001Good evening and welcome to tonight's meeting of the board of education. The meeting is called to order at 4:30 p.m. in open session. Roll call, please. >> Student member Chubik, Miss Armstrong, >> present. >> Miss Cron, >> present. >> Mr. Critchfield, >> present. >> Mrs. Garza, Miss Stewart, >> present. Tonight, we do have requests addressing close session agenda items. While the 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 as per board bylaw 9322.2 unless otherwise waved by the board. We want the public to know that the board and superintendent will be listening carefully to each public comment. However, we will not be providing
002responses during the meeting. The superintendent or a designated representative will contact the parent, guardian, and or other community member if the comment may call for followup. And tonight we have one speaker, Mr. John Paul Dreer. Welcome. >> Hold on. Let me make sure your mic gets put on >> last time. Is it working now? Okay. Um, special session or close session items um have a fiscal impact. when I was a member of the board of trustees for college like how can we we have all these litigations you know like how can we prevent them can we have better training to prevent litigation for everyone to so we could save money so it can go to the classroom for the kids um also for um labor negotiations can we ask the unions like can you do
003you have ideas to help us make more money or save money because you're there Do you have ideas so we can afford this pay raise? We need to think holistically fiscally when we go into uh the close session room. How are we going to pay for this? Like can we brainstorm together? This is urgent, especially if we're in deficit spending, but we're doing better. I know we're improving. Um but I'd like you to go into that mindset. That's my food food for thought before you go into your session. Good night until 6 o'clock. Thanks. Thank you so much. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? All right. At this time, the board will recess to close session. Open session will resume at approximately 6 pm. play. >> See, so I'm understand Welcome back
004everyone. Tonight's meeting of the board of education was called to order at 4:30 p.m. in open session. We'd then adjourn to close session and will now reconvene the meeting in open session at 6:10 p.m. Board clerk Chrisville will update us on close session topics. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh the topics discussed in close session were student matters, anticipated litigation, labor negotiations, and superintendent evaluation. No action was taken in close. Thank you. >> Thank you, Clerk Critzfield. All right. Tonight doing our pledge of allegiance, we have our amazing assistant principal, Miss Katy Asavdo, who's also celebrating her birthday. So, happy birthday. Thank you. >> Hello. Thank you very much for that. Um, if we can all please rise for the pledge of allegiance. All right. Put your right hand over your heart and begin. I
005pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Do we have any replacement pages tonight? >> We do not. Board President Stewart, >> do we have any amendments to the agenda? >> We do not. Board President Stewart. >> All right. Do we have any recognitions tonight >> for president store? We do have uh a change to the agenda and that's based on the item that you will pull later in consent. >> Okay. Thank you. Um recognitions Dr. Simon. >> Thank you so much board president Stewart. At this time I will ask the board to come down from the dis for the recognitions and Miss Carter will assist
006us with recognitions this evening. This evening, the board of education is pleased to recognize eight schools for being awarded recognition from the California PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Coalition for implementing PBIS with fidelity to the national framework. Part of this implementation includes staff teaching students about behavior expectations and strategies to be successful behaviorally. Through using these strategies, students can overcome challenges and focus on academics at school. Schools can be recognized at the bronze, silver, gold, or platinum level. We are proud to announce announce that the principal, teachers, staff, students, and community have come together to implement and sustain PBIS at the silver, gold, and platinum level. Our first recognition tonight is Belfflower Middle School. They receive silver recognition. Staff, as you come forward, please remain for a picture afterwards. Representing Belfflower Middle School
007is Principal Jessica Cummings, Ruby Gonzalez, Miss Ryerson, and Alexandra Cortez. Let's give them all a round of applause and congratulations. Congratulations. S. Next, the board would like to recognize Ramona Elementary for earning silver. >> Tonight from Ramona Elementary, we have assistant principal Miss Lucasy, teachers Mr. Young, Miss Thomas, Mrs. Powell, and Miss Cerna, counselor. Congratulations, Ramona. Let's give them another round of applause. Also earning silver, let's please recognize Thomas Jefferson. Representing Thomas Jefferson Elementary is principal Anhelica Montalango and counselor Marilyn Radford. Let's please give them a round of applause and congratulations. Congratulations, Thomas Jefferson. The next school we would like to recognize earned a gold level for their PBIS recognition. Congratulations goes to Steven Foster Elementary. Representing Steven Foster is principal Georgia Diamdes, assistant principal Christa Jackson, Tina Gomez, and Heather Greenwood. Congratulations. Congratulations, Steven
008Foster. Also earning at the gold level, let's please recognize Frankie Woodruff Elementary. Representing Frankie Woodruff, we have principal Dr. Trang Nuin, assistant principal Ashley Lucesy, Elaine Sper, and Julie Gimenez. Let's give them a round of applause. congratulations Frankie Woodruff. Also earning gold. Let's please put our hands together and recognize Albert Baxter Elementary. Representing Albert Baxter is principal Eddie Cruz, Cassandra Hernandez, Nancy Hua, Gina Weisner, Wendy Sparks, and Selena Padilla. Let's give them all a round of applause. Congratulations, Albert Baxter. Our next school is being recognized for platinum level. This is the highest level. Let's give a round of applause to Ernie Pile. Representing Ernie Pile is acting principal Katy Azdo Torres, counselor Camella Navarez, Rosalia Harris, Georgina Simon, Jacob Nuin, and Dena Blankenship, and Hillary Person. Give them all a round of applause. Congratulations, Ernie
009Pile. And our final school, also at the top level of platinum, please give a round of applause to Las Flores. Representing Los Flores is director Tammy Zilla, Stacy Abrago, student Isaac Abrego, Patricia Reyes, Ericelli Raldan, Joanne Chun, and Laura Sanzaro. Let's give them all a round of applause. Congratulations, Los Flores. This concludes our recognitions for this evening. All right, congratulations to everyone again. Um, next we have our student spotlight and tonight we will be recognizing I'm going to let you say her name, but it's Amelia from Ernie Pile. Thank you for being here, Amelia. Good evening everyone. Um, thank you um, Stuart for the introduction. Um, my name is Katya Seedo Torres. I'm the acting proud principal uh, at Ernie Pile and today I have the great honor of recognizing a truly remarkable student and
