CVUSD Board Meeting 10/23/2025

001Hi, Buenos. Uh, I think we're going to go ahead and get started. Um, are we ready? Yeah. Okay. Uh, so I call this meeting to order of, uh, the regular board meeting for Coachella Unified School District on October 23rd, 2025. Uh, pledge of allegiance. Um, Trustee Himenez, would you like to lead us on the pledge? >> Of course. 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. >> Thank you. Can we have roll call? >> J roll. President Jocelyn Vargas here. >> Presentee >> here. >> Present. present. >> Present. >> And I'm present for the record. >> Oh, >> thank you. [clears throat] >>

002Where are we? >> Here. Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, okay. Moving on to close session public comments. Uh, this is an opportunity for members of the public to address the governing board regarding any closed session items within the board's subject matter jurisdiction. Please complete a request to address the governing board form and hand it to the recording secretary. Speakers will be limited to three minutes per person with a maximum of 20 minutes to each subject matter. Um first uh speaker we have uh Paul Medadina on items 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 [applause] to bring out the gab. >> All right. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, as far as I wasn't ready to be the first one, but it's nice to see one of my students from C view. Isabella, how you doing, man? I'm

003very proud of you to see you up here. And, uh, one of the parts I want to talk about is contracting out. [clears throat] I know a lot of people talk about bus drivers. We're always absent. We're always missing. Yeah. But we don't hold drivers accountability. Some driver, yeah, we've been told some drivers do take Mondays and Fridays off, but they don't do they don't take accountability of management, take accountability of the bus drivers. We hear a lot of time, we don't realize that we do break down. Uh, a lot of times, uh, I'm one of the sea drivers. Last time my parent talked about my bus 625. Every single bus, I'm I'm that bus driver 625 at the sea. I do C view, I do West Shores, and I know that my principal from

004I know she's here from C view could validate me uh as a bus driver. I do not leave students uh I do what I can to be my utmost uh for responsibility of my students. I even tell my kids even from Western um if you guys run late just come to the bus. I'm not going to hold you guys responsible because I mean I was young, you know, and I made a lot of mistakes. So I I understand. Yesterday we had a a specific training on how we uh you know with our students or sometimes you know we always forget where we come from or how we respond or how um we um really don't take uh don't remember don't forget where we came from. You know, a lot of times I always look back

005a lot of my students when I was a kid uh talking to on on Thanksgiving holidays, I used to always be ignored and one time I remember I turn around to uh myself when I get older I will never ignore student and I can tell you now each one of you could go to C view or West Shores, you can mention Pal Medina and each one lot majority of the kids face will light up because each student uh I treat with respect. I tell him, "Good morning. Have a great day, Isabella. I'm I'm proud of you." I mean, she was never on my bus. One of her one of her friends were and she always used to tell me, "Hi, Paul. How you doing?" I I was never on your bus. And the last time

006I saw her on a meeting, it was I'm proud that she's a product of of of West Shores. And it's it's an amazing to see her up there. Amen. I had something different I was going to say, but just to see her up there blesses me. And um I'm going to have 25 seconds and I like to read uh say this scripture because I I'm a man of God. I serve the Lord. And this scripture is specifically to Jesse Gonzalez. I know you are out of respect for you and your wife. Uh love your family. But the scripture Mark 6 chapter 30 38. What profits a man to gain the world and yet lose your soul? So I hope tonight you go to bed and the Lord speaks to you because we know how you

007are. >> Thank you. >> So >> thank you, Missina. >> Um, next speaker, Lorena Diaz. Lorena Diaz. >> Lorena Diaz on transportation 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5. >> Thank you. [snorts] Good night um Dr. Sparsa, members of the board. My name is Lorenna Diaz and I'm a school bus driver and I drive special education. Um I want to invite Jesus Gonzalez for you to come to my bus and ride my route and you're going to see how we treat our kids. Those kids with special ed are in my bus are always treated with respect and also I treat with respect the parents. I need my job. I'm raising two daughters. So when I heard that we were going to be contract out, I feared Don't touch. [clears throat] >> I'm sorry. >> I also invite Mr.

008Dr. Esparsa to write along with us. It's not an easy job. We know we have um every morning I wake up and I want to be there for my kids. Every morning I say good morning and I'm give their names even though they're not going to respond to me, but I always do. And I I have a a um a story for one of my kids. He was a Desamerage student. He's no longer with us. Every morning I would say, "Good morning. Good morning." And one day I didn't say it. He stood in front of me and wouldn't go sit down. Then I realized I haven't said good morning to him. And I said good morning and he went and sat down. So they're listening. Even though they're special, they listen to what we say.

009So that's all I need to say. [clears throat] Instead of you guys thinking of contracting out, go out there and see the job we're doing. That's all I need to say. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] I have uh Dr. Imari, Dr. Emari Nicolof. Uh close item 3.7. Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Dr. Amari Nicolov. I'm here on behalf of myself, my students, and everybody else who saw the Tik Tok video that was posted on the 14th. I won't mention her name. We all know her name at this point. The reason I ended up with that video is because a parent sent it to me and said, "What if this happens to my child?" And at that point, I knew that I had to respond. I knew that it was important for you

010guys to know that this is not okay, not something that my families or I are willing to tolerate. I was born in this valley. I've worked with special education students for 22 years as an advocate. I don't just work as an advocate. I'm not adversarial. I I pride myself in understanding two parts of a story. There's always two sides. And I think that I am respected for my opinion. and I've made my opinion clear. I've spoke to the media and I've done those things. I really encourage you to pay attention to what happened here because not only is this problematic for you guys as a district just having an employee who would do this and degrade a special needs student. It also puts the district at a certain amount of liability in themselves because this

011was your driver who made these comments, degrading comments about this student online on a social media post that everybody could see. Mind you, it has been taken down and it was taken down quite quickly, but not quickly enough. We were able to find it and many people have seen it now. Not because of how she wanted it, because she thought it was funny. No, we're not tolerating that. It was terrible. It was despicable. I'm a person with autism. I'm special needs myself. And I wouldn't want that for me. So, I'm here to speak for the voiceless. I believe that that child was voiceless and was helpless. So I plead to you to make sure that you guys pay attention and discuss this among yourselves and dismiss this driver. [snorts] That's all that can be done.

012Training her is not going to help. Like I said, temperament you cannot train up. So I believe that you guys just need to pay attention. I appreciate your time. [snorts] >> Thank you. We have a speaker Mary Meyer. [applause] Mary Meyer on 3.3 through 3.5. >> Good evening. At a recent board meeting, Mr. Gonzalez mentioned the need for an audit. I don't think I've ever agreed with him more. CVUSD really does need a full audit. I supported the opportunity offered at no cost to the district for a full audit. It was also mentioned previously that the board is not always aware of certain things. So I don't assume that you were aware that members of CVUSD went to Sacramento to fight against an audit, which clearly we need. At that same meeting, a concern about

013student supervision was discussed. One reason for the increase in this issue or this problem is that fourth through sixth grade students now have 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes of lunchtime. In addition, some sites, and I don't know about all of them, but Mountain Vista for sure is underst staffed by classified employees. So, there simply are not enough adults and there are more students out for longer. While I'm mentioning issues you may be unaware of, with the elimination of VAPA, fourth through sixth grade students are not meeting the minimum instructional minutes that are required by law. >> Thank you. >> Oh, thank you. [applause] We have uh next speaker Isaac Mundraon on 3.3. Um, good evening. My name is Isaac. Um, thank you for allowing me to have this little space of expressing. I've been

014here since in Coachella Valley since 2014. I got hired. I've been working for the district for quite some time. Um I noticed that um there's been a lot of issues around the time. One of the things that I always encountered was how they always spoke to us about negative, you know, with teachers and other people around the district. And that always hurt me, you know, because I um I didn't see any of a lot of things that people were saying about our transportation. And but yet, you know, it kept going and kept going. And that's something that it's already building up into a point where it's looking at us as a negative, you know, in a negative way. I get up at 4 in the morning. My day starts at 4:00. I come in. I

015do clock in. I'm here at 9:00. I still stay because I live in Salt City. It's a long drive. So, most of my time is here waiting or doing something else, but I don't get rest. So I I in again at 1:30 and I don't get to leave around 600 6:30, sometimes 7. A lot of times I asking, "Hey, can you stay, you know, to do, you know, cover up some route or some activities?" I say, "No, I'm too tired." Sometimes I do, depending on how how I'm feeling, but I'm still recovering from being sick. I was sick for a long time. And I just want to say, you know, my um my family depends in this job. Um but I also I believe that the children that I work with they also depend with

016with drivers like me. I believe because what I do for them is I provide them for professional service, courtesy, respect and when they are in a situation, I always try to make it better for the environment for everyone to be safe and I do feel that they make a difference. Sometimes there's routes that are really, you know, routed and everything. And when I find myself in a situation I'm making a difference and that makes me happy. That makes me keep going to do my job and and and come to my home despite that I'm coming at 7:00 and I'm not spending all that time with my family. You know, a lot of you guys come in at 8:00, you guys leave at 3:30, 4:30. You guys are blessed, but us, we're here staying here for

017almost 16 hours sometimes. And not just me, but there's a lot of us that are like that. And I just kind of feel like um you know just keep you know understanding our point of view so that way you listen to us as well not just what everybody else is telling about us. You know that's a negative voice that's a lot of noise. I know I understand but you know have a little bit of compassion for us. That's what I'm saying. [applause] >> Thank you. Our next speaker we have Eloy Trevino 3.3 >> Eloy. >> Thank you. >> Hello, good evening. My name is Eloy Trevino. Um I just want to start off with uh so in 2012 I started working at Desert Sands as a school bus driver and then um CBUSD was giving

018out the opportunity to uh drivers out here. I guess they were in need of like 13 20 drivers or what have you. They dropped the somebody uh Hammet dropped the account and CVUSD picked it up. And so with that, I jumped over here and um I I embraced the opportunity just because they also they gave me the the full 8 hours, right? And then also there was guaranteed um overtime and which I can see where the overtime kicks in and where your shift I for me for example I come in at 5:30 in the morning um I work till 9:30 then come back clock in at 1:30 till 4:30 5:00 that completes my eight but there's still a lot of work for the kids out there well a lot of work for us for the

019kids to get home to take them home right so um I I would have to say the when it comes to the overtime, there is a lot of work and then a lot of people do tend to do the work, but it gets tiring out there. It really does. The the heat, some of these buses don't have um AC, so the heat gets to you. Um things tend to break down, things happen. Um I know Miss uh Miss Sanchez was one of my routes um last year in the morning to um see how the route went and she saw how um my bus wouldn't turn on. Right, Miss Sanchez? bus wouldn't turn on and then um we had to wait for a while until mechanics um got to me and they were busy too with

020other bus drivers as well their buses wouldn't turn on. So, um, but I would have to say when it comes to Desert Sands and CVUSD, I think at CVUSD, it's a different animal for the most part just because on how rural we are in this area where the kids um have a hard time just to get home and we are the only uh the only people that we can take them that uh can take them home, right? Um when it comes to uh Desert Sands, well, everything's kind of walking distance and it everybody's close proximity, but when it comes to us, we're like a whole different animal. So, um if you can kind of like also understand on that part on how we tend to work and function out here, um just look into that

021as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh next speaker, we have uh Patricia Reyes, 3.4, 3.3, and 3.5. Thank you. >> Good evening. Good. Good evening, board members. Dr. Esparza, I want to talk a little bit about our overtime. Our overtime is usually given like in the morning on signups. We work up to eight I mean, excuse me, 10 to 12 hours a day. It depends on what we sign up for. Um, I also want to go over about accountability of the drivers, same drivers that have been missing work over and over. Why can't management get on those drivers and makes the department look bad? Why doesn't HR do something about it? It's not all of us bus drivers. We are responsible. We get up early. We come to work early. I drive for Desert

022Sands and I mean my face is the first face my kids see in the morning and the last face they see when they get off my bus or vehicle, whatever I'm driving. We we're the drivers that you see here, we're responsible. We care about our job and the drivers that are not here is because they're clearing up schools for us right now. There's a lot of work. We have a lot of work. We got a lot of activities and just because all the drivers are not here doesn't mean they don't care about their job. They're out there clearing activities from Oasis to the sea to Mecca everywhere. The high school, they they're clearing schools right now. We come in in the morning when the sun's not up and we go home when the sun's gone

023down. We're here at work more. Um it's just it's a lot. It's a lot for us drivers, but we we do the job. We always do. And I just wanted to say about the accountability of the drivers and the overtime and us contracting us out. We need a job. I need a job. I have bills to pay. We all do. My family depends on this job. I it's it's sad that we I mean it's always our department getting targeted that we they need to get contracted out and we need we all need our job. Um then that's all I want to say. [applause] >> Uh next speaker we have uh Frankie uh if you could just state your last name. Uh 3.3. >> Good evening. Uh, Francisco Bera, school bus driver, 24 years. Um, as

024my colleagues have been saying, you guys, you guys are going to hear it. You've already heard it. You're going to hear it, and you're going to continue hearing it, right? Um, again, I've been with the district 24 years. I've done management for 10 months. I've done custodial for 6 months. And the rest of the time I did as bus driver. Trust me. And I know a lot of us are pinpointing Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez is a I mean, I know him cuz he was my baseball coach when I was a kid. But you don't think that I would want to go home at 4:15 in the afternoon when I get up at 3:45 in the morning because I drive out at the sea with Paul, right? But I'm a team player and so are they.

