Santa Barbara County Board of Education Meeting March 12, 2026

001Calling the meeting to order. Uh live simultaneous Spanish interpretation of the board meeting will be provided for those who are viewing online. Okay. And now we will uh stand for the pledge of allegiance. and I aliance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands nations and all indivisible. Now we'll have roll call. Okay, it looks like Mrs. Alvarez floors is absent. Um, Dr. Armiststead >> present. Mrs. Cardi >> here, Miss Man here, Mrs. Frost >> here, >> Mrs. Reed >> here, >> Mr. Walker. Okay, thank you. Anna, um, we have, um, doesn't seem like seem like we have any changes to the agenda. Uh, so now we have time for comments, board comments. Does anyone have any comments? I do. Um I had the pleasure of virtually attending

002the 2526 employee service awards uh March 3rd and um that was a celebration of 50 very happy employees of SBEO whose tenure spans from 5 to 30 years. I was thrilled to have known the 30-year employee. Didn't even realize she had those kind. This is Amber Hardy lives in my community. I did not realize she had put in 30 time 30 years. Um, and then it was really very instructional to learn that there is both a Janelle Williams who's a financial adviser and and and Janelle Willis who's in early care and education. They both have 15 years. So I'm sure in 15 years you've gotten to tell the difference between the but it was it was very um illustrious for me. Thank you. >> Um I got to do a couple things. I got to

003take a tour in Hope District at a couple of the schools. So inspiring. Um got to do that with Dr. Salido and just really really enjoyed that time. Uh hope to do more. And then I did reading for a first grade class at Cleveland uh elementary school. So both just fabulous uh experiences. I had the pleasure of going with Dr. Salceto Dunlop. um elementary school in the Orchet District where we have two heart of hearing classrooms and oh my goodness uh if you've ever seen two teachers put out more energy more engagement um Joanna signs while she talks both in English and in Spanish. I mean it it's just incredible and the kids seeing the kids and how engaged they were and what was happening it was just a a tremendous experience. Recommend it for

004anyone. >> Um uh schoolboard related on the 2nd I attended the Central Coast budget and legislative update. So I feel very prepared for the budget discussion of today. Uh I'm super looking forward to attending uh the science fair that's happening this weekend. Um and then uh my hospital is going to be doing um an emerging leaders interdisciplinary conference about AI and healthcare. So I'm very excited to attend that. One of the um big uh one of the people from my hospital is going to be there doing part of the discussion. So I think it'll be really cool. Um, just to add on to member uh card m's uh statement about the staff appreciation awards. I was able to attend that as well and it was uh just really um heartwarming to see all the staff

005that have been able to be recognized for their years of service again spanning from five all the way up to 30 years which is incredible. And uh we were saying they must like their boss a lot to stay so long though. >> All righty. So we're going to move on now to a presentation uh by Gateway. And this presentation um will be by the co-directors of Gateway Educational Services, Colleie Alexander and Audrey Gamble. And um before you guys begin, I just want to say I'm so pleased um to introduce this presentation because I've been following the work of Gateway uh Educational Services for several years and am continually impressed by the support that you provide to students and families throughout the community throughout the county. On a personal note, my daughter participated in the co

006college college readiness program and the guidance and support that she received really helped alleviate a lot of great deal of stress and uncertainty um during the uh cal the college application process and in addition to that your extensive network and resources were instrumental in helping to access scholarships and grants um which she might not we you know might not have had the the ability ability to access without that service. So you to me you guys represent our county's unsung heroes and education and so I'm really pleased that you're here today to talk more about your work. >> No, thank you. Thank you for that nice introduction. >> Yes, unsung heroes. I like that. >> Uh good afternoon everyone. Uh my name is Audrey Gamble and I am one of the founders and co-directors of Gateway

007Educational Services and I'm Connie Alexander. I'm the other co-founder. Uh and um so we have a short presentation for you today. Uh a little bit about our background, what we're doing. Uh we're so happy to partner with all the districts that we partner with and we do consider ourselves to be partners. Um right now that partnership puts us into lump unified, Santa Barbara Unified and Galita Unifi, Galita Union as MLUS. >> Um our purpose and focus that we want to explain a little bit about you today is um that we provide direct services, direct intervention in reading and math for grades 2 through nine. and it's always a onetoone model and that includes our college readiness um program which we'll talk about in a few minutes. Um and then in terms of like the overall

008picture for us, so just to give you an idea of who we serve. So in the South County, so we're in Galita, um 55% of those students are Latin X, 30% African-American, 15% would say other. Reading and math focus is for South County. North County, we were able to open a nor a facility in North County in and that is just a literacy program that is K through six and in fact last summer we launched and did a Kinder transition pilot in Lumpoke last summer um because of some of the things that we learned about KEP results in Lumpoke. Um and so we're going to be looking for how we can do that again and broaden that. So that just gives you a little picture of like our overall demographics of kind of who we're

009serving. >> So our um who are applicant are these students and families. Oops. Santa Barbara County. So first of all, we have 70% of firstgen students. And um I just want to touch on the point that we have 48% biracial students in the entire county. Uh the biggest comp um composition of black students are in LMPoke um proper in the city of Loke. Uh the parent engagement is a very important part of what we do. Um we have meetings every quarter. We do progress reports for every student for six to eight weeks. And um we also have a group that we've put together called the uh parents of black students, excuse me, advocate advocacy council. and we meet on a monthly basis to discuss whatever it is that's um interest they're interested in and provide

010information. Um we also in the LMPro uh center we have a a mental arm a mental health arm which uh we are providing services based on referrals from academics into our mental health care services and I will say that we partnered on that mental health part with the healing space from UCSB to provide that. So there is uh a referral system because we noticed how many of our black African-Americans and families were not ac accessing the mental health and so this is now those kids those families have a way to directly um find therapists of color and so that has been a great partnership and we appreciate the Santa Barbara Foundation for getting that off the ground with us. So if we just took one district and say okay look specifically at these students. So

011we kind of want to just give you a picture of like what has been happening when we think about what happens. So students have access to usually from May to September that's two sessions a week when we look at our black African-American students. So this is 2023 like to say okay how did they do? So, um, you can see the levels there of where they were in terms of being below grade level. So, that was the average. About six of those students have IEPs. Overall, in all of our demographic, about 30% of the students that come to Gateway have IEPs. Um, the parents, you know, that range, and I'm going to talk about how we got to that range, but the improvement on the range is significant because they're getting onetoone services. So because that's

012like 90 minutes a week of onetoone on a specific program for them, we do see a little bit higher on that improvement for them. Um I I noticed there's a new buzzword out there. They calling it high impact tutoring, right? So we laughed. We're like, "Oh, okay. There's got a new buzzword, but that's what we're doing. That's essentially what we're doing." Um and then we do find that we have very high engagement in attendance. We don't have people not showing up. they come. Um, so this is we use I Ready. So if you're familiar, if you've ever seen I Ready, that's our diagnostic. And so we do diagnostics three times a year with the students. Beginning of the year, then we do the January, and then we're doing one in late May, beginning of June

013so that we can track that. So this looks better on your sheet when you guys are looking at it, but really it's about how we can see, you know, a typical student. We look and like where was that starting point for that student? you know, was it phonics? Was it vocabulary? So, we're looking at for reading at a really core piece of the what makes up how you become a strong reader. So, for us, it's always been phonics. We've always been phonics based. Um, it's things like highfrequency words, vocabulary. So, you can see we can track for a student how they start to do. And so, sometimes mid year we'll see like, oh, you're having a little slump or the curriculum accelerated and got harder. So then we might see a little slump but then

014we see the bump where we have moved right. So this is just it's been fantastic to work with this diagnostic. We've had it for about three or four years now to work with I Ready um and they've been great at supporting our team what we've learned and we can do this diagnostic for parents in English and Spanish. And so it's been really helpful the way it aligns for the school districts that are using STAR. So, it's been really helpful for our parents to have a good sense of where is my child right now. If they want to walk in and go, where are they right now? We can help them understand and students who have the IEPs because we go to a lot of IEP meetings with our students. So, that's something we provide is

015attending IEP meetings. They can they can work with this and we can use it when we're sitting with teachers, right? And the teachers appreciate the fact of how much tracking we're doing. So, um, for college readiness and, um, as the chairman said that we had chairwoman, sorry, my daughter too has gone through our college readiness program. That's her at the top there. We are in our 13th cohort right now. So, and every year we put all of these students through the path to get to college. It's a little different than when we all went to college, right? A little more stress. And so we want to make sure that we were able to remove that stress from the parent and focus strictly on the journey to college. So we help them with test taking strategies.

