HUSD Governing Board Meeting June 2, 2026

001one-on-one communication occasionally with the superintendent and I'm not going to tie my hands and I'm not going to take all the scrupulous notes etc. And so if we can pivot this and open up more transparency, I get that the community loves the format. I love reading too and I love the question format and all that kind of stuff, but realistically majority of the questions that are asked overall, I want that to happen in the actual meeting. Like I want the community and the dialogue to actually happen. And I really do question that it's almost on the verge of open meeting law violation because it we do have an idea some of the way that those questions are asked the tone all that etc. In a way I know that I have in the past like

002got an idea of what I'm going to present or the replies I'm going to say with certain things. So in a way I can see how we're like really tipping toe. And so to be honest, I am fine where it's at. Honestly, I feel bad though because sometimes there are a lot of questions and then not only is it just one question, there's multiple. And not only like it's it is a lot of work. I feel like for admin overall, which is great. I'm all about asking questions, but sometimes it's like, you know, not super pivoted. And you can take this personally as an attack. I don't care. But I just I overall I I love the transparency of that. But I'm wondering if we can just pull this more into the board meeting, which

003is the whole purpose of the board meeting is for us to actively engage, ask those questions, bring all those questions. And I touched base with superintendent Lenheiser just you know can what if board meetings are like five to six hours you know and um and I think the admin is prepped if that's the route we need to go but I really don't want extra oversight especially since we are you know we kind of got we're we don't have an extra secretary in there and all that kind of stuff. I just this is where we've got to come to reality a little bit and just really see what's doable. Like I you know I I honestly your expectations I don't know if we can meet like even if we try to like pivot that way it

004might not be there. So I'm all for the public knowing and all the kind of written stuff and as a secretary I'm trying to be better as on my notes honestly. Sorry you guys, my voice is like getting weird now. But um to be more thorough. So if we do have to repivot this position, then I'm going to be more thorough on the notes because it's true, who has time to watch the videos, like you know. Um so that's something I could pivot more. But um I really am nervous about how it the reality of it is it might not be doable with these expectations. Anyways, continue on. >> [clears throat] >> President Wade, I don't know if I can speak. Go ahead. Someone else. Okay. So, um, board member, uh, German, I agree with

005a lot of what you said. I do have a question. Um, because many of the questions that are sent each week are things we've already covered in board meetings or things we've already shared that I have notes on. So, I don't need to know these things. If I'm I'm wondering if you're asking the questions as um because you don't remember the things or as a recollection or if you're trying for the public to remember them. I'm just trying to come from where understand from where you're coming from if that's if it's for the public because we never did this before. um this is a new thing and I wonder how many boards put out their questions like this because I mean if I have a question and it's a simple something that I've forgotten then

006I don't you know that I can call the superintendent or Christine and just ask her a quick question but I don't know that everybody on the board doesn't remember that from a conversation or from a board meeting. Hopefully that all came through and made sense. >> [snorts] >> Um, so I'm going to address a few things. So first, um, you said in my format. It's not in my format. I submit my questions in my format. If anybody submits their questions, it's in their own format. So I don't even understand what you mean by in format. And then as far as open meeting law violation, um, I'd like you to explain to me what your understanding of open meeting law violation is. Can you explain that to me? >> Well, I will rest on >> I'm

007sorry. I'm talking to me. >> Board members, German. >> Oh, sorry. >> Board members, I I did some background work on this topic. If if you'd like me to jump in. >> Yes, please. That would be delightful. >> Okay. All right. Um, >> well, can I ask can I finish asking my questions before you explain, please? Um, I mean, you you throw away open meeting law violation, but I'm not sure you even understand what that violation is. Uh, Vice President German, >> point of order. >> You can't call a point of order because you don't like what I'm saying. Um, and as far as extra oversight, uh, it's our job. that that's what our job is is oversight. Um, and I'm not I'm not sure that you even understand what the expectations are um for

008you to even say that. Uh, but questions are going to be asked and answers are going to be expected. And again, when they are on a consent agenda, we can't discuss consent agenda items at meetings unless they're pulled from consent. We can't pull I I had an I had a question about almost every item on consent. Um I can't pull every item off of consent. Do you understand that? To to be able to have a conversation. So, um, that is why it helps to have the questions submitted and be able to get answers and allow Christine time to be able to research the answers. And it might have been a long time ago that maybe you know same thing that was on a on a past agenda. But it's also is helpful to community to

009be able to pull up just this meeting and be able to see answers related to just this agenda item. Um so it could be a long time ago and I do search for same similar items um in past agendas. Um but mainly I don't believe that my question I mean you know football lighting like we haven't had that on previous agendas. So these are answers that I would like to have. Um and so none of that is open meeting law violation. And in fact, if I wanted to go online and say this is on tonight's agenda, and this is how I'm going to vote, there was actually a court ruling that says I could do that without violating open meeting law. Um, so again, I don't think you understand what open meeting law violation is

010to be saying that this is an open meeting law violation to be able to do this. >> Before you Brian, oh, I was going to ask for legal clarity. Is that all right? >> Sure. Okay, go ahead. >> So, um, just to add to the other concerns, another concern I, first of all, if if if it's communicated to us via email, that's different than putting it out in public, and we're not talking about putting something publicly on whatever website that you're you're on. That's not what we're talking about at all. Um, one concern I have again with open meeting law and the intent of open meeting law is that people see this stuff. I have concerns that maybe people when we get our board packets ahead of time that other people are seeing this before

011they are made public. Uh that concerns me. I I wouldn't want that stench to be attached to me that I've done that. Um what I will go back to about open meeting law and I appreciate the comments that board member Schultz made and board member German made. I should not have a sense except for for the one person that I'm allowed to talk to on the school board. I shouldn't have a sense of how someone's going to be voting on an issue. And I think that's what sometimes happens in the communications that we receive. So, I guess you can go on from there and explain. Thank you, >> Miss O'Brien. >> All right, President Wade and board members. Um, I've been taking notes as you've been talking, so I'm going to try to address all

012the things that have come up, but please remind me if I forget anything. [clears throat] Okay. So, in general, the one-on-one meetings with the superintendent to get information about items on the agenda are very typical, right? Um, sharing out the information that, you know, the questions that come in um to all board members is again very typical. And sometimes, you know, if there's a legal matter, I'll communicate to a governing board out kind of that one direction information. You know, here's something that's on your agenda and here's background information about it. Um, but remember, for open meeting law purposes, [clears throat] the attorney general's office is concerned when a quorum of the board deliberates or discuss something that should be occurring in a public meeting. So, if you're meeting with um your superintendent and getting

013background information on items on the agenda, that should be that one direction information. You know, you might have questions about it, but you're not saying I'm going to vote on this. Yay. How is President Wade going to vote on this? Right? Because then that would create what's called this daisy chain open meeting law issue. um where [clears throat] essentially you're deliberating through the superintendent on items that would come before your governing board. So, my understanding is that's not what occurs in the one-on-one meetings. It's just providing you with background information. Um the district's practice of posting the questions on its website is not something that I've seen other districts do, but I looked at it and I talked to another attorney in my group and we don't think that that runs a foul of the

014open meeting law. Um [sighs] let's see. Um there was a series of attorney general opinions about theseformational meetings with superintendent um in 2024 and 2025 and I provided the most current AG opinion um to Christine today and it involved what were called two by two by one meetings in Scottsdale Unified. And so the superintendent would meet with two board members, two board members and one board member. And so the attorney general's office um issued um a written opinion and then amended it. And I wanted to read from you read to you one paragraph that I think is relevant to this conversation. Um so the attorney general said that we recognize that SUSD and other boards may sometimes benefit from having information presented to board members in a 2x two by one or similar format. And

