001weeks. Did you eat it every? >> No. >> Okay. Good afternoon, evening. I'll call the board meeting to order for Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. This is the closed session meeting of the board of education. Um we will establish a quorum. Board member Weller >> here. >> Board member Durnney >> here. >> Board member Vincent >> here. >> Board member Williams >> present. >> And board member Knight is here. Um the items on close session items 1 through 7. Uh do we have any public comment on items 1 through 7 for close session discussion? Seeing no um public comment on those items. We will adjourn to closed session for that discussion and return for open session at 6 p.m. Thank you. Testing, testing, testing. Oh, you're speak. Don't worry. Oh, Oh no. Yes. All right. Do
002it. I got you. That's okay. No problem. Hello. Yeah. like I think. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. comes out. >> Oh my god. to sit down. >> Yeah. All right. I'm trying to I'm not going to be action. Don't worry about it. That was like I did the director at the time. He had a very different >> How you doing? >> Couple days a week right now. Great. >> My girlfriend Hey, good evening. >> Good evening. >> It's just quiet. >> Good evening. We'd like to call reconvene the regular board meeting. >> Board member Vincent, can I ask you to take your seat? I don't think it's very >> Is there any way I can get the mic turned up? >> Maybe it's the air conditioning. Good evening. We'd like to reconvene the regular meeting of
003the board of education for the Escanido Union High School District. Um we will call the meeting to order at approximately 6:04 p.m. Um we do have a quorum with all board members being present this evening. Um at this time I'd like to inter welcome you all. Thank you. And introduce our interpreter. There will be a Spanish interpreter for this meeting. Meeting attendees who would like to listen to the Spanish interpretation of the proceedings, please pick up headphones from the table located in the back of this room. And this announcement will now be shared in Spanish. Thank you. Thank you. Um this meet the next meeting announcement. This meeting is being webcast live and recorded. The recording or webcast may capture images and sounds of those attending the meeting. And at this time we will also
004extend our welcome through sharing our mission and vision. And we have our two wonderful student board members here this evening that will be sharing that mission and vision. Thank you and welcome both. >> Good evening. Our mission here at EUHSD is to empower every student to graduate prepared for college, career, and life through excellence in learning. Hello. Our vision is we are relentlessly pursue with optimism, equitable support for all students to navigate a changing world by providing rigorous and relevant learning experiences that strengthen their capacity as open-minded and vested collaborators. effective and thoughtful communicators, resourceful and creative problem solvers, curious and analytical, critical thinkers, and informed and compassionate community members. >> Thank you both. Um, next will be our pledge of allegiance, and that will be led by board member Williams. Please stand. >> Ready,
005begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. >> Okay, thank you. And that brings us to our inspirational student recognition this evening. And we are honored to have Mrs. Stacy Adam, principal of our Escanido Adult School to present us this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening, board president Christy Knight, members of the board, Superintendent Peterson, and members of the cabinet. It is my pleasure to introduce you to a truly inspirational student, Matthew McCafferty. Matt's story is a powerful testament to the perseverance and the transformative power of education. After time away from school, he returned to Escondy to adult school with renewed determination and has made remarkable progress towards earning his high
006school diploma. What truly distinguishes Matt is his character. He's become a positive force in our school community, supporting his classmates, demonstrating genuine kindness, and leading by example every day. Perhaps most inspiring is how Matt's commitment to education has influenced his family members to return to school as well, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Matt embodies what we strive for at Escandido Adult School, showing that with dedication and heart, it's never too late to pursue your goals and make a difference in the lives of others. So, please join me in recognizing Matthew McCafferty. And now I'll turn it over to his teacher to share more about his journey. It is my pleasure to introduce you to our ASSE instructor, Mr. Josh Murphy. >> Thank you, Principal Adame. Good evening, members of the board, Superintendent Peterson,
007fellow teachers, and anyone I may be unintentionally omitting. As an adult education teacher in this district for 15 years, it is my distinct honor to introduce the Eskano Adult School Student of the Month, Matthew McCafferty. Now, while Matt is a student of mine, um there is a 50% chance I will accidentally refer to him as Matthew McCcon. Um just a heads up that is unintentional. Um so the journey of adult education is often defined by a unique pathway to success and it's usually beset with detours. For Matt, that path wasn't just a straight line. It was what some might call a scenic or somewhat ciruitous route that tested the resolve in every turn. In 2017, Matt was shy of finishing his senior year at Del Lago when family life took him to Oregon. Over the
008next few years, his journey wandered through quite a few different California zip codes and several stopovers in Las Vegas. In 2021, he found his way back to us at Eskano Adult School. Uh but life, as it often does for our adult learners, presented new obligations that called him away again back to Las Vegas. Um, no judgment. Uh, however, he didn't leave Las Vegas empty-handed. Um, he broke the cardinal rule of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You may have heard of that. Um, by bringing back the best part of his trip, his lovely wife, Journey, um, who is probably streaming this from work somewhere right now. >> Fast forward to this past August and Matt returned to EAS with a renewed sense of purpose. He had six classes standing in the way of his
009ultimate goal. Today, I'm proud to share that he has already cleared half of those hurdles and is on a steady, determined track to walk across the stage this coming May. Well, Matt isn't being recognized tonight uh or he is being recognized tonight rather for more than just his transcript. He is a cornerstone of our campus culture. whether it's his studious approach to every class or assignment that he embarks upon or the homemade snacks that his wife makes that Matt often takes credit for. Um he always brings a unique warmth to the classroom. He's also a natural leader who looks out for his fellow peers, especially those with special needs, offering daily kind words or just a quick check-in. Most valuably, Matt ensures that all students feel safe and supported. And that support is reciprocal in
010adult education beyond academics. While on his pathway, Matt reached a monumental personal milestone with the help of the EAS family. After years of perseverance and navigating a complex process, Matt officially attained his United States citizenship in December 2024. For this achievement, Matt is quick to credit um EAS registar, Mr. Juan Vargas, seated right there. Um for all of Juan's invaluable guidance and support in making this dream a reality. Thanks again, Juan. Another aspect of adult education that makes it unique is as Stacy mentioned earlier, uh there's a family legacy involved. And perhaps the most inspiring part of Matt's story is this Doppler or ripple effect of his determination. Success in adult ed is rarely solitary. Because of Matt's encouragement, his brother Marcus is now enrolled with us and is working towards his diploma and Palmar's
011dual enrollment program. And his wife, the affforementioned Journey, the wonderful cook, is only 10 credits short of her own graduation. This May, Matt and Journey won't just be celebrating individual milestones. They will be walking across the stage together as a family. Looking ahead, Matt's future is bright. While he is focused on finishing his diploma first, he is already eyeing the next horizon. considering specialized training in drone technology or the EMT program at Palmar College. Those sound a little daunting to me, but already um in closing, Matthew McCafferty embodies the very heart of Eskano Adult School and the mission of its teachers. He is a reminder that it doesn't matter how many stops you make along your journey as long as you have the heart and support to keep pushing forward. Matt, thank you for being
012a leader, an encourager, and an inspiration to us all. Board and cabinet members, please join me in congratulating our student of the month, Matthew McCafferty. Okay, just just thank you. Okay, then I'm gonna hold this, I guess, and come on up here. We want to recognize you with a few tokens of um just congratulations to you, Matthew McCafferty. Um and what a what a a symbolic name your wife has journey because what a journey it's been for you. It's a beautiful journey. and thank you for sharing your story with us tonight and being such an incredible example of what is possible through our school district, whether it's through one of our comprehensive high schools or through your your unique pathway and um Escanido Adult School is truly a beacon of hope and um opportunity for
013our community. Congratulations on your citizenship and on your future and just being an incredible example to not only your own family but to other families about what is possible here in Escanido and being part of the fabric of Escanido's community. So we have a couple of things. Um, first I'll start with the C California Legislature has gifted you with this um certificate of recognition from our California Assembly Member Daranna Patel. And so congratulations on being recognized as an inspirational student. The character, integrity, and perseverance you have demonstrated while pursuing your education at Eskanito Adult School is an achievement deserving of recognition and praise. So there's that. and then our framed um certificate here and the Eskano Union High School District and all my fellow board members are proud to honor and present you as inspirational
014student of the month for February 2026. So, in recognition of your outstanding accomplishments and congratulations. >> Thank you. >> I can put it back right now. What? One, two, three. One, two, three. Got it. Congratulations. Okay, thank you. So, the next item on our agenda is the report of action taken in close session and board member Weller is going to be providing us with that report this evening. Board member, >> thank you. President Knight, my is my mic working? We good? >> All right. Report of action taken in close session for Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. In close session, uh on motion of board member Williams, second by board member, uh Bernie, the board of education voted to approve physical education waiverss cases number 515 through 542 for the 2526 school year by a fiveay, zero
015nay, zero absent, zero abstain vote. Number two, on motion of board member Durnney, second by board member Williams, the board of education voted to approve graduation waiverss case number 48 through 53 for the 2526 school year by a five I zero nay, zero absent, zero abstain vote. Also in uh close session, report of action taken uh tonight. Uh B5, report of action taken in close session. In close session and motion of on motion of board member Durnney, seconded by board member Vincent, the board of education voted to approve settlement agreement with special ed case number 2025 09 0197 uh/25 202526 school year vote uh yes 5 no zero absent zero abstain zero. In witness thereof, we have signatures of John Peterson and Christy Knight. And those are the actions taken in close session. >> Thank
016you for your report. Um that brings us to um let's see item C8, which is to approve the board meeting minutes of the meeting on January 13, 2026. Um, so I will need a motion to approve those board meeting minutes from the meeting of January 13, 2026. >> I'll move to approve second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Um, student board members, how do you vote? >> I you and board members, how do you vote? >> I That passes. Um, next item C9 is to approve the Public Facilities Corporation annual board meeting minutes also of the January 13, 2026. Um, so do I have a motion? >> I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. Student board members, how do you vote? >> I I
017>> Board members, how do you vote? I >> I thank you. So those all approved. So, bringing us to item C10, which is to adopt this evening's agenda with any additions, deletions, or correction uh corrections. >> There are no additions, deletions, or corrections. >> So, I'll move to approve. >> We have a motion. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. Student board members, please vote. >> I And board members, please vote. >> I. >> Thank you. that it passes. Bringing us to item C11, which is to approve our consent calendar. And the consent calendar are items or matters listed on the um agenda are considered to be routine and sufficiently supported by one um by a prior accompanying reference. Wait a minute. Ram. Yes. So motion to enact um a vote
018will for all consent items. Um so there's no separate discussion on items on consent and this evening's consent items consist of under educational services F1 and F2. Under human resources G1, G2 and G3 and under business services it's H1 through H7. So all items will be approved with one single motion. Do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar this evening? >> So moved. >> Have a motion. >> I'll second. >> And a second. Student board members, how do you vote? >> I. And board members, how do you vote? >> I thank you. That all passes. Okay, that brings us to uh section D on our agenda, which is our recognition and presentations. So, first off is D1, our student and staff recognition by Superintendent John Peterson. Take it away. >> Good evening. Thank
019you. Uh, well, I'll begin with student recognitions from Delago Academy. DECA students had an incredible weekend at the Southern California District Conference. They had 13 finalist placements and seven students in the top 10 overall out of,300 competitors. Congratulations to the following top 10. Ethan Bret and Hodis Paneiagua Pacheco in automotive services marketing series. Jorge Analto in business finance services. Alexandra Than and Herardo Valencia in hospitality team decisionmaking and Aiden Colinwood who took third place overall in principles of marketing. Great job DECA students. At Eskanito High School, EHS hosted 22 teams in the annual Kai Atal Memorial Wrestling Tournament, placing first overall. The boys basketball team played a quick game during the halftime at the San Diego Clippers game at the Frontline Arena on January 31st. Orange Glenn High School. Congratulations to Perila Matias and Asusa
020Kus Ramos for being named 2026 Jack Kent Cook College Scholarship Program Semi finalists. The scholarship program is a highly competitive national scholarship that recognizes outstanding high school seniors with exceptional academic ability, leadership, and service. Congratulations to Annette Rascendes, Orange Glenn High School's culinary student for being the champion at the Family Career and Community Leaders of America Region 10 Culinary Competition. She along with fellow students Lillian Kcarnney and Jennifer Rodriguez will move on to the state competition. Orange Glenn has won the region 10 competition backto back. Orange Glenn students Alexa Flores and Noi Melture won the San Diego and Imperial counties regional photography contest. Alexa in the category of student life and no in the category of winter sports. Moving on to Sasqual High School. The Sasqual FFA livestock judging team earned first place team at
021the North Day Vista Field Day on Saturday, January 17th. Congratulations to Miriam Kolima Enrique, Giovana Schaefer, Rachel Sanchez, Ryan Ross, and Kayla Sautello. The College Board held a news conference at Sasqual High School today to announce the launch of its AP career kickstart program. Sasqual educator Amber Vanderwarker has been teaching the AP business pilot course. Miss Vanderwarker and her students did an amazing job at celebrating and highlighting the course during the event. You might even see them on the news as early as tonight. I'd also like to thank Mayor Dane White for his continued support of our students and our schools by not only attending the news conference and speaking, but also serving as a mentor to one of the student interns. Now, we'll do staff recognitions from Orange Glenn High School. Congratulations to special
022education teacher Alejandra Rubulcava for being chosen to be on the California Department of Education 20126 ELA EL instructional materials reviewers panel. Jessica Young won the San Diego and Imperial counties regional photography contest for her advisor's viewpoint photo. And congratulations to Orange Glenn High School's teacher Brenda Minhades for being selected as the recipient of a STEM grant from the International Council on Systems Engineering Foundation. She will be receiving more than $1,000 to purchase items for her class. And then at more of a district level, I'm proud to share and celebrate Sasqual High School's principal Corey Gregory. I'm being selected as the Association of California School Administrators Region 18 2026 Secondary Principal Administrator of the Year and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Martin Casus. I'm being selected as the AXA region 18 2026 central office administrator
023of the year for San Diego and Imperial counties. Their hard work and dedication have earned them this prestigious recognition. They will be formally recognized at the AXA honoring our own awards ceremony in San Diego on April 25th. Congratulations to both of them. I'm also happy to share that we have been recognized on the AP school honor role, a distinction that highlights schools for expanding access to advanced placement coursework while supporting student success. Silver recognition was awarded to Escanido High School and Sasqual High School and bronze recognition was awarded to Delago Academy and Orange Glenn High School. This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff and school communities in providing students with rigorous academic opportunities and the support they need to thrive. Congratulations to our students, teachers, counselors, and administrators for this outstanding accomplishment. Thank you.