016We help them with getting scholarships, what school fits them most. Not everyone, you know, wants to go to big school, small, but everyone has the opportunity in this state to go to a school that suits them, that fits their needs. And so we are able to provide that for them. Um, our students usually go to college, they get in and out in four years. That's the goal. And so we have a very high percentage uh 99% even getting fully funded. Some even got refunds because they got done early. So that's been a a really amazing amazing um opportunity for us to talk about. Um we take uh juniors and take them all the way through the program. It's about 14 18month engagement and even in their first year of college we help them with the

017transition. So, it's a warm handoff and we we keep them close. We love all the kids. Um, so they start as juniors. This cohort has um five African-American juniors and two Latinos. And we're in process right now. We have a class on Saturday with them. So, we're really looking forward to seeing what they do. Uh, and then there's other opportunities for engagement for community to engage with us. So, we run some summer programs. There's the Steam Academy for girls that's about ages 10 to 14 that's focused on math, engineering, physics. It's project based learning. They love it. Um, and this Yeah, and I'll talk about the other one in a second. We have Obsidian Scholars that kind of tends to run year round. This year, for the first time, we're trying to do Obsidian Scholars

018on a campus. So, we're trying to work on that at Santa Barbara Junior High. Um, and so, you know, we we love the fact that we learn. we come in, we come into a community, um we sit down, we're trying to figure out what's happening. So that particular junior high has needed more support this way. And so we're just trying to get that moving. And what we do in that Obsidian Scholars is civic engagement, cultural history, art, music. It's really a beautiful well-rounded program. And then in the summer, we do the Black Youth Leadership Summit, which is grades 5 through 12 in August. This year it's August 15th. Um, and this is the largest event for black youth in Santa Barbara County. So, we bust them from LMPO and Santa Maria and they come to

019SBCC for the day and we spend a whole beautiful day in um personal development and history and leadership. There's the outlet for music, for art, but it's really a belonging and a beautiful sacred space in that way for our kids. And it's become quite a hub because so many like we get so many adults that want to come and we're like um this is kind of a kid thing and we have all these adults signing up going can I come? I just want to hang out. Uh so yeah so that's that's a really fun thing that we've been able to do and this will be our fourth and you'll see a video about it in a second. So what we've launched new in Lumpoke is what we're calling the Carver Society which is STEM education

020for pathway for grades seven 8. We're working on that with LMPoke Unified. We received a grant through Uplift Catalyst to start this program to get it started to get the first cohort going. So the idea is the cohorts will be 20 students a year and they will be um given math support. So we're going to do a lot of math diagnostic and then from that math diagnostic they will also have the opportunity to engage and get some ideas. So we're going to go do trips. We are so excited. We're going to be working with the UCSB National Society of Black Engineers. that club of students is going to be coming up driving up from UCSB to Santa Barbara to Lumpoke to be the program mentors and to work with them. So, we're super excited and

021we had the kickoff on the rainiest night ever. That was crazy. Um, and so they have some things that their first big one is April 4th. They're going to do some things with them. um April, sorry, March 28th, we're going to the Botanic Gardens to do a study about um George Washington Carver and Botney. So, it's just more opportunities to give our students a bigger background, a bigger piece of engagement. And um coming up this week, Sunday, we will be at the CA, which is the cultural arts workshop. Uh we every year for the last three years we have done a stop the hate poster contest which is funded by the state of California department of um social services and it's an opportunity for the kids um to just draw express themselves about how they

022feel about um hate and hate speech. And so we have highlighted I am Ruby Bridges. This is her original book. Um and it's all about positivity. You know, it's it we're living in a tough time right now. And so, we're just trying to be positive in every step that we take with these kids. And so, this contest had over 500 submissions. You should see my living room. Um, but it's been so fun to see how talented these kids are and the way that they're a able to express themselves on poster board. And so it'll be held there from uh 2:30 to 5:00 and it's open to the um families and the participants that come and it's going to be a wonderful event. So we're really excited about it and this year we're extending that um

023poster contest into law folk. So we picked two schools um La Honda and Clarence Ruth this year for the month of March. So, we're working with them all right now to as a pilot to see if we can't then next year all of Lul Unifi would do it as well um to just be able to do that. And yeah, it's like Audrey said, it's a really beautiful opportunity. So, we look for as many opportunities to engage with community as we possibly can. um to be able to um one connect with parents and students but also uplift um what is not always said in our community, right? Um and from the perspective of social justice. Um many of the students have never met African-American educators before and so this is an opportunity for them to engage

024with us in that way. Um and so we just we love it and we look forward to doing it every year. So, um, and now we have a little short video that gives you some background on the, um, Black Youth Summits. This is a fun video that, um, which by the way was this year filmed by a little team from the Dun School who came and helped film this. So, Ezron Gates helped us with this and he brought his his students and it was really fun. They filmed this this year and worked on um, the edit of the video. So, really fun to work with them. Gateway Educational Services started 16 years ago and our intention was to provide students with something I didn't have when I was going to school which was academic support

025and so it started with a really simple idea that how do we help students thrive academically? How do we find the students who are most in need to thrive academically who don't have those tools who don't have those resources? So, we started with a folding table and a couple of card a card table and a couple of folding chairs and from there today we have two thriving learning centers and we're serving hundreds of students in Santa Barbara County. Gateway is an open door. My daughter was shy to start tutoring. It has given her confidence um affirmations on her level of intellect and her capabilities and um Gateway has learned her talents and again as I expressed it's affirmed her talents. Um she now works for Gateway. So she went from coming in as a tutored

026student to a Gateway employee. to watch the community of parents grow that these parents um love being together, love supporting their kids together. So, what we've said lately is that we really do feel like we've become a learning community and that encompasses like everything that we do that we're a learning community. We were in um a meeting with some parents and the parents expressed to us that they didn't feel like there was anything very specific that addressed their students needs like where is the place that black African-American students go to first of all just experience a joyful day together and so one of the moms said can we just have one day I mean that's all I need. can I just have one day where we bring everybody together and we have a joyful day?

027Um, and that day focuses on leadership. And me and Audrey looked at each other and said, "Yeah, we can do that." And so 3 years ago, that's where we started. This request to have just one day of fun and creativity for kids was supposed to be a one-time thing. And since it was such a big success, they've asked us to do it again. And now we're in our third year. and it looks like we're going to be doing it again. So, we're really excited that we're getting as much participation and just look at the kids have parents were included included. So, everyone is welcome here to learn. >> Thank you. >> On who? >> Okay, it looks like we got to go back to Ezron. West. So, >> Oh, >> no. That's That's okay. Okay.

