May 07, 2026 - Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

001The real question is, after serving on this board for eight years, why are we in this financial position? That's a question employees in this community deserve answered. And I want to remind you something you personally said to me, that if you, Trustee Bender and Trustee So, had simply not rubber-stamped on certain decisions, we would not be in this position. That statement is deeply concerning because board members are not elected to rubber-stamp decisions. Your responsibility is oversight, accountability, and asking difficult questions before the district reaches financial instability. At this podium, that is exactly what member many staff members and community members have been asking for, transparency, accountability, and leadership that is willing to address these issues honestly. Trustee Wal- Raleigh, at the last board meeting, you stated, "They got word that CTA was running a test

002to see if they could rattle the district, and we became abrasive, and it became personal, and personal attacks and personal innuendos against different people's spouses and children in the district." That statement is simply false. Throughout this process, we have worked hard to stay focused on facts, transparency, district decision-making, and how those decisions impact employees and students. To characterize educators and staff in this way is both unfair and deeply disappointing. There were no attacks against spouses, children, or families by ABUTA members or leadership, including myself. We have consistently focused on decisions, financial transparency, and how those decisions impact staff and students. CTA was not running a test. You heard Steve speak earlier about the actual negotiation process. Perhaps before making care statements that mischaracterize our union and our members, you should sit in on negotiations and

003see what actually happens. You would see that negotiations are not what you are portraying them to be. They involve collaboration, difficult conversations, problem-solving, and people working hard to find solutions. Our members are speaking up because they care deeply about this district, its staff, and its students. They should not be twisted into something it is This should not be twisted into something it is not. When certificated staff stood up here and spoke to the board, they spoke with their heart and soul. I personally had no idea who was showing up to speak and what they were speaking to. These comments are disrespected disrespectful to the very employees who continue showing up every day for students while advocating for fairness and accountability. And while these comments are being made, our classified staff colleagues are facing devastating cuts.

004I've spoken with certificated employees who have dedicated 10, 20, and even 20-plus years in the Apple Valley Unified School District and are now being told their hours are being reduced by an hour every day. Their work year is being reduced by multiple days. Some are being cut from eight-hour positions down to three and a half hours a day. Others facing layoffs entirely. These employees have built their lives around serving this district and they deserve better. This district is also asking to approve another resolution authorizing up to 25 million in short-term short-term borrowing through a tran loan with interest rates up to 12% along with transfers between district funds. I personally reached out to districts including Victor Elementary, Victor Union High, Hesperia Snowline, Lucerne, Adelanto, Silver Valley, Oro Grande, Riverside Prep and Barstow and they all

005confirmed they are not pursuing similar borrowing resolutions. If this borrowing is necessary, then the community deserves full transparency regarding the financial obligations being made on behalf of this board. I also want to address I know in the special board meeting my letter to the board was brought up. And yes, I did address bringing in school services to um do a financial review. Actually, it's called a budgetary analysis. I made sure to go back and watch and listen to Superintendent Nelson and she wanted to bring in an outside fiscal expert to conduct a budgetary analysis. And I want to be clear, we are not suggesting any allegations of misappropriation of funds or anything like that. We just want to make it clear that we do not support them coming in if they're going to do a

006budgetary analysis because that is who came against us in schools in um fact-finding and brought in like I sent you all the 23-24 data instead of current data. Um that has nothing to do with someone coming in to do the budget training in our negotiations. And I'm still confused because in the special board meeting Superintendent Nelson, you then said budget training for the board. So, I'm not quite sure what you all were voting on if it's budget analysis or budget training. But that's neither here nor there. That's not our concern because it would not put things to rest if school services came in to do a budgetary analysis. Okay. At my first very at my very for first board meeting I shared a quote that meant a great deal to me. It says teamwork. Coming

007together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress and working together is success. After that meeting I framed it and put it in my office because I truly believed that what we were working towards in AVUSD was this. A district where board members district leadership, educators, classified staff and families were working together for students. And I still believe that vision. But we cannot continue down this path of division, dismissiveness, or deflection. We cannot continue making decisions that hurt classrooms while ignoring bigger financial concerns in front of us. Quite honestly, we cannot we cannot afford any more failures. Our students deserve better. Our staff deserves better, and this community deserves better. We need Apple Valley Unified School District to get back to what it once was. A district people were proud to work in, proud to attend,

008and proud to support. And I truly hope we can get back there together. You'll be happy to hear this is my last board meeting >> [snorts] >> of the year. I want to thank everyone who continued to attend the board meetings >> [snorts] >> and show your support. It really means the world. And I want to thank President Scott for your support and your friendship throughout this entire time. >> [snorts] >> It has meant a lot. President Scott even conducted the service for our Vice President Adrian Forbes' husband, Mark Forbes, last Friday. And he did an outstanding job. >> [snorts] >> And we really think that you showed up for her. Thank you. In solidarity, Karen. >> [applause] [applause] >> All right, we're going to move on to the adoption of the agenda. The board

009may approve the agenda as is or add and or pull items from the consent agenda for discussion and or action. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? The adoption of the agenda? So moved. All right, I'll second. Okay. We'll be taking a vote via roll call. I'm sorry, excuse me real quick, President Buchanan. Is there any way we can have a little bit of discussion before we vote? On adopting the agenda? Yes. Okay. Um I'm concerned that this board is proceeding without agreed upon rules of order. And according to the Rosenberg's rules of order, quote, rules are meant to create an atmosphere where the members of the body and the members of the public can attend to business efficiently, fairly, and with full participation. I know at times we were provided clarity on

010rules by Kylie Caldwell. Kylie, what rules of order were you referencing? Yes. I'm not sure what you're referring to. Oh, whenever >> you. Yeah, whenever you um let us know uh what direction we should take or what we need to do first or second, that that's what I was referring to. That's just to be compliant with the Brown Act. With the Brown Act. Okay. Thank you. Um most school boards in the United States generally follow Robert's Rules of Order. Uh President Buchanan, it is your responsibility to facilitate these meetings. Without rules, that must be difficult. In the best interest of students, we must have rules. Motions made and seconded by any member of this body should be considered and voted upon. It's basic parliamentary procedure. In light of the repeated current corrects and in hope

011of avoiding any possible future litigation, I move that we, as a board, formally adopt Robert's Rules of Order as a shared structure to conduct the business of the district. I'll second. Point of order. We had this discussion at the last board meeting and then we had board consensus that when we have CSBA come in and do our governance training, that is going to be one of the first priorities. Um concerned that we have a lot of decisions to make and we're not considering the idea that we need to have rules of order governing our meetings. Um I I made a motion. I believe it was just seconded. Can we call for a vote? I cannot because I already called for the vote on the motion that was seconded first. I'm sorry. Can you clarify? Yes,

012on a motion made by Maria Akpara and seconded by Amanda Buchanan, we move to adopt the agenda. And then I called for the vote and I called on you and you said you wanted to have discussion about the adoption of the agenda. Yes. So, before we adopt the agenda, I think it's important that we acknowledge common rules of order as is basic parliamentary procedure. When you have a motion on the floor to to consider something, subsequent motions can be made. This is according to Robert's Rules of Order. This is according to Rosenberg's Rules of Order. It's according to basic parliamentary procedure. If we just call for a vote and aren't allowed to make any additional motions, this body is not heard. I hear you. Can I get your vote on the first motion to adopt

013the agenda, please? I'm concerned that um this motion is not being considered. When would be an appropriate time to make an emotion? When we have CSBA here, we're going to work through this as a board and adopt our governance handbook, and we're going to go through our policies and our procedures. You keep referencing that we have currencurrants. Um Superintendent Nelson, have any of the currencurrants been founded? No. Okay, so >> No. Yes, we're getting them, but our legal team is saying that they are unfounded. Um yes, I understand, but it is important to have rules in order to have an efficient meeting. I'm not sure why this is um being resisted so much. It seems to me um being a basketball player, I could not imagine playing a game without rules. It just would be

014chaos um as we just made up things as we went. It's important we all have a basic understanding of rules in this room. Um my hope is this board will see reason, and especially as we move forward with these next few board meetings that it is important as we make these decisions for this district and in light of what's best for students that we all understand basic parliamentary procedures and that we all can be participating um in any direction we give. Um It's your responsibility President Buchanan to call for a vote on this. Okay, can I get a vote on the adoption of the agenda? Mrs. Longshore Mr. Ali Hi. Mrs. Tucker Hi. Ms. Akpara Hi. Ms. Buchanan, I. >> [clears throat] >> All right, we have no recognition at this meeting and we have

015no discussion information items board comments. So, we're going to come back to you Mrs. Longshore. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Can you repeat that? Board comments. Board We're at board comments and I brought it back to you. Oh, thank you. President Buchanan, I appreciate that. I love AVUSD and all it has to offer this time of year. Our district is a flurry of excitement and activity and it's such a joy to watch our children do their thing. Thank you to each one of you who posted, reached out, and invited this board to be part of your activities. I had the pleasure of attending Granite Hills High School's Little Shop of Horrors, celebrated our certificated employees of the year, visited Apple Valley High School students as they worked in the kitchen and even joined them this morning

016at the farmers market. I applauded students who participated in the talent show at Phoenix Academy. I celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Vanguard Prep and joined Granite Hills High School students as they cheered on Hesperia Unified School District's first performance of Shrek the Musical in their beautiful new facility. I would also like to thank each of you for continuing to show up. I know it's been a long year and I appreciate you continuing to support the important work we do here every month. I brought some cookies to share. At the back, feel free to help yourselves to a plate. Um and if you don't want all five cookies, feel free to share. You'll have to excuse me. I had a hard day. Had to help a friend move after he had to leave Apple Valley because

017he could not find a place to stay. He could barely walk. You might remember him. The same gentleman that got thrown from our board meeting last year. Painfully shuffling his feet as he received a police escort out. It took everything just to show up. And you never gave him the chance to talk. Do you know why he was here? Simply to ask a few questions. He wrote an email and then delivered a cure and correct asking AVUSD to explain. After no clarity was provided, he showed up and was thrown out and never given the opportunity to speak. I'd like to say that was the end of it, but it's simply not true. A year later flyers were distributed with his picture on it stating a possible recent threat. But the truth is after that board

018meeting, he never came back. Somehow, someone created an alternate reality prompting a valued employee to express great fear. He was a private citizen, a disabled man. Today, I call to account whoever did this. Can you imagine what happens to anyone else who might try to speak up? Rest assured, people talking about a problem is never the problem. We must talk or it can never be resolved. That's why it's important to keep the conversation going. This district has allocated $100 million of additional spending, according to fact-finding and our 2026 second interim report. In 4 years, Hesperia Unified built a state-of-the-art performing arts community building. Victor Elementary offered a significant incentive for teachers to become reading specialists. And Victor Union High School District lowered class sizes significantly while increasing teacher pay. But ABUSD increased spending so much

