Jun 20, 2024 School Board

[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]

[2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - CLOSED SESSION ITEMS]

[3. CLOSED SESSION]

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

[00:00:42]

>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, WE NOW RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION AT 6:01 TWO RESUME THE NORMAL ORDER OF BUSINESS. WE WILL

PROVIDE AN UPDATE. >> THE TOPICS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSIONS WERE STUDENT MATTERS, ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. THE BOARD TOOK ACTION IN CLOSED SESSION TO APPROVE A CASE AND ALSO TO APPROVE SETTLEMENTS ON

[5. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA]

TWO PENDING LAWSUITS. >> ITEMS 13.3, 13.11, 13.14, 13.22 , THEY ARE ON THE BACK TABLE OVER THERE. TONIGHT, WE DO HAVE REQUESTS ADJUSTING AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS NOW, FIRST , THESE ARE NOT PUBLIC MEETINGS BUT THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON EACH AGENDA ITEM OR NON-AGENDA ITEM. IN THE BOARD WILL LIMIT THE TIME TO 21 MINUTES, AS PER BOARD, BY LAW 9322.2. MAY I HAVE GINA WELCOME TO THE PODIUM

? WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING. I AM HERE AS A PROUD AND HAPPY RETIREE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I JUST WANTED TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH FOR 39 YEARS IN THIS DISTRICT. YES , I KNOW, THE CROWD RESPONSE WAS GREAT. 39 YEARS OF TEACHING , AND FIGHTING FOR A PROGRAM, EVERY YEAR . 16 PRINCIPALS, I LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY SUPERINTENDENTS, BUT 16 PRINCIPALS , DIFFERENT BOARDS , COMING FOR YOU , FIGHTING FOR FUNDING, HIRING THE NEXT PERSON, YOU GOT A TWOFER FOR ME, FOR 39 YEARS, I TEACH VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL. I AM HARD TO REPLACE, NOT TO TOOT MY OWN HORN. BUT YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED. YOU NEED A UNICORN. YOU NEED SOMEONE TO DO BOTH AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL. YOU HAVE ALL SAID THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM. NOW YOU HAVE TO TAKE ACTION. THE NUMBERS ARE THERE AT MAYFAIR, I PROMISE YOU. THE NUMBERS ARE THERE. EVERY TIME IN HISTORY, THEY HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO REPLACE THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER. DON'T WAIT. ON YOUR TEACHERS. HONOR THEIR WORK ETHIC , BY GIVING THEM THE WORK PROGRAM. 39 YEARS OF A WINNING PROGRAM. TOP NOTCH. OF COURSE, YOU NEED TO GIVE THESE KIDS A PLACE TO GO. I GAVE UP ABOUT 80% OF MY LUNCHES FOR THOSE MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS. THEY NEEDED A PLACE TO GO, THEY DESERVE THEIR OWN TEACHER. I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO, YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW MY AUNT AND MY UNCLE SERVED ON THIS BOARD, THEY DID IMPORTANT WORK. YOU HAVE A THANKLESS JOB. ALL OF YOU, I KNOW. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE THINGS YOU DO, AND PLEASE, PLEASE ACT QUICKLY. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE WAITING FOR JULY 1ST. PLEASE ACT QUICKLY AND HONOR OUR KIDS, AND HONOR OUR TEACHERS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 39 YEARS, TOO. NOW EMILY.

WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. I AM THE PARENT OF AN INCOMING EIGHTH GRADER WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT CHOIR AND MUSIC. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT THE LACK OF A DEDICATED MUSIC TEACHER AT

[00:05:04]

MUSIC FOSTERS CREATIVITY, DISCIPLINE, TEAMWORK AND IT IS CRUCIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. MAYFAIR HAS NOT HIRED A MAYFAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER FOR BAND AND CHOIR. WILL THE DISTRICT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO FILL THIS VACANCY? WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS, FINDING COMPETENT AND RELIABLE MUSIC TEACHERS IS GOING TO BE MORE CHALLENGING.

THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS OF MAYFAIR ARE EQUALLY DEMANDING AND THE RETIREMENT OF MRS. HOLCOMB HAS LEFT AN IMBALANCE FOR MR. PHILLIPS. I URGE THE BOARD TO PRIORITIZE RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AS A PARENT I HAVE SEEN THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT MUSIC HAS HAD FOR MY CHILD. IT HAS REMAINED A SOURCE OF JOY AND MOTIVATION FOR MY CHILDREN SINCE FIFTH GRADE. IT HAS PROVIDED MY DAUGHTER WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING AND OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP HER TALENTS. SHE CAN FORM BETTER CONNECTIONS WITH HER PEERS.

WITHOUT A QUALIFIED MUSIC TEACHER, OUR CHILDREN ARE DEPRIVED OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES. THIS DOES NOT ONLY EFFECT THEIR PERSONAL GOALS, IT DIMINISHES OUR SCHOOL'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION. OUR STUDENTS NEED PROPER INSTRUCTION. I URGE THE SCHOOL BOARD TO PRIORITIZE HIRING A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE ACCESS THAT WOULD ENRICH THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE ENDEAVORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION . AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING , MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, MY NAME IS JULIANA, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN AND ANXIETY ABOUT THE FACT THAT OUR SCHOOL HAS NOT YET HIRED A MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER TO REPLACE MRS. JENNIFER CAMPBELL, WHO IS ASSUMING MRS. HOLCOMB'S POSITION, WHO HAS JUST RETIRED.

THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE EQUALLY DEMANDING TO RUN. ONE PROGRAM WILL SUFFER FOR SURE AND IT WILL NOT BE THERE FOR MRS. CAMPBELL HERSELF. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM WILL SUFFER, TOO. A MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER , CAPABLE OF RUNNING BOTH BAND AND CHOIR PROGRAMS NEEDS TO BE HIRED IMMEDIATELY. I UNDERSTAND THAT FINDING A QUALIFIED MUSIC TEACHER CAN BE CHALLENGING. I URGE THE BOARD TO NOT WAIT FOR AUGUST. AND NOT GIVE US SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS WHO MAY NOT HAVE PROPER CREDENTIALS TO TEACH. IT GOES BEYOND LEARNING HOW TO SING AND PLAY AN INSTRUMENT. IT CREATES A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION. WITHOUT A PERMANENT MUSIC TEACHER, MANY OF US ARE WORRIED THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITIES NEXT YEAR. WE FEAR THAT THE MUSIC PROGRAM WILL BE CUT OR DIMINISHED AND THAT FUTURE STUDENTS WILL NOT HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE FUTURE TALENTS AND INTERESTS. MUSICAL EDUCATION HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF MY EXPERIENCE SINCE I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE ENSEMBLE WITH MR. RON WILLIAMS. IT HELPED ME DEVELOP CREATIVITY, DISCIPLINE, AND TEAMWORK. FOR ME, MUSIC IS NOT AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY, IT IS A WAY TO COPE WITH STRESS AND CHALLENGES.

CHOIR OR BAND IS MORE THAN A CLASS, IT IS A WAY FOR STUDENTS TO FIND PASSION, AND BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. THESE ARE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES THAT I BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY. THESE ARE NOT JUST IMPORTANT FOR SCHOOL, BUT FOR LIFE. IN CONCLUSION, I ASKED RESPECTFULLY THAT THE BOARD TAKE ACTION TO HIRE A NEW MUSIC TEACHER FOR OUR SCHOOL. LET'S ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING FUTURE GENERATIONS, HAVE ACCESS . THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR SCHOOL AND ITS STUDENTS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> CATHERINE.

>> WELCOME. >> MY NAME IS CATHERINE GATES, WELCOME. IN ADDITION, THESE CLASSES HAVE HELPED ME GAIN CONFIDENCE AND ENCOURAGE. I NEVER IMAGINED MYSELF BEING ON

[00:10:02]

>> THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE NICOLE GATES? WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, SCHOOL BOARD. AND CABINET MEMBERS. MY NAME IS NICOLE GATES. MY CHILD IS A STUDENT AT MAYFAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL. I AM WRITING TO YOU, BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED WITH THE MUSIC PROGRAM THAT IS AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL. AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MY DAUGHTER 'S MUSIC TEACHER, MRS. HOLCOMB, RETIRED FROM THE DISTRICT. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE ARE NO -- THERE HAS BEEN NO NEW DECISION ON WHETHER THE DISTRICT IS GOING TO BE HIRING A NEW MUSIC TEACHER. THEREFORE, THE MUSIC PROGRAM COULD GO FROM THREE TEACHERS TO TWO. THAT IS A REDUCTION OF 33%, FOR THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. AND I AM CONCERNED, BECAUSE EACH TEACHER TAUGHT SIX CLASSES FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 18 CLASSES, WITH RETIREMENT OF MRS. HOLCOMB, WHO WILL BE TEACHING HER CLASSES? WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THOSE CLASSES AND, MORE IMPORTANT, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS.

MR. CAMPBELL AND MR. PHILLIPS HAVE CROWDED CLASSROOMS, THAT WILL HINDER LEARNING. THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF MUSICAL CLASSES NO LONGER OFFERED BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS. WILL THERE BE SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS IN THESE CLASSES, IF THE DISTRICT DECIDES THAT AN ADDITIONAL TEACHER IS NEEDED AT THE LAST MINUTE? THERE ARE UNKNOWNS THAT MAKE ME WORRY ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN THE MUSIC PROGRAM. I DO NOT WANT MY CHILD IN A MUSIC PROGRAM WITH A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER WHO MAY NOT HAVE A MUSIC BACKGROUND. I WANT HER TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE, WITH A QUALIFIED TEACHER THAT HAS INVESTED IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY. I WANT THE DISTRICT TO COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR THE MUSIC PROGRAM. I WANT THE DISTRICT TO CONTINUALLY INVEST IN THESE PROGRAMS. THE MUSIC PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPACTFUL TO MY CHILD AND MANY OTHERS AT MAYFAIR. OUR MUSIC TEACHERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC , COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO CARE ABOUT QUALITY MUSIC PROGRAMS AND THE EXPERIENCE AT MAYFAIR, I DO NOT WANT MR. CAMPBELL AND MRS. PHILLIPS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL CLASSES AND EXTRACURRICULAR RESPONSIBILITIES ADDED TO THEIR ALREADY FULL SLATE THAT I WANT THE DISTRICT TO HAVE A PLAN AND COMMUNICATE THE PLAN TO FAMILIES. I WANT THE DISTRICT TO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, MS. GATES! MAY I

HAVE SARAH? >> HIDE. SPEED AND HIGH.

>> I AM SARAH LEFEVRE , I AM HERE AS AN ALUMNI OF WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY, AND I HAVE TWO CHILDREN GOING INTO FIFTH GRADE AT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY DID I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE TOPIC OF TEACHER RETENTION. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY AS A DISTRICT, SO THAT THE DISTRICT CAN ADAPT TO CHANGES IN FUNDING, CHANGING ENROLLMENT, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE DISTRICT DOES WHAT IT CAN TO RETAIN TEACHERS. A SCHOOL IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS TEACHERS, NO AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES WILL EVER COME CLOSE TO THE IMPACT THAT ONE GOOD TEACHER CAN HAVE ON STUDENTS.

WITH TEACHERS POTENTIALLY NEEDING TO READ -- WEIGHT TO THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MANY WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT IS WHAT THEY NEED MEDICAL INSURANCE, TO HAVE FAMILIES TO SUPPORT, THE TEACHERS THAT ARE MOST LIKELY TO GO OUT AND GET HIRED ELSEWHERE ARE OFTEN GOING TO BE THE BEST ONE, THEY ARE THE ONES WITH OBVIOUS AND MARKETABLE SKILLS, THEY ARE NOT JUST CONTENT TO SIT AND HOPE THAT THEY ARE REHIRED THE NEXT. LES MOTIVATED AND LESS MARKETABLE

[00:15:06]

NO ONE LIKES THEIR JOB TO BE IN LIMBO FOR WEEKS, YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND IF GOOD TEACHERS CAN FIND MORE STABLE POSITIONS, THEY WILL. CURRENTLY, IT SEEMS A LARGE NUMBER OF OUR TEACHERS ARE BEING CALLED TEMPORARY. MAYBE THAT NUMBER COULD BE DECREASED. MAYBE THEY COULD KNOW THEIR STATUS BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

I JUST KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS NOT GREAT FOR TEACHER MORALE, AND THE CONSTANT CHANGE IN FACULTY IS BAD FOR CONTINUITY COHESION AND MY DAUGHTER HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE RESULT OF THIS PRACTICE WHEN SHE SPENT THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIRD GRADE WITH A SUBSTITUTE AND I DO NOT WANT ANY OF OUR KIDS TO EVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY PUTS THEM BEHIND! THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MRS. LEFEVRE. HOW MANY TEMPORARIES DO WE HAVE?

>> I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU, YES. WE HAVE SUE ?

SUE? OH, SORRY. WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THEY -- THE ADMINISTRATION. MY NAME IS SUE. I AM THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE BELLFLOWER STUDENT COMMISSION. I HAVE A 60-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT SINCE 1952, AND I GRADUATED FROM BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL IN 1956. MY SON GRADUATED FROM BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL IN 1995 AND MY DAUGHTER IN 1998. AFTER ATTENDING RAMONA ELEMENTARY DID MY GRANDSON ATTENDED RAMON ELEMENTARY FOR SEVEN YEARS BEFORE MOVING TO LYNCH COUNTY. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE PTS A, AND THE BELFAIR HIGH SCHOOL, HAVING SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF BOTH AND I AM THE PROUD RECIPIENT OF THE GOLDEN OAKS SERVICE AWARD, FROM THE PTA. AND I HAVE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE CITIZENS TASK FORCE. I WAS A TEAM MOM FOR MY SON'S LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM. I AM A STRONG SUPPORTER OF CHAPTER 32, HAVING SERVED PRIOR TO RETIREMENT. I AM CURRENTLY AN APPOINTEE AS THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PERSONAL COMMISSION SINCE 2007, I HAVE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH SEVERAL PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS. IN MY CAPACITY, AND CHAPTER 32 PRESIDENT, AS WELL AS MY POSITION ON THE PERSONAL COMMISSION, I HOPE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE APPROXIMATELY 7500 EMPLOYEES OF THE BELLFLOWER SCHOOL DISTRICT .

>> THANK YOU, NOW, MRS. STACY. WELCOME.

