001Hey everybody. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Hey, Heat. >> [music] >> Come on. Come on guys. Where are you? coming. Hey, [music] come on. Are you guard Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> President Mr. Nishi E >> I'm here. >> Vice President Mr. Nyola clerk Mrs. Yokoyamai board member Mrs. McCaten board member Mrs. Mendoza >> present >> board member Dr. Rios >> present >> board member Mrs. you >> here. >> This evening, we'll be discussing the following items in close session. Public employee discipline dismissal, release, evaluation, four matters. Government code section 54957, conference with labor negotiator, update on negotiations with ABCFT, AFS, CME, and CSEA pursuant to government code section 54957.6. We will be discussing existing litigation with special education settlement agreement student
002OAH pursuant to government code section 54956.9. We'll also be discussing student discipline a deliberation on a student readmission case after expulsion case number 2425-6 pursuant to go education code section 48916. Are there any public comments on the closed session items? Um, all our officers are not here. So, Sue, you see any public comments? >> No public comments. >> That's great. Can I have a motion to to move to close session? >> So moved. >> Second two. >> Right. Oh, everything's clean. >> [music] >> Hey >> [music] [music] >> D. [music] [music] Do you >> [music] [music] >> behind. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. N. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. N. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Data [music] Dick. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Hey, Heat. >> [music] [music]
003>> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Hey, [music] hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah a [music] >> [music] >> Ah, [music] hey a [music] a me a hey a me a hey a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a me hey a a a a me a a a a me a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Down hey down a a Heat. Hey, Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Yeah, a a a
004[music] Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. N. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey, [music] [music] hey everybody. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey, >> [music] [music] >> down. You >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Data [music] be [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Yeah. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. N. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey brother. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> m a n >> [music] >> down. [music] Hey Heat. Heat. Yeah. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. N. Heat [music] up [music] here. Heat. Heat. N. [music] Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat.
005N. >> [music] [music] >> One more time. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Hey, [music] hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Court is back in open session. Can I have a motion? >> So second, Mendoza. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Motion passes 70. Please silence your cell phones. If anyone's in need of translation services, there's someone in the back of the room for support. >> Tonight in close session, the board discussed public employee discipline dismissal release evaluation for matters pursuant to government code section 54957. We had conference with labor negotiator um update on negotiations with ABCFD AB AFSCME and CSEA pursuant to government code section 54957. In closed session, the
006board discussed and approved a special settlement uh special education settlement in the amount of 26,000 attorneys fees of 7500 independent educational evaluation of 6,500 compensatory education of 6,500 social skills program through non-public agency 5,700 for OAH 202510330 by a vote of 720. Can I have a motion and a second based upon the board's review in close session pursuant to government codes uh education code section 48916. The board approved readmission of student number 2425-6 for the spring 2026 semester based upon a finding that the student has fulfilled the rehabilitation plan and has completed the readmission process. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> The motion passes 70. the student gets to return. Tonight, the pledge of allegiance will be led by students from Nixon Elementary who are accompanied by
007their principal, Mr. Mike Hamamura, interim assistant principal, Miss Natalie Cornelis, and staff member Miss Amy Basau. >> Good evening, board president, Mr. Nishi, Vice President, Mr. Nyola, clerk, Mrs. Yokoyama Buouie, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Zitlo and cabinet members. We are Nixon Student Council representatives. My name is Elijah Ordonius. >> My name is Ari Esso. >> My name is Haley Aroofski. My name is Payton Aarovski. My name is Janessa Loom. >> And my name is Thomas Kane. Please stand. Face the flag. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready. Begin. >> I pledge alce 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. You may be seated. >> The start of school at Nixon has
008been very exciting. Phase one of measure BB construction is finished. And this past weekend, December 6th, nine teachers moved into their brand new classrooms, while others moved to start phase two of our construction. Our students were so excited to walk in and see fresh paint and new carpet that make the rooms bright and welcoming. New student desks with furniture that help us learn and work together. Update technology that keeps our classrooms modern and engaging. One of the biggest improvements is our new school library. It's now right in the center of the school and will be placed where every student can gets to visit each week. We will we we will use our library for rotations, reading projects, special lessons, and even meetings and fun school events. is the center place of Nixon Academy. We can't
009wait for you all to schedule a time to come and see the renovations that have taken place at Nixon. We couldn't do all the great things at Nixon Academy without the support of our amazing teachers and community. Our teachers create classroom environments to help students grow academically, develop social, emotionally, and thrive as young learners. In addition, Nixon's PTA has been amazing in supporting our school. They have been working hard to bring our comm community together with fun events including holiday events, family movie nights, other special events to bring parents and loved ones together to celebrate with their students. Our signature watchd dogs dads of great students program is still going strong. On a daily basis, we have to f we have up to five dads, grandparents, and father figures on and around campus, providing extra
010eyes, and keeping things safe for our students. They support Nixon Academy by regulating traffic flow during morning drop off and afternoon pickup, extra supervision, extra supervision during recess and lunch, organizing group activities such as picnics at the park, family playdates, and a family camp out at Elorado Park. Both PTA and Watchdogs are an integral part of the Nixon Academy community. These events help make Nixon a happy place where families feel welcome and students feel proud to be Jaguars. We have a gift to present to the members of the board and Dr. Zitlo. Thank you for supporting Nixon Academy. [applause] >> All right. I know at least one comment. Oh, you know I use these m these cups. >> Thank you. I do use these cups. They're pretty useful, actually. Good job, guys. We have to
011report these as gifts. Okay. Yeah. [laughter] Okay. Let's see. Board comments. We had Board member Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much, Nixon, for the for the gift. I If you ever watch the board meetings, I'm always eating chocolates because I get really hungry. So, >> I'm going to eat your chocolates in a little bit. >> Thank you so much for the gift. I also have a gift for you. How many students are here from Nixon? >> We have six students here today. >> One, two, three, four, five, six. So, I have these stickers and they say ABC school district student leader. They're special because you can't get them anywhere else except for here at the board meetings. And so you can put them wherever you want except don't put them like
012on your books or stuff so your teachers and your principal doesn't get mad at me. >> You can tear them off on and leave them on the sticky part in the back. Thank you guys so much for coming to present to us. I I really enjoyed hearing about all the stuff you guys are doing at Nixon. You guys are like all into those stickers, huh? >> All right. >> You guys are like, "Wow, I know. These are a hot item here. >> When you come back next year, they'll have a different design and they'll say 2026 on there. >> Thank you guys so much for all the work. Um if I could ask the kids, I know I heard um so many exciting things and how you have a new almost half of your school
013is new. >> Yes. >> What's one of the things um that you really enjoy about having a newly remodeled school? >> I know I heard about the library and I heard about furniture. What's something else that you're excited about having? >> That's right. [clears throat] >> Um, I like how we have two TVs now. So, if like we're in the back row and we can't see that well, then we can look to the side TV and uh it's easier to see. >> Awesome. Thank you for sharing. That's it, Mr. President. Thank you so much. Thank you again for being here with us tonight. >> Thank you so much. Uh, >> board member Su Yu. >> Yeah. Thank you, board president Nishi. Thank you, Nixon students. Uh I'm so thankful and I want to say congratulations
014on your new buildings and new classrooms which was one of the bond project. Yeah, a few of our board members here work very hard for the bond project and really really happy that you guys are able to and the teachers to have a new classroom. >> Thank you. uh we work together for the welfare of the entire community as well as you know mainly for our students. Thank you. >> Thank you board member McCaten. >> Thank you. Um thank you so much for coming and talking about the library and the new renovations at your school and all the exciting events going on. Um and I would love to come visit and see all the new things that are there. Thank you, [laughter] >> Board Clerk Tatiana Yokoyama Buouie. >> Thank you, Nixon Jaguars, for coming
015here and visiting us and leading the pledge. I love the report. You guys seemed like you practice that a lot. It was perfect. So, great job. Um, thank you to your principal, vice principal Amy for being here. Um, and usually our board president asks, but are there any parents here who come and support their kids today? if you could please stand up and we want to give you a round of applause. [applause] Um, I've had I've had the great opportunity to visit the Nexon school most recently at the trunk or treat and the community there is very strong and very vibrant. Um, that was an amazing show out for trunk or treat. So, thank you all for being here. Thank you for supporting your kids and um, great job. >> Thank you. my comments really
016quick. Um, it's an amazing school. Uh, I thank you for inviting me to see your Dodger game. That was like a great experience. It was the best tickets ever for the cheapest price. Uh, so privileges of being president. They invited me to get to go and I paid for it and I went and uh uh yes, thank you parents for having such great kids. Um, they are the future of our country and I can see that we are going to do very well by them and you're doing well by us by coming here. And I thought they had driven themselves. They're so smart. But anyway, uh, thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you so much. [applause] Thank you. >> All right. I get to acknowledge some special guests in
017the audience. I'll start with Mr. Joe Peek who's a representative of Assemblywoman Sharon Cork Silva. Lauren Yoko Mizo who's representing Supervisor Janisan. Thank you very much for coming. City of Artisia. So yesterday I saw the three of them. We ran deep over at Artisia. This time they ran deep over here. So we have uh I don't know who became the mayor, but >> Mr. Trevino is the mayor. Trevino. Uh thank you. Melissa Ramoso and is the vice mayor. Okay. And see who's the third? >> No. >> Monica Manalo. >> Okay. And then Monica Manalo right next to them. Council member Manalo is next. There's not like a third like a clerk. Okay. All right. And then I think I see Certos a new jacket for our mayor from Cerritos. Franco Yokoyama. >> Thank you for
018your great sister up here. And I see uh Sophia Se. And I also see Jennifer Hong way in the back. Please stand and recognize. >> Yay. We have a lot of principles here. I can remember some of them. So, I see Mr. Mr. Sprat. He's Mr. Sprat to me because he was the vice principal at Leo a long time ago. Stand up. >> Maybe. >> Can you all stand? Actually, uh Nancy Amar is way back there and I think probably Laura Ballard. Lots of lots of principles. Please stand up so we can recognize you. Otherwise, we'll be here all night. >> Who else? Oh, Mr. Garcia is out in the back trying to hide. >> Come on in. Yay. [applause] All right, the next one is actually great. We'll have a recognition for Artisia High
019School girls volleyball CIF Southern Section Division 8 champions, [applause] >> which which a lot of us here got to see. >> We're going to go ahead and have our students come in and line up and we'll recognize them for their win. And >> what >> um I think we should we'll give them their certificates. We can have the board take a picture and then we can make comments and they can stand and look at us. So, why don't we line up with them? >> [applause] >> Yeah. >> Mhm. Okay, board comments. All right. Um, Tatiana Yokoyama Buouie. >> Congratulations, girls. Um, of course, of course, I have to say girl power because I'm so proud of you. Um it's I have a niece who plays volleyball and it's really not easy and it's very rigorous
020and I know that there's a lot of practice. We've heard you guys start as early as summer and you're just you know on it. So thank you so much for for putting in the time and work into this. It's a huge honor for the district to have this CIF championship. So thank you and congratulations >> Dr. Rios, >> thank you. Congratulations. I was really honored to have been part of your celebration. I think as an athlete, this is like the biggest um celebration is to CIFF. So, I again really was honored to have been part of that along with a lot of my colleagues and city officials who Mayor Yokyama came out to celebrate. So, congratulations. It was especially exciting to see your principal like I don't know that I've seen him happier than on
021that day. Um so yeah, thank you and again congratulations. >> Thank you board member Su. >> Thank you. Congratulations especially to the coaches two coaches right here. Well it takes few let's give them a round of applause. Yeah. Wow. [applause] It takes few years to really build up the team, you know, with the practice and working together as a team. And volleyball is totally a team sport. I played volleyball in high school and it it's like you never know until the last point whether you're going to win or not, right? You just play hard until the last point and you know just throwing your body to to um save that ball that almost died. That's like your adrenaline just spikes up, right? Yeah. Uh and also you have to have strong arm. You can beat
022up anybody, right? With those spikes. Yeah. But life is like that too, girls. You're going to have hard times, difficult times. Economy is not looking too good. But you know what? Uh you guys have to be a fighter and tenacious every moment of your life. Just like volleyball. Remember, it's a team sport. So, God bless you and keep up the good work and hope you guys will win next year, too. Yes. >> All right. Board member Leticia Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Bravo Felicia. Congratulations, not just to you, but to your parents. Where are your parents here? They're the ones with the cameras. I I know because as a parent, you're behind the scenes driving, you know, feeding them. So, congratulations to you guys, too. To the staff, to the school. What a great
