001Good a good good afternoon. It is uh on my watch five o'clock on the dot. Um let me pull up the agenda. I do have a small change to the agenda. But first of all, um I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. Um if you did, great. And uh if you're not a mother, say hello to your mother as well. You know, congratulations. You know, it's just amazing. I uh had a chance to spend time with my wife and you know, and have sisters and mothers and it was just an amazing day. So um hope you all had a wonderful day as well. Um, first up we'll do call call to order. Trusty Tortoello >> here. >> Trusty Smith. >> Trusty Piato >> present. >> Okay. And Trusty Miller's um not present. And now
002we'll do and I am present. Uh, Trusty Ayala. And we'll do a pledge of allegiance. Let's have Trusty Perci lead us. Put your right hand over your heart. Ready, begin. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. So, um we are now moving to the approval of the agenda. One slight change. Um board members and for those who are listening uh just small correction on onee it says public comment open session agendaized items that should be for closed session items. So with that change um look for a motion to approve the agenda as modified. >> Is there a motion? >> I motion to approve. >> Moved by Trusty Torrell.
003Is there a second? >> Trusty Smith. And with that change, all in favor say I. Okay. So now we'll move on to public comment for close session agenda items. So um I have a couple um in front of me here. We have two and it is related to item 2A related to bargaining. And first up, uh, Miss Bonisi, can you please come on up? And just a reminder, it's 3 minutes. We have that clock. It'll jingle, I think. Uh, we have a minute left and then it'll jingle again when it's over. So, all right, take it away. >> Bye. Um, Janice Bonisi, Mount Vernon, and LGTA. I was here a month ago and I said I was hopeful because you had given yourselves raises and you had given a lot of cabinet raises and I
004thought that that meant that you had understood that there is money in our budget for us all to get a living wage. But now I'm really disappointed and I'm very saddened because the message that you have sent with the um bargaining team offering what they have which is um basically still less than the cost of living and the cost of living is keeps going up every day. um is that you know that you don't value us. That is what we are hearing. Uh I some of the people who are not sitting behind me right now are not here because they have second jobs. They have families. Some of them are are looking for jobs. Uh they've shown up many many times and what we what we hear back is we're not worth it. It's sad.
005And we do have the money. We have more than 20% of reserves when we're only required to have three. And it's only really prudent to have eight. Um, we also have a district office that has grown by 34% while our enrollment and our teachers have shrunk by 25%. The district office has too many people in it. You can find some money there. They're good people. In a perfect world, we all deserve a raise and we all deserve a job. But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in the world where teachers can't afford to be teachers. Teachers have to take second jobs and it's shameful. That's all. >> Thank you for your public comment, Miss Bonisi. Next up is Danielle Perrell and it's also in the same negotiations. Hi, my name is Danielle
006Prell. I was also here last month with my little lemon if you guys remember. Um, I did want to say so I'm a teacher at Lemong Grove School District. I was really excited to hear that the district agreed to 50 minutes of self-directed prep time per week for TK through sixth grade teachers. We really need that time um to attempt to complete all the tasks on our never-ending lists, but I'm really concerned about the areas that the district has not agreed to yet in bargaining sessions. Um something that came to my attention when I was looking at the pay scales is that the certificated staff in our district, it takes 30 years to reach the max in our salary scale. It takes administrators six years with less educational requirements. Um, it's teacher appreciation week. And
007so I want to remind us all that year after year, our member salary and benefits, they've become a smaller and smaller portion of the district budget. So instead of prioritizing our work in the budget, the district has mentioned over and over again that there's no money. Maybe next year and maybe next year. But like Janice mentioned, admin, management, and board members, they were their pay were all updated this year. Um, so why not our certificated staff? While the district believes that in the tenative agreement on health benefits may amount to a salary increase, the reality is that this is only going to save money for members who are enrolled in health benefits that cover one dependent or family. But I'm thinking about our members who rely on our income, their income alone. They're not going
008to see a significant change in their salary. Um, these are members like Janice mentioned who may be taking on a part-time job or considering leaving the profession altogether. Um, in the words of one of my colleagues before I came here today, I would take a pay cut to do a different job, go home and leave this all behind. Sorry, a little emotional. Um, but we don't. We stay and we do the work and we give our heart and soul to this community. All we ask is that the appreciation for our effort is reflected in our salaries and benefits. We hear often that the district can do some of the things, but not all of them. But as an educator, I know that even with limited resources, when something's important to you, you make it work.
009Thank you. >> Thank you for your public comment. And uh we are moving to close session. The time is 506. Thank you. Okay, good evening. Wow, we have a packed house. Welcome everyone. So, good to see you. And I know this is a little late, but happy Mother's Day to those out there that hopefully had a wonderful Sunday. Um, I am now calling this meeting to order. It is 6:12 and uh first item agenda here. Apologies. Opening function. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, there's no reporting out for close session. Sorry, I have a longer agenda in front of me than usual. So, no reporting out from close session. Um opening functions. Uh public comment on agendaized items. No public comment. Um next up we will move on to recognition Early Child Education Center and Superintendent Vincent.
010>> It's my pleasure to introduce Director Matt Sheielan. Let's give him a big round of applause. >> Hi, good evening board uh families and community members. Thank you so much for being here. My name is Matt Sheilan. I'm the proud director of the Early Childhood Education Center. Um, please forgive this ridiculous hat that I'm wearing. Today was our biggest uh annual event at the ECE, our open house and art show that was around little farmers and big art. And so I had to play the part. Uh, so this year at the ECE um in our first full year at our beautiful new campus, it has been a tremendous success. We've created our first family engagement group. We've held a number of uh really successful family events and we've increased our average daily attendance to its
011highest numbers ever. But truly the heart and soul of the ECE is the incredible staff that I have and our amazing little lemons that we call our students. So that's why we're all really here and that's why they're all here. So, I'm going to introduce uh one of my incredible teachers, Miss Miriam Contrarus, who is a dual immersion Spanish TK teacher, and her students are going to sing two songs for you. So, please enjoy. Excuse me. Our first just do it. I think your Definitely. Do it. >> I like that. Thank you families for coming. Thank you so much. We appreciate you for all you do. Thank you little lemons for coming up and making our day today. We appreciate you a ton. All right, that was outstanding. Thank you, Superintendent Vincent. Um, we'll next
012move up to governing board member correspondence. So, let's uh give it a few seconds here. So, governing board member correspondence. Um, I'll start with Trusty Presiato. >> Thank you. Mine's actually really short. on May 5th. I unfortunately missed Dlac. So, I'm so sorry, Miss Finanara and Miss Arlene Par. Um, I know they always have like a beautiful craft before, so I was really sad I missed it because it was Cinco de Mayo. I'm pretty sure they had something super cool planned. So, I'm sorry I missed it. And on May 6, I went to the family and community collaboration group, which was our last meeting of the year. And um if you guys know uh Raquel Lopez, our FAZE, one of our FACE team um leaders, she's full of energy. So that meeting was amazing. She
013they did like a hula hoop contest for all our members. We had a representative from nine district PTA come and then just do end of the year um events for our um like closing out the school year for our PTA presidents. and um and a um gentle reminder for PTAs that you can use your PTA funds to pay for the summer leadership conference and they currently have a special I think it was two for the price of one or three I don't remember what it was but I encourage all our new PTA leaders to go to the summer conference it is a lot of fun it includes lunch and you get to learn everything about becoming a new PTA leader >> great thank you trust trustee Smith >> yes mine wasn't that uh that long
014either. I um attended San Miguel's open house on the 22nd of April. Um on May 5th, I attended DAC um and watches city council um online meeting and then I had my uh one-on-one with Mariana. >> Thank you, Trustee Smith, Trustee. >> Hi. All righty. Okay, I'm going to jump around just a little bit because I know I missed the uh last board meeting, but the week of April 13th, I attended the Coast to Coast Conference in uh DC where we also had a meeting with senior staffer with a senior staffer of uh Representative Sarah Jacobs. That went really well. um on May 5th, I attended the special education advisory committee meeting and then uh on April 23rd, so I actually had the opportunity to attend um our school district's AI parent lit literacy workshop.
