001Good evening. It's 6 p.m. and I call this meeting to order. Welcome members of the public, board members and staff. Thank you for attending. As noted in Board Bylaw 9324, this meeting is being video recorded and broadcast via link on our website. The recording and broadcast may capture images and sounds of those attending the meeting. This evening, I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Followed by Ms. Garcia, who will take roll. Thank you. We will now take roll. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Trustee Williamson? Here. Trustee Ward? Here. Trustee Verbeck? Here. Trustee Rawlings? Here. Trustee Pearson? Here. Part 2, approval agenda. Trustees may have a motion to approve agenda item 2.1, approval and or reorganization of the May 25, 2023 meeting agenda. Process check. I have several questions that I
002have on the agenda prior to creating a motion. Before the motion? Based on the cards that we have in front of us, it talks about asking questions and then the motion and then discussion deliberation. I think it's motion, then ask the questions. Is this related to the motion? Okay. Okay. Thank you. And I have multiple questions, so please stop me if other trustees have questions as well. To staff? Yes. And unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to have these answers to these questions. However, I did have a conversation with Dr. Churchill about them. So my first question is, on November 14th, 2018, I actually requested user-friendly maps of the trustee areas than those currently in use on the district website. There was consensus by the board that staff look into more comprehensive mapping of trustee
003areas. Can you advise how this request was different than that request back in 2018? I cannot. I have not had the opportunity to go back and review that meeting. Okay, and then Trustee Pearson at that same meeting requested that staff be directed to continue the discussion with members of Unite North County to pilot a program for struggling elementary school students. There was consensus by the board for staff to proceed with this discussion. Can you describe how this was different than the current question performance? No, ma'am, I cannot. Okay, and then on January 22nd, 2020, I requested that we have a district representative to work with the city of Carlsbad on the single-use plastic ordinance that was being developed, and there was five thumbs for that. Can you let me know how this was different? Not
004gone back to review that, so I cannot. Okay, and then Trustee Williamson on. And these are coming directly from the minutes that are publicly facing. On September 15th, 2021, Trustee Williamson requests that CUSD use Parent University to address the topic of our curriculum related to social-emotional learning in order to clarify what is and is not in the curriculum that we implemented in CUSD. These presentations will be recorded and made available on our website. I also received five thumbs. Can you tell me how this request was different? No, I'm sorry. I cannot. Okay. And then Trustee Jones had directed staff to basically said that there's a lifeguard shortage on Monroe City Pool. And it was requested that we enter into a joint use facilities agreement with city staff to allow schools to continue offering use of
005the pools for classes during school hours and after hours for team sports. And that also received five thumbs. Do you know how this was different? Same situation. I haven't gone back to look at it. Okay, and the last one is in 2019, Member Williams requested random drug testing to high school athletes and requested that we receive reports on that request. Do you know how that would be different than the current request that was on the agenda? No, ma'am. And then as far as... Do you know how long a legislative body have to respond to a concern submitted under the government code section listed on the agenda? I believe 30 days. I didn't go back to look it up, though, but I think it's 30 days. Okay. And then what is required of a legislative body
006to correct noticing requirements under this government code section? I would have to pull the section up to read from it. I'm sorry, I don't have it in front of me. Okay, and then is the language outlined in the background section of the agenda and the current considerations necessary or required to be responsive to any concerns raised around the government code section? I wrote the section, the staff report in consultation with the board president and our attorney, and our attorney did say that it meets all the requirements for us to cure and correct this evening. However, is it required? Would have to go back and ask the attorney specifically what's required. I do know that it meets the Stated purposes this evening Thank you And can a letter be sent to a complaining party outlining any
007correction the board? Deems necessary to satisfy requirements under government code under this government code section I likely believe that's true, but again, I don't have the government code in front of me. Okay. And then, to your knowledge, has there ever been an instance of staff enforcing provisions of the governance team handbook without board discussion and or direction? I can't think of a time, but I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it. Okay. That being said, I'd like to make a motion to adopt the agenda with changes. And I can outline those changes? So this is to approve the agenda item 2.0 and you're saying with changes? Yes, I'm making a motion to adopt the agenda with particular changes that I'm going to outline now with the following changes. Do you want to repeat
008the changes? Yes, I will tell you the changes. So what I'm asking for is that the background information be completely deleted. And that the section where it says current considerations, it should read at the May 17th, 2023 meeting of the CUSD Board of Trustees, one request was made during the 8.1 governance team reports and requests. The request consisted of the following. Request that the district office fly the pride flag on June 1. And then the section below that would be deleted until it states the requests received consensus from at least three trustees in support. There were audio quality issues during the meeting. It became apparent following the meeting that not all trustees were clear on the actions being proposed. And then deleted the discussed. Procedurally, and then new language would state, the presiding officer may
009call for a special board meeting at any time so long as there is 24-hour notice of the agenda to the public pursuant to the board policy 9320. And then everything else is deleted until the paragraph that starts with, accordingly, the current agenda item gives the board an opportunity to cure and correct the confusion, and then deleted and or procedural error. that occurred at the May 17th, 2023 meeting during item eight by agendizing the first request as a discussion action item tonight. And then the last paragraph is deleted. Just to be clear, we're going to need to read back that full motion to make sure it's clear. Dr. Churchill does have a copy of it and could project it if necessary. Once we have a second. First of all, do the trustees all understand the motion?
