001Good evening everybody. I'm going to call this meeting to order. It's 603 so we're three minutes late. Um I want to welcome you to a really exciting um board meeting. So we we don't have anything to discuss um from close session. Uh and this meeting is recorded for live streaming and archiving on the district YouTube channel. And um let me see who would like I is that Mr. Slater back there? >> Mr. Slater, would you like to lead us in the pledge? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, Mr. Slater. So um we are at uh item seven approval of the agenda. >> Can I have a motion? >> Move that
002we approve the agenda as written. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. Nope. And we have um our highlight tonight uh which will be uh addressed with by Mrs. Adams. >> Good evening everyone and welcome this evening. It's my pleasure to introduce and highlight our student board members. Welcome welcome ladies as young ladies. It's nice to have you and congratulations on becoming board members. You're stepping into something really important and we're genuinely excited to have you here. It's my pleasure to introduce the four members. Three are new to the position and one is returning. They are all intelligent and passionate young women who are willing to go above and beyond. These outstanding students will be our future leaders. I had the opportunity to meet with each of them personally briefly and
003came away absolutely impressed. Representing Liberty High School, we have Freda Silva Cortez. Welcome. and Issa Rentier. I rentier, correct? Did I say correct? Oh, Renteria. Wait, but I have your name wrong there. Yeah, I'm so sorry. You are Bernia High School. Anyway, start the meeting off just great. Bri. Bri, tell me how to say your first name. >> Braza. Sanchez. Rosetta wants to make a difference. Bri, can I call you Bri? Is that okay? Bri has served as an intern at Mary Farmer. She enjoys cooking, baking, and travel. She's really quite the entrepreneur and has her own baking business. She described some of the yummy sounding treats she bakes and sells, and I told her there might be a few board members who might be interested in a close session treat. So, you got to
004give us the contact information. She plans to pursue a career in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She really loves her high school and she wants to help it by representing it here. So, I'm sorry. Somehow I messed this up. So, give me one second here. Oh, Freda is in I see what happened. I got it now. Is is interested in pursuing leadership opportunities. That's why she joined. And Shashelle saw this as an opportunity to contribute to Benisha to Liberty High School, a school that she loves. Also, they both went on about how much they love Liberty. She is interested in a future career in public health. Rita has many interests and currently creates her own films. She is also an avid snowboarder. Rita really loves Liberty and values the real life experiences that are encouraged. She
005is excited to serve as a representative of her school. From Benicia High School, we have Issa, now I've got it right, Rentier and Caroline Palot. Unfortunately, Caroline was unable to attend tonight. She's also a volunteer at the public library and this was her first training. Caroline is the junior class president, is this right? Secretary of the National Honor Society, runs track and cross country. She's clearly passionate about serving the community and taking on this leadership role. And last but not least is As Isa. And you know her from last year. She is quite an exceptional young woman. Issa has been in leadership for four years. She is captain of the debate team. She is the ASB volunteer coordinator in her spare time, which I doubt she has much of. She likes to run and read,
006a great combination. Asa wants to continue her education in environmental science at UC Davis, where I'm sure she'd be a success. I hope I am hopeful she will be a future leader who helps solve some of the problems we have left for her generation. Both Caroline and Issa told me they became interested in serving as a student rep after attending a board meeting, which is really nice, and seeing how important the board is in shaping what happens in our schools. Issa is interested in policy and how it impacts BHS. My message to you board members, you're here because student voice truly matters. Honestly, we need you. While the rest of us might remember what it was like to be a student, you're living it right now. You know what's working, what's not, and what we're
007completely missing. Every day, you experience our decisions firsthand. From policy changes to new programs to how things actually play out in the classrooms and on the hallways. That real life, that real- time perspective, it's invaluable. We can't make smart decisions about student life without understanding what students life looks like. So, don't hold back. Share what you're seeing and hearing. Ask the questions that make us think differently. push us when something doesn't make sense from a student's point of view. That's exactly why you're here. Your voice isn't just welcome at this board, it's necessary. You have insights and ideas that can genuinely make things better for everyone. So, we're looking forward to learning from you and working together to build something great. Thank you and welcome [Applause] >> tonight. Yes, please. It's okay. Take your time.
