001Testing testing test. Well, good evening and welcome to all of you. Thank you for joining us this evening. um on what is a uh a special day u being our last official board meeting of the calendar year not the school year but the calendar year um we'll go ahead and call to order the official meeting of the Colton Joy Unified School District Board of Education on today December 18th 2025 uh we'll go ahead and begin with our roll call membership of uh board members I'll ask Miss Pedina if you'll please take role >> Mrs. Flores Mr. Mr. Fuentes >> present. >> Mrs. Sandival >> present. Mr. Ibaro >> present. >> Mrs. Haro. >> Mr. Flores >> present. Thank you for that Mr. Medina. We'll begin each meeting as we uh do traditionally with the pledge
002of allegiance. And this evening, I've asked Principal Roman from Bloomington High School to please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Principal Roman, if you'll please lead us. Thank you for that. All right. We do offer translation uh Spanish language services for anyone in the audience that wishes to utilize our services. This evening we have with us Miss Cynthia Bueno who will be our translator and she'll provide those devices to anyone wishing to use them. Mrs. Bueno. Thank you for President Flores. Good evening. Apologize much gracias. [laughter] >> Thank you, Mrs. Weno. Our first item on the agenda today is item 1.3. This is adoption of the agenda. Um, today we do have a recommended amendment to the agenda for item 10.4. Uh, this is a close session item for our personnel public employee appointment
003discipline dismissal release. There is a request to add 41 volunteers. Uh one of those being a classroom observation volunteer and 40 being general volunteers. Is there a motion to uh add uh to make the amendment to the agenda as presented? >> I'll move that. >> Have a motion by board member Fentes and a second by board member Haro. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> Any abstensions? Hearing none. It is so ordered. Thank you for that. And for those of you who may be new to uh the board of the board of education or um new to our board meetings, tonight's is also a special night because this is our reorganization. Um it's the last meeting of the calendar year. And so going into the new calendar year, we go
004through a process where we select a new president, a new vice president, a clerk of the board, and then various other uh appointments that uh those of us serve on various committees in addition to our meeting dates and our meeting time. So, this portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the reorganization. Um, so this will be my last official action as president for for the year. And if you'll indulge me just a a little bit here, I want to thank the board uh for the opportunity to serve as your president. It's a privilege to serve with all of you. Um, we've had a chance to work together for a number of years, and yes, I'm biased, but I believe we have the best board of education in the state of California. Uh and that's
005because everyone up here is really truly dedicated to serving the children and the families of our district. And I am proud to be one of the members of this great board and again it's been an honor and a privilege to serve as your as your president. But I am more than happy to pass the gavl and all the work that goes along in preparing for these meetings to the next president. And of course um happy to continue to serve with each of you and provide whatever support I can. So having said that we're going to go ahead and take these individually. Um these will be the first uh officers the first selection of the officers. So, president, then the office of vice president, then clerk. Um, I think we've done this process as a board
006a number of times. So, we're going to continue and use the same process where we'll open it up for nominations. The individual that is nominated will have to accept the nomination and then if there are no other nominees, we can go ahead and take action on it. If there are other nominees, then we'll go ahead and have to vote on those nominees individually. So, are there any questions on that? All right. If not, we will go ahead and open item 2.1, which is the selection of board president for 2026. Um, I would like to, as the sitting president, nominate uh, Bertha Flores, board member Bertha Flores is our current vice president, and uh, I would like to nominate her. So, Ber, uh, board member Flores, would you accept that nomination? >> Okay, we would we
007would need a second for that. >> Thank you. All right. Any other nominations? All right, we have a nomination in essence a motion and a second to appoint board member Bertha Flores as president of the school board for 2026. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? It is so ordered. So, congratulations board member Flores. All right. And we'll Yes. [applause] The next officer uh office that we have is our vice president for 2026. Um and at this time I will go ahead and open the floor for nominations for vice president. >> I'd like to nominate Israel Fuentes. >> Board member Fuentes, do you accept the nomination? >> Accept. >> Is there a second? >> Okay, we have a second by board member Sandaval. Any other nominations for the office
008of vice president? All right, hearing none. We do have a nomination, a motion in essence, and a second to appoint board member Israel Fuentes, the current clerk of the board, to the position of vice president for 2026. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none. Is so ordered. Congratulations, board member Fentes. Got you all choked up over it, huh? Uh, the next officer is the clerk for 2026. So, I will go ahead and open the floor for nominations for board clerk. >> I'd like to nominate Frankie Ibara for clerk. >> Mr. Barara, do you accept the nomination? >> Yes, I do. >> Uh, is there are there Sorry, is there a second for uh board member Ibara? >> Okay, board member Sandaval, thank you for that. And are there
009other nominations for board clerk? All right. Hearing none, we do have a motion, a nomination if you will, um, and a second to appoint uh, board member Frank Abara to the position of board clerk for 2026. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none, it is so ordered. Congratulations, board member Ibara. Thank you for that. Uh, item 2.4. This is the representative for the uh, 2026 2027 RO. This is a two-year term and again we'll follow a similar process where we will uh open the floor for a nomination, ask for a second of that nomination. If there are other nominations, we'll take those up accordingly uh and then ultimately vote to select a member. Um if I'm not mistaken, I believe is this the position that currently is held
010by board member Haro. Wonderful. Okay. Do we have a nomination for this position of two-year term RO board for 2627? >> I'd like to nominate Pat Harlo to continue. >> Wonderful. >> Board member Haro, do you accept the nomination? Yes. >> All right. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. We have a second. Thank you for that. Any other nominations? All right. Hearing none. We have a nomination uh for board member Haro and a second for the U ROP appointment. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Okay. Um it is approved with board member Haro abstaining. All right. Congratulations. Another meeting [laughter] which we appreciate. We thank you. Our board RO board members are incredibly important. And not only do we have our two uh regular members,
011but we also have an alternate which is an important member um because it ensures that we have representation of each of those meetings. So our next item is item 2.5. This is selection of the representative that is the alternate member for the RO board uh currently held by board member Fuentes if I'm not mistaken. So I'll open the floor for nominations for 2026 RO board alternate. Nominate Israel Fuentes. >> Israel, do you accept? >> Yes. >> Excellent. Is there a second? >> Okay, we have a second. Any other nominations for RO alternate? >> Right. Hearing none, we do have a a motion uh nomination for board member Fuentes and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? >> Okay, it is so ordered. Congratulations, board member. >> [applause]
012>> Um, we have 2.6, which is a selection of representative for the San Marino County Committee on School District Organization. Uh, I believe board member Thoren Noa has served in this role. Um, I know she is not here currently, but I know that in the past she had expressed interest. Is there an update? Sorry, Dr. >> Oh, okay. Not a problem. Um, we've discussed earlier in the year. I know that she enjoys serving in this role. We've got a couple of options. We can I probably maybe let's hold off on this. Um I'm going to go and take president privilege or I'll pass it off to the next president. But maybe we hold off on this. I'd hate to nominate her if she doesn't want to accept, but at the same time, I don't want
013to nominate and move on if perhaps she wants to serve. If that's okay, we just hold off until a little bit later in the meeting. Just to be fair, she's on her way back. Yep. She she needs to head back. So, we'll go ahead and uh push pause. We'll put a pin in that one and come back to 2.6. And we'll go ahead and jump to 2.7 then. And that uh 2.7 is selection of regular meeting dates for 2026. Uh those dates have been submitted and are posted in the agenda. So I want to go ahead and ask if there's any if there is a motion to approve the calendar for 2026 as presented by staff. >> Okay. I have a motion by board member Ibara. Is there a second? >> Second by board member
014Haro. Any questions or comments about the proposed calendar? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed. Any abstensions? Hearing none. It is approved. And then the last item that we have under our reorganization is item 2.8. This is the selection of meeting times for our regular board meetings. Uh there are three options that are made available by staff. Uh 5:00, 5:30 or 6. Although presumably we can make it at whatever time we want, but uh we traditionally meet at 5:30. So uh if there is a suggestion, nomination, a motion, I'll open the floor for for meeting time. Okay, we have a motion. >> I'll second that. >> Wonderful. Thank you for that. We have a motion by board member Haro for 5:30 p.m. Seconded by board member Fuentes. Any other
