHELD.
REPLACEMENT PAGES FOR AGENDA ITEMS 10.3.1.2, 10.3.1.3, 10.3.1 .4, AND 10.3.1.5 ARE ON THE BACK TABLE NOW.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE REQUEST ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEM AND NINE AGENDA ITEMS. WHILE MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD ARE NOT PUBLIC MEETINGS, THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON EACH AGENDA ITEM OR NON-AGENDA ITEM. AND THE BOARD WILL LIMIT THE TOTAL TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON EACH ITEM TO 21 MINUTES AS PER BOARD NINE 322.2. SO, COULD WE PLEASE HAVE AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA ?
>> YES, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYRA GARZA. WE DO HAVE AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA AND SO PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA AND 10.1.1. FROM DECEMBER 15TH MEETING MINUTES. I THINK ONE OF YOU BASICALLY GOT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE MINUTES DID NOT QUITE MATCH WHICH WAS RECORDED AND YOU ASKING TO HAVE IT CORRECT. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS I'M TO READ THE CORRECTIONS AND MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN NOTE IT AND WHAT YOU HAVE AND WE WILL VOTE IF YOU DON'T AND WE CAN EITHER ADDRESS IT TONIGHT OR WE CAN DO IT AT OUR NEXT MEETING. I JUMPED AHEAD, SO, WE DO HAVE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS FIRST SO WE WILL DO THAT FIRST.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. SO, IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE SHANE FROM -- COME FORWARD PLEASE. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR HEARING ME
[00:05:02]
OUT. MY NAME IS SHANE TOLD AND I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WITH A DISABILITY. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND AT BELLFLOWER UNIFIED. I AM HERE TONIGHT AND SUPPORT OF DR. SUE ELHESSEN. I HAVE KNOWN HER SINCE BEING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT. AND SHE STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT AS A PARENT OF CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT AND AS A SPECIAL ED TEACHER THAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE DECEMBER 15TH MEETING. THE EGREGIOUS NATURE OF HOW THE BOARD MEMBERS RESPONDED TO DR.SUE ELHESSEN 'S REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION REMINDED ME OF THE EXCLUSIONARY PRACTICES THAT I DEALT WITH AS A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AND THE LACK OF INCLUSION THAT I DEAL WITH AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WHEN ADVOCATING FOR MY STUDENTS. TWO GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. THE BOARD MEMBERS EXPRESSED AN ATTITUDE OF RESISTANCE TO WHAT DR. SUE ELHESSEN WAS TALKING ABOUT IN REGARDS TO ACCOMMODATION AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OR THE A.D.A. AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, MY INTERPRETATION OF THE BOARD'S FEEDBACK WAS THAT HER DISABILITY PRESENTED A DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL FLOW OF HOW BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED . I MAKE THIS ASSERTION BECAUSE I, TOO, HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED BY THIS ATTITUDE. THEY ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WILL STILL ASSERT HOW COULD PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY KNOW WHAT THEY NEED? EVEN AFTER THE A.D.A. BECAME FEDERAL LAW OVER 30 YEARS AGO. THERE ARE STILL FACTIONS THAT VIEW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS BROKEN AND UNWORTHY OF QUALITY. THEY MENTIONED A A LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE A.D.A. AND DR. LAURA SANCHEZ-RAMIREZ SUE ELHESSEN HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY CALIFORNIA GOVERNORS TO SERVE ON STATE A.D.A. COMMITTEES. THIS BACKGROUND GIVES HER INTRICATE KNOWLEDGE OF A.D.A. STATUTES INSTEAD OF LISTENING WITH AN OPEN MIND, YOU ALL DECIDED THAT A COMMENTATING A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE BOARD'S AGENDA. AS IMPLIED BY MISS MAYRA GARZA'S COMMENT THE BOARD ARE ELECTED MEMBERS DOING THE PEOPLE'S WORK. AND YET, THE CDC REPORTS THAT ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE HAVE A DISABILITY AND GIVEN THAT STATISTIC, ARE NOT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES PART OF THE PEOPLE WHO THE BOARD REPRESENTS . IF THIS ATTITUDE IS PREVALENT AMONG BOARD MEMBERS WITHOUT A DISABILITY --
>> MR. SHANE, I AM SORRY, COULD WE HAVE THE REST OF YOUR COMMENTS GIVE IT TO OUR STAFF SO THAT WE CAN ALL ? I'M SO
SORRY BUT YOUR TIME IS UP. >> BUT, WHAT AN ACCOMMODATION BE AS YOU CAN HEAR THAT I HAVE A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT? SO WHEN ACCOMMODATION BEING ALLOWING ME EXTRA TIME TO FINISH? I ONLY
HAVE A PARAGRAPH TO GO. >> MAY I ASK MY BOARD, PLEASE?
>> I MOTION TO EXTEND THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU . IF THIS ATTITUDE IS PREVALENT AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS WITHOUT A DISABILITY, HOW ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY IN BELL FAR UNIFIED GOING TO BE TREATED? I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE OF THE -- WHO IS COLORBLIND AND THE DISTRICT DID NOT PER MY PROVIDE THEM ACCOMMODATION FOR THE GAIT ASSESSMENT. SINCE QUESTIONS WERE RELATED TO COLORS AND DID NOT RECEIVE A SCORE HIGH ENOUGH TO QUALIFY.
EVEN THOUGH TEACHERS WERE ADVOCATING FOR THEM. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DISTRICT ATTENTION, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE TEST IS STANDARDIZED. SO, NO ONE STUDENT GETS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. YET, BY NOT ACCOMMODATING A STUDENT, IS THAT NOT UNFAIR AND DISCRIMINATE TORI 'S CREMATORY TO THE STUDENT WITH COLORBLINDNESS? I HAVE A PERSONAL STAKE IN HOW THE BOARD DISREGARD FOR THE A.D.A. IS MANAGED AS A SPECIAL EDUCATOR WITH A DISABILITY AND A PARENT OF CHILDREN WITHIN BELLFLOWER UNIFIED. IT IS MY
[00:10:01]
RECOMMENDATION THAT AT LEAST IT IS MANDATORY THAT BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND A.D.A. AWARENESS TRAINING TO LEARN ABOUT ACCOMMODATION AND HOW TO BETTER SERVE STUDENTS AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THANK YOU FOR EXTENDING THE TIME. AND ALLOWING ME THAT ACCOMMODATION.>> THANK YOU, MR. SHANE. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DR. KIERSTEN ROBINSON.
AND AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PTA I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE BTA TO WELCOME OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT. AND OUR NEW AND PANEL BOARD. AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TONIGHT UNDER THE SAME ROOF COMING OUT OF THE SAME BLOCKS AT THE SAME TIME.
WITH A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF YOU. BUT, AS THE BTA, WE ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AND WE ARE SKEPTICALLY HOPEFUL. THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE. AND I SAY THAT ALL GRACIOUSNESS .
WHEN THE BTA COMES UP HERE, WE COME APPEAR AS THE AMERICAN EAGLE ON THE SYMBOL. WE ARE ARROWS IN ONE HAND AND ALL OF BRANCH IN THE OTHER. AND TONIGHT, WE WANT TO COME WITH AN EXTENSION OF AN OLIVE BRANCH. AS YOU ARE BEGINNING THIS QUEST FORWARD AND FOR NOW, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHRISTOPHER WHO WILL BE LEAVING US IN JUNE, TO GO ON TO PURSUE HIS ACADEMIC INTERESTS AND FUTURE LIFE, THE REST OF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ON THIS BOARD FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. SO FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, LIKE IT OR NOT, CHOOSE IT OR NOT, WANTED OR NOT, THIS IS OUR LEADERSHIP. THE SIX OF YOU ARE GOING TO DETERMINE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
ESSENTIALLY FOR MOST OF US WE LOOK AT THE DISTRICT AND WE LOOK AT IT AS KIND AS A REBEL AND OUT OF THIS ASH, WE ARE GOING TO EXPECT YOU TO RISE A PHOENIX. TODAY WE BROUGHT YOU IS BECAUSE THAT MANY OF US ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AN OBJECT LESSON THAT COMES OUT OF THAT BOOK IS OFTEN A LOT EASIER AND BECAUSE I AM NOT -- AND I DON'T HAVE THE BOOKS OR HAVE BLANKETS, I'M TO TELL YOU ABOUT A BOOK THAT'S BEEN PUT INTO A CHILD'S BOOK AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE ESSENTIALS FROM THAT AS WE TASK YOU FORWARD INTO THE NEXT TWO YEARS. WHEN TOLSTOY WAS LOOKING AT LIFE THREE QUESTIONS EMERGE AND THOSE THREE QUESTIONS IN THIS BOOK COME TO A CHILD CALLED NIKOLAI AND WHAT HE SAYS IS, IT IS UNCERTAIN HOW HE IS HOW TO REACT. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT. IF ONLY I COULD FIND THE ANSWERS TO MY THREE QUESTIONS. SO WE ARE AND ASK YOU TO ASK THESE THREE QUESTIONS AS YOU EMBARK ON THIS QUEST FORWARD WHERE YOU ARE TAKING ALL THE REST WITH YOU.
WE'RE EITHER GOING TO BE WILLING WRITERS THAT IN THE BEEN A GREAT PLACE OVER TO BE COLLATERAL DAMAGE. THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THINGS? WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE? IN THE LAST ONE IS, WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO? AND ESSENTIALLY, THROUGH THE MOUTH OF THE CHILD GOES AND ASKED PEOPLE AND GETS LOTS OF DIFFERENT ANSWERS AND GO TO THE TURTLE WHO DOES NOT GIVE AN ANSWER THAN HE LETS THEM FIND HIM FOR HIMSELF. AND ULTIMATELY, WHAT THE INTERNET COMES OUT IS THAT TOLSTOY'S FINDING IS THAT REMEMBER, THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE IMPORTANT TIME AND THAT TIME IS NOW. THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS ALWAYS THE ONE THAT YOU ARE WITHIN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO DO GOOD FOR THE ONE WHO IS STANDING AT YOUR SIDE. FOR THESE, MY DEAR, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS, ARE THE ANSWERS TO WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN THIS WORLD. WE ARE IN THIS ROOM NOT FOR ANY OF OUR BENEFIT, NOT EVEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE IN THIS ROOM BECAUSE OF CHILDREN. WHO ARE VOICELESS AND RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE NAMELESS AND FACELESS. BUT THEY ARE THE REASON THAT WE ASSEMBLED HERE IN THE REASON THAT WE DO THE WORK THAT WE DO. THEY ARE THE REASON THAT WE ARE HERE. SO WHAT I WANT TO REMIND YOU OF IS THAT WE CANNOT GO BACKWARDS AND WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO, NOBODY HAS A TIME ISSUE WE CANNOT GO FIX ANYTHING THAT WAS BROKEN, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO BRING FORWARD EVERYTHING THAT CAME FROM THE PAST. BUT, ONE OF OUR FORMER TEACHERS WHO PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH WHO WORKED IN THIS DISTRICT FOR ABOUT 35 OR 40 YEARS AND WAS 93 WHEN SHE DIED, SHE LEFT THIS BEHIND AND I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU BECAUSE I THINK IT NEEDS TO LIVE HERE. AND ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WAS ON THE DAY OF THE TEACHER IN 1994, OUR MESSAGING THEN WAS OPENING THE DOORS FOR ALL STUDENTS. EMPLOYEES ARE THE KEY. THERE IS NO JUST TEACHERS, THERE'S NO JUST CABINET, THERE'S NO JUST BORED, THERE IS ALL OF US. AND SO I WANT TO REMIND ALL OF YOU THAT WE ARE HERE FOR THE CHILDREN AND WE ARE THE KEY.
