001Okay, good evening everybody. Uh we're going to go ahead and get started um our regular board meeting um for December 11, 2025. Uh we're going to start off with the pledge of allegiance. Uh Trusty Ramirez, would you lead us in the pledge? Okay. Uh, moving on to roll call. If we could um have a roll call, please. >> President Jocelyn Vargas, >> here. >> Vice President Tomas Cortez >> here. >> Clerk Valerie Garcia, >> present. >> Trustee Joey Akuna. Trusty Trinidad Ardondo >> present. >> Trustee Elena Calimmanes >> present. >> Trustee Jesus Gonzalez >> here. [snorts and clears throat] >> Superintendent Dr. Francis Esparza >> present. >> Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Dr. Makawitz >> present. >> Assistant Superintendent Educational Services Soros Sanchez. >> Assistant Superintendent Business Services Julie Vigil. >> Present. >> Student Trustee Juan
002Ramirez from La Familia. Okay. Uh, thank you for that. We're going to move on to uh recognition for California dashboard performance. So, we have stuff Good evening board trustees, all of our schools in the audience, our staff, our parents, and our students who are with us as well as our student trustee. I'm Dr. Sparza. I am extremely proud to be able to provide information tonight and recognize the schools from CV USD that have been highlighted for their exceptional work especially on state dashboard. Tonight we are going to recognize several schools starting with Coachella Valley High School. We recognize Coachella Valley High School for earning blue status with a 5% increase in graduation rate. [applause] Las Palmas. Las Palmas is being recognized for achieving a 20% increase in English learner progress. [applause] >> [applause] >> Kawia
003Desert Academy also earned blue status with 20% increase in English learner progress. [applause] Saul Martinez for its exceptional increase of 16.8% 8% in English learner progress. [applause] Via del Soul also achieving 13.1% in English learner progress and zero suspension rate. [applause] Mountain Vista has been recognized for its 13% increase as well in English learner pro uh progress and a 0.3% decrease in suspension rate. These are our [applause] our schools who have achieved at the blue status one of the highest status on our dashboard. Now we will be calling the schools and recognizing those schools for their status in green. Please stay. Kawia Desert Academy this time earning green with a 4.3 point increase in science. [applause] Cesar Chavez is being honored for a 3% decrease in suspension rate. [applause] Coachella Valley High School earned green
004with 0.3% decrease in suspension, a 9.3% increase in English learner pro progress, and a 7.3 increase in college and career readiness. [applause] Coal Mountain Academy earned green with a 0.2 maintained suspension rate. [applause] Desert Mirage High School is being recognized for its 3.2% increase in graduation rate and a 10.4% increase in college and career readiness. [applause] Mecca Elementary School earned green with an impressive 11.2 increase in English learner progress. [applause] Oasis is being recognized tonight for a 1.9% decrease in suspension rate and a 2.4% increase in English learner progress. [applause] Palm View earned green with a 0.6% decrease in their suspension rate this year. [applause] Peter Pendleton stands out with a 20.1% point increase in math and a 5.3% increase in science. [applause] S View is being recognized tonight for its 3.3% decrease in suspension
005rate. [applause] Towel Canyon Middle School is honored for a 2.8% decrease in suspension rate. [applause] West Shores has earned green in six with a 6.1 increase in graduation rate and an 8.3% increase in college and career readiness. This is West Shores High School. [applause] Westite closes out our green recognitions with an 18.2% increase in English learner progress. [applause] Okay, we're going to organize all of our recognized schools which are most of them for their increase and their drive to do such great work for our students and our staff. Uh our administrators and we have a few students here. Thank you for bringing those students uh are taking this recognition. Our administrators are being recognized. However, the hard work, not that I am, you know, not giving the administrators that recognition, but it's our teachers, it's
006our staff, and it's our students and our families that continue to move this district forward. And so at this point in time, board members, if you could please come and take a photo with these uh awesome recognes that have received uh high higher than average status on our California dashboard. [applause] Okay, everyone. >> Come on. Come on. Hurry. Um before we everyone's excited uh before we move on to 3.1 Does anybody have a want to share some words or comments? I'm like before no one. >> Yeah. Uh trusty Adam. [clears throat] >> Congratulations to all the schools that are here and to all our to our district. I mean some of the some of the great gains that were made this year. Uh thank you to all our staff and our teachers and everyone who
007supported our students to make this happen. Thank you. >> Everyone's still >> President Vargas. I'd like to uh commend uh our cabinet, right? Um I don't believe um we have a lot of different schools. We're a big geographical area and I think the consequences of good leadership um was well exemplified in the work that's being done, not based on what we say is happening, but on metrics, right? And so makes me feel good that Dr. Sparsa and your leadership, the work that you're doing, the cabinet, that we're moving this district in the right direction. And it's heartwarming because our our children deserve more and more. >> Any other board member? Trustee uh Clerk Garcia. Um that was a beautiful display, but that was still such a fraction of all the work and effort that it
008takes for our improvements to happen. Um everything to move forward, right? um all of the staff, our community behind all of this work, this beautiful work that we're seeing in our students. Um their success that all happens in conjunction with each other, right? So, um, beautiful to see the leaders, um, but there's a lot of staff behind every single one of those leaders. And then the students, you know, our our community backing our schools and making sure that they're prepared and then we're taking them and preparing them um, alongside. This all works together. So, that's beautiful and I'm glad that we're hearing something very, very positive right here at the end of the year. Um, I know it's been a mixed bag, but um, this should be front and center. Our student success, that is
009why we're here. That's why we're doing all that we're doing. So, that was that was beautiful. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> No. >> Um, yeah, I share the same um, thoughts. I mean, it's great to see the great gains that we saw um, and we hope to just be able to continue that the coming years. Um okay, moving on to 3.1 election uh governing board officers election for 2026 governing board year. Um so we're going to go ahead and start with the election of the president. Um so as you know it's a part of our organizational meeting. Um we are going to be electing our new president, vice president, and clerk. Um so we can start with president. We have a motion. >> I'd like to um nominate Mr. Thomas Tortois as president. >>
010Okay. Uh, do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Do you want to any comments, questions? Do we want a roll call? Uh, please. >> Uh, roll call, please. >> President Vargas. >> Yes. Tomas Tortez >> abstain. >> Clerk Valerie Garcia. >> You want to vote? You want to vote? >> I hope you vote for yourself. >> Yes, I [laughter] >> clerk Valerie Garcia. >> I >> board trustee Joey Akuna. >> Hi. >> Board trustee Aradondo. >> I. >> Board trustee Alena Khalimanes. >> I. >> Board trustee Jesus Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Okay. Do we? >> Congratulations. [applause] All right. Um, election of vice president. Um, do we have a motion? >> Um, madame president, I'd like to nominate Valerie Garcia. >> Okay. Uh, do we have a second? >> I'll second. Uh,
011can we roll call? President >> I >> Vice President >> Yes. >> Valerie Garcia >> I >> board trustee Joey Akuna. >> No. >> Board trustee Ardondo. >> I. >> Board trustee Alena Kalimanes. >> I. >> Board trustee Jesus Gonzalez. >> No. >> Okay. Uh motion passes. Um so yep. [applause] Okay. And the last um election uh of the clerk. So um do we have a motion? >> I'd like to nominate Mr. Trinondo. >> Okay. Uh do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. So second uh trusty Garcia. Um do we can we do roll call? >> Yes. >> President Cortez. >> Yes. Clerk Garcia. >> Yes. >> Board trustee Akuna. >> Board Trustee Ardondo. >> I. >> Board Trustee Calimmanes. >> I. >> Board Trustee Gonzalez. >> I. >> Okay. So motion passes.
012[applause] Okay. Um so I'll just go ahead and close this um go to close uh public sess uh close session public comment and when we come back we'll go ahead and uh make the changes. Okay. Um, so we're going to go ahead and move on to um 4.1 close session public comments. Do we have any close session public comments? Doesn't look like we have any. So can I 4.2 can I get a motion to enter into close session? >> So move second. >> Okay. Um, Trustee Ramirez. Okay. Uh, all those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Um, we'll be back from close session at uh 700 p.m. Thank you. >> Yeah, we can admin. >> All right, we did the motion to return to open session. Motion by Trusty Gonzalez. Do we have a second?
