[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]
[00:00:05]
>>> WELCOME AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING CONSIDERING HOW WINDY IT IS TONIGHT AND COLD. SO THE BUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:02 P.M. IN OPEN SESSION.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. TONIGHT WE HAVE ADDRESSED CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. MS. LINDA ATKINS, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GARZA, SCHOOL BOARD.
THANK YOU FOR OUR ADMINISTRATION AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
CAN'T CALL YOU NEW ANYMORE. YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL BATTLES ALREADY. I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT APPRECIATION AND APPRECIATING NOT HAVING TO DRAG SOMETHING OU.
I'M SORRY. TO NOT DRAG SOMETHING OUT SO LONG THAT WE ALMOST GET TO THE POINT OF WONDERING WHAT WAS OUR POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE HAVE THINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN NINE MONTHS, 10 MONTHS. WE HAVE GONE -- WE HAVE BEEN OUT OF CONTRACT FOR AWHILE AND DONE DIFFERENT THINGS.
IN TALKING TO A FRIEND I AM REMINDED HOW MANY DECADES WORTH OF THIS EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD. IT FEELS LIKE AT LAST THERE IS LEADERSHIP HAPPENING. THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING ON BOTH SIDES. THERE'S A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE BEING SHARED. IT IS NOT JUST THIS KNOWLEDGE BELONGS TO ME AND I WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO THINK, OR YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SO AND SO TAKES CARE OF IT. I THINK THAT THE POWER IN FREEING UP THE INFORMATION ALONE IS A GIANT SWITCH.
AND FROM BTA, YOU KNOW WE HAVE RATIFIED THE AGREEMENT.
WE HAD 460 PLUS PEOPLE VOTE. AS MEMBERS WE HAVE 519.
THAT'S GIGANTIC. WE HAVE PEOPLE -- WE ARE TRYING TO DO IT ALL ONLINE AND SO WE ARE HAVING BATTLES OVER WHETHER WE CAN GET CERTAIN EMAILS IN. WE'LL WORK ON THAT THE NEXT TIME. GOOD DAYS ARE COMING.
IT IS NICE. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AGAIN, BETTER TO GATHER. BETTER NOT ARGUING.
AND IT IS -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING ON PUTTING US IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSD. SINCERELY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT WE HAVE DR. KIESTEN ROBINSON FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEM AS WELL. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT. I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT I SAID LAST TIME. THANK YOU INSPIRATIONAL BOARD.
THIS SALARY FOR THE TEACHERS, I WANT TO GIVE IT A DIFFERENT LABEL THAN IN THE PAST. THIS DECISION DEMONSTRATED THAT THIS BOARD PRIORITIZES THE RESOURCES IN PEOPLE.
CAP -- CAPITAL AND HUMAN WILL ARE IMPORTANT, BUT THIS CONVEY THAT'S WE HAVE A LEANING TOWARD THE PEOPLE.
THAT HASN'T HAPPENED IN THE PAST.
EVERY TIME WE HAD NEGOTIATIONS IT HAS BEEN A TUG OF WAR.
KWROU DASH -- DASH YOU'RE OVER HERE AND WE'RE OVER THERE.
IN THAT FIGHT SOMEBODY LOSES. WHEN EITHER OF US LOSE, WE ALL LOSE. AND THIS TIME IT HAS ACTUALLY LOOKED LIKE HOW DO WE WIN? HOW DO WE ALL WIN IN THIS ECONOMY? ESSENTIALLY THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WHEN WE LOOKED AT THIS AS A STRATEGIC MANEUVER.
NOT HOW DO WE HOLD ON TO RESOURCES TO GET DONE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED AND WE HAVE WHAT YOU WANT. WHEN YOU GIVE US WHAT WE WANT WE WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED. EVEN THOUGH NOBODY OVERTLY SAYS THAT, TWO THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN IN THE ECONOMY.
YOU HAVE TO VALIDATE PEOPLE. IF PEOPLE DON'T FEEL VALUED I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU THROW AT THEM, THEY DON'T STAY.
AND YOU DO HAVE TO COMPENSATE THEM.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME AFTER DECADES OF NOT VALUING PEOPLE, BUT YOU HAD A SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE DON'T FEEL VALUED.
AND WHEN THAT HAS HAPPENED FOR DECADES, YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TOL VALUED ENOUGH TO GET THE CHANGE WE NEED AND GET OUR DISTRICT WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE. THE ACT OF COMPENSATION, IT WAS A COURAGEOUS ACT. I HEARD PEOPLE SAY, THEY ARE GONNA HATE YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPER UP 10 DENT AND EVERYBODY -- SUPERINTENDENT AND EVERYBODY OUTSIDE WILL HATE WHAT
[00:05:01]
THEY DID. THIS IS WHEN YOU LOOKED AT WHO ARE WE AND WHAT IS THE MISSION AND HOW DO WE MOVE IT FORWARD? NOT THESE ARE THE RESOURCES AND WE HAVE TO HANG ON TO THEM ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO BRING TO MIND IS WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS. SUCCESS DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT WE SHOULD LEVEL UP OUR PROBLEMS. WE HOSPITAL BE DOWN -- DOWN HERE. FOR A LONGTIME THE CEILING HAS BEEN EVERYBODY ELSE'S FLOOR. WHAT CAN WE GET AWAY WITH LEGALLY. WHAT WON'T WE GET IN TROUBLE FOR LEGALLY? IT NEEDS TO STOP.WE NEED TO MOVE INTO WHAT IS ETHICAL AND MORAL.
WE ARE RAISING HUMAN BEINGS WHO WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
IT HAS AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY TO MAKE SURE THEIR EDUCATION IS A PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO US. NOT THE MONEY TO GET THEM EDUCATED. YOU SPEND THIS YEAR'S MONEY ON THIS YEAR'S CHILDREN AND NOT ON GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN.
CHRISTOPHER, I ADMIRE HOW MUCH YOU HAVE SHOWN UP AND COME TO THE TABLE. YOU DON'T HAVE A VOTE HERE.
REALLY, WHY WOULD YOU EVEN WANT TO HAVE A VOICE, BUT YOU DO.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY DELIVERED THAT IN THE ROOM, IT IS OPEN THE DOOR -- IT HAS OPENED THE DOOR NOT ONLY FOR US, BUT FOR THE KIDS BEHIND YOU WHO SEE THE MODEL THAT YOU HAVE.
YOU HAVE BEEN A PIONEER. HOW YOU EMBRACED IT AND NOT TO SEEM HE IS ESSENTIALLY OVER THERE REPRESENTING THE KIDS, THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS VOICE. YOU HEARD IT.
SO I WANT TO SAY TO YOU BEFORE I GO IS BE THE LEADERS YOU WANT TO FOLLOW. BE THE LEADERS YOU WANT TO
>> WE DESERVE THAT AND YOU CAN BE THAT.
[2. CLOSED SESSION]
AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION.OPEN SESSION >> THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
[3. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER]
AT THIS TIME, TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:02 IN OPEN SESSION.THE BOARD ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION AT 4:08.
WE WILL NOW RECONVENE THE MEETING IN OPEN SESSION AT 6.
TOPICS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION WERE PENDING LITIGATION, LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
REPLACEMENT PAGES FOR AGENDA ITEMS 9.2..5.2 AND 10.3 ARE ON THE BACK TABLE. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND AGENDA AND NON--AGENDA ITEMS. TONIGHT WE HAVE REQUESTS TO DISCUSS AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. WHILE MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON EACH AGENDA OR NON-AGENDA ITEM AND THE BOARD WILL LIMIT TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT TO EACH FOR 21 MINUTES FOR BI-LAW9322.2. WOO -- COULD I PLEASE HAVE MS. TONYA WHITELEATHER TO THE PODIUM?
>> GOOD EVENING. MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS TONYA WHITELEATHER AND I REPRESENT STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. I HAD THE 15 CASES CITED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, FOUR OF THOSE WERE MINE FOR THE SAME STUDENT. I KNOW THIS WAS LONG BEFORE THIS BOARD WAS HERE. I REALIZE AND THOSE OF US IN THE COMMUNITY WELCOME THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE SEEING AND HOPE THE THINGS WE SEE ARE GETTING MUCH BETTER AROUND HERE.
WHAT I SENT I -- I GAVE EXTRA COPIES AND PRIOR COUNCIL TRIED TO GO TO THE -- COUNSEL TRIED TO GO TO THE SUPREME COURT AND LOST EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. THE FEES MY OFFICE INCURRED AND WERE PAID FOR WERE SUBSTANTIAL. NUMBER TWO IS PENDING BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT. IT HAS NOT BEEN SETTLED, BUT WE ARE WAITING FOR THE COURT TO ORDER THE FEES.
NUMBER THREE IS PENDING THE APPEAL BY THE DISTRICT.
AND NUMBER FOUR WAS A WIN BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 21 THAT FOR MY SAME STUDENT THAT WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN PAID FOR.
I HAD SENT THE BILLING OUT IN, I BELIEVE NOVEMBER TO THE PRIOR BOARD AND I SEPTEMBER A COPY AND I DO HAVE COPIES HERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THESE TOO. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THESE TO THE BOARD. [INAUDIBLE].
THAT EXPLAINS THE BILLING THAT WE'VE HAD THAT I PRESENTED TO THE BOARD. I HAVE AN OPTION.
IF WE DON'T RE -- RESOLVE THIS THROUGH SETTLEMENT WITH THE BOARD, THEN I HAVE TO PROCEED TO THE DISTRICT COURT AND FILE.
FILING IS GOING TO ADD ADDITIONAL FEES ON AND I KNOW THAT THE DISTRICT IS TRYING TO DO ALL OF THE RIGHT THINGS.
I ALWAYS BELIEVE IN AVOIDING LITIGATION, IF POSSIBLE.
[00:10:04]
AGAIN, I'M A TEACHER. I PROUDLY KEEP MY CREDENTIAL.I LAST TAUGHT IN L.A. UNIFIED. I BELIEVE THAT MONEY IS BETTER SPENT ON YOUR TEACHERS AND YOUR PROGRAMS AND YOUR SPECIAL ED STUDENTS. THOSE ARE A LIST OF MY BILLS I PRESENTED. WE ARE ENTITLED TO PRE-JUDGMENT INTEREST WHICH I AM WILLING TO WAIVE IF WE CAN SETTLE THIS AND GET THIS DONE SO I DON'T HAVE TO GO AND PROCEED AND WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE LITIGATION AND YOU CAN GET ME OUT OF YOUR HAIR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WHITELEATHER. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA.
[4. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA]
DO WE HAVE AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA TONIGHT?>> YES. AGENDA EYE -- ITEM 9.1.1, THE MEETING MINUTES. ON PAGE 1 UNDER DR. ROBINSON'S PUBLIC COMMENTS UNDER THE FIRST LINE IT SHOULD SAY THAT THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT FOSTERS CREATIVE CONFLICT.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENT AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA.
>> MAKE A MOTION. >> I SECOND.
>> ROLE CALL PLEASE. >> MR. MENDOZA.
[5. FLAG SALUTE / INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE]
>> I. >> LET'S GO TO THE FLAG SALUTE.
PRINCIPAL FROM TOMAS JEFFERSON. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
I AM HONORED TO CONDUCT THE FLAG SALUTE.
PLEASE RISE AND FACE THE FLAG. PLEASE PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART AND REPEAT AFTER ME. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR
A SPECIAL HELLO TO STUDENT BOARD MEMBER CHRISTOPHER MENDOZA AND SUPER -- SUPERINTENDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.
