001I'd like to call the meeting to order of the San Valley Union High School District Board of Education. Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 is a regular meeting. Roll call, please. >> Please note all members are present. >> Thank you, Terry. We'll stand for the flag salute. So, at this time, I'd like to ask if there's a motion for approval of the agenda. >> I move to uh approve the agenda. >> I'd like to second that motion. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Miss Noble, >> I. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> I. Mr. Lefamini >> I >> Miss Sheep >> I >> agenda approved. Uh now we can move on to the superintendent reports and presentations. >> student representative. Okay we'll talk the our student representative. Thank you for being here.
002>> Hi. Um in ASB right now we are currently planning for homecoming. The court assembly is Thursday, September 25th where the court will be will walk out. The parade is Friday, September 26th at 1:00 in solving. Please come and support. The king and queen are going to be be announced the same day at halftime at the home football game. The dance for the dance we are planning. The theme is Rio. We are currently getting a DJ, churros, decor, and a photo booth and are getting ready to have a great time. At home football games, we have moved the student section to sit closer down in front of the cheerleaders. It's been a lot of fun and we've gotten a lot of good feedback and we're hoping that this kind of energy bleeds on over to
003other sports. Uh, shout out to DJ Pey and to Cheer for helping us do that. The next home football game is versus Nepomo. Makeup pictures are September 11th. For clubs and FFA, tomorrow we are playing capture the flag at 6. On Thursday, the state officers are coming to visit. We have 26 active clubs at the school currently. Of those the new clubs are the engineering club, coffee talk, esports, rodeo club, medical careers club, line dancing club, music appreciation club, astronomy club, chess club, debate club, Lego club, and the fashion club. >> Yeah, that's actually my club. >> Thank you. Now we can move on to our superintendent report. Thank you so much. Um, I want to start by just acknowledging and saying what good young adults we have at this school. I don't say it
004enough, but um, you know, I was just observing last week and this week when I walk up to a door, if there's a student standing there, they're so polite. They open the door, they acknowledge me, they look you in the eye. Um, they're always saying, "Hello, ma'am." Which makes me feel really old. or um you know just addressing me by Dr. and just really great great kids here. And I was able to meet a lot of our young Pirates at the last football game and their parents wanted to introduce them to me. And those young kids looked me right in the eye, shook my head hand, said their name, said it was nice to meet me and it was just like a really nice um way of seeing what good citizens we have and what
005good leaders we have in our community. So from the littles to the bigs. So, that was great. Um, PAC tutoring, our pirate academic center is off to a great start. Um, and I just really want to thank the generosity of our pirate foundation and um, the Gayy family foundation. The Gayy family foundation is funding the pirate academic center this year and it is really a gamecher for kids especially students who can't afford you know highriced tutoring but yet now in the pirate academic center they're getting really quality tutoring by teachers that are actually teaching the courses. So we really want to thank them. We also want to thank the PTO, especially Jackie Wagstaff, who has been just amazing. She's been at every event so far selling pirate gear. If you haven't seen the PT the
006PTO pirate store, you really need to um go buy it at a football game because it's she's redesigned it and it just is phenomenal. So, we really want to thank her. Ken Shelton will be on our campus Tuesday, September 30th at 7 PM in our library. Um, and he will be talking about the promise and perils of AI. It'll be a conversation with families where he investigates and discusses how students are using AI, AI literacy, a positive and productive partnerships between schools and family, the local, state, and national AI landscape. And um we really welcome everyone to attend that. It's free. You don't need to RSVP. You can just show up at 7:00 in our library. Again, I just want to talk about our student section. We've been getting a lot of really positive feedback
007about our student section and um our kids. It was their idea to move it. They made the, you know, the the positives of moving it. they talked about their plans and they really have done a great job. So very exciting um for our students and I would say between the first home game and the second home game there was probably an additional 30 to 40 students in the student section. So we hope we just see that to continue to grow and grow and grow. And our ASB is doing a good job of having some cute little games at halftime. They did a pie in the face at the first game and they did a field goal competition at the second game. So, um, our staff is currently selecting the teacher of the year, both the
008classified employee of the year, the certificated teacher of the year, and this year we're doing a volunteer or community member of the year. So, that's all all being announced. These people will be announced at our homecoming rally as well. And hopefully, we have plans. Hopefully, they'll be available because they'll just be finding out the day before. We would love for them to ride in the parade in solving. Um, and now we have Mr. McClur. He's here to talk about a couple clubs. >> No, you're good. >> Um, yeah, I just want we're making an addendum or an addition to our athletic handbook where we would like to uh add an additional way to letter. So, currently it's a letter of varsity sports. You have to play a varsity sport. It's CIF California Scholastic sport. There's
009a couple of club sports on campus. Our boys beach volleyball team which there is no plans for the state to have that as a sport right for them to get. However, they're playing a full season's worth of games. Our rodeo club, they're do they do a whole season year-long rodeo uh for a district 7. It's a California high school uh rodeo federation. They compete nationally. Kendell actually won state last year. I believe barrels I could be right. I could be wrong. Um so essentially what I wanted to do was add that data and I believe it was included in there that those kids can letter in that sport if they meet the requirements a regular sport would have three months worth of practice. Um they're they have to have a onampus uh advisor that's a
010teacher. They would then also get like experts that are coaches. They would be volunteers. We would clear them like we would coaches. They would be fingerprinted. They would have to follow all that. They would then turn in monthly attendance to me. They would create a code of conduct with an attendance policy for their team. This would not give them PE credit. This would not give them like sport credit, but what it would do is be a way to earn your varsity letter for your letterman's jacket. And for some of these athletes, it would be their three their third varsity letter that year, which would give them the varsity three year or three sport letter to patch. Um, in in here, I've spelled out where I align it to CIF by laws where they have to
011compete in at least 50% of the available contests for that club sport. Um, and that is the CIF bylaw to be able to compete in the playoffs in each sport. Um, I I just think it's a way for these some of these kids that are are doing it. You know, I use like Anders Dehoffer and Campbell as an example who this is their third sport. They play two other sports. They're involved in ASB. They don't have the opportunity to play another school sport, but they are playing a sport and albeit they're not going to be CIF recognized. I think it is a way and it's a is a way to letter them and it's not we're not breaking the glass ceiling here. Templeton High School, their rodeo team, all the Santa Barbara high schools letter,
012the beach volleyball team, the Pom A beach club team. So, we wouldn't be setting a standard that's unheard of. We would be actually like giving our kids the same uh opportunity. And at the same time, it doesn't mean that the club, the pickle ball club that doesn't play any games, they don't get the letter because they're not they're not playing in any competitions. And that's kind of my thought process behind it. I ran by Dr. Sheen and she agreed. I ran by uh Mrs. Lewis as well and we thought like it fell in line with everything that we could align it to the CI. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yeah. Question. >> So, um I don't know anything about rodeo, but I'm assuming so they obviously participate beach volleyball. So, they're playing like the APs
013down around the beach um tournaments. Is that what you're saying? They >> there's actually a high school club league which is like St. Joe and all the Santa Barbara schools. They have a whole league schedule. Um, and it's club, it's just club sports, like high school club sports. They are have to be aligned with the high school. So, it's like we're playing Santa Barbara High boys beach club team and we play the Pomo High School. >> But your girls team is a varsity team. >> Girls team is a CIF recognized school, right? They start girls beach started off as a club five years ago. It became, I believe, four years ago. Correct me if I'm wrong. It became the CIF sport. That's when we introduced it as a sport and I was not the athletic
014director then so I don't remember how that process went. >> All right. >> But what this does do is if it if down the line boys beach becomes a CIF sport, our kids would have already had two years of a club sport and you know we would figure out a way to fund raise to be able to fund that and and go from there. I think this is more of a way to recognize them as playing a varsity sport and lettering is kind of the way I was looking at it. Just to reward them for playing a sport essentially. No, absolutely. I was just I found that unusual that it's not a CIF sport. >> No, it's not. And there is not anytime so important to me. >> Wow. Interesting. >> Same with rodeium. I
015know there's been a big push for CIF sport and that's probably more of a little one-off. Like you got a lot of the the Eastern Sierras and the Northern California and some of us in the central area that have high school teams. When I was in high school, we had a huge high school rookie team, right? Because of the Bino family because they were the coaches and they had the facilities. Well, I think now we have a bunch of local guys, people that have facilities where our kids are going to be able to practice there and we've got three or four coaches already signed on to do that. >> That's fantastic. Okay, thank you. >> Thank you, Josh. >> Um, while Josh is still here, I want to recognize our newest sport, CIF sport, um,
016is our girls flag football. They played their first game ever in school history. They played the eighth ranked team which was Dose PBLOS and they did better than um Lombpoke did against them which was a good thing. Um Ella Gotchall scored the girls first flag um football touchdown in school history. Um our team's girls beat a good pass a robust team 6 last the other night on a hook and lateral. So if any of you know that that's pretty impressive. Uh the quarterback um Leighton Casey threw a pass to Campbell McClur. Then Campbell caught the ball. Presley Polenoli ran from her running back position to have Campbell pitch the ball backwards to her and she ran it in. I was able to go on Saturday and see the girls beat Cababrio. So they're two and
017two, I think. >> Two and one. So impressive. >> That's awesome. >> So first home game next. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> What time on Tuesday? >> 6:30. >> And it will be free. for the first couple of flag football games as many people there to support the girls. >> So he said the girls flag football game just so that people can make sure and hear that are listening online or on uh it's next Tuesday 6:30 and it's free to get in. So come see and support our girls. They're very excited which is awesome. Okay, I have this is one of my favorite things to do and I know it's our board's f one of our board's favorite things to do. I want to introduce Rancel Perez Nunes. So, Rancel, stand up. Come on up.
