MVUSD Regular Board Meeting Board of Education 1/27/26

001Excuse me. The board of education reconvened into open session at 5:18 p.m. Can I get a roll call, please? >> El Huing, present. >> Joanna Lea, present. >> Rose Williams, present. >> Sammy Luna, present. Brandy Clark present. Esparonza RCA present. >> Robert Birdie present. >> Susanna Lopez present. >> Thank you. Um before we move on to our regular agenda, I want to share an update regarding our superintendent. Late last week, the superintendent was involved in a vehicle accident during his morning commute. We are very pleased to report that he is doing well and is currently at home recuperating. While he is not physically present in the district's office or building today, he remains fully active, deeply involved and a con in and in constant communication with the board and his leadership team. He continues to

002oversee all district operations and remains available to anyone who needs to reach out to him. We have an exceptional team of dedicated professionals in our schools and offices who continue to ensure that we provide the best education possible in a safe environment for our students. Because of the strength of our staff, our district operations remain seamless and focused on our mission. We haven't set a specific date for his physical return, but as he is all but he is already working hard. We expect a very smooth transition for him back into the office soon. I hope you will join me in wishing him a continued and speedy recovery as well. Mr. Johnson is not present with us today. Now I will do a report out of close session. The board of education met in close session

003to discuss board deliberations regarding student discipline cases, public employee discipline dismissal, release non-reelect uh non-reelections, a conference with labor negotiators, a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation, a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, settlement of claims, and the superintendence evaluation. The board gave further direction to district staff and took action on the following. A motion was made by Trustee Luna and seconded by Miss Trusty Roads and approve services of the final notice of recommendation for suspension in statement of charges concerning employee number 1987. This was approved by the board of education by a following vote. Four yes, one absent with Brandy Clark yes. Sammy Luna, yes. Roads Williams, yes. Cleveland Johnson, absent. John Johanna Leva, yes. A motion was made by Trustee Luna, excuse me, Trustee Lea, and seconded by Trustee Luna, and

004approve the denial of settlement of claims 666 293. This was approved by the board of education by the following vote. Four, yes. One absent. Brandy Clark, yes. Sammy Luna, yes. Rose William, yes. Cleveland Johnson, absent. and Johanna Leva. Yes. A motion was made by trustee Luna and seconded by Trustee Leva and approved the denial of settlement of claims number 666 297. This was approved by the board of education by the following vote for yes. One absent. Brandy Clark, yes. Sammy Luna, yes. Rose William, yes. Cleveland Johnson, absent. Johanna Lea, yes. A motion was made by Trustee Luna and seconded by Trustee Rhodess and approved the denial of settlement of claims 666 299. This was approved by the board of education by the following vote. Four yes, one absent. Brandy Clark, yes. Sammy Luna, yes. Roads

005Williams, yes. Cleveland Johnson, yes. And Johanna Leva, excuse me. For the record, correction, Cleveland Johnson, absent. Trusty Leva, yes. 41. A motion was made by Trustee Leva and seconded by Trustee Luna and approved settlement claim number 634866. This was approved by the board of education by the following vote. Four, yes. One absent. Brandy Clark, yes. Sammy Luna, yes. Rose William, yes. Cleveland Johnson, absent. Johanna Lea, yes. Yes. And now we will move on to the pledge of allegiance that will be done by our student board member L. Huing. >> Please stand. >> Put your right hands over your heart. Ready? Begin. >> I pledge algiance 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

006you. You may be seated. Now we are moving on to our land acknowledgement. The Marino Valley School District acknowledges that our school and district sites are situated on the ancestral homelands and traditional territories of indigenous people, including the Kawia, the Gabriano Tongva, the Louiso, and the Sorrano tribes. We honor their connection to the region and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to educate our students on their traditional homeland. Their continued presence, resilience, and vital contributions remind us of how our responsibility to honor and care for this land and its people. We're now going on to E3 future board meeting dates. Does anyone have any questions, concerns, or or anything about these dates? Our upcoming dates are February 10th, March 10th, April 14th, April 28th, May 12th, May 26th, June 16th, and June 23rd. Now, we'll be moving

007on to um L. Williams to um talk about our school report. L he huging. Sorry. Sorry. >> Miss Harlo, can you please come to the podium? >> Welcome. >> Good evening, board president Clark, Board of Education, cabinet staff, and community. My name is Harlo Stansbury. I am here tonight to report on all the amazing successes happening at Bridges Learning Center. We are Pride. This is our beautiful school um Bayside. These are different things that we do and different things. Um okay, culture and climate. At Bridges Learning Center, we promote student success year round by prioritizing attendance, credit recovery, and a positive school climate. Our constant focus is graduation, supported through Pride award ceremonies, Pride raffle tickets, and targeted academic interventions. Ongoing credit checks ensure students stay on track, while access to A3G, CTE, OCR, and

008credit recovery pathways provides multiple routes to success. In addition, student support groups strengthen connections and address individual needs, helping every student move forward with confidence. At Bridges Learning Center, we are proud to offer a wide variety of clubs and programs that engage students, foster creativity, and support personal growth. Our programs, including retail, business, sports, construction, technology, and art, provide students with opportunities to explore a variety of interests, develop skills, and prepare for future success. In addition, our clubs such as Black Student Union, Art Club, Bayside Gaming, STEM Club, Bayside Book Club, and Yearbook create spaces for collaboration, expression, community connection. These programs and clubs help students build friendships, pursue passions, and strengthen engagement, making bridges a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. RCT is growing thanks to the expertise and hard work of Mr. Thai, Mr.

009Lopez Vallejo. Bayside CDS students are teaming with Canon, the national realtor or retail federation and Riverside Community College to be licensed and prepared for direct paths to career. Um, partnering with National Retail Federation, Community Riverside Community College, Canon, students in retail will be able to leave certified and specifically trained for careers of today. construction tech visits to Ben Clark center conferences and mock interviews with labor unions and OSHA 10 certifications at Bridges Learning Center. Our athletic program plays a vital role in promoting student engagement, school pride, and overall well-being. We are we are proud to offer a full authentic program that includes girls and boys volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, providing students with opportunities to develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. We have also expanded our offerings with the newly added

010girls and boys flag football and co-ed softball. Further increasing access and participation for our students through athletics. Students build confidence, form strong connections, and experience the value of perseverance and sportsmanship. The Bridges athletic program continues to strengthen our school culture while supporting both student success on and off of the field. At Bridges Learning Center, we believe that school culture and student connection are essential to student success. Throughout the year, we are proudly hosting an engaging and inclusive activities such as homecoming, Halloween, Winter Fest, and Black History Month, Cinco de Mayo. All of which bring students and staff together in meaningful ways. These are just a few of the engaging, inclusive events provided at Bridges. Designed to advance school pride and cultural awareness and strong sense of belonging, homecoming builds the school spirit through shared traditions.

011Halloween offers a welcoming outlet for expression. In addition, Black History Month provides opportunities for reflection, learning, and celebration of the culture student voice. While Cinco de Mayo highlights cultural appreciation through engaging activities, and shared experiences together, these events contribute to a positive school climate. connected school community at Bridges Learning Center. Um, sorry guys. Okay. Um, the BSU yearbook is wait sorry BSU is by Miss Opara. The yearbook Mr. Defor, the pure leadership Mr. Perez and college and career center, Miss Zinman, athletic director, Miss Maddox. >> And that is Bayside. Thank you everybody for listening. Does anybody have any questions? >> Thank you. What a great report. I appreciate you. >> I will start with Miss L. >> First, I wanted to say um really good job on your report. I really was admired by all

012the things that I saw, but one of the things that stood out to me the most was all of the specialty programs that you guys had to offer. I think it's really important that your students are exposed to all those prestigious programs, especially um during school, so that you know they get to know if they enjoy what happens in these programs, maybe they want to do it as a future career. So, I would just say I really admire that you guys have those things. >> Thank you for that. I think Bayside tries to engage its students with every single opportunity. Everybody's different and it's very open to everybody. So, all of our programs are very, very wide variety. >> Okay, Mrs. Leva, >> I just want to say thank you for coming because I know

013it takes a lot of courage to be in front of people and, you know, preparing this to inform us of the different programs and clubs that you have. My question to you is like are you part of any of these um you know programs or um clubs that you mentioned? >> So I am not part of the clubs that I mentioned. I'm actually a part of poetry club. So I do poetry. That's what the club I'm in um with our school librarian Miss Tumblesson. So yeah, that's what I do. >> Wow. Thank you for sharing. Of course, >> Trusty Williams, >> excellent report. um if I was attending um Bridges Learning Center, I couldn't help but be in a club. And uh that's what we're looking for. And so there's a lot offered to all

014the students there. And um I encourage any of the students listening, uh if you're not in a club at Bridges Learning Center, go see Mr. Hassen. >> Yeah, that's right. >> He'll direct you in the right right right club. >> He sure will. and um I didn't hear his name mentioned in this report. >> Well, >> but uh he's instrumental in a lot of these things taking place at your school. >> Yes, Mr. Hston is a vital role in us having any of these programs to begin with. Um it is an honor having him as a principal. I will say that. >> Thank you, Miss Stanbury, for your report. You're a great public speaker. >> Thank you. It's a little intimidating uh speaking in front of the board, but it's more intimidating when you have

015a crowded room full of people. This is actually more people than I've ever seen since I've been on the board. So, great job with that. Um and and great job with Yeah. all the clubs. Kudos to your principal. He's doing a great job over there. And um having clubs and being in a club is definitely give you a sense of belonging. And I would if I had a poetry club in high school, I would have joined that too. >> It is a lot of fun. >> Yeah. Good job. >> Thank you. >> And thank you again for your presentation and sharing all of the amazing things that are happening at your school. Um I'm excited that um you had the opportunity to come share with us because the more we know, the more we're able

016to support and help and assist in any way we can. So kudos to you and the school. And um have a great evening. Thank you for sharing. >> Thank you for having me, you guys. Excellent. Excellent job. Now we're going to move on to the super superintendent report and Dr. RSE will be presenting this information. Thank you, Dr. RC. Thank you very much, President Clark. At this time, I am honored to represent our superintendent and wishing him a speedy recovery. Um, as Miss as President Clark uh read earlier, we do have a land acknowledgement and reassure our board that we read this land acknowledgement throughout our our district in different meetings, public and private. So, uh, thank you for for adopting this land acknowledgement. As you are aware, we have a vision, a one-of-a-kind vision

017statement where we are reassuring our students that they will be ready for the future so that they can impact the world in a positive way. We also have our mission statement where we're offering a quality and equitable education so that they have the opportunity to to go into a viable career or college if they choose to. And we do that through six competencies. And so uh throughout our district we the expectation is that our teachers, our educators are embedding these six competencies. We also have five critical goals and everything that we do aligns back to these goals to have the academic achievement, college and career, equitable opportunities, u welcoming environments and above all great communication throughout our district. Today, uh our board I submit to you special recognitions. We are extremely excited about what we

018have for you today. And we're going to start off with our sprinkling kindness. I'd like to at this time invite Miss Cody Harvey to come on up. She is going to explain why these 12 schools are being acknowledged followed by three special amazing scholars. Go ahead, Miss Harvey. >> Good evening. Hello Board of Education President Clark. Um, distinguished guests, I'm Cody Harvey. Right now I'm the interim director of student services. And so this year we continued on a tradition that had been happening at Bayside um a sprinkling kindness event. So we asked schools if they wanted to participate in um sharing kindness messages around our community. So schools presented or they planned where they had signs with positive affirmations they could do where they posted them on their school gates. Some of the elementary schools

019did that and did love from afar. Whereas some sites um they stood out on their street corner with music and challenging and we encouraged them to wear yellow or honk for kindness and um the third one it's totally drawn blank. So they did the posters or they were doing events on their campus. So, um these are all the schools that in one of those three ways that they were doing those events and um it was such a powerful event and students were very encouraged and moved and just the faces of the students when it would transform when they see the drivers or the people passing by at the difference they made because I think some drivers thought maybe it was a protest happening and then when they realized that it's saying you are loved and

020be kind, we care about you, hunt for kindness and it was just it was such a warming event. So we're hoping to continue that throughout the district and we were trying to get as many schools so around our whole city people driving what are these people doing in yellow with signs in the corner. So um that's what sprinkling kindness was and then the three students is the next piece. So another thing and we we did that through a group we have called the hope collaborative. I mean hearts united. I'm thinking of hope collaborative. Um she was supposed to be here um with that and I know they had some changes. Kimberly, are you here? >> I don't see her. All right. But we do want to recognize another contest that we did with our national

021bullying um prevention month in October where we had a contest and we um invited kindergarten through seniors to create a design on to be kind and to be a buddy not a bull bully contest. And this year we had 51 different submissions and then it was voted on. So, um, our TK through second winner is Fabio Mendaba. I'm so sorry. Um, I'm going to get you if you family if you want to come up. Um, your design is there. Um, I have you have another surprise coming to you. The other thing I didn't mention is their designs were made made into a custom sticker and there's enough to give a bunch of them all around their campus and to share their design around their campus. So, um once I get that back to you, it'll

022be there. And there's another um surprise for you. And I don't want to ruin the surprise, but we have a certificate for you as well. And then our we'll we'll take a picture after. We'll take all of our winners after. Sorry. You can stay. And then our third through fifth grade winner, Abigail Lozano. Come on up. And they were encouraged to write an expression of what it means to you. And so she said, "Be a buddy, not a bully. be kind. >> And then um we'll get our third winner and then we'll have all parents and students come back up. And then our sixth through 8th grade winner, Emily Victoriao from Palm Middle School and her design is the kindness matters. So if I could get you and your um the students, your parents to

023come on up, we'll take a picture really quick. Stay So, we'll be delivering a little surprise gift to you and your stickers to you at your classrooms. >> Thank you very much, Miss Cody Harvey. And congratulations students on your recognition. Next to our board of education, we are very delighted to share with you, if I can have Mr. Nick Sterns come to the podium, please. We He's going to be presenting our Valley View High School CIF chair. All right. Good evening, President Clark, esteemed board, cabinet, and our wonderful guests here. uh you know as a director of enrichment expanded learning and overseeing athletics it's an absolute honor and privilege to get all the credit for their CIF championship. No, just kidding. But uh you know I do want to introduce uh principal Gilead who's going

024to introduce coach and at the very end we want to have an opportunity for a photo op with our CAF championship football team from Valley View High School. >> Thank you. Good. Thank you and good evening. Um I'm Mr. Gill, very very proud principal for Valley View High School. Um this is the second time in the school's history that football has won a CIF championship and the first time in nine years. So we are extremely extremely proud of this team. Um it it's it takes a team, you know, from from all the players on on all functions of the team to all of the support staff. We've got our our assistant coaches here. We've got our athletic director here. There's a lot of things that go into to making a winning run. Um we we've

025got tons of staff back at the school site that that helped with with games and all the different things. So, we want to thank everybody, but tonight we definitely want to celebrate these boys and these coaches. So, we had 10 players get all CIF. Um, that which was an amazing feat. No one else had more than six. So, that was amazing for our team. And in addition to those 10 players, our coach, Coach Martinez, won CIF Division 11 coach of the year. How's it going, guys? How you doing? How Hi, everybody. Um, I want to thank the superintendent, the board president, the board for having us here. Um, you know, I just, it's been a long season. Obviously, um, these guys worked their butts off and, uh, you know, with the help of the principal,

026my athletic director, everybody at the school, um, they all collaborated to bring this season to where we were at. Um, these guys, you know, like I said, it was longer than they've ever played in a long time. So, uh, you know, I'm just excited to where this program's going and I continue. Hopefully, we'll have a backto-back one next year. We'll see what happens. But, uh, you know, I'm glad that, uh, I was able to do something well with my staff. I mean, these guys, I mean, I asked a lot of my coaches. I do, um, we work seven days a week when we have football. And, uh, you know, sorry wise, you know. Um, but, um, you know, it it takes uh, like I said, it takes a village, right? And uh these guys, you

027know, they they you know, they they saw the vision, they saw what we could do with these guys. And um you know, it paid off at the end. And you know, I can't be more prouder as a coach. Uh you know, it's it's it just people don't understand how hard it is to win a CF championship, you know, and you know, it's easy to say, but you know, it takes a lot. It takes a lot. And uh you know, I'm just proud of what we did and what we accomplished. I thank Mr. Gill for having me here and uh you guys for having us. And thank you again. Appreciate you guys. Thank you. >> And we we'd be remiss with all those people that we thank not to thank the parents for all that they

028do because they they practice the day after Thanksgiving. >> You know, they they didn't get a break. they were here on on everyone else had Thanksgiving off. They're practicing, you know, they're they're doing all those things and all those parents made changes for the holidays and and did different sacrifices, got their boys here, did all the different things. So, thank you parents for for supporting these boys and getting them to do what they did. >> At at this time, we'd like to take a picture. And coach, is there like a special huddle that you do with your with your men right before a game, like to pump them up? We'd like you to replicate that right now in front of the >> I don't know if we could do it in this room, but >>

029yeah, as long as it's appropriate. >> I'll have I'll have you guys get together with us. >> All right. >> Some stuff we got to keep in the locker room. >> All right, come over here. >> Come on, guys. >> Eagle right here. Joy's right here. >> Right here. Right here. Trinity >> guys on the back. >> We're going to have to make each other in the back. Anthony file. We have enough room. Alex. behind you. >> Is that it? Okay. Eagle J. Hag. I don't know how he did this. Okay, let's bring it back to the DAS. Thank you. Dr. Arce, thank you very much, President Clark. When you hear that, you almost feel like I want to be a football player, right? Dr. Verie was ready to like put on his helmet and

030go back to his days. I told Dr. Don't you might break a bone or two. >> Eos. >> Um, as as we transition, I I'm very excited to also share this third recognition um for our students. Every year, Marino Valley Unified School District participates in scholarships throughout the year. And this Friday we participated in the MLK, the Martin Luther King scholarship. It was an amazing event. I feel like full of energy and just the kids from uh two different districts come three three Mino Valley College as well coming together and through their voice being able to be recognized and it is my honor to introduce uh Dr. Gonzalez and Mrs. Brown. Dr. Gonzalez recently took over college and career and Miss Brown is over equity and categor categorical. So together they are going to um

031they're going to share this next recognition. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Mic check two. Check one. No. Thank you board president uh Clark Vice President Luna uh cabinet and uh virtually our superintendent. And it's an honor for me to stand here. here. I'm Latoya Brown, director of equity. We sponsor the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast. >> Good evening, board. I am just um here to support and I am just honored to be part of such a great celebration for our community. >> So, every year uh the Martin Luther the Marino Valley College uh Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship work group. They host the annual competition and students participate in an essay and a speech contest and this is the 13th year and this year they recognized 11 students and guess what? Three of

032the 11 who were awarded are our Marino Valley scholars. And I would like to have them come up to the podium. And so each student, what they're going to do is tell you a few key points of their essays. And so students, if you could please report to the podium, and uh Naa Montgomery from Valley View High School, >> Celeste Deucha from Canyon Springs High School, and Jazera Ree Rizie from Canyon Springs High School. So students, if you can come up and share key points of your essays. Thank you. >> Good evening board president, members, board of education, superintendent Dr. Ribbokava, and distinguished guest. My name is Nvea Montgomery, a proud student of Valley View High School. Thank you for the opportunity to be recognized for being one of the Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship

033essay winners. Here's a section of my essay I would like to share. Dr. King understood that young people needed a vision for their lives that went beyond their circumstances. He challenged them to believe in their worth, their brilliance, and their ability to contribute meaningful meaningfully to the world. Today, young people, especially black black youth, still struggle with access to quality education, equal opportunities, and the pressure to fit into stereotypes. His words remind us that his dignity begins within, even when society tries to take it away. I've experienced this struggle personally. Growing up as an only child, I often had to figure it out who I was without siblings to guide me. But the real challenge came from being the only black girl in most of my classrooms and being judged for not fitting others expectations

034of what blackness should look like. I spoke properly. I carried myself with respect and focused on my education. Instead of being accepted, I was labeled whitewashed. Comments like that used to bother me deeply because they sent a message that being that being intelligent, respectful, and articulate somehow didn't align with being black. But why should a black girl who takes pride in her identity and excellence be considered anything other than other other than black? Dr. King's message of dignity reminds me that my identity is not defined by other others limited expectations. My way of being black is valid, powerful, and worthy. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Good evening, members of the Marino Valley Unified School District, board, and guests. My name is Jay Risby and I'm a current junior at Canyon Springs High

035School. I'm honored to achieve the MLK scholarship. Thank you for the opportunity to share a brief reflection today. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about what he called a life's blueprint, a guide for how we build our lives surrounding us and our communities. At the foundation of the blueprint, he placed dignity on top of it purpose and holding it all together, excellence. My parents built their lives with limited resources but with a deep regard of education because of the district that I grew up. Thankfully, doors opened to me without hesitation. Teachers often pushed me harder. Programs welcomed me with open arms and I was encouraged to ch to challenge myself. That access allowed me to build what Dr. King called today a life's blueprint. Through this year alone, I've been awarded now two scholarships, maintain

036a 4.8 8 GPA led as health careers academy president and play varsity flag football. This blueprint matters because opportunity is uneven. Many doors remain closed not because of lack of ability but rather because of lack of unequal access. Dr. King understood that when dignity is denied, potential is delayed. His blueprint remind us that education is much more to prepare students for to succeeds. It prepares them to serve, to lead, and to lift others as they rise. The power of Dr. King is envisioned today in his blueprint and it does not belong to only one generation. It asks each of us the same question. What kind of world are we building and who are we building it for? As doors continue to open, his legacy challenges us not to just walk through them, but to hold

037them open for others. Thank you. Okay, students, if we could take a picture. Well, wasn't that amazing and how they conveyed that message? And I just want to say to the students, keep on keeping on and keep on doing great things because I see you in the future. And you're brighter even then as you are now. We appreciate you. Yes. Can the principal come up and take pictures? Are you mom, dad? to our board. You can see the vision statement in action to be able to see the future and know that they will impact. Just um more highlights from our district. We are very excited uh to have done the very first basketball tournament at the elementary level that took place on December 13th. It was energetic packed. Thank you to Canyon Springs at Vista

038Heights for for hosting. Our first place was Senica Elementary followed by our second to Richest and Sugar Hill, our third place. So, thank you for that. We also have um one of our traditions in our districts district is to have our fifth graders visit our CTE programs. So this is just a highlight of of Canyon Springs, but uh we visited Alago, Marina Valley High School, Valley View High School. They all have the fifth grade visits. So we are excited about that. And of course, nothing happens if kids don't come to school. So we are congratulating our elementary, middle, and high school. Our district wwide is about 94%. We're getting to that 95%. But thank you to Northridge, Vista Heights, and Butterfield Language Academy for leading the pack on attendance. We also have a few facility

039updates. As you know, our middle schools are well underway in modernization projects. So, we are sharing with you some of the highlights at Badger Springs with construction started back in May and we feel that it's going to we we expect it to complete in summer 2027. And part of it is building B. um it's ready to be moved in. And then C is demolition in progress. Um in addition to that, Mountain View Middle School. I mean, you could see the 360 degree classrooms align with our instructional practices of building thinking classrooms um with a steam building underway and demolition in progress as well. Palm Middle School. Again, construction just uh started last January and we hope to com to complete that in winter 2027 uh where you could see again the 360°ree classrooms underway. You

