001Okay, good evening. The board just returned from close session and while in close session the board took action in grievance cerement with classify employees identified by BC3136335 with the settlement of working out of classification and shall be compensated at $4,04. It was moved by Miss Holgin and second by Mr. Reyes and all B with all board members voting in favor of the motion. Additionally, while in close session, the board took action to approve ratify the final settlement agreement in general release general release dated February 19, 2026 between parents and district and student versus Dwarte Unified School District special education due process case O case number 202620177 pursuant to which the district has agreed to fund and provide educational services to the student and the students parents have agreed to release claims against the district in
002exchange for educational services as specified in the agreement. It was moved by Mr. Reyes and second by Miss Orin. All board members voting in favor of the motion. The board also took action to issue a notice of nonreelection to a probatory certificate employee identified by FH A2A3974 pursuant to education code section 44929.21B 21B effective at the end of the 225 220 20226 school year as direct the superintendent or designate to send out appropriate legal notices. It was moved by Mr. Hog Miss Hoggin and second by Dr. Finlay and with all board members voting in favor of the motion. When now I call the meeting to regular meeting called to order. Roll call. Dr. Finley. >> Present. >> Miss Hoggin >> here. >> Miss uh Dr. Hasso >> here. >> Mr. Reyes >> here. >> Raina
003Diaz here and Alexis >> present. >> Thank you. The board meeting was called at 710. I'm sorry. 77 >> 707. Thank you. >> We now move to the flag salute. And I will ask Miss Holin to please lead us in a flag salute. >> Please stand. Place your hand over your right. Place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Well, now I ask Dr. Hasso if you can please read the beliefs, vision, and mission. Sure. We believe we are a community of learners. We believe learning occurs in a culture of caring and respect. We believe all students are motivated to learn when they
004are engaged in meaningful work that connects to their lives. We believe expectations do influence performance and outcomes. We believe learning increases when there are high expectations for performance and conduct. We believe we have the responsibility to find solutions that enable all students to learn. Our vision 21st century schools producing 21st century students. Our mission provide the knowledge, skills and inspiration for each student for success in college, career and life. Thank you Dr. Hass. We now move to item number seven. Uh Dr. Metron. >> Yes. I'd like to share as we adopt the agenda that there were two clerical errors on the certificated personnel report and they were corrected and that is what is being presented tonight um to the board. But since the corrections were done after the 72-hour notice of posting, we should entertain
005a motion to adopt the agenda with those corrections. So the corrected version is now posted correctly as it was earlier by earlier today. >> Thank you, Dr. Mrano. May I have a motion to approve the agenda as corrected? >> So moved. by Dr. Finlay, second by Mr. Reyes. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> We now move uh to item eight, spotlight uh Dr. Mr. >> Yes. Um I would like to call up principal Mr. Louis Haro to the podium. We this evening have the pleasure of spotlighting our amazing high school, Dwarty High School. So, I'll turn it over to Mr. Haro and his team. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Madrono, for having us and school board. We're it's our honor to be here this evening to talk about some
006of our great things happening at DHI High School. Tonight, we're going to highlight our very special one-of-akind program that we offer here at DHY High School, which is our early college program. Um, and at the end, I'm going to have a few students come up and present as well, and you can have questions answered by them at that point. Um so we have a quick PowerPoint a few slides but I am proud to say that uh our early college program uh began around 2008. Um let me see here. So early college program what it is is it's a dual enrollment program where students can take college courses um on our campus during the school day. uh the colleges courses they take meet both standards which is the um college courses for the getsy pattern and
007also uh graduation requirements. So uh our early college program like I said started around 2007. Uh we do have the pleasure of having Mr. Norm Anderson here this evening who started the conversations with Citrus College. uh it became a formal agreement or partnership around 2008 with a two-year cohort. With his hard work and his efforts, it's grown uh tremendously to where I'm proud to say that to date we have about um 32% of our students currently this semester enrolled in early college course. Uh, another thing that's we're really proud to to announce is that um last year seniors because that's, you know, the four years that they were here, I did the looked at the transfers carefully and 48% of our seniors took one or more early college class. That's half of our seniors graduating
008DHY High School with at least one college credit or one college course under the belt, which is amazing. Um, early college are the way it works at DHY High School is kind of unique. We really try to emphasize trying to get a point where there's equity and access. So instead of having a very strict two-year cohort as we had in the past uh with kind of uh benchmarks that were had to be met to be enrolled in the classes, we've kind of opened it up. So we have courses that are now um uh two-year cohorts. So students can jump into the program at their junior year. Um but we also have a a four-year cohort. So really the off onramp and offramp has grown to where students can enter and exit at any point. We
009also have like an allocart kind of menu. So if a student is not ready to commit to a cohort system um they can try a class in the summer or during the school year and see if that's something that's good for them or maybe they're very interested in a particular class so they could take that class. A real popular class that students like to take is the English 1000 which is a freshman English course. Um so what happens is our students are enrolled in early college courses in the morning from zero to first period. Professors come to our campus and provide that instruction. Uh and then from second period to sixth period our students then take our courses. Um they are placed like I said by cohort. Um and they can follow a pattern of
010classes for the four years or for whatever time that they've joined the program. So this is kind of a typical uh schedule that we have for our students. This would be a freshman schedule. So like I said in the morning, they do take courses through Citrus on our campus. Um so for example, our freshman during the fall semester, they might take a counseling class and ethnic studies. Just like in college, you don't necessarily go to a class every single day. You might take a class Tuesday and Wednesday or I mean Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. That's how we have it. So, for example, ethnic studies might be a Monday, Wednesday class during zero and first and then the counseling class would be a Tuesday and Thursday class. Most classes um all that those
011days um we don't normally have early college classes on Fridays. Um and then they take our courses the rest of the day. So, that's kind of what it looks like for our students. Uh we try to make it uh very seamless and easy for them um to again to make sure we get access to most of our students that we can. Uh these are the courses we've been offering. It does change. We meet every year with Citrus and evaluates and assess uh what it looks like uh depending on um availability of professors or interests of students or what our students are finding the most uh success in. So these are the courses that we've been offering this year. Um a lot of them are standard year-to-year but some some changes. Um so that's quite a
012bit of classes. Um you can look there but you can what we focus in on are the calcetti pattern. Uh so if I was to join um graduate high school and go to a two-year college you would and you told the counselor there what classes should I take to be able to transfer to UC or CSU. That's the Calgetti pattern. So it's lower division general ed courses. So that's the classes we offer and we offer a slew of them. So the calcetti pattern fall within these categories. So these are the classes that we choose. We try not to ch we don't choose any classes that don't fill those lower division lower division generic classes. So you can see in the bottom there there's a total of 11 courses. So if you were going to go
013to Citrus or Mount Sack, there's about 11 to 12 classes that you would take to be able to transfer to UC or CSU and be pretty much completely done with your GenEd classes. So the benefits to our students and families are tremendous. I mean if you think about just the uh uh cost savings, you know, like my my son goes to UC Berkeley and he's costing me an arm and a leg, you know. So, I I I feel the pain from families in this area because um if you just think about completing one year of college um going to like say Berkeley, if you're paying for tuition and housing or any UCLA, you're talking about 30 $35,000. So, if we can get students that hello head start, uh it's a tremendous savings to our families.
