Sep 21, 2023 School Board

[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]

[00:00:04]

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:02 P.M. IN OPEN SESSION. TONIGHT WE DO NOT HAVE REQUESTS ADDRESSING CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME -- ROLL CALL,

[3. CLOSED SESSION]

PLEASE. >> MS. ARMSTRONG? DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I. >> AND I, MISS STEWART, AM

PRESENT. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION.

OPEN SESSION WILL RESUME AT APPROXIMATELY 6 P.M. THANK YOU

>>> WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE. TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS CALLED TO

[4. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER]

VICE PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD WILL UPDATE ON CLOSED SESSION TOPICS.

>> TOPICS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION WERE PENDING LIT GAYS -- LITIGATIONS, AND THERE

WAS NO ACTION TAKEN BY THE BOARD. >> REPLACEMENT PAGES?

>> WE DO NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PAGES TONIGHT. WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. WHILE MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON EVERY AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEM. IT WILL BE 20 MINUTES PER BOARD BYLAW9322.2.

IF I CAN HAVE MR. JAMES BROCKWAY COME UP TO THE PODIUM. >> A BIG TIMER IN FRONT OF ME.

>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD AND USD MEMBERS AND VARIOUS GUESTS. I AM BRINGING UP CONCERNS ABOUT JUST PLACEMENT AND THE EDUCATION IN MY SIGHT THAT ARE IMPACTING THE EDUCATION HAPPENING AT MY SITE. I FIND MYSELF IN AN AWKWARD POSITION TO SAYING NO TO CERTAIN THINGS BECAUSE -- AND ONE WOULD TELL YOU I AM A HELPFUL PERSON AND I WANT TO HELP OUT AS BEST I CAN. WE ARE HERE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS.

MY SCHOOL IN BOTH 5TH AND 6TH GRADE CLASSES WE ARE COMPLETELY FULL.

THIS INCLUDES A 5TH AND 6TH GRADE COMBO. WE STARTED OUT HIGHER IN NUMBERS AND WE REORGANIZED AND BROUGHT IT DOWN TO THE MAXIMUM. THE MAXIMUM FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT 32 STUDENTS UNLESS THE DISTRICT IS AVERAGING ABOVE THAT NUMBER ACROSS THE DISTRICT. THEN WE CAN BUMP IT UP TO 34.

WHICH IS WHAT I AM AT RIGHT NOW AND ALL 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS ARE AT THAT NUMBER AT MY SITE. THIS IS GOOD BECAUSE WE ALL WANT AS MANY STUDENTS AS WE CAN AT THE SCHOOL. WE WANT TO REMAIN -- RETAIN OUR STUDENTS.

IT DOES IMPACT OTHER VARIOUS ASPECTS OF EDUCATION. I HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY MY SITE ADMINISTRATOR TO MAINSTREAM SDD KIDS IN MY CLASS THAT I NORMALLY CAN SAY YES TO WHICH IS FINE. THE SHEAR SPACE IN MY CLASS, ANY APPROVAL OF SMALL GROUP CONSTRUCTION, IT IS HARD TO GET AROUND IN MY CLASSROOM RIGHT NOW.

AND NOW I AM ASKED TO HAVE A 35TH STRAOUPT -- STUDENT. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS, THE NUMBER I CAN HAVE IN MY CLASS. I THOUGHT IT WAS 32.

34 IS POSSIBLE AND NOW I HAVE MORE THAN THAT. I USUALLY HAVE NO PROBLEM BECAUSE MY OWN SON STARTED OUT IN SDC, WAS MAINSTREAMED SO IT WAS SUCCESSFUL FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. ALL OF US INCLUDING MY SITE ADMINISTRATOR ARE PUT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. AM I GOING TO BREAK CONTRACT LANGUAGE OR AM I NOT GOING TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN IEP. WHERE IS THE LINE AND I AM CAUGHT IN A DILEMMA. I AM BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION.

CONTRACT LANGUAGE STATES THAT PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WITH THE CLASSROOMS AND 356TH GRADE STUDENTS TEND TO SQUEEZE A LITTLE BIT.

I AM ALSO, ACCORDING TO CONTRACT LANGUAGE, TO BE PROVIDED TRAINING ON HOW TO HANDLE THESE STUDENTS. AND RELEASE TIME, NONE OF THESE HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO ME.

I BRING THESE CONCERNS NOT TO BE A THORN IN ANYBODY'S SIDE, BUT TO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONE INVOLVED SO WE CAN GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR

[00:05:03]

KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. BROCKWAY.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELIZABETH RIOS. WOULD YOU PLEASE APPROACH THE

PODIUM? >> I'M VERY NERVOUS. OKAY.

GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT AND EVERYBODY HERE.

MY PRESENTATION TONIGHT IS AS A PARENT AND NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DISTRICT.

I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN THE DUAL PROGRAM, ONE IN 4TH GRADE AND ONE THIS 5TH GRADE.

I COME TO YOU IN REGARDS TO THE DUAL TRANSITION FROM WASHINGTON TO AISLE C THAT TOOK PLACE.

IT WAS DEVASTATING TO MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF, TO SAY THE LEAST, AS WE WERE NOT GIVEN A CHOICE. DR. DRATI DID NOT SAY IT WAS A CHOICE, BUT SOMETHING THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT THE FOLLOWING WEEK. DR. DRATI SAID THE DISTRICT HAS A LOSS OF STUDENTS AND A LOSS OF REVENUE. I UNDERSTAND DR. DRATTI HAS A GREAT VISION FOR THE STUDENTS WITH THE TRANSITION, BUT THERE IS NO PLAN BEHIND IT.

IF THERE WAS, IT WASN'T THOUGHT OUT AND THE EXECUTION WAS TERRIBLE.

THERE WERE LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND NO ANSWERS. ONE, WE WERE NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS PRIOR TO THE TRANSITION. TWO, IF THERE SHOULD BE ADJUSTMENTS MADE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF REVENUE, WHY SHOULD MY CHILDREN BE THE FIRST TO BE AFFECTED AND WHY NOT START SOMEWHERE ELSE LIKE ADMINISTRATION? DR. DRATTI MENTIONED THAT STUDENTS AND STAFF WERE READY FOR SUCH CHANGE, BUT IT APPLIES LIKE HOME CHROME BOOKS AND LACK OF SUPPORT AND CLASSROOMS AND COUNSELORS.

DR. DRATTI ASSURED US THAT KIDS WOULD RECEIVE A GRACE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR TO WEAR A WASHINGTON UNIFORM. MY CHILD HAS EXPERIENCED THE UNPLANNED TRANSITION.

SHE WAS SINGLED OUT IN CLASS THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING A GOTCHA STAMP BECAUSE SHE WAS WEARING THE WRONG SHOES OR WRONG UNIFORM. FOR THIS SHE EXPERIENCED ANXIETY FOR NOT WEARING THE RIGHT AOUPB FORM. I SAID WE ARE IN TRANSITION AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR A WASHINGTON UNIFORM. AND THERE IS A SEPARATION IN THE SCHOOL. MY KIDS ARE KNOWN AS THE WASHINGTON STUDENTS.

IT IS HEARD WITHIN CLASSROOMS INCLUDING TEACHERS AND STAFF. THE WELCOMING FOR MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BITTERSWEET EXPERIENCE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS A TRANSPARENCY FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND ANY FUTURE CHANGES IN THE DUAL PROGRAM.

TO MAKE IT CLEAR MY CHILDREN ARE NOT A NUMBER. THEY ARE MY CHILDREN, ARE AND FOR THAT THEY HAVE A VOICE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SUPPORT -- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SUPPORT STAFF IN THE CLASSROOMS AS THE KIDS ARE CURRENTLY STRUGGLING TO GET HELP FROM THEIR TEACHERS. IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN ADDITIONAL COUNSELOR TO HELP MY CHILDREN AND OTHER STUDENTS THAT ARE HAVING A HARD TIME ADJUSTING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEING WELCOMED. AND FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND VICE PRINCIPAL.

I LEAVE THE BOARD WITH THIS, BECAUSE WE JUST -- IN REMEMBRANCE OF 9/11.

I QUOTE FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH AFTER THE ATTACKS, ALTHOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I FEAR NO EVIL. AND THAT'S WHAT I GIVE TO MY

KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS. RE-- RIOS.

DR. DRATTI WOULD YOU MIND PLEASE LOOKING INTO BOTH THOSE ISSUES.

NEXT WE HAVE DEBORAH RENAS -BIAS. >> THANK YOU.

SAME TOPIC. IN ORDER TO HAVE THE QUALITY DUAL IMMERSION PROGRAM THAT NOT ONLY PRODUCES GOOD TEST SCORES, BUT GOOD HUMANS WILL -- WHO WILL BE MENTALLY HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE IN BOTH LANGUAGES I SEE NEEDS, A FULL TIME COUNSELOR, CASEWORKER AND ASSISTANT SPRINGS PAL. FOR OUR TEACHERS TO BE HAPPY THAT TYPICALLY MEANS LESS STUDENTS, BUT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THERE IS LOW ENROLLMENT ACROSS DISTRICTS, LESS FUNDING. OUR TEACHERS NEED TO TAKE ON MORE STUDENTS.

I AM OKAY WITH THE LARGER CLASS SIZES EVEN THOUGH IT MAY MAKE SENSE FISCALLY, IT DOES NOT MAKE THE MOST HUMAN SENSE OR ACADEMIC SENSE. MY UNDERSTANDING BASED ON DISTRICT PROFILE IS THEY ARE THE EL -- ELEMENTARY WITH THE MOST STUDENTS AND THE ONLY CAMPUS WITH A DUAL PROGRAM. THIS POINTS TO THE NEED FOR MORE SUPPORT.

BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCES AT AISLE R -- AISLE C WE NEED MORE SUPPORT.

EVEN WITH PART-TIME HOURS IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AHOLD OF HER.

THAT MEANS WE DO NOT HAVE UNIFORMS AS PROMISED. OUR PRINCIPAL NEEDS SUPPORT IF WE WANT TO KEEP HER AND HAVE HER NOT BURN OUT AND HAVE THE HIGH TURNOVER THAT AISLE C HAS HAD WITH PRINCIPALS. OUR STUDENTS HAVE NOT RECEIVED LAPTOPS YET BECAUSE THE PRINCIPAL HAS BEEN TOO BUSY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND. THIS IS A CASE IN POINT THAT THE PRINCIPAL NEEDS HELP. ILC NEEDS SUPPORT FROM AN AP IF YOU WANT THE LEADERSHIP NEEDED

[00:10:04]

WE NEED A SECOND COUNSELOR WITH THIS MANY STUDENTS. MY SON HAS NOT SEEN THE COUNSELOR ONCE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACT IN EACH OF THE CLASSES THAT HAVE STUDENTS COME FROM WASHINGTON. THERE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN AT LEAST ONE SECOND STEP CURRICULUM SESSION IMPLEMENTED TO GUIDE THOSE STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS IN THOSE CLASSROOMS AND THE TEACHERS ON HOW TO WELCOME STUDENTS AND INTEGRATE AND MAKE A PART OF THE CULTURE COMMUNITY AND WHY. I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE, THERE ARE STUDIES THAT FEELING A PART OF SOMETHING IS KEY TO MENTAL WELLNESS AND ACADEMIC WELLNESS.

I WILL NOT HARP ON THE FACT THAT MY CHILD WAS NOT WELCOMED BY THE TEACHER NOR WAS OUTSIDE.

HE DIDN'T SEE HER UNTIL SHE WAS INSIDE THE CLASS AND DIDN'T EVEN ASK HIS NAME OR SAY HELLO PERSONALLY. SHE INSTRUCTED THE ENTIRE CLASS TO SAY WELL -- WELCOME.

