001Good evening and welcome to tonight's regular meeting of the board of education. This meeting is called to order at 5:00 pm. Roll call, please. >> Miss Armstrong, >> present. >> Miss Stewart, >> present. >> Miss Cron, >> present. >> Mr. Critfield. Mrs. Garza, >> present. Tonight, we do not have speaker requests regarding close session items. At this time, the board will adjourn to close session. Open session will resume approximately at 6:30. Good evening and welcome to tonight's regular meeting of the board of education. We now reconvene to open session at 6:33 p.m. and resume the regular order of business. Board clerk Cron will provide an update on close session topics. >> Thank you, President Garza. Um the topics discussed in close session were pending litigation, public employee me employee employment assistant principal and superintendence evaluation.
002The board took no action in close session. Thank you so much board clerk Cron. Uh replacement pages for items 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, and 12.11 are on the back table. Vice President Critfield will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance this evening. Are there any amendments to the agenda? >> Board President Garza, we have one amendment this evening regarding the resolution to order a bond election. On the board item page, the first par paragraph of the summary incorrectly states that the election will be held on November 5th, 2026. The correct election date is November 3rd, 2026. This amendment updates the summary to reflect the correct election date. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Simon. Um, it's time for BTA communications. Mr. Young. >> Uh, good evening, President Garza, members of the board, Dr. Simon, cabinet,
003staff, and community members. Uh tonight I wanted to begin by thanking the board and the district's negotiating team for the work that brought us the tenative agreement being considered tonight. Uh bargaining is not easy work. We all know that and BTA appreciates the district's work with our bargaining team and we recognize the effort that went into reaching an agreement that could move forward for consideration. I also want to thank uh BTA's bargaining team for their professionalism and commitment to representing our members throughout the process. Uh at the same time, uh I did want to mention some significant budget revisions and carryovers appearing before the board tonight since it's that time of year to um have the final budget. Uh in the general fund unrestricted resources section, I'm just going to call out a few things.
004Um so 644,000 in prior year carryover for supplemental grant add-on. uh 1.37 million concentration grant, 360,000 in the prior carryover uh school uh instructional support services allocation. uh together those represent about 2 and a.5 million and in the general fund restricted uh about 114,000 uh educator effectiveness uh 3 million approximately uh carryover for lottery instructional materials and a little over 500,000 in K12 strong workforce program additional 700,000 in the children and youth behavioral health initiative capacity grant and then in the child development fund um we have 56,000 rolling over 434,000 1.2 2 million in early education California state preschool program and a little over 400,000 in the family child care home. Altogether in the child development fund there's about 2.3 million. Now I recognize that budget revisions and carryovers are part of the normal fiscal
005process. I'm not questioning that. Uh however they are significant amounts that were unspent from a budgeted year. So um as these funds are carried forward, BTA believes transparency should include not only the resource names and total amounts but also the object codes connected to the spending. In other words, the the public and all the negotiating parties should be able to see how these funds are ultimately a budget uh budgeted across the certificated salaries, classified salaries, employee benefits, books and supplies, services, uh other expenditures. Uh that level of detail matters because it helps everyone understand whether available funds are being directed towards personnel, instructional materials, student services, contracted services, professional development, operational costs, and so forth. So, for example, if nearly $3 million was budgeted and available in carryover for instructional materials, why weren't those $3
006million spent on instructional materials? Thank you, Mr. Young. We We will now um Next up is the B USD Foundation Secretary, Jan J. I'm sorry, >> Janden Evans. Welcome, Janden. >> Okay. Good evening, everyone. As she mentioned, my name is Janden Evans, member of the Bellflower Unified Foundation, and I'm here on behalf of President Casianos. So, we are hoping to rotate this honor of addressing the board with updates so that we can all become more recognizable to the board and to the district and to the community. Uh, Miss Castanos would like everyone to know that she's had the honor of participating in Los Flores's first ever career day where her daughters attended to speak on starting a business and serving on community boards like the Belfflower Unified School District Foundation. She also continues to have
007monthly meetings with Dr. Simon to keep us all on the same page. And we will be holding our first ever board retreat this month in a few days that we are very excited about as well. And our goal is to review and confirm our mission and our vision, our everyday processes uh and to help us with our documents, laws, and finances. And we're hoping we're really hoping to create a solid blueprint for the following year immediately after the retreat. And uh Dr. Simon has requested the presence of Gil Castanada in herstead at our retreat because she'll be traveling to DC with Los Flores to accept their award, which is amazing. And we look forward to updating the board and the community about the success of our retreat and next steps with the foundations as well.
008Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Evans. Um we will now move to superintendent uh report. Dr. Simon. >> Thank you uh President Garza. Good evening everyone, members of the board, cabinet, staff, families, and community members. Um what a year. This year uh BUSD made significant strides in key areas aligned with the board and superintendent goals as well as the local control accountability plan. We saw a 46.15% increase in dual enrollment participation with the early college program at Mayfair, more than doubling participation. Belfflower High School celebrated its second early college cohort with students earning both high school diplomas and associate of arts degrees. AP's dual enrollment and honors course participation remain strong. And if you don't know, I would tell you that we're introducing honors biology and honors chemistry for the 2627 school year alongside expanding
009Abbot to 13 schools. Our family and community engagement flourished with our refreshed website attracting 267,000 users and enrollment videos gaining over 60,000 views. We had numerous parent workshops, participated in community events, and hosted major district events. I had the pleasure of attending more than 70 school and community events this year, something I'm very proud of. In district systems and planning, our team developed an AI framework for the responsible use of technology, secured board approval for our facilities master plan in May, and made progress on the Mayfair sports field. And we're going to receive an update tonight, which is set to be completed in spring 2027. Our professional learning community implementation showed strong collaboration and instructional practice. Also, a key shining moment this year was the work of our guiding coalition in developing foundational frameworks for
010our future in the Belf Unified School District, including a vision, mission, and multi-year strategic blueprint. What inspires me most is the spirit of our community, our staff, our families, and our students, our scholars, excuse me, demonstrate a deep commitment to education. So, as summer is here, I hope everyone finds time to rest and reflect. Thank you to our staff for your hard work, to our families for your partnership, and to our board for your leadership. We have much to celebrate and important work ahead as we prepare for the upcoming school year. Let's continue to collaborate and ensure every student is known and valued. Thank you so much for a meaningful year. I am proud to serve this district and so grateful to be a part of the BUSD community. Thank you so much, President Garza.
011>> Thank you, Dr. Simon. Um, now we have request to address agenda non-aggenda items. >> It's committee updates. >> Oh, sorry. >> Yes, ad hoc committee updates this evening. >> I have one. Good evening. Um, for those of you that do not know, I am the president of our Cal Apps, which is California Advance Advancing Pathways for Students, and I have a few updates. Um, Cal Apps was proud to represent California at the 2026 Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Students Julian Luna and Dylan Basera traveled with Cal Apps to compete at the national level by winning the California State Championship in commercial drone technology. We are especially proud of Julian Luna, a Belfflower High School graduate who made the difficult decision to miss his high school graduation ceremony in order
012to compete. Cal Apps congratulates Julian Dylan on representing our organization, their schools, and the state of California with professionalism, integrity, and pride. And I wanted to update a few um summer programs that we have underway. Current summer offerings include culinary arts 230 dual enrollment at Belfflair High School, coffee, craft, and contemporary qu cuisine at Lynwood High School, emergency medical technician at Somerset High School, Psych 101, and um helping relationships at Belfflower High School as part of the mental health care worker certificate pro program in partner in partnership with Critos College and build a tiny home which is beginning next week and running through July 17th. Calaps is pleased to continue its partnership with the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, Celico, in support of our summer EMT program. And that's all I have. Thank
013you. >> Thank you, board member Stewart. Any other committees? Thank you. So, we will now move into public comment. Tonight, we do have requests to address agenda non-aggenda items. The board and the superintendent will listen carefully to each public comment. However, we will not provide responses during the meeting. The superintendent or a designated representative will contact the parent, guardian, and or community member if the comment may call for follow-up. While meetings of the governing board are not public meetings, they are open to the public. Individual speakers will be allowed three minutes to address the board and the board will limit the total time for public input to 21 minutes per board by law 9322.2 to unless otherwise waved by the board. Could we please have um Donnie Sappington? >> Did I say that correctly? >>
014Thank you. >> Yes. Good evening board members. My name is Donnie Sappington and I'm a business representative with Smart Local 105 representing thousands of skilled and trained sheet metal workers here in this region. I want to thank the the district for considering a community first work agreement for the upcoming construction projects. A community workforce agreement is about ensuring that taxpayer funded projects are completed safely, on time, and with highly trained workforce. These agreements create job opportunities for local residents, veterans, and apprentices. For local residents, this means 20 minute commutes to work rather than two hours. That means workers can pick up their kids from school, help them with homework, and even have meals with them in the evening. The long commute is something that I experience working in the field, and many of our members
015experience every day. This agreement would go a long way to change that for the the Belflower residents and our students. On behalf of the sheet metal workers local 105 and our members, I respectfully urge the board to approve the community workforce agreement here today. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Sappington. We now have Ernesto Medano. Good evening, members of the board, executive staff. My name is Ernesto Medano, the executive secretary of the Los Angeles and Orange County's Building and Construction Trades Council. And first and foremost, uh I also am here to urge you to vote in favor of the community workforce agreement. Also want to commend the staff that work very diligently close with our staff to negotiate this agreement. It was it was some good fair negotiations and I don't think you're going to
016be disappointed with the outcome once we are able to move forward. These agreements are able to bring your local residents to be prioritized to come work on your construction projects. It doesn't cost you anymore because you're already paying the prevailing wage and so but you're getting your greatest bang for your buck. And that is how well you're getting it because you have the best highly skilled and trained workers that make get out of our apprenticeship programs. folks that work efficiently with the least amount of workers and the most efficient manner and in the most safest manner. Best training facilities in the world exist uh where our folks go through and they turn out journey level and they're able to uh apply their skills and whatnot. But furthermore, you heard earlier that those in our world,
