10/21/2025 - Azusa Unified School District Board Governance Meeting

001Board meeting is open and the live stream is on. Just making sure that the meeting is open now. >> Yes, the meeting is open and the live stream is on. >> Okay. Good evening, Isuza community students, parents, and staff. Welcome to the board of education governance workshop. Today for item 1.1, I would like to call the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at 5:32 p.m. Moving forward on to item 1.2, roll call. We have board vice president Benvitas >> here. >> We have board clerk Rodriguez Pena >> present. We have board member Greer >> here, >> board member Ramos >> here, >> and I am present present today. Moving on to item 1.4, pledge of allegiance. There's no student for the pledge of allegiance. If we could all please stand, ready, begin. >>

002I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We're now moving on to item one, I'm sorry, 2.1, approval of the agenda. Can I please get a first motion? >> Make a motion to approve. >> Can I please get a second? Second. >> We have first by board member Rodriguez Pena. We have second by board member Greer. Any discussion? Seeing that there's none, colleagues, can you please place your vote? We can go ahead and do a hand vote. We'll start off with my right. Board member Greer. >> Yes. >> Board member U. Vice President Benvitas. >> Yes. >> We have board member clerk Rodriguez Pñena. >> Yes. >> And we have board

003member Ramos. >> Yes. >> And I Yes. 50. Approval of the agenda for today. We have We're moving on to item 3.1, public comment on agenda or non-aggenda items. Leica, do we have anybody on board? >> We have no hands raised on Zoom. >> We have no one uh on Zoom. >> Okay, great. Thank you for the response. Hope, do we have any blue cards? Since no blue cards and no one's on board, we'll go ahead and move on to the next item. Moving on to item 4.1, participation of board governance workshop. And we will go ahead and turn it over to Mr. Otga. >> Thank you, uh, board president Arianes. Tonight, uh, we have, uh, our CSBA, uh, facilitator, Angelina Pride, who has been with us, uh, for quite a while. Um the mission

004of tonight is uh Angelia will be facilitating uh the scores of the uh board self- evaluation uh and uh bringing up some u some some points for conversation uh as we grow uh as a governance team. Uh so with that I'd like to turn over to Miss Angelina Pre. And if I if I may just correct for the record, it's it's uh CSBA facilitator extraordinaire. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> You're way too kind. >> Yes. Yes. >> So, good evening, uh, board superintendent, executive assistant, who always helps me out as well. Um, good evening to all of you and thank you for having me back again. Um, and I do enjoy coming back to work with your board. So, we did our board self- evaluation. Um, this year we did have a few little bumps.

005Uh, we had to extend the timeline a little while and a little while and then we had to to um get some of you to do it by hand. I understand life happens. Trust me, I understand. Um, but we made it work and we got the results, everyone's results for the board self-evaluation. But you will notice that the one from 2024 looks different from the one for this year. And that's because I had to recreate this year because once we close, I couldn't get back in to like inner scores. So I had to do everything manually. So it does look different, but same strategy, same tool. So with that, I want to jump right in. Be respectful of everyone's time. Um before we get started with looking at the results for 2025, I just want

006to give you a little bit of data. I'm I love data because I like being able to compare things. Uh so in so understand that everything that's green is is a strength for most members. So that's the top one. Next you have blue which is a simple majority agreed with the statement. Then you have yellow or gold um which means area of growth for simple majority. And then you have red which means an area of growth for most members. So green is the best, blue is like yeah we're still good. Yellow's like we need to talk about this and red is like we really need to talk about this. So let me just give you some data from the last two years. So in 2024 of all of the statements and there is a total

007of 58 statements that you check whether you agree with if you're almost always agree or often less often rarely or not sure. So in 2024 you had 36 greens on your evaluation form. For 2025 you had 36 greens. For 2024 you had 21 blues. Um, for 2025 we only had 14 blues, so we went down by seven. In 2024, we had one yellow. In 2025, we had four yellows. We went up by three. And in 2024, we had zero reds, and we celebrated that last year. This year, we had four reds. So, we'll be discussing these as we go through, but I wanted to give you that information. So, um, you're up by 14 scores, meaning there were 14 categories where you ranked them higher this year than you did last year. There were two

008that you ranked lower. Um, and then there was 33 that stayed the same as far as color. This is as far as color. So um last year every statement had at least one person who said that the statement was a strength for most members. This year you had five no three that sorry that um didn't have anybody who said that it was a strength for the members. So like I said I like having comparisons as we start to talk about things. So I just wanted to share that with you. So with that, let's get right into it. So um number one, the board is focused on achievement for all students. Everybody agreed on that one. Um they had a five and I think that that came through strongly during your regular workshop as well. Any

009comments on on that one? Are we good? So I'm glad that this one was a five. This one is the most important that the board is focused on achievement for all students. So number two, the board is committed to a common vision. So last year this one was a green and now it's a blue. Um but the common vision I gave you a copy of your board handbook, your governance handbook because um there were a couple that I just wanted to refer back to this to remind you of some things because this should have been five because a board is should be committed to a common vision because it's all here in your governance handbook which you all agreed to when you do all the work for your vision, your mission, your goals, your core

010values, all of that. So if all of you subscribe to that then it should be a five. Superintendent >> I am so sorry to butt in here. I just >> um just for for myself and my learning in 2024 this was green. >> Right. Two two members said almost always. Three members said often. This time three members said almost always >> and two so it's actually a stronger score. >> You You're right. You caught an error for me. >> Thank you. I'm sorry. >> And I think there's several like that. Miss P. >> I I think some reds are not reds. >> Um >> when we get when we get there Yeah. and I'll because I know there was some in when I talked to CSBA is how they told me um the reason why

011but let's talk about them when we get to them. >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for catching that. Okay. So, my apologies. So, that one is a green. So, it stayed the same. So, good. The board is committed to a common vision. And again, I had to do this one by hand. So, we may see a couple of mistakes and I apologize in advance for those. So, number three, the board stays focused on district priorities. Of course, four of you um said almost always, one said often. Any questions or comments on that one? Okay, so number four, the board works well together. So, this year you had three often and two less less often. And so this one was a red by CSBA standards because it has um nobody who said almost always

012and it had two people who said less often. So let's take a quick moment and chat about this one. So the board works well together. Anybody want to start off and maybe provide some feedback on why this one went down? Are you not feeling that the board is working well together? Are there challenges that you faced? >> Board member Ramos. >> Trusty Ramos. >> Yes. Um being the newest member, I've only been here for less than a year. But um from my perspective, uh there's been very few meetings where we've all been together actually. So for me being, you know, newly here and not having as much experience under my belt, um it's hard to assess for me yet if we I mean we're working well so far, but um I think for me it's

013um we we we haven't had very many meetings where the whole board is present. So >> So we're having um board absences. >> Yes. So, um, let me ask a question. So, you said that there's been very few meetings where all five trustees have been here at once. Let's talk about that because that's important. Um, when you run for school board, you know in advance that there's this many meetings that are critical each month that you have to be at. And like I said, I understand things happen. I was a board member myself, you know, so sometimes I had to go out of town for something or my job called me away for something. But we make a commitment to be here. If you're not here, then are you really doing the work of the

014the district of the community um as well. So, the absences, how how are you feeling about that? If you're putting in the work and um you're being here at the meetings and maybe others aren't, or am I over thinking it? Is it maybe like one absence here, two absence there? Give me an idea of what we're talking about. I just wanted to add um regarding that that in the past, just this year, we started only meeting once a month. at least a week twice a month. So, I know you know people work and I know it's hard sometimes for them to get here, but I I was hoping that once a month would make it easier for all of us to be um and I I I'm not I I don't work. I'm retired, but

015I do have a life also. But, um I feel personally that, you know, this is like my job, you know, um being on the board. And I think the reason why I ran to be the voice and also to be present and to, you know, vote on certain policies or speak of what's going on, I feel it's my job. So I I just think that us having it once a month, I would have assumed that people would be here more often. >> Anyone else? >> Go ahead. >> I I can add it. Um I I think I had to I had similar similar feelings and I had to do some personal kind of internal thinking and process processing around it as to like everybody here is a grown adult and I trust that everybody here

016is is doing what they can to be here. And yet I do I do still find myself as um I don't know what word I don't know what word to use. I guess I'll use bothered, but um I'll use bothered for lack of better word about about some of the absences like that. That's really been a like a significant amount of absences, I would say. And I think what after I spent some time thinking about it for the most part, I think there's the aspect of just honor and honoring the the roles that that that we have and sharing in that as as board members. But I think what is probably even most significant for me um where it matters the most is when it affects and impacts our ability to do work as a

017team. Um and so I a couple things that come to mind. the the the way in which this meeting was was was perpetually kind of pushed back and even at our last meeting there was a suggestion that uh due to absences on the uh on on the board that we push this meeting back even further and wait till next month to schedule and I ended up saying can we please just hold ourselves accountable and have the meeting because I think we we not only do we owe it to ourselves but to our community to do it so so when it impacts the work another thing that comes to mind is um the whole process around our superintendent evaluation earlier this this year um That was personally frustrating. Um and and again I I am I

018I am well aware of the fact that there were some very extreme things going on with with some board members um you know on the team that I that I that I I have absolute compassion for. Um and at the same time I think there was a there there's what I perceived as like a a lack of some some some communication and understanding of of how then do we proceed in such a way um while while honoring the structures that exist for us as a team. And so, um, I guess if I had to pinpoint it, it's it's when it gets to the point where it impacts our ability to get work done, that's when it that's when it, uh, kind of boils over for me personally. >> Thank you. Well said. Any other comments

019on this one? So, I'm not the type to lecture, but again, remember, you ran for the position. People voted for you. They expected that you would be here to represent them and to make the decisions for the students. And I totally understand that we all have things. I've had to miss board meetings to go out of town for a funeral, like I said, once for a mandatory conference for work. So, I know things come up, but when it's significant, it does become an issue. And then you have to evaluate and say, am I committed to this? Um, so keep that in mind. And I think that trustee Greer put it best when he said that it impacts the work that the board can do, especially if there's no quorum if you have that many people

020going or if you have to keep changing um your study sessions or other meetings that are scheduled outside of your regular board meeting. So, um hopefully that will change and that it will be better um as we come in, you know, to the holiday season, you're going to have a break to take care of some things and hopefully that the attendance will improve because that's one of the things that you committed to. And like I said, I don't want to lecture cuz I don't know why people missed. Um I can't speak on that. But the board, the entire board has to be present in order to take care of the business of the district properly and to have an effective meeting. And the other thing I will say too is to make sure that your

021voice is heard because if there's three members here and there's something on the agenda and they it's voted and it's carried and it's something you didn't like. You don't have the opportunity to say, "Hey, I don't like that. Why are we doing this?" Because you weren't here to let your voice be heard and cast your vote. Something you said could have changed someone's mind. But just hopefully things will improve. Um, it does sadden me to hear that. Um, thank you for bringing that up because it is something that has to be addressed and hopefully things will improve and as you move forward. I'm going to make a comment. So, for me personally, you know, I I was dealing with some health issues. So, I couldn't make the board meetings. I when I made a commitment,

022I made a commitment. If you look at my history over the last three years and you'll see that most of the time I was here. It's just been this last year and due to you know economic reasons just like everyone else is struggling struggling right now right because the cost of living is higher I had to go back and work full-time. When I initially took this you know decided to run and stay committed I didn't have a full-time job. I was working local part-time job. Uh, I recently got a full-time job maybe seven, eight months ago and I was driving from Malman money and I was getting off. So, I was trying to be here at the board meetings and then working through my ailments. Um, you know, I was trying to make as many

023board meetings as I could and then I even sat in for, you know, um, led the meetings several times. So, for me personally, it's it's that and um but I'm committed and I'm now working closer. So, I don't think that's going to be an issue for me. Um it's in fact I I shared it with Mr. Ortega that you know, hey, I'm closer now. I'm in Coina and I'll be here on time. I'll be here at the meeting. So, as long as I'm not sick, I mean, my health, yes, I made a commitment because that's what I ran for, but my health is also a priority. And and if I'm not healthy, then how could I really be conscious of what I'm reading and >> and you know, I I just need to be healthy

024so that I know that the decisions I'm making and what I'm reading really is um making a decision on behalf of the the best practices for our students. Absolutely. And thank you for sharing that. And I don't think it was the intention of anyone to call any one person out to make somebody say anything, especially for personal reasons. Um, but thank you for sharing that. And you know, like I said, life happens. It's just hard to get the business of the district done, but health is always going to be number one priority. Definitely. And you have to have a job. Most of us have to have a job. So yes, but thank you for sharing that. Appreciate it. Okay. Okay. So, let's move on. >> I'm sorry. Could I could I just make one more

025comment on on that? Yeah. >> Um I I just want to say if if there's anything I I'll speak on behalf of myself. Um although I I I would be surprised if if other board members who spoke up didn't didn't agree with this. um the the intention in if if there's anything that was said that that that made anyone feel uh personally attacked in regards to that that's that isn't that's not the intention. Uh know that I understand that when we're having to talk about things that are read it there's there's potential discomfort that that that's in that. I'll say from my perspective, um, you you do not owe me an ex, you know, an explanation or, you know, whatnot. But even you sharing that, so you don't have to, but the fact that you

026even shared what you shared right now is very helpful for for me as I'm kind of like wondering and kind of processing like um what what some of our uh some of the absences are. And so again, it's this strange balance. you don't owe, but by by sharing it, it it helps just kind of like the the mental and sometimes emotional load of of of that and and knowing. So, thank you for not having to to share. Um, and and I maintain you don't have to, but the fact that you did and that you you took the time to to speak that out loud, uh, that that just personally um is is is helpful for me as a as a member of of the team. And so, I just want to thank you. >> Thank