018Come on up here and stand up here. You can stand up here, babe, so everybody can see your face. Perfect. Um, tonight we want to celebrate um, Rancel. Um, he's our Elks Club sponsored student of the month, which honors students who excel academically and serve their communities. The San Nez Valley Elks Club uplifts local youth by fostering a commitment to community service, a core Valley value of Elks scholars. We are proud to support the Elks mission knowing that today's scholars can be tomorrow's leaders in their community. Again, it is my pleasure to introduce Rancel, the September Elk Student of the Month, who is nominated by our office staff and administration. Ransel has demonstrated outstanding dedication to his academics throughout high school. He currently holds a 3.5 GPA and has challenged himself with a rigorous course
019load. He is he he has been enrolled in two AVID classes. He has successfully completed honors courses and AP courses. He has also either currently or has taken four concurrent enrollment Allen Hancock classes. His commitment to growth and learning is evident in the way he balances his demanding academic schedule and his many extracurricular leadership roles. Rancel is the youngest of four siblings who has lived in the valley his entire life. He treasures his family and faith and those values guide the way he shows he shows guide the way he shows up as a student and as a community member. When asked what he appreciates most about the Sanz Valley Union High School District, Ran Shel Rancel shared that it is the closeness of the school and the valley community that makes a place where everyone
020knows and cares for each other. His role model is his brother brother Videl. Did I say his vidal whose hard work and determination to overcome challenges inspire Ransel daily. The same perseverance has fueled his own academic and extracurricular success. A dedicated student, Ransel especially enjoys social studies where he where engaging teachers encourage him to debate, defend, and challenge his beliefs. He says he learns the most through project-based learning and debates which push him to think critically and grow. Ransel is involved and acco is invol an involved and accomplished student leader. He currently serves as the regional FFA officer representing students from San Jose to Los Angeles. He is also active in the robotics club and serves as vice president of our Ola club. And last year he participated in theater. These activities have sharpened his
021leadership skill, given him a voice in shaping school culture, and strengthened his ability to to connect with others. Through FFA, he has gained confidence in public speaking, and through OLA, he has found a sense of home and community. He describes himself and I would agree as hardworking, genuine, and committed to integrity. The values that were instilled in him by his family. Even when he faces challenges like recovering from a serious car accident, Rancel has pushed forward with resilience and determination. His motivation to ex succeed academically comes from honoring his family's sacrifices as he strives to give back and provide them with security and pride. Um, looking forward, Ranzel hopes Ransel hopes to attend UCLA or NYU and major in business or pre-law and pursue a career in immigration or corporate law. His dream is to
022not only become a lawyer, but to also start a foundation to help struggling populations rise out of homelessness. Outside of academics, Rancel has a playful side where he can juggle, play some piano, and he loves the movie Nacho Libre. If he could meet any historical fig figure, he would choose Jesus because of the life lessons and example he set. His advice to his younger self, younger students and his younger self is simple but pl powerful. Apply yourself, try hard, and always level up. Be compassionate and be kind to everyone. On behalf of the Sanz Valley Union High School District and the board, we proudly congratulate Rancel Perez Nunes on being named the San Nez Valley Elks Club September Student of the Month. We celebrate his achievements, his character, and his bright future. And we look
023forward to seeing the many ways he will continue to excel. [Applause] [Music] Um, so if we want to just pause for a minute and take a picture with Rancel, we have another student of the month, but he is currently playing water polo. So sometime during our board agenda, if he's able to make it, maybe we can stop and then I can read and honor him. Let's honor Ransel with a great I know our next student will be here eventually. He is playing water polo and he was like, I'm going to get on the bus. We're going to rush there. I said, relax. We can honor you throughout the board meeting or we can honor you at the next board meeting. So hopefully he gets here and that's and we'll honor him. So thank you. That's
024my superintendent report. >> Thank you, Kim. >> Yes. >> So we'll move on to the board comments and correspondence. Does anybody have anything they'd like to share? >> I love back to school night and I had a little trick I used this year. I had a friend that gave me their child's schedule and I went to the classes pretending well I didn't really pretend I didn't say anything but I my to myself I pretended I was a parent and I got to hear all the information and um I really that was great. I'm going to do that again and um I really enjoyed the classes and um I thought the turnout was amazing. A lot of the classrooms were full and I think that says a lot for our teachers and our community. um that
025people actually come to a high school, you know, back to school night. A lot of them go, I've heard that. I don't need to go. But I am just so encouraged by that. And I just have to say one other thing. This I went to the first football game, home football game with the student cheering section. We sat up in the 50ard line right above them. And oh my gosh, I I had so much fun and watching these students have so much fun and the toys and the bats and well, I won't I know they weren't bats, but um they were the blowup things and just and the lights and the glasses and the DJ and the the yelling, you know, for the team, you know, and I just I had to sit there and
026I actually told someone I got a little emotional because I'm like, why am here. Why do I do this? And then I I could just see everyone around me and the whole community. I just go the whole community coming together in one place. It's so unique in this valley that we have this one school that most people, you know, will go to and to see the turnout of all ages and I just felt really um grateful was the word that I felt. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Sher, Todd. >> Yeah. Um, I also attended back to school night. Very well done. Great job. Thank you to the teachers, staff, and the student volunteers that stayed for helping out, breaking uh tearing things down and translation. Um, I also got to go to Hanada schools
027back to school night and saw a lot of the the collaboration with the high school regarding algebra. Um, the math students, how their grading scale ramps up to the high school level as well as they brought on agriculture as an elective. Um, also traveled, uh, oh, I helped water, girls water polo and boys soccer clean up Rio Vista, uh, Rio uh, stadium after the LPO game. That was fun. Hard work. They did the blowers and the sweepers make fast work, very efficient with parent volunteers to help direct. But yeah, it was great. Um, traveled to a Tascadero High School and watched boys water polo, girls water polo. uh traveled to Santa Maria over the weekend, this past weekend, and watched girls water polo. They went two and two in the tournament uh two-day tournament at
028uh Pioneer Valley. Um and then just drove back from LMPoke, uh water polo against Loke, which they won. Um and also been receiving some correspondence regarding uh school sustainability ideas um from some freshman in environmental sciences. So having some good conversations there. A busy first month. Fun. >> I love watching girls water polo. My two older daughters played that and that's a very fun sport. And I'm I'm sad I was not able to something came up with my family a back to school night. But um to Ken Shelton and Tori, I don't know if you've looked at the AI challenge that the US has and I'm meaning to email you. It's TK through adults. The challenge the US um education department is doing a you a challenge. Um I know anybody can do it. You
029can have a club. You can um do it. I have all the links at home. It's on my computer now because I think it's a tremendous thing because so many people are afraid of AI. I go back and forth because I love AI, but I think that, you know, you know, I watched all the Avenger movies, so it could, I guess, take over our lives, but I think that we also have to embrace it and learn how to use it in a positive way. And the whole purpose of it for the high school level, I think, is tremendous. the kids don't have to actually know how to use it, but then those kids that are bright enough could program actually create AI itself. And there's some tremendous ways of how to um create something that
030will help the community utilizing AI. And so I'd love to see some kids from the valley end up in Washington DC receiving an award for AI because it goes regional, state, and then national. And I think we could do it. So, >> thank you. Um, a couple things. So, the u uh students that you talked about, the freshman students in Mr. Kalcowsky's class that's uh talking about sustainability, and I actually made a suggestion to one of them to for for them to come in and speak during public comment. I think it would be great for us to hear from them here and for the people that come in and and watch the board meetings because they do have some nice ideas and to put it out there is fantastic. So, good job to you guys
031if you're listening >> and girls. >> Um, also the uh student participation at the games, the football games in particular because of ASB I believe, is that correct? That that brought that on. So, it's all student student run and student driven and uh that excitement there is is just absolutely amazing and obviously you saw it and uh it's um it it breeds togetherness for the entire school and I see it and it's it's fantastic and then the club teams um I think that uh Josh uh coach McCcler our athletic director uh making it such that the club teams could potentially get a uh letter is fantastic as well because those kids do truly work hard and playing those sports and they are playing in games and I you didn't speak much about rodeo but a
032lot of those kids are rodeoing from when they're little tikes all the way through high school in district 7 and so they do high school rodeo and they do work hard all over uh California and then then they'll do state finals and then they'll go on to regionals and then on to uh nationals and we have them had some kids achieve that level. So, it's pretty fantastic that it's that they could actually be recognized at the school for that as well. So, um yeah, and I guess that's what I've got for some input. Um anybody else? We're good. So, we'll move on now to our public comment time period. And actually, I do have one. I think Brian Robinson and to thank the PTO as well. >> Hi, Chair Johnson, members of the board. Thanks.
