CVUSD Board Meeting 03/12/2026

001Good evening everyone. Good evening. We'd like to call the meeting to order. At 5:32, we'll call the meeting to order. And if I could have the student trustee lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Very good. Since the quorum We call the meeting to order. If we could have the roll call, please. Here. Vice President Garcia. Present. Clerk Arredondo. Present. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Calimanes. Present. Trustee Gonzales. Trustee Vargas. Here. Student trustee Eileen. Present. Superintendent Dr. Esparza. Present. >> Assistant Superintendent Dr. Macowits. Present. Assistant Superintendent Socorro Sanchez. Present. Assistant Superintendent Julie Vigil. Present. We have a

002majority, so the quorum is established. 5:33. Next is the uh approval of the agenda, 1.4. So moved. We have a motion by Trustee Arredondo. I'll second. Seconded by Vice Chair Garcia. Can we get the roll call? President Cortez. Yes. Vice President Garcia. I. Trustee Acuña. I. Trustee Gonzalez. Clerk Arredondo. I. Trustee uh Vargas. Uh yes. Student Trustee Eileen. I. And student trustee, how do you vote? Oh, she said yes. Okay. So, we have a majority vote. The approval of the agenda. Next is 2.1 recognition of the 2026 Kid Wind World Challenge students and staff. Oh. One moment. That's right. Oh, okay. Oh, okay. Sorry. We have a I'm sorry about that. We have a under Pledge of Allegiance, we have a special guest before we go into the recognition. We have a special guest, uh

003Yanine Lupian, who's going to sing the national anthem. Um she's a special guest and has been on with Is it uh talent show. The winner of the talent show. All right. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Thank you very much for that blessing. blessing. So, on to our 2.1, the recognition. Kid Wind World Challenge to students and staff. So, Please, Dr. Esparza, cabinet

004members, and our incredible CVUSD community. Tonight, we celebrate something truly special. Tonight, we celebrate innovation, perseverance, and the incredible talent of our students who are proving that the future of engineering and clean energy is being built right here in the Coachella Valley Unified School District. Earlier this year, CVUSD participated in two KidWind regional challenges where students designed, built, and tested real wind turbines capable of generating electricity. These competitions challenge students to apply physics, engineering design, innovation, teamwork, and problem solving. The same skills used by engineers working in renewable energy today. This year's events engaged an incredible 255 students across 77 teams from elementary, middle school, high school across our region. But something extraordinary happened. Our students didn't just compete. They didn't just place. They swept the podium. ACROSS ACROSS BOTH REGIONAL challenges held in January

005and February, Coachella Valley Unified School District teams captured every single podium position in all three KidWind divisions. Every single spot. This kind of dominance doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of talented students, dedicated teachers, visionary administrators, and a district that believes in hands-on STEM learning. Because of their outstanding performance, eight CVUSD teams have now been invited to compete at the 2026 KidWind World Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin this May. WOO! >> THIS IS NOT JUST A NATIONAL EVENT. This is truly an international competition. Students from across the United States will compete alongside teams traveling from Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, and Estonia, making this a global stage for the next generation of engineers and innovators. And Coachella Valley Unified School District will be there. Two of our teams are bringing additional level of pride and experience to

006this moment. You know, I'll mention more about them, but Flower Power from the Coachella Valley High School and Skull Troopers from Valley View Elementary are returning to the KidWind World Challenge after proudly representing California at last year's World Challenge in Phoenix. And I'll also mention that the Skull Troopers from Valley View represented us at the 2024 World Challenge in Minneapolis the year before. This is going to be their third World Challenge to go to. This speaks to the sustained excellence, determination, and a culture of engineering innovation in our district. Tonight, we proudly recognize the teams invited to 2026 KidWind World Challenge. These students are not not just building wind turbines, they are building confidence. They are building innovation. They are building the skills that will power the future of renewable energy, engineering, and technology. And

007most importantly, they are showing the world what students from Coachella Valley Unified School District are capable of. So, when these teams travel to Madison, Wisconsin this May, they won't just be representing our state in our district. They'll be representing the innovative spirit of the Coachella Valley. And if this region if these regional competitions were any indication, the world had better get ready because CVUSD's Wind Engineers are coming. Okay, I want to have the students and coaches come forward when I call your names and they're going to come to the very front. I want to start with an amazing project up here because the first time in 16 years, we had a solar project qualify at the state of California to compete at this level. And that came from our district and that came from our

008solar rookies from Peter Penelton. SO, DENISE AVILES. I TOLD YOU I'LL COME BACK TO FLOWER POWER. I'M NOT SAYING trying to take too much time. Um Flower Power from Coachella Valley High School is our next team. Last year they went to the Nationals and they were Team Blossom. And they evolved to Flower Power. So, Lovely, Adeline, and Yulian, COME ON DOWN. ALSO FROM CV HIGH SCHOOL, A&A Engineering, ALYSSA AND ALDO. THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT. ALSO FROM COACHELLA Valley High School, Valley Boys, Antonio, Christopher, ADRIAN, AND AIDEN. FROM BOBBY DUKE, Green Energy, Andres, Ryan, COME ON DOWN. ALSO FROM BOBBY DUKE, DYNAMIC WIN, Yovan Genaro, and Oswaldo, COME ON DOWN. AND AS YOU KNOW, MIDDLE SCHOOL IS 6TH, 7TH, AND 8th grade. So, FROM VALLEY VIEW, SKULL TROOPERS, come on down. Diego, Mauricio, CALEB, AND NATHAN.

009WE HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL TEAM COMING FROM ELEMENTARY. And I I love their name change that they did, too. Last year, they were the ugly ducklings. This year, they're the beautiful swans. Come on down from Valley View, Roman, Eva, VALENTINA, AND ANNABELLA. AND THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL TIME IF YOU COULD TAKE PICTURES with you guys with our students, and then the students will share their projects with you when you come down, cuz you have to be up and close. Don't touch the wires, though. They do work. And if any of our shy students are still in here, come on down to the front. Genesis, we're looking for you. And we're going to get you to try this at home. We'll say cheese, guys, for Wisconsin cheese. There you go. Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to go

010Congratulations. Job well done. Very good. Next is agenda item two 2.2, recognition for the Coachella Valley Unified School District Spelling Bee winner and runner-up. Wow. Good evening, Board President, cabinet, Dr. Esparza. My name is Cindy Bradley and I'm the Coachella Valley Unified School District District Spelling Bee coordinator. Um since 1925, children across America have participated in school, local, and regional spelling bees with the hope of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives. This year, 17 spellers earned their spots as district competitors by advancing through classroom and school site spelling bees, competing against other students in grades four through six four through eight.

011um two of our contestants, the runner-up and the winner. For our second place um award goes to Jasmine Lopez. We applaud your achievement and SUCCESS THIS YEAR. AND JASMINE IS FROM VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY. And placing first in the Coachella Valley Unified School District Spelling Bee is Jaylene Contreras from North Shore Elementary. Jaylene will be representing our district at the Riverside County Spelling Bee at the end of this month. So, thank you and CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. BOARD, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME DOWN FOR PICTURES. THANK YOU. >> And our Spelling Bee families and our principal and our coordinators can come down and take a quick picture, too. Thank you. Congratulations. All right, very good. Thanks. Oh, there we go. Very good. Congratulations on that uh well-earned uh Spelling Bee winner and the runner-up. Very good. Good job.

012So, the next item is 3.1 closed session comments. And according to the forms on here, this little excerpt I have to read, this is an opportunity for members of the public to address the governing board regarding any closed session items within the board's jurisdiction. Complete the request to address the governing board form and submit it to the recording secretary prior to the start of closed session. Individual speakers are limited to 3 minutes. And the time may not be yielded to another speaker, and the speakers must present to address the governing board. And I have a few up here. I think we have enough to make it within the 20-minute timelines. But we want to make it clear that expectations for the conduct in the board meetings, you know, although we respect every comment that's made,

013interactions, we ask that we they remain civil and respectful. And we ask that there isn't harassment, an attempt to intimidate, personal attacks. We ask everyone in attendance to focus the comments on the issues before the board and those that are on the board agenda. So, when government bodies establish public comment periods, we adhere to the First Amendment principles. They cannot This government No government, even this board, cannot shut down or silence speakers just because we're in disagreement with your viewpoint or criticizing any one of the government officials as long as it's done in a civil manner. So, during this time when we ask the public to address the school board and speak on topics which deeply concern you, we want to we want to assure you that the board is no way should be retaliating

014against anyone that speaks in the public meeting, no matter the content of their speech, according to the First Amendment. There There are lots of case law that have been passed about school boards specifically and the right to speak and say whatever you want. In fact, the United States of America, the founding of United States of America was founded on the forefathers being rude, personal, and disrespectful at all of the meetings when the Constitution was created. So, there was a court that was established to hold respectful and courteous public assemblies during that time. It's been 200 years, over 200 years. So, we ask that this opportunity to freely speak according to the First Amendment be progressive. And we know there's a lot of empathy and concern for the public service that that we are up here

015for. So, with that I would like to start. We have one, two, three closed session items under 3.3 starting with Marisol Juarez. Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Marisol Juarez and the the purpose of my presence at this meeting is to advocate for the hardworking teachers and staff at CVU Elementary School. Unfortunately, the number of layoffs proposed appears to impact CVU Elementary the most um as it has in previous years. Our children continue to feel overlooked in these decisions. Currently, 51 positions at CVU Elementary are being eliminated. Of those, 26 are teaching positions and the remaining 25 are classified staff positions, including instructional aids, supervisors, and office personnel. These individuals play play a vital role in supporting our students' education and well-being every single day. As a parent of C V Elementary students, we have

016consistently heard from the board members that you care deeply about our children and their success. This is a moment to provide This moment provides an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. The decision made today will have a direct and lasting impact on the quality of education and support our students receive. As a very involved parent in my child's education, it is heartbreaking to see our district struggling to support the needs of our community in this way. Situations like this are often the reason many parents feel discouraged for advocating for their children because they feel their voices are not being heard. We respectfully ask that you reconsider these layoffs and allow the strong educational foundation that our teachers and staff have worked so hard to build at C V Elementary to continue. Our students deserve stability, support,

017and a dedication educators who have been making a difference in their life. We want our teachers back. Thank you. Next, I have Laura Soto Torres. 3.3 Um hello, board members. My name is Laura Soto Torres, and I'm a parent on C V um Elementary School. Um we often talk about improving the students' charts, uh but we cannot expect students to excel when there are constant staffing changes every year. A student needs uh need a stable teachers and consistent learning environments to succeed. Um teachers stability promote the student success. Constant layoffs, temporary contracts, and staff moving schools affect learning behavior and relationships with with the students. Um budget decisions have mostly affected us our teachers and staff have been reduced instead of exploring other cost-saving options while numbers of students have increased in our community in

018Southern City. Uh the number of students in the Southern City area is increasing but overall district enrollment is drop dropping to home school or transfers. Um does this signals a need for us to improve and retain student as a district? Um possible alternatives to project teachers cons can be considering reducing consultant contracts. For example, with Latino Commission. Have mental health um use their contract with medical or Riverside County to provide mental health services without increasing district costs. Um I have a question for you guys. Uh what steps would the district take to prioritize teacher stability in SeaView Elementary students so students can have consistent learning environments? Thank you. Next I have Carlos Avila. Good afternoon. Um I just wanted to start by saying that I disagree with the choices you guys have made um in

019regards to the staff layoffs, my concern uh is that teachers and staff are not just the educators, but they're also the the people keeping eyes on our children. Uh, less staff, less teachers means less supervisors to watch our children. So, I'm supposed to send my daughter to school with less uh supervisors around? I So, I don't think laying off teachers is the right choice. I believe that all of your experience and education and hard work to were to get you where you guys have been, I think that's enough to turn this place around. I really do. I believe that you guys can do it. I mean, you're here for a reason, right? I mean, you got here because of your hard work and education and all those years of sacrifice. I think you guys can

