001Everyone calling us to order for our regularly scheduled session of the Elsa Unified School District governing board. I will begin tonight with asking Miss Beley to lead us in the pledge of >> allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America stand. Okay, thank you for that. I have uh the report of no action taken in close session tonight, which then leads us into our agenda hearing period and public communications. I have two cards for speakers. If there's any others, please pass them along to the front of the room. And let's start tonight by welcoming Bobby to the uh speaker stand. It's a non-aggenda item, so you have three minutes in joining us. Happy th well Tuesday I'm sorry. Happy Tuesday everyone. Also everyone here. Uh my name is Bobby Jones by go by
002the name Yoga Bob. I'm here because I would like to for one introduce myself and I speak on behalf of my nonprofit called Grow and Wine Connect. It is a nonprofit that is a global wellness initiative. Um before I became a yoga dealer, I was a professional basketball player. uh graduated from the University of Washington, got my bachelor's in writing, got drafted to the NBA, played on six NBA teams. Uh lived in Italy for 12 years playing there and then I moved back here summer 21. Uh now I teach at different gyms and studios. I teach at the Bay Club, I teach in Venice Beach, I teach in Long Beach, but I also run after school programming uh with 21 schools in the Comp unified school district. Uh I believe in wellness, I believe in
003mentorship, I believe in yoga and moving back to America. My main goal was to rebrand Compton and make a note from yoga. Uh I've been doing free monthly yoga at the Compton airport at community gards in Compton because I want to open up a yoga studio. But to do that I have to build community and to do that I have to join other studios and you know rinse and repeat. So I'm here today because uh I would like to submit some information brochures uh to you guys to look at. Um I would love to do a summer wellness program with you guys. Uh I did it last year in Compton and as I mentioned that carried over to a contract for the school year. Um I'm already in this area. I'm actually have a 6:30
004yoga class at the Manhattan Country Club. So that's how important I wanted to be here because I got to skip out. But um I just want to introduce myself and show my face. And uh yeah, also do retreats in Italy. Every summer I go back. So if anybody got a passport No, seriously. Uh no, I love that everybody's laughing. Um, I say that because I got to live in another country for 12 years. I got to unlearn and reprogram and get away from the rat race. And so, I know a lot of us don't get that pleasure. And so, I turned my 12 years into an experience where people can unpack and refresh and rewind the mind, especially teachers and school officials because y'all do go through a lot come to find out. And what
005better else do that is to leave the country. So, I do have flyers here as well. And, um, yeah, I have brochures and my information. I also have another deck that is a little more thorough. And how much time I got? 45 seconds. Anything else? Um, yeah, come to the Bay Club, too. I teach there all the time. I'd love to have you. All right, that's it. Unless you have any questions, I don't know. >> Okay. Well, thank you, Miss Tracy. Will gladly accept your materials. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Namaste. >> Okay. Our second and final speaker uh tonight is with Miss Masonette. Miss Masonette, would you uh like to approach? >> Hey there, my name. We do cuts and colors and put on a little she is just amazing and
006it's actually you know it's kind of special because she came in the crisis and it's just so you go But that's not the point. The point is you should come. >> Oh my god, you guys. We can't wait. But we did want to teach you just a little something real quick. Okay. Okay. Okay. We're going to teach you guys how to >> bend and stand up. Let's do it. So, you're going to put your left foot out and you're going to go down and then you're going to step quickly. >> All right, everyone. All together. Okay, ready and snap. Come see Legally. >> We're so excited. >> All right, last call for public comments. I don't think you want to top and follow that act. So, we'll say thank you everyone. And now we'll move
007into business time. All right. First of all, special presentations. is our student representative report. Miss Fala, >> I don't know how I'm going to follow either of those things. Um, but good evening everyone. Happy spring. ASB is busy marching into April. It's okay. Uh, last week I attended the Superintendent Advisory Council where we met with Mrs. Mononttoya Gatewood to speak about nutrition updates for the upcoming year and then Dr. Devontis as well on transition activities uh between fifth and sixth grade and eighth and nth grade as well. And then some updates from the elementary and middle school leadership. Both elementary schools started their ultimate frisbe teams and CSS would like me to share that they beat RSS 34 to 42 at whiffle ball a few weeks ago. Last week was neurode divergent week across campuses
008with RSS leadership sharing everyone can succeed despite our different brains from ESMS. They have their wellness fair this week with games, food, snacks with counselors in stations in booths promoting different aspects of wellness and well-being. They also just selected electives for next year. Some new ones offered are the business elective and of course model unit again. And then finally from the high school, we have our final pep rally of the year on Friday. So sad. And then ASB elections week is upcoming right after the break and a special feature in Thursday's bird's eye view will be put together by our women's clubs on campus such as women in leadership, women in finance, and women in STEM. And that concludes my report. >> Okay, thank you so much. All right. Uh, do we have an update