033Uh, as usual, Dr. Shean stole my thunder on the pirate store, which I was going to give an update on. Um, it's going great. I would add the foresights spent a lot of sweat equity helping Jackie build it. Jackie needs like a statue or something at the school. I mean, it's a full-time job. I know she loves it, but it's really great. And I just want to say as a cheer dad and some my daughters, the captain of the cheer team, the games have been amazing. Um, a testament to how much they're enjoying it. Um, none of the girls left the field during halftime. They all stayed on. So, um, I know we're loving it, the kids are loving it. So, thanks for that or thanks ASB who's no longer here. All right. Thank you
034guys. >> Thank you, Brian. So, that's it on public comment. Uh we'll move on to the consent. Is there a motion to approve consent? >> A motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> I second. >> Any further discussion? Roll call, please. Mr. Johnson. >> Hi, >> Miss Noble. >> Hi, >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> Hi, >> Mr. Lefamini. >> Hi, >> Miss Sheep. >> I >> consent agenda is approved. And now we can move on to the action items. Uh, our first is the public hearing regarding sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials for the 2025 2026 school year. So, this is just a housekeeping item that we have to go through every year. And this is just the district's way of certifying that we have all the materials and supplies that we need
035for each course and class for each student. >> Thank you, Alicia. >> So, I think we need to just open the hearing, close it, and >> Yes. So, we'll open the hearing at 6 o'clock. No public comment on that. So we will close the hearing at 6:00 and now we'll move on to the certification of sufficiency of textbooks and instructional instructional and instructional materials sorry for 202526 school year and approval of resolution 2025 2026-1 regarding sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials. And this is just the paperwork behind the approval and the notification that all the students have all the materials that they need >> and you all got that in your agendas. Okay. So, is there a motion for approval? >> No, you don't. >> I motion number three, the certification of suffic sufficiency of
036textbooks and instructional materials for 2526 school year. >> Thank you. In a second. Yeah, I'll second. >> Thank you, Todd. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Johnson. >> I. >> Miss Noble. Hi. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. Hi. >> Mr. Leamini. >> I miss you. >> I. >> Motion approved regarding sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials. Now we can move on to the unodudited actuals. >> Okay. So, I apologize in advance because I'm going to be doing a lot of talking tonight. So, hopefully I don't bore you. But we'll start the Lucy showed for this evening. So just as a short refresher, we have three budget periods that are additional budget for the district and then we come back. So we start with the original budget. We have the first interim audit or budget and then
037we inter budget and at the end of the year when all done we come back to you what are called the unodit and they're called unaudited not because they never get audited but because we present them to you prior to you guys approving the final external audit. So they're considered unaudited because the audit is not completed yet. they all can get audited by our external financial auditor and that will come to you as so just a reminder our unodudited actual is where we bring you like the history report basically of what happened for the prior f this year so this includes any carryover any approvals a bunch of state required state entries and I'll explain that in a little bit but at the end of the year so there are kind of two schools of
038thought one school of thought is that you can add these entries in senior year and they carry through all that throughout the year. So that when you're comparing you'll see at the end of the year. The problem with that is that it sort of inflates expenditure entries. So you're you're dealing with less realistic or less accurate numbers than what reality is. So the way that I do it is that I don't have those required entries until the year. So inevitably with every other you do see random expenditure for that entry but we have to enter and I feel like all done. So you'll see those at the end of every year that you will also see trends and highlights. So once we get to the end of 2425 that allows us to really see what
039was our revenue, what were our expenses and know what we get from the beginning of the year and I know where we were on our progress but where did we actually end up and where we ended up tells us what we're trying to turn down. So the end of the year unlimited really do tell us a lot because it's not conjecture anymore. It's taxes. So when I say we have all of our approvals or carryovers and approval is something that in the fiscal year that we're talking about which for us is 2425 we actually sent it or we actually are owed it. So if I am billing hand for a substitute teacher for something that happened before 230 they actually owe us that money within 4.5 but by the time I get them check the
040check may not be here until mid July early. So the revenue comes in in the next fiscal year but it still belongs to the past year. So the way that we figure it out for the budget is that we approve. So if we know like we have going on in the library and it was done by June 30th we owed the money by June 30th but they didn't finish their July July. So we approve those things. It belongs in the prior year before the prior year. Even though the actual process of receipt of time writing the check happen all of those entries and items are in there pretty much we also have carryovers are where we either start project and we think we're going to finish but we don't carry over or we apply for
041a grant and we think we're going to get it in 45, but we don't. So, it's when we thought we were going to get it in the previous fiscal year, but for some reason it no longer belongs in that previous fiscal year and it then gets taken off of the previous fiscal year. So, it doesn't hit or doesn't really belong there and it gets moved into the next year. So, those things both those things that we actually owe for actually are owed and those things that we actually do not owe or actually you know will not receive are removed so it's really actual based on all of the activities that should have occurred through the ledger entries that I'm talking about that are the page entries there are two of them that are important to
042speak of one is called the fair market value and this is the one I have the hardest time because I just like if I had to say I government, but I can't. So, I look at what this is is that I am required to book the fair market value of the cash that we have in the county. So, that means that if I have a million dollars in the county and it's a good market here and they're saying, well, the actual fair market value is 1.5. I have to book that as if we actually have it even though we do not have it in the bank. It is not actually saying you have to And then I reverse that where they're saying the market value of that really it looks like we have $500,000 less
043than actually again it's my background is not accounting so that why um I hate that one but I did it because I have to but just know that it's in there and that's off the end either positive or negative. The good thing about that though is at the end of every single year once we finish on we immediately so it only only hits for the actual reporting that we have provided to the state it doesn't the second one this one I understand is still in place and it's still in place but what this is is a reflection of the state of California's input or contributions to the state retirement So for the certificated staff they are part of the retirement and as a result the district puts some money in employees are required for putting
044some of their portion and the state portion of that retirement. So for the state portion we are required to revenue state and we expend. So we're looking here like it's not impacting anything. What it does do is you're comparing second you're going to say why $500,000 on the value of what that one I understand but it's generic. So just know it does it does tend to throw things off when you're using comparisons. So current and historical trends that we've seen at the end for 20 24 the biggest one we've already brought to you again to reiterate this is not a sky falling we are not unable to pay our bills because we receive $51,000 less. But what this is important for is because it is a trend and because it is a trend that is
045so outside of the norm for us in our trend. It is a red flag because it is a deviation from the normal tax at least 10 years. So our property tax increases every single year. We get from the county first we get for original. I literally take last year's number and I get I think we're going to get x number of% next year. That's our original. Once we get the first interim I have the numbers from the county justice office and I plug those in. So it's less than a guess and more this is what the county says we're going to get and now it's reflected in our budget. The county gives that to us twice a year in terms of internal budget and then they give us the final input. [Music] It has been
046a couple hundred. It has been hundreds of thousands more. It has never ever ever been less. So for us that is why it is a red flag. It is not because $61,000 is a amount of money for our budget. It is because the trend difference and anomaly in 4%. So if you look up here you'll see our 2425 increase in property tax revenue over 234 but still a very very solid very healthy 6.8%. The threeyear average in our property tax increases has been 6.91%. And it reduces that we get far down 5 years 5 year average 5.3 7 average 4.8 average 10 year average about 3%. So that is one of the trends that we have noticed. >> Yes. >> So I'm sorry. So on on the property tax of $51,310 that's it was projected
047to be more than that by the county to begin with. >> So at the end of the year we were projected to have received 51,310 more than we actually received. >> Okay. So that that figure I'm just going to make assumptions would be people that didn't pay their property taxes or >> so it's a number of things. It's either property tax assess valuations went down. It's a number of waiverss that they're allowing and it's also the settlement of people who are um for lack of a better word arguing what they are being assessed and then the excess valuation either settle it or they they say okay you're right. So it's a number of things. It's also receiving less historical back payments than we have in previous years. But normally part of our annual revenue, it's
048weird, but it's that revenue. It's revenue that the county didn't receive on time, >> right? >> We receive less of that. So they're they are collecting less phone revenue than they have. >> So you answered the second part of my question because the money you don't receive, you'll it'll end up booking when you do receive it. >> Correct. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. If this next so we may see it again in the next one or two interims but if we see a trend of it red a reduction again then it would be a concern. So but we may see it like Chris said that it may just come back in another very during the the district the district flatline we got,000 last year,000 next year. We have never got 10,000 in one
049year and got in another in the last years. Not that it can happen just that our county is very wealthy from that time. So when we're talking about negative things for us, what we are considering negative is not seeing these large booms of our increases average three four and because of the co boom and other things we started seeing seven and eight one year and now they're you know coming back down but that was the same in our county for the sell the selling and buying of real estate that is seeming Okay. So now we'll take a look at our unrestricted ending fund balance. And we look at just the unrestricted rather than the combined restricted and unrestricted because the restricted is really for specific purposes for specific programs. It is not we do not
050have the luxury to just say we will do what with it what we want. It can go to this that or the other. It has set usage. So we don't look at that in terms of fiscal health for the district. We look at the unrestricted which is really basically our checkbook. What money do we have that we can make decisions on spending with? That's our unrestricted reserve. So if you look here, we start at 2021 and we go through the 2425 years for our unrestricted ending fund balance. So we have 2021 at 5.8 million. We drop to 5.6 and then drop further to 4.9. And then in 2324 we started our deficit reduction plan and in the one year of the def deficit reduction plan the first year we went from 4.9 ending fund balance
051to 5.2 and now in 2425 you'll see this quite large jump from 5.2 to 7.5. This is a result of both our deficit reduction plan and a sale of a sprint lease in the amount of 1.2 1.2 2 million hitting our our unrestricted ending fund balance. So that is a combination of underspending expenditures on purpose by about 650,000. And what that means is we make our budget and in our budget we put in things like okay if you need to go to professional development if this copier breaks for each department. Those are things that we like to call buffers. We don't want you to spend them if you don't have to. but if we have to, they're in there so it's not creating these huge swings in our budget. So, as a result of our
