JUHSD 1.27.2026 Regular Board Meeting

001[music] Let's call to order at 7:02 p.m. >> Uh, Miss Breast, may we have a roll call? Student Trustee Tam >> here. >> Student Trustee Miles >> here. >> Student Trusty Ciple >> here. Student Trusty Roin >> here. >> Trusty Gagos >> here. >> Trusty Lee >> here. >> Vice President Tahada >> here. >> President Walker >> here. Thank you. Um do we have any changes to the agenda? >> No. Seeing no changes, the chair will entertain a motion to approve them. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> uh we have some minutes from our last meeting on January 13th. >> Would anyone like to move to approve them? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> uh moving right along here. Section five, we

002have recognitions and commendations. Um, our speaker is Oceanana High School principal principal Marita Torres. Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening, President Walker and members of the board. Um, I am here to honor Lawrence. And I have a whole spill to read that has lots of voices besides my own. But I just want to say that it feels extra special to honor Lawrence tonight cuz he's in my advisory class. Um, and he's been in it for this entire school year and it's been really great getting to know him and um playing hopefully not too wacky games in advisory. All right. Uh so Lawrence is a respectful and welcoming student who demonstrates exceptional dedication to his courses. He arrives each day ready to engage deeply with complex thinking and consistently gives his best effort. He is an

003exceptional student. Miss Middle shares that in AP calculus, you can often find Lawrence helping his teammates, asking questions, or working diligently as he works to understand the new content. Lawrence stands out for his incredible passion for science and his love of learning. In AP Chemistry, Miss Hart shares that Lawrence is not only a dedicated student who is truly invested in learning, but he's also an amazing peer. as he patiently tutors other students and supports them with positivity and grace. Mr. Duca, Lawrence's senior exhibition mentor, comments how he is consistent and persistent in all of his work. He puts in lots of effort in everything he does and is just a delightful student. Miss Anderson, his Spanish teacher, agrees that Lawrence is super thoughtful and always has a positive attitude about learning even in a subject

004that is not his primary passion. He is a student who is always invested in learning for the sake of learning. Lawrence Lawrence helps lead the bad mitten club. There you can see his passion for not only the sport but for also creating a space for others to have fun and play. He keeps a very organized system to be able to schedule days for the school to have an open gym as well to communicate it promptly and clearly to the whole club. His support of the Oceanana community has been tremendous. As the co-president of the future medical professionals club, he has spent countless hours this year preparing lessons for his peers, setting up labs, and training underassmen to lead labs in suturing, dissections, and cell biology during club flex time meetings. He has even brought new

005ideas for labs to our physiology teacher who has adopted Lawrence's lessons into his own class. You can join him in the spring for his lessons on how to take a patient's blood pressure or to perform neurology tests. Lawrence is remarkable in so many ways. He's undertaking a Hickorian effort to meet as many college general a um general education requirements as possible through community college courses. Along with his work in oceanana classes, he takes multiple classes where he has studied not only chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, but also art history and public speaking. In addition, Lawrence volunteers at Mills Peninsula Hospital where he has undergone hours of training for his work as a hospital volunteer and has over 300 hours of community service for the Boys and Girls Club. Lawrence brings such a positive attitude to whatever

006space he is in and he is extremely welldeserving of this award. He has a drive to share his knowledge and expertise. Lawrence's dedication, curiosity, and compassion are gifts to his future patients as he aims for a career in healthc care or emergency medicine. Lawrence will attend Skyline College this fall where we are confident he will continue to embrace all of their learning opportunities as he done at Oceanana. We're excited to celebrate Lawrence as the student of the year. Uh, thank you by the way for all the applause and thank you to Miss Taus for nominating me as a student here for Shannon High School. Uh, >> right on. Congratulations. Uh, we're going to do some board comments then a photo. Is that right? Um, student trustees. Anyone want to go first? >> I can I

007can start. >> Okay. So, um, Lawrence goes to my school and I work with him on I have multiple classes with him over this year and last year. And I love that he's getting recognition for how much work he puts in. Um, I'm in the same club as him for future medical professionals and Lawrence puts in so many hours. He's constantly updating us and he just whatever he does, he does it with the highest detail and he puts in so much um time and effort into everything he does. So, it's just it's really amazing to see. And also, yeah, like as someone in his classes, he's always there whenever I have a question. I can always go to him because he's always very kind and patient when I don't understand something right away. Or any

008student, um, he's just always there as like a shoulder to lean on and I really appreciate that. >> Thank you. Any other student trustees? >> Um, I can go next. Um, I don't really know you personally, but um, you seem really passionate about um, neurology and um, I'm glad you're getting recognized for it. >> Oh, yeah. Uh, getting recognition for all the hard work that you put in, especially for your school is always awesome. And congratulations. >> Congratulations on this award. this is a really great honor for you and it really motivates students like me to keep trying and um enriching our education. So great job >> Lawrence. Congratulations. Um just kind of listening to all those accolades that have been you know spewed out there. The AP Cam AP Cal you know co-pres future

009medical professionals club 300 hours of community service. That's a that's a hell of a resume already for for a young man like yourself. So, um very proud of you for putting in all that hard work. It obviously looks like you do it because you're passionate about it and you love what you do and you know from just hearing from your your uh your fellow student over there, your fellow, you know, a classmate, you know, just on on how um detailed you are and and and how easygoing you are when it comes to all this stuff. Uh says a lot about your character. So, um, sounds like you want to be a doctor of some sort. Is that Is that right? >> Uh, yeah. >> You want to study medicine? >> Yeah, potentially medicine or nursing.

010>> Or nursing. >> Okay. >> Well, if you make it to be a doctor, let me know. I'll look you up someday because I'll probably need one by the time you get around to it. [laughter] >> Um, but I also, yeah, just uh, you know, great job. Obviously, great job being an influence on on your fellow classmate, being recognized for that hard work. um just continue on that path and you know whatever you're drinking kick kick some down over here cuz I need some of that. Thanks Lawrence. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, congratulations Lawrence. Really job well done and and you know considering all the work you've done to help your peers, other students and and helping your community. It's it's it's pretty clear that you're going to be an incredible medical professional. And I'll

011just put a plug in for nursing because my wife's a nurse and I I know what amazing work they do. So either way, you're going to be an an incredible asset to this community and and to the medical field as well. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, Lawrence. Um I'm really proud of you. Um you really exemplify the type of student that that we like to grow here in our district. And I'd like to um thank the Oceanana community for helping you along and your family um for giving us the honor of having you um because this also makes us um it it it sheds a light on why we do what we do. And this is like some of the most um when we honor our students of the year, it's just some of the

012most um special moments that we have here as board members. Um what I love and I what I love is that you are so um willing to share your knowledge and that you I mean even from bad mitten club keeping it organized that's the stuff no one likes to do but I could see that I mean I could see you running you know a nursing station I could see you running an ER because you're already trying to make sure things run smoothly so you're so no one else has to think about it. You're running it. And just the fact that your physiology teacher is already teaching your lessons, super amazing. Somehow build that into a college application, you know. Um, and I could tell you don't like getting accolades, you know, it's a little embarrassing

013for us to say all these great things about you, but you're so well deserving deserving of it. And I'm very happy to meet you and I'm very proud of you. Thank you so much for everything and uh for helping your fellow students and uh for making us look good. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Becomes difficult to say uh unique things when you go behind so many thoughtful people. Um so again congratulations. Um, I think some other people have said this in different ways, but I think that a lot of what you've done here is is kind of the hard part. Um, figuring out what you want, um, organizing a plan to get it done, executing that plan. Uh, you've kind of shared it around a little bit. It sounds like, um, your

014experience is not just academic. You've, did I get this right? You volunteer for 300 hours at one place and now you volunteer somewhere else. Is that right? >> Uh yeah. I used to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club at the middle school right to our high school, but I stopped going there during the summer since I started taking a bunch of community college classes. So, I didn't really have the time to do that anymore. um you know, you've organized your time, uh as an Oceanana parent, former Oceanana parent, and a current Skyline parent. I think it's cool that you're following that path. Um so that that's all fantastic. That's all things that you've learned how to do. I'm happy that you've done it. Um I do have a question. Uh is the how old