010that is Elmelia Bel Flor right here. Come on Amelia, come on up. if you could stand right here so you can hear all the amazing things we have to say about you. She is our Ernie Pile student spotlight. Um, Amelia is kind is a is the kind of student who reminds us why we love being educators. She walks into the classroom each day with a quiet confidence, a kind heart, a genuine love of learning. She is focused, responsible, and consistently gives her best effort in everything that she does. Emmelia, you shine in math, reading, and writing. Um, she's the kind of student who doesn't just complete an assignment, she elevates it. Her teacher shared that Amelia demonstrates academic excellence with genuine pride in her work. She not only meets expectations, but she goes above and
011beyond them. She seeks out challenges, voluntarily takes on extra reading and writing, and pushes herself to grow. That level of se self-motivation is rare and inspiring. But what truly stands out about Amelia is her character. She's known for her honesty, her thoughtfulness, and her empathy towards others. When she sees a classmate struggling or something happening that doesn't feel right, she steps up quietly but confidently to help. Her teacher describes her as observant, patient, and always looking out for others. She brings calm and compassion into every space she's in. Amelia also inspires others through her passions. She has uh contagious enthusiasm. Whether she's sharing for her love of music, she loves the Beatles, um, or diving into science, she brings energy and curiosity that motivates those around her. Outside of the classroom, Amelia enjoys soccer, painting,
012and dance. And these creative outlets reflect the balance and joy she brings to everything that she does. Her teacher summed it up beautifully. Amelia is an admired leader and role model. her classmates respect her and not just for her intelligence but for her kind and sincerity that she shows every day. And now I'd like to share a few words from two very special people in your life. Your mom and your dad who sent this message for you. Dear Amelia, I'm not sure you can imagine how incredibly proud your dad and I are of you. You bring so much joy and light into our home every day with your smile, your creativeness, and your beautiful spirit. You fill our days with warmth and color, and you make every day a new adventure. Thank you for being
013such a thoughtful, kind, and hardworking girl. Your dedication and your willingness to help around the house, means more to us than you will ever know. These things while seem simple say so much about your character and it's a glimpse of the path of the person you are going to be. Always remember that big achievements and times where when you're in doubt when you doubt yourself that we love you deeply and will always be right by your side cheering you on supporting you and believing in you every step of the way with our love. Mom and dad, Amy, Leia, your teachers, your family, and your school community. We are so proud of you because of your um compassion, and we know that you are going to achieve greatness. You truly represent what it means to be
014a Panther, which is responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. Congratulations, Amelia, on your on being the student spotlight for Ernie Pile. We can't see how the incredible things that you'll accomplish. And so if you could please join me, let's give Amelia Amelia a big round of applause. >> Did you want to thank you very much? She's a little shy. I don't know if she'll share something. >> Okay. If she would like to, will you take a picture with us? >> Yeah, go. >> And I just want to say I went to Ernie Pile, too, and I am so proud of you. You're amazing. So, thank you. And we would love to have you guys take a picture with us as well. Uh, of course. Thank you again, Amelia. We are very proud of you. All
015right, we do not have employee representative reports, but we do have PTA communications tonight. So, if we could have PTA president Alexandria Cortez, welcome and thank you. >> All right. Hi. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, President Stewart, board members, superintendent, BUSD staff, and community members. Um, I'm very proud to share with you our community report. Let's start with the B USD PTA's community resource fair. It was a great success. We had 29 different vendors. Um, over 125 attendees, and that doesn't include the people that were participating in the event. So, that was a lot of people there building relationships, growing our community, and strengthening those bonds. Um, now every month I'm featuring two schools. Not sure if the report got put in. Uh but yeah, there was a a report with pictures and stuff, but
016I'll go ahead and bring it on the next one as well. But we were highlighting uh two of our schools, which was Esther Lindström. Uh they did a bubble run. They had uh what's it called? A sports day. And then we also had our first trunk or treat that happened at Thomas Jefferson. And then you're going to be seeing lots of pictures and videos from all these schools that are going to be doing their trunk or treats. Then a couple of our upcoming things is going to be Red Ribbon. You're going to see lots of pictures of Red Ribbon. that's coming up. Our day that we're going to be touring the schools is going to be October 30th at uh 8:30. We're going to leave here from the district. And then we also have a
017table that we're going to be having at the cancer uh breast cancer awareness this Saturday. So, we'll be there. So, uh come on by, say hi, and we are looking forward to that. And uh there's lots of our social medias. Go ahead and continue to follow us. We have lots of stuff there. And we also have a newsletter that you guys are going to be receiving as part of PTA. So, look out for that. That'll have every event from every school on there so you guys can continue to see and be able to attend those events. Thank you so much. Oh, yeah. There it is. No worries. You're good. Okay, there it is. Okay, so there's the U B USD, that's the community resource fair where it's all in blue. And so we had like
018the bellflower princesses were there. There was lots of food vendors. We had characters. Bingo and Bluey were there taking pictures with the students. For Red Ribbon, we also got a recognition from the city of Belfflower. We got a proclamation from them. And then you're going to see pictures from the event that we were at. Yep. Right there. And then these are two schools. So this is Esther Lindström. There's their bubble run. So all the kids get to run through all these bubbles and foam pits. And it's also to raise funds. But more than anything, they are having a great time. Um, then we have the reflections art program where Esther Lindstöm created a program where students didn't have a way to do it at home. They were able to do it at the school. They
