001I wanted to Love means nothing. Too young to say that girl. I didn't mean this to be Good evening. Today is Tuesday, June 24th. Unless you got some Beatles on. There we go. Tune in a little bit. Tuesday, June 24th, 2025. And the time is 5:15. I call this meeting to order. And we're going to go ahead and go into close session. Before we do that, at this time, the board of trustes will Public comments, presentations on requests on matters listed on the closed session agenda. The board will not respond to any public comments directly. Speakers are requested to give their name and addresses. Time limit for speakers is 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 presentation.
002This meeting is being recorded. Uh, Trusty Espinosa, do we have anybody for close session? We do not have any public comments for close session items. Okay, we will go ahead and go to close session and should be here close to 6:00 as possible. Thank you. by the way. You [ __ ] with me right now? We are not monogous. You hear me? Do you hear me? sound the sound to the to the is working. So, do you hear me? Okay. Okay. Uh, I didn't hear nothing, so I need to see if you can talk to the camera. You hear me? Can you hear me? Somebody talk to the microphone. Can you talk to the microphone? Okay, just start and the camera. Just the camera. I think it's it's working. Can you touch the camera, please? No, the
003camera is in the back. The camera. Nothing. So yeah, if you can use the phone session. We don't have anything to report out because we're going to have to go back at the end of our meeting. So, if I could, would I please have Heidi, could you lead us in the pledge of allegiance? Please stand. I aliance 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. [Music] Okay, we'll go ahead. Item number five, communications and recognition. the governing board report. We'll go ahead and start with Trusty Ella. Just welcome to everybody. Thank you for coming. We look forward to seeing you again and more commonly at our meetings. We'd love to see you. Also,
004just with the two weeks in between meetings, I was uh Yolanda and I were able to go to the summer school. We want to thank everybody, all the teachers, all the administration, all of our schools together at um that summer school is really nice pleasure to see. So, thank you everybody who's doing all their work and all the students that are going to summer school. It was a pleasure to see everyone doing so well. Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, everyone. Glad to see everyone here today. Uh, I'd like to begin by sharing that graduation was really awesome to attend and it was really, really, really rewarding to see those students walk across the stage. I I was in their position myself once. So, being able to be on that other side of it was
005really really humbling. And so, I thank I thank you all for that opportunity. Um, and I do want to highlight that if you haven't checked out our Instagram or our social media pages yet, there we have our free summer meals programs. The meals are available at Central Union High School from the 10th from June 10th to July 10th. Desert Oasis from June 5th to June 27th. And um, all children 18 and under are welcome. I believe it's a valuable program and I really thank our staff and volunteers and our community partners for being part of that really essential program. So um thank you and I realize I was absent at our last meeting. I thank you all for that. There was some personal things I needed to do and um thank you. Thank you. Good
006afternoon everybody and um I've been going to some football games in this heat. They're seven on seven and then some basketball games at Imperial to support our teams. So other than that, I have nothing else to report. Have a good day. Thank you, Trusty Mo. Welcome everybody. Um just that I went to visit the central side to see how summer school was going. Everything is under control and running smoothly. appreciate it. It's a little bit hot, but but I love the fact that art has a table set outside with um ice chest with water. Any student that needs water, they just go grab themselves some water. I I thought that was very special. But thank you for being here. Thank you. Um I I too visited summer school the very first day and it's so
007nice to see everybody together. Got the the Spartans and the blue and the Eagles and the purple and the Desert Oasis black colors on. So, it's nice that we get everybody together. Everybody's getting along. Monica Martinez is doing an excellent job. Monica is the summer school principal and it was just like we didn't skip a beat at all. They went right from the end of school, which I wish they had a little bit more time, but then right into summer school. So, they're geared up. They're ready to go. And the staff that's there as well, I think we're ready to go. So, I this weekend I'm going to go to uh Chicago. Part of my commitment with the CIF executive committee is attending the uh National Federation of High School Sports. And even though we're
008here at this level, the NFHS that governs everything when it comes to high school athletics. So, it's nice to go and to um see what's new, what's coming down, and and to to kind of uh network with some of the other states. Illino is hosting it this year and one of the thing they got to recruit people from going is to go to a park game at Finway Park. So that'll be a first for me. Uh last year they held it in Boston and we got to go watch the Padres play Boston that day. But I don't even know who they're playing but I know that I get to go to the park and so I'm looking forward to that and also networking with some of the other states as well. Arizona is always good
009because they have very similar climate that we have. So the wet bulb was instituted and we also have the air quality index and we have a lot of round table discussions about because we have a lot to do with that when it comes to I don't go to the snow things and those kind of things but definitely the Arizona committee is is a good group that we kind of rub shoulders with so looking forward to that plus I get to see my son in St. Louis on the back east so I'm back in the Midwest so got that mix a little bit Dr. mentioned that he was not going to be able to do his report because of the connection problems. So, we'll catch you next time. Okay. So, we'll go ahead and go on
010to item six, public comment session. 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, addresses, and time limit for speakers. It is three minutes before Oh, we're going to make an adjustment for that. So, go ahead. I'll finish it and then um the clerk will have some more um information what we need to do because we want to hear everybody. But so, if we stay here, everybody gets three minutes, we might not be here. It may take just a little bit longer. We do want to hear everybody. So, while you're there, you may have to condense a little bit so we can get everybody. Um the board shall