>> OF COURSE, RIGHT WHEN I COME UP HERE, SOMETHING IS IN MY EYE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT APPOINTMENT OF THE PERSONAL COMMISSION AT THE MAY 23RD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. I WILL PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT AND CLARIFICATION. BUT BEFORE I CONTINUE, I WANT TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT I UNDERSTAND, BY GOVERNANCE AND POLICY, THAT THE BOARD CAN DECIDE TO BE A POINT, THAT THEY CAN APPOINT ANOTHER COMMISSIONER AT WILL. AND BOARD MEMBER MAYRA GARZA RESPONDED AS SUCH . SHE RECALLED SEEING ANOTHER ITEM. IN REVIEWING THE TRANSCRIPT MEETING, MEMBER CRIHFIELD STATED THIS CAME UP IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT TIME, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITH A BOARD-APPOINTED COMMISSIONER. HE TABLED THE MATTER, BECAUSE HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHO THE APPOINTEE WAS. HER NUMBER BRAD CRIHFIELD, BEING YOU, WAS NOT PART OF THE PROCESS OF THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED IN 2021, WITH BOARD MEMBERS RAMIREZ, DOWNEY, GARZA , ARMSTRONG, AND DR. SUE ELHESSEN. BOARD MEMBER

[00:20:03]

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT -- >> CAN WE EXTEND THE TIME FOR

ONE MINUTE. >> ONE MINUTE, THAT WOULD BE PERFECT. I WORKED FOR BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 10 YEARS, I KNOW MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, I HAVE LIVED IN THIS TOWN FOR 30 YEARS. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ITEM RESPONSIBLE FOR $300 MILLION OF EXPENDITURES. I AM NO STRANGER TO LABOR CODE, CONTRACT CODE, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE, AND HERE IS MY FINAL WORD. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO LEAVE THIS FOR CONSIDERATION, TAKING NOTHING AWAY FROM THE NEW APPOINTEE. I DO NOT WISH ANYONE ANY ILL INTENT. BUT BASED UPON THE MEMO, BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED DURING THE MEETING, YOUR COMFORT LEVEL, BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A MEMO, YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH APPOINTING SOMEONE BASED ON A MEMO. SO, MY CONCERN IS THAT THE BOARD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT THE MATTER, BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THE BENEFIT FOR MR. CRIHFIELD. AND THIS IS THE WAY THAT BOARD MEMBERS WILL MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF POWER. AND THEY CAN LOOK AT THEIR PATRONAGE AND APPOINTMENTS. IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE SERVING YOU ALL BUT IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT NO ONE REACHED OUT OR ACKNOWLEDGED ME, I WAS NOT SEEN, VALUED, OR HEARD. NO ONE SAID THANK YOU FOR YOUR THREE YEARS OF SERVICE. IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE TO SERVE YOU, BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN DONE A DISSERVICE. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> JUST AS A CLARIFYING CLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH THIS CAME ABOUT, CORRECT? WE HAD A

PREVIOUS SUPERINTENDENT? >> SHE WAS APPOINTED DURING

THAT TIME. >> IN JANUARY, WITH THIS CAME BACK UP, ON OUR JENNA, YOU ARE NOT THE SUPERINTENDENT?

CORRECT? >> THEY DID NOT START THIS

POSITION UNTIL FEBRUARY. >> YOU ARE THE SUPERINTENDENT WHEN THAT NOTIFICATION WENT OUT FOR THAT POSITION.

>> I WAS HERE WHEN YOU HAD THAT ON YOUR BOARD MEETING, CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. ELHESSEN.

BACK TO THE STATES, I INVITE MS. SUE BIRD HOUSE. WELCOME,

AGAIN. >> HELLO, AGAIN. LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THE RIGHT ONE HERE. I HAVE A LOT TO SAY. ON JUNE 18TH OF THIS YEAR, THE PERSONAL COMMISSION HELD A SPECIAL MEETING. AND AT THAT MEETING, TWO BOARD MAY -- MEMBERS ADDRESS HOW LONG IT HAD TAKEN FOR THE BOARD APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS TO BE BROUGHT ON BOARD. I AM HERE TO CLARIFY

[00:25:04]

MESSAGES WERE LEFT AGAIN. HE RETURNED THE CALL AT 5:48 P.M., AFTER WORK HOURS. ON JUNE 7TH AN EMAIL WAS RECEIVED FROM, I BELIEVE IT IS MR. WILEY, STATING THAT HE WAS ON VACATION AND HE WOULD BE RETURNING ON JUNE 18. HE STATED THAT RECEPTION WAS SPOTTY. THE RECEPTIONIST RESPONDED, LETTING HIM KNOW TO CONTACT HER UPON HIS RETURN. MR. CRIHFIELD STATED THAT MR. WILEY WAS ONLY ON VACATION FOR FOUR DAYS.

HOWEVER, BASED ON THE COMMUNICATION WITH OUR PERSONNEL ASSISTANT, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. ON JUNE 17TH, A VOICEMAIL WAS RECEIVED FROM MR. RILEY, INDICATING THAT HE WAS BACK AT AN EMAIL WAS SENT, ASKING THEM HE'S -- IF HE WAS AVAILABLE ON THE 18TH. HE SAID HE WAS NOT. HE ASKED TO COMMENT ON JUNE 19TH. AS YOU KNOW, JUNE 19TH WAS A HOLIDAY. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JUNE 24TH, BASED UPON AVAILABILITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THIS

EVENING'S AGENDA? >> NO CORRECTIONS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL MS. ARLENE WHITNEY TO THE PODIUM,

[6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

>> THANK YOU. PLEASE STAND FOR 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. WHITNEY. AND

[7. RECOGNITIONS]

ACEVEDO, PLEASE ASSIST US. >> WE ARE RECOGNIZING THIS EVENING OUR RETIREES AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD TO COME DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DAIS, WHILE MS. BONNIE CARTER

INITIATES THE RECOGNITIONS. >> THIS EVENING, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PROVIDED SERVICE TO BELFAIR UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE JOIN US UPFRONT AND PLEASE REMAIN FOR A PICTURE.

MYRNA PROVIDED 15 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BELLFLOWER USD. SHE WAS HIRED IN 2006 AS A CLERICAL ASSISTANT AND HAS BEEN WITH WOODRUFF ELEMENTARY FOR 18 YEARS OF HER CAREER, HERE AT BUSD. SHE HAS BEEN THE BACKBONE OF THEIR SCHOOL. SHE IS THE ONLY FACE THAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS SEE ON A DAILY BASIS.

SHE CREATED A WELCOMING PRESENCE IN THE FRONT OFFICE.

MYRNA WAS ACCURATE, EFFICIENT , AND ALL OF HER DUTIES. WOODRUFF STAFF, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF MYRNA'S CONSISTENCY AND LOYALTY TO THEIR SCHOOL. SHE PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE MAGIC THAT HAPPENS. EVERYONE AT WOODRUFF WISHES YOU A HAPPY RETIREMENT. CONGRATULATIONS, MYRNA.

APPLAUSE ] IS THAT ANYONE YOU

>> WONDERFUL, HOW WONDERFUL.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE KIM COLEMAN FOR PROVIDING 18.5 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

[00:30:02]

APPLAUSE ] DID YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE ANYONE? ALL RIGHT.

LAUGHTER ] COLLEEN BRADY FOR PROVIDING 23 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

APPLAUSE ] COLLEEN WAS HIRED IN 1999 AS A DUTY ASSISTANT FOR THE DISTRICT. IN 2001, SHE BECAME A SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT SHE HAS SERVED AT VARIOUS SITES, SUCH AS MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL, STEPHEN FOSTER ELEMENTARY, AND MOST RECENTLY AT THE ATC, WHERE SHE REMAINED UNTIL SHE RETIRED THIS JUNE, 2024. YOU WOULD ALSO OFTEN SEE HER WORKING VARIOUS SPORTING EVENT AT MAYFAIR OR WORKING EXTRA HOURS IN THE CLASSROOM. SHE WORKED WITH STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN GROUP SETTINGS AND UNDERSTOOD HER NEEDS. SHE WENT BEYOND WHAT WAS NECESSARY IN HER JOB. SHE WAS EXTREMELY PATIENT, CARING, AND RELIABLE. SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS SUPERB IN HER WORK AND AN ASSET TO THE SPECIAL-EDUCATION PROGRAM, THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS, COLLEEN. IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE? VERY WELL. AWESOME. THANK YOU. GREAT.

NEXT , WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MELVIN FOR PROVIDING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AT BUSD.

WAS HIRED IN 1999 AS A CUSTODIAN AND SERVED AT SEVERAL SITES, DOING EVERYTHING THAT HE COULD TO KEEP THINGS IN GOOD SHAPE. HE WAS REGARDED AS ALWAYS WILLING TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO LEND A HAND. TWO GREAT EXAMPLES OF MELVIN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, HE BECAME PART OF THE DISCIPLINE PROGRAM AT BAXTER ELEMENTARY BY WORKING WITH STUDENTS. THE SECOND EXAMPLE IS THAT HE BECAME PART OF THE SITE TEAM AND PROVIDED VALUABLE INSIGHT. IN 2016, MELVIN BECAME A GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER. IN 2017, HE BEGAN WORKING AS THE PLUMBER, HVAC MECHANIC, UNTIL HE RETIRED IN MARCH, 2024. MEL WAS AN OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED EMPLOYEE. HE WAS RESPECTED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM AND WILL BE MISSED. CONGRATULATIONS, MEL.

APPLAUSE ] IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE?

>>

>> OKAY, GOOD. >>

] >>

>>

>> THANK YOU, AND, CONGRATULATIONS ! NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE CLIFF HIGGINS, PROVIDING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AT BUSD. CLIFF BEGAN HIS EDUCATIONAL CAREER AT BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL IN 1999. HE HAD THE POSITION OF VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL COACH AT BELLFLOWER MIDDLE AYE. HE TRANSITIONED TO AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, HE BECAME AN SUMMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, HE HAS BEEN THE LEADER AND THE PRINCIPAL AT SOMERSET CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 2020. HE IS A BIG SPORTS FAN, AND YOU COULD ALWAYS FIND HIM ON THE SIDELINES BEHIND THE BENCH OR IN THE STANDS OF BUSD

[00:35:01]

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANYONE?

>>

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, NEXT , WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MONICA, PROVIDING 26 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

MONICA RETIRED IN 1998 AS A STOCK CLERK FOR THE DISTRICT, SHE SERVED AS A WAREHOUSE WORKER DELIVERY DRIVER AND BECAME THE DISTRICT WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR IN 2013. MONICA WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, SHE HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING FIXTURE AND SHE HAS ALWAYS GIVEN MORE THAN EXPECTED FOR THE DISTRICT. SHE IS AN EXTREMELY DEDICATED EMPLOYEE AND SHE IS THE DEFINITION OF WORK INTEGRITY.

HER SUPERVISOR RECALLS THE ONE TIME THAT SHE CALLED IN SICK IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THINKING, OMG, WHAT MUST BE WRONG. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, SHE HAS A WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR AND SHE MAKES EVERYONE AROUND HER LAUGH. SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY FAMILY ORIENTED AND TRIES TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE WITH HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. ASIDE FROM THAT, SHE IS A GREAT BAKER AND IS ALWAYS WORKING ON SOME SORT OF CRAP. HER EFFORTS AND HARD WORK HAVE NOT GONE UNNOTICED. SHE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. CONGRATULATIONS, MONICA.

APPLAUSE ] WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANYONE?

>>

>> THAT IS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. NEXT, WE ARE RECOGNIZING NORA, PROVIDING 27 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

APPLAUSE ] SHE BEGAN HER TEACHING CAREER 27 YEARS AGO, TEACHING KINDERGARTEN. SHE LOVES TEACHING KINDERGARTEN, BECAUSE SHE IS ABLE TO SEE HER STUDENTS GROW SO MUCH IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. SHE SEES THEIR LOVE FOR SCHOOL, AND IT IS EXCITING FOR HER TO SEE THEM LEARN THINGS LIKE HOW DO PROBABLY HOLD A PENCIL TO WRITE A COMPLETE SENTENCE. SHE GIVES KIDS AN INCREDIBLE START TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. SHE ALWAYS PUTS THE STUDENTS FIRST. HER EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND PASSION ARE WHAT MAKES HER STUDENTS LOVE COMING TO SCHOOL.

DURING HER RETIREMENT, SHE PLANS ON COMPLETING HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, TAINTING PIECES OF ART, AND EXPLORING GENEALOGY. SHE MAKES LEARNING FUN, WITH LOTS OF MOVEMENT AROUND THE ROOM. HER STUDENTS LOVE ATTENDING SCHOOL AND GIVING BIG HUGS. CONGRATULATIONS! WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANYONE? NO? THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DAVE, PROVIDING 28 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

EDUCATOR AND LEADER IS CELEBRATING HIS WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT AFTER AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER SPANNING NEARLY THREE DECADES. DAVE BEGAN HIS JOURNEY AT THOMAS JEFFERSON DURING THE 1996-97 SCHOOL YEAR, DEDICATING THE NEXT 14 YEARS TO TEACHING SIXTH AND SECOND GRADE STUDENTS BUT HIS PASSION FOR EDUCATION AND COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS WAS EVIDENT IN HIS ENGAGING AND THOUGHTFUL TEACHING STYLE. HE WAS IN SEARCH OF NEW CHALLENGES, HE TRANSFERRED TO MAYFAIR WHERE HE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AS A SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHER. HE EXCELLED IN TEACHING PSYCHOLOGY AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY, INSPIRING COUNTLESS STUDENTS WITH HIS DEEP KNOWLEDGE AND ENTHUSIASM FOR THE SUBJECT. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, HIS LEADERSHIP SHONE BRIGHTLY AS HE SERVED AS THE PTA PRESIDENT, CONTRIBUTING TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY.

[00:40:01]

CONGRATULATIONS, DAVE.

RECOGNIZE ANYONE? WONDERFUL. >>

] >> OH .

] NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE VINO ENCINA , PROVIDING 31 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

BEEN IN THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR 31 YEARS. SHE HAS GIVEN HER HEART TO TEACHING AND HER DEDICATION HAS LEFT A LASTING MARK ON THOSE SHE HAZARDED HER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT HAS HELPED BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURES.

AS SHE EMBARKS ON THIS NEW CHAPTER, WE WISH HER ENDLESS JOY, RELAXATION, AND FULFILLMENT. CONGRATULATIONS.

APPLAUSE ] IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE? OH?

>>

>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COLLEEN NIELSEN, FOR PROVIDING 35 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

HER TEACHING CAREER AT RAMONA ELEMENTARY IN 1989 AND SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RAMONA RAM. SHE INVESTS IN RELATIONSHIPS THAT SHE HAS WITH STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES ALIKE. SHE IS A QUIET SOUL WHO ALWAYS HAS KIND WORDS TO SAY. SHE LOVES WHEN FORMER STUDENTS COME TO VISIT HER AND J-LO. ONE OF HER FAVORITE DAYS OF THE YEAR IS LEGACY DAY. FORMER STUDENTS COME TO RAMONA AND SHE GETS TO SEE HOW STUDENTS HAVE GROWN UP.

