001Everybody, I'd like to call this meeting to order. It is 4:30 exactly. Um, I love seeing all these faces out here. Thank you for um for coming and Uh we'll be hearing from many of you I believe. Um Ms. Martinez. >> Yes. I'm going to do roll call now. So President Grubs >> here. >> Trusty Hersh >> here. >> Trusty Seda is absent today. Trusty Melli >> here. >> And Trusty Manoski >> here. >> Thank you. >> So we're going on to our close session agenda. And I'd like to um I need to read a little blurb for you. So notice is hereby given that a closed session of the board of education will be held under the general provisions of government code section 54957. This opportunity is provided to allow the public to comment
002prior to the board's consideration. government code 54954.3. So if we we're going to um 1A and that is our public action appointment um discipline dismissal evaluation and release. And we have are we doing public comment now? public comment now. >> Okay. So, our first speaker tonight is the infamous Mike Mahan. I will apologize first and let you know that I've had neck surgery, a plate, two rods, 13 screws. And I say that so that you don't spend the next three minutes thinking, "What is wrong with that guy's neck?" >> [laughter] >> So I am Mike Manan and good evening superintendent Calabesi, President Grubs, trustees, um been a community member for 30 years, lifelong teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal of Benishia High School, principal of Benishia Middle School. I can go on and on about
003Alex Tulia Sega for two and a half hours without blinking or sweating. Um but I won't because my last nine years I sat as an human resources leader. I was five years as the director of human resources for Fairfield Tissoon in my last year four years as the associate superintendent human resources for Solano County Office of Education. So I know the process. I've sat on the other side for the last nine years prior to retiring. I understand the es and flows and the way things are brought forth. And so I want to remind you of who coach T is uh 25 plus years here in Benishia as a servant leader always working in the background teaching four different preps. And if you've never been a classroom teacher that means four sets of lesson plans, four
004different tests, four different daily activities each year. Most teachers maybe two preps. Some, if you're lucky, one prep. Most would squawk with three preps. And T would selflessly teach four different preps from the lowest math level for students that we were really concerned about to calc, B, and BC. His technology skills helped the district transition to P school, the student information system that I don't even know if you still use anymore, but never asking for a dime. Never never seeking uh accommodations, selflessly leading the district. I'm a father of three and as athletic director came to know te as the wrestling coach, football coach, and track coach at Benisha High School. He ran the table for us at the girls state meet that we hosted without anything other than thank you. And he said, "Oh
005no, you did all the work." Oh my god. 30 seconds. So, I'll go to the end. The California Education Code allows for employees to be disciplined and dismissed for certain violations. While the code's language may appear definitive, it allows for discretion and flexibility in decision-making. This provides the board with a genuine opportunity to consider imposing less severe disciplinary action and to potentially reinstate Coach T. I will finish now since she rudely has beeped me. But since I know the process, I know that even if he has resigned that you have the ability to bring him back and I would just say that Benishia High School, Benishia Unified students are being harmed now and that harm will be felt for years in the future. So, I'm I thank you and I know the difficult situation that
006you are in and I I plead for your help. Thank you. [applause] >> Daniel Smith. Hello board, uh, staff. Uh, Daniel Smith, Dan Smith. I've lived in town for 37 years. Um, I understand that you've heard testimony about [clears throat] lives that Coach T has saved. I didn't know him that well. I didn't know those stories, but it doesn't surprise me at all after having raised two kids in the district and substitute taught in every campus in the district over the past 10 years, I never saw a teacher connect with students better than Coach T, particularly at risk students. I'm glad that the previous speaker pointed out that you do have uh some leeway here because if a precedent wants to be set and discipline needs to happen, I would suggest that a suspension is
007far more appropriate than dismissal. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you. Um and Daniel Delgado, you are up next. >> [applause] >> About a month ago, I came here at the last board meeting sharing my story of Coach T. How not only is my brother only alive because of his actions, but my academic career saved as well. You also heard nearly two hours of similar stories of lives being saved and futures being changed. And yet, your vote still showed that you have no care for the actual academic futures of your students. When we stand here, your decision has led to two months of your students not having a teacher in that classroom, still not on course for any AP exams, and still no clarity on the future of their instruction. Beyond that, you have destroyed the
008morale and student respect for this body with your decision. When students are talking about your decision to suspend Coach T and to fire him essentially, what the common question is asked is why? There must have been a reason. If the board were to make this incredible of a decision, there must have been reason that decision was made. And yet, over the last two months, as more details come out, the insanity of your decision has only become more and more apparent. As we look at someone like Coach T and the massive amount of volunteering he's given to this community, it is incredible to see that this board has so readily and so eagerly turned your back on him. Even when we were trying to organize student resistance to this decision and to get students here, the
009administration itself has seemed very eager to shut down any student protest. Today, over the last week, the debate team has been trying to put up posters around campus, even telling people about this event. The school administration's reaction was to tell us no, saying we had to remain neutral on the subject. The second we threatened any legal action, claiming our basic first amendment rights and every Supreme Court case regarding it, they backed down and let us put up the posters just today. Yet even today, suddenly they all went missing during a time when no students were on campus. When we're looking at something like this and we're looking at the administration openly telling kids, lying to kids, telling them this decision can't be undone, we see an administration so readily eager to turn your back on
010Coach T, and so readily eager to lie to students, prevent their organization, and suppress their free speech. When we look at that and we try justifying in our minds why a body decided to make the decision, its insanity just becomes more and more clear. It even becomes more clear when you recognize the fact that the last board meeting a common comment made was not enough current students came out. Well, let's look at this board meeting today. You have scheduled a board meeting during finals week. So already students are most likely not going to attend during a high school theater show where over a 100 students are involved, a soccer match, and many other basketball practices and games going on right now. the audacity to say students should make time to come to your board meeting
011to defend their teacher when you're the ones who have scheduled impossible to make meetings consistently. However, we've come prepared. We have an petition made for all the students who couldn't be here tonight of over 80 of us current students that basically say what I'm saying here of essentially one you've made an environment where students academic futures have been harmed completely destroying their senior freshman or whatever the year coach he taught basically every class at that school. Let's be honest. You've destroyed school culture and morale, actively suppressing free speech, and also teachers have been scared to help us speak out cuz they're scared they're going to get reprimanded. The culture you've set at the school administration is honestly, frankly, disappointing, and it's shocking to see this board act this way. Thank you. [cheering] [applause] >> [applause]
012>> Thank you, Daniel. Now we have Max Pama. >> So, I don't have as much to say as uh Daniel. I kind of just want to talk about my experience with Coach T. Um, back in sophomore year, I was really struggling with math. And I mean, I was there so much after school. I I basically lived in his classroom the moment school ended. Right after football practice, I'd go to his class. We would spend countless hours, like I would say 5:00 p.m. to 7, sometimes 9:30 p.m. He would stay just for me to help me with my studying, to help me with my struggles, like not just with school, but even with my own personal matters. Like honestly, he has not really connected like he's connected with me better than anyone in the entire school
013district has. and he's had so much of an impact on my life. Like I I'm attending the University of Washington and I honestly I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for his help with my math, my chemistry, anything. Like it wasn't just math. Like he inspired me to go into certain clubs. He pushed me to get into higher math. He like he's just done so much for me. And I just I don't know. I know he's done more for other students, too, because there were a lot more students in that classroom with me with the same struggles, also getting helped by Coach T. And I just I don't know. I think it's wrong that um he's just gone just like that. So, I mean, that's all I really have to say. [applause] >> Sorry, Kimberly
014Harris. Good evening, members of the school board. My name is Kimberly Harris, and I am here tonight as a mother, an advocate, and a voice for students who don't fit neatly in a box. My son is a junior at BHS. He's been there since a freshman, and there was a time when he was failing math badly. And Coach T was his his math teacher when he was a freshman. And he wasn't failing because he didn't care. It's because learning doesn't come very easily for him. My son, Coach T saw that. Um, sorry. So, Coach T saw that while my son's test scores were not strong, he showed up every day, did the work, tried his best, and most importantly, showed real improvement. Coach T recognized effort, growth, and perseverance, not just numbers on a paper.
015Instead of letting him fail outright, he chose to support and uplift him. That decision changed my son's confidence and his future. Coach T's impact didn't stop in the classroom. During my son's sophomore year, he was failing math, having a really hard time again. And Coach T was not his math teacher at that time. And he wasn't even teaching him yet. Coach T noticed and he walked up to my son. And my son said, he said, "Hey, what's going on? Can I help you? Do you need help?" He then showed my son exactly how and where to sign up for summer courses so he could make up that math credit. That is not in the job description. That is a teacher who genuinely cares. T is also the person students know they can count on emotionally.
016He is the adult who notices when a child is struggling, who offers reassurance, encouragement, or even just a hug when one is needed. For many students, that emotional support is just as important as an academic help. Unfortunately, this is not the first time BHS has lost an exceptional educator. During my son's freshman year, his IEP teacher, Justin, was also let go. Another educator who was truly one of the best IEP teachers I've met. He made an enormous difference in my son's life, just as Coach T. When schools lose teachers like this, students, especially those with IEPs, are the ones who pay the price. What is heartbreaking and infuriating to me is that we live in a system where truly serious situations are sometimes mishandled. Where individuals accused of horrific misconduct are quietly allowed to move
017on. Yet teachers who consistently show compassion, accountability, and commitment to students are removed. That is not justice. That is not protecting our children. And that is not putting students first. I have only heard positive things about Coach T throughout the years from parents, from students, and from families like mine whose children's need someone to believe in them when they were struggling the most. Coach T did not just teach. He noticed. He showed up. He cared. And for kids like my son, that could be the difference between giving up and pushing forward. I respectly urge this board to reconsider its decision and reinstate Coach T. Our students, our students need educators who see them as human beings, not just test scores. A coach and coach T is one of those educators. Thank you for your time.
018[applause] Our next speaker is Ron Calderon. Good evening. The last time we gathered, I chose not to speak because I felt that those who spoke on behalf of my friend and former colleague provided an airtight case for his reinstatement. Anecdotal evidence after anecdotal evidence illustrated the power of Alex Tulius Sega's capacity to unlock the potential of students, coaches, and parent volunteers. I realize now that no matter how many stories you heard enumerating my former colleagueu's compassion, sacrifice, or the ability to motivate, you didn't care because sometime early in September, you heard only that a teacher breached a protocol that somehow became an act so heinous that he had to be investigated. The truth is, however, Alex Tulius Sega tried to help struggling students, most notably in math, because the board approved curriculum couldn't. I know
019this to be a fact because for 24 years I sat through tedious meetings with inexperienced consultants and special project coordinators who pushed prescriptive curriculum and traded conven that that traded convenience for creativity. Teachers like Alex develop curriculum to challenge students rather than implement a canned product that keeps teachers in their classrooms teaching the same crap on the same day so that administrators, many of whom never developed a meaningful curriculum in their two or three years of teaching could check a box that satisfies another WASK checklist of useless educational requirements. When the district and site administr stripped real teachers of the art of teaching, students suffered. Unfortunately, that suffering continues. However, Alex was smart enough to know that B what m but BH what BH a BHS administrators couldn't fathom that the present curriculum is flawed
020and he tried to find an alternative to support his students despite the failure of the present administration to recognize such an undernourishing curriculum and for that he was punished the fact that he changed the rules of a carnival sideshow game without consulting his so-called superiors cost him his job of course Alex's honesty didn't help his paused. He dared to tell the truth about an action plan that he exercised with the purest of intentions of helping struggling students. Still, he was punished. The fact is that this district is and has been riddled with hypocrisy and scandals far more embarrassing than what Alex Tullia Sega what cost Alex Tulia Sega his job. Stop the nonsense. do the right thing and reinstate Alex to his rightful place in the classroom and on the field as a lesson to
021students that honesty still holds value in society and that even truly honorable men make mistakes and learn from them. Where is the restorative justice for Alex Julius Sega? Or is that just another platitude the district hustles to maintain was accreditation? The time has come for the board to speak to the students to tell them that they matter most and that their education will continue to flourish under the watchful guidance of their rightful mentor, Alex Julius Sega. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. And Veronica Delgado, you are up next. Good evening. I'm standing here before you to ask that you reconsider reinstating Coach T. As you might be aware, letting such a beloved teacher go has been a huge mistake. Coach T, Coach T is more than a teacher. He is a mentor to all those kids
022who need extra help. I don't know of any other teacher or coach who would arrive at the school at 7:00 a.m. and leave at 9:00 p.m. never asking for any compensation or even a thank you. When the school and you, the board decided that only option was to let Teach uh Coach T go when there were other options in order to keep him in his class, you did not bother to get yourselves informed. of what the reality was in his class. The reality was that his class was being taught by a non-math teacher. Let me say that again, a non-math teacher. The person in charge at the school did not set things up prior to having Coach T removed. It took many emails and filing a complaints with the superintendent's office to get a math
023teacher in that class, the most difficult class in that school. Although now the students have a math teacher, they wasted two months of allowing our kids to get behind, not to mention not updating grades for students in time to send to colleges. For all those students who were looking for early decisions, now we have consequences due to the incompetence actions of you, the board, and the principal of the school. Grades were sent out before being updated. I am standing here today to ask you to turn a wrong decision you made to the right one. There is still time to make the right decision and reinstate Coach T. Don't let Benisha School District, the high school, and you, the board, be known for getting rid of one of the most valuable teachers in this city. Don't
024let that be your legacy. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. And our next speaker is Leland Simmons. And I just want to say that um we are trying to put uh students uh a ahead. So we know you have finals and Okay, just so you know. >> How you doing again? I'll be better this time. I'm not going to cry. Maybe not. I might cry. Um Mike Mahan was my PE teacher in the Val Unified School District. So just to let you know that. So this goes deeper than that. So last time I talked to you about we we've had a bunch of conversations about the character of T. That that doesn't need to be said anymore. But what I'm here to talk to you about is the void that has been left there. That man's
025classroom was open from 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Those kids had a safe place to go. There's no safe space for them to go anymore. The morale is dropped between the students. about the cracking between the students and the teachers. He was a safe space for teachers as well. Sometimes I just go in there and bother him. I sit in the classroom and other teachers would come in and they talk about their feelings and what was going on with them. And now they don't have that place. And one practice, uh, freshman practice, I just volunteer. There was a mother looking for her son. And she goes, "The freshman practice over? It's about it's about 7:00 p.m." I go, "The freshman practice has been over." And, uh, she said, "That's not good." And she
026walked away. I said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." I went and found the AD. I went and talked to the freshman coach and no one could find him. They had to go to the cameras and all that. But when I called certain people, they were already clocked out. T was never clocked out. Thank God for coach CJ Anderson who found that kid at 1 2 in the morning in the park on Ninth Street, but he stayed to do that. T would have done that. So, so we talk a lot about AI and all these these you can't take the human out of human things. You know, we talk about algorithms and all kinds of stuff like that, but you need that human part. And that's what school is lacking. Uh I'm sorry, got
027some bullet notes. Uh leadership, like I said, Coach T is the reason why I have stepped up and tried to be a coach and went to go try to apply to work for the district because kids need that that human form, someone to know that I've been through that. And if you keep going down this road, you'll go, I failed in so many ways possible that I can tell you all the ways to succeed. I can't tell you how to make a million. I can tell you how to lose it very much. I can't tell you how to be CEO of a company. I can tell you how not to do that. And that's what I bring is the humanity part. And uh did you anything on your paper you wanted me to read for
028you? >> Okay. And so my son is here. A lot of these students here know me. My son, he'll be speaking next. But thank you guys for your time. [applause] >> And our next speaker is Maya Shakradi. Hi Maya. >> Good evening members of the board. My name is Maya Chuckerverti and I'm a graduate of Benicia High School class of 2025. I normally never say this but I'm also the validictorian of the class of 2025 and I hope that could carry some weight in your decision. I'm here today because the decision before you is not merely procedural. It is human. The consequences of firing coach T will be felt in silence, in empty rooms, and in the students who lose something that cannot be replaced. On paper, Coach T may appear as one of many,
029but he is the reason that co that sorry, Benicia High School feels like home to many. His classrooms was one of the first filled with light in the morning. He noticed when students were not okay. He asked questions that no survey ever measured and provided steady steadiness that no policy could mandate. For many students, school is not simply a place to learn. It is somewhere they find safety. For many, Coach T provided the safety. He let me stay back in his classroom for hours after school when I did not have a ride to go home until my parents got off from work late in the evenings. This consistency is not supplemental. It is foundational. At the same time, Coach T is an exceptional educator whose academic commitment exceeds beyond expectations. He teaches students before school,
030after school, during lunch, during snack, in between classes if they have a break and go to his class and they're stressed before an exam. He teaches across disciplines and continues mentoring students long after graduation. In my junior and senior year, I took calculus BC and multivariable calculus with Mr. Knight. And it's not an overstatement when I say that coach T is the one who spent dozens of hours answering my questions, explaining examples, and working through problems with me. I now love calculus, and I could not imagine ever learning calculus without Coach T. Generations of students have succeeded in advanced mathematics and mathematics in general as a result of his sustained and personal investment in all students. Sitting in coach Teen's classroom after school for more school days than I could ever count. I have watched
031so many students who have sports circumstances at home and other external factors that limit their ability to do well in math come to coach T's room and he always found a way to teach these students and help them do well in mathematics. He shared smiles, laughter and jokes and made them motivated. And I saw these students return to his classroom every single day. Is that my time? Could I just finish my sentence? >> Um, none of these students were coach T's students, but each of them succeeded in his classroom. This choice will impact generations of students, not just the students at Benia High School today. Thank you. [applause] Our next speaker, >> our next speaker, I'm afraid I'm going to butcher your last name. So, Molina Mur K h, please, please help me pronounce your