011limit the total time for public input. Um the whole session is supposed to be 30 minutes but we adjusted a little bit last meeting I think we went to 33 minutes so we want to make sure that happens. Uh this meeting is being recorded and per board policy 1313 the board of trustees recognizes the impact that civility has on the effective operation of this district including its role in creating a safe and positive school climate and enabling a focus on student wellbeing well-being learning and achievement. The board believes that each person should be treated with dignity and respect in their interactions within the school community. Uh the board stands that the first amendment provides strong protection for speech. However, the board expects that all speech and expression will comport with norms of civic behavior and
012district grounds in district facilities during district activities or events and in the use of district electronic digital systems or platforms. Civil behavior is polite, courteous, and reasonable behavior which is respectful to others and includes integrity, honesty, acceptance, timeliness, dependability, observance of laws and rules, and effective communication. So, um, what we did, I think when we filled out the forms, there was a number on the back. So, we're just going to go write down the numbers and trust Espinosa, do you have anything to add? Um, yes. So, we will be limiting it to 90 seconds to ensure we can hear all of these voices are heard. I believe we have received a total of about 26 or so. Looks like we have 24 here, but I noticed duplicated numbers. So, we have about 26 voices that
013want to be heard and need to be heard. So, we're going to limit it to the 92 um limitation and we're going to call it up as orders received. Um Renee Angundes for All right. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm uh Renee Mundes. I live at 521 MS Street, Imperial, California. Uh I'm a product of the Central District. I graduated class of 1987 from Central. and I'm here to speak on item number nine, the LGBTQ pride um resolution. Uh I've taught in the district for 33 years. I've been an English teacher for a while here. Um I think I know our community well. I have a sense of what we need. I have a sense of who we are. So, and I think we would all agree that as a district, our central mission is to impart
014academic skills onto our students to prepare them for the future, prepare them for what is ahead, for success. I think we would all agree also that this cannot happen if students are not valued, if they're not seen, if they're not respected. And we owe this to all of our students, including our LGBTQ plus students. Uh the language of this um resolution states that when it comes to our LGBTQ plus population, we're committed to safety, inclusion, to fostering a welcoming school climate where they can be treated with dignity, respect, and feel safe. I honestly don't understand how anyone could object to this language. To me, it's unconscionable to say that some of our students are not worthy of these values that are on the posters on these signs all around the room. Um, this is not
015happening in a vacuum. the decision that you will make tonight. The greater context of our nation is that among LGBTQ plus youth, 21% attempt suicide versus 4% of the regular general youth population. This is from the National Institute of Health. Okay. Thank you, Mr. I urge you to please pass this resolution. Thank you board members. [Applause] Clara Olivas Good afternoon everyone. I'm Clara Olivas, co-founder co-founder and executive director of Quir Kasa, a California state recognized nonprofit. We were founded by three queer Imperial County residents who recognized the urgent need for Imperial County's first open-minded secular space offering resources to all 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. Queer CASA's mission is to empower, support, and uplift queer people in Imperial County. We envision a world where queer individuals thrive and live fulfilling lives. We've partnered with numerous local nonprofits
016that align with our mission. It's important to note that the Donlay Center is not among our partners. The founders of Quirkasa previously served on the IVG IV LGBT resource center board and witness the increasingly problematic rhetoric from the CEO CEO. A February 2025 KPBS news report further confirmed that the Donley Center CEO Rosa Das is aligned with openly anti-2SLGBTQIA plus organizations. I encourage you to watch the threeinut kpbs.org video where Miss Diaz personally acknowledges her support for and her participation in disseminating harmful extremist views that represent our misrepresent our queer community in Imperial County. Having been openly queer all my life, affirmed by my family and peers, I know profound importance of the community. I tell the young people, you are not alone. You have community here. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Maria Benad. Good
017afternoon, honorable board members and respectable members of the public. My name is Maria. My pronouns are she, her, aa, and I'm a resident of El Centro. I want to start by saying that I want to address the separation of church and state. The principle of separation of church and state in public schools is derived from the establishment clause of the first amendment. This clause prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a religion and public schools as government entities must remain neutral and not promote or favor any particular religion. While students can express their religious beliefs privately, schools cannot organize or endorse religious practices. This month, a federal appellet court ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in the state's public schools is unconstitutional. The mandate violates the separation of church
018and state, and the court found that poster size displays would isolate students, especially those that practice different faiths. Pride Month is about love. Isn't that what we want to demonstrate to our students? That they are loved and that we see them and that we value them. Make it loud and clear to our LGBTQ youth that they belong in the Central Union High School District that they are seen and they add value to our schools. Trusty Numm, Trusty Espinosa, Trusty Mora, Trusty Elllet, and Trusty Tavarees, do what is right and support and love all our students. Make sure the message is loud and clear by approving the 20 2025 Pride Month proclamation. Happy Pride Month to each and every one of you. Ramirez. Good evening. My name is Carmina Ramirez. Um 1281 Sanderwood. Um Pride Month
019has been celebrated in our country and around the world for since 1970. That is 55 years. Um, I think we had sufficient time to learn to educate ourselves um of the harms of hate towards any one group. I think we had enough time to learn about inclusivity of all students. We practice that every day as educators. I think we have had enough time to have courage to stand up and to say to to everyone that they're welcome in our schools and our community regardless of how they identify. We've had enough time to understand that people can identify themselves as heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, lesbian, transgender, non-binary, asexual. And instead of debating this, we should be celebrating this diversity which accounts for one in every 10 people in our community. We should we should be celebrating the
