001Good evening to everyone or late afternoon. Welcome to the May 14th, 2025 regularly scheduled meeting of the West Contraosta Unified School District School Board. The meeting is called to order at 4:31 p.m. To access translation in Zoom, please click on the globe icon at the bottom of the screen. And if you're here in Dejon, you can pick up a headset in the back of the room. The board is about to go into close session, but before we do, we're here to listen to public comment on closing speak on the close session items listed. If you're here in the auditorium, please pick up a comment card. Oh, I hear some translation. Hang on just for one second while we get the translator set up properly. Okay, and we're good to go now. So, um, individuals wishing
002to speak on the closed session items listed, if you're here on the auditorium and you haven't done so already, please submit a WCCUSD public comment card, which you can find in the entryway or if you're participating via Zoom. Individuals will need to raise their hand in the Zoom app. And if you're accessing the meeting by phone, press star 9. The time allotted to each speaker is 2 minutes. The total time allotted is 1 hour. Speaking time shall not be transferred from one person to another. and there is no substitution of speakers. We alternate between a Zoom comment and an in-person comment. The public comment period is a safe space where diverse viewpoints may be expressed civily without interruption or intimidation. Please listen attentively to each speaker's comment and respect their time as if it were
003your own. Be open to a different point of view if one is offered. Due to the Brown Act, board members cannot discuss items that are not on the agenda and do not usually respond to items presented in public comment. The items listed on the close session agenda tonight are one. Student discipline stipulated expulsions cases 242507 and cases 242508. Two, public employee discipline dismissal release complaint. Three, conference with labor negotiators. Four, public employee appointment superintendent. Five, conference with legal counsel anticipated leg litigation. And then we'll be back from close session. Is there any public comment on any of the close session items listed? I read out there is no co no public comment. Okay, no public comment has been received. We are going to recess to close session and we will be back at 6:30. See
004you all a little bit later. Thank you. Okay. Good evening everyone and welcome to the open session of the regularly scheduled May 14th, 2025 meeting of the West Contracasta Unified School District Board of Education. The board is returning from closed session and I am calling open session to order at 7:04 p.m. To access translation in Zoom, please click on the globe icon at the bottom of the screen. And if you are here in the auditorium and need translation, please click on please pick up a headset in the back corner of the auditorium. In a few minutes, we will begin public comment agenda item. Members of the public are invited to speak to the board on any matter that is not otherwise on the agenda but is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the West Contraosta
005Unified School District. Please prepare now for public comment. And if you're here in the auditorium and you'd like to make a public comment, please fill out and submit a WCCUSD public comment card. You may find them on the table in the entryway. And if you're participating via Zoom, please raise your hand in the Zoom app prior to the beginning of the item on the agenda. If participating by phone, please press star 9. And after your comment card has been turned in, the cards are placed in the order received and we call on speakers one at a time, alternating between a public comment here in Dejon and one on Zoom. Public comment generally lasts for one hour. The time allotted to each speaker is 2 minutes. In the meantime, we are moving on to the rest
006of our opening procedures. We are now up to B2, Pledge of Allegiance. If you are willing or able, please rise. 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. B3 land, labor and body acknowledgement. Land acknowledgement. We recognize that we are presently on the lands of the Chicheno Mekma Karkin Aloney peoples and acknowledge them as the first inhabitants of the land we currently occupy. Labor recognition acknowledgement. I acknowledge that the burden of environmental exploitation and systemic injustice falls upon the labor of black and brown bodies in the building of this country and its institutions. I remember that black and brown people were born and died working this land against their will for generations.
007I also acknowledge the continued contribution of the labor of survivors over the centuries to today of all immigrant labor included voluntary, involuntary, trafficked, forced, and undocumented peoples in the building of what we refer to as the United States. Author Dr. Michelle Rogers Art B4 West Contraosta Unified School District Board anti-racism statement. The West Contraosta Unified School District Board Board of Education is committed to the work of anti-racism. The conscious and active effort to identify, challenge, and correct racial inequities in the systems and institutions within our schools and community. Racism, explicit or implicit, stands in direct conflict the fundamental principles of WCCUD education. To carry WCCUSD education into the future, we recognize that we must continually renew and reflect on the roots of racism and develop new ideas to meet the times. Unjust ideas and policies
008and the racially the racial inequity they produced have shaped us, our schools, and our society. We strive to uncover unconscious biases and practice anti-racism racism as individuals and as board members. We challenge ourselves to persist through the discomfort necessary for growth and learning to deepen our listening and our examination of racism and oppression and to develop a strong understanding of how our personal experiences and feelings fit into a larger picture of continual oppression. Each member of our school board individually and collectively is responsible for creating and nurturing an anti-racist learning environment where each student, staff member, and community partner as a respected and valued member of the WCCUSD community. We are uniquely positioned and it is our responsibility to identify and dismantle racist ideas and inequitable policies in ourselves and across the district. Therefore, we
009commit to supporting anti-racist policies, programs, and practices for our children's education and well-being while building strong and inclusive school communities. We commit to holding each board member accountable towards these goals and moving the work of anti-racism forward. We also commit to holding West Contraosta Unified School District staff, students, and community to living these standards of anti-racism in our schools. Board approved March 20th, 2024. B5 roll call. Dr. Moses, would you please take role? Yes. Thank you. Clerk Inana, good evening everyone. Present. Trusty Gonzalez Hoy. Good evening. Present. Trustee Hernandez is absent this evening. President Reckler. Good evening. I'm present. Trustee Smith Fo, good evening everyone. Present. Student trustee Baron. Good evening. Present. Student trustee Espinosa Jr. Good evening. Present. That concludes the roll call. Thank you very much. B6 report ratification of close session. Dr.
010Moses, is there anything out of close session? Yes. Thank you, President Regler. In close session, the board took action to approve a statement of charges for the dismissal and immediate suspension without pay of a permanent classified custodian and directed the superintendent or designate to send out an appropriate legal notice. The vote was unanimous with clerk Hernandez absent. Also in close session, agenda item A2.2, which is the same agenda item for the first report of as well. In close session, the board also took action to terminate the classified employee ID number 151578 for failing to request a hearing following receipt of a statement of charges that there exists cause to immediately suspend without pay and to dismiss a permanent classified employee. It directed the superintendent or designate to send out appropriate legal notices. The vote was
011unanimous with Trusty Hernandez absent 4. That concludes the report out. Great. Thank you so much. We are now up to B7 public comment. Members of the public are invited to speak to the board on any matter that is not otherwise on the agenda but is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the West Contraosta Unified School District. Public comment will last approximately 1 hour and the time allotted to each speaker is 2 minutes. Should additional speakers remain at the conclusion of one hour, public comment may be extended. The time allotted per speaker beyond the first hour is generally one minute. Individuals wishing to speak, please submit a WCCUSD public comment card or participating via Zoom, individuals will need to raise their hands in the Zoom app prior to the beginning of this item on the agenda.
012If you're calling in by phone, press star 9. Speaking time shall not be transferred from one person to another and there is no substitution of speakers. Speakers can also make public comment again for each discussion and action item on the agenda after staff presentations. The public will have 10 minutes per item and one minute per speaker. The same protocols recited above apply. The public comment period is a safe space where diverse viewpoints may be expressed civily without interruption or intimidation. Please listen attentively to each speaker's comment and respect the time at the podium as if it were your own. Be open to a different point of view if one is offered. Due to the Brown Act, board members cannot discuss items that are not on the agenda and do not usually respond to items presented
013in public comment. Is there any public comment? Yes. Our first public comment is Sky Nelson. Good evening board. Good evening district employees. First I want to start by sharing documents that were gathered from my students at school in the courtyard. A survey of what they would like to see different or change like what classes or electives would you like our school to offer? What area of our campus needs an upgrade. It was really sweet to see them respond to the invitation to get involved in their school and my students and surveyed them around the campus. So, this is a gift to the board members. I already gave one to the district folks. I'd like to leave this with you. It's really sweet. Like to follow up on Monday night's town hall briefly when it was
014said just as an example that two out of threeUS have been approved. My head exploded because I'm in the experience of in touch with Kennedy High School, one of the employees there, and I'm at El Crito High School. And my experience is like this doesn't make any sense to me. The communication was incomplete. I think that we have more of an issue with incomplete communication than anything else here. I understand that there's some details here that weren't shared. And Miss Johnson, I I respect your the challenge of sharing that information, but as a as a receiver of that information, it's very hard to make sense of what's happening. I see that in the the radio station conversation. I see in theou conversation. I see it in the principal conversation at Elsto High. See a pattern
015of um withheld information that makes me and my my friends and colleagues sort of lose our bearings. I would really like to see an improvement on that pattern. Um, as Miss Forest and I shared earlier, she said, "We're all in it for the kids." And when when we don't get the information, when it's withheld from us or we feel like it doesn't not the whole story, we can't do our part to be there for the kids. So, in this it's really in the moment that these things happen and we need to address them in the moment. Right now, I'm concerned about the the principal at school and the lack of communication there. Appreciate the the the sharing, Miss Johnson recently. So, thank you very next public comment. Mr. Jeepson, please unmute yourself. Wait to mute
016yourself. Next public comment, Don Cosny. Good evening to all. I thought I'd surprise you by saying something nice here tonight. Whoever is responsible for these screens, they deserve a pay raise at the very minimum. a uh a parking spot with their name on them. This is the best thing that we've had at our schoolboard meetings in decades and decades. Those big flat screens that we've got up in the corners, most of us in our homes have bigger winds and we're only seeing them from 8 feet away. Not 65 ft to the closest front row and 95 ft to the back row. We we couldn't even identify buses in there, let alone read the fine print. I look forward to seeing those. Thank you very much for that. Uh again, find out who's responsible. give them
017all a pay raise, right? But and I appreciate all of the advancements we've had in the audio in the room. We can certainly hear louder than we could before, but we still can't understand what is being said. That doesn't really work so well. So, it's just something that from our end down here, maybe you can work on that a little bit, too. Thanks a lot. Love the screens. Next public comment, Nicholas Soful. I guess it's going to be some back-to-back um praises. So um good evening. My name is Dr. Nicholas Saful. Uh you can call me Nick. Um I'm the founder and CEO of Atti Health. Um since March 2024, we've been able to provide the district behavioral health and wellness services. Uh currently we supports four schools and a number of students across the
018district. um and with licensed clinicians and associates and we're thrilled to continue working with district leadership and eleas to make our services available throughout the district but also throughout Contraosta. Um, I wanted to come here tonight and introduce myself to everyone. Sometimes when we have service providers, we don't have faces that go along with the um the services. And um, just to introduce myself, I have deep roots here in Richmond. This is my home. Um, my father-in-law taught here. My wife and her sister attended school here. My sister-in-law is a teacher in the district. Uh, go Eagles and go Mir Vista Bees. Um, and I've had the pleasure of working with many people in the district on an innovative idea. Um, sometimes change is difficult. It's uh looking for progress, not necessarily perfection, but it's
019something that's working. And so I want to say the last thing is that we're also costneutral to the district thankfully u to some innovation from the schoolboard and also people from within the district. Um we're a licensed health provider who is enrolled in medical Medicare and with private insurance billers and so we've been able to sustain ourselves, but also we've been lucky to partner with the state. So, as the administration changes have been going on, we've been able to be in lifetime responsive to that and to continue offering uninterrupted services. Um, to that end, this is why I built this company. Um, I'm the survivor of a suicide. I'm the survivor of behavioral health issues. I have worked with this. This is my passion and my life for the last 25 years. And now I'm
