001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Good evening, everyone. I'll call our meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Welcome to the May 26th regular scheduled board meeting for the El Segundo Unified School District Board of Education. Um we'll begin tonight with the Pledge of Allegiance led by member Glenn. All right. Thank you. And next I have for item 3B, report of action taken in closed session. Uh today in closed session, the board approved the following confidential student matters. Student matter number one, student number ending in 218. And student matter number two, student number ending in 206. All right. Moving into item 3C, the agenda hearing period and public communications. I do have 1 2 3 4 cards. Are there any additional cards for speakers tonight that we need to turn in? Okay. Seeing none, let me read a
002little preamble for you all. Uh thank you in advance for taking time to address the Board of Education during public comment time. Individuals who have submitted a speaker card may address the board on any topic within the board's jurisdiction, regardless of whether it is listed on the agenda. However, the board may only discuss agendaized items in the order shown in the posted agenda and thus cannot interact with public comment speakers. Non-agendaized topics will be investigated by the administration and reported to the board either publicly or privately at a future meeting. Comment shall not exceed 3 minutes per individual speaker for non-agendaized items and 5 minutes for agenda items. I'll now invite our first speaker to the podium and tonight that will be Brandon Kim here to give the student representative report. A non-agenda item, 3
003minutes. >> There it is. Oh. Hello everyone. My name is Brandon Kim. I'm the incoming president next year. I'm filling in for Maddie for the uh student representative uh check-in, but yeah. So, first today uh big day for us. We had the Lip Dub, which is the uh one-take video we do with a bunch of songs. We get super hype and we um we show all our school spirit and what really Aliso Niguel is about. Then, we also had a Eagle Elite uh this past this past month for the second semester students, um which is like giving out ice cream for those with GPAs over 3.75 and above. And then, today was also the start of our Heis for Huntington's uh dodgeball tournament for uh the Heis for Huntington's um charity. And then, for athletics,
004we also have a dance showcase today, uh not today, next Friday or this Friday. And then, girls lacrosse also won CIF D2. And then, for awards, we had senior awards tonight. That's why Maddie cannot be here. And then, Avid award and Bioment awards are also upcoming. And then, for a lot of senior stuff that are occurring um in the following weeks, we have the 4.0 brunch, the senior picnic, uh the grad night that hap- that's happening on Disney. Then, we also had our prom at the California Science Center. And then there's also the senior assembly with all the senior activities with the senior officers to lead. Then senior expo night and lastly the junior arch bearing applications is also open. So yeah, that's about it. Thank you. >> All right, thank you for being here
005Brandon. All right. Um next speaker tonight will be Jamin Griffith or Jamin I don't I'm sorry if I'm saying it wrong. I apologize. Jamin? >> Yep. >> Okay, Jamin. Uh and this is also non-agendized 3 minutes for your time. >> There you go. Uh good evening board members. Uh my comments tonight are regarding the proposed hiring hiring of Dr. Melissa Gooden. Uh I think bringing Dr. Gooden back to the district is the wrong message to send to the community, especially concerning her controversial history. The bullying that was underlying the case uh the Irons case, it occurred while Dr. Gooden was principal at El Segundo Middle School. After that period, she became principal of El Segundo High School uh and in 2021 moved into the district human resources leadership. Uh she later left the district for
006a senior HR role in Culver City, which I think is her current position. Uh meanwhile, within that time, a lawsuit was filed in 2019 uh and that resulted in a jury finding ESUSD negligent and in 2022 awarding a million dollars in damages. That verdict was upheld last year by the California Court of Appeals. The timeline shows something difficult to ignore. During years in which the district was defending conduct that the courts ultimately found negligent, leadership associated with that area continued moving into positions of greater authority. Parents do notice the patterns. There are a lot of other people in this community who have struggled to understand what accountability followed this painful and quite possibly the most costly failure in this district's history. I've not found public explanations of reforms, consequences, or lessons learned proportional to the
007harm found by a jury and upheld on appeal. And now the district is considering, actually more than considering, sending out emails saying she's coming back. And at this time uh into an even higher leadership role with oversight of operations of public resources. Whether this is intentional or not, this risks creating the appearance that institutional loyalty matters more than accountability. After the 2022 verdict, media reported that the district would do the right thing. Whether that was an actual statement reported from the district or not, uh I don't know, but we're still waiting. And after a failed appeal and now this potential hire, I guess we're waiting for the district to do the right thing. However, I believe families deserve to feel confident that leadership decisions reflect transparency, student safety, and lessons learned, not simply familiarity. I
008urge you to consider what message this hire sends. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Griffith. And our next speaker this evening is Nina Bommer. Again, I hope I said that right. I apologize if I did not. Make sure the green light's on before you start. And also the 3 minutes. >> Um hello uh board members. Uh my name is Nina Bommer. I am uh the parent of a fifth grader and a seventh grader. Um and um like the speaker before me, I'm here to express my deep concern over the announcement that Dr. Melissa Gooden has been selected as the district's chief business official subject to board approval. Um this student in question um as uh the speaker before me um just described um she she was 13 years old. I have a 13-year-old
009daughter, she's sitting there at the back in the room here. Um she was horribly bullied at the middle school. Um and um this document here is the decision of the California Court of Appeal in the Irons versus ESUSD um case and it contains really heartbreaking details about what this student endured at the middle school. Um and it also makes it very clear that Dr. Gooden was right at the center of this. Um and I'm reading from the decision. Ms. Irons testified that over the course of several months, she repeatedly notified the middle school's principal, that's Dr. Melissa Gooden, and counselor about the harassing messages that another student sent her through social media and about how that student frequently harassed her on campus. Ms. Irons Irons also testified that she engaged in self-harming behavior at least
010in part because she believed the middle school was not taking seriously her complaints. Um re-hiring Dr. Gooden, what kind of message does this send to to our children? Um you know, we teach them from a young age about um you know, uh taking responsibility for their actions um and um I I don't see how re-hiring Dr. Gooden for this position can possibly align with the dis- with the district's values. Um even if this had occurred at a different school district, this would be a disqualifying event, but it happened right here. Um and I um I just really urge you to consider, um, the message this is sending, um, to, uh, to the students, to the parents in the district. It would be incredibly poor judgment to rehire her. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ms. Bomler.