015questions, comments, concerns? All right. Hearing none. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none. 5:30 is approved for the 2026 board meeting calendar. So, that takes us through our reorganization session items. We'll come back to item 2.6 six a little bit later in the meeting. Uh join if that's all right. And what I will do at this time is I'm going to go ahead and stop talking and hand over the gavvel to our new board president, board member, board president Bertha Flores. So there you go. [applause] >> Thank you so much. It's an honor to serve um for a year in this position. I just want to say thank you to Dan Flores. Uh, by the way, there it's no relation, you know. We're just No, not
016that you're right. We're in Colton, so it can happen. >> Colton. Yeah. >> Yeah. I tell everybody, yeah, I'm his I'm his mother. I keep him in line here. [laughter] >> No, but uh thank you so much for your dedication and for your expertise. We really count on you uh as a board member and as a community member. So, thank you. With that I will um start with uh 3.1. We have a very special recognition of behavioral and mental health uh department. I would like to invite uh assistant superintendent Dr. Ortiz to speak. >> Thank you very much board president Flores. It's an honor to be here. In place of Dr. Miranda, uh tonight is a proud moment for our board of education. Through your leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our student mental wellness,
017uh CJUSD has earned its first ever Golden Bell award for our wellness centers. Uh the achievement would not have been possible without the exceptional leadership of director Antonio Castro. Uh it's my honor to invite him to the podium to share more about our wellness centers uh and the incredible wellness center associates who are here tonight who make this work possible. So, thank you. [applause] Thank you. Good evening, board president, uh, Miss Flores, board members, Superintendent Dr. Miranda, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ortiz, Executive Cabinet, and members of the audience. My name is Antonio Castro and I have the privilege of serving as the director of our district's behavioral and mental health program. It's a true honor to stand before you this evening as we recognize our wellness center team for their contributions to the CJUSD's first ever
018Golden Bell Award. This award was presented on behalf of our board of trustees for our wellness center program under the title equity through wellness serving the whole child at every site. The Colton community is very deeply personal to me. As an immigrant who attended school locally, I know firsthand the importance of having caring adults and emotional support during times of transition and challenge. We know that chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma can significantly undermine a student's [clears throat] ability to learn. Research affirms that mental health supports are most effective when they are immediate, accessible, and available during the school day, right when students need them the most. Recognizing this need, our district opened its first wellness center at Colton High School approximately 5 years ago. And it was inspired entirely by the advocacy of Colton High
019School students from the wellness club. Their voices were powerful and clear in that students needed a safe and supportive space to regulate, to regroup, and to care for their emotional well-being. Their courage and leadership sparked the movement that led to the establishment of wellness centers at all nine of our secondary sites, including our two alternative education programs. Based on the board's support and advocacy, we are blessed to have 12 dedicated and compassionate wellness center associates who support students with issues ranging ranging from academic stress, testing anxiety and social challenges to mental health crisis involving severe depression, anxiety or suicidal ideiation. Alongside them, our interns provide direct services and smallroup support while gaining invaluable field experience under professional supervision. Each wellness center collaborates closely with our department of behavioral mental health to ensure that students receive
020appropriate triage referrals and seamless connection to ongoing care. The impact of their work is very clear. From 2023 to 2025, the district has seen an increase in average daily attendance and a decrease in chronic absenteeism, indicators closely tied to student well-being and engagement. During the 24 and 2025 school year alone, our mental health program processed more than 1,000 mental health referrals. We engaged in over 500 case management services as well. Across our nine wellness centers, students visited more than 14,000 times, demonstrating not only the need, but the trust that our students place in these amazing spaces. Exit surveys from 2425 year uh the 25 2425 school year also tell a powerful story. 84% of our students reported improving emotional coping. 82% improved self-image and 70% said that they felt like uh school was a more
021positive place after receiving receiving support. The success of our wellness center program is truly a team effort with contributions from our school board, our superintendent, assistant superintendent, site administrators, and countless CJUSD staff who have championed this work from the very beginning. I'd like to also extend a very heartfelt thank you to our clinical supervisors Daniel Bonitez, Lisa Beck, and Peda Calderon, and our amazing administrative assistant, Miss Danielle Moreno. Their dedication, expertise, and behind the scenes coordination ensure that every student who walks through our wellness center doors feel [clears throat] seen, supported, and cared for. At this time, it is my privilege to acknowledge each of our wellness center associates and present them with a certificate of recognition in honor of their contribution to the Golden Bell Award. Their compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our
022students are the reason that our program thrives and positively impacts the lives of thousands of students across our school district. Uh I would be remissed if I didn't first acknowledge before I recognize our associates. There's some family members, very special family members here of our associates including my family. I want to begin by acknowledging my amazing and beautiful wife Christina Castro. [applause] My beautiful little boys and Benjamin Castro [applause] and my amazing parents Jose and Rosario Castro. [applause] I also want to acknowledge some uh special family members. There are children here of our associates. There are also parents here uh husbands and and and so and spouses and I just want to acknowledge them. Uh it is a a true sacrifice. We know that uh a lot is sacrificed in in the energy and time
023and effort that our associates uh put into our wellness centers. We we thank you for being here and we thank you for celebrating this amazing accomplishment. Uh thank you so much. [applause] We're going to begin by acknowledging our middle school wellness centers and we'll begin with Colton Middle School. I'm going to ask Miss Laara Gomez to step up. [applause] Next, I'd like to uh acknowledge from Joe Baka Middle School, Kimberly Sepeda Chavez [applause] from Terrace Hills Middle School. Like to acknowledge Veronica Miners Perez. [applause] and from Ruth O'Haris Middle School, Sylvia Lozano. [applause] >> Like to acknowledge our high schools beginning with Bloomington High School. Like to acknowledge Guina Morales. >> [applause] >> and Jessica Medano. [applause] Next, we'd like to acknowledge our Colton High School Wellness Center coordinators, Terresa Rago and Lesie Cruz. Next,
024we'd like to acknowledge our our center staff from Grand Terrace High School, Alyssa Shaw [applause] and Mariso Espinosa. [applause] Last but not least, we'd like to acknowledge our associates wellness center staffing coordinators from [clears throat] our uh opportunity programs. Uh Fred Rodriguez from Sllover Mountain High School [applause] and last but not least, Valeria Ceenna from Washington High School. [applause] Okay, thank you to all. We would love to have a picture taken if you would like to come up to the front here and we will quickly take a a picture. >> [applause] [applause] >> Receiving this honor is one of the highest highest uh compliments we can um we can get from the state of California. It was u all possible because of uh uh director Antonio Castro and um and the his team. Um we
025really appreciate all you do. We were so proud to go to Sacramento and receive this award. So thank you and continue the great work that you're doing. And again, thank you for being here and to you know for this special special event. >> [applause] >> Okay, we have another uh presentation. Actually, we have uh one of our favorites, employee recognition. I would like to invite director Kathy Cvantes and Eric Caniso. [applause] Good evening board president Flores, board members, superintendent Dr. Miranda listening at home and filling in superintendent Dr. Ortiz. Members of the audience, my name is Eric Coniso. I am director of human resources. Um, we are here to present the employee recognition for the month of November and December. uh very proud to do this because this is a grassroots effort where people in
026the within the district recommend the names that um then make it to this prestigious award. So up next first we'd like to invite Maria Manda Sarabia who is going to be presenting our fiscal direc Julia Esparza. [applause and cheering] Do you um good evening board members, uh executive cabinet, um superintendent Dr. Miranda, and members of the audience. Uh, I am honored to recognize Julia Esparza, our payroll manager, for her outstanding leadership and positive impact she has made since joining the fiscal services team three years ago. One of the first things you notice about Julia is how deeply she cares about both the work and her team. She is always looking for ways to streamline processes and make tasks more efficient. One of her biggest accomplishments has been transforming the payroll start of the year process.
