001Good evening, everyone. It is my pleasure to call our East Winter City School District educational meeting to order at 6 p.m. today. Thank you to everyone that is joining us today, including those that are on our YouTube, in our YouTube audience. Now we're going to have our Pledge of Allegiance, and tonight we're going to have Mr. Baird guide us in the pledge. 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. Anything you would like to add, Mr. Beer, to the flag salute? You already have family here, so. Okay. Again, thank you everyone for joining. And it is with deep sadness that I share information today, this evening, of the passing of an East
002Whittier Middle School student. Eva Bonilla, an eighth grade student who passed away this past weekend. On behalf of the Board of Education, our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers go out to the entire East Whittier Middle School community, especially now and during this incredibly difficult time. We extend also deepest condolences and hold those impacted family and friends of the family in our thoughts this evening. Our next agenda item is to have our student speech. Actually, Mrs. Dabbs, we're going to pull items C, D, and F and move those to May. So our first agenda item is going to be the approval of the board minutes letter. Apologies. Apologies. Okay. All right. This is an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? All right, so I'll move. Thank you. Can I get a
003second? I'll second. Thank you. It's moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Kennedy. Are there any questions for it in terms of the minutes or any corrections? All right, hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver-Baird? Yes. Ms. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. All right. We are now going to move to our board member reports and comments. So think for a minute, board. And I think that tonight we will have Mr. Oliver-Baird go first with any comments he'd like to share tonight. As of right now, the only comments I can really think of are the new turf that was implanted on Hillview's quad last week, which was a very nice addition to the quad, considering the
004old gravel was less helpful and more hurtful to the environment and our students. I have no further comments. Okay, thank you. Mrs. Carrera, anything to share this evening? No, I have no comments. All right. Mr. Aparicio? I'm just real briefly. I just want you know say good evening everyone welcome Happy Easter at everybody for those that celebrated this past weekend And then just lastly you know just my condolences to a win our family and her friends and the staff everyone at East Whittier I'm like I said tough tough time. You know just hearing the news when we heard it I know it was tough on us But probably definitely more deeply for the family and even her friends going through this and the staff at East Whittier So condolences for everyone Thank You mr. Aparicio
005mr. Thomas Baird I would just echo condolences for Ava's family and the entire East Whittier Middle School community. It's heartbreaking. There's not much more to say beyond that. That's it. Thank you. Mrs. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes, my condolences as well and thank you for putting off the stuff that we were going to celebrate. Now's not the time. So it's good that we're going to put that off. Other than that, I'm getting ready to go to the National School Board Association. conference and I think I'll be joined by Mr. Baird will be there as well. So we're looking forward to that. A lot of interesting sessions that should that we should really get a lot out of. And then after that I'm going to Washington D.C. and that should be a really interesting conference to see what we
006can see on what's going on and you know I'm always there talking to Linda Sanchez about our special ed money and You know, we keep plugging on. I'm not the only one. It's anybody in our area here. So we all go and we meet with her. So we're going to see what the climate's like, but I'm on my way to do that. And that is a working conference. So I'll let you all know how it goes. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy. I also then once again want to add my condolences to the family. I know this is a very challenging time, a very painful time. And I think it's important that we gather around the family as much as we can and that we go through our busy days understanding that sometimes our days
007are limited. And, you know, loving everybody that we can, sharing that love with everybody that we can every single day. And something that really... came to my mind is the love that our astronauts are sharing with each other and with all of us here on Earth. It has been so beautiful to see. As someone who grew up watching the first Apollo launch and having a whole scrapbook done about it, it is so monumental to see this second time coming, something so beautiful to share. with our children to share the beauty of what they are doing there in space and the potential for the beauty that can come here on planet Earth with the things that they uncover, the things that they discover. And so this is an important time that we not only remember the
008family that had a loss, but that we make sure that we bound ourselves together and know that we are all one people that live on this planet, and it's the only planet we get. And so the beauty of making sure that we care for each other and care for our planet is something that I really wanted to share today. So thank you very much. Next on our agenda is going to be our CSCA comments. Do we have any comments today? No comments? All right. Any EWI comments this evening? I stand up here with a heavy heart. Ava Bonilla, I did not necessarily have her as a student, but from what my colleagues and friends at work have said is she was just an outstanding person. I had her older brother. He was a great kid
009as well. It's just really sad. It hurts to see the kids sad. It hurts to see my colleagues sad, and it hurts to see my friends sad. So my condolences to the family. and everybody around that because it's just a very, very tragic circumstance. It weighs heavy because about a week ago, I think right around spring break, we learned that Janet McAllister, an old secretary at our school, had passed. She retired from our district right before COVID happened. That's like 2019. And, you know, the best way I could describe her was that she just made coming to work a better place. When people had to talk to somebody, she was there. She had a fantastic sense of humor. I say that because she got mine. And it's just it's really sad to see have a
010friend pass. Her son went to our school, and she was part of our family, and she made our school feel more like a family. And I think it was just something that came natural to her, and you can't say that about a lot of people. So it's got me doing a lot of thinking lately, and part of that is... My brother passed away a few years ago. He was incarcerated, and he was jumped by people in the prison. This is a prison in San Diego that, on record, has about 20 people, 20 inmates die per year because it's a systematic failure. My brother was incarcerated for breaking and entering, but you need to know his history as well. He was bipolar, sometimes bordering on schizophrenia. And his name was Ray. And when he was up,
011he was a ray of light. But when he was down, it could get dark for him. You put him in front of a microphone you put him on a skateboard you put him on a surfboard and That's one of the happiest people you can meet when I say being in front of a microphone He was a lead singer for an OC punk band called Bone Crusher. Never made mainstream popularity, but they opened for punk bands like Bad Religion and Rancid and Social Distortion, and he would have stories about those bands. He toured Europe with some of those bands, and they just had a cult following, and just people loved him. His nickname was Raybo. I called him Raybro. And part of the issue was when he grew up, he's about nine years older than me.
012The systems of support did not exist that we have now. And when I say the prison system failed him, I can say that I think the school system failed him too because he never was able to graduate from high school, but he still put together a pretty good life until his passing. And I bring that up because it leads me into what has been happening with me in this school district over the past. two to three weeks. On Wednesday, March 18th, this is the Wednesday before spring break, a student in my class became upset with me over not immediately granting her a homework pass. She proceeded to scribble on a page and stab the page violently in my classroom. When she got up to throw it away, she kicked her chair violently back and forth.