023accomplishment. What now? >> [laughter] >> What's next? What are you girls doing next? What are you doing now? >> Beach. >> You're waiting for what? >> So, did so you need to send us some fundraising information >> to all these board members and to everybody in the audience because I think you deserve to each one of you deserves to have a ring. So, please reach out to us. Reach out to us in the community [applause] because you deserve it. >> So, I Um the the principal will make sure that we get that information. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Vice President Noyola. >> Thank you, President Nishi. Uh just to add to the congratulations, just for everyone who's not aware, this is the first team in history in Artisia's history to win
024a CIF championship. So just making history. Yeah. So congratulations for all the the hard work, the dedication, coaches. So, I know all the hard work you guys go in to get them to come to practice, to show up, to put in that extra work, and and girls, you guys did it. You guys are going to do it again next year, I'm sure. So, congratulations. Enjoy it. You guys are champions this year. Okay, that was a fun game. If you ever watch volleyball, I mean, it was back and forth here and there. You got the spikers coming in and getting all those uh uh the scores and and the thing you guys had is a lot of tenacity. you know, just fight, fight, fight and uh my wife got to see it. You have all the
025entire city is behind you and uh you know that will hopefully follow through for the rest of your life, right? That the city and your community and your parents who supported you throughout this entire journey. Uh you have the the the fruit of that victory. So savor it and keep on going. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> [applause] >> Now, half the room will probably leave because that's that's all these kids here. >> Thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> It was a lot of fun. >> By the way, the hot ticket next year is volleyball, so you ought to go see that. >> Okay. Next on our agenda, we'll have recognition of Miss Laura Ballard, principal, and M. Mr. Robert Melo, custodian Elliot Elementary School, Miss Nancy Romero, guidance administer, school
026services heroes. Dr. Zitlo, >> thank you. Um, on any given day at a school, we anticipate we may have to help a child or a staff member. We're always watching out for each other. But um uh about a month ago or so um we had an unexpected um need to help someone. And um when you have a medical emergency and your car ends up on the playground at our elementary school, our staff didn't hesitate. They just jumped in and helped. um they helped not only the gentleman um with the medical situation, but they also helped his um children who were in the car and scared. So, um I'm just thankful for employees who are willing to step in um at any given moment. And so, we'd like to recognize them with a certificate, do a
027picture with the board, and then we can do comments. So our first certificate is for our principal, Miss Laura Ballard. And we have recognition also from um Sharon Cork Silva's office. [applause] [cheering] Next. [applause and cheering] >> Next is for Mr. Robert Melo. [cheering and applause] And finally, Miss Nancy Romero. [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay, right off the bat we have board member Mchatten microphone turn. >> Mr. Melo, thank you so much for stepping up to the plate and doing what you needed to do that morning, not hesitating from what I hear and just um using the skills that you had for CPR and um bringing somebody back to life, right? >> Thank you so much, [applause] >> Board Member Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Did you want to say something? You can
028come up. I was gonna say and the gentleman's wife is here as well. If >> I could just >> let's bring her up. >> Yeah. [applause] Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to say thank you. Um, thank you for being our hero. Thank you for making it look easy. Um, you literally changed the lives of people in our community. Um, I know sometimes it's hard to accept recognitions, but receive it because you deserve it. You deserve it. So, thank you again. Thank you for being a role model for our students for them to see how brave you are and that they can also be brave. So, thank you for that. Thank you so much, Muchas. Gracias. [applause] So, what makes a hero? It's a person who stands up instead of runs away when
029tough situations happen. Um, I know this principal and this staff here and and if you see them, you see them every single day in front of the school concier service. I mean, they if these kids go to middle school, they're like, "Where's the person opening the door for me, letting me out?" Um, they're they're spoiled, but you know, it's um it's a mark of being personal for each person that you have there and that carries on to the other things that you do. And uh um we're just lucky and privileged at ABC to have a great team like yours uh teaching kids and and and saving literally saving lives. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. All right. The room's not empty yet. Okay, we have another one. We have a recognition for
030the Artisia Historical Society. Dr. Zitlo, >> thank you. Um, this past year or this current year that we're in is our 60th anniversary and we were blessed to be able to work with the Artisia Historical Society who has so wonderfully documented um just the educational history of our area um starting in the city of Artisia and as it's grown out. And so, um, with us this evening from the Artisia Historical Society is Barbara Appleberry, the co-president, Veronica Elizabeth Bloomfield from our arts council chair, and I don't know, are the other people here this evening? >> Oh, well, I'll stop reading names since I'm wrong. Let you introduce yourselves. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yep. Good evening, school board members, parents, students, all the educators who are here tonight. Also, city council members from Cerritos and
031Artisia. Great to see you all here tonight. As members of the Artisia Historical Society, we're here to commemorate two significant events in the life of our community. the founding of the town of Artisia 150 years ago and the creation of the ABC Unified School District 60 years ago. The life of our community is intertwined with our schools and our schools have grown as our community has evolved. Our community has always been culturally diverse with school pictures dating as far back as 1924 reflecting students of Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, and Mexican ancestry. The city of Artisia, which used to encompass all of Cerritos, was founded 150 years ago because of our first school. In 1875, the first school building was constructed. And 90 years later, after much growth and development, the Artisia School District joined with neighboring
032Bloomfield and Carmenita school districts to form the ABC Unified School District in 1965. And we celebrate that ABC has been renowned for its educational excellence, commitment to students and families, and community engagement. In 1993, the Artisia Historical Society was formed to preserve local history, historic buildings, and artifacts. One of the greatest accomplishments to date has been to partner with ABC Unified to host annual field trips for third graders to visit our two historic museums located off 187th Street in Artisia. Since the founding of this school tours program, volunteer dosent from the Artisia Historical Society have welcomed over 14,000 local students to learn their community's history. Students love this field trip for the hands-on games, the artifacts, the poster size historic photographs, the vintage fire truck, and the original 1875 school bell. Artisia Historical Society President
033Miss Barbara Appleberry will share a little bit more about this important program. >> Thank you so much for inviting us here this uh this evening. Um I'd like to give you just a little information how we begin started with our our tours. Um, Veronica Little Bloomfield and myself met with uh, Superintendent Ron Barnes in 2003 and discussed a uh, um, partnership with the historical society and the and the ABC school district for our third grade student tours. Uh this the to this meets the California State Social Studies requirements for third graders and to learn about their um local history. Sorry, my voice is going away. Um uh and so as Veronica said, we've seen over 14,000 students so far and we also had three years where we had COVID, so we were not Oh, thank
034you. we were not able to do our tours. So, um that's very kind of you. Thank you. Um, one of the things too, uh, what we offer, uh, the teachers when they come for the tours is we have a school bus scholarship. Uh, some of the schools, um, are not able to walk to the museums and so we offer uh, $70 uh, for a school to um, transportate the students to our tours. Um when they when they arrive at the museums um we divide them up into about four different groups and we do a tour of the house, a tour of uh they have a craft in the house and the craft is like a um a postcard and they uh learn different things. They have a a sheet of paper that with pictures on
035it and we cut those out and we put them on the postcard and they get to take those home. We also have an activity uh book that we um send home with the with the students and um and it's something that was developed um by the historical society and Elaine Berdick, I don't know if some of you remember her, she was instrumental in in uh designing that uh workbook and we're very proud of that. Um, we're very excited about a brand new projects and project and uh if you attended our fundraiser a few months back, you saw our school bill and it's it's getting closer to um being completed. uh we have the drawings into the city and uh hopefully in the fall of uh 2026 we'll be able to have a bell tower and
036the students and the teachers are uh they'll be able to ring that bell. So anyway, that's a just a little bit of history on that. So do you have any questions or any comments? >> Yes, I think we have board member uh Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um thank you for being here tonight. I I requested that we recognize this Artisia Historical Society because I see the amazing work that is done. Um and I wanted you to be recognized and I I'm a little selfish too because I enjoy that Artisia holds the history to our district and that our name still continues in the ABC Artisia Bloomfield Carmenita. So, I'm I'm a little, you know, biased. [laughter] >> So, I wanted to make sure because I think our city, even though we're maybe one
037of the smallest cities in the district, I think we have a big heart >> and we want to make sure that that history is shared not just with our community, but with our students, right? >> And so, the biggest part that I really enjoy is that our students get to go and learn about not only Artisia history, but our district history. So, thank you for doing that work. Thank you for continuing to to volunteer because it's all volunteer. >> It's all 100% volunteer. >> Volunteer. Um if you haven't been over to visit um the house and the old firehouse, it is beautiful. We just they just had their open house and we got to go visit. And so the kids get to see really what life was like back then. >> That's right. >> And
038compare it to to what what's now. Um so I heard you say that you have the school bell coming. We can ring it. >> Yes. >> Can we be one of the first ones to ring it? I I think we can probably arrange that. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um >> you might have to stand in line, but that's okay. >> I want to be first. >> Okay. >> First. Okay. [laughter] >> Um and al Are you still fundraising for the school bell tower? >> Of course. We're always fundraising for the our bell tower. Yes. >> How how can someone make a donation? >> Just write a check out to the Artisia Historical Society. We'll be glad to take it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I didn't hear that. Say it again. >> A little louder.
039Artisia Historical Society. Yes. >> And you take any amount. >> Any amount. $5,5,000 whatever. Yes. Yeah. We'll take it. >> Cryptocurrency. >> Oh, and we all have a website, too. So, it's artisiahistorical society.com. >> And we can donate on there, too. >> Yes, you may. And there's a lot of history in there, too. I think you'll enjoy that. >> And and I have to say, um, we've been an organization since 93. and and it was mentioned, we're 100% volunteer and we all have such a passion for what we do and and we uh uh always appreciate any support that we can get. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for doing the work that you're doing. >> Thank you. >> Oh, and we're going to give one comment for me just just before. So,
040I am involved in several different historical societies. one with Tuna Canyon detention and one is historic Wintersburg. And the key of this history is not just that it stays in the past. It's important to have the past, but it's for our youth, our future, our kids that and and that that they go out and to our elementary schools and teach them these are the values of our forefathers. This is why we are where we are. Unless you know your past, you do not have a foundation for a future. You can't envision anything. you don't know why things are the way they are. And so your lessons and the lessons that we learned from all of our diverse histories that this was Dutch, it's not just uh uh what it is today and and which is
041a very diverse community. How did it become like that? What are the the things that created this? And when you know where you're from, you can do even better. And so that's the mission that I am very happy that you guys are are putting forth and reaching out to our future and our youth and our kids and and um it was a great event that we I got to go and see and I learned a lot. It see does not mean certos it's carmenita art is the apparently the only one. Huh? What does that history come from? Um, but anyway, thank you very much. >> We'd like to honor you and I will be up there. >> Thank you. >> And so, board, if we'd like to take a picture with them, >> one more
042thing. We're looking forward to continuing our part partnership for many years to come. Pro myself. Okay. Okay. Okay, before I release Gav, I'd like to recognize I think uh Councilwoman Zil here is in the back. Could you raise I think that's her. Yeah, raise your hand. They run real deep in Zartisia apparently. Okay. Well, at this point in the meeting, according to our agenda, I will turn the meeting over to Dr. Zitlo who will conduct an election. >> Thank you very much. We will now start with the election of president. I now declare nominations open for the position of board president. Are there any nominations? Mr. Nishi, >> I'd like to nominate Francisco Nyola. He's been >> he's been an excellent vice president. He's uh learned a lot and he has that quiet certitude and
043ability to listen and I think that's what makes him the most qualified president for next year. >> Thank you. >> He's good to take on the next next year. Thank you. I I second. >> Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Hearing none. Liz, we need a roll call vote, please. >> Mrs. Yokyamabui, >> yes. >> Mrs. McCaten, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mendoza, >> yes. >> Mr. Nishi, >> yes. >> Mr. Nyola, >> uh, yes. [laughter] >> Not sure about that, huh? >> Dr. Rios, >> yes. >> Mrs. you. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. Not motion. >> I'd like to introduce the new president of the board, Mr. [applause] Francisco Noyola. [applause] Um, I would like to start by of course thanking my colleague here on the school board. I would want to thank
044uh pres former president Nishi for his guidance in the last year. I've learned so much as his VP uh on what it means to be a leadership. We've had a very challenging and tough year, but his under his leadership, you know, we we came forward, we stuck together, and we are still a unified school board here, and our community still supports us. So, I'm very grateful for your leadership and your your mentorship. So, thank you. Um, for the rest of my board, I also want to thank you guys for allowing me to be in this position. Um, being the the youngest school board member up here, it means a lot to to my community, to my family, um, to everyone here who's who's supported me and trusted me. So, I appreciate you guys. To Dr.
