001Let's say I'll make a motion we approve the agenda. Second. Further discussion 1.3 public comment for closed session items. This opportunity is provided per government code to allow public to comment. Is there anyone from the public that would like to make a comment? Nope. Seeing none, we are into close session. Open session. First up is the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 3.2 report on close session agenda items. Um the board unanimously approved um oh the personnel documentation for May of 2025 and that would mean I give an announcement. So we are hiring a new fourth grade teacher for the 2526 school year. Her name is Molina Smurl and she
002comes with 12 years experience and we're excited for her to join our KUS team. All righty. Uh 4.1 is correspondence. So there are two pieces of correspondence on the agenda tonight. The first one is the Ka second interim letter uh which validates the the budgetary projections for the school district of having a positive certification. Uh board president friend did point out that there is a reference to our classified staff members here being union unionized. So we'll make sure that they correct that in the future letters. So it really should have our our teachers separately negotiated. Um although we are we are settled for salary and health benefits for this year. It is still noted in a way that's that's not accurate. So we will definitely fix that. And then the second piece of uh correspondence
003is regarding some federal uh and state issues around what's called Title N. Um and it really is the federal uh the federal communication around um looking at programs and then the state uh California Department of Ed response to that. So at this time, school districts have been advised legally to really let the federal and state government fight it out. Um and we will do our best to serve our kids every single day to keep them safe and make them feel loved and accepted and and make sure they're learning and growing. Um so this is really the correspondence so that you have a representation of what's happening around that and that the state of California has uh responded within the time. All right. 4.2 public comment. This point in the agenda, the board welcomes comments on
004matters of district interest. There's lots of you out there. Any of you here to make public comment tonight? Nope. Moving on. Okay. Um 5.1 Regular meeting minutes of April 9th, 2025. Staff recommends approval of the regular meeting minutes of April 9th, 2025. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. I'll second. I presentations associated student body. So tonight we have two of our student leaders to present tonight. We have sixth grade student Lillian Alderette and eighth grade student Rya Olander. So, if you guys could please approach the podium, uh we are looking forward to hearing your presentation. Huh? Oh, cool. Okay. Oh, there's two. Okay. Okay. Hi, I'm Rehea. Hi, I'm Lillian. Okay. ASB is finishing the year strong. We just held our final pep rally in which we honored our fantastic elementary and middle
005school track teams. Our rally featured some fun games and challenges for each grade to participate in. We also wrote a skit on addressing bullying on the black top. I got to borrow the PTA's falcon mascot costume and really got the crowd pumped. Our spring dance was a huge success. We held Hawaiian lau with barbecue. Mr. Weey and Miss Hell grilled burgers with and students were treated to tropical drinks and smoothies. The gym was transformed into a lush tropical paradise and Mr. Pew was a phenomenal DJ. The middle school loved it. Our current balance after the final dance is just over $1,000. These funds were raised by selling concessions at the Alice and Wonderland dance or the Alice and Wonderland uh our middle school middle school movie night and selling dance tickets. This will allow for
006next year's ASB to hold another retreat prior to school starting. The new ASB will meet on campus to lay out plans for 2025 2026 school year and plan the opening pep rally. And the campaigning for these schools in ASB has already begun. Current fourth through 7th graders are already campaigning on campus this week. Next Monday, speeches will be held at morning at the morning flag assembly and voting will take place immediately after. We are very impressed with the high numbers of candidates, especially from incoming fifth grade class who are eager to become part A. To celebrate the end of a productive year, the ASB is holding an end of the year potluck party at Hardy Park. Nicole's mom is very is making churro cheesecake and caramel fla. So, we are very excited. Thanks as always
007for your time. Is there any are there any questions for our presenters today? No. Rehea, you are going to moral bay next year, right? Rehea brings a great unique perspective. So, she actually attended another middle school that we will it will remain unnamed for two years and then uh came to us for her eighth grade year. Um and so we really had the joys of seeing her at in sports in her classroom shine and then also of course on the stage. Um so we were really lucky to have her and from her quote is she said last week I just wish that I would have come here earlier. I love school which is really lovely and we love having you. So we wish you very much the luck and Lillian is one of our rising
008leaders in middle school also on the stage and in sports. Um, and you guys will see a lot of her over the next few years for sure. Thank you so much for great presentation. Thank you. 6.2 PTA. Thank you guys for coming. Good night. Wait, where are you guys going? Uh, I don't know if this is the last time I'm going to be up here as president of the PTA, but um, if I'm invited back next month to present, I'm happy to recap the year. But if this is my recap, I think it's a it was a really good year for the PTA. Uh, I don't know if you've already talked about the donation we made from Okay. Uh, you haven't, so you can I won't I won't spoil it. Uh we approved um $31,000
009from the gala to be donated straight to the school for the lower field renovation. So that's incredible. That's a done deal. We might we might have a $100 left over that we're going to be putting on a banner to congratulate and thank our wonderful sponsors that helped keep our cost low and contributed so many things that we could uh auction off for a nice profit and we were happy to do that. It was a lot of work as I think I mentioned last month. So, um, we also had record donations come in from the Kaiikus Turkey Trot, which, uh, contributed another 70 or $7,000 toward that same cause, the lower field renovation. Uh, financially, uh, that leaves the PTA currently at just under 20,000 after all checks have been cashed. But we do have one
010of our best um most reliable fundraisers coming up at the end of this month, which is the fun fun run for the kids where they're going to go out and get sponsorships from their friends and family and run uh all morning long and uh through pledges uh we can count on a nice um boost from that as well. So that should bring our coffers up a little bit more to cover anything over the summer like field trips and and whatever. and it leads us into a a good strong uh beginning for next year. So, there's going to be a new president, new vice president, a couple of new vice presidents um and a new secretary coming in next year. Uh it looks like a great team with brand new ideas. They'll be sharing them up
011here on this podium. Um and I have a lot of confidence and faith that that's they're going to improve on what we've done this year and I'm really proud of what we did this year. So, thank you to all. And uh if you have any questions about the PTA or anything else, I'm happy to take a stab at it. So, we have a card from you from the board, a small little gift card in here, and a pin uh for you. Uh John has done a tremendous job this last year. Um he has been our falcon, our Easter bunny, our substitute teacher, our PTA president, an amazing dad and Lions Club and community member. So, he is a very busy man. Um but always comes to the school with a very kind heart, patience um
012and listens to feedback and um I have thoroughly enjoyed it and he promises he'll still be very much involved and he stuck with us for a very long time. Youngest kiddo is in TK. Oh yeah, he's back in this. I know it again. So definitely stuck. Thank you. I was not Easter Bunny this past go around. and I passed the mantle, but we'll leave that person anonymous. He may or may not be here. He may or may not be here. Got it. Righty. Next up, 6.3 employees of the year. Take it away, Jen. [Laughter] Okay, so we have a big crowd tonight, which is great because we are honoring two amazing employees of the year. Quite a bit of slant here. Um, so first, if I could have Elizabeth How join me to my right,
013we can all clap. All right, we are proud to announce Elizabeth Howell as as our 2025 classified employee of the year for her outstanding service and dedication to Kauka School District. For the past four years, Elizabeth has served as a PAR educator, also substitute teacher, and has become an invaluable part of our school community. Elizabeth is known for her fairness, intentionality, and thoughtfulness in all that she does. She brings a deep sense of care and professionalism to her work, always recognizing and honoring the unique strengths and needs of both staff and students. Elizabeth is not only reliable and consistent, but also deeply committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Her abil ability to connect with individuals, her quiet strength, her unwavering excellence makes her truly deserving of this recognition. When
014we announced this um a a week ago on Monday, we talked about how Elizabeth actually makes everyone around her better. She has a high standard for behavior and commitment to students and it makes all of us better. We would love for you to join us in congratulating Elizabeth Howell for all of her contributions and uplifting all of us here at Kyuka School. And then the board of education has a small little gift in here for you as well. I think you will really like it. Um microphone. Okay. So, I was surprised at the assembly obviously, so I feel like I didn't say what I wanted to say. Um I'm really honored to be recognized by my colleagues, by everyone I work with. Um I came to work here during COVID. um as a temporary job.
