10/16/25 Regular Board Meeting - Duarte USD

001All right. Good evening. Thank you all for coming. Um, we uh the board has just returned from close session and no action was taken. So, I'll now go ahead and call the regular meeting of the board of education of Dart Unified School District to order at 7:04 p.m. Uh, we'll do a quick roll call. Board member Diaz, >> present. >> Board member Finlay, present. Board member Holin, >> here. >> Board member Hasso >> here. >> Board member Reyes >> here. >> Excellent. All are here and accounted for. And Mr. Crosby, is your team all here? >> Yes, sir. >> Excellent. All right. Uh, and then if um I'm ask uh board member Diaz to just make a quick announcement. All right. Thank you very much, board member Diaz. All right. We'll now move on to

002the flag salute, uh, which I will go ahead and take care of. So, if everyone could please rise and 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 it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much. All right. We'll now move on to board member Reyes doing our beliefs, our vision, and our mission. Yes, thank you. Our beliefs. 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 are engaged in meaningful work that connects to their lives. We believe expectations do influence performances and outcomes. We believe learning increases when there are

003high 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. >> Thank you very much, board member Reyes. All right, we'll now move on to the adoption of the agenda. I do have two changes that I would uh like to make to the adoption of the agenda. Um the first um is we are going to be swapping positions of item number nine and number 12. So there was a request >> not swapping >> swapping >> not swapping moving 12 up to nine. >> Yeah, sorry that's what I meant. Swapping as in changing the order of of

004items uh number 12 and number nine. Uh yes, >> sorry sir. Uh number 12 will move up after number eight and will become number nine and everyone else will move down. >> Ah I see. >> We're not swapping nine and moving nine down. >> Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate the clarification on that. Okay. Uh so we are uh we are moving number 12 up just below number eight. Uh and then number nine will proceed after that. Thank you very much. Uh the other change uh that I just wanted to make note of this is item number 14.4. Um it should read uh approval of the appointment between Dart Unified School District and Dr. Jessica Madano. Uh so those are the two changes. So with those changes in mind, board, do I have a motion

005to approve the agenda? >> So second. >> So motion by board member Diaz, second by board member Reyes. Is there any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I >> I >> All righty. So, now we'll move on to item number eight, which is the spotlight on Dart Unifi's child development program. I'd >> like to call up uh director of our child development program, Sophia Valdez. >> Thank you. >> Hi. Thank you. Good evening board members, cabinet and community and DI Unified School District staff. Thank you for being here and thank you for the opportunity to having us tonight to highlight the wonderful things that are happening in the child development program. We are also very excited to have some of our staff in here and families saying hi. Okay. Thank you

006for being here. So um tonight we are going to spotlight on conscious discipline that also is called six weeks of success. But before we dive in I would like to give you a little background. In 2023 I attended a conscious discipline institute in Philadelphia. was for a week long training, but I I was truly impacted and inspired by how this approach supports the social, emotional and the early childhood education. With that in mind, we brought the training to our child development program and with the support educational services as well. And uh last year we had our first training on conscious discipline. Uh we have a staff development. We have a one-on-one coaching in the classroom with teachers and aids and children's and they had the opportunity to have the coach in the classroom role modeling

007for them. And after that we have a monthly collaborative meetings with our staff. But uh maybe you want to know what is all about conscious discipline. Right? So this is a brief description because of the time. But this is a multid-disciplinary brainbased model for understanding discipline. It is known as a conscious discipline brain state model. It provides a framework for recognizing how the mind, brain and body interact to influence behavior and emotional responses. And briefly you have a picture right there of the three states of the brain. The first one is executive where we are you know healthy thinking uh good choices the emotional where all our feelings are mixed and the survival when many times we don't know if we are safe with our emotions and responses to the conflict problem resolution as well.

008So, one quick tip, stop, breathe, and think. Well, conscious discipline begins uh begins by supporting adults first, helping them to build the skills they need to guide children's towards success. It focuses on social, emotional learning, self-regulation, and positive discipline. Offering a practical tools to create a safe and nurturing environment. When adults moral calm and self-control, childrens learn to manage their emotions and develop these vital life skills themselves. Again, we start with adults. We start with teachers. Uh and well, this is what we did last year. This year, we took things a step further by introducing the six weeks of success. Same thing as last year. We kick off with professional development prior to the first day of school. Again, the mentoring, the coaching, children, teachers in the classroom with the uh coach and the trainer,

009and we was really successful. But let me tell you about the six weeks of success. And I know that probably this is a lot of information for you, but this is exciting, at least to me. You know the six weeks of success shows how to put conscious discipline into action. Creating a positive supportive classroom from the one from day one where teachers aids and kids implement self-regulation techniques build connections and grow together. Meaning that starting August 13, the first day of school until I will say two weeks ago, we did implementations of the six weeks of success where we start the case self regulation techniques, uh problem solving, resolution, choices, responsibilities, empathy. Um well, you will see in a little bit, okay? but it's routines and amazing amazing what we're uh teaching the kids in

010the classroom. By the end of the six weeks, our Darte preschool team has the tools and strategies to help the kids become resilient, respectful, and responsible. With that strong foundation in place, now we are ready for a school year that supports every part of the child's growth and development. Here is a peak of what is happening in our preschool over the last six weeks. I just want to give you a little taste of it. Let's see. [Music] Hello, I'm Laangulo and I am your conscious discipline certified instructor. I am so excited to share with you some of the wonderful things that have been happening in the classrooms with the teachers and the children. We have been specifically working on the six weeks of success program and conscious discipline. This program is designed to provide the

011felt sense of safety and the felt sense of belonging and bonding that is necessary for all children's brains to thrive and learn. Come with me. You will see how this social emotional program structured in these six weeks can be so helpful to create the environment that we want our children to thrive in. Reuben is our star helper. So, Reuben is going to choose what breathing we're going to do. Which breathing would you like today, Reuben? >> Balloon. >> The balloon. >> Let's do remember the balloon. Kayla, let's do Let's do the balloon. Come on, everybody. Lock your fingers together. We're going to do pre-lock your fingers. Are you ready? I hurt my fingers. And we're going to put it on top. And we're going to breathe it. Ready? Come on. Easy head balloon. Ready? One,

012two, three. Job. Let's try it again. Lock your fingers. Fingers up on top of your head. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Okay. We get to dance for a little bit. Okay. And then we get to do our activity. Then we go outside just for a little bit cuz it's really wet. It's really hot. Remember yesterday we took a walk. We come back and then after our outside or play, we get to what? And then we get to >> And then >> And guess who? When do you get to leave? [Music] >> And our friends, what do we do? We use gentle touch. >> We use touching >> listening ears. >> We use >> walking. We use >> we use what? >> Quiet. And then we keep what? >> Our body to ourself. Okay, now kick. >> And

013there you go. What commitment are you going to work in? [Music] >> Following directions, too. Can you show me where your ears are? Make sure they turn them on. Ready to follow teacher choices, right? And teacher's directions. Awesome. My friend keeping >> What is it? >> Safekeeper. >> Who is the safekeeper? >> What is your job? Keep yourself safe. How do we keep ourselves safe? >> How do we keep ourselves safe? >> Walking feet. What else? >> No kick. What else? >> You kick the ball. Do we kick the plants? >> What are you going to commit to today, Oscat? Clean up after you're done. Thank you. [Music] This is my school family. This is my school family. [Music] >> Oh, ready. Gonzalo. >> Ready? >> Okay. is one, two, three. >> We wish you

014well. We wish you well all through the day today. We wish you well. >> And we're going to hope that our friends come back to school tomorrow. But guess what? Somebody wasn't here today, but she came back to school. >> What? >> Who wasn't here yesterday? >> Sophia. >> Sopia was here. So, we have our Bailey Bear. Bailey Bear is going to welcome Sophia back. Come on up, Sophia. Can you help me sing the song? Come on. >> We're going to sing the song to Sophia. Right. >> Ready? >> You were gone and you were missed. Where would you like your welcome kiss? Where do you want your kiss? On your hand. Welcome back. [Music] Where'd you land your freaky? Huh? Five or I >> Oh, yeah. [Music] Oh, tell her can you wait for

015me? I will give play and give it to you. Can you kick it on? >> Yeah, he will get [Music] >> other way. [Music] Turn around and stop. Now, whatever you do, [Music] [Applause] Goodbye. It's time to say goodbye. Walk behind me with the drum. [Music] There you are. So with conscious discipline, the ability to have these materials and resources, it helps our students being able to self-regulate themselves, being able to use their breathing techniques um in the moments of social interactions with other peers. And as you could see, we're using the five steps in our safe place, in our safe area. um they're able to see and visualize what we have in the materials um when it's needed for us and as for well for them to remind them of what are our different

016steps and our transitions to help them in their regulation. Um with this it helps with our commitments throughout the day to give them the opportunity to remind them what we can do when they're breathing. Again, coming back to when they're feeling, they get to use their feeling buddy and give them the opportunity that they have that independence because we want them to feel safe and that's the opportunity. What's the whole goal is for them to feel safe in our classroom. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Okay to wrap up, conscious discipline help us as educators to be more aware and intentional and how we respond to conflict. It give us tools to manage our own emotions first and see things like problem solving and behavior as a chances or opportunities to teach and build a safe and supportive

017classroom. With that, I'm going to turn your attention to I have two parents that are here willing to give you a short insight about their experience on conscious discipline. This is uh Mrs. Karansa. Hello everyone. Thank you. First of all, thank you all the teachers. You guys are amazing. Especially Miss Anna and Miss Amber. Thank you. Um my daughter is in Miss Anna, Miss Amber's class in preschool and um she has recently been, you know, just super immersed in all of this and she'll come home and um she'll her sister is not feeling well and she'll be like, "We wish you well. We wish you well." And um I've just noticed, you know, a a big difference. And um when I get to the school on the way that we are now entering the classroom,

018it's a lot different. The they're given a job. And her first job was to be the greeter. And um I think it was the perfect job for her first job. She she um embraced it right away. She um there was some challenges and uh she kind of figured out her own way to solve the problem. Not everybody wanted a greeting. And so, you know, she came home and said, "Mom, how come um they didn't want me to to have a greeting?" And I said, "Well, not everybody wants to be hugged or touched or whatever." And so, we we thought of a solution. And so, when somebody came in and said no, she said, "It's okay. Just come on in." And so, she started doing that. And and then also just figuring out ways to get

019a greeting. So she would bring her toy knowing that the little girl who didn't want to hug liked the toy. So she would bribe her to hug her. So in the end, like I think it just really got the wheels turning for her. So I appreciate all the effort. It's It's awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now I'm going to call Mrs. Ggo. >> Hi. Good evening everybody. Um, my uh I have four children, nine, six, four, and eight months old. And so, yeah. Whoa. I'm only 36. But, uh, with that being said, uh, we're all here for the first time. And we, um, well, my we weren't taught how to regulate, how to breathe, how to understand, how to really clarify what I was trying to say. without using some type of temper.

020And uh it humbled me going through this class. And it also made me remember it's my first time, too. And it's their first time. And when it came to my four-year-old, why? Why? And it's, you know, it's the idea that, well, I can't tell you why, but I could tell you why not. I could tell you why it'll keep you safe. I could tell you why doing something is better for you because it'll be safer for you and not just because I said so. You know, I didn't like hearing that as a child. I don't think any of us likes hearing because we said so. We're wearing red for it. You know, we want to know why. We want to know why we're doing what we're doing for good reasons. >> Sorry. But with that

021being said, we also at this program that I appreciate too because again it did humble me and it did put me in my daughter's shoes and made me understand why they're feeling a certain way and what can I do to compromise to have a better understanding what she's really trying to tell me and rather than because I said so. So with this, I really appreciate the class and it, you know, I was just telling one of the other teachers, there's no book for parenting, but this sure as heck gave me a guideline on things that I do want to convey to my children. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And last but not least, our instructional aid, Amber Shane. [Applause] >> Hello. Hello, good evening. I'm Miss Amber. I I work alongside Miss Anna in

022the Dherty preschool. I am here to share my experience with conscious discipline and how it is affected our classroom and the benefits of it. So, first I'd like to share how conscious discipline has made a difference. Uh it's a social and emotional learning and classroom management approach. Uh it's based on research and it helps guide both adults and children um with emotional regulation. It also helps build strong connections, help with problem solving, and help children find their way through their emotions. In the classroom, uh we use conscious discipline to create a sense of safety and belonging. Uh when a child is upset or making unsafe choices, uh instead of reacting with a punishment or loudly yelling or scaring a child, uh the first thing we do is typically pause, take a deep breath to regulate

023ourselves first so that we can make the correct choice and how to assess and deal with the situation. Um small or big, it's always important to stop and think first. Of course, uh we of course important to regulate ourselves because we can't help the children calm down until we're calm ourselves, right? Uh we connect with the children through empathy and understanding who they are, their patterns, their personality traits, their skills, their strengths, their weaknesses, right? uh we use empathy really and we use verbiage that is understood by the child, right? So saying like instead of being why are you so angry, we're able to recognize them and say, "Oh, we can see that you're upset or we see that you're angry or you're making a sad face or an angry face." Um and it helps

024the child kind of understand and put into perspective what they're actually feeling at the moment, right? because sometimes it's hard for even us to decipher what the issue is, right? Um and so also with conscious discipline, we kind of use it as a communication tool and instead of seeing the children as misbehaving really um it's more as that we see the child maybe missing or lacking a skill that they need or the tool or the resource or the support. And so and mostly it's most of the time it's the children are overwhelmed and don't know how to express this feeling right and in the classroom the most important thing that we've done is to what we call model calm and that is that you are literally modeling exactly what you expect the children to reflect

025or behave as or like right and truly being consistent And keeping up with these practices in the classroom is really transformational. The children have become better problem solvers. They're more responsible. They're more independent. They take ownership for their actions. They help each other guide each other through other problem solving without using us, right? Because we've given them the tools now. And now they're able to show empathy towards others and create opportunities to thrive. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Yeah, it's really great. >> Okay, with that we want to say thank you again and on behalf of the child development staff, the ones that are here, our families and our children's, we wish you well. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you so much for that presentation. That was excellent. board. Did Did

026you have any questions or comments? I I guess I I had two really quick ones. Neither of them are all that serious, but I do want to still ask them. So, first of all, um with this uh program, is it is it too late for adults like me? >> It's never late. >> Okay, good. I I like to hear that. And And then secondly, what what can you talk a little bit about? Were they called feelings buddies? The little They look like gingerbread. Yeah, we do have a lot of resources, books and you know a lot of reliable but the the the body feelings are that you know that when the kids are feeling upset they have available the little dolls for them to identify the feeling and hold the feeling the body and talk

027about it right and also we have the corner if you go to the preschool uh program which I encourage you to visit the program we have a small corner called the safe place where they have all these resources available at any time throughout the day. >> Excellent. Great. Thank you so much. I'm glad to see that the the anger buddy still had his head. >> That's good. >> I Sophia, I'd like to know how early is the program? How how old the students are? >> Uh well, right now we have two year olds and we have three year olds and very few four year olds. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh so we'll now go

028ahead and move on to the new I guess number nine. Uh which is going to be request to address the board. Um so I I know that we have some here. Um I did want to just make a couple of comments as uh we get into this. Uh so first of all, we um we do have a threem minute time limit. So, I just want to make sure everyone is aware of that so it's not a surprise to anyone when they come up. So, there is a three-minute time limit. Um, additionally, uh, we as a board are are not able to answer questions or address comments that are made, but we are very happy to receive them and hear them. Um, that's that's not a problem, but I just wanted, you know, people to know

029that we're not ignoring you. We just cannot uh respond to them. Um and uh also, you know, we would ask that everyone um use proper decorum as they're they're here. We don't we don't mind you supporting your colleagues. Um but we do want to sort of maintain a certain level of decorum and order during this meeting. And so I just wanted to put that out there. And then lastly, um, oh, if there if there is an item that you would like to speak on that is further in the agenda, you are more than welcome to bring that up now or you may wait until that time on the agenda when we actually speak about it. It's up to you. So, if if we call out your name and you would prefer to wait until that