SHE BUILDS COMMUNITY IN HER CLASSROOM. WHEN SHE RETIRES, MS. NIELSEN PLANS TO FOCUS ON HER HEALTH, WORK OUT MORE, AND VOLUNTEER AT HER CHURCH AND AT RAMONA. SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE RAMONA PTA EVENTS AND STAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE THAT SHE LOVED AT RAMONA.

CONGRATULATIONS.

TO RECOGNIZE? >>

] >>

>>

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, COLLEEN. NEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DAN BUFFINGTON, PROVIDING 38 YEARS OF SERVICE TO BUSD.

MAINTENANCE WORKER, HE SERVED IN OTHER POSITIONS, SUCH AS THE PLUMBING, HEATING, MECHANIC, THE REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN, PRODUCT MANAGER, TO NAME A FEW. HE RETIRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023 AS THE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND TRANSPORTATION. HE WAS A KEY PLAYER IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT WITH HIS OVERALL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE VARIOUS TRADES. HIS ATTENTION TO THE JOB AND DETAILS WERE EXCELLENT. HE WOULD DEMONSTRATE HIS ABILITY TO GO FAR AND ABOVE HIS REGULAR DUTIES, TIME AFTER TIME. HIS SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE DISTRICT WAS ONE OF UNLIMITED TIME AND CARE THAT HAS LEFT DECADES OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENJOYED BY STUDENTS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

THE LAST PROJECT WAS OUR AMAZING STEAMBOAT. HE WAS A PRODUCT OF BUSD. YOU WOULD OFTEN HEAR HIM SAY HOW HE ENJOYED GIVING BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY. WE THANK HIM FOR HIS DEDICATION AND LOYALTY TO THE DISTRICT. WE WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT. CONGRATULATIONS.

APPLAUSE ] WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE? OH.

>>

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, DAN.

[00:45:04]

WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, AFTER THE PICTURE?

>>

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, MRS. HOLCOMB.

RETIREES FOR THE 2023-24, COMBINED, HAVE DEDICATED 837 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT. THE BOARD THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN HELPING US BUILD FUTURES. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE. THIS CONCLUDES RECOGNITIONS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

THIS IS REALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE BOARD MEETING. AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU, JUST AS MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE WILL BE TAKING A 10-MINUTE BREAK, SO WE CAN CHAT , TAKE SOME MORE PHOTOS. THERE ARE COOKIES, AND WE WILL

>> WELCOME BACK , WE WILL NOW RECONVENE OPEN SESSION. AT 7:05. I DO APOLOGIZE, WE DID MISS ONE CARD. THERE IS ONE

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

>> THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ITEM, APPROVAL OF DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT. OKAY? IT SAYS THAT THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED ON MAY 24TH. AND IT SAYS THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DUTIES OUTLINED IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POSITION OF DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT. WHERE WAS THAT

JOB POSTED? >> PERHAPS STAFF CAN FOLLOW-UP.

WE WOULD NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE DAIS, BUT STAFF CAN

FOLLOW-UP WITH ANY QUESTIONS. >> IT ALSO -- IF THIS IS CORRECT , IT SAYS THE AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES JUNE 3RD. WAS THERE A MEETING ON JUNE 3RD? THAT WAS A

MONDAY. >> AGAIN, I WOULD NOT WANT TO GIVE YOU THE WRONG INFORMATION. ANY QUESTIONS CAN BE FOLLOWED UP AND STAFF WILL GET BACK TO YOU VIA EMAIL.

>> I CAN FOLLOW-UP. >> MY QUESTION IS, IF THAT IS TRUE, I WENT BACK , CLEAR BACK TO JANUARY, THERE WAS NOTHING

[00:50:07]

WHERE OUR MONEY IS GOING. >> I WILL RESPOND, THE CONTRACTS ARE ACTUALLY ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.

>> TO SIGN IT, TO APPROVE IT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS , I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR DATES ARE RIGHT , AND THAT THEY ARE RECONCILED. STAFF WILL GET BACK TO YOU.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO APPROVE A CONTRACT THAT NOBODY KNOWS

ANYTHING ABOUT? >> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT.

[8. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY]

BOARD. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CABINET MEMBERS, GUESTS.

I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS THE INTERIM CEO, AND IT IS AN HONOR TO PRESENT THE BULLETIN BOARD DISPLAY THAT EMBODIES OUR DAILY JOURNEY OF AMBITION, INSPIRATION, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT. OUR BULLETIN BOARD, THEMED MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, THERE IS A CAREER FOR US ALL, IS A REFLECTION OF A COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS, AND OUR DEDICATION TO THEIR FUTURE.

THIS BULLETIN BOARD SERVES AS A MIRROR, RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THAT AWAIT OUR STUDENTS. FROM IRVING FARMING -- URBAN FARMING TO AUTOMATED AVIATION, TO FIREFIGHTING, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HEALTH OCCUPATIONS, THE BOARD SHOWCASES THE WIDE ARRAY OF CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES THAT WE OFFER. IT DOES MORE THAN REFLECT THE PRESENT.

IT HELPS STUDENTS ENVISION THE FUTURE. NO MATTER THEIR INTEREST OR PASSIONS, THERE IS A CAREER PATH FOR THEM. IT ENCOURAGES THEM TO SEE THEMSELVES IN THESE ROLES AND IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES, AND TO STRIVE TOWARDS THOSE GOALS.

AS WE STAND BEFORE ANY OF THESE MIRRORS, LET US NOT JUST SEE THE CAREERS OF TODAY, BUT THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW. LET US SEE OUR STUDENTS, NOT JUST AS THEY ARE, BUT AS THEY COULD BE AND LET US CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE EDUCATION, THE OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO TURN THESE REFLECTIONS INTO REALITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF CAL APPS AND OUR QUALITY , WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CAREER READY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, MS. WHITNEY, AND ALL OF THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU

DO. >> IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE BTA AND CSEA COMMUNICATIONS. BTA DOES NOT HAVE A REPORT, BUT CAN

[00:55:02]

ANTHONY. >> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, BOARD PRESIDENT BRAD CRIHFIELD, BOARD MEMBERS, MRS. LISA AZEVEDO, GUESTS, I WOULD SAY RETIREES, BUT I THINK THEY HAVE ALL LEFT. I AM A MEMBER OF CSEA, THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN A BUSD EMPLOYEE. I AM HERE AS THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, WE HAVE WATCHED AND WE WISH ALL OF THE RETIREES A WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE BUSD WORKERS HAVE GIVEN AS WE REACH THE END OF THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR. MANY CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE PROMOTION AND GRADUATION CEREMONIES. THE CLERICAL STAFF HAVE ALREADY WORKED DILIGENTLY. THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE SCHOOLS, STILL HELPING THE ADMINISTRATION CLOSE THE BOOKS AND GET READY FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, SPECIAL ED INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT STAFF ARE CURRENTLY WORKING DURING THE SUMMER, FOR THEIR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS , CUSTODIAL, MAINTENANCE, FOOD SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY, THEY ARE BUSY ALL YEAR LONG. SO, WE JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES THAT HELP CLOSE THE SCHOOL YEAR, OPEN THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND THEY HELP BRIDGE ALL OF THE BREAKS IN BETWEEN. WE ARE WORKING TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THIS GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR THE

TIME. >> THANK YOU, ANTHONY.

APPLAUSE ] OKAY, NOW, CAN THE BTA PRESIDENT, LINDA MORGAN,

COME ON UP. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT LISA AZEVEDO. I NEED TO HAND THIS OVER TO ONE OF OUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS. I WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT AND THANK MS. LISA AZEVEDO, AND ALSO AMIE STEWART, FOR COMING BY OUR PTA MEETING.

I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU LISTENING TO OUR PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING, YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO ALL OF THE CHANGES HAPPENING. AND I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THOSE CHANGES ARE GOING TO LEAD US.

ALSO, I WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD FOR MEETING WITH ME THIS WEEK. I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND SUPPORT. AND, WE ARE IN TRANSITION, FINISHING UP THIS TERM, GETTING READY FOR OUR NEW TERM STARTING JULY 1ST WITH OUR NEW OFFICERS AND GETTING READY FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

FOR THE ACTUAL REPORT, I WANT TO HAND IT OVER TO SYLVIA

JONES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU , LINDA.

>> GOOD EVENING , HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT, CABINET MEMBERS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, STAFF, MY NAME IS SYLVIA JONES. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE BELLFLOWER COUNCIL PTA. I AM HERE TO READ A LETTER BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PTA. DEAR BELLFLOWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, ON BEHALF OF THE BELLFLOWER COUNCIL PTA, WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO CREATE A COMMUNITY SCREENING COMMITTEE TO HELP IDENTIFY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT POSITION. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT TWO LEADERS BE PART OF THIS COMMITTEE, ONE FROM THE NORTH AND ONE FROM THE SOUTH SCHOOL SITES. IN ADDITION TO PTA MEMBERS, THE COMMUNITY COULD INCLUDE TEACHERS, STAFF, PARENTS, STUDENT, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMUNITY COULD WORK WITH THE CONSULTANTS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE QUALITIES NEEDED FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE JOB ANALYSIS, PROVIDE OUTREACH, INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN SURVEYS AND FORUMS, AND ALSO RECOMMEND THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION AND INTERVIEW. SELECTING AN EFFECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT MUST BE THE BOARD'S TOP PRIORITY.

IT IS CRITICAL TO REBUILD CONFIDENCE WITH THE PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY IT SERVES BEEN CREATED THIS COMMITTEE COULD BECOME AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THE PURPOSE FOR THIS LETTER IS TO CREATE A COMMITTEE FOR THE FUTURE PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT. THE INVOLVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS IN THIS COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE FEEDBACK, PERSPECTIVE, AND INSIGHT TO THE BOARD, SELECTING A WELL-QUALIFIED SUPERINTENDENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR DIVERSE POPULATION WILL TAKE TIME. THE PROCESS OF FINDING OUR NEXT SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD START SOON. I HAVE COPIES OF

[9. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT]

[01:00:07]

LISTENING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT, IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, MS.

LISA AZEVEDO? >> THANK YOU, I HAVE PICTURES TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE, WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING FOR YOU, AS WE WRAP UP THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, I AM FILLED WITH PRIDE AND JOY, IN BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE ALL OF OUR SENIOR GRADUATION EVENTS. OUR STUDENTS HARDWARE, RESILIENCE, AND STAFF, AND I AM EXCITED AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. OUR SUMMERS ARE OFF TO A GREAT START. WE ARE OFFERING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP GOING WITH HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS. ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, WE WILL BE BUILDING THAT ON THE MAYFAIR CAMPUS. THIS IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING PICTURES AND UPCOMING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE STAFFS ASSISTANCE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A LOT OF WORK TO PUT TOGETHER ALL OF YOUR CELEBRATIONS AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU, MS. LISA AZEVEDO. WE HAVE TWO DISCUSSION ITEMS

[11. DISCUSSION ITEMS]

THIS EVENING. >> WE WILL PRESENT THE LOCAL

COMMUNITY INDICATOR. >> I AM GOING TO BE PASSING THE BATON OVER TO DR. REYES, WHO WILL BE PRESENTING TONIGHT.

>> OKAY, GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ANNUALLY, AS PART OF THE SCHOOL UPDATE, THE LOCAL INDICATORS ARE PRESENTED IN PREPARATION FOR REPORTING ON THE 2024 DASHBOARD, WHICH WILL BE RELEASED IN DECEMBER. TONIGHT , I WILL BE SHARING INFORMATION ON THE LOCAL INDICATORS THAT WILL BE POSTED ON THE 2024 DASHBOARD RELEASE. THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DASHBOARD IS PART OF CALIFORNIA'S ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

CALIFORNIA REQUIRES MONITORING AND REPORTING OF STATE AND LOCAL INDICATORS THAT MEASURE HOW DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS. CDE POPULATES STATE INDICATORS AND PERFORMANCE ON LOCAL MEASURES ARE COLLECTED AND REPORTED TO THE DASHBOARD BY THE DISTRICT. THE DATA POSTED TO THE DASHBOARD IS THEN USED TO DEVELOP SCHOOL AND DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLANS. IT WILL HELP US TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE STUDENT OUTCOMES AND IT WILL HELP US TO ENSURE EQUITY BY HIGHLIGHTING ANY DISPARITIES THAT MAY EXIST AMONG STUDENT GROUPS. THIS SLIDE IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE STATE AND LOCAL INDICATORS INCLUDED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE FOUR LOCAL INDICATORS THAT I WILL BE REPORTING ON TONIGHT ARE LISTED ON THIS SLIDE. THE CRITERIA FOR MEETING THE LOCAL INDICATORS ARE OUTLINED BY THE STATE, THEY ARE SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE, AS PART OF THE PROCESS, DISTRICTS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT THE PROGRESS OF THE LOCAL INDICATORS TO THE GOVERNING BOARD, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DESIGNATION OF MET ON THE DASHBOARD. AND AS WE REVIEWED THE LOCAL INDICATORS TOGETHER, YOU WILL NOTICE , YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN SOME OF THIS DATA AS PART OF OUR MIDYEAR ANNUAL UPDATE AND OUR LCAP METRICS. THE FIRST INDICATOR IS BASIC CONDITIONS. THIS PRIORITY ADDRESSES APPROPRIATELY-ASSIGNE D TEACHERS, ACCESS TO MATERIALS, AND SAFE CLEAN AND FUNCTIONAL SCHOOL FACILITIES.

AT THIS TIME, WE DO NOT HAVE THE TIME FOR THE APPROPRIATELY PLACED STAFF, AS THIS NUMBER IS PROVIDED BY THE STATE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN POPULATED AS OF TODAY. THIS WILL BE SHARED WHEN THE STATE PROVIDES THIS DATA. THE INSPECTION IS A FACILITY INSPECTION TOOL THAT OCCURS ANNUALLY AT ALL SITES. YOU CAN SEE THAT ALL OF OUR SITES ARE IN GOOD OR EXEMPLARY REPAIR.