045Zitlo, >> to Dr. Zilo, I think we are the first student principal uh, combo. So, Dr. Zilo was my my principal at Gar High School, and I'm glad to be a gladiator back up here. Uh, and finally, I want to thank the community, the staff, our administrators, they they do everything to make us look good up here on the board. Uh, staff, teachers, principles, they they make it happen. They are the busy bees every day waking up early before the sun comes up, you know, getting our kids ready for school. And I also want to thank our classified staff, our unsung heroes. They are the ones that keep the lights on. They're the ones that set up those chairs that you're sitting in. They do everything that makes our day transition smoothly. And without them,
046we wouldn't have a smooth day. I want to thank our classified, our certificated staff for everything they do. They feed our kids, they drive our kids, you know, they take our pictures, they make us look good, they keep our kids safe, they are security, they do everything for us. Uh, and lastly, uh, I also want to thank my my my family. [applause] Of course, I'll start with uh my >> I'll start with my my mom. She >> Can she stand up? >> If she can stand up. >> Yeah. Mom, stand up. >> Mom, [applause] u my mom and my grandma are here tonight. um they made incredible sacrifices to come here to ABC. Um my grandma made incredible sacrifices to raise her kids at ABC and I am a second generation alumni. Am very proud
047to be that. >> I also want to thank my cousins for being here that they were here growing up with me. They and of course all my friends that are here tonight. Everybody here I consider you guys a friend. So, I appreciate, you know, you guys' collaboration, your trust. I really hope to do my best as the president this year. And lastly, I also want to thank my my wife, Lupe, in the back [applause] for your patience. I know there's a lot of long nights uh ahead of us, so I really appreciate you being patient and allowing me to be here. Thank you. So, with that, I will now move on to elections of the vice presidents. I now declare nominations open for the position of vice president. >> Anybody? >> I think >> Yeah.
048I'd like to nominate Tatiana Yokoyama uh for the position of vice president uh as a clerk and her first time being on the board. uh her commitment, her passion and compassion and just her uh teachable spirit, try to be fair and try to be objective has been very um impressive and really appreciate that. So, she's very qualified. >> Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Seeing none, I will ask for a roll call vote. >> Mrs. Mrs. Yokoyama Buui. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McCaten. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mendoza. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nishi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Nyola. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rios. >> Yes. >> Mrs. U. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. 70. >> Thank you. I'm proud to [applause] >> I'm very happy to announce our new vice president, Miss Tatiana Yokoyama Buouie.
049And [applause] our next is we will have our election of our clerk. I will now declare nominations open for the position of clerk of the board of education. Do I have any nominations? >> Dr. Rios, >> I'd like to nominate board member Leticia Mendoza for the position of clerk. >> And I'll second that. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? >> Well, I was going to second that. >> Can I have a roll call vote? >> Mrs. Yokayyama? >> Yes. >> Mrs. McCaten? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mendoza? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nishi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Nyola? >> Yes. >> Dr. Rios? >> Yes. >> Mrs. U? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 70. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Artisia. I >> think you have a big group here. [laughter] >> I'm very proud to announce
050our new clerk of the board, Miss Laticia Mendoza. >> Congratulations. [applause] Next, we will have our election of our secretary to the board. Um, I would like to nominate Dr. Gina Zitlo, superintendent as a secretary to the board of education. If there are no objections, I will ask for a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. Eyes have it. We will now move on to our presentations to outgoing president Mr. Nishi. >> Mr. Nishi, will you please join us at the podium? Our first presentation this evening will be by Mr. Joe PAC representing Assembly Member uh Sharon Corksova. [applause] Hello everybody. My name is Joe Pack. I'm a senior field rep for assembly member Sharon Cook Silva. On behalf of the assembly woman, I'd like to present certificate of recognition
051to outgoing uh president, honorable in honor of your leadership as president of the ABC Unified School District School Board and uh on behalf of the 67 assembly district, I commend you for your commitment and dedication to the ABC Unified School District. Thank you for the time and effort you have dedicated to public service and to making the ABC Unified School District a safer, beautiful, and more quality place to educate children. Congratulations and best of luck in all your future endeavors. December 9th, 2025, Assembly Member Sharon Cooks Silva. [applause] I also have one for outgoing vice president. Okay. And also board club. >> But it's same wedding. So there you go. >> To save the time. There's a delicious food waiting outside. We can do a picture with the whole group and then we'll do one
052with just Mr. Nishi after Next, we will have a presentation by Lauren Yokcomisu. Excuse me. Y Lauren Yokiso representing board of supervisor Janice Han's office. [cheering] >> Good evening. It's a pleasure to be here on behalf of Supervisor Janice Han to join the ABC Unified School District in recognizing outgoing President Ernie Nishi. Mr. Nishi, thank you for your strong leadership during a very challenging year. The supervisor would like to thank you for your unwavering dedication and support of the school district. The students um that you serve are are lucky to have uh you all. She appreciates you for all of the many hours that you all have put into meetings and going to events and all of your support for the district and all the staff. So, thank you very much and I know that
053your team will continue to do amazing work. Thank you. [applause] Thank you. Next, um, we'll have recognition from the city of Artisia mayor and council members. Uh good evening uh outgoing president Nishi. Uh congratulations to the new board president and uh the other board members. My name is Renee Trevino. I'm the mayor for the city of Artisia. And I have along with me our most of our council tonight. Uh we've got the mayor prom Melissa Ramoso. Uh we've got council member uh Monica Manalo and council member Zilah here. So I just wanted to represent tonight uh the 18,000 residents of the great city of Artisia and say thank you for all your service to the students. Not only are you representing Trustee Area 3, which is Cerritos, Cerritos High School, which I happen to be
054associated with for about the last nine years, but with that u you're everywhere. You're in Artisia, you're in Hawaiian Gardens, you're everywhere in the district and we noticed that it was a tough year and you made tough decisions and thanks to your steadfast leadership, the district will be better for it moving forward. So, on behalf of the city of Artisia, all its 18,000 residents, we uh commend you for your dedicated leadership and positive contributions you've made to ABC, its students, families, and staff during your tenure. This is signed this day, the ninth day, by the mayor, and the city council. Congratulations. [applause] Lucky you. [laughter] [clears throat] [applause] Thank you. Next we have um presentation by the city of Cerritos mayor and council members. [applause] Hello, Ernie. Um, my name is Frank Aurelio Yokoyama. I'm
055honored to be the mayor of the city of Cerritos and I'm here with my awesome colleagues, Council Member Jennifer Hong and Council Member Sophia Se. Thank you for joining me here in this very important recognition of this uh outstanding outgoing president of the award-winning ABC Unified School District School Board President Ernie Nishi. Um, I am so honored to be the mayor this year that I get to recognize outgoing President Ernie Nishi because um, he and I uh, were we're were girl dads. [clears throat] That's why I'm wearing this t-shirt that says awesome like my daughter. And um uh our daughters uh are the same age and they went to the same elementary school uh uh started kindergarten together. They went to the same ABC middle school together. The same ABC high school together and they
056went to they both went to UC Davis. So and they went to the same preschool. So, [laughter] so we are proud ABC dads of a uh two incredible young women who graduated from the ABC school district and we're now Aggie dads who they both graduated from UC Davis because of the ABC school district and all of the incredible educators and teachers and principles and staff of the ABC school district. So because of that journey that I took as a dad with Mr. Ernie Nishi Esquire um on top of everything I saw what an incredible dad he is. So that art he has instilled in this unprecedented past year of the ABC school district working hard with this incredible board to do the things that we need to do to make the ABC school district to
057continue to be one of the top school districts in the state. So, thank you for your leadership and thank you for your mentorship of this board, including the young and new board members, our new president, our new vice president. Congratulations to clerk Leticia Mendoza. Leti congratulations to the all the incredible things Dr. Ogario, Jeannie McAden, and Sue are doing working together on this team. So, we're honored to recognize your president who accomplished great things this year by working together with this winning team. Thank you. [applause] So, I will we will now uh Jennifer and Sophia and I will now present Ernie and take a photo with him with our framed city of Critos proclamation. Thank you. So, this is Ernie's moment. Congratulations, Ernie. But Jennifer and Sophia will now give will hand the proclamations to
058outgoing vice president uh Francisco Noyola and to outgoing clerk Tatiana Yoko Yamaboui. If you could please hand it to them. Thank you. Congratulations for a fantastic year. Francisco and Tatiana. >> [applause] >> Oh, and then we're going to take a photo. Thank you so much. Our next recognition will be by our ABC Federation of Teachers, Mr. Ray Gar. Good evening, Rig from the ABC Federation of Teachers. >> Ruben Mancas from the ABC Federation of Teachers. >> I dragged him up here. Uh first off, uh congratulations to the outgoing officers and the new uh incoming officers. Uh congratulations, President Noyella. Um this is this is the 15th uh congratulations that for time served you know uh that I've done and I can't I wish I could say that the job gets easier every year for presidents
059but it doesn't and Ernie has Mr. Ernie he's done a ridiculously tough job and made it look easy. Um ABC is going through some monumental revolutionary changes and to have somebody at the helm and to train with the board, the rest of the board to train each other on how to navigate this very tricky time in education and to have somebody strong and wise and kind and just a good communicator with us during in this time is something that we should not uh you know slight um it's a rare gift to do what you've done as president and you have kept us it says united up there uh this district over the last decade could have easily spun into uh infighting with trustees and very negative stuff and you as president have maintained just as
060previous presidents that we're a united district working for this community and we thank you for everything you've done on behalf of the ABC Federation of Teachers. Thank you for this last year. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you. Next, we'll have recognition from our ABC Management Association, Dr. Christine Baldwina. >> [applause] >> Thank you. I have the privilege of being the president of the ABC Management Association and joining me, I don't know why they're standing behind me. They can come around are members of our executive board of [laughter] Mr. Craig Sprat, Dr. Myra Lozano, and Mr. Rob Beno. Uh Mr. Mr. Nishi, on behalf of the ABC Management Association, we want to express our sincere appreciation for your service this past year. Your tenure has been marked by steadiness, collaboration, and a deep commitment to serving
061all students and staff of ABC Unified. You have led with clarity, purpose, and respect. Qualities that have provided guidance and direction for the important work happening across our schools. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart you've invested in this role. Your thoughtful stewardship and consistent support of the district's mission have made a meaningful difference in the work we do each day on behalf of students. As a small token of our appreciation, we present this orchid to you, a symbol of admiration, integrity, and lasting impact. So, thank you, Mr. Nishi, for your service, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to the ABC community. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. Next, Mr. Nyola will be um sharing the proclamation from the city of Norwok. So on behalf of the city of Norwok, I would
062like to present this plaque to Mr. Ernishi uh commendation. Whereas Ernie Nishi has served the LBC Unified School Board of Education with integrity, vision, and steadfast commitment to student success, always prioritizing academic, emotional, and social well-being for every child. And whereas the city of Norwok wishes to acknowledge his M Mr. Ernishi for his years of dedicated service, unwavering dedication, and transformative contributions to the ABC Unified School District and the broader community. Now therefore, I Tony Ayala, Mayor of the City of Norwok, on behalf of Vice Mayor Jennifer Perez and my fellow council members Rick Ramirez, Margarita Rios, and Anna Valencia, do hereby commend President Ernie Nishi. Congratulations. [applause] So, on behalf of the ABC Unified School District, we want to thank you for your year of service as our president. And we have a plaque
063for you. And we have a video show we'd like to play before we have your colleagues make comments. So, we'll do a picture and then we'll watch a slideshow. I feel like we should have some intermission music or something like Ernie's favorite song >> or something. Is this going to be embarrassing? [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [applause] >> Do I have any board comments or uh vice president Yokoyama Buouie? I'm now that I've got used to saying President Nishi, I'd have to change that. Ernie, thank you so much for your guidance and leadership um for the board. Um I met you before previously. I don't I don't even know we can call it
064meeting, but I would see you around at the Southeast Japanese Community Center. So, I knew about the work you did there. I also heard about all the good work you did um at our schools, starting the Leo Elementary Arts program and putting a lot of hard time and effort into that, building that. And um with all that and knowing all the work you've done throughout the years just as a parent and a volunteer, it has been an honor to work along alongside you to hear you speak just and and taking in, you know, really into account all the potential issues and everything that could could happen on on a particular um topic we're discussing. I've learned a lot from you. Um, your ability to to again, as so many have spoke before, to be professional,
065to have integrity, to be trustworthy. I really look up to you for that. Um, and I'm so appreciative and so honored to have worked alongside you. I know as clerk, I uh was learning a lot and I maybe let people talk a little bit more than I should have and and I could kind of feel your eyes on me like, "Hey, let's let's uh get this meeting. Let's be efficient." But I um even set even setting that aside, I've had such a great time working with you, attending events with you, and I'm so thankful that we still have some time to work together on the board um so we could all continue to learn from you. So, thank you. Congratulations, [applause] >> board member Dr. Rios. Thank you, Miss Well, I want to extend my
066heartfelt um appreciation to our outgoing president uh Mr. Ernie Nishi for his exceptional leadership and dedication to our district. And make sure I have this written down because I want to get to come out just right. His strong followth through, actionoriented approach, and genuine care for students, staff, and families have guided us through important initiatives and really strengthened our district and our communities. We've been on this board for eight years now and never shied away from decisions um from hard choices, always approaching tough decisions with integrity, courage, and commitment to doing what is best for children. Throughout his presidency, he modeled what it means to lead with compassion and purpose. I am deeply grateful for the lasting impact of his service and the steady thoughtful leadership he has provided and look forward to more years
