001I'll just hand gabble. I'll hand gabble. This is a very important occasion. We're going to gabble this thing appropriately. All right. I would like to welcome everyone here in the chamber and those watching via live stream and call the June 18th, 2025 regular meeting of the board of education to order with all board members present. We will move precipitously now to item B, adoption of the agenda. Do I have a motion to adopt today's agenda? I see a motion from Trusty Cruz and Vice President Barrera with a second. Um, we have a motion and a second. Student trustees, please vote. All the board members, please vote. That motion passed unanimously. We have uh we have an agenda. Uh we will now move to uh instruction from Miss Staltz. Miss, can you please provide information for
002public speakers about today's meeting protocols? I can hand you mine. It's because we always do this on a Wednesday in the middle of the day. Okay. Today's meeting of the board of education is a business meeting that is conducted in public and board members will not engage in dialogue with members of the audience. Board bylaw 1025 sets the time limit for public comment on agenda items at 10 minutes per side pro and con or 20 minutes total. There may be some leeway in that today. Speakers will be able to provide testimony at the beginning of the me at the appropriate agenda item or at the end of the meeting for non-aggenda comment. Please listen for your name to be called. Speakers are listed and called in the order received. When your name is called, please
003come to the podium to speak. Please follow along with the agenda, although it is very short today, so that you know when your item is coming up for discussion. When you begin speaking, the green light below my name on the dis indicates that the timer has started. When the light turns yellow, you will have one minute remaining. A buzzer will indicate that your time has expired. And if you have not yet done so and would like to sign up for comment, ple iPads are available in the back of the auditorium and in the lobby. Thank you, Miss Stoulz. We will now consider item D1, appointment of Dr. Fabola Bula as permanent superintendent of public education and approval of the Associated Employment Contract. [Applause] Is there a motion to approve D1? Vice President Bar, Vice President
004Barrera, and Trusty Hazen. We have a motion and a second. Uh, Miss Stoultz, are there any public speakers on this item? Yes, we have quite a few speakers. Each person will have two minutes. I'm going to call several names at once. if you could please come up um in the lineup at the podium. Uh first would be Donis Cornell, followed by Dr. Francisco Escobedo, followed by Dr. Gloria Siza. I I think we have and I think we have 20 plus speakers, correct? About two minutes. Two minutes per speaker and be ready to come up immediately after because there's so many people. Good afternoon, board of trustees. I am Gina Kamacho McGrath, an officer of the administrators association of San Diego. On behalf of the AASD board of directors and over 575 school leaders that we
005represent, I am honored to extend our heartfelt support of Dr. Fabi Bagula as the board considers her appointment as superintendent of San Diego Unified School District. This is an exciting moment for our district. Leadership matters and Dr. Dr. Bagoula's reputation for collaboration, innovation, and commitment to student success has already inspired confidence across our union membership. ASD recognizes the challenges ahead, but we also see the incredible opportunity to work together to continue to build a strong school district. Our AASD members are deeply committed to the success of every student. We believe that when leadership and labor stand side by side, rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose, there's no limit to what we can accomplish. As a union, we look forward to open dialogue, honest communication, and a shared vision that puts students, school leaders, and
006all staff and community first. Together, we can build a district where every child thrives, and every school employee is supported and respected. ASD fully supports the appointment of Dr. Bagula as San Diego Unified School District Superintendent. Thank you, President Peterson, members of the board, on behalf of the California State Board of Education, I am truly honored to be here today as we celebrate Dr. Fabola's appointment as superintendent. You know, this is a deeply meaningful moment, not just because Dr. Bagula will be the first Latina to lead this district, 171 years. It took a long time, but we have her. But she's someone that has been raised on both sides of the border. Fabi understands firsthand the dreams and challenges of many of our families in our schools. She's walked these same hallways as a child,
007as a teacher, as a principal, watching children grow and helping them believe in possibilities they couldn't yet imagine. Her path, her path to the superintendent's office isn't just a professional accomplishment. It's a testament to the transformative power of public education that she now champions for every child at the San Diego Unified School District. You know what strikes me most? I I know Fabi personally is not only her leadership but her warmth. Her warmth with unwavering determination. In the midst of a challenging transition, she has brought stability by focus what she calls the work that matters. Ensuring that while adults sort through difficult issues, children kept learning, teachers kept teaching, and families kept trusting their schools. The state board couldn't be more thrilled to support Dr. Bula as she leads San Diego Unified to a whole
008different future. Thank you. Good afternoon, President Person, trustees of the board, and members of the San Diego Unified Community. My name is Gloria Sissa. I have the honor of serving as the San Diego County Superintendent of Schools and I'm here today in strong support of the appointment of Dr. Fabola Bagula as the next superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. This is a moment of profound importance, not just for the district, but for our entire county. Dr. Bogula's appointment would mark the first time a Latina would lead this great district. And this is not just a headline, it's a historic breakthrough. that carries tremendous meaning for me personally and for the families and the children and the educators across this community. Right now, in a time when critical issues weigh heavily on so many
009of our students and families, when fear and uncertainty have entered too many of our classrooms and homes, this community needs a leader who reflects its heart. Dr. Bagula is that leader. She is someone who leads with empathy, intelligence, with lived experiences, and with an unwavering commitment to equity. Equity is love in action. She knows what it means to navigate challenges, to build bridges, to ensure that every child, no matter what identity they hold or where they come from, feels safe, feels seen, and like they belong. Her leadership is not symbolic. It is substantive. And it comes at a time when we need it the most. As I think of her in this role, I think of Dr. Maya Angelou's words, I come as one, but I stand as 10,000. Dr. Bogula stands here today with
010the strength of generations who made this moment possible. And she carries with her the dreams of 10,000 and more who will follow her because she showed them what is possible. to this board. I thank you for your courage in this moment and for your commitment to appointing someone who doesn't just stand understand the community but is of this community. I stand with you Dr. Bula. Congratulations [Applause] Moses Dr. Moyes Sigiri, Amber Artiggas, followed by Carol Osborne. Wow, what a what an honor to be here in support of Dr. Bagula, who I've known for a number of years. As a fellow superintendent, it fills my heart to see that she is at this point today. Our communities, as it's been stated, are facing a difficult moment. And as leaders, it's incumbent upon us to make sure
011that we are doing all that we can to support each and every student. And with Dr. Bagula Fabi, I know that this district will be in a wonderful care. We trust Dr. Bagula. I have seen her leadership in spaces where other superintendent are. And I know that together we will continue to advocate for each and every single one of our students. And so with that, I fully support this recommendation for the appointment of Dr. Dr. Congratulations, Bobby. Good evening. My name is Alberta Artigas. I am vice chair for DACA. Um, good. Um, today I want to express my full support for our superintendent Fabula. She is a genuine, approachable and transparent leader who served with a heart and vision. She has w placed both human and financial resource where she truly matter creating trust, stability
012and growth in our district. Her leadership has opened new opportunities for family inside and beyond our schools building a strong foundation to prepare future professional in many fields. Her impact will be me remembered not only in our district but as an example to inspire another school system across the country and the world. Her leadership with a human touch. leader. forens. different multipamiles. International. [Applause] Good afternoon, President Person, board members, and Superintendent Beula. My name is Carol Osborne, and I'm a proud retired educator. And I'm here today to say thank you and congratulations. Thank you for recognizing the remarkable strengths, wisdom, and exceptional leadership of Dr. Dr. Fabiola Begoula, thank you for your decision to appoint her as superintendent of San Diego Unified School District. Dr. Begula leads with love and wisdom. In my experience, it