027What used to be a completely manual, time-consuming task is now a streamlined upload process. Faster, cleaner, and far more manageable for the team. But what's really stands out about Julia is her leadership style. Her team describes her as having a rare balance of kindness and firmness in a way that sets clear expectations while still making staff feel supported. Payroll is an incredibly stressful environment with multiple tight deadlines every month. And yet, she helps her team navigate those challenges with patience, perspective, and honesty. She encourages them to look at situations from all areas, not just through the urgency that payroll naturally brings. This has helped her team grow both as individuals and collectively. Personally, I have enjoyed watching Julia grow as a manager and become increasingly confident in her leadership role. She is thorough in her
028research, provides detailed and thoughtful communication, and consistently demonstrates that she is a team player, always willing to support not just her team, but colleagues across the district. Her team describes her as a role model, someone who leads with grace, strength, and I couldn't agree more. Julia, thank you for everything you bring to the payroll team and to the district. We are truly grateful for your leadership. Congratulations. Welldeserved recognition. [applause] >> Um, uh, Superintendent Miranda, Dr. Miranda, assistant superintendent Dr. Ortiz, members of the board, and members of the audience. Thank you very much. I'm truly honored by this recognition. I've been with Colton Joint Unified School District since November of 2023, and I have the privilege of leading an incredible team of six, many of of whom are newer to the district. Their professionalism, empathy, and
029willingness to support one another make this work possible every day. I also appreciate the collaboration and support of our leadership teams and colleagues across departments, which is essential to the work that we do. I strive to lead with a servant leadership mindset and I'm grateful to work alongside teams that reflect that same spirit. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our district. [applause and cheering] Um, joining me today is a large group of my family. I want to say thank you to my my main support, my husband, Albert Esparza. And that group over there, that lovely bunch is all mine. um my mother, my sisters, my brothers, my nieces and nephews, um [applause] and my brother-in-laws. I just thank you all for your encouragement and support every day. And I also have some of my
030team here with me. Um I was very privileged to be able to see some of the kind comments that they shared with the HR department about me and I was just blown away and just overwhelmed and thankful for this opportunity. Thank you so much. Thank you. [applause and cheering] >> One more round of applause for Miss Julia Sparza. [applause] And I think Julia Sparza, you might have some dinner reservations to get to, so we'll totally understand if you have to leave. >> Our next employee recognition is our certificated staff. And I would like to uh introduce uh Mr. John Abbott, uh Colton High School principal, up to introduce uh Michael Ray, our athletic director of Colton High School. >> [applause] >> Good evening, board president Flores. Congratulations, members of the board of education, uh, superintendent
031and superintendent designate Dr. Ortiz, executive cabinet, and, uh, special guests. Uh th this one is a very easy easy thing for me to do to celebrate and recognize um our athlet our athletic director uh Michael Ray. There are a handful of people I think that have entered my life that have le left a lasting impact on me um as a as a person, as a man, as a leader. And in the short amount of time I've had to work with uh Mike, um he's left that impression. And there are many things uh working alongside him that I've learned from him that I will take with me. Um he has made me a better leader, a better person, and I'm just extremely honored to serve alongside him. I'm going to read from this and I may
032deviate a little bit because there are some stories that I I I might share here a little bit about Mike. And for those of us that know Mike, he hates this kind of attention by the way. So everybody, please give him a big round of applause because he absolutely hates it. [applause] Mike is truly a servant leader. Um he's joined our district back in 2006, not that long ago, as an RSP teacher, uh where he quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional leader, educator with a genuine heart for students. As he continued to refine his craft, he expanded his impact beyond the classroom, serving as head baseball coach at Colton High before later transitioning to the same role at Grand Terrace High. For those of us that know Mike, we know he exemplifies the highest qualities
033of leadership, integrity, and displays an unwavering dedication to student success. His impact is felt across every athletic program on our campus. He intentionally builds leadership capacity through regular captain's meetings where student athletes are mentored by Mike in communication responsibility, team culture, and leadership. Mike is not just a leader of our athletic program. He is a leader of people. He models what it means to be a true coach of coaches. He supports and guides our coaching staff with clarity, fairness, and professionalism, ensuring that each program remains student- centered, competitive, and align with our district's athletic vision. Because of his leadership, trust, and collaboration are strong across our athletic department. Something that sets Mike apart is his tireless work ethic. Long after the school day ends, Mike can be found preparing facilities, addressing equipment needs, and ensuring
034safety protocols are firmly in place. A prime example of this for those of you that come to Colts and high football games on Friday nights, we usually don't get out of there, Mike, especially around 11, sometimes midnight. On this particular instance, last year, I believe it was, Mike, might have been two years ago. Um, all these days and years tend to blend together. Um he was there until about one o'clock in the morning because we didn't have sufficient custodial support. One in the morning knowing that at four o'clock in the morning he had to be right back on site for our cross country swarm event. That's the kind of dedication Mike has and he's willing to do any and everything to support our students, our our school and our community. Just another amazing example in
035his dedication and commitment and leadership. He regularly anticipates challenges, navigates complex situations with uh calm solutionoriented thinking, and communicates consistently and positively with students, staff, families, uh and our community. His pride in Colton High School is evident in everything he does. You can truly see that he bleeds Crimson and Gold. Under Mike's leadership, our athletic programs have experienced remarkable success. Our student athletes have earned multiple league championships, historic firsttime titles, deep CIF playoff runs, and state level recognition across all sports, fall, winter, and spring. These accomplishments represent hundreds of students whose high school experiences have been shaped by our committed coaches and by Mike's vision, leadership, and belief in their potential. There is a story I'd like to share with you all this evening. Some of you are familiar with it. For those of you
036that um are not familiar with it, um you're definitely going to have a very vivid image of of who Mike is as a person, as a man, and as a leader in our community. During the 2025 baseball season, unforeseen circumstances required Mike to step in as our head baseball coach for the final six games of the season while still serving as our athletic director. And to be clear, either of these alone these roles alone are highly demanding to do both simultaneous simultaneously virtually impossible. But Mike did both and he did them exceptional. Drawing on his experience as a former head coach, Mike led with focus, relentless preparation, and zero complaint. Under his leadership, our Yellow Jackets finished the regular season strong, earned a playoff birth with a first round buy, and on May 19th, 2025,
037Colton High was able to celebrate their first playoff victory since 2015. And this Yeah, it was a very dramatic game. It It was a a walk-off hit to left center, right, Mike? Right center. See, Mike's memory. Uh right center. and everyone, all of us were just so excited. We won in dramatic fashion. Mike was third base coach, went to run down with our student athletes and celebrate. And uh from our view point of view, looked like he slipped and fell in celebration. Mike dusted himself off, got up, slowly made his way over to his team and uh coached him up. Even at the end of the game, celebrated him uh the way he normally does. What none of us knew at the time is that Mike ruptured his Achilles. So, I'm through the fence line.
038I always love hearing his uh end of game speeches and the way he talks to our students and our coaches and I just kind of point my finger at a mic. Great win. Right on to the next. And I get a call not too much longer from Mike. Hey boss, I'm headed to the hospital. What happened Mike? Well, that slip and fall, right? So, okay, Mike, keep me posted. Mike's going to require surgery. Well, unfortunately, that surgery is scheduled for May 23rd, by the way, which was the date of our quarterfinal matchup against DHY High School. So, his his real boss, uh, Stacy, I know Mike's going to acknowledge her, but his real boss, Stac, there she is. Uh Stacy was staying in contact with us throughout the surgery because Mike was committed, I'll use
039that word, to get to the Dwarty High School baseball game for our students. And many people um were, "Yeah, Mike, this a bit crazy. Um you're going through surgery. It's okay. The boys are going to understand. We understand." And and Mike is Mike. Those of us that know Mike, Yep. Mike, we'll see you there. Right. And sure enough, uh Mike made his way there. Stacy, just such a great support for him. Um, we really appreciate you, Stacy. I know he does, too. Uh, Stacy got into the game. Uh, bottom of the fifth, uh, Mike arrived in his crutches, cast and all, and maybe under a bit of medication, is making his way through and I I I swear to you all, just like a movie, just the feeling on the Colton's side, a Dwarte ballpark,
040it's like, "Oh my gosh, he showed up. It's Mike." Yeah, he's our AD. He's our coach. I know him, right? And he's making his way over and he ends up finding his way in the dugout. And you see the players and the uh our assistant coaches helping him out and we were down five to four at the time. Um and for those of you that are aware, we also do seven innings in high school and so bottom of the fifth down a run, very competitive. Um our boys end up coming back to win in dominant fashion 15 to five. There was not another run allowed uh from that time and so just couldn't be more proud of our boys of course. Um but but the exemplary leadership, grit, resilience that Mike displays just permeates throughout
041our campus, our students, and I'm just so proud of him. And so, uh he's also a marathon runner, and that mental toughness that it takes to get through that. Um he displayed in full force that evening. And um Mike, just can't say enough about you. And uh I I probably gone well over time. Um but please everyone uh join us in celebrating and recognize the amazing Mike Ray. >> [applause] >> Thank you all uh for this. Before I uh get too deep in this uh Dr. Dade over um HR, I'd like to just ask a favor of you quickly if you can look into Mr. Abbott's u credentials. He tells me he's a math teacher. Uh I believe he's a writing major after a story that he just gave right now. Creative writer. So uh
042I'm unsure. Uh but I greatly appreciate everything he said. Um uh I got the call from Mr. Abbott, Miss McDonald a week ago and uh really honored, humbled uh to even be recognized. There's so many more important people that deserve this. And a thank you in the parking lot is uh all I really need, but this is uh beyond expectations. I'd like to just uh briefly uh it's the coach in me. Sorry, that was my uh they've told me this is my moment. Uh so I can do it my way. So I just like to transition to coach Ray moment u which is now. So, um, I'm from an athletic background, family. Um, this is I I know my name is here. It's very nice. I couldn't tell you what font this is. U, but