015I have a couple questions. How old is the badminton club? Do you know? Uh as far as I know, it was actually started in my year in uh I believe 2022. There was a change in leadership where me and my friend actually became uh presidents for that club in 2023 and since then we started like we are the president since then and we started a bunch of different initiatives in there. We started doing after school practices, we started hosting tournaments and we're pretty consistent with our meetings and all that. For me specifically in that club, I was mainly invited as sort of a person that handles the back end of the stuff. So I handled the I created a database where we could organize and schedule all that uh meetings and all that. And and

016after that I started just like hosting recreational meetings after that. >> Right on. And if the focus of the bminton club one day to be a varsity sport, >> uh, that was actually our priority at first and sophomore year, but I think several of us became burnt out after that year, but we did have a tournament. We did have some scrimmages during that year as well. I think we had one specifically of Teranova that year, but after that, we got pretty busy school work. >> I can imagine. Um, thanks. Uh, congratulations. >> Thank you so much. I everyone has said wonderful things. Um, Vice President Tahara actually took mine, which was just to say thank you so much for representing our district in such a positive way. We're really proud of you. Congratulations. >> Thank

017you so much. >> Uh, I think we're going to take a photo. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> [laughter] >> I have power that team >> not I'm going to >> go right next to open Okay. Thank you. It's [clears throat] students in the room. I love it. Um, let's do a board report. We start with our student trustees. How about Oceanana? >> Okay. So, we've had a pretty busy um month at Oceanana. Um, we did a clothing drive. So, um it was like advisory based and we kind of made it into a competition. So the adviser with the most clothing gets usually we do food um something like that just so that we can get more participation. Um we do have a rally upcoming but our theme is still not yet revealed so you guys

018will probably know that next time we meet. Um we are going to have Valentine Grams and we've started to include a new thing where we serenade kids or anybody. It can be teachers or kids. We did this for winter grams. Um, we like circled around people and we sang them Christmas carols. Um, or just any winter song really. Um, and yeah, you could pay to have certain people go from ASB and go and sing to other people. Um, yeah, we did a special election for freshman treasurer. Uh, we had our second senior X deadline, our one of our 8 a.m. deadlines. I believe we have one more left. Um we are doing class versus class basketball games um during lunch and then our mock triyout teams have been heading to competitions and since it's track

019and swim season we've started triyouts for that. Um our future medical professional club is h had our health fair and yeah we just previously had no name calling week as well where we did um some games during lunch. Uh we did some like say something you're grateful for on a post-it and you can get a donut or like you know some like mindful rock coloring. Um stuff like that. Little things. >> I understand your mock trial team is active right now. >> Yes. Today they did have a meeting. I don't know the term for it but yes. >> Right on. Go Sharks. >> Ethan. Okay. Um to start off with, um Westmore is having our annual TEDex Westmore event on um this upcoming Thursday, the 29th. Um we provide a um platform for student and

020adult speakers to share their ideas um with this year's theme, unheard power. Um and actually one of our board members, Mr. Lie, is one of our speakers. Um yeah, so this Thursday after school um 4:30 um to 6:30 um and then we're having a debate competition um on the 28th of February or yeah the 28th of February and Red Cross has been tableabling for their upcoming blood drive and this week was Westmore's um sports spirit week. Um today's spirit day was wearing your favorite jersey. Um and UNICEF has been also tableabling for um to celebrate education. Um and FBLA is having our bay section competition on the 7th of February. Um our engineering club Mesa is starting competitions with the registrations being open. We are having Valentine's Day hearts coming up and the course selections

021are due this Thursday. And then um the spring sports began conditioning. Um I think bminton, boys volleyball, and I think I think that's it. Um, crafts to give is starting a tote bag project and the RAM code has been very successful. Um, that is our way of doing like the students of the month. Um, and it has gotten a lot of participation. Um, and then lastly, model UN is having a committee workshop. That's it. >> Thank you, Mr. Cham, Mr. Miles. Um, so at Jeff Mission Fusion, Mission Fusion's having a show called Luna on the February 5th, 6th, and 7th. Um, I think Friday and Saturday are just about full. So if you're looking to go, Thursday would be a good day. Um, there's robotics competition last Saturday in Halfoon Bay. Uh, Jefferson and Teranova

022are moving up in the rankings pretty well. Uh, the final tournament is going to be on February 7th. This week is our winter rally and spiral week. Uh the theme of the rally is Minecraft versus Roblox. Uh the music video being shot on Jeff's campus with the music artist L Russ Russell, music artist L Russell is happening in two days. Um so there's a lot of clubs coming out there and trying to represent in the music video. Um a bunch of senior stuff came out. So things like hoodies, relatives, and quotes got voted on. Um track and field and a lot of the other spring sports are starting to condition as well. Our clubs are having a foods day where they can sell food on February 13th. And on the same day, bas both basketball

023and cheer are having their senior night. Uh JCYC will have a cash for college workshop to learn about federal aid and also paying for applications. And then there will also be a Valentine's Day lunchtime activity on February 11th. >> I I have a question. All right. So, you're just going to be in this Lussle video. >> Yeah. So, clubs um especially cultural clubs. especially cultural clubs are gonna be representing. Um, everyone got consent forms signed and everything is pretty well organized. >> I don't remember receiving don't remember receiving a consent form of my own. [clears throat] Perhaps if I was invited, I could show show you how to duggey. [clears throat] Just saying. Miss Cypleo. >> All right. Hello everyone. So, um, on February 7th, Teranova has our winter formal coming up. The theme is

024Lulchce Vita. Uh, so the sweet life kind of like an Italian theme. There's like a lot of posters with bright yellow colors all around the school. And tickets just went on sale yesterday. So, a lot of students are starting to buy their tickets. The day before we have a spirit rally, which I believe is the first rally of the second semester. Um, I'm not sure if a theme has been announced. Last I heard it was Stranger Things. So hopefully still going. Um, spring, excuse me, spring sports are starting next week. So meetings for a lot of sports and conditioning are happening right now. This includes sports like bad mitten, softball, baseball, swimming, track and field. So as a lot of winter sports come to an end, students are getting ready for um their spring sports.

025Our campus supervisors at Teranova have doubled. And additionally, our mock trial team had their first competition last Tuesday. They have another one again today and last Tuesday our JV team did really well and had a win so that was very exciting. I was also at that mock trial meet and I got to watch the team. Um the class of 29 is currently doing their Valentine's Day candygram drive to raise money. So that's great. And um course selection is happening right now for a lot of kids. We're going to start meeting in the library to talk with counselors about possible courses for next year. So a lot of students are thinking about what they want to take. Thank you. >> Thank you. [gasps] >> I don't have a whole lot to report out. Um I do

026want to say though, it is very impressive to listen to our students talk about all the cool things that are happening in school because I I don't remember school being that cool when I was back in back in the day. So, it's really neat to hear about all the cool things that are happening. And um uh I think the only thing I have to report out is I was at uh student advisory yesterday and I got to listen to some of our students uh kind of freestyle a little rap which was real cool and they asked me and Sharet to partake and we kindly declined thankfully >> but uh >> I I had nothing. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> he drew a bike. So anyway, yeah, that's that's it for me. Looking forward to the uh

027TEDex talk on Thursday though. >> Indeed. feel free to come and hackle me when I'm speaking. Um, no, I'm in all seriousness, I am looking forward to it and and thankful to the Westmore team for reaching out um and looking forward to to participating. Just a couple of quick thoughts, you know, I mean, I I know the world around us is pretty heavy um and it's not been easy for for most of us. Yeah. I was thinking about though um fellow schoolboard member who was arrested when she um when she went and and stormed that church a couple weeks ago, Shantel Allen from St. Paul's St. Paul public schools and she's an alum of of the schoolboard partners training that um Miss Tahada and I were a part of last year. She Miss Allen was

028a part of the cohort a couple years prior to us. in fact was in the same cohort as former trustee TM Salah Houdin and um and it just made me what she did and and with with the work that she did um the type of thing that's the good trouble that I think I believe I need to continue to do and that I think many of us want to be able to do in the environment that we're in. And whether it's a weekly protest out in Kulma or on the coastside or going to San Francisco or did in my case digging into the work to support the work of our educators in this district and to support you and to support our students and make sure that we have a safe space for our students

029to to learn. That's my ongoing commitment in the work I do as a school board member. um these are this is the place where I know I can make a direct impact in the lives of people and this is the good trouble I will continue to do. So that's my commitment to you. >> Thank you for that. Um I feel like crying every day. That's how it hits me. and um you know, but I I'm on calls, see what we can do for immigrant communities and um you know, fund raise for any of their legal costs. Um we're working on that together, you and I, with the Reach Coalition. Um yeah, I I'm constantly reading up on what do I do if I get stopped? I'm a citizen, but so what? You know, I'm brown.