010I do not. Any others and we need to read the motion back one of our trustees does not understand the motion Okay, she can't We do need a second and I'll second. Okay, so trustee Rawlings made the motion trustee Ward Second of the motion have discussion discussion on the motion trustee verbeth Needs to motion to be repeated back Right since I'm a new trustee. This is new to me. So I'd like some explanation about what is happening. So I'll try to paraphrase Trustee Rawlings wanted to make some changes to the motion She proposed a motion With those changes the motion was second and now we're in discussion. Is that correct trustee Rawlings? Yes Okay, that's where we're at. Trustee for Beth. I understand that I just Wasn't understanding what why she's asking for these changes
011and I'm not familiar with this process We're in discussion if you trustee Rawlings if you want to repeat your reasons for that For this motion. Yes. Thank you. And the reason I asked all those questions is because we've had a past practice of making specific requests of staff in order to direct staff and to ask them to do items tasks that are already currently within our policies procedures guidelines and and to add specific specifics to certain policies that we'd like to see. We've been doing it for many years, that's why I asked those questions, and they're reflected in the minutes. The information that's within the agenda, I believe ties the hands of this board as well as future boards in order to perform our duties and to have oversight of our, excuse me, to have,
012to... enact our responsibilities and our oversight over staff when they're implementing our policies and procedures. So in my, the way I'm looking at this is that we can have this meeting, it will cure any concerns, and then the board actually has an opportunity to decide how they want to respond to a governance concern, rather than the superintendent and the president making a unilateral. decision on what how we are going to proceed from now into the future when it comes to a governance request. And I'm much more concerned about that moving forward than I am about us having to have this particular wording. Dr. Churchill said it wasn't necessary, that it was based on advice of legal counsel, but it's not necessary. And if you look into the government code, it does state that we have
01330 days. It also states that a letter could be sent and explaining what we've done tonight. So I do believe that we could make these changes on the agenda and we would not have any problems with the moving forward with this item. Just to be clear, I didn't say that it wasn't necessary. I said I did not know exactly what was necessary, but I know it meets our needs for the evening. I apologize. Thank you. Other questions of the author of the motion? Any further discussion? Trustee Williamson? I'll be voting no. Just because I support what was said in the agenda. And then if it gets voted down, I will be making a motion that we approve the agenda item. I, too, will be voting no for the comment that was made that it was
014a unilateral. A governance request had been unilateral decisions by Dr. Churchill. That's not been my experience on this board. Could I say I'm saying this particular agenda item as it was worded is has been a unilateral a Unilateral decision that this is how we're going to respond to a governance concern and that would normally be done by the board itself I'm still clear on my no any other comments. I'm gonna say go for a vote Trustee Williamson no Trustee Ward Yes Trustee for Beth no Trustee Rawlings? Yes. Trustee Pearson? No. Motion fails. Two to three. Approval agenda. Trustees may have a motion to approve agenda item 2.1, approval and or reorganization of the May 25th meeting agenda. So moved, Williamson. Second, Rubeff. We'll now take a vote. Ms. Garcia, please call for a vote. Discussion.
