MVUSD Regular Board Meeting Board of Education 5/12/26

001The board of education reconvened into open session at 5:19 p.m. Roll call, please. >> Isabella Carbio, student board member, present. >> Joanna Lea, present. >> Roads Williams, present. >> Sammy Luna, present. Brandy Clark, present. >> Alejandro, present. >> Espironza Arce, present. >> Robert Verie, present. >> Susanna Lopez, present. Thank you. The board of education met in close session to discuss board deliberations regarding public employee discipline, dismissal, release, and non-reelection. A conference with a labor negotiator, a conference with legal counsel regarding exist existing litigation, a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, settlement of claims, and the superintendent's evaluation. The board gave further direction to the district staff and took action on the following. A motion was made by trustee Luna and seconded by uh President Clark and denied the appeal by employee number 92401. This

002was approved by the board of education by the following vote for a yes zero no one absent. A motion was made by Trustee Luna and seconded by Trustee Williams and approved the denial of settlement claims number 671779. This was approved by the board of education by the following vote for yes zero no one absent. I'd also like to note that trustee Jackson is not with us this evening. Now we are we'll move on to the pledge of allegiance by student board member Kayio. May everyone please stand. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. You may be seated. Now

003we will move forward with our land acknowledgement. The Marino Valley Unified School District acknowledges that our schools and district sites are situated on the ancestrial homelands and traditional territories of the indigenous peoples including the Kawia, the Gabrielino Tanga, the Los Luceno and the Serrano. We honor their connection to this region and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to educate our students on their traditional homeland. Their continued presence, resilience, and vital contributions remind us of our responsibility to honor and care for this land and its people. We're now moving on to E3 future board meeting dates of May 26. These are all regular meetings. June 16th, June 23rd, June 28th, and August 25th, 2026. And now we are moving on to our school report. Student board member Cabrio Carbell. >> Hi. I would like to bring up Brandon

004Garcia Zavila, a student representative of Miss High School for the school report. Okay. Good evening board president, board members, superintendent, cabinet members, staff, families, and fellow students. My name is Brandon Garcia Savala, and I am honored to serve as the Vista Lago ASB president. [snorts] Tonight I am proud to share some of the incredible accomplishments, growths, and unforgettable moments that have defined this school year. Visa Lago. This year, Visa Lago has truly continued to soar across academics, athletics, arts, leadership, and student involvement. Our Ravens have shown what it means to be powered by purpose. First, I want to recognize the message shared by our principal, Ma, Mr. Matthew McCain. This year, our school experienced academic growth, increased school pride, and strong student leadership. One of our biggest achievements was improving our cast scores in both

005English and math. Reflecting the dedication of our students, teachers, counselors, and staff who work every day to help students succeed. At the same time, students culture on campus has grown tremendously. The Raven's Nest transformed Friday nights into exciting events full of school spirit energy, while our Renaissance program helped celebrate academic achievement and motivates students to continue striving for excellence. Athletics had an [clears throat] incredible year filled with championships, CIF appearances, and historic accomplishments. Our boys tennis team became inland valley league champions finishing undefeated in league play with perfect 10 to zero record and overall record of 15-2. Several athletes earned individual honors including junior Jonathan Moya who was named league MVP after an outstanding se single season. Seniors Julian Lopez and Luis Castro earned league doubles MVP honors and multiple players advanced to CIF se

006sectionals. Track and field also had an outstanding season. Both the boys and girls team competed at league finals and produced numerous CIF qualifiers and league champions. Athletic both the boys and girls team CIF qualifiers and league champions. Athletes like Mal Malik Ogre, Nicole Aoyo, Sed Thomas, and Cameron Shelby dominated their events and represented Visa Lago with pride and determination. One of the most inspiring stories this year came from our girls basketball program. Starting the season with a roster made up mostly of freshman, the team was predicted to finish near the bottom of the league. Instead, through hard work, teamwork, and preservance, they finished third in league and advanced all the ways to CIF semi-finals. Only the second time in school history, players like Natasha Newburn, Melissa Gutierrez, Jamie Bur, Harmony Fuller, Destiny Ordon Ordarnis, and

007Amaya Ber helped lead this historic run and created a season our school would never forget. Girls tennis also had a successful year, earning CIF team bid and winning their first round playoff match against San Bernardino. Girls volleyball demonstrated tremendous sport sportsmanship, hustle, and heart throughout their season while continuing to build a strong foundation for the future. Another exciting accomplishment came from our esports girls team who captured the inaugural district girls smash tournament championship with a dominant three to zero victory. This achievement highlights our how Vista Lago continues to expand opportunities for students in all areas of competition and leadership. Our visual and performing odds program also had a phenomenal year. Senior Angela Ortega earned first place in Riverside County Office of Educational Fan Art Contest. Our theater department presented the production where there's a will,

008there's a murder, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our outstanding performers and crew members. Additionally, three Vista Lago students were accepted into the prestigious Ryman arts program at Cal State San Bernardino, where they completed college level art courses led by professional artists. This December, our VAPA students will also participate in decorating floral parade floats for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. an amazing opportunity to showcase their creativity and national stage. As ASB president, I'm especially proud of the work of our associated students body has done this year to strengthen school spirit and student involvement. This year, ASB received our fifth castle award recognizing our leadership and commitment to student culture. We hosted our first ever Hardy Pale Night in partnership with Meta, creating unforgettable experiences for students and families. Every Friday, we work to

009make lunch more exciting through music, activities, and student engagement. We also organized club rush events that helped increase involvement across campus. Because of that effort, Visa Alago was proudly now proudly has over 60 student clubs, giving students more opportunities than ever to connect, belong, and lead. Spirit Days have al have returned stronger than ever, and our student section energy has helped bring excitement and pride back to campus life. Right now, ASB is also working hard preparing for prom 2026 Monte Claro, which we know will be another unforgettable event for our students. In academics, Mr. Lago reached several major milestones this year. Our counseling department successfully met its goal. Out of 413 seniors, 225 students submitted one or more CSU applications. That represented 54% of the senior class, a huge increase from 33% last year. This

010growth reflects how much our students are bringing are beginning to see college and career opportunities as achievable goals for their future. We also celebrated a major accomplishment on the California California dashboard. For the first time in school history and as the only high school in the area to do so, Vista logo achieved the blue performance level in college and career readiness. In addition, we successfully decreased our school suspension rate, reflecting our continued commit commitment to students support, engagement, and positive school culture. Our ELA scores showed significant improvement. Mathematics performance continued to grow and overall students achievements highlighted the impact of the dedication, collaboration, and hard work taking place across our campus every day. Career technical education programs also continued giving students valuable real world experiences. Our EMT students com completed internships hours with AMR Riverside

011and Cal Fire during spring break. Students gained hands-on experience responding to real emergency situations and applying the skills they learned in class to real life scenarios. Our MCJOTC program continued its tradition of excellence as well. For the eighth straight year, the program surpassed minimum enrollment requirements with 123 cadetses. Students participated in competitions, completing over 1,000 com combined community service hours, earned scholarships, and demonstrated leadership on both off on and off campus. Vista Logos PBIS team also continued to support students through retro retroactive practices targeted in interventions and programs that promote student growth and success. Because of these efforts, our school earned platinum PBIS recognition for two years in a row and is working towards earning the recognition again next year this year. Our AVID program had had another incredible year helping students participate in field

012trips to universities including UCR, Cal State, San Bernardino, while AVID Olympics helped strengthen relationships and teamwork among scholars. Most impressively, 100% of AVID students completed the FASA and the Cal Kids requirements and were accepted into four-year college, including prestigious universities like UCLA, Berkeley, and Pomona College. Lastly, our campus facilities also saw important improvements this year. The east blacktop area was fully repaved, restripped, and repaired, helping improve both safety and appearance for our students and staff. As we reflect on this school year, it's clear that Vista Lago High School continues moving forward with purpose, pride, and excellence. None of these accomplishments would be possible without the support of our teachers, counselors, classified staff, administrators, coaches, families, and community partners who continued investing in our students every single day. Most importantly, I want to recognize the students

013of Vista Lago High School. Every achievement shared tonight represents the hard work, dedication, resilience, and school spirit of our Ravens. On behalf of Vista Lago, thank you for your continued support of our students, our program, and our future. Thank you guys. [applause] >> Excellent presentation. Does any of our board members have any comments or >> um Yes. I I wanted to emphasize how you mentioned multiple times about the SPO positive school cult culture and I wanted to know like um from your perspective like how do you guys keep that positive culture and also um I had a question about like what kind of lunch activities do you guys do to keep that like culture? >> I think just having communication with all of our students and then um most of the activities we did were

014hands-on like um throw a water balloon when it was hot. Um, we also did musical chairs. Um, we're coming up on the students versus staff game. So, yeah, we've been having a lot of um, thanks to Miss Salazar, we've been having more more um, involvement with our students. >> Thank you. And great presentation, >> Trusty Leva. >> I was just going to say, you know, um, thank you for being here. Thank you for coming and sharing with us all the wonderful things doing at Bago. And I'm not gonna ask you the question that I have because she already asked so I already have an answer for it. But no, thank you so much um for you know um helping their students feel you know welcome at the school having all these activities. Thank you for

015the great presentation. >> Thank you Trustee Williams. >> Uh Mr. Zavala, it was a great presentation and um one of the things that struck me about your presentation. You uh have over 60 student clubs giving students more opportunities than ever before to connect, belong, and lead. And and everybody wants a place to go, especially coming to school. and uh V Vista Deago is is is bringing in the students and drawing them in and uh you've done a great job uh as the ASB person in charge. Thank you >> just >> Mr. Zala. Thank you so much for your presentation. Visa Deago obviously is doing amazing things. Um, one of the things I uh wanted to highlight uh was a blue performance level in college and career readiness. Uh, clearly, you know, you said 225 students

016submitted one or more CSU applications. And I'm sure of your 43 seniors, you probably had more going to CTE and doing different things. Uh, bringing up the EMT students uh, that we had the pleasure of meeting not too long ago when we did the ribbon cutting. That was really nice. Congratulations on all the wonderful things you guys are doing. >> Thank you for an amazing presentation and you're so inspirational. All these um kids that are in elementary and middle school level right now are wishing and hoping they can go to this dilago which is a great great school. So good job and thank you so much for your presentation again. Thank you. >> Thank you Brandon. Thank you so much. [applause] We're now moving on to the superintendent report. >> Thank you, President Clark. So,

017it is my pleasure again to present all the amazing things that our kiddos and our staff members have been doing uh this last month. As always, we start with our law acknowledgement. As President Clark already read, it's important that we continue to honor the land that we live on. And as we progress, you're going to see how our students and staff members are living up to not only our vision, our mission, and our portrait of a graduate, but also the goals that our board has set before us to accomplish this year. So, we'll start with some special recognition. I'm going to have first thespian team from Canyon Springs High School and Principal Robersonson come on up. [applause] Where where are your thespians? Have them come up. [applause] The California State The Thespian Festival was held

018from March 14th to the 16th. It is a three-day annual event for high school theater students featuring workshops, performances, and competitions designed to celebrate and advance the theatrical arts. So, joining us are 12 students who earned numerous honors across acting, technical theater, design, and category. And I want to recognize each one of you because acting is tough. Speaking in public is tough and what you all have done is amazing. So let's start with Paris. Viegas. Paris. Where's Paris? Paris. >> Oh, we'll make sure we come back to Paris. Okay. Victor Valentino Areola. Victor. Okay. Victor, 10th grade student, first place in musical ensemble and earned a superior. Congratulations, Victor. Benjamin Briggs. Benjamin. >> Okay, so Benjamin, we're gonna recognize him because he deserves it. First in musical ensemble and earned a superior. Congratulations, Benjamin. [applause]

019>> Paris Viegas, 11th grade student, first in costume construction and earned a superior for sense and sensibility. Congratulations [applause] Cameron Canada. Is that right? Canada. Okay. Cameron, 10th grade student, first in musical ensemble and earned a superior. Congratulations, >> Amaya Davis. Amaya. >> Well, we're going to recognize her. First place in musical ensemble and earned superior for solo musical theater. Congratulations, [applause] Juliana Dear Rosa. Juliana, first place in musical ensemble and earned a superior. Congratulations, Jackson Hornsby. Jackson, first in musical ensemble and earned a superior as well. Congratulations, Isabella Martinez. Oh, Isabella, you're you're a thespian. You're supposed to be like out there. There you go. That's There you go. Love it. first place in musical ensemble and earned superior for solo musical theater. Congratulations, [applause] Emory Montes, 10th grader, first in musical ensemble and

020earnest superior. Congratulations. [applause] Okay. Is it Valain or Valen? >> Valain. Valain Montes. First in musical ensemble and Ernest Superior. Congratulations. Zariah Stewart. Zariah first in musical ensemble and earn a superior. Congratulations. And Daniel, you're the only one left, so I knew it was you, Daniel. 10th grader, Ernest Superior for sound design. Congratulations. So, before I have have the board ask questions that I know they have, I'm going to ask Dr. Overerson to share a little bit about our program and obviously introduce the amazing person that supports the program as well. >> Absolutely. So, um, as you can see, we have some amazing thespians in front of us, uh, tonight. And, uh, what what impresses me most about these students is their level of involvement at school. Um, yes, they they take the stage, um,