019on management, we now have to shortchange staff, fill classrooms to the brim, and riff classified to their bare bones. This did not need to happen. It's not what the community wants. And it most certainly isn't in the best interest of our kids. But some allow it. Don't tell me you're here for the kids while supporting this administration, dismissing concerns of staff that serve them every day. Don't tell me you're here for the kids as you allow favoritism, denying equitable access to programs and events. Don't tell me you're here for the kids while barring access to data and embracing willful ignorance, all while making decisions that negatively impact our schools. >> [clears throat] >> We have been torn apart from the inside. Lies spread behind the scenes have created division and distrust. Plans are carefully constructed

020while this board is not properly informed. Superintendent Nelson, who gave you direction to pursue CSBA training? This board comment, so your comment is Yeah, these are comments. I asked the question in an email, never received a reply. Mr. [clears throat] Rowley chose to spend close to $10,000 on our last review. Where is that data? I echo Trustee Tucker's request to wait for it before we spend more. Maybe until after November. You never know, things might change. We need to provide accountability and oversight, especially in light of everything we've been through this year. It's not a game. These are people's lives. And the public is watching. Let's do something different. As we end this school year and look forward to summer break, I want to thank our employees for a job well done. Rest, relax, and

021enjoy. I think despite everything, you're still here finishing strong and have all the hope in the world for our children and AVUSD. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Rick Rowley. No comment. Anita Tucker. Good evening. Um, I've been able to go to a couple of things that were very uplifting this past month. The MDCP Film Festival and seeing the amazing work our students have accomplished in both and both Apple Valley and Granite Hills received awards. Uh, I was able to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a celebration at Vanguard. Uh, the students really excelled with music, dancing, and the staff and the parents filled the gym. Uh, really filled the gym supporting our students. And I was really honored to uh, be able to see our Avid students recognized through Rims Avid and celebrate their achievements along with

022their teachers. Um, as a former Avid teacher, it's really powerful to see how many students uh, were there to celebrate and people to support them. Avid works to provide the skills for students to ensure that they incorporate rigor, writing, and critical thinking and allows them to be accepted and successful in university. And seeing the joy and the happiness of our students, that really made my day yesterday. Today I was really happy to walk with Ms. Bibi and her students and Granite students who were able to shop for fresh vegetables to cook and buy some uh, delicious treats at the farmers market. And it was really a joy to have some time and opportunity to be with them. May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we honor the very rich history,

023culture, and contributions, as well as the diverse experiences that are woven into our shared story and vital to our collective future. I would like to honor our hardworking principals and assistant principals at this board meeting. May 1st, we honor our principals who guide our schools and have the abilities to make a small amount of money and time seem to cover everything that our staff and students need. April 6th through 10th, we honor our assistant principals who seem to be everywhere all at once, making sure that the needs of our students and staff are met, meeting with parents and supporting our teachers. The guidance of our hardworking administrative teams is vital to the success of all our students. Thank you. This week is also National Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers put in endless hours to perfect

024their lesson plans, support their students, reach out to parents and families, and work to make their classrooms a welcoming place where love and learning happen. Teachers are the ones you see at 9:55 at night at the store buying 180 pink index cards for their lesson tomorrow, or a piñata that looks like Napoleon, or extra granola bars to make sure that their students have a snack because students are always hungry. Students always remember those teachers who go above and beyond to make learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. Thank you so much for all you do. We also celebrate and thank our nurses this week as we celebrate Nurses Day on May 6th, yesterday, and National Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th. Your dedication and support of all our students' physical and mental needs are vital to

025our students' success. Our parents and families feel so much better knowing that you are there for our students. Thank you for your care, dedication, and support for all our students and staff. On May 17th to 23rd, we honor and recognize the contributions of our classified employees. Our classified employees are up before the sun to ensure our buses are ready to roll and pick up students. They are the ones who prepare the meals so our students are well nourished throughout the day, and they work late hours making sure that our campuses are clean and sparkling for our students each day. They answer thousands of calls from parents, meet with them, ensure that our attendance is recorded, our computers are working, work one-on-one with our students to help them better understand math and reading concepts, keep our

026campuses safe, and so, so much more. You make a huge difference for our students, our staff, and our families. Thank you so very much for everything you do. I'd also like to say thank you to all the mothers. Mother's Day is coming up, and those of us who are mothers, uh maybe not by children by birth, but by children of the heart, uh who are there to support our children. Thank you. May is also a month of endings and beginnings. In May, we stand at the threshold, not quite finished with our past, but looking ahead to the future. We end the school year, all the dedication and hard work of our students and staff come to culmination with the end of the year. With promotions and with graduations, we say goodbye to 2025 and 26.

027However, with each ending comes a new beginning. Our graduates go onward to universities, careers, and the military. our students are promoted from one comfortable and familiar grade to the next looking forward and well prepared for the challenges and excitement of the upcoming year. We celebrate retirements from our staff who dedicated many years to support our students and have earned a well-deserved retirement to spend with their families. I wish all of our graduate students and staff the very best wishes as we make the change from ending one year to the excitement of starting another. Congratulations on all your successes. We look forward to hearing about your next journey with hopefully taking a small piece of Apple Valley Unified School District with you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Maria Akpara Well, I'm going to start by um

028by wishing all the mothers uh happy Mother's Day. Um it is always a pleasure um to be surrounded by uh your children and to be surrounded by the children you didn't birth um but they're your children. Um we wish you the very best on for Mother's Day and uh I hope you enjoy every moment of it. Um during this month um between the last board meeting and this board meeting um I never can keep track of what I do, so I sit here and I try to jot it down. Um I was able to go to MDCP gala. Um I didn't know the date it was going to be, but I showed up anyhow after I looked in the calendar. I was like, "Ooh, I got to go." Um it was a a real pleasure

029to see how many of our students were recognized and and publicly recognized and given the award. I had the opportunity to go to Cinco de Mayo at Vanguard. I every year I ask somebody to get me an authentic um outfit so that I can wear it on that authentic day. Um but every year I come up short. So I'm hoping somebody is listening today. Um to get me one and I'll pay for it because I really want to dress the part um for whatever the events are. Uh but it was such a pleasure to see that. I I had the opportunity to go to the Avid um um award. Uh that is RIMS, the Riverside, Indio, Mono, and San Bernardino counties. Um and we we had our children be recognized and it was such a

030joy when they announced Apple Valley in that sea of kids in that space. Um and if you all know when you are in a group photograph uh I don't care how many people are in the group, you're looking for you. Uh so in that group picture I was just looking for Apple Valley. You know, that's all I cared about. Um they announced all of the districts and but I'm still looking for Apple Valley and once they came in it it it was perfect for me. I I could see the kids uh get so happy. Um I also participated in the International Children's Day. Uh this was our first time that the board had a booth. Um I'm hoping that we will continue to do this every year. It was a new experience for me. I've

031never been on a in a booth. Uh so I didn't get the opportunity to run around like I normally would. Um you know, going from one booth to the other or trying to sample something, but it was such a joy just to see that many number of kids and families come out to um to celebrate the International Children's Day. I also had the opportunity to go to Candy Cane Dance or Candy Land Dance at Apple Valley High School. Um that is put together for the students with special needs. Uh and it was such a joy just to see so much candy sitting there. And the kids having the opportunity to help themselves to to the candy. It was It was so joyful. And of course today I went to the farmers market. Um to just

032see the joy in their faces um as they um move around between the um the little shops in the farmers market. Now having said all of that, um I wanted to also take the time to appreciate the speakers today. The children who came out spoke to us. And the adults who also had the opportunity to speak to us. It is not easy to hear people tell you what you are not doing right. It's a lot of joy to see see people share what you are what they are learning in their school. But it's not easy to listen to somebody tell you you miss you missed a step here or you missed a step But it takes a bigger person to say I accept. And I'll do better. It takes a whole lot a bigger person

033to do so. Um and so I'm going to go back to last board meeting. And I sat here and I listened when I was accused of something that was that I didn't I didn't say. Um and I will accept the things I said. Um at no point um I I'll start with the things I said. Um, I appreciated the young young man that will come every time to speak to us. It it for me it is is heartwarming to see a kid stand up for what they believe in. I respect that. I want that. I want any kid who has anything to say to us to be able to feel safe to share with us, to tell us what they think. So, I I accept that and I have always said to the to the

034young to the I call him I always say the kid because I didn't know his name. Um, and it was not because I didn't want to learn his name. Um, but I I have a it's term of endearment for all kids. When I see them I have a name for everyone and it's not because I their name don't matter. Their names do matter. But I called him the kid. Okay? And I appreciated him. I appreciated what he had to say. I appreciated the fact that he came every time to speak. But at no time, and I want to be sure that everybody is aware of it, at no time did this lips of mine ever call him lazy. And you can go back to recording, but at no time did I use those words. I

035can never I believe in respect I respect the kid I respect the adult I respect somebody who doesn't respect me, but I'll respect you. I have been on this seat for 8 years and the one thing that is a trademark of mine is I cannot stand disrespect. I have you all of you know about it. If you disrespect somebody I will tell you in a that's that's not the way you go about it. So, I want to be very clear that we have that understanding that I will never disrespect a kid and I will never disrespect the parent. I my job is to be able to be of service. And if I have wronged anybody, I'm assuming I'm I'm appealing to you to find me. I am not unapproachable. Find me, talk to me. And

036when you've talked to me, if I still am unapproachable, then go public with it. But when you go public with it, you have taken it out of my hands. So, I wanted to make sure that I set the record straight today that at no time did I use the word lazy and at no time did I call the kid by name. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. [clears throat] Yeah, May is definitely a crazy busy month with everything going on at all of the schools. Um I just wish there was a way to be at multiple things at the same time. Um I'm going [clears throat] to start with the talent show at Phoenix Academy that Trustee Longshore referenced. Um it was so great. That was my second year attending and the kids never

037cease to amaze me. Especially you can tell like they always seem to have in their mind like retro themes, which is basically like when I was in high school. Um I refuse to believe that was that long ago, but the kids get up there and they dance and they sing and I they just a huge thank you to their parents for giving them a good love of music background. Um and I also got to see the new screens at the school, which looked great. I saw them on my way out. Um I also went to Little Shop of Horrors. Um, and those the thespians at Granite Hills are just amazing. Um, every year I think, "Oh, no, these kids are graduating. Is it still going to be as good?" And it's always just as good.