015Um it was hosted by the face team led by professor uh Natasha Palumbo. Um it was incredibly well attended um by parents, caregivers, multi-generational um just throughout the community. Um the session was super informative, very engaging and really empowering. Um Professor Natasha, she did an excellent job um hosting and helping families become more confident um as it pertains to supporting their students in you know um with AI in this like rapidly evolving space. So, it was a wonderful event. Again, very well attended, very engaging, and definitely look forward to um attending more events just like that. >> Thank you, Trusty Tortella. I was kind of bummed out that I couldn't attend that. I I was out of town, but I I got all the photos. Uh superintendent Vincent shared some and so did uh uh
016director Smith, so looked pretty exciting. Uh I know a lot of work went into planning that. So um so recently hosted uh a visit from our um ELAP team to go to Gmont College. They did did a nice little tour, had some staff, uh work on that. Um went fantastic. Um work with the superintendent on the agenda for this uh meeting. Also finalized some um the superintendent evaluation with the board members. And um I'm excited about what's to come in May and June where we get invited to the graduations and we kind of spread those out. So um if you're listening, if you want to invite us, let us know. We'd love to to go. Um I hope they're, you know, um spread out, but you can't do much about it if they're not this
017time. So, but hopefully we want to make sure that at least a board member is there to represent and and say a few words if they can. So, um that's it. So, let's move on to item um action items. We'll move on to 2026 2027 school plan for achievement. Uh Director Finaro. >> Yes, thank you. Um in alignment with our district's strategic plan, each of our sites have developed a school plan for student achievement. Um these plans include um a comprehensive needs assessment, school goals, and related action plans. Each of the plans you will see have three goals centered around one, academics, two, positive behavior and discipline, and three, attendance. Our principles are here tonight to share a highlight from their plan, something they are excited about in the upcoming school year. So, first I
018would like to invite to the podium Miss Veronica Johnson, principal of LGAE. Good evening board members. Um, my name is Veronica Johnson and I am the principal of Lemong Grove Academy Elementary. Um, working on this plan, I found a lot of excitement with the progress that our multilingual learners made, as well as our academic performance in ELA and math and the chronic absenteeism rate that we saw uh progress with. Um, things that I'm excited about that we'll be focusing on as we go into next year was this year we began um to set up systems to have very intentional alignment when it comes to tier one instruction. um across the grade level but also vertical connections. So we'll continue that work with academics and also with um our social emotional learning. So not just the
019academics but the social emotional learning. Um this year our teachers had time to collaborate during the day to work on very um intentional scope and sequences and alignments of assessment. And so as we go into next year and we'll have lots of amps times to collaborate that will work will be continued and um will be strengthened with a big focus on um our multilingual learners to continue to see that progress and also our students with disabilities. >> Great. Thank you. Um don't leave quite yet. Board members, any questions, comments? Great. And then not to put the board members on the spot, they we might ask some general questions after everyone's come up. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, I'd like to invite Dr. Vanessa Ruiz, principal of LGAM. >> Good evening, board members. My name
020is Dr. Vanessa Ruiz and I have the privilege of serving as the principal of Lemong Grove Academy Middle. I'm excited to share some highlights for our 2627 Sipsa with a major focus on our SIPA goal number one academic excellence with a strong emphasis on accelerating literacy growth for all students while preparing them for future success in college career and in life. Our goal is that by June of 2027, 97% of our students will be able to meet their individual I Ready read reading growth target and have 70% achieve their stretch growth target. Really encouraging that strong progress in reading comprehension and literacy. Um to achieve this, our LGAM teachers and staff are committed to delivering rigorous standard aligned instruction that develops critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills. all essential tools that our students will
021need in this work for work workforce and in their future endeavors. Through monthly grade level data dives and bi-weekly collaborative planning, our staff is regularly going to be able to review student progress, refine instruction, and provide timely supports to our students in need. An exciting part of this work is also expanding opportunities that prepare our students for life beyond middle school as we grow our accelerated and honors classes, giving students access to advanced coursework that builds readiness for high school and college pathways. We are also um expanding our college and our college our career technical education programs providing more hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom learning to real world application career exploration and workforce readiness. Um at LGAM we are committed to equipping our students with an academic foundation, practical skills, and the confidence that
022they need to be successful in their future careers and personal goals. and our SIPA for the upcoming school year reflects our vision in preparing every student not just for the next grade level but for the opportunity and the challenges that await them beyond the classroom. >> Great. Thank you so much. Um I'm looking forward to sending my son next year since he's you know moving to your school especially with the focus on CT and all that stuff you're doing. >> Excited to have him. >> Right. Thank you. Any any questions? We'll circle back. Yeah. >> Thank you. And next, I'd like to reintroduce Mr. Matt Sheilan, director of ECEC. >> Hi again. Great to see you. Hopefully you enjoyed that performance. Um, so again, my name is Mr. Matt. Uh, I'm the, uh, director at
023the ECE. So, I'm incredibly excited about our vision uh, and our SIPA for next year. We have three incredible goals. As you all know that at the ECE really, uh, students learn through rigorous developmentally appropriate play. So, our first goal is around mathematics. We had a previous goal about around literacy um all connected to the DRDP bonus points if any of you remember what that stands for from uh a meeting a few months ago. Um but this year we're focusing on math. We had a successful CGI introduction and we're going to continue building on that so students can really embrace the playfulness of math and realize that every kid can be a math person and there's no such thing as you know either you are a math person or you're not. If you can do
024math, you're a math person. Our second goal is really about our social emotional learning, which is the heart and soul of what we do at the ECE. We teach kids how to have social skills, how to regulate their emotions. And I'm excited to say that we've done uh a really incredible job with our uh social work team. We have ambassadors where we train students to lead new students around and give them a tour of our school. And we also have our little lemon leadership groups where students gather in small groups weekly to roleplay common scenarios that they might encounter as kids to really practice developing their social and emotional regulation skills. And then that last one, our goal is around continuing our average uh increasing our average daily attendance, reducing our chronic absenteeism. And again,
025I'm proud to say, you know, the ECC uh prior to me coming, we've always kind of been in like the late 80s, like high uh 90% would be a good amount of our average daily attendance. And just recently, we reached 94% which is due to the tremendous uh work of my staff. So, really excited for what's to come and thank you all for your support. >> Great. Thank you. >> Next, we have Miss Rosalyn Turner, principal of Monterey Heights. Hi again. My name is Rosson Turner, principal at Monterey Heights. So, one thing I'm especially excited about for the 2627 school year is continuing to strengthen the support for our multilingual learners. Oh, call my name. For multilingual learners through the implementation of GLAD strategies and language supports that's aligned to all of the SIPA goals.