BUT WHAT THE SIX OF YOU DECIDE AND DO AND DETERMINED TO DO
[00:15:03]
TAKES US FORWARD AND SO MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO WORKTOGETHER. >> DR., THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> YOU ARE A FOOTBALL PLAYER, LET'S SEE HOW GOOD YOU ARE!
[4. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA]
ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE EVENING'S AGENDA ?>> YES, WE DO. I JUMP THE GUN EARLIER SO I'M GOING TO RE-CENTER US AGAIN. THERE ARE SOME CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA ITEM 10.1.1. FOR THE DECEMBER 15TH, 2023 MEETING MINUTES.
YOU DO NOT HAVE IT WRITTEN FRONT OF YOU YOU HAVE THE OLD ONE, SO WHAT I'M IN A DO IS I'M GOING TO READ WHAT WAS WRITTEN AND THE CORRECTION AND MAYBE YOU CAN NOTE THE CORRECTION AND IF YOU AGREE WITH THEM THEN WE WILL MOVE ON. IF WE DO NOT, WE CAN DISCUSS A LITTLE BIT AND THEN TRY TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO CORRECT IT. SO, AT 10.3.1.2, ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICERS, PAGE FOUR, RECOMMENDATION MOTION WAS MISS SUE ELHESSEN WAS FOR OFFICE CLERK, THIS STATES THAT THE MOTION FAILED WITH A MOTION BY RENITA ARMSTRONG AND SECONDED BY AMY STEWART. THE CORRECTION IS THAT DR. SUE ELHESSEN SECONDED THAT EMOTION. AND THAT IS THE FIRST CORRECTION. THE SECOND ONE IS ON 10.3.1.2. ELECTION OF BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICERS, CEMENT ON PAGE FOUR, IN THE DOCUMENT, RECOMMENDED A MOTION WAS THAT AMY STEWART WAS FOR OFFICE OF CLERK, IT STATES THE MOTION PASSED WITH A MOTION BY RENITA ARMSTRONG, AND SECONDED BY AMY STEWART. AND THE CORRECTION WAS THAT THAT MISS MAYRA GARZA MADE A MOTION AND IT WAS SECONDED. THIRD CORRECTION, 3.1 POINT 0.4. APPOINTMENT OF ANNUAL L.A. CSA IS ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE SEVEN, RECOMMEND A MOTION THAT WE SHOULD RENITA ARMSTRONG FOR LACKSA AND WAS SECONDED BY MAYRA GARZA, THE CORRECTION AUSSIE THAT AMY STEWART MADE THE MOTION. WE WENT BACK AND WATCH THIS IF OUR EYES ARE CORRECT. OBVIOUSLY, IT SHOULD BE RIGHT. THE LAST CORRECTION IS 10.3.6.1, APPROVAL OF BOARD BYLAWS 9332.2 , PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITH THE PUBLIC, ON TOP PAGE 10 RECOMMENDING A MOTION IS THAT THE BOARD TABLES THIS ITEM AND IT STATES THAT MOST WILL PASS BY A MOTION BY MAYRA GARZA, SECONDED BY BRAD CHRIS FILLED, THE CORRECTION IS THAT BRAD CHRIS FILLED ME THE MOTION AND AMY SECONDED IT. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE COLLECTING IF YOU GUYS ARE GOOD WITH IT AND LET ME KNOW SO THAT YOU KNOW THAT THOSE ARE THE CORRECTIONS.
>> ACTUALLY, FOR THE NOMINATION FOR THE CAL APPS, I HAD NOT NOMINATED BRAD FOR THE POSITION OF CAL APPS BOARD MEMBER. AND IT WAS SECONDED I THINK BY RENITA,
RIGHT? >> WHICH ONE WAS IT NOW?
>> IT'S ON PAGE EIGHT. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> DID WE INCLUDE THAT ONE? >> IS A HOW EVERYBODY RECALLS
THAT MOTION? >> SHE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
>> WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE WILL MAKE THAT CORRECTION.
OKAY. AND THEN LASTLY, WE HAVE A CORRECTION TO AGENDA ITEM 10.3.4.2, RESOLUTE FOR NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSEL WEEK ON FEBRUARY 6 THROUGH THE 10TH, 2023. THIS ITEM IS BEING REMOVED OFF THE AGENDA FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION. SO JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO INCLUDE THAT. AND THOSE ARE ALL THE DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS THAT I HAVE.
[00:20:03]
>> THANK YOU, DR. RICHARD DOWNING. DO I HAVE THE APPROVAL TO MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA?
>> YES YOU HAVE APPROVAL. >> SECONDED.
>> ROLL CALL PLEASE. >> MR. MENDOZA?
[5. INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE / FLAG SALUTE]
>> I. >> TONIGHT OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT WILL BE OFFERING AN INSPIRATIONAL
MESSAGE. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS MY FIRST OFFICIAL BOARD MEETING AND WE OBVIOUSLY HAD A RETREAT LAST WEEK AND IT WAS NOT A NORMAL MEETING AND RETREATS ARE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL SEE COMMON HERE BECAUSE I PLAN TO HAVE THOSE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AND ALEX WHEN THE PURPOSE OF THOSE LATER ON. I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. I WILL BE GOING AROUND THROUGH DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND INTRODUCING MYSELF AND TALKING TO STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SO ON, BUT A NUTSHELL, MY NAME IS -- PRIOR TO COMING TO BELLFLOWER UNIFIED I WAS IN MALIBU SCHOOL DISTRICT, I SERVED THERE IS A SUPERINTENDENT FOR SIX YEARS AND I HAD TO MAKE A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION TO JOIN HERE AND I AM GLAD THAT I DID IT AND I WILL GO ON LATER DOWN THE LINE. MY EXPENSES AND EDUCATOR I HAVE BEEN IN HERE BEFORE AND I WAS IN SANTA BARBARA UNIFIED AS THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND I SERVED THERE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN FRESNO, AND THAT IS WHERE I ENDED UP GOING TO COLLEGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM LOS ANGELES. AND I LOVE EDUCATION AND I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. AND YOU WILL READ MORE ABOUT ME OR LEARN MORE MORE ABOUT ME AS A GO AROUND AND SPEAK TO PEOPLE AND YOU GET TO KNOW ME. BUT I JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH A FEW THINGS, BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT ME RIGHT AWAY BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I AM COMMITTING MYSELF TO ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. SO I'M GOING TO READ OFF SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO ME. AND HOPEFULLY, IMPORTANT TO YOU AS WELL. I WANT TO KEEP THE INTEREST OF -- AS MY HIGHEST PRIORITY AND GOAL. AND TO SHAPE OUR SYSTEMS SO THAT OUR SYSTEM WORKS TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS INSTEAD OF THEM HAVING TO FIT INTO OUR SYSTEM THAT NECESSARILY DOES NOT SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. I WANT TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS WE LEAD OUR DISTRICTS TO GREATER HEIGHTS. I VALUE AND SUPPORT THE WORK OF TEACHERS WHO TEACH OUR STUDENTS AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THEIR CLASSIFIED STAFF AND TREAT THEM AS VITAL PARTNERS IN THE WORK OF OUR DISTRICT. I WANT TO LEAD AND MENTOR THE MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO BE EFFECTIVE LEADERS OF SCHOOLS AND ENTIRE DISTRICTS. I RESPECT AND PARTNER WITH OUR PARENTS AS THEY RAISE THEIR CHILDREN. AND, I WANT TO LISTEN WITH EMPATHETIC YEARS AND TO LOOK FOR AND FIND WHO MAY NOT FEEL THAT THEIR VOICE IS ALWAYS HEARD. LASTLY, I WANT TO SERVE AS A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO THOSE ARE MY PERSONAL COMMITMENTS AND I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT HERE AND OBVIOUSLY, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO SEE AN ACTION TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT I MEAN THEM OR NOT. SO, IN CLOSING, I LOVE WHAT I'M SEEING SO FAR AND I AM GLAD OF THE FACT THAT EVERY BUDDIES HUNGRY AND WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. AND I AM HERE TO REALLY HELP US WORK TOGETHER TO REACH THOSE HEIGHTS. MY GOAL FOR THE REST OF THE SEMESTER IS TO GO AROUND AND GO ON A LISTENING TOUR SO I CAN LISTEN TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND I HAVE MY IDEAS ON HOW THINGS WILL BE RUN BUT I CANNOT SUPERIMPOSE THOSE WITHOUT LISTENING TO FOLKS FIRST. SO I WILL BE OUT THERE LISTENING TO FOLKS AND DEPOSITING SOME IDEAS TO SEE THEIR REACTION TO IT. AND THAT AFTER IT IS DONE, MAY OR JUNE, I WILL FORMULATE A GAME PLAN AFTER HEARING EVERYBODY. THAT SHOULD TIE IN TOGETHER WITH THE PROCESSES THAT WE ARE ENGAGING WITH. THEREFORE WE CAN SET PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE. I AM A VERY TRANSPARENT PERSON, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU WILL SEE ME REALLY WORKING ON IS THIS WHOLE SEMESTER IS TO ORCHESTRATE THESE BOARD MEETINGS TO WHERE OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS CAN HAVE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC. REMINDER, THIS IS THEIR MEETING THAT THEY HAVE TO DELIVER IT ON TO DO WORK FORTH THE DISTRICT FOR THE STUDENTS AND THEY NEED THE SPACE AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE SOME CRITICAL DECISIONS. A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR STAFF, PREPARING THEM WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, AND TO ALSO GIVE YOU AS A COMMUNITY
[00:25:02]
INFORMATION ALONG WITH THEM SO THAT WHEN THEY ARE DELIBERATING THAT YOU ARE ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. YOU WILL SEE HOW WE WILL ORGANIZE THE MEETINGS DIFFERENTLY, MEANING THAT OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE DISCUSSIONS, A LOT MORE DELIBERATIONS, ABOUT CRITICAL ISSUES AND AS A RESULT YOU WILL SEE BACK THERE IN THE WALL YOU WILL SEE I KIND OF ORGANIZE SOME IDEAS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF BOARD MEETINGS FROM WHAT A RETREAT IS. WHAT A DISCUSSION ITEM IS, HOW THAT LEADS INTO AN ACTION ITEM THAT THE TEACHERS TAKE. THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS TAKE. AND WHAT A CONSENT IS. AND WE WILL JUST GRAB ALL OF THAT. ALL OF THAT IS REALLY JUST A STORY LINE, RIGHT? WE HAVE A WHOLE THEME AND CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH A GOAL AT THE END AND WE WANT THE BOARD TO DELIBERATE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT HERE AND THEY UNDERSTAND, AND IF WE OPERATE EFFICIENTLY, I THINK YOU'LL REALLY LIKE AND HAVE A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRICT.AND ALSO, YOU WILL SEE A LOT RESPONSES TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE. WITH THAT, WHAT I MEANT TO ASK FOR IS YOUR PATIENTS TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT A BOARD MEETING IS BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE STAFF BTA MEMBERS MENTION IS THAT IF THE SIX OF US ARE NOT TOGETHER HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO CHAOS. AT THE SAME TIME, YOU ARE OUR BOSS, SO HOW DO WE STAY IN TUNE WITH YOU ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION? AND TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS? SO, I AM GOING TO BE PRETTY TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO ADD TO THE BOARD MEETINGS AND YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO DO IT BUT WE DO NEED YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD DELIBERATION AND MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. PART OF THAT MEANS I'M GOING TO ASK US TO NOT ONLY DO ONE MORE BOARD MEETING A MONTH, IN ORDER TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO WE NEED TO GO TO BOARD MEETINGS A MONTH AND YOU WILL ALSO SEE THAT I WILL BE PROPOSING A SCHEDULE CHANGE TO THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEETINGS BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT WE ARE SAID WE ARE GOING TO DO, WE HAVE TO TALK MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH.
