001Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Okay, that's a little louder, right? All right, we're going to call this meeting to order. Time is 5:34. May we have our student trustee help us with the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Can we have roll call, please? >> President Tortez, Vice President Garcia, >> present. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> present. >> Trustee Akuna. Trustee Kalimmanes >> present. >> Trustee Gonzalez, Trustee Vargas, Student Trustee Juan Ramirez, >> here. >> Superintendent Dr. Esparza, >> present. >> Assistant Superintendent Dr. Makawitz, >> present. >> Assistant Superintendent Sakoro Sanchez, Assistant Superintendent Business Services, Julie Vigil, >> present. >> Thank you. All right. Um, can we approve the agenda as submitted? Do we have a motion? So, move. >> Thank you. Do we have a second? >> I second it. Thank you. That was board member
002Galim Manes. All right. Can we get a roll call vote? >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Trusty Calimmanes. >> I. >> Student Trustee Ramirez. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Now we're going to have a several recognitions. Um, this first one is 2.1 recognition of the Kachala Valley High School 2026 CIF Southern Section Girls Soccer Champions. I'm Dr. Santa Maria and I'm honored to be the principal at Coachell Valley High School. um here representing our girls soccer team. Um good evening, board dignitaries, uh superintendent Dr. Esparza. Thank you for having us this evening. Um the girls are very excited to be here tonight. So I would like to introduce um Mr. Andress Robas. He's our assistant principal that oversees athletics. And then I'd like coach Morales, Francisco
003Morales to come up and he's actually going to be presenting everyone with their certificates this this evening and sharing their accomplishments for the season. >> Good evening. >> Uh thank you so much for having us here. Uh such a great honor. Uh, and we're just enjoying all the every all the recognitions that the girls have uh earned over this process. Um, we I've been blessed to coach for 15 years. Uh, blessed to have a lot of great teams, a lot of great players. Uh, but these young ladies obviously accomplished something very special this year. Uh, and and I'm just uh so proud of them and I'm glad that they're getting to that point where they're enjoying their accomplishment as well. Uh so we are the first team from Kachala Valley High School to win a
004CIF title in division five. UM and and we join uh another uh great uh soccer program in Desert Mirage High School and being the only two girls soccer programs in the valley that that share that accomplishment of being CIF champions. We are the first team in the valley to be a state regional champion in girls soccer and we proudly represented our community in the first ever state championship game. So, uh, so without further ado, I do want to call their names up, give them the recognition they deserve. Um, first up, uh, Rhysa Dean. Junior. Uh, next up, junior Stephanie Torres. Next up, sophomore Melody Manuel. Next, sophomore Renee Lopez. Next up, senior Monerat Davila. Next up, senior Jesselle Sandoval. Next up, sophomore Natalie Coronell. Next up, senior Marissa Medano. Next up, junior Millie Gamboa. >>
005Next up, uh, junior Vanessa Garcia. Next up, senior Haley Padilla. Next up, junior Annabelle Bernal. Next up, senior Cindy Variel. Next up is junior Monica. Next up is a freshman, Yareli Orosco. Then next up is Zoe uh sophomore Sauta. Joy Sal and then >> is she still here? >> And then there's a few others I'm going to recognize. Uh but I do also want to mention obviously part of our success is B is thanks to the help of uh our coaching staff, everyone that kind of supports us throughout the year. Uh like I said, I've I've been here 15 years, but I haven't been doing it alone. Uh this uh young man over here has been doing it 15 years with me. So, uh, our assistant coach Damen Bautista two years. >> And then, uh,
006also want to recognize some of our athletic uh, uh, department help that we get so so important for us throughout the year. Uh, Miss Raquel Canella and and then uh also I do want to mention some of the ones that weren't able to be here for different uh reasons. Some worked, some uh but I also want to make sure we recognize that some of our parent their parents are here today. Uh, one of them's our senior Daniela Pineda, so she won't be here, but family is. And then >> uh our athletic director, Jason Castillo, part of the coaching staff, all of them CV alumni. Uh, Maric Carmen Aves, Jose Herardo Martinez, and then a few of our track athletes that couldn't be there today because they're out there trying to make sure we beat India.
007Audrey Kota, Melody Rodriguez, and sophomore uh 34 goals this season. She's not here, but Jaylen Hernandez. And then she's here somewhere. I just need to find her. Uh Michaela Rivera, thank you very much for everything. I really appreciate everything you guys have done for us along the way and I know these young ladies are highly motivated and they're they feel like they have more to do next year. So, they'll be back as you saw very young group and they're going to try to make you guys proud. Thank you. >> We'll go down for a picture. All right. Thank you so much for that. >> Hello. This goes with the same item with the girls soccer team. We want to make sure we get a two peak, maybe a three peak girls. So, let's chew for
008another championship next year. We had our parade this Saturday and we do want to give a special thanks for the community that came together. This is for the girls still. >> Sorry, we want to piggyback on this. So yeah, we had a parade this past Saturday for the girls and we want to give a a big thank to the community that came out here on a very short notice. I love their mentality. You give them a call and they say say less, Miss Rodriguez. We will be out there to support the girls. So we want to give a special thanks to Hadley Date and Garden who came and provided us uh waters. They gave dates to the families. They were out there cheering us on. Uh Luigi Slushie who was out there keeping us all
009nice and cool on that warm Saturday. DJ Boots who kept us entertained, provided all the music for us. Albas Towing. We want to also thank um Stephanie Vidhins for the council member from the city of Coachella who helping us with the street closures and everything. Of course um Supervisor Victor Manuel Perez for helping us organize that and getting um these community members to help us. Special thanks also to the car club that came to um escort uh some of the dignitaries. uh New Position Car Club, uh Ranfleita's Car Club, Street Kings Car Club, and Coachella Classic Club who came out. And of course, I want to give a a special thanks to DS Air Printing, who I literally called on Wednesday night, had FedEx um some scarves and printed them for the girls and donated
010all free for the girls and our coaches. So, thank you DSA DS and thank you to all the board members that thank you so much. Excellent. All right, moving on. We are at 2.2. Recognition of the Kachala Valley Unified School District 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair Medal Winners. >> Good evening, board president, trustees, Dr. Esparza, cabinet members, and our incredible CVUSD community. Tonight, we're proud to recognize a group of young scientists who represented Coachella Valley Unified School District at the 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair. This year's county fair welcomed the largest participation in nearly a decade, bringing together the top student researchers from across Riverside County. This year's competition featured 367 projects representing 533 students. Medals were awarded to the top projects in 22 scientific and engineering categories recognizing exceptional achievement
011in scientific inquiry, innovation, design, and presentation. Our CVUSD students earned five county medals, demonstrating that curiosity, creativity, and perseverance are thriving in our classrooms. Tonight, we celebrate not only the medals, but the scientific thinking behind each project. So, as I call the projects up, we'll give you guys a certificate. You guys are going to stand in front of your project. So, our silver award is from Palm View Elementary testing techniques. Marcos and Jesus investigated how different testing strategies influence results in accuracy. Their research explored the effectiveness of various testing approaches and highlighted the importance of methodology and scientific experimentation. Our next project comes from Northshore. Now, Jubilee and Gael, they did not get their medals there. They are misidentified from from being from Moreno Valley, but they're ours. So, I have their bronze medals here
012with me right now. So, um, Julie and Guyel designed and built a hydraulic powered robotic system made primarily from cardboard. Through multiple design iterations, they successfully engineered a function Oh, wait. Hold on. Hold on. Don't get up there. You got All right. Through multiple design iterations, they successfully engineer a functioning robot using hydraulic pressure to create movement, demonstrating engineering design, problem solving, and mechanical innovation. Our next project from Palm View is angle arithmetic. Students Meloj, Justice, and Kaden explored the mathematical relationships between angles and arithmetic patterns. Their project investigate how angle me measurements can be predicted and analyzed using mathematical reasoning, helping students better understand geometry concepts and realworld applications of mathematics. One of our other projects that just got their bronze medals today because they were misidentified for another school district is from Palm
013View. Doppler Ganger disparities. Stephanie, Michelle, and Emma study how small variations in appearance can affect perception and recognition. Their project explored how humans identified similarlooking individuals and what factors influence whether someone is mistaken for another person. And our final bronze, a Coachella Valley people recall events. His results highlighted the powerful role language plays in shaping memory and perception. What what makes these projects truly extraordinary is not simply the medals. It is that these students asked bold questions, designed real investigations, collected and analyzed data, and defended their discoveries in front of scientists, engineers, and university researchers. This was not just a school assignment. This is scientific process in action. Science fairs are where curiosity becomes discovery, where failure becomes iteration, and where young people realize that their ideas can actually change the world. Tonight, we celebrate
014these students for their medals they earned at the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair. But what we're really celebrating is something much bigger. We're celebrating the courage to be curious, the determination to solve problems, the belief that knowledge can make our communities and our world better because of every major breakthrough in human history started the same way with someone asking a question. The cure for diseases, the technologies that connect our world, the innovations that will power a cleaner and more sustainable future, all begin with a young mind that refuse to stop wondering. And tonight, right here in the Coachella Valley Unified School District, we are looking at students who are already learning how to do exactly that. Board members, it is my honor to present to you the 2026 Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair
015Medalists. Please join me in celebrating these remarkable young scientists. And I also forgot to recognize some of the the the coordinators that put it together. So, Israel Rantis from um Palm View, come on down. from Northshore, Sarah Serantes and Erica Bailey. And from CB High School, Alyssa Parks, come on down. And board members, please join us for a photograph. Thank you so much and congratulations to everyone we recognized today. Our soccer and our young scientists. Beautiful. Now we're going to move on to close session. 3.1 Close session public comments. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the governing board regarding any close session items within the board's subject matter jurisdiction. Please complete a request to address the governing board form and hand it to the recording secretary. Speakers will be limited