026So this year, all of my teachers received GLAD training focused on instructional strategies and supports designed to increase language acquisition, academic discourse, and access to rigorous grade level instruction um for all of our students. So, in addition, Monterey Heights has partnered with San Diego County Office of Education to host GLAD trainings for our educators and students at our site, and we'll continue that partnership with them next year by hosting additional teacher trainings to strengthen um highquality tier one instruction and providing ongoing professional development opportunities. As we move into the 2627 school year, we're excited to transition into full implementation of those glad strategies schoolwide that supports not only our multilingual learners but all students to further support language development, student engagement, and academic achievement. Also, something else I'm super excited about is the entire year
027we have maintained over 94% of attendance for our students and within the past two months we are now at 95% and we plan on maintaining that strongly till the end of the year and next year we're excited to push our goal up to 96%. And I give that contribution to families mostly um to our students and to our teachers and staff. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. Next we have Dr. Veronica Sulttero, principal of Mount Vernon. >> Good evening board members, superintendent um Vincent. I'm Dr. Veronica Sulttero, principal at Mount Vernon Elementary. And at Mount Vernon, we are energized uh to be able to continue building on last year's school plans uh goals with the three meaningful additions to this year in formal alignment with the district's LCAP priorities, the introduction of a
028dedicated reading comprehension component and the deepened commitment uh to students to create a place, a safe place and a sense where they feel that they belong. and again focusing on our bilingual um excellence um making sure that we are supporting uh biliteracy across all grade levels. >> Thank you so much. Next we have the principal of San Altos Elementary, Miss Terzi Hazes. >> Good evening. Good evening board members, Superintendent Vincent and cabinet members. As we review our VITSA, our SIPA, we are very proud of the measurable progress we've made as a school community. In I already read Reading, our percentage of students meeting or exceeding their typical growth increased from 47% in 2223 to 52% in 2425. And in math, students meeting their strength growth also increased from 29% to 36% during that same time.
029Our attendance work also shows progress. Chronic absenteeism improved from 23.6% in 2223 to 19.8 and 2425 which shows measurable progress and students are in school consistently and engaged in the learning. Um, in addition, we've maintained a 2% suspension rate this year, which is well below the district target of 5%, reflecting on our focus on restorative practices, consistent counseling, our SEAL lessons led by our social work, their interns, as well as our school psychologists, and we definitely can't forget our K9 companion hoops. We intentionally center around creating a strong and genuine relationships with our family, which also makes sure that as a leader, I'm visible, accessible, and responsive to all our families needs as well as our staff. Looking ahead to next year, we are excited to continue building on these gains by leveraging the support
030of our teacher leaders and our MTSS team. We continue to focus on increasing reading growth and also specifically focusing on our multilingual learners and reducing chronic absenteeism to 18% or lower. Just as important, we'll continue strengthening student wellness, which is huge for us by ensuring every student feels safe at our school and connected with a trusted adult. These goals only also keep us focused on both academic success as well as be the well-being of every student. We also are excited just to continue our sustained process to build the conditions where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you. >> You >> Thank you. Next up, we have proud principal Miss Julie Jones on my desk. So, I'm going to wing it a little bit, but good evening. I'm Julie Jones, a proud principal
031here at San Miguel. Um, the prompt was interesting because we write this plan with a little bit of a gap in our data. We don't have our I Ready data. We don't have our ELPAC data. We don't have our state testing data. We don't have our endofear attendance data. we don't have a complete picture I feel like of where we're ending the year. So what I am proud of though obviously of San Miguel if you know me at all. Um but what I am proud of though is the work that we will continue to do. um we have seen since uh 23 24 a 5% decrease in our chronic absenteeism and that has I anticipate at the end of the year that will continue by continuing to see students on campus more frequently even though
032oftent times those students come with that invisible backpack of challenges um that we then have to uh determine how to support them here at school um by having them we're able to figure that out together as a team. Um, I'm proud of the work that we will do as a special education team at my school. We have a very large dynamic group of students with IEPs at San Miguel and those kiddos come sometimes with challenges. Part of that is the fact that we manage um the LEAD program which is a beautiful program of students that have social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Um, and I'm proud of the work that is written in our plan to incorporate those teachers and those students more into general education. Um, I think that you'll see some really great moves
033that we have intentionally in terms of targeted professional development for classified staff. That's been a a missing component for us. Um, our sped classified staff. Our academic target next year is really about distance from standard. And that um initially was a little bit hard for some of our teachers in the primary grades because that leaves out our our kiddos that don't take the CASP, but really that goes back to our focus this year on a very strong MTSS system. Because if you are building a great tier 1 system starting at kindergarten, then by the time they get to third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, they've already got that really, really great tier one foundational knowledge, which distance from standard will just happen. Um or will there will not be that distance from standard, which is
034what we're hoping for all of our students. So, I'm proud of the work that we have continuing in terms of MTSS. Um, I'm also excited, and I know this is kind of weird, but I'm happy to get our AMPs time back next year. We had a big uh focus this year on CGI. So, I'm looking forward to our math data that I think we will see at the end of this year. But the loss we had was that we lost collaboration time. That took five and a about five and a half of our AMPs collaboration sessions and we lost time meeting with teachers. So, I'm excited to be able to have time to meet with teachers more productively and collaboratively. And you'll see that work and what that will look like in our SIPA. So
035again, thinking about our work with our T our teachers with um our special education teachers, um our chronic absenteeism work, um being able to have more AMPs time and collaborate with our teachers more intentionally, continuing to work on our MTSS struct MTSS structures, and also you will see that our suspension rates were high this year. And I think that that's part of having more kiddos on campus more consistently that come with a lot of challenges. Um and so working with Becky very closely um developing some really exciting um alternative to suspensions um on campus with Dr. John Eer which I'm super excited about. It's going to be really hard um being able to find ways to manage behaviors in new and dynamic ways. Um but I'm excited about the work that you will see embedded
036especially in goal two of our SPSA. So thank you. Thank you. >> Wonderful. Um, next and finally we have Miss Ivon Leon, principal of Vista Mesa. >> Good evening board members. I'm principal Leon of Vista Laamesa Academy. What excites me most about next year's plan is that it's more than just academics. It's about building a school where students feel safe, connected, and seen. Where attendance improves because students genuinely want to be here. where achievement grows because our teachers are equipped with the tools and support they need to reach every learner. We know there is work to do and this plan gives us a clear, thoughtful path forward. One rooted in equity, relationships, and a belief, a true belief that every one of our cheetah scholars has something remarkable to offer. We are one vista and
037I'm excited about what's ahead. Thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you. Is that everyone? Director Fero. All right. Um, I love this format. Um, I think in the prior years we would have the reports given to us and then we would ask questions. I really like the fact that you brought your own self to to us and were present. I think that, you know, gives you kind of the arena vehicle to share what's not written or expand on what's written. So, I'm glad to thank you, Superintendent Venison, for considering that and making it happen. And now I'll open it up to board members if they have any comments react. This is action um but if there's anything you want to share at the moment. >> Sure. I just wanted to say thank you all for coming
038in um like you know to reinforce what Dr. said for coming in and um presenting on what you guys are most excited about. Um this is not as a new member to the board this is not easy work. I did go through all of your sips that are anywhere between 40 to 60 plus pages long. That is a ton of work. So, thank you so much for being so intentional in getting all of that done. Um, just really really appreciate your time and the energy spent getting that done. Thank you all. >> Thank you, Chie. Uh, Trusty Smith. >> Yes, I'll build on that. Um, thank you for always being inviting when we try to stop by the campuses and take a look around and look into the classrooms and just kind of hang out
039and feel the space that you've created. Um, you are all strong leaders on your campuses. Um, we can feel that and we can see it in the suspension rates. That's one of the things that I look at in our board recap. Um, if suspension rates are low, that means the kids are asking to go to school like get me there. I don't want to miss this with this teacher. We're doing this this week. Um, we're having this for lunch. like those little things um mean a lot to our learners. Um and you guys create those spaces and provide those opportunities. So um the SPS are quite long. We do not you have to read them several times to kind of catch the things that make me question. Okay, but what's missing? That's going great, but