009from ESTA this evening? We do. I see Mr. Kelly. Well, why the basketball player is obviously taller than I am to say the least. Uh, glad you had to follow that all up instead of me. So, now I'll bring us back to our regularly steed or tuned show. Uh, good evening board. Dr. Johnson. I want to start by acknowledging the continued effort on all sides to move with these conversations forward. While they may not agree on every detail, there's a shared commitment here to our students and to the strength of the district. I remain hopeful that we can find a common ground. It also worth noting that we haven't reached eight sessions of bargaining like this since 2011, which reflects the level of engagement and importance of the issues before us. Every day, our teachers
010are in classrooms doing the work that doesn't always make headlines. They're willing. They're winning the daily battles, helping students grasp difficult concepts, building confidence, creating stability, and showing up consistently for kids who rely on them. Those small daily wins add up meaning add up in meaningful ways, and they deserve to be recognized. Our educators aren't asking for accolades. They're asking for support, respect, and the ability to continue doing what they do best at a high level. As we approach the end of the school year, there's the real desire to finish strong. to disc one more collective win for our staff and most importantly for our students. I believe that's something we could all align around. Let's keep working together or let's start let's keep working toward a resolution that reflects our shared values and reinforces
011the positive momentum happening in our classrooms every single day. Thank you for our time. My time, your time. >> Thank you, Mr. Kelly. And do we have an update from CSEA tonight? We do. Come on up. >> Good evening members of the board. Dr. Johnson. I just want to say that we are glad to re engage in the conversation of job description study. We finally have a date upcoming. So we look forward to that. We also have been had our full successor initial proposal approved by uh CSEA. We 610 that. So now we're just waiting for our membership to vote to bring that along to you guys. Um uh uh something that I've been finding out speaking with our membership is that there was a an over there was a payment given in back in
012September of uh 2025 and then a deduction in 2026 uh February. So um we we understand that but for the membership to be aware we just like some communication when such deductions are going to be made for the membership to be aware that you know why this payment was made and then such subtraction was made. So if in the future we can just have that communication you know for the membership to be aware. Okay. And then um other than that I just wish everyone with the upcoming spring break coming uh safe and fun break. So yeah that's all for me right now. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay, our next item in the agenda is an Elsagundo high school student recognition. Dr. Johnson, do you have anything to add or shall we invite our
013wonderful Miss McCann up to present? Okay. >> Hello, President Miller, Dr. Johnson, members of the board, the cabinet. Special recognition is being given to Elsa Gundo High School senior Aguma Agria Bhutani for winning first place in Congress Congre Congressman Tedl's congressional app challenge. The congressional app challenge is an official initiative of the US House of Representatives that encourages middle school and high school students to learn code, to explore computer science, and build practical technology solutions for their communities. Each participating member of the Congress selects a winning app for their district and winning teams are invited to showcase their projects to members of Congress staff and industry leaders at the annual House of Code celebration on Capitol Hill. Students from 21 schools in Congressman L's district entered the competition, winning by creating an app called Memory
014Lane, a comprehensive memory care companion designed for elderly individuals living with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The app addresses three major challenges these patients face. Cognitive decline, health management, and safety risks. In recognizing agreement for first place, judges believe that this app was unique in concept, had a great design, and showed impressive technical skill. Judges for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge came from industry and higher education, including Mark Fischer, the CEO of Dogtown Media, Andrew Fornoi, the associate professor of computer engineering at LMU's uh College of Science and Engineering, William Gooden, the alumni adviser to engineering student groups at UCLA School of Engineering, and Howard Stall, the department chair at Santa Monica College of Computer Science and Information Systems. A full press release including the link to the video demonstration of Agrema's app will be available
015after tonight's board meeting on the Elsagundo High School website. And so for her accomplishments and representation of Elsagundo High School in ESUSD, the Elsagundo Unified School District Board of Education recognizes Agramma Bhutani. Take a picture. It's okay. Okay. Right here. So impressive. We will have to get on the website and look at that later so we can see the app for ourselves. Awesome. Congratulations again. Okay, our next item on the agenda is a presentation of the citizens bond oversight committee annual report for fiscal year 2425 and we welcome chair Garrett Kano to the dis well to the lectern. >> All right, so just turn this on here. One second. slides up. All right. Uh, these are fun. Um, well, um, thank you for having me, Dr. Johnson, school board. Um, my name is Garrett Conno,