016to three minutes per person with a maximum of 20 minutes per subject matter. Right now I have four. That's correct. Anita >> four. All right. Okay. So, our first one is Ray U with CSEA and he has three items 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5. >> You may begin your first. >> Well, that's all kind of a combined effort there. Um, all having to do with labor negotiations. Good evening. My name is Ray Anzel Dua. Check. Check. Hello. Can you hear me now? Little better. Can I get >> Can I get a restart on the time? >> We need to restart the time and higher the volume. >> Check. Check. One, two, one, two. I got three minutes to speak. Can you guys hear me? Do we sound good? Thanks, guys, for the adjustment back. No, I
017got to do it. This is how we do it. All right. Thank you guys. Uh good evening. My name is Rayan Zadua. I am uh vice president for CSEA chapter 109. Um one of my members at Oasis approached me today and oddly enough um it has to do with the beautiful thing that we had here tonight which is that celebration of awards. That physical piece of paper that was handed to each and every one of those students was done by our classified staff. Our Elsas were the ones who did that. They were reduced to three. I mean, I hope the elsas that are currently working here at the DO are the ones helping with that celebration. Um, more than likely it's probably going to fall upon the attendance clerks at our elementaryaries and the HSTs,
018which are short on staff. There's only two of those. I mean, you got one of each and they handle the majority of working with the parents and addressing their issues with their students and and so on and so forth. Um, another thing I'd like to talk about tonight is the IAS. It's tough when we go out to these sites and we we observe these IAS to prove that they're legit. Yet, we have management in our district and specifically nutrition services where they're arguing against it. These people have worked for our district for many, many years. And the time that they need the district's help, they don't want to help them. They consider them half a person. And I mentioned this in our meet that we had, Dr. Sparza, you had to step away for a
019phone call. But when I mentioned that to your team, we were called liars. That those who fill in the complaints were liars. And I couldn't I couldn't stand that. The fact that these people who need help that have limitations are just being straight out rejected is terrible. Just because some person only spoke Spanish with the same limitations of some of the other people out there did not want to be, you know, accommodated. They were denied until we stepped in and helped. How is that fair? That's discrimination straight up. I don't see how that's right. And there's nothing more damaging to a person than being called a liar when they're speaking the truth through their experiences. I'm also noticing that now that the teachers negotiations are being held in the TTC in technology, I'm noticing they
020get a hell of a lot more bargaining time than we do as classified. So, you know, something's got to change there. To cons uh to continue to say that we're the workingclassified are lazy, unprofessional, and liars seems like a liability to the district. I really hope during this election we start to see a change in the board. Thank you guys. Good evening. >> You have two more items. Are you ready to Oh, okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next, I have Bianca Lameli, para educator. Okay. Hello. Tonight, I want to speak about truth, accountability, and respect. Good evening, board members. I have spent over two decades working in education supporting students in this district and over the years many of us parents, teachers and classified staff have noticed a pattern. The moment of truth,
021the moment the truth begins to surface, some board members suddenly begin playing the victim. There is a workplace dynamic that has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with exposure. The same individuals who voted for an approved harmful decision suddenly become fragile when accountability shows up. And the reality of public service is this. Every motion, every vote, and every approval made at this table becomes part of the public record. And the people who work in this district, the teachers, the classified staff, and the families we serve, we remember those votes. The harm the harm gets minimized, our response gets magnified, and the story gets rewritten so those in power appear to be the wounded ones. But let me um ground this room in something very clear. Teachers and classified staff are not the
022authors of confusion. When something feels off, that feeling is not insecurity. It is discernment. Reason recently comments were made insinuating that classified staff are lazy and that we do not care. Let me respond to that directly. If we did not care, we would not continue to show up after students make false accusations against us. Accusations that lead to investigations only for it to later be determined that it was a misunderstanding. And still we show up. If we were lazy, we would not return to work after being bitten by students and reporting the incident to administration only to receive sarcasm asking the student what the staff member tasted like. And still we show up. If we did not care, PAR educators would not run after students who elope from classrooms and then be blamed for not
023being more careful. And still we show up. But it goes even deeper than that. Some staff have battled breast cancer. Some have endured miscarriages or stillborn losses. Some work with compromised immune system where even a small cold from a student can turn into pneumonia. And still we show up because the truth is simple. Classified staff care deeply about the students we serve. Just this week, a team of district directors visited the site where I work. While a colleague was completing student progress reports, I was working with students on a hands-on math activity. The students became architects, building birdhouses using wafer cookies, frosting, and candy while practicing counting, measuring, addition, and graphing. The excitement and engagement were real. When they finished, the students probably took their projects home to show their parents. And every material used
024for that activity came from my own personal money. Will you let me finish or is that enough? How much longer do you have? >> I have two more pages. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. All right. And my next one is you can submit that to us and we can read it later. Right. So you can give that to Anita since it's so long and we can read it later. Thank you. I now have Samuel Turley, um, CSEA classified union on subject matter 3.3. >> Uh, yeah, Alvetto is just passing out the letter I'm going to be speaking on uh, this evening. Uh, thank you uh, to the board, Superintendent Esparsa, um, and, uh, CVUSD staff. Uh, my name is Samuel Turley. I am the labor relations representative uh for the California School
025Employees Association. Um as I'm sure you are all aware, last Friday CSE Chapter 109 issued a cease and desist letter to Dr. Esparsa regarding the district's attempt to directly deal with both laid-off and currently employed parent community leaison in violation of the law became immediately clear based on the overwhelming amount of texts calls uh as well as uh angry uh members showing up to our our chapter meeting just 2 days after the most recent meeting. um that the intent of that meeting was for uh the district to bypass CSEA as the exclusive representative and to pressure the union ahead of our negotiations. The goal was clearly to have leaison put pressure on CSEA to change its bargaining position regarding the district's proposed reduction in hours um and the revised liaison job description which differs significantly
026from the original job description that we agreed to just in 2023. The job description presented by the district only allows 5 hours per day which does not even permit a bell-to-bell schedule, does not operationally work, um, and does not allow our liaison adequate time to serve the community, something that you all have repeatedly stated to us that you intend to do. This drastic reduction also disqualifies them from FMLA eligibility and significantly reduces their CalPERS retirement contributions. These are not these were hard-fought jobs. These are hard-fought hours and these were hard-fought positions that we worked years on to get to. And the district unilaterally decided to lay these folks off. It was clearly not a reduction, a lack of work. Um clearly, as many of you have stated, not a lack of funds. As you have
027stated, there is funding for them. Um and additionally you brought them back unilaterally without the union's input without our uh our our without reaching out to the union and working with us. Only recently have we only re in the last few months have we been presented a proposal to bring back the comm community the parent community. The public employment relations board has already issued two complaints against the district for violating the law over a transfer of work and a change in past practice. Yet the administration continues to operate as though the union is the problem. A position stated by your superintendent on the dis and too many of our members. This ongoing disregard to act in good faith puts the district at substantial risk and CSA is already moving forward with filing another unfair labor
028practice charge over this very subject. Meeting with our laid-off liaison, presenting them with a proposal already shared with CSEA and leaving them with the impression that the union is the reason they have not returned to work is a serious unfair labor practice. and we're confident that herb will agree. As such, CSE demands that the district immediately cease and desist from violating the various education employment relations acts. Uh it's in our letter. Please read it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. I apologize for being late. Um was on the road with traffic. Uh likely excuse, right? So the last uh comment I have is from Lorraine Salis, code of conduct. >> Good evening board members. I just want to take the time to thank two board members for speaking up two weeks ago and
029on the need for meaningful and positive change. Thomas Tortez, you spoke about maintaining our first amendment right. uh how important is that uh protection during this time of uncertainty um especially on the national level and thank you Valerie for talking about the need for changes. I was looking at different school district web pages and found differences between um each of course on how information is provided on the Palm Springs Unified uh school district page. I was looking for documents. Um, and as I was looking for documents, there was an emphasi emphasis on the code of conduct for board members. And I think it would be a a great idea to include this on the front page when we're looking at the CBUSD um web page. So, I since I have a couple minutes left, I
030like to read the Palm Springs Unified Board members code of conduct. The board and its members will conduct themselves lawfully with integrity and high ethical standards in order to model behaviors expected of staff and students and to build public confidence. Board members will serve the interests of the community. Members recognize this responsibility to be to the whole to be greater than any loyalty a member may have to other interest groups. Loyalty based on membership on other boards. Conflicts based upon the personal interest of any board member who is also a parent of a student in the district. Conflicts based upon being a relative of a of an employee of the district. Conflicts based on the member's election from a subsection of the district. And we'll go on to that later uh in the in the
