001All right. I am now. All right. Hello. We're recording. Okay. Uh I'm calling the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. This is the general session. Um for the meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. Um do we have any public comments for our closed session? Is it working? >> Comments. >> Uh with that we will resume to or go into close session now at 501. >> All right. Welcome everyone. We will reconvene to P Okay, better. Okay, welcome everyone. Uh we are reconvening to clo uh to public session at 6:06 p.m. Um so welcome to the uh Sequoia Yun High School District regular board meeting on March 18, 2026. Uh just wanted to start uh that members of the public who wish to remotely provide comment during the meeting use the raise hand feature during the
002agenda item and speakers must raise their hand during agenda item 8.1, the public comment portion of the meeting in order to comment on topics not included on the approved agenda. To speak about an item on the agenda in person, please fill out a speaker card. indicate the agenda item and hand the car card to Laura at the dis. When the requested agenda item comes before the board, the speaker will be called forward. With that, we'll move to roll call. >> Student trustee >> present. Student trustee >> is absent. Uh >> here. >> Trusty Thompson >> here. >> Trusty G >> here. >> Um and with that, the next agenda item is the approval of the agenda. May I have a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Okay. Um
003and then next we have report out on closed session. Um there is nothing to report out from closed session. Uh and then item seven is special recognitions and I will let uh Superintendent Leech lead the recognition. >> Thank you. This evening, we would like to recognize Tide Academy senior Jesus Tave for his achievement as Peninsula Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year representative. Please join me in welcoming Principal Simone RKO to the podium to share more about Jesus's outstanding work. Uh oh, can you hear me? Okay. Good evening, Superintendent Leech and board of trustees. I'm very proud this evening. Uh, Jesus, can I invite you up here to stand next to me? Um, uh, I'm very proud this evening to recognize, uh, Tide senior Jesus Chavez, who was named the Peninsula Boys and Girls
004Club Youth of the Year representative. On January 30th, Jesus took the stage at two competitions uh both at the Redwood City Clubhouse event where he emerged as a wild card and the regional peninsula event. Jesus shared his story with confidence and purpose with some real life obstacles and how he overcame them. His pure potential was seen and heard at Tide because I got to tell you about what he does at Tide. uh Jesus has shown in the community. In addition to his focus on computer science courses, he has engaged with internships including the Meta Summer Academy where he focused in game development and learning how to how a corporate environment works. Uh and at Cloudera where heworked with professionals in the workforce and made pitches to investors to buy their product. Furthermore, he worked at
005the Boys and Girls Club front desk, helped with web design and in their music studio and with marketing materials. And he also worked in our Tide or works currently in our Tide cafeteria assisting our food service manager during lunch. Jesus is also our student body president. He's led the student body with empathy and understanding, is focused on community, and has great ideas. Ms. Chillin, our BSU adviser, says he stepped into a leadership role, even becoming BSU president with the true understanding of allyship, and that's impact. Jesus is also one of the first students who will complete three years of journalism and was the cover design artist for our first Tide Takeoff magazine. He's taken advantage of all Tide has to offer with dual enrollment and in computer science, Spanish, history, and English. In my estimation,
006there's no doubt Jesus will excel as he pursues career goals in technology and finance. >> Maybe it's going to change, but I think I got that right. Yeah. >> Okay. We wish him the best at the National Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year competition next week. And regardless of the outcome, we look forward to his future success. So, please join me in congratulating Jesus. All right, congratulations again, Jesus, and best of luck in the next level of competition. All right. And with that, we move to uh agenda item 8.1, which is public comment. And as a reminder about our board protocols, uh the board does not act upon any matter that has not been agendaized except under limited circumstances as permitted by law. It is the policy of the board to refer matters
007raised in this forum to staff for investigation and/or action where appropriate. Board policy ordinarily limits the time to be devoted to any single agenda topic to 10 minutes and individual speakers are ordinarily limited to three minutes. If the board decides to expand the amount of time to be allocated to a particular agenda item because many speakers wish to address that item, the board may reduce the time allocated to individual speakers to two minutes or to one minute as appropriate. In order to permit more speakers to comment, the board will announce the amount of time to be allocated to each speaker before public comment on each particular agenda item. We ask all speakers to keep within the time limits. Are there any public comments? >> I have uh three in person for item 8.1. Are there
008any online? Please raise your hand now. which okay I have four comment cards in person and are there any online? There are none online. So four total. Okay. So we can do three minutes. Okay, there uh you'll have three minutes. Our first speaker is Viviana. All right. Good evening board members, cabinet and community. My name is Vidiana Luna Sanchez and I am the proud bilingual parent leaison at East Palo Alto Academy. I am here today to extend a heartfelt invitation to each of you. Come visit our school. Please um our beautiful is not our school is not only beautiful but please come and walk our halls, step into our classrooms and both most importantly take the time to truly get to know our community. What you will find is something powerful and deeply inspiring just
009as you witnessed when our leadership teacher and students uh were recognized at one of your past board meetings. This year marks an important milestone for us. We proudly establish our very first parent leadership team. an active engaged group of parents who are stepping into leadership, raising their voices and partnering with us in meaningful and transformative ways. Today we had the opportunity to take this group of visit uh this group to visit Kenyana College where they explored pathways so were their long-term goals and educational aspirations. Um for many it was more than a visit. It was the beginning of a new vision for their future. They left inspired by the opportunities available to them and empowered to continue their journeys. While our team is currently small, just eight members, we are strong, committed, and growing. East