020able to come home and continue to offer these services. So, what I'd like to say is from the outset, you've been amazing partners and we're so grateful and thankful that you work with us. And beyond that, I want to let you know that now that the grant is starting to sunset, um, as we made in the original commitment, we'll be continuing these services on the record in perpetuity at no cost to the district. Thank you very much. Next public comment, Alamo Brown. Uh before I start, I want to send my sincere condolences to Miss Moses and her family. If we can have a moment of silence on behalf of her and start the clock, pause the clock for a second, please. I'll greatly appreciate that. Thank you so much. I'd like to say good evening
021board. I'm writing Alamo Brown, a community advocate here in the city of Richmond, California. When I is replaced with we, even illness becomes wellness. I want to take you back to 1963, November 23rd to be exact, in Dallas, Texas. There was a young man by the name of Lee Harvey Oswald who was the lone psy, the marauder, the setup. What we saw with Twan Blake the other day was a setup. Unfortunately, he has become Lee Harvey Oswald of 2025. Now, I'm in dismay when speaking with this young man because he was somewhat railroaded. If what Todd Irving, the principal at Penol Valley, sent out on the email stipulating that we have found the intended suspect, then why was this young man suspended on May, I'm sorry, April 30th. Now, for some reason, the district didn't
022even know he was suspended. Reason why? Because the protocol was incorrect. Now, he got no due process of law. No one spoke to him about the incident April 23rd at Alb High School, and I won't get into that. But I think in the future, those of you who are responsible for conducting any type of interview or any type of investigation, please consider the source. You know, I want to take you back to June 14th, 195, if I will. gentleman by the name of OJ Simpson. If it doesn't fit, you must acquit. God bless you all. Our next public comment is Mr. Jeepson. Please unmute yourself. Please unmute yourself. Hello. Hello. Can you not hear me again? Unbelievable. Can you hear Can you hear him? Cuz I can hear him in the No, no, no. I
023can only one person can hear me. We can hear you. You can't hear me now. Okay. I just wanted to say that I I did unmute my or I would have unmuted myself the first time, but the unmute button never came up. Um anyway, as I was saying, I was on a walk through my neighborhood a couple Sundays ago with my wife and we passed by an open house. We went in and checked in out the house and I met a fellow who lives in the neighborhood and when he learned that I work at Elserita High School, uh the first thing he asked me was um what happened to the radio station. So I just wanted the board to know that the community has noticed that it is missing. Um and as a member of
024the high school community, I would appreciate um a lessening of misinformation regarding why it's down. I feel like a lot of people are really confused because the facts as they understand them don't match the official story and it would be helpful I think if um the facts and the statements lined up. Um also I'd just like to add uh this is based on the open or the the open meeting on Monday. Um we're enthusiastic I think it's fair to say about the district all the students in the district sharing the radio station but of course the radio station needs to work for that to happen. So uh this is just me promoting the radio station. It's an excellent and awesome thing that we have and and we should do everything we can to get it
025going quicker. Um, you know, and and telling the truth is going to help a lot with that. Anyway, that's all for me. Thank you. Next public comment, Cheryl Lane. Good evening, board um and administrators. My name is Cheryl Lane. I'm a district parent um alumni of the district and I work and lead a community- based organization that works with families in our community. I would like to acknowledge the town halls that the district has organized to gather feedback from families and stakeholders. Over the years, I've heard a wealth of community input on district issues, some wise and others less so. during meetings that attracted hundreds of attendees as well as those with just a couple of participants. It would be beneficial to understand how the district tracks parent and student feedback and how it can
026create a continuous feedback loop for what it receives. This improvement would enhance student and family engagement as many feel that their input in various forums goes on which directly affects their willingness to participate in the future. Which brings me to transformative family engagement, otherwise known as TFE, which learns from the expert knowledge and lived experiences of students and their families to address explicit and implicit racism in education systems. TF requires collective learning, mutual responsibility, and shared power among students. And I want to emphasize shared power um among students, families, and educators to transform education systems and create the educational experiences that our students deserve. Lastly, I was at the um forum at Alterto High and I brought this forward around racist incidents. And I really want to be clear, I'm not speaking directly about the
027racist incidents that hit the news. I'm h speaking about the incidents that happen every day in our schools. Um I appreciate the district's efforts to create an anti-racism policy, policies to address racial slurs, but I'm always about implementation. What percentage of students know of and have an understanding of the anti-racism policies? In what ways are anti-racism practices being in implemented at all campuses? How are the voices of students, especially those who have reported racist slurs being incorporated into future implementation practices for the 25th school year? Lastly, my son beginning in second grade was called the n-word with the hard er by another student and it continues and this is not just him. This is a lot of students. So, I just want to ensure that the district is implementating this Next public comment is Nick.
028Please unmute yourself. Please unmute yourself. Next public comment is Ron Gray. Is there a button? All right, sweet. Thank you. I appreciate that. Good evening, everyone. Again, my name is Ron Gay and um I'm the executive director of the Prince Kings Youth Movement and also the chief of staff for Kings Accountability Group, which is a men's support group who is here to support one of our honorable members, and that's Tiwan Blake. I want you to see what this young man has done for the entire community by just looking at the uniform he's wearing. After even having his character completely assassinated, he still was able to go out and do something special for these kids today. He's done some amazing things for a lot of people in this community, specifically my son. My son was able
029to go to Danza High School and still continue on to go to a college after being supported through Tiwan Blake and the efforts that he's put in this community. The stuff that's been done to him is beyond insane. I think this district owes him an incredible apologies. An apology. I should I say apologies because there's several people that should stand up right now and appreciate this man for exactly what he's done for this community and that's nothing but greatness. He's built individuals. He's taken his time to nurture individuals and he's caring about these individuals till to this very day. So the character assassination that's been taking place with this man is just unbelievable. So like I said before, I think it should be a number of people that should be standing up appreciating the fact
030that he's keeping these kids off the street. Not only is he keeping these kids off the street, he's keeping them from commit comm committing several other crimes. So, like I said before, you all should stand up and give this man applause, but he's keeping these people from breaking in your houses by supporting them, keeping him on the diamond, yet we care, yet we assassinate his character. You guys should really be ashamed about the way you guys treated that whole process. Again, my name is Ron Ron Gay and I represent the Kings Accountability Group and the Prince Kings movement. Thank you for your time and I truly appreciate everything that you guys are going to do in that apology. Thank you. Next public comment to Juan Blake. Uh hello everybody. Great evening uh to you all.
031Miss Moses, condolences go out to you. I heard about the incident, unfortunate incident and uh condolences. I just want everybody to know that I I do what I do selflessly. I I look out for these children. I was born and raised in Richmond, went through the WCCUSD uh process and went on to college. And it was because of great men that stood up and gave me the uh the information and the skill set to be able to make it. And I just like everybody to really pay attention. I know it's a a hot item. I know everybody knows what's going on, but I want you guys to know a little bit about what's going on with me because of the way it was handled. Uh, everybody sitting at that table knows what the word suspension
032means. And it's a difference in how you verbalize it and the way it was handled. It assisted in the defamation of my character. And I'd like you guys to pay real close attention to the policies and the procedures moving forward because you guys have people's life at risk. and the CYA approach, cover your backside. It's not gonna work because I have to cover mine now. I have to worry about who's in front of my house and who's parked at my car and who's watching me. All right? And it's partly due to the way this situation was handled. So, let's look at those policies and procedures. Um, I I I represent this district well, and each and every one of you sitting here receives a paycheck for what you do. I do it for a barely
033a stipen and I don't even do it for that because I spend that money on uniforms and game balls for our boys to play which we should be getting from the district which we do not. But I do it out of the love and the sincerity in my heart for the community and these young uh young uh generations underneath me that need some support. You guys do a wonderful job waking up every day dealing with what's going on in the community and I appreciate you guys. But I'd appreciate you guys if you guys really pay close attention to how you guys handle me. uh the mishandlement of myself and then the lack of respect because if I'm suspended and we'll use that language because that's the letter that I signed is suspended. Uh it's not
034right. It puts a a bad face on on myself and what I've done for over 20 years for this district and I haven't received a paycheck. Not one stipen ain't enough. Please look into that. Please take care of the people that stand up and show up for you guys every day and help raise this generation of youth. I do it because I love it. Our next public comment is Jason Harold. Please unmute yourself. Yeah, I don't hear anything. No, we're having a hard time hearing you. Why don't we take the not the next comment and then we can try and come back and see if we That concludes our comments. Oh, all right. Maybe try once more. Mr. Jason, can you unmute yourself? We're not able to hear you. Okay. Well, why don't we do
035this? We'll move to standing reports and then we'll try and come back and maybe we we can touch base after the first standing report. Okay. If everybody's okay with that. Okay. Okay. I'd like to thank everybody who gave public comment. We are now moving on to B8 which is standing reports and tonight we have ASAT Citizens Bond Oversight Committee Council of Elders and United Teachers of Richmond uh ASAT on online nothing from ASAT. Okay, we'll move on to Citizens Bond Oversight Committee CBOC. Good evening. Yeah, these are exciting times for the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. We have two high schools and an elementary school about to be repaired or replaced. Plus, we have the completion of Lake Elementary School and the completion of the new multi-purpose room at Shannon Elementary. We recently visited Kennedy High
036so we could better see why the district is spending $280 million on repairing decades of neglect. One thing that was interesting, aside from the expected mess associated with pre-demolition, was how the district has salvaged so many parts for use elsewhere when needed. Things like hardware, light switches, and even doors are being removed and stored so when they're needed elsewhere in the district, we'll have a ready inventory. The district tries as best they can to use the same makes and models of many items across the 53 schools in the district. So, there's some form of standardization of parts. This can be difficult, though, since some of our schools are as much as 82 years old. Manufacturers have gone out of business, and the specifications of many items have changed over the decades. Trying to find a
037left-handed widget for a thing, Bob, from 1953 might otherwise be near impossible if we didn't salvage and repurpose some of these items. In just two days, we will be revisiting Lake Elementary. Sadly, it's been 202 since we were last able to visit Lake. And even without us looking over their collective shoulders, they've been soldiering on with the construction. It's imperative that we visit these sites before construction, several times during construction, as well as when the project is complete. We receive routine regular updates for of these projects along with pretty pictures. But what what staff is looking for may not be the same thing as what we're looking for. This is why we need additional eyes. Even amongst ourselves, each of us looking through a different set of eyes. One of the biggest problems that the
038CBOC faces is the difficulty we have in reviewing the bond program financial reports. Reviewing the bond program's financial reports is one of the prime functions of the CBOC. And if we don't have these reports, then there's virtually no effective oversight. Even Stevie Wonder could clearly see that this is a problem. Over the decades, the CBOC has fine-tuned which reports we need and what needs to be included. A decade ago, we had 13 reports that we needed in our monthly agenda packet. The CBOC has fine-tuned our needs and there are now only six monthly reports plus an annual KPI report. It would be rude to speak about something only using acronyms. So if you routinely as if you routinely use KPI reports, a KPI key performance indicator report is a document that summarizes and presents the
039performance of an organization, department or individual against strategic goals and objectives. It uses KPIs, measurable metrics that track progress towards specific objectives to provide a snapshot of performance. While I'd love to boast about how smart I am about these things, I pulled that definition from Google AI. The financial reports are put together at the end of each month. The CBOC meets on the second Monday of each month, so staff may have only eight calendar days to process these reports. And since we need the reports 5 days prior to the meeting to be a part of the agenda packet and two of the remaining days or weekend days, I'm sure you can see that how this just doesn't this isn't enough time unless unlike the volunteers on the CBOC who might work on things night and