015I was working with the middle schoolers since when they were not doing what they were supposed to at home, they came here to have to do what they were supposed to. Anyway, it was a great job and I was lucky enough to get a full-time position here. Well, as a part-time person, but um I just feel really lucky to work here. It's amazing school. I get to know the kids really well and um I am hard on the kids, but I love them a lot and I really do want them to reach their potential. Um, so I'm just I'm really fortunate to work here and uh hopefully I keep loving my job here. Thank you. Thank you. Right on. Next, if I could have Sarah Brown please join me. Okay. Kauka School is proud to
016announce Sarah Brown as our 2025 teacher of the year. For the past 12 years, Sarah has been a cornerstone of our school community. She is known and these are the words that was that were used to describe her from multiple nominations from her colleagues for her kindness, creativity, and unwavering reliability. There is something in consistency and reliability that really brings out the learning environment for students, especially at the young age she teaches, which is first grade. As a first grade teacher, she brings learning to life through imaginative projects and themed lessons which capture the hearts and minds of her students. Earlier this year, some of you saw pictures of this. I talk about it all the time wherever I go. She transformed her entire classroom into a campground. Every desk was a tent. They had
017s'mores. They did fishing. All with the themes of learning sounds, symbols, addition, subtraction, stories, literacy. It was absolutely amazing. It was one of those magical, memorable experiences that kids will remember for as long as they live. And that sounds like an extreme, but it's absolutely true. Miss Brown is not only a dynamic educator, but also a consistent and fair leader on this campus who sets a strong example for students and staff alike. Her dedication to her craft and the Caugus community is deeply appreciated by her colleagues who admire her warmth and thoughtfulness and professionalism. If Miss Brown has an issue, she thinks about it. She always presents it in a professional and calm way and seeks a solution that is best for students and the staff it involves. Congratulations to Miss Brown on this welldeserved
018recognition. We are so incredibly fortunate to have her at Kauka School. Your 2025 teacher of the year, Sarah Brown. I'm incredibly microphone. Sorry. I'm incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized as teacher of the year. Um, I feel truly blessed to have spent the last 12 years as part of the Kaiukas Elementary family and it's been such a joy to grow alongside the school community, connecting with amazing colleagues and building lasting relationships with our students and their families. I'm thankful to all of my colleagues, both past and present, for their support, collaboration, and for the inspiration that they bring. Um, I also want to take a moment to thank my former teachers um, whose dedication, guidance, and support laid the foundation for everything I do today. Um, I also want to sincerely thank Dr. Brusha
019um, for hiring me and recognizing something in me all those years ago. I'm also very grateful to the six superintendents and principles I've worked under. Um, each one has helped shape and support my journey as an educator. Um, to my parents, Danny and Janney Davis, Danny and Janice Davis, thank you for always believing in me and supporting my dream of becoming a teacher. Your love and encouragement have meant everything. And to my husband, Jeffrey, uh, you've worn many hats, sometimes literally. Whether dressing up as characters for my classroom, jumping on with board with new ideas, or going on wild goose chases for just the right materials, your support makes all the all this possible. So, thank you so much for this incredible honor, and I'm so proud to be part of this community. Um, thank
020you. And if we Liz, will you do us a big favor with um all these lovely people? Could you do a picture outside? It also gives you an opportunity to exit. Although I'm sure you would be incredibly enthralled to be here for the next hour or so at our board meeting. You can always come back after the picture, of course. But if Liz, could you take a couple for us? Thank you so much and congratulations to our employees of the year. That was a That was a great exit. Yeah. Oh, yeah. That was perfect. No, I just haven't written them yet. I was just gonna keep writing. [Laughter] Yeah, that's hysterical. That was nice. Yeah. All right. Uh 7.1 board member reports. Who would like to go first? So, I think I did get to
021DJ the spring dance. Very excited. Thank you to my daughter for allowing me to do that. Yes. But yeah, it was great. House. Yeah, open house. All the recognitions to the teachers pass. Thinking of everything. It's been a busy lovely That's all I have. Um I went to open house in peace day and I agree with Daniel that it was the ceremony um to recognize our community members and our our former instructors was really really touching. It was um it really made me feel proud to be part of this organization. We have had some really incredible people involved in the school in the past and continue to do so as evidence with our employees of the year this year. Um um I also went to peace day which I always loved and It was great
022to see kids recognized for their um for their efforts to make the world a better place. Oh, okay. Um and then I participated in going back to coast to coast where we had a few days of really intense um uh lectures regarding the state of politics and the state of education in the US and in California in particular. And we also were able to meet with um Saloon Carbajal our congressman which um I think was really really and I know discussing that. Yeah. And then I went to the CCAC meeting. Is this CCA? I always get those wrong. Um meeting last week and um advised the community on what's happening here elementary. I went to the open the education foundation and CESD partner recognition as well. And I will say I was impressed with all
023of them, but the most memorable one was when we were honoring Donna Dawson and she cried. It just it was just amazing. It's like you do so much for us and we're thanking you. And then it was just kind of cool to see that um excitement in her and thank that just really moved me. I think that um the seventh graders had a great dinner that was delicious. And I also went to Coast to Coast and we're going to talk about it some more. So I'm going to leave you at that. Uh, no. I was gonna say I attended CCAC via proxy because Gretson did Gretchen attended for me. No, I don't have it. Of course. Um, I do want to add in the seventh grade. Thank themer. And if the PTA wants to raise
024some money, maybe they should auction off the coleslaw recipe from that. It was weirdly good. I will say that. And I'm not even a fan. Oh, I'm a cos fan. And I have really high standards when it comes to co and that was amazing. Oh, I thought it It was great. All right. 7.2 superintendent report. Okay. I will go quickly. We're going to start with something incredibly big. Um and if you follow us on social media, you know this already, but our safety committee out of the entire county, um little old Kyukus became instead of the best little beach school, the safest little beach school. So, we won the county award. And that comes from having obviously a safe work environment so you can't have a lot of accidents. Um an active uh community talking