008Does anyone else have something to report out >> while? Yes. While she finds Yeah. >> Um, good evening, President Groves. Intern Superintendent Adams, fellow trustees and cabinet members. Um my name is Braza Sanchez Alcantar along and I along with my classmate Freda Silva Cortez will be representing Liberty High School this year. Um we have had our assembly our first assembly we celebrated summer birthdays, students that exceeded in their own growth goals this on spring NWA assessments and students with outstanding attendance this last school year. Um, we had our spirit week. Everybody did uh bring anything but a backpack dressed for twin day and wore their favorite sports team. And we had a great turnout to back to school night. And we would like to thank all of the school district members that came to go
009and support us along with the families and every all the new students that are also coming to Liberty High. Um and then we wanted to also say we will be rec recognizing uh suicide prevention week. We have our we had our chalk of a life event yesterday. We will be learning alongside our adviserss and counselors about the idea it's okay not to be okay. Um to highlight that important message we would encourage everybody to wear purple or teal on Friday. We are planning our learning through interest field trips as well. Uh we will be visiting Solano auto programs, a local tattoo artist and armed forces. Um so on behalf of Liberty High School, thank you. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Good evening, President Grubs, fellow trustees and cabinet members. My name is Issa Renteria and
010I serve as Benicia High School's ASB volunteer commissioner. Our other representative Caroline Pilot could not be here today unfortunately. Um, as representatives of Benicia High School, we hope you had a pleasant summer and we look forward to working with you this year. In the past weeks, Benicia High saw the back to school season of the 202526 school year. Before school started, new link crew leaders had training on the fourth and 5th of August. Freshman orientation went well on the 6th with link crew leaders meeting their new freshman groups and showing them around campus. On the 9th of August, the new leadership class had panther camp where we began planning for welcome week and homecoming. The first day of school was August 12th and the week following that was welcome week. We had Midsummer Monday, Picture
011Day, movie day, color day, and concert day. Students participating in the forestry challenge began meeting that week. Last week was debate camp where captains and varsity debaters began teaching new debaters the basics. On the 26th, students interested in informing a club met up with the school's club commissioner to learn about what paperwork they would have to fill out to become a BHS club, which is due on the 9th of September. The 28th held a successful back- tochool night. And on the 29th, the homecoming theme this year was announced. Home sweet homecoming. >> Yeah, I'm excited. Um, this week homecoming ticket sales went up on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday was the meeting for students interested in creating floats for homecoming this year. That's the tradition we're bringing back. This Friday is the school's first uh home
012football game at 7 and a tailgate before that at 6. We strongly encourage everyone to show up for um to support the school. Um in the upcoming weeks, we have our school's club fair on September 12th. On Sunday the 14th, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. leadership is holding a day dedicated to building decorations for homecoming. We're making a lot of our decorations this year by hand. So, if anyone would like to show up and support, we'd love your help. Um, we're still finalizing this year's homecoming season. The rally will be on the 26th and the homecoming on the 27th. On behalf of Benishia High School, thank you. So, normally we say if you would like to leave, you may. Um if you would like to um stay and participate, you may. But if you'd like
013to go, it's fine. We know that you're very busy. So um we come to item 10. U item nine, reports from um uh Superintendent Adams. See if I can do this one better. >> It's really hard to believe it's only been just a little over three weeks since we've been back in session and it's been a whirlwind of of activity as you can hear from these young ladies in there telling you what's happening. The back to school nights at both Benicia High School and Liberty High School were just huge successes. There was tremendous amount of positive energy at Benicia High School. From the moment you walked on campus, you're being greeted by friendly student volunteers who provided schedules and maps to entering the quad and seeing the large number of community partners that we have.
014It was upbeat and positive. The classroom presentations were exceptional. They were well organized, informative, and student focused. We're so fortunate to have such outstanding teachers in Penicia. We are also fortunate to have such involved parents. The place was packed. Their turnout was exceptional and the buzz among parents was consistently positive. Liberty High School, although smaller, was no less fantastic. The personalized attention the teachers provide is outstanding. The teachers not only know every student, but they also know their parents, and they were greeting them personally. I said, "Okay, you're Miguel's mom." They knew who they all were. It was amazing. Their presentations were absolutely student focused and every teacher emphasized how Liberty helps students build connections, become engaged and find their passion. Their learning through interest model is just exceptional and inspirational. It was a pleasure
015to be there. Few highlights from the fa last two weeks. Venicia High School was named a 2025 best high school by US News and World Report again this year. six years in a row. Venicia High School. Yes. Let's give him a hand. Venicia High scored in the top 15% of in the country of high schools. It's pretty amazing. Congratulations to Benia High School for this welldeserved honor. It ranked 386 in California, an increase from 466, so up almost 100. The score is based on our recent graduating class for a percentage of students who take and pass AP exams, math, reading and science proficiency and graduation rates. I want to give an so congratulations to Venicia High. I want to give a special thanks to Vincente Sanchez, our human resource technician who has gone above and
016beyond this week. When I inquired about a vacant crossing guard position, Joe Henderson, he informed me of the process and they were in the process of hiring, but he volunteered to act as a crossing guard at the corner of Hastings and Solano on this morning on his way to work while the position is being filled. We want to thank you, Vincenti. I know you're not here, but thank you. He loves it. I don't think he wants to I don't think he wants to stop. He's in He says he loves it. He maybe has another career. Four of our schools had Williams walks in the past two weeks. Joe Henderson, Robert Simple, Benicia Middle School, and Benicia High School. The p purpose of the walks is to monitor facilities and audit instructional materials. We have not