010Palo Alto Academy is a united school, our strength less our strength lies in the relationships we've built with our students, our families, and our staff. We show up for one another. We advocate for what our students and families deserve. And while we always lead the with collaboration and respect, we are also prepared to stand firm and advocate with purpose when it comes to protecting and uplifting our community. We look forward to increasing enrollment and inviting new community members to join us. We have cultivated deep and meaningful partnerships in community members and organizations both within and beyond our city. These partnerships allows us to bridge gaps, expand opportunities, and strengthen the foundation of our school community. Our parent leadership team works handinand with our principal, Dr. Sabrina Silverman, whose leadership continues to guide and support our
011shared vision of a thriving, inclusive school. Together, we are aligned in our mission to support our students, empower our staff, and and uplift our entire community. So once again, I invite you. We will continue to invite you to campus and hope you can attend in support of our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Gracela. Um, so much Foreest Um, Um, I need a little help here. Can you assist me? Yeah. Okay. You will interpret that. We're chatting and pal academy. >> My name is Gela Gah. I am a mother of 11 year olds. Academy. >> I'm part of the uh the PA Alta community. the Pala Alto School, the Alers, the um leaders of the parents. Let me try my English. >> Hi, my name is Gel. I'm a mom for
01211 grade child and I'm feel so proud about this school because we love the community. We enjoy the community. how teachers and every person that work at school help our sons and take care our sons. We love this community because um we try to be the best for for the um students and help when they need uh or the grades are hard for them math English and they say we need help. We try to look for each person that they can help to the students. And I invite you to visit our school and share our nice community and the love that we have for everybody at the school. when we had uh the events like Larasa or um um another thing that that another thing that I enjoy is that they start give it at
013words to the students and this this kind of thing um improve the students to to say oh my god I need to study hard because I really really want to pass in front and take uh recognize and at war, you know, and I talk with my son and I say, uh, we we enjoy when you go in front and receive and at war because you have a good grace. We love that. And I invite you everybody to uh came to our school to visit us and enjoy the community and enjoy uh the students. You are welcome when you want to go. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening members of the board of directors. I am Mrs. Carla Fakundo, mother of three wonderful sons. The oldest one is Santiago is three years old and
014graduate from um from Princeton University where he majored sociology and Latino studies. Moses, my second one is 26 years old and he was graduate from uh Kenyatta College. He learned he got a degree in child development and he was transferred to Melo College where he graduate last year with a degree in psychology. As you can imagine, it was extremely important for me to find a good high school for my youngest son, Mateo Abendano Fakundo, 16 years old. He is in 10th grade a student at EPA is Palo Alto Academy. I am a parent leader in my community and I'm um and a member of a wonderful um I'm sorry I confused um in my community and a member of a wonderful mother's group that we formed with the help with the help of a truly
015wonderful person Birana Sanchez to support our school and our students. We also maintain a very close uh working relationship with our principal Sabrina Silverman and our busy principal Veronica Pingney. I would like to take this moment to and say thank you to to this we who were able to join us on February 25th for our student recognization ceremony of those who were unable to attend. I ask to please take the time to visit to our school. Get to know us as community and see firsthand how important the leading environment is to our students. I serve as our school representative and I attend the DAC meetings because I enjoy and learn how resources are to each school which identify ways that we as a part Our last uh speaker is Johanna Mahal. Not going to bend
016down. I'm going to stand straight up today. Um, my name is Johanna Mahal and I'm a resident of San Mo County and a resident of this school district. Um, first of all, I would love to congratulate Jesus Chavez, who is a prime example of what a student can do at Tide Academy, the very school that you all five voted to close. Second of all, I'm going to tell you right now, East PaloAlto Academy, it breaks my heart to hear you beg and ask them to come visit because we did the same thing and they closed our school, many of them, without ever setting foot on it. See, the problem is with this board of trustees is we're on the wrong side of 101. And that is the problem right there. So, I wanted to go
017on record that I will enjoy the recall of you, all of you. Yes, Dr. Cuz you weren't here last time, but I'll enjoy the recall of you as well. And uh replacing you on this board. Maybe I'll sit in one of those seats. Actually, that could be mine right there. That's the district or area that I live in. And Superintendent Leech with the last and latest litigation. Just go ahead and resign. Give Give us what Palo Alto School District got. Just give it up. >> Thank you. That concludes um public comments for 8.1. >> All right. Appreciate uh everyone sharing your public comment. Um and I think uh was that our official translation or >> Okay. Okay. Let's see the next excuse me. We are having a board meeting and your public comment time is
018over. Thank you. Um so the next agenda item is board of trustees correspondence. Um there was no correspondence between the last meeting and today. Um the next agenda item is board of trustees superintendent comments and committee reports. Do any of my fellow trustees have any updates that you want to share? Okay. >> Um just wanted um an opportunity to share out how much joy um Superintendent Leech and I saw at Sequoia the other day. Um so Superintendent Leech and I went over to Sequoia during their lunchtime and they were having I believe their finals of their their putt put golf that they had taken over. Um and to see just the the kiddos out there having a blast. Um they've got purple jackets for the winners at the end. Um it was really really nice
019to see students outside enjoying just the community, each other, the weather. It was it was a good time. So I I do I I highly encourage the um the impromptu I say that was with the superintendent um visits of our schools because it it reminds us how much joy is is really there. Yeah. All right. Uh, and for myself, uh, no major updates. I just wanted to, uh, have everyone remember that this is the time where seniors are getting all of their acceptances, including my own son. So, there's a lot of emotions, let them down, and, um, be kind to the seniors right now. Uh, and celebrate with them and also hug them. So, and thank you to all the staff who are supporting our students. Yep. Okay. I forgot that we we did meander.