MY INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE TODAY IS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND FELLOW ADMINISTRATORS. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS MANY OF US HAVE FACED A MULTITUDE OF ADVERSITIES.
YET, WE ARE STANDING HERE TODAY CARRYING OURSELVES FOURTH -- FORTH TO TOMORROW WITH STRENGTH, RESILIENCE AND FEARLESSNESS.
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU TO CONTINUE TO HAVE COURAGE, STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, STAND UP AGAINST WHAT IS WRONG.
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS AND DO NOT BE UH -- AFRAID TO TAKE ASSISTANCE. HAVE COURAGE TO CHALLENGE THE SYSTEMS THAT DENY YOU THE PLATFORM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
HAVE COURAGE TO CONTINUE DOING THE HARD WORK TO SUCCEED.
HAVE COURAGE TO TAKE MOMENTS TO REST AND REFUEL YOURSELF.
HAVE COURAGE TO ADDRESS DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, DIFFICULT, BUT CRUCIAL. HAVE COURAGE TO BE A CHANGE AGENT. YOU ARE A KEY MEMBER OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY. HAVE COURAGE TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO RESPOND WITH AN EQUITY AND GROWTH MIND-SET.
>> THANK YOU. WE DO NOT HAVE RECOGNITIONS
[7. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]
TONIGHT. PRESENTATION FROM STUDENT, STAFF AND COMMUNITY. DO WE HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS?>> YES. I WILL BE TURNING THIS OVER TO DR. AVILA WITH A BRIEF PRESENTATION -- OH, SORRY.
WE FORGOT FOR HER TO DO THE BULLETIN BOARD.
>> I'M SO SORRY. CLEARLY I'M NEW TO THIS.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE TOMAS JEFFERSON BULLETIN
[00:15:02]
BOARD TONIGHT. TJ SHOWS INITIATIVE.OUR KINDER THROUGH SECOND GRADE CLASSROOMS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT THE WORK STUDY PROGRAM.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM DISTRICTS DEPARTMENT FROM INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND IMPROVEMENT, OUR TEACHERS ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO HELPING OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS HAVE INFLUENCY. THEY ARE SCHOOLS THAT PROMOTE LEARNING -- PROMOTE STUDENT LEARNING.
THE VISION HELPS SCHOOLS LIKE OURS BECOME COGNIZANT OF THE FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE AND CAN BE MADE OPTIMALLY EFFECTIVE. PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION IS THE PLC PROCESS. AT THOMAS JEFERSON WE ARE USING OUR CONVERSATIONS TO ALIGN THE STATE STANDARDS WITH OUR INSTRUCTION AND PROMOTE THE USE OF COMMON ASSESSMENTS, GRADING AND REPORTING SYSTEMS. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE COLLABORATIVE WORK OF OUR HARD-WORKING TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALISTS. TJ IS LUCKY TO HAVE TWO STELLAR COUNSELORS, MS. M AND MS. C WHO TAKE CARE OF ALL THINGS SCL AND COLLEGE CAREER. THEY DO PRESENTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. THEY DO ASSEMBLIES TO CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT BULLYING AND KINDNESS.
THEY PROVIDE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING LESSONS TO STUDENTS AND SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS BY DOING DEMO LESSONS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. WE HOPE TO CONTINUE WORKING TOWARD THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WITH THESE INITIATIVES AND MORE. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE WHAT WE DO ON OUR CAMPUS. I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING. I SWEAR, THIS IS THE LAST YOU
WILL SEE OF ME. >> [APPLAUSE].
>> I HOPE NOT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW WE WILL GO ON TO OUR PRESENTATION.
>> GREAT. AT THIS TIME I WILL BE TURNING THE MEETING OVER TO DR. AVILA FOR A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON THE STATUS OF SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS IN THE DISTRICT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT GARZA AND VICE PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD AND STEWART AND BOARD MEMBERS DR. ELHESSEN, MS. ARMSTRONG AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER CHRIS MENDOZA AND AUDIENCE. TONIGHT I WILL GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS AND SOME AWARENESS OF OUR SAFETY DRILLS AND HIGHLIGHTS AND ALSO SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FUTURE WORK.
BACKGROUND IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA, EACH YEAR THE SCHOOLS GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO UPDATE AND REVIEW THAT ARE -- THEIR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN THAT HAS SAFETY STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES. THE DISTRICT STAFF PROVIDES OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL CHECKLIST WHICH HELPS THE ADMINISTRATION GO THROUGH A PROCESS THAT HAS REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SECTION OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN.
FOR THE BOARD'S AWARENESS, SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE LEGAL MANDATES, COMPONENTS OF THE PLAN SUCH AS WHO IS PART OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE, SCHOOL PROFILES AND CHILD ABUSE REPORTING PROCEDURES AND DISASTER PROCEDURES AND TEACHER NOTIFICATION, POLICIES REGARDING DISCRIMINATION, HATE CRIMES, DRESS CODE, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES AND MAPS. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ELEMENTS THAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN. EDCO REQUIRE THAT'S SCHOOL DISTRICTS TAKE TO THEIR BOARD OF EDUCATION BY MARCH 1ST AND RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE OUR COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PLAN.
EACH YEAR WE WILL BE COMING WITH UPDATES ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS. PRIOR TO BEING PUT FORTH, IT GOES THROUGH A REVIEW PROCESS AND REVIEW AT THE SCHOOL SITE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT WE WORK WITH OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE PLAN AND OUR DISTRICT STAFF HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PLAN BEFORE THEY GO TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. TPO*R -- FOR THE BOARD'S AWARENESS THEY ARE KEPT AT THE SCHOOL SITE AS WELL AS A COPY AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE. THESE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE TO BE VIEWED, WE DO KEEP THEM SECURED BECAUSE OF THE SENSITIVITY AROUND THE CONTENT IN THE PLANS AND IN REGARDS TO CONTACT INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND EVACUATION ROUTES AND JUST OVERALL RESPONSE PROCEDURES. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS SECURED FOR SAFETY PUFRPS. FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, EACH YEAR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WILL REVIEW AN UPDATE AND ULTIMATELY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONSTANTLY REFLECTING OUR POLICIES PROCEDURES.
THAT'S THE BACKGROUND REGARDING THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WILL GO OVER A FEW ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS REGARDING SAFETY AS
[00:20:02]
A GENERAL. IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR SCHOOL HOLDS SAFETY DRILLS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.SOME OF THE DRILLS INCLUDE EARTHQUAKE -- THEY INCLUDE THE DROP, COVER AND HOLD AND EVACUATIONS AND FIRE DRILL AND LOCK DOWN. EVERY TIME A SCHOOL WILL HOLD A DRILL, -RG THEY WILL COMPLETE -- THEY WILL COMPLETE A DRILL EVALUATION FORM. THAT FORM IS SENT TO THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH ED SERVICES SO WE CAN REVIEW TO MAKE SURE THESE DRILLS ARE BEING COMPLETED.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THE CALIFORNIA GREAT SHAKE OUT, AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE IMAGES FROM -- THE PICTURES FROM SOME OF THE SCHOOL SITES ALONG WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR STRENGTHS.
AS I MENTIONED EACH YEAR WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS FOR THE SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS. WE HAVE SCHOOL SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE GREAT SHAKE OUT AND IT IS A FULL DUCK, COVER AND HOLD. WE DID A FULL SRABG TWAEUGS AND -- EVACUATION AND WE DID ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES AND THERE IS A RADIO CHECK TO EACH SCHOOL FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO MAKE SURE EACH CAMPUS WAS CLEARED.
WE DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEST OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A STRENGTH.
IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER WE HAVE THOSE RESPONSE PROCEDURES IN PLACE. HE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE SAFETY EMERGENCY. MAYFAIR IS ONE SCHOOL WE ARE WORKING THROUGH AND IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE NOTIFICATIONS TO THE CLASSROOMS. WE HAVE EMERGENCY BINS THAT CONTAIN OUR EMERGENCY SUPPLY PROCEDURES AND EACH YEAR THE PRINCIPALS WILL WORK WITH THE CUSTODIANS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REPLACED AS NEEDED. WE DO HAVE THE SCHOOL RADIOS SO THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AND AT ANY TIME THEY REQUIRE UPDATES THEY WILL MAKE THOSE REQUESTS. AND WE ALSO HAVE A STRONG COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
THEY WERE JUST HERE LAST WEEK AND IN REGARDS TO PROVIDING US UPDATES AND BEING ABLE TO COLLABORATE AND STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIP THERE. WE DO APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THESE ARE SOME OF OUR SAFETY STRENGTHS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED, AND AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY OTHER ADDITIONAL STRENGTHS.
WE ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK, IN THE FUTURE. BASED ON OUR ONGOING EVALUATION AND SCHOOL SITE ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AREAS IN WHICH WE WANT TO FIND SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN OUR PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES IN PREPARATION IN THE EVENT THERE IS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER OCCURRING AT A SCHOOL SITE.
WE HAVE A TRAINING THAT'S GIVEN TO OUR ADMINISTRATORS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, BUT BASED ON FEEDBACK WE WANT TO PROVIDE THAT TO EACH SCHOOL SITE AND WRORBGING WITH OUR PARTNER -- WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SPECIFICALLY LAKEWOOD SHERIFF STATION.
ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT THERE IS A REQUEST FOR A REVISION TO THE CONTRACT MATRIX TO INCREASE THE SCOPE OF SERVICES AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WITH THE L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF STATION, TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THESE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING AT THE SCHOOL SITES.
THAT'S WHERE A SHERIFF DEPUTY WILL COME IN TO FACILITATE THAT TRAINING AND OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION CAN PROVIDE OUR STAFF WITH UPDATES REGARDING OUR RESPONSE PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO AN ACTIVE SHOOTER. THIS IS WHERE WE WANT TO SUPPORT WITH THE HOPES NEVER TO BE USED, BUT PREPARED AND MAKING SURE OUR SCHOOL AND STAFF KNOWS HOW TO RESPOND TO THESE INCIDENCES.
>> IS THAT THE ONLY SCOPE OF WORK?
>> SO THE PRIMARY FOCUS WOULD BE THE TPAU SILL STATION OF THE ACTIVE -- FA -- TPAU SILL STATION OF THE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING, BUT THEY MAY HAVE A WALK AROUND THE CAMPUS WITH OUR PRINCIPALS TO POSSIBLY OFFER RECOMMENDATION FOR OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ON THE CAMPUS, OTHER SEARCH -- SAFETY MEASURES.
[00:25:01]
THAT'S THE SCOPE AT THIS MOMENT. >> SO I RECOMMENDED PREVIOUSLY THAT WE HAVE A PARENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS AS WELL AS DISTRICT STAFF INVOLVED WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS FOR PARENTS ALSO.
WOULD THAT BE ABLE TO BE INCLUSIVE OF THAT? I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR TRUST AND COMMUNICATION IN THE
COMMUNITY. >> GIVEN WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE COUNTRY THE LAST FIVE, TEN YEARS AND EVEN THIS YEAR WERE -- WITH UVALDE AND ALL THAT, IN ALL COMMUNITY THERE'S IS GOING TO BE A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OR FRUSTRATION OR JUST CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT THE POLICE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO VERSUS WHAT THE DISPATCH DOES. THERE ARE QUESTIONS BEING ASKED AND OUR CURRENT ARRANGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY WORK GREAT WITH US, WE DON'T HAVE A DEDICATED PERSON THAT WE CAN CALL TO SAY LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND TALK TO PARENTS AND LET'S COME TO A BOARD MEETING LIKE THIS.