030item comes up on the agenda, that is is totally fine. Just let us know. Um, so with that, I believe that's everything. All right. So, I think we can go ahead and start public comment. >> Okay. Our first speaker, uh, Mr. Kevin Mack. [Applause] >> Hello. >> Thank you so much. This was a last minute decision, but good evening, members of the board, administrators, and community. To be completely honest, I am extremely nervous tonight. For those that know me, I am quiet and I don't like when the spotlights are turned on me. But tonight, I feel like it is time to break that silence and lend my hand in the struggle for decency, dignity, and to be able to continue what we love doing the most, educating our kiddos. We often hear that teachers are

031the foundation of a strong education system. But foundations cannot hold up a building if it is crackling under pressure. A raise isn't about money. It is about supporting those that you believe do the hard work. And that's h e a r t heart work. It's about saying we see you. We value you. We want you to stay. We got your back. Fair pay and consistent support aren't luxuries. There are necessities in this profession that demands 110% of us each day. We cannot pour from an empty cup. Our students even know when our minds and our hearts are not completely present. Just this past Monday, we learned about how students cannot thrive and cannot reach an executive state without having their basic and social needs met. The irony of sitting through that training was I was

032thinking about some of my fellow colleagues. They are in the survival state. They are struggling to keep up with the 10 to 15% rises in healthcare every year. We have to tell our own children to cut back again this year because to meet those demands and those costs of rising. So that is why I chose to spoke up tonight even though it is something that's very out of my comfort zone. As members of the board, I am sure you too enter your position with hopes of being able to make an impact in your community. And I hope you can hear us tonight. I'm here to ask you as members of this board and as and as this opportunity is presented right in front of you to consider what legacy will you leave behind in this

033community and to these groups of educators, students, and community members that are here tonight. years from now when I think back at this moment and when our colleagues think back will they see leaders who took bold actions to support them. We cannot do this without your support. So I'm asking for your support. Thank you. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] And uh thank you very much. Uh I just wanted to commend you for speaking to the board. I know that you all your colleagues are behind you, but we appreciate that you spoke to the board and we'd ask that everyone else all do the same thing. Thank you. >> Next speaker, Dina Drago Amadori. [Applause] Good evening board members. Thank you for this moment that I could be here. Good welcome Darty teachers. I am a Darty teacher

034from I started in 1997 at Andre Dwarty and then I left Dwerty Unifi, but I've taught for 32 years as a public school educator. I live in Dwarty. I live in Fish Canyon area. I'm here to represent Dwerty teachers. I'm also a teacher at Sangerville Unifi. I know about the daily grind. I know about what we go through every single morning when we get up. I know about the cuts to all of our funding. I know about the cuts to all the initiatives. Yet, we keep getting compounded with more work to do, more deadlines to meet, less support from our support services. I know about all of that. I read on Facebook nedo neighbor. I read about what our dy derty teachers are going through and it hearten just hardens me because me with 32

035years I'm making about 10 grand more than they are and my healthc care is paid for. >> It is. It is. James Finley, Dr. James Finley, I'm going to ask you. I helped campaign for you. I put your lawn signs on my front yard, 3459 Canada Street. You and your wife respectfully walk by my house every morning. I want you to think next time you walk by my house and I wave hello to you that these teachers are leaving their houses too and they are coming to Dwarty Unified to come to work. They're coming to Dwarty Unified to give their best. I want you to all think about that board members. They're doing what they can do. They're they're working from the heart. If you can give a little bit of conscious discipline to these

036teachers and say good morning, you're welcome. We love you. We welcome to be here. Sorry you were sick yesterday, but hi, how are you doing? Give them a little bit of conscious discipline that you expect them to give to their students. That's what we're asking from you. These teachers for like 30 years. That's why I left Andreasy. I was, believe it or not, bilingual teacher of the year with Dr. Sylvia Whitlock way back in the day. And that's why I left is because Dwarty teachers back then were not given the respect that they deserved. Please give them a respect. Times are hard right now. They show up. I bet you some of them come from Long Beach, Riverside, all the way all in 6:00 a.m. in the morning. They're up. Finley, while you're walking by

037my house with your wife having a great morning, they are on the 210 and the 6:05 coming to show up to work. Respect them. As my sign says, you can't put students first if you put teachers last. San Gabriel Unified teachers stand with Dwardy teachers. Thank you. [Music] >> Thank you. >> And one more thing, speaker. >> Sorry I wore blue, but I was busy doing what every teacher loves to do. being with their family, watching the Darty, watching the Dodgers play, snuggling with my family. They don't want to be here. They want to be home with their family and kids right now enjoying a Thursday evening, not in a school board meeting asking to get equal pay. >> Thank you for your time. >> Next, next speaker is Danielle Stemer. Danielle, >> does she

038want to speak on the other item? Okay, thank you. Next speaker, David uh Vander Weting. >> Thank you, David. Okay, I didn't get to finish writing my speech, but it's okay. We're gonna do as best we can. So, hi school board members. Uh, my name is David Vandy Wetering, born and raised in Darty. If that means anything to you guys, uh, I went to Royal Oaks Northview and Dorty High School. I I'm not here to try to convince you to keep Andrew Sorty open. I've I've given up. I think it's it's too late for that. I mean, you've decided that you decided that money matters more than the kids. And honestly, so have the teachers. Closing Dwardy Andrew Storey for 450K a year is a smart decision for supposedly a broke district. We don't have

039the money to give our teachers a cost of living raise, but we have enough money to destroy and relocate Mount Olive Continuation School at approximately approximately $1 million. And I have no faith in our current school board and and administrators and the district and the district's internal financial controls are so bad that the state had to come in and teach you guys how to balance the books. But believe but I believe it's intentional. I believe the school board are just puppets for outside groups and it just feels it feels you're constantly making bad decisions and I feel like you're trying to have your cake eat it too. you you I'm told that you guys have enough money by to raise for the cost of living from the union rep, but then you guys are saying

040you don't have the money and that's why we have to destroy a school to to get more money and it just feels counterproductive. You know, these these uh these condos you're going to bring in are are just going to bring in rich kids who are going to go out of the school district. So, anyways, thank you. [Applause] Next, next speaker, Emily Morris. [Applause] Good evening, members of the school board um and honored teachers and guests. Um I am here not as a teacher as a resident. However, I was a longtime teacher and I'm wearing my red in solidarity. Um I'm here to address the AD project. I'm very concerned about it. When I went to this at the um city meeting and Kang brought up the fact that the same builder keeps winning all the

041bids, it seems very fishy to me. And the fact that we took a school when we have schools three blocks apart and you chose AD to close down. I just think that there's you're here for the community and you're here to educate our community and ad could be a a like a extension for um Citrus or it could be a trade school. Our wonderful preschool is doing a great job. Why don't we keep that going? Why are we making these choices? Kang also brought up the fact that it's not going to bring in revenue. He said he the market value of the 13 acres or something should be so much more than $440,000. And and if $440,000 a year, you could write grants. And I know we have a lot of creative teachers in here

042that have ideas on things that we can do at this school or piggyback something with the Cal Arts. They're bringing people in. There's other arts that you could peg back on that would bring the students in. They would go from Royal Oaks to one of our schools, but there's so much more we could do. You guys are just selling us out and you keep doing it. And it's and as a resident, I'm I had to speak up even though I was told be careful because my my husband works for the district, but we use my insurance because mine's paid for. [Applause] I'm going to call off the next three speakers so that they're ready to go. The next speakers, next three speakers, Sal Torres, Iette Martinez, and Steve Hernandez. Mr. Torres, please. [Applause] >> Hello.

043My my my legal name is Siliano Torres, but I go by SA, so that way it's easier. My teacher, my first teacher, I came here in 1991. I actually was my first store that I ever saw from Mexico was right here, 7-Eleven, right here in the the one on Highland. And I still remember I went to Moro High School because of the issues back then in 1991 that keep happening now because of the politics and so forth. So I moved to a Royal High School. So I'm a proud graduated from a Royal High School and I also my kids I have a 14 14 and the well I'm married to a person that has uh two daughters and then I have two daughters myself and two of them go to Edwanda High School and the

044the other one I take her to Temple City High School because I still don't trust the schools of Dwarte. Uh, and the only and but I do have a three-year-old that I'm very very thankful for, the school district that is allowing that that that the state the the funded program by the state that allow my daughter to be here and they love it. Our our principal from our preschool is amazing. One thing that that I do have to say though is I grew up in Mexico and I see the corruption on the cops. I I take it as an example of the cops. The only reason why the cops in Mexico are more corrupt, they're not not in the United States, they're not corrupt because they they hold them accountable and they get paid. They

045get paid well. That's the number one thing. Pay at the end of the day. The teachers need to eat, they need to pay the rent, they need to pay the mortgage. However, I also I did a little research. This the teachers get paid based on enrollment. And unfortunately, there's a decline in enrollment in the state of California. However, if I mean my wife and I, we own a home. I see the tax bill coming up. Uh it's very consistent, but I also see the the my the school where my daughter goes is going to get moved to another school because they're going to close it down. And that to me is kind of like whether I move it to I'm still hesitant to move them to Temple City because my business is over there and

046I'm able to take them there. The schools are great, but I also believe that Dwarte can have the potential. were small, but I do see that this I I check the website is not up to date. They still have the budget for 2023, 2022. They're not being transparent in that part. And also, who who thinks that building a basketball court is going to pay the teacher salary? And and I feel that the dwarte is focusing so much in infrastructure and not spending too much money paying the teachers. Trust me, I don't care. Raise my taxes, pay the teachers. But I also but I also want to hold accountable the union that represents the teachers because they need to do better in negotiating with with the school board and maybe talk to the city so that

047way the city can bring more revenue so there's more money or or maybe open some online programs so we can have more enrollment more money from the state and I pray that one day the state will change >> so instead of enrollment paychecks. >> Thank you sir. [Applause] Uh, good evening members of the board and colleagues. My name is Ivette Martinez and I've had the privilege of serving in this district for 21 years. In those two decades, I've taught hundreds of students, each with their own story, their own dreams, and their own challenges. I've stayed because teaching is what I do, and I love it. In all that time, this is the first time I have ever stood here to speak. I've always preferred to lay low and stay in my classroom, pouring my energy

048into my students, giving them everything that I have. That alone should tell you how deeply I care about what's happening right now. For years, many of us have continued to give more with less. We've adapted to new curriculums, new technology, new expectations, and everchanging needs. We've worked through pandemic years. We've comforted anxious students. We've filled gaps that go far beyond academics. And we've done it all with dedication, pride, and a belief in this community and in this district. But dedication does not pay the bills. Passion does not fill a gas tank. And the love for our students does not make up for the financial strain so many educators now feel. We are professionals. We are mentors. We are counselors, coaches, advocates, and problem solvers. The work we do has a long lasting impact, often shaping

049the future of families who will stay in this very community. But without fair, competitive compensation, we risk losing experienced teachers, new talent, and the very stability that keeps this district strong. I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for recognition in action, not just in words. For the district to show that it truly values the people who build its foundation every single day. I stand here tonight not just for myself, but for every educator or every teacher who shows up early, stays late, spends their own money on supplies, and still goes home thinking about how to reach that one student who's falling behind. We deserve raises that reflect the reality of our commitment and the cost of living in this area. We deserve to feel respected not just in speeches or social media posts during

050teacher appreciation week, but in the contracts that determine our livelihood. After 21 years of service, I still believe in this district and in the power of education. Please believe in us, too. Show it through action. Thank you for your time and for listening. After [Applause] Mr. Hernandez, the next three that will come up after Mr. Hernandez will be Tanya Az, Cristiana Howard, and Feliz Mittman. >> Um, Scheme Hernandez. Um, when I first moved here, I heard the same rumors that go on today. And that's been 50 years ago. And those rumors have always been about how bad our schools are or talking about the things that they feel are the worst things you can have here. Well, I unfortunately came and spoke to a board president at the time. name was Jan White and she

051told me that it's really not a right of yours to come in here and criticize a school unless you've been involved and understand. Well, when I got through licking my wounds and my oldest was in fifth grade and I had been in here enough in these meetings, my kids were in Darti schools and they graduated from Darti schools. Our biggest problem isn't that our schools aren't as good as they should be. It's that we have people and when it's elected officials in particular, like I heard uh at the last, you know, um city council meeting, not this past one, but the one before it. When elected officials start spreading rumors, it really does damage because they are supposed to have credibility. And I don't see it. Their job is to basically support the city and

052support our schools, not criticize them. I mean, literally, if they think there's problems, they should find innovative ways to help work on them and not suggest them. And it disheartens me because I've been through this long enough to sit in here with nobody in those chairs but me. But I still believe in our schools. I'll still fight for our schools and I'll still believe in our schools because they are good. And I just really don't want to see this going on anymore. I've sat back and said nothing for the longest time, but I feel that once again I need to get more involved and speak up. It's not a pleasure, but it's to me a responsibility is how I take it. As for our teachers, the one thing I want to say about them, and

053I I've said it before, there's not a one of you sitting up there and not a person in that audience with a job that didn't first have a teacher. That is the number one thing. They needed someone to teach. And yet, it's the most un appreciated, you know, profession out there. I mean, teachers shouldn't be the lowest paid in the state. They should be amongst the highest. They they are first responders just like our firemen and our policemen and our our medical professionals. They sit right up there, too, because they're the ones that taught them their trade. >> Thank you. >> Think about that. [Applause] Hello everyone. My name is Tanya Visas and this is Angel Vasquez. He's a student at um Beardsley Academy and he's here to support his teacher, Mr. Th. Um we've

054been here before at least myself spoken um to the board district just about the importance of these teachers being supported whether it's with extra staff with just overall financially so they can be there for our students. Angel has been struggled throughout his educational journey, whether it's educational behavior and seeing how much these teachers pour into them from preschool to fifth grade where he's at right now where we've had Miss Cik really really believe in him and pour into him and Miss Pner and this year he has Mr. fulfill that just overall has poured so much into these students where I have personally the last two years donated incentives for their classrooms for motivators for these kids to continue wanting to do better and asked you the board for support for these teachers in the p

055previous years of giving them extra support because these students need it. And to see how much Angel from being recommended to a special day class to where he is today, from these teachers pouring into him and just watching his whole class improve in morale and just overall educationally from teachers taking their personal money to have these incentives and motivators and science experiments. He's coming home like we had a science experience every practically every day. He's coming just excited to be in class and to learn and to see how much personally Mr. Th has poured into his classroom overall has just been amazing. And I do want to speak um also on another topic that when we had open house um I'm sorry back to school night recently Mr. Reyes was sitting in Mr. Th's class

056and it almost seemed like he was and I haven't spoken to Mr. th about it, but this is my personal take that it was almost intimidating him by bringing up that Mr. Th was actually requesting more pay. And for me, I just thought that it was uncalled for. You know, as a parent to question Mr. Thail at a back to school night meeting on why, you know, teachers like Mr. Thail are requesting more pay. And I think he finds it funny, but even Angel as a student understood what Mr. Ray is was. He was like, was he trying to embarrass Mr. Th by questioning him? you know, and he's a kid. So, the fact that that happened was really for me uncalled for. And so, I'm here to support these teachers that firsthandly are helping

057my students succeed in the school in his school journey. So, thank you [Applause] So, um I just got back from Orange County recently, but one of the main conversations that's been floating around was about uh the commissions in relations to um that entity school. So, I wrote like something really short um to address the council. Um hello council members of the school board and attendees. As a short introduction, my name is Cristiana and I have lived in the city of Dwarti for 30 years and attended the Darti Unified School District from K through 12. Um, I actually did attend Andrew Dorty Elementary and while it was a great school, um, some things just have an expiration and should be renewed for better usage of own land. Um, Darty has has had many changes over the