020We we may have some correspondence enter in a future where we there was a scorecard kept. Um so we'll have to share that. I'm sure there's some pictures rolling around. So it was very enjoyable. Um our district-wide staff PD day was on Monday hosted by Sequoia High School um at their campus. It was full of energy and absolutely brought me joy as I watched our staff participate in the celebration of learning growth and community together. We have the privilege of being able to do that twice a year. Um and so it's one of the very many things that makes our district very special. So, both certificated and classified staff from across the district came together for a full day of sessions aligned with our five district-wide goals, including both workshops and hands-on collaboration with every
021session reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement and student success. Um, our incredible Sequoia leadership students um kind of led most of the lunchtime activities um including karaoke. um some of our teachers should just keep teaching um and remind us of the importance um of building um community and it was also I think this was the first time we actually closed the district office and so all employees were there including all classified and we continued to build the offerings that we have for classified. Um, our public information officer, uh, Naomi Hunter attended the annual California School Public Relations Association, also known as Kelpa conference in San Jose. Um, she presented um, two presentations along with partners in other districts representing um, our district and then also was there uh, for recognition and acceptance of two awards
022that our district was awarded. the launch of our new monthly newsletter for employees, the staff room. Thank you so much for making my vision come to life on that. And then the revamp of our external newsletter uh which is distributed to um over 22,000 parents, staff, and community members. Uh last week I met with both our student advisory committee. So proud of them and the work that they are uh doing around the PSAT and the SAT. um and our parent advisory council both sessions. Assistant superintendent Dr. Shone presented an update on the LCAP and invited students and parents to ask questions and provide feedback because we are currently in that cycle uh for gathering LCAP feedback. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Superintendent Leech. Um no committee reports, right? I don't think. Okay. And then
023so next is item 11, student trustee comments. Yes, thank you. Hello, my name is Sweet Creaty. I am a student trustee from Carlmont High School. And kind of going off what Superintendent Leech said, this week we did discuss some updates for our project, which is to conduct an equitable PSAT and SAT test prep initiative where students in SAC, our representative group, are compiling databases of free test prep resources, trying to network and work with our school counselors to ensure that students have enough information to determine if they want to test, what type tests that they're taking and key information like how they can register for accommodations and financial aid to make sure the exam is as equitable as possible. Um, currently we are working on a survey to gauge student interest in support on what
024the students really want to see from us and what the students really need in terms of test prep resources which we hope can go out in the newsletter. And additionally, as the superintendent said, we were very fortunate to be able to be given the LCAP presentation by Dr. Shakone. Um, we were able to better understand the district strategic goals to help distinct student populations on a variety of metrics. And this was incredibly valuable because we as students were able to discuss ideas and potential solutions to address some of these issues based on our experience at various different school sites. Um, what was also helpful is that we were told all the slides are on the district website. So, community members at large and SAC members were definitely encouraged to go on the website and fill
025out the community input form where they can learn more about the LCAP goals and provide any feedback testing. Okay. Um, hi, I'm Sophia. I am a student trustee from Menlo Athetherton High School. Um, this is related to campus safety at Menlo Athetherton. Um, recently it's been brought to my attention that campus safety at MA uh might be at an uncertain state due to a recent safety incident um that happened last Wednesday, March 11th, involving a student possession of a firearm. Um, there was a recent finding of a firearm in a student athletic locker. Um however no lockdown procedure was initiated as apparently the weapon was considered like not a threat. Um students have shown concerned about like the lack of communication due to like the principal um only communicated through email to parents and not
026the students. So students weren't informed. Um this has caused fear and uncertainty among the students of Melo Athetherton. Um similar events uh include um last year in September there was a gun threat by a student and in November and December two students were arrested for possessing a firearm. Um there is a connection um like affiliate event at Sequoia High School. Um there was a bomb threat during the ice walk out um and this put the campus into lockdown. And ultimately, I believe that we should consider enforcing like a stricter security system and expand the communication to ensure the safety of students and staffs at all schools. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you student trustees for your comments and um we appreciate you taking that time to share with us your feedback and and working
027with fellow students as well. Um and then item number 12 uh comments from Sequoia District Teachers Association. All right, we are we are just past halfway through um March. Um as many people in this room call it, the the the many years of March. Um it's it's a rough time for teachers. I know that because I I thought I look pretty good today. I stopped to get a bagel and I got my first unsolicited senior discount. When I talked to my son about it, I tried to like cover for it, saying, "Well, I was I was like counting out ones and maybe he thought I was going to come up short and my son said, "So, is it better that he thought you were broke?" I don't know. Um I want to say that um
028Monday's PD day um was a great opportunity as a longtime SEO uh teacher to show off our beautiful campus in incredible sunshine and the PD offerings through this district are one of the things that really set us apart for employees that we have such a vibrant PD department and For so many years we have offered this um um alleart PD offering. I do hope that we can find new and better ways to engage with people about what they want to learn about and um and how we can incorporate that into the PD schedule. Um teachers like we said especially in March are overwhelmed and some of them look at the offerings and are not inspired enough to look away from the pile of papers that they need to grade the three months of train of
029planning they have yet to do and they opt to take a personal day to get that work done and miss out on professional development. but there wasn't anything that grabbed their attention enough for them to be there. And so I hope that we can work on that on even more and even better um opportunities um to work together. Um and I'll see you later in the agenda. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Sal. >> Is there a comment? >> Oh, okay. And then uh next is there anyone from American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees? It doesn't doesn't look like it. Okay. Um so next is item 13, approval of the consent agenda. So uh board action to approve the following items is taken simultaneously with one motion, which is not debatable and requires a