016longtime Alaskan resident. Family moved here, moved here in ' 89. My kids like to say from the 1900s. U, but, uh, tonight I'm coming to you as a member of the bond oversight committee. Uh, I know most of you here have been through these presentations. It's a annual requirement. Uh as I go through this, uh I'll remind everyone that we are looking at this with fiscal year ending June 30th. So I know a lot of exciting things have happened in the past year. You guys are moving back to your offices. Um but with these these financial statements, it's from fiscal year ending June 30th of um 2025 or there. Yes. Um so the next five slides I'm going to go through quickly uh because then we get into the numbers and a lot of the
017stuff is sets the stage for it. So as you know there's a master plan that focuses on uh school's functionality and capacity not for just for today but for the future. Um and so the school school board proposed measure E to the citizens to the voters. This is the language that was used on the ballot measure. Very important. in the first top four lines is what the voters approved uh the the scope of work to be done. That's one of our main and it is the main effort that we uh that the uh oversight committee addresses is are the funds that were approved that were voted on fall under the scope. Um as you know $92 million uh back in well let's go to the next slide. in 2018 with a strong uh voter approval
018of 63%. Um again, but uh I want to foot stomp on this. The second main bullet, this is what was funded is funded and will continue to be funded as we close out. We're towards the tail end of the bond proceeds. Um let's go to the next slide. Okay. So uh why is there a citizens bond oversight committee required by law? Uh California constitution proposition 13 uh we are requ uh the when you issue a school bond you are required to have an oversight committee. This committee is of seven uh taxpayers. There's different criteria uh for different representation. I'll briefly go over that. Um and again that third bullet, the committee is charged with the responsibility to assure voters that bomb proceeds are expended for what was voted on. All right. Uh few things I'll
019highlight. I'm not going to read through all of this. Uh again, voter approved bond measures. uh and as directed by proposition 39 uh in general terms. So on the right side, we review budget, commitments, expenditures. Uh I feel kind of bad for the um for Techloo. They they're wonderful to work with, but we ask a lot of questions. Uh we dig into the financials line by line. Um ask them to adjust how they present numbers to us. Um we're we're a pretty demanding and needy group. Um but they they've been great to work with. Um but we view it as our job to punch holes and ask questions. So that's what we do during our quarterly meetings. Uh the last thing on the slide I want to highlight is that funds are not used for
020any teacher and administrative salaries. These school bonds um or other school normal operating expenses. All right, this slide similar uh going to go through it quickly. Um, I have 68 minutes. I don't know how long I've been going, but I'll continue to go quickly till we get to the to the numbers. Um, so school board determined the prioritization of the projects, um, when they're happening and moving some projects to the end in case there were enough funds and then if there were enough funds, reworked it. Um, I'll address that in a couple slides. Uh and then on the bottom right we have all of our minutes and documentation on the website publicly quarterly meetings and the last bullet this annual report to you. Um, all right. This one at this point talked about most of
021um this already, but the bottom bullet is what the bond oversight uh committee uh executes uh evaluating the spending for um and make sureing it's in line with the master plan and what has been approved for. So, I'll continue on to this. So, we have seven members, each representing a different part of the taxpayers that voted on this. So, myself, a parent of two kids at Richmond Street. Um, fun fact, my now third grader was in the new Richmond Street building last year as a second grader. Um, Gwen, uh, business owner, uh, represent, uh, representative. Uh, Adar, community at large. Randall, community at large. PTO representative and then you all know Mr. Chris Pal and Miss Kathleen Wy very well as the senior citizen or taxpayer association u uh reps. All right, let's get to
022the numbers. I'll slow up a little bit now. Um as you know, $92 million uh that were approved on. I'll set this slide up a little bit. um fiscal year uh ending June 30th. Uh bond sales, cost of issuance, bond interest received. So when the funds are not yet expended but earning interest, that's additional revenue that can be used. Uh the next column is uh what has been spent and then the fund balance on the far right. So as of June 30th, 2025, there were se $17 million in in change um left in the fund. All right. So, uh, our last meeting, we reworked the order of these slides to kind of set the stage. So, as you know, and this is probably more so for citizens looking, um, at this, uh, again, as of