027you for that. >> Okay. So, moving on. Uh, let's see here. We're on number five. Am I good on number five? >> I I believe it's number. We're only going through the the reds and the yellows. >> Okay. >> You're fine. Oh, >> okay. I'm >> okay. Well, the other ones I'm just um skimming through. Yeah. So, number five, the board commits the time to become informed. Um, when you come to meeting, do you feel like everyone is informed and have read their packet and they're able to ask questions that are beneficial to those who are watching and those who are present from the community and that you're able to take a vote uh where you believe that your vote is solid and that you have a strong understanding of what you're voting on. >>

028Okay. So, number six. So this is one of the ones. So what they showed me was that the anytime there's more less often than there was almost always but this was a voice one because we didn't get to send it through the computer. So what did you come out with? >> Uh compared to last year this would be a blue because you have two almost always and one often and two less often. But if you look at number 34 of of 2024, you only had one almost always two often and two less often. So this year, this was actually scored better than in 2024 >> for number 34. >> If you look at number 34, if you look at the outcomes there, >> it's one 122. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Oh, I see what

029you're saying. Yes. >> But this one is 212. So I'm I'm assuming that that should have been a blue. >> Okay. So like I said, this was done by humans, so I apologize. Um, so let's talk about it. Individual board members do not undermine board decisions. Once you take a vote and you make a decision, are all of you on board with it? Do you stand by it whether you voted for it or not? Um, yes, no, maybe. Phil, >> you know, you know what what what I do um like to praise my board here is that we um and I've said it before even to see the LSVA that um we don't have a majority here. We vote from our hearts and we we don't meet before meetings, after meetings, at lunch, you know,

030when we come here, we're all here for the right reasons. So, I feel good that, you know, when I come to vote, I know I vote and I know that is Mr. almost is truly vote and I know it's what I'm writing on and my colleagues it's their true vote. We don't because people always say, "Oh, do you guys have a majority?" And I'm like, "No, we don't. We really don't." >> And I think, you know, we we come in with our passion, with our heart, and for the right reasons, and we vote however it comes out. That's how it falls. >> It's never the same. And we leave the same way. That's I like to um thank my board for us working together very well in that way, in that manner. >> Thank you

031for saying that. And anytime I facilitate one of the the workshops for new trustees, that's the one thing that I always try to drive home is that they don't have to vote yes just because all of their colleagues are voting yes. They need to be informed. >> They need to have read the material. They need to know what they're voting on. And then they need to vote based upon, you know, what they feel like they're hearing from their community, from their constituents, what they feel is best for the students, or what they feel is best for the staff. That's how the vote of a trustee should be made, not because the person sitting next to you voted one way. >> So I always tell them it does not is not always going to be a

032majority and that's okay. >> Yes, Trusty Grim. So personally, I wish that this was not an anonymous survey. Um because I personally because I think that it would I think it's important that we are willing to to be honest with each other and honest to to share when when there are issues or when when there are concerns. So if I had my way, it would be a it would it wouldn't be anonymous and we would still be honest. And this this is this highlights one of the areas where I think it's it becomes potentially unhelpful that it's anonymous because as I look at this, even though I recognize that three out of the five of us believe that it is either often or almost always that individual board members do not undermine board decisions, the

033the fact that there are two board members on this on the dis who believe that less often meaning that majority of the time there are there are board decisions that are undermined. If if that's the if that's the perspective honestly of even one board member um I I would really want to know that know know the thoughts and perspectives of of that board member those board members and to have that have that conversation because if if that is happening that's a very serious um issue that I think warrants significant amount of of time >> and wait thank you for that's a good point and just real quick and then I'm going to come to you trusty Ramos is when we say undermine this is how I look at that statement and you can tell how

034you look at it. When I say undermine, after the vote meeting's over, you leave, you pick up your phone, and you start posting on social media how much you hated, how wrong the board was to vote for something. You go out to the school sites, tell everybody how horrible the vote was. You know, you undermine the the vote of the board as a whole. And you remember, you're a governance team, not governance individuals. So once the vote is taken and it carries, it stands. So you find a way to support it. You may not be on board 100%, but there's usually something good and you can find in it. Just like that person you don't like. You try to find something good in them that you can get on board with. Trusty Ramos. >> Yeah,

035just to kind of echo what U. Board member Greer was commented on. I'm I I'm really surprised regardless of the color and I know that that color is probably off, but I'm very surprised at you even that there's any on the often or less often. So, what I was thinking about as I was reading this and going over it sometimes with these questions because they have a a negative like the do not undermine sometimes and I could I don't remember how I answered it. If I did, I'd be very open about it. But um maybe the way I read it or the way someone reads it, you think you're answering the opposite, right? And sometimes this happens this kind of surveys, right? Yeah. Like a double negative or um you know, so that but definitely

036very surprised, you know, just to um echo what uh board member G. Yeah, that >> under my I've never felt that at all. Um, so anyways, >> thank you for saying that because um, last year we were looking at revising this. I think I might have told you all that when I was here before and we had some leadership changes, um, some retirements and moving out of towns and so we have some new managers staff meeting on I think it's next Tuesday. Um, so I'm going to bring this up again and we just got an email today asking us what we wanted on the agenda. So I'm gonna write myself a note to bring this up again because it got put on hold. But I agree with you that this needs to be updated this

037whole tool. So thank you for bringing that up. Trusty. >> Yes. I'm going to add um if if there's somewhere they can put um if they revise it um the reason why they answered that question because maybe again we don't understand it you know or they may say something that will trigger that that's not what they meant. You know they can put a comment on there that might be helpful also. You know write why why do they feel that way? And then at least you can kind of figure out maybe they didn't get it or or maybe they have a real reason for it, right? >> That that would be helpful to be able to explain yourself why you wrote that or why you collected that number. >> Okay. So, um you want to see

038a place for comments and then you want to see if it cannot be anonymous and overall it does need an update. So, clarify the questions. so that they aren't confusing. >> Okay, >> I got you. I'm going to email this to my boss um when I get home. >> I have a comment. Um I I myself I don't remember how I answered that question, but >> I think you know when you're going through the survey first, I mean it was extended so far, right? And then you're reading through it, you're like I think I was one I got it last minute. I'm trying to get it done. And so yeah, I think you know simplification would be better and and and maybe not a double negative and just because sometimes you know we're just trying

039to get through the day, right? So especially now that I'm working full-time. So yeah, I'd appreciate that. Thank you. >> No, I appreciate the feedback. Thank you. And maybe I'll suggest that we use use your board as a pilot. That would be it would be nice though to have a board to look at it and and kind of see if we're on the right track with it. So, I'm going to um Abby and see if he'll let me even take the lead on it >> to to get it updated. >> I just wanted to make one other comment. I too myself I I mean I think we pretty much work well together. I don't hear anything negative about any of us or board decisions that are made. >> And I just want to tell the

040board that I appreciate that because I know there's a lot of boards out there that they don't work cohesively and you know we collaborate. We work cohesively. We >> Yeah. >> We love each other. We I think we agree to disagree, you know. Yeah. We're going to run into bumps, but that's just life. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Can I can I So, so I I know we talked about how there's the potential for the tool to be confusing which might have led to that, but this is that this is still something that concerns me and so may maybe for the sake of of of clarity and clear in the air. If there is a board member who who does feel like the board the individual board members undermine board decisions, would you be willing

041to to share if if you believe that that's the case so that we can have that conversation? Well, I just made the comment that I was surprised as I made earlier. So, yeah. And if I had it, I'd bring you put it on the table. >> And that's why I brought up, you know, how we work together and, you know, we'd have a majority. We we come in together, we leave together. That's we I don't know. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Uh so, let's move on. Number seven, board members agree on the role and responsibilities of board and superintendent. I don't think that there's any issue here. Um, all of you said almost always. Two of you said often. Um, is there any concerns about the role and responsibilities of the board or the superintendent? Or

042is it just like sometimes is there a reason why anybody feels like this doesn't happen all the time? Your roles and your responsibilities again are in here. They're also in your board of bylaws in the 9000s. It's very very clear of what it what they are. Yes. >> Yeah. Again, like uh what Mar mentioned, I think if you know, just having two people saying often, >> it'd be interesting to know why they wrote why they felt that way. >> I think it goes back to um what you were saying and then what some of what you were saying, Trusty Ramos, as well about the how the questions worded >> um different perspective when you read it, you interpret it differently. Um, correct me if I'm wrong if anyone and please do not feel like you

043have to say, "Yeah, I was one of the first people who put, you know, the second one um often and I didn't put almost always." Don't feel like you have to say what your your scoring level was at all. But if there's anyone who would like to speak out about it, if you know that this was you, Trusty Rodriguez Pena actually printed out her results so she could remember what >> um but unfortunately, you know, when I get it, it doesn't tell me like who did it. I do did see those of you who had to do it on paper. I saw yours um but I did not bring those with me. Um >> so bless you. But bless you. >> Bless you. So, anyone want to talk about it? Okay. Okay. Moving on. Board

044members follow board agreements regarding the speaking for the board. Um, two of you said often. Actually, it should be one. I'm sorry. One of you said often, four of you said almost always. Is there a reason why we had an often? Um, is there anybody who feels like a board member without name and names at any time has spoken on behalf of the board without consent from the board? >> You remember eight? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Oh, because there's six, right? >> Yeah. She just said that. >> So, >> there's only one um off. >> Yeah. Oh, I had already I had caught it. Thank you. >> So, just remember that as a board and again I'm going to keep going back to this. It's very clear in your handbook that the no individual

045trustee speaks on behalf of the board. You speak on behalf of yourself but not the board. So, unless there was something that was voted on here that was a 50- vote and somebody asked how did you guys vote? You can say, "Well, the board decided, you know, cuz the whole board voted yes." But no one should ever say, um, oh, the board's on board with doing this or doing that. Things that the board hasn't discussed, things that haven't come before the board, things that you must maybe some of the board members don't even know about that's going on in the community or at your school sites. So, be very, very careful. It's very clearly outlined in your governance handbook. So, please refer to your governance handbook if you're not sure if you should be saying

046something, but you can speak as an individual, but not on behalf of the board unless it's something that's just very clear where they can go back to the video from the meeting and watch it and see the vote. Any questions? Board members, keep confidential matters confidential. Thank you. It's a five. That one is seriously important and I don't think that people often realize how important that one is. When you are sworn in as a trustee, anytime I I um talk to new trustees, the first thing I tell them is get Brown Act training. The second thing I tell them is do you know you can't disclose things from close session? Do you know you should be only talking about things that you've talked about in public? So, I'm glad this one is a five. So,

047we're going to move on really quickly. Um, be thankful for that one. Number 10, the board gives direction to the superintendent only at board meetings. That one is a five. Uh, superintendent um Ortega, I'm going to put you on the spot. Is that one going okay? Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, you guys are good. I thought you were gonna get in trouble. >> I tried, but he says, "Look at the board." >> And and it's funny because I have a a note here that don't forget that's outlined in your board bylaws, the 9,000s that you know, nobody gives direction to the superintendent except for in the meeting. And then we have number 11. uh individual board members do not attempt to direct the superintendent um when you're having like one-on ones with it. And remember,

048this is when we're talking about um things that you know the whole board needs to make a decision on. This is not related to something like safety. I know I always give you guys the example of me being at a back to school night or open house and there was a piece of cement that was um raised and somebody tripped. You know, yes, I'm going to call the superintendent right away and say, "Hey, can you get somebody over here because I don't want anyone to fall." When I saw graffiti on the wall across the street at the school across the street from my house, yes, I'm going to call the superintendent and say, "Hey, can you get somebody over here to clean off the graffiti?" So, we're not talking about things like that. We're talking

049about do you tell the superintendent, "Oh, here I met this person and they have a program and I want you to call them and and talk to them about that program and put it over at such and such school because it'll be good." No, that doesn't happen. You can provide the superintendent with information and say, "Hey, I just heard about this program. Might be something you want to look into. You know, let me know. This is a contact." But you can't say to the superintendent, "Go do this." You don't have that authority as an individual. Okay. Trust me. >> I was going to say I usually do that if I especially when you go to CSV or see you approaches you, right? You know, but I always give him heads up so he knows, you

050know, he's going to call you or I'll see my superintendent will call you. >> But but he knows. I don't tell him what to do, but I do give him the card or or the or give him little information if I know what I know and and um >> he calls. I'm sure >> he's good. He's good about that. He does call. I'm sure superintendent hate the week after AEC because everybody comes back with, "Oh, we went to this great workshop there. We should do this. Oh, this district is doing that. Oh, did you hear about this?" >> Yes. >> But yeah, but as long as you're just providing the information and, you know, letting the superintendent look into it. >> So, anything you want to add to that, Superintendent Ortega? >> Not to this,

051but I want to take a shameless plug. Uh this was a high school girls flag football won their first CIF game. >> Oh seven and0. Wow for that. >> What was the final score? >> 70. >> Oh wow. Okay. So that was a good game. >> Okay. Thank you for sharing that. That was a good play. >> Okay. So talking about board culture, the board treats the superintendent with respect. We have a 50 on that. Superintendent, I'm going to put you on the spot again. Are we good there? >> 100%. >> Awesome. That's always wonderful to hear. Um, the board manages internal conflicts in a uh productive manner. Uh, this was um one of the areas that did go down by my count. So, or by by my the person who helped me with this

