Mar 23, 2023 School Board

[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]

[00:00:05]

>>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:01 P.M. IN OPEN SESSION.

[2. CLOSED SESSION]

[3. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER (Part 1 of 2)]

>> GOOD EVENING. WE CAME TOGETHER AT 4:01 FORECLOSED SESSION. FOR CLOSED SESSION.

WE WANT TO RECONVENE AT 6:03. TOPICS DISCUSSED WERE STUDENT MATTERS, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE -- I'M SORRY.

NOT PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE. PENDING LITIGATION, ANTICIPATED LITIGATION AND THOSE WERE ALL OF THE MATTERS.

REPLACING PAGES FOR AGENDA ITEM 8.3.1.1 IS ON THE BACK TABLE.

WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS. TONIGHT WE HAVE REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

THE FIRST ONE IS NONAGENDA ITEM, JACKIE LINSDAF.

WOULD YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM? >> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MEMBERS OF THE COUNSEL -- COUNCIL, I SPOKE AT THE LAST MEETING.

I AM A PARENT OF A 7TH GRADER AT MAYFAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I TOLD YOU HOW MY DAUGHTER WAS 5150-ED DURING A MELT DOWN AND THE TRAUMA EXPERIENCED BECAUSE OF THIS.

I ALSO TALK ABOUT THE RESPONSE FROM THE SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT. FROM THE SCHOOL, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SAME ACTIONS COULD AGAIN HAPPEN IF MY DAUGHTER HAD A SIMILAR VERBAL AUTISTIC MELT DAWN -- MELT DOWN.

WE R-LSZED -- REREALIZED AFTER THE 5150 THEY LOST HER PLAN THAT IS PART OF HER IED. THEY WERE OFFERING THE LIBRARY AND FRONT OFFICE AS A DE ESCALATION PLACE AND THE PLAN WAS NOT DATA-DRIVEN. THESE ACTIONS ARE ILLEGAL AND A VIOLATION OF HER IEP. AT THE LAST MEETING I TOLD YOU THAT I FILED FOR HOME HOSPITAL ON FEBRUARY 10TH.

THE DISTRICT HAD FIVE LEGAL DAYS TO START THE PROCESS.

AS OF TODAY WE HAD ZERO INSTRUCTIONAL MINUTES.

THIS IS ANOTHER VIOLATION. WHEN A PARENT ASKS FOR HELP, NEVER THINK IT IS A PARENT TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE DISTRICT. NO PARENT WANTS TO GO TO AN IEP MEETING AND TRY TO NEGOTIATE FOR SERVICES BECAUSE NO PARENT WANTS TO SEE THEIR CHILD STRUGGLE. I DON'T WANT TO STAND HERE AND BE FILMED AND CRY AND BEG FOR SOMEBODY TO LISTEN TO ME.

I AM DOING IT FOR AN AMAZING CHILD WHO DESERVES AN EDUCATION TOO. A CHILD WHO DOESN'T FIT THE MOLD BECAUSE HER BEHAVIOR IS OUT OF SYNC AND INTAU ELECT IS -- INTAU ELECT IS THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE OTHER KIDS WITH AUTISM WHO COME BEHIND HER. NOW I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO IMAGINE IT IS YOUR CHILD. HUMAN -- HUMOR ME.

IMAGINE YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER THAT PLACES HER IQ IN THE TOP 2% OF THE WEFRLD. -- WORLD.

AND IMAGINE YOU WERE WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK WITH THERAPISTS AND A SERVICE DOG AND SPORTING TEAMS SINCE YOUR DAUGHTER WAS THREE.

AND IMAGINE THAT WHILE SOME PEOPLE DON'T SEE IT AND THEY SEE THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE YOU HAVE COME FAR AND YOU HAVE GOTTEN TO TALKING AND MAKING EYE CONTACT. AND NOW YOU CAN LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT HER TANTRUMMING. SHE EVEN MADE ALL A'S IN ADVANCED CLASSES FOR THE FIRST SEMESTER OF MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND THEN SOMEONE RIPS THE PROGRESS AWAY FROM YOUR DAUGHTER BECAUSE THEY MESSED UP AND CONFUSED AN AUTISTIC MELT DOWN WITH A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM. THE WORST PART IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU GET YOUR DAUGHTER BACK.

IF YOU HAD TRIED FOR FOUR MONTHS TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT TO SET UP A WAY TO GET YOUR CHILD BACK ON TRACK AND YOU GOT NOTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? IF YOU WERE TOLD THE SAME PATH MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN IF SHE DIDN'T LEARN HER LESSON, WOULD YOU SEND HER BACK TO SCHOOL AND HOPE THAT HER AUTISM JUST SOMEHOW FIXED ITSELF? IF YOU KNEW THE SCHOOL HADN'T CHANGED AND YOU HAD TO RELY ON THE FACT THAT HER AUTISM CURED ITSELF, WOULD YOU JUST HOPE AND PRAY THAT IT WOULD ALL WORK OUT? THE BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS TO FIX THIS.

THEY HAVE CAUSED MY CHILD SO MUCH REGRESSION AND THEN TRIED TO BLAME HER FOR IT. SO REALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WOULD YOU FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ED? WOULD YOU GO TO THE MEDIA? WOULD YOU SUE THE DISTRICT? WOULD YOU SPEAK AT BOARD MEETINGS? WOULD YOU JUST WATCH ALL YOUR PROGRESS GET DERAILED ON A CHILD

[00:05:03]

THE DISTRICT BACKS PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INTO CORNERS OFTEN. THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE SO MUCH LITIGATION AGAINST THEM. SINCE WHEN DID IT MAKE MORE SENSE FOR THE DISTRICT TO PAY A LAWYER THAN HELP A KID.

SINCE WHEN WAS IT OKAY TO OFFER FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT NOT OFFER IT TO ALL KIDS.

SINCE WHEN -- >> I'M SORRY --

>> SINCE WHEN DID THEY HAVE THEIR LEGAL FUTURES AND SPEND

MONEY IN COURTROOMS -- >> COULD WE GET YOUR -- THE REST OF YOUR SPEECH, PLEASE? CAN WE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS?

>> WE WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE WITH WHO IS HAPPENING -- WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT SITUATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS A NONAGENDA ITEM, TKRA -- DR. ERIC PLEASE COME UP.

>> BOARD MEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATORS MANY KNOW ME AND SOME DON'T. I AM A TENURED PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND AGO TKEPL 34EUBG ADMINISTRATOR AND MACHINE LEARNING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND A MEMBER OF THE BUSD SPORTS AND A PROUD PRODUCT OF THE EDUCATION I RECEIVED AT MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL. MOST IMPORTANTLY I AM THE PARENT OF A 13-YEAR-OLD OF THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WHO UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST UH TEPBLDED MAYFAIR.

AS A RESULT OF AN AUTISTIC MELT DOWN ADMINISTRATORS CALLED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HAD HER COMMITTED FOR 27 HOURS IN WHAT I CAN CALL AN EGREGIOUS VIOLATION OF HER CIVIL LIBERTIES AND GUARANTEE OF FAITH. MY WIFE HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THAT ELOQUENTLY AND I WON'T BE REDUNDANT.

I WILL SPEAK ABOUT WHAT MY TRAINING TAUGHT ME TO DO BEST AND THAT'S FOCUS ON THE DATA AND LET THE DATA TELL THE STORY.

THE STORY I AM HERE TO TELL YOU IS EMPHATICALLY THAT WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, BELLFLOWER UNIFIED IS NOT ONLY FAILING TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CAN THRIVE, BUT PREFERS TO SPEND MONEY ON LITIGATION THAN THE STUDENTS WE ENTRUST THEM WITH.

HERE AS A DATA SCIENTIST ARE FACTS.

16% OF THE POPULATION AT MAYFAIR AND BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN -- DISABILITIES IN. THE PREVIOUS ACADEMIC YEAR, 12.7% OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MET OR EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS. IF YOU GO TO CERRITOS HIGH SCHOOL, THAT'S 32.6%. MATHEMATICS, 1.4 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MET OR EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS ON THE CAPS.

DOWN AT CERRITOS IT IS 20%. AND FOR SCIENCE, 4.95% OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT BHS AND MHS EXCEEDED ON THE SCIENCE TEST COMPARED TO 12.0% AT CERRITOS.

NOW HERE IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING.

AT BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL, THE POPULATION 16% OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THE SUCCESS -- SUSPENSION RATES FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IS 38% HIGHER THAN NON-DISABLED PIERCE.

AT MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL, IT IS 81%.

ABLEIST MUCH? PERHAPS A TAD.

OVER THE PAST HALF DECADE, BELLFLOWER UNIFIED RECEIVED MORE COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION THAN MOST OF THE NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS AND INVOLVED IN MORE LITIGATION THAN LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNIFIED COMBINED.

OUT OF THE PAST 15 CASES ADJUDICATED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, BELLFLOWER LOST 14 OF THEM.

YAY. AND DESPITE THESE NUMBERS THAT PEOPLE THINK BELLFLOWER UNIFIED IS STRUGGLING, LAST YEAR'S STATE AUDITOR SAID BUSD ACCOUNTS UP TO $83 MILLION THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATED BY DEPRIVING *T RESOURCES.

THEY CHOOSE TO SPEND ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR, 800,000, BUT WHO'S COUNTING? MAYBE JUST A COUPLE LADDERS FROM THE WAREHOUSE. THEY CHOOSE TO SPEND $800,000 A

YEAR ON THEIR TERMS. >> THANK YOU.

WE CAN TAKE THE REST OF YOUR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT COULD BE WITH STUDENTS. SO WHAT IS THE DISTRICT'S PLAN? GO TO COURT AND WAIVE PARENTS DOWN, BUT YOU LOSE.

ALL THE TIME AND IN THE PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS YOU LOSE BECAUSE OF THE EGREGIOUS MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

SO WHEN I TALK TO MY ATTORNEY FRIENDS, THEIR ADVICE IS IT IS

[00:10:02]

YOU HAVE TO OUT -- OUTLAST THEM. ANY LAWYER KNOWS IT IS JUST A MATTER OF WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING FOR THEM TO OUTLAST FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE MONEY TO UP FRONT LEGAL COSTS AND THAT IS NOT HARD TO DO WITH 70 TO 80% OF YOUR CONSTITUENCY TO ECONOMICALLY DISSRAEPBGD. YOUR ATTORNEYS GET PAID EITHER WAY. WHAT DO THEY CARE.

I WILL CONCLUDE WITH A RHETORICAL QUESTION.

IT SEEMS THE ONLY THING BELLFLOWER UNIFIED DOES WORSE AT PROVIDING SPECIAL EDUCATION IS WINNING COURT CASES.

MAYBE INSTEAD OF SPENDING YOUR MONEY ON ATTORNEYS, MAYBE YOU SHOULD INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS.

CALL ME ME AN IDEALIST, BUT MAYBE IT IS STUDENT, STAFF AND TEACHERS. THANK YOU.

[4. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA (Part 1 of 2)]

ARE THERE AMENDMENTS? >> UNDER INFORMATION ITEMS, THE ATTACHMENT AGENDA ITEM 9.1, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING AGENDA HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY SEQUENCED.

PAGE 1 IT IS 7.2.5 AND IT IS CORRECTED TO READ 8.2.5 AND ITS CORRESPONDING ITEMS SHOULD BEGIN WITH AN 8.

LASTLY, ON PAGE 2, INFORMATION ITEM IS LISTED AS 8.3 AND IT SHOULD READ 9.3. ALSO ORIGINALLY PLANNED -- ALSO, WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO HAVE BOARD COMMUNICATIONS ON ONE OF THE TWO MEETINGS OF THE MONTH IN ORDER TO BETTER STREAM LINE THE MEETINGS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE RECENT SAFETY INSURANCE DEPARTMENT -- SAFETY INCIDENT I RECOMMEND WE ADD BOARD AND STAFF COMMUNICATIONS TO THIS MEETING AGENDA SO YOU CAN SPEAK ON -- SPEAK ON ANY OTHER ITEMS YOU WARRANT TO SPEAK TO. WE MAY HAVE TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THE ORDER WE HAVE NOW IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS A MONTH. WE FIGURE THE INFORMATION ITEMS WILL BE ON ONE OF THOSE ITEMS, BUT TODAY WE WANT TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ITEMS FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> OKAY. >> AND THERE IS ONE -- I GUESS IF THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, YOU CAN ASK ME.

THERE IS ONE OTHER ITEM I WILL HAVE CHRIS SPEAK TO.

>> YEAH. THIS IS A PERSONAL REQUEST FOR ME. ON THE MINUTES FOR MEETINGS DURING THE PORTION WHERE THERE'S A BLURB ABOUT WHAT EVERY BOARD MEMBER TALKED ABOUT IN THE BOARD MEMBER'S UPDATE, I ASKED DR. DRO TI IF WE CAN REPLACE ALL OF THE MR. MENDOZA TO BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE APPROPRIATE. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR.

>> AND THAT IS -- THOSE ARE THE ADJUSTMENTS.

[3. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER (Part 2 of 2)]

>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS COMING UP WITH A CARD, I THINK? FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?

>> THERE IS ONE PARENT THAT WANTED TO SPEAK.

DID YOU WANT TO COME TO THE PODIUM NOW? PRESIDENT DISBAR -- PRESIDENT GARZA WILL GIVE YOU A CARD.

>> THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.

>> IF YOU CAN'T WALK TO THE PODIUM -- THERE YOU GO.

MY NAME IS MORAL AND MY DAUGHTER ATTENDS BELLFLOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHE IS A 7TH GRADER.

I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR HAVING A MEETING ON MONDAY IN REGARDS TO THE RECENT INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED AT BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE PANEL TOGETHER AND HEARING OUR CONCERNS AND GIVING US AN UPDATE IN REGARD TO THE RECENT INCIDENT. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE RECEIVED A CALL AND FOLLOW-UP FROM THE PRINCIPAL TO LET US KNOW THAT SOME OF THE IDEAS SHARED, PERHAPS THERE IS A FOLLOW-UP. I DO WANT TO -- I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SUPPORT -- BRING SOME SORT OF COMMITTEE

[00:15:05]

THANK YOU ALL. I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU AS A PARENT. LET ME KNOW WHERE I SIGN UP AND WHERE DO WE GET STARTED. THAT'S WHAT I AM DOING.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI I AM DANIELLE. I AM GABRIELLA'S MOTHER AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE MEETING PUT TOGETHER.

I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO GET A COMMITTEE TOGETHER OF PARENTS, OF BOARD MEMBERS, DISTRICT MEMBERS, STUDENTS AND PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT WOULD WORK TO HELP MAKE BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL -- ALL OF THE SCHOOL IN BELLFLOWER SAFE. I I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR.

SHE MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN SHE SPOKE OUT AT THE MEETING AND GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO EXPRESS HOW I FEEL AND BE A PART OF THE COMMITTEE WHEN YOU DO PUT IT TOGETHER.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. OUR MAIN CONCERN ARE THE CHILDREN AND IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER WE CAN GET A GOOD SOLUTION. SO THE KIDS CAN FEEL SAFE AND THE STAFF WILL FEEL SAFE. I KNOW MY DAUGHTER WENT TO GO TALK TO SOMEONE AND THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE THERE TO TALK TO HER ABOUT IT BECAUSE I KNOW SHE IS AFRAID.

I'M SURE IF HIGH DAUGHTER WHO IS IN SEVENTH GRADE THERE ARE A LOT OF STUDENTS OUT THERE THAT ARE AFRAID AND THEY NEED THAT SUPPORT AND A COMMUNITY GROUP THAT HOPEFULLY WILL MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE AGAIN AT SCHOOL. THANK YOU.

>> [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.