017received the official report yet, but the verbal feedback we received was excellent. The team was really impressed with our facilities and our schools in general. One team told the principal, "We love your schools." So, that was lovely to hear. I can't tell you how much work it is for the staff to get ready for these Williams report these Williams visit maintenance and operation worked all summer to get ready um ed services and the teachers and the site principles just went above and beyond Stephanie I know it was it's just a really big job and the goal is to make sure that we are providing adequately for our students and to hear positive things and to wait for the report and if there are any findings we fix them. That's it's a really great experience and
018it's great to be done. Right. Right. The business department was awarded a total of $5,000 in rewards from Keenan Associates as a winner of the 2024 25 riskmanagement reward program. This award is a result of updating a variety of policies and procedures to reduce risk and increase safety for our students and our staff and make BUSD compliant with current regulations. Thank you to Trudy Barington and her staff and the business department for their hard work. We like people that bring in money. That's what we like to hear. The ed services and tech department are currently working on a parent volunt a parent workshop regarding AI and internet safety. It's coming along and I I know that this is something that the board is interested in. Students are grappling with and certainly parents are. So, we're
019hoping that this will help support our students and our families. And lastly, next on September 16th, the board uh lees the ed services is going to begin our learning walks. So if any board members want to join, notify me or Lesie. Notify Lesie because I might not be here by then. So notify Leslie and let her know that you'd like to join. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. So we come to board reports. And if it's Oh, if it's okay with everybody, I'd kind of like to start. Um, I'd like to take this moment to express our sincere gratitude to Janice Adams for serving as interim superintendent during this transition. Stepping into this role is no small task. It requires long hours and dedication. Janice, your steady leadership and guidance and commitment to our
020students, staff, and family have provided the stability and the dedication that that um we needed. Um you've helped us stay focused on our mission and supported the important work happening across our schools. On behalf of the board of education, thank you for your service, your care, and the way you've led with both professionalism and heart. We were so lucky to have you. Thank you. [Applause] On another note, I would like to share that Trustee Hirs and the leadership of BTA and CSCA came with me to visit the Brentwood School District for a validation visit. We had a very successful meeting and we're happy to hear how much Brentwood values and respects um our ca our candidate Chris Calibracy. It was really wonderful to talk to everyone and to to to hear what they had to
021say and it it really helps um solidify our choice. So, um, that was fabulous and I'll open it up to other board members. >> I just have two additions. Um, I was able to attend the Matthew Turner back to school night. It was great. I don't have a child there anymore, but I feel like I could because there were so many familiar faces. It was awesome energy. And then I also was able to attend the high school back to school night. I do have a child there. So, I did go to all of his classes and um just, you know, great to be back in school and see everybody and all the friendly faces. And thank you to our staff for making both of those events very successful. >> I just I'll just share in
022the excitement of back to school and I got the chance to go to Joe Henderson. is always really great to hear what the teachers have going on and just to see all the parents and excited families. So, um that was really great and just want to extend my thanks to CC for all your work that you've done to to lead for for candidate and thank you for everything you've done. Good evening everybody. Thank you so much for being here and listening. Um I'm speaking on two separate subjects tonight, but they're kind of related. Um both are regarding parent teacher group volunteering, parent participation, um and making our events possible. So first, in the past few years, it's been a real struggle to get volunteers. It is not just the schools, it is everything, you know,
023every group. And one of the burdens now with the I'm not asking to change the requirements for volunteers. Please know that up front. Um, but the increased requirements for volunteers and the increased restrictions of when we need cleared volunteers has really become uh a burden to the parent teacher groups. I feel like it has fallen largely on us to regulate that. Um, I haven't, it's possible I've missed it, but I haven't seen messaging coming out directly from the district. I know it's on the website and that's great. there's a flowchart, but there hasn't been really like parent square universal. So, it feels like it falls on us to put out the information, help the parents navigate that, and we are happy to do it, but partnership with the district would be phenomenal. Um, even just
024a mobile fingerprinting night or something where the district nurse could come and fill out TB assessments. I mean, if we could do both in one night and get a bunch of people cleared, that would be incredible. I am not asking the district to pay for the fingerprinting, but um a few years ago, Joe Henderson held a mobile screen a mobile fingerprinting event and it was very successful. We got like 30 people who came and paid. Um so that was really helpful. So again, we're happy to do our part. It would just be really helpful if we could feel a little more partnership with the district as far as getting that, you know, more participation, more community getting involved benefits everybody. Uh, on to the second thing. I'll make it quick. For Joella, October 18th, 1:00
025to 5:00 pm, everybody's invited. Super fun event. We bring, we have bis district bands come and they perform. It's a amazing event at Joe Henderson. Um, this year we got the quote for how much the custodial fees are going to be for that for us. And it is over one-third of our budget. It is 28.4% of our budget for custodial fees. So, I am asking again for a district partnership if we can look at ways. I obviously want our custodians to get paid, they deserve that, but if there are ways that we can partner, you know, we only do this once a year. Um, and that's a huge amount of our budget that is going to custodial fees for that day. So, again, thank you guys so much. I'm running out of time. Um, I