031meeting. Uh board members will not exercise individual authority over the district. Members will not personally direct any part uh members will not personally direct any part of the operational organization when speaking to the press or otherwise publicly sharing personal opinions. Me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me members will respect decisions of the board and will not undermine its decisions. Going on a little further here on the next page, I kind of like this part here. Um exercise honesty in all written and interpersonal interactions. uh never intentionally misleading or misinforming each other. Do not criticize publicly. Praise Do not criticize priv priv criticize privately. Praise publicly. Make every reasonable effort to protect the integrity and promote
032the positive image of the district. Never embarrass each other or the district. >> Very good. Thank you. So we have uh two online requests and those will be distributed to the board. And next is 3.1 oh 3.2 motion to enter into close session. Motion by director Gonzalez. >> I'll second. >> Second by director Ariondo. All those in favor >> I >> opposed. Abstain. Motion carries. We'll be back at >> 7 o'clock. Thank you. >> The board has motion to enter into open session and now we are in 4.2. We will announce the actions taken in close session. >> Okay. The board took action to return to open session. Motion was made by Trusty Calamanis, seconded by Vice President Garcia. Motion carried 6. The board took action during close session to appoint Shawn Mc Mini as
033elementary school principal at CVU elementary school effective March 27th, 2026 on this 26th day of March. Motion was made by Trustee Gonzalez, seconded by Trusty Arondo. Motion carried 6. No more actions were taken. Mr. President, >> thank you, Clerk Aridando. Next is uh 5.1 board notifications request to address the board uh in public session public comments. Um the first one is Tammy Ashworth with 9.5. Tammy Ashworth. All right. The next one is we'll save that in case she comes up. Next one is Lorraine Salis 7.1. Board members, can you hear me? Yeah. Um, I just want to thank Joey Akuna for mentioning two weeks ago on the work that some of us did in Palm in the city of Palm Desert to get at district voting. And no worries, I cannot sue the district. Um,
034I cannot sue on the lack of representation based on the California Voting Rights Act for several reasons. One, I do not live in CBUSD school district boundaries and based on the law of the Voting Rights Act that was passed in 2001. It was meant to ensure that the quote unquote special populations are being represented within local governments. That's the basis for suing and in Palm Desert that's what we did. So for some for some who do do not know Coachala Valley Unified School District's voting method is termed at large. This means that voters who do not live in a candidates's district get to decide who represents another voters's district. Coachella voters get to decide Thermal's district board member. Mecca voters get to decide Coachella school board member. This is not at district voting and the
035California voting voting rights act calls this a diluting votes. This method of at large is diluting votes. A candidate running in an atlarge voting elections are going to campaign for votes in areas where there's going to be the most densely populated vote voters. And where and where is that in our district? It's Coachella, PJ West, PJ West, and Trilogy. I I did canvas in remote areas, um, you know, the last election, and it's really shocking to hear that some of these voters have told me they've never had someone show up at their door to earn their vote. District voting would div to will district voting would divide the schoolboard areas with the help of demographers and population analysts based on the amount of voters residing within a district. Not land because land doesn't cast a
036vote. Like one board member said about representing land area. Uh land doesn't cast a vote in an election. Voters do. candidates in district voting uh in a district voting method will be able to more genuinely genuinely earn people's votes who live in their district and would be a smaller amount of voters that they could focus on representing. Smaller amount of voters means less money having to be spent on campaigns. And let let's be honest, the lack of campaign finance reform in this country and in this state has systemic classism perpetuated systemic classism and discourages potential leaders from running for office. A candidate who needs tens of thousands of dollars to run for a school board seat, but that number lowers when it's per district voting. >> Can I just two more sentences? District voting means
037more true representation and elected school board and elected school boards can be more easily elected school board members can be easily accessible to constituents, students, and families. Let's encourage future generations to step up to represent us in political offices by making it more affordable and accessible. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we have Michelle Ramos. Uh, public comment. So, good evening. Normally, my comments are made through um online. I don't really come up and speak, but I did want to come up and I wanted to first thank uh the students and families that came out to the district 4th annual ability sports festival. Um that was attended by almost 100 students from across the valley. We didn't just have CVUSD students. We had other districts come in and enjoy our festivities. Uh this event would
038not have been possible without the support of the student athletes, high school and COOD students that were able to volunteer hour get volunteer hours, district leadership, and community members and businesses. Thank you, Joey. You gave a shout out the board meeting right before we had the event. You've been there all four years. You've helped us tear down chase signs when it was blowing in the wind and we know you're always there to see us and uh support us and all of our students. Triney took the opportunity and brought his kids out too. I hope you guys had a good time there and you guys can support this in years um to come. EXLP, thank you also for providing just some of the prizes and different things um that we were able to give to our
039students. I want to talk about truths and transparencies. When I see things on the internet about our district, it's disheartening. They are not always true. They are coming from where people it's their own perspective of it, which is not always true. There are truly great things happening here. Yes, the district is going through cuts, but saying that cutting upper admin is going to save seven or eight teachers, that's not true. maybe one or two teachers would be saved, which I don't know if that's really a savings. Um, there have been multiple opportunities to hear from Dr. Esparza when she's visiting sites. I've had teachers call me and they're like, "Hey, I didn't realize this was going on." And yes, it's true, but we're only hearing the negative because the squeaky wheel. And I did want
040to take this opportunity. I emailed um board member Khal Manis thanking you because so much of what you said at the last board meeting is what a lot of us feel. Okay, we love our district, but to see the hate that goes on and everybody saying it means a lot that you came out and said what you did last board meeting. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Very good. Um, I'll go back and see if Tammy Ashworth has returned. Nope. All right. Very good. Next is uh five 5.2 board notification written request. I think we have received none online for public comment session. Next is uh 6.1 written. We have received. Have we received any written comments besides these right here? No >> written comments. Okay. Ne next is 6.2 student board member report. >>
041Yeah. >> Board member reports. All right. Uh we're going to get it fixed. >> All right. I'll start with Trustee Ardano. Thank you, President Tortois. Well, first of all, I'd like to again congratulate the girls soccer team. Uh myself and Trusty Garcia got a chance to travel to uh on our own dime, right? We got we got to travel to uh um Sacramento. Uh the girls played a very very good game. The in my opinion, the only goal that our girls scored was a beautiful goal and and it was a great game. So, congratulations to our girls soccer team again. Um, I got a chance to attend the Ability Sports Festival. Thank you for everybody who put that on. Um, I also got a chance to um attend the soccer parade. Uh, thank you to
042everybody that helped put that on as well and to to recognize the girls here in our district. And, um, I got a chance to go through the the drum line for the ELO for the after school program. um the drum line and I know I'm missing that second um the flags, right? I think the flags and and that I only got to see the drum line part of it, but um man, these kids can really play the drums and it's really really uh exciting that the they got they got their I mean really really it was it was a I mean just to sit there and hear the drums play and different uh you know different styles and uh different uniforms as well. Um, you know, everybody had their own style. So, um, thank you
043to all the parents that showed up and the community that showed up for that. For that is very, very, uh, important. Um, I got a chance to do some school site visits. I visited Palmu Elementary. Um, and I visited Toro Canyon Middle School. I visited uh, uh, uh, Peter Pendleton Elementary School. I want to say that the sports field at Peter Pan Elementary School, um I know everybody is going to be excited because it looks beautiful. So, um I know that we've been working on that through the facilities committee, but but um there's a lot of people involved. So, I just want to thank everybody who made that happen. For the first time since I think the school opened, we have a new field at Peter Panel Elementary. And I thank everybody who had uh
044the team that made that happen. and I don't want to miss anybody. So, I just just say our district team that made that happen, right? Um I got a chance to also visit uh Palm View and I'd like to say that, you know, hopefully we can um I know that that field they're still working on it as well. Um, it it still needs some work, but also I saw that as I was going through the classroom visits that hopefully they can get some support with the the some sort of um screen for the the windows. I know that the sun comes in and it's right on the student's face. So, I I visited a few classrooms that I felt we needed to put um the the tent or the blinds to cover the sun from
045coming in. Um but but I saw a lot of a lot of classrooms. I got a chance to see um you know just a lot of good good things happening in the classroom. So thank you to all the teachers that allowed us to you know just go in there and see the classrooms um at there. I got a chance to see the classrooms at Peter Pendleton. Um you know uh it looks good. I' I'd like to just um you know and I and I know that we don't have a lot of uh we're still working on our budgets, but I'd like to see us, you know, work on the uh the messaging boards at the schools, the uh um you know, mares. I think they're important to to communicate with parents that certain things are
046going on. I think the mares are very very important and I hope that we can work on that. Um, but other than that, um, I know that I know that through spring break there's going to be a lot of work done at a lot of our schools. They're going to have some flooring done. I also got a chance to, um, go see Desert Mirage, and I know that their whole counseling area is going to have new floors and they're going to have, uh, new wallpaper. Um, and lastly, I got a chance to uh, meet Allan Alan Flores from Desert Mirage. He's getting a $200,000 scholarship and uh it was great to meet with the families and and uh get get a chance to meet him. Um and you know and I I missed uh the
047uh the uh uh Toro Canyon. I missed the um they had an event too uh career day. I missed it. But I got a chance to go to some classrooms there as well. and I got to visit the campus and talk to students and you know see some of the work that that uh is happening there at Toro Canyon. So um thank you all. Thank you uh everybody for the work that you are doing, our teachers, our staff. Uh we know that that you are the ones in the front line supporting our students. Thank you for what you do what you guys do every day. Thank you for everybody who took the time to walk walk with me across the campus to look at the campuses and and then everybody who's helping with these events.