013>> Second. >> We have a second. >> Second by Trusty Ardano. Uh can we get the roll call vote? >> Motion back into session. >> Yes. The roll call vote for return to open session was Trusty Vargas. I Well, it was unanimous. >> Okay. After that, then we're on to um uh announcing the actions that were taken in close session. >> All right. The board took action during close session to appoint Leila Jones as director of purchasing and warehouse at Coachella Unified School District effective December 12th, 2025. on this 11th day of December 2025. [applause] Congratulations. Motion was made by Trustee uh Gonz Gonzalez, seconded by Trustee Vargas. Motion was unanimous. All right, our next one. The board took action during close session to appoint Marco Page as coordinator of English learner and long-term English
014learner programs at Kachala Valley Unified School District effective December 12th, 2025 on this 11th day of December, 2025. [applause] Congratulations. The votes were as follows. Um, Trustee Vargas I. Trustee Garcia, nay. Trustee Gonzalez, I. Trustee Akuna, I. Trustee Arredondo, I. Trustee Tutotor I. And trustee Galmanis I. Motion made by uh Trustee Gonzalez, seconded by Trustee Vargas. Motion carried 610. board took action during close session regarding expulsion case reinstatement case number 2023 uh excuse me 23/24-016 with the Coachella Valley Unified School District effective this 11th day of December 2025. Motion was made by trustee Gonzalez, seconded by trustee Galimmanes, and motion was unanimous. Finally, the board took action during close session regarding expulsion case reinstatement case number 23/24-015 with a Kachala Valley Unified School District effective this 11th day of December 2025. Motion was made by
015trustee Gonzalez, seconded by trustee Aradondo and motion carried unanimously. >> That completes my report. >> Very good. Thank you. Next we have uh item 5.3. Approval of the agenda as submitted. I have two. >> Sure. So noted. I also have a request to add on the agenda. Um request for hearing. >> Huh. And it was submitted, I believe, online to add onto the agenda December 11th to present a hearing health equity grant opportunity. Okay. So, we'll have to strike that for the the next meeting. Any other changes? I'd like to entertain a motion. Second >> motion made by trustee Gonzalez, second by trustee Aridondo. And we get the roll call vo. >> Yes. >> Can we get a roll call vote? >> President Tortez. >> Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. Clerk Ardondo. >>
016I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> C. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> I student trustee. >> Trusty Ramirez. Student trustee Ramirez. I >> So the motion carries unanimous. All right. So we'll move 10.6. Further the vote. We have action item 10.6 uh by Julie Vigil. Approval of the alignment of trustee compensation with assembly assembly bill 1390. consideration and adoption of resolution 2026-23. Is there a motion and a second? >> Motion by Trusty Gonzalez. >> Second by Trusty Akuna. >> Oh, I didn't see realized he left to the next. >> Yeah. >> That is that okay with your motion? >> Yes, absolutely. Okay. So, uh, next item is going to be the public comments. Okay. So, so the board notification for public comments, introductory comments and request to address the board on items that
017are uh on adopted agenda and not items uh not on the adopted agenda will be considered from the audience at this time. Uh so those who have completed this request to adjust the governing board and hand it to secretary. These speakers will be limited to three minutes per person with a maximum of 20 minutes to each subject matter and each person uh making the request should state his or her name and the organization they're representing. Please be advised that the board is not always at liberty to answer the questions right away. Say law prohibits the board from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda. So, first we have Loretta Paris. As I sat here for the couple of hours waiting for you guys, I realized that I could breathe in and breathe
018out. My name is Loretta Perez. I am a mother at John Kelly Elementary School. Unfortunately, that's not the same that's happening across the street. Our children were exposed to mold and they're apparently being exposed to asbestous as well. On November 17th, there was a call to the to the uh custodial staff to clean up water damage, dust, all that on our ch our children's um items. As that was ignored, teachers and staff had to clean it themselves. Nothing was done to watch what was happening in that classroom until the 19th of November. And our children were left in that moldinfested spot until the 21st when the lawyer was telling you guys to have them moved. Unfortunately, our children with autism are being placed in these portables that are literally ridden with mold. They get flooded
019every time there is rain, there is dirt that just comes right in and everyone knows about it at that school and at the district because it's been brought it's been brought to you guys your guys' attention multiple times. I am very very upset. The only reason that anything got done was because a lawyer had to get involved. And that's horrible. And because of newscasters and TikTok just for you guys to listen to us, for you guys to actually make a news release statement. Parents are made are made to have to sign a confidentiality agreement just to have a mold be told to them that their child was breathing in for days for staff members to actually know what they've been breathing in. You're making them sign a confidentiality agreement. What is What are you hiding?
020We're tired of it. We're sick of being secondass citizens. We are sick of our children having to sit in cafeterias that are can be infested with asbestous and they haven't been tested because apparently someone got let go. That drama is ridiculous. We need to start taking care of these children. I would love to see each and every one of you take one of those classrooms as your offices. I would love to watch you sit there for weeks and months and years and watch it just like your staff has to do, just like your students have to do. I am sick of watching you guys literally, this is a millions and millions of dollars you spend on this place when that when those classrooms across the street are run down and they are literally falling apart.
021Do something about it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Dolce Kinera. >> Good [clears throat] evening. Good evening everyone. My name is Dulce Castaneda with Kenan. We are the insurance administrators for the district. On behalf of the board of directors for the statewide educational wrap-up program, thank you. to Coachella Valley Unified School District for allowing this brief presentation. The district has utilized the statewide educational wrap-up program for the Northshore Elementary School construction project. The statewide educational wrap-up program is a comprehensive owner controlled insurance program designed specifically for school construction projects. Since the start of this $43 million project, safety was always a priority. The strong safety efforts resulted in outstanding safety performance by the district and Pro West constructors. This project will experience no workers compensation, no general liability, and no builder's risk
022claims. On behalf of the board of directors for the statewide educational wrap-up program, I am proud to present the safety award plaque to Coachella Valley School District and Pro West constructors. Thank you so much [applause] for West. Thank you for your help and assistance with this construction project. This is for you and your team. We look forward to working with you soon. >> Well, thank you very much. It's very much appreciated. Great to be part of this project and uh it's a great school. It's fantastic school parents are loving it and I just wanted to thank for their partnership in this project and also want to thank Natisha and her staff. They were great. They were fantastic and she did a great job and she's very much part of the success. Thank you very much.
023>> Thank you. [applause] >> Congratulations. >> This is for you on behalf of the district. Thank you for your assistance and guidance with this project. >> We look forward to working with you soon. [applause] >> [cough and clears throat] >> Thank you. Next we have Karen Torres. much papas. Gracias. Thank you. Next we have Theodore R. Leonard Jr. Good evening everyone. Uh my name is [clears throat] Theodore Leonard. I I'm representing Palm View Elementary. Um I'm just wondering how long is it going to take to bring Miss Esparonza back. Um she's truly helped every parent that's came in there. A lot of them came in there lost. You know, they don't know where to start. She has, you know, got me from being a volunteer to actually working for the school district. And this is
024what we're missing. we're missing out on all of the help. Parents come in there, they don't even know where to start, they don't know who to go to. Um, you know, our first day was just crazy. And I'm just wondering, you know, we came here a couple of times and I'm just wondering how long is it going to take, you know, for us to get our parent liaison back in the school? How long is it going to take to get Miss Espironza back in here? Because a lot of the parents don't know. A lot of the kids are allergic to some of the food. um they're they're told to go online and look for the menu. A lot of them a lot of parents do not know how to go on there. A lot of
025the grandparents don't know how to go on there. So, it's like, you know, Miss Espironza would print out the menu so that a lot of the parents can say, "Look, my child cannot eat none of this. They're allergic." You know, that's the stuff we need to know. And and the last thing we want is for any child to eat something that they're allergic to and then that's it. You know, they're they're being told, "Hey, go online and look." And a lot of them do not know how to use a computer. They do not know how to go online. And I'm just speaking facts. They don't know how to do that stuff. So, thank you for hearing me. Thank you. Next, we have Billy Franco. >> So, I had two comments. Um, which one was it
026for? Uh this one is board member Rudes. >> Okay. >> Uh good evening, President Tortez, CVUSD board trustees, Dr. Espars, and extended uh cabinet members. My name is Billy Franco. I'm up here speaking as a CVUSD stakeholder. Uh I want to address some of the remarks that were made by Trusty Gonzalez at the last CVUSD governing board meeting. Trusty Gonzalez had had densely misunderstood the reason of why I was speaking that night. Either he chose to not pay attention to what was being said or he honestly did not hear that I was speaking not as an employee or union representative. I was asked by a parent to speak on her behalf because she wanted to speak to the board but was not able to stay past close session. The words I spoke were not my
027words. At no point did I say I was speaking as a union representative. I was speaking as a community member. I appreciate his comments about wanting to the district to work on a plan to bring back positions, but instead of but instead of creating hostile comments and accusations, he may want to really understand what is going on. I am not a member of the CSEA negotiations team, so I'm not privy to what is said in those discussions. If he wants to state information that is discussed in those close conversations, he needs to make sure he has the correct information and is not picking and choosing what he wants to hear and what he wants to say in order to lash out and attack any students, staff, and or community members who are who comes up
