001My great pleasure to bring the Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, Elsagundo Unified School District Regular Board of Education meeting to order at 6 p.m. At this time, I invite our Elsagundo High School Associated Student Body President, Maddie Pala, to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and justice for Uh there is no no action was taken in close session and uh now we're on to the agenda hearing period for public communications and we do have someone who would like to address the board and that is Melissa McCaffy. Hi, good evening school board and Superintendent Johnson. Um, with the new school year beginning, I thought it would be nice to come in and say hi and welcome back and report some positive news, which I know you don't always hear. So, um, I wanted to congratulate the
002high school softball team for the best season they've had since at least 2017 or 2018. Um, my daughter's here supporting me, supporting them. Um, who was on the softball team, Marilyn. Uh, some of the accomplishments achieved by our softball team this past year were winning first place at the Torrance TNT tournament, winning league, and making it to the quarterfinals of CIF in division 1 after not making it out of the first round of CIF in division three for many years prior. So, it was a huge accomplishment. These successes were in no small part because of the talented leadership this team had, including a former division one collegiic softball player who took took over pitch calling. How fortunate we are to have these incredible leaders in our community, sharing their knowledge of the sport they excelled
003in and being dedicated to advancing the softball program at our high school. And so with that, I just want to say thank you so much and let's all have a great school year. Thanks. Thank you, Melissa. Moving on to special presentations. Our first one is our student representative report, Maddie Pala. >> Hello. There we go. Well, hello everyone. Uh sorry for the uh late start. That was my fault. Um but we've had a very spirited start to the year. Um and ASB again very busy. Um starting off with some exciting football news. Last week's football game was tropical paradise under the lights. I know I saw some of you there. Um, our eagle soared past the concistadors with a very strong win. And this week we're trading the palm trees for some cowboy hats. We
004have a wild west theme as we take on the Spartans from South Torrance and uh hopefully the same result. We're hoping for a win. Um, some very exciting news with our bird's eye view, which for those of you who don't know is our school video that we put on um, every month. So, we just filmed filming our new bird's eye view intro, which is full house themed um, so keeping our uh, ' 80s theme on track. We also have float building planning underway um, for our homecoming floats. So, classes are meeting this week to decide the theme. Um the main theme is still under wraps, but can promise you uh more details to come on that. Some very exciting things for college and career events. Um we had college visits kickoff this week with over
00560 representatives coming to meet with our students. We're also gearing up for our annual college and career day on October 23rd where students can hear directly from a wide range of schools and professionals. It's very exciting. And then we also had our back to school assembly last Friday and we hosted a fun '8s themed assembly where students played the the prices right guessing costs of classics like a Walkman or an Atari console um and what those prices were in 1983 although I think uh Romo was the only one who knew um but aside from that again it's been a very strong start to the year and that is all for my report. Thank you. And now we would like to hear from our wonderful Christa Kaban with a report on the Ed Foundation. >> Good
006evening, President Glenn, member Zarnick, Weaten, Southerntherland, Missing Beley, Mattie Pela, members of the cabinet, and Dr. Johnson. Uh, thanks for having me. Well, even though I was just here two weeks ago, I still have tons to tell you. It's so exciting. Um, as you know, we are in our annual fall appeal and Chevron will match everything up to $100,000 until October 1st. So, thank you very much, Chevron. Um, also one thing we wanted to bring to light, and I know Daim, you heard this the other night at the PTA meeting, uh, but costs have gone up across the district, and you know this, but I wanted to share it so that the members at home could be aware, too, that, um, in 2024 25 the cost of the curriculum was,5506 and Ed made up the
007difference of 2469. This year the cost of our curriculum is $16440. And so the difference that Ed needs to make up is $3,846. So this year our ask per child is $800 per child. So if you have two children in the district, for $100 more you can be a superintendent round table member, which as we know let you in on all these wonderful things, classes, events, um special sneak peeks to different things. So, something for the community to think about. Uh, also, and just a breakdown, if anybody's wondering how it breaks down per month or per quarter, the $800 is $67 a month or $200 a quarter, and it can come right out of your bank account. You don't even have to think about it. So, we're trying to make it easy for everyone. Um,