052by their count as well. So, do you feel like the board manages internal conflict in a productive matter? Because nobody said almost always. Nobody said that. Four of you said often and one said less often. So, um whether or not this is is yellow or if it's blue, it doesn't matter because there's a concern there if you're not managing internal conflict. properly. One of the things that boards you can agree I mean disagree it's okay. What is not okay to do is to badmouth someone for disagreeing to um argue about it. You can have a discussion and we all know the difference between a discussion and an argument right? We know the difference between, you know, saying things, you know, where you get your turn to speak and you speak without being um what's the

053word I'm looking for? Um disrespectful to anybody else on the de um and saying, "Well, you're wrong," or "I don't like that," or, you know, presenting yourself in any unprofessional way from the deis. Is there anybody who wants to talk about why it was all often and there was no almost always I thought that that would be an easy one but am I wrong >> I think for for me as I'm as I'm looking at this I'm I'm one of the often but not almost always I I think or the when I when I think back on this this previous year I think there were times when there's conflict that made its way to the surface from on a on a board meeting level and I and I suppose I'm not sure outside of governance

054meetings which which we do these once I mean it just doesn't happen very often. I'm not sure where and how there is any working on um internal conflict. So so I don't think that it's to the extent that we're in crisis or anything but I but I'm just not sure that we have um regular mechanisms in place outside of governance meetings. So then it then causes maybe maybe not for us to then wait for this meeting to be able to have some of these kinds of um conversations. Are there conversations that need to be had that should be had >> if I can give an example where there's absences and it as we discussed that and again grateful for some of the perspective and and it's it's shared here publicly which I which to me

055is is even more unfortunate but but yeah if there were way so maybe that's just me maybe I need to if I have a concern about someone's attendance maybe that's on me that I'm that I'm reaching out to that person and saying Hey, I'm concerned and and maybe so maybe I need to take more personal ownership of of that. Um but um I'm just not sure if if there were things like that that I know were weighing on me a bit. Don't know the mechanism outside of outside of the governance meeting to have that conversation. >> Gotcha. And that's a good example. And I think that um as a trustee and as part of a governance team, if you do notice what you just said that somebody's missing, um it's okay to send a text

056and say, "Hey, missed you at meet and hope you're okay." Sometimes maybe that might go a long way with helping them to feel better, too. So, Trusty R. >> Yeah. But also, um I agree with member Greer. Um, but we do have protocol that the superintendent does put in the schoolboard packet um, stating if there's a situation you have and I think that's the time. I'm not like you. I'm not sure. I mean, because we do we'll wait. Well, we can't say anything. We shouldn't say anything. We have to wait till the governance. We think this is the only time which is once a year. But in between the year when a superintendent does write that there's a conflict, you come to go to president or come to him. Would that be the time? I

057mean I you can do >> because how I feel honestly if whatever girl would say hey Linda so you know why are you asking so much I'm just saying if you said that you know I would like wait a minute you know I mean that's my it's my it's my business but I think in the manner with the superintendent and myself maybe him sit down I mean because now I see he's concerned he's not just there's a difference in how how you say it right >> and that's why I say >> and that's what if you just approach me when I'm talking I don't think I'd be very happy about it but I think if the superintendent did like he does ask us to let him know before a meeting if there's a situation with

058another board member. I think that is a time and then it's more professional professionally done. >> Yeah. But like I said also feel free to text someone. You never know what's going on and just to say hey you know missed you at meeting or hope you're okay. You're not asking for a response. You're not asking them why they weren't here. You're letting them know that there's a concern that you, you know, that they were absent, that you were concerned to her on see how she was doing. >> Yeah. And so, and that's okay. And like I said, it's probably even appreciated >> um by your fellow board members to to, you know, know, hey, somebody noticed I was gone and they want to make sure that I'm okay. if it gets to a point where

059you're like getting upset because maybe it is impacting the business of the board and it's been something that's that's becoming you know very frequent then yeah may maybe you go to the superintendent and say hey you know I have some concerns about this this is something that I think that we need to have a conversation about or you go to the board president and say hey I'm concerned about this there's a conversation that needs to be had about it and then you can determine which way would be best without without offending the person and also without we have to remember we all have personal lives too you know and sometimes there's things that go on that maybe we don't want to share or we don't feel comfortable sharing and but so maybe they can just

060say hey you know this is the situation and what I do is I encourage you as trustees if something ever comes up where you have a situation and it's personal and you don't want to disclose it and you can say to the superintendent, hey, can you, you know, just put in the Friday notice that um, you know, I talked to Trusty Rodriguez Pena and she is has a personal situation matter going on at this time and has indicated that she may miss a couple of meetings to deal with this situation. Please respect her privacy at this time and give her some grace and understanding. That's something that can be done. >> But then with the also with the board member's permission, correct? You don't just put it on there because what if I don't want

061him to tell her what he did after? >> Well, he didn't disclose what it was. Just said I know personal matter. And usually, I mean, if it's better to do it that way than to just see somebody constantly missing and not know why. Mhm. >> So you're not disclosing why, but you're just giving a heads up that, hey, there may be some times where I'm not as visible as I possibly not graduation, not this or that, but be maybe because it's that personal thing. We had, you know, trustees who had an ill family member that when this person was sick, they needed to be there, but they just kind of what I just said, let the superintendent know that, hey, if they're having a bad day, I'm not going to be able to make it.

062>> And they didn't disclose what it was to us right away. We just knew that there was a personal reason. And we all respected that because you know that people it's running for school board is not something that somebody usually does just for fun. Um at least I haven't met that person yet. >> When somebody runs for school board, they've seen the work of a board member. Um, and when people be are on the board and they really start to see the meetings, the the graduations, the the all the activities, the awards, ceremonies, all of that, they're like, "Whoa, this is a whole lot more than I thought that it was." But, you know, I'm committed. So, it's not that people just come and I won't say ever, um, but most people don't come and

063just get a seat on the board, run on the for the board just to, you know, be here every now and then. people that do this, I say 98% are committed. So, just be willing to extend some grace. Anything else on that one? >> I think for me, I just want to say that I I kind of agree with board, not I not kind of, I agree with board member Greer. It would be nice to have some kind of mechanism whether it's through maybe our close session you know if whether we want to disclose or not because I I totally understand um board cl Rodriguez Pena we have to respect the board member right if they don't want to disclose but just to be keep us informed you know some kind of mechanism because sometimes

064we all have different like I said we all have personal lives and we all have different situations that come up. But maybe that's a way we communicate with each other because if if we're not not that we need to be informed, but maybe if there's some kind of mechanism in place, we don't feel that, you know, we're carrying the load and why aren't they here and it's like they're absent again. So, I don't know what that mechanism is, but I'm just thinking like maybe a memo, a side memo to close session. I don't know cuz I don't know if there's a policy about that or how that would work or if another district is doing something very similar or not. >> Only what I just told you where somebody will talk to the superintendent and

065say, "Hey, you know, I have something going on. I may be missing a few meetings. Um, I just want to give a heads up to you and to, you know, the board to let you know. Uh, I'll do my best to be present." And then our superintendent would just give us a verbal and just say, "Hey, you know, letting you guys know when we had our one-on- ones, you know, that so and so may be missing meetings." I think one time it maybe had been in our Friday letter, but it didn't disclose any of the reasons why, which I was totally fine with. I was more concerned about the person than anything. You know, I didn't get angry or upset, nothing. I was just concerned. So don't feel like you have to disclose your personal

066reasons, you know. So okay. Uh so we talked about I lost my place. I'm sorry. We talked about board members follow agreements on how they act towards each other. Board me. >> Actually number 13. We're actually now on 14. The one >> Thank you board president. You're doing a better job than me. So board members follow agreements on how they act towards each other. Again, you had a four and a one. So um there's somebody who doesn't feel like that always happens. Um when conflict arises, how do you handle it? Every board has conflict at some time or another. I think I think I've encountered maybe one board that I had never seen them have a conflict and that was because most of them it was smaller school district, smaller community, you know, it was

067easier to to know everybody and get along. But sometimes you have disagreements on something that you're voting on or that's on the agenda or a process. Yes, ma'am. trust. >> I would have to agree that every board, every relationship has conflict, has a disagreement of what you know of any sort, but how conflicts are basically uh handled right uh towards each other and I think 15 kind of goes along with that respecting each other. I I think that has a lot of leverage because we don't have to like each other to be on this board. >> Absolutely. >> We don't have to agree bipartisan. We don't have to agree to be Democrat, Republican, green, whatever it is, right? Patriot, we don't have to agree. But the one thing that we have in common is that

068we have a goal and a purpose, and that is to lead this district for our students. However, I I have felt that um we internally do have not productively resolved conflict within our board. I also agree that we do not follow agreements on how we act towards each other when we do not agree when with each other. And I also agree that board members do not treat each other with respect when they are angry because your true character comes out when you are upset when you're angry and how you h how you handle that conflict. And so I've I've been on this board for for some time and I've had to learn a lot of things on how to handle conflict, how to handle things. And I am going to bring up a situation that

069happened in this last year. >> Okay? >> And um that is um we on the board have agreed that we do not respond to public comments that day. If we have any um any type of comments or suggestions that we um basically speak with each other um before you know and especially because if a person comes and speaks on the dis on public comment um we do not speak on that regardless of um if we've spoken to the superintendent if we have it on our notes to speak on it. We with we refrain refrain and withdraw from those comments. And so recently um this year there was an incident where we had um a gentleman come speak on public comment and on a non-aggenda item and a board member spoke on the public comment and

070I as the president asked this board member to please you know con stop on this um comment and it had I had to do it three times where this individual um got very angry with me because they were saying that I was being uh disrespectful. But as the board president, it is my duty to keep our meetings in line and to be make making sure that we do not speak on public comment or sway the board on, you know, any type of future agenda items that may be on our agenda items for us to vote because that is breaking the board um the Brown Act because we have not put it on on the agenda. We have not publicly spoken about it. And so therefore, I I I am the one that said less often.

071That that is me. I do I do remember that. And after the incident, I asked the board member if it would be okay if we spoke about this after and they refused. Um at first I said okay. And after we went into close session, we came back, did open session, continued. Um, and at the end of our board meeting that day, um, this board member lashed out at me publicly and disrespectful and I am not okay with that. Uh, this board member yelled, uh, belittled me, humiliated me. I All that I asked was if we could have a conversation and we this board member did actually in fact did stay behind and we did speak to our superintendent. And while we were at that meeting, the board member lashed out and said I blindsided them,

072you know, last minute where they needed to step up where and I I I said, "Wait, hold on. That's a different topic. That's a different subject. can we speak about tonight? A and if I was disrespectful, I I would like to apologize. I went back and saw the video two or three times and not once did I see that I was disrespectful towards this board member. I was just trying to keep order in the board meeting and the reaction of this board member was uncalled for. It was disrespectful and um I would like to address that at this point. >> Absolutely. And one thing I will say right here is um a couple of weeks ago I was facilitating a student board meeting um student board member training and we had legal there to give

073the student board members an overview of the Brown Act and one of the things that we did talk about was public comment. When it comes to public comment the rules are very clear and very very brief because it's very simple. you do not respond to public comment unless, and here's the difference, let's say a parent comes in and they speak um during public comment and they are very angry because their kid got suspended and they feel like nobody's been returning my calls and I need to talk to somebody about this. So, as a last resort, they show up here and they speak as public comment. the board president can say, um, superintendent, can you have a member, um, can you or a member of cabinet, um, take that person outside and get their con their

074contact information and reach out to them and find out what's going on? You can do that. Um, that is okay. I verified that. What you cannot do is say, "Hey, you know, somebody comes in and they're um they want to uh I don't know, start an AVID program and they're like, "Yeah, you know, I want to start an AVID program at the at the middle school and I think it's great and everybody loves it and everybody wants it and yeah, let's do this." You cannot say, "Yes, I think that's a great idea as well." You know, I think we should also start an AVID program. You can't do that. That's illegal. That's a violation of the Brown Act >> and I think we violated that that day. >> So yes. So what would you like

075to say about this so that we can clear the air? H >> how would the board like to handle conflict because this will probably not be the the first or the last. >> I I I think by um I mean you're talking about it now so you're clearing it up. We do have it in writing um before the public participation where the board of education encourages public input. Board members are not permitted to respond to public comments. It's stated right there,000. >> And yes, and yes, I I was present. I do recall the situation and and I did watch the video just to be sure that you know what I heard. But I I as a board member didn't appreciate the conflict between the two board members going back and forth because the board president

076did ask, you know, we do not talk about and well board member B. We just kept talking and she kept she kept saying, you know, I want I encouraged the board to consider. So I'm telling her and I'm saying you're ask you're asking me to vote. I'm not telling you to vote right now, but I think you should consider. And I like, no, but I'm taking that. You're telling me to say yes to the person that wants whatever they want. Right. And we're all five of us are sitting here, >> so she's telling us to That's what I took from it. That's what I took from it. And I and I did state it at that moment. Um, but I think it kept going further and got worse. and you know I mean can argue

077I just walked out cuz they they were arguing or I whatever was said was said and then um you know that that's what I know but that's the first time you know that we have had a complex um this school year and I'm talking about last year to this year you know this school year and um yeah it it wasn't it wasn't a good feeling as a board member because you know we're doing great and that that kind of I was kind of saddened by it actually because we We're doing great. We >> vote how we vote. We go how we go. We don't. That just situation just kind of triggered >> and I'm like I don't want to I just I'm out, you know. >> So for my clarification, let me ask how much

078of this took place while you were on the deis versus when you left? >> All of it. >> So all of it was when I was sitting here and it was in public so people were hearing and watching it. Yeah, it is. I'm telling all five of you, a violation of the Brown Act to comment on public comment, unless there's a situation like the one I just said where you just ask the superintendent to get information for somebody when they come in and make these big accusations. Trusty Greer, and then I'll come to you, Trusty Ramos. >> Yes. So, I I want to say speaking of absences, this this was a board meeting that I was absent for. Um, and so I'm so I wasn't I wasn't here personally. Wasn't here personally. Um, but uh

079but I did but I did uh go back and I and I and I just this was this was a a meeting that I went back and and watched and and then uh saw some of it. I actually perceived that situation differently than it seemed that the rest of the board did. I actually don't think that there was a that there was a a violation of the Brown Act with in this particular situation. I I also don't think that there was anything wrong with how uh board member Benvitas kind of like h handled the the the situation. I understand why we don't why we don't respond, but to your point, Miss Pride, if someone is coming and advocating for something and Yeah. And if I were to say that's a good idea, let's do that.