040day and and over the weekends staff should stop their work at the end of business each day spending their nights and weekends with their families. As a CBOC chair, I demand that it's of Melissa Payne, the head of the bond program, that she shows my directives a little but she shows my directives little respect. And she's sending me these reports sometimes after 11 p.m. on her own time. One of the problems with getting these reports ready is that none of us wants reports that are not accurate. Inaccuracy is a bad thing. One solution that might help us with this is for the board and the superintendent to ensure that there are sufficient personnel that are trained to do this work. Only you can make this happen. Another solution is for the CBOC to give staff
041another week by give attending our uh our regular meeting dates. We've agendaized this for discussion and action at our next meeting. This may help quite a bit. We currently have two applications in the works and one more promising opportunity so we can increase our ranks from the seven we have today. When I last spoke to you about this, before I got back to my seat, my phone was buzzing with a very promising prospect asking to serve. If anybody wants to join this exciting and critically important oversight body, please call me, Don Gosny, at 510-685-2403 or email me at [email protected]. Like they all say about the state lottery, can't win if you don't play. Thank you. Thank you. The next report is council builders. Do we have anyone? Miss Scotty Smith, can you unmute yourself? Sorry,
042I had not planned to speak tonight, but the um first of all, I want to say to Kim, I want to give her my condolences. And I also would like to give condolences to the family of Anna Blackman, a long-term educator in this district, passed away earlier this week, and my heart is filled for both of these women who have gone on. Thank you. Thank you for that report. The final standing report is from United Teachers of Richmond. Good evening, President Reckler, clerkana, and trustees. I'm Gabby Mleti, vice president of United Teachers of Richmond, and I'm here tonight to bring some concerns we have to your attention. Unfortunately, our requests to include our slides into this portion of the agenda went unagnowledged, but we have paper copies for you to follow along. Unless drastic changes
043happen at negotiations on Tuesday, our members will be entering the 2526 school year without a contract. This is hardly a circumstance that inspires educators to stay, especially when they are constantly hearing that WCCUSD is on the brink of bankruptcy and in public meetings, educators are blamed for this financial mismanagement. I want to share some facts gathered by school services of California and ed data regarding the financial practices of WCCUSD. Firstly, in the past four financial years, the percentage of the budget going to educators has decreased 6% while the percentage going to consulting services has increased 3.5%. Each percent equates approximately $5 million. On the next slide, if you look at the lightest line with triangles, you will see that last year the district's expenditures per ADA were the highest they have ever been. Yet, the
044spending on personnel such as educators and support staff in our schools has taken a dive to approximately 2016 levels. Ed data of California shows that compared to the average unified school district, WCCUSD only spends 94% of what others spend on educator salaries. However, WCCCUSD also spends 157% 57% more than what other unifies are spending on services and other operating expenditures where contractors and consultants are housed. Now, per ED code 41732, if WCCUSD doesn't hit 55% of outgo on classroom salaries and benefits, they need to allocate the shortfall to the bargaining units the following year. Waivers are often given for small school districts where this is much harder to hit. But despite being a large district, WCCCUSD has not been among the more than 70% of unified districts able to meet this requirement and has fallen
045short by over $ 38 million over the past four years. We often hear that it's challenging to hire here, which should be no surprise given that in total compensation, we are 18th out of 19 of nearby districts. If you examine the next table, you will also see that we offer the lowest starting salary and are second from last in the highest salary. In addition, the vast majority of these comparator districts provide 100% employer paid benefits. On the final slide, you will see that the change in what WCCUSD spends on their educators per ADA was about a fifth of the change educators and other districts saw, while our spending on services and operating costs far outstripped the average. It is offensive to our hardworking educators to watch district leadership publicly blame the educators who continue to
046work here despite the financial hardship it causes them. for a structural deficit. To hear that our proposals, which were designed to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of our students and to attract and retain educators, will surely be the death nail of WCCUSD. The reality is that by not investing in educators for years, district leadership has created a situation wherein contractors who are far more expensive are brought in as band-aid solutions and this district hemorrhages money into private pockets. We are counting on your leadership as the board to ensure that WCCCUSD brings its financial practices back in line and invests in this community to keep our educators here and give the students of West Contraosta the educations that they deserve. Thank you. Thank you very much to everyone who gave a standing report. Is that
047No. Is that No. Okay. I just want to give one final check. And would we be able to go back and see if we could find the public comment who we couldn't hear before? Okay, we cannot. Okay, thank you. Okay, we are moving to number nine, agenda review and adoption. Uh for the agenda tonight, we are removing B16 resolution 2425-8-87 condemning Jewish hatred, anti-semitism, and fighting Holocaust denial in the West Contraosta Unified School District. And I am also very sorry to report that we're removing F1, which is the community schools presentation. There is an illness and we'll try and bring that back as well. So I'm sorry to report that. Is there anything else that the board would like to review or adjust? Okay, seeing no other changes, we will proceed with those two items
048removed. We're moving to number 10, approval of minutes, April 23, 2025. Does anybody have any corrections to the minutes? Seeing none, we'll adopt the minutes as presented. Moving on to number 11, superintendent search update. This is me. I wanted to report that the board met last night and we have two candidates and the next meeting is Sunday afternoon 2:00 and um there is a also a meeting scheduled for Monday as a reserve day and that is the update I have at this time. So that's the 18th and the 19th. Moving on to number 12, resolution 2425-83, Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2025. Miss Forest, I believe this is your item. Yes. Uh, good evening board, uh, interim superintendent Moses, uh, staff and community. Now therefore be it resolved that the West Contraosta Unified School District
049Board of Education proclaims May 2025 as AsianAmerican Pacific Islander Heritage Month to inspire equity and celebrate diversity in our schools and communities throughout the district. Be it further resolved that the West Contraosta schools are encouraged to use this month to highlight and instruct on the significant contributions of Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. Thank you. Is there any public comment on this item? Is there any board comment on this item? Seeing none, I'll accept them. Um, I'm sorry. I was going to move the item. Okay. Uh, President, I move resolution number 2425-83, Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2025. Great. Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second the item. Great. So, it's moved by Gonzalo, seconded by clerkyana. Any additional comments or seeing none. Okay, we'll go to
050the vote. Student trustee Espanosa Jr. Yes. Trusty Student Trusty Baron. Yes. Hernandez is absent tonight. Clerk Inana, yes. Trusty Gonzalez Hoy, yes. Trusty Smith Folds. Smith Folds. Yes. And I'm a yes. Resolution passes. Motion and resolution passes unanimously. Moving on to number 13. 2425-84. National School Nurse Day 2025. Miss Forest, I believe this is your item. Yes. Thank you. Now therefore, be it resolved that the West Contraosta Unified School District Board of Education celebrates and acknowledges the accomplishments of school nurses everywhere and their efforts towards meeting the needs of today's students by improving the delivery of health care in our schools and offers gratitude for the nation's school nurses and nurses in WCCUSD. Thank you so much. Is there any public comment on this item? No public comment. Are there any board comments on the
051item? Seeing none, I'll accept a motion on the item. President, I move resolution number 2425-84, National School Nurse Day 2025. Thank you. Is there a second on the item? I'll second the item. Okay. We have the item moved by trustee Gonzalez Hoy and seconded by clerkyana. Um, last chance for any comments. Seeing none, we'll go to the vote. Student trustee Espanos Jr. Yes. Student trusty Von. Yes. Clerkana, yes. Trusty Gonzalez. Yes. Trusty Smith Folz. Smith FS. Yes. And I'm a yes. Motion passes unanimously with unanimously with clerk with trustee Hernandez absent. Moving on to 14 2425-85 National Teacher Day 2025. Miss Forest. Thank you. Now therefore be it resolved that the board of education of the West Contracasta Unified School District proclaims proclaims May 6, 2025 as Day of the Teacher in West Contraosta County.
052And be it further resolved that the board of education urges all students, families, staff, and community members to honor and appreciate our teachers on this day and throughout the year for their invaluable contributions to the education and society. Thank you for the applause. Are there any comments from the board? I'm sorry. Is there any public comment? No public comment. Are there any comments from the board? And seeing none, I'll accept a motion. I want a motion that we move resolution number 2425-85, National Teacher Day 2025. Great. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Okay. So we have it moved by clerkyana and seconded by trustee Gonzalez Hoy. Last chance for for any comments. We'll move to the vote. Student trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student trustee Brhan. Yes. Clerkana uh clerkana. Yes. Trusty Gonzalez. Yes. Trusty
053Smith Folds. Smith Folds. Yes. And I am a yes. Motion carries unanimously with uh with Trusty Hernandez absent. Moving on to number 15, resolution 2425-86, JewishAmerican Heritage Month 2025. Thank you. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the West Contraosta Unified School District Board of Education and WCCCUSD Superintendent proclaim the month of May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month. Be it further resolved that the West Contraosta Unified School District Board of Education encourages activities to deepen appreciation of the multicultural and multiffaith diversity of the West Contraosta community to develop understanding across cultures and to reduce in incidences of bias and hate. Thank you so much. Is there any public comment on this item? No public comment. Is there any board comment on the item? Okay. I have I have board comment. So tonight I speak in
054support of the resolution recognizing May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month in the West Contraosta Unified School District. We honor Jewish Americans who have shaped this country. Jewish history is American history, and we recognize those who have contributed in numerous ways to science, to technology, law and justice, education, social services, the arts, and more. Unfortunately, across this country and even here in this community, Jewish Americans continue to face rising anti-semitism from vandalism and hate speech, violent attacks and death to harmful stereotypes and silence in the face of hate. Anti-semitism is not a relic from the past. It is present in its dangerous, pervasive reality. Your Jewish staff members, teachers, students, friends, neighbors, and board members are not okay. Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month is one way to reject the hate. It is a public affirmation
055of Jewish lives, culture, and contributions that matter, not just in history books, but in our classrooms and in our neighborhoods and in the values that we teach our children. Celebrating is not enough. Education must lead to tolerance and understanding. And our schools must be places where every child, including our Jewish students, feel safe, seen, and protected from hate in all for forms. I urge all of us to use this month not only to honor Jewish American heritage, but to learn about and confront anti-semitism wherever it appears, with courage, with clarity, and with unwavering commitment. And with that, there any other board comments? Seeing none, I'll move the item resolution 2425-87 condemning Jewish hatred. Uh, I'm sorry, 2425-86, Jewish American Heritage Month. I'll second it. Okay. So, Reckler is the motion and trustee Gahaloy is the
056second. And we'll go to the vote. Student trustee Espanosa Jr. Yes. Student trustee Baron. Yes. Clerkana, yes. Trustee Gonzalez, yes. Trustee Smiths. Smithfields. Yes. And I am a yes. Motion carries unanimously with with uh Trusty Hernandez absence. Okay. B16 as a skip. B17 National Principal's Day 2025. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of the West Contraosta Unified School District hereby proclaims May 1st, 2025 as National Principal Day in the West Contraosta Unified School District. And be it further resolved that the board of education urges all students, staff, families, and community members to join in recognizing and thanking our principles for their invaluable contributions to education and leadership throughout the year. Thank you so much. Is there any public comment on the item? No public comment. Are there any board comments on
057the item? I just want to say to principles, you have taught me so much about flexibility that it's a lesson that I've taken forward and into my life. And I really appreciate that lesson to be flexible. And I really I really appreciate uh your ability to move and to um really uh work with anything that comes your way. Uh I thank you for that lesson that you've taught to me. And with that, we'll do I'll have a accept a motion on this item. A motion to move resolution number 2425-88, National Principles Day for 2025. Is there a second on the item? Second. Okay. So, it was moved by clerkyana and seconded by trustee Gonzalez Hoy. Last chance for comments. Seeing none, we'll go to the vote. Student trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student trustee Baron. Yes.