040could see restrooms being modernized. And finally, um Vista Heights Middle School modernization as well. You can see their beautiful locker rooms all in red and the ceilings. I mean, everything is being um modernized. We want to invite our board, of course, our community to come. Please save the dates. We have a huge be the hero campaign that was launched. We have a virtual town hall meeting happening this Friday at 6:00 p.m. We also have National History Day that's happening this Saturday at 400 p.m. for open view followed by the awards ceremony at 6 p.m. We have our Black History Celebration. We are excited. Second annual Soul Fest. Come and dance, please. um we are going to be highlighting our students. We want to see our students perform. So, they will be at the center and

041then that same day on February 7th, we're going to have our district elementary and secondary honor uh choir honor concert. Um so, with that save the date, every year we provide our community, our partners with the state of the district. It's an amazing opportunity to see what happened from January 2025 to December 2025. So the whole year and you know already anticipating that's going to be an amazing night. So with that, thank you very much for allowing me to represent our superintendent report. Thank you Dr. RC. Now we're are moving on to resolutions. We are now at six, excuse me, E6A, approval of resolution number 2025-2652, recognition of Black History Month. Can I get a motion, please? >> So moved. >> It is second. I'll second. >> Second. >> Thank you. It was moved by

042Miss Luna and seconded by Miss Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member hearing. >> I. >> Miss Leva. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. That motion is passed with five approved, one absent. Um, and now I would like to ask Miss L. healing to uh present the resolution. >> May I please have Robert Brown, parent engagement specialist, Tiffany Patrick, AAC member, Michelle Smith, Tines, Vapa, dance teacher, MVA member, Cvante Dylan, nutrition assistant, one central kitchen nutrition services department, and Dwight Taylor, CSCA president, lead officer safety department to come accept this resolution. During February, we celebrate Black History Month, which honors the contributions recognized, unrecognized, or unrecorded that Africa that Americans of African descent have made in our history. As

043we know, African-American history is American history and reflects a determined spirit of perseverance and cultural pride in its struggle to equally share the opportunities of a nation founded upon the principles of freedom and li liberty for all people. We believe all of our students should understand the common humanity underlying all people to develop pride in their own identity and heritage and to understand, respect, and accept the identity of others. We are proud to commemorate the month of February as Black History Month and encourage all staff, students, parents, and community members to celebrate the occasion. At this time, you're welcome to say a few words. Good evening. My name is Robert Brown, parent engagement specialist um out of the Health and Wellness Center. Uh on behalf of the AfricanAmerican Advisory Council, uh and our families and

044the students that we serve. Uh we want to thank the board president board as well as superintendent uh for this resolution. Um, as you guys know, the uh, Black History Month is very important. Um, it's not just about recognizing the past, but it's about, uh, the current and it's about the future as well. Uh, so again, we thank the board for this resolution, and I am going to pass it off to the other individuals here. >> Good evening. My name is Michley Smith Tines, known as teacher E by my students. I proudly serve as dance teacher in our district's Kappa department. Thank you for the opportunity to accept the resolution this evening. This recognition holds deep meaning for me as well as for our district. My academic journey includes a bachelor's degree in Panaffrican studies

045and a master's degree with an emphasis on multicultural education. All to serve our students. Today, I'm grateful that through dance education, our district can connect to history while building creativity and acknowledging a shared humanity. In times that call for care, understanding, and deep respect, cultural respect, I am honored to contribute in whatever ways I can. I hope to build spaces where students feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Accepting this resolution reminds me that this important work carries forward something much larger than myself. My ancestors are proud. Thank you for this honor. Good evening. Good evening. How y'all doing? My name is Clevante Dylan. Um I am an employer here with the Marino Valley Unified School District and nutrition services. Thank you very much. Uh we appreciate this opportunity to accept this resolution on behalf of not

046only our African-American students but our African-American community. Um we appreciate the opportunity to engage with everyone here, everyone in our communities and our parents, our staff and our faculties. So again, we appreciate this. Thank you so very much. Good evening, board president, board, uh superintendent, and cabinet. Um it's an honor to accept this resolution uh to represent CSA. In doing so, it's an honor to accept it not just for Black History Month, but also just Dr. King's view. Just listening to the young ladies was super phenomenal to hear them speak so articulately about how they feel and we appreciate them. And just to celebrate all of our students, all of our parents, everybody in our community, regardless to how you look or how you sound or how you dress, that you are loved and accepted

047by people here in Marino Valley. And that's all I have to say about that. Thank you for the opportunity to accept this resolution tonight. Thanks again. Now we are on E6B, approval of resolution number 2025 2653 recognizing career and technical education month of February 2026. And I would like trustee Williams to present excuse me, can I have a motion to approve um this resolution? >> So moved. >> A second. >> I'll second. Please call for the vote. student member Huing >> I >> Miss Lever >> I >> Mr. Williams >> I >> Miss Luna >> I >> Miss Clark >> I this motion has passed uh 51 absent and Trusty Williams will be presenting this award this resolution. Thank you board president. Uh we have Dr. Gonzalez. And uh we have Leon Robert Emanuel, CTE

048instructor, Vista Delago High School. >> Yes. >> It's my honor to uh present this resolution. The Marino Valley Unified School District recognizes that career and tech technical education, commonly known as CTE, is essential to economic development and to the achievement of academic standards. CTE provides schoolto career connections and is the backbone of a strong, welleducated workforce. It provides students with lifelong opportunities to learn new skills that lead to a multitude of career choices and well-paid jobs. With the cooperative educ uh efforts of career and technical educators, business, industry, and city and county partnerships, we are stimulating the growth and vitality of our local economy while preparing graduates to assume employment and promoting a national sustainable economy. On behalf of the board, we proudly proclaim February as career and technical education month. We urge everyone to

049become familiar with the services and benefits offered by the CTE programs in this community and support and participate in these programs to enhance work skills and productivity. Thank you. and if you'd like to say a few things. Yes. >> Good evening board president, members of the board of education, cabinet, and distinguished guests. I'm Dr. Narita Gonzalez, and I am humbled and honored to step into um the CTE programs here in our district and all the work that has come before me. I am just in awe of the tremendous accomplishments of the CTE program. But I would also like to have Mr. Um, Robert Leon just share a couple of thoughts about CTE. Good evening, uh, cabinet and community members. Uh, Leon Robert Manuel from Vista Deago High School and, uh, we teach CTE and honestly,

050I really appreciate what CTE provides to the community and to our students to start with, to begin. I mean if you think about it, it is a value added high school diploma. So our students leave CTE scholars leave with a high school diploma and a CTE background that supports them on their resume and the experience that they have. It also exposes our scholars to uh career fields which may spark their curiosity and or their passion towards something which it's a pathway that will save them money and time in college because they already got through the exposure. they did get exposed to the material and they like it or not they will have easier decision when it comes to college. Now also CTE gives them the opportunity to work with technical problems that are real life

051problems where allows where it gives them that opportunity to build skills and uh earn industry recognized certifications. We at Vista I mean I'm working with two certifications that I provide my students. One of them is uh um comia which is cyber security and the other is certification which is the robotic arms uh certification and uh lucky for us I would say we have lot of there are a lot of job job openings for robotics programming and uh our students are on that pathway. So I see a lot of benefit there. Now getting the industry recognized certifications also gives them the opportunity to take advantage of high level quality apprenticeships that we have. We are establishing some partnerships with Target. We do have some partnerships with I do have like people that would come in. Let's

052say I have industry partners that come from uh Edison. I do have some that come from uh zscaler cyber security. So we do establish the network. So when students graduate they have the networking with industry professionals. They have the exposure to the skills. So I appreciate all the opportunities this district is providing us and thank you for accepting the resolution. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Now we are moving on to six, excuse me, E6C, recognition uh of the approval of resolution number 20252654 recognizing National School Counselors Week, February 2nd through 6 of 2026. Can I get a motion, please? >> I would like to make a motion to approve resolution. >> I'll second. It was moved by Miss Leva and seconded by Mr. Williams. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote.

053>> Student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Leva. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed. Five. One. Five approved, one absent. This resolution will be presented by Trustee Luna. >> Thank you, President Clark. May I have Miss Lindseay Huntsman, Jared McConnell, uh Francis Rose, and Ashley Holgin Styles to the podium, please. School counselors play an important vital role on our campuses. They help students identify their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as they relate to career awareness and development. They also help parents find opportunities in the challenging journey through student development and help focus on positive ways to enhance their children's social, personal, educational, and career growth. Ultimately, school counselors help students break down barriers and guide them towards seeing their

054true potential. In honor of their work, the board of education is pleased to recognize the week of February 2nd through 6, 2026 as National School Counseling Week. And if you'd like to say a few words, please do so. >> Thank you. Good evening, Board President Clark, members of the board of education, our superintendent, Dr. Ruvakaba, and distinguished guests. Um, I am Lindsay Huntsman, coordinator of college and career readiness. I want to thank you for the opportunity tonight to accept our resolution. Standing with me this evening are a few of our school counselors who represent the incredible work being done across our district and will accept the resolution on behalf of all of our Marina Valley Unified School District school counselors. So I have with me tonight Ashley Hogin Styles, counselor on special assignment, Francis Rose,

055counselor on special assignment, and Jared McConnell, school counselor from Mountain View Middle School. Mr. McConnell um who is also our Marina Valley Unified School District School Counselor of the Year. He's going to step forward and share some remarks on the impact of this resolution and the meaningful work counselors do each day to support our students and families. Good evening, board president, board of education, uh, Superintendent Ru Cava, if you happen to be watching from wherever you're at right now or watching it back later. Um, board and also families and community partners who are here in attendance today. is my profound honor to accept the board resolution for uh National School Counselor Week and I do so on behalf of the dedicated, amazing, uh compassionate counselors throughout our unified school district. It's often said that school

056counselors are the heart of the school. Our counselors are the pulse that keeps campuses vibrant and the steady hands that guide students through their most challenging moments. um from navigating confl conflicts in the classroom and complex social dynamics with peers to providing a safe haven for students dealing with hardships at home. But the counselor's role extends beyond support. Counselors are the an integral part of the student educational journey. Every day we empower our students by teaching them essential social emotional skills, fostering academic success, and lighting the path towards college and career success. On behalf of all of the counselors in Marino Valley Unified School District, thank you so much for recognizing this region. I would like to share that Dr. Ruvakaba said, "I'm watching. Thank you for the shout out. Thank you again. Now we

057are moving on to E6D approval of resolution number 2025-2655 random acts of kindness day February 17 2026 and random acts of kindness week February 14th 2026 through February 20th 2026. Can I get a motion please? >> I would like to make a motion to approve. >> Thank you Miss Lea. Can I get a second? I'll second. >> Thank you, Miss Luna. Miss was a motion was made by Miss Lea and seconded by Miss Luna. Miss Claudia, can you please call for the vote? >> Student board member Hewing. >> I. >> Miss Lever. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has carried. Um, five here, one absent. And this will be presented by Miss Lever. >> Thank you. Pleas Clark. I would like to

058uh call Cody Harvey, interim director of the student services, Diana Cortez, counselor at Centime Middle School. Um Kayla Montgomery, social worker at Ballad High School, and Gina Berner, district parent ambassador, will accept this resolution. Within the next few weeks, several people across the country will participate in what is recognized as random acts of kindness day. and random acts of kindness week in our district. We have committed to creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students. All students and staff in our district have already joined together in different ways by participating in the stop and be kind moment yesterday to encourage acts of kindness. Now we ask all community members to create their own acts of kindness, pay it forward and match the magic and transformative power of kindness over bullying. To continue

059to honor these efforts, the Marina Valley Unified School District Board of Education proudly proclaims February 17, 2026 as Random Acts of Kindness Day and February 14th through 20th as random acts of kindness week. Good evening board president, members of board of education, Dr. Rubakala, I know you're watching virtually and distinguished guests. My name is Cody Harvey as introduced interim director of student services. Tonight I am here with um Miss Valley View social worker Kyla Montgomery. She has helped with um Hearts United in doing the sprinkling kindness at Valley View. Um Sunonny me middle school counselor Diana Cortez. She's their kindness club advisor co-advisor and doing sprinklers kindness. All kinds of great kindness things at Sunnyme. And district parent ambassador Gina. She's new to our um Hearts United team and she's proud to be here and

060help support parent ambassadors with kindness activities as well. We thank you for this opportunity to accept the resolution this evening. And on behalf of our district, we really do want to thank you for continuing to support the kindness that we have um and for this week of February. The recognition reflects our shared charge to be kind across our district. It guides how we show up for our students, our families, and each other every other day. Um several of our schools have been doing kindness events, not only for the stop to be kind, but just throughout the school year. And um continue to have them this week. So hopefully you're seeing those in your parent square notices, the things that are going great with the pictures. And but we do also invite you to this challenge

061is that when you experience an act of kindness, just like um board member Lea said, to pay it forward. So take that, embrace it, embody it, and continue to show that and pass it on, whether it's in your family, to your neighbor, or to a stranger. And so we wanted to ripple from the classroom to your staff, across your campus, and throughout our community. With your support, we can continue to build schools where kindness is practiced, modeled, and multiplied. Thank you. Now we are moving on to E 6D resolution number 20252656 recognizing World Cancer Day February 4th 2026. Can I get a motion to approve? >> So move. >> May I please get a second? >> I'll second. >> It was moved by Miss Luna and seconded by um Ro Mr. Williams. Please call for

062the vote. >> Student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Lever. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. I >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed with um five approved and one absent. This will be presented by Mrs. Luna. >> Thank you, President Clark. May I have Dr. Arce and Miss Sher Regal to the podium, please? Approximately one in five people of all ages across the world develop cancer during their lifetime. We know that prevention and early detection initiatives can help significantly reduce cancer care disparities and inequities and improve patient outcomes. However, health disparities mirror educational disparities. We know that African-American and Hispanic communities who make up a vital part of our community often face higher mortality rates and barriers to earlier to early detection, making awareness and advocacy a

063matter of equity. As a board, we are humbled to have the opportunity to work with many survivors and courageous individuals whose enduring strength continues to shape our district through their service in many roles. Schools are more than just a place for learning. For a student or a staff member navigating a diagnosis, our schools and districts serve as essential networks of hope, normaly, and belonging. Today, we officially designate February 4th, 2026 as World Cancer Day to honor everyone affected by cancer, raise awareness of their challenges, and promote vital research, prevention, and support efforts. We encourage all schools and departments to demonstrate compassion, and unity to ensure that no member of MBUSD feels like they must walk this journey alone. The podium is yours. >> Good evening, board president Clark, members of the board of education, Dr.

064Rub Bukava from a distance, distinguished guests, and cabinet members. My name is Sheri Regal. I'm an account clerk for for business services, but I'm also the CSEA treasurer for our chapter 410. And this lovely lady is our new first vice president, Miss Lena Gonzalez. obviously President Taylor and the lovely Dr. Arts. So, thank you for the opportunity to accept this resolution. Um, some people know, many people might not know that this year makes 21 years as a survivor. Thank you. And my mother who is out there tearing up, making me tear up. She was an IIA in this district for 33 and a half years. she is going on year 22 as a survivor. So, thank you for this important resolution and I accept it on behalf of every survivor like me, in honor of

065everyone who's currently fighting the fight and in memory of all those we lost way too soon. Thank you. I think this is the first time I'm writing something down um because this is hard to talk about. Thank you, President Clark. Thank you to our board of education. Um, my boss, I know you're watching, for this resolution recognizing World Cancer Day. I am deeply grateful and truly humbled to stand before you today. This moment means a great deal to me because today is the first time I am publicly sharing that um, nearly 13 years ago, I was diagnosed with stage three cancer. For a long time, I hesitated to speak about it. Partly because I carried a sense of guilt, wondering why I was the lucky one when so many incredible people, especially children, lose their

066battle. Why was I worthy to be called a survivor? During my treatment, I didn't seek answers. All I asked for was for prayer. prayer with full hearts, trusting in God's will. I stand here today still not fully understanding why he chose me to survive. But I know this. Those who face cancer or love someone who does experience fear, anxiety, confusion, and helplessness. What carried me through those moments was prayer. One prayer in particular sustained me and I would like to share it. Oh heavenly father, although we do not understand your will, give us the strength and humility to accept it during these trying times. Help us focus on your immense love and mercy. Fill us with hope, love, and faith as we walk this path. Lord, we do not seek to alter your plans, but

067humbly ask that you heal our suffering so that we may profess your word, your love, and your power to the world. Thank you for choosing me to carry this cross for the salvation and conversion of the many souls that habit your world empty of your love. As many of you know, we recently lost one of our own to cancer. Lrice Thomas, may you be in heaven and thank you for all the work that you did here in Maro Valley Unified. We also lost an amazing educator, one of our sites teachers, amazing teacher. And over the weekend, I just found out that my dear friend lost her battle to cancer. The truth is, we all know someone who has cancer, has had cancer, or has died from cancer, and it is truly an ugly disease. So,

068our amazing board, thank you for honoring us with this resolution and honoring those who are currently fighting this disease, those who have survived and those who we remember today. May we continue to support one another, and may we search for a cure that we must continue to find with urgency, compassion, and hope. Thank you. The board will take a 5m minute uh recess and reconvene at 6:40 Back into open session at 6:42 p.m. We are now on agenda 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 speakers shall be allowed to speak for three minutes on any agenda item. The board of education shall limit the total time

069for public input on each agenda item to 21 minutes. Per board bylaw 9323B section 5. Per board bylaw 9323, twice the allotted time will be provided for a member of the public utilizing a translator. Miss Claudia, do we have any board comments on agenda items? >> We have public speakers. We have a total of seven. Two of which to speak now. The others are public hearings and then two is when the items being considered. Thank you. May I please have Mr. Roy Blacker to the podium, please? Roy Blackard will be speaking on item 04B, trustee three vacancies. >> So much to my surprise when I walked in today see that CJ has resigned as of four days ago and it's on the agenda to do a special election or I mean an appointment. the I

070hope we do have a robust debate about these appointments and most of the time they're even though you can put them on especially with the school board can be a very tenuous situation. So depending on how it goes and how we've had the process work and I know this is a long shot and I always favor letting the people vote. I think it's very important from the amount of money that is spent 27,000 per student that's the new number from Gavin Newsome in every student K through 12 and you wanted to sensationalize 50,000 or whatever for a election. I'd like you to make that argument. I'd like to you to make the argument that that's going to take away what from the kids of the school district. What it's going to take away when you

071guys do the appointment process is what it takes away is our right we the people to decide who I don't know why it shut off. Why it why we are not allowed to what this country's been built on is free and fair elections. So when you consider this, I hope you will take that to heart. I hope you will side that we have the election process to fill this vacancy. And hopefully we shall see what your vote will be here in a couple hours. Thank you, Mr. Blackard. Now to the podium, Mrs. Christa Hawkins. Speaking on agenda item 6A, Black History Month. Good evening. Thank you for your time. My name is Christa Hawkins. I am a resident here in Marina Valley. I'm a homeowner. I'm a journalist. I've written for Forbes, Vogue, the Grammys,

072and more. And I'm a proud product of the Marino Valley School District. I graduated visa deago in 2014 and I'm here to speak about the need for programs for black history month throughout all of our schools and beyond for black students. Marino Valley is a commuter city as most of you know. Um a lot of the parents are leaving early in the morning returning very late and a lot of our kids don't have many constructive or affirming places to go once school is out. recently. Um I don't know if you guys are aware, during Christmas break at the Marino Valley Mall, a 15-year-old was shot. Um and he was a resident of Marino Valley. I'm not sure if he was a Marino Valley student, but there were um students with him that were Marino Valley

073students and a lot of students from Visa Delago posted about it. Um and they were also openly grieving on social media. Our kids are carrying this. Not every student wants to play sports. Some of our students need other options, creative programs, cultural education, mentorship spaces where they feel seen and supported. Um, I don't know if you guys seen just um today Kawhi Leonard who's on the Clippers, who's also um a product of the Marine Valley School District, he shouted you guys out. Why aren't we leaning to him to do more stuff than just build a basketball court or give um backpacks? I think he need he should do more. We should lean on him to do more. He seems like he wants to do more. Um because how can we preach to our kids that

074they can be something that they don't have access to or that they don't see on a day-to-day basis? They need programs that give them something positive to pour um into instead of just absorbing the negativity that exists around them. We need to get them before any negativity gets them, before the streets get them, before negative influences get them. We should be the loud voice. Black History Month is very important, but I want it to be clear that it should not be the only time that we invest in them. It should be the starting point, not the ending or final. Our black students deserve consistent opportunities to build pride, purpose, and community throughout the entire year. And there were many um principles and uh people that were working in the Marine Valley schools that were here

075I would love to connect with and offer my expertise and mentorship and volunteer any way I can. Thank you. >> Thank you kindly. Dr. somebody I'd like to talk to and get her information. Thank you. Now we'll move on to public comments on non-aggenda items. The board of education encourages public comments during this section. Staff may briefly respond to statements and questions or may ask questions for clarification. The board may refer to sta may refer to staff or other resources for factual information. direct staff to report back to subsequent meetings and or direct staff to place the topic on future uh 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

076to speak for a total of three minutes on non-aggenda items regardless of 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 a board of education consent, the president may increase or decrease the time allowed for public presentations 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 topic, a particular issue, and may ask that additional people speak only if they have something new to add per board bylaw 9323B-C section 5. Miss Claudia, do we have any public speakers on agenda one?

077Thank you. >> Mr. Roy Blacker, please come to the podium. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but the recent developments means that Brandy Clark is now the senior member on the board. My how times change and they change very quickly. Just like this, I for mention the new budget coming out from Gavin Newsome. $27,000 per student K through 12 the state of California. Mind you, that was only 24,000 two years ago. That means we've had a 15% increase in two years in the school budget. Have we seen a 15% increase in student achievement? Have we seen a 15% decrease in the traffic clusters and practically every school? Have we seen a 15% increase in two years in facilities or anything else? Are the bathrooms better, 15% better in the schools? and all the complaints that

078are logged as special education students getting 15% better treatment. More money does not necessarily equal better results. There has been no bigger example of that in the past 30 years than the education system in the state of California and the education system in Marino Valley. When do we fix that? When do we honestly come here and say this is what we're going to fix? We are going to fix these fundamental problems, these core issues that if you don't fix them, we can talk about all the small successes or that. Overall, again, what you are putting in jeopardy is the future of every student that's in here. So prove not only me, prove this community, prove this state, prove this nation wrong from what I'm saying. I think the people deserve that explanation. And if it's

079not, why not? Thank you. We are now moving on to item H, employee association reports. First to the podium is California School Employees Association, CSEA, Mr. Dwight Taylor, to the podium, please. Thank you so much. Moving on to item H2, the MBA, Marina Valley Educators Association. Um, President Chris Faras to the podium, please. >> Board President Clark, as Mr. Faras joins us at the podium, we do have one public speaker to speak on that item after him. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. Oh, there we go. We're on. All right. So, uh, just want to start by saying, uh, I'll introduce myself. My name is Chris Fidas. I'm the proud president of Marino Valley Educators Association, the union that represents our cert certificated employees here in our district. Um, so I I just

080wanted to start with our board resolutions, thanking the board to take time to recognize, celebrate, and bring awareness to the uh many different um items that are impacting our our community uh whether it be world cancer. And thank you, Dr. Ray, for sharing your story. uh you know and uh I'm just I'm a lot like you as well. Uh I'm a cancer survivor for 15 and a half years and I did the same thing. I'm very hesitant to share that but it's important to share. Thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you. But thank you for sharing that. Appreciate that. And um also to our students, our MLK scholarship winners. Very inspiring. Um I think at our next rep council I'll be playing that on a loop, you know, for for our site reps as well. So

081very inspiring. And I'd like to take just an opportunity to thank CJ uh for his service to our community. Um yes, yes, please do. Uh CJ um known him a long time when he first ran. Uh I was helping him get elected going door to door. Um you know, we didn't always see eye to eye on things, but um but CJ was always available, always willing to listen, have a conversation, and we appreciate that opportunity uh with with CJ. And so I just want to thank him for his his time and and uh he can come by our office anytime for some uh some candy and uh and coffee. He loves our candy stash at our office. So um so good evening everyone. Um I'd like to just uh thank the school board trustees, Dr.