020contributions, their talents, their lives um of these young people leading us older people with an example of leadership. Acknowledging Pride Month should not be debatable. It costs nothing to proclaim pride month. It costs a lot not um to hate. I urge you to support the proclamation of Pride Month for students and community. If not now, when? Thank you, [Applause] Sonia Bernard. Son. Okay. Hi, good evening U board members. U my name is Sonia Bernnal. I live at 1237 North 17th Street and I'm speaking here um on behalf on voting to not pass this bill um in regards to and uh please excuse my ignorance if it's LGBTQ plus or um has since been revised. I'm I'm truly not sure. Um I I believe that in regards to inclusivity as um a lot of people might
021mention um I I believe that inclusivity doesn't have to mean to it's not a reason to incorporate and even indoctrinate our children. Um there are beliefs that everyone has and and that's okay. Everybody is is we have diversity and that's what makes our world the way it is. Um, I have my own beliefs and I have a daughter that attends um, Central Union High School. I don't agree that she has to be exposed as well as the other students to a lifestyle that is not what I believe in. Um, if we're speaking on inclusivity, I I don't believe that um there's a number of activities and and sports on campus and some of those um I believe don't exclude actually none of those exclude children um to participate in such activities uh regardless of orientation
022uh identification gender identification uh all children are allowed to sign up for these activities. ities. Thank you. Um, if I could just uh say one more thing. Um, I I if there was an inclusivity in beliefs, I don't ever know I have never known for my child to get to celebrate an entire month um in for the month of Easter, which is in our regards one of the most best months ever uh to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ or the birth of um Jesus Christ in December. So um just ask not for an entire month for celebration. [Applause] Cameron Collus call us. Well, you guys made me shorten up my speech here, but I'll do my best. No, no, I understand. Um good evening board. I do appreciate the time that you
023have given me. My name is Cameron Kohas. I have served as a youth pastor for over seven years now. I'm currently a volunteer at Central Union High School through the Campus Life Club and have a deep affection for the Imperial Valley as I raise my four children here. Um, having to cut out so much, I would like to address I don't hate a single gay person in this world or trans person at all. I love them and that's my religion is found on. My religion says in the holy book in the book of First John that our God is love. And I do apologize for those that have not reflected Christ well to anyone here. I do want to say though that that being said, uh there's a quote that I felt would be uh
024worth sharing. In the book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Truman, he states, quote, "Sex now pervades every aspect of life, from elementary education to commercials to Congress and the Supreme Court. Everywhere one looks, the erotic sexual desire has triumphed." End quote. My concern is that this agenda item is a reflection not of a desire to educate in the sciences, but rather the erotic triumphing in the gripping of the popular imagination. The continual proposal of this agenda item reflects less academic care and more concern for sexual expressionism. And I believe that you are going to lose parents as I implored you last time we met to team up with parents and ally with them. I believe you are ostracizing parents by doing this. How many parents are actually in the room
025here? They are the ones that need to have a voice here. It's not many of them, unfortunately. That being said, I would close with this if you would allow me to. Why place this tremendous burden on these high school students whose minds will not even be fully developed until their mid to late 20s? I pray that God gives you the wisdom and foresight to see that this decision is not good for our young people who already have so many outside pressures from television, friends, and society. Do not pass this resolution. Thank you, Mr. Polus. Thank you. You know, I know 90 seconds is fast, but we want to hear everybody's voice. And I hope you have a chance to convince that. And and I know that when my clerk says it's time, I'll give you
026a couple more seconds to wrap it up because you can see the timer. I can. So, I appreciate the cooperation and we want to hear everybody. That's why we're here today. Thank you, Diego Gasella. Okay. Hello. And my name is Diego Casala. I graduated Central Union this year. Before I say anything, I want to make myself clear that I speak from love and not hate. What I'm about to share comes from observations. Uh I believe every person on this earth was created purpose purposefully by God. I believe that Jesus offers new life to everyone no matter background and any type of struggle belief. Because of that I strive to see every person as someone made an image of God deserving of love, dignity and truth. I have to cut a lot. Hold on. I don't
027I don't think that specializing a group of of anybody is beneficial for anybody's well-being. I I don't I I don't have a month to celebrate myself. I I don't like I go through a lot of things and you know because there are a lot of societal expectations from a lot of different people and I just like to share that um June is a men's mental health awareness month and it's rarely acknowledged even though so many young men today silent struggling with anxiety, depression and pressure. I don't think that specializing people is normalizing people. I think that the LGBT community is accepted and I don't take that away from them. It's it's their beliefs, not mine. I want them to feel loved, but I don't think having a month where they can celebrate pride and being
028special is is going to cause any type of normality normaly between anybody. Thank you. Appreciate you coming. Thank you. [Applause] Dalia Salila Berna Delila. Thank you. Sorry about that. Delila Berna. Good evening, respected members of the board and guests. We were here over a little We're here a little over two weeks ago with a very pressing issue we had hoped that would be resolved. Today, we're back in hopes of having our voices heard completely before taking these next steps in our district. This discussion isn't a discussion of hate or lack of love. It's simply just asking to reconsider the better of our district. We call our seasonal time off winter break and spring break rather than referring to it as Christmas or Easter break out of respect for those who may not celebrate those holidays.