008also, we are uh on our website, you can go on there and sign up for the Sketchers Walk, which I know there's going to be some, I think, some competitions between the schools, and I've heard something like that. Last year it was neck andneck with some of the schools. They did a great job of signing up teachers, family members, children, pets, all of it. Um, Sketchers Walk is Sunday, October 19th, so you can register now. Uh, and for parents at home, just so you know, a lot of times the teachers give you PE mile credits if your students sign up. Also, um, our academy for ed is underway for the fall. uh yesterday um or today uh the middle school started their cooking class and so that's underway but there's still other cooking classes that
009they can sign up for that are in October and then after the holiday break again in in February there's also a presentation skills class that can be signed up for piggy bank oop sorry piggy bank basics that begins this week and yearbook and there's also still space for model UN signups so I know Melissa she's still here she spoke very highly of that last year. Her boys did it and they absolutely loved it. So, um it's taught by our wonderful Mr. Al Luna. So, um you know, something to consider. Also, at the elementary level, there are Seaside Strings, which is violin and cello. Um September 18th is when Center Street starts, and September 26th is when Richmond Street starts. And uh you can register at the academy.jbula.com to sign up for our academy classes. And
010as far as the Ed Foundation goes, we are on our way planning uh ladies night out. Um they are in the process of selecting models to honor in our community. Uh the date for ladies night out is Thursday, November 20th. It'll be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at uh the terrace. So if some of you were at the superintendent round table uh event, it was the it's going to be the floor above that. So plenty of free parking right above Paul Martin. So it should be a lovely evening. There's an outside area plenty. The whole floor is our so it will be glorious. So I can't wait to attend myself. Uh we are also planning winter wonderland which this year will be a little different. It won't be the Sunday after the parade. It will
011actually be Saturday December 13th which is before the parade and it's going to be from 1 to 4 so we don't get interfered with the uh the sun going down sooner so the the kids can enjoy the snow play and all that kind of stuff uh early on in the day. Um, and that's it for me this evening. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Christa. And moving on, moving on to uh item 4 D uh presentation of the 2023 2024 on audited actuals. Dr. Linds. >> Good evening, President Glenn, Dr. Johnson, members of the board, members of the public who are hopefully tuned in and ready for a scintillating presentation. I am here to present the unodudited actuals report for the 25 2425 fiscal year. Just as a reminder where we are in the
012budget cycle, we are rounding out the 2425 budget cycle. We also happen to be well into the 2526 budget cycle. This will be the last presentation that I do for you for the 2425 cycle. Our auditors will be here in January, our external auditors to do the final presentation of our audit report. Looking at our unrestricted general fund, you will notice from the third line from the bottom that we had a positive swing in our operating surplus. And it's for a couple of reasons. First, we had an increase in revenue. This came from two areas. One was an interest payment from the county. So, the county actually holds our funding and they pay us interest for the money that they hold in our in our account. That came through this quarter. It's a little hard
013to predict. Uh, and we had an improvement in our third quarter attendance, which always increases our revenue. Yeah. Well done. Well done. Yeah. Um, second, we had a decrease in expenditures, and this is primarily we spend our most restricted funds first, and we had quite a few one-time restricted funds that were expiring. So, we moved unrestricted costs onto the restricted side to free up our unrestricted funding. Finally, as a result of our 2324 external audit, we did have a beginning budget adjustment that shows in our final closing. Looking at the restricted side, again, you see a bit of a positive swing here as well, primarily in the area of our revenue. We were gifted with very generous donations from local um residents in scholarships for the band. We had quite a few of those that
014all sit on the restricted side because they are for a specific cause and our expenses have held firm as we spend spend down those one-time funds. As we look at where our funding comes from, predominantly our funding does come from the local control funding formula. As Krista mentioned though, um that does shift every year and our costs continue to go up. So, it is really the ad foundation, our PTAs, our external donors like Chevron that allow us to really present the robust options that our students have in the district. Um, in addition in looking at our expenditures, as as Dr. Johnson likes to say, 80% of our budget eats and sleeps. The most important asset that we have in this district are our people. And rightfully so. That's where predominantly our budget goes. As we