052deficit reduction plan and all of the staff really buying in and really helping be more cognizant and aware of the things that they are asking to buy and the things they're not asking to buy, we underspent our expenditures by $650,000. Um, we also received more one-time restricted revenues that we were able to transfer unrestricted expenditures out and put it on the restricted program. So when we receive grant funds for CTE, for Agg, for auto, we are able to take for arts and music, we are able to take those general unrestricted expenses and now pay them out of restricted, which leaves more money in the checkbook because we're using those special funds to pay for those things. So it was it was kind of the perfect storm. Um, we also received a total of 1.4 million
053more in revenue than we projected. The 1.2 to was the sprint lease and the sprint lease was literally years ago and I am not techie so I am probably butchering this years ago the district leased airspace and I believe that that airspace was leased as a way for us to have a frequency for our security radios and all of that over the years that became unnecessary for whatever reason we still have radios we still have our own frequency we have all of that but we didn't need the lease and we hadn't used it for probably 15 to 16 years and Sprint had been paying us to use our lease,5 to $6,000 every single month to use our lease. They decided that it was worth more to them for us to sell them our lease than
054for them to pay us monthly. And I'm sure it adds to their connectivity and their network range and all of that, but it was something we were we were really not using. And it was a very creative way for us to help reduce our deficit and try to um accelerate our deficit reduction plan with a large influx of revenue. We also received $16,000 in student device sales from selling the uh seniors their MacBook Pros at the end of the year because the lease was over and those those devices would not be reused. We're using Chromebooks. So we were able to make $16,000 there. We sold $6,000 of extra equipment from the locker room build. It was like I forget what it's called. If I was techie, I would know. It's like a not a surge
055protector, but something that you put stuff in and it makes things run. It's like a box. Fuse box. That's what it's called. Fuse box. I was like, I know you do it. So, we sold that and got $6,000, >> right? I can do numbers, but don't ask me electrical stuff, okay? I was going to get there one way or another. Right. So, we also, and I don't know if anyone that's on the board now was involved, but we had a field turf installed that was installed with defective turf. And many, many years ago, we entered into a class action lawsuit. Years later, we received a settlement, and that settlement was $32,000. So, we received $32,000 as a result of that settlement. We received $40,000 from Stirs as a one-time reimbursement for overpayment for some of
056our coaches and Stirs. In that way, we received $30,000 more in lottery funds. We received $10,000 more than we thought in our facilities rentals like the stadium, the the gyms, the parking lots, those types of things. And $150,000 more in interest because we had more money in the bank than we thought we were going to have. So, it's kind of the perfect storm because we were able to have this large influx that really puts us in a position to make some decisions without impacting people, without impacting programs and be proactive in our plan. So, when we originally started our deficit reduction plan, we thought it was going to take us about five years to get out of the deficit without making allowing the property taxes to take over and slowly increase the deficit. This influx
057really helps us jump forward in that deficit reduction plan and puts us in a position where we're able to create our planning. If you look this is the deficit in the uned general fund. We had a I blind we had a what is that 1 million yeah $1,70,000 deficit in 2021. The deficit reduced by about half to 581,000 in 21-22, 681 in 2223, 241 in 2324, which is the first year of our deficit reduction plan. And now the deficit for this year is completely gone for this year and we have a surplus of 2.3 million. That is awesome and it is definitely something to celebrate. However, it doesn't mean that the deficit is gone. It just means that there's two parts of There is that deficit. Did you bring in more revenue than you used
058to that year? But there is also the structural deficit. So for this year, we do not have a deficit. We have a surplus and that is awesome. That is reducing the time that gives us flexibility. It does not eliminate the bill. We still need to see at first how long it will take us to actually be rid of our structural deficit. And the structural deficit is just that we aren't getting another extra million and a half or two million next year. So we are still spending projected to spend more than we are to receive in revenues in the future. So it is half the battle. It is not all. >> Will you just clarify a little bit the structural uh in 10 words structural deficit? So structural deficit means just blankly in any year you
059are spending more than you want and we as a district currently have uh programs projects people that cost more than we bring in on an annual basis. Some of those things will end soon. Some of them are debt services payments, some of them are other things like that. But as a district programmatically we spend more than we make and we are working on that that we are actively working on that. We have just been lucky to have an ending fund balance from which we can pull. So it is not negatively affecting us. So one of the biggest things to look at cash in is our reserve and this has been a discussion we will have an actual discussion about it later in the discussion but I still have it as part of my presentation because
060I would be okay not to bring it up at this time. Our reserve is our savings economic following we are not funded by the state. So when costs increase, the state doesn't increase our revenue. So the state says you make more money than we would give you districts anyway. So because you have more money than they would give you fun, use your money and pay your bill. We are not going to help you. Whereas in LCF district, here's the money we say you deserve. Oh, you're losing money here. You need to have this minimum amount of money that we say you need to have school. So they back. So when they when they do those type of things there are structures in place in place for those PSF districts that we don't have a security
061protection for that reason it is um it behooves basic a districts to have higher than state required minimum fund balance. The district has historically been great about this. They It is not something we have in debt. But right now, we are sitting with a static minimum fund balance, minimum fund reserve of $3 million. $3 million is a lot of money to you and me, but $3 million is not a lot of money in a $16 million budget. So $3 million when that res resolution was passed was a very solid amount of money for a fund balance. But over the years as the budget increased the reserve minimum fund did not. So it's not keeping up with where our budget is. So what I am suggesting and what we'll have a discussion about later is that
062the board take this opportunity to look at where we are with our income balance reserve policy and consider switching from a static reserve to a percentage and we can discuss after discussion items what the recommendations are and why. But that is we are in a position with this influx to make these changes have them be gradual and incremental and not have to cut. and as part of our deficit reduction plan. This was part of the deficit reduction plan, but it was the last part of the deficit reduction plan. So, we are now at a position where we can look at that earlier rather than later. So, that's something we'll talk about a little bit later. Okay. Highlights again, no booked structural deficit. Our ending fund balance allows us to be creative and allowed us to
063um reduce the time or accelerate our deficit reduction plans and I really really want to highlight their reduction in operating cost and I really want to credit one Dr. she hands because a lot of that is how she operates and how she chooses to, you know, coordinate and organize and and the creative way she looks at things that really has has been helpful. But on the other side of the house, our staff has really really really gone all in for a number of different reasons. Everyone has their own reasons, but they're they're going all in. And when they come to me and they say, "I really need this. need or want and you're like okay maybe want can I this that and the other okay maybe this or okay I can't do it let me
064see if I can get donations like I can't tell you how proud I am of ourology teachers who needed a new chart for medical training stuff and he came to me and he said hey can I use the grant and I said no awesome you cannot I'm sorry that is not allowed and he said okay I bet you anything I can I can find a way to fund raise for this and he went out there he knocked on door to get he and he fundraed for that part. So our teachers are going above and beyond our staff is going above and beyond and we are really really fine into trying to get to a position where we can get rid of structural testing. So it's really a combined effort. First we will collect all of
065the changes that we know in created which of course every single day there's different things. So person will look different. Hopefully it will still be uh a really good snapshot of how quickly we've produced the production plan, deficit reduction plan, but other than that we'll review all of that for syndrome. Are there any questions? >> We won't lose any of that money though, right? >> No. Okay. That's >> is ours. It is not like it use it or lose it. >> That's actual. Okay. Just want to make sure. >> Okay. Thank you guys. >> Yes. Is there a motion to approve the unodudited actuals? >> I motion to approve. >> In a second. >> I second that motion. >> Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Johnson. >> I. >> Miss Noble. >> I. >> Miss
066Grace Velasquez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Levini. I >> Nishiha >> I >> motion approved. Uh now we'll move on to Oh yes. Yes. >> How was your game? >> Louie was able to get here. Louie, come on up. >> Come on up and come up here where we can all see you. Turn around. Face the crowd. Um Louie just got here from water polo. So, thank you for rushing over. Um, the student of the month program is proudly sponsored by Kelly Huniger, who this was formerly the Edward Jones student of the month, but Kelly always paid for it. So, we want to make sure that Kelly is um is at the forefront of this. She never took credit for it, but we want to make sure that um Kelly, this program proi provides an opportunity
067for the faculty to nominate seniors who demonstrate out outstanding character, achievement, and service as both a student and a community citizen. Each honore receives a $100 award and is recognized in our local papers, which is generously provided by Miss Huninger. It is my honor to introduce our September senior student of the month, Louie Matthysse, a Sanz High School senior nominated and voted on by our faculty. I would describe Louie as an old soul whose time at Sanz High School has been in her his words incredibly positive and fulfilling. He is one of the students who truly embodies the culture of our valley grounded in tradition, community, and values. Coming from a family of cattle ranchers, Louie enjoys riding and roping, and he carries with him the lessons of his parents who instill in him the
068importance of work ethic, manners, integrity, and respect. He also looks up to his younger brother, Zayn, whom he describes as the real deal. A statement that reflects Louis's humility and pride in others. Louie has demonstrated excellence in his academic pursuits, maintaining a 3.8 8 weighted GPA while challenging himself with a rigorous course load. He has completed four honors classes, three AP classes, and five concurrent enrollment classes with Alan Hancock. His favorite subjects are history and government, where he thrives on the depth of the learning and the critical thinking. He is motivated by his family's long tradition of hard work and inspires to succeed at the highest level in the cattle industry. Carrying on his family's legacy and dedication, dedication and pride. Louie is not only a strong student but also a dedicated leader. He currently
069serves as our president of FFA and is a member of our water polo team. His leadership extends into the broader community where he is involved in the San Nez Youth Wreck and contributes significant time to community services through FFA, including helping with the Santa Barbara County Farm Day, which just happened, right? Yeah. Many of us also know him as part of the pit crew, the pit barbecue crew on Friday nights for football games where they're famous for their tri tip sandwiches and tri tip kill um chili which have become a highlight of Friday night lights and he's out there on that pit crew. One of many, but he contributes. Louie describes his contributions to the school and community as staying involved and making small but meaningful contributions that he hope will inspire future FFA students.