028to speak to the board as this is their right as stakeholders for the Coachella Valley Unified School District. This seems to be a consistent trend for him. We need to remember that the only reason any of us are here is to do what is best for our students. They are the only priority we have and we need to do everything in our power to give them everything they deserve and more from this district. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then you we had you also for item number 7.2. >> 7.2. Okay. So for that one, I just kind of wanted to talk about the um the appointments to the different committees. Um, I was here last year when uh you guys were doing the appointments and uh you guys are saying who wants to be
029on this committee, who wants to be on that committee and doing all that stuff. Great, grand, awesome. But if you're going to be assigned to a committee, actually dedicate yourself to the committee you are being put on. Um I was uh in the circulum committee and uh we had the two board members that were supposed to show up. None they didn't show up at all. There was no board member presence for the curriculum for last school year. Why? I don't know. And um a lot of the stuff that had gone through um different programs, different curriculum that was uh brought in uh whether it was uh core curriculum or supplemental curriculum, it just kind of went under the radar because our board members were not there to be a part of the the committee that
030they were appointed to. So if you're going to be put onto a committee, actually do your job and be a part of that committee and be respectful of the other people that are on that committee as well. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have uh Veronica Dwenz 10.6. >> Good evening board members. Veronica Dunes CSA Chief Union Stewart here representing classified union 10.6 approval of trustee compensation assembly bill 1390 $2,000 each meeting. That's twice. That's two thou a thousand one a thousand other 2,000 right here we are in a budget crisis per this assembly I'm going to say this I wouldn't have no problem with this as long as each and every one of you board members are committed to do what you're supposed to do and act the way you're supposed to per the
031Brown Act That is what this bill is for. I read up on it. I saw what it is. I saw the legislation on it. Yeah, you guys are paid wrongly. I agree. But again, there are guidelines that have to be followed that do not get followed. Do you deserve this money? Ask yourselves that because if you're not out there to present yourself to this community or listen to the parents and leadership and stakeholders that come up here then why do you deserve this money? Just the same way I'm going to say it. You guys come after staff that oh why are we paying them the same way we say it too? Are you doing your duties? I'm going to tell you for a fact right now. half of you do not do it. And if
032the other half do it, good. Then you deserve it. But if not, then get yourselves out there. Be seen. Do your job as board members because you need to be held accountable to and you will hear my next comments as to why. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then your next one was 7.2. appointment for board representation and various meetings committees. Mr. Tortois, you are now the president of this board and Miss Garcia, you now are now the vice president of this board. So, my comments are now going to go to you two as representatives of these people that are up here that were duly elected by everybody else out here. Hold your people accountable. Watch what they're doing. stop them from attacking people that are trying to get their word out in a meeting.
033That is unfair that I can go into a committee meeting and I can be shut up as a person that is trying to talk and give their input on something that I believe in and to be told to stay quiet. I am disgusted what happened in the facilities committee meeting today, Mr. Gonzalez, because it wasn't just me that was shut up. It was other community members. How dare a representative of this board humiliate, degrade? Cuz that is what happened today. How unfair is that? Don't you ever shut somebody up who is trying to do and ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING better in this district cuz how dare you do that? There was people that WORK FOR THIS DISTRICT, NOT including myself, that were trying to make a statement ABOUT WHAT WAS ON YOUR AGENDA. GUESS WHAT? I
034LOOKED IT UP. THAT IS A BROWN ACT violation because you stopped them from being able to voice their opinion. As a president, Mr. Tortois and vice president, you need to look into this on this facility committee that was executed today. At the time it was 354. I want answers to this because if it was a Brown Act violation, I want something done or I will do it myself. Because again, as a community member and leadership, we all have the right to speak and not be told, "Do you have a political agenda?" POLITICS has nothing to do with these committees and this board. I don't care what anybody says, but to be said in public comment that way for a public uh agenda, talk to the people on that committee. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank
035you. And then the next item you had was board member Rudeness. [music] >> Again, good evening, Board Member Rudeness. Exactly. Again, I come to you too as the leadership of this board. How can a board member sit on a committee and be as rude as they are? I want you to look into the facilities board me agenda board meeting that took place 12125 at 3:30 because just as my coworker here has expressed in his public comments of how this board member Mr. Jesus Gonzalez has time and time again has been rude has said the comments that they have said you because that is what I looked up on this also. You are supposed to hold the standard to not violate the Brown Act. You do have to conduct yourself but also be able to give
036the platform and the forum to the community to be able to speak. What happened in that meeting today has no excuse whatsoever because we were talking about what was on the agenda. Now, I didn't get even a chance to finish what I was going to say on that because he stopped me and told me, "If you don't have what YOU'RE GOING TO SAY OR SOMETHING, IT WAS ABOUT THE THE blue safe zone, the blue walking zone." And for him to tell me to be quiet. This is unacceptable. Unacceptable. because he represents all of you. The same way all of you represent him because YOU ARE THE BOARD OF ED THE BOARD HERE FOR CVUSD. Everybody comes to you guys for the guidance, for the leadership and that for him to tell other people that it
037was politically I don't even know what the heck he was thinking. There is nothing ABOUT POLITICS. IF HE HAS A POLITICAL AGENDA, THAT'S HIS PROBLEM. We don't care about the politics. We care about our kids. It was about mold. It was about the water testing. That's what was on this agenda. And that's what they were trying to talk to. I put this on you because you are now the elected president and you are now the elected VP and maybe things need to change here. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then you had uh one more the busology. >> Busology again I would like to know is the system really working on the buses because I know it's not. We are paying for a system that is not fully functional. It's not being used. We are
038now in December and we are still here waiting for it. That's all that I have to add. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then we these are the online, right? One more. I don't have it. Oh, it's coming. And then we have at least half a dozen online. Okay, we have one from Timothy. Uh, if I say this wrong, I'm sorry. Hernandez. [clears throat] >> Hello. Uh, members of the board, members of the community present. Um, I would like to speak on behalf of the motor mediation that's ongoing at John Kelly Elementary School. >> Can you speak closer to the mic? >> Can you raise the volume? Okay, go ahead. I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> I would like to address any concerns um raised by the staff, parents, and the community. Um I would like
039to state that [clears throat] once uh a concern is raised by whether it be a staff member, whether it be the community uh for mold, we do take all steps and necessary precautions to make sure that the students number one are safe and that the situation is handled um in accordance with any district policy, any state, local, federal, government agencies. So once mold is identified we do take all the first step would be remediation. So in order to remediate we'd have to safely abdate the areas. So once this testing is once uh [clears throat] once an area is identified that it may possibly have mode then we conduct what's called an initial assessment. Once that's conducting testing is called out. Once we receive those results then we make the next step which is abatement. Before
040we can safely abate the area, we have to do what's called asbestos and lead testing. So before we can remove any contaminants of that area, it has to get tested for asbestos and lead. Once we receive the negative results, then we remove then we advance with the abatement process. Once that abatement is completed, we'll [clears throat] call out for additional testing. This will tell us that these areas have been safely abaded and any contaminants what that are identified have been safely removed and we can now start the reconstruction. Currently at John Kelly Elementary, that's where we're at in this step. The abatement process is ongoing at this moment. Once we receive the results that this area has been safely cleared, we will begin the reconstruction of these areas. I also have with me um Amela
041Nino. she can speak to more about um any potential uh NDAs that need to be signed or of that nature. >> Good evening, President Torres, members of the board, and Dr. Esparza. My name is Amelia Nino. I'm the director of risk management. I'd like to provide clarification regarding the limited containment assessment report from John Kelly Elementary School and the process that was used to allow staff and parents to review the full document. The district created a confidentiality acknowledgement sign-in sheet for everybody wishing to view the report. I want to make clear that this is not a non-disclosure agreement. It is not restricting anyone from discussing their own concerns and it does not prevent anyone from requesting a report through the California Public Records Act. The purpose of the acknowledgement is simply to ensure the report
042is handled responsibly. The document contains technical environmental and bio microbiological data that can be easily misinterpreted without proper content. To protect the accuracy of information being shared, the report must be reviewed on site, supervised, and without copies or photos being taken. The approach is standard riskmanagement practice when handling environmental health reports that include scientific findings, sightspecific sampling information, and raw laboratory data. It ensures that anyone who reviews a document does so in a structured and consistent manner. The process does not limit transparency. The report can be requested through the public records act and the district will respond to any such request. Our goal is to provide accurate information, maintain responsible handling of sensitive environmental documentation and ensure that staff, parents, and community members receive clear factual findings of the information. Does anybody have any questions