015we recognize that merely providing information to board members in that format will not always run a foul of the open meeting law. After all, board members are not prohibited from gathering information independently outside of a public meeting. Nor are they prohibited from discussing matters with another board member so long as that discussion does not directly or indirectly involve a quorum of other board members. And so I I it's a a hefty attorney general's opinion with actually a um an underlying opinion written by my partner Jennifer Mlennon. So it's it's a long read, but it is pretty informative and really the attorney general is is saying it's it's fact dependent what is discussed in those meetings. So [clears throat] going back to those one-on-one meetings you have with the superintendent. as long as it's background information

016and you're not sharing with him how you're going to vote on something that would not run a foul of the open meeting law. Is there anything that I didn't answer that you would like to answer? [clears throat] >> And I did read that opinion. Um, and it is long, but it's I believe it's very clear. Um, and that's what these Q&As's are. It's it's literally asking questions about the agenda item and and getting information like about the vendor and uh you know what is what is it that we're um that is being presented to us cost related uh breakdowns like that. So and and nothing in the Q&A process um I believe would be anything related to an open meeting law violation. It's literally gathering information so I can make an informed vote. Um and

017uh at the same time hoping that my questions that are being asked um could be helpful to other board members too and and our community when they're watching uh they can understand the item as well. Um again uh my concern is it shouldn't matter how questions are coming in and if they're related to the agenda then it should be shared with all board members based on our protocols. Um and the option to call in a question um just because if you call it in then it doesn't end up uh shared with the rest of the board um shouldn't [snorts] be used as an excuse for that information not to be shared with the rest of the board is all I'm saying. and board member Van Hook. Madame President, I will say that I have not

018seen the practice of transcribing the one-on-one meetings for other board members. I mean, whether you want >> Not the whole meeting. Yeah. Just questions, agenda related questions. [snorts] >> Right. Well, I I haven't seen that practice, but I mean, again, as long as it's background information, that's a business decision of whether the board wants to do that or not. It's not an open meeting law [laughter] requirement or an open meeting law problem. Thank you. >> President Wayne, can I uh say a few things about this? You know, I agree that we have these communication protocols and when you look at all the different protocols, I think it's important that, you know, if we're going to say that make sure we're doing them, then I think that we make sure that we do all of the

019board communication protocols. I think what's interesting about this, I was here when it started. I don't know if any of you guys were on the board when this started. Um, we had a former superintendent who felt like she wanted background from the questions coming from the board so that the here as cabinet we could be prepared and have an idea about what questions that we answer during the board meeting. I think there was a concern that hey we ask a question and then we as the as the people in here might have to say I don't know let me get back to you. But that was the intent of it. The intent was to give us your questions early. we'll be able to be prepared for them. We can share them back to you and

020then when you ask them in the meeting, we have an answer ready to go. They weren't posted publicly. They were an internal document that we used to make sure that people were prepared. And then a few years ago, we changed it to posting it publicly, but I don't think that that when I came on board, the idea was and I've offered it to all of you, come in and let's talk about this because I think when you have discussions, which is why I'm really happy we're having this discussion tonight. Here we are in public. You guys can never have discussions unless you sit here, right? Like that's the hard part really. And and it's hard being I think it's hard being a board member wanting to have discussions, but you can't. We have to have

021it in the open. We have to have it transparent. The most transparent place that we have within our district is right now where everybody can see what that conversation is and going forward. And so, you know, when when we have discussions or we review and people want a preview of of the governing board agenda and we go through it, I think that that's a a great way and a learning way for board members because each one of you because I know each one of you, you prepare all differently. All of you guys prepare for board meetings differently, but you prepare in a way that come to be able to present and move forward. But just the background on these communication protocols, right? That was the intent was to provide it so that when you came

022and you did ask that question ahead of time, it wasn't for do we have a forward- facing document that was added after that was put in. And I think the reason we have um you know um board president Wade and I when we discuss this to make it an action item because truly I want to do what the will will of the majority of the board says and follow through. And so when we have action taken tonight then that will help serve what we are doing in order for board members to be the best prepared that they can to make informed decisions about the future of our district and what's happening within our district. >> Yeah. And I may I just uh President Wade may I? So uh right after my term was up is

023when this protocol uh came into play and it wasn't for I don't think it was developed for every single question that we have. It was for big questions that would benefit the public to know uh like big ones. Um so like for instance in the past I have asked you like uh I think it was last December or maybe the December before I I can't remember but the electricity bill was a little bit higher for the pool at Higgley High and I was like why is it so much? Well it was a state swimming tournament. Um, so I asked you that question. I mean, I can I can inundate with thousands of questions, but I need to be comfortable about the things uh upon which I vote. Um, and I need to be knowledgeable about

024those things. And again, Councelor O'Brien, I think it's the way that some of these questions are asked. I am uncomfortable knowing how other more than one board member is voting on something ahead of time. I just I I'm uncomfortable with that. I feel like I should learn that here uh after discussions. >> Um first, thanks Mr. O'Brien for uh giving us the information and helping to clarify that. Uh I have several things that I would like to say, so I apologize. Um, I guess the first issue that I have is the statement that the process that we're doing is not transparent in that the entirety of the time that I've been on the board, this policy um was in place for the questions because the superintendent who was here when I arrived on the board

025had that policy in place and we changed it to make those public so the public could see the questions that the board was asking because ultimately you had complaints that the board seemed as if they were just approving things and the statement was board was asking questions that maybe the public wasn't aware of and so this is where we are at. Um what it feels like Miss Van Hook is that you are unhappy that we aren't following or doing things in the exact same way that you do when to be clear we get the questions and to to Mr. Glover's point that are dealing with data and numbers and those kinds of things. The superintendent, it comes in the superintendent report all the time in that I have asked questions in our meetings at times

026whether they were if they were an agenda item then we're going to talk about it in the board meeting and so it gets put up on there. I'll even say you know Miss Zimmerman you can put that one on there kind of deal when it's an actual question that I have on a board. Most of the time when we meet the questions that I have are in the presentation. So if I just sit here and listen, I get the answers to my question because that's the way the presentation is supposed to go. That's the information items with which we have in front of us and that's how that policy takes place. So those questions that I have when I say hey is this there and you go it's the next slide over that does not

027have to be put in what is already a ridiculously long document in terms of the questions that go online. There is nothing that's not transparent about that. In fact, the information is publicly displayed. So, it feels as if that you think that in these meetings certain kinds of questions or things that are happening or taking place that are not because we don't have the same amount of questions that you do. We don't. To Miss Schultz's point, some of these questions are repetitive. I.e. the consent agenda is long. Every summer it is. Every summer, our consent agenda is overwhelmingly long. at the end of the year and the start of the year because we have things that come up annually and we do them over the summer. So that's why they're longer. We've actually literally had

028complaints about how long it has been before with you on the board in my time here. And the explanation again is that they are policies that come through annually and that's why they are here. To be clear, if you have an issue, you can, and we've done it tonight, always can take them out of consent agenda and move them. We did this because at one point Lingal talked about how consent agenda is not a time to debate and hash out which is why we removed them. Whether or not we keep the practice to Miss German's point, I agree the burden that is on our administration team to answer some of these questions that ultimately don't always impact our ability to do our job. So for example, keeping with consent agenda item, there are sometimes staff