021several times a year. Um, but we also see them on the football field, uh, cheering and singing and, uh, performing in other ways. And of course, they're always performing performing in the classroom, taking challenging courses at Canyon Springs. So, very proud of them. And uh um the awards keep coming in for our performing arts and and it's amazing to see all of these uh uh theater students here receiving the these uh this recognition tonight. And I do want to introduce Autumn Earl Rodriguez, our amazing uh and talented uh teacher. [applause] And uh why why don't you share the latest news awards we received just today? So, we compete at the Lucy Ares Awards where we go against 25 high schools from Southern California. If this we will have two students, both Amaya Davis and Benjamin

022Briggs will represent solo at the awards. But we found out that our musical, the same one that they won at state, was nominated for best choreography and also Yes. And then also for best director. So, uh we're very proud of them. >> [applause] >> So, and we do have amazing teachers and support staff and uh um you know, we're we're taking heart to uh taking to heart our our VAPA funds that we have and you can see the the uh benefits how it's benefiting our students and and so we're so excited. Thank you. >> Can you remind me the name of the play that you just performed at Canyon Springs? Once on this island. >> That is it. I had the pleasure of seeing that. Amazing. I recognize all of you. I feel like I

023won autographs. You guys did amazing jobs. I'm so serious. It was It was excellent. It was just like a Broadway musical. Um at the Pantasia at, you know, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. It was amazing. Great work, guys. And now I'll start with student board member Kabay. >> Hi. Congratulations to everyone. I just want to say that first. And I just wanted to ask um because I was curious, what's your favorite part about your program at Drew School? Anyone could go up. >> You're not you're not allowed to be shy. Oh, >> for me, my favorite part about this program is putting in the time after school and in class with my friends and just putting on like the plays, our one acts, our musicals, and just things like that because there's people in this class

024that I've never talked to before, but as time went on now, I like call them one of my closest friends, and I just really enjoy spending time with them after school and just doing things like that. Anyone [applause] else like to share or >> um I would say one of my favorite things about this program is just getting on that stage and performing for so many families um every year and just singing and dancing and just expressing ourselves. >> Thank you. And again, congratulations to all of you. [applause] Thank you, Trustee Ila. Congratulations. What an honor. I feel like President Clark, you know, getting your autographs before, you know, you're all famous already. But anyways, um my question is like what was the hardest part of like putting that play together? >> Um sorry, I

025got to sit on my tiptoes. Oh. Um, I think the hardest part about putting this together is the long hours of rehearsal, but it really does um it really does make an effort because of all the effort we put in and even though they are long, they are very rewarding because you know we won so much stuff and [laughter] but it's it's really fun and it's really hard to pick apart but I would say the long hours of rehearsal but they are really fun. Anyone else? [applause] >> Yes. Um, >> Trusty, >> I I'm really impressed uh with the grade level of the students that are standing before us. We have more underassmen than seniors and that speaks to the future. and young man Victor. >> I really liked what you said before you did

026this work. you know, you didn't really talk a whole lot, but you kind of came out and and and because people recognized you for what you were doing outside the classroom, uh putting in the time just like athletics and showing a finished product and uh I hope this carries all of you uh into your future uh and and and follow through, continue to work. Thank you. And thank you, uh, Mr. Robson. [applause] >> Vice President Luna, >> I just want to say you all are amazing. I was also with President Clark uh when I saw you all performing and uh we just we were blown away by the skill level that you guys are at. Um, I believe we both got emotional. I think Trusty Lea too, were you there? I think you were there.

027No, >> you don't remember. Okay. Um but but um I kind of piggybacking off of what Mr. Williams said, you know, this is a time in your life that you'll never forget and how magical that you're at this level and you received all these prestigious awards. So congratulations. We're so proud of you. So just thank you. I know that this work is not just on you. Um there's a lot of people here supporting you. Can you turn around and give a big round of applause to your parents, too, cuz they deserve that? [applause] And our teacher mentor, you got to give her a big round of applause as well. Thank you so much. [cheering] [applause] Thank you everyone. Thank you so much. Okay, so Canyon is not the only high school that has thespians. We

028have some eagle thespians in the crowd as well. So, we can have them come up along with Mr. Julian. [applause] Also at the state U thespian festival in March, we have three students from Value that were recognized and received some pretty prestigious awards. And I'm going to go in reverse order only because one of them really achieved a pretty high distinction. So Jaye Parks, 12th grader, a 2026 Despian student tech showcase, selected for costume construction for the kills she kills monsters. So congratulations Jaylee. [applause] >> Elijah Navare, 12th grader, 2026 student tech crew, main theater, selected to be part of the house crew. Congratulations [applause] Okay. And Riley, so Riley Sanchez received an overall score of superior for a short live action called film called Bones and qualify for the internationals at the University of

029Indiana during the summer. Congratulations, [applause] >> Mr. Gilead. Did you want to share a few words about your program and our students? >> Absolutely. Uh we are so so proud of our kids. Um the one of the things that amazes me about them is just the range. We've got kids that we usually do three big shows a year. Usually there's a comedy, a serious, a musical. We we kind of mix it up and then they go and do these these competitions as well outside in in Southern California and all over the place. And so they they do such an amazing job entertaining our our school and our community. And then they go out and win these awards and it's really really impressive. Um the how they can make people cry one night and then make

030them laugh and then make them, you know, want to get up and sing and like I can't sit down because they're having so much fun and they do all this while still maintaining their grades, while still taking care of everything that they need to at school. Um it it really is incredible. And they've got an incredible teacher, Miss Lopez. >> [applause] >> uh the the level of investment, you know, between the teacher and the kids and the rapport, the trust, everything that happens to make a successful program. I am so impressed and so grateful for what what she does and what she's created with our program. Miss Lopez, [snorts] >> I'd like to say just thank you. I feel so supported at Valley and I loved seeing board members when you got the opportunity to

031come see the show. Really, really appreciate it. The kids were so excited, you know, whenever you were there. They were like, "Oh, we made them cry or we made them laugh, [laughter] you know." So, thank you again for coming to support us. And I want to say a shout out to Autumn because she's always we work really close together and she's such a helpful my we've never done the Ares Awards and so we entered Spongebob this year and we have two students who will also represent Valley View at the com at the competition as well. So we hope you can come. [applause] Amazing [clears throat] Eagle Thespians. You guys are amazing. And I just want to say hello to Miss Lopez, one of the greatest of all times. Thank you so much for all the

032work that you do. And Riley, how do we um how will we get a chance to see the film Bones? Where can we watch? >> Um I have it on YouTube, but I think Miss Lopez has a link for it. >> Okay, that is >> so she can send it to you guys. >> Thank you. That is amazing and great job. I'll start with student board member Carbio. I just want to say again congratulations to you guys for these awards and I just wanted to ask any of you um what do you believe um made like helped you guys be successful in this program? >> I think all the hours that we spend in the theater with each other and the resources that we're given to help each other succeed, give each other feedback and

033everything really helps us make the most of the opportunities that we're given. >> Thank you. And congratulations to each of you. [applause] >> Congratulations to you all. Um it is amazing and it's a privilege to be able to go see you perform. I had a lot of fun. Um the times that I have not seen, you know, your place. But anyways, my question to you, you know, is um how crucial it is to know that you have a teacher that is supportive and administrator and everyone that it's involved, you know, in your program. Um, I think it's really helpful for us to know that we do have so many people in our support because it makes us feel confident in the choices that we're making and to know that we will be supported and backed

034up as we go along whatever it is we're doing, whether it's competitions, shows, or such. >> Thank you, [applause] Trusty William. Um, my hats off to all of you. And since you're all 12th graders, um, which one of you plans to follow this into a career, or do you all plan to follow? >> I I I thought so. I thought so. um being 12th graders and the time that you put in um and you're doing something you enjoy doing and it's not work. So continued success. Great job. Great job. [applause] >> Vice President, >> congratulations to you all. Um I did have the privilege of going out and watching Spongebob. I was so impressed. That was great. I didn't think I would cry, but I did. Uh um but one question I would have for

035any of you, what advice would you give to uh a younger person who wants to follow in your footsteps? >> I'd say to not trip about it. All right. >> All right. So, I know like theater sounds scary when you're on the stage, but just like be yourself. That's all I ask. you know, just like once you lose like your fear, just like put it all out on the stage. It'll be amazing. >> Great advice. Thank you. [applause] Congratulations again. >> Thank you so much. We're so proud of you. Congratulations again. Thank you so much. [applause] So on uh February 28th uh Saturday, the Riverside County Office of Education hosted the Science Engineering Fair. And I'm happy to share that we had 15 medals awarded to our students. Tonight with us, we have the five

036gold medal recipients. But before I invite them up, I want to recognize and thank Cal RTA, which is the California Retired Teachers Association, and their partnership with them. We are so grateful for their generosity and support. Over the years, Kell RTA has donated thousands of dollars to benefit our students and their commitment to education is deeply appreciated. So, as we welcome up Terry Hooper, Kell RTA president and board member Nina Williams and Ginger Martin. Is she not? Oh, well, we'll thank her anyway. Um, I'd like to have them come up first and then I'm going to have the students come up before you share your thoughts. So, let's have Emily Gisham come on up. Emily Abraham Holm. Abraham, Noah Pineda, Logan Styles, and Lily Trazo. Lily, perfect. talk. [laughter] My me my name is Terry

037Hooper and I am the president of the California Retired Teachers Association Division 21. I am here with our division's vice president Rhodess Williams and Secretary Nina Williams. We are a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that advocates for retired teachers, Calsters, and other retirement benefits. We are not affiliated with CTA or NEA. We represent retired teachers from the Marino Valley Unified School District and five other school districts in the surrounding area. One way we fulfill our mission is by offering support to current classroom teachers in the form of teacher grants and the programs they participate in. In the past several years, we have provided financial support to students from the Marino Valley School District who have participated in the district science and engineering fair and the National History Day competitions. This financial support helps students move forward to

038the county, state, and national levels competitions and help them improve their projects. As retired teachers and parents, we know there are expenses incurred when a student wins the science and engineering day competition at the district level and moves on to the next round. It is our pleasure to help these students. In the past several years, we have [clears throat] chosen to recognize 40 students annually for their outstanding projects at the district level in the science and engineering fair. Those students were awarded gift cards from Calrta. This year, we are recognizing these five wonderful elementary scholars that represent the highest level of competition and achieved a gold medal at the county level. We would like to congratulate and recognize the efforts of these students, their parents, and their teachers. Thank you. [applause] >> Great. >> I

039know director Vicencio wanted to say a few words, too. So, >> good evening, everyone. I just wanted to point out that uh we have five gold uh medalists this round with the Riverside Science and Engineering Fair. This is the most we've had in several years. So, they've done a great job and they're all elementary students. I don't if you noticed that. So, [applause] great job. I'd also like to thank our our partners with Cal RTA and their support over the last several years. And then we have in the audience with us a couple of our district coordinators. We have Eleanor Holm and Daniel Holm. And then [applause] also a very big supporter if you want to stand up is Dr. Amna Amad who really work with all of our site coordinators and help our students

040and guide them through this process. So we want to recognize them. Thank you. [applause] Okay. So now uh let's see. Abraham, Emily, Logan, Noah, and Lily, it's your turn if you guys want to scoot up to the podium a little bit. I know that our board has some questions of you. So >> Okay. >> All righty. Well, I'm going to do things a little different this time. I'm gonna call Logan Styles to the podium. >> Hi, Mr. Styles. Can you tell me a little bit about your project? Um so my project was named magnetic magnus madness and um what it was about was um you would get different uh types of bolts and you would get um wire and what you would do is you would lay out some um paper clips. You would get

041uh I believe a sixvolt battery and um you would wrap around the wires around the bolt and um you would connect it to the um battery and what you would do is you would uh put it with the paper clips and like try to make it um you know connect and what it would do it it would make it um magnetic. So uh the more like so the more wire you wrapped on each one the more magnet magnets it could uh pick up. So that is my project. >> That is amazing. Great job. Congratulations to you all. Student board member Car. >> Um I just wanted to ask how did you guys feel when you won gold? Um it was really exciting cuz you know there is a bunch of people and we're competing against

042you know some pretty good projects. So um when you won I mean what I felt was excitement you know enjoyment and um it was really you know a nice experience um for me and all these lovely people to um win gold. [applause] And then I had another question for any or all of you. Um, I was just curious if you guys know what you're interested in doing in the future. >> Um, I know what I'm interested in doing. [laughter] >> Um, I'm very interested in being like a zookeeper because I really really like animals or maybe a marine biologist. There's a lot of There's a lot of choices, but I know I want something that has to do with animals because I really like animals. [applause] >> Can I um what I want to do

043is I want to get into sports like baseball, football, and basketball when I'm older. [applause] Uh what I would like to do when I grow up is be a um actor or voice actor for um you know just I I don't know just I always wanted to be an actor and I'm pursuing that career. So yeah, [applause] >> one thing I want to do when I grow up is I want to be a teacher because I love teaching like little kids and it just makes me happy. >> Lily, Lily, the Mareno the Marino Valley Unified School District is always hiring. So please make sure that you keep us in mind when you become a teacher. Okay. Mr. Abraham, do you want to tell us what you want to do? [laughter] >> Okay, thank you guys

044so much for sharing and congratulations. >> I just want to say congratulations and thank you for being here. you know, you inspire me and make me realize, you know, and it reminds me why is it that I'm here, you know, and it's because, you know, of people like you that, um, makes this district, you know, shine. But, um, Emily, [laughter] I have seen you grown. You know, I work at Northridge and Yes. and you have always been an amazing, you know, little girl. But, um, how were you able to pick the project that you, um, did? >> Um, so for last year, I also did a project about plants. um before this year if that that project was about um what what liquids would affect um the plant growth and and it got me really

045high and I really like doing the plans project. So, so I decided to do a So, I decided to do a plans project this year, too. And um I figured that it might help because like for people who live in apartments and like and like can't really get the sunlight for all the plants, they can just buy like artificial lights and which one's the best. >> Thank you so much, [applause] >> Trusty Williams. >> Yes. Uh Noah, come to the microphone. >> What was your project on? >> My project was about um I forgot what was it called like R O something ROV. It's like um remotely I forgot what it's it is a um it was a ROV. Um, it was some it was an ROV that could unwater ROV that could um drive

046on the water. I >> I don't know. I'm scared. >> Okay. It's nervous. >> It's okay. >> No, don't be nervous. Uh, Noah, and the reason I asked that question, you said you wanted to uh grow up and and and work with sports. And so I thought your um project might have been sports related. >> It's cuz I just got into sports. Like it was like a >> Okay. >> Last minute thing. >> So you're very very interested in learning about a lot of different things and and that's what that's why you're here because learning begins with you but we don't know where it ends. See? and you have you have lofty goals and you're going to explore a lot of lot of things in your lifetime and uh just keep at it. Keep going.