017our members will drive 70 miles in any direction to go to work. And here there'll be an opportunity for them to be able to work locally and spend time with their families and be able to spend time with their children. Furthermore, we also have prioritized veterans regardless of where they reside, regardless of where they served. They go first and they did a good job of serving their country and we uh both mutually agree that they should be prioritized to be able to come do work here in the district. Um we have approximately 100 about 24,000 apprentices in both in our jurisdiction. That is the most amount of number of apprentices and than any other state in the nation. We are serious when it comes to training. But we're going to open up also opportunities for
018your youth. Young men and women will have the opportunity because of this agreement to be able to enter our apprentichip programs because not every single person is going to go to college. Not every single person wants to go to college. And in fact, given what's happening with the um artificial intelligence and all of that, these are going to be the future careers that are going to be long lasting because folks that work with their hands are going to be very difficult to replace in the future. So again, I want to be able to I want to urge you to please vote in favor of this community agreement. We see this as a partnership. We want to be able to build your facilities, your state-of-the-art classrooms, so these young men and women get through and are
019able to compete in the real world out there. and also have the opportunity of you hiring local residents that are the best training in the world. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Madano. >> Could we please have Ron Miller? >> Good evening, uh, board members, superintendent. My name is Ron Miller. I'm a member of Plumbers Local 78 Los Angeles. More important, I'm a Buccaneer. I graduated in 1977 and I went to Critos College for about a semester. I was one of those guys at uh community college at that time of my life. What I wasn't ready for it. Went into plumbing. I got about 48 years in local. I retired five years ago. I ran the building trades for about 10 years before I retired. Um the education I got here in Belfflower
020District was the foundation for me. 10 years after I turned out as a journeyman, I went back to school. I got my teaching credential. I taught apprenticeship school in the evenings after work. So these are the things that can happen with this agreement. I didn't have that agreement. and I went right to work, drove to LA, and u you know in construction you get up every morning, you drive 50 miles in some direction to a job site. But these agreements have the possibility of somebody here locally working on local projects for the time that the project's being built. So I urge you to vote for it. It's a good deal and we can put some young men and women uh from the local community to work on your projects. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Um, could
021we please have Eddie Alvarez? >> Good evening, Madam Chair, superintendent, the rest of the board. Uh, my name is Eddie Escoto Alvarez. I'm the LA uh county council rep for the building trades. Uh, and actually, I'm speaking on support of 11.1 uh the bond. Uh, we strongly urge you to vote yes on the bond tonight. uh hopefully and 11 you vote also yes on 11.2 and 11.1 will be built with the best skill and trained workers in America uh as uh the two previous speakers that there's no way I can ever do too. So uh thank you very much and please vote yes on 11.1. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Alvarez. Could we have uh Dr. Robinson? Good evening board and cabinet and superintendent. I appreciate the opportunity to come and address a concern
022I have and I know my statements will be rhetorical but I do have a question. Having had the opportunity to negotiate this year and hearing over and over how we have zero to offer teachers. We have zero because within three years we're going to be upside down in the district. When I came to this year, this week's agenda, I was a little concerned to see that there were um contracts on the table for people that I thought we already had contracts with. Um I understand our cabinet is really important, extremely valuable. My understanding though is that they still have two years on their existing contracts. And so my concern would be this. When prior to our hiring a superintendent, I was concerned that we extended contracts for people who were going to sit under a
023superintendent who then would have no ability to reframe her own cabinet. And I was told that the reason that went forward is because we needed to make sure that we had certainty in case we didn't get a superintendent. But then we did get a superintendent. And I don't know, maybe this is the superintendent's doing. Maybe this is the cabinet she wants and she wants to move forward. But the problem is there's no information telling us that. I couldn't even find the old contracts for the other people. But my understanding is there are existing contracts for our cabinet. And so my concern is we couldn't talk about in we couldn't talk about higher salaries for teachers. We got a 4% which is great and I appreciate that. But but inflation came in at 4.2. So our
024inflated or higher salary doesn't even meet inflation. And yet you guys are making a decision that's going to go into that third year where apparently we are going to be in trouble. I'm not saying don't do it, but we created a deputy superintendent's position under our last superintendent that wasn't even a position. And now we have a position that's extremely expensive and a really good person in it doing good work. But the problem is the cost of that person when I look through your list of all the things you're going to fund actually funds some of that. I think it's almost comparable to the black hawk that you want on outside the campus is for safety. So, my concern is why are we moving forward on something so big when we haven't even voted on
025a bond? And I would encourage you, yes, this time, please, can you at least let your constituency decide if they want to pay it or not? I'm in a district where we're paying for a community college and we're paying for the schools and now they have air conditioning. It's it's in it's insane that a school district in the 21st century doesn't have air conditioning, but that's what our bond is funding. So, we need a bond here. But before we know what money is coming in, do we really need to make decisions three years down the road about that? I know we don't have a say, but I would like at least to have a little bit of input because it just seems a little bit unreasonable to not communicate why we're extending contracts. And maybe
026we're not, but if you'd posted both of them, then it would be able to be able to be compared. I'm just concerned because the things we were told we couldn't move forward with inflating teacher salaries are seeming to be set aside to extend contracts for people. I think that already have them. >> Thank you, Dr. Robinson. We now have uh John Paul Dreer. Uh good evening board and community members. John Paul Dreer, Belfer High, class of 1980. Go Bucks. Um Sirius College uh former trustee. I co-wrote the PLA uh for the Bond at Srias College. So um local people could work close to home and spend time to coach their kids to play uh little league like my dad did. My dad was a sheet metal worker, my uncles were and my my grandfather and
027my dad was our little league coach. And uh we won the little league championship because my dad could come early because he get off work because he worked close by. So I'm totally in favor of this this project uh for 11.1 and also the bond and it's very unfortunate we could not start the bond earlier because people need jobs hardworking people need jobs close to home for bluecollar people and also our students need the training that we have the training at Sri College. So um I'm for that and I don't see on the agenda the three-year budget plan that's balanced. I know that the state did some good jobs, good work uh this last week, but where is our plan when we have a big fall off in 18 months, the governor has said, and
028why are we budgeting things? We don't have a whole vision for the three years, but we're spent Dr. Robinson saying we're spending stuff for past the 18 months. You know, we we we really need to have a full budget to know where we're going. Um, I'm very disappointed in learning that we're we're going a little bit ahead and we need to have a complete picture for a balanced budget in three years. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Dreer. We now have Robert Fernandez. Good evening, Balthflower Unified members and attendees. My name is Robert Fernandez. I am a behavior aid at Esther Lindram Elementary School. I respectfully request that summer work for behavior briads remain optional rather than mandatory. The school year is both mentally and physically demanding and summer provides the only extended opportunity for
029many of us to rest, recover, and recharge and prepare ourselves to effectively support our students during the following school years. I am deeply concerned that the decision of this magnitude appears to be moving forward without meaningful consultation with the behavior aids who will be directly affected. As dedicated employees, we deserve the opportunity to have our voices heard before changes are made to our working conditions. Decision decisions that impact our professional and personal lives should be made through caliber collaboration, transparency, and respect for employees input. Furthermore, I believe fair representation from Balf Far Unified School District School District and our unions is essential throughout this process. Behavior deserve to know that our concerns, perspectives, and interests are being advocated for and considered in good faith. Any proposal affecting our work schedule, site assignments, job expectations should
030involve open communication and genuine engagement with the employees who perform these duties every day. I am also concerned about proposal to moving behavior aids between school sites every six months. Building trust and meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff takes time consistently and dedication. These relationships are often a key factor in helping students succeed both behaviorally and academically. It takes years to build these bonds, yet it only takes moments to dismantle them. If a student success is truly our priority, then the stability and continuity to support should be valued and preserved. I have spent several years at Esther Linster Elementary School, building a positive relationships and providing constant support to our students. The connections I have developed have allowed me to better understand student needs and contribute to positive school environment. Frequent reassignments risk disrupting
031the progress and diminishing the effectiveness of support as we provide. For these reasons, I strongly urge Bafflar Unified School District and our union to ensure fair representation of the behavior aids actively to seek our input and keep summer work voluntarily rather than mandatory. Summers should be remain the time for employees to rest and recharge so that we can return ready to provide the highest level and support for our students we serve. Thank you for your time and consideration. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fernandez. We now have two discussion items this evening. Local indicator presentation. Let's begin with our first discussion. Dr. Simon. >> Thank you, President Garza. At this time, I'll turn it over to Mrs. Carter to lead the presentation on the local indicator. >> Good evening. I'm going to
032be introducing our coordinator of academic accountability, Bonnie Tom. She is going to lead us through this presentation tonight. >> Good evening. Thank you, Mrs. Carter. Good evening, President Garza, members of the board, and executive cabinet. Each year, in preparation for the California dashboard update, the local indicators are presented. I will be sharing this information with you tonight. The state board of education has set three expectations for districts for local indicator reporting. First, progress is reviewed each year. Second, the results are shared during the public school board meeting when the LCAP is approved and tonight we will be completing this requirement. Much of the information you have reviewed previously when the LCAP was presented in May. And last, the information will be posted publicly through the dashboard. If a district completes all three steps, it will
033receive a rating of standard met for that area on the dashboard. As seen on the slide above, the state requires certain metrics to be met and to be measured and collected annually. The indicators are meant to measure the performance of a district when addressing the eight state priority areas posted to the slide. The indicators are grouped into three categories: academic performance, academic engagement, and conditions and climate. The state indicators are presented by performance color on the California dashboard and are uniformly measured by the state. The local indicators are collected and measured at the district level. The number inside the parenthesis refers to the matching LCFF priority area. The first local indicator is school conditions. The this priority addresses appropriately assigned teachers, access to curriculum aligned st I'm sorry, access to curriculum aligned instructional materials and