032name. >> Mahua Makuchi. Yes, >> thank you and I apologize. >> You're perfectly fine, Miss Grubs. Good evening, president of the board, Miss Grubs, and members of the Benicia Unified School Board District. My name is Mahua Mukhajji, and I'm the mother for Maya Chakrai that you just listened to, a recent graduate of Benishia High School, class of 2025. I would like to begin by sharing that today is my son's birthday and he's performing at the BMS winter concert. While this is a moment our family would never miss and would always prioritize, I choose to be here today and I'm choose to be here tonight because coach T is important. He is important not only to our family but to our school and the Benicia community. I'm here this evening to express my strong support for
033coach T. He's not only an outstanding educator but an exceptional mentor who consistently goes above and beyond for his students. Coach T regularly stays after school to help students better understand mathematics and physics creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions so that they can develop curiosity for learning. He has a remarkable ability to inspire students who may not naturally gravitate towards these subjects. Encouraging participation in math competitions sometimes with incentives like PISA you know speaks volumes about this about his creativity, passion and dedication. My daughter has tremendous respect for coach T and it has benefited greatly from his teaching and mentorship. I sincerely hope my younger child will have the same opportunity to learn from him when he attends Benicia High School. I would like to share one brief point not because it
034may be relevant to your consider consideration. My daughter Maya was the validictorian of her class, graduating class. And if her academic experience reflects in any way the impact of teachers like Coach T, I hope it shows some meaningful influence that you can put towards um the influence that he would have on students. Coach T embodies the qualities we should celebrate on our educators, for our educators, and those qualities are passion, commitment, and a genuine care for student success. Losing a teacher of his caliber would be a tremendous, tremendous loss for our school and the Benicia community. So, I really hope you reconsider and thank you for your time. [applause] Our next speaker is Lily Fig. Excuse me if I mispronounced your name. >> Oh, thank you. [laughter] >> Good evening. I did not personally know
035Coach T. However, I do know that I heard non-stop about him from almost every single one of my friends and peers at the school. people would talk about him constantly. It's this decision to fire him says more about the people who made the decision than it does about him. It's there are so many teachers who during my freshman and sophomore year really contributed to the fact that I struggled academically a lot. I was going through a lot and I basically failed my first freshman and sophomore math class. But during those times, I had friends who were in Coach Te's class who were going through really similar issues as me. And they were not failing. And it wasn't because he was doing anything wrong. It was because he was actually helping them and he cared. There
036are so many teachers at Benicia High School who do less than half of what he does. They do not care. They do not they don't form a relationship with the students in the same way that Coach T does. And I spent a lot of those earlier years in high school really wishing I had his class because maybe I wouldn't have failed and maybe I would be on a much different path and I was really jealous of my friends who had him. And I know that despite not having any of his classes, he was the one teacher that everyone could agree on that he was always there for every single one of them. And if this decision means has anything to do with truly caring about the students, their academics, and their lives, then it would
037not be a termination. At the very least, it would be a suspension. Thank you for your time. [applause] >> Cozette Calderon. [applause] >> Hi. So, you've heard a lot about Mr. Tulia Sega. You've heard how wonderful of a person he is, how respectful, how honorable, how amazing he is, but I'm not going to talk about that because I'm staring at your faces. And I'm wondering if you're even listening because I know it's really easy to zone out when a lot of people are telling you amazing things about this person and you are wondering, why do I feel so guilty right now? So, let's talk a little bit about that. Have you ever heard of Edgar Allan Poe's story where he kills a man and then he pulls his heart out of the floor floorboards because
038he can hear it in his ear over and over again? And I know that's frustrating. I know it hurts to feel guilty about letting a wonderful man go. But the wonderful thing is is that you have the power to end that heartbeat in your ear. You have the power to take that heartbeat out of Ben's hands because we're holding it to you and we're showing you this is in your heart. This guilt that you have right now can be solved because we want it pe to be solved because we love Mr. T. Here's the thing. I go to New York now. I'm in art school. I'm not a mathematician, but I would never be the person I am without Mr. T's mentorship. And the thing is is when I go to New York and I
039tell my friends I'm from Venetia, they go, Haha, where's that? They have no idea about us. We are nothing. But do you know what they're starting to know about us? They're starting to know about how a school district has let go one of the best math teachers and one of the best teachers in Benicia high school history. Because I'm in New York yelling at the top of my lungs about injustice in Benicia. But you have the power now to listen to Benetians, to listen and put us on the map for doing something right. and your name will be attached to that. Your heartbeat will stop playing in your ear. It's okay to make mistakes just like Mr. Tulia Sega made. But we're forgiving him and we want to forgive you. So please allow us to
040forgive you by making the right choice by reinstating the man that cares for students because we care for him as well. Thank you. [applause] Um, Amy is our next speaker. >> Sorry. Um, good evening members of the board. Thank you for taking the time to hear from community members tonight. I want to begin by saying that I understand and respect the responsibility you carry. Your role requires you to address concerns, uphold standards, and protect students. Those are responsibilities I do not take lightly, and I know you do not either. I am here tonight to speak on behalf of Coach T. Coach T is not just a teacher or a coach. He is a mentor, a role model, and a pillar of this community. He is the kind of educator students seek out when they need
041guidance, encouragement, or simply someone who believes in them. His impact reaches far beyond the classroom or the field. He shows up consistently with integrity, care, and unwavering commitment to kids. I understand that an issue has been raised and that mistakes, even small ones, must be addressed. Accountability matters. However, what also matters is proportionality. Coach T should not be the person made into example when his body of work reflects years of positive influence and one isolated mistake that does not define who he is or the educator he has proven himself to be. I speak from personal experience when I say I have seen situations within this district far more serious I'm sorry excuse me I say this let me start over I speak from personal experience when I say I have seen situations within this district
042far more serious misconduct was quietly brushed under the rug family was forced to leave our hometown of Benicia due to the inappropriateness of another teacher someone whose actions caused real harm yet that individual was allowed to keep their job here that experience parents has stayed with me, not because I want to relive it, but because it taught me how inconsistent discipline can deeply affect trust in situ in institutions meant to protect us and our children. I do not bring this up to dwell on the past, nor to suggest that wrongdoing should be ignored. I bring this up to highlight that not all situations are being treated equally and that fairness matters. When educators who have done far worse face minimal consequences while respected teacher with a proven record is facing termination, it raises serious questions
043about balance and judgment within our district and board of trustees. If the district feels the need to make an example, I respectably urge you to look beyond coach T. There are broader systematic issues worth examining, issues at the administrative level at Benisha High School that deserve transparency and accountability. I think Daniel brought up great example of the posters. I would welcome the opportunity to have those conversations with you outside of this meeting because focusing disciplinary injury energy solely on a good teacher sends a wrong message to staff, students, and the community. Coach T deserves better than to be reduced to a single mistake. He deserves to be seen for the years of dedication, mentorship, and positive influence he has given to this district. Losing him would would not make our schools safer or stronger. it
044would simply be a loss. I ask you to consider discipline that reflects fairness, growth, and the full scope of who Coach T is. Please do not let a good teacher educator become collateral damage in an effort to appear decisive. Thank you for your time and for listening. [applause] Our next speaker is Kimberly Harris. >> Oh, okay. Um and Harrison me. [applause] >> Hello, my name is Harrison Me. I am a senior at Benicia High School. I had Coach T teaching me calculus AB last year and I was supposed to have him teaching me BC this year. I hope you guys are all doing well. I'm sorry. I'm not much of a public speaker, but I am here uh embarrassing myself in front of everyone because I do believe in what I'm about to say, and
045that is that Coach T needs to be reinstated for the good of the student body and the good of the school district as a whole. He has helped me and so many other students so much. He was such a great role model, a mentor, and he made it clear that he actually cared about the students beyond just teaching us math. I've heard so much of the same sentiment from all of my peers, all of whom agree with me that finding a teacher who actually takes into account what you're going through and who actually wants the best for you, not just as a student, but as a person, sorry, in terms of your future. It's so incredibly rare and meaningful and beautiful. He had a genuine connection with all of his students. Sorry. He was a
046genuine friend. He treated all of us as equals. So, I'm here asking you, please bring back Coach T because as much as you can say the students have been reorganized and there's other teachers who can teach calculus. We don't want to learn without Coach T. Thank you for your time. [applause] Our next speaker is Joseph Eli. [applause] >> All right, everybody. Uh, I never really had Coast T as a teacher, but I knew him because of my brother Lawrence, who can't be here today because he's doing something else. But throughout my time just knowing Coy, I just know his character. I just know the type of man he is. And it's just like for him to be let go like that is just crazy to me. Like he just does so much for just the
047students like athletes, all them. like like for him like for him to help the struggling students it's like when he was helping the struggling students he knew the risk like he knew his job was at risk like he knew like what could happen if he ever got caught but at the same time he knew the lives of the struggling students he knew like how their lives were at home he knew that they probably didn't even want to go home because how the life was at home he knew that the students needed whatever where they were playing. They needed football and without having good grades, they'd be releasing football and now they go back to home. But they don't want to be. I just think coc knew was right. Sorry, I lost her words cuz I'm
048emotional about it because just how good of a co man co is, man. Like and like co like he gen might be the only man I ever cry to, too. Like he really like I'm lost of words. I'm not a good public speaker, but I'm here because Coach T is a good man. I A lot of kids need Coach T, man. A lot of kids really do need Coach T. That's all I really got to say. [applause] All right. Uh, my name is Elijah Nelson and I play football and basketball at the high school and it's an honor to sing of be on behalf of Coach D. The privilege comes to in for me having to describe his character and how much he means to me. He did a lot of he did a lot
049of things for me and my family by helping me with my math homework and other like activities. Um he shows his leadership on and off the field in and outside the classroom. He's an excellent mentor and teaches me about life and how to succeed. I'm a sophomore right now but last year I was a freshman in his class and he helped me like realize I was a student before an athlete. He helped me to take m most of my classes more serious and not [snorts] playing around during class and being a class clown. Not everyone has a father figure at home, but Koshi resembles that with his humor and valor and understanding. So all I have to say right now, but thank you. [applause] >> Our next speaker is Sage Nelson. [applause] Hello board members
050and good afternoon. Uh I'm a student of coach T and his calculus AB class or what was and I have a story here that actually was sent to to all of you that I wrote myself and here I'll go. Uh, fortunately, in the short few weeks Coach T had been my teacher, our whole class had become acquainted with his funny phrases and hands-on tactics he brings into the classroom. Coach T is incredibly honest and cares for the learning of the students. Each day, we were shown new ways to solve problems and given additional assignments in order to get repetitions of difficult problems. Coach T welcomes questions and open discussions on things we may not have fully understood while he lectures on important topics. Open discussions help shape everyone's individual way of learning. Our class was
051always silent and productive when working unless necessary for clarification on questions. After explaining them to the whole class, he puts in the effort to take on as many individual questions as necessary and helps every kid until they understand that concept. While he was in the class, we learned new topics and we were making great progress. But as he began to be out for longer and longer, we started to fall behind. We were stuck with AP classroom assignments and videos to teach us new concepts. But they aren't viable for learning. Robotic professors from across the country that don't know my name or answer my questions leave me going on to Google or wasting my time trying to understand these stupid videos. Uh, I thought nothing of it at the time. After another week, assignments piled up,
052due dates were missed, and our class was left without explanation. Making do with what we could, people began to cheat, and the and the assignments were further out of our grasp without artificial assistance. As a part of what was Coach T's class this year, we need Coach T back. Unfortunately for me, it's too late this year. Despite this, I'm still here advocating for the sake of future students. No matter the situation that went on behind the scenes, it has affected me and my class vividly. Mr. Gynan has been placed as our guide through Egeneuity, which is an online platform that is not very good. We are currently reviewing the first quarter of calculus instead of taking our final for this semester. We are incre incredibly behind pace because of our because of coach T's dismissal.
053This decision has caused more harm than good. Coach T is the right person for our school's needs in the classroom to help us when we're stuck and to make us feel seen. To conclude, even after being removed from the classroom and placed on leave by the board, T still wants to come back to the school to help the students. On behalf of the students and AP Calculus AB, we need Coach T. Thank you. [applause] Our next speaker is Iona Morgan. [applause] >> So, good evening everyone. Um, I know many of you well. Uh for those of you that I don't know, I respect you and understand um very much the position and um the responsibility in front of you and wanted to thank you for taking the time to hear all of us. So uh
054if I could have I would have been here last month and like many others would share the personal impact that Alex has had on me, my whole family and I took the time to share that with you by email. But instead tonight, without knowing the details of all of the situation, I want to talk a little bit more about values and um proportionality. Um when you're faced with difficult personnel decisions like this, I hope there's room for you to look at the outcome and also think about what that might do and how decisions are handled. what how is this going to impact him? You've heard the students hurting um today. You've heard from his past students and you've even heard a mom beg you to have him be his teacher in the future. Um as
055parents, I know when our children make mistakes, our immediate reaction might be to choose the elephant gun and be um super reactive. But after giving things some thought and a little bit of reflection, um we try and look for a more measured and proportional approach for something that might serve uh everyone else better. And so if there's any room, I just ask you to keep those thoughts in mind as you move forward and respectfully request that you do what's best for everyone. You know how much he means to everyone here. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Jake Morgan, you're up next. [applause] >> Oops, my bad. >> Uh, good evening. I just want to say, uh, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. Uh, I was fortunate enough to have Coach D as
056my calculus AB uh, teacher and as a football coach, but I'm not here to talk about any of my stories. You guys have heard plenty, and there are plenty great stories out there, but I'm more concerned about the Benicia community and what would it look like without Coach T. Coach T is any more than just a football coach, any teacher. He's a role model out there and he impacts students lives in many ways. Um, I also I don't want to talk about myself, but I'm sorry. I just flew in like an hour ago to make this meeting for Coach D. And I'll uh end it off by quick saying this is that what everyone here in this room knows is no matter the decision with Coach D, he will uh continue to impact lives wherever
057he goes. So, thank you. [applause] >> Samuel Prevette, Europe. Welcome to the podium. Uh, good evening everybody. Uh, I just want to start off by saying I've never seen the amount of kids failing math class than I have this year. I've talked to so many kids uh, in Coach T's math one class and being in math 2 and having won math last year. Hearing that they just finished the first um, unit of math just now is insane. We finished that unit in about two to three weeks as eighth graders and the impact that coach has had on the school is honestly insane. Um, I was also a part of the freshman football team this year and going to practice one day and coach T not being there is honestly it was we were all speculating
058why he wasn't there and day after day he didn't come back and we eventually realized that he wasn't going to come back and we never heard anything about why he was gone and that led us to being 0 and6 this year we did absolutely horrible um And Coach T was more than a teacher. He connected with everybody. He He was one of the only teachers I've met that truly cared about his students and his players and everybody that he's met. He I've never met as good as a man as I have. Coach T. And then you guys also heard that or you guys said that there wasn't enough people or students here last month. And I want to say I didn't know a single thing about this meeting going on last month until I found
059it on YouTube. And hearing Daniel say that posters are being taken down about meetings and things like this, I feel like it's pretty insane that I mean almost complain that there's no kids here and the kids don't know about it. Um, and if you even step foot into Coach T's classroom and his math one and other math classes this year, you would see how badly they are doing. I mean, it's one thing to take away one of the best teachers in the school district. It's another thing to stick their math classes with a substitute that I've heard uh the students taught her what to do. She didn't know a single thing how to teach this class. and removing a math teacher that impacts so many kids' lives and not replacing him with another teacher is
060it's not it's not good. Um, Coach T, I saw Coach T every day and he was he was an incredible person. Um, there are so many there's so many stories I've heard told about him that it's it's insane. I mean, he's the only teacher that connects with students on a different level than any other teacher I've seen. Um, I personally have had no problems with math, but the amount of students, I mean, there's juniors in math 2 that are failing, that are getting 20 out of 150 scores. And I just hope that this changes your views and please reinstate Coach C. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Um, our next speaker is Noni Ornelis Mcclo. [laughter] Sorry, Non. >> Hello. I'm Nani Ornelis Mcclin. Um, mom, community member, business owner here in town. And I had
061all my coach T stories here, but I think like everybody has said, you guys have you guys know his character here. I think that what I want to get up and say, I think on behalf of a lot of us here is, you know, we we put our trust into you guys to do what's best for our kids. And um I just want to ask that you guys reciprocate that and put your trust in us that we know what's best here. and um reinstate coach T here for us. And that's it. Thank [applause] our next speaker is Lisa Honeyut. Hello. Um, I'm Lisa Honeyut. I've sent several emails to the board members and I appreciate everyone who has acknowledged receipt of my emails. I appreciate that very much. Um, I am a retired teacher and
062I was at Benisha High School for 34 years. Um, so let me just talk about what I know. Um, as a high school teacher, I have completed many recommendation forms and written letters for students and colleagues. Often the form asked to rate the stated applicant. Is this a good student? Is this an excellent student? Top 10% of the class. Top 10% of your career. Alex Tulio Sega is the top 1% of my career. I have never seen a teacher more dedicated to students, more helpful to colleagues, more self affacing in my life. I am so proud to know Alex and to know his positive effect on Benicia High School. Um, there is not a person who feels uncomfortable in his classroom. There is not a person who has been turned away no matter what help
063they needed. Who else can claim those honors? The BHS math students are still hurting for their teacher. Beginning in January, they have an entire year of math curriculum to learn. Not just second semester, the whole year. They still need to get that. Um there is no one who will dedicate the time, the energy, and the expertise needed to get them caught up and ready to face their AP exams like Alex will be able to do. Um, reinstate Alex Tulio Sega to Benicia High School and do what is right and just for the students. BHS supports the restorative justice program. Let that practice be here and now as well. Thank you. [applause] And Jolyn Peterson, you are up next. No, [laughter] >> I just want to state that everything that I was going to say. Sorry,
064that's very emotional. These people have said more than I can ever say and my my heart goes out because these kids at school need coach Steve and again not just for math but for all the reasons that everybody has brought tonight. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is Sanjon an >> welcome. >> Hello. This is Sanjun an from class of 2025 in BHS. Sorry. I'm currently a freshman in college, uh, majoring in applied and computational mathematics. So, I first had Coach T during my sophomore year taking his calculus classes. And even though I only had him for the first year or like one year, I still asked him like a lot of math questions for my advanced um, calculus classes uh, later on like during break time and lunch uh, lunch period.