024>> Thank you for that report. There's some wonderful recognitions um as part of that on both our student side and our teachers and staff sides. So, congratulations to everyone. Um that brings us to our student board member reports. Um so we have Hannah Ibrahim and Nathan Bersamina. Who would like to go first tonight? Nathan, thank you. Take it away. >> Good evening board and everyone else who showed up tonight. I'm Nathan Burcamina and it's my pleasure to report on some of the major events that have been happening within the previous month in our district. Tonight I'm here to report on Escanido High School, San Pasqua High School, and the Escanido Adult School. At Escanido High School, students were able to get a closer look at this year's winter sports varsity teams. At our second pep
025rally on January 23rd, teachers and students competed in a yellow out spirit day in honor of the pep rallyy's despicable methe theme, getting the chance to be crowned best costume by our live audience. Escandid Ohio's varsity cheer team travel to Fulsome, California from January 30th to February 1st for state competition. And this marks a significant milestone in the mile um in the history of EHS cheer as it is the farthest the team has ever advanced in the CIF season. Seniors on the girls soccer team said their final goodbyes during their last game on January 30th against Ramona High School, winning a dignified second place. Escandidito's academically continued its reign against Falbrook on January 22nd and took home another win for the Cougars. Students are looking forward to our prom first 50 event hosted annually by
026ASB on February 27th. The first 50 students to buy their tickets can purchase at our lowest price of $85 and our prom will take place on April 25th at SeaWorld San Diego. At San Pasal High School, the Eagles have shown endless support for their winter sports teams. On January 14th, San Pasqual students rallied for their girls soccer team and on January 16th, their boys soccer team against Mission Hills. On January 23rd, SP held its second club rush of the year. students had the opportunity to participate in new clubs and recruit other students to join theirs. On the 28th, San Pascal's 8th grade family night gave middle school students the opportunity to select courses for the upcoming school year and celebrate incoming freshmen. The Eagles ended January with a successful Northern Lights themed pep rally on
027January 30th and carried into the beginning of February celebrating counselors week. San Pasqual's robotics team also commenced the beginning of their first robotics competition F FRC 2026 season projecting that SP Robotics will be in the top 4.2 percentile of robotics teams worldwide after their 6 week long season. Students are currently looking forward to their winter formal dance taking place on February 21st at the Ventana Cafe in Escanido. At the Escandido Adult School, students had the opportunity to attend the skill crafting hiring event on January 29th at the North County Career Center. Here, participants could network with top employers in the area for several manufacturing positions in fields such as engineering and machinery. EAS also hosted computer basics classics or classes where students learn technical skills applicable to a broad range of positions in the workforce.
028Escandido Adult School will also be submitting a new application to CDPH to expand its medical program by becoming a continuing education unit provider. This will provide practitioners with further support for ongoing lensure requirements in the medical field. Also, as student board members, it is both Hannah and I's responsibility to lead our LCAP, which is our local control and accountability plan forums throughout the EUHSD schools. Throughout the past month, we've received feedback from students at San Pasqual, Orange Glenn, and Escandido High School. Some of the most popular demands across these three campuses were more job shadowing opportunities, more AP courses, and a wider variety of career path workshops. Some of the most popular majors among our students as of now include law, healthcare, and engineering. Given the exclusive opportunity UH UHSD students have to take AP
029exams at no cost, we find that they hope to broaden their course selection to include more AP courses such as AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP psychology. A quick survey we conducted across these schools showed that the vast majority of students who chose to take one or more AP courses did so only because our district covers exam fees. This concludes my second report on Escanido High, San Pasqual High, and the Escandido Adult School. It's always a pleasure to report updates and insights from our campuses, and I'm looking forward to giving you my next report. Thank you. Hello and good evening. Hello. Good evening to the board and our community and our teachers here today. I am here to report for Academy, Valley High School, and Orange Glenn High School. I'm going to start
030off with Academy. So, they had a lot of student engagement for the past few weeks. They had a ratty crowd for their boys soccer on January 5th and their girls soccer on January 22nd. From January 26th through January 30th, they had a spirit week with themes like pajama day, toes out Tuesday, house colors, style swap, and dress as your type. They also had a Tinkerbell pep rally on January 28th with I think I think the theme is really cute and a uh ratty crowd for their boys basketball on January 30th. The girls soccer senior night was on February 3rd and counselor appreciation notewriting during lunch on February 4th. Moving on to Valley High School, they had a mix of academic, community, and student focused events. They hosted the San Diego food pantry on February 3rd.
031Valley had a basketball game against Surfside. The LPAC testing held on February 5th and 6th and they had a school site council meeting. They are holding a parent workshop, a movie night, and check your mood week from February 23rd to the 27th, which focuses on mental health and suicide prevention. Adding to that, camp lead will take place from February 25th to February 27th. Lastly, at Orange Glenn High School, we had a very active month. On February 2nd, students organized a peaceful protest against uh after school against ICE where students and parents walked from school all the way to city hall to exercise their first amendment rights. And on January 20 uh January 31st, we had our LCAP meeting and shared our many creative ideas among students. Um one of them I also wanted to bring
032up was uh IB courses. Some students were talking about that that other um districts have that and they were wondering if we could also have that too. And we had our club wash on February 6th. Students had a chance to explore clubs and you know be more involved on campus. On February 11th we are hosting a blood drive. And throughout the month, our ASB has been creating decorations for seniors, senior nights for winter sports, and posters show appreciation to our counselors for counsel uh counseling appreciation week where many students expressed that their counselors personally have really impact their life, not just academically, but personally as well. And I could say the same for mine. And thank you so much for your time. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Miss Ga. Thank you both for
033such uh thorough reports and keeping us all informed as to the wonderful things going on in all of our campuses. Thank you. Um the next item on our agenda this evening is to um have a career technical education presentation. So we're pleased to have Miss Mia Funk here and um we'll let you start things off and introduce us to your team. So welcome this evening. Good evening, board president, board trustees, student board members, superintendent, and patent. I'm here with my colleague, Vivian Krono, and we are excited. >> Can I interrupt? Can you maybe use the microphone? >> Can you hear me now? >> A little bit closer. I think it's >> Can you hear me? >> That's better. >> There we go. >> I I'll start over again. Good evening, board president, board of trustees,
034student board members, superintendent, and cabinet. We're excited to share an update on our career technical education here in Escandido. My colleague Vivian Krono will be supporting. DTE spans a huge range of industry sectors from advanced manufacturing, construction, business, culinary, graphic technology, and transportation, and they serve as a key strategy for preparing our students for college, career, and life. This evening's presentation will highlight how our programs are aligning with workforce priorities, expanding real world learning, and are delivering on measurable outcomes for students. In alignment with Americans, America's talent strategy, California's job first, and California career education master plan, Escadino Union High School District is intentionally preparing students for the workforce today and tomorrow. This year, students enrolled in the advanced business course at San Pascal High School began the school year in a year-long internship experience
035that connects classroom learning to real world application. These internships reflect the strength of our local industry partnerships and our our internal collaboration across departments providing students with authentic hands-on experiences while building durable career ready skills. We are pleased to share a brief video highlighting this work and the impact these partnerships have on our community. >> It has really been neat and fun to see these young men, you know, ambitious to learn and explore the trades. Um, as you may know, there's a really a shortage of trade laborers here in California and and really across the nation. So to see these these young students, you know, ambitious to learn and explore the possibility of of being a tradesman theirel, it's it's encouraging and exciting. When I come to America, I'm the same position as him. I'm
036looking for work and uh I just go around and around and make an offer and sometime I ask them to work for free but nobody take me. So I have to work from the bottom. That's why today when I have opportunity to help all the young people to become a mechanic, I'm very happy to help them. That's how I end up opportunity today. >> We remain focused on measuring what matters and aligning our outcomes to the California school dashboard and the college career indicator. This year, 42% of our students are enrolled in CTE. This represents a 1.9 increase. Over,300 students have participated in work-based learning experiences and our pathway completion has increased to 31%. Additionally, 631 students have earned articulated college credit. That's a 21% increase, demonstrating a strong alignment between secondary instruction and post-secary
037expectations. Over the next three years, we will be aligning our CTE program to California's modernized career clusters. These pathways ensure that our students are learning relevant, connected, and flexible. These pathways support both lateral and vertical movement for our students, and they allow them to explore and specialize and advance their BA and advance based on their interest and readiness. A strong example is our fire technology pathway at Orange Glenn High School. We've developed it in partnership with the 1904 cadetses. This connects students directly with regional labor market demand. >> This program is life changed. >> I've never seen anything like this before. >> You got to face your fears. Otherwise, you might not know what life could have been. Our mission at 1904 cadets is to equip the next generation of first responders with the confidence,
038character, and experience they need to lead with purpose. >> 1904 cadetses is a blessing and a gift. There are so many kids that would not even have this opportunity if this program wasn't available. >> So, setting them up for after they graduate. And I think it's nice to give them an avenue of teaching them a career. >> Ever since this program started, I wanted to become an EMT. I want to be a firefighter. >> I would like to join the military and become a EMT. I want to be in the Army National Guard as a firefighter. >> I want to be an optomologist. This program has given me every possibility to be able to do that. The US departments of labor, education, and commerce along with their industry advisory members are very clear. The traditional
039education to workforce pipeline is no longer sufficient. EUHSD CTE are realigning systems so that every student graduates with durable skills that last even as technology and AI continue to change the nature of work. These skills are embedded across coursework, projects, and work-based learning experiences. So, students graduate with proof of skills, not just a transcript. Across newly designed newly redesigned CTE courses, durable skills are intentionally and explicitly embedded. Beginning in the 2627 school year, the education pathway will include embedded internship experiences allowing students to apply instructional theory in real classroom settings. Robotics students may participate in first robotics, engaging in teambased engineering challenges that mirror industry problem solving and project management. Many EUHSD CT programs include career technical student organizations, CTSOs. CTSOs extend learning by be beyond the classroom through student led projects, competitive standards aligned
040events and real world evaluations conducted by industry and community partners. Work-based learning and CTO CTSOs are essential to how EUHSD delivers durable 21st century skills that students need to apply learning in authentic real world context. These experiences ensure students graduate with validated skills, professional behaviors, and applied learning evidence. Future Ready reflects real careers that are already here driving Eskanito and North Countyy's economy. Students will graduate with employer validated proof of skills through certifications and work-based learning. These industry certifications remain a critical component to our programs, supporting both the immediate employability, but also long-term career mobility. Today's investment is a continued program alignment, industry aligned curriculum, interdisciplinary teaching and real world experiences and is preparing tomorrow's workforce. To close, we'd like to share one more voice, the student voice. Had done business as a class. I
041had done business as a class my junior year and then my teacher talked about an advanced business which where we would be interning. I chose it because I've kind of known for a really long time that I want to work in the medical field as a whole. Being able to intern here has been life-changing truly. I don't say that lately and I don't mean it lightly because it's like I said, it's opened a lot of doors for me that I didn't even think I didn't even consider truly. And it's been really amazing. And we were just talking this morning about how there's only a certain amount of weeks left. And I kind of got like emotional knowing that like it's not going to be every Thursday. I come here 7:00 to 10:30. I think just
042working with her and everyone else here has been fantastic because they're the sweets people and I cannot say enough about that's our tomorrow's workforce through continued partnership. Eskanito Union High School District will remain a regional leader. We'll prepare students not only for their first job but a lifetime of success. Thank you for the opportunity to share the impact of career technical education and I would like to give a sincere thanks to our dedicated CTE teachers and staff. Have a happy CTE month. >> Thank you so much. you know how passionate about uh CTE I am and this was very emotional for me. Thank you. >> Can I ask a question or um so the relationship between um Hi um thanks for doing all the good stuff that you're doing. Um so the relationship between the
043CTE programs and project next is there any special you know handoff or how are we integrating those? Um, go ahead. >> Yeah. So, currently we're working with um Project Next at Escandido High School and we are coordinating some of the field trip experiences um so that our career technician is working with Project Next to make sure that when our students take their interest inventories that we're targeting specific areas that are of student interest. So if a student is picking let's say um an interest in engineering they may go to um a location where they have engineering or something of the like um and they're trying to be very mindful in their coordination of some of those efforts. >> Are there are you seeing any additional areas that CTE should add based on the interest coming
044or the requests coming out of project next? I would say that we see more of an interest when we're using the California guidance initiative because at Escanido um the Kelly Domitz who's one of our counselors has worked very hard to make sure that our sophomores or 10th grade uh students have received a push-in lessons and have um taken the interest inventory and so we're able to calibrate a little bit more differently with the um experiences that students have. So I it was interesting when some of the students had mentioned the LCAP and they liked having some of the workshops and they wanted to see more of those. It tickled my heart because um some of those workshops and things that were brought were from the hard work of our college and career technicians using some