020do it. Um you know, uh I just want to say that uh CVU Elementary keeps getting hit the hardest. We are sort of rural, but you know, I think you guys should take into consi- consideration our children, uh our teachers. Um I think most of us probably remember our elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers the most. You know, after that, professors and everybody else kind of just came and went. Thank you. Next up, Lorelei Perez, 3.8. Yeah! >> All right. Good evening, board members. I'm Loretta Perez, a CVUSD parent, a community member. I'm here to express the concern about our recent administrative changes, specifically at Toro Canyon. Over the past 20 years, the school has had numerous vice principals, and I'm worried that letting go of effective leaders like Dr. Waggle

021and Mr. Lobo will disrupt the school's progress. I respectfully request that the board reconsider the decision to terminate these vice principals, especially given the positive impact that they have had at that school. With ongoing staff layoffs, I urge the board to prioritize type stability and consistency in our leadership. I'd appreciate transparency and dialogue about the rationale behind these changes and the plans for Toro Canyon's leadership moving forward. Thank you. Thank you. Next I have Josephine Ortiz. Good evening. My name is Josephine Ortiz, and I am an English teacher at Coachella Valley High School who was recently laid off as part of the district-wide cuts that you approved. I want to remind everyone here that these layoffs are not just abstract numbers on a budget spreadsheet. They are teachers and staff who work Excuse me. They

022are teachers and staff who work with students every day, adults who build relationships, mentor young people, and provide stability in and out of the classrooms. When they are removed, the loss is not just professional, it is personal for the students who rely on them. I speak today not only as a teacher, but as a product of this district. From first grade at Sol Martinez to 12th grade at CV High School, I returned to this community in 2017 to teach because I believe in the students here. Nearly every woman in my family has worked for this district, notably my mother and my grandmother. That legacy is something I have always been proud of, but that is not the case today. Sorry. At a time when the district says it can't afford to keep teachers in classrooms,

023our superintendent's salary estimates 300,000 a year. At the same time, the district continues to allocate funds towards {quote} {unquote} consultants and administrative costs that many teachers rarely see reflected in the day-to-day supportive classrooms. ADDITIONALLY, YOU APPROVED raises for yourselves knowing full well that our district was already in financial turmoil. That is why it is so difficult to watch this district make decisions that appear to place classroom staff last when it comes to financial priorities. I understand that districts must make difficult financial decisions, but when the solution means cutting the very people in classrooms who work directly with students while high administrative salaries and consulting contracts remain untouched, it raises serious concerns about the direction of this district. The question many of us are asking is simple. If students are truly the priority, why are the

024adults who work with them every single day the first to go? Layoffs like these do not do more than disrupt livelihoods, they destabilize schools. They increase class sizes, reduce course offerings, and excuse me, remove experienced people who know this community. As someone who believes highly in the potential of her students, I urge the board to reflect on the message this decision sends to teachers, paraeducators, office staff, students, and families. I would hope that those of you who grew up in this valley and in this district would have more decency and common sense to hold yourselves accountable and put forth what really matters. Our community deserves leadership that protects classrooms first, not last. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, next I have Teresa Carera, 3.8. Good evening. First, I'd like to say that I am a proud

025teacher of Josephine Ortiz, and that makes me very proud to see her up here. I would also like to say that Mr. Ricardo Gonzalez, who was one of the Kid Wind gentlemen up here with his students, got a $15,000 grant from California Teachers Association to do that work. Good. So, Teresa Carera, CVTA. I'm speaking tonight as the teachers union president, but also as an educator who cares deeply about the stability of this district and the success of our students. For years, for years, our district has faced declining enrollment, not just now. Our community understands that enrollment challenges happen. What they're struggling to understand is why isn't there a clear plan to address that yet? Instead, you continue to repeat the same cycle. This year alone, through reductions in force, non-re-elect notices, and the release of

026temporary teachers, our district stands to lose more than 150 educators. That is not just a number as Josephine pointed out. Those are teachers and professionals who build relationships with students, support families, and create the stability our schools depend on. When the same problems lead to the same cuts year after year, it is a sign that the system is not being fixed. And the reality is this, our students cannot thrive in a district that resets itself every spring. At the same time, we continue to see constant turnover in district leadership and staff. When leadership is unstable, the entire system becomes unstable, and that instability eventually lands in our classrooms. Our educators, our families, and our students deserve better than a cycle of uncertainty. Every year this cycle continues. It becomes harder and harder for educators, families,

027and this community to trust that this district has a long-term plan. So, tonight I want to ask you a simple question. When will this district move from reacting to the problem to actually fixing it? And when will we see a clear public plan, public plan, sorry, from district leadership outlining how enrollment will be stabilized, how educators will be retained, and how our resources will be responsibly managed moving forward? Our educators stand ready to be part of real solutions. But our schools cannot continue operating in a cycle of yearly disruption. Our educators need support, our students need stability, and this community deserves a district with a plan. Thank you. THANK YOU. NEXT, I HAVE DAISY RODRIGUEZ, 3.8. Good evening. My name is Daisy Rodriguez and I've proudly worked at Toro Canyon for 10 years. In my

028years at TC, administrators have come and gone for a number of reasons. I'm speaking from my own perspective, however, my comments also reflect conversations and sentiments shared by many of my colleagues who are here today with me. We felt compelled to speak to you all because our two assistant principals received a non-re-elect notice without any explanation and to be honest any merit. I believe it's important that the community hears about the kind of leaders our district is allowing to lose. Other districts will definitely be picking up these valuable resources. Charles Lobo has been at our site full-time this school year as an AP. He is visible and an energetic presence on our campus. He is regularly checking in with teachers and students. He contributes to a positive school climate through his kind and supportive spirit.

029Our special education classes appreciate Mr. Lobo stopping by with treats and Christmas gifts. He even dressed up as the Grinch during Christmas time. He even dressed Sorry, he approaches his work with enthusiasm and a genuine eagerness to learn and grow as a leader. Throughout the year, his responsibilities have changed and even so, he has been a team player with each curveball. Dr. Ashley Waggle came to our school last year and she stepped up from day one. She was prepared to take any challenge given to her. She has always been incredibly caring and approachable. Students and staff know they could go to her with questions, concerns, or ideas and she will listen. She is also responsive. When something needs attention, she follows through. That reliability built trust across our campus. She values the expertise of veteran

030teachers and intentionally seeks seeks their input. She is also one of the most organized and detail-oriented administrators we've had in years. What stands out the most is how she supports people. She built strong relationships with students and treats them with respect and care. Staff members feel comfortable going to her because she is a solution-oriented and supportive. She organized staff events and small moments of connection that remind us that we are a community. Those gestures may seem small, but they matter deeply in a demanding profession like education. We are well aware of our campus issues and needs, and we have reached out for support multiple times. We continue to invite all of you to stop by our campus and see the celebrations, but also the overwhelming challenges we face. One thing we want to make clear

031is our issues are not the fault of our assistant principals. Leaders who build trust, strengthen relationships, and support both students and staff are incredibly valuable to a school community. I hope the district will carefully reflect on the impact Mr. Lobo and Dr. Waggle have had at TC and the loss that many of us have are feeling today. Thank you. One more closed session comment 3.8, Dr. Imara Nikolov. Good evening, Madam Superintendent, board members. I'm Dr. Imara Nikolov. >> please come up to the mic, please. Yeah. How's that? Okay, thank you. Uh I'm back tonight because this school year alone our community has now seen two separate incidents involving school bus drivers. One incident involved a video posted online involving a child with special needs, something that raised serious concerns about student dignity, privacy, and professionalism.

032Now we are facing a far more serious allegation, criminal allegation against another driver involving a student. These are very different incidents, but they share one important thing in common. Both happen in transportation environments where our students should be safe. For many students, especially young students and students with disabilities, the bus is often the first and last part of their school day. Parents trust that the adults supervising them understand the responsibility that comes with this role. So tonight I want to ask you a few questions, rhetorical of course, that many parents also in this district are asking. What oversights exist in the transportation department to ensure student safety and professionalism? What training do bus drivers receive regarding student boundaries, privacy, and the treatment of vulnerable students? What systems are in place to identify warning signs early

033and address concerns before they escalate into serious incidents. Two incidents in one school year involving bus drivers should be a signal that transportation policies deserve a closer review. Parents are not asking for perfection, but they are asking for transparency, accountability, and clear protection for our children. Our students deserve to feel safe and respected from the moment they step onto a school bus until the moment they return home. In closing, I urge the urge the board to review transportation safety policies, increase oversight and training where necessary, and communicate clearly with families about the steps being taken to protect our students. Because when it comes to our children, safety and dignity should never be an afterthought. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, those are all the closed session comments that were submitted. Next is 3.2, uh motion

034to enter into closed session. Vote, uh motion by Director Gonzales. Second by Director Vargas. All in the favor? Opposed? Abstain? We will be back at What time will we be back? 7:30. All right, good evening. So, we are out of closed session. And so, we are on 3.1. >> 3.1? Oh, 4.1, sorry. Or we a motion to return to open session. And we're going to announce the action taken. Director Arredondo. Mr. President, for action taken during closed session, there was a motion to return to open session made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Calamanis. The The motion was unanimous. The board took action during closed session regarding expulsion clear reinstatement case 24 - 25 - 013. Motion was was made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Calamanis. The vote was unanimous, 7-0. The board took

035action during closed session regarding expulsion clear reinstatement case 24 / 25 - 014. the Coachella Valley Unified School District effective 12th day of March. Motion was made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Calamanis. The motion was unanimous 7-0. The board took action during closed session regarding expulsion clearance statement case 24/25-012 with the Coachella Valley Unified School District effective this 12th day of March. Motion was made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Calamanis. Motion was unanimous 7-0. The board took action during closed session to appoint Erica Flores as the director of fiscal services at Coachella Valley Unified School District effective March 13th, 2026 on this 12th day of March 2026. Motion was made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Vargas. Trustee Vargas voted I. Vice President Garcia voted nay. Trustee Gonzales voted with I. Trustee Acuna

036voted I. Trustee Arredondo voted nay. President Torres voted I. Trustee Calamanis voted I. The motion carried 5-2. The Board of Trustees took action during closed session to approve the settlement agreement regarding claim number 61 with the date of loss of September 30th, 2022. Motion was made by Trustee Gonzales, second by Trustee Vargas. The motion carried unanimously 7-0. Okay. The board took action during closed session to approve settlement agreement OAH number 2025 120650. Motion was made by Trustee Calamanis, seconded by Trustee Clerk Arredondo. Motion carried 7-0. The board took action during closed session to approve settlement agreement OAH number 2025-511-0877. Motion was made by trustee Gonzalez, seconded by trustee Calamanis. Motion carried 7-0. The board took action during closed session to approve settlement agreement OAH number 2025-110-875. 110-875. Motion was made by trustee Gonzalez, seconded by

037clerk Arredondo. Motion carried 7-0. The board took action during closed session to approve settlement agreement OAH number 2025-110-232. Motion was made by trustee Gonzalez, seconded by clerk Arredondo. Motion carried 7-0. That's all I have to report, Mr. President. Very good, thank you. Next is 5.1, board notification request to address the board. Uh the public comment uh excerpt that is pretty much similar to what I read earlier about turning in the form and the essence of time. I'm going to go straight into the public comments that were submitted. And the first one is uh Veronica Dueñez. 13.67910. Uh good evening, Board of Trustees, Dr. Esparza, cabinet. Um Veronica Dueñez, CSEA classified union representative. I'm talking on behalf of art of 13.7 item, 13.6, 13.7, 13.9, and 13.10. Uh just FYI, again, last meeting uh last week,

038I you guys talked about using Servpro to uh do some deep cleaning that is part of classified work. And here we are again where we have emergency repairs, Servepro Desert Concepts, Servepro emergency repairs, um emergency testing and repairs, um and also purchase order to Sanders and Desert Concepts for emergency concrete repair. Understand that we're going to start looking at all of this again and seeing what is it about and can classified work be done or can classified do this job because I know for a fact that I have maintenance twos that have done concrete repair at sites. So again, please be cautious. You are eliminating and you have eliminated positions also last year and you're eliminating again this year causing a huge bumping process. And please watch your contracting out. Thank you. Next I have