028>> Cuz I think we're done. >> Okay. They want to see African drumming. There's black African-American art. There's um literature. There's um poetry that is in the style of black African-American poetry. So, things that weren't just art, all those things, but things that fit culturally um that would give them an opportunity to express who they really are, their full selves. Spaces like what we're providing right now are very essential. To give students a place to thrive, to give students and families a place to connect is really important. So that's why we're here and we want to stay in this space. And as long as parents want us to provide this for their kids, as long as students want to come and be a part of it, we want to stay in this space. >> They

029just give us the opportunity. um they provide us those kinds of things and I really appreciate that. >> I love how much support it is. There's so many opportunities you can do, so much support, so much volunteer work you can do. I did camp STEM camp for girls. I had got all my volunteer hours because of that and I had none and now I have all the logistics of that. Gateway helped me with that. All right. >> Thank you. Oh, any are there any questions? >> Okay. I am I was not aware of your program and I live in Santa Maria and I am blown away. I really am. This is just wonderful. It's so specific which is exactly what's needed instead of this broad broch. One thing caught my attention and this may not

030be something you have the information on but it just caught me that the percentage that of the students who have IEPs is very high. Is there one consistent type of IEP? Is it you know behavioral? Is it neurological? Is it you know and I'm not putting you on the spot if that isn't something that you have >> that's fine I it just something I >> so you know >> interested in >> I think we've gone through that um of times periods where we and in the state we address disproportionality right like oh seems like this is a little high so there were questions about that on the state level and states asking districts to kind of reook at why this is disproportionately So I but what we see in those IEPs, so they're kind of

031all over the place, but I would say we see mostly sensory challenges. So audio processing and those sensory challenges seem to come up pretty high. Um now there's terms we don't use anymore, like we don't say dyslexia anymore. Like there's things we don't say anymore, but we see where that is there. There's certainly a portion of students that have ADHD, but ADHD is not a reason to get an IEP. So, in my opinion, it's not a reason to get an IEP. Usually, it's kind of partnered with another thing, you know. So, ADHD and oh, we got sensory, we got other things that match to that. So, um, so yeah, we we recognize the part that might be disproportional, but we also recognize and appreciate the fact that the state is doing screening so much earlier

032because I'm hoping that we can catch a lot of things much earlier, like those second graders, those third graders. We really need to catch this early so that we aren't on IEPs forever, right? That we do the work and we transition out. So, yeah. Um, but that's why we really are strong advocates for our families in that space. We go to IEP meetings. We read them all. We give them to other We have some relationships with some other educational PhD folks who kind of look at those sometimes with families to have a second look for somebody else to look at those. So, we offer that as well. Another question. Yeah. >> Presentation. Uh great work that you're doing out in the community. the FASA piece. >> How often do you do it? >> I'm thinking

033uh presentations under community. Uh and so while I know about explaining public uh both and how So, you know, for so parent any of the families that go through our cohorts, um, we definitely help them with a timeline of like when they should know they they need to have that done. Um, if it seems like and we definitely do a workshop with those parents. So, there's like a workshop that we can do with them. We can do it a few times. A lot of times we're doing it onetoone with them on that workshop part and then we refer them to um the scholarship foundation of Santa Barbara who can actually do like if they want to come in do the simulation on their computers do all that work too. Um so yeah so it depends

034on what the needs in those cohorts look like. >> Okay. gonna ask for um what are there opportunities for adults to volunteer? >> Um so we have the Black Youth Summit every year and it's a heavy lift trying to prepare for it and break down afterwards. So I would say that would be one of the ways that you could um have the opportunity to volunteer. Uh, and if someone did want to try and volunteer as a tutor, we have a pretty extensive training that g that they need to go through and they would get vetted and all the same things as other people. Um, we appreciate the fact that we have a lot of young firstgen students from UCSB on our work study program who are in there and we love providing those jobs for

035them. Um, but I was just telling uh uh superintendent that we really could use some more tutors in LCO. It's been harder for us to find that tutoring pool in Long Poke. So, we have littles on the waiting list right now that we'd love to get off that waiting list. So, in in helping us spread the word that we could use some folks tutors in Long Poke, we definitely could use some literacy reading tutors for Long Poke. Yeah. >> Thank you so much, Connie and Audrey both for this presentation, taking the time to show us today what you're doing. The depth and the breadth of this work is really fantastic. Um I'm trying to get a a sense of how many students you serve per year and how it divides up north and south county.

036And then wondering do you work with after school programs or lump teen center? Do you collaborate at all with referrals or service to any of those programs or do you are you site based? So we're a little more sight based and right now that distribution there's about 68 students that we're serving right now and then the bulk of those are in South County right now. So, you know, it's a little under 20 or so that are available for LMPoke. And like I said, we're trying to get them off that list, that waiting list in LMPoke. And then since we're doing primarily academic work, we're not really doing social emotional work after school. So, but the other agencies do know that they can refer kids out through us. So, they kind of know. Um and our

037collaborations are probably more geared towards ourus, you know, where the districts know that they can um refer students. We have a a goal list who we're working with, that kind of thing. So, yeah, but we're very um well known in the in the nonprofit area here. So, um the other nonprofit leaders know about us and definitely call us when there's situations or they need some support. >> Great. Thank you. Yes, definitely. Good for I'm sorry. Uh, but I was wondering about the staffing. Do you have retired teachers there? Do you have um what does the staffing look like in terms of the support that the students uh are given? >> So, um we have a contract with UCSB >> and so we hire those students as as tutors. Um currently we are looking specifically in

038LPoke for par educators. >> Okay. >> Um because their hours line up more with what we're doing because all of our tutoring is done on site a or at our location after school. So we don't interrupt the school um day at all. Most of the retired teachers said we were retired reason. Uh but I will say that in our Lok uh center right now we have a former um preschool teacher, someone who taught preschool for 12 years and it's great to have her. We also have uh a former special education certified teacher who's working with that group in Lumpoke because we are trying to really drill down on the literacy. So um yeah, and then we also during the summer is when we have some PAR educators that come and work with us down in

039in South County. So some who have worked for Hope School District and some other school districts, they come and work in the summer with us that we do we're year round and that summer has been a fantastic time to catch that grades one through three on reading, right? They come in, it's 12 weeks, it's like three times a week. We're working on all those things. And so yeah, our our our magical team in the summer is amazing. Absolutely amazing. And I asked because I know rifting and pink slips are coming out for teachers out there in the district. So I just wondered, you know, because a lot of times the first and second year teachers say, well, what what am I going to do? >> I just wonder. >> We hope that that those don't

040stay. That's what we're hoping for, right? Yeah. We need them to all stay. So hopefully figure out how to find that funding. >> We need to stay where they are. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Thank you both for this incredible presentation. Uh and I you mentioned um Audrey that this is a very difficult time right now and we definitely feel that. Have you noticed any um changes with like funding or grants during this time because of political changes that we're experiencing? >> Yeah, absolutely. Um, so I I think people are a little funders are a little bit fearful about giving funds because of, you know, DEI and all those other programs that are getting cut. So yeah, we do feel that a little bit, but regardless of what happens, we're here to stay and

041we make a way to and find a way to work everything out. So we don't like turning anyone down. If they need help, we will find a way. I'm a mother. I'm sure a lot of you in here are mothers and when your kid needs something >> ex papa >> ex except for I said I said a lot a lot but dads too you know but we got mama bears and papa bears okay so we will always find a way to help people as as often as we can we try to work it out because if you need the help you need the help no matter what the circumstances is that help is always going to be there so we will always try to be there as well. And thank you for that funding question

042cuz we were driving over here and we're on the phone with our grant writer and she's like trying to finish something. I'm like, "Okay, okay, we'll be back to the desk because that's what it is for us. It's like a constant like looking for those funds. It is constant." And so, you know, it would be nice to have a little relief to feel that level of pressure. Um, but, you know, like Audrey said, we just keep pivoting and looking for other sources, you know, but yeah, we definitely feel that push back. Yeah, we do. >> We did get that. We did get that. We appreciate that. >> Thank you so much again. >> Really appreciate you guys coming out. >> My mic wasn't working for a second. >> Yeah. Okay. So now we have the

043superintendence report. Ah thank you so much and good afternoon to all of you and thank you so much all of you. Yes and con thank you so much. Incredible dynamic duo. >> Yeah of impact. I uh submitted a report to you and wanted to refer to it today but also add to it today. So I'd like to actually start at the end. I just I'm chuckling to myself at the at the the different countywide meetings and events that many of you have been part of and um in some it just has been a a really fun few weeks together. Um several of you have mentioned some of these events together and one was an actual accidental meeting I'll say. Um on on uh February 28th um Anna and I and um two other individuals, Isabelle

044Guerrero and Elise Simmons um facilitate our student advisory council. And um it was our first meeting in person though we've met with them before and there are 30 high school students from across the county and we convened at the I'll call it relatively new Buen Library. They moved about a year ago. It's a lovely setting. Uh yeah gorgeous there. And so we had 30 high school students. We were just fired up and talking with them. And we had special guests that day and we had then we had special special guests that day because Guy and Molly Walker walk in and they were there at the library too for a different event. So it's even though your name's not there um you were there. Um so uh but anyway just um lots of interactions with our