AND THAT IS JUST THE WAY THAT IT HAS TO BE FOR NOW UNTIL WE GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE DO NOT NEED THAT. WITH THAT, I AM GLAD TO BE HERE, I AM REALLY EXCITED AND I LOVE WHAT I AM SEEING OUT THERE, I LOVE WHAT I'M HEARING, AND I JUST CANNOT WAIT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE ALL ABOUT AND WHAT YOU WANT . I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE IN LINE WITH WHAT I WANT IN MY LIFE AS WELL. IN MY CAREER, WHAT I'M GOING TO LEAVE IS MY
LEGACY, SO, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU , DR. DRATI. WE HAVE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR STEPHEN FOSTER AND WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY. THIS IS KAYLEE GOMEZ WHO WILL BE LEADING THE
FLAG SALUTE THIS EVENING. >> PLEASE STAND. PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART. FACE THE FLAG. READY, BEGIN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE 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. >> THANK YOU, MRS. GOMEZ.
[6. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE SCHOOL SITE REPORTS]
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES, IT IS TIME FOR STUDENT BOARD REPORTS. REPRESENTING BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL ISBEYOND THE --. >> GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT MAYRA GARZA. AND EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE. I AM HERE TO REPRESENT L FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL AND KEEP YOU UPDATED ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING. SO SOME PAST EVENT THAT DID HAPPEN, WE HAD OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE WHERE WE DID DO A PRESENTATION WITH OUR DANCE TEAM WHO LED THE PARADE TO SHOW OFF SOME SCHOOL SPIRIT AND GIVE OUT SOME HOLIDAY CHEER. WE GIVE OUT CANDY TO EVERYONE AND EVERYBODY WAS FESTIVE AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. WE TOOK A PICTURE AT THE END WE CAN SEE OUR COLOR GUARD WITH OUR SHIELD AND ALL THE CLUBS WHO GOT TO COME OUT AND BASICALLY ADVERTISE THEIR CLUBS
[00:30:02]
AND GET NEW BOARD MEMBERS. WE DID GET OUR HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK AND YOU CAN SEE THERE OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AS OUR SANTA AND HIS HELPER, AND ALONG WITH THAT, ON THE DAY AS WELL, WE HAD A MINI HOLIDAY RALLY WHERE YOU CAN ALSO SEE WE DID TAKE A PICTURE AND OUR THEME WAS CANDYLAND AND SO THAT IS WHY THERE IS ALL OF THAT LITTLE COLORS ON THE GROUND WITH THE BALLOONS AND YOU CAN SEE HER COLOR GUARD PUTTING ON A PERFORMANCE IN THAT PICTURE. AND SOME UPCOMING EVENTS THAT WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR, WE HAVE OUR SEMINAR WHERE WE HAVE A SEMINAR FOR OUR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS WHERE KEITH HAWKINS COMES AND TALKS TO THEM AND ENCOURAGES THEM AND HELPS THEM OUT AND GIVES THEM SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS AND ALSO DOES A LITTLE COOL TRICK WITH A WATER BOTTLE AND IT IS SUPER COOL. I LOVE WATCHING HIM AND I LOVE HEARING HIM. AND WE ALSO HAVE OUR SENIOR SEMINAR WHERE ALL OF OUR SENIORS GET TO GO UNDER INTO OUR GYM AND TALK TO US AND HE GETS VERY EMOTIONAL AND I'M VERY EXCITED AND THAT SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN. ANOTHER THING THAT WE HAVE IS OUR 14 DAYS OF VALENTINES WERE DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY BECAUSE IT IS THE MONTH OF LOVE AND TO JUST SPREAD ALL THAT, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE I BELIEVE IT IS FOR TEACHERS AND FOR CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND SIX STUDENTS FROM EACH GRADE LEVEL AS A VALENTINE. WE ALSO HAVE -- WHEREVER SIXTH-GRADERS COME FROM ERNIE PYLE , RAMONA, WASHINGTON, WE HAVE ALL OF THEM COME BELLFLOWER AND WE PUT ON A PRESENTATION WHERE WE SHOW THEM OUR CLUBS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM. THEN WE HAVE OUR KINDNESS CHALLENGE SPIRIT WEEK WHERE YOU CAN SEE THERE, WE BASICALLY WEAR DIFFERENT COLORS OF THE RAINBOW TO SPREAD KINDNESS AND SPREAD CHEER ALL AROUND CAMPUS. AND THEN OF COURSE, IT IS BOARD MEMBER APPRECIATION MONTH AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AND WILL ACCOMPLISH AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS PROGRESSES AND I AM VERY EXCITED. SO, THANK YOU. AND THEN THIS IS WHERE YOU YOU CAN STAY CONNECTED AND FOLLOW US. THANK YOU SO MUCH, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT. I ALSO HAVE A GIFT FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO GIVE IT TO YOU AFTER OR RIGHT NOW OR?THANK YOU , AND REPRESENTING MAYFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL IS
LIZZIE. WELCOME, LIZZIE. >> GOOD EVENING, BORED. NEW SUPERINTENDENT, DR. DRATI, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LETTING ME SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL. I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED SO FAR. AND I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY WELCOMING DR. DRATI INTO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT ON BEHALF OF MAYFAIR STUDENT STAFF, WE ARE EAGER TO SHOW YOU WHAT MAYFAIR IS ALL ABOUT. AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU VERY WARM WELCOME. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, BY THE WAY. STARTING OFF, OUR PRESENTATION, WE HAVE THE NEW YEAR AND WE HAVE NEW PLANS COMING SOON. IT'S A LITTLE PUN IF YOU GET IT. HOWEVER, IF YOU COMING BACK, STUDENTS ARE STILL REPRESENTING MAYFAIR TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES BY KEEPING OUR MOTTO IN MIND. A LITTLE REFRESHER, OUR MOTTO IS AN ACRONYM FOR SHOW RESPECT , OVERCOME CHALLENGES, OWN YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER STOP LEARNING, AND SERVE OTHERS. AND WE CAN GO AHEAD INTO THE NEXT SLIDE WITH THAT IN MIND. AND THIS IS A LITTLE RECAP BEFORE THE BREAK STARTED OF ONE. WE HAVE OUR ACTIVE CLUBS TAKING PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK, WE HAVE OUR FALL SPORTS WRAPPING UP AND SO WE HAVE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN FUN ACTIVITIES AND SPEAKING OF, WE DID HAVE ALUMNI JOSH CHRISTOPHER WHO BELIEVE PLACE FOR THE HOUSTON ROCKETS NOW PROVIDED LUNCH FOR ALL ATHLETES WITH A GOT VEGAN FRIENDLY AND GOT SOME INSPIRATIONAL WORDS BY HIM BECAUSE BALANCING ATHLETICS AND SCHOOL CAN BE DIFFICULT AT TIMES. SO IT WAS JUST A SUPER EVENTFUL AND FUN TIME FOR THEM. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND COMING BACK INTO
[00:35:06]
THE SECOND SEMESTER, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF FUN THEMES PLANNED ALREADY. WE HAVE OUR GEARS ROLLING. ONE OF THE BIG EVENTS THAT WE HAVE IS SCHRECK THE MUSICAL STARTING NEXT WEEK ON JANUARY 25TH. WE HAVE NOT HAD A MUSICAL SENSE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND OUR MUSICALS ARE ALWAYS A HUGE HIT. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT OUR FELLOW STUDENTS HAVE PLANNED AND WATCH THEM PERFORM LIFE. WE ALSO HAVE KINDNESS WEEK CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT OUR THEME THIS MONTH IS KINDNESS. SO WE HAVE DEDICATED AN ENTIRE SPIRIT WEEK FOR THAT STARTING OFF WITH CRAZY ABOUT CONFIDENCE, RIGHT UP SOMEONE'S DAY WEARING NEON, PEACE LOVE AND SPREAD KINDNESS, WHERE TIE-DYE, LEADING UP TO FRIDAY WHICH IS LAUNCHING KINDNESS ALL AROUND AND LEADS UP TO OUR WINTER SPORTS ASSEMBLY. THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO ANNOUNCE A PRIZE LEADING UP FOR ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR KINDNESS FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND TEACHERS CAN JUST WRITE NOTES AND SPREAD ACTS OF KINDNESS ALL AROUND SO IT'S OVERALL GOING TO BE A FUN TIME ON CAMPUS WERE STUDENTS JUST HAVE A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE ALL WEEK LONG. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SPEAKING OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE PLANNED IN WINTER SPORTS, THESE ARE A LIST OF A FEW EVENTS THAT WE HAVE PLANNED ALL THROUGH JANUARY. ONE BEING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH PLANNED BY WITH MULTIPLE EVENTS AND INFORMATION. BASKETBALL SENIOR NIGHT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. OUR WINTER DANCE CONTEST CONTRACTS BEING RELEASED, TAIWAN, LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION WITH A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE WITH SCHRECK THE MUSICAL, A WINTER DRIVE, WINTER SPORTS, ALL STARTING UP. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH THESE EVENTS, AND SPECIFICATIONS WITH TIME, PRICES, PERFORMANCE AND DATES, YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL OF OUR INSTAGRAM'S THAT ARE LISTED RIGHT THERE BELOW. THANK YOU, AGAIN, AND THIS CONCLUDES MY PART OF THE PRESENTATION BUT MR. -- HAS SOMETHING TO SHARE AS WELL.