019also had childhood cancer day and sports day at Lindstöm. Then Thomas Jefferson, this is their trunk or treat. They had lots of great costumes and trunks that were decorated. And then Red Robin restaurant night. Those restaurant nights are fundraisers, but they're more of gathering together after school. And then um if you go up a little bit, this is our membership drive. We are at 2,122 members. Our goal is 3,000. So we're very close. So thank you to all for joining. Continue to join. And then these are the upcoming events along with reflections. All right. Thank you everybody. Have a great night. >> Thank you so much. Um all right. Our superintendence report is up next. Dr. Simon. Thank you, board president Stewart, to our board members, to our community. It's so great to be with
020you today. On October 13th, I had the opportunity to conduct a visit to Albert Baxter Elementary and also Ramona Elementary as well. It was a truly a pleasure to witness the dynamic learning environments in the classrooms and to engage with both classified and certificated staff members who are dedicated to student success. On October 14th, I participated in the bellflower prayer breakfast held at the main event center at 7:00 a.m. 7 a.m. alongside members of cabinet um the principles from the bellflower area. We gathered for this meaningful event focused on prayer for those who serve and support the bellflower community. Later that day, I visit Woodruff Elementary and also Washington Elementary despite the rainy weather. I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting classrooms, engaging with enthusiastic students, and having insightful conversations with dedicated staff members. Additionally, I
021attended an alliance meeting with union leadership, including President Stewart, along with the cabinet. >> What's wrong? Oh my god. Everything's fine. Just a a little friend visiting. A big friend. Sorry. All right. Sorry for that interruption. And it was so cute though. Come on. Such a tough crowd. >> All right. That was not Ben. That was not a cute little rat. But we won't let it be. That's her little friend. We'll we we'll let it be. All right. So, despite the rainy weather, I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting classrooms, engaging with enthusiastic students, and having insightful conversations with dedicated staff members. Uh on October 17th, I joined the Lakewood Education Foundation for lunch and their annual fundraiser alongside Vice President Garza and Clerk Crutchfield. It was wonderful to be a part of this fundraising event
022that is instrumental in providing scholarships for students, further investing in their educational journeys and future success. On October 21st, I attended the Bellflower Think Together Lights On afterchool showcase again with Clerk Pritchfield, Miss Bonnie Carter, and Dr. Einia Alvarez alongside Washington's elementary principal. Um, watching students showcase their projects, including solar system models, food displays, and various learning posters. Um, watching our students speak about their experience with great confidence gave me great joy. I am so proud of our scholars and our partnership with think together. Today I had the pleasure of visiting Ernie Pal Elementary School and walking through classrooms with our acting principal Kati Asavo Torres. And again, happy birthday to you um acting principal aso Torres. And finally, 100 days ago, I embarked on a journey with the Bellflower Unified School District, a community
023filled with heart, hope, and a steadfast belief in what is possible for each child. In the first 100 days, I have actively listened and learned from each voice within our community. I have witnessed countless moments of courage, kindness, and brilliance. Whether in our classrooms, our cafeterias, our boardrooms, our playgrounds, each experience has reinforced my belief that Bellflower is not just a school district. It is a family united by a common purpose. I am immensely grateful to our students, to our staff, to our families, to our union leadership, to our community partners, to our board members who embody our shared promise. Every student known, every voice valued, and every school ready. So as we turn the page to the next chapter, we do so with unity, with love, and the strong conviction that together we can
024transform possibility into promise. Here's to the light we carry and the future we are building hand in hand. Thank you so much to the Bellflower Unified community. I appreciate you. Thank you, Dr. Simon. All right, moving on to committee updates. Um, starting with alliance. Um, I'm going to kick it back to Dr. Simon. >> Yes, you may. Thank you. Board President Stewart. So, on October 21st, we met with our union leadership, our presidents and vice presidents for both BTA and also for CSEA alongside board president Stewart and also cabinet members. and that time was dedicated to agendaizing future meetings um and again what would be discussed during those future meetings. So again, thank you so much to our union leadership um to our board and to our cabinet for being a part of the conversation.
025Thank you. >> All right. Are there any more updates? I know we did have a Cal Apps meeting. Um so that was in play. Any other committees that met? Um it's well it's not a committee but um I did go to a lockdown meeting that's the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association where um Bob Turk of CSBA legal services was there uh and and he was just um uh briefing the schoolboard members about uh board policies and administrative regulations concerning I mean around the it's a court supreme court case uh mom uh m mom versus Taylor. And it's um it's a Supreme Court case about parents who wish to opt their children out of instruction involving um um LGBTQ themed story books and uh religious stuff and and and health and health stuff. So, um
026he just gave me some um gave us some numbers to look at, but at the same time, he he's going to be the legal services are going to be at CSBA um this this year in December. And um they also talked about what some districts are doing uh regarding workforce housing. And um actually tomorrow there's going to be it it it cost like $575 for to get this information or workbook of what what's happening in West Coina, you know, but this it was it's regarding workforce housing. So um anyway, uh Locka will be because we're all members, we we will be meeting on Wednesday morning for for coffee. So, all the members, if you want to come out, it's going to be they're going to be putting information out um once we get it once
027we get in Sacramento. So, I'll let you guys know where we're supposed to be meeting. It's probably in the hotel lobby. So, uh just to meet the other board members. So, um that's about it. >> Thank you. I know we have an athletic meeting we're scheduling right now. We're looking at December. And I know we had a culture and climate committee meeting. Um, basically looking at our agenda, looking at our dates and our calendar. Miss Ua, do you want to add anything else to that committee? >> No, that was essentially it. We calendared um the meetings for the rest of the year as well as what the the scope and sequence of what we want to cover during those meetings. >> Thank you so much. Is there any other information to present? >> Um, okay.