013She approached the trash can, kicked that as hard as she could, and threw away what she was stabbing on that paper. She then asked me if she could leave. Now, I'm a little shocked, so I said I will. I have to make a phone call. So I'm going to call the counselor, and this student tells me to rot in hell. I put the phone down. I turned back around and I said, do you know I have to document this? And she said, well, that's my First Amendment right. I can say whatever I want. So I wrote that down as well. And then she reiterated, go to hell because that's where you're going. So I got a hold of a counselor. I set her up to leave. She. Did not go out the door that I
014held open for her, basically barged out the other two doors that are in my room. Later come to find out she had written some things on the note that one of the administrators at my school digged out of the trash can. And on that note, this student told me to, said that she wanted to cut off my head, gouge out my eyes, and feed me my guts. This would be shocking in its own right, but I've actually read an email describing this student's behavior at this very board meeting before it happened. This student has a known history since kindergarten in this district of doing things such as assaulting an administrator, locking an administrator out of her office, breaking windows, slamming gates. This is not the first time that... Something has happened with this student, but
015it just seems like the can keeps getting pushed kicked down the road That we operate out of convenience rather than doing what is right so on this note this Facilitated the police being called because it was considered a viable threat Just put in handcuffs and taken away in a police card. That is tragic that is heartbreaking That shouldn't be happening to any student. So I trusted the process to play out to keep me, my colleagues, and the students safe. So this happened the Wednesday before spring break. Let me tell you how my spring break went. I didn't sleep much because I wanted to make sure that the right thing would happen. I'm probably been getting about three to four hours of sleep a night since this incident. My wife actually wanted to come and talk
016today to talk about my disposition over the past couple weeks because I've run the gamut of emotions. And this is what happened when I got back. On Monday, March 30th, there was an email announcing a schedule change. Which seemed odd because the manifestation Determination review because she's a sped student was supposed to be happening the next day So why is there a scheduled change out of my classroom when the manifestation? Determination review had not happened yet then on March 31st The MDR happened and an email was sent out around 4 o'clock that same day that the student is returning the next day pending a re-entry meeting The reentry meeting happened at 745 on Wednesday, April 1st. I attended that meeting. I was not in the best place at that time. But I had one question
017that I repeatedly asked that I did not get a straight answer to, not even once. I have witnesses. I asked, how are you keeping me safe? Did not get an answer. I got just a runaround. I said, that's not an answer. How are you keeping me safe? Eventually I got, we have a plan. Okay. I asked, what's that plan? We're working on it. We were going to readmit that same student the same day without an answer to how I am going to be kept safe or a plan that had already been made for that to happen. I don't get it. The only actionable thing that I was told is that I should avoid the student. The victim has to do it? An hour later, the student approached the front entrance with her mom chasing her
018across the front lawn, and somehow I am in the hallway to witness this. She bangs on the front door violently of the school, and the next thing I hear is, ow, my arm. This student is a danger to herself, and if she's a danger to herself, she is a danger to others. Can I have some more time, please? Mr. Ogleman, you have reached the limit, but we'll give you two more minutes. So she is now on independent study through Friday of this week. Right now, the only consequence she got was a suspension and a schedule change. That schedule change is positive reinforcement for her making death threats. She wanted out of my classroom. She is now out of my classroom. Somebody is going to get hurt. She already hurt herself. She's going to hurt somebody
019else if we're not careful. But this isn't about me. This really isn't. This is about every teacher. What if this has happened to a temp, a probe one, or a probe two? We just going to fire them? Solves the problem? Kick that can down the road? I had to have conversations with my wife about what to do if I don't come home. And yet, I don't feel safe because the district is choosing what's convenient over doing what is right. So, if you guys are not going to act and do the right thing, I am going to. This is the grievance that I am filing with my administration tomorrow. I'm giving them a day. this happens tomorrow. I have solutions that are going to solve this. I will send an email to each board member and
020you Dr. Patterson so you can see the grievance and the things that we think can remedy this situation. My name is Brent Vogelman. I'm a teacher at East Reeder Middle School and the EWI president and I deserve to work for a district that is committed to providing a safe work environment that is free of disruptive threatening or violent behavior. That is in the contract. It is a new article that we added last year because of the violent behavior from students on that campus. We couldn't agree with it last year because we got the language in. Now we do. We need to do something to keep us safe. There is a STEP program that is perfect for this child. I don't know why we're not using it. I want to make sure that everyone that is
021here knows that it is our policy as a board not to respond when comments are made. But if there's anybody that does want to respond at any time, they are able to ask that of me, and they have that opportunity to do so. But please know that everything that is shared, everything that is talked about, is taken very seriously. So thank you, Mr. Vogelman, for sharing. Our next comments are going to come from Dr. Patterson or Superintendent? I have no comments. All right. Next up on our agenda then is our citizen communication to the board. Do we have some comments this evening? Yes. So each member of the public who submitted a card has up to three minutes to make their comments to the board. I'm going to ask the first six speakers to come
022and line up in this particular order, please. Ms. Amy Swanson, Elizabeth Gamboa, Damian Hernandez. Celeste Hernandez, Melissa Espino, and Lillian Miller, please. When you do approach the board, please state your name, and then you have your three minutes. Hello, board. Thank you for the time to speak. My name is Amy Swanson. I'm a resident in the city of Whittier. I'm also a teacher at Hillview Middle School. I teach general ed, language arts, and honors, and I, too, deserve to work. deserve to work in an environment where I am not in danger, I am not threatened, and I am not hurt by my students. And this is not the case. I have many situations where I have had things thrown at me, threatened, and other students in my classrooms put in danger. We need protocols. We
023need help. We are your employees, and you need to establish policies that protect your employees while we are at work. And then lastly, I don't think this meeting should have happened tonight. In respect to my colleagues at East Whittier and the horrible tragedy, it should not be business as usual right now. We should have taken a pass tonight in respect to them. Thank you. Good evening members of the board. My name is Elizabeth Gamboa and I am the bilingual interventionist at Ceres Elementary School. At our school we have 550 students enrolled at Ceres, 265 students are in our DLI program. That means nearly half of our campus is engaged in learning across two languages every day. In fact, 48% of our student population requires the support of an interventionist who understands second language acquisition and