013is rare to find a leader who possesses both deep academic expertise and a heartfelt commitment to students, staff, and the broader community. Dr. Begoula is that rare and extraordinary leader. She brings a powerful combination of intellectual rigor, authentic love for education, intentional decision-making, transparent communication, and an unwavering focus on equity. Her leadership is not only inspiring, it is transformative. I have complete confidence in her vision and her ability to lead San Diego Unified with both compassion and purpose. I am confident you will see more students thriving and a district culture that truly uplifts humanity. And as we all know, representation matters. You have selected the first inaugural Latina superintendent for San in San Diego's history. This is more than a milestone. It is a powerful message to our students and community. I am confident that
014her leadership will inspire and benefit students, staff, and families across this district, county, state, and country. Congratulations to San Diego Unified. You are in the most capable and visionary hands. And congratulations to my dear friend Fabi. You've got this. [Applause] Wesley Wesley Bradock Wesley Bradock followed by Genevieve last initial Z followed by Monnique Barrett. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Wesley Bradock. I'm a retired teacher and administrator in the Sweetwater School District. But um as it pertains to this um I'm actually an ex caver as well from San Diego High uh class of 76 and I'm here to speak uh to wholeheartedly support the selection of Dr. Fabola Bagula or to us Robless uh for the next superintendent of the of the San Diego Unified School District. Um, right now I feel like I'm speaking
015on behalf of dozens, if not more, of South Bay educators that had the pleasure of first meeting, teaching, and then watching with pleasure and awe as one of our students, our dear Fabola, uh, chose to pursue a career in the field that we gave our professional lives to. Teachers all know that just as we hope that all of our students find happiness and success, however they define that in life, it's extra special when one of them goes into the field that we chose to be an educator. Our Fabola began to show just how special she was as an early age. Indeed, other than perhaps her family members here today, I may have known her for longer than anybody else in this room going on 40 years ago when we met at Southwest Junior High School
016when she was one of my students. Um she's she's always been inquisitive, introspective, compassionate, and passionate. All all adjectives that describe her. and she's smart as heck, too. Um, in addition to myself, names from the past that are clearly looking down with smiles are Mr. Steve Mosley, Dr. Alan Gocea, who I know when you were a student at Southwest High used to actually when he was principal pull you out of class to discuss current events and books. I mean, what what high school principal does that, right? Unless the unless the student well, unless the student is ex exceptional. Uh, so I know Dr. Gache is smiling down as well. Um, I'm honored to stand here and tell you that in my own 35 years as teacher, district office administrator, and school principal, I've rarely ever
017met a a person so gifted yet authentic as Fabola, cuz I'm never really going to get used to calling you Dr. Bagula. She is incredibly intelligent, but is never condescending. Her heart lies with the students of San Diego Unified. She's a homegrown product of San Diego Unified in that regard, at least as far as her career goes. And that comes with a deep passion for the students, uh, for the district students. She is committed like a great athlete is to making the players around her better. Since she still calls me coach, I had to throw that throw that in. And Fabola. Oh, I better remember where I am. I I I I better not say that, right? Better. Thank you. I informed Dr. Fabby of student injury this school year at Golden Hill Cave uh
018elementary and Whitman are punished and denied my 8-year-old daughter every time she asked to use the hygiene facilities during class. She developed an infection of the urinary tract from the new inevitable force of equal genital contact over the 5 hours of school. She had never had a UTI before. She was waking up screaming in pain. Before and after my school, my daughter was repeatedly crying and screaming to me that the teacher yelled at her for asking questions. She explained that Miss Anne demanded five behavior bucks to use the bathroom and raised the price when she begged. This went on for weeks while her health declined rapidly. Golden Hill school staff repeatedly told me I had to speak with the teacher about my daughter's bathroom rights. I repeatedly refused. This was a safety and health policy
019enforcement from the school. The principal didn't take it seriously. Told my child that when she was teacher, she used to confiscate behavior dollars for toilet access to. She told this to a child who sent to school with Neospor on her genitals. My 8-year-old daughter had developed a painful genital rash, severe emotional distress, and urgency incontinence from the daily forced fecal compaction caused by sanitation denial bullying in the classroom. I emailed several SDUsd personnel multiple times for the school year, including several people in this room begging for help reporting the child abuse. Help avoiding retaliation from both teacher anomire and principal Julia Martinez, which is still ongoing. All my requests for help were not answered, and instead I was referred to the ICA, who did not want my info. They closed my reports of child injury
020twice before I could provide my pediatrician's letter explaining that my child had developed incorporis, which is uncontrollable liquid feces leakage caused by severe constipation. My child had never been constipated before. She had before school terror tantrums, teacher related nightmares. My child's rectum bled from the painful rectal tearing. She was on Tylenol 24/7. I spoke with a parent of Miss An's 2023 2024 class who used Sitsbass before transferring her injured child out of the class. I emailed Dr. Fabi, the interim superintendent. I need to know what I can do next and I'm afraid. And can you please provide me with the procedure for reporting the child abuse which occurred at Golden Hill KA August through October 2024? And what is the appropriate agency to report what happened to my daughter? And upon request, the superintendent and
021design shall provide parents, guardians with procedures for reporting suspected child abuse. and I have requested this info and nobody will help me document this injury properly. Can you please facilitate my child abuse reporting or send me to the appropriate person in the district? I was coldly referred to the ICA by someone named Flores. The ICA never provided my child any child abuse reporting resources. Instead, they claimed the school did nothing wrong. We emergency transferred out of the school I was proudly sponsoring after eight weeks when my child was waking up to lower back pain. It is illegal to prevent jail inmates from using the bathroom. I want Dr. Babula to leave with child safety. My child is recovering physically has expired. Mon'nique Barrett, followed by Maria Romano, followed by Alberto AOA. Good afternoon, members of
022the school board. My name is Mon'nique Barrett, and I am proud to serve as the vice president of SDEA. I stand before you today on behalf of our union to express strong support for Dr. Fabola Bula as our next superintendent. While it is not typical for our union to publicly endorse district management, the challenges we face today demand unity. Systematic inequities, lack of adequate funding from state and federal governments, and attacks from extremists nationwide are making it harder each day to support our students effectively. Educators did not create these problems, but it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to address and correct them. We know that no one is going to save education, teachers, or the profession. We have to save ourselves. Dr. Begoula's commitment to equity, not equity, restorative practices, social
023and racial justice, and system change is not just rhetoric. I have personally witnessed these values in action. She can face pressure, scrutiny, and attacks with grace and strength, all while advocating for and protecting every student in every community we serve. We need a superintendent who can build genuine relationships and foster respectful, meaningful partnerships. While we may not always agree on every solution, Dr. Beula ensures that all voices in our school community are heard and included in the decision-making process. I know the hearts of our members are deeply centered on the needs of our students and I trust that Dr. Bugula shares our vision that the best learning environment is one where every member of the school community is respected, valued, seen, and heard. For these reasons, I strongly urge the school board to appoint Dr.