025If we don't clear the schools, who's going to clear them? If we don't do the work, we get yelled at. If we do the work, we're getting yelled at. What do you guys want us to do? Not clear the schools. Leave the kids out there. What's going to happen? All of you board members and probably Dr. Spars and everybody else are going to get phone calls, right, as you have been. What are we going to do? What do you guys want us to do? Leave the kids out there on the overtime? Trust me, a lot of us and the ones that are out there, like Patty said, we would love to go home after 8 hours, but you know what? We signed up for a job to do. We're doing it to our best of

026our ability. We're not all bad people. Okay? I've invited board members to go out to our department and I'm going to tell you, I've seen one board member in the 24 years that I've been here, one board member show up and I'll tell you guys who it is, Mr. Trini Ardondo. Okay? He's been the only one that's been out there and I want to thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Maybe [applause] you could talk to your people here and let them know. Come and visit us. Don't come and visit us when bad things are happening, right? Bad things happen in the district every single day. It's just a lot of us don't see it or don't hear about it. Okay? We only hear and see what we want to. Okay? Contracting out. I'm

027not going to go there because I know my emotions are going to get high and I don't want to do that. With all due respect, you guys should very think about it, especially Mr. Mr. Gonzalez, I'm sorry we're all pinpointing it to you, but you're the one that brought it up. Trust me, when you don't show up to board meetings, when you show up late, do your colleagues question you? You have issues in your life like everybody else. If my daughter gets sick, I'm not coming to work. I'll tell you that right straight up. The same way you could miss and you have your stuff going on. >> We have that right as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Uh we have uh Frank Espinosa 3.5. Uh Frank Espinosa. [applause] >> Good evening everyone.

028My name is Frank Espinosa. Um [clears throat] I am a driver instructor. I'm a parent of a student high school. I'm also a community member. I have lived here all my life. All my life. And when I say community, this is not a community that we're tearing it down. I know this is a business. And I I understand that. But if we're building up our community, which we all say we are, we all say we're family. We come to potlucks and things that we have here and do this big pretend song and dance that we're all together when everybody's doing other things. That's not community. It's not even a little bit of community. And it's kind of sad. I understand that we cannot and you hope you understand that we cannot control the actions of

029others. None of us. We all do what we want to do when we want to do it. Some of them are mistakes. Some of them are helping us. And that's great. But again, we cannot control other people. These people are great people. I don't know who's been there, who hasn't been here. We've been here for a long time. I've been here for 22 years. Never in my wildest imagination, one that I'd be a bus driver or a driver instructor, but to be somewhere for 22 years. I look forward to the day that I'm able to leave this place and retire and be happy and enjoy the rest of my life. But I don't see that right now. I'm very scared for what the future holds because I have children in college. A child is going

030to be in college hopefully and I don't even know that that's going to be possible. We talk about contracting now. Yeah, it all seems fine and dandy. It seems like a great idea, but our own director came from a contract. I'm sure we can ask him what that looks like for a lot of districts that contract out. They all lowball it. Bid low. Everybody's happy with smiles on their face. We're saving money. And then within years, boom, skyrockets. And then you can't get out of your contract. And you're stuck paying tons and tons of money. These people, and myself included, when I'm called to help, I come and I help. I never say no. My overtime came in question not too long ago. And man did it hurt because I felt like I'm doing so

031much for you and this is how you repay me. You don't even know me to talk about me the way you do. You don't know my job. Because again, in all these years that I've been here, ladies and gentlemen, I'll be honest again. I haven't seen very many of you come into our department. And when you do, it's for a couple of hours. You don't know nothing in a couple of hours about our department. Yet, you seem to know so much. so much. Again, I will invite you just like Frank did. You come in, spend days, days to see what really goes on there. Thank you. Next speaker, uh, [applause] Fernando Garcia. Do >> you hear Fernando Garcia? Okay. Uh, on item 3.3, Hello. >> Hello. Um, my name is Fernando Garcia. I work for

032the transportation department. How you guys doing? Um, I've worked there for about 13 years, although I'm wearing this mechanic uniform. I speak as a bus driver because that is where I had started when I worked um for those 12 years. For those 12 years that I've been here or as bus driver, I'm sorry. In all those years, I would hear that we as bus drivers are stealing from the district. Never has I ever come a day when I first started that something was going on somewhere with our department. That is not true. I have witnessed all these drivers get called from their lunches, literally seeing them watching them eat and they get up to go help. I've seen I've seen these bus monitors get up from their lunches as well to jump on an emergency.

033They call it an emergency. uh pickup, but it's really just a parent calling in saying, "Hey, can you do me this favor and come pick up my child?" They do it all the time. These trainers are trying to keep up with all the demand that we need because we've lost 13 drivers and they're trying to keep these uh bus drivers certified to continue driving. If that does not happen, then all you're going to do is just end up having more and more drivers to not be able to help out. now as um let me see I lost my space but now as right now I work as a mechanic. I work as a mechanic and time and time again we over here are trying to get these buses up. We get them up. We're making

034these ACs work. All the every every single bus is getting what they need now. So I mean that's basically on a good note. But we do this and sometimes we do this on overtime. It's the overtime is absolutely needed in this department. They these bus drivers are not stealing time. Monitors included. Everybody in the classified field over there is not doing it. They are working for their time. Every single one of us, we are working for it. And as a bus driver, when I was there, I you only get 10 months of pay. And then as soon after that, you have to try to make ends meet for the three months that you do not receive a paycheck. What do they do? They work the overtime to compensate for it. It's literally they're just literally

035working just to survive in the summer. And it's just how it's how it is. Back in the day when I first started, I would take home probably like $3,100 and be okay because it was 13 years ago. But now today, making rent today, it's averaging about $3,100 to $4,000. And as a single parent myself, doing that is hard enough. I I have to take care of two children and I do it by myself. And here I am late at night when I could be here, be with my kids, but I'm here speaking for all of us, letting you know that we are here to work. We're not here to take anything from the district. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> The last uh comment I have is from uh Carissa Carrera on close session

036feedback. >> Excuse me. I put one in >> uh Not for when we come back >> for public comment. Okay. Thank you. >> It's for a close session. Okay. I'll look for it and we can >> No, Miss Miss Carrera, you can go. >> I know. >> She's going to She said he can go ahead and >> um Yes. Okay. Uh we're going to go ahead and Sergeio Duran, uh transportation. It says public comment, but >> Thank you. Hello. My my name is Sergio Duran. I'm a transportation employee, a mechanic, 31 years. I just want to bring something to light that we heard in a few board meetings ago. Um, board member Gonzalez, you mentioned, and I I hope that the person that gave you the information that you gave the walking papers, you terminate

037them because it was not factual. It was a lie. They stated that we were consuming a mass amount of gasoline and it wasn't accounted for. So somehow I guess the the the statement that was made that we were stealing it. We're not thieves. We don't steal. We work hard for our money. There's just no accountability of where it's going. Everybody uses the same pin and no one knows who's getting fuel. But it's not being stolen. It's just being taken by different sites. Uh and no and it's not accountable until we put a plan that works. The other thing was about the the elaborate plan some kind of born identity kind of conspiracy where the drivers miss day so they can amass all kinds of overtime. There's no conspiracy. It happens every day. And it's even

038worse now because 31 13 drivers were laid off and they got to cover that. I started working as a bus driver 31 years ago for three months and then I went in the shop and then I I amassed a 100red hours a month for 10 years of overtime till I said I was done. I was tired. We drove every day cuz we've always been short. These drivers I see them going home at night and I it's about 8:00 and ask them what time their day started. They say 3:00 in the morning. That's embarrassing for a district that refuses to pay bus drivers a living wage. They have to amass so much overtime just to survive and the and being accused of fraud. I'll give you a perfect example. If you guys want to eliminate the

039fraud that is being said, that is being committed by employees, implement a time clock system districtwide, everybody, management, certificated, classified, everybody. I guarantee you that people standing behind me are not going to be in that list that that are stealing because they work damn hard for their money. They work hard to survive to pay the bills for their family. Implement something like that. And let's see and and and we could straighten out a lot of these accusations because it's not going on. These drivers are working for what they're doing and they don't need to be stressed out out there delivering our students, picking them up and taking them home that they're going to contract out to this department. Ask Palm Springs what happened when they contracted out. It's a nightmare to this day and we

040cannot continue threatening our drivers because without our drivers, you guys are nobodyies. This district is a nobody. Nobody shows up. You'll have nobody in the classroom, nobody to feed, nobody to talk to because they're all be they would all be at home. Get a for-profit contractor to see how fast they cut all these projects, all these after school programs. There'll be no more after school programs. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Uh the last speaker we have, uh Miss Per. [clears throat] Good evening, Cararissa Carrera for CBTA. Imagine a classroom in which the teacher only gives negative feedback to students. Your name isn't in the right place. See me at recess. You multiplied that incorrectly. See me after school. That was the wrong pronunciation. The expectation is that you pronounce every word correctly. You

041have only completed one problem. The expectation is to complete all the problems. Imagine the student morale in that classroom. None of that feedback offers assistance. Would you allow that to continue? I don't believe you would. Teachers are expected to create positive classroom environments, encourage students, and offer every scaffold available to increase learning opportunities. Our students deserve nothing less. What about administrators? Should they foster positive work environments, offer assistance in improving instruction? These are real comments made by directors or the principles they oversee. After observing a lesson, a director stated to other admin, "Okay, what did she do wrong?" That same director later shared, "Good praise is easy to give. Negative feedback is not." After observing students working independently, a director says to the principal, "They should be talking." After being told that they are on

042the I do portion of gradual release, the director then states, "I don't care. They should be talking." A principal note left for the teacher. I observed you working with a small group of students while others were working independently. Moving forward, work in small groups with all students. Do not turn off all the lights. You must have at least one set of lights on. stated to a teacher during student presentations which could not be seen on the screen with the lights on. You are expected to hold the manual in your hands at all times. You set the book down. That was a note left for a for a teacher during a portion of a lesson which required the teacher to clap her hands. The students should not be on the carpet. That wasn't a note left

043during a portion of a lesson which required the teacher to observe every student's work at once. directive given to improve every student's score in I Ready by 150 points but not allowing teachers to utilize the I Ready lessons which would do that providing scaffolding or extension resources available only electronically but directing teachers to keep students off the iPads. This culture can only be described as asinine. The impact of feedback, micromanagement, unrealistic expectations, and negativity is creating a hostile work environment, one in which your employees cannot thrive. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission describes this behavior as sabotage and unfair demands, defined further as being set up to fail with unrealistic expectations or withholding support. is the goal. Decreased productivity and morale, increased stress, a hostile work environment. One teacher described working in this environment as

044death by a thousand needles. >> What some administrators are doing is demoralizing, offensive, and counterproductive to improving instruction. >> Thank you. [applause] Okay. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Uh, can I get a motion to enter to close session? >> So move. Uh, >> can I get a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Okay, we'll be back at Oh, at 7. >> Okay, that's what's noted on here. Okay, thank you. All right, we have the board took action during closed session to approve the resignation of slash10561 agreement effective December 31st, 2025 on this 23rd day of October. Motion was made by board member Akuna, seconded by board member Gonzalez, and the board motion was unanimous. The this board took action during close session to appoint Gan Marie Dargon, I'm sorry if

045I say that wrong. >> Dagarin, I'm sorry, as director of early learners effective October 24, 2025. on this 23rd day of October 2025. Motion was made by board member Akuna, seconded by board member Gonzalez. Motion carried 421 abstension and I'll read them. Um board member Vargas, President Vargas voted I. Uh board member Garcia voted nay. Board member Gonzalez voted I. Board member Akuna voted I. Board member uh Aridondo voted nay. Board member Tortez voted I. And board member Galimmanes abstained. [applause] >> Oh, that's actually great. Um, this board took action during close session to approve the superintendent's goals for the 2025 2026 school year effective October 25 October 24, 2025. Motion was made by board member Tortez B um seconded by board member Galimmanes and motion carried unanimously. And that's completes my report. Okay, thank

046you. Uh, moving on to 4.3, approval of agenda as submitted. Uh, do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. And I think we have a a comment to we have a correction on the agenda uh for discussion item 5.1. That 5.1 is to go to section 8. So if we can have that discussion as item 8.1. >> I also like to make a correction on the October 9th, 2025 regular board meeting minutes under item 15.8. It was an action item where the item was requested to be pulled by President Joselyn Vargas. Name is misspelled. >> It's just a typo. >> It's a typo. We want to make sure that that is corrected. We also have human resources with some corrections. On 17.1 on the certificated personnel report part 7 number 16 I need to

047add teacher Jessica Solomon for 15 hours. Second correction under the classified personnel report uh 17.2 to part six on the chart. I need to add Edgar and Gulo um his term as interim for Mari Tango started 6925 and ended on 102125. Okay. Um all those in favor >> I >> Oh, it's student trustee. I'm sorry. Okay. Student trustee I uh any opposed abstensions? Uh motion carries. Um so we are going to move on to public comment. Um and we have a few. So um we're going to prioritize the public comment in person. Um so I'm going to go ahead and read the the notification. Introductory comments and requests to address the board on items on the adopted agenda and items not on the adopted agenda will be considered from the audience at this time. Please

048complete a request to address the governing board uh form and hand it to the recording secretary. Speakers will be limited to three minutes per person with the maximum of 20 minutes to each subject matter. Additionally, the person making the request should state his or her name and the name of the organization or group represented. Please be advised that the board is not always at liberty to answer questions right away. Um, state law prohibits the board from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda. Um, so we're going to go ahead and start with Fabola Mendes, transportation. And the next speaker after that is um, Yadita Russa. [clears throat and cough] If you can put your translators because I'm gonna speak Spanish. Okay. Do we have translation ready? Okay. Just give us one second

049for board members to get to them. Do you need? Yeah, we're ready. Okay. Mendes management. Forech. Endorsements, credentials, dispatch. Gracias. [applause] Thank you. The next speaker we have Yadira I'm sorry Yadira Russa I'm sorry yada regla public comment >> thank you >> hello my name is Yadira Regla and I have the honor of serving as a board member with the Riverside County SULPA community advisory committee representing in Kachala Valley Unified School District. Over multiple terms, I have worked to support and advocate for students with disabilities and their families. But is with a heavy heart yet unwavering conviction that I submit my immediate resignation from this role. I can no longer in good conscience represent a district that tolerates abbleism or permits its employees to demean and ridicule students with disabilities, whether in person or through

050social media platforms. The recent incident involving a CVUSD bus driver is not only deeply troubling, but it's also reflects a broader systemic issue that we must acknowledge and address. Using a student with a disability as a subject of mockery, especially in such a public and dehumaniz dehumanizing manner, is unacceptable. This is not just about one individual. It is a mirror held up to the culture we are either enabling or challenging. If district leadership believes that a simple training suffice in response to this behavior, I urge you to reconsider your role as well. Our children deserve better, especially those who are most vulnerable. As for the individual involved in the incident, I strongly encourage her to reflect deeply deeply in her actions and consider submitting her resignation from her employment due to not being able to

051uphold the dignity and respect to all students she serves. To fellow parents and community members, this moment is a call to action. If we remain silent, we allow this behavior to persist. The statement made in the video, "This message is to the kid with a poopy diaper," was not just inappropriate. It was a personal and painful reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure equity, compassion, and inclusion, and a call for our leaders to protect all of our students. I remain committed to advocating for our children, especially my son, but I can no longer do that under a banner of a district that fails to protect them all. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. We have um Alicia Via Viad IMAS and then after that we have Mariana Ramos. Um good

052afternoon. I'll change it to English. >> Thank you. >> A long time ago, the first time I came, it was in West Sai. Dr. Mr. Kuna Gonzalez, you were there. Uh, it was technology. They were talking certain things about technology. I was next to Sylvester Sylvester Manuela and she we were talking. I said, "That's not true." He said, "Get up and say something. You know what it is? Get up. I didn't want to. I got up and said what I believe and it was true. The next day the principal call me in and told me what happened. I go I don't know what happened. You say something in the board and I just like I don't know what I I know I know what I said and I said am I in trouble? No. Dr.