024how it aligns with ELA standards. Of the remaining two 285 students in our English only classes 50 have been identified as English learners or RFF all together We have 315 bilingual students Which means 57 percent of our entire student population is bilingual The highest bilingual student population in all of the district elementary schools at series this work goes beyond instruction It requires specialized expertise to ensure that students are accurately supported especially when it comes to intervention in special education. In my role, I collaborate closely with our special education team to make informed, equitable decisions for students. Recently, we encountered a complex case involving a DLI student whose Spanish reading level was at a beginning stage, while English reading level was comparable to a fourth grader. Math scores varied widely. Through careful analysis of second language
025acquisition and the linguistic demands of math, especially in Spanish, I determined that the challenges were rooted in language development, not a learning disability. Further review showed strong number sense and the ability to perform complex math. Without this level of Spanish expertise, the student could not have easily been, could have been easily misidentified for special education. I would also like to share that when I was hired three years ago, it was specifically to serve a bilingual community, and my interview process reflected that commitment. However, during the most recent hiring process, that emphasis was no longer evident, which raises concerns about how we are prioritizing the needs of our multilingual students. When the assistant superintendent of educational services stated she would be hiring the best of the best to refill these positions, I respectfully asked, was the
026critical need for bilingual expertise fully considered in that decision? I have been studying DLI programs for years, for years. I have been instrumental in the continuity of the DLI program at CERES, contributing my knowledge and expertise. You have invested in me to support your DLI program at CERES. Tonight, I respectfully urge you to recognize the importance of maintaining bilingual expertise at Ceres. Our students deserve equitable, informed support, and that begins with ensuring that right systems and the right people are in place. Thank you for your time. Good afternoon, my name is Damian Hernandez. I am a student at Ceres Elementary in the DLI program, and I will be graduating this year. Just in case in English, I am here to remind you of the students like me. and our families who decide to start our
027bilingual learning journey in this district. We have been seeing lots of changes this year with our DLI program. From the cut to our instructional aids, cuts to our DLI classes this summer, and now our intervention specialist. As a student at Ceres Elementary with my little sister who is still there, these changes are very disappointing. I want the best for my little sister and her friends, and I am asking that you consider the negative impact this will have in the future of the DLI students who are still in Ceres. Thank you for your time and attention to my concerns. My name is Celeste Hernandez. I am a student at Ceres Elementary in the DLI program and I am only in second grade. I love learning more Spanish every day and I am thankful for all my
028teacher helpers, Ms. Gamboa and the Spanish learning I do at Ceres Elementary. school during the summer. I am here to ask that you help me and my friends to continue to learn at Ceres with all the help of all the staff. My brother has thanked you for your time and have a great night. How do I follow that? First, I'd like to extend my condolences to the entire East Whittier City community, but especially East Whittier Middle. Hello, board members. Thank you for everything that you do for our students, families, and staff, and I know it's a lot. My name is Melissa Espino. I work at Orchardale, and my son attends Hillview Middle School. I know this is an uncomfortable topic, but I feel it's very important. Columbine, Uvalde, Sandy Hook, just a few places commonly
029known for one reason, school violence. I don't need to tell you that the U.S. has a school violence epidemic. Twenty-three years ago when I started teaching, my nervous summer dreams involved bees invading my classroom. Now I have nightmares of shooters invading my classroom. In 2021, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center released a report titled, Averting Targeted School Violence. This article stated, quote, almost all shooters, 94%, shared their intent with others verbally or online prior to their attack, unquote. I'm sure you are also familiar with the story about the six-year-old student who shot his teacher in Virginia in 2023. An ABC News article listed the number of warnings administrators ignored that day. Quote, the administration was warned four times by teachers and school employees about the student. There were three warnings from school employees
030about the gun and a warning from the teacher about the student threatening to harm another child. Unquote. Unfortunately, we are no longer in a position to excuse away threatening behavior as blowing off steam or think they're too young to actually commit these crimes. We have to act as though the intent is there because in 94% of the previous cases, warnings were ignored. How can we tell if the intent is there or not? We can't. So we have to believe them. The alternative is unthinkable. I realize that this current situation did not involve threats of violence with guns, but that doesn't matter. A CDC report titled Characteristics of School-Associated Youth Homicides stated that 37% of single victim school homicides did not involve guns. I don't have the answers. I only ask you to think about all
031of the students, the families, and staff as you consider this important issue. Everyone deserves to have a safe school environment that is free of disruptive, threatening, or violent behaviors. Columbine, Uvalde, Sandy Hook, please don't let East Whittier be added to that list. Thank you for your time. Hello, my name is Lilia Miller and I work at East Weir Middle School. It's extremely difficult to be here tonight. I didn't want to come, but I believe kind of the topic that we're all bringing to you tonight is that important. So I'm here. First of all, I deserve to work in a district that's committed to providing a safe working environment that is free from disruptive, threatening or violent behavior. The incident that Mr. Vogelman was discussing, I happened to be in the office when the student returned
032and was throwing herself against the door and screaming violently. And just because it wasn't directed at me doesn't mean there weren't a lot of terrifying feelings that came with that. And I just wanted to share with you what went through my head, which was, why is she screaming? This is terrifying. Are we going on lockdown? She liked me in sixth grade. Maybe that's going to help. And the worst was, is she coming for my friend? These are things that I shouldn't have to cross my mind because I went up to the office during my prep period to discuss ASB funding. So if you could consider that in your daily proceedings, it would be appreciated. Thank you. Our final speakers are Gina Thiem, Dean. Esmeralda de Avila Lisa Fragoso Rachel Perez and Yadira Gutierrez Good evening.