048I know that they don't I mean our after school program, the ability sports festival, the parade, all these things took a lot of people to make happen. So, thank you to everybody with that. Uh that's all I have. President Tortois, thank you. >> Very good. Uh trustee student trustee, you ready? All right. Hi, my name is Juan Mir and I'm student trustee of Laaf Familia High School and I have the student trustee reports for Oh, >> yeah. A little closer. Yeah. Hello. There you go. There we go. >> Hello, my name is Juan Mir and I'm student trustee of La Familia High School and I have the reports for all the high schools. As of March 13th, a total of 15 students have met graduation requirements with two students electing to participate in their home
049school's graduation ceremonies. Students from La Familia attended the College of the Desert High School visit day on March 20 24th where they had the opportunity to enroll in summer classes, summer and fall classes, tour the Palm Desert campus and participate in resource in the resource fair to explore available academic and support services. Looking ahead, La Familia High School will host spirit week from April 22nd through April 27th with Friday night live FNL scheduled on April 27th, which will also be a short day. Upcoming senior events include prom on May 16th, senior sunset on May 21st, which will last two hours, the gradu graduation ceremony on June 1st, and grad night ceremony on June 5th. Additionally, March 27th marks the last day of school before two week spring break for West Shores. At West Shores High
050School, students and staff continue to demonstrate strong engagement and progress across academics, counseling, and ex extracurricular programs. AP students are actively preparing for upcoming exams. While support systems such as Saturday school and college and career guidance are helping ensure students success, programs like ASB, Migrant, Pointe, and AVID remain active, providing leadership opportunities and college exposure. While spring sports are in full swing, overall the school climate remains positive with students looking forward to spring break and continued growth as the academic year pro progresses. At Desert Mirage, Desert Mrage High School, Desert Mirage continues to provide meaningful opportunities and support for students. Recently, the school hosted the LA labor commissioner who spoke to students about their youth labor rights and workplace protections. Staff also met with students who had been absent to complete their course requests and
051assisted seniors with their College of the Desert applications, edge pledge applications, and orientation steps to ensure they were prepared for the Cood field trip. On Thursday, March 24th, 58 seniors attended the field trip to College of the Desert where they successfully registered to fall 2026 classes. Students involvement remain strong across campus. The class of 2027 has been working hard to finalize preparations for prom and promote ticket sales with many students expressing excitement about the theme. Desert Mrage also hosted its spring carnival featuring booze from various clubs that encourage participation and school spirit. Additionally, students continue to achieve impressive accomplishments. seniors Angel Dwarte, sorry if I'm pronouncing the wrong Solo Altran, which each awarded a 200 20,000 BNP parabus scholarship and were recognized in the International Tennis Tournament in Indian Worlds. and senior Alan Flores earned
052a prestigious Naval Reserve Officers Training Corpse, also known as NROTC, scholarship valued at $200,000, demonstrating the understand outstanding achievements and hard work of Desert Mirage students. Go Rams at CV Coachella Valley High School. Counselors continue working closely with seniors graduation approach including recent College of the Desert registration trip with 123 seniors in attendance. In addition, summer school invitations are being sent out based on transcript checks and third quarter grades to ensure all students stay on track for graduation. Our college and career fair on March 25th had a great turnout, giving students the opportunity to connect with colleges, careers, and community partners as as their future as they plan their futures. CVH Coachella Valley High School also had events like our field trip prep rally on March 18th where where they recognized CIF winter athletes and
053introduced our spring sports teams along with celebrating our kid win teams. ASB also hosted a spring carnival on March 26 that brought students together for fun for a fun and engaging campus event in athletics. Our girls team had an incredible season. Finishing a CIF Division 4 state finalist and being celebrated by the community at a weekend parade. Track athletes earned medals at the Ontario Relays. And our tennis players Edgar, sorry if I'm pronouncing it wrong, Illa and Isabella Parta Lopez were recognized with the BNP party open scholarship. Overall, our students continue to demonstrate hard work, achievement, and school pride. Thank you. >> Very good student trustee. Um, next is uh trustee Kamanis. Um, good evening everyone and again I want to thank people who come out to talk. Um, what I want to do and
054and I'll you can add any extra stuff you want. We had our 2 by two meeting with the Linta um city council with Kathleen Fitzpatrick and John Pena and John McMillan and you were there and um Superintendent Esparza and oops somebody else I forgot who the other one person was. So >> the manager just the manager. >> No, no, John McMillan. But from our side. >> Oh, okay. Right. Leti was there. Yes. Thank you. And uh we had great discussions. Uh I think one of the big things that came out of it was um publicity for the district. We made, you know, we talked to them about how the great things we're doing in the district and that uh we're actually going to participate in their uh Lintita birthday celebration. We're going to have a
055booth there so we can we can highlight the wonderful things so that if parents don't even know that they can send their kids to to to uh Westside or Mountain Vista, you know, they they we can tell them the wonderful things because I always hear how much our afterchool programs are so good compared to the other districts and we have so much to offer. So, um I want you know you talking about the prom coming up that made me think about I mean the the prom dresses it's just amazing that was going on for about a month wasn't it and just so many prom dresses left you know we would see how much and so it's just a wonderful opportunity and um to be able to and they were gorgeous dresses they were beautiful so
056>> Anna Garcia thank you just it's what what What a wonderful thing. Um I uh I went to career day at at Coachella Valley High School, career and college day. Um it was I mean the the the kids were all over the place talking to everybody and finding out what's going on and and um uh there were so many opportunities, not only college but careers and looking at the different types of careers. So it was it was great to see that. I'm hoping somebody took pictures. The Marines had this pull-up bar and which I tried to do. Didn't get too far, but somebody took my picture and I hope it doesn't go viral, you know. So, it was pretty pathetic what I did. Um, but um I just wanted to uh close this off by
057talking about um um Northshore. I've been to Northshore twice over the last uh two weeks. first was on March 12th and it always amazes me how gorgeous that school is. I talked to a couple of kids and who came from, you know, obviously the other schools and they said, "Oh, no. We don't want to go back to the other schools because you walk by the technology in this classrooms is just unbelievable." And um but I did um so I did get get the letter from um talking to me about I I shouldn't be talking about hearsay, you know, about things that I don't witness myself. So, I decided I will talk only about the things I saw at Northshore. So, on March 12th, I went into the girls' bathroom and there were no paper towels
058and the the the garbage can right underneath it was empty. So, to me, that didn't mean they used up the towels if there's no towels being tossed out. And so, then on March 19th, when I came back, I went and took pictures this time. So, I took pictures going up into the paper dispenser and looking down into the garbage cans. Obviously, no paper. This was at I was there at4 to 1 in the afternoon. No paper. And one of the girls bathrooms I walked into, there were two girls in there that looked at me kind of weird. They said, "What are you doing in here?" But, you know, they washed their hands and what did they do? You know, that's what they did to wipe their hands. They wiped it on their clothes. And I'm
059thinking about all the lessons we learned over CO and how much, you know, how careful we were and made sure we sanitized things and and just it it's obvious to me. Oh, and by the way, there was a gentleman with us. I sent him into the boys' room. There was no paper in the boys' room either. Uh, no, I'm sorry, no paper towels. I have to admit, I didn't go into the stalls to see if there was bathroom paper, but but there were no paper towels. So, these kids had just come from lunch and wanted to wash their hands and had no way of wiping their hands. So, I mean, that's not acceptable. And I have pictures, so that's not hearsay. So, I won't talk about other things I've heard from other people. I'm going
060to just concentrate on what I saw myself. and that's totally unacceptable. So, um that's uh my report. >> Very good. Thank you, uh Trusty Akuna. >> Thank you. Um always, as always, I want to thank everybody who comes out and speaks whether it's uh an agreement or not an agreement. I've always said that if you get off the couch, I know you care. So, um and that's it's always a good thing. Um, I too want to give a a few shout outs to some of the uh events that happened over the over the last couple of weeks. Um, obviously we heard Michelle talk about the um the one that was here on Saturday with the availability um sports event. Um it's an event that started four years ago. I remember you know when they were