030So, that's always on my mind, and it stinks. It's awful. Um, but I'm committed to keeping our students and our our schools safe and um we're we're on this board. We're going to do whatever we can. um our whole district is committed to this and um that I'm thankful for. >> Uh thanks Trusty Lee. I couldn't say it better. Um uh I think that when I was uh I used to be a teacher and I don't know my second or third year that's when Coline happened and there was a big you know, it was uh it was the 90s, so not everyone was using email. Uh but we had a big parents email list. And uh you know, a lot of parents were kind of like, well, should we be talking about in class or

031should we not? And a lot of people were insisting that we should and and I I commented in with, hey, I don't quite know what to do. You know, I'm going to get four sentences into saying something and I break down in tears. Um So, that's kind of how I feel now. Uh, I feel a little bit like we're in the Twilight Zone. Can't predict what's going to happen next. I stole that from another trustee last night to describe how I feel. Um, so it seems uh unnecessarily liked, but I'm going to say it anyway that I've been uh attending school events. Um, I been focusing on sports because I may know someone on a JB soccer team. Um, I also while waiting for JB soccer went to see Teranova play against Aromont in basketball.

032Um, I could encourage everyone to get out there, encourage our students. Um, looks like I'll be attending a couple non-sports events this week on Thursday and probably next month as well. And, uh, I encourage you to do it because you'll feel better. Um, it's kind of great to see the students in action. Um, I will be attending a California School Boards Association training. I hope I come back really excited with all kinds of great news for you about it. Um, I might even get two in before our next meeting. So, I'll uh keep you posted about how that goes. >> Thank you, President Walker. Uh, Miss Miss Prea sends her regrets tonight. She is off representing our school district at a superintendent conference. Um, so I will be standing in tonight and I do not

033have anything else to report at this time. >> Uh, do we have any board subcommittee reports that need to report out? I don't think so. Uh, how about an AFT local 1481 report, Miss Casey? Good evening everyone. Um, I spent last weekend, well since Thursday in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, I didn't get to enjoy the sunshine. Um, I was in meetings with CTF and AFT leaders meeting. A lot of the talk was about keeping our students and our staffs safe, our communities safe. and um I'm on probably 10 different committees all about the same topic but with different you know different communities. Um so if you're interested in some of that you can look at our AFT website which is connected to the district website. If you go to the top at um staff, it's there

034and um the updates are on the announcements page. We have a lot of future changes coming for AFT-1481, so just be listening for that. Um we have some voting and um some negotiations and some other topics. And one thing I want to remind our U members is we sent out a um social kind of a social um questionnaire like if you want to get involved in some different social activities through the union and one of those is a political bent to it. So, it's not just that. It's also, you know, parenting or um, you know, faith-based or any other, you know, different areas where people could have interests. So, um, if you could please fill that out, I would appreciate it. And see you all soon. >> Thank you. >> Um, we have a consent

035agenda. Are there any questions about the questions and consent agenda? No. Move to approve consent. >> Second. All in favor? >> I would just like to recognize um Miss Casey who has announced her retirement after 25 years. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being such an incredible leader and friend. And also Lou win with the adult school 23 years retiring. So, we've got people who love our district and um thank you for everything. We'll have time to celebrate you. >> Thanks, Vice President Tahara. Glad you had that knowledge and to pick that up. Is there any public comment tonight? >> We do not have any public comment this evening. >> Okay, let's talk about discussion items. Uh 101 is the district cell phone policy recommendation. Um Miss Vanra, >> thank you. [clears throat] AB

0363216 is California's phone free schools act and it mandates that by July 1st, 2026, all school districts adopt policies to limit or prohibit student cell phone use during the school day. As a result of this legislation, we asked our Oceanana High School principal, Marita Torres, and Jefferson High School vice principal, Caesar Vega, to lead a cell phone committee to gather input. Uh, they will present their findings tonight along with a recommendation for a policy. Um, this is a discussion item. So, following the presentation, there'll be time for questions and discussion. Uh and the policy, if acceptable, will be placed on the consent agenda at our next regular meeting. Superintendent Prea is sorry that she's not here to let you know that she fully endorses the recommendations of this committee. And with that, I will pass

037it over to our committee. All right. Thank you for having us tonight. Um, Caesar's gonna get us started. >> I do want to thank President Walker and the rest of the board for having us here tonight and allowing us to present our findings and ultimately our recommendation for the smartphone policy. Um, I am Caesar Vega, vice principal of Jefferson High School, >> Mit Tour, principal at Oceanana. >> And I'm assuming we use this little guy to uh move us along. There we go. >> Oh, excuse me. Um, okay. So, tonight we're going to do an overview of our committee's process. Um, we're going to briefly touched on some of the research and the data that we collected. Um, we want to share about TN's, um, staff comments because of their implementation of the yonder pouches.

038Um, and then we'll go into what the board policy recommendation is. um and then what our committee's recommendations are for next steps. >> So, we started um our objective was to form this committee uh to look at the board policy and make sure that we got significant input from each of our constituents. Um we set out with a survey to um solicit members for our committee. We were able to get from our four schools, four of our schools from Jefferson, Oceanana, Westmore, and Thornton High School. Uh ultimately we ended up with three site admin, seven teachers, one MMS counselor, one floater sub and one sped teacher, many of which are here today um in support of the work we did. This is AB 3216. I won't read the whole thing, but I will highlight uh

039some of the major points. Um the mandate was that by July 1 of 2026 we form a policy that limits or prohibits smartphone use. That policy should involve significant stakeholder participation and that policy may include enforcement mechanisms that limit access to smartphones. There are four conditions in which smartphones cannot be prohibited and that is in case of emergency or in response to perceived threat of danger. When a teacher or administrator of the school district, county office of education, or charter school grants permission to a pupil to possess you or use a smartphone subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator. When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use of a smartphone is necessary for the health or well-being of the pupil. And then finally, when the possession or

040use of the smartphone is required in a pupil's individualized education program. We started in May with the once we uh created the committee. We started in May because we wanted to hit this year with the ground running. Um so we wanted to have our introductory committee meeting in May. Um and at that meeting we reviewed our objective and we also looked at each of our schools cell phone policies and those of uh the um neighboring districts around us. In August, we began to develop and draft our survey. Uh this took us two meetings because we were trying to ensure that the questions were relevant to all of our stakeholders. That way we could get significant input. on the on September 3rd, we finalized that survey and we distributed it out. Uh we distributed through district

041means and we each asked each principal to distribute it through their school's communications as well. Um we also distributed that multiple times to try to ensure any opportunity for folks who may have missed it um on the first couple rounds. On the 17th, we rever reviewed the survey results um and compiled the data. And we're also able to hear from the Terteranova administration on their newly implemented yonder pouch policy where students are required to lock their cell phone in a uh yonder pouch uh for the entire school day. We heard about the challenges that they had and the successes they had in the newly implemented program. In October, we had two meetings where we had passionate discussions about the data we collected and which direction we wanted to move uh for this recommendation. And then

042finally on October 29th, we redlined the current policy and came up with the presentation and the recommendation that we're going going to give you today. committee brought a variety of data to um to many of these meetings, but this is just a little bit of the data that we're presenting to you or or the findings that we're presenting to you. Um we had data that was for and opposed cell phone usage in schools. Um but one of the things we looked at was from Penn today. Restrictor policies are associated with better teacher reported outcomes. Belt bands are more common in elementary and middle school than it is in high school. And the most common storage policy is a no-show policy, which means as long as we don't see it, we're all good. CBS News reported