015I will be voting no for the reasons I've already stated. I'll be voting yes to move the agenda forward. Any other discussion? Ms. Garcia, please call for a vote. Trustee Williamson? Yes. Trustee Ward? Yes. Trustee Verbeck? Yes. Trustee Rawlings? No. Trustee Pearson? Yes. Motion passes 4-1. I'd like to just make some comments, very short. Trustee is Dr. Churchill, Cabinet, staff, and Carlsbad community. At our May 17th board meeting during governance requests, I misunderstood the request for flying the pride flag. I thought the request was for agendizing the flying of the pride flag. Dr. Churchill rightfully commented on a violation of the Brown Act for requests that need to be agendized. Not hearing correctly, I raised my thumb in support. To correct for understandings, misunderstandings, I discussed with Dr. Churchill repeating any governance requests and motions
016before taking thumbs or voting to make sure all of us and the public are clear. Future board meetings to be held where all attending can hear correctly and clearly. Thank you for your understanding. Part three open session item 3.1 public comments agenda item only Now is the time for public comment on agenda items only as this is a special meeting I received any blue cards We have a total of 16 blue cards In order to allow speakers to present their comments and sure we are able to properly attend to the business of the board per board by law 9323 public comments will be limited to 20 minutes. This means each speaker will have 1 minute 15 seconds. When I call your name, please come to the podium, state your name and indicate whether or not
017you live within the boundaries of the school district. We'll have the timer on the screen and your mic will be muted when your time has expired. First speaker is Talia Baird. I'd like to just remind if you want to show support or you believe in something, please raise your hands this way. It's just our protocol here. Thank you. I want you to just close your eyes for a moment and try to imagine a world where a kid can go to school with a smile on their face, knowing they will be accepted just as they are, and that they have a safe place to go on campus if they're struggling. If you had any kids a part of the LGBTQ community, wouldn't you want them to feel safe in a place that's supposed to support them?
018Who knows? If you open your mind, perhaps your own kids would become more comfortable to be them true selves. So, by applying, by... Flying a pride flag during June, Pride Month, we the citizens of Carlsbad are making our voices seen, heard, and telling everyone that every one of us are welcome in Carlsbad. Why is it so hard to simply let a child be seen? No two human beings are alike, and by celebrating each other's differences is what makes the world go round. Is something so simple as treating another human being the way you'd want to be treated with respect really so hard? It's become clear with the growing hate in today's society that the answer is yes. I hope that from this day forward, we can continue to respect others for who they are. Thank
019you. Our next speaker is Mac Santon. I'm Mac. I'm a student at Carlsbad High School, and I'm in favor of the flag being raised because it is important to queer and trans students at the CUSD schools to know that they can feel supported by the schools and staff members and that they know that they feel equal to each and every one of us. That we, sorry, I was forgetting my words. But we need to know that you support all students. And by raising the flag, we know that you support all students, not just some students, but all students. That you support the queer and trans students at all CUSD schools. By not raising it, you do not support all schools, or students, I'm sorry. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker is Elena Simon. Hello, my
020name is Elena Simon, and I'm a senior at Carlsbad High School. The LGBTQ plus flag is one that symbolizes safety and acceptance. I have never been up front about my sexuality, one, because it's my private information, and two, because I'm genuinely scared. Scared of not being treated kindly or being ostracized. But the LGBTQ plus flag is one that makes me and those in my community feel safe and accepted by those around us. I grew up in a strict Catholic church, which taught me if I was anything but heterosexual, I would burn in hell. Needless to say, I didn't feel safe in churches, nor did I feel as though I could be honest with my friends for fear of them ostracizing me as well. I held this fear for years until I was driving past the
021Pilgrim Church this year next to Carlsbad High School and saw through the window the pride flag. Immediately, I felt a warmth flow through me. The LGBTQ plus flag gave me hope that no matter what or where I was, there would be people who would support and love me the way I was. I urge the favor of Agenda 3.1 so our community can continue to support students of all genders and sexualities and help make them feel accepted and safe in their schools. Thank you. Next speaker is, hopefully I pronounced her first name correctly, Ava Grossley. Hi everyone, I just would like to thank everyone for just being in this room today. My name is Ava Rose Grosley, a senior at Carlsbad High School, and I first wanted to state briefly what I'm involved in on campus.