067serving on this board with you Ernie. Thank you >> board member Mendoza. >> Thank you Mr. President. Um I just want to start off Ernie by saying thank you. We don't always see eye to eye but you're very respectful and you're very accessible. I know many times I've called you up and even though we don't see eye to eye, you take my phone calls and we we talk it out. Um, but I also want to thank your family because as we serve, we don't serve by ourselves. Our family serve with us. So, thank you to your wife and to your daughter for always being very supportive of you and allowing you to do the work that you're doing. Um, you as you leave your presidency, you we have big shoes to fill because you are
068everywhere. You are out in our schools. You're out in the community. you you don't see lines between cities or be trusting between trust areas. You go everywhere and I appreciate that because sometimes we as board members, we can't be at every place, but you are you're everywhere. So, thank you for that. Um, and thank you for your leadership. And I think I think Dr. Rio said it best, eight years and you've been the model um for board members who are just coming in and returning board members. So, thank you again for your for your service and for your leadership. >> Board member McCann. >> Ernie, thank you for your guidance to me as a new board member. Um, you were a wonderful mentor to me. Um, you have been a devoted board president and as
069everyone has said, you are at every event in in the district in every city. um and your your presence is always so appreciated. Um your heart was definitely in the right place in this job. Thank you for guiding us through some very tough decisions this year and helping guide ABC in the right direction for the future. Thank you so much for everything you've done. [applause] >> Board member you. >> Thank you President Nyola. Um, Ernie, I could only imagine uh the burden when you received a letter from LEO, Los Angeles County of Education regarding our budget crisis that we need to meet the requirement uh and uh the tough um decisions and the difficult work that you had to navigate throughout the district and to make sure and ensure that we are one unified district
070and just like all my uh fellow colleagues have mentioned about being at all the events and performances, graduation and just uh running your own practice. You know, I see you running all the time, right? [laughter] So, thank you for your hard work and your leadership. really appreciate your dedication and uh the school consolidation was really tough and really appreciate and I echo um everything our president of the union uh you know Ray Gar mentioned it's been a tough year but uh we were able to get started on it as a one unified district you know because we need to sustain oursel in California and really uh your leadership have really um gave us that jump start to stay unified and keep up with the good work, collaborate with all the stakeholders and um thank you
071very much. You did it in a very um peaceful way. Your personality, you know, of uh non-confrontational uh collaborate with many different stakeholders, you know, you were able to navigate that was awesome. Thank you. God bless you. Thank you. Um to close u outgoing president Mr. Nishi um I can only echo what everyone else has already said and what everybody here is you know here to can say again and again. Um your leadership, your dedication to our district um is a legacy. It's a legacy that we are here to follow. We could leave this job up to you and you could probably do an amazing job all by yourself, but we are here to learn with you and to be a team. Um, you your commitment to finding out the best solution to collaborating with
072compromising with us. We might not always see eye to eye, but because of our unified under your leadership, we are able to move forward with ABC and its legacy of excellence and doing what's best for kids. So, that's the main thing you've always done, what's best for kids. So, thank you for that. And now we will have outgoing president's comments. Um, thank you. Uh probably should have had this vetted before but uh any event I can't name everyone in this room that I have to be thankful for but everyone in this room um I am extremely uh humbled to be uh part of. Uh I have to name some people though specifically that had a huge sacrifice throughout this whole thing. I think uh board member Mendoza or Clark Mendoza said it the best. You
073don't do this job by yourself. Um my father and mother through my wife Munchoi, if you could please stand. If he's here, he may have left because it's kind of late at night. Is he here? No. Okay. Anyway, he's a top sc he was a top scientist at RT TRW north of Gman. He revolutionized satellites. um and his wife Bo Choi uh was also a top top universities, but they made sure that our refrigerator was overflowing with food. I had nothing to want for great Korean food, by the way. Um they made sure everything was easy for me. Um and I think I have some flowers over there. We'll give it over to my uh wife for right now, so she'll have extra things to carry. I don't I don't think he's here. I think
074they went home. It's been a long night. Oh, she is here. I made her come here. [laughter] My smart, intelligent daughter who heard all those great comments. Uh some of them are true, I'm sure. Um but she's going to make a difference wherever she goes. She did a lot on her own because she had to because I was doing this job. I remember she did a mural at Ferguson and she called me up and she said, "Dad, the the gates are locked. What do I do?" And it took everything in my power not to drive down from Sacramento to go and save her. But um to her credit, she was able to adjust, adjust, adapt, figure it out, which is what you do as a a growing adult. But um without her I could not
075have done uh any of this and my wife mostly here Chay Yangyong um LUSD teacher who knows education. Um you know a lot of people think that the board just convenes twice a month or once a month and and that's all it is but it is countless days it is missed dinners. It is, you know, she would ask me, "Do you have to do this?" And, you know, you kind of have to do it. I had multiple TE's with the trustees. We had community meetings, city partners, all of these other things. When we went to CSBA, she was the eighth trustee or the eighth uh delegate member. she had to sit through all of these uh boring long meetings or sometimes for the most part she was by herself, right? I should be home with
076her, taking care of her and honoring her as as a husband would. And she sacrificed a lot. So, I'm going to present her some flowers. [applause] >> [applause] >> Oh, okay. We'll do the picture later. Okay. Um, you know, to do this job, you got to learn. I can't know everything. It's a $300 million budget, so there's no way I could know what's being served on the cafeteria on Tuesday. I admire the leader from Artisia that talked about a 68 cent issue where they helped that one individual with that. But this job cannot be done without the people, the workers, the people who actually do and know what's being fed on Tuesday at Le or Carmenita or Critos or Ferguson or Aloha or any of those schools. So, a lot of the thanks goes to
077the staff, the person who who cleans the toilets, the person who cuts the grass, those things didn't magically happen by themselves. It is a lot of work to get all of this done. And so, um, I have to thank them as well for the hard work to make sure that our kids are doing as best as they can. They, you know, 99% of the time I don't know everything that's happening. I have to learn what's happening because staff is is doing the best they can to to to handle the issues that are very key for us. This is the longest and the shortest years of my life. Started off with a bang, you know, we had the fourth uh we had the the parade, the 605 parade, which was the first time we ever went
078to the Rose Parade, seeing those kids, you know, playing and having uh those things. But then bam, right out of the gate, we had a structural deficit. As uh Suyu mentioned, I got a letter from the county saying, "You don't have any money. Let's figure it out." But us as a team, all of us together, we had our first budget session and we buckled down and we figured out how to address these issues, how to do it without the kids seeing it, keep the cuts away from the kids. And I think for the most part we're able to do that. We still have challenges for the future in terms of the other things but I applaud having we could have split. Money is often times you know when you get married the biggest issue is
079usually money. Uh in this case our board did not split. Our board stayed together came up with some good ideas and we unified along a position that could keep it away from them. Talk is cheap. uh when we talk talk about transparent governance, you know, we always like to talk about the good things, the presentations, all that stuff. But this board opened up about AB218 and this is a case I should have had probably had this vetted, but um it's about the victims that happened long time ago aboard many many many years ago, but the impacts are being felt today with our kids today. And instead of hiding away and putting it into a back pocket that nobody would see, being embarrassed, we publicize it. We let people know. We uh let them know that
080there's going to be a big impact for our kids for the future. Those are big challenges. Not a popular thing to do. We are able to mourn with the victims because we're being open about it. The board supported an annual day of remembrance where we have World War II survivors of American incarcer incarceration answer questions of high school, middle school, and elementary schools. Probably 20,000 people have seen this pres presentation. They don't say terrible things about our country. They actually say great things about our country. They say great things about our country because they were kids at the time. But the main thing that the lessons are learned that this board supported, it's not that we did terrible things, but that we are all people and that these future leaders, these future children that we
081have here, that they have empathy in their hearts, that ice in their veins, that when they see injustice happens, these kids from ABC will be trained to provide and and stop when they see somebody being beaten on the ground. these kids will have that lesson in their hearts. So, I'm thankful for this board to enable and allow that and I'm thankful for this staff and this this um group for allowing that. Um it's a painful year as everybody had alluded to. We had longstanding issues. We there's no real playbook for for making these difficult decisions. Um, and I don't blame the predecessors for pushing it off. Actually, quite frankly, this is something that you do push off for as long as you can to to consolidate a school. It's heartbreaking. It is. Nobody ever dreams
082to do this when you're a board member. But this board worked through the issues. We we fought. We talked. Um and the first time around we didn't come up to a conclusion but we didn't give up because we knew that the end at the very end about the education of all our kids and in the end we did all together come up with a solution. We didn't get do everything that we wanted but we got most of it. Uh engagement continues. So the challenges of that one decision is a ripple effect for everything else that we have in the future. We have continual engagement with our city partners to discuss the impacts of these decisions that we made for the first time in 35 years. We will be talking with the city of Critos, Artisia,
083Lakewood, Norwok, Long Beach, all of these areas that are directly affected by our critical decisions here. Um, it's a continuing dialogue and this board is strong enough and through your leadership, we will accomplish it. We will view better The world will look different. Change will always happen. But through your leadership, through all of us together supporting you, it will happen that we have we still continue to have the best district. Um, our district is reaping the benefits of a good united board. There are some boards out there that are divided and broken and uh when they hit the hard times, they fight each other and you see that all over the place. Uh but we have partners in with the union to find solutions to get what everybody needs in this. The results speak for
084themselves. Critos High School has gone up to up broke the 400 mark in the US News and World Reports. Artisia went up a thousand schools. A thousand schools. schools they went gotten better of. Whitney is number one in California. We have 16 schools in the honor role and 18 distinguished schools, although I'm not sure they're going to have that award anymore. California will still have the honor. We have athletes. We have the great volleyball team. We had girls wrestling. We have basketball. We have football. Um, and you know, little secret here. I actually, it's the longest year of my life, but it's also the shortest. I actually do enjoy making a difference, being heard, and listening to the people out there to to tell me what do we need out here? How can we better
085serve? And when we are able to make that happen, it it u it makes me feel good. um this community support with this community support ABC will see a better tomorrow and I know that it's going to happen. So, thank you. [applause] Now, let's eat. Oh, wait. That's this. We will now take a recess for half an hour and resume the meeting at 9:15. Please join us in the foyer for a reception. >> Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey, hey, hey. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music]
086>> Heat. [music] Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> a hey. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Down. [music] >> [music] >> Hey, [music] hey, [music] hey. [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Are you ready? Guide you. Got it. Power. Come on. Yeah. Hey. Hey. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Next board item. Uh board president will appoint board members to the following committees and as city liaison. We will now seek volunteers from the board members to participate as a leison to the committee. Uh diversity unity equity board advisory committee. Do I have any volunteers? Board Clerk Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to volunteer for the diversity, unity, and equity board advisory committee
087and also for the city of Artisia leaison. >> Thank you. Moving on. Finance audit board advisory committee. Do I have any volunteers? Board member Miss U. >> Yes, president. >> I'd like to volunteer for the finance and audit board advisory committee. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Legislative policy board advisory committee. Do I have any volunteers? Board vice president, Miss Yokamui. >> I would like to volunteer, Mr. President, for the legislative policy. >> Thank you. Strategic planning board advisory committee. Do I have any volunteers? >> I would like to volunteer for the strategic planning board advisory committee. >> Thank you. Board member McCann, City of Artisia Leaison. >> I'd like to volunteer. for that one or is there two people? >> I think I already mentioned in the first one that I wanted to do
088>> board member Mendoza. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> City of Certos leader. Okay, got it. I thought you did Artisia. >> Cerritos. >> City of Cerritos. Do I have volunteer? >> Got one. >> Board member Nishi. Thank you. City of Hawaiian Gardens leaison. I would like to volunteer myself. >> City of Lakewood leaison. Do I have any volunteers? >> Board member Dr. Rios. Thank you. City of Norwok liaison. Do I have any volunteers? >> Oh, I'd like to volunt. >> Board member Gene McCann. Thank you. Head Start board liaison. Do I have any volunteers? >> Tatiana will volunteer. >> Thank you. Vice President Yokoyama. County Committee, School District Organization, Los Angeles County School Trustees Association. I need one member. Do I have any volunteers? >> Thank you. Board member Dr. Rios. Next, I would
089like to approve the agenda. May I have a motion to approve the agenda for the regular meeting on December 9th, 2025? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70. Approval of minutes. May I have a motion to approve minutes of regular meeting of November 4th, 2025? Do I have a motion? >> Mendoza. >> Second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. >> Board of Education President report. >> I. >> Um, my first report I was able to attend uh CSVA last week where I was joined by board members Dr. Rios and vice president Yokyamabui. We learned a lot. The topic of the week was AI. So AI is on top of every school board member's mind. Um, we learned a