I WILL NOT HARP ON THE FACT THAT THE TEACHER AT PE AND THE TEACHER REFERRED TO THEM AS THE NEW STUDENT. THE FIRST TWO WEEKS MY SON ONLY FELT REPRIMANDED INSTEAD OF WELCOMED OR SHOWN THE NEW NORMS, ROUTINES, ET CETERA. KIDS LEARN BY WHAT IS MODELED.

WE ARE GIVING THE TEACHERS AND ADMIN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BECAUSE IT WAS SPRUNG ON THEM LIKE US. LITTLE NOTICE FOR A TEACHER TO GO TO 30 TAOEUF STUDENTS WITHOUT A -- 35 STUDENTS WITHOUT A CHOICE DOES NOT MAKE A HAPPY TEACHER.

YOU DID SAY MORE THAN ONCE WE WOULD HAVE EXCELLENT SUPPORT AND TEACHERS.

WE ARE WAITING ON THAT. QUESTIONS, WHEN WILL THE PHYSICIAN FOR AP SECOND COUNSELOR AND IDEALLY FULL TIME CASEWORKER HAPPEN? I LOOKED YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE NOT POSTED. ARE THEY ALREADY HIRED? ARE YOU FLYING IT INTERNATIONALLY? WHERE ARE THE UNIFORMS PROMISED? THIS IS A NEW WARDROBE. AND TO THE BOARD, WE WERE NOT GIVEN PROPER NOTICE OR CHOICES

FOR CON VIN SEN -- CON CONSISTENCY. >> THANK YOU.

DR. DRATTI, THE SAME, PLEASE. NEXT WE HAVE MARTHA CORONA ARCHILETA.

>> HELLO, SCHOOL BOARD. MY NAME IS MARTHA CORONA ARCHILETA.

I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS IN THE DUAL PROGRAM THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT RELOCATING OF SCHOOLS. MY OLDEST IS? THE 4TH GRADE.

WHEN THIS PROGRAM WAS OFFERED AT WASHINGTON THE PRINCIPAL AT THE TIME INTRODUCED IT AS A LONG-TERM PROGRAM WITH THE END GOAL OF OUR CHILDREN BECOMING DUAL SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING YOUNG ADULTS. AS A MEXICAN-AMERICAN DUAL IMMERSION WAS A GOAL FOR OUR FAMILY BECAUSE IT WAS IMPORTANT OUR CHILDREN SPOKE AND UNDERSTOOD THE LANGUAGE.

I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE WAY THE RELOCATION WAS HANDLED AND MANAGED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE INITIAL MEETING WAS GIVEN WITH LESS THAN 48-HOUR NOTICE.

THE MEETING STARTED AS AN OPTION AND AT THE END OF THE MEETING IT BECAME THE LIMITED OPTION OF MOVING OUR CHILDREN TO AISLE C OR STAY AT WASHINGTON.

IN THE REGULAR CLASSES. DURING THE SECOND MEETING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS MOST OF THE PARENTS WERE NOT OKAY WITH THIS BIG MOVE OF ALL THE GRADES TO A NEW SCHOOL SEEING THAT IT INTERRUPTED A MONTH FOO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

MOST PARENTS WERE OKAY WITH FINISHING THE SCHOOL YEAR AT THEIR HOME SCHOOL AND MAKING THE CHANGE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THERE WERE MANY QUESTIONS THE PARENT HAD THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DID NOT HAVE ANSWERS TO. OUR FAMILIES HAVE HAD A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS SINCE HEARING THIS NEWS OF A MOVE. WE TRY TO TEACH OUR KIDS THAT CHANGE IS INEVITABLE AND PART OF LIFE IS ADAPTING. UH TKAPGS IS A LIFE SKILL AND LEARNING TO FIND SOLUTIONS IS WHAT WE TRY TO TEACH OUR KIDS. WE TEACH OUR KIDS TO ASK QUESTIONS, NEVER BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP AND SPEAK YOUR MIND. SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME THAT AN UNPREPARED PLAN IS DESTINED FOR FAILURE. THIS WAS A HASTY AND HUGE MOVE AND THE DISTRICT NEEDED MORE PREPARATION. THE BIGGEST FRUSTRATION AS AN INVOLVED PARENT IS TALKING TO OTHER PARENTS AT AISLE C, PARENTS LET ME KNOW HER SON KNEW HE WAS GETTING 10 OR MORE CLASSMATES THE WEEK PRIOR TO WASHINGTON PARENTS BEING INFORMED OF THE RELOCATION. AND THERE WAS LETTERS SENT TO WASHINGTON PARENTS EXPLAINING THERE MIGHT BE RELOW -- RELOCATION AND YET NONE OF THE PARENTS AT WASHINGTON GOT THIS LETTER, BUT ILC PARENTS DID. IT GIVES THE PERCEPTION THAT ILC PARENTS ARE MORE VALUED THAN WASHINGTON PARENTS. THIS IS UN-- UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

MAYBE YOU DO HAVE MORE PARENT INVOLVEMENT AT ILC THAN WASHINGTON, BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH DUAL IMMERSION PARENTS. WE HAVE -- WE ARE INVESTED IN THE PROGRAM. IF THE DISTRICT LOST 400 STUDENTS TO OTHER DISTRICTS THEN THIS IS AN INDICATOR THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.

THE SUDDEN MOVE LEFT A BAD TASTE FOR OUR FAMILY AND I FELT LIKE I WAS STRONG ARMED TO MAKE

[00:15:06]

>> I'M SO SORRY. YOUR TIME IS UP. BOARD, WOULD YOU MIND IF WE

GIVE HER MORE TIME TO FINISH UP HER COMMENTS? >> IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAND YOUR

STATEMENT IN SO THAT WAY WE CAN READ IT OURSELVES? >> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU. >> PERFECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> DR. DROTTI, WOULD YOU MIND PLEASE UPDATING THE BOARD ON WHAT'S GOING ON AT IL, KR BY FRIDAY -- ILC BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, IN THE FRIDAY MEMO? HOPELY -- HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO AN ANALYSIS OF NEEDS ON THE CAMPUS NOW THAT WE HAVE EXTRA STUDENTS? THANK YOU. NEXT IS ELIZABETH HONANO.

I'M SORRY IF I MISS PRONOUNCED THAT. >> IT IS ELIZABETH M --

HANOHANO. >> I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH PREPARED. I CAME TO SUPPORT MY FELLOW CLASSMATES' PARENTS. WE HAVE A TEXT THREAD OF PARENTS WHO FEEL THE SAME, BUT THEY HAD TO WORK OR HAD OTHER THINGS THEIR KIDS ARE DOING. AT LEAST THE DUAL 4TH GRADE CLASS THAT WAS MOVED TO ILC. I MADE THE DECISION TO KEEP MY SON AT WASHINGTON AND ACTUALLY I PLANNED ON TAKING HIM OUT BECAUSE HE WAS STRUGGLING SO MUCH.

I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE TEACHERS AND THE PRINCIPAL. WE SAID LET'S KEEP HIM IN.

HE HAS A NEW BABY SISTER AND LOTS OF CHANGES. WHEN I DECIDED CHANGE WOULD HAPPEN, I I WASN'T ANSWERED FOR A WEEK. THEN WE WERE GIVEN THE CHOICE TO STAY AT WASHINGTON OR GO TO ILC. I CHOSE TO KEEP HIM THERE BECAUSE HE NEEDS TO BE IN ENGLISH BECAUSE HE IS NOT GETTING THE HELP HE NEEDS.

WE KNOW THE PANDEMIC HURT OUR KIDS ON TOP OF THAT. NOW THIS 4TH GRADE CLASS HAS BEEN THROUGH TWO YEARS OF NO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

I'M SORRY. I AM GOING TO BE EMOTIONAL. THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT.

THE TEACHER THEY SPENT A MONTH WITH AND WAS LOVING AND NURTURING.

THEY HAD NURTURING TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE DUAL EXPERIENCE. AND TO BE PLACED AT ILC WHO IS A LITTLE STRICTER, I UNDERSTAND, BUT HE CAME HOME WITH A PACKET OF WORK.

WHERE IS THE SUPPORT? THEY NEED HELP, EXTRA TUTORING AFTER THE PANDEMIC SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. YOU KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE. YOU MOVED KIDS OVER.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP US? YOU AND YOUR -- YOUR PRESIDENT THING, I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO READ IT. YOU WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND HELP EVERYBODY COME TOGETHER AND BRING THE BOARD TOGETHER AND BRING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOGETHER AND HELP OUR KIDS, IT IS ABOUT THE KIDS. IT ISN'T DID -- ABOUT US OR THE MONEY. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE KIDS TO THE LEVEL THEY NEED TO BE AT.

MY SON WILL BE IN DUAL NOW I GUESS UNTIL HE IS IN 6TH GRADE.

I CAN'T MOVE HIM OUT. HE HAS AN IEP. I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MOVING MY DAUGHTER TO A BETTER PLACE WHERE SHE CAN CATCH UP AND I KNOW THAT COULD HURT MY PERMIT, GOD FORBID, BUT THAT IS THE CHANCE I AM TAKING TO SUPPORT MY SON AND HIS CLASSMATES WHO ARE STRUG -- STRUGGLING. IT HAS BEEN A WEEK. I KNOW WE HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME, BUT WHERE IS THE COUNSELOR TO HELP THEM SPECIFICALLY. THEY NEED TO BE GATHERED AS A GROUP WITH OTHER ILC KIDS AND NOT BE CALLED THE WASHINGTON KIDS.

THE PLAYGROUND IS SHUTDOWN AND HE CAN'T PLAY THE GAMES HE USED TO PLAY AT WASHINGTON.

WHERE IS THE SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE THE EXPERIENCES THEY WERE HAVING AT WASHINGTON LIKE SOCIALLY IS HERE, THERE. THEY NEED SOCIAL INTERACTION. MAYBE THE TEACHER NEEDS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE ILC KIDS AND WASHINGTON KIDS AND MAKE THEM EAGLES.

MAYBE ENCOURAGE THE EAGLE MASCOT AND BUILD THAT UP OR SOMETHING.

DR. DRATTI, YOU ARE NEW AND PRESSURE IS ON YOU, MAN, BUT I HOPE YOU DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN FOR THE KIDS AND NOT FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES OR WHATEVER. DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KIDS, PLEASE. YOU ARE PARENTS. YOU ARE A PARENT.

I READ YOUR STUFF. YOU ARE PARENTS. YOU HAVE FIVE KIDS OR SOMETHING THAT YOU HAD IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I AM A PRODUCT OF BUSD.

I DON'T KNOW IF I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL PASS THESE CARDS TO YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[5. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA]

DO WE HAVE AMENDMENTS TO THIS EVENING'S AGENDA? THANK YOU.

[00:20:06]

[6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

THE YEAR, MS. GUTIERREZ, WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART. READY. BEGIN.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MS. GUTIERREZ. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS AND

[7. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]

IT IS TIME FOR PTA AND PTA COMMUNICATIONS. CAN WE HAVE THE BTA PRESIDENT

MS. MARY MCDANIEL COME TO THE PODIUM? >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT

GARZA, BOARD, DR. DRATTI AND CABINET. >> I WANT TO UPDATE YOU ON BTA AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE SCHOOL STARTED. MOST OF THE SITES HAVE STARTED BACK TO SCHOOL IN AUGUST. TEACHERS WERE EXCITED TO GET BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS AND GET THEM READY FOR THEIR STUDENTS. TREASURER ALYSSA ROBERTS AND I MADE A VISIT TO SOMERSET AND PROVIDED LUNCH. I WORKED WITH MR. HIGGINS AND HE SUGGESTED INVITING THE ADULT TRANSITION TEACHERS OVER AS WELL AND WE DID.