040how do we go from good to great for that? What what's missing in regards to resources that we could provide? Um because I know you guys are getting real creative. Um, but with the attendance rates, the low suspension rates, um, that speaks a lot in volumes to what we're providing. So, thank you so much for your leadership, >> Jesse Presci. >> Yes. Um, I agree with everything that was said. Um, but I also want to add that I love how every single one of you is like your goals and it it really reflects every single school and how every single school is different. And so, I really appreciate that. And yes, like even if you read like all the 59 pages, 60 pages, like sometimes you're like looking through it and then you're like, but
041what does this all mean? So, I do want to I do appreciate the way we did it this year. Um because you guys are the experts and you guys know exactly where you are, where you see your schools going, and how you're going to get there. And um and then I j down a whole bunch of notes and like I really appreciate that like a lot of it resonated with our strategic plan, you know, like looking forward like outside and like um future leaders and of course everybody hit on attendance and I'm really excited to learn about all the alternatives to suspensions and um you guys are phenomenal. So, thank you so much for everything you do and I look forward to seeing all our students achieve under your leadership. So, thank you. >> You
042wonderful um reaction trustees. I I feel like there's nothing else for me to add. Um this is a um because you've all said it all. Um this is an action item, so I'll need a first and a second. >> I move for approval. >> Move by Trusty Smith. >> I'll second. Second by trustee Preci. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations and thanks for your leadership. Moving on to item B, annual general obligation bond audit. Uh, Director Barton. >> Yes. So, in accordance with Proposition 39 requirements, the district completed the annual bond audits for measure R and measure Q bond programs. The audits were conducted by our external auditors who also performs our financials. uh Wilkinson Hadley King and Co. I want to mention that Prop W was not
043included because bond funds for that Prop have been fully expended and um measure CC and E are our newer uh bond measures and we'll see those expenditure audits on the following audit. Um, our auditors confirmed the confirmed district compliance with applicable bond spending requirements with no financial or internal control findings identified. Uh, you'll see that the two reports are attached. I do want us to turn to the final pages. There's lots of great information in there related to our uh, status on each bond, but the final page on page uh, 32 will show the listing of our findings. There is one finding related to our independent citizens oversight committee often referred to as ICO. Um and the district continues to actively advertise three vacant positions on that committee. And so auditors have noted as a
044finding for both um measure R and measure Q that we do not have a full ICO committee and the district continues to solicit for those seats. Okay, thank you for pointing that. I had a question around that. So, um, in ter how big is our what's the size of the the group and does it have to be that big? >> It it is required to have a seven member group. We currently have four sitting members and with three vacancies that are specific to certain areas. So those three are uh the required is one from a business member in the community, another is a senior citizen member in the community and the final one is the taxpayer association. >> And can one count for all three or they actually have to be >> they're individual seats.
045>> Okay. All right. Questions. Um I guess uh how are we going about recruiting? I guess because I I saw a recent recruitment for a different district. I don't know how they got my email but and I was like okay that's interesting. So like how are we reaching out? >> Uh so various ways we have it posted on our district website as well as the application. Happy to say that we did have an applicant come in just recently the last few days for one of the positions. So we're hopeful on that. Uh we also solicited on our um social media accounts as well and also through newsletters, the superintendent newsletter and our business services. So a lot of word of mouth um to to get those positions filled. >> Okay. Trust Seattle. >> I wonder
046if we can also put it like on our class dojoos or in our um I I don't know. I don't remember seeing it on the class dojo and I know the middle school doesn't use class dojo. They use the what is it called? The the talk. >> Yeah, talking points. So maybe post something there. And then maybe I know that you go to a lot of like the community meetings. So maybe like when you meet with like Lions Club or um Revitalize Broadway, there's business members that might be interested. I don't know. >> Application wise is I have not looked at the application. is a simple application name, address. >> Yes, it is a simple application and there's a link on our website. >> Okay. >> Um and so it just is a couple of
047fields to go in there. We hold a phone interview and move from there. >> And frequency of meetings, >> it's uh quarterly, so four within the year. >> Great. I do have a business um group meeting tomorrow in Lemong Grove. I'll bring it up. >> Um so hopefully we can get somebody from there. >> Thank you. Uh, director Burton. Um, do they need to be a resident of Lemong Group? >> Yes, we do. >> Right. And this is action. Right. Correct. So, >> I don't see any further comments, discussion. I'll move to approve. Is there a second? >> Second by Trusty Smith. All in favor say I. Okay. Motion carries. Thank you, Director Barton. Moving on to item um C award contract Jacques paving uh this director Barton as well. >> Yes. On March 24th
048of 2026 the district issued a bid for the Monterey Heights playground asphalt project. This will include two separate playground locations at that school site um to support ongoing facility improvements and student safety. Staff is recommending award to Hawkeyes Paving uh in the amount of $219,000 funded through restricted bond funds to modernize and improve the playground asphalt area for Monterey Heights. >> Great. I'm sad that my son's not going to be able to appre enjoy that, but I'm glad other kids will. So, thank you for your leadership on that. Um, other comments period, you have comment. >> No comments, but I'm ready to move for approval because the kids will really, really benefit from this. >> There's a second. >> I'll second. >> Trusty Tortiello. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Thank you.
049Very excited about that upgrade. Moving on to um item E, trioes contract amendment. Director Barton. >> Um, yes. I believe there's enrichment services right before then. >> See, oh other side of the page. Apologies. D. Award contract requests for proposals enrichment vendors. Director Barton. >> Yes. The district values strong vendor partnershipships and utilizes the RFP process to ensure compliance. Um and so we want to make sure that we are partnering with the best enrichment providers for our students. And so we are recommending a ward of master contract to each of the 28 vendors listed and these would be for as needed services. So, this would be beneficial to our FACE program as well as our um ELP program and all of our district sites to be able to pick off of the list of 28
050and um contract with them. >> Okay. So, this doesn't um limit oversight, but it just expedites the um approved vendor list, right? >> Correct. And um if you recall last year we began the RFP process for enrichment services because um it was great to hit the threshold for bidding requirements. So we're utilizing these types of services more frequently for our students. And so to be compliant with public contract code, we issue the RFP and what that'll allow everybody to do is really streamline the process. So, uh, we have this list of 28 principles as well as our programs can choose from those 28s of 28 if they'd like to, um, participate in programs such as athletics, art, and such. >> Okay. And if a vendor is not on that 28, they would go through the
051normal process, correct? >> Then they we would encourage them to go through the process when we reopen for next year. I'm sorry, reopen next year for the following year. So, what you're approving tonight is for the 26 27th school year. >> Okay. What What about if there's a vendor that's totally not on that list and didn't know that we were doing a master contract? How does that work out for them? >> So, we did solicit in multiple areas including the newspaper, which is required by law, and it's also posted on our district website. Um, unfortunately, if they did not make this wave of bid or proposals that they they did not submit, they aren't able to do business with us in this realm for enrichment services, but they're welcome to participate in the following year
052if they follow all of those guidelines for the bidding requirements. >> Trusty Tortriello, you might have a question. >> Yeah. Um, I have a question about a specific vendor being um, Girls on the Run, which is a popular program that I know um, happens at San Altos. I did not see them on that vendor list, but I know that we have worked with them over the past couple of years at least. Um, can we look into that in particular for that vendor only because again I am aware that this is a popular program for um, you know, the youth. They really really love it. So I want to make sure to Dr. Ella's point that we don't have any vendors that for whatever reason missed. Yeah, we can definitely take a look at any vendors
053that um and make sure that what we're talking about is apples to apples. So, if it is enrichment services, then that's what this RFP covers. But if it is something that is in within the the school day or within some type of program, I can't speak specifically to the vendor just off top, but happy to look at any of uh the vendors that may fall out of the purview of enrichment vendors. >> Okay, that's great. Um, second question. So, I just want to be clear because it does say that we have the option to extend the contract terms to two years. Those 28 vendors that are on this list, um, does does that mean that essentially they're good for the next two school years or is it just up for the 26 27 school year?