>> HI, EVERYONE. THIS IS KIND OF SHORT NOTICE FOR LIZZIE. AND SO, SINCE I'M A MEMBER OF THE CLUB THAT THIS IS ABOUT, WE FIGURED IT WAS BEST IF I GAVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THIS. FOR THOSE OF YOU GUYS THAT DO NOT KNOW, USF IS THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND WHICH WILL UPLIFT THEIR POTENTIAL GLOBALLY AND IT MAYFAIR, WE HAVE OUR OWN UNICEF CLUB THAT FUNDRAISERS LOCALLY AND DONATE TO THE ORGANIZATION. THIS CLEAR, OUR CLUB PRESIDENT IS REALLY CREATIVE AND SHE WAS INTERESTED IN EXPANDING OUR CLUB SERVICE AND SO SHE PARTNERED UP WITH GRAVITY WATER. GRAVITY WATER IS A NONPROFIT THAT PARTNERS WITH U.S. SCHOOLS AND THEY PARTNER THOSE U.S. SCHOOLS WITH SISTER SCHOOLS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE. SO THE U.S. SCHOOL HOSTS A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ON THEIR CAMPUS AND THEN WHEN THEY MEET THEIR GOAL OF WHATEVER THEY SAID AT THE START OF THEIR CAMPAIGN, THAT MONEY IS THEN USED TO BUILD A WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM AT A SISTER SCHOOL. SO THE FILTRATION SYSTEM IS PRETTY LOW TECHNOLOGY AND JUST CAPTURES RAINWATER AND THEN LIGHTLY TREATS IT SO THAT IT IS SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. SO FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, MAYFAIR SISTER SCHOOL IS -- IN VIETNAM AND UNICEF CLUB'S GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO RAISE $2500 FOR A SYSTEM AT THAT SCHOOL. WHERE STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY BOILING WATER TO PURIFY IT. SO THIS IS THE GRAPHIC THAT ONE OF OUR CLUB PUBLICISTS PUT OUT AND SO THAT QR CODE TAKES YOU TO THE DONATION PAGE . I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO IMMEDIATELY CONVINCE ANYONE TO MAKE A DONATION, SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE THOSE OTHER CONTACT OPTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLUB AND ABOUT WHAT GRAVITY WATER DOES AND IF YOU FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO, AGAIN, REACH OUT TO UNICEF AT THOSE CONTACT NAMES AND THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT IS GOING ON IT MAYFAIR. FOR THE REST OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.
THANKS, LIZZIE, FOR TAKING ON THAT. AND I THINK THAT WAS IT
FOR MAYFAIR. >> THANK YOU. REPRESENTING
SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL IS --. >> GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I WILL BE GIVING A QUICK PRESENTATION ON WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING HERE AS -- I WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS THAT WE HAVE IN JANUARY. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, MAYFAIR GOT A LITTLE MAKEOVER DURING WINTER BREAK. AS YOU CAN SEE THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS OVER HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT
[00:40:04]
THEY TOOK UP ALL OF THE CEMENT AND REPLACED IT. WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF SHADE AND IS JUST A LITTLE HANGOUT AREA. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT AND HOW IT LOOKS NOW. IT IS VERY NICE CHILLING . NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE HAVE TWO UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY AND THE FIRST ONE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY AND IT IS OUR -- NIGHT AND WHAT IT IS IS AN OPEN HOUSE. TEACHERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE PARENTS ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT THEIR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN MAKING AND AND GIVE THEM AN IDEA OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING IN CLASS. AND OUR NEXT EVENT WILL BE THE FOLLOWING EVENING AND IT WILL BE HAVING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COLLEGE HELPING US OUT WITH FINANCIAL AID AND AND HELPING US OUT TO SEE WHERE WE WANT TO GO AND IF WE WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND GIVE US TUTORING AND ALL OTHER PROGRAMS AND STUFF. AND THAT IS ALL FOR TONIGHT. THANK YOU, AND GOOD NIGHT.>> I HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT TIME IS VISION NIGHT ? DO YOU HAVE
TIMES FOR THOSE? >> YES WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GUYS THERE, OBVIOUSLY. AS I SEE HERE, VISION NIGHT IS STARTING AT 6:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY. IN THE FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP WILL BE STARTING AT 5:30 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, EACH OF YOUR REPORTS WAS WELL DONE AND AND I WELCOME TO REMAIN AT THE REMAIN OF OUR MEETING AND I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MUST GO HOME AND DO SOME ACADEMIC OBLIGATIONS THAT YOU ARE NOW GOING TO HAVE TO ATTEND TO.
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU. WE DO NOT
[8. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]
HAVE RECOGNITIONS TONIGHT AND IT IS TIME FOR PRESENTATIONS,DR. DRATI. >> SO AT THIS TIME, I'M IN A TURN IT OVER TO AND SHE WILL PRESENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUDIT AND EXPAND THE PURPOSE OF IT AND THEN WE WILL OPEN IT FOR QUESTIONS AFTER THAT. MRS. SULEMA HOLGUIN?
>> AS A PART OF THEIR AGENDA WILL BE REVIEWING AND ACCEPTING THAT 2020 -2021 SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. NIGEL WHO WILL PRESENT THE INFORMATION IN THE PROCESS THAT THE DISTRICT WENT TO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE AUDITOR HAS BEEN HERE TO PRESENT THE AUDIT TO YOU. I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU ARE NEW ON THE BOARD, BUT, SO IT IS NEW TO YOU TOO. AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS OUR AUDIT FIRMS FIRST YEAR DOING THE AUDIT FOR THE BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT IS NEW TO EVERYBODY. I JUST REALLY WANT TO TALK QUICKLY ABOUT WHAT THE AUDIT IS AND NOT TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME. I'M SURE THAT EVERYBODY HERE IS NOT HERE FOR THE AUDIT. I THINK THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. FIRST OF ALL, LIKE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT AN AUDIT IS BECAUSE I THINK THE WORD AUDIT HAS A LOT OF NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS. PEOPLE HEAR THAT WORD AND THEY THINK OF THE IRS OR THEY THINK OF THE S.E.C. OR PEOPLE IN DARK SUITS AND DARK SUNGLASSES COMING IN AND CARING PEOPLE OUT IN HANDCUFFS. THEY ARE ARE CERTAINLY AUDITS THAT LOOK LIKE THAT, BUT, THIS IS NOT WHAT OUR AUDIT IS. IT IS AN AUDIT THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE EDUCATION CODE. IN IS REALLY PRETTY BORING BECAUSE OUR OBJECTIVE IS JUST TO RENDER AN OPINION ON YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AND TO BASICALLY ASSERT WHETHER THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES. WHICH WE CALL G.A.P.. THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT TO GET FROM THE AUDITOR AND BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERAL ACCEPTING PRINCIPLES. AND THIS IS FOR THE 21-22 FISCAL YEAR.
THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO START OFF. NOW, THE AUDIT IS A YEAR-LONG PROCESS. WE ARE ALREADY STARTING THE 22-23
[00:45:02]
AUDIT AND IT GOES THROUGH ALL YEAR LONG AND WE COME OUT TO SOME OF THE SCHOOL SITES TO LOOK AT ATTENDANCE AND PROCEDURES IN THE SPRING. WE COME BACK LATER IN THE SPRING HERE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE, BOOKS ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE YET, THERE'S NO NUMBERS ON IT BUT WE START LOOKING THERE AT THE INTERNAL CONTROLS, CHECKS AND BALANCES, WE START LOOKING AT COMPLIANCE, AND THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLIANCE. ALL OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY THAT YOU GET COMES WITH A LOT OF STRINGS ATTACHED AND SO WE GET GUIDANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ON CERTAIN AREAS THAT HAVE TO BE AUDITED FOR THOSE PROGRAMS. AND SO THE STATE COMES WITH A LOT OF AUDIT COMPLIANCE CARRIES. SO WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME NOT JUST LOOKING AT FINANCIAL NUMBERS, AND AND THE AUDIT IS NOT JUST IN THE FISCAL OFFICE, EITHER. WE ARE LOOKING AT RINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH SERVICES, PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES, WE ARE LOOKING AT SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARDS. THERE IS A LOT OF STEAK HIM APPLIANCE THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT. AND SO WE LOOK A A LOT OF NETWORK IN THE SUMMER SO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK TO THE FINAL AUDIT, A LOT OF THAT IS ALREADY DONE. WE COME BACK AFTER AND WE START LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND START TYING UP THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS. WE ALSO DO NOT LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR, OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ABOUT 10 TIMES OUR AUDIT FEE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND I DO NOT THINK THAT THAT IS IN ANYONE'S BEST INTEREST. SO WE SAMPLE TRANSACTIONS AND WE LOOK AT A NUMBER OF THINGS, WE LOOK AT MORE COMPLIANCE, AND THEN WE GIVE A REPORT WHICH IS DUE AND FILED BY THE DECEMBER 15TH DEADLINE AND THEN WE COME BACK HERE IN JANUARY TO PRESENT IT TO YOU. AND THAT IS A TIMELINE OF HOW THINGS GO IN THE AUDIT.SO, THE REPORT THAT WE RENDERED HERE IS THAT THE BYPRODUCT OF ALL OF THAT, I'M NOT GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE REPORT AND JUST UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT SECTIONS IN HERE THAT ARE REQUIRED BY GENERAL ACCEPTING COUNTING PRINCIPLES, AND THEY ALSO DICTATE HOW THE AUDIT REPORT HAS TO LOOK IN CERTAIN SCHEDULES THAT HAVE TO BE IN HERE AS WELL. THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, THE AGENCY UP IN SACRAMENTO THAT RECEIVES AND APPROVES THE AUDITS, THERE ARE ALSO CERTAIN THINGS THAT THEY REQUIRE IN THE AUDITS AND WE HAVE TO PRESENT THAT INFORMATION AS WELL.