014Not only that, um, students are eligible to start at their college as a sophomore, sometimes even a junior. So, there's that cost savings, but imagine the time savings as well. They can graduate a lot earlier. Some students use this to double major. Some students use this to be able to transfer to go to a graduate program sooner. Um, the pathway also is a it's a very rigorous program. So, if you're able to take these classes and be successful, you're really well prepared for college. And then during your college application process, you are so much more competitive. So students see that transcript taking these college classes and all these extracurriculars and AP classes, then you're getting ahead of the game. Last year's uh valadictorian uh like to boast that he's he's at Princeton this year. We
015have kids going to all kinds of great colleges across the country. And then the uh access to all the programs at Citrus. So if you're a student in the early college program, you're also considered a Citrus College student. So you can take access uh get all the benefits of being a student by their by their uh facilities as well. That is quickly the uh presentation I have but I did want to save some time to bring up a few of our students that are currently in the program. So if I may ask Alexis to come up or down and then Owen Malone please come up and Victoria please come to the podium. They're going to introduce themselves and tell you a few things about their experience in the early college program. And then at the
016conclusion, we're happy to entertain any questions. >> If you allow me, please. I completely forgot to announce that we do have a translator if you need to any translation. Leo is in the back and she can translate for you, especially Spanish. Thank you. Hi, my name is Owen Malone. I'm a junior at Dwarty High School. Um, I'm in I've been in ASB for almost three years now and today I was just elected uh the ASB president for next school year. Um, um, I've been the class president of the class of 2027 for again almost three years now. Um, I'm on the school site council. I'm in the California Scholastic Federation and I run the Darti chapter for students demand action at Dherty High School. >> Hi, I'm Victoria Mirez. I'm a senior at DHS and
017in my past four years of being at the high school, I've been a part of um sports, varsity sports for the four past four years. I've done five track, basketball, tennis, swim, and cross country. Um, I've also been a part of Interact Club for the past four years and am a proud member of the Dwardy Mayor's Youth Council and I'm also the president of those two clubs. Um, I've also done CSF and am now a student ambassador for the foreign exchange students. Hi, I'm Alexis Sana. I'm a senior. Um, my past four years of high school, I've been in ASB. I'm the ASB president. Um, I've been the class president for one year and then the class vice president for two years. I've been in tennis, swim, and cheerleading. Um, I've been in CSF, um,
018and interact for about a year. >> So, I'm going to prompt them with just a couple questions. What has been the most meaningful or beneficial part in your opinion being part of the program or the college program? Um definitely the ability to fulfill the like all of the general education requirements. Um like I I enrolled as a freshman and so far I have almost like 30 college credits which is really nice. Um and like I'll take my sister as an example. Um she graduated last year. She's currently a freshman at CalPoly Slow. I think she was able to meet just all but one general education class. So she's like next year she'll be like a junior already. >> Great. >> For me the most meaningful part has not only been the time saved which is
019also as you know time is money. Um but I'm also really happy to have these classes that provide the complexity and the rigor the rigor that um the the normal average high school classes don't usually teach. And it goes like very in-depth and it challenges my independency as well. So I can build better work habits. >> Definitely >> to piggy back off of what Victoria said, I also believe that it has helped me save time. Um my college courses that I have taken have also helped complete my high school credit. So it saved me time for now my senior year. I have a less classes just have time for my extra extracurriculars like college um preparation stuff like that. >> Great. Thank you. Next thing, what what's one of your a few of your favorite
020classes or your favorite class? And also maybe include what are your college or career plans? >> Um, one of my most favorite classes probably taking uh public communication or like public speaking. Um, it was really nice getting to bring my points across to like an entire classroom of my peers and getting to do so in like an organized environment and it made me feel comfortable because I also took it with my friends. Yeah. >> Um, what was the thing? >> What are your college plans? Career plans >> by And then for college, I'm probably planning to go into like something political scienceoriented. Um, and I think getting, you know, getting more used to speaking uh in front of people um and trying to go into a career path like political science um you know, public
021policy. you know, it's important to be able to speak comfortably in front of people. So, >> and you're doing a great job tonight. >> For me, my plans after high school would be um I want to attend a 4-year university and obtain a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology to pursue a medical field. Um, and that being said, my favorite class that I've had in early college is the biology, human genetics, which I took, I think, freshman year. And I'm not just saying that because it goes with my major, but that's what actually influenced me to pursue that because um we always have science classes in school, but getting to have the complexity and like diving deeper into what goes on behind our like in our bodies and things like that. That was very
022interesting to me and it just was a very comfortable class as well. >> Victoria, can you take a moment to talk about your sisters? >> Oh, yeah. So, I have two sisters in college right now. Um, one of them goes is going to UCLA and pursuing a degree in something finance related. And my other sister, she's older. Um, she actually just graduated this past summer and it was a year early because of this early college program. She was able to basically skipped to her sophomore year when entering um college. So, she graduated from Santa Barbara, UC Santa Barbara with her bachelor's in I think math or education. I'm not sure. But, but I just know that she's definitely very grateful. Like, my whole family has recognized how helpful the early college program has been in
023getting her that one year step forward and now she's able to pursue her master's degree even like with um at a faster pace, I guess. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. My favorite class I've taken is art history. Um, it was really cool just to learn about this era that I've never learned before in my high school classes. Uh, we got to learn about um I forgot. Sorry. I forgot. I got to just blink. I'm so sorry. But it was a really fun class to learn and we did really cool projects uh focusing on that era and it was really cool to learn about. Um, that class does not relate about what I want to do for my future, but I do want to attend a 4-year university and major in nursing. >> All right.