025about safety workman's comp wellness of your employees incentive programs and creative ways to spend the grant monies in which we get um and they really love the fact that we redid our teacher supply room over spring break. So I want to thank Manny, Ben, and Martin. Um and then Melanie and uh Mary and I um did the organizing and ordering and organizing even more um of that room. It looks absolutely lovely. It looks like a little room out of Pottery Barn now and it was like kind of a haunted storage room um on Q with the birds um before that. So that was great. Uh and it was uh really awesome. Also want to thank Sarah Johnson and Martin for accepting the award on behalf of the district that day. Um we teacher and staff
026appreciation week as we do it every time in May. It's either the first or second week in May depending on uh what school district you decide to celebrate. And uh our PTA, CF um and our leaders uh celebrated all of our staff uh by providing meals each and every day, coffees, refreshing drinks, and Chrissy Roads, who is the PTA committee lead in that did an absolute lovely job. I mean, she really went above and beyond to make the staff feel special and appreciated. Our families as well give individual personalized gifts, whether that's um fruits or vegetables or, you know, something like a personalized igloo. That was awesome. That said to uh cool teachers uh supplies or whatever it may be. Really thoughtful uh wonderful thing actually. Um, so with all of that, we did have
027I know I was thinking about at the end of the month why I was so incredibly tired, but we had our coast to coast trip. We had peace day. We had spring break. We started as uh our state testing um too, right? We did all of our eighth grade mock interviews. So every eighth grader presented with community members um their cover letters, their resumes, and a 10 to 15 minute interview with strangers. they don't know. Um, so anywhere from two to three panel members, they did the best job yet. So this is our third year of mock interviews and it was so impressive. Really so impressive. Our community members were blown away that these were only eighth graders presenting. So at times we think of the smallness of Kaiukus and like the things that maybe
028we aren't able to do because we have a big school. Um, but I really think it's the opportunity to personalize and uniquely design their education and that's really what your students are getting here. A quick couple other things that are coming up of note. Uh, we are doing our annual volunteer tea on May 28th and that is to thank all these wonderful volunteers. Invitations went out, the staff selects people and then we treat them to some wonderful student performances, a lovely decorated um, multi-purpose room and homemade food from our staff. We are having an Italian soda bar that day too special. It kind of ties into the theme and also the gift they get that day for helping make honey amazing. Next week we also are having our speech contest. So Jessica Peterson uh the
029English language arts teacher extraordinaire as you all know have been prepping our students sixth, seventh and eighth grade uh for public speaking. This is in partnership with our local Rotary and uh they are in the prelims right now. Liz is one of the judges. We won't ask you any tough questions. Um but she was blown away this morning. She goes back to tomorrow for the finals in eighth grade and the sixth and seventh are also happening. The top three of each grade level will then go to the community rotary judges present in front of them. There's usually about 25 people in the room and they do a tremendous job. uh most uh I think my favorite is always the argumentative eighth grade topic. So they can pick almost any topic they want and argue a
030point of it but they also have to have counterpoints and all this. So it's really again that transition and preparation for college and career readiness and launching them into a flawless high school transition. So that is what's happening there. Um very quickly uh we will talk coast to coast in shortly. We want to thank CF for their partnership in being able cherish and celebrate community member partners and previous employees. So it was a lovely lovely day and I felt very humbled to be able to speak about the individuals who have dedicated decades when you look at all of them together over 150 years of service uh between the five candidates. That's amazing. Um then we topped off that same very night with the talent show and boy there was some fun talent. Uh really fun
031things like being able to say the alphabet back words to string tricks to singing uh beautiful singers to lots of fun dancers as well of pianist. Um and of course standup comedians which are recorded. I know it's so fun but anyway and drummers. Don't forget our drummers. So it it's a really packed April. As you know, we're going into our last 15 days of school. That's it. So 15 days of school. Make sure that you have the graduation down. It is on a Wednesday. It is not in conflict with local uh graduations. And it's really nice to do that Wednesday. The uh kindergarten graduation is during the day. It is pretty packed in that room. Um so you know, of course, you're always welcome to attend anything at our school, but it is a pretty
032So, we ask uh observers to kind of stand in the back and let the seats be for families. And then um our graduation's at 6 pm sharp. You will be on stage. So, you'll want to do um your nice attire, but uh you will be on stage shaking all of the hands of our lovely eighth graders 19 magic 19 eighth graders that will be promoting into uh our various in our surrounding area here. Okay. Okay. And I think I'll end with that for superintendent report. All righty. Next up, 7.3 coast to coast. Okay. So, um I will I'll just give kind of the big picture and then anything that uh president friend and clerk Ross would like to add to it. Um we went to Coast to Coast. It is put on by the California
033School Board Association in partnership with what's called AXA, which is the Association of California Administrators. And so the goal here is to really um to really rally around public education. I think and I was wondering about how this would happen. Honestly, in a world that we're at now where there seems to be a lot of divide. I thought they did a beautiful job around nonpartisan or bipartisan representation on public education issues. There were focuses on full spending fun spending or spending funding of special education. Uh looking at cyber security and the unique aspect of public schools being a great target for people. Um being and our own county office uh two years ago being one of them that was hacked. um and really asking for more assistance in that area, knowing that schools have limits
034to their expertise in these um more complex issues around cyber security. Um we also talked about other federal issues around funding of rural school districts in California. There's a federal act that helps fund rural schools across the uh federal government. Um and that some of that funding is in jeopardy. And although people go, "Okay, well, we're not we don't get any of that funding or whatever it may be, there's only a pot of money. So if if that money goes away for rural schools, they're still going to have to to run through a county office, which then means the county office funds that then fund other things for other schools is all crunched together." So they did a beautiful job. I would say of all of it, my favorite speaker was a constitutional law professor.