090lot about where AI, where AI is, how it's being implemented, and how it can help our students succeed in life and in their academic careers. Um, and this week on Monday, I was able to attend the grand opening of the little library at Ferguson Elementary. So, I want to thank the city of Hawaiian Gardens for joining me in the ribbon cutting for Ferguson Elementary. We got to donate books to their little library and have a kindergarten class come out and read on the front lawn. So, thank you, City of Hawaiian Gardens and Ferguson Elementary. Uh, with that, I'll go into my superintendent report. >> Thank you. Um, I just want to say that it's been a great year. I've really enjoyed not only working with U Mr. Nishi as the president, but the board, and
091I'm looking forward to working with the new board president, Mr. Nyola. Um, I'm continuing school visits. I'm about twothirds of the way through. I go into every classroom just looking to see what are students doing, how are they engaged with their learning, and it's always exciting to just see the way our teachers and staff engage with our students and help them um to explore and learn. Um I just want to continue um to remind our families that we as a district will follow the law. We will continue to ensure that all of our students are not only able to have the best education possible, but do so regardless of background, beliefs, immigration status. And um I'd like to remind families that if you have some type of other need, if you have food needs, if
092you have clothing needs, maybe there's other materials you need, please reach out to your school. We can refer you to our ABC community center. We want to be helpful. um if you're experiencing challenges at this time. And with that, I'll conclude my report. >> Thank you, Dr. Zilo. Employee representative reports, Mr. Ray Gar. Moving on. Public hearing uh initial proposal from CSEA to open negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2025 2028 master contract. I would like to open public hearing. on the initial proposal submitted to California School Employee Association and its ABC chapter number 24 CSCA to reopen negotiations for a successor collective bargain agreement for the 2025 20226 master contract on article 1 agreement article 27 ratification copies of the initial proposal are available for the public view are there any
093public comments >> Mr. President. Yes, we do. We have three speakers. Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. >> Seeing no public comments. Thank you. Public comments is now closed. >> District's response to CSEA initial proposal to negotiate a successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2025 2028 master contract. I would like to open the public hearing on ABC Unified School District response to the California School Employee Association and it ABC Chapter 24 initial proposal to reopen negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2025 2028 master contract article 1 agreement article 27 ratification. Copies of the initial proposal are available for the public to view. Are there any public comments? >> There are none. >> Thank you. hearing. No public comments. This public hearing is closed. >> Public comments. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Madame Vice
094President, you made this look easy. [laughter] >> So, we do have four speakers now. Um, persons wishing to address the board should fill out a card located on the table by the door and submit the completed card to the secretary. Speakers will be called in sequence during the public comment section or prior to the board discussion. on an agenda item. The board shall provide one hour for speakers to address non-aggendaized items. Each speaker is limited to one presentation of 5 minutes or less. Those who have a group concern are encouraged to select a spokesperson to address the board. Should there be more than 15 speakers for non-aggendaized items, individual speakers shall be allowed three minutes to address the board. In order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the board, any
095non-English speaker who utilizes a translator shall be provided twice the allotted time to speak. Please remember that the board is unable to directly respond to comments made during the public comments section. In addition, the district does not verify the accuracy of the statements made during public comments. Persons wishing to address the board on a specific agenda item at the time the item is under discussion are limited to five minutes each and will be called to speak following the staff comments and prior to the board's discussion and taking action. The board shall provide 30 minutes for speakers to address agenda items. Should there be more than six speakers for agenda items, individual speakers shall be allotted three minutes to address the board on the item. Adverse remarks about a person's race, ancestry, ethnic group identification, religion,
096color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, mental or physical disability, or age may not be made. People of please avoid remarks or charges which reflect upon the character, motives, qualifications, or ability of any school district employee regardless if the identification is by name, position, or other reference. Such comments may be presented through the proper administrative channel set forth in bylaw 9323. So our first speaker is Dr. Christine Valpa. You have five minutes. Please please give me grace. It's my first time using the the paddles and the [laughter] Okay, here we go. Good evening, President Nyola, Vice President Yokoyama Buouie, Clerk Mendoza, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Zitlo, and ABC community. My name is Dr. Christine Babwin, and I'm the president of the ABC Management Association. Joining me are members are of our executive board.
097We are honored to briefly recognize a remarkable student from our district who was recently selected for a very special honor. Each year, the Association of California School Administrators, AXA, recognizes students across the state with the Every Student Succeeding Award. Within AXA Region 14, our local charter has the opportunity to nominate one student who exemplifies extraordinary resilience and determination. This year, ABCMA proudly selected a truly extraordinary young person, Whitney High School junior Riley Wang. Riley has faced circumstances that would halt many students educational journeys. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with Euing saroma, a rare form of bone cancer. Even while navigating an intense treatment schedule, and the physical and emotional demands that come with it, Riley remained deeply committed to her learning. Supported by her counselor, her Whitney High School teachers, her home hospital teacher,
098and her dedicated principal, Dr. Stuffers. She continued to push herself academically and stay connected to her school community. What stands out most about Riley is not only her perseverance, but her sense of purpose. Even as she continues to navigate a difficult journey, she is already looking ahead. Riley hopes to attend college and pursue a career in pharmacy with the goal of helping other children who face serious illnesses. Along the way, she still finds joy in dancing, spending time with friends, enjoying her favorite foods, and relaxing with her dog, Meatball. Riley is a proud product of ABC Unified, having attended Gonzalez Elementary, Carmenita Middle School, and now Whitney High School. Her journey is a testament to her unwavering strength and the power of a caring community. Last week on December 2nd, she was honored at the
099Axer Region 14 Every Student Succeeding Awards dinner at the Double Tree Hilton in Torrance, where she received this certificate, a Chromebook, and a monetary award in recognition of her achievements and resilience. Although the board cannot comment or take photos during public comments, we felt it was important for the ABC community to hear Riley's story and to join us in celebrating her courage and perseverance. Riley, on behalf of the ABC Management Association, your district leaders, and this entire community, congratulations. We're incredibly proud of you. And at this time, we invite everyone in the room to join us in offering WY Riley a well-deserved round of applause. [applause] Thank you. [applause] Our next speaker is um city of Cerritos Councilwoman Sophia Se and also a former ABC school board member. Thanks and call me ABC number nine.
100[laughter] Um you know I want to special thanks the event you just about Riley. I know Riley the whole thing about her family history in the past. I do want to say thank you um the principal uh Tuesday suffer I think they just left. They really was very helpful when Riley was sick. They have to take Ryd to children hospital. So, I've been work with the family even though my head's off from here, but I still care the kids in here. Really went through so much. So much you don't know how much. I cannot publicly uh talk about her. But I do want to say it's a great family. Uh Ry mom uh even help us a little while and great mother and suffer too much. But Riley is still heads up and still working
101hard. And I try to talk to Ryd don't go back to school. You need to stay out. And Ry doesn't want to. She want to study. and she used to have a long long hair. Now her hair is totally right is a great case and I want to thank you again um the ABC school board to show the love and caring and about education. Nothing but education here. That's what I'm here for. I want to thank you my old colleague. I wrote it down here. I want to congratulate my old colleague on wrapping up your term as ABC school board president. But most people doesn't know the history between me and him back a long time ago when I met Ernie was we were volunteer clean the people's yard and that's how we very started
102beginning and then I told Ernie said we need you in the our district because our lawyer we have to pay if we have a lawyer come to stay was you know each time they visit us we have to pay and I say I need you because we need some of the law information and Ernie's right there and help us say don't use this money there too much that this and that really give me a lot of help. So you got a seats and we work together and from there is like a brother and sister together. That's how I see our colleague here. Um, everyone here included union people, our administrator people, we are family and sometimes I call lady, hey sister, what you doing? You know, it's a family. We love sometime we disagree but
103again back to table we care and that's the things I'm looking into upon to which is our city council. Hopefully we can al also work in that way and we're working toward that way. I want to same thing that school board is we are so good to each others. We demonstrate the love, the caring and focus nothing but education and I want to thank you my sister and brother here really appreciate. So I want to say Ernie you wrap it up your turn and then so many things he had done not just only as a school board member or president. You mentioned he running around everywhere to go but he also do a lot of abyisma uh Asian Pacific Island uh association school association. He also involved the API and Ernie also take care of
104the wife at home and he also sometime take care of me too. He took me to the fishing. He took me some other places and we have a good time and I miss that and I say I really do I still sometimes call him say hey what you doing you know are you okay what kind of and he calls me too come to my house we can talk and that's how the relationship every single board member here that's how our relation how we relate to each other's love and caring you know I know um clerk say sometime we don't eye to eye I you know what that's okay you know even husband has but we don't have that eye to eye all the time. Most of the time is love and care about each other.
105So I want to thank you Ernie for your hard work and I don't know you still carry the uh episma. I don't know you killed the position API position or are you still a dedicated assembly? Are you that's a lot of work. He just not just only the school board here. He volunteered himself for everything. Maybe one day you and I still go back and clean the freeway. Okay. I'm looking forward to I'm looking forward to it. But again congratulation also want congratulation Letty for your new position the clerk and you know what to do and also uh Yokoyama bui and I know being working together co- section you are awesome you are top leech and we have two lawyer here now so definitely everything will handle legally I want to thank you all and
106god bless you all merry Christmas and happy new year oh by the way that's my sign >> you just told me that >> that's my >> [laughter] >> Our next speaker is Kira Chawa. >> Good evening. Uh, President Nyola Ernie, thank you for your service as a board president. You've had a had to navigate a difficult decisionmaking process. To the new board president, Frank, I wish you all too. We are not done with realigning the district district schools and services to meet the needs of our students. There are strong headwinds that all districts in California will face. But if we're truly honest about providing education skills and habits that will empower all of our students to be successful and being a part of a workforce, you won't go wrong. Keep your focus and that's what
107we're about. Second, I wanted to tell you about Rohit. Born to Indian parents here in Cerritos. He went to Whitman Elementary, Carmenita, Cerritos High School, graduated in 1995. Went to Cerritos Community College, UCLA at Loyola Marramount. Became a journalist. Published articles in small newspapers. He reported in small events, sports, cultural events, movies, Hollywood and Bollywood. Then gradually honed his skills and went to write for business articles. Left California, went to Texas and did business journals there. He came back to California to work for the Orange County Business Journal. He interviewed m movie stars, sports and business leaders including Elon. And his last picture was with Aaron Rogers because Aaron does a lot of charity work here in OC. He passed away on October 7th, just few weeks shy of his 49th birthday. So why do
108I tell you his story? He is an example of a student that is unseen. a student who is not validictorian, but neither does does he perform low enough to require intervention services. But nevertheless, he pursued, persevered, and succeeded in our school thanks to the teachers who inspire learning. He was an average student, but nobody's really average. We all have strength in different areas. His passion came alive when he joined the movie club at Cerus High School because it was a writing about those that ins that excited him that got him to become a writer that got him through law school that made him understand the power of words. So, dear board, fund those courses and clubs that inspire students to express themselves verbally and through other mediums. Yes, there are fiscal pressures ahead, but keep
109the things that make students want to come to school alive. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Cindy Woo from She's a board member from Mountain View School District. Good evening, uh, board president, vice president, clerk, board members, staff, and the public. My name is Cindy Woo, the first Asian trustee with the Elmonte Mountain View School District in over 150 years and a proud shopper of this community. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and deep appreciation to the immediate past president Ernie Nishaw for his dedicated service, study leadership and commitment to uplifting up for uplifting up families and students. He has become a great friend as well. I've uh got had a chance to get to know him through Laxa um but also know that he serves as a delegate for CSBA and also
110uh we chat sometimes about um you know looking for maybe speakers for the Asian School Trustee Association as well. So thank you for your service trustee Ernie. Um I also want to congratulate President Nyola and the new leadership team. Your willingness to step up and serve give the community hope and momentum for the future. I'm excited to see how together that you will continue to build on this strong foundation to create even more opportunities for the children and the city. Thank you every single one of you for your service. Happy holidays and merry Christmas. enjoyed the night and it's great to have a chance uh to meet some of you in the past and hopefully to get to know more of you in the future. Thank you so much and I welcome you all to
111also visit my city as well one day. So looking forward I was a past locktop president a few years ago. So thank you so much for having me here tonight. Have a great night. Thank you >> Mr. President. There are no more speakers. [clears throat] >> Thank you Clerk Mendoza. May I have a motion to approve the consent calendar? >> Second. >> Is there anyone who wishes to remove an item to be considered separately? >> Seeing none, uh please note that during the student board representative committee, a preferential yes vote were cast for consent items 3.1 C, 3.2 C, 3.3 C, 3.4 C, 3.5 C, 3.6 6 C 3.7 C without any additional comments if there is no other recommendations if none can I have all those in favor please say I >> I >>
