001and welcome everyone. We're going to reconvene to open session at 608 and we have to report uh action taken in close session pursuant to government code section 549571. In close session, the board approved by a majority or unanimous vote of five to zero uh with a roll call vote with zero abstensions settlement agreement with the former employee UX08721 in which the district agreed. This meeting is being transcribed and summarized. >> In exchange for the former employees dismissal of their lawsuit against the district with prejudice and release of any and all claims. And with that, uh, we're going to start with the pledge of allegiance led by Michael Davis, assistant superintendent, human resource. >> Please stand. Your right hand over your heart. You begin. United States of America and to the standice. Thank you. Uh next
002we haveformational items enrollment report. Enrollment report total UTK through 13,611 learning department non UTK60 for a total of 13,971 which is a gain of 10 students since our last board report. Out of those 13,3971, there's,24 homeless, 310 foster, and 721 of our students had armed courses in their homes. It's a total loss of 339 of the same month last year. Thank you. Next presentations, requests, proposals, and reports. California classified employee grant participation update. Dr. Kelly Fountain, director of early learn. >> Good evening, school board. I'm excited to be here today to talk about the California classified grant. Uh a few years ago as UTK was reinvisioned by the state, it was predicted that there would be a teacher shortage in qualified candidates to teach this new grade level. At the same time, an opportunity came
003along to support the classified workforce to meet this need. This grant called the California classified employee workforce grant. The purpose of the grant was to support classified employees interested in getting a teaching credential in early and special education. Our district was granted funding for 10 teachers at $4,800 per year. BART suggested that we use educator effectiveness money to increase the funding for each grantee to $9,600. Tonight, I'm honored to present the grantees who gave up their time after a long day of work to attend class, often around taking care of their own family. It makes me proud to think of all the long hours these people dedicated to bettering their education and that we work in a district that supported it. So tonight I'd like to present the grantees. As I present each person I'll
004read a little about their journey and gratitude for the opportunity and as I call their name I invite them to join us up here. Just me. Okay. So we're going to start with Melissa. Melissa started her journey at the UTK pre-inter teacher. Melissa was actually a parent educator in the child development program before she was. She received a total of $16,454 from tuition reimbursement and has currently earned a multiple subject teaching credential. Melissa says the opportunity to participate in the grant provided her the ability to grow in her position and help her go back to school to get what she wanted to become a credential teacher. Next candidate Maple Henderson started her journey as a child development teacher. She received a total of $4,470 tuition reimbursement. Maple has earned a bachelor's degree. She said the
005opportunity to participate participate in the grant allowed me to begin my journey to pursue my teaching credential. I'm currently on track to complete my multiple subject teaching credential. Being able to work full-time and obtain my degree has given me the flexibility continue my education without the stress of financial strain on my household. I strongly believe that without the district's support and financial assistance, I would not have been as confident in my decision to continue my education in my current position. I feel really privileged and humbled to be a district employing university. So we'll move on to Carla. Carla Chenia is started her journey at the UTK pre-enter. She actually started as a uh parent educator in our school. She received a total of 19,700 uh dollars for tuition reimbursement and earned a multiple substitution. She
006said the opportunity to participate provided her the ability to get district support for school and degree attainment has meant a great deal to her personal. It has given her the opportunity to grow as an educator while continuing to serve her students with intention and care. Being supported through my educational journey has allowed me to deepen my knowledge in areas like cultural responsive teaching, social emotional learning, and inclusive practices. Things I see make a real difference in my classroom every day. It's provided the encouragement during challenging moments, especially while balancing coursework and personal responsibility. Having access to resources, guidance, and professional development has strengthened confidence and helps you stay committed to mission your degree. It's not just a personal accomplishment. It directly impacts the quality of education I provides to students and relations with the family.