038Like there's it just comes up and I'm sure that's also probably from Phoenix with the feeder school and they've got that going on. Um, but it's just there's a lot of talent in this district. Um, funny side note, my mother sent me some flowers for Mother's Day. They came yesterday from like 1-800-Flowers, but they were like bulbs in a pot and I took it out and there was like all this like I don't know, raffia type stuff and then they were yellow like sticks intertwined, but they're I think they're probably tulips. And my oldest who went to Little Shop of Horrors said, "If that plant says feed me Seymour, I'm out of here." >> [laughter] >> Um, I did remove the stuff and gave it some water last night and they were perked up this

039morning. They looked much more plant-like. Um, also was at the Avid Senior Recognition last night down in Ontario at the Toyota Center. This was my first time attending. It was amazing. Like I I could not believe how many kids were there. There was 3,200 seniors within the the four counties that are our Avid graduates. Um, I did kind of laugh at them that all the kids would take turns kind of teasing about TFIs and if you've done Avid, you know, it's maybe not a favorite. Um, but the person that that co-created it was sitting on the stage and she was she took it well. Um, I also uh went to the the prom the SH prom over at Apple Valley High School. I I don't think I told Trustee Okpara but I was warned on

040my way in that I was going to have to try and get you off the dance floor. So. I did make the mistake though of taking a picture of the candy bar um that Mrs. Knox was running and I made the mistake of showing my daughter who now wants a candy bar at her birthday party with all the different candies. Um so I may be calling Mrs. to find out how to do that. Um the county multicultural recognition uh dinner awards was also this month and I got to go and attend that and sit at our table with um some of our district rec um our district employees that were being recognized uh and that was just It was a great night. Um I definitely enjoyed all the student speakers and um it was it

041was lovely. After that there was also the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools post uh hosted their countywide performing arts showcase so I got to see the granite um actors and actresses again and that was also just as good. Although I will I did share um with Mr. Churchill that I was like I was hoping that that the Audrey II was there and they were going to bring it out on stage cuz it was so fantastic but um I guess it didn't fit through the door on the bus so um International Children's Fair was fantastic. It's always great. That was my fourth one attending. I'm so glad that um we did have a booth. We had little bracelets that um the kids could make. They had the Horton Hears a Who and they would have

042little uh freeze on them like, do you remember any of them? Were about kindness or friend to the end. Uh so it was really sweet. We also had some um multicultural bookmarks and um that just really stressed the importance of diversity. Um it seemed to be a hit as well as all the snacks. Um but it was definitely a hit. We had a cute little boy come over with his face painted by someone from High Desert Premier and he was a lion and he was like, "Roar." It was adorable. Um and then we also, because we were there early to set up, we got to go out and see the Blackhawk helicopter, which was fantastic and we got to climb in and sit in it. But the best part was the pilot was actually a

043graduate of Apple Valley High School and he said he was a student here when it was the junior high. And so we, Maria and I both got a picture with him because we thought that was pretty cool that the pilot that brought it in was a graduate of Apple Valley. Uh and then finally, um yes, so we did have Coast to Coast. And I did um we, I think we got the original email on October 7th. I was trying to find it. Um and I did send an email saying, "Hey, if funds permit, this is something I'd be interested in." And um we were, I was booked probably about January or February, we had a meeting and I did meet with the superintendent to find out whether or not I should like not go and

044we decided that we would lose too much if I did not attend. Um and then was speaking with another member of the board, it was agreed that because I am a delegate for CSBA as well as the board president that I was the right person to represent us. Um we had some new federal priorities that we were able to address while we were there. Um, as always we requested, I know you'll appreciate fully funding IDEA, um, which our congressman is in favor of but he also understands that what's going to get cut and so that's kind of always been a sticking point. Um, I spoke to him a lot about uh, protecting title one as well as our student support programs and did request that Congress would provide at least 20 billion for title one

045programs coming up. I know last year we were pushing, um, a lot on E-Rate and I do know that because of our advocacy when we were there, do you remember how much extra? I don't remember. We got a huge amount though extra um, in the E-Rate funding. Um, some new priorities were protecting student online safety. Um, and really trying to protect their data. We also wanted to speak with him and we're lucky in that he does have a background in technology, um, but supporting responsible AI in education. Um, and then we also had, um, a couple members speak about strengthening career technical education. As we've heard multiple times tonight like that is so important and so to make sure that we're still getting that bipartisan support and bringing that funding back, um, to California is

046definitely, um, going to be helpful as well as securing the rural schools. We just thanked for that one cuz they has been supported. Um, let me make sure. I think that was it on that. I'll save that cuz I was going to do it as an update at the second one but I'll it in there. Um And then yeah, so it's it's May. So, just thank you to all of our our staff as Trustee Tucker was saying, you know, it started with the principals. Um And then of course we have teacher appreciation week followed by our classified appreciation week. The schools cannot run without any of you. Uh and you are appreciated. Um And I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do. And then that is it for me. So, Superintendent

047Nelson, you're up. So, I won't go back through all of the things that the board has attended that I have also attended. Um but there's a couple callouts on this. Um the second annual MDC Film Festival um photography best in show. This was the first year that they added photography and Brian McLain Tay um a student from day one in our district as an elementary student all the way up um took best in show. And then competitive capture went to the Granite Hills High School team um having to do with the um construction trades and being out there with all of the other districts that were um filming. So, congratulations to Granite Hills High School on that. Um adult educate Well, let me then go over to Apple Valley High School. Um well, it was

048shared earlier. We are proud of uh the Construction Industry Educational Foundation design build competition. 585 students participated. 39 teams. And this is not just high school students. Um first place People's Choice Award went to the shed that looks like a dog from Apple Valley High School. It's amazing. So, um So, I think those two things go very nicely together. Um our adult education program went through their first WASC cycle and they've been granted a six-year WASC accreditation and they will have a mid-term visit, but that's amazing that they um first time around. And then, um we've had lots of celebrations already this month and a lot that were coming. Um, tonight's retirees, Teresa, Tammy, Sherry, Martis, Dennis, Kent, Holly, um hard for me to say Holly and not just Profe, um Earl, Cheryl, and Cynthia.

049Uh they have made lasting impressions in my heart and the work that they've done. Profe was one of my children's teachers um in high school. Uh the Killians just it's going to be strange to not have a Killian at Apple Valley High School um after all of these years and and I I said to Sherry when she came through, I remember the day we hired her. Um, she was coming from private education to public and what a what a win for us to have her in in kindergarten and um starting with those really young students. And then Tammy and I worked very closely together over the years. So, um there's just a bond and it's hard when people um commit their lives to this profession and then they go off and get to retire and

050do the wonderful things that they're going to do in retirement, but they're appreciated. Um, this week we did a milestone that we haven't done often. Um, we gave a 40-year Apple at Rancho Verde School to Lester Tompkins, um the custodian who started there when he was 18 years old. And he's never left Rancho Verde. There's a lot of people that might get a 40-year Apple. There's some, not a lot. But they don't stay at the same school, they don't stay doing the same work, and Lester has done that. Um he says he's got a few more years in him, and we appreciate that. Uh but I think those are the the things that we have to reflect on and realize are amazing. Um as we're recognizing within our own district the outstanding service that people

051have provided. Um Miss Okpara was named outstanding special education university supervisor from Cal State San Bernardino, so congratulations on that. And I I appreciate Trustee Checker talking about all of the groups that we're recognizing this month. Um specifically teachers, classified, nurses, administrators, and co-administrators. Because without all of those roles, those students that's why we're here. We're here for all of those kids, and we need every single role um to make that happen. But there's one to add to that. And I can't believe you didn't get it, because you have them all. This Friday, tomorrow, is Communicators' Day. And so I just want to make sure that um we realize that we have a single role in this district. Um Zoe Weidner, who does a lot to communicate out positive things that happen in each and

052every classroom and on campuses and throughout the district. And so um she's not here right now. I wish I had had the opportunity earlier to say this publicly while she was here, but she'll hear it later. And then finally, our staff appreciation ice cream social is next week, and we hope everybody will come out and have a scoop and enjoy, and if the weather will hold, it'll be worth it. Right? Thank you. >> [applause] >> Do we have any public comments? Yes, there is one this evening. Okay. As provided on our public comment card, speakers are requested to limit comments to a maximum of 3 minutes. If more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, subsequent speakers should limit their remarks to new information only. Public comment shall be limited to a

053maximum of 20 minutes per item. Kian Peak. >> [applause] >> Sup party people? Oh, it's this one? All right, sup party people. Uh good evening Superintendent Nelson, members of the board, those in attendance and watching. Shout out to the girls that are swimming CIF. Hey, congrats on 13th overall. Hopefully, I can join them next year uh in the 100 breast. I just got to cut 1 second for consideration. Uh but, man, D4 is hard. Um today, I've been cheering them on, preparing for the end of the year. Um getting ready for my senior year and AP tests. I got A push tomorrow and then AP Lang and Composition next week. So, all while fighting some kind of crud, but I think I got over it. Um So, yeah, that's the life of a student who's

054always stuck to his phone and not listening to his irresponsible parent, unable to get up as some might say and believe. Anyways, I want to try and keep tonight pretty quick and to the point. Again, thank you for your time and allowing me to speak each month. I've been here at each meeting the entire school year. That's 10 months. I've done my research and I brought it to you. I've spoken to students, parents, teachers, and staff across the district. Hell, my content has even become a pretty big social media debate with, you know, posts from The Voice of Apple Valley. For the most part, my argument about following the law For the most part, my argument sorry, is about following the law and implementing SB 328 has been supported more than it has not. As

055my mom would have continued last month before you guys cut her mic, I do have a considerable amount of support. There are a multitude of teachers, staff, parents, and students across the district that support me. Not only this district, but others as well. Just because they choose to not come and sit through these long meetings doesn't mean that I don't have support. That being said, I've brought to you 10 months worth of plea, 10 months worth of research, 10 months worth of consistency in asking you, reminding you that you are here to serve the students of this district. As I approach my senior year and plan to have no first period for my own health benefits, I'm not yet sure what next year will bring, but I hope that my time with you this year

056continues to serve as a reminder and you eventually see that a later high school start time is better for is Uh sorry. Is better for the health and welfare of the students today, the students of tomorrow, and the students for years to come. As we all look forward to a restful summer break, see you next Have a pleasant night. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Thank you. All right, we will now conduct a public hearing to receive comment on the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency, or CalSHAPE, Ventilation Services Contract. I now open the public hearing at 8:52 to receive comment on the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency, or CalSHAPE, Ventilation Services Contract. Mr. Shellenberg. Yeah, well, thank you, President Buchanan. Again, this is a public hearing just to gather input. You'll see later