054>> So, we have the we have the ability to do that, but we would bring it back before board to see if that renewal is what is intended. So within this master contract, we have language in there to have the renewal for a second year. Um but if there were certain vendors that maybe did not perform well under the year, we would we would assess that in >> year. We're doing it one year at a time. >> Got it. Thank you. >> And similar to Trusty Tortoella, so we we approve this for a year or two years a as a board or as a school district. We still have the option to terminate, right? We're not >> correct. >> Okay. >> Both contracts have uh optional termination language, >> but the renewal will come forward
055uh before the beginning of 2829. >> Okay. >> Sorry, 2728. >> And in terms of the warrants and the purchase orders, everything that comes in the consent agenda that that's still going to come through. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So if there's a I guess you know we are you know connected with our community. So so what you're saying that because we have these 28 that have been reoccurring business partners we're kind of trying to expedite the process but not to the exclusion of say for example there was an enrichment vendor that did AI they didn't know this and all a sudden we're moving in the in the direction of AI we would still be open to to working with them. we're not going to say we're closed for business, right? >> So, that's
056part of the reassessment after the first year. Uh so, the board can reassess at that time whether we're going to renew the same 28 or if we're going to go back out to bid or request for a proposal RFP. If the board uh chooses to go back out for RFP after year 1, then anybody can then submit again. So we either would renew for uh the same 28 for year two or we would go out for RFP again for that second year. >> Okay. I guess my question is about discretion flexibility. So I think it's great that we're doing this by the way. I think you know wherever we can expect but does a school site does do our teachers whoever is involved in procuring uh some sort of enrichment vendor or you know the
057folks to manage those funds do they still have the flexibility? Are we just saying we're we're closer business? We're not doing anything anymore. >> The f the flexibility for enrichment vendors are only within this 28 this list of 28 for the school year 26 27. >> Okay. So, um what does the board think about that? I feel like personally my initial reaction is kind of restricts a little bit but I don't know how much like thoughts, ideas. >> I think um I would I I would love to see some form of a of an addendum to this. Um whereas under certain circumstances we can um you know enlist other enrichment vendors. I think it's it's pretty hard at this point, not having yet reached the end of the school year, almost there, but to already
058close the books on what could happen in the next 26 27 school year, and to know that no changes can be made even though we understand that changes will inevitably happen um over the next year. Um so yeah, that's my feelings on it. some form just more flexibility, some form of an addendum process where we can add to or take away from versus this very hard line of um of vendors with no flexibility. >> So, I hear uh what you're sharing. Um and I would share that the county office of education oversees all of our contracting and all of our warrants that go out. And so in order to get payment issued for our vendors, the the auditors at the county office do a checks and balance. And so they say, "Are all of these
059things included in the process that you did?" Part of that process is the compliance with public contract code. So the RFP allows us to be compliant with public contract code, which is what the county would need in order to release a payment to a vendor. So um uh and 22 of these 28 vendors are ones that we have previously worked with. They also resubmitted for this RFP. So I just wanted to make sure that that information was known as well. So the county office audits every single one of our payments that go out. Part of our responsibility is to ensure that we are abiding by all the laws. So part of those laws are to do this bidding process. >> Okay. But um as part of those laws, is there something that specifically states that
060we are not able to provide to provide a process by which new vendors can be brought on? >> Um >> is that stipulated specifically is my question. >> I will have to look. >> Okay. >> I have not experienced that in the past. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. >> Yeah. So I think what I'm hearing from the board is um and what I'm hearing from director Barton is that this will make things a lot more um efficient so to speak or >> you know we've had vendors for many years. This is new by the way as well. So but vendors and we want to slow things down but at the same time we we you know we have community businesses. We don't want to say we're closing shop you know if there's a great idea
061out there or something that can come forward. So I think that's we don't know how to operationalize that. Maybe you can look further into to that Superintendent Vincent about just you know the the flexibility. I just in my mind I'm just trying to think like you know we could not really just say we're closed for business for 2027 if there's another enrichment pender that's to come up like for example trusty Toriela mentioned girls on a run right so I don't know what the dynamics are for that we just want to be community responsive we don't want to shut that down >> yeah so so I hear you and we'll look into the girls on the run uh and circle back uh this is the second year we're doing this is not the first year. So
062just uh we did do that for this school year also. We're just even more ahead of the game. So we are uh bringing this now for next school year and did go through the entirety of the process to let our community partners know uh the and this also protects the district because the legal process through which we should go through to approve vendors, enrichment vendors. Um >> Yeah. So I think I think we're we're all in agree we want to move there and approve this but we just want to offer some guidance to to follow up on what do you do with exceptions you know or you know unusual circumstances right u trusty tortail like I don't know maybe there's a I did not look at the whole list maybe there's a vendor that I
063come across in next six months and they're upset that hey we we did not I didn't know this was a process and you know I've done this for years I just want to I want us to have you know we're part of the community we want to have that kind of flexibility I can't say we're shut. We're closed for 2027 26 27. I can't, you know, as a elected really kind of say that. Um, now I could say is that we're following the process and we approve this to follow the process, make things more efficient, but there's if there's unusual circumstance, then here's the process, you know, email XYZ or something to follow up. So >> just clarity on what that would look like in the event that that a vendor um you know from
064the community or one of our educators or one of our principles identifies a vendor that um you know is servicing some gap um that is is not addressed by these 28. We just want to know if there is any flexibility around that and if so what that process would look like in the event that that happens. >> Okay. So, so I think we can move to approve with with notes or with guidance at this point. How does the board feel? >> Oh, um yes, this is a motion for us to to move through today for 2627. So we have to finalize this for 2627 but looking ahead um to prepare us for um maybe just some guidance as well in regards to the our main district website so the community does know who our vendors
065are as well as >> I think I heard from trustee Torrella is that if there's um we just want to know what the clarification is to the public if they're not on the list you know we're approving is but publicly. Oh, I don't see myself in that list. I didn't know. So, here's step B or step A to follow. >> But I we have to stick true to firm deadlines so we can remain compliant, >> right? >> Um and so we get payments out on time. So, my suggestion is that we just are very clear with the communication and the deadlines on the district website. Um so, if those questions do come up as to where why wasn't I on that list, these were the deadlines that were presented all year long. Um but if
066there are no more questions, I move for approval. >> Yeah. So let's um so your motion is to move to approve with um further clarification on the website um to the public about process and time frames. Okay. >> Um yes. And then maybe before that, I would like to um maybe get an update several times throughout the year. And just regards to how uh the quality of the programs and the impact that it's having for our uh for the community and for our students. I know most of these are are great, but how efficient are they? Are we just keeping there because we have a history with them? But I I do want I don't want to be comfortable with the vendor just because without any actual growth. >> I think that's a terrific point.