011And, uh, the final card I have tonight is from Eden Feenstra. And also non-agendized, 3 minutes. >> All right. Good evening, board members, Dr. Jay, members of the cabinet. My name is Eden Feenstra, and I'm a lifelong resident, a lover of our local schools, and a teacher at Center Street. I know that there's been a lot of criticism surrounding Melissa Gooden's return, and I respect community members have the right to share their opinions and experiences, but I also believe it's important for the board to hear from those of us who have worked with within the district and see tremendous value in her leadership and institutional knowledge. Dr. Gooden has demonstrated commitment to this district and a deep understanding of the unique needs of our schools and communities. Public conversation Public conversations tend to reduce years
012of service and dedication down to isolated events or interactions without recognizing the broader picture of this new role. Many educators and staff members have had positive, professional, and personal experiences with Dr. Gooden and are optimistic about her return. From my experience, having leaders who understand our district and genuinely care about it makes a huge difference. Especially right now when so many districts are dealing with constant turnover, I think there's real value in bringing back someone who already has those roots and connections. That kind of continuity and local knowledge cannot be manufactured overnight. I just wanted to say that I support Melissa Gooden's appointment as the chief business official because I believe her experience, relationships, and understanding of our community position her to contribute positively to the future of our district. Thank you for your time.
013>> All right, thank you, Ms. Feenstra. Are there any other comment cards that did not make it up here? Okay. Seeing none out there, I'll just say that this concludes our public comment period for the meeting. Uh while the board may only discuss agendaized items in the order shown on the agenda, we value your input and will consider them at that time. Uh for those who spoke on non-agendaized items, since we may only discuss matters on the agenda, an administrator will follow up and report to the Board of Education on on your topic of which you spoke. Furthermore, a member of administration may follow up with you directly for support as needed. Um the Board of Education values our feedback from the community and appreciates the time and effort you spent in coming tonight to
014address us. Thank you. And we'll move into section four of our agenda, um an update from ESTA. If we have ESTA representation, indeed we do. >> Okay. So, as you guys all are aware, I'm sure you got privy to the knowledge of of the tentative agreement is out. We're looking for the votes. So, we want to get that back to you as soon as possible so we can move forward accordingly. It's great seeing the three teachers behind me that are retiring. What a tremendous moment they've achieved. I could only wish to be there in those seats. Um with that being said, that's all I've got to say and just great seeing you guys all again. Enjoy. >> Thank you. And do we have a member of CSEA that would like to speak tonight? Indeed we
015do. Come on forward. >> No, I just want to say hello to all of everybody. Hope you had a good weekend. Nothing. Nothing new yet with us. >> Well, that definitely wins shortest report for the night. Thank you, Ms. Leilani. You have set the bar. Okay. All right. Well, now we come to a very special special presentation. Uh recognition of certificated and classified retiring employees, Ms. Beal. >> All right, I believe it's on. Good evening, Board President Miller, Zarnicke, members of the board, Dr. Johnson, and fellow cabinet members. Tonight, we have the privilege of recognizing a truly special group of individuals our 2026 retirees. While retirement marks the close of one chapter, it also gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the tremendous impact these employees have had on El Segundo Unified and
016the many lives they have touched along the way. Collectively, our retirees represent years of service, dedication, care, and commitment to our students, families, and colleagues. Through changing times, new initiatives, celebrations, and challenges, they've helped shape the culture and character of our schools and our district. Their work has left a lasting imprint that extends far beyond classrooms, offices, and campuses. Retirement is a meaningful milestone and one is that is well earned. Tonight, we celebrate not only years of service, but careers built on making a difference in supporting generations of El Segundo Unified students. This evening, our site and department administrators will join me at the podium introduce each retiree along with a colleague who will share a few words in recognition of their contributions and the legacy they leave for um behind. So, first I'd like
017to invite Carrie Ulasichin, principal of Richmond Street School, to the podium as we honor and celebrate our 2026 retirees. >> Thank you, Ms. Beal. Good evening, board. It is my honor to invite Tanya Nodder to the podium as we celebrate As we celebrate 26 years of service in El Segundo Unified, I would also like to invite her colleague and close friend Amanda Iggy who's going to share some remarks about um Tanya's time here. >> Uh um I'm really happy to see there's tissues under here. Uh so So, good evening board, uh Superintendent Johnson, cabinet. Um Okay. So, when one door closes, another one opens. It's a phrase we've all heard before, but for some people it becomes more than a saying. It becomes the way they move through life. And for over three decades, that