022First, I'm senior class president, a member of the Carlsbad Speech and Debate Team for the past four years, a past mock trial member, and the co-founder of CUSD Students. As part of my identity, I'm not only a Jewish student, but an LGBT group plus student. I would like to offer a little bit of my story. During my junior year of high school, I faced homelessness in this community. I reveal this information to explain all of you listening that school became my home. And when I needed a community to accept me for my authentic self, I was greeted with love for the first time in my life. Agenda item 3.1 serves as a message to all students that they have a safe place on campus. It simply is not just a flag. It's a message that
023all students are included on campuses. I was able to thrive in a community due to parents, peers, and staff at CUSD treating me with love and accepting my story. By you being in favor of this agenda item, you are including all students in accepting their story. In two weeks time, at my graduation, I will not have parents there, but this community. But this community has saved my life, and I encourage you to please be in favor of Agenda Item 3.1. Thank you. Next speaker is Kaylee Teagle. Did my flag turn you gay? I don't think so. Hello, my name is Kaylee Teagle, and this is why I need the pride flag to be raised and all these other people in this room. The Bible quotes, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, Chapter 22, Verse 37. By
024raising the flag, we are loving all of the students on campus. LGBTQ plus students have been discriminated against since the beginning of time. And by raising the flag, it will make them feel safe, included, and valued on campus. This should not even be a topic that we are needing to discuss. It should have been passed years ago. Need I remind you, in 2021, we had already raised and made June Pride Month. It is about creating an inclusive society where diversity is celebrated and valued. LGBTQ plus individuals have always existed and will never be pushed aside or silenced. I will never give up. Also, I would like to add that today you had our meeting in this room, and as you can see, this room is entirely packed and there are people outside of the door
025as well. People at my school today said they wanted to be there, but we got less than 24 hours notice to this event. Everyone wants the pride flag raised and it does not make any kids gay. Thank you. Next speaker is Becky Baird. Hi, I'm Becky Baird. Let's accept one another. We're sister and brother. Hear us when we say, bigotry's not big of me and it's not big of you. Let's all work together to make a rainbow and make rainbow dreams come true. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Mike Borrello. This is Mike Borrello. I live here in Carlsbad, and I love it. campuses are the appropriate venue for flying flags other than the U.S. and California flags. First and foremost, it's important to remember that lower education school campuses are primarily focused
026on education and the well-being of students. While displaying the United States flag is a tradition to show patriotism and national unity, flying the LGBTQ flag alongside it could be considered a political statement, which may be potentially divisive and create controversy among different groups of students, their parents, and the community at large. Furthermore, we must respect the diversity of opinions and beliefs that exist within lower education schools. It is crucial to ensure that everyone feels accepted, everyone, including those who may not support the LGBTQ community. Adding the pride flag will likely not be welcomed addition to some and could even make some groups feel distressed or uncomfortable. Lastly, we are speaking young and impressionable minds. While it is important to promote diversity and inclusivity, it's equally important to make sure we don't expose them to controversial
027politics and issues. Students simply need a rich environment where they can learn academics without prejudice, mindsets, and agendas. Lower education school campuses are not appropriate locations for political and provocative flag displays or advocacy. We need to prioritize unity, respect, peace, and education and create an atmosphere that encourages diversity and learning for all students. Thank you. I'll send you an email if you didn't get that. Thank you. Our next speaker is Sarah Hunter. Sarah Hunter, not a Carlsbad resident. Thank you for hosting us tonight. Thank you, Dr. Churchill, for your allyship in the face of backlash and unsubstantiated attacks that you do not deserve. We're here tonight because of a flag, a piece of fabric. If you don't like it, walk past it. But to students, staff, and families across our district, it's far more than
028a flag. The pride's flag is a symbol to members of the LGBTQ plus community that the organization flying it believes they have the simple right to exist. How powerful that a simple piece of fabric can embody so much just by flying where LGBTQ youth can see it. Unity, inclusion, acceptance, love. There's been a lot of talk this week about what is best for our kids in this community. As someone who's had the honor of working with hundreds of them over the last seven years, I've learned that the quickest way to find out what they need is to go right to the source. Ask the kids. They've been asking CUSD for permission to fly the pride flag for years because it means something to so many of them. Ask the kids and then just listen when
029they share their hearts with you. Look around this room. Shout out to the amazing room full of kids here. Here's the deal if even one kid on campus feels seen accepted included and loved because of that colorful piece of fabric Then flying it is worth it Please vote with that in mind if even one kid feels accepted included and loved that makes it worth it Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Katrina. I don't pronounce your last name, right? So I'm not gonna try Hello, Katrina Wydelik, teacher, parent, and resident in CUSD. Fellow school board members and district staff, special thanks to Dr. Churchill, who has modeled allyship, attending GSA meetings, organizing student panels at conferences for administrators, and for your consistent report. I am here to speak in full support of Item 3.2.
