001Good afternoon. We would like to welcome the LSL community and the Selenas community to our special board meeting today, February 25th, 2026. And our opening item number one is to call the meeting to order. And I'll call the meeting to order at 5:30 and we'll go on to B. Opening items B. Roll call. Superintendent Anto, could you please take roll call? >> Yes. President Guadup Gipas Vera >> here. >> Vice President Beatatrice Perez >> here. >> Clerk Leticia Garcia >> here. >> Trustee Robert Okmpo. There's three present. Trustee Robert Okmp was absent and then one vacancy. >> Thank you. So, still on item one, opening items, pledge of allegiance. Trustee Leticia Garcia, would you lead us, please? United States of America to the stand with all. Thank you. So, we're going on to still opening
002items, spotlights. This is an opportunity to feature up to a threeminut presentation on the positive things that are taking place throughout the district. Mrs. Anzo, do we have any spotlights? >> I'll just do some quick spotlights. Uh, next week, many of our schools will be doing the ReadAcross America. We will make sure we will send the board some invites in case you want to join us. I will be at Fremont on Monday reading to uh sixth graders. We also had our Selena's Alice Rotary um distributing dictionaries this week. So, thank you for that. And then one more is tomorrow we will have um two of our assistant principles being awarded PBIS award tomorrow. I believe it's set over there that will be held at Sparkle School District. so I can send you that information as
003well. And that starts at 4 p.m. >> Thank you. Moving along to item number two, public comment concerning items on the open session agenda and or non-aggenda items. Uh oh, I go backwards to E. The big crowd made me nervous. E, sorry about that. Adoption of the agenda. This is an action item. May I please get a motion? >> I make a motion. >> Miss Garcia, >> second. Second, Miss Perez. Thank you. Comments, questions, concerns the agenda? No. Okay. So, I have a motion and a second. Um, I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Three. Any opposed? Zero. Motion carries and the vote will be recorded as three to zero in favor of. Now we can go on to public comment concerning items on the
004open session agenda and/or non-aggenda items. The guidelines are there will be a two-minute limit for individuals and a 20-minute limit on total public comments. There is no seating of one's time to other individuals. Item number eight, individuals wishing to address the board of trustees on open session agenda items and or other items may do so at this time. Starting time is 5:33. Do we have any public comments from anybody? No. Okay. 5:33. End time is also 5:33. Moving on to item B, association comments. LSL Teachers Association. No comments. Uh, California School Employees Association, Chapter 577. No. And finally, United Substitute Teachers Union. No. Okay. Thank you very much. Moving on to item number three, administrative services. So, we're going to be reviewing and taking action regarding the process selection of provisional trustee for trustee area
005five. May I please get a motion? >> Motion. >> Miss Pes, is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Garcia, >> any uh Well, we're going to uh have some comments and questions here. First of all, I did um want to welcome those who did apply. We had several apply but did not qualify because they lived out of the area or other issues maybe um things that happened. So, we'll have two two applicants that we will interview tonight, but we want you to know uh the applications for eligibility were looked at very carefully and uh there was a committee who looked at those for those who applied and also when the board is going to fill a vacancy, it's not just who we like or who anything like that. There's pertinent law pertinent laws that
006the board has to follow. For example, there's an education code we have to make sure we do it education wise. I saw the attorney. There's legal issues that we have to um also follow. There's an elections code we have to follow. There's a government code that we have to follow and there's the Alisaw Union School District board policies that we have to follow. So, it's a very strict um process to fill the vacancy. And we also follow the California School Boards Association bylaws that we use as examples or we follow them. They're they don't they're not our policies, but uh they do help us with our policies. So that's a little bit. And then we're going to have Mrs. Anzo, our superintendent, kind of uh go over what the process is going to going to