OH HAVE I A CLICKER. THANKS. BTS SUBMITTED THREE GRANTS TO CTA TO CONTINUE OUR WORK IN BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH OUR MEMBERS.

THE MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT GRANT HELPS US FUND SOME OF THE FUN THINGS WE HAVE PLANNED LIKE OUR MIXER AT LUCILLE'S TOMORROW NIGHT. THE SITE VISIT GRANTS -- THE SITE VISIT GRANT HELPS WITH TIMES TO SEND TO THE SITES AND LISTEN TO CONCERNS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THINGS LIKE INSURANCE, DISABILITY AND LIFE INSURANCE.

WE USUALLY INVITES REPS FROM CALIFORNIA CASUALTY AND THE STANDARD TO TALK ABOUT COVERAGE. I HAVE BEEN BUSY WORKING WITH CABINET MEMBERS TO TRY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT COME TO ME VIA EMAIL OR SITE REPS. WE HAVE WORKED TO GET THE STANDING COMMITTEE READY FOR THE NOVEMBER 1ST MEETING AND I MET TODAY TO DISCUSS EMAIL CONCERNS. I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS TOGETHER.

MR. HOGI MET WITH BP -- BTA'S INSURANCE COMMITTEES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING DISCUSSION ON THE DISTRICT'S CONTRIBUTION TO INSURANCE AND MOST OF THE PLANS ARE INCREASING. I ALSO WORKED WITH MS. CARTER TO GET SUBS FOR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD RETREAT IN FEBRUARY. I APPRECIATE HER WORKING WITH US AND HER COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING BT, A. BTA. DR. ROBINSON AND I HELD MEETINGS THIS MONTH. ONE DAY WE INVITED ELEMENTARY TEACHERS AND THE NEXT WAS SECONDARY. WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO WITH REGARDS TO CONTRACT LANGUAGE TO MAKE WORKING CONDITIONS MORE CLEAR AS WE REALIZE THERE ARE ISSUES WITH SPECIAL ED.

I SENT OUT A CHECK IN SURVEY TO MEMBERS TO CHECK IN AND SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. I SHARED THE RESULTS SORTED BY SITE BY DR. DRATTI AND THE SITE REPS. FINALLY IN MY MEETINGS WITH DRT ALLIANCE MEETINGS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE MEETINGS AND LISTENING TO ALL SIDES IN A COMMITMENT TO HELP THE DISTRICT MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE STEAM BUILDING RECEPTION

NEXT WEEK. >> THANK YOU, MS. MCDANIEL. NEXT IS PTA COMMUNICATIONS.

WELCOME, MS. MORGAN. >> TKPWAOEPBLG -- GOOD EVENING. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS SLIDE, IT IS FAM -- FAMILIAR. WE ARE BELLFLOWER COUNCIL PTA, THE PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND OUR THEME IS TO SERVE, OUT REACH, ADVOCATE AND RENEW. THOSE ARE THE 12 UNITS ON YOUR

RIGHT. WHICH ONE DO I PRESS? >> WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE ORGANIZE VARIOUS EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS AND HOST THOSE EVENTS FOR

[00:25:01]

IT IS OCTOBER 23RD, THROUGH THE 27TH AND IT IS THE ANNUAL DRUG USE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN. WE HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE STUDENTS, DRESS UP DAYS, ASSEMBLIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS TO RAISE AWARENESS TO LIVE DRUG FREE.

LOOK FOR AN INVITATION, PROBABLY AN E-VITE REAL SOON. AS COUNSEL PTA, WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR -- ALL OF OUR UNITS WITH TRAINING RESOURCES, MEETINGS WITH THEIR BOARDS AND ONE ON ONE'S WHERE NEEDED. I HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF THE PRINCE -- PRINCIPALS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. DRATTI. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE COMMUNICATION AND THE COLLABORATION WITH EVERYONE.

FINALLY FUN STUFF. I WAS ABLE TO GET A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF OUR PTA IN ACTION.

ON THE RIGHT IS RAMONA'S NEW PTA BOARD. DOWNSILL WAS -- COUNCIL WAS HAPPY TO HOST AN ELECTION. OTHER UNITS HAD A BOO-HOO BREAKFAST TO WELCOME STUDENTS BACK. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY HAD AN ASSEMBLY HONORING AND RECOGNIZING THEIR DUAL IMMERSION STUDENTS MERGING WITH ILC.

YES THAT HAPPENED. NOT GOING TO GO IN IT. IT IS NOT MY SPOT.

BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BUSY WORKING THE SNACK SHACK DURING THE FOOTBALL GAMES. THEY HAD A LOT GOING ON. BOOK FAIRS AND POPSICLE SALES, ENCOURAGING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. PROVIDING DONATIONS FOR ASSEMBLIES AND FIELD TRIPS.

MORE PICTURES OF THE KIDDOS WHICH IS WHY WE ALL DO WHAT WE DO.

PTA ARE SELLING POPSICLE SALES AND THERE ARE SEVERAL GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

YOU WILL NOTICE A LOT OF THESE PICTURES FROM ERNIE PILES. I WANT TO THANK CHRISTINA FOR NOT ONLY SENDING US PICTURES TO SHARE, BUT ALSO HAVING THEM PRE-APPROVED SO I CAN SHOW THEM. I THOUGHT I HAD MORE NOTES. ONE LAST PLUG FOR OUR PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE. THESE ARE THE NUMBERS AT THE SITE.

I PULL THEM ON TUESDAY AND THEY MAY NOT BE 100% ACCURATE. I KNOW THERE IS A SMALL COMPETITION GOING ON AT SOME OF THE SITES. I WANTED TO SHARE THESE.

FOR THOSE NOT PTA MEMBERS YET I ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN ONE OR JOIN ALL AND WORK TOGETHER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MS. MORGAN. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT,

[8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT]

DR. DRATTI, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT? >> YES.

NOTHING LONG TODAY, ARE BUT I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS HAVE CLOSED. THREE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED.

IF YOU RECALL WE WILL HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MAY -- MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL, ONE FROM BELLFLOWER HIGH AND ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOMERSET IN LAS FLORES.

THE IDEA IS THEY ARE GOING TO BE SWORN IN ON THE OCTOBER 12TH MEETING.

WE WILL HAVE ONE OF THE STUDENTS START ON THAT DAY AND THEY WILL ROTATE FROM THAT POINT ON. I WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS WITH THEM SO I UNDERSTAND THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO EDUCATE THEM. IT WILL TAKE TIME TO GET THEM ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS, BUT AT THE WILL HAVE A GOOD FOOTING BY THE TIME WE START.

WE WERE HAPPY ABOUT THAT. A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT RIGHT NOW.

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE AT OPEN HOUSES AND THERE IS A LOT OF ENERGY AND EXCITE MEANT FROM

[00:30:04]

ONE EVENT I DID GO TO, I WILL SPEAK TO AND THERE IS A NEW EVENT OCCURRING IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR WHICH IS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL. I GOT A CHANCE TO GO OUT AND WATCH MAYFAIR PLAY AGAINST BELLFLOWER HIGH. IT WAS A GREAT GAME.

FOR ANYBODY OUT THERE THAT LOVES FOOTBALL, MAN, IT IS FAST-PACED AND AND EXCITING TO WATCH. SO I RECOMMEND CHECKING IT OUT. WITH THAT THAT INCLUDES THE

[9. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS]

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. >> THANK YOU, DR. DRATI. WE MOVE ON TO BOARD

COMMUNICATIONS. MISS ARMSTRONG? >> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU ALL THIS EVENING. FOR THE PAST WEEK I HAVE BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION MYSELF. I DIDN'T DO TOO MUCH WITH THE DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WRITING LETTERS TO THE LEGISLATORS.

A LOT OF BILLS ARE BEING PASSED AND I DO MY PART AS A COLLECTIVE TO TRY TO BE ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HELPING TO PUSH AND/OR NOT PUSH CERTAIN LEGISLATIONS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE LINE. I KEEP FORGETTING I DO STUFF LIKE THAT AND A NEVER REALLY REPORT ON IT. I DID ATTEND AL HAM TKAORB TKAORB EL HAMBRA ES EDUCATION FOUNDATION. IT WAS A FUNDRAISER. SPH-S -- SOMETIMES THEY HAVE FOUNDATIONS WHERE THEY RAISE MONEY FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES. IT WAS REALLY NICE TO BE AMONGST OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BOARD MEMBERS IN THAT EFFORT.

OTHER THAN THAT, THAT'S ABOUT IT. I MYSELF AM VERY GLAD TO BE SITTING HERE IN THIS SEAT RIGHT NOW. I WAS NOT DOING WELL LAST WEEK AT ALL. ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THAT'S MY WORK.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN?

>> THANK YOU. I SHARE THE SAME SENTIMENTS AS MY COLLEAGUE.

I WASN'T WELL THIS PAST WEEK EITHER. MY VOICE IS CHANGING.

I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY THE LATEST COURT RULING WHERE -- IT WAS IN CS KR-RBG A.

IT WAS ABOUT A LAWSUIT IN SPECIAL ED ABOUT -- ABOUT ADA. PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO SUE UNDER ADA, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT, FOR DAMAGES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE IDEA PROGRAM WHICH BASICALLY SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND GETTING THEIR ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM. IN TALKING WITH LEGAL, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT STAFF, SPECIFICALLY OUR SPECIAL ED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS GO THROUGH AN ADA TRAINING TO ACTUALLY GET EDUCATED IN THE PROCESS SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE ACCOMMODATION PROCESS AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF IDEA THAT IS K-12.

THIS WILL HELP PROVIDE ACTUALLY LESS DUE PROCESS SO TEACHERS WILL UNDERSTAND HIGHWAY -- HOW TO BEST DEAL WITH STUDENTS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THAT'S ONE THING.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DAN BUFFINGTON'S RETIREMENT. HE SERVED ALMOST 38 YEARS PLUS FOR THE DISTRICT AND I DIDN'T WANT THAT GONE WITHOUT RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGING OF HIS YEARS OF SERVICE WITH US. I'M SORRY? YES. WITH THAT I WILL CLOSE AND THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

>> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER EL THESE -- BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN. >> BOARD MEMBER STEWART?

>> THANK YOU FOR MY TARDINESS. IT WAS BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT. I ATTENDED BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT ALBERT BAXTER AND ILC. I LOVE BAXTER. IT WAS OBVIOUS THEY WORK TOGETHER. THEIR WELLNESS CENTER IS BY FAR THE BEST I HAVE SEEN IN THE DISTRICT. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND I ENJOYED MY TIME AT BAXTER.

ILC WAS A GREAT VISIT. THERE WERE SO MANY PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

[00:35:04]

SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THE LAST EVENT I ATTENDED WAS JUST REALLY SPECIAL AND I'M GONNA TRY NOT TO CRY. IT WAS HUMBLING AND INSPIRATIONAL AND I HAD A GREAT TIME. I ATTENDED A CELEB -- CELEBRITY SOFTBALL GAME AND IT HAD A LOT OF U IN, LV PLAYERS WHICH IS WHERE I WENT AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES.

IT WAS HOSTED BY LAS VEGAS EVENTS AND SENIOR SOFTBALL USA. BASICALLY THIS WAS A GAME AND WE PLAYED AGAINST A TEAM CALLED THE USA PATRIOTS OR THE WOUNDED WARRIORS.