ULTIMATELY, ALL OF THAT LEADS BACK IN ADDITION TO RENDERING OUR OPINION, WE HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW IF THERE ANY AREAS WHERE WE FIND THE DISTRICT HAS SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES AND WEAKNESSES OR CONTROLS AND WE REPORT THOSE FINDINGS. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCIES OR MATERIAL WEAKNESSES IN MATERIAL CONTROLS THAT WE HAVE FOUND IN OUR AUDIT. AS A RESULT OF THE COMPLIANCE WORK THAT WE DID FOR FEDERAL AND STATE WORK, WE DID HAVE ONE FINDING IN FEDERAL AND ONE FINDING IN STATE. AND THOSE ARE REPORTED IN THE BACK OF THE REPORT. AND THAT IS ABOUT AS QUICKLY AS I CAN WALK YOU THROUGH IT, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF I SKIPPED ANYTHING TOO QUICKLY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IS THIS REPORT BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE L.A. COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?
>> YES. WE ARE REQUIRED TO FILE IT WITH THE CDE, STATE COMPTROLLER, YOUR COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AND THE FEDERAL
AUDIT CLEARINGHOUSE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? >> I WILL JUST STATE THAT IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO REMEMBER WHAT THE AUDITS ARE FOR. AND OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REALIZE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THEIR BUDGET, PEOPLE'S INTEREST AND CHOICES THAT YOU MAKE AND HOW TO SPEND YOU MONEY AND ALTHOUGH THE AUDIT DOES ADDRESS THAT AND THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE CANNOT SPEND FOR CERTAIN FUNDS ON, IT WILL ADDRESS THAT FEEDBACK, BUT WE CHOOSE TO SPEND FUNDING ON IS ANOTHER CONVERSATION THAT WE WILL HAVE. BUT AUDIT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE FOR OUR OWN INTERNAL CONTROL WHETHER WE ARE OPERATING WITH THE PROPERTY OR NOT AND THAT IS WITH THE AUDITS GIVE US. SO I ALWAYS BRING THOSE AS A DISCUSSION AND JUST KNOW THAT THIS COMMUNITY I WANT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AND AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, YOU WILL START TO UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET A LOT MORE AND SO WILL THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER, DR. DRATI. ARE THERE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. SO, WE DO NOT
[10. ACTION]
HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING THIS EVENING AND THE NEXT ITEM OF[00:50:06]
BUSINESS IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA ITEM 10.1.1? APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 15TH, 2022 WITH THE REGULAR MEETING AS CORRECTED?>> YES, YOU HAVE THAT MOTION. >> SECONDED. TWO QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE? >> MR. MENDOZA?
>> I. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA 10.1.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 11TH,
2023 SPECIAL MEETING? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECONDED. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE CLICK >> MR. MENDOZA ?
>> DRATI FIVE. >> MS. ARMSTRONG?
>> AYE,. -- >> ANNOUNCE A MORE BOARD POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. DO I HAVE PERMISSION TO APPROVE GENDER ITEM 10.2.1 REVISE BOARD POLICY 6158 THE
INDEPENDENT STUDY. >> THE MOTION.
>> THANK YOU. >> DR. DRATI, CAN YOU PLEASE
SHARE INFORMATION ON THIS ITEM? >> YES, THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO MAKE IT A HABIT THAT ANYTIME THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN NEW POLICY CHANGES THAT MIGHT BE IMPACTFUL ON STUDENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ARE NOT JUST MUNDANE IN NATURE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND IT FIRST AND INSTEAD OF JUST GOING STRAIGHT ACTION. THIS IS TO BE ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES. I WILL HAVE BONNIE CARTER TAKE US THROUGH WHAT THIS POLICY IS AND WHAT THE CHANGES ARE IN THE IMPACT ON
OUR STUDENTS. >> SO, THIS POLICY WAS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR REVIEW LAST YEAR. WHEN THE LAWS CHANGED FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY. AND IT IS BEING BROUGHT NOW AS A REVISION BECAUSE WE ARE BRINGING IN LINE WITH THE LAWS FOR THIS YEAR AND ARE REMOVING SOME OF THE PIECES OF THE POLICY THAT WERE SPECIFIC TO THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR. AND SO THAT IS THE BASIC OVERVIEW OF WHERE THIS REVISION IS COMING FROM.
>> THANK YOU. >> EXCUSE ME, WAS THIS BECAUSE OF COVID? THE RULES AROUND COVID IN REGARDS TO ONLINE
INDEPENDENT STUDY? >> IT WAS BASED ON 8130 AND THAT IS WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO BOARD AND YES, THE INDEPENDENT STUDY THAT THEY WERE PUTTING THINGS IN PLACE BECAUSE OF QUARANTINE. AND NOW, THOSE PIECES ARE TAKEN OUT AND THEY HAD INCREASED EXPECTATIONS FOR ENGAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS AS WELL. AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, IT HAD TO DO WITH DISTANCE LEARNING. SOME OF THOSE PIECES HAVE CONTINUED, AND THEY HAVE CHANGED THE ENGAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS BUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS LIKE THE SYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE STILL WITHIN THE 22-23 INDEPENDENT STUDY AND THEY ARE STILL WITHIN THIS POLICY. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE CHANGES ARE HERE, THE MAJORITY OF CHANGES HERE ARE STRIKING OUT 21-22 LANGUAGE BECAUSE WE WILL NO LONGER NEED THOSE AND THOSE ARE NO LONGER VALID FOR THIS YEAR.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER I WILL UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I'M KIND OF PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT. ABOUT HOW MANY STUDENTS DO WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT STUDY?
>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BECAUSE NEW TO THE LAW, THEIR SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY AS WELL. WE HAVE ABOUT 356 STUDENTS THAT HAVE GONE ON TO SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY THIS YEAR BUT WE ALSO HAVE OUR LONG-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM WHICH IS A LITTLE OVER 200.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? >> DO WE HAVE TEACHERS JUST ASSIGNED FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY OR IS THIS DEPENDING ON THE
CLASS AND THE SITE? >> AT THE LONG-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY, ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE TEACHERS ASSIGNED TO THAT IN SHORT-TERM IN A CLASSROOM TEACHER, TAKES CARE OF THAT AND THEN THERE ARE ALSO SUPPORTS FOR WHETHER STUDENTS ARE ON A SHORT-TERM OR A LONGER INDEPENDENT STUDY.
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
[00:55:03]
COMMENTS? >> YES, JUST A COMMENT. I HAD ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THIS THAT WAS ANSWERED BY DR.
DRATI PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. IT WAS ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS LANGUAGE IN THE POLICY SUCH AS AN IN VALUATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED TO THE IS IN THE STUDENTS MESSAGE TO REMAIN AN INDEPENDENT STUDY WHENEVER THE STUDENT FAILS TO MAKE SATISFACTORY EDUCATION PROCESSING AND PROGRESS AND/OR MISSES THREE ASSIGNMENTS. AND I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IF A STUDENT MISSES THREE ASSIGNMENTS, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE AN EVALUATION TO CONDUCT WHETHER IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT STUDY? BUT DR.
DRATI HAD EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A PART OF ADCO AND THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE THAT IS IN THIS POLICY NOW IS TAKEN FROM THE SBA AND THIS POLICY IS PRETTY MUCH MATCHES UP WITH THE TEMPLATE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SO IN CASE ANY THERE IS ANY CONFUSION OUT THERE ABOUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS SUCH AS THAT PHRASE, A LOT OF THOSE ARE FROM THE SBA.
>> AND LIKE I SAID, I HAVE NOT MET ALL THE INDEPENDENT STUDY TEACHERS YET AND JUST TEACHERS ARE NOT THAT CICCONE AND THE CLICK KICK KIDS OUT LEFT AND RIGHT IN THE POLICY IS THERE IF YOU WANT TO WIELD IT BUT I CAN IMAGINE OUR TEACHERS AND WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THEIR STUDENTS. BUT WILL WE DO LUNCH IS OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND IF IN TO SPEND IT STUDY IS NOT WORKING BECAUSE A STUDENT NEEDS A MORE FACE-TO-FACE EXPERIENCE, THEN WE WILL JUST HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEIR PARENTS AND TRY TO CONVINCE THE TEACHER AND THE STUDENT TO GO BACK TO A REGULAR SCHOOL BECAUSE IT WAS WILL BE BETTER FOR THEM THERE. THE GOAL IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS WILL BE WIELDED JUST FOR THE
SAKE OF WIELDING IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD ITEMS 10.3.1.1 AND 10.3.3.1 . DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> SECONDED. >> MRS. GARZA ? CAN WE GET A
ROLL CALL? >> I HAVE DONE THAT ALREADY.
>> MS. STEWART? >> DRATI FIVE.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I AM ONTO THE CONSENT AGENDA AND I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD ITEMS 10.3.1.1, AND 10.3.3.1. DO I HAVE A SECOND TO APPROVE THE
CONSENT AGENDA? >> SECOND. TWO QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE? >> MR. MENDOZA?
>> DRATI FIVE. >> MS. STEWART?
>> DRATI FIVE. >> MRS. GARZA ?