029And we have no problem with that. If we have any sort of celebrations in class relating to a holiday that that originates from religion, students are allowed not to participate and that is a prime example of respect of others beliefs. So why is it now that when the subject of pride in school systems is brought up, it is treated not as such. We want to demand that it is enforced on our curriculum and demand that it is celebrated and acknowledged schoolwide. Why not do that for Christmas, for Easter, because the topic of religion is frowned upon in school? The reality is that most students want to express their faith but can only do so in certain aspects like clubs or outside the classroom. And we know that that is just the way that our society
030has built up public schools. So if we as Christians do not demand for justice and demand our beliefs to be taught and celebrated in schools, why is it that the other party is allowed to do that? In these next steps you all take, I strongly urge you all to consider truly and see this topic from all perspectives. And as a very involved and passionate Central Spartan, I pray that you all be filled with the wisdom of what is best for all students, not just of the popular vote, but of every child and parent involved. Thank you all and God bless your time. [Applause] Ariel Bonano, apologies if I thank you for your time. I um before I my name is Edelli Bonano and before I continue I want to make one thing absolutely clear. I
031have no resentment towards anybody in this room and it burdens my heart that people would think that I hate them and I do not. I love my friends. I do not love them because of who they are, what they choose to believe. I love them because of their traits and their character. And I choose to be around them for that reason. That said, as a student, I firmly believe that these topics are things that should be discussed between a parent and a child. I think that these things can cause trouble with with teenagers that are already so confused with issues that are so pressing in in in the high school life. bullying, things like that. It's this is just something that it's such a sensitive topic and I I really don't believe that school should
032be prying into it. I had a speech prepared and I'm not sticking to it because this is on my heart and I really want you to know that I do not hate you. I do not resent you. I do not want you to feel like you should not be included or that you should not be loved. I love you. Jesus loves you. We all love you. And I want you to know that I really believe that this is just something that should be in home in the safety and in a safe environment of a home, not a school. And thank you for your time. I love you very much. Thank you. [Applause] I apologize if I put you this uh Ali Az a A D E Andy. Apologies like Hello board members. My name is
033Andy Zel Lopez. I'm a product of Central Union High School the class of 2001 m ages ago. Um myself I grew up with there being open when Central um before Southwest was built Central had had a gay club. It had LGBT club had expressed one of the first schools in the county I believe in the county to show to show inclusivity. But somehow now we've gone to a point where certain people who've been who've been a been kept aside are to be ignored and kept in the shadows. Me myself I was a I was a product of being bullied within the within Christianity being told that I was scum even within the within the school. And now to be told, you know what, you have value. You're loved by people that I've finally met after
034being ostracized and bullied within the church, within my own school. The thing is love does not express oppression. And education does not teach hate, teaches inclusivity. And the thing is a lot of people misinterpret LGBT. It's about LGBT does not represent indoctrination or hate. express authenticity and character of oneself. I just want to uh I just want to encourage you to really think from the heart of a parent and really know what what your child is feeling or yourself. Many have been treated less because their their identity has been lessened within within the faith communities that they grew up in. So I just want to give that for you and thank you very much for your time. Thank you Andy. Atlas, good evening. Sorry, it's my first time. Oh, I'm so sorry. Um, my name
035is Atlas. My pronouns are they, them, he, him, and in Spanish they are eay and um I like to introduce myself with my pronouns because it's how I like uh others to address me. Um I'm here today uh not only as a young person who grew up and resides in the area, specifically Klexico, but also as a representative of trans family support services. In my role as one of two bilingual youth programs coordinator at TFSS, I have the privilege of directly supporting LGBTQ plus youth locally and across the country through the use of care, compassion, and affirming resources. I want to highlight the fact that we are witnessing the current administration enact a deliberately harmful campaign to roll back the rights of marginalized people. Policies are being pushed that target LGBTQ plus youth, immigrants, people
036of color, people with disabilities, and women. Most recently, the federal government removed the LGBTQ plus youth branch from the 988 crisis hotline, a critical resource for young people in need. Let's be clear, these actions aren't about anyone's beliefs. They're about control. Our community already faces constant harm and violence. policies meant to erase protections would only push youth into further isolation. However, here in California, the law still aimed to protect all youth. State law requires school to affirm and respect the students names, pronouns, gender identity, including access to bathroom and locker rooms that align with identity as outlined in AB 1266. Additionally, SB537 mandates that school actively protect LGBTQ students from bullying, harassment, and discrimination regardless of personal beliefs. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Benjamin Gonzalez. Hello, board. 39% of LGBTQ youth considered attempting suicide
037in the last year alone. Nearly half of LGBTQ youth experienced bullying and LGBTQ youth who reported living in very unaccepting communities attempted suicide at two times the rate than those who reported in living in very accepting communities. These statistics aren't just numbers. They're students in our classroom. There are students in our community. and their students like myself. I am proud to have graduated from this district. I came every month to these meetings eager to listen and report. And one of the things that I was proudest of and still am is our motto committed to excellence. But I think recently we've lost what excellence truly means. Excellence is not erasing others who are different than us. Excellence comes from embracing others and loving our neighbors regardless of how they identify. If we don't recognize this month