MARRIED TO MEASURES THE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS, FOR THIS PURPOSE, WE MONITOR OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES OR THE PLC PROCESS, AT OUR SCHOOL SITES. THE PERCENTAGES THAT YOU SEE ARE OUTCOMES OF THE SITE-REPORTED IMPLEMENTATION SURVEY, AND THE

[01:05:01]

PRIORITY THREE IS TAKEN FROM THREE AREAS. BUILDING HARDSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND SEEKING INPUT. ACCORDING TO OUR LCAP SURVEY, WE HAVE HIGH PERCENTAGES OF PARENTS WHO AGREE AND STRONGLY AGREE WITH THE STATEMENTS ON THE CHART THAT ADDRESS WELDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR FAMILIES, INCLUDING OUR PARENTS FEELING WELCOME AT SCHOOL, HAVING TWO -WAY COMMUNICATION IN LANGUAGE THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE AND FAMILIES FEELING THAT THE SCHOOL STAFF TREATS THEM WITH RESPECT. THE NEXT TWO COMPONENTS FOR PRIORITY THREE ARE BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND SEEKING INPUT. THE DATA FROM THE LCAP SURVEY SHOWS THAT THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS AGREE AND STRONGLY AGREE WITH ALL STATEMENTS THAT ADDRESS BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND SEEKING INPUT. SCHOOL SITES DO RECEIVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL LCAP DATA AND USE THIS INFORMATION TO STRENGTHEN PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES. PRIORITY SIX LOOKS AT SCHOOL CLIMATE AND ADDRESSES PERCEPTION OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND CONNECTEDNESS. THIS PRIORITY IS MEASURED WITH THE LCAP SURVEY AND ALSO THE PARENT TEACHER, AND STUDENT RESPONSES TO THE CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY.

THERE WERE REVOLTS THAT SHOW A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF FEELING WELCOME AT SCHOOL, AND OUR STAFF REPORTS A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF FEELING A RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THEIR SCHOOL. THE PERCENTAGE FROM THE STAFF IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGES THAT WE HAVE ON OUR SURVEYS AND IS VERY POSITIVE.

SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS IS TRADITIONALLY RATED LOWER BY SECONDARY STUDENTS. BUT HOWEVER THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF SECONDARY STUDENTS SAYING THAT THEY FEEL CONNECTED TO THE SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THEIR FRIENDS, RESOURCES, SUPPORT, SUPPORTIVE TEACHERS, CLUBS, ACTIVITIES, AND SPORTS.

ALL SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO WORK ON STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, BETWEEN STAFF AND STUDENTS, AS THIS IS A CLEAR WAY TO INCREASE CONNECTEDNESS AT SCHOOL.

SCHOOLS ALSO CONNECTED THE PANORAMA SURVEY WITH STUDENTS THIRD GRADE AND UP. THE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY ADDRESS SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AND THEY SHOW SCHOOLS THEIR STRENGTHS, THEIR AREAS FOR GROWTH, AND THEY ALSO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVING SCHOOL CLIMATE. MANY OF THE SCHOOL SITES SHARED THIS DATA WITH YOU AT THE BOARD REVIEW LAST JANUARY. STILL ON PRIORITY SIX, WHICH ALSO LOOKS AT PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY AT SCHOOL. THE PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS AND STAFF STRONGLY AGREE THAT SCHOOL IS A SAFE PLACE FOR STUDENT, THAT REMAINS HIGH. THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY LEVEL HAS INCREASED ON THE HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY. THIS MEASURE IS REPORTED FROM FIFTH, SEVENTH, NINTH, AND 11TH GRADE STUDENTS, HOWEVER THE LCAP SURVEY IS ADMINISTERED TO OUR STUDENTS FROM FIFTH TO 12TH GRADES. SITES RECEIVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO ANALYZE. OUR SCHOOLS HAVE DEVELOPED SAFETY PLANS, THEY HAVE INCLUDED PARENTS ON THEIR SAFETY COMMITTEES, AND THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF COMMUNICATING WHAT THEIR SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE, TO OUR PARENTS. AND FINALLY, PRIORITY SEVEN. IT IS MEASURED LOCALLY THROUGH ANALYSIS OF A BROAD COURSE OF STUDY FOR STUDENTS. ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO A BROAD COURSE OF STUDY. AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PROPORTIONALITY OF

[01:10:03]

1ST, 2024. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. REYES. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? MS. GARZA?

>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT CRIHFIELD. MY QUESTION STARTS ON PAGE -- PAGE, PAGE FOUR, WHERE IT SAYS PRIORITY TWO. SO, ON THE BAR GRAPH , WE HAVE 87% DURING THE COLLABORATIVE CULTURE. WHAT ARE THE MARKERS THAT SHOW THAT WE HAVE MET THIS

GOAL AND HOW CAN WE TELL? >> IT WAS REPORTED FROM THE SITE. FOR EACH OF THE LEVELS , FROM INITIATING, IMPLEMENTING, DEVELOPING, AND SUSTAINING, WE HAVE A RUBRIC WHICH OUTLINES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PLC. THAT IS BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE CULTURE. SO, THE SITE IS PROVIDED WITH THE RUBRIC. THEY WOULD GO, SOME PRINCIPALS HAVE EACH GRADE LEVEL DO IT AND THEY LOOK AT WHERE THEY ARE. AND THEN, IN ORDER -- LET'S SAY THAT YOU ARE AT IMPLEMENTING, RIGHT? YOU MARK OFF, WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET TO DEVELOPING, SO, WHAT PIECES? IT IS A WAY TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PLCS, BECAUSE YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING, WE HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR, THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE AND HERE IS WHERE WE NEED TO GO NEXT. SO THERE ARE HIGH RATINGS FOR BUILDING THAT CULTURE WHICH TALKS ABOUT TEAMS, TIME FOR YOUR TEAMS TO MEET. IT IS MORE ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS ARE

HAPPENING IN THOSE TEAMS. >> THIS RUBRIC , I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS, BUT IS THIS RUBRIC

PRESENTED TO EVERY TIME? >> I KNOW THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW PRINCIPALS DEFINITELY LOOK AT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, AND THEN WOULD REVISIT. THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE TEAM. I DON'T KNOW IF EACH TEAM IS LOOKING AT IT, AT EACH, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HELPS YOU TO SET GOALS. AND THEY WANT THEM THEY CAN BE DIFFERENT LEVELS ACROSS THE SCHOOL, THAT RUBRIC WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, IN SEEING , ARE WE MEETING THEM?

>> OKAY. SO, NOW, MY NEXT QUESTION, THANK YOU. PRIORITY THREE , THE 85% , THE TWO-WAY .

>> IF YOU WOULD GIVE ME JUST ONE SECOND. PRIORITY THREE, THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO IT. MAKE SURE THAT I AM ON THE RIGHT ONE.

>> AT LEAST

[01:18:51]

>> THANK YOU, YOU ALWAYS DO AN EXCELLENT JOB.

>> I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THAT SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS PIECE AND REALLY, THAT IS HOW THE STATE AND LOCAL INDICATORS WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN LOOK AT SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AND PUT IN MEASURES THAT MAKE THEM FEEL CONNECTED. THAT WILL HELP THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RATE. I DON'T HAVE THOSE PERCENTAGES FOR YOU TONIGHT WHERE WE ARE WITH CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM BECAUSE THAT IS THE SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD THAT IS POPULATED BY THE STATE. I THINK YOU MADE A GOOD CONNECTION FOR YOU CAN SEE HOW LOCAL INDICATORS ARE IMPACTING THOSE INDICATORS.

>> ACTION STEPS TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE TRANSLATION IN PARENTS? IT WAS ALWAYS IN ENGLISH, IS THERE A WAY TO CONTACT WITH PARENT SQUARE TO OUR SPANISH-SPEAKING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES? WILL YOU LET US KNOW FRIDAY?

>> I CAN LET YOU KNOW ON FRIDAY.

[01:20:03]

>> THANK YOU MISS STEWART. WRITE BACK TO YOU MISS GARZA.

>> THANK YOU. I'M STILL CONTINUING ON PRIORITY THREE. I SEE THAT WE ARE AT 74, 77 , 77. THESE ARE MORE OF HOW PARENTS ARE FEELING ABOUT MEETING WITH TEACHERS AS STUDENTS, MY CHILD SCHOOL PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH INFORMATION, THE PARTNER AND STAFF SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS. DO WE KNOW , AT THIS POINT, WHY THESE PARENTS FEEL THIS WAY? I KNOW THEY WERE POLLED AND THIS IS WHAT WE GOT BACK. DO WE KNOW MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS INFORMATION? 74, 77 AND 77 TIMMY IS A C GRADE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN A AND B STUDENT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE SOME GOALS AND REACH THEM. I THINK THESE ARE PROBABLY SOMETHING WE HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER, SO IS THERE A PLAN TO END OF BUMP THIS A LITTLE?

>> THERE'S A PLACE WE GET SOME COMMENTS FROM PARENTS ABOUT BEING INVOLVED AND YOU CAN SEE THOSE PARENTS OF COURSE ARE SAYING I FEEL INVOLVED, I GET INVOLVED. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHO IS NECESSARILY NOT AGREEING WITH THOSE STATEMENTS. SOME PARENTS DID EXPRESS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET INVOLVED. IF YOU'RE A SCHOOL SITE PRINCIPAL YOU GET YOUR OWN COMMENTS. AS A PRINCIPAL LOOKING AT THAT THAT IS SOMETHING I NEED TO ADDRESS AND THAT CAN BE EASILY FIXED. SOME PARENTS ASK THEIR CONCERN BECAUSE THEY WORK AND THEY WISH THERE WAS MORE FLEXIBLE TIMES OR MORE MEETINGS ONLINE AND SOME PARENTS SAID THEY WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN PTA BUT I DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY GO TO BOARD MEETINGS AND HAVE TO DO ALL THAT. JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PDA IS MORE THAN THE BOARD, THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. FOR EACH SCHOOL ANALYZING THOSE COMMENTS AND LOOKING AT WHAT THOSE PARENTS ARE SAYING GIVES THEM THE STARTING POINT TO MAKE A PLAN. PARENTS ARE SAYING THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND OR HOW TO GET INVOLVED IS EASILY SOLVED.

>> WE WILL JUMP AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

>> I WANT TO PIGGYBACK. IS IT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS OR IS THIS

HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY? >> IS THIS THE PARENT AND FAMILY, THE ONE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW? THAT COMES FROM OUR

LCAP SURVEY. >> THAT'S SENT OUT TO PARENTS AT THE END AND TEACHERS AND EVERYBODY BASICALLY?

>> THAT'S THE ONE THAT GOES OUT AND WE HAD 613 PARENT

RESPONSES. >> THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW THIS IS YOUR FIRST YEAR BEING OUR INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT, BUT BY ANY CHANCE, YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR STAFF, IS THIS SOMETHING WE WILL BE ADDRESSING WITH VEGETABLES BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, THESE SEEM LIKE THEY ARE SO EASILY TO BUMP OURSELVES UP , WE ARE ALMOST THERE. WE ARE ALMOST MET , NEARLY MET GOALS.

>> LET ME HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH BONNIE AND HER TEAM AND WE

WILL COME UP WITH A PLAN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ONE MORE ITEM IF I MAY. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO JUMP OVER TO PRIORITY SEVEN, ACCESS TO A BROAD COURSE OF STUDY .

UNDER ELEMENTARY REPORT CARD , ACCESS A BROAD COURSE STUDIES AFFECTED BY ELEMENTARY REPORT CARDS, I REALLY WOULD LOVE FOR US TO KIND OF START LOOKING AT OUR REPORT CARDS. OUR ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS. I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THAT NDI DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT EVERYTHING THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THAT PROGRAM. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADAPTED, MAY BE MODIFIED . IF YOU CAN PLEASE LOOK AT IT FROM YOUR ANGLE AND SEE IF MAYBE THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT. I BELIEVE THAT RIGHT NOW -- I'M GOING OFF OF THIS AS A PREVIOUS EMPLOYEE AND MY KNOWLEDGE OF THAT. IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR OUR PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE ACHIEVEMENT REPORT. MAYBE JUST KIND OF LOOKING AT THAT AND

[01:25:04]

ON THAT ACHIEVEMENT REPORT? >> FOR CLARIFICATION YOU'RE ASKING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CURRENT ELEMENTARY REPORT CARD AND HOW IT ADDRESSES OUR STUDENTS AND ALSO IN PARTICULAR

THE IEL STUDENTS? >> IT'S MORE THE EL WITHIN THAT PROGRAM. I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THESE THINGS BUT MAYBE WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF IT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> QUESTION, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WITH THE COMMENTS YOU PUT SO THEY UNDERSTAND? I'M NOT ELEMENTARY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN

WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? >> RIGHT NOW AS IT IS FROM WHEN I WAS AN EMPLOYEE HERE, WE HAVE AN ENGLISH REPORT CARD THAT CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH FOR THE PARENTS BUT A LOT OF TIMES THE VERBIAGE ON THEIR DOESN'T NECESSARILY HELP OUR PARENTS AND GET THEM A LOT OF FEEDBACK AS TO WHERE TO HELP THEM. IF I SAY NUMBER SENSE LIKE WHAT IS NUMBER SENSE? HOW DO I READ MY REPORT CARD? MAYBE WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE -- I AM JUST BAWLING HERE. I'M NOT SAYING WHAT TO DO, BUT MAYBE EDUCATION ON ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR SO PARENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

>> JUST TO EXPLAIN, IS IT SOMETHING THAT COMES OUT WITH THEIR PROGRESS REPORTS OR IS IT ONLY FOR REPORT CARDS, DO THEY

SIT DOWN AND GO OVER THESE? >> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT CARDS THE STRANDS THAT ARE THERE THAT MISS GARZA IS TALKING ABOUT ARE DIRECTLY FROM OUR STANDARDS. IT'LL SAY THINGS LIKE KEY DETAILS OR INTEGRATING VOCABULARY AND SO WHAT I BELIEVE SHE IS TALKING ABOUT IS MAY BE A RESOURCE TO THE SIDE OF THE REPORT CARD THAT EXPLAINS WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE GRADE LEVEL FOR WHICH THE PARENT IS GETTING THE REPORT CARD FOUR. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO AT PARENT CONFERENCES. I KNOW MANY TEACHERS DO TALK ABOUT STANDARDS AT THAT TIME, BUT IF THAT RESOURCE WAS PROVIDED JUST A LITTLE CLARIFICATION ON THE REPORT CARD I KNOW WE REVISED THEM I BELIEVE AFTER YOU WERE GONE TO MAKE SURE WE HAD AN ENGLISH SIDE AND SPANISH SIDE. IT IS STILL CONNECTED TO THE STANDARD AS FAR AS THE VERBIAGE ON THEIR THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR OF WHICH TOPICS AND SUBJECT MATTERS ARE TAUGHT IN ENGLISH VERSUS SPANISH. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OR

MORE? >> I WAS LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE JUST MAYBE PERHAPS LOOKING WITH AT THE EYE LENS IS NECESSARY FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENT REPORTS AT THIS POINT . AS A TEACHER, I DON'T BELIEVE -- WELL, LET ME RESTATE THIS.

PERHAPS TEACHERS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE STANDARDS BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO DISCUSS THOSE REPORTS WITH PARENTS. IF WE CAN MAYBE DO SOME WORK BEFORE THEY COME IN AND EDUCATE OUR PARENTS AS TO

-- YES. >> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY IS THERE IS AN EDUCATION AND HOW OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING THE LANGUAGE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO TAKE TIME SO MAYBE MORE EDUCATION IN THAT AREA.