058last five years and apparently there's a noticeable change in the I guess the way of living for um for our community. It makes sense that the community would make uh the change most suitable for um communal pro uh communal progression. Um I stand behind the motion to use the commission to upgrade the property to increase housing. Thank you. as Miss Mittman comes up, the next three after her, Sher Johnson, Ken Tang, and Michelle Ramos. Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the board, Mr. Crosby. My name is Feliz Mittman, and I speak to you tonight not just as a teacher and proud DUA member, but as a product of this district's legacy. I have been an elementary teacher at Royal Oaks for 38 years. Before my before me, my father taught here and before him,

059my grandmother. >> Our family our family has dedicated 60 years of continuous service to the children of this community. We have seen this district through good times and challenging ones and we have always always worked together. That is why the current state of our negotiations is so deeply concerning. The foundation of our district has always been a partnership, a sense of shared purpose between those who teach and those who lead. Yet, the current process has been marked by a breakdown in that partnership. Meaningful collaboration has been replaced by prolonged silence and transparency has given way to uncertainty. This is not the Dherty way. We are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. We are the educators who greet your children every morning, who stay late to help them succeed, and who have dedicated our lives to

060this work. Negotiating requires open communication and a genuine willingness to find common ground. Right now, that is what's missing. An impass is not just a procedural halt. It is a signal that something is broken. It affects the morale in our schools and ultimately the environment where our students learn. My family has served this district with pride for generations because we believed in its commitment to its students and staff. I stand before you today to respectfully ask you to restore that collaborative spirit. Let's return to the table with genuine transparency and a shared commitment to resolving these issues. Let's show our students and our community that we can and will work together. Please direct your negotiations team to agree to DOUA's reasonable proposals for compensation and elementary prep time. Thank you. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

061[Music] Good evening board members, acting superintendent Crosby, our incoming superintendent Madrono, and our distinguished guests here. My name is Sheri Johnson. I'm a proud Beardsley teacher and a proud DUA member. I'm here tonight to support my fellow DUA members as well as to tell my Dwarte Unified story. I have been a teacher in Dwarte Unified since the fall of 2022. Before joining DUSD, I spent 23 years as a teacher, a school administrator, a district office team member, and an early literacy consultant. The main reason I sought out a position with DUSD was because it was a smaller district. After spending years working in large comprehensive districts and large charter management organizations, I was ready to be in a district where to steal a line from the TV show Cheers, everyone knows your name. I'm happy

062to be spending my last several years before retirement in DUSD. However, I never thought that at 54 years old, just eight years away from retirement, I would be working two full-time jobs. That's right. I work 80 plus hours a week with an additional 10 hours a week commuting to and from school. You might ask why. The main reason is that I cannot afford the monthly premium expenses of the health and welfare packages offered by DUSD. So, I need to work full-time at my second job in order to qualify for the benefits through that company. For the first time in my 20 plus years in education, I am working at a district that does not fully cover an individual employees health and welfare benefits. This is definitely now how not how I saw my life at

06354. Many of my fellow DUA members are in the same boat as me. We cannot contriute continue to plead our play sorry we cannot continue to bleed our paychecks into paying additional costs into our health and welfare coverage. Right now DUSD teachers are making hard decisions regarding their health and welfare coverage. We are dropping plans we have carried for years. Some are even shopping for outside carriers to cover their families because they can no longer afford to have more and more of their monthly checks go to covering health and welfare costs. especially when we have not had a raise in over three years. What the district has offered in compensation increase wouldn't even cover the increase in many teachers premium expenses for their health and welfare plans. With the district unwilling to offer a meaningful

064increase in their contribute in their contribution to our health and welfare benefits, I predict more and more teachers and staff will be dropping their coverage under the current providers. In the alternative, our younger teachers will begin searching for and moving to districts where their health and welfare benefits are covered completely by the district. With no change in the district's contributions to health and welfare, the teachers will continue to bleed money and the district will continue to bleed talent. Thank you. [Applause] Good evening, members of the board and cabinet. My name is Ken Tang. I'm an elementary school teacher with the Garvey School District and a former school board member with the Alhamra Unified School District. I just want to remind the board that you are the directions of the district and you have an opportunity

065to really take Darty far and beyond by doing the right thing. You keep saying that you put student first, but I ask you, how can you put student first when you keep putting their teachers last? I know for a fact that every day all of these teachers show up regardless of their situation not just to deliver lesson plans but to sh to shape lives. They go beyond academics. They uplift, they encourage, they inspire, they defend, they protect, they pour everything they have into helping students succeed and often with very little support. And yet they're being asked to do more with less, to work harder with less security, and in this case, a fair contract. and to sacrifice without acknowledgement. It is time to align your values with your actions. You say you care about students.

066Show that you also care about the ones who care for them on a day-to-day basis. As motivational speaker and author Guy Kawasaki once said, "If you want to invest in the future, invest in teachers who are shaping it." They're not asking for a handout as many of them has referred to. They're asking for fairness. And from my understanding, you have a pretty healthy reserve >> and a 1% from my research just for the the teachers and the class the certificated group is about 200,000 and I believe that your your reserve is about 13 thou 13 million. So you can do the math on that. This isn't just about you know it's it's it's for a fair contract. So you cannot do the right thing and settle a fair contract. >> Thank you, Mr. T. >>

067As as Miss Ramos comes up, our next speakers is going to be uh Linda Alfred, Sam Brown, uh Filippo, uh Farara. >> Good evening, members of the board, district leaders, and esteemed members of the faculties and community. You've heard tonight about the Dherty way and I'm not part of the Dhy way. My name is Michelle Ramos and I'm the service center chair and I have the luxury and privilege of presiding over 40 districts in this valley. I'm also the bargaining chair in nearby Coina. I sat where these individuals sat three years ago and if you read the paper or follow media at all didn't work out so well for our board or our superintendent. We have fully paid health care for our members. I pay $175 for my family for Blue Shield. We take all

068years of service with no longevity block. So when you don't do right by these folks, they will be coming just down the road. I'm here tonight to put you on notice. I'm here to speak on behalf of my siblings who have been far too kind to you this evening. Let me be perfectly clear. The time for delay is over. We are here to demand a fair settlement before those signs get an on strike sticker. [Applause] >> You have stonewalled into a second mediation session. We're not waiting for a new superintendent. No offense to Mr. Crosby. We've met. He's a nice guy, but he's not making this decision. Nor will Mr. Madrono later. The collective bargaining agreement reads the Dwarty Unified School District Board of Education and DUeA. You will sign that agreement and you will

069authorize it. So, it's the time now to act. These individuals have the solidarity of the 40 districts around us. Many of us are here tonight and we will keep coming back. More than that, they have the backing of 300,000 educators statewide. >> You do not want us like this in your community through the new year. Be very clear, we intend to be. The district's budget is not a private fund to be hoarded for a rainy day. That money is a public trust meant for the students in your classrooms today. Not next year's, not 10 years students. It is not a hoorde. It is not a trust fund. Every day that passes without a fair contract is a deliberate choice by this board. You do not have to wait for the next mediation. You can send

070your leadership in there tomorrow and I know their bargaining team will pick up the phone and show up. The disrespect that you have shown this group of educators will not be tolerated. The cost of your delay is no longer just financial. It is now moral. And it is the erosion of trust, retention of the educators that serve you now and the respect they once had for some of you. >> We demand that the board take immediate action. Prioritize a fair settlement. Students here deserve stability. Educators deserve respect. And the community is watching. Some of them are speaking, but they are all listening. They are all watching. And they will hold you accountable. I expect you to deliver on the promises you made to get elected. Thank you. [Applause] Mr. Brown, one more. Linda Alfred. Yes.

071>> Good evening everyone. My name is Linda Alfred and I have devoted 18 years to teaching English in Dearti Unified. During that time, I've worn many hats, serving as department chair for over a decade, leading the reading and writing initiative at DHS, and advising the GSA and femowered clubs, which have created safe spaces for our most vulnerable students. Like many of my colleagues, my teaching approach considers the whole student, not only their academic needs, but also their emotional and mental well-being. Over the years, I've even had the pleasure of teaching and guiding the children of two of our own board members. The scope of a teacher's impact reaches far beyond the classroom. I remember a timid, soft-spoken ninth grade honors student who was terrified to speak in class. I spent time encouraging her and other

072teachers did too. I even invested my own money to create a warm, welcoming environment. Her growth reflected the dedication we pour into our students. On her graduation day, I saw how proud her parents were, and I felt their gratitude for being there for her. Teachers have always been the backbone for students on their journey towards figuring out life. Yet, here we are with minimal financial support from our district, trying to figure out how to afford our basic living expenses. While I've waited for the district to recognize our worth, here's how I've been making it work. I take on extra roles at Dorty High School for additional pay. I work weekends as a makeup artist to offset the district's lack of compensation. I make hard choices about spending, prioritizing what I truly need over what I

073simply cannot afford. Let me be clear. I'm not talking about managing wants versus needs. We all do that. I'm talking about choosing between a new car or a new water heater, knowing both are essential, but I can only afford one. With a graduate degree, I shouldn't have to make these choices. >> It's not just sad, it's unjust. >> The state's cola for 2023 2024 was over 8%. Why didn't award teachers see that adjustment reflected in their paychecks? Unfortunately, my story isn't unique. It's the story of so many teachers, so many sacrifices, so many unpaid hours, and so many disappointments. And yet, here we are still fighting for the bare minimum. I invite you to look around this room at the teachers beside me. Think about the classrooms you visited and the compliments you've given our

074administrators for what you saw teachers doing. >> When will our compensation align with the praise our schools receive? When will one job be enough? When will you realize that taking care of teachers means taking better care of students? Thank you. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] I just want to give a shout out to the >> to the Dwarte Teachers Association. My sister is a proud California Teachers Association member and you guys did an amazing job tonight and keep fighting and we're going to be right there with you. Um, so I'm part of the San Gabriel Valley Anti-Displacement Coalition and I've spoken at the uh Dwarte City Council meetings uh with regards to Crestfield Town Homes. I'm here because I want to put you on notice that it is illegal for you to proceed with the sale to

075Crestfield Town Homes. First off, you're getting advice from Serene Abrahamian. She is involved in helping to liquidate school properties in Basset in Hassienda laente. You can Google her name. She's the person you hire when you want to privatize public school properties. But I have I take particular issue with the very premise of why the school was closed and why the decision to sell it. First off, a school district does not it's not your job to do real estate. Your job is to educate the students. If you were satisfying that and not spending money or misallocating funds, you would have the students that you need. Instead, Arcadia Unified School District San Marino is benefiting from that. But you had Tiffany Bell, who was involved in the actual closure of Andres Darte. The closure was based on

076total school solutions study projecting only a short-term enrollment decline ignoring demographic recovery and equity impacts under the California voting rights act in title six. The report also failed to mention compliance with the Naylor Act which requires offering the onsite public ball fields and playgrounds to local agencies for park use at 25% of market value before any sale or lease. Proceeding without that step violates the law, and I will gladly sue this school district if you guys decide to proceed with the sale. But most importantly, this board and past leadership broke a public promise. In 2017, after widespread protests, parents, students, and teachers marched from Otis Gordon Park to your board meeting demanding an end to school closures. The district responded by pledging not to close any more schools for at least 5 years. That moratorum

077should have lasted through the 202122 school year, the very year you moved to consolidate and dispose of Andres Darte. So I'm asking you to suspend all actions and negotiations rel related to Crestfield Town Homes, release all communication studies and valuations for public review and reopen a legitimate public process with bilingual outreach and independent legal oversight. According to my research, you guys only had four meetings with no members of the public present when you decided to close Andres Dart School. And now you have James Finley, the son of Margaret Finley, colluding with the developer and with this uh you know uh disgraced attorney Serene Abrahamian who whose only job is to liquidate public school properties. Say no. [Applause] after Mr. Filippo, Lydia Carwell, John Fana, Travis Patterson. Good evening. My name is Filipo Fenara and I

078came to this town about 1977. I'm still involved as a volunteer with the Kowanas group in Dwarti. What we do is we help children after children that are in school, children that graduate from their schools and help them to give them we give them con we give them scholarships on an annual basis so they can go on to higher education. That is how I've I have involved myself in this area for the longest time. I'm currently a commercial real estate broker and an agent for the last 25 years of my life. I did. After that, I I prior to that, I was I was I ran a business in this town for about 25 years. Since then, I've been a commercial real estate broker. I built the building that's on the corner of Highland and

079Huntington that is now home to Tanner Research. That is where I spent 25 years of my time in Dwarti. The project that you have before you is like no other in this area. It is focused on larger families. It is a land lease, not a sale that has been that has been portrayed. You'll never get you're not selling the property. You're simply land leasing it for the next 99 years. What that does is sets up an economic model that will benefit both the it'll benefit the school district, the families that will live there in the future, and the community as a whole. and may even provide enough room in those in those homes for grandparents to come in and help with daycare for their young for their grandchildren. As I stated in the in as

080I stated previously, there is no other project like it in this area and I think from that standpoint, it is something that you should support. Thank you very much. Good evening, school board. Um, cabinet members, all other school employees still present here and our audience. My name is Lydia Carwell and I have lived here probably as long as Mr. Hernandez. I moved here in 1974 and at that time I commuted to LUSD because I was a school teacher in East Los Angeles. And so for several years I worked in LA and I moved here just by chance in 1984. I will say to everyone here that's still present. I wish the teachers were here. Way back then, the salaries here in Darty were not comparable to the neighboring districts. We had less students. And many

081of you do not know this, but I left this district in 2002 because LA County Office in counseling me about I was thinking about retirement because my husband retired early. Basically, they said you could be a principal in any other district around and make $10,000 more a year. And I embarrassingly said to her, I didn't take this job for the money. So I did leave Dwarty and took a $14,000 increase as a district administrator in charge of ed services. But my heart has always been in Darty and at Andrris Dwarty where I served 14 years. classroom teacher, outreach consultant, and principal. And so I'm I'm kind of putting two topics together here. Coming into this district, people should have realized salary was not the high end. Most teachers don't become a teacher to become a

082millionaire. We know that. And to lose a school like Andrew Schwarty is extremely hard for me because that was my school for 14 years. But declining enrollment when I left in 2002 I had 625 students at that school. I went back as a consultant. 2016 there were a little over 300 students. There's declining enrollment everywhere. I support this district in trying to procure some money and give to the other schools that have more children a better education. So I support the closure and the the project that you are looking at. Thank you so much. >> Yes. Good evening, John Fana. U I can certainly say uh after listening tonight I am not a teacher. My wife was a teacher in Pasadena for about 20 years and I went to a very similar meeting like you've

083had tonight, a few of those in Pasadena to support her because I certainly agree the uh compensation that teachers reserve receive for the dedication they have is not where it should be. But I also know that Pasadena is on the edge of state receiverhip and this district also needs to look at that that you know this district right now has a good reserve but over the next two years it goes down to nothing if not a a major hole. So you've got a real problem here. Uh teachers do need compensation. They do need help on their medical benefits. But one of the ways you do that is you cut capital expenses when you can on facilities you don't need. And I have to wonder that back when that moratorum was entered into 2017 if we

084would have been better moving back then to face what seemed rather obvious actually that there was declining enrollment that we didn't have the students to support uh the enrollment we need to keep all the schools going and to offload that capital expense so we could put it into teachers and put it into students and other resources on operating basis rather than a capital basis. We're here today. I was on the 7-Eleven committee. I forget what the official name was. Uh we did request and we did uh it seems receive assurance that the park space equivalent land is being maintained uh going forward. So I support the decision today. Again, we can talk about what should have been, but at least today you have the opportunity to move forward and to generate some operating revenue, but

085also to eliminate some capital expenses that you have for maintaining a campus you don't need. Thank you, [Applause] >> Mr. Patterson. Wow. What did I walk into here tonight? What I see here is a board that has its priorities mixed up. You guys don't want to be leaders of educators. You guys want to be real estate developers. That's really poor decision after poor decision after poor decision. You guys are selling out this school for pennies on the dollar. There are kids in this district, including my kids and my neighbors kids, that won't bring their kids to this school because they're not going to wait 30 minutes at Royal Oaks to drop their kids off for a school that has a low grade. So, you guys have your priorities way mixed up here. You guys are

086selling out the future of this school district. And my and I think it will become insolvent eventually. Poor decision after poor decision. It's time to stop. You guys have built no protections for this developer. He said, "I'm bringing school. I'm bringing bringing kids." How many kids are you bringing in, Mr. developer? Put your money where your mouth is and make a commitment to this city. >> Mr. Please uh direct to the board though. >> And if you don't meet it, then there should be a penalty. This is basic economics. Pennies on the dollar. Does it have to go? Sure, maybe it does. but not like this. They're going to get rich and filthy rich and they're out here lying to your residents with no guarantees and no protections that you that they're going to do

087what they said that they're going to do. As soon as that's approved and they're making their millions, they're going to sell that contract and they're gone forever. And this 100 years, we're going to get our school back in 100 years. What a croc. That's a joke. Our kids kids won't be here. Do the right thing. It's time to stop this. Your chance is now. It's time to stop. Do the right thing and stop this project. Save this school. Otherwise, someone's got to protect this school system from the people that are supposed to protect this school system. Thank you. I want to just bring up one more time uh cuz she wasn't um she was in the back. Danielle Stemer, do you want to do it now or do you want to do it later on?