065Since I've known him for a while, it was surprising to hear that he was about to get fired. And per so personally for me, he was my mentor all throughout my BHS school years. And in this speech as well, I just want to share the personal connection that I had with Kush T. So, I remember I was struggling in my first public school year in the sophomore year because like um sorry before BHS like all my schools were like small private schools where we all knew each other well like a family. But in public school years um you had to be more aggressive to make friends and talk kind of funny to make yourself known to classmates. And since my English was not still perfect [music] and my personality leaned more towards the introverted side,
066I was struggling to talk to anyone a at BHS. But it was coach T um who first encouraged me to sit closer to my classmates when I kept sitting in the corner of the class. And whenever I try to ask him a question with a shaky voices like like like right now because of the nervousness he always tried to ease my mood by throwing some like funny jokes. Also during lunch since I didn't have anybody to sit and have lunch with I always went to coach T's class to make myself connected to at least one person and that person was coach T for me. Not only not only the personal connection that I had with coach D but he also treated student u struggling on math problems with respect. Whenever I was struggling with my
067advanced uh calculus classes, me and my discussion group, always went to coach T's classroom during break and asked like tons of questions. And of course, he started with a joking way like, "Oh, you guys cannot even solve these easy problems." But but he always ended with teaching us the right way to approach the problem which personally sparked my curiosity about ma about math itself and also that led me that led me to choose applied uh math major in the future. I'm ending this speech hoping that it would highlight the bright sides of Kush T and making him stay at BHS again and helping those kids like me in the future as well. Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is Alyssa Lasco. [applause] Sorry, I'm a little short. [snorts] Um, I've got to
068say I've been a bit emotional throughout this whole meeting. I wasn't able to be here last month because [music] I was still in school. I'm a current junior at UCSC and [music] I can say with confidence that I would not be where I am [snorts] without him. Ah, sorry. When I was struggling in junior year, I was taking um uh the pre-calc honors and which was basically calc AB and I was dealing with a lot of mental health issues. I had basically been living my life for the past three years with these mental issues, not having gotten any help because I thought that it wouldn't help me. But at some point in junior year, he noticed he was the one who got me to look for help. And before there was even a care center
069at BHS, he would always let me go to the counselor's room when I was having a hard time, a breakdown. He would always be very supportive for me and he's the reason I could get through. I'm so sorry. [laughter] It's >> okay. But I I just I have to say I'm I mean I'm not prepared to speak in front of people and I'm not I've always been pretty bad with that. But [snorts] as soon as I heard about this meeting, I instantly was like, I need to be there because he changed my life. And yeah. [snorts] Our [applause] next speaker is Bryce Hudson. [applause] >> Here we go. Good evening everybody. My name is Bryce Hudson. Uh I'm a senior this year and I am I've not prepared anything today. So, we're just going to
070go we're going to adlib this. Um, I am currently in the sinking ship that is calc AB and we have been set up on the online program and it's not going well and this stems from not having coach T. This year will be my first year having coach T and I feel deprived of that privilege and opportunity of having coach T this year. We've heard so many moving stories about Coach T saving lives and caring for the students because he did. I know he did. Coach T's name, if you were to say anybody, everybody knew his name. And it wasn't because he was infamous. He was famous because he cared for his students. He follows the mission of BD. He makes our communities inclusive. He empowers our students. He builds students. He builds strong character
071in students. He promotes the academic excellence of his students. And he makes his students well-rounded global citizens. And he himself is all of those things. He checks all the boxes. He got a five out of five. He has an A+. Thank you, [applause] >> Logan Bayetta. >> [applause] >> I'm a bit shorter than Bryce, so I have to bring this down here. Uh, hello members of the board. My name is Logan Beta. For those who don't know, I'm an Eagle Scout. I am also a former student of Coach T. I'd like to say normally these are very sparsely packed meetings. And uh I know it's stressful to be sitting here in the hot seat under the immense pressure of all the concerned parents, angry parents, angry students, and national level parliamentary debaters like my good
072friend Daniel Dogado. But I wanted to give you a break in between all these speeches so you can think. You are here tonight looking down the barrel of what is normally a very sparcely packed room. Instead, looking at a room that is literally packed to the walls all the way to the back. It makes you wonder what did I do to the to deserve this. I'm not going to say anything about your previous actions. They're your actions. It's your right to make that vote. But I'm going to let you think about them. Please don't make the wrong decision. You are the reason that these people are here. So, please remember that. If you noticed, I didn't say anything about Coach T. I don't have to. [applause] Michelle Gaines, you're up next. [applause] Hello. Uh I
073am the uh the proud Benisha High School debate coach and uh founder of the team and we've shared our accomplishments with you in the past and you've celebrated them. You've congratulated us. You've been proud as we related our success when we achieved a high national ranking. You've heard from some of our debaters tonight. But on the ground where the gritty did the greedy day-to-day things happen, Alice Wise would show up on Saturdays at 7 a.m. to open gates to stay around and make sure any onampus tournaments ran smoothly. when anything would go wrong and we needed a room opened or a computer dealt with computer problem dealt with after school, it was always go to coach T and he was always there. When I'd give him a holiday gift as an expression of thanks, he'd
074say, "You do this for the kids. That's why I help." I believe by now you know the sum of Te's work, the lives touched and changed and in some cases saved. You know what he means to our school, to our sports teams, to our team. In a more perfect world, we wouldn't be here pleading on his behalf. Something happened. We acknowledge that. But we ask you to weigh that against 27 years of sacrificial service on behalf of our kids. In a truly student centered district, administrators would be doing all they could to find a better solution than ending his Banisha career prematurely. We ask that you return him to our school and to the classroom where he belongs. His work here isn't done yet. [applause] Terry Dean, it's your turn. >> She might be in
075the other room. Good evening. I worked for BUSD for over 27 years in a position that gave me the opportunity to get to know teachers at all grade levels. Our district has had and continues to have excellent teachers and staff. Although over my time here, Coach T is in a category by himself, he's the most selfless, authentic, hardworking, and dedicated person I've seen in our school system, working tirelessly and quietly to provide student support in math, sciences, athletics. Coach T's time and energy, excuse me, and work ethic is unmatched. As everyone says, he's in his classroom from morning until evening providing unprecedented support for students. Coach D hasn't been providing this student support for personal recognition or accolades. In fact, he doesn't want it and has refused many times to allow himself to be nominated
076for teacher of the year and other acknowledgements. He is truly an altruistic individual whose goal is to help students reach their potential and thrive. I think it's an it's important to acknowledge as human beings. There are times we all make mistakes and errors in judgment. It's equally important to understand what an individual's intent was when mistakes occur. without any personal knowledge of his situation. I truly believe whatever happened was done with underlying intention to benefit and help students. Coach T is the kind of person who gets to know his students. He listens and understands the difficulties and challenges many kids have. I can see how a man like Coach T might want to lend a hand to someone who hasn't had many in life. Regardless, he's a kind of man who will be the first
077to acknowledge his own mistakes and never try to blame others. He takes responsibility for his actions. My concern is he's harder on himself than anyone else could be. I can't imagine there isn't some way to rectify this situation without resulting in termination, as there would be no winners and an enormous loss to our present and future students. I know that the district truly cares about student outcomes. So, I hope BUSD will do everything in their power to keep someone who has contributed such an enormous amount of good for our student, staff, and community at large. Coach D has been the quiet heartbeat of BHS for 25 years. If you take that away, you still have a school, but with a larger deficit related to student support that comes from Coach T. I hope BSD looks
078at what is the best interest of students which in my opinion is to keep coach T and continue and at BHS and continue contributing to student success. Thank you. [applause] Our next speaker is Ron Wheat. Thank you for hearing me again tonight. I uh my emotions are huge regarding this subject and uh I jumped on a bicycle and rode 22 miles today so that I would be a little bit calmer. Each one of you are in the position because you care about kids. You were a former educator. You're a lawyer. You're an educator. I'm un unaware what you personally do, but uh again, Chris, you came into this school district and an explosion took place. Unfortunately, we all get to deal with it. I say this very very humbly that uh about the same time
079in my career as coach T is in his career, the school board wanted to reassign me to another site and I had the same type of response from the community that you are getting Tonight I thought about bringing some of my letters that uh spoke on my behalf, but it would be in comparison to what you probably have. Coach Te's stack would be like this. And what happened to me? Well, a school board member was caught on hot mic saying, "How do we make this situation go away?" Well, you can make this situation go away, too. By making the right decision because you haven't had one person stand up here and say, "Hey, the right thing to do is to terminate Coach T. the right thing to do is to reinstate probably the best educator
080that has, you know, been at Benicia High School. You know, I again I was humbled last year when I was asked to come back and fill in as a football coach. At the end of the school year, uh, I was rewarded with kindness, with thank yous, and a member who is even here tonight offered me this little present. >> And what did they put on there? Goat. I wasn't the goat. Coach T is the goat. [applause] Our next speaker is Nicole Lily. I had something prepared, but I'm just gonna throw it all out. Um, because it's a really hard to follow everyone that has talked tonight about Coach T. You guys all know what kind of person he is. And this really just is a chance for um you guys to rewrite this story. And
081if there was fear of reputation or worry like how Bonisha would look uh making this decision to let him go, this is our chance to wash that away, start over and and bring him back. And I just on behalf of all the parents because you've heard all the students, we're practically begging you guys to bring him back because it it affects our students now and I have a younger son that's going to eventually be at the high school and I I would I would love for him to have the chance to to have Coach T in his life just like my my son who's a junior now. And that's all I just begging you guys to to to please reconsider and reinstate Coach T. Thank you, [applause] Eric Hogland. You might be in the other
082room. Apologize. I was in the other room. Got a little delay over there. Um, so my name is Eric Hogland. I've got three kids that have gone through the school system. I did speak here uh last month. I thought I'd come again um and and just add one one little thing. I've been on boards. I've been chamber the chamber of commerce different things and some pretty hot button items have come up and where it's really tough. It's tough to make a call and uh often you make the call one way and then later on you think well maybe it wasn't the right way to go. This is a blessing. you have an opportunity to make the right call, you get a second chance at it. And uh it takes courage. If you if you voted
083one way and you listen to these people and it changes your mind, it takes courage sometimes to to say, "I'm going to go the other way." Um courage is what we're trying to instill in our kids. Courage is one of the important things that Coach Tries to instill in our kids. Courage to try, courage to learn, courage to be a better friend, a better classmate, and uh I I'm sure there was mistakes made. Quite honestly, I don't know if anybody really knows all the details or maybe it's not our business. I don't know. But I think that the courage to come back, the fact that he wants to come back, there's a there's an opportunity here for everybody to be brave. Thank you, [applause] >> Eliza Balden. Balden [applause] Landon. Uh, anyways, so I know
084all of you here have worked hard to get to to the position you're in. And this position is for the good of the school and the good of the community, right? But what I've seen is just blatantly going by the book, which in most cases ends up hurting the community because what Coach T did was something that to me isn't very huge. But you guys have turned what could have been a month-long suspension into a semester long, I don't know, fiesta of kids being circled around in the classes, going from having a teacher to not having a teacher and being assigned substitutes that don't know how to teach such a high level math class. I'm in the calculus BC course and I would not be there if it wasn't for Coach T. He pushed me
085to take my knowledge of math further and higher than before. So coming into this year, I was excited to have him again. But sadly, month or two in, he was he left and we were left with Miss Soua who what did an amazing job with what she could and now I am I just took my calc BC final and my break is now being taken away from me because I have to do makeup. I have to do catchup assignments for that class where most of the school would, you know, get to spend time with their family. But now I have to do assignments to catch up just to get to a level where I could have been at if coach T stayed. And I think that's all I have to say. Thank you, [applause] Heather
086Stoa. That was high. Hi, good evening. My name is Heather Sodto de Olivera. I am the wellness technician at Matthew Turner Elementary School and Joe Henderson Elementary School this year. Um, [sighs and gasps] I've been in this position for four years now. I love what I do. It's so valued. And I know you all value the wellness centers in our district. I know you see the numbers of attendance. I know that means something to you. That's that's not the the point of contention here. But I'm here because I know that there are hard choices to be made by you all due to one-time co funds coming to an end. The wellness centers serve our students in so many ways. You see the numbers and they mean something to you. I know that. But what you
087all don't see is the students faces as they enter our doors. You don't feel the heavy hearts. You don't feel the fear, the anxiety, the sadness, the loneliness. You don't see any of that. I see that. The other wellness techs see that. And we see their faces and feel their lifted spirits when they exit that room after spending some time in there. We know they're going back into classes in a learning mindset. That's our goal. You know, there's been a student at one of the sites that's come to in to see me every week this year, sometimes multiple times. And the student has spoke of a lot of trauma in the home, a parent who has had ongoing sickness, mental health issues, and what that's done to the family. Very recently, that parent suddenly passed
088away. The student has spent every day with me. Some days we sit quietly. Some days we do breathing exercises. Some days the student shares with me. I asked the student if they have anyone else, a trusted adult that they can talk to so freely, that they can share with. And the student looked at me very quickly, looked into my eyes and said,"No." That is just one reason why we need to keep the wellness centers open. That is one student. There are so many of these stories. I have gratitude letters, petitions from fifth graders from last year when they were worried the wellness center was going to close. Over a hundred students signed this and gave it to Mr. Slater. I implore you. I know there's hard decisions to be made. We value mental health in
089this community. Please show the students that you all value it. Keep the wellness centers open. Keep the wellness technicians that know the students, that love the students, and that the students love them. Let's please continue to support our students. Thank you for your time. [applause] Our next uh speaker is Connor >> Morgan. Thank you. [applause] >> Oh, shoot. >> Hello, my name is Connor Han and I'm the current senior class president at Benisha High School. I had the opportunity to have coach T my freshman year for math class and I can honestly say I would not be here be the person I am today without him. Coach T didn't just teach me math. He helped me shape the way I think, the way I carry myself and the kind of person I I strive to
090be. He is something every high school student needs whether they realize it in the moment or not. From the very start of my high school experience, it was clear that Coach D had an impact on this campus that went way beyond a classroom. He always he he was always there staying way long after school to help a student to help students who were struggling, taking time out of his own life to show up at games and supporting students even when no one was watching. Those moments mattered as they feel seen, valued, and believed in. Coach T is the definition of giving 110%. He gives his time, his energy, and his heart to everything he does. He pushes students to be better, not because he has to, but because he genuinely believes in our potential, sometimes
091even before we even believe in in ourselves. People like that are rare in life and even rare in a school district. Coach T's impact will not end when he leaves the classroom or the field. He has always shaped generations of students and his influence will carry through the values and lessons we carry with us long after high school. Bonisha High School is a better place because of him and I am proud to say that I am one of many students whose life has been changed by coach T. Let's reflect reflect. As you heard from the last meeting, Coach T has sla saved three lives, three people's lives. I want to ask you all a question. Are you going to be the person saving those lives? because you definitely could be by bringing him back to
092represent Banisha High School. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you everyone for coming to speak. This is um going to end our closed session of public comment. We're going to go in. and we are reconvening to open session. We have not had our closed session yet. After our after um all the presentation and action items except for one um we will be adjourning into uh close session. We will be excuse me one second. [clears throat] And again, it's going to be a long it will be a long meeting. [snorts] Do we have what's the number? Oh, um, never mind. I'm Yeah, I'm looking for the number. Do you see it? Excuse me. We will be We are not pulling Jay from our from our open meeting >> J4, but we we're going to delay. We would
093like to consider um everything that we've heard tonight. And um so we'll be going into close session after we after we um close out from open session. Then we'll come back and finish that one item. Okay. Okay. So, we're into open session at 6:19. Um, we have nothing to to um we have nothing to announce uh from close session because we haven't had it. Um, so are do we have any announcements? Okay. So, we're going to do the pledge. And I see two girls in the front. Would you like to lead us in the pledge of allegiance? >> Oh, or do we have somebody else? >> Okay. >> [cough] >> We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, um, one nation under God, indivisible,
094with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Really good. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, sorry. And um Amelia Masters from Mr. Gomez's class. Would you like to read our vision, please? >> Our vision. We are an inclusive community that cultivates an equitable and responsive environment, empowering all students to develop strong character and academic excellence to become well well-rounded and engaged global citizens. >> Thank you. And Zoe, would you like to come up and um read the mission statement? >> In partnership with students, families, staff, and the community. We are committed to inclusive community, respecting diversity, and nurturing a safe and and equitable environment. Empowered students being responsive to students needs and voices while fostering a passion for learning, collaboration, individual expression needed to reach the future ambition. Strong character promoting social emotional learning, integrity,
095mental and physical wellness and values aligned actions, technological literacy by ending re rigorous and innovative programs well-rounded and global citizens offering relevant learning opportunities to help build a sustainable future. >> Well done. So board um I these three young ladies I want you to know are the same three that gave >> I'm I apologize. These three phenomenal students got up there and gave a speech at the um uh for our Falcon flyover for the opening of our bridge and you know the mayor did an okay job the superintendent he was all right but these three killed it and they're the ones that named the falcon flyover at le on behalf of the students and just did a phenomenal job. We have some certificates to present to them and I would like to do that now.