043it's beautiful to look at. Uh, but this is not for me. This is for so many other people. Uh, I'd like to just recognize the people that are here with me and others that are not that are part of this. So, uh, out of all due respect to all of our board members, I'm so humbled. Please do not take this anyway in a negative slight to you. Um, but you're giving this award to more than one person tonight. Uh, and last on the list that's receiving it is me. I know I'm here. But first, I'd just like to congratulate uh, Miss Flores, our new president. And I'd like to thank all of the board members. We've crossed paths over the course of my 20 years in this district, whether it's been uh, most recently at
044Colton High School with athletic events or activities uh, to my previous stop at at Grand Terrace. All of you have greeted me with warmth, uh an open ear, and positivity, which has allowed me to just uh do things that I that I can do to be a servant to this community. So, I'm grateful to all of you. Um I'm going to ask I hope I can do this, but I'm going to ask for a few people that are here today and then a lot that aren't to just give them their their moment. So, if it's okay, and I ask these people to stand up just to to share in this moment with me. uh we're only as strong as our unit and uh individual awards are not something that uh I'm overly excited about. So,
045but team awards are I'm all about and this is such a great uh team accomplishment is how I view this. So, um I just like to to start with um Dr. Ortiz. Uh Dr. Ortiz, if you don't mind standing, you don't have to, but I mean it might be hard. I know you're in a different spot, but uh Dr. Ortiz uh his his vision, his guidance for not just Colton High School specifically, Bloomington High School, Grand Terrace High School. Um his open door policy, open ear. Um he's such an incredible listener and he spearheads the success of not only Colton High School athletic department, uh but Bloomington and Colton, I'm sorry, and Grand Terrace as well. Uh, I'm forever grateful to the support that he provides for me and the support he provides to everybody
046through our district. Um, don't sit down because we got more. Uh, I'm going to lean on a couple other people. Uh, my principal, the fabricated story man over here, Mr. Abbott. Um, few years ago when it when it happened, uh, he took a flyer on someone with zero experience for this position. Uh, probably smoking mirror stories from other people that, hey, hire, you know, maybe look at Mike a little bit more. Um, John Abbott is not my boss. He's a family member to me. His leadership is ever steady and he is such a believer in me that I can't repay that. Two others. Moving on. Sorry. That are not here. Might be a little easier, but I want to recognize Mr. Czecho, my assistant principal. He's new to this position, but we go back about
04720 years. He's always been extremely supportive through this new role. and I appreciate him taking time out of his day to be here. I do have two other uh ladies. One, I'm going to turn myself into Mr. D right now. I'm supposed to be working a basketball game. Mrs. Vieas is there. So, I know head of HR probably shouldn't tell him you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing, but Mrs. Vieas has been uh clutch for me for for a decade plus. Um she she's able to work tonight for me to be here to accept this. U she's a staple for me. Mrs. McDonald who's here. She could stand up because I'm going to bring her down with me or up with me. Uh Mrs. McDonald, another rock. Uh these people answer the phone
048for me at all hours, provide a great mentorship, open communication, um a an ear to to lend. I know I've gone along, but I got a few other things. U my coaches are are the real heroes. They're the ones that log the time. They're the ones that touch the kids. Uh they're the ones that move everybody forward. Uh and and This isn't about myself, as I mentioned before. This is about all the work that they do. Uh on top of that, the players, the athletes, this is what we do things for. They're the ones that get to experience lifelong memories, success stories of championships, of failures, all those things are just so incredibly important in shaping them. And it's because of them. And if my former players were here now, they would have already tuned
049me out because I talked for a long time. But th there's been so many good life experiences uh that they get through athletics and those players um at Colton High School specifically now where I'm at. Um they're they're the true stars of the show. Uh I'd be remiss to not mention family members. There's a few that are not here. Uh my parents, two of the hardest working people showed me what it meant to be supportive. My mother and father-in-law. Uh take you down a quick story with that, but uh imagine um when my wife and I met at 19. uh her bringing a 19-year-old college athlete into her house with whatever expectations come with that that you can draw your mind to. But she's been nothing but warm and welcoming to me. It's a beautiful
050family that we have. Um pointing out people that are that are here with me. Uh just like to recognize both my kids and my wife. They are we don't have dictionaries anymore. So, I can't say their pictures in the dictionary under coach's family, but if you go on to Wikipedia, I'd like to believe that they're there. Uh, quick story, my son has been my bat boy, foul ball chaser, uh, pregame dancer to pregame music. Uh, my daughter has done the same. They've done field work, they've chased foul balls, done scoreboard. Um, they take such good care of themselves to allow me to have the flexibility to do the things that I do. And I'm grateful and so proud of those two. uh to my wife. I start with a comical thing. This is where we're
051at. I know I'm rambling a lot, but um I was playing at Cal Baptist as a player. I fled the ball off of her car uh while we were dating. Couple years later, was playing at San Bernardino, Cal State. I fouled the ball off of her. Uh that should just let you know the level of dedication that she has. Um that she wasn't going anywhere. Uh she's been a booster person. Uh she's been a camera photographer, banquet person. She's filled every role. Um but most importantly, she she's the backbone of everything we do in the family. She's tough as nails. September 11th, 2009. This is just who she is. Uh got a home football game on the coach at Colton High School at the time. We're working the snack bar. It's about 10:30 at night,
05211:00 at night. She's in labor with my son, who's here, by the way, refusing to go anywhere. Um, we leave at about 11:00. We're driving way too fast. We get to the hospital. My son's born about 45 minutes later. That's the dedication and passion that she has and support that she has. I don't know if she wanted that story out there, but um, that's what you get. Um, there's plenty of other people that I'm forgetting and I apologize to those people now, but this is genuinely from my soul. I'm so grateful for this, for the people that are here. um they're the real heroes and this means so much more to me sharing this than taking it individually. So, thank you so much for this honor to all of you and thank you to my
053supporters and I'm sorry that I went on but that's just uh what happens I guess. Thank you so much. [applause] Another round of applause for Michael Ray at Con High School AD. [applause] Okay, I'd like to bring up our next contestant, Miss Nicole Smith, our transportation bus driver. And presenting her today is going to be Miss our director, Jessica Kuahu. [applause] >> [applause] >> Good evening everyone. Uh board members, uh Dr. Miranda, I'm pretty sure he's listening or watching online um at home and all of the guests who have come tonight. Thank you guys so much. I have the distinct honor of standing before you to recognize someone who often and literally is the driver of our student success, yet rarely stands in the spotlight. Can you guys all please join me in honoring our
054classified employee for November and December, Miss Nicole Smith. [applause] We often talk about the classroom as as the heart of education, but for many of our students in CJUSD, education begins at 6:00 a.m. on a yellow school bus. It takes a special kind of person to navigate a 30,000 pound vehicle through traffic while simultaneously being a counselor, a peacemaker, a steady, smiling guardian for all of our children. Nicole doesn't just transport students. She carries our community's most precious cargo with a level of care that can't be taught. It can only be felt. Nicole, you are the first person to tell a nervous kindergartener, "It's going to be okay. It's going to be a great day." You are the You are the one who ensures that every child, regardless of their background, arrives at school feeling
055safe, seen, and ready to learn. In the world of classified staff, we look for excellence. Nicole, you are excellent. Your dedication to CGAUSD isn't just about miles driven or schedules met. It's about the lives you touch and the safety you provide. Nicole, thank you for your patience, for your vigilance, and your heart. You are a corner cornerstone of CJUSD transportation and we are so proud to honor you tonight. On behalf of the district and the families whose lives you make easier every single day, thank you for your service, for your heart, and your commitment to excellence. Congratulations, Nicole, on a welldeserved and honored tonight for you. Oh, and one last, we have this keychain that says we make it happen, CJUSD. And I know that all of you may or may not know her name,
056but I know you have all seen her in some capacity. She is the most warmest, high functioning, high energy person that you will ever experience. And she truly represents everything that we can be and want to be here in transportation. So, thank you Okay, I'm nervous. I didn't have a speech or nothing, but I want to thank everybody for this award. Everybody. Um, I have my family with me. My friend Franc, she also worked in um transportation. She was the one that said, "No, you need to be recognized." You know, um, Miss Robinson is back there, too. She always say, "I need to be Thank you." [clears throat] Um, I thank you guys. Everybody always say, "Miss Nicole, make sure you get back safe. Um, make sure you drive safe." I said, "Long as your
057kid is on my bus, he gonna get back safe because I got to get back to mine." And that's my family over there. My daughter Dorelle, my son, Ncoan, and my grandson Ashton, and my son-in-law Talon. I love you guys. >> [applause] >> I want to thank the board members. You know, I drive you guys sometime. You guys trust me in a back of a pickup. You know, I be making sure I don't hit no bumps. You know, I make sure everybody is safe. I just want to say um thank you so much. And um I've been here like 27 years now and um I'm still dedicated and I'm going still do the best I can to serve. Thank you so much. [applause] Another round of applause for Nicole Smith. [applause] Thank you. And that
058ends our presentation for tonight. >> Thank you so much. Well, this is a very special way to end our school year with all these recognitions. Welldeserved recognition. So, thank you. Moving on, we're going to uh public comment. And um just a reminder before we go to public comment, am I skipping you? Sorry. Let me introduce to you Dr. D. [applause] >> Thank you so much. I wore my Santa Claus bow tie for you tonight, so please don't excuse me. But good evening, board president Flores, board members, um Superintendent Dr. Miranda who's out there listening this evening and other members of the audience and of course our wonderful assistant s of student services Dr. Ortiz. I'd like to it's my pleasure and honor to introduce our new visual performing arts vapa manager Marco Paral Ortiz. [applause]