I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT. IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE AND COORDINATE WITH MIKE LINDGREN TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS LIKE GABRIELLA WILL GET ATTENTION WHEN REQUIRED? YOU KNOW, A MEETING, AND OTHER STUDENTS.

THANKS. >> LET'S GO AHEAD AND WE WILL

[4. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA (Part 2 of 2)]

I'M SORRY. WOULD YOU PLEASE RESTATE WHAT

AMENDMENTS WE HAVE THIS EVENING? >> YOU WANT ME TO RESTATE IT.

>> YES, PLEASE. >> SO WE HAVE -- UNDER INFORMATION ITEMS ATTACHMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM 9.1, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEM HAS AN INCORRECT SEQUENCE OF NUMBERS. ON PAGE 1, BUSINESS SERVICES IS LISTED AS 7.2.5 AND IS CORRECTED TO READ 8.2.5.

AND THESE CORRESPONDING ITEMS SHOULD BEGIN WITH AN 8.

LASTLY ON PAGE 2, INFORMATION ITEMS IS LISTED AS 8.3 AND IT SHOULD READ 9.3. ALSO WE ORIGINALLY -- AS I MENTIONED WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO HAVE BOARD COMMUNICATION ON ONE OF THE TWO MEETINGS IN THE MONTH IN ORDER TO BETTER STREAM LINE THE MEETINGS. I RECOMMEND THAT WE HAVE BOARD AND STAFF COMMUNICATION ON THIS MEETING AGENDA FOR YOU TO SPEAK TO THAT AND FOR ME TO ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY AT THE SAME TIME.

AND LASTLY, THERE WERE CORRECTIONS THAT CHRISTOPHER MENTIONED TO SWITCH HIS NAME TO BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA INSTEAD OF

MR. MENDOZA. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT RECAP.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA?

>> MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.

>> I. >> MS. ARMSTRONG.

>> I. >> DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD.

>> I. >> MRS. GARZA.

>> I. >> WE NOW GO ON TO THE FLAG

[5. FLAG SALUTE]

[00:20:04]

WELCOME, MR. BUFFINGTON. >> FOR PRESENTATIONS, DR. DRATI.

[6. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]

>> WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.

THE FIRST PRESENTATION IS ON ARTS, MUSIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL BLOCK GRANT. I WILL TURN IT OVER FOR THE

HONORS. >> THANK YOU.

THIS EVENING I AM PRESENTING THE ARTS, MUSIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BLOCK GRANT. OKAY.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. WE'RE GONNA START WITH THIS TIMELINE SO WE CAN SEE WHERE THIS GRANT CAME FROM.

IT STARTED WITH AB181, JUNE 2022.

WHEN NEWSOM APPROVED THAT THERE WAS THIS GRANT, ART, MUSIC, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DISCRETIONARY BLOCK GRANT.

AND THEN SEPTEMBER OF 2022, A BUN -- AB18 PASSED AND IT REVISED THE ART, MUSIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BLOCK GRANT. IN JANUARY OF 2023 DURING BUDGET PROPOSAL TIMES, NEWSOM HAD A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD REDUCE THIS GRANT FROM 3.6 MILLION TO 2.3 MILLION.

MAY OF 2023 IS THE PROJECTED RECEIPT OF ALL OF THE FUNDS.

AND IT IS ALSO WHEN WE WILL KNOW WHETHER IT IS BEING REDUCED OR NOT. SO I AM SHARING THE TIMELINE FOR YOU TO SEE THAT IT STARTED OFF IN JUNE OF -- JUNE 30 WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT AND BY MAY IT MAY BE A DIFFERENT AMOUNT.

THAT'S PORBTS TO KEEP -- THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GRANT. WE THINK IF WE HAVE A GRANT 2003 HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THAT'S IT.

THIS ONE IS PENDING. IS -- SO THE GRANT IS 3.6 BILLION. BUSD'S ALLOCATION OF THAT IS 6,000,249,446 THERE ARE FIVE THINGS IT CAN BE SPENT ON.

THIS IS WHERE THERE ARE ALLOWABLE COSTS.

IT IS STANDARDS ALIGNED, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS WHICH ARE TEXTBOOKS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SCHOOL CULTURE AND CULTURE -- DIVERSE AND CULTURALLY BOOK COLLECTIONS AND OPERATIONAL COSTS AND COVID PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

BEFORE I GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING THE GRANT FUNDING ON BULLET NUMBER 1 AND BULLET NUMBER 4.

THE NEXT WILL EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE NOT SPENDING THEM ON 2, 3 AND 5.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TEXTBOOKS AND OPERATIONAL COSTS.

NEXT SLIDE. IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE NEEDS AND CULTURALLY REL VENT -- RELEVANT BOOKS AND PPE.

WE HAVE ALLOCATING -- ALLOCATED FUNDING IN OTHER BUDGETARY AREAS. SO WE ALREADY HAVE DEVELOPMENT AND CONCENTRATION FUNDING AND THE EDUCATOR EFFECTIVENESS.

AND IN THE FUTURE THE RECOVERY BLOCK GRANT.

THAT IS A GRANT THAT IS IN THE FUTURE, 27-28 THE ENDING EXPENNED -- EXPENDITURE AND IT IS AN UPCOMING FUND.

WE HAVE ALLOCATED FOR OUR SCHOOL SITES TO BE ABLE TO UP -- UPDATE THE LIBRARIES. THE DUAL IMMERSION IS UPDATING THE LIBRARIES AND SO OUR SITES HAVE ACCESS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT SECTION. THE PPE, THE ESSER FUNDS ARE

[00:25:10]

NEXT SLIDE. WE CAN SPEND THE FUNDS ON THESE SUBJECTS. I WON'T LIST THEM OUT FOR YOU.

YOU CAN SEE THEM ON THE SLIDE. WE ARE ALLOWED TO USE THE FUNDING TO PURCHASE THESE TEXTBOOKS.

THE PLAN IS TO USE THEM FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE ADOPTION.

YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL THERE. NEXT YEAR WE ARE LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT DDQ'S AND MINI Q'S THAT ARE A SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCE TO OUR SOCIAL STUDIES ADOPTION THAT WOULD PROVIDE FOR PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO TIE TO THE CURRICULUM.

WE ARE PROJECTING THAT WRAOE -- THAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT A WORLD LANGUAGE ADOPTION IN THE 23, 24 YEAR AND THEN MATHEMATICS, THE FRAMEWORK HAS NOT YET BEEN ADOPTED.

THE STATE IS WORKING ON THAT FRAMEWORK AND THEY ARE PROJECTED TO ADOPT IT MAY AND JUNE WHICH WOULD MEAN THE COMMITTEE COULD COME TOGETHER AT THE STATE LEVEL AND LOOK AT TEXTBOOKS AND THEN PROVIDE A LIST TO DISTRICTS OF ONE THAT'S COULD BE ADOPTED WHICH MEANINGS THAT WE WOULDN'T BE PROJECTED TO DO OUR PILOT OR PURCHASE MATERIALS UNTIL THE 25, 26 YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE. THE OTHER BULLET THAT WE ARE GOING TO ALLOCATE THE REMAINING FUNDS TO, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT $937,000 WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO OPERATIONAL COSTS.

AND THIS IS THE LIST OF OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT COULD BE ALLOCATED TO, AND WE WILL BE SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATING IT TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. THAT'S THE END OF THE

PRESENTATION. >> I AM GOING TO OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. WE WILL START WITH BOARD MEMBER

MENDOZA. >> SO THE GRANT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR ARTS, MUSIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE WILL BE FOCUSING A LOT ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS PORTION OF THE FUNDING YOU RECEIVE.

I UNDERSTAND SOME OF OUR ART PROGRAMS ON OUR CAMPUSES ARE LOOKING FOR SOME MORE SUPPORT. I KNOW SOME OF THE PERFORMING ARTS DEFINITELY. COLOR GUARD AND PROGRAMS LIKE THAT COULD USE ASSISTANCE. A LOT OF PROGRAMS PAY FEES TO PARTICIPATE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS LIKE TEXTBOOKS IN CORE SUBJECTS SUCH AS SOCIAL SCIENCES ■ARE PROBABLY PRIORITY. THE POINT IS TO ASSIST THE DISTRICT IN THESE AREAS. WITH THE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES AND TEXTBOOKS IN MATH ARE WE LOOKING AT USING THE NORMAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS OF THE DISTRICT TO SUPPORT THOSE PROGRAMS -- THOSE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS?

>> WE WILL USE THE CONCENTRATION FUNDING FOR A GOOD AMOUNT OF THE ARTS PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE SOME ARTS PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN ELEMENTARY FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS.

AND MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR ARTS PROGRAMS ARE PAID OUT OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONCENTRATION AS WELL.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND THIS GRANT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING US COVER THESE COSTS AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL, BUT I GOT EXCITED WHEN I SAW ART AND MUSIC.

I KNOW THAT IS A SPACE FOR GROWTH ALWAYS.

I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THOSE

PROGRAMS. >> IT IS NOT A PART OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS OUT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL KNOW THIS, BUT YOU GUYS, THE VOTERS OF CALIFORNIA, VOYTED -- VOTED FOR PROPOSITION 28.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO -- THE FUNDING GOES STRICTLY TOWARD ARTS AND MUSIC. I THINK WE ARE GETTING THE FINAL DETAIL OF HOW MUCH EACH DISTRICT WILL GET FROM THE GOVERNOR, BUT THERE ARE FUNDS DEDICATED THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

AND THOSE ARE FUNDS THAT WILL BE ONGOING.

THIS AS YOU CAN SEE IS ONE-TIME. THERE IS A DEADLINE TO THESE FUNDS HERE. WHO -- WHAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO

[00:30:04]

SUPPORT ART AND MUSIC. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE I FUNDAMENTALLY MISUNDERSTOOD THE GRANT AND THE PROPOSITION.

I THOUGHT IT WAS THE PROPOSITION SO THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.

BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN. >> EXCUSE ME.

SO WHEN WILL YOU -- YOU'RE NOT SURE WHEN WE WILL FIND OUT THE FINAL COST FOR THE -- THE ALLOCATION FOR THE GRANT?

>> WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL MAY. >> COULD WE ASK FOR MORE?

>> NO. THERE'S A FORMULA.

>> I KNOW WE ARE LOOKING AT BAND UNIFORMS AND I GOT A REQUEST FROM ANOTHER TEACHER IN REGARDS TO INSTRUMENTS.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THE CRITERIA, I GUESS WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WITH REGARDS TO THE PROPOSITION IF THAT WOULD BE

INCLUSIVE OF THAT PROCESS. >> THANK YOU.

BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR AS FAR AS HOW YOU ARE ALLOCATING THE MONEY AND HOW IT WILL BE SUSTAINED. THE HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE THAT, SHOULD SUSTAIN US TO 25 AND 26.

WE ARE DOING THE FIVE PILOT PHASE.

THOSE WERE SOME OF MY QUESTIONS AND THEY WERE ANSWERED.

I WAS -- I WAS ACTUALLY THE SAME THING, ARE WE ABLE TO -- WILL WE BE PREPARED TO INCREASE FUNDS? IT IS CLEAR TO ME.

I'M GOOD. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

>> THANK YOU, MAD -- MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BRING IT TO A 32% DIFFERENCE.

SO HOPEFULLY IT IS FROM THE 6.2 MILLION TO DOWNWARDS OF 3.9.

DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT? >> YEAH.

WE GET 50% NOW AND THEN WE ARE WAITING FOR THE NEXT.

>> GOT IT. >> AND THAT'S WHY YOU ARE NOT SEEING MORE THAN 3 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR BECAUSE THE 50%

WE SHOULD ALREADY HAVE. >> SO WE ALREADY DID GET THE 50% OF IT. SO NOW WE GET AN ADDITIONAL 12%

OR AN ADDITIONAL 50? >> SO WE'RE COVERED IN THE FIRST YEAR AND THEN WE'LL WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE ACTUAL ALLOCATION IS GOING TO BE AND THEN WE MIGHT HAVE TO MODIFY THE PLAN.

>> AND THEN AS FAR AS PRIORITIES , WE HAVE TO BE PRIORITIZING HOW WE USE THOSE FUNDS FOR THE BOOKS -- FOR THE

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS? >> WE WOULD.

>> AWESOME. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO MAKE AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT OR QUESTION? STAFF, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

NOW LET'S MOVE THIS ALONG. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CONDUCT

THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> I'M SORRY.

THERE IS A SECOND PRESENTATION. >> SECOND PRESENTATION.

>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND -- WE'LL PRACTICE THE TRANSITION NEXT

TIME. >> THE SECOND IS ON PUPIL

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. >> THANK YOU.

TONIGHT I WILL SHARE INFORMATION REGARDING OUR CONCEPT AGENDA ITEM 8.3.5.2 WHICH IS OUR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PLAN.

IT IS SO THAT THE DISTRICT IS ABLE TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS.

THIS IS A NEW REQUIRE MEANT -- REQUIREMENT AS PART OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED TO INCREASE TRANS -- TRANSPORTATION IT HAS TO BE ADOPTED BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO APRIL 1ST OF

[00:35:05]

AFTER THIS ADOPTION IT WILL NEED TO BE APPROVED PRIOR TO APRIL 1ST FOR THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT IN 2024 MAKING CHANGES FOR THE NEXT YEAR. BECAUSE OF THE NEW NEST THIS IS THE -- NEWNESS THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THEY WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE A PROGRAM AND FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

LET'S START WITH THE TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS.

EDCO STATES DISTRICTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS KNOWN AS IEP'S. AND STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND OUTSIDE THOSE REQUIREMENTS SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL, IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

BELLFLOWER OFFERS HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS BASED ON THE BOARD POLICY WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THE PLAN FOR TONIGHT'S APPROVAL WHICH IS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE PLAN AND THE ASSIGNMENTS I WANTED TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND REGARDING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

THE FUNDING BEFORE WAS A SECOND PROGRAM AND FUNDING WAYS -- WAS BASED ON PARTICIPATION AND MILES.

IN 2013 AND 2014 WITH WILL -- WITH THE INCORPORATION OF THE FUNDING IT WAS BUILT IN. IT WAS BASED ON 2012 AND 2013 AND THAT FUNDING INCREASE HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE THEN.

CURRENTLY THAT FIXED AMOUNT BASED ON 2012 AND 2013 IS $418, 536. WHEN WE GET TO THE ACTUAL COST, YOU WILL SEE THAT THAT AMOUNT HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT TO COVER OUR ANNUAL COST AND BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE GENERAL FUND HAS CONTRIBUTED APPROXIMATELY 6.2 MILLION TO THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS THAT INCLUDES SERVICES TO THE GENERAL ED STUDENTS AND ALSO OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

>> THIS IS A SLIDE THAT IS PROVIDED FROM SCHOOL SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, AND IT PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATE-ENACTED BUDGET TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM AND THE REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE LEGISLATION AS WELL AS THE GUIDANCE WE USE TO DEVELOP THE PROGRAM.

WITH THIS PLAN WE CAN BE REIMBURSED UP TO 60% OF COSTS DUE TO THE FUNDING INCREASE OF 637 MILLION FROM THE STATE.

AND THAT'S STATEWIDE. AT THIS TIME IT IS SLATED TO BE ONGOING. IN ORDER TO DO SO, THE BOARD IS TAKING ITS FIRST STEP BY ADOPTING THE PLAN TONIGHT.

THAT'S A REQUIREMENT AND IN CREATING THE PLAN, THE DISTRICT HAD TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE IT CONTAINS A PRIORITY FOR PLANNED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES TK-6 AND AND DESCRIBE HOW IT IS ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY AND HOMELESS YOUTH AND DESCRIBE HOW UNDO PHRAU INDICATED STUDENTS MAY ACCESS FREE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSULTATION.