THEY ARE AN AM -- AMPUTEE TRAVELING SOFTBALL TEAM. IT IS VETERANS WHO LOST LIMBS IN COMBAT AND NON-COMBAT RELATED INJURIES. THERE WERE PLAYERS FROM THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE. THEY CONTINUE TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF MODERN PROSTHETICS AND OFFER A PLACE FOR KAU MOM -- COMRADERY AND HEALING. I WANT TO SHARE ONE STORY.

A MAN FROM VERMONT HIS NAME IS KENNY AND HE TOLD ME UNBELIEVABLE STORIES.

HE WAS IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, KOSOVO. HE WAS SHOT AT RUNNING THROUGH THE TRENCHES AND A BOMB EXPLODED AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS LEG.

HE HAD EIGHT SURGERIES IN 10 DAYS. BEING AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY AND THE THINGS THEY DO FOR US, HE WAS ON A SUBMARINE FOR 39 DAYS AND THERE ARE NO WINDOWS OR NOTHING IN THERE. THE THINGS THEY DO FOR US AND THE WAY THEY PROTECT OUR COUNTRY, IT JUST MEANT SO MUCH TO BE THERE AND SUPPORT THEM AND TO PLAY IN THIS.

MANY OF THESE PLAYERS THAT PLAYED, THEY RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART FOR THEIR BRAVERY AND DEDICATION FOR THE COUNTRY. I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE A BLESSING AND WE SHOULD CELEBRATE THEM 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE -- WE ARE THE CELEBRITIES OF THE GAME, THEY ARE THE HEROS BY FAR. I ADMIRE THEM AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE WOUNDED WARRIORS AND OUR SERVICEMEN FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU ON THAT DAY. YOU ARE AMAZING AND YOU ARE APPRECIATED.

I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO OUR COUNTRY. THEY ARE DEFINITELY THE REAL

MVP'S BY FAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

>> I WILL TRY TO GET THROUGH IT. I TOLD MYSELF I WOULDN'T MAKE A COMMENT, BUT KEEPING MY MOUTH SHUT IS NOT SOMETHING I DO WELL.

BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING, I WILL SAY I DID GO TO THE MAYFAIR- LAKEWOOD FOOTBALL GAME, THE MILK BUCKET GAME AND WE WON THAT. THAT WAS COOL.

I WENT TO LAKEWOOD SO IT WAS NICE TO WIN THAT ONE. AND THE BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS AND LIKE MY COLLEAGUE SAID, THE WELLNESS CENTER IS A MODEL FOR HOW WE SHOULD DO OUR WELLNESS CENTER. I THINK EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING IS IMPRESSIVE.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT WEEK. I COULDN'T HAVE ATTENDED THIS MEETING WITHOUT A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT, THE DISTRICT STAFF, DR. DRATI AND MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD.

I APPRECIATE IT. I THINK THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IF I WAS GOING TO POWER THROUGH ANYTHING, GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE AND DOING SOMETHING, IT WAS GONNA BE THIS. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION, BUT I THINK SUICIDE PREVENTION IS NOT STOPPING AN ACT FROM OCCURRING ALL THE TIME.

SOMETIMES IT IS ABOUT CREATING QUALITY EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITY AND MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE BECAUSE IT STARTS SO EARLY ON.

IF IT FINALLY HAPPENS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR BEING ABLE TO SIT HERE AND WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES. I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU WHO TAKE THE TIME TO COME TO THESE BOARD MEETINGS AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR KIDS. OUR KIDS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND WHAT WE DO FOR THEM MATTERS. HEY, I MADE IT THROUGH WITHOUT CRYING. THAT'S YOU WILL -- THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU. >> I MYSELF DID ATTEND THE BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT I GOT THROUGH ALMOST ALL SCHOOLS. I DID MISS OUT ON STEVEN FOSTER SO I WILL BE GOING THERE SOON.

[00:40:12]

WE DO NEED TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT -- FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. THANK YOU FOR PARENTS PATING IF THESE MEETINGS.

[10. RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]

DR. DRATI. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, MS. CARTER. MRS. CARTER WILL ACCEPT THE RECOGNITIONS.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE BOARD COME DOWN FOR RECOGNITIONS? >> AND AT THE SAME TIME, CAN WE PLEASE ASK VICE-CHAIRPERSON STACY GANAN AND KATHY GUY TO JOIN THE BOARD.

THIS EVENING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PERSONNEL COMMISSION ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR MS. PATRICIA GUTIERREZ.

[APPLAUSE]. MS. GUTIERREZ SERVED THE BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FORECLOSE TO A DECADE STARTING AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL AID IN WASHINGTON.

THANKS TO HER OUTSTANDING ABILITY TO WORK WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE AT TIMES STRUGGLED BEHAVIORALLY. SHE BECAME A SPECIAL EDUCATION BEHAVIOR AID.

MOST KNOW HER AS TRISH -- TRICIA. SHE HAS HELPED OTHER COLLEAGUES NAVIGATE THROUGH OTHER SITUATIONS. TRICIA PRIMARILY SUPPORTS WASHINGTON SHE HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT OTHER SCHOOLS DUE TO HER IMPRESSIVE SKILLS. IN ADDITION SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE PDIS TEAM AND WORKS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN HER COMMUNITY. WHEN SPEAKING OF HER ROLE, TRICIA EXPRESSES HER BELIEF THAT SHE IS HELPING STUDENTS GAIN THE REAL-LIFE SKILLS THEY NEED TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, LET'S CONGRATULATE TRICIA FOR HER UNWAIVERING COMMITMENT TO THE BELLFLOWER LEARNING COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> WOULD THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS

AGAIN. [APPLAUSE]. >> NEXT THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE A CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. MRS. CARTER WILL AGAIN ASSIST THE BOARD IN THEIR RECOGNITION. THIS EVENING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, MS. MELISSA ELLIS. COME ON FORWARD.

SHE SERVED IN THE BELLFLOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 17 YEARS BEGINNING AS A SCIENCE TEACHER AND PROGRESSING TO BE A FULL-TIME CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION OR CTE EDUCATOR.

SHE TEACHES CAREERS ON MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH COURSES AND SERVES AS A CTE DEPARTMENT CHAIR. ALWAYS MAKING DECISIONS AND THE BEST INTEREST OF HER STUDENTS. MELISSA HAS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO HER STUDENTS CREATING A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY TRUST AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS. SHE INCORPORATES NUMEROUS INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES SUCH AS COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING THAT FOSTERS CRITICAL THINKING WHILE ALSO BUILDING ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR REAL WORLD APPLICATION.

HER CLASSROOM HAS EVEN BEEN SELECTED AS A MODEL SHOWCASE CLASSROOM FOR THE PAXTON POTTEN COMMITTEE. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, LET'S PLEASE CONGRATULATE MELISSA FOR HER DEDICATION AND HER LEADERSHIP. CONGRATULATIONS.

MS. ELLIS, DO YOU HAVE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE?

[00:45:19]

WONDERFUL. CONGRATULATIONS. AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR

RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING. >> THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITIONS.

[11. PUBLIC HEARINGS]

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. >> SO MOVED. >> ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ITEM? >> SECOND. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION FROM

THE BOARD? SO WE WILL TAKE ROLL CALL NOW. >> CAN WE GET A MOTION TO CLOSE

THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> I MOVE THAT WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

MAKE A MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL.

>> MS. ARMSTRONG? >> I. >> DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I. >> MISS STEWART. >> I.

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I. >> NEW BUSINESS.

[12. NEW BUSINESS]

>> YES. I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH MY BOARD REPORT AND STAFF LOOKING INTO DOING AN ADA TRAINING FOR OUR SPECIAL ED TEACHERS AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATORS IN DEALING WITH OUR SPECIALED PROGRAM DARK DAB -- OUR SPECIAL ED PROGRAM.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION, NEW BUSINESS IS NORMALLY THINGS THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS.

ARE YOU ASKING FOR US TO BRING SOME KIND OF A TRAINING FOR YOU GUYS TO VOTE ON?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. I'M SORRY. YES.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OR FOR THE BOARD TO LOOK INTO.

SORRY I KEEP DOING THAT. EDUCATE OUR STAFF SINCE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

>> OKAY. >> I GUESS I'M -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR.

WE CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE CURRENTLY DO WITH TRAINING RIGHT NOW. I GUESS IS THERE A PARTICULAR ONE THAT YOU WANT US TO -- TO GET INTO AND THEN SECONDLY, I NEED TO -- I GOTTA GET THE VOTE FROM THE REST OF THE BOARD.

>> AM I UNDERSTANDING THIS RIGHT? YOU ARE JUST ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER PUTTING THE SUBJECT ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE THIS -- WHETHER WE ARE USING IT OR NOT, AND/OR TO LOOK INTO NEW TRAINING IF WE HAVE TO?

YOU JUST WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION? >> I'M TALKING ABOUT A SPECIFIC TRAINING. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE TRAINING ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT GIVEN BY WHAT HAS JUST BEEN PASSED BY THE SUPREME COURT TO BETTER EDUCATE OUR TEACHERS AND TO SUPPORT OUR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL.

>> SO THAT IS ACTUALLY CURRENT INFORMATION AND LAWS THAT HAVE CURRENTLY BEEN PASSED.

[00:50:01]

SPEAK? >> MAYBE I AM NOT SAYING IT CLEARLY AND MAYBE LEGAL CAN SUPPORT ME. WHAT I AM TRYING TO REQUEST FOR NEW BUSINESS IS THAT BASED ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT WAS RECENTLY PASSED AND CSPA HAS SAID IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EDUCATORS TO UNDERSTAND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS AND REGARDS TO PROVIDING ACCOMMODATIONS UNDER 504 FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S ALL. ALL I AM REQUESTING IS WE LOOK INTO THIS TO FURTHER DISCUSS.

>> CAN I SECOND THAT? >> SO JUST TO CLARIFY, THE MOTION IS FOR THAT PARTICULAR TRAINING TO BE DISCUSSED AT A FUTURE AGENDA MEETING AT WHICH TIME A DECISION COULD BE MADE AT THAT POINT, BUT IT IS SIMPLY FOR ALLOWING THE BOARD TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND WHOEVER ELSE IN THE DISTRICT

REGARDING THE ADA COMPLIANCE ISSUES? >> THANK YOU.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT, PLEASE. >> YES COULD WE HAVE ROLL CALL? >> MS. ARMSTRONG?

>> I. >> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I.

>> MS. STEWART. >> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD?

>> ABSTAIN. >> MRS. GARZA? >> I.

>> DO ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WISH TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE FUTURE AGENDA? HEARING NONE WE WILL CLOSE THAT PORTION OF THE AGENDA. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO DISCUSSION

[13. DISCUSSION ITEMS]

>> A FEW BOARD MEETINGS AGO THE BOARD DIRECTED ME AND STAFF TO COME UP WITH A PROCESS FOR A 360 EVALUATION FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO UNDERTAKE. WE HAVE DONE SOME HOMEWORK ON THAT AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO CSBA, THE GROUP YOU BELONG TO. THEY DO HAVE A TRAINING.

IT IS A TWO-DAY TRAINING THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE THE BOARD. WE HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED A SPECIFIC DATE YET. THE MAIN THING I WANT TO HEAR IS TODAY, GET DIRECTION ON IS WHETHER YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE TWO-DAY TRAINING. I GAVE YOU SOME OF THE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE TRAINING WOULD UNDERTAKE IN THE FRIDAY MEMO.

IF YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE TWO-DAY TRAINING I WOULD NEED A YES AND THEN I WILL WORK TO TRY TO ESTABLISH A SPECIFIC DATE WORKING WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND WITH THE CONTRACTED SERVICE

WE WILL OBTAIN THE TWO-DAY TRAINING ON. >> SO DO YOU NEED A MOTION?