067So like an assessment point. >> Yeah. Whether it's just a check-in with uh Mariana receiving feedback from the principles or whatnot or things that she's seeing. Um but yeah, I don't want to just continue to approve the same list of vendors and make sure we have room for new >> Yeah. And if it helps just to uh assuage that concern. So kind of think of it as like a menu. Yes. >> Of the variety of partners that a school principal and a school site can engage in partnership with and our and our principles are relentless about only the best uh working for our students. So they have a menu of choices and we'll make that dependent on the follow-through with the provider, the quality of the um service to our children. Um, all of those
068things they're weighing in that decision- making, >> right? Yeah. I think that's uh I had thought about that, Trusty Smith, because we are making a symbolic commitment as a board and saying two years, right? We're saying as opposed to reviewing annually or quarterly or as they come up. So, I think it's um it's a bare minimum to get an assessment check, you know, at least once a year formally here um on progress. doesn't have to or could be part of a board board weekly update, you know. Um, okay. So, that is so the motion is to approve uh with further clarification on the website on steps and timelines. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. So, first by Trusty Smith, second by Trusty Periato. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >>
069I. >> Trusty Tortriello. Oh, I Okay. All right. Just want to double check. Okay. Um, wonderful. Moving on to and thank you, Director Barton. I know it's a lot of work to to do that. Um, but it'll make things a lot more seamless. So, now moving on to Triobo Bytes contract amendment. Director Barton. >> Yes. So, Treyobytes uh happens to be one of our current enrichment vendors. Uh, this item amends the district's existing agreement with Treyobittes by an additional $125,000. Uh the original contract amount was 85,000. So this is an addition. Um and that's for the current 2526 school year to cover uh cost for programs uh that school sites have worked with Treyobes on. >> Great. And this is districtwide as opposed. >> Yes. Yeah. I've heard lots of wonderful things about them. Um
070discussions board members. So qu operationally director Barton so going forward because they're on the 28 right the list of enri are they on the >> they are they are on the list that was just approved of the 28 going into 26 27 yes >> great is there a motion go ahead trusted >> yeah quick question so you said that the contract was originally 85,000 okay so this is an additional 125 bringing it to 210 for the 26 27 year >> for 25 26 >> 2526 >> current year. >> Okay, got it. >> And could you explain a little bit just you know it's pretty big increase but just kind of how did it how are people experiencing it at this point? Any thoughts or ideas on how it's going? >> Yeah, I'll turn it over
071to uh director. >> Yes, so it's been positively received. One of our most popular enrichment activities. It is very hands-on um so um building creating um with robotics circuits um it's all NGSS our science standards aligned and so um really just taking their science knowledge that's conceptual to you know making these real world connections >> trustees any other questions comments >> just a clarification on And so um we're looking at 210 you said for the current school year 2526 >> correct? >> Okay. So um seeing as they are on the enrichment vendor list that we just approved uh do we know if our 2627 costs will remain the same at that 210 or are we anticipating an increase for the 2627 school year? >> We don't know because the list is for as needed services.
072So uh all of the school sites and the programs are allowed to select off of the list of 28. So whether they move forward with trail bites next year or not, it will depend and that's when we'll get a better idea of what the cost will be. >> Okay, great. And is it based on um number of students participating in that particular program? >> There's various parameters, but yes, they hold different class sizes. >> Got it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty TV. That's a great question. And I know at one point we did a STEM presentation. Maybe it was last year. Now that we're going full scale district, might be good to revisit it down the road, too, because I know Monterey Heights did a lot of steam gizmos and gadgets, but just kind
073of see the status of STEM across the district or steam. So, okay. So, this is action. Is there a motion to approve? >> A motion to approve. Move >> by Trusty Tortiello. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Trusty Smith. All in favor say I. >> Okay. Okay. Motion carries unanimously. Great. Good discussion. Resolution number 2025 2627 reduction of four certificated. Um, Superintendent Vincent. >> Uh, yes. Thank you. In March at the March board meeting, the board adopted an initial resolution uh uh resulting in a reduction in certificated staff. Uh, this resolution finalizes those layoffs effective July 1, 2026 for this upcoming school year. >> There are no changes to what was brought in March. >> Okay, I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. >> Second by Trusty Tortoello. All in favor unless there's I
074don't see this hands for discussion. All in favor say I. Motion carries. Unanimously. Uh resolution number 2025 reduction in force classified. >> Yes. Similar to certificated, this is the final layoff resolution for classified for next school year. >> Okay. Uh questions, comments? I know you've seen these, but I just wanted to make sure we do have questions. Seeing hearing none, is there a motion to approve? I'll move. Is there a second? Trusty Piano. Thank you. All in favor say I. Okay. Motion carries. All right. And uh moving on to apply for California School Board's Golden Bell Award on behalf of Lemon Girl School District. Superintendent Vincent. >> Yes. Thank you. So on the heels of winning our first Golden Bell in over 20 years. Uh excited to bring forth uh this next recommendation of school
075district programs for nomination to the Golden Bell Awards. Uh so would love to entertain board conversation, talk about each of the three programs and why we believed they are great candidates uh for the golden bell. Uh subsequent to board approval, I will work with each uh principal or uh district administrator uh to submit the application in time to um the golden golden bell committee. >> Okay. So I'm happy to talk about each one briefly and then would like to discuss >> and then um that and then u how many we can submit. >> Yes, thank you. Uh so the district can submit a maximum of three programs annually. Uh so brought forth for your consideration are three programs for this school year. The first is Monterey Heights Gizmos and Gadgets program under the category the
076Golden Bell category curriculum and instruction or which would have a subcategory of STEM or steam. Speaking of uh STEM uh very strong program I know many of you have uh seen the Gizmos and Gadgets lab uh and uh it's backed by strong data. So Monterey Heights uh science uh scores have outperformed the district three years running. So we think they're a very strong candidate. That's the first. Uh the second is uh Lemong Grove Middle's career technical education program. You heard a little bit from Vanessa today. Uh but they continue to expand their program and uh would be great to bring them forth uh as a another contender. Uh and then finally, the Lemong Grove School District teacher residency program, which has supported um particularly our pipeline for special education uh teachers. Uh this has been
077led by the amazing Leanne Gategno, our coordinator of special education. Uh and uh we continue to hire great teachers because of the residency program that she's been supporting and leading um really training up our teachers uh you know future teachers and then keeping them in the district hiring our own. So it's a very very strong teacher um preparation program under the category the golden bell category of teacher recruitment and retention. So in this case, we would submit all three, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Open it up to discussion from the board >> for Monterey Heights, Gizmos, and Gadgets. Um, and having had sat through just how the Golden Bell is awarded and some of the other districts that we're in, you know, contenders for us, um, I do believe the the strongest, um,
078contender that we would need to send out from Lemong Grove should have strong data to back it up. Um, that will be our our biggest shot at winning our second Golden Bell back toback. Um, so I would I would move for um I would move for a program that we select today that has the best data when we submit our paperwork for our nomination. >> But these are all three strong programs. I am in agreement with that. >> Okay. Spoken like a golden bell recipient. So prior um other comments question trusty >> but we could submit all three right? Last year we also submitted three. We did. Yes. And and I would and I would s urge the board to consider up to three uh or these three because uh we don't know uh what
079the competition will look like, what the the scope is. It really provides us an opportunity a platform to really um accentuate what the district's doing across multiple areas. And ultimately it will be the golden bell committee that will determine which if any of the three u will be awarded a golden bell. We're going to submit all three. That's how I feel. We're going to submit all three because if when we we sat there and watched all of the winners in the past years, we all had the same thought like we've been doing this, we do it great, why aren't we up there? And so for us to finally win last year was just confirmation that we just need to submit the paperwork and show them what Lemong Grove can do. So yeah, >> I agree