AS WE LOOK AT COMPONENTS IN THE PLAN YOU CAN SEE THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS WE HAD IN PLACE AND NOW IT IS PUTTING IT INTO WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION. SO NOW LET'S START TO LOOK INTO THE CONTENT OF THE PLAN. THE PLAN ADDRESSES THAT THE TRANSPORTATION ARE THROUGH HEMET AND WHO WE MAKE CONTRACT WITH.

HEMET WAS NOT SURE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR 23, 24 AND THEY HAVE NOW STATED THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR US FOR ONE MORE YEAR.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES BASED ON IEP REQUIREMENTS AND WHICH WILL EITHER BE TRANSFERRED -- I'M SORRY.

WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH IEP'S AND ALSO CONTINUE OUR REAM -- REIMBURSEMENT SERVICES FOR PARENTS IF THEY TRANSPORT THEM.

WE WILL ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND WE WILL DISCUSS MORE OF THE DETAILS IN THE UPCOMING SLIDES. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER FREE TRANSPORTATION BASED ON OUR CURRENT BOARD POLICY.

SO ADDITIONALLY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE SERVICES, WE PROVIDE THERE ARE TIMES WHERE WE MAY WORK WITH CASE MANAGERS AT OUR SCHOOLS THAT WILL HELP IDENTIFY STUDENTS IN NEED OF

[00:40:01]

AFTER TONIGHT IF APPROVED IN THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE'LL GET GOING AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER THE PASS FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR, THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.

NEXT YEAR IT IS $3 PER STUDENT. PART OF THE PLAN IS WE PAY FOR ALL STUDENTS WHETHER THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PASS OR NOT.

THAT'S SO METRO CAN OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.

NORMALLY THE PASS IS ABOUT $40 A MONTH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $3 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

IT STARTS JULY 1ST TO JUNE 30TH.

THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA, FOR BRINGING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO US AND HELPING ENHANCE OUR SERVICES.

AND IT IS NOW PART OF OUR PLAN. [APPLAUSE].

WE ALSO HAD TO REQUEST INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND THE DISTRICT CREATED TWO SURVEYS. ONE WAS DIRECTED AT PARENT AND STUDENTS AND THE OTHER AT STAFF. WE PROVIDED THE DRAFT OF THE PLAN TO OUR REGIONAL LOCAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY THAT WAS ALSO A REQUIREMENT AND WE ARE SHARING THE SURVEY RESULTS WITH OUR PARTNER HEMET AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE REQUESTS TO UPGRADE THE PLAN OR POLICIES AS NEEDED BASED ON THE REQUIREMENT TO UPGRADE THE PLAN ANNUALLY AS NEEDED.

AND THEN FINALLY, CDE ALSO PROVIDES A CALCULATION FUNDING SO THAT DISTRICTS CAN USE THIS ESTIMATED REIMBURSEMENT FOR PLANNING AND BUDGET PURPOSES. THE REASON THIS IS ESTIMATED IS BECAUSE, AGAIN, THIS IS FAIRLY NEW, BUT IT IS SUBJECT TO AUDIT.

SO ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT ENSURING ALL THE COSTS WE ARE SEEING ARE IN TRANSPORTATION AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY COSTS ALLOWABLE TO BE PART OF THAT. AND SO WE ARE EXCITED THAT THE STATE IS RECOGNIZING THAT OUR TRANSPORTATION COSTS HAVE RISEN BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, OUR EXPENSES ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN THE $418,536 WE CURRENTLY RECEIVE AS PART OF OUR LCFF ADD ON. YOU CAN SEE THE CURRENT EXPENSES ARE OVER 3 MILLION IN TERMS OF THE TRANSPORTATION.

WE ARE THANKFUL THE STATE IS RECOGNIZING THAT AND GIVING US SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING. OF COURSE, IT REQUIRES A PLAN AND THAT APPROVAL SO WE ARE ABLE TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT.

THE FIRST ALLOCATION OF THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CURRENT YEAR WILL BE IN JUNE. THEN THEY ARE LOOKING TO DO IT AGAIN FOR THE NEXT YEAR. THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. >> I WILL GO AHEAD AND OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA? >> I DON'T HAVE MANY QUESTIONS.

IT WAS A THOROUGH PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT THAT SOME METRO BUS FARE IS $1.75 FOR A ONE-WAY TRIP.

SO FOR THE REST OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR, $1.50, I THINK THAT'S A

PRETTY GOOD DEAL. >> WE NEGOTIATED.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MEN -- MENDOZA.

BOARD -- BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN. >> YES.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT PLAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN MOVING IT FORWARD, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.

I WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE NOTIFIED AND GET THE INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE AND KNOW HOW TO ACCESS THE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY FOR SOME OF THE STUDENTS WHO MAY HAVE SOME DISABILITIES OR VISUAL DISABILITIES? I JUST WANTED TO FIND THAT QUESTION OUT. HOW WILL WE GET THE MESSAGE OUT AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY MAXIMIZE THE USE OF OUR PROGRAM?

>> SO IN TERMS OF THE GO PASS, ONCE WE GET THE CONTRACT SIGNED OUR PLAN IS TO PUT IT THROUGH THE BUSD NEWS AND PUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER OUR TRANSPORTATION SECTION AND ALSO LETTING OUR SCHOOLS KNOW BECAUSE WE WILL BE GIVING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PASSES TO EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS SO THEY HAVE

[00:45:04]

>> IS THERE ANY OTHER STUDENT GROUPS STKPH -- STUDENT GROUPS? I WOULD LIKE TO POSE THAT QUESTION.

>> YES. IT IS SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN I SAW THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK.

I WAS WONDERING WHEN THIS WILL COME INTO PLAY, LIKE HOW SOON AFTER THE BOARD VOTED ON IT. IF WE PASSED IT, HOW SOON STUDENTS COULD ACCESS IT. THE OTHER THOUGHT PROCESS IS HOW WILL WE LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS? I THINK IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT TODAY WE HAD OUR FIRST STUDENT CABINET MEETING AT MAYFAIR AND WE HAD LOW ATTENDANCE. WE DEFINITELY HAD A COMMUNICATION PROBLEM ON OUR CAMPUS.

I THINK THE OTHER CAMPUSES SHARE THAT.

AS FAR AS GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT GO PASS I UNDERSTAND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLUB PRESIDENT NORA LEE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF TRANSPORTATION ON CAMPUS.

OUR CLUB IS LARGE. IT IS ABOUT 60 PEOPLE.

I COULD CONTACT THAT CLUB PRESIDENT, NORA, AND ASK HER TO USING A SCHOOL WIDE CAMPAIGN GETTING THE WORD OUT.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MAYFAIR. AS FAR AS THE OTHER SCHOOLS, I AM NOT SURE. I THINK I WILL DO RESEARCH INTO HOW TO DO THAT. I WANTED TO USE THE SOCIAL MEDIA I HAVE TO PUT OUT A SMALL CAMPAIGN, BUT THERE IS ONLY 80 PEOPLE ON THERE SO NO ONE IS GONNA GET THE WORD.

ALSO AS FAR AS GETTING THE WORD OUT TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT GET -- YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION THROUGH THE NEWSLETTER, THAT'S ANOTHER PLACE I WILL LOOK INTO. I WILL SAY A LOT OF TIMES THE TRANSIT AGENCIES INCLUDED IN THIS, WHICH BY THE WAY IT IS LONG BEACH TRANSIT AND NORWALK TRANSIT -- IT IS A BUNCH OF LOCAL AGENCIES. THE FLEET IS PRETTY ACCESSIBLE.

MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN AN UBER IN MOST CASES.

THEY ESPECIALLY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS AFTER SCHOOL HOUR.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE PUTTING A LOT OF ENERGY INTO BENEFITING THESE PEOPLE. THEY WILL BENEFIT THE MOST.

I WILL DO MY HOMEWORK. >> LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN.

BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG? >> I THINK IT'S A GREAT PLAN.

I'M GLAD WE'RE GETTING MORE FUNDS TO HELP PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

THANK YOU AGAIN, CHRIS. SOMETIMES -- I BROUGHT THIS UP AWHILE AGO BEFORE DR. DRATI CAME HERE.

MONTEBELLO USES THE GO PASS AND IT IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITIES. WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE I IN -- GOING -- GOING TO ANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND THEY HAVE A GO PASS. WHEN THIS PLAN COMES TO FRUITION, EVERYONE WILL GET A CARD AND IT IS LINKED TO THEIR EMAILS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE THERE.

I HAVE A STACK OF THEM. YOU GIVE THEM TO THE KWEUDZ.

KIDS. EVERYONE SHOULD GET A CARD WITH THE WAY IT GOES. EVEN 3-YEAR-OLDS.

SO THAT'S GONNA BE GREAT. THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG.

BOARD MEMBER STEWART? >> FORGIVE ME IF THIS HAS BEEN ASKED. THIS IS AN AWESOME PLAN AND GLAD TO SEE IT IS HAPPENING. IF A PARENT HAD A PROBLEM WITH

BUSES, WHO WOULD THEY CALL? >> SO WE HAVE A DIRECT NUMBER THAT IS ACTUALLY CONNECTED TO HEMET AND A HEMET REPRESENTATIVE WOULD ANSWER THE CALL. IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF HEMET WE HAVE OUR OWN IN-HOUSE PEOPLE IN OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SO THEY WOULD GET AHOLD OF ONE OF

OUR INDIVIDUALS THERE. >> SO CALL THE DISTRICT AND ASK

FOR TRANSPORTATION? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER STEWART. BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

>> BOARD MEMBER MEN -- MENDOZA, THANK YOU.

AWESOME WORK BRINGING THIS TO THE BOARD.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE, YOU MENTIONED IDENTIFYING OUR IN-HOUSE STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS.

DO WE HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND MAKE SURE THEY DO

HAVE ACCESS? >> USUALLY OUR CHILD WELFARE AND ATTENDANCE OFFICE IS THE ONE THAT GETS THE RE-- REFER -- REFERRALS FOR THE STUDENTS AND CONNECTING THEM WITH THE CASE MANAGERS THAT THEY NEED. CURRENTLY SOME OF THE THINGS WE DO IS GIVE THEM TOKENS, BUT WE WILL PUT THEM ON A ROUTE IF THAT

[00:50:03]

>> AND I KNOW WE SAID IT IS $1.50 THIS YEAR AND $3 NEXT YEAR. WITH THE STIPULATION WE HAVE TO

DO IT FOR ALL STUDENTS, RIGHT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> AND WHAT WOULD BE THE TOTAL COST?

>> WE HAVE 10,138, SO TIMES $3 --

>> SO $30,000-ISH? >> YES.

>> YOU DID SURVEYS AND IS THERE A WAY TO GET THE RESULTS OF THE

SURVEYS? >> WE CAN SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

>> OUT OF THE SURVEYS HOW MANY IDENTIFIED THEIR OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE INTERESTED IN USING THE GO PASS.

>> THE SURVEY DIDN'T ADDRESS THE GO PASS INFORMATION.

IT ADDRESSED MORE OF THE CURRENT TRANSPORTATION PRACTICES.

IT WAS MORE SPECIFICALLY WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ENHANCED AND SEE MORE OF.

PARENTS AID -- IDENTIFIED MORE WITH COMMUNICATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN BUS ROUTES ARE RUNNING LATE.

TO GET THE COMMUNICATION MORE QUICKLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE APPS AND MAYBE APPS THAT PARENTS CAN DOWNLOAD TO GET THE COMMUNICATION.

IT WAS PRETTY SIMILAR IN TERMS OF BEING ON TIME.

BECAUSE HEMET IS A PROVIDER WE ARE SHARING THE INFORMATION WITH

THEM. >> AND DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY STUDENTS WOULD BE -- OR ARE WE GOING TO -- LIKE DR. DRATI SAID, SOMETIMES WE MAKE THESE COMMITMENTS WHETHER IT IS ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS AND WE NEED DATA ON HOW EFFECTIVE IT WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS USED. IS THAT SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING INTO STPWARS -- AS FAR AS CAPTURING THE DATA?

>> METRO DOES THAT FOR US. MS. AORPL -- MS. ARMSTRONG SAID THERE IS A CARD NUMBER AND IDENTIFICATION.

THEY ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE DATA WHEN THEY SWIPE THE CARD AND METRO CAN PROVIDE IT. THEY HAVE SHARED WITH US THAT ON AVERAGE MOST DISTRICTS HAVE ABOUT 15% OF THE POPULATION THAT ACTUALLY USE IT. GOING BACK TO THE COST OF $40 A MONTH, EVEN IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR ALL IT IS A SAVINGS BASED ON THE COUNT -- DISCOUNTED RATE. IT IS A DISCOUNTED RATE, BUT THEY CHARGE FOR THE WHROL STUDENT -- WHOLE STUDENT BODY POPULATION TO OFFSET THE COSTS THEY ARE EATING TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. IT ACTUALLY STARTED AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL AND CAME DOWN -- IT IS MORE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS USING IT. THEY HAVE EXTENDED IT ALL THE WAY AS MS. ARMSTRONG IS SAYING TO THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY POPULATION. AND THE PARENTS OF THESE STUDENTS ARE ALSO ABLE TO GET A PASSION -- PASS AT A DISCOUNTED

RATE. >> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD

BE? >> 50% DISCOUNT.

ALL OF THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE PART OF THE INFORMATION WE SHARE AND THERE WILL BE A LINK TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU DON'T MIND? >> YES, PLEASE.

GO AHEAD. >> PARENTS LOVE IF -- LOVE IT.

PARENTS WHEN THEY HAVE CHILDREN AND DON'T HAVE CARS, THESE GO PASSES SERVE AS THEIR WAY OF GETTING AROUND AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO PLACES THEY WOULD NOT NORMALLY GO TO.

FOR THIS AMOUNT -- THIS IS MINIMUM TO THE IMPACT THIS GO PASS WILL HAVE ON ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

THIS CAST IS MINIMAL. THEY ARE GONNA LOVE IT.

TRUST ME. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD AND ARMSTRONG. I AM VERY, VERY HAPPY THAT THIS IS COMING TO OUR DISTRICT. AS A CHILD WITH NO CAR, THE BUS WAS OUR CAR. WE WALKED EVERYWHERE AND THE BUS TOOK US THE REST OF THE WAY. I AM VERY HAPPY WE WILL HAVE THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA FOR BRINGING THIS TO US.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WITH REGARDS TO A REAM -- REIMBURSE -- REIMBURSEMENT OPTION TO PARENTS, DO WE HAVE -- ONCE THESE STUDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED THAT THEY NEED THIS TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION, DO WE HAVE A CONTRACT OR SOMETHING WITH PARENTS SAYING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE PROVIDED FOR THEM?

>> THAT IS SOMETHING WE USE WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND YES THEY DO SIGN A CONTRACT AND THAT IS HANDLED BY THE SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE DONE IT WITH THE

[00:55:03]

FOR THE STUDENTS. >> THANK YOU.

MY NEXT QUESTION IS IF THESE BUSES, THE ONES FROM HEMET, BECOME HRAEULT FOR X -- BECOME LATE FOR X REASON, IS THERE A WAY TO GET THE INFORMATION TO THE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHER SO THEY UNDERSTAND THEY ARE RUNNING LATE? IT IS NOT GOING TO BE HELD AGAINST THEM?

>> THAT WAS ALSO IN TERMS OF THE STAFF AND THEM WANTING TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH HEMET IN REGARDS TO FINDING A WAY. CURRENTLY OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT GETS IT AND FORWARDS IT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

IF WE KNOW THESE STUDENTS ARE ROSTERED TO AND WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN THERE, MAYBE JUST LIKE SOME APPS THAT ARE OUT THERE, AN APP THAT THEY ARE USING FOR TRANSPORTATION AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT AND THAT'S WHAT THE SURVEY WAS LOOKING TO PROVIDE US. WHERE ARE THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION GAPS AND WE ARE GOING TO ENHANCE THE CURRENT

SERVICES. >> THAT WOULD BE COMING UP

THROUGH THE DISTRICT? >> NO.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HEMET WOULD BE LOOKING AT.