007be. Okay. Thank you. So for the um tonight's process, board members will ask the questions in the order provided, each taking turns. After all questions have been asked, candidates will have the opportunity to provide a closing statement. Candidates have 20 minutes to complete the interview. Miss Sophia Ramirez will um give you a five-minute warning with a timer. And so when we deliberate at the end or the board members deliberate or appoint the oath of office, the board will then deliberate, make their selection of a provisional trustee and the oath of office will be u administered. All all that will happen tonight. >> Thank you, Mrs. Zanza. Um, so that's going to be the process. Do the board members want to add anything or have any questions? No. Will they get the questions while they're in
008the back or how's that work? >> Should we We'll have the questions here up front for them. >> Yes. >> So, they won't see them like when they're in their like holding tank or however you want to call that. No. Yeah. Oh, >> well, the only way we could provide those questions to both candidates if they both have the time to review them um kindly because while one's in here, one's over there. >> Yes. So, know that'll be the processes. They'll just have them in front when we ask. >> Okay. So, the questions will be >> will be up here. >> Yeah. They're not going to get him ahead of time. Okay. So then we'll all three of us will have the questions and we'll decide. >> I don't have a packet. >> Oh, I
009have >> I have this >> unless it's not in here. >> Yeah, right here. >> Are these this? >> Oh, these are the questions. >> Oh, look. I guess I didn't have a copy of the process that the yellow and green form that you guys have. >> Oh, I see. Okay. Okay. Well, thank you very much. Any more questions or comments from board members? >> Okay. So, um we just discussed determining the >> Now we can vote on A. Um so I have a motion from Miss Perez, a second from Miss Garcia, uh to call for the vote. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Are there any opposed? hearing none. The motion carries and the vote will be recorded as three to zero in favor of the motion uh passing. We'll go
010on to B. Determine order for interview of provisional trustee candidates. The order for interview, excuse me. May I please get a motion? >> Motion. >> Trusty Perez. >> Second. Trusty Garcia. I'm going to throw it out to to the candidates. Um, does it matter to you who goes first or it doesn't matter? Okay. Then is it okay that if we go alphabetical order? That's what we were going to do is go alphabetically. So it would be Rodriguez before Velasquez. That's fine. Okay. Thank you. All right. So any more? >> I just want to couple things. Yes. So they will go in alphabetical order again. Rodriguez Velasquez, thank you for that. And then um at we want to make sure that and I've explained to the candidates they'll be waiting in a separate room until their
011name is called. Once called they'll be seated at the designated chair. So which is in front there and when done with their interview they will be asked to return to the assigned uh room. So Mr. Abasi will be escorting the candidates back and forth to the room and then Mr. Diaz will be proctoring in the room with the candidates. One of the things we want to make sure is our candidates aren't on their phones. So he will you'll have a nice conversation with Mr. Diaz as we're waiting in the in the proctoring room. Thank you. >> Thank you. So at this time uh Mr. Abasi, would you please um accompany Mr. Velasquez? Are you going to Mr. Diaz? All right. Thank you. Okay. So, we're going to have Miss Rosa come up here and we're
012going to we need to everything you'll find out everything we do we have to vote on. Okay. So, we're going to interview candidates for provisional trustee or trustee area. >> We can't vote on the order. >> Oh my gosh. I just don't want to vote tonight, I guess. Huh? So, all those in favor of honoring the way we said we're the order of the uh interviews, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Hi. >> Okay. So, the motion carries and the vote will be recorded as three to zero in favor of. So, C interview candidates for provisional trustee area number five. May I get a motion, please? >> Motion. >> Okay. >> Uh, Trusty Perez second. >> Second. Trusty Garcia, any questions? Okay. So, um, we're going to go ahead and vote on this process
013also. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Are there any opposed? No opposed. So the vote will be recorded as motion carrying with a vote of three in favor and zero to zero. Nobody opposed. So now we're going to um go along at this point. We're going to do our questions for questions. And we have questions that we're going to be taking turns with. >> Just make sure that you each packet has the candidates's name on it. And then along the first column you'll have um what trustee is going to be asking the question. Right? So each packet has their interview I mean their the application that they submitted to the board which was made public as well. So then we can begin and as soon as we begin then Miss Sopia