080That's a clear violation. what I as I went back and and looked at it, what I saw happening effectively was um they're being advocating for for something to be agendaized and for something to be discussed in a at a future meeting. And I and I and so where I think there was an appeal to the board and I and I also one don't think it's necessary, but I have seen it happen in other instances. I think there was an appeal to say can we agendaize this? Can can can we can we have this added to an agenda? Um and and it's again important to note that maybe for us as individual board members, we couldn't on in and of ourselves have something added on, but there was if there was a majority of us who

081were saying we wanted something agendaized, then it could happen. So I personally um did not think that there was anything wrong with how uh board member Benvitas advocated for something to be agendaized and discussed at a future meeting. So, quick question. On your agenda, do you have a place where you ask for future agenda items? >> During board comments, which was when she made the comment, >> that's when you asked for things that you want to see placed on the agenda. >> And just for clarification, I spoke to Mr. Ortega prior to the meeting and he was okay with it. So, >> just >> I was next, but go ahead. >> Yes, she did. I'm sorry. He started talking. I didn't want to go. >> I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. Finish. Fin finish. >> I

082just wanted to clarify that. Okay. Trusty Ramos. >> Yes. So, I was here. I wasn't absent. But, um, what I recall from that meeting again, and I'm not going to use the excuse that I'm used, so I was I'm still trying to understand the dynamic, but I do recall that when um, board member Benvita started talking and res, you know, responded to that, it dragged on before the president interfered. And I think that it was with a sign from Superintendent Ortega. So I think that kind of led it to okay well why didn't I why was it nipped in the bud right away? That that's what I recall from that. And so that might have been part of what made it bigger than it should have been. >> I mean the the conflict should have

083never been there but my feeling was that um you know it's like someone's running all of a sudden stop right. I mean it wasn't like when she started speaking she was trying to it was like after I think superintendent was like making signs like you know and a couple of us were looking at each other like I was like what's going on here but and then it was brought to her attention and yeah then board member Benvitas continued and that's what kind of drew the conflict but from my recollection that's if if it would have been stopped as soon as board member Benvdas would have made a comment about that particular topic then I think it would have um been resolved that would have been more cut and dry if you will >> and quicker

084and smoother. Okay, so we have trusty Rodriguez Pena and then board president. >> So and and again um I I felt as a board member that she's asking me to reconsider, you know, take into consider taking into consideration to you know give the gentleman what he what he was asking for and so forth. So it's like she's asking me to vote yes on and that's another thing. See, again, we never vote. We never voted yet. That was not even in the agenda. Was not agenda, so we should not have anyways. But um I'm feeling that she's telling me to agree with the person to vote. But again, it we talked about it's the way because right when the president said, you know, we do not disc, she kept talking and talking and talking it just

085stopped right there and then it would went further. That's what happened. It went further and it went fur and then it went even after the meeting when we left the it kept going. I could hear them arguing but it just kept going. See if they would have snipped it at the butt and then um stopped it immediately because we do not um it says right here that you know respond um that may have just let it go but it just kept going. So one thing before um I let you comment for president, one thing that all of you have to understand because three of you have said in that chair, you have to respect the gavvel. >> Yeah. >> No matter what if if that gavel is hit and is cut off, you cut it

086off. >> All of you are going to be those of you who haven't been in that chair will be in that chair one day and you will understand why and the importance of it. >> So that's one thing. You have to respect the gavvel board president. >> Um, just as you're saying, respect the gavvel. I I I did not want to be rude to board member Benvitas. I had asked her once. I asked her twice. I asked her three times. I shouldn't have to as a president have to ask one of my board members to reconsider what they're saying at that time. If she wanted to agendaize this in a future meeting, there is there is an email where she can email she can let me know where I can go ahead and put this

087on the agenda. Absolutely. >> or she can ask during her board conference. >> Absolutely. But that was not the case. one thing is an ask and say you know I would board you know board president um I would like to agend you know I would like to put this on the agenda to discuss this further. I even said in my comments board member Benvitas can we talk about this at another time. I even suggested to her. Can we please basically like can we talk? We cannot talk about this right now. And one of the things that you just said right now when the gavl I did not want to be disrespectful to her cuz and that's why I I I kind of let her go for a little bit cuz I thought you know what

088she's going to catch on. She's been here for for three years. She She's not a new board member. She should know this. Apparently, she didn't. And apparently, she took offense when I tried to bring back and redirect the board meeting, which is my job as a board president. Anybody who sits here, if anybody starts going off topic, starts going off in a different way, we have to set the board back into direction. And at that moment when I had to sit there and ask her three times, I was not trying to be rude. I was trying to bring her back. And I think what really just, you know, broke just everything was at the end where she just stood up, badmouththed me, and stormed out. And I was like, whoa, what just happened? And I

089looked around and I was like, I that was uncalled for. We're adults here. One of our things that, you know, in our board meeting norms is, right, we disagree agreeably. She may not have agreed with me that the way that I stopped her, I I didn't know how else to stop her other than to hit the gravel and tell her stop. Stop talking. I I I didn't know how else not to be disrespectful, and I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. So with that being said, I I I I think it's important that training does happen, you know, to individuals who are not here on the president's um role prior to coming to be president on this dis because if you don't understand what the president there's so much going on as president, so much you're

090following this, you're doing this, you're doing this and and we as presidents when we sit here it's important that our board has our back and at that night I did not feel that board member Benvitas had my back on the other hand she did not know that behind story behind that agenda item that she want wanted to to pro you know to to bring forth if she would have had a conversation with me prior to the I could have we could have had a discussion. We could have said, you know what, let's go ahead, not this meeting, but maybe we can agendaize this next meeting. Absolutely. But because of the lack of communication, another thing that I wanted to bring up was that when we went to go speak at board at at superintendent's um

091uh office, she said that I blindsided her. You called me right before the meeting and you asked me to be president and you blindsided me. That's the role of a vice president when the president is asking. >> Is this a different topic? >> It it is. But yeah, >> but it happened the same day. But it happened the same day where in the heat of the moment she brings this up where I had no clue that she felt this way where she's telling me that I blindsided her because of the the impact of my job at times um does require that you know it's a life or death where now you know to your answer to the other questions I I've actually I I I work from home now on Tuesdays is to make sure

092that I am here and because it does become a problem if I'm in the office. So that that >> can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> Uh number one, have the two of you resolved this? Have you had a conversation about a calm conversation about the policy or the protocol? >> No. No, we haven't after that meeting. >> Okay. So then there's probably I'm making an assumption here. Forgive me if it's wrong, but there's probably still a little tension. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Which isn't a positive thing for a working environment? >> Absolutely not. My second question would be um has the um has the protocol been explained the Brown Act been explained of the the reason why did anybody explain to you why you couldn't make that statement or that request? First of

093all, I thought it was I thought it was resolved that night because we went into Superintendent Ortega's office to talk about it. She asked me to talk. So, I said no at first and then we went into then I said okay after we reconvened after close session and then we went back in there and we spoke about it and I thought it was resolved. I don't have any bad feelings about it. I know that um with respect to public you know to comment right to get something agendaized I had spoken to Mr. Ortega and he gave me the green light now if there is something where I should talk to the board president I believe there is right I thought that Mr. Ortega would be communicating that and I think from what I recall we

094spoke about that among all three of us in that meeting. So as far as I know this has been resolved. I don't harbor any feelings about it. I do I do want to point something out for clarification is that and I respect the board president whether it it's this board, city council, any board. Um but I also feel that as a board president or just as a board member, right, or a professional that um we have to make sure that how we react and how we talk to people, we have to look at our body language and we have to make sure because one of the things that happens is body language says a lot and I don't appreciate when I'm being told versus I'm requesting, can you please, you know, let's let's talk about

095this. That's not I I don't need a mother on this board. And I made that very clear that night. And I I just don't I'm here because I'm here to do a job. I'm here to honor the board policies. And the minute somebody what happened that day is when we started close session and I'm going to bring this up since we're you know full disclosure here when we had when we were >> be careful you can't close session I'm not disclosing information I'm disclosing body language I saw towards another board member and I thought it's this kind of thing stop right there don't you know I I'm I just thought we have a new board member and it really bothered me that when I saw that being displayed, I thought we need to respect each

096other and board member Ramos is new and it it just it it just it just bothered me that day. I don't know if you recall because that's not recorded, but I was like, "Wow." You know, just because of the body language there. And then we come back to our our board meeting in public session and I'm thinking I thought I had cleared it with Mr. Ortega. And so I was confused during the comment when when President um Ariana was making the comments about um stop right there. And I was looking at Mr. Ortega for direction and he had like that what do they call that? the dead the >> dear and sites during that >> and and if I'm wrong please correct me but you know I I was waiting for him because typically and

097most often people refer to Mr. Ortega for clarification. Right? So that's what I was doing and I didn't I wasn't getting anything in response. So it just kind of continued. I thought, okay, so what do I do here? But I was requesting it to be agendaized. Board member Gear is correct. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I want to make sure that we hear from everybody who wants to speak on this without like just hash rehashing this over and over again, but trying to find a resolution to move forward. So, board president really um you had another comment than trustee Rodriguez. >> Go ahead. No, I was just going to say shortly also that um again, I think the situation was out of control because the length of time, but I think that it was maybe

098misunderstanding. I'm not sure board president board um member Benvitas, you know, because it stopped when I said you're asking for a you that she goes, "Yeah, yeah, that's what I'm asking for." And I Okay, so remember I told her I said that to her. Um and that's when it stopped. So you're asking for and you she said, "Yes, that's what I I'm asking for." And and that's how we we cleared it, you know, because I maybe maybe I think maybe she wasn't sure how to ask it for for what, right? to be agenda. >> And I think it could have been a misunderstanding, right? He just got out of control. And I think because the the tone, and I'm talking about both of them, okay, I'm going to say this. The tone, the body language,

099>> I think that kind of got out of control >> on both sides. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and it just kind of just got like that, you know, because I just walked out. I just hear a marving, but I just like and and again, um we never had a situation like that before. And you we usually are very stuck with each other and so forth. And um I um not just surprised her because that was the only time really and I'm not sure. I know she she had um talked about Mr. Ortega. I'm not sure what their discussion was either. So I'm not sure if she understood what he wanted to say. I don't know. >> Okay. U board president. >> Yeah. I just just to ask for clarification. Um basically uh not once was

100I rude. if you go back in the video and when we went to close session, I just said, "Hey, would it be okay if we spoke after?" And her response was, "No, I don't have time. I'm leaving right after." Okay. You know, um I I said, "Okay." All I said is, "Okay." Okay. And if I put my hand, it was to say, "Okay." It it was not to shut you up. I just said, "Okay." I I really wanted to handle this in a situation where we are both adults and we're both respectfully speaking to each other. Um not once was I disrespectful. Okay. I don't know what you saw. I'm I I both >> I I was if you see when when she started when she got up at the end and she was like

101I'm not you know she started yelling at me. I stayed quiet. Not once did I respond to her. Not once did I say anything to her. I just said, "Okay." And she walked, she was yelling, walking across. Cabinet was here. Everybody was here. And I said, "Oh, sorry. One one absent board member was not here. >> Yes. Um but but just ju and it's not that I want to defend myself. I I take responsibility in what I've done and what I do. I I think I've proven that to the board. But the thing that I'm not okay with and I want to be able to to to say publicly right now is that, you know, um, when board member Benvidita said, "Well, I thought we hashed it out. I thought we it with the superintendent.