070He has learned to balance academics, athletics, leadership, and health with resilience. Recognizing the po importance of managing time and being present mentally, physically, and emotionally. His values, integrity, and humility, humility, and leadership by example. And um encourages younger students to encourages younger students to step into a leadership role as soon as possible because leaders develop with time. the sooner you do it, the better you'll be. So, that's what he would tell younger students and his younger self. I said, "What would you tell your second grade self?" And that's what he said. After graduation, Louie plans to attend a 4-year university to study animal science or ranch management. He's already been accepted to Kansas State, and Montana State, and will also apply to Utah State, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, and Colorado State. His dream is to
071work on ranches somewhere in the country to gain as much knowledge as possible be before returning to the value to continue his family's legacy in the cattle industry. Outside of school, Louis has Louie has a few fun sides to share. He is a fan of Adele thanks to his mom and believes she has the greatest voice on the planet. His favorite book is Lonesome Dove and his favorite movie is Forest Gump. If he could meet any historical figure, he would choose Theodore Roosevelt, a leader he admires for his uniqueness and authenticity. On behalf of Louie also said, by the way, not only does he admire his brother, but his parents have really shaped how he conducts himself at school and in the community. So, I want to make sure to add that. On behalf of
072the Sanos Valley Union High School District and board, we proudly con um congratulate Louise Matthysse on our September student of the month. We honor his academic excellence, his leadership and character and look forward to the impact he will con continue to make and we would really like to extend our gratitude to Kelly Huniger for sponsoring this program and sponsoring the recognition of outstanding students like Louie. So, congratulations No, please do notice. >> We get as far away as possible. Like I don't want to be I'll make sure Thank you for letting us weave that in. You know, so many of these kids are so busy doing so many things and contributing that we got to fit it in where we can, right? So now, that was awesome. Thank you, Kim. By the way, uh we'll
073move on to the GAN limit increase and approval of resolution 2025 2026-2. >> Okay, so Proposition 4, otherwise known as the GAN amendment, requires school districts to adopt annual spending limits to ensure that government expenditures grow only in line with inflation and population rather than without limit. Each year, every school districts must revise the prior year's limit and project the current year's limit. For 2425, our district appropriations exceeded the original calculation, requiring us to book an increase of 1.6 million. This adjustment is a routine compliance step that allows the district's legal spending limit to match our actual expenditures. It doesn't affect our budget or our financial aspect in any way. It is just another booking requirement at the end of the year. There's a lot of those. Does anybody have any questions or discussion? Or
074a motion to approve? >> I motion to approve. >> I'll second the motion. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Johnson, >> I. >> Miss Noble, >> I. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> I. >> Mr. Leamini. >> Hi. >> Miss Sheep. >> I. >> Motion for the GAN limit increase and approval of resolution 20252026-2 passes. Uh moving on to the number six, approval of Prop 28, annual report 2425. >> Okay, another wonderful proposition. Proposition 28 approved by voters in 2022 provides ongoing state funding specifically for arts and music education in public schools. Each year, districts are required to bring the spending plan to their governing board for approval in a public meeting and to report how funds are being used to support students. This annual approval and reporting process ensures transparency, accountability, and ensures
075that we're certifying Prop 28 funds are dedicated exclusively to arts and music, consistent with the law. We used our funds on salaries for art and music periods of instruction as well as materials for those courses. The plan is the same for the 2526 fiscal year, but what's in front of you is just 2425 spending expenditures, a certification, all the things to wrap up last year. The 2526 plan will be a consent item on the October board agenda. >> Can I ask one question on this? And maybe it's been it's one area I didn't quite get to. Um when it says like the teachers regular adopt, you know, 121,000, how many teachers are we talking about? >> So it's two teachers. Okay. And it is portions. So we cannot use it for anything but arts and
076music. So it's for the like we had a teacher last year that was doing music in another subject. So it was just that portion of his salary and benefits that was music in addition to one full FTE of an art teacher. >> Okay. >> So it was like 1.2 FTE of of salaries last year. >> And do we have a music teacher this year? >> No, I don't think so. So, we have our our um what is it? Our jazz band, but we do not have an actual teacher this year unless I'm >> we do not for many reasons. I'm not sure we can discuss. Can we >> probably best to say it's a very hard to fill position and we are working on filling that at this moment. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Any
077Is there a motion to approve the uh Prop 28 annual report 2425? >> Um I have a motion to approve the approval of Prop 28 annual report 2425. >> I second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Johnson. >> I. >> Miss Noble. >> Hi. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Leamini. >> Hi. >> Miss. Motion approved. So now we'll move on to number seven. I'm going to read this before I get >> Okay. This is a uh appointment of a principal. Tonight, the board will review a proposal to restructure the district's leadership by separating the roles of superintendent and principal. Historically, these positions have been held by two individuals. However, two years ago, when Dr. Sheen was hired. The board chose to combine the roles in order to better align
078leadership goals, leadership goals and vision. At that time, the district also added a third uh assistant principal to provide additional support while Dr. Shien assumed responsibility for both positions. The current proposal restores the traditional structure with Dr. Shien continuing as superintendent and Mrs. Victoria Martinez being appointed as principal. This recommendation is being made with thoughtful consideration and in alignment with the district's evolving needs. While Dr. Sheen has worked diligently to fill the dual responsibilities of superintendent and principal, the scope of both superintendent principal roles have expanded significantly, making it impossible to perform both position positions effectively. new superintendent responsibilities including oversight of OGCS and the consortium, a potential bo bond campaign, and an expanded role in representing the district within the community uh demand all demand uh dedicated focus. While additional state reporting requirements, including
079expanded LCAP, WASK, curriculum development, and other district priorities are increasingly adding to the principal's responsibilities. As a result, many principal level tasks have necessarily been delegated to Miss Mrs. Martinez, who has taken them on willing willingly and with great enthusiasm. Despite these duties falling outside her formal job description, while her effort efforts have been invaluable, it is important to formally recognize that such responsibilities are appropriately within the scope of a principal's role. Additionally, ma additionally maintaining separate superintendent and principal positions strengthens the district's leadership structure for a variety of reasons, including adding a principal provides an additional layer of checks and balances while giving staff and families clear lines of support. A principal has the necessary authority to make and communicate decisions directly with staff, strengthening trust and transparency. Without a principal, assistant principles have
080often been serving in roles that are out of their job descriptions. This will help create clarity. Appeals will now flow through the principal to the superintendent rather than directly to the board, ensuring due process. This restructuring will be accomplished in a budget neutral manner with a potential savings of approximately $4,000. The vacated assistant principal position will not be filled. The updated superintendent contract removes the $10,000 coaching stipen. Coaching meaning uh stipen for coaching to uh uh professional uh development. Yes. Um sorry, couldn't spit that one out. Finally, no additional work days will be paid for either the superintendent or the principal as the duties are now appropriately separated and the principal's work calendar already includes the necessary additional days. And at this time I'll open it up to uh public comment. Did Mark uh let's
081hear the comment first and then we'll go to discussion. Markell >> y good evening board members and Dr. Sheen Lisia. Um I just as a parent uh junior here I just want to commend all of you um on the board as well as the leadership here. Um, and I think a couple years ago when when you were looking to hire a superintendent and a principal, I think you guys made the right decision and combining the role u bringing on Kim and it's been quite a turnaround at San High School. At least it feels like it as a parent and I don't think that would have been done without the combining that you did at that time and uh I think the team here is working beautifully. Um, you feel it as a parent. Um, I
082think people enjoy coming to work and um, you know, one of Kim's talents is mentorship and I think she's been a great mentor to the team here and it's exciting now to have uh, Tori step up into the principal role and u, you know, interactions with with all of our vice principles was just been fantastic as a parent. So, um, just, you know, supportive, uh, uh, community member and, um, but number one, want to commend you guys on the on the job and the energy that we have here at St. High School. You can feel it at the football games. Uh, the community can hear it at the football games. Um, but it's just a a I don't think we've ever had positive energy like that before. The kids are cheering together. They're doing chants.
083There's DJ Pey. Uh, it's it's really fun. I don't want to leave town because I don't want to miss one. So, great job. and uh you know Kim especially for your leadership we are so thankful and and the whole team here so appreciate it. >> Thank you Mark. So this brings us to item J7 which we are on the first a uh the first action associated with the restructure. I'll now ask for a motion to appoint Mrs. Martinez as the principal effective July 2025 reflecting the additional principal duties she has been performing since that time and we can make a motion we can have discussion however you want to do it but uh if you want to make the motion we can still further discussion I know you had something you wanted to >> comment
084we grew up just we didn't grow up with superintendent of schools Yeah. Well, the principles are are close to everything. There's no question. >> And yeah, and Tori's been doing a fabulous job as we all know. So, >> well, on that note, if you don't mind, I would love to um motion to the appointment of a new principal, Miss Troy Martinez. >> And I will second that motion. Roll call, please, sir. >> Mr. Johnson. >> Hi. >> Miss Noble. >> Hi. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Levini. >> Hi. >> Miss Shia. >> Hi. >> Congratulations. >> Because it's such a big deal. I just wanted to be able to take her picture with you guys because it's a huge deal when you get your first principal ship. So, if we could just
085take one quick moment and take a quick picture for her, I think it's >> and I think the picture that Miss Day just took of her should be the one that should be posted on the website. Hold it and smile. >> The paparazzi. It's excited to see the other APS really excited for her. Like they're such a supportive team which is great. cake. >> I want cake. >> Well, maybe u I just want to add to Mark's comment about um the decision that we made as a board to do to to combine and knowing full well that it was probably too much. In fact, not probably. It was most definitely too much for one person to handle. But we needed that that one leader that could bring the rest of the leaders or bring the
086rest of the administration to that point and to help the school. We found that very fortunate. Thank you. And and so this is just a progression of what we knew was already coming. So great job. Excited for all of you and us. Okay, fantastic. So, now we'll move on to the uh uh J8, excuse me. Next up is item J8, California government code section 54953 C3 requires that a verbal summary of the proposed compensation and fringe benefits be given to the public prior to final board action on compensation increases for certain employees including the s superintendent and the chief business official. The board already approved the superintendent salary included in the updated contract in October of 2024 as a result of the meto clause and the settlement of negotiations with the district cert certified faculty
087association for the 2024 2025 fiscal year. The salary is not new or increased from her already approved rate for the year. Additionally, no additional benefits or compensation are being added to the contract. I will now ask for a motion to approve the super updated superintendent contract. And you all had a chance to read that, I'm sorry. Okay. >> Uh I'll motion to approve the updated superintendent employment agreement. >> I'll second. >> Roll call, please. J. >> Mr. Johnson. >> Hi. >> Miss Noble. >> Hi. >> Miss Grace Velasquez. >> Hi. >> Mr. Leamini. >> Hi. Miss >> I >> superintendent contract is approved. [Laughter] >> You were concerned about that, weren't you? >> You never know. >> You know, >> it's just a cake night. >> Okay, so uh now we'll move on to number
088nine. The final action item we are considering this evening is approving and updating administrative salary schedule. An updated administrative salary schedule, I'm sorry. The district conducted a review of the compensation structures for chief business officials within the county which found that the district's CBO salary schedule needs to be updated to remain competitive and for retention. This proposed increase is also based on additional duties such as OGCS oversight and an increased role in the consortium budget oversight as well as additional and expanded state and federal reporting requirements. The salaries for the other positions on the schedule remain unchanged. While the updated salary is retroactive to July 1st, 2025, there will be no additional meto for the current fiscal year when the remaining outstanding units settle their negotiations. Now I will entertain a motion to approve the
089salary schedule with the changes to the CBO salary retroactive to July 1st, 2025. >> Just say hold that. I motion to approve. >> You can just say >> the >> updated uh administrative salary schedule. >> You're welcome. >> I'll sec second that. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. Terry. >> Mr. Johnson. I >> Miss Noble. >> Hi, >> Miss Grace. Velasquez. >> Hi, >> Mr. Leamini. >> Hi, >> Miss Sheam. >> I >> Motion approved. The The motion is approved for the administrative salary schedule. [Laughter] >> Oh, I love it. Okay. Uh let's see. Yes, we are in discussion. Uh so our first discussion item will be the public hearing regarding Olive Grove uh charter school builtin authorization and oversight requirements and I have some public oh do do we hear the presentation first or
090do we want or do we want to comment >> why don't that'd be great. So >> the clicker to move you forward. >> I think this is first page, right? >> Yeah. Okay. By the way, congratulations, superintendent and principal. Um I'm Lisa O'Shea. I'm the uh learning center director here at Olive Grove Charter School in Builton. and I thank you for having us tonight um and hearing about um the reasons for the charter renewal and how Olive Grove uh serves the students and families of your community. So, a little bit about our school. We are a flexbased independent learning program. We have a blended learning approach uh for communitybased education. And just so you know, we have been in the community in some form or another for the past 25 years. So our mission um
091is to have students um self- advocate uh communicate effectively and use technology responsibly and pursue college and career success. Our core values are partnership which we are um hope to have with you uh compassion uh engagement and empowerment. So why Olive Grove? So we have um we meet health and wellness needs of our students. Um we help we we do have students say for instance um that have a difficult time attending your school because they may um they may be like an adolescent residential facility. Um having mental health struggles, things like that, health struggles uh that make it difficult for them to come to school. Uh families in transition. So they may be facing relocation, housing instability. they there may be students that are needed at home to help out with things and this allows
092them the flexibility. We have learners b um that benefit from a flexible schedule uh and learning environments. For example, we have a student now in Bilton who is a world-class polo player and uh she just competed um she's been competing um somewhere in the states but uh she travels a lot and um is really a worldclass player and so students um you I heard you earlier mention rodeo. We have students that have rodeo schedules and it's just difficult for them to attend school with their traveling. So just the flexibility and then um students requiring um district transfer options um and flexible scheduling. So our enrollment um right now in Bilton we are serving about 35 to 45 students primarily high school students. All right. And here uh this is a little bit hard to see.