043that there's estimates of America's young people spend over 7 hours a day looking at a screen, and now more than two dozen states are limiting scrolling through phones while in school. And then finally, Columbia University uh stated that the constant stream of notifications and updates can create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out leading to an increased anxiety and stress. Studies have shown a correlation between heavy social media use, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal ideiation. And now a chance for us to look at the data. As I mentioned, we sent this survey out several times in order to uh solicit as much information as we could and to get as much input as we could. In our five schools, you'll notice that four of our schools in the staff overwhelmingly supports a

044bell-to-bell ban. However, um in three of our schools, uh the parents and families, while they do support in two of our schools, we have less than 50% of that support. We'll also notice that Jefferson's staff um is less than 50% of supporting a bell-to-bell ban. One thing I wanted to mention too was that um as part of the committee and I forgot to mention this earlier, we did not include members from Teranova because there was there was concern that since they had just gone through their cell phone policy process that that was confused the members of the Terteranova community and we wanted to limit confusion. This may surprise nobody, but only 4% of students who responded were in favor of a bell-to-bell ban. And we wanted to look at some comments from folks who um

045were participating in expressing their views on a cell phone policy. We had a Thornton student who feels that there's no reason to take a cell phone from people unless they're cheating on something. Uh we had a Westmore teacher who feels that this should not this this burden of leasing the cell phone should not be put on teachers that teachers have enough to do in a classroom and this continues to um evolve the job description. We had a Westmore parent who feels that they support taking cell phones away um because if their child needs to be contacted there are many means uh through district communication to be able to contact that child. A Jefferson parent feels that these are the new days and electronics are necessary. A Thornton parent and guardian actually was a former teacher

046and left their 20 their career teaching in 22 years um because of the accountability issues with cell phones and smartphones. We have a parent from Terteranova who felt that cell phones are too disruptive and supports the bell-to-bell ban. And then finally, given how addictive smartphones are a Wesmore parent supports taking them away. Um, I spoke to Principal Kerry a few times over the last year to learn about Teran Nova's implementation of the yonder pouches. And my understanding from principal car's the board has heard about this um recently and you've heard a lot about it um from their school site council meeting and another presentation from pre um from principal Kerry. Um we also we had the admin team or um the admin come and talk to our committee as a whole and um they shared

047antidotes and the first months months of implementation and it was very compelling um the information that they gave us during that meeting. Um so we um so we heard these very positive anecdotes about their community and the impact of it at Terteranova. Um we also wanted to share some comments from Terteranova staff that came from our survey. Um so we pulled a couple slides here with their comments. Um, Teranova staff shared that um that the yonder pouches are working that um that overall they believe it's one of the best things that's happened at Teranova. One person said and um they believe it's because it's a clear and consistent policy for everyone to understand. A few more positive comments from Terteranova staff is that the the the staff state of the significant success and that students

048seem more focused. Um we have a TN staff stating that the yonder pouches were successfully implemented. Um and the last comment is um on the slide says that teachers have enough to monitor um so adding phones doesn't help which we heard on other parts of the comments um within the survey which we just heard from a Westmore comment. So for today, um the committee had lots of conversations about both sides of the argument, including conversations about the benefits of cell phone use um for instructional tools and the potential harm of cell phone use. Ultimately, the committee made recommendations to the current board policy to limit cell phone usage during instructional time. And the main points that you'll see in the changes is that we added language on how smartphones interfere with school success within the

049policy. Um we put that smartphones and other mobile communication devices are to be turned off and put away during instructional time. Um smartphones cannot be on a student's person, so not in their pocket. um so in their backpack or in a yonder pouch or in a wall pouch. Um we also added language um as what is an emergency because that felt ambiguous. Oops. Um and um so overall uh so that's the main points of the of the redlinining part. But then we had additional conversations about us as a committee as a whole cuz we we reviewed policy, we looked at research, we looked at the survey data, um we discussed the positive impact, the negative impact. Um and we heard from TN that by the end the committee did believe that the best thing for

050students would be a bell-to-bell ban of smartphones. Um and the committee had um the best way to put it is lively discussions about what to bring to the board about the recommendation. Um we were discussing if we should bring a bell-to-bell ban recommendation to the board. Um we had arguments that included that we should be recommending what's best for students and then we had other arguments saying that we didn't do enough leg work throughout the district to make that recommendation at this point. So, we came to a point to recommend no um smartphones during instructional minutes. However, we did have people who really didn't agree with this recommendation and did not want to be connected with this recommendation. So, based on all of these discussions, we want to share with the board that we feel

051a bell-to-bell um band is what's best for students social interactions in schools and for academics. Um, however, just to be clear for today, we are recommending a limitation of smartphones just during instructional minutes. So, although we're not recommending a board policy of a bell-to-bell ban, we do feel strongly that school sites um should explore the possibility of a bell-to-bell ban that could work at their school. That school sites create space in staff meetings for professional development about adolescent smartphone usage. um that school sites create their own nuance plan policy within the umbrella standards of the district policy. Um and that the district creates procedures on how to respond to media created of district stakeholders, especially with AI and other deep fake modification. Uh, and with that, I just want to thank everyone on the committee

052um for the additional work, the additional time and energy it took to um put this all together. >> Uh, any questions or comment? >> I actually uh if I could jump in, I'm sorry. I may have misspoke because the uh the items said that we were looking at recommendations for an updated board policy, but did you guys include a red line or or not at this point yet? >> I I did. >> You did. Okay. It didn't get uploaded. So, that's okay. So, we will um I have it if you want it, but I only have two copies. Sorry. >> That's okay. I think we just generally talk about your recommendations and then we'll have to bring that back as a discussion item at our next >> Oh, okay. Oh, a discussion item and action

053item up. >> We could do that or we could do the two-step like we did typically do where it's discussion and then on consent in the next meeting. >> We need to see the red line. >> You need to see the red line before you can do anything. Yes. >> But we can right now discuss what we heard, right? >> Okay. Let's make sure. Um, >> yeah, I'd like to hear from our our student adviserss on this a little bit on what they think about this uh from what they've heard tonight. >> Um, as a Teranova student who has been right in there with all the yonder pouches and everything, I will say that even though a lot of students, especially at the beginning, were very did not like the yonder policy, myself included, every

054student didn't. Um, however, I will say from um, being in the Teranova community has definitely helped with student focus and I do feel like there are more students talking to each other and there's more school interaction. However, I would say that there's it's there's definitely still a lot of people not paying attention and definitely still kids that get their phones out, break the yonder, don't lock it or anything. Um, but I mean it served its purpose, but I don't know. I think it's good, but I feel like there's also better ways we could figure it out without having um to like have people pay if they break it and stuff. I don't know. Students are really destructive, so it's kind of I don't know. I think it's good, but it's never going to be perfect.

055>> Just a point of information. Um, I may have paid for a broken yonder pouch. [laughter] Any of the other students like to comment on it? What do you guys think? I I know some of you guys don't have this implemented at your schools yet. >> Um, I was just wondering, do the yonder pouches have like an emergency like opening? like like during emergencies, is it like possible to like open all of them or like >> So, um my understanding from Principal Carrie is that each teacher has an ability to unlock in case of an emergency and they have portable um unlocking um devices that they can take on an evacuation as well. >> Yeah. I also think um there are certain stations around the school that actually have these little unlocking devices too that

056I'm sure all the students are aware of by now. So, I think there's definitely quick ways to get your phone unlocked if you needed to do that. >> And I and I've heard they're breakable as well. >> Um Mr. Tam's question sparks a question in my mind. It's it's still one at a time though, even though there are many of them. It's one unlock at a time. >> That's my understanding. >> Okay. Thanks. But at our Teranova school site meeting, Miss Carrie and some of the teachers described how because I was thinking this is I mean if I had one in my phone at the end of the school day, I'm going to be looking around for the person who can unlock it, you know, and I'm going to want to get get on my

057phone right away and but apparently it's pretty quick because I have all these different people stationed around. Is is that correct? >> That's definitely correct. We have multiple unlocking stations across the school. So, some of them like in our new building, some in the old building in the halls, and they're usually pretty regularly opened like right as school ends. I've never had an issue. Usually, I'm like I'm on like the second floor of our new building, and I still get my phone unlocked before like 3:31. Um, and we have like our like security guards also have um unlocking like stations that they hold and a lot of students go to there as well. And for the one about for emergencies, each classroom has a yonder unlocking thing inside that you can use. >> I'm really