028Um, moving on to public comment tonight. We do have requests addressing open session agenda items. 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 as per board bylaw 9322.2 unless otherwise waved by the board. We want the public to know that the board and superintendent will be listening carefully to each public comment. However, we will not be providing 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 followup. And we have two um cards tonight. So, first we're going to have Mr. John Paul Dreer. Thank you. Okay, it's
029going to work this time, right? Uh John Paul Dreer. Hello to everyone. um alumni of Ramona, Albert Baxter, and Belfar High. Congratulations to them tonight. And my mom went to Ernie Pile Platinum. Um I want to thank board member Mar Myra Garza. We were on the same wavelength at the board last board meeting when she asked questions about the facilities master plan bidding process. When I looked in the board book, there was nothing to back it up. And I and that's why I think she asked so many questions and that helps the public to make um a determination of what's going on. I'm used to um a thick backup board book as a college trustee at Sirius College to understand something ahead of time if we had that information might not have had to answer
030ask those questions of staff and it's good for the public for transparency. I've fought so hard for transparency in this district winning the state audit request and along with other people that we can really know what's going on and and to know the process. How do we bid? Who is bidding? M what was your rubric? Like we need to understand who are all the people applying for these bids because we really need the master plan to help us get the um the school bond going and to improve our schools. Does every school have a working um air conditioner? Does every school free as of asbestous? My mom's office in Mayfair was filled with asbestous. And then um later my mom developed cancer. We need to make sure that all employees and students and community members,
031volunteers are free of um harmful chemicals in our schools. So I thank you um for your consideration and thank you again, Myra, for asking those good questions. Thank you. Thank you. I'm just going to be honest. I'm going to butcher this name, but the next speaker is Roselene. And I know it's an H. Is it Rosalyn? Roselene. >> I'm admitting I'm butchering. Rosalyn, >> can you tell me your last name? >> Henderson. >> Oh, >> it's not your fault. I probably wrote it. >> It's probably my fault. I'm a teacher. I should be able to read this. Sorry. >> But thank you for being here. We appreciate you. >> No worries. It's been delightful to be here. My name is Rosalyn Henderson and I just want to just say hello to all of you board
032members and cabinet. Uh I was a teacher for 30 years with Inglewood Unified School District and I burned out. I retired in 2019 and I have a mission to support educators when it comes to wellness. So my son and I, Dr. email put together a program and it's called self care basics beyond self-care basics and in it we address six pillars of self-care where we're talking about mental health emotional health physical meaning and relational and energetic health for educators specific to each school. Um and what we're trying to do is help districts maintain the best and the brightest We know that teachers are leaving in part due to burnout. We want to reduce absenteeism among professionals and we want to enhance educa educator engagement. So I'd like to leave some materials for you Dr. Simon
033to talk further about this because I know that the engine of academic success well lay with us us educators. Thanks. Thank you so much. All right. We appreciate that. Thank you again. Um, we do not have public hearing tonight and we do not have discussion items tonight. So, next we'll move on to our major action item 12.1, approval of agreement for lead labor negotiator services. And I'm going to kick this back to Dr. Simon, please. >> Thank you. Thank you, Board President Stewart. And at this time, I'm going to turn it over to um, Clerk Critfield and also board member Centron to lead the discussion. >> Thank you so much. Um, so I'll just be reporting out of the committee and the findings. Um, please know that I will be talking about process and criteria
034and the findings. Um, so good evening. as by the board, as directed by the board, our interview committee, which included board clerkfield, the superintendent and legal counsel, and myself met on October 6th and October 17th to interview three firms for the role of lead labor negoti negotiation um for our upcoming negotiations with BTA, Belfflower Teachers Association. The criteria was we um the process was thoughtful and consistent using a clear set of criteria to guide our decision. We looked at um providing success negotiation on behalf of the school districts particular particularly with certified certificated units. um strategies and approaches at the table including preparation, costing, communication, and um and making sure that there was cadence. That was one of the biggest ones. Um understanding of K through 12 fiscal realities, the ed code and the day-to-day
035operations of schools. um capacity to begin immediately and ensure uh continuity with assigned personnel, a demonstration committed to open communication with the board and superintendent, and to maintain a constructive, respectful tone that supports both student learning and school climate. So our findings from these three uh companies, all three firms were interviewed um that all three companies that were interviewed were professional and wellqualified. However, Danis Wolver I'm going to always well Oliver Walver Wiver Danis Wallver Kelly. So DWK, I'm gonna refer to DWK because that one stood in my head. Um, stood out as the strongest fit to Belfflower Unified. Their proposal and interview reflected deep experience and a strong track record with negotiation on behalf of the California school districts. Clear and organized preparation plans including issue framing, cost models, and comparison studies. balanced negotiation