035Um he did a great job in really looking at uh he's from George Washington University. I keep thinking William Mary, but George Washington University and really looking at what's led us to the historical number of executive orders that's that have taken place. And he did it in a way that wasn't about blame or he liked him or didn't like him or anything around that, but that when you look at the balance between what we should have in our in our federal government, right, our judicial, legislative and our executive branch, that there should be this lovely balance and that his analysis of this is that this legislative void that has happened around our representatives and senators regardless of party uh and their kind of backseat of what has grown in other areas then because it's one
036piece of pie of power and that's where you start to see this pendulum swing of okay well you're not going to make laws around this or change anything or review it because you don't want your constituents to be mad or whatever the reason then other people are going to that have the power to do that and so you see this flux of what's happening here um it's really interesting um yes there's some turmoil around that but more than anything I felt the sentiment was around if we focus us on what's important, which is our students, being able to safely educate our students, that we'll find a common middle ground that's going to be okay. Um, and that yes, it can be scary when you hear things like there might not be a Department of Education.
037What does that mean for X, Y, and Z? Um, and that, um, in in strife sometimes comes a result that it may actually transform into something that that's good for all. And and that's part of weathering uh change, right? um but that we keep our boots on the ground and focus on uh what's at hand. So I thank the board for sending myself and Gretchen and Carrie um and I'll defer to Gretchen and Carrie for any other comments regarding post to post. I got I got a very clear understanding of from his discussion how we to where we are um with the federal government and um and I felt not quite as alarmed because you know of everything that's going around and the noise and everything and um and then also we had some pollsters
038who came in and they were discussing and I don't know I I couldn't download their their slides. Okay, I'll see if I can I I I had I had technical difficulties. No, no, no, no. These pollsters did not take the polls. They were analyzing polling da d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d da and um it kind it gave us a really broad view of how um the United States as a whole um feels about education and the divides that come between different political beliefs. Um, I came away from that feeling that pretty much the when it comes to public education that the
039United States is pretty united in that we want excellent education for our our students and um, which was really heartening to me to see that um, in you know in poll data. Um, one thing I thought that was interesting though is they did poll United States. This was a California thing. They didn't disagregate polls specific to California, but the trend was all over. Yeah. And also what was very interesting to me, and I'm probably going to not do a great job of describing it, but they were, you know, there was this one poll, well, how do you feel about education as a whole in this country? And you know, it's pretty negative. And how do you feel about education in your state? And it was kind of negative. And then how do you feel about
040education in your community? And it was, you know, fairly negative. And how do you feel about your local school? And people across this country feel great about their local schools. And um you know I and that was really really heartening to me because I feel like people are really really caring about the students in America and support their local schools. Yeah. And there was times where there was board members. So there was uh about 340 I believe. Um 320. Yeah. 320. Okay. 320 board trustee members and superintendent really is what the vast majority was. Obviously people wear different hats. Like you could be a teacher in another district and a board member another. Um and there was some some lively discussion around maybe what would be seen as a political difference but it was done
041in a way that you would like to see discourse um and conversation right so there's some good modeling around that as well I would say there was one exception and one breakout that got a little heated but you know that's life too but I mean it was really g compared to even some local school board meetings um so overall I think the impact we talked about this last year too is there is a part of this that looks at um our responsibility as uh as board members or superintendent to advocate for public education to be a spokesperson for what we believe in and that's why you're on the board. It's why I do what I do for our profession. Um and that's that people will prosper. Different walks of life. um different social economic classes,
042different ethnicities will prosper if put in an educational setting that's safe and they learn from each other from a highly qualified teacher and that's what we're fighting for, right? And that's why we do what we do, I believe. And uh it puts that in perspective at such a great level. One thing too that I was impressed on was okay, you go to coast, big deal, whatever. Now you come back to your district, don't let that be the only communicate with our representatives, keep that relationship going, whether it's a quick note, you know, hey, thanks for visiting coast to coast and then maybe a month later, hey, remember me, blah, blah, blah. So, you want to keep communicating with them enough so if something comes up, hey, who's that education person I was talking to that
043they would contact us for an opinion, but not not to let Coast to Coast be the one and only contact until next year. And who' you meet? Carbal. Yeah. And to be honest with you, for me, um I feel I would feel more comfortable um since our meeting with Carbahal contacting his office if there was any sort of issue that came up. Well, you did serenade him. So Oh, I did. You're going to start blocking. Yeah. Bugging me. No, there was a very strong connection. He spent a lot of time a lot a lot of thoughtful conversations. So there is power in numbers. We had Ventura County with us as well. So we weren't just little old Caillou and also Paso. Yep. And Pastor Robels as well. And so it was uh really thoughtful discourse
044discourse with uh Salute Caral for sure. Yep. Oh, thank you. Yeah. All right. 7.4 discussion on California property tax system. The topic everyone's been waiting for. So uh we did bring this up at our last board meeting. We tabled it and Jenny um from the county office of education, our fiscal agent is here as well. She's done some great outreach. Uh I had sometimes things just work out. So Jenny had u back and forth conversation with um the county of St. Louis Abyispo um tax department and re and specifically uh property tax. And then I was at a superintendent meeting, oh no, sorry, a chief business officer meeting with all the hats. um uh the Friday of spring break and they had the two leads from the department presenting on just trends in property tax.