030unanimous roll call for passage. The action indicated on each item is deemed to have been considered in full and action taken as worded therein. Only members of the board and the superintendent may remove items from the consent agenda. Members of the public may provide comments at the start of the consent agenda item which may convince a board member or the superintendent to remove an item for further discussion. Um the motion would then to be wave the reading of the consent agenda, accept the reports and adopt the resolutions and approve other items. Uh first, are there any public comments? I have none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand now. >> I see none online. >> Okay. >> Can we get a motion? Motion to approve consent agenda. >> Second. >> Okay. And
031this is a roll call vote. Student trustee. >> Yes. >> Student trustee. >> Yes. >> Trusty Cruz. >> Yes. >> Trustee Thompson. >> Yes. >> Vice President G. >> Yes. >> President Co. >> Yes. Motion carries. For Zo with one absent. Trustee Nory. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh next is section 14 is our information items and the first agenda item is 14.1 Tide Academy transition update. >> Oh yes. Uh are there any public comments? Looks like we may have two. >> Are there any online? Please raise your hand now. Oh, I think are they filling out cards for this agenda item? >> I see none online. >> Okay. Okay. So, with two then uh it'll be three minutes per comment. Okay. Our first speaker is Johanna Mahal. I would just like to um make a
032comment about the progression of your motion to move uh tied to Woodside. Um, as a parent in the district, um, the selection of choice was, just so that you know what my personal experience was, was not a choice of tied at Woodside, it was Woodside with no description of what tied at Woodside would actually look like. So, that's what all of us faced on the deadline. Um, I know that the numbers are going to get shared out, but um, everybody's going in different directions because nothing was really clear or given to us. Um, and now I'm in the process of as a parent also requesting that the district re-evaluate my son um, and look at moving him into an IEP as a result of the anxiety, stress, and failure that he's having now even in
033a small school. Um, so just a little parent feedback, the transition, whatever it is that you're going to talk about or share, and I don't think it's any fault of uh, Principal Kennel or Principal Van Putin. Um, I think it's the fault of the fact that you made a decision on February 4th and the follow-through on that decision has been very poorly exeiccuted and you have essentially destroyed TIDE as an academy and a cohort. So, the kids are not sticking together. Nobody everybody is confused about what they should do or how they should do it and how they should move next. So, congratulations if that's what you had intended to do. you've ruined, you know, the lives of 200 kids. Thank you. >> And yeah, and all the future ones that wanted to come to
034Tide, the future Jesus's that would be winning awards. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Mary Jane Leonard. >> Good evening, trustees. If your child's school closed and you needed to choose a new one, how would you make that decision? What would you want to know? Programming would probably be number one, right? If a school everyone told you was the best option answered your questions about courses and programs that are important to you with we'll see and we don't know yet, would you choose that school? What if that school of interest was across the peninsula from where you live or where the child goes to school now? Transportation would probably be your next consideration. What if the people in charge of transportation said, "We'll have to see. It depends." Would you choose that school? I
035think most of you would answer no. Trustees, you should know that these are the exact answers that Tide families and you received about the plan for the Tide program at Woodside before the March deadline to transfer. You're about to hear that most Tide families chose to transfer to Menllo Athetherton. You shouldn't be surprised given what I just told you. Trustees, this is the kind of leadership that you are allowing. That is to say, a total lack of leadership. A student- centered process to take care of TIDE students and families would look like a concrete plan from the superintendent with clear intentions, details about transportation, and a staff member as a point person for the process who can answer questions directly and in a timely manner, and is not a principal leading day-to-day operations of a
036school. Thanks to the California Public Records Act, I've been reading your emails from this fall regarding Tide. Well, I've been reading some of them. Despite our request on November 19th, we still haven't received most of the documents we requested. We get a batch from your attorney's office about once a month with a promise for more in another month. I guess you can get public information about a public body if you wait long enough. It really seems like you have something to hide. Maybe we'll know the whole story after June 30th, after tide is closed. >> Thank you. That concludes public comments. >> I would like to invite uh Naomi Hunter to provide the update of Tide Academy. >> Okay. I'm going to just share some information of things that occurred since the last meeting um
037between the end of February and March 6th. Um, there were tide student shadow days that took place at Sequoia High School, at Memo Athetherton, at East PaloAlto Academy, at Woodside, at Carlmont, and to Middle College. There were um numerous reminders that went out about the March 9th enrollment deadline, both from the district as well as from Tide in their newsletter. Um, additionally, the week prior to the March 9th deadline, our student services department did um individual targeted outreach to families that had not yet um filled out their enrollment forms. And so now I will share with you the final numbers um of the selected schools, 187 students total, and this includes rising nth graders who chose Tide. Um out of the 187, four um selected Carl Carlmont. Um 12 um selected East PaloAlto Academy, 84
038selected Menllo Athetherton High School, 41 selected Sequoia High School, and 46 selected Woodside High. In addition to the enrollment, the TIE transition team internally did hold several meetings over the last few weeks um related to the planning and trans transition. >> Thank you. And so then now with the numbers um what are the next steps after because then we're sorting out the um just our letters will go out early next week for confirmation and then the reach out regarding the 504s and the IEP meetings. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other questions? Okay. All right. Um, so next up is item 14.2, uh, presentation of the Sequoia District Teachers Association initial bargaining proposal to the Sequoia Union High School District for the 2026 2027 school year. Are there any public comments? I have one in
039person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand now. I see no hands on line. >> Okay. >> So, uh, three minutes. >> Three minutes. Yes. >> Uh, Edith Salvatore said, "I'd see you later." Um, we are excited to sunshine our reopeners for this year. We are reopening uh on salary and uh two areas, CA class size and wages. and we look forward to productive meetings with the district starting bright and early tomorrow morning. Thank you very much. >> But that was that was Ed Edith was the public comment. >> They had the sunshine. >> Yeah, that was the sunshine. Yeah. Okay. Um and then >> okay. Um the next agenda item is 14.3 uh presentation of the Sequoia Union High School District uh Sunshine negotiation reopener proposal to SDTA for the 2627 school year.