093Um, pardon my glasses, but um, our large for the last three years, um, if you look at the left, the orange is a Hispanic students, which has been our largest population, uh, for the past three years. Uh, and on the right, uh, the majority of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, um, which is there, um, I believe in the orange. Sorry, it's hard to read. Um, and then the light blue is our English learners. So, if you look on the right, uh, for the past 3 years, um, it's been rising. It's almost right now at 9% and, um, we service those students with in-person learning opportunities. And then this slide just shows the overall ethnicity uh, and view of our student groups. And then school climate and culture. So co uh coupled with climate and ac
094um and academics um that equates to a thriving student population. So a little bit about our culture. Um we um we do an annual survey, not only the California Healthy Kids survey, but also a local survey and both indicate um that students feel very safe um in our program. Uh parents report strong school safety, positive school communication, and valued partnerships. Students value flexibility, supportive teachers, and report feeling safe and accepted. And our staff is credentialed, collaborative, and they also feel valued. So, um, you guys might know Dewey. He's a bit of a legend here. He's our guitar teacher. So, we offer our students guitar lessons and art lessons, and that's through the children's creative project. So um our a lot of our students do take advantage of those. And then for our academic growth, we
095do have verified data uh showing adequate academic progress, all students exceeding in reading and most in math. So that's just a little glimpse of growth. And then again our programs and supports uh our academic support. Students have access to tutors. They can join in person or virtually. Uh we have our English learner support uh in-person classes weekly. We have mental health um support services um arts program. And then this year we have added CTE. We have a student Carla here tonight that wants to speak to that. she's in some cosmetology classes which she's really enjoying. And then uh probably uh one of the most important things is Olive Grove Charter School. We're currently sponsored. Um our oversight is by the California Department of Education, but we do meet all of the renewal criteria. So we're
096a middle performing classification. We've met the requirements for a five-year renewal term and we have positive verified growth and data. Uh one more thing um we have had a really positive relationship uh with not only the uh with the state board of education and the CDE uh as our authorizers since 2018. Um, so I think that's worth noting. We are uh fully Wasque accredited and that's through 2029. And uh in closing, Olive Grove is deeply committed to personalized learning, collaborative partnerships, and preparing students for success in career, college, and life. So I appreciate you all uh listening. And tonight we have a few people here. Carla's going to speak. Her mother's going to speak. We have um Kristen Morrison. She's a member of the community. Some of you may know her. She's our learning center
097director in Lumpoke. And then we have Exenia, our director of enrollment uh and data services. She's going to speak. She's not a huge fan of speaking, but she's going to share some of our parent comments from our parseek reels and emails and things like that. So, I'd like to welcome her up. >> Thank you. Should I >> Yeah, you can call. >> I'll call in order. So, who who did you want to have come up first? >> Zenia. Okay. Zenia Palasios. Thank you. [Laughter] Hello. Can you hear me? >> Okay. Uh, my name is Eenna Palasios. I am the director of enrollment at Olive Grove Charter School and I've been with Olive Grove Charter School for the past 10 years. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of our school. Um so like
098Lisa mentioned we do um survey our students and our families um just to see how we can adjust our program you know with our everchanging student population um just based on the needs um and I wanted to share a few quotes with you all from some of our students some of our parents and even some of our graduates. I'm going to start with our student quote. So these are some of our our current students. Now um one says, "I feel I can acquire a more personal connection with my adviser and teachers as all interactions are one-on-one." Another student commented, "It works really well with our current family situation. I currently spend time between my mother's and grandmother's homes as my mom is undergoing cancer treatment." And another student said, "I am excited that I can
099develop my own schedule that works best for me as a student as I work best in the afternoon. I also like how the program feels very personalized to me and I can work at my own pace because some subjects require more of my time than others." Um, just a few parent quotes. My daughter has been experiencing bullying at her previous school and it began to take a serious toll on her emotional well-being and my ability to focus at work. We felt constantly on edge and Olive Grove became a space for healing. Another said, "We decided to reenroll at Olive Grove because the flexibility of the program works with my son's learning as well as him establishing strong connections to his classmates and teachers." and another said, "We look forward to seeing her, our daughter's independence
100and her taking ownership of her academic development." A couple of our graduates um did come back and give some quotes. Uh one said, "Attending Olive Grove has helped me become more independent and ready for college." And another commented, "If I hadn't attended Olive Grove, I don't think I would be as committed as I am now to furthering my education by going to college." looking forward. Our charter renewal represents an opportunity to build on this foundation. So, I want to thank you guys for your time, your trust in us, um, and your commitment to the students that we all serve. >> Thank you, Zena. >> I just had a quick question. Were all of those quotes from Olive Grove Buen Charter School students or just Olive Grove students in general? And it says >> Olive Grove
101students in general. >> Okay, thank you. Next up would be Carlo Roullis. >> Uh, can you hear me or Okay, thank you. Uh, my name is Carla Rolas. I've been attending Olive Grove Charter School for about a year now. Um, while attending Olive Grove Charter School, I have there's many things I really enjoy about it and many things I love about it. Um, and I'm here to show you or to tell you a few things that I do enjoy about it. Um, I really enjoy the interactive hands-on science labs that they have just because it allows me to actually understand what we're the subject that we're learning on a little bit better than just reading about it. Um, the second thing I really love about it is the flexibility and the responsibility that I've learned
102while being at the school, allowing me to get better grades and to finish assignments when when it's best for me to finish them. Um, and the last thing I really love about the school is the career tech cosmetology program. And I personally enjoy the cosmetology program just because I've always loved doing makeup and hair and nails ever since I was young. Um, and this program allows me to explore and learn more about all things cosmetology. Um, because I definitely see myself doing things like that in the future. But that's all I have to say. But thank you. >> Thank you, Carla. Oh, let's see. Yadira, >> I think so. >> Is it Yadira Ruellis? >> Thank you. I'm sure I butchered your name. Tell us how you pronounce that. >> Hi, my name is Yadira,
103parent of Carla. I just wanted to take a moment to share how grateful I am for Olive Charter School. Choosing this school was truly been one of the best decisions I've made for our daughter's education. Since enrolling, I've seen such a positive change in her life. She's taken a real ownership of her learning, completing her weekly checklist at her own pace, staying on top of assignments and managing her time with level responsibility that surprises even me at sometimes. But at the But it's not just about academics. What's been more meaningful is seeing Carla's excitement and engagement, especially when it time when it's time for the science lab and our classes. Carla is currently enrolled in career technical technical cosmetology as this is a career path she is passionate about pursuing. So thank I'm so I'm
104thankful for the staff and the entire Olive group community for creating a space where students can grow, thrive and learn and their own pace. That's it. >> Thank you. >> And did I don't have another car. Did you >> do you want to come up and speak? >> Okay. >> No, that >> you're fine. >> That's all. >> Hi, my name's Kristen Morrison. I'm an actual proud pirate, class of 1986. And I raised two really proud PI pirates, uh, 2017 and 2018 graduates. And just like I, you know, hear all of you attending football games still or homecoming, um, ju going to plays here. This is just a really important place for our, uh, for our community, the the school. Um, however, I have been I've lived back in Losivos now 25 years, and I
105have worked for Olive Grove for about 23 of them in some form or another. So yeah, I I I do see the value and I would I I think there's a potential for a great partnership and I think we we serve uh a population that just sometimes does not succeed in a traditional setting. So thank you very much. >> Thank you Kristen Taylor. Right. >> That's what I thought. Yeah. Okay. [Laughter] Well, that was great. Um, we don't >> we don't we don't have any action on this and uh this is for >> um >> next agenda. >> Correct. At the October board meeting, we will be taking action on the charter oversight. Um and um we have been having meetings and we will be entering um based on the board's decision we will be
106entering into anou with um Olive Grove charter. >> Do we have an opportunity to ask some questions while um >> yes >> you guys are here? or is that because I my question is um >> I have a I always try to wrap my head around you know what the 30 something students um how do you staff you know and it's I know charter schools are sometimes flexible you know students come in students go out I believe it's based you base attendance on work completion yes can you explain that a little bit and how how you deal with all of that those kind of moving parts. >> Yes, of course. So, we have different learning centers and each one is seeking oversight from their local district. So, um I'm also the learning center director in
107Santa Barbara. So, in that site, we have five teachers on site. One is an ed specialist that handles students with IEPs. Um, we have a math teacher there, we have art teachers there, different teachers. So, someone, for example, Carla has a schedule. It could very well be that her math teacher is here in Builton because um, one of our high school teachers that probably has the most math students, is a Builtin teacher. Um, and another Builtin teacher teaches science. So she may have two Bin teachers, one for math and one for science, but her English teacher could be in the Santa Maria location or uh the Lumpoke location. So they they because the the classes are through Flex Point, but all teachers offer office hours. So Carlo was struggling um and she's in a a
108throughg biology, so we do do the hands-on labs at the center. Um, and she was there today doing something about paper clips floating. I think it was um something with water and resistance of water. I don't know. I was partially paying attention. Um, but so they they have teachers, but every single teacher has office hours. So if she wanted to go see Miss Lipincot, her biology teacher, for some questions on a science assignment that she was struggling with, she could sign up for those office hours and go in and get individual help from from that teacher. >> So is there a curriculum that they follow? Then who who determines what curriculum is taught? >> So our learning management system is through Flex Point. So most all of our classes come through there with the exception
109of like AP and CTE and things like that. >> Does she would she go through like a Zoom to meet with the teacher or would she have to drive to the different location? >> The Google Meet. >> Yeah, she'll do her lessons through Flex Point, but she can contact the teacher if she needs help. But the weekly like really the heart and soul of our program is um our advisor. So every student meets with their advisor and that is at their home site um once a week for at least 30 minutes. So that's where the real relationship uh and support comes in through that relationship and even directors. So Kristen and I um you know most teachers have about 25 but she and I I don't I have three. I'm not sure how many you