014will start the timer. >> Is it timed? Is it a timed? >> So we yes it was part of the process we voted on 20 minutes. So, which gives you about two minutes per question, something like that. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, thank you. Thank you for being with us. So, we're going to go ahead and start. >> Yes. >> Rosa Rodriguez, welcome. Thank you for being here. So, I have the first question for you. And if you need me to repeat it at any time, please just say so. Please describe your motivation for applying to this appointment. What calls you to this work? And if appointed, what level of commitment are you able to provide as a board member throughout the appointed term and beyond? My motivation for applying for this uh
015for what's my commitment for for my um for being a board member? It's to work with uh the the families, the students, the community, and to be involved. I love working with uh my with the kids. So, yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez. Um the next question is for Miss Dis. >> Yes. Good afternoon. What is Ready? What is the role of the board of trustees and how will your how will your strengths and experiences aid in the fulfillment of that purpose? The role of the trustees is to uh support or um the decisions that um the superintendent um and the group to support on the decisions to make uh good um decisions or support the decisions. >> Thank you, >> Garcia. Um okay my turn. Miss um Rodri Mrs. Mr. Rodriguez, um, what do
016you see as the primary role of a trustee and how would you fulfill that role both individually as an and as a member of the governing board to get involved into the community to get involved with the schools and to uh be um in involved in uh in in schools to make um to approve their decisions. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. I have the next question again. Describe a productive board meeting and what are the objectives of a productive board meeting? Um a board meeting is to um be together and um be able to approve uh what is for schools or students mostly for you know students in school. Yes. Thank you Mr. Miss Perez, >> identify a recent board decision that you felt strongly about, and describe how you would balance community concerns, student
017needs, state and federal law, staff considerations, and your personal values, and beliefs to determine how to vote on the issue. Mhm. >> That's a loaded question. If you want to take one of them at a time, it's fine. >> Okay. how I identify the recent board decision to feel strong. >> I um I believe that uh it's um the needs of the children, the students, the parents and the community. Thank Thank you. Were you finished with that one? >> Yes. Okay. Thank you, Miss Garcia. Number six. >> Yes. Number six. >> Thank you. Um, what kind of relationship should a board have with the community, families, fellow board members, and the superintendent? I believe it. Um it should be a respectful with um the community, the families and the members to see what the students
018and the families needs and help them through the community. Thank you. Uh, number seven, describe your response if a parent approached you in the grocery store and asked you for support on a particularly controversial issue. I would just listen to the parent. Yeah. And hear what she or he needs to say. >> Thank you, Miss. How do you evaluate the progress and success of a school district? What is a what is a specific topic or concern you would like to improve in the ALS Union School District? the safety for their children, the learning, the progress, help families and help uh the students most of it to be uh able to uh be uh to know more, to learn more, have those uh resources for the children and for the parents. >> Thank you. Thank you,
019Miss Rodriguez. Well, that's the end of the questions. Um, now I was going to ask you a question. Is it Do you have any questions to the board or superintendent? >> No. Thank you very much for being with us. Thank you so much. So, I believe now Mr. Abasi, I tried to get him out of here earlier, but I made a mistake. So, you could kind of switch roles there. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Rodriguez. Goodbye. Welcome. >> Hello everyone. >> We have about eight questions, eight or nine questions. Mr. Velasquez, the total time is about 20 minutes and we were going to take turns asking the questions. Um, you have them there um before you and I'm just going to go ahead and jump into the first question there if that's okay.