057on the agenda there is a resolution for the board's consideration. Uh this CalSHAPE funding is uh, collected at the state from utility companies that is then allocated out to school districts for uh, plumbing and ventilation uh, projects. And this would be phase two under the CalSHAPE ventilation services. Uh, as we are getting ready to wrap up phase one. And we already did our uh, plumbing CalSHAPE also. Are there any questions or comments from members of the board regarding the California Schools Healthy Air Plumbing and Efficiency Ventilation Services Contract? Are there any public comments regarding the California Schools Healthy Air Plumbing and Efficiency Ventilation Services Contract? I have received no cards. Okay. Hearing no further public comment, I now close the public hearing to receive comment on the California Schools Healthy Air Plumbing and Efficiency Ventilation

058Services Contract at 8:53 p.m. All right, discussion action session. It is recommended that the Board of Trustees discuss and take action on the following items. One, adopt resolution number two 2526-16, final resolution terminating services of certificated positions as a result or reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of services. Um, I will go ahead and make the motion. Can I get a second? Second. Okay. Is there any discussion? I do have some questions. Okay. Um in the 11 FTEs, um it says those were eliminated vacant positions. And I was curious how much money had been budgeted this year's for those vacant positions. Were you able to get that question to them in advance or do you know the answer off the top of your head down there? I have to look that That's all right. I

059would have to look up the uh if the whether they or not they were on admin hold or built into the budget uh in order to answer that. I I don't know if they were already budgeted expenditures for this year. And and what I look Are you curious about like an adopted budget, first interim, second interim? I can give clarity that way. Um I guess just, you know, looking at um the cost for vacant positions that we were um maybe setting money aside for. I'm not sure um with with um as far as any salary Sorry, any salary or any sort of health insurance um that sort of thing. Yeah, I I appreciate you looking into it. Um so when we look at these 11 positions, have they been there um for a while like

060over time or is this something that they were just vacated? Yes, e- each will have their own story. I mean, I could I could speak to the Dean. I know we started the school year with the Dean at Phoenix Academy and uh that position went unoccupied shortly after the start of the year. So, that that's a position that each one will have some sort of story to it. I would have to get the the story, though. Okay. Yes, even even we can look at um just general, not exact. I would appreciate it. Um also the 18 FTEs that we're looking at here on certificated, it says reduced or eliminated. Um so, if if reduced, will these now become vacant positions, budgeted vacant positions? No, the pur- the purpose of resolution is to cut them out

061of our system. They would be eliminated. Okay. Thank you. And I just wanted to also um point out that I encourage the sport and administration to consider all 427 positions that were added during the time of temporary funds. Um many administrative uh with our communities' requests that cuts be made far away from the classrooms and school sites. Um most of these positions um in this one and the next directly affect kids. I just wanted to point that out. Thank you. Are there any other discussion or questions? Oh, sorry, one more question. How many district nurses will we have left after this? Does anyone know that? How many what? District nurses. What will be left? I know it has four on here. I'm just trying to keep my numbers straight. >> Are you talking registered nurses?

062Under the certificate of No, LBNs would be classified. >> Okay, so district nurses. District nurses, we will have three left. We'll have three. Thank you. All right, we will be taking a vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I abstain. Mr. Raleigh? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. And Mrs. Buchanan? I. Item two, adopt resolution number 2526-17, final resolution terminating services of classified positions as a result of reduction or discontinuance of particular kinds of services due to a lack of work and or lack of funds. Can I get a motion? Move it. I'll second it. All right. On a motion by Rick Raleigh and seconded by Maria Akpara, is there any discussion? I have some. >> I do have a um a question. Um after hearing from the um the CSEA president, I'm assuming that

063they have come to a a a conclusion that this is a right direction to go. Correct? It was taken to their um unit and it was ratified. Okay. That's why I'm voting for it. Okay. Trustee Longshore? Yes, thank you, President Buchanan. Um this is heavy on me and I just want our community to know that I see you. Um we have 19 layoffs of classified staff through this resolution, 13 of you lost both hours and insurance. Six moved positions. And 216 lost hours and or days, anywhere from 30 minutes to to couple several hours. Um you're not just a number to me. I see you and my heart grieves for your loss. I do have a couple questions. Um part of these cuts are 59 vacant classified positions. After these cuts, are there any more

064classified vacant positions left in AVUSD? That's a hard one to answer. We get um unlike the certificated staff, the uh classified staff has uh not not necessarily a, you know, heavy August to May kind of hiring and leaving the system. Um it is possible that, you know, I sign resignations weekly, um that we analyze each of those resignations and determine whether or not it is something that needs backfilled, something that might need to be offered in modified backfill, or something that maybe grabs off of the the layoff list to attempt to restore to whole. It just depends case-by-case, situation-by-situation. I would anticipate additional vacancies occurring based on resignations moving forward. Thank you. Um as I looked at page nine on the memorandum of understanding by and between Apple Valley Unified School District and the California

065School Employees Situation Association and it's Apple Valley Chapter 828 dated April 21st, 2026. On page nine, it references a staff being fully funded once by the unrestricted general fund and now they are being moved to split funded with restricted and unrestricted funds. Um my question for these positions, it's listed PC number 2 CSEE E C A 0044 through 2 S O A E 49001. Which restricted funds are being used for these positions? For for that particular group, the vast but I think all of them will be through ELO funding serving students in the after school hours. Thank you. And then directly below that it says um following positions will be discontinued being funded by the general fund. They'll be reestablished as categorical funds 2 ADSC through 2 W A R E H M 001. Which

066categorical funds are being used for this grant? Uh this one if if memory serves me is the L R E B G combined with family with community school except for the top one. The top one is Oh yeah, the top one admin secretary two, that one is a mixture of C Y B H I ELO P and title one. Sorry. It's his department. >> Yeah. California Youth and So, the top position will be categorically funded as long as we have um ELOP and Title I funds to fund that position with some responsibilities changing particularly and focused on helping to recover the attendance recovery funds. Um The other positions listed as family center coordinator all the way down to the warehouseman, that was submitted as part of our LCAP as um dual funded between the LREBG,

067the learning recovery mercy block grant, which will pay for one of the family center coordinators, but that funding cannot go to one position and will go to several in portions in order to fully serve families across the entire district. And the remaining portions will be uh from the community schools grants from those various school sites as reported to our LCAP committee. The warehouseman will be LREBG funded for the term of that grant, which is 2 years. Thank you. Thank you. And of the ones just directly under that, um the district shall permanently discontinue the following positions. Um are any of those positions currently filled? Yes, definitely. Absolutely. Um are any of those employees being transferred to another position? Yes. Uh how many? 12. Well, um Well, you see on the the resolution when it names

068Let me go back. Let me go to final layoff list. If you look at um the last page of the final layoff list, you will see uh a list of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 individuals that are laid off in totality. And if I guess if we cross-check that to the list on what you're referencing, it would be that number. Every Everybody else has either landed somewhere or could possibly have um That's what I just counted. That's That's the 11. And then Down at the bottom, these are folks that didn't accept another position somewhere else. They said, "In lieu of me going to another school or or doing something else, I I just rather take the layoff." And that, you know, those spots free up for others on the

069list, too. It's quite a game of uh I I don't mean a game in a in a unsensitive way, but once one person goes, who's next to bump there and bump there and bump there and bump there. So, it's quite a um a process of connecting the dots to get from one to the next. Thank you. Those are all my questions. Okay, thank you. We will be taking the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I abstain. Mr. Raleigh? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. Ms. Buchanan? I. All right. Number three, approve the certificated and classified personnel actions as listed. Uh I'll move it. Can I get a second? Second. All right. This is Longshore. Is there any discussion? I just had a quick question if nobody else does. Sure, go ahead. So, I noticed

070that on page three, we have two listed two licensed vocational nurses with a start date in March, paid 8 hours a day. Um do you have the cost for that? Those positions, you could just do one of them. No, I mean I can look at the salary schedule on the classified employees to see, you know, what range they are and um uh how you Yeah, I I definitely know they're cheaper than third party. Yeah, I can tell you that. You're saving a lot. But I can I can it's public, we can look at the range and check the teacher the hourly rate right now. Yes, well, you don't No pressure right now, but if you could get that to me, I would appreciate it. Thank you. >> It's on our website. So, I can get

071you that. Okay. Thank you. All right, I'll call for the vote. Uh Mrs. Longshore? Aye. Mr. Rawley? Aye. Mrs. Tucker? Aye. Ms. Akbar? Aye. Mrs. Buchanan, aye. Item four, approve the purchase of the Axon body-worn cameras. Let's see. I'll go ahead and move that. Second. All right, any discussion? What's the total the total price? Uh yeah, I can I can speak to that. The Well, first of all, I I just looked. LVN start at $29.76 an hour. So, that's before statutory and benefits and things like that. Um the body cam the it's broken over a 5-year plan of payment. Yeah. Uh yeah. And it's 18,000. >> you the exact. Thank you. I was going to give you 30 and 15, but it is $31,931.46 for the first year, and then $15,332.59 for the subsequent 4

072years. 20? 15,000. No, 18. >> Yeah, grand total $93,000 over 5. Okay. I have a question. >> Yes. So, in the past, I would assume that our officers have been accused of things. And the cameras would then provide clear description of whether or not or how what occurred. Do we have um any information on money that we've spent on like investigations that might possibly be be saved by the purchase? Yes, I can I can share. I I mean, because that is something in and I know I'm saying this publicly and I I'm I'm going to round numbers here as I you know, if we pull actual invoices, it might be off a few bucks one way or the other, but um a benefit a selfish benefit to the HR world of investigating against police officers.