034safe and clean in school facilities. For this school year, 95% of our teaching staff is fully credentialed, which means they hold a valid California teaching credential appropriate to their teaching assignment. 5% are partially credentialed, meaning they have partially met the requirements. This could be someone who holds an internship credential. This is a projected number and however the final number will the final me number of this metric will be posted by the state. A facility's inspection occurs at each site annually to determine if a school campus is in good repair. An inspector visually examines each school building, playgrounds, restrooms, and roofs to ensure that the school is clean, safe, and functional. This year, 95% of our schools received a rating of good, which is a score on the FIT tool of 90% to 98.99%. 5% of
035our schools received a score of exemplary which is a fit score of 99% to 100%. The difference between a rating of exemplary and good is 1%. It is very difficult to obtain a rating of exemplary. Priority two measures our progress in implementing the state academic standards. In the area of academic performance, we increase the percentage of second grade students who are readers by 3%. The next area is the perception of implementation of state standards based on teacher responses on the LCAP survey. There is an increase of 6% from the previous year. This increase continues to suggest that the increase in professional learning and vertical alignment time teachers have received have resulted in improved alignment and instruction of the state standards. All students have access to a broad course of study including the visual and performing
036arts, advanced English and math, and career technical education. When reviewing enrollment information, we notice that all student groups are enrolling and accessing these courses. We do see that there is a small gap in our English learner students accessing enrichment courses, CTE and AP and honors classes. At the secondary level, students who are English learners are required to take an EL class and an English class. This may not allow as much flexibility in a student's schedule and affects their availability to take certain electives. In the upcoming year, counselors will focus on reviewing English learner student schedules and identifying opportunities for enrichment CTE or higher level class courses as appropriate. We will also continue implementation of AVID districtwide and we will continue our professional development in EL to support students with improving English skills. Priority three addresses
037parent and family engagement. This indicator is broken into three areas. Building relationships, building partnerships, and seeking input. In the areas related to building relationships, parents agreed at a high percentage that they feel welcome to participate in the schools. They are treated with respect and the school communicates with them for the upcoming year. An area we will continue to focus on is prioritizing the strengths, cultures, languages, and goals of our families and students. The LCAP survey data shows that we have maintained engaging and building partnerships with their families. Parents agree at a high percentage that teachers meet with families to discuss student progress. The and the school partners with them to support their students academic success. This year we focused on providing families with resources and information to support student learning in the home. We can
038see that our focus area saw an improvement of 6%. In the area of seeking input from our families, we saw an overall increase in this category. A high percentage of parents agree that the school encourages them to be an active partner in their child's education. Parents also agree that the stu that the school actively seeks their input before making important decisions. And there is collaboration in designing, implementing, and evaluating family engagement activities. We saw an increase of 11% of parents agreeing that they are invited to participate on school committees that provide input. Priority six looks at perceptions of safety at school. We have increased overall in the area of school environment. A high percentage of parents feel welcome at school and staff feel a responsibility to improve the school. Both elementary and secondary students saw
039an increase in the percent of students that feel connected to school. Parents and teachers strongly agree or agree that school is a safe place for students. both elementary and secondary students percentage of perceived safety increased in comparison to last year. This presentation tonight will meet the requirement for sharing the local indicators during a public schoolboard meeting. The next and final step will be posting this information to the California dashboard. The state will be publicly releasing the 2026 dashboard on or before October 15th. This is the earliest that the dashboard has been released. It is also important to highlight that the results of the CASP assessments will also be released on October 15th. This will mark the first time that the CASP assessments and the dashboard are released together. This concludes the presentation for tonight. Thank
040you so much. Um, board members, any questions, comments? >> Um, I just I just had one one comment. Um, did we have a priority uh four and five? >> Priority f four and five are not um required for districts to report. They're for um charter schools. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I have a few questions. Um, again, we've asked so many times for these pages to be numbered. I wish we could actually number the pages because it's difficult sometimes to get you guys on the same page as us. Um, priority one, the basic conditions. I know that you said that the 5% difference between our credentialed and non-credentialed teachers that some could be apprenticeships. I know you said that it's very important to obtain or it's very difficult to obtain. Can you
041explain why it's difficult to obtain? >> Um are you talking about the percentage of teachers the credentiing teach the credential teachers? >> Um if you guys could go to priority one basic conditions I think it's page two where >> oh it's in the middle of the page the bottom of the page would be helpful but sorry I didn't see those. Page five. Okay. Can we go to page five on the slide please? There. So the exemplary I know you said it's very difficult to get exemplary. Can you tell me why it's very difficult? >> So for the fit inspection it's difficult because the difference um from receiving good a rating of good to exemplary is 1%. So it's 99 to 100% that's exemplary. So any small deficiency like um a spot on the carpet or
042a stain on the roof that that um drops your score from good to I'm sorry that dropped your score from exemplary to good. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. Um can you go to the next one? Page six. I'm just wondering on the Friday memo if we can get the last five years. I know we're improving but 54% of students meeting foundational reading skills is still just not great. So, I'm wondering if we can look at trends over the last five years. Maybe if you guys could put that on the Friday memo, please. Um, if you can go to page eight, please. Um, in the middle, um, the 59% going down to 50%. Um, I know you said that we're going to improving on this, but you didn't say how. Can you please explain to
043me how we're going to improve on this? So, we are having cultural events in our schools. We just may need to more broadly advertise um our events. >> So, it's basically just going to be through cultural events. >> So, it's going to be cultural events. Um you know, our um director of federal and state programs is also going to be working with our DAC to get their input to see how we can continue to promote and build those relationships. Okay, I think that was all my questions for now. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> colleagues. >> I do have a question myself on page seven, please. Slide seven. It pertains to the barriers for access for English language learners. Um, have we identified what those barriers are yet? Do we know? So one of the
044largest barriers is that um at the secondary level our English learners have to take an English class and an EL class. So we are going to highlight um the importance of reclassification at the elementary level so that once a student gets to secondary they will have more freedom to take an elective. And our counselors are also going to be looking at English learner student schedules and looking for um gaps in the schedule in order to go ahead and give our students the electives. And um once we speak to students um do we have enough counselors for them to be able to meet the requirement of speaking to all of them at oneonone? We have enough counselors, but what we would be looking at is when we're doing data chats with students. Um, we could look
045at uh the teachers look at their scores, the data chats that you've done before, and help our students identify how that they can um improve in the ELPAC to reclassify. So, the sooner we can reclassify our students, the better for our students. So, that's going to be the space and and teachers and counselors have conversations like that. Okay. Um, so once our students um, RALL students go into these pro uh, classes, do we have a plan of supports for them to be able to meet the requirements of this new course? Because it it will be a lot more challenging for them. How will we support them? Um there's not an actual new course, but we're just talking about English learners that are accessing like our CTE or our fine arts courses or our um honors
046courses, things like that. So, some of our sites do have instructional aids that do support and then um continuing to provide glide strategies for through 8th grade. So, that will help middle school and continuing to help with um professional development for teachers on how to provide those scaffolds and supports for students will help The you mentioned some instructional aids. Do they are they during school time, after school, before school? Uh the ones they're during school. >> Okay. >> Yeah. After school we have our think together partners. Um and we have less students in our secondary than we do in our elementary and we have none in high school. They only go up through middle school. So um our instructional aids would be during the day. >> Okay. Um, so during the day, how will they
047be accessing the instructional aids if they need support for these courses? Because I I know the courses are still there. They're not new, but they're new to our EL learners who will be going into them. And this is these are AP courses, CTE. They're not your regular academic courses. >> Yeah. And it's something that we can definitely uh look into more. I think that's the space that we're at. um our school sites currently use their instructional aids the the way that they see fit best. So maybe it's to help support newcomers in classes that um obviously they need that help in. Uh but that's where we're at right now. >> Okay. Um, as soon as you have a plan with your staff, are would you be able to please um just share it with the
048board so that way we we know that there are some very specific supports that our EL learners can access. Thank you. Anyone else have questions? Go ahead. I just have one more question on page nine. Parent engagement. We talked so much about wanting to be partners with our parents in our community and there was it's kind of lackluster on this page. I'll be honest. It went down 1% no change. There was a positive plus six and then another negative 1%. What are our thoughts on improving that? >> So I think this year we've had several parent engagement activities. So we've had some district-wide activities. We've had um our counselor walk. We've had our elementary showcase. We've had our college and career fair. Our schools have had um parent engagement workshops. They've had various activities. So
049again, I think that um we just need to more widely advertise the opportunities as well as our principles are going to continue um coffees with the principal and other um open forums where we can gather more information and input from our parents. >> And can you tell me about how many parents answered this survey? Um, in the LCAP survey, there were 800 parents and in our California Healthy Kids, there were 600 parents. >> Which surveys had specifically these questions? >> Um, both the LCAP and the California Healthy Kids. >> Okay. It just seems like a shame. If we're doing all of that and we're still getting 70%, then maybe we need to look at our messaging. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh just one quick uh I see our uh students feeling uh
050sense of connectedness and belonging to the school. Looks like it went up 10%. I think that's huge. Uh what would you say was the uh reason for that increase? Um and how could we get it even higher? >> Um okay, so let me go ahead and find that slide. It's this one, right? Okay, so perfect. Um so our students have reported that you know um the cap the capturing kids hearts initiatives have worked so we're continuing to celebrate our achievements. We're celebrating good things. Our teachers are connecting with students. Um our students have also reported that they want more activities to unite the students. Um they want to continue building relationships with their peers and the other teachers and staff on campus. um they would have requested more field trips and activities and additional student