024How round of applause for these stellar students of ours? >> No, no, no. So, at this point, we'd love to open up uh questions to the board, to our students, or to Mr. Ernest or myself. We'd love to entertain any questions or comments at this time. >> Board, any comments? >> Yeah, I I do. May I go? Uh Madame President uh so so first of all uh to Owen, Victoria and Alexis, thank you so much for sharing uh your experiences. It's really wonderful here to hear this from the students and uh I'm I'm thrilled to hear that there's so many students like you that we have, you know, a third uh of our students are currently enrolled in early college and then last year's seniors, you know, almost 50% of them took at least one
025class. That that is just phenomenal to hear that. Um I I have heard it on more than one occasion that the Darti High School early college program is sort of the gem um of this whole area in terms of the the participation rates and success that comes out of uh the early college program and the collaboration that we have with Citrus. So really exciting to hear that this tradition is continuing. Um, I I as I think most of you know, um, I have a I have a son at Darty High School right now and a daughter who graduated last year. And, uh, my daughter, uh, she's she's at Brigham Young University up in Utah. Um, and she'll be finishing her freshman year, um, next month actually. And she'll be registering for the the fall, uh,
026you know, later this year, and she'll already be a junior. So, um it's really exciting to to have all of these courses done um and sort of in the books and and that's that's allowed her, you know, obviously to save uh me some money. Um but also it's it's allowed her uh a chance to explore classes that she wouldn't normally have time to take. Um so you know a piece of advice I would I would give to all of you is is um you know it is great to get out of a four-year university in in uh you know less than four years but also this this uh list of classes that you're already going to have done um is going to allow you an opportunity to take a class that you may just take
027because it sounds interesting. Um so even if you are you know going to be a nursing student and you want to take that art history class do it. Um, I think it it it really will broaden your horizons and and make you a better overall student. So, I'd encourage you all to do that. But, um, this is so exciting to to hear that this program is doing so well. And I I commend, uh, all of you for participating and for the the leadership at Darty High School for continuing to promote this and, uh, for for Mr. Anderson. Uh, I heard he was in the back there. Okay. Yeah. So, so, Mr. Anderson, thank you so much for bringing this to our students. I'm um every time I hear about this program, I have this little
028piece of my heart that has a some jealousy in it that this didn't exist uh when I graduated from Darty High School back in the the 1900s. >> Any other comments for >> No. Um, just wanted to thank the high school leadership for showcasing kind of one of the highlights that we have here at Dwerty Unified School District. Um, and we we really do have a stellar program. I know that many um or if not all high schools offer it, but just to offer it is one thing, but to the degree in which it's being offered is really um having a positive impact on our community. Um, when we do our school highlights at board meetings, one of my favorite parts is hearing from the students. So, thanks to the three of you for speaking
029on that tonight because everything we do, it's about you guys. It's about the kids and and to hear it from your voices really matters. And, you know, I think that this could really be a gamecher for the trajectory that our kids are on. You know, you some kids may not see themselves as collegegoing or academic or scholarly, but then they have this opportunity to experience that as high schoolers. I think that's, you know, really, really incredible. Um, I'll kind of an embarrassing fact about myself. I didn't have that experience and I spent seven years at Pasadena City College before transferring to Cal State LA. And so you see doctor behind my name, there was a lot of years that preceded that. But I think that had I had that opportunity as a high schooler, my
030trajectory would have looked a lot different. I would have, you know, been able to get out of PCC much quicker than seven years. But um yeah, but thank you to all of you for for highlighting this great program. Yes, I I really um commend our staff at the high school that has um has done a great job regarding the the um early college. And we must remember that we were the first district, the Citrus College choose to implement that program. Among all the school district in the surrender areas, we were the one that started this program. So, thank you to all of you and our students. Thank you for sharing with us tonight. With that, thank you. Any other comment? No. With that, I would like to take just a moment to introduce our um
031principles and directors that are here with us tonight. So, if you can please stand, we would like to recognize our principles and directors that are here with us tonight. and assistant principles. And we're going to take just few minutes to take a photo with uh our students and the high school staff, please. And then have a small break for cookies and water. Thank you. Got to get used to coming to these. here. Let me see. >> Dr. Madano, >> she can Maybe go in between James and Louie. Not you. Not you. Between James and if or not. There you go. Oh, that's nice. Okay, we are returning to our board meeting. And we now move to presentations item number nine. So Dr. Madrano, presentation of the second interimm financial report for period ending January 31st,
0322026. Okay. Thank you, Madame President. As you can see, I'm in a different location tonight. Um, this is my first ever second interim report presenting to the board of education. Um and I'm going to go over with you a little bit more about the process that we took to get here. So um this is our budget preparation timeline that we follow each year. So from this current u where we are right now you'll see the you are here era we are in the uh second interim report which is covering through January 31st of 2026. So um in in January we got the governance bud governor's budget proposal and then we continued updating our budget and preparing to make those modifications to the proposed budget that we presented um we did present back in December our
033first interim and these are updates since then. So you'll see that later after today's presentation we will be preparing uh with information from the May governor's budget uh that will be published. We'll be presenting our LCAP budget and um a two-step process to approve our budget with the LCAP hearing in June. So, just knowing that budget is a starting point um and throughout the year, changes are discussed and I'm going to even share with you some of those changes that impacted our budget for this fiscal year. So, as we ground ourselves in our work, we heard from our amazing students tonight. Um, I want to thank these cheerleaders who are here at our new gymnasium welcoming us to our budget presentation this evening. Um, and they really are the center of everything that we do
034and really impact all of the budget decisions that we make in our school district. So, now I'm going to get into some of the requirements. So, as you know, AB1200 is um are mandated we are mandated by law and we are we have to provide a budget updates at least two times a year um to the county on our financial position. So, Los Angeles County of Office of Education is our governing agency that provides us guidance on budget assumptions to incorporate into our budget projections. Based on our current projections and where we stand right now, I'm happy to report that Dwarti Unified School District um second interim report qualifies us to be certified as positive, which is the highest rating possible that the state provides for districts. This next slide, I'm going to talk about
035what assumptions we have made. So, our Los Angeles County Office of Education requires that district discuss our budget assumptions that directly impact our financial reports. For example, our stoal total student enrollment projections at grades TK through 12, overall average daily attendance, COLA percentages, which is cost of living adjustments, and our tallies for our unduplicated pupils, all contribute to our funding levels for LCFF, local control funding formula, which is our largest revenue source for the district. Other key elements include our pension calculations. on here you'll see those as stirs and pers. Those are for certificated teachers and those kind of classifications and PERS is anyone who's not a certificated position. Lottery of course is part of our budget as well and mandate and reimbursement funding and some funding varies um levels vary based on grades span.
036For example, lottery we receive different funding um for rest unrestricted restricted and then for LCFF and different funding sources we may receive a little bit different money depending upon the grades span of the student. All of these projections impact what we call our LCFF calculator, our local control funding form and calculator that help us make our budget plans. I'm going to go into a little more detail on the assumptions based on our average daily attendance. You'll see these students here engaging in student learning during the school day. We all know that attendance is important, but attendance is important so that we can make sure students are learning. So, the state puts a lot of emphasis on this for us and how they fund us because they want to make sure we're getting kids to school.