024Fabiola Bugula as the permanent superintendent. To close, I want to leave you with the words of Audrey Lord, a powerful black activist and writer who said, "I am deliberate and afraid of nothing." Like me, Dr. Bul Gula embodies this spirit, deliberate in her actions, fearless in her leadership, and unwavering in her commitment to our students and community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Congratulations, [Applause] Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Maria Romano and as a brown first generation Latina mother raising children in the district, I want to speak from the heart about what it means to see someone like Dr. Fab Fabola Gabbula in leadership. Her presence at the helm of our schools is deeply personal for families like mine. Her bicultural upbringing um um upbringing shaped the life shaped by the life on
025the San Diego Tijuana border gives her a lens that so many of our students and families share. It shows in a way in the way she leads with empathy, cultural humility, and a steadfast community to equity. Throughout her journey as a teacher, teacher coach, assistant superintendent, senior um director of equity, and now interim superintendent, Dr. Dr. Bagula has excelled professionally and has done so while earning the trust and respects of the community she serves. Her leadership is lived and principled, not performative, and it reflects the very values we hope to instill in our children. I am proud to have someone like Dr. Pagula guiding our schools and I believe wholeheartedly that she deserves to be considered through a transparent and inclusive process that affirms her qualifications and honors the integrity of public leadership. For her
026leadership to be embraced and sustained, it must be rooted in legitimacy. Let us not shortcut this moment. Let us model the very democratic values we teach in our classrooms. Our students, families, and communities deserve nothing less. We all want the best for our schools. That's why I urge the board to pause, reconsider, and commit to a transparent, inclusive process because our students deserve more than speed. They deserve integrity. Thank you. [Applause] We want to start this. I'm Alberto O Choak, co-chair of the San Diego County Latino Coalition for Education, and I'm here to to express our support. Our organization uh involves 17 different community organizations that are willing to continue to support your journey as superintendent of this uh important school district. And one of the goals that we have is that that every student
027who attends San Diego Unified School District that upon high school graduation are college and career ready. College and career ready and acquired by literacy and multilingualism. We are committed to working with you in such a goal. And this is important since in 1975 when I started working as a parent uh with Dr. Goodman was superintendent the demographics were that less than 32% of the school district was ethnically and linguistically diverse and now in 2025 it is more than 78% ethnically and linguistically diverse. This demographic shift suggests that the type of knowledge and skills required of a superintendent should match the profile of our students who are ethnically and linguistically diverse. So we are committed to working with you. Uh it is labor intensive. We recognize your immense talents that include your conceptual mind, being a
028socially humanistic educator, your inclusive collaborative leadership skills, and understanding assetbased educational system generally recognized as students funds of knowledge that our students bring. your ability to apply culturally and linguistically responsive instruction as well as developing and respecting family and community voice and developing and sustaining teacher and student agency and voice. In closing, Dr. Aula, you possess the knowledge and skills to significantly impact our Latino, our black, our Native American, our white, our Asian, and all lowincome students to be college and career ready and life ready in today's challenging times. Congratulations, Bore and and Fabola. Thank you. Gracias, Nico. Nico Negrete, followed by Linda Luerete, followed by Michelle Haram. [Music] All right. Hi. Good afternoon, President Peterson and the board members. Um, I didn't prepare anything. This is just from my heart. So, I can honestly
029say that I worked with Bobby for 10 years as her school counselor at Balboa. And I also became friends with her. And I have to say not one time have I ever doubted her integrity, her ethics, her ability to lead others and to include everybody. as all schools have some conflict, she always included everybody, made sure they were part of decisions even if they were not her fan and I always respected that about her. Um, I had to take some lessons myself. So anyways, I just wanted to share that being her employee for 10 years and a friend, she's a wonderful human and she really has the right perspective for being a great leader for this district. And I've never doubted her abilities in any way. Not from her way that she comforts others, but
030also how intelligent she is and such a hardworking person. I always laughed because during the pandemic, I was sitting around watching Tik Tok and she was writing books and that always reminded me about how passionate she really is about caring for others and our students in the school district. So, I I am right behind her and I'll do anything to help her leadership be successful in the school district. Thank you for your time. Hi, good afternoon everybody. Thank you for being here. Thank you all for being here to support this wonderful woman. Um, so many people have said things that I was going to say. So, I'm going to just sort of cut to the the quick here. Um, and mentioned just um a couple of things. Um, although our organization, the Cesar Oh, sorry.
031My name's Linda Leri and I'm with the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs. And although our organization is named Cesar Chavez, a Mexican-American, we serve students from all different backgrounds, Latino, African, African-American, Caucasian, Filipino, Asian, and natives. As was mentioned earlier, I look at the kids that we serve, many of them first generation Americans or immigrants themselves. And I consider them to be so fortunate to be led by you, someone who understands the immigrant experience. We are facing some very challenging times. And what our students need is a strong leader who understands them. And that's exactly what you're bring to the table. Fabi, I just want to say um and I'm going to just I've said this to you to your face, to your ear over the phone. I'm going to say it to the whole crowd.