036approach focus on meeting board objectives while supporting positive labor relations and minimizing disruption for students and finally immediate availability for an expert lead negotiator ready to begin work. Um I will then uh open to discussion or questions. So, I'll leave my mic on, but if there's any questions or comments or anything like that. >> Um, one thing just Carrie really quickly, will you turn the podium off, please? Thank you. Anybody? Um, Vice President Garza. >> Thank you. Um, I have about five questions. So, if anyone else has any more, please jump in and I will stop and then I'll return to mine. Um the first question is how will the lead negotiator keep the board informed during the negotiation process and uh what regular updates can we expect? >> Should I take that on or
037>> take Andrew? Okay, >> Andrew. >> Um so due the nature of labor negotiations, most of the information that the board will receive will be in close session. Um that information will not be publicly available. However, um it had been asked of the firm if they'd be willing to come in and present that information and keep the board up to date with what's going on. And they did clarify that their top priority is to make sure that the board is informed of how negotiations are proceeding to make sure that they have clear direction from the board and that anything that they do at the table is at the direction of the board of education. So they're very um focused on the roles and responsibilities that they will undertake and more importantly they're also very much
038willing and looking forward to working with the negotiation team currently and helping them develop their skills at at that uh negotiation table to be able to lead future negotiations with less input from legal counsel but more of a collaborative approach between the two entities. >> Great. Thank you. Um my second question is uh what specific decisions will the lead negotiator be authorized to make independently if any and which will require board approval? >> Um so in terms of their discretion is only going to be within the parameters that are given to them by the board. So they cannot go outside what the board allows them to do. Um it would be a violation of their uh legal duties to the board and to the district. So anything that the board authorizes they can do. anything
039else they have to come back to the board for approval. And even if there are, let's say, certain proposals that are made that might be arguably fit within a certain scope or parameter, they will still come back to make sure that the board is okay with uh those whatever uh agreements that that are proposed and so the board will always be informed and making decisions in this process. >> Thank you. Um the next question is how will the lead negotiator involve the board in the negotiation strategy and key discussions? >> So I think that'll start with uh an initial meeting to kind of go over what the parameters are um where the board is looking to go and from there they will just basically consistently update the board as to the progress being made on
040whatever sections of the collective bargain agreement are being discussed. So they will come to one of our close sessions, introduce themselves, have a conversation with us. >> Of course, without those parameters, they wouldn't be able to do anything really. >> Um see uh what process will be in place for the board to provide feedback? Will it be in close session only or are we able to give feedback through you? How would how does that look? Uh so generally it be in close session but because board meetings are twice monthly if something comes up within that period the board will be able to directly contact me provide me that feedback and I will continue to work with the lead negotiator to make sure that you know whatever desires the board may have or suggestions from individual
041board members are taken into account and at the following close session meeting it'll be presented to the board as a whole for general discussion. And then if there are any disagreements between um the lead negotiator and the board for some reason um what steps will be taken to resolve those issues. >> Uh there are no disagreements between the board and lead negotiator because the board makes all the decisions. So, um, whatever you direct them to do, that is what they will do. And if for some reason they take it upon themselves to act outside the scope of their duty, um, at that point there will be an immediate discussion as to a replacement because ultimately they are not authorized to make any decisions that the board hasn't previously authorized them to make. >> Perfect. Thank
042you so much. Any other questions? No. Okay. Can I get a note? Go ahead. >> Oh, I was just gonna um based Well, I was gonna I'll just read it. Um so, based on the committee's review and and discussion, um I am recommending that the board select DWK to serve as BUSD's uh lead labor negotiator. Um, I move for the adoption of the recommendation that the board select DWK as the um district's lead labor negotiation or negotiation negotiator for negotiations with um BTA and authorize a superintendent to execute an agreement with this firm. >> Um, sorry, just really quickly, I know you were on that committee, too. I'd like to just hear your thoughts really fast. Sure. Um, out of the the three firms that we did interview, um, I I think DWK was the
043best out of the three, uh, for the for those reasons that, uh, Miss Centron uh, stated. Um, and just overall they were a clear choice. >> Okay, >> I'll second. Roll call, please. >> Student member Chibique, >> I. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> I. >> Mr. Critchfield. >> I >> Mrs. Garza >> I. >> Miss Stewart >> I. All right. Do we have any items to withhold from the consent agenda this evening? I'm going to pull item 13.7, please. And do we have any others? Vice President Garza. >> 13.10, please. All right. So, we have 13.7 13.10. Do we have any others? All right. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda this evening withholding items 13.7 and 1310? >> You have that motion. Can I get a second?