018has been true for Tanya Nodder. Throughout her career, Tanya has opened doors for so many people. Doors of opportunity, doors of encouragement, doors to difficult conversations that needed to happen. She held leadership roles in the teachers union starting in 2003. However, she started her role as union president in 2019 just before COVID hit. Which was some of the hardest moments our district, community, and world have ever faced. Tanya stood in the doorway when others felt uncertain and helped guide people through with strength, compassion, and integrity. All while working on her master's degree and teaching full time. What has always stood out about Tanya is not just how hard she worked, it's the way she worked. Thoughtfully, fairly, with genuine care for the people around her. She led with humanity at a time when humanity mattered
019most. Tanya has touched countless lives here, often in ways she may never fully realize. Sometimes it was through leadership during difficult times. Sometimes it was through advocacy and a deep passion for social justice and doing what was right, even when it wasn't easy. And sometimes it was in the quieter moments, checking in on a colleague, mentoring someone who needed guidance, making people feel feel seen and valued. That kind of impact doesn't disappear when someone retires. It stays. It becomes a part of the culture, part of the people they influenced, and part of the standard they leave behind for the rest of us. For many of us, Tanya has been more than a co-worker. She has been a trusted leader, a steady presence, and a true friend. Loyal, caring, passionate, and deeply committed to making things
020better for others. So today, while one door is closing on an extraordinary career, we know another door is opening toward new adventures, new opportunities, more time for joy, rest, family, friendship, and whatever comes next. And if the chapter is anything like the last three decades, there is no doubt Tanya will continue to inspire people wherever she goes. Thank you, Tanya, for everything you've given, everything you've stood for, all the lives you've changed along the way, and most importantly, your friendship. Congratulations on your retirement. You've truly earned it. >> Oh, my god. Um this is for you, too. Congratulations. >> Absolutely. >> Enjoy your retirement. >> And now I would like to invite Dr. De Vlantes as we recognize one of our middle school retirees. >> Good evening President Miller, Zernicke, members of the board, Dr.
021Johnson and cabinet. Um it is with profound honor that I I invite Diana Casada up to the podium HERE WITH ME. SORRY. I'M NOT A REAL QUIET PERSON. Diana is retiring after 28 >> 29 years of service um teaching all of our students here and lots of other places as well. It's my honor tonight to introduce up Warren Croft and Lori Prouse who'll be sharing a little bit more about Diana. No tears. >> Members of the board, colleagues and friends, it's a profound honor to stand before you this evening and recognize a teacher who's truly been the heartbeat of El Segundo Middle School for nearly three decades, Diana Casada. To speak of Diana is to speak of a global heart and a driven spirit. Her journey began with a group of students in Detroit, Michigan
022where she led five of her fifth sixth graders to become state spelling bee champions. From a classroom in Detroit to American Martyrs in Manhattan Beach and even a close-knit classroom in Barcelona, Spain, Diana brought a world of experience back to us here in California. For the past 29 years, Diana has made El Segundo Middle School her second home. She's a dedicated educator who spent 13 years guiding our sixth graders through the complexities of English and history before moving to the seventh grade to continue exploring the stories of past civilizations. While she briefly stepped into leadership as a summer school principal, she found out that her heart was in the classroom where she truly enjoyed the energy of middle school students. Diana's impact, however, reached far beyond the four walls of her classroom. For 13 years,
023she served as the force behind our student government. Under her leadership, our campus became alive with blood drives, seasonal dances, and activities that brought students and staff closer together. However, one of Diana's favorite memories was watching our community come together at our yearly talent shows. One of the most touching reflections of her warmth and leadership was seeing students raise $10,000 for the victims of 9/11, a testament to the big heart she helped nurture in our community. As a BUSD mentor, Diana was equally dedicated to her colleagues, sharing her wisdom and humor. Fun fact, Diana briefly stepped into leadership as a summer school principal. She She quickly found out that her heart was in the classroom where she literally ran back to the classroom to directly impact the lives of students. Diana, you've said that a
024massive piece of your heart remains with your students at this school. Please know that a massive piece of our school's history and spirit remains with you. We are deeply grateful for your collaboration, your laughter, and your unwavering commitment to our students. As you graduate to this next chapter of retirement, you leave behind a legacy of beautiful memories and a community that's better because you were part of it. Thank you, Diana Casada. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Mhm. >> Thank you so much. I'm pretty sure I can do that. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. That was so thoughtful. Thank all of you for that. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. And our last retiree, I would like to invite Dr. Plunkett up to recognize one of our Arena retirees. >> Thank you.