110have now four. Um, and so those are students that we really get to know and we get to know the families and we meet with them weekly and um, we know their lives and their situations and can really advocate for them. So there's that piece. So So Carla has her advisor who's Mr. Chang here in Bilton, but she also has her other teachers. It may be a different site. This is a lot, but it works. Yeah. And we also have counselors. Yes. >> What a um so do they they regular tests and things and >> correct >> that type of thing. And how how do you I believe it's based on ADA is how it's funded. So how do you do attendance um if they're all on Zoom, >> right? So, um, every day when
111Carla goes in and looks at her calendar, she can tell what assignment she needs to do through Flex Point and she moves through those assignments and take does projects or quizzes or things as assigned and sometimes she may have to submit a Google Doc or something along those lines or even take pictures. If it's art, you might have to take a picture and submit it. Those sorts of things. But yeah, a lot of it is done automatically through Flex Point and graded through Flex Point through the curriculum and the lesson. So, let's say a a typical science lesson. Um, and for our English learner students, it can highlight and read it through for them. Um, but there's a lot of interactive activities where you need may need to match or do vocabulary or things like
112that. >> So, what if you have a student that doesn't turn in work? >> So, we we do have um an academic probation um procedure that we go through and there's four steps to it. So, we require that every week students complete 80% of their work. So advisors every week have to complete all of 25 checklists that get sent to the students and the parents and that includes their current grades or current assignment completion. And if that falls below 80% or they don't show up to two consecutive meetings that triggers academic probation. And as students move through academic probation, we look for bridges to success for them to be successful. Come to the learning center, sign up for office hours, sign up for tutors. And tutors are amazing. Um really bring students along. And so
113we come up with the bridges to success. But the truth of the matter is there are students that do not successfully engage. And if they do get to the step four of academic probation, it is returned to their home school, their school of residence. And we do have a few signs that our students made to hold up tonight. So, >> I have one last question. Um, do you offer the students in high school dual enrollment opportunities? >> We do. >> Oh, so Carla can go to Alan Hancock and get cosmetology classes there. >> That's correct. >> That's excellent. and our counselors do hold information meetings about that. Um you know we do um field trips to the colleges we have fast workshops things like >> a couple questions for you would be does this follow
114like the regular academic calendar like with graduation or is it >> we're a little bit early. We start a little bit early. Our first day of school was August 7th. Last year, our graduation, which is held in Bilton, um at one of the parks, was on the 27th. This year, it's a little earlier or later. >> It's it's going to be in May. It's we get out we start a little earlier and run um we start a little earlier and graduate a little earlier, but for the most part, it's it follows >> typical spring break. I mean, it's pretty similar. >> And then is there a financial agreement? >> Um, yes. In theouou, there would be a financial agreement because Alysia would be need to do the fiscal oversight for Olive Grove and I would
115be doing the academic and yearly oversight um visits and meetings. And also written into theou will be how many times a year we will meet which will be probably at least a quarter including um onampus meetings where we would come and do oversight visits. The state is currently doing that. I do want to say that I'm lucky in the sense that before I took this job here I was a director um in LA USD under their charter school umbrella. So, I have a little bit of familiarity with charter school oversight and how charter schools work, but yes, we can bill back 1% of their overall budget. And um we are intending to do that for our oversight services, which was one of the reasons why Alicia was taking on more responsibilities and I was taking
116on more responsibilities because um charter oversight is a big job um and it's a big commitment. Um, so we've already started meeting with their director and we're talking about theou and the things that will be in theou and the timelines, the fiscal timelines and the um academic um oversight and what we will be looking for when we come out. And they've already successfully completed that with the state several times including having successful wasque. So they're a charter school that's following the rules, that's doing what they're supposed to do, which makes our job easier, but still oversight is oversight. So yes. >> And then last question, just explain then Rafufio to me just because I'm new here. >> Okay. So Rafufio is our continuation school and many of our students go to Rafuio for many reasons.
117I would say that back in the day when I was a student, alternative education was for kids who, you know, were discipline problems or that is that is typically not the reason students attend Rafufio. It's it's very similar to actually some of the reasons why students would attend Olive Grove. They're credit deficient or they're need they need a shorter school day. They need more one-on-one attention, which we give at Rafufio as well. Um, they need um they need to catch up. They need to have jobs to help support families. A lot of the similar reasons why Olive Grove was talking about students also attend um Olive Grove. We do pay Olive Grove, the ADA, for the students that are in our attendance zone. So, we pay them if our students choose to attend Olive Grove.
118Um, it's just another option for families and students. I can say with the students at Rafuio, they come every day. So, it is not a hybrid or an independent study program. They're in seats every day. Um whereas when they talked about either the rodeo kids or the polo kids who need to be traveling, there's a lot of when I've done independent study before too, there's a lot of kids that are in the entertainment industry that are on set or doing other things. Their model through independent study lends itself to that a little bit more than a Rafuho model where you need to be here every single day. But some of some a some similarities and we have a really good working relationship with them currently even though we're not their oversight. We um there have
119been students that have been here that have said we want to attend Olive Grove. We release them. Obviously we check them out. They check them into and there's been kids that have come back from Olive Grove. So it's kind of this relationship that works back and forth. And I just think that there are a lot of ways to serve children and um families are usually the ones that decide which way serves their children the best and so we offer some options and Olive Grove off offers a different type of option for different types of learners or for different needs. >> Well said. Sorry, I'm not supposed to be a commercial for all of you, but I mean there's just a reason and a place for every every learner. So, >> thank you. >> Huh. >>
120Fortunately, there is options. >> There's options. Yes, absolutely. >> As and like Miss Grace asked like fortunately there are like the student that spoke here today, it meets her needs. She's happy there. she's excelling and succeeding and gaining the skills that she needs to be successful and that's commendable and I'm happy for her and she was well spoken. So, thank you. >> Yeah, thank you so much. >> Yeah, thank you all very much. I really appreciate all of you. >> You know, I did have one question on your slide on one of your earlier slides. You mentioned that your students were at or above and that assessment on that slide that was star renaissance. >> Correct. >> That wasn't the state testing, right? >> That's correct. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that
121I saw that. >> Right. And if you look at the dashboard, we don't really have enough students to >> correct. >> Yeah. >> So, you're using to meet the to meet or exceed you're using the star renaissance assessment. last year. This year we're we're we're trying I Ready is our diagnostic. >> Okay, great. Yeah, I'm familiar with I Ready as well. Okay, >> we're transitioning. Yeah. >> Yeah, no problem. I just wanted to know which assessment you are using to track your data and then Okay, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh our final discussion item for the evening will be the minimum fund balance policy review. Thank you all for being here. >> Susan, >> are you up? She needed >> Okay. Thank you, Elisia. >> There we go. In 1617, the district
122adopted a reserve balance policy stating that we would keep no less than 30% as a minimum reserve. This approach aligned with prudent fiscal management and the percentagebased meth method is what is known as best practice today. However, this method proved difficult for stakeholders at the time to follow because the target shifts with each budget iteration. So when you're using a percentage, it's based on the budget rather than a fixed number. In 1819, in response to feedback seeking greater transparency and simplicity, the district adopted a static reserve policy of three million. And at this time, that $3 million was a prudent reserve. It provided a clearer benchmark for stakeholders to to say, "Hey, we have it. This is what it is. I don't have to do the math myself." And it was enough of a reserve
123at the time that it gave us as a basic aid the safety net that we were looking for. But because a static number doesn't grow with the budget, it doesn't keep up with inflation so to speak or with the growing budget. So the value of the safety provided by $3 million in 1617 is not the same value of safety that we're receiving in 2526. So with that in mind, we understand that a a percentage is a little bit more confusing in that now with every budget, the number is going to be different, but the percentage is the same. So a percent grows with your budget, a percent keeps up with your budget, and it becomes a situation where you don't have to keep revising your resolutions. So by making it a present percentage, you've you've
124effectively ended having to continue the conversation because you've made the decision to protect the the volatility and the the financial reserves in a way that doesn't need to be revisited unless there's some sort of random crazy shift in funding models or you know something to that effect. But in general, if all things were to continue moving forward in the same way, a percentage would protect the district better than a static number, and you wouldn't have to revisit it. So, the district is recommending that the board consider reverting back to this percentage-based reserve level and looking at somewhere between 25 to 35% would be my bean counter percentage request. I know that we would be fine if it was somewhere in the 20 to 30. So like if I had my perfect world, we'd be sitting
125at 30%, we're good. That does not mean that we are not safe at 20%. So feel free to have a discussion, think about what works best for you. But I do want to say that we are in a unique position. We have the influx of money. We should definitely take a look at our reserve and what whether or not we want it to be static or a percentage based. But also there is no reason that we need to if we make the decision moving forward to move from a static to a percentage to create that shift overnight or to implement say so so to speak that shift overnight because what you're effectively saying if we were to use 30% as the benchmark we are at 3 million now 30% is almost almost a million a
126little bit over a million more in the ending fund balance It it does a couple of things. Yes, that's where we want to be. We we have no major financial crisis requiring us to be there right now. And the look of saying, "Oh, we have extra money, but we're going to tie it all up so that we can't use it for programs and projects and other things that we know are coming up, it makes it look like a hoarding situation rather than a protection of the district ending fund balance. So, we would recommend an incremental increase over however many number of years you think is reasonable to get us to that point because we are we are not in a position where 3 million isn't taking care of us right now. We just know that