047I and I congratulate all of you. >> Okay. >> You've done a fantastic job and we've never had this many students win gold medals at the elementary level. And thank you on behalf of the school district. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Vice President, thank you all for your hard work and your dedication and representing Marino Valley Unified School District the way you do. Keep shining. You guys have a bright future ahead of you. Congratulations, [applause] >> Abraham. Is that okay if I call you up to the mic? All right, come on up, Abraham. >> I can't let you off the hook. You you have to participate. Hey, tell us what your project was about. >> My project was on if the Fibonacci sequence was in nature and I tested it by um using

048pine cones, succulents, pineapples, and more. And then I counted to see if the uh patterns match with the Fibonacci ones. >> Right. So for can you educate the the folks that may not know that the Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical idea? So tell us about that. What does it mean? >> You remember it? It's what is it? One, three. >> The Fibonacci sequence is like you add both of the previous numbers before it. >> So it's one, 1 plus two is three, 2 plus 3 is five, and then you go on. And that exists in nature as a natural pattern, right? That's pretty amazing. >> Yeah. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Thank [applause] you. >> Congratulations again to all of you and thank you Kell RTA for your continued support. We appreciate you so much. Thank

049you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> So, I'd like to have Jason come on up. Jason, are you here? There he is. [applause] And your principal, Mr. Robersonson. Okay. So, every year the Palm Springs Playright Festival is a program that celebrates and develops new students um written throughout theatrical works with a strong emphasis on mentorship and real world production experience. So this year, Jason um was awarded for his play, The Rats of Broadway, and it was one of four chosen for the Palm Springs Young Playrs Festival. Along with that recognition comes the opportunity to be mentored by a professional playwright, a weekend in Palm Springs working alongside actors and directors, and a $500 scholarship. Congratulations. [applause] All right, Jason, tell us a little bit about the experience. >> Um, so they emailed me. Um, when did

050they email me? Like >> A month ago about and they told me that they had a couple questions about my scripts and they surprised me by telling me I won. and they explained, you know, everything that's going to be going on, like the resort I'm going to be staying at, the documentary they're making and basically the whole thing with that and my the opportunity to work with, you know, like actual actors and people who have experience in the field and being able to meet people who have one before. And the guy I'm mentoring with, he wrote a book that got turned into a Netflix documentary. It's called Boots. It's about somebody who was in the military and who was gay. It's called The Pink Marine. That's the book. And the Netflix show was called um

051Boots, I think. Congratulations. [snorts] We are so proud of you. Job well done. I actually watched that folks boots. It was really, really good. I'm so excited to see your work and this is a great opportunity and please when you're famous and you well, you're in the 10th grade, so we have you for a couple more years, right? You promise? [laughter] >> But we're so happy and proud of you. And I'll move on to um student board member Carbio. Um, I just want to say congratulations. This is probably a huge accomplishment for you, I bet. And I wanted to ask, um, what do you think helped you achieve this success, like reach this like level? >> Um, honestly, I don't know. Um, obviously my peers in theater, they obviously helped me with my creativity and,

052you know, they helped me learn to express myself and yeah, I think they gave me the confidence to be able to write something like that. So you would say like your environment pretty much. Okay. Congratulations and thank you for sharing. >> Trusty Lea, >> what are your plans for the future? >> Um, honestly, I'm not too sure. [laughter] Um, if theater is a like, you know, theater and playwriting is an opportunity for me, then I'll be happy because that's a very fun thing to for me to do. >> So yeah, >> thank you. Congratulations. This is so great. Trusty Williams. >> Yes. Thank you. Um Jason, um this isn't the first thing you wrote. >> This is the first thing I wrote. >> Is it really? >> Mhm. >> I am surprised because I thought

053you would tell me uh you know I I did this type of writing. I started here. But this is your first >> writing activity in the arts. Yeah, >> my hats off to you. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> My hats off to you. >> Thank you. Thank you for the information. >> Thank [laughter] you. >> A testament to how wonderful you are. >> That's amazing. >> Vice President Lynette, >> congratulations. Wow. At at this level, you're already winning awards. And how long do we have to wait to see your work in action? Um the Palm Springs uh performance is going to be done on June 7th, right? I think. >> Yeah, June 7th. And we're Yeah, we're doing it at my school tomorrow. >> Oh, wow. That's exciting. Well, hopefully we get to see it.

054Yeah. Thank you. Congratulations. Great job. [applause] >> Congratulations again, Jason. And I think thank you for sharing part of and thank you to obviously our teacher and our programs for sharing part of what a lot of our students don't recognize that being in the theater doesn't always mean you have to be on stage. There's a lot of really important work that happens behind the scenes from writing to staging to lighting to production, directing, all producing all of that. So kudos to you and it sounds like you have a a career here waiting for you in case you choose it. So congratulations again. >> Thank you. All righty. Uh, there's something going on here between Valley View and Canyon because Valley View is not going to be outdone. Um, so we're going to invite them back

055up. Riley and Riley Sanchez come back up. Alana Beckman and obviously Mr. Gilead. So, also as part of the Palm Springs Playright Festival, uh, both Riley and Alana will work with a writer producer from the TV show Boots. and have their scripts in a stage reading this coming June. They also will receive $500. Um, these students and their teacher will be featured in a documentary about the organization and that film is going to be released next year. Also, we already mentioned that Riley is gonna has a full scholarship to the summer program from California State to continue this craft. So, congratulations again. [applause] So, come on up since we already know you're not shy, Riley. And obviously, um, tell us a little bit more about what you're going to be doing in terms of the

056work with Boots and then what you expect to do during the summer program. Um, so with Greg, who is the writer of Boots, they, um, him and David have both helped me improve my script to make it, um, more stage readable with the actors that we'll have access to because my original script had actors that were aged younger because of the way that the story plays out. So, we have changed it now so that it is a like teenage version of the main character and then an older version instead of younger versions. And um at the California State Summer School of the Arts, I will be in their film department for the summer. And um we have classes six days a week and also separate activities in the afternoon after classes have finished that have

057to do with our departments. >> Very cool. [applause] Alana, what what are you looking forward to? >> Uh, I think I'm looking forward to uh like getting the final product out there. Um, and just like the whole process of it all has been really helpful and like learning like different techniques that I can use um so I could better my writing. So yeah, [applause] >> a lot of people don't realize that writing a script is very technical, right? It's writing like a manual to build a piece of furniture. It's very, very technical. So, kudos to you. Kudos. Kudos. [applause] >> Congratulations. Job well done. I think some of my board members might have um have a few comments or questions, but I just want to say go Eagles. You guys are amazing. >> Um I

058was wondering how you guys manage writing a whole script along with like school and all your other extracurricular activities. >> So, I'm going to be completely honest. I um wrote it last minute. [laughter] Um I'm a big procrastinator and um so I kind of like I don't know. I just when the time comes and I'm like okay I got to do it. I'll do it and then I'll put the best work I can in the time I have. So >> thank you so much for sharing. >> So Alana >> for the resume instead of destination. It's works well under pressure. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Trusty, >> can I interrupt real quick? Because they're being humble because these are AP students with over 4.0 GPA. >> And so they when they say last minute, they're they're

059being humble because they're pretty they're pretty exceptional in all academic areas. So, >> um, Riley, well, congratulations to Riley and Alana. You know, you are inspiration and a good example for other students. But Riley, what inspired you to write the script that you wrote? >> Okay. So, a lot of the work that I do, um, I do it for awareness. My short film was for bulimia awareness. I've done public service announcements for, um, I'm getting recognized for one tomorrow. It's for substance abuse awareness. Um, last year I did a suicide awareness one. I did a film for suicide awareness and that is what my script was on too. Um, I'm a very strong believer in the art should not only be for entertainment, but also to make people aware because if you can capture their

060attention through a story, they'll be more likely to actually obtain something from it, which is what I try to do with what I write. >> Thank you. Congratulations, [applause] Trusty Williams. I think the longer we have you up here, Riley and and Elena, we're going to find a whole lot more about you. Um, you uh have a very pointed, very sharp moral compass in your approach to what you do and you you've already touched a lot of people and uh my my hats off to you guys and and continue continue along this this trek because it's calling you. Thank you again, [applause] >> Vice President Lula. >> I don't know if I can say any more that hasn't already been said. You all, you both are amazing. Keep shining. [applause] >> Thank you again and

061congratulations and thank you for joining us tonight. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. [applause] So, continuing on the theme of amazing, I would like to invite up one of our Valley View students, David Sarago Casada, to please come up along with Principal Gilead. Uh, Dad, if you want to come up or you're going to be videographer, it's up to you, but come on up. [applause] We we talk often about um the exemplary students that we have, and tonight has been an example of that. and we have a couple more to showcase as well. But um very rarely do we have a student that is recognized not only publicly but often as often as David has for his achievements as a scholar. Um David is extremely humble as you can tell by how he is

062up you know kind of shy and already blushing. But let me just share with you that he was recognized as an amazing student. Um, [snorts] so much so that he has been awarded $50,000 scholarship from Edison, a $40,000 scholarship from Amazon, and a $20,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola. [applause] [cheering] So he has also had he had multiple offers from extremely prestigious universities from the east coast from close to us and he has already accepted a full ride scholarship to Stanford University. [applause] And so I'm going to let the board start thinking about their questions, but I have a really easy question for you which I know you're going to be able to answer. Where are you going to keep all of those big giant checks? >> Um, [laughter] well, I know for sure the Coca-Cola scholarship,

063I'm allowed to renew it up to 10 years. So, with that, I'm considering most likely getting my masters or PhD. So, for sure, right now, I'm not going to use 20,000 scholarship. Um, in regards to Edison and Amazon, I still have to think about it. Um, I know I'm able to use it most likely. Huh? >> Both both the money and the physical check. Oh, the physical check. Um, the physical check, I haven't gotten any of them from Amazon or Coca-Cola. They're more digital. Uh, I know that for the Edison one, um, there it's like this is a piece of cardboard. So, it's honestly just sitting behind my bed. And, um, in regards to how I'm going to use them, I'm still debating most likely to use it for personal expenses like a laptop, especially

064cuz, um, I do plan on studying engineering and they tend to be more expensive with the laptop. So, something like that. Well, congratulations. [applause] If I had a a check like that, I would wear it like a cape and just everywhere. Just walk around with it everywhere. >> Congratulations. You are amazing. So, you stated you wanted to do engineering. What type? Mechanical or >> uh electrical? >> Electrical. >> Yeah. I'm I'm debating still on double majoring with data science as well because I am interested in artificial intelligence. >> So, something like that, too. >> Fantastic. Congratulations. You are amazing. We are so proud of you. Well job, well done parents [laughter] or father. I just think that you're amazing. I'm glad you have a great support system and thank you Mr. Gilly and all the

065wonderful teachers that supported you. And most importantly, I'd like to thank you. You are amazing >> so much. >> And student board member Kobay. >> Honestly, I don't really know what to ask because you're my friend and I know a lot about you already. Um, but I just want to say I'm so extremely proud of you. Um, being able to call you my friend and being associated with you is just crazy to me because I've known you on a like different level that other people don't know you on. And I've known how much time and effort you put into your school. There's been so many times where we ask you to hang out and you're like, "No, I have to go home. I have to go study." Um, and now like it finally paid off

066like to an extreme level and I'm just so proud of you. And I do have a question. Um, how are you able to be so humble? >> Um, I think it's only because I really am not like an extroverted person. Like if I ever got something or if I'm ever recognized, I try to like my best to also make sure that others are also feeling supported. So, I think if I ever were to like, let's say, flex an award that I got or something, I don't want to like bring others down with that like like bragging rights in that way, you know? >> Thank you so much, David. And I'm so proud of you. [applause] >> He's a great person, Trusty. Lea, >> congratulations. Felicare. >> Thank you. Um, I'm gonna say both English, Spanish.