096All >> [applause] >> right. You're welcome. >> And now we come to item E, approval of the agenda. Is there a motion? >> I move that we approve the agenda as written. >> I second. >> Majority vote. >> All those in favor? I. >> No one opposed. Thank you. And our highlight tonight is um learning our spark learning through interest LTI program at Liberty High. And Miss Kim Lewis is our speaker tonight. Okay, first you can't follow that much cuteness, >> so we will do our best. Um, good evening, President Grub, Superintendent Calibesi, fellow trustees, and cabinet members. We're here this evening to highlight Liberty High School's learning through interest program. You may have heard through student reports all these LTI learning through interest field trips and kids going all over the place. But what
097you may not know and what the community may not know that this is an awardwinning program. We received an innovation of educ innovation and education award from Sonoma State for our LTI program. It is a key element in our WASK report um which got us a six-year accreditation and it's one of the reasons why we received the California Model Continuation School award last year. Numerous districts from Hayward to Sonoma Valley and up and down have come visited our school just because of this program. So while it's a fun and kids are out, there's real meaning behind this. I am pleased to present a few outstanding Liberty High School students who will share how spark of curiosity, initial spark of interest can grow into a powerful platform for student voice. With that, I'm going to stop
098talking and turn this microphone to these lovely students. Good evening. This is a presentation of sharing our spark. My name is Braza and these are my classmates. >> I'm Freda. >> I'm Sophia. >> Hi, I'm Mani. Our learning through interest program allows us to learn in ways that are meaningful and connect to our sparks and interests. Through LTI, we work closely with our adviserss to identify what we care about and turn them into sparks, personalized learning experiences. We have opportunities to learn and explore in our community alongside mentors who are actively working in different professions. Our LTI program may take students on different paths. Some participate in field trips, community college programs or local businesses conducting interview with community members. We take college classes, create research projects. All these experiences accumulate into an end of
099the year exhibition. Exhibitions are opportunities for us to showcase our spark journey. LTI take helps us take ownership of our learning and prepares us for life beyond school. And it starts with courage. Finding our courage, sharing our interests and what truly sparks our curiosity takes courage. It means being honest about who we are, what we care about, and what we want to explore, even when it feels uncomfortable or different from what others might choose. Opening up about our interests makes us vulnerable because it invites feedback, questions, and sometimes doubt. But through advisory, our classmates make it easier to take that leap. They listen, ask thoughtful questions, and give encouraging feedback that helps us seize our ideas in new ways. Their support makes us feel more confident to take risks and dive deeper into our interests.
100Sharing our spark isn't always easy, but with the encouragement of our peers, it becomes an exciting part of learning, helping us grow, connect, and connect with others and take ownership of our education. connecting with the classroom. Because of my personal interest in the medical field, I had the opportunity opportunity to visit Miss Anuk's medical careers class at Benicia High School, where I could explore what a career in healthcare might look like. During my visit, I got hands-on experience learning practical skills and seeing how medical professionals work in their everyday life. It was exciting to connect what I've been studying with real world practice and it gave me a clear sense of what this path path could look like and be like in the everyday world. This experience also opened up the door to new opportunities.
101I am now looking forward to the possibility of an internship at a local clinic where I can gain even more firsthand experience and continue exploring my passion for medicine. This whole process has made me realize how much I enjoy learning by doing and how important it is to follow my interests. Thank you. Finding a pathway. Sorry. Finding a pathway. I first discovered my spark when I realized I wanted to help people and make a difference in my community. That interest has grown into a passion for law, especially criminal justice. Right now, I'm taking a criminal justice class at Solano Community College, which has given me a deeper understanding of the legal system. I even had the chance to tour the Solano County Courthouse and speak with judges, which was an amazing experience. I would also
102like to thank TR trustee hirs on behalf of me and my classmates for giving us an amazing opportunity to uh visit the courthouse. Sorry, sorry. These experiences have made me more certain than I want to pursue immigration law. I want to help families like mine navigate this legal system, find a find support during challenging times. Following my spark has shown me that when I explore my interest, I can connect what I care about to real opportunities to make a difference in people's lives. Thank you. Connecting to community. We connect sorry. We connect our spark to the community by actively exploring opportunities that help us learn from people who are already in the field we're interested in. For example, we've been exploring CTE classes at local community colleges, which give us hands-on experience and a deeper
103understanding of different careers. We also make a point to talk to experts in the field and ask them about their experiences, challenges, and advice. Guest speakers are another way we connect to our spark in the real world. Listening to their stories and insight help me see how my interests can make an impact beyond the classroom. By reaching out, asking questions, and learning from professionals, we can build relationships in our community that not only expand our knowledge, but also open doors to future opportunities like internships and mentorships. Currently, 95% of Liberty High School students have CC accounts. Many Liberty High School students are signing up for spring classes as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Expanding our sparks. At Liberty High School, students have so many opportunities to expand their sparks and explore new interests. We've
104seen plays, done bike rides through Golden Gate Park, attended operas, and are even hoping to go snowboarding. We've also visited the forestry challenge, art museums, and exploratoriums, which have all given new ways to learn and grow. We also gained hands-on experiences working with along with professionals the US fire service, CalFire and soon UC Davis research team on the spinning salmon project. These experiences help us not only grow as learners but also prepare us for life after high school by showing us possibilities of our future and giving us the confidence to pursue our interests. And overall, our LTI helps us explore and learn from our sparks. All these experiences open us to the world. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to learn and grow. So, thank you so much for your support and all we
105learn and all our sparks. On behalf of Liberty High School, thank you all and we wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday. >> Thank you. [applause] This little bit ducking. [laughter] Thank you ladies. Great job. >> And now we come to our um to item G, our annual organizational meeting. Um so each year the governing board shall hold an annual organizational meeting in any year in which a regular election of of district board members is conducted. The organizational meeting shall be held within 15 days following the second Friday in December after the regular election. During all other years, the meeting may be held on any date in December, but no later than December 20th. Ed code 35143. Is this on here twice? Looks like it is. Is this a second? So this is going to
106be really similar. During any year in which a regular election is cond is conducted, the board at the regular meeting held im immediately prior to the second Friday in December shall select a day and a time of the organizational meeting. For any other year, the day and the time of the organizational meeting shall be selected at the last regular meeting held immediately before the annual meeting. On behalf of the board, the superintendent shall not notify the county superintendent of schools of the day and the time selected. Within 15 days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the superintendent shall notify in writing all board members and members elect of the date and time selected for the meeting and that is under ED code 35143. So I'm going to turn this over to Mr. Calibracy.
107>> Yeah. So, as a part of our annual organization, the board of education um speaking to our board policy and it speaks to that our president holds a two-year term and our and our clerk holds a two-year term. So, it's this time in our meeting in December where we make those decisions. And so, our first piece would be confirmation of our of the board of trustees of our president confirming that trustee Grubs would take on a second year. >> And do you go ahead? >> Oh, how does this work? Do we make motions on this? We still need to take a vote. >> Well, I would like to move that that we approve CC Grubs as the president for the 2025 2026 term. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I assumption is you
108accept that. >> Yes. Yes. Sorry. [laughter] >> Sorry. >> You do. Um and then the second piece is confirmation of our board of trustees clerk and it is just as we we did for our president. Um if and so we're looking for a nomination and if trusty hir would continue that position. >> I I'd like to nominate trustee hir um the the clerk of the board. >> All those in favor? >> I I accept. >> Thank you. Thank you. And this next piece is appointment appointment of the superintendent secretary to the board of trustees. And that that lies with you, President Grubs. >> Yes. So um the appointment of the of superintendent as secretary to the board of trustees. Um uh D. Chris Calibrace, superintendent as secretary of the board of education. Um, do we
109have a motion? >> Yeah, I move that we approve that. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? I >> Thank you. >> And we come to G2, Board of Education regular board meeting calendars. Superintendent Calesi. >> Yes. And so you have uh the cal the calendar here. And I do want to note that um I made an error on a date. I don't think the board wants to meet on a Saturday. So, um the September, let me go down here. September 4th should say September 3rd or excuse me um yeah, that is it. Yeah, >> that's a 2025 date. >> It was the 2026 date. September 3rd should the error there. September 4th was a Friday. >> Is a Friday. >> I said Saturday, didn't I? My apologies. >> So, I have a question
110I'd like to bring up regarding the This is B. I guess the regular board meeting calendar June 26 to December 27. Is there a possibility for us to consider ha moving the December meetings up um one week because of the holiday um rush um of life with especially with our students um having you know performances and finals etc. Is there an opportunity for us to think through moving those December dates up one week? >> Yeah, I don't I don't see a problem with that. staff. Am I correct there? I don't see that where there would be an issue with that. Um >> the December >> it's not later than the 20th, >> right? >> Yeah. I'm saying one week up if that's >> 26. Is that election year? >> Um I'm looking. Let's see. >>
111Regular elections. December 17th, 2026 would need to stay, but possibly 2027 could be brought up. >> So, So the date in question would be the December 17th, 2026. >> Correct. >> And you'd want it a week earlier, which would put it at December 10th. >> Um, I think because of the election, we have to keep the date for 2026. Correct. So, but for 2027, if we could move that, but this is actually B in the agenda. So, maybe we need to go, do we need to approve A first? >> And then come back >> the February 7th and June removed. Is that what you mean? Okay. So, so are we going are we calling for a motion or are we moving >> we're calling for a motion for this one as amended? >> As amended.
112Okay. I'll make a motion. That's okay. I'll make a motion to approve the board of education regular board meeting calendar for January 2025 through January 20 through June 2026 as amended. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. Thank you. And then 2B, approval of the adoption of the board of education regular board meeting calendar for August 2026 through December 2027. I believe did we I believe we just amended that one, didn't we? >> Yes. If that works for everybody. >> Well, um I think we're talking about it. We have the one change from September 4th to September 3rd, 2026, right? to move the right Friday meeting to Thursday >> and then we were discussing the December 16th, 2027, bumping that a week earlier. >> The only potential conflict I I can
113think of is CSBA, but I don't know. Usually that's in the very first few days of December, >> beginning of December. >> Yeah, it seems like it would be fine. I think it would be great if we can bump it up a week. >> That would be Thursday, December 9th. I'm looking correctly on the on the calendar. >> If that does present a problem, we can come back with an amendment to this. >> Yeah. Great. Thank you. >> Okay. And do we have a motion? I will make a motion to um approve the adoption of the board of education regular board meeting calendar for August 2026 through 2027 with the changes. Hi. >> So, and um on to G3 board member leaison and representatives to specified committees. Um the first one we have is 3A
114representative to the Solano County Board um school boards association. Who holds that now? >> I do. >> You do? Would you like to continue? >> I'll do it. >> And how many do we need there? Just one. >> Just one. >> Okay. And then D, the district city lison. I believe >> you need to make a motion to appoint him. >> Oh, you need to take action on each one. >> Okay. Um is I'll make a motion to approve Mark for the um the uh as a representative to Solano County School Board Association. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I and then B district and city leaison. We need two. I will tell you that um Sherry would like to is in that spot now and would like to continue if everybody's
115agreeable. Sherry and myself. >> Are you on that too? And would you like to continue? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, I'd like to make a motion that um Sher Zeta and uh Yanni Manassie um represent uh represent Benia Unified School District at the um city as the city lays on. Um, before we we approve this, and I have no problem with that, I just have a clarification about the role. Are we continuing with that role? Do we know yet? Because I know that there's been some talk about maybe um kind of maybe reshuffleling, meeting with the city. And there's also an opportunity that the mayor brought forward um to me that we can discuss at a future meeting, but there is a position on the community sustainability committee and that is a committee that um
116reviews various um it's a lot of education on community sustainability. There's um opportunities for students to get involved. there's it's uh a committee that may be taking a larger role in the city in the coming years and they're very interested in partnering with the district. So I wanted we can put that as a as a future agenda item but I do want to mention it because it goes with our city liaison and that can be a trustee that can be somebody from the district as well. I think the uh city liaison person um it lends itself to the work that we're trying to do here and so I think having that consistency I don't think that it can be I think it can be separated from the ongoing meetings with Mario and I and bringing
117one council member and one member of the trustees for an educational piece. I don't I don't I think they they don't collide. I think they can go hand in hand. >> Yeah. No, I'm all for synergies. So that's great. Um I'll second the motion that is currently on the table. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> And then we have the Valero community advisory panel. >> So this is currently me. Um I'm happy to continue with whatever whatever meetings we have left. We may not have many left and this may be the um maybe maybe this is the position if we decide to >> place somebody on the community sustainability. Uh >> it might be easy segue. >> It might be a segue. So, I'm absolutely happy to continue in this capacity. Okay.
118I'll make a motion for Trusty Hirs to be the Fero Community Advisory Panel representative. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> We come to D board policy review committee. Yanni, I believe you're you and I are on that one, >> right? I am totally opening. I don't know. Um Amy with your lawyer hat if you would be interested in being on that. >> Well, I can't give legal advice district. Um I'm happy you're >> used to reading those. >> I read them. I I write them. Um I am happy to to um to take your spot if you if you want to do something different on the policy committee. Mark, you've served also. Do you are you interested? >> Board policy. Who's the second person on it right now? >> And
119you want to stay, right? >> Yeah, I want to stay. >> Good. You want to stay? I'm happy to sit in the seat, [music] but I don't necessarily want to sit. >> I could go back. I've done it if no one else wants to. >> Amy said she would [music] do it, too. So, >> all right, Amy, let's have Amy do it. >> Totally up to >> Let's see. Yeah, let's arm myself. >> No, [laughter] I'm not that tied in. I'm good. >> Amy, >> so this is a motion for Amy and >> and Cece. >> I move that Amy and Cece continue on the board policy review committee. one of the um there's a committee that isn't on here. >> We didn't second that. We haven't finished that one. >> Okay. Sorry. >> I'll
120second. >> All those in favor? >> I thank you. >> So, the facilities, >> so Amy and I also sit on the the BAC, the budget um accountability. What's the A? advisory >> budget advisory committee. Yeah, you know, I didn't put that on here. You're right. And and that really is a um a kind of a transitional meeting. I don't know we'll we'll have forever, right? Yeah. And so the intent is to meet four times this year, maybe a fifth. And so we can certainly bring that back to the board as a committee. >> Um but um that's >> just for sake of um >> continuity. >> Well, where everybody's where everybody's going. Um >> it's not an agenda item currently, so we could bring that back. >> Okay. So then, um item E, the
121facilities committee. I sit on that and Y sits on that. Would you like to continue? >> I'm happy to continue, but if there's another trustee that expresses interest, I'm totally open to >> Okay. I'll make a motion that Trusty Manassie and President Grubs sit on the facility steering committee. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And the California School Board Association delegate Assembly nomination. That's a big one that that does they meet um a couple times a year. Um there are uh forms that have to be filled out and and it does go to a vote. Would anybody like to >> who's currently doing it? >> It's Jack um from Fairfield. >> And I know he I think he's got another term. I think it's a
122two-year term and he's still um I think we >> Is it a two-year term? >> Did we Was that last year? >> Yeah. I think Jack is serving the second of his two years. I could be completely >> I think the way they do it is that they'll still take nominations and then they'll determine who who wanted to do it and then they'll send a ballot. So, we don't even know if we'll end up on the ballot or not. >> Oh, wow. Okay. Right. So h where do we go from here on that one? >> So if somebody's interested, you guys can still nominate something somebody and that person is responsible for going online to CSBA and filling out all of the information should they want to move forward with it. >> Is it something
123that we we need to send someone to? >> No, we know. Okay. >> No. >> Oh. C. Oh, yes. Yes. >> I don't know. >> Well, if you would if somebody would like to do it, you can always put your name in. We can submit your name and um then you can go >> for the district. It always used to be Diane Fucci that was um on it and we haven't had one on since she >> I think Dr. Moss, right? >> Yes. Oh, she was on it. Okay. So, do we nominate >> nominate? >> No, I'd say leave it as is >> and and it might be a two-year term. Yeah. >> Okay. Moving on. >> So, >> did we There was the equity leadership team. Is that still in need? No, it's just
124Okay, this is a hold over. It's on my number five. It's not on yours. Oh, it's on the recommended motion portion. Never mind. Okay. So, now we come to item H and our student reports. How are all of you? Sorry, it's been a long night. >> Thank you. >> No worries. I'm good as well. Um, good evening, President Gro, Superintendent Calipreian, and following trustees and cabinet members. We are wrapping up our first semester. We have finished our NWA testing, our final and final projects at Liberty High School. We would like to congratulate our early graduates and all those that are completing their first community college classes. We are excited to announce that we are receiving our new salmon eggs from UC Davis. As a part of our statewide spinning salmon project, we partnered with the
125UC Davis assist assist assist to assist them collecting data about the thymine deficiency complex or TDC. It's a deficiency that leads to salmon's neurological problems. Hopefully, we will be able to release our hatchlings in late February or March, and we'll keep you posted. We want to thank Solano Community College for coming and assisting several students sign up for spring college classes. We established a qual a college quiet space where students can attend their visual classes without having to live leave Liberty's campus. We had a few LTI field trips. Students went to the D. Young to see the arts of manga. We had a group of students attend the Monkey King Opera, but unfortunately we had to reschedule our Palisades Tahoe snowboarding trip due to lack of snow. It would be wonderful and greatly appreciated if
126everyone could send positive thoughts for snow over break. I'm very upset about that. Lastly, we want to thank the food and nutritional service department for helping us prepare our holiday lunchon. Uh we could not do this wonderful event without their help. If you don't know what that is, it is an event where all Liberty High students and staff um have a Thanksgiving meal together. So, that was very awesome. On behalf of Liberty High School, we would like to wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday break. Thank you. >> Thank you. Hello, President Grubs, Superintendent Calibresi, fellow trustees and cabinet members. In the past week, student came students came back from Thanksgiving break on the 1st of December and then immediately began preparing for finals during wellness week, which ran from December 8th through December 12th.