030I am changing my comments today. They shouldn't have to tell their stories of pain. They shouldn't have to out themselves to their entire community to simply ask for one piece of fabric. This should have been done 20 years ago when I came to this school board and asked for a GSA club. It's time for pride. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Kelly Libertham. Kelly Laburthon, Carlsbad resident. On Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council rejected a resolution that would have permitted flying the gay pride flag. One reason for this is an effort to unite citizens of Carlsbad, not divide us. Another reason is the cost of additional flagpoles at about $12,000 each, because the federal law dictates that only the American flag and the state flag below it can fly in the same flagpole. We
031are all Americans and Californians and can unite under these flags. However, we do not need identity groups flying divisive flags over the city or the schools. While diversity, equity, and inclusion programs sound good, without fail, they lead to division and discord, and this is so evident. Don't divide us. Reject the proposal. And I would just like to add that all children should be loved. All children deserve love. Everyone should be respected. That's not what this is about. We support all of our children and love our children. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Sydney O'Brien. I am a graduate from CHS class of 2015 and a recent-ish graduate of SDSU class of 2020, where my experience with being an officer for the Carlsbad High School GSA empowered me to pursue an active role in
032the queer community on campus. I led one of the largest queer student organizations at SDSU. And in 2019, I had the honor and joy of giving a speech at the annual SDSU Pride flag raising in which to an audience of students, University of San Diego city officials and representatives from senators offices. This was a profoundly moving and meaningful experience for me that shaped my sense of belonging and pride in my university. Having a pride flag on an official flagpole is a small and easy gesture that sends an incredibly meaningful message of support that queer students need desperately right now. However, failing to perform this small gesture equally sends a clear message to queer students that you do not support them and that they will have to keep fighting tooth and nail against administrators and against
033board members just to be recognized in one of the most accepting states of the nation. Failing to raise the pride flag might save you some protests or $12,000, but at the cost of the mental well-being and sense of belonging that your students feel. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is, is it me, Pincus? Hi, I'm Meek Pincus. I am the mother of a Carlsbad high school junior. We've lived in Carlsbad for 18 years. I didn't write something today because I just found out about this meeting, but I needed to show up. My daughter came home from school and told me that her teachers have been wearing pride flags this week to show solidarity with their students. They notice. The kids notice when they are seen, when they are respected, and when they... are shown
034that they have support. Flying the flag is not political, it is human support for all of these students, all of them, and their families who are LGBTQ. For all of us in Carlsbad, this isn't political. This is just about inclusivity and humanity and compassion. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is... Either Joan Irvine or Joanne Irvine. My name is Joan Irving. My pronouns are she, her. I'm the president of the board of directors for trans family support services and the proud parent of a transgender youth. The LGBTQIA community has changed my life and the lives of countless youth and their families in Carlsbad and across San Diego and across the country. Visibility and displaying the pride flag is absolutely essential for our students to feel seen, to feel valued, and to feel safe, especially
035in these times when what they're seeing is so much hate and anger. Visibility is life-saving. and life affirming. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Nikki Fadick. Good evening. My name is Nikki Fadik, and I'm a parent of a Carlsbad Sage Creek graduate, and I'm here to ask you to raise the flag and to thank all the brave students who are here to speak tonight. Throughout our country, the LGBTQ community has been under attack with tactics ranging from taunting and teasing to anti-LGBTQ legislation to outright violence against people, a protected class of people, I should add. Some of these tactics have also happened right in our beloved city. The school district can take the simple measure of flying the pride flag to let students, parents, staff, faculty, and all who live and work here