026really appreciate it. And that is my two cents. Thank you. And Mr. Edler, would you like to come to the podium? >> Sure. [Music] >> Good evening everyone. My name is Paul Adler. I am the director of community relations and government affairs at the Valero Benicia Refinery. Tonight's going to be awesome because um I am excited to um make a presentation to the Benicia Unified School District with a charitable grant of $135,000. >> Oh my god. And this grant is from the Valero benefit for children fundraiser um which is affiliated with the Valero Texas Open which is a golf tournament and associated events. The refinery is pleased that this grant will assist in helping subsidize two years of expenses that are needed for the school district's very important steam wheel extracurricular program. As you are
027aware, the steam wheel consists of students in third through fifth grade who participate in a 15-week program that provides specific classes that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The refinery has been a proud sponsor of this important program for numerous years and we have used different fiscal agents whether it's the school district or the Benicia Education Foundation as a recipient of this check. So that was the fun part. Now comes a little bit more of like the reminiscent part. So just bear with me for a minute. Okay. >> Okay. Yeah, that's all right. Um, I also need to acknowledge, you know, how fortunate the refinery is to have a partnership with the school district over 56 years. When Humble Oil built the refinery in 1969, our employees and many contractors that lived in
028Benicia sent their children to Benicia's amazing schools. Whether it was our fence neighbor, Robert Simple Elementary, Matthew Turner, Mary Farmer, Joe Henderson, Benicia Middle School, Benicia High School, or one of my favorites, Liberty High School. The refinery has had many retirees. We still have employees, grandchildren, and children that are very, very proud alumni of the Benicia Unified School District. I know that our employees will miss tutoring this district's students first and foremost. And why is that occurring? It's because of the relationship that our employees have with your teachers, with your previous superintendent, with the principles that are in the audience tonight, whether it's with coaches, whether it's with their fellow neighbors that might have been PTA members, you name it. The refinery employees have had a lot to do with this community and with and
029with this district. We will miss continuing the tutoring, the sponsoring of different fundraising events, coaching different athletic teams, or even just having some of the high school kids come out and learning about the jobs that the refinery offer to our community. But what is important is that we've been a consistent, reliable financial partner for this district and this city for over 56 years. Personally, I want to thank each of the superintendent, principles, teachers, and board members. And board members have represented your district on our community advisory panel board for the past seven years. the hands-on engagement that I have witnessed from this district, especially from Assistant Superintendent Leslie Beaton, interim superintendent Janice Adams, and of course the glue Georgina Martinez has been very, very special to me. Yes, tonight is somewhat difficult because of this
030year's announcement, but I'm so proud that we were able to get this over the finish line. Leslie knows that I said I don't know if we can do this because of the situation we're in. But I'm very very proud to be in a Valera employee and to see them commit $135,000 to keep the steam wheel going for another two years. Best of luck to you guys and thank you. Oh, everything that you've done. >> Wow. Wow. >> That was that was amazing. So deep breath. That was something. We really thank Valero for all of all of their support of our school district. They have been such um good neighbors and to us as a district and so supportive of our families and our students. So we thank them for their very generous gift. And now
031we come to approval. Uh item number 11, approval of the consent calendar. Background information on these items provided to the board prior to the meeting. A common motion takes action without discussion on roll call votes unless discussion of items is requested by the board members. And so, um, I would like to make a motion to approve the consent calendar as written. >> Second, >> President Grebs. >> Yes. >> Hirs. >> Yes. >> Trusty Seda. >> Yes. >> Melli. >> Yes. >> Trusty Manoski. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And then we have resolutions number 25-26-03. Uh, declaration of obsolete Red Cross CPR first aid training manuals. >> President Grebs, >> yes. >> Trusty Hirs, >> yes. >> Trusty Seda, >> yes. >> Trust me, >> yes. >> Trusty Manoski, >> yes. Thank you. >> And
032resolution number 25-26-04, uh, declaration of obsolete Spanish books from Benia High. President Grizz. >> Yes. >> Trusty Hirs. >> Yes. >> Trusty Seda. >> Trusty Miselli. >> Yes. >> And Trusty Manoski. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Resolution number 25-26-05 obsolete property from Joe Henderson Elementary. >> President Rubs. >> Trusty Hirs. Yes. Sa Mali. Yes. and yes >> and our final resolution approval of resolution number 25-26-06 uh declaration of obsolete property for Benanishia High School. >> President Grebs, >> yes. >> Trusty Hirs, >> yes. >> Trusty Seda, yes. >> Trusty Melli, >> yes. >> And trusty Manos. >> Thank you. Now we come to um item number 12, a presentation for the consideration of an adjustment uh of the facility use fee. U Mr. Buck >> Oh, are you gonna do >> before he comments?
033>> Oh, he wants to comment. Oh, please. >> Oh, no, that's okay. Hello, I'm Ben Buck with Bonicia Arsenal uh soccer and um I was just trying to provide context for this request. Um we are a 501c3 nonprofit in Benicia. We are looking to get um more afford more affordable fields uh most specifically the Venicia High School field for their 11B11 soccer access um and wanted to provide more context in regards to that. uh with previous conversations that we had with uh Professor Wright regarding how it was previously priced, what he was in informing us at that time was it was intended to be very fair with uh other areas um around the uh Solano County. And what we determined was that it was fair. Um, but we're trying to see if we can get
034a price break based upon being a local Benicia nonprofit and uh we can possibly get uh more affordable pricing for our players who again we have lots of them needing practice facilities that are safe and clean and um as good as possible for our teams. See if we can answer any other questions that anyone potentially has regarding this. Um, okay. Great. Thank you. >> Before I address this item, I want to tell my elementary friends in the back that I highlighted elementary back to school night at last board meeting. So, it's not like I left you out. Just so you know, because you weren't here, but we went through it. So, I don't want anybody feeling short. Okay. And thank you for me being here, Mr. Buck. I think the board might have questions that