127Leadership hosted this event in order to encourage student wellness as we study for exams. and we had events such as a cozy study session during access and a fun Harry Potter trivia game to promote our theater department's fall play. The opening night of the play, Puffs, was on December 12th, and the following day, our band performed at the holiday parade. This week is finals week. On Wednesday, we took our first and second period finals. Today, we took our third and fourth, and tomorrow, we're taking our fifth and sixth with an early dismissal of 12 p.m. Friday is the end of the first semester grading term. Today, Friday, and Saturday, Today, Friday, and Saturday, our theat's final showings of the fall play. Venicia leadership is also currently planning this year's Clash of the Classes, our new
128annual competition between the classes, which will lead up to the rally on the 30th, where the class winner will be announced, and our Clash Bash dance on the 31st. In the upcoming weeks, we have winter break from December 20th through January 4th. Auditions for the spring musical begin on January 7th. On the 15th of January, we have our elective fair and open house where students can check out some of the electives we offer during school and parents can as well after school. On behalf of Benishia High School, thank you. >> Thank you. >> And so, as late as it is, um, please carry on. >> Thanks for coming in. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Oh, have a good good break and good luck with those finals. >> Okay, so we come to our reports
129and we have Superintendent Calcay up. >> Yeah, good evening board. So, uh just want to review some highlights that have happened in the district since our last board meeting. I know it's been a while because this uh this is uh the Day of the Dead celebration at Robert Temple and and that occurred right after um the October u of course right after Halloween and just a great event uh great turnout, great music and some great classic cars and so I just want to celebrate that. Um Mary Farmer Elementary School is doing a food drive in their for their cozy community and it's just really impressive when uh you know it's a great opportunity for students to learn empathy and the caring of others in our community. And so I walked into the office the other
130day and saw these boxes and bags full um for our those who uh who need that support over the holidays. And so it was just heartwarming to see. Okay, this was pretty incredible. So, I walk into Joe Henderson uh to walk through some classrooms and I come into the library and notice there that says star books and so the librarian there is just absolutely phenomenal. She has turned these her table groups there and they're the books are organized by genre and she's taken speed dating to speed reading and uh they have a little form there that they fill out and um and the students rapidly look at the book fill out the the form and basically they're encouraging others to what books they would read and why and um just outstanding. But I have to
131say these students in Miss Anderson's class were just on it. There was a table and I'm going to pick on the boys. And you know, if I was in their grade level and I was in a group of all boys at a table, I would have been cracking up, making jokes and goofing off. And they were attentive. Not only were they attentive, but they were pointing out books to each other quietly, like encouraging one another to to read it. And um as I walked around the room, the notes that they were writing down um about the books, they were thoughtful. They had clearly read it. And and so I just can't say enough about that. I thought it was a great there was three things I saw in that library that were just absolutely fantastic.
132One of them is a picture on the wall that says picture yourself in a book and it's students who had finished a chapter book and they were taking a picture of them and it was up on the wall. What a great way to encourage reading and so just want to applaud that. Continuing in Joe Henderson, uh we had plot characterizations going on in the classroom. You know, I tend to always show all the extra things but instruction is happening out there. And so these students had just read through a story and and were talking about the plot characterization and and going through that and and development of a plot. And so um and then there's nothing more heartwarming to walk into a kindergarten room and see students with letter tiles and they are trying to
133create words out of those letter tiles and to read it, build it, and write it. And uh they were celebrating that. Um and it was it was pretty uh heartwarming to to watch. Um, Matthew Turner Elementary School got the opportunity to walk through classrooms and see from ecosystems to spelling. And that young man on the right hand side there holding his head as he's doing his spelling test, I felt for him. I was right there with him, boy. And so they were super engaged. They were doing their best. And u it was it was great. And then um and then ecosystems. These students were talking about symbiotic relationships and um and how our ecosystems work and um the engagement level and their their thoughtful answers to one another. um was fantastic. I was super impressed
134what was happening there. Um, this is at Benanishia Middle School. And so this is collaboration at a at a whole new level. And so these sixth grade students had read a story and they were collaborating about what was happening in the story. And um, they had a questionnaire to fill out. And so they were talking and they were comparing it to other events, other books that they've read. Um, and they were having an engaging conversation around what they had just read. And again, I was super impressed and the level of engagement that I was seeing from from these students uh was just really impressive. Um and then our I can't say enough about what happens at our middle school. Um this is dads of great students and this is something that our uh um up
135there is Zay um Shaw, president of the parents club and um and he's working with Mr. Nelson and gathering our some dads together getting them to to come to Was I on? Oh my good. Okay. So, um and they um getting them to be on our campus and be visitors on our campus and work with our students and encourage them. So, it was exciting to see that. Liberty High School, uh you just saw some of those students that were presenting. Rotary came out, had lunch at Liberty High School, and our students uh um presented about the forestry challenge and again talking about ecosystems and they also talked about careers and future careers in forestry. And so four of our students were presenting there to the to the Rotary Club and I can't thank the Rotary
136enough for their support of Liberty High School and um essentially they are the PTG for Liberty High School and they do a great job and and it was good for our students to be able to have that opportunity to present to them. Get in front of a group of adults is scary and uh they did a phenomenal job. If you didn't get the opportunity to, some of us got to go out to Benicia High School for Veterans Day ceremony, and I was just, yeah, I'm using the word impressed a lot, but that's exactly what it was. I was I it was a tearjerker. We honored our own um veterans that work here in the district, and um that was wonderful to see and hear our award-winning band that doesn't sound anything like a high school
137band performed. Um and then student speakers, and they were they it was just it was great. It was a a heartfelt uh um presentation. Uh next is Puffs. You heard them talk about that. It's a it's a spin-off of Harry Potter. Um super engaging actors and actresses up on the stage there. And then the way they have set up the set and the way it worked was was uh really impressive and and it also made me excited about the changes that we're going to make to the PAB um for the students in the future and the work that's going to be done there. And so it was a great opportunity just to see them and and see their level of engagement as actors and actresses. And then our administrators are doing walkthroughs. And so recently
138we did a walkthrough of Liberty and um you know Dr. Beatson just casually said would anyone like to lead our discussion and Christina Moore just stepped it up and got up there and led us through a discussion about what we saw at Liberty and which was fantastic. and and we talked a lot about student engagement as we talked about our PLC process, professional learning communities and answering the questions of what do we want students to know? How do we know they learned it? What do we do when they haven't learned it? Um, and so Christina led us through that discussion and she did a great job and I just wanted to accent all of our principles that are working really hard out there and engaged in the learning of our students and also in providing
139professional development to our staffs. That concludes my superintendent report. Thank you. Um, and now we come to board reports. Would anybody like to also went to see Puffs on opening night? That was really fun. Um, great performances. And, um, had the opportunity to, uh, see the Joe Henderson harmonizers sw sing their hearts out um, these past couple weeks. They um they did they joined the band concert, the elementary band concert. They sung in the treeining event. They sung at Luca and last night at Joe Henderson. Um so want to give um some praises to Mr. Stamps for his leadership teaching and continued enthusiasm for the Joe Henderson harmonizers. And um I also went to the elementary band concert at the middle school and want to just acknowledge Mr. G for all his great work that
140he does for our students. That's it for me. We'll go in line. Um, President Grubs and I attended the Veterans Day ceremony at the high school, which was wonderful. Um, I also attended a couple of BMS concerts, one at the middle school and then one in Fairfield. They did a phenomenal job. Um, a big highlight for me from the last month was attending CSBA, which is the California California School Boards Association conference, and I was able to go with Superintendent Calibraz and Miss Bington and Ms. Martinez, and we had a small but mighty showing at CSBA. Um, I was able to take part in some of the legal um, sessions for board members. um particularly impactful was the immigration enforcement Brown Act. Um there was a very interesting charter school discussion um about kind of
141what the lay of the land is on charter schools right now and then also um the sexual assault cases that districts are are facing um with longer statutes of limitation. I was able to attend the women in leadership conference um which was very interesting and met a lot of um uh women who are sitting on boards in other cities. And then I think my big takeaway was just um how important our policies and our governance um procedures are. And uh one question was asked to me during the conference and the question was do you feel like you are one of five or part of a board and my answer was part of a board and I really feel that way. So I just want to thank all of you. I I missed you this year.
142Um hopefully we'll get we'll get some of you next year. Um I'll let maybe President Grums wants to talk about the budget advisory meetings potentially. Okay. >> Well, we attended those. They've been awesome. Thank you, Superintendent Calibrazy, for bringing everybody together. And then I will end with a real high point for me this week. I attended the Matthew Turner Elementary concert. It was K through three. They did a holiday singing concert. Mr. Bouchet played the violin. Mr. G played the guitar. Miss Thompson helped organize. It was phenomenal. It was a packed room. It was just, it was really beautiful. So, thank you to Matthew Turner for having me. Alrighty. So, it it's been a busy um few weeks. Um I did go to the I uh Trusty Hirs and I went to the um budget
143advisory committee which is this really it's a wonderful committee. There is repres representation from every segment of the district. Um, so in our first meeting, we heard about the budget and was very clear, Mrs. Bington was very clear about the budget and what's going on. I should also say that there was union leadership there as well. Um, really every segment of of the school district was represented. And then um this last Tuesday we heard from Mrs. Beat from Dr. beats in about um you know the the one-time monies going away. And so what it is is a way to involve everyone in these difficult decisions that are going to have to be made due to our deficit. So um that's that was just a fantastic meeting. So that's all I have. Anybody else? We're done.
144Okay. Off we go to um I comments from members of the public. Do we have any? >> Yeah. Okay. So, we're going to move on to our um to J approval of the consent calendar. Uh the board may bundle a number of items and act upon them together in one motion through the use of the consent calendar. Consent agenda items are routine items deemed to be non-controversial for which the board discussion is not anticipated and for which the superintendent recommends approval. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the vote unless any members of the board request specific items be removed for discussion. And so our first item is um minute approval of the minutes for the meeting of November 6. >> We do it all. >> Oh, that's right. Okay. >> And
145gifts from the district, which I'll go through later. >> So, okay. >> Do we want to pull the PL? Is that four? Number four. and J >> the P action list. >> Okay. So, we're gonna You'd like to pull that? >> Yes. >> Do we need a vote on that? >> I'm sorry. >> Do we need a vote to pull? >> Yes, we're going to um do it as amended by pulling. >> Okay. >> Who's doing the motion? Second. This is a roll call vote. So, President Gross, >> Trusty Hirs, >> yes. >> Trusty Miselli, >> and Trusty Manosi. >> Yes. >> Then we So, at this point, I'd like to acknowledge the gifts. Is that okay? >> Um, we have to you can >> and then go to resolutions. >> So, we do also
146have the two resolutions after you're done with the gifts. >> Yes. Okay. So, we'd like to thank the Rotary Club of Benicia um of the Benicia Foundation monetary donation to Liberty High School in the amount of $8,800 for general use. Thank you. Oh my goodness, Rotary. Thank you. The Block Bow Giving Fund monetary donation to Benia Middle School in the amount of $1,500. Thank you oh so much. um Food forthought LLC in donation to Mary Farmer Elementary in the amount of $130 for supplies, books, etc. for the um Matthew um Mary Farmer, excuse me, library and the Mary Farmer Elementary PTG in kind donation to Mary Farmer Elementary in the amount of $19,716 for fourth grade trip to Col. and Dorian Artistry and Photography uh monetary donation to Mary Farmer Elementary in the amount of
147$530.98. Thank you so much. United Boy Bay Area monetary donation to Penicia High School in the amount of $899.7. Thank you very much. and the um Charities Aid Foundation America monetary donation in the amount of um $20,000 to Benicia High School for general use. I think that period is supposed to be a comma. >> Yes. Okay. Um Okay. So, thank you very much for your very generous donations. Our schools appreciate it so much and we are grateful. >> Okay, >> number nine is resolution number 252622 and I'll go ahead and do a roll call with the same motions on that one. So, President Grebs, >> yes. >> Trusty Hirs, >> yes. >> Trusty Miselli, >> yes. >> And Trusty Manosi, >> yes. And we've same thing for um 10 25 26 24 going to be
148the same um motions. And President Grubs, >> yes. >> Trusty Hirs. >> Yes. >> Trusty Miselli. >> And trusty Manasi. >> Yes. >> And then um the seniority list those are already approved under >> Yeah. And that's was part of so we come to K presentations and community information items. So we have the um first reading of the recommended California school board association board policy update uh for September 2025 and Superintendent Calibres is going to address that. Yeah, we've reviewed several board policies here and with our um our board committee as well and so we're bringing these beforeward for their first reading. Um there were on the list here there are some that were not included that we've paused on um but the rest are prepared for the board to review. >> I have some
149questions for feedback. >> Okay. Um, in policy 5141 regarding training, um, I'm curious to learn a little bit more of do we train our staff annually um, with the medical equipment on campus and when is this done? Is it done at the beginning of the year? Um, who does the training? And I know that um, it says that there should at least be one person, but I'd like to make a suggestion that we have at least two people trained um, at each site instead of one. So, um I reached out to our nurse and uh she said that the office staff two or more people are trained by the district nurse annually um in August on our professional development day and then updated as needed on site uh uh on the following. So they she
150will update training as needed on um medication administration and documentation, basic first aid that includes when to call 911, the AED review, diabetes management at school, EpiPen seizure safety tracking health tracking hold on tracking health office visits, head injury protocol, Narcan and sick day guidelines. She said that CPR is done every two years as this is how long the certification is valid and this is done by certified trainers either in the district or hired personnel if needed. Both office staff at elementary sites, four staff at BMS and four staff at BHS are trained during these annual training sessions. Even though it is only required for one, we have at least two people trained in case of absences. And the office manager and the office specialists have this requirement in their job descriptions. Right. So the
151AED equipment, when does that get trained on then? Because that's what this is, right? This is maintain records for the um defibrillators. Guess that's something that we should um I think she trains as needed. So, we've been through trainings with those uh folks and then I think as I'm not sure what the regularity >> Yeah, I spoke to Michelle about this and so she does regular trainings throughout the year and then as needed and then Michelle also sees the seizes the opportunity whenever something presents itself to to add that additional training. >> I'd like to make a suggestion that we add that two people um are trained in at least two people instead of one on our policy. It's not doing anything different that we're doing, but just that we're being clear that there should
152be two people at each site instead of one. >> And how do we address that? We take a vote. What do we do? >> Well, I think that's a practice, right? And so you're not asking to change how the policy is written. You're asking our practice to be that we train more than more than one person on the campus, right? >> I think the opposite. I think we by practice we train more than one but in the policy it says that there needs to be at least one and I'm making a suggestion >> up for conversation of course um to say that we should have at least two people per site trained. >> My only feedback is that if we um say something in a policy we have to make sure we can follow it.