>> DISCUSSION ITEM. >> IF YOU CAN DISCUSS THE ITEM FIRST OR ASK QUESTIONS OR

ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> MAKE A MOTION TO DISCUSS THE ITEM.

>> I MOVE TO DISCUSS THE ITEM. >> SO WE DON'T NEED TO. BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG?

>> I'M FOR THE TRAINING. >> BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN? >> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW -- I GUESS YOU SAID THE BREAK DOWN IS IN THIS FRIDAY MEMO? THIS COMING FRIDAY?

>> WE PUT IT LAST FRIDAY. >> I DIDN'T SEE IT LAST FRIDAY. >> I BELIEVE IT WAS LAST

FRIDAY. >> WHAT IS THE TITLE? BOARD TRAINING?

>> 360 EVALUATION. >> I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOUR EVALUATION.

>> SO THE WAY THIS WORKS IS IT IS TIED IN WITH THE SUPER YOU ARE -- THE SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION. THEY WORK WITH THE BOARD TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE CONSENSUS ABOUT HOW THEY OPERATE. THAT THEN LEADS INTO HOW THEY WILL WORK TOGETHER.

IT IS A WHOLE PROCESS. GOING THROUGH THE TRAINING WE'LL DO BOTH.

SO THAT BREAK DOWN YOU SAW LAST FRIDAY, IF YOU LOOK AT IT AGAIN, IT WILL EXPLAIN ALL OF

IT THERE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DR. ELHESSEN?

BOARD MEMBER STEWART? >> NO. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD

[00:55:02]

I THINK THIS IS AN AMAZING IDEA AND I AM ALL FOR IT. >> BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD?

>> I THINK THIS IS GONNA BE A GREAT THING. I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A ONE-DAY OR A TWO-DAY. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A TWO-DAY AND FROM THE INFORMATION I'VE GATHERED -- AT FIRST I THOUGHT WE GET A REPORT CARD AND WE GRADE OURSELVES. THE MORE I LEARN I AM MORE EXCITED ABOUT IT NOW ABOUT IT CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE -- TO HAVE MORE OF A COLLECTIVE VISION AND APPROACH AND CREATE MORE CONCISE CULTURE HERE ON THE BOARD. IT WILL BE A GREAT STEP FOR OUR BOARD AND MOST EFFECTIVE BOARDS GO THROUGH IT AND I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT THING THAT WE DO AND SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO EVERY YEAR ESPECIALLY AS BOARD MEMBERS GO ON AND OFF. IT IS A WAY TO KEEP US ALL ON TRACK TOWARD -- IN THE SAME

DIRECTION. >> I PREFER A ONE-DAY WHEN BRAD WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT.

IF IT IS POSSIBLE. YOU'RE SAYING THIS ON A WEEKEND?

>> IT DON'T HAVE TO BE. WE CAN'T DO IT ON A WEEKDAY -- WE CAN DO IT ON A WEEKDAY, BUT

WITH PEOPLE WORKING. >> I AM OKAY WITH A WEEKEND, BUT ONE DAY -- I WOULD PREFER

ONE DAY VERSUS TWO DAYS. >> GENTLEMAN. THERE IS A ONE-DAY TRAINING AND THERE IS A TWO-DAY TRAINING. I CAN DEFINITELY ASK. I KPWES I NEED TO HEAR WHAT YOU

PREFER. >> I THINK ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS WHAT WOULD WE BE MISSING ON THE TWO-DAY, AND IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAYBE JUST DO AN EXTENDED ONE-DAY FOR SCHEDULING PURPOSES OF THE 5 PEOPLE WITH MAYBE A BREAK IN BETWEEN TO GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND BENEFIT FROM IT WHATEVER THE BREAK DOWN WOULD BE OF THE ONE-DAY AND THE TWO-DAY.

>> ANY TIME YOU ARE CULTURE BUILDING YOU HAVE TO TAKE STUFF AND THINK THROUGH IT AND YOU GO SLOW TO GO FAST. THE TWO DAY WILL ALLOW FOR THAT TO OCCUR.

THEY HAVE A ONE-DAY PLAN ALSO -P -- ALSO. IT WON'T BE AS MEATY.

SHE DID SAY -- THE CONSULTANT SAID WE COULD DO AN EXTENDED DAY.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW FATIGUED YOU ARE. SOMETIMES THEY ARE EMOTIONAL CONVERSATIONS, BUT YOU CAN HANDLE ONE DAY, AN EXTENDED DAY.

>> I'LL BE HONEST. I WANT TO DO WHAT THEY RECOMMEND IS BEST FOR US.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. IF THEY THINK THE TWO-DAY AND THE MEATY AND ALL THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO, I WANT TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR UNIT AS A WHOLE.

I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF ONE OR TWO, BUT I WOULD TAKE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY ARE

THE EXPERTS AND THEM TELLING US WHAT THEY THINK WE SHOULD DO. >> BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG?

DO YOU HAVE A ... >> WELL, YOU TALK ABOUT IT BEING MEATY.

IS THERE AN ELEMENT OR A COMPONENT TO WHERE WE WILL NEED TO REFLECT IN BETWEEN THE FIRST PART AND SECOND PART? IF IT IS THAT ELEMENT, THEN WE DO NEED THE TWO SESSIONS.

>> SO WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE FRIDAY INFORMATION I GIVE YOU, YOU WILL SEE THE DETAILS THERE ON WHAT IS GONNA TAKE PLACE. THE PROCESS IS NOT JUST IN THE TWO DAYS.

THERE IS ONE ON ONE MEETINGS WITH YOU ALL. SO YOU CAN EXPRESS YOURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY TO A CONSULTANT ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE AND THE AREAS WE ARE GROWING IF. THEN THE TWO DAYS IS REFLECTION TIME AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHERE THE MEATY -- MEATINESS COMES FROM. AS ARE YOU THINKING THROUGH

THINGS YOU ARE NOT YET MOVING TO THE NEXT STEP. >> BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG, ARE

YOU SAYING YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF THE TWO-DAY THEN? >> YES.

>> PERFECT. AS FOR MYSELF, I AGREE WITH BOARD MEMBER STEWART.

AS A TEACHER, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO REFLECT ON OUR PRACTICES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THE VERY IMPORTANT DECISIONS. I AGREE WITH BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD. THIS IS OUR FIRST STEP TO BECOMING A VERY EFFECTIVE BOARD. THESE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS.

WE MADE SEVERAL BREAKS, BUT I AM IN FAVOR OF THE TWO-DAY PROCESS AS WELL.

THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL GO ON TO ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS, DR. DRATI?

>> THAT WAS THE ONLY DISCUSSION ITEM WE HAD. >> THANK YOU.

[14. MAJOR ACTION]

[01:00:02]

>> YES. AT THIS TIME WE WILL SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE BOARD.

>> THANK YOU, DR. DRATI. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISION FOR THIS BOARD POLICY. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING TO APPROVE THE BOARD POLICY WITH A CORRECTION. SO THAT IS WHAT IS BEFORE THE BOARD TONIGHT.

>> I BROUGHT UP ONE CORRECTION. >> THAT IS THE CORRECTION. IT IS ADDING THE WORD "AND" IN

THE POLICY. >> I AM NOT THE BEST WITH GRAMMAR SO I HAD TO CHECK WITH

BONNIE FIRST. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?

>> SO MOVED. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MS. ARMSTRONG? >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN? >> I. >> MS. STEWART.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GAR -- GARZA. >> I. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION FOR FISCAL INDEPENDENCE. DR. DRATI, DO WE HAVE ANY

INFORMATION ON THIS ITEM? >> YES. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP MRS., HOLGENE AND SHE CAN SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU, DR., DOCTOR RATI. TONIGHT AS PART OF MAJOR ACTION ITEM 14.2, THE BOARD IS BEING PROPOSED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION FOR FISCAL INDEPENDENCE.

PRIOR TO APPROVING THE APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION, WE WANTED TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS TO WHY THE DISTRICT IS RECOMMENDING THE TPWOERD -- THE BOARD APPROVE THIS ITEM. FIRST LET'S START WITH WHAT IS A FISCALLY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. A FISCALLY INDEPENDENT DISTRICT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE THEIR OWN WANTS FOR PAYMENT AND PAYROLL RATHER THAN DEPENDENT ON THE COUNTY OFFICES TO MAKE THE PAYMENT FOR THEM. A LISTING OF THE WARRANTS ISSUED BY A FISCALLY INDEPENDENT DISTRICT SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR HAVING JURISDICTION UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST AND ALSO TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HAVING JURISDICTION ON THE SAME DAY THE WARRANTS ARE ISSUED. NOW LET'S LOOK AT WHAT IS THE PROCESS AND WHO GRANTS INDEPENDENCE. A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WISHES TO BECOME FISCALLY INDEPENDENT FILES AN APPLICATION WITH THE COUNTY'S SUPERINTENDENT.

ONCE THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS RECEIVES THE APPLICATION, STATE LAW REQUIRES THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT HIRE A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT KNOWN AS A CPA OR A PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT TO REVIEW THE DISTRICT'S ACCOUNTING CONTROLS. THE CPA REPORTS THE FINDINGS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE DISTRICT APPLYING FOR THE FISCAL INDEPENDENCE. THEN THE COUNTY SUPERED -- SUPERINTENDENT FORWARDS THE APPLICATION ALONG WITH THE RECOMMENDATION.

THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE CPA ON ACCOUNTING CONTROLS TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION FOR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.

AND IT IS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION WHO WILL APPROVE THE APPLICATION IF HE OR SHE FINDS THE ACCOUNTING CONTROLS ARE ADEQUATE AND IF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION FINDS THE ACCOUNTING CONTROLS ARE NOT ADEQUATE, HE OR SHE WILL NOT APPROVE THE APPLICATION. LET'S DISCUSS WHAT FISCAL INDEPENDENCE IS NOT. THE TERM "INDEPENDENCE" MAY MAY BEMIS LEADING.

FISCALLY INDEPENDENCE IS NOT ALLOWING A DISTRICT TO SPEND PUBLIC FUNDS ON EXPENDITURES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PURPOSE RATHER THAN A PUBLIC PURPOSE. IT DOES NOT EXCUSE DISTRICTS FROM BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS UNDER AB1200.

THAT'S BUDGET APPROVAL, FIRST INTERIM AND SECOND INTERIM AND UNAUDITED ACTUALS ALONG WITH ANY OTHER DOCUMENTATION AS WELL AS AUDITS. THE ABILITY TO NOT ADHERE TO ACCOUNTING REGULATIONS, BUDGET CONTROLS AND AUDITS UNDER EDUCATION CODE SECTION 4110 AND 41024. THEY REQUIRE FINANCIAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE SECOND BULLET THERE. BEING ABLE TO OPERATE WITHOUT HAVING TO FOLLOW APPROVAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE FISCALLY INDEPENDENT FROM THE COUNTY BUSINESS SYSTEM AND THEY ARE ABLE TO PRINT THEIR OWN WARRANTS. AGAIN BEING PHYSICIAN -- FISCALLY INDEPENDENT DOES NOT

[01:05:02]

WE BECAME FISCALLY INDEPENDENT ON JULY 1ST OF 2016 AND HAVE -- HAVING INVESTED IN OUR OWN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. AS A FISCALLY INDEPENDENT DISTRICT, WE ARE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE COUNTY TREASURE DIRECTLY WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING APPORTIONMENT AND INTEREST REVENUE AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REC COLLING SAOEUL -- REC COLLING -- RECONCILE OUR OWN FUNDS. IT HAS SAVED ON OPERATIONAL COSTS AND WE HAVE HAD MORE CONTROL REGARDING WARRANT NEEDS FOR BOTH SERVICES AND PAY RAL. PAYROLL.