045board members and appreciation for um this is while it's my calendar this doesn't represent your calendars. your calendars are so full and um whenever you can I know and it doesn't always work out but whenever you can you're you're with us at school sites and events and it's just very very meaningful and I I I have been saying very much recently how incredible our our board members are as community leaders in your own areas and to have you us together walking together in some spaces. It It just feels really good. So, I want to say thank you for to each of you. Um I also want to say on February 21st um also happened to be um Guy Walker and Mary Beth Cardi were in the audience and supporting um two individuals on our board

046Nadra and Katia who were initiated as uh two inaugural women of 31 AfricanAmerican women leaders representing St. Louisis, Abyispo, and Santa Barbara counties. Um they are just 31 exclusive, incredible women from all different sectors and they have started a new links chapter here. Um Mr. Guy is was a sponsor I think of the whole program and Mary Beth and I happened to be able to be there to support um the 31 individuals. It was a truly spectacular event in in so many ways. Um, one, if I could just lay a foundation of what I've walked into or what what I saw felt when I was walking into was at the Hilton and many of us has been to this same Hilton ballroom many many times. And I I I really I just don't know that

047I've ever felt it and seen it be so elegant and spectacularly laid, you know, out and packed from wall to wall to wall to wall. 400 individuals there um or more. And um and the links the the women had been celebrating and having ceremonial things um the night before and the morning of and the m you know all these things and um one after another as the procession came in. You know the 31 women. It was just one woman after another who make have have made and will continue to make a significant stamp and signature on on our world. And um really remarkable and so uh congratulations to Nadra and Katya. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Truly remarkable. And I understand that this this class will be a class together I think a cohort for two years

048before more members will be um um initiated or allowed in or invit invited in. But um truly tremendous secret society, no society, but just really good. and they said they couldn't say yeah secret thank you very appreciate the support >> and we hope to um make a big dent in this community and do a lot of service so and I are uh rolling up our sleeves and yes doing work >> it is absolutely about service so I'm really excited to to be a part uh to have been a part of that um to witness it so a few more um announce announcements or important um places that I'd like to uh uh pause. So, at the beginning of your report, I have several dates and events that I'm hoping you will um um mark on

049your calendars. So, today I really want to say say something about each one, very little. So, the annual dinner that we've already announced for the the Santa Barbara County School Boards Association, the School Boards Association is also um paying for optionally if you'd like to go to the Chum Mash Museum ahead of time. So, um the uh formal invitations will be coming soon, but even informally, if you'd like to let Anna or Arlene or myself know, we'd love to save your spot. The SBCEO education celebration happens in the spring. Um the date is May 21st. If you would like to mark your calendar, if you can make it, we'd love to have you there for this for this dinner event. Um child abuse prevention and mandated reporter is a training that we've um that we

050will share with you one more time in an email. Um we we wanted to go uh it's a it's a mandated uh training for for board members. We'll send you information. Once again, you have already received an email somewhere in your email about the form 700. Um, Austin and Craig sent a me, we sent a memo to you to further explain that. I'm going to come right right back to the Olive Grove petition. Um, so I want to share that with you. But, um, wanted to a couple more things. One is Children's Creative Project hosts the E- Modernari Chalk Festival each year. And um right as you can see behind me, we like to in the last few years, we've sponsor co-sponsored an SBCE county board square, 12 by 12 square. And if you would

051like to contribute, no pressure. You could $5, $100, however you'd like to do it. Last year, our square was the young woman on the right there. Um, but we will send an email to say if you'd like to please be a part of that and we'll sponsor a 12 by 12 square together. So, that's something an opportunity board retreat. So, we've talked about a board retreat. Um, I'm I'm hoping I have the date right as July 9th, which is the second uh Thursday in of July. Um we had uh those who were not in attendance at the last board meeting we uh communicated with and got a thumbs up that that date works for everyone here. So um I I wanted to give you a quick update to say that I have found I think

052a really good facilitator with experience in facilitating with county boards. um just a real levelheaded easy to work with person who I think gets us. So, uh, Reck highly recommended by some colleagues around the state and so had an initial meeting with her. I think it was yesterday or the day before. Um, and as Vita as the chair of the planning committee, I want to talk with Vita a little bit further, but just wanted to let you know that was good news. She's available on the 9th and so um, we're moving in that direction. >> Is that going to be in Santa Maria? >> It will be in the valley. Sanz Valley. Yeah. Somewhere in the valley. Um, >> perfect. >> Yeah. so that we can all be in the middle there. And we were

053um floating around the idea of a most primarily am retreat. So, don't hold me to this yet, but like 8:30 to 12:30 or something like that with breakfast and lunch and and and so um guy, thank you. What was that? What? >> We are on the clock. It's an official board meeting. Um, and then so I'm going to go back to the Olive Grove petition and also um I've asked Austin to give an update on the Supreme Court ruling related to parents and notification, children and gender but u identity. So I have those two updates to provide but Judy has a question. Then I go to Mrs. Fox. Have we officially then um repurposed the July 9th board meeting or is it possible that we would have the retreat and then need to have a

054board meeting to be determined? >> Right. Right. It it is it is the latter. Um because if there are required actions of the board because of timing it something comes up very >> we will already be at board meeting >> um but then we'd want to further agendaize other actions that we would need to take but if we don't need to have actions because of the timing beyond the retreat then I then I would suggest with um meeting with Nadra first that we delay that till the August board meeting And if we do, we can just stay in place. >> Stay in place. Just Perfect. >> Yeah. Stay in place. >> So we don't necessarily have to wait till 2:00. >> No. No. No. Exactly. We could attach it to the front. We could attach

055it to the end. We could put it wherever we'd like to as long as it's agenda. I I am challenged with getting Benson's doggy daycare count. >> The truth emerges. I like it. All right. Right. So then the last two topics if there I'd love to ask you if there's any other questions but I do want to talk about those two items. So the remaining items okay Olive Grove charter and then um Austin's update. Thank you Austin. So um Olive Grove petition. So you on your at your places you have on letterhead a a letter that um we submitted to the state board. Okay. And um so I wanted just to for you to see it. And as a reminder, Olive Grove Charter School petitioned um four school districts. Um three school districts approved the

056petition. Santa Barbara denied the petition. And because it is a state board authorized charter, it bypasses us and goes to the state board. And so um we have zero say in the matter. It's the law. Well, we don't, you know, but to the credit of CDE, the California Department of Education, they did um meet us uh myself and Bridget to talk through what does it what would this look like if you're the authorizer? What do you think? Um and the law says that the a petitioner, olive grow, um the state asks the petitioner, who would you like to be your authorizer? That's how this law works. >> Yeah, it's a very unique situation. It's it's very unique in that the state board is um t removing itself as an authorizer. And so during this time

057when petitions are removing off of their authorization, this law is in place. So those are the components. The petitioner reviews it and when it goes to the state, the state must ask the petitioner who which entity would you like to be the authorizer? The petitioner, Olive Growth Charter School Santa Barbara stated that they would like us to be the authorizer. So, um, and Meg Ridman is the director and she's been the director of Olive Grove for now about seven years. and um she I mean she's a really strong leader. She participates in countywide um what we offer as a county and our relationship is very very positive. Um and she requested that we be the authorizer. So again back to the credit of the CDE we were able to share with them our thoughts. And

058so on this letter, not that you have had time to read it, but I do want to point to you uh point out to you what we shared with the state board as a public comment. And Bridget Bobitz, who's not here today, flew to Sacramento to be there this morning for the uh for the hearing. We thought it was really important even though we don't have a real say in it, we wanted to say what we could um in public comment and we got a minute or public comment. >> Yeah. So, but um and I I don't mean it sarcastic. I mean, we just we just weren't part of the appeal or the hearing. We just that's what we got to do. So, the cons we asked the state board of education to um consider