WE ARE SHARING IT WITH CON TRABLGT AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE -- CONTRACT AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THAT'S WHAT THE SURVEY WAS. WHERE DO WE NEED TO LOOK AND WHAT AREAS OF STPHAOED? AND WHAT AREAS OF NEED.

SO THAT COVERS THE TRANSPORTATION THAT WE WOULD BE FOR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND IF THEY ARE RUNNING LATE.

I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO AT THIS POINT, BUT HOW WOULD WE TELL TEACHERS THEY ARE GOING TO BE LATE AND NOT HOLD IT AGAINST

THEM? >> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD CONTROL. USING METRO, THEY HAVE APPS TO SHOW IF TRANSPORTATIONS ARE RUNNING LATE.

AND THAT WOULD BE MORE OF A STUDENTS COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR TEACHERS THAT THEY ARE RIDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IF THEY CHOOSE, BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING -- THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL -- THE GO PASS IS AN ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE SHOULD KIDS WANT TO USE THAT.

THE PRIMARY IS WHAT WE PROVIDE, BUT THIS IS ADDITIONAL SHOULD

THEY CHOOSE TO. >> OKAY.

SO THEN IF I'M UNDERSTANDING IF A CHILD TO TAKE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WE ARE PROVIDING, THEN THEY NEED TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEIR TEACHER IN THE MORNING AND LET THEM KNOW, THE BUS IS RUNNING LATE. ARE WE THINKING OF A SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT -- TO CONNECT THOSE TWO?

>> IN TERMS OF THE GO PASS, THAT'S JUST AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS IF THEY WANT TO USE THAT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL NOT USE THE CURRENT TRANSPORTATION.

IT IS LOOKING AT IT LIKE IF THEY WANTED TO GO TO MUSEUMS OR DIFFERENT THINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL AS SERVICES, OR IF THEY WANTED TO TAKE THE BUS TO SCHOOL.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE DISTRICT CONTROLS.

IT IS AN ENHANCEMENT AND BECAUSE IT IS A TRANSPORTATION RESOURCE YOU CAN PUT IT INTO YOUR PLAN AS SOMETHING SUPPLEMENTAL THAT THEY

WOULD BE ABLE TO USE. >> I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT THE LOGISTICS OF WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR US.

IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO TRY AND TRY AN TKPWAOU LATE -- TRIANGULATE WHO TOOK THE BUS LATE.

I WOULD TRUTH THAT IF YOU ARE APPARENTLY -- IF ARE YOU A PARENT AND RUNNING LATE WHAT WOULD YOU DO DROPPING YOUR KID OFF? IT IS THE SAME CONCEPT.

YOU ARE TAKING THE BUS LATE, SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> AND IF I MAY, I AM A FREQUENT RIDER AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE LATE SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES I'M ON A BUS AND THE BUS DRIVER JUST STOPS. I CAN THINK OF ONE INSTANCE I WAS IN DOWNEY AND THE GUY GOT OFF AND WENT TO THE DONUT SHOP AND HE WAS THERE FOR 20 MINUTES. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THE BUS. IT HAPPENS.

I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE MORNING DURING SCHOOL HOURS.

I KNOW IT WON'T WORK FOR ALL BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TKAU -- DEVICES, BUT ON GOOGLE MAP WHETHER IT IS TRANSIT OR GO MOBILE I THINK IT IS CALLED, YOU CAN TAKE SCREEN SHOTS OF WHEN IT SAYS BUS IS RUNNING LATE AND OTHER SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. I GUESS THAT'S SOME KIND OF SOLUTION FOR STUDENTS WITH DEVICES.

BUT I AGREE, STUDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE DEVICES THAT CAN BE TRICKY.

I WOULD DEFER BACK TO DR. DRATI, IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO IF A

[01:00:01]

WE COULD COMMUNICATE -- WE COULD HAVE STUDENTS WHO UTILIZE GO PASS TO GET TO SCHOOL TO HAVE THEM COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND LET THEM KNOW SO THERE IS A LITTLE MORE LENIENCY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON SOMETHING THAT CAME TO MIND DURING BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE YOUNGER KIDS ON THE BUS.

I DO UNDERSTAND THERE IS KIND OF A STIGMA SOMETIMES AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSIT AND IT CAN BE UNSAFE.

AGAIN, I AM A FREQUENT RIDER AND I'VE SEEN A LOT.

WHAT I CAN SAY IS I HOPE DURING THE PROMOTION OF THIS WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO USE IT RESPONSIBLY AND BRING A BUDDY IF YOU CAN. IF YOU ARE A YOUNGER CHILD, YOU NEED TO HAVE A PARENT WITH YOU. I THINK ROLLING THAT OUT AS WE GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT HAVING A GO PASS AND TEACHING STUDENTS SAFETY TIPS ABOUT WHEN RIDING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

I THINK THERE WAS ONE OTHER THING I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ON, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF IT NOW. THAT'S IT FROM ME.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA.

>> ONE OTHER THING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GO PASS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR DISTRICT-PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION. WHETHER WE HAVE GO PASS OR NOT, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN SPECIALED -- SPECIAL EDUCATION, TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

THE GO PASS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE REALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE. THE GO PASS IS EXTRA AND WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY AND OTHER METRO COMPANIES.

IT IS AN ASSET. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR

HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION. >> IT HELPS WITH THE SCHOOL CLUBS. WHEN I FIRST PITCHED THIS -- YOU ARE THE FIRST ONE I SPOKE TO IN JANUARY, BUT IT HELPS THE CLUB THAT'S WANT TO HAVE WEEKENDY -- WEEKEND EVENTS.

OUR CLUB PRESIDENT TAKES -- IT IS THE LONG BEACH TRANSIT BUS TO THE CERRITOS WET LANDS AND WE HAVE SO MANY CLUB MEMBERS SAY THEY CAN'T MAKE IT ON THE WEEKENDS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SECURE A RIDE. IT HELPS WITH THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN CLUBS ARE PLANNING SCHOOL TRIPS IF THEY BOOK A SCHOOL BUS IT IS EXPENSIVE FOR THE CLUB. IT IS A SUPPLEMENT, BUT IT WILL

MOSTLY BE OUR SERVICES. >> IF I MAY JUST ONE COMMENT AND

A QUESTION. >> YES.

>> FOR MY OWN KNOWLEDGE, I KNOW CAL APPS DOES A LOT WITH HEMET.

IS THAT PART OF THE 3.5? I THINK I REMEMBER -- CAN YOU -- JUST TO MY ENERGY -- MY KNOWLEDGE CAN YOU REMIND ME?

>> WE PAID FOR THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED SO THEY CAN RECEIVE

THE TUITION TO ATTEND. >> LIKE A REIMBURSEMENT?

>> CORRECT. >> SECONDLY, I THINK -- OVER TO THE GO PASS, IT IS A REALLY BIG THING.

I THINK SOMETIMES WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE THIS THAT DO AFFECT THE COMMUNITY IT IS A POSITIVE THING AND SOMETHING WE SHOULD LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT AND LET PEOPLE KNOW IT IS HAPPENING.

I AGREE THAT THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO PROMOTE EQUITY AND ACCESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST AND MAKING SURE THE WORD GETS OUT. THANK YOU AND THIS IS A GREAT

THING. >> THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE ONE MORE -- I ACTUALLY HAVE A SUGGESTION.

COULD TEACHERS POSSIBLY BE PART OF THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IN THEIR CLASSES? THAT WAY INCLUDING MAYBE COACHES LIKE AFTER SCHOOL AND TALKING TO THEIR TEAMS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES? I SEE MAYBE THOSE STUDENTS NEED TRANSPORTATION WHEN IT IS 5:00 AND THEY NEED TO GET HOME.

HAVING BEEN A STUDENT AT SOME POINT, I USED TO GET A LOT OF MY INFORMATION FROM MY TEACHERS. SO THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO MAYBE START. IF YOU THOUGHT OF THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T FORGET. I BELIEVE THOSE WERE ALL MY

[01:05:01]

QUESTIONS. >> I WILL SUMMARIZE WITH ONE ADDITIONAL COMMENT UNLESS YOU WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> NO. WE'RE DONE.

>> IN TERMS OF THE GO PASS, I THINK MS. CARTER IS PROBABLY TIRED OF ME SAYING THE DISTRICT HAS GOOD BONES TO DO WONDERFUL THINGS. THIS IS ONE OF THE BONES.

THE WAY I'M LOOKING AT THIS, IN THE FUTURE I'M GOING TO BE ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO INSTILL SOME ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES. FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING STUDENTS IN INTERNSHIPS. THAT'S SOMETHING I WILL PROPOSE IN THE FUTURE. ONE OF THE AIMS IS HOW DO WE GET THE STUDENTS THERE? I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I MENTIONED SOMETHING ON TOP OF THAT WHICH WILL COME BEFORE THE

DISTRICT. >> THANK YOU.

YOU JOGGED MY MEMORY. I DO HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.

IF WE HAVE SOME. INTERNSHIPS COMING IN BEFORE THE END OF 2024, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO AMEND THAT TO INCLUDE THE INTERNSHIPS AND THE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS

THERE? >> WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED IT YET, BUT WE WILL BRING IT OUT TO SAY AT SOME POINT THERE WILL BE SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTS AND YOU ARE OKAY WITH AND WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH A TIMELINE. THE GOAL IS WE HAVE X AMOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND WE ARE SAYING WE CAN GET ENGAGED IN THE SUMMERTIME. THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE DELIVER IT TO THE STUDENTS? SOME OF THAT IS OVER THE WEEKENDS OR THE SUMMERTIME. SO HAVING THIS IS A POWERFUL PROCESS. LIKE I SAID, IT IS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR WONDERFUL THINGS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU, DR. DROTI. ANYMORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THAT MOST OF THE INTERNSHIP THAT'S ARE BEING WORKED ON WITH CAL APPS, SHE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN COORDINATING THAT.

I REALLY THINK SHE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> YES. I HAVE ONE MORE.

I'M SORRY. DR. ELHESSEN REMINDY -- REMINDY ME, THE CON TRABLGT -- THE CONTRACT, IS THAT SEPARATE WITH THE CONTRACT WE HAVE WITH HEMET OR ARE THEY TIED TOGETHER?

HOW DOES THAT WORK? >> CAL APPS WILL HAVE A CONTRACT WITH HEMET BECAUSE THEY NEED THEM TO PROVIDE SERVICES NOT JUST FOR BELLFLOWER, BUT LYNNWOOD AND PARAMOUNT.

THEY WILL DO PART WITH THEM AND WE HAVE TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR

THE COSTS WE ARE PAYING. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOROUGH RESPONSES.

NOW WE CAN ASK FOR A MOTION TO -- MOTION FOR -- YEAH.

>> THAT WAS INFORMATIONAL. >> THANK YOU.

LET'S GO AHEAD GO GO GO TO THE UH-HUH -- LET'S GO AHEAD AND GO

[7. PUBLIC HEARINGS]

TO THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. >> PUBLIC HEARING.

>> I'M SORRY PUBLIC HEARING. >> SO WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING THIS EVENING. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CONDUCT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF PROPOSED

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD? STAFF? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE

PUBLIC HEARING? >> YOU HAVE A MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA? THANK YOU. ROLL CALL.

>> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. >> I.

>> MS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I.

>> MS. STEWART. >> I.

>> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I.

[8. ACTION]

>> THE NEXT ITEM FOR BUSINESS IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 8.1.1.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

[01:10:02]

>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL.

>> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. >> I.

>> MS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I.

>> MS. STEWART. >> I.

>> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I.

>> NEXT ITEM IS A CONTRACT APPROVAL OF LEGAL FIRM TO REPRESENT BUSD. THE NEXT ITEM WE HAVE A

PRESENTATION BY DR. DRATI. >> YES.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEF THE BOARD ON THE PROPOSED LEGAL FIRM CONTRACT. BEFORE I -- BUT I'M GONNA INVITE THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF BOARD MEMBERS, DR. SUE ELHESSEN AND MR. BRAD CRIHFIELD TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS SO YOU CAN DELIBERATE. WE ARE GONNA PROPOSE A RECOMMENDATION AND YOU WILL ASK QUESTIONS AFTER THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE OF YOU WILL SPEAK.

YOU WILL HAVE TO LET ME KNOW. >> DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I WILL BE GLAD TO KICK IT OFF.

I WILL JUST GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW.

WE HAD 11 FIRMS THAT SUBMITTED RFP'S.

WE INTERVIEWED SIX. PART OF THE DELIBERATION WAS AREAS OF EXPERTISE THAT THE DISTRICT WAS LOOKING FOR AND STPES PHYSICALLY -- SPECIFICALLY WE ADDRESSED ISSUES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND WE ADDRESSED ISSUES IN CONTRACTS BASED ON OUR FACILITIES AND WHAT WE ARE BUILDING.

WE WANTED SOMEBODY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN PUBLIC RECORDS AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD ON ADDRESSING THISH AS AS THEY -- ADDRESSING THE ISSUES AS THEY COME UP.

AND ALSO OTHER ISSUES -- OTHER AREAS WE WERE LOOKING FOR FOR TRAEUFRPB -- FOR TRAINING AND SHARING EXPERTISE WITH BOARD MEMBERS. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, MADAM PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE. I THINK THE WORK WE DID, I THINK HAVING THOSE COMMITTEES ARE A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE BOARD MEMBERS. I THINK WE PUT IN -- IT WAS LONG INTERVIEWS AND A FEW DAYS OF WORK.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT WAY FOR THE BOARD TO ENGAGE IN THE WORK AND BE ABLE TO BRING A CLEAR RECOMMEND LOCATION TO THE BOARD.

IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED MORE OF IN THE FUTURE.

THE PROCESS WAS GREAT. THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU DID. I WANT TO THANK THE FIRMS THAT DID PUT IN RFP'S AND DID GO THROUGH THE TIME TO INTERVIEW.

WE ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS. WA*UPB OF THE -- ONE OF THE THINGS I FOCUSED ON WAS HOW COMMUNITY ORIENTED THEY WERE AND BUILDING TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH LITIGATION BUDGETS AND DECIDE WHAT OUR VALUES ARE AS A DISTRICT AND HOW WE PURSUE CASES AND ALWAYS WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS AND MAKING SURE WE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR STUDENTS AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FISCALLY AS WELL.

IT WAS A GREAT PROCESS AND I AM HAPPY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION WE ARE MAKING TONIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOME MORE?

>> YES. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU HAD A

QUESTION. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE QUESTIONS TO ASK THEM?

>> SO I ASKED OUR PREVIOUS LEGAL COUNSEL WHAT QUESTIONS WOULD BE GOOD FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO BE AWARE OF AND TO ASK IN REGARDS TO MAKING SURE WE ARE COVERING ALL OF OUR BASES AND WHAT OUR NEEDS WERE. THE OTHER QUESTIONS CAME FROM DR. DRATI. WE HAD A TOTAL OF FIVE QUESTIONS. I MEAN, DID YOU WANT TO HEAR THE

QUESTIONS THAT WE ASKED? >> NO, GO AHEAD.

>> WE TRADED OFF IN REGARDS TO WHO WAS ASKING THE QUESTIONS.

>> BEN WAS REALLY THOROUGH ON MAKING SURE WE ROTATED THE QUESTIONS. MAY NATURE OF DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER, I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT DID THEY KNOW ABOUT US.