029travel to conferences and the questions are the company that is putting forth the conference and questions about that company. How is that pertinent to us and our ability to do our job? If the argument is sometimes staff will be given information that they should never bring into our classroom. They are upheld to our policies to not bring it in our classroom. They are adults doing their job. So asking those questions are in fact repetitive and insulting to say the least with respect to the professionals that are doing their job. I struggle when we say things like we are not transparent as a district. We are overwhelmingly transparent. overwhelmingly the questions and the concerns and the things that I have when I have questions that deal with data that deal with specific information, they either end

030up in that report because I put it there when we were meeting in the first place or they come in the superintendent's report on that Friday or sometimes if it's an immediate question like if we get an email that's concerning something I will call Mr. Lenheiser and say hey we just got this can we send something out to the board and then it gets sent out. We are following this communication protocol. The idea that our meetings, which I am grateful that Mr. Glover, Miss Gar, I have to do it as a board president and fun facts, I will always do that now, even if I'm not the president because it does make me feel more prepared having the ability to go through it in a in a less stressful environment than what this is. And

031that's great. I think I agree with respect to the gray area of open meeting. I I find the idea that we can know or that you would even post publicly, this is how I feel. I find it to be gray. I find that the policies and the laws that were in place were in place before social media, before our phones are the way that they are. And I think that's great. And while courts are trying to keep up, things change constantly. And that I agree, Mr. Glover makes me feel uncomfortable because I like to follow the law. Um, I think the ultimate question is whether or not we are following this protocol. And I recognize how you feel, Miss Van Hook. We are a board of five. I do not believe that the district is

032not following the communication protocol as it is written, especially considering the fact that we have what feels like a 10-page question response for this meeting alone here tonight. and how long and how much time and effort that must have taken our admin team. I still feel as if we are following this protocol. So I think for the purposes of our meeting, for the purposes of of continuing, I think the question comes down to a how do we as a majority of the board feel about this protocol? Are there changes we desire to make, if any, and maybe focus on where those changes are so we can continue rather than just saying the same things over and over again. >> Yes, Madam President. So along those lines, I agree. U Mr. Zimmerman, can you pull up

033uh policy BEBA because I I think I've pulled it up correctly in this new in this new version of Board Docs, but let's take a look specifically at the policy. um because what's been given to us is different than the policy. Um and so that's the the process. And so if we want to talk about the process and change the process, >> Yeah. please. Cuz it's uh it's a lot less it's a lot less specific. It doesn't it doesn't say most of the things we've been talking about. Um >> Mr. Glover, while she's doing that for clarification, this policy is what governs this because this is just protocols, right? This is just something we've said we're going to do. >> Sorry, President Wade. On the on this on this page in the communication protocols that

034we got, I think it's page one, two, three, four. Uh there's item number 2A and it says board members will call or email the governing board secretary with questions. Um so if we're if we want to tinker with that I would just say I would change the wills to may and sort of leave it at the discretion of the superintendent and the board member if they feel that it's you know something that's conducive to uh for the you know for the greater good of the benefit of of the of the public like a public good. So but this is very short and it doesn't say most of the things we're talking about about emailing or uh anything like that. So that's the policy. >> Okay. So then we're talking about the processes and if we

035want to change the process to to uh something more um I don't know able to be handled I guess efficiently and effectively for all of us. Uh we can change the change the wording of that process but the policy doesn't say anything about what we've been talking about. I guess for the board members, I I I look at it as I recognize there are there's an aspect of this that our district admin cares about. And to be fair, I do care about your labor and I care how you feel about it. Um I'm not asking that in this moment. So for that, I apologize. Um let's just stick to us up here. I do not believe that we are running a foul of our processes in that I believe our district has been very communicative

036with respect to issues or questions that we have that are pertaining to information that the board doesn't currently have access to. That matters because if I'm asking a question that's not in here, that should absolutely go to everybody. And every question I have had that would pertain to that, no matter how I have asked that question has ended up either in a superintendent report, a random email. One issue I think uh uh Sherry called us to talk to us about it, but that was because things were happening in a very crazy fashion at the time. Um, but again, I don't believe that we are not doing that. Has anybody asked a question that you're like, "Nope, never ended up in here." Okay. So again, I I guess my question then is how is it that

037you reasonably expect the district to do more than what is already being done in terms of five individuals who our job is to do what we need to do to prepare for this information and prepare to come up here and how we choose to do that. [snorts] >> Okay. So, I'm going to address a few things you said. Um, first of all, I never said we are not transparent. Um, so, uh, that is not accurate. Um, you're also, um, [sighs and gasps] you mentioned that, you know, about open meeting law that we like to follow the law. Are you insinuating that I don't follow the law? Um because I know open meeting law. Um and I know how it works. Um and I absolutely do follow the law. Um and you just agreed with me

038that if a board member is asking questions that absolutely it should be shared with the rest of the board. Um which is my entire intention for this. Um and my experience differs from all of you. Um, so I am going to have different questions when it comes to agenda items based on my experience. Um, and the current appro all I'm saying is that the current approach creates inconsistency because if board members are asking agenda questions, then it should be shared with the entire board just as it states on our communication protocols in section 6B. and section 2 AI. That's all I'm saying. It's in here and it should it should be followed. So, I'm not I I think you guys are kind of I I I'm not even sure where what you're trying to create

039out of this. All I'm asking is that the communication protocols be followed and if if there's an agenda question then it's shared with the entire board and I mean you can go ahead and change will to may that does not change the fact that information has to be shared with the entire board. >> Mr. Latenheiser for clarification. >> Y >> questions that are pertaining to the agenda. And to be clear, I have questions sometimes that are like, "Does this say this?" And you're like, "Yes, it's right there." So to be clear, that's not an a question that should be sent out to the board. That's bonkers. I I again I I just wish to express it because outside of that questions that pertain to the agenda that are not already in the information we have

040in front of us are shared out. Is that correct? No matter how those questions were asked. >> Yes. Uh here's here's how we've done it. Obviously when we get an email address or email, we can look at it and respond. when we're having a conversation a lot of times those questions aren't the in the things governing board member Van Hook when you sent the questions in there might have been seven different questions pertaining to a different thing very more specific those aren't the questions that's happening but are there are questions that require us or I have to go back to the staff and say hey we have an issue with something Sharon I need you to look this up find it whether it's about a board agenda or any kind of question that we get.

041That's why you'll see it in status and that's why you'll see it come forward in status with the Q&As's. The timeliness of that is is a quick turnaround when we get them on Monday morning and we go through as a cabinet and say here's who's going to be assigned to do the different things to look at it but having a conversation and that's why I think what's nice even right now is demonstrating this where you are all having a conversation together. It's not one-way communication, right? This is the ability to have an answer given and then somebody else come back and have an answer and to go back and forth, which I think is a healthy thing for a group of people to be able to do. And so when those one-on-one preparation meetings are

042simply going through the agenda and seeing some some of the presentations before they come here because it's the same exact information that would be presented to go to every single person going there you know and I think that again each board member is going to be prepared and prepares [clears throat] to your point uh governing board member Van Hook your background and experience is different than other people's background and experience is different than the next one. So you all have different perspectives about how you perceive things and look at it. And I think it's our job to get you as prepared as possible. And if it it is for you to send in the email and those questions, that's great. And we'll continue to work on and and answer those questions. If it's to come

043in and have a one-on-one meeting with us. A lot of you guys do use Christine as an email to Christine, perfect. Then we can get that and we can work and we can respond. Sometimes it takes a while. Mhm. >> There's a lot of different things that happen in order for us to get there. But I I don't think and and and I I guess the the in the intent of the discussions that we're having in the one-on-one meetings, we're very very careful that it cannot be any kind of daisy chaining or I never ask you how you're going to vote. I know that that is super daboo and I don't want to. Why? Because I think it's really important that you guys come up here or up there and that's where you get to

044say it and answer it to us. [snorts] And so, you know, questions that come at board meetings that we respond and we have to be prepared because that's our job, right? And how we can go through it and and at the same time we also know that if a question comes up that we have to say we'll get back to you, then we get back to you and we get it back to you in status. >> President W. >> Um, board member Van Hooked did mention consent agenda items and it is really helpful. It is especially if you're we're going to do it all pass vote on that. that is helpful to get information ahead of time. Again, I'm not against this. I just don't like the push that I have I'm doing something wrong.