061trying to get it started. It's it's something very important, you know, to go to and for for anyone who, you know, we care deeply about special education and the needs of our parents and and and how to help them. And and the other good thing about it and and you know, sometimes we forget that we just we just don't go to visit and say, "Hey, we were here." And um but you actually get a chance to talk to parents, talk to staff. You know, sometimes they're not happy. You know, they'll they'll they'll let you know, but that's okay. That's that's that's the availability that people talk about that to make yourself accessible. Um you go to these things and somebody will tap you on the shoulder and say, "Do you have a minute?" And you're
062all kind of going, "H, is it going to be a good one or a bad one?" But it it doesn't matter. They share their experience. They'll share what's happening. And and you get a lot of information. And the information you get at those places isn't, as they were talking about, it isn't on Facebook. It isn't on the stuff you don't know if it's true or if it's not true or why are they doing it. These are just parents and staff sitting there telling you straight to your face, not hiding behind anything. This is what's happening. This is what's happening to me. This is happening at my school. This is what's happening with my child. So, those are really important events to to attend and support because they do. And again, as always, I I always
063like to thank the volunteers and the kids that were out there because they come every year and you know, I I remember the first year they did it, they were all very nervous. many many of them are very nervous saying well you know what do we do and how do we act and but you know now they love going out there they they enjoy it they they it's part of their community as well so I I think that's that's really great um also we were at the uh again I attended the the drum line I missed the flags in the morning we were at another event but um the drum line and again the same opportunity you see a lot of parents and a lot of people you get to talk to them they they
064they tell you what they like what they don't like, but then you also see the quality of our kids and the and you know the good things as they say that are happening in our district and sometimes the good things get drowned out by us by everybody everything that's going on at that's what happens but there are a lot of good things happening so it was a great event uh lots of people there um earlier in the day we were at the parade uh and then we went to the um to the field and again the same thing I mean those girls um unfortunately I had work I couldn't I couldn't go up there. Um but uh you know we've gone to a lot of the other games and uh you know that is an
065amazing thing that those young women did and uh you know the coaches and the supporters and their parents and you know I we were joking about you know when I was there at some of the things I'm like I didn't do nothing. I just came to watch them and support them. But there's some incredible athletes and their parents made sacrifices to make sure that they were at all the practices. They went to all the games. The parents go out. They have a little group that goes to all the games and such. And it's really nice to see. You know, our community still rallies together and supports them. And they did something very historic, something that no other school in this valley, even in this area anymore in the southern section of California. I can say
066that what they did. They went to the the very first inaugurable state uh championship game. So, that was really nice. Um I was able to visit a couple of school sites. Like I mentioned, I was been very busy at work, but I was able to stop by at a few sites. And the same thing, you know, there's issues there. And again, I think in in some way what Michelle mentioned was it was exactly true. Everybody's exhausted. They're just exhausted. They're exhausted from everything that's going on. You know, they just want to do their work. They want to do their stuff. You know, I I always joke that when I tell parents, "Please don't yell at the bus drivers who pick up your kids because they're late. They're the bus drivers that actually showed up to
067work. You know, thank them for actually doing that. And you know, a lot of the other things as well, thank the people who show up for work. Um, you know, I always say how many people didn't show up on Fridays? The last two Fridays was the same, over 400. But the reality is that, you know, it's 10% of our, you know, maybe a 10% of our our not only our staff, but across the board are causing 90% of our problems. And the rest of the staff are just like, we're exhausted and we're just tired and everything that's going on. Please let us just do our job. And for them, for those that come up and say that, hang in there. I think we're trying to do our best to to get you back to allowing
068you just to do your job. a lot of other things going on. But um again, I I just think it's it's probably not going to get better. It's an election year. You all know what happens in election years. But again, you know, qu keep reaching out. I try to respond to everyone who emails me um or contacts me or meets with if you want to meet with me, just let me know. I'll be happy to sit down and meet with you. Um I will tell you if you send an email address to someone else and you CC me on it, I won't respond because you didn't intend it for me. So if you address something, say to Dr. Esparza, but you include me, I won't respond on behalf of Dr. Esparza. If you you put
069my name in the beginning of it, I will respond I will try to respond to you as much as I can. I I miss some every once in a while. But again, for those of you who are out there and are just trying to do your job, thank you. Uh keep at it. You know that the kids are why you're there. Why you Somebody mentioned earlier that they show up. They do show up all the time. I see them. I see them from my neighborhoods when I talk to the parents in my neighborhoods. So, um, we're okay. We have problems just like every other district. Wait a few weeks, you're going to hear another district people start screaming about layoffs as well. Um, we were just a year early. What what happened to us, but
070uh, hang in there. We always manage as a community to rally around each other and make it make it through the next one and then we wait till the next one as we always go along. So, um, thank you all for doing what you do. That's my report. >> Thank you, Director Akuna. Um, Director Gonzalez, >> I wasn't going to um have a report, but I could I couldn't help but react to the comments made by uh board member Calamanis. I um I myself have noticed I mean we have we have a chronic absenteeism uh in our uh bus driver services that we have. I think um we're somewhere between 20 and 25% of them don't show up any particular day. And you know, when luckily it wasn't real cold this year, but as the
071heat comes, it's a reminder that the children depend on those bus drivers to show up on time so they're not uh out there exposed to the elements and the heat. And so, uh, I don't know what we're going to do about this. It hasn't changed. We've been talking about this for a long time. Um, it's obviously not resonating with with that department, with the union. Um there needs to be something done. We we got to stop leaving these children out there exposed to 120 degree weather uh because somebody is not wanting to show up to work. I think I looked at the national average for that type of service. It should be somewhere between I believe 2 and 4% on any one day. And for whatever reason uh we have 20 to 25% absent and
072that's why we have the buses that that are late. And to Mr. Kuna's point, those bus drivers that are are showing up, I believe, are most of them. Um, they're having to to put up with the criticism of being late, and I think it's unfair to them. I also want to remind the community that the parent leaison is a very very important person um in in what we do as a school district. I think they are the ambassador of of our school district to our community and I honestly believe that this classified union that came here and threatened us today about filing litigation against us because we're trying to do whatever we can to try to bring the parent leaison back. We from the beginning offered knowing that we were going to have very challenging
073cuts. We understood the significance of those uh parent leaison. We offered 5 hours. We offered them their benefits until we figured out how to bring them back full-time and it was re it was never even discussed by the union and they try to deny that but that's what's fact. We're right now trying to find a way to bring the parent leaison back and for whatever reason I don't know what the agenda is other than the union is promoting this uh pressure on the board in the community because our community knows how important the parent leaison are and now instead of coming to the table and settling with our original offer they're they're escalating it again trying to make sure that uh that we're reminded that unless unless those job descriptions go through them that we
074can't bring them back, which I know we have an agreement. We have to honor that. So, Dr. Spars, I don't know how we do this. I hope the classified union comes to its census uh and and and allows us to bring back the parent leaison and and for does not go forward in trying to litigate this effort to try to be bring them back. Another thing that was purposefully done by the union was when we were having layoffs, we have school districts that had front personnel, people that that are that that actually welcome uh the children to school that have been there for 20 25 years. And purposefully I in my opinion the union made sure that there was a shuffle in all the front offices. those that were working for 20 years at at
075Toro Canyon were moved to uh Cesar Chavez. The one from Cesar Chavez, those people were moved to Peter Pendleton. And again, it was just to create more chaos, uh more anxiety in the community. And I think it's unfair to the people we serve. And I think we're better than that, right? I think uh creating that type of hostility for our families, you know, if if somebody had gone to Palm View and they had three children, well, they took the little guy who's now in high school and then they had the next guy show up and they had the next guy and it was the same lady that that welcomed him there. But with this shuffle and and done in my in my opinion purposely um we we're in this place that we're uh that we're