088>> I'm ready. >> Okay. Oh my god. Every time. Okay. Uh I traveled from the far three and a half hours from Fresno and every time I come here I'm like, "Oh, all the teachers great. I'm a teacher. I teach." Uh before I have two things. The first thing before I start um and I send this send this to Heather too. I'm like, uh, just so you know how like how bad it is. Um, if I came here, cuz I'm your target audience. I'm from here. My family's here. I'm educated. I have children. I want to come home. Okay, I do. But I would take 5,000 easy cut for my salary. And I would take a 10,000 cut for my benefits. You guys provide 8 to 10,000 for benefits. We My school is 22,000. My

089apartment 1,500 here for two-bedroom, two baths anywhere from what? 28 to 32. Yes, it's Fresno. But I can't come home. And the only asset that you guys have is that school. Okay. It seems like you guys think Dart is going to fail that we can't get it back. As a teacher, I'm not to the congrats. I hear the new superintendent coming is amazing and great hope. I'm like, I'm not to that level. I would love to one day come and do that. But if you bring children, then you're going to for sure have to ask for another bond. The bonds that were asked for the last two times didn't go to what was asked. The infrastructure a I feel like I was a part of the 7-Eleven club, too, because I watched it. I watched

090how the red herrings are left and right skewed. Oh, we'll get back to you. Not get back to you. Intimidation to the to the candidates. And I do think that the committee was really good at still asking the questions that I had. And but it definitely didn't go deep. Those options on the thing that was finally no one talked about the other options of middle school. No one talked about the other options of an adult school. You know those people that brought those things up. They're not here tonight. But why would teachers come and tell you what is really on their mind because I've talked to them when they're in the position they are. I support them striking. I support to go on. It's almost and I don't think it's you guys. I really don't

091think so. So like some people said you might be whatever. I'm like no I've talked to you guys. I don't think it's that. I really think it's those who hire and have been here and whether adequacy or not. But I'll tell you I love Dory. It is the best kept gem. I've come three and a half hours most of these board meetings all year. I hope you believe me when I say that I believe it and I do. I know you from little in some way I've known you. But this is the asset and even what you guys are do if you go forward what happens when the kids come you're still going to go back to the public and ask for them to pay for two stories it's in the plan I saw the

092plan of what will happen when the increase also my school we have adjust by the ratio I have one TK one kinder 1st 2/3 1/4 six a middle school as well my school is 350 a TK 8th we're functioning if your ratios aren't there you need to figure it out. Someone who's doing the money cuz why is money coming back and forth? I've talked to those those union people here. Here here they have money. I've talked to Stubby View there. It goes back and forth. It's like you guys are scared. They're like it's there and the only person is the ones you have hired that do the money and there's a red herring. Okay. And I do not like the 35 pages of all the stuff that was in there. The population find them. They're

093going the private schools. Why is it that over here at City Hope, why aren't they bringing their children here? Do you not believe that this can turn around? When I went to school, it was great. I'm not saying it's not great for some. Also, really weird that I have observed all the schools because I went to all the TK because I'm a TK teacher, but Royal Oaks, which is supposed to be the prime, it is like a like I can't get in. It is so gated. And then they're and I I ran across the parking lot to go say hi and hug and that's why my heart's going. I'm like my brother's like what's wrong? But uh why is that? It's so weird. Okay, thank you. I love you guys. [Applause] >> Dr. Finley, board

094president. That is all the comments. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate uh everyone's time and effort and for showing up tonight to express their views. Uh we will now move on to the presentations portion of the meeting. Uh so uh Mr. Crosby, would you like to introduce our presenters? >> Thank you. Today we have a presentation for representatives from Orbof Huff and Henderson LLP, Crestford Town Homes, and Jones Lang Lasang Brokerage. They will provide the board with a review of the development agreement and ground lease with Crestville Town Homes. This project follows a robust trans transparent process that began with the closure of Andre Dawwardi Academy in 2021 followed by the formation of asset committee in early 2022 to develop recommendations for the property. The development has also gone through the city of Dwart's approval

095process first with the planning commission and then with the city council. At this time, I would like to invite Serene Abberham from Orbach Huff and Henderson to begin the presentation. >> Thank you, Mr. Crosby. Appreciate that introduction. Uh, thank you. Good evening, board members. Thank you for having me tonight. Uh, cabinet and community. Um, as Mr. Crosby said, tonight's presentation is a review of the development agreement and ground lease with Crestfield Town Homes. It includes a product project chronology and approved site plan review and it's a multi-part presentation. So as you see outlined in uh the second bullet, it will provide an overview again of project chronology including project procurement uh city of Dwarte approvals of project entitlements and project benefits. The second part of the presentation will review the city approved site plans for

096the project. The third will cover the financial benefits and the methodology for determining that. And the fourth will be a review of the ground lease terms. Uh before the board tonight for consideration is approval of resolution 082526, finding no further environmental review is required for the Andreas school project, certifying the final environmental impact report and mitigation monitoring and report program. Adopting California Environmental Quality Act findings and approving the joint occupancy development agreement and ground and ground lease with Crestfield Town Homes. And just a little bit bit of background on the uh process that brought us here and I will go into some detail in the following slide. But in terms of the city process that occurred over the last year or so, uh the project has been under uh pretty uh burdensome review by the

097city uh and its environmental review has been very robust in terms of assessing traffic impacts and some of the other concerns that of course the community members have expressed around the project. On September 23, 2025, the city council voted to certify the final environmental impact report and entitlements for what they call the Andrew Dwarte school project. An environmental impact report which is attached as exhibit two to the resolution packet is a comprehensive document under the California Environmental Quality Act or SQUA that analyzes the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before it can be approved by a public agency in this case the city. Exhibit three attached to the packet is a mitigation monitoring and reporting program. MMRP is a required document under SQA that ensures mitigation measures identified in an EIR are carried out

098during project implementation. And exhibit five is the ground lease document. Importantly, when the city approved the project on September 23, 2025, of course, they improved it. They approved it on environmental grounds, but also amended the general plan from public facilities to highdensity residential to authorize the development of the housing project on the site and a zone change from public facilities to what we call R4, which again authorizes the development of residential housing. And you'll hear more about, of course, the the approved site plans and the plan for the the site, but the project is broken up into the residential component as well as the park project, open space component, which is approximately 6.32 acres of the upgraded park facilities uh for the site that continue to remain under district ownership and will be utilized by

099the district, the city, and the community. to review the project project chronology. I wanted to go back to uh an excerpt from a support letter that was sent to the city prior to the city council meeting where the project was approved. You see here it goes through extensive detail from when the difficult decision was made to close the school back in at the tail end of 2021 when the district adopted the closure and consolidation resolution uh all the way through to the city council meeting on September 23, 2025. So this has been a very long and robust process in terms of procedure. A couple important uh dates that I wanted to highlight and we've heard uh quite a bit about the 7-Eleven committee or asset management committee that was formed. After the board made the

100difficult decision to close the AD site, it very quickly in February of 2022 appointed what we call an asset management committee. And the role of that committee is to review during open Brown Act meetings where the public is invited and these meetings are agenda so that the public does attend and provide their input. And the goal of those meetings was to receive community input and uh for it to be comprised of representative members of the community pursuant to the education code requirements to provide recommendations to the board about the next best steps around asset management planning and options for the site. That committee held uh six open session meetings um four committee meetings and then went through a board process where the uh committee's recommendations were presented to the board and an important aspect of

101that process also includes a public hearing component where after the uh preliminary recommendations of the committee are developed the public is invited again all these meetings were open but the public is invited to come and make their uh comments to the recommendations during a public hearing. Importantly, uh the recommendations included and which this uh project incorporates is of course long-term leasing was a recommendation. Disposition options to prioritize the best financial and operational interests of the district, which of course this long-term revenue to the district will do. work with the city of Dwarte to retain on-site recreational uses equivalent to the area occupied by the existing park, which of course, as we mentioned, the park space is actually being increased to 6.32 acres. And consider options for affordable dwellings that would invite families with children and

102or educator housing. And of course, the project has a affordable housing component where 16% of the uh housing project is affordable. Continuing on in in the project chronology, after the 7-Eleven committee or asset management committee made their recommendations to the board, there were at least eight open session and community outreach opportunities for the joint occupancy process to be uh presented, reviewed, voted on, and for community input. And what you'll hear a little bit later tonight is how that community input was incorporated into the site planning as part of the joint occupancy process which is an opportunity for the district to seek a development partner under education code 17515 at SEC and to continue to maintain a presence on the site which in this case of course is the park project that the that the developer

103has contributed up to $4 million to build and upgrade. Um the board uh approved a resolution on October 19, 2023 to select uh the Crestfield developers to develop the property. This was after a a long and robust process of uh issuing what's called a request for proposals, receiving up to 10 proposals and narrowing down the the the pool of proposers to three and then further narrowing it down to the group that was selected. And importantly, at the meeting where the board approved uh the developer, they also determined that the property is exempt surplus land. And that determination was provided to the housing and community development department and approved. And after that process, there continued to be open and community outreach uh uh efforts. And of course the developer was required to submit a very robust

104outreach plan which was presented to the board in February of 2025. Uh subsequent to that of course for the last year or so uh the the city process has has been ongoing including the IR scoping meetings, environmental review, planning commission review, city council review and again uh as we mentioned the final approval on September of this year. Another excerpt we wanted to highlight from a letter of support that was submitted by the district for the uh planning commission process was submitted on August 18, 2025 as you see up there in the date and highlights some of the benefits of the project from the district's perspective. Uh, of course, uh, this is here for for the community to read and absorb, but a couple that I wanted to point out. Of course, revenue generation. The important

105part of this, uh, uh, benefit is that what the long-term revenue that will be generated from this site is lease revenue, which means that the district and the board has the utmost flexibility with how to utilize that revenue, and it can be utilized for general fund purposes. It's not restricted like when you sell property. When you sell property that the the the funds then have to go back into facilities upgrades here. It can be utilized for some of the topics that are being brought up tonight. For example, including educational for educational purposes, educational programming, and if the if the board so chose to improve teacher salaries. Also, another important aspect of this, as we've emphasized, these units are large units. They're three-bedroom and four-bedroom units. And the board's vision in uh pursuing a a a

106housing development that had and could accommodate families was to with the hope of being able to generate increased ADA by having families move to Dwarte who maybe previously couldn't do so and uh of course then improve enrollment at the district's schools. And that's been a long-term goal of the district as we've heard throughout the night. And then of course this was touched on and it'll be touched on again in further presentations but uh the project aims to address the housing shortage within the city and also to help the city meet the housing requirements that it has to under what you call the reena compliance which was touched on earlier. And with that I'm going to turn it over to the next presenter which is the representative from Crestfield. Good evening board members, community. Thank you.

107Um, happy to be in front of you again. I thought I had a difficult job. I really commend you on your commitment to these uh very kind of challenging decisions and what you face. Uh, my name is Robert Montano. I am one I'm a representative of of one of the partners in the project uh with Crestville Development. Um, we responded to a DH Unified School District request for proposal. Um, and the idea that we brought to this project, understanding the nature of this community, uh, the San Gabriel Valley, um, and different development types was that this would have been an opportunity for us to deliver a typology of housing that would support long-term district goals. and that is to attract families to the city of Dherty. Ultimately to also generate uh long-term revenue streams that

108can uh be pledged against or bonded against for additional improvements as necessary, but also done done so through the ground lease provision as opposed to a a fee transaction so that you can retain that ownership and make those decisions for the district as it sees fit in the long in the long term. Um, our concept saw fit to make a number of commitments to the district, a number of commitments to the city, and as has been expressed and I'll continue to share, uh, upon our selection, we engaged kind of a a longer and a bigger um public community participation process. Um, we had a number of meetings. Um, we've met with different commissioners uh at the city. um the p the planning commission, parks and recck commission, public safety, of course went to council um

109and also held some community meetings. We met with um community members one-on-one. Um we had individual uh a large community meeting in which uh I spoke with a number and my colleagues spoke with a number of residents in the area and we took from those meetings a lot of input and we made changes in response to comments that we had received. um to our project. We made changes to the park to make additional improvements to the park um and some reconfigurations to be responsive to what we were hearing. In all, we ended up increasing our budget substantially. Um it was not expected, but we think this is a a good project and we want to pursue it and and we willingly made these changes. Um so when we look at the park um there are

110a number of things as I had mentioned that we had changed um when we met with the community means before I dive into the the park features themselves I want to kind of bring you up to speed on some of these changes that were requested. Um, one of the changes was to ensure that the division between the park and the residential space and the properties to the north had a more substantial separation. And that is they didn't want a chain lean fence any longer. Um, they had requested that some um more permanent um division like a brick wall would be installed, a cinder block wall. Um and we heard from a number of uh owners on the north and and we've agreed to do that. So that's one of the the kind of the hard

111changes that we made um in response to the community. Another um uh another change that we had made um and we heard very early on which was not an original condition but we thought was a great idea is the existing alley on the west side of the park. that is um we heard that it's often used for cut through traffic as people are leaving and trying to bypass the 210 corridor um and get through the neighborhood that that alley is sometimes a problem. Um and so the first out of the gate meeting that we had after our council or community meeting was to sit with staff and ask if that could be removed. Um and it's included into the traffic study, but it's supported also that we could remove that. And so that cutth through

112alley is now eliminated and that bypass traffic should be minimized um through that portion. It also allowed the park to grow a little further to the west. Um a number of other items that were also in included and and and requested was the location of the parking lot. The northern end of the park was often a spot where after people used the park and and recreed at the park, they would kind of I don't want to use the term loiter, but they would spend time there and it was an impact to the neighbors to the north. And one of the requests not only by residents, but that we we heard from parks and wreck and from public safety and and and we completely agreed and had suggested it as well was to take that parking

113lot and move it to the south towards Central Avenue. And what that would allow is essentially moving that active kind of um and and vocal activity away from the the backs of uh residents along the north from their their bedroom windows and and moving it out to central where we can actually increase the amount of um off streetet parking to support the park, but also put it in an area that's more visible. um again separated from those residential uses uh and create a better kind of sense of identity and arrival here. In terms of the park improvements themselves, um we are completely redoing the park. Uh we had initially thought that we were going to replace the types of lighting that would be installed at the fixtures um and go into a high um efficiency