045Honestly, I feel that I'm being very proactive. I I have asked questions in the past via email to Christine. She's answered them. So, I I really do like the I'm fine with the format that we're at. I'm just kind of stating how I was kind of feeling about things and how sometimes those questions are I mean there's quite a bit and so but I I do utilize that service or you know um so it's I'm I'm kind of fine where we're at. I just I don't like to be just basically um controlled in a way I guess is how I could put it. Thank you. Um I think for clarity and again so we can make some sort of movement uh here then it sounds like Miss Van Hook your concerns are already being met.

046Like I don't I the idea that we aren't fulfilling this policy does seem disingenuous in that I at least participate in my meetings whenever I have a meeting whether that's with Mr. lots onheiser and or other folks I've asked to come in for different things so I can understand staff because I didn't know it ahead of time and then that helps me ask questions in here or helps me understand what's going on. Again, any question that I have had that is information pertinent to an agenda item that's not in the agenda item, information that is collected already to begin with has always been shared with the board no matter how that question has come in. So I don't really know then what the point of this conversation is in that if your goal is to

047ensure that any questions that we are having that pertain to a specific thing where that information is not already presented to us and has to be answered get shared or to Miss German's point and again I apologize to the admin for the sheer volume of some of these questions sometimes or how difficult can be whatever that is done that's part of our process that's part of this and we're here doing it. This is year four. No, you've done it longer than that, but putting it posting it's longer. Posting it's year four, whatever that is. We've been doing it for a few years now. So, it doesn't feel like there needs to be any changes then to what it is that we currently have, unless there is some other change that somebody wishes to propose because

048it seems as if we're honoring that protocol already. >> Okay. So, um, what's weird to me is the fact that it doesn't matter what I say, you guys turn it into something controversial when it the intention is not controversial. um my in so what kind of initiated this is several meetings ago um I believe it was Mr. Glover that said he had it was when we were looking at curriculum adoption and Mr. Glover said, you know, I I contacted superintendent and I asked a bunch of questions related to to this item. [sighs and gasps] And then afterwards, I was like, okay, well, if he asked a bunch of questions, why weren't his questions shared with the rest of the board? Because maybe um coming from a teacher's perspective, maybe those questions and answers would have

049been helpful to me. Um, and the answer that I received from Mr. Latenheiser was that the questions if the questions come in by phone or in a one-on-one meeting, then those qu those questions and answers aren't shared with the board. Um, which then prompted me to look at our communication protocols, which it doesn't specify how the questions come in. It just says if the questions are asked, then it's shared the information shared with the board. Um, and all I'm asking is that we follow our protocols. um that if questions are asked, share it because it could be beneficial to other board members. And so I never said you're doing something wrong. Um I never accused you of anything other than the fact that if these are our protocols, let's follow them. Um, and if we

050if you don't want to follow our protocols, >> excuse me, I'm talking. Um, if you don't want to follow the protocols, then maybe um we change that. Um, but to make this a bigger issue than than it actually is, uh, is mind-boggling to me because that's not what I that's not what I'm saying and that's not what I'm asking. I'm just simply saying this these are our protocols and let's follow it. Um, that's it. And as I stated already, I don't believe we need to change the protocols. I'm just asking that we follow them as written. >> President Wade, in 2 A, it says we'll call or email. >> Yeah. >> Did [clears throat] Did you have a followup for that or Okay. So, I just here's what I want to say. First of all,

051you have made an issue, board member Van Hook. So, um here's what I think you don't understand. >> [snorts] >> um how do you know it wasn't how do you know my questions weren't presented? So when I bring something to the superintendent then uh the staff then might adjust their presentation and mention the points that I wanted to mention. I don't need I'm not the type of person that needs credit for asking a question. I want to make sure the information goes to by fellow board members and to the community. So sometimes when I bring something to Superintendent Lsonheiser's attention, maybe he brings it to Mr. Armstrong and maybe I say to him and I have said to him that should you should mention that during your presentation which then covers the thing that you're

052you're saying. I just don't think again you know I don't mind the what where and who questions but I don't really want to know because I would rather have this discussion publicly. Um, I I don't I just don't I don't want to know how people are voting on things. And that's what the questions and the communic and the comments and the running commentary that we get. I already feel like I know too much more than I should know. And I'm really only supposed to know or talk to up to one person. Sometimes we don't even do that just because to air on the side of caution. So again, uh, I soon ready to make a motion to move on because we're we're at this point beating a dead horse because we're just not going to

053view things the same way. >> President Wade, I'm sorry. I have one thing I would just like to add. >> I'd like to add that [clears throat] um, Superintendent Hires have brought this up um, that if we're following if we're asking to follow communication protocols, we should all follow all communication protocols that are listed um, and not pick and choose the ones we want to follow. Thanks, Miss Schultz. Okay. Um, so again, I I hear the concerns are we follow protocol. Again, from my perspective and the questions that I have because I can only speak to the questions that I have. District has been following protocol um in every aspect of that. I I I don't feel personally that it's not. So, from my perspective, um I mean, I'm ready to make a motion ultimately

054to just move on from where we're at, unless somebody else has a different motion they wish to throw on the table. I I again wish to express district is following them. I I can understand why you feel like it might not be with there are certain questions or we don't present them in the same way but again I just don't have the same number of questions as you or I ask them here uh or they are literally presented in the information item and any question I had is answered in that moment and then I wait to see if I have more based off that and and and live my life. So, does anybody have a different motion that they wish to make other than I guess keep following protocols as we are with our policies

055that are in place? >> Um, President Wade, I just want to make one more thing clear is um when it's a consent agenda item, none of that is discussed at the board meeting. So there's no presentation, there's no explanation from admin, there's nothing because it is a consent agenda item that gets one vote and it passes with no discussion. Um, which is why I think it's important um that information is shared. Um, but I do agree we can move on. >> To be clear, those questions are shared for the consent agenda, right? Like any question that you have that goes through is there. I don't have them often. The things I look at for consent agenda is who's paying for it when it comes to travel or purchases or those kinds of things. That information

056is in the consent agenda. I have to search a lot sometimes, especially if it's the vouchers, but either way, it is in the information present for the questions that I have. I don't think there hasn't been like there might be something that I have sent in if there's a specific question on that or whatever. Um, I agree with you. That's why we have the question thing in place to address that very specific thing. So, uh, Christine, I'm probably going to butcher this in that I mean, do we need to motion anything for this? [laughter] >> President Wade, you are agendaized for possible action. >> So, I mean, if there is no action, can I I do I motion? >> You don't have to take action. You You can take action. >> Great. So if I

057don't want to take action and there's nothing we need to do, do we just go on living our lives? >> We just move on to the next. >> All right. Great. Look at that. It's a first for us all here today. [laughter] All right. 5.3 discussion and possible action regarding policy JJ textbook supplementary materials selection and adoption. Uh Mr. Lenheiser, it says it's time to turn to you for comment. Yeah, I wanted to clarify why we brought forward this um agenda item and how we brought it forward because the goal is to have a discussion as a governing board in public everyone again because we don't ever get to have times to do this. This is the only time we can and it really goes back to me when we're talking about policy and updating