040Are there any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. >> I see one. >> Okay. >> The only group possibly as excited as the SDTA negotiation team about tomorrow's bright and early beginning of negotiations is the district's team. So for our reopeners, we will be bringing uh um leaves and hours. Leaves and hours are our two topic areas for this year. Um along of course with salary. So let's do this. >> All right. Thank you. Uh next agenda item is 14.4 Four, presentation of ASKME local 829 office technical and paraprofessional bargaining unit and maintenance and operations bargaining unit 2627 initial bargaining proposal to this Koi Yun High School District. Any public comments? Not in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. >> Oh, okay.
041Okay, Kevin is >> uh trying to figure out how to raise >> I see no public comments. All right. >> And he's presenting. Yes. >> Okay, great. >> Kevin, go ahead, Kevin. Yeah. Uh we are uh sunshining uh hours in employment, transfers, health and welfare, leaves, valuation procedures, safety, grievance procedures, discipline procedures, layoffs, wages, holidays and vacations, bus drivers, reclassification, completion of agreement, and term of agreement class specifications. >> Thank you, Kevin. All right. And next we have item 14.5, presentation of the Sequoia Union High School District initial sunshine proposal for the 2627 negotiations with ASME um local 829 supervisors bargaining unit. Any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. There are none online. Okay. No, no presentation on this one. Okay. Um All right. Then
042item 14.6 is presentation of the Sequoia Yun High School District initial sunshine proposal for the 2627 negotiations with ASME. Any public comments? There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. All right. >> I would like to thank Mr. Williams, representative for ASME, M and OTMP, for doing all the heavy lifting and listing off all the articles that are being reopened. We are doing the same. This is also true of ASME supervisors and of the district's team, but maybe I was supposed to wait to say that in a minute. Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Then item 14.7, I think this might be the part two you were referring to. Presentation of ASME local 829 supervisors 2627 initial bargaining proposal to the Sequoia Ying High School District.
043Any public comments? There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. We look forward to beginning our negotiations with ASME supervisors. We too are opening all articles. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Now we're moving on to our discussion items. Section 15. The first one is 15.1 discussion of the Sonteo County Community College District 2 by two meetings. Are there any public comments? There are none in person. If there's any online, please raise your hand now. There are none online. Okay. Um so in collaboration and trusty can speak a little bit more to this. uh Sanonteo Community College District uh one of their trustees has reached out and is interested and um had heard of us having uh 2 by twos uh with fellow districts and
044um there is a lot of shared interest there's a lot of shared partnership and so I wanted to bring um this advisory committee um to to the board to see if there's any volunteers I would need two trustees um I would say we would need at least once a year, maybe twice a year, very similar to how we meet with our other 2 by twos and some of our 2x2 x2s. Trusty Kim, would you like to add anything? >> Well, I'll say that I volunteer and then it was me who the trustee reached out to ask about having and I brought it to Crystal who thought the right approach would be to do exactly this discussion now to see there are any objections to the 2 by 2 and if there are other people interested
045in joining, we can have two of us can do it. >> Yeah, I'm interested in joining for the community college. >> Yeah. that I mean I was I was going to volunteer as tribute if no one else did, but I'm more than happy that that came out like negative, but it's not. It wasn't supposed to be, but I'm more than happy to uh to have Dr. Cruz. >> Okay. >> And then was were you? >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I'm good with that. >> So, moving forward, Trusty Gan and Trusty Dr. Cruz. Okay. Thank you. >> And how often are you expecting this committee to be meeting? I maybe two times a year. >> Two times a year. >> I would I think we're going to try to squeeze in a meeting before the end of
046uh the end of the school year >> and it can not sure if it's going to be in person or via Zoom, but we'll work around everyone's schedule. >> Okay. All right. That's good. A new 2 by two to add to our list. Okay. So action item six uh section 16 is action items. So the first one is 16.1. This is the second reading and adoption of board policy and administrative regulation 1445 response to immigration enforcement and deletion of board policy administrative regulation 5145.13 uh which was response to immigration enforcement. This is um presented by the human resources and student services department. Any public comments? We have one in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. >> I see none online. So that's three minutes. Yeah. >> Our first our speaker is Edith
047Salvatore. >> All right. Um, I just really want to thank the board members for um in uh giving us the space to have more discussion about this and come to an agreement. I think the language that you have before you really shows the um district's um values while also reflecting the concerns and and protections that uh were spoken to last meeting. So, I really appreciate the time that Associate Superintendent Hansen took and that all of you uh trustees gave to us to come to an agreement on this. Thank you. >> I move approval of item 161. >> Seconded. Oh. >> Oh, sorry. My u mic was not on. So, no no no questions. Um okay, great. Um I guess this is Is this a Yeah, just uh it's a roll call or No, it's not