033My name is Gina theme and I work at East Whittier middle school Thank you for giving us this opportunity to speak. I'm honestly very nervous to speak in front of the audience, but I'm just going to share what's on my heart. First of all, I'm very heartbroken over Ava Bonilla, who is a former student of mine. She was beautiful and brilliant, and I'm just so sad about what's happened. I'm just praying for her family and all of the people who loved her. I work, as I said before, at East Whittier Middle School, and I deserve to work for a district that is committed to providing a safe work environment that is free of disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior. I'm sad to say that I know that there have been other episodes on our campus. So
034many children there, so many students are wonderful and kind and loving, but I know that my good friend Jessica Sandoval was assaulted. She was pushed, cussed out by a student who didn't even know her just because she... had an emotional outburst getting angry about something that had happened that had nothing to do with Miss Sandoval who's an outstanding teacher. My good friend and colleague Mark LaMonica I know he was ganged up on by a group of boys and he was treated in a way that was just not acceptable and I know he's a wonderful teacher and my colleague Brent Vogelman did not deserve to be treated or spoken to or feel threatened in that manner. I've heard so many wonderful things about him, and I witnessed him as a teacher in the classroom. My goddaughter
035was a student, a student of his in the past, and she spoke so lovingly of what a wonderful teacher he is. And so that's something that... stayed with me over the years and I have great respect for him and all my colleagues. So I also didn't want to come tonight because I feel nervous about speaking in front of an audience like this and speaking to you. I do appreciate you giving us this opportunity and thank you for considering our concerns. Hi, my name is Dean Yanagihara. I'm a parent of a student at Cerritos, I'm sorry, at Ceres Elementary School. Matter of fact, one of my daughter's teachers is standing right behind me. I'm just here to comment as a concerned parent of two children in the Ceres Elementary Dual Language Immersion Program, the DLI. Neither
036I nor my wife speak a second language, and we see the obvious value in being able to raise our kids to be bilingual. Our concern is that the district is apparently going to replace the interventional specialist Elizabeth Gamboa with a non-bilingual staff member. If that happens, then going forward, how is the district going to assure our series families that the needs of their bilingual students are being met when the professional responsible for their assessment and support can effectively communicate in both languages? My oldest son is no longer in Ceres, needs academic and behavioral support through his IEP, and I kind of shudder to think about what would have happened to him if his intervention specialist had been unable to communicate with him or with us, his parents, in our own language. And so we ask
037that the East Winter City School District reconsider this decision and keep a bilingual intervention specialist on staff for Ceres Elementary. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Esmeralda de Avila, and I am the coach and mentor at Ceres Elementary School. And I just want to begin by sharing my condolences for East Whittier. I can't imagine how difficult it's for you to be here tonight. I don't think I could be here if it were one of my students. I came to East Whittier in 2022, the founding year of our second grade dual immersion cohort. Since then, I've taught second grade dual immersion. I've presented to prospective kindergarten families. I served on our DLI leadership team. I shared our journeys at the Whittier College Bilingual Conference. And now I get to travel across schools from LA and
038Orange County as our coach and mentor. In every space I have inhabited, I've proudly spoken about East Whittier and the support our multilingual learners in dual immersion receive. But this year everything changed. The very supports that helped our program success have been systematically stripped away. Our DLI leadership meetings, once attended by multiple district leaders, have been reduced to Dr. Roman, Becky, and two middle school teachers. Dr. Aceves, our assistant superintendent, used to lead them. Our new assistant superintendent hasn't attended a single meeting this year. Our interventionist was directed not to provide intervention in Spanish. Summer school, which dual teachers have been delivering in Spanish for five years without a district-provided curriculum and without extra compensation, has now been mandated to be taught in English with Spanish bridging. And now we've learned that we're losing our
039bilingual interventionist. She's one of the strongest advocates for a program that is often overlooked. Our families are aware of what's happening, and they're deeply disappointed. Their disappointment is not with the teachers or with our school staff, because we continue to work tirelessly for our students every single day. Their disappointment is with the district decisions that continue to remove the very supports our multilingual learners need to thrive. Next year, our DLI kindergarten classrooms will be expected to serve 27 students, which is what they both have this year, learning in Spanish without a Spanish-speaking aid, despite language balance and native language support being best practices in dual immersion. These are not isolated decisions. Together, they send a clear message. The very structures that once made East Whittier's dual immersion programs stand out are being dismantled piece by
040piece. This is not how we sustain a program. This is how we weaken it. Our district always says, all means all. So tonight, I'm here to ask you, do our dual language students count in that promise? Thank you. My name is Lisa Fregoso and I teach third grade at Ceres. I'm here to speak about a couple things. First, the concerning news that our intervention specialist is being moved to Laurel. This move just doesn't make sense on paper, nor does it make sense in practice. Half of our students learn at least half of the day in Spanish. So one would assume that our intervention specialist at a Spanish bilingual school would speak Spanish. The reason stated that she's being moved is that Laurel needs a Spanish interventionist. Shouldn't have education services considered it necessary to hire
041more than one specialist out of 10 that speak Spanish. And then what's confusing is that Laurel had a highly qualified Spanish bilingual intervention specialist who taught bilingual education and had over 20 years with a diverse bilingual population. Another thing, I recently had conferences and spoke to many parents that asked about Spanish intervention and Spanish summer school. That's where their need was. And that included families that are out of the district. So not just East Whittier families. I had to tell them no Spanish intervention is available and no Spanish summer school would be offered this year. Now I know it's stated in previous meetings that the dual immersion program just isn't bringing the numbers and families into the district that was previously hoped for. So in other words, it's not bringing in the money. But I
042don't know if this has been thought of that and I want to bring it to your attention that we're retaining students at East Whittier City School District who otherwise might have gone to a neighboring dual program. So let's do a little bit of calculation. If half our school is dual immersion, roughly, and I now hear that it's about less than this, but 250 students are in the DLI program. At $140 a day that the state provides, times 180 days of school, that's roughly $25,000 per student that the school gets. Times that by the 250 students in the dual immersion program, that's over $6 million that the school or the district is... getting from just the retention of students choosing a bilingual program. I do my best in class with strong tier one and tier two