044>> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Student member Jabke. >> I. >> Miss Armstrong. >> I. >> Miss Cron. >> I. >> Mr. Critchfield. >> I. >> Mrs. Garza. >> I. >> Miss Stewart. >> I. All right. Regarding 13.7, I make a motion to table that item tonight. Can I get a second? You got that second roll call, please. >> Student member Chik, >> I. >> Miss Armstrong, >> I. >> Miss Cron, >> I. >> Mr. Critzfield, >> I. >> Mrs. Garza, >> I. >> Miss Stewart, >> I. All right. Item 13.10. Vice President Garza. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um my questions are more of looking at these um the contract listings as a whole and I wanted to ask what are the specific metrics and outcomes we are using to evaluate the effectiveness
045of these contracts like is there a set metric system that we are looking at like maybe how many students they are being um you know how many they're helping or if it's effective. >> So, it depends on the type of contract. So, for example, if it's a nonpublic school, we look at the quality of the services and the instruction that they provide to the students that they serve. Um, if it's a staffing agency, we look at the quality of the staff and support that they provide. So, we're always evaluating uh the quality of the services of these various contractors. >> And I'll just add to that. So, based on that, we know with certainty there's one um agency that we're going to pull right for next year. in regards to staffing and we we are
046also looking at a more comprehensive evaluation system right for our contract. So we are in deep conversations. We're in conversations also with an agency that can help us um provide even better metrics for us to determine prior to renewal or engaging into a new um contract if it will fit our needs. >> Do we know more or less when we will have like maybe a draft of that metric system? Um conversations are being had now um and so we have a meeting I think next week or in the next two weeks with an agency to see if they fit our needs. If not we have to move to another one or we may just build a metric system um with the hands of cabinet to move forward right to bring but the importance is we
047want to make sure that it shows efficacy efficiency and the metrics um are are are true to what we need as well from a data standpoint. So, we're moving in that direction. Um, Vice President Garza. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you so much. No more questions. Anyone else? >> All right. Can I get a motion to approve item 13.10? >> So moved. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Student member. >> I. >> Miss Armstrong. >> I. >> Miss Cron. >> I. >> Mr. Critchfield. >> I. >> Mrs. Garza. >> I. >> Miss. Stewart. >> I. All right. It's time for board communications and we're going to start off with our student board member. >> Okay, so good evening everybody. Seeing as there aren't any student representatives, I figured I might
048as well take up the role a little bit. Um, nothing much to report. Um, tomorrow Mayfair is going to have their Hispanic Heritage Fiesta and Spooktacular. They're going to be a bunch of clubs. They're going to be fundraising. going to be uh vending a bunch of stuff outside the steam building and outside the MPB. So, there's that. Um, Friday is also going to be senior seminar. I'm not really too familiar on all the details, but from what I hear, a lot of people are going to say it's emotional. We'll have we'll just have to see. And then Saturday, Mayfair is hosting uh Eye of the Storm number 14. It's our fighting game tournament. Right now, we have um over 50 pre-registered players, so it's probably going to be about 70 or 80. We have Smash,
049we have Smash Bros., Guilty Gear, Street Fighter. Um what else? I don't remember. But there's a few games that we have. So, I just implore you guys to come out, check it out, maybe compete. But actually, I don't know about the last one, but maybe just just to check it out, just to see what it's like. That's it. Thank you, board member Armstrong. >> Thank you, um, President Stewart. Um, welcome and thank everyone for being here tonight. And, um, okay, so on Friday the 10th, um, I hosted my very first and I I hope of many, appetizers with Armstrong mixer. It was just uh it was well attended and I truly appreciate everybody that came out and and shared their time and thoughts with me. Um it it's it was a really good opportunity to
050get to know even more members of the community. Um you know I I do live on you know that is the area in which I live and so just to meet everybody and even those that I didn't know. So anyway I'm hoping to do more about that. I really love I really loved how how everyone felt welcomed and and comfortable enough to meet new people in the room and and hold solid conversations. Um so much that one friend uh was invited to a community event by my other friend like they didn't even know each other. So but um my next event I'll be sure to make sure I announce it. Um, and you know, you just never know who you who you you know, what you may have in common with a fellow community member
051or like-minded individuals. And um, that same night, I had to rush over to Belfflower High School because it was Belfflower High School's homecoming game. And, uh, board president um, Stewart was there, you know, wearing her Letterman jacket and all. You know, she always wearing her Letterman jacket. I just had to put that little bit of that little bit out, you know. So, anyway, it was it was fun. My daughter was a cheerleader uh in her high in her high school years and and she was the homecoming queen last year. So, like I said, I had to run over there because she had to crown the 2025 homecoming queen. And it was it was really fun. Lots of pictures and seeing all the beautiful young ladies and all the handsome men all dressed up. It was
052fun. and all the parents just taking all the pictures and everything. You know, I used to do that. I still do it. So, but anyway, and then on the 11th, I attended the the uh Mayfair High School's uh the resource fair that was held there. And the the highlight for me and um I I didn't cry or anything but you know my eyes did get a little watered because you know I really believe early education is so important if it it it has to start there all interventions. And when I say that, the highlight was a was a speaker who who who talked about the relationship she had she has with her brother. And um although he didn't have such a successful beginning with the love and relationships within their family, her brother stried develop
053to develop into a kind, loving young man. I mean, well, he's middle-aged man now. But, you know, she recognized early that her brother, you know, did not receive all of the, uh, needed resources growing up in school. Um, and she made it her mission to learn how she could be that beacon of light and support, hope, and love, you know, for her brother. And, uh, and, you know, showing all the beautiful pictures over over the time. I just, it was just amazing. And we had a lot of good speakers. Okay. So, but I I can't speak on all of them. And then on the 13th, um I already talked about um locka. I also attended the CASPY conference uh with my uh with my board president um Stewart uh and the theme was the great
054tapin. You know, there was a great focus on mathematical practice and thinking and and they talked about the math behind the math and how to infuse with the family to engage, you know, um like naturally occurring um math things that you can do in in the home like when you are making cookies when you're cutting pizza or apples or you know stuff like that. and and they talked about um just trying to build math confidence at home and teach real life real life math concepts in the home just to be more comfortable. But they they went really went in deep on it. Um and also um there was another conference where um they were talking about you know what are we doing to uniquely support small populations of students such as you know uh like