023June 30th, uh, 77.8 million had been spent on school uh, the school bond construction projects. A large hitter were Elsa Middle School, Elsa High School, and elementary school. Those are new builds. Uh let's see. That was the band, the gym, and the new classroom. Then you could see the the details there for the other schools. And again, this was uh determined by the prioritization of the school board. This slide, the next slide talks about what was what had happened in the this past fiscal year. So the big hitters here, uh we had some items still left at the high school. Uh we finally got around to doing Eagles Nest and Arena and some of the district office. Um this right now is the first time we're seeing a as more of an investment in the
024district office arena uh Eagle's Nest as uh the school board wanted to make sure that they addressed the where the students were before they you guys got upgraded much needed upgraded building that uh could have AC. Um uh the next slide uh talks about project type. So this is this parallels the life of the bond that from two slides ago but you see the types of projects. So uh the biggest hitter there is the new construction with 43 million then modernization and you can see the details there as well. Then when we go to the prior or this past fiscal year, we see what has been the bond proceeds have been spent on and total expenditures this past year were 10.8 million. Okay. So, uh part of our job is to review the independent audit
025and this year uh good news, we did not find any there were no uh findings in the audit report. Um so that's that's good news. Um no findings or recommendations. Um the next slide is from the prior year. Um you might remember this. There is a one uh finding found. The reason why we have it up here even though it is for two fiscal years ago is because we did implement internal control as a corrective action plan. Um so that bottom I keep on thinking this is a laser pointer. Um that bottom corrective action plan um discusses that we did implement internal controls. We updated the checklist that now at least uh there's two levels of review before it gets approved. Um so those have been implemented. Um and this year we didn't find any
026findings. So and I'm not a big fan of reading verbatim word for word these slides but this is the reason why I'm here. uh the finding of compliance. So uh based on the review and observations of the citizens bond oversight committee, we find that the Elsko Unified School District is in compliance with the requirements of article 13A section 1B3 of the California Constitution and the funds and that funds are being used for the purposes specified in the ballot language. All right. So, uh, that wraps up the content of our findings. Uh, want to do a quick thanks to Dr. Johnson for having us, school board for having us, uh, Dr. Kim, um, she's been amazing to work with, and, uh, a lot of the questions and actions we ask, uh, uh, Telu also falls on
027her, and so she's been great. Also, um thank you to Pry and uh Camala uh for filling all of our our uh questions and needs and also the committee. Um the six others on the on the committee, you know, volunteer their time and we we dig into the numbers and it it's, you know, flipping pages back and forth. So, um with that, any questions? >> All right. >> Yeah. a lot of gratitude from all of us to the work that you guys do looking at all those fund numbers. >> Thank you for being there to fill that definite compliance thing, but they do it very professionally. Thank you. >> Thank you. And and it'll be fun to see. You know, we're at the tail end of the bond proceeds. Uh right now we're around current
028day 94% expended. So things are wrapping up. We're doing those punch list items and next year's report will be uh quite different as as we get close to the end. So, all right. >> Um it must be really great for you to see the transitions of everything since you went to school here and seeing and being a part of that. So, thank you for keeping your eye on everything and then also, you know, donating your time to do this. >> Thank you. It's been so I mean we were uh beneficiaries of in the early 2000s the school board you know with their the school bonds back then and now our kids get to be recipients of that too. So yeah thank you all. Okay we will move into consent agenda at this time. Any Polls
029or a motion? >> I move to approve consent agenda items 5A through Q. Second. >> Any discussion on these items? >> I'm just going to make note of uh item D, the extensive internship program list that we're sharing tonight. Amazing. That's all I'm going to say. Amazing. So, thank you to the team that makes that happen. That's incredible. All right. Any any other discussion besides me talking to myself over here? No. >> All right. With that, uh, Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I, >> and board members in favor, please say I. I. Those opposed. >> Motion carries. 5-0. All right. Moving to item 6A, acceptance of gifts. Clerk Southerntherland. In accordance with board of education policy number 3290, the board of education may accept gifts as long as there is no conflict with the education
030code or other public laws. The school district has received generous donations as detailed below. These donations do not conflict with any education code or public laws regarding acceptance of the gifts. Cindy Muknik, $75. Center Street School, Richmond Street School, and Elsagono Middle School gate programs. Home Campus $1,39.50 El Pelso Middle School. Center Street School PTA $8,614.80. Center Street Elementary School. Northrup Grumman Foundation $100. Center Street Elementary School. Oh, I'm supposed to say something. What is that? >> Move approval. >> Oh, move approval. >> Second, >> Frank. >> All right. Any discussion before we have Frank and Daimo wrestle for the second then? No. >> Yeah. All right. >> You guys can take it outside later. All right. Uh, Maddie, your preferential vote. I >> And board members in favor, please say I. >> I. I.