058and changing policy. We had a request two maybe three meetings ago I think from board member Van Hook. I know it's been a while, but three meetings ago, let's say that she would like to look and revise uh JJ. And so that was asked in a future agenda item that comes and what I'm looking to do is say when a board member is proposing to come and change uh a policy, how do we want to do this? Because I think it's really important for us to as a group, is that a decision that the entire board would like to do to move forward? and then it basically will authorize me to work with the board member or work with my team to come up within that first read. I've always felt it was interesting when

059we do the first read, it's not really an action thing, yet I felt like every time we do it, we're directed to do something because of it. And I don't know if that's necessarily following the what we're supposed to do. I just know that's traditionally what we've done in the past. So, board member Van Hook came. She gave us a a redline version of what she'd like to see put in place in terms of that. And what I wouldn't ask asking the entire board and I think this needs to be a process when we get a future agenda item ask if it's something where we have to come together and change policy is this a discussion and I would love to have board member Van Hook be able to explain why she brought it forward

060because I think that's important for everybody to hear. This goes back to this is a very transparent way for us to have conversations together about what's happening. Ask questions. ask clarifications on what we're looking for for JJ. And so with that, I would like to ask uh board member Van Hook if she would like to explain what's going forward and then we look forward with uh the governing board and the decision they make. Is this something that's changed or we can have this discussion together and I think that's just a missing step that we have from hey, I'd like an agenda item and then to hey, it comes from the first read, but the first read's an information item which isn't an action item. So could you truly give us, you know, the power to

061could turn around and change and to work on this as a team? I hope that makes sense. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Lutzenheiser. Um, so at the couple meetings ago when we approved the supplemental material, I shared concerns that, um, our supplemental list is extremely long. And so, uh, I'd like to be able to see ways on how we can, um, you know, go through the list and see how, uh, we as a district could, um, possibly purge things that aren't being used. Um, and and kind of shorten that list a little bit. Um, and you know, my concern is not just like about one individual uh resource or supplemental material. Um, but it's just being able to look at uh, you know, the the whole process of approving and possibly um, being able to

062purge the list. Um and because we're not allowed to talk to um each other um outside of a board meeting um you know I can't come and say hey what do you think about this? So, this is our opportunity um to take a look at uh my recommendations for the policy and determine um you know what we think and what we want to change and be able to move forward from there. Um, and um, I'm not sure if um, do you want me to read the policy? Um, >> you know, I think we all have the policy and we have a copy of the redlinined in there. >> Let's see. >> And, you know, and and uh, the stuff that's obviously in black is what is currently in it and the stuff is in red

063is what's being added. And you know, when you talk about you talk about the why, and this is why I appreciate that we can have a conversation here. you talk about the why and I can I can still remember this you brought that up and even Mr. Birkshshire yeah yes when we sit and go through supplementals we have a lot and we do think that we need to have an internal process to be how do we go turn around and keep them on remove them are they being used or not and and we feel like there is some area to clean up from that and so I actually tked Mr. Birkshshire said, "Come come forward with a come up with a plan." Especially considering that, you know, we used to have nine instruct or 11

064instructional coaches that would have handled this. We're down to four. Come up with a plan. At the same time, uh board member Van Hook said, "Hey, here's what she would like to see in it." You know, and so from my perspective, when I look at it, I agree that we need to have a way that we look through our supplementals. And I don't think a supplemental approval should be a lifelong supplemental approval. I completely agree with that. What what I look at when I look at this, I appreciate the language and thing that's put in here. I wonder is it do we need to change the policy? Do I need to update the regulation and come back with a procedure that says, "Hey, here's the policy." The policy dictates basically that the superintendent will bring

065forward the removal of textbooks and supplementary materials. How can I turn around and define that for you more more closely? Which is where the regulation comes in. Remember, with regulations, they're not board member approved. regulations or how we interpret the policy and we bring it back to you. And so I'd love to have that conversation about do we need to change the policy to get to the goal that board member Van Hook wants that honestly I agree with. We need to have a way a more formal way for us to remove supplementals and and and looking at Mr. Birkshshire he's agreeing because we've had those conversations him coming into his position as the executive director next year of teaching and learning looking at that we do already have an approval process we have a supplemental

066approval process which has sparked all of what we're already doing but how do we make sure that we're looking at vetting them and so when we went through and looked at it he he he would propose something and I didn't want to bring it forward to you without having this discussion and having that ability to have it but um really so what I'm after for this is let's have that discussion and then you guys can make a decision. Do we want to move forward with changing the policy? Do we want to move forward with changing the regulation? Um what what is what does the board want to do when looking at this policy? >> President Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. If I could just provide a little bit of context. Um so right now Higgley

067has the model JJ policy from ASBA which brings you into compliance with ARS 15721 and 722 which is elementary and high school textbook adoption and then supplemental u material approval. Um, so remember a few years ago a there were a lot of open meeting law complaints around textbook adoption and the ASBA policy at the time didn't include the open meeting law requirement which is a part of state law. So that was a recent change in the policy. So right now you have the policy that brings you into compliance with state law. So if you wanted to modify the policy that would be above and beyond what's required and again that's a decision of the board if it wants to do that. And then just to echo what your superintendent described, you know, it's generally, you

068know, the governing board sets policy, the superintendent creates the regulation to implement it, you know, and certainly a board member can have good insights on how to implement that, but typically the board just gets notification of changes to the regulation based as long as it's consistent with the policy. >> Yeah. And I I did provide those recommendations kind of to match the policy. Um but again it was recommendations. Um so um f first um part of my change is um it clarifies that instructional material approved by the district um should be age appropriate and compliant with applicable um Arizona laws. Um that's the first section um D that was added. Um second, um they establish a review process for supplemental materials, including a three-year review cycle, a baseline audit of materials currently in use, and

069per periodic evaluation of alignment, implementation, cost, and effectiveness. And I know that um from that meeting uh it was said that um a lot of our supplementals are free. Um but if we do have ones that cost um then that information can be shared. Um third um the change provides a greater transparency through uh greater transparency through um annual reporting on supplemental materials including inventories um expenditures, usage and recommendations for consolidation or removal. um we already have the process in place where um well I think I requested um the inventory list uh but that wasn't I don't believe that was necessarily shared um but I did request a copy. Um fourth, um the change um would require the new supplemental material request requests identify their purpose, cost um expected outcome and um compliance with applicable

070law before being presented for approval. And then finally um they encourage continuity um scalability and efficient use of resources uh by asking whether materials can be used beyond a single classroom and by discouraging unnecessary duplication of a resource um serving um similar purposes. Um, and this proposal does not ban material, restrict instruction, or prevent um, teachers from using supplemental resources. It creates a structured review and accountability process for materials we are already approving and using throughout the district. Um, and um, because we're approving instructional instructional resources districtwide, um, then I believe that we should, um, know what they are, what they cost, whether they are aligned to state standards and applicable laws, um, how broadly they're being used, and whether they are producing, um, intended results for students. And if they're not, then um I

071would assume they would stop using them and then they'd end up on the purge list. Um so with that said, um I mean we can discuss, you know, [clears throat] what possible changes >> can I can I say something real quick? Yes, sure. You know, I I think again going back to the to the idea of making changes to a policy to develop a process. I I want to make sure that when we develop policy, that's the big picture and the process is the details that we can have it because that's that's basically what we're in charge of doing there. And and I worry sometimes that when the policy becomes so prescriptive because in the past sometimes that has gone through which is why I want to have this conversation out here with everyone when