036know that members of our LGBT community are seen, valued, loved, and accepted. This goes for alumni, too. I'm the proud parent of an LGBTQ young adult child who is a graduate of Sage Creek. He had the benefit of knowing he had parents who would support him and let him be his authentic self. For many LGBTQ students, the school is the safest place they have. Isn't the safety and security of our students the topmost job we all have here? I think it is. If such a simple action can make all students feel safer, why wouldn't you take it? Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker is Ash Behring. My name is Ash Behring. I use they, them pronouns, and I am a junior at Carlsbad High School. The flag will do nothing but help show the
037support for queer kids of Carlsbad. It will show us that you hear us, respect us, you see us, and you love us. With all the hate and oppression going on throughout this country, I honestly don't feel safe here. Even if I'm in a safer state and a pretty relatively safe city, no state or city is truly safe with the people that we have in power. But as a district, you have power here. You have the power to show us that you care. This flag is not about dividing people. It's about bringing together, and it's about unity. I want to feel safe at school. I currently do not feel safe at school, mostly because of the students, but some staff. With the harassment I experience, CHS is not safe for me. This flag would make me
038feel just a little bit safer. Thank you. Our final speaker is Manasi Watts. Hi there, once again. My name is Monacy Watts, and I'm here today as a proud parent of two CHS students, as well as a mentor and advocate and ally of the... community and I just have to say I have a couple of my mentees here and I could not be I could not be prouder of them and I just want that on the record for everybody. This past week has seen the community divided in large part because some residents of our town are uncomfortable with the identity of other residents. This has led to an organized effort to pack recent listening sessions about the CUSD DEID plan with many people many of whom do not live in our district who do not
039want CUSD to deny support and service support to students simply because of who those students are. Not because of who they choose to be or how they behave or what sports they play, who they are. We do not choose who we are, but we can choose the community in which we live. If the district can commit to anything that everyone here should agree on, it's that students should be able to go to school and feel safe and comfortable in learning as themselves. This community has made great strides in acknowledging how many wonderful different people live in our city and schools. Okay, that's it. My time's up, but please adopt this motion. Thank you. Thank you to all the speakers. We now move on to item 3.2, flag request. Trustees, this is a discussion action item.
040I will now hand it over to Dr. Churchill. Trustees, the item is before you, and I don't think I have anything to add. Trustees, do you have any questions of staff? I have six, so I'm happy to give up and take turns. I'm sorry, Trustee Forbeck? I have six questions, so I just want to take turns. I don't want to just keep repeating, you know, going. I want to give other people a chance, so just let me know when you want me to ask. And these are of staff? Yes. Okay. Want to go ahead? Okay. So under the current considerations, which were brought up earlier in this meeting, the section of the agenda that was provided, there's an explanation about the procedure and circumstances from last week's board meeting. It explains that the request and
041the vote violated the Brown Act and our board policy. So as a new trustee, and on behalf of perhaps people in the audience and people watching this meeting, why aren't we taking a vote to affirm that we violated the Brown Act? Dr. Churchill? That's not required. The complaint was that... You took action on something that wasn't properly agendized the manner in which to cure and correct that is to Agendize the item have discussion and take a vote. Okay, so we're not required to vote separately then Trustee Rawlings. Yes. I'm dr. Churchill. Um, there was a resolution passed in June of 2021 by this board that directed the superintendent and all district staff to continue supporting lessons, activities, and conversations that engage students in meaningful learning, research, and writing about our LBGTQ plus students and families.