114LED type lighting. Um, as we got into the study, we realized that we have to remove the entire lighting infrastructure. We're installing new light standards everywhere. Um, we're installing a new tot lot entirely, one that is um, uh, ADA friendly. So, this is a a new um, realm in park design that municipalities are exploring. And it's not just for um conventionally aabled students, but there are often features that uh are available to wheelchairbound um uh patrons of the park as well. And and that uh those are do come at a premium and we're happy happy to do that. Um the new fields, landscaping, there's a new walking path that goes around the perimeter of the entire park. Um as I had mentioned, exercise equipment. We've also um opted to remove the bathroom building entirely and

115construct an entirely new bathroom, which was not originally a requirement, but we we thought it was appropriate. And so, as you'd heard earlier, we did increase our budget. Our original projections on the park was roughly $2 million of an improvement, and we've doubled that. And so, we're now at approximately $4 million of improvement. Um, and we think it's it's a worthy expense given kind of what we want to accomplish and what we hope can become a host to a wide variety of activities here and continue to operate. Um there are heritage uh specimen oak trees that we'll be introducing, new canopy shade structures, new benches, as I had mentioned, some of this new type of um equipment, fitness equipment that can be utilized that will go around the perimeter of park and looks to promote

116kind of healthy lifestyle. So it's it's a it's a a variety of different uses that would be layered upon one another that would hopefully create a very active and dynamic uh park. In terms of the housing typology, um, our product out of the gate was a town home product. This was important because we understood that the intent of the RFP was to facilitate the introduction of new families uh to introduce the uh new uh growing families um that can move back into the city of of DHY. Um I think we've all gone through it. My my children are now headed off to to college soon, but um you know, we started at a two-bedroom apartment and we got the house and had kids and we continue to grow and that's exactly what we hope to

117be able to help accommodate here. Um we understood that a lot of the new inventory in San Gabriel Valley, a lot of the new inventory in Darty has been predominantly um studios, onebedrooms, two bedrooms, apartments. the type of housing that we are typically seeing that you've got the dual income nokid type of families, young families, young partners, that early kind of stage, no kids. This is the next opportunity for people to move into um into this kind of family oriented housing with three and four bedroomedroom units. Um also on-site parking. Um, as we've covered plenty of times, the the architecture all is of a Spanish architecture vernacular. Um, we believe that it was consistent with the uh the architectural vernacular of the community and um speaks to kind of the spirit of what we've seen

118built elsewhere so far. Um, this is a little bit difficult to decipher, but it was provided also in your in the packets and the public uh documents. But this is essentially a number of the floor plans um for some of the units that exist. And it kind of illustrates essentially how these spaces are laid out with the multi-bedrooms, the the large open floor plate on your living space with your kitchen, dining room, living room, and then your car carports uh tucked underneath. Another element that we added um and it comes at a um you know again all of this comes at some consideration but it's the inclusion of a large public art feature at the corn corner of Crustfield and Central. Um this was a council directive that council wanted to see. They said it's

119an important feature. I agree. Um, a lot of the projects that we do either include a fee to a public art commission and or uh public art that's built on site. Um, we would anticipate that as we go through this process, we identify either an art consultant or local artist that would come and participate in the selection, design, and construction of some public art feature that can become a gathering space, a place of community, um, a place of reflection depending on how this is all uh, materializes. In total, what we're seeing here is is the park itself along with the Crustfield project town homes. Um, this is not a gated community. That is something that has been very important to us. This is meant to be a seamless integration of the existing street infrastructure into

120the existing um neighborhood feel and characteristics of this of this of this neighborhood. Um, there is access east west from Crestfield across into the park. not only for residents of the project, but because this is an open street, people have the ability to come across as well. It's not a gated facility. It's not a gated park. That is very important to us. Um, as mentioned again, the park has essentially gone from 5.9 acres to 6.3 acres. Um, and you know, this is just a matter of of where we are in delineation. Um, and we thought we built uh we thought we built design, excuse me, we thought we designed um a responsive project, one that fits is befitting of the quality of homes that that that Darty is deserving, but also really responsive to the

121needs of the community given the costs of housing in Southern California, given the cost of housing in in Dwerty and what the district hopes to achieve an ability to generate and benefit from a long-term revenue. um for its own purposes. So if you have any questions, I'm happy to help um answer before I turn it over to JLL. Um so please Very well. Thank you. We're still here. >> I had some questions. I had some questions for Serene. I wanted to ask her. >> Okay. Sir, >> uh I'm I mean I'm I'm fine if you want to go ahead and ask questions now. >> You want me to wait? >> Yeah, we can we can wait. Why don't we go ahead and get through and then we can go ahead and But I guess make

122sure you take notes so we don't forget anything you that you wanted to ask. Thanks. >> Oh, okay. Uh, good evening everybody. Um, in the audience, school board, my name is Jeff Atkinson. I >> Please, uh, speak into the mic because helpful. >> Sorry. >> That would be helpful. >> Uh, my name is Jeff Atkinson. I am with Jones Langlasal. We are a full-ervice real estate advisory firm based out of Chicago and offices all over the country and world. We were originally engaged by the school board to help facilitate this process. Uh that was as mentioned before a very exhaustive, thorough and wellthoughtout plan. Uh these are some of the highlights of the steps that we took throughout the process in conjunction with Serene's group and the school board. We developed an RFP and the

123purpose of that RFP was to explicitly communicate to a potential development community exactly what the school district and the community really wanted to see here. Uh so we spent quite a quite a bit of time to develop that. We then presented this RFP to a fairly wide group of qualified developers that have experience in similar types of projects. Uh, as a part of that, we received 10 qualified submissions to the RFP and as a group with the with the board and Serene and everybody, we we went through a very thorough vetting process to evaluate each offer, the pros and cons, the ability of the developer, their track record, their financial capability, uh, did they listen to what we asked them to to do, which is to deliver, as Robert said, a community-based uh, low density

124uh, uh a housing community with larger bedrooms to attract families with an affordable component and a park. And as we did narrow down to the three groups, we had interviews in person and then we ultimately selected uh the Crestfield Group as the ultimate developer. Uh, part of the key RFP requests, again, as as was highlighted in what ultimately was derived through the city council approval, was large quality town homes to serve families that could gener that that that that families with children could have a large average, 1400 square foot apartment with multiple bedrooms that could then generate school students that would come to dart to go to school. In addition, it was very important to build and improve on the sixacre park. Uh the total site of both the park and the and the the

125the development is about 13 acres. It was very important to have a 50/50 split or roughly something like that to create a very robust uh park for the community and the the the residents here at at the at the uh at the property. So as through that process we negotiated an annual base rent of $450,000 uh annually which is paid in 12 equal installments uh and that ground rent will be increased compounded 12.5% per year every year throughout the term of the ground lease uh as part of the economics. In addition, they the development provides 28 affordable housing units uh which is a another benefit to the community and the developer has committed to spend $4 million on improving and upgrading the park for the community benefit. Uh and along with that, the district re

126has will receive an upfront payment of a million dollars. Two 200,000 was received in 2024. the remaining $800,000 will be received upon closing of escrow. So that's an additional benefit of a c upfront cash payment to the to the school district. So as part of our work we what we do is we do a lot immense amount of development and advisory and of these types of projects. So we also evaluated the the proposal that was put forward and ultimately selected and to make sure that we got the best possible financial deal overall that took into all the considerations that we asked the developer to provide. So in this particular case 6.5 acres of the total site will be developed for residential which is approximately half the site. We looked at what would a development like

127this cost. But we did a a full proforma of what the rents would be, the what the expenses of operating the project would be, and then of course the cost to build the project. And based on a market-based return, the it yields about a value of the land of about $7.5 million for the six and a half acres. And that's pretty consistent with what the market and what's built in the in and generally in the in the area. So from that we look at what would that yield. So when you do a ground lease we look at the value of the land and what is a typical return on the value of that land. That is the ground lease payment. And 6% is right dead center of where most ground leases are being cast today.

128That's where the market is. And that generates a annual rent payment of $450,000. Uh so we did that is how we really came up to validate the numbers that were presented and we really negotiate and through the negotiations with Presfield got to that point. The other uh the other metric that we use is we also look at comparable land sales of similar projects in the area. And on the top graph here it shows several similar project types of similar scale size. Two of them actually were school districts. And it shows here the price per square foot uh between 25 and $33 uh per land foot. Ours is right at 7.5 million is 26 uh square feet. $26 per land square foot. It's it's in the range. It's at the lower end. But then when you

129add the $4 million additional investment for the park, which equates to $14 a foot, we're clearly above a land value that that was transacted on similar land sales or ground lease with in the area over the last number of years. So just another metric that we use beyond the residual land analysis and investment analysis, we also looked at comparable sales the market. And so we feel pretty strongly this is a this is a very good deal for the district and uh this these numbers should should prove that out as part of the project. We also look at what other what other projects have been built in the market. What what is the competitive set for rents? Uh so what we did and we always do is we look at other projects in the market that

130have been built. They're reasonably reasonably new. uh and we look at their rents and we compared it to the projected rents that Presfield's proposing and as you notice uh there's one in in Dwarte that's a salana but as Robert mentioned before the average square foot of most of these new projects is about 800 ft there they're studios predominantly studios ones and two-bedroom apartments you know so our mandate was to drive three and fourbedroom units the average square foot of our project here is over 1,400 ft. So much larger units and a very compar a very competitive rent rate to again serve the purposes of the district, the community, and really fill in a missing gap of what is currently available in the market today for growing families who aren't ready to jump up and buy

131a home, but are have the families that are growing with one or two or three kids that want to go to the school in this district. There's just not much available in that in that price range. Um the other thing is we also uh have required 28 units of dedicated affordable housing which will be a much lower rent than the market rate. And that is kind of where we looked at when we did the analysis of did I press the wrong button? Oh, there we go. >> The microphone. So the the the the synthesis of this this presentation and we have some a few more slides is really to show the analytics, the research, the depth and breadth of what our firm brings to the table. We do this every day. We do more of

132this type of project than any other firm in the world. We're we know where costs are. We know where rents are. We we structure deals like this constantly. And so as we were advising the school district uh we we were very analytical to make sure that this is the best possible deal that we could drive through competitive process to get the school the best overall outcome. Uh just a few last closing comments. I mean there's been a lot of challenges in the markets over the last number of years. Construction costs have risen by 40% approximately since 2020. So these co these projects are getting more and more expensive to build and it's become really a challenge. Uh so that that is causing a lot of projects not to go forward in this market but this

133one does make sense. It is feasible. Uh and we've been very thorough in vetting the project. Uh it was mentioned that the regional housing needs assessment arena that was put in by the state several years ago. We're actually contributing to building new housing. Uh the city right now has a deficit of 886 units. Uh so we're adding units to that to help alleviate that that shortage of housing in the market. Uh Dwarte has zero units under construction right now and there are zero planned except for this site. Um, and you know, we've seen this as a bucking of a trend because there was a a lot of projects that were delivered over the last several years, but now the supply of new project coming online has been is drastically diminished. So, this will be go

134a long way to alleving shortage in the area. Um, and right now there's such a spread between cost of renting apartment or home and and buying. This provides again those larger units that family that is starting to have children that aren't ready to leap into the home ownership pool that can get a size of a unit where each child should have their own bedroom or have an extended family member live there and not try to do you know be in a one or two-bedroom apartment that's half the size of this these units. So that's uh that's uh that's our presentation. Any questions? >> All right. Uh thank you very much. Sorry, try not to talk so loud. Uh oh. So I we also have one more speaker. >> Good evening board. So I'm going to

135review a few key key terms of the ground lease. Um I'm not going to go into the legal lease, but just give you a high level of the district protections. So this lease is ASIS. So the developer is taking on 100% of the risk. They're taking the property in an ASIS condition. um they have to comply with all laws in regards to any alterations, any improvements and also in maintaining, operating, using or occupying the property. They're prohibited from causing any dangerous um any dangerous conditions on the property, generating any hazardous materials. There are maintenance requirements they're required to follow. They must keep and maintain the improvements in good and sanitary order. They're required to um keep those conditions in a commercial reasonable uh standard. And this is applicable to any property management company that they

136end up hiring or any transfers that they any anyone that they end up transferring a property to. And if they do hire a property management company or transfer the property, that does not relieve them of these burdens. They're also required to maintain insurance. They're required to indemnify and defend the district for a number of issues. So, if an adjoining property owner um property is uh damaged during construction or the alterations or improvements, they're required to step in and defend the district for that condition. They're required to pay any fees, costs, expenses, liabilities, utilities. Um that's completely on them and they're required to again um defend or step in and take care of the issue if the if the district is approached. Um they're required they're also uh required to identify and identify and defend the

137district from any condition um of the property. If someone gets hurt on the property and comes after the district, they're required to to defend the district or step in and assist. Um any claims instituted by a broker, agent, or finder, um they're required to also step in and take care of those issues for the district. Um there are a number of default provisions that will allow the district to terminate the ground lease. So if the if the developer fails to pay rent, if they violate any provision of the ground lease, including um not maintaining the property in a proper order, if they abandon the property, if they fail to secure the property prior to completion of construction, if they go into bankruptcy. These are all um conditions that the district can terminate the ground lease

138for. And also there are audit rights um built in where the lei has to maintain its accounting books and the district can um audit the accounting records of the uh developer. So those are the the highlights um that I wanted to cover u mainly just you know what are the things that can protect the district in this ground lease. Um are there any questions? Is is this sorry is this the final presentation? I just want to make sure we're not >> It is. I'm the last one. >> Okay. All right. Great. Uh so I guess we can open up to I guess any of our four presenters. So board uh do you have any I believe Mr. Reyes you had questions. All right. So did you want to start with uh Serene then? >> Yes.

139>> Okay. >> All right. >> Hi. You mentioned other recommendations for the property and you you only gave the one. What were the other recommendations? >> So, those are listed in the recommendation report. No, I actually covered three of them, but um the recommendation report is pretty robust and lengthy. Towards the tail end of the recommendation report that was presented to the board, there are about I want to say is it about seven or eight recommendations that outline all of the steps that the that the uh asset management advisory committee would recommend the board to consider for next steps for the site. >> And what were they? >> I don't have it handy unfortunately. The link is in the chronology that we presented. So >> that doesn't help me right right now. Thank you. >>

140You're welcome. That's That's all I have. >> All right. Any other questions, board? >> Yes. >> All right. Board member Diaz, >> as you just mentioned right now, any of the defaults that that um that can happen, who will take over if anything happen? Who will take over at that situation? >> Yeah. So if the ley defaults and the district terminates and the property comes back to the district. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh so I'd like to ask a question probably of Robert. Um so uh you had mentioned um you know that I think it was 16% or 28 units of the the 169 would be uh workforce housing. Um I don't know if that's the the the correct term but um can you talk a little bit about those? Are are those um

141different units than the rest of the units? like how how are those sort of uh spread throughout the community or can you talk a little bit more about those please? >> Yeah, so it's 16%. We which is an amount that's a little bit low more than what we had anticipated initially but it's fine. Um so the way it works is every unit is built identical to the same exact spec. There's no discounted unit that's provided or built for the sake of um the income protected units. the way the um the provisions of the lowincome units work, it's it's associated with the income of the family that would rent the property. And the state of California um HCD, Housing and Community Development, publishes annually a matrix of um income levels based on different thresholds. So there

142is a um extremely low, very low, low and moderate income level and it's tied to the um a area average uh median income for Los Angeles. Um I believe right now the median income for Los Angeles for a household of four is roughly $16 to $109,000. And the way it would work is if you are a moderate income unit, you move into a tier in which you have a capped maximum income level and it's generally 80 to 120% of that median amount. So if it was $100,000, the moderate income level would be a family of four that earns between 80 and $120,000. The rent is then calculated based on a 30% of that income level. And so whatever that amount is, it's 30%, there's also a utility allowance. Then that further reduces the rent slightly

143in order to account for that utility allowance. And that's how that um that rent is um calculated there. There is a uh associated with the entire process typically an affordable housing covenant that is recorded on the property um that stipulates as to the income thresholds and all of these different regulatory documents and and references that are maintained and managed by the city in accordance with the state income levels that HCD publishes annually. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And and I guess also this this might fall under you as well. Um I I had um at least one member of the community sort of ask about you know the the cost of these units. You know while while it is um affordable by by some standards other standards you might look at those numbers and