082Ruvakaba and our cabinet, our educators, parents, caregivers, uh community partners uh who support our students each and every single day as we've seen today with many of the board resolutions and celebrations that we've had. I want to talk tonight about something that affects all of us. Whether we work in classrooms, uh raise children in this district, or simply believe that strong public schools are the heart of a healthy community. And that issue is the extension of Prop 55. Uh for many years now, Prop Proposition 55 has provided stable, reliable funding for California's public schools by maintaining tax rates on the state's highest income earners, the highest 1% of income earners in our state and those that file jointly and earn over $720,000 a year. Okay. Um it does not raise taxes on working families. Instead,

083it ensures that those with the greatest financial capacity continue contributing to the schools that serve all of our kids. And that by supporting Prop 55, we would be supporting providing revenue of $46 million to our district alone. That is the impact of the extension of Prop 55 is maintaining the $46 million in in funding. And the truth is simple that this funding has made a real difference for our students here in Marino Valley. Prop 55 has helped our district keep class sizes manageable, avoid layoffs, maintain programs that our students rely on. When our schools have stable funding and our educators can focus on teaching and learning, uh it's they don't have to worry about wondering whether their positions or programs will be cut next year. Our students need more than textbooks and desks. They need

084school counselors. They need school nurses. They need school psychologists. They also need school support staff and all those that could help them learn, grow, and feel safe. Prop 55 funding has helped to provide for these services. Art, music, CTE, afterchool programs, and advanced coursework are not extras. They are pathways to engagement, belonging, and future success. and Prop 55 funding helps ensure these opportunities remain available to all students, not just those in wealthier areas. California's economy rises and falls, but our students needs do not. Prop 55 helps protect schools from the worst impacts of economic downturns, allowing districts to plan responsibly and maintain continuity for our families. Bless you. for educators, parents, and community members alike. The extension of Prop 55 is more uh than about budgets. It's about values. It's about ensuring that every child

085in Marino Valley has access to a safe, well-resourced, and supportive school. It's about recognizing that strong public schools are a shared responsibility and a shared benefit. When our schools thrive, our neighborhoods thrive. And when our students succeed, our communities succeed. So, I'm asking all of us, including myself, uh, I have a I'm a parent of a student in our district. I live in Marina Valley as well. I'm asking support from our school board trustees, our administrators, our educators, our families, and our community partners who are registered voters to stand together in support of extending Prop Proposition 55 by signing the petition to have it placed on the ballot for November 2026. Let's talk with our neighbors to help them understand what's at stake. Our students deserve stability. They deserve an opportunity and they deserve a

086California that invests in their future. So, let's give that to them. Thank you for your time, your advocacy, and your commitment to our schools. >> Thank you kindly. Now, we are moving on to item I. Oh, please forgive me. I see Mr. Viker. Please come to the podium. Thank you. >> Mr. Faria talked about FIA's talked about strong public schools. Let's look at the record 50 years ago pr-rated for inflation teachers were making half of what they make today and provided a lot better product. I.e. student achievement actually meant something and you were at grade level or you didn't get bumped up. Do you see that today? Despite that, and then we run this tax the rich and all that, you know what? They've already said they're leaving. You're going to make it even worse

087by what you're doing. You would, anybody, anybody would be completely insane to keep doing the same thing over and over again we have done for 50 years and run this education system into the ground by any measure and you want to do the same thing perpetuated on steroids? Are we really that stupid in 2026? Well, we're going to find out in this area and in this state we've had all you see the frustration in this community. You see the frustration in the students because it's not getting better and dumping bucketloads of money at it has made it worse. And what do your teachers want you to do? Hit sixth gear overdrive. Hit the throttle and drive with the bus off the cliff just as you've been doing. Prop 98 111 and everything else up to

088this point. The evidence clearly shows and I invite any one of you or anyone to come in here and we'll discuss this publicly and until the cows come home broadcast all around the world. If the strength of your argument, if the strength of Mr. Fas's plea was on, he would take that challenge. You would take that challenge because you know you sit here and you see it every day. Prove me wrong. Have enough guts to stand there and sit beside me and prove me wrong. If you guys had it together, like I say, you'd be beating my door down. As I say, I can open the door. It's up to all of you to walk through it. Thank you. Now, moving on to item I, comments from board members, and I will start today with

089student board member Huing. >> I have no comments. >> Thank you, Miss Huing. the flavor. Is it okay if I go last? >> No. Okay. >> Just one thing with love. >> There's a lot of things going on on my head. But um you know I always like to say you know or talk about the different events that I have the privilege of attending which to me they are really important because that's a way to show that we support our students and uh we are with them you know like um the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, you know. Um I just was amazed by the different, you know, essays presented by the different students and how talented they are. All the science um fair competition that we had and see the students, you know, like

090they wanted all to win, you know, not only they were happy for participating, but because there was a lot of gift cards with a lot of money. um and like today's you know summit that I was able to attend uh for English learners and um listen to them and the panel of students that we had presented and also we had the other summit um where um administrators and coordinators were there and we also have a student panel but um I was you know like checking my notes and seeing mean that I have always said it and like I told them today and I have said it to you know our superintendent it is important to listen from our students. It is important that we hear from them. What is it that we're doing right and

091what is it that we're doing wrong? Where do we need to improve? Um what frustrates them? What empowers them? You know, where are we lacking? But there's a lot of going on right now. And um I cannot take that out of my head. And I want to read this this to you. I don't want to take a lot of time. Um this core divides the innocent lies protect the guilty and manipulation confuses the na the naive. It is important that as as adults that we walk with humanity, with respect, with justice. It doesn't really matter, you know, your ethnicity, the color of your skin, your crit, what you believe on, the political party that you participate or promote or belong to it. Everything that's going on right now in our country, it is sad and

092it hurts my soul to feel and to know that within our district we have a students that are in fear. It shouldn't be that way. It shouldn't be like that. Why would a student not want to come to school? Because that student is afraid of scare of being retained or detained and it's happening. It concerns me the mental health of our students. We're here to support them. Anyone and everyone that attends our schools. And um I just want to end saying that we should care and protect each other. no matter what. >> Thank you, Miss President. >> Thank you, Miss Lea. Thank you, >> Mr. Williams. >> Thank you, President Clark. Uh, we had a lot of recognitions uh this evening. Um, our scholarship winners, uh, Martin Luther King, uh, Miss Kyla Montgomery, our social

093worker at Valley View, her daughter had a very moving and pointed uh, presentation because I felt much like she does right now going through my education. And I'm a lot older than that young lady, but that is what our students are confronted with as they move forward. And I just want to congratulate her for bringing forward her true feelings as she metriculates through our system. And as educators, we must take on the values of the students we work with in order to understand how to move them forward. So, I was very moved by her her presentation, all of the presentations of the scholarship winners because they were giving you their day-to-day tasks, successes, failures as students. And they're competing. And if anything, we need to teach our students to continue to compete in in face

094of all of what they are enduring. And that's what I think we can embrace here in this district. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Trusty. >> Thank you, President Clark. Um, I just wanted to mention some of the events that I had the opportunity to attend. By the way, happy new year. We haven't seen you guys since last year. So, happy new year. Um, now this will be the last time I say it this year. I feel like if you go past the first week, you shouldn't say it anymore. But anyway, haven't seen you guys, so happy new year. Um, I did have the privilege of attending uh in December uh the elementary all-star basketball tournament um with Trusty Leva and Clark. Uh that was fun. Great great turnout there. Um on Tuesday, January

0956, um Marino Valley Unified School District leadership had the honor of presenting at city council and um recognizing all of our great achievements. Unfortunately, we had very limited time to share everything, but it was it was a great opportunity to to share all the great things we're doing here in the district. and hopefully in the future we'll be able to have a closer collaboration with the city of Marino Valley. Uh also on Friday, January 9th, I also had the privilege of attending the midyear admin leadership. Uh that was a great event. Um I I feel like we have wonderful leadership. I mean, I just keep seeing, you know, our leaders stand out and everybody is here for for our students and we all want to do the best for our students. We all have the

096same goal in mind and it's it's such an honor to be a part of that here with you guys. So, thank you all who attended that and Dr. RSA, all your work that you put into that. Um, uh, also, oh yeah, Miss Brown, I don't want to forget her. I don't think she's here. Oh, yeah, she is. She's in the back. Thank you, Miss Brown. Um, also, uh, oh, uh, Wednesday, January 14th, I attended the AfricanAmerican Advisory Council. That was great. That was my first one. So, I appreciate everyone welcoming me. Um, I think that that's great. I hope we keep the momentum going. Uh, and then, uh, also had the privilege of attending the MLK scholarship ceremony. So, great to be there and celebrate our students. Uh that that was a busy day. I

097also uh toured the Ben Clark Education Center at MVC with Miss Leva. Um and then also we were at the district science and education fair um with uh Mr. Williams. We were handing out medals to our students. So that was a great great evening. I I love celebrating our students and and giving awards for everything they do. Um, I feel like I was debating on whether or not I was going to say anything, but then I heard Miss Leva say it. So, I would be remiss if I didn't mention uh this is a very difficult time in our country. And um uh I always think about every day I hear something new. I I think about our kids here, our students. And uh I just I just want to say that um you know, make

098sure you check on yourselves first. Take care of yourselves first. That's very important. Take care of your mental health. If you have to turn off TV or social media, please do it. I know I have to tell myself to do it. Uh but also check in on others, especially our students because um you know they're they're very we're s we're all sensitive to things going on but I feel like kids are extra sensitive and um they need comforting and need to know that they're safe and um it's very difficult time to to promise that but we have to we have to do what we can to protect everybody. So, just pray that everything turns out okay. But, uh, that is all I'm going to say. Thank you for my platform. Thank you all for your

099support. And, uh, let's just continue to take care of each other. Thank you, Miss Leva. Miss Luna, Vice President Luna, please forgive me. I know who you are. You guys are both amazing. So, I I have a couple of things. um to share this evening or to say, suggest, comment, and I'll start off light. I'll go a little heavy and then I'll finish it up light. So, you know, our district does a lot of great things and I think we don't uh share that often enough. Uh one of the young ladies that came to the podium was mentioning um um um mentorship programs and things that we have. So, I would like for us to share some of the things that we to do at this district. there is a huge amount of resources and

100I just feel like um we need to market that a little better and like we need to start you know I know we send a lot of blast but if everyone could please just start looking at those things because I know we're overloading you with information we send a lot out all the time but really look at it because this district is doing remarkable things and the one thing that we all have in common common ground is we want what's best for our kiddos in this district. I like to bring to your attention some things that are happening in this district or some things that are just being discussed that maybe you guys don't know about. You know, we have city buses around here, but we have I had a conversation with the amazing Dr.

101RC uh not too long ago at an event and we were thinking about and just kind of, you know, playing around with it. We'll see what happens so it can comes to the board's um attention, but we're talking about transportation for our kiddos. you know, just maybe a city bus route that kind of mimics the bus route with our own fleet. We don't know how that looks, but I mean, these are some of the things that we're talking about to pick up our kiddos in this community to drop them off at school for free. Like, these are conversations that are had. Um, and then also, you know, one of the things that is new to the district that I don't think a lot of people know about is our uh program for DMV for our

102students getting their driver's permits for free. Listen, we have driver's education and this board fought hard for that. We heard the community. We listened. We said, "Oh my goodness gracious, this is expensive." I remember back in my day when it used to be a class at the district and and now it's costing our parents and our community a lot of money. Well, guess what? It's here. And I would like to see our students enroll in these courses to get their pink slip than to move on to driver's training because we don't know how long Uber will be here. Just kidding. But please look into uh the DMV resources that we have here at our very own Marino Valley Unified School District. You know, one of the things I like to share is I I I

103I look at everybody and I am just so grateful um to mimic uh uh Miss Luna's comments to have a seat at this amazing table. You know, Roads Williams was talking to one of the football players that came up here and they had an intimate conversation almost to the point where we were out of compliance because he cares about these students and he said, "Forget this. I want to know what the student needs. I want to take care of it right now." But that's the passion and the love and and and how grateful I am of these board members and Dr. RSE sharing her story and and I mean we hear a lot when we hear that story, right? But but one of the things I saw and I just want to comment is her

104perseverance, her resilience. I never knew, but yet she's here every day championing for us when she's going through things herself. She's championing for these kids, for this district because she put herself last to see the success of this district. And that makes me so happy, proud, and honored to work with such amazing people. So many of you are like that. you know, I wasn't able to make the MLK um event. It's one of the events that I look forward to every year, but I had the cooties, so I wasn't able to come. So, I'm so excited and happy that I was able to see those students share. You hear about it, you get the report back, but it's nothing like seeing it in person. So, I'm so grateful that they were here to share. Um

105they're coming February 7th. I expect everybody to be there or be square. There's gonna be double Dutch dancing, soul food. I mean, we're just gonna have a great time celebrating Black History Month. So, please come. Please come. Please come. Thank you to President Various for mentioning Prop 55 because it is expiring in 2030. Usually, I don't talk about those kind of things, but I'm glad he mentioned it. Therefore, I can have a comment on it. Yay. We should sign that extension. Um, okay. Here's where it gets a little deep. So, I've been thinking about everything that's happening, you know, in the society, in the world today. And being on the board of education, I think there's something that we can do. And one of the things I think we should think about is potentially coming

106up with an alternative education plan. I call it being COVID ready or maybe remote ready. Should a huge impact happen in our community where we can go remote learning if we have to, hopefully we don't, but I feel like we should always be ready with a contingency plan so our kiddos and our staff, faculty, and community is safe. So, I think that's something we should look into um you know, and report back just so we're just ready. There's a saying by Sugarfree, if you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready. So, let's do that. All right. And then I also want to say okay well Dr. Rubakava because I know you're watching and I hope everyone has has a good evening. So all right so I don't know if it was sugarfree or DJ

107quick but it's one of them. So I would like to move on now to comments from the superintendent and he's not here. So now we're going to move on to K public hearing. So um we are going to conduct a public hearing to disclose uh a memorandum of understanding between the Marino Valley Unified School District and the Marino Valley Educators Association. Dr. Birdie, >> thanks so much. Uh, President Clark. Uh, so this evening, the next uh item, in fact, right after this public hearing portion, we are asking the board to approve uh theou that has been negotiated between the district and MVA. And as part of the legal process and obligation of the district, we uh we talk about this during a a public hearing and I talk about the different parameters of this agreement.

108On nove on November the 19th, MVUSD and the Marino Valley Educators Association reached a bridge memorandum of understanding pursuant to articles seven for salaries and article 8 for employee benefits with the following terms. And as I go through this, I just want to also add that this particular agreement and the subsequent agreements that you're going to see this evening have all been reviewed by the county office of education under the AB1200 process for feasibility and sustainability with our budget. Section one for MVEA effective July 1st, the district shall increase the 2425 salary schedules appendix A and B by 1.45% for all unit members in paid status. Effective January 1st, 2026, the district shall increase the 2526 salary schedules appendix A and B by.3% for all unit members in paid status. The total cost of the

109increase to the salary schedule and appendes A and B is equivalent to 1.75. All unit unit members in paid status as of October 1st shall receive a one-time 1.5% offschedule payment based on the 2526 schedule placement paid no later than March 31st of 2026. Along with those provisions, we negotiated some updates to MVA's employee benefit structure. The four- tiered unblended cap structure for medical and dental insurance effective October 1st, 2025 was increased across the board by an equivalent of 1.25%. The benefit credit for the out-of- pocket deduction shall be credited no later than March the 31st. And again, the the district appreciates a collaborative approach at the table with MVA and we are recommending that the board approve this this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Um before we move forward, I would like to have

110a motion to open the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> So the it was opened by Mrs. >> Luna and seconded by Mrs. Lea. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. Stood board member hearing. >> I >> Miss Lea. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> Hi. Miss Clark. >> I motion has passed. Five yes, one absent. Would any Does any of the board members have any questions for Dr. Verde? And Mr. Blacker, please come to the podium for a comment. One of the questions I have is if you have a 1.75 salary increase on top of a 1 and a half% payment, is that a 3 and a4% total increase? It's not 100% clear and I understand government ease and sometimes it's hard to understand

111but bottom line is when you're reading these things should be crystal clear what that percentage is that you are raising salaries because I brought it back before and when we had the uh big financial crisis of a couple two or three years ago and I even recommended. I said if you just shut off or not accept it or any pay increases right now, you would be in a lot better financial position than you are today. Now, you took advantage of the COVID con funds that were all in that to paper over that. But as some have come up here for the podium for many years, now we're starting to reap what we have sowed. What what was predicted in 2022 and 2023 that 85% of all school districts were going to be bankrupt because you

112know what? You can't pay the pensions and benefits and all the other promises that have been made. It's just there. You keep seeing it with the declining reserves and you keep trying to patch it, but it ain't there. Despite record numbers and ungodly amounts of increases in salaries without any increases in performance, one of the histories of this again, anybody wants to come out here and prove me wrong, one of the reasons, you know, back in the day you either rode the bus or walk to school and we didn't have traffic jams. And I'm putting it nicely all over the place. Just go and look at when school is out versus the traffic versus when it's on. That's because every kid's going almost being car. What does that do to the pollution and everything of

113that? We never discuss any of these things. All these things are related. You know what? It's called quality of life. And it's either going up or down. the decisions you make today and the negotiations. And we've had discussions sitting across the room from a lot of you out in public. We never address what should be addressed. The elephants in the room. We all try to step around them and put nice pretty bows around the sinking Titanic. Can I get a motion or do you guys have any questions or concerns? Thank you. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing regarding the Marina Valley Educators Association collection bargaining agreement? >> So moved. >> Can a second? >> I'll second. Thank you. It was moved by Trustee Aluna and seconded by Trustee Lea. Miss Claudia,

114please call for the vote. >> Student board member hearing. >> I. >> Miss Lea. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed, five yes and one absent. We are now moving on to K2, approval of the Marino Valley umou between Marino Valley Unified School District and MVUSD and the Marino Valley's uh educator association. Dr. Wait, Dr. Birdie. >> Thanks, President Clark. just uh to echo my comments during the public hearing. We appreciate the negotiations process with our partners in MVA and we are uh asking for the board to go ahead and approve this particular agreement tonight and it has been ratified by the association as well. >> Thank you Dr. Mr. Becker to the podium. Just for the record, in the previous

115item which relates to this, my question was not answered. Thank you. Um, can I please get a motion to adopt the bridge uhou between MVUSD and MVA as presented? >> So moved. >> You have a second. I'll second. >> I'll second. >> It was moved by Trustee Luna and seconded by Trusty Rose. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Luna, I mean, sorry, Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, I Miss Clark, >> I. This motion has passed for one absent. Moving on to K3 to conduct a public hearing between M um MBUSD and CSEA. Can I get a motion to open the public hearing? >> I would like to make a motion to open the public. >> Second. >> Thank you. was moved by um trustee Leva,

116seconded by Trusty Rose. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student member Hewing >> I. >> Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clerk, >> I. Dr. Birdie, >> thank you, President Clark. And with this item uh coming up, we are also asking for board approval this evening for the tenative agreement negotiated in good faith between CSA Chapter 410 and Runa Valley Unified School District. Again, we appreciate our partners in CSEA for the dialogue and the collaborative approach at the table. Uh just to kind of cut to the chase with this particular agreement when it comes to salary, uh we negotiated 3% in total compensation. That is also inclusive of the meto clause in the CSEA contract. The 3% total compensation is also what MVA

117agreed to, but they divided it up between ongoing salary and ongoing benefits. So, if that clears up any questions about the total compensation and again, this particular agreement with chapter 410 has already been ratified by the association and has also been reviewed through the AB1200 process with the county and the district's recommendation is for approval. >> Many thanks. Any comments? >> Just a clarifying question. So either it is uh CSEA or MBEA um the union unions are the ones deciding how do they going to apply their um increase payment isn't it? >> That that's correct uh Miss Leva. So again when we uh go to the table for negotiations we deal in in total compensation dollars and that would apply to either salary or benefits and then the associations with feedback from their membership determine

118how they'd like it applied in either or or in one of the areas. That's correct. >> Okay. Okay. So, we have no say on that. It's them. >> That's up to them. That's talked about at the table and they let us know. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Thank you. Kindly, Mr. Roy Bele Blacker to the podium. So now why ask the one on the first one of says I added 1.75 and5% that came to three and a quarter. Now CSA is only getting 3% which are supposed to get the same equal that didn't equal in my book. Now, I could have read something wrong or there could be a different interpretation of this or that. Maybe it's that new map. I don't know. But it

119just didn't add up as I'm reading the agenda pieces as we're putting it in. I mean, you know, 2 + 2 has got to equal four. 3 and a4% does not equal 3%. So again, we should have a explanation if that's the rule that both of them are getting the same as I read it and maybe I'm wrong on that. But if that's the case and why and the agenda items seem to indicate that as I was reading them, that's why I'm asking the question and why it should be more clear when we're making these reports and board members on are voting on them. So you know exactly what you're voting on. Like I've said and I will repeat Royism 101. Again, perfectly comfortable with any decision the board makes as long as they're doing

120it in complete and accurate information. From what I see from probably attending looking at god knows how many gazillions agendas, public meetings and everything else and of course my inevitable threeinut speeches. This rarely happens and it's increasingly doesn't happen. And this is why we have the angst and the results and everything that you're talking about from the podium here. And if we knock this stuff off, then you will see just like it did the other day, a little bit of cooperation and you don't have all the ish going on. So maybe we'll take that into the future hopefully if you want to turn things around. If you want to keep the same thing going over and over again, keep doing the same thing as we've been doing. And I know you will hope for a

121different result, but you all know where that leads. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing regarding MVUSD and CSCA? >> I would like to make a motion to close. >> Thank you. Can I get a second, please? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. A mo um a motion was made by Trustee Leva and seconded by Trustee Huing. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student member Huing >> I. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This motion is passed. 51 absent. Moving on to item four, approval of the tenative agreement between MBUSD and CSCA. Dr. Thank you, President Clark. Again, just um the district's position is we are endorsing this for approval. Um and again,