042Can you give us some examples of how that has been implemented? I appreciate the question, and it wasn't something that I had thought to prepare in advance of this meeting. I don't know if Dr. Nye, if there's anything specific, we'd be happy to come back in a future date and give you some good examples of that. I'll see if there's any, I think. I'll follow up to that one. So follow up. And I apologize. It made me think of it when the students came up to ask. And then my second question is, is that have students requested on multiple occasions that the flag be raised at their school sites in the month of June since this resolution has been passed? I think we'd have to ask principals. My guess is that those requests would have
043gone to them, would be my guess. Trustee Rawlings, did you want a report back? Or you just asked the question? I was asking the question because we did receive information that principals did come to Dr. Churchill, I believe, last month or last couple weeks that were making the request. There was a discussion. And so I just wanted to ask about that and if there were other requests. Trustee Verbath, I think you had some more questions. I do. Anybody else? Trustee Williamson, Trustee Ward. Okay. Trustee Verpath? So, again, as a new trustee and for our audience, I'd like to understand, this is policy and procedure for me because this is new. I'd just like to understand how we ended up in the situation that we did last week with the improper request. So, I want to
044ask Dr. Churchill, did Trustee Rawlings bring this request to you in advance of the meeting as per our protocol? And did you advise her that the request was improper? Process check. It's a question. We've already passed that part of the agenda, and that was what I was talking about. That's why I was asking all those questions, and that's why we had discussion about that section of the agenda. And so we were past that point of the agenda. The piece of the agenda that we're discussing now is whether we should raise the flag or not. Hold on. I just needed some counsel on is that question appropriate or not appropriate. We're going to go ahead with the question. Yes, I was aware of the request in advance. Other questions? Trustee Verbathe, you had another question. My
045understanding is that we have a policy for flying these flags in our district and that the board received information about this policy based on a recent request made. So could the staff please explain this policy for myself and for everybody who's viewing the meeting? We do not have a policy on the flying of flags. Outside of the understanding that we fly the flag of the United States of America and the state of California. Do you want to continue with your questioning? Is there a law or policy that does not clearly apply to this situation? Did the staff consult with legal counsel prior to the meeting to confirm whether there's a law or policy which applies? I'm sorry, could you restate the question? Sure. So I guess I'm just trying, as a new trustee, trying to
046understand policy and procedure and what happened in our last meeting, okay? And I think that there was confusion from the public, and so I'm just trying to clarify, and you're saying that we don't have a policy on flags, right? I'm not aware of that. Okay. So... So that's why we didn't receive anything, obviously, then, before the meeting and the public didn't receive anything. Yeah. There's not. To my understanding, Carlsbad Unified School District in its board policies and bylaws does not have a policy on the flying of flags. So, yeah. So can you talk about the logistics of flying the pride flag at the district office in terms of whether we would need a new flagpole? What rules are there displaying it on our current flagpole? My understanding is that city council stated that a new
047flagpole is needed to be built to display other flags. Can you comment on that? All I can comment on is what I read in media reports following the Carlsbad City Council meeting. So, yeah, I did hear some discussion of an additional flagpole. We haven't gotten legal counsel to weigh in on that yet. So I can't speak to what those requirements are now. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Chertel. Trustee Rawlings. Yes, that raised a question for me. Have you consulted at all with the Oceanside? Unified school district and how they're on how they're able to fly their flag their pride flag I Have not asked them that question. No other questions Seeing as how will agendize a discussion at a future meeting in the summer about the potential creation of a policy and Process to address requests
048for displaying flags I'd like to make a motion to delay any decision about flying flags until after we've had that discussion second that motion I made the motion, Trustee Williamson. Second of the motion. We'll repeat the motion. Make sure everybody is clear. Sorry, I believe the motion was as the board is scheduled to agendize a discussion at a future meeting about the potential summer in the summer Sorry, I missed that in the summer about the potential creation of a policy and process to address requests for displaying flags Mr. Pearson made the motion to delay any decision about flying flags until after the board has that discussion. That is correct discussion trustee Rawlings How is that different than the request that was made? Are you affirming the request that was made at the last meeting as
049far as the policy is concerned and then saying that we would delay any flag flying until that discussion? Is that correct? But you're still affirming the original request that I made at the May 17th meeting. Are you talking about your second request or your first request? The second request. That is correct. Thank you. Wait, so we are holding off on voting tonight about flying the pride flag until we discuss it in the summer? Is that what your motion is? That's correct. Okay. Point of clarification, the motion said you would have a discussion about a policy and a process to address flag requests. Assuming that that happens, Mr. Pearson's motion was to... It's any flag. Okay, so why... Excuse me. Excuse me. If you want to show, either you can do this or not. We do
050show respect to each other in this meeting. So I'm just trying to understand. So why are we waiting to do that for the summer when we have put this on the agenda for tonight for the month of June? There you go. Because my motion is based upon not just one flag but all flags But tonight what we're discussing is a very specific but tonight what we're discussing Go ahead. But I think what tonight we're discussing is a specific flag. So maybe we can have that conversation later, however that's done with our procedures. But for tonight, I think we are speaking about a specific flag. So is that which is on the agenda? But your motion is to hold off on that? I've already expressed my reason. Trustee Rawlings? I'll be voting no on the motion.
