Central Union High School District Board Meeting: 9/9/25

001to report of an item that was taken in the close session and the board took action to approve a confidential settlement agreement by the following 50 vote. Um, at this time I would like to um we're going to stand for the pledge of allegiance. And if we could remain standing so we can do a moment of silence. The moment of silence will be for the young man that was um tragically killed in that accident uh Brain Cohen. Um so our thoughts and prayers are with the Cohen and the Gatis family. U so at this time I'd like uh Dr. Fel, will you please lead us in the pledge and then we'll continue with the moment of silence right after that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Place your right hand over your heart. >> I

002pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. It's always a tough one, you know. It's a tough one. Um, so let's go to item number four. We have approval of the following student matters pursuant to ED code sections 49073-49079 stipulated expulsion agreement case number 090925- 021. Okay. Do I have a motion to approve it? I move that we approve the stipulated expulsion agreement and a second please. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Thank you. Okay. Now to the best part of the meeting, communications recognitions. You know, let's go ahead and start with governing board reports. Uh Trusty Elllet. >> Well, welcome

003back to the school year, everyone. We met just before school started. So, we have a few We I want to say I really enjoyed the welcome back. I got to go to Central and shake some pompoms as the students came onto campus and I thought that was really fun and I know some of the other trustees went to Southwest. So, I appreciate the teachers and the staff really wanting to make the school year great for the students. And then later that week, um, Southwest had a a a welcome back assembly with great participation with all the students. Then later I got to go to Central and I got to I was able to see the tennis team, the girls tennis team as well as the Central girls flag football. And then you for the men

004were out there running on the track also. So you get to see a lot at the same time at Central. I really appreciated that. And then um uh this weekend there were quite a few events and I'm very thankful that um again we have such nice facilities. There was a nice women I'm women girls volleyball tournament at Southwest. Got to watch the was able to see um Southwest and Central and really if you haven't seen a volleyball game I really encourage you to go see them. They go on and they go on and they really work out hard. And then yesterday, um, we saw the Southwest and Central tennis teams. And I just want to appreciate all the athletes in this heat and doing such a good job and not complaining about the heat. And

005I and then Saturday night, one more thing, there was the 911 remembrance stair climb out at out at the fairgrounds. And I would really like to congratulate our students. I ASB was there from Southwest. The cadet program was there and they were handing out water. It was just a beautiful experience to see them supporting the the city, the county, and and just different issues. And I just really want to thank all the parents and students for the extra work they do outside of school, volunteering and and making our community so much better. So, thank you to everybody. >> Thank you, uh, Trusty Espinosa. >> Yes. Thank you. on just like say my fellow other board members on August 19th. We participated in a special board meeting with our superintendent and other cabinet members and it

006was really helpful refresher on board conduct and roles and other areas to press focus on. Um I want to I do want to thank Marcy and Dr. Fargus in advance for being scheduled to speak with El Centro Rotary. I do know some of those folks are excited about that. So thank you. Um I also appreciate the joint social media campaign between our district and El Centro Elementary School District. I think it's a really great campaign reminding our community that making a school threat is no joke and I do appreciate that. Um, and finally, I'm grateful to Central and that sir Optimus is able to partner with NASA on the International Space Apps challenge. So, thank you for that, Mr. Lion, and for the Central uh school being available and open to this really new um

007initiative came to Sir Optimus from NASA International Space Apps Challenge. It's on October 4th through the 5th. It is open to everyone, all ages. There are no age limits. So, if you don't have any coding history or anything like that, do not fret is what they tell us. And I don't have any coding history. So, I'm excited about that. Um, but it's a global event open to all ages. And so, I think it's a wonderful chance for our community to uh be part of such a STEM focused initiative. So, thank you. Thank you. That's it for my report. >> Oh, thank you, Trusty Tobatus. >> Hi. Good afternoon, everybody. Um, we I went to a few games, especially the football right now >> because both of my my kids are there. But then I'm trying

008to make it to the central ones, but I know Thursday we'll we'll try to beat you guys. But, um, I went to the back to school night. It was wonderful seeing all the teachers, getting to meet everybody, and doing walkthroughs with staff, getting to know them, and every other than that, everything's been good at both sites. Well, all sites. And thank you very much. Have a good day. >> Okay, Trusty Mora. >> That's me. >> That's you. >> Um, welcome back everybody. I know that we did have a a meeting in August, but not everything was back to normal. Hopefully now things are kind of getting back to normal, but it has been very, very, very busy. Uh, we did attend the welcome back and started at Desert Oasis. Thank you for making it an

009hour earlier because that way I was able to be there. And then I continued at Central, took a walk around the campus, met some new um staff in the rooms, and then finished it at at Southwest. uh which by the time I got to Southwest it was nice weather but at central it felt the humidity was horrible but um as you can see we all stay busy and I know some at some of the sites it's like oh here comes be again >> but it's because we attend the events and uh we visit certain departments that invite us over and and every visit we do or wherever we're that we notify well I notify Mr. forces just so he'll know that I'm not out there causing chaos even though chaos is my middle name, right?

010But um again like the rest of our uh board I yesterday's tennis match was special cuz you got two for the price of one. You got Central and Southwest playing against each other. So I didn't have to run to Central and then run to Southwest. uh volleyball games. It's kind of gets to your heart to see your the kids to the kids that were either in the high school when I was there as a security and now their kids are playing and the parents just tell the students, "Oh, this is Miss B." And she was like, and the kids just look at me and like, "Oh, I'm glad you're not security anymore." But but um it it just hits your heart to see all these kids that you sort of were a part of their

011lives as we got them when they were in high school. But I do want to ask that we support our students, you know, with their activities. Not only sports, but some of them have a club, some of them have different events. Let's be there for them. I I try to be there and and it's just hits home because my kids I try to be there even though you drive yourself crazy. I try to be there for my my kids and my grandkids now, which is double the triple the busy schedules. but try to support our kids because they they love seeing us out there and and and we need to show them that, you know, we appreciate what they do. And like Miss Debbie said, the heat out there, just appreciate them being such a

012good sport because >> I wouldn't want to be out there at 4:00 in the afternoon with the heat, but we're very blessed with our students. So, let's let's please support our kids. Thank you. You know, by the time it gets to me, you guys have pretty much covered everything. So, I try to Okay. So, it was nice. I was watching Padres's um and I saw our cadetses doing the flag ceremony, and it just it just makes me feel so good because you say, "Hey, those are those are our kids, you know, and they're doing such a great job." And and Mr. Derma said they've got maybe some >> Charger games coming up and that type of thing. So, it's nice to see when they announce Southwest High School and some people say, "Oh, is that

013the Southwest High School in Chula Vista?" Cuz that's the same school. No, and same name. I said, "No, no, that's Valley." So, very proud of that group that that does that on national TV or those that watch the dot Padres. Um, you know, and I know I live by Southwest and and I was complaining a little bit about people just driving down my street because they're trying to avoid 23rd and Lotus. And I don't know if the word got out. It's kind of a little bit better now. So that the speed demons or maybe they're going somewhere else, but I think they're controlling the traffic a lot better around the high school and also central when last year we put in those new stop signs. You know, sometimes I even forget because I went that

014school for 34 years. I thought, "Oh, it's a stop sign now." So, but I think the traffic the kids are safer and and it's really helping our kids get to the classroom and the activities after school. I firmly believe that educationbased athletics and activities is what it's making our our kids excel past the classroom because everything that our advisors and coaches it's an extension of the classroom and so and people say well it's not we're going to hear not going to hear what they did in the English class but we might hear the media talk about what uh the quarterback from the girls flag football yesterday I mean my goodness I watched it was Vince I think it's Vincent at memorial >> and I think that girl just played in the national flag football championship.

015They were on ESPN and everything. So, it's good to see those kids interacting with that and they're all doing a good job. Tennis, volleyball match, they've got a couple of the tournaments in San Diego. So, our kids are are well-rounded. They represent us well. And I think we've got a lot going on. City championship in a couple of days. It's uh 9/11, you know, so I think um they've got probably Mr. Spanos doesn't want to spill the beans, but I'm sure they got something to so we can remember that as well. So, okay, let's go with um our student board uh members. We've got new ones this year. So, when we call you, we're going to go Miss Alvareo, you're going to go first and just say a little about yourself and then go ahead

016and give your report. >> Good evening. My name is Alvarado. Um, I am a senior at Central and something about me is that I am the sport team captain and this is my last year and I'm really excited. It's bittersweet moment. >> We're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Good evening board community members and superintendent Dr. Fares. My name is Elena, 2526 school board representative for Central Union High School. I'm thrilled to represent an exceptional school and work with this district. To kick off this upcoming great school year, our V crew leaders held a freshman orientation on August 8th to welcome the class of 2029. August 11th was our first day of school where teachers, cheerleaders, and ASV members greeted students at every gate, handing out candy bags as a welcome back gift to all. Thursday,

017August 14th, we had our Spartans showing off their great smiles at the ID picture. Later that evening, we had our first home volleyball game where Lady Spartans won three out of four sets against Klexico. Friday, August 15th, our link crew leaders held a freshman assembly to highlight the importance of our campus, including dress code, setting goals for high school, and wearing blue every Friday to showcase our Spartan pride. August 20th, we held a leadership meeting, which included ASB, Link Group, SEO, change makers, and a new set of leaders, attendance ambassadors, where we are trying to connect every leadership group on campus to make one big team. Friday, August 22nd, we held a morning rally that included face paint, our morning march out by the great Spartan band, soft flags, and sport teams. Cheers and chants

018by our cheerleaders getting our Spartans ready for the first home football game. That evening before the game, Link crew organized a frost tunnel run where about 250 freshmen got an opportunity to run through the tunnel, get into the game for free, and represent the class of 2029. Football went against Jupa Hills, ending with a winning score of 47 to 14. Girls golf had a successful match against Vincent Memorial on August 26th. Open house night was on August 27th where parents had the opportunity to meet their students, teachers, pre-order the yearbook, and purchase Spartan merchandise. August 28th, we had um was the start to our feeder city food drive where our Spartans um left all their non-p perishable donations in their class advisor's classrooms. During that same day that during advisory we had our first barton

019senate meeting which consists of two representatives per advisory and they have an opportunity to give ASB feedback and input on what we can do to implement and bring into this school year. That same evening, girls tennis went against Klexico and took on the victory. Friday, August 29th, we had our second home football game against Palm Desert, ending with another victorious score of 33 out of 14. Our cross country team attended their cross country Ravens Invitational on August 30th. Frost Claus officer elections were held September 1st through the 5th. And I'd like to congratulate President Sadi Castana, Vice President Dylan Escobar, Treasurer Victoria Salosab, and Secretary Riley Bamante for winning these class officer positions. One last big huge shout out I want to give is to the Spartan Sound Production and Dr. Taki for producing the

020Voices of the Viet podcast, allowing our students to come out on the radio and giving them another opportunity. Upcoming events for this month include girls block football versus broly September 9th, senior sunrise September 10th, city champs varsity football September 11th, our club fair September 12th during both lunches, girls tennis versus hope September 10th, girls volleyball versus Raleigh, September 22nd, our fall sports assembly September 26, varsity football versus Lintita September 26, which is also our senior night. And to stay up to up to date with all our social media accounts, please follow our Instagram @ ces_updates, Tik Tok, crespartans, and on YouTube, Spartans for Life. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh Southwest High School, uh Miss Baxter, tell us about yourself. >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Okay.