035you can answer better than I can. Um, I brought this forward as just as an information item tonight just for consideration. I was approached by community members from the Arsenal and asked to reconsider the prices um of our fee schedule. They acknowledged that they were comparable to other districts, but they I want to say they made a very compelling case to me about how it impacted their program and I felt um it was worth bringing forward to the board to consider. What I can't provide and I think you probably want to know is what does it cost us to use the field? It's a very it's a very fair question and a very difficult question to answer there. It's very hard to quantify the amount of wear and tear when when some other organ any
036organization any group of students our own students use um a facility. So to quantify that I don't have that for you. I can say that we're comparable to other districts but it is a very expensive item and it seems to be prohibitive. So I wondered if that's something the board wants to reconsider or revisit. I think I want to say clearly that the uh March 6th presentation was fair and thoroughly done. It wasn't like I think there was a problem with it. But we are all serving children in Benicia. We serve them as a school district and our community sports leagues. One of your first speaker this evening addressed an issue about using it for a Saturday. I think it's something that the board, this is really a board discussion and I would like board
037direction. So, there's no action tonight. It's just a conversation and a chance to put it out in the public. >> Yep. Uh I do too. And I um just to let everybody know, I've also had conversations with community members. Um I have had conversations with people from Arsenal. um also a community member not affiliated with Arsenal who approached me about nonprofits um non-sports nonprofits being able to use the space. So I think it's not just related to sports, it's perhaps all of our nonprofits um are getting as they say priced out. And so one question I had in looking at this chart and thank you Miss Adams for doing this. This is this is very helpful. Um, one question I had in looking at this chart is are there any districts on there that are
038comparable to us? And I and I know that's that's also probably a hard question to answer, but in terms of I don't know, you know, funding students maybe Trudy would have a different answer. I say Martinez is a very similar district demographically um, and population. So that's our most similar. Is do you have any other input on that? She worked for the county, so she knows these counties pretty well. Um, we are larger than Dixon. We are smaller than Travis. >> The other districts are larger. We do have a state-of-the-art stadium. Um, and the wear and tear and that the costs for supplies in the bathrooms and such is what goes into the the rental of the rate. It's not just the turf, it's the toilet paper, the paper towels, the soap, >> trash bags.
039It's all those things. One of the questions I had was what's included if you use the uh stadium that was and it includes the the kitchen, the snacks shack, it does include the restroom. So there is, you know, I I can say this summer the a freezer that was used needs to be replaced and the money that we collect from the fees goes in is helps offset the costs of wear and tear. Nobody did anything malicious. It just happens. and you know that so there really are costs and and the fees are used to help offset those costs. So that's that's what I can say about that. As far as comparable, I'd say Martinez, >> I got approached by Next Level Sports. Same thing that nonprofit, you know, they employ a lot of our kids
040within their system, but I would be curious to know how much it costs when they do. You know, I know it's hard to figure with the wear and tear if there's a way to, you know, monetize it, per se, have an idea. going forward because we can't, you know, especially with budgets being the way they are now, we can't go in the hole every time. >> Well, we'd have to do for one, we have to do all >> that's the thing. >> Yeah. >> But um also, doesn't the fee also include um janitorial services? Is there a security guard service? Is there anything like that that's part of >> those are above and beyond >> or insurance? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> No, I'm curious. >> The the rental fee just is the facilities and
041then in addition we pay for the janitorial for staff >> and we get reimbursed for that. >> We get the the organization that's using it pays for that. >> They pay the rental fee. >> They pay a rental fee and they pay >> and the janitorial >> and and separate fees. It's an additional fee. So thank you. >> It's quite >> and it's if they're outside their normal work hours where we would have to have staff time sheet. Um that's when there would be a cost. So not if it's during a normal working hours. So that's why Saturday and Sunday always has an impact when it comes to a facility. You know, it seems very it does seem high to me and I said that when this was when we talked about it in March,
042but sports is a very important component of living in Benicia. Um, and I I think as as fees are raised, then fees are raised for the athletic programs. Um, I would like to see us come in the middle a little bit more. Uh, I I just think that we are very very expensive and I know I know that that we're looking at comparable districts. I understand that. But this is our district. You know, these are our kids. So, I'd like to have this discussion and bring it back. >> Just I guess I just need to have some board direction if you want us to bring this back in what you just said. So, >> yeah, any other direction. >> I really do not know how to do a call. I have to be honest with
043you. I don't know how to say what it cost is looking at her, but there's really no um we could investigate with the high school and get more information from them about what kinds of costs they've had to maintain the field and do what I can somebody can do that for you. >> Um some initial thoughts I have are you know it to be a costneutral so you know that we aren't benefiting monetarily wise. Um, so definitely taking a look at that. Um, you know, I know we also do processing fees on the back end, you know, and part of those maybe are for credit cards. I don't know how that works, but just thinking through that, is that part of the cost that are that organizations have to incur? Um, is there an opportunity