153So one question I would have is um liberty how many people I mean there's one person in the office I think. So if we do make the change, >> um let's just make sure that we can meet it going forward would be my feedback. >> Would you like me to uh talk to staff about that and bring that back? >> Pull that policy for now. >> To me, I feel like what if someone is absent for the day? Um I know in practice we do it, but you know, I just would like to be clear in our policies that this is what the expectation is. But once again, I'm totally open for conversation. So, >> um, what would the process be? Because if this is the first reading, then would that give you time until
154the next meeting to bring feedback and then maybe we can, >> um, edit then, amend then if we want to. >> Yeah. >> Okay, let's do that. >> I do want to assure you in practice more than one person trained on the ed. And I don't know if you've seen our latest AEDs, it also walks you through how to do it. That's actually >> all do this and do that. >> Okay, I have one more question. Apologies. Um I also wanted to just check in about 5141.4 and just um inquire about um are we are we doing this training now and when is this training conducted um and who does this training >> uh child abuse prevention reporting >> correct? >> Yeah. So that is uh done yearly right beginning of the school year all
155employees all volunteers board members myself everyone and then as new hires come in they are also trained um in yeah so that would pat am I missing anything >> that's the Keenan webinar right >> correct >> so we even have to be [music] in it every year >> just making sure thank you >> I do Okay. So, moving on, we come to um >> I'm sorry, I do have one more thing. Apologies, looking at my notes. Um I would like to I tell me if this is not the appropriate time, but I would like at an upcoming meeting um to review and discuss our reserve policy, the policy that talks about reserves. Um I'd really like to [music] to bring that up to the board and and talk through that. I don't know if this
156is the place, but I thought because it's a policy or if we should wait until we talk about the budget, but >> um you could also do that at the end for upcoming agenda items. I think that's totally appropriate. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Sorry, CC. I didn't mean to cut you off. >> No, [laughter] anything else? >> No, now it's >> um Okay, so now we're up to um action items. So, Miss Egan, welcome. Thank you for your patience. >> You guys have a big night tonight. >> We do. >> Um, so we have a couple of action items for you tonight. The first one is for the high school. Um, the scope of work is to provide new hardscaping in the vicinity that is currently within construction fencing where the R buildings were
157removed. Um, it'll be new concrete hardscaping. I know Brianna has big plans for how they're going to use it. And then it also includes um renovations to the existing Z buildings and um the renovations will include scopes similar to what we provided when we relocated the buildings from the middle school to Robert Simple. So it's everything all new roofing, siding, flooring, interior attack board. Um so if approved the project would start in January and it would be completed in mid-March. We did go to public bid. We got four bids. Um, one of them withdrew their bid and so it makes the second lowest the responsive bidder and the staff recommendation is to award the contract to CWS construction in the amount of $525,000. >> I just want to acknowledge and say thank you for putting
158this out for public bid. It was helpful to see what um what the range of pricing was. So, thank you for doing that for this and for B2. Great. Thank you. You're welcome. >> I just ask a question. Our buildings, are those the ones next to the gym, the basketball, like right across? >> They're no longer there. We took them out last spring. >> Oh, [laughter] okay. And then is that that's going to be spented in that area? >> Yes, it's going to be cemented in. So, it'll be an open kind of plaza. Um Briana's >> targeting it for ping pong tables. >> Oh, that's great. It's very closed off as it was. So, >> yeah. And so part of the good thing about the construction, well construction is always hard, but both that area
159and the area to the Z are on the perimeter of the campus. So the work can occur during regular school hours. I mean, you're not going to, you've got, you're next to the gym. You know, they might have a little bit of noise, but I don't think it's this staff when we met with them and reviewed it were not concerned about it. And then in the Z, same thing. You're not directly adjacent to a lot of stuff. Um, so and then as the Z building renovations get done, they're going to start working to move some of the band storage stuff into there, which will be a great segue for the PAB in preparation for that upcoming construction. >> Yeah. And the Z buildings, those are the ones out by the tennis courts, right? Okay. Correct.
160>> Those are those are old, right? Yes. Okay. >> And so they're storage is the intended use is storage. Yep. Um, any other questions? I >> I'll make a motion that we approve the award of contract for the Benanishia High School concrete, hardscaping, and Z building upgrades to the low bit bidder CWS construction in the amount of 525,000. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor? >> I we come to be Roxan, you're going to be up here for a while. [laughter] >> Awesome. So, the next item on the agenda is well, we're excited for all of the improvements we get to do, but this is kind of a big one. So, it is the high school fields um improvements. This is a project that we've been working on and planning. Had lots of
161meetings and gathered lots of input. Um so, what the scope is, it's for new artificial turf, baseball fields, softball fields, and a third allpurpose field. It includes um new dugouts, new restroom and concession building, new parking lot, all the infrastructure, which is certainly substantial. Um new musco lights and then part of this too was to be able to it'll address title n um inequities which we have right now up at Mary Farmer and then when this is complete we can um no longer have that and reimagine that space for Mary Farmer's upgrading. So, um, we went to bid and we got three bids. The low bid is to Jaywalt Construction in the amount of $14,125,000. Um, the bids were competitive. They're It's a lot of money, but they're relatively close and it's great to see
162them come in that way. I know that all the contractors went out and really worked to get subs and their best pricing. Um, if approved, the work would start in January of 2026 and it would be completed in December of 2026. Staff recommendation is to approve the contract to the low bidder Jaywalk construction in the amount of $14,125,000. >> I Any questions? I move that we approve the uh contract to JW Construction in the amount of 14,125,000. >> I'll second favor. >> I come to C. >> Thank you. So item C is tethered to item B. Um as part of our high school fields [music] um upgrades, we have to do a new storm drain connection. It's into a city storm drain pipe. So there are state, county, and city regulations that govern this. And
163it says if you tie into the city pipe, you have to provide a maintenance agreement that promises the city you'll take care of and clean out. We have a filtering system that is going to be built that it go the water goes into before it goes into the storm system. Um, this agreement was reviewed by legal to make sure that they're not asking anything above and beyond and legal says no and they recommend approval. We have to do it or we can't do our great new fields. Um, and then I also maintenance is aware of the system and they [music] have their buy in that yes they can do the maintenance and they don't have concerns with it. So this is um asking you for approval to let staff go ahead with this needed agreement.
164Any questions? >> I move that we approve the storm water treatment measures maintenance agreement between BUSD and the city of Benia. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> thank you guys. Happy holidays. >> Thank you. And now we have come to Miss Barington and Mr. So, John is going to join us at the podium and this is um a resolution before you to sell the second series, series B of the uh 2024 election that passed um in the amount of $65 million that lets us um pull down the money needed to continue our construction projects. And John will provide some more information on that. >> Good evening. Good to to see you guys. Um well, Trudy pretty much said it all. I mean, the district has in front of them the
165opportunity to approve the resolution that would authorize the next sale of bonds. Um, many of you are familiar with the process, having done it before, but when voters approved the measure back in 2024, they gave you the authority to sell up to $122 million. How you get there is dependent on assessed values and interest rates. um the first sale of most bond programs and and I believe the case here was really to give you some substantial funds and also some seed money because you don't really know exactly how much you need when you have 100 plus million dollars. Uh so you get that seed money, you start spending that seed money and then in consultation with the district and rock sand the question was okay how much more can we get we could really use
166this amount upcoming. So, we looked at the assessed value of the district. The growth was there. Interest rates are there. So, before you you have the authorization, uh the resolution more correctly for an up to $65 million issuance. Um what that authorization resolution does tonight is deputize your your district staff and your finance team to go ahead and complete the financing on your behalf. Uh you'll have the resolution which is in perfect format or completed format. Uh, and then there's some associated legal documents that are in form. So, when you talk about, well, wait, how come there's some blanks on these other documents, the official statement, the bond purchase agreement, those don't get filled in until the bonds are actually priced. So, what you're saying is the resolution's good. We're deputizing you guys. The rest
167of the documents are still 95 97% complete, but we don't need to take action to go ahead and complete the financing. So that's in essence what this action does uh this evening. >> Yeah. I'm just curious um why why 65 million? Why not like more or less? What how did you choose the 65? >> Yeah, great question. A lot of it is is what the tax base can give us and what the IRS spend down requirements um do with respect to the spending of the dollars. So there's two elements because some districts could say hey I'll take the full amount please thank you very much and then our answer is well can you meet the IRS spendown requirements is which is essentially spend it in three years so so that's exercise number one exercise number
168two is the tax base can't in this instance take the full amount because what we have not only a political kind of commitment to voters we also have a legal commitment to voters with a cap of $60 per 100,000 of assessed value tax rate. So we look at your assessed value current, we look at our tax limit, which in this case would be the $60, the the no tax increase if you remember from the election. And then you look at current interest rates and we say, okay, it's reasonable for us to provide $65 million. There's still going to be a few million dollars left. Can you Trudy and team meet the IRS spend down requirements to spend that? So that's the exercise each time you sell it's can you spend it in three years and
169can the tax base accommodate what we're trying to do >> and then we can still go back to request the remaining >> yes exactly the bal the balance you know a lot depends with Valero and what that's going to happen um how quickly any redevelopment of that particular property starts to add back assessed values um so candidly it'll probably be a little bit of a wait and I think all things being equal, two to three years is probably what we foresee as the the final draw. >> You bet. >> Any other questions? >> Is there a motion? >> I'll move that we uh let's see. I'll move that we adopt resolution number authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligations bonds. >> I'll second that. This is a resolution. So, roll call. President Grubs. Trusty
170Hirs. >> Yes. >> Trusty Miselli. >> Yes. >> And Trusty Manoski. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Look forward to working with you guys and happy holidays. You >> Mrs. Rice, you are up. Good evening board and cabinet and the Bes community. My name is Stephanie Rice and I am director of education services. And what I have for you first tonight is for your consideration and hopeful approval of our course outline for Spanish 3 honors. This is an updated course outline as we currently have Spanish 3 honors offered at the high school level, but we you did approve a newly adopted curriculum at the end of last year and they've updated their course outline to reflect that curriculum, the alignment to the world language standards as well as the rigor of this course
171being an honors course to prepare our students that choose to go on to AP Spanish 4. So they're doing a daily discussion in Spanish, written uh projects and um application all in Spanish. Um so I'll turn it over to you if you have any questions as this is an update and not a new course. Um just a comment and it's really just a a thank you to the Spanish team. My son's in Spanish three honors right now. It's amazing what they're doing in that class. So really really happy with the course. Thank you. >> I'll pass that on. Thank you. >> Please do. Please, please. >> And I didn't share financial impact as we've already adopted the curriculum would be zero impact to where we are currently. >> Make a motion. >> Yeah. I'll make
172a motion to approve the updated course outline for world language elective Spanish three honors for high school. I'll >> second that. All >> those in favor? I >> thank you. I have one more. [laughter] I am here again for your consideration and hopeful approval of the new course outline for our Chinese Mandarin 2. This will follow our Chinese Mandarin 1 course that you approved last year. Uh the plan is then to look to adopt the GOAR with Chinese Mandarin 2 curriculum to follow our Chinese one. Um there will be a financial impact as this will be a new course. We're looking at approximately $24,000 um as it would align to what we paid for our uh course one for our three sections of textbooks and materials. >> We have to students have to have two
173years of a language, right? So this >> they have need one for graduation requirements. >> One to get into that or fine arts >> if they go into colleges or college applications. >> Do you think we'll end up having a Mandarin 3? Sounds like there's a lot of interest, right? >> There there is. It's a lot of positive feedback. Um, if you visited the class, a lot of work up on the walls, the teacher's really excited. Um, so I would predict that. Yes. >> Do you know how many is it? One class right now. >> It's three sections. >> Three sections. Wow. I'll make a motion to approve the adoption of course outline for world language Chinese Mandarin 2 for high school >> and I will second. >> All those in favor? >> I thank
174you. >> Thank you. Then we come to um item C, consideration and approval of the update board policy 5116.1 interd district [snorts] open enrollment. Dr. Beats. >> Sure. >> Good evening everyone. Um this is an updated uh policy and I'm bringing it to you tonight um for adoption even though it hasn't come for a first reading and the reason is we uh have had a lot of discussion around the information that we need so that we can best predict enrollment at what school site and so this is to um move our dates where families can apply for open enrollment or intradist transfer. So those are families that are already here in our district and they choose. They really applies to elementary schools. They want to go to a different elementary school. We need to know
175if we have enough space. We need to know if we have uh enough classrooms to make those things happen. And that's one of the first steps as we look at rolling up enrollment. And so I bring this for your uh hopeful approval to move the timeline up from um uh what it was March to um what will be December 1st through January 31st so that we have that information earlier. Oh, sorry. Oh, I was just going to ask is um are we I'm I'm assuming you have um uh procedures in place to notify families because I don't know if somebody already thinks they have until March and then it'll be a surprise. >> Absolutely. If this goes through tonight, um either tomorrow or the Monday we are back, uh we will send out notification to
176all families in the district. >> That was my question. Are you going to be starting it soon? >> Yes, we have the letter ready to go. Great. Okay. We were thinking of adding it to um Superintendent Kelly's newsletter as well. >> Yes. Thank you, Georgia. Yeah, just to add to this, this aligns us with other districts in the area. It allows us to predict staffing a little bit better. Um and um and it gives us a better sense of where we're at when it comes to where our students want to go to school. It also allows us then we know where the space is at later on in the year for interd district transfers, right? And that as that's also another issue for us. Is there a motion? >> I'll move that we approve the
177updated intra district open enrollment board policy as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> So now we come to item three. Um, are we we are we going through all of them or we are going to go back into close session to consider item? Okay. >> Yes. But with these are open sessions. >> Okay. So, Dr. Jennings. >> Well, good evening um President Grubs and board of trustees and superintendent Calibres and the Venicia community in order to assist the district in planning for the upcoming school year, the 2627 school year, which is hard to believe. And um to assist us in recruiting the most highly qualified employees for for that school year, the Ven Unified School District is offering an early notification of ret of retirement incentive to all certificated and
178classified employees. What that does is a gives us gives them until January 16th to let us know and then that helps us to plan out uh our spring hiring much more effectively. kind of just people to let know earlier. They theoretically, you know, go all the way late standard >> and to Trusty Melli's point that they um have until June 30th to let us know if they're going to return. And if they can let us know, we can give them a little incentive to let let us know earlier, it really does help us out. I have a motion. >> I move that we approve the early notification of retirement. >> I'll second. All those in favor? >> I. >> And we come to item B. Dr. Jenning Jerob for a while. >> I believe that
179uh assistant superintendent Bington is the ones responsible for this item. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We're going to do a little back and forth a little bit. So, I'll pass it to her. >> So, procedurally, um, when the district, um, enters into tenative agreements with the unions, we have to provide what's called the AB1200, which is showing that the district can afford in the current year and in the multi-year what has been offered. So, um, we'll go back and forth. So, we're starting with CSEA, our California School Employees Association, chapter 1096. And this is the documents that show what was um offered, what was accepted um and that the district can afford it and can afford it in the current and two years out. All of this information was provided to Solano County Office of Education
180um ahead of the required 10 days that they have to review it. Um they had a few questions about our restricted funding um just [clears throat] to make sure that our restricted funding could afford what we were doing. And so I was able to answer their questions. So that will be the same for each each unit you see of this. So this does require your review and approval before you move on um accepting the tenative agreements and the salary schedules for each group. >> How would this have affected our restricted? >> Everybody receives increases. >> And so um let's let's say you're part of um even a one-time funded pot of money. um we don't we don't negotiate people separate people to people and so every employee is getting the same increase um to their
181uh the salary schedule as well as the medical and so that that's where the county office does ensure that we can afford it um because if the restricted funds couldn't it we would have to contribute and so we have sufficient reserves should we need to contribute. Got it. >> But that's what they were checking on. >> Okay. Some of our people are paid from restricted funds. Correct. Based on That's right. >> And all of that was taken into account when the projections were given forward. >> I move that we approve the AB1200 for CSCA. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. >> And next up we have um Item D, Cal, uh, consideration approval of the California School Employee Employees Association, CSCA on the salary schedule. >> Actually, we uh, I think we we
182skipped we skipped C. So, I want to make sure >> C. I'm sorry. >> That's No worries. That's the >> I'm going to just let you go on down. [laughter] >> Thank you. That's the tenative agreement between the California school, our local chapter of the California School Employees Association. And so be first I'd like to just express uh gratitude and appreciation to my the negotiating team um assistant superintendent Bington and Director Romero, Director Courtney and Director Dudley um were all on our district team and then also just a thank you to the CSEA negotiations team. um specifically the president Cindy Crane and um the re local regional rep Shamana Grace who led the the CSEA's uh negotiation team. We're just grateful for our collaborative partnership with CSCA. the negotiation. We had two negotiation sessions this
183school year and they produced this tenative agreement that's before you which includes a 2% ongoing increase to the classified uh salary schedule effective July 1 of 2025. Additionally, the district's contribution to the medical benefits premium would be increased by $98 per month to make a total district contribution of $1,285 per month, which would be effective as of November 1st. Also, please note that the attached tenative agreement has been ratified by the local chapter 1096 of CSSEA. >> Any questions? Is there a motion? I will make a motion to approve the consideration and ratification of the tenative agreement for the 2025 2026 school year between Benicia Unified School District and the California School Employees Association chapter number 1096. >> I'll second all those in favor. >> And we come to Oh, wait. both pets on >>
184the salary the salary schedule now. So um before you uh we are requesting approval of the revised salary schedule for CSEA to reflect the recently recently agreed upon um approved agreement. >> I move that we approve the >> second. All those in favor I So then we come to are we on item E? >> Yes. >> Oh good. Consideration approval of AB 1200 chapter 12131 uh GC3547.5 NCCR title 5 section 15449 public disclosure oops I lost it of uh collective bargaining agreement with Benicia teachers association >> so similar Similar to the one that you just saw first, the SEA, this specifically shows the impact of the um tenative agreements before you for the Benicia Teachers Association where the district um has the ability to afford what was offered in the current year plus two more.