039Leticia Torres. Uh emergency work. Good evening, board. My name is Leticia Torres, uh director of facilities, and I just want to clarify on the emergency work work. All this is a ratification of work already been done, which was considered emergency, and I'm going to read why this is considered a emergency and what procurement process we've been using. These services allowed school sites to return to normal operation in a quick manner to reduce the interruption of students learning and staff safety. Uh this emergency procurement is being conducted in a in a accordance with procurement California Public Contract Code Section 20113 and federal procurement standards under CFR 200.320C. Both regulations permit the award of contracts without competitive bidding in cases where an emergency condition exists that will not tolerate delay such as when immediate repairs are necessary

040to protect health, safety, property, or the continuity of essential public services. So, current internal personnel cannot complete the work within the timeline required due to advanced technical expertise, specialized equipment not available to in-house staff, multiple licensed trades working simultaneously, larger crews on short notice, extended or continuous work shifts, ensure adherence to building codes, life safety requirements, contractors with proper insurance, contractors licensed for full scope of work, regulatory or code requirements requiring requiring certified licensed specialties, time-sensitive emergency conditions. That's all I have. Thank you. Next I have Blanca Duenas 12.13. Good evening. Again, 12.13. So, we I looked into this this is educational backpacks. They're packs. They have the district's emblem on it for all CVUSD students. The crazy part about this is that it's 3.something million dollars. I looked at this whole entire um the

041way you guys have it on the board agenda, but the thing is is that it's saying that it's it's for summer school. If you look at what you wrote on there, and it's saying it's coming out of ELOP funds. But then, if you look at the invoice part of it, look and what see what it reads. Because I don't know if you guys caught that. I did. And that's the crazy part because it's saying it's for regular school. So, I don't know what if you guys need to give me clarification on this, but to waste 3.something million dollars on backpacks, and they're not even backpacks. They're a pack that they're going to be given for the first day of school cuz it says for the beginning of school. For all grades from kinder through 12th

042grade. I know for a fact you guys already did this. And at CV High School, there was boxes and boxes of stuff in boxes, and not even given to the kids. And when you did give them to the kids, cuz I know this for a fact, they were thrown into the garbage can. But yet, we're going to waste 3.something million on EXLP money for summer, cuz that's what you guys are saying, but on the invoice it says something else. So, please, we want transparency. You hear it from everybody. But yet, on your guys' own invoices, it does not show that. Thank you. And then I have Veronica I have then I have here 12.17. I'm sorry, what? 12.17. Yes. Same thing. Uh again, I went through your guys' is requesting of approval EXLP upcoming tangible

043experiences for EXLP program at summer school programming. Did you guys really look at the paperwork you guys submitted on here? And And again, I'm talking about transparency. I'm asking the board, are you looking at what you they are submitting to you? Because the dates on these invoices are for 2024. So, are you estimating that in 2026, this is what you're going to use and these are the current prices for Knott's Berry Farm, for IMAX, for um Yes, everything that you're taking them to on these field trips for. 2024 is what's on those invoices. So, has the prices gone up? And this is still what you guys are going to approve? It's in the consent items. So, are you looking at what you there your leadership is giving to you because that shows me if you

044guys are not going to pull this and question it, which I recommend you do, why are we using old numbers? This is the kind of stuff that everybody's upset about. Because you're saying that it's going to cost over $300,000. This is the XLP money. Can we use it on something better other than this? Thank you. And then, Veronica. Veronica. And you had 12.30 also, is that Sorry, which one was this one? 12.30. Yes. 12.30. last year, okay? We uh the district approved, and I hope the board members understand this is another consent item, and hope you guys remember this actually, because it was in last year's consent item for summer school. You guys approved to adopt curriculum for summer school last year. For 3 years, that's what was on the board agenda. To adopt the

045curriculum for summer school for 3 years. Same company. Now, it's just worded differently. Go back and look what you guys approved. Because now you're asking, so what happened last year? What happened that what you guys adopted for the summer school? It's all over there in your portables or probably the storage across the street." So, look at what you guys approved last year for summer school through the EXLP money or ELOP or whatever you want to call it. But, it was approved, and it was 3 years. So, now I'm seeing it again. So, what are you guys paying for? What's different from last year? And look at the wording that you guys have. Thank you. Next I have Bianca I'm sorry. I can't read this. Lomai? Lomeli. 9.3. Lomeli. Bianca Lomeli. Thank you. Okay. So, good

046evening, board president, board members, superintendent, and members of the community. Before I begin, I want to reference something that is already on the public record. When Dr. Esparza was working under Dr. Valentino, she stated publicly, including through our COE and during a classified union meeting where she was invited, that she was the one who identified financial irregularities and imbalances within the district. So, my question tonight is very straightforward. If those financial concerns were already identified, why after recognizing those issues was it appropriate to approve an almost 40,000 salary increase along with the additional perk that the jobs entitle? And if we continue to hear that the district financial crisis is the result of COVID funds ending in classified over staffing, then how do we explain what happened immediately after COVID? After COVID funding arrived, administrator

047and management across the district received salary increases, and shortly after that also received cola increases. While employees who work directly with students were being told that the district could not sustain their positions. So, if COVID funds were used during that time to support those salary increases and those funds were no longer exist, then the then the community deserves a very simple answer. From what funding source are those salaries now being supported? Because if the district says COVID money is gone, then the same financial standard should apply across the board, not just to classified employees who are now being asked to absorb double workload or getting riffed. Tonight, the district is also asking to spend 25K on a forensic audit to determine where mismanagement may exist. Respectfully, you could save the district that 25 grand. Many

048of the employees sitting in this room could tell you exactly where mismanagement is happening because we see it every day and just as Veronica said, for years classified employees have sacrificed for this district. We accepted furlough days so students could not feel the impact of cuts. We accepted pay reductions with the promise that once the district stabilized, those funds would be restored, but that restoration never came. At the same time, questions continue to surface about funding that was originally intended for parent liaisons. According to statements made made by Mr. Acuña, those funds were available, yet some parent liaisons who were later calling to HR were told those funds had already been used elsewhere. So, the community is left asking, where did those funds go? And are those the kinds of findings a district may be

049concerned that a free state audit could uncover? Parents, classified employees, and certificated staff are being are beginning to see clearly. And when people began to understand what is happening inside a system, those who benefited from confusion often become uncomfortable. So, tonight I want to ask the board a direct question. Is the district If the district is asking the employees closest to students to sacrifice, will leadership be willing to share the in that sacrifice as well? Would you let me finish or not? You can finish up real quick. Okay. Because the truth is this, the people who keep schools running every day are not the ones sitting in district offices. They are the ones in classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and front offices serving students and families. And when those people began to speak with one voice, they

050are not creating problems, they are revealing them. Our students deserve leadership that prioritizes classroom over bureaucracy, and our community deserves transparency and accountability. Because at the end of the day, every dollar in this district belongs to the students and the public who entrusted it to you, and that trust deserves to be honored. Thank you. Okay. Good. Thank you. Next, I have Sandra de la Torre. Public speaker. Buenas noches. Y soy madre de estudiantes en Mecca Elementary y Toro Canyon. Estamos aquí hoy porque Los maestros no solo son no son solo empleados del distrito. Ellos son las personas que apoyan, guían y ayudan a nuestros hijos a aprender, crecer y sentirse seguros en las escuelas. Cuando se reducen maestros, no solo se recortan >> of the school board. I'm speaking to respectfully request that our district

051ensure that facilities for TK kinder TK transitional kinder TK students are developmentally and age-appropriate. TK students are typically 4 years old and their physical needs differ significantly from those of older elementary students. Specifically, I would like the district to review and provide age-appropriate restroom facilities, drinking fountains, and playground equipment designed for younger children. Toilets toilets and sinks are too high that are too high can make independent use difficult for young students. While drinking fountains and playground structures designed for older students may present safety concerns. It is important for 4-year-old children to have toilets that are appropriately sized so they do not have to shimmy or struggle to sit down. At this age, children are still developing balance, coordination, and independence and climbing and sliding across an oversized toilet can be difficult and unsafe. When toilets

052are designed for older students, young children may feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or even afraid to use them. Properly sized toilets allow students to sit safely, maintain good hygiene, and use the restroom with confidence. Providing age-appropriate restroom facilities support their physical safety, dignity, and developmental needs while helping them build healthy and independent bathroom habits. Additionally, across access to drinking fountains is especially critical during periods of extreme heat. In our area, temperatures can frequently reach 100° or higher. 4-year-old children 4-year-old children are particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration when they do not have easy access or to drinking fountains. If drinking fountains are too tall, difficult to operate, or located far from play areas, young children may struggle to hydrate themselves when they need to. Ensuring that TK students have safe age-appropriate access to water in and

053out of the classroom is essential to protecting their health and well-being during hot weather conditions. Providing facilities scaled for younger children helps support their independence, comfort, and safety while at school. Additionally, workplace and facility safety standards, including those outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, otherwise known as OSHA, emphasizes the importance of safety and accessible environments for all individuals using a facility. Ensuring that equipment and infrastructure are appropriately sized and safe for 4-year-old students aligns with these principles. As TK programs continue to expand, it is important that school environments reflect the developmental needs of these young learners. I respectfully ask the board to review current facilities and consider adjustments and improvements where they need where they need so that TK students can safely access restrooms, drinking fountains, and playground areas designed for their age

054group. Thank you for your time, attention, and continued support of our youngest learners. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next, I have Loretta Perez, facilities meeting. All right. Good evening, board members. I want to address something that occurred earlier today at the Facilities Committee meeting. Members of the public who attended were not allowed to give public comment because the chair stated that the meeting was no place for politics. However, the Brown Act guarantees the public the right to comment at meetings of legislative bodies and their committees, including board committees like facilities. Public participation is not optional, and it cannot be denied because someone believes the topic may be political. Committee meetings are exactly where many important discussions happened about facilities budgets, long-term planning. Those decisions affected students, they affect staff and their families across

055the district. And public has And the public has a right to be heard before or during these discussions. I'm asking the board to ensure the committees all follow the Brown Act moving forward and the chairs are properly trained so the public comment is never denied again. And on that note, I hereby serve you with a cease and desist order for the Brown Act violations you committed. Transparency and public trust depends on this. Thank you. Thank you. Next Thank you. NEXT NEXT IS LISBETH QUIROZ, LAYOFF TEACHER. Good evening, school board. My name is Lisbeth Quiroz. I'm currently um a parent whose child is attending Seaview. This year my child started his very school his very first uh school year at Seaview Elementary. While While I had no expectations other than hoping my child would like going

056to school, I did not expect to feel concerned, upset and sad for the months leading on. Since August, I have attended most um board meetings via Zoom and also have participated in the school site meetings. And I have come to realize that the concerns of parents really do go to the wayside. I ask you why does Seaview continue to be treated as a red-headed stepchild? Time and time again, I see parents come before you to raise concerns and not much is done. Now after seeing news that several schools staff will be laid off, I am even more concerned. The school by pure observation already looks like a skeleton crew and is barely hanging on. The only positive thing I can say about the school is his teacher. This teacher has been nothing than superb. You

057can tell when a parent or a teacher really wants to be a teacher. My child since day one has been very happy to attend their class and has continuously shown me that they have learned uh or what they have learned in their classroom. As an example, we were going out of town last week and I asked their teacher to assign homework for my child to complete. In less than an hour, my child completed all five worksheets as a TK student and in 7 months in school, I must say that's pretty impressive, at least for me. When we were done with the sheets, I told him, "Wow, puppy, you did it all by yourself." And he said, "Yeah, my teacher showed me." It saddens me that the future students may not be able to experience the