080with you, Trusty Smith. Um, I mean they they all three sound like fantastic programs and have lots of data. I'm more familiar with the STEM data. So, but you know I'm going on the recommendation with the I haven't looked at the data too much on the teacher recruitment. Um, but I trust that it's strong data. I'm less familiar with the CT data, but I think if all three are strong data wise, then I'm in support as well. Any other comments, thoughts? >> Only other comment is to continue to collect. I know we're only submitting three, but when we're thinking years in advance of submitting what are the next three for next year, what are the next three for the next following year, so we can start collecting data now for those submissions. So that would
081be my suggestion is creating the pipeline of submissions for future years um so we can start getting some of the paperwork together um for easy submission. >> Love it. We've got some ideas for the year after already. Yeah. >> Awesome. Is there a motion to u submit all three for the golden bell? >> To submit all three the golden bell. >> Okay. Moved by Trusty Smith. Is there a second? >> I consult. >> Okay. a double second to Trusty Tartrielloa and Trusty Pia. All in favor say I. >> I. Okay, great. Well, we're very happy to have three three programs going forward. Um, good luck and we look What is the timeline? When do we hear back? >> Um, applications are due in June, end of June. >> Okay, outstanding. Okay, moving on to information
082discussion. Um, artificial intelligence presentation. Director Finaro. Thank you. It is my pleasure to be here tonight with two of my amazing team members. Um I'll let them introduce themselves. So first we have Miss Arlene Paers of the board. Arlene Par from educational services. I'm a teacher on special assignment and focusing on our multilingual learner programs and edtech and assessment. Next we have Mr. Eddie Baza. >> Good evening board members. Uh my name is Eddie Baza and I am the student information system specialist. >> So it's been wonderful to work together as we move forward in our board resolution and overall in just bringing tools to our teachers and our students. Um to kick us off tonight, I will hand it over to Arlene. Thank you. Um well, as we all know, um one of the
083biggest realities that we face in education is that AI is already here. Artificial intelligence is here. Our students are using these tools whether they know it or not outside of school every day. Um whether that's um a Google search engine or social media, an app, all these content creation platforms. Um so as educators we recognize the importance to um approach this new innovative technology proactively and responsibly. Um our focus has really been centered around the three um pillars of ethical use, safe use and um instructional alignment to our programs. Um we want students to also think critically about how to use AI as well. Um, and this really came from also our board resolution which was passed in October as well. Um, with the district vision for AI literacy. And we know that that vision
084emphasized ethical, effective, and thoughtful use of AI while prioritizing student safety and partnerships with colleges and community organizations. So, our ED services team was tasked with helping bring that vision to practice by identifying tools that were also instructionally relevant um and also scalable across the district with a supportive uh implementation plan for our staff. Um so that's been ongoing work that we've been really intentional around and we've taken a phased and measured approach. I'll pass it over to Amy. This work has not been done alone nor in isolation as mentioned earlier. Um we have also partnered with face who put on our first district board workshop. Um as mentioned very well attended so many useful relevant easy to use strategies. There was also meaningful discussions around what is AI? what are concerns um with AI,
085right? Um why is it needed? Um very positive feedback and we are looking forward to next year when we can have our second workshop. >> All right. So very early on we knew that we did not want AI implementation to become a collection of random tools used inconsistently around across classrooms and in district. Instead we wanted a systembased approach that meant identifying one district aligned platform with instructional guard rails and safeguards um that supported teachers and also kept student safety measures um in mind. This led us to adopting Magic School AI and essentially Magic School AI is an AI platform and it's designed specifically for K through 12 education. It includes educator tools that support lesson planning, differentiation, writing supports and feedback along with studentf facing tools focused on AI literacy and guided learning experiences.
086What made it especially appealing was that it was designed for schools from the beginning rather than being retrofitted later for educational use. And so our roll out happened in two phases. In year one, we focused on exploration. Staff who were interested had access to pilot the platform, provide feedback, and experiment with classroom applications. In year two, we expanded across the districtwide and integrated training opportunities into our ad learn professional development um structure. Participation has consistently been strong and we've even begun extending trainings to our classified staff including fiscal services and our human resources department. On the student side, our focus is not on replacing thinking. It's really about helping students develop critical thinking skills, revision skills, reflection, and digital literacy. Want students to understand that AI is a tool and not a shortcut. And lastly,
087safety. Safety has also been a major priority throughout this work. Magic Magic School meets COPA, FURPA, and SOC2 compliance standards. includes content moderation tools, district oversight management capabilities, and does not use student data to train AI systems, which I know is a huge talking point within the AI space. Um, so we've also had some really early pioneers across the district. Um, and we wanted to highlight just a couple teachers who, um, have been using these AI tools really intentionally in their classroom, both for differentiation, for planning, um, for student engagement. Um, and these examples are really powerful because they're grounded in real classroom experiences from our teachers. Um, so we will hear from them. There are two videos. First up is a video from Nuvia Nunes, who is from U Mount Vernon Elementary. She's a
088sixth grade teacher. And our second is from Visa Mesa Melissa Keller who is a fourth grade teacher. It's from MV. Um, some tools that I really like to use are the unit plan generator, the vocab list generator, and the text leveler. This helps me sort through some readings that I really want to talk about, but also give all of my readers different levels so that they all seem like they're doing the same thing, but we're all reading at our own level. And I it makes my life a lot easier as the students can really feel included in the conversation and like the topics that we're talking about and feel genuinely successful um in our day-to-day readings. Hi, I'm Melissa, a fourth grade teacher at Bissell Mesa Academy. My go-to magic school tools are the UDL
089choice board and the text translator. These tools help me differentiate quickly, support multilingual learners, and keep students engaged while saving me tons of time. Magic School helps make planning more efficient and learning more accessible for all students. Um so as we move forward um our goal is really to continue to scale this thoughtfully. Um which means continue teacher training within our existing edarn structure. Um, also expanding student access with these guard rails in place. Um, and continuing to monitor instruction, engagement, and achievement um, within the platform using our district tools. Um, we also want to continue partnering with FACE and our community organizations to ensure families remain a part of the conversation. Um, and we know that this work is not just about we we can't just move fast, right? technology is moving fast, but
090we need to make sure that we're also moving really intentionally and responsibly, and that continues to be our focus. And it is also important to recognize um some of the questions that other districts are grappling with. So, for example, LA Unified recently passed a board resolution that really surfaces some concerns around the increased use of technology, moving from a onetoone model to more of a computer lab or computer cart model. Limiting um um putting caps on screen time use, especially for our younger students. and really um li um limiting and virtually eliminating um passive technology use. Um our approach at Lemon Grove actually aligns to a lot of what has been outlined in the LA Unified Board Resolution from different sites that are blocked as well as our students use of technology. And we continue