059having Santa Barbara Unified be the authorizer. And so back to the the district and reason one where you see on the first page consideration one um and this really is as authentic as I can I mean really we we we thought it could be an opportunity for Olive Grove Santa Barbara that exists in the Santa Barbara Unified School District and the district to work together to form some agreements because you're work really working with counselor referring to counselor or principal you know families going from one another. So we thought could be a really good opportunity. We saw this. We are seeing this with olive grove Moke and Loke Olive Grove Sanz Olive San we're seeing that example. So we thought it would be a consideration. The second consideration which is on in the letter is

060that um no matter who the authorizer is, the Santa Barbara Unified is a basic a community funded district and so their property taxes actually get routed to fund the Olive Grove charter school in Santa Barbara. It even if we are the authorizer the funds it just that's how it flows. So we thought it would be helpful to have a closeness since the funding is is very close there in proximity from the district to the the charter school and then yes >> you got it. >> Even if we are the author >> Yes. >> Even for the authorizers the funds tell me why are the funds going to Sanford? >> Yes. Um, I'm reading I'm reading it here. The funds don't go to Santa Barbara Unified. What it means is the funding that that the the

061funds because Santa Barbara Unified is a basic aid um district that they're um I'm looking for the right words here. It's right in here. >> Sponsoring local education agency. Your name's a school district that is >> There it is. The sponsoring local educational agency paragraph 2 is responsible for the transfer of inlue property tax revenues associated with students attending the charter school. It's it's an education code. We it is a transfer of their inlue property taxes from Santa Barbara to uh Olive Grove Santa Barbara. >> Olive Grove Santa Barbara. >> Yeah. Okay. And that same would apply to oligro whatever. >> Yes. Yes. That's right. >> And so the third consideration we we asked for um the state board to think think about was that you know they we knew going in that the CDE

062that the California Department of Education staff was going to recommend a five-year approval. Um we knew that going in a couple weeks ago. So, we thought it would be helpful to allow time for the district and the charter to work together for 5 years. They haven't had a chance to work together because the state has been the authorizer. So, they've been coexisting, but how about how about being mutually beneficial for five years. So, for um we we recognize that the the charter and the district student centered. Let's let's see if we can make this mutually beneficial. So, I wanted to share that with you because um we could have chosen to just remain quiet or silent or not go. Um but we decided we really wanted to um be present, you know, and share our

063thinking. We Bridget attended and um she uh and we watched the streaming and the state board um did go forward with a fiveyear approval. they recognized our statement and letter and um however asked us to be the authorizer. So that is their action. And so we are the authorizer of the we are the authorizer of Olive Grove um Santa Barbara and um Bridget had an opportunity to speak with Meg Ridman the director while they're there as well as Steve Benz from Santa Barbara who was there and Bridget um you know represented us exactly as we would ever expect which was to um you know um express how much we care about the students. We want the authorization and relationship to go very positively. Um I called Meg about uh the hour before um this board

064meeting and um expressed to her, you know, we want this to go well. We want this to go well for the students. Um we haven't been an authorizer before, so we've got some learning to do. And um in my point of view um because this is uh set, you know, it is set that um we want this to go really well. We want to have clear expectations from the get-go. We don't want surprises at the end of the five-year. We want um the the charter to know the expectations because we all have to have the same expectations for approval or denial at the end of the five years. and that um you know we look we look forward to having a very positive relationship on behalf of the students. So thank you for listening to

065the long story. I wanted to give you the full story um today and um we will uh meet our team will meet with Olive Grove's team in the coming weeks to see what we need to establish an agreement a working agreement how this will work. Um, so I will pause there and see if you have any questions. Um, at this time >> I think you answered mine right now because you mentioned you're going to meet with them and figure out >> Yes. the road ahead and Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Yes. And you will, but it will be under Bridget's area. >> It will be under Bridget's area and leadership. Exactly. Yes. >> Thank you. um like new parents. Um I wanted to ask just so I'm making sure that I understand um the fiscal impact.

066So um with the sponsoring local education agency that is the Santa Barbara Unified School District. So they're basically funds are being taken out of their budget for this charter um even though we're the authorizer. >> That's correct. >> And has that was that the case when um the CDC was the authorizer as well? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. Okay. That's right. >> So this is Yes. >> Okay. And we will I I don't know the answer of this yet, but I know for sure that this concept is true, which is um when you are an when an entity is an authorizer, there is an administrative uh percentage that of the charter school operations that come to us to to authorize and and staff um that work. It's it's it's not I would say uh

067fully sufficient but it is um it is part of that agreement between and it's for all charter schools and all their authorizers that there's a usually a between a 1 to 3% um authorization cost that then will come to the county office to be the authorizers. Um, Susan, does Bridget's team have the capacity to administrate this program and do you need additional staff and would that be offset by those revenues? >> Right. I I am not sure yet because I'm not we really need to unpack what does it mean to be uh first of all, we want to do this well going forward that there's just absolutely no question. we want to do a really good job, thorough job of being whatever it means to be, you know, an authorizer and and um and so

068I'm not sure yet. I I from what I understand from other entities that are authorizers typically that 1 to 3% and I think it might be capped there may be a formula. So I I say I don't know that it's a choice but anyway I don't think it covers the the cost and so we we may need to expand the capacity in our organization to be able to be authorizers. So thank you for asking the question and we're very mindful of asking the right questions of ourselves to to know what this looks like going forward. What what will it mean for board reports of the charter? Because that's part of it, too. What will it mean for um visiting and and um in for lack of better word uh authorizing the charter school by being

069there? Um you know, what what kind of data reports will we need to have the charter provide? Um, and I I I know for sure for me, and I think this would you would feel the same, is that by the end of the five years, um, we don't want that to be the first time we've met each other. We don't want to not know what is going on. Um, that that's how I'm I'm I'm feeling approaching it right now. >> Yeah, >> I'm sure I have a bunch of questions. >> Okay. >> I don't really know what they're, you know, I'll ask a couple of things and I'll read through this and try to >> Yeah. >> better understand. So, Olive Grove feels like a franchise. I'm hearing four locations uh and four different author

070that >> Yes, there are four locations and four different authorizers starting July 1st, 2026. And is there some sort of unifying document something that says what you do at some of what you do at one you have to do it all. >> I I believe they're each their own what we call a CDS code a school quote code and they each sub Olive Grove needed to submit a separate petition to each authorizer. there are commonalities of olive grove and so um but by nature of being olive grove and I believe the the way the last time I looked into it deeply it was a a a combination of um delivery of school which is um partially in seat partially at home >> and this might be an ultimate question >> uh and we are both

071the authorizer And we by definition have oversight of charter schools within Santa Barbara County anyway. So even if we weren't the author, we have some oversight over charter schools. So what's the difference between the two? And is there some potential conflict? >> May I'll speak for you. >> There there definitely is is no conflict. This is this is a very common it's actually has frankly it's been uncommon for for our county to not authorize charters and it's nothing about pro or not pro-charter. It just has been the situation um uh in case that was on your mind. You know, county offices authorize charters up and down um California and um and we also have some oversight over charter schools. So it's not a conflict. In terms of the differences, I think I'd like to uh

072pause and come back and share what we're learning in terms of what does it really mean to be an authorizer and what does it mean as different from what what we've done before. So I'd like to come back to you with more more specifics. >> Um but it's not a conflict. >> Yeah. >> I it just I mean when I think conflict I think of let's say olive grove San Maria. San Maria Bonita School District decides one day it's like we don't think you've been hitting all the buttons. You're not checking all the boxes. We're not going to reauthorize you. Olive Santa Maria is like well we think you're wrong. So we're going to appeal to >> the county board of the county board. >> That's right. So this board that's authorizing Olive Grove Santa

073Barbara decides you're not checking all the boxes. They say yes we are. We're going to appeal to >> I don't know that they will have an opportunity to appeal because after the county board there is no state board authorization any further. But exactly this um is a unique situation because Olivero has been state board authorized in other uh um charter schools like the one in Santa Marie Joint Union High School District actually will be the authorizer in five years from now if Olive Groves decides to petition excuse me uh ask for a renewal um then it becomes the the the process that we've been used to for a long time which is that should it get denied at the district level then it comes to the county board. >> Yeah. So great questions. >> Thank