044for, you know, organizations to provide a deposit um maybe at the beginning of the year if they're going to use it for, let's just say, a season? Um, and then I know that could be hard with tracking and things, just throwing out ideas um to think through. Um, I I totally agree with everybody about sports. Um, I think one area though to to really I think that we need to think through are our parent teacher groups, organizations that raise funds for the schools, for our students, for our staff, for our teachers, and we're charging them to utilize our fees to utilize our facilities. Um, that just seems counterintuitive. Um, so I think we should really take a look at that. I don't believe they're charged to use it, but they're charged for staff who comes
045in on a Saturday. I don't believe there's a fee for the use of it. >> Okay. I think we should just just Can you verify that when you present? >> Yeah, I'll definitely. Okay. And then I think something that else might be interesting is if we do say let's say Martinez is our comparable district, you know, is it worth conversing with them and finding out do is this their their cost per hour to everybody and anybody or do they have maybe local sports organizations that they provide, you know, at a at a different rate? can reach out to anyone else comments. Thank you all. Thank you. So now we come to um our enrollment update. Miss Bington. >> Good evening, governing board and interim superintendent Adams. Um I'm bringing this before you as an update
046regarding our enrollment from the last enrollment projections you saw when the budget was adopted. So at budget adoption these were the numbers used and this is the method by which the projected enrollment of 4,284 was come to. We took the 24 25 grades K through 11 and moved them up and then did projections for TK and K based on birth rates. Um, and birth rates for both grade levels were lower than 200 for both our kindergarteners and ITK. And that's the best known of kids who were born four years or five years prior to this grade. And they kind of looked at historical trends. And we also took into account the information that we had um been hearing regarding the potential of lower IDA rates um because the district has historically been about 15% of
047students. Um the this enrollment of 4284 was then used with an ADA attendance rate of 94%. in our district that has been um it's gone between 94 and 94 and a half% of when our students who are enrolled physically attend and so that drives our revenue and um while the number was lower than the 2425 year um just a reminder that we're held harmless for a year with funding. So you get whatever is um higher. So if it's the current year funding then you get that. If it's the prior year funding, then you get that or the priory year prior for funding. So, um our budget reflects the same level of funding as 2425 because that would be the higher level of um average daily attendance for funding purposes with these figures. During the first
04810 days of school, uh we monitored counts at each of our school sites. It's it's typically called the warm body count. I know not everybody likes that term, but that is taking count of our students we physically have on site compared to um to what we show as our enrollment. So what you can see here is this is our enrollment each day. So we projected 4,284. When we started school on day one, we had within our area system 4,42. So that was an increase from what we thought we might get to the first day. And then you can see the fluctuations. We went down day two, we went down day three. Um and then by the time we got to the end of the first 10 days, um we kind of landed around the 4,395.
049So you can see the change from our projections is um we have 111 more students from projection. What that is is 56 more students from last year. So last year we had 4,346. So we went up by that. So where did we see these enrollment changes? Primarily they're at our TK and K which were our most challenging levels to project and our 9th grade. That's where we saw the largest changes from our projection to the enrollment on August 25th. Um the most significant can increase for new students were at these levels. And you can see at TK um new students 186. You you would expect that at the TK level because they weren't likely with us prior for preschool. Um and 15 IDAs came in kindergarten. 90 of the kids are new to BUSD and
050their residents. You don't see as high a number because we had kids in TK. So they were new for TK the year before. There were 14 new IDAs in kindergarten. And then at the ninth grade level we saw 32 new residents of Benicia come in and 16 new IDAs. If you look that number those two numbers together is greater than 28. That means some kids left some kids came in. These are just the new to us that we had not had before. this year for 2526 our IDA percentage so they're they're from they're primarily from our our neighboring city Valleo but that is not the only district that we have students from. Um our district is now sitting at 13.8% of our total students are on an IDA. So they are not residents of Benicia.
051Um, of that a vast majority are from our neighboring city. Um, of the new IDAs that came in this year, there were 64 that came in to Benishia new. Of those, 17 are part of the Allen bill, which means they have somebody who works here or has daycare here. Any questions on the changes you can see with the grades? All right. So, what are our next steps? Um, even though the 10 days came and went, we continue to watch intently where our enrollment is at because my biggest fear is, is it solid? Is this where we're at for this year? So, we continue to watch. Um, it will be officially captured on Seabeds Day, which is the first Wednesday in October, which happens to be October 1st this year. And that will be our forever
052historical what our enrollment stated it was. That doesn't mean anything more than that. It's just our historical number. Could we see changes in our LCF funding? Possibly. We have more students um but they need to attend more than the students did last year. So right now um start of our year, which is typically our best attendance districtwide, we're at 94%. We need to get much closer to 95% to jump above last year's ADA. So, we could see a change in funding. We will not know that until after April attendance because that captures all the time frame that we're funded on. So, from now through April 2nd, all the attendance that happened. So, we don't know what's going to happen in the winter. We could have great attendance. We can have an impact due to flu
053or different variants of COVID as we've seen in the last year. There can be some challenges. um highly important that our students not lose learning time and that's what's important here for the multi-year projections. That's another challenge. What do we do for next year? The 2627 and the 2728 because what what had been done was presented to you is we expected a decline in 2526. And then those smaller kindergarten cohorts because it's still even though we're up, we're still down from last year, that smaller group will continue to go through and eventually they'll go all the way through the system and um we're seeing grade levels below two 300. So you just have to imagine that goes all the way through. So last year's exiting senior group had 344 incoming kindergarten is less than that.