185>> Is this a new law or I had never seen this before this year. >> It's not new. We're just doing the process a little different um to provide transparency and clarity. I really appreciate it. I had never seen it before. That's what I really like. Yeah, >> I had the same the same comment. >> Yeah, thank you. >> DB1200 really came into effect um when a number of school districts um became insolvent and so that's why the county office has this required oversight of us that whatever we do we can truly afford to do and so we don't public dollar at risk. >> Makes sense. >> Yeah. As opposed to you voting and then the county saying no, right? And then we go through that process, right? Yeah. And you've witnessed that as well,
186right? And so, yeah, this is much cleaner. >> Okay. So, is >> I'll move that we approve the AB1200 public disclosure as presented. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. So now we come to item F, consideration and ratification of the tenative agreement for the 2025 2026 school year between Venetian Unified School District and the Benicia Teachers Association. >> Uh thank you again, President Grebs. The district and the BTA bargaining teams met at the bargaining table for four negoti negotiating sessions this school year. Uh again, I'd like to express my appreciation for the BUSD negotiations team, assistant superintendent Bington, Principal Slater, Principal Nelson, and Principal Klein Schmidt, and um Assistant Superintendent Beatson. So, thank you guys, as well as the BTA negotiations team led by Lisa Dellorfus. We do truly again appreciate
187the collaborative partnership we have with our um with our unions. The negotiation sessions have produced this attached tenative agreement which includes a 2% ongoing increase to the BTA um members salary schedule effective for July 1 of 2025 and also increase the district's contribution to the medical premiums uh for of $98 for a total district contribution of $1,285 effective November 1st of 2025. >> Thank you. Any questions? When was I'm sorry if we could go back a little. When was the uh benefit increase for CSEA retroactive? >> The same exact date. It's November 1st >> of 2025. >> I thought it was earlier. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. We have a motion. I will make a motion uh to approve the ratification of the tenative. Is that where we're at? F. Right. Thank you. Ratification the
188tenative agreement for the 2025 2026 school year between Benicia Unified School District and the Benicia Teachers Association. >> All those in favor. >> And we come to item G consideration and approval of the Benicia Teachers Association salary schedules. >> Thank you again. And we are requesting approval of the revised salary schedule for the Venicia Teachers Association to reflect the recently approved uh BTA collective bargaining agreement. >> I move that we approve the salary schedule for BTA. >> Second. >> Who was a second? >> Yi. >> Those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. And we come to item H. Consideration approval of AB200 chapter 1213/191 GC3547.5 and CCR title 5 section 15449 public disclosure of collective bargaining agreements with a confidential management classified certificated group. So, similar to CSEA and BTA, this is the remaining groups
189of our employees within the district. The they are this these groups are unrepresented. Um, but the AB1200 still needs to come forward to you to see it. Um, I know this is the third time. What I failed to mention to you is each time you saw a unit, um, the costs are listed for, um, we first saw it for CSEA. In the column right next to it, you saw what everybody else cost. So that that each time you're seeing it that the district could afford the full offer that was being made to employees. So this is similar to the other two. >> Appreciate it. >> I have a question. I don't know if this is like standard by law or somewhere practice that we have to make. But is it possible for us, this goes
190for the the next couple items too, for us to um think through like management salary to be included? Can we exclude those from negotiations? Um, for instance, you know, can we think through like negotiations with BTA, CSEA, and management? Um, instead of including management in with BTA or the other union groups that we negotiate with. I just I so my point comes from you know district employees in terms of like them just you know getting the 2% sort of like that's just what happens and then also just ensuring that you know I our principles are they being equit equitable and pay um when it comes to other districts in our county you know I just want to make sure that we're also looking at our management and making sure that we're on par with those
191salaries as well so [music] if if it's you know something that we have to do, that's fine. But if it's something that we've just done traditionally, is it possible for us to talk through taking that as a third um group to think through salary negotiations? >> So, you'd be good with them bargaining because I don't believe they've ever had to really bargain on their own because they have a me too clause. So, they get what everybody else gets and since they don't have a they're not in Pasa, are no. So they uh basically they've never bargained. Like CSA bargains, they go to the table, they have a bargaining team and the district has a bargaining team and BTA does that uh >> because they're unionized, right? >> Yeah. The uh management does not. They uh
192basically have a meto clause. So it's been standard that they end up getting whatever everybody else does because they don't bargain on their own. I think that if you wanted to do that, they would have to form their own bargaining team. and bargain on their own which it's difficult because like you said they're the other groups are unionized so they have a collective the management does not have a collective they're you know so I think you know there's pos right >> yeah they they're a collect and convey group right and so we can meet with our admin collect their concerns or suggestions and then convey that and and um what it sounds like is you're you're looking at exploring other opportunities for our our admin, right? And looking at what are some things that they
193may be needing or wanting and and so in my past history, what I've done is met with leadership from the admin group and talked about things. So sometimes it's like paying for axidus, right? We already do that, right? I believe here. So um or it is looking at flex calendars, right? Things like that. As it pertains to salary, you want to maintain and keep everybody moving at the same level because if you don't, then you're in jeopardy of losing people or or falling behind other districts in the county and not being competitive, right? If it's the opposite, if we were the lowest paid administrators in the group, then really that's um not this wouldn't be the year to do that, right? There would have to be a greater cola, right, to do that. And I'd
194want to be incredibly clear to our other bargaining groups about why we're doing that, right? >> Go over well. >> No. No. >> Yeah. And I'm just I'm just trying to to gain the question. I mean, even management, but also like the district office. Um, you know, so just really thinking through are we looking at this in par and in equitable lenses. >> So I don't know if it's like by law that just what is what happens and that's just what happens. But I just wanted to this is um after I was reading all these it's a thought that [music] I had. So it's something for us to consider. >> So we could probably look at that in a study session. Do that. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And we are actually going to be part of
195a salary salary comparison with other districts. Another district has paid for that. So we get to benefit from that. And so we can bring that to the back to the board and take a look at that. >> That'd be great. >> Yeah. So, I'm I'm hearing you're saying you just want to make sure that our our management team is is also being treated equitably in terms of what others make in the area and so on and so forth. And does the 2% >> um and the variable of like the district getting 2% and how much that increases and that goes into our general fund. Yeah. Versus, you know, what our teachers 2% salary is. So, I just want to, you know, consider that. I think a study session would be great to learn more about
196that. >> We approved HA. >> No, that was my question. >> So, any other questions, >> comments? Um, is there a motion? >> I do move that we approve AB1200 for confidential management classified. >> A second. >> I. So now we come to I consideration ratification of the salary and benefit increase 2025 2026 school year between confidential management classified certificated and the Benetician Unified School District. >> Thank you again, President Grabs. The staff is recommending approval of a 2% ongoing increase to the confidential management classified and certificated salary schedule effective July 1 of 2025 and the district's contribution to the medical benefit to be increased by $98 per month to $1,285 effective November 1st of 2025. >> Any questions? I'll move that we approve the salary and benefits increase for the 2526 school year between
197the confidential management classified and certificated um as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And item J, consideration approval of the confidential management classified certificated salary schedule. >> Thank you again. Um we are requesting approval of the revised salary schedule um for this uh group of of employees. >> Any questions? >> Okay, moving on. Letter >> got a vote on it. [laughter] >> Oh, sorry. >> Still got a vote. >> I'm like she's ready. >> I'll make a motion to approve the confidential management classified certified salary schedules. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Now moving on, letter K. Consideration approval of memor memorandum of understanding with California State University Northgid's speech and language path pathologist credential program. >> Thank you again. Uh if you remember, if
198you recall a few months ago, we also brought forward a speech and language pathologist credential program agreement with San Jose State. We also now have the opportunity to ha to host another speech and language pathologist student who happens to be happens to be a current district employee and one of our classified staff. And so we are uh eager to have this approved so that we can uh continue to grow our own speech and language pathologist >> because that saves money when you don't have to contract out. You save a you know it's the amount of money for contractors. Okay. Any other questions, comments? Motion. >> I move that we approve theou with Cal State University Northridge speech and language pathologist credential program. >> I second. >> I. >> Now we are at item L. Consideration
199and approval of resolution number 25-26-32 to decrease the number of uh classified employees due to lack of work and or lack of funds. >> Yes, it's me. Um, good evening. We are requesting approval of resolution 25-26-32. The resolution details that classified employees may be laid off by the governing board based on lack of work or lack of funds. The resolution this resolution addresses classified positions proposed to be reduced due to lack of funds. These positions were funded with one-time COVID uh funds um that are expected to expire at the end of this school year. So, do you have um like are we do you know what sites are really going to be impacted um with these in these roles? Like is it majority elementary schools, one elementary school, high schools? It's pretty evenly distributed across
200the district. the there's specific the specific uh the student supervision aids are specifically elementary. So, it's a reduction in hours for that position. The uh department administrative um technicians are our wellness tech positions which are at uh we have two that share four of the ele they share the four elementary schools. We have one at the middle and one at the high school. So, it's those four positions. So again, it's spread um evenly throughout the district. There's an um IT technician person who supports our elementary sites along with the the other team of IT uh technicians. So it impacts you know across the district and then the mental health clinician also supports elementary um but across across the district along within another mental health clinician that will stay that will stay on. I think I
201forgot one. Um, >> was the instructional intervention assist? >> Oh, the instructional intervention assistant positions. Those positions were added as a result of COVID and those again are also at all of our elementary sites. >> Are we doing anything um to like are we just eliminating these positions and then we eliminate all the all the work that we're putting in for our students? Each position is a little different. The student supervision aid positions which are the reduction in hours in the past those positions the supervision was done by classroom teachers as part of their contracted workday. So the morning recess the afternoon recess that would return and in many in some school sites has already returned to our classroom teachers. for the department office technician position. Again, coming out of COVID and coming out of
202the pandemic, we knew that there was such an increased need around mental health and it's subsided somewhat, but is not it is still very much a need. Those positions, I know that the ed services department is working with the Solano County Office of Ed to find some ways to have sustainable funding for those positions because they are funded out of one-time dollars. And then the computer technician, you know, it's one of those things that maybe the the the tickets that people put in to get uh something done, it might take a lot, you know, a little longer because you have one less person who would be able to do that work. And then with the instructional intervention assistance, currently we have our intervention teachers that are funded somewhat out of LCAP, some out of our
203title one funds. Those uh and they support the intervention assistance support those the work would be done by the just the intervention teacher. There wouldn't be the assist the assistance in place. So there would be fewer students that would be seen and again you know this this funding came to us specifically to address some of the key challenges coming out of COVID and and some of those have subsided but we know that we're still dealing with the impact of that and we're hopeful the state is continuing to give off give out onetime funds which are great but at the same time we go through this process you know we'll have to see where we are in the spring but we have to go through this process because we don't have a guarantee of this funding
204continuing. So this affects the um the reading intervention teachers etc. >> The the reading intervention teachers know they're part of other funding sources. It affects the intervention assistance that are that support our reading intervention teachers. I I'm just, you know, I'm just curious since since we have um a goal of all students reading on grade level by third grade when we um eliminate those that help us get to our goal. Um I wonder if the goal doesn't have to be adjusted. I think that's a very valid point. >> Yeah, I was just going to say there is impact. There's no doubt about it. Losing these positions, there is impact, right? And um as I've been out and talking to principles about how do we mitigate this, you know, I I don't want to put all
205of our eggs in the hope of one-time monies from the state. And I don't want to get on my soap box here about that. Um but that is what we continue to see happen in the state of California. You know, I think also exploring other other avenues of how we can fund some of these. As you know, being on the VAC and we in in in the discussions that we've had um not only with myself, but also in prior prior years, what this district has seen is that we have some deficit spending spending to address as well. And so that makes this incredibly challenging situation for us as a district. Um, you know, there are we have a piece with the county that we're exploring and we're hopeful um that we'll get some funding there,
206but will it replace all of our wellness tax? No. And um and then we have some other opportunities that we are looking at. Um will it solve all of this? I don't think it will. So, some of this we have to mitigate and work with our site leaders as to how we can best do that, address students needs. Um and uh and then other pieces we look at how we explore other options to bring in funding sources, right? Um, but I'm not going to sit here and tell you that there's not going to be impact. There's certainly going to be impact to staff and to students. >> I appreciate that. And the other thing is is that, you know, oftentimes what happens is um the teachers get blamed for not reaching these certain goals with
207their kids. But when there isn't the support and um and the uh class sizes are high that I I think that you know adjustments need to be made because it's it's not for everyone not trying. Anyway, that's my point. Um, I just wanted to add I I know that [clears throat] this is these are all positions that have become part of our lives and in our community and um and our kids everyday life and the kids are very they they love the wellness centers. Um I have some concerns because we eliminated special friends a little while ago. So, I'm I really really would like to see the district um find a way to address the mental health needs um you know and I kind of feel like the wellness centers in some respects almost became
208like a special friends. It's it sounds a little I mean I don't I I don't know but a place Yeah. Um and a person in there. So I u I understand the position we're in. I understand that uh right now we also have a structural deficit in the general fund. It's not just that we can go back fill everything but I I would like the district to do what you said um Mr. Halibra and just make sure that we are exploring all options and all money and private funding anything we can do because I think a lot of what the district put into place during COVID were very very good programs and I'm really hopeful that we can adjust and maybe this is part partly through the budget advisory process looking at the general fund
209also and um saying okay you know can we save here can we bring this back but I understand the point of This is to let people in these positions know that this is a possibility. Um, and I am I I I do like that you're letting them know early um so that they can plan, but I'm very hopeful that this won't come to pass. >> This isn't a riff, is it? Or is it reduction? Is this reduction forces? Hey, your position might get let go. I was under the impression this was these positions were getting >> let go. >> I misspoke then. These positions are being let go. >> Yeah. Reduction force. >> That's correct. That's correct. >> Teaching, you know, is, hey, want to let you know we don't think we're going to have
210the money at the end of the year. So, we're letting you know that there's a good possibility we're going to have to let you go versus these positions, which No, they're being cut. >> Okay. And and just to clarify that this is um this would happen at the end of this school year, >> right? At the end of the year. >> And it it is exactly what it is. >> These positions would be cut. people would be noticed or notified in January regarding the ending of their position and whatever rights that they have to hearing or whether they have a right to bump someone from a they were in a previous position because these are classified position classified positions. >> Okay. So then what happens if we find alternate sources? >> Well, I think part
211of the the you know the budget advisory committee is also to prioritize right and to take a look at what would we bring back right? We look at one of the questions I asked of you in our last meeting was what are our priorities? What are the things that are important to us? Right? And then and then the suggestions, right? And so as we go through that process, part of that is prioritizing. And you know, again, I'm sorry I keep saying this, but but in the state of California over the past 20 years, we build things up and we tear them down in schools. It's totally unfortunate and unfair and it's not how you educate children. And so, um, and, um, it's it's a terrible system that we go through. And, um, sorry, I've got
212my soap box here, but, um, you know, but I I do think it's important for us to prioritize what is it that we would bring back and and in what order. And, um, and we look at that. And sometimes it's specific funding that will fund something, right? And and and it may not be what's at the top of our priority list, but it's an opportunity to seize with a grant or or donor or something to that effect, right? Thank you. >> Thanks for the clarification. >> One thing I would like to to add is that um to be mindful of the letters that are sent out. [music] you know, sometimes the letters are so harsh and cold and it's like um I would like uh the letters to be mindful of of the employees um
213situation so that it could be maybe a little softer instead of your your your services are no longer needed as a blah blah blah, but we could humanize it a little bit. I just want to say so everybody knows that I will be voting um against this and the reason um for my vote against it is because I feel like these individuals um are what really support our teachers and they really ensure um our class size being the way that it is. they're ensuring um that our students come to a safe place and um I just want you to know that I I think that there's opportunity for us to see think through funding. Um and so I just want everybody to know that I will be voting against it. >> I just want you
214to hear that without hearing my reasoning. >> Okay. Any more questions, comments? >> No. I uh move that we approve resolution 25-26-32. >> I'll second. >> This is a roll call vote. President Gross. >> Trusty Hirs. >> Yes. >> And Trusty Manasi? >> Now we come to letter M. Consideration approval of memorandum of understanding with class classified school employees associations for letters prek permit teacher training statement. Thank you again. This item before you is a theou to allow our preschool teacher or a preschool teachers to or permit teachers to participate in the letters training and receive the stipen just as we do for our TK RK and our uh lower elementary grade uh teachers. So it took a little while to get this negotiated with CSEA, but we're happy to be able to offer the
215stipen and and train up our preschool teachers in the science of reading. Does anybody have any questions? >> I appreciate noting the financial impact. Thank you. >> I'll I'll move that we approve the umou with the classified >> actually I'm sorry >> what >> the recommended motion it says a $591 stipen but then it says the financial impact is $519 >> per teacher. Is it the stipen per teacher? >> Maybe that got that that numbers got mixed. >> Yeah, I was just bring that. Yeah. Is it the It's the 591, right? Not the 519. >> No worries. >> Oh, I see what you're >> I was like, wait, those numbers easily >> transposed. You you are correct. It is the It's a $591 is what it says on the >> Thank you. >> Okay. Well,
216I I'll make the motion. to approve. >> I second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And now we come to Miss Bington. And you're up for a a bit. >> So item number A, uh, consideration approval of the 2024 2025 annual developer fee report. So, government code requires that an annual report be brought to the board for approval within 180 days after the close of the fiscal year and that it be publicly posted for at least 15 days prior to the meeting. The report I actually posted it back on November 7th, so it's been out there greater than 15 days. Um, and I can answer any questions. Um, we don't collect a lot of developer fees. Um developer fees are something that um they're called school impact fees often. So if somebody pulls
217a permit from the city to build, they have to pay the impact on school fee. Um since we haven't had growth, we we don't typic we're not seeing a lot of that coming in. What we see are people who are expanding their current property greater than 500 square feet or maybe a business did come in and expanded something. Um, all of that would definitely change with, you know, the Rose estates. Um, when they start to pull permits, we'll start to see greater dollar amounts and that's supposed to, uh, help mitigate the cost of potential increased facilities due to growth in students. Um, they never intended to build a school. They will not build a school, but it is intended to help the district mitigate the impact. >> So, this is revenue coming in. >> Yes.
