001call the regular meeting of the board of education for Martinez Unified School District to order. It is October 6th, 2025. Do we have any public comments for close session? >> There are no public comments for close session. >> Seeing none, we will um adjourn to um close session. Thank you. Okay, we're con reconvening for the regular meeting of the board of education. We do have one item to report out from close session. The board of education met in close session earlier to discuss confidential matters as pertained under the Brown Act. The board took the following reportable action regarding claim 66036. The board voted to reject the claim. The vote was 4. There are no other reportable items during close session. Thank you. Next, um would you like to start us in the pledge of allegiance,
002Matthew? Do we have any changes to the agenda? >> There are no changes to Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, there is. We are going to pull items in section 15, items one and two. Okay. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda with the modification? >> I make the motion to approve it with the modifications. >> Second. >> Student rep. >> I. >> All those in favor? >> I. So moved. Next we have comments from Matthew Schik. Okay. Loses would like to say thank you to parent Travis Ponell and the Los Huntus Elementary PTA for creating such magic with the dragon on the Los Hunus float and for everything they have done for the Los for Losas this year. Thank you to all the families who participated in supporting Losus Elementary at the fun run
003this year. It was a huge success all because of you. The Los Huntus Elementary back to school night was a great night to meet new parents and to see returning faces. Thank you to all the families who attended. This month's Los Hunas Elementary Dine and Donate will be held on Wednesday, October 8th at JP's Beastro. Los Hunus Elementary will host a math night on Tuesday, October 14th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Los Hunus Elementary's annual coin drive will start on October 14th and go until October 24th. At John Mir Elementary, the amazing Timberwolf mascot visited during an assembly to hype the kids up for their Timberwolf trot. The fourth and fifth grade classes are visiting and collaborating with the kindergarten and first grade classes. They are writing getting to know you letters and reading books
004to each other. The New Leaf collaborative science workshops are back on campus this year to provide all of the John Mir Elementary classes with hands-on science experiments. They made stickers using recycled material. On October 16th, John Mir Elementary and Mel Park Elementary will participate in the Great California Shakeout. Students will learn about earthquakes and earthquake safety and then participate in the annual earthquake drill. The John Mir Elementary PTA meeting is on Tuesday, October 21st. John Mir's annual trunk or treat and harvest festival is on Saturday, October 25th. At John Sweat Elementary, kindergarten had bug buddies from Heather Farm come in for an in-house field trip. The John Sweat third graders took a field trip to the historic John Mir house. Fourth graders had an informational session from professionals at the Contraosta Water District. Kindergarteners was
005will soon be completing projects all about apples. Also, John Sweat students are starting after school PTA enrichment. Mela Park held its Hispanic Heritage Assembly on September 30th. Students explored the music and culture of Latin America. Contraosta Water District presented to the Mela Park Elementary 4th grade classes on Tuesday, October 2nd. Students learned all about the local aquatic ecosystem and water supply. On September 18th, Melo Park held their annual ice cream and tie-dye social. This very well-attended event is an opportunity for all Melo Park Elementary students to dye their shirts in the class color, dance the evening away with a DJ, and get free ice cream. Melo Park teachers will be learning about evident evidence-based writing instruction and foundational literacy on the district professional development day on October 13th. On October 24th, Melo Park Elementary plans
006to restart its old movie night tradition using the new AV system in the multi-use room. >> Anything else? >> Uh, I'd just like to say I attended the MEF run this year. I actually raced in it and it was super great. I got like 13th, I think. It was super great. I saw a few trustees there. It was just an amazing time. Very well attended. Super great to see the community come together. >> Great. Thank you. Do we have any employee organization reports from Martinez Education Association? Nope. How about the California School Employees Association? N. Do we have any comments from the PTA? Okay. Um, moving right along, we have the superintendence report. >> Okay. Thank you. So, first I'd like to say that MUSD celebrates the Filipino American Heritage Month and MUSD recognizes breast
007cancer awareness month. I'd like to reiterate my message that went out to the MUSD community. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire MUSD community for your incredible support and participation in the MRCM MEF run for education. With over 500 participants from energetic four-year-olds to inspiring 84 year olds, this event truly showcased the spirit and unity that make Martinez so special. Together, we raised more than $246,000 for our schools. And that's just not a number. It's a powerful investment in our students, our educators, and the future of our district. MRC and MEF, your unwavering dedication and tireless commitment continue to uplift our schools and enrich the lives of our students. Your impact resonates far beyond the classroom, strengthening the entire Martinez community. Also sending a special thanks to the Rotary Club and the