>> IT IS PROGRESSION. THEY HAVE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS TO BE DOMINANT IN THE LANGUAGE AND IT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE WAY YOU DEVELOP ENGLISH. I'M HOPING THAT IT WOULD HELP US

HELP OUR PARENTS >> THANK YOU.

>> I'M GOING TO KICK IT OVER. ON PRIORITY SIX , THE SECONDARY STUDENTS FEEL CONNECTED TO SCHOOL AND AT 57 AND 66% FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS FEEL CONNECTED. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT TRY TO GIVE OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS THEIR OWN IDENTITY AND SENSE OF BELONGING. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THIS SURVEY TO IDENTIFY HOW MUCH OF THAT DIFFERENCE IS FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS? IS THAT POSSIBLE? HAVE A THIRD COLUMN?

>> YOU WANT TO BREAK OUT? WE CAN DO THAT. IT'S AN ANONYMOUS SURVEY BUT WE DO IDENTIFY GRADE LEVELS.

>> I WONDER WHERE THEY WOULD FALL . THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

THANK YOU. >> GOING BACK TO WHAT MISS

[01:30:09]

IT SO I UNDERSTAND MARK? >> ABSOLUTELY. JUST A ONE GRADE

LEVEL? >> UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO ALL OF

THEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. YOU DO ALWAYS DO SUCH A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. IT IS NOW TIME FOR OUR LAST DISCUSSION ITEM , BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST DISCUSSION ITEM IS REGARDING THE ONLINE STATEMENT. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR GENERAL COUNSEL TO GO THROUGH THAT ITEM WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THIS ITEM CAME FROM THE COUNTY TO THE DISTRICT. IT IS A RESULT OF ELECTION CODE 13 307 SUBSECTION C12 AND 13 307.7. THE COUNTY CREATED A PILOT PROGRAM LAST ELECTION WHERE CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY OFFICE WOULD BE ABLE TO FILE THEIR CANDIDATE STATEMENT ONLINE AND FORGO THE PRINT. THE PROBLEM WITH PRINT WAS COSTLY FOR COUNTYWIDE ELECTIONS. YOU ARE TALKING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, SO THEY PUT OUT THIS PROGRAM WHERE, FOR $279.60, THEY WOULD POST THE CANDIDATE STATEMENT ONLINE AT L.A. VOTE.NET AND ALLOW THE CANDIDATES TO FORGO THE PRINTED VERSION. AS A RESULT OF THE PERCEIVED SUCCESS OF THAT PROGRAM THEY HAVE NOW OPENED IT UP TO ANY AGENCY THAT HAS AN ELECTION WITHIN THE COUNTY.

THEY SENT AN EMAIL BASICALLY REQUESTING THE DISTRICT EITHER OPT IN OR OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM. TONIGHT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD BASICALLY DECIDING WHETHER THEY WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING ONLINE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS ONLY, NO LONGER IN PRINT AT THE REDUCED PRICE OR IF THEY WANT TO OPT OUT AND CONTINUE WITH THE PRINTED CANDIDATE STATEMENTS. THOSE GENERALLY GO IN THE VOTER GUIDES. IF WE OPT IN THEY WILL NOW BE ONLINE AT L.A. VOTE.NET WHERE ANY VOTER WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT SHOULD THEY HAVE

INTERNET ACCESS. >> THANK YOU. QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? WE WILL START WITH VICE PRESIDENT STEWART.

>> IS AT 279 PER CANDIDATE OR IS THAT THE TOTAL THEY CAN ALL

GO ON AND FILL OUT ONLINE? >> I BELIEVE IT IS PER

CANDIDATE. >> WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING 1000 FOR ENGLISH AND 1000 FOR SPANISH, SO WE ARE PAYING $2000 A CANDIDATE AND THIS WOULD SAVE US A LOT OF MONEY.

>> IT WOULD YES. >> WE PAY FOR THOSE STATEMENTS.

CORRECT. OKAY. I MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER ONE BUT I WILL COME

BACK. >> MADAM CLERK GARZA.

>> THANK YOU. DOES THIS MEAN THAT THEY WERE NEVER, THESE CANDIDATES WOULD NOT HAVE THEIR STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE

BALLOT THEN WHEN THEY GET IT? >> IT WOULD NO LONGER BE IN

PRINT VERSION. >> SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET THEY SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE IT?

>> CORRECT. >> DO WE HAVE TO? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE OVER?

>> THE BOARD'S DECISION. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE BASICALLY HAVING A DISCUSSION . I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE BOOKS ARE AND I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE INTERNET BUT THE BALLOTS ARE OUT BEFORE YOU GET YOUR BOOKS .

I DON'T KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF DOING THEM ONLINE. I FEEL LIKE MORE WOULD READ ONLINE THAN ACTUAL BOOKS THAT COME OUT AFTER THE BALLOTS. THAT IS MY

OPINION. I'M IN FAVOR. >> GENERALLY WHERE THE TREND IS GOING IT SEEMS THEY WILL BE TRENDING TOWARD ONLINE ANYWAY IN THE FUTURE. THE COUNTY IS TRYING TO CUT COSTS AND REDUCE EXPENDITURE OF RESOURCES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IT DOES SEEM LIKE THERE WILL BE A BIG PUSH TO GO ONLINE AT THIS POINT. IT IS VOLUNTARY. I CANNOT SAY IT WON'T BE

MANDATORY IN THE FUTURE. >> THANK YOU. HOW LONG HAS THE DISTRICT PAYS FOR THE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS CURRENTLY?

>> I JUST RAN TWO YEARS AGO AND ARE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS WERE

[01:35:01]

PAID FOR BY THE DISTRICT. >> FOUR YEARS AGO THEY WEREN'T.

DID IT JUST -- >> I DON'T HAVE THE

INFORMATION HERE. >> I KNOW FOUR YEARS AGO HAD TO PAY AND TWO YEARS AGO NO. SAY A CANDIDATE WERE TO RUN, THEY WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO DO IT ONLINE OR COULD THEY OPT TO PAY

FOR THE PRINT AND ONLINE? >> SOLELY ONLINE.

>> INTERESTING. OKAY. SORRY. GO FOR IT.

>> SORRY. >> I THINK THAT'S IT. IS THERE ANY DIRECTION YOU NEED FROM US THIS EVENING OR IS THIS

SOMETHING ? >> THERE IS A TIME CONSTRAINT BECAUSE THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO OUT AND THEY WILL START PRINTING AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION IS I WILL LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF THE DISTRICT PAYING FOR THE CANDIDATE STATEMENT . IT IS HIGHLY IRREGULAR THAT A PUBLIC AGENCY WOULD DO THAT FOR AN ELECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL BE AN OPTION IN THE NEXT ELECTION THAT THE DISTRICT ACTUALLY PAID FOR THOSE. IF IT DID HAPPEN IT WAS YEARS AGO AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. I THINK GOING FORWARD THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WILL PROBABLY NOT BE

AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES. >> THE TIME THERE WERE NO INCUMBENTS THEY DID HAPPEN. IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THERE.

I THINK WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT'S BEST PRACTICE AND MOST FAIR AND WHAT IS NOT GOING TO DIS-INCENTIVIZE SOMEBODY TO WANT TO RUN. IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS? DO WE NEED MORE CLARITY OR MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THIS TO GIVE

DIRECTION? >> WE HAVE TO NOTIFY BY

TOMORROW. >> OKAY. SO THERE'S NO TIME CRUNCH. KIDDING. SO, IT'S NOT AN ACTION ITEM?

>> DIRECTION OF STAFF, RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL PUT OUT BY THE

COUNTY. >> CAN WE GO DOWN THE LINE?

SORRY. MS. STEWART. >> I DID JUST SUPPLY YOU WITH MY THOUSAND DOLLAR RECEIPTS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM, BUT IF WE DO THAT DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE POLICY? IS THAT SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IF IT DOES SAY THAT IN THERE?

>> YOU WOULDN'T NEED A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE IT.

THIS IS SINCE THE COUNTY RUNS THE ELECTION. I WANTED TO CLARIFY A STATEMENT YOU MADE , YOU HAD $1000 RECEIPT FROM THE

DISTRICT? >> FROM THE COUNTY. THE DISTRICT PAYS FOR IT. IT WAS $2000, I DIDN'T PAY FOR IT.

MINE IS IN THERE BECAUSE THE DISTRICT PAID FOR IT. EVERY DISTRICT IS DIFFERENT. I KNOW DISTRICTS PAY FOR IT AS WELL.

IT'S DEPENDING ON THE DISTRICT SO THAT'S WHY WONDERING IF THERE IS A POLICY OR SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE LOOKED

AT. >> THAT GENERALLY WHEN IT BE BOARD POLICY BECAUSE THE COUNTY RUNS THE ELECTIONS.

>> THE DISTRICT WOULD HAVE A POLICY ON WHETHER THEY PAY FOR

IT? >> ON THE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS AND HOW THEY ARE DONE AND WHAT THE COST IS. THEY SET THOSE RATES. WHETHER THE DISTRICT PAYS FOR IT OR NOT IS A DISTRICT POLICY. IT'S SIMPLY IF YOU GUYS WANT TO GO ONLINE WITH IT OR CONTINUE TO DO IT IN PRINT AND DISCUSSION CAN BE HAD ON THE DISTRICT'S POLICY IN REGARDS TO PAYMENT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I THINK IT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THE DISTRICT TO PAY FOR A CANDIDATE STATEMENT. THE DISTRICT DOES NOT SUPPORT CANDIDATES , SO THEREFORE, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE NEUTRAL . THEY DO NOT PAY.

THE COUNTY COULD BE REIMBURSED. I GOT MONEY BACK FROM MY CANDIDACY, BUT THE DISTRICT DOES NOT PAY. THERE'S NO BUDGET LINE ITEM WE PAY FOR CANDIDATES, CORRECT ME IF I'M

WRONG. >> THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WENT THROUGH THIS. THE DISTRICT PAID FOR MY STATEMENTS. I WON'T ARGUE BUT SOME DISTRICTS WANT TO DO THAT SO PEOPLE WILL APPLY AND SOME PEOPLE WILL RUN AND THEY CAN GET THEIR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS IN THERE. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING SUPER FOR REACHING. I KNOW A LOT OF DISTRICTS DO THAT BUT I WOULD BE IN FAVOR TO GOING ONLINE. IF I WERE GIVING

[01:40:02]

>> TO ECHO MISS STEWART BECAUSE IT WAS NOT JUST INCUMBENTS ARE BENEFIT TO INSTEAD ENHANCE HOW MANY CAN RUN OR AFFORD TO RUN SO IT MAKES SENSE BUT IT SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN POLICY. TO BE HONEST , I DON'T HAVE A STRONG FEELING ON THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO IT MORE. LET'S GO DOWN THE LINE . MS. GARZA.

>> I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF GOING ONLINE JUST YET. I THINK IT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO SEE IT IN WRITTEN FORM AS WELL. I CAN TELL YOU NOT EVERYONE GOES ONLINE, NOT EVERYBODY READS EMAILS. IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES TO DO THIS, BUT IF PLACED IN FRONT OF THEM ON A BOOK THEN I SEE WHERE THEY WOULD SIT DOWN AND BE FORCED TO KIND OF LOOK AT IT AND MAKE A MORE EDUCATED DECISION OR INFORMED DECISION. MY VOTE IS

NO. >> THANK YOU. I WOULD SAY IT DOES SEEM IT IS INEVITABLE THINGS WILL GO ONLINE ONLY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HIGH PROPENSITY VOTERS THE KIND OF

RELY ON THAT PRINT YEAH. >> IF WE DECIDE NOT TO GO ONLINE CAN THAT BE CHANGED YEAR-TO-YEAR OR ARE YOU JUST

STUCK WITH THAT? >> THAT WILL BE UP TO THE COUNTY IF THEY CONTINUE TO OPEN THAT UP. I WOULD BE FAIRLY CONFIDENT THEY WILL ALLOW YOU TO OPT INTO IT IF YOU SO

CHOOSE. >> I THINK I'M PORT IF THEY HAVE BOOKS OUT BEFORE THE BALLOTS. AGAIN, YOU ARTIE VOTE BEFORE YOU GET THE BOOK. YEAH.

>> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU CAN DO ONLINE AND PRINTED IF YOU

CHOOSE. FOR CANDIDATES, -- >> THE COUNTY OFFERS VARIOUS OPTIONS . THERE WAS AN ELECTION WHERE THEY JUST PUT THEM ONLINE ANYWAY AND THEY DID THE PRINT . IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM PRINTING DUE TO THE COSTS . THEY HAVEN'T COME OUT WITH THEIR SCHEDULE YET FOR THIS YEAR. I ASSUME IT WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PREVIOUS ELECTION DUE TO SO MANY INFLATIONARY FACTORS. IN ORDER TO KIND OF ASSIST WITH THE RISING COST OF DOING THAT METHOD OF INFORMATION DISBURSEMENT , I TRULY BELIEVE THEY WILL GO ONLINE FULLY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE ELECTION CYCLES.

>> THANK YOU. I THINK CHANGING ANYTHING AND HOW WE DO THINGS WITH ELECTIONS DURING AN ELECTION YEAR LET ALONE SO CLOSE PROBABLY ISN'T THE BEST THING TO DO. THIS MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE LOOK AT NEXT YEAR FOR MYSELF , I'M IN FAVOR OF KEEPING IT THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT VOTERS ARE EXPECTING. IF WE NEED TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE WE CAN. MY DIRECTION IS A WOOD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF THIS RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK THE COUNTY WILL DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE SAY.

>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WHAT WAS THAT? WHAT IS THAT? IS THAT

ABSTAIN? >> IT SOUNDED LIKE THEY BASICALLY MADE THEIR DECISION BUT NOW THEY ARE OFFERING SCHOOL BOARDS AND OPTION TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE.

THEY'VE ALREADY MADE THE DECISION TO GO ONLINE IF WE WANT TO PAY FOR OURSELVES TO GO TO PRINT THEN THAT IS STILL A VIABLE OPTION. I DON'T SEE IT AS YES OR NO. I THINK THEY'VE

MADE UP THEIR MINDS. >> WHAT IS THE QUESTION ON THE TABLE HERE WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING YOU CLEAR DIRECTION?

>> WE EITHER OPT IN TO GOING ONLINE ONLY OR WE OPT OUT AND THEY CONTINUE TO PRINT AND WHATEVER COST THEY PUT UP FOR THAT DISTRICT WILL BE STUCK WITH IT. THE ONLY THING I DID WANT TO CAUTION IS THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED THE COST YET FOR PRINT. IF THAT COST IS HIGHER , WHAT THEY DID NOT MAKE CLEAR IS IF THE CANDIDATE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT ONLINE ONLY.