020Okay. So, could you please describe your motivation for applying to this appointment? What calls you to do this work? And if appointed, what level of commitment are you able to provide as a board member throughout the appointed term and beyond? >> Well, I in December, I just barely retired. So, got a lot of time, you know. So, um, one of the motivations just, uh, I think, uh, being back in town, being able to serve my community like I did for a long time before, you know, things went haywire here in this district. But, um, as far as, um, that's kind of a motivation just coming back to be able to, you know, finish off where where we left off. I think we had a good board at the time and I'd like to, you know,
021continue that work that we were doing back then. Um, as far as time and commitment, like I said, I'm retired. Um, but I do have a a little job that I do on the side. I I do screen printing. So, um, that's pretty much what I was doing all day today. But, uh, other than that, but I work on my own when I want. Um, so it's it's nice to, you know, be able to do what you want when you want. >> Thank you, Mr. Velasquez. The second question will be asked by Miss, please. Good afternoon. What is the role of the board of trustees and how will you will your strengths and experiences aid in the fulfillment of that purpose? >> The role of the board is to set the district uh set the
022set like the which direction the district wants to go in and um and you're just one one voice, you know, out of five on this uh at on this committee here. And um you don't you don't do what you want, you do what the board wants. It's a it's a board a decision whether you're in favor of it or not. Once a once a decision is made um you move on. Um and what I'd say um and I think you know by past experience being on the board um should help in that area. I was here long enough to get my masters in governance when when I was on the board. Thank you. Uh question number three, Miss Garcia, please. Mr. Velasquez, what do you see as the primary role of a trustee and how
023would you fulfill that role both individually and as a member of the governing board? I think the primary role of the trustee is to ensure the safety of kids once, you know, they're at your school and to try to get them um ready for, you know, um to become um outstanding citizens in this community to be able to give back to the community to be able to um what you call it like um become outstanding, you know, citizens. I mean, not not just to finish school, like I just came here just to grab my whatever it takes to finish elementary school, but try to get them, you know, motivated to become something in life. Um and um and I think as board members we could try to help do that by giving teachers with the
024tools they need to be able to I say um become successful in in that area to be able to push those kids to where they need to be. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. I have the next question. Mr. Velasquez, could you please describe a productive board meeting and what are the uh objectives of a productive board meeting? >> Productive board meeting is one where you know people get along. They strive to do what's best for the district, not what's best for you or what's best for um the community, the district that you represent, but the entire district. It's not just uh one um area. uh it should really be the entire district and and really to try to see um what needs to be done to move this district forward. And I think
025um working together is how it's going to happen. It's not going to happen with the board fighting each other for every little, you know, every little thing that they don't like. >> Thank you. Um number five. >> Thank you. Identify a recent board decision that you felt strongly about and describe how you would balance community concerns, student needs, state and federal law, staff considerations, and your personal values and beliefs to determine how to vote on the issue. >> Um, well, I really don't know any recent decisions in this district, but I know where I come from. I just recently retired from 20 almost 26 years of teaching in Gonzalez. But um I think some of the decisions that we strongly felt were about bringing in um qualified people to represent our district. I know that
026um in small communities, you know, like down south county, it's not always the best person that gets selected for the job. It's usually the person who seems to have better connections in the district. And I believe that those those decisions don't produce top quality people. You end up getting people that come through the district trying to learn on the job rather than coming with the experience that they need to have to be able to do the job properly and to move the district forward. >> Thank you, Miss Garcia. Number six, >> Mr. Velasquez. Uh what kind of relationship should a board have with the community, families, fellow board members, and the superintendent? >> They should be able to get along. Um you should be able to, you know, visit schools and talk to people and