072it becomes so when the process is defined or becomes very specific within the policy. I think that really uh narrows the ability for us to be able to look at it and fit it within the needs of what we're doing within the staff and looking forward and moving forward to that. And I know that you know when we go through the idea of within a 90 days of this coming through I know what our staff and our capability especially when they don't work in the summers and how we go forward. However, we can have a process to make sure that governing board members are updated about what's happening in that can come forward within a process not necessarily needing a policy change. >> Sorry madam president. So, >> so um first I um you know

073I appreciate the fact uh what was mentioned earlier that um at times we have been sort of some of all of us some of us have just said things and we proceed with doing that. We should vote on that like we're about to do right here. I uh I appreciate that and I appreciate board member Van Hook writing something down so we can discuss. Um, but going sort of back to the conversation we had uh moments ago, this is something you and I talked about yesterday, and I was fully intent on bringing that up here publicly, as I as I think we should. Um, you talked about regulations and procedures. I know a little bit about how curriculum departments work and uh all of this. I uh I would appreciate um not changing the policy

074and letting Mr. Burkshshire work uh on a cycle. I believe the way this policy uh proposal is presented, it's it's cumbersome. I don't think it's feasible, especially with some of the cuts we've just had to make in our curriculum department. Um and I think there's already a process for much of this to be done. And um for example, I think um item D to ensure that it's in compliance. I I like that's just a given. I mean, that's state law, so it's it seems a little bit a little bit redundant. So I I don't know that we need to change this. I would prefer to just maybe have a report sometime in the future that talks about what you've come up with, what you've seen. Um, but some of these 90 days and three-year cycles,

075um, I think it's it's it's it's a little bit it's restrictive and we already have these policies and procedures and people that do these things. So, I'm not in support of uh changing the policy as presented. >> President Wade, um, uh, Mr. Birkshshire. I I wanted to make sure um I love the idea of this because I do want us to touch base with our resources. Again, fiscal responsibility. I just always want to make sure that we're touching base with that um bottom dollar. And then yes, the age appropriate. I know some resources, I don't know if many of them, but they are sometimes perhaps like updating. So just making sure that the age appropriateness is in there. I do like the D paragraph. That's a good one. But I really wanted to make sure

076that this was uh doable. Um [snorts] I'm all about getting the numbers, seeing what what works uh for the teachers and and such like that. That way we can purge the list or just scale it back. What are your thoughts, Mr. Birkshshire or President Sup or Superintendent? Sorry, I don't know who to ask questions to. >> Thanks. I'm going to steal Marcus' thunder [snorts] because we've had plenty of conversations related to that. Yeah. When I when I look at it and the the staffing that we have in order to be able to do this, I do think we need a very cyclical process so that things are reviewed in a meaningful time and in a meaningful way. And I don't have any problem with saying, "Hey, are we spending money?" Ultimately, we want the same

077thing as you. Are we spending money on a resource we don't need? Right? Like we I don't want that at all. And to be able to review it. I do think that as we look, we can basically mirror some of our adoption things as we're getting back into adoptions where we can take a look and say, "Hey, we're going to address English this year. We're going to address math. We're going to keep going and we're going to address those." So, they're cyclical on how we look at it. We know that teachers, there's been some changes in how we've done supplementals and I think the changes in supplementals have helped slow down some of the implementation of supplementals. when a teacher brings forward a supplemental to us now it's basically saying can I use it next

078year not can I use it next week >> that's part of our new policies correct Mr. and that and and that has been put out within the last two years as we look at at supplementals and at novels and we run those procedures through our ed services and our teaching and learning curriculum and instruction departments. And so, you know, when I look at what what a formal cycle is, yes, I I would be able to come back and propose to you guys a formal cycle and give you an updated regulation because there there does need to continue to have that. And can we strengthen that and make it doable for the personnel that we currently have, you know, people that we would look at handling this is not necessarily the classroom teacher. No, it's it's

079our teaching and learning department, our curriculum and instruction, our district content specialists because that's part of what they need to do to be able to do it. Again, we have four of them now. We used to have 11. And so, some of that needs to be taken into consideration to make sure that we can fit the demands of what we want. Ultimately, I think we all want the same things. We want vetted appropriate curriculum used with our children. And if something is there that not, we need to be able to take it out. And if something's not used, we need to be able to take it out. I completely agree with that. And so whether the you as the board want to direct me to change the policy and work on that or if you

080want me to direct me to change the uh procedure or develop a process that's easier for everyone to understand, I'm good with that as well, but I wanted that to be your guys's decision. [snorts] >> Thank you, Mr. Lassenheiser. Um I wish to express uh gratitude to Bis Van Hook in bringing it up. I think we should have something in place that looks at what we have and where that is. Um I think my concern would be in line probably with Mr. Glover in that I am resistant to change things uh policy-wise again that are quite restrictive. Where my concerns are and I know some of you have have expressed parts of that um is that we are making cuts and so I struggle writing any kind of policy that has some restrictions in place.

081For example, in terms of timing that we have to do certain things within a certain year time frame when that doesn't really kind of keep in mind we we may have to be using our supplementals longer than we intend. um we may have to use things not that are inappropriate and all of that. And again to be clear, a lot of the language for the things that uh you have concerns on like being appropriate and all of that is covered in other policies because again to [snorts] Mr. Glover's point, it's the law. So we are doing that. So I don't believe that that language needs to be put into yet another policy because again we already have that. that is part of our policy and I'm you know very grateful that we have those policies

082in place and I think our new process of doing both books and supplemental really will help reaffirm some of those things. Um I'm resistant to to your point the staff we have available to accomplish some of these things like the 90 days from when this policy takes effect. I don't see how that reasonably gets done considering what the next 90 days are. Like I I I just I go I don't think that's realistic. I also go I don't think that we have to do that in any kind of an immediate process for it to have any kind of positive impact or there is no negative impact by us not immediately going through what essentially is a long list of things that have been here for a while. And I think the benefit to not giving

083a or to [clears throat] not necessarily giving a very restrictive time frame is allowing us to have the ability to do it with forethought instead of doing it with haste. Because again, as we started this evening, budget constraints are concerning. And as we move into next year, we're going to have to have really terrible conversations again because we have no idea what state budgets are coming through. And we know for a fact that this is the end of our override. This is the last year that we have in front of us. And so being a teacher who has been in districts, this one uh when financially things were were not great, uh we had to essentially piece things together in whatever way that we could find. And so I am appreciative that this policy got

084started. I think the way and and the the process that it has impacted is great. Um, I also am not on board with changing the policy. Um, and I would I would always heir on the people who do this job to be the ones to tell me what is reasonable to accomplish that task because there are aspects to your job that I have absolutely no idea about. So the idea that I would come here and dictate how to do some of your job is hard because I'm coming from a place of I don't know with respect to legal we are already in place with the policies that we have to ensure that we are following the law to ensure that we are doing these things. So I'm inclined to allow district to decide how to

085accomplish a task because they're the ones in the positions to do it. Miss Schultz, do you have anything you would like to add seeing as you know you're in space? >> Yes. Uh, thank you. I I think I echo a lot of the same concerns and um I Well, I agree with the changes that Mr. Watsoniser plans to make, but I'm good with keeping it the way it is for right now. >> Yeah. >> Um, Michelle, can you repeat? Can you hear me or no? >> I mean, we can, but you're like in a far off tunnel. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Um, is that better or no? >> Yeah, that is >> okay. All I said is I agree with a lot of things that have been discussed. I don't know that I need to