112motion pass 70. >> Uh introductions at this time we would like to introduce our new director for nutrition services Dr. Zlo. >> Thank you. Um I'm pleased to introduce to our board and our community um Mrs. Lori Fana. She is our new director for nutrition services. Um she comes to us with a lot of experience um working in the past through for Mountain View School District for Whittier East Whittier City School District as well as most recently working with Lennox School District. Um her bachelor's of science is from Calpali Pomona in food and nutrition dietetics with a specialization in Hispanic community nutrition. So, Miss Fanaeka, >> good evening board president Noella. Congratulations as well as vice president Yokoyama Buouie and clerk Mendula. So, I'm Lori Fonka. It is a pleasure to be with all of
113you and our distinguished board members and cabinet and community members. Again, it is a privilege to be here tonight and an honor to be here with ABC Unified. I'm really excited to be with the ABCUSD nutrition services team. Um, as you heard, I have quite a bit of experience um, in different school districts. Um, I originally started as a two-hour food service worker almost 15 years ago um, while I was doing my undergrad. Um, but I also have clinical experience as well and so moving from a two-hour food service worker in school nutrition all the way up to director and most recently even as a consultant. So, I'm really excited to be here with ABC and to get to know my team better, to get to know the district better. And I just want to
114say thank you to everyone because I've had such a warm welcome so far. I also want to recognize Morin Conglin for her almost 20 years here leading the team and it's really exciting to be um part of this district but also I want to express my gratitude for her to be here for a transition period um to hand that baton over to me so that I can um lead this team as well as she did I hope and to take um this district's department of nutrition services into the future. I also um I would be making a very big mistake I'm sure with not um also recognizing my husband who's here tonight. Um I heard some comments earlier today about sacrifices that are made um in a family in order to be where we are
115and that is certainly true um in my case as well. Um I know there's a saying about behind every good man there's a you know a great woman but the inverse is also very true. So that is my better three quarters uh in our marriage and I just want to really recognize him as well. Um every step of my career he has been there. He has never said no and every time I've asked for his support before I even asked the question he his response has always been um what what can I help you with? And so the reason that I'm here standing before all of you is in great part due to his support. And so I I don't want to look and get emotional because it's been a very emotional night. Um I've
116seen, you know, so many heartfelt comments um from so many of you and that is really wonderful to see. So I'm really excited to be here with all of you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any board comments or questions? Board clerk Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'm trying to trying to get used to my area right here. Well, welcome, Miss Fonca. Welcome to ABC Unified. Yes, we're a tight-knit community here. Um, I heard you had background in Hispanic >> community nutrition. Yes. >> So, that means we're going to be getting some tamales for lunch. >> Never say never. I mean, >> I'll see with my team what we have already. I just got here, but I would think that's probably on the horizon. >> Some special requests, especially December, you know, we're getting ready
117for our pada. So, just, you know, let me know when they're serving. And Ernie Ernie knows the menu, right? So, Ernie can let me know when those come up and I'll I'll be glad to visit. But again, welcome. Gracias. >> Thank you, Miss Monka, for for joining our team. Like you just mentioned, we are a very tight-knit community. We are very tight-knit and our nutrition team is very very close to our community. A lot of them are moms and they take great pride in feeding every single kid here at ABC. So, very welcome to have you and looking forward to some new recipes. I know our kids are are always eager to try something new. So, thank you and welcome. >> Thank you for the welcome. Thank you. >> Moving on to action items. May
118I have a motion to adopt the calendar of the board meetings for 2026 calendar year? >> So moved second. >> Dr. Zilo. >> Thank you. Um we've developed a calendar based on what we believe our needs will be. Um we've worked to avoid election days. So we do have a couple of Wednesday meetings. Um, but the meetings um are trying to set them up to be spread out a little bit so that we hit all of our requirements for meeting the needs of the district. >> Thank you. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any discussion? If none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes 70 1.3A. May I have a motion to approve the community members and student appointments to the board advisory committees? >> So
119moved. >> Second is Dr. Zil. >> Thank you. Um so we had a request and the board has all appointed people for ad hoc committee to look at naming potentially a part of the facility at Whitney High School. And so the approval is for the members for that committee to be able to meet and consider that. >> Any public comments? There are none. Mr. President, >> any board of discussion, >> just really quick, um this is a great all-star uh committee that's going to um advance what we have here in terms of really analyzing and providing a good basis for uh the naming of the facility. So um thank you for bringing this motion forward. >> Thank you, school board member Nishi. Uh, board member Dr. Rios, >> I just need a a little bit
120of clarification. Is this committee going to just um be established for the naming of the Whitney or is it going to be a standing committee for other naming opportunities? >> It's just for this one item um because the way the board policy is written, if it were for a different school or facility, it would need to have the principal and students from that school. So, anytime there's a request for naming, the committee comes together for that purpose only and then it's disbanded. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Motion passes 70 1.4A. May I have a motion to adopt resolution 25-12 acknowledging January 2026 I mean 26 to 30th 2026 the great kindness challenge week >> second Mendoza
121>> Dr. Leela, >> thank you. So, um, we're looking to get ahead of this so that we can have our schools prepare and participate in the Great Kindness Challenge. They have for a number of years. Um, I thought it would be nice if we had the board read the resolution and maybe we could start down with Miss Mckette. >> The Great Kindness Challenge Week January 26 through the 30th, 2026. Whereas the California Department of Education in partnership with the Great Kindness Challenge encourages all teachers, staff, and students of child care centers, preschools, and schools to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge the week of January 26 through the 30th, 2026. And >> whereas the Great Kindness Challenge Initiative presented by Kids for Peace is a global campaign that promotes kindness in schools. It's proactive anti-bullying
122campaign that educators and students can use to ed create a culture of kindness using a customizable 50 item kindness checklist. Every student has an opportunity to practice kindness and make a positive impact. Examples of kind acts include sitting with a new group of kids at lunch, smiling at 25 people, picking up trash outside your school and read a book to a younger child, and creating your own kind deed. And >> whereas the state superintendent of public instruction indicated, as the state superintendent of public instruction and as part of my transforming schools initiative, I am committed to sharing resources that can assist you in helping our students build empathy, feel supported, and thrive. The Great Kindness Challenge is one of these resources. The Great Kindness Challenge is a global campaign that promotes kindness, social emotional health,
123and bullying prevention in pre kindergarten through grade 12. And whereas ABC Unified School District joined the over 21 million students who participated in over 43,000 schools in over 135 countries in 2025. And >> whereas the ABC Unified School District encourages student schools to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge Global Service Project, make a wish for a child in another country. And whereas every student deserves to be treated with kindness and respect while attending our schools, the ABC Unified School District and Board of Education encourages all ABC schools to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge January 26 to the 30th, 2026. or better yet, practice kindness toward each each other every day. And proclaimed on the 9th day of December, 2025, ABC Unified School District Board of Education adopts the Great Kindness Challenge Week, January 26
124to 30, 2026. >> Thank you. Any public comments? >> There, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Clerk Mendoza. Please note that during the student board representative committee meeting, a preferential yes vote was cast for action item 1.4A without any additional comments. Are there any board discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. >> Action item 1.5A. May I have a motion to approve contract with the leadership ledge LLC to facilitate a thoughtful, empathetic, strength-based transition process for staff, students, and families impacted by the consolidation of phase one, two elementary schools and the integration of six receiving schools for the 2025 2026 fiscal year. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Dr. Zilo, >> thank you. Um, we worked to find um a company that could help us with this
125process. um there aren't really any out there. And so I worked with someone that could listen and hear what we were looking to do to help our more than 260 staff members and our over 3,000 kids with this transition. And so, um, we've come up with a a plan that will help them to, um, really get to not only, um, share and express what has been great about their school, but learn about each other's schools as we work toward this transition for next year. >> Thank you. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Port Cler Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I just had a question. Um, is this going to be a team of people or is it going to be like one or two staff members that
126we're going to contract with? >> So, it is one person coming in and they'll work with some of our principles as well as some of our district staff to work with all of our teachers, staff, and students in these schools. Is this um kind of like up to $74,000? Is that correct? Okay. So, we we don't necessarily have to spend that much. >> It it may not take as many hours. It it's an estimate of hours to work with this many people in this many group. >> Okay. It's a it's a it's a large amount of money. If we could get kind of like an update on how much we're spending. I know we need to do this. I know this is important for our schools in our community. I'm just concerned about the expense.
127So if we could keep an eye on it and just um keep the board updated. Thank you Mr. President. >> Thank you board member Nishid. >> No >> board member you. >> Yes. So I'm assuming that this um company leadership ledge have a lot of experience um having done similar work. So, um, there are not really any companies out there that can do that. Um, this company is run by Dr. Valencia Mayfield. >> And so, she has a very good understanding of our culture. And so, I felt >> um that she would be very helpful. >> Yes. >> In this process to try and make sure we transition well and people feel heard and respected and seen. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you very much. Yes. That's very reassuring. Thank you, board member McCann. >> Um,
128I was really impressed with the plan. I think it takes into effect u a lot of people from superintendent, principles, leadership teams, staff, um, families, students, family nights. I I just I thought it was very well put together. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. >> Motion passes. 70 item 1.6A. May I have a motion to approve revised board policy and administrative regulation 5148.2 before and after school programs. Dr. Frasier. Thank you, Mr. President. Tonight we are bringing uh forward revised board policy and administrative regulations 5148.2 before and after school programs. Um again these are uh updates to uh recommended by CSBA. Um our administr >> [clears throat] >> uh regulation I'm sorry our um administrative regulation committee policy committee um reviews these
129um one of the the some of the highlights of the policy was updated language requirement the board to declare its op operational intent to run expanded learning opportunities. uh the priorities for offering um expanded learning uh pro uh programs, opportunity programs, and the process to do so. So, we wanted to bring that forward for you tonight. >> Thank you, Dr. Frasier. Any public comment? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? >> I. >> Motion passes 70. Action item 1.7A. May I have a motion to approve deletion of the board policy 6161.1 use of copyrighted software? >> Second, Mendoza. >> Dr. Frasier. Thank you, Mr. President. Um we're bringing forward the deletion of board policy 6161.1. Uh the reason for the deletion is um because after it
130hasn't been updated again since 1985, but we're trying to uh reumber our system, our our board policies. Uh, and so we're keeping up with CSBA. Um, in order to create the new policy, we had to delete this policy in it in its current existence. >> Thank you, Dr. Frasier. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. Action item 1.8 A. May I have a motion to approve new board policy and administrative regulation 6162.6 use of copyrighted material. >> So Mendoza >> Dr. Frasier. Thank you Mr. President. So uh as I said before the new board policy and admin administrative regulation 6162.6 will replace 6161.1. Um again just updating um under current copyright laws. uh most
131recent sample call uh policy combines software and materials under one policy and regulation. So that creates the 6162.6. Thank you, Dr. Frasier. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Thank you. Any board discussion? >> Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes 70. Action item 1.9A. May I have a motion to approve deletion of the board policy 6162.8 8 staff development program. >> Second, Mendoza. >> Dr. Frasier. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh similarly to the last uh item, the deletion of board policy 6162.8. Uh really uh as we as we try to reumber and reorganize our uh board policies based on CSBA. Um you know, this this last was reviewed and updated in 1979. So, some of those things have changed and we're really just
132trying to update um and get together our our numbering system in our board policy so it's easier for folks to find. Thank you. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? >> Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70. Action item 1.10A. May I have a motion to approve new board policy and administrative regulation 6162.8, research? Yeah. Second Mendoza, >> Dr. Frasier. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um again, um the new board policy 61 62.8 really uh staff development program was previously identified as needing to be moved to the 4,000 series. So again, we're just updating the numbering system and also um um it's listed as research and so the proposed new policy and its accompanying regulations were developed using the most recent
133samples obviously from CSBA and staff input. Um, so we're bringing that forward to you tonight. >> Thank you, Dr. Frasier. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Board comments. Clerk Mendoza. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. So, just for my understanding, this is uh research that that is not done by our staff. This is outside agencies that want to come in and do research. >> That's correct. >> Um, can we add one little line in there? It says um the superintendent or designates shall ensure the parents guardians receive prior notification. Can we make sure that it's in their home language also if it's not English? >> Yes, we can we can update that. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? All those in favor with the additional clerk Mendoza's recommendation, please say I.