008Kowanas Club for their support of family night. I am honored to lead in such a vibrant and compassionate and forwardinking district. Thank you for making this event and every day in MUSD so meaningful with appreciation and pride. I'd also like to share that um in the road to alignment and cohesive instruction across the district all sites are actively engaging with core curriculum and collaborative efforts are being made to align academic pacing and assessments. This ensures more equitable and consisting learning consistent learning experiences for all our students. This concludes my report. Thank you very much. Um board reports are next. I also wanted to um say a big thank you to MRC MEF. Um, I attended the family fund night as well as um, Trustee Lial and Trustee Campbell were there and it was very nice
009to see um, the Alhambor High School principal Frank Bey there as well. And I really enjoyed the jazz band from Alhambor High School. They played beautifully. It was really um, a professional playing ability for sure and that was really wonderful. Um, I just also wanted to take a moment to thank um the Martinez Refining Company for all they do for our students. And I know in our um consent calendar when we get to it, we always talk about donations that we get from people. And actually in the last year um they've actually donated in addition to the MEF run that they raised. They've donated about $200,000. So they contribute to a lot of the PTAs and to the clubs. when anyone needs something, they just send it to them and if they don't have if
010they're not a nonprofit, they give the money to the PTAs and they give it to the students. So, for example, the tutoring program. And I just think that we are very fortunate to have their continued support um not only with the MEF run, but also just um directly to the schools. And we don't always recognize them. And I think it's important that we say a big thank you to them and know that they're great partners. They've done this, you know, for years and I don't see any change in the future. So, I just wanted to thank them for for all that. Annie, >> so I um also volunteered this weekend at the run and my son who did not want to go, I begged him and he went and he helped our superintendent across the
011finish line. Not that she needed any help whatsoever, but he was very excited for her to cross and that was his first time meeting her. So, he was very excited. Um, so it's it's just always great to see the community out and supporting our schools. And so, um, with the conclusion of the run, MEF will be turning its focus on the third annual readathon, which will happen at the elementary schools during the first week of March. And I think very soon we'll have a report for Dr. Patrick to share um, how those funds have been used from the first two years and how they're supporting our elementary libraries and early literacy. So, looking forward to that. Um, so as Annie and Tanya already said, um, we all attended a bunch of different things, whether it
012be family fund night or the run. Uh, I wish we had multiple runs a year because, uh, it's just so great to see everybody from city council, some leaders within the county, all the parents, students, business owners, everyone that gets involved and uh, has a great time. and I I stayed for a lot of the awards that were given out and even the little kids race which is always great to watch. Um so yeah, I looking forward to it next year and I think they made a record amount. I forget exactly what it was but it was over 250. Um so very appreciative of that and everyone had a great time and it was safe and uh yeah look forward to it next year. So, I just want to commend the um high school band
013because they were incredible. The the um entertainment value for me alone. I'm Martinez is getting their the taxpayers are getting their money's worth because the band was just fabulous. And um I also really enjoyed the run. I didn't get to run this time, so nobody got to laugh at me. Um but I did get to supervise seniors, which need no supervision whatsoever. Um, but we had a lot of fun in encouraging people uh to make it across the finish line. So, thank you. >> I also volunteered at the run. I my my volunteer assignment was not Yours sounds like a lot more fun. I was directing traffic at Buckley and Beerlesa, which is not even on the run path. Um, but I got to tell cars they had to turn around, so that was, you
014know, but, um, it's always fun to, uh, volunteer and it's good to see everybody and the turnout is always really fun to see. So, thank you for everybody that volunteered and participated. >> Did you have anything else you wanted to add, Matthew? >> Nope. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Next, we have the initial LPAC MUSD framework of focus teaching and learning. Yadira Zapata. Yes, this is okay. Hi, good evening board. Good evening, Superintendent Patrick. Thank you for having me tonight. Um, so I'm here to share some information about the initial ALP pack. Um, so we'll talk a couple of different things. We'll talk about what is the initial ALP pack, who takes it, what's on it, how is it scored, what does that mean, and then we'll look at a little bit of data
015over the last few years. Um, so the initial ALP pack is the initial English language proficiency assessments for California. Um, the purpose to identify students who may be English language learners or multilingual learners um and determine their level of proficiency when they first enroll in a California public school. Um, it is aligned to the California um, EL standards. Um and it is administered to students one time during um their enrollment in a California public school. Um so who takes the assessment? Um our flowchart aligns uh directly with the CDE guidance and guidelines and expectations. Um so when students first enroll in a California school, the family completes something called the home language survey as part of enrollment. Um and it asks four questions. So the first three um what language did the child first learn?