021Hi, my name is Zoe Baxter. And one thing that's interesting about myself is that I play the cello and that I'm in chamber orchestra at Southwest. >> And so I'm really looking forward to this year being president also of that club and all the upcoming events that we have so far. So good evening, Superintendent Dr. Farcus, board members and members of the community and fellow students. My name is Zoe Baxter and I'm your 2025 2026 school board representative for Southwest High School. I would like to begin my report by saying that I am very grateful to be here to deliver my report and to help keep everyone informed on the exciting events at Southwest. Tonight, I have with me our ASB director, Mr. Spanos, serving in his 11th year as ASB director, which makes him

022the longest tenure ASB director in our school's 30-year history. passing up the longstanding Mr. Lion with his 10 combined years as an Eagle ASB director. >> Also with me, there are three members from this year's ASB council being our ASB president Johan Pereia, our ASB vice president, Kendra Santos CVantes, and our ASB treasurer, Leonor Fernandez. to show our gratitude to the hard work that you all do for our school district. We would like to present you all with um a Southwest shirt with the new design for this year. >> So, we're going to be coming up >> now. We'll not be able to wear it on Thursday. >> Congratulations. >> Definitely for the magazine. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> I am a Southwest grad, so I love it. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank

023you. Thank you. >> That's cool. >> 1996. Wow. 1996. >> And our director's assistant, Alexa Romo, could not make it this evening due to her volleyball game. And we wish her and all of our amazing volleyball players good luck in their game against Mount Empire at Southwest. We know that they will keep fighting until the end. And now to my ASB report. Meet the Eagles was on August 13th. The event introduced the varsity student athletes of the season, the SHS band, and numerous performance groups, the ASB team, and our SHS principles. Southwest then had their back to school night on August 27th. We had an amazing turnout, and our Southwest ASB did a great job guiding parents and setting an example as student leaders on campus. For the first home football game of the season,

024our ASB planned and executed a beginning of the year spirit week and schoolwide assembly title. Diving into the school year. A very interesting note, the opening assembly skit was recorded by students, which is nothing unusual, but this skit actually went viral on social media, reaching over two million views in less than a week. >> Wow. So, we were excited that our pep team's idea became overwhelmingly popular within our region. Our first Friday night light student section was themed beach luau and was very well attended with filled with lots of purple and gold. Our academics committee has presented the August and September ASB teacher of the month to Mr. Alvarado for his hard work and dedication to this year's summer band camp. Mr. Alvarado then recognized Amina Munoz as ASB student of the month for the

025months of August and September. Congratulations to the both of them. Not only that, but our academics committee has also presented each of our teachers with a birthday in August and September, a candy goodie bag. >> 12 of our ASB members also attended the 911 stair climb event this past Saturday, helping to distribute waters and keeping spirits up for our volunteers. Moving on to athletics, ASB coach of the month for the months of August and September was awarded to Coach Lindberg of girls volleyball. Coach Lindberg then recognized Alina Avalos as the ASB athlete for the months of August and September. Congratulations to the both of them. Then coming up, the annual football city champs game will be on September 11th. The Southwest student section will be dressed in camo to recognize our guests, our military, and

026will also honor our first responders. We invite you to be our guests for the city championship and also to help us honor this special September 11th ceremony during the game. The current records of our fall sports are at football at 03, but continues to improve under our new coach Silo. Flag football at 34 on the season so far. Girls volleyball is 5-7 in the season. Tonight they're playing Mount Empire and we wish them luck. Girls golf at 4, ranked 14th in division 1 with CIF. And girls tennis is 3-2 on the season and 20 in IVL play. Cross country has had two invitational meets and we have had a number of athletes place in both meets. This Saturday they will be hosting the SHS invite on September 13th at 700 a.m. at Sunbeam Lake Park.

027Additional important information can be found on Southwest Instagram page, SHS Athletics. Moving on to HOSA. Beginning the year, HOSA held informational meetings to inform students of opportunities within HOSA. To further inform and recruit students, HOSA also attended club rush for the month of September. HOSA is spreading awareness for suicide prevention and will be joining the week-long campaign for suicide prevention. Next week, the HOSA chapter officers are preparing for the Washington Leadership Academy, and they would also like to remind everyone to save the date for October 23rd for the blood drive with the San Diego Bloodbank. Moving on to Savapa, the Sava Theater Component will be the first to open this year's series of performances with its first show titled WCKY. It's a murder mystery taking place at a live radio station. The audience also gets

028to guess who the killer is during intermission. Performances are Friday, October 3rd and Saturday, October 4th at 700 p.m. in the Jimmy Cannon Theater. For more information, contact SEAPA coordinator, Mrs. Spanos. Sava Music has had many great events planned for October. On Saturday, October 11th, they are hosting a combination of School of Rock held in the Southwest Amphitheater in the morning, followed by a music and arts festival in the afternoon. There, students can students from local elementary and middle schools are invited to learn about rock music and then perform later that afternoon. In addition, there will be numerous performances and refreshments and games and fun for everyone who attends. Moving on to orchestra. During the summer, the or the Southwest Orchestra has also held a summer orchestra camp for all for children of all skill

029levels to cultivate their musical abilities for a week. They then con concluded it with a concert for all parents to attend. Southwest Chamber Orchestra started the school year by going to Kfman on August 28th to perform for the kids there and to expose them to the world of classical music. Southwest Wind Ensemble and Orchestra would also like to announce their upcoming joint concert called A Night at the Movies on October 18th. They're also extending an invitation to the board to attend their performance and to hear some of your favorite movie soundtracks. Moving on to band, Southwest Drum Line performed at back to school night to welcome families and they also performed at a flag football game. In addition, the drum line was featured in the first school assembly of the year, helping to create an

030exciting atmosphere for students and staff. The marching band has worked with coach Cybo to add a new element to their pregame show, which now includes a live announcement of the football team starting lineup. The students are currently preparing for a collaborative performance with the CUS band at the September 11th home football game where both groups will join together for the halftime performance. Looking ahead, the marching band will continue performing at all home football games throughout the fall and will begin preparing for a parade season later in the year. Moving on to Eagle Corp. There they were able to perform their color guard performance at Petco Park for the San Diego Padres's and they practice hard after school to enhance their drill ceremony skills. They have also been fundraising to purchase their new drill rifles and

031continue planning a surprise drill performance at SHS. Their leadership staff have been planning many community events, one of them being the annual 911 memorial run here in Imperial Valley. They teamed up with iv911.org to organize, conduct, participate, and close out and clean for the 911 memorial stair climb this past Saturday. Their work will not go unrecognized. Thank you to the hard work that Eagle Cadet Corps did for the community this past Saturday. Moving on to FFA. During the summer, the El Central FFA officer team went to Julian to the retreat on July 28th through 31st. For the month of August, FFA held an ice cream social on the 20th, a livestock meeting on the 26th, and back to school night on the 27th. For the month of September, FFA held their green hand officer interviews

032on the 3rd and 4th of September along with their parent livestock meeting on the on being on the 4th of September. Other events that are planned for the month of September are as follows. FFA's first chapter meeting, their BLE section trip on the 10th, and the Imperial Section GLC leadership conference. Alongside all of these are also preparing to plant their garden. Don't forget to follow Southwest ASB on all platforms including Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter. On behalf of our Southwest ASB and Principal Derma, thank you for your time and I hope you all have a great night. That will conclude my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Desert Oasis High School, Miss Geon. >> Hello. Um, good afternoon, Superintendent, uh, Dr. Farcus, board members, staff, and all of those in attendance. Thank you

033for for this opportunity to speak in front of you. My name is Angela Dominguez, and I am the student board representative of Desert Oasis High School, Phoenix Rising. A lot of great things are happening at Desert Oasis High School. uh and at Phoenix Rising, such as on August 4th, uh Desert Oasis and Phoenix Rising held its orientation day to help students and families with a welcome transition to Desert Oasis and Phoenix Rising. We held back to uh school night on August 27th where students and families had opportunities to meet teachers and staff and staff. The seniors the senior class of 2026 also had the opportunity to have their first fundraiser this this night. We had a successful title one meeting for our parents where approximately 25 parents were present. Students recently completed their their NWA

034MAP growth assessment and and they're now inputting their RIIT scores into so that every student every student may have a personalized academic intervention. Our impactor pathway, our social emotional program is up and going. Uh students will be accessing the online program on Tuesday and Thursday during advisory. On September 4th, ARC had Ark held a hello and goodbye Lola event for Mrs. Vanessa Oua where they provide snow cones and played music during lunch. To celebrate Hispanic Herage Day Month and Mexican Independence Day, ARK will be hosting a celebration during lunch on September 16th. There will be piñatas and snacks provided for students. Hope to see you there. From September 15th to 19th, counselors and schoolbased mental health specialists will go to advisory periods advisory periods to present their lessons on on and me counselors attendance pride