055say for instance our we have a low population of African-American students like what are we doing in the schools to make sure that we're supporting them and trying to you know get get them into dual enrollment and and advanced placement classes. classes, etc., etc., like what are we doing different to make the small population of students um feel like a big part of the school? Um um and that was about it. It was a lot more, but that's all I'm going to talk about. Thank you. Thank you. >> Y'all need to time me. >> Thank you, Bober. >> Board member Centron. Thank you. Um, so October 10th I met with our superintendent, Dr. Simon. Um, and we had a great chat about um, enrollment safety, really understanding the commitments that we have um, for the
056district. It was just a really great conversation and we'll be meeting more frequently or as frequently as we have scheduled. Uh um and then on Saturday I also attended the special education conference and community resource fair the very first one um and it was so the the I'll just try to make this short. So the after our uh board meeting, I I was getting requests of flyers to enroll and there was people waiting in my driveway for those flyers and they showed up on Saturday and they had a great experience but also um I did too. I thought it was extremely fruitful. Uh the keynote speaker was just phenomenal. uh really brought it back to why we were there, what it means to really be a wholesome of a district, addressing students and why we
057do the work that we do, but also how parents and community really reflect and really hold up everything all together and um what it means to actually have these kind of conferences for the community. So, I thought that was great. Uh I attended with uh board clerk Critfield and vice chair uh Garza. Um one of the workshops I left my notes at home but um it was about the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools and where we are in our district and how we have partnered with other school districts to make this happen. Um so we do flag football, we do basketball tournaments, soccer tournaments, track and field tournaments and how involved not only did the other uh general ed teachers were also there speaking um on how it has reflected and resonated with general um
058general ed students to be able to be involved and have a commitment to all students on campuses and what that actually looks like and what that means. Um we had great uh a great little performance from our cheerleader Owen cheerleaders as well. Um and the students were there presenting um that are participating in this program and how what they look forward to and their parents guardians were able to also give us insight on how um this involvement on our campuses has really flourished in our students. and I just it was it was a great presentation. So, thank you for the experience. It was really really great. Um, with that, congratulations to our superintendent for 101 days with us. Honestly, keep up the patience with your board. I'll just say that. Um, also, uh, I just
059wanted to do a shout out, and I'm sure people have seen this, heard this, and it was also presented by the PTA about our first, uh, I'm going to get this right. BUSD's first annual counselor cancer awareness walk is Saturday, this Saturday from 9 to 11. 9. Mhm. and people can register, show up. Um, there's going to be free breast exam referrals, free resources, support, and education around it. Um, it's really just a walk and getting to know your community and being another resource and an outreach. So, I look forward to this walk. Um, and I'm going to say that's it for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Cron. Um, Clerk Crit. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh most of the things I I did uh were already mentioned so I won't go
060into much detail about them. Uh but the I I do want to say thank you to our staff for our first ever special education conference and community resource fair. Thank you for that effort. Um I we did have a COAPS board meeting. Uh I was able to uh uh accompany Dr. Simon uh for a walkthrough of the Mayfair Fields. Um, and I I want to say thank you to Patrick uh and staff that there's a a lot of eyes on on that project and I'm very confident that we're going to get it done. We're going to get it done right. Uh, so I feel I feel so much better after getting some clarity on some things that day. So, thank you for that. Um, very excited about that. Uh, Lakewood Education Golf Tournament, uh, Mayfair
061Homecoming game. My daughter got to meet and take pictures with the uh the the crowned queen. So, she was she was excited. Um the think together event at Washington Elementary. Um and I am excited about the BUD Cancer Walk on Saturday. Uh thank you for staff for putting that together. Um October 28th, we have the state of education event. Again, uh thank you. I I really appreciate the fact that we're doing these things that other districts have done that have proven to be uh very useful in the community. So, I'm glad we're going that direction and doing more of that. And then also uh on one thing that wasn't on October 10th, I had this really cool podcast guest. Super cool. Uh so, thank you Dr. Simon for coming and having that conversation. I I
062really do appreciate uh and and Esmeralda as well. There you go. all the the work we're doing communication uh it it doesn't go unnoticed and I really do appreciate all the effort that's going into that. That's it. >> Thank you, Clerk Grizzfield, Vice President Garza. >> Thank you, President Stewart. Um I'm also going to just move over uh jump over some of those events as well that we both attended u some of my board members and myself. the um Lakewood Education Foundation golf tournament. Um I was there as well. Great time. Um also the special education conference and community resource fair. Great job. Thank you so much staff for putting that on. Um there were a lot of resources for our community. It was amazing and I'm sure that it's going to get even bigger
063um as we get, you know, to start this a little bit earlier and then get all those um little pieces that we want to add on. Um, so thank you so much to your staff and to you for working really hard on that and I echo uh the comments that our, you know, all my all our board members are saying. Um, we are getting to do more events that other, you know, school districts have had before and it's exciting to, you know, be here at Balflower um, with our staff and with our superintendent. We can see that you're working so hard. There are so many things on our calendar. We see it. So, keep them coming. We are excited, you know, to continue to support everything that you are doing. Thank you. >> Thank you,
064Vice President Garza. Good evening. On October 10th, I attended the Belfar High School football game. It was homecoming. Congrats on a big win over Fireball. I think it was 34-0 at half. I think it ended 570. So, it was a really big win. But I want to thank so many of my friends and alumni who just came out to support our next generation of kids and the boys that were playing. They're just amazing. So it was a great night with family and friends. And I also want to thank Shannon, the ASB director. I commented on how much I loved the jersey of the student representative last border report and she gave me one and I wanted to say thank you because I appreciate that and all my friends were jealous. So that was cool, too.