037And of course, that's really important for us as well, but it does have a huge impact on our budget. As you can see, and as you know, we've had some continual declines in enrollment. Um and the state implemented some funding for agencies to offset the impacts of COVID. So a couple years ago, a few years ago now, we were able to um reflect our funding based on an average of the last three years. So the last column here, you'll see that there's a state subsidy listed and this gives us um funding for additional students that aren't actually here, but they gave us an average of the last three years. So our prediction for 2526 which is um our what what we um have noted here is that it was 151 students. So these are kids
038that aren't necessarily here but we're receiving funding for. They may be enrolled in our school but not attending on a regular basis. So we are always looking at ways that we can improve our average daily attendance. This is a way that we can actually get revenue without increasing enrollment. We're always looking at ways to increase enrollment, but also we're now very focused on increasing our attendance to our preandemic attendance levels. So, now that I've talked about the assumptions, I'm going to share with you an update of where we are now versus where we were in December when we presented to the board. So, in December, um, we were at what was called the first interim budget. And now I'm going to be focusing on what is the second interim. So if you look at this
039chart, the first set of um rows is the second interim budget. So you can see that our unrestricted column here shows our revenue sources exceeding our expenditures by about $755,000, $756,000. So we're doing well in that area. We do have contributions from special ed that um exceed $10 million, which does affect our fund balance, which means it's taking away from our um one-time reserves and money that we have in the bank. But our ending fund balance is still showing positive as a $12.3 million fund balance. And our first interim, we predicted a little higher at 12.8. And so what that's showing is we've had increases in um in raises for our teachers as you know and there's other expenditures that have come up but the big bulk of this is for those raises. We are
040still in negotiations for some of our employees and so if we did reach a settlement there then those would be reflected as well. So, our budget variances between the first interim and the second interim is about um in the unrestricted general fund $567,000. On the next slide, this is where I'm showing you this year um and the two subsequent years. This is a requirement by the state to show where we are right now and where we will projected to be in next year and the following year. So the first set of row of columns here shows you where we are right now. What I showed you on the last slide where our ending fund balance is $12.3 million. Next year based on our projections and our projections um we're looking at about 10.9. We have
041some reductions that we're looking at and we're always looking at ways to save money and also bring in revenue. And then in 2728, we're still showing positive at about 8.5. And I'm going to talk a little bit more about why it's important for us to keep a a healthy end fund balance. Um, and we want to think about that in our district, one month of payroll is about $3.3 million. So, as we're paying our bills, we want to make sure that we have enough money in our fund balance to cover at least one and a half, if not two months of payroll. So as we know um in 2014 uh about a dozen years ago the state implement implemented proposition 2 which limit fund balances reserves for districts not to exceed 10%. So if we
042are going to go over that we do have to justify that 10%. And as I mentioned in the last slide payroll is a big part of that. Um and with the adoption of um the state budget of 2122 the rainy day fund reserve levels exceeded 3%. So, I'm going to talk a little bit about why we want to keep a healthy fund balance as we move forward so that we can definitely keep our valuable programs and not put anything at risk for our students. So, with the adoption of the 2627 budget, which will come in June, that we're beginning to work on now, um a resolution will be provided to the board for consideration that complies with all these mandated reporting requirements. As I've mentioned, there are provisions under Proposition 2 that allow us to
043justify maintaining higher reserve levels. And listed on this slide, you'll see definitely a wide range of examples of why agencies like us will need to carry higher levels of reserve to combat some challenges that are out of our local control. So, you will notice that um the structural state budget deficit is on there because we can't predict how the state is going to be spending the money. We hear um from the governor, we hear projections, but we know that things are in unstable and there is um deficit spending there as well. We also know that we have continual student um enrollment decline. We also know that ADA, our average daily attendance is affected due to higher absenteeism. Although we continue to try to attract students to our district and improve attendance, those are unpredictable and
044can allow us to have a higher reserve level. We also know that pension costs are ra rising and also medical insurance that has impacted everyone this year and of course rising costs of property and liability insurance and facility funding to address needs. We do have bond money but in addition to that we have aging facilities that need repair and so we have ability to um use our uh fund balance for that as well. On this next slide, um I'm showing you where we are. An important element of reporting certification is the district's ability to pay to be liquid and pay its bills. So, this um slide shows all funds of the district show a positive cash balance for the reporting period. Um you'll notice fund 21 is treated a little differently. This is bond money.
045It's not part of the general fund, but it's part of the reporting as well that we have to show it on here. But all of our funds are in positive So our next steps, I recommend that the governing board approve tonight the second interim report as p published with the positive certification. I will then work with the team to file the financial reports and presentation with Los Angeles County Office of Education. And then our next step will be working towards developing a budget stabilization plan. And you might think why why are we going to do a budget stabilization plan? What's the point? um we don't want to always wait for the county to tell us we need to do that. That's something we want to do on a yearly basis. Um even if we are
046in good financial standing so that we have our um ducks in a row, if you will, so we can be prepared because like I said, there's a lot of unpredictable factors um all around us. There's four important components of a budget stabilization plan. We have to look at ways to enhance revenue um which might look like increasing attendance, increasing enrollment and other ways to enhance revenue. We would be looking at um ways to um ex um reduce expenditures. Um and that would look like just could be reductions in staff as needed, reductions in programs that we might not know and use any longer. And there's a wide range of things we could be looking closely at contracts and how we're spending money there. Um, we can also look at transfers to restricted monies. So, we
047want to really free up the general fund as much as possible. And finally, another layer of that could be use of one-time reserves. So, we'll be working with that um to help develop our multi-year projections for next year and beyond and to have a balanced budget so that we can move forward as a team. It's important that we not create a plan when we need a plan. We have a plan in place before we need that plan so we know our next steps as a team. and we're always forecasting to the future. And it's a really um it's considered best practice in districts to always have a budget stabilization plan in place. And finally, I want to thank the team. I know we've been working hard in the transition here. Um we have Wendy Moreno
048is here with us tonight. Grace Reyes, Scott Hilton, Kenya Menhivar, um Katherine Engold, and Helen Dwang all have been working hard to support us in our transition and um creating this report for tonight. So, I want to thank you for um allowing me to take a few moments to present to you and I'll open it up for any questions from the board. >> Board members, >> I have a quick question. Um do we know what the balance the bond balance is? >> Can you say that again? >> The bond balance, do we know what it is? >> I don't know that off the top of my head, but I can provide that. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Uh yes, Dr. Madrona, thank you very much for this presentation. I appreciate you pulling
049this together and for explaining it uh both tonight and uh with us board members uh beforehand. Um one one question I did want to ask um was the the reserves the 10% reserves that you had mentioned. Um so is that 10% of our total budget every year is what we're allowed to have unless we have justification for going higher. Is that the 10%? >> Yes, I believe we're talking specifically about the general fund. So, unrestricted. So, 10% of that. >> Gotcha. Gotcha. And uh let's see. Do you do you have uh you had mentioned you know some of the things that we can do to increase our revenue would be to uh bolster our ADA. uh do you have, you know, a feeling I I see on on the slide five it has that 93.7%
050is is kind of what we're planning for or the assumptions that we're making for uh this year and then going forward into the two out years. Um do you have some feeling for what it would do to our underlying budget if we were to say get that up to 95 96% like how how big of an impact is that? Um, I could get those calculations for you. I don't have those, but I know that our prepandemic attendance rates were in the 97 range. And so I feel like that's definitely within our reach and that can impact our budget um in in millions, not thousands. >> Okay, that's impressive. Thank you very much. >> Any other question? >> Dr. Madron, I noticed that when you mentioned that $10 million plus for special ed. So, what can
051we do there to reduce some of those costs? >> It's a great question. It's definitely on our radar. I'm working with Dr. Akenusi on ways we can we can reduce, you know, we don't want to limit our services to students as as designated by the IEP, but we do want to look closely at our practices. um use of outside contractors, non-public agencies are a big part of the budget. And so we're looking at ways that we can be more creative. Um are there positions that we can hire in-house that might save us money? So those are all things that are part of our savings plan there that we'll be implementing. >> Do you know what the percentage is that we have right now? Special needs students? >> Yeah. Um I believe we're about 17% special
052education, which is a higher than the state average. And so that's something we want to look at as well. What's the state average or recommendation? >> I think it% around that area. It kind of varies by year. >> I'm seeing a head nodding in the background. >> 10% >> 13 >> 12 >> 13%. Okay. >> Look at that. >> So, we have some some work we could be doing. >> Yes. >> For that. Thank you. >> Any other question? Nope. Thank you, Dr. Thank you, President Reyes. >> President Diaz. >> Oh my gosh. >> It's happening again. >> Oh my goodness. Well, that's okay. Don't worry. Don't worry. That's okay. It was a great presentation. It is a great presentation. Okay. We now move to our student board member. I got you. >> Thank you.