016What language does the child most frequently speak um at home and which language do the parents or guardians frequently use when speaking to the child are exactly all about the student. And the fourth question is about um what language is most often spoken by the adults in the home. If the response to numbers 1, two, and three is something that is not English, then we mark them in areas as uh to be determined as their language fluency. The fourth question is more information. Um if it's English English English English Farsy it is at our discretion if we want to pursue more information about that student um and yes so we mark them as TBD and Aries um and then we send a parent notification to say hello when you enrolled in your school uh in
017school you indicated that your child's primary language is not English so here in California we have to administer this assessment we provide all the information and at that point the families are able to share what um what do you mean I put something that's not English um and make a correction at that point or if we hear nothing or they say yes, sounds great, then we proceed with um administering the assessment. And then um we do have to administer the assessment within 30 calendar days. So the moment the child um is enrolled, we have 30 calendar days. And so sometimes that puts us in a tricky spot if it's coming up on a holiday break um because it is not school days, it is calendar days. So we try to um create some space for
018the student to acclimate and um just transition to a new school, a new environment. Um and then we work with the teacher and our uh proctors to administer that assessment after the child's had some time to adjust um to their new school. Um the initial ALPAC has four components. It's broken into reading, writing, listening, and speaking um as individual domains and then we group them as written language and oral language. Um, for grades kindergarten through 2 grade, we administer the assessment one-on-one for each individual component of the assessment. And then for grades three through 12, it's a group setting for all um portions of the exam except for speaking because we are administering questions. Um, we're recording the students response and we're using a rubric to grade them in speaking. And so that's why there's
019always the individual component for speaking at least. Um, I said 30 calendar days. And then our proctors um primarily at the elementary school we use our bilingual pair educators. We have one at the um secondary level as well. And then we also have um a retired teacher uh Lauren Norse. Shout out Lauren. Um who comes back and supports us in these efforts to make sure we have a a smooth um testing window and process. Um and then just one note that was on that last slide is there is an alternative assessment for students who potentially have an IEP and need an alternative assessment. So it's similar to the criteria for the CA which is the alternative um ESPback assessment. So there is that and it would be indicated in the student's IEP. Um so these
020are just some slides where you can see um what types of tasks are students asked to do on the initial ELPAC. This one is all about listening. You can see how it's broken down by different types of activities. Um and some of them are also specific to certain grade levels. Um the test is administered. There's a kindergarten test, a first grade test, second grade test, and then three through five is band. Six through eight is a band, nine and 10 is a band, 11 and 12 is a band. So, it is um uh it is grade level appropriate. Um it's age appropriate. Um but you might be asked to listen to a short exchange, but a kindergarten short exchange is going to be very different than an eighth grade short exchange. So, you can see
021information on there. The next one is focused on speaking. So, same thing, you can see the breakdown of type of activities they're asked to do. what grade levels they may apply to. The next one will show you reading and then the last one will show you um writing. Um and again it's all uh dependent on that grade level. Um and what students are asked to do um is uh dependent on their grade. Then thank you. Um there are three possible scores. Um, so there's initially fluent, intermediate English learner, and novice English learner. So students who earn um a score it's 450 points or higher are considered initially fluent. And that shows us that that student has an uh English skills on par with where they would be expected to for their grade level and they
022are not an English learner, but maybe they're fortunate enough to be raised in a multilingual home and they have exposure to multiple languages. Um and then students who score intermediate or novice will be designated as English language learner. Um we send notification to the families um uh expressing what their uh scores were, what does it mean, information about reclassification, who to contact at the district office. Um and then we also print out the score sheet and send it home to the family. Um so they have the physical copy where they can u read it. Um and if the um scoreeet is available in their home language, then they print it in their home langage as well. and send that off to them. Um, this is a sample of what the student score report may look
023like. Um, so you'll see the first page is just basic information about the assessment, the different levels, um, how does that broken down, and then the second page is actually the student score, um, score sheet. So, you'll see an overall score, what does that mean, and then you'll see um, scores for the oral language and then the written language. You see a little bit of a scale of where that student is. Um, I think that's the most help piece of the student score reports is to see the breakdown of those um skills. So the overall score will tell you kind of a at a glance where they are, but really looking and drilling down at those is much um more telling. And then I've been working with um our teachers across the district um and
024they know exactly where to find this information. We did a little activity where they went in and kind of looked for some of them um and there and because we have ARIES, it's a historical timeline. So you'll see their initial ELPAC score in addition to in future um when they take the summit of ELPAC and you can see it for any time they've ever taken it which is really nice to see that um historical data. Um so what happens so when a student is designated as an English language learner they will uh receive English language development supports in the spring they'll take the um summit of LPAC and then they do remain designated as English language learner until they meet reclassification data. Um And I need to ignore that alternate reclassification. There is no alternate
025reclassification uh following new guidance from the state of California. So all students have to score a four on the summit of ELPAC to be on track and move forward with reclassification. On the parent end, they receive notification of their student status. Um their progress and performance. Um, we do that within the first 30 days of the school year, sending them kind of a holistic like, uh, we send them their ELPAC scores, but also if they've taken the ES back, if there's any local measures they've taken, such as the FastBridge assessments, um, and even like their attendance, um, information. And then we definitely do a lot of outreach, ensure that our families feel included to participate, whether it's ELA, DAC, schoolside council, just ensuring that they're receiving all that information as well to be involved. Um,