059So Marco comes to us with a very extensive background in in the arts area. Um but he has a very interesting uh trajectory. So he was a diplomat um for several years for the consulate general of Mexico and Chicago. He was the manager of US operations for is it mixen >> mixion. Um and he's been a translator interpreter here um in cotton joint unified since 2024. Um he as a diplomatic service um provider. He serves as a coordinator for cultural affairs for the Mexican government. He managed events ranging from intimate gallery expose to a three-day cultural festival with over 35,000 attendees. Um, organizationally he developed uh training programs for 125 employees across 10 departments at the consulate. And the program increased customer satisfaction and efficiency by 50% or more um over a 10-year period. He's
060been an educational advocate while he's been in PPS and he served on the equity and special education task force. He's a Gettis Leadership Seminar graduate um and he has helped facilitate um the the male institute during the summer to help shape um our districtwide policies and family engagement. Additionally, he was featured he was a featured speaker at the Orange County Department of Education uh translator interpreter conference. Um it is considered as one of the most significant in industry uh events on the west coast. And as a speaker, he represented the district and shared innovative practices for IEP translations and interpretations. Now, for fun facts, as you know, he's multilingual, but he speaks four different languages, and so Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French. The only thing I know about French is French fries, so you're gonna
061have to teach me some French. All right. And then he he loves art and history. Um he has a deep passion for that. Um he is well known in the music industry as well. He's a music producer with appro approximately 50 relief songs and served as a voting board member of the Latin Grammy Academy. And so he's um had a chance to work alongside of Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny. I'm just joking. Um but I got your attention. I got your attention. Um but he worked with someone I believe equally um experienced as Andy Broadda and he is one of the composers of the movie Encanto and so we don't we won't talk about Bruno tonight but um but he definitely um has done so so many great things that we're looking forward to him bringing
062to our district and I once again got to know him in Gettysburg and hear his story and his passion to just serve is just really going to serve our district well. So, we're very excited to have Marco. And if you can please give me a round of applause as he approaches the mic. [applause] [clears throat] >> Good evening everybody. Um, President uh board president Flores, uh um Superintendent Dr. Miranda and uh Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ortiz as well as board members as well as leadership and the fellow community. Thank you for having me here tonight. It's an honor for me to be here. Um I am um I am very thankful that you placed your trust in me in order to continue the work that my predecessors began. Um one of the um the most surprising
063things about this job uh that I was recently promoted is that it's a um crossing roads of all the different uh perhaps you could say eclectic uh skill set that I have. Um for me it's it's a pleasure. I wake up every day really happy that I'm going to be serving the community that has trusted trusted me to be able to uh further uh push any programs that uh might benefit the kids. Um also the leadership here has been very um supportive from day one. Uh my time at PPS was great. I I got to know the ins and outs of of an American school district. um as well as throughout the different um task forces that I joined uh the summer meal program, the leadership conference, the leadership, everyone was really kind and really
064um supportive and for me that is the definition of a place that anyone should be willing and happy to work at. Um additionally, I I am very excited to begin this year uh well to end this calendar year and begin the new one uh running. Um we have a lot of projects that I've already talked with Dr. Dr. Money as well as Dr. Haidider. Um they seem to be very uh supportive as well and and excited to um uh carry on the legacy of my predecessor. And finally, I just want to once again thank everyone. Um I I believe that uh we are will be cultivating the next generation of artists. And that's very important not only for the longevivity of this district and the community, but also, you know, to preserve and to keep
065culture alive within this district and the country. Finally, I want to thank everyone uh that's here tonight as well as my family. Uh my wife uh Diana, she's been my rock since I met her. Um she's also carrying uh our future child. She's 5 months pregnant. So, thank you for all your support and also for dealing with the hardships of of motherhood. Right. I also want to thank my in-laws. Um honestly, they have been very welcoming, very kind, very um supportive too. Um, honestly, I I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Um, as a person who who's not an American, you have definitely made this a foreign country feel like home. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Additionally, I want to thank my brother. Um, he's been living in
066San Diego, but he was able to be present here. He's always been uh my best buddy, my best. He was my best man at the wedding. So, that tells you the relationship that we have together. So, thank you uh for all all your support and all your advice. And finally, and most importantly, I want to thank my parents who came uh who just flew in from home today, Mexico City. Um I am really thankful for all the sacrifices you you guys have made for for not only us but for our family. Um you have been the rock of of of everything in in all aspects. You have been a model exemplary parents not only in terms of education but in how to be a human being and how to be empathetic with others. Thank you
067so much uh for all the teachings. Thank you for being here. You know uh four five hour flight is not easy uh especially when you have to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning, right? Uh so and and finally um thank you everyone. Thank you. >> Oh, okay. One more round of applause for Mr. Ortiz, please. And that concludes our presentation for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Daddy. We are going to return to uh item 2.6. Um Miss board membering Oha has joined us and uh I would we would like to pick up where we left off here. Um item 2.66 Six is the selection of representative for the 20 2026 elector San Bernino County Committee of School District Organization. Um, Miss Soa has been the the U representative um
068for this post and I would like to now open the the floor for nominations. >> Do you accept? >> I'll I'll second that nomination. >> Okay. second. And so we have um let's see it's only one nomination. Okay. On motion of Pat with from Pat Haro and second by Dan Flores. Uh then we have the um nominee which is uh Miss Oha for the post of Sanardino County Committee School uh district organization. Congratulations. Okay. Oh, it's a roll call. >> Regular vote. Okay, with that, uh, we have the nomination. All those in favor? >> I >> and no. Okay, now congratulations, Dr. Mrs. [applause] Okay. Now, we're going to back go back up to 4.0, which is public comment. I would ask uh that the public uh if they have something to to say to
069the board or talk to the board. We have comment cards available and uh every speaker will be allowed three minutes to address the board. And um with board member cons said if we have to go over 15 minutes on a single subject we can do so. Um and let's see if uh you come up uh please state your name and the uh your reciting city. Do we have any cards? Okay with all that. [laughter] Okay. No cards today. So we're going to be moving on. Uh 5.0 we have administrative presentation. We have the first interim report business service division. I would like to invite assistant superintendent from and director Sarabia to present. >> Good evening. Good evening board president Flores, board members, superintendent Dr. Miranda listening at home, Dr. Ortiz, acting superintendent tonight and members
070audience. Before I begin, tonight is another night that just shows what a great place Colton is to be. We have great employees doing great things for kids every day and it shows here today. Um, I know we talked about our first Golden Bell here tonight and I say first because there's more to come because we are doing great things in the Colton Joint Unified School District. Now I need to click the slide. Okay, so we're here for the first interimm report. First interimm report provides a snapshot of the district's financial health midway through the fiscal year. Helps us stay on track and make informed decisions. This report includes actual financial data through the end of October starting in July and projections through the end of June 2026 and is filed with both the county office
071of education and California Department of Education. Next slide, please. So there's three types of certifications a school district can certify. There's a positive certification which says the district will meet financial obligations in the current and two subsequent fiscal years. qualified certification district may not meet its financial obligations for current two subsequent fiscal years or a negative certification the district will be unable to meet its financial obligations. I'm proud to present tonight we're have a positive certification for the 2526 fiscal year. Next slide. I'm going to turn it over to Miss Maria Amanda. This slide shows how our unrestricted revenues have changed since the budget was adopted. The majority of our revenue increase is driven by update LCFF projections which reflect revised ADA assumptions as well as changes in our supplemental and concentration grant funding due
072to an increase in our UP percentage. Overall, these adjustments help ensure our budget reflects the most accurate information available as we move through the year. On the expenditure side, adjustments reflect how the budget is responding to real staffing and operational needs. Salaries and benefits increase primarily because position shifted from restricted funding back to the unrestricted general fund, as well as increases in our benefit cost. Books and supplies decreased as budgets were realigned and other expense categories increased due to our additional LCAP funding. uh along with project project related costs such as field replacements and higher contribution needs in some of our other funds. This slide highlights where the general fund is supporting other programs. We have our contribution to our special special education program uh which serves our uh neediest students. Uh we also support
073our restricted maintenance um program to support our facilities as well as our self-insurance fund to cover uh district liabilities and our child development program which serves our youngest students. These contributions reflect our commitment to maintaining comprehensive services for students and staff. This next slide shows the historical analysis of our contributions to special ed. The problem with special ed is not a Colton Joint Unified School District issue. It's throughout the state of California. State does not provide enough funds for schools for special education. So, if you look at this chart here, it shows from 1920 school year to this school year, the the cost of special ed contributions going up. Like I said, this is throughout the whole state of California. It's an issue. Our most challenging students with needs are also our most expensive students
074as well to educate. Next slide, please. So, this slide here shows in green our enrollment going down. Our enroll our enrollment and students bring in our dollars to the school district. The blue line there shows the growth of special ed is flattening out. So, as our enroll our enrollment goes down, the cost of educating our special ed students are going up and like I've said, this is a this is a problem throughout the state of California and it's putting a strain on a lot of fiscal budgets throughout the state of California and that we have uh declining enrollment at 3.29% special our special ed rate is flat pretty much and the percentage of our students receiving special ed and that. Next slide, please. The multi-year projection shows our financial outlook over the next three years.