>> AYE,. >> WITHHELD ITEMS , THE NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS ARE THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN WITHHELD FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM WITHHELD TONIGHT IS AGENDA ITEM 10.3.1.1. CALENDAR BOARD OF EDUCATION. DO I HAVE A
>> SECOND. >> DR. DRATI, TO HAVE THE
PERMISSION? >> YES, SO ALL OF YOU HAVE A REPLACEMENT ITEM OR DOCUMENT WITH 10.3.1.1, AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME ON THE TABLE BACK THERE FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT. I THINK THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF OUR RETREAT AND I THINK THAT AT THAT TIME YOU ALL AGREED THAT WE COULD HAVE TWO MEETINGS THE MONTHS STARTING IN FEBRUARY. SO, INSTEAD OF VOTING ON THE CALENDAR THAT YOU ORIGINALLY WOULD'VE VOTED ON WHICH HAD A ONE MEETING A MONTH, THIS IS A SEPARATE ONE THAT I AM PROPOSING. YOU ALL HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT INDIVIDUALLY BECAUSE I SHARED WITH YOU DURING THE WEEK. IT STARTS OFF WITH A LONG CLOSE SESSION ON FEBRUARY 2ND AS YOU CAN SEE THERE AND IT GOES DOWN. IT WILL GO TO DECEMBER 14TH, TO
[01:00:03]
FINISH THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR AND SO IF YOU AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THERE, THAT I THINK YOU DO, THE ONLY THING IS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO CHOOSE THURSDAYS ON SEPTEMBER, WE ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 1ST AND SEPTEMBER 28 THAT I WANTED TO SEE YOUR FEELINGS BEHIND THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS A LONGER MONTH? MAYBE IF SOMEBODY NOMINATES ON THE 21ST OF THE 20TH AND WE CAN SEEWHERE WE GO FROM THERE. >> I PICK A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE SEPTEMBER 21ST. >> SECOND.
>> I WAS JUST GOING OF DEPEND O OTHER SCHOOL EVENTS GOING ON AND I THINK IT'S REALLY FURTHER ON THE YEAR SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S GOING TO BE A BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT OR SOMETHING AS IT IS THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AND OBVIOUSLY, WHEN THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE SO WE HAVE TO CHECK ON OUR CALENDARS WHICH OTHER EVENTS MIGHT BE CONVICTING WITH
THE 21ST OR THE 20TH. >> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT.
WHAT ALL THESE DATES HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT SAME KIND CALENDAR CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE?
>> THIS IS A REVIEW OF MINE IN YOUR SCHEDULE AND TRYING TO KEEP THE RHYTHM GOING WITH THURSDAYS. SO I HAVE NOT CROSS REFERENCE THAT AND IF YOU WANT WE CAN COME BACK TO IT ANOTHER TIME WITHOUT AND CROSS REFERENCE IT. I GUESS THE BIGGEST ONE THAT I REALLY NEEDED THAT FEBRUARY 2ND ONE, I
NEED THAT TO HAPPEN. >> JUST FOR RHYTHM, KEEPING IT TO THE THIRD WEEK RATHER THAN PUSHING THAT ONE BACK WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND AT LEAST FOR NOW AND IF SOMETHING DOES COME UP, WE CAN ADJUST AS WE CAN.
>> SO FOR CLARIFICATION, THE FIRST MEETING THAT WE ARE HAVING FOR SEPTEMBER IS EITHER GOING TO BE THE 21ST OR THE
28TH? IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES. IT'S EITHER GOING TO
BE THE 21ST OR THE 20TH. >> SO THAT IS ONE MEETING FOR
THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER? >> LET ME SEE.
>> IT'S KIND OF CONFUSING. >> YES, YOU ARE RIGHT. EXCUSE
ME, ONE SECOND. >> BECAUSE THE SEVENTH IS
CROSSED OUT. >> THE SEVENTH SHOULD BE IN
THERE. YES, SORRY. >> THAT MAKES MORE SENSE.
>> SEVEN SHOULD BE THERE. >> SO DO NOT CROSS OUT THE SEVENTH. WE WANT THE SEVENTH THERE.
>> THAT MAKES MORE SENSE, THANKS. WHERE ARE WE NOW, WE ARE ACCEPTING EITHER THE 21ST OR THE 28TH? IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. SO THE MOTION MADE --
>> TO STICK WITH THE THIRD, SEPTEMBER 21ST DATE?
>> SO WE ARE CROSSING OUT THE 28TH? IS THAT A BIT FOR NOW?
>> THE 28TH OF THE 22ND? >> I AGREE LET'S KEEP IT AT THE THIRD AND ON THE 21ST AT AS IT IS A THURSDAY, KIND OF LIKE WHAT WE ARE USED TOO. IF THERE IS ANY CONFLICT, WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THE DATE ONLY IF THERE IS A CONFLICT IN THE FUTURE. SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND JUST DO THAT. BUT THE 21ST. SO
I SECOND WHAT BRAD SAID. >> THANK YOU. ROLL CALL,
CORRECTED VERSION. >> SO THE NEW MOTION THAT WE HAVE ON THE FLOOR IS THAT THE SAME MOTION WITH CORRECTIONS.
IT WILL BE, WE ARE GOING TO CHOOSE SEPTEMBER 21ST AND IF THE BOARD NEEDS TO REVISIT THAT , THAT IS AN OPTION THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO. AND TO KEEP THE SEPTEMBER 7TH. SO WE WILL KEEP THE SEPTEMBER 7TH MEETING, WE WILL ADD ON THE 21ST, AND CROSS OUT THE 28TH. DID I GET THAT ALL CORRECT?
>> YES, GOT IT. >> SO NOW, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE
>> I . >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
>> I AM SORRY. APRIL 6TH, IT IS ON HERE AND IT IS NOT
CROSSED OUT. APRIL 6TH. >> APRIL 6TH IS ON THEIR AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU HAD A COMPLICATION WITH THE AND IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE PERFECT THEN, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE
[01:05:01]
SOMETHING WITH SOMEBODY AND IF HE'S HAS FAMILY ISSUES OR SOMETHING, AND DAYS , YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE STILL HAVE TO FILL THE AGENDA FOR THE SO IF I KNOW SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE PUT ON THEIR FOR THOSE MEETINGS. LET'S GO AHEAD AND KEEP IT AND IF HE CANNOT MAKE IT, THAT HE JUST CAN'T MAKE IT WE WILL FIGURE ITOUT FROM THERE. >> THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM WITHHELD TONIGHT IS AGENDA ITEM 10.3.3.1. SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD, S.A.R.C.. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> DR. DRATI DO WE HAVE INFORMATION ON THIS ITEM?
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACTUALLY EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT WEBSITE. BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE CONFUSION AND I DO NOT WANT THE STAFF BEING BLAMED ON SOMETHING THAT IS CONTROLLED BY THE STATE. SO I WILL HAVE BONNIE CARTER EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE STATEMENT THAT WEBSITE FOR S.A.R.C. BECAUSE AFTER THE PREVIEW APPROVED, YOU MIGHT NOT SEE THE INFORMATION BECAUSE OF WHAT IS
HAPPENING UP THERE. >> SO, ANNUALLY, WE PRESENT TO YOU THE S.A.R.C. WHICH IS THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD FOR EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR SCHOOLS WORK ON MAKING SURE THAT INFORMATION IS UPDATED SO DELETE ETERNALLY AND SO DOES THE STATE. SO WE USE THE STATE WEBSITE AND THEY HAVE A NEW WEBSITE THIS YEAR. SO WITH ANY NEW WEBSITE, THERE IS GLITCHES. AND WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT NEW WEBSITE IS THE STATE POPULATES INFORMATION AND WE POPULATE INFORMATION. THAT WAS NOT OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 13TH AND SO, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THAT WAS A QUICK TURNAROUND AND TRYING TO GET OUR INFORMATION IN BUT THEN WHEN IT DID OPEN, THERE WERE ERRORS. FROM THE STATE, AND THE STATE IS FIXING THOSE. AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IN THERE BUT THERE ARE CONTINUING TO BE SOME AREAS THAT ARE NOT BEING POPULATED. SO, WE WILL WATCH THOSE AND MONITOR THOSE AND THE GOAL AND THE ACTUAL LAW THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS THAT FEBRUARY 1ST, THEY NEED TO BE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE. SO YOU HAVE GOTTEN THEM FOR REVIEW, OUR ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO MONITOR THEM ON A DAILY BASIS TO MAKE SURE THAT MORE INFORMATION IS UPDATED AND WE WILL GET THEM POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE PRIOR TO FEBRUARY
1ST. >> THANK YOU, MISS CARTER. ANY
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> JUST AS -- I WAS LOOKING THROUGH IT AND I'M GLAD THAT IT WAS POOL BECAUSE I HAD A QUESTION ON IT. IT BEING A REPORT CARD, WHAT IS IT USED FOR AND WHAT IS IT OF CONSEQUENCE AND WHAT WE DO WITH THIS INFORMATION ONCE WE COMPILE ALL OF IT?
>> THERE IS NOT A CONSEQUENCE, THERE WOULD BE FOR THE DASHBOARD. THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DASHBOARD. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE ARE PULLING ALL INFORMATION IN IS ACTUALLY TYPICALLY FOR THE PRIOR HERE. SO IT IS REPORTING ON A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT SHOW A PICTURE OF A SCHOOL MAKEUP. IT IS TEACHERS, ITS TEXTBOOKS, THEIR STATE TEST SCORES. THERE IS NO CONSEQUENCES BASED OFF OF WHAT INFORMATION IS IN THERE AND IT IS MORE INFORMATIONAL. THE QUIRE REQUIREMENT IS THAT IT WILL BE UP ON THE WEBSITE SO THAT ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC CAN SEE IT. AND THEN IT WILL BE AT THE SCHOOL SITES AS WELL. AND ANYBODY IN THE PUBLIC COULD GO TO A SCHOOL AND SAY THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD AND THEY WOULD HAVE THAT AVAILABLE FOR THEM.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE? >> MR. MENDOZA?
[11. INFORMATION ITEMS]
>> AYE, . >> INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THIS EVENING? I AM HEARING NONE. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GO TOWARDS BOARD STUDENT MEMBER STAFF COMMENTS. IT IS TIME FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS AND STUDENT MEMBERS AND REPORTS.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND BEGIN WITH MR. MENDOZA.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M A LITTLE TIRED TONIGHT SO I'M JUST COMING OUT OF A FEVER THAT I CAUGHT OVER THE WEEKEND.