026this is our reclassification data. So or reclassification criteria again following CD guidance. Um the first one is a student has to score a four on the summit of alpac then we have some uh measures um of another basic skills assessment. So we use the ESPback but we can also use inspect um fastbridge. Sometimes we might look at like the junior thesis some kind of some sort of universal tool and assessment that's used that is measured against all students. then we move on to teacher evaluation and then parent input as well. So, it's a little bit more of a process um to reclassify and be considered fluent um after you've been designated. And then here's some data over the last few years. Um you can see how many total students have taken the initial LPAC. Um
027you can see how many were initially fluent, intermediate, and novice. It changes every year. Um it's kind of a mixed bag. Right now we're about a third, a third, a third. So a third of our students are fluent, a third of our students were intermediate, and a third of our students were novice. I have an asterric on this year because it is a rolling assessment. If a student comes in November and January and March and April, we're administering that assessment. So that number will change all year. Um I actually think I think since last week when I updated it, we had one more new student. So it's already out of date. Um, and then for last year there there's an asterisk on there um to indicate that uh last year was the first year TK
028was no longer administered this assessment. TK used to take the assessment and they took the kindergarten assessment. So there was a big push at the state level to exempt TK until a TK assessment was developed that would be more developmentally appropriate for them. A kindergartener as we know is very different than a TKER. Um that one year is a big change. Um, and so starting last year, TK is no longer assessed and we'll kind of see how that pans out as they develop something that is appropriate for TK. And that's it. >> Thank you very much. Um, does anybody have questions? >> Well, mine is more of a comment and I realized in my board report that I did not mention that I am on the DACA committee and I had attended the last DAC
029meeting and then Miss a potata got up here and started talking. I'm like, "Oh, right. I need to report on that also." So, um, I really appreciate this data and also the DAC meeting. I'm a native English speaker. I have a sort of barely passing Spanish and I always find the meetings really um, good for me to see the perspective of what a lot of our families feel when they're in mostly English settings, English speaking settings. So, um, Miss Sapata does a great job of having slides that have both languages and she also does a really great job getting some information out to our families that is right now very sensitive. I think we all recognize that for a lot of our Spanish speaking families, regardless of immigration status, it's really frightening. Things are changing
030rapidly. And so, uh, at the DAC meeting, a lot of things were presented about changing federal laws and then what California is doing to protect families and what we are doing as a district and where families can find that information. So, I found that really valuable as I find this valuable. So, thank you for all of your work. >> Thank you. >> That's it. Thank you very much. Next, we have public comments. Under government code 54954.3, members of the public have the right to address the board on any matter within the board's jurisdiction. However, the board may not take action on any non-aggenda item. Individual speakers will be allowed three minutes to address the board. 20 minutes have been allocated for this portion of the agenda. Additional time is allowed at the end of the
031meeting if there was not enough time to speak during public comments. And it looks like we have a public comment and that is going to be Mary Writtenhouse. Perfect timing. >> A waterfall game. It's my son's senior year, so I'm trying to be present for it. And so, hold on. I'm sorry. All right. Thank you. Um, I'm here tonight um because I'd like to um submit comment for uh item 14.2, public comment. So, good evening members of the board. I am here tonight to ask that our board take public comment when each agenda item is brought up rather than grouping all comments at the beginning. Here's why. When comments come first, families are asked to speak before they even heard the staff report or your discussion. That means their input may not be as informed,
032and you don't always get feedback that responds directly to the facts on the table. By moving public comment to when the agendum agenda item is discussed, you allow the community to react in real time with context, which leads to stronger or more useful input for your decision making. Second, taking public comment during each item makes it much clearer for you and for the public watching to connect a parents perspective with the policy being debated. Instead of flipping back mentally to something said an hour ago, you consider the community's voice in the moment alongside the data and your own deliberations. Finally, this approach improves trust. Parents and students want to feel heard in the discussion, not as an afterthought and not out of sequence. Allowing public input item by item shows respect for their time and
033ensures they're part of the actual process, not just speaking into the void at the start of the meeting. This small change can make meetings more meaningful, more transparent, and more responsive to the people that are served. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there another public comment, Todd? Are you going to fill out a form or not? >> So, today we are still use we haven't changed anything. So, we're back to speaking now in public comment. >> Sure. >> We haven't changed it yet. Yes. But no, you No, Todd, you have to speak now because we're doing I'm sorry I said that incorrectly. We're doing it the new way today still because we still have not we have it on the agenda. So, you do need to speak now. Apologies. >> Um, first of all, my
034apologies. I just came from a water polo game at the high school. So, it's a great fall evening outside. Um, so when we get to the discussion on 14.2, I hope that part of what'll be discussed is exactly where we're trying to get to and the real why behind it. The efficiency argument doesn't wash if we're allowed to give people the same amount of time regardless of whether or not they're frontloaded at the beginning of the meeting or at the end. I heard the majority of Mary's comments and I agree. I think it's unfair to the community who quite frankly put you each in your seats to have to speak on agenda items that they have no idea what the context is. So, um I'm hoping that the discussion tonight will really bring forward what