058same learning environment to hear, "My teacher cares about me." As an alumni of Oasis, Torre Canyon, and Desert Rush, I enjoyed school because of the few teachers who genuinely cared about my education. Seeing cuts this year and year after is disheartening, particularly for the educators who truly do have an impact. I now ask you, Board, if you can travel an hour to watch students play uh school sport, you can definitely travel 45 minutes to Salt in City and sit in classrooms to observe the teachers who are leaving this year and see how it affects uh our local students. Thank you. Thank you. Next is Karen Torres. Buenas noches. Me llamo Karen Torres. para solicitar el regreso en nuestras escuelas. Los de padres organizar talleres para padres y nos conectan con recursos importantes. También nos ayudan

059a las familias el portal de padres con la creación de correos electrónicos lo cual es importante para muchas familias. También bibliotecarios necesitan más horas para poder entender mejor a nuestros los niños. También necesitan los supervisores del patio a nuestros estudiantes en la cafetería del patio de juegos. A los cruces para mantenerlos seguros. Por favor conserven y traigan de vuelta a los padres. Ellos son un apoyo muy importante en nuestras familias. También quiero decir que también quiero decir que la directora y el personal Palm View son excelentes. También quiero contarles algo que me pasó en la escuela. Una niña me dice teacher me vestí de de 100 años como de viejita. Me dicen ya no nos toman fotos como antes. Yo extraño eso venirme vestida y que me tomen fotos. Ya no es lo mismo. Las

060niñas que te vienen motivadas porque les toman fotos ellas vienen bien bonitas, bien contentas y ya no hay nada de fotos. Nos hacen falta a los portal de padres para que los niños se motiven. >> Thank you. Next we have Olivia Rodriguez. Good evening, members of the board. Um my name is Olivia and I'm a member of the community who cares deeply about our students and our schools. I understand that this district is facing a difficult financial situation. I also recognize that the board has a responsibility to ensure the deficit is fiscally responsible, but as these decisions move forward, I want to encourage the district to move beyond a deficit mindset and towards a student-centered mindset. When we talk about cuts, the first question should always be, "What does this mean for students in the

061classroom?" Teachers and classroom support staff are the people who work directly with students every day, and protecting those roles should always remain a top priority. Budgets are ultimately statements of values, and our decisions should clearly reflect that our students and classrooms come first. I also want to share a concern about the way teacher and staff absences have been highlighted during recent board meetings. When those numbers are repeatedly called out, it can feel discouraging and demoralizing for educators who are already working under a great deal of pressure and uncertainty. Our teachers do so much beyond the classrooms, and many are facing real questions about job security right now. Instead of focusing on absences, it would be more helpful for the community to hear what the district is doing to retain and support our teachers. What strategies

062are being considered to keep our great great educators in our school district? Finally, as we talk about stabilizing the district's finances, I hope we can talk about solutions beyond cuts. Stabilization should not always mean reducing cut costs. It should also mean identifying opportunities to strengthen the district's financial future. That could include expanding enrollment outreach campaigns, building community and institutional partnerships, pursuing additional funding opportunities, and exploring opportunities for facility use and partnerships that can generate some additional revenue for the district. I also want to share that I'm a proud CVUSD alumna. I remember being a student during a time when teachers were also receiving pink slips and the uncertainty that created in our schools. I give public comment then and I continue to show up now because I care deeply about this district. I'm here not

063only to raise concerns, but also offer support as a member of this community, as a parent of a current CVUSD student who wants to see our schools succeed. Our district produces strong student outcomes and that's thanks to the incredible educators who serve our district every single day. I hope we continue working together to protect the stability that students and teachers need. At the end of the day, the question we need to come back to is simple. Are we doing what is best for our students? Thank you. Thank you. Those are all the open session comments uh that we have. Are there any comments submitted online? Were there any? Okay, so we have one and that will be distributed to the board members and uh written comments were also submitted? Any more written comments? Okay. The

064next one uh agenda item 6.2 then is student board member report. Good evening, members of the CVUSD Board of Education, Superintendent, and guests. This is a report for Desert Mirage High School. Counselors have been actively meeting with students to plan for the upcoming school year. Meetings were held with all eighth graders at Tor Canyon Middle School to assist with their course requests as they prepared to to transition into high school. Counselors met with all sophomores and juniors to complete with their course requests for next year as well. In addition, a second financial aid night was hosted on February 19th to support students and families still needing assistance with completing their FAFSA or Dream Act applications. In the College and Career Center, staff are currently finalizing applications and orientation for students concurrently enrolling at College of

065the Desert. Later this month, seniors will have the opportunity to attend an informational field trip to COD on March 24th. We'll be we'll have VIP access to register for their fall classes. In AVID, the AVID write-off winners have been announced and the write-off banquet will be held at Fantasy Springs on March 28th. Additionally, more than 25 AVID students successfully completed a concurrent College of the Desert winter course and they will be recognized at a completion award ceremony with the regional advisor on March 12th. That was today. In ASB, the class of 2027 announced the prom date. DMHS prom will take place on May 9th. Desert Mirage High School has begun its spring athletic season with students partici- participating in variety of sports and representing our school with pride. Finally, the WASC meeting was held earlier

066today. Some students were chosen to speak on behalf of DMHS, including myself. It was a complete success. Amazing things were said about the school. The prelimi- prelimi- Sorry, preliminary results that are are that we got 3 years, which is the max for mid-year review. That concludes my report for Desert Mirage High School. At Coachella Valley High School, counselors continue to support seniors with college and financial aid applications, and 81% of CVHS seniors have submitted financial aid forms. They are also preparing for a College of the Desert registration trip with 120 seniors attending and college and the college and career fair on March 26th with 44 community partners. Students are continuing to succeed academically through programs like Avid and our career pathways, where they are earning industry certifications and technology, competing in cybersecurity competitions, and gaining

067real-world career experience. The agriculture and FFA students also earned champion and reserve champion in the poultry division at the Riverside County Date Festival with 33 students participating. A major highlight for CVHS is the girls soccer team who were recognized at the California State Capitol after winning the CIF Division 4 Southern Regional Championship. Finally, track and swim teams swim team season began this week and the ASB continues planning upcoming school events including the final prep rally and end-of-the-year activities. At Shores High School, West Shores High School is happy to share that after the mid-cycle visit with WASC as well, they received the best possible outcome and are accredited through June 30th, 2029. They are continuing course requests, credit recovery, and supporting seniors with graduation and applications to College of the Desert. Students are also participating in

068opportunities through migrant and Puente including a leadership workshop at Disneyland Park and college visits. Avid is preparing for the recognition ceremony at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Athletics currently has a boys volleyball and golf season. West Shores also had some concerns about staff. All the same thing that was mentioned about the layoffs at CVEL. At La Familia High School, the boy's soccer team finished their season with a 4-0 to 1 record after a heartbreaking loss to the league champions. While the girl's soccer team remains undefeated after winning both of their first two games. Softball is currently in pre-season with five scheduled games and the school has 12 girls and 18 boys participating in softball. Spirit Week will take place the week of March 23rd to the 27th with a possible Friday Night Live event on the

06927th. Prom scheduled for May 16th. Graduation will be held June 1st and grad night grad night will take place on June 4th. Around 20 students are expected to visit College of the Desert on March 24th as well and the school is hoping to have 16 graduates by tomorrow. That is the end of all the high school reports. Thank you. Very good. Thank you. Next at board member reports. Um Director Acuña. Thank you. Uh thank you all for being here. Um again, I think uh want to give a good um shout out to our uh spelling bee champion and the runner-up. Also to all our KidWind participants who have been doing this for a while. And on the KidWind note, I want to I want to just thank Mr. Budai and all the teachers who uh

070participate and the supports of the students uh year round um on these kinds of the things. I remember meeting Mr. Budai a long, long time ago and he had this vision and this dream of of pushing science out in front in the school districts and and I remember when I worked with the after school program we did a lot of that but uh I got to say he and the team have really outdone themselves and put Coachella Valley and our students up in front. So that's a great thing and I want to thank them uh and all the people for that. Um also want to remind uh people that on Saturday we have the uh building uh ability uh ability uh program out at CV High School. It's a great program. I know it started

071a few years ago but every year it seems to be increasing except the year that it was really really windy and we had a lot of problems that day. But um I think it's a great program to keep supporting uh and so anybody has an opportunity to make it out there um please uh go out there and support them. Uh also I'd like to again we we're all anxiously waiting the game tomorrow but give a shout out and good thoughts to our CV High School soccer girl soccer team who have done an improbable just phenomenal and improbable journey from here to the state capital for the finals uh tomorrow. Um it shows you it doesn't matter where you're from, you work hard, you have good people around you, you guys can accomplish a lot and

072uh we're very proud of them and uh uh the coach says he thinks he they have one more win in them. So hopefully they'll be bringing bringing back a state title uh next year or this tomorrow for for this year. Um so I think that is great. Um also uh continuing on some of the other stuff um I just got chastised for I'm the one that does the uh attendance one so I got chastised because it's apparently demoralizing and all the other things. Uh one of the things that was told to me by that group was that a lot of the people that are absent are are under stress and um I I agree with Veronica Dueñas who last board or the special board meeting came up and said if you're under stress and you

073have these problems, come in. That's viable and and it's well acceptable and we'll we'll do what we can if you need to time time off or whatever is prescribed that you need, we'll we'll work with you. But um I find it strange that during the week, Monday through Thursday, the numbers are pretty stable, but stress comes on Friday. So uh again, so they're not going to like it, but I will actually repeat the numbers again today. Uh February 13th, which was a Friday, there was 409 people out. And again, this is total numbers. This is not just This is everybody. But uh and then February the 20th, 407. February the 27th, 427. And the good news is then maybe they maybe they heard you, Veronica, but uh on March the 6th, where that last week,

074uh 372. So, hey, it's going in the right direction. So, hopefully. But again, I agree, if you have these if you feel stress and you need that's what they're for. That's what the services that the district provides are for. Go do it. So, I'm fine with that. Um I have one last item. Um I want to request on our next board agenda an item. I uh sat at that special meeting here and listened to everybody and you know, everybody's entitled to their opinion. But one of the people that made a comment actually struck a kind of a chord with me because it's something I had thought about for a while and in in fact, I thought about it in 2020 when we were supposed to do this, but because of COVID and a lot of

075other things, we didn't do it. So, I would like to uh ask that a resolution be brought at the next board meeting to immediately start the process to change the redistricting and the uh the how we do our elections for our school district. Um originally when the school district was combined, there was I believe four different school districts. The merger and the way the board was set up in the early 70s was more of a political reason. Uh each district had to have their own member. The city of Coachella or the district of Coachella which had more people had to get more votes. So they compromised on having seven board members where three were quote from the city and four were from the rural so they could always outvote them. And I think in order

076to unify that was probably a good solution. But that was in 1970. This is 2026. And I think it's long overdue that our district actually do what everybody else does, does single trustee area elections. Um I did do a little research on it when it was brought up. Um the board can do it. You don't need to put it on on the ballot. The board can give a direction to start it and do it and have a vote, have public comment, have public hearings, and the board can do it itself. And I'm more than happy to support that cuz I think it's long overdue. Um I believe that every resident voter in this district should have an equal vote across the board. And that it should be the people who live in those trustee areas

077should vote for their representatives. Uh one of the things I didn't wasn't able to get a legal answer on was moving it from seven members to five members. Uh I'm okay with that, too. Uh five members is good for everybody else, it should be good for us as well. I don't have a problem with that. Uh but that's a legal issue because originally it was set up with seven, so I'm not sure. They didn't tell me they couldn't tell me if we had to put that part of it on a ballot. Um again, I would ask this board to put it on the agenda for a resolution. I'm not asking them for support. I'm simply asking them to allow the public and everybody else to have a debate on this particular issue. Um I think

078it's long overdue. Uh in speaking with the registrar's office and some of the county people, um there is a window. The question needs to be do you want to implement this in the 2026 election cycle or do you want to wait till 2028? There is a window of opportunity, but it needs to be done rapidly and if you want to do it for this particular next election cycle. That's a question for the board or for the public. I'd like to be uh uh I'd like the public to chime in on that and allow them to have it. So, I would request that we put that on the board. Um Again, I am very interested and I'll give credit where credit is due. Uh this is a Lorraine Salas initiative and I'll give her credit for

079reminding me that this is something we should have done a long time ago. So, I would be interested in hearing her comments next week and everybody else that you can bring in who support this stuff. Again, long overdue. All the other districts are doing it. I have been forced to do it in essence. And again, one just thing out to you, Ms. Salas, uh if the board refuses to do it, if for some reason it gets voted down or is not brought up, you can technically file a lawsuit against the district and you'd probably win because everybody else has won when they've tried to do it. So, um that's my request for next uh board meeting. Thank you. Very good. Director Arredondo. Yes, Mr. President. Um I like to thank everybody that came out today.