045of the data to identify the interest of their students. >> I want to thank you for that. Also, Dr. Kauus, thank you. And uh for >> I got one a couple times >> third the third year of math cuz my son is apprentice electrician and his like fifth day on the job he was bending pipe and he was like oh my gosh all the math I learned it's finally paying off >> and so he's like I'm so glad I learned it you know degrees and angles and all that. So uh yes um math is going to be super important for any CTE future that a kid takes. So you mentioned biotechnology. Is that something you're offering now or are you planning on offering in the future? >> Yeah, so biotechnology is an emergent field especially
046in this region and there's are some certificate programs offered at local community colleges and there is there are several high schools that are starting to offer biotechnology for career technical education and we're definitely in the exploration um phase right now. In fact, tomorrow we'll be exploring some additional resources to see which area for health we need to go. >> That's the industry I'm in and there's a big demand for skilled labor in that field. So, you're heading in the right direction. >> Minimal requirements to get into the entry of that. So >> I think another thing that I got emotional when I was seeing the firefighters because I was a volunteer fighter firefighter in the 30 uh when I was in my 30s and I did that for five years and it's pretty enduring believe
047me >> that one got to me too especially when the kids knew what they wanted to do when they finished high school. >> Yeah. So I appreciate you uh that was very emotional um for me uh from flashbacks with the firefighting as well as the biotech. Overall you did a phenomenal job. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Just one follow Oh, go ahead. >> Well, you go. >> Uh just uh one followup question would be is can you elaborate a little bit more on the change to clusters? >> Absolutely. And we'll get into a little bit more next week during the board workshop. Uh but in November, our state board of education has adopted the California cluster framework. And so previous to that, we had separate industry sectors. And uh what
048California has recognized is that there are some skills that overlap amongst uh some of the industry sectors. So they're clustering some of those areas together. So I think long term it's going to be really benefit what we do in Escanido and um some of the philosophies of some of our teachers. >> So is that why I know later in the meeting we're going to vote on some volunteers um within the industry. Is that why they're segregated like agricultural and natural resources and manufacturing >> according to the state plan we have to identify which sectors they're represented? But moving forward what we'll start seeing is the sectors that they're represented and then the cluster. Thank you. And I just had a quick question about the last student video was a sampal student that talked about a
049six-w weekek internship which would be similar to the delago model. So um is that that's a specific class at San Pasqual that allows a student to do this internship during class time. Is that how that works? >> Yeah. So it's the advanced business class. So uh it is the second year of the business program and so students uh go for four hours once a week to an industry sector and they have a mentor and they learn about the business aspects of that field while also learning about some of the moving parts of that business >> and do they self- select the industry they're interested in and then our team helps identify a partner business in the community that would that would work with that. Okay. So realistically the student doesn't have to be interested in
050a business degree per se to take that class and have that internship opportunity. >> That's great. I had the um pleasure of doing a mentorship being a mentor to a Delago student two years ago and that was just a really cool experience for both. I did it on my um in my professional life like so it was neat to see as a board member that experience for our students and to to do that. So, I would encourage anyone in the business community to welcome a student from the district in. Um, it's a small-time commitment, but the benefit goes so far for the students um because they're exposed to just all aspects of work and that industry and it was just a really really cool experience. So, I'm glad that it's not only now at Delago
051and that hopefully we would be able to have those opportunities on more of our campuses. Um, so that's great work. Thank you. Thank you. And I would love to see you tomorrow, but I'm not gonna make it to that healthcare thing. So, I will look forward to catching up with you on how it goes next Tuesday. Just one note, we had a mentor breakfast for the business. And Mr. Buyers was with me and some of the other mentors. And I don't know who was more excited, the kids or the mentors about the experience. >> Well, thank you and the teachers, CTE teachers. Great job. Thank you. And speaking of teachers, if I could just add one quick shout out, those videos were produced by our multimedia and podcasting advisor and his student Ed Nunees, who
052I believe is in the crowd. Very impressive. Thank you. Um, so the next item on our agenda is another presentation. Thank you. We have our facilities planning and funding update presentation and we will hand that over to Miss Phillips. Thank you very much. Here we go. Good evening, President Knight, board members, community, staff. I'm going to orient my podium a little bit. Tonight, I'll be sharing an overview of our athletics facilities, existing field lighting. I'll also share some information on our facility use revenue, the cost to install some new lighting, the current status of some of our facilities funds. Um, and we'll wrap up the presentation with some information on some polling possibilities if there we go. So, let's dive into the status of our existing lighting by sport. Um, so first we'll talk about
053our tennis courts. So right now no there are no lights on any of our campuses although OG has some infrastructure but no functional lights. Um there practice fields at our at our schools don't also they have no lights either and our lacrosse field at Delago doesn't have any lights. Softball fields no lights either. Um although SP softball is the current location of our donated uh light project. Our baseball diamonds little mixed. Um EHS is equipped with lights. OG and SP do not. And our football stadiums are fully equipped with lights across the district. >> And can I clarify just for sake of sports, obviously soccer is not listed or football is not listed. So can they use the football? >> They can also use the um >> Yes. >> So they are fully equipped with
054lights as well. Okay. Thank you. Um and so then there was um some information requested about uh specifically revenue related to baseball fields um and lights versus non-lit. So on the left side you will see um in blue uh baseball revenue from our non-lit baseball fields which would be orange Glenn and Sasqual and on the right you will see EHS in orange um for lit baseball field revenue. Um and you can tell obviously that there is more revenue generated from the lit baseball fields. Um there is more use obviously from it being lit. Um and we also do charge for lights. So that in itself generates revenue by itself. Um also just want to note to the JV so the JV baseball fields are also used for soccer. So it's not just baseball. They're also
055used for soccer as well. So, just moving on to what it would cost to put lights in on all of our athletic facilities. Um, across the board, it would be $5 million estimate. Um, across the board, if you want to see it broken out by sport, about 1.1 million for tennis, about 1.2 for practice fields, about 500,000 for lacrosse, 1.6 for all four baseball fields, and about 600,000 for the two softball fields. sum that up, it's about $5 million. Um, obviously that wouldn't take into consideration if we came across any mitigation or any environmental issues if we came across that. This is just everything rolled out smooth and perfect. So, I wanted to just note that part of the process with lighting that we might not have to deal with on a normal everyday construction
056process is called uh SIGUA, which is the California Environmental Quality Act. Um, and it's basically a regulatory a agency that requires us to identify, evaluate, and disclose any potential environmental impacts um before we get approval. So, we already have to engineer, we already have to get DSA, that's all normal. This is a special extra layer that we have to go through. Um, and it kind of goes over those bulleted um items right there. Um, night noise, traffic impacts, the wildlife, the habitat that could be impacted by the light. Um, so all those different things we would have to just check off the list and go through this special process. Um, just a little extra layer that we would have to go through. And Amanda, I would say that's uh that would be an area that
057I would be concerned about with adding new lights is that first bullet, right? Which is >> I would call from my my background light trespass, right? Orange Glenn Fields has a lot of light trespass. >> Yes, they're right on the ground level. >> Neighbors, >> so there's a a better way that we can do the the lighting designs. >> Yep. Absolutely. That they're definitely kind of ground level there. It's special. I haven't heard any, but it, you know, it drives me nuts every time I walk by or drive. >> So, we'll move on. Okay. So, um, so just to kind of overview where we potentially have funding coming in, um, is, uh, developer fees. So, we kind of spoke about this at one of our last meetings. Developer fees are a way we get money
058from new construction. they are restricted um for direct or indirect projects that are typically associated with um new development or growth which is like adding new classrooms. Um I've listed um the current amount in our uh that we get right now in our shared areas. So we share obviously with the elementary district and then we share obviously with San Pasqual. So the square footage amount we get with element the elementary district is $1.93 per square foot and then $1.26 26 um with the San Pasqual area. >> So would we be would we be able to use de developer fees at all because we're not building classrooms. It would be more >> Yeah. So right now we're basically just using it to pay the debt um that that we have currently which is um what kind
059of in fund 25 when we get down to there um it's in a restricted fund because it's for restricted uses. So right now we basically just use it to pay the debt that we owe on kind of um the the certificates of participation that we have that we used when we were growing. Um so that's kind of that indirect um relation that it has. So um we're looking into um some options that we might be able to use it um based on our facilities master plan. So, we're going to work with the consultant that we use that wrote that report. And so, when we do the fee justification report that that we're working on this coming year, we're going to see if there's some areas that we might be able to stretch those fees. Um,
060and we're going to come up with a plan. Um, but it's typically for growth, which is why we haven't used it for construction because we're not growing. Um, proposition two. So, we talked a lot about this. Well, we had our facility master plan trying to get it to check that box so we could apply. Um, we have submitted an application um for $5.75 million. We used it for the kitchen projects because those were plans that were nice and pretty and done and qualified. Um, the state hasn't finalized their application though. They're they're fiddling with it. Um, so we just put that to get in line, but now we're kind of waiting till they fiddle with the application and we don't want to submit any more applications and then have to redo them. So we'll wait
061till they finalize their application again and then we'll submit more applications once they finalize their applications. State likes to redo their their applications over and over again. So um, but that is uh state bond money and right now it's all spent anyway. So, we're just getting in line. There's no money right now anyway. So, we're just standing in line waiting for them to write us a check someday. Um, I talked about fund 25. So, capital facilities fund, new construction, major renovations, developer fees, restricted purposes. We've been using it just to pay our debt. That's basically what comes straight out of there. Um, fund 35. Um, this is also another fund. There's a little more flexibility here. Um this was basically um funds that we got from POP T matching funds. So it comes back so
062late. Basically you front the money and then it just sits there after a while. So basically that's how state matching dollars kind of like uh what we get with Prop 2. You front the money and the matching funds come back so late that you end up fronting the money. So that's what fund 35 essentially is is just old state matching money um that's sitting there. So, we use it for more construction. >> Can I ask a couple questions about this fund? Um, just to clarify, so these special reserve funds for capital projects, they're flexible in facility funding. These are not funds that are um allowed to be used once they're in this fund. They're not allowed to be used for other purposes such as salaries and Okay. Also, I recognize there's a comment here that
063says, "But not growing." So, we're not continuing to add money to those funds. >> Fund 25 grows with developer fees and RD and the RDA funds. Okay? >> So, that one is growing and obviously interest. Um, and then fund 35 is only growing with interest because there's no additional state matching. >> Um, so if we did let's say get another bond and state matching then more state matching fund. This this fund is literally just for state matching bond funds. So that is all that would go in there. Um so again another bond would come, we would apply for state matching and then yay fund 35 would grow again some other day. And like you said, it does grow with interest. And while we may not be making like um risky investments with that, would it
064be reasonable to say we're making at least 300 to possibly $500,000 a year in interest on that uh fund? >> Last year was just under 300 >> about 300,000. Okay. I think that gives some indication that it it and that again um it varies. Basically, we've been pulling down on it to do projects. So, obviously the the more that was in there, the more interest it grew, but as we've been drawing down on it to do projects districtwide, the balance decreases, so the interest decreases. So, the more that we do construction districtwide, the less unbalanced will be there, the less interest there'll be. And historically, I just want to share that historically, um, the board has not been involved in determining priorities of how those funds are spent. I'm just going to be honest, the
065board has never been consulted about what those priorities are. I'm not questioning the judgment of how those funds have been used in the past because I know there's been a lot of incredible improvements that have been made across the district. However, this evening we are um going to we're having a discussion about perhaps board a little more board direction about how those funds could potentially be spent to invest in our community in a way that will attract more students to our district. And so that's where I'm coming from with this conversation. So, um I know there's more to the presentation, so I'll let you continue with that before I make more comments. Thank you for entertaining my questions. Absolutely. So, just switching gears a little bit to another option for funding. So, we talked about
066developer fees, we talked about Proposition 2, the real way that districts make big impacts to their districts uh facilities is through bonds. Um so, one way to really test your waters um early on without um you know doing a full bond campaign is to do some early polling. So, um, what that would look like is first the cost is about 25 to $30,000 per poll. Um, it would take about 60 days from, um, when the board approves the action to when the board would have the report. Um and then uh what the architecture of the poll would basically test whether the community has the appetite for a bond or not. What the size of the bond the community might support. 100 million, 200 million, even maybe what the tax rate the community might feel comfortable
067with. 20 $20, $25, $30. Um just an FYI for a high school district, it cannot exceed $30 per 100,000 of assessed value. So that's that's our cap legally as a high school district. The poll would also try to get feedback about what type of projects that would garner support CTE, athletics, STEM, um but also what what negative arguments are out there. Um just like for more taxes. So it would try to get feedback for all of those different types of things. Um the goal essentially is to get a feel for what percentage would we be at? Um are we in the 50s? Are we in the 60s? Um the pass rate for a bond is 55%. There is a margin of error obviously. Um 3 to 5%. So we know that exists. Um and also