051recognitions. >> Great. Well, thank you for the work. I I work at Long Beach City College and just over three years ago, I think we were at 49% uh had felt a sense of belonging and now it's 95% and it's a lot of work that goes into it, but once you get there, you can really feel it on the campuses. So, I encourage that number to keep going up and keep doing the work. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much for all your work. Thank you. >> Now we go on to our next item, the Mayfair Field Project update. I'll turn it over to you, Dr. Sam. >> Thank you again, President Garza. At this time, I have the pleasure of turning it over to Nicholas Marshall, who is our senior project
052manager at from Lin Corporation to give the board an update. Welcome, Mr. Marshall. >> Good evening, President Garza and the executive staff. Uh, I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to oversee this amazing project that we're building at Mayfair. I'm very excited about it. So, I want to give you an update for the Mayfair Athletic Fields project improvements. The construction act activities continue to progress across multiple areas of the project. Los Angeles Engineering is scheduled to begin installation of reinforced concrete box drainage structure next week. The drainage structure is a significant milestone in this project and we're glad to say that this uh to um uh be on track and state that we are uh this critical path activity is on schedule this week. Musco sports lighting completed erection of the
053athletic field light poles and it's very exciting. You can really see where the ball field is now. So it really start starting to give us a sense of Friday night lights. The concrete slabs for storage buildings are being poured and we're looking to pour out the remaining slabs for the facilities buildings. So that's very exciting as we see the uh next courses of the masonary work come up. Park Planet has installed shade structure uh support posts. Econo Fence is on site installing uh fencing posts for the softball fields and baseball fields. Uh building construction activities continue to advance with masonary crews actively setting block courses for new facilities. In addition, we have electrical trenching for uh electrical conduit ongoing. I'm going to continue to coordinate construction activities and monitor schedule performance and address field conditions
054as they arise. I'm going to work closely with the contractor to uh help remove any impediments and to bring this project to a close and complete on time. We do I I want to bring up a couple of constraints and mitigation measures that we're going to be taking. Uh as as of right now, our our biggest fear is the weather and we can't control acts of God, but we'll do what we can. Weather related impacts to the site of drainage work coordination challenges associated with multiple trades operating simultaneously. The timely delivery of remaining construction materials and equipment, site access, and sequencing requirements for ongoing underground utilities, infrastructure, and installations also presents constraints that require careful management. To mitigate these risks, project teams conducting regular coordination meetings, contractors, and subcontractors closely monitoring procurement and delivery schedules
055and pro proactively adjusting sequencing where feasible to minimize disruptions. the field activities uh field activities are being tracked against project milestones to identify address potential delays early and maintain overall schedule performance. So the next steps over the next few weeks the project team will focus on installation of RCB drainage structure continued masonary and electrical underground work and the completion of fencing and shade structure improvements will will continue. Schedule priorities include advancing site infrastructure, maintaining coordination uh among active trades and preparing areas for the subsequent buildings and field improvement activities to support overall project completion. We also have southern bleachers on site who started uh excavating for the new bleachers and that's very exciting as well. So that's all that's where we are so far and we look forward to giving you the next update meeting
056these next milestones and bringing this thing to a close. Thank you. >> Board members, anyone have questions, comments? >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh question, what is the ex the expected completion date? The expected completion date is April 27. April 9th, 27. That's the original completion date. We have uh encountered some challenges that we've navigated by resequencing our operations. >> I know we had a lot of rain. How how many days did we lose because the rain? >> We have 17 days of rain currently. >> So, we're tracking that. Is it 33 days for overall project uh rain days? >> Okay. So, you'd say the original completion date still stands as of right now? >> As of right now, we're tracking, we're trending to complete. We still are seeing some schedule lag and some schedule
057delays with some of the um challenges we've had, >> but with the activities completed, percentage percentages completed, um uh uh the amount of dollars we've spent and the activities that we've completed. Yes, we're on track. >> Awesome. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Any other questions? >> Um, thank you. Thank you for your um your review. Is there a way um that you're tracking your progress that you could visually show us? >> I mean, yes, we are. I do provide a monthly progress report uh to the team >> that gives them a a breakdown of uh cost items um activities completed uh submitts RFIs fragments uh changes there there's a a list of items there that is identified and then I give a brief update for the month so I am tracking it that way
058we do have daily reporting from the we have daily reports s from our special inspection team and I'm on site daily uh viewing operations. >> All right, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you so much for your update. Really appreciate it. We're very excited for the work happening at Mayfair. Um my question to you is when do you think you'd come back to give us another update? >> That's up to you guys. So, I know we get um updates in our Friday memo, but uh my request is um when Mr. Marshall comes to give us an update, especially in our public forum to please have maybe some visuals, the pictures that we receive or anything like that to help to help um give our community more a grasp of what's actually happening and and
059to share into the excitement because verbally is great, but like we get to see and for those that are curious, pass by the site, but um to hear this and match it with the visual would um probably be best for our community if we can have that the next time. Whatever our president would like the next time to be, but um that would be my request. Thank you. >> No problem. >> Thank you so much. I just want to say this is a really exciting project. So, thank you so much. I had a question, Dr. Simon. Um those updates with the pictures and stuff, they are in the B USD news, correct? >> The news and also our board updates. Thank you. >> That is that all? >> Well, I'm super excited to be here
060and be a part of the B USD family. Thank you for the opportunity, guys. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Marshall. Um, now we're going to go into major action. We have seven major action items this evening. Let's begin with agenda item 11.1 second reading of resolution 2026-0618 ordering a school bond a school election on November 3rd 2026 and authorizing necessary actions and connection therewith. Does the board have any questions or comments? Do I have a motion to approve 11.1? So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Stewart, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> I. >> Mr. Critchfield, >> I. >> Mrs. Garza, >> I. >> Thank you so much. Um, colleagues, I know that we have really been working hard on that one. So, I appreciate your
061support. Um item 11.1 has been passed. Next is 11.2 approval of community workforce agreement for district project work. Does the board have any questions or comments? I just had one comment. I am super in favor of this. My father was a local 105 um sheet metal worker for 40 years and I'm biased, but I know he's very highly skilled and is amazing and so I'm really glad to see this getting done. I really am. So, thank you. >> Uh thank you, Madam President. Um I'm very supportive of this and I'll be voting yes. Uh, and I just want to say thank you to to staff uh for bringing this to the board and uh negotiating something that uh will work for our district but also bring a lot of opportunity uh to our students uh
062and our community as a whole. So, thank everybody involved. >> I also want to thank the cabinet and how hard our uh legal council has been working when it comes to this contract. I know we had a lot of questions and a lot of concerns at first. Um, but I am really excited about this contract and I cannot wait to see how many of our students have a path forward um, from the programs that we provide into the ones that are just not ready to go to college are just very gungho and have more control and more opportunities to grow what they see for their future. So, um, thank you so much. >> Thank you, President. I also want to, uh, say this. This is really exciting for me, too, because I know what it
063can do for a family. I I I've seen it in my own family. I I come from a family of pile drivers, and they do the same thing. So if you had a son or a cousin, bring them on. They train them and and it really does take about five years to get the broad experience and and and you know, it's kind of like you're just hand handing the torch and um and and and for you and and for us because we are really planning on getting our kids in involved one way or the other. I was a product of the regional occup occupational program growing up in in Compton. So, you know, we my my father had a a paint shop and he uh and he was a colorist. So, he taught those kids
064how to mix paint. He taught them how to paint cars and repair them because he had an auto body shop. And it was it was exciting. I mean, he he did work for a a lot of the city officials, you know. Um, but it's it's such a it's I'm I'm excited to see how we're going to like inter inter uh intersect this program. Okay. So, let's um vote. >> Thank you uh colleagues. I echo everyone's um excited comments and um let's go ahead and start. Um does the do I have a motion to approve item 11.2? too. You have >> that motion. >> I have >> second. >> Okay. >> All right. I have Oh, you guys keep pushing these buttons. Um, so who did you hear? Miss Prookco. >> I heard Mr. Critchfield and
065seconded by Miss Armstrong. >> Thank you. >> Is that right? >> Yes. >> You can give it to Marina. It's all right. Um, yes. However you like. Um, so let's go ahead and take roll call. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Stewart, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> I. >> Mr. Critchfield, >> I. >> Mrs. Garza, >> I. Okay. Approval of the community workforce agreement has been done. Um, can we just take a quick break and have all the locals come down with us in front here and our board members and superintendent join us for a picture, please? The board will have a fivem minute break. Thank you. We now reconvene the board meeting at 4 7:43. and move on to our next item of business which is 11.3 approval of assistant superintendent employee
066employment contract for Bonnie Carter. Our turn turn it over to our general counsel to read the summary of the salary and fringe benefits. >> Thank you, Madam President. Pursuant to government code 54953, uh I'm going to provide a public oral summary of the salary and fringe benefits being considered by the board of education as part of the employment contract between the district and assistant superintendent Bonnie Carter. The annual salary be $225,000 and $57. Um 24 days of paid vacation annually with a max cruel of 24 days. Um these days cannot be paid out. um yearly but shall be paid out upon conclusion of employment. So that's up to that 24-day cap. 12 days of sick leave per year acrewed at a rate of one day per month. Paid membership and another number of professional organization
067upon approval uh from the board. An annual stipend of $1,250 for a doctoral degree. an annual stipend of $8,000 per year for travel and business related expenses, including mileage incurred in the conduct of duties. And I would also mention that um all of the contracts before the board this evening have a um termination clause without um with or without cause upon 90-day notice which has been uh bumped up from the previous 45day notice. Uh so with that being said at this time I would uh be happy to answer any questions uh that the board may have. I have one question for general counsel. Um I have a statement to read, but first I want to ask the question. I know in close session we're not allowed to discuss what we talk about, what each person