074you. >> Yes. It's a little bit of a followup from my last question. So um with um the Santa Barbara Unified being that sponsoring LEA, what type of relationship will they have with this um partnership or agreement if you will. So I I think it is will be just like it has been with the state board being the authorizer. They've they've coexisted. So it's been one school here and a district here. the school exists in the district boundaries, but they just really haven't had any um necessary relationship, but they've had, I'm sure, conversations and things like that. So, it would be that same thing saying the Santa Barbara Unified School District won't have any um I I just don't know that they'll have any um mustd do relationships. Yeah. I guess the question is because

075they're being fis fiscally impacted what they then come to us to say since we're the authorizer this you know not necessarily I guess demands not the right word but requests or recommendations because it's different when it's the state it's a little bit more removed but now that we have a little bit more um closer proximity to each other Would there be any like that that relationship? Would they be able to like you said give us recommendations or requests because of their fiscal relationship? >> Yeah, thank thank you for that question. I the way I see it now is that that could factor in in five years from now. So, if there was a reason that we thought we would want to renew um but perhaps um Santa Barbara at the time would want to make

076public comment to say consider not renewing as an example, but it it wouldn't um come into play, I believe, until uh five years from now as more of a member of the public as comment versus a request um as a an entity. I could be wrong. I'm just speculating at this point. Yeah, >> there is no offramp between now and five years from now. >> Correct. That's right. That's right. >> Got it. >> Yes. So, it has been authorized for five years and we are um the the state board acted for us to be the authorizer and and I and I know I have had uh the privilege of having maybe um four more hours of an on-ramp than you have. So, you're processing these questions and I I appreciate that um that I've I've

077really shared a lot with you at one time. Your questions are perfect and I don't know have all the answers now but we will learn and we will share what this all means and um like I said I think even with now four hours from now you will be at the same place I am too which is we are here to serve the students well. We want to have great relationships with all of our public schools, our charter schools, our public schools as well. Um it's about you know serving and choices and um you know this is this is our new role and so we will um eagerly seek out really uh amicable and collegial uh relationships with the um olive uh charter executive director and staff and keep you posted along the way. >>

078I think it would be a great presentation to bring to this board too. >> Great. I mean, some of us have been around a long time and gone through a couple of denial Yes. appeal hearings. Yes. >> And Yeah. So, I think it would be really interesting to hear from that. >> Thank you. We'll we'll do that. And so, now for my final update, let me pass things on to Austin and he'll give you um an update. Thank you. >> Right. So, from one set of unanswered questions to another. Um, so you may have read about this Supreme Court opinion that came out last week that has to do with this tension that's been growing between parental notice rights and student privacy rights. Um, basically what happened is there uh has been different policies enacted

079around the state. some of them based on models that the state has put out or CSBA that uh limit what teachers can disclose to parents without the students consent. And specifically that has to do with like gender identity or gender expression at school. Um a lot of that was based on a body of law specific to California. There's specific privacy rights in California. there's specific student minor rights that have been recognized in California. Um, and what happened was the federal court issued an injunction saying, okay, and this was Escandido Union School District where this happened. They said that part of your policy where you tell um teachers that they um may not release this information to parents without student consent, that's going to be invalid. Now, um, parents have a fundamental right to that kind

080of information about their student and that was going up on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Um, there was a a request to stay that injunction. So, basically to say, okay, don't enforce that injunction while we figure out this stuff on appeal. That stay got appealed to the Supreme Court and what we call the shadow docket or the rocket docket or, you know, there's a lot of names for it, but it's basically the emergency kind of phone line to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court issued this fairly brief for them opinion um that rein reinstated the federal district court's injunction on those types of policies. I know that's like a lot of like follow the bouncing ball kind of stuff, but um essentially what there's some things we know and there's some things that are

081kind of like to be determined. Um what we know because there's also potentially a state law affected by this, but we know that any policy that says that uh a teacher may not disclose this kind of information about gender expression, gender identity without the students consent can't enforce that anymore. Um so you might see some districts kind of scrambling maybe to rewrite their policies or to adjust that if they have similar types of language. I haven't actually seen like specific language that went as far as the Escandido language. Most of it says like case by case or you know there's some caveats built into it. Um the the bigger place this comes into effect is if districts have trained teachers or staff to um withhold that information without student consent. And that's what's going to

082have to change. Um, there's a little bit of disagreement in the legal sphere, I guess, about the extent of this ruling, whether it only applies within the class, the specific class of plaintiffs. Um, as far as I can tell, if you're not adjusting to this ruling, you're putting yourself at a huge risk of a section 1983 civil rights lawsuit in federal court. So, um, districts should probably adjust their training in in response to this. So, um, that's Yeah. So, like I said, this this was kind of what we call an interlocatory ruling. So, now it goes back to the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit has their marching orders from the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court has said parental rights win in these cases. And that's, you know, how we're going to rule if you

083don't rule otherwise. So, the Ninth Circuit is likely, well, you never know. The Ninth Circuit, they may they may, you know, march to the beat of their own drum. We'll see. Um, but there's about 40 other of these cases out there that are making their way up and and we have a pretty good idea of how those are going to turn out now. And so now it's just a matter of time before um we start to see the precedents take effect. So anyway, that's that's the the short answer of you know what you might have read about last week. Shortish answer. I may have missed this so please bear with me on things like sexual abuse and things like that. There are certain class of employees that are mandatory reporters. Does this fall under the

084category of a mandatory reporting that if a child says something to the parent to the teacher that the teacher has to report it? Therefore, so it would only come up if the parent asks the teacher directly, >> right? >> So there is no mandatory report. >> Okay. >> Yeah. As of now. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. >> This is you. Exactly. You look for the >> silver lining. But yeah, if you can't withhold the information if asked, you can't not provide that part of a student's record if you know there's a parents bill of rights in the education code and you know they have a right to this kind of information about their kids. And so this just reinforces this idea that has been out there in a lot of districts, but that uh parents

085are entitled to that portion of the record and it's not a case-byase determination anymore. that they ask, they need the answer. And I mean, there's other parts of it, too. If a parent objects to the pronouns that the student has asked to be called by, the teachers have to go by what the parent says. So, that's part of the injunction, too. So, there's kind of some other little wrinkles to this that need to be sused out. Thank you, >> thank you, uh, President Man. I'll pass back to you. All right. So now we are going to move on to the consent agenda. Um and at this time the board will consider all items below together and act upon them in a single vote. Um it includes the meeting minutes uh from February 12th, the registration

086of credentials and other certification documents. um acceptance of donations, declaration of surplus and insu in insuance acceptance of a high school graduation diploma. Um do I have a motion? >> I'll second. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I motion passes. And I just do want to add that um I've been seeing an increase of high school diplomas in every um meeting and it's really heartening to see that and every time they mention um the the staff and the educators and how they've changed their mind about education and I think that that is a great example and would love to learn more about what they're doing there because it's working. Um so uh we'll move on to action items and um the first is going to be the recommended approval of the second interim

087report. Um and this is the report that we will be presented by the board budget committee for approval as part of the budget monitoring process and I will hold it hand this forward to member Walker to explain and discuss it. where we had a lively budget meeting, lots of good information, great staff, phenomenal staff. >> So, actually, I'm going to punt to Steve. Uh, this is recommend approval of second annual report. Steve, would you highlight for us? >> Great. Thank you. Um and thanks for uh the meeting. It was a great meeting. Uh we always appreciate the questions that we get. Obviously, there's budget information and material to go over. Um but we look at that often and frequently and so to see your and hear your perspective. Um get the questions that come up,

088relate the finance, the budget piece to the program piece is always appreciated. So we always take away um ways in which we can work to present this in a more dynamic way. So I'll start there. Um as far as the second interim goes, uh this does reflect our expenditures and revenues that are known um as of January 31st. So those changes to the budget um at second interim are consistent with the budget that we adopted last year for our 2526 budget. Kind of big picture overview. Um our beginning balances remain the same. Uh we updated those at first interim. Um and so those will remain the same um until uh the next budget cycle. Um, in terms of revenue, uh, we did see, uh, an approximately $1 million increase in revenue. Part of that was