086belabor the points anymore. Um, and I'm good with uh Mr. Latenheiser and Mr. Brookshshire and what they're planning to do. Um you mentioned uh restrictive and um is that in reference to the 90day >> that is one example. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I mean the intention here is to have um instead of like outright denying the whole thing like I I would like to be able to have a conversation, you know, obviously the 90-day thing like we can cross out and that could be part of regulations, but I think that you know you and then Mr. Glover mentioned redundancy. Um, if the district's already following these statutes, then codifying them into policy, um, I'm not sure why that would be an issue. Um, and then you mentioned we already have it in other policies, but

087this policy specifically governs um, the selection and adoption of um, instructional material. Um so including that statement is appropriate for this policy um and you know legally compliant um based on on the intention of this policy. Um I I do believe that we should have something um in here related to um a formal review of every 3 years. I think that that would fall outside of regulations um which would be part of the policy and then as part of the regulations staff would discuss on how they go about doing that every 3 years. Um mentioning that the superintendent shall establish a review schedule to ensure all supplemental materials are evaluated within 3 years. I mean, I think that that's a policy issue that directs the superintendent to then create regulations on how to do those

088things. Um, and then um directing the superintendent um the continuity of enforcement and um adoption requirements. I mean, these are all things that I believe need to be part of policy and not um I just want to blank on the regulations. Um, [clears throat] so I I would appreciate not just saying we don't need any changes, um, but to consider some of my recommendations, um, that would then allow, uh, the regulations to be then determined on how these things happen. um from the superintendence um standpoint. >> Are you are you done? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um so a couple of things that I wish to express to that to be clear. Uh Mr. O'Brien, our policy before any changes is compliant with the law. >> It is. I I will I will mention so um

089board member Van Hook's reference to um and on section D um sorry page two that subsection D the paragraph that references statutory compliance that cross references policy IGD which is about curriculum um adoption and that is you know includes the prohibition of instructional materials that promote the overthrow of the United States things like that. So yes, um policy JJ, which is just about textbook adoption, that is in compliance with Arizona law. >> Okay. Um, I also, again, I'm kind of resistant sometimes putting things in multiple policies just because we've had the delightful experience of recognizing that the law has changed and then we're not always aware of just every single policy that that specific thing is written in sometimes because sometimes they're put in policies where we go that doesn't seem like it needed to

090be here because it was already over here. So, again, I I am resistant to that in general. Um, and to be clear, at least from my perspective and from what I've understood of the other folks who have have spoken here today, nobody's saying that we shouldn't make the changes. I think we're just expressing that we should make the changes in a different way. I also think while I hear you that three years seems reasonable versus the five years that district is has proposed with their own stuff, district has to still keep functioning. We have other curriculum adoptions. We have other things that are going on constantly that are impacting students right now in a way that if this is a policy that can be in line with where things are and again we are making

091changes because I agree there are some of these things that need to get changed and updated. I just don't believe that we have to we have to necessarily make changes in a way that we ultimately think was great to begin with when again we are not met with the reality of what that change looks like in real time. And so again, I think the people who are the ones who would have to make those changes in real time whilst in compliance with the law when what is presented seems reasonable considering we had nothing to begin with. Right? I I I commend the district for putting forth and taking information that is put together and where that comes from. But again, I am inclined to look at a we are in complian with the law. I

092am very resistant to just changing or updating policy again when there are so many and it gets convoluted. I think the policy should stick to what the things are. If we are compliant or not, if we need to make changes, those kinds of things we can and update them. I don't believe the policy that as it stands needs to be changed in my opinion. I think the process and the procedures that we have do and again I'm inclined to to defer to the folks who have to do it. Well, well, President Wade, I just want to jump in real quick and say again, I appreciate the conversation that's happening here because we don't ever get to do this, you know, and like I said, we Mr. Berser and I have worked on something three years,

093five years, the direction of the board. I'm happy to follow through with that. But um yeah, I think the goal of tonight basically is our if you guys want me to continue if it's continue to change the policy and and say please work with board member Van Hook as she's brought through us and then we can work on it together. That's great. If it's not, that's kind of where I we'd like to end uh with what we would like to do so that we have some clear direction on what the next steps for us are. So with that, may I just make a motion that we vote on the um proposed uh policy change? >> Um >> what's your proposed like can you can you clarify that in the motion? What >> you motion this

094to table it to touch base >> we have [clears throat] tableling moves forward with direction. I just need some >> if if I may just say something, President Wade. Um this is the first time I'm hearing anything about a five-year um proposal. Um so I'm not sure if you're aware of something that um I'm not, but um again, I I think that with when it comes to regulations, it's it's the direction that the staff takes. And I think that with this policy, it's the board giving instruction and direction to the superintendent. Um, and I believe those are two different things. um where the superintendent could then go and change the regulations and say, "Okay, uh you know, every it's not 90 days, it's every 120 days or 180 days, whatever it is, you know, I

095could see that being part of regulations." Um but again, you know, if if three years is an issue, that could be changed to five. Um but again, I think that from the board's perspective that we should have something in policy that gives the superintendent um instructions. Um and and that's my intention here. Um, and again I I would like to be able to and and as far as like cross referencing policies, I mean that's the whole purpose at the end of the policy where we put the statutes that applies where we put cross reference policies so that we know where those changes need to be made. Um but you know and ultimately um we can decide but I I my belief is that there should be some language in here that gives direction to the

096superintendent um to then go back to his regulations and update those accordingly um and and decide from there how they're going to implement um and do things. But, you know, again, if we don't like the 3 years, we can do 5 years. But, um, and if that's what you're preferring, but I I think there should be language in here that gives the superintendent direction. >> President Wade, what if we kind of I kind of like D in there. I don't think that that's a statute that's going to kind of go away. So, I kind of like D in there. And then what about if we change the three years and the threeear cycle to a five potentially at this point? And this is our first read, right? We've got a couple other reads. This isn't

097>> actually this isn't our first read. This is to provide me direction of whether you would like me to continue with looking at changing the policy because you know typically policies when policy changes come from us, it's because we had a law that changed and we got an advisory from ASBA and so we bring those changes to you. This is a little different process when it's been recommended by a board member. So I just want to make sure that the entire board or the majority of the board right is ready for us to move forward in doing it. Then after this direction could be do you want would would work with board member Van Hook or any of other board member right to to put it something together for me to bring to a first

098read. >> I motion to have the superintendent bring something else for us together. [laughter] Could you I didn't I couldn't hear you. Sorry. >> I motion for the superintendent to to reestablish this document and come back and present it. >> Is that what that is? >> Sure. like to work with me on it or to figure out how to [clears throat] >> I think we have an idea of kind of what you want. So I let's um I motion to table this to reward. >> Madame President and the German could I take a stab? >> Yeah. Okay. Um I and correct me if I'm saying this wrong. I think you're directing the superintendent to take the feedback that the board has provided and bring back a possible first read or regulation of this policy at

099a future meeting. >> Yes, absolutely. [snorts] >> This did that motion count? Okay, I motioned it. I motion to Yeah. motioned. >> I'm so sorry. I know I don't know if I'm interrupting, but I did not hear the motion at all on the table. >> You're not alone. [snorts] [laughter] I'm so sorry, you guys. I don't know the wording. [gasps and sighs] I motion to table agenda item. >> Hold on. >> Oh, Mr. Bry. >> Okay, let me take it. I'm going to try to say it again. Okay. So, I think what you're saying is the table >> directing the superintendent >> to take the feedback of the board and possibly bring back policy JJ or a regulation for a first read or actually it wouldn't be a regulation for a first read. Oh, I'll

100see JJ for a first read. I'm motioning to direct the superintendent to take the feedback from uh discussion possible actual or from IGG textbook >> JJ textbook supplementary material selection and adoption and come back with something that's suffice for the district So that motion is not seconded. Um which means we can further discussion. Correct. Okay. >> Um so again I I am in a position in which I go I I hear you why you like section D. To be clear, that's already included in other policies. We already have to ensure that the materials that are presented are in line and age appropriate. That is there. So I am resistant to updating the policy in that we are compliant with the law. What I think we should look at is having district come through with procedures

101and policy or uh procedures to go through those materials. I don't feel as strongly in that it needs to be directed in policy. I think to be fair, I recognize why there could be a world in which you have a superintendent who just does things in a way that's not compliant with what we as a board want. And good news, whomever is on the board at that period of time can make changes at any date. I have respect for the people in this position. And what I am more looking for is what district wishes to do in terms of regulating that policy because again they are in the position to know. So I would like to make a motion that we make no changes to policy JJ. >> Ir >> the JJR would be false.