035plan and mental health services. On September 22nd, we will be having a higher ed day college and career represent representative will be able to provide the information to our seniors. Behavior health will be also be on campus to be to provide the students with suicide awareness pre presentations. The date will be determined we will we are having an annual suicide prevention awareness fair on September 26 during advisory where the where students will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain information from different agencies throughout the valley. Thank you for your time. I hope to see you at Darases and Phoenix Racing. >> Thank you. So it's it's Domingus is your last name. I apologize for that. Sorry about that, Carol. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Got it. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're on to

036number five. Central Union High School District student club reports. Do we have anybody? Here we go. >> Good evening. Um board members and super superintendent Farcus. My name is Marine Lopez. I'm the social media coordinator for active minds at Southwest High School. Active Minds is a studentled organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness. Our goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and to create a supportive environment. To achieve this, our club organ organizes engaging presentations and activities that spark conversation and provide resources. One of our signature initiatives is um wellness Wednesdays. On every full Wednesday during both lunches, our active minds officers and community health worker students host resource tables on campus. These tables provide information, activities, and connections to support services, encouraging students to prioritize their well-being. Our community partners include

037Imperial County Behavioral Health Services and Imperial County Public Health Department. Uh through these efforts, Active Minds is helping to build a culture at Southwest High School where mental health is valued, conversations are open, and students know that they are not alone. We would like to present you with a goodie bag of resources to help promote so uh suicide prevention month and advocate for mental health and wellness. Thank you for your support in making mental health a priority at our schools. >> Thank you. Do we have any other club reports that want to do uh anything? Okay, let's go. Item number six, superintendence report. Dr. Varcus. >> Oh, hi. Good evening everyone. Good evening, trustees. Thanks for joining us tonight for uh our presentations and our celebrations. Uh we'll make it short. Um our schools are

038incredible. Our students and parents have uh really shown up to uh really start the school year off the right way. Uh back to school night was incredible. um all the programs we have. It's a tricky challenge in the uh summertime when we have so many students coming from other communities that want to come to our schools. Um it's a good headache to have. We have to mix and match. Miss Per does a lot with the schools trying to organize where the seats are because we only have so many um seats in each program in each classroom. and Carol Taylor does a good job of uh helping us organize our transfers uh because everybody wants to come to Central. They want to come to Southwest. They want to come to Central Union High School and it's

039a fantastic feeling to be the superintendent. So, I take a lot of pride and I'm really u blessed to be part of our district. Tonight I want to um showcase something that's just about a 90 seconds and it's uh the work of our public information officer, Miss Fernando Lynch, and the work of our Desert Oasis staff organizing something that says stuff about good stuff about I'm sorry, Carol, I should have been faster. The Desert Oasis High School um learning a little bit more about it because there's still now it's not much out there, but there's still the stigma of that's where when you make bad choices you go. Not at all. Not at all. Here's a little uh a little um video to learn a little bit more about our third school. >> I really

040like about this school is that the support that you have when you come here, you're not alone. And even though you want to be in your little in your little nutshell and you want to be placed in the corner, you're honestly like it's a family here more than anything. From the time I came, I came with the mentality of okay, let's let's try it. And this school opened their doors to me. And honestly, all the teachers have you. They don't even have to be my own teacher for them to like talk to you and interact with you and really connect and give you that advice. Even if they don't know you, everyone knows each other here and everyone supports each other here. >> She's one of many students that I've had just like her. They

041recovered their credits, raised their GPA, and was just overall happy and graduated right on time. So we are a smaller environment. So if students thrive in a smaller classroom and if they feel like you know maybe they need to just quieter time or you know they need a little bit more help with the teacher more one-on-one that's when they can come to us it can be voluntary too if they want to come um and it's a better environment for them. Something that helped me and pushed me to my limit was probably the teachers. All the teachers here ask if you understand the things. If they don't, they'll get to know you to know if you really understand it and they will go over it and over it until you get it. I'm the first one

042for my siblings that's going to attend college. I'm graduating early. I This school also helped me get a job at 60 years old. So, it it it definitely changed her perspective and now they're very proud of me and happy. >> We are very proud of her. with her ups and downs that she has been through very hard times, very hard times. And she had just demonstrated that she could do it. And she has. Yes. >> As we step forward, let's carry our lessons, our resilience, our community, and our guidance that we've learned here. Let's remember the teachers who pushed us, the friends who supported us, and the moments that define us. Congratulations, class of 2025. [Music] >> So, thank you to our PIO, to our uh staff and our students and families for really putting

043out what we're about to um to the community. And we're really proud of all of our schools and our staff and our families and students. So, thank you very much. Thought that would be a little more interesting than me talking. So, thank you. Thank you, Dr. Farcus. Okay. Item seven, business department report. Uh, Mrs. Mendoza. Good afternoon, board members, community. Um, um, so I'm going to just give a brief update. I know I have a presentation ahead, but I do want to give a breakdown of where we're at with our 2425 unodudited actuals. As you can see, um, our current or our beginning balance July 1st of 2024 was 30,532,215. Our revenues for the 2425 fiscal year were 80,420,583. Then we have our expenditures at 86,495899. Um we do have a ser a deficit spending

044of 6,75,315. Then we do also have the transfers in which this 28,000 what it is is the money we receive for our developer fees and for the Verizon tower that is on our property at South believe it's at Southwest. Um so with the ending balance of 24,485,000 with from that balance we have um 121,000 which is in our revolving cash. Our restricted ending balance is 11,97282 leaving our unrestricted balance at 12,457,422. So, this is just a breakdown of where we ended the school year. I will actually go into details in my next presentation at the end. Um, I also wanted to give an aquatic center update. So, last this month, actually last week, um, I did meet with the architect to revisit the scope of work. Um, we do have minor changes because costs have

045gone up. So, we're working to bring those costs down. Uh we did we did some redesigns um as far as I mean I can get into a lot of detail. I've been learning a lot but but we're trying to bring the cost down. So as you can see that our phase one has been completed. So right now everything's cleaned up. You probably won't see activity again until November October November October to um next board meeting I will bring an update of where we're at. um we do plan out to go um you know to bidding with the subcontractors based on the new scope of work. So that's where we're at with that. Then in November of 2025, I plan to bring um the guaranteed maximum price and also the bid that way you guys can

046approve so we can start on this project. So hopefully November you'll start seeing some more the actual >> construction of the project. So that's my brief update for now, but um I will be back to present um more details on the 2425 unodudited actuals and the 2526 um revised budget. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we have new teacher recognition. >> Mrs. Kihada and Mrs. Martinez or just Miss Kihala, hop along here. >> Sorry. >> That's okay. >> So glad to see you. So, good evening everyone. Um, on behalf of our, uh, instructional support team, myself, Miss Martinez, uh, Mr. Avalar, uh, Mrs. Ens, Mrs. Sheldall, and Mr. Gayyaga. Um, I'm going to be presenting to you our newest family members, uh, those who have joined us either, um, recently or within the

047last year and are now a part of our our, um, Central Union High School District family. So, we are welcoming our new teachers tonight. And go ahead. So, one thing that I think is super important is the way that you bring on individuals into um into our collective family. Um I think in our district, we do a lot to try to make sure that our new teachers feel not only welcome but supported. That's super important because when our teachers feel supported, our students feel the benefits of that support and they feel supported as well. So, new to our fine arts department and to our long-term instructional support staff, we have Tista Chakraorti, who is our fine arts teacher at Southwest, Christina Madueno, who is our new dance teacher at Central, and Mr. Eddie Palmarees, who

048is our long-term independent study teacher at Southwest, previously at Mount Signal Virtual. He was hired on a little bit late in the year and so we never really got an opportunity to to share his name and to make sure that we represent him as one of our new family members. And of course, the individuals are in these photos. I didn't get head-on shots of them, but the pictures that you'll see throughout this presentation happened during the new teacher orientation day, which happened on August 5th. Our new special education staff include Jessica Barahas who is our new uh extensive support needs teacher at Central, Melissa Alvarado who is one of our new SPE teachers at Central Union High School and Mr. Fidel de Laa who joined us a little bit late in the year last year

049but we wanted to make sure that he was also involved in this presentation. Um you can see them doing team building activities. is actually the teachers like I said are in these photos. They are working together with their peers and colleagues in a team building activity that was a lot of fun to be honest with you. Um I was uh really surprised at how three or four people can pull on a string and really move things around effectively to create a pyramid. But these these teams the the the chatter, the camaraderie, just the conversations that happened were a great great beginning to getting to know one another. Our new PE and CTE staff include Mr. Bos Cyel who's been mentioned this evening. He is our new PE uh co teacher and football coach at Southwest

050High School and Sydney Mghe who is our agriculture teacher at Southwest High School. Um again both of them pictured here doing different activities building their team with uh other individuals. And then finally new district staff. We have Denise Frasier who is our new SLP speech language pathologist and Francisco Rico Moro who is one of our psychologists. And um another thing to point out about these new teacher types of activities I I remember vividly those that I came on board with my first year as a teacher, those relationships have been active and I've seen some of them retire. Um, and it's a little bit uh interesting to think to myself, wow, I'm getting close to that point. Um, and then, you know, to to kind of ri them and say, hey, you're leaving first. This is

051not fair. Um, and so we're hopeful that these activities where we bring the new teachers together and where they have an opportunity to interact with the IST and other members of our support teams will give them that that connectedness, that camaraderie, and that feeling of um just belonging to this district as a whole. as we move forward. And so, thank you very much for allowing us to bring this information to the presentation. The new teacher academy will continue on throughout the year. And so, we will be continuing the supportive structure through the IST. Uh, our coaches are phenomenal and I'm sure you'll probably get to meet them sometime later on in the year. But um the work that they do, the work that the new these new teachers are doing at this moment in time

052are are things that we just want to to really lift up so that you all know how wonderful we think our new teachers are. So thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Gihala. >> I know the dance room, the new remodeled dance room at Central is coming along except for the mirrors or something. It's kind of like >> I'm afraid to go in there. It's a little bit like dizziness or vertigo or something. So hopefully they get that take. And you're right, the mats. We're still waiting for the flooring for that. But >> nice to see that the old math wing is now going to be used for something a little bit with a little bit of five, six, seven, eight going on there. >> Okay, so let's go ahead and move on to public comment