043for me? Comments, questions from the board. >> So, this issue has been taken care of. Correct, Miss Nino. >> As far as >> it's in the process of being taken care of and making sure that everybody's safe. >> Yes, we Yes, correct. That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Do I take a dollar? This came up as soon as we finding publicly with uh uh reporting a three-year reporting standard, right? which is standard. Obviously, if if we're doing any kind of demo or construction, we have to follow certain protocols to make sure and to ensure that anything that might be moved that or unstabilized that we follow protocol to make sure that we have professionals handling the subject. Right. >> That is correct. >> We we are in a situation, we do have a school
044district where schools are over 100 years old. >> Um and it's the unfortunate reality. The building methods back then were very different than they are today. Right. insulative materials. It was standard that they use asbestous. The other issue that came up was a question of water. U the CBUSD is not a a water authority. We don't have our own water district. As a matter of fact, none of our schools are on groundwater. We we depend on the services of the Coachella Valley County Water District. They are a water agency that is recognized across this country as being one of the best in potable water. And so when people start creating these scare tactics of of questioning the water quality and questioning mold and questioning asbestous, to me, I accept that as as almost terrorizing our
045community because we shouldn't have questions about water quality at this day and age in our community. And so that was my point. If somebody has questions about our water quality, they need to address them with the Coachella Valley Water District, which is our water authority that provides most of our uh water to our school districts with the exception of Coachella. Coachella has its own water authority. Again, they also have mitigation, they have standards, compliance, testing that goes on every day, right? So, I want to make sure that the community knows that the water our children are drinking is is safe and good to drink, right? I also want to know I want the community to know that if we have a problem with mold, which happens in in the natural world, it happens in homes,
046it happens in commercial buildings, it happens in schools, that we're going to be experts about it from the perspective that we're going to follow protocol and procedure, right? Uh is there has there ever been mold in our school? Absolutely. But we have a responsibility to follow a method. First of all, removing the children. I'm not an expert in this area, but I know you have to remove the children, put them in a safe environment till testing can happen. So, just I want the community to know and rest assure that that we follow protocol and procedure. Our our drinking water is safe to drink. Um, we don't have asbestous uh in in in uh in situations that are exposing our children to things that will have a causal effect of some type of any type of
047a pulmonary problem. Um, the question of the mold, we're we're on it and we're following protocol as you guys have have clearly demonstrated. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mr. Choris. >> Excuse me. Is he commenting on public comment? This is um yes, >> it's public comment. So why would a board member be comment commenting on a public comment? >> Well, >> he's not even supposed to be speaking. according to the policy that the president can increase or decrease the time of the public comment period which I've done for you when you were speaking and also allow the board members but it's supposed to be a it you're right it is supposed to be a a quick statement and not a full rebuttal to that >> so very good >> all right any other comments from
048the board >> all right thank you >> thank you >> all right so we'll go back to what was approved on agenda 10.6 and we had a motion. >> Uh my motion carries >> by Trusty uh Gonzalez and second, >> second by Trusty Okuna. >> All right. Um can we get a second? >> Yeah. 10.6. >> 10.6. >> Yeah. Can we get the roll call vote? Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, [clears throat] >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> no. >> Clerk, >> Ardondo, >> yes. >> Trustee Akuna, >> hi. >> Trustee Galimmanes, >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trusty Vargas. >> No. >> Student trustee Juan Ramirez. Hi. Motion passes. Thank you very much. On to uh next item on the agenda. Uh 7.1. Approval of the
049proposed governing board meetings day, time, and location for calendar year 2026. >> Is there a motion? >> So move. >> Motion by Cy Gonzalez. Second. >> Second by Trustee Arando. Can we [clears throat] get the roll call? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> yes. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> yes. >> Trustee Akuna, >> hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes, >> yes. >> Trustee Gonzalez, >> hi. >> Trust Trustee Vargas. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimous. Oh, did we get okay? All right. Next item is 7.2. Appointment of board representatives to the various committees. We get a motion. >> Are we going to We'll have to relook at the committees. Right. I think be reappointed. >> I motion I motion. >> I'll second the motion. >> Motion by Trustee um Garcia and seconded by Trustee
050Gonzalez. Can we get the roll call vote? >> Um, >> so do we get >> 10.2? >> I thought we were keeping it as it was. >> I think with the change of the positions, there are some committees that have to reassign specific people. No. So, we discussed >> you want to resign. >> Keep it the way it is. >> Yes. So it would be status quo >> and that would be the motion. But if you want to change it then we can do that now. Yes. And we know that one's incorrect. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other discussion? So, we're just changing the So, president takes on the president committees and vice president takes on >> Yeah. Okay. >> I I would just like to make sure I'd like to stay on the
051budget committee. I know that the So, I mean, if it's if it's staying the same, then I'm okay with that. >> Okay. >> Folks are okay with that. >> All right. Then, can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> yes. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> yes. Trustee Akuna. >> Trustee Khalim Manes >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trusty Vargas. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Ramirez. >> Very good. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you. Uh second is um >> Yes. >> Julie noted. Yes. >> All right. Item 7.3, approval of the certification of authorized signatures. >> Motion. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Trusty Vargas, seconded by Trusty Ardondo. Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I.
052>> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trusty Akuna. Hi. >> Trustee Calimmanes. >> I. >> Trusty Gonzalez. Hi. >> Trusty Vargas. Hi. Motion carries. Thank you. >> Sorry. Trustee Student Trustee Juan Ramirez. Hi. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Next item 7.4. Approval to appoint the superintendent as secretary to the governing board. >> Motion by Trustee Gonzalez. >> Do you have a second? >> I second. >> Second by uh Trustee. Uh, any discussion? Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Trustee Galimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trustee Vargas. >> I. >> Trustee student trustee Juan Ramirez. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Next is item 7.5, approval to appoint the assistant superintendent of human resources
053or designate as the affirmative action officer. >> A motion the same. >> Motion by trustee Gonzalez. >> Second by trustee Ardano. Any discussion? Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez. >> Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardodondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. [clears throat] Trustee Kalimmanis. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trustee Vargas. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Ramirez. >> All right. Motion carries. Thank you. Uh, next is item 8.1, written communications. Are there any written public comments? >> I think those are it. >> Okay. And they will provide be provided to all board members. Yeah, the time constraints. >> Thank you. >> Um, next is item 8.2, student board member report. Good evening, president, members of the board, superintend. >> Good evening, president, members, um, of
054the board. Oh, no. Good evening, president, members of the board, superintendent, and cabinet. My name is Hirez and I am the student trustee representing La Familia High School. I am plea I am pleased to provide these updates. [clears throat] Mr. Gardinas, Laaf Familia's very own school counselor continues to support students with both the DREAM Act application process and the financial aid completion. He is also assisting students with their course scheduling for the upcoming spring semester. Lafa is saddening to see Dr. Williams depart, but we are pleased to warmly welcome Mr. Sandoval. On December 17th, Lafa High School will host a senior celebration to recognize seniors who are currently on track to graduate. Many of these students will be returning to their home schools for the spring semester. This morning, uh, La Familia La Familia students
055participated in a campus visit to UTI UTI and Mr. [clears throat] Gardinas is coordinating additional campus visits to College of the Desert Academic. These visits will give students the opportunity to learn more about the academic and career programs offered at Cood. Additionally, Laaf Familia High School school has been invited to participate in in in an event on January 8th that will further support our students educational experience. Our associated student body has also has also been very active. During the week of Thanksgiving, ASB provided pumpkin pie for students and staff. They proudly represent Laafita High School. They proudly represent Laafina High School in the annual Coonella Christmas parade and are are now preparing for the upcoming day festival parade in India. And this concludes my report for Lafa for the Desert Mirage High School. At Desert
056Mrage High School, things are running smoothly as individual meetings with sophomores and first year students have helped um review transcripts A through G progress, graduation status, academic performance, and the career goals. Ongoing support continues for families completing financial aid applications and seeking scholarships. Dr. Paz, a professor from UC Berkeley, presented on the UFW movement on campus opportunities, speaking to different grade levels and giving students the chance to work alongside him in a research study. Counselors have finalized college applications. While completing the remaining FAFSA submissions, eight of 15 Bu applications uh advanced to the semi-final stage for the Gates Scholarship. Lastly, winter sports have already begun starting off strong with wins. Desert Ranch High School seniors have begun purchasing caps and gowns through the graduation ceremony. Location is still un unannounced. A recent press pressing news.