038for what it truly is, a celebration of people in all walks of life, then we run the risk of telling young kids that in their lives they will never have anyone who will defend them from hate. If the district does not take a step to recognize pride and stand by these students, how can we expect our kids to learn when they're too worried if their very own school will protect them from the bullying they face? Not recognizing pride has larger implications on mental health. 18% of LGBTQ youth have attempted suicide. Thank you. Rosa Diaz. My name is Rosa Diaz and I've been um I'm here to oppose the LGBTQI proclamation. Within the last 10 years, I've been uh working very directly with LGBTQIA students. And I can tell you that in most cases when we
039leave them alone and do not influence them, they sometimes just grow out of certain identities. And I'm going to give you some um some testimonials here. In 2020, the president of the GSA at uh Central Union High School um called me to talk to the youth and I spoke with them and all we talked about was life relationships. Uh we we talked about goals uh graduating from high school. They invited me the second time and again we talked about just life, healthy relationships, goals. This young lady who was the president of the GSA club uh is now in college, has a boyfriend, and uh the last time I spoke with them, they basically just um decided to go a different path. In 2021, a 13-year-old uh young lady who identified as a boy was coming
040to the center. She came to the transport group. We played games. We talked about life, school, etc. And um uh that was in 2021. I saw her at an event not too long ago. Beautiful young lady. She has now embraced her femininity. She has embraced being a a a female. Um, and I can tell you of another young lady who went to the center. She Okay, your your belongings. Teresa Gonzalez. Um, Teresa Gonzalez. I've been working for Central Union High School for 25 years. Yeah, I guess we got to scrap what we wrote down. Um we hear a lot of words uh safety, positive um welcoming environment, empowerment. Um we heard some evidence um about Pride Month and what we need Pride Month. And I'm thinking about the year, the whole year, what's happening all
041the other months. Are we not giving them respect? Are we not giving them love? We open our classrooms to our students every single day and we love each and every one of them no matter what their gender, no matter what um their love choice is. And and I just want you to remember that that we don't need one specific month to to celebrate that. Our students I welcome you to count go to our campus. Our students are celebrating their love. uh girl with girl, boy with boy go to our campus. They are proud of their sexuality. They wear it on their shirts. They they you know it's not what it was 20 years ago. Um they are embracing their sexuality and to say that they're scared or or being bullied. What evidence do we have
042at our campus that shows that? I've been working for I work uh with link crew and I work uh social emotional learning and never have they asked me to address those issues. Never have they asked me to to talk about those issues. Are those issues really happening on our campus? Please listen to our community. Thank you. Carina Victoria Bos Miner. Sorry for the butching of your last name. Hello everybody. My name is Carmina Boser. I'm 1281 Tendlewood Drive. I'm a community member. I'm an organizer. I'm here to express my support uh for this motion by recognizing Pride Month. We're recognizing our students. We don't have a lot of representation, which is why we need representation during this month. It's not just a month that we need. It's the whole year. You're completely right. We need
043to celebrate the whole year because we're not just queer one month. We're queer the whole year. And it's not fair that we're not allowed to celebrate or feel seen. We're not asking for anything but recognition. Right now, the board has the opportunity to show all the students that they deserve to feel seen, that they are safe, that they're supported, not just academically, but as a person. And schools are meant for freedom. They're a place to be that you should feel acknowledged, that you should feel represented and celebrated and not feel like your whole identity is being erased. If you're a woman, if you're a person of color, if you're a parent, if you're queer, if you're an immigrant, you should understand voting to approve this proclamation shows that students belong and that the district is
044committed to inclusion and respect. And just please vote yes for this for the future of our students, for the future of our community. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Miss Katherine Drew. I'm sorry. I have to sit. I just help. My name is Katherine Drew. I have a grandson at Southwest High School. Seems I live there, too. I'm not here to dissuade you from your faith. Your faith is not the issue here because you are not the issue here. This resolution is simply stating a fact. June is pride month, which simply gives recognition to kids who struggle. Never made anybody gay to have a gay to have a pride month. I was raised in the Baptist church. God forgive me. And I know the fables, the myths, and the stories and the truths embedded in the
045Bible. If you want to use that book, my faith, though, is rooted in only one rule. Listen to Christ. Follow his example. Love one another. doesn't say judge. In fact, biblically, we're told not to. But I get it. You're afraid of a concept. It's not a law. No one's going to address you or arrest you. Excuse you. Excuse me. For being mean to the kids should not. My real concern though is that your churches have gotten you all whipped up with hatred and fear that you come to a board meeting in the middle of summer twice for some of you. And really, we're just asking you to act like Christ. Meet people where they are. Accept people as they are. Love people as they are. And as a teacher, I'm going to tell you, my
046kids know that I love them. And many of them in here. And that's one of them right there. Those aren't the conditions Christ put on love. And so, they are not my conditions either. I love them because they're mine. If you can't do that, you have bigger problems than figuring out pronouns. You need to figure out your real faith and where it stands. If you are frightened and timid and cowed in front of homosexual people or people who are different from you, you have a problem. Thank you, M. You need to love like Christ loves you without prejudices or conditions. Amen. I apologize. Arabella How how do I say your last name? Arabella, are you here? Okay. So, last Aar. Hi. Nice to meet you guys. Um So, I'll preface with this. Uplifting a community
047facing backlash for coexisting is crucial, especially in spaces where young minds are looking inwards to understand their intrinsic qualities and outwards to understand how the world will receive them. Facilitating a successful academic career is beyond a GPA. It is the is the fostering of supplying resources to build them up as they envision and embark on their futures. It is crucial to note that acknowledgement is not dominion. We come in all walks of life. In different religions, in different countries, in different cultures, we exist. That's all we do. We exist and we try to give to our community and to one another. Autonomy is important. Being able to make choices for oneself is important. And we have the opportunity to facilitate people as they navigate these things because as a young person oftent times we look