073Police officers have a very, very strict uh and appropriate um police officer bill of rights. The process you have to use to investigate a a complaint against an officer is so different than anybody else in our system that it does come at a cost. And if And unfortunately, you know, as somebody overseeing complaints, I I can't even initiate a conversation without designating a full internal affair investigation. Sometimes those complaints come into us and I have nothing to go to except the officer. And if I have nothing to go to except the officer, quite often I have to go third-party outside, especially for accusation of say excessive force. And I can use that example that I know affected a couple of our officers relatively recently. I think it was in the 24-25 school year. 100% fabricated,

074100% unfounded. Um but we spent about $34,000 on an investigation that a body cam review would have before any conversation with the officer would have produced a closure letter and sent the the investigation done, ask answered and complete without ever launching an IA process. I don't know if that makes sense, but what does it cost to investigate an allegation against an officer, unfounded or founded? I would expect no less than about 12-13,000 dollars per complaint. And if a body cam review saves us one, it made it up for the year. >> [laughter] >> That's It's almost like I'll compare this and I'm probably speaking out of turn, but we we have been aggressively seeking the LVMPD are a perfect example. We're trying to get rid of third-party to have a reduction, have our own people

075do our work. Body cams I can argue are a very similar concept. I am avoiding third-party accrued cost for inevitable investigations, warranted or not. Um that'll be rescued by that. But further, it is just an industry standard safety tool. It is a tool that protects them. It's a tool that in a in a in the middle of an extreme crisis has remote feature capabilities that you know, an officer away from the station or of the incident can view in and be extra eyes in real time, you know, in the event of of safety or or like that. So I mean it is a a safety tool in addition to a fiscal tool, I guess is what I'm what I'm trying to get at. My opinion. Thank you. Is there any other discussion? No. All right,

076we'll take the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I. Mr. Rawley? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. Mrs. Buchanan? I. Item five, approve the recommendations for requested leave as noted. I'll go ahead and make the motion. I'll second it. Any discussion? Okay. Sorry, I saw a finger go down my mic, so I wasn't sure. I was waiting. We'll go ahead and call for the vote. Mrs. Longshore? I. Mr. Rawley? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. And Ms. Buchanan? I. Number six, approve the recommendation of the administrative hearing chairperson effective immediately on a Let's see. So, we will make a motion to approve the recommendation of the administrative hearing chairperson >> I'll move. effective immediately. Hang on. On ex- EXP number 20 2025-26 and EXP number 21 2025-26, revocation of expulsion case step number

077one 2025-26 and annual review case AR number 19 2025-26. I'll move. Okay, second. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, and a motion by Ms. Akpara, seconded by Ms. Tucker. We will be taking a vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I. Mr. Rawley? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. Mrs. Buchanan, I. Item number seven, sign a letter of support for the A I A V U S D food pantries application for the C S B A Golden Bell Award. I'll move. Second, okay. We've got Maria Akpara and the motion, I'm so sorry, hold on. And then the second was Anita Tucker. Can I just say that we have applied multiple years for a California School Boards Golden Bell for the food pantry. We have not brought a letter of support from the board and we're hoping

078that that tips the scales and gets that food pantry a golden bell. So, um Here's hoping. That's why we brought it because in setting the agenda, Mrs. Buchanan said, "Oh, you're applying." I said, "We have repeatedly." So, we're we're hoping >> We have it documented. Yeah. I was very excited to see this and so I have fingers crossed that we're able to celebrate the incredible work that the team has done. It's a long process to Yeah. All right, any other discussion? Okay, call for the vote, Mrs. Longshore. I. Mr. Ollie. I. Mrs. Tucker. I. Ms. Akpara. >> I. And Mrs. Buchanan, I. Item number eight, adopt resolution 2526-12 to authorize the necessary transfers and revision of budget appropriations during the 2026-2027 [clears throat] fiscal year. All right, I'll make the motion. I'll second the motion.

079Okay. Motion by Ms. We Cannon, seconded by Mr. Raley. Uh discussion. I have discussion. Anybody else? Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Um I want to bring up the fact that um this resolution specifically states um whereas the governing board of Apple Valley Unified School District has determined that additional income is assured in excess of the amounts previously budgeted. I would like to point out the fact that this seems to be an ongoing um thing that I've I have brought to the attention of the public and this board um $20 million off roughly for the past 3 years. Um this concerns me. Um I believe this board has relinquished its responsibility long enough. We must provide oversight for the spending of public funds. Um we've been neglecting our duty to ensure internal control and board oversight.

080So, I call on my board members to reject this resolution and step into the position that we've been elected to and that is to keep a closer eye on funds and the transfer and spending of funds. Okay. Thank you. I have a question. I'm going to have a question for this one. Um what are the conditions under which you are able to do a transfer of funds without the board? Well, with this resolution, Ms. Olvera, that that this resolution gives business office staff, mainly the director of fiscal services, to make those budget appropriation adjustments as we work through the year. Uh the board oversight of those budget adjustments that are that are constantly made on both the revenue side and the expenditure side are the interim reporting periods and the budget financial reports that come

081to the board uh not on a monthly basis, but um on a regular basis that show all of the accounts, all of the revenue accounts, and the net effect of all the budget transfers that are facilitated. That's the oversight. That's the The board then ratifies those or approves those budget reports or approves those interim reports. So, as I read this, um the the one thing that keeps floating in my head is because the funds don't come to us all at once, right? Because they don't come all the all uh to us all at once, districts still need to function. Absolutely. >> still needs to function, we have to have the ability to shift funds to be able to allow us to continue to function until the funds that is earmarked for whatever it is that

082comes to us so that we can shift it. Is that what you're trying to explain? Yeah, this particular resolution deals with budget. Um the the budget is the revenues that we expect and the expenditures that we expect. Now, keep in mind uh Cindy, my director of fiscal or the district's director of fiscal services, is working on putting the budget together for next year right now using a set of assumptions provided by school services, um capital advisors, uh San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Business Advisory Services. So, using those assumptions, we are going to bring a budget to the board next month. The first meeting will have a hearing of the proposed budget. The second meeting will be to adopt that budget. But, believe it or not, those estimates aren't going to be exact either on

083the revenue side or the expenditure side. Our assumptions for L C F revenue L C F F revenue may need to be adjusted. So, those are budget adjustments that are made as we gather more information as we move through the fiscal year. Also on the expenditure side, um the personnel costs are budgeted based on positions as that system is rolled each payroll cycle. The budget is adjusted to make sure we have the budget allocation to cover personnel costs. Um school site funds, they may determine, well, they don't want to spend it in this particular object code, they need it in another object code. So, that budget adjust adjustment needs to be made so they can facilitate a purchase requisition and spend those funds in whatever object code they have determined. So, this particular resolution allows

084those adjustments, those budget adjustments to be made in a timely manner to allow the district to operate, to continue to operate, and then the oversight, again, as I mentioned, there's the budget financial report that comes to the board and the interim reports. Okay. Thank you. Um I do have a follow-up question. Um in terms of our funding, um what we anticipate receiving, our revenues, and our expenditures, um these are things that can be anticipated based on past revenues and past spending. And I believe you uh I think Mr. Schulenberg, you confirmed that we do have a guarantee of some degree. So, as far as being able to anticipate money coming in and money going out or being appropriated for each of these things, it's not an abstract idea per se. It's can be relatively predicted.

085Yes, we can relatively predict it and adjustments are always necessary as we get into the actual fiscal year. And so anything that is exceptional or outside of what we anticipated, that would be maybe few and far between. So, then maybe at that point in time this board could hear maybe those exceptional times and and give direction on it. Correct? Well, with this resolution being approved, we would facilitate those adjustments and then those would be reported to the board either in the budget financial report or the interim reporting periods. And the reason why I bring this up is because you know, where we are in our current financial state in this district, what we've been doing hasn't been working. In fact, our finances are quite concerning and it you know, doing the same thing and expecting

086different results, that's the definition of insanity. So, understanding that we can anticipate revenue, we can anticipate spending based on prior practice. I encourage this board to consider that and provide provide more structure and provide more direction so that we can make good financial decisions and help this district make good financial decisions so that we can gather ourselves and handle the funds that we are being appropriated. Okay, thank you. All right, you've kind of answered I think my questions as well, but I have three. Yes. So, the first one was can you give us like an example in the past of how something I feel like there was an adult ed example at some point? Um, maybe, but like of what is a necessary transfer because it's not necessarily like the way I understood it when

087I was reading. It's not necessarily we think we're going to get the money, but it's like this is how much you're going to get, but we don't get it on day one, but we do have to pay people on day one. And so, we can move it from somewhere. Yes. >> right? >> Well, um that actually is more applicable to a resolution you'll see a little later, which is the interfund cash transfer resolution, which allows us to transfer cash between funds when we have a cash shortage due to a delayed apportionment either from the federal federal apportionment or a state apportionment. This resolution is all pertaining to budget. So, if if an account line does not have a sufficient budgeted amount and a purchase requisition against that account line is created, it it will not

088work. It it won't go through the system because there isn't a sufficient budget allocation. If a staffing line doesn't have a sufficient budget allocation, then that creates an error during the payroll process and a budget transfer must be accomplished in a timely manner, so staff is paid appropriately on the appropriate budget lines. And again, the oversight of the board is the board financial reports, the budget financial reports for the monthly periods and the interim reporting periods that display the net effect of all the budget transfers that occur on a daily basis. Okay. Is there any type of requirement of putting the money back? And again, this is budget. Yeah, so it means it doesn't have to. >> if money is budgeted in the I'll say in the 4000s because that seems to be the the

089the account that everybody takes a look at. If if money is budgeted to be spent in 4310, whether it's district allocated funds or site allocated funds and a decision is made that that particular budgeted amount the expense needs to occur say in 4380, then the budget is adjusted. The allocated expenditure amount in 4310 is reduced and it's increased in 4380 to cover the expense. This is all budget. It's not cash. So no, there is no requirement to put it back. Okay. In the budget. >> The other one is okay. So it's like it's a budget. All right, thank you. Thank you. We'll be taking the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? Nay. Mr. Rowley? Aye. Mrs. Tucker? >> Aye. Ms. Oakar? Aye. And Ms. Buchanan? Aye. Item nine, adopt resolution 2526-13 authorizing the participation in

090the California cash reserve program and the issuance of 2026-2027 tax and revenue anticipation notes for the Apple Valley Unified School District and requesting the Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County to issue said notes. Um let me go I'll go ahead and make the motion. Can I get a second so we can have discussion? I'll second it. Bless you. Okay. I did have one question because I know we approved this last spring. >> Mhm. Did we end up ever needing to use it? We did not solicit a tran in this fiscal year. Okay. Thank you. So basically what we are what we are looking at is to approve it and if we don't need it, we don't use it and we don't incur any interest on it. Is that what we are looking at? I'm

091sorry I interrupted you Ms. Okpara, but yes, that is accurate. With the adoption of this resolution, we will provide this resolution to the team at Dale Scott who is is the financial agent of this particular cash borrowing pool. And Cindy Cockrell, our director of fiscal services, will will work with the Dale Scott team to do a cash flow analysis knowing what we know at this point to see if a tran if we even qualify for a tran. Of course, before we do a tran, we exhaust any internal borrowing which is the next resolution, the interfund borrowing, because it's cheaper to borrow from ourselves than it is a tran. But this merely gives us the opportunity to participate if the need is identified. In fact, I got an email from Mr. Farrell at Dale Scott earlier

092this evening asking if we had approved the tran resolution and I let him know it was on our agenda for this evening for your consideration. And again, if that is approved, it will be given to Dale Scott and Cindy will work with the team at Dale Scott to determine if we even qualify for one. So the question I asked you know before you you came in because I was waiting is if if we got a tran and we didn't use it or we didn't tap into it there will be no interest charged because we didn't even though our name is in our district name is in the pipeline um we won't be charged anything unless we we use it, correct? Well, if if through that cash flow analysis it's determined that a TRAN will not

093be needed, then the process ends. If through that cash flow analysis a we determine again working with Dale Scott that a TRAN is needed, then we do become part of the pool. Um that TRAN this particular resolution authorizes up to $25 million of borrowing. It may only be 3 million or 5 million or again, we utilize our internal borrowing first, but yes, if if through that analysis it's determined a TRAN is needed, we are part of the pool. The funding would arrive in July. We would have that cash in the county treasury within our fund 01 and when the delayed apportionments that have caused us to issue a TRAN arrive, that TRAN is paid back. But yes, at that point once we participate and we borrow that money, there is a cost to the borrowing.