007The very real sense support has helped me grow into a more thoughtful characteristic teacher white. She started her journey as an early learning specialist as a co-teer in UK. She received $15,714 tuition in person and has earned a multiple subject teaching and uh is working towards finishing her credential. Um she is currently a UTK teacher. The opportunity to participate fully provided her the ability to get the district provided support in professional growth. returned to school to further my career but could not afford it personally and the district made it possible. Next person that is here is Miriam and Gono. Miriam started the journey in the position as an MTSS fair ed. She received a total of $19,393 for tuitionment. She was able to earn her bachelor degree. The opportunity to participate provided the ability to
008get my degree and it has meant the world to me to have the support of my district as an indescribable feeling. Noeli Susugado Noel started her um career here as a child development teacher. She received a total of $17,000 17,100. She is a was able to earn her bachelor's degree. The opportunity to participate provided her the ability to continue working towards her BA in early childhood ed. This district's support helped ease financial challenges and provided me with ability to focus on both educational and professional goals. This opportunity has created or contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth. I'm truly grateful for the district's investment in my future. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation. Oh, sorry. Excuse me. I was supposed to be um Norma Zalandia. Norma started her career as a
009CD parent. Actually, Norma was my child's um 18-month old teacher in a different place. So, I have near and dear to my heart. She received a total of $7,000 for tuition reimbursement. Norma was able to earn a multiple subject teaching credential and a master's degree. The district's support for school and my master's degree in education combined with the multiple credentials. Visit team has meant so much to me person as a widow and single mom. Balancing coursework and p personal responsibilities having access for resources, guidance and professional development strengthen my confidence and help me stay committed to finishing my degree. Earning my degree is not just a personal accomplishment. It directly impacts the quality of education I provide to my students and the relationships I built with my family. In a very real sense, the support
010has helped me grow into more thoughtful, prepared, and resilient teacher. and I can carry that into my class. Okay. Okay. So there are lots of other people who could not make it tonight probably because they're at home taking classes and studying but I wanted to give you this to there in total we funded 27 grantees from the funds that we received from both the California classif and educator uh in total the district funded nine new bachelor's degree five master's degree in education 13 new subject teaching and one new education specialist work. I would just like to say the opportunity to support the district to elevate their own workforce and in doing so created diversity in the teachers hired to support the children they serve. In supporting these amazing women, the district invested in the future
011of teaching staff and changed these women's lives forever. May they continue to support our children to become this the amazing humans they were meant to be. I'm really proud of these folks and want to take the opportunity to thank the district for providing them with meaningful and rewarding careers. >> Great job. Uh congratulations and fantastic. Keep up the fantastic work. We really support you and we thank you for everything you're doing for the kids and for everyone. Thank you so much. Uh next we have individual action items business approval of amendment number one to geotechnical services agreement with Earth Systems Pacific for the relocation of three 32 by 30 classroom buildings at Miller Elementary School. So moved. I keep Charles second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I motion carries 5. Item B, approval
012of change order number one with American Modular Systems for the relocatable buildings at Lincoln Elementary School by M. Second by Miss. Any discussion? >> What is the uh change orders for? These are upgraded Hback systems and the supports for new sonics in the classrooms. These are brand new modules that have gone in. of this one BC. So this is going to be great. All favor motion carries 5 Z. Item C, approval of change order number one with American Modular Systems, the relocatable buildings at Mariposa Elementary School. I'll second discussion. All in favor? I motion carries 5 Z. Item B, adoption of resolution 20252644 making CQA findings and approving a categorical exemption for the modernization of new construction project 7 elementary school. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion carries 5-0. Item B, adoption of resolution 202526-45
013temporary interfoption of resolution 2025. 5-2646 temporary transfers from the school pools fund maintained by the Los Angeles County Treasure. We have a motion second by receipt. Any discussion? Favor. Opposed. Motion carries. 5-0. Individual action items. Human resources. Item A. 12A approval of coordinator of special education Chelsea Brousard Espinosa. We have a motion. >> Second move >> by Mr. W by K Charles. Any discussion? >> Yes. Chelsea Brousard Despinosa has been in special education for 10 years. Although her time may seem brief, her years have been impactful. She was a program specialist in East Side School District since 2023. Chelsea knows the Lancaster community well and strives to build relationships with families, community partners, educators, and service providers in order to support the whole child. Within her 10 years in education, Chelsea has managed to obtain