THEY RESPOND WELL, BUT IT IS MORE OR LESS LIKE WE CALL DISPATCH AND THEY GIVE US WHOEVER.
WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND ON THAT WITH MORE TRAINING, BUT I THINK WHAT I TOLD DR. AVILA AND THE REST OF THE CABINET IS I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DEDICATED OFFICER THAT IS -- NOT THAT THEY WOULD BE PARKED AT ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS, BUT TO BE OUR DIRECT PERSON THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH AND THEN PROVIDE THE EDUCATION AND CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE WITH THE PARENTS.
>> YEAH. I WOULDN'T WANT THEM ON OUR SITE. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THAT IN
>> AND THAT'S WHY WE STOPPED IT AS A BOARD PREVIOUSLY.
BUT I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION AND BUILDING OF TRUST WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
>> THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE STUB-BULLET.
>> WE RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO ENGAGE OUR PARENTS IN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND WHAT ARE OUR RESPONSE PROCEDURES. I WILL TOUCH ON THAT A LITTLE MORE. AS PART OF OUR SCHOOL SITE WHEN'S THEY HAVE THE SAFETY MEETINGS, IT IS OPEN TO THE SCHOOL PUBLIC. THEY CAN COME IN AND ATTEND AND PROVIDE INPUT. WE WORK IN A PROCESS OF ENGAGING OUR EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS IN THAT PROCESS.
ULTIMATELY WE WANT TO TAKE OTHER THOUGHTS INTO CONSIDERATION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR
STUDENTS AND STAFF. >> THANK YOU.
>> IN ADDITION, THEY USE A STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO THE INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER. IT LAYS OUT THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE. WE WANT TO PROVIDE ONGOING STAFF TRAINING SO THEY CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE UTILIZING THE PROCEDURE. THEY HAVE AWARENESS, BUT WE WANT TO PROVIDE REFRESHING TRAININGS AND MAKING SURE STAFF WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. I DID PROVIDE AN INCIDENT OF WHAT IT WILL CONSIST OF. IT IS BEING ABLE TO ACTIVATE THAT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND WE WILL NEED TO TAKE THOSE TYPES OF STEPS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO RESEARCH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION. LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING A POINT OF ENTRY SYSTEM WE WILL LOOK AT THE ELECTRONIC VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. CREATE A STANDARDIZED RESPONSE FOR LOCKING DOORS ACROSS THE DISTRICT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. SCHOOLS HAVE DIFFERENT PRODUCTS AT THEIR SCHOOL SITE, ARE AND WE WANT TO HAVE A CONSISTENT PRACTICE ACROSS THE DISTRICT OF WHAT IS OUR STAN -- STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE FOR THAT. JUST TO GIVE MORE CLARITY, SOME SCHOOLS WILL HAVE THE SLIDING LOCKS AND SOME HAVE THEM ON THE DOORKNOBS AND SOME DON'T HAVE EITHER ONE.
WE WANT TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE -- WHICH IS THE RECOMMENDED TOOL. I'M BLANKING ON IT.
WHICH IS THE APPROPRIATE PRODUCT TO PURCHASE AND SEE WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE BEST WAY TO QUICKLY LOCK DOORS IN AN EMERGENCY. WE WILL BE INVESTIGATING THAT AND STANDARDIZING THAT ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
AND WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF DIGITIZING OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM. A LOT OF IT IS PAPER BASED.
WE WANT TO OFFER DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORMS OF USING THAT AND HAVING IT AVAILABLE DIGITAL ALSO.
SOME SCHOOLS MAY HAVE TO FLIP CHARTS AND SOME HAVE A PAPER ON
[00:30:02]
THE WALL. AND IN AN EMERGENCY IT MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO YOU. YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY. WE WANT TO MAKE THINGS SIMPLIFIED AND MAKING SURE IT IS DIGITAL SO PEOPLE CAN ACCESS IT AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE. IN ADDITION, WE WANT TO ALSO ENGAGE OUR PARENTS IN THIS DISCUSSION.WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF OUR SAFETY PROTOCOLS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PARENTS ARE AWARE AND WE HAVE TO ALSO DO WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS STUDENT THREAT ASSESSMENTS.
WHEN THERE IS A DANGER TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE PROCEDURE? HOW DO WE WORK WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITY TO RISK SCREENINGS PER STUDENT, AND THEN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OTHER ACTION IS NEEDED TO BE TAKEN.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES ARE AWARE OF.
>> HAVING A DEDICATED OFFICER WE CANDY PLOY -- NOT JUST FOR PATROLLING PURPOSES, BUT GO TO SCHOOL SITES AND PARENT MEETINGS. WE CAN SAY WE NEED HELP ON THIS SITUATION. RIGHT NOW IT IS HARD TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE INTERESTS IN A LOT OF OTHER PLACES.
OBVIOUSLY THEY DO RESPOND WHEN WE NEED THEM IN AN EMERGENCY CASE, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PREVENTATIVE STUFF AS WELL WHICH IS EDUCATION, EDUCATION. AND TO HAVE SOMEBODY DEDICATE THAT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT SOUNDS BETTER COMING FROM THEM THAN A SUPERINTENDENT OR STAFF MEMBER WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THESE SAFETY
ISSUES. >> SO WE WANTED TO MAKE THE BOARD AWARE OF SOME THINGS THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. BEING ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATE OUR SAFETY NEEDS AND MAKING SURE WE ARE TAKING THE DIFFERENT AREAS INTO CONSIDERATION THAT ARE NEEDED.
AND I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK OUR SCHOOL STAFF AND OUR DISTRICT STAFF FOR ALL OF THE WORK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROVIDING A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. I KNOW IT IS A TEAM EFFORT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE'S INVOLVEMENT OF THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.
THAT'S IT. DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS
REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
WITHIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE STEPS AND YOUR STRENGTHS AND -- YOUR STRENGTHS AND YOU DIDN'T MENTION WEAKNESSES, ARE WE ALSO GOING TO TRY TO CONSIDER PROVIDING TRAINING TO STAFF AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE LIKE A TRAINED PERSONNEL IN CASE SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN LIKE AN INJURY? LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PERSONNEL, A NURSE, LVN OR EVEN TRAINING FOR STAFF.
I KNOW A LOT OF TEACHERS GET CPR TRAINING AND THEY KNOW HOW TO USE THE APE AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
SHOULD SOMETHING UNFORTUNATE HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE TO WHERE WE REALLY HAVE A SERIOUS INJURY, THERE IS GOING TO NEED TO BE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO DO FIRST-AID ON DIFFERENT WOUNDS.
PLEASE CONSIDER THAT IN THE FUTURE.
>> WE WILL TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION, BUT WE DO HAVE STAFF AT THE SCHOOL SITES WHO HAVE TRAINING IN FIRST-AID AND CPR. HEALTH ASSISTANTS WOULD HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE. WE ALSO HAVE OUR DISTRICT NURSES WHO COULD ALSO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.
IT GOES BACK TO OUR OVERALL RESPONSE PROCEDURES.
I HEAR HOW DO WE GET MORE STAFF TRAINED AND PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL AWARENESS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE
RESPONDING TO A STUDENT IN NEED. >> AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST EPIPHANIES FOR ME AS I WENT THROUGH THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL THAT, AND MY GROWTH IN THIS AREA , IT SHOWED ME THAT WHATEVER WE DOO -- WHATEVER WE DO, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHEN AN EMERGENCY OCCURS THAT A SITE CAN SURVIVE ALL NIGHT IF IT HAS TO. IF THERE IS AN EARTHQUAKE AND BELLFLOWER IS DOWN AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS DOWN AND PARENTS CAN'T GET TO THE SCHOOL SITE AND ALL THAT.
THAT SITE HAS TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE WITH CPR TRAINING AND FOOD AND WITH BEING ABLE TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND ALL THOSE THINGS.
THOSE ARE ALL PART OF THAT IDEA WHEN WE TRAIN PEOPLE AND TRAIN PARENTS THAT THE SITES WILL BE INDEPENDENT, CAN OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. OBVIOUSLY IF THERE IS ACCESS TO AUTHORITIES AND THE DISTRICT TO HAVES -- DISTRICT OFFICE WE WILL JUMP IN THERE, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY AND THE SITE UNDERSTANDS THAT AND THE SITE HAS TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.
>> THAT'S MY POINT EXACTLY. I DON'T WANT TO NAME A SCHOOL,
[00:35:03]
BUT THERE IS A SCHOOL THAT IN THE NURSE'S OFFICE, THE PERSON IS NOT TRAINED -- IS NOT EVEN AN LVN.SO THE PERSON REALLY DOES NOT EVEN KNOW HOW TO TAKE VITALS PROPERLY IN CASE THERE WAS LIKE AN EMERGENCY.
SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROPER STAFFING, AND I'M TALKING FROM EXPERIENCE.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE -- I KNOW WE HIRED ANOTHER DISTRICT NURSE, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST A LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE AT EACH SITE IF WE WANT TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE NEXT STEPS.
IT WOULD SAVE US A LOT OF LIABILITY IF WE HAVE SOMEONE.
I SURELY HOPE NOTHING HAPPENS, BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE NURSE'S OFFICE THAT DOESN'T HAVE
THE CREDENTIALS. >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. APPRECIATE THE WORK.
I KNOW WE ARE TALKING A LOT ABOUT CRISIS MANAGEMENT, BUT AS FAR AS PREVENTION GOES, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THE SITES ARE
STAFFED SECURITY? >> THAT CAN -- IN REGARDS TO -- I THINK THAT WOULD BE BEST PROVIDED AS A FRIDAY MEMO WHERE WE CAN GIVE AN OVER VIEW AT EACH SITE IN TERMS OF THE SAFETY, STAFF AND SECURITY AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN PROVIDE MORE THOROUGHLY SO THE BOARD CAN HAVE AWARENESS OF WHAT THE STAFF
LOOKS LIKE AT EACH SITE. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
AND ONE MORE QUESTION. I KNOW THE CONTRACT BEFORE THE BOARD IS FOR INCREASING THE ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PARTNERSHIP CURRENTLY WITH THE LAKEWOOD
SHERIFF STATION? >> I MAY HAVE TO ASK BECAUSE I I KNOW WE USED THEM FOR SECURITY AT EVENTS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, MR. CRIHFIELD. WE USE THEM AT GRADUATION FOR SECURITY SUPPORT AS WELL AS SOME SPORTING EVENTS.
>> AND NOW THE EXPANSION WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ALLOW US TO HAVE THEM DO THE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAININGS AND DO SOME WALK THROUGHS WITH THE SITE ADMINISTRATION.
>> AND I KNOW YOU MENTIONED POSSIBLY CREATING A LIAISON FOR THE DISTRICT WHICH I THINK IS A GREAT IDEA, BY THE WAY.
IS THAT SOMETHING WE WOULD BE WORKING IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO
CREATE THAT RELATIONSHIP? >> YES.
WE ACTUALLY DID MEET WITH THE OFFICER LAST WEEK.
VERY INFOR MA -- VERY IN-- INFORMATIVE.
I WISH THEY WERE DEDICATED TO US AND NOT EVERYBODY ELSE.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS TO PAY FOR IT.
WE WILL BE TAKING THEM OUT OF THE MIX OF THE CITY, AND THEY WON'T -- THE CITY WON'T WANT THAT.