031>> Those opposed. Motion carries. 5-0. All right. Item 6B, appointment of members to the measure ES CBOC for second term. Dr. Lince. >> Yes. So, you just heard from Garrett on the COC annual report. Um, this is a recommendation to appoint three members of the COC to a second term. The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee bylaws approved by the Board of Education allow for an appointment of up to three terms. So, this would be a second term for Gwen, Chris, and Garrett. I recommend approval. >> I move approval of item 6B. Second. All right. Any discussion on this item. >> Thank you for them being willing to do this and continue. >> Yeah. >> Continue to be on this committee. >> Great. Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I. >> And board members in favor, please say
032I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 5-0. Welcome back to your second term, CBOC members. Um, next, approval of board policies and administrative regulations. uh for business services, the realm thereof. Dr. L. >> Yes. These policies, administrative regulations, and exhibits were put forth as uh information pending action last board meeting. I've received no comments and I recommend approval. >> I move approval of action item 6 C. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on these items? All right. Hearing none, Maddie, your preferential vote. I board members in favor, please say I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 5 Z. Thank you. Next up, approval to enter into agreement with Serb Smart K12 products. Is this also another window for you, Dr. Lyn? >> Yes, this is an exciting one. So, in a previous board meeting, Miss
033Montoya gave a presentation on expanded ser food service u at the high school. And I know that in the superintendent advisory council, there's some excitement around this too. This is to purchase that equipment so we can move forward with that plan. I recommend approval. >> So moved. >> Second. Okay. Any discussion on this item? Sounds great. Uh Maddie >> I. >> And board members, please say if you're in favor. >> I. Those opposed. All right. Motion carries. 5-0. Happy feeding of everyone. >> Yeah. >> That' be exciting. >> All right. Uh item E, approval of uh the transportation plan. >> Yes, we are required to bring forth an annual transportation plan each year to be eligible for transportation funds. This is that plan for the current and next fiscal years. I recommend approval. >> I
034move approval of action item 6E. >> Second. >> Any discussion on this item? >> All right, Maddie, your preference vote. I >> and board members in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 5-0. Thank you. All right. Moving into section seven, adoption of board policies, administrative regulations for ed services. Dr. Young. >> Okay. These policies and administrative regulations were brought forward at the last meeting. I did not receive any recommendations for revisions. I recommend approval. >> Move to approve action item 7A. >> Second. Right. Any discussion on these items? >> All right, Maddie. >> I And I feel like I can shortcut a little of this. I mean, you know, I got a rhythm. Yeah. >> Preferential. >> Board members in favor, please say I. I. >> Those opposed. Okay. The
035motion carries. 5. >> And continuing with our theme here, uh, item 8A. Uh, Mr. Gallon, would you like to present? >> Yes. Thank you. This this item brings back the revised board policy and AR for the district technology plan. It was presented at the previous board meeting for review and I'm bringing it back tonight for board approval. >> I'll move approval. >> Second, Maddie. Oh, sorry. Any discussion? Okay. I know kind of >> the best part. Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I >> and board members in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 50. Now we move into information pending action. Our first item is conducting a first review administrative regulation 6157.1 independent study physical education. Dr. Young, would you like to present or say any words about this? >> Absolutely.
036So this is a first review of a new administrative regulation for our independent study PE program which outlines eligibility application procedures and the requirements for students who are interested in grades 6 through 12 and who participate in elite level athletics. This administrative regulation and the detailed program was developed by our independent study PE committee which consists of representation by administrators and physical education teachers from both the middle school and the high school. And so following your review at this meeting, I'll be bringing it forward for adoption at the next meeting. >> Okay. Thank you for the background on that. Item 9B is conducting a first review of board policies, administrative administrative regulations in the student services realm. Dr. Platkin. >> Yes. This is a first review of board policy, administrative regulations, and exhibits um related
037to the 5000 series which pertains to students. It reflects changes in recent uh legislation and corresponding education code. A summary is provided and we will bring it back to the April 14th meeting uh for action. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And last but not least, item 9 C, the first review of board policies and administrative regulations in human resources. Miss V. >> Yes. Um, as you can see, we have a first review of a number of policies, regulations, and exhibits um that will ensure we are in alignment with state and federal laws and updates. A summary of the changes have been outlined in the table, and we'll bring them forward as action item for approval at the next board meeting. >> Okay, thank you all for all those updates to all the rules and
038regulations. All right, our next item is theformational calendar. Let's take a peek at what we have coming up. Yeah. Informationational calendar. It's okay. It's okay. It's fine. All right. Biggest thing of note, spring break coming up. Very exciting. And many of other meetings and testing and fun things around that. So, thank you. Thank you for sharing that. And with that, we'll move into board member reports. Mr. Glenn, >> thank you. >> Yeah. Um, on the 18th, I attended the Center Street School PTA meeting. And at that meeting, the new executive board for 2026 27 was announced and voted on. And I'm going to read out the names and the positions. Uh starting with parliamentarian who is also the outgoing president uh Christina Frillic. The auditor will be Melissa Hughes. Treasurer Christian Mashart. Financial secretary Laura