043practices. I'm essentially a combo teacher, teaching a combination of languages. There's not unlimited time to pull groups in English and Spanish. And third grade is really important. It's a testing grade, which is probably the reason why the intervention has shifted to only English, because of the testing, because of test scores. But test scores shouldn't. withdraw support that was already there and effective. So I know our specialist, intervention specialist, has been an advocate and she really has tried to do the Spanish group, but she has been denied by district personnel. So all these things combined just make it seem like our program is an afterthought instead of a priority. Thank you. Good evening, board. Good evening, audience. Thank you all for taking the time to be here. Thank you for listening to our voices. That's something
044that seems to be missing. I'm hearing a lot of people feel that they're not being heard. I think it's a good time to maybe take a second and think, are we going as deep as we can with some of the things? Or do we have things just on the surface? I ask this because of a few situations that have arose, namely with safety. I myself have experienced a very challenging year due to student behavior. I'm celebrating my 25th year teaching for this district. This district that I love so much as a student going to Granada as an eighth grader. That I watched my mom give 31 years of her career to this district. I even bought my house in this district because I wanted my kids to go through your district. But then they were
045dyslexic, and that's a whole other story. So we'll talk another time about that. I'm glad to see the science of reading is making its way in finally. However, what we're seeing is a shift that's happening in our society. We're seeing violence erupting everywhere. Malls, Knott's Berry Farm had to make that policy where they have to have chaperones now because of student or children's behavior. but that's who we're serving. We're serving children. And so if that is showing a need and we're seeing an increase among the society, we need to be addressing it more within our district. Meaning during COVID, we had our ALC taken away from us. We had a system. We had something in place. We had something that worked. We had something we knew we could count on. And the year that everything
046was up in the air and we came back. to not knowing anything with going on in the world, still in masks. We couldn't count on our discipline system being there. That was really hard, but not as hard as this year. Because we're operating as though things are going along smoothly, going correctly. I'm the union rep for my site, and I have teachers coming to me weekly. sharing concerns of things that they're seeing with student behavior and feeling that it's not being handled. I had a student with 27 referrals on PBIS. Nothing happened. Another teacher just mentioned a student has 34 referrals on PBIS. When are they going to be moved to Tier 2? Are we going to be communicated with that? Because as I found out, a lot of the Tier 2 stuff is happening
047and then teachers aren't being communicated with. So that's a very important component that we're in this together. We need to be communicated with. I can't even see if another teacher has given the same student a PBIS referral. We're not allowed to see that information. Is that my time? All right. Well, I just want to say that we have a right to come to work and feel safe. And that also includes psychological safety, where we can speak up, share ideas, admit mistakes, and ask for help without fear, embarrassment, punishment, or retaliation. Good evening, District Board members. My name is Yadira Gutierrez, and I am the kinder DLI teacher at Sears Elementary. Four years ago, I joined a DLI leadership meeting with Hope. Hope that we can collaborate with the district, be heard, and get the support
048the program needs. The hope has been very difficult to hold on to. Every year, the same concerns come up. Curriculum, report cards, assessments, interventions, and so much more. And every year, we are assigned to someone new or someone who doesn't know about the program. For example, when we have questions about curriculum, we're directed to a district contact who doesn't speak Spanish. When we have assessment questions, we're told we are the experts, but we are not. We keep hearing, we don't have it yet. Here's the translation. We don't have the funds. I do want to sincerely thank Dr. Roman, who has been the one consistent person from the district. She's doing the best that she can, but one person cannot substitute the real structural support. There is no dual language specialist coordinator in the district, and
049this person would play a critical role. They would help the teachers, instructional support, oversee assessment, coordinate professional development, and serve as a contact for the program's needs. But without someone like this, our teachers are left. doing all these responsibilities on their own. This year, when instructional aides were brought up, we were told it wasn't needed because we are an established program. But how can we be considered established when report cards still haven't been finalized after six years of raising it at every leadership meeting? That delay is not on the teachers. It is in the reflection where the program falls on a district's list of priorities. I love this program. I show up every day hoping that when district leaders visit our classrooms, it's not just for a photo. but because you generally want to understand
050what dual language looks like, feels like, and demands. The children are watching how seriously we take this work. As Dr. Jose Medina, a dual language expert, says, programs don't fail because dual language is flawed. They fail because the weak leadership, poor structural design, a lack of equity focus, and rushed implementation without adequate preparation. The district leadership is valuable, and I believe it is needed. It is a space where voices from the program can meet with the district and... That matters. But a meeting without action is just a conversation. When needs are brought up year after year, there must be concrete steps that follow. Our students cannot keep waiting. We're asking you just not to listen, but to act. Thank you. I want to thank everyone for their comments this evening. And once again, I know
051that all our board members are listening. And I do want to especially... respond to the safety issue. It is a huge concern for us as board members. We have frequently discussed the matter of safety in front of all of you and independently with Dr. Patterson. It is not something that falls on deaf ears. The process by which we go through strengthening our safety program, looking at Where it needs to be so is something that we take very seriously as a board. And I want to reassure you that when situations like this occur, I am not the only one as the president to reach out to Dr. Patterson to say, I want to learn more. I want to know more. The board is responsible for establishing and upholding policy. And if that policy is not working
052in the area of safety, then this is something that Dr. Patterson also takes very seriously. It is not, again, something that just falls on deaf ears. So I want to reassure you that I am going to be speaking with Dr. Patterson. I know that other board may do the same. And especially with regard to how things may be changing. in terms of how students in our district are feeling, are reacting. I'm going to share that again. As a former school principal, I have been confronted over 15 years with a tremendous amount of aggression, holding back children who tried to kick me, hurt me, hit me. That was the role, and that still continues to be the role of a school principal. It was detailed by Time Magazine as being one of the most, and forgive
053me, teachers and classified. No disrespect intended, but as one of the most difficult jobs in the United States, and having walked and lived and breathed that job, I can tell you that that is so. However... It has come a long way forward since I was a school principal in terms of the concerns that we now see as a board that our children are living and breathing through. And we want to make sure that we assure you that although it might seem as though we are not responsive. We are. We care about this, and we are going to continue to do so as a team, as a group. And I want to assure you that I will be speaking once more with Dr. Patterson, who is very attentive and keeping us apprised as a board of