094Yes. So I'm I'm I'm thinking that if we are going through these growing pains of reduction in force uh and you know, that means we are going to be saving money from the reduction in force Mhm. uh I'm just wondering why we would need to get a loan um if we are reducing uh A particular loan this yeah, I'm sorry Miss Opar, this type of loan is exactly what it is. It's a tax and revenue anticipation note. So, as you mentioned earlier, we we expect to receive so much money, but we don't get it all at once. >> Correct. The state apportions our cash out on a monthly basis or quarterly basis depending on exactly what cash. Then the federal government apportions cash out on their own timeline. Um so, if we run into a

095cash shortage in the county treasury, and say we come upon a payroll period, and our cash in county treasury will not cover our payroll, they will not process our payroll. That's why we would have to do a TRAN to have that cash, again, through that cash flow analysis that Cindy would work with Dale Scott. If we're identified in a cash deficit, then a TRAN would cover that, and then when the apportionment arrives, we pay back the TRAN. Okay. Thank you. >> Unfortunately, it's a it's it's it's necessary when a cash shortage occurs, but again, we would exercise all internal cash borrowing prior to utilizing the TRAN. Well, you know, they you know, we've had this conversation before. We keep having it. It's about every year. Uh my my concern is that if if we don't

096set that aside, or we don't agree to it, then we'll run the risk of um shutting down people that should be paid for the work they've done. Uh because we don't have the funds to pay them. And then bringing them back when we get the funds. That's not how you want to run an organization such as this. We need to be able to always have the funds to pay the people who are working. And to be able to turn the lights on and all of that that we need to be able to um service the kids. Mhm. So, uh I'm just the my final question is when was the last time we we tapped into it and actually used it? Used the TRAN? I would have to research that, but I it's it's been several

097years since we since we used >> Something in the books >> Since we Yeah, since we used the TRAN. Okay, thank you very much. I do have some questions. Um according to our second interim report our district is has roughly $43 million of non-voter approved debt. This was only roughly $17 million at last year's second interim report. How did we increase to $43 million? Do you have any questions about the item we're discussing, the TRAN? Um this is in relationship because that is um debt um that we already have that increased uh at a $26 million um over this last um year that I've asked exactly why and what caused that and I think it's valid that as a board member and this board is informed of why our non-voter approved debt went up $26

098million just from last year if we did not facilitate a TRAN loan. Yeah, [clears throat] and that information is contained in the audit report and I do believe was contained in an email that you received earlier today. That answers that question. Are you not able to answer on the spot? I can read you what was sent in the email. >> it's confidential. Thank you. >> it was confi It was confidential. >> It was It is confidential. I think it was confidential. >> confi It's not confidential. It's all public. content in there that is not producible, but Okay. I just worry about Yeah, cuz I think going up, you know, having an an incurring $26 million in debt this year, that's that's a significant amount of money, especially as we're considering giving a green light for

099another possible $25 million tran loan. Um as a board member, I need to know um because as a district I believe we need to learn to live within our means. Um you know, for my measly house I always talk to you about my budget, we don't spend money we don't have. That's not a good practice fiscally speaking. And to do it on repeat uh makes even less sense. So, I don't I do know that we have made quite a habit as a district these last 6 years to take out high interest loans. Um two cops loans, correct, Mr. Schulenberger? Uh one COP and one that is considered a private placement debt. Okay. And then um the now this $26 million that we increased in non-voter approved debt, and now we're considering a $25 million tran

100loan. This is a lot of money and I'm fully aware of that as a sitting board member, but just as a human being alone. Um and I think we need to accept responsibility as a board for this idea and this accepted practice that we've kind of adopted on repeat now to take out high interest loans or even give a green light for it to potentially happen. Because if we as a board give a green light, we as a board are giving permission for that spending. Um instead, I want to encourage us to really think about what does it take to live within our means. And what are the steps we have to take to get there because right now we have $63 million in reserves spread out throughout our um unaudited actuals uh 24 25

101unaudited actuals and I know I've pointed that out um that we could pull from for any emergencies um prior to even considering a trans loan. So, I just don't think there's a dire circumstance from my perspective in my opinion where I sit. Um and then I also am concerned that neighboring districts have not adopted this way of spending and getting loans and they have over $200 million each in reserves. So, they don't even have to think about taking out a cops loan or or another high interest loan or even breach the idea of taking out a trans loan let alone year after year. So, if we want AVUSD to find its fiscal footing, we need to make different decisions than we've been making. Um we we need to not make borrowing a comfortable or a

102normal idea. We need to instead look at our spending and reconsider. Maybe this would be a good time to bring someone in to look at our spending and see where we can make some understanding of the reason why we're spending so much money and not saving. Um but I do think and coming back to that second interim report, the increase of $26 million from last second interim report, do did you were you able to find that? Yes. Okay. I'm ready. Uh President Buchanan, I that particular question doesn't pertain to the item at hand, but I'll be more than happy to to the increase in uh our non-voter approved debt if that's the pleasure Um I can do that. Would you guys like if that >> Maybe having this information would be I can do it

103real quickly. >> Okay. Yeah, I can do it really quickly. Okay. Um what trustee Longshore is referring to as non-voter approved debt appears in the audit report that is produced by our independent auditor at the end of each fiscal year. It's basically made up of five items fiscal year 24 to fiscal year 25 cuz again our last audit was June 30th, 2025. The first item on that is the certificate of participation that Ms. Longshore mentioned. In fiscal year 24, the remaining debt as of June 30th, 2024 was $14,695,876. In June of 25, it was $14,479,245, a decrease of approximately $216,000. The next item is compensated absences. Um and I'm going to read directly from the the audit report. The definition and calculation of compensated absences was affected by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, commonly known

104as GASB, statement 101. GASB 101 compensated absences is a new accounting standard that now expands the definition for employee leave to include sick time that is likely to be used during employment. So our compensated absences is considered non-voter approved debt cuz it's a liability based on the sick leave and vacation provided to the employees of Apple Valley Unified School District. The auditor calculated that debt at $69,554 in fiscal year 24. The auditor calculated that liability or that debt at $10,622,340 fiscal year 25, an increase of $10,552,796. Now keep in mind, not everybody takes all their sick leave or all their vacation all in one year. So, that is a liability in accounting, but not a liability on our financial statements. The next is the early retirement Senate. As of June 2024, our non-voter approved debt

105was $2,324,821. We had two payments left on the PARS that was issued Oh goodness, I'm sorry, spring of '21? 20 what? [clears throat] So, we still had two payments, July of '25 and July of '26. We did another PARS. And so, the early retirement incentive increased to 6.9 million in June of 2025, an increase of 4.6. We made a payment, but then we incurred more PARS non-voter approved debt. The private placement debt that I mentioned or that Ms. Longshore mentioned earlier, the second COPS, was issued in December of '24, so that did not appear in June of '24, but it appeared in June of '25. That's 10 million. And last but not least, there's lease assets. Lease assets are made up of two categories, subscription-based IT arrangements or SBITAs per GASB 96, and right-to-use assets

106as defined in GASB 87. The SBITAs are agreements over 1 year in length for software, and the right-to-use assets are for agreements over 1 year for typically copiers, but could include other tangible assets where applicable, and the auditor calculated that lease debt at just over $1 million. Thank you. Yes, thank you. I appreciate it. >> in >> uh you know, if you don't take your sick leave uh this year and you choose to take it next year, it's going to show up. Well, this the auditor calculates this based on the GASB accounting standards as if it it's simply put it if everybody took all their leave in one year, it'd be about a $10 million liability for us. But, that doesn't happen. It it's an accounting Yeah. calculation. It it is not expense or a

107liability on our financials. Thank you. You have explained it in great detail. Thanks a lot. >> Certainly. Yes, thank you. So, just to wrap it up, our non-voter approved debt stands at $43 million. Um we've made a habit of taking out loans. My recommendation at this point is to figure out how we can learn to live within our means as a district so that we can build our reserves and truly bring stability to AVUSD. Thank you. All right. How do you vote, Mrs. Longshore? Oh, definitely no. Mr. Raley? I. Mrs. Tucker? No. Ms. Akpara? I. And Ms. Buchanan, I. Item 10, adopt resolution 2526-18 to authorize temporary borrowing between funds of the school district during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. I'll make the motion. I'll second. All right, and I already asked my questions on the

108wrong ones, so I'm good. Any other discussion? Um I do just have a little discussion. I know we passed this last year and then I brought it back um for us to reconsider. As a board, if we keep doing the same thing, we are going to keep staying in this broken space. Um I really urge us to carefully think before we hand over our fiscal duties. Again, if the board would recall in January, um I brought to the board the interfund borrowing report for the current year, which did illustrate $13 million of interfund borrowing from fund 13, from fund 25, from fund 40 into fund one because we were experiencing a cash shortage in fund one because of the federal government shutdown. Now, when the federal apportionments arrived to California and California distributed those federal

109apportionments, all of that cash borrowing was paid back to the other funds as the report illustrated during the January board meeting. Without this particular resolution, we would not be able to facilitate all internal borrowing for cash to cover expenses and payrolls. Um and then we you we you would be more likely forced to utilize a TRAN if we cannot borrow internally between our own funds. And I'd like to point out that getting board approval for those transfers is not saying we're not giving permission for that. It's saying that we would like to oversee it. Um we would like to provide some direction for it. Um so it Again, I'd like to emphasize it's not a bad thing um providing that oversight uh for this district. It's actually what we were elected to do. Um I'd

110also like to ask, I know um according to the last report, it mentioned that we have $13 million currently in interfund borrowing that has yet to be paid back. I believe it said it has to be paid back by June 30th. >> All of our interfund borrowing in the current fiscal year has already been paid back. Okay, so >> For the item I brought in January to the board. Okay, so all interfund borrowing at this point has been paid back. Yes. Thank you so much. Um and um if we pass this as a board, we will have done exactly the same thing we did last year. Exactly the same. And from where I sit, it hasn't brought us anywhere good. And now's the time to think about doing something different. Is there any other discussion?