068when we passed Prop T some things have changed. Um at that point in uh 2008 um all 75 words on the ballot could be used for the projects. You could just explain all the things you were going to use the bond for. Now, um, in 2017, AB95 and AB 809 passed and explicitly stated that you needed to include the, um, amount of money, the tax rate, and the duration that the tax needed, um, that it would pass. So, you had to include all the financials in there. And so, you get a little less of all the projects and a lot more of the financials in there. Um, and so, some experts believe that's caused some of the bond rates um, to have less bonds have passed since then with the change to the language. So,
069just some things to be aware of. Few more details. They'd want about four to 500 voters um in the in the sample. Um it would take probably about 15 to 20 minutes for the survey. Um they would start with an email. If they don't respond within a week, they'd go to a text. And then if they don't respond to the text within a week, they'd go to the dreaded phone call as a last resort because they know nobody really answers the phone um from a telemarketer or a spammer. But um that would be the last resort. And then um there would come with um an independent ID number so that you can't just pass it around to a random person and have it filled out a bunch of times. So that's how they would validate
070and protect the identity. um it's preferred to use an independent pollster so that way um it's credible. There are um financial adviserss that do both polling and um and financially advised but there's a little bit of a conflict of interest there. So you'd prefer to have one that just does the one duty. Um and so then uh once they have the results it'll take a few weeks for them to compile it and then we will have that report for the board. And I've got Oh, there's a bug >> gets to select that independent bolster. >> Uh we do we have we would have that option. There's some there's several local um ones. Um San Marcos, we know one that they have used. Um there's there's a few um like in LA. We could we could
071look at who's recommended by local districts and who's been successful with passing bonds and things like that. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so basically, um, you want to be a little strategic with the poll, obviously. Um, we could bring a resolution and a contract to the board, uh, for approval. You'd probably want to target late spring or early summer. Um, never pull in November, December, or April. Um, no tax time, no holidays. Um, so that would be the timeline. This would be our recommendation if this is a path um the board wants to go down and just test the waters, see if there's any flavor, taste, or engagement. >> When was the last time this district went out and requested the community to support a bond? >> Uh Prop T would have been in 2008,
072I believe. >> So in 2008, so we're looking at almost 20 years ago that the high school district went out for a bond. Can you do you have any um knowledge of when the elementary district last went out for a bond? >> 2012. >> It was a few years ago. >> They went they went during the pandemic and then they pulled one. I know that. And then I think they went right before that too. >> They've had two since the last since our last bond. >> Yes. Absolutely. >> And the community sort supported both. Correct. one. I know they pulled the last one because >> it Okay. >> Um and in 2008 when we went out for that bond, I wasn't on the board, but Prop T was um targeted around building Delago Academy. Is
073that correct? >> Yeah. And I think there was some science labs. Um I don't have the ballot language right in front of me though, but yes, I do. There was I know this bug. >> It's not as big as it looks on screen. Um okay. But largely those funds were used to build Delago. Okay. >> Um >> from what I recall it was about half Delago and half modernization of other schools and stuff. It was split up between the two. >> Okay. Um, do when it comes to paying for the the um polling, what kind of where do you pull the funds to pay for something like a poll to determine the appetite of the community for something like this? Where would those funds come from? >> We're allowed to we're allowed to pull it
074from um our facility funds if >> Can you pull it from the Prop or Fund 25? Um, it probably would be more fun. Can you pull it from that? >> You'd have to check on fund 25, but I mean it's probably fund 35 for sure, but I could check on 25. You always want to double check on fund 25 just because of the restrictions, but okay. Um I have some more questions related to um the slide where we talk about cost estimates or actually first let's go back to like the current um current lighting things. So um for context for those in the audience context is there was a significant donation made to S Pasqual High School to um install lights on the softball field and that was an incredible donation provided by a community
075member um to install lights on San Pasqual's softball field. there are baseball fields right on that same area directly adjacent to that. And um while we as the board accept and approve the donation um as a parent and somebody who's very in invested in um sports programs for our community and recognizing that our district has some very competitive sports teams. Um we have we have made some wonderful in investments across our district in our football fields and in improving lighting across our football fields. Um re most recently we made a significant investment in repaving all of our um tennis courts at Orange Glenn High School. So we do recognize and make investments in that. However, our softball and baseball fields have been lacking those investments and we have some very competitive baseball programs and um
076we have a lot of competitive programs, but we have a window of opportunity when you are accepting a donation of that magnitude to install lights on the baseball or on the softball field there at SAS Squall and looking at the types of things that need to be done to make something like that happen. Um, again, assuming we've done our due diligence and we're working through the community involvement and um, community engagement to accept that donation and install those lights on the softball field. It would be irresponsible of us not to make the strategic investment at this same time to install lights on the baseball field. Um, this year San Pasqual's baseball team has risen to a D1 baseball school and they are competing against some incredibly wealthy schools across the county. And I see that
077our program is not it can't compete. It it's inequitable. And when you go to attend a baseball game at La Hoya Country Day and you see what we what our fields look like in comparison to the teams we're playing, we have an opportunity to make a strategic investment right now to increase our competitiveness not only for the kids that are already in our schools, but to attract more students to our district who care about this. And there are a lot of students that are looking at all of the North County schools and where they want to go. And parents are looking at sports as a driving factor as to where they want their kids to go to school. And when we have um dis neighboring districts such as Powe that has incredible facilities and San
078Marcos that have incredible facilities, we're losing kids to those two districts. And so, um, I would like a little more breakdown on making a strategic investment by this board to at least start phasing in these lighting infrastructure projects um, where it makes the most sense and aligning perhaps the lights for the baseball fields and perhaps the practice fields. If I understand correctly, there are some practice fields right in that same area as the softball fields and have a phase one of a lighting project begin. Um, after doing quite a bit of a research on this, there there is no doubt that making these investments would increase enrollment for our district. Um there's estimates of several percentage points that it could increase enrollment across our district. And again, while we have some we've made these investments
079for our football fields, we've made these and which is the same as our soccer fields and we have um one of the best soccer teams across the state, I would argue. Um, we have also um some incredibly um talented baseball players and um while I also would love to see a pool on each campus, I recognize that that's bond material like that's going to be something we have to consider with a bond. But there could be um minimal I say minimal in the sense of how we phase in these projects. One year of interest would pay for one of those baseball fields. One year of interest on that fund that you mentioned would pay to install the lights on that baseball field. So, I feel confident that making an investment like this is a wise
080investment for our district. Um, and again, a window of opportunity. We miss that opportunity. You don't want to piss off the neighbors twice. Okay? Let's piss, if we're going to piss them off, we do it once when we install the lights on all those fields. >> And I think we can do it well. But we're not going to piss people off. >> I'm in agreement. But how did we miss the opportunity? What happened? >> We don't We're not If we don't move now and we give staff direction to do something with those baseball fields and those practice fields, the lights on the s on the softball field will go up >> and then nothing else is going to happen. >> So then do we need a motion like move that staff? Uh >> I know
081that it's not an action item on the agenda. However, if there I believe if there is board consensus to direct staff to move in that direction >> I'm in >> um >> I was in on the pool but >> I know well in the pool and that's again a part of what direction could could go towards this is >> there's an opportunity to pull the community to see what other projects a bond could help pay for and I know CTE programs are a very strategic investment that also could work with that other fund 25 that we've talked about. And so seeing those types of investments and again, not that I'm questioning any of what has already been done and spent on these projects, but having a little more board involvement in how these funds are
082being spent to help increase enrollment for our district, I feel very passionately about, if you can't tell. >> Yeah. And enrollment's really important. We got to increase. So the more we have to offer the better opportunities for everyone. >> Yeah. So >> increasing enrollment will >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. So at this point I guess the other direction would be um if the poll is something we would like to move forward with and have staff move forward with bringing the resolution and contract to the board to do a poll. Um, >> well, I've got a couple of things I'd like to just mention about this. I do agree with getting lights on fields and stuff. Uh, but I also live next to a school, too. So, I'm also aware of things that go on at the
083school and how they impact the neighbors. So, I mean, as long as we can do things without a serious impact on the neighborhood, changing the character of the neighborhood, the way things are. I know over at Delago when the school went in, we were told they will never put lights in there ever yet. I see that on the list here as a possibility. We want to keep our integrity. That's one of the things we need to ask too when we're looking at doing this. And we need to see how it will impact the neighbors and the neighborhoods. I mean, some of these courts, like I've seen tennis courts over at uh DHS, I don't think anyone gets affected by lights on those, >> right? >> But if you throw on big bright lights right next
084to someone's backyard, that's going to be a problem. >> Well, and if it was something that was promised to the neighbors, that might be a deal breaker when it comes to lighting up those particular fields. >> Exactly. But uh again, assuming once as as our district has already accepted that donation for the softball lights and those lights are going up, we've done our due diligence. Now is a window of opportunity to do the lights as well for those other practice fields and baseball field. >> I'm also concerned about doing a bond. Uh again, I was full disclosure back in 2008. I was against doing a bond then that one we're paying for until 204. >> Thank you. I appreciate we're board is having some discussion and we do appreciate um the keeping things um down
085so we can hear each other. Thank >> is your mic on >> W mention with like Del Lago again. This is how neighbors get impacted. The fields that were there were put in for soccer. Lacrosse came in after the fact and then they said, "Oh, now we have to put up 30 foot high nets, block the neighbors view to block the balls from hitting the neighbor's house and everything." So, these things tend to grow. So, I get that that's where, you know, I'll be a little I'm more >> and we would need to look at that um what was promised to the neighbors at that time. Let's probably also look at the other schools and how it impacts because we have to be good neighbors as well as educators. >> And I'm just wondering where
086do these actually stand in our master plan? We just had a master plan together. >> They were in the master plan. >> I I know they're in there, but where what's the priority on those? we have other options things we need to put a higher priority on or is this the best way to go right now given the timing and everything and the ability to strike now like you said >> that's why I asked that this be brought forward because if you miss a window of opportunity like that you aren't being fiscally responsible with how it all rolls out >> but but I do have some concerns and stuff so just wanted to bring those up >> well I think that's where the impact comes and you know once that's done but um the master
087plan I thought was also focused on what safety issues within the schools >> improvements and things like that so I just wanted to make sure the priorities are still with the safety within the school >> uh that are need like new HVAC systems things like that um so I I don't sorry go ahead >> it's interesting you bring up safety factor because one of The uh concerns we have actually is baseball fields are not being maintained by people that understand how to maintain a baseball field. It's more of just a general um you know gardening technique and there's gopher holes and there's other unlevel playing fields there and you know we leaves us open to liability lawsuits from parents if a child is hurt or student is hurt on those fields. So, I think that
088not only are lights important, but I think a very um immediate uh review of the baseball and softball fields since they are turf and not uh astrourf or however you call it nowadays um should be reviewed because as we know one of the biggest detriments to budgets and all is definitely lawsuits. >> So, I think we should definitely look into So, thank you for bringing up the safety thing. So, superintendent, um I guess you know, you've heard what we said here. Um I'm not sure what you need for us to give you the authorization to go ahead and do more of planning for lights, but also immediately look at field conditions to prevent injury to students. >> Can I can I just make a correction? Our our baseball fields are natural grass. They're not turf,
089>> real grass. >> And I meant to say grass. And I haven't had a complaint about conditions >> we have. >> I'm just saying to the coaches >> and they're laser they're laser leveled every year. So >> So um obviously the board cannot take any action tonight. Nothing was agendaized. Um so I'm listening to the conversation and I haven't heard any consensus on any one particular pathway over another. I heard a lot of general ideas. Um, so >> what kind of clarity do you need to get a consensus? >> Yes. >> What what would the board like us to do facilities wise immediately? >> President Knight, why don't >> I asked for support to align the lighting of all of the fields that are adjacent to that softball field that's already in preparations to receive
090lights this year. align align time align all of those projects to happen at the same time. >> Okay. >> Not to hold up the the lighting at the softball fields, but to leverage the opportunity of this donation to do the lighting for the baseball field and I believe those are other practice fields, perhaps soccer practice fields or whatever practice fields are up there. Um because they're all going to share the same line. And when you're dealing with utility planning, um, doing it all at the same time, um, doing the underground work, doing the overhead work, they're all going to share similar polls, doing that all now is very responsible use of our funds. So that's what I'm asking for consensus from the board to give staff direction. >> I think that's a good summary. I'm
091good with that. over at San Pasqual. >> And that you start that as a phase one project and then you continue to look at these other opportunities. >> Thumbs up. >> Okay. >> That's what we're talking about. And that's fine. That's this is a board discussion. This is a board discussion. Thank you. >> So I' I' I'd say that there's there's there's a lot of um I mean honestly I love lights. I'm all about lights. I work in in the lighting industry, >> right? So >> up for you to bid on this project. >> Yeah, >> I don't I don't make those kind of lights. It'd be illegal. >> Uh but uh but it it in general I I I'd say sure. If it makes sense to do some things at the same time, great.