>> THAT CAN BE A SEPARATE QUESTION AS FAR AS THE DISTRICT

[01:45:02]

PARTICIPATION IN THAT COST. >> THE ISSUE IS GOING TO BE THAT IF WE OPT OUT THIS EVENING OR GIVE DIRECTION TO OPT OUT, CANDIDATES MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO POST THEIR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS ONLINE ONLY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SO THEY WILL BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE PRINT UNLESS THE DISTRICT

DECIDES TO COVER IT. >> CAN WE FIND OUT WHAT THE RELATIVE COST WOULD BE AND HAVE THAT IN THE FRIDAY MEMO AND PROVIDE DIRECTION AFTER TALKING TO THE BOARD MEMBERS?

>> THE COUNTY HAS NOT RELEASED THAT SCHEDULE. THEY NEED AN ANSWER PRIOR TO THAT SCHEDULE. THAT IS THE CONUNDRUM NOW . THE DECISION IS IF THE DISTRICT DECIDES TO OPT IN THE COST IS FIXED AT ROUGHLY $280 . IF THE DISTRICT OPS OUT THE COST IS UNKNOWN BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS NOT YET RELEASED THOSE NUMBERS AND WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE FOR THIS YEAR GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON. I WILL MENTION THAT BECAUSE OTHER ENTITIES ARE GOING ONLINE , PRINTING COSTS WILL LIKELY GO UP BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PRINTING IN THE QUANTITIES THEY WERE BEFORE. ALL FACTORS TO CONSIDER.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE IN OTHER LANGUAGES TOO?

>> DIGITAL WILL BE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. I BELIEVE DIGITAL

WILL BE IN EVERY LANGUAGE. >> BECAUSE THE COST FOR HAVING IT IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES IS QUITE HIGH , IF IT IS ONLINE FOR THE SAME COST FOR MULTIPLE LANGUAGES I THINK THAT IS A BETTER OPTION FOR CANDIDATES. YOU'VE GOT MY ANSWER.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU WILL HAVE THIS ANSWER BUT I WILL ASK ANYWAYS, THE 279, IS THAT FOR ALL THE LANGUAGES? RIGHT NOW THERE IS A SEPARATION BETWEEN IF YOU WANTED ENGLISH OR SPANISH WHICH MOST CANDIDATES DO BOTH, BUT IF YOU DO 279

IT'LL COVER ALL LANGUAGES? >> THAT I WILL HAVE TO CLARIFY.

THEY WERE NOT CLEAR ON THAT. MY GUESS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING THIS COST-SAVING MEASURE AND ADDING INCENTIVES IT WOULD BUT I CAN CLARIFY WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE IT DOES COVER ALL

TRANSLATIONS. >> IF IT DOES , THEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 2000 MINIMUM OR MORE DEPENDING ON COST COMPARED TO THE 279. I WOULD STILL BE IN FAVOR, YES.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BY THE BOARD?

>> WHAT DO WE DO WHEN IT'S 2-2?

>> A TIE DOES NOT GO TO THE RUNNER. WE WOULD OPT OUT AT

THIS POINT. >> I'M GOOD WITH THAT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ON TO -- THAT WAS THE LAST. NOW WE GO TO

[12. MAJOR ACTION]

PARTICIPATION IN THE SAME HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS PROGRAM PROVIDED TO OTHER MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES , 8000 ANNUAL STIPEND FOR THE TRAVELING BUSINESS-RELATED EXPENSES INCLUDING MILEAGE, $1250 ANNUAL STIPEND FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE, THE DISTRICT FOR THE DUES FOR RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF DR. SMITH'S CHOICE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE

BOARD? >> IF I CAN ADD A COUPLE

[01:50:03]

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. MADAME CLERK

GARZA. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO READ SOME COMMENTS HERE. I BELIEVE I REQUESTED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MANY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA ACTUALLY HAD EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS FOR THE CABINET MEMBERS. I BELIEVE AT THIS POINT WE HAVE ABOUT 14 SURROUNDING DISTRICTS, SOME ARE PARAMOUNT . THIS IS I BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED AT THIS POINT. WE NEED A LOT OF HANDS ON DECK ESPECIALLY COMING UP TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR . IT IS IMPORTANT THE TRANSITION FROM TRADITION TO BEST PRACTICES IS RECOMMENDED BY LEADING INDUSTRY TO BENEFIT A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THAT THESE PRACTICES ARE ROOTED IN EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE EFFICIENCY , EQUITY AND STUDENT SUCCESS. I AM IN AGREEMENT OF OFFERING THIS CONTRACT . IT IS VERY NECESSARY. WE DO HAVE AN ENROLLMENT THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T TURN AWAY FROM. WE CAN'T JUST NEGATE BUT THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT OUR DISTRICT NEEDS AT THIS POINT.

WE NEED EXECUTIVES WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR. AT THIS TIME, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE BEST OPTION. THIS IS A GREAT OPTION

FOR US. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DR. ELHESSEN .

>> FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY, AS A BOARD MEMBER I NEVER SAW JOB DESCRIPTION EITHER. THAT'S ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW IT FITS INTO OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. I NEVER SAW A RESUME. WHAT SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS THAT THIS IS ADDRESSED TO OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT? WHAT DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ARE WE OVERSEEING? THERE IS SO MUCH AMBIGUITY THAT WAS NOT PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OR NOT TO THIS BOARD MEMBER. I'M NOT SURE IF OTHER BOARD MEMBERS WERE PRIVY TO INFORMATION, BUT I WAS NOT. IN REGARDS TO THE SALARY SCHEDULE WE DON'T HAVE THIS POSITION, SO HOW IS THE SALARY SCHEDULE CREATED? WHO NEGOTIATED IT?

>> I THINK THAT IS A QUESTION. >> I AM ASKING OUR SUPERINTENDENT. SHE OVERSEES ADMINISTRATION.

>> AS FAR AS THE ACTUAL CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT THIS IS A TYPICAL CONTRACT AND IT IS AN EXECUTIVE MEMBER. THE FORMAT OF THE CONTRACT , ACTUAL WRITING OF THE CONTRACT, I DID IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR GENERAL COUNSEL TO ENSURE THE DISTRICT WAS COVERED AND THAT ALL ITEMS WITHIN THAT CONTRACT MET A

CONTRACT AGREEMENT. >> THAT WASN'T MY QUESTION.

HOW AND FOR THIS PARTICULAR SALARY SCHEDULE SINCE WE DO NOT HAVE THIS POSITION AS DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, THERE WAS NO SALARY SCHEDULE CREATED. HOW WAS HIS SALARY DETERMINED?

BASED ON WHAT? >> TYPICALLY AN EXECUTIVE CABINET MEMBER IS PROVIDED A SALARY OFFER THAT IS NEGOTIATED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THAT CONTRACT. THERE IS NO SALARY SCHEDULE OF ANY POSITION CREATED. WE DON'T

[01:55:06]

>> I WILL ALLOW OUR COUNSEL TO JUMP IN BUT I CAN SHARE THAT YOUR CURRENT ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT IS NOT ON THAT MANAGEMENT SALARY AS WELL. NOT ALL CABINET POSITIONS ARE LISTED ON YOUR MANAGEMENT SCALE. THIS IS NOT ATYPICAL.

>> BASED ON SALARY SCHEDULES THEY ARE IN STEPS. THEY START

AND THEY CAN INCREASE . >> YOU HAVE THAT FOR AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, NOT FOR AN ASSOCIATE, NOT FOR DEPUTY AND NOT FOR SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. WE DON'T HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION, DO YOU HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION?

>> I WOULD HAPPY SHARE WITH YOU A JOB DESCRIPTION.

>> A JOB DESCRIPTION THAT FITS OUR DISTRICT. YOU ARE SAYING IT'S NEEDED. WE VALUE HIS SKILLS , WHICH I DON'T KNOW

WHAT THOSE ARE YET. >> I WILL COME BACK IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. I'LL GO OVER TO MS. STEWART.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS. I THINK WE CAN ALL SEE ON OUR BOARD AGENDAS AND I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE BOARD MEMBER OR TWO BOARD MEMBERS OR THREE ARE GIVEN ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE NOT GIVEN. WE ALL GET THE SAME MEMOS, WE ALL HAVE THE SAME DISCUSSIONS, WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS IN CLOSED SESSION WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK WITH OUR PUBLIC AND IF YOU LOOK AT OUR BOARD AGENDAS RIGHT NOW WE ARE DOWN SOME PEOPLE. I THINK THAT'S PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AT THIS POINT AND WE NEED SOME SUPPORT. HAVING A DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT COME IN TO SUPPORT OUR INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS BASICALLY DOING EVERYTHING BY HERSELF IS NEEDED. I WOULD SUPPORT THIS AND AGREE 100% WITH THIS, IT'S A TEMPORARY TWO-YEAR CONTRACT AND WE NEED IT. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND SEE WHAT'S LACKING I THINK EVERYONE IN THE PUBLIC WOULD SEE WE NEED SOME HELP BEFORE WE PUT PEOPLE IN PLACE. I SUPPORT THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WANTED TO CLARIFY SOMETHING. SALARY SCHEDULE EXISTS CURRENTLY FOR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, HOWEVER DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, THIS POSITION IS NOT SOMETHING BEING CREATED AND VOTED ON BY THE BOARD THIS EVENING. THE SALARY AMOUNT IS AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT STATED SOMETHING NEGOTIATED. THE REASON YOU DON'T HAVE STEPS OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE IS BECAUSE IT IS A TERM CONTRACT WHICH MEANS THAT FOR TWO YEARS THIS INDIVIDUAL WILL RECEIVE THE SALARY, IT DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN BASED ON ANY OTHER NEGOTIATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE WITH OTHER UNION ORGANIZATIONS. ANYTHING THAT IS CHANGED IN THIS CONTRACT IS DONE SO BY BOARD APPROVAL. IF THE BOARD AT THE END OF THE TWO YEARS WANTS TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT, RAISE THE SALARY, DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS THESE KIND OF CONTRACTS FOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT ALLOW FOR THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN ADDITION IN TERMS OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART THAT IS YET TO BE BASICALLY PRESENTED TO THE BOARD BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY IN FLUX, BUT THIS POSITION HAS BEEN DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THAT'S WHY IT'S BEING BROUGHT FORTH TO THE BOARD THIS EVENING. IN TERMS OF ANY KIND OF SET POSITIONS THIS IS AN EXACT POSITION, THAT'S WHY IT IS ON CONTRACT SIMILAR TO THE NEXT ITEM THAT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD. IT IS GENERAL BEST PRACTICE TO HAVE EXECUTIVE LEVEL ON CONTRACT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE BOARD CREATOR FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF DECISIONS MADE REGARDING SEPARATION AND SO ON AND SO FORTH OTHERWISE YOU DEFAULT TO THE CODE WHICH BASICALLY FORCES THE BOARD TO BE STUCK UNTIL A MARCH 15TH NOTICE CAN BE GIVEN TO THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS IS A MORE FLEXIBLE AND DETAILED STRUCTURE THAT BASICALLY ALLOWS FOR FLUIDITY OF CHANGE SHOULD IT ARISE.

>> THANK YOU. MADAME CLERK GARZA.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO MAKE MY BOARD MEMBER AWARE THAT I ALSO HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT IT AND I REACHED OUT TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT JUST LIKE YOU AND OUR OTHER BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO DO SO. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HER BECAUSE I ASKED THE SAME THING SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. I ASKED HOW MANY OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE THIS AND SHE PROVIDED THAT. MY POINT IS I DID REACH OUT, I DID HAVE THAT

[02:00:07]

>> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?

>> I HAVEN'T FINISHED MY QUESTION. WE ARE A PUBLIC INSTITUTION. DID YOU POST THIS POSITION?

>> AS YOU ARE AWARE, NOT ALL ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS

REQUIRED TO BE POSTED. >> SINCE HE'S ALREADY STARTED WORKING THE POSITION , HE'S ALREADY RECEIVING HIS BENEFITS AND SO FORTH OR HE'S JUST WORKING FOR FREE NOW?

>> THIS IS TECHNICALLY A RATIFICATION . YOU'RE RATIFYING A CONTRACT DATED JUNE 1ST.

>> IN THAT CASE HE IS . WE JUST SAW THE CONTRACT. I'M BRINGING IT TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION BECAUSE MANY HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME IN REGARDS TO BEING SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS NOT TRANSPARENT AND THIS WAS NOT BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC. MY CONCERN IS IT SEEMS THAT THIS POSITION WAS NOT EVEN IN OUR BUDGET SO IT'S NOT EVEN IN OUR BUDGET IN REGARDS TO PAYING DR.

SMITH. THAT WAS A CONCERN OF MINE. THE OTHER CONCERN IS THAT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT ANY PERSONNEL HIRING , USUALLY THE SUPERINTENDENT BRINGS IT FIRST TO THE BOARD. YOU JUST BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF HAVING IT AND THAT WAS IT. NOTHING WAS REPORTED OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING, NOTHING WAS REPORTED OUT IN REGARDS TO HOW THIS WAS GOING TO FIT INTO OUR DISTRICT, WHAT WERE THE REASONS? I KNOW THERE'S A NEED, I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT THE LACK OF PROTOCOL, PROCEDURE AND TRANSPARENCY WAS NOT EVIDENT HERE. THAT IS VERY CONCERNING AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL AND AS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR BUDGET, THIS IS OVER $255,000 THAT USUALLY IS NOT AUTHORIZED WITHOUT WORD APPROVAL. IT'S NOT EVEN IN THE BUDGET THAT WE

ALREADY REVIEWED. >> THANK YOU. I WILL MAKE A COMMENT AND KICK IT BACK OVER TO MR. RICK. I AM 100% IN FAVOR AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON BOARD. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. IF WE WANT TO HAVE STRONG LEADERSHIP AND MAKE CHANGE WE DO NEED TO HAVE LEADERSHIP THAT HAS SUPPORT.

THAT IS ONLY GOING TO HELP AND SUPPORT EVERYTHING WE DO. MAYBE IT IS A TEMPORARY THING BUT RIGHT NOW WE NEED THE SUPPORT, SO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON BOARD. I WILL SAY ONE THING TO THE TRANSPARENCY. THIS IS PART OF HOUSECLEANING. THIS IS PART OF GETTING THINGS IN ORDER SO WE HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY. I DON'T MEAN TO DIRECT IT TO YOU, BUT WHEN I HEAR THAT THIS IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THE ONLY REASON WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE THERE'S A CONTRACT TO TALK ABOUT. BEFORE THE PRACTICE WAS TO NOT HAVE CONTRACTS. THAT IS LESS TRANSPARENT THAN WHAT WE DO NOW. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE BOTH CLARITY BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ELEMENT OF AMBIGUITY BEFORE AND HAVING THAT STRUCTURE AND PROTECTION FOR THE WORKER IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD WORKING ENVIRONMENT. WE TALK ABOUT HAVING A COLLABORATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT BUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE FEEL VALUED AND SECURE IN THEIR POSITION SO THEY CAN DO THE WORK THEY DO. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND THE OPPOSITE OF NOT TRANSPARENT. I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE AND I WILL KICK IT OVER TO MRS. STEWART.