144think wow that's that's pretty steep. Uh, and could you talk a little bit about what, you know, if if somebody is able to to move into these units? I think some of those individuals, you know, especially in in these uh more moderate income levels, um, you know, they they don't have the necessarily the resources to, you know, fix a broken water heater, you know, fix a garage door that's broken. So what what is sort of the obligation of the the owner of those town homes to th those that are renting them out? >> Sure. So um much like any apartment building as opposed to ownership um the ma the maintenance of these units is done by the property management company. Um it is if there's a an issue with the water heater the property management

145company brings in its service team to either repair or replace. issue with the garage door, it's the property management company that comes in to repair or replace. It is not a financial burden on the tenant themselves. So, very different. If it was a we were to sell these units, clearly, you know, you have an issue, you you repair it on your own dime. But this is much like a um the management of a multi-story apartment building or any other kind of garden style apartment building. as the management company um carries the financial burden to maintain these units, not only for a sense of like basic standards to keep it clean, neat, and safe, but also to address and remedy any repairs that may be necessary. >> And so we we won't we would not have

146people contacting the district and saying, you know, >> yeah, if they contact the district, they they've misdialed. They should be contacting the property management company. >> All right. Yeah. Great. Thank you. >> Of course. uh board. Any other questions for any of our presenters? >> Yes. I don't know who this is for. I want to talk about the trees on the property. There's a huge uh sycamore tree that's been there probably I don't know 100 years. There's some huge oak trees, some of which I planted that have uh um they're over 12 in in diameter. What is going to happen to those trees? Well, um, we have a tree replacement plan that was included in the environmental analysis. For any tree that is removed, we're replacing a multitude of trees to help re to maintain

147the canopy in a kind of a totality of square footage. So, in order to complete the project, if a tree is um is in the path, unfortunately, it would be uh removed. Um, some trees can be replaced. Um, but given the size and stature and the nature of some of these trees, I don't know that that's feasible. Um, I can't speak to how that is all going to work at this point, but the short answer is we recognize that there is a loss of some of these mature trees, which is why we are replacing it with more than just one tree. >> And you're sure none of them are protected by the state of California? So all of that was included in the environmental impact report that was in that was completed by the city's

148consultant, a full inventory of the trees and everything else and it was deemed and and approved by council. And so all of those boxes per se have been checked and and and checked and confirmed um through that process. >> Thank you very much board. Any other questions or comments for our presenters? what what are the what are the rents going to look like? >> So, at this point, I don't have an answer on the rents because that rent is a a projection of where the market is in the future. It's going to depend on all of those factors and where the market rate rents are. Um, I hate to put Jeff on the spot, but Jeff may have some data to help in that regard. And and the reason I ask is because if it's

149more than what we were told in the past, if it ends up being four to 5,000, is the district going to get more than 450,000 a year? because that number is based on some numbers you quoted the other day. >> Yeah, the the the I'm sorry, the the the value of the ground lease was established based on a a very thorough market survey of other similar projects in the surrounding area. So, and that's kind of what the that's the basis of where we calculate their land residual value at based on today's rents. >> But the point I'm trying to make is so you're going to put more money in your pocket and we're still staying at the same amount. >> Well, your your your ground lease would go up by 2.5% guaranteed every year. >>

150But that's not in the beginning. That's what I'm talking about. >> Well, you know, I'm not the developer here, but what I would say is typically, you know, the developer who's taking on this project has to project what they believe the market rents will be when this is completed in two years. and the they they're taking risk that the rents could be higher or they could be lower. So, you we can't predict the future, but that's kind of one of the basis of being a developer is using your best guess on what rents are today and then assuming what they they might be in two years, three years, four years, five years. Rents don't just always go up. They do go up and down. Uh and so what we did is we did a very

151thorough analysis of what similar type of projects in this market would generate today because that's what we know is what what today is and we can then look at we escalate that over time about 2.5%. That's generally the average annual rate of growth of rent uh of apartments. So these are very competitive. I mean our active rents that we projected here uh which are lower on both a gross rent basis and a per square per square foot basis of similar projects that have done three and four uh bedroom units in the market. So this is a this is a lesser uh a lesser costly alternative for a much larger unit that is usually available in the market. So, it's really serving a a purpose that's uh that's not here today. It's serving a purpose and

152serving a you a user that's that's that's not being served today. It's really the issue. >> Thank you. >> And ultimately, the market will bear what the market will bear. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh if there's no other comments, we'll go ahead and uh move on then from the presentations. Thank you very much to the presenters. Uh yeah, I don't know. Was was that turned in before the start of the meeting? I don't >> I have uh for you, Mr. Hernandez, 4.1, 4.1, 14.4, and 16.1. Uh number 12 was the the That's request the board. You already did that. >> Okay. So, so, so were were these turned in? >> Yes. >> Okay. These were turned in. Okay. So, >> so we can call the Mr. Hernandez. >> When when the item

153comes. >> Ah, okay. Okay. Thank you. Um, >> it's when the item comes up on on uh 14.1. Sir, >> we know you're eager to get up here. Uh, all right. So then we can move on then to our report from our student board member. So that is next on the list here. >> Good morning every good good evening everyone. >> Don't jinx us please. I hope you guys are all having a good night. Um this past month this past month has been exciting for Dory High School. Um last week we had our first rally of the year. Not only was it our homecoming rally, but it was also the first rally that was hosted in our brand new gym. Last week, we had our homecoming spirit week, and on Saturday, we had the book

154of live homecoming dance where students got to enjoy music, entertainment, and food. This year, we tried something new and we had our homecoming dance outdoors of the brand new gym. Um, we had photo booths, arcade games, and we had like a beautiful candle lit entrance. Um, and our dance floor was under like the outdoor area of the gym, so it was really nice. Um, any dance could be like messy and hectic, but we had like a really good team helping us clean up this past week, so um, the gym is definitely being protected. Um, this month was our girls flag football senior night and yesterday was the girls volleyball senior night. Uh, this morning Key Club collaborated with City of Hope and hosted their blood drive in the lobby of the new gym, giving students,

155staffs, and parents the chance to save lives. This Saturday is the Dhy High Cheer Clinic where future Falcons can participate with the cheer team for next week's Pinkout football game. This month we are celebrating Philipp Filipino heritage at DHS. We were we are representing the culture through traditional foods and music and games. On October 22nd we will be hosting our annual food booth and unity day is a time where the student body gets to connect with each other and clubs on campus sell goods to fund raise money supporting their future finances. As fall sports are wrapping up their seasons, our winter sports are ready for team tryyous and all five levels are ba of basketball are ready to play in the new gym. October still has a lot more in store for Dherty High and

156with future activities and sports events, we are ready to experience it all. Thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you very much for that report. lot of as as usual a lot of exciting things happening at Dwarty High School. We appreciate the report. Uh all right, we can now move on to another report with uh exciting items uh the superintendence report. Mr. Crosby, >> thank you. Uh tonight I want to highlight on the agenda under personnel services, we have the approval of the appointment of the next superintendent. And I'm very pleased to share that Dr. Jessica Madrono and her family is still here in the chambers this evening. I would like to invite uh Dr. Madano to come forward and join us as we officially welcome her to Darti Unified School District. [Applause]

157>> You want to introduce your your family and they'll come down and take a picture with you too. >> All right. Great. Thank you so much for having us this evening. Um, and I've just really want to uh just if it's okay, can I say like a thank you so much for the opportunity to the board of education. I've really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you through the process and I'm really looking forward to our next steps working together, working with the community and the staff and um just want to shout out to my two daughters who are here with me tonight. Um they made it through this is past their bedtime but they um they have drawn a lot of great pictures while waiting. I have um Talen and Mila, my um

158daughters who are my inspiration and I hope that through my leadership they can realize they can do anything they put their mind to. My sister Lindsay is here as well and I actually have a a my village is listening online still. They learned a lot about all the great things happening in Dwarte and you know our our work moving forward. So thank you to them for being um present and supporting me and I'm really looking forward to our next steps working together. So thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. And uh the board would like to come down and take a picture with you. I know that really late night so we can get this started and really appreciate you. So board, thank you. It's okay. And um board also under my report I want

159to um also mention um under the certificated personnel report we are welcoming our new principal from Valley View uh Academy, Miss Sherry Heinding. Unfortunately, she had to pick up her son from uh marching band practice and so she did have to to leave. Uh, Miss Heinding was appointed at a special board meeting on September 29th and started at Valley View at on October 6th and she's already been doing some really great u work leading her school community. So, I want to make sure and highlight that too for you. And that is all my report. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Crosby. And I am very happy to hear that she went and picked up her son. That is very good news. We didn't want we wouldn't want to be on their bad side. Um, let's

160see. board. Before we uh continue on to the general functions, um I would just like to call like a two or three minute recess. Um mostly because I would like a bio break. Um so if anyone else needs one or wants to get a drink of water, uh please go ahead and do that. Um but we'll be back here in just a couple minutes. Thank you. All right, we are back. Thank you very much for allowing us to have a a recess there. Um, we will now go ahead and move on to general functions of the board. Uh, we will be uh first approving the minutes from the regular meeting of September 11th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. Motion by board member Reyes, second by board member Oeen. Any

161discussion? >> oh, thank you. >> Which one are we? I'm sorry. Which one are we on? >> We're on the September 11th. >> September 11th. >> Okay, I will I will recuse myself because I was not here at that point. >> Okay, thank you very much. Uh so, so board member Diaz will abstain. So, uh sorry, we had a motion by board member Reyes, a second by board. Uh their only discussion was board member Diaz saying that she'll be uh abstaining from the vote. So all those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> All right. That passes 4 01. Right. Mercedes. Okay. Uh next we'll have the approval of the minutes from the special meeting that was held on September 29th, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >>

162Motion by board member Reyes. Second by board member Oeen. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. That passes 5. Next is the next item up for business is the adoption of the consent calendar. Uh however, before we move to approve the consent calendar, I need to note that I will be recusing myself uh from the classified personnel report item of the consent calendar because uh my son, who I don't think he's here anymore, um is up on that report. He's a tutor at Darty High School. Uh and so I would like to request uh that the classified personnel report which is uh item 13.3.4 be removed for separate consideration. Does anyone else have any items that they would like to remove for separate discussion or action? Seeing none. Um so we

163had uh I guess I would need to turn the time over now or no. >> All right. Sorry about that. Uh since we uh have no objection other than the one that I mentioned before, uh may I have a motion to approve the rest of the consent calendar minus that one item? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Uh so we have a motion by board member Diaz, a second by board member Reyes. Um all those uh in favor or I guess any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. Uh see we will now move on to the classified personnel report. I will recuse myself and I will ask that uh vice president Diaz uh will presside now and take care of this item and I'll remove myself.

164Okay. I we'll need a motion to approve um the item 13.3.4. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Mr. Reyes, second by Dr. Hassel. All in favor? >> I >> show to for the record that um the president, Mr. Finley uh has recused himself. The >> now we can call him back in. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much, Vice President Diaz. Okay. So, we can now move on then to the first reading of board policies. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So, move. Second. Uh, so I believe that was a motion by board member Hogin, a second by board member Diaz. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. I. >> Uh, next we have I'm sorry, that passes 5. Uh, the next uh is to

165just receive for information the construction and modernization project update. Uh, so we encourage uh the community to uh go and see that on the agenda if you'd like to read that. Next, we have the personnel and student services section. Uh so this will uh be opening up public hearing regard regarding DUSD's initial proposal for the 2526 reopener with CSEA chapter number 25. Do I have a motion to open the public hearing for item number 14.1? >> Second. >> Motion by board member Holggin, second by board member Hasso. Uh the public hearing is now open. Do I have a >> I had a card for Mr. Hernandez, but I don't see him here in the room. >> Oh, you're right. Okay. >> Move to close. >> All right. We have a motion to close the public

166hearing then. >> Second. >> Um, that was a motion by board member Reyes, a second by board member Holin. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. That uh closes the public hearing 50. Next is the Darty Unified School District's initial proposal for the 2526 reopener negotiations with California School Employee Association Darty Chapter number 25. Do I have a motion? >> So move. Second. >> Motion by board member Diaz, second by board member Hasso. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Thank you. Uh next is uh to receive for information uh from the California School Employees Association and its Darti Chapter 25 CSEA the initial bargaining proposal for the 2025 2026 reopener negotiations. We're just receiving that for information. Um let's see

167here. Next is the approval of the appointment between Dart Unified School District and Dr. Jessica Madano. Uh, do I have a motion to approve this appointment? >> So move. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion by board member Reyes, a second by board member Diaz. Is there any discussion? >> One second. We had a card put in from Mr. Steve Hernandez. >> All right. and he is again missing >> and we also uh >> I need to read this beforehand. Right. Okay. So, sorry. Um we're going to rewind time. >> Oh, >> you are fine. Part of the discussion before you take your vote, you have to read this out loud. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Okay. So, uh this is um just something we'd like to go ahead and read. So,

168uh the item on the agenda is the approval of the appointment for Dr. Jessica Madrono as the district's next superintendent of schools. The appointment is made conditional on agreement of an employee contract setting forth the terms of employment which we expect to be ready for approval at the next regularly scheduled board meeting of the Darti Education Board Board of Education on November 13, 2025. Uh so any uh additional items of discussion board? I'm I'm gonna take a little point of privilege then. Um Dr. Madron, we are beyond excited to have you come to Dart Unified. Uh I think that that you are the right individual um for this time in our district and we we can't imagine uh you know a more uh qualified and deserving individual um to take uh this leadership role in

169our district. and uh we are very very excited to have you come here. So, thank you. Uh all right, >> Miss Diaz, did you want to say something? I just saw you grab your microphone. So, I just wanted to make sure. >> No, I just like to let you know that is it is an amazing day. Um last Saturday we we and um the board and many members of the community got together and unanimously unanimously we choose you after the rank was done out of the all candidates. It was unanimous and we were like we didn't know we turn in the secret ballot and it was unbelievable. All of us, the five of us went and say what? Your name was there and that was a reason. I I that was a reason. And tonight

170you pass the the challenge of fire. You see what it is right now. You know where you're coming to, but we trust you and we know you can lead us in the right path. So, welcome [Applause] Can I say something since we're on that too? >> Absolutely. Please go ahead. >> So, I'm just absolutely thrilled that we selected you and that you accepted and um I just feel that there's so much hope and promise for our district and um I know we all look forward to being on this journey with you. So, so welcome. Same here. Welcome to Darty. >> Uh >> yeah. Yeah. Um so I think the this um item then uh we have motion and seconded. We've had discussion. So uh all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you

171very much board. All right. We'll move on now to item number 15.1 which is Proposition 28 arts and music in schools annual report for 2425. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Holgine, second by board member Reyes. Is there any discussion? >> Yes. Uh >> Mr. Reyes. Yes. >> Mr. Crosby, could you uh expand on that? let the public know what's happening with this. >> Yes, I will um pass it over to Dr. Lawson. >> All right. So, every year we do have to give an annual report of how we are using our Prop 28 funds. And so, this report is from how we use the funds for the 2425 school year. and we just have to identify um how it was used for staffing

172and um our next steps for the following year. So, as you see in the report, I don't I don't have to read it, but um we were able to provide services at our preschool level and at the high school level. We it took us a while to find proper staffing for our our schools that needed the arts teacher, but moving forward, we are very happy that we have secured two art teachers. And so for this school year, we do have all of our schools receiving services and using their funds for the Prop 28 um the grant. Thank you. >> And and am I correct that we were able to purchase a bunch of good guitars for the kids? >> So that was at the at the Wardy High School. Yes. So they have a guitar

173class at the high school. >> Okay. And are we also paying uh um somebody to teach flute or clarinet or >> out of this money? >> We have um I'm sorry. >> Okay. So it just for this particular um for how the the schools wrote a um they wrote a plan on how we're going to use the funds and so we do have coaches at the high school that are working with our students and this is in addition to what we already had. So we cannot supplant we have to pro um we're not um supplanting. So um we will have um additional instruction of instruments at Maxwell and at Beersley they were able to add additional courses. So it's in addition to what we already have. So now we will have you know a little

174bit more services for our students. And then at our preschool they are just kind of teaching them the basic understanding of music and choir and instruments. Yes. >> And and none of this is coming out of the general fund. >> No it's all coming out our Prop 28 funds. and so and according to the plans that were submitted by the school sites. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you very much, Dr. Lawson. Uh any other comments or questions from the board? >> All right. Seeing none, then all those in favor say I. >> I. That passes 50. Next is resolution 06-25-26 to certify designated personnel to sign and submit the continued funding application the CFA uh with CDE for the state preschool program for the fiscal year 2026 2027. Wow. >> Move to

175approve. >> Uh motion by board member Diaz. >> Second by board member. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. passes 50. Uh, next is California State Preschool Program continued funding application fiscal year 2026 2027. Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Diaz, second by board member Hoso, I believe. Is there any discussion? I will say there is no way that we can um that we cannot turn in this application since uh even the presentation tonight was an amazing presentation and um couple of weeks ago we were able to visit the preschool and it's unbelievable everything that they are teaching our kids especially those little kids that are two years old. So yeah >> absolutely I agree 100%. Thank you.