032That's a way of redeeming myself. So there's an event that we do every year. And um we asked Fabi to make a presentation to our over 500 people. And I was a little skeptical because years past, we've had some amazing people who make presentations to our group, but I'd never really heard Bobby give a public presentation. When Bobby got up to the microphone, she calmly and beautifully touched over 500 people that morning. Um, not just she was there to talk to our students, but she touched the parents, she touched our guests, she touched all, you know, everybody who was there, labor people, educators, everybody a and our students and and me. And I felt I felt so relieved, but I felt ashamed of myself because I should I should have known better. When you ended
033that morning with a beautiful poem that you had written, you had me. I mean, you are inclusive, you are approachable, you're amazing, and I love you, and I wish you well in this. And you board members, do the right thing. [Applause] Good afternoon, President Peterson, trustees, Dr. Bula. My name is Michelle Haramo. I'm the I serve as the director of education init initiatives for the San Diego Foundation. At the San Diego Foundation, our mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve quality of life in our region. Our vision is just equitable and resilient communities where all San Dieans have the opportunity to thrive, prosper, and feel that they belong. Central to that vision is educational equity because we believe every young person, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to opportunity,
034support, and a pathway to success. That belief has guided our five-year partnership with San Diego Unified to deploy ELOP, the state's historic investment in expanded learning. Together, we've worked to ensure students, especially those that sit the furthest from opportunity, have access to extraordinary summer programs that nurture their academic growth, their mental health, and their sense of belonging. Through this partnership and other efforts, we have witnessed Dr. Beula's unique leadership qualities in action. Dr. Dr. Bula has led with a clear vision for increasing opportunity, an unwavering commitment to students and community, and a collaborative spirit that strengthens public private partnerships like ours. She listens deeply, acts with humility and purpose and always centers the voice of students and families. Her leadership builds bridges between schools and communities, between educators and partners who want to serve. She
035brings a bold sense of urgency to the work and ensuring all students feel seen, supported, and prepared for the future. And for those and many reasons, San Diego Foundation readily expresses our strong support for the appointment of Dr. Beula as superintendent of San Diego Unified. We believe her leadership will continue to advance educational equity and the well-being of every student in the district. Thank you so much. Is he Martinez followed by Don Bas followed by Jennifer Bamante. Uh, hi everyone. and Isan Martinez, uh, CSEA PAR educator president and PAR educator independence facilitator for early childhood special education and I represent all of the PAR educators in San Diego Unified. Uh, if you don't know what a PAR educator is, is those people that are right next to the teachers helping assist the learning, the functional
036needs, the emotional supportive needs. Whether you're a rehab specialist, a health technician, a classroom aid to bus monitor, we help facilitate every aspect of the life of the child inside their schools. As our representative, CSEA's mission is to improve the lives of our students, our members, and our community. Within that, we have, I believe it's five core values. Empowerment, respect, transparency, innovation, and transparency. Every aspect within my mission for CSEA and our values are what I see embodied in FABI. As a union leader, I try and strive to not only meet the mission, but meet those values in any decision I make. And working alongside with Fabi for the past, has it been like three, four years in partnership? It's like I'm looking at my mana right here. Together, we are supporting our most neediest
037children from the most diverse background here in San Diego County. And I could honestly say that this partnership would not be where it is without its authenticity, without its humbleness and the transparency that we as partners are able to resolve problems and then move forward on the next thing. I will always be in support of you Fabi. Thank you. Hi everyone. I'm Don Basquez. I have been blessed to be one of your licensed mental health clinicians within the district for over 20 years, but I'm also honored to be the OTBS president, chapter 788, and representing all of our staff that does our office work, um, occupational therapists, mental health therapists, all kinds of people. What is most important to me is the heart I think the heart of our classified the heart of our staff
038period all of our colleagues we really care about the community our staff our students our families and that's what I feel matches with Fabi in my experience because I am a new president you have shown the genuine ability to have a conversation to get down and dirty to be direct that is important to me because it's transparent. Um, it helps with the collaboration and it helps us move forward in a positive way for our communities and our district. So, I want to thank you for that. Um, congratulations for everything you do and I really do look forward to continuing a positive move forward for everyone in our district. So, thank you. [Applause] Jennifer Bamante, followed by Jonathan Bergos, followed by Enz Gonzalez. Buenosardes. My name is Ines Gonzalez. I'm the executive director of Manade San
039Diego. Mana San Diego is a Latina organization, let the leading voice for Latinas in San Diego and we proudly support the appointment of Dr. Fabola Bagula as the permanent superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. As a dedicated leader, educator, poet, and advocate for equity, Dr. Vagula embodies the values that Mana champions: educational excellence, inclusive leadership, and a deep commitment to community. Her lived experience, professional expertise, and cultural competency uniquely position her to lead one of the most diverse school districts in the country with heart, courage, and integrity. Dr. Dr. Bagula has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership that centers student well-being, academic rigor, and educational justice. Her ability to listen deeply, collaborate meaningfully, and lead boldly has earned the trust of students, families, educators, and community partners across San Diego. As an organization committed to
040empowering Latinas and advancing equity through education, we recognize the profound importance of representation at the highest levels of leadership. Dr. Vagula's appointment would be historic and it would also be the right choice for the future of our district. I'm really proud to join all of these voices and represent our edmanas in urging you to appoint Dr. Fabi Bagola is the next superintendent. Thank you. I love Mana. Good afternoon, President Patterson and esteemed board members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the students and families we serve through FirstG Scholars. My name is Jonathan Bergos and as a founder at the heart of public education is a belief that every student regardless of their background, zip code or parents education level deserves the opportunity to dream big and achieve even bigger. That belief
041is what Dr. Fabola Beoula embodies. As a first generation daughter of immigrants, she doesn't just represent what's possible, she creates a pathway for others to follow. Under her guidance and care, San Diego Unifi has supported our summer college access program. And it's a program that's changing lives. Students like Kedan from San Diego High who's heading to Harvard to study bioengineering. Zyra from Morris High School who will be attending Colombia to study computer engineering. Vion from Hoover High who will study bio at Stanford. Kayla from UC High, one of only 40 students nationwide to be accepted in UC Berkeley's Haw School of Business as an undergrad. Isabella and Alandre, also from Morse, will both be attending Duke on full scholarships. and an additional 30 other scholars attending UCSD this fall for free. In fact, scholars have