048a roll call, right? Because for bar policy, is that roll call? I Oh, we did. Okay, we can do a roll call vote. >> Sorry, but so I I heard Rich or Trusty Gin moved >> one and two. >> Okay. Um, student trustee Rottenham, >> yes. >> Student trustee Million, >> yes. >> Trusty Cruz, >> yes. >> Trustee Thompson, >> yes. >> Vice President Gint, >> yes. >> President Coup, >> yes. Motion carries 4 Z with one absent. Uh, trustee Nory. >> All right. Appreciate the uh, collaboration um, and coming up with improved language. So, >> all right. So, next uh, action item is 16.2 approval of the 2526 second interim report. Any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. online. >> Okay, thank you. Good
049evening, President Coup, Superintendent Leech, members of the board and community. I'm Jana Marking, assistant superintendent of administrative services. This is item 16.2, the 202526 second interim financial report, which is presented to you this evening for positive certification. First, thank you so very much to Venita Singh, director of business services and her team for all their hard work. Your time is so appreciated. This presentation will provide you an overall summary, but the entire report is available in the board materials and will be on our website. The board adopted the 2526 budget in June and reviewed the first interim report in December. This required financial report now provides budgeting updates and actuals through January 31st, as well as a look forward into the next two years. Tonight, we will look at general fund revenues and expenditures, changes
050to fund balance, and a multi-year projection update. The general fund is the district's primary discretionary operating fund, but also included is a slide on the special funds operated for designated purposes. This slide is a reminder of the annual budget cycle, which never stops. We are always balancing three years at the same time, closing out the prior year audit, managing and implementing the current year, and planning developing the next year. We are currently at the orange arrow, which is actuals through January 31st, and projections incorporating those actuals through the end of the fiscal year. Noteworthy is that the LCAP process and budget process overlap as it is specifically intended that our resources are aligned to our goals and vision. First, we'll look at revenues. Again, these are actuals through January 31st and updated projections based on
051those numbers. For the audience members who love details, here are the many planning factors that are used to generate our financial projections for the current and upcoming years. Note that the approved salary increases are now included in the projections. Approximately 83% of general fund revenues are unrestricted while 17% are restricted for special purposes such as title one or special education. Unrestricted funds are largely largely discretionary and restricted funds are spent according to specific rules. We receive revenues from four primary sources. The largest of course 83% being property taxes. Next, the state provides 9% of district revenue and other local is 7%. Federal funding is about 1.5% of the total. The total revenues as of second interim are projected to be 265 million126,489, approximately a 1% increase since the first interim. This chart provides a comparison
052of projected revenue totals for the year across three different reporting snapshots. The adopted budget in June, first interim in December, and now second interim in March. Small adjustments have been made at each benchmark, but overall this is stable. This and the next two slides are intended to provide familiar charts that you have seen before in order to compare. Additionally, these are included in the executive summary of the financial report in the board packet. First, this table we're looking at is a breakdown of the total property tax collection for our district. You can see the change from the first interim to second interim was very, very small. We utilize data from the county controller and do not project property tax collections independently. Next, this is a calculation of the inloo tax transfers due to charter schools.
053Inloo property taxes are the portion of taxes collected by the local school district that must be transferred to charter schools serving the geographic location or the students that reside in that geographic location. This calculation is done per education code sub little A. Finally, this slide provides the math of the two prior tables identifying the expected net property taxes to our district. You can see the adjustments for the current year since adopted budget in June. For comparison, prior year actuals and subsequent year projections are also included. This slide provides highlevel information on the revenue changes since the first interim report to call out the big adjustments for you. There were adjustments to all four major revenue sources totaling an overall increase of approximately $2.6 million. Next, we move on to expenditures. Approximately 65% of general fund
054expenditures are unrestricted while 35% are restricted. And remember looking at our revenues a few slides back. Sorry, only 17% of our revenues are restricted. And you see here that the portion of restricted expenditures exceeds the amount of restricted revenues that leads to the contribution which we will look at in a future slide. This chart shows expenditures by major account code. As with all districts, our primary cost is talent and it is reflected here. Nearly 85% of total expenditures are for salaries and benefits. As of this report, total expenditures for 2526 are projected to be 269,894,78, which is about a 4% overall increase. This chart provides a comparison of projected expenditure totals for the year across three different reporting snapshots. Again, adopted budget in June, first interim in December, and now second interim in March. Looking