054what is occurring at our schools frequently. So I want you to know that, too. And I need to share that with you because we all have colleagues in other districts. who do not receive the same kind of support from their superintendent. Trust me when I tell you, the memo that he sends to us is long and detailed. He keeps us apprised of every single matter that he can, and it is not an attempt for us to put our spoon in and direct him to do this, that, and the other thing. but it is his attempt to ensure that we are not caught by surprise. But that is not the case in every district here in the Whittier area or even beyond. I guarantee you, because I've talked to board members who wish that they had
055the kind of communication that we receive from Dr. Patterson. Do we always agree with the information that is shared? Absolutely not. But do we work as a team to ensure that we are on the same page, not only as a board, but with our superintendent and our leadership? We do that. So please be assured that after such serious matters have been discussed this evening, that I will definitely be requesting to meet with Dr. Patterson. And I do encourage our board, if anybody else has any questions that they want to make sure are answered. But I wanted to let you know. that he has done, he continues to do the work above and beyond what a normal superintendent does in communicating with his board. He's not perfect and neither are we, but he does do a
056very good job of keeping us apprised of the matters that are occurring in our schools. So I want to make sure that you know that. The next matter that we're going to talk about is the Williams report and this is an informational item and dr. Patterson is there anything you want to share with us? We actually did have One complaint that was filed and we don't usually have complaints that are filed dr. Aceves did investigate this Situation and it was regarding facilities over at Orchard L. I'm in that communication We also did mention the fact that Orchard L is going undergoing modernization And so the restroom situation is not necessarily about cleanliness. It's about age and Some of the plumbing issues that we have with that. All right. Thank you board. Is there any questions
057that you have regarding that? Okay, this is not a this is not Okay, just make sure all right our next Piece on our board agenda is an action item. Can I get a motion? I so move. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second. All right, thank you. It's been moved and seconded, and I want to know, does the board have any questions about our meeting that we're going to have with the Whittier Union High School District? Any questions? Okay, hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver-Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is also an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I move the recommendation that
058the Board of Education adopt resolution number 22-25-26, candidate statement for board election for year 2026. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second. It's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Chacon-Kennedy. Any questions, board, or anything that you need to share, Dr. Patterson? No? All right, hearing none. Is this mandatory? Is this like a mandatory thing? Yeah, this is basically us informing them that we're going to have an election and the way in which we go about submitting statements. There are different options that the county allows. 200 words, and I think there's another option that's above 400 words. I understand that, but what I'm asking is... Is it mandatory for the candidate to, because I know that it's optional. Yeah, a candidate could just put their name in there and not put a
059statement. They don't have to put a statement. Okay. Up to 200 words. All right. Any other questions? All right. Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Item number four under K is also an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I move the recommendation that the Board of Education adopt resolution 23-25-26, ordering the 2026 school board member election. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second. All right. It's been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion board on this item or anything to share? All right. Hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chuckle and Kennedy? Yes. Mr.
060Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver-Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Item five, it is an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you. It's been moved by Mr. Aberdeen. Seconded by Mr. Thomas Baird. Any questions, board, or anything, Dr. Patterson, that needs to be shared? I just did want to point out to thank Mr. Riley and his team and Dr. Vargas and her team, because if you remember when we brought this item to the board previously, a couple of months ago, there were 18 names on this list. I mean, there were a significant... higher number including the intervention specialists to serve and support the instructional specialists intervention specialists so we're very pleased with all of that work
061and finding people other opportunities that there were only two employees on this list thank you board are there any questions beyond what dr patterson has shared all right hearing none mrs valenzuela would you please call for the vote mr thomas baird Yes, mr. Cohn Kennedy. Yes, mr. Aparicio. Yes, mrs. Dabbs. Yes, mr. Oliver Baird. Yes, mrs. Carrera. Yes motion passes Item number six also an action item. Can I get a motion to approve so move? Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second. All right. It's been moved by mr. Aparicio seconded by mrs. Chacon Kennedy any questions board on on this particular item All right hearing none. Mrs. Valenzuela. Will you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs.
062Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Item number six is also an action item, an important one. Can I get a motion to approve? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, number seven. A very important action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I move the recommendation that the Board of Education adopt resolution 21-25-26, declaring May 17th through the 23rd, 2026, as Classified Employees Week. Thank you, can I get a second? Is that you, Mrs. Carrera? Yes. All right, it's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, second by... Mrs. Carrera, are there any questions or other? All right, I do have a question. I'm sorry, did you have a question? No, I just want to say this is important as the next one. Yes, yes, absolutely. I have a question, Dr. Patterson. Can you describe a little bit about
063what we're going to be doing this year? This is the final year where we're going to be able to provide the lunch to all of our classified and certificate employees. It does come at a significant cost to feed over 1,200 employees. So we have switched to the idea of providing each one of our principals with a discretionary account to be able to kind of work with the PTA like they have done in the past to be able to do that. So this is what we will, once again, give lunch to all of our teachers, classified staff, and administrators. And then, you know, we do post things on our website as well and social media. Thank you. I appreciate that clarification. Are there any other questions? All right, hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call
064for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. Item number eight, an equally as important action item today. Can I get a motion to approve? I move the recommendation that the Board of Education adopt resolution 20-25-26, declaring May 6, 2026 as Day of the Teacher. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you. It's been moved by Ms. Rappaport. Seconded by Mrs. Carrera. Any questions or comments, Board, on declaring that day as Day of the Teacher and the celebrations that Dr. Patterson already mentioned? All right, hearing none, can you please call for the vote, Mrs. Bonasuella? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes.