057Outdated iPads began to glitch affecting students ability to complete academic work. Coachella Valley High School. At Coachella Valley High School, our seniors are actively working on college and fastful applications supported by workshops and counseling sessions that help them neglect deadlines and financial aid requirements. Students pursuing military pathways recently completed ASVAP testing and counselors are reviewing results to guide them through career and enlistment options as the semester comes to a close. Teachers and students are offering tutoring and review sessions to prepare students for final exams and major accomplishments and beginning the transformation the trans transession into winter training act and activities across campus. Holiday events and donation drives including blanket toy clothing collections or are underway showing strong student engagement and community support as we finish the semester. For West Shores, counselors are actively helping students
058finish a semester by supporting missing assignments, tutoring, credit recovery, fast completion, Cal Kids College. calc um um can't say that um fee waiverss, common app submissions, EOP applications, private college applications and scholarship preparation. We are expanding [snorts] programs through college of the desert. Oh no. Desert of the desert and valley college health program running community's nights continuing AVID in in activities completing CCI lessons and successfully hosting college and career week to support student pathways. And now I'm going to read the cools and warms for each school for the cools for Lafa. Uh ongoing transportation issues is always an issue every single day and we want to know what's being done about it if there is anything being done about it. Students arriving late each day to school, missing about 20 minutes to first period. Um
059limited limited beverage options available during lunch. Usually it's only milk sometimes. Uh worms being students are were excited about the UTI campus visit. Teachers had a positive professional development session focused on learning Keegan Keegan strategies. Sorry. Second for DM worms. Our student engagement has been thriving. Students have participated more in the winter spirit week. for the cools graduation ceremony. Is there any graduation ceremony updates? Seniors are already purchasing caps and gowns, but don't even know where it would be at. Outdated devices, iPads are glitching a lot, not letting students work appropriately. Uh for for West Shores, the schools are our math teachers are currently ad administrating benchmarks, but they are running into several issues with the iPads. Many of the devices are outdated and do not have enough storage to support the programs and assessments
060we need to run. Students are being required to delete apps, photos, and even classroom materials just to free up space to free up enough space for testing, which is becoming an ongoing problem as the program grow in size grows in size. This issue will only continue to get worse. Teachers have expressed concern and requesting and are requesting updated devices to ensure students can complete their coursework and assessment without consistent interruptions for the worms. We have an organized schedule for the finals for final week finals week this that students and staff both appreciate. >> The end. Thank you for your time. >> Very good. Thank you, student trustee. Very good. Um, next we have 8.3 board member reports and board requests for future meetings. There's a correction on 8.3 for July. Uh, where the schedule on
061a Friday, but our meeting is actually July 23rd. It's on a Thursday. That's the only correction on 8.3. And board member reports. Uh, Trusty Gonzalez, >> I have no report. >> All right. Uh, Trusty Akuna. >> Uh, something real quick. I want to congratulate everyone who, uh, on the dashboard and all the increases and things. I want to, um, you know, despite all the stuff that's going on, all the swirling, all the fighting, all the other stuff, uh, you know, the schools are still making improvement and the kids are still learning. So, I want to congratulate everyone who was participated in that. Um, as I had mentioned, um, I've kind of gone out to some of the sites. We've had a couple of events. The Coachella Christmas parade was a I always call it the
062Coachella Aces parade because that's really what it is. Uh, all the kids, I want to shout out to all the teams and all the groups that were out there. Uh, the high schools were great. Uh our dance team is always great and all the ACES participation uh kids that was really good. So I want to shout out to all of them, all their staff, all the people who were out there working. A shout out to a lot of the principles that were out there walking with them. I noticed a whole bunch of them. Um so I want to thank them as well. Um and then one obviously one last thing just my annual my monthly report. Um, last Monday, 300 people absent. Friday, 369. Uh, yeah, there's still a lot of people not showing up
063for work. So, that's my report. >> Thank you, Trusty Kuna. Uh, Trusty Ardano. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Congratulations, um, President Tortois. Uh, thank you for taking on the role, Vice President Garcia, and thank you for the trust of having me be clerk. Um, going to learn a lot of a lot of skills here, uh, especially signing documents. Um, thank you everybody that came up for public comment. Um, you know, it's important to, uh, share with us, you know, how you feel, the things that we need to improve. Um, for me, um, the only thing I've attended so far was a turkey giveaway. I want to thank staff for that. The turkey giveaway, 1500 turkeys and about 2500 vegetable boxes. Thank you to staff that was out there um supporting community partners that were out
064there supporting. Thank you to everybody. Thank you to the families that came out and it was a it was a great event uh to be part of. Um I will continue to >> [clears throat] >> um visit sites um uh this coming week right before break but then also start up in in January. Um and my for a couple my board reports is um uh I like a report on John Kelly school Dr. Sparza as um we have heard a lot of comments around um and we we understand that the school is one of the first schools here in our district and and you know um we just need to look at it. Um and then uh very excited about the uh play playground renovations that are that are happening. Our schools, our kids deserve
065to have good, you know, good playgrounds to play in and be part of. So um but that's it. President Toris, thank you. Thank you, Trusty. Uh Trusty Vargas. >> Uh yes. Uh just want to congratulate uh congratulate you all. Uh President Tortez, Vice President Garcia, and um clerk uh Reondo. Um [clears throat] my report, um I did attend a couple meetings. Um I attended the LCAP meeting. Um so I got to hear, you know, some feedback from those that attended. Um I also had the opportunity to attend the budget committee meeting. Um we've been having, you know, a number of discussions. Uh we know that we're going to have to continue to make a number of um additional cuts and just evaluating the different programs. So um you know, we've been having some really um
066good conversations um with our different members on the committee. um you know a couple things that came up and I you know wanted to just share um you know I think there's um an interest for us to have those conversations and really engage different stakeholders as we're going through the process of identifying more cuts. Um, so I, um, you know, I hope that we'll continue to do that, right? Um, I know it's, even though we're starting in December, it's already mid December, right? Um, it never seems like there's enough time um, to really have deep conversations. So, um I know we're really short in that time frame, but really trying to see how we can um you know, be transparent, engage the public, um and um you know, engage our bargaining units in those conversations
067in the coming um the coming weeks. Um I think the last thing I attended was um there was like a football game, like a CIF semifinals. Uh so, it was really great to be out there. I know it seems like it was forever ago, almost uh a month ago, but it was really great to see just their students kind of end their um their season, right? Um they put a lot of work into into it. And so um it was really great to see the camaraderie uh among our students and the staff as well um who went out there. Um the last thing I'll I'll say, um you know, hearing a lot of the concerns [clears throat] from the community, right? Um, I really like to see as well a report on John Kelly, but
068I think one of the things for me, um, has always been trying to, um, you know, do a a district-wide assessment, right? Doing an evaluation on our maintenance. Um, you know, we've always had conversations around John Kelly and the need around that site. And so, how do we prioritize some of the, uh, maintenance um, at some of our older sites? Um, so trying to see what we can do in the in the coming months, right, considering some of our challenges. Um, and that's it. Thank you. >> All right. Very good. Thank you, um, Vice President Garcia. >> Thank you. And thank you to everyone who takes the time to come here and give us public comments. Every single voice is important. It's how we know. uh a temperature check about how things are going. So,
069we do appreciate that every single time. Um I would agree with uh some of the things that were said about menus on the websites. My child is a very picky eater. We have to check every single day and it's not an easy thing to find it. I have to go on three different websites to find the daily. And I did figure out how to print it out um me uh monthly style, but it used to be something that was printed and given to us every single month. Um even if it were just a monthly view on each website, like each school site website, that would be easier. But as we heard from some of our comments, we know we have parents who are not as computer savvy literate as others. So that paper copy is
070important for our families. Um it's definitely a struggle that even in my own household I have to do several links even though I've saved the links. It's something that I have to do. I have to reauthorize every single time. like it it is something that I'm lucky my child doesn't have allergies, but if they did, it would be a huge deal. I'm someone with food allergies. I completely understand that we It's an important thing for us. So, that is something that I've noticed that it has been clunky. It used to be easier. I don't know what changed. It's harder than it used to be. Um, as far as board committees, um, if we can make sure that our websites for those committees are updated. When I began years ago, all of those links were live
071links and the dates were all available online. Um, as these years have passed, that has not necessarily been the case at all. Um, if I don't get a calendar invite, I don't necessarily know when the meeting is. Um, so public I don't know how they know about committee meetings because I rarely know exactly when committee meetings are and they move and links change and that's not brown act. Um, so if we can make sure that that all happens on the website so that the public knows what's going on and then that we board members even if I am accidentally not invited, I can go on the website and find out everything I need to know. Um, so that's something that I saw as necessary. And just for the public to understand, we get we're required
072to get Brown Act training refreshed every two years. That's coming up um next week. We're all mandated to do that. So I know that there were many comments about many things. Um, we're going to get a refresher. It's required for us. So hoping that anybody who's facilitating facilitating a committee, they understand by next week what is appropriate or not appropriate. If we're not doing what we're supposed to, please let us know. Um I've never seen a facilities committee. I know that we video all of the committees. Um but yeah, every single committee should follow the same Brown Act. We've been charged to look into that. We certainly will. But um we also need the public to do their part and let us know because that's not something that if I've never been in that committee,
073I don't necessarily know what the norms are. It doesn't sound like norms happen um today, but we'll look into it because we know about it. Um this is not going to be a fun year financially. We know that last year was not fun. We still have parents coming to us asking for parent liaison. That was not a fun thing to make a decision about. We know that every single person that's on our school sites are important to our community, important to our learning community, for our students. None of that is an easy thing for us to decide. um we're going to continue to have to make difficult decisions. They're not going to be anything that we feel good about. We've already cut so much. Um what we're going to hear in a little bit is
074is that we're going to continue to need to cut things. Um and I for one am very nervous about what and where because we still have a budget. It's not that money has disappeared. It's we're showing you where our values are, what is the most important thing, what is not as important anymore. We are going to need to cut things. There's no way around it. But what we cut is going to show our community what we find most important for the student learning. We were able to highlight at the beginning of the meeting the beautiful advancements that are happening at at school sites. None of that happens in isolation. That is because everybody who walks through that door has the same goal of getting our students the best education that they can. They certainly deserve
075that. We're going to find our way through this. We hope that we are clear enough in our reasoning that you can follow along and and trust us in this path. Um, please comment when you don't agree with us. We do need to hear it. We need to hear it when we're serveing you. We need to hear it at every school site meeting. We need to hear it at LCAP meetings. We need to hear from you, our public, because otherwise we're going to make the decisions anyway and we're trying we're we're trying to find our path through. Um, please continue to have conversation with us. We need it. We are here for you all and our students are and should always be our main focus. Thank you. Thank you, Vice President. Um, Garcia, >> President Tortois.