068says, um our votes or any of our direction, but are we allowed to state publicly who was present or not present in these discussions? >> Uh so attendance in close session is uh is reportable out to the public. It's just the substance of closed session uh that cannot be reported out. >> But I could say if someone was there or not there. >> Uh I believe it was reflected in the minutes uh that if you don't mind that you were not present after 11:17 p.m. at that meeting. >> I wasn't talking about myself. I was saying am I allowed to say who was there or not there? >> So yes, and it's recorded in the minutes as well. >> But the minutes are not on for tonight. Correct. Okay. I'm just going to read a
069general statement. Um, before I vote on these contract extensions individually, I would like to make a general statement that applies to all of the cabinet positions before us tonight. My vote is not a reflection of the dedication, professionalism, or value of any member of our executive team. I respect and work well with every person in our executive cabinet and I hope each of you know that and I appreciate the work you guys do. I truly do. Rather, my vote is based on governance, fiscal responsibility and process. These contracts already have two years remaining providing stability for both the district and individuals serving in these roles. Before extending contracts further, I believe the board should have the benefit of reviewing per performance evaluations, supporting data, organizational analysis of our district and neighboring districts, and most importantly,
070recommendations for the superintendent who serves as the evaluator and direct supervisor of her cabinet. I also believe the superintendent should be leading discussions regarding the performance and future of her cabinet. As the individual responsible for evaluating and supervising these positions, her perspective is critical to the board's decision-making process. As board members, our responsibility is to be thoughtful stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure that long-term financial commitments align with the district's future needs. Given declining enrollment, economic uncertainty, and the financial projections presented to us, I do not believe that extending the cabinet position contracts at this time is necessary. That does not mean that the extension should never occur. And I hope you guys understand that. I don't want to like bring down morale. I don't believe that they should never occur, but rather additional information,
071evaluation, and time may be warranted before making that commitment. Last year, this board extended contracts to provide stability as our new superintendent assumed leadership of the district. I believe it is now important that we allow her the opportunity to continue evaluating her leadership team and make recommendations based on the needs of the district. Additionally, these contracts were intentionally structured as individual agreements. As such, I believe each position should be considered on its own merits, responsibility, performance, and organizational need rather than as a single group. For those reasons, I will evaluate each contract individually as they have been agendaized tonight. I will vote based on what I believe is in the best interest of our district, our students, our staff, and our community. But I believe that this contract and the other three executive cabinet contracts
072should be tabled until further information is available. And I would respectfully make a motion to table this contract. Um thank you for that uh board member Stewart. Um, so in in lie of your your your your your comments, um, I I understand that you want more information. That's basically all that you're asking is is for more information. So is there is there a way we could we could compromise and table this? Can we? >> Uh so a motion uh to table was made. It would need a second and a vote. >> Okay. And um so I'm going to second it. And again, I would make clear that it's it's just for uh this item first and we'll go through the >> I understand you explained that I would have to do the same thing for
073each individual contract which I would plan on doing is tableabling all of these until again we get more evaluative information and that's my belief. >> President Garza, >> if I could uh thank you, Madam President. Uh so the I'm supportive of these contract extensions. I appreciate all of your hard work. Uh just as I am the superintendent's extension. Uh I feel that um the the conversations in the debate has been uh exhaustive. Uh we you close session till about midnight uh having these discussions. Um I feel comfortable with it and you know I I I would kick it back to you because I don't want to have the impression that uh US superintendent Dr. Simon didn't have input on this. Uh what is your recommendation for extending these contracts? >> I I recommend that the
074contracts be extended, Vice President Qufield. >> Thank you. >> Um I I value your input in these decisions. Uh and stability is important. Um and as uh legal counsel said, there is a termination clause uh that has been exercised in the past. Um hopefully that uh doesn't have to happen, but you know, this board takes oversight and accountability very seriously and as time goes on and you're able to evaluate even more uh those conversations will happen when they happen. But for procedural, I'm I'm supportive of these contracts so we can move forward into the next year knowing that we have the team together. One thing just to point out publicly is that as a board member, my one job is to evaluate the superintendent. We directly evaluate the superintendent. We do not evaluate her staff
075and there's a lot of things in close session that we cannot talk about and I think the board knows what's happening. Thank you. >> Mr. Sura, could I please have your legal counsel as to how our process is done? So that way our community understands that like board member Critfield is saying, it was an exhaustive process that we took that night. Um, someone did leave at 11:17. Um, and we are not just making a very light-hearted decision. We agree that these contracts should be continued. They do have a clause where if the superintendent, who is the one that evaluates them and continues to evaluate them, does have the option to terminate those contracts whenever she seems fit, deems fit. Now, Mr. Sura, can you please tell us that process? Yeah. So, um very similar to
076negotiations with um some of the uh labor organizations or labor units within the district. Um these negotiations take place where the board authorizes certain terms uh for these agreements. These terms are then presented to the individuals which can either agree or disagree with the terms, renegotiate them, ask for other uh things within the contract. So it is a process that you know can play out over a longer period of time. Uh if the terms that are provided to the employee are accepted uh then what happens is they execute that agreement and then it comes back before the board for final execution which is what is uh taking place this evening. In this process, uh there was discussion uh between myself acting as the lead negotiator for the board uh in these contracts and the uh
077employees that were negotiated with and the terms that were arrived upon uh the terms that are being presented to the board this evening. >> Mr. Sur, I have a question. Do you directly evaluate the executive cabinet because I know you said you were leading discussions. Do you directly evaluate the cabinet? >> I do not. I was the lead negotiator on it. >> And since it's getting messy, I would like to say that I left because the last four meetings have gone 11 after 11:30, 11:30, midnight, and 1:00 a.m. in close session. And I just think we could do a better job with our agenda. I'm going to go ahead and read. So, now that I've made the motion, she's made a second. Do we vote on that? >> Uh, >> and then we can go
078back to the contract. Uh, so I would wait for the board president to call the roll call and I'd be happy to take that >> for the motion because I have a statement if there's not a motion if it's not a motion to table. We have a motion to table in a second. >> So there's a motion to table on the floor. It's been seconded. Okay. >> Um, there can be discussion prior to the vote and board president upon your uh request for a roll call, I'll go ahead and take that. >> I just I just have want to add one more thing. You know, it's the thing is we um where I think the issue is is that it's kind of like a a thin line between extending the contract as opposed to evaluating
079like like board member um Stewart says, we do not evaluate the the the the cabinet. So when when I I mean I'm I'm I'm okay with extending the the contract because it it doesn't monetarily it has no effect. Um I I was doing it really basically okay let's let's keep this team together keep the morale. That's what we're trying to do because we do have that that clause in there that that at will clause. And not only that, you all can you all can look for a job and and leave and give us notice. So that part is open. So I just want to make sure like when I was doing this, it was not in any way an evaluation because I don't I don't have a I I don't I don't have a print
080out or anything about your work performance. So I don't >> Do you think you should see one before you vote on this? Well, you know, I as far as as far as I'm concerned, it it would be nice for the superintendent to share with us, you know, how her cabinet is working in an evaluative manner. I I you know, I think that would be nice and that way we know we have a strong team and we know we're going to move forward. But us as a board, we're just saying, "Okay, let's keep this. Let's keep it together and let's go ahead and and and continue to make it uh add a year and make it a three-year uh contract, but we're not evaluating because that's not our job." I want to set the record straight
081for everybody right now. No board member ever, has ever, or will ever evaluate a cabinet member. It is correct. They do not work for us. The only person that works for us is the superintendent. So we have never ever evaluated any cabinet member. >> Dr. Simon has done that. She has brought these contracts forward to the board because that is part of the process. This is now the next step in that process. We either negotiate with them and we keep the contract. as it is or we go back and we talk to them just as we would any of our unions. This has been a process that has been legally been followed. There has never at any point been a place where one of us has evaluated any cabinet member. I want to make that
082very very clear and for us to ask for those evaluations then we would be overstepping. At this point our superintendent brought the contracts forward that she thought deemed merit to continue the process. That is what we engaged in the last time we were here. These are the contracts that have been brought up by our superintendent. We have given her her place. The process has been legal. Our general counsel has followed it. He has helped our board legally by being responsible along with us and giving us the options of what we can do together. So, roll call, please. I had a comment still um just for public >> I guess the public >> I apologize um because the board president has called for roll call we do have to take a vote on >> so are
083we voting on the motion in the second >> on the motion to table in the second yes >> okay >> board member Armstrong >> I >> board member Stewart >> I >> board clerk Cthron >> clarify for me what what motion Are we voting the the motion to table or the motion on agenda? >> So, the motion to table the contracts for a future meeting. >> No. >> Uh, Vice President Critfield, >> no. >> Board President Garza, >> no. >> Uh, the motion fails. Uh, new motion would need to be made. >> M. Madam President, I make a motion to approve the contract. uh at hand. >> I second. >> Um okay. So now I can make my comment. >> Yes. >> So um just to clarify with the public, I wasn't asking to evaluate
084any staff. What I was asking is to look at supporting documents and get information directly from our superintendent on their basically what they've done, what they've done well, things of that nature. Just to clarify, I would never ask to evaluate her cabinet because that is her job. And again, in close session, we are not allowed to talk about things that happened in close session, but again, this board knows what happened. Um, I would like to read a statement. And again, I apologize for the morale of you guys. I love all of you guys. I think you do great work. I want you to understand that I have a problem with the process and the way this was done. So, my vote is not a reflection of the individual serving in this position. Educational Services plays
085a critical role in supporting student achievement, curriculum, instruction, and programs throughout the district. Bonnie is the history and stability of Belfflar Unified, and I appreciate her and the work she does, and I tell you often, and I hope you know that. However, before extending this contract beyond its existing term, I believe the board should have objective performance data, evaluation information, and recommendations from the superintendent regarding the district's future priorities and organizational needs. We should re be reviewing evaluations and discussing them with the superintendent and the superintendent needs to be leading discussions regarding her cabinet. We talk a lot about evaluations and the need of having supervisors lead our district and I don't believe the executive cabinet should be any different given the two years remaining on the contract and the financial and operational challenges ahead.