014two master's degrees and her preliminary administrative credential, which shows her commitment to being a lifelong learner and her dedication in the field of education. Chelsea is the proud wife and mother of one. As a former college athlete, she is thankful she had the opportunity to play softball in Hawaii and Italy. She is proud to have seen the world beyond the Analopee Valley and is dedicated in advocating for all students to have equitable equitable opportunities to experience what life has to offer. She is hanging up her jersey. Chelsea enjoys playing sports and adult leagues as well as being outdoors, gardening, or going on a hike with her dogs. Chelsea is passionate about seeing others succeed. And most importantly, Chelsea likes to live by Maya Angelou's famous quote, "At the end of the day, people won't remember
015what you did or said. they will remember how you made them feel and she's with us in the audience. >> And with that, all in favor? >> Most motion carries 5. Congratulations. >> Good evening, school board members. Thank you so much for this opportunity to be a part of the Manchester School District family. Today I have here with with me my husband Chris. Um I look forward to contributing to the success of Lancaster School District as one of the special education coordinators and um not only for this year to come but hopefully for many years. Thank you again. Uh, next we have approval of assistant principal Rod Banahan. We have a motion. Thank you Job. Second by Mr. Wayne. Any discussion? >> Yes. Rod Andy Vanahan is with us tonight. He's been in education for
01612 years and he taught first grade in Texas for four years before moving to Analopee Valley where he taught for four years at stage middle school in Palmdale. He's been an assistant principal at Tropical Middle School, two years in elementary and two years in middle school. Andy graduated from the University of Mississippi, was the student teacher of the year and received the Griffin family impact award. He was voted westward elementary teacher of the year. He completed his masters in administration at CSU Bakersfield. Andy is most proud of the relation relationships with and rapport with staff, families, and students and community members he has built over the past years. He enjoys playing golf and collecting Star Wars themed items. Not them, especially lifesavers. He loves spending time with his family, but really enjoys his grandkids. He's
017with us here. With that, all in favor? I motion carries. 5-0. Congratulations. Thank you. Next, we have approval of assistant principal Steve Smith. That's right. Approval of network systems analyst Salvador. We have a motion. by Mr. Wayne, second by Emma Stlesson. Any discussion? >> Yes. Salvador Salis has 17 years of experience in IT support systems administration and network management and currently works as a network administrator at FMI Aerosstructures supporting infrastructure users and providing IT support across the organization. Salvador has experienced managing network infrastructure, cyber security tools, Microsoft 365 environments, intoune deployments, and software upgrades. He has led multiple IT improvement pro projects and systems migrations. He is proud of being able to provide for his family while continuing to grow professionally and take on new challenges throughout his career. Outside of work, Salvador loves spending
018time with family, friends, traveling, trying new food, going to places, and watching sports. and he's with us in the audience. >> All in favor? >> Motion carries 5. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Welcome all the new uh members to their positions. Congratulations and we look forward to working with you this coming year. Next, we have approval of variable term waiver for the 2026 27 school year. We have a motion. Any discussion? All in favor? I vote. Motion carries 5. Item 13, addressing the board. Individuals who wish to address the board may complete a speaker card presented any supporting documents, the superintendent's assistant, or other district official prior to the start of the meeting. Personal information such as student, parent, guardian's name, address, phone number, date of birth, email address, or other directory information to find
019an in code 49061 may be excluded from the minutes the meeting by submitting a written request to the superintendent. Board president shall recognize individuals who wish to speak. Individuals wishing to present testimony to the board concerning specific items on the agenda may do so once that item has been moved. Seconded is on the floor for discussion. Have limits of three minutes per person and 20 minutes per item shall be allowed. The board bylaws 9322. Board members may ask questions for clarification purposes. However, no action may be taken. Discussion may take place on an item not on the posted agenda. back from the audience. We have a speaker card for his wife. He's actually Oh, I want to bring them 24th grade teacher J and she a pretty great I don't know what that is. He
020did it anyway and following that next school year supposed to have full assessment to repeat. Um that did not happen with his fifth grade teacher, Miss Roang. Um she didn't say anything doing a full assessment. She offered another SST and that was for 1017 and the only time she would contact member written out for another sixth grade teacher miss. She said that she turned that in and that was November 13th. By that time I had to place my child on anything twice that year just to kind of get him to do any work because he wasn't doing any work at all and I made a mother in a window. So um through that there was some issues with bullying and I talked to Miss Nasty about it. She didn't really offer any support or any