076experiencing and I think our community is suffering, our children are suffering and I honestly believe um that we're better than that. I mean uh I it's beyond me, Miss Calamanis. I I also had an opportunity to go see cuz I had heard that we're that our bathrooms ain't clean. And of all the school sites that I seen, there was only one that actually was in order. And so we can I I read a letter that was written by the union about how the we're in this situation cuz we're not used to throwing uh toilet paper in the toilet. I mean, that's how ridiculous this is. I really is that is that who we are? I mean, I I I don't understand it. Right. As you sat here sharing a very compelling story that actually made
077me cry, we got the union representatives laughing the whole time that you're talking and over your your tone. And I just can't believe it. And instead of apologizing, I read a letter that was ridiculous, threatening. I it doesn't make any sense to to to me. And so, we can keep talking about things. I also I I I I would like uh Mr. President Tortoise a report on how much money we're spending cuz I know it's over a half a million dollars the lawsuits of our teacher president. I I know it's over half a million that we've spent and our community is having to pick up that bill. And so I think it's imperative that we let the community know how much money we're spending defending the lawsuits of the current active teacher union president Clarissa
078Klein Carrera. I it's imperative. We need to know that at a time when we need money. I think by the time it's all said and done, it's going to be well over a million dollars that we threw away, right? Trying to defend this lawsuit because it just doesn't make any sense to me. But it's this type of information that I think we need to start reminding our community that that this is going on and these are real issues. uh President Tortois, it's obviously doesn't it it it's not exciting for me to say these kinds of things, but this is the truth. And so that's my report. >> Very good. Thank you, uh, Vice President Garcia. >> Thank you. Uh thank you for everyone who has shown up to make their voices heard, make make their
079views and the views of their communities, their learning communities heard. It's always important to hear from you. I know it's not always possible for everyone who has things to say to come all the way out here and it's I'm sure it's even harder when our board meetings go as late as they do. I'm sorry to our all of our student trustees for how late we have them. Um it's just where we are at this moment. Um it's important to recognize where we are and focus and figure out our path forward. Uh you see the dichotomy that we have here, this board meeting, the last board meeting. We have talented students in spite of everything that's happening financially with us. We have talented students that thrive, which thank goodness um to watch the soccer matches with
080our ladies and the beautiful soccer that they would create. Every single game was amazing. Amazing. And I hope that uh they're as proud as we are of the outcome in the end because that Sacramento game was brutal in in terms of it being so hot and humid which was unusual everywhere. Um they did such an amazing job and I hope that they are as proud as we are. Um to see all of that to see us lift them up was beautiful. Um but we can't forget that we are also in a financial crisis and that is that is what is also happening. Both of those things are true. Um I would like to formally request a presentation for the findings of n the financial audit report the fiscal audit report of 9.2. Um the last
08116 pages highlights issues issues ranging from material weaknesses within our financial um processes to significant deficiencies and non-compliance. 16 pages of that and yet no I want to hear what our plans are to resolve the issues found and and how do we make sure that that is not the case next year because if we have issues with closing our books and making sure that A and A and A plus B equals C, how do we move forward if I can't necessarily trust the numbers that I have in front of me? Um, so that was surprising that we didn't have a presentation um included considering how many findings there were. Uh, so I would like that for the next board meeting. Um, I want us to focus our attention on what we need to do. We're
082not out of the woods. Regardless of if this is something that has happened currently or something that that happened in the past and now we're having to fix it. I can't change what happened in the past. But this board that is here right now has the responsibility to do what's right by our communities, all of them, and to do right by our employees, all of them. Um, every single working group is our responsibility. So pointing fingers at individual groups does not help. Um I don't see how it helps us move forward and move forward cohesively. Every single learning community has important people from the yard duty ladies who have really do have the pulse of of the school sites to our par educators. I um I I heard how difficult it was for our library
083technicians. My son was telling me, "We can't go to the library because we don't have library technicians." So students understood what it was, right? The the deficits that we had at the beginning of the school year. Um and he's a second grader. So our little ones are the ones that that get hurt from all of this. It's the students. So, I'd rather we focus our attention and do what we need to do to find our way out of this with with the least amount of cuts for our students because ultimately that is why we're here. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. Um I'll keep mine short. I just wanted to reiterate that I'm working with the supervisor on uh revamping the policies. I mentioned last meeting that we need to have, you know, uh,
084a way to hold the board and the unions accountable because there seems like I said at the last meeting that as a parent and being on the board and the back and close session, I want to disclose confidential confidential information, but you know, I'm finding as a parent that there's a system that again protects, as we said, uh, employees that are not performing up to standard. uh the board can only do so much through the administration and and we get opposition on that. So that system has to be addressed whether it be um truly enforcing or representing the community to regulation enforcing regulation on labor management standards. Those standards are set but they're not always accessible. So the first thing that I need to research and bring back to the community is those standards so
085the public knows both sides of the story. You know, not just the board, but also uh those that are protecting the employees that are, you know, not up to par, not doing the job, not wanting to come to work and using the system and abusing the system in the way that hurts, you know, the finances and hurts the students in in the long run. Um, again with that, um, I just also wanted to mention when we're reviewing and revamping the policies and and my research, you can look it up online on the CVUSD website about, you know, bylaws. The last time they were reviewed is 2019 facilities, 2019 instruction, students. I think students is the one that was re reviewed and revamped in 2020. So when we're talking about personnel, business administration 2019, community relations
086goes back to 1996. So those are things that I know that we need to look at or I'm going to push to look at as I'm here for the next uh part of the year. Um I don't know who will be president next, but uh that's what my goal is. Uh I've been here one year and three months. Three months I've been president. I've been here one year and three months on the board. Um, you know, it's kind of reversal from being out there to being on the board now. But I'm learning a lot about how the board and the system works with the board and against the system and eventually how it affects all of the students. And uh, that's all I have for my report. Thank you. Uh, superintendent. >> Thank you, President
087Tortez. Um, I do want to remind that we are transferring from board docs to Gamut and that is a big takeover uh that the superintendent's office uh staff works on and they're going to be working closely with the board and with the board president to ensure that everything is transferred over and that policies begin to be updated because not only do we have some uh as old as 2019, we have some that are as old as 2004. And so we need to um move up with the times and look at our um California State Board uh of association uh to also help us with identifying some of those policies that need to be updated immediately. And so we have been working on them. Uh but once we transition over to that next platform, it'll be
088easily accessible for everyone. So, I just wanted to mention that I want to uh give some recognition and thank yous to our special education department who partnered with student support services for coordinating the ability fair. I was able to attend, saw board members there and lots of families. Thank you so much for that. I'd also like to uh thank Riverside County Supervisor Avie Manuel Perez and his team for partnering with our leadership to provide a celebration for our girls uh soccer team. As you know, they had a very short parade here in uh Thermo and the all costs and expenses were uh provided by um the supervisor's office. Um he work she Stephanie Virgin who is also city council and also works for uh Manuel Perez worked closely with my team in my office as
089well as Lydia Rodriguez our coordinator of ELOP and they were able to put on a great presentation for the girls and the families. I'd like to congratulate the coach one more time, uh, Francisco Morales, uh, CV alumni, and very, very proud to have taken the girls, uh, this far along with the assistant coaches. Thank you so much. I'd like to congratulate our our scholarship winners who received the scholarship at BMP Paribus, the tennis scholarships. Great work from all our schools. Uh, also I'd like to congratulate uh, Desert Mirage, some of their athletic teams were identified for uh, being excellent and as they uh, were granted what is somewhat like CIF but for their grade point average, doing great jobs and being athletes at the same time in ensuring that they keep up with their academics.