089because of interest, uh, earned in our funds, um, being higher than what we budgeted. Um, and that tends to be our consistent practice. We budget at a conservative number. And if the interest rates come in higher, then, um, then we'll see an increase in revenue from that perspective. We also saw an increase in revenue due to differentiated assistance. So, um, we are funded per district and charter that are in differentiated assistance. when we adopt the budget, uh we project that number for the upcoming year. That number isn't really released until after first interim. So, we don't get to update it until second interim. So, we had a couple more districts uh in differentiated assistance. So, we see an increase in funding resulting from that. Um on the expenditure side, uh we saw a decrease uh

090in about $3.5 million. And uh a portion of that has to do with vacant um salaries and then the associated uh benefits with those. Um and in addition there was an increase in funding for the early care and educ education program specifically for the alternative payment program. And so uh with an increase on the revenue in that fund which is separate than our general fund um we will see um uh an increase in indirect cost. So that indirect cost the increase reduces our expenditure. So kind of a back and forth there, but it ultimately results in decreased um expenditures. And then uh we did see a little bit of an adjustment in our JCCS program. You were mentioning the the graduates. Uh we have a contribution to that every year. It doesn't fully fund itself.

091So there's a general fund contribution to that program. There's still a contribution, but it's a little bit less at second interim because uh Doseras had an increase in attendance, average daily attendance. So that's adjusted throughout the year at each of these interims. Um so because of that adjustment uh they get a little bit more revenue and our contribution goes down uh a little bit and so ultimately uh where we ended was uh with a surplus of a little over 4 million and that is up from um adopted uh and then that is reflected um in the ending balances and so those uh those increases were kind of what I explained previously. Um so I'll kind of end there and see if there's any questions. Uh the web committee is uh recommending and making a motion

092for approval of the second annual report. Um >> not sure should the chair call for that question or >> yes um so yes we are looking for a motion um for the approval of the second. >> I so move >> second. I'll second >> and let's take a vote. All in favor? >> I Steve, I will make one comment just in terms of uh you know one of the conversation that came up in the budget committee meeting is we really do have good staff. I mean, you know, I go through there's a lot of numbers, right? a lot of programs uh and you know so often I'm asked like what is really the role of the budget committee and then what is the role of the board as it relates to the budget and there

093is this fiduciary part that we have so you know I think we have an obligation not to just look at Steve and Susan and go well they got it I mean there's there's got to be some effort on our part to understand uh I don't think there's you know just reading through that there's not a lot to challenge but that's our responsibility as trusted the second piece for me that we're having conversations because I do think there's an opportunity is to get this into plidiz pieces right so that really on the advocacy side so that when we're in our communities you know somebody says well how big is the budget it that's kind of on the tip of your tongue. I mean that that's a that's kind of easy by side but we don't really

094talk about it a lot and so it may not be in your head but that would be a piece that you know the budget committee and and Steve and Susan could help us understand that one should be in your head. you should know how big the budget is. So like, well, if you just hear that number wrong, it's a big number. I mean, you know, relative to my budget, it's pretty big. And it's like, so what are you spending that kind of money on? Um, you know, again, I I don't know what each trustee knows, but I think we need to get that to bite-sized pieces so that you you really are able to talk about it in some sort of general way that makes sense first of all to you. And then second, so

095we all know that waste and abuse is a common topic about what's wrong with governments and what's wrong like you're just spending money any and everywhere. Well, no, the money is being spent where it should be spent and it's being spent responsibly, but how well can we articulate? Probably not very well. So, you know, again, I don't think we're there, but I do know and I appreciate the fact that Susan and Steve were working on trying to get us stuff so that number one, it really is in our head. It's like, okay, I got the big picture piece of how the budget works. uh and that we're a little bit better able to explain to people in our community. So, thank you guys for that. >> Good. Okay. For the audit, >> right? So, now

096number 16, accept the and file annual financial audit. >> Yeah. So, quick overview of the audit. um our our financial audit for 2425 um did come back with an um unmodified audit opinion which is a um you know a good audit and no indication of um lack of going concern. Um there was uh one finding uh the finding was specifically within our ECE program and it had to do with essentially documentation required for a stipen. Um there was uh you know vendors that had similar names uh a particular survey wasn't completed. we thought it was completed, filed the um stipen and so that item was flagged. Uh so in response to that uh we had corrective action and essentially are adding another layer of evaluation. So a checks and balances to ensure that all of

097the required documentation is submitted, verified um prior to those payments in the future. And so um within our fiscal department, we have that additional layer to be able to conduct that action in the future. If I may just from my auditing background add this perspective of finding well excuse me a finding it means that during the auditor's test of transactions which they pull a sample they don't test every transaction they pull a sample during that test they found something that didn't follow the stated process procedure they found one thing in a test transactions having to do with the stipens in early childhood education. So they pulled I think there was 60 more >> to expand their sample and found nothing. So that's what a finding is in this regard. >> Yeah. Thank you for that.

098>> If you don't mind I do have one small question just for my own knowledge. Um, for the audit, there was an a question about the pension liability and the oped liability. Can you just explain what that um what that was about or what that >> So, I I can see if um Nicole isn't able to be with us today, but Vasquez, our controller, is here. I'm just going to ask her if she can't answer that and if not, then I'll have to get back to you on that. But um >> Adeli, are you familiar with that item? That's fine. It was just on page two. Um, and I just wanted to understand that a little bit more. >> Okay. >> So, I can bring that back to you. >> Okay. No problem. All right.

099Um, okay. And so, at this time, uh, we'd like to make a motion to, um, rec acknowledge and the receipt of the audit report and order it filed. So, do I have a motion? >> I so move. >> I second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I >> So the vote passes and then we um will move on to item number 17, the recommendation adoption recommended adoption of resolution for application for waiver for educational interpreter certification. So um if you get to >> Good afternoon. >> Hello. Uh I'm Amy Ramos, director of human resources. uh there is a process uh required by the state board of education. We have a classification of educational interpreter American sign language. These are staff uh classified staff who work in special education. Uh the sign language interpreter certification

100exam is um very comprehensive and a difficult exam to pass. uh most people or many people need multiple attempts before they pass it and so we have created a level of that job um uh where people are permitted to work on a waiver which is granted by the state board of education. So we have to go through a pretty comprehensive application process to apply for a waiver on behalf of one of our staff for them to work as an interpreter until they are able to um pass the exam for certification. And um one of the steps that they require is a board resolution. And we have explained that the superintendent is the employer because we are COE and that does not matter to them. They still want a board resolution. So that is why this

101item is on your agenda. Um so anyway, and I'm happy to um answer any questions you might have about the process. That that's it in a nutshell. >> How how many of these interpreters do you have? Not enough. Not enough. We probably have um about half a dozen or so. And we have um so we're applying for a waiver on behalf of um this person. >> I'm actually going to be coming back to you and asking um for another waiver because um uh we just got the results from another employee who took the exam and it's not high enough to pass but high enough to apply for a waiver. So, do you have to ask for a waiver for individuals? It can't be just like, "Yes, we're going to have a waiver." So, it's >>

102each individual person. Um because um so a passing score on the most commonly used exam is a four. Um and so the state board of education likes to see a score of at least three. >> Um so that's so we have to provide the results for the individual person who took that. And um also another item that they require is a mentoring plan. Um so the the people the individual is supposed to get mentoring from a certified interpreter um with a plan towards ultimately being able to pass the certification exam. >> How long does how long does the waiver last? >> You know that is a good question. Um we do we have periodically had to apply for renewals. Um but they they usually issue them for a while and um usually people are able

103to read >> sometimes taking the test twice like it would take me about five times. So I totally get it. I'm not asking to count >> very difficult >> asking out of curiosity like how many you employ that look like? Um >> going to ask one more. Oh well that's thanks. >> Any other questions? Okay. So, um, do we have a motion to adopt the resolution number 2608 for the application of waiver or educational interpreter? >> I so move. >> Second. >> And now we have a roll call vote. >> Okay. Mrs. Alvarez Flores. >> I, >> Dr. Armister. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Cardi. >> Hi, >> Miss Man. Hi, >> Mrs. Frost. Hi, >> Mrs. Reed. Hi, >> Mr. Walker. Oh, thank you. Motion passes. Perfect. So, now we move on toformational items. Um,