027and you're there as a visitor. You're not there as their boss or you're not there as um as someone that they you know that that should command some kind of authority of any kind. You're just there. You're just there to visit, see what's going on. But as far as um just this idea that many board members feel that you know they're the boss of the teachers though that's that's wrong. They're not the boss of anybody other than the superintendent collectively. >> Thank you. >> Okay. It's me again. Mr. Velasquez, please describe your response if a parent approached you in the grocery store and asked you for your support on a particularly controversial issue. you talk to them, you you know, and there's nothing wrong with giving them your own opinion or you're, you know, letting
028them know how you feel. Um, sadly, not all parents are going to believe or agree in your own decision, but you're there to represent what's best for the district, not what's best for that one parent, you know, and sadly not even for yourself. You're there, you know, what's what's the best thing for this district. Thank you. Number eight, Miss Pettis. >> How do you evaluate the progress and success of a school district? What is what is a specific topic or concern you would like to improve in the ALS Union School District? >> Um I remember Dr. Nai used to say that um one one of the best ways to evaluate things is you look at roles. for example, um just even in like maintenance alone, if you walk into a school and you see weeds
029growing all over the place, you don't even have to evaluate anybody. You could just know that the people that have been hired to do the that work aren't doing it. Um you go to a classroom and um and I'm not talking as as a board member, but I'm talking about as as a administrator. you walk into a classroom and you see kids artwork on the board that's, you know, or kids work on the board that's been up there 3, four months, um, you know that that work's not being constantly displayed and rotated. Um, it's up there just so someone could say that, you know, I'm putting the artwork up or the students work up and it's there. It's visible. But, but you could just go and look at the date. How long's it been up
030there? So you just there's little things you can do to see if that's you know how how district should be evaluated with um by this by the person in charge of to evaluate board members should not be the ones to evaluate anything other than the superintendent. >> Thank you. Thank you. So that's the end of the questions. Now Mr. Velasquez. Uh, we want to ask if you have any questions of us or would you like to make a closing statement? No, I think I think one of the things I see at the district that I would like to see happen is um especially like now that I'm I'm in town where I get to leave my house in the morning and stuff and I passed by a lot of schools and it just seems like
031there's so many cars, you know, cutting people off and doing things that kids going to get hurt and seems like there needs to be more done to try to keep cars going and either entering the schools from one direction and not from both directions. So that this way traffic can keep moving. But um I see people trying to go around other cars because you got parents that are trying to make a left turn when they you know they should I think that's that's something that's uh it's an accident waiting to happen. I think something needs to be done about that before, you know, we're in the news, you know, the district. I mean, for the districts in the news or um not paying attention to those kinds of things because I I see it at
032a at a lot of the schools where I've driven by. I sometimes just go just to see how bad it is in the morning and it's horrible. I mean, there should be just one way to get in and out of that school, not from both angles, not from the right and the left. Um, so I just think that's a concern that um I see that if it's nothing's done about it, someone's going to get hurt, a little kid's going to get hurt, going to get run over and maybe a few of them cuz sometimes they cross in bunches. They don't just cross by one at a time. They, you know, they go in groups and you know, you got a lot of people that are in a hurry to get to work or just to
033get by and you've got a car that's blocking them. And after a while, you get people just want to go around the car and that's where you're going to get your people hurt. So, I I believe that something needs to be done about that at start off with the schools that have the worst traffic. And I know that we don't do that anymore, but when I was a youngster, um we had um what's it called? Um I think like they were like crossing guards, but I'm not sure what they called them. student patrols or whatever they were, but we got our we wore our little, you know, uniform and our, you know, our like a thing over the front had our signs. Um, that helped a lot. I don't know. I don't I know it's