090Thank you for that. I'd like to congratulate Alan Flores as well, uh, the student in ROC who's signed up with the Marines and will be attending the University of Hawaii. I asked him if he needed anybody to help him out. I'd go and visit him whenever he wanted. Um, and so congratulations to Ellen uh, and to his parents uh, for the great work that they've done in raising a great young man. I'd also like to um announce that tomorrow I will be at every single high school uh to announce the top 10. And we will know who the top 10 is uh tomorrow at CB at 7:30, at DM at 10:30, and at West Shores by 100 p.m. You're going to hear a lot of kids and their families extremely happy. Um, I am currently
091working um with uh board member Gonzalez in making sure that we can have an agreement with Acer. Uh it's it's looking like it's 99% done and Desert Mirage and CV High School will be graduating at Acer. We're just trying to settle on the date right now. Um, and the Ed Foundation that is now in compliance has agreed to pay 50% of the cost. And so we want to make sure that we give our graduates a great send off. And so I'm really proud to announce that. Um, spring break is coming up. So I want everybody to have a safe spring break and we look forward to seeing you uh on April 13th. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you, Superintendent. Um, next is uh item number seven for discussion. 7.1 discussion on reduction of trustee
092areas. 7.2 discussion on proposed implementation of trustee term limits. Um, we can do them both separate or whatever the board's pleasures. We can start with 7.1 and I know we talked about this in close session. Is there any discussion? as president. We need a motion on motion. >> Motion to table. Is there a second or is there a discussion? >> Second. We have discussion. Any discussion on tableabling the two items? There's no discussion. Can we get the roll call vote? Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> No. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I. >> Majority vote. Uh. Motion passes. Next is item eight, information 8.1, information on Senate Bill 328. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, thank you for that.
093Uh 7.2 for that point of clarification discussion. Uh so do you have a motion on this? >> Okay. Based on the legal findings and the opinion of council >> motion by director Gonzalez. Do we have a second? >> Second by director Kamades. Can we get the roll call? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo, >> I. >> Trustee Auna, >> no. >> Trustee Kimmanes, >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez, >> I. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I. >> Majority vote rules. The motion carries. All right. 8.1 information on Senate Bill 328 school state law secondary school start time. >> This was justformational >> that was just presented to the board as information. >> Yes. >> 9.1 Julie Vigil adopt resolution 2026 29 delegation authority in regards of award
094of emergency contracts. Can we? >> Yes. >> Just go back to the other item. I had some questions on it. >> On 8.1. >> Okay. Comment question. So I know that that it says that you know um the start time Dr. Sparza for schools is between 8 and 8:30 or how is the planning process moving forward to make sure that we're able to implement this next year? >> This will not be for next year. So, this is just being brought to the board because this is something that started in 2022 um in in communication with CDE. The board has I'm sorry, the district has received a waiver every year and the waiver has not been um processed because it hasn't been a written waiver. It's just been a kind of a blessing as a rural
095community, but they are now requesting since the other partnering districts, our partnering districts mean Desert Sands and Palm Springs have already implemented this for us to consider this for the 2728 school year. >> Dr. offenses. But >> I I mean to to that point, I I understood we had a a waiver and then also I mean we're having trouble getting our kids to school as it is now, right? And so this is also going to create some real serious challenges on those routes that or those drivers that actually take two routes in taking kids to school that early class. And so I mean I just other things to think about and I think uh obviously we need to find a solution to this but I think we should really because of the the just the
096logistics of it right and the amount of bus drivers and the amount of equipment um that being we need to really push to defend our position in in that exemption so that schools like CB High School can start earlier. So, in having the strategic planning meetings as well, um I have received information from our high school uh several high school teachers. I'm not going to say all of them. Several high school teachers who are requesting this uh to take place that they would like it next year, but that's impossible because it's a lot of planning. And the reason being is that first period, we don't have enough students showing up for first period and sometimes even second period. And so um re the reason why CDE implemented this and made it a bill was because
097of the research base behind it on what the time uh that students need to rest and to be able to uh to have that experience in the morning of coming to school and being able to go to first period. So teachers are um knocking on our door asking if our students possibly could start at 9:00 because middle school starts at 9:00 and middle school start at 8:30 and our elementary schools continue with their 8:00 plan. So it's just something that I wanted to bring to your attention as information as we will need to bring a plan forward since CDE did contact me about this. I mean you just have to we start looking at cooling right um in those months that are challenged starting school later you know that's u I I I mean there's
098challenges that's why you guys have to figure it out but just it's going it's not going to be easy. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I just want to make a comment because you know obviously the American Society of Pediatrics did this recommendation and we actually implemented it in the the old state that I lived in because first the high schoolers wanted to start at 7:30 so they could go do jobs in the afternoon. But they actually then reversed it and the academic scores of these high school students got better because they because it's just that's why the pediatrics group said that their brain is they're they're just wired differently and they they sleep later and it made a huge difference implementing high schoolers late >> and they were more alert you know they their academics improved
099So there it's scientifically based to try to do this. So just wanted, you know, and we we we did it in our district and it was a big difference. And my fight with them cuz they did have back and forth with them was that it gets hot here and so they want to practice earlier or they they want to come to class earlier, have a zero period earlier. Um, but the fact of the matter is that they look at our attendance as well and they saw that we lack attendance for our high school students. >> I I had a recent high school student and it wasn't cool and she complained about it all the time. I Dad, we start way too early. Nobody's awake. >> So that's that's Anyway, >> yes. >> Yeah. I have
100two questions, but one first question is is the district position to request >> for this year? Yes. For this upcoming school year. Yes. >> And again, those discussions that are had those those ones that yes, they're all scientific, but they're in a perfect logistic location. LA where you can walk to school, you can take a public bus to school. It doesn't never really put into consideration rural uh areas. We are primarily half more than half rural um by area by transportation where we go. So there's a lot of different things. Our community goes to work 9 to5 start. So we have very different things to be able to look at. And again my son was the same one. Ah can I go a little later to school? Yeah. I mean yes they always want to
101see later. I don't know about you guys, but my mom made me go to sleep earlier to get up in the morning. But, um, I think there's a lot that we have to look into. And, you know, if I'm a staff member, hey, I want to come in later, too. But, we have the middle schools complaining that they start too late, right? They they've told us that the teachers that they start too late. And the reason we've in the past have have kind of shied away from this and asked for this originally is because one of our kids are going to have to come in earlier. And the only ones that aren't under a recommendation is the elementary schools. >> Yeah. Of course. So unless you push everybody to 9:00, somebody to 9:00, which right
102now you're looking at just reversing the the high schools is the one that they're going to push them at. And then it's going to affect the after schools, the sports, the after school programs, all the other extracurricular activities, those kids who need to go to who are on soccer traveling teams that they go do that or they you know that they're all those things are going to come into play. >> President Auna, we have a a year to thank God we have an exemption for another year. We have a staff has a year to figure this out and it's not going to be easy and having a discussion on what's affected you know saying that's why I wanted to know if we're asking for the waiver this year and then having the discussion. >> Yeah,
103that's really the question >> because there's going to be a lot of it's not just I mean you know I know what's good for us uh >> you know can we afford it? The transportation issue was always the biggest problem for us. Uh they can't go concurrently because we don't have enough. So, >> okay. >> Any more discussion? >> So, Desert Sense and Palm Springs. Hear the touch. Okay. 9.1. >> Oh, sorry. Just to complete the studies, I mean, it's it seems to be possible even within with our heat, even within all of these things. And then there are districts that look closer to us that have done it so that they have an extended morning because of course, just like we have for the little ones, um that's going to need to be necessary,
104but it is possible. I've heard and seen districts that do that even outside of here that look like us. So, it is possible. >> I I don't know. And I just got to say this. I geographically I don't know if anybody compares to us. Our square mile radius, >> it it's not easy. It's not going to be easy. However we do it. >> Yeah. All right. All right. 92.1 adopt resolution 202629 delegation of authority in regard to awarding emergency contracts. >> A motion to accept staff's recommendation on this work. >> Motion director Gonzalez have a second. >> Second. Director Kamanis >> discussion. >> Yeah. So, we're going to do this, but don't you have the authority to do most of that now? >> Yes. And they want a third person. For some reason, the state
105wants a third person. So, it's me and then it's the CBO and then it has to be somebody who understands all the facilities cuz this is for like a major catastrophe. >> My point is this is not something new. My point is that we're just adding something to >> Yes. people assumed it was somebody brand new giving you more power uh to do whatever you wanted to do and that's why I'm saying you need to as we talked about better communication so they understand we already do this >> we're simply doing this in case we're not here somebody else can do it so just to explain to the public that this isn't something new this is not a power grab this isn't none of that simply something we already do >> yes we're just simply
106adding in case happen not to be All right. Any more discussion? Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> I. >> Student trustee Juan RmIrez. >> I. >> Vote is unanimous and motion carries. 9.2. Approval of the fiscal year 202425 financial audit report. I motion the same >> motion by director Gonzalez. We have a second. >> I'll second it. >> Second. Director Kamise. >> Any discussion? >> I just have the same request as Trusty Garcia that we we that we uh get a report on the things that we need to address uh in this fiscal uh financial audit report. spent the afternoon reading it and I know that
107there's things that we have to address and if we could just get a a timeline as to when we can address those. Thank you. >> President Tortois, I can amend my motion that uh that we honor the requests of both board members included in the approval >> that those documents be followed. There is some stuff that looks like we could have done better, but but thank God it's compliant and so that's why I'm asking it to go forward. I just want to provide a little bit of clarification on this. Um for the items in the back as to what uh Trusty Garcia was stating um please note that the items listed as starting with the year 24 those are prior year audit items and so you can review those and see if they've been implemented
108or not. There was a couple of um repeat findings in 25. So they're not all additional. Some of them are just repeats. >> Correct. We just want to make sure that we're addressing >> and we can provide you with the corrective action that we've provided um our auditors for this. >> Thank you superintendent. So, I think it's important for the public to know because I know that uh it has come up in in conversations, especially in the strategic planning meetings, um that we should have the state audit us. And my uh information back to the audience is that any district that has their 3% reserve as well as cash in the bank to be able to to sustain payroll for at least a year is not qualified for a state audit. and that this is
109what we do is we actually have an auditor, an internal auditor that provides us information on what we need to um fix if we're not in compliance. And so I just think that it's important for the public to know that we are it's not us auditing, it's not our CBO auditing, it's actually an outsourced auditor and it is a contract that we need to pay. And this auditor is ID Bailey that's used by most districts in California. >> Very good. Any other comments? So, Director Gonzalez made the motion amended his motion. Is that okay with your second calman? >> Yes, it is. >> All right. Any more discussion? Final thoughts. Can we get the roll call? >> President Tortez. >> I. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. Clerk Ardondo. >> I. >> Trusty Akuna. Hi.