111Is there a limit to how much we can authorize for the district to do without coming to us for approval? I'm sorry, Ms. O'Farrell. I could not hear you. Oh, sorry about that. I was just looking because you you need to be running the district. We don't have to micromanage the district. Um but I'm just curious about is there if [clears throat] not to exceed. So, when it gets to where it's going to that hit that exceeding number that you can reach back out to the board. The challenge the problem I have with all of this conversation is that it we already struggling with having one meeting a month. Okay, or two meetings a month. And if we begin to micromanage this, we are asking to have meetings every time we need to transfer funds.

112So, that's where I'm struggling because the money doesn't it's not in my pocket, but I'm I've just want to be sure that it is something that we can manage and have some kind of a regular updates on where where you are on the movement and it's still a board oversight. Yes. >> The board does not have to come in and figure out your you know, show us the book and unless sign off. Yeah. You know, because we don't want to micromanage, but we want to know. Absolutely. So, keep in mind this is all cash between funds. It's cash in county treasury. So, if we are suffering a cash shortage in a fund, it could be in fund 11. Adult education very commonly suffers a cash shortage because the federal government apportions the cash out irregularly.

113But our people are paid regularly. Um like I said, uh this in January, I brought the interfund borrowing report to the board that illustrated all the interfund borrowing that we had up to that point. Um that would be the oversight. It it shows the the cash borrowing that the business office mainly the director of fiscal services had to move cash to cover expenses, usually payroll. Um and then once the apportionment arrives, the cash is repaid to whatever fund it was borrowed from. And that interfund borrowing report um will come whenever interfund borrowing is necessary. Thank you. Thanks. All right, we'll be taking the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? Nay. Mr. Raleigh? Aye. Mrs. Tucker? Aye. Ms. Opara? Aye. And Mrs. Buchanan? Aye. Number 11, adopt a resolution 2526-19 making findings under the government code

1144217.12 in furtherance of utilization of CalSHAPE funds for improvement of ventilation systems at Apple Valley Unified School District. I'll move. All right. I'll second. >> Second. Any discussion? Okay, we will be taking the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I. Mr. Rowley? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Akpara? I. Mrs. Buchanan? I. Consent agenda. It is recommended that the Board of Trustees consider approving a number of agenda items as a consent list. Consent items are routine in nature and can be enacted in one motion without further discussion. This procedure conserves meeting time for a full discussion of significant issues. Consent items uh currently to be approved in one motion are 1 through 40. Is there any that people would like to pull? Um yeah, I do. I would like to pull item um 27 and 28.

115I would like to pull item one. All right. So, [clears throat] I'm going to make a motion that we approve items two through 12, 14, 15, and 16, 18 through 21, 23 through 25, and 29 through 40. I'll second your motion. All right. Um is there any discussion? All right. We will be taking the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore. I. Mr. Rawley. I. Um Mrs. Tucker. I. Ms. Opara. I. >> Mrs. Buchanan. I. Um we'll go to numerically here. So, number one pulled by Trustee Longshore. Yes, thank you. I would like to note that approving uh the minutes are we're still two months behind, so the minutes we're approving tonight are from March 5th, 2026. Um just for accuracy purposes, getting it sooner would help me. Um I would also like to point out

116that um the the work of this dais, when uh our resolution came forward for discussion the original um, time. It came forward in support of our superintendent. Um, it was brought to this board. It was discussed. It was voted on and then it was essentially tabled uh, by our president. And uh, also affirmed by our clerk. I know we had a cure and correct come forward to let the board know that that was outside of the law. You can't table a failed uh, motion. Uh, and then we answered that it never happened because we never voted on it. And according to standard parliamentary procedure, decisions made by the president of this board happen and they stand as action unless the board votes against it. So, if we would have taken a vote at that time

117as a board, the majority if we would have voted in majority not to table it, uh, then it wouldn't have been tabled. Uh, that's the only way to reverse uh, what a president has determined has happened and what was said. So, I know I brought up my concern about this, um, that it be uh, written down, that it be noted, that it actually happened. And in these in this um, minutes of March 5th, 2026, it's not even noted in there. And I just don't want to an erasure of history here. Um, I think it's important to note that that action was attempted to be taken and the board never voted against it being taken. So, I just think it should be duly noted in our minutes. If if you wouldn't mind just providing me, um,

118the timestamp of when there was a motion to table it. I reviewed um verbatim for countless hours and did it in different ways to just try to listen to audio only, not look at video, watch it both ways. Um there was never a a motion to actually do anything. There was a a comment made, but there was no motion to take any form of an action. So, if if I missed something, um I was unaware that you found this error. Um so, if you could point it to me, that would be great because I would like to put it give it over to our attorney as well, who worked on the cure and correct over this same section, who also did not find it. Um it it would be helpful to have that to provide.

119They are done to the best of my ability and as verbatim as I could have um gotten them with the time spent. Yes, thank you. So, I did not say there was a motion made. That is not what I said. Um I said our president um said she was going to table it. And so, that in and of itself is an action on this dais and it's not recorded in these minutes. And then our clerk followed up and said, "Yes, we're going to table it." So, no, there was no motion. I agree with you. No motion was made. No vote was taken. It was just a declaration of our president and an agreement of our clerk. Okay. I'll whatever the board would like to do, I'm I'm reading right now from Robert's Rules of Order

120and it says in most formal proceedings, including Robert's Rules of Order, you must make a formal motion to table an item. Uh it does not happen automatically. The chair cannot decide to table something just because the discussion is getting long. Um it gives examples, processes. So, whatever the board would like it to reflect. Um I just ask that whatever it is is consistent for me to be able to follow for the future. Um what type of of comments I'm expected to put in. Uh right now our board bylaws says actions of the board. Um so, any direction would be helpful on expectations. Um so, I just like to um have an accurate history of what's happening on this board. I know we record a lot of things other than actions. We record we record um

121our our comments. Uh we record um any things we say. Um so, this would just be in reference to that. It wouldn't necessarily have to have a motion or a vote, but just clearly recording what happened uh that evening. Are you asking to amend the minutes? Um yes, that would be great. I mean, if we're able to >> I'm not saying that I'm doing that. I'm asking >> No, that would be great. >> You have to remember that this is just a synopsis of the of it. It's not a verbatim. The verbatim is that you want to go watch the tapes. That you bring up a lot, but the fact that it's this is synopsized in condensed version of what happened. So, if there's a word missing, Ms. Longshore, it's not falling on the uh

122Kylie's side to just to chastise her for this. So, you're way out of line bringing this up because you know darn well that this is not a verbatim transcript. No, I understand. >> you know, you're asking her that. Why is this word missing? Why is the word motion not there? You know, it's you're being very petty. And I think you're doing it on purpose. And I know the reason why I'm doing it on her. I I need to step in and make a comment that um our board meetings have gone in excess of midnight at times. Um this particular meeting was a very long meeting. Kylie spent over 40 hours in review of the information to get a a set of minutes. And having been the superintendent for now 7 years, um that is not

123the norm for her to have to spend that amount of time because the motions, the seconds, the then a second motion and a second and no vote taken. And so, she does have the requirement under her job description to make sure that the motions and the recorded actions are taken. Um and so, she is following the bylaw. She is following what is expected of her. And um I think that the criticism that continues to come up about the minutes, um if there is an issue that needs to be addressed, I supervise her. And I would like those things not to be done in public session. Um and rather be addressed to me if there is an issue. Um okay, if I can address uh Mr. Rowley, um and then I'll I'll I'll come back to

124you, President I mean, Superintendent Nelson. Um This is not a word a word. This is a series of comments that happened on this dais. Um, it's seriously something that should warrants some sort of record. Um, I'm not chastising when I bring things up that concern me. Uh, that's a judgement of me. Um, I'm bringing it up for clarity. I think it's important that as a board we have an accurate record both written and in a video. Um, I'm not being unreasonable to bring up something that concerns me. Uh, and Superintendent Nelson, um, as far as these board meetings going on, I understand I'm here too. We're all going through it. This idea that we could possibly have split the board meetings up so we didn't have to go so late into the night was brought

125up and refused uh, to be considered. Um, I just for the record, I'm in favor of it. I think we're here to do a job and until that job gets done, we do need to stay. So, if our uh, content of our board meetings are so large, uh, might we consider coming back to that idea of considering two board meetings a month? Um, but I do think that it is so important to take accurate record and that's not a word. It was a It was actually a conversation and I entered it, Ms. Tucker entered it, um, Ms. Buchanan entered it and so did Ms. Akpara. Um, a conversation, not a word. So, you still didn't answer the question when Ms. Nelson asked you not to bring this these allegations, these conspiracy theories that she's misstating

126things in public. Are you going to address that or you just going to ramble on about the um, uh, the meetings running late and you want three meetings a month or how many meetings? Are you going to address what she asked? Are you going to argue that you don't need to? Um I you know Mr. Raleigh I'm not sure why you think it's okay to say that I'm chastising people or that I have conspiracy theories. All of these are marks of a person's character and I'm not sure why you keep drawing those conclusions about me. Um I believe I did answer your question um Superintendent Nelson did did you have a was there part of your question you had for me that I didn't answer specifically? There's no need to continue this. Okay. Okay. Thank

127you. All right, I'm going to go ahead and make the motion on consent item one to approve. And I'll need a second. I'll second the motion to approve item one. All right, we'll take the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore Nay. Mr. Raleigh Aye. Mrs. Tucker No. Ms. Akpara Aye. And Ms. Buchanan Aye. All right, we're going to turn it over to Trustee Akpara. You've got 13, 17, 22, 26, 27, and 28. 13, I know [clears throat] that we brought up the issue of safe and civil schools for student champions training for High Desert Premier Phoenix Academy and Yucaipa Loma. I am I'm interested in knowing how it's going so far in order for us to go even deeper. It's amazing. And they are celebrating and they are working to identify the students that are