076>> Yes. >> Can I add one thing that I forgot to mention? >> Yes. Um, and I want to get it correct. We have a T-ball tournament tomorrow, uh, Desert Mirage, Toro Canyon Fields, I believe, uh, starting at 8:00. So, anybody who can make it out there to see the T-ball kids, they're a lot of fun. >> Uh, sometimes the parents get a little Saturday little crazy, huh? >> Saturday. >> I mean, Saturday, I'm sorry. I already I got tomorrow off, so I'm already thinking weekend. So, uh, but yeah, so anybody who has an opportunity to go watch the little kiddos play, I'd encourage them to go see them. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. So, for my comment, I just want to um thank the board for having that faith in and in
077and promoting me for this position. It was un totally unexpected, right? And uh just like being on the board, you know, I I always say I'm a parent first. I have kids in in the school districts that are almost done, but uh parent first and board member second. but to be here and hopefully to make a difference uh as I'm on here for the next three years and and I've heard from the community about accountability and the board members and I just want to say out loud that uh you know the board has responsibility according to our bylaws and our policy that I see they're six years old now so maybe it's time to revisit relearn and you know just revamp All all of the policies according to the bylaws, the governing board, the board
078members that you see up here have responsibility to act in the best interests of every student in the district. We have major commitments to the parents, the guardians, all members of the community, employees, the state of California, the laws pertaining to public education and established policies of the district. In order for us to maximize our effectiveness, we need to gain the public's confidence in this district governance. As board members, we are expected to govern responsibly and hold ourselves to the higher standards of ethical conduct. All board members are expected to keep learning and achievement for all students as our primary focus. All of us board members are expected to value and support and advocate for public education. We are expected to recognize and respect differences in perspective and style on the board and among staff,
079students, parents, and especially the community. We are expected as board members to act with dignity and understand the implications of demeanor and behavior. As board members, we are expected to keep confidential matters confidential. As board members, we are expected to participate in professional development and commit the time and energy necessary to be an informed and effective leaders. We are also expected to understand the distinction between board and staff roles and to refrain from performing management functions that are the responsibility of the super superintendent and the staff. As board members, we understand that the authority rests with us board members as a whole and not as individual board members. So we assume collectively all of these responsibilities to build unity and create a positive organizational culture. That's going to be our goal uh for the next
080year. And to do this effectively, we have a purpose to keep the district focused on learning and achievement for all students. We have a focus to communicate the common vision to operate openly with trust and in integrity. We have a goal to govern with dignified in a dignified and professional manner treating everyone with civility and respect. We should govern with board adopted policies and procedures. We should talk collectively collective. We should take collective responsibility for all of our board's performance. So I'm uh task tasking the board here to periodically evaluate our own effectiveness and to ensure opportunities for the diverse range of uh views within our community and to inform uh all our board deliberations. So all of this is within our bylaws and policies as was stated uh in part you know by the
081community members and everything that I've read here is backed up by educational codes by government codes which are some of the laws right and then numerous uh bylaws that have been adopted within the last decade. So my goal is to make sure that you know we like I said review, revise, revamp and adhere to all of the policies that are already established by the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board policy and the manual. And that's uh my report for today. So last uh for the trustees, we have Trustee Galamar. >> Thank you very much. Um, I uh went to the Aziz Farms ribbon cutting ceremony. And if you don't know where Aziz Farms is, it's a it's a working farm that's on 60th almost all the way to Monroe. And it's they do student tours.
082and they took me on a, you know, sample student tour where they go through their date production, you know, the vegetables, corn, tomatoes, and and um we actually go over to the carrots and they show how to pull the carrots out of the ground and then we get water and squish it and eat it. So, this is a really great educational experience for students and I hope we take more advantage of of that Aziz farms experience for our students. I want to do a shout out to Carlos Morta for the uh for working with Aziz Farms to do the produce baskets that were given out at Thanksgiving. And I mean that was that's such a wonderful uh opportunity that we gave to our community to have this these fresh vegetables and you know for their
083Thanksgiving tables. So thank you very much for that. That was a lot of work to put that together and work with Aziz Farm. So uh a shout out. Thank you. Now, what I would also like to do is I would like to sincerely apologize for the incorrect information I shared at the November 13th board meeting regarding the C view elementary school principal. I mistakenly stated that there had been a vote of no confidence and that information was inaccurate. I deeply regret the error and any confusion or concern it may have caused to the CV community, our staff, and our families. I remain committed to ensuring accuracy, transparency, and trust in all communications, and I appreciate our community's understanding as I correct this new person mistake. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Tracy. Next, we
084have the superintendent report. Thank you. Good evening to everyone who's with us tonight here in the audience. To those who have left as well, thank you for coming and expressing uh your concerns with us. Uh thank you for everybody who's on Zoom. Uh today uh we were able to celebrate a great moment to express the benefit of what is happening in our classrooms. We must take our hats off to our teachers and our staff and our administrators at our school site along with our district office staff who are supporting them. Our incredible students have been dedicated and focused and working hard. Our test scores are showing it and that's what we're all here for to ensure that our students know how to read, write, and do arithmetic. We are here for several other things as
085well, but myself as a superintendent is to ensure that we are providing a healthy education for our students. And so we are doing that and the state agrees with that because it's stating it on the dashboard. Um, this year also marks a major milestone for our district. For the first time in a very, very long time, our high school students are completing their finals before they go on break. Usually, they'd be studying all through their break, stressed out right after New Year's, ready to come back to have to take their finals. So, we've created the calendar and this is the first time they're going to actually to be be able to relax and enjoy their vacation for the first time in a long time. Several uh senior classes in the past few years, probably in
086a decade, have not been able to enjoy their winter break. And so, we're very happy that we were able to create the calendar to provide them their muchneeded vacation, not just to the students, but to the staff. Uh as we look ahead to celebrating our graduating class, we're still exploring venue options. Know that one of the possibilities is Acrier. We are negotiating with them right now on the price. Uh but it is not confirmed and we'll bring more information as we sit at the negotiating table with them on pricing and ensuring that we have a date soon. Um, I also wanted to invite all of the members of the community, anybody who can attend and we'll be putting out the calendar of dates. Um, but the first date for strategic planning sessions starts next week.