110>> Trusty Calimmanes. I, trustee Gonzalez, >> student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I >> vote is unanimous. Motion carries 9.3 approval of agreement with California Financial Services. >> Motion by Director Gonzalez, seconded by Directorando. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, any discussion? >> Can we get the roll call? >> President Tortez, >> I. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. Clerk Ardodondo. >> Hi. >> Trusty Auna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kimmanes. >> Trusty Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I uh it is unanimous. Motion carries. 9.4 adopt resolution 2631 transfer of funds for Coachella Valley Education Foundation. >> So move. Motion by uh trustee Aridondo, second by trustee Gonzalez. Any discussion? And we get the roll call. >> President Tortez, >> I. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardono, >> I. >>
111Trustee Akuna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Galimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I. >> Vote is unanimous. Motion carries. 9.5. Approval to enter into agreement with simpler life emergency provisions for emergency supplies replenishment service program. Motion by director Gonzalez. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Second by director. Any discussion and roll call. >> President Tortez. >> Hi. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. Hi. >> Trustee Kimmanes. Hi. Trustee Gonzalez, student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I vote is unanimous. Motion carries. 9.6 authorization to award bid 115 2025 charter bus services for the transportation department. >> So move. >> Motion by director. >> Second by director Gonzalez. >> I have some comments. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. wanted to thank
112them for putting it so people could understand. >> Go ahead. >> Um, >> oh, >> yeah. All I was going to say is some of them didn't have wheelchair accessibility. So, I wanted to make sure that they don't have to be reclining buses, but just to make it wheelchair accessible is important. So that we should we should make sure that as as we go through and pick choose these we should >> do make sure we're clear with that one. >> Correct. Okay. >> Trusted calamon. Um when we book those we make sure that they meet the needs of our students that are traveling. >> Any more discussion? Can we get roll call? >> President Tortez. >> Hi. >> Vice President Garcia. >> Hi. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> Hi. >> Trustee Auna. Trustee Kalmanis. >> Hi,
113>> Trusty Gonzalez. >> Hi, >> student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> Hi. >> Motion is uh voted unanimous. Motion carries. 9.7 approval to issue purchase orders to Genesis Floor Covering Inc. Incorporation for replacement flooring at various sites. >> Okay, >> I'll second it. >> Second. Director Edando Gonzalez. Uh the question is for Leticia Torres. Uh Leticia, is this the group that has done work for us in the past? >> Yes. I And and I I don't know if you recall and I just want you to follow up with this. They one specific site, Cesar Chavez, some of the work just doesn't make sense to me. and we asked to look at it. It still hasn't been addressed. So, we're going to continue to work with this contractor, whoever was supervising that work, knowing a little bit
114about construction. Uh they need to do it right. And so, I I motion to approve this, but I also ask that we really watch the work that we're buying. >> Any more discussion, comments? Then we're getting roll call. >> President Tortez. >> Hi. >> Vice President Garcia. I >> clerk Ardodondo. >> Hi, >> Trustee Akuna. >> Hi, >> Trustee Kali Manis. >> I >> trusty Gonzalez. >> Hi, >> student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I quote is unanimous. Motion carries 9.8. Authorization to bid manage print services. >> Motion by uh Director Gonzalez. I'll >> Second by Director Adando. Discussion. Roll call. >> President Tortez. >> Hi. >> Vice President Garcia. >> Hi. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> I. >> Trustee Aunua. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >>
115I. >> Post unanimous. Motion carries. 99. Approval. Fiscal year 202526 and 2627. Transportation service plan. There's a motion. >> So move. >> Motion by Director Dondo. We have a second. >> I I I um I'm going to second, but I'm going to challenge staff to to really start looking at us looking at how we could do a better job here because more of the same isn't working. And so I don't know if it's going to take contracting these services out, but but what we're doing now isn't working. And uh Mr. Tortoise. I know you share stories, old stories of when your children went to school and >> I think we've all had those experiences. So, >> we all get those phone calls >> and something's not working over there. So, as I second the motion,
116I also remind staff that we need to do something better. >> Very, very goodly noted. Any other comments? >> Roll call. >> President Tortez. >> I. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo. >> I. Trustee Auna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> Hi. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I. >> Quote is unanimous. Motion carries. Item 10 10.1 approval of consent calendar. Items have submitted. >> President Tortoiso. Motion to approve the consent calendar respecting any board member wanting to uh ask a question on any one particular item. >> Motion by director Gonzalez. >> Second. Second by director Arando. Discussion. Roll call. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> 14.1 items 10 13 14 15 18 19 20 >> and 14.2 two, part seven, items 2, three, five, and
117six. >> All right. Any other discussion on that? Did you get all the numbers? >> Okay. >> Personnel reports. >> Okay. So, we'll start with 14.1. What I have? Yep. >> And then 14.2 items. >> Yeah. >> We're going to do them separate, right? 14.1. >> Yeah. So, you guys can go down all at the same time if you want. Doesn't matter. My comment was going to be I'm the one that always complains and then points out the stuff that's late and there isn't any u any doesn't tell us why. And this isn't. So I guess been bothering people. So they decided to change all that and now it's just simply called retroactive. That's the new retroactive. So again fine these people have already provided some of these services. I'm assuming we have to pay
118them. I'm not disputing that. The point is we have a policy that says that they can't start any of this stuff until we approve it unless it's an emergency or there's some need that has to be done which we understand. Um we're not going to apply for that policy that policy out. So you can do them all at once if you want. Just vote no on all of them. They're all collected and again some of them are from um from January of this year. Some of them are from August of last year uh October of last year, February of this year. That's a new that's a new word now. >> All right. So the items pulled 14.1. >> Dr. As far as that I do agree that that um if something is from the last
119year which there's one item on there that then then I do agree that that um that should be brought separately and should be brought as a an item for the board. I think it's important for us to be to be as I mean it shouldn't take us that long to put it on the agenda but but um I I do agree that you know if we have a policy in place we should we should stick to it. Thank you, >> Dr. Makawitz. Why is it so late? >> Okay, so I think we need to define late. None of them were submitted late. They were at the district office for a variety of reasons, whether it was budget approval or because it was in a queue too long. So, it's not the site's fault. We are
120hold if a site turns it in late, we are holding it to the next until the next meeting. I'm pushing it. saying there's one that's been there for a year. >> I will look into that, but it was not a sight's fault. It was our problem. >> I never said it was the site's fault. I wanted to know whose particular fault it was sitting in administrator's office for whatever reason. They're on vacation and they missed the people are on vacation. A few of these are from the last March 13. I would have normally been willing to let go. All right. >> All right. So, we have the 14.1, 14.2, 10.13, and all all the others with that motion. >> All right, >> I'll do the work. >> Okay. Second. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Roll
121call. >> President Tortez. >> Hi. Vice President Garcia >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo. >> I. >> Trustee Auna. No. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> I. >> Majority vote. Motion carries. And then we have 15. adjournment. >> Motion tojourn by second director Gonzalez, second by Director Dondo. All those in favor? >> I >> oppose. >> Abstain. Motion carries. Meeting will adjourn at 9:22. Thank you. >> Record breaking.