067Um, it is an honor and a pleasure, you know, and to congratulate your parent, not only you, but your father too, because it is important to have a a good support system and especially when it comes from mom and dad and um I want to say thank you for being you know grateful because that's the way to show when you're grateful for the sacrifice and work that your parents do for you every day when they go to work you know and they um and the way that that you handle yourself like student board member Carval said you're very humble you know uh we had a little chat and she talks you know highly of you and what a great example you are, you know, not only to her but to others. And um that's not

068learning at any school. It comes from home. So, thank you for showing that and making your family proud. >> Thank you so much. [applause] >> Trusty, >> David, uh you selected Stanford. >> What What were some of the other schools that uh offered you a scholarship? Um well other schools included well the UC's obviously so like UCLA, UC Berkeley, San Diego. Um in regards to private private schools I was fortunate enough to get into Harvard, Princeton and MIT but I ultimately decided to choose Stanford because obviously it's really good for engineering but for the social life I really do value that like having like socializing with other people especially like people who are in different subjects like in literature, social studies. Um, and I know, uh, I was really stuck between MIT and Stanford, but

069at MIT, they're more specifically STEM focused. And for me, I think like going on to the future, especially with the rise of like open AI and artificial intelligence, it's really important to get that like well-roundedness, especially in the humanities field. So, yeah, >> congratulations. Thank you, [applause] >> Vice President Luna. >> Congratulations. It was such an honor to be there when you were surprised by Edison with the check and your dad was there and your sister. Uh it was it was such a special day. My question for you, what are you most excited about uh when you go to Stanford? What are you looking forward to? >> Um for sure the experiences I get there given that Stanford is located in the Bay Area um near Silicon Valley or within Silicon Valley. Um, I know

070they offer a lot of opportunities like for internships and like networking. So, I'm really excited to get like out of [music] my comfort zone, especially because I know Mava is not really a small city, but compared to like bigger areas like San Francisco and like the Palo Alto area, um, I have more of the ability to socialize and network and get like like I said before, get out of my comfort zone to meet these amazing people. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you again, David. Thank you for joining us. Congratulations, Felicas. >> And just keep us posted on all the amazing things that you're doing in the future. >> Okay. Thank you so much. [applause] >> Next, I'd like to invite Leslie Valdipanas. Valdipanas up, please. Leslie [applause] and Dr. Rice, come on

071up. [applause] So, every year, um, Cababe, which is the California Association for Bilingual Education, puts on a best awards and best awards recognize exemplary students and staff who are, um, reflective of the mission of CAB, which is bilingual education, education in general, and just advancement, especially of our students who are multilingual. Um we're recognizing um Leslie for her Cababe award, but Leslie has also been recognized several times for many other awards, including uh student of the year by our coalition of high schools and districts. Um and Dr. uh Rice can speak a little bit more, but you'll also notice that Leslie has a young one, a little one, and it is especially difficult for parents to be exemplary students because of how they have to divide up their time, especially devoting so much to the

072needs of her little one. So, Leslie, we are so proud of you. Thank you for exemplifying not only being a great student, but being a great parent. So, congratulations. [applause] All right. So, Leslie is an amazing role model, not only for our students, but for her child as well. She has done some amazing things at Marsh Mountain. Um, she probably would be one of our validictorians if she came there a little bit earlier. But just her resilience and everything that she has done, she has since she has been there has been amazing. her speeches that she has wrote written has been have been amazing and so we were just so very proud of the work that she has done and the and everything that she has done at Marshmallow. So we are very proud of

073her. So, I will let her come up and give her her spill. [applause] >> Go ahead. You just say >> I'm just um very grateful for all these scholarships I've gotten, especially since I have a kid. It's definitely harder, but just grateful for it. [applause] So, I had the opportunity um to see you at the student of the year and hear your wonderful story, but I was also seated at the table next to you. And I had an opportunity to see you deal like be with your baby and your parents and your support system. And I just thought, wow, what a wonderful amazing person. You are inside and out. You are smart. You're intelligent. and you did this and I cannot express how proud I am of you and how much of an honor it

074was to meet you and I want to say congratulations. Keep up the great work. The future is for you and your baby and you are doing it well. So with that being said, I'll move on to student board member Carbio. >> For one, I just wanted to say I admire your hard work and perseverance. Um I wanted to ask what are your plans um with these scholarships? Um, obviously using it on school and hopefully like to help me around with my daughter too since obviously you're not just taking over your care of yourself but also another person. So yeah. >> And then sorry I wanted to know as well like what are your plans after high school? >> I plan on going to Marino Valley College um for criminal justice and then after going to

075a 4-year university. Congratulations [applause] as well. >> Thank you, >> Trustee Leila. Um, hello Leslie. Congratulations. Um, you are such a dedicated student cuz it is not easy being a mom and carry, you know, and care for another little one and doing homework. I cannot imagine. I don't know how you're able to to handle that, but um but I'm I'm very proud of you and um also very proud of your mom. Um So I was saying that it's important to have a person you know behind you, next to you supporting you and I have seen her at different events where she gets the scholarships and you can see that her mom is always there present and so proud of you um but it also importance to have another person that I have seen there you

076know supporting you is the principal from March Mountain. So thank you Dr. Vice for being supportive of our students. Thank you Leslie and thank you mom. [applause] >> Trusty will um my hats off to you Leslie and uh I have a little one at home. I have a granddaughter and I got to put in some time. Uh I'm not real mobile, but uh I know how important this time is for you and your daughter and uh you are going to reach your goals. Uh if you can do that, do what you're doing now when she's out of diapers and when she's walking next to you, you uh you got a reason to keep going forward. And uh congratulations. >> Thank you, >> Vice President Luna. >> Leslie, uh one of the hardest jobs in the

077world is being a mom, but it's also the most rewarding and for you to be able to do what you've been doing. And I I I just I remember when I had my first kid at 25, I was a mess. I couldn't do anything. So, you're doing it and you're shining bright. Thank you so much for representing our district the way you're doing and and thank you to your mom for supporting you and Dr. Rice for supporting you. Great work. [applause] >> Thank you again, Leslie. Thank you, Dr. Rice. Congratulations again. Thank you for joining us. [applause] >> Okay, so next I'd like to invite up Raquel Diaz and Dominique Gonzalez. So, and obviously, uh, Principal Robersonson, is he back there still? Oh, there he is. Um, excited to share that every year the Riverside

078County, um, Riverside County Esports Leagues recognizes students for their accomplishments. Tonight, we have two winners from Canyon Springs High School, Raquel Diaz and Dominique Gonzalez. They were both selected as winners of the student leadership award um by the Riverside County Esports award celebration that was held on May 1st at the county office of education. Principal Robersonson. >> Yes. And uh so um Dominique here is a member of our Mario Kart team and uh I I'm I'm sure he's going to share some exciting news about what that team accomplished this year. So I'm not going to steal his thunder. Um, but we're so proud of what our students are doing and what Dominique and Raquel have done in East with esports and we are seeing that grow at Canyon Springs and reaching new heights. So, we're

079very excited and and it does um you know that program, that sport attracts um uh students who may not be on the football field, a basketball court. Um it's a different type of sport and uh we have students excelling in that as well. So, we're so excited and I'm gonna let Dominique share a little bit about his experience with the team and what they've accomplished this year. >> Hello. Hey. Um, so honestly, I think esports was a big part of my life cuz coming into not just high school, but also in middle school right after COVID, I felt like esports was kind of an escape out of real life. And it helped me because I met a lot of friends along the way in the program. People who are not just dedicated to just sitting

080behind a screen, but people who are can relate to you and talk to you a lot. But I feel like we came a long way because I've been in our program since I was a freshman. Um I'm a junior now, but I feel like we came very far. We we uh we're doing fundraisers now. We're making banquetss. We we uh ended up going to CIF for Mario Kart and we ended up uh getting second place, but out of the entire state, I mean, I think that was a pretty cool thing. Yeah. [applause] >> Yes. And that that is a state runner up in CIF for for Canyon Springs this year. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Second in state. I mean, wow. That says everything. I'm so proud of you and I think making those

081connections in esports and just being so passionate about it. I just want to say kudos. You are amazing and good job. And I'll go to uh student board me. >> I just want to say congratulations first of all and I was curious on um how did you know you wanted to participate in esports? Um, well, growing up as a kid, my dad back there, but um, he he showed me he he brought me into the world of video games and growing up, since I was younger, I I really wanted to aim towards more of like a video game life, like almost like uh game scripting, like coding games. That was a big want for my future. So, um, knowing that, uh, there was programs that could like I can get involved more in video games,

082um, really brought me to the light where I could be like, you know, this is something I enjoyed doing and connecting with others who can do it. It it kind of it gave me like that little push. I was like, okay, I want to join this program. >> So, is that the um career you're going for? >> Yeah. And if uh that's my main goal right now. um if I don't end up doing that, I still want to do something related to coding or computer related almost. So yeah. >> Okay. Well, congratulations and thank you so much for sharing. >> Thank you Lea. >> Well, congratulations, you know, because I have been able to go see the different tournaments that you have um at within the district. And um to me it's not easy. I

083don't know how to play video games. [laughter] you know they like the little cart moves like that and I move and I go that way too. So I really not a good player and I know it takes a lot of you know like um dedication to practice and I know it sports is not just you know playing video games it has more than that and do you think you can tell us a little bit about it? Well, yeah, because um like I said, growing as a program, we start to kind of help others as well as they come into the program. We try our best to kind of almost like tutor them in our uh sport, I guess you could say. And uh but really, it just takes time like not just at school, but

084it takes time. You know, our coach likes to laugh. He likes to say that, you know, go home and do your homework, which is play video games, you know, but um we like to, you know, it's it's always just dedication also at school, but it's also dedication at home where you want to like study, I guess, the game, you know. So, but it's it's takes time and like I said, there's always people in our program who are willing to help. I have a lot of teammates who when they when new freshmen come in willing to join the program, they hop on. They're like, "Yeah, you know, if you do this or this, you know, it'll build them up. They tell them, you know, these are people you can watch how to get better." So, it's

085it's cool how we're not just like, "If you're good, you can play." It's no matter where if you want to play, you can come and, you know, we'll show you the ropes. >> Thank you, Trusty [clears throat] Williams. >> Yes. Uh, Dominic. Yeah. Dominate, >> right? >> Yes. >> Dominate. >> Um do you do you compete in a co-educational uh environment? >> Yes. Uh we have teams which are both male and female. And then we also have uh some leagues that are just for uh for girls, which is kind of interesting because it's cool to bring in like because a lot of people when you think of gaming, they think of more of a kind of a boy thing, but it's cool to bring in I enjoy like seeing a lot of uh girls who

086like to come in and enjoy the program as well. Um right now on our uh Mario Kart varsity team, we have um we have a girl on our team and she's her name's Kathy. uh she she's just a freshman, but she she moved up and she's helping us a lot. She helped us get to state. So, it's it's great to see not just like, you know, boys playing the the games, but it's great to see females also coming into the the sport as well. And and I have to tell you, um, we had a presentation with middle school and they gave us a esports jersey and I'm not getting around too much, but the times that I've gotten around, people have gone, you know, about esports, you know, I and you know, I got I'm

087like Miss Labour. I got left off at Duck Hunt. Okay. [laughter] So, um, I kind of wear that esport jersey with a lot of pride, you know what I mean? >> So, uh, I have to know a little bit more about it. And, um, my hats off to you and, uh, congratulations on your CIF runner up and, uh, you're an 11th grader, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Go for the first place next year, man. >> That's the whole plan. We're going to have our whole our whole varsity team is going to be there next year. So, get it. >> [applause] >> Thank you, >> Vice President Luda. Mr. Gonzalez, I just have a question. What was the criteria for the county esports student leadership award? >> Honestly, I'm honestly I just think it was just

088dedication and like just kind of showing respect and kindness to your teammates. Um, I am our president of our esports club and um they nominated me. I I'm still grateful. I still question why sometimes, but um I I just think it's really just connecting with people in general and helping them not just on like like a sport level almost kind of like a like a friendship like kind of emotional connection. And I feel like building bonds with everyone in the program makes you a good leader because I because it's like you help you're helping them up not just as a player but also as a person. Yes, it's clear that you're a leader. Your your kindness comes through. Your leadership shows through. So, thank you for representing Marino Valley Unified the way that you do.