IF BE -- IF WE GIVE THEM MONEY, THEY WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICER.
>> AND DO WE KNOW -- BECAUSE LAKEWOOD SERVES FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. DO THEY HAVE THE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT WITH THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS? DO THEY HAVE A LIAISON WITH THE OTHER ONES?
DID THAT COME UP? >> WE HAVE TO DO RESEARCH BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE WHICH DISTRICTS THEY HAVE THE ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH AN SRO OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT MODEL.
GOING BACK TO THE EARLIER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, OUTER CURRENT -- OUR CURRENT ARRANGEMENT RIGHT NOW, IF OUR SCHOOL SITE HAVE A NEED FOR SUPPORT FROM A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT WOULD TYPICALLY REACH OUT TO THE LAKEWOOD SHERIFF STATION AND CALL DISPATCH, AND THEN DISPATCH WOULD SEND A DEPUTY TO THE SCHOOL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION
DEPENDING ON THE INCIDENT. >> RIGHT.
THANK YOU. >> BUT IN GENERAL, YES.
THERE ARE -- THE DISTRICT GUY CAME FROM SANTA MONICA AND MALIBU. WE HAD TWO DEDICATED OFFICERS THAT WE HELPED PAY FOR THAT SERVICED OUR SCHOOLS.
NOT THAT THEY WERE PARKED AT THE SCHOOLS, BUT EVERYTHING YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS AND AWARENESS AND THE TIMES THAT WE HAVE TO CALL SOMEBODY AND SOMEBODY MADE A THREAT AT MIDNIGHT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SCHOOL IN THE MORNING.
SO TO BE ABLE TO CALL SOMEBODY AT MIDNIGHT AND SAY, HEY, CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER? THOSE THINGS HAVING SOMEBODY
DEDICATED TO US IS VERY HELPFUL. >> I JUST HAD A COMMENT.
I WANT TO AGREE WITH THAT AS WELL.
WE USE THAT STRATEGY IN THE DISTRICT I TEACH IN AND WE HAVE ONE OR TWO DEDICATED EVEN JUST FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND IT IS VERY HELPFUL. I APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR BRINGING THAT UP. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK TWO QUESTIONS FOR ME. THE FIRST BEING, I REMEMBER IN MY EARLY YEAR HERE ON THE BOARD IN JULY I WENT TO CSVA TRAINING IN LOS ANGELES AND THERE WAS A WORKSHOP THAT MENTIONED THE LOCKING OF DOORS. THERE WAS A PANEL AND THERE WAS
[00:40:06]
SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL THERE AND HE WAS SAYING HE WISHES THAT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD THEIR DOORS LOCKED ALL THE TIME AND CLASSROOMS ALWAYS HAD IT LOCKED.I REMEMBER THINKING AT THE TIME THAT THAT COULD REALLY BE A BURDEN ON TEACHERS LIKE IF THE STUDENT NEEDS TO USE THE BATHROOM AND THEY WILL HAVE TO GET UP AND GET THEM OUT AND LOCK THE DOOR EVERY SINGLE TIME. I GUESS IT IS MORE OF A COMMENT, BUT WHILE LOOKING INTO THE LOCK BLOCK ON, THE TEACHERS HAVE IT ON AND IT IS LESS OF A MASS -- HASSLE NOT TO GET UP AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR A STUDENT WHEN THEY GO TO THE BATHROOM.
MOVING FORWARD AND LOOKING AT THAT SYSTEM, LET'S CONSIDER OR KEEP IN MIND THAT WE DON'T WANT SECURITY TO START TO INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. SECURITY COMES FIRST.
SAFETY COMES FIRST, BUT IT IS A FINE LINE TO WALK ON.
THIS ONE IS ACTUALLY A QUESTION. WHEN I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS, I NOTICE THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PORTIONS THAT WERE BLANK. IN THE INDEX THERE ARE THINGS LISTED THAT DO NOT HAVE PLANS ATTACHED TO THEM.
IN PARTICULAR SOMETHING I NOTICED WAS PLANS FOR UNLAWFUL DEMONSTRATIONS OR WALKOUTS. SO I LOOKED AT MOST OF OUR POPULATED HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES. I LOOKED AT MAY FAIR AND -- MAY FARE AND BELLFLOWER AND SOMERSET.
SOMERSET WAS SECONDS 4 AND MAY FOUR WAS 62 AND BELLFLOWER WAS 64. NONE HAD PLANS ATTACHED.
I KNOW FOR SURE LAST YEAR AT MAYFIELD WE HAD A WALK OUT.
THIS WAS WHEN THE PRINCIPAL CONTROVERSY HAPPENED AND THE STUDENTS HAD A WALKOUT. THERE NOT BEING A PLAN ATTACHED TO THAT RAISES CONCERNS. IF IN THE EVENT STUDENTS FEEL GALVANIZED AND PROTEST A CERTAIN ISSUE AT THEIR SCHOOL LIKE DRESS CODE OR WHATEVER, THEY HAVE A WALKOUT, AND MAYBE I AM THINKING MORE OF AN ENFORCEMENT DISCIPLINE ISSUE, BUT IS THERE A REASON WHY SOME OF THESE ARE BLANK?
>> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT, BUT I KNOW WHEN I EXPERIENCED THAT IN THE PAST, WHAT WE DO IS ACTIVATE OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE A UNIFIED RESPONSE ACROSS THE SECONDARY CAMPUSES.
MEANING, WE WILL TALK WITH PRINCIPALS AND THIS IS OUR PLAN IN HOW WE ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION AND GIVE ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO -- HAVING DEALT WITH THIS IN MY PAST WE WOULD ORGANIZE EVENTS FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A VOICE AND ADD SRAU -- ADVOCATE.
INSTEAD OF WALKING OUT AND LEAVING CAMPUS WHERE IT COULD BE UNSAFE FOR THEM. WHEN WE DO THAT, WE ENGAGE IN THE CONVERSATIONS AND WE CREATE A PROCESS FOR HOW TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH THAT AND MAKING SURE WE SHARE WITH STUDENTS THE POTENTIAL HARMFUL IMPACTS IF THEY WALK OUT.
IN REGARDS TO THE SAFETY PLANS I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT MORE.
I HAVE TO VERIFY SOMETHING ON THAT BEFORE I PROVIDE MORE
WHEN I LOOKED AT THEM THERE WERE A LOT OF PORTIONS BLANK AND IT HAD A TITLE, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER IT.
THAT'S WHY I FIGURED DOES THAT PLAN EXIST? IS THE ABSENCE OF A PLAN MEAN THAT IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL SITE -- I'M NOT SURE. MAYBE IT WAS AN ABRIDGED VERSION, BUT I NOTICED THERE WERE GAPS.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS MARVELOUS PRESENTATION. ONE QUESTION I WAS THINKING, THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER. NUMBER ONE IS HOW ARE WE GATHERING THE INFORMATION FROM PARENTS? IS IT THROUGH A SURVEY IN -- SURVEY STP.
>> OUR SCHOOL SITE SAFETY COMMITTEES WOULD INFORM THE PARENTS THAT AS FAR AS THE AGENDA THAT THEY PUSHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES, THEY WOULD NOTIFY THEM THAT ON THIS DATE WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE PLAN TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS AND PROVIDE INPUT.
>> SO THESE ARE I'M ASSUMING EMAILS THAT GO OUT TO PARENTS
BASED ON THEIR LISTS? >> THAT'S HOW THEY WOULD NOTIFY THEIR COMMUNITY REGARDING WHEN THEY HAVE A SCHOOL SAFETY MEETING. THEY WOULD USUALLY USE THE NORMAL COMMUNICATION THAT THEY WOULD HAVE WHETHER IT IS THROUGH BLACKBOARD OR WHAT HAVE YOU AND WE HAVE A SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING AND ONE OF THE ITEMS BEING DISCUSSED IS THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN, AND BEING ABLE TO, IF YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND, THEN THEY WOULD COME IN AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INPUT AND SHARE ANY THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS TO BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE
SCHOOL SAFETY DEVELOPMENT. >> DO YOU KNOW -- AND YOU MAY
[00:45:04]
NOT HAVE THE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, SO WE CAN GET THESE NUMBERS PERHAPS LATER, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS ARE WHO HAVE RESPONDED TO OR ATTENDED THESE MEETINGS?>> I CAN ACQUIRE WITH OUR SCHOOLS TO GET A BETTER NUMBER TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH AWARENESS.
THAT WOULD BE GREAT. AND THEN ALSO, ARE THERE SEVERAL DAYS, NIGHTS THAT ARE OFFERED FOR PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE, OR
IS IT JUST ONE -- >> IT WOULD BE A TYPICAL ONE NIGHT -- OR ONE MEETING THAT IS AVAILABLE.
>> OKAY. JUST FOOD FORETHOUGHT, MAYBE WE CAN -- FOOD FOR THOUGHT, MAYBE WE CAN OFFER DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAYS TO GIVE THAT INPUT AND MAYBE SEVERAL DAYS AND HOURS SO WE CAN CAPTURE A LARGER PERHAPS FOCUS.
>> WE CAN LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ENGAGE PARENTS IN THE
DISCUSSION. >> THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
ARE THESE INFORMATIONAL EMAILS GOING OUT IN DIFFERENT
LANGUAGES, OR IS IT JUST IN ONE? >> WELL, WE WOULD DO OUR -- WHEN WE DO NOTIFICATIONS, WE WOULD COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS TO TRANSLATE IT IN SPANISH AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
WE WOULD USE OUR NORMAL COMMUNICATION, HOWEVER WE COMMUNICATE IN REGARDS TO ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THE SCHOOL SITES AND WE EXTEND INFORMATION ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
WE ALWAYS FISH THE INFORMATION OUT IN THE LAPPING WEDGE -- IN THE LANGUAGE MOST COMMON T -- COMMON AND THAT WOULD BE SPANISH. YEAH.
WE NOTIFY THEM. AND THIS POWER POINT IS TRANSLATED IN SPANISH. WITH WILL GOT OUT IN BUSD NEWS,
THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH VERSION. >> WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I DO WANT TO SAY AS A PARENT I DO GET NOTICES AND I DO GET THEM IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SO THE NEXT -- DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS EVENING?
>> NO PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> THANK YOU.
[9. ACTION]
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 9.1.1, APPROVAL OF MINUTES, FEBRUARY 9TH, 2023, REGULAR MEETING AS CORRECTED?
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> I SECOND.
>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
>> LET'S MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD ITEM 9.2.1.1 AND 9.2.1.2. DO I HAVE A SECOND TO APPROVE
THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> I WANT TO PULL 9.2.5.2.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE THAT NUMBER AGAIN?
LET ME REPHRASE THAT MOTION. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD AGENDA ITEM 9.2.1.1 AND 9.2.1.2
>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
ROLL CALL PLEASE. >> MR. MENDOZA?
>> I. >> WITHHELD ITEMS, THE NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS ARE THE ITEMS WITHHELD FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM WITHHELD TONIGHT IS AGENDA ITEM 9.2.1.1, THE CALENDAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> YEAH. THAT ONE THAT WE HELD OFF, I MADE A DECISION TO -- JUST BECAUSE OF THE CALENDAR AND HAVING TO COME BACK AND FORTH EVERY WEEK TO CHANGE THE
[00:50:02]
CALENDAR, I WOULD RATHER GET IT ALL CLEANED UP AND THEN BRING IT ONE LAST TIME. SO YOU GUYS PROVIDED ME YOUR INPUT ALREADY. WE ARE ALSO CHECKING WITH DISTRICT STAFF TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS WHAT IT IS.WE ARE 90% THERE AND I ASK WE CAN BRING IT BACK NEXT WEEK FOR
APPROVAL. >> CAN I ASK -- I KNOW WE ARE NOT APPROVING THE ENTIRE CALENDAR.