015look at next steps, the next time I'm here before you will be in December. Well, who knows what else I will present on, but budget will be December when I present first interim report for the 2526 fiscal year. And then, as I mentioned already, our external auditors will be here in January to fully close out the 2425 fiscal year. And with that, I'd say thank you and take any questions you might have. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Lind. Moving on to the consent agenda. Um, do we have a motion? >> I'll move approval of items 5 A through E. Second. >> Is there any discussion? Um I would like to uh just say something that uh relative to one of the items in the consent agenda is that we had uh five
016teachers who um had a column advancement and I'd just like to name them and thank them for for um their diligence in uh progressing in their careers. Uh we have Grace Lee, Valerie Vogil, Quinn Harrington, Grace Netto, and Jahed Turner. And um we appreciate that. Um everybody, you know, our our teachers take their careers very seriously and these are teachers who've gone beyond and um increased their knowledge in their subject matters and um uh have been awarded a column advancement. So, uh, any further discussion, uh, Maddie, uh, your preferential vote? >> I, >> all board members in favor, >> I >> Any opposed? Seeing none, passes four to zero. And, uh, action item 6A, Dr. Johnson. >> Thank you, President Glenn. This is to formalize changing our board calendar from September 23rd to September 30th
017in recognition of the local holiday. I recommend for approval. >> I move to approve action item 6A. >> I'll second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I. >> All board members in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Seeing none, it passes 40. >> Action item 7A, Dr. Linds. >> This is the appointment of our final seat of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. We will have a full slate of seven members. Um, our final uh opening is a member of a taxpayers organization. I'm thrilled that Kathy Wy will be uh is who I'm recommending for approval and and she's looking forward to being back in service to the district. >> I'll move approval. Second. And as an added bonus, Kathy Wley is a former board member as well, so she knows
018all these things inherently. So, it's very helpful. >> Any further discussion? Seeing none, Maddie, your preferential vote. >> Hi. All board members in favor. >> I Any opposed? >> Seeing none, passes 40. Item 7B, Dr. Linds. >> This is approval of the unodudited actuals which I've already presented on. I recommend approval. >> I move approve approval of action item 7B. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I. All board members in favor. >> I any opposed? Seeing none, passes four to zero. And Dr. Lind's item 7C. >> California law limits the amount of state and local government spending including that for school districts. Elsundo Unified School District met, it's called the GAN limit. We met the GAN limit for 2425 and anticipate meeting the GAN limit for 2526. I recommend
019approval. I'll move approval. >> Second. >> There any discussion? Seeing none, Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I. >> All board members in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, passes four to zero. On to item 8A. Dr. Blockin. >> Good evening. Yes. The community advisory committee is a group of parents who serve in in an advisory role in our SULPA and we would like to move forward Miss Kim Dwire who is a center street parent to represent us uh on the CAC and she will be joined by returning member Miss Cammy Rhodan. I recommend approval and I thank them for their service. >> I move approval of action item 8A. >> I'll second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Just thank you for your service to these parents. Maddie, your preferential vote. >> I.
020>> All board members in favor. >> I. >> Any opposed? Seeing none, passes four to zero. And we're already at the calendar. >> Yeah. And so the big item of note there is we moved our next meeting to three weeks from today. And there looks like there's lots of other things going on. Um, going on to board members report. Member Sutherland, do you have something to share? >> Well, I'm going to be fast like this meeting. Um I was um at the first football game which was an amazing win and um we all got to see the cheerleaders and the band and the um color guards. Color guards, right? Flags. Yes. Amazing. Um, everybody did so great and it was just really fun to be out there um with all the parents and kids and
021um it was a good it was a good time. So, you know, I know we're on a winning streak right now. So, hopefully we keep uh doing great. >> Here we come. And Western Day, I mean, it's kind of like my jam of life. So, I'm I'm going to bring it up. >> I mean, I'm going to bring the whole thing. Yeah. I mean, this is like my normal attire. Yeah. And the horse and the jacket. I mean, the whole thing, you know, don't be surprised. I have horses. So, anyways, we will see what everyone else is wearing. All right. Happy September and hope everyone enjoyed their labor day last week, which honors the labor movement and workers contributions to the nation's strength and prosperity. I had the pleasure of attending the high school PTSA