058Clerkyana. Yes. Trusty Gonzalez. Yes. Trustee Smith FS. Smith Falls. Yes. And I am a yes. The item passes unanimously with Trusty Hernandez absent. Okay. We are now up to consent business items. Do does anybody have anything from consent that they would like pulled? Okay. Seeing none, consent will be adopted as presented. And we are now up to D, superintendent communication. Rosa, can we pull up the presentation? Good evening everyone. This week um we'd like to share in the superintendence report some of the great things that are happening across our district and also information to support continued engagement across our district and with our students as well. Next slide. This initial slide is in recognition of lupus awareness month. Um lupus is a chronic illness or chronic disease uh that attacks healthy tissue in the body.
059Um causes inflammation and it's an autoimmune disease. this month and uh bringing this awareness uh to our district. Uh we keep in our hearts Miss Gina Stewart uh Penol Valley High School teacher who um succumbed to this disease and want to recognize that the Panol community held a walk-athon in her honor in memory and uh to promote lupus awareness. Great job, Panol. Next slide. I'd also like to um show appreciation to our students and staff who came together to create a second student summit for this school year. Um we recognize that student voice is critical to framing the needs across our school system for our students. And on May 8th, uh, secondary students came together to give feedback and provide input, um, regarding their experiences in order to support our, um, uh, increased attention to
060their needs. Thank you, student participants. Next slide. Bayiew Elementary School hosted a community cleanup in honor of Earth Day. We wanted to share with you some of the photos from this event in which students uh worked to um pick up litter and shared this experience with peers to gain a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship. Great job, Bay View. Next slide. We are so proud of the Richmond High robotics team. Um they've had a remarkable year of growth and success. Uh we want to call them out for placing in the top 11% of robotics teams worldwide. Shout out to those students and their teacher hander. Wonderful. Uh we also want to shout out that they are sharing their knowledge and spreading this program across our district. Uh their mentorship helped Panol Valley's uh robotics team to
061earn a rookie allstar award. Congratulations goes out to the Panol Valley team as well and we look forward to learning of the great things to come uh from this group in the future. Next slide. Um West Contracasta students participated in the county special Olympics track and field event. Um we were fortunate to have our students participate in this event with over a dozen Eastbay districts uh on April 25th in Lafayette. This event is a partnership be between the Contracasta County Office of Education and the Special Olympics of Northern California and it saw more than 1,400 students across the county participating in this event. So, thank you for teachers and staff who made this possible for our students. Next slide. The Shannon Elementary School also hosted its own special Olympics event, a unified basketball tournament. So,
062shout out to Shannon and the four schools that joined them for this event. Bologoney, Fairmont, Highland, and Murphy. Our students came together to um share in this sports event and our teachers and staff supported. So, thank you for that great event as well on April 4th. Next slide. Our Elserto Jazz Ensemble has placed first place in the California Jazz Championships. Yes, shout out to Elserto. Uh we also want to announce that um since 2023 both of our bands have won every competition that they've entered in and this includes the uh jazz band and also uh I don't see the name of the second band there but congratulations to both groups and we want to invite you to join in celebrating these talented students. They will have a final performance at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland
063on May I'm sorry on Monday, June 9th and the tickets are available on the Yoshi's event page. Please consider joining them in celebrating our students. Next slide. Uh Sheldon Elementary School held a literacy night uh in conjunction with go public schools, the Elsa Branny Library, West County Reads, and the Deansza Student Leadership Council. Families came together to celebrate reading. And I'd like to cue up the video there so that we can get a glimpse of uh that evening's activities and shout out to their principal um Miss Stephanie Sanchez for this event. Are we able to play the video? No. Okay. Apologies. It was a very uh engaging video of these catered 2 students uh reciting, "We're going on a bear hunt." Next slide. The Penol Valley High School engineering team had an opportunity to visit
064Lheed Martin. We're excited about this opportunity for that engineering pathway. um they were able to tour the facilities and um learn about the different design and maker spaces at Loheed M Martin. So congratulations to that team and all that they learned during that visit. Next slide. Um also we had a team of students attend the Contraosta College Comet Day. 450 of our students attended uh thisformational fair uh and they learned about uh various programs from nursing to culinary arts to computer science. We want to thank our college and career department, our counselors and all of the chaperones for making this experience possible for our students. Next slide. Another opportunity is coming up this weekend for our students. There is a youth soccer tournament and festival sponsored by Kulpita. It will be held at Dansza High
065School on Saturday, May 17th starting at 8:00 a.m. Um there will be free breakfast, free lunch, and lots of activities for the children. So if you are a soccer fan, please consider joining that festival. Next slide. We'd also like to encourage our students to join the microgravity contest. It is not too late. These the registration deadline is May 16th. Uh so please consider uh joining this competition ages 13 to 19 um experiment competition and the art patch competition. More information can be found on the slide. Next slide. We're also calling our community members to help shape the future of our local parks by taking a short survey from the East Bay Parks and Recreation District. The survey is open through July 31st, 2025, and your input will help guide the development of the district's plan
066of the parks district plan. So, please consider giving your valuable opinion. Next slide. It is graduation season and we're excited to announce that this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. we'll kick off our season with a reclassification ceremony for our reclassified English learners. We also want to shout out Middle College which will host their commencement activities on May 24th and also the black graduation is scheduled for May 27th. These three activities are happening prior to the next board meeting and we have a host of other dates listed here for other commencement activities. We hope you'll join us in celebrating our students and their accomplishments as they enter the next phase of their of their lives and of their careers. Next slide. All right, here's that Richmond robotics team again. They are hosting a competition this weekend at
067Richmond High and they are looking for volunteers and participants. So, please consider um joining this event, learning about creativity, teamwork, innovation, and fun. Um you can attend the event and you can volunteer, too. But either way, Richmond High is inviting you to come out and enjoy this activity. More information can be found on the QR code on this slide. Next slide, please. We always want to extend invitations and encourage all families and community members to participate in our committees across the district. Your input is valuable and your engagement matters greatly to us. Please consider attending your school site meetings for the APAC. Um ASAT um the ASAT committee is done with meetings for the year but will resume next year. Also, DLCAP and MDAC are continuing next year. We encourage you to join those larger
068committees um but also the smaller uh committees that are held at your school site. Your input matters. Please consider joining a meeting. Next slide. That concludes the superintendence report for this board meeting and I want to thank you for your attention and um as always, very proud of our students and our staff for all of these accomplishments. Thank you. Thank you so much. Does anybody have questions? Thank you, President. Uh, and thank you so much, Dr. Moses. Um, I did want to add, if I may, President, Dr. Moses. Um, I did want to just speak about, uh, Miss Washington from Vista, uh, which we didn't add in today's, uh, slides, and that's my oversight because I didn't mention agenda in agenda review. Um, we've had a lot of amazing women who have passed, I think,
069in the last two weeks. Um, and Miss Washington from Air Vista was unfortunately one of them. Um, who she was a powerhouse and um, such an important individual for that school. Um, every time I would go to that school and I would run into her, we would talk about how her grandson and one of my daughters would uh marry one day and have beautiful chocolate babies. Uh, she would say um and and um she was um planning on retiring this year and I think moving closer to her son and her grandson and um is I think a big hit to me Vista and that community. Um but I'm so thankful that she gave us so many years because um I think she made a lot of change for a lot of students at the Mirror
070Vista community um um hundreds if not thousands of students um especially African-American students uh from Mir Vista. So um I'm thankful to her uh and if I may I would also like to take just a moment of silence for her. Thank you so much. Are there any other questions or comments? Thank you for bringing that uh that up. I did not know that and I'm like catching my breath right now. So, thank you. Um okay, thank you. We are now moving on to E action items. Um we are now moving to E1 which is a stipulated expulsion. This is case number 242507. Um there's not a lot we can say about this. I'll just uh ex entertain a motion uh on stipulated expulsion case number 242507. And president, I move that we approve the stipulated
071expulsion case number 242507. Great. Is there a second on this item? I'll second that item. Okay. It's been moved by Gonzalez Hoy and seconded by clerkana. Uh no discussion. We'll go straight to the vote. Student trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student trustee Baron. Yes. Clerkana, yes. Trusty Gonzalez Hoy, yes. Trustee Smith BS. Smith FS. Yes. And I am a yes. Motion passes unanimously with trustee Hernandez absent. Next one is number E2 stipulated expulsion case number 242508. I think the motion on this one will be to reject the um stipulated agreement. Thank you, President. Yes. I move that we reject the stability agreement for case number uh 242508. Is there a second on this item? I'll I'll go ahead and second it. So be moved by Gonzalez Hoy and seconded by Reckler. No discussion on this one.