075As shown on the right, the district continues to meet the required 3% reserve each year with reserve amounts projected to be 13.5 million for the current year, 12.8 million in the second year, and 12.9 million in the third year. While overall fund balance is projected to decline over time, the district is closely monitoring enrollment trends and expenditure growth and will continue to adjust as needed to maintain fiscal stability over the long term. This final slide outlines the key milestones in the budget development process. It begins with the governor's budget and analysis from school services of California in January, followed by the second interim report in March. We then receive the governor's May revision and hold public hearings for LCAP and budget and ultimately bring the 2627 budget forward for board adoption in June. >> Thank
076you. Any questions? Any questions from the board? >> Sure. Just a couple questions. >> Board member Flores. >> Thank you. Uh board president Flores. Uh again, thank you for the presentation. Um overall, obviously, there's a lot of talk going on right now about the the state's budget. Uh there are some concerns that are that are being voiced through the governor's office about um revenues not meeting um the need. Uh cuts obviously are are being discussed at various levels. So, I was curious to know just looking at the larger picture and you gave us the timeline. Obviously, we won't know much more until January and going into March, then ultimately the May revise, but what's the latest that we're hearing from uh whether it's the governor's office or some of the firms that we work with
077that are telling telling us are there going to be impacts to education? Um major cuts in certain areas or certain programs. What are we hearing? What we're hearing right now is to expect next year a lot of onetime dollars again. Um possibly up to three times the amount that we received this year. Um there's but the the dollars coming into the state are above what was projected um last year in that and they're still collecting the taxes too out of LA County as well. So revenues. Um they are saying though possibility of a corrections coming like we had in 2008 throughout the state as well. So, there's a lot of unknowns there. Um, and there's a lot of unknowns of what the coal the cola is supposed to be for next year. As a our
078dart board now, as this was built on, it's projected at 3.2, but the word out there is it could come in at 2.5 and even low as 1.9 for ne for next year. There's one more data point that they collect on that. Um we'll know a lot more after the first year when the they release governor's projections for ne for next year and that um but that's the latest they that information just was presented to us last week at our county meeting as well. Katherine Gordon was there presenting to us and that. So um a lot more to come but they said expect a lot of one-time dollars. So us last year in this budget ours amount was 5.4 million in one time. So if you multiply it by two or possibly three that would
079which could help but it's onetime dollars though and and that so that's the newest information out there. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Uh board member Ibara. >> Yes Greg. Um speaking about special ed just to give us a differential of what we're looking at at this particular point in time. Uh what is our contribution to make up for what we're not receiving from the state cone joint unified schools district's contribution to special ed as it's coming out of our uh our regular budget >> 35 million right now 35.1 million and growing um because of the the cost for the program and the state and federal government not giving and if you watch the news it's all over the news big school districts in Southern California um that are having the same issues throughout
080the whole the whole state and that um we don't even get 10% of what we need from the government federal government and that and then we have to rely on the rest of our funds here from the state to pick up that gap as well. So like I mentioned this is an issue throughout the whole state of California. This is not a colton joint unified. >> Yes. Just wanted to see how it's affecting us as far as our overall budget. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions from the board? Okay, director Sabia and and assistant superintendent from thank you so much for your always providing us with the latest information. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> We are moving on now to action items 6.1 through 6.57. Are there any items that any board
081member would like to pull separately? Okay, we would like I would like to pull action items 6.2, 6.3, and 6.5 for separate consideration. I need a motion to approve items 6.1 through 6.57 with the exception of 6.2, 6.3, and 6.5. >> So move >> second, please. Okay, I have a motion uh by board member Ibara and second by board member Thoring O'Hada to approve action items 6.1 through 6.57 with the exception of 6.2, 6.3 and 6.5. All those in favor? >> I All those opposed. Okay, abstain. on motion by board board member Ibara and board member Thoring O'Hada and carried on a 70 vote. The board approves action items 6.1 through 6.57 [clears throat] with the exception of 62, 63, and 65. Okay. I need a motion to approve six action item 6.2. >> I'll
082move. >> I'll second it. >> Went this. Uh, and Miss Harold. >> Okay. I have a motion from board member Fuentes and second by board member Haro to approve action item 6.2. And we would like uh Joan, can you do a roll call vote for this one, please? >> Mr. Flores, >> yes. >> M. Noah. >> Mrs. Sandival? >> Yes. >> Mr. Fuentes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Barara? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Haro? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Flores? >> Yes. >> Okay. on motion by board member Fuentes and second and board member Haro and carried on a 70 vote. The board approved action item 6.2. Is there a motion to approve action item 6.3? >> Second by Mr. Fuentes. Okay. I have a motion by board member Haro and second by board member Fuentes to approve
083action item 6.3. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Okay. No abstensions. Uh you obstain. Oh, okay. That's right. This is Sandal on motion by board member Haro and board member Fuent Fuentes. With Miss Sandoval abstaining and carried on a 60 vote, the board approves action item 6.3. Okay, moving on to action item 6.5. Okay, I we need uh this is to accept the nominations for San Bernardino County School Board Association election. Um uh I would like need a motion to select the nominations for the San Bernardino County School Board Association election and um as as stated on the agenda. >> Okay. Do I have a motion? board me board president Bertha Flores. Since there is only one person running for each of the offices as presented, I will go
084ahead and make the motion that we uh appoint or approve the uh individuals as listed on the agenda item for the respective offices that they're running for since they're essentially running unopposed. So, I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. >> Okay. May I have a motion by board member Flores and second by board member Fuentes to accept the nominations as presented. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Okay. No abstensions. Okay. On motion of uh board member Flores and board member Fuentes and carried on a 70 vote, the board selected the nominations as presented. Okay, moving on to administrative reports. Would any board member like to comment on on the reports from 7.1 to 7.5? >> Okay. >> Actually, if you don't mind, President um and this is just a quick comment.
085There's a lot to dig into with respect to 7 point uh 7.2 2 and 7.3 hour Williams um reports. Um 7.2 obviously is an extensive report. Uh has a lot of detail in terms of uh things that were identified by the county. Uh some concerns. Uh there's a lot in here. Um it probably would be worth discussing I think in a future meeting a little bit of the details that were provide. Well, there's a lot of details. Um just wanted to make that note that uh this is a critically important role the county plays by helping ensure that all school sites in the county uh are adhering to the highest standards and I think that's the key here. We want the highest standards not bare minimum but the highest standards for all of our schools.