DID THEY DO THEIR RESEARCH? WHEN I COACHED STUDENTS I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY KNEW THE ORGANIZATION THEY WERE INTERVIEWING FOR. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS LOOKING FOR IN REGARDS TO DO YOU KNOW US? DO YOU KNOW OUR DEMOGRAPHICS? DO YOU KNOW WHAT ARE SOME

[01:15:01]

THINGS LIKE THAT. >> AND TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, THINGS I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS REALLY ASKING -- SEEING WHO CAN CLEAR -- CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE GENERAL COUNCIL SO WE CAN BUILD THAT TRUST AND BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT PERSON AVAILABLE TO US IN CLOSED SESSION WHEN APPROPRIATE. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I FOCUSED ON, MAKING SURE THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND RESPONSE -- RESPONSIVE. LIKE DR. ELHESSEN SAID, THEIR FAMILIARITY WITH THE DISTRICT IS IMPORTANT.

EACH FIRM GAVE A PRESENTATION. AND THERE WAS A LOT OF

VARIANCES. >> I THINK FOR NOW YOU CAN CONTINUE AND WE'LL HAVE MORE AT THE END.

>> LIKE I SAID, WE INTERVIEWED SIX -- MAKE SURE I HAVE THAT.

OF THE SIX AT A PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING WE APPROVED AALR AND THAT IS ATKINS, ANDERSON LOYA, RUD AND ROMO.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING OLMO.

>> THAT STANDS FOR OLIVERAS LAW ORGANIZATION.

>> BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR THE OMLO. THE AALR WAS ALREADY APPROVED.

>> AND THAT WOULD BE FOR GENERAL COUNSEL.

>> LET ME MAKE A CORRECTION. WE ACTUALLY INTERVIEWED FIVE INSTEAD OF SIX. WE DID IT OVER SEVERAL DAYS, BUT

I BELIEVE IT WAS FIVE. >> EXCUSE ME.

>> CAN I HAVE A QUESTION? >> YES.

>> SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT MADE THIS PARTICULAR LAW FIRM STAND

OUT? >> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, I WILL START OUT BY SOME OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT.

THEY SUPPORT 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT SPECIAL ED-BASED AND THEY ARE COLLABORATIVE WITH PARENTS AND ADVOCATES.

THEY HAVE 36 ATTORNEYS ON STAFF. THEY ASSIGN COUNSEL BASED ON NEEDS AND THEY ARE THOROUGH IN REGARDS TO THE BROWN ACT.

THEY ARE HR PROACTIVE AS ISSUES ARRIVE.

THEY ARE CHANGE AGENTS IN SHIFTING CULTURE AND SPLIT -- AND POLITICAL CULTURES. AND SUPPORT FACILITIES AND

CONTRACTS. >> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU. >> ALL OF THAT, AND I WOULD SAY FOR ME PERSONALLY, IT WAS THE KWHRAOERLY -- CLEARLY IDENTIFYING GENERAL COUNSEL. OF EVERYBODY THEY HAD THE MOST KNOWLEDGE OF THE DISTRICT. THEY WITH VERY INVESTED AND IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT SIZE. IT WAS NOT TOO SMALL AND IT DIDN'T SEEM TOO UNAVAILABLE. IT WAS VERY APPROPRIATE FOR WHAT

WE NEED AS A DISTRICT. >> TO MY COLLEAGUES AND MY BOARD MEMBERS, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT DILIGENT WORK. FOR ME.

TAKING OVER, PRESIDENT. I'M HAPPY.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG.

BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> NO. I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT.

>> BOARD MEMBER STEWART? >> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE TIME TO SAY THIS, BUT I'M GOING TO.

I TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT TOO, BUT FOR A POINT OF ORDER, IS THIS HOW IT IS NORMALLY DONE WHERE A COMMITTEE MAKES THAT DECISION FOR US AND WE DON'T GET ANY ADVANCE NOTICE TO RESEARCH OURSELVES? IS THAT KIND OF HOW THIS WORKS

BECAUSE I'M NEW? >> IT IS DONE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS. I HAVE DONE IT WHERE SOMETIMES THE BOARD SAYS, SUPERINTENDANT, YOU PICK IT.

SOMETIMES YOU DO IT? A SUBCOMMITTEE LIKE THIS.

[01:20:02]

CAN IT HAPPEN? YEAH.

BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT. A LOT OF TIMES WHAT HAPPENS IS -- I LIKE THIS MODEL BEST BECAUSE THE LAW FIRM REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT AND NOT THE STAFF. THEY REPRESENT THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD AND ALL THAT. WE NEED TO HAVE A VOICE, BUT THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO GET EVERYBODY INVOLVED IS IF WE HAVE A AMERICA AND PUBLICLY, I DON'T KNOW, YOU ASK QUESTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND IT IS NOT A GOOD ENVIRONMENT.

THE SUBCOMMITTEE COMMITTEE PROCESS IS I THINK THE BEST.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT EVERY OFFICIAL WE INTERVIEWED REITERATED THAT WRAOE ARE HERE NOW -- WE ARE HERE FOR THE BOARD AND WE ARE WORKING FOR THE BOARD.

I DO HAVE NOTES ON THE OTHER ONES AND IF THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ME, BOARD MEMBER STEWART, I AM OKAY. THERE ARE OTHER ONES -- THEY WERE ALL GROW -- GREAT. DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I WAS ALSO LEANING ON ANOTHER FIRM, AND I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I LEANED TOWARD THEM BECAUSE OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND THEY EMPHASIZED TRAUMA-INFORMED BASED PRACTICES.

I LIKED THAT. THEY ALSO -- SAME AREAS OF EXPERTISE IN REGARDS TO SOME OF THE OTHER ONES.

THEY WORKED ADDITIONALLY WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES WHICH WAS ADDED. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE REALLY

DIFFERENT, DID YOU WANT TO ADD? >> I THINK ALL OF THE FIRMS HAD SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT THEM. I WOULD SAY I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR THE PROCESS. OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS WE MET AND I WOULD SAY 13 AND 14 HOURS OF WORK WHETHER IT WAS VIA ZOOM OR SITTING THROUGH THE INTERVIEWS AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE SENSITIVITIES OF BROWN ACT, REALLY THE COMMITTEES ARE A GREAT WAY TO DO THE WORK AS A BOARD AND BUILD A STRONG RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BOARD WITHOUT US SITTING THROUGH LIKE AN OPEN MEETING AND HAVING EACH FIRM COME IN.

YOU WILL GET A 20-MINUTE PRESENTATION AND HAVE TO GO OFF OF THAT. I AM A BIG ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMITTEE PROCESS. I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY GOOD.

I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO GENERATE A LOT MORE WORK HOURS FROM A

BOARD PERSPECTIVE. >> AND I AM NOT DISAGREEING WITH

THE PROCESS -- >> IT SOUNDS THAT WAY.

>> YOU ARE ASKING US TO VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT AND WE ARE BASICALLY TRUSTING WHOEVER IS ON THAT COMMITTEE WITH NO INFORMATION PRIOR TO THIS MEETING.

THAT'S HARD FOR ME. >> I TOTALLY GET IT.

>> BOARD MEMBER -- I MEAN, PRESIDENT CAN I SPEAK JUST ON THAT? I UNDERSTAND MY COLLEAGUE.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF TIMES WITHIN ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER TO WHERE WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED IT IS WELL WITHIN THE RULE TO WHERE WE CAN GET A SUB-COMMITTEE TO WORK. AND REALLY JUST DO THE WORK FOR US AND NOT ONLY THAT IT IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE BOARD TO -- THE BOARD TOO. AND TRUST ME, OUR TIME MIGHT COME WHEN WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK AND THE HOURS.

IT'S ACTUALLY HEALTHY. IT'S ACTUALLY VERY HEALTHY.

BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT I KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. WE HAD THESE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS LONG BEFORE YOU CAME ON BOARD.

WRAOE JUST NEVER ACTED -- WE JUST NEVER ACTED ON IT BECAUSE WE IS HAD SO MANY OTHER ISSUES. BRAD, I'M SURE YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A COPY LIKE BRAD DID, AM I CORRECT, YES OR NO?

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE LAW FIRMS AND ALL THAT?

>> NOT SINCE I WAS HERE TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE REST OF THE

BOARD I HAVEN'T. >> I NEVER RECEIVED A COPY OF

THE LAW FIRMS TO LOOK AT MYSELF. >> I THINK WHEN WE ESTABLISHED THIS, WE KNOW -- THE RFP CAME OUT AND IT CAME TO SELECTING OUT OF A LIST OF THE DIFFERENT LAW FIRMS WHICH ONES WE ARE GOING TO INTERVIEW. WE COULD HAVE DONE ALL OF THEM.

I AM LOOKING AT THE TIME SPENT ON FIVE AND THE CONFUSION.

WHO DID WE TALK TO LAST TIME? SO WE PICKED BASED ON WHAT WAS WRITTEN. WE PICKED THE ONES WE THOUGHT HAD THE BREADTH OF INFORMATION WE WANTED TO GET A SECOND EAR

[01:25:02]

IT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE SALARY EMPLOYEES.

WE USE THEM WHEN WE USE THEM. SOME HAVE MORE THAN ONE.

SANTA MONICA/MALIBU, I DEALT WITH A LOT OF LAW FIRMS. WE ARE NOT IN SANTA MONICA. WE ARE HERE.

>> AND WE FELT THAT TWO WAS MANAGE -- MANAGE -- MANAGEABLE FOR OUR DISTRICT IN TERMS OF HANDLING THINGS THAT COME UP.

I DID SPEND A LOT OF HOURS GOING THROUGH NOTES AND CREATING AT A CHART OF PROS AND CONS AS WE DEBATED AMONG OURSELVES AND PART OF THE PROBLEM SOLVING AND LOOKING AT GAPS AND ASSESSMENT GAPS AND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT WE WANTED TO SEE.

THE OTHER THING TOO WAS COST. HONESTLY, THE HOURLY RATE.

THAT WAS ANOTHER FACTOR IN CONSIDERATION.

>> AND ALSO YOU THINK ABOUT -- NOW THAT I'M REFLECTING ON WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WE HAVE TO MOVE FAST.

THINGS ARE MOVING FAST AND FURIOUS.

WE HAVE NEGOTIATIONS AND THIS AND THAT.

AND WE NEED LEGAL COUNSEL. WE ARE DEALING WITH STUFF AND YOU ARE FULLY AWARE. TO SIT IDLE WOULD PUT US IN HARM'S WAY. I ACTED QUICKLY BECAUSE WE NEEDED HELP. NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT SECURED AND NOW I GUESS THE CONVERSATION AROUND GENERAL COUNSEL AND ALL THAT IS WE TOOK THE TIME TO GET IT DONE.

IT TOOK THIS LONG TO GET TO - - >> AND IF I CAN ADD, I 100% UNDERSTAND WHAT BOARD MEMBER STEWART IS SAYING.

TRUST ME, WHEN THERE IS A COMMITTEE AND I'M NOT ON IT, I WILL SAY THE SAME THING AND I WILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM.

DR. ELHESSEN TOOK A LOT OF NOTES AND I TOOK A LOT OF NOTES.

THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.

AS LONG AS WE DON'T GO OVER 13 HOURS OF QUESTIONS WE SAVE TIME BY HAVING A COMMITTEE AND HAVING US DO THAT WORK.

AGAIN, I THINK COMMITTEES ARE A GREAT THING, AND I THINK THERE IS A COMRADERY THAT IS BUILT BY ENGAGEMENT WITH BOARD MEMBERS ON THOSE COMMITTEES. I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE MULTIPLE COMMITTEES AND TWO OR THREE EVEN ON THINGS WE WANT TO GET DONE AND IT IS A GOOD TIME TO ADDRESS THOSE AND WE CAN BE AS TRANS -- TRANSPARENT AS PHYSICALLY

POSSIBLE. >> I AGREE, AND I KNOW WE NEEDED THIS LAWYER RIGHT AWAY. I AM NOT OPPOSED AND I THINK PRESIDENT GARZA DID A GREAT JOB. I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE PRESIDENT, WHOEVER SHE PUTS ON THE COMMITTEES AND THEN WE JUST TRUST THOSE TWO PEOPLE WITHOUT INFORMATION. THAT'S TOUGH FOR ME TO VOTE ON.

THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN ON THAT. AND I UNDERSTAND.

>> AND WE CAN -- IN FUTURE KWAN SRER SAYINGSES -- IN FUTURE CONVERSATIONS THERE HAS TO BE A LEVEL OF TRUST.

IF WE FOLLOW A SUBCOMMITTEE MODEL THERE HAS TO BE TRUST.

SHOULD WE ESTABLISH A PROCESS IN BETWEEN THERE TO SAY YOU GUYS WEIGH IN ON SOMETHING? YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER ANYWAY. YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT IF I HAD THE FIVE LAWYERS I COULD HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH AS WELL.

I DIDN'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE THOUGH.

FOR AN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER TO GO OUT AND INTERVIEW --

>> WE HAVE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND --

>> I DON'T MEAN GO AND INTERVIEW, BUT YOU CAN RESEARCH AND GO ONLINE WITH A NAME. I AM NOT SAYING TALK ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE

CONTRACT LEGAL SERVICES. >> SO MOVED.

>> I SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

>> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. >> I.

>> MS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I.

>> MS. STEWART. >> I.

>> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I.

>> EXCUSE ME, MADAM PRESIDENT, THE COMMITTEE INTERVIEWED MORE THAN ONE LAW FIRM. WOULD IT BE IN ORDER FOR ME TO

[01:30:04]

>> AT THIS MOMENT WE CAN'T BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN AGENDIZED

AND WE HAVE TAKEN ROLL CALL. >> BUT IT WOULD BE TWO DIFFERENO DIFFERENT VOTES BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TWO DIFFERENT LAW FIRMS.

>> YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE A DIFFERENT MOTION?

>> IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR THAT LAW FIRM.

>> WE HAVE TO -- >> I MEAN YOU CAN MAKE A POINT OF ORDER FOR US TO BRING BACK ANOTHER.

>> OKAY. I WANT TO MAKE A POINT OF ORDER, MADAM PRESIDENT. I WANT TO MAKE A POINT OF ORDER THAT WE BRING BACK TO THE BOARD A RECOMMENDATION TO BRING ON THE ORBOCH AND HOFF, THE OTHER ONE YOU SAID WAS PRETTY GOOD, THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS PRETTY WELL -- POINT OF ORDER THAT YOU BRING

THAT BACK, PLEASE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A POINT -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS HOW THE POINT OF ORDER WORKS.

>> HE IS ASKING ME TO TELL HIM WHICH FIRM THAT I WAS REFERRING TO AND IT WAS THE OTHER FIRM THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS PRETTY

GOOD. >> SO WHY DON'T WE DO THIS.

IT WON'T BE ABLE TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

I'M GONNA DO -- WE CAN TAKE ACTION HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO REJECT THIS ONE. IF YOU TAKE ACTION HERE, IF YOU WANT TO -- IF BOARD MEMBERS, AFTER TALKING THROUGH ME WANT TO BRING OUT -- I CAN DO MY HOMEWORK AND FIGURE OUT WHETHER THAT IS THE WILL OF THE REST OF THE BOARD OR NOT TO BRING BACK AN ADDITIONAL FIRM. I THINK WE HAVE -- WE HAVE NOT AGENDIZED THAT, SO IT MAY NOT BE A POINT OF ORDER AT THIS POINT.

WE JUST NEED TO NOTE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE INTEREST IN LOOKING AT THE OTHER LAW FIRM ALSO.

>> MADAM PRESIDENT, CAN I JUST MAKE A COMMENT?

>> YES. >> THANK YOU.