080Thank you for your public comment. We always like to I mean, we we you know, we need to hear those things that we need to do better at. Um I myself um last week went out to Oasis Elementary to check on restrooms and see if the restrooms had everything that they needed. And at the time that I went, I didn't I didn't announce to anybody. The time that I went, you know, the five restrooms I visited were were well stocked and well maintained. So, uh you know, I will continue to go just to make sure that we have, you know, facilities for our students. I'm also very concerned, Dr. Sparks, I'd like to ask that well, we get a report on how many bathrooms we're missing for TK and K students because that's that's very

081concerning that as a district, uh I would definitely like to have age-appropriate restrooms and um I don't I'm not going to say, you know, I I just like a report as to what what we need to work on. Um cuz that that that's important. Um I had a chance to visit Oasis Farms for the cultural day for our students. Uh thank you to the after-school program, uh our ELO-P program that uh put that together. Um And then, you know, shout out to our girls' soccer team at Coachella Valley High School. I myself will be traveling to see the game tomorrow. So, um I will be cheering on on my own dime. Uh I will be traveling to to to there. Um so, with that, that's my report. Uh President Torres, thank you. Thank you. Uh

082Director Carramanica. Thank you. Um I want to thank everyone making respectful comments at the board meetings. That's really important that that that happens. So, a lot of what I'm going to address right now is to the people who heckled me last meeting when I was leaving the building and told me I don't belong here and go back to where I came from. Uh let me give you an idea of where I came from and that I have as much of a right to be here as you do. I'm a first generation in the US. My parents were in the former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, when the Russian communists took over the country after World War II. My father was a lawyer in the government before the takeover and was told that he would have

083to swear allegiance to the Communist Party or he would be shipped off to Siberia to work in a coal mine. For those of you who don't know what Siberia is, it was the upper part of Russia, bitterly cold all year round. And if you were sentenced there to work, it was a death sentence. My father was not going to be to disregard his beliefs in freedom. That night, along with three other families, my parents packed into packed a trunk with the bare minimum of their belongings, got into a truck that was going to carry them along and over a frozen river to West Germany. While they were crossing the river, the truck broke through the ice and they had to scramble out of the truck carrying their belongings up a hill. They were met by

084soldiers at the top of the hill. They had no clue if they had gone far enough that would that they would be American soldiers or Communist soldiers. Luckily, they were American soldiers. They were brought to a refugee camp where they stayed for 3 years before they got permission to emigrate to the US. They came to the US with very little English skills they had learned at the camp. I mentioned my dad was a lawyer. With his lack of English skills, he apprenticed and became a painter and wallpaper hanger. We only had one car. My mom was a skilled seamstress in the Czech Republic. She found a company that was so impressed with her skills that the owner would bring work to the house that and she would be paid by the piece. I heard that

085sewing machine going all day long and all night long to make up money. My dad never complained. Um he was no longer lawyer. He worked so hard and so well that he had references for new jobs all the time. My first language was Czech, so I, too, am an English language learner. My parents showed me the value of hard work, and indeed I worked hard all my life. I understood that I had to earn my job. I was not owed a job. I was not entitled. I would never in my life try to game the system so I could pad my paycheck by playing around with overtime and take away money that should be used for our students' education. I would never pretend I was sick to get 3-day weekend and force our schools to

086pay substitutes. Everyone who works in the school district should be focused on our students and how to give them the best opportunity for them to succeed, not on how do I line my own pockets. We work for students, not for ourselves. We need to put students first and and nonsense behind. For 8 years, I have been working in the uh Coachella Valley for Read With Me, both as a volunteer uh with our English language learners in our elementary schools, and also recruiting and training volunteers to work with our students on their English language skills. I have listened to so many teachers across this district teaching class while I was a volunteer in the classroom or with my volunteers. I am so impressed with our teachers. They do amazing work, are so dedicated, and love their

087students. And you saw at the beginning of this session the the uh students who have done so well and are going to to uh world championships and spelling bee champions and so on. However, um everyone here should know the process that uh during this time, temporary teachers receive a notice that they will not be employed after June 30th, then many, if not all, are brought back in August, depending on our student enrollment. It is routine. So, why do people have to misinterpret things negatively? We have declining enrollments, and you'll see a presentation that tells you how that affects our budget. Yes, things were mismanaged before and during COVID, and now we have to make major cuts. Last year was the worst of the cut years. But, declining enrollments and the fact that we don't have

088good attendance are also affecting our budget negatively. Some of you want the state to take over because you have a personal issue with certain board members or with the district leadership. Unfortunately, your personal vendettas don't put students first like we we do. Do you know what happens we don't pass our budget? Uh um we don't get our budget under control and Sacramento takes over the management of our budget, they cut and cut without regard to programs, without regard to union demands, or personnel. The board will be managed by the county. The county will likely put our current superintendent in that position. She will for be forced to cut programs, and union demands will be out the door. This staff district staff under Dr. Spars's leadership is always fact max focused on maximizing benefits for our

089students, and you can see that through this test scores that have been happening over this last year. Um even in the midst of cuts, and some adults don't like that because for several years this district has been adult-centered and not student-centered. I know this from the reports that I have read and from being in the seat just a few months. Uh it is obvious that many people want things to revolve around adults. Parents want us and send us their children so we can focus on giving them a good education. That is what all of us should focus on. It was horrible to hear parents come to ask for trash cans in the girls stalls so that they could dispose of their feminine products. We heard this last week at the end of the special session.

090I certainly hope these things weren't missing because custodians did not want to deal with cleaning out sanitary products from the containers mounted in the toilet stalls so because they don't want to empty out garbage cans. It is a state law to have them in the stalls. After last week's meeting, a parent who could not get here in time to speak came up to Dr. Sparza and reaffirmed about the situation at Oasis where her student of where her child, there were no receptacles in the girls bathroom stalls and sometimes no garbage cans in the bathrooms to throw things out and they were humiliated by having to carry their discarded feminine products to outside garbage cans. Did it take an article in the Rogan report to get it fixed? Did it take making inflammatory and sometimes false

091accusations on Facebook to get things fixed? No, it took just telling Dr. Sparza. The next day Dr. Sparza met with all the principals and they were asked to go do an inventory in the bathrooms to get the problem fixed ASAP. Some comments have been made that it's the principal's job to ensure that there are trash cans and that things get fixed at schools. I disagree. This is the job of every custodian. They should be telling the principal what the students need. The principal is responsible for the teachers and you would hope the custodians would know their job. It is a state law requiring these receptacles. The district asks employees to do job based what's in in their job descriptions and that is what the employees need to do. We hired them based on the job

092description, not a contract that enables them. They look they took the job based on the job description that they applied for and they promised they could do the job. People need to stop protecting or enabling others from doing their job and taking advantage of the district's time and money. The district pays the employee to do a job. No one else plays pays these employees. So they just need to do their job and all of the jobs are for the students. That is what the school district is all about. Our students and supporting them, their success and showing them that they have dignity as human beings. The last thing I want to mention and is because it horrifies me is how misinformation is spread on Facebook and lands in places like the Desert Sun, horrible social

093media pages, um that are are pushing political agendas, TV broadcast and even the Rogan Report. It was all over the media and social media about mold at John Kelly. Well, I walked those classrooms at John Kelly and I was so impressed with the response from the facilities and maintenance people. Not only did the district take care of the classrooms, but proactively cemented, added drainage and fixed so many areas to eliminate accumulating water from causing problems in the future. Again, the leadership team responded so quickly that the situation was thoroughly analyzed and mitigated measures were implemented. All Dr. Esparza needs to be told is a situation that may be harmful and affecting our students and it will be fixed. And yes, it will. Oh, by the way, a Desert Sands school very recently had a significant

094mold issue and had to relocate students and teachers. Did you hear about it in the media or on Rogan and Port? Um, no, because teachers and parents in Desert Sands know things will be fixed and they don't make their district look bad because they truly care about their district. I don't know why there are people in this district who want to continually defame this district when this when this is the district you chose to be part of. This is an amazing district and people should be proud to work here and send their children here and our kids have so many opportunities for success and we see it like we saw today. In closing, for those of you think who know me, but you don't, I want to say again, I deserve to be here as

095much as you do. Thank you. Director Gondales. Thank you, Mr. Torres. I I want to start by um, saying that I chair the facilities advisory committee. Um, that cease and desist letter that they made up, it doesn't apply to an advisory. Uh, so come pick up your document over here. Um, I am not, uh, I'm not going to allow, uh, this type of discourse, uh, laughing while, uh, uh, a board member is is sharing very compell- a compelling, very beautiful story. And I I just I'm not going to allow a meeting that we have an hour to do to be riddled by intrusive and inappropriate comments that have nothing to do with what we're trying to do as an advisory committee that isn't bound to the Brown Act. So, I just want to make that

096clear for the record. Ms. Kellermanis, I want to I want to thank you for for who you are. Um it's a a beautiful story, a very personal story, and a reminder that that this country didn't become what it became without a lot of pain, a lot of anguish, a lot of struggles. And I'm a big believer that the world we're living in today in this country, that this isn't the best America, right? We um we used to be a community where truth mattered. We used to be a community where love was more important than hate. And unfortunately, hate and lies and deceit seem to be at the epicenter of even at the highest levels of government. And I think the type of behavior that we see here is indicative of no regard for truth and

097no respect for humanity. You know, we had the board president uh union president get up here today and say that we are a we're a we're a board that reacts to to circumstance. She said, "Reacting to problems and and district resets every year." The financial position that we're in today, I warned this district I I warned this board in closed session that our former superintendent had made a mess out of the school district and that we were going to have serious financial challenges. And all of you remember that nobody listened for a long time. We finally listened. We removed the problem. And on his way out, he made sure that we did in March 15th a bunch of teachers that added up to another exposure of about $16 million on the on the way out

098just because he still had control of the staff. I um I sat with one of the union presidents at a restaurant in La Quinta. And at that time they were fighting for a pay increase of 11 and 1/2%. And I sat there with her. We had lunch. And I told her, "I'm going to support 9 and 1/2. I'm only one board member, but I'm going to support 9 and 1/2." As a consequence of that meeting, HR got the wind of it. The teachers union ended up settling at that, but I told her and I told the board president this, "Just know that we have no reserves. The COVID money is over. And within 2 years we're going to have massive layoffs. Two to 300 employees at least." And she looked at me. And she put

099her hands up and with a big smile on her face, "It is what it is." And I said, "Just remember when we have these layoffs and don't act like we didn't have this conversation." And what I see over and over again by these unions is that when we have money and they ask for it and we don't give it to them, they say we're a horrible board cuz we don't want to pay our teachers. Of 21 school districts, we are either one or two in compensation for our teachers. And then when we run out of money, their MOU is we have no more money cuz we gave it all to them. We have no reserves and we have to have layoffs. And then we're a board that doesn't know how to manage their finances. No

100institution gets into this type of predicament in overnight. These are These are badly planned business deals. You hear the the the social media people that go out there and claim that people are stealing money, that that the superintendent is stealing money, that the board is stealing money, that management is stealing money. Nobody can take a nickel from this school district. And I want this community to know that that's fact. It's a large budget. Everything is controlled. And there's no way that anybody can steal a nickel from this school district. Now, do we have tough financial decisions to make? We absolutely do. And and the fact that we have to cut employees and we have to affect people's lives, I don't like it. It doesn't feel good. But to Ms. Callamanis' point, it's something that we