089>> Thank you, Dominic. You're extremely well spoken and if you don't pursue the career in kind of design, I think there's definitely a career for you in broadcasting, podcasting because you're very, very well spoken. Uh, congratulations again and do Mr. Gileia back there wants to congrat congratulate you on your wardrobe because you're wearing valley colors. [laughter] Thank you. Thank you. >> All righty. So, >> look at that big smile on Mr. Gileia. >> Um, it is now my pleasure to introduce an entire team that's going to come up. Uh, Dr. Reynolds and her team, if you can please come on up to the podium. [applause] So every year the state of California recognizes schools for exemplary uh programs. One of them is the California Distinguished School Program. The other is the California Exemplary Arts Education

090Program. Um the program is really an evaluation of a high quality program for students that includes strong programs throughout the school, equitable access for all students, and meaningful integration of the arts into the school community. So this year, Palm was one of only 19 schools uh statewide that were recognized to receive this distinction. They had to complete a pretty comprehensive and rigorous application process. Uh you notice everybody turns and looks at assistant principal Susan Young because she's the one that led and spearheaded that process. So kudos to her. But we are just so proud of your recognition and of your accomplishment. So good job everyone. Congratulations. [applause] >> Hello. Hello everybody. Uh thank you. This award is a huge testament to the high quality standardsbased equitable arts program that we offer at Palm Middle School.

091One of my most favorite things as a principal is to be able to watch our students shine and to watch them perform. Um it's absolutely the best part about my job every day. Um watching their confidence continue to grow with each performance is really why we do what we do every single day. I know that some of you have had the privilege to watch some of our pumas perform. So, thank you so much for being there. Um, and I just wanted to give a shout out to our team. We have Mrs. Wgner who leads our choir and musical theater program. And we Yes. And we have uh Miss Paloto who leads our arts program and Miss Hendris who leads our band and guitar program. [applause] and the time and dedication that these ladies put into

092our students is commendable. Um the amount of hours and just, you know, time that they're spending with the kiddos to make sure that they're ready for each performance and that they have the confidence, it just blows me away all the time. So, thank you so much for everything you do for our kiddos. Um and then of course I wanted to give a huge shout out to Mrs. Young, our assistant principal. And we can clap for her, too. [applause] Um she so this is my first year at Palm but she has been a huge supporter of our VAPA program at Palm and she is a huge contributor to why it is the way that it is today along with um Rene Renee Roaneiro. So just kudos to both of them and she also spent a great

093amount of time writing the application and gathering evidence for the submission to receive this award. And I would also like to thank our amazing board Dr. Dr. Ruvakaba and our amazing cabinet for all of your support and your commitment um to providing a well-rounded education for our students and we are very very excited to represent Marino Valley Unified as the only school to receive this honor. So, thank you for celebrating this huge milestone with us. [applause] President Clark, before we have the board provide comments or questions, I also want to recognize Daryl Fry from Assembly Member Corey Jackson's office who's going to come up. [applause] >> He has some words to share and he also has a presentation. >> Okay, first of hopefully many more to come in our school district. U Hey family. Good

094evening. Hello. I feel like we're at an award ceremony. Hello. [laughter] But I want to uh just award, you know, the home of the Pumas uh for another special recognition. Uh we did take a um process to get this beautiful resolution I'm going to present uh down here from Sacramento all the way to the Inland Empire. Um so just know that you're you know all your hard work is not in vain. Um, so on behalf of the state assembly, I want to honor the administrators, principles, assistant principles, uh, teachers. Um, I'm personally a DJ on the side, too, so I know how important the arts are and and just exploring, you know, opening up avenues for students to know that there is um, so much more they can do uh, with their lives. Um, so

095I'll read the last part. A resolved by Assembly Member Dr. Cory Jackson uh that he congratulates Palm Middle School on its receipt of a California exemplary arts education award. Uh this commendation this uh award rather is for his teachers, administrators, staff members for their untiring commitment to advancing excellence in education and applaud the students for their hard work, dedication and efforts towards achieving their highest potential. Again, a round of applause for Paul Middle School. >> [applause] >> I need to get a photo with that. You know, I gonna show it off on social media. Can we get a photo with the board after the whole recognitions? >> Thank you. [applause] >> All righty. Thank you so much. All right, Valley View, it's your turn. Come on up. As I shared, the state of California recognizes

096programs for unique distinctions um palm for the arts program, but um this this year we're also very proud to recognize Valley View High School as being for being honored as a California distinguished school, not just for academic achievement, but also for a specific program, which is closing the achievement gap. So for just as a reminder, not only are we embarking on a goal to raise academic achievement for all students, but we also are putting a significant effort into making sure that student groups that have historically underperformed are outpacing the performance of others. So Valley View was recognized for exactly that, for having a focus on student groups that historically perform lower than others. So, congratulations to Valley View High School for being honored as a California distinguished school. [applause] >> Thank you so much. We

097are so incredibly proud. Um, this is an award that we didn't apply for. It's purely off of data, which, you know, speaks to my heart. You know, that it's off of off of data. But the state looks and looks at our dashboard, looks at all of our our measurables, and across the board, there's seven categories. We either scored at the top or we improved in every single category, which is something that we're very, very proud of. Um, with that, people ask how how does Valley View what what's special about Valley View? What's doing this? And I I got to say it's it's the people, it's the culture, it's the community. Um, we've got 2,800 2700 students that do amazing amazing things that you got to see some of them today. We've got 260 270 staff

098that do amazing amazing things. We've got teachers here. Uh, we've got classified staff here. If I could introduce some of them real quick. Miss Kim Johnson is our registar. Sylvia Rogers is a Spanish teacher. Mr. Vest is a chemistry teacher. Miss Hassen is our librarian. Miss Stanford is um one of our aids. Amazing. Amazing job. And Miss Carvalo is a math teacher and special education teacher. And it really does take all 270 staff members working together, doing their own little things. There's not like a magic pill that just makes everything work. It takes so many different initiatives, so many different programs, so many people really putting in the effort day in and day out, staff, students, parents, everybody. And it's really rewarding that the data shows that we're going in the right direction and and

099having an impact. So, thank you. >> Congratulations again. [applause] And uh Darl, if you want to come up and there's another >> there's another one right there. Oh, that's your cue. >> She said, "Oh, she didn't know there was one hiding." >> All right. So, of course, what's better than one top owner honor uh from our state? It's two. And those jerseys look amazing, too. I'm going have to get one of those. [laughter] Uh so again on behalf of the state of California, on behalf of the state assembly, uh we just want to recognize this amazing school uh for being distinguished in all parts of academic success, student growth, and then also serving all students. So this a big, you know, highlighting to the diversity and equity at Valley View High School as well. Congratulations.

100>> Thank you so much. Thank you. [applause] There you go. >> So, I think now we want to do a picture, right? Because Daryl, you need to get proof that you were here or else it doesn't count, right? >> [laughter] >> Okay. Ready? One, two, three. One, two, three. Cheese. One, two, three, cheese. >> And last one. One, two, three, cheese. All right. So, congratulations again. A couple more district highlights. Uh, we mentioned earlier we recognized one of our students who received the best award. We also had some staff members who received the best awards as well. Um, Mr. Henado Garcia from Cloverdale was uh was nominated for a best award. Patricia Quuer, teacher at Sunny Meadows, was nominated. Mida Asencio, EL instructional assistant at Marina Valley High School. Blanka Satarin, secretary 2 for multilingual

101learners department. And as Malda Baragon, a parent and community volunteer, were recognized or nominated from our district to um the cabab for the best award. So congratulations to them. Every month we present our attendance figures. it's uh starting to slip. So, we got to get our kids back in class, but we still want to recognize that we're well above what we were uh post pandemic, but not quite where we need to be, which is at about 95% or higher. Again, want to recognize Vista Heights Middle School, Northridge, and Butterfield that are continually leading the pack in terms of attendance. So, congratulations to all of them. And again, just kudos to the middle schools, which is as somebody who spent 10 years as a middle school teacher, it's always tough to get the middle schoolers in,

102but they're doing it and they're ahead of the game for um compared to all of our other um student levels. So, congratulations to them. Lastly, a couple of save the dates. We have our Shine Community Awards tomorrow night. We hope that everybody will be in attendance. On May 15th, we have the Vapa District Art Show in the evening at Marine Valley High School. On May 16th, we have the track and field tournament and championship as well as our multicultural visual and per virtual multicultural day, Moella and visual and performing arts festival at Maria Valley High School. Our VAPA again, Moella is going to be there. Salooning educators is on May 20th and our DLI fifth and eighth grade student recognition is on May 21st at Mareno Valley High School. And that's my presentation for this

103month. Thank you so much. >> Great job. This is always my favorite time of year. So, moving on to item E6, um, recognitions. Can I please get an approval to approve resolution number 20225-26-89 for mental health awareness month? >> So, moved. >> Can I get a second, please? >> A second. >> Thank you. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. Student board member Carvalo. >> I >> Miss Lever. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I >> Miss Luna. >> I >> Miss Clark. >> I This motion has passed. Five one. Five approve, one absent. Trustee Luna. >> Thank you, President Clark. May I have Diana Kobian and Dr. David Satry to the podium, please? The month of May is nationally recognized as mental health awareness month. This month is dedicated to fostering public understanding of

104mental health, promoting positive mental health practices, and advocating for policies that ensure comprehensive mental wellness support. Most importantly, it focuses on dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health conditions that ultimately prevent individuals from seeking the help and support they need. The mental health and emotional well-being of our students, educators, and staff, as well as our school community, are fundamental to their overall health, happiness, and success. Therefore, we recognize May 2026 as National Mental Health Awareness Month and encourage everyone to participate in activities, educational programs, and conversations that champion mental health awareness and overall well-being. [snorts] We are committed to providing vital mental health resources, ensuring robust professional development opportunities for our staff, and implementing policies prioritizing the mental health and emotional well-being of every individual within our school community. The podium is yours. >> Board of

105Education, Dr. Rupacaba, Cabinet, thank you. um on behalf of Mr. Garcia, our director, and we brought some guests tonight. We brought four of our clinical supervisors. Um this is Mora Rodriguez. This is Carla Bonita Estrada and you know Diana. This is uh Sarah Fischer who just joined us a few weeks ago and Serena Bradbury. So, these are the people that are the muscle behind all of the work that we do. And um I [clears throat] just want to thank you for the resolution. And if I may say, thanks for making mental health cool. And Diana is going to um give you some information on our various activities at the school sites. >> Thank you for the introduction, Dr. Satri. So, I'm going to break the one minute. Um, Mr. Garcia said you have one minute.

106Make sure you utilize your one minute, right? But I just like to say first and foremost on behalf of our team, thank you for your support. We wouldn't be able to carry out this really um, special work. If it wasn't for the support of our superintendent and the board members as well. Um, today we got to see all the kids up here that were shining, right? we got to see um Lesie and everything that she's going through and what she's able to do and so we are a part of that and we want to continue to be a part of that for our kids. They deserve to all be up here. So, um with that, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuing to support our work. Also, we have mental

107health awareness calendar of activities that I wanted to share with you all. um we they are happening throughout the month and they're happening at different sites. So we are wanting for you to see if there's maybe a time if it permits and you can join us at any one of these activities. So we'd love to have you if you're able to make it. So I'll give these to Claudia or Anie and thank you again so much. Thank you for all you do to support the work that we do. Thank you. Now we are moving on to item F, public comment on agenda items. Any person requesting to speak to any item on the agenda may do so at this time or when the item is addressed by the board of education. Individual speaker shall be

108allowed to speak for three minutes on any agenda item. The board of education shall limit the total time for public input on each agenda item to 21 minutes. Board bylaw 9323B, section 5. Per board bylaw 9323, twice the allotted time will be provided for members of the public utilizing a translator. Miss Claudia, do we have any public comments on agenda items? >> President Clark, we have a total of nine with one wanting to speak when the items being considered. >> Thank you. So, we'll be a little bit over. with consensus of the board. Would you guys like to keep the um at three minutes or would we like to go down to two minutes? >> Three minutes. So, first person to the um podium is Joanne Stiffens. You will be speaking on it looks like

109K3F. Make sure K3F which is accepting of the declaration of surplus property. And then you will right after that you will be speaking on K3H. Okay. So this is surplus property. Is it on? Okay. Um, well, I'm surprised you guys have any surplus property uh to even get rid of because as I understand uh early March to the 19th um I you know was the day when uh there was a lot of product of electronics that were stolen from the Marino Valley Unified School District by an employee named Abdul Kamar. He stole $750,000 worth of laptops and electronics from the district. A home search found hundreds of stolen devices and thousands thousands of equipment. He was a 26-year employee. I'm surprised that that amount of items, even the police said that that was a lot

110of loot that he took. So, for somebody not to really notice that for a long time, I don't know. It just doesn't bode well with me. Um, who's head of the security here? I think I would look into that because that was that that's that's a lot. I know that when I moved into my house, I had one truck. That guy had to have 10. I mean, it's crazy. I know that you're getting rid of a lot of outdated and uh items that basically are deemed probably garbage. Uh, so it ju it's just sad to me. It's sad to me that these things go on and uh people just seem to be asleep at the switch. They're not really watching what's being done. I had a conversation with Dr. Verie about that. We touched lightly