058glad that Teranova piloted this and work this all out. Um, and I'll uh I'll um reserve my remarks till after um our students is >> um I'm not someone that tend to use my phone in class too much. Um, but I think that it could help Jefferson in a lot of ways. Um, I do see a a sizable amount of our community probably not talking. Like I know my advisory class like it isn't really that social, so I think it could help bring people together a little bit. Um, I also think that helping pay attention is a [snorts] possible idea. Um, but I just wanted to ask if there was any other policies besides a yonder pouch that have been explored a little bit more. So, uh, yonder pouches aren't going to live within a

059policy. It's the bell-to-bell ban and the how would be really up to the school sites. So, um, so other school sites that we looked on did a bell-to-bell ban, but it's like a putaway ban, like it has to be in your backpack or something. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I think that's it. Yeah. Um, first of all, thank you for for taking on that the daunting task of of kind of leading up this committee for this policy cuz uh uh we all know that it's a very sensitive subject when it comes to taking away your your device that everybody kind of depends on. Um, that being said though, uh, it is something that I know personally having teenagers myself and having seen that progression of cell phone use since they've become, you know, one-stop shops

060in a sense. Um, it's very concerning and I know that it's got to be distracting at the school sites cuz I know I know the kids are on them. I see it. I've seen it myself. So, um I mean I'm I'm in favor of the the bell-to-bell ban. Um I I don't know how the I think some of the remarks made about um the no-show part of it is going to be that's the part where you know like a teacher saying we can't be um that we can't be responsible for you know uh policing that. um the yonder pouch kind of resolves that issue in a sense is not how you know that's obviously up to you know each school site like you said but I mean that just seems like the better way to

061go. Um, do you know I was just curious real quick. Um, now is this something this no cell phone call is this something that that that the uh instructors will have to follow as well to kind of lead by example as far as for for the students? So, you know, teachers aren't pulling out their phones in front of the, you know, kids and stuff like that. I mean, how far does this go as far as like >> Well, my thought is we didn't necessarily specifically speak to that, but um as teachers and adults, we model proper behavior and if the if the u rule is to not use cell phones during instructional time, I think that modeling would help um to help students comply and to see the the proper way >> for sure. Um,

062yeah. I and I just think, you know, the challenge is to get this started. I think that's going to be the hardest part. I think implementing it, getting it started. Everybody, you know, you're going to have your resistance. People are going to, you know, they're they're going to b at it. They're going to complain about it. But, you know, we we've sat down with Teranova and and listened to them talk about exactly that and then how much it has paid off in the, you know, and and and just like our trustee said here, you know, it's not going to be perfect. I think we all understand that. Um, but I I just think it needs to happen. There's just I don't think there's I don't think there's any, you know, any question about it. Thank

063you again. Uh, good luck. I I really hope this kind of, you know, comes to fruition here. Appreciate it. >> Yeah. Thank you for leading the committee and thank you committee members for all your hard work. I I I know that this was a lot of extra time, but but it's clear that there was a lot of thought and discussion put behind this, so I really do appreciate that. Um, I too am in favor of the following your recommendation on the bell-to-bell ban and and leaving it to the individual sites to determine the best course of action. Although, you know, Terteranova's first semester data certainly is compelling as principal Cherry shared with us at our last board meeting about, you know, when you look at the percentage of 9th graders who failed at least one

064class. Looking over at the the year-over-year data from 2425 to 2526 and in 2425, 29.4 4% of the 9th graders failed at least one class in the first semester and this year only 6.89%. And that's a significant significant drop and with the 10th graders it went from 7.4% to 5.2 these I mean that's really it's really hard to to com you know to argue against that data. So you know to the extent I personally you know if I were to write the AR for this I would say we should do the honor pouches but I do believe that it is up to each school site to determine the best course of action and to you know and frankly you do something one year if it doesn't work you try something else right that's the beautiful

065thing but let's leave the but but I do think we do need to go to that bell-to-bell no sell policy >> thank you to the committee thank you very much for this really important work. Um, and for, you know, diving right into this on May 28th when you've had a long year and here you are taking on this committee work at the end of a long school year. Really thank you for that. Um, and for your cander and the lively discussions. Um, but I I also think that it was really important that you take everybody's opinions in consideration and that um you know I I the survey results are really interesting. Um so I'm seeing that not all school every school is different. So for you, I am in favor of the bell to bell,

066but for you to give the wiggle room for each uh school site to [clears throat] um determine how that's done um and what works best for them is is good. Um and then I have a question for Miss Venor. For the yonder pouch, is that a school site funds or is that a general or tech bond? That's a great question. Uh if it's a district recommendation, the district would cover the costs. >> Good. That's good for the schools. Um yeah, so I'm looking forward to the red line. Sorry, I wasn't on here. Um, and uh I I'm just thank you so much for being so thoughtful and um this is probably not a popular thing that's going to happen in the schools, but you know um I think it's worthwhile um because we're all on

067our screens too much. Um, I think uh so when I get that popup tells me how long how much screen time I've had during the day, I think, oh gosh, this is embarrassing. [laughter] And but it doesn't but it doesn't count. I I sit in front of a computer all day long and sometimes it's two hours and I realize I haven't gotten up >> and imagine our students in front of a screen all day. Um, and that that actually puts stress on your body as well as your eyes. Um, but then also I'm thinking of how we had um incorporated phones in the classroom like you know um voting on Cahoot, that kind of thing. And I thought that was a you know um a creative way to use technology um use the phones as

068um you know tools. But there are a lot of things on the phone and um so um I just want to thank you all for all of your thoughtful work on this. Thank you very much. >> Uh so I'm I'm the worst with my phone. Um I told myself I wouldn't use my phone when I was on the board sitting up here and I do. I told myself when I became president I wouldn't use my phone up here and I think doing pretty good except for today my medical alarm went off which you know just goes to show how much you need your phone for nowadays right you go for a medical treatment they're like hey look at this great app you can put it on your phone it'll tell you what's going on and

069so even when I'm sitting up here paying attention doing what I'm supposed to do you know it's like this uh the notifications which noted in your presentation are so intrusive uh not only to me but definitely for Rosie and maybe for other people because I'm beeping and I'm like please stop beeping >> take your pulse. [laughter] So, um I'm glad that we are talking about uh how we can make this better for students because it's so distracting. And I think it's kind of ironic. One of the things that happens to me my with my phone and maybe it happens to you is people want to get in contact with me and want to you know what's going to happen after work today or what's going to happen this weekend or you know who's picking up

070the kids and sometimes very important communication. We have the gift of being able to communicate so quickly with people who are so far away or so close that we're like we stop playing. I I don't know what you do. Sorry. I have stopped planning things. You know, I've stopped um making certain that I have quality work time. You know, it's I work in this odd environment where, you know, a grown man will come into my office but start talking when he's four steps outside. You know, so it doesn't matter what I'm doing, I'm going to get interrupted. You know, I work in this odd work environment where people are expecting me to work and I'm texting away and it's a problem. It's a problem. So, just thank you for taking this into consideration, figuring out

071what's best for our students. Even if they don't like it, if someone did it for me, I would even if I didn't like it, uh it would be great for me. So, um let's hope we're I don't know. I'm confident we're doing the right thing. And um so I'm not going to hope I'm right. I'm I'm confident that there's a good solution at the end of this. >> Thank you to everyone on the committee. Um I do want to clarify for the board that the red line does not uh recommend a bell-to-bell ban. It encourages school sites to explore the bell-to-bell ban, but it is um it does require that phones be put away during instructional time. That's what the red line will say. Um as you heard the committee um there were a lot

072of opinions and that was the red line that everyone was able to agree on and again as it was mentioned um this is not something that needs to stay exactly as is uh but can be adapted year or whenever the board feels like um ready to move to a different plan. But I heard a lot of um support for the bell-to-bell ban. So, I felt like I needed to clarify that the red line is not actually going to require a belt-to-bell ban at each school unless the board makes direction at this point for us to change the red line or you can consider that when we actually bring the red line to you, which again I apologize. I feel terrible that um the committee is all here and the red line is not here for