048outwards before we look inwards to understand the world around us and what feels safe and what doesn't. And I'd also like to note that unfortunately we've been pawns in political games when all we do is exist. That's all we do. And I hope there comes a point in time where students just feel embraced by our community. And I know it's about to be time, but thank you so much for this measure. Thank you for your time, [Applause] Robin. Aila. Aila. Hi, good evening. My name is Robin Aila. I live at 9:30 Westwind Drive. I'm a teacher at Central Union High School. I've been working there for over 20 years. Um, usually when I attend these meetings, it has to do with some type of financial issue that the district is addressing. However, tonight, uh, we
049are discussing whether or not Central Union High School is willing to proclaim that our LGBTQ students and staff are truly accepted as part of our district. I'd like to remind the board members that empathy is free. It costs nothing to stand with our LGBTQ community. It costs nothing to accept our LGBTQ community. And it costs nothing to proclaim that our LGBTQ community is welcome in all of our schools. And yet, I have seen firsthand how feeling safe and accepted can be invaluable. and even save lives. When it comes to our students, every single one of us here has a neighbor, a family member, a student, a staff member, a teacher, a colleague, and a friend who is part of the LGBTQ community. Please take a moment and consider them before casting your vote tonight. And
050remember to love your neighbor as yourself. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Arthur Hener Smith. Anakah. Oh, Anica. Anakah. I apologize. Anak forgot. I was worried for somebody. Time starts. Yeah. Oh, thank you. First of all, I want to say hello everyone. My name is Anukica Penner Smith. I'm a lifelong member of the Imperial Valley. I live on the east side of Centro. Thank you all for having me. I'm very happy to be here. Um, and I would just like to start off by saying that I'm very proud to be part of the Imperial Valley community. I'm very proud to be part of this district. I will always find a great sense of joy and pride in advocating for my community in whatever capacity I'm personally able and that includes intersectionality. I believe that we all
051ought to be able to take ownership and pride in ourselves and our identities, our lived histories and our lived experiences from infancy to adulthood throughout the course of being. That's what a joy it is to be. Isn't it lovely? I believe that we are all called to be part of a community. I urge you all to spend time in your community and conversation with your neighbor unbiased, unprejudiced. We are one valley. We We are undivided. We're one district. Let us be undivided. Let us love one another because love is love. Happy Pride. Happy Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. And I yield the rest of my time. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, [Applause] Daniela Flores with IV, Equity, Justice. Hi, good evening, uh, board of trustees. Uh, my name is Danella Flores. My
052pronouns are she, her, Aya. Um, I am the executive director of Imperial Valley Equity and Justice. Nice to meet you. Um we are here in strong support of proclaiming uh June as uh LGBTQIA uh pride month. Our organization's uh vision is simple. An imperial valley where families can work, live, dream, and thrive. Uh we advocate, educate, build civic power on issues of health equity, environmental justice, and racial and economic justice. And we do celebrate this board for bringing this forward, this resolution forward uh to proclaim this month. And you know, um I think as folks have shared, it's really important that you know part of y'all's role and mission is to ensure the safety of school climate. And so it is absolutely your charge to take up on an issue like this um and to
053proclaim and to talk about your commitments year round, what those are to create that safety uh for the LGBTQIA community year round, right? Um Southwest made history by hosting its first Pride Week in 2023. Students were invited to wear outfits matching different pride flags. I'm going to skip some things here, but um support services remain too thin. Southwest's very simple Pride Week um you know, an in an adult intruder attempted to disrupt students. There's a few other things, but in this moment, there are resources being taken away such as the um 988 suicide prevention hotline. Um so, in a moment where resources are being stripped, it's important that we reaffirm our commitment and safety. Thank you. [Applause] Lupita Gabo. Good evening, board members. Good evening, Dr. Farz, and everyone here in this room. Today, I'm
054going to express my concern in Spanish for all those people that are looking at through YouTube um in Spanish. Lupita. I have four kids. Two of them which are still in high school. Mathemat. English. Interferenced Transparenc Thank you. [Applause] John Briggs. You get old, you fall down. My name is John Briggs. I have lived here in the valley for over 55 years. Thank you. I have taught 54 years. I've had thousands of students. Every child should be loved and respected. And the pride uh proposal doesn't say you need to become anything other than who you are. And when any child walks onto a campus, not just into a classroom, but onto campus, they should be accepted and with kindness, love, and respect. I had very few rules in my classroom. One was that every student
055was to be kind, loving, and respectful to everyone else, including themselves. And that is an issue here. Please pass this proposal. Thank you, Mr. [Applause] Leanne. Va. So, I want to apologize um if I seem a little shaky. Um my entire Oh, yeah. Hi, my name is Leah Rivera. Um I'm a incoming junior at Central Union High School and I'm also a follower a follower of Christ. Um so what I did come originally come here to speak about has completely changed. Um not completely but the way I'm going about it my heart has changed. Um yes I am scar scared but fear is a liar no matter which side you're on tonight. And um first and foremost, I want to apologize to anyone here who has been hurt by the church or any Christian because
056that is not an example of Christ that we should all strive to live. Um I also believe that you know each and every one of us has fallen short once in our lives multiple times to the glory of to our God. um whether we are a member of the LGBTQ community, whether we are a Christian, um we have all fallen short in each of our different ways. And I believe, you know, we are all equal, you know, and as a student here at Central, because that's what we're coming for. Um I don't think that any one student is recognized more or less than the other. We have our Christian clubs and there I know for example, um ARC It recognizes, you know, the LGBTQIA community. Um, and even in the Christian club that I am