035the true driver is behind the change because efficiency just doesn't seem to work. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Do we have any changes to the consent calendar? No. Okay. Um just acknowledging the donations. We have gift donations. Loses um Vinehill PTA contributed 3,300 roughly. Mela Park PTA contributed 17,398. Blackbot giving fund contributed $80. And again, Los Vine Hill PTA contributed $4,500. So, thank you to those. Do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar? >> I make a motion to approve the consent calendar. >> I'll second. >> Student rep >> I. >> All those in favor? >> I so moved. >> Okay. Um, review of CSBA updates June 2025. Dr. Gigi Patrick. >> Okay. Thank you, Trusty President. So, what you have before you for the first read, um I'm going
036to go through each item and of course, if there are any questions, I'll pause um to if I'm unable to answer the question directly, we'll have um Patty Ali, our coordinator um principal coordinator who also worked on these policies on the district's behalf. Okay. So, uh first board policy BPAR 5125.1 is the release of directory in information and these uh board policies are just primarily updated language. So, uh CSBA released language recommendations to update just to align to current practice. Um because you know as you know are always changing. So, the language is just updated to reflect um current processes and procedures. Uh for board policy AR 514 5.3, which is the district's non-discrimination and harassment policy. um again making just updated language to those policies to um also reflect changes to Title 9. Um
037you may recall that last year um after 2020 after August of 2024, Title 9 changed and school districts went through a series of training and all policies had to be modified to reflect the changes in Title 9. Um, now that we have new a new administration, we are actually going back to any all of the Title 9 provisions that existed prior to August 2024. So, anything around uh discrimination and harassment, those changes would be reflected to relate to the new to the former Title N language. So um for non-discrimination and harassment that language reflects the changes um for say parent guardian notification board policy E54145.6 parent guardian guardian notification again it is has been updated to reflect the changes. Um so a simple example would be there may be a place in board policy that
038references the requirement of gender specific restrooms. So that no longer exists. So the new language would take that out. So just to give you an example when you say well what's changed in we're just going back to prior to August 2024 that's when the language changed to update um based on the prior administration's goals with regards to board policy and AR 5145.7 which is sexual harassment also um updated to align to the changes in title nine. So, um there were some specific um references in the prior board policy. Some of that language has been struck out to just simply say, for example, instead of saying um um there was one that said sex sexual um um I can tell you exactly I'm make sure that you guys are clear. This is important. So, the original
039policy said sexual discrimination and sex based harassment. The new language now says sexual harassment. So, it just goes back to that original language. Just to give you an example of what that looks like with regards to AR um slashe5145.71 title 9 sexual harassment and complaint rece um procedures also updated to reflect language uh that existed prior to August 24 August 2024. So, it's just going back to the old language um and a lot of strikeouts and just taking out all old language, putting in all language from uh before August 2024. Let's see. One thing I also want to emphasize for that is with regards to Title N sexual harassment and complaint procedures, there's language that pretty much so says that districts have to identify a person who is responsible for the investigations, but now the
040that same individual cannot be responsible for the final renderings. So once the investigation occurs, the um new provisions allow that a different person has to determine what's going to happen as a result of the investigation. So that's that's a very important change. Um, with regards to board policy 5146, which is for married, pregnant, and parenting students, again, it's amended to reflect the title n um language. And to give you an example there, so I think it's important to just note how the changes are reflected. So in the prior language um there would be a reference to um a pregnancy or termination of pregnancy or lactation and that is struck out. It now reads um or recovery there from. So instead of going specific with certain um characteristics or situations that might occur for students, it
041just strikes it out and gives very basic language. Again, aligning to title nine of prior to August 2024. And that concludes my update on the first read for these board policies. >> Thank you. That was very specific. I appreciate that. Any questions? Okay. Next, we have public comments. Dr. Patrick. All right. In our last uh board meeting, the trustees um wanted to add public comment to this board meeting for discussion. So, I'll turn it over to trustee president for discussion on public comment. >> Thank you. Uh so just wanted to say that generally uh procedural items do not come to board meetings but for transparency purposes we wanted to make sure it was on the agenda. Um so with that who would like to start comments? So over the last few days I researched how
042the surrounding districts provide for public comment during their board meetings. And from what I can see, Mount Diablo, Walnut Creek, Pittsburgh, Antioch, Lafayette, Moraga, and Arinda all begin with general public comments at the start of the meeting and then allow for public comment on each agendaized item prior to board action. I also reread the Brown Act and at its heart is the importance of transparency and the provision for public input. And what I heard from the speakers last meeting and this one was that it is important to them to be able to speak on agendaized items at the time that they are discussed by the board. In addition, I find that having all the comments in the beginning of the meeting is more confusing personally to me as I need to take notes on what
043speakers are saying about agendaized items and then review my notes which are not in the order of the items to be discussed. And finally, I want to acknowledge the ongoing support and generosity of our community as they continue to fund our renovations and rebuilding of schools and fund our music programs and do so much more. And it's important that we hear and respect their input and they certainly have earned that much from us. Thank you. >> Yeah, I don't I don't disagree with any of that and I I really don't um have a opinion on this really one way or the other. So, I'm listening to what everybody else has to say. Um, this was a suggestion made by our superintendent and our um governance um consultant um for just a way to have the
044meetings run more efficiently. And I think um that it makes sense to me to have, you know, listen to what the public has to say on each item. Um, we didn't really get to try it the other way. So, I don't really know how I feel about the other way. I was willing to try it at the suggestion of professionals and see how it went. To me, I think what's more important than when we do public comment is just um the meetings not getting off track. And I think we've been lucky in this district. We haven't really had too many wild meetings, at least since I've been on the board. Um, I go to other board meetings and there's a lot of people yelling out. There's a lot of people um speaking out of turn