ARE WE IN AGREEMENT FOR THE NEXT FEW?
>> YEAH. I THINK -- THERE -- THEY ARE THE ONES I WANT TO MAKE SURE. MARCH 9TH AND MARCH 23RD,
THOSE ARE OKAY AS OF RIGHT NOW? >> YEAH.
THOSE 1S ARE GOOD. >> HOW ABOUT APRIL 6TH?
>> NOT YET. >> ON APRIL 6TH I ASKED MONTHS AGO THAT THIS WAS A CONFLICT AND WHEN I SEEN IT ON THE AGENDA, I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS BEING IGNORED OR NOT. IT IS NOW -- I KNOW YOU SAY YOU ARE WORKING ON IT, BUT THEN I WAS TOLD IF I CAN'T MAKE T I
>> WHICH MEANS IF THAT'S THE CASE FOR THAT, IT SHOULD BE THE
CASE FOR ALL OF THEM. >> SAY THAT AGAIN NOW.
>> I WAS TOLD THAT WE WERE GONNA CONTINUE -- WE WERE GONNA HAVE THAT MEETING ON THE 6TH AND EVEN WITH THE NOTICE BEFORE WE HAD THE DOUBLE DATES, THIS IS BEFORE WE HAD THE DOUBLE DATES, AND SO I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES THE CALENDAR IS A CONFLICT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE, BUT IF I WAS ASKED TO JUST GO AHEAD AND BE EXCUSED FROM THAT MEETING, IT SHOULD GO ACROSS THE
I'M IN AGREEMENT. THAT'S WHY I HAVEN'T DEALT WITH THAT DATE YET. I AM LOOKING AT ALL OF THEM AND THEN COME BACK WITH A FINAL PROPOSAL.
I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOUR COMMENT.
ALL OF YOU TURNED IN SOMETHING HENCE THE REASON I AM NOT INCLUDING IT TODAY. I GOTTA DO SOME INTERNAL WORK WITH YOU ONE ON ONE. AND THEN WE CAN HAVE THE FINAL.
>> THANK YOU. SO IF I'M HEARING CORRECTLY, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING IS TO TABLE IT TO THE NEXT MEETING? THANK YOU. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WITHHELD IS AGENDA ITEM 9.2.1.2, 2023 SELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION DELEGATE ASSEMBLY. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> I JUST WANTED TO KNOW SINCE THERE ARE SIX OPENINGS COULD WE JUST FORE GO THE BALLOT?
>> I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THAT. >> AGREED.
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN FOREGO THE BALLOT TO ME?
>> WHAT'S THE OTHER WORD? WHAT'S THE OTHER PHRASE?
>> TO JUST APPROVE -- HELP ME OUT, LINDA.
>> THERE'S SIX SPOTS. >> WAIVE THE BALLOT.
>> SO WE WOULD NOT VOTE INDIVIDUALLY.
>> THERE ARE SIX SPOTS SO -- >> I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IF SOMEONE WANTED TO VOTE INDIVIDUALLY NO FOR SOMEONE COULD WE DO THAT WITH THAT PROCESS?
>> NO. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO.
>> SO THEN I ASK WE VOTE INDIVIDUALLY IF POSSIBLE.
>> SURE. >> IF WE DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION ON THAT CANDIDATE -- BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IF I'M CORRECT, THEY PROVIDED A BRIEF BIO, SO IF THERE IS NOT ONE ON THE LIST, DID WE RECEIVE THEIR BIO? IS THERE SOMEBODY YOU WANTED TO --
>> THR*Z ONE -- THERE IS ONE IN PARTICULAR I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE NO ON. YES.
>> OH, VOTE NO ON INSTEAD OF ADDING.
>> CORRECT. >> SO WHEN DO WE HAVE TO GIVE THESE -- OUR DECISIONS? IS THERE A DATE? COULD WE HAVE THOSE ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE, AND THEN WE WILL GO
AHEAD AND CONTINUE? >> WE ALREADY RECEIVED THE ATTACHMENTS. SO THE THING IS, AS A BOARD WE
[00:55:04]
SUBMIT ONE BALANCE LIT -- BALLOT.WE DON'T SUBMIT FIVE BALLOTS. SO EVEN IF YOU WERE TO VOTE NO ON ONE PERSON, IF EVERYBODY ELSE IS GONNA SAY YES, THEN THEY ARE GOING TO GET THAT VOTE. BEING THAT IT IS SIX OPENINGS AND SIX CANDIDATES, I ASK THAT WE WAIVE THE BALLOT.
BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT, EVEN THE OTHER DISTRICTS VOTING, IT IS
SIX SPOTS. >> I JUST MAKE A MOTION TO
APPROVE THE SIX. >> POINT OF ORDER, IF I WANT TO VOTE FOR ONE AND WE ARE APPROVING ALL SIX AND I DON'T WANT TO APPROVE ONE I WOULD HAVE TO VOTE NO ON ALL SIX OF THESE?
>> NO, NO, NO, NO. >> OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE GONNA BE TIMES WHERE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO RECUSE THEMSELVES OR THERE IS AN ISSUE OR WHATEVER IT IS. THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS -- WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO PASS BECAUSE OF WHAT MRS. ARMSTRONG MENTIONED. IF THAT PERSON WANTS TO MAKE IT A POINT AND SAY I AM NOT VOTING FOR THIS PERSON, I IMAGINE THAT'S THE REASON YOU WANT TO DO IT.
YOU KNEW IT WAS GOING TO PASS. >> YOU CAN ABSTAIN FROM THE
VOTE. >> I DON'T WANT TO ABSTAIN THOUGH. I WANT TO VOTE NO.
>> THEN WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE THEN.
>> AND WE CAN PROBABLY VOTE IN -- WELL, CAN'T WE JUST SAY -- OKAY. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
CAN WE JUST SAY ACCEPTANCE OF CURRENT WITH THE OMISSION OF
WHOEVER IT IS YOU ARE OMITTING? >> CAN WE JUST DO A ROLL CALL DOWN THE LINE AND DO IT LIKE THAT?
>> YEAH. >> JUST GO ONE BY ONE.
>> I WILL SECOND OR THIRD. >> LET'S TAKE ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> MR. MENDOZA? >> I THINK I HAVE TO ABSTAIN BECAUSE I I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO LOOK EVER ON THE
>> OKAY. WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ON THE
MOTION. >> I THINK THE MOTION TO VOTE ON EACH CANDIDATE INDIVIDUALLY AND THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH THEM
LIKE THAT IF THAT'S OKAY. >> SO WE ARE VOTING ON CHRISTINA
KENNEDY? >> SO MOTION TO APPROVE, BLANK,
AND THEN YOU GO FROM THERE. >> SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE -- WHERE DID THE LIST GO? MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHRISTINE CHICON KENNEDY.
>> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL PLEASE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE YESSENIA CORRIENTA.
>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> SECOND.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE FRANCISCO SANTANA.
>> I. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE VOTE FOR HECTOR -- HECTOR, JUNIOR AND SYLVIA AND
>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MR. MENDOZA?
SO THE NEXT ITEM WITHHELD TONIGHT IS AGENDA ITEM 9.2.5.2.
[01:00:11]
>> ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> NO. IT IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE ANNUAL LISTING MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND AGREEMENTS 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR. DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> SO ON YOU --
>> GO AHEAD. >> OKAY ON THE ATKINS EDDELSON LOYA AND ROOT AND ROMO, IS THIS ONE OF THE FIRMS THAT
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.
MY UNDERSTANDING ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT BOTH ME AND MY COLLEAGUE ARE ON, IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO COMPLETE THE INTERVIEWS BEFORE WE BRING IT TO THE BOARD FOR FINAL VOTE.
SO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE ONE NOW.
>> YEAH. MAYBE I WAS CONFUSED OR MAYBE I DIDN'T CLARIFY THE LAST TIME WE HAD THE INTERVIEWS.
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW FOR THE REST OF THE BOARD, WE HAVE A SUBCOMMITTEE THAT YOU GUYS -- THAT WE SELECTED THAT INVOLVES MR. CRIHFIELD AND DR. ELHESSEN WHO JOINED ME IN INTERVIEWING THE DIFFERENT RFP'S AND LEGAL FIRMS THAT WERE SUBMITTED.
THERE WERE SEVERAL. WE WANTED TO BRING BACK ABOUT FOUR OF THEM BECAUSE IT IS GOOD TO HAVE DIFFERENT FIRMS THAT YOU WORK WITH. I AM ACCUSTOMED TO WORKING IN SEVERAL. WE HAD A BUNCH OF THEM THERE.
WRAOE -- WE ARE NOT GOING TO NEED THAT MANY IN THIS PLACE, BUT DO WE HAVE -- I'M LOOKING AT A TIME ISSUE.
THERE IS A BUNCH OF LEGAL ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.
IT IS TO GET OUR SCHEDULES ORGANIZED ENOUGH TO INTERVIEW THAT MANY. WE ARE STREUBG HREUG IN.
TRICKLING IN. WE INTERVIEWED THEM AND THEY WERE GOOD. TWO OTHERS WERE INTERVIEWED LAST WEEK, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET THEIR CONTRACTS READY FOR THIS BOARD MEETING. THEY WILL BE IN THE NEXT ONE.
AND THERE ARE TWO OTHER FIRMS WE WILL INTERVIEW.
I CAN WAIT UNTIL NEXT TIME, BUT I'M FEELING INSECURE NOT HAVING LEGAL COUNSEL AVAILABLE. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO BRING
THIS UP. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS CURRENTS LEGAL COUNSEL IS ON BOARD UNTIL WE HAVE OTHER COUNSEL AVAILABLE.
IS THAT INCORRECT? >> WE CAN USE THEM OR NOT USE THEM. I HAVEN'T ACCESSED THEM MUCH.
I THINK THEY ARE WORKING WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ISSUES WE HAVE DEALT WITH IN SMALL PARTS HERE AND THERE.
OUR GOAL WAS TO GET NEW LEGAL COUNSEL IN PLACE RIGHT AWAY.
>> RIGHT. >> SO MY POINT IS I AM TRYING TO GET NEW LEGAL COUNSEL IN HERE AND FOREGO PREVIOUS ONE.
THAT WAS THE INTENT. >> I JUST FEEL IT IS MORE ETHICAL IF WE GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE RFP PROCESS.
THIS LOOKS AWKWARD IF WE ARE -- IF THE OTHER FIRMS ARE SEEING WE ARE ACCEPTING ONE LAW FIRM AND THEY HAVEN'T INTERVIEWED OR PLANNING TO INTERVIEW. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> IT DOES. THE ONES WE ARE INTERESTED IN AND WE AGREED THAT WOULD BE A PART OF WHAT WE ARE BRINGING ALL KNOW -- THE ONES THAT COMMUNICATED KNOW THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WE WORK WITH. SO I HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH THEM ON THAT. WE CAN CERTAINLY WAIT.
AS COO, I AM NERVOUS ABOUT NOT HAVING COUNSEL.
>> I DO WANT TO ASK -- WE HAVE REPRESENTATION UNTIL WE GET WHO
WE WANT HIRE ETD -- HIRED. >> YEAH.
