Mt. Diablo USD Board Meeting 4/23/2025 Part 2

001Okay. Good evening everyone. I'd like to reconvene the meeting of the Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education for April 23rd, 2025. Um, let's uh do the land acknowledgement, which is uh item 6.1. We recognize that the Mount Diablo Unified School District sits on the territory of the Confederated villages of the Lassan, the ancestral and unseated land of the Bay Miwok and Northern Yokott, the successors of the sovereign Verona Band of Contraosta County. As members of the Mount Diablo Unified School District community, it is vitally important that we not only recognize the history of the land on which we learn, but also we recognize that the land we inhabit and learn on is the ancestral land of these people who are alive and flourishing members of the Mount Diablo Unified School District and the

002broader Bay Area communities today. Would you please join me in for the pledge of allegiance and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley for all. Thank you very much. [Music] Um, so we have u the review and potential approval of the agenda. Did I skip something? No. You have any changes to the Yes, I do. Um, I would like to pull item 14.8. We're going to cross that one off. And then I would like to adjust the agenda and I would like to have item 11.2 go into 8.0. I make a motion that we approve the agenda with those changes. Second. We have a motion by Trusty Mason with a second by Trustee and Zi to uh amend the agenda by pulling item 14.8 and hearing 11.2 as 8.0. Uh Trustee

003OA, how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. That motion is adopted. 500 Z. Thank you. With support from uh Trustee OA. Great. So, Madame President, it is my honor and um excitement to introduce our international baloria team and um Kelly Hoover, who um who assists with this is going to kick us off and get us started. Microphone on. I know I know you're also our music person, so you got to know that microphone. I should I should have out of practice. All right. Good evening, board trustees. Madam President, Dr. Clark, thank you for having us tonight. Um, we are here to share updates of our IB programs and celebrate some of the wonderful things that we've had happen this year. Um, our slides are coming up. Uh, tonight you'll hear from our three IB world

004schools, Ignatio Valley High School, Oak Grove Middle School, and Sequoia Elementary, as well as our IB candidate school, Monty Gardens Elementary. I'll I can keep going and we'll just add lib. Um so the next slide that I have is is the list of all of our coordinators and our administrators for each of those sites. So if you ever want more information or you want to reach out and hear more about our IB programs, it's kind of a list of contacts for you to reach out to. Um and then our first school up tonight to share is uh Monty Gardens, our IB candidate school. Welcome, Monty Gardens. It's good to see you. Good evening. We're so glad to be here tonight. Um I think the most exciting thing that Monty Gardens wants to talk about is

005we had after a very long journey, we got to our verification visit um at the end of March. And so through that process um we've had um a lot of learning to do and the best representation of this learning is our students. They have learned so much over um time. Thank you. Um they've learned so much over their time and they're going to share a little bit about the IB visit. Um so that way you can understand what we went through for a two-day process um and about our experience getting up to this point. So it was very exciting. So tonight I'll have Sienna, Jack, Isabella, Derek, Isabelle, and Sam speak tonight. So they're all here for you and they're going to present to you. Good evening, Dr. Clark and the board of trustees. Before

006we begin sharing about our IB verification visit, we wanted to introduce ourselves and to share how we became Monty Gardens IB ambassadors. Our teachers nominated us to represent the school population and then Miss Enzio shared that we became an IB ambassador. As in school IB ambassadors, we met with Miss Enzio, our head of school, Miss Annie, our school counselor, and Kelly Hoover, our IB coordinator, to prepare for the IB visit for four weeks. During this preparation time, we worked to answer possible questions that the IB team might ask us and about our school and what made our school IB. Then, Miss Tony, our new supervisor, made these official um ambassador badges. Tonight, we wanted to share about our IB verication visit on March 24th and March 25th. The entire school started the IB verication visit

007by having our team members like IB Kelly and Lisa share a video about themselves and what would um be happening during the IB visit. During the IB team's visit, Mrs. Hoover carried the computer around our classroom because they were on Zoom and they asked us questions about what we were learning. They also talked to us about our units of study. Some class lessons were recorded ahead of time and other lessons were live during the visit. The IB team also visited our special classes and interviewers in music library and enrichment and support. They also saw our social superheroes awards assembly and our clap off to see our IB learner profiles program. During the visit, IB team also met with a parent panel, all teachers, the head of school, and Miss Hoover. They also met with the