042earned over seven million in scholarships and eight out of every 10 are on track to graduate with no debt. Each of these students, all from San Diego Thanks. Each of these students, all from San Diego Unified, were a part of the 150 scholars in our summer program. Each of them heard directly from Dr. Begoula. She spoke to them at the end of last summer and again at our graduation in May, complete with an inspiring handwritten poem. Her words reminded them that their stories matter, that they belong in the very spaces that their families once only dreamed about. Her presence wasn't just symbolic, it was powerful, and it was personal. This summer, I hustled over here from Hoover, where we are currently supporting another group of firstgen students in our program. I'm here today because you
043show up for the people you care about, and Dr. Bugula shows up every day for every one of us. With an attack on public education, the identities of our diverse students, and the possible federal defunding of college access programs and PEL grants, San Diego Unifi doesn't just need a leader with experience. It needs one with heart, vision, and roots in the community. Fabi is all that and more. She's the right choice, and the future of our students is brighter with her leading the way. Thank you, Dr. Bgula, for your leadership, vision, Cadinho, and Coton. [Applause] Jennifer Bamante, followed by Liz Ramirez, followed by Mel Catz. I don't think I'm next, but I'm going to take it. Good. Chair Peterson, honorable board members, my name is Mel Katz and I have been involved with San Diego
044Unified School District for over 35 years. Starting when I was chair of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce and we started a business roundt for education. In those t in that amount of time, I've worked with eight different school superintendent. I can honestly say no one is was more ready and more qualified to be the next permanent superintendent than Fabi is. You have seen that yourself when you had the vision to appoint her as interim superintendent back in September and you have seen what she was able to do in the 2425 school year. Fabi is fantastic. She knows the school district. She knows the community. She cares about all students. She loves education. She loves learning. And she knows that all deserve a quality education. It is my pleasure to really urge you to
045support Fabi as your next permanent superintendent. In addition, I have just passed out a two letters to you. One from Lydia Martinez and one from Dr. Ted Martinez. doc Dr. Ted Martinez letter he was CEO of the National Community College Hispanic Council which develops Hispanics for leadership in community colleges and he said not only the most qualified candidate for the role she is the right leader at the right time. She reflects the lived experience of students and families in San Diego Unified Serves. Historic opportunity. Please support Fabi and Lydia Martinez who was 30 years with Sandy with Southwest A Southwest Southwest Airlines says Fabi is the leader our students, our families and our educations can trust one our entire region can be proud of. She's deep professional experience and personal integrity in every space she
046comes to. I urge you along with the Martinez's to support Fabi for our next superintendent. Thank you so much. Buenosardes, Board of Trustees. My name is Liz Ramirez. I'm the CEO of Chico Federation. We proudly serve over 12,000 children each year, many of whom are San Diego Unified School students. I stand here in strong support of Dr. Fabiola Vagula appointment as superintendent. Um, as the first Latina in this role and being raised on both sides of the border, her lived experience mirrors that of so many students in San Diego Unified and students that Chico Federation serves. representation matters. But not only that, her leadership reflects diversity, resilience, and the brilliance of our communities. The brilliance of our communities. At Chico Federation, we look forward to continuing our partnership with the district to ensure that every
047child grows up safe, healthy, and supported. Because when our families thrive, our entire region thrives. Dr. for Bula. We have a lot of work to do, but we're in this work together. Felic, that concludes comment on this item. All right. Thank you. All right. Um, with that, we will move to board discussion. I have a feeling some of my colleagues here uh have some comments. Would anybody like to comment? Trusty Baldis. Dr. Regoula, in Joseph and I's quick one-year term serving on this board, we truly could not have asked for a better superintendent. Your unwavering passion and devotion to supporting the students in San Diego Unified truly is one of a kind. So, on behalf of all the 95,000 plus students, we thank you for the work you've done and we're excited to see what
048you do in the upcoming years. [Applause] Thank you, Quinton. Any additional comment? Trusty Hazen. Thank you, President Patterson. It is with deep gratitude and great optimism that I enthusiastically support the permanent appointment of Dr. Fabi Begula as our superintendent. It has been a privilege to work alongside Dr. Beagula during this critical period in our district's history. Despite the unsteady terrain below your feet 10 months ago, you stepped in with courage, with clarity and compassion, offering not just stability, but a renewed sense of purpose. Dr. Dr. Begoula has led with humility and strength. And her commitment to conscious accountability rooted in transparency, trust, and collective growth has begun to transform how we lead, how we listen, and learn together as a system. She embraces the notion of failing forward and in doing so models a leadership
049style that is reflective, adaptive, and at the end of the day always student centered. Dr. Beagula also brings a deeply important perspective to this role as the district's first Latina superintendent, a historic and meaningful milestone in a district where the majority of our students identify as Latino. Her lived experience and cultural responsiveness strengthen her leadership and our district's commitment to fostering welcoming and belonging. As interim superintendent, Dr. Dr. Bula partnered with our board to operationalize an intentional shift to ground every aspect of our work in a shared commitment to improving student wellness, academic achievement, and college and career success. From building a healthier organizational culture to developing stronger systems for data-informed decision-making, Dr. Beula has made meaningful progress in aligning our work with the long-term success and well-being of every child we serve. You've also
050been a tremendous partner to me personally. I'm grateful for your commitment to leveraging collective wisdom to off to honoring diverse voices and ensuring inclusive decision-making processes and always embracing innovation. Drs. Beula Dr. Bagula's leadership reflects her understanding that systems change requires both heart and rigor. Whether reimagining our budget to reflect our shared values, strengthening our civic and democratic commitments or rebuilding trust across our schools and in the community. Dr. Beagula leads with both vision and discipline. Dr. Beula Fabi, thank you for your tireless service, your courageous leadership, and your unwavering commitment to the children of San Diego. I am proud to vote in support of your appointment today and look forward to the continued work we'll do together to ensure each and every student in San Diego Unified reaches their full potential. Trusty Cruz. Thank
051you, President Patterson, Dr. Beula, Fabi, thank you for everything. When I first started this term, I was so afraid to walk through these hallways. And when we first met while you were still deputy superintendent, you offered to let me stay in your office. Thank you. Your kindness, your warmth. You are everything that a student would want in a superintendent. So, thank you so much. [Applause] Trusty Bazo. Thank you, President Patterson, and thanks to everyone that's here today. Um, I wanted to just start I'm just going to really speak from the heart here. when I uh first started a as a school board member in 2020 during COVID uh we well going forward from that time to the time that we appointed Fabi she was my third superintendent in four years so uh along with Linda
052had as Linda expressed concerns it was a really turbulent time it was a difficult time and I was concerned I you know I know Fabi but I don't know really know that much I knew of her but I didn't know that much about her But it turned out, as everyone has said, that she was exactly the right person for this role and came in at exactly the right time when we needed her. And I think it speaks volumes just looking around this room at every the cross-section of people that are here today is incredible. We have district staff. We have labor leaders. We have superintendents from other districts, principals I can see in the room. Um we have community leaders, nonprofit organizations, parents, family, and students. Um some of our most important visitors here today.