025It's really an end of an era at Arena where we break up this duo of Ron and Jean. They're both super chill guys. You can find them out on the South Bay beaches surfing. Most people don't even know which one's Ron or which one's Jean. So, I'm going to clarify that tonight. I want to call up Ron Robuck who is our retiree. And I'm I'm going to ask Jean to say a few words. Come on up, Jean. Well, Well, thanks for allowing me to be up here to say a few things about Ron. Um for the past 20 and 1/2 years, I've been fortunate to work at Arena High School alongside my colleague Ron Robuck. Uh we knew each other before we started working together there and I'm standing here today solely on account of
026his persuasiveness. In the fall of 2005, I was very happy working at Torrance High School teaching English and coaching the surf team. Ron lived near the Hermosa Pier where the surf team practiced early in the morning and we would walk as he would walk his dog there and then we would chat. In one such conversation, he brought up that there was a job opening where he worked at Arena High School. And he thought that I should apply for it and I told him no, thanks. I was happy where I was. I was interested in teaching AP English lit the next year and I was only a few years away from interviewing for the athletic director job and so I was excited about that, but Ron asked again another time though and suggested that I should
027at least come by to see the classroom and see what I'd be missing. So, I did and again told him no, thanks. To make a long story short, Ron kept coming by and letting me know how he thought I should apply. I obviously changed my mind, and this was only my first experience with how Ron and can have an effect on people and change the way they see things. And the reason I tell you all of this is that I saw this many times first hand over the years as he consistently changed the viewpoints of students, getting them to find their vision and then to realize it. This wasn't the case from the beginning though, when Ron first started here at Arena High School. The classroom was in a portable in the parking lot right
028over here. From what I hear, it wasn't uncommon for the students to jump out of the windows to get out of the class where the teacher wasn't looking. But since then, Ron has consistently been a part of the positive change. He has a way of encouraging students to make progress, ultimately on their own, but they would also get angry with him for his unwavering consistency in urging them to complete their assignments, while also be quick to laugh when you said or did something funny, which he often did. On my visit to the classroom before I started Arena, I remember Ron dancing in the classroom, the Cabbage Patch dance. Maybe you can help us with that. Uh and the kids yelling encouragement for him to keep doing it, which he did. He changed the way the
029students looked at things, and by doing so, he changed the culture at Arena High School into one where the students could be themselves because he himself because he was himself. The students would often come back after they graduated and ask for Ron, even after he switched to the virtual program. "Does Mr. Roebuck still work here? Is he How's he doing? Tell him I stopped by." And often they would add, "And tell him I'm sorry for how I was while I was there. I was going through a lot then, but he really helped me." Ron Roebuck has an influence on people, and thankfully, he uses it to help students who needed a positive role model in their lives. He cares for his students. There will be something missing when he we resume school in the fall
030when Ron will not be here. We will miss his steady guidance while we make decisions. We will miss his humor, his ideas on how to navigate as a team, and his dependability, and onward from there. Eclipsing the nostalgia, though, will be the culture we will see every day in the progress and growth that the students will continue to make at Arena as a result of the cultural changes that Ron has put into play. Fortunately, no longer are the students wanting to jump out of the windows to escape. In fact, they mostly like it there. Students are going to college from Arena now more than before. They feel more comfortable talking with a teacher due to the trust that they now have. They see a life ahead of them that they didn't see as much as
031they first arrived as much as when they first arrived. Ron has a gift to make a change. And so and he did so at Arena. Fortunately for the students who were able to have the experience of him as their teacher. And for the more students yet to come who will benefit from the culture that he created while there. Thanks, everybody. Great school district. >> So, can I invite Oh, sorry, Lisa. >> Yes. On behalf of the Board of Education, Dr. Johnson, and the entire El Segundo Unified Community, thank you to our retiree for your retirees for your years of service, dedication, and the lasting impact you have made on our students, families, and colleagues. Congratulations on this well-earned milestone, and we wish you health, happiness, and fulfillment in this next chapter. Please join me in
032one final round of applause for our 2026 retirees. >> I'm sure the board would like a picture. >> Yes, I was going to invite them to please come up for a photo with us. We would love that. >> Mhm. >> All right. Thank you for everyone for joining us for that very special presentation. And I will bid you good night if you decide to leave and do something more entertaining after this. All right. At this time, we'll move into the item 4C, introduction of new MTSS instructional coach. Again, Ms. Veal. >> Yes, good evening. It is my pleasure to introduce Ms. Poonam Patel Leonard as El Segundo Unified's new MTSS instructional coach. Ms. Patel Leonard, if you could please approach the podium. Ms. Patel Leonard brings more than 20 years of experience to this role.
033Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, RTI interventionist, instructional coach, and professional development facilitator. In addition to being an incredibly talented teacher, Ms. Patel Leonard has helped grow and develop fellow educators, mentoring new teachers through the induction program, and helping strengthen collaborative systems of support across our schools. Her relationships, expertise, and leadership make her an outstanding choice for this position. We're excited to welcome her into this new role beginning July 1st. Poonam, please tell us a little about yourself. >> Thankfully, I'm not too short. Good evening, Board President Miller, Zareno, gay members of the board, Dr. Johnson, cabinet, and members of the audience. I would like to sincerely thank the board and district leadership for the opportunity to serve as the MTSS elementary coach for El Segundo Unified School District. I'm truly
034honored by your confidence in me, especially after such a thoughtful and rigorous interview process. Throughout the process, it became even clearer to me how deeply our district values collaboration, student success, and educational excellence. I'm deeply committed to the belief that investing in a strong tier two intervention system is essential for creating positive learning environments where all students can achieve at high levels. I'm excited for the opportunity to bring my expertise and instructional leadership, coaching, and collaborative problem-solving to the MTSS position and to work alongside our teachers, administrators, staff, district leadership, the board, and families. I'm honored to support the district's commitment to ensuring every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally through strong cohesive systems of support. Thank you again for this opportunity. I'm grateful, excited, and honored to begin this new role and to continue
035serving the students and families, not only as a Cougar, but also a returning butterfly. >> Great. Thank you so much. Any commentary? Any besides yay? >> We're just so excited to have her. >> Um congratulations. Um I think having my child be with you, knowing that every student in El Segundo in the elementary schools are going to be able to have a little piece of you, um is an amazing thing. So, thank you again. >> I'll jump in to say that looking at the agenda, I just smiled when I saw your face. And I or not your face, your name rather. And And thought it will be a blessing for students at both schools to be able to experience you, and I'm very happy and look forward to moving on with the vote. >> Well,
036there's Yeah. >> I I like the hyphenated name. I'm just saying. That's new to I'm I like it. I feel it. But I'm But I'm glad to have served with you through the parent lens at Center Street and and to see you come to this now. All right. Well, then thank you. Thank you for being with us. All right. Now, we'll move into the consent agenda. Do I have a motion for approval? >> I move to approve consent agenda items 5A through N. >> Second. Okay. Any discussion on any of these items? Seeing and hearing none, board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right. Moving into action items, business services. Dr. Litz, we'll start with 6A. Uh approval to enter into agreement with Tom's Truck Center.
037>> Yes, this is an agreement to purchase an electric electric uh refrigerated van for the child nutrition department. Uh we will be using funds that are earmarked earmarked for child nutrition, and I recommend approval. >> I move approval of action item 6A. >> Second. >> That was a close one. >> They got you. >> I don't know, Tracy. You can decide. I think Meredith got that one. All right. Any discussion on this item? I'll be me saying, "Woo, electric." I'm excited. What? Okay. >> Uh I think it's great. You know, we had a presentation a couple of months ago from Francis and um >> I'm excited for this project. >> And just excited to see that you know, we're starting to see the fruits of all her planning and I know that this money came
038earmarked for special projects and it's great that we found something valuable to use the money with. >> Yeah, hear, hear on the finding the CBO lens to find that money to help us do these things, but yes, thank you Francis for your leadership in the space as well. Any other conversation? All right, board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Item 6B, approval to enter into agreement with JR Universal for the miscellaneous construction at Eagles Nest Arena District Office Phase 2 modernization project, Dr. Lenz. >> Yes, this is to enter into an agreement with JR Universal. Um this was done through a competitive bid. JR Universal was the sole bidder and I do recommend approval. >> I move approval of item 6B. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All
039right, board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right, and finally, item 6C, approval to enter into an agreement with King Consulting. >> This is the agree the 26-27 agreement with King Consulting who helps the district to support us in our modernization funding applications. I recommend approval. >> I'd have a motion for approval. >> I move approval of action item 6 C. >> Second. >> All right, any discussion? Board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right, moving into item 7A, approval of revised job description and title change from college and career clerical specialist to career experience specialist. >> Yes, this item is a revision to the job description for the career experience specialist, formerly the college and career
040center clerical specialist. As the district's college and career readiness efforts have expanded, this position has evolved to support those changing needs. Um this item also includes an increase in work hours to align with program needs and student demand. I recommend approval. >> Do you have a motion for approval? >> I move approval of item 7A. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion on this item? All right. Seeing and hearing none, board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right. Into educational services, item 8A, approval of agreement with Educational Resource Consultants to provide grant writing services for career or for CTE grant applications. Dr. Young? >> Thank you. So this is an agreement to partner with ERC to provide grant writing services for the CTE incentive grant. This