101have to do, or else the state is going to come come in, take over, and it's going to be a worse predicament to be in. The fact that Mr. Acuña is appeasing somebody that's coming here to create chaos, asking us to vote for a board, right, that is comprised of where the density is, so we're going to end up with a board where all the elected officials live in Coachella cuz all the people that live in Coachella outweigh the people that live in rural areas, that's irresponsible. So, we can't we Dr. Esparza, I am reminding you, we cannot keep reacting, right, to all these shiny things that are going on around us, and we have to stop reacting to the lies that are being pushed through social media, and we have people that come here

102and are disrespectful to board members because they have no other way to get recognized, and they're hoping to film it on social media if there's a reaction. It's irresponsible. That's not what we are as a community, and I can bet you that those type of people just got here to this community, and they haven't been here for the last 60 years like I have. Because we're better than that. Thank you. I'm not I'm not quite done, Mr. President. Um Dr. Dr. Esparza, I'm going to ask that you bring back the parent liaisons. The parent liaisons play a very, very important role for our community. They are the connection. They are the glue between what we do in this office and what our community receives as services. And it is imperative that we do something to

103bring them back. We offered and I'm just going to paint history. We offered the parent liaisons 5 hours, keep your benefits, and their union didn't support them because they knew the sensation of us getting rid of the parent liaisons was going to be very sensational. And that we would get a lot of upheaval, that we would get a lot of reaction from the community, and that's how irresponsible they were in not defending the parent liaisons. And unfortunately, we have parent liaisons who have given their life, who don't have jobs right now cuz their union didn't stand for them. And I'm asking for us to be better than that. I don't know how we achieve it, but we need to bring the parent liaisons back. I want to also congratulate the spelling bee champion. I've been

104part of that for years, maybe as many as Ms. Calamanis has done with uh read with me. And and Ms. Calamanis, I I'm going to I also want to just tell you that that you're everything that I thought you were going to be and and more. And if you decide to run again, and I hope you do, I don't know if you have that in you, know that you have my unprecedented support. I also want to congratulate the soccer team for the work that they've done. I'm I'm happy that they found the time to be paraded around the capital. I don't believe uh that that that is why they went. They went to play a game tomorrow, and and I trust that they're going to win and that they're going to be the state champions.

105And in a time where we're celebrating women, what a what a beautiful possibility. Um the kid when uh Mr. Badai, he's an angel. He's done such amazing work that has touched a lot of children. My daughter is at UCLA now in aerospace and mechanical engineering, and it is because of that gentleman. And I he's not I'm sure she's he's not the only one that that that he's affected, right? And she asked me to tell him hi, and I'm going to say that publicly, Mr. Badai, Hema says hi. And I just want to finish with Miss Our superintendent does an amazing job of communicating with us. We get a board report. We get reported on everything that happens in our school district. And it I find it absolutely appalling that when there's public pressure, that we

106have board members that act like they don't get information. That they're asking for more information on the dais, disrespecting the hard work of our leadership. And so I'm not going to tolerate that anymore, because when people start asking questions, they're either not reading the material or they don't care to read the material. But sitting here and postulating that they don't support something. We had a situation where we had a vote on a pay increase, which I think this board deserves. I supported it. We had two board members that voted against it. They were given an opportunity to opt out. They were given an opportunity not accept the stipend. But they accepted it. And so I just want the public to know that, too. President Tortice, that's all I got. Thank you, uh Director Vargas. Yes,

107thank you. Um I want to thank everybody who came out tonight, and just like every night for, you know, sharing their concerns. Uh we definitely take them into consideration. Um to keep my comments short, uh there were a number of meetings that I did attend. Uh I attended the Head Start Policy Committee. Uh our Curriculum and Instruction Committee. Uh one of the things we discussed was um we're getting ready to do a math adoption. So, there is a process that we go through in terms of doing this adoption uh for our new uh textbooks and materials. Um so, from my understanding that there is a process that does um include staff as well and the community. So, um it's important that we're part of that process. Um the other piece, um you know, I just

108want to thank Ms. Colmanares for sharing her story. Um it's unfortunate you had to experience that and I'm I'm sure um you're not the only one as well, right? Um so, I've been hearing from other board members as well sharing some of the experiences I've had. Um but yeah, thank you for for your comments um tonight. I really appreciate them. Um I did attend the Strategic Planning Committee um meeting out at the West Shores Community. Um any one thing that resonated with me, um there was a comment made tonight around um moving away from a deficit mindset um that I think it's very true, right? I think um I think the Strategic Planning process is very important. Um we hadn't done that I think at least for in the time that I've been on the

109board, we've never done that process. Um it really is an opportunity for us to envision. Um I I know we have a number of challenges, right, within our district. Um there's a number of things that, you know, we could always work on improving. Um I think, you know, what I took away from that one meeting, right? I I haven't gone to all of them. Um I'm hoping to hear some of the feedback, right? But uh from that one meeting, um it was an opportunity to kind of listen to community members bring up a lot of the things that are being brought up here at a public meeting, right? A number of challenges that, sometimes, you know, are part of county responsibility, right? And so, I think it really, for me, was an opportunity to hear

110more about those challenges. Um, but I think leaving that that meeting, right? I think it just, and why the comment tonight kind of resonated with me is how do we envision a district where we're moving beyond just thinking about our fiscal challenges, our challenges that we have with staff, our relationships, um, uh, you know, the outcomes for our students, and really start to to think about what what do we want to see within our district in 5 years from now? Um, and it's not, you know, having to deal with another budget fiscal challenge, right? So, um, you know, I'm really hoping that I can we can hear from parents, that we can hear from, our students as well, community members, and really, like, what do we want to see as a district? You know, what

111does that look like for our kids 10, 15 years from now, right? Um, so, I think, yeah, right? I think we have the opportunities and the spaces to bring those concerns, but I'm really hoping that we can also utilize a strategic planning process to really think about the future, right? Like, what where do we go from today? The challenges that we're facing today. So, so, yes, I I I wanted to mention that about the strategic plans. I think last thing, I I also attended some of the soccer games. It's really great to see the young women performing. I was never an athlete. So, it's just amazing to kind of see their athleticism, and, you know, as Ms. Tracy Gonzalez just mentioned, you know, we're celebrating women. You know, just being able to see like I

112mean they're just amazing like just watching the goals. I to me I've never really gone to a soccer game. So just seeing them perform out there was just amazing. And so I really wish them a lot of luck as we go to the game tomorrow. I you know fortunately and unfortunately will be at work, but definitely cheering them on. Um, Yeah. I'm trying to think. Yeah. I mean I I appreciate Trustee Gonzalez mentioning the vote right around the stipend. Yeah, I think it was a a difficult vote, right? So I was one of the trustees that voted no. I know that by law the state you know really that the state pushed created a law to I don't even know what the right words would be, but ensure that you know there are many districts

113that compensated board members you know very minimally. Not to say that that's why we do this work, right? Not to say that that's this is why we decide you know to step away from our families, to step away from that time. I think at the time I voted no because you know there are options, but at the end of the day it is state legislation that we needed to adopt, right? So I appreciate you bringing it up because it is a process of a piece of ensuring that we're all held accountable and we're transparent, right? So you know I thank you for that. I think there were some conversations around what it means right to compensate our board members. I think a lot of the things that were brought up was like the hope that

114this would encourage also young people to to run. You know often times they're not necessarily at the financial you know position to be able to you know take away from their days from their jobs to be able to do this work. And so I'm hopeful that you know the stipend really does allow that for for individuals that may some of our community members, our parents, right? That really aren't able to um lose from their day jobs to be able to sit here and spend that time, right? So, yeah. I'll I'll leave it at that. Thank you. Thank you. Like President Garcia. Thank you. And thank you to everyone who comes out and takes the time to talk to us um before, during, and after the board meetings. We are here to represent you. You are

115constituents. Um that is part of the job. We are elected officials and, you know, we're held to a different standard for a reason. Um and I could understand why people are upset. Anyone who's paying attention um sees mixed messages. Um if you look at the districts that surround us and then you look at us um they are not the same. The way board meetings are run, the way the district is run in general, is not the same, but it shouldn't be different. Our students deserve better than what we're giving. We have very mixed messages. Anyone who's paying attention will notice that we've added days to the contracts of admin, which by any other name is a raise. Um we've added more admin um that we've never had before. MTSS that whole um new grouping of

116admin who were pulled away from school sites and into the district and diversified that had never existed before during a stabilization time, right? We have consultants that we pay almost as much as a um cabinet-level admin, right? And at the beginning of the year, which really bothered me, we paid a full contract in September, which I don't understand why you would ever You would never pay a contractor 100% up front before the job is done, but we did that. Um we have the highest-paid superintendent we've ever had. We have the highest stipends that we've ever had. Um and yet our UPP count our unduplicated pupil count is top 5% of California, which means on top of the regular money that we get per student, we get more concentrated funding because our students are recognized that

117way to need more. We get more for our students. How we spend it, the way we spend it, that is on us. That is not on anyone else. Out of the last 10 years, I want to say that we have had riffs to staff reductions in force to staff eight out of 10 years. That is not normal. That whole process debilitates our talent. People have to go through a process that is scary. You don't know if you're going to have your job or not. We have to serve more than what is actually going to be. We're not going to lose 107 educators um and then we have classified, right? Staff, but we have to serve them because there is a there's a whole process. And I'm going to lose people who may keep their job

118by the end of the year if they go through the whole process just because it's uncomfortable to find out. To to wait. How can you hold your life, you know, until June, until May, whenever the ending will be? And we lose them every time this happens. We've also lost admit admin, principals, APs, very good people who had ties to our community because they don't like how things are being run. It doesn't make sense. If you're paying attention, this is something that has happened. Um and and this board ultimately is where the buck stops for all of those things. And it's unfortunate and there are issues that occurred well before some of us were even on the board, but it doesn't matter. We're here now. We have to find a way path a way through this.

119It means difficult decisions, but it can be farther away from the classroom, farther away from our learning communities than we're doing right now. And that's that's not easy. Um but it is possible. Um this riff resolution last year, because we did have this last year, happened a full month ahead of time. It happened in February. So, we we really compressed the time. My understanding is there are issues with the way it happened, but we gave ourselves less time than normal, right? A full month last year. Um so, it's a process, it's a precarious process. I hope that everyone goes through the process. And I understand that that's a difficult thing to ask families, but there are skipping rules. We're not We don't have to lose every single person that's on there. I know it's a

120highly personal thing, but every single one of you that's on our school sites is important to us, is important to our students and our families, and we understand that. I don't want to lose any of you, and I hate that we're going through this process. But at this point, there's no other way. It's happened. We just have to find our way through it. But there are ways that we can show you and our district and our employees and our families that we truly mean what we say, because we can say whatever whatever we want here. It's It's in the policy that we're moving through. And that doesn't happen in one board meeting. It happens throughout the year. So, I'm so glad to see families here, which is not easy. These meetings go very late, and

121it's got to be till it's over, till whenever it needs to end. But this is not normal to have meetings go till past midnight. You know, that is not something that happens at other districts, but it is something that happens here. Um we talk about transparency, but there are things that if our community understood ahead of time, we may not have the problems that we do. If we had discourse about the strategic plan ahead of the stabilization plan, it might have gone over differently, right? But this is where we are right now. Um if you're paying attention, you see that we're trying, but I think we could do better. I don't want us to have riffs every single year that it demoralizes every school site, which is horrible. Um students not knowing who their teacher's

122going to be the next year because they're not sure who's going to be back. Um I mean, our students, they they make relationships with everybody. The yard duty staff, everyone on that campus, our students know. And and our employees know them. Everyone is important. I hate this. We do have to have um difficult decisions, but there is a better way. We're trying though. I'm trying to move through this. It's not the end. Um there are still still things that we can tweak, things that we can move through. Um but we need to hear from you. So, however you feel that you need to tell us because you're frustrated, which is palatable and understandable, tell us. We get emails. We see you in person here. We see you at school sites. It's your right. You are

123our community that we serve. It's fine. I understand that others have been upset about it, but you have a right to be upset and and this is the process. This is a process when we wait as long as we do. When we don't collaborate as we could have, this is what it is. Uh so, I thank you all. I know it's not easy. It's not going to be easy, but I hope that we can retain as many as we can because you are so important to our students. And that's why we're here. Thank you. So, for my report I mentioned I always mention I'm a parent first before board member and as a parent when I I have kids that still go to the school, they still have uh issues and concerns with the school.

