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Jerem Aurora Martinez, Brian Marcus, Chelsea Malter, Cheyenne Lagona, >> Christopher Hiro, >> Denise Valdez, sorry, John Rodriguez, Joey Luke, Juan Mesa, Judith Markley, Melissa Estrada, Michelle Manrique, Myra Silva, Natalie Meyer, Nathan Hernandez, Rachel Yokum, Rebecca Esposito, Diaz, Richard Nava, Roy Messen Rojas, >> Trisha Johnson, Tyler Dwarte, Awesome. >> Pretty sure the other folks will not be here, but we'd like to acknowledge them as well. Alyssa Ramirez, Katrina Brown, Dana Beller, Caitlyn Young, Marie Gonzalez, sorry, Mallerie Gonzalez, Mary Ruth Gonzalez, Melissa Nells, and Tyler Gonzalez. We need two lines at least. At this time, our families are welcome to leave and our students if you'd like. Thank you. I can't tell. They're so excited. I love you guys. Are we good? >> Okay. >> All right. Kylie, do we have any public comments pertaining to the close session agenda? >> We do. We have one related to item B6.
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>> Okay. Uh, as provided on our public comment card, speakers are requested to limit comments to a maximum of three minutes. If more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, subsequent speakers should limit their remarks to new information only. Public comment shall be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes per item. JC Scott. So, this is the only time CSU is going to be appearing tonight. So if we go like 10 seconds over, I appreciate if you just allow discretion on that. So good evening, Superintendent Nelson, cabinet, members of the board, President Sabers of Voodoo, members, members of our community, and my union brothers and sisters of Apple Valley chapter 828. My name is JC Scott and I'm the chapter president of CACA 828. stand before you today to address both the process and concerns surrounding resolution 2526-15 and more importantly the priorities being demonstrated at a critical moment for the district.
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Let me begin clearly and factually on March 5th resolution 2526-9 was brought forward and failed in a 2 to2 vote. Under current procedures a motion requires a majority to pass. Tie vote is a failed motion. This is not interpretation. This is established law. What is concerning is what is followed. Resolution 2526-15 attempts to ignore and undermine the outcome in a way that minimizes the failure and creates ambiguity ambiguity to the public record that raises legitimate concerns under the Brown Act which exists to ensure transparency and clarity in government actions. When outcomes are unclear or appear to be reinterpreted after the fact, it erodess public trust. But beyond the process, we need to talk about priorities. Right now, 408 classified employees have received layoff notices, 408 livelihoods and 408 families. And while those employers are facing uncertainty right now, while we are actively in negotiations working to reduce those numbers and save jobs, this board is choosing to spend valuable time revisiting and advancing resolutions like these.
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This is deeply concerning because the priority right now should be not revisiting these failed actions or attempting to redefine the outcome. The priority should be people. The priority should be stabilizing this workforce. The priority should be working collaboratively to minimize the harm. We are at the table. We are doing the work and we are bringing ideas forward, asking questions, and pushing for solutions. As I stated in the past, we remain committed to bargaining in good faith. Not because it's easy, not because we always agree, but because our bargaining unit members deserve it and our students depend on it. However, good faith is a two-way street. We expect the district to demonstrate the same commitment. As part of that process, we have formally requested requested critical information, including the names and positions of those affected by these layoffs. That information is not optional, is necessary for meaningful negotiations.
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As we expect information to be provided at tomorrow's sessions and we expect that information to be provided at tomorrow's sessions so that we can continue to work responsibly and effectively because without transparency, there's no trust. Without trust, there is no real collabor collaborate collaboration. So tonight, my message is simple. Focus on what matters. Honor the integrity of established processes. Respect the impact your decisions have on real people. And come to the table prepared to engage in good faith fully, transparently, and with urgency because our members are counting on it. And our students are depending on all of us to get this right. And again, please consider this the only speech cse will be making this evening. Another speech is not necessarily after not necessarily to close session during our union time. Thank you and in solidarity, President JC. All right, we need to go into close session to discuss the following.
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Item one, pupil personnel expulsion cases exp 2526 through EXP number 192526. Expulsion case step number 52526 and admissions case AD number one 2526 item number two conference on litigation government code section 54956.9A current litigation six cases CIVS 222303 CIVVS VS 2400289, and 256329. Government code section 54954.5C and 54956.9D and E1 anticipated litigation two cases 202425-01 and 202526-1 government code section 54954.5D and 54956.95 anticipated litigation two cases claim Claimment one, Pennington Michael Vincent. Pennington Michael. Claimment number two, Pennington Michael Vincent Pennington Michael. Item number three, public employee discipline, dismissal, release, reassignment, transfer, leave, title, certificated, and classified employees. Number four, public employee appointment, resignation, retirement, reduction, title, certificated, and classified employees. Number five, conference with labor negotiator agency negotiator Jeremiah Harrison. Employee organization, Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association. Item number six, conference with labor negotiator. Agency negotiator Kristen Depri, employee organization, California School Employees Association. Item number seven, conference with real property negotiator, government code 54956.8, negotiation parties, Matthew Schulenberg, Apple Valley Unified School District.