053Adam sent me an email and I go okay. and he's coming over here over here to talk to you. What I said was important and what I say right now is important. I am I am instructional media assistance. I've been talking years back how important the role we have for the students and you did listen you br you bought us back to 11 months and and five hours. Today, somebody asked me, "How's your day?" And I said, "Don't even ask. Don't even ask. We can't do it. I can do it." How many years have been coming here and telling you about my role as an IMA? Many years. I thank you for listening and bring us back. We need more hours. I come at 8:30. I'm there at 8. I have students walking in. The

054lights are off. I have the door open. They sneak in there, get the books, check them out. It's okay. I'm supposed to come at 8:30. I do leave exactly at 2:00. The students are not meeting their needs in reading at all. They need us. Now, are we here for the students? Yes. I'm I'm I'm ashamed of saying I can do it in 4 hours and 75 minutes. No, I cannot do it. If many years I've been coming and asking you 12 months, 8 hours. I said it could be 11 months and eight hours. And it's been many years that I've been coming here. not last year or two years ago, three years ago. Think back when Dr. was here. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh we have Mar Mariana Ramos on transportation. >> Mariana

055Ramos. And then after that we have I think it's Edwin Torres. This looks like Ed Edward Torres. >> Yes. Okay. >> Good evening members of the board. I am reading this for Mariana Ramos. My name is Alejandra Garcia. >> Thank you. >> Uh she had to leave. My name is Mariana Ramos and I'm here tonight to speak not just as a parent but as a voice for accountability, safety, and compassion within our school transportation system. For the past three years, my daughter has been under the care of bus driver Patty Reyes, who has shown nothing but love, re reliability, and respect. Patty is more than a bus driver. She's a caretaker, a protector, and someone who treats every child as her own. Every morning, my daughter would climb onto that bus with a smile, eager

056to see Patty. They built a bond based on trust, consistency, and care. Patty would communicate regularly with me about school days off, concerns, and see even small updates. Things that made me as a parent feel that my daughter was safe. That's one moment that stayed with me. There's one moment that stayed with me. One day, Patty's bus broke down near our neighborhood. My husband stopped to check if she needed help. And even then, her only concern was the children. She told him once these doors closed behind me, those kids are my responsibility. That's accountability. That's deduc dedication. That's the kind of employee this district should be proud of. But recently, we were told that Patty would be replaced. And while it may seem like a little like a simple schedule adjustment for a six-year-old with

057this with special needs, it's not. It's disruptive. It's confusing, and unnecessary. The new driver assigned to her route has been cold, uncommunicative, and inconsistent. Just this week, the bus arrived 6 minutes early, left before the scheduled time, and when I called to report it, I was met with dismissive and unprofessional behavior from dispatch. Because of that, my daughter missed her ride, missed breakfast, and I missed work. All because basic accountability and communication were ignored. This isn't just one morning. It's about a pattern, a lack of oversight and empathy within transportation management. Parents should never feel uncertain uncertain about whether their child is safe, cared for, or or treated with respect. So tonight, I'm asking that this district reinforce clear standards of accountability, safety protocols, and empathy training for all transportation staff, from bus drivers to

058dispatchers. Our children deserve to feel safe the moment those bus doors close and we as parents deserve to trust that the person responsible for them take that duty to heart. Thank you for your time and for your commitment for for committing to making safe communication and accountability a true priority for every child in this district. Thank you for your time. Mariana [music] Ramos. >> Thank you. Uh next speaker we have Edward Torres. Uh transportation. And the comment after that, the speaker after that is Ashley Sincski. [clears throat] >> Sorry, a little nervous. Good evening, board. Um, my name is Edward Torres. I've been here 28 years in the Sen Department. Uh started as a bus driver, worked my way up as a you know dispatch um uh field trip tech uh interrum supervisor supervisor and

059all back as a dispatcher. Um and my thing is right now is that uh that I want you to understand I see Gonzalez is gone so that's pertaining to him. understand us that department understand what we need to do. You know, come and see our department and understand it what we need to do. You know, you just can't judge us and say, "Oh, they hand you a piece of paper or 1.5 million or whatever it was on OT." But understand where the data is coming from. Who do we got to, you know, pick up? ACES, Athletics, Migrant, all those programs you want us to do. There's so many programs we got to cover. You know, we got what uh middays that we got to cover. We got activities. We got 38 activities that we got

060to cover. We work from 4:00 a.m. in the morning to 7:30 at night. Mechanics are there till 9:30 at night, you know. And then we have what? Field trips. How many filters do we cover a year? Do you guys know how many field trips do we cover a year? Over a thousand field trips over the season. How is that going to be done? You know, understand what we come from. You know, the time we put in to make those kids go where they need to be. You know, understand the department. Don't just judge that, oh this overtime is being, you know, mishandled or misdone or whatever you guys want to think, but understand where what we got to do here. There's a lot of good people here and a lot of good people have been

061gone from this place because of things that have been done here, you know. So, understand that we're just not taking overtime. We have to do the overtime. We're very unique. You tell me what other district does the three- tier system? H high school, elementary, and middle school. Who else does that? Desert Sand doesn't do it. Pawn Green doesn't do it. I'm sure in the South doesn't do it either. You got to understand drivers come in at 5 4, you know, to 9:00 and then they clock clock back in. You got me mates in the in in the middle. you got, you know, uh, activities, you got field trips, all that needs to be covered. How is it going to be covered if we if we don't do it? They're not going to do it for

062free. Obviously, you probably won't do it for free either, you know? So, just think of that. Understand right now, you should be saying to the to the to the union, hey, let's implement an absent policy. Let's implement a time clock and work with the union. >> Thank you. >> You know, understand us before you judge us. Okay. >> Thank you. [applause] Uh, next speaker we have Ashley Sincski on autism program for staffing. And then we have uh Gail uh Gomez. >> President Vargas, is it okay if Miss Gomez goes first? We're speaking on the same topic. >> Yes. >> G. J. >> It's okay. >> My Spanish. Okay. Thank you. Good evening members of the governing board and superintendent. My name is JL Gomez. Oh, I'm nervous and I am here to share serious concerns

063regarding the safety and staffing conditions in my TK through second autism classroom. Currently, I have 10 students, one transitional kinder, five kindergarteners, and two first graders and two second graders. Four of my youngest students are experiencing school for the first time for the very first time and three additional students joined well after the start of the school year. One's routines had already been established. These circumstances cons combined with reduced PAR educator support have created ongoing challenges that directly impact safety, instruction, and staff well-being. I understand that I am not the only teacher affected by these changes. Last year, I was able I was able to maintain safety and structure by applying the district's model of using one-on-one with the one-to-one staff for classroom support. This year, however, I do not have any students with one-on-one

064support, leaving my classroom with only two PAR educators. With three adults for 10 students, supervision gaps are unavoidable. When two parents must accompany a student to the restroom, the remaining students are left with without adequate supervision. Restroom needs occur frequently throughout the day, making it unrealistic to call for office assistance each time. This situation happens daily. Instruction often stops stops and I redirect students. I redirect unsafe behaviors, prevent elopment, and manage multiple student needs simultaneously. Despite rearranging schedules numerous times to maximize coverage, the absence of a third parah continues to leave us vulnerable during the most critical parts of the day. After only a short time into the school year, my team and I are already feeling the strain. The lack of staffing affects not only students and staff safety, but also instructional quality, data

065collection, and student progress. Recent recent supervision also prevent presents risks. When a student uh needs to use the restroom, it leaves the remaining students with limited supervision, often leading to accidents or unsafe situations. I respectfully urge the district to reconsider allocations for a I reconsider staffing allocations for autism classrooms in the primary grades. Restoring the third para educator would significantly strengthen both the safety and instructional effectiveness. I am deeply committed to the students to my students and providing a safe structured and engaging environment. However, under the current staffing model, this has become nearly impossible to sustain. Thank you for your time and attention. and I would like to invite you guys into my classroom anytime. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, good evening. Um, my name is Ashley Sankowski and I am one of Coachella's behavior

066specialists and one of the requirements of my job is to help coordinate the autism programs. And this school year, the elementary autism programs experienced a significant amount of changes. Last year these programs were located at Vital Soul and John Kelly. And this year the programs were relocated. So most of the teachers in those programs were involuntarily transferred. Most of them received new pair of educators that they met for the first time on the first day of school. And all of them all of the teachers in the elementary autism programs endured a reduction in staffing. Last year the programs had three pair educators and this year they have two. Now, you just heard from Miss Gomez regarding the safety challenges that she is experiencing, and unfortunately, her situation is not unique. All of the teachers in

067the elementary autism programs are experiencing serious safety concerns. Parents are also aware of the challenges in these classrooms and the dangerous staffing ratio, which has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of 1:1 parent educator requests, assessment requests that are being requested. The assessments that are being requested, sorry. Another part of my job description is to support the completion of these one-on-one assessments. And these are called REIS assessments, related services independence assessments. And last year, I received six requests to complete these one-on-one evaluations. And as of Monday, October 20th, I've already received six requests. So, I'm anticipating at least another 10, maybe 15 requests this year, which will triple the amount that we we we completed last year. So aside from the fact that we've got this increasing amount of requests for assessment, we're

068also returning the PAR staffing ratio to last year's ratio, but just through the IEP process. So I just want to be really clear about what I'm saying. The par staffing ratio was reduced to two paras in the elementary autism programs. And this is not enough support to maintain a safe learning environment. So parents and teachers are requesting one-on-one assessments. and students are qualifying because the assessments reveal there isn't enough support in the classroom with just two paras. So I was in an IEP today where another student was awarded a one-on-one parah for one of the elementary autism programs. So now the classroom has three paras just like it did last year. So reducing the paras in these program isn't going to save you any money. All you've done by removing the third parrot is remove

069support from the most vulnerable students who have the most intensive needs and require the most support from the most specialized skilled staff. So I urge you to do right by our students with the most severe disabilities and by returning this paris staffing ratio to three. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. We have uh Rudy Valencia um 5.1 and I think that item was moved to 8.1. So Rudy Valencia. [clears throat and cough] Good evening board. My name is Rudy Valencia. I'm the deputy commissioner for Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. I am here on behalf of Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner's Office and I'm here to read a letter from our agricultural commissioner Dalia Jimenez Choke. On behalf of Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, I am pleased to offer full support for the establishment and continued continued development

070of the agricultural academy at Coachella Valley High School. Agriculture is a cornerstone in Riverside County's economy and heritage. The Coachella Valley has long been recognized as a diverse and productive agricultural operations from table grapes to citrus, dates, and leafy greens. The area the area's total agricultural production is nearly $900 million and accounts for 55% of the entire country's total agricultural crop value. As the agricultural industry evolves with new technologies, sustainable practices, and workforce needs, it's vital that we cultivate the next generation of skilled, knowledgeable, and passionate agricultural professionals who will carry on the Coachella Valley's legacy and increase its economy and impact statewide. The Coachella Valley High School Agricultural Academy represents a significant investment in our local youth and the future of agricultural community. By providing students on hands-on experience, technical training and exposing agricultural

071science, agrous and environmental stewardships, the academy will help bridge the gap between education and industry. Our office supports initiatives and encourages career uh readiness, promoting agricultural literacy and strengthening local partnerships between education, industry, and government. We believe that the agricultural academy aligns perfectly with our goals and will play a central role in sustaining a vibrant and resilient agricultural workforce within Riverside County. Signed, agricultural commissioner for Riverside County, Delia Jimenez Choke. >> Thank you. Thank you. We should um leave the letter maybe with our staff so we can include >> Oh, okay. Thank you. I appre I appreciate it. Thank you. Um the next speaker we have Margaret Chiryako uh Roo on 5.1 as well. And the speaker after that is uh Jenny Hannah Brown. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Honorable CBUSD board member, superintendent Francis