054They will eventually be seniors. That's what we have to watch. Um I look today what's today's enrollment? 4,42. We're back to where we were the day we started school. Today we continue to watch. the numbers um are primarily they're not identical to what they were in day one. They're lower at the high school. They're higher in the elementary, but still lower than last year in certain groups. So that there's still that caution to be conservative as we move the grade levels up what we project as our revenues. Any questions? Again, thank you for your clarity. We appreciate it. We come to action items. Uh item number 13, consideration and adoption of the recommended California School Board Association C uh CSBA board policy updates. Mrs. Adams >> bringing back the policies that we reviewed and were
055brought forward at the last August 14th meeting and I'm asking for your approval. >> I uh move that we approve the board policy updates for June 2025 plus the additional >> and I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I thank you. >> Thank you. And item number 13B, um, consideration approval of the variable term waiver request for adapted PE. Uh, Dr. Jennings. >> Good evening, President Grubs, board trustees, interim superintendent Adams, and the Venicia Unified um, community. The item before your consideration and approval is the variable term waiver request for adapted PE, also known as AP. We are grateful to um Scott Schwarz for stepping up to serve as the point 2 adaptive PE teacher for Benetian Unified. Mr. Schwarz has had a uh college level coursework in adaptive PE and we are requesting
056this waiver to submit to the California Commission on Teacher Credentiing. >> Any questions? >> Is he going to try to get the full? >> That is my understanding. I'll move that we approve the variable term waiver request for adapted physical education. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor? >> I ratifica um item number 13C ratification of the me theou with Grand Canyon University College of Nursing and Healthc Care Professions. Dr. Dr. Jennings, you're up here for a little bit. >> Just a little bit. It It'll go quick, I promise. Um, good evening again. Um, this agreement will allow a Masters of Public Health graduate student or Master of Public Health graduate students complete their practicum in Benicia and provide health um, lessons and things like that in our uh, elementary schools. >> Oh,
057fantastic. That's fantastic. >> I move that we approve the memorandum of understanding with Grand Canyon University. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> Thank you. >> And Dr. Jennings, item 13D, consideration approval of anou with the u Benicia teachers association for drum line and color guard stipens. >> Thank you. Again, these stipens are funded out of our district's prop 28 allocation which is specifically designated to support visual and performing arts. And so each year this MLOU comes before you to approve that so we can pay for our wonderful drum line and color guard coaches. >> I'll move that we approve the memorandum of understanding with BTA for drum line and color guard stipens. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor >> I thank you. Item number 13E, consideration approval
058of memorandum of understanding with BTA for letters training stipen. Um, yes. Hello again. The letters u letters which stands for language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling is a nationally recognized research-based professional development program grounded in the science of reading. Given the rigorous requirements for teachers um that are engaged in this professional development, we are proposing a stipen for those teachers um who successfully complete each year. >> I move that we approve theou between BTA and the letters training state or the letters training statement. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. >> And item 13F, consideration and approval of theou between uh B USD and classified school employees association CSEA chapter number 1096 for Junth holiday 2021 and 2022. Can you clarify that? >> Absolutely. This agreement provides payment to the CSEA employees
059who worked on the Junth holiday in 2021 and 2022 before um the it was incorporated into the CSEA collective bargaining agreement. So before that time, we've been working and negotiating with them to add this for there's there's a handful of employees who worked on those holidays in those two years and we will the agreement is for them to receive pay for those days based on their pay at the time um that they didn't work >> or that they were. Sorry. Thank you. I move that we approve the the um memorandum of understanding between USD and C ca chapter 1096 for the Junth holiday 2021 and 2022. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor >> opposed. Thank you. So now we come to what many of us are here for. Um item 13G, consideration
060and approval of the administrative administrative appointment in the capacity of superintendent for the Venicia Unified School District effective September 17, 2025. Um so do we have any comments? I have a it's my pleasure to bring Chris Calibracy's name forward for the position of Benishia Unified School District Superintendent. Chris has outstanding letters of recommendations and um is uh oh sorry I can't find my little cursor [Music] and as mentioned earlier stellar staff uh recommendations from Brentwood Unified he's promised to keep the good work that our district has done going forward and we are um very pleased to welcome you to our our district. Would you like to say a few words? I'm a little overwhelmed, so bear with me. So, thank you. First off, u thank you for having me tonight. Thank you for board of
061trustees um for your trust, for the rigor that this process was, for the questions that you asked, for coming out with the visitation team, um the integrity that you brought to this process. You were interviewing me, but in that second round, I was interviewing you and um our core values are aligned and it was very very evident. Uh we put children first. We believe in the in leaders and in the staff that works here in B USD and you support that work. We believe in community and we're collaborative and we navigate these challenges together and that was evident to me and um so thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. I don't take it lightly. U I want to thank the visitation team for taking the time to come out to Brentwood especially on a
062really tough day in traffic wise to get to Brentwood. you endured a lot. And so, um, and I I want to thank the the board for including our union leaders, uh, for Carlen for being there and for Cindy for being there. It meant a lot to me that you were there, um, so you could see the work that that I had done. Um, and so, thank you to to Cece and Amy for coming out. I really really appreciate that. Um, Janice, I can't thank you enough. Um, going to back to school nights with you, I it's you are truly loved by BD. Um, I felt like I was with a rock star and I was your entourage at that point. Um, the people that came up to hug you, to to check in on you,