122I can speak to the math briefly. Uh with the previous item, the totals are 1.75 and 1.25, but the way they are issued, you can see that there are some that are retroactive and there are some that begin as of January. These were different things that we had to take into consideration when we negotiated with the association and also with our budget. But the grand total for both units in total compensation is 3% in ongoing dollars. >> Thank you for that clarification. Any questions? >> Mr. Blacker, please come to the podium. That last explanation was what I was looking for and should have been made I believe more clear and should be hopefully in the future will be made clear in the agendas and the reports and everything that's in front because as you could

123see it's the way it was written at least the way I was reading it I was confused and saying which way are you interpreting or what numbers are these Again, math is simple. Sometimes I guess it's not as simple to explain it. Although it just seemed to be very simple to explain it, and it just was. Again, hopefully we will get these type of things in the reports, in the agendas as we're reading them. I think it would solve a lot of the angst questions. Or maybe if you don't want to hear me coming up so much, that would be a side benefit of it. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to adopt the tenative agreement between MBUSD and CSCA as presented? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mrs. >> I'll second. >>

124Thank you, Mrs. Leva. A motion was made by Trusty Luna and seconded by Trusty Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. Okay, Miss Clerk. >> I This motion has passed for one absent. Now we are moving on to L presentation to the board of um presentations to the board. We are now going to do the presentation and action item to accept the 202526 EOT uh guide plan. Dr. Ar. >> Thank you very much, President Clark. At this time, I'd like to invite Mr. Nick Sterns. He's the director over enrichment and expanded learning and he is also going to review the latest updates to the ELOP plan that um will highlight some of the major changes and if the board

125has any questions uh free to ask and we are also going to ask that follow the presentation there is an action item to adopt and approve the new uh plan for 2526. >> Thank you. >> All right. Good evening again, President Clark, governing board, cabinet, Dr. Ruvakaba at home and esteemed guest. Uh it's an honor to be uh presenting our updated ELA plan for your approval. So this plan represents a strategic shift from a single vendor model to a district-led flexible framework designed to best serve our students and district. So when writing this plan, we wanted to make sure that it was aligned with our district's vision, mission, and the portrait of a graduate. That was really important within our plan. And we really looked at the district's strategic plan, specifically goals three and four

126when writing our plan. And ultimately, our ELOP plan allows students to practice every competency in our portrait of a graduate. So whether they're problem solving in a STEM club or club or lab or working as a team in esports, uh these after school hours are essential for building our future ready students within our district. So part of this plan uh we utilize the updated CDE template for ELO plans that was updated in November 2024. So that was part of it. But really the importance of this plan is transitioning away from listing specific vendors in into our ELA plan and building a framework that allows us to plug in the best partners uh to meet the needs of our students and our schools. So whether it be for robotics, art or sports, um writing this way

127doesn't require us to rewrite the plan every single time that we're trying to add something uh to meet the needs of our students and school and our community. So, one of the most exciting additions to this plan is the opportunity to potentially expand to grades 7 through 12 within our district uh within expanded learning. So, the state law allows this as a permissive expansion as long as we're meeting the needs and requirements for our students TK through six. Uh so what that means is meeting all the funding obligations uh making sure that we're offering all the programming to our students in TK through six and uh also making sure there's no weight list within those programs. So if we're able to do that then we can actually expand up through 12th grade. So as I

128said before when looking at our previous plan it it did anchor us to specific vendors and curricula. Uh this new plan really focuses more on um program strands like Vapa, STEM, and athletics. And this just provides us the flexibility to utilize a mix of district staff, expert vendors and partners again to meet the needs. Right? If we need a specialized taekwondo instructor, for example, or a coding expert, um there's less administrative hurdles. We don't need to update the plan every single time uh that we identify that as a need for our students. Also, previously we relied on the vendors we were working with as far as their handbooks for safety procedures and protocols. Uh this year we centralized control. So we created a district operations manual within the plan that establishes the standards for anyone

129working within our expanded learning program. So what that does is it really tightens the protocols uh on emergency responses. And you know, the great thing with that is is a constant uh evolving living document that's updated as needs arise. Within the updated plan, we built a robust budget that uh balances internal staffing uh like extra duty positions with our teachers for high impact tutors, counselors for support and csos as well. Also with the necessary external contracts needed to provide high quality enrichment programs for our students. We wanted to ensure that every dollar is tied directly to student outcomes and program uh program quality. So with that, I know the plan is a compliance document, but it's really a lot more than that, right? It really is our roadmap for a richer, safer, and more responsive

130after school uh program for our students. And I respectfully request uh your approval for our plan. >> So let me share this is what I like to see. It seems like you took a deep dive into what was happening in ELOP and you went very innovative and you and very strategic um to make a well robust program and I'm very excited about it and at this time I'd like to ask the other board members if you have any questions. So comments I have a comment. I'm just very happy that you know working as board members we have you know stated the different you know concerns that we have regarding, you know, the afterchool programs especially, you know, that I have asked the superintendent that we need to have more sports, you know, and steam, arts,

131everything available for our students, but not only, you know, for high school students that we need to go, you know, like lower grade levels. And it's important like one of Mrs. Crystal was um you know shared with us on her comment was that we need to start you know protecting our little ones and we need to start early. That was something that she said and that's very important to me. Um as I share with um Dr. Rubakava is that you know it is difficult talking with parents being able to to be part or attend different committees and and clubs that the parents have. you know, one of the common factors for them is like it is expensive to put one of your kids in a sports or arts. Um, for example, you know, soccer is

132at least $80 a month when you have more than one kid, you know, and maybe you're a single mom or maybe you have both parents at home or you're, you know, just like um the legal guardian or if you want to, you know, be part of boxing, it's over $100 a month. Um, you know, I started doing my research. So, I wanted to, you know, like uh sign up my kids for that or even swimming, you know, even if you want to be part of any program, sport program at the city, it's at least, you know, nothing less than $75, you know, monthly plus everything else that you're going to spend. So, I'm very happy that we were heard and, you know, you did a great job. Um, I'm seeing like the things that we

133have asked that the things that we need, you know, are here in this presentation. So, so thank you for taking that time and do this for us. >> Any other comments, Mr. Rhodess? >> Yes. I uh I really like your presentation. I like the flexibility in in in the ELO program. My question is uh how do you determine future ready programming? You know, how do you make that decision? Because my experience is uh we were doing culinary and we were looking at this oven. We brought the expert in. He said that's outdated. So how do we make that decision on the future? >> Yeah. And that's a great question. So um first step really and this is part of the requirements and and part of the plan too, but we survey our parents on an

134annual basis. So that that's an important part as far as understanding the needs, right? And that helps us determine the programming, right? So certain things that we're doing, if if there's a high response rate, the kids enjoyed it, we continue it. If there's things they're looking for, we try to find ways to add it. If there's things that aren't really helping advance our students, uh those those are things that we're looking at, may maybe we aren't continuing on, right? Um, so part of the process too is once we identify those things, we go on a search for, you know, the best vendor, the best person in the industry that we can find in our area offering that. So, you know, a lot of that, um, and I know, you know, we're going through an RFP

135process right now, right, for ELOP services. A lot of that is is, you know, us seeking out the people that that are the experts, having those conversations with them, seeing what they have to offer, and then going and planning from there. So, Thank you, >> Trusty. >> Thank you for your presentation. Um, I was just wondering, do we ever turn any students away for after school programs? >> Yeah, with TK6 there, our goal is not to have a wait list. So, you know, again, I I referenced the RFP process, but but one one of the uh things that we look for, right, when finding a vendor is can they build out capacity for all the students. So, um there there are a few times where there are pending on hold where they're looking for spots,

136but really we have a goal of building it up where that's not an issue. >> Is it first come first serve or is it prioritized by some other method? >> Yeah, it it is. So for ELO funding it is first come first serve. Okay. >> Um there are other funding streams you know potentially in the future like uh for ASUS grants for example that that it does have priority for our unduplicated students. So >> okay and then how do we measure our effectiveness? >> Yeah that's another great question. So that that comes with our surveys and I know with some of the academic components you know pre-est post- test things like that. So that uh you know big part of the plan is I call it plan do study act but you know we we

137put together a plan we we put in action. So we do it we study the results and then we refine or we act right depending on the results. So >> perfect. How how much time do we give um a vendor like to prove that they're they're um they're helping they're effective in our in our district. >> Yeah. >> Like a year a school year or >> Yes. So, with the previous uh RFP that I know the board approved before when we went out for that, uh we wrote it where it's flexible where we could award for multiple years, but really it's yearbyear. So, it's one of those things where we're going to do what's best for our kids, right? So, you know, obviously if things are good on paper, we we'll we'll interview vendors and

138companies too to try to do our background checks with them. And, you know, with a goal that everything that that we've researched is exactly what was promised. But if it's not, we wanted to build in the flexibility where we can pivot because we don't want to be stuck or or bound in a situation that's not really enhancing or helping our our kids. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> I would like to see us us build capacity or have the capacity to make ensure that any of our students that want to attend the program can attend the program. Just saying. And with that being said, no more questions. Does anyone have any questions? Okay. Well, we I would like to um ask that we move to approve the 2025 ELOP plan guide as presented. Can

139I get a motion, please? >> I would like to make a motion to move in with this new plan for El. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. It was moved by trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Roads. Can I call >> Williams? Williams. Trusty Roads. Williams. >> Thank you. Um, can you please call for the vote, Miss Claudia? >> Student board member hearing. >> I, >> Miss Lever, >> I, >> Mr. Williams. >> I, >> Miss Luna. >> I, >> Miss Clark. >> I, >> this motion has passed. 61 AB, I mean 51 absent. Thank you. Now we're moving on to L2, presentation on the MTSS data for academics um, suspension and chronic absenteeism. Dr. Thank you very much, President Clark. We are in for a treat. I'd like to invite right

140now Dr. Price, Dr. Gonzalez, and our presenting schools. Please come up at this time. Uh, as the board requested, we continue to offer our MTSS presentations at every board meeting. And today the treat is that it is my honor to introduce and you will hear shortly from schools that actually have improved in all or most of our indicators. So these schools have improved in multiple indicators. So with that, of course, there's always areas of improvement. So you will also hear that and what their plan is. I'd like to turn it over to our directors. Thank you. Good evening, board president Clark, members of the board, Dr. Ralcav at home and cabinet. Um, so exciting to be able to share this presentation together tonight on behalf of our principles and handinhand with our principles. I would

141like to first start by introducing our our MA principal, Maria Areola. Let's give her a round of applause. Hinaro Garcia from Cloverdale and Rachel Kintanar from Edgemont. Dr. Gonzalez >> and our secondary principles, Miss Mexico, Badger Springs, Dr. Reynolds, Palm Middle, and Mr. Stewart, Sunny Me Middle. Um, we always ground ourselves in our vision, mission, and our portrait of the GA of the graduate. Especially thinking about what we're focusing on tonight with our focus on academics and our overall support of our students um in facing chronic absenteeism and suspension. And two of the main areas of focus tonight are on our first goal, which promote academic growth for every student, as well as goal four, which provides a safe, welcoming, respectful, and rigorous learning environment for every member of our school community. >> And we

142will frame our presentation with the CER and AA claim, re reasoning, and evidence, and action, and next steps. So we are going to start with claim. We're playing this dance back and forth. So we got to remember who does the first step and then the next step. Our claim is our schools have seen improvement in different indicators on the state dashboard, but we must continue to still focus on specific student groups to make sure that we are closing the achievement gap. The evidence So everything that we do is focused on our evidence supporting our dashboard which the official release was in November of 2025 and we like to look at our comparison and the growth that took place from 2024 to 2025 and these are the areas that we're going to highlight tonight across the

143district and in these specific school sites. So looking at the district level, we're very excited to share the improvement that was made in math where we increased by 3.8 points of our distance from standard. Our improvement in suspension rates, we have declined by 7%. And in regard to chronic absenteeism, we also declined by 1.4%. and celebrating the work that's been done at our school sites, especially at Armada, we've seen improvement in many different areas. So, looking at math, they increased by 13.9 points. In suspension rate, they declined by 1.9% and as well in chronic absenteeism, a decline of 7.3%. So, they're moving in a great direction. Wonderful improvement. Again, here in Cloverdale, we're going to see an increase across the board. increase of 12 points in math, a decline in suspension rates by 1.6%. And

144in regard to chronic absenteeism, also a decline by 4.4%. So again, moving in the right direction. And Edgebond, we're going to celebrate the decline um in chronic absenteeism by 14.9%. In mathematics, they had an increase in 16.4 points. And in English language arts, an incredible amount of growth, an increase of 32.8 points. So again, our specific elementary school sites are in the right direction, moving ahead and making great gains. For our secondary sites, starting with Badger Springs, they saw an increase in mathematics of 4.7, a decline in chronic absenteeism of 2.2, and a decline in suspension of 2.3. For palm middle, we see a huge increase in ELA of 15.2 points. For mathematics, an increase of 7.7. And for chronic absenteeism, a decline of 2.2. And Sunnyme Middle, we saw an increase in mathematics of

1459.5 points, a decline of 2.9% in suspension, and a decline of 5.2 in chronic absenteeism. So, like we mentioned in our claim, it's overall growth in multiple measures of the dashboard that we're extremely proud of. And since we know there has been a lot of great growth, of course, there's areas that we still want to focus on, specifically the specific student groups. So, for instance, in Armada and Cloverdale, there's still a focus on our students with disabilities, particularly in mathematics. In Edgemont, they're continuing to focus on growing in in growing because of the increase um in suspension rates overall. Badger Springs is also they're focusing on chronic absenteeism for African-American students. Palm Springs is having a super uh direct focus again on overall suspension rates and for two or more sus groups under Sunnyme Middle

146School, they're also focusing on suspension rates. So, we know that there's still more work to do, but we're going to be hearing from our principles and learning about the things that they are excited about and the work that they're doing to really focus in on those specific areas of need. >> And just to clarify, it's Palm Middle School, Palm Springs. We that's a different district. the reasoning. We would like to bring up our principles to learn more about the reason they're experiencing this success. So, we are going to start with Armada. Thank you so much, Maria Areola, the proud Armada Elementary School principal. Um, very happy to be here and that I get to present and highlight our school. So thank you board members, thank you cabinet. So for our mod elementary school, one of

147our gloria is uh math um and as presented we went up 13 points and this is due to our math site having a full-time math site PD specialist that's been connecting with their teachers uh given on-site PD as in staff meetings but also having that direct connection to provide individual teacher professional development on exactly what they need. And then our PLC release days. I offer our teachers as a grade level PLC release days. And this year um well in previous years we've been focusing on math to try to improve our scores because they are lagging behind our ELA scores. And then we've also offered targeted support intervention for our students. Merb has helped us a lot. Our tutoring intervention that our teachers that we offer every school year, the opportunity for them to tutor. And

148then also we've been having um an intervention teacher to target our African-American students and um chronic absenteeism. Uh one of our successes has been the ISP completion. So we do have a high rate because we're trying to get them to complete it to erase those chronic those absenteeism from our students which is helping our overall chronic absenteeism. We have a Saturday school that we push the attendants to come so they can also have that opportunity for um attendance recovery. The one thing that I think has helped the most is making those personal calls to our parents. We have our parent ambassador doing that, office staff, um the attendance committee from our teachers, and then also site admin. And we're able to with that personal call get some information that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise and

149be able to support our parents. Our suspension rate, the last time I was here, I had the worst scores in suspension rate, if some of you remember, out of the 23 schools. So, we're really happy that we worked on this and then we had a um a decrease in suspensions, right? And we um attribute this to our increased seal and um uh counseling support. So, our if students are getting referrals, then our counselor is speaking with them. We're addressing what their needs are so that we don't have repeat of that that may lead to a suspension. We also have restorative conferences with our students so that that way we can address the root of the problem and again it doesn't repeat. And then also we have explicit instruction uh around the school for PBIS. We

150have rotations every month. And then another thing that we tried is that if there was a trend of some type of behavior as in some grade levels and we address it right away with that grade level with assemblies or with that classroom, we address it and then our counselor does um uh counseling as well with the whole class to address whatever that behavior is. Thank you. Good evening board, board president, uh, cabinet, uh, Dr. Vulcava as well. Uh, my name is Anardo Garcia, proud principal, Cloverdale Elementary, and I'm thank you for the opportunity for reporting our school again today. Um, I want to share with you last year I I stood before you and uh, we set some goals for ourselves at our school and I'm going to be talking to those as well right

151now. uh chronic absenteeism being one of them, reducing our suspension rates u which you know we're always working on as well to try to uh improve upon and then uh improving our mass course as well. So some of the things that I I'd like to talk to you about are as far as our chronic absenteeism we were able to reduce that by 4.4% and uh as of today we're on pace to reduce for uh hopefully another 4% this year if not more. Uh so we're working hard at that. Uh our attendance team has been a key um player in this. It's a collective effort at our school. Um but we do have uh an attendance team that includes our our office staff, includes our counseling, uh it includes our administration. Um so it we're contacting

152families regularly when students are absent. Um our teachers are also playing a role in this identifying students that uh are out of school. Uh so we're we're quick to uh to call home. uh offer support. Um we'll also have families sometimes need independent study. So we'll reach out to them as well uh and see what support we might be able to offer them. Um some students that uh have independent study as well. Sometimes they they struggle getting their work done when they're not there. So we off also offer tutoring uh support for those students to complete that that work that they missed. uh in math. Uh we've have been able to hire and utilize extra support staff and tutors uh to provide targeted intervention in math. Uh so we have regular um math interventions and

153rotations that uh that happen weekly and I'll talk more to those later. And our suspension rate is um uh something that we've been working uh as I mentioned before uh we have been working with a boys group and a girls group uh at our sites also to try to uh further engage our students and wanting to be at the school site. Um and then we also utilize the ready room uh to support our students at our site. Thank you. >> Good evening. Rachel Kinttonire at Edgemont Elementary. Um I'm excited to share some of the things that we um shined in last year. One of them was our uh reduction in chronic absenteeism. One of our focuses was refining the ISP process um in con conjunction with um enhancing the sense of engagement with our families.

154We did a lot of um events that we use that time to also get ISP contracts signed um share with parents. there are different options to ensure that we could increase that our chronic absenteeism or decrease our chronic absenteeism but increase um ISP process and with the teacher support and all of the staff support to complete those um ISP um contracts and the work it was after school um interventions as well that supported us um decreasing chronic absenteeism for math we focus and for math and LA we did a focus on essential standards and really honing in on what needed to be um taught and focusing on what the students needed. So looking at prerequisite skills, where were our students? We knew that they were not where they needed to be. So we needed to

155take a look at what needed to happen before they could meet those um standards. So we took a lot of time during our PLC for data analysis. We were really data focused last year and this year to ensure that we were making the growth that we needed to have. And um we focused on foundational math skills. We did daily practice. We implemented uh fact fluency challenges. So we had different incentives for students as they practice their fact fluency. The teachers did that on a daily basis. So that was really successful. Uh we had strategic intervention small groupoup instruction both during the day and after school. We utilized our intervention team as long as well as the teachers. We had Americanore and um we have hattutor this year, but we've been really focusing in on small

156groupoup instruction because we know that's what where we can best meet the needs of our students. So we did that for both ELA and for math. Uh for ELA, we had the data-driven intervention group. So everything that we did for math, we mirrored that for ELA, which I think is what attributed to our um extraordinary growth. We had highest growth in the district for those areas for elementary and same for chronic absenteeism. We led the district in ISP completions and our increased ADA. >> Good evening. Ruby Mexico, principal at Badger Springs Middle School. Uh some of the focus that we've had with our math team has been around our smart goals and our PLC's. I'm really proud of the work that my math team did last year because of all of the reflection that they

157did. Um they didn't stay stagnant. So if they saw that there was a strategy or an intervention that wasn't working, they reflected on it and said, "How can we make it better? how can we change it? Um, so some of the things that really worked for them that they really stuck through through the year, uh, small groupoup instruction, we really focused on our, um, math classes that had RSP push and support because you had that additional adult or we had, uh, math classes that had a student teacher and so you had that additional adult and being able to pull small groups with those students. Um, and part of that was that second bullet there, that push-in support where we had our math teachers on their prep period pushing into other math classes. They also surveyed

158the staff to see who else that doesn't have a math credential is really good at math. So, we actually had one of our social studies teachers who was pushing and he's fabulous at math. So, he was pushing into um some of the math classes. And towards the end of the year, we had a group of junior scholars who chose to do their PBL where during their lunchtime they pushed into sixth grade, fourth period classes to support with math as well to make sure that there was again additional people supporting with small groupoup instruction. Um we had a math intervention class where it was fluid. Students were placed in based on skill sets and if they mastered those skills they we were holding our counseling team was amazing. They were holding their spots in electives to

159ensure that they could move in and out of electives based on the need for math. Um for our chronic absenteeism we also did the tiered approach where we had our um grade level PLC's discussing ADA. So getting that um every day every uh for every student counts and really getting their um 95% attendance um in class. if you weren't in class, why weren't you there? Um, if you're missing many days, why? So, my grade level teams were focusing on the ADA. Um, when it came to the attendance team, they were focusing on ISP. So, when those kids are now getting multiple absences, can we get them recovered with um independent study? Um, and then we also had our electives team focusing on sense of belonging. So, really talking about um making sure that the kids

160want to come to school. Our counseling team is also part of that through our pack program. um ensuring that kids have a reason to come to school uh and really focusing on getting them every day. Uh for our suspension rate, we also had uh focus on SEAL and behavior intervention. So really trying to have our mentorship programs, our counseling check-ins, uh our behavior intervention room where kids can self-reer if they're having a hard time so that uh we're avoiding some of those behaviors that lead to suspensions. We also focused on restorative practices. Um and our cso team is actually amazing. They're the ones that are out there that know the kids. And so I had them last year collecting data on pre-fight behavior. So every time they intervened, when they saw signs that something was

161going to go down, they took data on that as well and really stopped that before it became a fight. Um and we had an amazing parent volunteer team who was there um just checking kids into the restroom because when they're being watched outside, the fights move into the restroom. So they were making sure that kids were signing in. if they heard anything going on, they would call for a cso or an administrator to come check the restrooms as well. Um, we also have student circle leaders that are trained uh four times throughout the school year. Um, so we have two leaders in every fourth period. Um, and on a designated Wednesday, we call for a circle and students can either choose to use a preset prompt or they might see something's going on either on

162campus or in their school and they discuss that with their fourth period uh with the support of their fourth period teacher. And then finally, again, that elective sense of belonging. Um, because every student takes an elective, whether it's an intervention class or an elective of choice. We want to make sure that again they're anchored and that they are not out doing things that they shouldn't because they are enjoying themselves so much that they don't have time for that. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening everybody. I am Hillilary Reynolds, proud principal at Palm Middle School. Thank you so much for having me. and I appreciate this time to be able to share all the amazing things happening at Palm. Um, one of the things that um, we really glowed at last year and this is really