072We'll go straight to the vote. Student Trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Trust student trustee Baron. Yes. Clerkyana. Yes. Trusty Gonzalez Hoy. Yes. Trusty Smith Folds. Smith Folds. Yes. And I'm a yes. Uh motion carries unanimously with Trusty Hernandez absent. Okay. And now we're up to E2. Reading difficulties risk screener adoption. Yes, this is my item. Thank you. Good evening, President Reckler, clerk Anyana, trustees, and community. Tonight, we bring forward a critical step in advancing literacy in West Contraosta in accordance with education code 530008. The teaching and learning department is bringing forward a recommendation for K through 2 grade reading difficulties risk screener. It's my pleasure to introduce Sanji Bell, our director of curriculum um instruction and assessment. Sanji has been a key leader in this work, ensuring that this recommendation reflects both the needs of our
073students and the voices of our educators. She's going to walk us through the process, the tools selected, and the path forward for implementation. Thank you, Miss Aosta. Um this is Sanji Bell and thank you this evening to members of the board, board president um and community leaders. Um here we are. This is the presentation for the reading screener. Um and I'm pleased to be here tonight to present to you. Um next slide, please. So jumping right in. This is probably a very familiar slide to many of you all. Um but this starts our process. uh West Contracasta Unified School District undertook a deliberate and structured adoption process to identify a universal screening tool for reading difficulties um aligned with Senate Bill, excuse me, Senate Bill 114 district-wide early literacy priorities and the commitment to educational
074equity. This process was informed by educators, administrators, psychologists and community partners which considered our reading screener adoption which was actually considered our reading screener adoption committee. Um this timeline outlines our process um that our committee followed to lead us to this journey to adoption. Next slide please. So, I want to just take a moment and highlight those members of the committee. Some of you are here tonight. Um, in this work, it's important to recognize and honor the individuals who partnered with us in our department in undertaking this challenging yet critical effort. Many of you contributed your time and insights and expertise to help guide this process. And as I said, you may see your name. Um and we just wanted to say we are deeply grateful um for the time that you spent and your
075commitment and your collaboration. Next slide. So this is another very familiar screen. These are four choices um given to us by the state of California in terms of who which screener tool we could actually um choose for our district. Um and very briefly we had Amira which was one of the first AI powered assessments. Um Multitudes which is a game-based interactive assessment. Um they also introduced ROAR um which was another adaptive digital screener. And lastly MClass which you'll hear a lot about this afternoon which which is a one-on-one um administered screener. Um, and you'll hear us talk about dibbles, which is the dynamic indicator of basic early literacy skills. Um, but these were our four choices. Next slide. So, the adoption process. So, our reading screener committee started by taking a close look at those
076four screener tools that we just introduced. Um, we didn't just glance at this list. We took our time and really tried to dig in. Um, using a detailed rubric to evaluate each one. We looked at how instructionally relevant and developmentally appropriate the tool was, how accessible it would be for both teachers and students, and whether it provided meaningful support for our multi-learners. And most importantly, we applied an equity lens throughout the entire process. We asked ourselves, does this tool truly help us to serve all of our students, especially those that have historically been underserved? This collaborative process helped ensure that our final selection wasn't just about compliance, but also about choosing a tool that would actually support strong, actionable instruction and classrooms across the district. Next slide. So again, we were very intentional in considering
077the diverse needs of our students here in West Contracasta. Um, as you take a look at this slide, it serves as a reminder of who we are doing the work for, our incredible learners across the district. Um, it was essential for us to choose a screener that reflects and respects this diversity. Um, that's why we prioritize tools that have been tested with our multi- language learners and our students who've been historically underserved underserved by or from underserved communities, excuse me. Um when the screener aligns with lived experience of our students um the data becomes more meaningful and that means that the instructional decisions are truly can truly meet the students where they are and move them forward. Next slide. So we knew that our screener selection needed to be rooted in real experiences for our
078educators. So we had the opportunity to have their voices be a part of this process. Um we held input sessions from K2 teachers and elementary principles and gave them an opportunity to review the information that we got from the county and the state and um give their voice around how this would impact their day-to-day teaching. Um, as far as the feedback that we received, we ran two targeted pilots, one with M-Class Dibbles and the other with multitudes. And we had approximately 150 K2 teachers take part using the tools in their classroom um, and giving us feedback as to which one worked, what didn't work, and what felt aligned with their instructional goals. This feedback is of in of in of course in of course incredibly powerful and it clearly pointed to McMlass M-class Dibbles as
079the right fit for our dibble for our district, excuse me. We also made sure to include our special education team and our element department throughout this process to ensure choosing the right tool for all and not just some. Next slide. So this slide depicts our the outcome from our feedback and as you can tell um inclass between the two overwhelmingly with our teachers um was the most um outstanding. Um the breakdown asked them um between dibbles and multitudes. Um it asked about userability um and how it would be impactful in the classroom. Um it also included um a mirror because we're very familiar with that in our district with some of our um targeted schools in mission critical 7. But out of the three um the two that were piloted were multitudes um and the
080one that was most favored was MClass. Next slide. And here are some of the themes. Um, this is the data that we get is inclusive, data informed. Um, I'm sorry. So as a result of the feedback um it is conclusive in our process that the district-wide recommendation for the reader screener would be MClass Dibbles as a universal screener. Next slide. And here are some quotes. These would be from our educators in grades kinder through second. Dibbles is a quick 1 to seven minute teacher student assessment. We need quick tests so that we can get back to teaching. Some assessments aim to save the teacher time by having students take a test on a computer. But when I test one-on-one, when I when I don't test one-on-one, I lose valuable opportunities to connect with my students
081and evaluate students reading. I feel connected to this data that I get. Another teacher comment simple for teachers to learn how to administer. It provides clear data to teachers to collaborate on how better how better to improve teaching practices in key topics that target where individual students or groups are struggling. We currently use it and it has helped us with targeted intervention. It also provides a Spanish compliment that is essential to our students. MCL class supports our tier 1 CKLA skills portion. Next slide. So once we considered or selected MClass Dibbles as our recommended screener um we brought together a district implementation team to lead the roll out with intention and cross departmental collaboration with leaders from ed services special education and student services at the table. The team has been focused on building a
082phased plan, clear benchmarks, and meaningful professional development. We've prioritized equitable access, especially for multi-learners and students with disabilities while also ensuring that they're that every site receives clear, consistent communication and support. And the goal is to make our educators feel confident and equipped as they launch this important work together. Next slide. So, as a part of our implementation plan, we've established three consistent assessment windows for each year, beginning in September, following up in January, and our last one being in May. These checkpoints are designed to provide timely data that informs our instruction, tracks student progress, and supports early intervention. To ensure educators are prepared, we are developing a phased professional learning sequence that spans over three years. This approach allows us to build staff capacity over time with training that deepens understanding and supports effective
083use of the tool. We've also priority prioritized equity by aligning assessments with lang with the language of instruction. Students in dual language programs will participate in both dibbles and lectura while English learners in SEI programs will be screened using lectura when appropriate. This ensures that we are accurately capturing student foundational reading skills in languages that they are learning in. Next slide. Um we have three we have three annual assessment windows as I said before for all K through two through two students um that they will be accessing middle beginning middle and end of the year to identify early early need monitoring growth and guide instructional planning. The reading screener will replace I Ready for grades kinder and first and will remain and will remain as an option for second. Professional learning will be a phased
084three-year PD sequence that builds educator expertise in assessment administration first data interpretation and instructional application culminating in a sustainable train the trainer model. Um for equity for multil- language learners all students will be assessed in their language of instruction eelss in dual language programs will take dibbles and lectura eels in SEI programs will be screened using lectura as needed under discontinued rules to ensure accurate identification. um transparent communication. Families will receive multilingual screener results after each testing window along with next steps and literacy resources. Districtwide data will will be reported publicly within four weeks of each window. Implementation will follow a planto-do study cycle with continuous input from the literacy committee and school sites. Instructional learning walks, cross-sight collaboration will support coherence and shared best practices. We are doing this at the school level and
085district level to support equity. Um, and we would like your feedback. I made it almost to the end. Um, we have a QR code as well, I believe. Um and this will lead us to um all of this is outlined in our implementation plan. That concludes my presentation and um thank you for listening. Great. Thank you so much for the presentation. Is there any public comment on the item? Yes, we have public comment. Our first public comment is Mark Herringer. Good evening. My name is Mark Heringer. I'm with Go Public Schools and I have the honor of working with our community-led committee on literacy, a group of parents, community uh advocates, educators, community members um in improving literacy outcomes in West Contracasta. This year we focused on the reading difficulties risk screener, a vital tool
086to identify and address reading challenges early when support is most effective. We appreciate the district's openness to input and their responsiveness to our feedback on family engagement and implementation. The final plan reflects many of the community priorities we raised throughout this process. We support the adoption of the Mclass screener and the proposed plan. Tonight, CLC members will share why strong family partnerships and thoughtful implementation are key to making this tool truly impactful for our students. Our next public comment is Carla Galves Lima. Good evening. I am Carla Galves Lima, chair of the Literacy CLC and a parent at West County Mandarin School. As a mother of a child with reading difficulties, I know the difference an early screener could have made in the past. If this had been in place when she was in kindergarten
087three years ago, we could have understood her challenges sooner and taken action before reading became a painful process for her in her first three years of school. It's critical that communications with families about the screeners results clearly include next steps the school will take to support students in need of intervention and support and grade level resources we as parents can use at home. The proposal for continuing family feedback and including families on a district literacy advisory committee will help make sure that this is done effectively. We look forward to your continued partnership to support our children's literacy growth. Thank you. Will the next three people line up, please? Barbara Wedner, Erica Stabby Orbina, and Jana White. Yes. Hi. Um, my name is Barbara Wanger. I'm a second grade teacher at Nestrom. I also taught first
088grade uh the Spanish DLI program. I've used Dibbles for the past three years and lecttora, the Spanish version of Dibbles at Lincoln. It's been extremely helpful. It's an incredible opportunity for more than just being a screener. For example, this year at the beginning of the year with Dibbles, we identified one student, Irene, as um somebody who needed help. She was reading four words a minute when she should have been reading 50 words a minute with 50% accuracy. That's not good. We put her in an intervention group. We continued to monitor her monitor her. She reached 15 words. We thought about testing her for special um for an IEP. We put her in another intervention group, gave her more structured practice. She's now reading at 104 words per minute. This is something that we could have
089only done by having her identified at the beginning. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Erica Sabi Urbina, vice chair of the CLC, member of the district DLI parent advisory committee as and a parent at Grant Elementary. I support the proposal to use the MClass screener which includes the Spanish language version lectura. Parents at DLI schools such as myself have been asking for strong Spanish language assessments for years and this will really help us understand our children's progress. One challenge is ensuring that there are enough Spanish-speaking staff available to administer lectura, especially at nonli schools with large numbers of English learners. We're glad the district is committed to planning ahead and providing support where bilingual staffing is limited. Let's work together to ensure this tool supports all students equitably. Thank you. Way to start. Okay.
090Sorry. Hi. Um my name is Jana White and I'm a kindergarten teacher at Aloney High. Um over the past few years, I've worked to bring evidence-based reading practices to my students and school site. I've seen firsthand how this approach supports all of my kinders to enter first grade as competent readers. A universal screener like Dibbles has tremendous potential to support both teachers and students, but only if families are true partners in the work. We have highlighted parent conferences as a key moment to build shared understanding and collaborate to create strong support plans. Ensuring screener data is ready in time for the November conferences will strengthen these partnerships and help us build effective literacy literacy support plans together. Thank you. Well, the next four people line up. Max Stemley, Molly Maloney, Kevin James, and Natalie Wasuk.