092I I'm not interested in setting up our own board light program to light up everything. I think there's a lot of other things we could be spending money on and honestly a lot of things we could be spending our time on right now. So I think we've kind of killed this topic and it it's separated. >> I think that that is an incredibly rude statement to the president that it's your opinion that it was important for the president to bring up and we can have discussions. We had consensus. So I appreciate the consensus and we will move forward. Thank you Amanda for the presentation. Um, if we also have consensus, I believe we can use some of the money from that fund to consider a poll and have staff bring back the opportunity to do
093a poll with the community on the appetite for a bond to do other improvements across the district, which would accomplish much of what we've already seen in the facilities master plan, which we all approved. >> Yeah. So, do we have consensus to move forward with the poll and at least uh get that ball rolling? >> Yes. No issues. >> Okay. Thank you. Do you have the direction you need? >> Yes, we can. Staff can look for a strategic time to consider a poll and bring it back as an action item for the board to consider at that time. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you um Miss Phillips for that presentation and thank you to my fellow board members for a healthy discussion and thank you for the input and um laughs and um cheers from
094the community. We love you. So that brings us to the next item on our agenda which is public comment and item E1 is a report from CSEA. So I would welcome anyone here to present a report from CSEA. Juan, welcome. You know what? >> I wasn't going to be um that that was very rude to say that our uh maintenance workers are not maintaining our fields well enough for I guess some parents. That that just came out of left field for me. >> Not our maintenance workers. I believe we hire an outside company. But thank you. >> Yeah. I just I just want to make sure that our our folks are are being respected in that in that sense. And if there's issues, you know, we have ways of uh supporting our folks. So, um
095so hello members of the board and cabinet. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um as you will see later in the agenda, we are sunshining our successor proposal. We look forward to negotiating in good faith and we hope that the district does the same. Our proposal is designed to strengthen EUHSD as an employer, one that attracts high-quality applicants, uplifts classified employees, and retains the skilled, dedicated people who serve our students and community every day. When we talk about attracting and retaining staff, it's important to address an issue at the heart of our negotiations. Uh we understand that we do not directly negotiate with the board. We understand that you do help guide priorities and decisions that shape the direction of the district. As you know, insurance rates have skyrocketed in recent years. And
096each year when we negotiate a raise, classified employees are forced into a choice. accept the full raise into our paychecks or give up part of that increase just to keep our health benefits stable. In my 10 years with EUHSD, 8 years spent on the negotiations team, there has not been a single year when the district raised the insurance cap without taking money out of the salary pool intended for employees. That means our benefits only stay afloat because employees sacrifice their own raises. It is not sustainable and it is not competitive. There is a common assumption that public employees receive strong stable benefits. But the truth is that we maintain our health coverage only because classified employees give up income year after year. Employees who take the district insurance lose part of their raise just to
097keep up with rising premiums. Employees who don't take the district's insurance lose part of their raise for a benefit they don't even receive. As the district loses its ability to retain staff and as wages and benefits continue to fall behind and this is why we are asking for a different approach. We need to raise that insurance cap without taking from salary and separate salary increases from health benefit costs. This would make compensation more equitable, protect employee earnings, and make EUHSD more competitive. I know I've taken some of your time, but there is also another important issue that I want to raise. The March 15th layoff deadline is approaching, and we understand how difficult those decisions are. The livelihood of employees, many of whom already struggle to afford living in our community, depend on them. We
098understand that the district must find ways to reduce costs, but those savings should not come at the expense of the people who keep our schools running every day. They should not come at the expense of the support our students receive in classrooms or the support that in that ensures that they are fed or the support that keeps our campuses clean and safe or the support that keeps our offices running smoothly so schools can function. We are grateful for your decision last year not to move forward with classified layoffs. You ultimately chose to stand with our students and community and we hope that continues. President Knight, our door is open. Should you ever want to explore the day-to-day work classified employees do, what our jobs entail, or how we support the larger ecosystem of EUHSD, we
099are welcome to that conversation. There are always two sides to every story. If you wish to hear ours, we are here. Thank you. >> Item E2. >> Hey, thank you. I appreciate um can I ask if you can turn up our mics because um because of the level of um cheering that's coming. I can't um speak loud enough. And is there any way to turn it like all the way up like as this is as high as it goes? All right. So, I'm going to ask that the cheering be gone. Do it like this. Well, I'm asking as the this is our meeting and I'm respectfully requesting that you adhere to normal practices of a public meeting and do cheering that goes like this or like this because what happens is when you're clapping for
100about I don't know 20 to 30 seconds between each speaker. This is going to be a long night. So please respectfully this kind of cheering would be very very very um respectful. Thank you. The next item on our agenda, E2, is a report from the Escanido Secondary Teachers Association. And I see Anna coming to the mic. Thank you, Anna. >> Am I good? All right. Good evening, Cabinet and Board. Um, appreciate the time to come up and speak with you tonight. Thank you um to everybody who showed up. I am always humbled to be the representative for ESTA. Um, I also just in hearing everything just wanted to um say that I really appreciate that our board had a robust discussion about things like declining enrollment and how do we make sure that we increase
101that enrollment because that is really important and um whether that's um attracting um students through sports right which is a phenomenal way um that we support this community or through the amazing CTE and and VAPA programs, right? Like that was phenomenal. And I there's no complaint from me on any of those programs. I I do think it's odd though that ESTA has proposed supporting CTE and VAPA programs in every single one of its proposals and the district has rejected it every time. So, I know that our CTE and VAPA teachers have used their own personal time, their own lunch times to try and recruit and build those programs. So, I hope that if those are things that are important to the board, um that it's that it's not just what's the word? Um yeah, right.
102Like I want like let's do that, right? like let's support those programs and we do that by making sure our teachers can build those programs, right? Um I don't want it to be virtue signaling signaling. That's what I was thinking about. All right. So, I had so many things that I I didn't know what to to focus in on. Um because there's just there's a lot going on from where I stand. And um I guess I I'll skip half this, but I just our teachers and and our counselors um we're we're really exhausted right now. Um I I take so much of my day speaking to other teachers and counselors and at EHS and and and other sites and and really trying to get a grasp on um how we are, right? not not just
103um at one site, not just in our district, but I'm watching um San Francisco on strike today. I'm watching um a vote in LA Unified for a strike with a billion dollars in their reserves. Um supporting San Diego Unified and their upcoming strike. Um we have about half a dozen strikes heading in Sacramento. Um, and I think that there is power in that and and I think that we should take note as to what's happening and why it's happening, right? Because I think that school services and school boards and school cabinets have really taken a harsh road and and said, "No, we're not going to support our teachers and and show show us that you're really worth it." I think it's interesting because one of the things that I've learned to do and I'm always
104not always very good at it is uh is holding space, right? That's that's a term that I I I've been practicing and uh I guess holding space is is being present for someone, right? Um it means being present even when the topic is uncomfortable. Um it means listening when the story is messy. Uh it means not rushing to fix. I sometimes do that where I want to fix a problem and I don't just sit with it. It means not rushing to defend or not being dismissive. And I do listen to the board's comments at the end of every evening and we have to make sure that we're holding space. Um providing a supportive and safe environment for people to process. Um, sometimes it means being able to sit in the reality of another human being
105and saying like, "I hear you and I see you and you matter." Um, and and educators do this every day, right? We hold space for students. I had a student who didn't sleep last night because he spent all night in the hospital with his uncle who was having back surgery and he couldn't do his presentation. Um, I held space for the student who was failing, not because she didn't care, but because she was drowning in emotional issues. We hold space for students when they come to school angry and scared, hungry, grieving, anxious and traumatized. You name it, we are seeing it in our classrooms, right? And I don't want the VAPA, CTE, football field, baseball fields. I want you guys to keep going cuz I don't know if you've realized, but everyone in here has
106been working without a contract for 225 days. You keep going with that conversation. Don't stop. Right? Um, we don't get to tell our students,"Well, that's too much or that's not my problem or you should just be grateful." We show up and we hold space and we do it with skill and structure and patience and love. That is another form of invisible labor. And I know I've spoken previously about invisible labor and our educators and how this district runs and is able to be successful because of that invisible labor. And the truth is, we don't just do it for our students. Right? We do it for our own families. I'm sure some of you guys have practiced this skill. We do it for our families and our communities. And we do it for each other. And
107I like to think of it kind of like a sponge, right? All day long, we sit and absorb. We are absorbing every societal issue present in our community and our nation. Within each classroom, we are soaking up fear and anxiety and grief of our students. And we soak up needs that have nowhere else to go. And we're doing it without a contract. And we're doing it while being shown we're not valued. 225 days without a contract is not value. Um we're doing it by being told no. Can you postpone bargaining um for the next contract by a month, please? Cuz we're not ready. Um, and tomorrow we're going to show up and we're going to hold space for our kids and and be ready. So, I want to say something directly to the educators in
108this room and those listening and watching online. Um, you are not crazy for feeling exhausted. You're not weak, for feeling discouraged, and you are not negative for speaking the truth about what's happening. You are professionals, advocates, and you're the reason students survive, succeed, and believe in themselves. And you deserve a board and district leaders who can hold space for the way that you hold space for everyone else. Board and cabinet. You're going to hear from some educators tonight. And it may not be neat. And it may may be that you're hearing frustration and fatigue and maybe even anger. And I want to remind everyone in here, it's not disrespectful. It's what it sounds like when people have been caring too much for too long. It's what it sounds like when people that are doing the
109work are begging to be heard. So, my request tonight is simple. Before you dismiss and you get on your phones back there or you're doodling on your notepads, right, before you just tune us out, just hold space, right? Because we're not outsiders and we're not the enemy. We are the adults that the kids turn to. We are the adults that the kids trust and we're here to support this community. Right? If this board can't hold space for the voices, the educators in this room, it sends a message far beyond the building in Midway. It tells every teacher, every counselor, every staff member, your experiences don't matter. Your voices don't matter. Your sacrifices don't matter. And I don't think that that's the message that our board wants to send. Right? I don't think you want to
110stop at putting up lights. I think there's more to it. If if it's if I'm wrong, if that message is what you want to send, it's not just gonna hurt our morale. It it hurts our kids. That message hurts our our students. So, I guess tonight I'm asking you to do something that the teachers and counselors do for their students every day. And ask to listen with humility, patience, and respect. And hold space for people who are holding up the system. Right? because the educators who will speak after me are not here for themselves. I I'm sure there's a lot of other things going on in our lives, right? We just finished the full workday and we're here and we got to turn around. I got to meet a kid in the morning cuz he
111he got to take a test he missed. Right? We're here because we believe in our students in our schools and we believe in Escandido. deep down I think they still believe this board and the district leadership of is capable of doing better. Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna. President I just to make sure so that no one feels like we're cutting off. Can we have a pre-planned break at 8:00? >> We planned break. >> Well, just so that you know cuz I don't know how many speaker cards you have. >> It looks like we have seven speaker slips. >> Okay. Well, let's see how we do. >> Okay. Okay. So the next item is our public comment portion of the meeting. These are comments um from the public on non-aggendaized topics that lie within the
112subject matter jurisdiction of the board. Um public comment is limited to three minutes. So we are asking that you all adhere to that three minutes. Um and we have um speaker slips from seven people who wish to speak this evening and they were taken in order. So that is how they will be called forward. So the first person is Megan Torres followed by Andrea Wood. >> On deck is Andrea Wood. I'm just going to let the next person always know who's on deck. Can you hear me? Megan. >> All right. Uh, good evening board members, student board members, and cabinet. Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Megan Torres, and I'm an English and AVID teacher in EUHSD, where I have taught for almost 25 years. Admittedly, like many certificated staff
113members, I unfortunately do not have a lot of time to see all of the amazing things that my colleagues are working on with their students districtwide or even schoolwide. The district dialogue newsletter, presentations by principles at board meetings, awards such as the golden bell for the work of the TOSAs in the district posted on social media, the CTA presentation tonight, and my role as an avid teacher observing students presenting questions from their classes in tutorial. Fortunately, provides some insight into the remarkable work being done in UHSD. Through these sources, I am constantly in awe of teachers deep knowledge of their subject matter, their ability to convey complex concepts to their classes along with the students desire for knowledge as well as the students own innate talents. All evidenced on a daily basis in some way.