053And so I I I that itself, you know, makes it so, you know, I think all of us can can say that that's really important to see that cross-section of showing trust that we have in here. And over the this last year that I've worked with Fabi, she has exuded just this quiet determination whether we've been in a meeting or at a school site or gone to Washington DC together. Um she's always well respected. She's very sincere. She listens to everyone. Um is very open to input and thoughts from others and so much more so much. In fact, I feel like that Fabia is very modest person. So I think this is kind of uncomfortable for her right now. Um I've actually encouraged her. I'm like you need to talk more about yourself and all
054the accomplishments that you've had, but I know that that's just not her. So, um I appreciate I've appreciated that about her as well. Um you know, I I just see the respect um wherever we go for Fabi and and it's and reflected in myself as well. I find her just very, you know, it's just a breath of fresh air. She's always transparent. She's extremely approachable. She always makes sure to communicate, especially as a board member. There's a lot for us to keep up with on a regular basis. And I always know that she will communicate important matters to me within a a you know within a good time uh a time-sensitive nature and she's always honest and sincere and I really appreciate that and uh I'm extremely confident in her skills and I'm very excited
055to have Fabi Dr. Bula as our next superintendent. Thank you. Trusty Wyers fan. Thank you. Thank you. And thanks to all of you here and those who are not here but here in spirit. I want to talk for a moment about a verse in Ecclesiastes that talks about how there's a time and a season for everything. And for those of you who know anything about it, the time and the season is for a Latina and not just anyone because that question came up. Why not another one? It is Dr. Fabiola Begula's term. It is her time. It is your season, Fabi. And we are with you. When we first had a challenge, a real challenge shall we say, we were uh frustrated because we had been moving in a certain direction to move students forward
056and we thought that we were almost there and we wondered whether we would lose that momentum. And I can say that we've gave it to her to pick up the ball and run with it. And I think we've all been pleased with how she has run with this ball for our students, for our staff, for our community, for this district. She has done a wonderful job with moving us forward. And I really want to say thank you. on yesterday, I had my one-on-one meeting with her and uh I was just telling her, "If we appoint you, then get ready for the real deal. The gloves come off. This is what we want. That's what we want." And I think she was a little surprised. She did. She thought she had been getting the real deal.
057But we still have some more. She is the one that we want to work with to move this district forward because she shared she and her team shared some things and I think they were surprised that I was so excited by some of the things that they were sharing. But community city, get ready. We have some exciting things to share with you about our plans for special education. I'm jumping the gun here a little bit. Yes, special education. and even um with our department where we're looking at sexual harassment and so forth. We're going to move forward. We're not standing still. And I really want to make this one point. We could have chosen anybody anywhere. Somebody mentioned someone one time from Chicago or I don't know where, but Fabi is our she is our
058person. She has worked with us. She knows San Diego Unified and she is able to move us forward quickly without learning the district, without learning. We're ready to move out on behalf of the students. Now, we've wasted enough time on adult stuff. It's time for us to focus on the children theme. Okay. I had to get my sermon in today. I was sorry going to church today. This is good. Vice President Barrera. Thank you, President Person. So, I always think about the first time I think I met uh Fabi, Dr. Bula, when she was the principal at Baloa Elementary. Um, and those of you who um most of you in this uh room know a lot about Balboa Elementary. Those of you who don't, Balboa Elementary is probably nearly 100% of the students are first
059generation uh students from hardworking parents uh who are doing everything they can, working two or three jobs to make ends meet. Um a lot of students who are uh learning English when they come into the school. and Fabi had called me. I I'd just gotten on to the board, so this would have been 2009, and said, um, I I have some students who want to meet you. So, I said, great. So, I came out to Belboa. It wasn't students who wanted to meet me. It was students who wanted to grill me. So, there were two students who um ran the morning news program at Balboa Elementary. So, one was sort of the in front of the camera uh personality and the other was the uh behind the camera uh producer of the morning news. And
060no offense to any of our media partners here, but I never got as tough questions from any of you as as I got from the students at Alboa. But what was so clear was they believed in themselves and they believed that their voice mattered and they um wanted to make clear to me that their expectations for an elected board member was to make uh their school a better place where they had opportunities to learn. And then that same day, I think we went from the grilling from the uh student reporters uh into the um uh uh auditorium and there were hundreds of parents. It was family Friday and um and parents were there. Um Fabi had put on some uh informational programming, but then the parents dispersed into the classrooms and went in and uh
061and were there to support the teachers uh with their students education and and were equipped with an understanding of what they could do to actually help their own students and to help other students. Um, and then I talked to some of the educators at Balboa and you know, Balboa is a school that when the school day ends, you know, 3:00, the second half of your day is beginning as an educator because now you're doing all the work to support your students, support families. And several of the educators there, you know, they had been in the district long enough that if they had chosen to, you know, go and post and bid and and, you know, uh, and and teach in a different part of the district, they could have done that. And I asked them
062why, you know, why were you all why are you all still here at Balboa? And they said, well, it's because Fabi creates an environment where we know we're effective. we know that we actually can make a difference in the lives of our students and that's why we got into the teaching profession in the first place. So we we want to come to school every morning. We look forward to the contribution that we're going to make um in in here in our school during the day. And when I think about that spirit that Fabi created as a principal at Balboa, I know that that is what Fabi will lead throughout our entire district. And it's true what many of you have said. Nobody's ever started as the permanent superintendent with more qualifications than Dr. Bula. uh
063PR teacher, principal, area superintendent, deputy superintendent, leader at the county office, interim superintendent. Um but Fabi also, as many of us, you know, have have mentioned, brings a unique and historic qualification in that she has lived the experience of so many of our students and so many of our families. And what that means is if you if you're a student in our district, you know that what is possible for you is right in front of you in in terms of in terms of our leader. Fabi has experienced so much of what you experience every day and is now leading our entire uh district, our entire city. If you're if you're an educator in our district, you know that Fabi is one of you has been in the classrooms, has been in the trenches, deeply respects
064and understands your work and understands that her role as superintendent is to support you just as she supported her educators when she was the principal. So that you want to come to work and you want to make a difference. And if you're a parent in our district, I think it's important that you know that the person leading our district loves your children in the way that she loves Tristan, who is here, uh, Faby's son. Every student in our district Fabi feels a real responsibility for and not just responsibility but feels love and sees the potential and sees what students can become. And as many of you know us have said today, in this moment when there are people who are questioning the potential of a person like Fabola Bagula and in fact not just questioning