039Rosales. Assistant Recording Secretary Whitney Grundle. Recording Secretary Desiree Mandelo. Assistant Third Vice President for Fundraising is Robin Wood. And the third vice president for fundraising is Lori Burkowitz. Second vice president uh for programs is Gwendelyn Sanders. The first vice president leadership is Chinazor Egeno and the president for 2026 2027 is Erin Harrington. So uh thank you and congratulations to the members of the Center Street School PTA for everything that you do. Um, on last Friday I attended the nation's first K through2 AI student agency awards at the student and community voice AI summit in Anaheim hosted by the Anaheim Union High School District. The summit attracted over 800 attendees from all parts of the nation. Presentations at the two-day event included one entitled AI ethics and learning led by our ESUSD TOSA Dr. Fong Yusf
040and three Elsagundo High School students exploring how student voice can guide responsible use of AI in schools and another entitled behind the scenes of a student-led conference also featuring the amazing Dr. Yusf as president and moderator. Uh, ESUSD received the prestigious AI student agency award and was recognized as a small district with a bold vision. And coming up fast is the battle of Hazeline Field as four. >> Sorry. >> As four of the district and school board's finest will throw it down on the track. Leading off will be Jason the Bullet Johnson who will push the early pace and hand off the baton to Olivia Flies like an eagle. >> No pressure. Who will take it down the back straight >> where? Daima Flojo Weaton. Fastest woman ever, by the way, just in case any
041>> where Flojo Weaton will turn on the jets around the last curve, legging out from the field for me to stroll in and break the tape for the win. >> April 1st, 3:45. >> End of report. Oh my god. Really? >> Okay. >> So, can't beat that. Uh, it's actually been a semi- quiet week as we kind of ramp up for the end of year festivities, which we all know are on the way. Um, I did do a walkth through at Eagles Nest and Arena um last week, which was exciting. Um, but even more exciting was um that we kind of get to look forward now to them heading back to their renovated homes very soon. So, that will be exciting. I did carpool with Tracy to her Laxa meeting, but I will let her
042speak about that. Um, I zoomed again with Tracy with some of the other South Bay board members. Um and we spoke to legislators um but we specifically spoke to both Ben Allen and Al Marasuchi um about several things that are of concern in education right now. uh with probably the biggest being the the Prop 98 funding that the that the um governor has been talking about. Um just this last week, uh thanks to a big thanks to Mr. Gast, the city council, all the city staff um for setting up civics day part one um where the kids got to meet and then um were were split up and got to walk around um and then came back and received their marching papers for their project. Um so I look forward to hearing those projects come
043May. Uh my SoCal Rock meeting was this last Thursday and probably the biggest highlight for me was we finally got an update on our hop skip drive. Um, and I am proud to say that our middle school, not our middle school, our students have figured out how to set up their rides and more importantly how to cancel them when they don't need them. And we have saved thousands of dollars in the last year just by being able to cancel our rides on time. So not just Elsa Gundo students but um the difference in that program as the students now seem to understand how it works has become um wonderful. I it's a wonderful service that it's almost like an Uber where they will come and pick the students up, take them down to SoCal Rock,
044they can go to their classes, they will bring them home. So it's a and it's all free. It's all part of the the SoCal Rock experience. So, thank you for um all that that has started to work. Um I was honored last Friday um to be a part of a surprise $50,000 scholarship presentation by Edison to Juliet Lru Lagoo. Sorry. It was the surprise on her face was so worth it. The choir was there. The the the business department was there listening to Dr. Lind give a presentation. So, she just happened to kind of be in the library for the presentation and then we all just kind of marched in and everybody was looking around like, "What's going on?" um but a $50,000 scholarship um which was super exciting. And then um right after that
045presentation, I walked down to the pack um where Laura Bell Bundy, who was a Tony nominated um member of the first Legally Blonde Broadway show, um told us her story and then spent about three three and a half hours walking our past through this incredible workshop. They did some of their their show. She gave them suggestions. She gave them ideas. They ran it again. Um she she talked to a couple of the leads about some of the the things that she now knows that she didn't know when she was their age. And it was just spectacular to watch her with our with our students. And then Friday night they did what they called the South Bay Cabaret and she sang, some of the other group, some other people sang, some of our alumni um came
046back. Um, and then the cast of Legally Blonde finished the show and so they would, of course, we got our invitations, but they would like to invite everyone to come out and see the show. There's seven opportunities for you to come out. So, please, please do that. And I am just going to wish everyone a very happy spring break as we get ready for the end of the year. Thank you. >> Hi everyone. Um, on February 17th, I was gonna just say this, but then you made a whole list and the internet wasn't letting me like upload the whole board, so now I feel like a failure, but um, thank you, Frank, for that one. Um, it's okay. It's what I do. Um, but I went to the Elsa Middle School PTSA meeting and they
047um did their um they elected their new executive board. I keep looking at you. Um, and they're all amazing humans that I don't have the whole list in front of me, but they're great. But one I would like to highlight is my child is the on the PTSA as the historian. So, you know, starting that PTA PTSA early. Um, I also wanted to highlight that there's a new girls softball team that is um going to start at the or started starting yeah at the middle school. And one thing that I think is really important that our district does and I value um is we're really trying to figure out ways at the lower levels. Maddie had mentioned in her report um from the elementary schools of doing you know um the ultimate frisbee, the whiffle