045So as they walked out, I met with them and asked them some of our questions that Jenny had also asked a colleague of theirs. The I the kind of funny part about that is they said, you know, I really need to to talk to my colleague. She's the expert. And so then I said, oh, so and so. And they're like, how did you know her name? And it was because Jenny had been emailing back and forth with them. Nice. Yeah. So the major major questions we that arose over the last month or so six weeks was you know how was this how was this decided we know that now that back in 1978 or like right before 1980 1978 as they distributed uh different areas under Prop 13 to look at how we help fund
046school districts they created these uh these TRA or uh tax rate areas tax rate areas. Yeah. Um with that there was a distribution of percentages of monies that would go to the different school districts within those areas um or adjacent to those areas as well or in our case component district of uh well we're component district of an adjacent school district. The interesting part about this both the gentleman I spoke to and the the contact Jenny has had there isn't a way to change these percentages and distributions. In fact, they gave a great example of what they do. So, they're at the county level and at times you have county and city projects, right? And they're right on the line in St. Louis Abyispo. It's less here because we don't have a we're unincorporated. But
047in the city of St. Louis, a great example is this. There's a road that starts out as a city road. It goes into the county. It needs to be repaved. Do they actually stop at the line or do they actually do a project all the way through? So what they do is well we hope they do a project all the way through and and maybe sometimes not every city's like this if they don't have a good relationship between the two uh agencies but what they will do at times is do an a memorandum of understanding with an end date and a start date that says hey we're going to take this massive project on it's half yours it's half ours so over this duration of this agreement we we are going to funnel x number
048of percentage of dollars around these property tax to your agency. It doesn't change the TRA. The TRA still might be like in our case 60% here and 40% or 39% to the north, but for that duration, they know at the county level that money will then be adjusted because of the project. So, I tell you this long kind of drawn out story because their only advice to us that they can figure out and they, you know, this is their job. Uh, and Jenny, if you found out anything else, please jump all the way in. Um, because I'm drowning. No, I'm just kidding. Um, jump all the way in. but uh is that if there was an agreement, so if we had a project where we were building a gym and we didn't have a bond
049or if we um did an independent study program that then catered to K12 and not just K8 or just something like whatever it was, there was something that said, "Hey, we have this project that we're now servicing a need of yours. We believe anou is in order for us for this duration of time to receive a greater percentage of that money. They also said, as Jenny confirmed last board meeting, that even though in our minds being school driven and enrollment driven, that the number of students, the grade level spans, all of those other things don't determine because I said to them, of course, hey, back in 1978 and the decades after that, we had a really different population happening and not necessarily in Cailluc, you know, areas, but we've been pretty steady, if not lower,
050than that 200 range. Right? There was a long time ago it was a bigger number, but then really in the last few decades uh three four decades, we've been roughly around that if not a little lower where you've seen a decline on on our our neighbors to the north of us. So they they were at when this all this tax rate area was developed, they were closer to a thousand kiddos and we were still like 300ish and then we saw this things flutter out. Now they're at 460ish as a district. We're at 200. So there's this gap that happens. So in my mind, I'm like, hey, doesn't this kind of trigger that? They said, no, the population and number of students does not do that. It would really be around uh a a significant offering
051difference that has occurred within your area. And they gave the road example as that. So, so is that sort of um and I'm not sure exactly what theou was back when Leingwell was built, but I do know that we funneled some you I don't know. Interesting. Yeah, maybe. I don't know. I was just kind of That's Well, that's really interesting. No, and I don't know exactly how that worked if that was developer fees or something. I I know it's probably in our minutes someplace. Yeah, that's really interesting. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not sure, but that that is a really Yeah, that would be a connected comment. I could see that. Jenny, anything else? Do you think that Okay. Um, yeah. So, that's kind of where we're at with this. This is an information item. Um, I
052I'm not really sure where the board would like to go from here. That's all the information I have in it. And, uh, I don't have any recommended action at this time or a future agenda item related to it. So basically, as I'm understanding, the tax rate area allocations are pretty much set in stone from 1978 from Yeah. from folklore almost. It really I mean I was like, "Oh, okay. Sorry. That that is not an official comment." And and and as far as we know, there's there's no way to to change except for except through memorandum of understandings, local agreements. That would be that would be um Don Addis district. That's Yeah, I mean All right. Well, thank you for all that work. Thank you for all that work. Um and maybe at some point in
053time we'll we will have questions and so we can have this put back on the agenda. Thank you. direction. I have a lot I have a lot of questions. I It's really interesting. This is like I would say I liken this to leaves. Leaves. L E A Vs. Leaves and HR. So, human resources leaves are the worst thing because you're like why does this leave happen? And there's all these parameters and is it is it you know state or federal and all there's all these things related to it. That's how all of these people when you ask them about they're like oh my god. So is this state or is this county? So this is state. Yeah. Through Prop 13 which is through state and these were I assume because I know there's other agencies
054that receive money like the library is their own you know is not is on its own because it's um separate from the regular county budget and I can't remember but there's a whole bunch of other different agencies that what' you say fire department. Fire department. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So um this is you know it's a really complex issue and um actually I think this kind of answers a lot of questions and um I think I think I will have more questions when I think this over some more. So sorry to be bringing all of this up again. last. Um, if you take all of the monies that are divided up from our property tax dollars um, from the Kaukas TRA tax rate areas um, the funds that go to Kais Elementary School District are
055what is it 60 607%. Almost 60 almost 61. So about 61% goes to Kayukas Elementary School District and the other 39% goes to to um Coast up in in Cambria. And so the question is is my question was with that is this fair and equitable division of property tax dollars? According to this, it doesn't matter. And according to this, it doesn't matter whether or not it's fair and equitable. And what it does do though is it does give a cushion um for lack of better word to post in which they provide hundreds of thousands of dollars of payment for all of the Kyuka students who now attend St. Louis Coastal at Moral Bay High or St. Louis High. So there's through our localou which is obviously different doesn't change anything about this TRA but what