045and that's when it starts to get inefficient. And I think people um here have generally been respectful of our meetings. So, I think it's just us up to us to make sure the public realizes that that they can't do that if it were to happen. Um, and you know, if that means like sending an email or just saying, "Can you talk to us after?" I think that's okay to do. Um, so I'm listening to the public. I think that I do kind of like to have listened on each item to what they say, but um, again, we didn't really get to try it the other way, so I don't really have an opinion on that either. So, I'm still listening. I thought we were still on the new way. Um, still, but >> yeah, today
046we are doing the new way. Yes. >> Yes. That's why they spoke earlier. Yes. >> Well, I appreciate everyone uh giving input. Um, I've talked to a couple people and I don't disagree with either of you. One thing I will say as somebody that goes to city council and county meetings, traditionally, if I wanted to speak on something that was later in the agenda, I would have to to have it pulled. That doesn't always happen. So, although I definitely understand where people's uh comments come from about the organization, it is for somebody like me that just comes and speaks and doesn't want to stay until whether it's 8:30 or 11 o'clock at night, being able to say what I wanted to say and then being able to leave. So, I'm just going to say for
047somebody like myself, sometimes I don't have the time to attend or stay for the entire meeting and be able to speak on it is a a pro, but I can also see other people's point of view as well. >> I have like a clarification about the the system where it's not all in one section. So, is that for the the main public comment for that? Is that only non-aggenda items? >> So, we used to have the public comments in the very beginning were non-aggenda items and at the each item we would ask for public comments and they would talk after we'd spoken and then we would vote or do whatever. Um the change that the facilitator had suggested for more efficiency was to have all the public comments whether it's agenda item or non-aggenda item
048put up front which is what we changed it to. Um but reading our bylaws we discovered that you still have three minutes per agenda item. So that's why someone can be up there speaking for nine minutes and to go to Brenda's point or Trusty Lial's point. Um it gets confusing. You're taking notes. >> Okay. Because I I understand uh Trustee Campbell's perspective about how it's really these meetings go long. I mean you guys all know that. And sometimes like people can't stay until 9:30. So like being able to make a public comment about an agenda item at the beginning is really useful. But then on the other hand, I really agree with Trusty Lial that um a lot of the stuff that comes up during the meeting isn't really on the agenda and like we'll
049have like a slideshow or something, but there's stuff shared that you know isn't even if you research beforehand, you're not going to see. And I feel like making the public comment after each item makes it a lot more accessible. So you don't have to like go and like tread through all the the expanses of uh leg legal paper legal work and all of that stuff in the agenda and you can just hear it as it comes and make comments on it. I feel like that's a lot more accessible so people don't have to spend hours just like going through it all. >> Thank you for your input. I appreciate that. As the student rep, you're sharing your opinion. Yeah. So, I um well, I guess I want to start by saying I don't have a
050particular thought on which way is better, but I do think that the public deserves to know that this was not just something that a facilitator told us to do. And we said, okay. We actually had a pretty lengthy conversation, the six of us. So our student board rep was not involved in the governance training but the six of us were there and we um I thought all agreed to give it a try. That doesn't mean that we can't change course but that was what I walked away feeling and the reason for that in my mind was not so I feel like there's this word efficiency in my mind it was about the word effectiveness and we talked a lot about how are you governing effectively and something that so the facilitator we used has watched
051all every single board member board meeting that we've had for the last eight months so she's seen a lot and one thing she commented is that if you're taking public comment after each item and then you have discussion, she's noticed that sometimes we go back to public comment. That is actually not allowed. And that takes away from the opportunity for the five board members to actually discuss an item. And so the thought was not to limit the public perspective, but to get that information. So we all have that. We've absorbed that information. when we see staff presentation and then we're using the the time the agenda time on each item to talk to each other because we are limited by the Brown Act and that's the only time that we can all five of us
052engage in the conversation. So it really was about the meetings are a meeting of the board of education in public but what her comment was is that we're not always talking to each other. were having a meeting as though it's like performing for the public. And so I wanted to at least put it out there that those were the discussions that we had because I feel like up here it sounds like this was a thing that we were just like, "Oh yeah, that sounds okay. Let's try." And it really wasn't. There really was a lot of deep discussion about that. I don't know which way is the best way. I really don't. Um I know that it's something that can be changed if we decide to try something. It can be changed. It's procedural. I
053also do know that the way that our meetings are agendaized now are incorrect because if we are going to take public comment after, and this is an easy fix, but something to note, if we are going to take public comment after each item, it needs to actually be listed. And I think that we need to do a better job of being consistent about when we take it. Does the board have discussion first, then we take public comment? Do we take public comment, then the board has discussion? And once the public comment has happened, the board can't discuss. And then someone in the audience says, "Oh, I have a paper." and we go back to it. That's not it can't be that that's not effective or efficient actually. So those are my thoughts. I don't think
054that there's a right or wrong way to do it, but I do think it's something that it was noted to us that it's been it could be it could be better and I agree with that. It could be better however we decide to proceed. >> I I totally agree and I think you said what I was trying to say a lot better than what I said that to me it's more about um keeping the meeting on track than when we have public comment. And that's a really good point about the Brown Act because the Brown Act means that we cannot discuss um non-aggendaized items and we can only discuss agendaized items here. I'm sorry. We can't discuss non-aggendaized items in the meeting and in the meeting is the only place we can discuss agenda items.