072Esparza and all in attendance. Once again, I, Margaret Shiko Rusher, alum of CV High School and lifetime resident of the Coachella Valley, am here before you to request that you vote to go forward with a proposed grant application as presented to you today by Jenny Hannah and our longtime group of community supporters, our CVH alumni, including Congressman Ree, Supervisor Manny Perez, former Assemblyman Eddie Garcia, former Senator and honor Honorable Gordon Cologne, Medal of Honor recipient, Captain Bill McGonagal, taking you back. Chuck Williams established the William Sonoma Company and many others continuing to better the world and and the alum museum created by Richard Ramirez, Mr. Arab. He was farmer of the year. Our farmers and our a corporations included in growing Coachella Valley, Prime Time, Ocean Mist, Kek, Hadley Company, Tutor Ranches, Carryons, Andersons, the

073Youngs, Peter Rabbit, and many more from our community in the Coachella Valley. We all want and need this to happen now. Coachella Valley High School started as an egg school over a hundred years ago and is on and it is on life support now. We believe the farm area can be brought back to vibrant life by kickstarting and submitting the grant proposal for Proposition 2 funding. We'll start by taking a little bite of the elephant and then proceed to complete the larger project which will offer students the beginning in egg, nurturing their interest and providing the education in specialized egg sectors. Our students deserve nothing but the best and we need to continue to feed the hungry bear of agriculture, keeping it in our valley with capable employees to take the industry forward. This must

074happen to sustain our nation with food independence and food security and sustainability. We also hope to create an active a hub using existing buildings for classrooms, offices for USDA, Riverside County A, and other related agencies. It is imperative that we put our students and their needs first and make these opportunities happen now. The money is there in proposition two. All the grant work has been done and will be ready for submittal by end of November at no cost to CBUSD. The balance of the money to be raised will be accomplished after the grant is awarded and can be done. True leadership will propel this forward. You all together can be the force and Coachella Valley Unified School District will begin to emerge as a one-of-a-kind a hub and academy in California. And I have letters

075from from Desert Rodeo a commissioner Ellen Wei, president of the Riverside County Farm Bureau, Diane Ramirez, Growing Coachella Valley Janelle Percy, Supervisor Manny Perez, and I have them all here. >> Thank you. If you'd like to submit those, um, we can share them to board members. >> Here we go. >> Thank you. >> They're all there. >> Next speaker, we have Jenny Hannah Brown. >> On the same item. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Good evening, board members, superintendent. My name is Jenny Hannah Brown. and I'm a technical advisor to the A uh community in U Margaret Rcher um and I'm here to talk about what we think is a right size for this project um and we've been in discussions with the district and egg community um some of the uh staff at the district

076and the goal is to submit for this proposition funding the deadline for this is December 1st It's fast approaching. There are two tranches for this CTE funding out of Prop 2. This comes through the state school facilities bond program. And there's one this year and there'll be one again um next year. But the competition as the um funds go down gets uh extremely competitive and so recommendation is to go for it for this trunch of funding. um the packet that you should have before you. There's just a little outline of the project. We're proposing a phase one that essentially is a $3.5 million project of which the CTE grant request would be 1.75 million. It's a 50% match with the match contribution coming from community fundraising, inind donations, and um uh those types of things.

077The expectation is not to have district funds fund the project. Um the same for getting the grant developed. Um I'm volunteering my time on behalf of the students and um uh the egg group as well as um we have architectural commitment to uh donate time to prepare the documents that we need for for the grant. So um time is running out to submit for this kind of funding. It is a competitive grant. You have to obtain a certain score in order to be processed for funds. Those funds are then set aside and then you have time to develop um your project through department of education, through the state architect's office, through all the agency uh requirements and um jointly then do the fundraising that the community wants to do for this project. Um the district

078is not obligated to accept the grant if the fundraising doesn't happen or complete the project. Um, so there's really no no risk to the district um on this venture and um that that's the premise that we're bringing to you today. Um the project would include it's very downsized from the original concept but would include a barn facility and uh cla uh reuse classroom space and crop area and animal pens. >> Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker we have um Elva Ortiz apparently Asil um Elva Ortiz. Oh, she's on her way. Uh and the speaker after that is Veronica. Constantial. particip. So inclusive. collabor. Gracias Gonzalez Garcia Gracias. >> Gracias. Uh, thank you. Um, next speaker we have Veronica. Um, there's two. Uh, one's a 6.1 recognition, the other one's comments from board meeting. >> So,

079I want to address the first one, the comments of the board meeting. Good evening, Veronica Duena, CSCA, um, Chief Union Stewart, um, and everybody that's here. So, I want to address comments that were made last board meeting against a certain department. And the sad part, it wasn't even against the department. It was against a classification called the bus drivers. Yes, we are in the news of everything. It is what it is. But the reality is when you guys made that um presentation on overtime, you guys gave a number that was based off of a total. The crazy part is that total number when you guys were talking about going against the bus drivers, you gave the total of the whole department from 2016 to 2425. But the other crazy part on this is that it

080wasn't explained what was the breakdown. You saw it on your paper and I'm assuming as board members you're supposed to see what's on the paper as the breakdown. But did you really see what the true breakdown was on that paper? And I'm going to tell you no. You want to know why? Because it wasn't on that paper. That's the crazier part. You want to know why? Because between 20 and 21, that's when COVID hit. We had a shutdown. But guess what? We didn't just have a shutdown. And I know this for a fact that maybe none of you are even going to know this because I know for a fact that your board there on your cabinet is all new. They have no clue what happened. They weren't even here. So guess what happened? You

081guys got 15 new drivers off of 78. Did that add to your overtime? Yes, it did. We also had reclasses between those years. Did that change your overtime? Yes, it did. But guess what? You don't take the time to think about that. You guys just expect services. So, guess what? I have a plan for you to get rid of that overtime, Mr. Gonzalez and everybody else here. If you're going to interested in it, guess what? Get rid of all the student services. Thank you ladies for talking about the agoucher because guess what? If you guys were to pick that up, what are you gonna ask for? You're gonna ask to bus students. Get rid of it. Get rid of aces. Get rid of field trips. Get rid of middays. Get rid of all services to

082students to get rid of the overtime. And guess what? Guess who's going to be up here besides me? all the parents that you took the buses away from because they want the services to take them home for the students. Don't think about it as the overtime. If you don't want the overtime, get rid of it. Get rid of the service to the students. Do home to school. But you can't. That's the crazier part of all of this. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] The next one is yes. in recognition of my drivers. And you heard them all. You heard different classifications. You heard monitor, you heard bus driver, you heard dispatchers, and you heard mechanics. Listen to what they're telling you guys. Thank you, Mr. Adondo, because you have been on the buses. And I will

083say this, thank you, Dr. Sparsa, because you also rode a bus prior to her being sick. So, I know she can't go out there. But the reality here is if they said was true, if you do not understand how the wheel turns, then you're never going to understand. That's the reality. You do not see when they come in. You do not see when they exit. And a lot of them came in despite them having to do activities. Why? Because two, there there's a point to be proven. I literally talked to them and I said, "Hey, do your guys' work, right? Because they're wanting to contract out." That was the comment made. Now, if you really think that that's the solution to this problem, you said it best, Joey, in last meeting. You said accountability. CSA

084has never said do not do accountability. It depends on who is running the ship to do the accountability. You guys heard it time and time again tonight. I've heard it a lot of times tonight. Accountability, but the accountability is not on the employee. The accountability is on management. And guess what? How many directors has transportation gone through? How much leadership amongst you guys and out there has this district gone through in the past 10 years that you guys are looking at one department? I'm sorry, but you are right. There is no accountability. And my union and all my brothers and sisters on this union, we are not afraid of accountability. I will walk in to a meeting on accountability and I will represent and tell my member you did wrong or you did right. But

085again, it comes down to what is it that you are supposed to be doing and stop trying to give and be little and scare people. That's the problem here. stop it. Because either way, whichever way you guys decide to go, you're still going to hurt the students at the end of the day. So, let's stop and get on the same page. Stop throwing this at transportation and do the right thing. We have Samuel Turley and Marina Loa after that. Awesome. Thank you. It's tough to follow. Um, hello everyone. Uh, good evening board. Uh, my name is, uh, Samuel Turley. I'm the labor rep, labor relations representative with the California School Employees Association. I represent CV 109. I'm here this evening because of comments made by board member Jesus Gonzalez uh about the hardworking classified school

086bus drivers who've dedicated themselves to ensuring our students have access to safe, efficient, and reliable transportation. I'm so proud of the many uh classified bargaining unit members who showed up here today to voice their concerns and to speak out about how critical their role is to the success of this district. What board member Gonzalez said at the at the last board meeting was filled with inaccuracies and is a failed attempt to create internal division within our bargaining unit. First, who illegally laid off and eliminated parent community lison that you and so many parents have voice are critical to schools. This board did. I have with me uh a copy, if you'd like it, of the PERB complaint that was issued against this district for their move to eliminate and abolish classifications like the parent community

087leaison and to transfer their duties to other employees both within and outside of the bargaining unit. This was done without prior negotiation or without prior notice to C uh CSA CB 109 and represents your refusal to bargain in good faith over the effects of those layoffs. I want to set the record straight on that piece. because we as a union begged you for months not to go through with the layoffs of the community uh parent leaison and time and time again you ignored us and our warnings as part of the layoffs last year. The board also laid off a further 13 of our bus drivers many of whom were hired during the surge during the co9 pandemic in subsequent years. A lot of the overtime that board member Gonzalez alleges is being abused by our

088drivers goes primarily towards providing students with activities like field trips that enrich their educational experience. This makes up the bulk of the time and it's not taken by our drivers but offered to them. Much of this increase again can be attributed to to those drivers hired during the CO 19 crisis. you see fluctuations in those numbers. And when you really drill down, the number that Jesus Gonzalez was citing was 2 million less for the drivers specifically. As we know, transportation is a critical department needed to ensure that our students are being served with the best educational services possible. To do so, we need the district to work with CICA CB 109 as we are negotiating updates to the transportation article and to work towards a solution that works for both both parties. Our bus [snorts]

089drivers work day in and day out to ensure that our students get to where they are on time, safely, and they deserve your respect. Thank you for your time tonight. >> Thank you. [applause] We have Marina Loera and then after that, Amelia Sanchez. Um, good evening. I'm Marina Loera. I'm going to read a statement from a driver that wasn't able to be here tonight. He goes in at 4:30 in the morning and he got off around 7:45. Came briefly, told me if I can read this for him. Um, hello Coachella. I am Alejandro Teherina Jr. I apologize as I could not attend to the meeting. Um, I was working at West Shores doing an activity. Then we'll need um he said, "Well, we need to get up at 3:00 a.m. to repeat. I am a

090bus driver at CBUSD. Joined during COVID time when Coachella was in need of drivers. Still does." Um funny enough though, some of the buses are as a I rode the bus as a kid that I have drove. I would ask the board to think well on your thoughts of contracting out the department. I can imagine the the offers will seem appealing at first as they um will buy up all your equipment. You will soon realize later you will soon realize point will be too late. CB CBUSD will be stuck. I hear lots of compromises um to um I'm sorry um to he sees a lot of comparisons to Desert Sance Unified School District and Zoom, a new transportation um company out in Palm Springs, but realize that CVUSD caters to all students. Above for high

091schoolers is a luxury. A bus for high schoolers is a luxury in this district. I went to Shadow Hills High School. We had to we had to um fight for a bus for the after school activities and they were denied and he lived in India Hills so he would have to find a way to get to school for after school activities they didn't have any so he's stating that um CBUSD our students are very lucky to have the buses that we have because over there in deserts and other school districts they don't provide buses for hardly anything if you live too far too bad you got to find your own way to school and how's a student going to So he's grateful to work here and he's and he's grateful for the services that we

092provide to the district and to please think about before that before you you try to contract out the department. >> Thank you Amelia Sanchez and then Ran Salua. Sanchez is not sure. >> Oh, thank you. Ran Sala and then Oelia Fuentes. And then the la the last person, David. >> Sorry, my contract uh my contact is getting a little gray. Um good evening. My name is Ryan Leua, vice president for chapter 109. I took a minute to look at the titles hanging in the hallway the other day. Most of them I know and read. These stories still ring true and remind me of some of my life experiences and situations that I'm currently living. Classified much like Dorothy the Tin Man, the lion, and the scarecrow. We show up to our own Emerald City to

093find that our wizards are no wizards but frauds. We tried bringing issues to your attention but our feedback but are fed um poor guidance and instruction. In a meeting with Paris, they expressed their need for help with toileting and a variety of other issues going on in Spit within their work site. Management in their infinite wisdom told them that you only need one of you to assist with toyoting and the student if they can go on their own, let them. The pairs know very well what will happen by following that instruction. Instead of acknowledging their needs of staffing and strategy, they prefer that they click their heels and just go home. [clears throat] And the example of that was that a parent noticed a student was taking too long in the stall and when they

094went to go check on them, they noticed that a student had picked up their own feces and smeared them all over the stall on the walls. in nutrition services. Our storekeepers were expressing some of the frustration from the orders in the kitchen and the lack of inventory um that's being ordered. As you know, only one person um knows the ins and outs of the Mosaic program, which is a vital communication method between your warehouse and the kitchens. That person wasn't around and someone had to work out of class. But when the storekeepers asked why not them, they were told, "You only understand 20% of the job." Mistaken for blue jays, you shoot your mocking birds. We classified staff suffer from the prejudice of being considered expendable as we eat up all the resources like the

095blue jays described by Adakus Finch. As if the positions you cut could be easily transferred to management and we know the principles doing the extra three roles is not easy and even being delegated to the remaining staff at the sites. Busy as they are, they now have less time to hear what we have to say, including the community. One of the attendance clerks approached me with the student expressing that they had not been able to get their iPad back from the summer school that um a teacher had taken it away. Uh I apologize for that experience and set that one set one up for them. Anyway, as we pursue our dreams, just like in the Great Gatsby, we find that we don't fit into your old money society with your titles and pay ranges that

096allow division of people where a safety supervisor can be scheduled to work an 8-hour day and only get paid 3.5 hours. They start when the students before they get there and after they leave. I'll leave you with this. Instead of looking upon us with hard eyes, look upon us with soft eyes so you can see the bigger picture. >> Thank you. >> Um, Aelia Fuentes. [applause] >> Good night. My name is Sophilia Fuentes. I'm a 34 year uh school bus driver. I'm sorry for what had happened with this um driver that once uh minute of fame and now she put us all of us in a spotlight. We our department are very very deeply sorry about it. That's all I can say on this case. Uh my concerns and my questions are directly to Mr.