056they are able to do because there's money that is exchanged now when they attend their schools and it's it's a hefty bill. We'll say with our kids right now yeah it goes all the way well it only for us it's middle school so we are only paying out at middle school level but there's a lot of exchange that's occurring uh in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I believe the estimate last year was $800,000. So when you start to look at there's this money that's generated and it just does it seem equitable that our local areas giving this money to coast. Well, they're not necessarily because there is an exchange that then occurs and follows the students where they attend which was thatou that was created. Yeah. Which would be really hard to pay if
057they didn't have that. A side note, still get a lot of money. All right, moving on to consent agenda. Anybody like to make a motion? I'll make a motion that we approve the consent agenda. Just really quickly to note, we're projecting 2011 next year for our students. So, we should break the 200 mark. Uh, which means we're up 10% since the 201920 school year. So, precoid number. So there was a big dip after COVID. Most districts in California, in fact, over 80% of districts in California are in declining enrollment from precoid numbers. Some of them are climbing out. We're actually up 10% from our pre-COVID number. Yeah. Great. Any further further discussion? Trusty Castillo. Hi, Trusty Ross. Hi. Trusty Friend. Hi. Trusty Schuler. Trusty Pewitt. Motion passes 5. All right. Action session 951. Approve and
058set donation. Staff recommends the approval uh of the following donations. $300 from Donna Dawson for our afterchool program scholarship. And this is a continual uh donation. Um almost. Yeah. Uh Kyukas Educational Foundation donated $1,000 for physical education equipment. And last but not least, the Cyukus PTA is donating $31,000 proceeds from the gala for the new play structure and lower field renovations. So staff recommends approval of the $34,300 in donations this month. Any further discussion? Trusty Ross. I Trusty Friend. Hi. Trusty Schuler. Trusty Pewitt, Trusty Castillo. Motion passes 5 Z.2 adopt board self evaluation. So I Chris, do you want to leave this? I know how you feel about evaluation tools. No, this is the We brought back the board. No, this is the board. Everyone's hat. This is the board self-evaluation tool. There are two
059here. Uh we were given a task to find out more information. So I'm going to give the microphone to Mary to talk about the evaluation. So we're down to two. We had three. Um, and we have the crafted one that kind of mimics uh it's a shorter version of the five have a great night um that mimics and kind of a shorter version of the superintendent evaluation um but aligns to the CSBA standards. Um and then we have the actual CSBA tool that the board used quite a few years ago and then the research around how they come in and help utilize that tool. So, after further research, we can get the CSBA tool for $300. And basically what that will do is just give you the tool. It won't bring anybody in to analyze
060it for you, but it gives you the tool, gives you the results. If you want someone to come in and facilitate the tool, analyze it, bring back the data to work with you, we are looking at exact numbers. 3,700 for one day, 500 for two days, plus reasonable travel expenses. So, you're looking at a quite a bit larger chunk of money for that. Um, it does include your resources, your training, your support. We're leaving it to the board, but those are the two. One is free, one is $300, one is with quite a bit more funding for the package. Any questions? Any motions? Could you could you look at the $300 one? It's attached, too. So, we have the old version of it. So, there's a few updates. So Carrie had way back when she
061was on the board and Mary went through and whited out like the marks of it just because it, you know, was actually used. Maybe I didn't. No, I don't think we attached it. We just Sorry. The last board agenda. I apologize. Okay. Uh I I can bring you a copy. Yeah, it the one that we had attached last meeting was from 2016. Also, the ratings weren't on there, too. Right. There wasn't It was You didn't give us a rating scale. It just had the number, right? So it they wouldn't give us a sample, right? Because again, you're not supposed to. No, you have to pay the $300. It's a little bit longer, though. Remember, we looked at it last meeting. I think it's about 40 questions. It's form. Yeah, there you go. personally feel I
062don't necessarily like one because in my opinion we weren't that successful using that form to evaluate we have to we have to answer those are the question those are the questions then how do you see this didn't have this doesn't have you have to write it in there not It's not touch screen. But does it have pull down answers or something? No. Then then then how do you evite? Well, that was actually what Pete's comment was. So that's why we went back and found out. So Pete says, can I paraphrase? Okay. Um Pete had said, "Well, hey, whatever you guys would like. Jen's the best." And no, I'm kidding. Uh so Pete said um if we're going to use a tool, then we need to be able to have some data analysis on it. analysis
063so that you can see trends. What is it telling you? What is all this like? That's what I mentioned. This Tahoe one was not right aggregate that data. That's what CSVA does is you guys all fill it out and then they take all your guys's remarks and says, "Hey, what we're seeing is and they basically do that analysis and trend. That's what's costing the three to $6,000 four to $6,000 around that piece." But it was kind of that idea of well if we're going to do it then shouldn't we get something out of it right but I'm not $300 the $300 doesn't doesn't aggregate everything for us we had we still have to aggregate it for it is my understanding that it's correct that it gives you a PDF tool that you guys will be
064able to fill out that is their tool which is you know obviously they had people that were experienced in writing that and that then we would see through that Hey everybody, you've ranked all these areas high here. There's only five of you, but this is the low area. Let's write a goal. Let's talk about actions to to improve that and what we can do. So Carrie, if you don't like the three, are you saying you're in favor of this six? Yeah. I mean, if we could have somebody else aggregate the data for us. Well, that's your opinion. I can have mine. That's right. In my opinion, it's a waste. I just don't think that we've been that successful using that format. So, I'm not mean there is there is the Goldilocks version of all this,
065which is that we could pay the $300 and get the tool, right? We can bring that tool back to you guys. you guys will look at it and say, "Are we all going to be able to look at this, rate it, and say, "Hey, I could see some trends here within these questions, right, from the rating since we actually see the current tool they're using for the $300." Um, or we might see it, pay the $300 and go, "Oh gosh, there's no way for us to interpret what's going to happen here. We're going to need to pay the additional money and have it come." And you only get a limited amount of time. Oh, it's opened up. Yeah. when it's open, you get a limited amount of time to complete it. Again, I'd be more