086So when we did see some deficiencies um a number of deficiencies I'm grateful that our staff responds very quickly u to those deficiencies. speaking more towards the facility side. Um, and again, we have schools that are relatively new and we have schools that are very old and so it's difficult to make sure that we're on top of all of that. But I did want to make a note that there are some um items in here that I think are worth discussing at a future meeting. I will um send some correspondence to the superintendent with some of the questions and concerns. Perhaps that can be answered in board correspondence and again maybe we can have a future conversation about that once we have a chance to dig into it because it's I think it's 60 pages
087plus. So there's a lot to to to get into. >> Okay. Well, thank you. >> Good points. Very good points. Um so we we'll be visiting these in a in a f in the future, right? >> Okay. All right. So now we have item 7.6. Six, there is no facilities update. Item 7.7, we have our Ace president Parach to present. Good evening, board president Flores, same last name. Board members, Superintendent Dr. Miranda from home, uh, um, interim superintendent Dr. Anthony Ortiz and members of the audience. My name is Christina Parachi and I have the honor to of serving a pres as president of Association of Colton Educator representing more than 1100 certificated education educators across CJUSD. As we approach the close of the year and the holiday season, I want to um to start by
088uh saying thank you. Thank you to the board and district staff educators for the work you have done over the past several months to maintain stability, plan responsibly, and keep students at the center of your decisions. Over the last six months, ACE has worked in partnership with the district to support students and educators in meaningful ways. Together we have addressed instructional expectations, expanded enrichment opportunities, supported arts uh leadership, straighten early college and CCAP pathways, address preschools class size, and ensure continued access to adult education and credit recovery. This efforts reflect a shared commitment to meeting students needs while respecting the professionals who serve them every day. We have also been intention Oh, okay. So it's not fault. [laughter] We have also been intentional about planning ahead, collaborating about early college, dual enrollment, and emojia and
089preparing for the changes coming with the 2027 dashboard so Colton students continue to have access to opportunity, support, and belonging. We appreciate the board continue focus on equitable facilities, measure BB investments, and long range planning. This decision matter deeply to our community and reflect care for both today's students and future generation. As we celebrate pro progress, it is also important to address school funding funding and provide some clarity. Proposition 55 plays a critical role in maintaining the programs and staffing our students rely on. For CJUSD, the loss of pro 55 funding would mean nearly 30 million annually. We do look at numbers. That scale of reduction will eventually impact class sizes, programs, and staffing. Recently, some may have heard discussion about pink slips. And I want to clarify where the conversation came from. During the
090ACERP council, we use a symbolic exercise to review budget projections and help educators understand the potential impact if Prop 55 is not extended. When we looked at the numbers, the reality was that roughly one in six educators position could be a risk over time. The purpose was not to alarm but to underscore why ad advoc advoc for stable funding. Mera Prop 55 does not raise taxes. It continues an existing voter approved funding source to uh support public education. Supporting its extension is about preserving the programs, staffing, and stability our community values. As educators, we believe in planning ahead, protecting students, and acting with care, values that align closely with the spirit of this season. I generally don't come to you with political uh propositions, but this one does matter. So tonight, ACE respectfully asked the
091board to consider taking a public supportive position on the extension of Prof 55, standing alongside educators, families, and students as we look forward toward a stable and hopeful uh future. As we close out this year, on behalf of the Association of Colton Educators, I want to wish the board, district leadership, staff, students, and family a merry Christmas, a joyful holiday season, and a happy new year filled with health, peace, and renew for 2026. Thank you for your time, your service, and your partnership. Good night. Thank you, Christina. Can we have CSEA President Guadama to present? Oh, we have a special guest. You're welcome here. [laughter] >> Good evening, board members. F member Flores. I'm sorry. Let me start this over. Hi, everyone. Good evening, board president Flores, board members, uh, superintendent Dr. Biranda, uh, interim
092superintendent Dr. Ortiz, um, the dwindling members of the audience, and all those listening at home. Um, my name is David Espinosa. I'm Sergeant-at-Arms for CSEA Chapter 244. I have the honor of speaking with you here tonight. Um, tonight CSEA and to piggyback off of what uh our uh ace uh sister uh Christina and Parach said, uh CSCA asks that uh the board consider also taking also asks that the board take a public supportive position on the extension of Prop 55. Standing alongside ACE, CSCA families, students, and the community as a whole as we look toward a stable and future. Um, I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy new year, thank all of our classified brothers and sisters who are out there, you know, doing their best for this
093district. And, uh, that's all I have. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, David. And yes, we are always very very grateful for all the work that that your members do for our kids and for our staff every day. Okay, moving on. We are going to back update. Happy holidays to you. RO O update. Uh board members, RO board members >> tomorrow. >> Okay. Very good. Superintendent communicate. I would like to invite assistant superintendent Dr. Ortiz. >> Thank you board president Flores. Uh it's pleasure to be present sup Dr. Miranda's superintendent's communique on his behalf. Uh David, you let him know that I was going to lie and say that everybody at the beginning was still here to hear his communicate. So I wanted him to feel better. Uh so it is a pleasure. Uh
094their uh educational services hosted the second of a three-part workshop series for families. Uh the workshops empower families with AI to learn about the new technology transforming education and daily life. participants discover what AI is, how to use it effectively, and how to empower their child to use it responsibly. Uh by the end of the series, families will feel confident using AI as a tool for learning and problem solving at home. We encourage all the families and students out there to participate in the next workshop uh and which will be held in March. And thank you for educational services for hosting these workshops. It was nice to see the families that attended the first session were there for the second and we had a few more families and it's amazing to see uh the students
095interact with their mom and dad as they uh learn about AI. Uh next up the make a child smile event. Uh the annual Make a Child Smile event took place on December 16th at the Walmart in Coloulton. Students from Malice Bernie, Kulie Ranch, Richie Canyon, Paul J. Rogers, and Wilson participated in the event. The Colton Fire Department treated the students to a $100 shopping spree. Special thanks to the Colton Fire Department and to administrative assistant Diane Gais who spearheaded the event and also to Santa Claus for making a surprise appearance and I think it was Santa Clauses was there and also to our executive board members. I think Dr. Peterson, Mr. from Dr. Dade and Joan Medina were there as well. Jamal, if you can please play the video for everyone. My favorite memory of
096the day is hanging out with the firefighters. >> Today we're volunteering help out the local schools with getting gifts for the holidays. >> We went shopping and I got lots of toys and stuff for everybody and myself. >> Nothing brightens our holidays more than making a child smile. This is one of our favorite events of the school year. We get to collaborate with the Cotton Fire Department, the Cotton Walmart, and the local Cotton McDonald's. This event really puts a smile on our children's faces, not only today, but for the rest of their lives. Awesome. Thank you. [applause] And on behalf of the board of education, executive cabinet, uh Dr. Midanda would like to take the opportunity to wish students, families, and staff a happy holidays. Thank you to all the staff for your dedication, compassion,
097and unwavering commitment for inspiring and education, educating students every day. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season filled with rest and appreciation. Thank you everyone. Thank you. >> And thank you Dr. Miranda for the message and Dr. Ortiz for the delivery. Okay, we have uh down to board member comments. Board member Sandival. I just want to say happy holidays. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of your home. Enjoy your kids. Enjoy your family. And we'll see you next year. >> [applause] >> Board member Ibara. >> Thank you, [clears throat] President Flores. Uh, I'd like to start off by uh suggesting that uh the board of education consider uh what our unions proposed to take a look at Prop 55 and uh see if we need to uh um support it by putting a resolution together or something.