163a testament to Palm Middle School and the teams that they have there. So the ELA team and the math team really focuses our district focus on the PLC process and really refining what that cycle looks like um and implementing the common formative assessments and they did a deep dive on um focusing more on uh data analysis. So they really took that it wasn't just like a collaborative u model they took it into actionable steps. So that's something that I'm very very proud of the Palm team ELA and math. Um, another thing that our math team really uh focused on as well is identifying the priority standards and um the they also did a lot of work with vertical articulation at our site and um with uh the elementary schools as well. So I think that

164was a huge testament to um alignment with our school and and the schools that we serve. Um, and then our chronic absenteeism. We have an amazing ISP system at Palm and that was created last year and it was shown to be very very effective. We have a ISP coordinator in charge of that. Um, and we also have a team, an attendance team that meets monthly and talks about the data and does the root uh cause analysis and figures out the students that need um the ISP. Um and then basically that ISP uh process oversight and follow-through that was implemented was one of the reasons why those areas flowed. Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh Matt Stewart, principal at Sene Middle School. Uh thank you for having me tonight. Um I I need to just give

165credit where credit's due with our teachers and our students and our families. Uh they're the ones that uh make everything um just move forward. And I think a big piece of what we always try to do is remembering, you all spoke to it tonight, is uh the humanity behind the numbers. And um I think part of our responsibility was just stewarding uh what we have in terms of the rich amount of resources that we have at our site um that include all the uh stakeholders I mentioned and just uh stewarding them better, thinking outside the box, thinking a little more critically on how we can um impact the change. Um so with math we focus on small groups foundational skills uh just ways that we can really support the students in the foundational knowledge that

166they need to even access the grade level content that's presented to them on a daily basis. Uh with suspension we just have believed uh since I've arrived there in being very proactive being visible and proactive. Um I have lost two incredible assistant principles. uh they've both promoted and I've gained two new incredible assistant principles and uh Miss Pla who's remained there with us is doing a great job. So uh my admin team, my counselors, my csos, my CSAs, like I said, it's it's about the people who do the work that really grind it out on a daily basis to be proactive to know what's going on with the kids, to listen to the kids talk for 30 seconds before I'm telling them to get to class on time. uh to know what's going on and

167then we respond accordingly before the fights happen, before the the issues happen. So, um just being very proactive with that. Uh and then lastly, uh with chronic absenteeism, again, thinking more critically, uh making our system a lot tighter, uh figuring out ways that we can get rid of kind of wasted time or wasted communication a lot a lot of ways uh has really helped us. And um what I'm learning is that when the systems get better and the people um who are naturally gifted in the areas that you need them to be gifted at, you put them in the right spot, then good change happens. But again, a testament to all of the hardworking people at Sunnyme Middle School. Thank you. So, in our relentless pursuit um to ensure that we're supporting the success of

168all students, um our principles are examining and diving deep into the reasons and the areas of growth. And so, they're going to share a little bit about what they're finding. >> Arman, we can focus on one. >> So, our area of growth is in our students with disability math scores. We realize that it's um almost double our scores. While our overall isus 55 distance from standard, our students with disability are minus 99 distance from standard. So that's definitely an area of focus and I think the one need that we are seeing is that in order to provide better intervention for our students is to every time there's a report card or the uh district star benchmark is to go ahead and call an IEP so that that way the team can meet and provide the

169specific supports that our students with disabilities really need. Thank you. >> Um thank you. also focusing in on our uh math uh distance from standard with our students with disabilities. Uh one of the things we looked at is how to involve them uh more in targeted intervention. So many of our students of course have an IEP that might require pushin support or pull in support. So we're always guarded and careful. They're not missing core instruction. So we had to find the right times so that we can uh more often than not that's going to involve teachers working in small groups daily regularly with these students also for support uh but finding opportunities for them to also benefit from uh the extra support that we've hired at our staff as well which are uh include u

170retired teachers that have come in and supported us as well uh along with hey tutor and merit >> at edgemont. One of the areas that we needed to focus on was the suspension rate. It did increase and um one of the areas we were considering um as part of the issue was a need to refine the tier 2 and tier three supports. So really leveraging our um supports outside of community supports for mentoring, our check-in checkout process. We have worked on refining that um that leads to the tier one interventions as well. We needed to refine that whole process to make sure that we were providing the behavior expectation lessons and make sure that we're providing the additional supports. And so we've really worked to align those things including our counselor and just the way

171the admin team addresses those behaviors so that we can best support students. >> Uh an area of growth for us is uh or actually that we want to decrease is chronic absenteeism for our African-American students. um that increased even though our suspension rate went down for African-American students. And so when we dive into the data um we really want to focus on that sense of belonging. We have a very small population of African-American students. So making sure that they have connections to the school, to the adults on that campus and really speaking to them about what is it that they want. For example, um our African-American students want dance, they want cheer. So we do have an active cheer team. We are currently working with uh Renee Roaneiro to bring in a dance teacher. um

172working to build up our JBA so that our African-American students feel seen and heard on the campus so that they want to be in school. >> All right. And one area that Palm Middle School needed to grow in was our overall suspension rate because we did see an in increase in that um from last year and that really is uh tied to our tier 2 and tier three behavior supports that are provided for students. We needed to take a deep look at that and see how we can strengthen that to better support our students at Palm >> at Cine. We were um didn't do too well in terms of rallying around our students of two or more races and our our suspensions rates increased quite dramatically for this student group. Um and I I really

173attribute it to our tier three tier three supports and our tier 2 supports for our students. um they weren't bolsterous enough and and we didn't have um really the focus follow-through that we should have had in terms of uh helping those students really define the root cause of what was going on and then meeting their needs uh how they should have been met at the school. So, uh we're working on some good things for this year and I'm going to be excited to share those in a minute. >> Okay. Okay. Well, we just heard incredible facts about what they're doing to improve specific areas, but also all the wonderful things that are going on in that site in those different sites. But as a district, we al also have specific actions and next steps. As

174a district, we put together the alliance task forces. And this is an array of different task forces that have come together on specific days throughout the year. Um it's a collaborative effort. There's areas that are focused on of equity and achievement, chronic absenteeism. We have a specific one on early literacy and college and career readiness and teachers, district leaders, PD specialists. It's a collaborative effort for all of us to come together and brainstorm and figure out a plan and next steps to help support the work that's going on at the sites. We also have a campaign, Missing School is Missing Out, that focuses on chronic absenteeism. It focuses on building um a positive climate and culture so students feel that they belong, that they want to come to school. It's connecting and strengthening our relationships

175with families so we can find out what do they need so that we can support them and ensure that they're understanding the importance of being present because if students are not here, they can't learn. So again, it's a campaign that's really supporting all sites at the district level. And here there's just an array of different district level supports and resources that focus on student engagement interventions. One that I just want to emphasize was hosted this past summer. It was a three-day training that focused on engaging site administrators. Um we had a focus on unconscious bias training, trauma-informed practices and care. Um behavior strategies to be able to support students across the school district. Um there is a deep understanding of PBIS and there are PBIS walkthroughs that are occurring um throughout the school year at

176many different sites. And again, these are specific strategies that we're utilizing as a district to support the work that's taking place at the site to improve student achievement. On the instructional end, what we are doing as a district is to um increase consistency and reduce variance to ensure that we are sharing out best practices. So, it's an array of things from guiding coalition, PLC's, PLN's, building thinking classrooms. We are also supporting the 15-day challenge and sharing those best practices through learning walks and making sure that we are seeing that in one of our classrooms and highlighting so we could learn from each other. So, as a district, we're providing a lot of resources and supports, and our principles know their context best, and so they are then honing in um with district support, but then

177honing in on their own context to identify their areas of growth and make sure that they are providing next steps and action steps. And I'm going to let them share. We're going to start with Armada. Thank you again. So our uh students with disability what we're committed and taking to take action. So one of the things that we're committed to take action is to make sure that our we have increased targeted intervention during the school day for our students. So asking our teachers to make sure whether when they're having their guided reading and their um math instruction in small groups that the students with disabilities are seen every single day because they are a high need and um also making sure that they're collab collaborating and having discussions with the RSP teacher to communicate needs

178and IEP goals and how they can support the grade level standards >> at Cloverdale. One of the strategies that we're using is we're having math rotations on every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Um we have CFAs that guide our our planning for these rotations and then we have our support uh come in and help with work with the students in small groups so we're able to um to meet the needs or better meet the needs of persons with disabilities and and others >> at Edgemont. One of the ways that we um determined that we needed to work on overall suspension was to streamline the SST process for behaviors. We weren't doing very many behavior SSTs. So, we needed to make sure that we were gathering a team which included the parents on best practices to

179support the students. So, we needed to meet on a more regular basis including the parents, the teachers, and then the SS team who has expertise on um support for our students. um board, as you're hearing from our schools, we also included some year-to-ate data at the bottom on the ones that we can actually capture. So, we wanted to bring the attention to that. >> So, our year-to date, we were at 4.03 last year and um well, we decreased at 4.03, so we're at 4.6 and we've suspension rate is at 0.57 right now. uh for Badger Springs for uh targeting our African-Americans. We're doing a lot, but I'm specifically going to talk about that school avoidance. So, that sense of belonging, not just engaging students with extracurriculars, but also ensuring that they're being successful in their

180academic classes so that they want to be there. Success breeds success. Um, so really trying to target our African-Americans and our African-American students with disabilities through again that small groupoup instruction, but we also have a layered approach where we've identified all of our students who are in Think Together who are African-American or African-American students with disabilities. They're pulled for um math tutoring by our teachers from Think Together. Um, and then we also have our ISP targeting specifically our African-American students, especially those that are in Think Together because we have a captive audience to fulfill the ISP contracts. And year to date, we have seen a 13% decrease in the chronic absenteeism for our African-American student group. All right. at Palm Middle School. Um, I think the number one thing that we really implemented, which is

181very similar to Edgemont, was really formalizing that SST process on our campus and bringing the parents in, bringing our counselors into that team meeting, um, bringing our social worker in and really trying to determine what we can do to support the student and be and then we also were creating um, behavior support plans for the students as well. and we're following up on those every six weeks and having that meeting every six weeks so we can have a team of people rallying behind the student and um you know putting in uh PBIS um rewards for the students so that they can meet those goals. So our year-to- date decrease right now is 3.68%. I'm really proud of that. So that's for Palm. So, we knew that uh we needed to address uh students to two

182more races, their suspension rates. Um and we knew that we needed to start kind of at a system systems level in terms of really creating um a different mindset of uh when students we deal with middle schoolers, so they're going to make mistakes developmentally. They're they're learning so much and trying things out for the first time. And so we knew that um our process of response to those decisions that are made and then the way that we're going to respond and support them with our intervention um classroom, but more importantly the staff that really sit and have these one-on-one long conversations help students realize the why behind their decision. Uh the whether it's impulsivity or it's a habit of years of behaviors from elementary that are coming up into middle school. Um it's just the

183process of connecting with the kid. Um I'm really really excited. Our recidivism rate uh how many uh times students are coming back to our in onampus intervention room is is incredible. And we actually have uh the tiered systems are actually at the percentages that they should be. Usually they're flopped upside down, but this year at Sunny uh they're they're where they should be. They fall within the percentage ranges. So we're excited. Um if you guys have more questions, I'm happy to share details. So we are very excited of the progress that our sites have been making and they're also focused on continuous improvement. Like I said their their relentless um pursuit of making sure that every student group and every student is rising. So at this time we will take questions. >> So thank you

184very much. I want to share it's again it takes courage to come up here and I know sometimes it can be overwhelming. I know you're the leaders of your school, but I know it's tough to come and sit before the board and talk about your data and sometimes the data doesn't look so pretty. So, I want to say thank you for that and thank you for being phenomenal. Good job on your glow. I do see some things that need to grow, but I see you trying so I don't want to harp on that, but and I do I would like to say thank you. I would like to ask a couple of questions though. And the first is um um and I think you kind of spoke to it um but when you suspend kids

185I know does it does everyone ask them why like they go to them and say hey what's your why why is this happening and how can I support and I know you kind of spoke to that a little if you don't mind. Uh yeah, so I think um I I have the ability to rub shoulders with uh all of our site leaders and then we also have incredible support at the district level. So um I feel like uh a lot of times it's slowing down your decision- making to ask those questions >> um and thinking of different ways that we can uh reach this student that doesn't involve sending them home, being out of school, either on their own or having to impact their family in a way that's probably not going to be helpful.

186Mhm. >> And so if there are ways that are going to um be able to support the student at the school site and also keeping intention the general culture of the school, the feel of the school, the response to the incident. Um I feel like we have to weigh all those things out um at each, you know, uh incident by incident. >> So I know there's a tendency also to be politically correct, but I'm going to ask a really really tough question. And if you don't feel comfortable asking right here, you don't have to. But know that I'm looking and I'm watching and I really want you to answer this question honestly within your hearts or in a slick email on the side, whatever you need to do. But what I'm I'm serious though. I

187want you to think about this because I know we ask a lot of you. Do you have all the tools that you need to be successful? So I see and if you don't mind me speaking to you, Miss Mo. So, one of the things I hear you saying and and and I know it's tough like, okay, we have a small population of African-American students and we're really trying hard to connect and we're really doing these things and I know that you can only be stretched so thin, right? So, is there something that we can do to help or support? So, think about that. Is there something that you need? I know you Dr. Ar has an open door policy and Dr. is amazing, you know, and and I know sometimes we think about ourselves. I

188don't want to ask too much. I don't want to even go ask because, you know, I think I can do it or, you know, but think about it and and and let us know what you need because we're asking these things of you and I want to see the data change. So, if you need it, you know how we tell us, see something, say something. You know, you need it, ask, right? >> I mean, I think everybody here knows that I'm super shy and I don't love to ask for things. Um, but I I'm, you know, I'm going to echo what Mr. Stewart said. I think part of having the tools is knowing how to implement them and knowing how to back off when they're not working. And when Mr. Stewart said that, you know,

189we rub shoulders with the other administrators, that's huge. Um, you know, the elementaryaries, they know the kids before they get to us. The high schools, we know where they're going. Um, and I joke before because I ask for what I want all the time. All the time. And I think that that is a sentiment amongst the principles that we can ask that we can say, "Hey, this is what we need." Um, and I think that Badger Springs has received so many additional resources and programs. Um, but when you look at the talent that we have at our own school site, I think we need to maximize that. And having honed in with data and really the the smart goal, I mean, everybody rolls their eyes at the smart goal. So do I. It's a lot

190of work, but it's a good thing. And so, I think that when we really look at what is the need and what can we do? We have I mean, we have a social worker, we have a therapist, we have a partnership with our uhs, we have FED Adam, this amazing mentorship program, our counseling team. I can go on and on and on, but sometimes too much is too much. So, we have to look at what are the tools that we have, what works for who? Can we hone it in? Can we make sure that it's really targeted to that group of students? And that's where we're seeing the growth because we're really trying to target and what Mr. Stewart said is, you know, you're flipping those percentages. So, you're really trying to drill down on

191who needs the most. It's equity. Who needs the most and who can we bring along and who's okay for a second, but I'm going come back to you in a minute. And so, I think we have the tools, but we also have the opportunities to ask. Um, I do. I think we do. And I think that our cabinet, our superintendent, um, the board, I think they listen. And um we just have a lot of opportunity to bring more resources in when we need them. >> And and I'm going to go ahead and ask the board if they have other questions, but I would like to make a comment. I think the board spoke to it earlier about all the things that are happening in the world. Our kiddos are feeling this too. And I would

192like for us to show some grace, you know, because sometimes they're at home, their parents may feel away, they may feel away. It is impacting all of us. even if it's not ne you know right next door it's somebody in some capacity and we just need to I know you do it all the time but I just want to echo you have our support and showing that grace when needed and now I'll just pivot to the rest of the board to see if you have any questions comments you asked if we needed anything yes and so I just want to advocate for Edgemont the data that I showed or that we talked about was with a full-time counselor and we recently have a h a split counselor now she is critical to the supports that

193our students have and um Edgemont is a very high need community and um our counselor being split is detrimental to us and she is an excellent counselor. She's been there for many years and um that's a resource that is vital. I think all school sites need a full-time counselor. Uh Edgemon definitely does and so the data is with her support full-time. So that being said, hopefully it continues to be that way. I'm just saying we need a full-time counselor. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Healing. Do you have any questions? >> I have more of kind of a comment rather than a question, but something that really stood out to me was the fact that you said instead of just automatically assuming the worst in your students and like why they're not showing up to school,

194you're reaching out to their homes and you're calling home to see like what's going on. Like why is your student not showing up to school? And I feel like as a student that really shows that my school cares. I'm wanted at my school. Um I'm wanted I'm wanted to sorry I'm wanted to um my presence is wanted and I feel like that's just a really big thing. and as a student just know like like that's really appreciated and I feel like continue that because I feel like that really does help in wanting to come to school and honestly the chronic absenteeism like helping it increase I feel like no decrease sorry helping it decrease that's a really good implement to have >> trustee I really love hearing you know students speak and say why they

195I think it is important. Um I have a few questions. Uh one of them is for the principle of edgeman. I see um I would like to know which tactics I know you kind of explain it over here. U did you implement it to decline you know your chronic asymp you kind of speak about it but also to to increase um to 32.8 uh points in mathematics. So for chronic absenteeism, we focused on ISPs. So that was a critical area that we were not um leveraging. We needed to find ways to have the community on campus because we had to get those contracts signed. And so we um hosted a lot of community events because we just needed to build that sense of community within the school of Edgemont. Um I remember some of the

196comments the teacher said like this was the biggest back to school night showing we've ever had and all we did was I bought hot dogs for everybody. So we just bought hot dogs. We got the um nutrition services helped out and they grilled and everybody got a free hot dog and so that um was able we were able to get a lot of parents on campus and the teachers were super excited about that. The parents were that was our opportunity to share things that we were doing getting ISP contracts signed. We started at back to school night and so we did things like that throughout the year that anytime that we had an event ISP table was there. we were giving treats and incentives for them to come let us know if sign off on

197the papers and you know give them o opportunities to um also engage in our community. Um the 32point growth was in for for ELA and um our focus was um as I said before the essential standards but also it provided teachers a lot of release time every trimester they had a release time to look at the data and um really focus in on what needed to be done for their students. where were their kids right now? We looked at data constantly. Um, we give the STAR test three times a year as a district. We gave that way more often and we're doing it even more often this year because we need to see the data. We need to see the progress and we need to progress monitor where we're going next. And so, um, for

198math, we had a big growth as well. And it's because we're looking at data. We're providing the interventions. The teachers are very capable of doing that. They just needed the time and the support to get that done. And that's what we did. Um I know that um I have been you know I have helped in the uh in the past at Edgeman as a parent ambassador and I see that you have a very strong you know group of parents that speak Spanish um that is your elect committee and then a really strong booster club. Um, and with everything that's going on, I can understand, you know, like how maybe, you know, attendance might be affecting your school. Um, I'm I'm lucky to know like a lot of parents that live in that area cuz that's

199the area that I live and I know their kids. >> Um, is that even though you have a growth, is that impacting you? >> It has. Um parents have been very transparent with us. They let us know their concerns and we work with them. So like we offer the ISP or the other opportunities to engage with the school as well as provide the supports that they need because um we have that what's going on in the world as well as just u the increased housing insecurity, food insecurity. So, um we have a community partner that um has supplied this year um boxes for Thanksgiving for um for Christmas and we've done lots of um outreach with our families because we know that that's what they need. So, we've been very proactive with that. I have

200a great office staff that they know everybody. They know all of the kids. They know their needs. We we sit together and we plan out who needs what and we're getting that to them. Like, we know our kids. So, we have to serve them and the families in the best way that we can. That's our goal. >> Thank you. And and I'm going to, you know, like um comment on what um Miss President Clark said and I said it at the at the summit. I we talk about you know gaining the trust of the students but we also as a board we need to work on gaining you know the administrators the teachers trust and feeling I feel that it's important that you guys know that you can come you know and and be sure

201that we're here to support you and I try to ask every time we have a presentation you know like if you need anything and the and the superintendent knows that I'm going to ask that, you know, please let us know because this is a a a teamwork and I know that you have so much to deal with. Um I was um sharing with him like being able to be um a CSA and a parent ambassador gave me the opportunity to see you know um what you guys are up to you know not in a negative way but to see how much you have to carry how much uh responsibilities you have and and sometimes you know we ask like we need you to improve in this and I know it's more work and and and

202I know it's necessary because we want our kids to do better. But um I just want you to each and one of you know that I appreciate you coming here and letting us know you know um the the areas that we need to improve and the areas that you have grow. It is very important. You know I was able to attend one of your um events at Sunmid Middle School and I was able to see that engagement and that respect that your students have for you. um how you are able to you know like um interact with them. So when I see kids doing that that they have that trust with the principal you know that's something that I admire. So thank you for doing that. >> Thank you Trusty Williams. >> Thank you. Um

203all of you are good uh jugglers. there's uh something to do every day and I've worked with four of you out of the six at your schools and uh it's a big task but I think and this is a comment we've got to get the kids to school because we can want to do all the academics we want to do >> if they're not >> but if they're not there we can't teach him. And if we can keep them on campus, get them to school, then we got a chance to to work on the academics. So, how do we help you meet that goal and we really have to work on attendance and suspension. And you hit it right on the head, young lady. You hit it right on the head. Say say what you

204said before. >> Say it again. >> Um, calling home really helps students know how much um, our schools care about us and how much we're wanted and how much we're appreciated at our school sites. >> See, the principal at Edgemont, your name, ma'am? >> Rachel. >> No, last name. >> Oh, Kenar. Sorry. Rachel Kintar. >> Okay. It's Kar. >> Kintenar. >> I worked at Edgear as a mentor. And uh when I worked with the kids, I called the parent and the parent said the only person who's going to talk to my kid is me. So, I know how difficult it is to engage the parents and again, how can we help you get that done? Because I know it's difficult. Do we need more adults on the campus? Do we need more social workers? I

205heard math specialists, English specialists. They had them when I went to school. I went to school in a different century. Do you need it? Because if you do, we'll get it. Okay. If you need a rocket to get to the moon, if a kid needs a rocket to get to the moon, >> come to >> Okay. But I have been off my feet, but when I get on my feet, you going to see me. I'mma be there and put me to work. >> That's all I have to say. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Trusty Luna. >> Thank you all of you for for your leadership. It's clear with the data that you have been working very hard. You're great leaders who delegate to wonderful teams and so and all of you have have acknowledged your

206teams and and that's the sign of a great leader because you're obviously the one leading but you're not doing it by yourself and so thank you for doing that. I'll sh I share the same sentiment. Um we're here for support whatever we can do to help you be successful. Um, I would like to piggy back on Miss Kintanara's comment about counselor. I don't think we should have any halftime counselors. I agree with her. We need full-time counselors at each uh school. And so, um, whatever we need to do to do that, please, let's support that. That's that's very important. Um, but yes, thank you all for your hard work. Um, I remember last year and and you're sharing your data and here you are showing how much you've improved and it just it's so gratifying