097Jesus Gonzalez. I heard that on our uh the transportation department that you are one of the board members that want us to disappear from the district. What basis do you have to request or bring to the table such a wonderful idea? According to your information, I guess we the drivers are claiming over times that we are not entitled to. Do you know that there's still drivers out there working? Have you ever been without with one of the drivers from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.? Of course, we have breaks and lunches between those hours because in 10 working 10 years working in this district, I only have the privilege that Mr. Trinidad Ardondo run along with me. I'm pretty sure he can tell you what it is and what it takes to be on those seats the

098whole day. If you are so concerned about the budget and dis of the district of transportation department, why haven't you done something realistic about it? With all my respect to all the accounting staff of the district, but you guys need extra extra help from an expert. Mr. Gonzalez, why don't you request to hire a budget manager, a budget administrator, the one that can even smell well the money goes, the one that can never will never never let anyone to get themselves ridiculous races that do not deserve. And it also ridiculous that it took $1 and a half million dollars to start blaming our department. I'm proudly can say that we are the best transportation department in the Coachella Valley. Thank you. [applause] I have David is David. I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing the last name.

099Desert Rodeo. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Um that's all the public comment that we have. Uh we are going to move on to 7.1 R communication. We received a significant number of uh written requests. A lot of them around transportation. So we will be submitting them uh to public record and distributing them to board members. So be on the lookout for an email with all those documents. Uh 7.2 2 student board member report uh trustee Himenez. >> Okay, so for Coachella Valley High School, um they continue to make strong progress in preparing students for their futures through academic readiness, leadership, and school involvement. Students are actively engaging in college and career preparation programs, avid activities, and classroom learning to support post-secary success. School spirit and student participation remain high through campuswide events such as

100rallies, cultural celebrations, and community service projects. Their athletic programs, including football, volleyball, cross country, and cheer, have also seen great involvement, build building teamwork, and pride among students. Coachella Valley High School remains dedicated to help every student succeed academically, socially, and personally as they plan for their futures. At Desert Mirage High School, things are running smoothly. We're looking forward to an exciting winter sports season as our teams prepare for their upcoming games beginning November 18th. Many of our athletes are already practicing and aiming for leaning championships. We're also thrilled about our new gym floor, which has enhanced both safety and visibility for our student athletes. Finally, a special recognition to the AVID program. They've been on top of things. Their operations are well organized and funds are strong. Charter buses have already been been paid

101in advance for upcoming field trips at Laaf Familia. CCT recently visited the campus to present the services they provide. And next week, Universal Technical Institute will also be on site. La Familia's counselor, Mr. Cardinas, is providing one-on-one support for students to complete Calkits, COOD, and FAFSA applications. The La Familia ASV will be hosting spirit week from October 27th to October 31st, featuring daily goodie bag giveaways, a costume contest on the 31st with gift cards for the top three winners, and a red ribbon week poster contest promoting the theme life is a puzzle, solve it drug free with winners announced on the 31st. Students will also enjoy a Friday night live rockin lunch activity with music and games on the 30th. for West Shores. Yesterday, juniors participated in the PSAT during college kickoff day. While 30

102students are working on the Avant test to demonstrate Spanish proficiency, and many more have passed the AP Spanish exam. We are optimistic about a high about a high number of graduates earning the seal of biiteracy. West Shore is ranked number four in the valley for high school math, just behind Palm Springs High School. and our health pathway students recently completed midterms reporting confidence in their progress. FAFSA completion is at 60% with counselors actively supporting students with applications and financial aid. Seniors receive targeted guide targeted guidance for college planning, FAFSA, Cal State Applications, and Cal Kids accounts. While eighth graders continue Spanish placement testing in athletics and student life, our volleyball team won its second consecutive league championship and remains undefeated. Football is in good standing for playoffs, and our cheer program continues to grow. Middle

103and high school students are engaged in ASB, homecoming, and the upcoming Dia Muertos Festival with with winter sports beginning November 10th. Now for our warms and cools. At Desert Rage High School, college kickoff day was a complete success with students enjoying engaging panels, including alumni from 10 years ago who shared their post-graduation journeys. The event concluded with lunch from the the burger spot, creating a fun and memorable experience. Additionally, at La Familia's senior sunrise, it was very successful with 50 seniors participating. At Coachella Valley High School, their student body and clubs continue to make school events inviting and inclusive, offering opportunities for students to explore available resources. On the other hand, bus arrivals remained a challenge with delays ranging from 5 to 40 minutes daily, though overall efficiency has improved. Finally, students and families have

104expressed concerns about the 2026 graduation, specifically regarding the day, location, and preparation time, and are seeking potential solutions to ensure a meaningful celebration. Today, at West Shores High School, we had the opportunity to welcome secondary principles to our campus. It was encouraging to see the district placing an emphasis on visiting school sites rather than holding meetings solely at the district office. During a band class though, a student asked if district staff had ever visited that classroom. The teacher shared that in her seven years at the school, no district personnel have ever visited her classroom. I found this interesting because I believe any subject or class should be considered should shouldn't be considered less important than another. Just like our other core subjects, classes like bands have areas where they could grow and improve. However, how

105can we identify opportunities for growth if visitors who are there to provide feedback exclude the program entirely? This leaves the program without guidance and hinders its ability to develop further. I wanted to bring this to the board's attention because it's important to value and recognize programs like band equally with our core academic subjects. Band is not only a graduation requirement, but it's als but it also makes a positive impact on our school culture, student engagement, and campus pride. Thank you. >> Thank you. We're going to move on to um 7.3 board member reports. Um Mr. Aqua, can we start with you? >> Thank you. Um first of all, thank you for everyone who came. You've heard me say this before. Whether you agree or disagree with us, the fact that you're here uh shows that

106you're showing a commitment to our community and to your your own personal cause. So, uh, again, um, I don't take it personal. Well, sometimes it depends what they say, but yeah. But, uh, uh, again, uh, I think many of the points that were made, I think, were were pretty clear. Um, obviously there's some disagreements on some of the details, which we can we can do that. But, um, I wanted to to say a couple of other things before I get into some of the things I wanted to talk about. But um I wanted to um congratulate um the uh after school program, the LLP program. They had a very successful mini soccer pro uh tournament last uh Saturday. Uh many people were there. A lot of parents got to interact with a lot of the

107parents talking to them. Obviously, they all had questions about what's been happening and so able to share some information with them. Uh I think they were very appreciative because a lot of the things they read and see, they're not sure if it's true or not. I give them my opinion and again they can take that as as they will. Uh they are going to have a volleyball tournament this coming Saturday. Is that at CV High? >> Where? Oh, Desert Mirage at Desert Mirage High School. It'll probably start around 7 8:00 and that's pretty much the day. Um so if anybody's interested in going out there and seeing um what they do. Um, also wanted to touch base on um, and I'm going to let my um, one of my colleagues here, we had a 2

108by two with the city of Linta. She'll give a a report on what happened there. Um, but I thought it went well for the most part. So, but I'll let her uh, give the full report on that. um to the other things that I wanted to also touch base about. We're talking about the ILOP program and one of the requests I as a board member would like to ask um the board president and the superintendent is to review what I consider has been a disastrous reorganization of the LOP program. uh again in their infinite wisdom to go from three coordinators to two coordinators and add hundreds of people to them without adding any staff uh with no you know now they're overwhelmed they're trying to do what they can do but obviously nobody thought it

109out as they didn't ask anybody in the LP program how this would work they asked other people who don't work in the LP program going to your point about doing things without asking people who actually are doing the job um I would ask that they do another view on that organization and see and bring it back and any needs and structures they they may have. Um again, for those of you who want to eliminate the ELO program, they pay for their own transportation, right? So, you know, they're funding it. Um so, again, I think that's another issue. And again, I said this I think I said this last week, I said it before, people just need to come to work. A lot of our problems are caused because people don't come to work. And again,

110I said this I think last week or the last board meeting or the one before is it's easy to target bus drivers because unfortunately they're the first person that everybody sees in the morning or doesn't see in the morning. But as I brought up the last time and I'm going to bring it up again and I'll keep bringing it up so we understand this is a workplace culture that we have going on. According to the numbers that I have, and these are the numbers that I get for people who show up, we have roughly 1,900,900 in place, 2,000ish somewhere in that. I I'll use those numbers. I think they're high, but we'll use those numbers for Last Monday, 400 people across the district didn't show up for work. 391 on Tuesday, 336 on Wednesday, 376

111on Thursday, and 444 on Friday. out of roughly 1,900. That's a lot of people. Now again, that's the whole numbers. There's some people who are on workman's comp. There are some people who are out in bereavement. We understand that. But the bulk of them, we know where they came from. That has to stop. Why are we getting extra overtime? Because people don't come to work. And then it doesn't show up as overtime because we have to hire a sub. If it's a teacher, we have to hire a sub. Uh and then we have to pay the sub. If it's somebody else, we hire a sub or bring or somebody has to stay longer to do whatever services. So then we get other overtime. So again, the point I'm trying to make is it's easy to

112target bus drivers again because we all get calls in the morning saying, "Where's the transportation?" They don't care about who showed up or who don't didn't show up. Parents want to know why their kids aren't getting picked up, right? And we don't have an answer. Well, we have an answer for them, but it's it's not a good answer, right? And so this is a problem that's across the district. This is not just in transportation. This is not just CSEA. This is not just CVTA. This is this is you know as well as you know and I'm sure we do administrator ones. We're going to get some of those as well. So this is a problem that people just need to show up to work. I'm sorry. I understand if you're sick, but let me remind

113you if you're sick, don't post that you're at Disneyland or wherever the hell you're at. Okay? And I've seen that and I've called people and I said, "Look, we're allowed to go look at your social media here and this is where you're at and you call in sick. If you have a PN day, then do whatever you want, but if you're going to call in sick, don't post where you're at, right?" So, these are things that we have to get a handle on. And it does go back to accountability. And we've been talking about this for a long time. I'm happy to hear that you guys are good with the time clocks now. I want time clocks across the district. I don't just want them in transportation. Fair is fair. Everybody should be to come

114to work on time. Everybody should be clocking in and out. Okay, we are still doing paper and pencil time cards. You know how long that takes? All the man hours that we have to do for that because we don't have a system like that, right? And it also goes back to accountability. We can hold people accountable. Are they actually doing what they say they're doing? You know, I say I come in at two. I don't show up till three. Unless somebody's there to figuring it out, we don't know. So, we're paying extra money, right? Those are things that we really really need to start looking at and it goes back to the accountability and again you know it's easy to point to Mr. Gonzalez because Mr. Gonzalez brought up the, you know, contracting out, but

115we have a problem in transportation. We got to fix it and that's an option. Not a good option for some. It's an option. We got to be responsible and look at all the options, right? That's our job. But again, I've sat again, I I understand Mr. goes on bus rides and stuff like you know most of you know that I've been I've gone to I've gone to bus drivers homes and had meetings with bus drivers in the past. I've done all that stuff and we've had this same problem and it's the same 10% that I keep telling you. It's the same 10% that's causing 90% of the problems. That's where we have to hold people accountable. You know, I heard bus drivers today say, "Don't judge us all the same." Okay. But when we go

116after the other ones, you guys can't stand there and say, "Oh, no. We can't we can't do anything. we have we have to hold everybody accountable and that's the problem we have right um so you know we're not getting anywhere anywhere quicker by doing all this we've negotiations you guys have the upcoming per thing we're going to go through that we'll see what happens you know we had a plan you had a plan nobody one, we're sitting in the middle of the road staring at each other. We're going to get hit by cars. What's going to happen? And all the time the parents are calling us and they're calling you and complaining and they have a right to complain cuz again they don't care whose department or what or they don't care none of that.