098to that effect so that we could show our full support for our employees throughout the district and make sure that uh uh the message comes from this board that we're we're together. We're you know we're Colton so everything we we work together. So >> So I I want to I want to start off by saying that. Second, I just want to uh wish everyone a safe and peaceful Christmas. Enjoy your families. Enjoy the good food. Like I mentioned with Thanksgiving, watch those extra five pounds. You know, I think I'm still working on the Thanksgiving ones. So, trying to get down so I can be ready for Christmas. Everybody have a wonderful uh New Year's and enjoy that and look forward to our 2026. It was funny the other day. Somebody was asking me about next
099year and for some reason I couldn't spit out the word 2026 because it was not registering in my head. 2026, you know, it just doesn't seem possible. But there it is. It's here. And uh just hopefully everybody will have a wonderful time off. We all deserve it. And we'll see you next year. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member Ibara. Board member Haro. >> Well, I had wrote something out very eloquent to to read to you, but I left my glasses at home. So, if you've seen me like this, so I'm making the screen really big to see our agenda. So, I apologize for that. But the first thing I want to say is we have two principles here tonight who are celebrating their birthday and they're spending it with us. So, um, happy birthday
100to Angela Chavez and happy birthday to Cynthia Bivven. So, I just wanted to wish them a happy birthday. And then, um, I just wanted to, uh, really quick, uh, the 28th annual uh, you spoke about it, the 28th annual Make a Child Smile event. Um, it would have been 31, but we had those three years that we don't talk about of COVID. So, but 28 years And um I want to uh sincerely thank um Diane Kais for everything she does to put this together. It's amazing. She's running around with her clipboard and making sure kids are where they need to be and not where they're not supposed to be and just getting everybody together. And um this year's event was especially touching because uh we had uh sometimes the parents will come and meet the
101kids and help them pick out what size clothes they need and stuff. And we had a parent show up who 18 years ago was a recipient of the Make a Child Smile event. So the event has come full circle where we now have uh students of former students who are enjoying this wonderful uh event. Um there was one little girl you couldn't help but tear up seeing some of these stories at these kids. We had um one set of kids who they lost their mother um a couple of weeks ago and they were there uh their sisters and um the uh the police. I apologize. The firemen were just extraordinary with these these two young ladies. They were extraordinary with all the kids, but especially these two young ladies. And um it's just always such
102an amazing event to attend and watch these kids who they we know already that they're already going through a lot. That's why they were chosen. And to see how they don't think of themselves, they think of their families. I want to get this for my mom. I want to get this for my brother. I want to get this for my baby sister. And I'm like, "Well, what about you?" And they're like, "Well, I want to take care of my family." And it's just very heartwarming to be a part of this every year. It's my favorite event of the year. See, I'm going to cry again. Um, and I cry at it every year with these kids. And um I just I would like to um uh see if we could send I apologize. I wrote
103his name down, but I can't read it. um uh uh the uh fire department uh I'm sorry, the fire department uh head who who uh runs it. And the reason I would like to see if we could send something on behalf of the board and CJUSD to him uh a card or something to thank him is because this is his last year of doing it and he had someone there that he was training for the next 31 years. So um I just want want I think it's important that we tell them how much this event has meant to the students of CJUSD on behalf of the board. So and to all of you um I wish you many blessings in the new year. I wish you a very merry Christmas. Spend it with those you
104love. Enjoy that time off. It's very welld deserved. I know you were barely making it to that last that last couple of days, but you did and you deserve the time off and with your family. So, God bless each and every one of you and we'll see you in January. >> Board member Fuentes. >> Thank you, board president. I think the event on Tuesday, Make a Child Smile, was an awesome event. I was speaking to Santa earlier and uh he was sharing with me about a student that was there that even that morning actually little Ezekiel. I forgot what school he was from. And uh Santa was telling me that he saw him from the time he came in. He was kind of down, you know, little little guy. And one of the firemen took
105him in, got him something, you know, they they did some their shopping. They came back out and Santa just saw him there. He didn't want any snacks. He didn't want cupcakes. I mean, they had a spread of things according to Santa. They had cookies. I mean, you name it. They had all the nutrition nutritional stuff that uh we will not have in any of the schools. I can tell you that right now. But they had all this great stuff for the kids. And Ezekiel didn't want anything. And Santa calls Ezekiel and has him come over. And he starts talking to Ezekiel and says, "You know what's going on, Ezekiel? Don't you want any cupcakes? anything like that. And he's like, "No." And then Santa says, "You know, Santa is not happy because you're not having
106some cupcakes and stuff. You want to make Santa happy?" And little Ezekiel went out and grabbed some cupcakes, got some snacks, got a goodie bag, and then this young man just turned around. He was having a good time. And that's it's what it's all about. making these kids, like it says, make a child smile. And Santa was telling me there was a lot of conversations going on with Santa. They were asking about Mrs. Claus. They were asking about how many reindeer, what the reindeer eat, all of this stuff. But, you know, the the thing is making these kids feel like they're loved and they mean something. Especially the young ladies that had just lost their mom. They were having a great time. And the key to our success, the key to what we do as
107educators is always to give the child that love because we want our kids to smile daily. We want our kids to go home and feel like they're wanted. You know, there's a lot of kids in the neighborhoods that sometimes don't have that opportunity. They don't have the opportunity to go out and do some shopping. Like uh Miss Harl said, some of these kids were shopping for their brothers and sisters. They weren't even thinking about themselves. I want to get these socks. I want to get this toy for my brother. I want to get these shoes for my sister. I want to get this for my mom. And that's what it's all about. Our students, our students, our students on a daily basis. There's a story that they have. And Santa was so happy to see
108them and uh have the opportunity to be there with I think it was o over 40 40 kids. Wasn't that Miss Har? Maybe over 40 kids or so. >> 50 kids. There was 50 kids there. So it was it was nice to be there. It was great to be there. And uh and Santa was very happy to see all these kids. And this coming Monday, we will be with the Colton Police Department to do the shop with the cop there at Walmart. So Santa was telling me that he's going to be part of that and he's going to go out actually go out to Arrowhead Medical and visit the maternity ward and visit the uh children's ward out there and give out toys and stuff to the kids out there because even those kids, those
109kids in that hospital, they're our students. Those families that are there, they're our families in our communities. And so we want to make sure that these students have a great Christmas, have a great holiday, have a great new year. Another event that I had the opportunity to attend was Ruth O'H Harris Middle School. Joe Baka, supervisor Joe Baka Jr. brought the In-N-Out truck and some resources out there for the kids. They had the opportunity to eat some In-N-Out. So, so did I. But, you know, what can I say? It was fun to see these kids enjoy the time, enjoy the resource fair that they had for them. There was a lot of great information. Uh we had people from the county from uh probation office. We had people from Tomorrow's Leaders Foundation was there. We
110had a lot of great great people there that were giving these students opportunities uh talking to them about opportunities uh when they start to work and stuff like that, going to school, all of that. Plus, uh Supervisor Joe Baka brought the in-n-out truck and they had a great lunch. So, I want to thank Supervisor Joe Baka and I want to thank the principal Lori Lori that's out there working hard for our students out at Ruth O'Haris out of Bloomington. Thank you so much for what you do every day along your side, your team and all of that. And that's all I have this evening. I want everyone to have a great holiday. Enjoy your Christmas. Hug your family. You know, do what you can. This is the time where we want to just make that
111time for our family. We just want to get together and be there with our family. And I know Christina is taking time right now. I'm probably passed over my three minutes. So, yeah, she's smiling. No, I'm just kidding. Enjoy your holiday everyone. Enjoy. Enjoy and happy new year. We'll see you next year. God bless. >> Board member Dan Flores. >> No comment tonight. Just want to wish everybody happy holidays. >> Board member Thoring O'Hada. I too want to thank everyone. Um I want to thank all of our staff for the difference they make for our kids each and every day. It's it it's probably the most wonderful job in the world in working with our kids. And no matter what department you work in, you're making a difference. And that is so important because our
112kids feel like they're cared for. Um hopefully they're all learning what they're supposed to. Um, but you're giving them a sense of a for many of our children, you're giving them a sense of warmth and um, acceptance that they don't always get everywhere. And I do appreciate that. So important. If you think back to your days at school, I bet many of you can remember the people who have made a difference for you, your teachers, the custodian, any all the kids in the school. um they recognize and remember and um it's it's a pretty wonderful thing when you think back to how many people influenced you and your future um made them feel important and I want you to go home and enjoy vacation, forget about school for a while and love your family and
113have a wonderful holiday season. Thank you. >> Thank you. And with that, merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. We are now adjourning into close session. Then board is back from close session. We have uh 11.1 conference with real property negotiator government code section 54956.8 one case the board uh conferred with and provided direction to its real property negotiators. 11.2 two, we have a student discipline, two student disciplines items that were presented in close session. Is there a motion to uphold the expulsion orders as presented? >> So move, Mr. Fuentes. Okay. Is there a second? Okay. Miss Denise Sandival. Okay. I have a uh board I have a motion by board member Fuentes and a second by board member Sandival to uphold the expulsion orders as presented. All in favor say I.
114>> Opposed. Okay. No abstensions. Okay. So on on motion of uh board member Fuentes and board member Sandoval and carried on a 70 vote. The board voted to uphold the expulsion orders of two students as presented. Student numbers are 1070816 and 10781 85. Okay. Item 11.3 appointment discipline dismissal release uh public employees on a motion by board member Flores and second by board member uh Fuentes. The board approved the following the uh the certificated regular staff teacher two classified management one one security officer classified coaches five and volunteer coaches three volunteers uh 41 one classroom observation and one Oh. Um, Dan Flores and volunteers 41, classroom observation one and general 40. Item 11.4. In close session, the board took action to grant an an unpaid leave of absence to EIN number 13517 on mo motion
115by board member Ibara and second by board member Fuentes. The bo vote was 70. Okay, I believe that is it. I think we are ready to go on vacation. Everybody, we wish everyone a very merry Christmas and enjoy your family and stay Safe.