114In fact, in the Cougar newsletter just this week referenced earlier tonight, Superintendent Peterson commended EHS staff and students on the 2025 AP school honor role recognition by commenting that quote, "This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of our students, teachers, counselors, and school staff. I am very confident that every other site has had similar accomplishments that have or deserve to be applauded as well." Another reason why I'm grateful for these windows into the classrooms of other teachers and sites is because by nature teachers can be for the most part somewhat humble. Preferring to watch students present thoughtful, creative, intricate, and analytical demonstrations of their knowledge, receiving extremely well-deserved awards and accolades, and walking across the stage at graduation brings all stakeholders great pride. Unfortunately, however, sometimes it seems that teachers humility translates to the
115perception that we are not deserving of compensation for our degrees, credentials, and skills that we were in fact hired to be the conduits of in our classroom. Despite despite the four mentoring awards, gains in students achievement, speeches by students themselves, speeches by parents, speeches by classified staff as well as by comm community members who do recognize teachers roles in the success. Unfortunately, without exception, every year teachers are left having to prove that we are worthy of the respect of fair compensation for our work. Instead, every year we must convince the board to acknowledge this critical role through ongoing bargaining. As one of my colleagues pointed out a few board meetings ago, teachers are not asking for a huge raise. Instead, teachers are asking simply to be recognized for their work through a fair cost of
116living compensation using funds that are earmarked specifically for certificated staff. We hope that our efforts to serve the school and local community, evidenced in a variety of ways every single day throughout this district, are considered in the next bargaining session and in future years as well. Thank you again for your time. >> Next speaker is Andrea Wood. On deck, Victoria Garcia. Hello, my name is AJ Wood and I'm an English teacher and track and field coach at Sasqua High School. This is my fourth year in this district and my 10th year teaching. I'm actually an alumni of SP, which means that EUHSD has a special place in my heart. A couple of years ago, while trying to move my way across the salary scale as a way to meet the financial demands of living in
117San Diego County, I enrolled in a continuing education course through USD. The focus of this class was teacher burnout and strategies to prevent it. As part of the curriculum, I had to calculate the cost of teacher turnover in my district. In my research, I found that our district spends approximately $385,000 on teacher turnover each year. Now, as an English teacher, numbers and data can be kind of scary. So, let me break that down and explain how I arrived at this number. Our district currently has 321.53 teachers. But to simplify the math, let's round that down to 321. The national average of teachers who leave leave each year is 11% which would be about 35 teachers. The estimated cost of replacing a suburban district teacher is $11,000. This includes processing a teacher's exit as well as
118recruiting, hiring, training, and processing new teachers. 35 teachers multiplied by 11,000 leads us to 385,000. Besides this clear financial cost, there have been numerous studies that show that teacher turnover has a hidden cost as well. Student achievement is lower when there is high teacher turnover. In other words, all those rising test scores we love to celebrate here at UHSD are partly thanks to teacher retention. Now, to each of you who was elected to serve the interests of our community and our schools. It is more cost-effective to use the money from the 43 million in reserves to pay the fair requests to meet COLA and our rising health care costs than to essentially tell us teachers that we aren't worth it, ultimately burning us out, just like my class taught me, which would either force us
119to look at working for other districts or leave teaching altogether. This would also lead to lowering student achievement and EUHSD would still have to pay $11,000 for each of us leaving. While releasing COLA, compressing the salary schedule, and meeting the increasing benefits cap might seem like our large upfront costs, in the long term, it will keep teachers in our district by showing us that we are valued, respected, and don't deserve to live paycheck to paycheck. I love teaching here in Escanido and I'd like to stay here, but I'm already living in a van, so there's not much else I can do to cope with the cost of living. So again, as an English teacher, please don't make me crunch any more numbers to show why we deserve fair compensation and benefits. Thank you. >> Next
120up, Victoria Garcia. Hey guys, um I'm going to introduce Victoria, but before I do that, um as as a as a local principal, but also after 31 years in education, I just want to say how much I'm thankful for our teachers and staff. I'm a graduate of Escanido High. Um that led to a 31-year career in education. I'm going to retire this year. So, just thank you. Like, our teachers and staff are so so amazing in this city. So, thank you guys. Um, I'm here to introduce one of my amazing students, rising stars, senior at Classical Academy High School. She's going to share her story on how classical has impacted her. >> Thank you, Mr. Men. >> Hello. My name is Victoria Garcia. Um, I had transferred schools from Mount Carmel, which is in the
121PI district, because throughout my freshman year and half of my sophomore year, I never really felt at home or that I belonged there. Um, even though my older brother had such a good experience there at Mount Carmel, it just wasn't the place for me. When I switched schools to classical academy, I immediately felt a shift and felt right at home. Even though changing schools can always be a rough time, it was such a good experience for me from getting to know so many people and becoming friends with so many people. I began to get involved in clubs and going to all the events at school and even shirt out for the ASB team which is associated student body and joined the team. Um ASB gave me so many opportunities to grow not only as a
122person but also at a as a leader on campus from planning dances to pep rallies or organizing outreach events in direct collaboration with interfaith community services here in Escanido. And because of all this, I decided to run for president of the ASB. I ran for ASB president because I wanted to step into a bigger step in leadership and continue to serve the student body in a greater way. When running for president, I got to know so many more students around campus and really got to know who I would be serving as president. After the election, I became the vice president of ASB, leading alongside one of my best friends, Joseph McTike, who is president with me. Um, at classical we make an effort to as presidents of the ASB to have a team that cares
123truly um cares truly and wants to get to know our student body so that we as leaders can lead our school and create a community where everyone feels at home and feels that they belong and are loved. All of this couldn't have happened if it weren't for me taking a leap of step and leap a leap of faith and transferring to classical academy. So, thank you for supporting charter schools such as Classical Academy. Thank you. >> Thank you, Victoria. Caroline Potter and on deck, Jessica Rogers. Hello. Good evening, cabinet board members, teachers, community members. Thank you for being here. Um, I don't really have a full speech prepared tonight. Um, let's face it, again, I'm at a loss for words. Fortunately, I'm not wearing my pajamas tonight. So, I'm just going to go straight into
124the main issues. according to what's happening with negotiations with ESTA in the district. Um, one of the things that we are trying to fight for is personal business days. And what this means is this would be an increase in personal business days from five sick days to 10 sick days which we we get 10 sick days every year, right? So this is basically a nocost item for the district. Well, according to negotiations, they have no interest in bargaining this item and it doesn't cost them any money. Okay, here's item number two, the special education task force. So basically what this is is it continues with analyzing data and things like that, researching best practices, providing recommendations regarding programs and operations with the special education departments at all of the sites in our district. Okay. again,
125no cost item. And according to the district in negotiations, they're not interested. Okay, here's number three, and this is kind of interesting because this was actually focused on tonight in the meeting. Release time for VAPA and CTE teachers. allow some release time for these CTE BAPA teachers to recruit and promote programs and pathways for not only current students but incoming students into our district which we are all very well aware that this is something that we need. Right? Guess what? Not interested in bargaining. So, what what what is the district interested in? I don't really know. It's time to move forward, everyone. It's time for the district to allow us to do our jobs, which is educa educating our students and pushing our community forward. I would much rather be grading AP essays right now,
126which are actually due tomorrow morning, but I'm here right now. So, >> Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Next up is Jessica Rogers. Let's just skip the pleasantries and get right down to it because let's be real, we've all got other places we'd rather be. I've taught in this district for 18 years and every single one of them has been at Orange Glenn. I didn't job hop. I didn't shop around for better pay else better pay elsewhere. I stayed put and I built something. By my second year of teaching, my students were earning national recognition. And that has continued for nearly two decades. Awards, publications, national stages. That's not luck. That's expertise, time, skill, and a boatload of unpaid labor. And what have I gotten in return? On an almost yearly
127basis, I've gotten a big fat slap in the face. Every time ESA sits down at the bargaining table, I'm reminded that in the eyes of this district, I don't matter. Educators come to the table with proposals to support students and staff. Class size reduction, counselor prep time, release time for CTE and up a hello CTE month, fair compensation, basic quality of life issues, and no cost issues like personal leave and steps to address salary compensation. The district's response over and over again has been no interest. No interest in smaller class sizes. No interest in counselor prep time. No interest in release time to recruit and sustain our celebrated in V c our celebrated CTE and VAP programs. No interest in addressing salary compensation to attract stronger educators. No interest in the realities of our workload.
128But there is an interest in asking us to do more, to work longer, absorb more trauma, carry more responsibility, and then smile politely while falling further behind financially. That's not bargaining. That's stonewalling and that's disrespectful. After 18 years, I shouldn't have to fight to feel respected. I shouldn't I should not be explaining why my work has value and I should absolutely not be told implicitly or explicitly that the that excellence is something that this district is willing to exploit but not invest in. I pour myself into this district and my students. My colleagues sacrificed their time to do the same. And we are all tired of being treated like line items instead of professionals. If this board believes in student success, prove it. Stop dismissing every educator-driven proposal as no interest. Start negotiating like you
129value the people who make this district function. Because loyalty, excellence, and results deserve more than your indifference. And to be completely honest, I don't need this job. I could do a myriad of other things that are less stressful, less timeconuming, and in a less manipulative environment. But I'm here because I care about the kids in my classroom. I care about making a difference for them. And if I don't stand up for them in this room, then I don't deserve to be able to stand up in front of them in my classroom. And while I might not need this job, I know that's not the reality for many of my colleagues. So, I'm also here tonight for them, too. I'm willing to stand up, fight back, and say the things that you don't want to hear
130because we all deserve better from you. EUHSD, I'm not going away, and I'm not going to stay silent. Show up at the table ready to negotiate on Thursday. Or you can continue to look forward to seeing me here every month, reminding you of the disservice you are doing these teachers and your community. Thank you, Jessica. >> President, can we take a break? >> You want to hit through the two more or you want to wait? >> No, let's take a break. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Two more. Six minutes. Six minutes. You can go. You can go. Okay. We're gonna We're gonna take our next two. We have Adrien Trujillo followed by Mike Silva. Adrien Trillo, please. >> All right. All right. Uh board members, board president, and student members and administration, thank you guys for
131the opportunity to speak this evening. I'd also like to acknowledge Martin Kas. Uh he's not just a colleague but also a men's ser someone I respect and he's one of the main reasons and I'm proud to work here at Escandido Union High School District and in this community. Um I was born and raised in South San Diego. I gra I graduated from Montgomery High School. I grew up in the 1990s. My in the 1990s my neighborhood faced a lot of real challenges. Gangs, drugs, violence were part of everyday life. Many of the males uh male role models around me were caught up in those struggles. But many but my mother and my sisters were strong, protective and unwavering. They made sure I stayed focused and away from the past that could have changed my life
132forever. My oldest sister became a teacher and she inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I'm the first male in my family to graduate from college and I do not take that lightly. I owe that achievement to the educators who went beyond the classroom. My high school counselor, Mr. Villa, he lived on my block. He made a point to drive by every day, say hello and check on us kids playing outside. He still lives on the same block and he still remains a mentor in my life. Coaches and teachers like Coach Dan Leaf, Mattie Hermosio, Juan Gonzalez, Ruben Leiddesma didn't just teach me in the classroom or academics. They taught me accountability, discipline, and what it meant to believe in myself when it wasn't always easy. These educators helped shape the person I am today.