134>> I. >> Motion passes. 70 action item 2.2A. May I have a motion to approve memorandum of understanding between the board of education and the California school employee association and its ABC chapter 24 modifying article 2 recognition. >> Second, >> Dr. Frasier. Thank you, Mr. President. Um this memorandum of understanding uh between uh the board of education and csea uh chapter uh 24 is uh we're adding the uh classification of specialized behavior aid to the classified unit uh represented by CSEA. >> Thank you Dr. Frasier. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70 13 uh 3.11a. May I have a motion to approve request to contract with Dan Yesman DBA first response to provide inperson
135adult and pediatric first aid and CPR AED training to all child development and head start staff for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Thank you, Dr. Castro. >> Thank you. I bring this item before you to make sure we're in compliance with all child development laws and regulations in the state of California, but also to ensure the safety of our students and staff in our child development programs. >> Thank you, Dr. Castro. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Seeing none, all those in Oh, sorry. >> Board member Dr. Rios. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I I think you know earlier today we recognized someone who saved someone's life as a result of them being CPR trained. Um I know there was a time where we as educators were
136asked to be trained and that had to be renewed. I don't know that that's still happening, but I would really like to encourage our district to be proactive and offer, not require, but offer um these type of courses throughout the district, elementaryaries, middle schools, high schools, um here at the district office, because again, you know, saving saving a life seems so important. Um I don't even know if there would be a cost. I know there are a lot of organizations out there that are willing to do this, but even if it was um you know, I again I'm I'm glad we're I'm seeing this. I'm asking that we expand that. >> Thank you, board member Dr. Rios. Any other discussion? None. Can I just ask if we can clarify the difference between um the Head
137Start person and you know our regular training or our other staff? What is the difference between this person and somebody who would train CPR for, you know, our other classified and certified staff? >> Honestly, for this u it's just specific requirements and the budget funding. That's why it's brought to you separately from the CPR training that we provide and opportunities that we provide for our staff through human resources. That's really just the change the difference in the department and the budget that we have to use. >> Understood. Thank you. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. Hi. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Action item 4.3A. May I have a motion to approve contract with PBK Architect, Huckabe, and Associates, Inc., and Studio W Architects to provide architectural services
138for the 2025 2026 with no option to renew annually for up to four additional years. >> Second, >> Mr. Win. >> Thank you, President Noyola. Good evening. Um as part of our bond program, the district um issues RFP request for proposal for architecture services. Um we sent out um um RP to7 firms. We receive um responses from three uh uh firms. We have used P we are currently using PBK and Huckabe uh currently. So we are adding Studio W as another option for the district should we need to use their service. uh they are charging the same fees uh per the American AIA Institute of Architects which is about 12% of construction and that's normal fee and that's they all charge the same fee so it's a matter of about the service and we've been
139very happy with PBK and Huckabe so we are recommending them but we also uh want to try out Studio W should we need to and we have received positive um reference check on them so we are recommending all three firms uh you for for the record so that we we can use any of them should we need to. >> Thank you, Mr. W. Any public comments? >> There are none, Mr. President. >> Any board discussion? Board member Nishi. >> Thank you, uh, President. Uh, really good that you included the former names of the uh, companies because those are all recognizable names. Um, what were this is more of a RFQ than RFP, right? >> Request for qualifications because you accepted all of the ones that have actually bid. There's they have to yeah they have
140to meet the the certain criteria but yes >> who are the other four companies that didn't uh didn't dane and how do we pick the seven to to actually um send it out to more than seven companies >> basically with by reference by by people that we know by the whe whether we used to work in the past or not and with reputations and and availability so if they are nearby you know right you don't want to send someone to Sacramento so the geographic there there's the working with school districts all public agency and school district in particular and depends on their availability. Um whether it's fortunate or not there's there's just a lot of constructions going on among school district because you know there's local school bonds there's statewide school bonds so there's a
141lot of activities uh we we happy that uh PBK and Huckabe will you know provide the the responses plus uh studio W so we this is sufficient for our needs so uh we good for the remaining phase of the constructions as you know we are entering our final phases of our measure BB program. Uh it's been about 8 years uh since the voters approved. Um so we are finishing up our elementary schools phase three now. Um the next group will be six schools and then after that it'll be the last phase and then and then we can look at uh the different uh auxiliary uh facilities such as the district office and and other. >> And just for curiosity sake, what were some of the other biders that uh you sent out to that didn't
142bid? I I would have to provide that for you >> later on. Okay. >> Yeah. It would be like HMC. It would be like um LPK. Uh so so those are the the the names that you normally recognize that would do uh constructions um or architecture services for school districts. Yeah. Yeah. >> HMC for sure and LPA are the two that I know are the two. Right. >> Thank you board member Nishi. Any other board discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70. Action item 4.4A. May I have a motion to approve the first inim report of the 2025 2026 fiscal year with a positive certification and budget adjustment as reflected? >> Mendoza. >> Mr. Win. Thank you, Mr. President. So the board approved the budget for
143the current year which is the 2526 school year in uh June uh of 2026. Um after that the state finalized and adopted their budget. So the first interim is basically a first update of the budget for the current year. Um what changes have happened since June since the board adopted the budget. So there's um expenditures on track. Uh so we don't have any adjustment to expenditures. There's one adjustment on page 151 in your packet to the LCFF revenues. Uh it's going in the right direction. There's an increase of about $1.2 million to the LCFF revenues and this is because of the additional funding to support the TK program. As you know, our TK is part of our um education system now and but they have specific requirements, right? separate credential and the class size the
144ratio there is very restrictive. It's 10 adult to 10 students to one adult. So it's smaller than the normal class size. So therefore it it it will cost more to run the class uh clearly and there's additional facilities needs right restrooms nearby or in the classroom. So because of that uh the state um as part of the final state budget um provide additional funding for the TK students and I'm happy to report that our TK program now is um at about 600 students. Uh we you know we started with just one class and now we at 600. So uh many of our schools have two classes now and we're looking forward to at least two classes per school uh next year. Our goal is um 75 percent of our K population or about 750 students,
145right? You could never theoretically it should be similar to K if they all come because they they would meet the but for for different reason families don't send their little ones the four years old to our system and we'll do more of the marketing and and and and and invite them to visit our schools and visit our program. But um but so to increase that that's that's where potentially we could have a little bit more enrollment in the future year. But this is um the budget adjustment is because of the additional funding to support the TK program. So because of that um if you want to look at the three-year projections I want to provide that on page 154. So this is another update to the unrestricted general fund. So on the words say excess
146or deficiency C at the bottom there. So our deficit now is down to a more manageable level. Um hopefully we'll get out of the um um requirement from the county uh for a fiscal stabilization plan because as you can see there for the current year, you know, we we're looking at about 466,000 uh deficit out of most 300. and um $50 million budget. So um and then the year after that is down to 232 232,000 and and 122 uh uh,000. So it's almost a balanced budget if you will from the unrestricted fund on the restricted program on page 155. Uh if you can see there, there's still that um deficit spending and it's intentional as I have um shared with the board. this is the restricted money that we want to spend down uh to
147support our students and one is gone then then we will not be uh spending um that money anymore. Uh clearly one example would be or in the past right you had all the COVID fund restricted we spend them all down and now the last uh grant that related to the co area would be the learning recovery block grant and and we are we we trying to stretch out for hopefully you know one more year but um this year would most likely be um the last year for that grant. uh hopefully with just um some additional um programs that we can support but not at the same level at the current year because we're about to spend down that money too. So with that um I we recommend for approval with the positive certification meaning that
148the district will be able to meet all the financial obligation in the current year and in the next two years and we have because of the additional revenues our deficit is down to a very um mar manageable level. So thank you. >> Thank you Mr. W. Any public comments >> there are none Mr. President >> any board discussion board member Nishi. >> Yes. So thank you for this great report. Looks like 1.273 million more. So that's uh always plus and I don't see any additional additions on the expenditure side. So that's that's great in this kind of economy that we have this plus. And I also see that per per promise we're reducing down our restricted budget. So, in about 3 years, we'll have uh only $11 million left in our uh restricted budget, which
149is exactly what the plan is, which is to spend down all the money on our kids. And we have no regrets about that because that's where the money is supposed to go. My uh tiny concern though is um it will be down to $11 million in the restricted budget, the 2027 2028 uh fiscal year. Uh, and that will probably be the last, that'll be the year just before the consolidation is probably complete. Um, how much of this every year is 156 million. Uh, and then we won't have that money anymore. How much of that is people? >> Um, that's a tough question. >> Can I answer a lot? No. No. I I >> you want me to pass on that? >> No, no, no, no, no, no. Thank Thank you for the question. So, so
150the these specific grants, there's mixture, right? There's there there's there's there's the good news and bad news, right? There there's there's some money for materials, there's some money for um equipment, there there's money for because we know it's one time. So we consultant services there are there are people tying with that you know there's there are um >> I'm not going to give you the positions but not the names right no there there's the the um the teacher coach >> uh that that that we may not be able to bring back there's the tutor uh uh that that we may not be able to bring back there could be uh you know additional support in the classroom parents leaison so there are positions but we are working through because we I know this money will
151come to an end uh with a process that somehow um to either fold them in into other programs that we have uh funding um but but there'll be a plan and we have a couple years to react to it. Uh so so um we are mindful of that and and we we knew that going in that that this money. >> So yes but there will be yeah >> but let me ask uh so some of them are some of those materials but we know that 80 90% of our um budget is people and uh I know some of it is probably consultants >> correct >> so we'll have to adjust as to maybe the percentage of people on consultant versus permanent position. How Correct. >> Of the 15 million is like a quarter of it
152per permanent permanent employees. >> Fortunately, these positions if they were um teaching position, they would be temp. >> Okay. So, these are not permanent positions. >> Correct. Correct. >> All right. >> We usually >> try not to hire on grant permanent position. >> Understood. But with $50 million, it's a a lot of money to um that's a lot of temporary >> improvement. And when the time's ready, we'll share with the board the the positions and and the impact. >> And also, we we still have $11 million even at the end of those years. So, we'll still have some monies left and there's no minimum on those restricted funds, right? >> There could depends on the programs. Some have no expiration date, right? Some some will. So, you want to spend it before the grants expire.
153Some would let you carry over in perpetual. >> Okay. And um in relation to the So we won't have those monies in three years although this will be actually this will be the timing that we have for the consolidation completion. Um does this predict regarding the federal funding that we get? So currently I know we get money for migrant ed, we get monies for um helping immigrant families. So I approximately vaguely remember that was about $3 million or so, probably more. Um does this projection include the potential or possibility that the federal funds are not going to come in year 2026 2027 or does it presume that it's going to be there? >> It's the latter. So this does not account for any change in uh federal funding. Should that come to to um materialize,
154we will bring back to the board with a plan. Uh because right now, right, the federal government has no budget for the following year yet. So we don't know. We have been we were told that certain programs were safe like Head Start, Title One, special ed. We were told that certain programs are subject to reduction such as um migrant education um title three which is English learners um and and up to about uh $2.5 to3 million in in in real funding that will impact personnel and people. So once we have the information and know the the cuts, we will uh react to it and and bring forward a plan to how to mitigate or at least do it in a way that would um there will be impact, right? >> There will be an impact.