>> WE KEEP SAYING THAT IT WASN'T BROUGHT TO THE PUBLIC.

IT IS RIGHT NOW AND WE CAN VOTE YES OR NO. TO SAY WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS . BROWN ACT IS NOT ALLOW US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE TALKED IN CLOSED SESSION BUT OUR BOARD MEMBERS KNOW WHAT WE TALK ABOUT. TO SAY THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HEARING ABOUT IT OR ANYONE DIDN'T HAVE INFORMATION

I BELIEVE THAT'S A LIE. >> THAT'S NOT A LIE AND I WILL

DEFEND -- >> I WILL CALL ON YOU WHEN MS.

STEWART IS DONE. >> I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS CONTRACT. HE STARTED BEFORE WE AGREED. WE ARE HAVING A

[02:05:03]

DISCUSSION AFTER THE FACT. >> MY FELLOW COLLEAGUES I WOULD LIKE US TO KEEP OUR COMMENTS DIRECTED AT THE ITEM ON THE TABLE AND NOT EACH OTHER. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION AT THIS TIME?

>> BOARD MEMBERS DO IT, WHAT I AM SAYING --

>> PLEASE CONTINUE. >> USUALLY THE PERSON STARTS AFTER WE APPROVE THE CONTRACT, NOT BEFORE.

>> THANK YOU . I WILL MOVE ON TO MADAME CLERK GARZA.

>> THANK YOU. WHERE WOULD MR. SMITH LIE ON OUR ORGANIZATIONAL

CHART? >> RIGHT UNDERNEATH ME.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE POWER TO APPOINT OR CHOOSE

SOMEONE TO COME AND HELP YOU? >> YES.

>> AFTER YOU'VE DONE THAT I BELIEVE THIS IS UNDER YOUR PEER REVIEW AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SO BRINGING IT NOW TO US RATIFY THIS CONTRACT IS WELL WITHIN YOUR AUTHORITY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. YOU'VE HIRED ME TO MANAGE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DISTRICT AND ASKED ME TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THIS DISTRICT FORWARD. THIS IS MY

RECOMMENDATION TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I SUPPORT IT. >> AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO

CALL FOR THE VOTE. >> I STILL HAVE A COMMENT OR ARE YOU NOT ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THAT COMMENT? JUST A CLARIFICATION, YOU DO NEED A MOTION AND SECOND BEFORE ROLL CALL. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU MRS. ACEVEDO BECAUSE AS OUR LEGAL COUNSEL SAID DISPOSITION IS DEEMED NECESSARY BY HER SUPERINTENDENT SO TO NOT VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT OUR LEADER THINKS WE NEED FOR OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS TIMMY IS APPALLING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I WILL SUPPORT THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT.

>> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE. DO I HAVE A

SECOND? >> DID WE END DISCUSSIONS?

>> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

>> YOU HAD CALLED FOR THE VOTE AT WHICH POINT THE MOTION WAS

MADE. >> THANK YOU.

>> NO. >> MRS. GARZA.

>> YES. >> MRS. STEWART.

>> YES. >> MOTION PASSES, 3-1. THE SECOND MAJOR ACTION ITEM THIS EVENING IS 12.2 APPROVAL .

WELCOME, DR. SMITH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK

YOU. >> ITEM 12.2, APPROVAL OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT .

GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953 C3 REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BE READ IN OPEN SESSION AND BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN ON THE AGREEMENT FOR THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAKE AN ORAL SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATION FOR FINAL ACTION ON THE SALARY OR COMPENSATION PAID IN THE FORM OF FRINGE BENEFITS OF A LOCAL AGENCY EXECUTIVE CONSISTENT WITH THE BOARD PROVIDING THE SUMMARY AS ON THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND MISS BONNIE CARTER. THE TERM IS EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST 2024 TO JUNE 30TH 2026. SALARY IS 219,536 $.24. PARTICIPATION IN THE SAME HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS FOR THE CERTIFICATE EMPLOYEES 8000 ANNUAL FOR BUSINESS-RELATED EXPENSES INCLUDING MILEAGE, 1250 ANNUAL STIPEND FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE , DISTRICT PAID FOR THE DUES RELEVANT OR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF MS. CARTER'S CHOICE SUBJECT FOR APPROVAL. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?

[02:10:04]

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO BONNIE. I THINK YOU'RE AMAZING AND I DO THINK WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU HERE. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE A SUPERINTENDENT ONE DAY AND I'VE TOLD YOU THAT. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BACK HERE ON OUR CONTRACT . I WOULD SUPPORT

THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES COMMENTS FOR MS. CARTER. I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT THIS SHIFT WE ARE NOW GOING INTO HAVING ALL OUR EXECUTIVE CABINET ON CONTRACTS HELPS AVOID CRITICISM -- CRITICIZING PREVIOUS BOARD MEMBER DECISIONS BY EMPHASIZING A APPROACH BASED ON EXPERT GUIDANCE HAVING EXECUTIVE CABINET STAFF ON APPROVED CONTRACTS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT EVOLUTION FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT UNLIKE THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICE APPROVE CONTRACT PROVIDES CLARITY, STABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR EXECUTIVE ROLES. THIS ALIGNS WITH INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES ENSURING COMPENSATION, PERFORMANCE, EXPECTATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. IT ENHANCES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF TOP TALENT OFFERING ASSURANCES IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROOF OF CONTRACTS, PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS.

SAFEGUARDING THE DISTRICTS CONTINUITY AND EFFECTIVENESS BY EMBRACING THESE CONTRACTS. THE DISTRICT DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM, GOVERNMENTS AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF ITS EXECUTIVE TEAM. ULTIMATELY BENEFITING THE

ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU. DR. ELHESSEN.

>> I THINK BONNIE DOES A GREAT JOB. I HAVE KNOWN HER LONGER THAN ANY BOARD MEMBER HERE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR NINE YEARS. I HAVE NO QUESTION ABOUT HER QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CONTRACT. MY QUESTION IS ABOUT PROCESS. SHE'S BEEN WORKING UNDER ED CODE ALL THESE YEARS AND HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE.

WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN IS THIS NOW HAVING TO BE A CONTRACT?

>> MOVING FORWARD THE PROCESS FOR ANY EXECUTIVE CABINET MEMBER WOULD BE TO BE ON CONTRACT AS A BEST PRACTICE

RECOMMENDATION. >> HOW DOES THAT SUPPORT THE

DISTRICT? >> AS GENERAL COUNSEL HAS SHARED THEIR BENEFITS TO THE DISTRICT THERE ARE ALSO BENEFITS TO THE EMPLOYEE. IT HELPS BOTH ENTITIES.

>> SINCE ED CODE PROVIDES THOSE SUPPORTS HOW IS IT DIFFERENT

FROM ED CODE? >> I BELIEVE THE ED CODE YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS THE MARCH 15TH ED CODE. IF YOU WERE TO OPT OUT OF THAT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE

REFERRING TO? >> IT PROVIDES CONTRACTUAL AND SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT AS WELL AS FOR THE EMPLOYEE. HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT IN REGARDS TO CONTRACT VERSUS ED CODE ?

>> I CAN'T ANSWER THAT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ED CODE

YOU'RE REFERRING TO. >> IN GENERAL THE EMPLOYMENT PROCESS THERE ARE SEVERAL ED CODES THAT FALL UNDER THIS AREA. WHEN LOOKING AT SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT HOW DOES IT

DIFFER FROM ED CODE? >> IN THE CONTRACT IT ALLOWS FOR CERTAIN PROVISIONS THAT DON'T EXIST IN ANY CODE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF AN INDIVIDUAL WAS TO BE TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A SEVERANCE WHICH GIVES THE EMPLOYEE CERTAIN SECURITIES IN THAT POSITION WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE FREE OF RELEASED ON ARBITRARY MARCH 15TH DATE. IT ALSO OUTLINES CERTAIN THINGS THEY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO INCLUDING THE STIPEND , PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, GIVEN THE EVALUATIONS LAID OUT IN THERE.

IT TAKES THINGS MORE NEBULOUS WITHIN THE ED CODE AND PUTS THEM IN DETAIL IN THE CONTRACT. THE REASON YOU WOULD WANT YOUR EXECUTIVE LEVEL STAFF ON CONTRACT IS BECAUSE THOSE POSITIONS ARE GENERALLY AT WILL POSITIONS WHICH GIVES THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY AND ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER THOSE POSITIONS AND IF CHANGE NEEDS TO BE MADE THAT ORGANIZATIONAL SHIFT CAN OCCUR VERY QUICKLY WHEREAS WITH THE ED CODE IT DOES TAKE TIME TO AFFECT THOSE CHANGES. THIS

[02:15:03]

>> I WILL COME BACK AFTER I GO FOR ANOTHER ROUND.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING CONTRACTS. OUR WORKERS, OUR TEACHERS, EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH HAS A CONTRACT. TO THINK THAT OUR DISTRICT EXECUTIVES SHOULD NOT SIGN A CONTRACT , I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. THANK YOU FOR CLEANING THIS UP AND BRINGING THESE CONTRACTS AND I'M EXCITED TO HAVE BONNIE

BACK IF WE VOTE YES. >> THANK YOU. MADAME CLERK

GARZA. >> THANK YOU. I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHY YOU DON'T WANT OUR EXECUTIVE CABINET ON CONTRACT. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO ME?

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE ED CODE IS MORE PROTECTION FOR THE

EMPLOYEE. >> ED CODE IS SO NEBULOUS. IT IS SO WIDE-RANGING. IT DOESN'T OFFER VERY MANY BENEFITS .

>> LET'S GET OUR COMMENTS TO THE ITEM AND NOT EACH OTHER.

>> IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY DISCUSSION TO THE PERSON ON THE DAIS THEN DO NOT ADDRESS THAT PERSON.

>> DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? I WILL THROW IN MY OWN. BONNIE, YOU'RE AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I ENJOY RECOGNITIONS MORE KNOWING YOU DO THEM BECAUSE YOU DO SUCH A GREAT JOB ON THOSE AND EVERYTHING YOU DO. I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE BUT YOU ARE MY CANARY. I DON'T KNOW HOW BAD THINGS ARE GETTING AND I JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT YOU. AS LONG AS YOU ARE TOOL -- COOL, I'M COOL. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE IT AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

>> ALL DUE RESPECT, I DO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES. THIS IS THE TIME TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS. WE ARE DISCUSSING AN ITEM AND I UNDERSTAND TALKING TO THE ITEM AND US BEING RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER LETTING EACH OTHER TALK AND I KNOW WE ARE PASSIONATE, BUT I DO THINK THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT MAY HELP ONE OR THE OTHERS TO THINK DIFFERENTLY. THAT'S HOW IT GOES. ALL DUE RESPECT I WOULD ASK THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ITEMS

ON OUR AGENDA. >> LET ME BE CLEAR I'M NOT OPPOSED TO DISCUSSION. IF IT BECOMES BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN YOU AND WE ARE NOT PART OF THE DISCUSSION IT SHOULD BE A BOARD DISCUSSION. HAVE THE DISCUSSION BUT LET'S KEEP IT PRODUCTIVE

AND RESPECTFUL. >> I'VE BEEN RESPECTFUL AND YOU KEEP CUTTING ME OFF. IF MS. GARZA HAS A QUESTION FOR ME AND I RESPOND AND YOU STOP ME THAT IS NOT OPEN DISCUSSION. THAT IS NOT SUPPORTING OPEN DISCUSSION. YOU CAN'T TALK FROM BOTH SIDES

OF YOUR MOUTH. >> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD TO THE ITEM? THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A MOTION?

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE .

>> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL PLEASE.

>> I APPROVE OF THE CONTRACT BUT NOT THE PROCESS.

>> MRS. GARZA. THIS STEWART. >> WHAT WAS THE VOTE?

>> IT'S EITHER YES OR NO ON THE VOTE OR ABSTAIN. IF A BOARD MEMBER COULD PLEASE PROVIDE YES OR NO.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> CONGRATULATIONS, BONNIE.

>> THANK YOU . >> IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD

LIKE TO RECOGNIZE? >> NOT AT THIS TIME.

>> THE BOARD WILL TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS AND WE WILL

[13. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> WE WILL RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:42 P.M. WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS TO

[02:20:01]

NONE . >> I HAVE A LIGHT ON IF YOU'RE

WILLING TO ACCEPT IT. >> DR. ELHESSEN.

>> 13.23, ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.

>> 13 POINT -- 23? ANY OTHER ITEMS TO WITHHOLD THIS EVENING? OKAY, HEARING NONE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WITHHOLD ITEMS 13.23?

>> MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> DR. ELHESSEN. MRS. GARZA.

[13.23. ADOPTION OF BUDGET FOR 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR; RESOLUTION FOR DESIGNATING CERTAIN GENERAL FUNDS AS COMMITTED FUND BALANCE]

MRS. STEWART. >> ALL RIGHT. THE ITEM WITHHELD FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA WOULD BE ITEM 13.23. OUR BUDGET.

QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? DR. ELHESSEN.

>> SINCE WE ARE ADOPTING A BUDGET AND WE HAVE JUST APPROVED THE CONTRACT HOW DOES THAT WORK, THIS IS A QUESTION.

IS THAT GOING TO BE ADDED TO THE BUDGET? ONCE WE APPROVE IT, CAN ITEMS BE ADDED AND COST BE ADDED? OR ONCE WE APPROVE IT THAT IS IT?

>> IT WOULD BE DONE THROUGH A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR THE DEPARTMENT CHOOSING THAT POSITION. A BUDGET TRANSFER.

>> FROM OUR GENERAL FUND? >> CORRECT.

>> ONCE WE APPROVE IT THAT WILL BE ADDED AT A LATER DATE AND WE

APPROVE IT AT A LATER TIME? >> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A PERSONNEL ACTION FORM TO APPROVE THAT POSITION AND THEN THERE WOULD BE AN ITEM IN THE BUDGET TO APPROVE THAT POSITION

AND PUT IT IN THE BUDGET. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. NO

FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT

STEWART. >> IS THERE ALSO A BUDGET FOR ALL THE POSITIONS THAT WE DON'T HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW AND HOW WOULD WE DO THAT? WOULD WE HAVE A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR ALL OF THE THINGS WE HAVE ALLOCATED?

>> THOSE WOULD BE IN THE BUDGET AS VACANT RIGHT NOW AND ONCE THEY WOULD BE FILLED THEN THAT AMOUNT THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR THE POSITION WOULD SERVE THAT POSITION.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ALL RIGHT. DO I HAVE A

MOTION? >> MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 13.23. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

>> DR. ELHESSEN. MRS. GARZA. MRS. STEWART. MR.CRIHFIELD.