065Um, on October 13th, I attended a professional development at my district. And only reason I'm talking about it is because I really like the way that they structured our PD. So, this was the first time as a PE teacher I had actual like specialized uh, professional development. They sent someone from LEO and they taught us a bunch of games and activities. And I really like the way that they did that. So what they did was they had three two-hour time slots and so we were put into two slots for our specialty and then we were able to choose the last one and there was a variety of topics and it was really cool and the teachers really like that they had a lot of different presenters so I just wanted to give that out just
066as an idea for possible PD. Um October 14th I attended my last alliance meeting as president. I will no longer be a part of that committee as it is designated for the president and the vice president, but I have really enjoyed u meeting with our union leaders and I'm very thankful that we're continuing to collaborate on just such critical topics. It was really a good meeting and you have some great topics going forward. So I know you guys will have great representation in December. Um October 15th to 18th I attended the CAPSY conference. I have a lot but again I this is the only way I feel we can report out. So, I'm going to just talk about some of the things that I did when I was in Carlsbad. Um, my first breakout session,
067it discussed a sevenstep transformational leadership. And I'm just going to go over those really quickly. The seven steps were to mirror. Leaders examine their personal beliefs, their biases, and their history. To map, leaders, identify patterns and systems. To mobilize, leaders actively organize people, resources, and time to make visible. Leaders elevate and affirm student identities, cultures, and achievements in curriculum, policy, and school culture. To mend, leaders repair harm by addressing past practices in making adjustments. Measure and message. Leaders use multiple forms of evidence and data to assess progress and make adjustments as well. And last is to maintain. Once you have those systems in place, leaders embed practices into school systems so they are sustained over time. My next session was preschool to power equity starts early. And the main focus question that I would like
068to ask all of you is how does exclusionary punishment and early education contribute to preschool to pipeline or to prison pipeline epidemic amongst our black and brown students. And we thought about that and we had partner work and we talked with people and there was a lot of great answers and discussion on that. Students may feel unwanted. Other students may see those students being targeted and then they don't feel safe and they don't want to see their friends targeted. Some may not want to attend school. Some may not feel comfortable or they might not feel like they fit in. And one thing that we learned was research shows that implicit bias was found across all teachers during studies. All teachers, our black teachers, white, Hispanic, Asian, all teachers. So we need to continue to provide
069training on this. Lack of culturally responsive training, it worsens the disparities. So, we need to remember that feelings are okay. We all have biases and that's okay, but our behaviors are not. And that's why we need to continue to have training for our staff on this. I attended a breakout session on the benefits of speech and debate. It was presented by one of our paramount high school teachers and it was really awesome. I hope that all of our schools, middle schools, high schools have speech and debate. It helps confidence, public speaking, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. And just there's so many things that it has to offer. So speech and debate is an excellent class or club ELOP something that we can do for our students and I hope that we're doing that. Um
070we heard from a panel regarding the IYC. If you have not heard those are the INE and Young Centers that are being created around the United States. They're founded by Jimmy Ivine and Andre Young, better known as Dr. Dre. And the thing that I really enjoyed about their presentations was it was just really interesting how these specific high schools are focusing on projectbased learning. They're teaching innovation and create creativity and they're focusing on technology. So they really emphasize that we need to teach innovation and creativity to our students and not just expect this from them. So a lot of their p uh a lot of their projects that are um project- based learning, they do projects that help the community and they partnership with people in the community. So it was really cool to just
071hear about the things that they're doing at their high schools. October 9th, I attended another event with um some of our local leaders, Congressman Robert Garcia and Assembly Member Lowenthal. On October 21st, I attended a meeting in my district. And again, I just want to talk about it because it was an aspiring leadership academy. And one thing that we've talked a lot about here on our board is our hiring practices and wanting to get the best leaders. So, what we did was we analyzed the difference between a leader and a manager. And what we learned was that leaders create positive change through their vision and strategy. It's basically the who and the what. But a manager is the planning, the organizing and controlling aspects of the job. So, it's basically the how and the when
072and what we do to make it happen. The managers are dealing with day-to-day operations, checklists, outlines, and job descriptions. So, what I learned and I know we're doing here, which I love, is we're hiring, I think, better leaders. And we should be aspiring to hire leaders that have a combination of both leaders and managers. Both need to be effective listeners. both need to communicate well, both gather data, they problem solve, they're solutionoriented, and they make decision decisions that benefit a team. So, that was a really thing um a cool thing. And I do think we're hiring better leaders and we're getting better leaders that are our principal, our admin, even in our executive cabinet. And so, I appreciate what we're doing. And Dr. Almos and Dr. Knox, I know they're not here, but they're doing
073an amazing job. Um just a few random things. One, I'm really excited about Joseé Salace's bill passing. That is the schoolboard member pay. Um, again, we've talked about it and I know people might judge us, but again, I get paid $240 a month and that's not a lot for everything that we do. So, I'm really excited to see that that bill was passed and that we can earn a little bit more because honestly, we deserve it. And I hope you don't take that as just me being, you know, to myself and selfish. It's not. We do a lot of work for what we get paid. Secondly, I just want to say please join PTA because I know they're trying to hit 3,000. So, I hope that happens. Third, go Dodgers. We have to win it
074all. So, I'm hoping that the Dodgers win. And lastly, please join us for our state of education Tuesday at five o'clock. We're looking really excited. We're very excited to that and we're looking forward to that. So, thank you. All right. Items. Does the board have any questions regarding theformational items this evening? All right. I love the time. 7:21. If there is no objection, this meeting is adjourned at 7:21 until the next regular board meeting held on November 13, 2025.