I AM FEELING BETTER NOW AND I AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE. I HAD A LOT OF HOMEWORK ON TONIGHT SO I AM SO FORTUNATE THAT WE ARE ENDING AT 7:00. THAT IS RELIEF BECAUSE IT CAN BE A LONG NIGHT FOR ME. BUT JUST SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO OVER THE BREAK AND NOW THAT SCHOOL HAS RESUMED, FOR ONE, I THINK A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT I MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE PRODUCT THAT I WAS WORKING ON WITH THE CARPENTER HOUSE MUSEUM AND WE
[01:10:04]
HAVE GOT SOME REAL MOMENTUM TO THAT. WHEN I SAY WE, I REFER TO MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY CLUB AND OUR ADVISER MRS. GARVIN, AND CLUB LEADERSHIP INCLUDING MY FRIEND DANA AND ALYSSA. WE ALL VISITED THE CARPENTER HOUSE MUSEUM AND WE ALL WENT THROUGH THE OLD ROTTING BOXES OF PICTURES AND NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS AND SO, WE ARE EXPECTING AN ITEM ON AN UPCOMING BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF OUR STARTING THE PROCESS OF DIGITIZING ALL OF THOSE OLD HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND PUTTING THEM ONTO THE WEBSITE FOR THE GENERAL BELLFLOWER PUBLIC TO VIEW AND EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON LOCAL HISTORY. AND IN OTHER NEWS, THE BOARD OF STUDENT DELEGATES WHICH WAS ANOTHER IDEA THAT MR. DEAS HAD BEEN VERY INTRA-MENTAL AND MAKING COME TO LIFE, HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED. IT IS NOW KNOWN AS THE MAYFAIR CABINET AND WHAT THIS GROUP IS IS THAT IT ORIGINALLY STARTED OFF AS AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND THE IDEA OF THE PERSON WHO PITCH THIS IDEA WAS THE KIND OF POST TOWN HALLS ON CAMPUS AND HAVE STUDENTS TALK ABOUT THEIR TOP CONCERNS .WE THINK THAT THE LUNCH LINES OF THE SNACK LINES ARE TOO CHAOTIC AND EVERYBODY IS PUSHING AND SHOVING. SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS? AND SO, THE BOARD OF STUDENT DELEGATES AS WE CALLED AT THE TIME, WOULD PUT TOGETHER A MONTHLY REPORT WITH EVERYTHING THAT THEY HEARD ON CAMPUS FOR THE MONTH AND THEN THEY WOULD GIVE THAT TO MR. DEAS AND HE WOULD GIVE IT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WHO WOULD WORK TO FIX ON-SITE ISSUES. SO, THEY ARE OFFICIALLY STARTING UP AND I AM SUPER EXCITED THAT THIS WHOLE THING IS INDEPENDENT OF ME. IT IS NICE TO SEE STUDENTS FROM EVERYWHERE GETTING INVOLVED IN SCHOOL GOVERNMENT. AND LASTLY, JUST TO CONCLUDE HERE, I THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING IT WAS KIND OF HUMOROUS IS THAT EARLIER TODAY, DR. DRATI EMAILED ME AND HE SAID, HERE ARE SOME RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTIONS AND EARLIER WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT MY BOARD BOOK BECAUSE MINE IS ONLINE, I HAD HIGHLIGHTED A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT AND I MADE AN ANNOTATION ON THE SIDE AND WHEN I TAKE NOTES, I AM VERY EXPRESSIVE. SO I HAD A LOT OF EXCLAMATION POINTS AND VERY CASUAL LANGUAGE AND THEN DR. DRATI SAYS HERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS, AND I WAS LIKE I DID NOT KNOW THAT ANYBODY ELSE COULD SEE THEM! AND SO THAT WAS SUPER EMBARRASSING TO ME BUT I HAVE GOT THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS. AND THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR ME, BUT REGARDING THE LAST MONTH MEETING, I WAS ABLE TO WORK THINGS OUT WITH MY PARENTS FOR A LITTLE BIT DURING THE BREAK AND I THOUGHT OF YOU HAVE TO MOVE OUT. AND THAT WAS A WHOLE ORDEAL, BUT I STARTED HRT AND I AM FEELING A LOT BETTER BESIDES HAVING A FEVER, SO I THINK THE NEW YEAR IS LOOKING GREAT AND I'M EXCITED TO HEAR
FOR MY COLLEAGUES. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER
MENDOZA. MISS ARMSTRONG? >> HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND WE HAVE A NICE CROWD. THANK YOU AGAIN. I STARTED OUT WITH HAVING BREAKFAST WITH THE STAFF AND THIS WAS RIGHT BEFORE BREAK WITH THE DISTRICT STAFF. I ENJOYED SEEING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEHIND THE SCENES GET A CHANCE TO RELAX AND ENJOY THEMSELVES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING TO GET BACK TO WORK. BUT JUST A LITTLE REPRIEVE. I ATTENDED THE SOUTHEASTERN SERVICE CENTER AT DINNER AS A GUEST , OF COURSE, NONE OTHER THAN OUR BELLFLOWER TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND THEY HAD THIS DINNER -- DO WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR OR EVERY OTHER YEAR? YES, EVERY ELECTION YEAR, AND, THIS IS A CHANCE FOR CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION TO MEET THE DISTRICTS IN WHICH THEIR MEMBERS ARE WORKING. SO, WE GET A CHANCE TO MEET RE-ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND NEWLY ELECTS, AND ALSO WE GET TO GET SUPER EXCITED WHEN SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE DISTRICTS ATTEND ALSO . SO, WE HAD A GOOD TIME JUST FELLOW SHIPPING AND IT IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO LET THE DISTRICT KNOW HOW THEY ARE OPERATING AND SOME OF THEIR GOALS THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOWARDS.
[01:15:05]
BECAUSE WE DO WORK ON A LOT OF LEGISLATION AND POLICIES.ALSO, I WAS REALLY HAPPY THAT DR. DRATI CAME RIGHT IN , FEET PLANTED, HE'S RUNNING, HE SET UP THAT FIRST BOARD RETREAT AND IT WAS TELEVISED AND I DO NOT KNOW -- WE HAD A FEW PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, BEFORE THE ONES THAT COULD ATTEND, IT WAS SO GOOD THAT YOU COULD WATCH IT. WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN AND I AM JUST EXCITED. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME. STAY TUNED.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU , MISS ARMSTRONG.
DR. SUE ELHESSEN, ? >> HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND WELCOME, EVERYONE. A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT, DR.
DRATI. DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO GET TO KNOW HIM EVEN BETTER AND IT IS A REAL HONOR AND PRIVILEGE AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOTS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING TO DO AND TO SET GOALS FOR OUR STUDENTS IN REGARDS TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. I DID ATTEND THE CAL APPS MEETING WITH MY COLLEAGUE , BRAD CHRIS FIELD, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE PRESENTATION OF THE DRONES WHERE OUR STUDENTS WILL BE COMPETING IN THE SKILLS USA COMPETITION.
WHERE WE -- HAS BEEN EXCELLENT MARKETING THE PROGRAM AND OUR ENROLLMENT IS GOOD AND MOST OF OUR CLASSES ARE FILLED. SO THOSE ARE GOOD THINGS THAT I WANTED TO REPORT ON THE HALF OF CAL APPS. I ALSO WANTED TO INCLUDE , I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH IN REGARDS TO SOME OF OUR SPECIAL ED PROGRAMS AND REALLY LOOKING AT FULL INCLUSION AND EQUALITY. ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. BUT SPECIFICALLY, ARE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. AND IN DOING MY RESEARCH, IT HAS COME TO THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THE TERM SPECIAL NEEDS OFTEN LEADS TO THE OVER IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AND THE INABILITY OF STUDENTS TO BE TREATED EQUALLY WITHIN THE CLASSROOM. SO THERE IS THIS AUTHOR WHO INTRODUCED HIS NAME IS WL HOWARD, AND HE INTRODUCED THE TERM EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION IN PLACE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION. AND REVIEWING THAT, I STARTED THINKING THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING FOR US TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE OF IN OUR BOARD BECAUSE HE STATES THAT THE TERM SPECIAL ED NEGATIVELY IMPLIES THAT IT ONLY CONCERNS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. HE CITES THAT THE TERMS EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION IS MORE INCLUSIVE OF GIFTED AND TALENTED CHILDREN AND STATING THAT EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKE OTHER CHILDREN THEN THEY ARE DIFFERENT. AND I THINK WITH THAT IS REALLY EMBRACE IN EQUITY AND INCLUSION AS A WHOLE FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. SO WITH THAT, I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A POSITIVE AFFIRMATION FOR THE NEW YEAR THAT LIFE IS FULL OF BEAUTY, NOTICE IT, NOTICE THE BUMBLEBEE AND NOTICED THE SMALL CHILD, AND THE SMILING FACES. SMELL THE RAIN, AND FEEL THE WIND. LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST POTENTIAL. AND FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAMS AND THAT WAS BY ASHLEY
SMITH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN.