065Motion passes. Thank you. All right, we're coming to item number nine, which is a public hearing. The public hearing is being held. I open up the public hearing at 7.02. This is being held to give interested parties time to speak regarding the initial proposal for the 26-29 contractual agreement of the California School Employees Association. Is there anyone that would like to speak on this matter? All right. Hearing none, I close the public hearing at 7-0-2. Next, we move to an action item, item number 10. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. Second it's been moved by your separation second by mrs. Carrera. Is there or are there any questions board regarding this item? All right hearing none. Mrs. Valenzuela. Would you please call for
066the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird. Yes. Mr. Kennedy. Yes. Mr. Aparicio. Yes. Mrs. Dabbs. Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird. Yes. Mrs. Carrera. Yes motion passes Thank you Now we come to the second public hearing in tonight's meeting. I open the public hearing at 7.03. This public hearing is being held to give interested parties time to speak regarding the initial proposal for the 2026-29 contractual agreement of the East Wheeler City School District. Is there anyone that would like to come to the podium and speak? All right, hearing none, I close the meeting at 7.03. Item number 12 is an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. It's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Carrera. Board, are there any questions regarding this item? All
067right, hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Ms. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. We are now on item number 13, the annual review of identified board policies. There's a number of policies there, board. I want to open up the opportunity for any board member to ask any questions that they might have regarding the policies. So I want to know. I would like to request Board Policy 5117 and 5116.1 to be reviewed. Would you like us to bring it to an agenda? Yes. As a discussion item? As a discussion item, yes. And if we can, maybe the board can also just read over it and review it. We did address the middle school permit
068issue, and I think that now we need to address the elementary permit issue that seems to be an issue. Okay, that sounds good. Anyone else before I make a comment? I would also like to have us agendize, Dr. Patterson, Board Policy 6163.4, Student Use of Technology. That's an action item? Yes. Okay. Would you both be okay with making that for the June 8th meeting? That's fine. Yeah. I think it's very important that we look at the safety. And if you have any background that you would like me to provide the board ahead of time and to be able to put in the agenda items so that we understand what potential questions you may have and if there are any logistical or financial or facilities issues that we need to be able to be aware of
069in changing any policy related to attendance or even student use of technology. Okay, great. The student use of technology, if you can also provide us the AR. So we can take a look at. I'll provide you the AR in the board memo. Thank you. I think it's important, board, for us to stay really ahead of this in terms of technology. Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy, for nodding. It's really critical that we stay ahead of the technology issues that are happening not only in our district but across the country and around the world and make it a point of ensuring that that policy is really effective and strong and one that we can be proud of. I have another question. It's not listed on here, but I was just wondering if there was a board policy because
070I couldn't find one on the safety of our educators. We have several policies that are in the 4000s, so I can provide you with those specific links. Can we bring one forward or can you send it for us to review? Yeah, I will do that. Thank you. Okay, that's great. All right. We're now on to item 14. This is an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Oh, this is not, you're on 14 now? I'm sorry, I was still taking notes. Oh, I apologize. Okay. Yeah. Because 13 is not an action item. Right, right. Okay. Anything else on 13 though? Okay. 14. Okay. So Mr. Aparicio, I'm moved. Can I get a second? I'll second. All right. It's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Chacon-Kennedy. Are there any
071questions, board, with regard to the whole intent of this particular item? So I did want to thank Mrs. Carrera for her edits. She did provide me with several edits that do not affect language. So none of the edits that Mrs. Carrera provided are changing any of the intent or the meaning behind it. It's just simply some things that CSBA missed and we may have missed that were grammatically and syntactically incorrect So they are not substantive changes. So my recommendation would that you approve this policy and then as we say in here Go ahead and finalize this policy with mrs. Carrera's edits. All right And I do want to say from my part. I do appreciate mrs. Carreras Fine-tuning because her journalism background really is supportive. We all bring different talents board and it's really Important
072to recognize those so Thank You mrs. Carrera for your attention to that detail All right are there any other questions board on this item all right hearing none mrs. Valenzuela. Would you please call for the vote? Mr.. Thomas Baird Yes, Mrs.. Chacon Kennedy yes Mr.. Aparicio yes Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver-Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. All right, thank you. Item number 15. This is also an action item. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second all right. It's been moved by mr. Aparecio seconded by a mr. Conn Kennedy any questions board on this particular one This is correct. Did you have additional notes for this one as well? Yeah, where they were like duplicates. This is the one that were yeah Mm-hmm
073all right any other questions for it all right hearing none missa Valenzuela. Would you please call for the vote? Mr.. Thomas Baird yes Chuckle and Kennedy yes Mr.. Aparecio yes, mrs.. Dabbs yes Mr.. Oliver Baird yes, mrs.. Carrera yes motion passes Thank you item number 16 can I get a motion to approve so move thank you. Can I get a second? I'll second all right. It's been moved by mr.. Aparicio seconded by mrs.. Chacon Kennedy are there any questions board on this particular policy Anything you want to share dr.. Patterson all right hearing none mrs.. Valenzuela. Would you please call for the vote mr.. Thomas Baird? Yes Mrs. Chuck on Kennedy. Yes Mr. Aparicio. Yes Mr. Oliver Baird. Yes, mrs. Carrera. Yes ocean passes Thank you. We are now on item number 17 suspension and
074expulsion due process. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you Can I get a second? I'll second Thank you. Moved by Ms. Raparizio, seconded by Mrs. Kennedy. Any questions, board, or anything you need to share, Dr. Patterson, regarding this policy? Madam President, I'd like to table this item and review it due to what's pending and everything that's going on. There's no immediate legal reason why we need to approve it? No. There's no legal reason why we need to approve this tonight. We can pull it if the board says. It says here that the board shall develop rules and regulations setting standards of behavior expected of district students and disciplinary process and procedures for addressing violations of those standards, including suspension and expulsion. But I didn't see, I at least can't say
075that I helped develop any rules or regulations that set standards. I would be in agreement with Ms. Carrera. How does the rest of the board feel? All right, so we're gonna table that item Okay, given the information that we've we've been having shared over the last several weeks and this evening. Okay. All right No, we wouldn't be voting on this, right? Okay, so we can we can actually bring this one together along with the with the educator Safety. Because we're not going to bring that one into June, right? The educator was not necessarily directed to be brought to a meeting. We were going to share it so everybody was aware of it. We have opportunity to review it. We also need to take a look at what the grievance is going to be to see