WE HAVE UH A LOT OF SPECIAL ED CASES AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL SUPPORT ALL THAT. THEY NORMALLY SUPPORTED THE GENERAL COUNSEL STUFF, BUT THEY WON'T GET INTO THE SPECIAL EDDIE
TAILS AND THE STUFF WE NEED. >> WHAT WAS THE LAST ONE WE HIRE STPHED -- WHO WAS THE LAST ONE WE HIRED?
>> OH SHE WAS PART OF THE -- THEY ARE A LEGAL TEAM AS A WHOLE IS THAT WHO YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?
>> YEAH. OUR CURRENT COUNSEL THAT YOU HAVE APPROVED TO DO THE CONTRACT MATRIX, THOSE ARE THE TWO CURRENT COUNCIL YOU HAVE IN PLACE.
[01:05:04]
IT IS NOT FOR ANYTHING PENDING IN TERMS OF LIKE SPECIAL ED ORANY CASES LIKE THAT. >> I WILL JUST SAY THAT I SHARE SOME CONCERNS, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE YOU ARE -- THE URGENCY.
AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH EACH FIRM THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HIRING. AS A COMMUNITY WHAT I WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR AND I THINK DR. ELHESSEN SHARES, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE FIRM.
WHEN WE MAKE OUR RECOMMENDATION IT IS NOT THAT IT IS ON THERE.
WHICH WERE GOOD AND WHY WERE THEY GOOD? IT WOULD BE EASIER IF WE HAD THEM ALL AT ONCE AND THEY WILL DO THE WORK AND THEY HAVE HAD LONG MEETINGS AND THIS ONE --
>> I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE. AND AT THE DISCUSSION LIKE WHAT
WE SAW, THE PROS AND CONS. >> IT WOULDN'T COME TO CLOSED SESSION. IT WOULD BE OPEN SESSION.
>> TO SATISFY THE NEEDS OF HAVING COUNSEL, I WOULD SAY USING THIS MOMENT TO SAY THIS IS ONE I WOULD RECOMMEND.
AND THEN MAYBE FOR THE FOLLOWING FIRMS WE CAN MAKE IT MORE OF A DISCUSSION WITH THE BOARD IF THAT'S OKAY.
>> AN EXAMPLE WHEN WE ASK THE QUESTION WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BELLFLOWER, THEY FUMBLED UNTIL I KIND OF COACHED THEM A LITTLE MORE ABOUT OUR DISTRICT. SO THEY WERE GOOD -- I'M NOT SAYING THEY WEREN'T GOOD. THERE WERE CERTAIN THINGS OTHER BOARDS WERE STRONGER ON AND THEY DID THEIR RESEARCH WHEN THEY CAME TO US. THEY DID THINGS THAT MADE THEM STAND OUT MORE. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF US TALKING ABOUT. IF WE WANT TO BRING IT NOW, I CAN BRING SOME POINTS THAT WERE POSITIVE AND SOME THAT WERE NOT.
>> YES. CAN WE DO THAT, PLEASE, AND THAT WAY WE CAN ALL SEE WHAT YOU SAW AND WE CAN GO FORWARD.
>> IT IS SOMETHING WHEN WE DO ALL OF THE RFP'S.
>> BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE THOUGHT PROCESS HERE IS THAT WE NEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION NOW. HENCE WHY OUR SUPERINTENDENT BROUGHT THIS FORWARD NOW. I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT IF WE NEED IT NOW GOING FORWARD, THERE MIGHT BE SOME FUTURE LITIGATION OR ANTICIPATED LITIGATION THAT WE AREN'T NECESSARILY SEEING AT THIS POINT.
NOW IS THE TIME TO DO THIS SO WE ARE PREPARED AND AS A DISTRICT WE CAN PROTECT OUR STUDENTS AND ANY FUTURE DECISIONS WE MAY
TAKE. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, IF I MAY, I TOTALLY AGREE AND I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS FIRM RIGHT NOW, BUT -- AND I LIKE THE -- WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS AS FAR AS WE CAN USE THIS FIRM. WE ONLY USE THEM WHEN WE USE THEM. IF YOU ARE USING THEM AND WE BRING ON ONE OF THE OTHER FIRMS, MAYBE WE WORK WITH THEM MORE AND MAYBE WE DON'T USE THEM AS MUCH. IT IS NICE FOR YOU TO HAVE THE COMFORT OF HAVING THE REPRESENTATION AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, PWHRUT -- BUT I WOULD MAKE THE REQUEST THAT MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT -- I THINK WE HAVE A -- TWO OR THREE MORE INTERVIEWS. WE HAVE DONE TWO THAT AREN'T HERE. WE HAVE FOUR TOTAL.
I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THOSE TOGETHER AND I COULD BRING THE NOTES AND PRESENT THEM TO THE BOARD.
>> THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT. IT IS TAKING LONGER THAN I ANTICIPATED. KNOWING WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON OF POSSIBILITY OF THINGS COMING OUR WAY, IT IS JUST, TO ME, HAVING THE SECURITY IS A GOOD THING AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED IT
DID -- WANTED IT THERE. >> AGREED.
VERY GOOD POINT. WE COULD USE SOME NOW.
WE DON'T HAVE TO. IF WE FIND IN THE FUTURE THEY ARE NOT WHAT WE ASSUMED THEY WERE GOING TO DO OR BE, THEN WE CAN CHOOSE TO NOT USE THEM AND GO FORWARD WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
>> COULD I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THIS?
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS CLEAR THAT WE DO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION NOW. IT IS NOT LIKE WE DON'T HAVE
[01:10:01]
ANYBODY AVAILABLE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SUREEVERYBODY KNOW THAT'S. >> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS IN CONTACT WITH HIM THOUGH. NOBODY IS IN CONTACT WITH THE
CURRENT LEGAL. >> MATTER OF CHOICE.
>> I HAVE HAD LIMITED CONTACT WITH HIM.
THE TIMES I HAVE IS TO ADDRESS A PREVIOUS SESSION DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. TO ME THAT'S THE EXTENT OF MY CONVERSATIONS. ANY LEGAL DECISIONS WE HAVE USED OUR KNOWLEDGE ON. SO I GUESS MY POINT IS I DON'T WANT TO WALK AROUND THAT WAY. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
SOMEONE READY. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON BOARD AND GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE OF THE MAIN INTERFACES WITH THEM, BUT THEY DO REPRESENT THE BOARD AS A WHOLE. IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS THAT'S THE FIRST THING THEY SAY IS WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE BOARD.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT.
>> AND WE ARE USING -- JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT LAWYERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES WE ARE USING THEM FOR CURRENT EDUCATION. IT IS NOT THAT WE AREN'T COMPLETELY USING THEM, BUT THE MAIN PERSON WE HAVE HAD LIMITED INTERACTION. NORMAL -- NORMALLY WE HAVE CONTACT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ABOUT THINGS COMING UP.
SO FAR I AM USING MY OWN KNOWLEDGE, BUT I WOULD RATHER
HAVE THE SECURITY. >> IF I CAN THROW OUT ONE MORE THING. I KNOW THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, IT FALLS UNDER THE SAME AGENDA ITEM AND IT IS A MOMENT, A SQUIRREL MOMENT, BUT THE SWAGIT PRODUCTIONS I DID LOOK INTO THEM AND I WASN'T AS AWARE OF THE REALLY AMAZING SYSTEM WE HAVE FOR STREAMING. SO I HAD TO EDUCATE MYSELF A LITTLE BIT. KUDOS TO THE STAFF FORGETTING THAT -- FOR GETTING THAT IN PLACE.
I WENT ON THEIR WEBSITE AND LOOKED AT THE FEATURES AND IT IS PRETTY ROBUST. IT IS ACTUALLY A LOT BETTER THAN A LOT OF OTHER DISTRICTS. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE OURSELVES FOR. I WOULD CHEER -- CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE AND I WILL SHARE IT WITH MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL.
IT IS PRETTY COOL, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
KUDOS TO THE STAFF FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU.
>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> SO THE MOTION -- SORRY.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> WE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> WE NEED A MOTION TO -- AND THIS IS ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AT WILL, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO BE IN A PROPER POSITION.
I RESEARCHED SOME OF THESE FIRMS AND I PROBABLY NEED TO DO A LITTLE MORE, BUT NOT FACE-TO-FACE LIKE YOU.
THAT'S WHAT I REALLY NEED. I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE
>> ROLL CALL PLEASE. >> MR. MENDOZA.
[10. INFORMATION ITEMS]
SO NOW GOING ON TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THIS EVENING? HEARING NONE, BOARD/STUDENT MEMBER AND STAFF COMMENTS.IT IS TIME FOR STAFF COMMENTS. DR. DROTI?
>> SO I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT -- I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THANKS TO A LEADERSHIP AND COOPERATION OF OUR PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND STAFF MEMBERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT THAT THE L.A. COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION COMPLETED THE MANDATE FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT FINDINGS OF SCHOOL VISITS AND MONITORING DURING THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR AS REQUIRED BY THE WILLIAM SETTLEMENT LEGISLATION. AS A RESULT THE LEGISLATION, THE VISITS AND MONITORING FOCUSED ON THREE KEY AREAS.
CONDITION OF FACILITIES, SUFFICIENCY OF TEXTBOOKS AND TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS. THE SITES VISITED AND REVIEWED WERE RAMONA ELEMENTARY, TOMAS JEFFERSON AND FRANK E WOODRUFF ELEMENTARY. I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT DUE
[01:15:01]
TO THE DEDICATION OF MAINTENANCE, CUSS -- CUSTODIAL STAFF AND SITE LEADERSHIP, FRANK E WOOD -- FRANK E WOODRUFF RECEIVED GOOD AND TOMAS JEFFERSON AND RECEIVED EXEMPLARY. ALL THREE SITES HAD ALL TEACHER APPROPRIATELY CREDENTIALED. ALL THREE HAD INSTRUCTIONAL ENGLISH LEARNERS AND ALL THREE SITES VERIFIED TO BE ACCURATE IN TEXTBOOK SUFFICIENT -- SUFFICIENCY AND FACILITY DATA.IN THE AREA OF COMPLETE PROCEDURES, ALL THREE SITES HAVE ZERO COMPLAINTS IN THE AREA OF FACILITIES AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS.
IN -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO REPORT OUT TO THE BOARD.
I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU -FRPBLGT -- THANK YOU, DR. DROTI.
>> IT IS TIME FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS AND STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS.
LET'S BEGIN WITH MR. MENDOZA. >> ALL RIGHT OF GOOD EVENING, BELLFLOWER. I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT LONG WEEKEND AND I HOPE EVERYONE IS STAYING WARM WITH THE HIGH WINDS AND THE RAIN THAT'S ON THE WAY. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN MY UPDATE WITH A FEW REMARKS ON BOARD BUSINESS.
LAST MONTH I MET WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT DR. BEN DROTI ABOUT A POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BELLFLOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES.
THIS PARTNERSHIP WOULD PROVIDE FREE, UNLIMITED ACCESS TO TRANSIT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS K-12 IN THE L.A. METRO GO PASS PROGRAM. IT ALLOWS SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH PASSES VALID FOR VARIOUS TRANSIT AGENCIES IN THE REGION INCLUDING L.A. METRO, LONG BEACH TRANSIT, NORWALK TRANSIT AND OTHER REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.
I APPROACHED HIM ON THE PROGRAM BECAUSE I BELIEVE OUR STUDENT BODY WOULD AGAIN -- BENEFIT WITH OPTIONS TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES AND WEEKEND EVENTS.