111on it. But I mean, are these people not getting paid right that they have to take to stealing and looting the district from our goods? that really will go to our kids. You know, that's a lot of money. That's a lot of items. You know, even a kid when they don't turn in their laptop, I think the parent has to pay for it if I'm not mistaken. So, I just think it's a shame. And I think that you guys need to look into your security and who's running that and maybe, you know, let's start getting people in there that will do the job and not have, you know, cuz to me it seemed like it was an inside job. A lot of people said that. I mean, nobody can take that amount of items and

112nobody knows about it. >> Thank you. Please stay at the podium. It used to be the old days where they would just do it. Okay. Which one? >> This is Sunny Meat Middle School recreation center project and the removal of portables. >> Okay. Well, the only thing I can say about that is I could see that Measure Money is probably being spent. Well, we've been uh wanting those portables to be taken out of a lot of the schools. I mean, there was a time when those portables were just hot boxes. A lot of the air conditioners weren't working. The kids were in there. I mean, could couldn't even study. I mean, you know, it it's a shame when you have that kind of environment for our kids to really thrive in. So, I'm kind of

113elated that those are going to be gone and um I can see, like I said, where the Measure Money is going. I know you're trying to do a lot of good things for the district and unfortunately sometimes we have to tell the public and educate them about the bad. That's just, you know, we get calls, we get texts, [laughter] and so I'm just glad that you're getting rid of those portables. And that's all I have to say. I I'm just hope they all go and they all go because I don't know if you still have some there at Honey Hollow, but when my children were going to the school 40 years ago, they had portables there. I haven't been on that campus in 40 years, so I don't know. But any of them that are

114there, just get rid of them because they're really not a good fit for maybe our educational system where we're getting a lot of these kids doing really well and they ought to be able to have a first class learning environment. That's just coming from, you know, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. That's just where I'm at, you know. Okay, next. >> Valley View Portables. Okay, that's the same line. I'm just, like I said, I don't want to waste anybody's time here. I'm just glad you're getting rid of them. I don't know if there's any more that need to, you know, go like you, you know, getting rid of some of the surplus stuff that we just had on that last item. Anything that just isn't really suitable for our kids to be in. I know, um, you

115know, there are areas for it. The colleges have them. I've been on college campuses where I've had to do training for um you know one of my grandchildren that needed um I needed to educate myself about things and I was in a portable doing a classroom. So I do know there's is a need for it but it's just been way too long. Like I said I've been here too long and seeing those things and the bad part was is they were not kept up to standards where the kids could learn. Right. When you got an air conditioner out and we live in desert area, 105 degrees. I mean, as we speak, I'm renting a hall for my granddaughter to have her baby shower in August. I don't know how hot it's going to be, but

116I rented that hall because they're not and I have a huge backyard, beautiful patio, but everybody would be miserable. So, I had the foresight to do that. So, everybody here needs to know that the kids can't be in there. I wish they'd turn off the air here and have you guys sweating and maybe you would realize what those kids are going through. Okay, next. >> Alessandro closure. >> Oh, okay. Oh, man. I'm uh I'm really really sad to see that because our special education kids, you know, they're going to be thrown into um regular classes. And I'm sure that happened in December, so I'm sure they're already there. And I don't know if there's a lot of problems. I don't have a clue, but I know that I have gotten a lot of calls from

117parents that have said they had a lot of issues with the special needs program. I'm going to touch on that on on agenda because I wrote a whole thing on it, but we had five mental health people up here. Now, is that five for the whole school district, elementary, middle school, and high school. You got five. I think you need to hire a few more. That's just my take on it because they cannot cover all the ground that they they really need to do. And that would be money well spent. Because I know you're looking at me, Brandy, because you had a child that had special needs. And you know what I'm talking about. A lot of it is not just social, it's actually they've got mental health issues. I'm not saying yours, I'm just

118saying other children do. And it would help to be for them to be assessed at the lower levels so later on they don't have problems coming up the ranks. You know, I have a special spot in my heart because I had a great grandchild that had special needs. He unfortunately had passed away but he did get a lot of resources because mwah here was on the job got everything he needed he was flown up to Stanford he was flown up to UCLA he went everywhere but grandma was an advocate so some children don't have that so basically I think it's a shame but hopefully you guys are going to work it out and get them in there I know that the special uh education program at Alisandra was there for a long time. I don't

119know if it was because of budget cuts that you guys closed it and started funneling the kids into the regular school system. Like I said, I don't really have a clue because I haven't researched that. I will research it and find out. But um I just hope they do get the resources and these other kids don't start bullying them because we always have that. When my kid was going to Marino Valley High School, he had to step in for another kid because they were picking on him and he was a jock. So, they listened to him. He said, "You know, you start messing with that kid again, you're going to mess with me." But you don't always have that. You don't always have that protection. So, I just hope that you guys made the right

120decision here. >> Is that it? >> That is it. Thank you so much. >> Luis Palomarus to the podium, please. >> I think she's gonna come later. Thank you. Moving on to public comments on non-agged items. The board of education encourages public comments. During this section, staff may briefly respond to statements or questions or may ask questions for uh clarification. The board may refer to staff or other resources for factual information. direct staff to report back at a subsequent meeting and or direct staff to place the topic on future agenda on a future agenda. If someone wants to lodge a complaint against an employee, the appropriate form may be obtained at any school or the community education center. Individual speakers shall be allowed to speak for a total of three minutes on non-aggenda items regardless

121of the number of issues to be addressed by the individual. The board of education shall limit the total time for public input on non-aggenda items to 21 minutes. Per board bylaw 9323, twice the allotted time will be provided for a member of the public utilizing a translator. With board of education consent, the president may increase or decrease the time allowed for public presentation depending on the topic and the number of persons wishing to be heard. The president may take a poll of speakers for or against a particular issue and may ask that additional people speak only if they have something new to add. Board bylaw 9323B- C section five. And I see we have four non-aggenda item public comments. May I have Miss Jenna Halverson to the podium, please? Hello. Good evening. My name is

122Jenna Hverson. My son is a third grade student at Chapperel Hills Elementary. My son has already an IEP, but throughout this entire school year, I have struggled to get support and communication to help him succeed. Since the beginning of the school year, I have repeatedly requested an IEP meeting because my son's academic is um is regressing [clears throat] despite [snorts] I'm sorry. Despite my repeated request, the school has failed to schedule an IEP meeting, but finally when I reached out to Selpa in April, who did not respond back to me, but I did end up getting an IEP meeting on the 16th of April. But what good does that do for him? Because he doesn't he only has like two months left of school. So, that doesn't help him throughout the rest of the school

123year. [snorts] Since February, I have been requesting an FBA and a BIP from my son through both his RSP teacher and his principal, and those still have not been addressed. Meanwhile, I have continued receiving phone calls weekly regarding my son's behavior. The school placed him on a check-in and checkout program, but the system has failed him multiple times due to them not knowing how to do it. Um, my son also currently has a non-cont order with another student. However, despite the assurance from his principal that all staff are aware of this order, my son still continues to come into contact with this student at the school. Most concerning is the recent incident involving my son being physically removed from his classroom. My son's RSP teacher called me to inform me that staff had to forcefully,

124those are her own words, forcefully remove my son from her classroom. However, when I spoke to the principal afterwards, I was told that none of that ever happened because if it did, she would have a report and she didn't. Later that same day, my son told me that Miss Solo husband along with another man that he did not know who were also teachers at the same school entered the classroom and pinched his arms and pulled him from out underneath the desk and then forcefully put him into a chair. His primary teacher was alerted by another student and was they said that he was threatening to call the police on him. When she entered the room, the Mr. Solo, the husband of the RSP teacher, yelled at her to leave and that he had it under

125control. His primary, she told me that she was frightened in that that moment and she can only imagine how my son felt. [snorts] His primary teacher then went to the principal and told her there was an emergency and that he needed help. >> Thank you, [snorts] Dr. Uh is it okay if I have our uh chief human resources and chief academic officer follow up with you for a couple minutes so we can talk some more about how we can support you? Thank you so much, >> Joanne Stevens to the podium. This is exactly what I'm talking about. The special education program. Stop skimping on resources. Yesterday, a meeting was held at Sunnyme Middle School to discuss concerns and experiences regarding policing and discipline programs for students receiving special education services within the Marino Valley Unified

126School District. worried about suspension of children. That's what I was told by a specialed teacher here in the district because they don't want to do suspensions when the child is really really really bad because they don't want him out of the classroom even though he might need it. There's a behav you need to be have a behavior uh create a plan for that. In mental health, I touched on that five for the whole district. I think you need more than five. We are just victimizing other children and settling lawsuits. But investing in this program would be well spent and save thousands, if not millions of dollars in the long run. How much money have we spent settling lawsuits? And I know there's another one, if not two, coming down the pike. And it's crazy because

127if you get it and nip it in the bud and and and I just listening to this lady just made me sick at the beginning of the year. Um I just received Oh, she just said that she received her IEP and in the beginning of the year she asked for it. How many months does it take to do an IEP? I believe they're statemandated if you ask for one. You're supposed to get them. You're not supposed to get them months later. So, what's happening here in this school district? I know you need to find out, Dr. Rubikava. Maybe you're not even aware of what's happening with some of these IEPs that need to be uh done because I know that they were just they were actually having people um they used to have a program

128where they were had like uh parent advocators or something, but they were discouraging people from having IEPs because it would save the district money. I know that for a fact. uh they don't have all the resources. We've had uh special ed teachers coming up here practically passing out, asking for water, shaking. I mean, it's terrible. So, it's no big secret that they don't have the resources they need. These are our most vulnerable children in this district are the special ed kids. So, her not getting this IEP and waiting so many months, that could be another lawsuit. I don't know. I'm not legal, but I wonder. I just wonder. And I'm giving her my phone number. And Louis's Louise Palomar, please come to the podium. And Louis, you're on non-aggenda items. >> Can you Hi. Can

129you please turn your mic on? And you're on non-aggenda. >> Is it on? >> Yes. Non-aggenda. >> Non-aggenda. Oh, wow. Wow. Last time non-aggenda ceases to amaze me. The room's empty. So, a lot of the people that were here ain't going to hear the facts and the truth what goes on in this district. Okay. You had all your recognitions and all your, you know, awards and all that stuff you do. But there was some students here. I think they were from one of the schools. They were waiting here till almost the meeting was over. Those are the ones that should have been up there before all of this recognitions and all these people you, you know, give glory to the school nurse or this. I'm not saying don't do that, but the students should always

130be here first all the time. How long were those students here? How long? They were here a long time. I thought they were here for another reason. But I come to find out, no, they're here because they're getting acknowledged, recognized, and all that. But why do they got to wait till the end? Why do the parents off have to wait till the end for all this to happen? Why don't you put the speakers non-aggenda in the beginning? Why don't you do that? because you don't want them here. Say they get tired, they go home, they got to go on a freeway, they got to get their kids to school in the morning. So, you do a disservice to this this um the parents here in this community. Dr. Rubakava, I thought it would have been

131a better thing. Brandy said, "Oh, wow. Watch when you'll see what Oh, he's going to be a great guy. Whoever's coming, she said guy or girl, but oh yeah, you haven't done nothing for this district, but take us backwards. You won't even give us a time a day. At least with with uh Dr. K, he g he gave us a time a day. Even if he didn't like what we said, you won't even do that. Shame on you. But that's right. You're just performing for the audience of the board right here. That's it. Not for not for the community. Not for the student. Not for the little guy. You know what's going on in our district with our special needs students. Don't you give a rip. Dr. Ruba Cabba. Don't you give Don't you board

132members and you two right here. You know, you go along with the three that the three. Shame on you too. I mean the babysitting thing, you know, Corey Jackson $5 million se you all voted for. Can't you say no to these people? Grow a backbone. Help us here. Maybe he'll get maybe Jackson might, you know, get on the right track and vote the right way for the right reasons for the students and the and the parents here that need help here with these students, special needs students all day long. They get the the bone with no meat on it. That's the truth. And Ruvacaba, what are you doing about I want a meeting with you and I'm going to bring parents to talk about the issues. There was a parent here earlier and there was

133other parents that wanted to come but they would have still been waiting here to be spoken uh heard. Non-aggenda should go in the beginning. Really really where's your sensitivity to the community? You care really. You don't you don't care. You really don't care. You care about awards and acknowledgements and rubbing elbows. That's what you care about. How do you sleep at night to the Roy Beckard? Okay, [clears throat] moving on to item H1. We are moving on to MVA. Do we have a representative for MVA? Not this evening. Moving on to item H2, Ambant. Do we have um anyone here from Ambit that would like to Fantastic. Moving on to comments from the board of education. >> Yes. Um first of all, I just want to talk about one of the recognitions about Riley who

134shared um her films on awareness. I was wondering if we could get contact with her and try to share these um films with the schools. I feel like that would be very important. Um especially because it's coming from one of our own students. And then um second, I wanted to point out how we the board is not aware of certain things that happen in the district without people coming up and sharing this information that you guys have. So, any parent, I just want to say to everyone watching online, um you're welcome to come speak to the board and inform us inform us of what's going on. As a student, obviously, I care about other students. And I just want to emphasize that we are all looking for the best interests of our students. So, if