087It's going to start here in the boardroom. Uh, it's going to be a part of the parent workshop at the beginning of the parent workshop where we're going to start taking information. We're going to ask questions. We're going to provide surveys. This is something that is not just going to happen at one night, two nights, or 10 nights. It's going to be a lot more than that. Where we're going to try to gather as much information that we can to write a strategic plan that's going to give the district the roadmap from 2026 to 20 uh to 2030. So, I wanted to invite everyone again, we'll be putting those calendar dates on our website as well as sending them to the schools. and we have our district parent manager as well as parent liaison that
088work with the manager to be able to provide that to our parents. Um I wanted to also um make a comment in regards to John Kelly. Uh there will be a final remediation report uh once the full remediation and what remediation is is when there's mold or there's water intrusion or something like it's vessels or something happens they call it remediation. These companies come in like ServePro and they do remediation. When there's a fire in a home that and they fix it, that's remediation. And so we're going through that process right now. They're actually there. They've been there. They're working on it. And once they complete their final report, then that's the report that becomes public. It goes onto the district website. It also is provided to the John Kelly uh administration. they make it
089public in the office where anybody can go in and ask for it and review it. It'll also be on their website as well. So, know that we are creating transparency and making sure that everything's out there. Um, and that we want to make sure that there isn't mold because there has been a uh question about asbestos. We will be testing for that as well. We do testing for asbestos. Every district does it every three years and our three years is up in January. So it will be getting tested in January. I just wanted to make that clear. We will be testing for the asbestos. Um I wanted to thank all of the students and staff who participated in the city of Coachella parade. It was a great event. Thank you so much for staying out
090there in the cold and doing that great work every year, year after year. Uh Mr. Akuna is right. It's really the ASUS parade because it's about 110 uh uh participants or groups and about 109 of them are from ASUS. So, congratulations. You're awesome and thank you for doing what you do. I do want to make an announcement that at Desert Mirage on December 17th, which is next week, there will be chicken provided to the community as well as more produce boxes that we have from our grant that has been written between us and Aziz Farms as well as some rice and grains that are being provided by our blue zone here in the city of Coachella. So together, we've been able to partner to ensure that we're going to be able to provide something for
091our families who need that support at Desert Mirage on December 17th. Thank you so much for your time and let's move forward. >> Thank you, Superintendent Sparza. Next item, agenda item is 9.1. Karen Penny with the LCAP quarterly update. >> Good evening. The LCAP quarterly update you received in hard copy is anformational item. It includes our year-to-ate expenditures along with an with incumbrances for salaries and contracted services for each of our LCAP actions through October 31st, 2025. It also highlights actions that are making a positive impact on student achievement. Like we saw at the beginning of our board meeting this evening, Miss Pentany is available to answer any questions that you may have. Do we have any questions? >> None. Do you have anything for us? >> I will say that I will be back
092in February with a midyear update to the LCAP. >> Very good. Okay. Thank you. >> Uh-huh. >> Next item is 9.2. Uh Julie uh Superintendent Julie Vigil with the presentation of the 2025 first interim financial report. >> CPO CPO. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. Good evening, President Tortez, members of the board of trustees, superintendent, cabinet, staff, and members of our community. This evening, I am presenting on the first interim report. What's going on here? that I'm waiting for them to present the All right. So, the first interim report compares adopted budget to actuals um through uh October 31st, 2025. In addition, it reflects the updated enrollment and average daily attendance from adopted budget. Education codes require that all school districts present the first and second interim financial report to the board of trustees, certifying the district's
093ability to meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years. Based on our stabilization plan approved by the board in fiscal year 25 um 2425, the district recommends the qualified certification for the first interim to support our continued implementation of the ongoing fiscal stabilization plan. and the first interim budget assumptions. The report retained the COLA, the CPI index, Stirs, PERS, lottery, and mandated block grant projections used in the 2526 budget adoptions. However, funded average daily attendance was adjusted to represent the steep enrollment decline that was originally projected. The district experienced an additional decrease of 118 students beyond the previously anticipated reduction of 277 students. Applying the correspondent enrollment percentage decline to the rate to the ADA resulted in a decrease of 85 ADA. The current financial table reflects only the general unrestricted
094revenues and the expenditures from the adopted budget to first interim. Although there was a decrease in ADA that decreased funding, there was an increase in supplemental and concentration revenue received due to a slight increase in our unduplicated um pupil percentage. This increase in the unduplicated pupil percentage resulted in a revenue increase of over just 111,000 mil um 111,000. Focusing on our expenditures as a result of the 2425 approved fiscal stabilization, there was additional decreases in expenditures. Additionally, the approval of the one-time revenue enhancement of $13 million shifted from our fund 40 into our general fund revenue helps offset um the funds in our table listed above. The pie chart represents all updated unrestricted and restricted revenues projections. The district's receives over 69% of the revenue for through local control funding formula known as LCFF. The
095district receives less than 6% revenue in each of the following funding areas: federal funding, local revenues, and other funding. Note, the one-time approved revenue enhancement from the stability plan is represented in the other revenues. The remaining 17.5 is state funding such as restricted lottery. The current financial table um presented changes in revenue represents the total changes on both restricted and unrestricted. Those increases were also restricted or represented and reflected in our state revenues with total increases in funding over 268,000. Again, approval of the one-time revenue enhancement of 13 million is identified in the transfers. This current financial table reflects only the general restricted revenues and expenditures from adopted budget to first interim. There are minimal changes in revenue of only about 1%. Focusing on our expenditures, there is a decrease in staffing from projected budget,
096however, an increase primarily in services for our students. This pie chart represents the updated unrestricted and restricted expenditure pro projections. Approximately 16.2% of the district's budget allocation is into books, supplies, and services while more than 82% is invested directly in educators and staffing. The next financial table represents the total changes in expenditures for both restricted and unrestricted. The additional approval of revenue enhancement of 6 million is reflected in the service and utilities to offset the additional cost of our afterchool programming. Multi-year projections are not predictions of the future, nor are they forecast. They are projections based on decisions that have already been made, and they are reasonable assumptions based on the current information that we have to date. The district's multi-year projection reflects both unrestricted and restricted revenues for the current and two subsequent out
097fiscal years. And the revenue in the current year on the two fiscal years for 2627 and 2728 reflects approved revenue enhancement changes with expenditures is another recommended 20 million stabilization to continue the district's efforts to address the deficit spending and stay on the path to stabilization. The components of ending fund balance for both restricted and unrestricted along with transfers to contributions to restricted funds such as special ed as well as overall change in fund balance include the recognition of our stabilization commitments and our 3% mandated reserve for economic uncertainties. Our next steps. The district continues to implement thickmack recommendations to strengthen operational efficiency, accountability, and long-term fiscal sustainability that aligns with the district's fiscal stabilization plan. In January, the governor will release the proposed 2627 state budget, which will include an updated COLA estimates and
098other key financial assumptions. Following the release, the board of trustees will take action on the updated stabilization plan. The second interim report will incorporate the governor's budget assumptions along with the updated average daily attendance and the district's actuals through January 31st. Development of the 2627 budget will begin in late January guided by the information provided in the governor's budget proposals and incorporating and any um incorporating any and all may revise information. In closing, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our fiscal team. I really cannot do it without them. I still have my two members here. These are my key ladies when coming to help put this budget together. They are just an immense I I I I can't even explain it. Um I I value them so much and all of our other
099fiscal team that work diligently to help put all of the pieces together. I truly truly appreciate them and such a pleasure to work with them. So, thank you and your collaboration and your commitment to us. At this time, I would be um glad to address any questions um or any clarification that's needed in the presentation. >> Very good. Thank you. Do we have any questions from the board? >> Vice President, >> thank you. Um thank you for the presentation. Um, I liked the format a little bit more than the last time because it showed kind of uh pieces taken out directly from what anyone would want to see the raw data that's um can be found in another section of our agenda. Um, if we could go back to page four, your slide four, um,
100the budget assumptions. I do understand what you explained and the reasoning for dropping the projected from of the ADA >> Mhm. from um the adopted budget the 85 um dropping them down. I understand that. What I don't understand is for the next 2 years we're projecting 252 less which anyone trying to follow along at home that is a huge deal because we are projecting we're telling the county and the state that we are going to have less students were funded at a different rate when we change the mark that low. I don't understand why it was so dramatic compared to the 85. Where did those figures come from? Thank you. That's an excellent question, Miss Garcia. So, when we looked at the original data in putting together our adopted budget, we actually took the trend
101of our declining enrollment for the district. And if we look back at that, we took an average because there are years where we have a substantial like decline and other years where we don't. So we took that average and then applied them to all out years. >> I understand that. How far back did you go? So when we're looking at that, we're looking at at least the last 5 years because we know that the state has been very kind to us uh postco in allowing for a blend, but that's a three-year blend, not a 5-year blend. So like the state would never make us look back that far because it would make a dramatic change in this figure which is why I'm seeing such a dramatic change. I understand three years because that's as far
102back as even the the state will have us do. Five years, that's where we really are looking at COVID years where absolutely everyone lost um a dramatic amount of students when we had them go virtual, right? And and some across the state, we have never capt recaptured every single student that we should have had in these um electronic platforms. My concern is that really does that changes the whole picture of where our budget begins. Um [clears throat] I understand three years 5 years feels like too much because then it is capturing COVID when everyone had a dramatic drop and the state would never hold us to that. So you actually bring up some really good points um in regards to CO. So in the very first year of COVID districts were able to continue with
103their ADA especially in the second year. However, the years after that the state took different types of action to provide districts basically like a soft landing because there are a number of districts that seen even a larger substantial decrease in ADA versus um Coachella Valley. So what they did is they provided within our LCFF calculator where it looks at not only the current year and prior year but it also takes an average of the three years. So when we do that and we enter those it's actually calculating on three years. However in order to capture really what that trend looks like we really need to expand that beyond the 3 years to see exactly how those differences are. And if we didn't, we wouldn't actually see some of the substantial drops that we've had in
104prior years. >> Right. Absolutely. And that's what I'm saying as well is the state doesn't hold us to 5 years. We are being harder on ourselves than even the state would hold us to. So that I mean, we're saying the same thing. I just don't like it because again this state holds us to three years not five. We are being harder on ourselves. >> Um I do have another question on the on slide five. Um I do notice that for certificated salaries the change is an additional 148,835 and I'm confused about that because we had riffs last year and I know that once everything shook out it was 18 positions. that does not reflect 18 positions less. Like if anything, it would be closer to 150 million less, not an additional more. So, thank you.