086I will be be voting no on this extension at this time. Roll call, please. >> Board member Armstrong, >> I. >> Board member Stewart, >> no. >> Board clerk synthron. >> We are voting to get it extended, right? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. I >> uh Vice President Critzfield, >> yes. >> Board President Garza, >> I. Motion passes. >> Our next item is 11.4 approval of assistant superintendent employee contract for Alma OA. Does the board have any questions or comments? I have a comment. So obviously I wanted to table this contract but without support I have to provide a vote this evening. >> Board member Stewart if I could read out the uh required statuto readout and then >> Thank you. Uh pursuant to government code 54953, I am providing an oral summary of the
087salary infringed benefits to be considered by the board of education as part of the employment contract between the district and assistant superintendent Ammo Yoa. The annual salary will be for $225,057 24 days of paid vacation annually for a max of 24 days in a year. Unused vacation up to maximum of 24 days shall be paid out upon conclusion of employment. 12 days of sick leave per year acrewed at a rate of one day per month. Paid membership in a number of professional organizations upon approval by the board of education. $1,250 in annual stipen for a doctoral degree and $8,000 annual stipen for any travel business related expenses including mileage incurred in the conduct of her duties. and the same 90-day termination provision uh in this contract as well. >> Again, I wanted to table this
088contract, but without support, I need to provide a vote this evening. My vote is not a reflection of the individuals serving in this position. Special education services are amongst the most important responsibilities we have as a district, and I believe many things have improved in this department. I see the work being done, and I appreciate it. However, our special education department has undergone significant changes in recent years. While those efforts may ultimately prove successful, I believe additional time is needed to evaluate outcomes, effectiveness, and long-term results before extending this contract before beyond its current term and allowing the superintendent who has prior experience in special education to have more than 11 months to evaluate her cabinet. The superintendent needs to be leading discussions regarding her cabinet. With two years already remaining on the contract, I
089do not believe immediate action is necessary and I will be be voting no on the extension at this time. Again, that does not mean it won't happen in the future, but tonight I would hold off in search of more information. >> Anyone else? >> Make a motion to approve. Second. Roll call, please. >> Board member Armstrong. >> I. >> Board member Stewart. >> No. >> Board Clerk Sth Thron. >> I. >> Vice President Critchfield. >> Yes. >> President Garza. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Now we have um item 11.5, approval of chief business officer employment contract for Renee Arcus. Thank you, Madam President. Pursuant to Government Code 54953, I am providing the public with an oral summary of the salary and fringe benefits being considered by the board of education as part of the
090employment contract between the district and Renee Arcus. Annual salary will be $225,57. 24 days of paid vacation annually with a max acrruel of 36 days acrewed but unused vacation um shall be paid out upon conclusion of employment. 12 days of sick leave per year acrewed at a rate of one day per month. Paid memberships in a number of professional organizations upon approval of the board of education. Annual stipend of $1,250 for a doctoral degree. $8,000 annual stipen for travel and business related expenses, including mileage incurred in the conduct of her duties, and a 90-day termination notice. >> Are you finished? >> Yes. All right. Seeing that we did not table this contract, I am going to unfortunately have to get a vote on this extension. As a board member, I have had the opportunity to
091review financial reports on a regular basis, including budget updates, interim reports, unauudited actuals, and negotiation presentations. Through those reports, I have seen evidence of improved financial oversight and efforts to close budget gaps while providing the board with consistent and transparent financial information. The feedback from our employees and community is very positive, and we will always need to have someone in finance no matter what's happening with declining enrollment. If I could lock Mrs. Arkson down for more years, I would because I feel like her position will never go away and she is an asset to our district. While I remain concerned about the financial challenges facing school districts throughout California, I believe the work is being done to monitor and manage the district's finances and has demonstrated progress and accountability. Dr. Simon has worked with Mrs.
092Arcus in the past and for those reasons, I will vote yes on this contract extension. Motion to approve. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Board member Armstrong, >> I. >> Board member Stewart, >> I. >> Board clerk Sron, >> yes. >> Vice President Critzfield, >> yes. >> President Garza, >> yes. >> Motion carries. We now have 11.6 approval of deputy superintendent employment contract for Ryan Smith. Thank you, Madam President. Pursuant to government code 54953, I am providing the public with an oral summary of the salary infringe benefits being considered by the board of education as part of the employment contract between the district and Dr. Ryan Smith. Annual salary of $261,413. 24 days of paid vacation annually capped at 24 days. Unused vacation shall be paid out upon conclusion of employment. 12 days of sick
093leave per year acrewed at a rate of one day per month. Paid memberships in a number of professional organizations upon approval by the board of education. $1,250 annual stipen for a doctoral degree. $8,000 annual stipen for any travel or business related expenses including mileage incurred in the conduct of his duties. and the 90-day uh 90-day notice termination. >> Again, I would have liked to table this item, but I have been asked to vote on it tonight. My vote is not a reflection of the individual serving in this role. However, with two years remaining on the contract, I do not believe an extension is necessary at this time. As we face declining enrollment and long-term financial challenges, many districts districts are re-evaluating administrative structures and executive level level positions. We just reassigned a bunch of our
094assistant principles because we didn't have the numbers before extending this contract. I believe the board should have data regarding organizational needs, comparative district structures, and recommendations from the superintendent regarding the future role of this position. The superintendent needs to be leading discussions regarding her cabinet. For those reasons, I will be voting no on this contract at this time. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Board member Armstrong. >> I. >> Board member Stewart. >> No. >> Board Clerk Cthron. >> Yes. >> Vice President Critzfield, >> yes. President Garza. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Our last major action item is 11.7 approval of superintendent employee employment contract with Dr. Aaron Simon. Mr. Sura. >> Thank you, President Garza. Pursuant to government code 54953, I am providing the public with an oral summary
095of the salary and fringe benefits being considered by the board of education this evening as part of the employment contract between the district and Dr. Aaron Simon. Annual salary 325,000 a year, 24 days paid vacation annually with a maximum cap of 48 um which shall be unused vacation days shall be paid out upon conclusion of employment. 12 days of sick leave per year acrewed at a rate of one day per month. Paid memberships in a number of professional organizations upon approval by the board of education. $1,250 annual stipen for a doctoral degree. Annual contribution of $10,000 tax sheltered annuity. $12,000 annual stipen for any travel and business related expenses, including mileage incurred in the conduct of her duties, and the 90-day termination notice period. I will be supporting this contract extension. As a board member,
096I serve as one of the superintendent evaluators and I've had the opportunity to observe Dr. Simon's leadership directly and receive positive feedback from our union's employees and community. During her time with the district, I have seen positive progress, thoughtful decision-making, and a commitment to students, staff, and the community. I believe she is the right person to carry the board's vision and do the work that we want to see because she puts in the work. I trusted her to lead when I voted to approve her contract and hiring her almost a year ago. I believe leadership stability at the superintendent level is important, particularly as we navigate financial challenges, enrollment changes, and strategic planning for the future. We've had three superintendents in the last few years and if she is willing to agree to another year,
097which I'm really glad that she is considering some of the things I know, I welcome the decision and stability it brings. For those reasons, I support extending the superintendent's contract and we'll vote yes on this. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Roll call, please. Board member Armstrong. >> I. >> Board member Stewart. >> I. >> Board Clerk Cron. >> Yes. >> Vice President Critzfield. >> Yes. >> President Garza. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> So, do we have any items to withhold from the consent agenda this evening? >> Um, I wanted to pull um 12.21. I just had a comment on one of the contracts. Anyone else? >> Um 12.21. >> I have 12.21 and >> withheld >> 12.15 12.15 >> board member Armstrong. Did you want to pull another? >> Um, some reason I
098can't find here. It was one um it was one for um the one for Black Knight. Um and I'm I'm referring back to the clim to the school climate climate safety. I do understand that we've made a little bit of improvement on how >> sorry board me um I just wanted to know if you had any other items that we wanted you wanted to pull. >> No. Okay. So just 20 12.21 correct? >> Yes, that's it. >> And then 12.15. >> Yes, please. And anyone else? Okay. So, um, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of items 12.21 and 12.15? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Stewart, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> yes. >> Mr. Critchfield, >> yes.
099>> Mrs. Garza, >> yes. >> We will now move to the items withheld. Item 12.15. Um, Mrs. Arcus, I just wanted to kind of I know we had talked and you had answered some questions for me um about the instructional materials and things like that. I just wanted to kind of give you a chance to kind of talk about some of the questions that were asked because there's some good reasoning behind it and I wanted to give you that opportunity, please. >> Thank you, Miss uh Stewart. Thank you very much for the opportunity. Um, in particular, the instructional materials. Um it is a very common practice in most districts to utilize that for your book adoptions. So very often you will utilize that instructional materials. It's the best place to um you know buy new
100books for kids. So throughout the year you'll have some replacement books and some other actions. But if you save up that money and wait for the next adoption which is what we have coming forward. I believe it's the math adoption in 2627. now you have a great pot of money to support purchases of new books for students. So that's one of the main reasons that we have that we have that um that funding um in that account and um we are working towards that next adoption next year and the budget was already prepared with that adoption in mind. So that um adoption is in your 2627 budget utilizing those funds and you can see they'll be utilized to um to a to the to to zero next year and we'll start building that pot up
101again to support students so that we don't have to use other funds for instructional materials. So because we closed on I believe June 30th that's why those are carrying over and we will be using them for our math adoption next year. >> That's correct. Thank you. Any other questions, comments? No. Uh, do I have a motion to approve item 12.15? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Stewart, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> yes. >> Mr. Critchfield, >> yes. >> Miss Garza, >> yes. The next item withheld is 12.21. >> Questions, comments? Thank you. Uh, President, uh, Garza, I'm referring to, uh, the school climate safety. I see that we've had some improvement, um, from the, I guess the the questionnaire as to how safe, you
102know, parents feel, teachers feel, the secondary students and elementary students. And I, um, I know we still have Black Knight patrol. Are we still doing other things, you know, to promote safety? Because, you know, we had a big old discussion about the different things we can do. And while while they provide uh while they provided a lot of services for us, I think, you know, I I think it was good, you know, uh but what else are we doing with with safety and we're we're extending this for another year. So, Sure. Um there are a variety of things that we're doing with safety that are not part of the Black Knight contract. So um we'll continue with um the um K9 dogs, the vaping uh machines, and the bathrooms obviously. So those things will continue.