073you to see. Um but we will make sure that comes on the next meeting. Yeah, I just I just think it's important that we have uniformity, you know, across the district. I I don't think if you got a group of students at one school complaining about how they're being um restricted and then it's not the same at the other school, it's that's going to create a problem, I think. So, I think that's why I think you kind of feel more uh a little bit more of a mutual support for the for the bell to bell. And I'm just curious, just one last question. And I've been thinking about like what are the from your surveys and from all your your time talking about this like what what are the biggest standout like cons or or

074nays that people are bringing up about a bell-to-bell policy? >> Well, I can speak to Jefferson specifically. Um there was a lot of concern about students having the ability to have translators um in order to be able to access curriculum and be able to communicate in class. Um there was concern from parents about the ability to contact their child in the case of an emergency. Um and there were some concern although this is already implemented in the policy for students who may need it for an IEP. >> Also there was discussion about teachers using it as an instructional tool. >> So if we can find a way to supplement that maybe maybe we could figure something else out. I think we can all hear it. >> Yeah, >> it's for the people at home. >>

075It's for my mom and dad. [laughter] >> Okay. We also talked about teaching students executive functioning as well. My name's Sasha. I'm from Thornton High School. I'm an English teacher. >> Hi, Edward. >> Nice to meet you. Um and uh so we we talked about that especially like counselors uh needing to kind of teach uh some of our students about like how to do that and we also talked about how we're like a lot of younger people are not developing those skills and it's being seen at colleges and in the career. So even like kids are losing opportunities to job opportunities right now as they're graduating from college because they don't have that executive functioning and they're not able to perform to their top ability in school. uh at sorry at jobs and we had

076the conversations about like not being able to communicate that to the kids. >> Got it. Thank you guys. >> Yeah. >> Um I just had a question regarding what you were saying about the funding if and in the red line. I understand it's technical, but what I'm curious about is if we keep the wiggle room thing that we were discussing in terms of each site, but if you were to figure out a way that the board would agree on that they would allocate the funds for the yonder pouches, would that be in the stipulation that all the schools would have to do the yonder pouches or could some draw from that fund and if the money just stays there, it stays there? I don't know if that's like an official question, but I just needed

077some clarity on that. I could sit down. I'm I'm listen. >> Yeah, I don't know that I have a clear answer. I I think my answer is that uh the district will ensure the schools have what they need to implement their policy. Um, and I don't think that there would be like um a pot to pull from. I think if if the school wasn't going to implement something, that money would be redirected to some other important purpose. We always have more need than we have funds. So, you're welcome. Um, I just had a quick question about um if there were like any ways to prevent like burner phones or if you know um like if any students were using like burner phones for the honor pouches. >> If I have to bet on a student

078compared to a policy, my bet is on the student figuring out a way through the policy. So yes, I would imagine there's burner phones. I imagine students breaking something. I imagine um um students um figuring things out cuz students are really smart. >> Yeah, there were there were accounts of that happening. So, it's Yeah, there's a will, there's a way, they'll figure it out. >> I actually uh that sparked a question I had while you were talking. So, I know that this committee has gone chosen not to. Maybe not. I don't know what kind of power you have to, but I guess we have the power. >> It's a recommendation. >> Sorry, thinking out loud. Excuse me. Um, my question is, uh, did the committee consider any type of software solution for this? >> I

079don't know that it exists. >> I'm not sure that we're aware of a software solution. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. Thanks. Anyone else more questions? >> Yeah. La lastly, I you know, it's actually Mr. V, I'm glad that you brought back sort of the the Jeff perspective because brings me back to that slide again that kind of shows what the response was with staff. So, we do need to be sensitive to >> to the reactions from each of the sites. Clearly, four of the sites are are are on board at least at a much higher percentage than the Jefferson staff. So I think it's going to be I think a software approach with belltoell and with that flexibility is probably going to be required at at this point. You know it's again it's one of

080those things where we're going to see what works if we start seeing significant successes at the other three sites. You know going you know where they're maybe going to a slightly more more stringent policy whereas Jeff might have a slightly softer policy by comparison but we see really good data come through. that's going to be pretty compelling and pretty difficult for us to allow to allow that to continue in a in a different way without going to a full district-wide policy that's bell-to-bell. But I think at this point it's given that how new all of this is and that we are exploring some you know another new world here a softer approach with regards to this policy is probably what we need at least as of today. A year from now, we should have a

081completely different conversation. >> Cell phones, the final frontier. >> Thank you very much. >> I think >> Oh, you're coming out. Please, please, please. >> Hi, I'm Suzanne Caneline. I'm a teacher at Jefferson, so maybe my opinion might be valued at this point. One thing we came up with that I that resonated with me is that at least at Jeff, we need more education. We need more research about the pros and the cons of having phones in school. The kids have tabs. I often go through and look at their Chromebooks and say, "Okay, you don't need 13 tabs. Close them." Right? We're working on maybe two, three tabs. So, they're already using their screen time with the laptops. Um, we absolutely use a lot of QR codes and quick functions. Yeah, we could change our

082way, but um I think for parents and teachers as well based on the results of our survey, we would need to spend significant time educating as a whole, the pros and cons of student use of phones. That's my opinion and that's what resonates from my time on the committee. Thank you. >> Thank you. That's very helpful. Anyone else? >> Thank you very much. >> Congratulations. This is a an achievement of work. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you for all your hard work. >> Don't get too comfortable. Principal Torres, [laughter] >> we need to recess for [laughter] >> 10v1. uh is uh the school spotlight of Oceanana High School. Um Miss Baka. >> Good evening, President Walker. Good evening, members of the board. Um here I present to you again the spotlight of the night,

083Miss [laughter] Principal Marita, who will share the great things that is happening at Oceanana High School. Miss Torres, so good to be here tonight. Um, and thank you from hearing for me for so much. Um, so, um, I'm gonna be talking about, um, um, I'm sorry, let me get my mind all together. I'll be sharing information about Oceanana tonight. Um, tonight I want to review the SIPA and WASK alignment that we've been doing in the last few years. I want to go over some glows and grows. Um I want to take this opportunity to talk about special education and then just a quick view of um 2526 school year. So over the last four years or so, Oceanana leadership has worked a lot of aligning our WAS and SIPA um goals, the school plan for

084student achievement to improve how we're engaging with our goals. So, we have five goals that were approved in May for this school year. And our goals include refining best practices to decrease rates of D's and Fs, increase meaningful connections within our community, increase math proficiency, enhance teaching and um learning, anti-racism, and social justice, and to improve the use of data. We're still refining on how we're engaging with our goals, action items, and um data, but this year it feels more thoughtfully um talked about throughout the school year. So, at the beginning of the school year, our school site council looked at the goals and actions to be aware of our SIPA and made suggestions on the action items. The certificated staff also looked at the goals and action items within learning areas to remind people

085what our school is working on and the responsibilities of the learning area. Um soon in April um we'll be reviewing data as a staff and then in school site council meeting to assess how we're doing within our goals. And then in May, school site council will approve next year's SIPA to see if anything needs to be adjusted. So, it took us a few years to get to this cycle. Um, and at this point, it feels like a good system that we're using to continuously look at our goals data and to have time to think about on how we're improving it for student growth. So, I'm really happy about that. Uh, so the first glow I am really happy to share is our senior exhibition. Um so with the work of the senior exhibition coordinator, senior

086humanities teacher and collaboration with the district, every oceanic graduate earns the state seal of civic engagement due specifically to our senior exhibition project. So this seal is earned by demonstrating understanding of civic knowledge, civic skills and action, quality student reflection and have testimony of student civic mind mindful mindedness. Um this is also my not so shameless plug to invite all of you to senior exhibition this year which is Friday March 27th 2026. Please come. You can come as an observer or if you would like you can also be a community evaluator. We have training on March 11th for community um members. Our senior exhibition coordinator will invite the board and district folks to come and join us um later as it gets closer. Uh this is literally my favorite day of the school year and