055So that means it doesn't mean that we can't take items on the agenda out of order. We can do that. Doesn't mean that the superintendent or anybody else has to be here. Who has to be here is a quorum of the board and that's our time to talk about agenda items. And I think that's a good point. Like what to me what would work well, which I think we do most of the time, but not always, is we have our staff report, we ask questions that we have, then we take public comment, and then we bring it back for discussion and then have a motion to vote. It should always in that order. And I think that's where we sometimes run into problems is when we don't do it in that order. But I also
056it's always in the top of my mind and hopefully people can have a little bit of grace with us is that the most senior people on this board will Annie and I will have been here five years in December. Everybody else is way newer than that including our superintendent. So I think we are all doing our best but we can always do better and that's why we're having this discussion. >> Right. So my thoughts um I actually like the way we did it before. I think um I we were all in that meeting with the governance training and I think it was we said we would try it and I think we found um I so I think that we were under the or some people were under the impression that they would just have
057three minutes and since they have more than that it does get as as trusty Le said you kind of forget what they've said and I think it just flows better to have a discussion to hear public comment when the item is is up for that. And I know um in the past we've also had people say, "Well, I want to hear public comment first before I talk." And so um it kind of goes back and forth, but um I think we can just do a much better job. But for me, I think it is important for the public to speak when we have the item and if we need to change the order, I think we can do that. And I thank you for the point of saying that, you know, if the superintendent's not
058here or steps out, that's still okay. we can still have our conversation and I think in the past sometimes we've had a topic and we have um opened it up again for more comments and we're we're not going to do that anymore. We we had the governance training and I think we've got a better handle on how we're going to do that. Um so this is just a discussion item. We're not necessarily we're not voting on it particularly. So um but that that's my opinion on it too. So, I don't know where we want to go from here if we want to change it back or we're going to think about it and talk about it in close session. Um, like I said, most most of the time procedural items are not done in public.
059So, we can change it back or we can continue to try it for a little longer. Um, but I I think it worked relatively well before. >> I just want to thank Annie uh for reminding me about a few of those things from that meeting. But, uh, one thing that you one of the most important p uh points that you made was that this is something we all discussed and it was feedback given to us to be more effective and you know I think it was a great training. Um again I'm not sure what's going to end up happening whether we go back to the old way or the new way. You know we've had one trial run or now two. Um and you know the reason we brought this back is so we could
060have more discussion and get more input on it. So yeah. >> Well, and I will just add to Dr. Patrick has done a good job of adding things to consent calendar once we've had discussion so that the meetings are maybe not as long. So I know like for the bylaws um she presented them today. So next time when it comes back it won't be a separate action item. It'll be just in the consent calendar since we would have had questions today. So, um I feel like the meetings um are heading in that direction of being a little bit more efficient and we've been lucky so far because we haven't started um talking about staff reductions or anything like that. We haven't had any hard topics. Um but um so meetings may go longer, but it
061seems like the meetings have been running a little more efficiently. So that makes me also think that um the way it was before in order to give the public transparency and to let them talk um and I think they know when it is so that if they are coming from a um water polo tournament and they can't hit public comment right in the beginning they know that well generally that topic item is going to be later in the day later in the meeting and so they can achieve both. So um I appreciate that you know they can still come and hear the agenda item. I like effective better. >> I just want to say that like I think that there's merit to both ways obviously, but I think that like there's like kind of a
062middle we can reach there. I think that having public comment on agenda items only at the agenda item like can be pretty inefficient and like we can have people waiting around for hours and hours. But also having it like just in one time is also is there a way I'm just asking is there a way we could have it both where you could have uh during the main discussion and later >> you can't you have to do one or the other you can't do non-aggenda and agenda you can't do it both ways you can't say I'm going to talk about it just for discussion and then also load it up front >> okay >> so that's a great point good try >> people can send us an email however so if people are unable to
063attend the meeting. They can still send all of that to us prior to the meeting. I think it's what, four hours prior to the meeting or something that uh comments have to be in. So, we still get to see um their viewpoints and their input. >> Okay. I'm just inclined to say that like if a lot of the issue with the past um procedure for doing public comment was that we weren't like being super strict about the way we're supposed to be following it. I think that like being more clear about that and maybe like not letting people talk after we've had our discussion. Um just being really upfront about that and not taking extra comments. I think that can like be sort of something we can do. >> Yeah, I don't I don't think
064that happened too often. There was occasions where it happened and I think we will since this is such kind of a I don't want to say hot topic but um a topic of discussion I think we are trying to be more efficient and run things effectively and that's a point that is definitely is more effective that way. >> Yeah I I agree. I don't I don't think it was happening all the time but certainly enough times that we had staff call us you know say oh we have to stop what we're doing. I mean, there are definitely have been enough cases where it has been a back and forth, people coming up to the podium multiple times. So, I think and that's not any that's that's all of us up here. Any of us could