103Um, as far as um, restrooms, I know that our secondary staff are looking at routing for our security as well, so that we can help support. That's one of our bigger things that our students talk about are our restrooms. So, our secondary staff is looking at that as well. >> And then, are we putting uh things in place because, you know, we had a lot of violent fights this past year. Are we putting anything else in place that could possibly protect our students and staff on campus? >> We've put a couple of things in place already and we are working closely with our uh partners at LEGO in bringing some more restorative practice training for our staff. >> Okay. I would add to that for next year, uh, board member Armstrong, we are looking at,
104um, ways that our students, um, enter, so ingress and egress, um, onto our campuses, um, ensuring they have their student IDs. Um, this year, Mayfair did pilot the lanyards with their IDs, um, just to show that they are actually students, right, who are um, coming onto our campuses. So, ways that we're doing that. We're also looking at other security measures um with enhancing security cameras, right? And in and ways that our staff can um review um um incidents in a very timely manner um and other aspects around that um on our campuses as well. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm just hoping we can we can um feel much more safer by this same time next year, see more strides, you know. So, that's it. Thank you so much. Um I had a question. My
105first question is on number 50 um the sand volleyball courts that may I know we had some complaints in the past especially when we had those wood chips in our students um playgrounds and in sand in the past. Will it be fenced in and what is the plan to keep animals out of the sand? >> Sorry, maybe I should have asked you but I'm sorry. I got to ask. I kn I knew the Yeah. No, I know the answer. It will be fenced in, which is a great idea, and that's what we'll be using. And the sand is fabulous. Let me just tell you that. So, no more no uh concerns about safety as far as the sand goes. And um the volleyball courts will be fenced in. >> Okay. And then I just had
106a statement. Um I will not be supporting this contract with Black Knight, which is item number 48. Um, this can put me in a little bit of a tricky situation because all of these contracts are put together and there's a lot of contracts that I want to vote on, but I can't make a motion to table some of them. I have to vote all on all of them. So, just so you guys understand why I'm going to be voting the way I'm voting. Um, my decision is not a reflection of the individuals providing this service. It is a reflection on whether this continues to be the most effective and responsible use of district resources. Last year, parents, students, and staff raised significant concerns that placing armed security outside our campuses does not address the majority
107of in incidents occurring inside our schools, where student conflicts and fights most often take place. Several concerns were brought to my attention and to other board members regarding instances where Black Knight personnel were unable to prevent individuals from entering or leaving campus or were not able to intervene in time when issues arose. This contract totals $276,000. Before renewing such a substantial expenditure, the board should re be reviewing clear data on the effectiveness of the program, incident reports, response outcomes, and whether these positions are meeting their intended purposes. That analysis has not been presented, discussed, or evaluated. As a governing body, we have a responsibility to ensure that every dollar spent is producing measurable result measurable results for student safety. Additionally, nearly 20 parents, teachers, and community members took the time to speak publicly on this
108issue last year. Many expressing concerns about the placement and purpose of these positions. I received a lot of emails and there were no public speakers or emails that I received in support of this contract. Given the cost, the level of public interest, and the outstanding questions, I do not believe that this item should have been placed on the consent agenda or move forward without a full discussion and review of the data. So, for those reasons, um, talking with legal counsel, there's a lot of contracts that I want to vote on, think together. Um, we can go through it. I want to vote yes on every single contract on here except for Black Knight. So, because I'm not allowed to do that because this item was placed on consent agenda, I will be abstaining on this.
109>> So, uh I have uh two questions on two different contracts. I'm hoping staff can help me out. Um the first one is the Stepping Stones uh contract. Now, we we've we've talked a lot over the the past year of uh hiring our own aids, and I know that that's challenging uh in a lot of ways. Um, but looking at the the contract and the rates, I think it can be um uh may maybe some clarity would help because some of these rates are higher, but I know staff worked really hard to negotiate a lower rate um for for services. Uh so two questions. One, uh how to interpret the the rate schedule here? What's in, you know, what's actually relevant to what we're doing? And then second, uh what is our plan of action
110to hire our own aids? Because I I believe that's something that uh would really benefit our students. And I know it's challenging, but we we got to figure it out. >> Yes, of course. Um in terms of the rates, we did work really closely with our a uh partner agencies and negotiated some of the rates. Um the rates, they when they provide us a rate sheet, they provide us a rate sheet for all the services that the agency provides. Um the agency rates for stepping stones that we're working on is $37 an hour per uh paraprofessional and 47 for a behavior assistant. >> Great. Thank you. And what are we doing in terms of hiring our own aids because I know that we've had it uh as an ongoing listing uh with not much luck.
111So what are we going to change to kind of correct that? >> Yeah, we've been able to hire just a handful over the course of the of the school year. I don't know the exact number, but I can get that to you. Um, we work really closely with our um, classified director, Dr. Olvos, and we meet on a regular basis once a month to go over eligibility lists and interviews and all of that. So, we it is a continuing project and we are working really closely with um, uh, Dr. on continuing those efforts. >> Great. Thank you for making this a priority and thank you for the information I got earlier. If we could send uh that information to the rest of the board as far as uh how many uh of each uh type
112of aid, I think that'd be really helpful for future discussions, too. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, Alma. >> Um the next contract is the American Transportation. Um uh so I first of all, thank you for all the the I know it's a heavy lift uh what the what the board had asked a year ago. Um and and I do see huge strides in the direction. Um even having in the contract that we can now operate our own buses. Um and from what I understand it was a uh good negotiation uh got got good terms. Um, but what what is the plan over the the next year and what uh what does this contract allow us to do with our internal transportation moving forward? >> Thank you, board member Critfield, Vice President Chris. Um the uh
113contract negotiations were tough and they were long and um Mr. Sherega did did jump in and help us out on that. So I'm appreciative of those efforts. Um we've gone ahead and extended the contract for one more year because during this year-long process um during 2526 we advertised in over 18 different platforms kind of looking for our next bus drivers. We were able to hire four bus drivers which is um you know a great step in the right direction to your point. So when we negotiated the contract, we negotiated our routes that um we would all of our bus drivers would have our home to school routes and then the remaining um vacant positions would be utilizing the bus um the transportation system. Another thing that I thought was a great negotiation is that we
114have first right of refusal. So our four bus drivers get the first right on field trips and athletic events. Basically anything outside of home to school transportation. So my goal is to utilize our four bus drivers to the best of our abilities. What that does leave is a gap for this next year, which means that we will be heavily recruiting again for the um bus driver position. Um the employment um it's still difficult to recruit those. Um since pre- pandemic, they're down uh 9 to 15% um across LA County of being able to employ bus drivers. And so um the efforts in our uh HR department have been um extensive and we appreciate that. So that has not changed. The way the contract was negotiated means if we are able to continue and do find
115a bus driver through this year. Um while we want to be cognizant that we don't want to hire a bus driver that's unable to do a route, we do have the availability and first rights to um all the field trips and athletics which as you know as a district our size can keep us fairly busy. So, we will be continuing our progress towards an internal transportation department and continuing to look to hire bus drivers for the 26 27 year. This contract is a one-year extension. When we went out to bid, um we had a an um most transportation contracts, very standardized, is that they're five-year contracts. So, our first win was to able to get a maximum of a three-year contract with a renewal each year. Um so, this is our second year of the
116contract. it's kind of part of the plan as we proceed forward with internal um as our goal. >> Great. Thank you for that and thank you for all the hard work on it and also the uh you know even addressing with the the signing bonus that I I saw some creativity and and you know really trying to recruit those positions. Um, one followup. So, the with those remaining uh positions, does that mean we'll will continue uh hiring for those or is that something that we'll wait on until we get closer so they're let not not utilized? >> Um, we're going to continue to hire. We're going to continue. Like I said, we have the availability to use them for our athletics and our uh field trips first. So, we're going to take a good look.
117We don't want to overhire, but we don't want to miss an opportunity to hire a good bus driver. So, we have a mixed bag here. We're going to work towards the the board's goal of an internal transportation department, but um we're going to be cautious because, you know, finances are something that's very obviously important to us and I know it's important to the board. So, we're going to be cautious in our in our approach to um you know, making this become you know, in 2728, >> right? And I I did notice that the substantial reduction in the contract. So, thank you. I think it was like a almost half the as it was the year prior. So, uh thank you. >> Thank you. It is a little less than half, a little more than half.
118Um but I did want to point out that we're going to be monitoring throughout the year reporting in the Monday and the Friday uh updates in case there is an event where because we're unable to hire or because we do need that extra support as far as field trips, um we would bring that back to the board. Okay. I just had one more comment um on the black knight as well. I know I it seems like maybe I like data more than most people in evaluations, but even looking at our school safety, our climate, only 52% of the students feel safe in schools, and that's after we approve that contract. >> I will make one comment on that. I I think everybody wants our kids to be safe and I think we all have different
119solutions on that and we also all hear from different people in the community. So I I think uh for me personally I've heard a lot of good things and I've heard about incidences that didn't happen that were deterred and people that were are very uh grateful for the the additional security presence. It's just, you know, opinions can vary, but uh I I feel safety is the number one uh priority for for for this district, and I'm sure we all do. We just have different ways of looking at that. But I I do agree with my my colleague that we having data uh to support the investment I think would be great and I think that we should have that throughout the year. Um so I'm I'm supportive of getting more information on it as well.