135if something's happening or something isn't happening, I think it's very important that you come and you speak to the board. you tell us about this and we could help you figure it out. Um, whatever it is, if it's students, if it's teachers, um, whatever it might be, I just want to emphasize that you are allowed to use your voice, um, and come tell us of what you want to see. Um, because that would not only help ourselves, but it would help us help our students. So >> thank you student board member Carvy Lea. >> I want to say thank you student board member Carvalo because you know it is important to hear from from the students and I you know um I share your thoughts and words. It is important that we speak up that

136we are able to um share with others when something is not going the right way. Um and um we're here to represent our community and um but also we're here to support our students in many ways and one of those ways is to showcase the amazing things that they are doing. they deserve to be, you know, brought here and for their parents to feel proud of them, to know that we care and that we're watching what they're doing. There's a lot of things as a district that we need to improve. Um, but also like I said, it is important to recognize our students that are working so hard to win a scholarships to being recognized at district, state level, county level. So, um, those are all my comments for right now. >> Thank you, Trusty

137Williams. >> Thank you, Miss Clark. Um, I was really impressed uh tonight to uh see uh hear and experience uh a lot of the activities, the pro-social activities that our students are involved in. And what I what I've taken from our recognitions tonight is that a lot of students have found their way uh because they found an activity associated with school that wasn't in the classroom. It was outside the classroom. it was with their uh friends, with their uh family, and and with their teachers, and and the work that they've put in to be successful. And so I tried to focus tonight on what students wanted to attain with the with with the recognitions that they got because when you have pro-social activity, you have a greater chance of students engaging and competing in the

138educational process. And what we're looking for is student achievement. And it's not always what a teacher teaches. It's what a teach what a student can bring to themselves through the associations they have at school through the collaboration that they have with their fellow students. The team building that takes place that translates into their adult lives. So, I was very, very proud to hear all of the accomplishments tonight of those students who aren't the star athletes, who aren't the highest academic students, and I will always champion that uh as part of our school district and what we can be proud of. It's it's amazing. And we have to keep this same game plan going and bring in as many students as we can until we have every student involved and wanting to come to school every

139day to learn. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Vice President Luna. >> Thank you, President Clark. Uh Trusty Williams, I I completely agree with you. How many times we talk about sense of belonging for our students? Uh definitely agree on that. Um so uh I just wanted to highlight a few of the events that I was able to participate in. Um one I mentioned earlier, Spongebob the musical at Valley View. Very very entertaining musical. Had a great time. Uh I was able to also attend the student of the year dinner and uh Honey Hollow Elementary had a petting zoo and that was a lot of fun. I saw Trusty Leva there to watch the kids interact with the animals was really sweet. Um also, um yesterday, just yesterday, I was able to attend, uh

140with Trusty Leva the Association of California School of Administrators spring celebration and a few um of our staff members and one of our students received an award. So, shout out to Lindseay Huntsman, Amy Esabel, Dr. Nicole Masheri, Dr. Anthony Rice, Raphael Garcia, and our student Danielle Lurma. They all received awards last night, and it was wonderful to be there to celebrate with them. Another thing I wanted to make sure I mentioned, a lot of people know how civic engagement is a passion of mine. Uh, wanted to encourage everyone to vote no matter who you vote for, what party you identify with. Voting is your voice, so please vote. Uh, ballots are out. I got mine and me and my two adult children voted yesterday and I dropped off our ballots today. Got them in early.

141So, make sure everyone um that you vote. It's still not too late to register. You have until May 18th to register online. Um, after May 18th, you will have to complete a same day voter registration and request your ballot in person. So, you still have time if you have not registered yet. I also wanted to highlight some things that I saw in the Friday memo. Uh, I saw that we had a shoes for success and wellness event and mental health awareness activities. Um, shout out to our health and wellness teams and center for all your dedication for the well-being of our students and our families. As highlighted earlier, mental health is is very important. Um, if we don't have that, then, you know, our kids aren't going to want to learn. So, let's continue that

142great work. Uh, also I saw that we're cont continuing the work on our Gen AI task force progress. I know that's a big big subject. It's a lot of work. So, um, thank you Dr. Vocaba and your team for for your work on that. And then another thing I wanted to highlight, the Go Green initiative for indoor air quality improvement and greenhouse gas reduction program. Um, it sounds like this is a program that we're going to be participating in and potentially receiving grants for. I'm happy to see uh our district participate in that and hopefully go a little further in that. Um, one of my dreams is to see community garden in every school. So, we'll see just like we were talking about um the uh hydro stations at every school. So, yeah, every little

143step helps. Uh, but yes, that's that's all I wanted to mention in my comments this evening. Thank you, President Clark. >> Thank you kindly. This is always my favorite time of the year. Graduations are coming and a lot of students are being recognized. I I think that's so important. I'm very happy with our resolution this month for mental health awareness. Um, it is very important that we take care of our kids social and emotionally and most important mentally. we this district does everything it can to wrap around our students to ensure that every aspect of of of their life is is is being impacted. I appreciate all the comments and everyone coming up because we hear you, we value you and we definitely take everything that you say um to heart and we want to

144do what's best for our students here. I also want to say that you know we um this board received some really good news today um from our independent monitor and one of the things that was shared with us is that we are moving in the trending in the right direction with supporting our students with disabilities um improving our IEPs. It's one step at a time, but we are definitely on the right road um to success because the goal is to focus on our kids and the goal is to do right by every single child in this district. All of us feel that way and that is one thing that I can share that all of us in this room and our entire community on this board, our superintendent and cabinet have in common. Students first,

145the kiddos in this district first. Um, I also want to say uh that Moella is this Saturday and I want to invite everyone to attend. It is a great opportunity to celebrate one of the things that we have going on in this district. um give a shout out to transportation again for their great work that they've done in in with our fleet and a reminder that you know this district is so amazing and is doing such great things that we have been offered and uh provided a place to help with our Olympics. So that's really really good. Um I don't have anything further to share other than I wish everyone a great great evening and know that um graduations are coming up and that's going to be great. That's going to be amazing. Eight graduations.

146So now we are going to move forward with comments from our superintendent. >> Thank you President Clark. I was just going to echo what you just shared which is I hope everybody will come out on Saturday and join us for Moella. >> Thank you. Now we're moving on to consent agenda. I'd like to ask that a 2526-0465 be pulled for a separate vote. And with that said, I would like a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Trustee Luna. Can I have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Corvio. >> I. >> Miss Lever. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed.

14751 absent. Now moving on to the contract A25260465. >> Um can I ask for a motion to approve that contract is for the University of California regents. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Can I get a second? >> Thank you. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Member Carvalo. >> I. >> Miss Leva. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss. Clerk. >> Abstain. This motion has passed for approved, one abstension, one absence. Now we're moving on to item L, which is >> superintendent discussion items. Dr. Robocaba. >> Thank you, President Clark. Um, this is a first reading of administrative regulation and board policy 0510. We currently have a BP. It's being updated to reflect two changes. One, anytime we have a community or a school that has

14815% or more of a of the student population that speaks a single primary language other than English, the SARC, the skill school accountability report card has to be published in that language as well. So, that's one change that we're adding. The second one is that we have to provide the SARS on a website in a understandable and uniform format which we're already doing but we want to make sure that that's included in the board policy. So that those are the two changes to the BP. There's also an AR which we did not have before. It is completely new so it's all redlinined and again this is just the first reading. >> Thank you Dr. Rubakava. Any questions or comments board? No, not at this time. Thank you so much. We're moving on to action items.

149First, we have our M1A superintendent action items. The approval of the finalization of Alessandro school site closure. >> Thank you, President Clark. So, on May 7, 2025, the board of education held a special study session regarding the future of Alessandro. Subsequent to that, including uh meetings on May 27th, we had a public community forum, we had a town hall, and we had a meeting at Alysa itself where we discussed the transition of our students at Allesandro to comprehensive sites. The board took action to uh gave direction, sorry, to the staff to proceed in that manner. At the beginning of this school year, we transitioned all of our elementary school students to comprehensive sites. And in January of 2026, all of our secondary students will transition to comprehensive sites, middle school and high school. So now

150that the that transition has been completed, this is the final acknowledgement that Alessandro school is closed for students and can be repurposed for other functions. So this action basically solidifies that that action. >> Any questions, comments, concern? I do have a question. How are the students doing so far that have transitioned into the other schools? Uh >> extremely well. We've we had a really good um beginning to the school year with our Alessandra students that are now uh Chaperel Hill students. So they're Chaparel Hill students period. They've done really really well. There was a great and strong team already at Chapar Hills. And so now they have invited the additional students and colleagues to build a collaborative team there who's now supporting those students at Landmark and at Murray Valley High School. That transition happened

151in January and those students have done really well as well. Um both school sites have dedicated areas to support the students and staff and we have had re we have received I'd say less than a handful of concerns or questions regarding those students. Um, so they're doing extremely well. >> As part of a board member that was a part of that decision, I remember we took such care that we even mimic classrooms like designing them exactly like they were at Alessandro. So the atmosphere environment would be um ideal and they would they would be comfortable, the students would feel comfortable in their environment. Um, uh, Dr. our state. Can you share I can't remember if it was a bill or some type of legislation which brought this to the table for us to make this

152decision. Can you remind the community of what that was? Thank you um President Clark. So we are under the ed code legislation. Um it's under separate schools for any school district. we have to meet we we have to be under a certain threshold a certain percentage and we have never met that percentage um I am happy to report it will be at the end of the report so I don't want to I don't want to spoil it for the team but um in that area in that finding we for the first time met it we are now in compliance on separate schools we no longer are above the threshold so the board will be receiving a full report in June >> thank you >> any other questions Yes. >> Um and I remember that conversation

153uh uh with regard to to meeting that threshold and um it it was it was it was hard for me to to vote uh about the Alessandro school. My question is um have we had students who have um fully engaged the least restrictive environment in making a change from Alisandro to a less restrictive uh site? Have have we looked at at that information or do we have any highlights? We can provide a comprehensive update on student by student in the Friday memo, but we have not we don't have any student that's gone completely into the uh full general ed, but they are mainstreaming for different parts of the day. >> So, we are meeting the goal of special education least restrictive environment for all of our students that were at Alisandro. >> Absolutely. And the

154whole goal of this was exactly to do that. When students were at Alandro, there was limited opportunity for them to be mainstream with quote unquote general ed students, even though our IEP students are gened students first, but they there was no gened setting for them to go into. >> Thank you. Are there any public comments? >> One. >> Thank you, Mr. Blackert to the podium. So this is one of my renditions I've did a lot of times is we still keep going back to the 19th century school model in the 21st century. This is the way you we used to do way back in the day when I did special ed kids. Yeah, there was a few of them. The ones few that we had were middle and school mostly, but there was very few

155of them. You have a much bigger problem or condition, let's put it that way, in speeched kids and they're all at various differing levels. And there's nothing wrong with putting them back in the regular schools if the ones that are able to do it. But you've got a certain percentage that are not going to be able to not only survive but thrive in those environments and you closed them down. Now you tell me based on your performance, based on the state of California education the last 30 years, why should we take anything you say as being anywhere close to the realistic situation? Because you keep telling us how great you are when student achievement keeps going down. We spend three times more than we did 15 years ago, twice as more 10 years ago. And

156student achievement goes in the tank while spending goes up. Mr. Williams asked for the metric. Why isn't it there? That should be aray ru. You should have that in a report. You should have that off the top of your head. It wasn't that he asked it yesterday. He asked it months ago. again. Show me, show me, prove, prove to the public, prove to the students, the special ed students, the parents that you have their best interests at heart, and you are working for the best education that they can have. As I used to tell CJ because he I used to call him Mr. football. But Super Bowl winning coach Bill Parcels said it best. Your record is what it says it is, not what you say it is. And you know what your record is?