128actually moving on to um Hills High School and Apple Valley High School and making sure that those students um have a connection when they arrive at those schools. In fact, I I believe they've been invited to the student champions so that they get to meet those eighth graders that are moving on to their campuses. Um for us, it is a um highlight of what is going on and what is going right in our schools. And so, to continue this is something that all of the schools are looking at ways that they can create connections for students, not exactly like the student champions, but certainly in the cases of our foster youth, making sure that they have a champion that's attached to them. And and not trained through Safe and Civil, but some of the similar

129information. So, this is through their funding, through Equity Multiplier, and um it is going well. Thank you. I was asking because I needed update before we have an agreement on this. Go to the next one. 17. Number 17, um uh which settlement agreement for a case case number. I know you cannot share what the case is because that's my that's my wheelhouse. I know you don't share those. Um but is this rare for us to get just one this year? We've had a a few of Yeah, I think this is the second. This is the But it's been a We have had fewer, and that's nice to see. Yeah, which means our people are doing a better job. A good job to to avoid um I am I just recently wrote a paper on on

130that to explain the importance of uh trustees knowing about special education so that we are not coming from the world of uh trying to avoid litigation, but rather um being able to uh be uh proactive to give our people the trainings they need so that we don't even have to go look at litigation. >> Mhm. Uh thank you. Next one. 22. 22. Juvenile court schools. How are we um keeping up with those uh students of ours that make it to the juvenile court and how is it transitioned back to us? Okay. Mr. Nelson, you you can probably speak to this and if if there's anything else you just let me know. Every one of them is independent, right? So um it depends on the length of time that they're there. Typically um the placements are

131at least 30 days when they are transitioning into juvenile court school and upon their return, um they are welcomed back and a plan is put in place for anything that they have missed and if there's um credit recovery that is necessary or we monitor. So um each of them has a counselor and we're aware that they have been there and that they're returning. Perfect. Thank you. Anything to add, Mr. Slauson? No, I would say that's accurate and to be honest, if they're in our county and it's our county superintendent of schools court school system, it's actually much more seamless. We've been experiencing students most recently from outside of our county in the state and even outside of our state. Uh quite a number of students now placed here from court systems in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama.

132And that's not as seamless as you might imagine. Thank you. 26, 27, 28. 26. Um board policy, high school graduation requirements. Does this include the um students who are um foster youth and uh homeless youth uh students because of the number of credits that they have to meet instead of meeting the 230, they meet less. Is that what you're looking at? It does include still the provision for students who experience either a change of placement during foster and then have a reduced requirement. Um and then if I can look at the And it does it also include um um partial credit when they trans- transfer? Yes. >> Because instead of looking for the full credit, they they can get the partial credit coming in. Yes, it does require that both the sending school, if they

133leave us, um provides partial credits to students who are leaving at a point at which, at least at high school level, we are not used to issuing credits in um fractional apportionment, but we must do that for students who leave. And also, we must accept those credits for students who come to us at those times that are not the traditional times at quarter or semester. 27? 27 Reciprocity of academic credit. Um uh I'm curious here because sometimes they come from um uh a non-accredited schools. And they're coming with credits that didn't come from an accredited school. How is that working? How do you deal with those credits? Here's how we do that. Uh we endeavor to contact the school and take a look at the if we can get a look at the curriculum and

134have our curriculum experts from that same subject area evaluate whether or not they would accept that for an equivalent course in our system. We still mark it as transfer, but we let, for example, the English or science department say, "Okay, I think that matches our biology class." Or that matches, so that we don't harm a student. But it is it gets very difficult if it's unaccredited and doesn't adhere to any kind of curriculum um that we can identify. And so, sometimes it's difficult to issue anything other than elective credit. It doesn't happen often, but from time to time it does happen. It's more difficult when they're coming from out of country and the credits are not only difficult for us sometimes to parse, but it's hard for us to get a uh real curriculum to

135examine it and and then get it translated so that the um teacher department chair can decide how many credits to issue. But, that's typically our manner is to to dig and find the curriculum. Often, it's principal to principal and I remember doing this as Appomattox High School principal, calling a principal from another system somewhere, non-public school, and getting a sense of okay, can you give me a um give me the background and send me the curriculum so I can share with my department chair. And then we come to an agreement that way. How does How does it work for students who are coming from home school? Same. They have to send us some kind of They have to be using some kind of an a curriculum. And so, we ask them to provide that for

136us so that we can get a sense of what is the material they've been using to back up this claim of content. Okay. Thank you. 28 is uh that is my wheelhouse. Uh and it has to do with students with disabilities, um differentiated differential differential graduation and competency standards for students with disability. Um it is particularly close to my heart because that's >> [clears throat] >> that's my world. >> Yeah. Um at what point in their academic journey do you do you have this conversation about they're going to have the differential graduation as opposed to the regular graduation? As late as possible. As As late as possible, right? Cuz in our minds, everyone's graduation track as long as that's still possible. And then at at some point it could be that we determine that's no

137longer perhaps and it it sometimes happens right around a second attempt at math one. And so we start thinking, okay, maybe we need to make a different pathway. But we don't make that decision early and we are careful about that, particularly at that 8 and 9 transition. A great number of our special ed students come in as grad track. And then we make it a different decision later through the IEP process as a team. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Does anyone at the dais have a problem with me making a motion to approve those all of Trustee Akparawa's as one motion? Okay. So, I'm going to go ahead and make the motion that we approve consent item 13, 17, 22, 26, 27, and 28. Can I get a second? A second. I will I made

138the motion. All right. I'll second. All right, we'll take the vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? Aye. Mr. Rawley? Aye. Mrs. Tucker? Aye. Ms. Akparawa? Aye. And Ms. Buchanan? Aye. All right. Item M, closing items. Future items. Do any members of the board have any future items? I do. Okay. I would like to request a presentation on the possibility of I'm calling it a beta program of doing a late start with a small number of student and teacher volunteers. Um I realize that I'm the what but my what would be seen if perhaps we would have two volunteer teachers maybe elective one elective two elective or maybe elective and physical education teachers that would be interested in starting late possibly two periods in and it would be the possibility of having about 64 approximately depending

139on class size volunteer students grades 10 to 12 to participate because transportation would possibly be uh problematic um they would need families to transport for this. Uh since administrators are on campus while students are present this should not be an issue for extra coverage and as we continue to ensure that we support all our students we could collect data on the participants with regard to their improved attendance grades and discipline with this. I know that Mr. Peak has provided a lot of data supporting a late start and has been a strong and eloquent advocate for a late start and perhaps seeing if a beta program might be feasible to put into place because it's a smaller amount and using volunteers I would suggest possibly Granite Hills to see. That's my what? And I would leave

140the how to our amazing staff. Thank you. You're asking for a presentation on that, what it would take to propose something like that? Are you asking for that to start for next year, for us to work towards that for the fall? Cuz that's really what I had indicated when we talked about this um months ago, that I was more than willing to look at some options, but it would take us a a school year to do that, to get people involved. Options would be great. I don't need a presentation if this is something that you're working for. I just it's just been on my heart a lot if there's something that we could do with and I know how much financially it would be to do a complete change, but just maybe to see if

141there's some way to do that and then follow up with results on on things like attendance and But for clarification, are you asking for us to try to do that as a startup for this coming school year? If you could, that would be amazing. I don't know if >> I don't believe I can. That's why I'm saying that. We're within a few weeks of us shutting down and not having access. So, I won't have access to people to to work through that. But I'm more than willing to work on that process for the 2027-2028 school year. That was my goal all along was to look at some options for students that wanted Elite Start. I don't know that it's feasible, but I'm more than willing to try. >> [clears throat] >> I understand and I

142don't know if it's feasible either, but I figure if it is you'll be able to work magic and make it happen. Okay. As long as I know that the timeline isn't set and you're asking for the fall. I would love it if it could be for the fall for Mr. Peak, but um I know that's difficult. It sounds like He's not here, but it sounds like Mr. Peak is ready to do that. He's got a first period that he has optional. So, we'll work through that with others. We are really trying to stay away from students not taking first period off. Um but we certainly are more than willing to look at um the options of >> uh two through seventh period to accommodate students that don't need transportation, which I that still causes some

143issues for me because there are kids that might want to do it that can't. And so, um we will we will bring forward it's going to take some surveying and some information from students that have an interest as well as the adults and uh I think negotiations with our um groups, so. Okay. Thank you very much for considering Absolutely. Um just so we have a consensus, uh Trustee Longshore, do you are you okay with that? Just for clarification, you're asking if I agree with her request. >> Yeah. Yes, I agree. And Trustee Rowley? I don't have an issue with it. Okay. And Trustee O'Farrell? Well, that's three, so it doesn't matter, but yes. We have a consensus. Okay. Are there any other future items? Um I requested the board that we consider adding a discussion

144action item to establish rules of order for this board. I know that uh Ms. Caudell just referenced Robert's Rules of Order. Um definitely uh possibility. And just keep in mind that if we acknowledge rules of order now working with CSBA at any point in time in the future. We can adjust it as need be, but I do think we need some structure on this board. So, can we add that as a discussion action item? I think we've already addressed this a couple times. And there's not consensus at this point. The consensus was that we will make sure that CSBA makes it a priority when we begin with them. So, does the board still feel that way that we don't need any rules of order until CSBA comes in? I would be in favor of having

145um a set rule that we follow and then adapt it if necessary when we meet with CSBA. CDSA Rick, would you like to change your consensus? >> No, we have rules of order. We we follow rules. I don't I don't Maria, do you want to change yours at all? No, I'm not changing mine. I think we have been functioning with rules and we need to do the best we can with the rules that we have until CSBA gives us a real set of rules that we that they think we need to follow. Mr. Rowley said we have rules of order. Could you clarify for me what those rules of order are, Mr. Rowley? I'm not going to debate you up here. It's not debate. I just I need to know what rules we're following on

146this dais. >> Well, if you can't figure it out, then maybe you should be doing a little bit more studying instead of asking me to explain to you at Timber Ridge Thank you. All right. Um our next regular board meeting is Thursday, May 21st, 2026 approximately 5:00 p.m. educate in the ESC, the Educational Support Center. There being no further business to come before the Board of Trustees, it is recommended that the meeting be adjourned. I'll make the motion. I'll second. All right. We will be taking a vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore? I. Mr. Raleigh? I. Mrs. Tucker? I. Ms. Okpara had to step out, so she'll abstain. And then Mrs. Buchanan? I. Is that abstain or would I put absent? Absent. Absent. Okay. All right, this meeting is adjourned at 10:24.