076what the solutions are there. So I think it would be premature to put it on the June 8th meeting. We still have time. As you know, we developed the agenda. I think, yeah. Correct, but I'm not, I don't mean to dismiss Mr. Vogelman's grievance that he is going to submit, is I don't want to put out fires, I want to prevent them. So I feel that bringing it forward and us looking at it prior, we can then designate what the board can, I mean, we all have access to Google and we can all put our input. I don't think we have to meet separate for that. Is that okay? Up to the board. Are you still referring to item 17, Ms. O'Connor? I'm referring to item 17. I'm bringing it in along with the educator
077safety. But the board policy that I requested to bring in with the safety, because I think they go hand in hand. Right, I would agree. Because this is the expulsion part of it. Right. And then we have the safety part of it. Sure. I just want to make sure, Warren, that the expectations that we go by for student behavior is determined by Ed Code policy. So it isn't necessarily something that the board would create, but there are some expulsions that are mandated or are determined by Ed Code. And then in regards to this one, all of the changes are mandated by AB. Well 30 and are again in alignment with ed code, so I just want to make sure that was clarified There was a due date, but I did wanna Yeah, I am very
078familiar with I am the due date Yes I am familiar with with ed code and I am also from it I'm very familiar with if someone's on an IEP or if they are sped I I'm very familiar with that so I don't think that that would pose a problem with bringing the board policy forward for us. Absolutely not. We just have that conversation to say that certain things cannot be in the board policy because they would not be legally defensible. Correct. I understand that as well. Okay. Okay. All right. So that was that as well. Okay. Is that understood board? Okay. All right. Now we're moving to item 18. Correct? Yes. All right. And I think did we get a Well, let's start again fresh can I get a motion to approve I so move
079okay. Can I get a second? So this is the one that I wanted to table the Ex the suspension and expulsion. No, no, we're running 18. Okay. Yeah I second it Okay, it's removed by mr. Aparicio seconded by mrs. Kenny any questions board regarding the certification of signatures All right hearing none mrs. Valenzuela. Would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird. Yes, mrs. Chuck on Kennedy. Yes, mr. Aparicio. Yes, mrs. Dabbs. Yes, mr. Oliver Baird. Yes, mrs. Carrera. Yes motion passes Thank you. I don't remember 19. Can I get a motion to approve? I so move. Thank you Can I get a second a second? All right, it's been moved my mr. Paris you're seconded by mrs. Carrera any questions board regarding the cost or the installation of the portable restrooms that said
080schools that are here? How that's going to, how is, I do have a question hearing that. How are we going to move forward with that? Like, in other words, do we just. So these are the ones that we had to wait because of just the location of those, those places going through DSA and then being Dr. Aceves, do you know when those restrooms are going to be put in those three places? Okay, okay great. That's the clarification. I was looking for apologies. Okay. Did you hear that board? It's gonna be this summer. Okay. Okay wonderful. Miss. Carrera you heard that too? Okay. Okay great. Any other questions board? All right hearing none. Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Mrs. Chacon-Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr.
081Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. All right, thank you. We are now on item L in the agenda, consent items. Is there any board member who wishes to remove an item to have a separate vote on it? All right, if not, we move to item number two. Can I get a motion to approve? I move the recommendation of the superintendent, the Board of Education approve the consent agenda items L3 through L10. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. It's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Carrera. Board, in the context of all of these items, does anybody have a question on any of the items? Any of the things that are there? All right, hearing none, Mrs. Valenzuela, would you please call for the vote? Mr. Thomas Baird? Yes. Mrs. Chuckle
082and Kennedy? Yes. Mr. Aparicio? Yes. Mrs. Dabbs? Yes. Mr. Oliver Baird? Yes. Mrs. Carrera? Yes. Motion passes. Thank you. We are now on item M, adjournment. Before we do so, can I, do we need to call? I forgot, do we vote to adjourn yet? Okay. So can I get a motion to approve the adjournment and then we can have closing comments? So moved to adjourn. All right, can I get a second? Second. All right, it's been moved by Mr. Aparicio, seconded by Mrs. Valenzuela. Before we adjourn, are there any comments that our board would like to make? Anyone? Anyone? I just want to say that this meeting was very difficult for me. I, too, didn't want to be here. It's heartbreaking to lose not only a child, but two other members of our district. So
083that's why I didn't have any comments. So I just want to express my heartfelt condolences to all of you teachers who knew the student, who knew the secretary, who knew Aaron. I can say that I know what it's like to see death. It's no easy feat. I don't wish anything upon it. No parent should ever have to bury their child. And for those of you that came in contact with that child, it is heartbreaking that we couldn't see something. And there's a quote that always lingers in my mind, and I will leave you with it. I mean, go home today, stop by a grocery store and get some flowers. Give them to the person that you love right now that they can enjoy them before it's too late. I have nothing else to say. Thank
084you, Mrs. Carrera. Anyone else have any comments they'd like to share? All right, I do want to echo Mrs. Carrera's comments and let you all know that in case you didn't know, we did move to honor the entire East Whittier Middle School community. We moved the meeting here to honor the teachers, the staff, the families, and keep our meeting as closed and calm and respectful as possible. So I wanted to make sure that our community knew that. I also want to add that... I know that our East Wader Middle School community is hurting and that it is a time for us to... rally around one another and I'm sure that there will be opportunities also to support and uplift the family. Please make sure that you keep our district informed if there is a GoFundMe
085or other kinds of fundraising opportunities that are coming to support the family should they need that. We know that sometimes families like to keep. a situation that is very tragic such as this one, very quiet and very calm and they want to have their privacy respected. But if you do know or hear of anything that the district should know or we as a board should know that we want to be able to as a board participate as much as possible. And we want to make sure that you know that. And that at this time. I want to let you know that our next meeting will be held on May the 11th. It will be here in the board meeting. No, I'm sorry, in the boardroom, just so that you know that as well. Anything else,
086Dr. Patterson, that we should know? All right. We'll take the vote to adjourn our meeting. Ms. Valenzuela? Real quick. I'm so sorry. I just want to make a quick statement. I wanted to thank the folks that spoke and thank Celeste and her brother, and I can't remember his name, Damien. Thank you for sharing. Today it was especially nice to see young smiling faces. And I appreciate them coming. I appreciate both of you coming and appreciate all of you coming and sharing. And just in general regarding the tragedy and loss that East Whittier is going through as a social worker, I value... all kinds of support that are offered up. And so I would encourage all of you to continue to love and speak out and support those around you. It's a loss like this lasts
087and your love and your support matter. So I just wanted to Offer those words. Thank you all for for being here Thank You mr. Baird. I want to make sure if anybody else is now feeling they would like to speak to add All right hearing none miss about this. Well, would you please call for the vote? Mr.. Thomas Baird Yes, mrs.. Chuck on Kennedy yes Mr.. Aparicio yes, this is dabs yes Mr.. Oliver Baird yes, this is Carrera. Yes motion passes. Thank you. We will see you on May 11th