102I I I have asked her plenty of times, hey, I've text you, hey, you're my vice president. I I can I rely on you?" I can't rely on her. Meaning that at this me this year for myself has been a very very hard year not only in my career but in with my mother. I lost my mother. >> Yes I recall. many times. I did not mean to, you know, however you said that I was, you know, that I came to blindside you. Not once would I ever think about blindsiding any of my colleagues ever. If I ask for help last minute is because I'm drowning and I need help. I need help leading this board. And as vice president, I asked with full humility. And if you couldn't do it, it would be okay

103cuz guess what? We have a clerk. And if the clerk couldn't do it, guess what? We have somebody else. But that statement of me blindsiding you, I you know I we have no communication. The the the role of the president and the vice president is to have full com communication. Hey, you know what? Many times I tech you did not text me back. Hey, I'm going to be out. Hey, she superintendent, she's not responding. What do I do? It's been an hour. I'm in a crisis right here at work. I need help. And I I'm I I let her know, you know, the the thing is right here I think is so important is there's a lack of communication and trust. >> So then my question to both of you is how do you repair

104that? I know board rotations are coming up. um you still have to get through the November meeting and then the beginning of the December meeting as board president. You have to take that gavl um at the December meeting if you use a rotation process. You use a rotation process. Um so you're going to have to rely on her to tell you, hey, this is you. the two of you are going to have to work together for that December meeting and you should be working together for the November meeting so that you know what your role is and how to take that gavvel come December. Um, so how are the two of you going to get past this in order to be able to work effectively together for the next two meetings? I I would like

105a public apology since publicly she disrespected me in front of cabinet and in front of the board. >> That's a question you have to pose to her. I cannot make anyone apologize. >> I I would like a public apology. >> I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my apologies and I hope that makes you feel better. I'm sorry that apology was not accountable. The I'm sorry. Hold on. Let me finish. The fact that you yelled at me after the meeting and the fact that it you're not taking responsibility for that. I'm sorry. >> Are you finished? >> No. >> Okay. I did take responsibility that night with in the meeting with Mr. Ortega. I apologized that night as well. Now, I apologize again. I'm making it public here. >> What are you? >> I

106don't harbor any ill feelings about this. I thought we had moved on. Uh I I'm kind of at a loss here. So, that's how I feel. I don't I don't harbor any bad feelings. I thought we were working together. Um I already spoke to Mr. Ortega about taking the gavl. we met. Uh, now I didn't even know until now if there's a if Mr. Ortega would have told me, Sander, you need to speak with Gabby, then I would have done that sooner. If that's the case, if that's the policy and procedure, then I I don't have a problem doing that. As far as I know, I thought I apologized at night when we met after close session. Um, I I I'm just trying I'm at a loss here. I'm trying to figure out how to

107make it better. I I feel okay. >> Honestly, I think the two of you need to have a conversation offline. I really do. Um board president, you know, I've worked with this board for quite some time and that's always been my advice when the board has had any kind of conflict or turmoil that the best way to resolve it is to have a conversation just between the two individuals or three individuals or whoever was involved to resolve it. And that is the point where I think the two of you are at because understand you do have to work together for the next two meetings to make the transition and you need to be prepared for that and you need to be able to do so effectively and efficiently and you need to do that while

108respecting one another. So, the two of you need to sit down and have a conversation about how to move forward. If you're not comfortable having that conversation on the own on your own, I would suggest that you talk to Superintendent Ortega to maybe sit in on that conversation um while it happens. But it has to happen because remember um as we move forward like I said you guys have to transition. Um you have to make sure that everything flows well. You're going to need you know guidance on you know what's on the agenda be at the agenda building all of that. So the two of you are going to see each other a lot over these next two months. So it has to be addressed and then apologies have to be accepted and move forward.

109And I would say that on both sides. I don't know. I will now go back and watch the video so I can see it for myself. Not that it matters, but just to see it for myself. But from what I'm hearing from everyone, um it sounds like there was some misunderstandings and there was some um some work being done to prevent a Brown Act violation and that's important. So, and one of the other things just as a side note is that I would strongly encourage that you participate in one of the board president's workshops because it is a lot. I know that you filled in before. Um, but you're going to be doing it for a year. So, you need to have some work on, you know, these types of situations so you know what

110can and cannot be done. you want to make sure that you have a clear understanding of the role and not somebody just giving you a gavvel and saying okay leave the meeting. So I would strongly encourage training um as well. But for that did you still want to say something? >> Just real real quick I think like uh what board member Gri mentioned regarding like when is the right time. I think um just a suggestion to the superintendent to highlight because he does put it on there if there's any disagreement you know see me or see the board president so it's not boiling up for a whole year that's what it seems like you it's been a whole year and they thought you know board member Benvita thought it was taken care of and board

111member Ariana says in fail and you know what I'm saying so it would have cleared the air from this whole year and here we are today you know wasting I'm not wasting >> page page eight your board handbook. Page eight, item number three. How does a board member request that an item be agendaized on a board meeting? >> Board members should submit a request to the board president and or superintendent to be added to the next feasible board meeting. When can a board member request that something be on a future agenda? Board members may request that an issue be agendaized by making a request to the board president or superintendent prior to a board meeting and or at a board meeting. The item will be placed for discussion at a subsequent um board meeting and

112staff will prepare an appropriate background. >> And that's exactly what I was doing. Well, and then it's funny because number five says, "What should I do in the event of conflict among governance team members?" >> If at any time there is a concern, you should contact the board president andor superintendent to work on resolving the issue prior to the next board meeting. >> Right. See, so that I think that should have been done. I mean, this has been five months ago that this situation happened in May. So, so then my recommendation, this is your board handbook, your governance handbook. You need to do number five. >> And one of the things I did when after the meeting, I think it was the next day or I I don't recall, I got to look back at

113my text message, but I have a text message of that particular policy that board uh policy you just read and I sent it to Mr. Ortega. >> Okay. because it did say or during during a board uh during the meeting during the comment. >> Okay. Um I don't know if board president was okay. Trusty Gr >> I'm recognizing well it well it may not may not be done but but recognizing that we we we have spent a lot of time talking about like what what had happened and there's there's need for offline conversation whether it's the the two or the the three and uh I for I think it was Yolanda who said like from your pers again having not been there from my perspective I saw some intensity on both sides that that that

114seemed a bit um height heightened and and more so than it than it should have been and then on on from just what I saw and I wasn't here so so just from >> but but being here seeing standing up and so forth which you couldn't see from I'm just saying that so that's what I see >> sure >> so so it's a different view you heard what I seen I heard >> but what I'm and what I'm speaking is is from the perspective of outsiders who are looking in so being somebody who was on the outside looking looking in even without the other details I even saw like what I heard you say is being here you saw some intensity on both sides. And I'm simply saying having not been here and just looked

115at what was what was broadcasted, I saw some intensity on on both sides. Uh as as we though look to go forward here, here's I think there's there's two things that I that I that I see. One, um want to just reiterate based off of the policy that you just read or the board protocol that that that you just read. Just because someone comes and and says something from that from from the microphone, it does not mean that no that um once someone says something then no word can be spoken about that thing whatsoever in a meeting otherwise it's it's a violation. If there have been situations where people have come and complained, there's no air conditioner. There's no what's up with the AC's not not working and we've had a line of folks coming

116and saying things and we have said, "Superintendent, can we can we get an update and or can we add can we have a meeting or can we discuss or can we see what's going on with the air conditioners?" It would be inappropriate for us to weigh in on and and take action. That would be highly inappropriate. But to but to direct things in such a way where where it's an appeal or a request to to take things uh for for a future board meeting I whether it was in the past or into the future I see absolutely nothing nothing wrong with that where I think there is issue and this is the second piece is when the the person who's chairing the meeting is chairing the meeting and it and and there could have been

117some mis misunderstanding or miscommunication I would say that in that moment it's best to for for it's best to yield um to the to the board president un unless I mean I don't know something is happening that is so wildly egregious and I don't think that it it it was raised to that point maybe a bit intense but it wasn't raised to the point I I think that that an appropriate response would be to to yield and then to take take this up after the fact or or to bring clarity and so where I do think that there there was some things became became unnecessarily heightened was at the point when the board president asked for it to stop. I think that there was some might have been some misunderstanding of what was going on,

118but to then belabor that and kind of take take that out back and forth, it it it makes it larger than it needs to as opposed to saying I don't think you understand me or I think there's another side of this that you're not seeing, but I'm not going to hash this out right here publicly in front of everyone. So, I'm so I'm therefore going to going to yield and then and we need to have a a larger conversation about this in the future. Thank you and thank you for the perspective of somebody who wasn't present that watched and saw what was happening. That's much appreciated. Um, so to move forward, trustee, every time someone says something, if something triggers me, I'm sorry, but you know, but I think there's a difference. If you're telling

119me that you need to fix my air condition and someone's telling me that can you reconsider that we should do A, B, or C? We're taking we will take a vote maybe on the situation. That's the difference between fixing the Yes, sir. So, because I'm She's telling me to to vote on it. If if it comes to the agenda, we have to vote on it. She's telling me to to consider voting on it. That's different than fixing an air conditioner or emptying my trash can. I don't know. >> I go back to your governance handbook. Yes. Your governance handbook, page eight, numbers three and four. How to place an item on the agenda. >> Right. So we have to make sure this is a book that that this board worked on, you know, and came

120to agreements with and it needs to be followed. The protocols need to be followed. Uh board president and then if it's okay, um I think we should move on. But I do again recommend that the two of you have to have a conversation. And I'm going to one of the things that I left on your seat is this uh crucial conversations for leaders and teams. Um, I was sharing with uh Trusty Rodriguez Pena when I first got here that I was reading the book u crucial conversations and it has a lot of good information in there and I just took some of the things out of that book to share with with this governance team and I'll share it with others as well because I think that it could be beneficial for situations like this

121board president. you know, um being not being on this uh seat before where others have been president before and they have asked me to stop speaking. I've yelled. I've stopped. Why? Out of respect. I am not here bringing this up for, you know, as board member of Benas. I thought we hashed it. I just want to make sure this is not personal. This is make making sure that we understand protocol and that we understand when we are going to say hey the air conditioning hey can we take can we do a followup that's it hey it would be great if we could do a brand you know and and start going on and on is not acceptable I just want to make sure that we all understand that including myself that we here on the

122dis If we would like to bring an agenda item, we say board president, we would like to bring an agenda item in the future board meeting. Just like board member Rodriguez Pñena said, not say in words, I would encourage all my board, you know, all my colleagues to think about this and you know, and make sure that you guys are okay with it. You're swaying the board and that is what I'm not okay with. Not the person. This is not personal. This is about the behavior that was displayed. The fact that yes, we did talk about it. The fact that right now when I asked her to please take accountability, she did not say yes, I was rude to you. Yes, I did yell at you. Yes, I did. You know, that's okay. That's a

123conversation we probably need to have. A, you know, and I will watch the video again. I will commit myself to be able to watch the video and I will take responsibility for how I did not intervene right away. That's a lesson learned. You're right. As the board president, we need to make sure that we keep our board directed to the agenda and stop other board members and say, "Please stop speaking on that matter." And that the board member understands that we need to stop speaking on that matter. One other thing that I want to call to your attention is and as your board president that all of us well I know the three of you and have all been board president for the first time at some point in your tenure on this board. >>

124Yes. >> So there's going to be things that we don't know or we're not un we're unsure about. Do not hesitate to look at your superintendent for guidance or to say one moment please and say superintendent or tega is this um is this okay? Can we move forward with this? It's better to air on the side of caution and look at your superintendent for guidance than to make a mistake and possibly violate the Brown Act. Um as you're coming up on president, that's something to think about. And again, I also still encourage you to um to to receive training before hopefully before or shortly thereafter that happens. So, um Superintendent Ortega, I'm going to put you on the spot again as I left to do. Um would you um be willing to facilitate a conversation

125between the two of them? >> Um so there you have it. So I suggest the three of you get together. You have two big months coming up. Please keep this board moving forward in the direction that it has been. Keep this board moving forward and focused on student success and achievement. Resolve this and and let this go on. Move forward. Okay. Thank you. But I appreciate the conversation. I think that it needed to be said and you know that's what these workshops are for. So I do appreciate the conversation um that was had about this and the input from the trustees, the other trustees as well. And um my hope is that this can be easily um discussed respectfully and resolved quickly. Thank you. Okay. So, we're going to move through some of these a

126little bit faster than others just cuz I want to make sure that I get you out of here on your allotted time schedule. Um, and again, I though I do appreciate the conversation because this is the time and the place. So, again, thank you. So, um, number 16, we're not going to beat this one down. Board members demonstrate they understand other perspectives. Again, I would refer you to take a take a read of this because that's what this talks about because remember crucial conversations mean, you know, that we understand that opinions vary. We understand that emotions will run strong sometimes and that we understand that the stakes are high for the work that we do. There's a lot of kids out there depending on this board and depending on you to make decisions together as

127a team and get it right and work together as a team to keep the district running efficiently and effectively. So keep that in mind, please. Number 17. Board members usually discuss questions about agenda items with superintendent prior to board meeting. I'm just going to go to the superintendent on this. Is that happening? And are we good on that one? Because I think it was split. >> Yes. Every every time there's a board uh board meeting um I reach out to board members and they'll they'll call me with uh questions or clarifications or input u prior to the board meeting. >> Thank you. There's two of you who disag who um said often. Is there a question? Something you don't understand with the process because that one should have been a 50. You have a protocol

128about it. And the superintendent, I know that he calls people regularly before the board meetings to ask if there's questions um about the agenda. So, if you're not responding to him, please respond. If you have questions, the only way you can get them answered is to talk to him before the meeting. Any questions, comments, concerns? Okay. Number 18, the board governs within board adopted policies, bylaws, and protocols to manage board operations. Um, all of you should be reading your board bylaws, and that's why I gave you a copy of it. If you want to read more than just the 9000s which pertain to the board, that's the 9000s. Um, if you want to read more than that, you have Gamut. So, you can go on to Gamut and you can read all the board policies

129until your heart is content. But it's your responsibility as a trustee to understand at least the 9,000s and what the board protocols are and the board bylaws are. So, um, are there any questions, thoughts on this one? because there's no reason to say I didn't know because if you're unsure, always go to 9,000. And if you don't see it there, call your superintendent. 19. Board members receive timely information. You all agreed that you do that. Thank you, Superintendent Ortega. Board members receive adequate information. Um, four of you said almost always, one said often. Um, is there anybody who has a question about not receiving adequate information or feel you don't receive adequate information all the time? If you don't, remember again what Superintendent Ortega just said. He reaches out to you prior to board meetings.