053session. At this time, the board of trustees will hear comments, presentations, or requests on matters listed on this agenda. The board will not respond to any public comments directly. Speakers are requested to give their names and addresses. Time limit for speakers, three minutes. The board shall limit the total time for public input on each item to 20 minutes. The board reserves the right to limit presentations. And this meeting is being recorded. So, uh, Trusty Espinosa, do we have anybody for items on the agenda? I believe we have one on the agenda. We have a few public comments that say they're agenda items wanting to address, but they don't specify which agenda item. Um >> Okay. >> So, I'm going to start with the >> Mr. Sandable. >> Yes. I'm going to start with the actual

054agenda item and then those who identify that they want to speak on an item on the agenda, but there's no agenda item identified. So, we're going to go with that. >> Okay. Uh, >> Mr. Sandival. >> Yes, Mr. Sandival >> here or >> you're you're good right there, sir. Great. >> Yeah. Thank you. Agenda item 12. >> Hi, good evening, Board of Trustees. President Num. Uh, my name is Tony Sandaval, 45 West Malard Street, Heber, California. Um, I come today as the parent of two proud CUSD students. Both uh are fortunate to attend Southwest High School. Um I come to speak on u probably the least exciting thing on your agenda today which is board policies. Um uh in the agenda, one of the items that is up for your first review is a board

055policy that would add dual enrollment courses to weighted GPA. So currently the district offers a five point GPA for an A, four for a B for things like AP honors and the board policy says concurrent postsecary education. Um in your agenda you're being asked to clarify that that means dual enrollment at Imperial Valley College. I would just encourage you to pass uh that when it comes up on your agenda. It's on there for first review today. Um so I have two asks. First, uh my ask would be that we see if we can do that on an accelerated timeline. Um there are seniors right now that are applying for scholarships right now that are applying for colleges right now that could benefit from having that additional higher GPA based off their dual enrollment classes that

056they're taking at IVC. Waiting until the October board meeting would require those seniors to wait an additional month. delaying um the scholarship process, missing deadlines with that higher GPA that they would be entitled to. So, that's my first ask. My second ask would be that you make it retroactive to when this year's freshman or when this year's seniors were freshman, they've been taking dual enrollment classes for years and years and years and they haven't been given that opportunity. Um and so I would just ask that the board consider making that retroactive um to when the this year's seniors were freshman. That would be the 22 23 school year. Um other than that, I am appreciative of Dr. Farcus, the administration for moving so quickly. I reached out to them and um it's on the agenda

057today. U that's exactly the way that that it should work, but I wanted you to hear from me um first. So thank you. >> Thank you, Miss [Music] Right. We Right. >> So, we go to to non non-aggenda items. >> Maybe they can clarify first because they do mark that they have it on the agenda and I just want to make sure that they're not >> because it doesn't say which one. Uh, Miss Melissa Lada, are you speaking on an agenda item or non-aggenda item? >> Okay, perfect. Um, I'm going to clarify that one more for Peter Ramirez. Are you speaking on a certain agenda item or just general um non-aggenda item? >> You want me to vote? >> Non-aggenda. Okay, that's okay. I just need to clarify which one it is. Just want to

058make sure we're hitting where we need to hit. Okay, >> these are all non-aggenda. >> Okay. Public comment session on non-aggenda items. At this time, the board of trustees will hear comments, presentations, or requests on matters not listed on this agenda or other topics that are not on the agenda but are within the board's jurisdiction. The board will not respond to any public comments directly. Speakers are requested to give their names and addresses. Time for speakers is three minutes. The board shall limit the total time for public input on each item to 10 minutes. The board reserves the right to limit presentations. This meeting is being recorded. >> Okay. Trusty Espinosa. >> Yes, Madam President. Uh Melissa Lada. Good evening, President Numm, esteemed members of the board and superintendent Farcus. My name is Melissa Lara

059and I am the mother of Misha Lara, a senior at Southwest High School. I want to begin by sharing who my daughter is. Throughout all her years in school, she has never been in trouble. She is an AP student, has been dual enrolled at IVC, and a young woman dedicated to working hard and representing her school with pride. Misha is actively involved in AVID, cheer, and Sava dance. Beyond academics, she has served our Catholic parish as an altar server since the age of eight. She assists at funerals and special parish services and now trains younger servers, teaching them to serve with reverence. Her faith is central to who she is and to her life. At home, she is the kind of person who washes her own dishes and anyone else's in the sink without being

060asked. These are not the actions of a reckless teenager. They are the habits of a young woman who lives her values every day. Misha is not a troublemaker. She is not disrespectful. She is a model student and leader who simply made a naive mistake. The video Miesa posted was a Tik Tok trend from her personal account. She didn't know the meaning of the phrase cracking freshman or pay attention to the song lyrics and doesn't even listen to rap music. Once she realized how it was being interpreted, she deleted the video herself. That's not behavior of someone intending harm, but of a student who recognized her mistake and corrected it immediately. Yet, the school chose the harshest part punishment possible, the harshest consequence, complete removal from ASB. Instead of offering guidance, a warning, or even probation,

061the opportunity was taken away entirely. It feels less like an effort to help her learn and grow and more like a decision to make an example of her. What troubles me most is the double standard. An official on official SHS and CS accounts, there are videos with profanity, sexual and drug references. Lyrics include Now this got big. Another one. She got them titties did and she got that ass did. And another one. Crush a bit, roll it up, take a hit. Even Principal Derma appeared in a video set to lyrics about sexual acts. These are schoolsponsored public-f facing accounts endorsed by staff. And yet, no one is removed. No one is disciplined. So, I ask you, why is my 17-year-old daughter, a student leader, being punished more harshly than the adults or school programs doing

062the same thing? Why is she being singled out as an example why these behaviors continue unchecked? Who is monitoring this? And why are they failing to do their job? I am not asking that Misha avoid accountability. She should face consequences, but they should be fair and proportionate. a Saturday school, a probationary period, or even loss of her secretary title would have been reasonable. But removing her entirely after years of service and an unblenmished record is not. This board exists to protect students and act in their best interests. The greater issue is not my daughter's naive mistake, but that our schools promote explicit lyrics on official pages while holding students to a harsher, inconsistent standard. >> Okay, Mrs. Laura, I'm I'm sorry to cut you off, but I know normally um and it's our policies not

063to respond, but um from what I understand uh the superintendent has met with you and is meeting with you again possibly on Friday. >> Correct. >> And so um maybe um you meet with Dr. Farcus on Friday and we can see um maybe something else. >> Okay. >> But I appreciate you coming. I'm sorry I I had to cut up. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we have a Francis Mahia. >> Good afternoon. Hi, Francis Mahia, 307 Willow Bend Drive, South Central, California. My name's Francis and I've known Miesa and her family for many years. I'm here tonight because the situation is more about more than Misha. It raises a larger question of fairness and consistency. She's being punished for a video um on from her personal account that

064she posted and um with explicit lyrics, degrading lyrics, and they've been shared publicly, but not only by students, but also endorsed by staff and the principal themselves. A handout has been provided uh for you so you can follow along on the lyrics. Um, on this one SHS Tik Tok video uh featuring Principal Derma, he walks into a classroom, slaps a hand like a teenager, puts on glasses, begins dancing and raging with the students as if in a nightclub. Students shine their phone lights around him, and when the classroom door closes, a poster for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is visible. Yet, the song playing over the scene contains lyrics like, "Before I put it in, I smack her ass. Pull out my Izzy, hit record, turn on the flash. We gonna make a movie like

065Ray Ray J and Kim Kardash put on her block list. That's if that bleep trash bleep. I'm pol I'm polo G stressing who who a it ain't a a bleep that I can't smash. How is it appropriate for a principal an adult of the leader of the school to appear in a video like this with students especially at a time when schools are under scrutiny for staff student boundaries? This sends a troubling message. Teachers and principles should not be hanging out with students in ways that blur professional lines. much less to promote degrading much less to promoting degrading music. And it doesn't stop there. On another SHS Tik Tok account, profanity is left unbleded. Now this got big. This got bigger than ever. I just hopped the jet. This got go straight to LA. I

066done got whatever. Um and on on the SHSASB account when giving out donuts for honor roll, they used Pitbull's lyric, "Meet me at the hotel." What does Meet Me at the Hotel sung repeatedly have to do with rewarding students for good grades? What message are you trying to send when pairing academic achievement with suggestive lyrics like that? And even several several SHs accounts collab post with SHS student photographer including drug references. Crush a bit, little bit, roll it up, take a hit, feeling lit, feeling right. And it's not just SHs. At Central, an official account promoted a song with these lyrics. She got them titties did. She got that ass did. My new Ablasian. I her like crazy. Homicide, we killing everything. This is happening across schools in the district. So I have to ask

067who is monitoring monitoring this? Is it acceptable for teachers and staff to allow student allow such content under the school's name? The they are these are not personal accounts. They are official public facing school accounts overseen by staff and promoted by the schools themselves. Yet no one is being removed and no one is being disciplined. So, I ask again, why is a 17-year-old girl who made a mistake being treated more harshly than adults and school programs openly promoting explicit lyrics? Why is she being singled out as the example? This is not fairness. This is hypocrisy. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Lawrence Castanetta. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Lawrence Castella. I live at 203 South 21st Real Central, California. I felt compelled to speak about this unfair and disproportionate punishment. Misha

068made a naive mistake on her personal Tik Tok account, participating in a trend without understanding its meaning and using a sound with explicit lyrics. When she realized she deleted the video, this was not malice. This was a teenager making a poor choice and then correcting it. But here's the question. How are personal accounts being judged? Many students in the Central Union High School District have surely posted videos on their personal Tik Toks with explicit lyrics. Let me give you just two examples. One student posted a video filmed at SHS using these lyrics repeated over and over and make the ghetto put their hands on their knees. Another video posted by the same SHS student who was both in ASB and in Sava dance spoke these words, "Pull up your goddamn pants, you loser. Don't come

069crying to me when your dreams fall apart. Don't hold your breath. This second video was filmed outside the ASB classroom. The student went on to graduate as an ASB member and SEAPA dancer without removal, public consequence, or loss of titles. So, I ask, is the school regularly policing all personal student social media accounts? Why then is Misha being singled out? And beyond SHS, at Central, there are official posts tied to music with these lyrics. We stomp through this like a frat. On another, I pull that gun off the hip. And a different post. I get it in and go. Ooh. Ooh. These are three separate central social media posts. Violent, explicit, and degrading content shared publicly under the school's name. So, I have to ask, is the district monitoring these accounts at all? Is it

070acceptable for staff to allow this while a student like Misha is removed from ASB? Misha is not claiming she should avoid consequences. She knows she should face them, but removing her entirely from ASB after years of service, leadership, and spotless character is not the right response. A warning, probation, or Saturday school would have been reasonable. Complete removal is extreme and unfair, especially when far worse behavior has been tolerated. Seems like staff is not doing their homework. Misha is a good person. She does not deserve to have her senior year or her future defined by a single mistake. I understand that day-to-day discipline is typically handled by principles and administrators. But when a punishment is disproportionate, inconsistent, and unfair, and risks harming a student's future, the board has both the authority and the responsibility to intervene.