034probably because of um legalities you probably can't do that anymore, you know. Um, but I still think something needs to be done. You could get parents. I remember I worked in uh San Jose a long time ago and the parents used to come out and supervise the streets. You know, they all had shirts for that school and u it was nice to see how the parents took, you know, took control of the traffic. We should probably try to do something like that here. >> Thank you, Mr. Velasquez. Okay, so that's the end of the question. So, I think we're going to ask you now to go ahead and sit in the audience as they call Miss Rodriguez back. Okay, thank you. So, now we're going to go to item number 3D, selection of a provisional
035trustee for the vacant trustee area number five, the seat. I need a motion, please. >> Motion, >> Miss Pettis, a second. >> Second. >> Um, and Miss Garcia. So, now we're going uh to start our our deliberation. And as we were told by our attorney, um it has to be three to zero. So, three of us, uh we're not the majority because one is absent and one is a vacancy. We are what you call a quorum, but we're not the majority. So, it does have to be a three to zero vote. So, we'll discuss what can happen if we don't come to that. And I really hope that we don't come to that because we need to fill this seat. And I think it would be fair. Um, depending on how the vote goes, even
036if it's a 21 between us, we see that it's it's a majority and we would ask maybe deliberate with the third person. But we're going to go ahead and go on with the deliberation here on the discussion. So, does anybody want to start? Is that it? >> Would you on what what your thoughts are? Yes. Comments? I mean, they gave good answers both. Um, I was reviewing their the application, the questions that were there, the answers So, do you want me to select one or we're just going to go around? >> Well, we can discuss if you can you can that we can hear from Miss Garcia. I mean, I'm ready to but I want to hear from from >> Well, first of all, I want to thank both of you for to being here
037because it takes a lot of courage. I was there with you a couple of years back and I had never even served on a board. I understand Mr. the last cuz you have but um yeah it takes a lot of courage and um you know commitment and strength to be up here. Um so I really want to commend both of you for stepping forward and and trying to be you know um on this board and representing the area that you live in. So first of all, thank you. You guys are both winners. Um whatever happens tonight happens. I mean it may not be that um we get to a quorum. Hopefully we will or we get to three to zero vote and um and maybe that's where we're going to be, but it may not
038be that way. But anyway, um no, I appreciate everyone's answers. I did um yeah, there's I I believe that you guys both have strengths. Um, and you know, even though some of the answers might have been a little bit um less a little bit weaker because maybe you're a little maybe a little bit nervous, the nervous side, but I do believe that both of you want to represent. You have um that you're the district that you're the area that you're um living in. And I I believe that either one of you would do a really good job. I did score one of you a little bit higher than the other one. um and just based on my answers. So, >> thank you. Thank you, Miss Garcia. And thank you, Mr. Velasquez and Miss Rodriguez. That
039was the most important thing is that Miss Garcia, thank you for your interest. And in the event that um you don't get selected, that you can run for the office in uh what is it? November, >> right? And I I know that I'm going to I think it's important. I was looking on uh evaluating candidates and what's important and looking at CSBA and what they recommend and the recommendation I can't find my notes here is um is really to have some sort of experience. You don't have to have a 100% experience on being a board member, but in evaluating the candidates through CSBA, it it says that it's a positive when a person's understanding of public education. I think both of you, you know, had that being able to think independently and objectively capable of
040recognizing and distinguish distinguishing the jurisdictional power and functions of the board and administration able to effect effectively communicate their position on issues and um you know will they give the necessary time to the position and I feel that in all these questions that thank you Miss Rodriguez, but I feel that um Mr. Velasquez was higher on the ranks in terms of his answers because we have a a ranking sheet and he has the experience. He's done the work before. That doesn't mean that Miss Rodriguez can't from here. Um if you're not selected, it may be you selected cannot learn it to November and then run for the position. We're in a very awkward position because you have to pick between two people. It's kind of easier when it's more um but I'm going to um
041support um Mr. Velasquez for the position due to the experience that he already has and that he could exercise for the next nine months and that hopefully Mrs. Rodri, Miss or Miss Rodriguez can gain that experience because you don't have to be in the district. you can learn online or watch the meetings and be a little bit more prepared when it comes to the election in November. Thank you. That those are my thoughts. Anybody else? Okay. If nobody else is going to say that, I'm going to make the motion that Oh, 33. Pardon me. Excuse me. Do you have another comment? Do you have a comment? No, we're selecting someone. >> Are we on B or E? >> Okay. >> No. Okay. So then the next one would be where we would vote and make