048ball and then you know now the middle schools doing more interactive team games that are not just competitive. And I feel like it's really great for students that, you know, might not feel as confident to play sports, but want to be participating. So, I hope to see more of those things coming to all the levels. And then they have a little bit more maybe they're a little bit more inclined to even try out for things at the high school levels because they, you know, have been in a team participation that's maybe not little league or AYSO, that's just something a little bit more out of their comfort level. Um, so I really love that we're doing that. Um, and I also think that it's really important because it gives them something to do. And you
049know, there's a big bullying situation that goes on at a lot of levels. And I think the more that we give our students things to do in their free time that is a little bit more organized, I think that um they make better decisions. So, I just hope to see us doing more of those in the future. And I hope everyone has an amazing spring break. And that's it. So member Beechley talked about the Eagle's Nest and Arena site visit. I will touch on a couple of other things and that is the visit provided a valuable opportunity to observe both programs how both programs are operating in their interim spaces and to connect with the staff supporting the students. I also want to acknowledge other board members present and that was President Miller Zarnicki and
050myself. I will move on to civics day 318 and it was a hands-on exercise for the high school students focused on re-imagining Elsa Gundo east of PCH. Students were tasked with developing a comprehensive proposal that incorporated key elements such as climate action plans, transportation planning, cultural and public arts strategies, and business revitalization overviews. It was impressive to see the level of thought, creativity, and civic awareness demonstrated as students work through complex real life challenging challenges facing our community. A sincere and I re I will restate this, a sincere thank you to Mr. gas for his creation and continued annual commitment to civics day and for providing students with a meaningful with meaningful exposure to civic engagement. I also appreciate the participation of city hall staff and council members whose involve involvement helps real world perspective
051helps to bring a real world perspective and relevance to the importance of this work. Other board members present were president Miller Zarnicki member Glenn and myself. Lastly, Beechley said she was there, so I'm just adding the other people that were there. >> Um, okay. Going back to the race that Frank brought up, he conveniently missed his name, and we don't want this time to go on without giving him the shine that marathon medal Lightning McGllin deserves. I see you. Um, MML in case you need that later for your records. Uh, lastly, I will close in saying that the next RSS PTA meeting is right after spring break. It is April 13th. Thank you. Okay, just a quick uh few other things to mention or just add to, you've already heard about Legislative Action Week. I
052just want to say I spent time with Sarah Bradshaw, our pacer from CSBA before that and watching her have to roll out like three days of meetings with our legislators was an amazing feat. So, I want to give props to her and all the rest of our pacers here. Incredible, intense work trying to nail down these people. We were on with Ben Allen uh St. Patrick's Day night. St. Patrick's night. I know other board members were off doing other things that night, but uh we we were on with we were on with him till like 9:30 at night. I mean, it's amazing though that they will make the time to hear from us, you know, if if they can. And so that was that was incredible that he did that. But yes, we really hammered
053home the stop screwing around with Prop 98 stuff. Give us the money. um and and a few other things um that uh CSBA is working hard to try to to do to make our work better and easier and help everybody do their job with the appropriate funding. So that was a big effort. Um I'll add a little more to the Laxa meeting last week. We were at Pasadena City College, so we had a little commute up there and we heard um from PCC on some really great dual enrollment programming that they have set up. Hm. It's long for me, but worth it. I mean, we we got to be with our colleagues and um but PCC has has three different districts that they work with in slightly different ways, which I know we we have
054our relationships down here, but there's some great learning there about how they've really managed to help their students get ahead with dual enrollment and save some money when they get to college and all those things. So, some great efficiencies. I'll be happy to share the presentation that we we enjoyed at that meeting. Um, also, uh, we heard from, um, our neighbor Maggie from the Hermosa Beach City School District. You've heard of her. Uh, she she actually had some great stuff to share with, uh, alternative schedules. Alter alternative school student schedules that she actually works for a charter school group, so they have a little more flexibility, but some interesting research that they provided on how it helps teacher planning time and student interactive time that maybe people haven't thought of. So, some good learning had
055there. Um, yes, Eagles Nest and Arena were both awesome to visit and yeah, I can't wait till they can get back to their home nests, their home spaces. Um, close close, but I think they've made wonderful use of where they've been and amazing small and and really attended programs. That's what I love about both sides of the beginning and the end of ESUSD for some of our students. They're really personalized and special. So, thank you to all the staff that makes that possible. Um, civics day again, amazing as we've said up here, great partnership with the city and an amazing learning experience for our students. Like that is literal hands-on engagement that we're lucky to do here. That is definitely a rare thing and a gift from the city to be able to have that