091Good evening. My name is Max Stemley and I'm a student at Middle College High School. At school, I have researched literacy and the science of reading, and I know that a screener such as this is very important. Another thing I've learned is how diverse our district is with families from many different cultures speaking many different languages. I'm glad to see that the plan for the screener includes communications in the students home languages. But this needs to go beyond just English and Spanish. Communications should be in all major languages in our district, such as Arabic and Portuguese. These options would make a real difference for both students and parents. Thank you. Good evening everyone. I'm Molly Maloney from Go Public Schools and a WCCUSD parent. The district's inclusive feedback process and comprehensive plan deserve real recognition.
092They didn't just ask for feedback. They incorporated key suggestions. For example, the commitment to publicly share screener results within four weeks at a board meeting or public report. This transparency will help the board and the community understand the district's literacy needs and progress over time. Additionally, the multi-year professional learning plan is thoughtfully sequenced going beyond how to administer the assessment to focus on how to interpret and use the data which is really the point of all this. Thank you. Good evening. Uh my name is Kevin James. I am a CLC member and a parent at Michelle Obama Elementary. Uh, this reading risk screener is a vital tool for helping families understand their children's literacy needs. We're glad to see that the district is selecting a screener that can be used multiple times in a school
093year so that we can get updated information about the progress our kids have made and if they need different support. Sharing the results with families after each time which are beginning, middle and end of year and in a timely manner which is within four weeks of administration is an important step towards creating strong partnerships between schools and families. This will help ensure that we are all working together to support student progress in literacy. Thank you. I'd love to start by acknowledging the families, community members, and teachers who have volunteered hundreds of hours for free over the course of this year to become experts in reading risk assessment screeners. Not their core job, but thank them for being here tonight and partnering with you. This screener holds a great deal of promise, but on its own,
094it will not change literacy outcomes. What matters is how we use the data and whether it's part of a broader system of tiered support. The work is hard and change takes time, but the thoughtful collaboration has been profoundly encouraging. This plan you're developing reflects a shift towards deeper partnership, forward-inking planning, and frankly going beyond the minimum. You have an opportunity to be an example in the state of what is best when this work is true. And that will be a beautiful day when we can lift up and say that West Contraosta knew how to do it right, included families, truly supported its teachers, and was really invested in this screener changing children's lives. So, thank you. That concludes our public comment. Wow. Thank you so much. Uh, does anybody on the board have any questions
095on the item? Thank you, President. Uh thank you so much um Miss Bell for the presentation. Um I did have a question for you um either for you or for Mr. Kasa. Um so we've heard from many teachers um that they feel uh they um and their students are over testing over tested um throughout the year because we have so many tests on different curriculums and different um uh subjects. Um, so what would happen to I Ready, which is another testing platform that K through2 teachers uh utilize. There we go. Um, thank you for the question. I'll start off and then I will tag team with my um, distinguished boss here. Um I did mention that um we were making a pivot with the assessments and to your point um it has been voiced um
096by many of our educators. Um it came up during the process of us adopting the screener um uh teachers being very concerned about our littles um the K12 students and their stamina or lack thereof and whether we're really getting a clear picture in terms of their in uh teachers instructional practices and students ability to demonstrate. Um what has been decided is that for K1 that the screener will replace I Ready. So, um, we're looking at the fact that the the younger students absolutely have standards that we need to, um, monitor, but they don't have as many. Um, and that building up to second grade where the standards become over a period of time, they have more standards to assess, the teachers will have the option to do one or the other. So the screener will
097replace I ready for kinder and first grade. Second grade teams, second grade, second grade teams in schools can make the determination around whether students are ready to pivot um and include I Ready as their assessment for second grade. And just as a general just to generally address your concerns, um we're looking at our whole range of assessments. Um, and it has been said and we've heard it loud and clear that um, you know, our goal is not to um, land so heavily on the assessment tool, but really look at where we get the best data um, and how we're supporting students prior to the assessment to ensure that they are able to perform at their best ability. Thank you for that. Um, and then my next question, um, I have observed Dibbles. Um, I think
098it's a great platform, uh, or screener. Sorry, I'm getting used to the word screener. Um, we all are. Um, and it can be very timeconuming, especially if you're using it for the first times. So, uh, for schools that are ready to transition to using it, um, will administrators be going into classrooms to support teachers in using it for the first time or, uh, are we going to give like some direct uh, support for teachers who are doing that transition? So, that is the plan that we're working on. Um it looks like for this administration of dibbles, it's a little bit different from many years ago when we were all in the classroom or um supporting the actual written portion of it. The initial one is very quick. Um students come up and have a very
099intimate exchange with teachers. Um and teachers will be trained in when to stop. So we're not overt taxing students um or pushing them past their ability. Um and in terms of the training depending on the outcome today um we are prepared to start with our PD series. Um uh and the way it's built out is that the initial the initial introduction for teachers is the administration. Um that's considered the launch and this will be ongoing to make sure that we have veteran teachers and folks that are on boarding have this process. available to them. Um there's also an opportunity for administrators to get trained as well. Um it moves on to the strengthening portion which has to do with what do we do with this data once that we've gotten it once that we've gotten
100it. Once that we got it gotten it once that we've received it. How about that? Once we've received it, what do we do with the data? Um and that has to do do with data analysis, um monitoring, best practices, uh intervention, all of those things rolled into one. And then lastly, um there's coaching and that coaching is even more intimate where there are specific schools that may need additional support. Um maybe we are highlighting schools that are doing this extremely well. Um but there is a broad range of training. It's not a oneanddone type situation. Um and it provides opportunities for teachers and administrators to become um experts. And if I could just add to that, if the mic lets me, um, one thing that we want to make sure is really key is that
101the instructor does the assessment because it's that interaction that's really the sauce of it all, right? We want students um, teachers to have that ability to be able to see where the challenges are so that can inform instruction. And I I heard you mention about support. Um we have many schools in the district that are using dibbles already. Most of them do not have people to come in to support. I think that's a really sustainable model. Um instead we utilize blended learning, right? So we might have students who are utilizing a platform online. Um while the teacher is uh pulling a small a group to be able to do that assessment as we roll out depending Oh man. Depending on the level of comfort of the school, one approach that one approach that a school
102might take might be, let's learn to do letter naming first, right? And so we're going to have a Wednesday collaboration where we're all going to do some snappy practice and we're going to do letter naming. Let's go back into our classrooms and now do letter naming for all students. And so chunking for our teachers as they're learning to do the assessment. We've got some schools that have been doing this for quite some time. And so you saw in the quotes that it's actually quite fast when you think about it in comparison to the other assessments that we use. 1 to seven minutes is is really great. And so um we feel really confident that site leaders will be able to create plans that really adapt to the needs of the school. And we'll be calling
103for volunteers to come if families are willing um or board members to support with management as teachers are getting to do this assessment. Okay, I heard that challenge. Uh I should not have asked that question. Uh thank you for that. Uh I will be happy to volunteer um once or twice. Uh my last question uh you were touching on it actually which is it sounds like we have some schools that have already started using um uh deboss and are having great success. We heard from some some teachers that shared amazing examples uh from their own classroom. So will those schools be sharing best practices at uh with other you know the site leaders at principal meetings and those teachers at the PDS and things like that so they they're learning from each other as well.
104Absolutely. In fact we've been tapping into them to create this plan right and so we've been having it's me it's me guys. Um we've been having constant conversations because they've been doing this. They've already made all the mistakes that we don't want to make. Um so absolutely we're going to be leveraging. We're also having conversations about what the data might tell us. Right now the mandate is K to2 and we want to go slow to go fast. And so that's how we're starting. But I got some great feedback. I believe Barbara um sent me an email about considering maybe at some schools we might need to extend that assessment to third grade and beyond. Um and we do have Okay, there's some excitement in the room around that. We might um also consider doing what
105many of our school sites are doing. For example, Downer does the assessment kinder through sixth grade um for both English and DLI. And so we're definitely considering all those options, but for next year we're starting with K2. Thank you so much for that. Um President, I have one more question, but that was three. So if there's another round or time, I would um love it. If not, totally okay. I can send an email. Thank you. No problem. It looks like we have a little bit of time because of our cancellation. Trusty Smith Bolts, I'll ask your question if you want. Oh, thank you. No worries. Um, one of first of all, thank you so much for the presentation. It was uh such a labor of love to get to this point. I think that it's
106going to work out very well. Um, the question I have is the cadence of testing. And what I mean by that is, you know, you've been teachers and principles and you understand that September it's like hurting cats, right? So unless you have that real clear classroom management, even one minute can look like mutiny, right? Like you've got, you know, 20 little kids under the age of six running around or six and above. It's so I do think that it's clear that we have to have resources in the room. My question is about the cadence of the testing. So September, January, and May is when you have them. Those seem like really hard months to me. September because they're literally just starting, right? January, they're just coming back from winter break. In May, everybody's capped out.