117They care that the services their kids should be getting are not being met across the board. Those are things we have to rely on. And again, I have to remind everybody there is no money. You know, you can come. I've had these conversations personally with some other people. You can come and tell me we need to bring all these people back. There's no money. We can't. We got to figure out. You tell me who to fire on the other side. I'll bring somebody back. There is no money. Okay? So, when we going forward, we have to keep that in mind that we have to find a way to fit it in our fiscal recovery plan. And you all know next year we're going to cut some more. We know that. We know that. But people

118are pretending like that's not happening. Let's spend this, let's do that. Let's There's no money. So it's not even about well let's not do this and save that money. There is no money to save. So I think at a certain point we need to become realistic of the situation we're at and and bargain in that fashion. We have a lot of issues that we need to do. Uh I believe you guys are willing to do it. But I saw it earnestly today from some of your transportation people saying things that I haven't never heard them say before about accountability. I'm happy. So, let's move forward. And again, easy to blame bus drivers, but this not coming to work is across the board. It's across the district. And again, 400 on Monday and 444 on Friday

119kind of tells you something, right? That's something we got to deal with. So, that's my report. That's my little rant. Okay. Uh, Trusty Arondo, >> good evening and thank you everybody for coming. Um, I I always appreciate having everybody come and talk to us, just letting us know the things that [clears throat] that they see and that they want and that we need to work towards together, right? Um, as [clears throat] we get across this fiscal stabilization plan and our fiscal plan to get the district right sized, it it's important that we work together and that we know that, you know, we're going to have less staff, right? We know that there's less staff coming next year, right? But we can always we can always focus on that or we can focus on how do

120we make sure our district continues to run. Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you what you have to do. Uh because that's not my job as a board member, right? Uh you take what days are given to you. You take what days you believe that you need. And that is that is not my responsibility, but as a district, we just need to, you know, uh work together to make sure for our students and we're here for our students. Um I got a chance to go to Coachella Valley High School to the football game. Um, congratulations to the football team who uh, you know, for their their just season. I know that next week we have the bell game, so I look forward to going to India High School and seeing the bell

121game there. Um, I got a chance to visit um, a couple school sites. Um, and one of the things that concerns me, Dr. Sparza, at Caesar Chavez, we have a small fence and there seems to be parents that jump that small fence holding their kids. Um, and and I believe that that's an issue. So, uh, I don't know the remedy for it, whether we take off that fence. It's a small six, uh, 4 foot fence, or we, uh, you know, I'm not sure what we do there, but I know that parents are jumping over the small fence to not have to walk around the parking lot. And that's creating um, you know, it's not it's not good to see, right? And so, I just wanted to share that um that I'm there. I got to

122visit Coachella Valley High School. Um, I realize there's no money, but I'm I'm always going to, you know, push that, you know, I know that we need to repave that parking lot and that, you know, I'd like to see ornamental fentine on Bambiran. I get it. We don't have any money, but I'm still going to say what what it is that I when I make when I make these school visits. Um, I visited classroom students said that the w I know we've tested the water at CV High School, Dr. Spars, in the past. I'm going to ask that. Um I I know that there's a kid that food services test the water. Um I'm going to ask what you know that I know students complain that the water look funny to them. I I'm not

123a water expert so um you know uh but hopefully we can take a look at that. Um see I visited a couple elementary schools and I I I understand what some of the complaints have been because of some of the sites that I visited. Um they had staffing issues um and staffing issues that are concerning to me because if you don't have a principal available um that's fine. If you don't have an assistant or principal available that's concerning if you don't even have a designate that's super concerning and Dr. part of that I you know I spoke to you about my concern that I I believe there has to be hopefully at least a designate which is what we're voting on today for design but I understand now and and trust me we're going to

124we have to get through this together if if you know I I realize that there's less and less funding there's less and less staff but there are some things that you know I believe we need to do uh that we need to make sure that there's at least a designate on site and they don't have time to meet with me that's okay. I always walk away when when they say I don't have time cuz they're too busy. I'm okay with that. But not having a person that that's concerning. Um and with that, that's my report. Thank you, Dr. President. >> Thank you, >> Madam President. >> Oh, just KUS. >> Thank you very much. And and I also echo thank you for all the comments that we get. It's very important that you continue to

125provide comments. I wanted to make a a um discuss the 2 by two that trustee Akunv uh went to and Dr. Sparza was there, Sarako Sanchez, Lei Torres, and from the city of Linta, it was uh council members John Pena and Kathleen Fitzpatrick and city manager John McMillan. Probably a lot of people who are sitting here don't realize that uh Westside and Mountain Vista are within the trustee area of the city of Linta. So city of Linta actually pays taxes to CVUSD. So um so that's an important consideration. So we were trying to improve the relationship between us and the city of Lintita and we had really good discussions. We dis we talked about the westside playfield renovation plan. The city came back and said, "Hey, Kennedy Market's doing some renovations. We need to make

126sure the district takes into consideration what's going on there and how it might affect uh Westside." Uh we went through uh CVUSD news and we talked about that. We talked about the um CTE opportunities that we're looking at including with um Desert International Horse Park, Cal Fire um you know uh and things like that. So they were very much impressed how much work we're doing to provide those type of extra opportunities for students. Uh one of the things that also is very important is that we do need to start communicating better to the residents in Lintita about you know what we're doing together with um the city of Lintita and CVUSD. So we're going to be you're going to start seeing more features in the Linta magazine called the gem you know of what we're

127doing with CVUSD you know for instance trying to also update some misconceptions talk about the Williams Act we talk about you know what we're doing with our schools so um I think you know there's there's a weekly newsletter goes out so we're going to start trying to communicate to the residents of Linta the importance of our schools here to the city residents as well. And as uh Linta expands out east, there's going to be more residents there and there's going to be more um services that they'll be getting from CVUSD in the schools. So, that's what I wanted to report on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Trusty Gonzalez. [clears throat] >> Yes. Um, I want to thank uh all the hardworking transportation staff that showed up today. I um you know it's I I

128I honestly believe that if you're taking away from watching a a soap opera TV um of any sort and that you take the time to come and voice your opinion whether I like the feedback or not. It's just good that you're exercising your your right to be here and and your right to be heard. I um I think one of the most exciting possibilities is that I heard uh more than one person talk about accountability. Um I heard more than one person talk about working together to try to find a solution to the challenge that we have in transportation. As Mr. Kuna said, it's it's not only prevalent there. It's it's in all the departments. We have uh some serious issues that are simply adding up to millions of dollars at the end of the

129year. And with the fiscal challenges that we have, it becomes more and more important that we really become more efficient, that we understand where our shortfalls are and that we find a trust in [clears throat] in the departments, in the unions to try to work together to try to figure out how we're going to go forward. You know, it's you know, the story that was read from Patty, she had to leave talking about her experience, right? The Lorena Diaz story. You know, it's it's it's touching uh when people talk about the fact that they need the job to they're a single parent or or they have issues and and they're worried about about how it's going to go forward and what's going to happen. me as a board member, I honestly believe that anybody that

130would be serving in my capacity with the challenges that we have um and understanding that what happens in transportation has been front and center since we came back to school. We had a very difficult negotiation. There was a lot of people laid off. It was hard for every board member to to to swallow that. I had a two years before that, I had a straightforward conversation with the union president that we were going to have layoffs, that we had a bunch of onetime money that was going to go away and we weren't going to be able to afford. And when you took that nine and a half% pay increase that we were even eating quicker into that reserve and that we were going to have two 300 employees is what I said to her. And

131so that doesn't make it any easier, but I seen it happening. So the school the school year starts, right? And we have our first board meetings and from the beginning we've been getting these reports of bus drivers being late. Uh we just had our student trustee talk about how they're expecting five to 40 minutes late every day, every bus. And so I haven't been able to figure out what's going on. But I do know that I've asked for an attendance record and I know that the first day of school when it was 110 115 we had 24 bus drivers that were missing for whatever reason. And so when we have a cohort of less than 80 bus drivers and 25 are calling in sick, you start wondering what the motivation is. What is it that

132that's leading you after a whole summer for 25 of you to say, "I'm not going to work today." And we sit here as board members getting the complaints from the community, from the school sites, and and it's hard because we're looking at it. And then I I was well aware of the overtime challenges that we have in the school district and the attendance and I know it's across the board but for us you know even today we had people and then to add insult to injury this bus driver I don't know what she was thinking but she's all over the news where we're now making fun of special need kids. It was very compelling when that bus driver came up and apologized for her actions. And I know that all of you feel the same

133way. But we're put in a situation where we're seeing this every day. Transportation is not working the way it's being managed. I'm not going to blame it on the workers. I'm going to blame it on mid-management. I'm going to blame it on management. Everybody's responsible. And the only solution is going to be one created by all of us or we're going to have to decide to go somewhere else and find these services. I don't feel good being the breaker of bad news, sitting here and listening to people come in and complain about a comment that I made. What I do know is that it's not working. And if we don't fix it, it's going to continue not to work. And I'm not going to accept that it hasn't worked and that's just the way it's

134going to operate. And I'm not going to accept that we pay a million and a half dollars of overtime every year. However, it's happening, it's got to stop. We've been in a situation where we had 13 more bus drivers. We still had the same overtime problem. Now we have less bus drivers. We still have the same overtime problem. There's a culture over there. I don't know. I I'm not going to profess to tell you guys what's going on over there. I don't have the solution. I don't care how many buses I drive on. Nobody's going to tell me how hard it is to get up at 3:30 in the morning and work all day. I We all worked hard. We come from this community. I watch my parents work. And so I I'm looking at

135this and I'm saying when it just push equal equals work, we can be better. We all can be better. And and I challenge us all to work together to be better because at the end of the day, it's about the children. Our community deserves better. Just because we're over here on the east end of the valley and there's a lot of brown faces, that doesn't mean we deserve less. We deserve better. We're not doing our best. And so again, I I think as crazy as it sounds, this was very positive for me. It's very positive, I think, for everybody to understand what we could all lose, right? I heard I heard them say, you know, they're going to take your fleet, and once they take your fleet, they're going to push the price through the

136roof. That's a reality. That's what business people do. They come in and they low bid you. And if you don't put the protections in place that in the next five years it's not going to double, they're it's going to double because that's what these institutions do. But I can tell you the way we're operating, it's not working either. So I challenge all of you, especially the union leadership, to start getting a hand around this idea of how we're showing up to work. That's all I got. >> Trusty Garcia, Thank you. And we've all thanked everyone who's given their time here to come and talk to us about the reality that they're seeing out in our community. Everyone who is here and gives their time. You're all here for the same reason, our students and our

137community, right? Um, we know that things on very different fronts are not working. We've heard from parents. We've heard from both sides. We've heard from staff on varied classifications that things aren't working. We've heard from parents countless times, the same parents over and over again um that things aren't working. We've had a transition period. We're still working through kinks. What makes me nervous is we're still in a fiscal stability plan, right? We still have more cuts to happen somewhere. And it it that worries me completely. Um people are saying there's no money, there's no money. That is not exactly accurate. Um, we are not getting the same infusion of money that we did during COVID. COVID was unprecedented times. We did what we felt we needed to do at that time. Now we're we're transitioning

138and we're transitioning faster than we should have. So now we are scrambling, but I don't want that to happen again. We've we're still hearing about kinks. Um between board meetings I've met with policy committee twice because we are working to get the language right for uh AI because we know that that's where we are in society. Um, and we want to make sure that when we bring our recommendations to the board that we are covering all bases to make sure that there are safeguards and clear guidelines for staff and students and training for everyone because it's a new frontier and it's changing, right? So, we're working on that. We also I also met with the budget committee and I really want to make sure that again in a fiscal stability plan year that we can

139utilize that committee to its fullest extent. that committee has the charge to look at our our um budget in in a different light and take the time to analyze where we can possibly cut millions of dollars and not hurt our students and not hurt our services that we hear every single board meeting our community wants and deserves. Our students want to deserve it, but where are we going to prioritize? I really, really want the next meeting to have meaningful analysis on our budget. Um, reports have been requested. I really hope that we can get that to our uh committee group so that we can do that work so that by the time it gets to the board, things have already been looked at in a different light. Right? So last last year, even though we

140had extra sessions, it felt rushed. It was not great. I mean, people have said it already. It was not a good feeling to cut as much as we did. I am not crazy about cutting more. This is where we are. And I want to make sure that that committee has the ability and everything they need to do what they can and that this board has everything they need and the time allotted. If we need special sessions, we need special sessions because we've already heard how last year went. We're still dealing with it. If we don't put that time in, this board ultimately is what's going to make that cut. Um, I'm so happy to hear um calls for accountability that absolutely trickles down from the top. Every time we hear about big things happening, unfortunately,

141I cannot ask the director, you know, that that may have had the the history about those things because they're gone. And that unfortunately is something that we are known for. we get major turnover from leadership and that will if that doesn't change I'm not sure how the rest of the culture will change without that that's just basic and our dashboard will always reflect that unless something changes but this board needs to put the time in to understand like really understand what's going on here no one data point will explain a full story. Um, but we have to do the work. That's our charge for our community. We hear from our people every single time. Ours. And we're all away. We're away from our family. My child is asleep and I'll see him tomorrow morning. Right.

142Um, this is this is our job. This is what we have come to do and we need to put in the work to do it. It's It makes me nervous. Um and yet I know that there are line items in the budget that are padded and we need to get real with um where we're socking money away and and make sure that our budget is showing our true values for our community. Um, so I'm going to continue to push for things like that. And I thank you all for giving us your support and and being in the trenches with us to work through this. There's only a way forward together. So, I really look forward to working with you all and putting that work in. Thank you. >> Uh, Trusty Tortez, >> thank you. I

143appreciate all the comments from the the staff that came forward about transportation and and like I said in the last two meetings that you know my kids I'm a parent first and my kids rode you know transportation and and you know oops my son got off with his face red because there's no air conditioning in summertime right froze on there because it's cold. So we we've lived through that and and they're they're living examples of that. But like I said in the last two meetings, uh you know, why is this still going on with with transportation 12 years when my son started riding the bus? You know, him being lost when a parent came up and said, "We don't know what it feels like." And I rebutted that and say I know what it feels

144like because my son was lost on the bus and my daughter was able to get on the bus and end up somewhere else both in pre in kindergarten and first grade. So that was 12 years ago and and she came up you know 3 months ago. So and I reiterate again for the third time you know 12 years and we still haven't fixed it. And I know people like to point fingers, but uh and it was said I heard earlier that how many board members have we gone through? So there's four. This is the fourth board uh member school board member group since 2013, right? We have one, two, three, four groups. So with that and how many uh administrators, how many superintendents, how many transportation managers uh for something that's still happening, right? So

145again, I'm glad that, you know, we had the staff come up today and and give the olive branch and and now we could talk to the unions about workers rights and and most of all what we what we um experienced recently is to address social justice, right? We have things that shouldn't be going on that that are going on and and so with that, we need to promote transparency on both sides. I'm glad that we're going to continue with the collective bargaining and I think what was brought up today was a resolution through campaigning through the protesting of you know the actions that were happening and and this deters and this stops you know legal action with cops cost more money. So working with the unions should be a resolution and it should be positive.