176Uh if there's no other comment or questions, we'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor say I. I. >> That passes 5. Next is item 16.1. Uh do we have comment on this? >> Um you can open up the item and then we'll have comment on it. >> All right. Thank you very much. So this is resolution 08-25-26 finding no further environmental review is required for the Andress Dardi school project certifying the final environmental impact report and mitigation monitoring and reporting program adopting SQA findings and approving the joint occupancy development agreement and ground lease with Crestfield Town Homes LLC. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. Motion by board member Diaz, second by board member Hogin. Uh we can now go ahead and have a comment. >> Yes. Our

177first uh speaker is Mr. Steve Hernandez. >> I vote Steve Hernandez. Um I attended all the meetings both with the uh you know the commissions the city Darti and U school district and they've met everything on that and they've actually exceeded some of the requirements they had. There were a lot of comments made but none of them were applicable to this and none of them really really amounted to anything. Anyway, um what I wanted to say is that I think this is a great project. It's really what we need. We need housing. We need kids. And I see this as our only possibility. We could have sold the property and comment was made that we would have paid 25%. That's not true. What we would have paid was we could have at the best we

178would have gotten 25% of the property at a reduced rate and we'd have had to pay fair market value for the balance of it. And that is not the kind of money that either the city or the district or both combined have enough to pay. So the decision to go the way we did was a wise one. It probably wasn't the one that made everybody happy, but I think it's the one that's going to give us the best chance. Uh and the fact that we get money every year, whether it's a little or a lot, it's better than we would have gotten the other way around. Had we sold the property, we'd have lost the park and we would have gotten nothing beyond that because it goes into a perpetual fund that uh can only

179be used for maintenance. So, I just wanted to mention that I'm fully in support of it. I'm more than impressed with these people with what they've done as far as their commitment. They've spent a lot of money to date and basically that puts us under a lot of liability as well because there is no reason legally or otherwise that you have for turning it down. So, I just want to say that uh I congratulate you and I know that our new superintendent's going to inherit this, but uh she looks like she's got a pretty tough skin on her. So, we'll find out. Thank you. And our next speaker, uh, Travis Patterson. >> Thank you. I'd like to uh expressly disagree with the prior speaker. um in the city council meeting two nights ago. Um the

180one thing that Martin Calderon said on tape is he said that because he had to recuse himself from the vote. He said that his main complaint from the residents is that they were not consulted. Okay. And I'm also here to refute the developers claim that they did outreach. I was at that community meeting and it was a overwhelming resound resounding no. The residents did not want it. And he said, I have this on video. He said, I'm not here to take those comments. I'm here to see to get comments what you think about the design of the building when those first of all, it was hard to get to that meeting. They put it in the middle of uh some place where you had to walk and park far away. It was designed to keep

181people out of there. To be quite honest with you, they have not done the community outreach. They actually went to every area minus the people that were going to be impacted the most. the residents around that development. They have not done it. That's a lie. That's a flatout lie. And you need to make them redo it. Even the city council member who had to recuse himself said that the number one complaint from the residents of of Andreas Dorty community was that they were blindsided by this change. That they were not given the ability to make their voices heard. They were not given this in in a language that they can interpret. And they were not they this caught them completely off guard and that's from the own city council member who sat there just two

182nights ago. Look it up. It's in his final comments. They have they have lied and misrepresented. They've made they've told you I'm going to bring students. I'm going to bring students but no guarantees. They they've literally given you no protection. Zero. They should be put their money where their mouth is. If they're going to bring students, hold them accountable to that. If they don't bring them, there's a penalty for that. But we've got nothing. We've got nothing to protect us. Thank you, Mr. Patterson. >> All right. Um, >> yeah. >> Okay. Do Do you want your two minutes or not? turn in the card or let us continue please. >> Thank you. >> I I believe you turned in a blank card. >> Yeah. Um you can't force me to sign a card. >> Okay.

183Well, um we would like to follow our policies and guidelines. Either you turn in a card or you don't. >> I think we're being more than fair here. Um, I just want to, you know, let it be known for the record that, you know, I believe that a Brown Act violation just occurred that, you know, limiting my time because I didn't submit a card, requiring me to submit a card, um, it's antithetical, goes against the Brown Act. Um, and I just wanted to reiterate the purpose of me being here is this is public land. The school district is a public entity. The taxpayers, I'm a taxpayer. We pay to support the t the public land. By entering this 99-year lease, you have effectively allowed a private entity to profit off of this project. And you

184guys are assuming all of the liabilities. you're assuming that liabilities for any instance in which there's hazardous waste material that might be found at the site. Um, you guys have to be responsible for paying for the private park because it's not a public park. It's a park that is effectively controlled by the developer. So, you have to um pay for that. There's lots of irre irregularities that have occurred. Um, I just looked at the record that you have available in the binder. You know, there was a Brown Act violation that I had submitted to the uh, Dwarte City Council that wasn't in the record. But most importantly, the documents show that you guys are going to pay the insurance, maintenance, liability costs of a so-called public park inside a private high housing development, but the

185developer pays nothing. This is a public subsidy for private profit and it violates the spirit of article 16 section 6 of the California constitution. You guys have subordinated your ownership interest. Um and so that if the crestfield defaults on its loan, the developer gets first rights over the school property. Public land is being used as collateral for private mortgage. The contract forces the district to defend and indemnify the developer against environmental hazards. And this still shifts all the risk to the public and the reward to the developer and all the reward to the developer. >> Thank you, Mr. Brown. That's your two minutes. >> All right. I believe that's all the public comment. Um, so we had a we had a motion in a second. Uh, so we'll now open up to discussions and questions

186among the board members. So board, any questions, comments, >> comments, >> you going first? >> I can't go first. board member D. >> Um during this process it has been uh thousands of emotions. I saw parents crying in here saying um I I don't want you to close the school because uh how I going to take my kids to a different school? We promise that we will make sure that they going to have transportation. We did. I saw many people really angry at here because we were closing school, but they knew there was a really bad decline in enrollment not just in Dwarte but in Baset Laente but in uh Glen everywhere Glendor Asusa everywhere there is a really declining enrollment. I even saw Mr. Reyes asking do not close the school and getting angry

187and the reason that he's here now is because he believe in what he say but we know that we don't have a chance but when I see people that come and say and talk and we don't even know who they are I don't even know who's Mr. Brown. I don't know who they are. I know I have seen them in other school district. But what is the main reason they are here in Dwarte which is a very small community with we do care. I honestly publicly will say it's an honor to be here tonight because he had the guts to go against me and say so many things that he believed was the right thing. But I say I know that we're doing the right thing and I cry with many parents that I came

188and speak to them in Spanish to tell them I'm sorry but we don't have any other choice. So I always even put myself in the middle and I do believe that what we are doing here tonight is in the best interested in in the community. I hear hopes that with the new superintendent we will bring 500 students or more is how I wish we can do it and if we do it then we have to rebuild a new school or we have to extend to another school we can do whatever we can but you know what we never laugh at people when he's speaking with the heart like he's doing it tonight so I just want to tell you I do believe in what we doing and I don't have know interested because I live

189in the county area. I know where is to live in the county and I don't feel any difference. I'm not different from the people who live up in the hills or in the north side or in the south side. I am just proud resident of the city of Dwarte because I use their city code. That's all what I have. So I am very very very pleased to vote for this project. >> Thank you very much board member Diaz. Other board members would like to speak. >> Any other? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Mr. Reyes, >> this this is a bad idea. And yes, I know we can bring our students back. And when when I lost the election in 2020, that's when this board decided to make the move. when I got off the board

190and it it was unfortunate um that they were telling parents the year before they were closing to move their students and the parents were upset and we didn't have 300 enrollment at the time that um that I had left the board. We had more than that. It It was It was right around 400, give or take. And it's unfortunate because we have a school right now that is sitting around that and there's no whisper about closing that school. It it's it's really sad that that we have a school that when it goes, we can never we'll never be able to replace it. If you wanted to build another school, if there was a need after closing this and going through this project is going to be in the hundreds, millions of dollars. And I don't

191see the people in this community approving another bond to get that make that happen. You you're looking at 450,000 and and and Dr. Finley, you had mentioned in 25 years at 2.5% we'd be hitting 1.5 million right now. Reopening that school, 100 students, 1.3 million, give or take, 500 students, 6.5 million, and that can happen anytime. The parents are not happy with the K8s. They would like the junior high school back, which we happen to give away to CS Arts, and they'd like their kids to have a junior high experience. And we're losing our kids, a lot of them, once they leave sixth grade. This past year, we promoted 400 400 students from eighth grade and more than half or half of them didn't come to our high school. People are not happy right now

192with the scores. It's unfortunate. Um, and that's something that I'm looking forward to changing. That's why I'm excited that Dr. Madano is going to be joining us to help us improve that. There's so many things that is wrong. Par, you know, people mentioned it already. My neighbors weren't contacted. None of them. My neighborhood wasn't walked through. The other side of the freeway was. And then they told them that it was housing and never mentioned the word apartment rental. It was very deceptive. The city the city when they were doing the resoning going through that process they contacted us. That was the only contact we had was from the city, but not from the company that's behind us. I'd like to see a junior high school with that property. I'd like to I'd like to see

193us give to the students what I had growing up. Wood shop, metal shop, home economics. You don't see that anymore today. If we were to do that, I can see people coming back and not just Darty, but from all over San Gabriel Valley because it's not out there. I want to grow this district, okay? I don't want to see it fall apart. CS Arts is doing something right. They've got a waiting list that's huge. It's It's unbelievable. And I want to know what is it that they're doing, right? They're offering something special and that needs to be us. CS Arts was supposed to help us grow and it hasn't. We lost. We had an outstanding choir program at the high school and it no longer exists. Our band was larger than what it was and

194now it's, you know, 40 40 students maybe. Um, it's it's been it's very unfortunate. There's going to be a ton of traffic. There's going to be We're going to be fighting for parking space because if you're if you're going to have three, four bedrooms, they're not just going to have two cars. There's going to be multiple families moving into those things because they're so expensive. And so, we're going to end up with three to five cars. And I know they mentioned that there's going to be two two cars per per garage, but the rest of those cars are going to be in the street. And the people who live around there, including myself, I'm going to I'm going to be fighting for parking in front of my own house. That's that's that's not fair to

195the community. That's not fair to the people. There's going to be traffic signals in my little neighborhood. There's going to be traffic signals added and nobody's talking about that. I mean, we need we we should be taking all this stuff into consideration. And I wish this would have been a more transparent process, but it hasn't. It hasn't been. We we could make this happen. I know we can't. Otis Gordon Park was donated to the community for the kids of the community for baseball. There's two ball diamonds there. There's tournaments all the time year round. That's going to be taken away from the community. We're only going to have two ball diamonds. They're going to be on the same field. So, you'll only be able to play one one game at a time. It looks nice.

196It looks pretty. Very attractive. Great job that did, but it doesn't fit the community. Again, we have students out there that are not attending our schools. They live in our community. And I know with Dr. Madano coming on board with us, we're going to get him back. I know we are. >> So, my vote's going to be no to this project. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Rans. Any other comments from the board? All right. I' I'd like to to just say a little something. Um this this is as as somebody who uh went through this whole process. Um but I I started on the board at the end of 2019. Um, so I' I've been here for this entire thing and uh if you if you ask uh people in my family um they

197would definitely tell you this this was a very agonizing decision and process for me. Um I in probably to a fault uh tend to be a people pleaser. I I like to be able to say yes to people. Um, and it's it is very difficult. You know, my my uh one of my children once said once said to me, "Dad, you just love to say no to stuff." And I I just kind of had to to chuckle a little bit inside because I don't think he knew how wrong he was. I I would I would love to to to have uh you know Mr. Mr. Reyes's optimism. I but I think that we we have seen demographic studies that that do do not support that. Um, I, you know, look, look at the the small

198microcosm of the Finley family and between my myself. So, I'm one of five kids. Um, between that generation of children and the spouses that we married there, there are a total of 42 kids. And now in this generation where where my kids are between those five families now, we have 19 kids and two of them are adopted. And as far as I know, everybody's done. Um, so it's it is the the demographics really do show that there there is a decline and um I I would love nothing more than to have um you know I would I would love to when when I drop my kids off I'd love to have a longer line to wait in. Um I would love that but I I don't think the the data support this. um our our

199neighbors right next door, Monrovia. They they are in the process now of closing a middle school. Um I I don't think anyone would would argue that uh Monrovia is doing a terrible job. I it is simply uh a matter of demographics. Now, this this is not really what what we're talking about tonight. We're not talking about a a school closing. That that is something that has um been done. We're we are talking about a project that will uh will impact the people uh most notably that live around that property. I I am I'm not going to bury my head in the sand and say, "Nope, everything is going to be, you know, just perfect, just the way that that they want it." Um I I am not foolish enough to think that. Um however, I

200I do also tend to look at a glass half full. I do know that um with this property, there's going to be almost 170 new family units coming into our city. Um and that that I think is a great thing. I I think that um we we can and should look at the the positive side of things. And it it is something that I I wish that we had the the the ability to um generate revenue some other way. Um but but this is a way that we can generate revenue for our district in the general fund so that we have maximum flexibility that will benefit not only uh our you know one area of the city. It will it'll benefit everybody um all of our students um which which I think that we as

201a board I mean we have to think about everybody in the city of Darty. Yes, we we have vote by districts now. Um but but we are tasked with representing everybody in the city of Dwari. And um for for that reason I I do find um again while while I have you know serious um conflict in in my heart, Miss Diaz uh talked about you know really speaking and feeling from your heart. You know I I don't I don't like that feeling. Um but when when it comes down to it um I do feel like this is the best way forward. uh you know and the best and highest use of that property given uh the limitations and enrollment that we have. Um so I just wanted to to give everyone a perspective of somebody

202that was here for the whole process and and really agonized over this decision and this discussion. I I would absolutely have loved to have kicked this down the road another five years, another 10 years. Um to to not have to deal with it. Um I I was I was the kid growing up who swept the dirt under the rug. Um I that that is sometimes the the easier path to go down. But from from everything uh I can see, I think I think this is a good way forward. But I just want everyone to know it was not an easy road to travel and and I don't think that um I don't think that it will be forgotten anytime soon by myself or other people on the board who or who were involved with the

203process. Um so that those are those are my thoughts and feelings about the matter. Excuse me. Um, so any other comments or questions from the board before we vote? All right. Um, so we've had a motion and a second and discussion. So I'd like to do a roll call vote for this. So board member Diaz, >> yes. >> Board member Finlay, yes. Board member Hogin, >> yes. >> Board member Hasso, >> yes. >> Board member Reyes, >> no. The resolution passes 4 to one. All right, we'll move on to item 16.2. This is amendment number one to the lease lease back documents for uh with Balffor Construction LLC. The contractor for the guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the Beardsley dual language academy modernization project. the agreement. >> I want to move to postpone