107Like everybody's just like counting down to the end of the year. How did we come across those? How did we deter determine those testing months and is three times too much? And or and or would it be easier to do it October when we know that they're settled and March when we know before the exhaustion kicks in? I'm complete. Yeah, thank you so much for that question. It's really about embracing that opportunity to catch students early before they fail. And so we definitely were in conversations not only with our people who have been implementing but also with Mclass Dibbles about how to decide um and we believe that it's really important that we intervene with purpose. And so the earlier we know where we need to intervene and who what groups we need to focus
108on um the better we will do in order to be able to support students to main gains faster. And so they were really intentional. It's about having enough instructional time um to be able to address those needs. So what I heard you say and I want to summarize is catching them early. Yeah. intervening, retesting or assessing to make sure that what we're doing is working and then so testing again in that middle month and then testing at the end to make sure that we saw the progress that we hope to see. Is that accurate? That is accurate. And if we're noticing that our interventions are not working, we got to think of something different. And being able to assess three times a year allows us that opportunity to intensify interventions if we need to. Thank
109you so much. My second question is read this handwriting friend. Hold on. Are we going to provide time for educators to collaborate on the data by grade levels? There you go. I'm glad you asked that because super good question. Yeah. You want to take it, Sanji? Um I'll take the first leg. So um what I what I was hoping to explain was um a part of the PD series for MC class is that after we have the administration of the test um teachers will receive further training on what to do with the data. So you've tested these babies, you've instructed, you've tested the babies, now what um what does this data tell us specifically? How does it inform our practices moving forward? Um and it's really not only beneficial in this uh assessment process but
110just as educators to be really good stewards and to learn this process because this is really what we do as educators. We instruct, we assess, we look at our outcomes, we redirect our instruction and we continue. So part of them classes is that they come in and do a second professional development around what this actually looks like. What does your data say? How does it inform your practice? What should change with your instructional practices? Um how do we move forward with students? So it's not up for just chance or debate. Um and they give us a lot of opportunity to um build capacity with our teachers. Um and then the last portion is portion is the coaching where um we can really to um miss um to assistant superintendent um Aosta Fraascus I have to
111practice her name more. We're so much on a firstname basis and I get up in front of you and I flub it and it feels like we don't work together when we actually do. Um I promise we know each other. I promise we do. um is that it will give us an opportunity to really look at our practices so that the next year we we are even better. Um the other thing is that we test three times but it's really that middle assessment that we are reporting on really looking at that initial one will give us a chance to onboard teachers make sure that they are familiar with the tool know how to assess um you bring up a wonderful point about classroom management right um how are we what does our environment look like
112how are we able to do this and we should increase and get better with every time that we um assess um there's a lot of excitement around this and folks are really ready to um evaluate their practices. I haven't we haven't been in this place in a very long time but really looking at our instructional practices in front of students um so that we actually see the outcomes that we've been seeking out after. I hope that answers some of your question. It it did. My third and final question, my third and final question is about the saturation, the saturation plan to parents, right? How are we saturating the information to where it gets down to our parents of our youngest scholars and not only with this is where your student is, this is where we
113want them to go, and this is how you can help get them there. And this is why we're using Dibbles. This is what Dibbles looks like. And hey, here's a video that you can watch to see how that test is going to happen with your child. I'm sure there is a plan. Can you speak to what that is? The saturation plan. I'm complete. Absolutely. There's a whole section in the implementation plan about communication. Um, it's a it's a communication campaign to get out the word about what the purpose is. Um, there's also capacity building that needs to occur with our families and the community at large about how to read the assessments, how to advocate for your child, how to make sure that you're having those important conversations with educators so that you know exactly
114the things that your child is really excelling in, and what interventions you can do at home. And so, for that reason, we very intentionally um scheduled the assessment closely aligned to the parent teacher conference. And so we are committing to giving um a report although we are only required once by the state. We're going to give it after every assessment. And we really are excited um that that first opportunity that they get the assessment results will be closely aligned to the parent teacher conference. So we can say okay here are the results. We've taught you how to read them. Now let's have a conversation about it. and we feel that that will create a really impactful opportunity to affirm the practicing skills that they're doing in the classroom at home. Thank you very much. Everything
115else is comments. I'm complete. Thank you. Are there any questions on this side? Okay. I Let me see here. I have a couple of things. Most of the things that uh I were going to ask were covered already. Would you be able to describe again outreach um to parents and or testing for students, outreach to parents that don't speak English or Spanish, the other languages that we have in our district, both from testing and also from communication? I'm sorry, I just want to make sure that I understood your question. You wanted to know how we would how we would send information to our multil- language learners in addition to English learner students. Is that what you asked? Yeah. So for students that uh don't speak either English or Spanish or aren't fluent in English, if
116they speak another language, Arabic, Punjabi, Mandarin, whatever, whatever the native language is, what is the testing look like for them? and how do you intend to reach those parents and keep the parents in the communication uh plan? So I I would assume through the same channels we do with all of our families with major information coming from central office around testing. Um, we have taken into consideration that although our maybe our our largest communication is to our Spanish speakers, but as I explained, we're diverse. So, we know that we have to hit all the targets. Um, our impact to our families um is that we we would of course inform them through all of our our social media outlets, through our parent um communications. Um we are planning to make sure that principles are informed
117so that they can roll this out during back to school night. Um again um it was mentioned that we have also um a system for making sure that parents are informed during parent teachers conferences um before we get out for school. It's all really contingent upon what happens in terms of the adoption. But we are prepared to start communicating with families directly about the reader screener. um our choice of reader screener um our timelines and what they can expect starting in the fall. And if I could add to that um our partners Mclass Dibbles has a lot of resources that are pre-made for families already in terms of communication and then tools that they can do at home and that's available in several languages. So, one of the things that Sanji mentioned was that whenever
118we have students who um are English learners and in an English setting, we're going to be using MClass English with everybody and we're going to use the discontinue rule as recommended by the county and MClass Dibbles to decide who needs that additional assessment in Luda if uh if Spanish is what they speak. If we do not have a screener that's available in the language um that the student speaks, we have a process that's called a comprehensive review survey that will be completed by the teacher to gauge educational history and literacy progress to help us determine if the student is at risk for reading so that we can support even though we don't have a screener at this time other than in English and in Spanish. Okay, great. Thank you. Uh and the next is um
119did the state pay for any of this or is this they did? Yes. Um we are um as a part of the screener as a part of the roll out is that they support schools during their first year. Um so we will be supported in the professional development of teachers um and materials the full roll out um that MClass offers. Um our plan that's outlined in the implementation plan outlies outlines a three-year plan and we have expected or made provisions for the following two years. Yes. So, just to add to that a tiny bit, um, we love it when we have mandates, right? Um, and money comes with it. And so, we were very excited that there were dollars tied to this implementation. And so, there's been actually dollars that were allocated this year to
120begin the roll out. And so, as soon as we hopefully get an approval, we're ready to begin initial trainings and have the funding already in place. Sanji has been collaborating with Mclass Dibbles and um the proposal that we're bringing for you today includes the licenses for one year and the professional development plan for three years. And so next academic school year, we're going to get additional dollars and we plan to use those to really leverage um additional opportunities for other schools to use a potentially if they're interested um a wider range of dibbles and to really think about the supports that we can put into place through teacher leaders at school sites that are supporting literacy and opportunities for teachers to collaborate in professional learning communities to do that data analysis that Trustee Smith Folds
121talked about that's so important to do in small groups. Okay, great. And then it doesn't have to be now, but if you can send me that assessment uh readout for the board or you know your public assessment uh update or whatever if I could get that because we do have a governance calendar and I've been building all the little things that people say into it. Are you referencing the assessment calendar or the implementation plan? whatever whatever report outs you plan to do publicly, I'd like to receive so that we calendar those just like we did the stege updates. So, you know, you know, we passed a resolution and said four times a year and I've got a little calendar and four times a year that's going to be here. So, just want to make sure
122I'll sign us up after every administration. We'd love that time to be able to share out. Okay, great. Thank you. Uh that's all I have for questions. Do you have additional questions? No. Okay. Comments. I can make a motion if you'd like. So Oh, yeah. You can go do that. I would like to move the approval of the adoption of MClass Dibbles and Leuda as WCUSD's risk of reading difficulty screener for kindergarten through 2 grade. I'll second it. Great. So, it's moved by Trusty Gonzalez Hoy, seconded by clerkyana. comments. Thank you, President. Uh, I just want to say thank you. I want to thank both of you, but also your teams, the committee, everybody who came here in support. Um, I know there's just so many people that have been involved. Um, we don't really
123understand how many, right, like have been part of this process for the last few months. Um and um as someone who has seen the process of using devos, I'm really excited for the possibility this can this can do for our district. Um so I'm excited to observe it. I'm excited to volunteer next year to support some classrooms. So uh I appreciate that challenge as well. Um and and I I also want to just say I'm thankful that you all have a plan, a holistic plan thinking about uh the parent, the the teacher, uh the principal and the student, right? Uh and the community at large uh including us and the reports coming to us, I think it's a thought about all the levels. Um and that's different than other um adoptions that I've seen. So
124thank you. Um, thank you so much for the the presentation. I think one of the most positive things is the ability for leaders to course correct. And I think that this is a prime example of course correcting when we saw that there's I already may not work here. Let's put this in to make sure that we're still protecting our students and ensuring that we are giving them the best services because we're not overesting them or using a test that's not giving us the data that we need, but let's shift and let's do it this way. I think that that's incredibly positive and a direction that the district needs to head in all of its uh decision- making. Right. I think that it was absolutely wonderful that you again listened to teachers that were saying I
125ready not so much at the younger stage right also want to really put emphasis on what you guys said it's not just about gathering the data it's the strategies resources and supports that happen after you get the data because once we find out who needs us we have to be able to provide what they need so I think that it's twofold also think that parent communication is vital in this work because it's not only telling them telling the parents where their child is, but also doing it in such a way that they don't feel defeated. We're letting you know and this is how we're going to support and this is how you're going to support. So, it really feels as if everybody is investing into this child. And that's the key I think to moving
126our district and closing uh academic gaps that exist systematically exist. So I think that's also a very beneficial thing. And I think continuing to doing check-ins after that second assessment, go back to the same people you asked and say, did it work? What do we need to do now? What's what can we improve on? How do we make it better? So I think that always being in a spot of learning and growing will only strengthen our lit literacy and we should really see some movement in this in the next couple of years which I think would be great. I'm complete. Thank you so much. Any other comments? Well, first of all, I want to thank everyone who took the time, dedication, not just staff, but the many volunteers to get us here today. I also
127want to make a comment and we must ensure that consistent support at every site is established with direct oversight and I want to say with direct oversight to guarantee the efficient roll out. It is essential that we recognize the importance of the screener and its role in supporting our students. Equally important to ensuring that parents and parents and caregivers clearly understand both the why and the how. why the screener matters, how it will be implemented, and what follow-up supports will be provided when needs are identified so they feel informed, supported, engaged throughout the process. So, thank you, and I can complete great. Thank you. I want to thank all of you for your comments. Um, and I want to thank all of you out there for all of your hard work. And thank you district