133And they're a big reason why I chose to become a teacher and and and coach at Sample School High School. I do this work because I believe in transforming lives because I know firsthand what happens when students feel supported, seen, and guided. That's why it's difficult to stand here today knowing that many of the same contract issues and disconnections still exist. I'm committed I'm committed myself I'm I committed myself to this community. I moved to Escanido. I bought a home here. I'm raising my three children here like many other educators. I'm living paycheck to paycheck. Balancing child care, mortgage, daily living expenses. I work summer schools. I coach multiple sports. I cover classes just to keep up with the cost of living. Now, I'm not asking for sympathy. I'm asking for alignment. When educators feel
134supported and valued, we can fully show up for our students or navigating their own hardships. When we But when we're worried about meeting our own basic needs, it becomes harder to be everything our students deserve. but please help us move forward together so we can continue to serve, guide, and uplift the students that depend on us every day. Thank you for your time and for listening. >> Thank you, Adrian. >> Next up, Mike Sovool. >> 28 days. have gone by since I was last at this podium. And if you remember, I closed with a Bob Weir quote. I said, "Fair thee well." Now, let the words be yours because I'm done with mine. My true hope was I wouldn't have to prepare anything for this month. Cuz what I sense from the board last month
135and previous months and what and even tonight, Christy, with the lights, I think that's great. You guys are I think that's awesome. But as Anna stated, I think we need to widen our lens. That kind of discussion that you guys had out here in public, that's what you need to tell them to do at the table. We need to be that we need to be a a value and an asset like a pool or lights at a baseball softball field. And I think it's great. My kids are going to go to San Pasqual. That's awesome. But I would ask you like I asked you last month, you are the stewards of this community. take your job and your power and direct them to come to the table. I was sensing and hoping we'd get a
136call. I didn't think I'd be here this month and we didn't. And on our side, we worked really hard, bouncing our numbers, we texted late at night, early in the morning, on the weekends because I thought we would meet and have a deal, but we don't. And so I'm asking you guys again, please do that. Which leads me to another Bob Wear quote. As I was leaving today, my daughter said, 'Dad, where you going?' I said, 'I'm going to go pick it. She said, 'What's that? I said, 'Well, that's when you exercise your first. And then I got groans and eye rolls and and my wife looked at me and said, the beanie is a little too much. And so that leads me to my next Bob Weir quote. Too much of anything is just
137enough. And we've had too much of this throughout my career. And I think this board is uniquely set up to change this. OB, we worked on stuff together. Ryan, you guys can do it. Christie with the lights. You, you're the board president. You can direct cabinet to come to the table and get a deal. So we don't have to do this next month and we can all work together to do what we're here for, which is these kids here. So I ask you, begging you, please tell them on Thursday, bring a good deal. Let's work together as a community so we don't go another 225 days because it's been 57 days since the last district offered. And we're ready. We're willing. We've been ready and willing, but we need your help to direct them because
138they haven't been listening. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. And thank you to all who came down and provided a comment this evening. Thank you. Um, any board members want to take a break at this time or should we continue on? I'm okay to continue on. You need a break. Okay. Yeah, we're going to take a quick uh five minute recess at this time and return at 8:15. Thank you. Luke Hey, >> wait. Okay. have this problem. How's your son doing? >> Exhausted. office >> longer So it's like um deal with the dascese schooling out of here. like it doesn't take that longing. Just see anybody. Oh, >> yeah. Like we just found out yesterday. >> Yeah. >> Oh, >> I was a moderator. I would place because I had there all So I might be
139careful. question. All right. What is it? Thank Okay, thank you. We're going to call this meeting back to order at 8:17 p.m. Um, brings us to section F on our agenda, which is our educational services division. And items F1 and F2 were approved on consent. Actually, F3 was as well. Um so that brings us to item F4 which is the action of recommended expulsion of the accused student for case number seven. So I'll need a motion motion. >> I move Oh, hold on. That's I think that's me, right? >> Yeah. So, I move to accept and approve the recommended expulsion of the accused student for case number seven from February 10th, 2026 through at least February 10th, 2027 and to accept and approve the stipulated expulsion agreement. >> And this is a roll call vote
140that is needed and our student board member will not vote on this item. So, board member Weller, how I need a second. >> I'll second that. >> Okay, thank you. And then board member Weller, how do you vote? >> Yay. Yes. Board member Durnney >> I. >> Board member Vincent >> I. >> Board member William >> I. >> And board member Knight I. So that passes. Bringing us to item and we are in F. Are we in E? F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F5 Five which is the first reading for textbook adoption. And um the uh textbooks this evening um
141for first reading are our AP or environment environmental science AP world history. So it looks like those two books are first read. I'll pass it over to Dr. Cauus for any other comments on that. >> Thank you President Knight. Uh AP textbooks must be updated every 10 years uh to get official College Board AP designation on student transcripts. Uh both of the textbooks that are listed are new additions of previous textbooks that have been used before. Uh both have gone through the textbook adoption process including piloting review by subject area council district subject area council and IPRC. They're also available for preview at the front office of every school site and at the district office as well for previewing. >> I'd like to actually take a look at those. >> Yeah, we have copies. >>
142Thanks. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, and as we heard earlier, um the um increase in the number of students taking AP classes, we are thrilled to hear that that investment in our LCAP funds is um reaping rewards for our students and is serving them in the way we intended to serve them. So, we're excited to see more AP classes. >> And Dr. Kasa's typical practice, right, is to have these available to the public right in the in the here in the service center. Yeah. At the front office for every school site as well to preview. Mhm. And >> those will come back next month month for for um full adoption. >> Correct. >> So bringing us to item F6 which is also a first reading this evening and this is on curriculum revisions.
143Um so I'll go ahead and pass it over to you again Dr. Casus for this. >> Yes. So we have biology, EL and uh theater arts. Here I'll just give a brief summary for biology updated curriculum meets the updated lab requirements associated with the updated UC CSU A throughG requirements. EL curriculum increases the rigor and supports to emerging multilingual so that they can reclassify by the end of finishing our three EL course sequences. So, as you know, an area of growth for us is reclassifying our long-term English learners, which are students that have been here for more than four years and have not reclassified. So, we have revised the curriculum to give them uh increase supports and also increase rigor through that core sequence. Um, and then for the theater arts, one second. This simply
144represents these visual and performing arts courses have been revised to align with the new California arts standards for theater. So this is just the first read and again these have all gone through our curriculum adoption process as well. Subject area council district subject area council IPRC. Thank you all for their work and involvement in um preparing all of this and to the community that gets involved in this process. It is an extensive process. I have slightly been involved in the process. So I know it is very extensive. So um thank you for that and it will come back next month for full adoption. Do we have any questions from the board on anything related? Okay. So that >> did have just one question. Uh the ELD1 classes, it mentions that they are elective credit only.
145They don't count for the normal English one credits. So EL1, you'll also notice, does not meet the UCCCSU requirements for college prep. And that's because the language attain attainment, uh language acquisition, writing, speaking, and listening and reading. Uh they're not quite at the college prep level yet. But then you'll see ELD2 and EL3 are UC and CSSU. So that is the reason why that was your test you passed. >> Thank you. Um that would bring us to section G, our human resources division and items G1, G2 and three were all approved on consent. So that brings us to item G4 which is to adopt resolution R2025-20269 assigning teachers to teach outside the designations on their teaching credentials. Um so I'll pass it over to Chiron to just give us a little background on the item
146before us. >> Uh yes, thank you. So this item is specific to a teacher who's teaching a core academic subject outside their designated credential. The teacher is seeking approval to teach social science. uh the teacher has knowledge of the curriculum framework for social science and knowledge of the specific course content at the grade level to be taught. So we're asking to adopt the resolution to allow this to happen for that teacher. >> So in order to do so, we do have to adopt the resolution that's also in front of us. Um do we have motion to adopt? I'll >> second. Okay, so we have a motion and a second. Um our student board member, how do you vote? I Okay. And board members, how do you vote? I I >> Okay. So, that resolution passes.
147Thank you. Bringing us to item G5, which is also to approve a proclamation. And this one is for school social work week. Um to be celebrated for March 1st to March 7th, 2026. And um so I will also pass it over to Chiron to present this item. >> Thank you, President Knight. I am pleased to bring forward for the board's approval a proclamation recognizing the important role our school social workers play in the lives of UHSD students and families. This proclamation designates the week of March 1st to March 7 as National School Social Worker Week. Our school social workers are essential members of our school communities that provide critical support to all students in the areas of social emotional learning and mental health needs. Through their interventions, they help reduce barriers to learning, enable students
148to be physically, mentally, and emotionally present and ready to learn in the classroom. This proclamation is a small tribute to their work, and I'm pleased to present it to the for the board's consideration and approval. >> Thank you. And um I know we do it every month, so it does seem routine, but it um these proclamations are just another way that we can publicly recognize the hard work of um various um um professions within our district. and this one being our school social workers who do a lot for our students. So, thank you to them. And um I'll need a motion to approve that. >> So, moved. I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. Do we have any comments? >> I do. Um I'd kind of maybe like to after listening to
149the teachers tonight because they were seen, heard, and understood. It sounds like they're carrying a lot of weight in terms of the stress of students. And I know we have um ARs and BPs as regards to you know what teachers role should be as well as counselors. I think I'd like to hear a presentation next month of specifically at what point a teacher needs to refer the student to a social worker or counselor because it really sounds like the teachers are taking on a lot on top of a heavy schedule already. and I just don't know what's good for the student, what's good for the teacher. So, can I ask that we get a presentation on what the specific guidelines are for teachers so they don't, you know, miss counsel or actually get burnt out
150themselves by trying to help students when they don't have the capability of it? um would like to hear a presentation perhaps by our uh on our school social workers and kind of the role they play and um then at different perhaps even some of our different community partners that we can connect up with. Um perhaps March could be a good month for that. When is our next board meeting? Is it on the 7th? It's the 10th. So it's, you know, kind of following this week, which could be great time to hear from our social workers. Um, and uh, >> I mean, it's stressful out there. Like I I wiped out my news um, apps on my phone, not on X. It's just way too much. I'm like, I've got Escandido and we're good. >> And
151um, I know there had been some interest from the board to also hear um, a presentation from Compact. So perhaps we could align the those two presentations if we don't already have a full presentation planned. I'm sure you already do have a planned presentation for March, but um if there's a way to perhap to try to do those two um back toback, that could be a good um introduction to what the what our school social workers are doing on our campuses and then the broader community supports that we have. Those two could tie in really well together if that sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I'm I'm interested also from the point of view of students that are homeless that >> and compact is one of our larger our larger community pro um partners
152that does a lot of work with our homeless and received a very significant grant from the city of Escandido to really invest in our families. um they have they have to spend the money in a year, but it's focused a lot around our homeless and um families. >> Stressful. >> Thank you. Um thank you then for that recommendation. Um we did have a motion and a second on approving the proclamation. So our student board member, how do you vote on that? >> I >> thank you. And board members, how do you vote? >> I Okay, thank you. That passes. Um bringing us to item G6 which is the final approval of the PARS supplementary retirement plan based on the plan meeting of the district's fiscal and operational objectives. So that's the SER and so I
153will also pass this over to Chiron to um um give us an update on that and um I request board approval. Thank you. >> Thank you, President Knight. Uh, as has been stated, the board approved the district moving forward with the PAR supplementary retirement plan on October 14, 2025. This contingent on the plan meeting the district's fiscal and operational objectives based on the analysis of the enrolled employees. The district has determined that the plan will generate savings for the district. As such, it is recommended that the board approve the PAR supplementary retirement plan, uh, a retirement incentive offer for eligible employees based on the determination that the plan does meet the district's fiscal and operational objectives. If the board does approve the plan, all associated resignations and retirements of enrolled employees are confirmed and locked
154in. I know there were a lot of people that expected to see John Peterson on that on this list, but we are pleased to say that John Peterson will not be retiring this year and will continue on in his role. Um, so do I have a motion to approve >> the item before us? >> I'll move to approve. I'll second. >> We have a motion in a second. Do we have any questions from the board on this? I guess I just want to clarify. Was there a date that when they turned in the paperwork it was irrevocable or is it based on the vote tonight? >> It would have to be approved but if they're enrolled in the plan it is irrevocable. >> Okay. So any >> So we do have people in the audience
155in support of this item. >> Please do not wish to speaking while we're voting. the window the window closed January 15th. So once they turned it in, it was >> final, but we have to approval. Okay. >> Correct. >> Who wants approved tonight? So with that, we do have a motion and a second on that. So all board members in favor, >> I So that is approved and locked in. And congratulations to all those who accepted the SER or as I was hearing it called, the golden handshake. Um, thank you in advance for your incredible service to our district and our students. >> Item G's. Are we still in G seven, initial proposal from the California School Employee Association, CSEA, Escanido Chapter 219 to the Escanido Union High School District for the 2025 2026 negotiations.