124I never came to the board to complain, but I think when we're talking about uh what I talked about in the beginning of the meeting about the First Amendment, everyone having the right to say what they have to say, to yell, to cuss here in the board meeting as long as you don't disrupt or threaten, that's the First Amendment. Right? So, if the board expects civility, demeanor, behavior to be accountable, then the board needs to act the same way. So, and I mentioned when I when I first came onto the board last year, I talked about uh you know, cuz I had the same issue with the board and being mad at the board as a parent. And I mentioned the recall procedures, right? But what I see as an injustice and inequality in the

125school with the students is I've been on the board and being in the close sessions, I see lots of students I get in trouble, they get disciplined, they get expelled so easily. We have 300 pages of policy of how to expel and discipline the kids. For employees, it's harder. I've discovered as a parent and being on the board, we have bad employees that are protected. And I asked the question why are they still here a few times and they're saying because it's the system that's designed it wasn't designed to protect them, but it's being abused and it's used to protect them now. Even employees that abuse or hurt children are protected. So, as a parent, I'm going to bring that forward as much as I can. It's hard with these you know, with these system

126in place. So, we need to change the system and the policies that protect these bad employees. And like we did a layoff straight across the board, like we talked about numbers, there was no I don't think there was consideration enough to keep the the good employees. Right? So, that needs to change. The other thing that I think that needs to change as a parent and being on the board is the board structure. It's hard to remove a board member. When we're try talking about I hear parents and employees coming up and talking about board members, you know, that they feel that are bad or board as a whole, right? And again, last year I talked about how to recall a board member in California, and it's difficult. It's very difficult. First you have to draft

127a notice of intention, 200 words or less, you have to file a notice with the state, the county election office. You have to gather signatures, and it's thousands, depending on how many voters are in the in the area. How are you going to get thousands of signatures just to remove a board member? Then you submit that recall petition to the election office, and then after all of that, the election process begins. So, that's That needs to change cuz how how are we going to hold board members accountable? We've heard about Brown Act violations, William Act violations, but those are all like slaps on the hand. Um So, that that needs to change. We need to change how the board is held accountable because then when I see as a parent coming on this board and

128seeing everything that happens with the system and how the employees are treated and most importantly how the students are being affected, that needs to change, the recall procedure. And not only that, um I think there needs to be a censure a censure policy. Other school districts have it. I seen that. There's no censure policy for the board members. I mean, the like what I just said, if the board member violates something, I mean, it's a difficult process to do anything about it. Uh another So, that's that's one is the recall procedure needs to be looked at. The system. Number two is a central policy needs to be created so we can hold board members accountable, you know, in reality because what what we have now is is very very difficult, just like with with some

129of the employees. The third thing that I think we could do to hold board members accountable is to and put on the next board agenda item is the possibility of establishing term limits for board members. Across California, many elected officials operate under term limits. And this brings leadership rotation, fresh perspectives, broader civic participation, you know, under Proposition 140 and Proposition 28, uh which govern the state of uh California state legislature, these laws affect long-standing public policy discussion about balancing experience with new opportunities and new community members to serve. Uh in this same spirit, I believe the appropriate is appropriate for our board to consider whether these principles should apply to our board governance now. I'd like the board to discuss policy limiting members to serve no more than two or three consecutive terms. And after

130that, they could step away for 4 years before becoming eligible again. So, my statement is to consider a governance model that encouraged wider community participation while allowing experienced members the opportunity to return if that's what the community wants. So, we look forward to looking at my statement and a discussion with the board members on this topic, and I hope we get to put on the agenda for the future. So, thank you for allowing me to speak. Superintendent Good evening everyone in the audience and everyone who is with us at home. Uh again, we continue with our fiscal stabilization plan as we explained last year to ensure the fiscal stability for the benefit of our students. We understand that we will be losing some staff. Please know that we identify our student population in August and

131we rehire based on the need. And that need is also by seniority. So, employees who receive letters regarding a reduction in force or a temporary contract, many of them return with us. They do return with us, but we must wait until the registration is complete, till everything rolls over, until we find out how many students we have with us. So, I just wanted to ensure that everybody understood that piece. That a lot of people who have received these letters will be coming back to work with us. And in regards to information that is provided to the board, I want to make it clear. I know board member Gonzalez did mention that the board receives information. They receive information from me every weekend. Between 15 and 20 pages. 12-in font, 1 and 1/2 spaces, and sometimes

132pictures included when things are around facilities and new projects in regards to maintenance and facilities or transportation. They receive information from every single department in the district. They receive any information that is forthcoming usually for a board meeting. The fiscal stabilization plans were offered to them December 16th of 2025. They had more than two months to review, to ask questions. And Mr. Acuña, thank you for creating option four. Mr. Acuña is the only board member who made a request. Otherwise, all the information was provided to every single board member with an open opportunity every week to ask questions. Every week they get this email from me with the attachments. They also get the weekly attendance for every employee group in the district, classified and certificated. They also get the attendance for students. How many are

133enrolled? How many attended on Monday? How many attended on Tuesday? How many attended on Wednesday? And so on. And they get the chronic absenteeism report every week since I have been here. And so, I want the audience to understand that they're receiving a lot of information. A lot of information. So, we want to make sure that you know that the information is out there and there's transparency from leadership to the board. I just wanted to make that clear. I want to highlight West Shores High School in receiving their WASC. We want to congratulate them. So, now they're on a a three-year journey again. And we we hope to see any improvements that the WASC committee has made to them. And we will support them with that to ensure that they are completely WASC accredited by

134that time. I wanted to inform that 28 students between Desert Mirage and Coachella Valley High School has successfully completed their CDE early childhood education associate's teacher degree. And so, that is something that has been working amazingly in this district. I want to highlight that our elementary schools are also recognized for their student growth and achievement, celebrating progress in areas such are their Lexile and Quantile, and their i-Ready growth. I also want to ensure that people understand that the students are participating in so many different activities, especially enriching field trips, STEM learning opportunities, and environmental projects including North Shore pollinator garden initiative. I would be remissed if I didn't thank Mr. Badai for his great work with Kid Win. I want to thank him for that and for creating our champions. Cindy Bradley, I also like

135to thank Cindy Bradley for supporting in our spelling bee. And our spelling bee champions who are with us tonight. Thank you, Cindy. I'd also like to thank our EXLP and our ELOP for hosting hundreds of students for the cultural events at Aziz Farms. It was great to watch students learning about all the different cultures around them. And again, CV High School girls soccer. Congratulations to CV High School girls soccer team who also made history today. They were standing on the Senate floor with Senator Cervantes, who is a CV alumna. They were also standing on the Senate floor with President pro tem of the California Senate, Monique Limón, who is the first Latina and the first mother to ever lead the California State Senate. Let's continue to create these champions. Thank you. All right. So, next

136we have two presentations. The first one is the over overview of summer school 2026. Oh, informational. Okay. So, then 7.2, the presentation on the fiscal year 2025 to 2026 second interim. Can you hear me now? There we go. Okay, good evening President Tortosa, members of the board, superintendent, cabinet, staff, community members. Tonight, I will be presenting the 25-26 second interim. The second interim report compares adopted budget, first interim, to second to second interim actuals through January 31st. The education code requires all school boards to present a second interim financial report to the Board of Trustees based on the district's updated approved stabilization plan. The district recommends a qualified certification for the second interim to support our continued implementation of ongoing fiscal stabilization plan. With a second qualified certification, the district will prepare a third interim

137to be presented to the board in May covering the financial period July through April 30th. By a second interim, the governor updated budget proposal includes revised cola projections for the current year and for the subsequent years out. The red arrows, I want to pay attention to the budget assumptions presented. The red arrows on the budget assumptions indicate areas in the projections where revenues have decreased due to reductions in cola, funding um average daily attendance also known as ADA, and allocations for mandated mandated block grant. Additionally, increases in the consumer price index have driven up the cost of goods and services, reducing the district's overall purchasing power. Conversely, the blue arrows reflected project decreases in the defined benefit contributions rates, STRS purse, which help reduce the district's liability and partially offset the increases in the other

138costs. Another factor reflected in our budget assumptions is the decline in average daily attendance. In recent months, the presence of immigration enforcement activity in the community has created uncertainty for some of our families, resulting in students remaining home. This decline in attendance directly impacts ADA funding and must be considered in the district's financial projections and planning. I would like to take a moment to explain why daily average attendance is so important to school districts across California is only one of six uh schools or states throughout the United States that primarily funds on ADA. The remaining states actually fund on enrollment. While district staff schools based on enrollment. Currently, approximately, our district at the beginning of the year had 15,421 students. Our funding is not generated from enrollment. It's actually funded from those that attend. So,

139we are funding, meaning that we are staffing, that we are preparing for 15,421 students. However, on average, our students are only here 90% of the time on any given day. The difference between enrollment and attendance creates a funding gap, placing our district, like many others across the state, in a financial disadvantage. One might ask how this relates to the Local Control Funding Formula, also known as LCFF. District staff schools, again, based on enrollment, but funding is generation generated from students who actually attend. While enrollment determines how we plan services as well, the district receives funding for those who show up to school. For Coachella Valley, this has been um an even deeper impact. Our district is incredibly diverse and rich in culture, and many of our students qualify for additional supports. Under LCFF, the district

140receives supplemental for forming funding, sorry, to provide those services to students with greater needs. However, just like base funding, those supplemental funds are generated through attendance. While students are not present, the district also loses the additional resources intended to support them. Additionally, the district experienced is experiencing declining enrollment, and it's been that way for several years. As enrollment decreases, the number of students generating funding also declines, which further reduces overall revenues. When combined with lower attendance rate, the impact compounds, creating additional fiscal pressures that the district must address through careful planning and responsible budget management. The funding table reflects the total changes in both restricted and unrestricted revenues, and the expenditures between first interim um and between first interim and second interim. The net increase shown is partially attributed to salary and benefit savings, resulting

141in positions that have been remained unfilled during the fiscal year. These vacancies have reduced overall expenditures, contributing to an improved financial position in the current year period. This pie chart represents the district's updated revenues projections, including both unrestricted and restricted funding sources. The district receives approximately 68% of its total revenue through local control funding formula, remain which is the primary source. So, again, if I think about how many students are attending, for each student that doesn't come to school, that is either impacted by um their community, impacted by activities within their community, or just choose not to show up, that amount decreases. 13.84% of revenue comes from the following categories: federal funding, local revenues, and other funding sources. The other revenue categories also reflects a one-time revenue enhancement approved as part of the fiscal stabilization

142back in 2024-2025 that is reflected in the current year. That 13-million in 2025-26 will not be there. The remaining approximately 17.33% of the revenue is derived from state funding sources including programs such as restricted lottery and other state categorical programs. Now, as in first interim, I had talked about how the federal funding for our title one with um could potentially be impacted. We know now that for the current year, it is holding steady and as well for the next year. However, for the two years out, we are still we still don't have any updated information, but as we do each of our interim reporting periods, that information will also be updated. The report that you see in front of you reflects only the general um the unrestricted general fund revenues and expenditures. Comparing to first

143interim and second interim changes, where overall increases in projected revenues during the period was also corresponding in expenditure, which is actually being offset by the increase in expenditures. Again, here's a pie chart that represents our unrestricted and restricted expenditures. Approximately 18% of the district budget is allocated to book supply services, while 82% expenditures are still invested in our staff. Every reporting period, we update those numbers. Again, multi-year projections are not predictions of the future. They are and they are not forecasts. They are projections based on decisions that have already been made, primarily at the state level that are reflected, and as well here, and they take us reasonable assumptions based on current information. The multi-year projection reflects both unrestricted and restricted revenues for the current and two subsequent years. As noted earlier in the presentation,

144at the governor's budget workshop in January, they were updated with with lower cola projections in the out years. These factors result in reduced revenue projections for the district in 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and what is not listed, which is 2028-2029. With the board's approved stabilization plan, the district will continue to address deficit spending and remain on a reasonable path toward long-term fiscal sus- uh stability. This chart represents the district's components of ending fund balance. These components are the district stabilization agreements, other commitments, and the required 3% mandated by state. A portion of the district's overall budget also includes other operating funds as listed. These funds are restricted for specific for purposes and are accounted for separately. As a result, they are not a part of the general fund um general operating fund and may only be used

145in accordance with the program or funding requirements associated with them. For our next steps, of course, we have our second interim that was presented here. And as I mentioned, as the board takes action to also um to approve a qualified budget, there will also be a third interim that would be presented in May. We are currently in the process of uh budget development. We have a number of deadlines that most of our departments are meeting right now in order to make sure that all of our expenditures come in on time. One of the other pieces that we're looking forward to is the May revise and this is where the the governor will update his projections from his January budget that was presented. You guys all each one of the board members had received that packet.