041agreement is structured as a contingency-based contract with a total fee of $10,500 payable only upon successful award of the CTEIG funding. We are seeking up to $325,000 through this grant to support the high school engineering pathway. If the district is not awarded the grant, then there is no cost to the district, and ERC will support resubmission in subsequent grant cycles. I recommend approval. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? >> I just want to take note that it was a a Chevron Fund grant item. So, thank you, Chevron. Should we move forward with this? Um board members in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. And next in the realm of Ed Services, approval of summer professional development empower. Dr. Young. >> Yep, thank you. This item
042is requesting approval to provide summer learning opportunities for our teachers. These topics were devised based off of the professional development surveys as well as the annual climate surveys that teachers responded as topics of interest for them. They'll be offered 3-hour trainings on the topics of supporting classroom behaviors, inclusion practices, depth and complexity to support our gifted learners, as well as tier two interventions. And then on Friday, we'll be offering a full-day training for the new English language arts curriculum for both the elementary as well as the middle schools who are going through their adoption processes. Teachers will be compensated at the hourly rate for the 3-hour trainings and the full-day rate I'm sorry, full-day substitute rate for the full-day trainings. And our teachers will be the presenters Monday through Thursday as well, and they'll be
043compensated two days for their preparation. I recommend approval. >> I move approval of item 8B. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion on this item? Sounds great to me. I'll call for vote then. All All those in favor, please say aye. >> Aye. Aye. >> Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right. Now into information technology, approval of Fortinet firewall renewal services. Mr. Gauna. >> Thank you. This renewal ensures continuous cybersecurity protection for the district's network, servers, staff and data devices, as well as the premium support services to safeguard our infrastructure and data. I recommend approval. >> So moved. >> Second. All right. Any discussion? Board members in favor, please say I. >> I. Those opposed? Motion carries 5-0. All right. Into information pending action. Uh first review of special ed alternate report cards for grades
044K through 5. Dr. Plotkin, would you like to? >> Yes. This is a first look at a proposed alternate report cards in order to provide meaningful feedback for parents of students who have extensive support needs. Um our committee worked to develop these report cards in conjunction with parents. They piloted drafts to solicit further parent feedback. And this will be brought back to the June 9 board meeting as action. >> Thank you for that. And we'll hope everyone takes a look while it's out there for the next couple weeks. All right. We now move into announcements and reports time. So we will start with Mr. Glynn. >> Oh, we're not going to look at the calendar? >> Did I skip the calendar? Look at me skipping ahead. Hello. Look at the calendar, please. Uh do admire
045the items on there, which is a lot in the first part of June. And it gets really quiet after that. So many things to see each other at between now and then. All right. Thank you. And now back to Mr. Glynn. >> Thank you. Uh so neither of my ad hoc committees or my PTA has had a meeting since our last report. But I was able to attend the biomed pathway capstone project presentations on May 15th and saw a wide variety of topics. Not as wide a variety as Meredith Beachley saw, but I will name name some of the ones that I did see. So we saw one on air quality in El Segundo, the psychological benefits of having a pet, one on stem cell innovations, one on mukbang watching, gluten intolerance, and an excellent
046presentation on the lack of support in the medical field for women going through menopause. Given by Madeline Polka, or Maddie. The brilliance of our students was on full display with great appreciation to the dedication of our biomed pathway staff led by the incomparable Tiffany Masonet. Thank you. >> So, I actually It was actually a calm week before the storm for couple of weeks before the the big storm. I also on Friday the 15th spent a majority of my day in amazement listening to the biomed capstone presentations. I think I did I don't even know. I was there 7 hours I believe. So I I I saw many. What amazing They did They were just They were so different and also thought thought out. But the one that I really want to talk about was the
047last one I saw, which was called the pediatric emergency care and communication kit. And it was incredible. Um Sammy went and threw a whole build a kit to put on ambulances to help the EMTs communicate with kids. And it had a stuffed animal, and it had relaxation cards, and it had a little picture of a person so they could point to where they hurt. Um, and she said she came upon this um as part of her EMT class. And I was like, "Oh, where did you take an EMT class?" And she says, "Oh, it's this place called Southern California ROP." And I went, "I'm the prince I'm the I'm the president there." She said, "Really?" And I said, "Yes." So, I in fact shared it with the superintendent, who shared it with the EMT teacher,
048um and we're going to see if maybe there isn't something we can do to maybe help make that a reality. So, again, congratulations to the students and of course Tiffany Masonet, who just knocks my socks off. Um we got a sneak preview uh sneak peek at the Plunge. Um I hadn't been in the Plunge for a long time, so it was good to see it again. Um it was nice to see that it had been redone, but it also hadn't lost its kind of its, you know, old um the old school of of the Plunge, but I'm very excited that our community um for many, many more generations is going to um get the honor of of lessons and so on at the Plunge. So, if you get a chance, go to the grand opening
049on um I believe it's June 6th. Um I did have my Soak Out Rock board meeting last Thursday. I'm a little sad that the El Segundo numbers were a little bit down this last year, so we need to work on that. Um but I'm pleased to hear that we had I think he said 40 or 50 middle schoolers that have already signed up for the six classes that we are offering through the Ed Foundation Academy this summer. Um, so that was exciting. And then the following night on Thursday, well, that was that was still on Thursday. The spotlight of our meeting was on the video gaming design class where we heard from our Eagle senior, Andrew Tahe Taherina, which I am going to as soon as I get done here, walk across the parking lot