127that is not best practice and we also know that that does not adequately protect the district in the way that we should as a basic aid with the size of our budget. But we also know that we have a lot of, you know, irons in the fire right now. We're looking at building projects. We're looking at programs. We're looking at negotiations. We're looking at a whole number of things. So, we don't want to make a decision that sort of forces our hand in other areas. So, I would just caution you to be cognizant of how you want to roll that out if that is the choice that we move forward. And that is the choice that I would recommend is that we move to a percentage based definitely no less than 20%. I wouldn't recommend
128going anywhere higher than 35% because there is just really no real reason to do that. Um, and to look at an incremental increase to get us to that point so that we're able to address all the different fires or irons so to speak. >> I I have a question um because numbers not necessarily my thing um going backwards. What would what is three million to do that in reverse? What percentage would you would three million be? >> I can do it real quick. Yeah, it is. >> It would be. >> So if we take >> 3 million divided by 16 >> 16 >> it's it's about 18%. Yeah, >> 18%. Okay. >> And looking at the music teacher, I'm just looking for that like if those for the programs that we want. So, I'm just
129trying to think like overall like if we did a three-year like looking at three because I agree that the percentage makes sense because if uh costs uh go up, you're saving that money, but if costs come down, then your your savings goes down. So, that floating scale makes sense there to me that in my opinion, but um to go up to it right away doesn't because I want that music teacher, you know, or whatever the needs are of the kids as well. >> Yeah. So what when you say fires, what are like typical things of other districts that would drain the three million um you know things unexpected? Can you give some examples? >> Yeah. So I would say for our district, if we're looking at the 3 million and why we would be concerned
130with just the 3 million. So last year, not last, yeah, last year was the first year that we had to actually look at cash flow prior to the 1.2 2 million hitting because we only get paid twice a year. So we have to float July, August, September, October, and November. We get a small like I think it's like 600,000 in November, but we get the majority first payment of property taxes in December and then we go so we the the first and foremost is cash flow, making sure that we can pay our bills and pay our our salaries every month. And um salaries and benefits every month hover around 700,000. So, we need to be able to pay those things and the warrants every month. On top of that, we have things like I will
131give you an example. Our pool filters are rusting through. We've just decided that we have to replace them. We can no longer they they cannot limp through until we figure out the pool foundation situation or bond situation or whatever. However, we get creative in funding that. That was of $150,000 that we immediately have to pay to put the filters in and get them installed right now. That was not something in our budget. That was not something we wanted to do. It was nope. It has to happen now. We are literally limping by on our last legs for our boilers and our chillers. And we are taking to use the technical terms of maintenance guts from other facilities and other items and putting them in ours and other brains to make them work because they do
132not make them anymore. So it is not a matter of if they happen, it is a matter of when they happen and to what magnitude. So that's another, you know, another thing. And there's there's a whole host of things. We had a roof leak that, you know, kind of ripped a portion of the roof off during the last storms, not last year, but the year before. And that was like 175,000 to fix because once you get in there, oh, this one, too, and that one and that one while you're here. So, just a number of things, aging facilities, cash flow, um, and in the event that, not that I think it will because it it goes against all of the trend models, in the event that there is a a decline in our property taxes,
133we don't get backfilled from the state. We are into basic aid by over a million dollars. We would have to lose more than a million dollars. It's probably closer to two now before the state would say, "You're not getting enough money as a school district. were going to kick in. So, we would lose all of that and we would be looking at like decimating programs and people to make that up if that were to happen, which I do not think it will, but that's also another reason. >> Yeah. And I mean, like one year they just decided to go from how they were funded to LCFF and if they decide to do that with a shift in in government leadership, that that could also change the way funding is, change our model. We have no
134idea what it could look like. So, having those reserves gives us time to make decisions without our backs against the wall. >> Wow. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> It's basic insurance. I mean, you don't want to pay for insurance, but if you don't have it and then that thing happens, >> correct? >> Um, it's better to be prepared. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> I do. I guess my question would be how the 2016 2017 it was static. It was moved because it was difficult budget-wise. How are we not how are we not going to I guess how are we not predicting we're just going to have a difficult time budget wise. >> So it was not difficult budget-wise. It was difficult digestionwise and it was um the parties that were having those issues no
135longer work at the district and there the community members that were having it was it was um kind of like a fundamental like I want to see the number and I want the number to be the same and I don't like having this change because I don't believe that with the change that we're getting the full picture and it was really based on a contentious negot negotiation uh cycle and it it wasn't done because it isn't easy to budget and it wasn't done because it doesn't make sense nor was it not changed because it's hard. It was changed because we were having contentious relationships with the bargaining unit and they were saying that it didn't it didn't um it detracted from transparency and I think that the individuals that felt that way are no longer
136involved and none of them work here anymore for many many years. So I don't think that that contention would be there because it wasn't like a business issue if that makes sense. >> Perfectly. Yeah, I understand now. But I'm just saying we could step into that. >> 100% 100%. I I will say our staff is >> pretty wellversed and they're getting >> more wellversed >> and you presented this. >> Yeah. Yeah. So Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Yes. So, so when was the 3 million in 19 when it was put to static? >> 18/19. >> 1819. >> Okay. And then um LCFF schools, I believe, they get a 3% uh is a 3% budget. >> They have to have a 3% reserve. That's all they have to have. >> It also depends on their ADA.
137>> Okay. >> So, there are ranges. >> Yeah. So that that but that 3% does not equate to basic aid. I want people to understand that. I'm just kind of putting it out there because it's a completely different model because they get monthly stipens. >> They don't have to worry about carrying millions of dollars in payroll and all that kind of stuff as we do. So we have that responsibility. And I and I did read some more. I believe best practices are 25 to 30% for basic aid, not 20. >> Yeah. Okay. I just want you guys to know that. So, I' I've been doing some research on that and and for good reason. You think about what is our payroll a month? >> 700,000. And it's going to go up. It's not going down,
138>> right? >> So, we just need to remember that. >> I I just like the percentage part of it because that floating number that's I mean, whatever wherever we land on that percentage, it just makes sense to me because it does mimic the economy basically. So if it's the inflation goes up, our number would go up and it would match where uh costs and expenditures would go up. So that to me makes sense rather than a static >> um where the number lands that's to be determined what would makes >> Yeah. And I think optically for um all of our staff in the community as well, at least they know that okay, that's a that percentage is actually a static percentage instead of having a static number that let's say we decided no as a
139board we want to go as a static number. Okay, so we're going to pull a number out of the hat. >> I'm going to v for the biggest number we can get >> because we know that we're not going to be able to vote on this for another who knows the next board or two boards down the road. So, at least this gives the opportunity to have something that everybody knows where we're at. It's all it's all transparent in my mind. >> Yeah. It's not objective. It's very like it's a percentage. The percentage changes with the budget. If our budget increases, the percentage number increases. And if for some reason the budget decreases, we're not sitting on 60% reserve. We're we're staying, you know what I mean? So, I don't think we'll get to that
140point, but there there could be reasons that we reduce it. And if we were to reduce expenditures for some reason, we don't need to be sitting at a 60% reserve. So it allows for that eb and flow. >> Have you given it any thought on the percentage uh to get to that percentage? >> In other words, the incremental incremental increases over the next three to five years or whatever that may be. >> It would depend on where you guys land. So like we're sitting at 18. So, if we were to get to 20, I would be like, we could do a percent a year. But if we're sitting at 18 and you're looking at getting to 30, then we would have to kind of break that out and what is reasonable. Now, why why is
14130 sounding like a good number for you? And is that is that realistic for um us with what the trends you're seeing? So, the reason that I picked that is because all of the the entities that provide professional development for CBOS, the school services of Santa Barbara, the California Association of School Business Officials, the state boards, all of them suggest somewhere between the 20 and 40 range. So, for me, I like to be conservative. And for me, conservative is in the middle. And in the middle of 20 to 40 is 30. and it seems not excessive but not so little that we can still get into a position where I feel like we may not be good for some reason. So it just to me it brings stability and I like the idea of we're
142not at the highest we're not you know being ridiculous and saying we need 40% or whatever but we're also not being ridiculous the other way and saying we don't really need all of that. So that's kind of based on best practice and finding the conservative midpoint. advantages. >> I think I think those numbers help for aging facilities as well. >> 100%. >> Which we obviously know we have. >> Yeah. It's like every day Polo's coming in and I'm like, can you please do something because I don't want to spend 100,000 whatever it is. It seems to be 150,000 and I'm like, >> yeah. So, >> any any more discussion on that? >> Okay. Thank you, Alisia. >> Of course. So, uh, we'll move on to board matters. And I do have a date issue. So,
143I'm hoping that we can solve this December the December 9th. >> Uh, we can go before uh there's the 8th, which is a Monday. >> I don't know. Uh, the 9th. I cannot uh I cannot attend the 9th. So, I'm hoping that we can >> 15th. >> Yes. >> The eth is a no. You said >> I'm good with the eth. >> Catherine, >> what? >> December 8th. Monday. December 8th. >> We'll just assume that you're a yes then. >> We'll just assume you're a yes. It's okay. Okay. >> Yes. I'm still working. >> You would be okay. >> Does that affect um Mondays affect you? Okay. >> I already asked them. >> Okay, >> Todd. >> No issue. >> Okay. Well, at this at this time, uh, so we'll move the board meeting in
144December to Monday the 8th. [Laughter] >> Okay. Uh, any other issues. Okay, good. Uh, so we'll move on to close session at 7:41. Let's take a five minute break. >> Okay. Are you getting signatures? >> I do need some signatures. I also need some signatures. Oh yeah. [Music] Yeah, I like it.