I THINK THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF ASKING QUESTIONS.

BEFORE WE EVEN TOOK THE VOTE I WOULD HAVE ELABORATED WHY WE ARE PRESENTING ONE. DR. DRATI WANTED TO PRESENT MULTIPLE FIRMS TO THE BOARD AND THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS WE DECIDED THAT ONE WAS GOING TO BE BEST FOR OUR DISTRICT RIGHT NOW.

AGAIN, IT WAS WITH THE IDEA THAT IN THE FUTURE IF WE WANT TO BRING ANOTHER CONTRACT TO THE BOARD IF THERE IS A NEED FOR ANOTHER FIRM WE WOULD GO THAT ROUTE AND START THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AGAIN OR JUST BRING THAT FIRM IN AND VOTE ON IT THERE.

THE REASON WE WENT THERE WAS BECAUSE OF THE TRANSITION IN LAW FIRMS AND GETTING CONTROL WITH ONE FIRM AT A TIME AS THEY COME IN AND AS THERE IS THAT TRANSITION AND HAVING THREE NEW FIRMS WITH A DEEP BENCH. SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO GET ANSWERS ON BILLING FOR ONE LAW FIRM OR LAWYER.

SO HAVING TWO OR THREE COME IN AT ONCE, I THOUGHT THAT WAS PROBLEMATIC. AS A COMMITTEE WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND AGREED AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE ONE CON TRAPBGT.

CONTRACT. IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT BOARD

ACTION ON A FUTURE AGENDA. >> THAT'S FINE.

IT WAS JUST A CONSIDERATION AND MY WAY OF RECOGNIZING THAT I KNOW YOU DID THE WORK. I WILL BRING IT UP LATER.

>> DR. DRATI, WILL YOU PLEASE GET TOGETHER WITH --

>> YES. I WILL DO MY HOMEWORK ON THAT.

YES. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO LET'S GO TO THE NEXT ITEM OF BUSINESS. DOES THE BOARD HAVE A REQUEST TO

WITHHOLD AN AGENDA ITEM TONIGHT? >> YES.

IF I MAY, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL -- LET ME SEE.

8.3.2.1. >> ANY OTHERS? ANYONE ELSE WANT TO WITHHOLD AN ITEM? NO? HEARING NONE, I WILL MOVE WITH THE MOTION. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD ITEM 8.3.2.1, APPROVAL OF THE 2023 THROUGH -- 22-23 AND 23-24 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE BELLFLOWER TEACHER ASSOCIATION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

[01:35:14]

COMMENTS? >> I DON'T THINK I CAN GIVE A

SECOND. >> THE SECOND HAS TO BE ONE OF

YOU GUYS. >> I'LL SECOND.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

>> ON THAT ITEM, THE ONE THAT WAS PULLED?

>> YES. ON ITEM 8.3.2.1.

>> OKAY. I THINK WOULD YOU MAKE A MOTION.

>> CAN WE GET A ROLL CALL ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN MOVE TO

WITHHELD. >> SORRY.

ROLL CALL. >> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA?

>> I. >> MS. ARMSTRONG?

>> I. >> DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I. >> MS. STEWART.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD.

>> I. >> MRS. GARZA.

>> I. >> AND NOW WE CAN HAVE COMMENTS

AND QUESTIONS. >> SORRY.

POINT OF ORDER. CAN WE GET A MOTION AND A SECOND BEFORE WE GET TO THE QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD -- ISLES, MAKE A MOTION TO OPEN FOR DISCUSSION THE CONSENT OF -- SORRY. ITEM 8.3.2.1.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> ALL RIGHT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I BELIEVE AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS SOMETIMES THINGS ON THE CONCEPT -- CONSENT AGENDA ARE GREAT, BUT SOMETIMES THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

IT IS GREAT FOR OUR DISTRICT AND I THINK THE WAY THINGS WERE HANDLED BY ALL ACCOUNTS WERE GREAT AND I WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR. DRATI AND EVERYBODY IN THE UNITS AND OUR TEACHERS. AND I HOPE THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR OUR DISTRICT.

I THINK OVER THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS WE ARE GOING TO GET A LOT DONE. I FEEL LIKE IT IS ABOUT TIME WE VALUE OUR TEACHERS AND THOSE WHO MAKE EDUCATION HAPPEN.

I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS AGREEMENT, AND I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WE CAN CREATE IN BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE YEARS TO COME.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. THAT'S IT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> YEAH. I WOULD LIKE TO AGREE WITH VICE PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD. I FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING VERY HARD AND YOU HAVE BEEN COMPARABLE TO OUR NEIGHBORING 6 FOR A LONGTIME. IT IS A -- IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT COME TO FRUITION. YOU DO AMAZING WORK AND I AM HAPPY YOU ARE GETTING VALUED. THANK YOU.

>> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA? >> I WOULD ECHO THAT SENTIMENT, BUT I THINK YOU DID IT CLEARLY. I'M HAPPY THIS IS HAPPENING.

I KNOW RIGHT NOW LOS ANGELES UNIFIED IS HAVING THEIR -- THEIR UNION IS HAVING A STRIKE RIGHT NOW, SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE WAY THINGS HAPPENED. I KNOW IT TOOK AWHILE AND TEACHERS WERE FRUSTRATED, BUT WE GOT IT DONE.

MENTALLY GRATEFUL BECAUSE IT WILL ULTIMATELY BENEFIT STUDENTS

AS MUCH AS TEACHERS. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG?

>> YAY, BTA! YAY, BTA! YOU GUYS KNOW I'M REALLY ACTIVE WITH MY ASSOCIATION WHICH IS MTA, AND CALIFORNIA TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION , YOU KNOW, IF THE WORK -- IF IT IS WORTH US DOING THE WORK, COMPENSATE US FAIRLY. I UNDERSTAND THE SENTIMENTS THAT I HAVE HEARD AND BEEN HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES WE HAVE -- I AM VERY HAPPY TO SAY WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT SVO AND THEY WORKED THOSE NUMBERS AND EVERYBODY IS HAPPY AND I AM HOPING THAT WE CAN REALLY FORGE -- CONTINUE TO FORGE THE RELATIONSHIP AS WE GO FURTHER SO THAT WE CAN GIVE WHAT WE CAN AS FAR AS WHAT YOU DESERVE IN COMPENSATION. I JUST HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE ON

[01:40:03]

CONGRATULATIONS. YAY.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG.

BOARD MEMBER STEWART? >> THANK YOU.

BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN? >> THANK YOU.

I REITERATE MY COLLEAGUES' SENTIMENTS AND VERY HAPPY IT WAS A POSITIVE AGREEMENT IT WAS WELL DESERVING OF OUR TEACHERS AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SAME WITH OUR CSEA UNION AND MAKING SURE THE EQUAL SMOOTHNESS AND REWARDS FOR SUPPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR HOW THEY SUPPORT THE DISTRICT AND SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS. THANK YOU.

>> AND I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' SEPTEMBER PHEPBTS.

COLLEAGUES' SENTIMENTS. LET'S GET A ROLL CALL.

>> BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. >> I.

>> MRS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I.

>> MS. STEWART. >> I.

>> MR. CRISP FEED. >> I.

-- MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I.

[9. INFORMATION ITEMS]

>> THANK YOU. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THIS EVENING? HEARING NONE WE WILL GO ON TO BOARD STUDENT MEMBER AND STAFF COMMENTS AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH

DR. DRATI. >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GARZA.

OVER THE PAST MONTH WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS THAT HAVE CAUSED CONCERN, FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY INCLUDING THE ARREST OF TWO STUDENTS FOR POSSESSION OF A LOADED GUN ON THE BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.

THERE WAS ANOTHER INSURANCE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS A LOCK DOWN AT THE ERNIE PYLE CAMPUS DUE TO POLICE PURSUIT.

THERE WAS ANOTHER INSURANCE DEPARTMENT WHERE THERE WAS A POLICE CAR CHASE NEAR STEVEN FOSTER AND MAYFIELD MIDDLE AND HIGH. AND A FORMER STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO BREAK INTO SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL.

WE UNDER THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF THESE INCIDENTS AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE TAKE THESE MATTERS EXTREMELY SERIOUS. THE INCIDENT AT BELLFLOWER, MIDDLE AND HIGH INVOLVING THE LOADED GUNS WERE PARTICULARLY SERIOUS AND TRAUMATIZING. TO ADDRESS THIS INCIDENT WE IMMEDIATELY HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING ON MARCH 20TH WE HAD A PANEL OF DISTRICT FIRMS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS. WE RECEIVED SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING SAFETY PROTOCOLS INCLUDING THE USE OF METAL DETECTORS. INCREASE SECURITY GUARDS, K-9 DOGS TO DETECT DRUGS, INSTALLING OF FENCES TO DETER STUDENTS FROM CLIMBING. SECURING A RESOURCE OFFICER, MORE EDUCATION ON LOCK DOWN DRILLS AND PARENTS UNDERSTANDING SAFETY PROTOCOLS. INTERVENTION SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS, IMPLEMENTATION OF EXPECTATION AND CONSEQUENCES, PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR SUPERVISION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF REVISED SAFETY COMMITTEE TO INCORPORATE MORE VOICES.

WE WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE TAKE ALL SERIOUSLY AND WHILE BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ENHANCES SAFETY PROTOCOL.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME IDEAS WERE BEING CONSIDERED AND MAY BE HIGHLY INTRUSIVE AND COULD UPSET CONSTITUENTS.

THEREFORE PRINCIPAL LUNDGREN WILL PROVIDE THE BELLFLOWER, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY AND -- OPPORTUNITY TO DEBRIEF ON MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES INCLUDING THOSE SUGGESTED AT THE RECENT TOWN HALL MEETING.

WE WILL SOLICIT MORE FROM THE LARGER BELLFLOWER TO MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THEY PLAN TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION TO ME FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE GREATER BUSD COMMUNITY. WE ALSO REC COG THAOEUZ -- RECOGNIZE THE -- THE VOICE OF ALL MEMBERS WILL WANT TO PROVIDE INPUT IF ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE EX-- EXPLORED.

I WILL BE WORKING WITH EACH PRINCIPAL TO ESTABLISH A SIMILAR PROCESS AND CONVERSATION AROUND ADDITIONAL SAFETY ENHANCE -- ENHANCEMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED. THE TIMELINE WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL, MAY, WITH THE GOAL OF TAKING MY RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL ON MAY 25TH -- ON MAY 15TH AND JUNE 15TH BOARD MEETINGS.

[01:45:04]

WE ARE NOT GOING TO IGNORE IT. WE ARE GOING TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY. A LOT OF IDEAS WERE THROWN OUT.

I KNOW SOME OF THOSE WILL -- THEY ARE CONTROVERSIAL SO WE HAVE TO GIVE VOICES TO NOT ONLY BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH, BUT THE COMMUNITY IF WE WILL MAKE THESE CHANGES.

THAT IS COMING, AND I AM HOPING TO HAVE SOMETHING AT THE END OF MAY AND JUNE. IT WILL TAKE TWO MEETINGS.

YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT BIG IN ONE MEETING IN REGARDS TO DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY AN ACTION IF WE WILL MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES. PRINCIPAL LUNDGREN SENT OUT MESSAGES TO BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH TODAY FOLLOWING MY MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF WE DISCUSSED AT THE TOWN HALL MEETING. TOMORROW THERE IS A MESSAGE COMING FROM ME TO THE ENTIRE BELLFLOWER UNIFIED COMMUNITY, THE BUSD, IN THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER THAT WILL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING SAID HERE. SO I AM HOPING PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO READ THAT AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOT IGNORING THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO LEAN INTO IT AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS BETTER.

WE ARE LIVING IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.

I AM WATCHING THE NEWS MYSELF AND WATCHING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. WE ARE IN DIFFERENT TIMES NOW SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND OPERATE WITHIN THAT.

THIS -- WRAOE -- WE WILL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER, THE PARENTS, THE STUDENTS AND THE STAFF. WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU, DR. DRATI.

WE WILL GO ON TO BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.

BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA? >> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD EVENING, BUSD. THIS MONDAY, ALTHOUGH LATE, I ATTENDED THE MEETING ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION. I ONLY GOT TO BE PART OF THE LAST HALF HOUR OF THE DIALOGUE, BUT I COULD TELL IT WAS A REALLY PERSONAL MEETING. EVERYONE TOOK THE TOPIC SERIOUSLY. BECAUSE I WASN'T PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE MEETING, I WOULD LIKE MY COLLEAGUES TO SPEAK ON THE EVENT. I WILL SAY ON THE TOPIC OF SCHOOL SAFETY IS I BELIEVE STUDENTS ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE MINOR COMFORTS AND LIBERTIES IF IT MEANS CLASSMATES ARE SAFE. I JUST ASK NEW MEASURES ARE SIMPLY FORCED -- ARE NOT FORCED ON TO THE STUDENT BODY WITHOUT EMPATHETIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND THOSE MOST AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES. I ASSURE YOU STUDENTS WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO OPPOSE DRASTIC CHANGES IF THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE AS A BOARD DON'T TAKE ANY PLEASURE IN IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THESE PRETTY DRASTIC POLICIES. AS LONG AS WE MOVE FORWARD MAKING SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THE MEASURES ARE MADE OUT OF A MORAL OBLIGATION TO ENSURE STUDENT SAFETY, WE CAN PRESERVE A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. I KNOW THERE IS A CONCERN WITH METAL DETECTORS AND DOGS. AND THE ATMOSPHERE ON CAMPUS MIGHT CHANGE. I FEEL IF EVERYONE GETS THAT TALK AND THEY FEEL IT IS A NECESSARY MEASURE WE CAN MINIMIZE THE IMPACT. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE SUPERINTENDANT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL IS A PLACE WHERE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION HAS HAPPENED. ON MONDAY WE HAD CONVERSATIONS, ALTHOUGH BRIEF, ABOUT POTENTIAL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

MOVING ON FROM SCHOOL SAFETY I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER WORK THE COUNCIL DID EARLIER THIS WEEK, THIS SPRING FOR THE SECOND TIME IN DISTRICT HISTORY STUDENTS WILL VOTE FOR REPRESENTATION ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

ON MONDAY MORNING THE COUNCIL, WHICH IS A DELEGATION OF STUDENTS FROM EACH OF THE FOUR MAIN SECONDARY CAMPUSES, WE MET TO REVISE DISTRICT POLICY ON STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS.

THE STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO IMPROVING THE WAYS IN WHICH THE POSITION OPERATES. YESTERDAY DR. DRATI AND I MET TO REVIEW WHAT THE COUNCIL DRAFTED AND WE CONFIRMED THE PROCESS THE COUNCIL DEVELOPED WITH ESSENTIALLY NO CHANGES FROM WHAT WAS DISCUSSED ON MONDAY. CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN WHERE DUE.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT BONNIE CARTER AT THAT AMERICA WAS MORE OF A CHAMPION FOR STUDENT REPRESENTATION THAN I WAS AND PUSHED THE COUNCIL AND I TO THE FINAL AND MOST INCLUSIVE STRUCTURE. WE WERE SHYING AWAY FROM MAKING BIG TKHAEUPBGS -- CHANGES. I AM EXCITED TO SPEAK ON THE STRUCTURE NOW. BECAUSE THE ELECTION PROCESS FOR NEXT YEAR'S STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE TAKING OFF IN A FEW WEEKS, BECAUSE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ADVISORY

[01:50:03]

ONE FROM BELLFLOWER, ONE FROM MAYFAIR AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM LASS -- LAS FLOREZ AND SOMERSET.