ADDITIONALLY SINCE BEING FISCALLY INDEPENDENT, THE DISTRICT HAS HAD A -- HAS HAD POSITIVE CERTIFICATIONS AND HAS CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY ENDING FUND BALANCE TO MEET THE FISCAL OBLIGATIONS. THE DISTRICTS REQUIRED ANNUAL AUDITS HAVE RECEIVED THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OPINION AN AUDITOR CAN GIVE WHICH IS AN UNMODIFIED OPINION.

THE DISTRICT DISAGREED WITH YOU ARE RECEIVE KABL INDEPENDENCE AND AGREED THAT IT WAS NO LONGER TEUS CALLIE DEPENDENT AND WOULD HAVE AN AUDIT CONDUCTED USED TO APPLY FOR FISCAL INDEPENDENCE IF THE AUDIT DETERMINED THAT THE DISTRICT HAS ADEQUATE, WARRANT DISPURSE MEANT AND INKOR NATIONAL CONTROL -- INTERNAL CONTROLS.

IF YOU RECALL IN MAY WE WERE PRESENTED WITH AN AUDIT THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD.

THERE WAS TIME TO RESPOND AND NOW THE AUDIT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

THIS WAS A MUTUALLY AGREED UPON AUDITOR THAT CONDUCTED THE AUDIT.

THE AUDITOR ISSUED AN UNMODIFIED OPINION WHICH IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OPINION AN AUDITOR CAN GIVE. THEREFORE THE DISTRICT IS REAPPLYING AS IT FEELS IT HAS FULFILLED THE SETTLEMENT REQUIREMENT TO BE ABLE TO REAPPLY AND CONTINUES TO WANT TO OPERATIONALLY AND FISCALLY BENEFIT BY BEING INDEPENDENT BASED ON THE ADVANTAGES THEY EXPERIENCED WHEN THEY WERE FISCALLY INDEPENDENT. ON THE NEXT THREE SLIDES I WILL PROVIDE YOU THE OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGES OF BEING FISCALLY INDEPENDENT WHICH I WILL READ SLOWLY IS SAME-DAY TURN AROUND FOR WARRANT ISSUANCE AND HELPING TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF LATE CHARGES. LATE CHARGES ERODE THE TRUST OF THE VENDOR RELATIONS WITH THE DISTRICT AND ALSO RESULT IN NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES THAT WOULD AFFECT THE DISTRICT'S CREDIT RATING. FULL CONTROL OVER PAYROLL SCHEDULE AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SCHEDULE. CORRECTION OF ERRORS IN A TIMELY MANNER RESULTING IN BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND MAINTAINING TRUST OF THE DISTRICT'S INTEGRITY WITH EMPLOYEE GROUPS AND VENDORS. TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FULLY INTEGRATED FINANCIAL SYSTEM INCLUDING GENERAL LEDGER , OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, BUDGETING, RECEIVABLES, PURCHASING, OUR STORES, PAYROLL , HUMAN RESOURCE, OUR POSITION CONTROL AS WELL AS OUR BENEFITS. HAVING A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT INTEGRATED REQUIRES WORK AROUNDS AND THE REC -- RECONCILIATION OF SYSTEM THAT'S CAN LEAD TO ERRORS AND CREATES ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD. CURRENTLY OUR SYSTEM IS BUILT TO HAVE IT ALL IN ONE.

NOT HAVING AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM REQUIRES ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL COSTS TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECONCILIATION OF SYSTEMS. WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE COUNTY TREASURER AND THE AUDITOR RESULTING IF FASTER TURN AROUND OF PRE-AUDIT OF DISBURSEMENTS, ISSUANCE OF CHECKS, STOP PAYMENTS AND REISSUE WEDNESDAY OF CHECKS WHEN APPLICABLE.

COMPLETE ACCESS FOR SCHOOL SITE PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM MANAGERS TO VIEW PAYROLL, W-2'S ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, BENEFITS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS AT ANY TIME PRODUCING LIVE YEAR TO DATE INFORMATION FOR BETTER MONITORING OF BUDGETS. HAVING MULTIPLE SYSTEMS REQUIRES MULTIPLE LOGIN INFORMATION WITH LIMITED AVAILABLE INFORMATION.

COST AVOIDANCE OF PROGRAMMING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW SYSTEM AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AS WELL AS ONGOING INTERFACE COSTS WHEN THE DISTRICT DECIDED TO BECOME FISCALLY INDEPENDENT THE

[01:10:05]

SORRY. DID I NOT SLIDE OVER? APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

IT IS OVER A MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY. RECONCILIATION IS DONE INTERNATIONALLY AND CAN PULL REPORTS FROM ECAPS AND THEY ARE THE REPORTS WITH THE COUNTY TREASURER. AND INTERNAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS AS NEEDED TO RECONCILE FUNDS MUCH MORE IMMEDIATELY AND ALSO MONITOR CASH FLOW FOR THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS INTEREST.

THIS ALLOWS FOR THE DISTRICT TO HAVE A BETTER GRASP ON THE FINANCES MONTH TO MONTH AND HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO INTEREST REVENUE BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.

AND NUMBER 10 BEING INDEPENDENT ALLOWS FOR INTEREST TO COME DIRECTLY TO THE DISTRICT'S BANK ACCOUNTS VERSUS BEING POOLED IN AN ACCOUNT WHERE ALL OF THE TPUPBGDZ ARE HELD -- FUNDS ARE HELD TOGETHER. THIS ALLOWS THE DISTRICT TO DIRECTLY ACCOUNT THE INTEREST REVENUE PER PERIOD. SO JUST LIKE THERE ARE ADVANTAGES, THERE ARE DISADVANTAGES WITH ANYTHING. THE DISTRICT DOES ASSUME ADDITIONAL LEGAL LIABILITY HOWEVER, INSTITUTES A DISPURSING OFFICER ROLE TO OVERSEE THIS ADDITIONAL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY. PROCEDURES SUCH AS WITHHOLDINGS , RETIREMENT-RELATED REPORTS AND PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE PROCEDURES ARE THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DISTRICT. IT IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CASH SHORTAGES WHICH CAN BE MITIGATED WITH ROUTINE CASH FLOW PRODUCTION AND MONITORING AND BEING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY OPERATED AS A FISCALLY INDEPENDENT DISTRICT, THE ADVANTAGES OUTWEIGH THE DISADVANTAGES. STAFF HAS ALREADY ASSUMED THESE RESPONSIBILITIES AND HAS EXPERIENCED BETTER OPERATIONAL PRACTICES AND SERVICES. SO IF THE BOARD APPROVES THE APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION IT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF EDGE KWAEUGS -- EDUCATION FOR RECOMMENDATION. WE WILL RESPOND TO ANY FEEDBACK IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND WHILE THE COUNTY MAKES THE RECOMMENDATION, IT IS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION THAT MAKES THE FINAL DECISION AND THE DISTRICT WILL WAIT FOR THE RESPONSE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?

BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG? >> I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. I UNDERSTAND THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, SO I'M JUST GLAD WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

>> BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN? >> I WAS ON THE BOARD INITIALLY WHEN WE STARTED THIS IN 2016.

SO I'M DEFINITELY FOR IT AND, YEAH, IT HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS.

I SHARE THE SAME SENTIMENTS AS BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. >> BOARD MEMBER STEWART?

>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, SO I KNOW LIKE BEFORE I STARTED LEARNING MORE ABOUT ABOUT I THOUGHT THERE WASN'T A LOT OF OVERSIGHT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK WITH INDEPENDENCE.

HOW IS THERE MOREOVER SIGHT OR EQUAL OVERSIGHT IF WE WERE NOT COMPARED TO FISCALLY?

>> YES. AS STATED WE ARE REQUIRED TO ADHERE TO ALL AB1200 AS WELL AS EDCO REQUIREMENTS WITH THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. BUT WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT OUR BUDGET APPROVAL AND FIRST INTERIM AND SECOND INTERIM AND UNAUDITED ACTUALS TO THE COUNTY. SUBMIT THEM AND USING THE STANDARDIZED ACCOUNTING CODE STRUCTURE THAT THE STATE HAS PUT IN PLACE -FRPBLGT. WE ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR

[01:15:02]

INTERNATIONALLY HERE, WE HAVE A WORKFLOW PROCESS THAT REQUIRES THAT IT STARTS WHEREVER THE EXPENDITURE WHETHER IT IS AT A SCHOOL SITE AND THEN GO THROUGH THE DIFFERENT DIRECTOR THAT'S OVERSEE THE BUDGETS AND EVEN THE SUPERINTENDENT AND ULTIMATELY AT THE FISCAL.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF APPROVAL BEFORE A WARRANT IS ACTUALLY ISSUED.

>> THANK YOU. >> BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD? >> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GARZA.

ONE QUESTION. LIKE MY COLLEAGUE, MS. STEWART MENTIONED, SINCE LEARNING ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FISCALLY INDEPENDENT, MY THOUGHTS HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED.

ONE QUESTION, FOLLOWING THE MONEY SINCE IT IS ABOUT WHO HAS CONTROL OF THE MONEY AND THE INTEREST, FISCALLY INDEPENDENT COMPARED TO A POOLED INTEREST IS THERE A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POOLED ALLOCATION COMPARED TO BEING FISCALLY INDEPENDENT?

>> YES. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, OUR EXPERIENCE OF WHAT WE HAVE NOTICED BASED ON THE PRIOR TO US BEING FISCALLY INDEPENDENT, WE HAVE LOOKED -- AND THIS IS SOME OF THE OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT THEY CHARGED -- THAT THE COUNTY CHARGES THE COUNTY TREASURER CHARGES LACO, BUT WE HAVE BASED ON THE LAST COUPLE YEARS NOTICED ABOUT A MILLION

DOLLAR SAVINGS. >> ANOTHER QUESTION. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME AND I'M FOR IT, BUT WHY DON'T OTHER DISTRICTS ASK FOR FISCAL INDEPENDENCE?

IF THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION. >> MOST FISCAL INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS ARE IN THE BAY AREA.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE KNOW ABOUT, JUST AS THE COUNTY DOESN'T KNOW MUCH BECAUSE IT IS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. OUR DISTRICT IS LAGGING BEHIND WHAT EXISTS IN FOREIGN CALIFORNIA. DON'T GET ME WRONG.

THIS IS A THING THEY DON'T WANT PALM TO GO OUT AND KNOW. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT -- THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE SAVE WILL NORMALLY END UP AT THE COUNTY OFFICE AND WE WOULDN'T BE BENEFITING FROM THAT. IF OTHER DISTRICTS FOUND OUT ABOUT THAT, I CAN SEE WHERE YOU

WOULDN'T WANT THAT IF I WAS THE COUNTY OFFICE. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND EVERY DISTRICT IS UNIQUE IN TERMS OF ITS NEEDS. FOR US AND INITIALLY MAKING THE DECISION IS KNOWING THE COUNTY WAS TRANSFERRING INTO ANOTHER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AS WELL AS THE OPERATIONAL AND GETTING AHEAD OF THE GAME, HOW DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO THIS. AND STAFF WAS ABLE TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES. IT IS A LOT OF TRAINING AND MAN HOURS.

IT TOOK A LOT OF STEPS. AT THIS STAGE WHERE WE ARE SET UP AND WE HAVE COMPLIED, WE ARE

MOVING FORWARD. >> THANK YOU. SO JUST TO CONFIRM, WE CURRENTLY DO MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR THIS FISCAL INDEPENDENCE, CORRECT?