155Yeah. So there doesn't really account for that. >> It's just how we're going to soften that impact. Uh you know uh there are three budget proposal at the federal level, right? The house representative once said the senate has won and the president has won and they are not aligned and uh uh we are hopeful that that you know the best one >> the one that protect us the most will will come to pass but we don't know. Can I ask let me ask a question here then related to these restricted funds let's say the federal funds don't come in for those particular programs >> is there um if you could provide an analysis maybe later on as to whether we can use more of these restricted funds to replace some of those funds that may
156may not come in the subsequent years that might mean that we're going to draw down the restricted a little bit faster but I know they're restricted so I so some of this may not be able to be occurring but that's the place where we have the biggest surplus that's the place where it probably needs to come from um so if you could provide that in the next >> certainly like I said like you said uh it's restricted so if the grants allows if it match a lineup then we will consider every option to soften the impact of potential federal funding reduction >> okay thank you >> clerk Mendoza >> thank you Um, Mr. President, I just had a question and just a um I want to support what you said um about marketing for our
157TK uh program. Um I'm glad to hear that it's thriving. Um and I do want to make sure that we market that and make sure we can retain those students so that they continue with us in ABC Unified. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you, board clerk. Uh any other board of discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Motion passes. 70. Um, we're going to take we're going to pause. Um, I need a motion to extend the board meeting um, let's say to 1 hour. 11:30. >> I agree. We we don't have to go to 11:30, but we have that much time. >> Absolutely. >> Second. >> Thank you. So, we we will extend the meeting till uh All >> in favor say I. >> All those in favor, please
158say I. Hi. >> Thank you. Uh we will extend the meeting till 11:30 >> If necessary. Yes. Action item 4.5A. May I have a motion to accept the gift report 254 totaling 46,200 uh $22.30. >> Second, >> Mr. Win. >> Thank you. I uh I'm pleased to report that um last month the district received donation and support from our communities in um up to uh $46,22. Uh the big donation came from Serios College that's donated two vehicles uh to our proct program. So we uh want to share that and report that to the board for acceptance. >> Thank you Mr. W. Any public comments? >> There are none. Mr. President, >> any board discussion? Alert Mendoza. >> Yes. I just want to echo Mr. Nuen said. I I want to thank our PTA, our communities,
159our foundations, but especially I want to, you know, really heartfel because we have a really great partnership um with the Critos College. So, I just want to thank them for donating the the Chevy Silverado and the Chevy Camaro. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Board member Yu. >> Yeah. Thank you, President Noyola. Um, I want to thank Serritos College for this donation to strengthen the automotive pathway at Gar High School, giving our students the opportunity to pave their career in this direction because it's a good investment on Critos College part two because at Cerritos College, they have a program and they even have a four-year program that offers the the automotive uh path uh career path with I think some computer knowledge too and I was uh watching the news that the job pays over uh
160110,000 but uh they can't find workers so I would strongly encourage them like Gar High School we need to highlight Gar High School with this program and I would I want to encourage the community to encourage uh students to transfer to GAR just to get into this program. It'll be great program for your sons if you're in the neighboring cities. Thank you. >> Yeah, of course. Ours for sure, but that'll also bring students in too. [laughter] >> Thank you, board member. U any other board discussion? Seeing none, I just also want to echo what my colleague said. I want to thank our PTAs. I see Aloha and Willow had uh PTA had donated to field trips. So, it's always great that our community supports our students and supports them going on amazing field trips and
161also Critos College, they are amazing partner and that shows in their trust by donating two vehicles to our students. So, thank you for everyone who donates to our to our schools. It it is a partnership always. Uh with that being said, all those in favor, >> please say I. >> Motion passes 70. information item uh 1 1.11i I uh 2024 2025 annual reports on findings of William school visits and monitoring. Dr. DLO, >> thank you. Um we received our report back from the LA County Office of Education. Um the school focus was Aloha Academy and their rating came back exemplary. >> Thank you. Moving on to board member reports. Board member Dr. Rios. Thank you. I was very happy to have recognized the Artisha High School's volleyball team. Um just wanted to say that it
162was really nice to see the community uh come out and support them. Um our both of our city mayors were out there. We had the mayor of Lakewood, Cassandra Chase, and our vice mayor, Jeff Wood, come out and support along with our mayor, uh, Frank Yokyama. So, it's always again nice to celebrate, um, our partnerships and and and as a district enjoy their support. Um, I also like to say that I also attended a CSBA and I know we attended a variety of workshops. To me, the highlight was that they talked about closing the achievement gap and they talked about the state taking more accountability. um for this and you know the fact that some students are not succeeding across our state as we have talked about here at our district. I really appreciate it
163that we have been having those conversations here at ABC. Um but again the sense of we have to do better is something that you're going to be hearing across the state and and again I I'd like for us to be um at the front end of that and really hope to see exciting things happening. Um, probably have more to say, but want to wish everyone happy holidays, our staff, um, our teachers, our students, and my colleagues. Um, you know, we're all going to enjoy a long break, so happy holidays. Enjoy the time with you and your family. And again, congratulations to our new executive board. Thank you. >> Thank you, board member, Dr. Rios. Uh, board clerk Mendoza. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And first of all, I just want to say thank you for
164uh trusting me to be the clerk of the board. Thank you, Dr. Rios, for the nomination. Um I'm going to kind of go back because I know our last board meeting, we didn't have time, so I'm going to go way back. So these are all the things that I kind of um attended. It was we did the loss muertos at Gar at Whitney and also the movie at at Artisia Cemetery. I did trunk or treat at NES, trunk or treat at the city of Artisia. I attended the ABC Expo College and Career Fair and celebrated the 60th year of serving our students. Um I was able to meet with Dr. Zitlo um former president um Mr. Nishi and we met with the city manager of Artisia to kind of discuss areas that we can work
165together and collaborate with. Um I recently attended Artisia city reorganization and um we have our new um mayor Mayor Trevinho and then we have our vice mayor Melissa Ramoso. Um and then I also attend attended the Artisia city chamber holiday event. Um, and then I also went to the Artisia Historical Society Christmas open house. And then I did a quick uh popin into the Neimus PTA pop-up shop. And I want to congratulate Dr. Rios. She is now the vice president of the California Latino School Board Association, Felicia. And I want to I want to I want to end I do want to say happy holidays and happy new year. But I do want to end my board report. Um, I don't know if you're all familiar with a gentleman named Charlie Era. >> Yes. So
166Charlie Charlie era passed away and so I wanted to share because he was really involved in the Cerritos community and with the school board. Um so Charlie era became a marriage family and child psychologist. Sorry. He actually married my husband. I >> he wrote a book on relationships called the grass is greener where it where it's watered. He built the Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club in Certos. He was a member of the Rotary and Optimist Club. He was a speaker, a teacher, a political activist. He was a father, a grandfather and husband. Harley died in his home in Palm Desert on November 22. He was 95 years young and I want to um send my condolences to his family. He was just a really great person and he holds a special place in my heart because
167um 20 years ago we asked him if he would marry Tony and I and so I'm always going to remember him. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Clerk Mendoza. uh board of vice president Yopamui. >> Thank you. Um so this is a great night. I do again want to extend my heartfelt thank you to uh former president Nishi and congratulations to our new board president uh Nyola. I've always enjoyed um working with you this past year, so I'm excited to be your uh vice president. Congratulations to board clerk Mendoza. Um I again we are catching up from a couple months ago and I'm sure I'm going to miss a few events that I attended a couple months ago but I did have the honor of um visiting Burbank Bragg Burbank Elementary Bragg Elementary, Nixon
168Elementary and Carver Elementary for their trunk or treat events and they were very well attended. the Halloween spirit, the holiday spirit. You could just feel it in all of the kids. And I especially want to thank the school communities, the teachers, administration at those schools for welcoming me and my family um at all of those events because uh very rarely in this job um do we get to bring our kids and our families to our events. And so anytime I can find an event where my children can attend with me um because we're so busy because my schedule, my work schedule, my um ABC board schedule is so um impacted. Any time I can bring them with me, I love to do that. So I greatly appreciate the um schools that understand that and welcome
169that. Um I was able to attend Cerrito's High School's Into the Woods directed by Mr. Zamora. Um, excellent production, Veterans Day ceremony for the city of Cerritos. In addition, Leo Elementary had a Veterans Day ceremony. I know a few other of our schools had special recognition ceremonies for our veterans. And it was um a good time to honor and uh show respect and have our children understand that our veterans are still here. They're in our schools. They're in our communities. and they um we should constantly be thanking them. I've uh was able to attend Gar High School's production of Cinderella directed by Miss Morris. DI uh ABC Unified School District's Drowsy Chaperon at Whitney High School directed by Patrick Sales and choreographed by Miss Emproa. Um as well as Sters Elementary, As You Like It,
170directed by Mr. Toazan and Miss Leegan. Again, I I greatly appreciate all the invitations that we all do get. I am a theater mom, so my I I love to bring my kids to the show. I love to watch the shows myself. I feel like I'm I'm really seeing all the kids kind of growing up through theater, just like all the sports parents kind of see the kids at every game and you kind of know who that kid is. I feel that same exact way with theater. So, um it's it's wonderful to see the confidence on stage. um just even being able to go out there and I had to speak um on stage recently and the bright lights are just shining on you and you can barely see and it's really intimidating. So the
171fact that those kids get up there and do that for a big show after working you know two three months is is incredible. Uh, I attended the city of Cerritos treelighting as at the Cerritos libraries, the civic center as well as s Cerritos Santa's sleigh day which was at the Cerrito Center for Performing Arts. I love that they invited the community in. I believe Afarious Tots were there. Gar High School performed. So, it was a nice way for the uh community to see inside our CCPA. I attended Leil Elementary Arts Program, Mary Poppins, directed by Mr. Patrick Sales. Again, it's it's I've seen these kids grow up the past four years, and for me, I'm just so astounded by their their talent. Lastly, I attended uh CSBA uh conference last week. I also would like
172to congratulate uh board member Dr. Olga Rios as vice president for CSBA. She surprised me. I didn't know and they announced her name and I was just out of my seat cheering. So, congratulations. I'm so glad I was there um to help represent your board. Um thank you. >> Thank you everyone and happy holidays and I hope everyone takes some time to reflect and be with their families and um be thankful for all that we have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President Yogamaboui. Board member Mcken. >> Okay, I'm going back a little ways too. Um so I I attended Day of the Dead. Um I went to Certo's College first uh followed right by um going to Gar. So they had two similar events that were very very um well put together. Um I
173went to Artisia High School mentoring day. Dr. Dezlo was there. She did much better than I. Um I don't think they'll ask me back because I can't really talk kids into spending a lot of money, but she could do well. I could not do well at all at that. Um it was interesting though. Very interesting. day. It was a It was um mentoring day for the elementary Oh, no, wait, that's two different days. Two different days. The elementary men mentoring day was for the elementary schools coming in. What was the other day called, Gina? Where I forget where we're Yeah. where they want you where they want to convince the high school kids to spend their money on things. >> Yeah. Buy to reality. Okay. Anyway, I went to both of those two. Um I
174also attended the um Cinderella production at Gar. Very well done. And the mayoral transition uh last night um recognizing Aliage as the past mayor. Um and congratulations Francisco and Tatiana. And may everybody have holiday. >> Thank you board member Macan. Board member Nishi. So, my wife knows that I went to a lot of events, so I won't talk about that. Um, you heard enough from me. I'm just going to read actually one little section from my grandfather's diary that happened today uh December 9th, 1943. And I think it's kind of a little bit of um talks about justice. It's basically just one section. Two days before my arrest, Fukuan was arrested. He doesn't know why he was arrested. During roll call, he was spotted 60s something year old mother and eight or nineyear-old son at
175the fence. Fukuan frowned and tried to hide his surprise with an awkward smile. Somebody asked him what his son's name was. Fukisan said Masau. So several cheered. Masau. And it seemed as though Masaw could pinpoint where his father was due to the glare from the sun, but it appeared they realized his father was somewhere in the group. Ukisan's father is 80 plus and he's the oldest in camp. his mother made the long walk in the cold where her grandson did get a glimpse of her son. So I read this because every year uh well my mom was incarcerated and I think that here in ABC we are training leaders with empathy in their hearts and not ice in their veins. that a person who's 80 years old who did nothing and a child that's four
176years old who did nothing um that when we teach our kids of this history and they take it in their hearts that the next generation of leaders will not let that happen again and I think and it's 20,000 but it's 20,000 kids at a time a million kids several million, 10 million and eventually our country will understand that we are all breathing living human great people and deserve a chance to be with our families regardless of of um how we describe ourselves. So that is what I'd like to leave us that we are doing a great job here. We're doing the work that we're meant to do. Thank you for the privilege of doing this. >> Thank you, board member Nishi. Board member U. >> Thank you. I'd like to congratulate uh Francisco Noella on
177being elected as the president and Tatiana as the vice president and Lari Mendoza as clerk. Looking forward to your leadership this coming uh 2026. Um, one thing I wanted to I was thinking about was um I wonder how many of our students learn about the financial literacy in this time and age, you know, before they graduate from high school because that's just absolutely important when kids graduate from high school and they go on into the society and take out um credit card where they have to pay like 20% interest, you know. And I really hope that our district can um teach financial literacy to our students and encourage them to take charge of their life and uh you know be homeowners. Yeah. So that's one thing that's you know been a burden in my heart
178and uh just I want to hope and pray. I hope and pray in the midst of chaos and uncertainty of today's economy. May the hope of uh birth of Jesus Christ bring your family hope, love and peace. I mean he is the Messiah who have come to deliver us from evil to set us free from sins of mankind against each other and self-destruction. Especially my prayers go to families who are struggling with family members with mental illness, all kinds of addiction and financial hardships. May the comfort of our Lord Jesus be with you with all of your family and comfort you and merry Christmas everyone. Thank you, board member. Uh announcements. Next regular board meeting is Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the district office boardroom. Committee meetings. Strategic Planning Board Advisory Committee.
179Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. District Office Board Room. Legislative Policy Board Advisory Committee. Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, 6:30 p.m. District Conference Room. Finance Audit and Board Advisory Committee. Thursday, January 29, 2026, 6 p.m. District conference room, diversity, unity, equity, the due board advisory committee. Thursday, February 26th, 2026, 5:30 district office boardroom. Days to remember, winter break is December 22nd, [clears throat] 2025 to January 2nd, 2026. So, h have a happy winter break and holidays. Uh, second public comment section. >> There are no public comment cards, Mr. President. Thank you, board clerk Mendoza. Uh, may I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So, move. Second, Mendoza. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> The time is 10:43. Good job, everybody. Have a good night. Happy holidays. [music] >> [music]