065say at any point that that's not the way the meeting needs to be run, but I think my what it sounds like is that people I'm hearing most of the board is wanting to go back to the old way. My request on that then would be to make it very clear on the agenda and that we then start following that procedure really really clearly. Um and I also am wondering because number 12 then it did come to our attention that it's not always number 12 but 12 tonight public comments that it is not entirely clear that this is only on a non-aggenda item. It says the board may not take action on any non-aggenda item, but it doesn't say that this is only non-aggenda item. So, I think that if we want to go back
066to the old way, we not only need to agendaize public comment under each item, but we also need to make clear that the public comment section is for non-aggendaized items. >> And I appreciate that. I think it's kind of been done the same way and no one's actually ever caught it. So um >> you know good point because I think for years I don't think that that line has changed. >> Yes, it has absolutely been here this way for at least five years. So this just when the when this discussion is is came up in our workshop and is now coming up here. I think it's just a really good opportunity for us to reflect on our practice and make sure that we are doing what we say we're going to do and I think
067the agenda really reflects that as well. So there's definitely space where we can clean it up. So, I guess my question um and this is to the board members. Um next actions, do we are we thinking we're we're not voting on it. So, we're just going to talk in close session and decide and make the announcement next time and have it on the agenda. Correct. So, I think that's where it is now. All right. So, next we have let's see who's up next. uh review of the daily rate of pay for MUSD teacher retirey substitute teachers. Janelle Ayat. >> Good evening. Um in 2023, the board took action to permanently um approve an increase in the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers. And tonight you're being asked to um consider um and take action
068at the next meeting a permanent approval of the daily rate for our retired district um teachers who return to us as substitute teachers. And so um on this item you see the reflected um daily rates um that are slightly higher than our regular uh daily rates for our subs. And we just need to have documentation that the board took action to um approve these rates. This is for information and will be um brought back next time for approval. Thank you very much. Questions? >> Can you remind us what the daily rate for non um former retire retired teachers is? >> This is essentially $20 more per day. >> Okay. Thank you. Is that in line with other districts or >> at the time these were approved in 2023 the rates were comparable to other districts.
069We have not done a current analysis. I don't know if other districts haven't continued to um increase their rate. I know this is below what Vallejo city pays but we are different um demographic here um and different district needs um than Vallejo city is. Um, so we haven't done that comparison right now, Trusty Campbell, but um, I'd say we do not have a shortage of subs. >> Yeah, >> that was going to be my next question. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Thank you very much. And then we do not have the action items. They have been removed. So additional comments from the public, we don't need. Um, so comments from the superintendent board members. We will start with Matthew Schik. Do you have any comments? >> Is this just like >> this is the
070end of the meeting and you can just make random comments. >> Um, okay. Well, um, I think I'm going to the football games next couple weeks on Fridays. Uh, I'm trying to think of like what coming up. Honestly, after homecoming, it's like a pretty big relief. Like there was so much going on. It's really chill now. Um, yeah, just you know, school. >> Don't forget there's a non uh school day for you guys on Monday. >> Professional development day. >> Wow, that's amazing. >> Yes. Yes. >> I have nothing to to add to that. I'm just going to say that the pops concert is at Alhhamra High School, I believe, this Thursday at 6:30 to 8:30. And this whole week is parent conferences at the elementary level. Um, which I hope everybody has their conference
071date if they have K5 kids and they're going to be attending those and uh learning about their kids. I always used to see a huge growth after talking with the parents at parent conference. So that's it. >> I don't have any comments. I no longer have an elementary student, but uh I was invited to volunteer at the Timberwolf Trot at John Mir Elementary on October 17th, and I'm really excited to see it's so fun to watch them. They get their little check marks on their shirt for every lap that they do. And so I was really grateful to be invited. And um I know that lots of other school all most of the elementaryaries have their runs and fundraisers happening right now. So good luck to all of those and thank you to all the
072hard work um of all the PTA members that do the heavy lift of putting these events on. Thank you. >> Yeah, I think um want to acknowledge that the pops concert is on Thursday and that's always a fun event. It's outside. They have usually um food trucks and you bring your own chair and if it's cold, bring a blanket. Um but that's very fun and the music is fabulous. So um if you have a chance, please go to that. It's really worthwhile time. And again um thank everyone for um all the time, everyone that volunteered for the MAF run. Um, and again, thank you to uh, MRC for um, Martinez Refining Company for all they've done for our students and for the community. Um, I think it's again, I just want to say I think
073they've really stepped up and they're helping us a lot. And yes, Monday is a holiday for um, the students. Um, the teachers have to work. They have professional development. Um, so I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and um, Halloween's coming up. Wow, it's be crazy. and then the holidays. That's it for me. >> Um, so again, this is actually my favorite time of the school year. I love harvest and fall and Halloween and the lead into all all of the things. So, I'm really excited uh for all of the fall um post homecoming and MEF run MEF MRC run activities. Looking forward to the professional development, professional learning opportunities that are going to be provided on Monday. Very excited about that and we'll look forward to being able to report out all the great
074things that um our staff were able to um access the great information and the access to resources. I'm looking forward to that. Really excited about it. And again, I just want to thank everybody that came out and supported the um MRCMEF run. And I just we do really appreciate all of the support of the community, the engagement of staff and our parents. And you know, it's just um amazing what we're able to do when we work together. So, thank everyone and um have a nice evening. Okay. And with that, we are adjourning the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Good night.