207and so it just feels good and I'm sure you feel even better because you did the work. So, thank you for putting that work in and uh we look forward to seeing you again with more great news. Thank you so much. >> So, it's only way up for here from here. We believe in you. Thank you. Um, would anyone like to make a motion to accept? Oh, excuse me. Oh, sorry. Wrong one. Just accept them. No motion needed. They're amazing. Thank you guys. I appreciate you. >> I have one other question. >> Wait, not accepted yet. Just kidding. Mr. Williams, >> you've all mentioned tier 2 and tier three ser uh uh interventions. that seems to be a problem. How do we address that? Anybody come to the podium, please? How how can we make

208it better? >> Well, you kind of mentioned it about the mentorship. So, we happen to have the um children for the community u mentorship program and last year I don't think that uh myself did a good job of making sure that we leverage that appropriately. So, um, been working with JD to make sure that we're leveraging their supports to be most effective. And so, I mean, I would I would encourage you to come visit our site and see how that has changed, how we interact with the parents. >> I work with you. >> And so, we talked about >> uh well, just also leveraging or seeing the support that we have with our students and that change that the parents know that I'm calling. We're talking about things. I had um positive eagles. So teachers

209can send a note uh for a positive call from the principal because most of the times um parents get calls from the principal for something negative and so it was for something positive and parents are excited when they get a call and they're like oh no it's the principal and then I'm telling them a good thing and they're like oh my god you gave me a heart attack but I'm so happy to hear from you and so um it's those sorts of things building relationships with our students that um has made a big impact and then working with the children for community to really focus in on the students that we're um providing the support with. Thank you. >> I would like to mention something real quick, Mrs. Clark. >> Go ahead, Mrs. Stewart. >>

210Oh, yeah. Sorry. So, um I I I can I want to echo what Miss Ruby uh Mexico was saying earlier. I think um I I have felt more pushed this year as a leader in terms of what else can uh I do to refine my practices, how else can I look at that problem, see it differently, and just get more intentional. So, um I think the the tier two and three I many of them exist at our school. Of course, there's other things that we can bring in. And my mental health therapists are probably like killing me right now that I'm not saying more mental health therapists, but um but I just think a lot of it is us also improving as site administrators in the ways that we can utilize the resources that we

211have as Miss Mayo said. Um so, we're grateful for the resources. If there is opportunity for more, we'll we'll gladly take them and utilize them. Um I just wanted to add that um I'm hearing from you and I'm listening you know like you mentioned right now you know more mental health support um at the symposium summit that we work with the coordinators and administrators the panel of students they mentioned that they would like to have more mentorship programs and um and I was talking with a group of students from Valley View that reached out to me and they were asking for that and one question that they made me it was and and I shared that the superintendent, it was like, "Why do you guys wait for us to get in trouble to give us

212a mentor? We need a mentor before we get in trouble or if you see us, you know, like that we're going to fall or that we're not making mistakes, why not giving us a mentor so that we don't do more things that get us in this situation?" And and then from today for the um English learners um the student who was sitting in our table she was saying that you know that she gets frustrated because she's not able to meet you know the goals that maybe sometimes the teachers ask them or parents and she gets frustrated and she would like to have a mentor that will guide her and help her with that frustration. So I don't know, you know, I know right now it's not the moment to say what we would like to

213see in our next, you know, agenda or something, but maybe it's something as support as a support that we can work. So that support that will help, you know, our administrators at elementary, middle school, and high school, you know, um do better because um if we're hearing so much from our students, it's something that is really needed right now. Then >> thank you and thank you Thank you. >> We're now moving on to item L3, presentation action item to accept the annual financial report and audit for the school year ending on June 30th, 2025. Miss Lopez to the podium. Hello. Good evening, President Clark, members of the board, cabinet, uh, superintendent virtually. Um, the next three items are related. So, I'm going to go ahead and give an overview because then I'm going to turn

214it over um for the rest of the presentation. But we have a state law that requires that we have an external auditor um independent from the school district come in and audit our financial reports. So if you recall at the September board meeting I presented to you the 2425 fiscal year unodudited actuals. they are referred to as unudited because it's not until the audit team comes in and conducts their audit that those would become audited financials. Uh so this evening that is going to be the first item that will be presented to the board. And then we also have a uh proposition 39 that is a requirement that school districts that go out for general obligation bonds and use under proposition 39 which simply means you go for that 55% vote. Uh there is another

215requirement that these funds so the general obligation funds bonds are audited and they are audited separately. So you are familiar with the fact that we have measure M and then recently passed in 24 we have measure X and so you are going to see separate reports for each of those general obligation bonds. So with that I am going to turn over the microphone to our representative from ID Bailey who is our external auditor. Mr. Scott Bradic is here and he will go over the reports with the board. Okay, great. Good evening. Um, my name is Scott Bradock. I'll be presenting the district's audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Um, there's a lot of information in this report, but to keep this presentation uh somewhat condensed, I'd like to focus primarily on

216page 120, which is the summary of auditor's results page. Um and as the name of that page suggests this page uh it summarizes the audit. There's three sections on this page. The financial statement section, the federal awards section, and the state compliance section. We issue audit opinions in relation to each of these three areas. Um when you look at this page and you see the phrase or the term unmodified, that's the opinion that was issued. An unmodified opinion is essentially a clean audit opinion. there was nothing identified that resulted in a modification or qualification of the opinion. So that's what that term means. Um I'll begin with the financial statement section. Um we we perform various procedures to verify uh that there are uh no material misstatements within the financial statements. Um we obtain reasonable

217reasonable assert reasonable assurance of that assertion. Uh so we issued an unmodified opinion in relation to the financial statements. We had two material weaknesses identified which are um detailed on the two pages after this page. No significant deficiencies identified and no instances of non-compliance in relation to the financial statements. The next section is the federal award section. The district receives and expends uh federal funds through various federal sources each year and we're required to audit certain federal programs each year. The programs that we audited uh for fiscal year 24-25 are shown uh towards the middle of this page under the header identification of major programs. So there were three CO 19 programs as well as the head start cluster. A very clean audit in relation to these uh federal programs we we audited. We issued

218an unmodified opinion. No material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies, no instances of non-compliance. The last section on this page is the state compliance section. Similar to federal awards, the district needs to comply with various state requirements each year. Um, so yeah, again, a very clean audit in relation to the district's state compliance. no material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies, and an unmodified opinion was issued. And that that pretty much summarizes the district's 2425 audit. >> Thank you kindly. Any questions from the board? >> Trustee Luna. >> Um, so I I just want to be clear. Were there any audit findings or management recommendations? >> There were two findings. >> There were two. Okay. >> And they're they're detailed on the next two pages. >> And I'm sorry, I lost you on what page that was on. 120,

219you said? >> Uh 121 through Well, so 120 is is the page shown there, the summary of auditor's results. >> Yes. >> And then the two findings are on 121 through 124. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, all right. So, what were the I I mean for transparency, what were the audit findings? >> Do I don't know who's going to answer that. >> I go over it. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Yeah. One the the first one finding 2025-001 was related to uh misreported financial statement balances. Um and so those are on page 121 and they were primarily in relation to um balances reported in relation to the district's uh CFD accounts in fund 40 no fund 52 and 49 I believe. Um and then there was an overstatement of an accounts payable balance in the

220internal service fund which I think was just due to a a duplicated entry. uh just kind of like a clerical error. Um and then 2025-00002 on page 123 is related to um and strengthening internal controls over the district's bank reconciliations uh primarily in relation to clearing accounts, getting those reconciled timely, reviewed timely, uh so on and so forth. >> Okay. So page 124 has the corrective action so that this wouldn't happen in the future. Got it. >> And if I can add a little bit to that. Um in regards to the first one on the um misrepresented amounts um we have implemented a process a couple years ago where obviously this isn't the first time that you see this finding. So one of the recommendations is we needed to have cross trainining. So if you

221look at some of the duties, you had one person doing the duty. And so we, you know, making sure that we fixed this. We decided to implement crossraining. Well, what we realized is that when you're crossraining, it's very difficult for that second person to doublech checkck when they themselves are learning the process. And so I think this taught us that we need to make sure that we have more than one person involved. Um thankfully now we are fully staffed on their management team on the business side so that we're able to implement even in addition to the doublechecking of requiring the supervisor being able to oversee that and sign off on that. So um wanted to make sure that um you know it sometimes it's difficult to see the repeat finding because you think you've

222caught everything and then you see that duplicate entry or whatever it might be. Um but I think this is a good opportunity to continue to grow um in regards to the acrruel. The second piece on the reconciliation I think we've been very transparent about the segregation of duties. Again areas that we need to focus again we weren't happy that we saw this finding here but we were happy that for most of the accounts we had made progress but the way that it works is if they catch one thing and they had reported it as a finding in the previous year they have to report it again. So um some growing opportunities for our team and and again we have our goal for next year making sure that both of these um findings are eliminated but

223just want to be transparent about that. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Well I don't have any questions I for you. I do have a question for Sana just one. Do we have any items or a check system within our accounting system or our financial system that allows us to know when things are reconciled? So I've worked in several financial systems and one of the financial systems I have a ledger reconciliation and then we have a certain asserts if we have not reconciled our ledgers within seven days of the due date email start going all the way up even to you right or the superintendent >> if it's not certified by a certain day email blast go out even to our controller which in this case would you and so you know so

224do we have something like that in place and if not I think we need to get something like that in place. >> So our financial system currently does not remember our um funds are held at the county treasur escape which is our financial system is completely different from that. Um that was probably one of the biggest reasons why when we sat down about what did we need to do that was one of the driving forces behind going under the county system. So being under the county system these types of duties the cash reconciliation these are would all be duties that again you have that oversight from Riverside County Office of Education. And so we don't hire folks that are experts and fiscally independent school districts because there's only 10 in the entire state. Um and

225so it was just it was a process that was manual. Obviously we're using the financial system. The bank reconciliations were done and completed. Um we had check we have checklists about when they need to be done but there isn't like an automatic which would be great right where you get the reminders of you can't move forward or it's notify notifying supervisors managers and so forth. So that is probably the biggest drive before for us actually moving to the county system so that those items can be addressed. They actually have a team of folks that focus on that. Um and and so we're we're getting there. Couple more months and and we're there. >> So if I understand what you're saying, instead of us doing the work here and then going to the county, we go

226directly to the county. >> So right now the funds are held at the county treasur and we work directly with the county treasur. >> Okay. for all of the other districts except for one in Riverside County, you're working with your county office and they are the ones working with the county treasurer. And so we have additional steps in place um to do a number of items. And when we um presented the information on on the fiscal um independence, we we outlined these are all the additional duties that we have here at the school district that would eventually go under Riverside County Office of Education. Again, they are the oversight for us. And so um it it was a difficult process and in this whole transition which started months ago their team is actually now coming

227with us to do the reconciliations because ultimately it's going to be a duty that they're going to do. So for the last I believe 6 months Johnny. >> Yeah. >> That our COE has we've been working on the process together but it wasn't in place prior to June 30th. But I think now we would feel a lot more comfortable because we've been working alongside correcting those things and that's why we're confident that by next year um it's going to be a finding that has been resolved. >> Thank you. Okay, we can move on to the next item. >> All right. So, >> oh, excuse me. Excuse me. Do we make a motion in ter? >> Okay. >> If you're >> Oh, yeah. With that one. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any more discussion? Okay. I'd

228like to make I'd like to make would anyone like to make an a motion to accept the 2024 2022 annual financial audit report as presented? >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Trusty Luna. It was um a motion was made by Trustee Williams and seconded by Trustee Luna. Please call for the vote. >> Sto member hearing. >> I miss Lever. >> I Mr. Williams >> I >> Miss Luna >> I >> Miss Clark >> I >> this motion has passed five and one absent thank you and now we are will move on to give me one second I lost my place for one second um item four the presentation and action item to accept the 2024 2025 Five, building fund measure M

229financial and performance audit report. >> So for this report uh there there are two elements to this report slash to this audit. Uh there's an audit of the financial statements for uh the measure M within the building fund and then there's a performance audit performed over expenditures incurred um under this measure. So uh in relation to the audit of the financial statements for the building fund clean audit no findings that's shown on page 12 uh which is the financial statement findings page and we simply indicate none reported there. So unmodified opinion in relation to the financial statements clean audit in relation to the financial statements and then on to the second portion of this report which is related to the performance audit. So we um sample and select expenditures incurred uh within the building fund.

230We review backup for those expenditures, invoices, POS, contracts, uh bid documentation and uh we we review all that documentation to verify that the expenditures are allowable um under the bond measure. So through our review of those expenditures um again a very clean audit um the expenditures that we tested were compliant um they were allowable under the bond measure and that's shown on page 19 um which is the findings recommendations page in relation to the performance audit where we again uh indicate none reported. Thank you kindly. Any questions for measure? Can I get a motion to accept the 202425 building fund measure M financial and performance audit report as presented? >> I would like to make a motion to accept. >> Thank you. Trustee Lea, can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you,

231Trusty Luna. Miss Claudia, can you please call for the bill? >> Student member Hewing. >> I. >> Miss Lea. >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. I. Miss Clark. >> I. This motion is passed. Five yes. and one absent. Moving on to item five, the presentation and action item to accept 2024 2025 building fund measure X financial and performance audit report. So same same thing um with this report just a different measure. Um so I won't go into again the difference between what uh the financial audit and the performance audit. Uh but the results were also the same. Uh very clean audit for the financial statement audit and that's shown again on page 12. Uh where we indicate no findings reported. And then for the performance audit portion for measure X again

232um clean audit as shown on page 18 where we indicate that there were no findings reported in relation to our audit of expenditures incurred under this measure. >> Thank you kindly. Any questions? Okay. And I have a motion to accept the 202425 building fund measure X financial and performance audit report as presented. >> I would like to make a motion to accept. >> Thank you, Trustee Leila. Can I get a second? >> Second. Thank you, Trusty Luna. It was a motion was made by Trustee Lea. Second um was made by Trustee Luna. Miss Claudia, can you please call for the vote? >> Student Board Member Hewing. >> I miss Leva. >> I Mr. Williams. I >> Miss Luna. >> I Miss Clark. >> I This motion has passed. 51 absent. Last but not least, we

233have number six. Item number six, the presentation of the 2025 enrollment update. Mrs. Anna Lopez. Let me just shift gears. Okay. Okay, enrollment update. Um, I I want to start by just going over the fact that enrollment information has been shared in many of the budget presentations. We include it um because enrollment obviously is one of the building blocks in in putting together a budget. And when we focused on um a recent meeting where we shared what enrollment was to date um I think it gave us an opportunity to go into discussion about you know is enrollment greater at elementary level, secondary level and and so forth. Um, and so I think that just really um gave us the opportunity to put together this presentation which really is going to walk you uh through the

234exercise that is completed uh it's a process that started during winter break. We work on in January about how do we come uh together and put together these enrollment projections. So thank you board for the interest in budget and asking for the budget presentations. um because sometimes in addition to those interim reports, you're like, "Okay, what what can we present on?" But I think this just gives us a just an opportunity to to dive deeper into the conversation. So, I'm going to go ahead and just get to the presentation. And so, here on slide number five, this is a slide that should look very familiar to you. This was actually just taken and copied over from our first interim presentation. And I think one of the things that we share every time we go through

235a presentation and we specifically look at this slide is the fact that we recognize that we are in a declining enrollment state. And you can see that looking at historical and then a projection is just simply that a projection based on information that we have today. And for us, you can see that taking a look at the last 3 years and and realizing that that average decline was about 400 um 55 460 students. So I I think we feel comfortable projecting a a decline in the future of 475 students. So one of the things that we need to work on is what does this mean for every school site? Because as we go through the process, enrollment is just the first step, right? We have enrollment and then you start to look at things like

236attendance. But really the key at this point with enrollment is determining if we have a district-wide enrollment figure that we agree on, how do we get those numbers to fit at every single school site? Right? And so I want to show you this scenario, this spreadsheet. I know it's a little difficult to see on this slide. Hopefully it's a little bit easier to see in front of you, but one of the things that we track is the historical enrollment by grade. So every presentation, you're used to seeing the previous slide that just shows you the total district enrollment. As we're working on actual enrollment projections, we actually look at data not only by grade, but then we take it a step further and look at it by school. So, what you see here is that

237we've highlighted the row there that corresponds to elementary. And what the observations are is that it's at the elementary level where we are seeing the greatest decline. And that is understandable because if you were to take a look at our birth rates and remember why are birth rates important. Birth rates from 5 years ago will give you a good indication of what your kindergarten class is today. My birth rates from today will be a good indication of what enrollment will be in kindergarten five five years from now. And those percentages continue to show a decline. And so our focus right now is at elementary and that's what I'm going to walk you through tonight. But we also understand that as this cohort of declining students makes its way through the grades, this is going to

238eventually impact our middle schools and then our high schools. And so this is again looking at CalPADs for current year 2526. That is what we have locked in. and then projections for the next two years. Projections are are as good as the information we have today. Once we go through the exercise of allocating enrollment, which will then lead to allocating full-time equivalent teaching positions for each sites, that's where we could possibly make adjustments as needed. And then obviously, we've walked through the drill. Once the year starts, you always hope that we have more students so that we can make adjustments at that time. But you can see here that the focus will be on elementary. Um, and so the next slides I'm just going to walk you through the observations at each school because this

239is really the exercise that is completed. information is put together to come up with preliminary enrollment projections that are shared with superintendent and cabinet. There's discussion about the enrollment at each of the sites. There's discussion about possible changes to programs about what are the things that we can do with each of the school sites. Then we make the final modifications to enrollment before we actually release the projections to each school site. So I'm going to start with our MA and I'll walk you through this and and so the very last column that is 2026 is actually what enrollment was and this is what the enrollment was that first week of January. That's when I I started working on this project. Uh that's the other piece is that there's a lot of changes that sometimes happen

240daily at our school site, right? You have students enter, you have students exit. And so just want to point that out because these numbers are as of that first week of January. What you can see for Armada is that you have a trend that is a declining in enrollment. Um we did want to highlight the programs that are at the school site. So for Armada, you can see that we have two transitional kindergarten classes and this is a school site where we do have the dual immersion program uh DLI. you can see that there's 13 classrooms. Um, so when you look at that 13 classrooms, this tells you that there's two strands. So there's two classes at each of the grade levels, kindergarten through fifth grade, and then one class of DLI at the TK

241level. So out of the two TK classes, one is DLI, the other is is regular. And then you can see the DLI two strands results in 13 classrooms. But you can see that you have a declining enrollment. And so what the exercise or what the next step is once we collect all this data is for us to project what that number will be for 2627. Now if you were to look at how do we come up with that number? Um you could say I you know I want to average what the last two years were or the last three years or the last four years. But in each of these scenarios, you're going to see that it probably is going to lead to another decrease in enrollment for the school site. Um, and and so

242those are the discussions and the information that then comes back to cabinet as to what what can we do? Could there be modifications that are made and and so forth. So that's our MA. Uh, taking a look at Bear Valley. Um you can see that at Bear Valley we have a school site that is at 724 students. Uh the last couple of years the enrollment has held steady. Uh they do have two transitional kindergarten classes at Bear Valley as well as two SDC classes at Bear Valley. Um why do we make a note of that? Um the class sizes are different for SDC, right? And so when it comes to staffing, uh just it's really special education that determines the SDC staffing. Um and then the other piece is at a school site like Bear

243Valley, this is a school site that um is going through modernization. And so sometimes we want to make sure that the enrollment stays pretty steady, especially as it's going through modernization process because remember during modernization you're having to move classrooms. Sometimes there's interim housing and so introducing uh high enrollment or new programs uh to school sites specifically during modernization can make it a bit more challenging. Um and so that's all part of the discussion as as to projecting the enrollment and the outy years. Our next school site you see we have Box Springs at Box Springs. This um is a school site uh that uh 406 students uh three transitional kindergarten classes, three SDC classes. Uh you can see that there was actually quite a fluctuation there and just want to highlight that this was

244a school site that previously had sixth grade a sixth grade class um but it had very low enrollment in sixth grade and so that led to it being eliminated but that is part of the reason why you're seeing that fluctuation there in the grades. Moving along to Butterfield. At Butterfield, this is our uh TK through eight uh Butterfield Language Academy. Um and you can see that the higher enrollment, which is something that we anticipated. This is a school site that is going through a sort of a grade bygrade conversion to transform it from um just partial DLI to a full DLI school site. So, for example, right now, uh, both TK classes at Butterfield Language Academy are DLI classes. All four kinder classes are DLI. And so, you'll see that going grade level by grade

245level. Um, to increase the DLI at Butterfield Language Academy. Next, we have Chaperel Hills Elementary School. Um you can see that this is a school site that has had a decrease um you know school site that was at over 700 students now sits at 528. Uh we do have one transitional kindergarten class at Chapperall Hills, five SDC classes. do want to point out that this is actually a school site where we had thought we would see increased enrollment because there was a new development there a couple years ago, but the net result from that development um generated very little um students and and so that's another thing that we look at when we're looking at enrollment is whether there's any new developments in the area. Cloverdale Elementary. Um, here we have an elementary school site

246that has a DLI strand. However, it's one strand. So, instead of seeing two classes per grade level, you're only seeing one class per grade level, TK through five. Um, there are two TK classes at this site. But again, you're seeing that this is a school site that was typically in the 700s, um, and is now sitting at 660. Creekide Elementary School um is a school site that has two TK classes, 13 DLI classes, um which means we've got two strands of DLI, two classes at each grade level, um K through five, one at TK, um and and you can see enrollment there at Creekide. We have Edgemont. So, um enrollment at Edgemont, uh current year 427 students. Uh they do have two TK classes, two SDC classes. Um but you can see the um just

247gradual decline um over at Edgemont, a school that you know was in 600s, then in 500s, and for the last couple of years has been in the 400s. Hendrickk Ranch. Um, another school where we um actually took a look at and and last time that attendance boundaries were changed. The attendance boundaries for Hendrickk were changed to incorporate the apartment complex on the corner of uh Lel and Alessandro. Um hasn't generated many students. We hear some of the staff lives there, but um it it hasn't generated students. Um you can see that we do have two TK classes there for SDC classes um that helped with the enrollment slightly but um we were expecting a much higher enrollment um last year and it just we didn't see the results. Hidden Springs has been a school site

248whose enrollment has held pretty steady. Uh you can see five high 500s uh three TK classes, three SDC classes over at Honey Hollow. Uh you can see that this is a school where we now have a full strand of DLI. Uh this is one that the grades were added the last couple of years. Now they have one full strand um kinder through fifth grade. Um actually TK through fifth grade. I apologize. So, one of those TK classes is actually a DLI class. Um, and they also have five SDC classes. So, you can see their enrollment there has actually increased in the last couple of years. La Hoya is actually a school site that we were surprised that had declined um enrollment wise usually on that end of town. Um, you see the numbers were holding

249steady. Uh so one of the things that we already have in mind for La Hoya is that school site is being prepared to add a second TK class for next year. They currently only have one. Um obviously TK is a little bit difficult because of the size of the classrooms. Um but we are working with the school site. Um and they will be able to accommodate that. So hopefully that will help their enrollment as we project that for next year. Midland um is our another school site that's going through some heavy just modernization. Obviously, you've you've gone and you've seen Midland and the changes there. Um two transitional kindergarten classes there at Mareno Elementary. Um we have three transitional kindergarten classes for SDC classes. Uh we still have sixth grade. This is uh one of