053Good evening everyone. Um, last month has been very exciting and filled with a lot of fun at Derty High School. Um, our spring sports have just begun their seasons. We celebrated Lunar New Year and Black History Month, honoring both cultures with good food and music and also games. Uh we also had our winter rally with the fun spirit week where we also recognize our athletes, our scholars and our valid Victorians um for this year. Um and all of our events had great success. This month is women histories month, women's history month, and a group of our students from DHS got the honor to attend uh Senator Rubio's Wings program seminar. It was a great opportunity for our students, for our young women students to learn and prepare for their future. Um, they got to learn
054things about like proper etiquette and the differences between healthy and non-healthy relationships. This month we are having a St. Patty's Day event where students can celebrate the day with a spirit day of of course wearing green and also ice cream floats with a scavenger hunt and games. Our Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program is creating a food drive, uh, a food and hygiene drive where they're going to be creating baskets, um, for those in need. If you stop by the front office, you could pick up a tag and return the tag with the items. >> Um, it's a really impactful way to give back to our community. This month, DHS is having a food a food booth. Um, it is on March 25th. It gives a chance for our clubs on campus um to fund raise money.
055Um speaking of clubs, our senior class is having many events this month. They're having senior splashing uh tattoo a teacher and as well as tomorrow they are having a senior verse staff volleyball game which um I think even Mr. Haro is going to participate in. So that's really cool. Um all these activities are for them to fundra for our prom that is later in April. Uh this year's prom is April 18th. Um it is at Hurst Ranch in West Coina. This weekend is our annual district uh track meet. Uh it is hosted at the Dherty Field. I know all the schools in Derty are will be in attendance and also students from DHS get to volunteer um at the event and help out and support the students who are racing. Um, for the eighth graders,
056we will be having a future Falcons showcase later this month where we will be having fun activities and booths where future Falcons can receive information about clubs, sports, and fun events we have on campus. This month is March Madness and ASB is hosting event where each grade will compete head-to-head and it will be like a bracket system to see who will go to the next level later eventually competing with the staff as well. Um, and finally, on March 26th, 27th, and 28th, our theater will be having a play called Stand and Deliver. It would be great if you guys all could attend and see all the hard work that they have been preparing for for these past few months. Thank you. >> Will you please repeat the day? When when is that going to be?
057>> They're March 26th, 27th, and 28th. >> Okay. Thank you. We now move to superintendent reports. Um, did Marcelo not notice that we have a black screens? Oh, thank you, Marcelo. Thank you, President Diaz. Good evening. Um before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that as we know March is women's history month and it's a time to recognize and celebrate the leadership of course that we have on the board contributions and achievement of women all throughout our history and here within our own community. So thank you. I'd like to highlight a few exciting things that have been happening across Darti Unified in the past month. So firstly, congratulations to Royal Oaks. Um the middle school uh portion of the school was recognized as a California schools to watch and we attended the ceremony this
058past week um with principal Castillo. As we know this honor reflects incredible work of the entire team and commitment to students and every day and um the school will also be recognized as a national schools to launch in Washington DC in June. So it's very exciting for the the team there. As you know, last week we also hosted our middle school showcases at our three schools that have a middle school program, Royal Oaks, Maxwell, and Beardsley. It was wonderful to welcome families from across our community and to see our programs, meet our staff, and learn more about the opportunities available to our students in grades six, seven, and eight. And I also wanted to take a minute to thank the staff and students who helped make our Lunar New Year uh celebration here at the
059city of Darti a special community event. We were able to host a booth and interact with a lot of families and we couldn't have done it without the help of some of our staff. So Nila Offman, Brian BS, Dina Delgado, Kenya Minhivar, Stella Star, and Mercedes Ruiz. Thank you so much for all of your support with getting this event going. It gave us an opportunity to engage with families throughout our community and thank you to the principles and directors who attended as well. It was a great example of the vibrant culture and community spirit across our schools and we look forward to participating in future events at the city and maybe doing some different fun things to interact with our families. And as part of my continued campus visits, I've had the opportunity to spend
060some time with students and staff across the district this past month. Hearing directly from students about their experiences and ideas for their schools continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of this work. Finally, as we continue to work closely with our MIT community as we prepare for the program transition next year, I had the opportunity to meet with parents actually this morning at MIT. We had a a group of about eight parents that were there and their insight and commitment to supporting our amazing MIT students was truly inspiring. Their voices as parents are an important guiding light as we move forward. We will also be hosting a family information meeting on March 23rd at Darty High School in the evening to continue the conversation with additional parents and families and we will send
061be sending out information on this via parent square. Thank you very much. >> Thank you Dr. Mitrano. We now move to item number 12 request to address the board. Good evening and thank you for joining us. The board will now provide a time for public comment. Each speaker has up to three minutes to address the board. Please note that during this time, it is the board's practice not to engage in discussion or ask or answer questions. This is a time for the public to share thoughts with that board. Following public comments, the board may direct staff to follow up or report back on the issue raised. We will appreciate everyone's cooperation and keeping comments respectful and within the time limit. So, Dr. Mrano. Okay. First, we have Lillian Cabrell. >> Okay. Good evening, um, school
062board and superintendent. I'm here on two things. Still concerned about the and Olive moving into Deward uh High School. Um I hear that uh two families are considering moving uh their children out and uh that was very concerning because just one is more is important. Not only just one but those that'll follow. So we know that the areas of uh the Spanish corridor is going to be where the Mount Olive students will be. So they're displacing them and asking the teachers that have been there for years to go ahead and move all their stuff out and get everything ready. This was known when we were built or you were building the gym that this money well when you went into the development of closing down uh uh Andrews Dearti and taking the Otis Fields and
063the air other areas that this was already there. You already knew this was happening. you still didn't prepare a good area for Mount Olive to uh go into Darty High School. You didn't set up any type of uh trailers or buildings or any kinds of those things. Secondly, I'm here to let you know that um I'm here since 1979, but I live in the county of uh of Los Angeles Darty, Annex Darty, but all the things that are happening with baseball, our fields, you know, we're losing uh and renting out to other um um teams that are coming in from the outside. You know, we have uh Carlos Fischer who was from Darti High School. He went to the Reds. We have Mark Baka who is from Deward who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We