130That's your time to ask questions. If you feel you don't have adequate information to be able to vote on an agenda item, you need to make sure that you schedule time to speak with him prior to the board meeting. Please don't run in the night of the board meeting and say, "Hey, can we talk about this that's on the agenda?" It's your responsibility to review the agenda once it comes out to look at it, see if you have any questions and then speak with the superintendent. I know sometimes, you know, life happens and you're like maybe only looking at it the day before or something, but still try to speak with the superintendent be prior to because on the night of the board meeting, he's just as busy as you, the board, are in preparing

131to be ready. And I know he still gives calls when he has time, but it's your job to be ready. All board members received the same information. That one is good. Everybody said that they do. Thank you, Superintendent. Uh, number 22, board members follow agreements about how to request clarifying or additional information about agenda items. I was super happy to see that everybody agreed on that. So, um, that's always a plus and that again reflects on the work of the superintendent and his cabinet. Uh, number 23, board members follow agreements on how to bring up new ideas and um, what is your your ideas? It says ideas and and this is one of those ones that I think needs to be changed. I think it needs to say agenda items instead of ideas. Um so

132it's kind of hard to understand exactly what they're talking about. I know that we've addressed a little bit about when you hear about something, some new program, some great thing, and you talk to the superintendent about it. And um is there anything else? Was it just a wording thing that maybe >> I think it's this is this and the next question. >> So what what number is this is >> that was 23. >> So I think yeah 23 and 24 and for that matter 31 are all around the same issue that we just spent the previous amount of time uh talking about and and don't want to necessarily continue. I I don't I don't feel as though there is there is clarity and agreement um on this. Doesn't mean we have to do it now,

133but I don't think there is clarity and agreement because um I think that there is a strong we we we view the how the the situation was brought up in in different ways. I I don't think that there was anything wrong. Other other board members think that there was something wrong with that. And so um I'm not sure what we I'm not sure how we how we address this. Well, um, on number 24, board members follow agreements on how concerns from the community will be handled. I will refer you in your governance handbook to page six, handling concerns. It's very clear protocol there. Board and superintendent are committed to having parents and or staff cons concerns handled at the lowest level in the organization where those involved in the issue can resolve the matter. So

134number one, if somebody has a problem at their school site, you refer them to the principal. >> Again, I don't I but I I think that those three issues are not about that. I know when I was answering that question, >> you read it. You took it. >> I'm reading it as recognizing that there had just recently been a situation where there was community input on a board meeting and there is not agreement on how on how that is handled. So So again, I I think that these three issues um what is it? 23, 24, and 31, I believe, are all still situated around that same same issue that we just >> And see, I read this one as more um like when you're out and about in the community, but uh thank you for

135that perspective because you see I'm taking notes, >> board president, and um I'm sorry, Trusty Ramos, I didn't see your hand first. >> No, no, that's fine. >> Okay. I I I just want to p piggy back off. I think 20 I think those 20 was it 23 24 and 31 are are definitely you know how we agree on uh agenda items to be brought up. Um I I really want to emphasize that there is nothing wrong with bringing up agenda items. We as board members have 20% of that. But how it is handled >> this one wasn't I'm sorry to interrupt. This one wasn't agenda items. This one was um just ideas or how to handle community concerns. >> So So to to to to that like again somebody comes up a community member

136comes up how we handle it right determines so much on how we as a board collectively can be collaboratively. Mhm. >> So, so in a sense where again I I want to again say there has been a year of work and I'm going to say to that particular comment of that individual there has been a year work on policies on things that we were bringing forth protocol where if board members speak to the superintendent and say hey you know what this is with we would like to has there any any work been done with this superintendent knows in this case myself I'm the one that brought it and I wasn't president I can't remember who was president where we handled a community concern which was this exact same thing and I suggested can we put

137it on the agenda item yes the board agreed we put on the agenda item we changed the wording of the policy so there's a protocol to all of this and I don't think that the our new board members including you know um board member Rodriguez uh I'm sorry Ramos and board member Brendas right had any idea that this was going behind closed doors so I guess and not behind closed doors because we as a board publicly modified the the board policy to to kind of tailor it to to what the asking of the community was. And so therefore, absolutely there is uh we need to agree on how to handle agenda items. We need to agree how concerns from the community will be handled. >> Again, this one is just focused on concerns from the

138community. We talked about the agenda item one as well. This one specifically says concerns from the community. >> But I and I hear you saying what the intent of this wording is. But I my sense is regardless of what the intent behind what was asked, if we're looking at the response, I imagine, please someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I imagine that people responded not with that intent and with the other intent. So if we were to now take on the original intent of the question that is that's almost maybe we could ask that question for the first time here but but I but I don't but I don't know that that was the that's not how the question was perceived and so when we're looking at the responses it's not it's not relevant

139to the >> original yeah but because there is when it comes to um handling concerns from the community there is that's why I referred you to the governance handbook on that one because on page six Um I um it says clearly handling concerns and it gives you three things that you're supposed to do for a community but so so I think it's kind of related to all this we're talking about whether it's an idea an agenda item etc. My my question is because I know that it says you address it with the superintendent or the board president, right? But as I'm thinking about that, if I mention something to Superintendent Arturo, um is the expectation that he's going to mention it to the president if something that I want to agenda, you know, put on

140the agenda for for a future meeting, right? So should it be both or because I know that it reads one or the other, right? But then how how is the board president going to be engaged in that? And so I I guess cuz that I think can also lead to a misunderstanding which it sounds like the situation that happened um had a little bit of that, right? So and for me personally, I mean I talked more to superintendent than to the president for whatever reason. There's no particular reason why. I mean, you know, but but >> I mean for me I I don't I don't mind who asked communicated with. But it's I think that can also lead to again this misunderstanding that that we're all talking about. >> The way that it's worded in

141your uh governance handbook, it looks like you can um talk to the superintendent or the board president, >> right? >> So, you're fine with talking to superintendent or tega about future agenda items. >> No, no, I I understand that. But my point is I can see how it can lead to the situation that happened, right? Because as board board member Venevas mentioned that she had discussed whatever. >> Oh, I see what you're saying. >> Right. So, I mean, I don't know if there's any more clarification on that if that can be changed or to avoid something like that, but anyways, I was just kind of thinking about that. So then we need to make sure that the superintendent and the board president are communicating um about it and that the understanding of what's being requested

142to put on the board um agenda future agenda is clear between the two of them first of all so that they can make sure that they okay trustee Ramos called me and said he's wants to have blah blah blah on the agenda on the agenda item then superintendent and board president should be discussing that um between the two of them so it doesn't just show up and it's like well why is this here oh yeah trustee Ramos said call me >> I mean I just think it would it would help the situation I don't want to create more work for you know if I tell him and he has to go tell her or vice versa right but I think it'll >> yes but tell her tell him or her whoever's in the board president's

143seat anyway >> so I think that whatever way is um easy the other thing you can do is you can always even if you verbally tell the superintendent attendant, you can always still send an email to the superintendent and CC the board president. You're okay to do that and just say, "Hey, from earlier conversation, um just a reminder, this is something I I want to talk to talk about, you know, putting on the agenda." And that way there's a paper trail as well, >> you cover your bases, >> for president. >> Yes. One of the things that the superintendent unofficially said that night was, and correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sorry board president, I should have told you. And you know, it's an honest m mistake. Um he's like I did not know she

144was gonna continue to to speak about it that she you know it was just and so one of the things that I think it's important for all of us at this moment right now since we're publicly and openly speaking about this is that we would if with the agreeance of all my colleagues that it would be appropriate for um our superintendent if someone wants to agendaize something to speak to the president about it um prior um because it's going to be on the agenda and the president and the superintendent are the ones who go over the agenda before it is publicized. >> Well, keep in mind that there may be something that comes up at the board meeting that then somebody says, "Hey, I would like to see us discuss this on the agenda." So

145everybody still has their right during public during their board comments to request that something be put on the agenda at the meeting or to in advance or you know outside of the meeting to communicate that with the board president andor superintendent. >> That's what I'm I'm I'm I'm referring to. Not not here. Of course here we we have public comment and we have that that um that freedom to go ahead and do that as board members. But I'm saying if the board um if a board member contacts the superintendent, if we could have the superintendent communicate with whoever is here on the das as president so they are also not blindsided. Um >> yeah, so that's not an issue, right? Or I mean for you to be able to do that. >> So I'm sorry.

146I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've been having my hand. >> I'm sorry. I didn't I didn't see your little hand. higher. >> There she is again. Okay. So, so what I want to say, I'm not sure if you're on 23 or you're on 24, but on 23 um agenda items, we have a protocol. And again, superintendent does post that. >> Number 23, >> he does post that. >> Number 23 doesn't say agenda items. It says I know I know what you said. Yeah, >> I keep forgetting. So, um that being said, there is a protocol already set. The superintendent does ask us when under our board um on on our weekly board packet, you know, he puts u protocols what we we need more. I don't know. We all read them and I'm I'm going

147to say this. I haven't told the superintendent I don't think they the board members read them. I I may be wrong because sometimes they're asking the same questions that he just wrote. I I hear that. And uh the same thing with the community, it says right there in black and white, >> right? >> You need to contact and and that's exactly what we do. And um on the agenda items, if Mr. Ram board member Ramos goes to superintendent and I am sure when you I was board president before when you go over the agenda, I'm sure he's going to tell whoever the president is, you know, board member Ramos has asked for this to be placed on the agenda, you know. So the vice president is gonna know because you're setting the agenda, >> Right.

148Exactly. Yeah. But I think that this was this I think that this and superintendent feel free to jump in. I think that this was an offline conversation that took place >> um pri right prior to the board me meeting. I'm not sure how far in advance uh but prior to the board meeting an offline conversation about hey you know I I I'm hearing this in the community and I want to bring this up and you know if somebody's asking to put something on the agenda and I'm the superintendent I'm going to take the request but if it's the night of a board meeting or the day before board meeting I'm also going to tell them you also have the right to you know during your public comments put it on mayor and feel free to

149jump in at any point. >> Sure. Um I think the distinction here is and again uh I will beg Vice President Benabius to make sure we're on the same page on this. The request was not Aruro, can you please put this on the agenda? That was not the request. The request was Aruro, how do I request this to be on the board agenda? And just like our protocols that were read right now by by um Miss Miss Angelina Pride, I said there's a section that's called board member comments, reports, and request. And at that time, you can request that this item be placed on an agenda item. So the request to me was not can you please put this on on the agenda. The request was how do I ask or request for this to

150be on on the agenda? And so I I I I I said per this one way you can do this is during your board member comments reports and request you can request an agenda item be placed uh on the agenda and then it would be up to the president at that point in time to react or say whatever the board president wants to do. But that would be her that's up to her at that point in time. >> So we're clear. Trustee Gre. Well, yeah. And so that and that I think is the crux of of where where some of this happened because the I will say for example I am I am oftentimes impressed uh board member Rodriguez Fia by your level of preparation when it comes to the your your comments that you

151make every every uh board meeting. Really you you you take the time to to think it out to write it write it out and have your you've already pre thought out and determined and word for word like and so I'm I'm impressed. Uh, with that being said, if you if you Right. Right. If you took the time if you took the time to do that to write out a request that you had already determined that you wanted to make and let's let's imagine that you weren't because we you are the the the the veteran expert that you are. But let's imagine for a moment you weren't. And so because of that in the midst of confusion, you were to reach out to board member uh to superintendent Tega on on just hey clarity. If I

152were to wanting to request, can I do it this way? if he were to confirm and say yes, you can make that request through that through that way. If you had already predetermined to make that request on a particular issue and then if it just so happened that the person who uh came to make a comment that day, just because that person came and made a comment doesn't mean that you can now not make a request. It's it wouldn't be the case that just because this person showed up, if you had already predetermined to to make a particular request, you wouldn't need to say, "Well, now because this person spoke on something, I'm now I now need to cross this item off because otherwise it's a violation of the of the Brown Act." Now, maybe

153you would say, "Let me wait and not ask because I don't want it to appear as though I'm responding to this person." And that could be discretion and wisdom. But just because you are saying something that someone else said doesn't necessarily mean that there was some plan or or or coordination. That was how I perceived this the situation was that there was count and there and uh Mr. P you even said during the thing at some point you can look to the superintendent and it was a while ago that I watched but I do believe at some point in the meeting um board member Benvitz did say Mr. Ortega can you please help and clarify here and and then you said yes you can make you know make make a request. So that's where I'm

154saying I think that there was some where there was confusion is I perce as an outsider I perceived a board member requesting that an item be um placed on a future agenda and there and there is no problem with doing that um at a that not only is there no problem with doing that that is the appropriate place and the appropriate one of there are there are a few appropriate places and and and channels and so for you what I would be nervous about with agreeing and using this as president to the position that puts you in is then as soon as someone asks you a question about how do I hypothetically add something is there now pressure on you that to say to whoever's in the board presidency hey I think that board member

155Rodriguez Pñena might be thinking about adding a particular item and then she does or doesn't we have the ability uh when she made a request where it's the board president or the uh superintendent that happened during during the meeting in real time where both it was an and where both were were were formally asked about adding something to to the agenda >> for for clarification for what you're saying. You're saying that if they ask it ask bring up something during public comments, then when you do board comments, you can request that it's on the agenda. >> What I'm what I'm saying is if I came in today and I wanted to I wanted to discuss uh what are we doing with surplus with with um uh bond funds. If I have already predetermined coming in

156that I want to make a request about bond funds and then someone else not no court if someone else comes up and decides to make a comment and says >> I think that there I'm I'm curious what's going on with in the in our community and why are our schools not this or that >> it I I if if now moving forward I am already predetermined that I'm going to make a board request about bond funds that I'm not responding to this person >> but you're still going to follow protocol and do it at the appropriate time >> which is during board meeting comments and requests dur in in public meeting. >> It says here during your >> Where was it? I just read it to you guys. >> Questions, comments, and requests. >> Yeah.