071I respectfully ask that this board this board to direct Superintendent Farcus to reconsider Misha's case. Please allow her to remain in ASB with a fair consequence, whether probation, Saturday school, or the removal of her official title. You are the governing body of this district. You set the tone for what fairness looks like. Tonight, I am asking you to make sure it looks like compassion, consistency, and common sense. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Peter Ramirez. >> Good evening, ladies. My name is Peter Ramirez and I am Michalada's grandfather and you probably heard my daughter and her friends and I don't have a written speech but I'm here to support my granddaughter. Uh, personally I have been with my daughter to speak to the principal at Southwest. my daughter went to the superintendent and

072it was no no you know so they're sticking to their policy and and and I can understand it in a way but still everyone is entitled to a mistake I and I'll give you an example many many many years ago when I was working for county schools and I worked with all the county superintendent, all the school superintendent. And at that time, Joe Maruka was a superintendent. He was the principal. And I was in his office for something. And he we were having that discussion. And Joe told me about a trip to Disneyland with all the seniors and they called him up and it says, "Joe, you got to come and get one of your kids. They got him for wheat." And so Joe went and got the kid out. I said, "I thought it

073was some cholo." said, "But no, here's this good-looking kid, well-dressed and everything." So, I took him out. When I was in his office several days later, Joe was telling me, "I didn't know that was your son." Well, I wasn't there to tell Joe to give my son a break. But Joe said, "You know what, Pete? If you want your son to walk for graduation, I'll let him walk. All you do is just tell me yes or no and I'll let him walk. This guy Joe was willing to go that extra mile for my son, but I told Joe no because he does not deserve it. But Joe was willing to go out there and and put himself in the line. And several years later, several years later, when he was county supervisor, I got a

074hold of Joe. I said, "Joe, come here. I want to tell you something. You remember that kid that you pulled out of the brrig at Disneyland?" He says, "Yeah." Well, that kid is now a PhD just like you, you know. So, here's the thing. People make mistakes and when they do, you have to give them an opportunity to redeem themselves. I think my daughter made a mistake. She said she didn't know what she, you know, that video that she did. She was not aware of the connotations of what all this cracking or whatever it is, what it meant. But when she found out, she deleted it. But then again, the school says, "No, you broke the rules." When you give someone an opportunity to make up for the wrong, you're learning something. I know I

075learned, too, because when I first started on my job, I made a big mistake. I overspent like about 20 $25,000 on my first job. And I went to the county administrator and the first thing he said, got well >> what he said was >> all right you made a mistake we'll just take it over for next year but don't do it again and for the next 29 years and it never occurred again but that's what I learned from that day I used to also practice that with my employees because I used to have a staff of about 15 >> Mr. Rome, thank you so much. We have a time limit of >> Okay, I forgive you. Forgive me. But but again, all I'm saying is give my granddaughter another opportunity. She made a mistake. And

076that's what you people are here for, to teach our kids. >> Thank you. >> The right and the wrong. All right. Thank you so much. And I hope you support my granddaughter. Thank you. >> Hi Dr. Fenel, you >> next. Okay, >> you are next. >> Is it okay if I go here? >> Where the camera? Is that your good side? Is that why you want to go next time? >> Good evening, trustees. Uh, superintendent, >> your amazing student leaders. I loved hearing from the student leaders this evening. Uh, parents, staff, everybody. Uh I'm here on behalf of the county office of education to really basically say we we're here for you. Uh we uh wish you an incredible school year. Um one of the things that I wanted to share, well, first of all,

077I stand here as a proud Central Union High School graduate, class of 1985. And yes, I'm that old. And I have 40-year reunion coming up this year. My high school sweetheart, class of 88, was also Central. And so we've been married 35 years. And all of my kids went through Southwest. So, all that to say, this district uh will always have a special place in our family. And so, with that, I want to recognize we have an event every year that we hold through our foundation of education, which is our Autumn in the Arts event. And uh that's coming up on Thursday, October 2nd. But each year at that event, we uh honor what we call the a champion of the arts or champion for the arts. And this year it's one of your teachers

078from Southwest High School that is being honored as a champion for the arts. And is it okay to pass these up? >> And you'll see and that's Jacqueline Plates from Southwest. And so as you're getting this handout here, if you um turn the page over on the the front page, you'll see artwork there on the bottom. That's artwork that is being auctioned off for scholarships for those students. So as they they those items are purchased that 100% of it goes back to the student as a as a scholarship. But those are art pieces of artwork from both Southwest and Central that have been contributed to the uh event. So uh we hope that that you'll be available to honor uh her uh Jacqueline at the event. Um she'll get a nice award and a little

079cash uh scholarship for herself as well. And then lastly, I just want to call attention to we have three scholarship a awards that have gone to central and southwest uh students. And this year we did something different. We actually partnered with the Mexican consulate uh to match our scholarships for students. And basically their criteria is that it has to be a student of Mexican descent um and as long as they meet that criteria. So, two of the three are being honored and I wanted to share this is Savannah Osagera is one of the students and she writes up a little testimonial about what the scholarship will help her do and what what's meaningful for her. But I'm just going to read one sentence. She says, "For me, it is more than just financial assistance. It's

080a reminder that my hard work, my dreams, and my Mexican roots are valued and supported." And so, we just want to recognize the fact that you have amazing teachers, you have amazing students, you have an amazing district. Um, so on behalf of all of us at the county office of education and our board of trustees, our county board of education, um, we wish you an incredible year and we're here for you and we're ready to support you in any way we can. >> Thank you. >> See you at the bell game. Big 40-year reunion at the bell game. I guess >> it is party the next day, right? >> Okay. >> We get a tour of your Central High School campus. That's going to be really interesting. Thank you, >> Alyssa from IVR. Good afternoon

081everyone. My name is Alyssa Tado from IVROP and I'm the program manager with our educational service department. through IVROP's educational service department. Our main goal is to provide supportive services to our CTE teachers along with our CTE students. With that, I also have our career specialists who are located at Central High School as well as Southwest High School to discuss a little bit more about the items and supportive services that they provide at their specific school sites. Hello everyone. I just want to introduce myself. Uh my name is Lanessa Tabarz with Ivor OP. I am the new career specialist at Central Union High School. So, I just want to introduce myself. Um, I'm at your service for workshops and additional services that we provide at Ivor. Um, and now I'm going to turn it to

082Betsy >> or Beta, sorry. >> No, you're good. >> Hi everyone. I'm Beta Morales. I'm the career specialist for Southwest High School. Um, I'm on for a year and a half now. Um, and just like my manager mentioned, I'm here for any services that RCT teachers and students will need from us. We usually focus on employability resources and just in general uh tools that will help our students succeed in the workforce. Um along with support with our CT teachers and students. It usually takes the form of you know one-on-one appointments or presentations and workshops that really help them develop their resume. All of those necessary materials to better prepare for uh whatever lies ahead, scholarships and all of that. Um other ways that we kind of perform that assistance and provide resources by um scheduling

083uh you know guest speakers bringing in career awareness. Uh one of the ways that we've kind of taken that on a little bit more this year at Southwest High School is provided uh future Fridays where we bring in industry guest speakers to that correspond to the existing CT industries at Southwest High School to kind of provide more awareness into what careers lie ahead, what they can start getting into. And that's just in general for the student body. We also do that independently for the CTE teachers. So that's just many some of the many ways that we try to provide as much career awareness and resources to our students so they can kind of get a better sense of what they can do after high school and how they can start preparing now rather than later

084and maybe they don't have that resource at their disposal. So thank you so much for your time everyone. >> Thank you. >> Last one. Uh, Fernanda Lynch. >> Yes. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Fernandanda Lynch, the public information and community engagement officer for Central Union High School District. Um, I'm standing up here because it's a recognition, so I think it'll be nicer to come up here. Um, as part of our commitment to excellence, each month, uh, our district will be recognizing the community and business partners who play a vital role in supporting our CTE pathways. These partners help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real world experience, ensuring our students are prepared for college, career, and beyond. Uh, tonight it is my honor to present our first career technical education industry partner um of

085the month recognition. Uh so this month our CT teachers have nominated Imperial County Public Health Department CalFresh Healthy Living Program for their outstanding contributions. Uh the the CalFresh Healthy Living Program has collaborated with Centrian High School HOSA future health professionals in a project focused on food waste. During this project, students conducted a food waste audit on campus and tracked what foods were being thrown away. um guiding students in analyzing results, identifying areas for improvement, and guiding them um as they presented the findings to Central's administration. They also worked with Southwest High School community health worker students in Recipe for Wellness, a projectbased learning activity in the public health pathway. Uh the CalFresh Calresh team helped students select uh recipes from the EatFresh website and learn the nutritional components of the recipe. Students then created recipe