064have um you know uh Mil Bill Milton that went to um you know professional ball major the major league. So we have these things where our kids are coming back to knowing that the sports especially the ones who are heading the wrong way. They chose sports to come into to really develop themselves and their families. We had so many people that were Romo's Auto, Columbia Bow, Jan's Towing, Mike's Food, Rosy's Pizza, Lacy's Pizza, uh Paul Joyce. We had all these businesses that were uh sponsors of the teams. We need to bring our kids back. We need to bring our kids. I've known several ones that are going to uh Monrovia. They're going to uh you know, Aoyo. They're going to Northview. All these schools, they're they're you know, in our neighborhoods, they're leaving. We need
065to bring them back. But you guys have to have that plan. You're the ones that govern our community, our children, and our schools. So, you need to understand that. I will be back next month with the other issues. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Gabs. >> Okay. Next, we have Erica Cox. Good evening board. We've been working toward advancing our daughter Daphne from kinder to first, which is in the same classroom, since before the school year began. But with Principal Fish leaving Valley View and then having an interim principal, our desire to discuss Daphne's promotion to first grade was continuously delayed. In our very first conversation with Principal Heinding, the message was clear. She doesn't believe in allowing any children to move up early. She even bragged about the one time in her
06630 years in education a student was promoted under her watch and it was a student from another country. Odd thing to brag about. We thought at least they'd give us a chance to prove Daphne objectively deserves it, but they didn't. During the initial SST meeting, Principal Heinding, who had no experience with Daphne, again made her point very clear that moving up a grade wasn't an option. She deferred to Miss Chow, who sheepishly deferred back to Principal Heinding and agreed with everything her new principal said. When academics couldn't be used to keep Daphne in kindergarten, they resorted to their judgment of her social emotional behavior and how Daphne was often last to finish her work and took more of a backseat in group work than taking the lead. We've since learned that those things are just
067part of her processing system. And while she will continue to grow as time goes on, those are actually good traits for young minds, allowing her to be exceptional, not just in one subject, but across the board. That's part of what we learned after Daphne took an IQ test. When we got the numbers, it turns out Daphne really is an outlier. Based on her test scores, Daphne has been accepted into the Davidson Institute's Young Scholars Program and Mensah programs specifically for the gifted. Based on her scoring, she's in the top. 2%. Not 2%, 2%. We don't say it to brag, we say it because it's a fact and to emphasize that Dart USC not only missed it then, you're still missing it. Even after you got the data, we paid so much money to provide. The
068psychologist who administered the test also found her to be remarkably social, which she said is incredibly rare with gifted students. She enlightened us as to why Daphne often takes longer to finish her work, which is due to meticulousness, not laziness. When we explained that to the school, it fell on deaf ears as usual. Even with objective data, Mrs. Heinding and Miss Chow will not relent. That's textbook anchoring bias. They just refuse to let go of their initial assessment, even in the face of new information that contradicts it. It's almost like Valley View was called the Academy of Technology and Creative Learning. Ironically, they've dug in their heels. Daphne is stuck in kindergarten because of her birth date. We've asked that she'd been moved from one table in her classroom to another when in reality we
069could have asked for a lot more. The result of this district's inaction has been a rise in absences because we're taking Daphne to tour new schools and doing the leg work that we need to do to meet our child's needs. We will not just fall in line so that you can collect the funding attached to our child walking through the gate each day. You need to do better. Daphne is an outlier and one that we're incredibly proud of and we will always fight for her and for what's right. We owe her that. Thank you. Next we have Steven Cox on the same subject board. Um uh we have been fighting for a long time as my wife pointed out and um you know at our last parent teacher conference we we raised an issue with
070the with the teacher that she had said before the year started that we would have that she had she's good at differentiating the teaching for the children and um and she hasn't been doing that. Uh Daffany is still doing sums of five or less. Um as far as as far as we've been made aware, um she can do complex multiplication. Uh so the teacher essentially just told us that we needed to go somewhere else if we wanted her to have uh that good of a, you know, that high of an education level when it comes to her math or or things that she's above and beyond in. Um and okay, sure, maybe maybe we do, right? But also, um we've already looked into interd district transfers around here and any of the districts that we
071would want to transfer to are starting that process right now and we can't even apply for that until May 1st. So, we end up getting stuck here because we get behind in the process on other districts that we might want to go to. Um it's like you know if you don't want us here but you don't you won't let us leave either. Recently today today we started to make some headway on this and I'm I'm hopeful that it's going to actually uh come to the proper conclusion. But you know we're not we're not that hopeful at the moment um just because of how long it's been and how little action we've seen from anybody involved. So, um, I'm going to seed the rest of my time because I want my my daughter to come up.
072One of the things they've said, she's all right. She'll stand up. One of the things they've said is that she doesn't advocate for herself. My name is Daffy Cox and I am in Miss Charles's kindergarten and first grade class at Valley View. I want to be in first grade because I already know all of the kindergarten things and I want to challenge my brain. But nobody is giving me a chance. I get higher. a harder homework than my other kindergarten classmates, but that's all. I'm really good at a lot of things, especially math and piano. My mom and dad like to give me math problems to see if I can solve them with my mind. You can ask me a math question or my dad can ask me some right now. >> So, she's asking
073you to ask her some This is um we can't interact in that way. So um >> Deafany um how many minutes in 6 and 1/2 hours? >> 390. >> Um what time is it right now? She's got a manual watch on. It's >> 16. Oh, wait. >> That's right. She It just went to >> 17. My bad. Uh Deafany, if you had if you if you had to bake if you had three cherry pies and five chocolate pies, but you wanted to have twice as many cherry pies as chocolate pies, how many cherry pies would you have to bake? >> Seven. She can do the math. So that's all. >> Thank you. >> That that's all of our public comments. >> Thank you, Dr. um Madrano. We now move to general functions and we will
074make sure that our staff follow up on into this. Thank you. Okay. Um, I need a motion to approve the minutes of the special meeting of January 24, 2026, February 19, 2026, and February 27, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Finley, second by Miss Holin. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I >> Motion approved. approve the minutes of the regular meeting on February 19, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Dr. Finlay, second by Miss Hogin. Any discussion? >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Motion approved. We now move to to approve the consent calendar. The next item of business is the adoption of the consent calendar. Does anyone want to remove any item for separate discussion or action?
075>> Yes. >> Okay. Mr. Reyes, what what items numbers do to you? >> Number nine, 11 and 12. >> 9, 11, and 12. We had an objection from board member Reyes to approval the consent calendar with the inclusion of item number 9, number 11, I'm sorry, 13.39, 13.311, 1312. Those items are being moved from the consent calendar and shall be considered individually under separate action. Is there is a motion to approve the consent calendar with the exception of item 13.3.9 13.311 13.312 >> so moved >> moved by Mr. Reyes. Second. >> Second by Miss Holin. Any discussion? I'm sorry there is no discussion in there. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion approve. Okay. We will now consider item number 13.39. May I have a motion to approve? Move to approve. Second >> by Mr.