066in favor of doing that than spending the $300 it out. I I don't I guess I don't see what's lacking with us as a spend thousands of dollars to just money better spent school I think we work pretty gets a little mad at me, but I think that one um I think if we use the free tool and you know we commit to doing it and getting together and going through it together. I think if we if we can figure out a way to aggregate it the information together um where we have access it not be handed something that is aggregated I think that could be a really positive tool. Um, I I don't I don't I if if we're going to have somebody aggregate the information and come back to us and talk about
067trends and LA, I think it'd be, you know, it'd be I think it would behoove us to pay the $3,300 plus travel expenses and all that. But I don't think I get I'm not comfortable spending that quite quite a bit that amount of money at this point in time. But I think if we commit to using the tool and then coming together to aggregate it together as a group, I think that could be really a positive. Were you saying the $300 we have limited time? You're right. They give you They give you They give you a window to actually open it and do it. Why? Because copy it. Probably I think they give you 30 days, but days. Yeah. I they don't leave it open forever so you can make copies and share it with
068the next when you did it. Did they come in to um to discuss it or did you guys and I'm sure that the price has increased significantly since 2016. My concern with the board evaluation again I think more important on this one opposed to the superintendent one there would need to be board comments because we're not Jen gave us a list of These are all the things I'm doing. We're gonna have to come up with that ourselves. So, oh, Jen's not going to do that for me. But just clicking comments, excellent exceeds whatever to me is not helpful to us as a board as what do you think's lacking? Well, because it says why like board member comments like you know all these categories what you're trying to get out of what's lacking us as
069a board I think us as a I think as a board right now we work pretty well together. So I think whatever tool we use, I think we'll come out and say that. But as a tool, just to click a box and not have any more thoughtful comments on there, it's like, why are you saying we're excellent or exceeds or doesn't exceed because I could do that in two seconds. Well, I type in there like I haven't got a chair at anyone. if that's the standard, you know. I mean, we're not like openly fighting like Oh, no, no, no. Well, part of I mean, it is part of we were seeing some of the other Yeah. But I I believe we in our um bylaws, we are to do this once a year. So, and
070change by um I I think it's just I think it's just a good way to be to I think you know at some point in time there could come a time where we have issues that we all disagree and um maybe circumstances happen where things get chaotic and I think this will help us build communication with one another not saying that we have poor communication now but I think you know things I mean most of us have been married at some point in time and we know that you know you continually have to work on your communication it's you know um it's not something that you figure out in your first two years of marriage and keep going forward as things it's really about are we doing what we're supposed to be doing review district
071polic Do we use data to inform decision making and monitor progress toward district goals? I I yeah I personally think we could do the free one and we do it all together and we have discussion again and we go over each point or we doing you know regular review and update district policies. So would that would that be a study session then? I think we have this as a study session on the books don't we or no boards I believe are the next session in September. And does that include it? Can't so we could do it. I'm voting no. So there's a motion and a second on the floor to adopt the pre Are we ready for Okay. Shall we take a vote? Yeah. All right. Trusty friend. No. Trusty Scheler. Second. Trusty Pewitt. Yes.
072Trusty Castillo. Trusty Ross. I. Motion passes four to one. Project description playground equipment removal of the site cut for lower field play structure. Great. So as uh what's attached here is the local bid. We did receive another bid obviously in the general geographical area. said this is the lowest bid we had regarding the removal of the play structure. That's that's uh one of the reasons is because there's a donated work from two local um contractors that would be Sean O'Shea and Charl Charlie Hartzell. Uh they are um doing the free part of that now but the the curb if approved tonight uh would be poured uh on Monday. Um, so that uh increases the total amount for the play structure install to 142,000. So we already approved $122,000. This is that last kind of chunk
073that we knew was coming. Um, I did want to note that we have received $136,000 in donations. Um, and the total cost of just the play structure is 142. We have $25,000 of afterchool program budgeted. And that's also though for the leveling of that uh grass area and um additional I don't I want to say resurfacing help to the softball field. Um and then I I would believe training for our staff to maintain that because we've done that in the past and unfortunately that didn't keep um with the maintenance of it in fact a year ago today and it looks like it hasn't been done in a long time. So we we've got to figure out something about that soft so that we're not always back at it. But really a deep rotoill of the
074grass that will turn over that sort of level of the field. We had a like many people in this area, they say it's a cycle because of the two two to three years of heavy rain. Um a rodent squirrel infestation down there that created a lot of potholes. So a real re redig of that uh will be important and great. Uh we're looking at June 30 uh as the actual finished product and then a ribbon cutting to be uh announced when uh we decide upon that. We can talk about that maybe at our second board meeting in June about what day we want to do the ribbon cutting because we should have a good picture of the completion date. So staff recommends approval of the this aspect of the project which is the um bid
075for the curb install grading of that so that It's a 88 festival uh area for the play structure. Make a motion to approve. Second. Trusty Schuler. Hi. Trusty Pew. Hi. Trusty Castillo. Hi. Trusty Ross. Hi. Trusty Fred. Hi. Motion passes 5. Resolution or 9th. Floor resolution number 252. Appreciation of Pegasus Elementary School District employees. This is a nice one. So, in the month of May, we know it's staff recognition month. It's the day of the teacher uh is usually the second Wednesday in May or is it the first Wednesday in May? First Wednesday in May. Just fell late. It fell late this year as as the calendar was. And so, we have a resolution that we would like the board to approve which basically formally uh thanks and recognizes the work of our employees. Um,
076with this we would make a nice little uh document and then um give that to our board or our employees uh in recognition of their work. So staff does recommend we usually do roll call vote. So we'll need to do a roll call vote on a resolution but recommend approval of the resolution and looking at staff appreciation and recognition of our educators. I make a motion to approve resolution number 25-02. Second. Any further discussion? Trusty Pewitt. Trusty Castillo. Hi. Trusty Ross. I. Trusty Friend. Hi. Trusty Scheler. Motion passes. 50.5. Superintendent evaluation. Here it is. Here it is again. If there's We need a motion on this one to accept it. I make a motion to accept the excellent superintendent evaluation for the year 2020 2425. It was Gretchen to carry. [Laughter] Any further discussion? No.