156Um, I'll pass it over to Chiron. >> Thank you. Uh, yes, this is an information item that's being presented to the board and the public. This is the California Schools Employees Association and chapter 219 CSEA. Uh, it's their initial proposal, also known as the Sunshine Proposal to the District for successor negotiations for the 25, 26, and 27 school years. uh CSEA is requesting to open and negotiate nine articles notated in the attachment uh to the agenda item. >> And so this that's this evening. This initial proposal does not require any vote. But we'll come back next month for this p a public hearing like the following item that we're going to now hear which is item eight which is a public hearing on the initial proposal from the Eskanito Union High School District to the
157Eskanito Secondaries Teachers Association. So this public hearing do I have to read this? Yeah. So the attached proposal from the Escanidian Union High School District to the Escanido Secondary Teachers Association was brought to the board of education on January 13, 2026, available for public review beginning January 14th, 2026, and is now ready for public hearing. So the public hearing will open at 8:32 p.m. Do I have any speakers that would like to speak to the public hearing? I did not receive any comment cards for this public hearing and I see no one rushing to the front. Rushing. No one's rushing to the front. Um, anyone? Anyone? Anyone? Okay. So, >> there um with that, our public hearing will close at 8:33 p.m. >> Thank you for all those that did not rush the Okay, let's
158see. That brings us to item G. Oh, wait. There's no more G. That's it for G. So that brings us to section eight, our business services division. And these are usually on consent. So we have, let's see, H1, which was reviewed and approved reviewed by board members before. Let's see item H1, 2, 3, four, five, six, and seven were all approved on consent. And that brings us to item eight on this section. And thank you to staff for hearing um uh board comments at the last meeting and at the um bringing items of value over $10,000 in donation before the board to approve and publicly recognize. And this evening we do have another significant donation that's coming. And so I'm going to pass that over to Amanda to share some background. Absolutely. So, uh, we've
159broken out our donations now. So, we have an under 10 and an over 10. So, under 10 was on consent and this is our over 10,000. So, we have two um actually from Easter Seals. Um, so they have partnered with us at Calafe. Um, we saw some of the pictures in our facilities report. So, they donated 15,000 towards the construction of a base and surface for CalF or the construction of a playground. And then they donated $40,000 towards a shade structure also at Calafe. So total of $55,000 worth of donations of facility stuff over at CalF. So really great partnership that we have with them. So happy to call attention to that and uh we'll continue this. So sometimes this item will exist and sometimes it won't. >> Okay. Um and thank you. Um I'll
160need a motion to accept that donation. >> I'll move to accept it. >> Second. We have a motion in a second and some comments. >> And yeah, I do want I just want to say I think it's wonderful that we're uh taking the time out to acknowledge the especially the larger ones. I think that was a great idea. So, thank you. >> Yeah, thank you the board member. Yeah, thank you. And um we have any other comments from the board on that, you know, and just um what a great program um CalSAFE is. And um while we don't always wish to have that school filled, it has been an incredible school in our district for many, many years. And so when young um when young people in our district do um become pregnant or have
161children while in high school um and they choose to keep their children, which is an a very admirable um decision to make, we are proud to be able to continue to serve their educational needs through this incredible program at Calafe. Thank you to all that work there as well. And to our partnerships like Easter Seals. So with that, um board members, how do you vote? I I thank you. >> The real question is is are there lights for that playground? >> They should not be out there after dark. They better not be. Um let's see. That brings us to our district operations. I section I and item I1 is a first reading discussion and possible action this evening. Um, and I know typically our board policies and regulations are first reading and they come back
162um for a second reading, but given the um time con I'd say time constraints um with this one, we are doing a first reading discussion and possible action to take this evening related to all of the policies and regulations before us. And I will hand that over to the appropriate um Dr. Casus to um give us more background on this. Thank you, President Knight. Um, Assembly Bill 49 was passed in late 2025 and we were awaiting CSBA legal change recommendations to administrative regulations and board policies. Those were released late January 2026. Um, part of Assembly Bill 49 states that all changes must be implemented at the school districts by March 1st. And that's why the recommendation is that there's a read and possible action in today's meeting. Uh but I'll give a quick summary. Uh
163this updates our policies and procedures related to immigration enforcement to align with updated California law. Um summary of that includes procedures of what to do and what not to do when agencies conducting immigration enforcement show up to our campuses. Uh that includes asking for a judicial subpoena, judicial warrant, or court order. uh and if they don't have those, not to allow set agency to enter the campus, but also direct staff not to impede or obstruct if set agency decides to ignore those directives. Um it also includes reporting incidents of immigration enforcement that happen at our sites to the board and to impacted families. It also includes parent notifications of students rights to an education despite uh regardless of immigration status. Uh it also offers protections of ed educational records for students, protection of personnel records
164for employees and ultimately guardianship protocols for schools in cases in which parents may be detained since it is a uh first read but discussion and possible action. Um, in order to have the discussion, do I I would need a motion to um approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Okay, so we have a motion. >> Second. >> I need a second. Thank you. And um any discussion from the board? >> Is the language in there where they're not to impede um enforcement efforts? Is that uh state legislated? The reason being is I'm glad because I just you see pictures and you just don't want >> it is it's part of Assembly Bill 49. Okay. >> Uh that's good. Yeah, that's good. And I want to clarify just be um for the record too. While um I've
165heard of things happening in other districts, Los Angeles being one, I want to clarify we have never had an experience where we have had immigration and customs enforcement on our campuses. Is that correct? >> Uh that is correct. There have been reports that are there in areas surrounding campuses but never on campus. who never come on to campus or even tried to come onto camp. Okay. But I do want to make sure that the community understands that is not something we've experienced on our campuses. our campuses are safe and I do appreciate um the superintendent's message that went out last week to families to reassure them that our school campuses are safe places and that we are h we have these policies in place. So um with that we did we do have a motion
166and a second. So um to take to adopt the recommendations tonight we'll um need a board vote. So with that board members how do you vote? I >> I >> thank you. So that um does pass this evening and in time to meet that date requirement. Thank you. Item two in this section is the first reading of recommended additions and revisions in administrative regulations. So it's AR6173 under educational services dispute resolution form and revision to 6173 related to education for homeless children. I'll turn that over also to Dr. Casus. Thank you. >> Thank you, President Knight. This updates terminology to be in compliance with the law as it pertains to students that are experiencing homelessness. Uh, number two, updates annual training for staff that provide services to homeless students. Uh, number three, it's an updated
167enrollment decision form for students that are attempting to enroll that are experiencing homelessness or McKenna Vento as well. Um, and these are all recommendations from CSBA. >> Okay. And as usual practice with this one, we will have this item come back next month for adoption. So any questions from board? Okay. Um that would bring us to item three which is also a first reading. Um this is a first reading of recommended revisions in AR uh 1330 business services. Um I will hand this one over to Amanda. Thank you. >> Yep. This was um some homegrown language based on uh an incident in another school district um in December. Um and so this basically just reinforces some of our um policies but gives us some more specifications around um facility use that would involve filming, recording,
168live streaming or other forms of media production. So >> thank you. >> Gives us some more more specifics in that and anybody that does anything around that. >> Wonderful. Okay. Thank you. And then as um um normal practice that'll come back um next month again for adoption. Um any questions from the board? Okay. So that >> one quick question. So um is the language in here typically generally just um CSPA language with the with the addition of that one paragraph or still home? >> Yeah, there's nothing else in the policy that's changed. We just added that paragraph to specifically address what occurred elsewhere. >> Fair enough. Thank you for your due diligence on that. And item four is another first reading. It will be the it's a first reading of recommended revisions in board policy
1690410 under human resources. And this is the non-discrimination in district programs and activities. So I will pass this over to Chiron. >> Uh thank you. This is a very simple one. Uh this again is just uh as we were reviewing this policy, there's a need to update the email address uh listed as the contact for coordinating any responses. So we are just uh looking at a first reading to change it to just a generic assistant superintendent of human resources and a generic HR email address. >> Okay, thank you. >> Cleaning those up and again that will come back next month. Um so we'll have a second read on multiple policies and ARs next month. Okay, that brings us to item five, which are the board members reports and comments. So, I'll go ahead and start
170down with board member Weller. >> Well, I'm excited um just to see the changes going on in the district. It's good to see the teachers here standing up for what they feel is important and that we hear them. And I just know that there is a commitment by the entire district to really take Escanido Union High School District to one of the top districts in the state of California over the next coming years with the addition of math with the addition of sports in terms of improving you know facilities looking at everything we can do and with the teachers um obviously with the uh the intensity at which they speak they must feel pretty passionate about the students in this district and I want to bring the administration, the board and the union together so
171we can all meet at a level that we're all working in the same direction because there's definitely feeling a little bit too much one side against another. And so I look forward to resolving this as soon as possible and then continuing the district uh moving forward to becoming really a worldclass high school district in the state of California. So, thank you. >> Actually, I've got nothing. >> Thank you. Welcome back. >> So, um I agree with you, Bob. Um I think it's very important that we um work together uh for the betterment of the community, students, and teachers. In that note, I'd like to read something um for a minute here uh regarding certain conditions that we're experiencing with cognant uh development. As a researcher, I continue to review literature on students outcome when reinforcement
172the importancy of ensuring that our instructional choices align with how the brain learns not just with what is new or convenient. I want to briefly address an issue that is receiving increasing attention in the education and neuroscience fields. The impact of technologies on students learning and the cognant development. For much of the last century, students steadily improve on measuring of reasoning and problem solvings. In recent years, however, researchers across several developing developed countries have observed stagnation or even a decline. That means that our generation, the next generation, they're starting to decline in certain cognate skills, particularly substain attention, reading comprehensive comprehension, and working memories. This change coincide with a major shift in learning environments, the widespread of integration of digital devices. To be clear, technology itself is not the problem. When used intentionally, um, it
173can expand access to personal learning and support instructions. However, neuroscience research shows that constant digital simula stimulation and multitasking can interfere with deep learning, especially in developing brains. Students learn best when they can focus on extended period, read deeply, reflect and engaged in effort um thinking. If technology is used uh used becomes excessive or replaces foundation practice such as structural reading, writing and problem solving, we risk weakening those core covenant uh cognant skills. Our responsibility as a district is not to eliminate technology but to use it wisely. That means ensuring device support instructions rather than dominate it, monitoring uh their impact on learning outcomes and maintaining a strong emphasis on attention, literacy, and reason. This is about balance, evidence, and long-term student success. Uh I appreciate the board's continued leadership in supporting thoughtful research aligned
174educational practices. So what I'm saying is technology is not bad but excessive technology is bad and I think that we should look at how much usage especially at the early ages uh children that are exposed consistently with digital media and such eventually that affects their cognant memories as well as their skill sets. So I am open that we have policies associated with the amount of digital information our children are exposed to because it does have a severe impact and it's affecting every developed country not just the US. So it's an epidemic that needs to be addressed. So thank you. I just wanted to bring that up. Um nothing uh major from on my side. Just I do appreciate the the the passion, the dedication and the uh the the emotion behind what was shared today
175from in in our um the open comment section. We appreciate the the teachers and all the work that they do and and the efforts that they put into building our our children. So it's much appreciated and grateful for them and and all they do. So that's it. Thank you all and thank you your service on this board. Um thank you all who came out tonight to speak and for those that are still left in the audience. Thank you always for your um diligent attendance to these meetings. Um with that I don't have a long report either. So I'm going to pass it over to our superintendent for a superintendence report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Last week, we celebrated our outstanding school counselors during National School Counseling Week. Thank you for the vital role counselors
176that you play in supporting our students academic, social, emotional, and career development. We also continue to recognize career technical education month and the meaningful opportunities CTE provides for our students. Our LCAP survey has been shared with students, staff, families, and members of our community, and we encourage everyone to participate if they have not already done so. I'd like to thank our dedicated staff for their continued efforts to gather feedback from all stakeholders, as well as our student board members for their leadership and helping to facilitate the LCAP student forums. And I'd like to conclude by once again congratulating Mr. Corey Gregory and Dr. Martin Casus and being selected as the 2026 AXA administrators of the year and their respective categories for San Diego and Imperial counties. This recognition from the Association of California School Administrators
177highlights their exceptional leadership, dedication, and positive impact on our district. We look forward to their formal recognition in April. Finally, I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming 4-day weekend and Valentine's Day. All schools in the district service center will be closed in observance of President's Day on Friday, February 13th and Monday, February 16th. We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, February 17th. Thank you. >> Thank you for that report. And you pretty much just mentioned two of the dates to remember. So on Friday the 13th, all schools in the DSC will be closed. And Monday the 16th, all schools in the DSC will be closed. And um also wishing everyone an an enjoyable 4-day holiday weekend. We will be back here in this room on February 17th on Tuesday for the board workshop um
178which will encompass a robust discussion on the budget and CT the future of CTE throughout the district. So I know we're all um excited and looking forward to that discussion. Um, with that I there are no remaining public comments and I don't believe well we'll going back into close session. We >> two two minutes in close session with no >> with nothing to report out on or action taken in close session. So we will adjourn tonight's meeting at 8:53 p.m. Thank you. >> I want to thank you guys for sticking around here because you're like so dedicated. I appreciate it. Yes. Thanks. I can't do that. Get onto ahead. It's all right. One of like more check. I know. quite a bit.