086cards, and conducted recipe demonstrations for 10th grade students. Um, through hands-on lessons, engaging workshops, and interactive demonstrations, the CalFresh Healthy Living program has modeled what it means to be a true industry partner. They've helped our students connect classroom learning with real world applications. Whether it's understanding the role of nutrition and community health, exploring health related careers, or developing the leadership skills needed to become advocates for wellness. Today, we are proud to honor the Imperial County Public Health Department Calresh Healthy Living Program with the committed to excellence industry partner award. This recognition is a testament to the years of collaboration, mentorship, and unwavering support they have provided to our students and to our district. on behalf of Central Union High School District Career Technical Education. Thank you for your service, your leadership, and your dedication. And

087I know um three of you guys are here. So, if you want to come up and we'd like to recognize you for her work. And then we also have Miss Valadez here who's very worked very uh closely with with this team. >> And I'll take a picture. >> I got you. Go ahead. Go. No, you get me. It's your turn. Go. >> I love that. >> Over here watching you all. >> We're just enjoying watching you. >> Are we doing behind or in front? >> Do you want to see that in the front or back? >> Okay. I guess we're going front. stretch. So, a little a little shuffle. >> All right. Scoot in a little bit closer. >> Perfect. All right. Three, two, three, two. Very good. >> Today it's perfect. >> Are we

088done? Yes, that is the last public comment. >> Okay, that's public comment section. Let's go ahead and go to uh ECSTA comments. Mr. Wes, um good evening trustees, um members of the community, colleagues, and admin. Okay. Um, first item and and I've got a few items on my list. Um, Dodgers are still in first. >> Whatever. >> Um, okay. So, board members, um, a couple weeks ago, I sent you guys all a text message and an email in regards to some issues with HR. Um, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gabino Das. I'm president of El Centralary Teachers Association. I represent all of the teachers. Um well, okay, so back to um I sent you some a communication about some problems with HR and how things are being handled or mishandled. Um

089I had to deal with a few phone calls today about more um a coach which I consider to be an institution in this city, good friend of mine. Um, apparently his um, certifications have expired and um, it's now an issue. If the information that I've received is 100% accurate, uh, his certifications expired in 2023. Um, we're in the 2025 uh, season. Um, this is supposed to be an HR function. HR is supposed to notify them. It's supposed to make sure that they are keeping things up to date. Um and and I mean the amount of hours that a coach puts in and Sandy I know you're well aware of that. Um but these certifications and when they expire some somewhat on the back burner you know it's not important because well we're concerned with preparing

090the kids and and building those relationships and and uh getting the wins right. So, um, just want to make sure that, uh, the the questions are being asked as to who dropped the ball. Was it really the coach, if the things expired in 2023 and he coached in 2023 and he coached in 2024 and now in 2025, it's an issue. Um, and he's being possibly asked to leave the field. Um, so, um, can he take care of it? Absolutely. Will he? I don't know. He's a stubborn guy. Uh but um I will say this. Um there was an easy fix. There was an easy remedy to this. It just was not handled appropriately. So um let's uh please continue as board members to ask questions to make sure that things are being taken care of

091that are related to HR. Um another thing that stands out when it comes to HR is um the fact that uh we got to take a look at priorities, right? Um, from the teacher standpoint, um, and through negotiations, it's always been a a conversation that we've had where are is HR doing their job when it comes to flying positions and advertising and recruiting to try to retain teachers that are uh wellqualified, right? Because we all know that if we do not advertise early and we wait till the very end, then uh it's slim pickings, right? Um uh there there's usually a month in the year when teachers get notified whether they're coming back or not and whe when these decisions are made and at that point Ed join or the count the accountant at join

092should be full of our needs especially if we know that we have teachers that are going to be retiring and those notifications should come out in February if the district is requiring them to notify the district in January. But sometimes those positions are not flown for months. And so my question to you would be about priorities because I know of a few situations where um positions were going to need to be replaced. And uh if we check Ed Joint today, we've got a baseball coach position at Southwest High School, which we knew would need to be replaced. And there is a softball coach position which is also being flown. And that we also knew was coming, but it's being flown. I I'm not sure if it went out today or if it went out yesterday,

093but it just became a priority. Yet, we knew about those positions coming for months. Um HR has a position also that's being flown and I believe if the information is accurate that that position was flown immediately. So I I've got to ask you where where are the priorities? Is it in the teachers? Shouldn't they be a bigger priority since we're the ones dealing with students and students needs and students a and interacting with them? Shouldn't that be the top priority of a school district that's committed to excellence? I think so. So I would just ask you to continue to ask those questions to continue to investigate because um priorities see seem to not be being handled. Um another item uh I find it disheartening that we're in midepptember and anou that should have been signed

094prior to the school year. I I believe I did talk to you guys about how my request for anou my my proposals were being ignored and I don't I don't want to say that they're being ignored at this point but but they're not being agreed to and and I don't think that we should continue to wait especially when the whole process of anou as far as I've tried to explain it is that when changes happen to working conditions we need to make changes to contracts. We need to make changes to job descriptions. We need to make changes. We need to make agreements uh before these changes take effect. But when our district staff delays, delays, delays, delays and doesn't agree to things, the association is kind of like being forced or being told, are you

095going to tell teachers really that they don't want to do the job with these students? Are you really going to be the bad guy to do that? and and and I've I've I've got to weigh the benefit with students and and and what's right for teachers, right? And sometimes, even though I'm the representative of the teachers, I I've sort of have to talk to them and say, you know what, we just got to we just got to go with the flow. We just got to get it done. We we'll take care of that. We'll take care of our needs. It we're still talking about it. It's going to happen, but I I don't believe that. anymore. I I I'm find it harder and harder to continue to to to lie to my association members because

096that's what I'm feeling I'm doing at this point in telling them we're going to come up to some sort of agreement on topics that we should have agreed to before the start of the school year. When we implement a brand new program such as co-eing, the needs of those teachers should have been taken care of prior to starting the school year. Ideas and proposals were made prior and nothing happened. We still don't have anything in place. The teachers are co-eing. The work is being done. I find it frustrating that conversations aroundus are sort of uh I don't know it's kind of like like like they're afraid to to just sign something. Now anusouous as far as the association sees is a temporary contract which is why we are always adamant that it needs to expire.

097We want it to expire because it allows us the opportunity to review, revise, and make changes. So when we take a look and we say, "Okay, we think that this is what's going to work. This is what's what we need." When it expires, it allows us to reflect and think, "Are we missing anything? Do we need to make any changes?" And at that point, we can create a brand newou. When we finally think that we've got it right, we can now just simply put it into our collective bargaining agreement. But when we are, I don't know, hesitant to not sign an MOU, to not put something in place, it it it sets us back, right? It sets us back. Um, simply making assurances or making commitments is not good enough. Not when trust has been

098eroded. We cannot continue down that path because every day that passes, trust continues to be eroded. Um, it's enough I'll say about that. Um, negotiations, um, I hope that we can meet soon. That's all I'll say about negotiations. Um, I hope that you did listen to some of the people that were giving accolades to the different programs and remember that we are trying to negotiate for those individuals and their programs. Um, I was a bit disheartened and I wish that the parents would have stayed and listened, but um, I'm 49 years old and I was raised old school. Um, I'm the type of kid that was out in the streets, sun up to sun down, drank water from the hose, survived out there, right? And I'm and I'm from Los Angeles, so the streets a

099little rougher. Um, but I was disheartened at their pleas to minimize the consequences. Um I understand that perhaps their perspective is that um the punishment is harsh but I also listen to some duplicity in in their please in pointing fingers at um Mr. Derma um pointing fingers at um Mr. Spanos without saying his name and saying that uh who's uh keeping track of you know every child's post. Well, I mean that's impossible. It is. Um they want accountability yet their child posted something on her personal account. Shouldn't the parents be accountable? Just a comment, just a question. I mean, I really don't care to get involved in that situation, but um I do want you to consider the fact that when you impact programs by making decisions that overrule a decision by um the people

100that are within and have established a program will really um be problematic. Um I will tell you this uh being that I was a member of ASB in high school. I was I went to Klexico High School and I was a member of ASB for two years. Um, I was the guy that organized the pep rallies. I was the guy that took out the sound system. I was the one that was um handling the student store and all that stuff. Um, ASB is a leadership group of students. They are held to a much higher standard. We can talk about fairness, but I think that as leaders, as representatives of a group, you need to be held to a higher standard. And if you mess up, your consequences should be harsher. Should be. My perspective. My

101perspective. Okay. And um last thing, I've got a presentation for you. So um if we can get access to computer Okay. So, um I did listen to um Marcy talk about the deficit spending. Um and it is a problem. I'm type of guy that will sometimes point out problems, but I always propose a solution. Always. At least I try to. Not always listen to. Um but I try. Okay. So, what I want to present to you guys tonight is um a proposal or or or a question. Why should the Central Union High School Board offer an early retirement package? That is the SER, right? Um that's something that I did ask you guys a few months ago. Um but this time I've actually put a presentation together. How do I switch? Do I go? >>

102Okay. So if we took a look at uh the numbers, if we replace the teacher employed at year 34 on column six with a teacher that will be on step one, column one. Now for those of you that are not familiar with our salary schedule, column one is uh at the very far end and that's where you place the newest teachers who are barely coming into the the programs. They they are they might not have a full credential yet, but they have a bachelor's degree. Uh, column six are teachers that have a a master's degree, possibly a doctorate degree, but they're going to have master's degrees plus 60 additional credits. Um, so because of this and because uh the way teachers get paid, um, if you are at year 34 and you are on column

103six, you are making a significant uh, wage. Your salaries are quite high. So what I do uh what I did put together since I am a math teacher is I put some math numbers together. So it says so if we were to hire what would be the difference? Well the difference between a teacher close to retirement and a new teacher in terms of salary is $92,000. That's where we are now today. If you go from year 34, column six, and subtract that dollar amount from year one, step one, $92,000 is the difference. The very last time that a SER study was done, the difference was around $37,000. Now the difference is $92,000. That's a big jump. If we replace a teacher employed at year 34 on column 6 with a teacher that will be on

104step 8, column 3, that means that we're getting an an experienced teacher because our our policies um allow that we take a a veteran teacher who may have been employed for 10, 15, 20 years, doesn't matter. They'll only get credit for eight, right? And they'll get placed at step eight. And let's just say that they have a master's degree. They'll get placed at column three. Okay. Um, we're still saving $56,000. So, if we replace them with veteran teachers, that could potentially be the worst case scenario. 56,000 in savings. Now, if we're lucky to find experienced teachers, step eight, column six, that means that they've got their doctorate. They've got a master's plus 60 credits, right? If we're lucky, we're still saving 47,790 on each teacher Every year that they're employed until they catch up, right?