050and award him the scholarship that he earned um, through SCROC 2 weeks ago at our at our um, SCROC festivities. And that's the end of my report. Okay. >> Um, these past 2 weeks have been full of energy, celebration, and student engagement across our district. One of the highlights of the middle at the middle school has been or was Scholar Quiz, a Jeopardy-style trivia competition held during lunch throughout the week for our 7th and 8th grade students. I had the opportunity to volunteer and read the questions for the competition, and I was amazed at the level of vocabulary, critical thinking, and knowledge involved. Some of the language and questions were incredibly advanced and I will never read again because I had to ask the students for clarification on words. Um, uh, and it was so
051impressive to watch our students confidently participate, collaborate, and challenge themselves academically in such a fun environment. Thank you to the staff and organizers who helped make this such a positive experience for the students. And I love the collaboration that we have with Study Hut to um, do this. Um, I was telling the board earlier that I um, read for my 25-year-old when he was doing the Scholar Quiz at um, Ham Beach Middle School. So, it was really cool to do it now here with my youngest, even though he's not there yet, but um, and that is the end of my report. >> All right, we're in May and we're getting to the finish line. So, May 15th, attended the Biomed Capstone presentation on the following topics: How protein drinks affect muscle growth in teens by
052Mason G and the effects of physical activity on the menstruation menstrual cycle by Layla G. On May 15th, attended the Coro Women in Leadership Luncheon, where Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell invited local school board officials to join and join her in recognition of women's leadership and public service throughout the region. On May 18th, attended the grand opening and donor appreciation for the Plunge. The event celebrated the reopening of this community asset, and I stress the word community asset, and recognize those who helped bring the project to completion. During the event, Carol Parsteck was recognized for her passion and leadership to move the project forward. This is a huge win for our community. On May 18th, attended the RSS PTA Installation Dinner, recognizing incoming and outgoing PTA leaders and celebrating the continued partnership and ongoing support provided
053to the RSS school community by dedicated parent volunteers. Our next few weeks will be very busy. So, I would like to take a moment to encourage and to celebrate all ESUSD students who are promoting and graduating in the coming weeks. We are incredibly proud of your hard work, your accomplishments, and all that lies ahead of you. Thank you. >> Great. Those bio biomed capstones, I again, always say I just feel like the students of today are so far beyond what I could have done as a high school student. I'm amazed. I learned so much with them. So, I'm glad that we get to be a part and I appreciate hearing all the different topics. You guys I didn't bring my notes with my topics, but they were diverse and fun. So. Oh, yes, I was
054a an advisor on one of them. So, that was that was kind of fun, but also kind of disturbing cuz it was about uh pesticide use at local golf courses and how it affects people in a certain range and we're in a certain range. So, but we can we can talk to Natasha about that offline. Yeah. Yeah, that's probably why I was you know, brought in to be an advisor. So, it was awesome. But uh yeah, it was great to great to listen to them, but then also on the other side to see kids enjoying going off to prom again this year. It was fun. Like this is the season of of amazing amazing things on all kinds of levels. Um in the broader school board realm, uh we had our last LAX membership meeting
055of the year while you all were hanging out by the pool. And but I want to say first of all, thank you for being there to represent our investment in the plunge because the school district wrote the pool. The pool. The I didn't say laying by. Hanging out by. No, um as you recall, our district gave $1 million to be a supporter of that. So, thank you for being there for that. At the same time, I was in beautiful Downey um at our LACO facility to host the annual elections meeting for LAX CTA, which means by June 30th, I will no longer be the president of that. We are passing the gavel to a wonderful leader, Esther Mejia of El Rancho, who served in executive committee with me this year, so I know she's amazing.
056It will be in good hands. The other thing that came out of that meeting that I actually brought for you as well is this small gift that I'm wearing, which says protect 98 for those of you that can't read it. Um this is something that uh the LA County Treasurers Association created hoping that if you are near fellow legislators in the state level, you will wear this and mostly even if you're not with them, uh continue to ask to keep the pressure on the governor to fully fund Prop 98. Um for anyone watching outside this room who doesn't know what that is, briefly it's the legislation that's been in place since 1988 to provide an objectively determined minimum level of education uh spending each year that would basically supposedly insulate our schools against any fluctuations
057that were arbitrary. Uh there's been some maneuvers as they've been called these last few years in which schools were not funded fully in the way that Prop 98 meant it to be. Earlier this year there was talk of it might be 5.6 billion dollars. Well, now it's down to what? 3.9 billion. So, you know, that's better, but also I don't know if this number's right, so I'm just going to say it because I used the CTA calculator online this afternoon that I think that 3.9 billion trickles down to us somewhere around the tune of 2.2 million. Now, I could be wrong, but that's that's a big number. That would be a big part of our percentage. That's just our district. Think about all the districts in California that are affected by this. So, this pin,
058which if you're willing to own one, sorry. Um I did bring them back from LAX CTA for you guys to wear and use and again, even if you don't wear it, continue to fight for Prop 98 wherever you can because Oh, Frank can wear it all over the country. Heather, I know this might have to work into an outfit. This is a thing. So, so I'm happy to pass these down to my fellow board members. Hello, LA County trustee members, particularly, is what these are from. So, passing these down. Um yeah, I mean, really it's it's just a matter of uh knowing that California is the fourth strongest economy in the world. We should take account for that and show our schools of the love in some direct and reasonable proportion to that. So, anyway.