120No more questions, Mr. >> And I just have one more statement. Um, I'm not going to go back and forth, but I talked to a lot of people and 19 people came and spoke. And I usually get emails from lots of different people across the district, not even in my own districts, not one person that spoke. Out of like the 19 or 20 people here, nor one email that came to me was in support of this contract. Thank you. >> Call for the question. Roll call, please. >> Uh, so um >> so call for a question is technically a motion that requires a um twothirds vote or four fifths in this case to be able to pass. So if you want to just withdraw and make a motion, >> withdraw and make a motion to
121approve uh item 12.21. Second roll call, please. >> Miss Armstrong, >> to approve the contracts, the whole I, >> Miss Stewart, >> again, just to explain my vote, I would support all of these contracts on here except for Black Knight. And so that reason, I will abstain. Miss Centron, >> yes. >> Mr. Critzfield, >> yes. >> Mrs. Garza, >> yes. >> We will now move to board member communications and reports. Let's begin with board member Armstrong. >> Okay. Thank you all for being here with us as we handle our school business. Um, I hope you all are enjoying the beginning of your summer. Um, I started out my summer visiting Woodruff. Uh, Woodruff had a summer camp um that um that some of our kids attended um called Schoolyard Rap and it was a culmination
122of the activities for the week. Um, so the kids put on a show all all grades and um they learned lots of lots of different language uh languages um well I should say certain words in the languages that was and um cultural music the different music that matches the cultural um body and um the dances they learned different dances. So just to hear them singing and you know calling out maybe like umbros or whatever word it it was and and dancing and and singing. I mean they had a lot of fun. A lot of the community members came out to to see this. So they they did invite I guess the parents or the communities whoever. So, um, it was it was just really night and the the the the people from Schoolyard RAP, they
123had a lot of people. Uh, I mean, they I I can't I couldn't even count how many people they sent to work with our children. Um, and so, you know, I was told by the director like, you know, whether we have 20 kids or or 60 kids, we're going to send the same amount of people because they want to make sure that the kids get the the experience that they wanted them to have. So, I don't know. I I just had such a great time. Uh, and I'm hoping to see more of uh Schoolyard Rap in our in our schools. So, thank you for uh bringing him out. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Armstrong. Board member Stewart. Good evening. Um I only attended our Cal Apps meeting this week, but I do
124want to say a few things. First, congratulations to our teachers and to our CSA employees for your tenative agreements. I am excited for you guys. And I do want to say thank you to whoever it might be, Dr. Smith for the job listings. I did see that you guys are itemizing those job listings based on what they are for. So, I really appreciate that. Thank you so much. Um, one thing that I'm concerned about is the volume of high pri priority items being placed on single agendas. Um, this was a very big agenda with lots of things and particularly during the summer when teachers and family availability is limited. These items deserve adequate time for staff and for community input. And lastly, over the last four meetings, um, as was brought out as people continued
125to say that I left the meeting, um, four meetings, closed sessions have regularly extended past 11:30 with two meetings ending around midnight and one at nearly 1:00 a.m. These late hours strain board members, staff, teachers, and community members, and they reduce public participation and undermine our ability to make the best decisions. To address this is these issues, I request that the board place the board meeting calendar on the next agenda for consideration and discuss redistributing high priority items, adding meetings if necessary, and improving scheduling. Specifically, I propose closed sessions starting at 4:30 p.m. and beginning regular session at 6 or 6:30. But I believe these changes would improve efficiency, increase public engagement, and ensure important decisions are made when participants at the best. And the last statement that I would like to make too is
126because it was pointed out and it was strategically pointed out that I left close session early. I did leave close session early. And one more thing that again, I hate to be messy, but I will never let someone talk to me the way that people sometimes do in close session. I will never be disrespected. I will never have someone talk to me and just let it go like it's nothing. So, yes, I did leave at 11:17. 11:17 is already crazy work. 11:17 p.m. when we have work the next day and my students matter as well. But I will not let someone disrespect me and think that that's okay because it's not. And if our leadership does not want to step in and stop that type of behavior, I will leave. Thank you. board member Cynthron.
127Well, good evening all. Um I have um I have some general things that I'd like to um say. one. Um I am pleased that our board has approved moving this bond measure forward. This is an important step towards addressing our district's facility needs and giving the community and giving our community the opportunity to decide whether to invest in the future of our schools. I look forward to engaging with residents and ensuring that they have information needed to make the informed decision. I'd like to also take this moment to address the executive cabinet. I'd like to take a moment to recognize and thank our executive cabinet. I've said this many times before, but it is worth saying again. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work alongside each of you, getting to know
128you as individuals and collaborating with you professionally through some very complex and challenging issues. It really has been a blessing. Every one of you has demonstrated a deep passion for this district and an unwavering commitment to making Belfflower Unified the very best it can be. You have embraced the board that asks questions, engages deeply in the work, and strives to learn and grow. And that has meant a great deal to me. No matter the topic, no matter how sensitive or difficult the conversation, I have always felt welcome to engage in open and honest dialogue with each and every one of you. I am especially grateful for your patience, your willingness to share your expertise, and your commitment to helping build my understanding and capacity as a board member. The professional relationships we have built has
129been rooted in a shared commitment to transparency, collaboration, and doing what is best for our students. Because of your guidance and your partnership, I have been able to continue learning alongside our community to make more information in informed decisions on their behalf. Thank you for your leadership, your dedication, and for the trust you have extended to me throughout this journey. I am deeply appreciative of each and every one of you. And I also just finally want to say happy Junth y'all. So tomorrow we join community across the nation in celebrating Junth. A day that commemorates the day of the the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, achievements, and uh contributions of African-Americans throughout our history. Junth reminds us that freedom, equality, and opportunity are valued that must be protected and
130advanced for every generation. As educators, leaders, families, and community members, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that our schools are placed are places where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. I encourage all to reflect on the significance of this day, learn from our nation's history, and continue working together to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all. So, happy third Junth. Thank you, and good night. >> Thank you, Clerk Cynthron, Vice President Kersfield. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, one thing just strictly to correct the record because it was said earlier, the close session has never went past 1 a.m. and the entire board wants community input and to characterize it otherwise doesn't reflect what we've done. We moved we moved our session later so we could have more input
131and that's the reason we go back into closed so we have more open session for community input. So that's why and we take the grunts of it. I'm not saying it's easy like we we stay late. Uh and I think it reflects that the the board does want to have these robust discussions and uh and really collaborate. Uh so and you know I I hate the the fact that there's like this undertone because tonight is a great night. We've done a lot of great things. I think number, you know, number one, it's it's a vote of confidence in our superintendent, uh, and our entire executive cabinet that we're going in the right direction. The the community workforce agreement is going to bring opportunity to our community and our students. It's a great thing. And then
132also the bond. I mean, it's been a couple years since, you know, it it didn't get off the dis. And I think that that's a huge thing to be excited about and actually uh celebrate. Uh so I'm proud of this board. Uh regardless of uh you know any personality stuff, I think we all want what's best for the district and same thing with our staff. So thank you. I think tonight's a great night and uh I'm looking forward to that next year. Have a good night. >> Thank you uh Vice President Crushfield. Um, executive secretary, would you mind um letting the record reflect that at 8:44? Actually, yes. 8:44 um board member Stewart walked up. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. Um so I am very happy that we have now gotten this far and
133we have our cabinet set for our next school year. Um I agree with board member uh Critfield and you know board member Cron. It's a great vote of confidence um going forward to this new school year that we have like we've said before we have the team that we need for now. um very happy to be sharing, you know, that responsibility uh with our cabinet and um and with my fellow board members. It's not easy. It's um like board member Critell says, we have a dynamic board, but we do all have the best interest of our students at hand and our district. So, we hope that you continue to um come and ask the questions and make us aware of what we do not know um and the needs of the community as well. Uh
134I agree. One more thing I want to make sure that board member Chrisville did mention how we did move it to five o'clock. That is for our public to be able to say what they want to say and give our board more time to deliberate. But it is also because had we not changed it to 5:00 p.m. you would not have quorum in your board. That means there has to be at least three board members or more present for a meeting to occur. Many some of us are traveling through many freeways at 4:00 pm. So in order for us to have quorum, we needed to change it. I will speak only for myself, but you would not have a board president presiding your meetings. you would constantly on a daily on a weekly basis bi-weekly
135basis every Thursday have President um sorry Vice President Crushfield um um going ahead and um starting the meetings. I cannot be here at that time. Um so that is not just for myself, it is also for other board members. But in order for a meeting to occur, it has to have quorum. Um so happy Junth like uh President Cintron said and happy early father's day. Sorry like board clerk Cron said and um thank you to everyone. Please make sure that you stay safe and that you rest and come back to us next school board. Um thank you next. um school year well rested. We now haveformational items, any questions, comments? I have a question. U Miss Carter, for I know this is the first reading, so on the next meeting, will it be like an
136adoption and approval of this or are we still like looking at things? >> Um, no. This would be your first reading. And so if there's anything you need um or want to talk through, you can say that tonight. The second reading will go through consent. Okay. Is there a reason why this wasn't I mean, if the next one is on consent, I mean, I guess we can pull it, but is there a reason why this wasn't put out when teachers could attend and speak on it? The reason that it was at this time is because we took extra time to talk with our teachers. Um, after the meeting that we had for the presentation, we were still going to the sites to talk to our ASB students and then we also brought in a focus
137group of the teachers that um were most affected. So, we talked with our VAPA and world language as well as our health teachers. And so, it took us time to pull that together and that's why it's on this I appreciate you doing the committee or the organization with the teachers because being honestly this is not my specialty. So I need those voices sometimes. So that's the reason that I question it. Thank you. >> I have I have one question. If if our kids have to do a fifth year, will they do it on the regular campus with the other kids? I'm you know I'm still trying to read through it and understand. fifth year wouldn't be impacted by this. It would still go the same way as it does now. So, you could transfer over
138to Somerset. You could do fifth year on the campus. Credit recovery isn't impacted by this either. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? >> No. Okay. Thank you. Um if there at this time the board um will adjourn its meeting at 8:50 p.m. until the next regular board meeting on Thursday, August 13th. Thank you.