105And it's going to take them quite a few years. As of today, our district employs 106 teachers that are on column six. That's 106 teachers that are on track to make the most salary. Not all of them are on year 34. Not all of them, but I've identified 15 employees with over 20 years of 28 years of service. 15 are on column six and at the very least year 28. Now what does this mean? Well, it means that our salary schedules that when we take a look at our budgets, it's expensive to employ all of these teachers. It's very expensive. So, if we were to look at how can we save money because apparently that's something that the district is going to need to do, especially when the pool that should have been done December

106of 2025, according to Arnold's last presentation on the pool, December 2025 is when it should be done. Okay? And now we got to revisit it and take a look at how much more it's going to cost. Just I just want to remind you guys that when when the district embarked and got the bond for the pool project and for the STEM building, it was to the tune of $30 million. The STEM building cost over $34 million. Something, you know, things are getting more expensive as we wait. But, okay, we made the commitment to provide these things for our community. I see no problem with doing that still, but we have to be cognizant that things are getting more expensive and if things are getting more expensive, we need to make changes. We need to take

107action. What I am trying to propose is an action. Now, the last time a SER proposal was prepared was in 2020. At that time, the savings per employee was 37,000. As I previously stated, the savings will be much higher this time around because even though the numbers I put up were for the very extremes um and in each scenario, they were much much more than 37,000. >> Was the last time >> that was the last time that a proposal was made and prepared by um uh school services. The the the SER was not approved by the board. the proposal was prepared and at that time the SER did or the board was um directed them to create this proposal and take a look at it in terms of what would it cost us to offer

108um you know a retirement package an early retirement package for certificated staff uh csea csea management and um admin. So, this must have been at the start of the 202021 school year, not the 19th. >> It It could have been 2019. >> That's when I retired was in 2020. And I I don't recall. >> The the study was made and it was probably 2019 2020. >> Um I've got the documents on my desk. >> Yeah, I'd like to see that. >> I'll send you a picture. >> Yeah. >> Um but the recommendation uh by the board was that they were not going to accept it because they did not see the savings. But it was only >> and if we took a very close look at it >> Mhm. The savings were not realized at

109management. The savings were realized at CSEA and the savings were realized for all certificated teachers. But when you bulk them in together and we think back who who was employed back then well I mean you had Sher Hart I believe >> when I retired. Was Sherry here? >> I don't think so. >> Well when when the study was done was 2019. I believe she was still employed and was on her last year and um I believe Arnold was still here. So they were they were very close to retirement and so to offer this would you know cost money. Um so so it wasn't uh it wasn't approved by the board. So what I'm suggesting is let's not make the mistake of the past trustees. The SER can potentially save more than a million dollars per

110year every year moving forward if this is offered to certificated staff. more. So, and now I I'm using a million dollars simply because if we were to get and most recommendations are for 10 individual teachers. Now, I've identified 15, >> which means we're looking at more than a million dollars. If we offer it to CSEA, I I don't know. I don't have the information. I didn't do an FYIA request on that. I did it on everything else. But, um I'm sure that there's going to be some savings there as well. So, if we're looking for ways to save money, the SER's the way to do it. Now, there will be savings to the district as well if offered to CSA staff. Uh, but there won't be savings if offered to certificate management. Sorry, Craig. Looking

111at you. Love you, buddy. But this is not for you. Okay. Just had to say that. Um, I mean, you could offer it to him. I mean, he's just one guy. I mean, if if we really if we were serious about it and we took a good look at it, it would have to be offered and see if people would take it, right? And and I don't know that there are teachers that are I mean, that is more uh certificated management individuals that are that close to retirement. Craig, I know, is three years away, maybe four. He might take it. I mean, hope he doesn't because it's still kind of cool, but okay. Um, but it would make sense, right? Now, last year I petitioned Keenan on my own. I I petitioned Keenan Associates to

112start the SER process, but this requires information from the district to be shared and Dr. Farcus and his cabinet were unwilling at that time to embark on the study. They said no. So, we didn't do it at all. We didn't start it. And all it was was to just say, "Okay, here's the information. Same information that they gave me when I do an FOIA request. the same information that I get every year from one of my uh union members who does a request on our behalf and submits it to all of our negotiators and says here you go guys I did my part and she does a great job but she does it every year for us and she is a past negotiator and she does it with that information. She does that information for

113us because she understands she understands that we need this information. So she got us information but the district was unwilling to participate in that study at that time. It's just numbers just work. I mean it's a little bit one more. They had already done the study. I mean they had already given the information to somebody else. They could have just sent it to Kenan but they said no. Okay. So the last budget presentation included a three-year pro projection uh that that was done at I believe um at the very last board meeting indicating the reserves would be reduced significantly. Now I am proposing a SER as a longterm costs savings measure for the district that will improve the economic outlook for years to come by reducing the cost of teacher salaries significantly. Like I said,

114over a million dollars, just teachers. It could potentially be two million depending on how many actually take and how many actually retire early. Now, ECSTA is asking you, board members, to direct Central Union High School District's admin team to get the SER study started. I believe the most cost effective would be a two-year service credit. Now, because of how much time you have to pay to Calsters, now I've previously stated the last time I've talked about this that I've actually sat in with Kenan in meetings and it was during it was during the 2020 2019 because I remember it was a Zoom meeting because that's all we were able to do. So, we met over Zoom and we discussed the SER process and I asked them about the two-year service credit and they explained that

115when you get a two-year service credit, the district is afforded eight years to pay that back to Calsters. So, when you say, "Well, it's going to cost us a lot of money." Yeah, it's going to cost you a lot of money, but you've got an eight-year payment plan. Now, during that 8-year payment plan, you are going to see the savings on year one. So, why aren't we doing this? IBC did it. A Central Elementary did it. Why aren't we? Because we don't want to do the study. They're going to do the paperwork. Keenan Associates is going to do the paperwork. We just got to provide them the information that they need. Once we give them the information, they run with it and then they come and bring us a proposal. And I I believe that

116it is free. So why are we hesitant? I don't understand. >> Thank you very much for your time. >> Send that to me when you get a chance because Zoom was after 2020. >> So if you had a Zoom meeting, it was 2021, >> right? >> But we were discussing um I was asking questions on a previously uh composed study. So uh we were looking at the documents and uh it had already been done. So it was >> but we were discussing it later. >> Yeah. Not not before. >> It was after June then. >> Yeah. And I was asking them to explain >> because I thought maybe they might owe me a little bit of money because I could. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Explain this. >> Okay. So um ECS E Ca anybody

117here? Okay. >> Okay. Approval of the agenda. I need a >> Madame President, I would like to move to amend the agenda. >> Okay. >> And to move item 11 till we get further information on it. >> Item 11, the second reading of proposed revision board policy as presented. Item 11. >> Okay. So, we're going to table that one. So, can I can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented with the tableing of item number 11 for further information from Dr. Farcus? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Do I have a motion? >> A motion. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. Consent agenda items. All items appearing on the consent consent agendas are routine business matters

118and will be acted upon by one motion without discussion. Should any board member request an item be considered separately, that item will be added to the end of the regular meeting. We have 10 11 items there. Okay. Do I have a motion for the consent? >> I'll make a motion to accept the consent agenda items. Okay. >> As presented. >> Do I have a second? A second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I >> Any opposed? Okay. Action items. Um, approval of personnel report September 2023. The board is requested to approve the September personnel report as presented. Uh, do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to accept the personnel report as presented. >> Okay. I have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay.

119Hey, Miss Mora, I think you were going to um make a little presentation here. >> Um, actually, I just want to welcome to our Central Union High School District family uh Kimberly Vahas, Jorge Fernandez, Alejandra Moreno Rodriguez, Vanessa Ooa, and Gabriella Uri. And these employees were the recently employed. they were not at the August um welcome back uh event that we had and and while we were visiting the central southwest cafeterias uh those ladies were presented to us and I said if you are at the board meeting which I don't think they are I will um bring your name up but um that's the reason why we're bringing them up. >> All right thank you. >> Thank you >> and welcome the new employees. Okay. Item number two, approval of board resolution number 090925-03, authorization

120to teach out of major minor credential area. The board is requested to approve the following board resolution authorizing certificated staff to teach out of the credential authorization area based on specific ED code sections that authorize teacher assignments during the 2526 school year. Board resolution number 09025-03 per ed code section 4426. Uh can I have a motion to approve that? >> I move that we approve the board resolution authorizing um to teachers to teach out of the major minor credential area. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> And this is a roll call vote. >> Trusty. >> Yes. I >> trusty. >> Yes. >> Trusty Garez. >> Yes. >> Trusty. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Item number six is public disclosure of initial contract proposal for CUSD

121board of trustees to CEA chapter 726. This time the board of trustees invites public comments on the contract proposal from Central Union High School District Board of Trustees to the classified school employees association CSA chapter central chapter 726 Association for Contract Negotiations for the 2425 school year. Speakers are given their names and addresses. The time limit for speakers is 3 to 5 minutes. The board reserves a right to limit presentation. This meeting is being taped and all comments are being recorded. So, I'd like to open up that session. Anybody want to come up? Okay. Close it. Approval of the initial contract proposal for CUHSD board of trustees to the California School Employees Association and its chapter 726. Superintendent recommends that the governing board of trustees approves the initial contract proposal for the Central Union High

122School District to the California School Employees Association and its chapter 726 for contract negotiations for the 2425 school year. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Item number five, adoption resolution of 090925-0 proclaiming the month of September as attendance awareness month. It is requested that the board of trustees adopts resolution 090925-02 proclaiming the month of September as attendance awareness month. Yay. Do I have a motion? I move that we proclaim the month of September as attendance awareness month. >> Okay. And a second. >> I'll second. >> Okay. This is also a roll call vote. >> Trusty. >> Yes. >> I trust >> Yes. Trusty. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. And Sandy, if I may. Mhm. Um, I have

123brought up the attendance, how important it is today. As you all know, I live in Heber. I saw on that huge, I call it computer billboard. Uh, I saw that El Central Elementary School District has the biggest one that we we used to have one maybe three, four years ago, but I saw their um big screen computer and I loved it. That's what we need. That's >> the one right across from Chili's. Okay. Even though I could be looking at the restaurants, I was looking at the billboard and and and it's very nicely drawn. It it attracts you right away. Hey, look, they're talking about attendance. >> So maybe we need >> look into that. >> I think they have one on the brusher, too. >> Yeah, because they're >> by the circle. >> Yeah.