059Uh back to local fund. I'm looking forward to Civics Day tomorrow, part two, and an update of our facilities master plan in progress as well. Good things tomorrow. Oh, plus the Women's Club Scholarship Night. So, there's a lot going on and I'm very excited to be there to support and celebrate with our community for all of it. So, wear as much as possible. That's it for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, President Tims. Uh on the PTA side, I just want to thank Melissa Hughes, who has stepped in as the Center Street PTA president. That is an awesome responsibility uh that she came in at the 11th hour and we're very grateful to her. I also uh want to give a shout-out to Carol Perstek, who's created um completed another successful year of fundraising. It's
060a very large effort, but she is at the head of that effort and so just I mean um we really appreciate her service and the gala is like a big a big jump in that. So, thank you, Carol. Uh I want to give a big shout-out to the elementary um got elementary folks in here? Oh, yeah. The one room that I didn't get into too because parents had surrounded the room right before and I was like, I don't want to walk in cuz like they're compiling in after me. Um so, I uh um I open house is my favorite school event. Um, it has been for I probably since I was a kid, but like out of all the district events with all due respect to them, I think open house is very magical. Um,
061and my favorite part about it is trying to get into every single classroom to see all the teachers and the students work because it is like a cumulation. Can I say that word? Culmination? Yeah. Um, uh, of the entire school year. So, you can really see a child's progression, um, during the course of the school year, uh, from uh, the teachers administration. And it's an incredible amount of work for staff and for students. Um, our, um, this is my second year going to the open house and our elementary team hits it out of the park. Uh, it is uh, one of the better open houses I've been to and that's at both sites. Um, so, just really grateful. It was an awesome night, um, and I did get to see almost all all the teachers'
062rooms. Uh, and just seeing like the kids super excited, you know, and I was there earlier in the day. I think I was at Richmond earlier in the day and it's like watching like them prep and such. It's just it's a cool opportunity. And my my kids also really enjoyed it as well, too, and just getting things ready. So, thank you. I just it really is a special evening. Uh, I want to give a shout out to Megan McCann. I had four different people tell me Megan McCann during AP testing was duty on the spot. Um, and that just is goes a really long way cuz it's so stressful for staff and for students and so much is invested into this day, weeks of testing. And so, um, kudos to the students and kudos to
063the teachers who have prepped them, but just making sure that it's uh, you know, like the canvas is framed. Um, we really thank uh, Megan McCann. Uh, um, I also want to give a shout out to our AVID students. The AVID of awards, uh, night, um, which it's the masquerade. I do have a mask. Uh, looking forward to this. Yeah. Yeah, you know, I like to dress up. Um, so, but I I was an AVID tutor once and just being part of avid is a is a major responsibility, and it's a also a lot of work that's sort of kind of added on as a layer um for students who desire to be college bound. Uh and so, I just I really appreciate like these avid students who have taken that journey. I I I
064really believe that in the program avid, it's a program that we're expanding ourselves um and kudos to Sarah who's in the house uh down to the middle school. So, um it's just it's a lot of responsibility, and it's appreciated, and I'm happy to see that reflected in the masquerade on Thursday. Oh, wait, and there's awards being given, too. Um uh and then on the student performances, string, band, choir performances, the uh spring sings are coming up here as well, too. I think one's on Friday. Uh again, just the student commitment to that work. I had a really nice conversation with Gianna who I sorry, Ms. Summers who just got back um from their trip back east uh performing, and she literally just gotten back. It was blurry, I know, but it was talking about just
065the level of commitment of the students. And also, too, just how um much the the folks that were doing the awards and the evaluating appreciated our students because of their professionalism. And I really do feel like that starts from them doing performances when they're so young. Um and then being part of these programs that our teachers have developed and committed to. So, thank you to Ed, as always, for providing for these programs, but um I I just I really appreciate how committed our students are to making these performances great. Um and then Civic Day is tomorrow. Just a shout out to Mr. Gast uh who I also got to talk to today during the the the rally, and he's got a big day ahead of him tomorrow. And so, you can tell he's just so
066proud of the kids and the projects they've created um for the city tomorrow. So, thank you to them. Uh and then uh tomorrow, um it's the El Segundo Women's Club Scholarship Dinner. It's uh this would be up there as one of my favorite uh evenings, as well, also, too, because it's just really funny and nice, and you get fed very well with this very eclectic meal. So, looking forward to that. And then to thank a board member, I want to thank Meredith. The Since our last board meeting, Meredith has been right four times and I was wrong. So, we just we're just uh I'll keep you updated to the to the next meeting. She She was right. And so, we're just we'll keep you updated continuously uh when we get to June 9th. Probably a
067lot more where that came from. All right. Thank you. >> We can get a tally sheet out for that if you guys want. It's a thing. All right. Uh thank you all for your reports and your time. Uh we do not need to recess the closed session. So, I will say we can be adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Thank you.