146The unions have always been uh fight for the people. They've always been a communitydriven. For example, the unions fought and got the minimum wage for the workers to the United States. The unions stopped the anti sweat shop uh work environment. The union stopped environmental impacts, negative impacts. the unions uh through the farm workers union created better uh conditions for farm workers and they also um through Amazon was the last one right got better conditions for Amazon workers so I believe with working with this union can also um resolve what we have as far as these same problems that have been going on since I've been in the school district and and my son was in school for the last 12 years. I think we can get this done. So, my laptop died, but I was

147going to show everyone a part of the the um transparency is you can go on the Coachella Valley School District website and look and search under audit and for the last 10 years, you could see what the financial audit is. You could see what most important is the revenue that the school got for the last 10 years. And a lot of people ask, you know, like Joey said, there's no money. And we've had people come up time and time again since I've been here for 10 months now saying, "Well, where is the money? Why don't we have money?" And I think the answer is, and I'll come back at the next meeting and start to show that cuz I work for another organization. We got the same thing. When COVID happened, everyone thought we got

148the lottery. We got millions of millions of dollars. We did the same thing. We hired over 100 employees and without a spending a spend down plan. So when we got to this point where we don't we weren't able to live within our means, there was a point in time where, you know, we worked and we spent the money within our means. And as most people when they win the lottery, they think it lasts forever, but it doesn't. Same thing with the school district, and we're not the only school district. There are hundreds of school districts throughout the nation that did the same exact thing. they hired, they they bought things without a spend down plan and then here they are trying to figure it out at the end when all you have to do is

149go back to living within your means. So once you look at the last 10 years and what we received during COVID and then how that should have tapered back down instead of having a fiscal cliff which we're which we ended up with a fiscal cliff and at the end having to lay off so many people there should have been a spendown plan but again you know I'm only been here 10 months. So I think that's something that we should resonate and show everyone that this is how it happened and this is where we are uh with with this uh economics and with the revenue that we have now. We have to go back to living within our means. Um thank you. >> Thank you. Uh I'll keep my comments short. Um I appreciate everyone who

150came tonight to provide public comment on you know the multiple challenges that we're facing in the district. Uh there's a whole pile that I'll probably be reading later tonight, too. Um you know, there's a lot going on in our district and obviously it's hard to um for me at least to kind of gather my thoughts. I I am one that just likes to think through things. Um you know, looking at our transportation challenges, um I'm really hopeful and I'm glad to hear, you know, a lot of the comments that were made tonight around just the willingness to be able to work together to really fix the issue, right? Um I I think for me, you know, as we're discussing solutions, um you know, I I I think for us, I the important thing is just

151trying to find the solutions, right? And I think uh that'll definitely benefit everybody, right? Our students, our staff. Um so I think just being able to find a way for us to move forward, right? Like um with our challenges in the budget, we are going to have to continue to make some additional cuts and make some hard decisions in the coming months. Um, I agree with what was said. Uh, we need to be better prepared to make those decisions. Um, you know, we didn't have a plan. Staff didn't bring a stabilization plan at the time or, you know, a phase out plan for for our dollars. And I I do recall when we first when I first joined the board, um, it was a topic of conversation as we were deciding how we were going

152to spend these dollars, right? It was always, you know, make sure that we're thinking that it's onetime funds. And unfortunately, we didn't do that, right? Um, and so that's where we're we're at now. Um, but I'm I really appreciate staff, the leadership that, you know, our union um leadership that came tonight to just um you know, um I I I think [clears throat] the demonstrating just the willingness to work with the district and the staff. So, I'm hoping that our staff can do the same. Um and um I think the last thing I I'll I'll mention right um I know that we all got the calls from parents in the community um you know with the incident that happened and I I do feel very um you know haven't been a I first started as

153a par educator uh in special education I know it's challenging work uh I'm not going to say that I know all the ins and outs right because that was many years ago but um you know it is challenging to work in our school districts um to work in K K14, right? Um it's a very challenging time for our families. Um right now I I know a lot of our families are just struggling to make ends meet and just, you know, to hear um something like this happen within our district. It's hard. Um so I just want to say that I appreciate everybody uh for the hard work for staying up so late. Um and um just looking forward to working collaboratively for the coming months. Thank you. Uh yeah to trusty Tortis. >> Yeah, I

154forgot to mention also when when we're talking about living within our means and then um taking advantage of people that would help us and donate. So I think one of the biggest things we could take advantage of is Margaret Cheryako's uh proposal, right? She said free of cost and I think we need to take advantage of that. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh superintendent's report. >> Thank you. Thank you to everyone who is here with us tonight and on Zoom. Thank you to everyone who came to make public comment. We appreciate all your comments. Uh I want to share that across the Coachella Valley Unified School District, we continue to see strong student engagement, an instructional focus, and a lot of community connections. Our elementary schools, we have family engagement that remains a priority with fall

155festivals, science nights, and coffee with the principal events at several schools. at our middle schools. Uh we are seeing that they have the college and career kickoff week uh with engaging activities providing student data charts, family nights highlighting postsecary awareness and readiness. uh at our high schools. We know that we had homecoming week uh with strong community turnout incorporated college and career readiness as well through PSAT testing and college I'm sorry California college guidance initiative lessons CCGI uh our adult school Coachella Valley Adult School advanced instructional goals through professional development this week on gradual release and the responsibility and the campus beautifification project as well. Uh, I would like to announce that I'd like for everybody in the community, uh, and that's going to put a lot on all of us, uh, and and digging

156into our personal pockets. But please join us at our second annual trunk or treat this year on October 29th. Bring your children, bring your students, bring your nephews, bring your nieces, bring your grandchildren. It's going to be here in our parking lot from 5:30 p.m. to 700 p.m. It was a hit last year and we're looking for another hit this year. Again, it's our second annual trunk or treat. I also want to recognize that this is breast cancer awareness month. So, as a breast cancer survivor, please make sure to attend your annual doctor visits and encourage others to do so as well. Let's stay healthy. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Madam President. >> Yes. [clears throat] She wanted to mention that our our student trustee Mia Messa, she was home she was crowned homecoming

157queen. So I just wanted to mention that um to congratulate her on uh >> homecoming queen. >> Yay. Congratulations. [applause] >> Okay. Uh we're going to move on [singing] to 8.1. We did move item uh discussion item 5.1 to 8.1. Um so it's the career technical education facilities program. Uh this is an item for discussion. Um I do want to ask board members please be on topic and brief. Um but yeah so um yes >> that's not from staff. >> This was what was provided earlier was just uh I think that you it was a sheet that was provided by one of the speakers. Oh, this is what they're asking for now. Not the original. >> Oh, >> maybe we can get context from >> Oh, I'm just wondering. >> I see. >> Okay. Okay.

158>> Yeah. To that point, Miss Marcus, and I'm just going to I'm going to say it now. >> Uh, we have a process, right? I don't know how we're even discussing this because it never was approved by the facilities committee. Um, and it obviously was bought by Mr. Adidondo through you and you you sanctioned it. I'm just going to ask that in the future we follow process or else dissolve the facilities committee and you guys can do whatever you want. >> No. Um, just to correct that, Mr. Gonzalez, um, uh, Trustee Akuna said that I could bring I could I could ask for it to be brought to the board and last board meeting I I asked for it to be brought uh, in open session with Dr. Esparza. So we we do follow process

159and protocol. I followed what I was told is a normal practice. So um you know just just so you know. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> To that we we we had this I I actually wasn't even at the facilities committee meeting. I did look at the discussion. Um I couldn't get on it. It never moved forward. And then Mr. Adondo, who's part of the facilities committee, even though it didn't go forward right through the facilities committee, he reached out to you to put it on the agenda. And I and I think that's a violation of the process and I think we should have and I'm just I'm stating that for the record. >> Okay. I I think what I'm trying to think >> I I during last meeting I made a comment to Dr. There's

160parts of that. I would like this item to be brought forward if that was the proper way to ask and that's why it's on the agenda. >> Yeah. So, it's it's just a discussion item. We're not I mean it might it could be that we discuss and provide direction like for it to go back to the facilities committee and then that that's kind of it, right? Um am I right in my room? Okay. Do we want to give staff >> like Okay. >> Yeah. So, one thing that would be really helpful because I am not part of the facilities committee. I like for staff to provide a little bit of context. Maybe our members from the facilities committee can share a little bit of context of what happened at the facilities committee. I I have

161no context to make that decision and we can have a discussion. >> Leti. So it's simple. This document says 3.5 million and then 1.75 million a 50% match. Is that what was brought? No. >> So what was presented to me was a reduced scope of phase one only for $9 million. I asked to review it because I wanted to know how they came up with the 9 million. After reviewing it, I saw that it was missing a lot of other uh it was missing scope of work such as sewer, water, electrical accessibility, data surveillance, uh flat work, design fees. So the actual true number should be 20 million. >> Sorry, >> is that 20 million with a a a 10% match or 20 million? Okay, >> 20 million. And if the grant gets approved, they

162will only fund 10 million and the district would have to put up the matching funds of 10 million as well. >> Okay. >> And that's and and President Vargas, and I'm just going to jump right in. At a time when we're in these budgetary challenges, I get the excitement, right? We had the supervisor, we had the the congressman write letters of support and never asked us our condition, right? I I'd love to do this if it if it made sense to me, financial sense. It doesn't do us any bit of good to let somebody use our name, whatever the name is, go get $10 million and then put us on the hook for 10 million when we know we got 20 million of layoffs coming in. We have, with all due respect to the program,

163we have 78 students, I believe, less than 80 students who participate in the egg program and a big part of agriculture. I get the excitement, but it's obviously changed, right? we've revolutionized. And then the other thing as it relates to our our our students is that to be a farmer, you need land. And unfortunately, that's not a situation or a condition that we suffer from in our community. So, there's a lot of things. Who is this for? What is the purpose of it? And then, do we have the money to pay for it? And then the big thing is, how did it get here? And then all of a sudden, we have a completely different document that's recommended. And with in fairness to the staff and the facilities committee uh that listened to it that

164didn't forward it to the general body to have this discussion, right, and go through this. I I think it's a waste of time, but but it is what it is. And I just think that it's a reminder that we need to follow process and and and and Miss Vargas, I think you're responsible. >> I take the responsibility. Yeah. Um do we have a another comment? Well, again, I don't know if you guys want to explain what's going on and not sorry staff. Um because again, our facilities committee did not support this. It did not move it forward. And for the same reason is we don't have $10 million. And again, maybe I should say we don't have we don't have money. We don't have as much extra money here. You want me to get technical

165about not having money? We don't we know we don't have money. I'm sorry. I It's how I grew up. That's what you tell. You don't use euphemisms. You just say what you don't. You don't have money. The main issue I believe during that discussion was we don't have $10 million to to match this. And while you know saying that we're going to fund raise it and it'll be there and is it when you sign that document it says where are you getting the match from? And you have to write down where are you getting the match. All right. And for $10 million, somebody can tell me, "Well, we're going to raise that money." But if they don't raise it, we're on the hook. And then it's okay. Yeah, send it back. Well, then we send

166it back and we look like idiots because we got a $10 million grant. We're sending it back. And the people that were asking the grant for next time we ask for a grant, they're going to find that in consideration and say, "Well, they gave us it back. Why should we even consider?" But again my main concern right now is that this is not what went through the facilities committee. >> Okay. >> So we are talking about a totally and and again look I was the one that mentioned it. Again the facilities committee said no on something. I said okay fine but board members do have the right to recommend not to put to recommend to the board president superintendent to put something on. So no you went through the right process. The problem is is

167that now you're asking us to look at something that has never even been proposed before. And now I have a problem with going back to wasting time. You want to send it back to the facilities committee and they're going to say, "Well, 1.75 is a lot different than 10 million." Okay, send it back to the facilities. But again, we and again, with all due respect, you know, Congressman Ree, Supervisor Perez, both friends, all the other people who signed that, nobody said, "Hey, we're going to match your money." >> Yeah. I >> I didn't see anything in those letters. So, again, my biggest concern at the time, and I didn't support it either, was there's no $10 million to match. And until somebody puts $10 million in an escrow account >> and says, "When you get

168the grant, here's your $10 million, I'm down." But again, The concern now is that this is not what was originally recommended by you to be brought to the board. This is something totally different. I >> I did I did ask that the same thing be brought to us. >> No, I I understand. I'm just saying now we're being asked >> we're seeing something >> by proponents to do this plan instead. But what you brought to us was the 10 million match one that was the original one from the facilities. Would you correct? So it's correct. Trying to find out where we're at. Right. So >> that's what I asked. >> Okay. So that's where I kind of have >> Can staff give us some background as to where we're at today. >> President Marcus, I

169have a comment before uh I had my hand up. I'm sorry. >> Trustee uh human an opportunity to speak too. Sorry. >> Oh, for sure. >> Go ahead. Okay. Go ahead. >> No, I don't think she was wanting to speak. >> If she wants to speak, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Yeah. >> Yeah. So So when Rudy when Rudy Valencia with Deia Himenez, the agricultural commissioner, started off the circus, right? He should have brought a check for a million bucks, right? And and when all the people that signed this document, right, uh starting with Ree and ending with uh somebody who's not an assemblyman anymore, writing letters of support without understanding what's going on. You know, I I feel that they Mr. Perez should have our supervisor should have picked up the phone and said, "Hey,

170what's going on with this program?" But but I I I'm like Mr. Akuna. I don't want to receive a grant even though we're going to have to put where the match is going to come from. But even if we got it, what are we going to do with $10 million? Cuz that's what I heard it was all along. And then I heard it was more than that, it turned into 30. And then now we're looking at a site. We're obligating a site, let's just say with 30 million. And now we're thinking of going back to the rateayer to build a new high school. That to me that I envision the front of the high school being on 54. So, I don't even see that as a proper site to do what is being proposed. But

171this thing is flawed. It's never been thought out. We just had our expert in facilities tell us that there's a lot of ancillary costs that haven't been included in this one page. They're asking for $10 million with one page. I mean, are are you serious? >> Okay. Um, >> so Trusty Tortez. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, it says agricultural career training, right? And this is the same thing that Margaret's offering. Margaret, is that right? >> Uh I'm I'm sorry. >> Million. >> I'm sorry. >> Maybe staff could actually speak. I'm sorry. >> Can we give a little bit of history? >> Okay. >> For context. >> Yeah. >> Hi everyone. Good evening. I'm Karen Perez. I'm currently serving as the CT coordinator for our district and prior to this role, I was actually at CV High