065the potential but saying you don't belong in our community and in our country. There is too much power in this room. Look around. Look around at everybody who is here in this room. In fact, stand up please. Everybody in this room. And I want us all to see the power that we have to recognize that no level of hate, no level of um lack of belief in our community can match the power that we have in this room. So could I ask everybody here to actually raise your fist in the air if you are ready to stand and be led by Fabola Bula to make sure that we will [Applause] create that opportunity for every young person. [Applause] You may be you may be seated. Thank you, Richard. All right, we're round to the final
066turn here. I think she's I think she's locked down my support as well. Um, so as all of the board members pointed out, usually we don't get rooms like this that are this full. And we'd like to, we'd love to. We usually don't. And when we do, it's usually going to be a very controversial, tense night. So you get kind of a pit in your stomach. Um, and so it is very moving, I think, to us, we, including Fabi, to look out at a room this this full and recognize what it means to have a room that's this full in in unity um, and not controversy. And so, um, I'm very moved by that. Uh, I'm gonna cry more than John Boehner here. Um, so Fab and I I've always felt a special connection to
067Fabi. She did an icebreaker early on and it was who, what was your first concert? And I said, "Oh, my first concert was Aztec Stadium um, 10,000 maniacs." And it got around to Fab. She said, "My first concert was Aztec Stadium 10,000 Maniacs." And I knew right then we were gonna we were going to work out. Um but I I also want to say and this is um it's very simple to think that we had a similar experience at San Diego Unified um and experience of childhood and growing up and because Bobby is superintendent uh she looks great she has she's is very powerful at this moment But we did not have the same experience at San Die Unified. And I not to make have an element of sadness here, but I was sitting with
068my son. We had found in storage randomly three weeks ago my La Hoy Elementary uh yearbook, I think from sixth grade. And we're looking through it and I go, "Oh, there's my sixth class." Oh, it turns out it's a five six. They're all five six combos. That's how it was postp 13 pre LCFF. But and I look through a 056 and then we flip to the next page and it's I was in the gate class and I flip to the next page and that's the regular class. I don't know what we called it back then. We called it the regular class. Oh, I know a couple of those people. And then I flipped to the I'm sorry I flipped I'm sorry I flipped to the ESL five combo and I didn't know any of the
069names. I didn't even recognize the kids. How crazy is it? I had spent K through six. I the other kids in that my class, I knew all of them. I know to this day they're my Facebook friends to this day. I looked at that five six the ESL class and they'd been there all along with us on the same campus for seven years and I can't even tell you what their names are. I don't recognize any of the facing names. What on earth was happening? And my mom mom was there and she had been PTA president and I'm sitting my son. And he's like, "Who are those?" I said, "I honestly don't know. That's how it was back then. It was a cast system." And even though they were on our campus, we didn't even
070know them. And he said, "What do you think about that?" I thought it was strange, obviously. And my mom is sitting there, she goes, "God, I was PTA president. I can't believe I thought that was okay. I never even thought about it." And and to me it was when you when we're living right now, I mean, we're obviously living in an era in which unfortunately time is circular and not um and not straight, but um it's easy to forget what this district was like and what this city was like and what this community is like that you could have an absolute cast system and that is the system that I emerged from and it's the system that Fabi emerged from and I'd say another important difference between us is I'm board president. We're all board
071members. Your elected officials are important. They they they ensure that your governance of the district is consistent with their values and vision and interests. But we did not Are you Are you buzzing me? Um uh uh we put together campaigns. A lot of us had experiences adjacent. Some of us are educators and um we we put we had we got a donor base and we locked down endorsements and basically political entrepreneurs advent political adventures. Fabi grinded all the way through. She's spent what 27 20 I won't say it I won't age all of us but decades building to this moment in a way that even though we are technically elected and she's our employee she has so much vastly more experience and has been through so many more schools of hard knocks and experience and
072what I would say is one of the things you realize in politics absolutely that the fundamental element is character. It's not even party ail affiliation. It's not any of that stuff. Character is so fundamental to all the work we do and especially to leadership. And I think all of us when we met Fabi and all of you who have known her for years and decades, she has the character that's appropriate to this work. She is kind. She's loving. She's compassionate. She's curious. She has conviction which puts certain activities off limits. She is not going to do those even if they're expedient at the time. She has wisdom. Many of you have spoken to her her lived experience that's appropriate to this district. And I would say more than anything when you talk about there was
073an element in our analysis which was crisis leadership. And what did I say to five? I was like I why is that even there? It's all crisis leadership because it is. I mean look at the last several years we've had. Look at our country. I mean, it's just a rolling crisis. So, leadership is crisis leadership. And the way in which Fabi has led through this crisis and presumably will continue to lead us through the the rolling crisis we are likely to see for at least the next several years. The deficits, the attacks on our students of color, our students, um our Latino students in particular, our LGBT students, it's going to be a lot of crises on all fronts. You know, when when I first came on, there was big debates. There's always these like
074big debates that they go on for a while and then they kind of disappear. When I when we were first running for office, res restorative practices was the big debate and the big bug bear. And at a certain point in talking about it, you realize, well, restorative justice or discipline or practices, whatever they call it now, whatever we call it. I'm I'm part of the Wii now. It's 90% about establishing the culture and the relationships that you restore to. The work of restoring is a small part of it. If you haven't created the hard work is building that 90% that you're going to restore to. If there's nothing to restore to, there's no restorative practice. It makes no sense. But the same thing I would say about leadership. I meet a lot of people, especially
075elected officials. They jump in, they go, I'm going to lead now. Wow. But you haven't done the 90% to establish the relationships and the baseline that you lead from. And this room and everything we know about Fab Fabi, she's had the longest job interview of any human being on the planet Earth. Everything we know about her and I see her team over here. They're with us every board meeting night. We're very confident about their team, I should say, as well. And she's put that team together is she has done the long decadesl long work of establishing that baseline. the leadership, the 90% of the work that is the real baseline of leadership so that when the crisis come, you're doing the 10% of the work that's actually leading the team you put together and the
076community you helped hold together through the crisis. So, I would just say to me, this has always been a pretty simple question. Um, we've had an extensive process of determining for ourselves in a databased way that it's the right question. Um, and I really could not be uh more proud to be sitting here and casting this vote, nor more certain that while we're here, when I'm not here, this district will continue to be led by the most qualified candidate that we could have imagined in any length of analysis. So, I'm very proud to be here. I will be obviously casting my vote in favor of this motion. So, with that, do I see any more comment from the dis? Seeing none, we will uh move to a vote and then we will allow Dr. Well,
077just to be sure, she is going, we want to hear what she has to say, obviously. Um, with that, we'll move to vote. Student trustees, please vote. All other board members, please vote. That motion passes unanimously with student trust. Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Dr. Bugula, would you like to make a few comments? Oh, I would. And I know that um the tacos are getting cold outside, so I do have um I'm a Chiona already, so I'm like really struggling through this, but um I do have some comments to make. Thank you. Um so, first of all, just lots of gratitude and appreciation. um not only to the board trustees and my partners in this educational journey. Um I I strive to have the best for our students and I know that you do as well.