PUBLIC TRANSIT HELPS OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
MANY STUDENTS USE PUBLIC TRANSIT INCLUDING MAYFIELD -- MAY FARE'S CLASS OF 2023 VALEDICTORIAN WHO RELIES ON THE BUS TO GET HOME.
ONE STUDENT HAD TO MOVE TO HAWTHORNE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAS TO TAKE BUSES TO THE SCHOOL AND IT HELPS ON THE WEEKEND TO GET TO EVENTS. BUSES ARE GREAT FOR LARGE CLASS TRIPS, BUT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR CLUBS TO TRANSPORT TO BEACH CLEAN UPS OR COLLEGE TOURS. LASTLY, LONG BEACH'S 91 ROUTE AND 128 CARRY DOZENS OF STUDENTS EVERY DAY BACK AND FORTH FROM BELLFLOWER TO MAY -- MAY FIRE ALLEVIATING THE TRAFFIC THAT BUILDINGS UP AT DROP OFF AND PICK UP TIMES.
DR. DROTI IS NO STRANGER TO THE FACTS AND RECALLED DURING THE MEETING THAT SANTA MONICA/ MALIBU IS ONE OF THE DISTRICTS OFFERING PASSES TO STUDENTS. IN MY CONVERSATION I BROUGHT UP A POINT AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE THIS PORTION OF MY UPDATE WITH. THESE PASSES CAN SAVE FAMILIES LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT THEY CAN USE FOR OTHER ACADEMIC EXPENSES. TAKE MY STUDENT TAP CARD.
I USE THE CARD TO GET TO MY PART-TIME JOB.
WITH IT I RECEIVE A DISCOUNTED PASS AT A RATE OF $24 PER MONTH.
I HAVE ONLY BEEN USING MY CARD FOR TWO MONTHS NOW, BUT MY FRIEND WHO I MENTIONED MOVED TO HAWTHORNE IN THE PANDEMIC HAS THE SAME TYPE OF PASS I HAVE FOR TWO ACADEMIC YEARS.
THAT'S OVER $400, THE EQUIVALENT OF FIVE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY APPLICATION FEES. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF SECURING GO PASSES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
I EPBL COURAGE -- I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO RESEARCH AT WWW.METRO.NET. BEFORE I MOVE ON TO WHAT PROJECTS I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AND REPORT SOME PERSONAL NEWS I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXTEND A CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BELLFLOWER TEACHER ASSOCIATION FOR HAMMERING OUT AN AGREEMENT THAT BETTER PUTS US ON THE TRACK TO BE AN EXSWREPL PHRAEURB -- EXEMPLARY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEY WORKED TIRELESSLY TO FIND THE NUMBER THAT'S WORK BEST AND THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST INSTRUMENTAL TO STUDENT SUCCESS ARE GOING TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO SERVE US IN THE YEARS TO COME.
NOW FOR SOME PERSONAL NEWS STARTING WITH MY HOME SCHOOL.
TODAY STUDENTS AT MAYFIELD -- MAY FARE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY ADD A DAY WITHOUT INTERNET ACCESS.
WE BELIEVE THE HIGH WINDS OUR REGION IS EXPERIENCING ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTAGE. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE DISTRICT STAFF IS WORKING WITH THE FIBER COMPANY TO RESTORE WI-FI TO BOTH CAMPUSES. HOPEFULLY OUR INTERNET WILL BE BACK BEFORE TOMORROW NIGHT'S THE FAIR.
SPEAKING OF THE FAIR THE UNICEF CLUB WILL BE SELLING SNACKS AND RE -- REFRESHMENTS FOR OUR ON GOING CAMPAIGN.
I MUST ADMIT I AM SPRAOEUTENED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN. WE RAISED $400 WITH $100 VISIBLE ON THE SITE AND $300 HELD IN CASH BY OUR CLUB PRESIDENT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE OR DONATE SWING BY OUR BOOTH TOMORROW. MY FELLOW CLUB BOARD MEMBERS AND A FEW CLUB MEMBERS WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND
[01:20:02]
FACILITATE SALES. THE LAST BIT OF MAYFIELD NEWS I HAVE RELATES TO THE HISTORY CLUB.LAST MONDAY THE BELLFLOWER CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO APPROVE THE PROJECT TO TKEUPBLG TIES AND UP -- DIGITIZE AND UP LOAD MAPS AND MEDIA TO A WEBSITE THAT IS HYPERLINKED TO THE CITY'S WEB PAGE. THE PROJECT IS BIGGER THAN MAY -- MAY FAIR. WE ARE PART -- PARTNERING WITH THE LIBRARIAN WHO OFFERED SUPPORT WITH OUR EFFORTS.
I HAVE THE LIABILITY FORMS AND I CAN FILL OUT AND SUBMIT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE SERVICE PROJECT.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT, REACH OUT TO MYSELF.
IN CLOSING OF THIS PERM -- PERSONAL PORTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE COLLEGE NEWS.
STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT HAVE STARTED TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRST COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES. WHILE IT IS A LONGTIME BEFORE WE HEAR FROM ALL OF THE COLLEGES WE HAVE APPLIED TO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE SEEING THEIR HARD WORK PAYOFF.
I WILL BE HONEST. CAL STATE LONG BEACH DID NOT TAKE ME, AND I WAS PRETTY BUMMED OUT ABOUT THAT.
I WORRIED WHAT THAT MEANT FOR MY UC APPLICATIONS, BUT I REMINDED MYSELF THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ME LIKE THE FREE TUITION AT LBCC AND CERRITOS COLLEGE.
MY MESSAGE TO STUDENTS IS IT IS OKAY IF IF YOUR COLLEGE PLANS DON'T WORK OUT. THERE IS TIME TO HEAR BACK FROM THE OTHER COLLEGES. IF YOU KEEP FACING REJECTION, JUST KNOW THAT HERE IN BELLFLOWER THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEWHERE TO GO BECAUSE OF THE GREAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAMS. I AM DELIGHTED TO REPORT I RECEIVED THREE AGO -- ACCEPTANCES SO FAR, WITH THE ONE DECLINED APPLICATION. TWO OF WHICH ARE FROM STATES OTHER THAN CALIFORNIA. I WILL BE DOING MY RESEARCH INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF ATTENDING THESE OUT OF STATE SCHOOLS AND CONSIDERING THE AVAILABILITY OF TRANSGENDER CARE AS I TRANSITION AND THE TUITION RATES AND THE STYLES OF LEARNING AND THE CAMPUS' FEATURE. IN THE MEAN WHILE -- MEANWHILE, DON'T LOSE HOPE, GUYS. WE STILL HAVE MONTHS TO GO.
THE LAST STATEMENT I WOULD LIKE TO USE MY TIME ON IS REGARDING DR. SUE ELHESSEN'S REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.
MY COLLEAGUE MADE A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR TIME LIMITS ON BOARD MEETINGS SO SHE CAN BETTER PARTICIPATE.
THE REQUEST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE SERIOUS AND MUST BE MET. WHEREAS BEFORE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT TIME LIMITS ON OUR MEETINGS BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF MEETINGS ALREADY, JUST ONCE A MONTH, AND OUR INCREASED FREQUENCY FOR MEETINGS AND THE ADDITION OF BOARD STUDY SESSIONS AND RETREATS MEANS REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MUST RECEIVE OUR ATTENTION NOW.
IN 2016, SPECIAL REUZ -- ADVISOR FOR INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS WROTE A STABLE, PROSPEROUS DEMOCRACY SUCCEEDS WHEN INDIVIDUALS CAN FULLY PARTICIPATE IN POLITICAL AND PUBLIC LIFE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN AND MUST MAKE THE STATEMENT TRUE AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM DRO DR. ELHESSEN'S REQUEST.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN ENSURE INDIVIDUALS CAN FULLY PARTICIPATE IN POLITICAL AND PUBLIC LIFE BY MEETING MICHAEL -- COLLEAGUE'S REQUEST BY PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING OUR TIME AND INTERACTION WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE US.
THAT'S IT FOR ME TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.
MS. ARMSTRONG? >> I NEED TO STEP UP MY GAME AND START TYPING OUT MY NOTES. YOU KNOW, I STILL WRITE, SO I LEFT MY NOTES AT HOME BECAUSE I RAN FROM WORK TO GET HERE AT 4:00. ANYWAY, I'M HAPPY OUR TEACHERS ARE HAPPY, AND THAT HAPPINESS WILL TRANSFER TO OUR STUDENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCE -- CIRCLE AROUND OUR STAFF.
I AM HAPPY ABOUT THAT. I AM GETTING OVER [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT'S GOING TO BE [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG.
I ATTENDED A KR-RBG -- CSBA WEBINAR TRAINING ON TRAUMA-BASED EDUCATION. I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH AND IN 2021, THE CDC SAW AN INCREASE OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ACROSS THE BOARD. ONE OFFICIAL SAID THAT GIRLS IN THE U.S. AREN TKPWRUFRLED -- ARE ENGULFED IN A GROWING WAVE OF SADNESS, VIOLENCE AND DRAMA. NEARLY THREE IN FIVE TEEN GIRLS REPORTED PERSISTENT SADNESS, DOUBLE THE RATE OF BOYS.
25% OF GIRLS REPORTED HAVING MADE A SUICIDE ATTEMPT AND 14% REPORTED HAVING FORCED TO HAVE SEX AND 4% RISE SINCE THAT LAST
[01:25:06]
SURVEY. ONCE MORE, 22% OF TEENAGERS THAT IDENTIFY AS LESBIAN, DAY, BISEXUAL OR QUESTIONING HAVE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. ONE OF THE HYPOTHESIS IS GIRLS WERE MORE LIKELY -- SOCIALLY ISOLATED AND RELY MORE ON PEERS FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM OR THEIR GENERAL WELL BEING.AND THEY HAVE BEEN LIKELY SPENDING MORE TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA. NOT JUST TIME ON IT, BUT TIME THAT IS EXCESSIVE AND MAY REACH THE THRESHOLD OF MAKING THEM AT GREATER RISK FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
WE NEED TO TAKE A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL PLACES TO DO THAT WAS IN SCHOOLS. THE CDC SAYS WE NEED TO MAKE AND PROMOTE SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AND WHEN WE MAKE THE CONCERNED EFFORT AND INVESTMENTS IN THOSE TYPES OF POSITIVE YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES WE SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOLS, CONNECTEDNESS AND IMPACT ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.
IN THE WEB -- WEBINAR -- I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY BRING POLICY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE FORM OF OUR POLICIES THAT SUPPORT STUDENT WELL BEING. UNIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS EPIDEMIC OF TRAUMA IN SCHOOLS WITH STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS NEEDS IN MIND.
THEY ARE COLLABORATING TO TRANSFORM SCHOOLS TO TRAUMA- SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS. THEY ARE MAKING SAFE HAVENS FOR EVERY STUDENT AND SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS FOR EVERY EDUCATOR.
I BRING THIS TO LIGHT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING IN REGARDS TO OUR WELLNESS CENTERS WE ARE PUTTING ACROSS THE SITE.
IT IS ONE STEP FORWARD FOR A CRITICAL NEED THAT IS HAPPENING AND NOT ONLY IN OUR LOCAL SITES, BUT ACROSS THE NATION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WRITING POLICY THAT WOULD SUPPORT OUR STUDENT'S WELL BEING AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THAT WOULD BE STAKEHOLDER BASED AND IT WOULD INCLUDE OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATORS. WITH THAT I SAY WE CONTINUE TO TAKE OUR -- OUR HEART FELT INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTOPHER MENDOZA, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS CREATING A SPACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND HOPING AS I TRANSITION FROM THE BOARD WE WOULD HAVE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WOULD WOULD WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT TOO. AND THAT IS PART OF THE INCLUSIVENESS OF BUILDING A BRIDGE AND AN OPEN SPACE FOR EVERYONE. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN.