087it's a big celebration. So, I hope I see some or all of you guys there. Um, so as I was looking at our data to see what I wanted to share tonight, I was happy to pull our chronic absentee rate. Um, students who are determined to be chronically absent absent, um, if they were absent for 10% or more of the days they were expected to attend school. So in a school year, this means being absent for a total of 18 days. Our rate has historically been lower than the state. But I wanted to highlight um that if we're comparing ourselves from 2122 to last school year, we have um all we have decreased our absentee rate. I also pulled out three student groups to highlight. It's clear that we still have work for us to

088do as always. Um but overall the trend of the rate is decreasing which is a positive thing to see. Um each year we're trying to continuously improve our practices and addressing absences. Uh we've gotten better at pulling weekly reports to identify students who are absent. We are also getting better at communicating with one another one another of who is conferencing with the students and family about absences. And um again, I do think there's more work to do and more improvement we can do, but um we are trying to create a systems where we're checking in with students and families regarding excessive absences. Another highlight I would like to share is our A throughG rate. Um over the year we've been above the state average and currently at 80% from last school year. Um Oceanana being

089over 75% for the last 3 years is really something to celebrate. Um I think there are a few reasons why we have this A throughG rate. We have a very strong Spanish program where many students are going to a high higher level Spanish course. We also have a number of students who take community college courses to help them become A throughG eligible. And most of our classes are college prep courses, which means they can be used to become A throughG eligible. As you can see, I pulled out three student groups with an overall upward trend. Um, but I caution you and um to take these with a grain of salt, particularly our English learners or multilingual learners. percentage um as the 2425 school year it was 80% because we had four out of five of

090our students who are A3G eligible um so we'll continue to track to see how our students do in the coming years um so one piece of data that when I first looked at I was like wow that looks amazing our graduation rate is is a higher rate than the state average um which should be celebrated. Uh the staff works very hard to support students towards graduation um and with the alternate pathway to a diploma. I'm anticipating this pres um this percentage to increase as well. The alternative pathway to a diploma is a pathway for our students in the extensive support need program to earn a diploma. Um, as I dug into this data and reviewed student groups, it was clear that there is still work to be done. We had a graduate graduation rate decrease

091for all these student groups that you see up here. Um, which includes our multilingual language or English or English learners, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and students who identify as Hispanic or Latino. Again, look at these percentage with a little bit of cautious when you um think about the actual numbers um which I have a few of them here. Um last year we had 17 out of 22 students identified at Alino Hispanic earning a high school diploma. Five out of 11 students which the state says are English learners. 61 out of 68 who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Um again, I'm anticipating these percentage to change in the coming years due to the alternative pathway um to a diploma. This next slide is zooming into the data that we just looked at. Um it's the graduation rate for our

092multilanguage learners and our Hispanic students. It's an overall decline over the last few years um that we should be paying attention to. Um, and as I keep saying, I'm really curious what this is going to look like in a couple of years. Um, with the new pathway, another grow is students with disabilities meeting the A throughG requirement. Um, I think it was helpful to review the actual numbers, so I put them on this slide. Um we have um last year we had three out of 11 students um with disabilities eligible for A through G. Um this may be an area for us to review as we consider action items and goals for next school year. And um like I said in the beginning, I thought this would be a good opportunity to take a little

093look at our special education population because it has changed in the last few years. Um over the past few years um we've moved from 14% to 23% of our population um who with a student who has an IEP um which is up almost every year since 2122. We have um two programs at Oceanana. We have the mild moderate program which students which are students mostly in general education classes and we also have the extensive support need program um which is a program for students requiring significant support due to their disability. Our overall number of students is growing and our overall percentage is also increasing. So, some of the things we're doing in special education is that um we have a teacher with an inclusion specialist section and to focus on supporting students from the ESN

094program into the general education classes. We have more paraprofessionals than we've had in any year. Um and they are placed in more general education classes than previously. um including our afterchool rock band class. Uh with the inclusion specialist support, he is running meetings that include the teacher and the pair of professionals um supporting a particular class. This was started last school year and we've seen some success in that collaboration time. Uh we're trying to provide more professional development to paras during the Wednesday student short day um compared to previous years. We have co-eing sections that are very successful in supporting students access accessing curriculum. Uh lastly this year we are piloting a pushin push out model for the 9th and 10th grade science. Our school as a whole is t is talking more and more

095about how to support students who have an IEP and ensuring collaboration is happening between teachers, learning areas and paraprofessionals. All right. Um so looking at this school year um we have a few new classes. We have the rock band which is actually a class that started last school year. Uh this is an afterchool class where students create a a band with other students and learn how to play together. Uh we also have 3D art. [snorts] As we were reviewing our art classes in the last couple of years it became um this class became something that more students were interested in. We learned um from surveys that students were interested in ceramics which we offered last year and then it evolved to 3D art which is happening this year. We also have senior X seminar which

096has been offered for many many years but this school year we've changed it. Uh, previously the class was only offered to students with three AP classes or more, but we wanted this course to be more targeted for students who needed the support for senior exhibition. So, we opened it up to all students. Um, this year we started an afterchool tutoring program which was developed by a math teacher and a counselor and it is staffed by student tutors. We uh started a student equity team in September with the support of Dan Arzaga and have been meeting about once a month. It's a small group of students who developed a focus and are thinking about how to move forward into next school year. Um lastly, our instructional focus this year is collaborative learning. Our staff has been

097interested in thinking about collaborative learning and this year our instructional coaches are leading this work through a few staff meetings and the March PD and working individually with teachers. So over the last year we've been working on improving things around the building and it has been noticeable. We did upgrades to our theater which included painting it, getting new carpet, updating the sound system, and recently updating the lights. We have been upgrading new cabinets and sinks in the staff lounge and uh two of the copy rooms. Um our visual and performing arts teacher curated two new welcome murals. Um that one is still in development. Um, and lastly, we've been working with the district to update our signage. Um, Oceanana is sometimes challenging to navigate through. So, our district um connected us with a signage company

098that specializes in getting people around um challenging areas. Um, so we're we've been working with them on figuring out what that's going to look like and we're looking forward to um that actually. getting to the campus. The end. [clears throat] >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh comments. >> Sure. >> Yeah. I just want to say thank you very much for the presentation. Um, it's always good to hear, you know, how things are going at the school sites and all the hard work you guys are putting into to your sites and and the education for the kids. And you know, I took I took um I went to the Senior X last year, so I took part in that and u I have to say I was very impressed with uh what I saw the kids,

099you know, how hard they worked on some of that stuff and um the way they were able to present it and what I learned. I mean, I learned a lot sitting in on some of those presentations. So, that was really neat. Um, I plan on doing it this year, too. So, um, it's also good to see that you have a good decline in your absenteeism. I know that's a a huge thing that we've, you know, try to, um, emphasize as far as, um, things that we know would help, you know, with student outcomes, right? I mean, just getting kids to show up at school and >> um whether that be to no fault of their own or just, you know, getting them to be interested in school. >> Some kids just, you know, don't find

100it that interesting. So, it's good to see that. Um, also good to see the grad rate as high as it is, too. Um, it's always nice that, you know, anytime you get your a big cohort of kids to graduate all at once is awesome. So, the glows and the grows are are cool. Um, the grows obviously pointing out where you want to emphasize kind of um putting more work into like supporting your special education and your uh your Latino population are are awesome. um looking forward to seeing how that translates. Obviously, um we know I think districtwide that we we kind of have those same challenges in other school sites and stuff like that. So, uh if we can learn something from you as you go through that process, maybe we can translate that onto

101the other sites. So, thank you for all your hard work. I appreciate it. And the presentation. >> Okay. Great presentation. Thank you. Uh question. Well, first let me just say that the 100% state seal of state seal of civic engagement is amazing. That's crazy. >> That's ridiculously awesome. >> Um, with regards to the Latino population and the chronic absentee rate dropping, [clears throat] right, or increasing I should say in 2425, the data shows that you went from 11% 2324 up to 14% 2425. And you also look and you can see that the A3G rate also dropped for that same cohort of kids to 65% and the grad rate also dropped 77%. Do you believe that there could be an impact with regards to the absenteeism rate may have had an impact on that? I mean

102what have you been able to see if you dig into that particular cohort of graduates? Um [sighs and gasps] I I don't know honestly. I I I would see a correlation between the two. I mean if students aren't there um getting the content straight from the the teachers um then they can't it's challenging for them to progress towards um passing their classes and and getting above that C rate. So, I think it's uh it's a population that we have continuously trying to focus on. I know I didn't share math data, but usually our math data with that with the Latino Hispanic population has always um been challenging to to see and to kind of focus in on um and trying to figure out the right like action items that we can um we can maintain.