172School as the CT assistant principal. I'm also a member of the um PROP 2CT facilities program grant and I haven't seen the update. So, the vision of this is a large scale. It is a multi-phase grant and it actually started back in 2017 when the ad committee along with the support of a grant writer submitted the application and at that time it we were not selected for the funding consideration. The letter encouraged us to evaluate, revise and resubmit it for the next round which we did not. Um although we didn't submit it, our planning committee, we did reconvene in the spring of 2025 and then just recently again we started back up September 3rd of the school year revisiting and preparing but again the new grant that proposal we've never seen. The vision for the

173CV farm is actually inspiring and I agree that our students need and deserve the best. However, I think as a CT facility planning committee that I'm actually part of, we need to take a step back to clarify some key points before requesting to, you know, to move forward. As we know, the grant requires a onetoone match for this multi-million dollar project and our district cannot secure that. While our community partners have indicated that they can raise those funds, the question remains that can the match be guaranteed for sustained investment of this project? It's not just one time, it's ongoing. >> Um, we also need to clarify like do Mr. Gonzalez has said the long-term future of Coachella Valley High School, whether this campus will remain in the current location or rebuild since that decision directly

174will affect our 20 acre farm. So again, we need to have clarity and those commitments need to be in place so our committee planning our planning committee could come back together and reopen this conversation. >> Okay, thank you. Um, okay. So, for the sake of time, because this document was not previously reviewed by staff, um, we'd like to take this back to the facilities committee. Um, >> take it back to them first. >> Okay. Okay. And then >> have them make a decision whether to bring it back to the facilities or not. Okay. Again, I haven't seen it. We just I don't know. They haven't seen it. >> I don't even know who wrote this. Like, who's taking credit for this document >> to the other thing that we're talking about? >> Yes. So, President

175Marcus, my recommendation would be that it goes back to the group. They're obviously experts in the space, and they're going to make sure that how we go forward is is the right way, a pragmatic way, a logical way, but but the idea that we're going to go out and get a bunch of money and then try to find $10 million in the time that we're living in this school district, >> I don't know. >> Yeah. So, um, for the sake of time, we're going to we'll share with staff. So, please review this and determine, you know, what the next step would be best. Um just a couple things I do want to say. You know, I appreciate the enthusiasm by by the community and their commitment to support the farm. Um so maybe trying to

176figure out ways in which we can, you know, leverage that opportunity. Would love to see some uh letters of commitment. I know we have the foundation ready. Maybe there's opportunities. >> Um but I think just um considering I mean you mentioned 2017, we're no longer in we don't have the same conditions unfortunately, right? Um and I I do think you know it's um having some experience writing grants maybe not to this magnitude but you know like submitting a proposal is a commitment and you're stating that you're you have the capacity and the ability to fulfill those commitments and the obligations and expectations right and so we're submitting something and then say you know what never mind I I don't know I feel like um again we go back to that story of uh you know

177we want to make sure that our district has positioned itself in a good place to to get these things right. Um, and I'm not sure that we're quite there yet, but okay. So, thank you uh so much for everybody bringing this. Uh, we're going to move on. We have no action items under administrative services. We're going to move on to educational services. Uh, 10 10.1. So, Sanchez requesting approval of memorandum of understanding between Coachella Valley Unified School District and Animal Samaritans for the 2025. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Uh, trustee him. Do you vote? Yes. In support or oppos? >> I Okay. All those in favor? >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Want to make a comment? Yes. Sorry. Yes. >> Um, I think what's happening with this proposal because of the way

178it's funded and we can support it. the the notion that this should really be in all the schools at some point once we get stabilized because there's so much abuse of animals in this district and the information that would be presented is so important. So all I wanted to comment on is is that at some point in the future we should bring animal samaritans back to be able to do assemblies across the Coachella Valley uh elementary schools or other schools too. >> Thank you. Um sorry for rushing through this. Um so all those in favor I >> I all those opposed abstensions. Motion carries. 10 10.2 Two, Sokoro Sanchez requesting approval memorandum of understanding between Coachella Valley Unified School District expanded learning programs and global inheritance for the 202526 art recycling challenge. >> Motion the

179same. >> Do I have a a second? >> Second. >> Uh Trusty Kellman seconds. Um any comments, questions? No. Uh Trusty Jimenez >> I. >> Um all those in favor I >> opposed abstensions. Motion carries. 10.3. So, Cororo Sanchez requesting approval of title one equitable services plan for Xavier College Prep High School for 202526 school year. Do I have a a motion? >> Do I have a motion? Motion. >> Okay. Uh, Trusty Tortez, do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Uh, Trusty Arondo, uh, any comments or questions? Trusty Himenez. I >> Okay. Uh, all those in favor? I I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries. We have no action items under business services. Um, action item, human resources. Uh, 12.1. Dr. Monica Makawick's uh approval to increase the addiction medicine open purchase for the

1802526 school year. Um, do I have a motion? >> So, so move. >> Okay. We have any questions, comments? Trusty Jimenez >> I. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Abstensions? Motion carries 12.2 Dr. Monica Makawit's uh approval of the initial reopener sunshine proposal from Coachella Valley Unified School District to California School Employees Association. >> Uh do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions? >> Trusty Himenez. I >> uh all those in favor >> I opposed abstensions motion carries. >> 12.3 Dr. Monica Makawit's approval of successor initial proposal letter letter for contract negotiations from California school employees. Um do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Uh comments or questions? >> Uh Trusty Himemenz >> I. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries.

181Okay. 13. Uh, consent calendar. All items listed all matters listed under the consent calendar are considered by the board to be routine and will be acted upon in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time of the board. The board considers a motion unless members of the board or staff request specific items to be discussed and or removed from the consent calendar in which event items will be considered separately. The superintendent, assistant superintendent of educational services, and assistant superintendent of business and finance, and assistant superintendent of human resources recommend the approval of all consent calendar items. Uh, do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar? >> A motion to approve the consent calendar, respecting anybody pulling an item. >> Okay. Anyone uh looking to pull an item?

182Uh I would like to have more discussion on 161. >> Okay. >> 161. >> So we're pulling 161. I'd also like to pull for discussion 16.7 and 16.8. >> Okay. So, we have items 16.1, 16.7, and 16.8 uh being pulled. Um, Trustee Himemenz. Um, approval of the consent calendar. I Okay. Uh, all those in favor? >> I I. >> All those opposed, abstension. Uh, motion carries. Um, okay. Okay, we have 16.1. Julie Beheil, approval of purchase of transportation shop equipment for Stle County, USA. Yes. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. >> And um discussion. The discussion item I would like to bring up on this is it was for four um bays and jacks. So what I'm wondering is is there a requirement

183right now to do all four? can we do for monetary savings just two because we have the other ones that are available. I don't know how many buses are at one point being repaired. I mean, is that something we can do with two more two modern ones and two of the older ones? >> President Vargas, I I withdraw my mo my second. >> Oh, okay. >> Do I need a second? I would >> what's >> I would say that you know it's something that's very much needed there for a safe for safety concerns that they've had and I'm glad that that uh they they they uh are are purchasing four of them. I mean it's very important that it's a safety concern to do any mechanic work and I think it's a good thing but

184okay >> if you will draw your motion. You have a second. >> I'll I'll second. Okay. Um assistant superintendent. >> Yes. Thank you Miss Kales. Um in addition to it being a safety issue, our transportation department has worked really really hard. Um this particular item and piece of equipment was actually thought of and being brought forward even as of last year. I had the team come back in the current year to ensure that this was the best price that they could possibly get. And so they did do um deep dive into research to ensure that this was the best price for these pieces of equipment. >> What what I hear board member Kellerman bring to the attention is do we need all four? You know, I get the fact that we want them to look

185the same, but are are they all flawed? >> Um so the additional four is for safety purposes and >> additional four, not replacing four. >> They're replacing. Yes. Okay. Yes. >> So the all the other ones are no good. So, the ones that we have are good and then there's some that they are replacing. >> Oh, four that they're replacing that have been deemed not good. >> Not good. So, they already have eight is what you're saying. >> They already have some. Yes. Okay. >> Call the question. >> Yeah. >> Uh, you have another question. >> Call the question. >> Oh, okay. Call to question. Uh, I have a motion, a second. Um, Trusty Himenez. >> I Okay. Uh, all those in favor? I >> I opposed abstensions. Motion carries. Uh moving on to 16.7.

186Julie vehil ratification to issue purchase order to Desert Concepts Construction for emergency repairs at Valley View Elementary. Do I have a motion? >> A motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Uh comments, questions? >> Yes. So, I wanted to ask questions cuz this when I looked at the actual um item, it happened in March. So, why did it take so long to get to us? This is a last year repair, but it's in this year's budget. I know you weren't here, but what do you know what happened as far as that goes? So, I did actually ask our team that. It's actually a really good question. And so some of the billing had been delayed and as you will see on um other ones that are coming up, the same sort of process. It

187happened over the summer and so they did need to bring them forward for approval. But these are things that were emergent. They already happened. So I mean we've got to do it. Um, how the other question that I had and and I don't know if it's one you can answer, but how does something become deemed emergent over anything else? Cuz I know that we have a process with facilities. How does this become deemed emergent? >> And it might be something. >> Yeah, actually I was a >> question for facilities. >> Yeah, I think it's a >> actually I'm going to have our maintenance director Baker. He's going to come up and >> thank you answer. Um yeah, it becomes an emergency if it's related to anything to do with the safety of the students. For

188example, the Mecca one, uh we were trying to make the school look pretty for award that one of the our teachers at Mecca received from Riverside County. While they were taking out scrubbing the paint, they found that and testing it, they found there was lid in it. So that becomes right away an emergency. So that's why it became part of the emergency contract. >> Thank you for that one, which is the next one. And I did have questions about that one. I didn't see lead abatement on the thing. So for the emergency ones, I don't like how little itemized they are. There's a paragraph, >> right? But there isn't and and this isn't on you. This is this is what's submitted to us. I don't like that they aren't itemized. Like it just says that

189there we paid 40k for two halls to be painted >> um without really explaining to me like why certain things were were um cost more. I don't know exactly why. There's a paragraph that explains that there's a reason for it to be more. Um, so I just prefer and and this wasn't on you, um, that anything that is given to us is itemized with more detail. I understand a paragraph, but that's not giving me the detail that I want. Um, >> yeah, lead is a serious issue, >> right? >> Absolutely. And I understand it should be No, but it should be better documented, you know. >> Yes, absolutely. Because I did it I was actually looking for asbestous. I was looking for some kind of abatement. I didn't see that on there. >> Um, and

190I'd like more information for that. So, >> I'll make sure that the vendors be gives more details. >> Kick it back to them and then get it back to us. Um, >> okay. >> Thank you. So, yeah, that's going to be my comment for the next one as well is just why did it something that happened last year should have been on last year's budget, now it's in this year's budget. And then the the detail of information cuz that next one which I did not ask for has way more information. It's itemized in a very different way and it seemed to have gone through a different process. So that was those were my questions for that. >> Okay. >> So I President Vargas. Yeah. What's concerning to me is that it's not only with with

191one vendor. We have many vendors that that wait six months uh a year two years. I I've heard as much as two years to get paid on stuff and whatever is not working. Uh we need to we need to figure it out. I agree. I think documents are important. There should be maybe a summary of a proposal as to what the work described entailed. Uh maybe even units of of square footage. I I I I don't think that's too much to ask for. I think it's important. Obviously, in order to understand the value, you would have to understand construction, right? So, I don't know what a square foot of paint would matter to somebody that's not a professional within the space, but at least maybe we could do some due diligence even if we're not

192experts. I happen to understand it, but I I agree. I think there there could be maybe some more defined scope of work, but I think more important, what's concerning to me is paying our bills on time. we're a public agency and having people waiting 6 months and putting, you know, a provider in this type of space where it looks like we're going to last year's budget because we haven't done our job to pay them. Um, we just probably need to do a better job of it. >> Yeah. This it's been an ongoing problem. >> Yeah. I think one thing I also brought up to to that point as well is that um working with our vendors to submit invoicing on time as well. Uh >> well, that might be part of it too, right? Yeah.

193Yeah, and there might be some circumstances. I think there was one item that, you know, required some like insurance or something that was being processed, so it adds to the delay, but just working with vendors to submit on time for the same reason. We're making huge decisions on cuts and things like that. And so having accurate accounting is really important. One final point on this. I think I just there might be a situation and there's been situations where where it'll be a weekend and a gas line breaks or a water line breaks and we have running water down the middle of the road um privy to it cuz it's part of facilities and then so we we find it easy to pick up a phone and call a vendor to come do it cuz they

194they come do it well and quick and they're available on Sunday when your normal contractors ain't going to be. And I think it's important that when we call on vendors to do work, especially emergency work, that we're diligent about paying them just the way we call them. >> Yeah, definitely. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. Um, Trusty Himenez, >> I >> uh all those in favor? I >> I >> opposed abstensions. Motion carries. Uh 16.8 uh Julie Vil ratification to issue purchase orders to Desert Concepts Construction for emergency repairs at Mecca Elementary. Uh, do I have a motion? All >> motion. Second. >> Um, comments, questions. >> Mine were the same. It was the why was it submitted last year for this year? It sounds like we've heard it, but it

195was just the same concern as the last one. Okay. Thank you, Trustee Himenez. >> I. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed abstensions. Motion carries. Um, we don't go back to close session. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> A motion. I'll second. >> Okay. Uh, Trusty Himenez. >> I lad. All those in favor? I >> One second. >> H. >> 14.1. >> Yes, that was part of the >> There was only three. There was only three. >> We only pulled six 16.1 16.7 16.8. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, we're ready to pack. Thank you. Why you trying to make him stay near?