076Reyes, second by Dr. Finlay. Discussion. It is the mot. Okay. >> Discussion. Yes. >> Yes. Dr. Madrono, could you please explain what this is for the community? >> Yes. This is um what's called a CCAP agreement. It's a partnership with Pasadena Community College. So um we have been working on this. Mr. Morris has been working on this with Mr. Prince. Um, and we are going to be offering uh culinary arts as part of a um dual enrollment opportunity where students can earn college credit. Um, and the reason why we're working with Pasadena, not Citrus, is Citrus doesn't offer culinary arts. So, that allows us to get permission to work with another community college. So, this is no cost to the district and a huge benefit to our students. >> Yeah. We we were supposed to
077do it with Mount Sack. So, that never happened. No, we we um are working with Pasadena City College on this now. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> It is the motion to approve item 13.39. There is no discussion. So, all in favor? It was moved by Mr. Reyes, again by Dr. Finley. >> All in favor? I. >> Thank you. >> Motion approved. We now move to item two. We will consider now item 13.311. Um may I have a motion? >> So move >> to approve. Okay. Moved by Mr. Reyes. Second. >> Second by Dr. Finlay. Discussion. >> Yes. Dr. Madrono. What is this about? >> So this item is a uh grant. It's the K12 strong workforce grant program. Um, we've received these funds before. It's just to support career
078technical education. We work in a consortium with other districts. Um, and Charter Oak is the agency that provides it. That's why you'll see Charter Oak Unified, but this is grant funds directly to our school district. >> So, you said K12. >> So, this is for any of the grades. >> Uh, >> this is not CTE. >> This is CTE. That's the name of the program is K12 strong workforce. I mean ultimately they want us to build pathways that support students in all grade levels but the large portion of it supports at the high school level because that's when they take the pathway courses. >> Okay. But it can be used for the lower grades. >> Um I don't know off the top of my head what how those funds can be used. There are certain
079requirements but I can find out and provide an update to the board. >> Please or >> yes it it there are restrictions on how we use those funds at the different levels but yeah I can provide more specifics in an update. >> Yes. Okay. >> Does Mr. Morris want to add to that? >> It might be something we do an update later. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Morris. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> Motion approved. We now move to item number three. We will now consider item 13.312. May I have a motion? So move second >> moved by Mr. Reyes >> second by Dr. Finley. >> Okay. Um discussion. >> Yes. Dr. Madrono. Is this the same thing? >> This
080this is a different competitive grant but we do approach it similarly where we go through a consortium. So this is the CTE career technical education incentive grant um that we have to provide matching funds for. >> Right. And so what what are those matching funds and how does that work? So there's a lot of um creative ways we can approach this. A lot of those will be through existing salaries like Mr. Morris's salary. We match funds with that. Um and we work with fiscal. Wendy Mareno helps us uh identify um all the different sources. So it's not like we're looking for new things. We're looking for things that we're already spending money on to match the funds and we definitely have that covered. >> Okay. So I I saw in there, correct me if I'm
081wrong, but so we give $2 and they give $1 to our $2. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> But we we meet those requirements. Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's competitive when we've got it for several years, so it's a huge benefit to our students. >> Thank you. >> Uh any other discussion? >> Okay. Any opposition? All in favor? >> I motion is carried. We now move to item number four. Receive forformational purposes the second quarter of 2025 2026 fiscal year results on site visits, reviews, and uniform complaint data. Number five, construction and modernization project update, March 2026. receive for information the construction and modernization project update. We up to item um 14 personal student services. Okay. Resolution number 142526 reduction of early child development services for lack of work and or lack of funds. May I
082have a motion? >> So moved >> by Finlay, second by Dr. um by Miss Holin. Any discussion? Any questions? All in favor? >> I >> motion approve. Motion approved. Uh resolution number 15-2526 reduction of discontinuence of particular kinds of service. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Reyes. Second. >> Second by Dr. Hasso. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I >> Thank you. Motion pass. Number three, res resolution number 16-2526, determination of seniority among certificate employees with the same seniority date tiebreaker resolution. May I have a motion? >> Move to approve. >> Moved by Dr. Hasso. >> Second by Dr. Finlay. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I you moving to educational services public uh viewing of curriculum for grade seven and grade nine secondary compreh comprehensive sexual health
083and HIV AIDS prevention. Receive for information the public viewing of curriculum for grade seven and grade nine. secondary comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention that we do that at the uh at the district that's when you where you display all the information that we have any parents or anyone that really attend that or we also have them at each school site. I could find out um what our viewing is like on that provide an update. But yeah, that's required by law. We have to have it out so we can review it. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I I want to hear that that was mandatory by Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um business and financing. Uh item number one, 2025 D-26, transportation service plan. May I have a motion? >> Wow. >> So move. >> They
084don't want to go home. Moved by Miss Hol. Second. >> Second. Second by Dr. Hasso. Any discussion? Can you elaborate a little bit about transportation service plan, please? >> We do receive some funds back from the state on this. So, this is a requirement each year. So, it's basically reporting everything that we've spent on transportation and what's allowable for us to see as reimbursement. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? Seems none. All the all in favor? I >> motion. Oops. Sorry. It's not my phone. It's my alarm with my sugar. Okay. Okay. Um item number two, uh amendment number seven of agreement with Ninja and M to provide geo geor Oh my goodness. Help me with this geotechnical. Thank you. materials, testing, and special inspections for the Dwarte High School new sports complex project. May
085I have a motion? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Moved by M. Do Dr. Hass, second by Dr. Finlay. Can you tell me, please? I'm sorry. I just um for some reason I skipped this one. Can you tell me about this one? This is some closing out some of the pieces from the uh complex. So there were some uh additional costs to um encompassing and geotechnical and then the materials testing. So it was for the welding of steel roofing um and there were some changes. So there was additional cost required here. So um I believe the total amount this is all bond money so no impact on general fund. Um, this is an increase of about $13,779. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Yes. >> Okay. Go ahead, >> Dr. Madron.
086Where are we at with this new sports complex project? Are we doing anything? Is it in limbo? Because I've heard of it, but I don't, you know, see if anything's going on other than the gym. and the tennis courts. >> Um, you you mean besides those two, >> right? Are we going to continue to to complete it or is it are we out of money? >> Um, I would have to look at that. Um, I know we're closing out the gym and there's some uh field repairs being done right now on some of the pieces impacting some of our baseball fields, but Mr. Cosby, do you have additional update in that or we can provide an update later? We can invite an update later, but the I know the um Westfield previously the JB baseball
087field is being put back as an all-purpose field and that should be uh completed uh end of April uh beginning of May. >> So, is it true that I heard that it's not going to be a JB field? It's not large enough anymore. It >> it's uh it's Yeah, it's going to be an allpurpose field now. >> Oh, wow. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Second. Interim financial report for period ending January 20 31st, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Reyes. Second. >> Second. Second by Dr. Hassu. Any discussion? All in favor? I >> Okay, we now move to non-aggenda items by board members and student board members and superintendent for discussion only. Okay, I will
088go with uh our student rep tonight first. >> Thank you. Um it was great to see my school come out tonight and get to represent one of our great programs that we have. Um I'm thankful that I had the privilege to speak on the topic because I know it has impacted me a lot while being um next to my peers that also have gone through it with me. Another thing I want to speak on is I know at a previous meeting we spoke about um our gym and like our custodian in need. So our know our school is now we're excited to hear that there is a possibility of a custodian to come in um and help us with our services. So yes that'll be all. Thank you. >> Thank you my dear um Dr.