204it >> to table the item. >> Yes. >> All right. We have a motion to table item 16.2. >> Did that will have any >> Oh, she has a second. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sorry. Second to open for discussion. >> Okay. So, sorry. Yes. We have a motion to table by board, second by board member Diaz. So, now we can have >> the reason is Mrs. ideas because >> I want them to tell us. I'm sorry. >> Well, no, he doesn't know. >> He doesn't know. >> Oh, okay. >> That's why I'm That's why I'm saying >> Okay. Okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. That's why I brought it. We We had asked Dr. Hillman for a tour to go over there and to show us exactly where everything was going to go at and it

205never happened for myself and and Dr. Hustle. So that's that's why >> do do I I would like to hear from the cabinet. So if you please Thank you. Thank you Dom. I I don't have >> question was will will this uh impact the project? This will impact the project because the expected start date is in November of 2025. The expected end date is in February March of 2027. and licensing with preschool because that's where preschool would be going takes about 6 months before uh it can take place. And so we are looking to have this in for preschool to start the 2728 year and then this would affect that. Um also the um uh potential loss of the bid on this project. the um bid is was a 90day bid and the deadline of

206that is right up so it's a potential loss for that. Um also uh with the the um delay in the job um out a month that would you know things always are these tariffs are coming and things are costing more money and it it could raise the cost of that um because of right now we have the the uh GMP the guaranteed maximum price on it on this this this piece right now. um and um other costs uh that uh the contracts are locked down right now and labor rates but that's a possible increase and the plans have been approved by DSA uh were approved in July. Um so this move includes possible 10 portables rearranging eight dedicated portables, two new for occupational therapy and existing health building. So, it's a lot of moving parts

207as well. >> And uh can you kind of tell us where that in in what area that will go >> to like what parts of the >> Yes. Um and I and I know u Mr. Reyes and I spoke uh yesterday. >> Okay. >> Um and one of his his concerns is that the amphitheater, what I found out today, the amphitheater um is going to stay where it is. But also one of his concerns was um where the garden area is and in that garden area it will be um there are proposed to have three portables uh to be that will be going in that area. uh and what >> be able to relocate the garden area >> that I do not know but the reason why it be have to be going in that

208area because um if not it would have to take over parking and we know uh parking and staff is uh need to be there as well but um so those are the two items I know uh Mr. Reyes was talking to me yesterday about >> thank you can Mr. Mr. Crosby, can I ask? So, um the the amphitheater stays. Um the the garden area, um you had mentioned there would be portables placed there. Um will I mean are portables staying forever? Are they there temporarily during construction? Does the garden come back afterwards? >> No. >> Okay. or Miss Belle, do you have any? >> These will be refurbished portables >> and so they will stay there. >> So they they'll they'll be a permanent fixture on the campus. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Um

209question. So you said there's a deadline approaching with this um >> gross or greatest maximum price. Is that what you called it? guaranteed >> GMP guaranteed. >> What's the date on that? >> Well, sorry. The bid was uh a 90-day bid and it was in >> September. >> Sorry, September 19th. >> So, if we moved it, we would still be within the 90 days. >> You would be cut. You would be probably right there. The plans have already been approved. October, November, December. >> And these bids have already been >> um >> they've already gone out. So if we wait another time, we might have to then rebid. Okay, that's additional cost. >> So the ramifications of not voting on it tonight are that we could lose the price that's been locked in. >> That

210is definite because the price we have locked in, I think it's 14 million. >> Okay. >> And we started higher than that and we had to fight for that. Okay. I just want to name though the point that Mr. Reyes is making and you know this has come up before and not um communicating with the board or responding to board needs and then it's presented to us. Um you know it's kind of an an effect of not responding to those requests. Um, so just wanted to make note of >> and we can't have a special meeting for this after we're shown. >> This has to be done at a regular board meeting. >> Uh, yeah, that's a good question. Does this have to happen at a regular board meeting? >> This does not. >> Okay.

211So then you can show us what they're going to do and we can have a special board meeting and approve it. If if I what I what I do understand your concern, but also I do I do understand the need that we have also. >> Well, we'll make the deadline. >> I mean, we need some transparency, >> okay? I we haven't been shown anything. >> Okay. >> I mean, I know you guys know, okay, but we don't that's not fair to us. >> But even though if we can can we make it can we decide not to do it? That's not going to be I mean >> table we're not saying that we're tableabling it. >> If if there are any significant uh changes on it, it would have to go back to DSA and

212would have to go uh back to be re pre reapproved as well. >> Uh thank you. Um, yeah. I I mean, I'm I'm sympathetic to this because I I do remember when when this uh a request for this was uh made by I I I don't know if it was both of you or or one of you, but the request was made to be able to see uh plans or go go to the campus and have a description of that. Um, and I, so me personally, I um I would be uh open to the idea of having a a special board meeting to vote on this item, but I think if we do that, uh, we need to uh, we need to do it quickly. Um, so if if we but I would also like

213to to make sure that we very quickly get to go and see the the campus, see what the changes are going to be, see what the plans are. Um, because I I think, you know, especially for for what Mr. Crosby said, if we if we see something that we have concerns about, then we we've got to go back and submit new plans. So, I'm I'm of the opinion if if we if we want to quickly have a special meeting to vote on this after uh those plans are shared uh with all the board members and they can go and see uh you know the the property and and make sure that it is um to to their satisfaction. Um I I don't think that'll put us too far behind as long as we get that

214done quickly. Um so that's that's my my thought on it. So is there any more discussion or comments board? >> Um no just thank you for your comments Dr. Finley and I think it's just an opportunity for us to kind of set the precedent with our new leadership as well. >> Yes. All right. So, uh, as of right now, we do have, uh, the motion on the the table is to table this item. Um, with the, uh, with the idea that we will return um, I would board, I would like to propose that we do it no later than the end of next week. Um, because I I don't want to put us far behind. That's not a problem, James. >> I just won't be here on Monday. Any other day. >> I I can

215do it on uh Thursday or Friday. >> Okay. >> So, >> Dr. Finley, can I interrupt you, please? >> Yes, please do. >> Um, so the next board meeting is November >> 13th. >> So, you would be having this board me meeting when? The first week of November. >> Uh, no. So, so I guess what what we're at least what I'm proposing is that um we have a special board meeting by the end of next week and between now and the end of next week uh we would you know we don't obviously wouldn't all go together. Um but we would have the opportunity to go to the campus and with the plans in hand and and see um and see the you know whatever questions that we have um we can go ahead and have

216those answered on site there. look at the plans. Uh so that's that's what I'm proposing. Not not pushing it to the middle of November. So that's that is that's what I'm proposing. >> So we would go see the property and then when are we meeting for the vote? >> I I would say before the end of next week, >> Thursday. >> It would have to be by f next Friday. >> Correct. At least that's what I am proposing. I mean we can have other suggestions but I mean I I do I am I am very uh cognizant of the fact that I I don't want you know uh bids to expire and and cost to go up and everything but I do want to make sure that we we have an opportunity for everyone to

217vote with full knowledge of what they're voting for. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Miss Dr. Finley, one more thing. Yes. Um, so after viewing the plans, if there's any chance that you want to make a change, then that's going to set the project back. So, I just want everybody to understand that that it's already been approved. >> And DSA is a lengthy process. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I think uh I mean, I I I understand what you're saying, but I think that I mean, I personally would would feel more comfortable knowing I mean, making as as board president, I want to make sure that everybody up here feels like they can vote with full knowledge of of what was uh what was proposed. And um I mean I feel like it's I mean

218we two board members said they wanted to to see it and um you know we're I' I'd really like to make sure that they can do so. And if that is the um choice of the board, I can start as soon as possible to to make that happen so that you can make that vote quicker and uh be be prepared for it. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Crosby. Uh so uh as of right now the the motion uh on the table is to go ahead and table this to a meeting uh no later than Friday next week uh in which we'll vote on the same uh item. So uh I guess sorry this this is probably a new motion that would supersede the one to table it. So, the new motion that that I'm

219making is to table the item and to hold a special board meeting no later than Friday next week. Uh, >> yes, 10:24 to to vote on this item. >> Be here on the 24th. >> Can we You said you were available on the 23rd. >> Well, they got to make >> and Dr. Finley, the motion has to make sure that table it to that meeting. >> Okay. So, uh yes to table it uh to that meeting. Um, do we well I don't know. Do we decide on a date now or do we just say no later than next week? Okay. So, we're we won't we'll we'll figure out a date uh in time. >> Um, but it is uh I will I will say it's if it'll be the responsibility of each board member that

220would like to to go to campus, would like to review the plans to make sure that you uh make a time to do so. Um, so that that can be done. I would like to know who's going to be in charge to show us that the tour you and we don't need to go together, right? I mean, >> you can go individually. You cannot go uh more than than two. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, I believe I So, I made the motion. I believe there was a second. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, Mr. Reyes uh seconded that motion. So, is there any discussion on this motion then, board? No. >> If not, then we'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All right, that passes 5.

221Uh next uh is item >> uh item number 16.3 which is amendment number two to the professional services agreement for the inspector of record services for the Darti High School new sports complex project to Nolan Construction Services Incorporated. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Holene. Second by board member Reyes. Any discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I uh item 16.4 amendment number three contract credit and adjust amendments to exhibit B and exhibit C for Darti High School New Sports Complex Project LLB agreement. Uh Bernard Brothers Incorporated. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Reyes, second by board member Hogin. Is there any discussion? >> Yes. >> Uh board member Hasso,

222please. Thank you, Miss Bell, for getting us this extra money back. >> Yeah. Do do you want to do you want to share share what that dollar amount is? Is it >> very happy to see that negative >> the least lease back >> the microphone >> 291,713. It goes back to the bond. >> Excellent. >> So, we're clear. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. Appreciate that, Miss Bell. Um, all right. So, any more discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. That passes 5. All right, board. We're now on to the non-aggendaized items and we can wrap up this meeting. Uh, I'm just going straight down the list here. So, board member Diaz, >> it was an amazing meeting, but I still remember that when your grandfather was here sitting with

223me, we went to up to 11:30 on one of the meetings. So, thank you. >> All right, I'm just getting started here, Miss Diaz. I'm just kidding. All right. Um, so I I actually will be be going next. Um, I I I wanted to just make uh just a a little shout out to um the I believe it was the Key Club that uh was sponsoring and hosting a blood drive at uh our new gymnasium uh in the lobby there. I think that is an excellent use of that space. And um as many of you know, I I work at the City of Hope and uh this was done in conjunction with the City of Hope. And it and I and I think I've said this before, but it is it is not very often

224that um something you do um is literally saving somebody's life. Um, and so I just think it it is so great that uh the the kids out at the high school are starting uh this pattern of of doing something selfless for somebody they don't even know. I think that's really amazing. Uh so I want to to tip my hat to them. Um as as I think has been mentioned, um our new the grand opening of the the gym was a very very exciting day. Um lots of great community involvement and participation. uh getting to see that new space uh and I I know that there was a lot of excitement around that and I look forward to watching uh you know many events sporting events and otherwise uh in that location for for many many

225years to come. Um and I do uh I just want to um make a a quick note here to uh just say thank you to uh to Mr. Rick Crosby. Um I think that that um I I've been on the phone with with Mr. Crosby um definitely more than than anybody else. If I look through my call log from the last couple of weeks, um he he's on my favorite list. Um and and I I just I can't express how grateful I am to him for his his support uh during during this transition. Um he he is an incredible incredible individual and uh I'm so thankful that uh that he is is has been willing to serve uh in this capacity and and I I will say um probably during uh one of the more

226difficult months of my entire time on the board. Uh so I I could not have done it without him and I'm extremely grateful for for everything you did, Mr. Crosby. Um, so with that, I will go ahead and, uh, pass it on to board member Holine. >> Thank you. Well, yeah, it was one of those meetings. Anyways, um, welcome, um, Dr. Madano. We look forward to working with you. Um, I've been to some of the activities. Um, I've been busy around the high school. I went to, um, the grand opening of the gym. It was incredible. As, as James said, we had a lot of people. It's amazing. It's a great um new sports center. Um we had homecoming dance. I did stop by. It was amazing. They did it at the gym. It was

227lit up. Great space. Um as James said, today I was at the blood um donor. I mean, not at the blood at the gym and they were doing the blood donations and as he said, it's amazing. We had I I actually volunteer at City of Hope at the blood donor center. So, I know a lot of the people I stopped by and they told me they were so impressed. They had close to 50 kids and I don't think the kids real I mean it's amazing they're doing that but I don't think they even realized that they're saving a life and it's amazing. I just was so impressed. I was humbled by seeing them there and they were excited. I mean they're you know I I think they were excited because they got out of class

228but they don't realize they're saving a life. But um anyways, um proud of our kids and um it's been a long meeting, so I'm going to stop so we can >> go. Thank you. >> It's it's the it's the bags of Cheetos and Oreos that they really do it for. >> Yes, they were. Um they were taking treats as they left as well. >> Very good. Good. I'm glad to hear that >> they were. >> All right. Uh Dr. Also, >> um, just wanted to start by acknowledging the community members who participated in our panel for the superintendent search on Saturday and dedicating that time um, and taking time out of their busy schedules and um, their input was really important to us. So, just wanted to extend my appreciation. Um and I just wanted

229to uh just touch on um you know the earlier in the meeting and just you know what DUA is presenting to the board. It's not falling on deaf ears. Um you know we realize that there is comparatively different pay between districts. Um, and we want to move the needle forward, but we have to do that responsibly based on money we have, um, not money we hypothetically have. Um, you know, and we've we've looked at the numbers. We've done that on both sides. We're constantly looking at our school budget. Miss Bell is constantly keeping us us up to date. every single board member either solo or in pairs met with CTA to see their side of the story. So we're looking at that and so we have to engage in informed decision-m when we're faced with

230these tough challenges. Um, I do want to just say it that, you know, in the name of transparency, what I am not willing to do is make a decision based on name calling, threats, rumors, accusations, um, questions of our morals. I mean, look at Pasadena Unified for instance, and I'm not willing to put myself in that position if we're talking about morals. But what I am willing to do is engage in the informed decision-making. Um, I want to respect and honor the mediation process. Um, and and we'll see what we can do. So, I just wanted to address it. >> Thank you very much, uh, Dr. Hasso. All right, Mr. Reyes. >> Yes. Thank you. Yes, Rick. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Really appreciate it. And I don't know, I might have competed

231with you as far as uh phone phone time. I might have you beat be beat be beat Dr. Madrono. Welcome and I'm looking forward to working with you and growing this district. Thank you. >> All right. And then I believe that uh Mr. Crosby had a comment before we wrap up. >> Yes. Thank you. I know uh the night has been long, but I just still want to celebrate on Monday we had our student free staff development day and with excellent trainings across the district for all employees certificated and classified. I'd like to thank Dr. Lawson and her team uh along with all the principles and department heads for uh putting on the valuable and wellorganized day. We we heard today about preschool and the conscious discipline in our staff development day. All uh our

232first through 8th grade teachers were going through that training. Um every piece of our our staff was was touched on on Monday and really appreciate the work and effort our administrators did with our staff alongside them. So thank thank all of them. Dr. Majo, welcome. welcome so much. We're all looking forward uh with your leadership and moving forward, the entire district moving forward together. So, appreciate you coming on board. And last but not least, thank you Marcelo sitt in the back that's always there helping us out, too. >> Excellent. All right. Thank you very much uh to the board and to everyone still here and those that that came and had to go. Um so, we'll now go ahead and I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So, moved. >> Second. Motion by board member

233Reyes, second by board member Diaz. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. 50. Thank you very much, board. Thank you, community.