077Trusty Castillo. Hi. Trusty Ross. Hi. Trusty friend. Hi. Trusty Schuler. Trusty Pew. Motion passes five to zero. 96 revise superintendent contract 2520. So, thank you for the evaluation. I appreciate the feedback. Um, it is my honor and privilege to serve as your superintendent. I can I've had wonderful jobs in education and I think next to being a literacy teacher, this is my favorite job ever and I've loved every job I have. It's a sickness. Um, but I I do love my work here and feel very honored. Um, in front of you, I have my contract. There are no raises within the contract. So what it is is just some quick revisions around um learning my job. It's my third year and recommendations um from uh basically AXA organization for administrators. So I'll highlight those changes
078though. The document has for anyone following in the public in yellow highlight. So it really clearly shows you any changes. Um so the changes have to do with work year. It's not that I'm trying to work less. It's just that the way it was formatted before talked about a 260 year uh even though you were only working a certain number of days and so it cleans up that language to make it a little bit more clear about the days I work which is really um year round whenever you need me to. Um but officially it is uh let me get in front of me here um 225 work days which is a full year uh for a certificated manager. Um it does have vacation days that can be spurred out because um uh those would
079be included and um of course the holidays which were closed. Um so it looks at those. It does articulate the language that I'm not going to carry over those work uh val vacation days for extended balances so that when if and when I retire I don't have like 900 vacation days you're going to pay out. So there's limits in that. So it's not a liability for the district financially. Um which is great. Um, Carrie, you did note, which I appreciated, around the the 2022 payroll. That was the original on the revision, and I didn't change that because that that section was done in that installment, but I I I agree with you that would it would be a um note to have that really starting in July 2025, but it it's not changing any financial
080aspect of it. Um, it does have the post uh retiree health benefits. So, um not being savvy on my first contract, this was not a section in it. Um but it basically looks at um every superintendent having uh health benefits when they retire. Uh you don't get greater benefits than a teacher would get. Um so it's not like I get some other package the teachers get. I get the same uh availability of that. the difference is and so all transparency the difference is in my contract here and in most superintendent contracts there are um terms of it that are a little different and I what I mean by that is when I was a teacher uh under a teacher contract it would be like oh you have to be 57 years old and work 10
081years in the district or 15 years in the district um and that qualifies you for retiree benefits that's not going to be the same in a superintendent contract the average that the average life expectancy or the reign of a superintendent in California is between 18 months and 27 months. Um, good news, I'm above the curve. I'm going into 36 months already. Um, which I'm super proud of, but obviously that means that every superintendent would take a job and never have available health benefits. So, there always are little differences. Um, this says after five full years of service that I'd be eligible for that. This is closing the third year. Um, so anything after that, uh, if I were to retire, uh, that would be the case. So, so, and this is upon retirement from the
082district from this district. If I took any other job, it is null and void. Yep. Yep. 100%. Thank you for clarifying that. And then lastly, uh, if you were to turn the page, you see the 225 on the work year. There was actually an error on the last contract. Randomly, it said 235, which isn't even a typical contract. Um, and got it. I believe that is it. Oh, no, no, important one. Sorry. First page. Very important one. So, there was some language in here and we've talked about this not last year. Oh, no. I guess it was last year when I had an updated contract uh November last year. So, about a year and a half ago. The language here says um and I'm going to read it because it's important because you guys may
083want to change this um or table this section or you can do whatever you'd like with it. Remember, I'm the worst negotiator for myself. It says here um in the event the superintendent receives a positive evaluation as determined by the board, the term of the agreement shall be extended by one year subject to mutual agreement um of any amended terms of this condition. So, that's what we're actually doing right now. Um, and then it says such such extension shall occur automatically unless the board notifies the superintendent in writing within 30 days of the evaluation of its intent not to extend the term. So, currently my contract ends 2028. Is that right? Yes. 2028. So, there's three years on my contract. Um, basically this keeps a continuous three-year contract unless the board then says, you know,
084let's say it's down the road and the board says, you know, I think two more years of Jen is just fine. Um, you'd have my evaluation, it could still be positive, but within 30 days in writing, you would say, we're not going to do what's called an ever like an evergreen or or extend it. So, it still gives you all the power to do that. It just means that we don't have to continually renegotiate terms within it. Um, but that so that's there. I think it does a better job describing that before because it before it had some elusive language around positive evaluation. Then the board could elect and the superintendent could elect to extend, but it didn't give the parameters of that. So that's there. The extension shall maintain a continuous three-year term of
085the agreement unless otherwise agreed upon in writing of both people. So if we were ever going to change that, we would agree in writing. So I wouldn't say staff, I would say the superintendent recommends approval of these changes and um graciously accepts your positive evaluation. Motion to accept the revised superintendent. I'll second. Any further discussion? So in that first termite where you have it there the extension shar is that kind of standard that it go three or we have it like since you already have a threeear term right well the way it works then so if we give her positive valuation that means a year is up right of the three so if she gets positive then we're going to add a So she'll always have a threeyear contract. Okay, that's what So it's not
086great way to describe perfect. Oh, there's three more years. It's gonna just continually stay three. You wipe out one. Not that we want you to go anywhere. I'm just trying to understand. No, but you know, maybe when you hit 87, I think two more years will be fine. Any further discussion? Trusty Castillo. Hi. Trusty Ross. Hi. Trusty friend. Hi. Trusty Schuler. Hi. Trusty Pewitt. Hi. Motion passes. 5 Z. Section 10. Review action items tasking and calendar. All right, Gretchen. Last safety meeting of the year. Are we having it or not? I know it got it got cancelled. We met all our requirements and we are the committee of the year. We are the champions. Yes, we went out on a high note. You were up. I don't know. I love the safety meetings. They're a
087lot of fun. Good job. Oh, yeah. Actually, it was added point in this whole like evaluation is that we have a board member at every single meeting. Great. Yeah. Well, thank you. And Val was before me and he made he made all the meetings. Sometimes the wrong time, but made all the I've been late a few times. Um board members are not scheduled to attend CCAC for June and July. at the practice we did just because it's uh in conflict of graduation and then um you do get some time off you know not having to come here the June meetings we have are Tuesday make sure you know this both of them are Tuesday we just made them both Tuesday to make it a little bit less complex and there are some limits around the
088budget and the public hearing of the budget June 3rd Tuesday because graduation is Wednesday so June 3rd is Tuesday and then the 17th of June Um, so they'll have the public hearing of the budget. It'll be LCAP and budget basically for the both of those unless you know some business comes up. But um, we do have our, as I said, eighth grade graduation on the 4th, which is at 6 PM. So if you guys could come closer to 5:40, that would be great. Then I could go through all of the things that you're going to do, where you're going to stand, all of that. So you feel comfortable in front of the million people in our gym, 100 million standing room, standing room only, which will be great. It will be a lovely, lovely ceremony
089like it always is. And then uh we have the kinder noted here too in the morning. Uh which is great. Just to let you know too, if anybody does want to go to the CCAC meeting because our graduation is on the first Wednesday, they will be doing their meeting the following Wednesday. So if anybody really wants to come, feel free. All right. Anything else? Any future agenda items? Anyone? All right. We're turned.