022meeting and during that meeting I have to say that it was well attended. But one of the highlights was Miss Dutis presented and she talked all things stress and starting that in the beginning of the year at least I felt it was nice because she talked about the origins of stress where it happens well before they come to school. It could be something just in in growing up, environment, anything. But then there you layer it and there's external factors. And then on top of that, she talked about how to deal with it. And the thing that I love about our high school is that we have the wellness center and she is a wealth of knowledge. She is a real resource for our students. She really knows how to relate to them. And so it
023was great having her start off the meeting to speak with the parents. And the benefit of the PTSA, the the high school one, is that they have a lot of active board members from the high school, so students. And what that does is they get to see that, but they take that information and they take it back to their their peers and they get to share that. And it's not from a parent to a child, but it's childto child. And for whatever reason, hearing it from a peer sometimes just lands better. So very happy that she was there to present. I also attended the Richmond Street School coffee with the principal and that was nice because I gave a comprehensive overview of this year as well as answered various questions from the parents and that
024was immediately followed by a ribbon cutting ceremon ceremony which unveiled the newly designed auditorium which Tiffany put together. She donated her time and her talents and I tell you it's absolutely beautiful. Moving on, I attended the Richmond Street PTA meeting which was last night and they started off with a very strong start. You want to talk about good attendance at a PTA meeting. Go to any of the elementary PTA meetings. All the parents are there and they're happy and they want to help and it's fabulous. So, very nice seeing everyone there raising their hands and offering to do their part. And I the thing that I really liked about that meeting was they said something about don't it's not join the PTA it's it was something like come be a part so you don't feel
025like it's a burden just support that's what they said it's not join because you feel like when they say join they want you to do something they said but support the PTA and I love that because it was simply just reframing and you'll be surprised what reframing can do for all things messages attitudes all things just putting a different spin on the reality of something. I thought that that was beautiful. Their upcoming events is they have the back to school night September 18th and they have their student participation at the fair on Maine on September 20th. And lastly for the high school, their back to school night is September 25th. And that is it for me. Thank you. Um just need to report out that we had a facility advisory committee meeting last week and
026there was lots of numbers and big schedules and exciting uh things that we're watching and and progress that's being made. So that was good and lots of discussion with uh again a lot of good people in that room to add to our forward progress. So it was very good. Um, otherwise I don't have anything else to report besides a reminder to my board members to come to the LAXA social that will be walking distance from here next Monday night. Uh, so this is the LA County Trustes Association and you know cabinet you guys are invited too if you want to come. It's we want to show them that Elso people are nice and uh, you know that they should come and feel welcome in our town. So anyway, if you want to join us at
027the 5.5 Brewing Company at 6 PM, um some of us have to do a little executive board meeting at the high school before that, but then we're going to wrap that up and be over there by 6 PM. So, um that's something to look forward to next week, as well as lots of good like PTA and back to school nights coming up. So, I guess I think every Thursday from here on out is a back to school night, which is cool. So, I hope to be at as many of those as I can. And uh yeah, that's it. Thank you. >> So, um, last Friday I attended the football game and Daimo was there and Dr. Johnson was there, but our number one football fan was not there. >> Yeah. >> Because our darling Meredith
028was in South America following her passion. She went there to watch the um the Kansas City Chiefs uh playing against our Chargers. And I'll just leave it there. >> Oh, like that they got they got beat. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We miss you, Meredith. I know you're on your way back and we'll see you next time. So, um also on Friday, um I had the pleasure of attending the El Camino Community College President's Breakfast, also with Dr. Johnson uh to mark the beginning of their uh scholastic year. So, I'd like to share some fun facts about Elco. It's okay to call him Elco, right? >> Yeah. Right. So, the the total enrollment at Elco is just under 32,000. So, it's a pretty sizable school. I think that's something that kind of goes under the radar.