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Item 8, security matters, government code section 54957, consultation with Apple Valley Unified School District Chief of Police. Can I get a motion to go into close session? All right, I'll second. We will be taking a vote via roll call. Mrs. Longore, >> I. >> Mr. Raleigh, >> hi. >> Mrs. Tucker, >> I. >> Miss Apara, >> I. >> And Miss Buchanan, I. So, we will go into close at 6:24 p.m. and we will not return any sooner than 7:30 p.m. All right, I'm going to call the meeting back to order. It's 7:34. Sorry. >> All right, roll call. Amanda Buchanan, present. Uh, Maria Aara, >> present. >> Anita Tucker, >> here. >> Rick Raleigh, >> here. Renee Longshore here. All right.
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The pledge of allegiance. Can I have Rick? Will you lead us tonight? >> Sure. Please join me in the pledge to flag. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. This feels weird. I guess we are the first thing for coming at a close. We're going to do our board comments. So Renee Long, you're first. >> Go ahead. That feels different. Uh, good evening and thank you all for being here with us tonight. I know it is a busy time of year as some are wrapping up Lent or looking to celebrate Easter, my favorite holiday. I think we all want to finish up the school year strong after spring break. And my heart is with our seniors as they count down the days and prepare for next steps.
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This past month, I enjoyed attending many activities around our district. I dropped by to see Vanguard Prep's pickle ball fundraiser for science camp. Thoroughly enjoyed a theatrical presentation of The Lion King and Comical Relief of Scar at Phoenix Academy. And I once again marveled at the remarkable voices of our students in their 2026 Timeless Classics concert with Granite Hills High School Encore. And I believe they're still partnering with Apple Valley High School. I attended field day and thoroughly loved engaging with students and their parents and celebrated six Apple Valley High School and Granite Hills High School students as they received scholarships from local businesses at the Valley Morning Insight State of Education yesterday. This week, I also had the chance to follow up with our administration on questions asked as was requested. A few were answered. For the rest, I was told that I would have to wait for direction from the majority of this board.
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I want to take this opportunity to point out that the majority of the board did agree on a request of information two months ago. The same time trustee Apara requested data on special education, she got a presentation. Personally, I don't like being led around by the nose or refuse clarity as need be. My hope is to truly understand, offer informed direction. Instead, it seems I have to wait again. I have been the subject of two public record requests in the past eight months, requesting data for my personal accounts, email, phone, and socials. This time they want any communication between me and any board member or a VUSD employee on the topic of budget and or finance. I have been informed it would be proper to turn it over to the attorney general but because he's a sole authority on the Brown Act. In this request, administrators tell me they're acting under legal advice.
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But are they? I have yet to see any evidence. Last month, I voted no on two financial reports projecting district spending. I was asked to explain myself, so I offered this worksheet. Something's coming. And there's some for the public, too. If anybody would like, um, I'll leave them here. Um, feel free to come up. I'm okay with that. First, I'm going to tell you something that's not written down. According to the second interim reports 2425 and 2526, projected insurance cost was and is $73 million. This year's cost almost exactly the same as the last despite the projected increase of roughly $4.3 million. How is this even possible? As you can see on my handout, projected spending on one report is millions of dollars off from the next. Numbers provided by administration to explain don't align. Compare our AB1200 2526 total projected increase. We are off by $4.7 million.
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for 2627 another $2.1 million when looking at categorical fund categorical funds were off roughly $11 million total. I have learned so much and I have shared nothing more. Despite repeated attempts to posture, manipulate and stoke fear or shame. I have not and will not hesitate to continue doing the job I was elected to do. Our administration continues to be off by millions of dollars and yet I'm the one being asked to explain myself. I renew my call for the attorney general to come help APSUSD in our search for truth and transparency. We simply can't ignore this problem when it affects so many lives.
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We were not elected to pledge allegiance to this administration. We were elected to understand and represent the district, oversee the spending of public funds, and give direction in the best interest of students. But we can only do that when we are accurately informed. Our finance department projected up to $33 million in deficit spending for the 24-25 school year. $33 million. It turned out to be only 12 million. Now, our administration is projecting to deficit spend roughly $19 million. In September 2025, they projected $19 million. Then we gave a raise. $19 million plus $13 million equals $19 million. The numbers just don't add up. But as a board, we just keep approving it. Some believe what they are told. This has resulted in stalled negotiations, the possibility of adding more non- voterapproved debt, strained district relationships, a divided board, and possible strike of our certificated staff, counselors, and teachers.