157You're like 047. You're not anywhere near Super Bowl capability. For the price we're paying, we should have the best education and we're getting the worst. >> This is a first warning to you, Miss Palomar. Please don't disrupt this meeting again. M >> uh Mr. Scott, please remove them from the board meeting. >> Moving on to item M2A. >> So we need an action on M1. Uh motion to approve the final um closure of Holliso school site. >> Thank you Dr. Ruvacaba, can I get a motion to approve the finalization of Aleandro school site closure as presented? >> So moved. >> May I please get a second? >> I will second. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Carvalo. >> I. >> Miss Lever, >> nay. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >>

158Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. Let me just count this up. So there is one, two, three, four eyes, one nay, one absent. This motion passed. Dr. Moving on to M2 A >> or actually Dr. Arce. M2A. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, President Clark. uh these action items. I'm going to I I know we have to take separate votes for each one, but this is the approval to display world language uh our French materials and this is with the coordinance with administrative regulation 61 6161.1 where we will be giving the public 14 days of display beginning uh May 13 and ending May 26 which at that time we will bring to board for approval uh for adoption for next Thank you. Does anyone have any questions on M2 A, B,

159C, or D? Not at this time. Can I get a motion to approve the display of the world language American Sign Language instructional materials and textbooks as presented? >> I would like to make a motion. >> Thank you, Mrs. Lea. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Williams. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Mr. Member Carvalo, >> I. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This motion has passed. Five and yes. One absent. Moving on to B. May I please get a motion to approve the display of the world language French instructional materials textbooks as presented. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Trusty Luna. May I get a second? >> I'll second. Thank you, Trusty

160Lea. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Carvio. I >> Miss Lea, I >> Mr. Williams, hi. >> Miss Luna, >> hi. >> Miss Clerk, >> I This motion has passed. Five, yes. One absent. Moving on to item C. It um may I please get a motion to approve the display of the world language Spanish instructional material textbooks as presented? >> I'll like to make a motion. >> Thank you, Miss Leila. May I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Miss Luna. Miss Claudia, please call for [clears throat] the vote. member member Corvio. >> I >> Miss Lea >> I >> Mr. Williams >> I >> Miss Luna >> I >> Miss Clark clerk >> I This motion has passed five one absent five yes one absent moving on

161to item D. May I get a motion to approve the display of the world language of Mandarin instructional materials tech and textbooks as presented. >> I would like to make a motion. >> Thank you Miss Leva. Miss Lun Miss Thank you, Miss Lever. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. Thank you. >> Was that Miss Luna? >> That was Miss Luna. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Carbay. >> I. >> Miss Lever. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed. Five yes, one absent. Moving on to HR action items. Dr. Verde. >> Thank you, President Clark. Uh, this particular item is approval for a variable waiver. And once again, the district is bringing forward a variable

162waiver related to an immediate and hard to fill staffing need. In this case, it is a candidate working through a speech and language pathology uh credential program. Again, very difficult position to fill. And as they finalize their university program requirements, we are asking the board to approve this waiver for the impacted employee listed on the item. >> Thank you. Do we have any questions, comments, or concerns? Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve the 2022 262027 school year variable waiver request for speech language pathology as presented? >> I would like to make a motion to approve. >> Thank you. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student member member Carvio. >> I. >> Miss Lea. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >>

163I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed. Five approved, one absent. Dr. Rudy. >> Thank you, President Clark. This last HR item is for approval of four positions that the district is bringing forward this evening, recommending board approval, please. Uh the first two are management related positions that came out of a job study from school services of California, looking at both the business division and the HR division to basically help us make uh our our jobs more efficient and working together collaboratively between our two divisions. The position control technician would be housed in HR to help us uh maintain just proper uh numbers and following uh of positions throughout the district making sure that again things are being allocated correctly. And then the other position under management would be the assistant director of

164business services uh again to help support Miss Lopez's needs in her division. Uh again, these were recommendations from school services. Both of these uh positions were also brought forward to our JFMC committee for review with our labor partners. And then the last two in this item, President Clark, are certificated positions, the integrated arts specialist for uh visual and performing arts. Uh this role is designed to build teacher capacity and expand interdisciplinary learning opportunities that connect the arts with our core subject areas. And this would be funded under Proposition 28. And last but not least, the academic support intervention specialist, previously known as our bar coordinator, is a repurposed position under Dr. RC's leadership designed to serve as an interventionist focused on improving schoolwide student performance. And we are happy to bring these forward this evening

165for approval. >> I had the opportunity to read all of these. These are really good and needed. Any questions, concerns, discussion prior to the vote? Any questions on the job descriptions itself? >> No. >> Sounds good. Thank you so much. Can I get a motion to approve the new management job description of the position control technician, the cert certificated job descriptions of the integrated arts specialist, visual and performing arts, and the academic support intervention specialist as presented. >> Uh, I would like to approve. >> Thank you. >> Can I get a second? >> I'll second. Thank you, Miss Leva. Miss Claudia, please call up for the vote. >> Denver [clears throat] Corval, >> I. Miss Leva. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss. Clerk. >> I. This motion

166has passed. Five. Yes. One absent. Moving on to item N, which is future agenda topics. Starting with you, Miss Student Board Member Carbio. >> Um, I have no future agenda topics. >> Thank you, Trusty Lea. >> I don't have any future agenda topics. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Um the the agenda topic I I want to discuss uh has to do with uh this book that I have uh know better do better comprehension um fueling the reading brain with knowledge vocabulary and rich language and I think we really need to look at this as far as uh a reading program. Um, I'm going through it. I'm halfway through it. And it's the science of reading. And we really need to start looking at at reading. Um, and and what are the components of reading that

167are the le for each student because each student learns to read in a different way. And so we we as an instructional entity need to understand the science of reading and I' I'd like for us to discuss it and and what can we bring to bear to improve our reading in the district. >> So I can ask Dr. RC to give you a cliffnotee version, but I would I'm concerned with that because there's so much involved in what we're already doing that it would not do justice. But uh with permission of the board, uh we'll have her give a kind of a brief overview, but I think it'd probably be better to do a formal presentation on how we're attacking science of reading because we're doing a lot of work with that. So, Dr. RC,

168and then we'll schedule something for later. >> Yeah, >> thank you, Dr. Darkava. So, we actually um and I see Smiley back there because we've been doing a lot of work under the science of reading. Um, a lot of our teachers now, and Smiley, if I if you can just come up real quick on the podium, he has exact numbers. Um, but we have several hundred teachers trained in UFly, in letters, certified. Um, that's a two-year program, and our goal within the next three years is to get 100% of our teachers trained in letters training. But I'm going to turn it over to Smiley to do a general overview. This comes out of the P3 initiative that our district actually started before the state. So I'm excited to share that. I always like to talk

169about that. Go ahead, Smiley. >> Yes. So we have been working with letters which is based in the science of reading and the book that you're holding up. We actually have copies of that in our department. So we've been looking at that as well. Um so we have over 270 teachers who are now either completed with letters or in the process of completing letters. And then we have 485 of our elementary teachers have completed UFly which is based around the component of reading which is phonics and phmic awareness. So we're seeing a lot of growth and a lot of movement with our early literacy classrooms K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K

170K K K K K K K K K K K through second grade with with UFly. So um we're moving forward with that. We have actually within our district now, excuse [clears throat] me, seven of our PD specialists have been trained and they're facilitators in the science of reading through letters and they're authorized to actually teach the course now. So, we're now able to provide that those services and that that training inhouse without having to go out to letters and pay pay for their facilitators. >> My my next question, how many of the teachers that are trained are elementary teachers? you answered that question and um the the the the thing I think we as a board need to understand is is is the cliffnote version of that uh to to speak and and promote

171that that program because um you know when we learned to read it was it was hit or This this is this is dead on. But you got to find that particular style of each individual kid as to how they they're learning to read. And that has to do with what's done in the home, what's done at school, who do they socialize with, their sentence structure, their syntax, their phonics, all of it. And so that's why I brought it up. I I didn't mean to take any more time with it, but I think if that's one of the areas we need to improve in, if you improve reading, you can improve math >> because it's all language now. >> It's not 2 plus two anymore for the for the most part. That's why we have calculators.

172Um, if the board is comfortable with it, we can have Smiley and his team kind of do a a overview like cliffnotee version of what the science of reading is and include in there both you fly and letters and how that's taught and then also some of the statistics. >> Absolutely. We'd love to do that. >> So, we'll do that in a Friday update and then based on that, if you wanted to do a formal presentation, we can do that as well. >> Can we get these for the board? >> Absolutely. >> It's not too thick. I'm halfway through it. >> If you're if you're >> I read slow. >> If you're willing to assign your trustees homework, then I'm good with that. >> Look, >> if our kids can do homework, we can do

173homework. >> Absolutely. I agree. >> If we go to work, they go to work. That's how it works around this mug. >> Agreed. >> Okay. >> So, we will make sure we have a Friday update and then we'll get the books to everybody as well. >> Thank you. Thank you, Vice President Luna. Any future agenda topics? >> No, I don't have anything. Thank you, President Clark. >> Thank you. I do not have any future agenda topics at this time, >> superintendent. >> I have three. >> So, but they're all good stuff. Um, so business services, uh, thanks to Susanna and to Jim have provided the board several times our scenarios for for increasing transportation access to students. Um, so we're just waiting for the board to give us direction. We, this does not have to

174be an action item because it's consistent with our current board policy and what's in our LCAP. Um, so we just need some direction from the board. Which plan would you like us to pursue? Uh, we've talked about expanding a couple different options. Miss Lopez, did you want to share the options again and then we can have the board give us direction? >> Yes. So, um, some of the information that was provided in the Friday memo, uh, the first one, which I know Mr. Burlesen talked about when he gave an an update more recently, was, um, to continue to expand the targeted approach that we use, um, which is him working with our technology innovation assessment to find areas where that need exists. uh we've done that successfully uh targeting some of the apartment complexes and

175so forth that are within the walking distance um but that we have through data show that you know the the students have higher absenteeism things to that nature and so um that is one of the areas that we can continue to work on. Um I know that his department is um continuing to work on and we're looking forward to providing information on on um upcoming Friday memo about some of the things that can start um the first day of school um by being able to do that. Uh the second option that we had provided and recommendation um would require uh some additional vehicles and equipment and that would be uh changing the walking distance. So that would require us to work with our existing board policy uh to be able to do that. So I

176know that um we would want to implement both um but I think the timing of when things happen is is critical but um if we are able to move forward um then I think um being able to work with that targeted approach expanding that um I think you'll be happy with what you'll see in the Friday memo um because one of the areas that we have heard is to begin to focus at the high school level and that's exactly what their focus is on right now And um again, continuing to work once we have that additional equipment to um lower our walking distance. >> Believe you're absolutely right. I would love to do both, but I do know that we have to do implementing stages. I like both options, but I currently I'm going for

177option two at this time. Um I'm not sure where my other board members land. If you have any questions, concerns, ideas, or if you'd like to table this, please let me know. But I'd like to hear your thoughts. Student board member Carbaya, well, you wouldn't have had it, but I'll it's okay if I skip you for right now. Thank you, Trusty Lema. Um, well, you know, hearing from all the students and the concern that they have and the struggles that they go through because of transportation. I was sharing with Dr. for Cava that uh one of the um one of the students you know I was doing pizzas like I share with him for my son and you know one student from Mountain View that I was there with my son said that one of

178the biggest you know struggles that he has is that transportation he's a sixth grader if I can recall good and he will you know make the decision not to go to school because he's in ban and he has to carry a big instrument and his mother works you know a lot and so he doesn't have anybody to to take him to school so sometimes um the option is not to go to school because of lack of transportation so that's I know as a board we have that concern so that we can support better our students and you know help them with that and you know because not only affects you know with with the chronic acceptism but as he was sharing with me he said that makes me have really bad grades because I lose,

179you know, um, well, that opportunity to learn and it's harder to catch up every time I I miss. So, to me, it is important that we start working on this. >> I agree, Trusty Williams. >> I I think we need to talk about it a little more. >> I really do. Um, you know, we can we can change, you know, the walking distance, um, how it affects our transportation. You know, you can't put a high school kid on a, you know, second grade bus and, you know, that kind of thing. But >> I I I think we need to have a bigger picture of what we're really trying to tackle here and and then break it down to its smallest parts so that we can make a qualified decision. >> So, we've had that presentation

180and we we've talked about it a couple of times. It's now been in our Friday memo as well. So, take a look. Please let the superintendent know if you guys have any questions so at the next board meeting we can talk about it or proceed with whatever you know we need to do. Trustee I mean vice president Luna >> I'm going with what you're saying you're yeah you're you're saying review it and then we'll come back to it. So that's what I'm going with. >> Yeah. So we'll add it to the next agenda as a discussion topic and then we can make it we can get direction from the board at that time. And just to be clear, we can do both. We can start the targeted approach now and then once we have the

181vehicles then look at expanding the walking distance. We can definitely do both. But if we again we'll bring it as a discussion topic. >> A or B. That's what I understood. >> We can do AB and we can do C. So >> um so we'll bring it as >> that's what I understood too. >> Yeah. I thought we would A or B and >> No, we can do both. We just can't do we can't do option two right now because we don't have enough vehicles, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. But we'll bring it back again. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> The goal is we're not starting anything tomorrow. So, if it's for the new school year, we have time. So, we'll bring it back as a discussion topic uh at the next board meeting.

182>> Thank you. >> Of course. The second item is the board had asked us to um gather information on our mentoring programs along with the number and the ROI. So we're about ready to present that. Would the board like that in a Friday update or would the board like that as a presentation? >> I personally would like that as a presentation. >> Yes, I agree. >> Presentation. >> Me too. >> Perfect. So we'll prepare a presentation at an upcoming meeting. >> Thank you. >> And then the last item that I have is it's that time of year to choose our district theme for next year. So, we're going to be sharing that information with the board and then um just we have a couple options. We'd like to share that with the trustees and then

183you guys can select the top ones and we can put those out to the public for a vote. That's kind of what we did last year. Um but we did it in reverse order, but this time I'd like I think it would be beneficial if we have more input from the students and from parents as well and from staff. >> Absolutely. So, if it's if the board is comfortable with that, we'll share with you like the top 10 and then you can narrow them down and then the top ones we can put out for a vote. >> Yes, I like that idea. >> Copy that. Perfect. Awesome. Right on. I I think we have some direction. All right. Thank you so much. That's it. Easy. >> Thank Thank you kindly. >> With no further business

184to come before the board of education, the meeting is adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Enjoy your evening.