063to shake your hand. Um, it just shows the the commitment that you have to this community, but also the love that they have for you. And so, I want to thank you for the relationship that we're forming. It means a lot. Um, Georgina, the chief assistant to the superintendent. I will never get tired of saying that. Um, it's not just that you're organized and you are helping this smooth transition here, but you your heart beats to the rhythm of BUD and it's so so evident and so I cannot thank you enough and I'm looking forward to working with you. Um, I want to thank our assistant superintendents and our CBO Leslie Pat and Trudy for just taking the time with me. This vote hadn't happened yet, right? We hadn't come together yet and uh, but
064you still took time to meet with me and talk with me and uh, the incredible work that you're doing here in BSD. I'm honored to be able to be associated with this district and work with people like yourselves. Um, I want to recognize the directors. I want to recognize uh the principles that I've met that have reached out to me. Um, been incredibly welcoming and um, the back to school nights were absolutely incredible. I have to admit it was really exciting to be back at a high school campus again. Um, it's the last time I'll be short, so or I'll be short again, I should say. I went to elementary school to be tall and um you know I have this this experience of a of a preschool through through a high school experience and
065and it's exciting for me to be able to put that experiences to work here in BSD. I'm anxious and excited to view Liberty High School. Uh it was really great to hear you two and meet you and talk about your stories. Um I I commend you and uh I'm excited. You give us hope. I hope you know that. Um, I'm excited about going to uh Benicia Middle School back to school night here next Thursday. Um, to the classroom teachers and and and special education teachers and and all of our staff throughout BD, custodians, food service, maintenance, technology, I'm probably forgetting somebody in there. Um, superintendents always say things like, "We have an open door policy." And that's true. I will. But the truth of the matter is, you don't have time to come to my
066office. You're busy working. And um, I want you to know that I'll be walking through your door. I'll be coming to your area, your workspace, your classroom, uh your offices, and I'll be meeting you. Um I want to hear your your celebrations. You're going to hear this a lot. Celebrations and challenges. I want to hear what you're celebrating. I want to hear what your challenges are, and then how can we work together um to the community, our parents, our guardians over the next 100 days, you can expect a series of events um where I'm going to be connecting with you and those opportunities. We'll be putting that out there. The intent of that, and I said this to the board in my interview, is to listen first. listen to the board, the students, the staff,
067families, site leaders, and community partners to learn deeply through data, data, direct experiences, and school community perspectives to lead collaboratively. That is incredibly important to me, and it's so evident that that exists here in BSD. Um, ensuring transparent decision-making, inclusive, and student centered, act with purpose. You're going to see me setting that foundation for long-term goals, build upon the successes that this district already has. And so I want you to know I'll be doing listening tours, focus groups, meeting with family, staff, students. Um students, I see you and I I want to know that I'll be meeting with you that Janice said it so well that student voice is so incredibly important. I'll be attending school events, community events, PTA, PTO meetings, DAC meetings, and quite honestly, I'm really ready for some Panther football. >>
068Celebrate successes. I want to hear those challenges. And I I said that already, but I'm going to keep saying that because you'll hear me say it a lot. Um, I want to introduce my family, and this is where it gets emotional. So, uh, first and foremost, my wife, Mon'nique, an exceptional, uh, special ed teacher herself and, um, and and got into got into education accidentally. And so, thank you. Thank you for supporting me and and all my crazy dreams. Um, I want to introduce my mom, Esther Calibesi. 89 years young. It's where I get my jeans from. >> And, um, thank you for being here tonight, Mom. Um, I'd go into details. She's my hero, but I I start crying. Uh, my kids are here. Quinn, my oldest son, my daughter-in-law, Char. Uh, they're both
069work with students. My daughter Gracie is here tonight. She is now she's at UC Santa Cruz and now working for uh, Teach America and so I'm excited about that. U, my son Kobe is in Peru serving in the Peace Corps and he is watching online right now. So, hello Miho. Um, and then I want to introduce someone that's uh that's incredibly important to me. First, Mimi and Brett Drake. They're my dear friends. I've known Mimi since I was in in junior high school. Um, but Mimi's dad is here tonight. Ike Montinez. Ike is a hero back in in um Brentwood. He needs no introduction. There's a school in a library named after him. He was my elementary school principal. He's a mentor. He's a friend. He's like another father to me. And so, it's an
070honor to have Ike here tonight. So, thank you, Ike. Um, yeah, you can clap for that. Absolutely. I'm honored. I'm humbled. I'm excited to serve as superintendent of this district. I'm committed to listening and collaborating and partnering. Um, you're going to hear me say those words a lot and they're they're not just I don't they're not placating. They're what I do and they're how I serve. Uh, we face some challenges in California and uh, but I'm optimistic about this amazing thriving inclusive student centered district and together those those challenges are not insurmountable. So, thank you. Sorry, I didn't introduce my best friend since the fourth grade. [Laughter] >> Thank you so much. That was very that was really inspiring, Chris. Um, so now we come to Oh, let's see. >> We need to vote. Yes,
071we do. >> We need to vote. I'm so anxious. >> I'll make a motion um for approval of the administrative appointment in the capacity of superintendent superintendent for the Benicia Unified School District effective September 17th, 2025. >> I'll second that. >> Those in favor. [Applause] >> So now we come to the other important part. Um 13H consideration and approval of the superintendent's employment agreement. Um so are there any questions? Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the superintendent's employment agreement government code. Gosh, my cursor section 53262. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor? >> I one of those. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, um, since we just approved everything, Chris, I would like to give you your name plate. Actually, we'll leave it right here. And your name
072tag. Come on. Your name tag and your pin. >> Yeah. There you go. [Applause] So, we come to our adjournment. If you would like to stay and have some cupcakes and meet Chris and celebrate Janice and all the hard work our principles are here, thank you for being here by the way. Um, so our next meeting is on Thursday, September 18th. Meeting adjourned.