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All while funding pandemic level support and 70 vacant positions. 7070 vacant positions, 11 certificated and 59 classified, millions of dollars. This board believed we had no money. Yet here we are, one long year later, settled with all employees at roughly $13 million this year and $10.5 million the next with no anticipated deficit. In fact, according to the latest AB1200, we will be in the black roughly $4 million. Think about that. Despite giving a $10.5 million ongoing raise, we still have money to spend. Over the past six years, revenues have increased ESSER funds, an increased duplicated pupil percentage, and an increased student population, roughly 400 students up according to the California student school dashboard, projected to be up another 200 according to our second interim presentation. But I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. Despite what we have been told, millions of dollars sit in categorical spending.
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roughly $13 million total as noted in this year's AB1200 2627 projections, though I have yet to hear back from our CBO regarding any usable funds. It is interesting to think that we had money after all. Unfortunately, the facts I offered in good faith were discounted. My calculations scoffed and mocked, my ability questioned by this administration, by many on this board. I am not the one who has paid the big bucks to run the numbers, but it turns out I got it right. And hey, I'm happy to help anytime. My paycheck for this position is roughly $400 a month. And that's fine. I don't do this for the money. I do it for kids, for the people who elected me, for my constituents, for those who have expressed hope for a better way forward. Thank you, Rick. Anita. >> Okay. Good evening. Um, April brings a number of important observations.
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This month is National ArabAmerican Heritage Month where we can celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Arabameans. It's also uh celebrate diversity month that encourages understanding, inclusion, and appreciation of the unique backgrounds and experiences that surround us. April 22nd, one of my favorite holidays, is administrative professionals day. and we are really blessed to have such dedicated and hardworking individuals who work hard to support our student, staff, and community. And I'd like to thank Kylie for all she does for our school district and for us. So, thank you. Um, I've had the privilege of going to several things uh this month. Um, I really enjoyed Mr. uh Sunundevil. Uh I was able to attend the field day at Granite Hills which was phenomenal. Uh and I have to say the video that was created by the Granite Hill students was absolutely beautiful and it captured the event so poignantly.
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I was honored to be able to attend the Valley Insights State of Education yesterday and celebrate our Apple Valley and Granite High Granite Hills High School students receiving scholarships. And that's always an amazing and wonderful thing. Congratulations to the students, the parents, the teachers, and the staff who work so hard to help their students succeed. And I know we're heading into heading for the finish line of our school year. It's gone by really fast. And after spring break, now we are entering into testing season. I know our teachers and staff have worked extremely hard preparing our students and our families have supported and encouraged our students and we know that they will all do well. And I would like to all I would like to thank you all for your commitment to our students and to their success. Thank you >> Maria. >> Um thank you so much u for coming to our meetings uh tonight.
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Um I know that uh sometimes it goes dry but I want to make sure that I also thank all the students who spoke this evening. Um, I really appreciate them and uh the amount of work they put in to be able to create uh such a presentation to make us really see a picture of what happens at their schools. Um, I'm really grateful for the staff that helped them along the way because believe it or not, we they didn't stand by themselves. Somebody helped them, their parents helped them. Um, you know, and to see even their co their classmates or their schoolmates encourage them when they get up here. it's not easy to get up in front of people and to speak about issues that are concerning to them. Um I'm also um grateful uh that um uh are thankful for all the people who donated or gave us uh things for um uh for the schools.
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Uh the little contributions that we've received through the schools is is uh is easy to sometimes miss. Um there are names on the contribution list. I don't want to me mention them um because I didn't get their permission to name them. I don't usually name names. Um but I want to be sure that I I thank those people who contributed to a school library and even to contribute towards the uh uh food that the kids ate when they had the um field day there. also want to thank um the district for um making it possible for us to know what is happening at the different schools. Um we don't have if we didn't have their calendar, we wouldn't know where to go. So to give you to give us an idea of what happens at the different schools so that we can plan accordingly to show up at your schools is is such a gift that you all are able to plug into those calendars for us to get involved and know what is going on at your schools.
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Um, I'm really grateful uh for um all of what you do and uh how you encourage the students. Uh and sometimes we miss the mark. Um but when we miss the mark, I hope we can uh be strong enough to say, "Yeah, we missed the mark. We'll do it better next time." Um so I I do um congratulate all the students who spoke uh this evening uh to share with us what's happening at their schools. Thank you so much.
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