124>> Okay. Item number six, board approve approval of termination of a lease. agreement with the Imperial County Office of Education regarding the use of child care center at Central Union High School. The superintendent recommends that the governing board of trustees terminates theou with providing classroom space for our ESN students. So that building it still will be renovated to for the adjustments or that wing there. you know, there would be at the end of the school year from this December to prepare it so that our ESN students would have more of an expansion because u many of them are in the portable area across campus >> and also the facilities are are much better for their learning and skills. >> Okay. Better for Fernando to come over there as well, right? >> Okay. Do I have

125a motion to approve? >> Okay. Thank you. >> And a second. I second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Item number seven, public hearing for sufficiency of textbooks or instructional materials at the Central Union High School District for the school year. The superintendent recommends the governing board of trustees conduct the public hearing for the purpose of determining the sufficiency of textbooks or instructional materials at the Central Union High School District for the school year. So I'll open up for the hearing. Do we have anybody? Okay, close it. Adoption of the board resolution 090925-02 regarding the sufficiency of instructional materials for the 2526 school year. Uh, the superintendent recommends that the governing board of trustees adopt resolution 090925-2 regarding sufficiency of public materials for the 2526 school years, assuring the superintendent

126of public instruction that the district has compiled with the requirements of ED code section 6119. Um, I need a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. This is a roll call vote. >> Trusty. >> Yes. >> Trust I. >> Trusty. >> Yes. >> Trusty water. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Item number nine, adoption of board policy 090925-04 regarding National Suicide Prevention Month. The superintendent recommends the governing board of trustees adopt board resolution number 090925-4 declaring the month of September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Month and encourages all faculty, staff, and students to commemorate this occasion with appropriate activities, instructional activities, I'm sorry. Um, can I have a motion? >> I motion. >> Thank you. And a second. A second. >> Okay, this is a roll call vote. >> Trusty LA, >>

127yes. >> I trusty, >> yes. >> Trusty, >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Item 10. Um, adoption of board resolution 090925-05 declaring the month of September 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month. The superintendent re recommends the governing board of trustees adopt board resolution number 090925-05 declaring the month of September 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month and encourage all faculty, staff, and students to commemorate this occasion with appropriate instructional activities. And we heard some of those activities that are going to be taking place at the sites from our our board reps today. So >> that's kind of cool. So can I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. Second. >> Okay. And once again, a roll call vote. >> Trusty Ellis. >> Yes. >> I trust >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. We'll go

128on to item number 12. First reading of proposed revision board policies and administrative regulations as listed. This is a first read only. The governing board does not need to take any action at this time. And this is the item that Mr. Sandival, I believe, was making reference to. >> Interesting. >> Yeah. So, item 13, approval of board resolution 090925-06, adopted again for the two 2425 school year. The board is requested to adopt board resolution 090925, excuse me, 06, adopting the appropriations limit for the 2425 school year. It's now uh form is now included as part of the 2425 unactual audit report. Uh do I have a motion? Sorry. >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay, I'll second. Losing my voice. Okay, this is a roll call vote. >> Yes. >> I >> Yes. Thank you.

129>> Okay. Item number 14, board approval of the 2425 un audited actuals and the September revised 24 2526 budget. It is recommended that the board of trustees approve the 2425 unattited actuals actuals um and September 2526 budget as presented and I think uh Miss Mendoza is going to come up Good evening again. So here I have a more detailed um budget breakdown of where our 2425 unudited actuals and our 2526 revised budget. So we'll go down the you know fiscal overview as far as where we're at. Um this is a the unodudited actuals is the it reflects our final revenues and expenditures for 2425. Um our next step is our um external audit. We're actually having our auditors here this week on Thursday and Friday. So by December board meeting I'll provide an audit report

130for you guys. And then the forward planning you'll see the revised 2526 uh budgets and any challenges we have ahead of us. So a breakdown of our um revenue sources um for the 2425 total of 80.44 million 63.1 million comes from LCFF sources 4.41 is federal revenue 7.68 is state revenue and then the 5.25 million is other local revenue. Here are expenditures and fund balances for the 2425 fiscal year. Our total expenditures are 86.5 million. From that the per um personnel cost is 64.71 million which is 75% of our budget. Materials and services book supplies um that's 1.83 million which is 2% of our budget. Capital and indirect costs are 19.9 uh6 million which is 23% of our budget. As you can see we have a net decrease of fund balance of 6.05 million giving

131us a ending fund balance of 24.49 49 which is uh unrestricted 12.58 and our restricted 11.91 million for our 2526 outlook and these are projections. So the 2425 are actuals these are our projections based on the information we have as of this summer for our revenues we're projected to have a 80.46 46 uh million which of LCFF is 64.28. It is an increase of 1.9% from our 2425. We have our federal revenue which is at 3.86 million. It is a decrease of 12.4% from prior year. Then we have our state revenue at 7.6 million. Also a decrease of 1% from prior year. We have our local revenue at 4.72 million which is a decrease of 9.8% from prior year. Oh, I went too fast. Here's our expend expenditure breakdown for 2526. Our total projected expenditures

132are at 93.61 million which is an 8.2% increase from 2425 actuals. Our personnel cost is 73.74 million. 79 which is 79% of our budget. Materials and services at 1.74 million which is 2% of our budget. Our capital outlay and um indirect costs is at 18.12 million which is 19% of our budget. Our projected deficit for 2526 is at 13.12 million. So our leaving us with an ending fund balance at 11.36 million and the breakdown of unrestricted is 9.88 and our restricted is 1.48. So this is approximately 56 53.6 decrease um from our total fund balance. So th this is these are things we need to keep a close eye on. And um our next budget report that I'll be working on is first interim and that's where we'll have more information from our fiscal services

133of California and they provide a breakdown of what to expect and I know we still have to update our you know throughout the year once um you know the state closes throughout California then they update us with you know updated allocations. So it could be we do receive um additional revenues. So but this is as of right now it is a living document. So as of right now today this is where we're at for 2526. Um next I'll present to you enrollment and ADA based on BA this is based on trends. So we do have our October snapshot which this year will be October 1st. It's the first Wednesday of October. Last year, we had an enrollment of 4,070 students. Based on our trend, we're projected to be at 45,55 for the October 1st. I'm

134hoping it comes in higher. I know our enrollment right now is a little bit higher, but the snapshot is what's going to count. Um it is um so we're projected at 455 students a change of 15 students decrease. Now that's our enrollment but what we're funded on is 80 our actual attendance. So our attendance last year for P2 and this is we go off of an average or actual whichever is higher three-year average or actual. So if our revenue, if our ADA comes in higher, it bumps up our our rolling average. But because we are at a declining ADA, our we're slowly catching up with actuals versus the average. So for 2425, they funded us at 3,891.448. We're projected this year to be funded at 3,800 3,867.4. 47 which is a 23.97 ADA increase. So

135even though while our projected ADA will decrease yes decrease um it does re reduce our LCFF regardless of us having a a 2.3 uh cola increase. So that's where we're at with attendance. I know right now other things that we're working on is um making sure that our families submit the the income verification form. That's really key because we do get additional supplemental and concentration dollars. So, we are working on that and I really want to thank the actual sites because they're um having you know they they'll be making phone calls to these families that haven't submitted their application. So, I'm hoping we can get those numbers up and that that brings additional supplemental and cont conc concentration dollars. Um, now my next slide is just where we ended up with other funds. We we

136do have other funds, not just the general fund, which is um we have the adult education fund. For 2425, we had an ending balance of 721,860. Um for 2526 we are projected to be at 827633. For our cafeteria fund we had an ending balance of 3,378,106 and we do have a planned deficit spending of 1,157847 for the 2526 fiscal year which will bring us down to a projected 2.2 2 million balance for 2526. Then we have our special reserve fund of 19 million 634,370 and this is for our aquatic center. Then we also have fund for um the retirement retiree benefits fund. Right now we have an ending balance of 3 million19 um 64 and our projected um ending fund balance for 2526 is 3,12464. So that's where we are with our other funds and

137just um summary and recommendations. Um right now our cash flow is um stable. we are where there's no need for our district to borrow money um in the next three three years out. Um we do have a significant uh deficit spending. It's actually at a point where we're structural deficit spending. So we do have to keep an eye on that because eventually our deficit spending will catch up to our balances and we're going to run out of our balances. So, we are I think our our district is doing doing very well and being proactive as far as looking at contracts, looking at supplies um areas where we can save um when it comes to supplies. I think I think we're doing a good job about that. And um also um just just monitoring that and

138and asking people to get um quotes that way we we get a good price on whatever item we're purchasing and even services. Um so that's all I have for you today. Um and I I'm requesting that if you can approve the 2425 unudited actuals and the 2526 revised budget. Any questions? I appreciate you scanning. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Beautiful job. Thank you for painting that challenges and all. >> Got to get the kids in school. >> We'll get it right. >> Attendance. Yep. We're here for the right reasons, so that's what matters. >> Thank you, Marcy. >> Okay. So, it is requested that the board of trustees approve the 2024 2025 un audited actuals and September 2025-2026 budget as presented. Uh, do I have a motion? >> Go right ahead. >> I'll

139make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Okay. This is a roll call vote. Trusty Ell. >> Yes. Oops. I'm sorry. Oh, no. I jumped ahead. Sorry. Go ahead. It's been a long day. >> New. >> Yes. >> Okay. I think we're good. So, we do not have to go back to close session. So, I will go ahead and adjourn this meeting at 8:17. Thank you. See you Thursday.