055at the larger changes, you can see here that again certificated and classified salaries and benefits increased as the district is engaged in negotiations achieving settlements for the current fiscal year with all employee groups. Additionally, both books and materials and sorry books and supplies and materials and services said that wrong increased due to adjustments supporting programmatic needs. Next, this is a look at general fund contributions for the fiscal year. Contributions occur when unrestricted general fund revenues must cover excess restricted costs due to insufficient funding for our special programs. You can see the projected contribution to special education has increased since first interim. This is at no fault of students with IEPs. Rather, the cost of providing special education services exceeds the state and federal allocation for this program. The state required contribution to the routine restricted
056maintenance account remained consistent with prior projection. Moving on to do some budget math. Now this chart shows a comparison of total revenue to total expenditures in our three snapshot time frames we've been looking at. Adopted budget, first interim, and second interrites were fairly balanced. As of December, projected revenues grew more than expenditures. And now at second interim expenditures are projected to exceed revenues in the current fiscal year. Next, a look at how general fund fund balance is changing alongside revenue and expenditure totals. As you know, fund balance is a projection of the one-time ending balance dollars that are a result of any surplus or deficit of overall budget spending. As of this report, total projected ending fund balance for the current year has decreased to 41,368,885 because of known expenditure increases. This chart also shows
057the components of ending fund balance, both unrestricted and restricted. And we see that the projected amount of unrestricted fund balance decreased more than restricted fund balance. Moving on to look at our forecast tool with a multi-year projection update as well as a summary of the district's other funds. Our interim reports require a multi-year projection which is a look at the current fiscal year plus two future years to determine what the certification will be positive qualified or negative. Certification is objectively determined based upon known assumptions and again staff is recommending a positive certification for this evening. This slide provides major assumptions driving the multi-year budget. While property tax growth remains positive, it is decelerating to a rate of just under 5%. A notable shift from the heightened growth seen during the pandemic. Unrestricted state revenue is
058expected to provide a consistent baseline with annual increases tied directly to the statutory cost of living adjustment or COLA. Conversely, federal revenue remains sensitive to shifts in federal policy and mid-year adjustments. Finally, one-time grants and non-recurring supports are sunsetting, underscoring the importance of aligning our long-term commitments with our recurring revenue core. Major expenditure assumptions in the multi-year projection do not assume compensation increases that have not been bargained. However, the cost of staffing will increase due to step and column movement, stirs and purse contribution rates, and healthcare benefits cost increases annually. While our current 5.8% 8% growth is positive to report. We cannot expect a continuation of the large growth during the co years. Take an example from our neighbors to the south in Mountain View and Wisman to understand why a conservative approach is prudent.
059MBWSD was accustomed to nearly 9% growth annually. This year they hit a wall at 2.34%. Because of that volatility in their real estate market, the same type of market that affects us, they are now looking at 1.3 million deficit and a bare minimum $9 million cut to their budget just to keep their heads above water. We are not in the same position. And by keeping our projections conservative today, we aren't just being cautious. We are ensuring that I don't have to stand before this board in three years discussing emergency cuts. This is a look at the multi-year fund balance by the numbers to lay it all out. The red box at the bottom is to call your attention to the amount of reserves projected by year and to highlight that the current and projected subsequent
060years fall below 8% reserve established in board policy 3100. Here's a chart comparison of that exact same data that's a little friendlier for analysis. The three bars show current year budget as of second interim compared to projected 202627 and projected 2027-28. You see that we continue to have positive balance of restricted fund balance as more and more state programs are established with restricted funds rather than unrestricted discretionary dollars. The chart also reflects unrestricted deficit spending, which we'll continue to look at together in order to address budget rights sizing needs through an ongoing process. Of course, this multi-year projection is a forecasting tool. It foretells the future based on the best known assumptions we have right now. So, if everything in the budget occurs exactly as assumed and nothing changes, this math you're looking at is
061the result. Before we move on, a few more notes. First, this look at the multi-year projection does not include the closure of Tide, nor does it include the proposed position reductions the board took action on at the last meeting. Both board actions occurred after the reporting period ending January 31st. Additionally, the future of Tide is still in planning and any position reductions for next year are not final until May 15th. Second, the district's planning factor for benefits increases in future years has been 5%. However, based on recent trends going forward, we are going to adjust to a planning factor of 8% increases for benefits to better align with recent actuals. Future projections will reflect this. The district manages separate or other funds in addition to the general fund, each with their own rules and restrictions.