021kind of at all for that. Matter of fact, she said she picked on my child and worried about clothing that he had on that day. So, I went ahead and I just wrote um on March 2nd, um I had a conversation with Alisa Casey Casey from the district and she did assure me to, you know, reinroll my son into Marosa and I'm 100% sure that she did um contact I believe Mr. how you know let's get the assessment going and I will still never contact assessment um for help and it's it's coming um you guys are actually good at reaching out and you guys do so many awesome things but I feel like we're forced to contact same people that offend us and we need to figure out how can we make an easier dialogue
022to get you guys parents into the school board so we don't have to go through and teach. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? >> Yes. Um have a speaker card for Chelsea. Good evening. My name is Chelsea Alleta. I am the supervising attorney of legal services of Los Angeles Countyy's practice. I'm here today to speak on a matter of concern related to agenda item 19A which reports on an update to the district's board policy and administrative rel uh regulation number 5441.1 relating to disciplinary due process. Uh this policy change adds that off-campus student behavior may result in discipline when it disrupts district programs and activities or is otherwise prohibited by law or policy for administrative reputation. There are numerous potential legal problems with this policy change that I would like to afflert
023two so that it does not enact a policy that results in unlawful student disciplinary exclusions or exposes the district to potential legal challenges. Um I'd like to remind you all of the plain language of education two sections in particular. line that is education code section 48900 subsection S plainly state that no student can be suspended or expelled for behavior that is not related to a school activity or school attendance. This limits school district's disciplinary jurisdiction to acts that happen at school activity during school hours or going to or coming school activity. There's a very limited exception to this that court of course through its case tinker v de mo that permits a school to discipline students for off-campus speech. It causes a material and substantial disruption. Um but courts have found again and again that
024this material and substantial disruption test is a very high bar to meet. There is nothing in the language of this policy that clarifies that the education code and supreme court dur jurisprudence would apply to this addition and that the material and substantial disruption test would still need to be met. Further districts have already already had the ability to discipline off-campus behavior when this test is met. So this policy does seem duplicative and needlessly confusing. Two, as of July 1st, 2024, defiance and disruption suspensions are currently banned in the entire state of California. The language of your policy update appears to fl uh to flout this blanket ban by permitting students to be disciplined for disruptive behavior occurring both on campus and stemming from off-campus. To be clear, no board action can supersede the requirements of
025the education code or the courts. to attempt to do so either intentionally or to a lack of clarity is more likely than not to cause students to be unlawfully excluded from school or for the district to be subjected to excessive legal challenges from people like me. In fact, the state legislature agreed when a similar false brought for them last week, I believe, and was outright rejected by school district lobbyists um when an education code modification was proposed due to the tax on their on district resources. Thank you. Any regular comments? Uh, next we have comments from TA, CCA, and D uh PTA, TFCA. And next we have uh consent agenda item superintendent items 14A and 14B. We have a motion by Mrs. Carlson second by Miss Any discussion favored? Motion carries 5. Item 15, consent
026agenda items. Business items 8 to 15. We have a motion by keeps by Mr. Wayne. Discussion. All in favor? I post. Motion carries. 5-0. Item 16, consent agenda items and services. Item 16 A 16. Moved by KH Charles on Mr. W. Any discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries 5. Item 17, consent agenda items, human resources services. Item 17 A to 17 G. to my second by Julie favor. Motion car 5-0. Item 18, consent agenda item, student and family services. Items 18A to 18. >> I move by. >> Any discussion? All in favor? Five votes. Motion carries. 5 Z. And nextly we are at legislative and policy discussion. First reading of 5144. First reading of 6142.7. Any discussion based on the input we get maybe a second >> maybe >> we could get a second
027opinion. It's really the the substantial changes to the law about what is required when a child is expelled. What's the expectation of the board as far as data you know planning for re student the the other issues are been around a long time. We children are responsible for to us going to school and coming home from school. Um if a child is doing activities that directly impact affect the campus they are subject to they can't be subject to suspension but we do all we follow all the rules and regulations. Uh we have alternative means of correction. So we're not going to violate any regulations. We're very confident in following rules. So it's come about just there. I had trouble >> with that. Uh next were comments from the board and superintendent. Let's start with Mr.