042the motion for it. Okay. Excuse me then. So, if there's no more comments on D, we're going to move to E. Possible seating of provisional trustee for vacant trustee area number five. I'm going to make the motion that we appoint um Jesus Velasquez for the vacancy and ask that Miss Rodriguez please keep her interest alive and see you soon. So, that's my motion. I don't know if I have a second. Is there a second motion when the vote comes? Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm going to do a second for him. >> Motion to build us. Um second by Miss Garcia. And just also further discussion if um Miss and and I don't want to pressure Miss Teres at all but if can you explain please publicly if we don't get the third vote for uh
043Mr. Velasquez and it's not necessarily a vote against Miss Rodriguez because the opportunity to serve on the board is still there for you if that's the way the vote goes. Can you explain the process? Oh. Oh, can everyone hear me? Thank you. Um, the provisional appointment needs to be made by a quorum of the board, a majority of the board. So, that's three out of five members. We have three present today, meaning that for the provisional appointment to be approved, the board would have to be in a unanimous vote today. If they're not able to come to a vote um or a unanimous vote rather, there are some options as to how the board can handle it um they can seek the assistance of the county office of education or time permitting we have 60
044days total for this provisional appointment process. We still have some time in that 60 days. So they would also have the option to kind of redo this process and invite candidates interview again and hold another vote. >> Does that answer the question? >> That's it. Thank you. And I think that's I personally think that's unfair because I do believe that we do have a qualified candidate. Um my belief and and I know that Mr. Rodriguez would bring something positive and I don't think it's their fault that they would have to wait. We're the ones that need to decide are we going to stop this process because we're not going to have the three votes and it's going to affect the district, you know, with quorum, with votes, with ties, with all of that. So I
045think I'm hoping that we can come to that and um for the sake of the district and what we have to do in the district. So that's my my comment. So I'm going to call for the Oh, did you have a discussion? Did you want to say something? >> Yeah, sure. >> I'm I'm saying you can Thank you. Okay. Mr. Velasquez has been a teacher for years. He's been a vice principal. He's been a principal. Uh he has a lot of experience. And that's all I'm looking at is is the experience that we need for these next nine months. And again, it's not anything against Miss Rodriguez, you know. So, if Mr. Garcia, do you have any further comments? >> No, I mean, like I said, it takes a lot of courage to be up
046here. I voted um for Mr. Alaska, you know, because he had a few more answers. We're we're doing a rating scale and um no offense to Mrs. um um sorry, Mr. Rodriguez. I think she would have been an excellent candidate, but right now my vote is towards Mr. Velasquez. But and we do have the lawyer here present. So if you know we don't have that 30 then we come we can ask them to come back. Both of them can come back and well maybe Mr. Okampo will be here and then the the whole dynamics change a little bit right. >> We still need the four of us too. >> Oh the three three to >> Yeah. So the dynamics would change because you'd have four board members. So you'd still need the majority of the
047board which is three and so you could have a 3 to one vote at that point but because we only have three present today it's the reason it would need to be three to zero >> and is there a problem because we are now pushing I think our next board meeting is March 11th but we could definitely call a special board meeting if Mr. Okampo when he returns which might be the first week of March. >> I believe the deadline for the provisional appointment process right now is March 13th. So it have to be done before then. >> Uhhuh. Um, yeah. So, I mean, my vote still stands, but just know Mrs. Rodriguez that you did an awesome job and I know it takes courage to be up here and I know you were a
048little nervous and but right now I I still am voting and leaning towards Mr. Velasquez. >> We're Mr. Still uh deliberating um a little bit here. I I love Mr. Mr. Okmpo, but I don't want to wait for Mr. Okmpo. He's not here. I mean, the business of the district has to continue and it's important and we do have a qualified person and um I I I don't I don't want to I mean I it's not just about me. We're halting the business of the district and I'm not going to change my mind and I don't think it's fair for Mrs. Rodriguez or Mr. Velasquez to open up and get more candidates. They came, they qualified. They've been waiting for this day. It must be anguish also. So, I don't really want to prolong that.