062Across the board, these funds are rather stable and self-sufficient. Each has a positive balance, and there is no need for additional contribution. As we start to wrap up, I want to pause and acknowledge areas that are known events with unknown assumptions. This list represents the potential budgetary impacts we need to stay tuned into because they're on the horizon. Negotiating with labor partners for next year has begun and there are sunshine articles on the agenda that you already heard tonight. The cost of living continues to increase and fair and competitive compensation for employees will most certainly be a conversation. As mentioned, benefits costs continue to escalate and property taxes are not growing at the same aggressive rate as recent prior years. The legislature is engaged in its annual budgetary process, which we will know the outcome
063of by June 30th. At this time, we are not expecting major shifts from the legislature based on the January proposal, but we will be watching for May revise in just a few weeks. Finally, as disclosed in this report, a portion of the Janentech settlement related to property taxes has been settled and the district's responsibility of approximately $1.2 million identified. However, it's only a portion and additional district responsibility is expected to be identified in the future. For anyone who's been tracking this, the district has held $3 million in assigned fund balance in order to plan for the outcome of this settlement. a prime example of how assigned fund balance is a tool for planning expenditures not yet defined. All right, here's the certification. In summary, the district is projected to satisfy the 3% reserve for economic
064uncertainties and maintain a positive cash flow through June 30th. However, the state's requirement is a minimum floor and as discussed, we are tracking our ability to meet the 8% requirement established in board policy 3100. In conclusion, staff recommends board approval of a positive certification per definitions provided in ED code 42131 for the 202526 second interim fiscal report. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Assistant Superintendent Marking. Uh any questions from my fellow trustees? Thank you. >> Want to share that Amy and I as a members of the budget committee had a chance to preview and ask some questions in advance and appreciate the time you took to meet with the budget committee and help us be prepared for today. So, thank you for that. >> Absolutely. My pleasure. >> Um I did just want to
065highlight how does um enrollment decline impact some of the um interim reports and kind of future years outlook? Great question and I'm going to invite Denita up here to address that. We're doing this together and I want her to show off a little bit of her work as well this evening. >> Good evening. Uh we are tracking the enrollment carefully and at this point of time we are keeping the enrollment flat for the out years but we are in discussion and uh we we will going forward we'll make adjustment as needed. >> Okay. And then um I guess recently the county also gathered all the the local electeds or representatives of each of the local uh elected um jurisdictions to talk about the vehicle license fee and the the impact there. Um that's probably a
066faroff uncertainty. Um but at what point do we need to plan for that uncertainty? At this point of time uh we don't have any clarity on that. Uh it was uh going to the legislation if I understand correctly. Uh but that is something in the horizon that we will have to monitor very carefully >> and you have a direct line as I sit on that local >> community committee. >> Okay. Well, thank you for putting this all together um and making sure that we remain solvent in in the long term. So, thank you. >> Move approval of item 162. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> All right. Next up is agenda item 16.3, approval of Sequoia Union High School District Transportation Plan. Any public comments? Not in person. Are there any
067online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. Okay. All right. Is uh is someone presenting on this one? Okay. >> Any Okay, >> no questions. >> Okay, then I make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Uh next we have item 16.4. Uh approval of agreement with Advanced Inspections, Inc. for DSA inspection services for Menllo Athetherton High School bleacher project. Any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. >> Okay. >> Any feedback, questions? >> Okay. >> I make a motion to approve 16.4. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I >> uh next we have item 16.5, approval of amendment one with CAW architects for architectural services for the new e-wing
068project at Woodside High School. Any public comments? There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. >> I see none online. >> Okay. Any questions? Make a motion to approve 16.5. Second. >> All in favor? I >> I uh next up we have item 16.6. And thank you to our student trustees. Um approval of amendment one with CAW architects for architectural services for the new D and E-wing projects at Menllo Atherton High School. Any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. See none online. >> Okay. Any questions? >> Okay. >> Make a motion to approve 16.6. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Item 16.7 is approval of amendment one with CAW architects for architectural services for the
069new T-wing project at Carlmont High School. Any public comments? There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. >> Okay. >> Make a motion to approve 16.7. Second. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> All right. Uh then 16.8 approval of amendment one with CAW architects for architectural services for the new classroom wing project at Sequoia High School. Any public comments? >> There are none in person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. >> There are none online. >> All right. Make a motion to approve 16.8. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Okay. 16.9. Approval of agreement with Sandis civil engineers surveyors planners for topographical and boundary surveying services for the baseball field at Woodside High School. Any public comments? >> There are none in
070person. Are there any online? Please raise your hand. I see none online. >> Make a motion to approve 16.9. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. All right. And now we're moving to item 17, future agenda items. Any feedback on future agenda items? I think I I did have one thing to bring up. I know. And during consent agenda, we approved additional um uh what do you call it the uh the I'm just blanking now. uh but we approved the oh sbaticals um for the various uh teachers and uh I know in the past we've talked a little bit about having them present um and many of them have offered to present um I actually feel like it's it's almost better to present not immediately after they're back from their sobatical but actually a year
071or two afterwards because when they come back they actually talk about how they're going to um take their learnings both with curriculum development for themselves and sharing with departments and with the broader school district. So sometimes maybe waiting a year for that reflection to the board is more impactful, right? Because we want to see how these things impact our district for the long term. Um, so I'm I'm wondering where uh at some point like we've probably this is the fourth one that uh I've had a chance to approve since I've joined the board. Um, and I don't think we've had did we have one I think we had one uh time where the sbatical teachers presented to the port. Um, so I I I would like to see more of this going forward. um especially
072since the teachers have offered and this is actually a fabulous program that we offer our our staff, right? Um and our our teachers and so it's good to see what they've been able to implement and share more broadly after they've come back. So I don't know if others are interested. >> I' I'd be interested definitely. Um, I don't know if I would want to like say like put the time limit type of thing with the year, but I I absolutely would be interested. >> Yeah, I I think I was just throwing that out there that sometimes when you >> It doesn't have to be immediate. >> Yeah, it doesn't have to be immediate because um you know the the attempts to incorporate those learnings and share more broadly that there hasn't been enough time yet
073to do that. Right. >> I have a question on that. So when they do go on sobatical, we know what their plan is to do on the sabbatical, right? And then so you're saying >> instead of coming right away, wait a year to present on what they did on that sabatical on that journey >> or at least sufficient time for them to >> or to show like illustrate. Okay, got it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because they all talk about um how they're going to take the learnings and apply it and share it more broadly. Um I don't know that we've consistently had reports back to the board. Um, but I'd like it to be more consistent and then also to give them enough time to actually try to incorporate and share more broadly, right? That that
074way we could see the impact of the program for the school district as a whole. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Just wanted to clarity. Thank you. >> Okay, so we have three people interested. Okay, sounds good. Anything else? All right. So with that, um, do we have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Um, so we are adjourning our board meeting at 7:25 p.m. All right.