029Elco offers 85 degree programs and 141 certificate programs and last year Elco awarded a total of 3,264 degrees. So it's quite a substantial number. Uh Elco has five sorry nine men's and nine women's sports teams. And so I I actually have known kids that uh have gone there because of for instance cross country and so they can you know continue playing their sport while they're uh working towards their college uh credits. Um Elco is in the top 10 community schools in transfers to the UC system. So, it's a great way of uh getting a couple of years of general ed out of the way and uh for for a for a um much smaller price than you pay at a UC. Um Elco offers dual enrollment uh college courses that our high school students can
030can attend and work towards accelerating their college degrees. And actually we had um a presentation by a student who is a student at Roondo and she was going to graduate and she is graduating next June from Roondo High but she's also graduating from El Camino the same month. So she's uh way ahead. Uh, Elco is extremely affordable and you can continue educ your educational uh path for uh less than $1,500 a year. In addition, Elco provides the South Bay Promise which uh provides free education for your first year of college. And Elco has cool swag and a famous alumni, >> Dr. Johnson. So, your report, please. >> Thank you, President Glenn. Uh, on the PTA front, uh, we, uh, had our PTSA council meeting yesterday, uh, via Zoom, and I just want to just shout
031out PTA. There's a large business side of PTA. A lot of compliance, a lot of checks, uh, a lot of balancing of numbers, and I think that sometimes that part is forgotten about. So just a lot of work went into just like the 30 minutes was devoted purely to compliance and making sure the checks are in the right spot and a great deal of care goes into making sure the money is getting towards the kids. So just I'm really grateful that we're in good hands in that regard. Going over to the ed front, uh yes, Sketchers peerto-peer is here. It's coming early this year, October 19th. Uh shout out to Christa for bringing it up. And yes, there is a competition. It actually wasn't much of a competition. Uh middle school last year blew everyone
032out of the water. So, um, uh, the the elementarymentaries have said they won't stand for this. You mean like they were angry? They were, you know, shouting. And so, uh, I'm looking forward to a great competition. On the staff side, I just want to give a big shout out to Coach Rory and the football staff for their work for the last year and a half. I just, you know, that, you know, sometimes people say like, "Oh, football gets so much attention." Well, I want to address something. it does, but there's a big spotlight on football and there's a lot of scrutiny over that program and I just feel like that Rory and his staff have done such a phenomenal job. Um, and even last year, you know, so next to to Grady um you know,
033like who spoke so highly about the the program. So just really really grateful um to the work that they do and and doing things the right way. Thank you. Uh, also on the staff front, I I shout out, you know, we've been doing a lot of safety um uh preparation just as of late. But, you know, part of that conversation has just uh been about our security staff. And we have phenomenal security staff. We have Morett over at uh Richmond. We have um at Center Street uh uh Kyle and then at the middle school, Danny um and Eric. And then at the high school, Romo um and Jessica. And so these are just phenomenal people. And the thing that I appreciate about all of them is the relationships they have with students. If you are
034on campus and you see them throughout the day, they are always interacting with students. Um and so I I just to me with the students that we serve, I feel like that's so important. Um and I do believe that our campuses are safer because they are on them. And then for the students, um I just a big shout out to the Elsagundo Middle School students. I was at the student rally and there was just a lot of school spirit. Um, and that's really nice. You know, middle school is, you know, middle school is not easy and there was such positive school spirit. Um, I think they're getting they're getting ready for uh the high school where I do feel like the school spirit is is just phenomenal there. So, um, I was really proud of
035them and it was really fun to watch. And then I had valet last week um and I was uh there with the Cougars Care over at Center Street and these are kids that dedicate their time. They volunteer for different types of jobs across campus, but the bottom line is is that they're helping to keep younger students safe and, you know, and they give their time to do that and it's just really appreciated. They have to show up to school early um in order to help with valet and they're always fun and in good spirits. So, the new crew is is in and happy to uh work with them. Attended city council last week and a highlight there was uh the hazard mitigation plan. Um it's worth reading. It's posted online. Um and we uh uh
036just recently um we had a staff representative attend the disaster council. So the new emergency manager is is in place now and uh they've really hit the ground running. So really excited to continue to collaborate with them. And then um uh the I I bumped into Sher Kramer as well as Richard Lenquist um who were also at the city um council meeting and they're doing the last leg of fundraising for the plunge um and really kind of uh doubling down and trying to chase um big and small donors uh in order to do the last leg. They have a whole uh um scheme set up of of how if you donate certain levels that you'll be in memoriam in the plunge, which is I mean, you know, a pretty phenomenal building and some of the
037sneak peek stuff is really cool. So, uh looking forward to sharing that information. They're going to send us stuff that we'll put out to the community as well, too. Uh then finally, thanking a colleague, uh my friend Frank here and I did go to Elco. We shared breakfast and and great stuff. Love my alma mater. Frank looked like he wanted to attend. That's how excited he was. So, um, maybe some correspondence courses for you, Frank. And that is the end of my board report if there are questions. >> Thank you, Dr. Johnson. Uh, we do not need to go into back to close session unless any pineapple stuff. No. Um, so at Oh, 6:32. My pleasure to adjourn our meeting.