049And I think that both of them, if I'm not wrong, would be happy. They both want the position would be happy with someone who would do a good job on the board. Am I correct on that? Yes. Thank you. I think I'm getting several nods. So, I'm asking the support of the board because I know we're not going by two and maybe there's a one. I know we're not going by that. However, as it stands in democracy, there are two who feel we have a qualified member and I'm going to ask Miss um Miss Bettis for her support on that, but she's entitled to her own uh and I respect that also. So, I'm going to go ahead and call for the vote. We have a first and a second. All those in favor of
050um Trustee Velasquez for to fill the vacant trustee position, please say I. >> I. Are there any opposed? I know it's hard because uh you introduced me to Miss Rodriguez. She's a very nice lady. I I know. And it's not over for her because I'm thinking if you're not sure about her, you can train her for November election. No. Okay. So, are you going to vote yes or no? A no vote halts the process for a few weeks. Yes, the district can go on with its business and you can ask Mr. Velasquez your question and what didn't um what you didn't apprec or what you didn't understand or what what he didn't wasn't clear on it would give you an opportunity to do that and to work with him. But but we're stopping a process
051for someone who's on vacation right now. Mr. Okmpo is on vacation and we're going to stop the process of the And I love Mr. Okmpo. Nothing against, but we're going to stop the process of the district moving forward because our board member is not here. I I I just don't think that's fair to them. I don't think that's fair to us and I don't it's not going to change where we stand. It's just going to halt if we think to answer your question. Yes. Uh if we waited, Mr. Couple would come back. We would redo the process as we did tonight. Um and then there would be further discussion and a vote depending on timing. We could redo the uh applicant process like we did the first. >> I'm not interested in opening it up
052for other applicants. That's not fair to either one of these candidates. >> So then I don't know about Miss Garcia. >> Well, I mean, are we are we going to discuss that or should we wait for Betty's answer? >> I mean, what do you I mean, >> I know it's a big responsibility, Betty. >> We're not there yet. I mean, we haven't gotten Betty's answer. >> I agree. I think there are available to the board. Should we not come to a decision tonight and so the board has options? I think um with the motion on the floor from Miss Gilpas, we should kind of close that and see what the answer is there and then discuss what we want next step. So, is it more beneficial for the board to have a trustee tonight or
053to wait when you think about business of the district? And I'm not asking the the attorney that because she's not on the board. So, we have her ask that question. You know, are are we going to stop this because one of our board members is not here. they have to wait where you know I'm just asking you Miss Pettis and not forcing your vote is just as important as anybody else's just to consider Mr. Velasquez, you can get to know him. It's for nine months. It's not for forever and ever. And the business of the district continues on. Uh but I am not in favor of of waiting when we can do it tonight. So, I'm going to go ahead and call for the vote. Miss Garcia. No, not yet. She hasn't told us. No,
054not for Velasquez. I'm going to call for the vote. All those in favor of putting him. She hasn't said no. She wasn't sure. So, I'm going to do the vote over. Yes. Yes. Let's just do a line vote. Thank you. That'll be better. >> So, Trustee um >> Yes. >> Trusty Garcia. >> This is for Mr. Velasquez, right? Yes. >> For the motion on >> Yes. Trustee Perez, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. >> That's a yes. >> Yes. >> 30 with one absent. Thank you, Miss Pettis, because we know that you wanted uh Miss Rodriguez, but Miss Rodriguez, for any questions that you have about boardsmanship, were available to get you ready for November if you choose to run for that because we know you're a very committed person to education.
055And I want to commend this board and Miss Perez. Because of you, we can go on with district business. Thank you very much. Thank you to both. Congratulations, Mr. Velasquez. And uh we have our next item here, future meeting dates. Oh, no. No. I want to go home already. Just kidding. I don't feel that. >> Oh, okay. We're going to go ahead and um do the oath of office. Is there anyone in the room you'd like to swear you in, Mr. Velasquez? Pardon me. Okay. Ah, after all that, you picked the superintendent. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. >> Ready? >> Yes. Velasquez swear >> do solely swear >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the
056Constitution of the State of California >> and the Constitution of the State of California >> against all enemies >> foreign and domestic. that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States >> and alleg to the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of California >> in the Constitution of the State of California. that I take this obligation freely >> that I take this obligation freely >> without any mental reservation of or purpose of evasion >> without without any mental >> reservation or purpose of >> evation >> evasion >> and that I will well and faithfully discharge >> and I will well and faithfully discharge >> the duties upon which I am about to enter >> the
057duties upon which I'm about to enter Thank you everyone. Thank you. No, no, just thank you. Thank you. I wanted to thank the superintendent. I I don't feel well tonight. I'm very congested. Um she she got me sick. So, and I'm just kidding. Um so, thank you for guiding me through because I made a few mistakes on the agenda. And uh, Miss Rodriguez, by the time November comes, you're going to be a pro at it and you'll be correcting me. Thank you so much. We're going to go on to item number four, future meeting dates. They're listed here. March 11th, April 1st, April 22nd, May 13th. We're going to adjourn the meeting at 6:26. Thank you and good night.