104we have item number 18, which is a personnel report. Um number 19 which is correspondence um from the California Department of Education confirming a positive certification of the Santa Barbara County Board of Education or interim report for 2025 and 2026. And number 20 uh is an update on the purchase property purchased in Santa Maria. So, associates Steve Taus and director of facilities Mark Cunningham will provide a brief update on the Santa Maria airport. >> Thank you. Um, please. >> So, it is exciting times. We have a I'll start by just the the update. Um the big update uh is that on February 27th uh the tenants uh vacated the property. So per our uh purchase sale agreement they had 10 days or 10 days after we would close escrow. Um so we did we officially

105closed escrow on Tuesday. >> Yes. Big deal. We picked up the keys yesterday. I think Mark's already switched alarm codes or at least in contact with the company. So, um, so that's a big major, uh, step here. >> Um, we're in the process of all those kind of basic logistics, switching utilities, things like that. Obviously, we need to keep the building operational while we're, you know, um, going into the plan and design phase. So, all those things are underway and taking place. Um, so far so good in that regard. Um, moving to kind of the design side. Uh, prior to closing last month, the team went through took our last test fit uh with the architects and went through and and highlighted uh areas Mark kind of identified these are the things that we need

106to look at and make decisions on so that we can get a final test fit which is kind of the foundational design for um the architectural plans, site plans, engineering plans that'll be developed um ultimately for the project. So um that was uh exciting because we hadn't been there in a while. So it was good for everyone to see what the paper actually meant when we went back into the space. Um so we had some more good ideas and updates there. We should be getting that final test fit in the next few days. Um architectural services uh we are in the process of trying to secure those. Uh so uh you know a firm to develop our plans. It may be the firm that we used for the test fit. Um it may be uh

107it may be another firm. So we're in that process right now. And that could include um other art/design type services as well. don't all have to be part of the same firm. So, we want to make sure we identify individuals that are going to do this work that uh will represent kind of what we want and need within that building. Um and then uh similarly we are looking and um beginning to speak with uh firm or to contract for um kind of clean energy services, sustainable energy. So, we don't necessarily have to do that with the architectural um that we use for the architectural services. So, uh, looking at other alternatives that may be, um, cheaper, may have, uh, different programs that are beneficial to public institutions like ours. So, that would include solar panels,

108EV charging, battery backup, um, similar to what, you know, a generator would be, but a more um, you know, sustainable um, option for that. Um, so that's kind of where we are and kind of turning the corner onto those big planning stages. Um, I know Mark kind of helped me put the information together, but if there's any questions, um, we can both answer those questions. >> Yes. >> I have one concern about uh empty buildings in anywhere, but empty buildings especially, >> especially large business buildings like that. Have we are we going to consider some kind of security on the premises until and and that even extends through construction because they break in and get tools and things that they know the workers only there during the day. So just interested in what your plan

109was for that. the building currently has intrusion alarm and I'm just going to continue on with that exact same service of monitoring it and we're going to update the contact names to um you know the top four people for ourselves that would pick up the phone at any time and respond and say call the police if an intrusion alarm went off and in this case if we know nobody's in there then I would automatically have the police called but yes I'll carry that service over day one we contacted them they're sending us a new contract contract to get that signed up. >> Excellent. >> Yeah. >> Remind me are is this city or county? >> It's city. >> Yeah. >> Quick question about um the choice of architect or is there how will that be

110chosen the best? >> Yeah. So, there isn't a formal bid, but we'll collect proposals from at least two architects. We have uh right now an architect that did pre that did the previous renovation on the building. um the owner, the previous owner was utilizing them to get us that test fit. So that is an architect that we've been working with. Uh we've also worked with an architect uh when we were exploring the preschools um that we had a really good working relationship with, very responsive uh and so um you know, those are two architects that we're comfortable with and and we'll look at proposals from both of those. >> Yeah. No, because they're um architectural services, there's no uh limit that requires us to go to formal bid, but we do want to get multiple

111proposals just to compare. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. Thank you so much for that. I mean, please stay up here for just a moment. I I I I I just wanted to pause and acknowledge uh this moment, you know, for Santa Maria, for the county office, for serving students where we have the the most of our programs are serving our students and and thank you because um and thank thank the trustees, Steve and Mark and team for um the many many iterations of information and decision making. Um it's an investment. It's exciting. Can't wait to have you come back into it. Um but we definitely are in some throws of details and it um as I shared at the board meeting last month after going back in that morning we the staff did

112it just felt it just felt right. >> It just felt right. So a deep appreciation I know it comes with investments like these while it can be very very very very positive we were looking all together at it from different angles and and so appreciate that. Um for for now I will say we continue to look at other um facilities as well and we'll um in in in the future uh hopefully very near future we'll have continue some conversations about other other properties that we're we're um considering but but nothing to report on that today. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Good job. Yes, >> I'm not sure if I'm sorry because I I did find what you were talking about. I didn't know if I should just address it now. Your

113question about the audit. Yeah. So, um because I know a month will go by and you know um but I think it was the was it the language around the significant risk about it was page two. >> Understood. Sorry, I I didn't see that the first time around. Um so uh the auditor identifies several areas that are identified as risk not because of our practices or our finances but because of typically the large cost associated with them. >> So for stirs and pers that's one of those scenarios where in every audit report it's going to be identified as a risk. It's not because of our practices. It's just because of the high cost. Um we have you know stirs and pers employees you know throughout. So that's that's really a requirement that that's included in

114here that's not specific to us. >> Perfect. Yeah. Thank you. All righty. Um so now we will move to future agenda items which we discussed a little bit um the board retreat. So for July 9th um midcount location to be determined and so we'll have that next meeting more details around that. And item 22 is adjournment to the next meeting on April 9th in Santa Barbara. Do I have a motion to adjourn? >> I wanted to propose something for a future agenda item. Yes, if I could. I'm sorry. Um I wanted to invite the teen center program manager at Girls Inca Santa Barbara. They do a huge teen leadership advocacy council. Um know a little bit about it because my daughter's in it. Uh and she's doing a great job. Um, but they're doing a

115trip from April 6th to the 8th to the Bay Area for a huge advocacy hump. >> And then they're doing another girls leading change sum summit in Missouri from July 13th to the 16th. >> So, I don't know if we want to wait until after both of those trips to have them do a presentation or if you want to see them in between. Um, I pitched the idea to the program manager who was ecstatic. Yeah. Um and then we also have future for lump poke youth which is another um outstanding outreach for our teams in LMpoke. Um and I can come up huge list of more but these two are are really at the front. I've been talking to them. So >> thank you. Yeah, that sounds amazing. >> Any any other? Yes. >> So

116I I guess I'd like to have a better understanding of what's it called? Olive. What's it called? No, the one up on the mountain. >> Oh, hog refuge. >> Yeah. Uh, number one, just what they're doing. Number two, what is our responsibility if any with respect to that organization? I I believe that they're using try something other. >> Tribium Charter School is their educational program there, >> which we do have some for. played or known. >> They are a charter school within Santa Barbara County. They're authorized by Blockman um district and so they um Hope Refuge utilizes uh Triv Charter. >> Yeah. just you know I mean I know we've had some conversations and but it it would be helpful certainly and I think to my colleague to just have a better understanding of and

117I'm specifically interested in what is our what is our responsibility with respect to that organ just a kind of a follow-up question of that our transitional age youth program does interact with the short-term placement I forget the acronym um programs and so they would have some sort of interaction with olive crest in that respect as well. Correct. Happy to bring this back and um talk about our connections or responsibilities if any in terms of the um the residential center. Yeah. Great. Thank you. >> Awesome. Okay. Any other future items, questions? Okay. So, do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> She can watch that playback. Um, okay. All in favor? >> I meeting ajourned. I was like,