218Okay. And does that go to the general fund then? >> No, it goes specifically to developer fees which is fund 25. It's restricted. It came in for that purpose. Must be spent on that purpose. >> I I'll move that we approve the 2425 annual developer fee report. >> A second. >> All those in favor? >> I. And item B, governing board review and approval of the 202526 first interim financial report for the Benicia Unified School District. We love these interim reports. >> I know. Um, [laughter] so this will be the last time somebody is going to say good evening governing board, superintendent calibra, cabinet, and members of the public still listening. Um, this is the first report for the 2526 year that you're officially receiving as required since the adopted budget in our annual budget
219cycle. Um, we're making it around the circle slowly but surely. Um, this report is required to come to you in December. Um, so it reflects the position of the district as of October 31st. um it has to come to you by December and be approved and it was provided to the county office of education on the 15th because that's the requirement pending certification and approval from the board. So once um you have the review and if you um approve and certify then that certification will go to the county office tomorrow and then they will begin to do their review of the district's position because they have the uh AB1200 um responsibility as a first interim. The uh the district can certify as positive. What that means is the district can make its financial obligations in
220the current plus two subsequent years. There's always three options for a district. Positive, which we are what you want. Qualified means you can make your obligations in one or two but not all three. And then negative means you can't make your obligations at all. Um you never want to be in that situation. Um none of us would be here anymore and this state would come in. So we we are positive which means we have the minimum state required reserves to meet um our financial obligations. Just a an update on our enrollment and ADA trends. So um we do our best with our projections um for the [music] outy years which are the last two bars you see on here. That's looking at birth rates. uh birth rates have been less than 200 each year. Um
221and so we watch the the number of births and when these students would enter TK. And then our current students, we cohort them up. And also we're conservatively taking into account um any impacts of our um IDAs in our districts and what may occur next year being conservative um with the knowledge that we do have. So you can see that in uh 2526 we we did see an enrollment greater than we believed we would based on the declining enrollment we have had in our district. We don't have the birth rates to support an increase >> but we did see an increase of the full um roll out of the whole TK program all all parts of the calendar now um the students can attend. [music] Um we did see an increase in kindergarten and then
2229th grade some of which were students that live in Benicia have returned to public school potentially from private school. Um we don't always know that but those those are the main reasons for the increase. Um as far as ADA last year we got a little closer to 95%. Um hopeful can't budget based on hope. So the budget is based on 94% right now until we see how it actually plays out throughout the rest of the remainder of the year. So at first interim with the revenues as I said our enrollment came in greater the budget was based on 42.84. We came in at 4405 which is actually a 59 student increase [music] because we didn't decline as far um as we thought we had would. Um so we actually went up 59 from last year.
223That moves us into our funding um for funded average daily attendance. It moves us into the based on our current year. So how our students attend this year because we have more of them even at 94%. We believe that's how we we will be funded. If the actual ADA comes in lower than that number, we'll be funded on prior year or prior three years, whichever um provides us the most protection as we plan for what may happen. And then this year during data um confirmation by our parents and thank you to each and every parent that participated in that. Uh two questions were asked. How many people live in your household and which income bracket do you fall into? It's absolutely confidential information, but it informs our unduplicated pupil percentage, which the Benicia has historically
224been in the mid to 20s, low to mid 20s. Um, we will actually see with the three-year average, um, our our percentage go up much closer to 30% this year and then if data remains the same, um, we'll see it go higher. And what that means is on the majority of our funding, we get what's called supplemental funding that really informs the LCAP. Um we'll get more of that for that particular population um to to provide the services needed. Uh similar to when I presented the budget, this is a graphic and also has the actual numbers on here of where our revenues are right now. As you can see, overall restricted and unrestricted, a majority of our revenues do come from the local control funding formula, which is our ADA based funding that the district
225receives. So, I I included this graphic for what LCFF is and each little um part that goes into the funding with the majority being, you know, the base and the gradespan adjustment, that supplemental grant um part in the middle. That's that 20% add-on based on how many unduplicated students we have. And then uh two of the top ones are historical uh as well as hometoschool transportation that comes um to help offset the cost of transportation we have. Um but it's it's it's not a significant amount of money but it does assist in offsetting the required transportation. So what do we look like from budget to now? And that's what this is this is highlighting for you. Um our LCFF funding did increase. If you remember at budget there was the proposed TK add-on that the
226governor could leave in the budget but might not. So we didn't include anything that wasn't going to make it but it did make it. Not the full amount but most of the amount. And that's really because this is the year that staffing to student ratios went from 12:1 to 10:1 which means there's an increase in the number of adults you need for the classrooms you have. We can have 24 kids max in a TK room, but you'd have to have three adults in there now. And so that has a cost because then that's no longer 10 to one. That's a lower average. um our classes are are in the the 20 kids in the classroom. So we we do have the 10 to one, but it did require an increase in staffing that we needed
227to support that federal revenues. Uh we saw a decrease in our allocation of title one dollars. Um it there was a decrease nationwide. It just impacts us more. um about 50% of our allocation was reduced which means we then contribute from the general fund over to keep the program because the program and the staff were already in place. our state revenues um they increased and that's due to the other proposed item at the adopted budget which was the I always have to read it out loud student support professional development block grant one-time monies that got included in the budget because the state had them. Um the state's slowly running out of that but they have some of these onetime dollars still. So, that did come through and that wasn't included in the adopted budget because
228we didn't know if it would be. Um, and these are, of course, one-time dollars. So, um, I always like to say do not spend onetime dollars on things that eat because you have then very difficult decisions you have to make, but these are dollars that we have as an opportunity. And the local revenues, we adjusted it. Sometimes the projections made of what we believe will come in um, don't. And so we adjusted that downwards to be more realistic with the um category that's called local revenues. On the expenditure side, um all of our positions were reviewed to ensure that um they were filled correctly. Um they're budgeted correctly. Um and so there, you know, there were some sections needed to be added. Um we don't have vacancies that required removal from the the budget. that
229we did have, you know, the pleasant surprise of additional students. So, we did have to add some sections as well as a kindergarten, am I guessing correctly? Kindergarten teacher. Yes. Cat and I do work really closely together >> um to make sure that uh positions we have are also in the system and budgeted correctly. Um the the consumer price index did come in lower than what was originally projected. So we did adjust for that in our goods and services and then we always are required to have uh 3% that we take and contribute to our routine restricted maintenance account to maintain our facilities. What is not in the report you're going to see in the the specific line items in the budget is the negotiated settlement you just approved. It is within the reserves, but
230it's not in the line items of the budget because these things were happening at the exact same time. And so I couldn't predetermine it would occur and stick it in if for any reason there was a delay. So it is accounted for in the ending fund balance and committed, but it's not up in the actual line items. It will be at the second interim report that you see in March. see was was the settlement um it wasn't attached to to anything. >> What specifically the settlement >> um to item number F. This is the AB1200s and the salary schedules and the TAS that you just did. That's what this is. >> That settlement. >> Sorry. >> Okay. But that my comment still stands. [laughter] >> That would be accounted for in our reserves, which is
231why we have reserves anytime we have any unintended consequences of um additional staffing or requirements needed to serve our students. This is similar to the revenues. This is a graphic of the expenditures with the the highlighted dollar amounts per each um um prior to inclusion of the negotiation settlements that occurred. 92.71% of our unrestricted budget was people salary and benefits. um with total um across the entire budget of 87.18. Um and you'll see the adjustment for the increases at the second interim and the impact on the percentages similar to the revenues on the expenditure side. This highlights the differences um in the salary and benefit lines. Um it does not include the negotiations yet. So that dollar amount will go up. Um but this is just what from budget to the actual first interim report
232the differences and it has to do with position control books and supplies. Um there is an increase and it's on the restricted side and that's for carryover dollars we have. So when 2425 ended any restricted dollars that remained you then budget them in the subsequent year to spend them within whichever allowable plan you have uh for services and other operating which is um primarily on the restricted side tied to contracts and um one-time carryover monies and it's in our CTE program we have some carryover that they're working on spending elop we managed really well carryover that's being used um in the current year that helps offset the the large reduction we got because of the change in funding and then the last year of the arts music instructional materials the COVID dollars um they those
233are the remaining balances were put in and then for capital outlay and other outgo it's an odd category but it's um capital be things greater than 5,000 that's not it this this is the other outgo so other agencies we need to pay for services we have. We had some increases in um what it will cost for our nonpublic schools and our agency costs for our students. We have um required contributions that must happen. Um on the special education side, the required contribution has to do with state and federal funding not being sufficient to fund the entire program needed. So there is an unrestricted contribution to make that program whole and we see a slight decrease in that right now and that has to do with the uh ending balances of the Sono County Office of
234Education program that serves some of our special ed students. Um they had reserves remaining and so part of the um current model is they come back to us. So the hope is that the current contribution of the 8.5 million will be sufficient from the unrestricted to serve our special ed program. There's no changes to the routine restricted maintenance. The budget didn't adjust enough for that. Solar, you see a reduction here. And what what this is accounting for is back in 2324 before I got here, somehow the district made the payment twice. >> I remember that. Yeah. and shouldn't have. Um, so that balance fell out at the end of 2425 because we they still had us pay our 2425 and then they said, "Stop. Don't overpay us. We need to let this happen." So the
235contribution for 2526 only won't need to be over 400,000 because of that duplicate payment. And then the contribution as I said for our title programs has to increase because the federal awards were reduced to us. So what does that do to our ending fund balance? Um this displays the beginning fund balance we had on both restricted and unrestricted. Adds the revenues in reduces the expenditures accounts for the required contributions. And then the balance you see we have here um on the unrestricted side. You can see that it's just over $8 million. But what that's not reflecting is the negotiation settlements that were just approved that the um that go back to July 1st for salary and benefits. So that will be built in. That's the little line at the bottom um that that tells you
236why there's a highlighted commitment because that needs to be brought up to the top in the expenditure line. And then that will adjust the reserves. So as of right now um or as of October 31st truly uh the reserves uh for 2526 will sit at 9.97% with the negotiated settlement that occurred. The district has um other funds other than just the general fund. Um, fundo8 is the um, ASB funds for the middle school and high school. Um, those funds sit in separate bank accounts, but we're required to report them through our system. Um, but they do they do reside at the secondary level. As you can see here, all of the funds um, are in a positive status, which is important because if if one of these programs cannot fund itself, a general fund contribution
237from fundo1 would be needed. So, it's important that these are always positive. And the adult education fund appears that it will have a balance at the end of the year, but Kim is working really hard to to spend that down um because um she's taken great ownership of the program and I appreciate everything she's doing and she has a plan. And 12 is the child development fund. That's our state preschool. Um it potentially will have an ending fund balance. Part of that is the state does a true upup if they believe that we are entitled to the contract for the money they sent us. So, we're always cautious how we we hold back until they tell us they've done the audit, we're good. Fund 13 is our uh food and nutrition services um fund. It
238that's our universal meals uh breakfast and lunch. And uh Tanya has a plan because we're only supposed to have six months of reserves. Um but so she's doing things that's like allowable replacement of aging um equipment so that it can keep it within the fund that that is coming through but we do have the plan approved by CDE and our our serve meals being served this year are actually up so she's doing an amazing job with the students and 21 is the bond so we have a lot of projects um that it just the cash hasn't been spent yet but um that is why you went out for the second sale because that is coming down. And 125, that's the developer fees that you saw. Um, we only spend those when we absolutely have to.
239So, that balance stays there to be spent on facilities. 135 is also facilities. That's really the money set aside for the uh PAB. So, that's part of that. That's that's the the the Prop 51 Prop 2 funding that um Rock Sand goes out for to backfill bond projects we do. 40 is also part of that and it was set aside um and some of the fund 40 has to do with um setting aside funds to for the eventual need to redo the field at the stadium. So, we're being we've been proactive since the stadium was put in because the turf has a life. It's doing great, but it has a life. So, uh F51 is the bond interest. Uh the district can't in any way touch fund 51. That's actually the treasury um at the
240county of Solano, but it is reported. Um, in fund 73, there are two trust funds that the district was left with that provides scholarships as um, stated for some of our high school students. So, in addition to the current year, it's important that I show you how it looks in the multi-year. Um, I like this slide. Um, CBOS's love this slide, but I think it's important to to review what a multi-year is and what it is not. And it is it is saying where we believe we will be based on a set of assumptions that we have at the time that the um report was put together. What it's not is it is not a crystal ball. It is not a forecast. Is it 100% correct? Yes. The day we do it, yes. and then
241factors change. Many things come into it. Um so sometimes I get asked how come it was wrong. It's not that it was wrong. It was that the assumptions changed. Also get asked well you do the current year plus two more. How come the third year never really happens? Um and when the third year doesn't really happen in the way it's presented to you. That's because the district has proactively done everything they can in the current year to affect what the outyear change is, either positive or negative. And so you really want it to the positive that you're doing everything as fiscally responsible as you can in the current year to um affect the outcome in the outer years. These are the assumptions used in the multi-year projections. Uh you can see the first column is
242the current year plus the two subsequent they're kind of smaller numbers. Um it's projecting what we think the enrollment might be the funded ADA um as well as um how hers is changing and our lottery funds. I highlighted this one a little more because this is the our major source of funding and I actually highlighted the um for our LCFF the cola col column for the legislative analyst office has said we do not believe it's going to be 3.02% anymore. It's now been downgraded to 2.51%. It might stay at that. It might go down. So when you receive the adopted budget, the revenues being projected were greater because it was a higher cola. Same thing happened in the current year. 2526 was originally um three uh 2.93% but came in at 2.3. So and I
243highlighted 2728 because that number is going to be updated as soon as the governor releases his budget. Hard to know if it'll stay that high. So you can see like we're not projecting growth in our enrollment [music] because we don't know that we would. We don't we don't have new housing. We don't have the births right now. So this is as conservative as we believe as fiscally responsible at this time. So on the unrestricted side, what does that look like and how is it affecting where we're we're landing in our fund balance? This is bringing in the current year and adding the necessary assumptions. Um there is the little asterk here is because the ending fund balance in the current year doesn't include the expenditures that are going to happen as a result of the
244settlement. And so that will adjust each one of these. Same on the restricted side. And um deficit spending on the restricted side we want we don't necessarily want it on the unrestricted side. On the unrestricted side, that means the revenues coming in um are not sufficient to sustain the program plus the contributions. On the restricted side, it means you've received funds in one year and you have multi-year plans to spend them. So, it's not a issue when there's deficit spending on the restricted side. It's usually intentional. This is a combination of the restricted and unrestricted. And then it it shows you where as of first interim the reserves for each year are. So I already showed you the 2526 and 9.97. And as of these assumptions, the reserve amounts are lowering due to the settlements
245the district has done and the spending the district's currently doing. Aside from the one-time funds because the one-time expenditures were never put in the multi-year because there was never revenue to support it. But if the district spends like it's spending this year, this is what it looks like would happen in the out tiers. These are considerations we need to always have at the forefront. What what's happening year to year with our enrollment, our ADA, um we're being intentional about the onetime funds that are ending, where our reserve levels are at. We are required to have 3%. We have board policy that says 5% more. So, we're supposed to be at 8% [music] each year in the current plus the two um subsequent in the multi-year. And then, um really watching our general fund contributions. Um
246each program needing to do everything it can to control spending to the best of its ability. So, these are the next steps. In January, you'll get the governor's budget will be released. It's really close to the the board meeting, so I may be orally able to say things and then present something in February. Um [music] but we have budget planning that's already started and then in March you'll see the next report update. >> May there will be a revise that goes into account for the June which is the 2627 budget. It's a hard job. You making a lot of, you know, assumptions and conservative, you know, estimates and that's welcome. >> So, any questions, any comments? >> I'll second. All those in favor I >> So at this point we are going to go back
247into close session and then we will come back and into open session and um report out from them. Thank you. open um come back from close session. It is 9:49 p.m. Um we do have some things to report out from our close session. Uh public employee Um, under code number 54957, after considering the agreement in uh close session, the board can report out the following. In close session by a vote to of four to zero, the board took action to accept >> three to one. >> No, I'm sorry. It was the um I was looking for the other one. Yes, I don't have that paper. Yes, I do. Sorry. Okay. So, I'm going to come back and say in close session of a vote of three to zero, I'm sorry, 3 to one. Um eyes
248are three, nos are one with zero abstain and one absent. In close session by a vote of 3 to one, the board took action to accept the resignation of employee ID number 392. On a roll call vote, um the board voted as follows. The three eyes, one no, zero abstain, one absent. Oh, you do a roll call or >> do you want to do a roll call? >> Yes. >> CeCe Amy Yi >> and Mark was in. >> Okay. And now another um report out from the close session, student discipline and other confidential matters, education code 35146 um and 48912B. The [music] board took action on a motion by made the motion >> by [music] uh trustee Manowski and approve and seconded by Mark to approve or to approve Um staff recommendation of student readmission
249after expulsion of student number 25-034 for the spring term of the 2025 2026 school year by the following votes. Eyes for me, Amy, Mark, and Danny. There were zero nos, zero absent. Oh yes, one absent and zero abstain. Do we have anything else that we need to report out? No. Okay, I'm going to close this. It is 9:52. Everybody have a um wonderful holiday season. Um be safe, have fun. And our next uh board meeting is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Good night all.