146It's a lot of packet of information. Um But again as I've stated before this is not a one-man show. I am not a one man. It takes my entire department and I rely heavily on them and I appreciate them so much. Any questions? Comments, questions? Nope. All right, thank Okay. to someone. Um You know, seeing our decline in enrollment, do we have a plan in that we're working on in in place to encourage, you know, students to attend our district. Do we have Is there anything that's going to be coming to us about that? Yes, so we are working with our educational services department. So one of the pieces that they're recognizing on our dashboard and addressing those students is the chronic absenteeism. Those are the first set of students that they're like targeting. The

147second piece that they're working on is also building the plan to do attendance recovery, not only through the Saturday school program, but also through our intersession, which is before after and after school. Thank you. Any other comments? Suggestions? I just want to make one comment. In my research I seen that um 8 years ago our enrollment was over 18,000, right? So your you know, your presentation shows just what, 13 15 to 13, somewhere in there, right? So, So, the 13 was actually the ADA. That means, and I always like to say butts and seats. Um those are actually the students that are showing up to our schools. So, um at the beginning of the year, we have a certification that's taken place, and that's like the first number that's used in our LCFF calculator, and

148that was 15,421 students. So, we're staffing and providing services based on that number. However, as we go through the course of the year, the second number that actually gets plugged into our calculator is the ADA, which is the students that are actually showing up. That date actually isn't until April 15th, and for us, it's the last learning period prior to that date, which is March 20th. So, right now, what you see in second interim is based off of the projections, um taking into account what our trend is in ADA. So, by the time that you receive the third interim, we'll already not only have the first certification, then we'll have the ADA certification that will be plugged in, and that'll give you a more accurate picture about what our funding would look like for that

149year. So, the sad thing is is that the state doesn't fund us pretty much until the end of the year, as we're already making all of these decisions, putting out all of our services, and then if they do come back and make any changes, then it really has um puts all school districts in a bind because then they have to like kind of re-maneuver everything to see how they can make that. Very good. Thank you. Yeah, um I I think going a little bit further from your your comment, um we you know, what we saw tonight from the with awards that we're getting, everything. I mean, there are so many wonderful things that aren't out there as they should be publicized that makes it uh much more uh but people will stay within the district.

150I hear so many people that they might start here and then escape to other districts. So, um there's just we need to get more publicity on the good stuff that's happening here and and scores and things like that. So, uh that we can not only get new students, but retain the ones that are with us. I agree with you, Trustee Calamanis. And our students are absolutely amazing. I'm astonished by the kid win from tonight and seeing all the engineering products, as well as our increased test scores that show up on our dashboard. I think that we're making amazing strides in this district. I have a question. Yes. Yeah, question or comment. Um so, going you know, asking about the absenteeism, um are there options that we can provide to students, um either You mentioned immigration

151being kind of a factor to students attending school. Are there options that we can provide them like either um you know, distance learning or um like independent studies or are there other strategies that we can do to kind of capture those students? >> So, back in um the time when COVID was around, we did have the option of a lot of distance learning. However, for a unified school district, those those have been retracted. So, well, actually for all districts, they've been retracted. And so, now we're back to the model where um as a district, you're only allowed so many, and then there has to be certain requirements in order for a student to actually qualify for them. Okay, thank you. Mhm. All right. Any comments? All right, thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

152Next is 8.1 action item. Uh requesting approval of an agreement with the Brick Foundation and altering hospit- hospitality LLC for the work-based learning program. So moved. Have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Second. Uh motion by Director Arredondo, second by Director Calimanis. Can we get the roll call? President Cortez. Yes. Vice President Garcia. I. Clerk Arredondo. I. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Calimanis. I. Trustee Gonzalez. I. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Eileen Cadena Garcia. >> I. Thank you. Uh it is unanimous, the motion carries. I action item 9.1, authorization to proceed with spring break projects at various sites and authorization to solicit bids and authorization to award contracts to lowest responsive uh responsible bidders. Motion. Motion by Director Gonzalez. I'll second. Second by Director Arredondo. Can we get the roll call? President Cortez. Yes. Vice President

153Garcia. I. Clerk Arredondo. I. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Calimanis. I. Trustee Gonzalez. I. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Eileen Cadena Garcia. I. It is unanimous, motion carries. 9.2, approval of the fiscal year 2025-2026 second interim report and multi-year projection. Motion. Motion by Director Gonzalez. Second. Second by uh Director Arredondo. Roll call. President Cortez. Yes. Vice President Garcia. Aye. Clerk Arredondo. Aye. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Galimanes. Aye. Trustee Gonzales. Aye. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Eileen Codia Garcia. Aye. Majority vote. Rule, the motion is carried. 9.3 authorization of contract with Eadie Bailey LLP to conduct forensic accounting consultant service. Motion. Motion by Director Gonzales. I'll second. Second by Director Arredondo. We'd roll call. President Cortez. Yes. Vice President Garcia. Aye. Clerk Arredondo. Aye. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Galimanes. Aye. Trustee Gonzales. Aye. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Eileen Codia

154Garcia. Aye. Vote is unanimous. Motion carries. Uh next is the consent calendar. Um approval of the consent calendar uh with respect to any items being pulled. Uh I think we need to pull 1.4, 12.17, and 12.21. I motion to approve the consent calendar respecting Okay, motion by Director Gonzales. Wait, um I'll second, but I don't Yeah, the items pulled are 1.4, 12.17, and 12.21. I'll second. Are those the ones that were Yes. Okay, thank you. So, second, did you second it? Yeah, go ahead. Well, I I've I've already said that I second, so Oh, you want to you want to pull? Okay. You're okay with your motion, Trustee Gonzalez? I said I my motion is respecting And you're Yeah, 12.30, 14.1, and 14.2. Director Arredondo, you second? Vote. Yes, sir. Okay. And Okay. Okay. Roll

155call. President Torres. Yes. Vice President Garcia. Aye. Trustee Clerk Arredondo. Aye. Trustee Acuña. Aye. Trustee Calimanes. Aye. Trustee Gonzalez. Aye. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Eileen Cadio Garcia. Aye. Vote is unanimous, and the motion carries. All right. So, the items are pulled for next time, or are they going to be reviewed right now? We're going to We're discussing them now. So, 1.4 11 What is it? 11.1? 11.1? 1.4. Yeah. Yeah, no, the uh approval of the agenda. The very beginning. Okay, so 12.17. E L X E X L P L O uh up coming tangible experience programming summer school 2026. Yeah, it's the way the way that I wrote them, yeah. Yeah. Um which one? 1217 We're going to bring that at a later time with um the we're going to take a look at

156the invoicing. Yes, I am. Okay. And then we will go back to 11.1. It just you click on view minutes. Yeah. Should I bring my laptop? Yeah, absolutely. It's the public one. Yeah, regular board meetings February 12th and March 5th. Oh, you're right. You're right. Yeah. Joey's right. It's not on the public agenda. >> All right. So, you want to make a motion to just table it? Okay, we just pull it then. Put the consent >> It's not. It's not. You're right. You're right. Yeah. All right, we can pull it if there's no objection. Then uh 12.21. 11.1? Oh, the next one 12 12.9 Okay, yeah. 12.21 I am pulling it. 12.21. Guro? You're pulling it? Okay. Uh 12.30. 12.30, right. I I understood it uh that it was an annual fee for the same

157curriculum. Can we get clarification? So, we'll get clarification here. >> We table this item? And and this is for consumables. Um Cindy Bradley and Lydia and Karina can go ahead and explain that. It is Yes, we we rechecked the the quote from last year. It was not a 3-year quote. It was a 1-year quote. So, then we did use it during summer school. So, we only are purchasing the renewable consumables for this summer school. I would follow What did we vote on here? We can use No, go ahead. So, the The textbooks are multiple years, but we are trying to purchase the consumables. The ones that the students write in. The The textbooks we own now, but the consumables, if we use them, we have to buy more. And when we talked to the company,

158I specifically requested that it's only for the amount of students that we were going to have for summer school. So, we can only use it for summer school. Vote. I motion to approve staff's recommendation. I'll second. Motion by uh Director Gonzalez, second by Director Arredondo. Do a roll call. on 12.30. Roll call. President Cortez. Yes. Vice President Garcia. I. Clerk Arredondo. I. Trustee Acuña. Trustee Calimanes. I. Trustee Gonzalez. Yes. Trustee Vargas. Yes. Student Trustee Elena. I. Majority rules that motion carries. And next we have 14.1 and 14.2. >> Uh, in this particular one, they decided not to use any one to put it up in the general ledger. So, the opportunity to have them ask the question is more than all eight. They're all added in one, so separate section for late turn-ins or anything

159else. So, if you know, they're telling me here we don't want to do it anymore or whatever it is. In that particular case, I can't help but make too many of them people individuals and this is all against them. Okay. One clarification. I motion to approve staff's recommendation. I'll second. Motion by Director Gonzales. >> Can I make a comment? Seconded by Director Aidando. Discussion? Uh, um, I think So, my I think kind of what Trustee Acuña is bringing up, you know, I I think it is important to identify and make sure that we're looking at why these things Because the lates were getting too lo- too many, we have communicated with all principals we will be not accepting any late. They will be pushed to the next board meeting and we started with this one.

160Making people accountable to turn in their stuff on time. Yeah, I think that's Thank you so much for that. I think, yeah, it's it's hard to make decisions around our budget when we're turning things in late. Uh, when, you know, maybe there's work that's being done without having the prior approvals. I think it it is important that we're addressing those issues. But, thank you. Thank you. Any more discussion? Uh, just a quick point. These are items that that have services that have already been rendered that are needed and it's just late filing. I don't know how it affects our budget. We have to pay the bill. The equation The services that are being provided suddenly we say So, those are the services that are being paid for. That could easily be extra services that are

161not supposed to start. Unless it's very occasional that has some >> Can I ask which one you are looking at that that is before? That is correct unless there's an emergency situation. All right. Do we have a motion and a second? Can we get the roll call if there's no more discussion? Roll call. >> President Cortez. >> Yes. Vice President Garcia. I. Clerk Arredondo. I. Trustee Acuña. No. Trustee Calimanis. I. Trustee Gonzalez. I. Trustee Vargas. >> Yes. Student Trustee Eileen. I. Majority rules, motion carries. I think that's all the items that we pulled, right? All right. Motion to adjourn, Director Gonzalez. I'll second. Second, Director Arredondo. All those in favor. I. Opposed. Abstain. And the time is What time is it? Meeting will adjourn at 10:20. Thank you, everyone.