056time together. So, we appreciate that. Um, and I'm gonna say thanks in advance to Meredith for covering the district environmental committee tomorrow because I have a stupid work thing that I can't get out of. So, I appreciate that you will be there to represent and I'm excited to hear what Earth Week plans have coming up around the district. So, thank you, Dr. Linds, for leading that and everybody who participates. Um, I think that's all from me. I will say happy spring break everyone. But before that, apparently you should go to a great show. I will be there and uh have a great uh rest of the week. >> Thank you, President Tamz. Um, on the PTA front, uh, uh, Meredith and I and the kids got to go to Young Entrepreneurs Day on Saturday, um,
057which was awesome. I I just I just want to call out that, um, last year was huge and it was the biggest they'd ever have. This year felt like it dwarfed last year. I didn't get the final count for the number of businesses that they were running, but um, it's a it's a mammoth undertaking that PTA does to facilitate and coordinate. And then all the parents who work with their kids, all all the parents who are underpaid employees by their kids. Um and so uh but it was just it was really incredible. My kids got super hopped up on sugar. Um and I I just want to thank uh PTA for making this happen. It's such an incredible opportunity. So I'm just really really um appreciative of that. Uh on the Ed Foundation front, as
058we move into spring, there are spring performances and those spring performances cannot happen without the support of uh the Ed Foundation, the community. Um so uh what a perfect time uh to um buy a ticket for the gala that is coming up in May. Um where they're going to start sending out their they've been doing some stuff on social media, but they're going to start sending an official email and we're do text messages and such. So uh register for the gala. um it helps make those spring performances happen. And then on the staff side, uh you know, it was announced last week that the middle school and the high school won California Distinguished Schools. This is a very very um uh special honor. You mean only so many schools in the state win it. Um
059and if you think about too, all of our eligible schools won. The only reason our elementary schools didn't is because elementary isn't eligible this year. So um super um uh amazing. And then I want to call out that one of the criteria for winning California Distinguished Schools is serving historically underserved students um and making gains um for those student populations. And so that that really is a a a staff undertaking. Those are teachers and staff going the extra mile. Um and so I you know the the reason that we get those acknowledgements is not just because we have very high achievement, but it's also because we reach and have our teachers help those students seem like that need the most help. Um, this is an elementary teacher shout out. Uh, and actually for maybe some
060of our friends in the room. Um, so, uh, elementary teachers are very good at making certain things really awesome. And, um, as Frank and I know, our religious holiday, St. Patrick's Day, um, is uh, was recently. And so and and in and some classes, you mean like uh leprechauns, which are real, uh visit the classrooms. And so it just like those are like the little things. You mean like that are big things for kids? Um in particular, you mean like in my son's class, the uh leprechaun left green pee in the toilet. Um so those are things that just really uh go the extra mile for me personally. Um, and I would just like to call out a thank you to those little leprechauns out there. Um, making things special for kids. Uh, the, uh,
061on the student side, Elsa Gundo baseball is having a really good season. Um, and I don't know if you guys are following this, but Yeah. Yeah. Like they're Yeah. Really? They're h they're having a really really incredibly good season. So, I got and I I went to about half of a a game a week ago, and I see why. We're really good. Um, so you know, like the one one thing I've always loved about baseball is, you know, baseball is a it's almost an everyday sport. Um, so if you have an opportunity to catch a game, it's worth seeing. They play at W Park regularly. Um, but they're having a really really good season and just, uh, kudos to the players and the coaches because baseball is a grind, man. Um, and it requires a
062lot of coach time. Um, and I mean like you know, when they're not playing, they're practicing. So, I just uh really want to give a shout out to Elsa baseball having a heck of a season. Um, and then uh on the AI awards, the only thing I just want to tune in on the AI awards is just the students. Aditha, Maxwell, Charlotte, and Little Platkin uh were the students that were involved. And these are just incredible kids. Olivia and I got to spend a good portion of the evening with them. And uh they're just incredible people. You know, I I I'm I'm I'm very grateful that we serve these types of students. Uh, and then I on Saturday got a chance to also visit the potatoes team that was competing at Da Vinci. Um, these
063competitions are crazy. And I I had actually I'd been to like a few competitions in the past, but I hadn't been to one like so intense. Um, but they you know like the competition is like there's a bunch of balls in the middle and then they grab the balls and they throw them there, but then they're trying to like like blow out the other robots as well too. It was like watching a monster truck rally for very nerdy people. You mean like I I'm telling you there was an intensity in that room that was super fun and uh a little overwhelming for my children as well too. So uh uh kudos though just again and all the parent like parent volunteers and staff volunteers I mean is what makes that thing go. So our our
064team was hilarious. By the way uh we have a special board meeting on March 30th uh of governance workshop. Um it'll be at the district office and the superintendent's office. Um, and then I we have our our staff social, the staff ice cream social on March 31st at 3 PM at Center Street. Um, be there. Staff bring your kids and adult kids count. You mean like adult kids like ice cream, too? Uh, so we'll have multiple flavors. I will I and we will be dressed in our soda jerk costumes and uh uh and serving ice cream. So, board, you're invited. Uh and then finally, yes, I I am grateful to be part of uh the uh staff relay team. I want to give a shout out to Jessica Davis who has really made this happen,
065put out the call for people. I am I am a hanger on. Um so thank you Jessica wherever you are for bringing us all together. >> And that concludes my presentation. >> You will. >> All right. Uh we do not need to go to close session. So with that, I will adjourn us at 7:02 p.m. Thank you and good night.