105So, when we um actually put together our adopted budget, that already took into consideration the positions that were rifted in that stabilization plan. What you're seeing in our first interim are any of the teachers and educators that we had to bring back to actually meet compliance within our classrooms. Okay, I'm going to check that. But I want to make sure cuz this does not show that at all. But okay, I will check those and regroup with you. I'm done otherwise. >> All right. Thank you, Trusty Gonzalez. But Julie, I want to thank you and your staff for the hard work that you're [clears throat] putting into this. Obviously, when we we have to make cuts, it's it's not an easy thing, right, to break the bad news. But what I see in your work is
106is a very qualified individual in this position, and that's what we need. Part of the problem that we had with the former person in your position was that they were qualifying budgets or creating expectation based on very very idealistic conditions, right? And when they broke the bad news to us that the colo was uh substantially different, especially understanding the challenge, I think we knew, but they were still trying to create budgets uh in a very ideal condition. And the fact that you're not only complying with a three-year projection, but actually looking at patterns that happen and really identifying the worst case scenario, uh I think it it puts this school district in a very responsible position. And so I want to thank you for that. And uh I you know I think it's really cool
107when we expect something and we end up with a little more instead of thinking we're going to have more and then have to cut more. So again, thank you for your professionalism. Thank you for the hard work and obviously we don't like to see cuts. Uh but it's the unfortunate position we're in right now because of the lack of capacity by the individual that was there before you. Thank you. Uh Trusty Vargas. >> Yeah. So I um just so that I understand so the when we're projecting out the second and third year um essentially with what how I'm reading it, how I'm understanding it um you know with the comment on the ADA this kind of like worst case scenario. So we're building a budget based on worst case scenario. really the goal would be
108or how would in terms of like the ADA like how do how do we calculate it or how does that change like our budget in terms of how we're um well yeah budget budgeting right so if I only took um three if we only took three years because I can't take credit for all of the adopted budget right but if we only took a measure of 3 years and looked at that that would actually exclude include the pieces where we see all of a sudden there's a large decline. >> Right? So if we take that into account then we realize that we could have we on our um data we have like a decline decline and then a substantial decline and then we have a decline decline decline substantial decline. And so we want to
109make sure that we capture that to have an accurate um projection in what that total decline percentage is. The ADA has an impact on our revenue. >> That is correct. >> Okay. So when we're looking at the outlook, the outy years two and three on our budget, we're expecting if we continue on that trend that our budget is going to that's >> continue to shrink. Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other comments, questions? Put on the board. All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next on the agenda are the action items. Uh 10.1 approval of consulting agreement with Bright Bites Consulting for technical assistance and training for the nutrition services administrators and office staff. >> I motion >> motion by uh Trusty Gonzalez. >> Second by Trustee. [snorts]
110Any discussion? And we get a roll call vote. >> President Tortez. Yes, >> Vice President. >> I >> clerk. >> I trusty Khalim. >> Iusty. >> I >> trusty Vargas. >> I >> trustee studentusty Ramirez. >> Hi. >> Motion carries. Unanimous. Thank you. Uh agenda item 10.2 2. Adoption of resolution uh 2026-22 authorizing the sale and or disposal of surplus property listed in surplus list number 2025-02. >> So move >> motion by trustee Ardano second. >> Second by trustee manus discussion. Can we get a roll call vote? >> President [clears throat] Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna, >> hi. >> Trustee Khalimmanes, >> I. >> Trusty Gonzalez, >> hi. >> Trusty Vargas, >> I. >> Student Trustee Ramirez. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimous.
111All right. Item uh 10.3, authorization to award bid number 175-2025 FB Peter Pendleton Elementary School Sports Field and Outdoor Learning Environment Project. >> So move. >> Motion by Trustee Orando. >> A second. >> Second by Trustee Gonzalez. Any discussion? Can we get a roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. Vice President Garcia. >> I, >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> I. >> Trusty Vargas. >> I. >> Student Trustee Ramirez. >> I. >> The motion carries unanimous. Thank you. Agenda item 10.4. Authorization to award bid number 176-2025FB Westside Elementary School Sports Field and Outdoor Learning Environment and Parking Lot Expansion Project. >> So move. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Trustee Arjondo, second by Trustee Gonzalez. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I just
112uh point of information, this was uh this these two bids were the first virtual bids that we've ever done as a school district. I think there's been a pressure to try to engage more contractors to come out and bid our work. Leticia, I want to thank you for the work you did on this. I am excited to to see that the contractor that was awarded these two bids is the same contractor. He's a local contractor. He does work for the school district now. And he uh I want to believe that the combined total of difference between him and the next bid was close to a million half dollars. So, the company that that uh local company was a million and a half dollars on these two contracts cheaper than the the next bid next to
113them. And I thought that uh was pretty exciting. Um anyway, >> very good. >> Second that bid. >> Thank you, Trusty Gonzalez. >> Um any other discussion? Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. Clerk Aridondo. >> Hi. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trusty Vargas. >> Hi. >> Student trustee Ramirez. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimous. Thank you. Uh, next is 10.5 approval of the fiscal year 2025 2026 first interim report with multi-year projection. Uh, motion by trustee Gonzalez. Second. >> Second by trustee Arjando. Any discussion? >> Can we get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >>
114Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trusty Gonzalez. >> Hi. >> Trusty Vargas. >> I. >> Student trustee Ramirez. >> I. >> Motion carries. Unanimous. Thank you. Next item is uh 11.1 Dr. Monica Mow. >> Uh can I can I >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you everybody. >> 10 trustes excused. Thank you >> for the record. >> Good job. Great job. Thank you. 11.1 Approval of revised job description for at risk counselor. I motion >> motion by trusty Vargas. I'll >> Second by trustee Ardondo. Any discussion? >> Can we [snorts] get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez. >> Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trustee Gonzalez. >> Trustee uh Vargas. I [snorts] >> don't. >>
115All right. Motion carries six >> 0 >> 6. >> Thank you. >> Uh, next item 11.2 approval of state of California minimum wage increase 2026. >> Second. >> Motion by Trusty Vargas, seconded by Trusty Ardondo. Any discussion? [clears throat] Can we get the roll call vote? >> Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> I. >> Trustee Akuna. >> Hi. >> Trustee Kalimmanes. >> I. >> Trusty Gonzalez. >> Trusty Vargas. >> I. >> The vote is 600. Motion carries. Thank you. Um, next on the agenda is 12.1. Approval of the consent calendar with items submitted withholding any uh items any board member would like to pull a motion. >> So move >> motion by trusty Ardondo. Do we have a second? >> Second. Second by uh trustee Kamanis. Any discussion? Can we
116get the roll call vote? >> President Tortez, >> yes. >> Vice President Garcia, >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo, >> I. >> Trustee Akuna, [cough and clears throat] >> Trustee Kalimmanes, >> I. Trustee Gonzalez, >> Trusty Vargas, >> I. The >> vote is 600. Motion carries. All right. Next on the agenda is um no closed session 17.1 7.2 is entertaining a motion to adjurnn. >> So move >> motion by trustee Ardano. >> second by trustee Vargas and we get the roll call vote. >> President Tortez. >> Yes. >> Vice President Garcia. >> I. >> Clerk Ardondo. >> Trustee Akuna. Trustee Kalimmanes I. >> Trusty Gonzalez. >> Trusty Vargas. >> Hi. >> The vote is 600. Uh motion carries. Thank you everyone. Have a great night. See you at the next board meeting.