089Finley. >> Yes madam president. Thank you very much for this opportunity to uh share a couple of thoughts. Uh so I I first of all I want to uh thank the directors and principles and assistant principles and associate principles for showing up this evening. It's great to see all of you here. Um I appreciate uh you making the effort to be here this evening. Um I I do get on a on a fairly regular basis uh I get the opportunity to go in front of uh several of our schools on my uh my commute to work every day. Um, and it it happened to be I I don't go uh past uh Bu a Vista very often because that's past the City of Hope where I work. And but today it was different. Um I
090I was uh um our son's uh vehicle had a little bit of a um repair that was needed to it, a body repair. So you can ask him about that later. Um, and it's his birthday today, by the way. So, he's 17 years old. So, um, anyway, so so we were going to pick up the the vehicle um over at a body shop in Monrovia. And so my wife and I took the opportunity to go on a walk to go pick it up. And so I happened to go in front of uh Maxwell, which I again I don't get to do very often. And it was so nice to see uh Principal Sinstra out there with Mr. Prada welcoming the students there and and I know that that that is not a unique thing. I
091know a lot of principles do that and I really I just wanted to say specifically to to Maxwell because again I don't I don't get over there as much as some of the other schools but I really appreciate that there are welcoming faces um that are there to uh welcome our students uh to school because that that that may be um the thing that kind of starts their day off on the right foot. Um, and I think that's so important that that be done. And I know I know our teachers are doing it. I know our proctors are doing it to to welcome them in. I I can't tell you how nice it was when I was crossing the street um, you know, to to have the crossing guard tell me to have a blessed
092day. I was like, "Hey, I'm having a blessed day. This is great." So So anyway, I I really appreciate um that our staff is so welcoming. that that is really tremendous and something that I think our students appreciate and our families appreciate. And those are those are just some of the little things that that I think make Darti so special. So, thank you very much for doing that. And uh I think that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Finley. Okay, Miss Holgim. >> Well, thank you, Miss Dr. Madrono, for uh presenting the second interim report. I know it was your first one and you passed >> and um I want to thank the principles, the directors, um the staff that's here. Um it really makes me feel good that to
093see you here. Um it reminds me that everybody does care because I care and thank you for being here and I hope to see you guys every month. >> Thank you, Mr. Crosby. Okay, Dr. Hasso, >> thank you. Um, just want to echo what everyone's already said. Thank you so much to uh principles, assistant principles, director, staff for coming tonight. Everything we do really requires our collective effort and so it's just great to um have you all here this evening. I know it extends your workday and just know that it doesn't go unnoticed and it is very much appreciated. Also, um, thank you to those who came and spoke on the mic tonight. Although we're not able to interact or ask questions at this time, it's helpful for the board to know what's on your
094mind. Um, and yeah, the the budget, good job, Dr. Madrono. Um, it was really clear. Very happy to see that we are in the positive and projected to stay in the positive. Um, even having provided those well-deserved raises to our teachers. Um, oh yeah, and then I wasn't able to attend the middle school showcases last week because I was on vacation. Um, I don't take them often, but I really needed one. But just, um, wanted to thank our middle school principles, um, Dr. Madrono, and everybody who was involved. I think it's a great way to take action on our ADA and opportunities to attract more families to our schools. So, thank you for your efforts. That's it. >> Thank you, Dr. Hasso. Mr. Reyes, >> I heard that. Okay, don't make it long. Um, >>
095oh my gosh. Okay, >> just kidding. Don't listen to Russ. >> Mr. Haro, what is the event happening this Thursday in the morning about finance and in the new gym? Could >> Could you come up and and explain it, please? >> Sure. >> Okay. Real quick, just humor. >> Oh, Rosa, he listened to you. >> Humor me. >> Um Well, who's sponsoring? Who's sponsoring it? >> It's not Mass anybody. There's um is Vital Reality. So, it is Foothill uh Credit Union. Okay. >> Comes out and >> it's really great event. It's a culmination of our seniors um comprehensive financial literacy >> program. So they get a series of lessons throughout the year. Foothill family um not fill family financial credit union comes to the school to our classes and teaches them all about personal finance
096rights the whole the whole thing the whole gamut. So what happens on this event is um it's really a cool event where kids come in and they get a um uh kind of an avatar. So, they use their app on their phone. They get a profile. I'm married. I got three kids and I make $40,000 a year. And with that profile, uh, they have to go then rent a buy buy a rent a house or apartment, >> buy a car or some sort of transportation, buy groceries, buy all those things, and there's different boosts. So, at the end of the thing, they're figuring out, oh my god, maybe I can't buy myself a Porsche. And they have to go back to the person and say, can I return my Porsche, please? So, it's a really
097a vital reality to show kids like our students that um you know your dollar doesn't get stretched so far. So, you need to make some wise choices. So, it really is a a comprehensive financial literacy program that we offer at Dia High School. I'm really proud about it because our kids do learn a lot throughout the whole year. Um, Alexa, I'm not sure if you're part of that class because early college students sometimes don't take that class, but um, they walk away with a lot of information, a lot of knowledge that I didn't have. >> So, yeah. No, it and so the reason I'm bringing it up board is because I was invited to be a volunteer and I'm going to send that invite on to you all on this Thursday morning. I don't know
098if we're all busy or not, but they are looking for volunteers. Okay. Um, so I don't know who do who do we call the high school. >> Yeah, you can reach out to us. Okay. So, because I don't think they as of yesterday, they they still were looking for people. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> What's the time on that? >> So, what's that? >> What time on Thursday? >> It's 8:30, I believe, to around 11. >> Yeah. 11:30. Okay. So, there's three sessions. Okay. and they'll they'll walk you through what you and like he said, somebody will be a car dealer, somebody will be, you know, selling homes or or renting apartments, and they go to those different sections, and that's who they need the volunteers for is to be representing those things. Thank you,
099Mr. Haro. >> Thank you, Mr. Harrow. Um, opening day, James and I went to DYAC's opening day and it was a really, really great uh, event. I'm glad to see that baseball is back. Okay. And they're growing. They're growing. Um, real quick, ditto what everybody else said. And uh I my greatest um or my my my best experience this past uh week was uh reading to the little ones at uh at pre in preschool over at Andrew Swardy Head Start preschool. It was uh trying to keep their attention was something else. But uh it it was it was really nice. It was really I really enjoyed it. So that's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Reyes. See, Rosa, he didn't listen to you. You say fast. No way. And now you have to take Now I
100have to wait for me. No, I I echo the comments of my colleagues. Um I I really respect all your opinions and um I know time flies, but I remember when we had that kind of program that they gonna have on Thursday at the high school and it was with the checkbook. Now it's with the phone. I remember the kiddos turning in back the checks. No, I can afford this. And and when you mention right now $40,000, I mean, she it's it's really hard. Life is not easy. And I'm very very um happy and pleased to see that we are teaching our kids what the world is a reality that is everything is hard to to acquire. It's not easy to buy any more properties or whatever you need to buy. And with that, I
101just like to say um Mr. Emerson, I I really love to see you at our meetings, but I miss your pork Mr. Anderson, I'm sorry, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Thank you. Um I really like to see you at the meetings, but I really miss your pork chop for your pork ribs. Barbecue pork ribs. I haven't seen that in years. And thank you to all our principles that are they have been directors that have been here tonight. And um with that, I will let uh Dr. Mitano speak. Right. I'll start my 10-minute speech right now. Just kidding. Okay. I just want to take a a minute to thank our staff and leadership for the significant work happening across our district. Um we're really rocking and rolling. And um tonight's budget presentation represents um a lot
102of that and really the preparation and collaboration as we move forward uh in preparing the 2627 budget um ensuring that our resources are aligned and meeting the needs of our students and priorities in the district and um I want to acknowledge our business services team and district leadership for the work that goes into this process. It's very important. Budget development does require careful planning, transparency, collaboration, and collaboration. And I appreciate the time and effort that has gone into preparing for tonight's presentation because I couldn't have done it without everyone. And I also just want to again thank our principles, district leaders as they continue to work closely together. Um, communication, we've been doing some new things and I just thank everyone for working outside of the box a little bit to support our schools. And
103finally, no one really gets to thank the board. Um, but I thank you because your continued partnership and leadership is essential to the work we do as an organization and I look forward to the work ahead as we continue to build strong opportunities across Jordan Unified School District. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Mrano. We now move to item number 20. adjourn in memory of Margarita Fernandez, mother of Jimmy Fernandez, the tossa inclusion specialist specialist at the district office. May I have a motion to adjourn the meeting in memory of Margarita Fernandez? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Reyes. Second. >> Second by Dr. Finlay. Any discussion? Any opposition? Motion meeting a Come on.