091to prioritize um active learning creation, right? um critical thinking and problem solving. Um LGTA has also shared some concerns and these are concerns that we take very seriously and and and as we thoughtfully plan our next steps. So one of the concerns is that um we should protect foundational learning and it shouldn't replace this core skill development. um they likened it to the use of calculators, right? So before when calculators um were introduced that did not mean that students did not need to learn um the um the fluency and um the their mathematical skills and we should not allow it to undermine critical thinking. There is also a concern around student safety and their well-being and um a world that is just saturated with social media and the impacts of social media on a social
092emotional health, right? It's just being aware of those unintended impacts and making sure that we are really um teaching our students through digital literacy and how to use these tools responsibly. Um there's also um mindfulness that is needed around academic integrity and making sure that our students are still authentically um learning that they are independent um and our teachers are able to accurately assess their true independent understanding and provide the feedback that is needed. So we recognize that educators and families have concern over over reliance on screens, technology, questions around academic integrity and student readiness and we still stand firm in um that we are building skills and mindsets, right? We are not using technology for technologies sake. Especially as a preschool through grade 8 district, we ha we are tasked with um the responsibility
093of building the foundation for meaningful and responsible AI learning so that students are engaging in why something works and they're not just endusers and using the tool itself. So what that means across our grade levels in our district that that they are learning skills and mindsets such as cause and effect, right? understanding why something happens, patterns, sequencing if then logic and then using that to build solutions, testing it, revising that engineering process um that our NGSS standards call for is still very much relevant, right? observation of phenomena and testing things out because these are the things that create a strong foundation of literacy and mathematics which cannot be ignored in our steps forward as we look to our new venture of this digital world especially with AI. So thank you so much and um we
094are happy to entertain any questions or comments. >> Thank you. Thank you. This is um really good and very impressive. Um it's good to see it all tied together because I I think we get different parts of it and to have it presented the way it is is pretty pretty fantastic. I do have a question about the data the because we're using MA we've been using magic school for a year or did we use that before? >> So it's our first official year of implementation. The year prior to that, it was um we were just testing it out and we had trial access and we had such positive feedback that we decided to purchase a district-wide license. >> Okay. And the reason why I asked that is because um didn't even cross my mind until
095now. Um I don't know if in the golden bell if there's like a category for innovation and change or I forgot all the categories, but superintendent, you probably would know that. And since there is data I don't know if you know we can consider also looking at this as year one and I don't know what where it would fit in those categories also potential submission depending on what data is there. >> Yeah. Um a great idea the golden bell requires a minimum 2year long program so could be next year. >> Okay great thank you for clarification. Other comments? Trusty Smith, >> I do. So, I'm very proud to say when we went to CSBA, AI was a con a topic that we talked to our uh state representatives about. It's very interesting to have sat
096in spaces with other leads um within California. Um and our approach to AI from Lemon Grove in comparison to some of the other districts is we're ahead. Um, and I'm very proud of that because just even learning that we use magic school and how we use them um in our classrooms and and how it doesn't take away uh the students ability to look at something and reapproach it. It doesn't give them something very similar to like how chat GBT would give you the whole paragraph rephrase. It still forces the child to think and re-evaluate. Um, so I feel like those safe or I believe those safe boundaries are in place in regards to how we are rolling out AI. I know AI um community can be a little split on that. We've got some strong
097folks in the community who are strong um advocates for AI. Then we've got the other half who are just like that's a little scary for me right now. We won't even get to talking about data centers and the environmental impact because that is a very real conversation. Um but in regards to our role here within the district and our responsibility to the students, um we have to find the fine balance of making sure our students don't fall behind in the realm of technology. Um, and so while we're here implementing programs such as this, um, and getting feedback from, you know, the classrooms, the educators of what's working, um, we might be using Magic School now, but coming down the pipeline, we might have to find something else because again, technology is forever continuously challenging itself.
098But I will say, uh, we were one of the schools who had something already implemented and being utilized. We had folks pulling us to the side asking us well how does this work and how does this work? So that for me was affirming in regards to okay we won't talk about the other things attached like the data centers right now but we will talk about what's directly impacting our students. Um, one of the areas that I was most concerned about, uh, because I deal with this at my job as well, is losing critical thinking, um, and the inability to have a a real conversation with another human being and really getting those thoughts onto paper with proper pronunciation, grammar, periods like that that I do believe still we still need to teach. teachers are still
099um responsible of, you know, showing students the why, the how, and getting the pen to paper. Not everything needs to be typed. Um so there is still some of those core foundational values that we need to to keep here in Lemon Grove. again, while still balancing being competitive when when they take off to high school um and looking at their 40-year profile. You know, by the time they get to post-secary education, they should be a well a well-rounded, you know, learner. Um but yeah, right now we're moving in the right direction. So, thank you so much for this information. It it was packaged very well. Um, and I'm looking forward to how we just continue to grow in in a safe way with with this AI piece. One one thing that we heard at in
100our DC visit was one of the uh contacts for House Representative said that in hiring their future interns that are coming in, their skills in terms of being able to utilize AI blew them out out of the water. they they themselves weren't prepared for that. So, they felt like they were behind the ball when it came to who they're hiring like literally two months ago. So, you know, what we're doing here really ties in with our our commitment to creating the the workforce for the 21st century. So, I think um I didn't realize that we were ahead until we started talking to people who were behind. And so I think we're just going to be responsive to the community. You know, it's something of interest, not knowing that it would, you know, put us where
101we are. And that's and your report really um captured that. So thank you. Other thoughts, comments? This is information, not not action, but I appreciate Trusty Tortoella attending that um big event that Thank you so much for presenting. You did such a fantastic job reporting out. Um, we'd love at some point to see how, you know, we can up our AI game, you know, so love to do that at some point or see how we can support the the whole district. I know focus first foremost is on our our learners, make sure the safety pro uh pushing the foundational skills, all those things, but at some point we want to be able to support them too, right? It's got to take all of us. So, thank you. if there's nothing else. >> Thank you so
102much. >> Great job. All right, last mile. Um, moving on to future board agenda items, I think it is here. Yes, future agenda items. Any agenda items, board members? >> Uh, yeah. So, at a future meeting, I'd like to request a review of our board bylaws, specifically related to member attendance and participation. I'd really just want to ensure that our policies continue to support effective governance and continuity. Um, so I'd appreciate having that placed on a future agenda. >> Thank you, board, because you kind of read my mind. I had I had the same idea because I was looking at these u board commitments. You know, it says we agree. a whole bunch of things. One of them is we are committed to conducting meetings efficiently by managing time effectively, staying focused on agenda items
103and minimizing any off-topic discussions, but we can't do that if we're not all here. So, I think it's really important just kind of level set expectations for attendance and princip because our community really expect us to to be here and be present. So, thank you. and having something, you know, in writing in terms of our bylaws around what that looks like, what the expectations really are. >> Thank you. I'm glad you so down the road. Anything else, board members? >> Okay. So, moving on to consent agenda. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Move for approval. >> Moved by Trustee Smith. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Trusty Tortiello. Second. All in favor say I. Okay. Closing functions. No agenda. No comments for non-aggendaized items and the time is 7:43
104and we are journed. Thank you.