250two elementary schools that still has sixth grade and so that is part of that higher enrollment there at Marino Elementary School. Over at Northridge, uh you can see that Northridge the last couple of years we've seen a decline in enrollment. Uh we were able to add a third transitional kindergarten class this year which helped out. Um and they also have two SDC classes. Um, again, a school site that's undergoing modernization. Over at Ramona, you can see that steady decline. This is another site that previously had house sixth grade students. Um, numbers weren't as high and and so that sixth grade class was eliminated. Um but they still now have three transitional kindergarten classes and then five SDC classes over at Ridgerest. Uh Ridgerest is our second school, second elementary school that has a sixth grade

251class. Um you can see that there. In addition, they have three transitional kindergarten classes at Senica. Um you can see that we have um a couple of uh transitional kindergarten classes, three SDC classes there at Serrano. Uh this is one of the school sites that also had a sixth grade program and so that was part of the reason why you see a decline. They no longer have sixth grade this year. Um, so that is part of the drop, but they did add a third TK class. Sugar Hill has consistent enrollment numbers. Um, they actually house our IB program. So, that school site is a school site, um, schoolwide IB program. They do have three transitional kindergarten classes. Sunnyme Elementary is another one of our school sites that has the DLI program. They also have two

252strands. However, um the this year their kinder enrollment in that second DLI class uh was not enough to to keep and so they did go down to one class at kinder, one class at TK. And so, for example, this would be a discussion of what happens to first grade, right? um if if they can't have the numbers um for this coming year in regards to DLI, but you can see that they have two TK classes and then the 12 DLI classes. Um Sunny Meadows, you can see that they have two TK classes, five SDC classes. that is a school site that has had um SDC classes added recently and you can see that reflected in the higher enrollment at Towngate. Uh you can see three transitional kindergarten classes, three SDC classes, a pretty stable enrollment

253the last couple of years. So again, we just I just walked you through the process of of what we do as we work together on putting together these preliminary numbers for next year. That's the second piece. Um just know it is a collaborative effort um with all of the divisions because obviously um from the business division you look at the facilities you look at the enrollment projection but then um educational services about the programs and the program needs at the different school sites and so forth and then HR will hire all these folks and so um that is this evening's enrollment update which focused on elementary schools. So hopefully it was beneficial. >> Thank you. >> It was definitely beneficial. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments? Trusty Williams. >> Um what I

254found interesting um Marino, Sugar Hill, Ridgerest, and Senica kind of had an increase. And I'm trying to figure out why it happened at each site. and Marino. When did the new facility come on board? Was it 2023? >> It's right when you see that increase. So, if we go to Marino, >> so you can see it there. 23 24 >> people like new schools. >> And then Sugar Hill that that's what why do you think they increased? Well, I know they have a strong IB program. Um, Dr. RC, I don't know if you want to add any more to that. >> They have a strong IB program and then that has shown also results. >> It's what? >> They've shown strong results and so the community looks at results and so they gravitate to that

255as well. >> So that was Miss Reynolds. >> Um, prior to that? Yes, that was Miss Miss Reynolds. Yes. >> Okay. See. All right. um ridest what what do you think that was? So we have seen that if there's development in the city, it's going to be on the east end of town, right? And so we were actually that's why I was actually surprised that La Hoya has decreased because we've been anticipating that all of the schools there on the eastern end are probably going to be impacted facility-wise because there is new development going on around those school sites. >> Okay. I just I just found it interesting, >> you know, to see because >> what you're saying, a new development doesn't mean we're going to have more kids. >> Just doesn't. >> Some generate

256students, others don't. There's factors as to how big the homes are, what the price of the homes are. Um, there's just a lot of factors and sometimes we assume, like I said over at Chabro Hills, we were excited. We thought we were going to generate at least a couple dozen students and then that didn't happen. So very transparent with the process. This is a our best guess based on the information we have today. But at the end of the day, it's not until the first day of school or even several weeks after when kids come in that we will make adjustments and and we have. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. Any other questions, comments, or comments? >> I do have questions. Thank you. Ma >> okay like um for example I'm seeing Midland you know

257a big difference from 2017 it was the enrollment was 657 then you know um 2022 it was 550 and um 2025 is 553 um just to mention one of >> them and then I see Ramana Elementary 2017 it was 773. Then on 2022 it was 555 if I'm not mistaken. And then 2020 uh 2025 528. Um these are and then I see Sunnyme Elementary. uh 2017 it was 810 then 2022 734 2025 642 so my question is if the enrollment keeps decreasing in these schools what could happen so when and all three of these schools are in established areas where there's really no development, right? Um these um homes in the area within the boundaries, um you probably don't have new families moving in either. And so that's really a conversation of trying to be

258strategic is are there programs that can be introduced? Um it doesn't mean that every program is going to get students to go there, right? And so that was something that we piloted for example at Ramona with sixth grade. We thought that sixth grade would be a way to bump the enrollment. Um it didn't work. Um and so it's just taking a look that those are the challenges right as to um how little how big do schools get. Um, we recently had an attendance boundary adjustment where we tried to incorporate so that um, some of these sites could gain attendance, but it doesn't always work that way because many families will say, "Well, I still want to go to a different site and we're just going to drive there." Um, and so it's really just trying

259to be creative in regards to what are programs that are going to be introduced. >> Um, what can we do to brand these schools? Um because it it is it does get to the point where you have to ask yourself how little is too little. And also one thing that you mentioned a few minutes ago, it was like uh you know and I know that parents like to check on the performance of the the school you know how the rating of that school >> um it's okay if uh you know but I I would like to know what's the the rating of the performance of the three schools that I'm mentioned to you. Maybe that has to do with it. Um and also for example Marino Elementary I know it increased the the enrollment because

260the previous you know building it was um smaller couldn't fit you know that many students and also we had the changes of um boundaries too. So that kind of I guess help double up the student enrollment and then also they have the arts program. So what my next question is like what can we do? There's not much that we can do you know like to force kids I mean people to have babies but um but um is there anything that that we can do? >> I think we continue to to work on on the programs on the attendance boundaries. I think at the end of the day, we need to accept that this is um a challenge that not only our district is facing, but you've probably heard about it at at the state level.

261So, I think there's many folks that have the same challenge. Um you know, um one of the things that I know Dr. Arce highlights is, you know, focusing, you know, our district did a really good job with transitional kindergarten. there's still some districts that haven't implemented transitional kindergarten at every single school site or that it's not full day, right? And then focusing on even what comes before transitional kindergarten, right? Those early childhood programs. And so the attempt is that if students are exposed to our district, then they will like our district, whether or not they live here and there they will continue to stay. Um and I think that's the goal is to capture as many kids as we can and then um ensure that they stay um with us throughout their education. >> Yes.

262My biggest worry is because I've seen you know what LAUSD is doing that they're having closures of schools because of the enrollment. How is it affecting them? And that's my my worry. >> Thank you, Miss Thank you. Any other comments, questions, concerns? Okay, thank you, Miss Lopez. We are now moving on. Well, before we do, um, it is 9:34. Give me one second. I wasn't thinking about a break, but this is what I was. Did you Did you need a break? Okay. So, we'll take a five minute break and and and be back on time at 9:41. Okay. Okay. Thanks so much. consent agenda. We need to pull two items. We need to pull M3C agreement number A25-26-0352 on page four for a separate vote. And we also need to pull item M30 for a

263name and title amendment. And Miss Lopez, would you like to talk about that? >> Miss Clark, would you like to approve the consent agenda as amended and then you can speak on those other two? >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> So, um, I'd like to get a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. >> I would like to make a motion to approve the agenda as consented, please. Thank you, Trustee Leva. Can I get a second? >> A second. >> Thank you, Trusty Luna. It was a motion was made by Trusty Leva, seconded by Trusty Luna. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion is passed.

26451 absent. And now I will like to ask if you'd like to approve um on the consent agenda contract A25-260352 as presented. >> I motion to approve. >> I have a a motion. Can I please have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. A motion was made by Trustee Luna and seconded by Trusty Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Trustee uh student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Leva. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I >> Miss Luna. >> I Miss Clark. >> Abstain. >> This motion has passed. Four approved, one absence, one abstension. >> Now I'd like to move on to um consent item M30 for a name and title amendment. Miss Lopez. >> Yes. For board item um O. This is the award of bid number 252601 for

265the early language academy portable classroom conversion. On this item, we would like to note that staff is recommending that the contract be awarded to MLC constructors. Originally, it was typed as MLC construction. Um, and so they are the second lowest bidder and it is just a change in construction to constructors for MLC. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve consent item M3 as amended? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Trusty Luna. Can I get a second? >> I'll second that. >> Thank you, Trusty Lea. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Just to note for the record, it's M30. >> M30. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Student board member Hewing. >> I. >> Miss Lever. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> Hi. >> Miss Luna. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark.

266>> I. This motion has passed. 51 absent. Going down to item N discussion andformational items. First we have the first reading of board policy and administrative regulation 0450 comprehensive safety plan. Board policy administrative regulation 1340 access to district records. New board policy and new administrative regulation 1445. Response to immigration enforcement board policy and administrative regulation 5125. Student records board policy administrative regulation and exhibit 5125.1 release of uh directory information, deletion of board policy and administrative regulation 5145.13 and response to immigration enforcement and board policy 6164.2 to guidance counseling services. Dr. Arce, >> thank you very much, Miss Clark. Just uh want to preface it by saying that this is a multi-ep department, multi-division um effort. I will be presenting it as a first read, but knowing that in the second read and upon approval, each

267department and division will present it with specific questions to be answered if if needed. Um so, in this time, we want to be in alignment with the different Senate bills and assembly bills that have come up. We do have a deadline uh where we have to approve many of these before March 1st, especially the safety plan review for child protection. A lot of these um some of these uh board policies are complete deletions, but they're embedded in other board policies. Um some of them have already been addressed also and it's delineated there as well. So, we're bringing all of these as first read. we've shared them with our different uh our union partners and at this time if there are any questions or clarifications if not we will bring it to a second read um

268in our next board meeting. >> Thank you. Any questions or concerns and thank you and if they need to reread and they come out again we'll just email and ask questions. Moving on to the next discussion um information items with human resources is our first reading of administrative regulation 1312-1 uh complaints concerning district employees and board policy administrative regulation 4118 dismissal suspension disciplinary action administrative regulation 41 excuse me 4218 dismissal suspension disciplinary action and new board policy 4218 on dismissal suspension and disciplinary action Dr. ready. >> Thank you, President Clark. Appreciate it. This uh first one I'll take for first reading is 1312.1 concerns regarding district employees. And we are recommending an amendment to clarify response and appeal timelines, specifically just changing the the phrase calendar days to school calendar days to be very clear

269as to the timelines for response from staff. And then the other component of 1312.1 that we are recommending is a clarification for the grounds for appeal when a respondent or a claimed person is not happy with the result of the investigation. And then secondly, we are bringing 4118 and 4218. As you mentioned, board policy 4118 and the regulations 4118 and 4218 are being updated to align with CSBA guidelines along with new laws and regulations that have gone into effect pertaining to the dismissal process for certificated and classified employees, suspensions, and other disciplinary action. Board policy 4218 is going to correspond with this. It's a new policy again aligning with CSBA's updated policy manual as well as regulations pertaining to those same areas dismissal, suspension, and disciplinary action for classified employees. And we'll bring this back

270uh next month. Thank you. >> Thank you kindly, Dr. Birdie. Any questions or concerns in relation to this discussion item? >> Thank you kindly. We are now moving on to um action items. O action items. We're going to start with educational services. Um we are going for the first one, the approval of student uh discipline case number 02425 uh 26. Um this was discussed in closed session. Can I get a motion to approve as presented? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Trustee Luna. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Trusty Lea. It was um moved by Trusty Luna, seconded by Trusty Leba. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This motion

271has passed for a yes one um absent. Moving on to item B. Um approval of 2025 2026 consolidated application for funding categorical programs. Um Dr. Arce, >> thank you very much. President Clark, this is an annual uh item that we bring to our board. Uh in this 2526 um consolidated application, we ask that we close out 2324. As you may know, when title funds come, we have two years to spend those. Um for so for the 2425 and 2526 we're still updating and looking at our expenditures reallocating funds as we have them available to our sites and then we'll have the 24month grace period to to exp to expend those expenditures. So we are asking approval for the winter release of the con app. Thank you. Any questions for Dr. Arce? Thank you. Can I

272get a motion to approve the 2025 2022 consolidated application for funding categorical programs as presented? >> I would like to make a motion to approve the categorical programs. >> Thank you, Miss Leva. Can I get a second? >> I'd like to make a second. >> Thank you, Miss Huings. Um, it was mo motion was made by trustee Leva and seconded by student board member Huing. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> Hi, >> Miss Luna. >> Hi, >> Miss Clerk. >> I This motion has passed five with one absence. Um, we are now moving to business services action items, approval of the authorization of parent and community booster clubs for the period of January 1st, 2026 to December 31st,

2732026. Miss Lopez. >> Yes. Thank you, President Clark. Uh this evening we are recommending approval of a number of booster clubs that have gone through the process of the training submitted the required paperwork so that they are in compliance and operable for the calendar year 2026. We are recommending the Canyon Springs High School Wrestling Booster Club, the Valley View Baseball Booster Club, the Valley View Cheer Booster Club, the Wildcats Booster Club from Vista Heights Middle School, and then the Canyon Springs High School Baseball Booster Club. Fantastic. Does anyone have any questions or comments? Not at this time. Well, I'd like to ask for a motion to approve the authorization of the parent and community booster club for the period from January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026 as presented. >> I would like to make

274a motion to move forward with this. >> Thank you, Trustee Leva. Can I get a second? >> A second. >> Thank you, Trustee Williams. It was moved by Trusty Leva, seconded by Trustee Williams. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Huing. >> Hi. >> Miss Lea, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> hi. Miss Luna. >> I Miss Clark. >> I Now moving on to human resources action items and up is a approval of the variable waiver for English learner um authorization clad for 2025 to through 2026 school year. Dr. Verie. >> Thank you, President Clark. This is an item we bring periodically to the board for a a clad waiver. This is a new teacher hire with us working at Canyon Springs who is finishing their credentiing program. And while they

275are finishing that up, we would like to have the board approve this variable waiver for the English lunar authorization while they complete their credentiing. >> Fantastic. Does anyone have any questions? >> Okay. I would like to ask for a motion to approve the 2025 2026 school year variable waiver request for the English learner authorization clad as presented. >> I would like to make a motion to approve as. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. A motion was made by Trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Williams. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Hewing. >> I. >> Miss Lea, >> I. >> Miss Williams, Mr. Williams, I'm sorry. Miss Luna >> I. >> And Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed with a um five approved, one absent. >> Yeah, excuse me.

276Moving on to action item um B, approval of resolution number uh 36, elimination of a vacant classified position for the 2025 2026 school year effective January 28 uh 2026. >> Thank you, President Clark. This is another periodic item that we bring before the board for position control. Making sure that we are balancing the numbers of positions in the system with the vacancies that we have. These particular uh equivalents of 21.5 are all vacant positions. We have sat down with our labor partners with CSA as we do to assure them of that as we went over this list. Um again, no one is losing a job. This is just vacancy clearing out so that our our books are balanced. That is great. Anyone have any questions? >> No. Dr. Birdie, I already answered my question. I

277will always ask. >> I tried to anticipate that. >> Like, are you sure there's no one losing their but you already answered my question, so >> yes, that's correct. >> Fantastic. Can I get a motion to approve resolution 202526-36 as presented? >> I'd like to make a motion. >> Thank you, student board member Huing. Can I get a second? >> I'll second that. Thank you, Trusty Leva. Um, a motion was made by student board m student board member Hewing and seconded by Trustee Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Healing. >> I miss Leila. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed, five yes, one absent. Moving on to item C. Approval of the new management job

278description coordinator of community schools. Dr. Birdie. >> Thank you, President Clark. We are excited to bring forward for approval this evening this new management position for our community schools program. We've been able to partner with both labor groups to really bring this forward and we're excited to be at this point where we can really utilize this grant and start this program. We are proposing a community schools coordinator which again will be contingent upon that special funding to provide centralized oversight of this program. The administrative position will work under the director of equity and categorical programs to ensure alignment with priorities and of course the priorities of the different pillars of the community schools program. So we're we're again excited to get this uh position approved tonight and begin the process of of looking at community

279schools from Reno Valley Unified. >> This is excellent news. Does anyone have any questions on the job description for Dr. Birdie? That is excellent news. So, can I get a motion to approve the coordinator of community school management job description as presented? >> So, moved. >> Thank you, Trustee Luna. Can I >> second? >> Thank you, Trusty Lever. For the second, a motion was made by Trusty Luna, seconded by Trusty Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Huing. >> I. >> Miss Lea. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> I. >> Miss Clark. >> I I'm going to push it. I'm going try for one more before we extend. Okay. Let's go to item D, the approval of the increase of the certificated substitute daily rates

280effective February 1st, 2026. Dr. Verie, >> thank you, President Clark. Again, periodically we look at compet competitive rates of substitutes uh in our local area and just the timeliness of looking at compensation and making sure that we remain very competitive with local districts and we continue to recruit uh substitutes. They play a very important role in our district as you know and tonight we are recommending this update. It has been vetted by our business services team as well in terms of feasibility and we are looking for approval tonight. Thank you. >> Excited to get the best talent. Does anyone have any questions, comments or concerns? >> Can I get a motion to approve the updated certificated substitute daily rate as presented? >> I would like to make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank

281you. A motion was made by Trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Williams. Um Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. stood by member Hewing. >> Hi, >> Miss Lever. >> Hi, >> Mr. Williams. >> Hi, >> Miss Luna. >> Hi, >> Miss Clark. >> I This motion has passed. Five, yes. One absent. And at this time, because it is 9:53 um the 957. Thank you. The board believes that late night meetings deter particip uh public participation and it can affect the board's decision making the ability uh make uh decision making ability and can be a burden to staff. Regular board meetings shall be adjourned at 10 p.m. unless extended to a specific time determined by the majority of the board. The meeting shall be extended no more than once and subsequently may be adjourned to

282a later date. We will need to make a motion to extend our meeting. And I would ask that we extend our meeting at this time. Um I'm going to say 40 minutes. Um let's just say 45 minutes just to be safe. um letting stu student board member El Hwing go if if you need to go please because we do know that school is most important so that's fine as well as foregoing um board future agenda topics for this particular meeting and extending to the next how do you guys feel about that so would somebody like to make a motion to extend the meeting as presented >> so moved >> thank you Miss Luna can I get a second >> I'll Thank you, Miss Leva. This uh a motion was made to extend the meeting as

283presented by trustee Luna and seconded by Trustee Lever. Please call for the vote. >> Student board member Hewing >> I. >> Miss Lever >> I. >> Mr. Williams >> I. >> Miss Luna >> I >> and Miss Clerk >> I. This motion has passed five with one absent. Moving on to item E on the um action items, the approval of increase in compensation for the management for management personnel. Dr. Birdie. >> Thank you, Miss Clark. We appreciate the board uh considering an approval of increase for our management team. This would align with the earlier approvals this evening for our other two employee groups, which again was 3% in total compensation. uh the management team uh like CSA elected to take it all on salary. So that is our recommendation this evening. Again, it's 3% in

284ongoing uh dollars. And again, just to be clear about the one-time that is a part of this uh settlement as well, this proposal, which the other two labor groups are also receiving, the one-time offset payment of 1.5% is going to MVA on October the 1st and to CSEA. it will be issued to all employees who are on uh an active status as of November 1st. So, we just wanted to make sure that the paid status was clear on this for that particular part of this description, but this is for the compensation for management personnel and we are proposing approval, please. >> Thank you. Anyone have any questions? >> No. So, I'd like to ask for a motion to approve the 3.0% 0% salary increase for management personnel with a 2.7 effective July 1, 2025 and

2850.3% effective January 1st, 2026 and the one time 1.5% off schedule payment for eligible employees in paid status as of October 1st, 2025 as presented. >> So move. >> Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. A motion was made by Trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Luna. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. Miss Clerk, >> I. This motion has passed. Um, with five approved and one absence. We are now moving on to the superend attendance action items. And the first is the approval of the amendment of resolution number 2025-2026-10, student board member compensation. Miss Lopez. >> Yes. Thank you, President Clark. Um, back in September, a resolution was passed and adopted, resolution 2025-26-10, um, on

286September 9th, again, approving a stipen for our student board members. And that dollar amount that was approved was 353 with 53 cents and that was retroactive to July 1st. um incorporating Assembly Bill 275 and making sure that we are um in compliance and actually um looking at the amounts that they are we are able to um increase to. Uh we are recommending amendment of this resolution to increase that stipen to $1,000 as monthly compensation to each of our student board members for attending the board meetings. and it would be uh retroactive to January 1st, 2026. >> Thank you. Any questions, comments, or concerns? This is a good way to start off college. I do have one question. Is this are they paid for the entire school year or do they divide it six and or

287however their their term or is it through the beginning? >> It's for the full year. >> Absolutely. I think that's great. So, um can I get a motion to approve the amendment of resolution number 202526-10 as presented? I would like to make a motion. >> Thank you. Can I get a second? >> A second. >> Thank you. A motion was made by Trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Williams. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Hewing. >> I. >> Miss Leva. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams. >> I. >> Miss Luna. >> Hi. >> Miss Clark. >> I. This motion has passed. Five yes, one absent. Moving on to superintendent action item number two. Acknowledgement of the board member retirement and approval of deter um is determination of manner in which to

288fill a vacancy. Is this give me one second? Okay. So let me just repeat that again. So the acknowledgement of board member retirement and approval of determination of the manner in which way to fill a vacancy. Miss Claudia. So uh trustees is a very hard item to do because the very first item that you must uh approve tonight is the acknowledgement of board member retirement Mr. Cleveland Johnson. And so if I can please ask for a motion to acknowledge and receiving the board member retirement effective January 26, 2026. So should this motion fail, do we get to keep him? >> No. No, ma'am. Okay. So I'd like to get a motion to approve the acknowledgement receipt of the letter of retirement from a very dear board member and colleague, Mr. Cleveland Johnson of trustee area

2893. >> It breaks my heart, but um I'd like to make a motion, too. >> Thank you. Can I get a second? >> I will second. Motion was made by Mrs. Lea, seconded by Mrs. Clark, approving the acknowledgement receipt of the letter of retirement from board member Cleveland Johnson of trustee area 3. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student member Huing. I >> Miss Leila. >> Hi. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. Miss Luna >> I and Miss Clark >> I. This motion has passed. Five approved with one absent. Miss Claudia. >> So now having said that we have a vacancy for trust trustee area three. Um the board must take action to either opt to pass a board resolution to go for a special election or opt to do a provisional appointment to

290finish trustee areas three uh term which will end in December of this year. So the very first option is a special election. Um the only special election that the Riverside County has right now is the primary in June and unfortunately we will miss that primary election by 4 days. By law, we are required to have a 130day window, which they call like a dark period because you have to allow people to or candidates to apply campaign and so forth to be able to even place uh a ballot on a special election. So therefore, the primary election scheduled for June is not an option for our board, for our district. uh if the board does decide to go for a special election, the next established election is November election, which is the regular election. And if