051And the reason for that, then the reason why I brought it forward to begin with at the last meeting, and if that was procedurally inappropriate, I'm not convinced of that, but that's what the board decided. I'm certainly glad that we had the opportunity to have folks here to speak to it and to have that discussion. but the reason i asked for it is is because um within our resolution that we passed in 2021 we are directing staff to um to do all celebrations and all of those things and students did ask for that to be done and um administrators and um the superintendent had the ability to do that this without board approval and so in my view um i think that we're being consistent with the resolution if we fly the flag. I think
052that, you know, the board should not be directing school sites per se, but I do think the authority at the district office, I think, represents what is meant by the resolution. And, you know, I just don't think it's that if this resolution should be more than words on a page, that if we're, you know, we shouldn't just talk the talk, we should walk the walk. Any more discussion? I agree with Trustee Rawlings, and I'm going to vote no as well. And I think it's really important that as the Pride Month comes up that we show that we are an inclusive district. And by doing that, we should put the flag up. And I'm sad that this motion has been brought forth. It's very unfortunate. Any further discussion? I'd like to make a... Trustee Verbeth? Yes.
053Again, as a new trustee, and I'd like to clarify for our audience and those watching, I believe that the first request that was made was made inappropriately. The second request was made appropriately, and that decision was to have a further discussion later in the summer. Is that correct? That is correct. Okay. So I just want to clarify that with everybody who's here because it's important to understand that we have policies, procedures that take place, and we have to follow those. So when they're not done properly, that's why we are in this situation tonight. Is that correct? That's partially correct, yes. Okay. Trustee Rawlings. I would also like to say that the reason why we're here tonight is because the complaint was that it wasn't agendized. So now we're here, it's agendized, and we have the
054opportunity to discuss, we have the opportunity to, so I just hope that you would not let your vote be influenced by a procedural piece because we have now, tonight, by being here, having the discussion, having it agendized, we've corrected that. So I just want to make sure that you're voting on the merits and not on the procedure. So super buff yes, thank you. Sorry, so I feel like we need to sort out a policy here. Dr. Churchill saying we don't have a policy And I believe that the counsel that we have received, which has been provided to students this year and the previous year, is that only the U.S. flag and our state flag can be flown because we have to consider all flags that would then have to be flown per every student's request.
055So that is why I will be voting that we wait. to discuss this in the summer because I feel that we need to receive legal counsel. We have to look at every flag that could possibly come across our desk here, the requests that are potentially going to be made. And so I believe that it's prudent that we receive legal counsel on this, that we wait and we, although currently we do support. June as the LGBTQ plus Pride Month and I believe that Well, if I could finish please. I believe that I believe that the principals have communicated with all students GSA clubs and staff that they may use the pride flag to express their own speech elsewhere on the campus as we have allowed, and this is what the legal counsel has provided. So until
056we can meet and create a policy, I think we should wait per the second request that Trustee Rawlings made. Can you hold on one moment? If I hear another comments like that, we're going to adjourn the meeting. Recess the meeting and we'll come back when you have decorum in this room. You want to finish? Trustee for Beth I've said enough. Thank you any more discussion See no more discussion. Miss Garcia, please call for a vote Excuse me one more thing. Let's repeat the motion. Make sure it's clear to everybody including the audience Trustee Pearson made the motion. Trustee Williamson seconded. As the board will agendize a discussion at a meeting in the summer about the potential creation of a policy and process to address requests for displaying flags, Mr. Pearson made the motion to delay
057any decision about flying flags until after the board has that discussion. Thank you. Ms. Garcia, please call for a vote. Trustee Williamson? Yes. Trustee Ward? No. Trustee Verbeff? Yes. Trustee Rawlings? No. Trustee Pearson? Yes. Motion fails 3-2. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Motion passes 3-2. Thank you. My apologies. It is time and the meeting is now adjourned.