>> BASED ON THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, HOW WE UNDERSTAND IT, YES.

>> $1 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT CAN GO FOR OUR KIDS AND NOT NECESSARILY TO AN ORGANIZATION. WE CAN DO MORE FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH THAT.

I AGREE WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AS WELL. ANYONE ELSE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?

>> YOU HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD. >> SECOND.

>> ROLL CALL PLEASE. >> MS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I. >> MS. STEWART.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

>> MRS. GAR -- GARZA. >> I. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS FIRST READING OF BYLAY 9323 MEETING CONDUCT. DR. DRATI DO WE HAVE

INFORMATION ON THIS ITEM? >> IF YOU RECALL AT THE LAST MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF DR. ELHESSEN AND THE BOARD AGREEING TO IT, YOU ASKED THE STAFF TO BRING FORWARD BYLAW 9323 TO DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY VOTE ON. SO THIS IS A FIRST READING OF THE BYLAW. YOU HAVE IT ATTACHED THERE. WHAT YOU PRESENTED HERE IS WHAT DR. SUE PRESENTED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I GUESS WE JUST NEED TO DELIBERATE ON IT WHETHER YOU AGREE OR NOT AGREE OR DO YOU WANT TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT UNDER A FIRST READING. AND THEN BEFORE WE BRING IT

[01:20:02]

BACK FOR A SECOND READING. >> MAY I REQUEST THE BOARD BYLY BE READ ALLOWED -- BYLAW BE

READ ALLOWED PLEASE? >> SURE. IT IS A LONG ONE SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE SOME TIME ON THIS. UNLESS WE WANT TO PRO -- PROJECT IT WHILE I READ.

DO YOU WANT TO PROJECT THE BYLAW WHILE I READ IT? IT MIGHT HELP PEOPLE.

THAT'S A LOT TO REMEMBER. >> BONNIE CAN DO IT. >> I'LL READ IT.

>> WE'LL PROJECT IT AND THEN I'LL START READING IT. >> WHY IS IT NOT IN OUR BOOKS?

>> IT SHOULD BE THERE. IT IS. >> YOU DON'T SEE IT?

>> IT WAS IN OUR FRIDAY MEMO. >> IT'S IN HERE, BUT THERE ARE NO PAGES.

>> AFTER FISCAL INDEPENDENCE YOU SHOULD SEE IT THERE. >> OH HERE IT IS.

I GOT IT. I'LL READ IT. >> ARE YOU SURE?

GO AHEAD. >> BYLAW 9323. MEETING PROCEDURES, ALL GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS SHALL BE BEGIN ON TIME AT 6 P.M. AND SHALL BE GUIDED BY AN AN AGENDA PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD BYLAWS AND POSTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RALPH M BROWN ACT, OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE LAWS.

THE BOARD PRESIDENT SHALL CONDUCT BOARD MEETINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD BYLAW AND PROCEDURES AND ENABLE THE BOARD TO EFFICIENTLY CONSIDER ISSUES AND CARRY OUT THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY. THE BOARD BELIEVES LATE-NIGHT MEETINGS DETER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CAN AFFECT BOARD'S DECISION-MAKING ABILITY AND CAN BE A BURDEN TO STAFF.

REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS SHALL BE ADJOURNED AT 9 P.M. AND NOT EXCEED 10 P.M. UNLESS EXTENDED TO A SPECIFIC TIME DETERMINED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD. THE MEETING SHALL BE EXTENDED NO MORE THAN ONCE AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAY BE ADJOURNED TO A LATER DATE.

THE FOLLOWING IS ABOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW IS THAT THIS IS A SEPARATE BYLAW THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED. INITIALLY IT WAS COMBINED.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND BOARD MEETINGS AND ADDRESS THE BOARD CONCERNING ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA OR WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION SO AS NOT TO INHIBIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. PERSONS ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS SHALL NOT BE REQUESTED TO SIGN IN OR COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE OR OTHERWISE PROVIDE THEIR NAME AND OTHER INFORMATION AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDING THE MEETING.

IN ORDER TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN AN ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT MANNER, THE BOARD REQUIRES THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- PUBLIC PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE. THE BOARD SHALL GIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ANY ITEM OF INTEREST THAT IS WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD. EITHER BEFORE OR DURING THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM. NUMBER TWO, AT THE TIME -- AT A TIME SO DESIGNATED ON THE AGENDA AT A REGULAR BOARD MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY BRING BEFORE THE BOARD MATTERS THAT ARE NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA. THE BOARD SHALL TAKE TO ACTION OR DISCUSSION ON ANY ITEM NOT APPEARING ON THE POSTED AGENDA EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW.

.3, WITHOUT TAKING -- WITHOUT TAKING ACTION, BOARD MEMBERS OR DISTRICT STAFF MEMBERS MAY BRIEFLY RESPOND TO STATEMENTS MADE OR QUESTIONS POSED BY THE PUBLIC ABOUT ITEMS NOT APPEARING ON THE AGENDA. ADDITIONALLY ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVES OR IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS POSED BY THE PUBLIC, BOARD MEMBERS OR STAFF MEMBERS MAY ASK A QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION. MAKE A BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENT OR MAKE A BRIEF REPORT ON THEIR OWN ACTIVITIES. FURTHERMORE, THE BOARD OR A BOARD MEMBER MAY PROVIDE A

[01:25:07]

THE BOARD NEED NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN CONSIDERED BY A COMMITTEE COMPOSED EXCLUSIVELY OF BOARD MEMBERS AT A PUBLIC MEETING WHERE THE PUBLIC AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE ON THAT ITEM.

HOWEVER, IF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT THE ITEM HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED SINCE THE COMMITTEE HEARD THE ITEM, THE BOARD SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK. THEN LEGAL REFERENCES ARE IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS CODES

WHICH I WILL NOT GO INTO. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ELHESSEN.

DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM STAFF? >> I THINK -- MY ASSISTANTS CAN EXPLAIN HOW IT CAME TOGETHER, BUT ESSENTIALLY I BELIEVE DR. SUE ELHESSEN, YOU TOOK SOMS

AND MUSHED THEM TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS ONE, CORRECT? >> RIGHT.

THIS IS SOMETHING BOARD MEMBER ARPBL -- BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG AND I WORKED ON.

WHAT WE DID WAS WE COMBINED THE TWO WHICH ACTUALLY WAS BASED ON CSBA'S RECOMMENDATION.

CSBA HAS A COPY. THEIRS IS EIGHT PAGES AND IT GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL IN REGARDS TO ALSO QUORUM AND THEY STATE SPECIFICALLY THAT -- THE SAME THING.

IT IS THE SAME JARGON TAKEN FROM THEM. THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE LATE-NIGHT MEETINGS AND THE MEETINGS THAT ARE LONGER THAN THREE HOURS CAN DISCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CONSTITUTE UNNECESSARY BURDEN ON STAFF AND THE REFLECTED -- REFLECT ON THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. THEY SAID THE BOARD SHOULD ADJOURN AT 10:30, BUT THEY DON'T STATE WHEN THE MEETINGS START.

THEY PUT THE PARAMETERS AT THREE HOURS. WHAT WAGS GIVEN TO -- WHAT WAS GIVEN TO US TO WORK ON, BECAUSE THE BOARD GIVES US POLICIES TO REVISE, AND APPARENTLY THIS WAGS -- THIS WAS GIVEN TO THE BOARD IN THE FRIDAY MEMO. DID EVERYBODY SEE THAT? IT IS THE THREE STAGES OF THE PROCESS. APPARENTLY THE MEETING CONDUCT BYLAW NO LONGER EXISTS. SOMEHOW IT HAS VANISHED. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ONE.

WHAT I AM RECOMMENDING THAT AS A BOARD, LIKE MOST DISTRICTS DO, WE NEED TO HAVE A MEETING CONDUCT BYLAW. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE BOARDS AS THEY COME ON AND AS WE TRANSITION. SO IT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION. WE CAN REVISE IT, BUT BASED ON CSBA GUIDELINES, THAT'S WHAT IS INCLUDED. NOTHING HAS BEEN MODIFIED, BUT THE TIME. IF YOU WANT TO START LATER OR YOU WANT TO END LATER, THAT'S UP TO THE BOARD TO DECIDE. BASICALLY, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AS A BOARD THAT WE

HAVE A BYLAW ON CONDUCT. RIGHT NOW ONE DOES NOT EXIST. >> THANK YOU DR. ELHESSEN.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG STP --

ARMSTRONG? >> I WILL JUST REFER TO THE STAFF AND JUST TO MAKE SURE, DO

WE HAVE A MEETINGS PROCEDURE IN OUR BYLAWS RIGHT NOW? >> WE HAVE MEETINGS AND NOTICES

WHICH IS BYLAW9320. >> THAT'S A SEPARATE BYLAW. BYLAW 9320 IS MEETINGS AND

NOTICES. >> THAT'S WHAT IT IS CALLED. MEETINGS AND NOTICES.

>> WHICH IS TO POST A MEETING AND TIME FRAMES. THERE IS ANOTHER BYLAW CALLED

MEETING CONDUCT. >> SO MEETING CONDUCT 9323 WHICH WE DON'T HAVE.

>> CORRECT. >> COULD I REQUEST COULD YOU PULL UP 9320? STP JUST BROWN -- IS IT JUST BROWN ACT WHEN TO POST A MEETING OR DOES IT HAVE THAT

[01:30:04]

LANGUAGE IN THERE AS WELL? IF WE CAN. >> IF I CAN CONTINUE, THE REASON I AM ASKING IS GOING OFF OF WHAT DRATI WAS SAYING, HE SAID WE MUSHED THEM TOGETHER.

WOULD IT BE BETTER IF WE SEPARATE IT? WOULD THAT SIT BETTER WITH YOU IF WE HAVE A MEETING CONDUCT AS ONE BOARD POLICY AND THEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONANOTHER? IT IS JUST A QUESTION. I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT WE ARE MUSHING ANYTHING

TOGETHER. >> YOU KWAN -- YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

>> NO. I JUST WANT IT CLEAR. IF IT READS BETTER SEPARATELY,

THAT WOULD BE PERFECT. >> I WILL ANSWER IT THIS WAY, THE BOARD -- YOU GUYS WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS FOR THE MEETINGS. I THINK TIME LIMITS ON MEETINGS TO ME IS THE MOST -- WHAT IS IN RED THAT YOU SAW THERE, MEETINGS ENDING 9:00, 10:00. AT A SPES -- SPECIFIC ENDING TIME WOULD BE CHALLENGING. THERE WILL BE SITUATIONS WHERE I WILL DO MY BEST TO ALWAYS END THE MEETINGS AT 9, BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHO WILL COME AND SPEAK AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL COME AND SPEAK. TO SAY IT WILL END AT A SPECIFIC TIME, I WOULDN'T FOE

HOW TO CONTROL THAT. >> -- WOULDN'T KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THAT.

>> IT DOESN'T ALLOW US TIME TO GO OVER. >> I WILL BRING IT TO THE BOARD THEN. I JUST ASKED DR. DRATI. IN LIEU OF WHAT DR. DRATI SAID LIKE MEETING CONDUCT -- YEAH. MEETING CONDUCT AS UNDER ONE TITLE AND THEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION *RBGS -- PARTICIPATION, WOULD THAT READ BETTER TO YOU? IT IS REALLY UNDER MEETING CONDUCT, ALL OF IT. IT IS A SUB STAOEUT -- SUB TITLE. MEETING PROCEDURES AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS ALL UNDER

MEETING CONDUCT. >> CORRECT. >> WHAT I'M SAYING BECAUSE I

DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WE ARE MUSHING IT TOGETHER -- >> BECAUSE A BYLAW PASSED AROUND ON PARTICIPATION. WE NEED TO -- BUT I'M JUST ASKING THAT WE LOOK AT THIS AND DECIDE -- DO YOU WANT TO PUT UP THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION? IT WAS APPROVED IN 2022.