291you do decide to go with that option, you will leave that seat vacant for approximately 10 months. So, um that is when the next election that's available for us to get um on the ballot. the if the board decides to go with option two, there is a timeline that I have provided everybody today with such short notice of the retirement from Trustee Johnson. We do only have 60 days to make an appointment. Therefore, our timeline is very um very tight. I did make a make provided copies to all board members and I also provided copies to the public. They were made available at the table and if any public would like to request a copy they may do so. Um, so the very first action that I would need from the board tonight is whether

292you would like to go through for a special election option one or a option to the provisional appointment timeline. I mean appointment. Thank you for that information. So at this time I'd like to open up the floor for a discussion for us to talk about our options and what your thoughts are. So, from what I understand, and Claudia, please correct me if I'm wrong, we are actually we could we potentially we are missing the window of opportunity for a special election. If we choose option one, we will be without a board member for 10 months, right? Because there's not enough time for them to campaign. Whereas option two, we still have a tight timeline, but we have 60 days to a point. What are your thoughts? Does anyone have any thoughts, questions, concerns? >> Based

293on the information, I would support doing an appointment. >> I I agree, Trusty Lever. >> Um, you know, it's kind of hard to assimilate everything that's going on with such a short notice, you know, of Mr. Johnson resigning and right now trying to make a decision which is you know the best and more beneficial for for the district. So do we have to decide right now? >> You do. I think we can go for the appointment. >> Thank you kindly Mr. Rose Williams. >> This is a tough one. Unfortunately, we've missed the ability to have a vote >> and um I think we need to fill the seat. >> Thank you. With that being said, I'd like to see if there I would like for someone to make a motion to fill an existing board

294vacancy by provisional appointment of a new board member for trustee area three. >> So moved. >> I'll second. A motion was made by trustee Luna and seconded by trustee Clark to fill an existing board vacancy by provisional appointment of a new board member of trustee area 3. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Student board member Huing >> I. >> Miss Lea >> I Mr. Williams >> I >> Miss Luna >> I >> Miss Clark >> I This motion has passed 51. >> So now Miss Clark Yes. >> Sorry to interrupt >> please. Now, since option two is approved, the board of education will have a discussion on the proposed draft timeline that was provided to you. And I just want to make sure that these dates that are provided to you are in

295accordance with how you would like to see the application window to come out, the proposing of how long the application window will stay and we would need to establish a special meeting date for interviews for the appointment given the timeline. and and now the rest of the board member please rest of the board member please take some time to review this again. Um but given given the information and past precedent to be fair and consistent I would definitely like to keep this timeline. Um so please take a moment to look and ask questions as needed. So, the vacancy, just to throw it out there for the public, vacancy would start January 23rd, and that's when the 60-day clock begins, the board action windows from January 27, 2026. We will review um application language January 28th

296through January 30th. The recruitment begins February 2nd. The application window would be February 2nd through February 17th and Claudia will have a Google folder with access when we do interviews. To be fair and consistent, we will go by the person's last name. That is the way that they will interview. The application deadline will be on February 17th. Uh the registar voters final review will be February 18 through 20th and a final schedule to post special board meeting agenda um and posting requirements would be February 20th. A special board meeting will be the week of February 23rd through 27th. We do have several meetings on the 23rd and 24th of that week. The 25th is a Wednesday, but we could also meet the 26th 27th. So, we're looking at, if you guys can check your calendars

297right now, to hold the meeting to interview candidates for trustee area 3. That' be February 25th in the evening, 5:00, 5:00 p.m., February 26th, or February 27th, which is a Friday. February 25th works for me. >> February 25th is good. >> What other dates did you give? >> 26th 27th. >> 26. >> What time will we be holding that meeting? >> 5:00 p.m. Would you like us to push it back a little bit? Do you like Would you like to propose another time at this time? >> 5 p.m. is fine. So, can I get consensus for February 25th at 5:00 pm? >> That's a Wednesday. >> Yes, sir. >> Monday. >> I'm a little concerned at the window of two weeks. >> Um, >> well, if not two weeks, the recruitment period is recruitment period

298but from now because we only have 60 days to do everything that we need to do roads we don't have a huge you know look at the timeline that's the two week of the application period but you know there's we have to meet with the register of voters or like there's several things we have to do so I encourage you to look at when the vacancy starts the board action which is tonight and look at everything that has to happen. Two weeks is sufficient. Most jobs have a two week window when they're posted on county websites, on state websites, and then we review applications and we move forward. Two weeks is enough time for people to apply for an appointment that they want and gather all the materials that they need to be successful. And

299trustee Clark, I would like or President Clark, I would like to just add that if we we could potentially go into March, but please keep in mind that March there's multiple conferences every week and then we go into spring break. So it March very very very tight. >> I also like to add that if we don't appoint and we don't do our due diligence, the county will appoint for us. they will call for a special election. The county is required by law to call for a special election if the board does not appoint within 60 days. >> And so therefore, as noted earlier and on record, we would have a 10month >> empty seat which you said you didn't want. How will that affect us having a one you know like 10 month empty seat?

300>> Let me share. Can I do that one? Okay. So, right now we have four trustees. Usually it's an odd number. The motion can easily fail if it's a split decision. Two two. Motions fail if there's no majority. Claudia, would you like to add? >> That's the gist. And I think it's a disservice to his trusty area that there's no representation. >> I agree. >> Also, if I if my memory serves me correctly, I think that was before I got appointed that I had a there was a twoe window and I think we had five candidates. Was it five or six? I don't remember. But I think that was a healthy number of candidates that, you know, wanted wanted this position. So, I understand your concern about the twoe time frame, but I think if

301people are paying attention that want to want this opportunity, they'll apply within that twoe time frame >> and we don't want those those community members to be disenfranchised. Everybody needs representation and that's what we stand for. >> One question. So, what are the requirements in the paperwork that they will have to fill out to be able to be appointed? >> It's attached, I believe, right here in the paperwork given. But just for the public to hear it. >> Oh, you >> go ahead. You want to read it? >> You want me to read it? Oh, >> good. >> So, it asks for name, address, phone number, cell number, email, asks if you're an employee of the district, if you're 18 years of age, do you reside within district boundaries of trustee area 1. Are you

302currently registered to vote? Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Are you a vendor, contractor, or consultant to the school district? Do you have conflicts that would preclude your attending meetings twice a month? Do you know of any reason such as potential conflict of interest which would adversely affect your ability to serve as a member of MBUSD Board of Education? Are you willing to comply with the ethics code included in the bylaws? Um, all applicants must meet the eligibility requirements listed under the education code section 35107. Uh, why do you want to serve as a board member of the MBUSD board of education? Do you have any special area of expertise or experience that you think would be helpful to the board? If you have served on other Marino Valley If you have served

303on other Marino Valley school districts, city or community committees, please list and briefly describe your role. Please know any additional information you feel should be considered part of your application. And then as for the signature of the applicant saying, "My submission of this online application authorizes Marino Valley Unified School District to verify my eligibility for consideration. I acknowledge that upon submission, this application will not be private, but will become a public record subject to disclosure under the public records act and other laws. Furthermore, I certify that I have made true, correct, and complete answers and statements on this application in the knowledge that they may be relied upon in considering my application. And that's it. >> Thank you, Miss L. It's not like a complicated application to fill out. So, I feel that two weeks

304to fill out this application is, you know, reasonable, >> reasonable >> and there's no special provision uh beyond this timeline. >> I'm not clear on your question. I' I'd like to get a really good cross-section of people and by the time this goes out, people might have, you know, five days to get in their application. I I'm just concerned um that that we don't open it up and have enough people who would consider the position. Well, one thing I would like like to bring up is um I understand that concern, but this person will be in this role uh until November, right? And then December or or December and then they have there's going to be an election. So, if anyone who missed that window wants the seat, they can run for it at the

305end of the year. >> Agreed. >> It's only for 10 months. Yeah. So, >> I just think it's a short timeline. That's, you know, my concern. >> It definitely is, but it is what it is. And there's only these options. We could either appoint or we can wait. And we can't decide who applies, right? They'll present their information to us and we'll make the best informed decision based on the qualifications of the person and our best judgment. I'd like to share that if this is any help to anyone, Trusty Luna was an appointment for her first arm and she's amazing. >> So, >> thank you. I appreciate that. >> It's it's facts. So, so and you can always believe in yourself, you know. Anyway, with all due respect, would you like to move forward with

306um saying that we will do our interviews for the appointment on February 25th at 5:00 p.m.? >> Do we need a motion or is just consensus? >> Consensus. >> So, do I have consensus? I just like to hear it on record. Student Board Member Huing. >> Hi. >> Trusty Le >> I. >> Trusty Williams. >> I >> trusty Luna. >> Yes. >> Same with me. Thank you so much. So Claudia, is there any additional information for this particular action item? Okay. I just wanted to uh answer Mr. Williams question regarding our or not I shouldn't I shouldn't say answer your question but actually it was um Miss Luna who had the question it was two week period when uh we were going through your that vacancy and we had a total of five applicants um

307that were interviewed. >> Thank you. My memory does work. >> Okay, >> thank you so much. Moving on to action item superintendent. Action item C, approval of the fifth amendment of employment agreement for Dr. Espironza, RCED, chief academic officer, educa of educational uh services. Dr. Birdie. >> Thank you, President Clark and board members. As you said, this is the uh employment agreement for Dr. RC, our chief academic officer, uh, by government code section 54953, prior to a vote on the amendment to any employment agreement for cabinet level. So, all of our contracts of course are on the agenda tonight, we must uh summarize for the record all the changes or updates to salary and compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits. So, uh, if you'll forgive me, I'm going to just read this out

308for the record. For Dr. RSE's contract. The amendment provides the following term. The term of the employment agreement shall be amended to run from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2028. Compensation, Dr. RSA will be placed on the management salary schedule at step five for the chief academic officer. B. Effective July 1, 2025, employees annual salary shall be increased by 2.7% to $259,97. Effective January 1st, 2026, employees annual salary shall be increased by an additional.3% to $260,687. These increases will be reflected in the updated management salary schedule. Together, these increases reflect the same total percentage salary increase of 3% with the same effective dates received by other district management employees. During the term of this agreement, employees salary will be decreased by the same across the board percentage decrease, if any, applicable to other district

309management employees. If during the term of this agreement, other district management employees receive an acrosstheboard annual salary increase, the employee shall receive the same percentage salary increase with the same effective date. Additionally, employees shall receive a one-time off-schedule payment amounting to 1.5% of her annual salary placement as of October 1st, 2025 in the amount of $3,89860. This one-time offset payment and any retroactive payments required herein shall be issued to Dr. Arce no later than March 31st of 2026. The employee is also entitled to the longevity increment and doctoral stipen set forth on the management salary schedule. Under expenses, the district shall reimburse Dr. RSE for all actual and necessary travel and other business related expenses incurred and paid by her in the conduct of her duties on behalf of the district. In lie of reimbursement

310for any travel expense within the district and in lie of being assigned the regular use of a district car, the district shall pay chief academic officer an automobile allowance in the amount of $6227 per month effective July 1, 2025 until December 31st, 2025 and then $624.14 per month beginning January 1st, 2026. The district shall increase this allowance by the same percentage that is received by the district management employees in an acrosstheboard salary increase to be received upon the effective date of such increase. The district shall pay the chief academic officer a cell phone allowance of $50 per month. Under professional membership fees, excuse me, the district shall pay Dr. RSE's fees for annual membership in the Association of California School Administrators and any other professionally related organizations approved by the governing board during the time

311the employer renders services to the district under this agreement. All other terms and conditions of the existing employee agreement not f not modified by this amendment shall remain in full force and effect as set forth in the employee agreement. >> Thank you Dr. Verde. Any questions or concerns? No. >> Trustee Lea, did you say yes? >> No, I said no. >> Oh, okay. Oh, thank you. Can I get a motion um to approve? Excuse me. Can I get a motion to approve approve as presented? >> I would like to make a motion to approve as presented. >> Thank you, Trustee Leva. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Trusty Luna. It was made a motion was made by Trusty Lea, seconded by Trusty Luna. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote.

312Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> no. >> Miss Luna, >> I. Miss Clark, >> I This motion has passed. Three, yes. One, no. Well, is CJ absent now? Then just 31. Thank you. This motion has passed 31. Thank you for allowing me to get it together. All right. Now we move on to the approval of the ninth amendment of employment agreement for Susanna Lopez, chief business official. Dr. Verie, thank you again, President Clark. As you said, this is the ninth amendment for our CBO, Miss Lopez, and it amends the employment agreement originally executed on June the 25th, 2019, as subsequently restated and amended. And again, I will go over the amendments to Miss Lopez's contract. This amendment provides the following. First, under term, the term of the employment agreement will be amended to

313run from July 1, 2026 through June 30th of 2028. Under compensation, Miss Lopez will be placed on the management salary schedule at step five for the chief business official. Effective July 1, 2025, employees annual salary shall be increased by 2.7% for a total of 259,97. Effective January 1, 2026, the employees annual salary shall be increased by an additional.3% to $260,687. These increases will be reflected in an updated management salary schedule. Together, these increases reflect the same total percentage salary increase of 3% with the same effective dates received by other district management employees. During the term of this agreement, the employees salary will be decreased by the same across the board percentage decrease, if any, applicable to other district management employees. If during the term of this agreement, other district management employees receive an acrosstheboard annual

314salary increase, the employee shall receive the same percentage salary increase with the same effective date. Additionally, the employee shall receive a one-time off-schedule payment amounting to 1.5% of her annual salary placement as of October 1, 2025 in the amount of $3,89860. this one-time off-schedule payment and any retroactive payments required herein shall be issued to Miss Lopez no later than March 31st of 2026. The employee also is entitled to the longevity increment set forth on the management salary schedule. Under expenses, the district shall reimburse Miss Lopez for all actual and necessary travel and other business related expenses incurred and paid by her in the conduct of her duties on behalf of the district. In lie of reimbursement for any travel expenses within the district and in lie of being assigned the regular use of a district

315car, the district shall pay the chief business official an automobile allowance in the amount of $6227 per month effective July 1st of 2025 until December 31st, 2025 and then $624.14 per month beginning January 1st, 2026. The district shall increase this allowance by the same percentage that is received by district management employees in an acrosstheboard salary increase to be received upon the effective date of such increase. The district shall pay the chief business official a cell phone allowance of $50 per month. Under professional members membership fees, the district shall pay Miss Lopez's fees for annual membership in the Association of California School Administrators and any other professionally related organizations approved by the governing board during the time the employer renders services to the district under this agreement. All other terms and conditions of the employment agreement

316not modified by this amendment shall remain in full force and effect as set forth in the employment agreement. Thank you. Thank you Dr. Verde. So just just for clarity, this is the same thing we approved for MBA and CSEA. It's the same percentage amount. >> That is correct. >> We discussed earlier, >> the ones for the uh labor unions as well as the management one that we just approved. Yes, >> absolutely. Thank you so much. Any questions or concerns? >> No. >> Thank you so much. Can I get a a motion to approve uh the ninth amendment to the employee contract for Dr. Susanna, excuse me, from Mr. Susanna Lopez, our chief of business official, as presented. >> So, >> I'll I'll do that. >> Okay. So, can I get a second? >> I'll second

317that. >> So, we have a motion to approve by RHS Williams with a second by um Mrs. Leva. Uh, Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Lever, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This motion has passed 4 zero. Moving on to action item E, the approval of the fifth amendment of the employment agreement for Dr. Verde, chief human resources officer. And now can I'll defer to you, Miss Lopez. >> Yes. Thank you, President Clark. So this is the 15th amendment to the employment agreement between Marino Valley Unified School District and Dr. Verie. This amends the employment agreement originally executed on December 11th, 2012 as subsequently restated and amended. And I am going to go ahead and read the summary of the agreement.

318So the amendment provides for the following. Number one, term. The term of the employment agreement will be amended to run from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2028. Number two, compensation. Dr. priority will be placed on the management salary schedule at step five for the chief human resources officer. Effective July 1st, 2025, employees annual salary shall be increased by 2.7% to 259,97. Effective January 1st, 2026, employees annual salary shall be increased by an additional.3% to 260,687. These increases will be reflected in an updated management salary schedule. Together, these increases reflect the same total percentage salary increase of 3% with the same effective dates received by other district management employees. During the term of this agreement, employee salary will be decreased by the same across the board percentage decrease, if any, applicable to other district management

319employees. If during the term of this agreement, other district management employees receive an acrosstheboard annual salary increase, employees shall receive the same percentage salary increase with the same effective date. Additionally, employee shall receive a one-time offscment amounting to 1.5% of his annual salary placement as of October 1st, 2025 in the amount of $3,898 with60. This one-time offscment and any retroactive payments required heron shall be issued to Dr. Verie no later than March 31st, 2026. Employee also is entitled to longevity increment and doctoral stipens set forth on the management salary schedule. Three, expenses. The district shall reimburse Dr. Verie for all actual and necessary travel and other business related expenses incurred and paid by him in the conduct of his duties on behalf of the district. In lie of reimbursement for any travel expense within the

320district and in lie of being assigned the regular use of a district car, the district shall pay chief human resources officer an automobile allowance in the amount of $622 with 27 per month effective July 1st, 2025 until December 31st, 2025 and $624.14 per month beginning January 1st, 2026. 6. The district shall increase this allowance by the same percentage that is received by district management employees in an acrosstheboard salary increase to be received upon the effective date of such increase. The district shall pay the chief human resources officer a cell phone allowance of $50 per month. Number four, professional membership fees. The district shall pay Dr. verties fees for annual membership in the Association of California School Administrators, AXA, and any other professionally related organizations approved by the governing board during the time the employee renders

321services to the district under this agreement. All other terms and conditions of the employment agreement not modified by this amendment shall remain in full force and effect as set forth in the employment agreement. Thank you, Miss Lopez. Any questions or concerns? >> No. >> Thank you. Kindly, can I get a motion to approve the 15th amendment um to the employment agreement between MBUSD and Dr. Robert Birdie, our chief human resources officer, as presented. >> I would like to make a motion. >> Thank you. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. A motion was made by Trustee Lea and seconded by Trustee Luna. Um, Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Uh, Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This

322motion has passed. 4 Z. Moving on to human resources action items. A, the approval and second amendment to employment agreement of Dr. Alejandro Ruvokava. Um, Dr. Verie. >> Thank you, President Clark. As you mentioned, this is the second amendment to Dr. Ruvaba's employee contract and it amends the original agreement executed on June the 11th of 2024 as subsequently restated and amended and again according to government code we are required to read the updates to the contract into the record. This amendment provides for the following under compensation Dr. Ivakaba will be placed on the management salary schedule at step two for the superintendent effective July 1, 2025. The employees annual salary shall be increased by 2.7% for a total of $380,000 to23648. Effective January 1, 2026, the employees annual salary shall be increased by an additional.3%

323for a total of 381377,01.19. These increases will be reflected in the updated management salary schedule. Together, these increases reflect the same total percentage salary increase of 3% with the same effective dates received by other district management employees. It is further provided, however, that any such increase in sh salary shall not be construed as creating a new agreement or extension of the agreement. If during the term of this agreement, other district management employees receive an acrosstheboard annual salary increase, employees shall receive the same percentage salary increase with the same effective date. And additionally, employees shall receive a one-time off-schedule payment amounting to 1.5% of his annual salary placement as of October 1st, 2025 in the amount of $5,7355. This one-time off-scheduled payment and any retroactive payments required herein shall be issued to Dr. Ruvakaba no later

324than March 31st of 2026 except as modified herein. All of the terms and conditions of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect. >> Thank you so much Dr. Verde. Any questions, concerns or comments? >> Can I get a motion? So moved. Thank you, Trustee Luna. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Trustee Leva. Uh, a a motion was made by Trustee Luna and seconded by Trustee Leva. Miss Claudia, please call for the vote. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams, >> I. >> Miss Luna, >> I. >> Miss Clark, >> I. This motion has passed 40. Moving on to the last human resources action item, which is the approval of the updated 2025 2026 management classified and certificated salary schedules. Dr. Verie. >> Thank you, President Clark. As

325required by law and under our regular audits with the county, we are required to update all of the salary schedules if there has been board approval for any compensation increases. So, this evening, we have prepared updated salary schedules for board approval that reflect a 2.7% increase effective July 1, 2025, followed by the.3, which will be effective January 1 of 2026. That's for management and classified. On the certificated schedules, we reflect a 1.45 increase effective July 1 of 2025, followed by the.3% effective January 1, 2026 on their salary schedule. >> Thank you so much. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Fantastic. I'd like to um ask for a motion to approve, but there is a correction on here. So, I just want to make sure you guys know that there there was the correction. So, I'd like

326to make a mot um ask that you make a motion to approve the updated management classified and certificated salary schedules as presented. >> What was the uh correction? Yeah. What was correction? >> This Can you speak to the correction, Dr. Birdie? >> No, you know what, Miss Clark? That was on the previous item. I spoke to it. That was the management uh compensation increase about when the uh employees were going to be in active status. >> Okay, we already did that one earlier. >> Fantastic. Thank you. I apologize. So, please uh make a motion to approve the updated management classified and certificated salary schedules as presented. >> So moved. I'll second. >> Thank you kindly. Um uh this was uh a motion was made by Trusty Luna and seconded by Trusty Leva. Miss Claudia, please

327call for the vote. >> Miss Leva, >> I. >> Mr. Williams. >> I >> Miss Luna. >> I >> Miss Clark. >> I This motion has passed 40. We have three minutes to get through four acknowledgements and we can do it. So acknowledgement item number one. Acknowledgement of the second quarterly report on Williams uniform complaints. Dr. Arce, >> at this time we don't have any quarterly reports to present. >> Yeah. Acknowledgement number two, acknowledgement of the notice of intent to operate operate a countywide charter school, Gateway College and Career Academy. Dr. Arce, thank you. Just letting the board know that we did receive a letter saying that this charter gateway charter who operates currently within RCC um has an interest to open another uh charter within our B boundaries. When we receive the official packet,

328we will bring it to the board for review. My team will review and then we will make a recommendation whether we approve or not. >> Thank you. Any questions or concerns? >> Great. Action item number three, acknowledgement of the state minimum wage increase effective January 1st, 2026. And that is Dr. Birdie. >> Thanks, Miss Clark. the two attached salary schedules by act of law on January 1 were impacted by the increase to California's minimum wage. And so in preparation for that, my team uh prepared the updates and we are compliant. >> Fantastic. Moving. Any questions or concerns? Great. Moving on to the acknowledgement of the updated classified job description, van driver and t transportation um transportation dispatcher. Dr. Uh, no change to salary for either of these positions, President Clark, but we were able to

329get them up to industry standards and bring the duties up to date with current programs in our district terminology as well as some legal changes and ma making sure that both of these are able to incorporate the current needs of our district and Mr. Burlesen's team. >> Fantastic. Any comments, questions, or concerns? >> Not at this time. >> Thank you. We decided to forego the future agenda topics uh for this meeting. I'd like to share with no further business to come before the board of education. The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 p.m. Thank you. Well, one