MR. QUICK >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. I HAVE DONE A LOT SO MINE IS A LITTLE LONG BUT A LITTLE OVER THREE MINUTES BUT I WILL TRY TO GO QUICKLY. THE FIRST THING THAT I DID WAS SCHEDULE MEETINGS WITH THE PRINCIPALS AFTER I WAS SWORN IN . MY FIRST MEETING GOT CANCELED BECAUSE OF THAT PRINCIPAL WAS SUBBING AND SO IT JUST REMINDED ME THAT WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON HIRING SUBS AND GIVING ADMINISTRATOR SUPPORT STAFF. NEXT, I WENT TO LINDSTROM AND I WENT WITH MY COLLEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT CRITCHFIELD AND WE WERE ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH THEIR -- AND COLLABORATE. WE TOOK A TOUR OF THEIR CAMPUS AND WE SPOKE WITH MANY TEACHERS AND AIDES AND WE RECEIVED A REALLY GOOD FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAFF. I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED BY THE CULTURE AND
[01:20:01]
CLIMATE OF THOSE SCHOOLS AND ON THE CAMPUS OF JUST HOW WELL THEY WORK TOGETHER. IT WAS REALLY NICE. IT WAS ALSO IMPRESSED WITH THE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE COMPONENTS. THEIR KIDS WERE AMAZING AND ENGAGED, THEY WERE HAVING FUN AT SCHOOL, AND I REALLY LOVE THAT. NEXT, IT WAS SURPRISE VISIT, BUT I WENT TO WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY. I WAS THANKFUL FOR PRINCIPAL -- I ASKED HER ON THE MOST HECTIC WEEK OF PROBABLY THE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR, CHRISTMAS VACATION WAY, TO COME IN AND I GAVE HER LIKE 30 MINUTES NOTICE AND I AM THANKFUL THAT SHE WELCOMED ME AND THAT SHE ALLOWED ME TO COME IN, BUT THE REASON THAT I WENT WAS BECAUSE I WANTED TO HONOR ONE OF OUR CSEA EMPLOYEES. IT IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION AID IN HER NAME IS MISS DE. AND SHE JUST RETIRED AND SHE WAS 78 YEARS OLD AND SHE HAD 47 YEARS IN OUR DISTRICT. SO WHEN SOMEBODY -- YEAH. ABSOLUTELY.SO WHEN I GOT THE CALL TO COME OVER THERE, I DEFINITELY WENT OVER AND SHE HAS IMPACTED SO MANY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND SHE IMPACTED MY LIFE THAT DAY. THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY, BUT I WAS HUMBLED AND BLESSED TO GO MEET WITH HER AND BE ABLE TO TELL HER THANK YOU FOR HER SERVICE. I GAVE HER A BIG HUG, JUST ON BEHALF OF OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND SHE IS AMAZING AND I'M GLAD THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE HER AGAIN THIS EVENING. SHE IS AMAZING. I ATTENDED THE BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL BANQUET AND I WAS ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE PRINCIPAL AND GET SOME INFORMATION FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL IN PERSPECTIVE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE OF OUR COMMUNITY. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF COACH JASON MILLER AND KEITH MILLER AND THEIR STAFF, THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB PREPARING THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES ON AND OFF THE FIELD. THE COACH -- 3.2 GPA. THEY WON THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, RIGHT. THEY WON THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND ALSO WENT TO THE FINALS WHICH WAS MAKING HISTORY HERE AT BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL WHICH IS MY ALARM SO I APPRECIATE THAT THESE COACHES ARE INSPIRING OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH THEM AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. I WENT TO THE DISTRICT MET ROCKFEST AS WELL AND SHUT UP TO THE SERVICES THEY ALWAYS HAD THE MOST AMAZING FOOD SO THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO OUR DISTRICT EMPLOYEES. I AM EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU GUYS AND LEARN FROM YOU AND JUST BE ABLE TO BE AROUND SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE. SO THANK YOU TO OUR DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AS WELL. I ATTENDED THE PTA COUNCIL MEETING, OUR PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS. THE PTA HELPS PAY FOR PROGRAMS, ASSEMBLIES, FESTIVALS, STEAM NIGHTS, FIELD TRIPS, WORKSHOPS, DONATING BOOKSTORE LIBRARIES, MOVIE NIGHTS, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SIXTH-GRADE CAMP, AND THEY DO SO MUCH. AND WE REALLY NEED PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO GET INVOLVED. WE NEED YOU TO JOIN AND NEED YOU TO BECOME MEMBERS BECAUSE THEY REALLY NEED OUR SUPPORT. AND I AM JUST HOPING THAT WE CAN ALL VOLUNTEER A LITTLE BIT MORE OF OUR TIME FOR OUR KIDS. MEMBERSHIP IS DOWN, VOLUNTEERISM IS DOWN, AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS. SO I HAVE VOWED TO ATTEND ALL OF THE PTA MONTHLY MEETINGS AND TO TRY AND OFFER AS MUCH HELP AS I CAN AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL JOIN ME AND THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR FAMILIES. I ATTENDED OUR SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND EDUCATING BOTH MYSELF AND OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN MORE IN THE FUTURE SO I THANK YOU. AND LASTLY, I ATTENDED THE SOUTHEASTERN DINNER WITH MY COLLEAGUES BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG, VICE PRESIDENT CRITCHFIELD, AND PRESIDENT GARZA. ALONG WITH SUPERINTENDENT DRATI, ARE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS INCLUDING OUR PRESIDENT AND OUR -- IT WAS AN HONOR FOR ALL OF US TO BE CELEBRATED BY SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE THAT NIGHT AND SO I THINK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND I KNOW IT IS A NEW SEMESTER, AND I HOPE IT IS STARTING OFF AMAZING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. STEWART. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, THERE'S NO AMMO TO BE ABLE TO BEAT THAT SO I WON'T EVEN TRY.
I DID SOME THINGS BUT IT'S GOING TO BE ALL LITTLE REDUNDANCY BECAUSE ONE THING THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE BOARD WORKING TOGETHER AND COLLABORATING AND ATTENDING EVENTS TOGETHER. SO WE ATTENDED A LOT OF THE SAME EVENT. I WILL NOT GO OVER THEM IN DETAIL. I DID GO TO THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION MEMBER DINNER AND THAT IS PROBABLY AN ACRONYM FOR THAT, AND AS A GUEST OF OUR BTA, AND IT WAS GREAT. A LOT OF OUR COLLEAGUES WERE THERE DR. DRATI AND IT WAS GREAT, EXCEPT FOR WHEN BTA PRESIDENT LINDA CALLED ME UP FOR BEING THERE ON MY 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY. OTHER THAN THAT, SHE DID EAT THE CAKE WHEN I GOT HOME SO I WAS NOT IN TROUBLE.
I ALSO WENT TO THE -- THANK YOU FOR THAT -- I ALSO WENT TO THE MARTIN LUTHER KING EVENT AT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AND ONE THING I WILL SAY ABOUT THAT IS THAT AMAZING EVENT BECAUSE WE HAD STUDENTS THERE AND THEY ENTERED INTO A COMPETITION AND DID A MEANING AMAZING PERFORMANCES AND ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I AM COMMITTED AS A DISTRICT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING ALL OF OUR STUDENTS FROM ALL THE CITIES THAT WE SERVE. BELLFLOWER, IT WAS A
[01:25:02]
GREAT EVENT, AND I HOPE THAT WE GET TO DO MORE OF THOSE EVENTS AS WELL. ALSO, THE SMASH TACTIC NEW YEAR EVENT, E-SPORTS EVENT AT MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL, THAT WAS REALLY COOL. HE LEADS AN AMAZING PROGRAM OVER THERE AND WE TALKED, WE NARROWED IT OUT. I LIKE VIDEO GAMES AND SO WE NERD OUT, MY KIDS CAME, WE PLAYED VIDEO GAMES, COST ME $60 BECAUSE I DO BUY THE GAME WHEN I GOT HOME THAT THEY WERE PLAYING. IT WAS ONE OF THE MORE EXPENSIVE EVENTS AND WITH MY FELLOW COLLEAGUE, STUART, THAT WAS GREAT TALKING ABOUT -- AND REALLY GETTING TO LEARN ABOUT THE SCHOOL SITES AND THEY ARE SOMETHING I'M REALLY COMMITTED TO. THAT IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING THING. NG CAL APPS BOARD, MY FIRST ONE WITH MY COLLEAGUE ELHESSEN AND THAT WAS A GOOD EVENT . THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB OVER THERE AND WE GOT TO SEE THE DRONES, THAT WAS REALLY COOL, GOT TO WEAR SOME FUNNY GLASSES SO WE DON'T GET STABBED IN THE EYE BY A PROPELLER. AND THEY ARE DOING COMPETITION AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I REALLY WANT TO BE GRATEFUL THAT I AM ON THE BOARD. WHAT ELSE? WHAT ELSE? LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM SO OPTIMISTIC AND EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS DISTRICT. ONE OF THE MANY REASONS IS THAT DR. DRATI, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO NOT ONLY MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD THAT MADE THE DECISION, BUT ALSO THE PAST BOARD MEMBERS THAT MADE THE DECISION BECAUSE THEY MADE A PHENOMENAL CHOICE AND I WANT TO GIVE HIM ONE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE. WE HAVE A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AND WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THE AND I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING. SO, THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER CHRIS FIELD. AS FOR MYSELF, HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND WELCOME DR. DRATI, WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US. WE CAN ALREADY TELL THAT I LOVE THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE REORGANIZED OUR AGENDA, IT IS A LOT MORE CLEAR, THANK YOU, STAFF, FOR INCLUDING ALL THAT INFORMATION FOR OURSELVES AND ALSO FOR OUR PUBLIC. SO I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THIS. I ALSO ATTENDED THE DISTRICT OFFICE WINTER PARTY AND BREAKFAST AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN, THERE WERE SOME CONFESSIONS MADE THAT MAYBE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE.
RIGHT? SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE AS WELL WITH OUR UNION AND ALSO -- WAS PRESENT. OUR BOARD MEMBERS WERE THERE TOO. WE HAD A LOT OF FUN AND DID DO SOME TALKING AND CONNECTING WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND GOT TO MEET NEW BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL.
ALSO, I ATTENDED THE MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL AWARD CEREMONY FOR THEIR HIGH SCHOOL. FOR THE FOOTBALL TEAM. AND THEY ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB JUST LIKE OUR BELLFLOWER SCHOOL. WE HAD AMAZING SEASONS BOTH OF THE SCHOOLS, AND TO SEE THEM COME SO FAR IT WAS A LITTLE , BUT WE WILL GET THERE. WE WILL GET THERE NEXT YEAR. LITTLE STEPS AT A TIME. I DO WANT TO ALSO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG LADY , TWO YOUNG LADIES ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A KICKER AND I CAN OUR MEMBER, I DID NOT GET TO SPEAK TO HER THE OTHER NIGHT THE YOUNG LADY, BUT THEY ARE FEMALES ON THE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM. SO, TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND INCLUSION, AND HOW WE ARE MOVING FORWARD , THAT WAS VERY INSPIRING FOR ME TO SEE THEM AND TO TALK TO THEM. HOPEFULLY, THAT CAN CONTINUE AS WELL IN THAT PROGRAM. IT'S A FANTASTIC NEW YEAR, E-SPORTS COMPETITION AT THE MAYFAIR CAMPUS, I ATTENDED AS WELL. AND THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS GOING ON THERE. I RECOMMEND THAT WE GO AROUND AND ANYBODY CAN ATTEND AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THESE KIDS ARE DOING MATH, NOT EVEN KNOWING THAT THEY ARE DOING MATH. THEY ARE DOING BRACKETS AND ANALYZING DATA, AND THEY ARE PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER ON THE GREEN SCREEN, AND THEY ARE MAKING AVATARS, AND I KNOW SOMETIMES THAT I, MYSELF, AS A PARENT THAT I KEEP TELLING MY KIDS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THEIR COMPUTER? JUST GET OFF. IF YOU WANT TO GO PLAY, GO PLAY OUTSIDE. BUT TO SEE THIS ALL IN ACTION AND TO BE A PART OF HOW THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE THIS INTO PERHAPS A CAREER SOMEDAY, AND GET INTO A DIFFERENT AREAS THAT ALSO REQUIRE THOSE SKILLS, IT
[01:30:02]
IS VERY EXCITING. AS A BOARD MEMBER. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AS THEY KNOW HIM. AND WE ARE JUST DIFFERENTLY LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR DECISIONS THAT WE ARE MAKING KEEP OUR STUDENTS AT THE FOREFRONT.HAPPY NEW YEAR. IF THE BOARD WILL NOT BE GOING BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION, IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.