128folks. It is a badge of honor to hear not only did you involve us but you meaningfully involved us and we see our comments reflected in the work and we don't get comments like that too often sometimes. So it really really feels very good. So thank you and congratulations and I'm looking forward to our first uh report out. So that's very good. Okay, with that we'll go to a vote. We'll start with uh student trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student trustee Baron. Yes. Clerk Kinana. Yes. Trustee Gonzalez Hoy. Yes. Trustee Smith Folds. Smith FS. And I'm a yes as well. Motion passes unanimously with Trustee Hernandez absent. Thank you so much. Thank you. Great job. Okay, we're moving now to E3 resolution number 2425-81, eliminating or reducing particular kinds of services of certificated employees. Dr. Johnson,
129I think that's you. Thank you, President Reckler and members of the board. Should I continue? I'm sorry. I I'm May I want to be sure I should continue? Yes. Okay. Thank you. The attached resolution and settlement agreement allows for the reduction or elimination of certificated particular kinds of service for the 2025 2026 school year. Thank you. Any questions? That was very brief. Thank you. Is there any public comment on this item? There's no public comment. Okay, seeing none, are there any questions on the item from the board? Okay, I'll accept a motion on the item. I'm sorry. I move that approval of resolution number 2425-81 elimination or reduct reducing particular kinds of services um of certificate employees. Great. Thank you. Is there a second on the item? I'll go ahead and second it. So we
130have it moved by trustee Gonzalez Hoy and seconded by Reckler. Any comments on the item? Seeing none, we'll go to the vote. Student Trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student Trustee Baron. Yes. Clerk Anyana? Yes. Trustee Gonzalez Hoy. Yes. Trustee Smith Folultz. Smith Folultz. Yes. And I'm a yes. Motion passes unanimously with Trustee Hernandez absent. Moving on to E4. Delegate authority to the superintendent and her designate to enter into a contract with Poshki. I hope I said that right. electric for the repair of the electrical system at Elserto High School. Delegate authority to the superintendent. Oh, it's the same thing. Printed trace. Okay, that's all. Uh I believe Miss Payne, that's your item. Yes. Good evening, um board community. Um tonight we're asking um the board to approve um in order to help resolve the emergency condition
131of the temporary power at Elserto High School. And because PG&E has jurisdiction over the repair option and it requires their consent to move forward, we ask that the board in alignment with EDC code provide delegated authority to the superintendent and design such that as soon as PG&E approves the repair option, we can move forward with awarding the contract for the repair solution which would help us expedite the resolution of the emergency condition at Elserto with the board's approval tonight, we would be able to then award that contract to the delegated authority and we would bring the ratification of that contract back to the very next board meeting um for ratification. Thank you. Is there any public comment on the item? There is no public comment. Are there any board questions on the item? I'll accept
132a motion on the item. I'll motion that we delegate authority to the superintendent and her designate to enter into a contract with Pashki Electric for the repair of the electrical system at Elserto High School. Thank you. Is there a second on the item? Second. Okay. So, it's moved by uh clerkyana, seconded by Trusty Gonzalez Hoy. Any comments? Just thank you for your work on this and your diligence and your spotlighting on it. Um um and uh it's good face. Really appreciate your efforts. Um and with that, any other comments? No. Vote. Student Trusty Es Jr. Yes. Student Trusty Baron. Yes. Clerkana, yes. Trusty Gonzalez, yes. Trusty Smiths, Smiths, yes. Enrich, yes. Motion passes unanimously. with trustee Hernandez absent. Moving on now to E5, authorization for parcel tax electorate survey. Mr. Hart, good evening. This item
133recognizes that the parcel tax sunsets in June of 207 and it authorizes uh staff to engage firm that would assist us in surveying uh the community in order to garner their support uh in crafting a ballot measure uh in sometime in the most likely fall of 25 or calendar year 26 ahead of that sunsetting. Great. Thank you very much. Is there any public comment on the item? Yes, there's public comment. Mr. Don Gosny. Hate to be one of those people that say, "I told you so." But I've been bringing this before the board for a couple almost two years now about the critical need to get this parcel tax renewed before it sunsets. It all comes down to timing. when there should have been on the November election, the one with had everybody showed up
134to vote when where it' be very cheap to put it on the ballot. We waited too long now. Now it's going to cost us a fortune to put it on the ballot. And parcel taxes are an extremely tough cell. Okay? 66% is tough. You can I don't matter what the issue is, you just can't hardly sell it to the public. And if you look at the surveys that we've had for parcel taxes in the past decade or more, the demographers have come back there and says, "I can't sell this to the people. People feel they're being taxed to death nowadays." And it's going to be very tough. So, we need to get this going. We need to get it started as quickly as possible. You need to get all kinds of community support. Get out
135there now to try to tell the people why we need this. Make sure they understand. Forget about not going to have any any libraries anymore or counselors anymore. You're not going to have any nurses anymore. Are you not going to have any arts programs or music programs? When they find out you're not going to have any sports programs, that is the big one for them. Go for it. Thank you very much. Any more public comment? That concludes public comment. Okay. Thank you. Any board questions? We'll take them. I'll accept a motion. I a motion to authorize for partial tax electro surgery. Thank you. Is there a second on the item? Second. Okay, we have it moved by clerkyana and seconded by trustee Gonzalez Hoy. Any board comments on the item? Thank you. Um I uh
136I agree with um Mr. Gosny. Um I uh think that we have to figure out how to get out there as soon as possible. Uh share the message. Uh this is important because we're gonna get the data about, you know, the needs of of the narrative. Um in my opinion, we need to put it on the ballot this November. If we're unsuccessful, we need to put on the ballot next spring. We're not successful, we need to put on the ballot next November. I know it's an investment and it's going to cost us, but the reality is that we cannot afford not to have the parcel tax uh in our budget as we're going to hear from Mr. part in the next um uh budget report. Um it is absolutely necessary for our district, for our
137schools. Um we simply cannot continue. I mean, we're we're going to have to unfortunately have to do incredibly uh difficult decisions if we don't have it. Right? So, we have to unite as a community. We need to talk to labor. We need to talk to our community organizations um and figure out um how to unite around the parcel tax um and uh whatever we need to do to not just increase trust and transparency um to with community because I'm sure that's going to come up. Uh we need to do that. Um but yes, we need to do that. We're already late. I agree. Uh but putting that aside because it is what it is. We're here today. Um, I'm glad we are moving forward. Uh, and and we got to do it. Um, there's there's
138no other way around it. So, thank you so much for putting this on the agenda. Are there any other comments? Well, I also want to appreciate the board for putting this on the agenda today. I know that is really important that we give community buyin when it comes to Well, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Um, really get community buy in when it comes to this parcel tax. It is an important thing. I think we're going to have to start having conversations about what this means and how it contributes to our children's education and the services and programs that are in place right now supported by this parcel tax. So I am glad that we are done kicking the can down the road that we are actually now taking a stance and moving this forward because it
139is of dear importance and that community trust has to begin now. I'm glad to be sitting on the board, you know, at this time and these moments because I think we're at a pivotal time where we are taking new direction, really trying to work together and build towards a better system and education in place for all our students. So that was my comment. Thank you. I also the community has been very very generous and has renewed this tax since 2004. It's been the same thing since 2004. It is absolutely critical that this measure passes. I couldn't agree more. This may not be a one-shot deal. It may be a two-shot deal, but we absolutely have to pass this. It supports counselors, libraries, sports. there's a little bit of class size reduction in there. Um, and
140if it doesn't pass, we will be looking at additional reductions because there is nothing anywhere to cover this over for any length of time. So, it is critical um again that we get out and get the cell going. There are a few of us here who have done this many times before and know how to do it. And um I think we're going to be having those Saturday morning meetings again to figure out how to move this down the road. Um the other thing is that a separate committee is formed to push this through because the the district can do this and can do the polling but cannot be involved in the political side of this. it's there's very limited in what they can do and so there does need to be a committee who
141comes together to figure out how to bring the community together um to understand uh what this is how much it's worth. So anybody's out there if you have some free time on Saturday mornings we're going to be we're going to be meeting dividing and conquering to um pass this. So, um, with that, I ask the community again for your support. Any other comments on the item? Okay, seeing none, we'll move to the vote. Student trustee Espinosa Jr., yes. Student trustee Baron, yes. Clerk Inano, yes. Trusty Gonzalezy, yes. Trustee Smith Folds, Smith Folds, yes. And I am a yes. Motion passes unanimously with cler with uh trusty Hernandez absent. Okay, we are up to E6. This is the addition of a board policy 6141.3 and administrative regulation 6151.3 religious accommodation for seek kerpan um and the
142board is asked to approve the adoption of uh these policies and we have a second reading and we'll get into that in just a minute um about that. Whose item is this? Okay, go right ahead. Thank you. Thank you. So tonight we're asking uh for board approval on board policy and administrative regulation 6151.3 and for the board to wave the second reading. The policy affirms our district's commitment to upholding the religious rights of our students including the rights of practicing seeks to wear their kiron a ceremonial article of faith. The policy outlines clear guidelines to support this religious expression while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment. It's aligned to the first amendment to California education code and to our own non-discrimination policies. Under this regulation, seek students may wear their kiron as long as
143specific safety and security conditions are met. and we appreciate your support in adopting this policy which balances religious freedom and school safety. Great. Thank you so much. Is there any public comment on the item? There's no public comment. Okay. There is are there any board questions on this item? None. Okay. So would you I I just want to restate again that we're asking the board usually there's a first reading and then there's you know we take feedback and then there's a second reading and I want to be clear that we're asking for an approval just on the first reading and we're in a little bit of an emergency situation and would you be able to just touch on that a little bit about why um that's important for tonight? Yes, we have a group of
144students at Deanza High School who are on an independent study and we're hoping to get this approved so that we can get them back to school safely. And the reason for that is a conflict with ED code around weapons. Correct. Correct. And we want to bring to um board policy and regulations the ability to be able to do that for our students. And then would you be able to um confirm that the SE community is is okay with this and accept this accepts this as a um an accommodation that they would that they believe in and is okay? Absolutely. Executive Director Jose Deleion has been in constant communication and um has reviewed in fact um took part in having conversations to make sure that this was in alignment and um an accommodation that they approved.
145Okay, great. And it's also gone through legal counsel. It has. Okay, great. Okay, thank you. Does anybody else have any questions? Okay, great. I'll accept a motion to approve this board policy and the administrative regulation and wave a second uh reading of the policy. So moved. Does anybody have a will anybody second? Smith F seconds. Okay. So it's moved by uh Trusty Gonzalez Hoy and seconded by Trustee Smith Folultz. Um anything additional? Thank you. I want to thank everybody for their rush job. Um it, you know, this really I was like we need to we need to get this done and uh um everybody worked really hard to get it get this on this agenda. I really appreciate your flexibility. With that, uh we'll go to the vote. Student Trustee Espinosa Jr. Yes. Student Trusty
146Baron, yes. Clerkyana, yes. Trustee Gonzalez, yes. Trustee Smith FZ. Smith Folds. Yes. And I'm a yes as well. Motion carries unanimously with Tristy Hernandez absent. Okay. Okay. Unfortunately, F1 due to illness. We're up to G. Comments from the board of education. Would anybody like to make comments? Okay. Okay. So, I just want to briefly address the um incident at Penel, you know, with Penel Valley in Albany and um the comments that were made and were caught on the microphone. Um I want to say that I hold absolutely no ideas about who did it. I don't even care. It's harmed all of us. It's harmed students, parents, employees, board members, people who work very hard. I mean, there really is harm that's happened from this. And what I also was really thinking about Miss Lane and
147the work that really needs to be done. We have a slur policy and how to really push that down through all levels of the organization um to make everybody feel welcomed and valued. And there, you know, we we all own this and I want to thank everybody who's worked on it so far about how difficult it's been. Um, and it's it's been very difficult for everybody and I want to recognize all the work that's being uh done and a lot of really painful conversations and if there's anything that I could do to support it, I certainly want to want to be there for that. Um, we have an opportunity right now as adults to model, you know, the behavior that we want to see and make it better and to restore. You know, there's a
148lot of restoration for everyone and I'm a willing partner in making that happen. And does anybody else have any comments tonight? Okay. So the next scheduled board of education meeting, next regular meeting is May 28th, 2025 at Le Lea Deon Middle School. The board is meeting this Sunday. Is it the 18th? Yes, in the afternoon Sunday to continue with superintendent interviews. We're moving to I did I hear a song? There's a comment on the parcel tax. Okay, I hold on a second. I'm not able to hear you when the mic is not on. You want to put one minute on the clock and we'll hear the comment. Hi, this is Sky Nelson. I have a group of parent volunteers. I'd be interested in looking into the parcel tax as a volunteer to help bring the
149community together around that. Sounds very important and I would align with that. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we're up to adjournment. Uh I am adjourning the meeting at 9:28 p.m. Thank you everybody. Have a good night.