AND WE ARE OPENING IT UP TO JUNIORS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS ONLY SENIORS, BUT BECAUSE OF COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS AND BEING IN CLUB LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR SENIORS -- I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE POSITION. THE COUNCIL AGREED THAT THE POSITION COULD BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPATION FROM 11TH GRADERS. TAKING THE LOAD OFF ONE PERSON WILL INCREASE THE QUALITY OF STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THE BODY. ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS GETTING A POLL FROM OTHER SCHOOLS BECAUSE I WAS LIMITED TO MAYFAIR. I RELIED ON STUDENT LEADERS AND TEACHERS TO SEE WHAT ISSUES COULD BE WORKED ON.

THE PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS OF SOME IS NOT WHAT IS ON THE MINDS OF EVERYONE. I WOULD HAVE THREE -- I THINK THREE STUDENTS WILL BETTER SERVE STUDENTS DISTRICT WIDE.

THE ROLE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STUDENT CABINETS AT EACH CAMPUS MODELED AFTER THE SYSTEM DEVELOPED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THAT BEING SAID, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AN ENTIRE NEW SYSTEM FOR STUDENT REPRESENTATION AND DISTRICT GOVERNENCE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENT VOICE IS PROTECTED AND EXPANDED. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS WHO BRING A PERSPECTIVE TO DISTRICT CHALLENGES.

IT WILL COMPLEMENT THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THEY CAN ALLOW FOR STUDENT PERSPECTIVES IN INVOLVING PSYCH ISSUES.

I SHOULD HAVE FORMATTED THIS IN DOUBLE-SPACES.

YEAH. THE CABINETS WILL HOST STUDENT TOWN HALLS AND PRESENT TO THEIR SITE SPRINGS PALS -- PRINCIPALS ALLOWING FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION.

BOARD MEMBERS WILL HELP CABINETS BY PROVIDING A DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE TO SOLVING SITE ISSUES AND CABINETS WILL HELP BOARD MEMBERS BY GIVING A SITE PERSPECTIVE TO DISTRICT ISSUES.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SAY ON THE SYSTEM.

FOR EXAMPLE WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL SEEING AN INCREASE IN RESPONSIBILITY, BUT I WILL HAVE TO HOLD ON TO THAT. DR. DRATI AND I WILL MEET WITH EACH OF THE SECONDARY-LEVEL PRINCIPALS TO TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS AND CABINETS.

I WILL HAVE MORE TO SHARE ON THAT SOON.

BECAUSE THAT SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY IMPLEMENTED I HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO INVESTIGATE WHICH ISSUES FOLKS WANT TO SEE THE BOARD WORK ON.

ONE ISSUE WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE ELIGIBILITY OF ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS TO ATTEND SUMMER -- SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE SAID EL STUDENTS CLASSIFIED AS LEVEL 1 AND 2 LEARNERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TRANSFER TO SOMERSET TO MAKE UP LOST CREDITS DUE TO THE LACK OF EL INSTRUCTORS ON THE CAMPUS.

STUDENTS MUST MAKE UP CREDITS THROUGH CREDIT RECOVERY WHICH IS LARGELY INEFFECTIVE AS THE PROGRAM IS A ZERO PERIOD.

WHEN YOU HAVE EL STUDENTS WHO NEED THE MOST SUPPORT, HAVING AN ASYNCHRONIST CLASS DOES NOT HELP.

IT HAS EXISTED FOR A LONGTIME AND ONLY NOW GARNERING ATTENTION BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS.

EL STUDENTS WERE NOT INSTRUCTED IN DAMAGES -- DISTANCE LEARNING.

WHEN THEY RETURNED THEY ARE BEHIND ON CREDITS TO GRADUATE.

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IS SMALL AND BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THE PANG TKEPL MICK SUPPRESSED -- PANDEMIC SUPPRESSED A THOUSAND STUDENTS. ESPECIALLY THE ONLY PATHWAY FOR STUDENTS TO GET ELIGIBILITY IS A LENGTHY PROCESS AND THEY WILL NOT RECLASSIFY IN TIME TO BE ON TRACK TO GRADUATE.

I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN PLANNING AND MEETING WITH DR. DRATI AND SUPERINTENDENT BONNIE CARTER. BEFORE THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD THE EL PROGRAM IN BELLFLOWER AND I SPOKE WITH CARRIE MCDAN NELLS. THE TWO WERE HELPFUL AND GAVE ME PLENTY OF INFORMATION ON WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR EL STUDENTS.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH THEM I WAS CONFIDENT IN MEETING WITH DR. DRATI AND BONNIE CARTER. SO I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THOSE TWO ARE ON THE CASE. THEY ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS A FAIR SHOT AT GRADUATION.

I SPOKE TO THEM ON MONDAY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE JULIE, LAURA AND CARRIE MCDANIEL FOR TAKING INITIATIVE AT EL TEACHERS AND STANDING UP FOR THEIR STUDENTS BY BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION. THANK YOU TO THOSE THREE.

[01:55:06]

I WENT TO THE LIBRARY TOO CHECK OUT A SCHOOL CHROME BOOK, BUT I WAS TOLD WE ARE SHORT AND WAS PUT ON THE WAIST LIST.

FOR THE -- FORTUNATELY THE LIBRARIAN LOANED ME THIS DEVICE HE USES FOR CREDIT RECOVERY PERIOD.

I FELT GUILTY BECAUSE HE WAS MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR ME WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER STUDENT THAT DAY WHO WENT HOME WITHOUT A CHROME BOOK. I FELT I WAS FAVORED AND I FELT GUILTY ABOUT THAT. I REASSURED MYSELF THAT I WOULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THE CHROME BOOK BY USING IT TO ADD TO MY BOARD MEMBERS UPDATE BEFORE THIS MEETING THE NEWS ABOUT OUR RE EMERGING TECHNOLOGY WHOAS. STUDENTS SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO A DEVICE TO USE AT HOME ESPECIALLY SINCE ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE THROUGH GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

I RECOMMEND STAFF LOOK AT CAMPUSES TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T REGRESSION -- REGRESS TO THE ISSUE IN THE FALL.

TO WRAP UP MY UPDATE I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON TWO INITIATIVES HAPPENING OUTSIDE BELLFLOWER, BUT RELATED TO THE WORLD OF EDUCATION. OUR STATE LEGISLATURE IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING ASSEMBLY BILL 275, A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL REQUIRE DISTRICTS WITH STUDENT MEMBERS TO COMPENSATE THOSE STUDENTS FOR THEIR WORK. I I SUPPORT THIS AS IT WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE.

DURING MY TIME IN THIS ROLE I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HAVING A JOB AND SERVING AS A STUDENT REP.

I QUIT MY FIRST JOB AT SIMMS PARK EARLIER IN MY TERM.

FIVE MONTHS LATER I FIGURED I WOULD HAVE TO WORK AT THE RAILROAD MUSEUM TO PAY FOR COLLEGE.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT GOING TO SCHOOL AND HAVE A JOB AND THEN BEING ON THE BOARD.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL IMPROVE STATEWIDE AND I HOPE THAT IT PASSES SO THAT NEXT YEAR'S REPS ARE TPAEURBLY COME -- FAIRLY COMPENSATED. TO MY COLLEAGUES IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION I SPOKE WITH THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ASSOCIATION AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT A DISTRICT CAN PASS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN ORDER TO HAVE THE NAME BE LISTED UNDER THE SUPPORT CATEGORY.

RIGHT NOW IT IS LONG BEACH AND SAN DIEGO UNIFIED WHO ARE SPONSORS OF THE BILL. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED WE COULD PASS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

IT IS ASSEMBLY BILL 275. WHEN WE PASS THAT OUR NAME BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE THE THIRD ON THERE TO SUPPORT THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I BELIEVE PASSING THE RESOLUTION WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRICT TO AFFIRM THE STUDENT VOICE.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA. TO CONCLUDE MY COMMENTS I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION -- TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION AN ISSUE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ME. TONIGHT WE HEARD A LOT OF GREAT NEWS. TEACHERS RECEIVING SALARY THAT'S REFLECT THEIR HARD WORK. STUDENTS WILL HAVE FREE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. OUR ARTS PROGRAM RECEIVED CRITICAL SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF THE BOND.

THE NUMBER OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS IS TRIPLING.

JUNIORS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AND MEMBERS MAY BE PAID NEXT YEAR AND THE NEW STUDENT GOVERNMENTS ARE STARTING TO FORM ON EVERY SECONDARY CAMPUS. THAT'S ALL GREAT NEWS.

I AM IMMENSELY BROWED -- PROUD OF OUR DISTRICT AND OPTIMISTIC BELLFLOWER IS ON TRACK TO BE ONE OF THE MOST REGRESS SEUF IN THE REGION. I RECOGNIZE IT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

WHILE RIGHT NOW ON THE OTHER END OF THE NATION STUDENTS ARE UNDER ATTACK FROM THEIR OWN STATE GOVERNMENT.

I'M REFERRING TO FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS' MOVE TO HAVE THE FLORIDA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTE ON EXPANDING HIS HIS PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION ACT TO PRE-K TO 12TH GRADE.

I AM ALARMED BY THIS MOVE FOR A REASON.

CRITICS OF THE PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION ACT HAVE DUBBED IT FLORIDA'S DON'T SAY GAY LAW SINCE IT BANS PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF DISCUSSING SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND IDENTITY FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD. THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN HARMFUL TO FLORIDA STUDENTS. YOUNG KIDS WITH TWO PARENTS OF THE SAME SEX FEEL ALIEN -- ALIENATED AND TEACHERS QUESTION THEIR JOB WHEN REFERRING TO LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES UP IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY ARE FEARFUL OF RETALIATION.

[02:00:04]

IF THIS MOVE PASSES MANY STUDENTS WILL BE HURT.

RATES OF SEVERAL -- OF SEL HARM ARE ALREADY -- SELF-HARM ARE ALREADY HIGH. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN A PERSON CAN'T BE OPEN ABOUT THEIR IDENTITY AT SCHOOL.

I CAN'T CONSCIOUSLY IGNORE. EVEN THOUGH I AM SAFE AND SUPPORTED IN BELLFLOWER, BUT IT DIDN'T STOP THERE.

HB1223 IS ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION THREATENING STUDENTS. IF PASSED IT WILL MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS TO ASCRIBE TO A PERSON, A PRO NOUN THAT DOES NOT CORY SPOPBT TO THE -- CORRESPOND TO THE PERSON'S SEX. THAT SAYS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

I AM INFURIATED BY THIS. IF I WAS NOT FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO LIVE HERE IN CALIFORNIA I WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO SIT UP HERE. IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO SHOW DIGNITY TO MY PEERS AND REFER TO MY FRIENDS THE WAY THEY WISH TO BE REFERRED TO. THIS IS NOT POLITICAL AND UP FOR DEBATE. THIS IS THE MOST OPEN DELIBERATE ATTACK ON LIBERAL MINORS. IT IS SEEKING TO ERASE A COMMUNITY. I AM NOT SITTING IDLY BY.

LAST NIGHT I CONTACTED MY FELLOW CALIFORNIA STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND REQUESTED WE PUT TOGETHER A LETTER TO SEND TO THE FLORIDA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUESTING THEY RE-- REJECT THE GOVERNOR UH PROS SAL.

PROPOSAL. ME AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE DRAFTING A LETTER WE WILL SIGN AND SEND OVER BEFORE THE BOARD TAKES A VOTE. BOARD PRESIDENT GARZA THE FIRST LINE IS A QUOTE FROM DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.

WHATEVER AFFECTS ONE DIRECTLY AFFECTS ALL INDIRECTLY.

WRAOE HERE -- WE HERE IN BELLFLOWER CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREEDOMS AND CULTURE WE ENJOY.

WE CAN'T SIT BACK WHILE STUDENTS LIKE ME ARE BEING ATTACKED UNDER THE SAME U.S. FLAG. I AM REQUESTING THE BOARD AT OUR NEXT MEETING PASS A RESOLUTION TO AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING LGBTQ PLUS STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THERE ARE INJUSTICES IN THIS WORLD AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I WOULDN'T ASK THE BOARD TO PASS A RESOLUTION SPEAKING OUT AGAINST EVERY ONE OF THEM. IT WROB SO MANY.

WHAT I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT TODAY IS LITERALLY THE MOST DELIBERATE ATTACK ON STUDENTS I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFE.

THE ONLY WAY FOR INJUSTICE TO STOP IS FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP AND RESIST. IF WE DON'T, WE HAVE CHOSEN THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR. WITH THAT, THOSE ARE MY DIFFERENT FOR TONIGHT. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS FOR

TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG?

>> WELL, I WILL TALK ABOUT THE GUN ISSUE IN A MINUTE.

I DID PARTICIPATE WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS -- FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, YOU ALL.

IT IS ONLY 8:00, 8:05, BUT THAT SPRING UP IS STILL GETTING ME.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I WAS WITH MY COLLEAGUES AS WE TOURED THE BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL WITH ROBERT GARCIA AND HAD OUR PHOTO OPS AND THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH OUR CAMPUS AND OUR STUDENTS AND OUR -- AND OUR PROGRAMS. I CONTINUED -- I DID MY NORMAL L.A. COUNTY SCHOOLS TRUSTY ASSOCIATION MEETING. WE HAD A MEETING AND WE ARE TRYING TO PUT UP A LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.

WE DID IT LAST YEAR, BUT FOR SOME REASON WE ARE BEHIND ON PLANNING. WE ARE WORKING ON ANOTHER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE FOR BOARD MEMBERS.

I AM CONTINUING MY WATER EDUCATION CLASSES AND I AM NOT GONNA GIVE MY BOARD MEMBER GARZA THE CLUES.

THIS WATER EDUCATION IS NOT ALL ABOUT WATER.

LEARNING LOTS. I AM EXTREMELY BUSY.

IF IT IS NOT ONE THING, IT'S ANOTHER.

AND I AM LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT. I ATTENDED THE MEETING WITH THE L.A. COUNTY SUPERVISORS. THEY HAD A LOT OF THINGS ON THEIR AGENDA. OH MY GOODNESS.

I WAS THERE THOUGH BECAUSE -- I WAS THERE IN SUPPORT OF THE L.A.

COUNTY SUPERVISORS BECAUSE OF THE GUN VIOLENCE AND IT IS A

[02:05:05]

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I AM SO GLAD THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO MOURN ANY OF OUR STUDENTS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND I DO HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT ATTEND BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL.

BACK IN JULY -- JUNE, JULY I READ A WHOLE STATEMENT BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS. I WAS IN HOUSTON AT THE TIME AND MY CHILDREN WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS THERE WHERE THEY HAD THE PARADE. WAS IT UVALDE, TEXAS? YEAH. USUALLY I'M OUT AND WE ARE PROTESTING OR MARCHING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I WAS NOWHERE NEAR. THEY WERE AFRAID FOR ME BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WAS IN TEXAS. I JUST WASN'T THERE.

YOU GUYS, WE REALLY DO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND IT IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY. AND MENTAL HEALTH, WE CANNOT IGNORE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THAT'S GO ALONG WITH IT.

I'M GLAD BELLFLOWER HAS THINGS IN PLACE AND THOSE THINGS CAN BE IMPROVED. I AM GLAD THAT WE HAVE CALLED THE COMMUNITY TO HELP. THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

IT'S THEIR CHILDREN. WE CAN'T CON WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR HOUSE. SO WE NEED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OUR PARENTS. WE HAVE A GOOD CORE OF PARENTS WHO ARE READY AND RARING TO GO. HOPEFULLY WITH THAT WE CAN ENGAGE MORE OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE.

THAT'S IT FOR ME. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN?

>> THANK YOU. I HAD A BUSY WEEK.

I ALSO WAS WITH ROBERT GARCIA -- CONGRESSMAN ROBERT GARCIA AND WAS HAPPY TO BE WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND DISCUSSING ISSUES. HE HE VISITED THE CLASSROOMS AND THE STUDENTS ENGAGED AND ASKING HIM QUESTIONS.

I BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE THAT ONE OUT OF EIGHT STUDENTS HAVE A DECEMBER -- DISABILITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THAT SPECIAL ED NEEDS MORE FUNDING AND THAT WOULD HELP SUPPORT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE AS WE ARE -- THEN -- THEN -- THE ENCROACHMENT OF FUNDS KEEPS OTHERS FROM PARTICIPATING IN SERVICES AND PROGRAM THAT'S WE CAN HAVE MORE FUNDING FOR.

I PARTICIPATED IN LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

I WAS ON A ZOOM WITH -- ACTUALLY SHE IS SENATOR LENA GONZALEZ AND I WAS ON WITH LYNNWOOD BOARD MEMBERS AND PARAMOUNT BOARD MEMBERS TALKING ABOUT ISSUE THAT'S ARE COMING UP AND SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE BILLS AS YOU BROUGHT UP, BOARD MEMBER MENDOZA. SPECIFICALLY WE WERE LOOKING AT CYBERATTACKS WHICH I KNOW WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM OUR TECH SAYING THERE WAS AN EMAIL COMING OUT TO THE DISTRICT IN REGARDS TO A CYBERATTACK. AND SO SHE WILL BE TAKING IT TO HEART AND LOOKING AT PASSING THAT LEGISLATION.

ALSO I WANTED TO SHARE THAT I WAS PART OF -- MY WORK AS A COMMISSIONER WITH SUPERVISOR JANICE HAHN.

I WAS PART OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.

I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE WE HAD AN ISSUE ON OUR HOMELESS YOUTH AND ALSO SUPPORTING THEM. THERE ARE GREAT PROGRAMS THROUGH DPSS THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS TRANSITIONING FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE. THEY HELP PAY FOR BOOKS AND TUITION AND THEY LOOK AT POSSIBLE HOUSING UH COME TKAEUBGSS. ACCOMMODATIONS.

I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE SENTIMENTS IN WARDS TO -- IN REGARDS TO EQUITY AND I AGREE THAT IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

IT IS CRITICAL. AS FAR AS THE SAFETY TOWN HALL MEETING, I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS, SPECIFICALLY WANTING TO GET INVOLVED AND THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD WAY TO

[02:10:09]

PART OF THAT IS TRAINING THEM TO HANDLE ISSUES AND PROVIDING PEER TO PEER COUNSELING. MANY STUDENTS SAY THEY ARE GOING FOR SUPPORT AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GET TO SEE A COUNSELOR.

THEY GOT DISCOURAGED AND LEFT. I HATE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN SO I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

MAYBE THEY CAN BE PART OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE TO PARTAKE.

I THINK IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY ONE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THEY CALLED IT.

QUALITY CONTROL AND SAFETY. I'M SORRY.

I DON'T REMEMBER. I KNOW IT WAS SOMETHING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THAT. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING OUR DISTRICT. BUT ALSO SPECIFICALLY RIGHT NOW AT HANNAH AND BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL, CONSIDERING THE THREATS THAT CAME DOWN. AND ALSO PARENTS AND STAFF WERE VERY SHOCKED. THE PRINCIPAL CAME UP TO ME AND SAID I WAS PRINCIPAL FOR 30 YEARS AND THEY NEVER HAD THIS BEFORE. TAMES ARE CHANGING AND US BEING PROACTIVE AND DOING WHAT WE DID I THINK WAS A GOOD THING AND WE ARE RECEIVING AS YOU HEARD TONIGHT POSITIVE FEEDBACK FOR BRINGING UP THE TOWN HALL MEETING.

I KNOW THERE ARE ANGRY PARENTS TOO WHICH IS NORMAL.

BEHIND FEAR THERE IS ANGER -- I MEAN BEHIND ANGER IS FEAR.

I UNDERSTAND AND IT IS HARD FOR SOMEONE TO THINK THEY ARE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I'M EXCITED AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT PART OF THE PROCESS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN.

BOARD MEMBER STEWART. >> GOOD EVENING.

EVERYONE WAKE UP. BEFORE I TALK ABOUT WHAT I DID THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I WANT TO START OFF MY BOARD REPORT BY TALKING ABOUT WHAT OUR TEACHERS DO.

THIS IS AN AMAZING NIGHT FOR OUR TEACHERS AND I WANT TO START BY TALKING ABOUT THEM. OUR TEACHERS DO THE LITTLE THINGS THAT HAVE BIG IMPACTS ON OUR KIDS AND THEIR LIVES.

THEY KEEP THE CHAOS SOMEHOW ORGANIZED AND THEY ARE PROS AT MULTI TASKING. THEY SPEAK LIFE INTO THEIR STUDENTS AND THEY COUNCIL AND GUIDE ON TOP OF TEACHING.

THEY MODEL EXAMPLES AND PLAN AND COLLABORATE AND ORGANIZE AND THEY WORK ON AND OFF THE CLOCK. THEY DIFFERENTIATE THESE LESSONS AND THEY ANALYZE AND INPUT DATA AND THEY ADAPT AND MANAGE TECHNOLOGY EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING.

THEY ARE FIGURING IT OUT. THEY HELP SHAPE -- THEY HELP SHAPE ACADEMIC GOALS AND ARE DEDICATED TO GETTING THEIR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS. TEACHERS ARE CONFIDENT, PATIENT, INNOVATIVE, CARING, RESILIENT, PER ACCEPT TIFF, PASSIONATE, INCLUSIVE, DEDICATED TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND THEY LOVE THEIR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. COULD I GO ON AND ON HOW I FEEL ABOUT TEACHERS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO TRULY EXPLAIN HOW I FEEL. I THANK ALL OF YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. CONGRATULATIONSES ON YOUR NEGOTIATIONS AND RAISE. YOU DESERVE IT.

ON APRIL 26TH THERE IS WHAT WE CALL THE WHO AWARD.

WE HONOR OUR OWN. I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. ROBINSON FOR BEING THAT WHO AWARD WINNER.

YOU TOTALLY DESERVE THAT. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL.

NOW FOR ME, WHAT I HAVE BEEN UP TO, I ATTENDED A RETIREMENT RUNNEN FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE LOWTHAL.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM. I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO MANY LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS. I HAD GREAT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EDUCATION AND HOW WE CAN PARTNER WITH THEM AT A FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL. THAT WAS AMAZING.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

I AM MEETING WITH SPEAKER RENDON TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE CONVERSATIONS. I ATTENDED THE BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL VISIT WITH CONGRESSMAN GARCIA ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

THIS WAS ANOTHER AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING. WHAT WE AS A DISTRICT WANT FROM OUR PARTNERS AND NEED AND HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR STUDENTS. WE DISCUSSED WELLNESS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HELP AND ABSENTEEISM AND LEARNING LOSS AND SAFETY AMONG MANY OTHER TOPICS. SPECIAL EDUCATION, AS MY

[02:15:02]

I ATTENDED ANOTHER MEETING WITH THE LOCAL PARTNERS, THE CITY OF LAKEWOOD. PRESIDENT GARZA INTRODUCED THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS. I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH LAKEWOOD AND GETTING VALUABLE INPUT ON HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON THE BEST EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS. I ATTENDED THE TOWN HALL AT BELLFLOWER, AND I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM THAT.

ONE THING I WAS TAUGHT A PRINCIPAL TAUGHT ME AND I THINK IT HAS HELPED ME IS SHE ALWAYS REMINDED US IF YOU ARE GOING TO WRITE AN EMAIL OR YOU ARE GONNA COME AND PRESENT A COMPLAINT OR CONCERN TO HAVE SOLUTIONS. SHE WOULD TURN BACK SOME OF OUR NOTES IF WE SREUPBT A -- DIDN'T HAVE A SOLUTION.

I AM SOLUTION BASED SO I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO TALK WITH THE FAMILIES AND LISTEN TO THEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF OPINIONS IN A DISTRICT WITH 10,000 STUDENTS. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT AND WORK TOGETHER AND FIND THINGS WE CAN AGREE ON AND WE NEED TO ANALYZE DATA. I ASKED FOR DATA IN THE LAST REQUEST AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE DATA AND TRY TO IMPLEMENT SOLUTION THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF OUR FAMILIES CAN GET BEHIND AND SUPPORT. I LOVE THAT WE OPENED -- WE OPEN UP THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS AND HOPE I -- WE DO MORE OF THAT IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER STEWART. BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

>> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO MY KNEW SUIT.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT. I WAS LIKE, IT'S ONE OF A KIND AND NO ONE IS GONNA WEAR THIS. I COME OUT HERE AND LOOK AT THE FRONT ROW. IT'S OKAY.

PWR-F I GO -- BEFORE I GO OVER WHAT I DID AND TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY TOWN HALL, I WANT TO SAY I THINK WE ARE FORTUNATE HERE AT BUSD AND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE DIOSCE ARE VERY, VERIEN -- VERY, VERY ENGAGED. AT THE REGIONAL AND STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL AND THAT'S SOMETHING RARE FOR AN ENTIRE BOARD TO BE ENGAGE ETD. BE ENGAGED.

THANK YOU BECAUSE I THINK IT REALLY DOES MATTER.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. TO KICK IT OFF, DR. ROBINSON HAS A MINDFULNESS TRAINING. I WENT TO SEE MY DAUGHTER'S -- SHE MADE A LEPRECHAUN TRAP AND I WENT TO SEE THE PRESENTATION.

BEFORE IT BEGAN, I GOT TO WATCH DR. ROBINSON'S MINDFULNESS SECTION WITH HER STUDENTS. I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT WAS SUPER, SUPER IMPRESSIVE. I THINK IT WAS FIVE OR SIX MINUTES. YOU CAN JUST SEE ON THEIR FACE THAT'S IT REALLY DOES SHIFT THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS SHE WAS SAYING IS YOU LEAVE EVERYTHING AT HOME AT HOME. ARE YOU HERE AND YOU ARE IN A SAFE PLACE. I THINK IT IS POWERFUL.

TO SEE MY OWN DAUGHTER DO THAT, IT REALLY WARMED MY HEART AND IT DRIVES HOME THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO STAND BY THAT AND MAKE SURE IT IS A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE FOR THEM, MAKING A SEGUE.

SPEAKING OF THE TOWN HALL, I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHERE THAT MATTERS FOR ALL OF OUR GRADE LEVELS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOLS TOO AND I KNOW THAT CONVERSATION WILL GROW. RIGHT NOW IT IS AT BELLFLOWER HIGH. I KNOW DR. DRATI IS WORKING ON THE TIMELINE TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW.

AND I WANT TO UH -- APPLAUD THE EFFORTS FROM YOU AND THE STAFF.

I THINK THAT WAS TWO DAYS THAT YOU PULLED THAT TOGETHER AND YOU ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY. THERE WERE A LOT OF EMOTIONS IN THE ROOM. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. IT IS A GREAT START AND I LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE COMMITTEES. I WANT TO SEE WHERE THE BOARD HAS INPUT ON THE COMMITTEES AS WE GO FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND BE ABLE TO HAVE A HAND IN THE PROCESS. SPEAKING OF WHICH I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT HAVING A STUDY SESSION ON THAT AND I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO GET THAT ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN HAVE THAT STUDY SESSION. I DON'T THINK A REGULAR BOARD MEETING WILL DO IT FOR THAT BIG OF A TOPIC.

THAT WILL TAKE THAT MUCH ATTENTION.

CONGRESSMAN GARCIA'S VISIT WAS GREAT.

I THINK THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT.

WE DID GET INTRODUCED AT THE LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH MY COLLEAGUE STEWART AND GARZA.

THE MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST. DR. DRATI AND I WENT TO THAT IN

[02:20:01]

HIS NAME IS JOHN FROM THE ANGELS AND HE TALKED ABOUT UNITY AND COMMUNITY AND THE HARM OF POLITICAL POLARIZATION.

IT WAS VERY POWERFUL. I WAS SITTING THERE AND MESSAGING SOMEBODY AND SAID I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THIS GUY. IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A YOUNG BARAK. HE WAS SO CAP TAU -- CAPTIVATING. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW WE CAN INCORPORATE HIM OR A SPEAKER LIKE HIM TO KICK OFF AN EVENT.

WE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS, BUT I THINK THOSE MESSAGES ARE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE FOR OUR DISTRICT.

OH AND ONE MORE TIME I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO PRESIDENT GARZA FOR FORMING THE COMMITTEE. AGAIN, I THINK IT IS A GREAT PROCESS AND I HOPE -- THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SPENDING MORE TIME ON AND WE CAN GO THAT ROUTE. I WILL BE A PROPONENT OF THAT AND I HOPE WE CAN DO THAT. AND LAST THING, I PROMISE, THE ABILITY AWARENESS ASSEMBLY AT MAYFAIR WAS PHENOMENAL.

I CRIED A LITTLE. I THINK THAT THOSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THERE WAS ONE STUDENT I SPOKE WITH AND SHE SPOKE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AS AN OLDER SISTER OF HER YOUNGER SISTER WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS AND I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK OF MY DAUGHTERS.

IT REALLY MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND AND FEEL THAT IN CARING FOR SOMEBODY A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY IT AND THOSE STORIES ARE POWERFUL AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE TELLING MORE OF THEM AND INVITING MORE PEOPLE. I KNOW THE BLEACHERS HAVE BEEN OUT FOR AWHILE, BUT I KNOW THE CAPACITY WAS LIMITED FOR THAT EVENT. I THINK THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO MIX THAT. EVEN THAT ONE EVENT I WISH KEY -- I WISH WE COULD FILL THAT PLACE FIVE TIMES OVER.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD. MY TURN.

SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR COMING OUT.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ANY TIME YOU ARE ABLE TO COME AND JOIN US. SO I DID JOIN AND I INTRODUCED OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL AND PRETTY SOON WE WILL DO THAT AS WELL FOR CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL.

GET READY. THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF AND OUR SUPERINTENDANT FOR -- AS BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD POINTED OUT, THEY ARE GETTING READY TO ADDRESS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT TIMELINE.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A LITTLE MORE DETAILS ABOUT IT AND EXACTLY LIKE MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBER SAID, WHEN WOULD WE BE ABLE TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

I WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEACHERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN GIVE THE BEST WE CAN TO OUR STUDENTS. I KNOW THAT BOTH THE DISTRICT AND OUR TEACHERS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF KEEP THEIR STUDENTS AND THEIR HEARTS IN THE CENTER OF THE DECISIONS.

IT IS GREAT TO BE WORKING TOGETHER AGAIN.

ALSO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH -- OR CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. ROBINSON. WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR AWHILE AND I AM SO EXCITED AND HAPPY TO SEE YOU WIN THIS AWARD.

YOU'RE AMAZING. MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD SAID IT, AND YES, YOU RADIATE THAT ENTHUSIASM AND HAPPINESS FOR OUR KIDS. I KNOW THAT THERE IS NOT JUST DR. ROBINSON, BUT A LOT OF TEACHER THAT'S DO THAT TOO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

I ALSO WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR TALKING -- TALKS

[02:25:03]

I WILL BE CONNECTING DR. DRATI SO HE CAN HAVE HIS OWN CONVERSATION WITH HER AND START HAVING THOSE PRELIMINARY TALKS AS TO LOGISTICS AND WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO ON OUR END AND WHEN DO WE START THAT. IT LOOKS PROMISING.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AND GOING FORWARD WE WILL GET THE DETAILS SO OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE INTERNSHIPS OVER THE SUMMER TO BE GOING TO EXPERIENCES WITH JPL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING. THANK YOU FOREGOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE. I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR -- FROM THE BOARD OR STAFF? HEARING NONE I CLOSE THIS MEETING.

I ADJOURN THIS MEETING AT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.