>> CAN WE PLEASE CONTINUE WITH THE OTHER BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AS WELL?

AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT BYLAW AT THE END. >> OKAY, BUT IN HER DISCUSSION SHE IS ASKING DO WE WANT TO HAVE TWO SEPARATE ONES. I AM RESPONDING TO HER DISCUSSION. IF WE WANT TWO SEPARATE ONES WE NEED TO SEE WHAT THE OTHER ONE

STATES. IS IT EXACTLY LIKE THIS? >> POINT OF ORDER, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A SUBSEQUENT MOTION. IF YOU MAKE A -- ANOTHER MOTION TO SEPARATE THOSE, THAT WOULD BE ONE THING. I THINK THIS DISCUSSION SHOULD HAPPEN FIRST.

>> NO. I REALLY THINK IT SHOULD STAY LIKE IT IS.

IT IS ALL UNDER MEETING CONDUCT! SO YOU HAVE THE SUB TITLES.

IT JUST TRIGGERED ME WHEN I HEARD MUSH TOGETHER. THAT'S ALL.

WE NEED TO -- IT IS MEETING CONDUCT. >> SO WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE OTHER BOARD MEMBER KPEPBTS AT THIS -- COMMENTS AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU.

BOARD MEMBER STEWART? >> MY FIRST QUESTION IS IF THERE WASN'T A BYLAW ALREADY, WHY THERE ARE CORRECTIONS IN RED? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

>> I BELIEVE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT DR. ELHESSEN AND MRS. ARMSTRONG DISCUSSED AND

PUT AS A CONSIDERATION FOR YOU GUYS TO VOTE ON. >> SO THE WHOLE THING IS BRAND-NEW IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, AND NOT JUST THE RED PARTS?

>> PORTIONS -- THEY TOOK PIECES OF THE DIFFERENT BYLAWS AND MUSHED THEM TOGETHER LIKE WAS MENTIONED EARLIER. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHAT WAS ADDED IN RED.

THAT DIDN'T COME FROM CSBA. IT CAME -- >> LET ME CONTINUE WITH MY COMMENTS. AS A BOARD, I HEARD MY COLLEAGUES EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT DATA IS AND PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST. SO THIS IS STATED IN BOARD BYLAW9005. IT READS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BELIEVES ITS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, LET'S EXAMINE THE DATA WITH ADDING TIME LIMITS TO THE BOARD POLICY. ONE, AGREEING TO THE PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW THE BOARD SIX HOURS PER MONTH FOR GENERAL MEETINGS. SIX HOURS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE HERE WANTS TO GO TO THREE MEETINGS A MONTH OR MORE.

THE DATA SHOWS 7 OUT OF 14 MEETINGS IN 2023 HAVE GONE OVER THREE HOURS.

SO 50% OF OUR BOARD MEETINGS PROVE WE CANNOT FINISH OUR WORK IN LESS THAN THREE HOURS.

TWO OF THE MEETINGS WENT OVER FOUR HOURS AND TWO OUT OF THREE SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS WENT OVER THREE HOURS AND FOUR OUT OF 9 MEETINGS IN 2022 EXCEEDED THE SUGGESTED THREE-HOUR TIME

[01:35:02]

THREE, DURING MOST MEETINGS IN 2023, SO FAR WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT MANY PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WHAT IF WE STARTED HAVING A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS? DO WE NOT FINISH OUR MEETINGS BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY WANTS US TO LISTEN TO THEM? I DON'T BELIEVE WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND COLLABORATION THAT ELIMINATING THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT, THAT IS LITERALLY THE NAME OF THE BYLAW IS A GOOD IDEA. AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBER THAT'S HAVE SPOKEN TO ME ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF TIME LIMITS. BOARD POLICIES SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ONE INDIVIDUAL. WE ALL KNOW THE JOB REQUIREMENTS WHEN WE RAN FOR THIS POSITION. THERE WERE NO TIME LIMITS WHEN WE ACCEPTED THE ROLE.

BOARD BYLAW 9000 SAYS THE BOARD OF EDGE WAS ELECTED TO LEADERSHIP AND CITIZEN OVERSIGHT OF THIS DISTRICT. THE BOARD SHALL ENSURE THE DISTRICT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE VALUES, BELIEFS AND THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN AGAINST THE TIME LIMITS. AND HOW DO WE SUPPORT BY GIVING LIMITED TIME.

OBVIOUSLY WE LOOK AT OUR AGENDA AND OUR REGULAR MEETINGS ARE PUBLIC COMMENTS, PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS, STAFF, COMMUNITY, INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES AND EPLT -- EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS, SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS, ACTION ITEMS, CONSENT AGENDA DISCUSSIONS, NEW MAJOR ACTION, PUBLIC HEARINGS, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ON MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGETS AND FACILITY PLANS, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, SAFETY, CURRICULUM POLICIES SO MUCH MORE. SO I'M ASKING WHICH DO WE ELIMINATE IF WE SHORTEN THE BOARD MEETINGS. I WILL NEVER SUPPORT A POLICY LIKE THIS THAT GOES AGAINST THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS, STAFF AND OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS BEYOND ME THAT ANYONE WANTS TO LIMIT THE WORK WE DO HERE IN OUR DISTRICT. SO THIS IS NOT WHAT I WAS ELECTED TO DO FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AND I WOULD SUGGEST TO MY COLLEAGUES WE DO NOT PUT THIS POLICY IN PLACE

FOR THESE REASONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER

STEWART. BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD? >> I WILL SAY THE TIMING OF THIS -- I THINK THEY ARE VALID CONCERNS. AMY MAKES A LOT OF GREAT POINTS ON THAT. I WILL SAY THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- THE REASON I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS POLICY IS I BELIEVE THAT CSBA TRAINING IS GOING TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS WITH THIS POLICY. I THINK WE ARE ALREADY GOING TO BE DOING THINGS TO HAVE A BETTER CONDUCTION OF THE MEETINGS.

I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THE HARD START AND STOP TIMES. I THINK THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO HAVE OUR MEETINGS. HONESTLY, ALL GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS START AT 6 P.M. WELL, WE START CLOSED SESSION AT 4, RIGHT? IF WE HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING, I JUST FEEL LIKE IT CREATES UNNECESSARY CONSTRAINTS THAT WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY. IT TAKES AWAY OUR ABILITY TO DO THE WORK AND MAKE SCHEDULING POSSIBLE WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE OUR GENERAL MEETINGS AND NOTICES REQUIREMENTS WITH THE BROWN ACT THAT WE FOLLOW. SO I FEEL LIKE THOSE THINGS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE FOR THE MEETINGS. A LOT OF MS. STEWART'S POINTS I AGREE WITH.

FOR THAT REASON I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS. >> THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER

CRIHFIELD. >> I ALSO AGREE WITH BOARD MEMBER STEWART AND BOARD MEMBER CRIHFIELD. A LOT OF THESE THINGS WE WILL PROBABLY GET THROUGH WITH OUR CSBA TRAINING THAT WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH AS THE BOARD 360 EVALUATION.

I ALSO HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE STATEMENT THAT THE BOARD BELIEVES THAT LATE-NIGHT MEETINGS DETER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I'M PART OF THE BOARD AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. I WAS NEVER ASKED THAT. NO.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT. THE SECOND PART OF THE STATEMENT I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT IT CAN AFFECT THE BOARD'S DECISION-MAKING ABILITY.

I DISAGREE AS WELL. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD AFFECT MYSELF, BUT I'M ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF. SO I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT. AND I ALSO WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC AND OUR BOARD AND OUR STAFF THAT CSBA IS A RECOMMENDATION ORGANIZATION.

[01:40:02]

WE AS A BOARD DECIDE WHAT THE RULES WILL BE AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR.

THAT IS WHY I WILL BE VOTING NO AS WELL. >> ARE WE STILL HAVING

DISCUSSION? >> WE DIDN'T CLOSE DISCUSSION YET?

>> CALL FOR A VOTE. >> THE VOTE HAS BEEN CALLED. >> CAN WE JUST PLEASE HEAR HER, PRESIDENT GARZA. CAN WE HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY?

ALL THREE OF YOU ALL SPOKE AND SHE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY. >> I JUST READ THE BYLAW.

I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE A COMMENT. I READ THE BYLAW THAT WAS GIVEN FROM CSBA.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A MEETING CONDUCT AND ELIMINATE THE TIME.

ELIMINATE THEM. YOU WANT TO STAY UNTIL 2, 3, 4:00 IN THE MORNING, THAT'S FINE. MY POINT IS WE NEED TO HAVE MEETING CONDUCTS FOR FUTURE BOARD MEMBERS AS THEY COME DOWN. YOU CAN REVISE THIS.

IT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING AS A BOARD TOGETHER.

WHEN AMY WAS TALKING ABOUT PARTICIPATING WITH THE PUBLIC, SHE IS TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I WANTED CLARIFICATION. MS. STEWART, IS THAT WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT? THE PUBLIC WANTS MORE TIME TO SPEAK?

>> NO. IF WE HAD A CONTROVERSIAL THING AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE PUBLIC SPEAKING, THEN IF WE LIMIT OUR TIME AND CUT IT OFF, THEN THEY MIGHT NOT GET TO OR WE MAY NOT GET TO OUR BUSINESS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMMENTS AND I DON'T THINK

IT IS FAIR TO PUT A TIME LIMIT ON THE BUSINESS WE DO. >> THE TIME LIMIT WE HAVE IS

THREE MINUTES. >> POINT OF ORDER. I CALLED FOR THE VOTE.

>> THE VOTE HAS BEEN CALLED. PLEASE TAKE ROLL CALL. >> WE NEED A FIRST AND A

SECOND. >> SORRY. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE

THIS ITEM? >> SO MOVED. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> SO YOU ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM. SO THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE WHEN SO MOVED WAS STATED WAS TO

APPROVE THE BY LAW, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION. >> RIGHT.

>> TO APPROVE IT THE WAY IT IS NOW. >> RIGHT.

THE MOTION, BUT THAT'S NOT MY VOTE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN I VOTE THAT WAY. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE ASKING.

>> THAT'S THE CLARIFICATION. >> THE MOTION AND A SECOND ARE JUST TO GET TO THAT POINT.

>> THANK YOU. >> ROLL CALL PLEASE. >> MS. ARMSTRONG STP.

>> I. >> DR. ELHESSEN? >> NO.

>> MS. STEWART. >> NO. >> MR. CRIHFIELD.

>> NO. >> MRS. GARZA. >> NO.

[15. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> THE NEXT ITEM IS CONSENT AGENDA. THANK YOU.

DO ANY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAVE REQUESTS TO WITHHOLD ANY ITEMS THIS EVENING? HEARING NONE WE WILL MOVE ON TO INFORMATIONAL -- I'M SORRY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ROLL CALL. >> MRS. ARMSTRONG. >> I.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. >> I. >> MS. STEWART.

>> I. >> MR. CRIHFIELD. >> I.

[16. INFORMATION ITEMS]

>> MRS. GARZA. >> I. >> WE WILL MOVE ON TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. DOES THE BOARD HAVE IF I QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THIS EVENING? HEARING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ADJOURNING THE BOARD MEETING. IF THERE IS TO OBJECTIONS THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 7:43 UNTIL THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 12TH, 2023. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.