157I said a board member should approvise and board members should request something beyond future request by making request to board president or at the board meeting. Actually, it's not specific. The item will be placed for discussion at the subsequent board. It just says board members I thought it said during public during the board comments, but it says board members may request that an issue be agendaized by making a request to the board president or superintendent prior to a board meeting and or at a board meeting. It does not say during public com um during board comments. >> I think everyone interprets it. >> Yeah. That it should be done during board comments. That's what I just want to make sure is that it's done during board comments. I think we need to add that into

158here >> and that's what happened at the meeting. >> Yes, I agree with you. Yes, absolutely. Trustee Rder. >> Yes. I'm trying to defend myself against board member Greer. Um what I would like to say is very true. I mean yes you do. Um that is a time I think it was for board member Benabutus was the way she asked. She didn't say I would like to place it. You can see the video on the board agenda AB or C. She said I'd like you to consider or reconsider board that we should A B or C. you know, so she's asking not to agendaize it. She didn't ever say use the word agenda in the conversation. >> So, it was more like >> Yeah, I kind of like to tell me telling me, right? And

159then I kind of said, I think what you're asking and then I said, you know, um, you want to and then she said, yeah, that that's what I'm asking. Okay. So, we cleared it. But I think it was just the way it was again. And and you know, I mean, we're all learning. I mean, I'm not That's what I was getting ready to say. >> I I am a veteran. True. But I was new once and I'm sure I probably did the same thing. I sat my first meeting like >> what am I doing here? I I don't know what about you learn as you go on. It's it's not >> right >> a bad thing. >> So, we've talked about this a lot. So, you understand the protocol now for putting something on the

160agenda. And I know that you did talk to Superintendent Ortega in advance of the meeting, which is one of the ways to put something on the agenda. He told you to bring it up and then some like Trusty Gre said somebody happened to come in and talk about it so you brought it up. So we're all understanding that it that you can only place something on the board request that something be placed on a future agenda during your board comments. We're clear on that. >> Yeah. I want to make sure we're clear because I want I don't want anybody to leave this meeting and then come back next month and try to put something on on the agenda. So is there but is you say there's not clarity. >> I I'll I'll wait. There's another

161>> Okay. Yeah. I I think there is clarity that we can go to the board uh to the board president or the superintendent prior to a board meeting. Right. I think there's clarity that we hear during our board comments can actually say superintendent I would like to request the such and such to be agendaized >> absolutely >> but but there's a but you know what so and so saying you know so and so saying is absolutely true number one we're addressing the commenter >> right you can't do that >> you cannot do that >> right Second, I would like to encourage all my colleagues, >> you can't do that. >> You cannot do that. >> But that's not a request to put something on the board. That's that's just saying, "Hey, everybody." >> Correct. And

162that's a violation of the Brown Act. I don't think that we're negating that any one of us >> can ask and request some, you know, to put something on the agenda. Absolutely. >> Absolutely doable. Right. I think we're all in agreeance in that. Correct. and we now know how to it's the it's the little things where we add more to it and more to it and more to it that it becomes a problem. >> So in line with this conversation, can I take us to number 25 where the board agrees on the role of the board president and managing the board meetings? >> Oh prior to get this one based on the prior one, this one should be blue. >> Okay. And again, my apologies. I know I keep saying it, but we had to

163do this one by hand. So, um, so your board bylaw 9121 outlines the responsibilities for the board president. Um, and again, and I'm not saying this just because I'm a representative of CSBA, but anybody who's sitting in that board seat for the very that board president seat for the very first time, you strongly are incly encouraged to take training prior to >> it. Is not just as easy as it seems when you're watching somebody else do it. And maybe even then it doesn't seem easy, but you'll hear other people bring up questions, comments, things that will help it help you and guide you. Um, for the when it's your turn to sit in that seat. So to the two new trustees who have never sat in that seat, I would recommend that you take board

164president training and don't just assume that, hey, I got this. Um, your superintendent will definitely be there to guide you. your seasoned trustees will be there to support you, but it's also very good to have hear the whole spill and the whole perspective and to learn the ins and outs and how to handle certain situations. So, again, strongly encouraged. >> I I have a question on that. Um Yes, ma'am. >> Are the board president workshops ju uh just at CSBA? No, we Well, that's the first one. Um because that's usually when most board pro um boards are transitioning. So, we do one definitely then. I don't I haven't looked at the schedule yet in a while, but you might want to pull it up while we're talking about the other things, but they usually do

165try to do one in January as well. Um, I know they try to do one or two dependent upon interest after AEC. So, M A, you know, is our annual education conference. I'm just assuming everybody knows what that means. So, it's the CSBA annual education conference. That's when they have it. That one is just I like that one a lot just because there's so many people from up and down the state that are in that one where you get to hear a lot of insight about things that could happen and you know situations. So >> are they doing one in Sacramento in December? >> Is that there's one at AC but I don't know if it's sold out or not. >> February 4. >> Okay. So, if you missed that, if you can't get into

166that one in Sacramento, then February 4th would be the next one. But by then, you've already had to chair two meetings, and I just encourage you to get it as quickly as possible. So, okay. Can we move on? >> Yes. >> Trusty Ramos, you're becoming one of my favorite. Okay. Um, well, this page is looking pretty good, so this one should go pretty fast. Um, board members come to meetings prepared. Do you agree that all of you are prepared when you arrive at the board meeting? Is there anyone who feels like one of their colleagues or themselves is not prepared when they come to the board meeting? >> I I may have been the the less often. See, the only because I just make that last comment because sometimes I'll hear some of my colleagues

167ask a question that's already I've seen or I've read. So, I'm not sure. I mean, maybe they didn't read it or you did they read it? Did they have time to read it? So, I may have wrote that um thinking that what I just mentioned that I I I hear a a lot people asking the same thing that's already here, >> right? That's already been >> been uh Yes. So I do and I'm like didn't didn't they just read that? I thought he put that on there, you know, and I I do hear that >> quite often. >> Yeah. And that would that would be a red flag. But also remember there's people like me who are old and then we may for have forgotten. >> So you may want to give a little bit

168of grace. >> I get it. and board president. >> Um I I would like to also say perhaps sometimes not that the board member is not prepared. Um maybe perhaps the board member wants the community to know, you know, u and that's why they ask the question that >> that's encouraged. Absolutely. And thank you for bringing that up that we're board members are encouraged to ask questions so that the public hears it whether you've asked the question in advance or not. There were still things that I always asked at the meeting so the public could hear that response as well. Yes. >> But you know when I'm going to ask a question I tell I I I speak to superintendent so he is prepared or if this goes to our CBO or curriculum. So you

169know I don't say I don't know or let me look into it. So I do let him know I'm going to ask about this or I'm going to pull this >> so he knows prior and they were also prepared. You know it's not none of these surprise. No surprise. >> And that's what I always tell people, a surprise. And there's still questions that come up that you didn't think to ask in advance. That's But if you know you're going to ask something in advance, it's nice to give the superintendent a heads up because if somebody in the community asked you that question and you only get the answer and you don't see them for another three months, they don't get that answer to that question. But if you ask it here in the meeting, they

170have the opportunity to go back and look at the video if they're not watching at that time. Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Number 28 should be green. Um the board effectively uses data in its decision making process. I know that the superintendent and staff do provide the board with a lot of data um when things come on up on the agenda that you will be having to take a vote on. Are you satisfied with that? Or two of you said often. Is there a a need for additional data that you can think of off the top of your head? Or is it that sometimes you just realize you needed a little more information? You can think about it and if there is, I encourage you just ask the superintendent. The board confines its meetings to a

171reasonable length of time. Everybody says yes. That means your meetings have been ending in a timely manner. >> Okay, now I'm taking this personal. >> Matter of fact, I'd like to have a discussion with you after the meeting. >> Okay. So, that's good though because I remember when your meetings used to go really really long. Yes. So, I'm glad to see that. Uh there's a good relationship between how long the board spends on an agenda item and the importance of the item. >> Um so you guys talk about the items. Um does the board president remember it's the board president's duty to um manage the time spent on an item? When you see something like >> you know keep going on and on and on there's a time where you have to say okay you

172know let's let's move on. um you know, superintendent will get back to us on blah blah blah or whatever and move on. So, sometimes you do have to do that. You want to be respectful and let everybody's voice be heard, but to keep, you know, going rehashing the same thing um in a board meeting is not cool. Um the board effectively manages community input at board meetings. Uh, page seven, number nine in your handbook addresses this. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay, thank you. So, page um page seven, number nine. In the event of agenda item that draws a large number of attendees, the board president may at their discretion call for a fiveminute recess to allow attendees to exit before the board of education proceeds with regular business and staff will assist in clearing of

173the room. Um, so this one I remember when we did the handbook, this was put on just because there was concern about when people a large number of people come out for board comments. um and making sure that the space was managed and that the board could quickly resume their regular meeting after taking extra board comments. So sometimes that happened and they didn't want to um have to delay the start of the regular meeting. So remember the board can also limit the number of of public comments or limit the number amount of time on an issue or limit the amount of time if you have an overwhelming amount. So, the board plans for development of training. That should be green because you guys always do that. The board effectively orientates new members. Trustee Ramos and

174um trust and vice president Benvitas. Um orientation for new trustees. We had a 5. So, you guys felt like you had a good information. Superintendent staff, you met with them. Good process. Thank you. the board reviews its governing governance agreements regularly. You guys do this um regularly. That's usually when I'm here. So, um we we're good on you guys are good on that one where you take the time to review policies and procedures. >> 36. The board provides opportunity for community input when developing. Again, you guys have one of the best processes ever. I'm going to keep saying that. So you guys knocked that one out of the ballpark and I know somebody put not sure because they probably weren't aware of the process and that's fine. But yeah, they knocked it out of the

175ballpark. Yeah, that was awesome. Um, you guys adopt long range priorities. How do you feel about that? The board looking at the priorities for the future. I know it's a 41. you guys feel like you're doing a good job with staying ahead of the game and making sure that you have foresight of things that need to be addressed and concerns. >> And if I'm going too fast, please slow me down. I know Trusty Ramos, >> you want you to hurry. >> Um, number 39. Uh, that's a green, right? 39 should be green. The board adopts clear and measurable indicators to assess district performance. This one kind of connects to the superintendent evaluation process because your success indicators are given by the superintendent um to or proof of your success indicators is provided by the superintendent

176when you determine the superintendent's goals that you're going to evaluate him on. You make a decision like what is it? What does success look like? Because you're not just going to be arbitrary. So if one of the goals is that intend attendance that you know this school is going to increase you don't just say it's going to increase. You say it's going to increase by this percent or that percent. Because otherwise it's arbitrary when you evaluate the superintendent on did we meet that or not. So you want to use success indicators anytime you make goals to say this is what we're striving for. So you know how you did not just the superintendent's performance but also the support from the board. Any questions, comments on that one? The board adopts fiscally responsible budget aligned to

177district visions and goals. So you guys um have a strong budget. Everybody agrees that you're good. Any questions, comments on that one? The board regularly monitors the district's um health monitors the district's health of the district. See, there we go. There's I saw another one that we need to fix. Um, so you monitor the fiscal health of your district and overall health of your district and that one was 50. The board has an effective process to review, revised, and adopt policies. Um, you know that this takes place at the board meetings and usually depending on the policy, if it's new, you'll get what, two readings of it or do you guys do one? >> Uh, first reading and an adoption. So, you do have a policy and that's um in your handbook as well. The

178board establishes priorities for the district's collective bargaining process. um you know that when you go through um bargaining that the board does play a role um because you will have to talk to the superintendent and probably assistance soups during close session to discuss how the process is going, what you're offering, um all of that. You'll hear about the counter offers. You'll hear all those good things. So that's your role in the bargaining. And if you've gone through the masters in governance, you know that you that's your role when it comes to bargaining. And it's the superintendent's job to make sure, bless you, that you're always informed. The board demonstrates commitment to district priorities and goals. And there's 50 there. So, um, I guess the wording on that one was clear and that you guys do

179agree that you demonstrate a commitment to the priorities and goals. And that's also in here in your handbook. The board demonstrates support for the superintendent in carrying out board directives. Do you guys support your superintendent most of the time? So the board is represented at represented at key district events. I know that um not everybody can be everywhere like we've discussed today. There's times when people have to work or have to travel for work or their kids have an event and it's hard to be everywhere. But I do know um in the past that this has been a board that's really been, you know, out there at the school sites and in the community at events in support of the district and the students um and the staff. And is that continuing? Do you guys

180feel like you're still doing a good job with getting out there when you can? And I know that there's times when you can't. You know, when I was a trustee, summertime was awful for me because that's when I was super duper busy at work. And so I might not make it to but maybe one thing per month. So, and people will understand that, but they do like to see the board members out there and about. Uh let's see here. You guys have uh let's see the board. Do you I know you guys celebrate your your staff. I've seen you do it um when I've come to regular board meetings way at the early time. So I know that you do that. You monitor progress towards district goals based upon established success indicators. This one is