102I'm stopping with the motion. I have a question. Mr. Lotsenheiser or Mr. Bergshire who can answer that because we you guys presented new regulation or is that just old regulations what we have here? >> No. Yeah, that no that the the JJR is the regulation that went along with governing board member Ed's recommendations as I have not brought forth the new regulation. I wanted this conversation to happen first because if the conversation was this is what we're doing then we're good. >> Okay. So that's >> I just provided uh I just provided regulations to match the changes that I made >> just to make it easy so they can see how it moves to the regulations. But >> okay, I appreciate that. So, I'm going to try this again and you can keep me honest.

103In that I motion that we uh ultimately I think I will keep similar language to what you have described in that I motion that we have district provide a recommendation on JJR in terms of reviewing supplemental material and what that process looks like. Um, I I I do not uh feel that we need to come back with a policy read. So, I'm looking at JJR. >> Second. >> It was a terrible one. >> It was okay. Um, so to be clear, the motion is for district to provide regulations on a supplemental review process. Mr. Glover has seconded. I hope you got that motion on there because I did not write that down. That was a hot mess. All those in favor? I >> I all those opposed. >> Nay nay. >> Motion carries 3 to

104two. >> President Wade, I do have a quick question. Um, so the policy that is currently in our system, is that an updated one? Um, Madame President and board member Van Hook, I believe I reviewed your policyj on the website and it was the model ASBA policy and there's nothing in the policy that states um, as far as like an annual report to the governing board. Correct. No, it it the policy does require it says the superintendent will establish procedures for the purchase and distribution of all necessary textbooks, supplemental books, and other related instructional materials from the adopted list uh free of cost to students. So, um you know that the superintendent has discretion on those procedures which could include a review. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. 5.4 Approval of agreement for alternative transportation

105for private day students with Everdriven Technologies fiscal year 2027. Any questions or comments from the board before I motion? >> I just had a quick question about this. So, uh, just so I understand, it's 250,000 for transportation services for two students and possibly um, uh, uh, homeless students. I think I saw that on the >> our uh contract with Everdriven covers are some of our sit students and then it depends. So it varies from year to year. So sometimes if transportation is unable to do a route that meets the needs of the student, we will contact Everdriven. So right now I do believe it's two students. Um but the PO may be for more for that >> because we add kids as the year goes on. >> Okay. Yeah. cuz I think the contract said

106two students. Um and then 250,000. Um and how is is that covering just like the salary of the driver? Like what is covered under that amount? is and then is that based on like mileage if or like what is covered? So it just covers the transportation of the student to the location in which they need to go to. So we don't it's not pieced together based on those things. So it's a quote that we receive from the outside contract company. >> Got it. So, it it doesn't matter how many miles is is driven or >> the quote may change based on the location to which we're taking the student, but we don't I don't know what that would be. I can find out more information on that quote. >> Okay. Yeah. I'm just curious if

107this is just based on like the driver's salary, like we're I'm in the wrong business. [laughter] Um, so >> I I do know that for our mileage for students that we do transport that we do get reimbursed. Um, I was able to get those figures. It's a little over $3 for this year um per mile that we pay for. So we do get reimbursed for some of this cost um through the government. And then for next year the cost is $3.7 a mile to be exact. >> And is that local or federal reimbursement? I believe it is federal, but I will clarify that and report that back in status. >> All right. Thank you. >> To be president. >> Oh, go ahead. No, go ahead. >> President Wade, um, uh, Miss Miss Miller, um, I

108just wanted to I don't know if there's competitors out there, if we're actively looking out to just like reassess like if this is the best budget, but yes, I believe this does not come out of the M. I'm pretty 100% sure. Oh, don't worry about that. Sorry. Sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself. Um, and I'm grateful for the knowledge though. I'm learning, but I don't want anybody to quote me here. Okay. Um, are we getting kind of other quotes or anything from other vendors or such? Are we touching base before the renewal of this contract? I just want to make sure I'm doing my due diligence. Again, fis fiscal responsibility. I know that that's always the district's underlying tone, but I just want to confirm publicly that we're touching base on that and that there's

109active rolling background checks on these drivers for all of these to protect the students safety. Yes. So, they are held to the same standards as our, you know, they require the background checks and all of those things um through the company. We are currently looking at other vendors that we could use that may be a little bit cheaper than ever driven. So, we are looking at pricing. Just because we have an agreement with Everdriven doesn't mean that we have to use them. It's just because they've meet the threshold that we need governing board approval. >> I appreciate it. Thank you so much, President Wade. Um, and I know that we had another vendor. I forget their name. Hop skip drive. Is it same service, same type of service or not? >> It it is. is

110I do not believe we use hop skip drive. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Uh just for clarification for those who are listening, these are for students who have specific needs that end up going to schools that we cannot provide. And because these are kids in our district, we are legally obligated to provide them things. And if we cannot do that, we will take you where you need to go. So for those who are listening and what is this about, that is what that is. >> Uh President Wade, >> oh sorry, go ahead. This is the district does such a great job. There is so by law we have to accommodate to the youth by law and the district does such a good job with their homeless outreach and all that kind of stuff in compliancy

111to the law and I'm so grateful for the efforts that Miss Miller does etc for our sped department and all etc etc. So I just want to emphasize that that I'm so proud in all the research and learning that I've done. I really did not realize how much the district does in these outreach little things complying with the law. So, I'm really appreciative of that. >> Thank you, Vice President German. Um, President Wade, just so that you know, um, I lost my train of thought. >> The students that are served by this. >> Oh, yes. So, um, whenever we have a student that requires private day transportation or any type of transportation, we always look in-house first. So we use contract CA agencies as a last resort in order to maintain that fiscal responsibility. So

112>> thanks for the clarification. >> But also uh President Wade and in inside of this document like on page 12, it gives examples of what uh what a ride might cost, which is important to know. I think I don't know if that's worth pulling up or not, but there's two examples specifically, District A and District B and the percent responsibility and stuff. So it's it's smaller numbers than the larger number that was just talked about. And just because we're approving that number doesn't mean we have to spend it all. >> Indeed. So she's good. I motion to approve the agreement for alternative transportation for private day students with everdriven technologies fiscal year 2027. >> Second. >> That would be Miss German seconding. All those in favor? >> I. Motion carries five to zero. This brings

113future agenda items. Does anyone have any requests for future agenda items? >> President Wade, uh, I would like to, uh, have a discussion about the land lease and sale that the voters approved in November. Um, and of 2024. Uh, I I don't know how you want to present that, but I I would like to know what we're considering and when we're considering it and all that comes along with that. Thank you. >> Board member Van Hook, you stole my thunder. That will be an executive session at the next meeting so that we can discuss that. >> Okay. I motion to adjurnn this meeting. Second. >> Um, I'm going to give that to Miss Van Hook. All those in favor? >> I I >> I motion carries 5. Drive safe, everybody.