078The district team who works so hard, all of my colleagues and friends and family that are here. Um Tristan whose own academic journey has helped me better understand my parent role in education and especially Mark. Um thank you for believing in me even when I doubted myself. Okay. So whenever I'm invited to speak um especially when I speak in front of parents I always try to teach a little bit about public speaking and I tell them that I still get anxious when I do so and so I always summon my two grandmothers and I always like to tell about my grandmothers because I really bring them with me. My paternal grandmother who taught me she was a tremendous cook. She was a caretaker. She was very devout. She had an altar in her bedroom. She
079taught me how to pray and how to care and how to love and how to believe and how to hope. And then there was my maternal grandmother. The neighborhood kids called her lab, which is equivalent to like, "Get off my lawn." Um, she didn't know how to cook, didn't like to. She was a hotel maid, but she would pay lots of attention to the community. She would demand that I would write letters to President Reagan or call the FBI. And when I would answer her like a teenager, like she would say, "If they were doing their job, I wouldn't have to do this." So she taught me to stand up to notice injustices, to have a voice, to have accountability and the responsibility of public office. Ultimately, that's how I was made. I am love.
080I am care. I caretake. I pray. I hope. I believe. I fight. I notice. I am responsible. I believe in accountability, especially when it comes to other people's children and taxpayer funds. I stand here before you as a first generation college graduate, daughter of an immigrant single mom, and I say all of these words on purpose because I benefited from the promise of America, the promise of the American dream, the promise of public education. I love school so much that I went to school 17 years post high school diploma. And as someone who likes to overdress, and this goes to Mr. Mosley, um I like to quote Oscar Wild, "If I'm occasionally overdressed, I make up for it for always being immensely overeducated." So, and because of the love and care and nurturing I receive
081from all of my school teachers, I can recite all of their names. Some of them are here in the audience today. Um I had teachers that would tell me, "You would be a great leader." And then encourage me to lead. And I had teachers say, "You would be a great writer." and then encouraged me to write and that little notice that little mattering that actually has a name that has a technical name and I'm a nerd so I know it it is educator projected selfactualization that is the power that we have as educators that is the power and the responsibility that teachers have and educators have to see the light in each one of us name it and help them reach that potential so these are the tenants of my values the way that I
082lead I'm an organ organizational leadership scholar. I've written peer-reviewed articles on the subject, but I also know how to make these theories actionable. There are a few things that we've done as a school district. We've set clear goals. We've monitored them. We've communicated them. We learn from them. We bring people together. We believe in the power of the collective, collective agency, efficacy, responsibility, transparency, conscious accountability, and also understand that there are things beyond the textbook or curriculum. student wellness, student belonging, student safety, housing, nutrition. I am proud of the work we have accomplished this year and the direction that we are headed in service of our students. As deputy and as interim superintendent, our school district was the highest achieving large urban district national standards two years in a row and I'm just now monitoring
083our state results and we've also showing really beautiful gains across a lot of categories. And if you've heard me speak before, you've heard me say this, and I won't rest until we reach 100% of our students 100% of the time. And that's not just a slogan. It's a moral and professional obligation. We we live in a time of extraordinary promise and extraordinary responsibility. Public education is one of the last remaining democratic spaces where every child, regardless of income, language, race, immigration status, still has the right to thrive. That promise must be made real. And we are the ones to make it so. So what are we being called to do now? Not someday, but now. We must center equity through excellence. Not one or the other. Our students deserve both. We must ensure every child
084in every neighborhood has access to engaging, joyful, identity affirming instruction. And this means investing in our teachers, transforming our middle schools, aligning our academic strategies, and using data not to punish but to empower. We are clo we are called to close opportunity gaps by raising the ceiling and the floor. We must be radically student centered and community rooted. This means building systems with not just for students, families and educators. From cell phone policies to school renamings, from housing partnerships to mental health supports. We must listen to the people we serve. We must ensure every school is a place where students are known, safe, and inspired to lead. And we must also lead with compassion and act with integrity. The work ahead will require courage, not just technical skill. And I saw you raise your fist.
085You're ready to get into some good trouble here with us. It will require grace under pressure and joy in the face of challenge. We must model what it means to be interdependent, to be accountable to one another, and to protect the humanity of this work. This includes how we treat our teams, how we show up in hard conversations, and how we care for ourselves. In closing, I'm devoted to this city. I love our children. I love education. And I know deeply fully that it is my job to make their dreams come true. So, let's do that together. Thank you so much. Gracias. Can you get a picture? Do you want a picture? Yes, I would love a picture. Okay. I wrote a poem, too, but I can't read it because I'll start crying. I can
086do that. Are we going to sit front? Okay. Picture. [Applause] [Music] Thank you. Heat. Heat. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] We're going to just wrap up this agenda. We see out we'll see you outside. We've got and Mariachi outside, but we have to wrap up this agenda first. A little longer than I expected. Mike's got All right, we will now receive public testimony on non-aggenda items. Miss Schultz, have we received any request for non-aggenda comment? We've received two requests for non-aggenda speakers. I hope you enjoy yourself, but let's do it out with the food. We have to take two non-aggenda public comments here. Sorry, folks. Braun Ascalind. Is Braon Eascalind here or Diane Wokei? Yeah. Okay. Diane Wali. There she is. [Applause] Welcome. You have three minutes. Good afternoon. I'm Diane Walkey. I'm a board
087member of Safe, Healthy Playing Fields. An estimated 9,000 student athletes are treated for exertional heat illness each year. An increasing number are dying from heat stroke. Synthetic turf readily reaches temperatures of 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the type of infill. It has also been known to reach well over 220° F. At a temperature of 140, a first-degree burn occurs in 3 seconds and a full thickness burn in 5 seconds. PAS which is found in all synthetic turf can cause multiple reproductive disorders including a 40% decrease in female fertility a decrease of 62.3% in total sperm count in males various chronic and debilitating chronic diseases and cancers autism spectrum disorder attention deficit hyperactivity disorder resistance to vaccines high cholesterol obesity and diabetes even in teens because they are bioaccumulative. PAS exposure could be passed
088down multiple generations and babies are being born pre-polluted with PAS and microplastics. Research has identified an age- related risk for cancer for children and adolescence who play on synthetic turf. PAS can be absorbed through the skin and high ambient temperatures and high body temperatures that absorption through the skin in accelerates. Each field releases 2 to 3,000 lbs of microplastic blades per year. More if no infill turf is used, which has 16 times more synthetic blade fibers. This is from one swipe on a 1 and a halfyear-old field turf field. SQUA prohibits a proposed development if there are feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures available that would substantially lessen any significant adverse effect which the activity may have on the environment. That was two minutes really. Okay. Please read the letter that we sent on behalf
089of the organization and also I'll have Dr. Ron Ascan from Sierra Club who intended to speak but had to leave submit his comments as well. Thank you. All right. Uh, thank you for taking the time to provide your comments to the board and the superintendent today. We appreciate your input. Please know that your perspectives help us to better serve our students, parents, and community. This meeting is now adjourned. The next regular meeting will be held on June 24th, 2025. Please join us on the lawn for a reception honoring our new superintendent,