057in, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we don't exclude anyone that walks into the doors. I can name multiple people, multiple friends, multiple of the people that I surround myself with that don't see eye to eye with me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to love them any less. Thank you. God bless. Thank you. We had an item they put down item six. So it might not be I think it's a different topic. So we need to Katya Olivas. Are you Katya Olivas? Oh that's okay. It said six. So you're all right. There you go. I like that. like that approach. I see a six. I see a nine. Hi, my name is Katy Olivas. I am a resident of the land of the Kumay Kukapa and many more nations who are still alive and flourishing to
058this day. My pronouns are she, her, hers. I think we come here today and we hear about indoctrinating our children, but we don't talk about how these children are being indoctrinated since the moment they are born into Christ, and to Jesus, into all these religions that they still don't understand. We don't talk about the indoctrination of our children who are forced to every single day pledge to a settler colonial flag, which they also don't understand why they are doing that pledge of allegiance that we did today. So, I want us all to really think about why this resolution has become so controversial. Why a group of people who are simply trying to live in their full selves are being scapegoed to hide your own fears about your own homosexuality and lack of understanding of your
059own bodies and your own desires. I'll tell you all the real reason behind all of this controversy. First, LGBTQIA plus people live freely in their bodies, spirits, and identities, going all against all borders. LGBTQIA plus people have existed since before the colonization of this land, and we will continue to do so. So, I urge you to stand in respect with your students and create a safe space for them. So, pass this resolution, please. Thank you. That concludes what I have unless uh Miss Arabella came back. No. Okay. Okay. First of all, I appreciate uh the cooperation we had. We had 26 individuals and I think we heard everybody. Um and I I appreciate everybody tonight. I'm really I'm really glad I'm part of this community that I see in front of me tonight. Thank you.
060So, we'll go ahead and uh continue with our agenda. Item number seven, public comment session on non-aggenda items. At this time, the board of trustees will hear comments, presentations, and requests on matters not listed on this agenda. Do we have anybody for non? I don't have anything for non-aggenda items. Okay, let's go on to seven. Approval, excuse me, eight, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve today's tonight's agenda? I'll make a motion. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor? I I nine, consent agenda items, all items appearing on the consent agenda item, routine business matters, and will be acted upon by one motion. Without discussion, should any board member request that an item be considered separately, that item will be added to the end of our regular agenda. May I
061have a motion to approve? Madame President, I'm going to actually motion to have our minutes pulled from the consent agenda item. Okay. Clarification. I wasn't here the last meeting, so I will be abstaining from that vote. That's the only reason why I chose to pull it. Thank you. Do I have a motion? Do I have a second? I'll second. This is for agenda items two through 11. Correct. Correct. Yes. I'll second. All in favor? I wanted I'm sorry. I just want to make a quick comment on that. That is that the point just that on five the um behavioral health services and the after school programs and the county office of ed in the next year we would have presentations of those the great programs that we're you know that we're supporting so we would
062understand more about what they're doing. Okay. Thank you. So those additions all in favor I item number 10 action and information items approval of personnel report. The board is requested to approve the June 24th 2025 personnel report as presented. Do I have a motion? Second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I thank you. Approve the 202526 CHSD local control accountability plan. It is recommended that the board of trustees approve the 202526 CUSD local control accountability plan. And Miss Ped is at a workshop, but she gave us all the information the last presentation. So, do I have a motion? I move that we accept the Thank you. I'll second. Can I Can I add a discussion item? Yeah. Any discussion? I just want to add about the LCAP. Um, I really do like that we have
063professional development and training in our LCAPS and curriculum and instructional supports. I really liked listening to the YouTube on Wilson reading program, the NWVA MAP growth. I I know Miss Per might not be here today, but throughout the years, I'd like to see how that develops that reporting process because I know that data tracking is included in the LCAP. So, I thought that would be cool. Um, targeted support programs I think are excellent and I do think any any student feedback and form actions are super great. So, I say that because I do think it would be beneficial to consider a type of um either a student LCAP oversight committee with with EL student representation or anything of that nature. I'm not proposing it be included today, but I would like some type of honest
064discussion around a student advisory committee with LCAP and my my lack of knowledge if there already is some kind. So, that's just what I would like to add on that LCAP, but I think it's good to approve. Thank you. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor? I. Item number three, CUSD local indicator report 2025. It is recommended that the board approve CHSD local indicator report for 2025. Do I have a motion? I'll motion a second. A second. Any discussion? Um I'll just add I just think the student input was very clearly valued. I think our e e learners have asked for support beyond Google translate and so I'm excited to see some of those actual strategies behind that. little food for thought is I think multilingual family nights could be a bit more enhanced
065and maybe partnered with SBDC quite a bit to have those types of conversations um on the processes and support resources. Um that's my comment on the local indicator report. All in favor? I item number four, approval of Prop 28 annual report for the 2425 school year. It is recommended that the board approve Proposition 28, Arts and Music Instruction Annual Report for the 2425 school year. Uh, do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. I'll second. Any discussion? Thank you. All in favor? I Item number five, board approval for acceptance of grant for Energy modernization in schools GMS from Imperial Valley Irrigation District II. It is recommended that the board of trustees approve the acceptance of the grant IID for 70,000 and authorize the district to move forward with the HVAC projects. Do I have