028W. >> Thank you uh Greg. Um I wish to say good job with the attendance. We are uh up again sweet and stupid. Fortunately, still down from last year. Dr. fountain and uh the the grant that gave them all the opport credentials. I'm sure Mike appreciates that. Looking forward to tomorrow night, a Asianamean Pacific Islander knowledge pool tomorrow night at the uh center here. All fully remodeled and uh looking good. So, we're looking forward to that. I think that we have uh very good teachers deserve our recognition. The job they have done. Thank you very very much. Thank you delay. And next we have Mr. Jobs. Okay. Well, thank you guys for hanging out. Uh, you know, getting close to the end. So, you can kind of feel the excitement in the air, I think,
029from the kids and the behaviors. But, uh, you know, we're dealing with that in our own house, too. So, you know, I I get it. It's got to be tough on the teachers with 30 little 30 or so um kids in a classroom. But, uh, congratulations to uh our uh 27 grantees. That's really cool. It's amazing stories and so nice that they're getting their credentials and they're going to more probably work for us and and they're bettering themselves. It's very cool. Um I got to go this last weekend. I got to do my my CSPA delegate assembly job. I got to go down Sacramento and do some lobbying and do some uh some information. And uh you know what? Sometimes it's nice to hear some of the things that are affecting other districts are not
030affecting us. We're not really in a mass uh you know decline where we've got good ample people. I mean we're we're we're doing pretty compared to some of my colleagues who are doing really good. So it's nice to be able to hear some good things. I mean, it's good to sometimes good to see things other things how how it is to know you've got it pretty good and a little concerned about the budgets coming up and things like that, but uh we we've got good people here and we've got smart people in the budgeting and I think we're on top of it. So, with that and it's busy time of year to go leave here, I'm going to go watch one of my daughters. Good night. Thanks for coming and >> that was really really
031a goodation. I enjoyed hearing the words from teachers that are finishing the program. So it was great to do that and just so exciting to see that they were able to get I know it's art. So being able to add a little bit to it. So congratulations to Chelsea and Salvador. Wonderful to have you with us. I don't know if anybody's still out there, but it's exciting to see that we're hiring. And there's a map. 11 days that was left. It's a 10. >> I think we're counting. >> Kids can tell you. >> But yeah, hang in there. Only a couple weeks, you know. Hopefully we'll make it through. >> Thank you, D. Thanks, uh, Mr. Alson. Again, congratulations to all of our grant recipients and uh appreciate all the work that you're doing. All
032the work that you will do is see what you supporting the people that we have here in the district is very very important and expressing teacher teach is even more important. Um again the AA NHPI whole mouthful uh bowl will be taking place on Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 6:30 here at our park view new Lancaster Kid Center. So I'm busy going out and see what these kids have. Um takes a lot to get prepared for um these knowledge bowls and it's just amazing what these kids are able to retain. So that would be great. Um, other than that, we do have the end of the year uh band concert that will be taking place at New Vista, I believe, tomorrow as well. So after you finish um the Asian and um Pacific Islander
033event, jump on over to New Vista, check it out in Pyute. Okay, Pyute tonight. New Vista is tomorrow. So great to see you there. Um we also have a family engagement celebration which will be put on on Friday by Mr. Samuel. So um if you know again that I'm busy between 11 and two be great to them in and uh congratulate those parents. Um congratulations to everyone that received their promotions and their new adventures that they're going to be looking forward to and Nice to see you guys again. Thank you Charles and Dr. W. >> All right. I I I think it's an amazing program that we can um for individuals as they pursue careers in education. I believe was one of the recipients, Miss Chilla. And Miss Chilla is also an ESL teacher, English
034and second language classes for for adults. So she does double duty. So good job. And uh we hope to see everybody at um the Asian Knowledge Bowl uh for the next couple of nights and it's going to be exciting. Finish off the year with one more and uh acknowledge all the people that um are newly employed with Lancaster. Thank you very much. And yeah, hats off to those people that just completed their education. a lot of them working at the same time raising families. That's tremendous work. So, we're real excited for that. But also, congratulations to the new people on the new positions, excited to work with them to this next year coming up. And like we said, only two more days left. Thank you everyone for being here tonight and uh wish you a
035great evening. You will adjourn second to use. All in favor? I car it's 5. Have a good night.