LAST WEEK -- I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
LAST WEEK I VISITED ERNIE PILE AND THAT WAS SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL I ATTENDED.
I MET WITH PRINCIPAL COUPLINGS AND -- PRINCIPAL CUMMINGS.
I APPRECIATED HOW ORGANIZED THEY WERE.
THEY HAVE BACKPACK RACKS AND THE KIDS LOVE THEM AND IT LOOKS SO AMAZING. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THAT.
I WAS ABLE TO SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENT GRADE LEVELS.
I WAS VISITING AT LUNCHTIME. SO WHEN I WENT IN I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE PROCESS. I LOVE HOW THEY HAVE THE TABLES SPREAD UH -- APART FOR THE KIDS WITH COVID AND THAT.
I APPRECIATED HOW THAT WENT. I SAW THE LOCATION OF THE FUTURE WELLNESS CENTER, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL, BIG, AND IT IS GOING TO BE AMAZING. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THAT SPACE.
I SAW A SMALL GROUP INTERVENTION INSTRUCTION AND I LOVE SEEING THAT. WE KNOW IT HELPS OUR STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY, AND THAT WAS NICE TO SEE.
THE -- THERE WERE SO MANY BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY AND GREAT AREAS.
I LOVED THAT. I SAW A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING THERE. ONE THING I DID HAVE THAT WAS A CONCERN I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IS IN BETWEEN OUR EL -- ELEMENTARY IS A MOBILE HOME PARK.
THERE IS A FENCE THAT IS OPEN AND YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT. SO THE PEOPLE FROM THE MOBILE PARK CAN SEE OUR KIDS AND OUR KIDS CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING OVER THERE. I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK AT AND MAYBE CONSIDER PUTTING SLATS UP ALONG THE FENCE OR SOME TYPE OF MESH WIRING SO THAT OUR KIDS CAN'T SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THERE AND THEY CAN'T SEE OUR KIDS. THAT WAS JUST ONE THING I WANTED
[01:30:02]
TO POINT OUT. I SPOKE WITH MY CITIZENS TASK FORCE AND I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED WE HAVEN'T ADOPTED HISTORY BOOKS AND NEW TEXTBOOKS IN 20 YEARS.I DON'T BELIEVING -- I PRESIDENE THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS. WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT AND ANALYZING THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ADOPTIONS IN THE FUTURE. I ALSO TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE BOARD POLICIES. I WENT THROUGH EVERY POLICY AND IT TOOK ME MANY HOURS. A LOT OF THE POLICIES ARE OUTDOOR -- OUTDATED. MOST GO BACK TO 2013.
I HOPE WE CAN LOOK AT THESE AND UPDATE THESE IN THE FUTURE.
I ALSO THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE OUR STUDENT COMMITTEES -- I WAS TALKING WITH BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA ABOUT THIS AND MAYBE HAVING THEM LOOK AT SOME OF THE STUDENT BILAWS -- BYLAWS.
I BELIEVE IF THE STUDENTS WERE PART OF THE PROCESS THAT THEY CAN CREATE CHANGE THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THEIR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE. THEY ARE THERE AND DOING IT AND THEY WOULD RESPECT THOSE POLICIES IF THEY HAVE A VOICE BEHIND THEM AND THEY ARE PARTNERS IN THE FUTURE.
I WOULD LOVE TO LOOK AT OUR POLICIES AND TALK WITH THE BOARD ABOUT THAT. THAT WAS REALLY IT FOR ME.
AGAIN, I'M GONNA SPEAK ON IT MORE IN THE FUTURE, BUT I AM DEFINITELY HAPPY FOR OUR TEACHERS AND REALLY EXCITED THAT YOU GUYS ARE BEING VALUED AND YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR CSCA MEMBERS AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FUTURE GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.
THANK YOU. >> BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I JUST ECHO WHAT AMIE SAID.
IT IS REALLY A BRIGHT DAY IN BUSD AND SEEING OUR TEACHERS AND OUR CLASSIFIED AND EVERYBODY. I HAVE AN IMMENSE FEELING OF OPTIMISM FOR OUR DISTRICT AND I CAN SEE THINGS HAPPENING ON A MICROAND A MACO -- MICO AND A MACRO AND THANK YOU TO DR. DROTI. I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYBODY COLLABORATING IN A WAY THAT WILL HELP STUDENTS IN THE LONG RUN.
AS FAR AS EVENTS GO I DID GO TO THE LAKEWOOD BUSINESS SAFETY ROUND TABLE. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION ON SAFETY. I AM ENCOURAGED THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE.
I FEEL THAT TIME IS MUCH MORE WELL SPENT TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS. I WENT TO A RIBBON CUTTING AND I BELIEVE IN THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OUR CITY PARTNERS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THERE WAS THE LAKEWOOD STATE OF THE CITY THAT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND I WAS ACCOMPANIED BY DR. DRO TI AND THE BOARD PRESIDENT GARZA. ANOTHER GREAT EVENT WAS BUILDING THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITIES , LAKEWOOD, BELLFLOWER AND CERRITOS TO ME IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR YEARS TO COME. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF JUICE IN THAT SQUEEZE AS FAR AS WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE PARTNERS. AND THEN AS FAR AS MEETINGS GO, WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, BUT DR. SUE ELHESSEN AND I ARE MEETING WITH LEGAL FIRMS AND THAT'S BEEN A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
PRETTY LONG INTERVIEWS, BUT VERY FRUITFUL AND LOOKING FORWARD TO REPORTING MORE ON THAT LATER. LET'S SEE.
I DID MAKE SOME NOTES. IN GENERAL, I WOULD SAY THAT I AM OPTIMISTIC AND I BELIEVE AS A BOARD EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE WE ARE GOING TO DO MORE AND MORE DISAGREES WITH EARNED PHAOUFP -- MUTUAL RESPECT AND WE WILL WORK AS A TEAM AND UTILIZE OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTHS AND FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES WE FACE. I BELIEVE AS A BOARD WE WILL CONTINUE TO SET AN EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION AND ENGAGING IN OPEN DIALOGUE SO WE CAN WORK TOWARD PROVIDING OUR DISTRICT WITH A SUPPORTIVE AND RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS. AS THINGS COME UP, I AM, AGAIN, OPTIMISTIC THAT THE BOARD WILL WORK TOGETHER AND IT WILL BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISTRICT AND ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING TONIGHT AND THANK YOU TO MY BOARD FOR CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD.
FOR MY STKARB -- DASH ON MY END, I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AS PART OF A -- AS A JUDGING COMMITTEE FOR THE DAVE LYONS.
[01:35:02]
THEY GAVE SCHOLARSHIPS OUT TO STUDENTS.VERY MUCH EXCITED FOR THEM AS THEY GO FORWARD IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL -- MEETING THESE LAST EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO OUT THERE AND HAVE THIS SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. JUST LIKE BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD SAID, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE COMMUNICATIONS OPEN WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE HOPE TO HAVE THE PARTNERSHIPS
WITH ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY. >> SO NEXT I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR TEACHER'S UNION AND I WANT TO THANK OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. SUPERINTENDENT DROTI, THE FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS ON THE BOARD, IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PROCESS AS FAR AS WHAT YOU REPORTED BECOME -- BACK.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT THIS IS THE NORMAL FOR OUR DISTRICT.
AND I HOPE TO HEAR REALLY GOOD INFORMATION COMING BACK TO US FROM CSCA IN THE FUTURE AS WELL. ALSO I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND LAKEWOOD STATE OF THE CITY TODAY WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD AND SUPERINTENDENT DR. IT WAS REALLY FUN SEEING, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN ONE ROOM AND BEING ABLE TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FOR OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES AND ALSO PRESENTING, YOU KNOW -- INTRODUCING DR. DROTI TO THE LARGER ELECTED COMMUNITY ITSELF.
WE HOPE IN THE FUTURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS SO WE CAN BRING EXCELLENCE TO OUR SCHOOLS AND TO OUR STUDENTS. NOW I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE THAT WAS OUT OVER THE WEEKEND THAT WAS RELEASED. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH MY COMMENTS THIS EVENING WITH SOMETHING WE TEACH IN OUR GARZA FAMILY. THAT IS FINDING OPPORTUNITY IN CHALLENGES. AS MOST OF YOU MAY KNOW, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED THIS WEEKEND IN THE LONG BEACH PRESS TELEGRAM THAT QUESTIONED OUR BOARD'S INCLUSION OF STUDENTS AND MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES. AS PART OF OUR BOARD, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR POSITION AND PERSPECTIVE BE SHARED WITH EVERYONE. IN THE SHORT TIME SINCE DECEMBER FOR THIS NEW SCHOOL BOARD, WE HAVE WITHOUT QUESTION SHOWN A WILLINGNESS AND A COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT CONFRONT OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF THAT HAVE LONG BEEN NEGLECTED. THE FACT IS THE ISSUE RAISED IN THE NEWS ARTICLE ARE NOT NEW. THE STATE OF OUR BOARDROOM AND ITS ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT NEW. WE HAVE NUMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD WITH US TONIGHT WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD'S GOVERNENCE FOR YEARS, BUT YET NEVER BROUGHT THIS ISSUE FOR REMEDIATION OR CONSIDERATION , EVER.
THE QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES IS WHY IS THIS NOW AN ISSUE? THE UNQUESTIONED FACT IS THESE MEMBERS AND THOSE IN PAST BOARDS UNFORTUNATELY NEGLECTED AND DID NOT ADDRESS THEM.
I FOR ONE WON'T DELVE INTO THE PAST AS NO ONE HERE CAN CHANGE THE PAST. BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING GOING FORWARD. I ASK THAT WE ALL DO SO.
IN VERY QUICK FASHION WE HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS BY CHANGING OUR BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FROM ONE MEETING A MONTH TO TWO MEETINGS A MONTH. IT IS IN ORDER TO SHORTEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME OUR BOARD MEETINGS ARE.
AND THIS IS JUST OUR START. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL GET TO A PLACE WHERE OUR DISTRICT AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON OVERALL ACCESSIBILITY WILL BE AN EXAMPLE AND BE GOOD TO OTHERS.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE. AND THAT IS TO ENSURE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY NO MATTER THEIR LIMITATIONS, BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, BARRIERS, LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND BELIEFS, TO NAME SOME, IS PROVIDED A PLATFORM AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN
[01:40:01]
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT DELIBERATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS THROUGHOUT MY SHORT TIME AS PRESIDENT OF THIS BOARD, WE HAVE DONE THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO.I ASK FOR EVERYONE'S PATIENCE AS THESE EFFORTS ALWAYS TAKE TIME.
I EXPECT THEY MAY REQUIRE FUNDING AS WELL.
WE ALL KNOW THEY WILL BE WORTH IT.
THROUGH THIS CURRENT CHALLENGED I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL LEAD US TOWARD THE OPPORTUNITY OF COMING OUT OF IT A BETTER, STRONGER AND UNIFIED COMMUNITY FOR ALL. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]. >> SO IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURN I HAD -- ADJOURNED AT 7:34 UNTIL THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 9TH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.