[14. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS]

>> IT IS TIME FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS TO COMMUNICATE AND REPORT OUT. WE WILL START WITH DR. ELHESSEN.

>> THANK YOU. I WAS ASKED TO READ A PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG SINCE SHE IS NOT HERE. GOOD EVENING , BELLFLOWER FAMILY. I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU. I ASKED MEMBER DR. SUE TO READ THIS STATEMENT ON MY BEHALF DUE TO MY NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY TONIGHT.

AFTER THE BOARD MEETING ON JUNE 13TH I INFORMED INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT MEETING VIA ZOOM OR PHONE CALL. ORIGINALLY THE 20TH WAS NOT A MEETING DATE AND I WAS SCHEDULED TO BE OUT OF TOWN.

HOWEVER I STILL WANTED TO PARTICIPATE. I WAS INFORMED A FEW HOURS AGO THAT I WAS UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE DUE TO THE BROWN ACT TELECONFERENCING ROLES. AS YOU KNOW, AS SOME OF YOU KNOW , AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW I WAS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE VIA PHONE IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT REACHED OUT TO COUNCIL ON TUESDAY BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO FOLLOW THROUGH. SUCH AS GIVING NOTICE AND

[02:25:01]

REGARDS, RENITA ARMSTRONG. NOW I WILL PROCEED WITH MY BOARD

REPORT. >> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TALKING ABOUT HAVING A CELL PHONE OR REMOVING CELL PHONES FROM THE CLASSROOM AND NOW L.A. UNIFIED HAS MOVED FORWARD AND DONE SO.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR A DISTRICT TO LOOK AT THAT IN REGARDS TO SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS LEARNING AND CREATING HIGHER PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS. I'VE ALSO BEEN REQUESTING THE SAME INFORMATION. IN ADDITION I WANTED TO SHARE THAT I AM IN SUPPORT OF DR. SMITH. WHAT I WAS OBJECTING TO WAS THE PROCESS AND THE TRANSPARENCY WHICH I FEEL WAS LACKING. I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED MISS CARTER, THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION IS WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR PARENTS IN MAKING SURE THEIR KIDS COME. IT SUPPORTS OUR A.D.A. AND HOPEFULLY WILL REDUCE OUR DECLINING ENROLLMENT IF STUDENTS START COMING INTO CLASS SO I ENCOURAGE STAFF TO START LOOKING INTO THE PROCESS OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN ATTENDING. THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION IS I WOULD LIKE FOR OUR AD HOC COMMITTEE IN REGARDS TO SUPPORTING SPECIAL ED AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO MEET AGAIN SOON SO THAT WE KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING AND PROVIDE SUPPORT AS MOVING FORWARD BEFORE THE ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR SO THAT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND PARENTS WILL HAVE BETTER SUPPORT FOR THE UPCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. MADAME CLERK GARZA.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT , EXECUTIVE STAFF, CLASSIFIEDS, CERTIFICATE PERSONNEL. WE FINISHED OUT 2023, 2024 SCHOOL YEAR. IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS SEEING ALL THE PICTURES AND BEEN AT THE GRADUATIONS. IT IS NICE TO SEE IT COME TO FRUITION WHAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN FOR SO MANY YEARS. I AM VERY CONFIDENT OUR STUDENTS WILL DO WELL IN THE NEXT PART OF THEIR JOURNEY. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT IF I CAN PLEASE REQUEST THE SP 24 49 TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR FRIDAY MEMO BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED MORE CLARIFICATION AS TO HOW BOARD MEMBERS CAN BE PART OF OUR MEETING ONLINE. IT WAS NOT DENIED. IT IS REALLY A QUESTION OF PROCESS. I THINK WE ALL NEED THAT. MYSELF INCLUDED. IF WE CAN HAVE THAT PLEASE INCLUDED THIS FRIDAY IN OUR MEMO, I THINK IT WOULD HELP US GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. I HAVE A LOG REPORT BUT THEIRS WAS SHORT. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE MET WITH CARRIE MCDANIELS ON MAY 30TH, CHECKED IN WITH ONE OF OUR LOCAL YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUES ON MAY 31ST. IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED OUT THIS WEEK PLEASE DO SO. IT'S THE BELLFLOWER BUCCANEERS YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THEY'RE HELPING SO MANY CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I APPRECIATE THE COACHES AND STAFF FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR FAMILIES. I STOPPED BY THEIR PRACTICE THAT NIGHT AND I HAD A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION AND THEY HAD A LOT OF KIDS SO IT WAS AWESOME. I ATTENDED ALL THREE GRADUATION CEREMONIES.

ALL THREE CEREMONIES WERE FABULOUS AND I'M SO PROUD OF OUR 2024 GRADUATES. CONGRATS TO THEM. ON JUNE 8TH I ATTENDED A WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN PROGRESS PARK. PARAMOUNT HAS AN ALL WOMEN CITY COUNCIL THAT I RESPECT AND ADMIRE AND I'M INSPIRED BY THIS EVENT, THIS IS MY SECOND YOU'RE GOING AND I'M THANKFUL I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND. ON JUNE 10TH I MET WITH MRS. AZEVEDO . ON JUNE 11TH I MET AGAIN AS WELL AS OUR BUSINESS SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW THE BUDGET AND TO LEARN MORE AND THAT'S SOMETHING I REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON IS LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET SOMETHING FOR THEY WERE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND ANSWER SOME OF OUR QUESTIONS.

ON JUNE 16TH IT WAS FATHER'S DAY SO I HOPE PRESIDENT

[02:30:04]

THANK YOU TO MS. WHITNEY AND ALL OF HER STAFF, THEY DO GREAT THINGS MONTH TO MONTH SO I APPRECIATE THEM. YESTERDAY WE CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT DAY OFF AND CELEBRATING AND UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF THIS HOLIDAY. I WOULD TAKE I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE TIME IN MY REPORT TO SPEAK A LITTLE ABOUT A FEW RANDOM QUESTIONS I'VE HAD CONCERNS IN THE YEARS TO COME AND MY VISION. THE FIRST TIME I WAS EVER ASKED WHAT MY VISION WAS WAS WHEN I MET WITH MRS. AZEVEDO . NOBODY HAS EVER ASKED ME THAT IN THE YEAR AND A HALF I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD SO I WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE WHAT I THINK. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN OUR DISTRICT CONTINUING TO GROW AS BETTER LEADERSHIP. LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING, IT STARTS FROM THE TOP DOWN AND THIS DISTRICT WAS AND IS STILL READY FOR CHANGE. WE NEED GOOD ADMINISTRATORS WHO COMMUNICATE AND COLLABORATE AND WE NEED OUR TEACHERS AND WORKERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO BE GOOD LEADERS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. MY VISION FOR MY EMPLOYEES IS CHARACTER MATTERS, WE EMBRACE PROBLEM-SOLVING, WE ARE SOLUTION ORIENTED , WE ARE HONEST, COLLABORATIVE, TRANSPARENT AND WE CAN EXPLAIN WHY TO OUR EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS. IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO DO IT. IF WE CANNOT DO SOMETHING LET'S EXPLAIN WHY. I THINK THAT GOES A LONG WAY WITH OUR TRANSPARENCY AND WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT OUR DISTRICT. I'VE SPOKEN TO HER INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT ON MANY OCCASIONS AND I WILL NOT SPEAK FOR HER BUT I DO KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT CHARACTER MATTERS TO HER AS WELL. I WANT US TO HIRE GREAT PEOPLE IN POSITIONS WHERE WE NEED TO GROW. I WANT US TO COLLABORATE AND SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES. I WANT US TO HAVE TOUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH HONESTY AND HUMANITY BEHIND THEM. I WANT US TO COMMUNICATE AND FIND OUT HOW WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE'RE ALWAYS LEARNING AND GROWING AND I EXPECT WE CONTINUE TO GO THROUGHOUT MY YEARS HERE ON THE BOARD. WHAT I LOVE ABOUT HER INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT IS WE ARE FINALLY COLLABORATING AS A BOARD AND DISTRICT. WERE ASKING FOR INFORMATION AND GETTING RESPONSES TO OUR QUESTIONS. OUR MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SHORTER AND I FINALLY FEEL WE HAVE A VISION OR ARE MOVING TOWARDS A VISION WITH A STRONG LEADER WHO UNDERSTANDS OUR DISTRICT AND WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS FINALLY. I KNOW IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS LITTLE CHANGE AT TIMES BUT MANY CHANGES ARE HAPPENING. MANY PROJECTS ARE BEING WORKED ON NOW AND THINGS ARE GOING REALLY GREAT IN MY OPINION. I FINALLY FEEL OUR BOARD IS WORKING TOGETHER BETTER WITH OUR DISTRICT AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO SHOW IN TIME AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE PATIENT. KUDOS TO MRS. AZEVEDO AND THE CHANGES SHE IS IMPLEMENTING. SOME THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT , AP TO BE DISCUSSED AT MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THAT WAS NOT MY IDEA. I JUST TALK AND I BRING SOME THINGS UP IN MY BOARD REPORTS THAT WE TALK ABOUT TOGETHER. SAME WITH DUAL IMMERSION, THAT WAS HER IDEA. THERE'S A LOT OF IDEAS WE MAY TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT SHE IS DOING AND SHE IS A VERY HUMBLE PERSON SO SHE WON'T TELL YOU BUT I WILL. OUR DUAL PROGRAM IS SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN FOCUS ON EVEN MORE AND CAN BE A HUGE POSITIVE FOR OUR DISTRICT. PARAMOUNT IS JUST STARTING DUAL IMMERSION THIS YEAR. WE HAD THIS IN OUR DISTRICT FOR 15 YEARS. WE JUST NEED LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THESE PROGRAMS HAPPEN AND TO GET IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND BRING KIDS TO OUR DISTRICT.

A FEW IMPROVEMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE , WE GO OVER OUR DISTRICT BUDGET NUMEROUS TIMES A YEAR. WE HAVE INTERIMS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS AND I BELIEVE OUR SCHOOL SITE SHOULD REVIEW THEIR BUDGET WITH THEIR ENTIRE STAFF AND COLLABORATE AS WELL, NOT JUST SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL. MAYBE WHEN THE DISTRICT HAS INTERIMS AND ALL OF OUR MEETINGS ON THE BUDGET OUR SITE SHOULD DO SO THEY CAN EMPOWER THEIR STAFF TO UNDERSTAND SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASPECT IN THEIR SITE FUNDING.

THEY CAN DO A 30 MINUTE OR LESS LIGHT SHOW, THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER BUT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALL BE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS ESPECIALLY TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHEN REVIEWING THIS. TEACHING IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT JUST TRANSFORMED INTO A BLOCK SCHEDULE, ONE THING NEGATIVE FOR ME AND I HAVE TALKED TO MRS. AZEVEDO , IS I DO BELIEVE IT IS TRAGIC THAT ARE MIDDLE SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE EIGHT PERIODS A DAY. THEY SHOULD BE TAKING EIGHT. THE DAY, TAKING ELECTIVES AND NOT GETTING OUT AT 145 OR 2 P.M.

[02:35:01]

>> THANK YOU. I WILL GO TO MY BOARD REPORT. MS. GARZA.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME . I WILL ADD ONE MORE THING. AS I WAS DRIVING HERE FROM A BOARD MEETING I DID SEE BELL FARR BOULEVARD IS CLOSED OFF. THIS MEANS THEY ARE NOW IN FULL SWING FOR THEIR FESTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER. COULD WE POSSIBLY THINK ABOUT PROMOTING OUR DISTRICT , PROGRAMS, PATHWAYS DURING THAT TIME? EVERY TIME I ASK RANDOM PARENTS AT THE GROCERY STORE DO YOU KNOW OF OUR PROGRAMS THEY ALL TELL ME KNOW. THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT DUAL IMMERSION BEING A PROGRAM, SO MAYBE PERHAPS WE CAN LOOK INTO STARTING OFF AND TAKING OFF OUR CAMPAIGN DURING THAT TIME? JUST A THOUGHT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU. FOR MY BOARD REPORT I WILL KEEP IT SHORT. GRADUATIONS WERE AMAZING. THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN. IT WAS TRULY AWESOME AND THE PICTURES AND VIDEOS CAPTURED, THEY DID A TERRIFIC JOB. I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THAT. IT WAS GREAT. IT'S DEFINITELY THOSE EVENTS THAT MAKE YOU REMEMBER WHAT WE ALL DO THIS FOR AND PUT IN ALL THE WORK. THIS PAST WEEK I MET WITH A PTA DISTRICT PRESIDENT. THAT WAS GREAT. GREAT COLLABORATIVE AND LEARNED SO MUCH. PTA GOT A COUPLE SHUTOUTS TONIGHT. YOUR GOOD . I ALSO DID ATTEND THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK AND I WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING. THERE ARE THINGS THROUGHOUT THE EVENING WHERE I THINK WE AGREE ON CERTAIN THINGS BUT IT'S ABOUT PROCESS AND THE TRANSPARENCY OF THINGS. I COULD THINK OF THREE OR FOUR JUST TONIGHT WHERE WE WOULD ALL AGREE ON MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THE SITUATION IS BETTER BUT IT SEEMS WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN US AND PERSONNEL CAN GET BETTER , WE CAN IMPROVE THAT RELATIONSHIP TO JUST HAVING BETTER COMMUNICATION BECAUSE THERE WAS JUST COMMUNICATIONS A LOT OF THE TIME. SAME THING WITH THE CONTRACTS. MORE COMMUNICATION MEANS MORE TRANSPARENCY MEANS YOU WILL HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR BEING WILLING TO HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS AND BEING PROACTIVE ISN'T AN EASY CHOICE BUT IT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE. BY BRINGING THESE THINGS UP AND HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS IT IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE PRETTY BUT IT'S NECESSARY. IF WE WANT CHANGE WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS. I APPLAUD STAFF FOR PUTTING IN THE WORK TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ESPECIALLY AHEAD OF THE BOARD MEETING TO HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUES THE WORK YOU DO TO HAVE THESE. IT IS IMPORTANT. I WOULD SAY WITH THE REMOTE MEETING IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE DON'T ALWAYS LEAN ON THIS IS THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT. I DON'T LIKE THAT ANSWER AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US SHOULD. WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE BROWN ACT AND DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY DIDN'T DO IT BEFORE DOESN'T MEAN WE DO IT THAT WAY. WE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AS A DISTRICT AND I WANT TO SAY

[02:40:04]

>> WE WILL NOT BE GOING BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION. WHERE AM I

[15. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS]

>> NO. >> HEARING NONE , IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 9:03 P.M. UNTIL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY JULY 11

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.