103Um this is the first year that we've done afterchool tutoring and it's focused on math which I didn't share. Um and it um it went out to science but it was focusing on math because of the math data that we've seen with our Hispanic and Latino population. >> Do you have any data on the current year with regards to their chronic absenteeism rate? >> No, I don't. >> Okay. I'm just curious to see if there's been an improvement or whether you know current conditions in our world is impacting their that the attendance of that particular cohort of students. So just trying to understand a little bit but thank you that's it's helpful and I'm glad I know I know you're focused on on on that student subgroup >> um given the data and everything and

104thank you for that work. Hello for your third presentation tonight. Um thank you again. This is was a really amazing um amazing presentation you gave us in only 12 slides and um providing us data and then disagregated by subgroup. I really appreciate that because it also says that you you looked at it an overview, but then you said, "Let me look even deeper." And that's what you're also showing us. Let me dig a little deeper into that cuz maybe it's it's um not what it seems. And I appreciate that because that also se says a lot about how you run the school, how you um care about your population. Um so I I really appreciate that. Thank you very much. Um and then with the graduation rate, you said something about um you expect that

105the numbers might change because >> um in the future there will be alternative pathways to diplomas. What what would that be? >> Yeah. So that that's a new state um law where um we're offering um our students in the extensive support needs an alternative pathway to diploma. and the way that our program was already set up and how um I mean don't get me wrong it's been challenging to implement it but because of the structure of our ESN program previously we're able to have all of our students go onto that pathway. Um now right now it's we're transitioning so it's like we have to have IEPs to make sure that students and families are on board that they want to change from a certificate to alternative to a diploma. Um and kind of understanding the

106difference of that. But as our as we come as we get our incoming ninth graders into that program, it will be like an automatic into the alternative um pathway to diploma and they and the IEP team can decide that doesn't work for them and they can change it to certificate. But um right now right now it's like auto to certificate and we have to change it. But as our incoming ninth graders come in, it'll be auto to the alternative pathway to diploma and then if the IEP team wants to change it, they can change it. >> Great. That's great. Um, so I also have um I'm also wondering if that's going to impact our A throughG rates as well. >> Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Um I think this is giving um the ESN students um I

107guess a um giving having higher expectations >> and um giving them they're always so much I would think low expectations of um students who have to work harder but if you set the bar higher I'm sure they can achieve it. >> Yeah. And that's that says something about um how you view things, you know. Um I really think you care a lot about your students. Um and so [clears throat] I I want to thank you for giving us a focus on special education. I had no idea how big it has grown at Oceanana and um it's really an eyeopener for me um in that um let's see could you give me a little bit more about the push in push out is that what you were just describing >> yeah uh no that's not what

108I was just describing but um the ninth um the ninth and tth grade science. Um so there's um there's two we have two teachers. One teacher teaches um the 9th grade science class and one teacher teaches the 10th grade science class. And then um we have a special education teacher and um their um learning area um wanted to um highlight a push in push out and um it's the they feel like it's going well for that learning area. Um but they still want more information to more data to kind of figure out how is it going. But basically, the um the um the special education teacher is able to um pull students out of those science classes to work with them individually. Or he's going into the classes to support them or watch them um

109figuring out what what um like um um obstacles that that needs to be removed for them to be successful. Um and he uses his like um his prep and his um um case management prep and that period. So there's like three periods across the the school day that he can try to um get um give those students support. So again, it's the first year we're giving it a try and seeing how it works. Um the science department um likes how it's going so far, so we'll see. How did you come up with that? >> It was, you know, everything at Oceanana is in collaboration with the staff. We like really come up with things together. That's the beauty of sitebased leadership. Um, and so it really came from that um that learning area and kind

110of figuring out >> Yeah. just just over the years looking at what they've noticed with all those different students and deciding, well, you know what? If we try this and that's how it is there. >> Yeah. and the increase of students with IEPs in the ninth and tth grade. >> Oh, I see. Okay. Well, um, boy, a lot of good stuff happening there. Um, thank you so much for this great presentation and for your leadership. >> Thank you. Um, this ref I'm sorry. I also want to um please thank your staff for us. >> Um this reflects a lot of great work um by everyone at Oceanana. Congratulations. Um I just have a few questions. Um the seal of civic engagement is um is any part of that related to so the every graduate gets

111one. Is any part of that related to the community service requirement? >> No, that's some um something different. Um no, but I will take this opportunity to say that our students in the ESN program also do the senior exhibition and they are in this state seal of civic engagement as well. That was just a plug. Um, you mentioned we talked a little about senior exhibition. Um, do you still have underass people do exhibitions as well? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I um I attended as a parent but never as a board member. Um, >> I I will look for that. Um, you talked about the disabilities, uh, sorry, students with disabilities A through G rate >> and I really like data and I think that big numbers are really powerful. In this case, you have

112small numbers and I think those can be really powerful, too. And I don't know [clears throat] that if whether or not you do this and frankly I'm not sure of the impact but I have this idea in my head where uh I think one of your slides said there were 11 people that you counted in this population. >> Like if you have 11 of them you could say hey all right let's find out from each of them. you know, maybe not verbally, maybe through a team effort. Talk to the teacher, talk to the parents, talk to the student, kind of what's holding them back from making the A throughG um achievement and maybe it's not something bad, you know, maybe, you know, uh you're about to say something, please. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean that

113that happened that conversation kind of happens in every IEP meeting of like um because we're presenting the options of to be A throughG eligible or not and every student um is different on figuring out if that's the pathway for them or not. Um I wish I had like um data from those IEP meetings um and something that would take a lot of work but it would be um interesting to see. Um but yeah, that those conversations do happen with every student um and at every year at their annual IEP. Yeah, >> great. Thank you. Um and you talked a little bit about your graduation rate. Um which I think is fantastic. Um, do you know when students don't graduate from Oceanana after attending their senior year kind of what the causes are, >> what the

114causes are to >> why they don't end up graduating. Is it, oh, you don't have enough math credits, or is it, oh, you didn't get this the uh community service requirement, or uh there's a problem with your senior ex? Um, >> my experience, and I'm pulling experiences when I was a counselor as well, is that it's a combination of things. Yeah. Usually, it's not just one single thing. Um, but it's a combination of not gaining the community service hours, not being on track with senior exhibition, maybe having um failing some other classes, um, and then coming in like spring semester of senior year year being like, "Oh my goodness, now I have all of this to do." >> So that again, that that's just observational though. >> Observational is part of the scientific process, right?

115It's important. Um, and a related question, you know, when having a difficult time forming a population, but the idea is, you know, people go to Oceanana, they attend, and at the end of year, it looks like they're not going to graduate from Oceanana. Uh, what happens to them? Do they eventually graduate from somewhere? Do they attend GED programs? Do they just move on? We um typically they go to senior studies and graduate at the end of um senior studies which is the district summer school. >> Right. I've even been to that ceremony. Never made that connection. >> Um thank you and congratulations. >> Thank you very much for your presentation. Nice job. Great highlights of your school. You should be very proud. I have nothing else to add. Right on. Um, oh, that will conclude

116the Oceanana night portion of tonight's meeting. Uh, come back and see us, Principal Torres. Um, would we'd like to consider any future agenda items? >> I do have one potential. We'll just have to see how things go this week. But uh we did receive or I I certainly did and I think Trusty Tahada did too through some of our schoolboard partner colleagues with regards to a resolution that would be in that would encourage our members of Congress to withhold funding from the Department of Homeland Security with um and to and so we'll we have the language. We'll bring it to you um for consideration. Anything else? >> That's it. >> Okay. Um, let's entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> You got it. [music] Hey.

117Hey. Hey. [music] >> [music] [music]