181kind of redundant of the other one. So I'm writing myself a note here. when you say it out loud, you you catch these things versus when you just read it. Um, but you guys were four in one as you were. It's green and you were green on the other one. The board monitors progress towards district goals based on um s Oh, you know what? I must have copied and pasted something wrong when I was taking them off of that tool and put it there. My apologies. The board monitors the implementation of the adopted budget and you guys do that through your board meetings when you get your reports. um when when your assistant um soup of uh or your CBO gives reports and updates when you approve your uh interim budget when you've approved your

182regular budget all those times that's when you're doing that the board policies um the monitoring board policies remember you have gamut so anytime that you want to look at a board policy there's there are there and Anytime board policies change, um whether it's something local in your district that changes or something from the state, from the chancellor's office that changes, it goes to your your um superintendent and then he makes sure that that feeds through you guys and that it's um updated as it should be. Gamut will update it automatically. The board evaluates the performance of the board. Check. You're doing that right now. The board evaluates the performance of the superintendent and that's a 50 which means that you have a good process in place. Is everyone happy with the process that's in place

183for the superintendent evaluation? Trustee Rodriguez. Um I wanted to bring up regarding um you know I know the superintendent Artega when I was a board president and I asked him you know how is the process and he showed me four different presidents how they all did it different >> you know some verbal some one sentence >> four presidents in your district >> in my here this district >> oh okay and some 10 page right it's different and and Um I board member Greer and board member RS when we did evaluation you do it like really quick on the on on the iPad and I'm sure I think it's an iPad but anyways um I would like to it to be generic like every president do it the same way. I don't know. Um because everyone

184just does it different and I I don't know why. I mean I don't know >> you guys use a do you use a tool the same tool for your superintendent evaluation or >> I think to add a little bit more clarity I think the process is the same but I think board clerk is talking about the the written final evaluation. >> So so not the process itself. the process I think is >> the same for everybody but at the end when the when the superintendent receives >> their final written evaluation that's where everybody has done that a different way. >> Do you have a suggestion? >> Well well yes I would like to do it. Um I'm not sure where I received the the copy that we did when I was president. Um I don't

185know where it came from but he gave me some examples in like following I'm not sure if it was board member Gers when he did I I don't even remember right but I like the way that was done you know we you know we wrote um just like you know how's he doing superintendent do and and you write the board meets together no everyone sends an email to the board president and here or she writes it up and then what this is what I did and I brought it to the board you know this this you know this is what I wrote this is and they may say I agree or I disagree and then we changed it or added to it remember board members were similar to that right and then he um did

186his miracle I don't know then he just whipped something up he can probably tell you but I I would like it that way because the process is more more understanding and I feel that um it's disrespectful we just write one sentence oh he's doing great superintendent works very hard >> right >> you He really does. And I think just to just give him one sentence or one page, you know, he takes a long time showing us what he's doing, his go the goals we give him, right? And then he puts in red, I did A, B, or C. I think in respectful of any superintendent that we should have a process, a process similar to what we did uh board member Gre um that that's my recommendation. I I don't know what but what go

187would maybe tell you more because he knows. >> So keep in mind that when it comes to the superintendent evaluation, it's a two-way street. So both the board and the superintendent have to agree on the process. They have to both agree on any tool that is used as well. Um so that is something that um you all should discuss. So let's see, we only got about 20 minutes. Um, just really really quickly, one of the easiest ways that I found for superintendent evaluations because we I do those a lot for some of the districts to assist the board is that when the superintendent gives his um report, his self-ealuation to all the board members. If there's a tool that you use and you use that same tool, evaluation tool every time, then like you said,

188each member gets that tool sent to them. they rank, they write their comments in. Then, like you said, they should all go to the board president. What I suggest is that you just copy and paste everybody's comments onto the tool. you put like if if it's a tool that says you know exceeded met or whatever you just put three people said he exceeded two people said he met you know and then when you come together everybody knows without names on it >> that all of these were the comments that were put under that three people said that he exceeded two people said we met let's talk about this so um let's come up with an answer did he exceed or did he met because it should be one voice yes >> you do not want

189to give a superend which I was horrified to see recently um where the board gave the superintendent like four different scores and it's like okay which one am I? >> Yeah. No, this is more >> you would put, you know, the board would agree, okay, the superintendent exceeded this. After some discussion, they put he exceeded and then you go through the comments and some of them are going to be very similar, but then you together during that time is just come up with a voice that says, "Okay, this is what we want to say about what you did here." And you guys just somebody words smmiths it and you guys come up with one voice. Okay, we all like that. Yeah, that kind of includes what everybody said. Now to the next question, the next

190one. and you do it like that, that makes it much easier. It's more clear for the superintendent on where everybody stands and how they feel. Um, and like you said, it's not just being, oh, he's great. He's a good job. He's getting some more feedback because they do spend a lot of time on doing the putting all the information together to show you that they've met the goal or to say, "Hey, we need more time for this goal." Whatever it is. If you guys want some tools, I have plenty. I'm sure you have plenty, too. But if you shoot me an email, I can email you like three or four different tools to show you that you guys could use. But your process is good. Um, it's just I think that you should just have

191everybody ranked and put all the comments and then just come together and have a discussion and then if everybody does their job and reviews everything in advance, it shouldn't take you that long >> to come to the I'm not the board president, you know, but um >> No, I'm just Yeah, you brought it up. Sorry. I hit you. I'm sorry. >> If you know if if you do we all agree. I mean I I'm just talking but I maybe some people don't agree with me. You know I don't know. I don't want to be the only person just you know. >> And the superintendent gets to say so too. He may like the current process. >> Actually, but the board president can speak. I don't want to speak for her. >> No, I I would

192agree. U board member Rodriguez Pñena. I think that um being able to have a protocol and sequence and to be able for especially for somebody who's going to be you know coming into a role of president and um it it not only is this this position intimidating but then having to write uh you know a board uh superintendent evaluation is like whoa now I'm up against having to do you know this final you know and it it's it's it's time consuming so I I would agree, you know, as a board if we can um if you can please email me, >> shoot me an email and remind me. >> Yes, I will I'll definitely do that. So that way we can maybe adopt something um for this next year as we will definitely be re-evaluating

193our our superintendent. >> And remember again, he has input too. So if he doesn't like the process, he doesn't like the tool, he has the right to say, "No, I don't like that one. I like this one better because I think it'll give me a better indication of how I'm how I'm doing. So, either one of you want to shoot me an email and remind >> the one um if you want to shoot me an email right now, just tell me to send it then I'll I'll forward them to you in the morning. >> Okay. Uh the board uses cohesive messages to communicate district priorities, goals, and needs. Do you guys feel like you get the messages of what's going on in the district and with the board out to the community? >> Very well.

194>> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> Okay. And the board provides community leadership on educational issues. That was a 50. See, Trusty Ramos, I'm about to make you very happy because all the next ones were five and 0. >> The board pursues partnerships to support district efforts. Remember, partnerships are great, but don't commit to anything. Um, just if you hear about something, let the superintendent know and you guys can talk about it and then if he thinks it's something that's beneficial to the board, then you guys will agendaize it and have a discussion about it or maybe get a presentation and make a determination if it's a good fit for your district. um advocates on behalf of student and public education at local, state, and federal federal levels. I know that you guys do that because I

195know I've seen Trusty Rodriguez PA at events um advocating and I'm sure that a lot of you advocate locally as well. Um so remember advoc advocacy doesn't always have to take place in Sacramento. It can take place down here as well. And the board informs the community on district priorities, progress, needs, and opportunities for involvement. And um do you guys make sure that you ask the community to come and get involved and encourage them to come to, you know, hear about things that you're going to discuss at meetings? >> Yes. Real quick, I'll say it real fast. >> Trusty. [Laughter] No, I'm just >> No, because the superintendent does meet with the uh city manager, our city manager um monthly and he does discuss what we're doing here at Z Unified and vice versa. But

196we also have a 2 by two meeting with the board president and um myself and the city manager and the mayor and the superintendent and we also discuss situations that we um can work together on or we need help on. uh because you know after all our our children are in the city and their boundaries and vice versa, right? So we have a really good relationship with our um and you have a good partnership also with Citrus College. >> Yes, we do. APU. >> Yeah, you guys have two big, you know, two big colleges right here, community and university. So you guys have a lot of great partnerships for sure. So, >> is there anything we have a few minutes um is there anything that you feel was not covered from the survey that you

197this is your time and place to bring it up? >> You can go first and then I'll go last. Um, no. The the only the only thing I I would add is in regards to uh superintendent evaluation just that the protocol that we've had is to have the the president and the vice president work on that to together. And so I know when we were talking about it, we we were just saying the president, but historically it's been the board president and the vice president. And I think that's helpful because it is a lot of work for one for one person. So it has it has been helpful when there's a partnership for the for both people sitting in that in those two seats. >> Sure. >> Absolutely. [Music] >> I just want to add

198one thing, you know. Um, I spoke about it at our last board meeting on our resolutions. I'm not sure if this is a place but you know our resolutions are always put into the consent calendar and I would like them to be I'm not sure where but out of the consent calendar because those are usually acknowledging a certain holiday acknowledging a certain person and when you just vote on it no one knows you know like we had administration day and we want to be able you know to thank them for their hard work and dedication and so forth or um indigenous day you know we want to thank the indigenous community and um it's it's in the consent calendar and I I don't know I thought we used to read them out before the resolutions

199but we're not reading them out any longer and I I don't know how we can get it out or and my colleagues agree also it's not just this is how I feel not sure if there's a particular reason I know that that's the way the county does them u But I don't see any reason why not to not have them in consent. Um and and then I would I would just say I think there are resolutions that make sense that are in the like the resolution for the signatures or something like that like that doesn't like that to me makes sense that would be in consent right but something like you're saying use the word celebratory or to honor to acknowledge so forth >> I don't see any objection or any reason why not to

200>> no I think I think it's great only thing I when you brought it up I I I thought it was a great idea and I'm glad that you pulled it. I would say oftentimes the there's a lot of really long whereas whereas whereas language that maybe doesn't always make the most sense to just kind of read it out verbatim. But I hear but but if but if we were to at least take a moment to say here is a resolution and it and this resolution is serving this purpose and then allowing the the board if they so choose to speak on it. I think that could be helpful. >> That's fine too. I think cuz you're still acknowledging. >> Yeah, that's true. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. We could have it at the the beginning.

201>> Yeah, that that that would be great. >> At the beginning of the board meeting. >> Absolutely. I I just wanted to to to recognize uh we we have a um um not a comment but somebody >> Yeah. >> suggest >> um somebody gave us a could you please >> that that um at our last board meeting >> uh we had public comment and he left uh that for us to so the board and so we're passing that out to you. >> Okay. All right. So this is Mr. Dr. Ron Trestle, special education teacher, and he's uh speaking on um basically the vaccines and um Tylenol. And so, thank you for for giving this to us. >> Last thing that I will say to you um is um first of all, thank you again for

202taking the the um board self-evaluation. I know we had some challenges with people being able to get it done so that we could have the nice pretty one this year. So, thank you for being patient with the one that I had to try to put together with one of our staff members. Um, but I still appreciate that everyone did get the information so that we were able to have this this time together to have these discussions that you can't normally have during a regular board meeting or don't want to have during a regular board meeting. So, I appreciate that. I appreciate all of you being present. Um, I know that it is not always easy. So, thank you for that. And I appreciate that there was some really good green conversations. Um, they were hard,

203they were long, but they they were aired out. And and my hope is that moving forward that if there's a conflict that you resolve it right away. Don't let it continue. Just um we said I've said this before that you talk to people. That's the clearest way to do it. Please look at the sheet that I gave you just for some some tips on how to have those conversations. Um they're not always easy. Feel free to um have the superintendent sit in on them if you'd like. So call like kind of a mediator there. They can help you with that. um as you move forward again um just stay remember some of the areas that we've had this long discussions about with um that from the board self-evaluation and just stay focused on those items

204as you move forward for this next year and if you always if you have any questions or concerns you know that you can always email me at any time and I'm more than happy to answer your emails or your phone calls. So, um, with that, any questions for me? Superintendent, did you have anything else that you wanted to discuss with the board? >> So, we're good. >> Okay, we'll go ahead and um turn it back over. I I I would like to to thank you, Angela, for always coming um prepared and being able to guide our board. I appreciate the positive feedback and I and the growth that this board has actually had. Um the new board members may not have uh experienced it but we who have been on the board for a little

205bit have gone through very bumpy roads and only when we talk about conflict and what we do after the conflict and how we resolve it will only strengthen our relationships here on the board. and we don't have to be best friends, but we do have to work together to serve our community. And that's all that I would like to ask from each one of you guys, including myself and hold myself accountable as we hold each other accountable. >> And can I add to that to please take into consideration what was said? Um, I think Trustee Rodriguez Pena brought it up first about tone and body language. That means a lot. It really, really means a lot. how you talk to somebody, how it's received, how your body language is is also a way of how

206it's received. So keep that in mind as well. >> Like that saying, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. I agreed. Agreed. Um, with that being said, it is actually time for moving on to item 5.1, everybody's favorite adjournment. Can I get a motion to adjourn this meeting? We have a We have a first. Can I get a second? We have a second by board member Rodriguez Pena. Any discussion? None being said. I do see that board member Rodriguez Pñena put her computer away. So, please um let's do it by vote. We start on my right. Board member Greer. >> Yes. >> Board member Benvdas. >> Board member Rodriguez Pena. >> Yes. >> And board member Ramos. >> Yes. >> Great. Then it's a 50 co uh this meeting is adjourned at

2078:22 p.m. Good night everybody.