066a motion? I move. I'll second. Any discussion? Just grateful for the 70,000. Yes. And thank you for the work to get it. Thank you, Jeff. All in favor? I I. Item number six, board approval for acceptance of the lighting of outdoor wellness grant glow from the Imperial Irrigation District. It is recommended that the board of trustees approve acceptance of the Globe grant from IID for7,000 and authorize the district to move forward with the upgrades of the LE systems. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. I'll second. Any discussion? I not a discussion, but maybe if we can see what the plan is on the lighting, not that we want to go every light, right? But we want to see what's going to make a difference. Just very briefly, it's very specific what the
067money is used for. In this instance, it something that the public also uses. Um, and what we have identified are the tennis courts at both Southwest and Central. So, we're going to focus on that. We'll do most of the work in house. All those in favor? Item number seven, board approval of award contract for Bor Construction LLC for the Southwest High School Aquatic Center at uh Central Union High School District. It is requested that the board of trustees approve awarding the contract to Balfar Construction LLC. Do I have a motion? Make a motion. Second. Any discussion? Yes. I'd like to ask if um someone or Marcy might explain how this company was chosen. I know that was it was a group that chose them and could you tell us why they were chosen over the
068others? Yes, of course. The criteria is based off iter We did a group of us from the applicants from there system and based off the pricing experience. criteria that we offer the best for our district. Thank you. That's great. Thank you very much. All in favor? I I We're waiting to get in that pool. Yes, we are. It's been a long long wait, right, Catherine? It's been a long time. Yes. Item number eight, board approval of 25 estimated actuals and the proposed adopted budget. It is requested that the board of trustees approve the 2425 estimated actuals and the proposed 2526 adopted budget as presented. Do I have a motion? I'll make the motion. I'll second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I Okay. Item nine, board approval of resolution number 62425-33 proclaiming the month of
069June as LB LG BTQIA plus Pride Month. The governing board of trustees is requested to approve board resolution number 62 425-33 proa proclaiming the month of June as LGBTQIA plus pride month. So, do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. Do I have a second? I'll second. Madam President, can I add some discussion? Yeah, I have discussion. I'll go ahead and go first and then you can follow up with that. Um, at the last meeting, this item was not discussed because the motion was not seconded. Pursuant to board policy, one of our trustees has requested that that item be placed on the agenda tonight. discussion. Yes, Madame President. So, thank you for the clarification. I did request I'm bringing this item back for consideration because I believe it deserves a fair and respectful discussion
070and an opportunity for a recorded vote. At our last meeting, the item did not receive a second and as a result, I don't believe we were able to have that conversation as a board. And I believe now this resolution could have an opportunity to move forward for discussion in a recorded vote. The minutes that we the minutes that were just adopted reflect that no board action was taken. So meaning no formal position is on record. And I believe this is an important topic and one that reflects our district's ongoing commitment to ensuring all students and staff feel supported and included. I believe recognizing Pride Month is a way of honoring the diverse experiences within our school community, much like we do with other awarenesses and heritage months. It's not about taking sides. It's about affirming
071our shared responsibility to foster belonging for all regardless of individual beliefs. I hope we can approach this with a spirit of respect and shared purpose and I Thank you, Trusty. Any other discussion? I would like to comment that reading through all of the policies we approved tonight, everybody's treated equally. Harassment, bullying, everyone is protected. Our district already does that. It doesn't take someone out and say that they're different and they need to be protected in a different way. Bullying is wrong. Harassment is wrong. Loving and respecting other people is very important and that's what our district stands for. Every policy that I've read does not say that anybody else anybody is not covered by the policy. All of the policies we approve the different um contributions to different programs tonight mental health s all of
072those are equally treated. Everyone is equally treated. Our district respects you and cares for you, teachers and students. Making something special out of this month is setting a group aside and making them look different. And that's not what we're here for. We're here to respect all students, all teachers equally. You're all of value because of who you are. That's it. We don't need special titles. We want you to know that we respect you. We care about you. And we are going to protect you. All of you. All of you. Not dependent on your beliefs or what you stand for. We're here for all of you. Thank you. I have a comment. Yes. Yes. Hi, good afternoon. And I want to make an amendment to the resolution of proclaims of the month of June as pride
073month regardless of our students race or sexuality preference. And if we want to move to go move forward with this resolution, I want Mr. Farcus to write a letter on behalf of the board to not not support transgender males to participate in female sports to the CIF. Okay, we need to we've been doing an awesome job. I know we were that's that's a discussion that I just had at the CIF executive committee meeting. So, I appreciate everybody doing what they needed to do. Um, your comments were excellent. I enjoyed hearing from the former students, from teachers that I worked hand inand with. You know, I appreciate all and I'm so proud of everybody that came up here and It's very emotional. We had some students, I mean, individuals that um got a little choked up
074and I get that. I get that because it comes from here, you know, and I tell when I used to coach and the kids would lose and they would cry. I said, "You're crying not because you lost, you're crying because you play with your heart." And I think everybody that approached that microphone today did that. And I appreciate appreciate hearing from you. So, without any further discussion, my page. And this is a roll call vote. Are you ready? No. Yes. No. Yes. Motion passes. On to Item 11. Item 11, comments from ECSA. Do we have anybody here this evening? Let's go to CSCA comments. Anybody here from CSA? Um, we need to go back to close session. And once again, I appreciate everybody this evening. And thank you. Thank you. Have a wonderful summer. Thank
075you. Not yet. [Music] Thank you. Don't be surprised once in a while. You see? Okay, welcome back. I'd like to report out in close session that the board approved a positive evaluation for Dr. Varcus. So, at this time, we will close the meeting at 8:50. Thank you. How?