008district administrators and one of your school board members. During the IB ambassador interview, the IB team asked each of us what learner profile described ourselves best. They also asked us about learning Spanish as our world language. They they ask us how we are being internationally minded. Many of us were nervous about the interview with the IB team, but we realized they were really nice and we were excited. It was a privilege to present. Miss Enzia told the ambassadors that they were sealing the deal because we were the last ones interviewed during the verification visit. The verification was a success. However, we are still waiting to hear from the IB team if we are an authorized international balorate world school. We will keep you posted about that news. Tonight, we want to thank Dr. Clark and

009the school board for your continued support of Armani Garden's journey of becoming an IB school and for having us present here tonight. Next up, we have Sequoia Elementary School. Hello and good evening to everybody. Uh we're so excited to be here to give you a little short infomercial about an upcoming event that you may want to attend at Sequoia Elementary. Actually, there's two. So, listed on the slide, our multicultural event is this Friday, um April 25th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. And that is an opportunity to come and see the wealth of diversity of our school. Um we have over 36 cultures and countries represented from our school community. And there are food samples, there's going to be a lion dance, all kinds of awesome stuff. So, please come by to um anytime between 5:00

010and 8 on Friday. But the highlight is on Friday, May 16th, we are doing our PYP exhibition, which is our fifth graders each p picking a passion project amongst the 17 goals for sustainable development from the United Nations. And I brought with me six of our uh fifth graders who represent two of the 33 groups we have presenting on that day. And I'm going to invite them to come up here and say just a word or two about their project. So, let's have one group come up first, and you guys can introduce yourselves by name, and then just say a couple things about your project. Hi, thanks for having us out tonight. Uh, this is Ka Rosales, Clen Love, and I'm Henry Jazzieri. And [Music] and our I object is life below water. We organized

011a beach cleanup and at Ocean Beach San Francisco sent out posters to all the staff and parents inviting them to come with us. We did this because we wanted to help Ocean Life thrive in a safe, healthy, and especially clean environment. We're we are also going to do a cleanup at the local creek that passes behind our school and that was our exhibition project. How many people did you have come out to your beach cleanup? Do you have an estimate? Uh we had like 10 to 15. Thank you. Uh hi, thank you for having us. I'm Emily Appel. This is Declan McInness and Caleb Fox. Our sustainable development goal is responsible consumption and production. So far, we've had an interview with Susan Colette, who's a professor at San Francisco State. And we're next week, we're

012having a meeting with Brienne Zorn, the mayor of Martinez. Next week we are also thinking about doing a clothing swap starting April 30th through May 3rd. So next week um we're also planning we also have made a website about our topic that uh we have shared with some of our peers and the rest of our school. Thank you guys so much for sharing that. And I just want to say um so part of part of being an IB school is teaching the children how to take civic action and to learn about a topic that they care about and not only learn more about it, but also to take action in their community. So all the things that they talked about are ways that they're being civically engaged. They're well on the way to get their

013civic seal of engagement when they're in high school, right? So we just wanted to share that and we hope you can come out and hear from them as well as the other groups. We have 33 groups. So, um, there's lots of cool action going on and lots of interesting projects and we'd love to have you there. Um, and it's from 9 to 10:15 on May 16th at Sequoia Elementary. That's it. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next up is our team from Oak Grove. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Clark, members of the board and cabinet. I'm excited to be here and members of our school site council that'll share a little bit about their experience with IB at Oakrove. But next, I want to invite uh my program specialist to introduce herself. Thank you, Dr. Wamos.

014Hello board. Um this has really been an exciting year, a building year for us. uh maybe not as glamorous, but uh really fulfilling, meaningful work um as we collaborate and dig into the the real work of walking the IB walk and uh figuring out how to embed it in Oak Grove culture in a lasting and authentic way. Um we're slowly and surely building our IB muscle um throughout the Oakrove community. The majority of the work that we've done this year has really centered around designing professional development opportunities for staff that help us weave together the work of IB, AVID, TNTP, the ELD framework and more um honing the staff skills um to provide instruction in a way that's student centered um inquiry based and aligns to best practices. Uh we're also working on building student

015engagement, student voice, and awareness of the ID approach, integrating as many opportunities as possible to promote inclusivity, collaboration, and global mindness in the student experience at Oakrove. Um it didn't make it on the slides there, but we do have our eighth grade community project presentations that are happening during the the day all day on May 22nd, Thursday. Um so look for an invite. um and that will be um a talked about a little bit by some of our students. So, first we have Amia. Hi. Some approaches to learning that I have that I've personally develop developed over the last year is constructivis constructivism. I have developed this because our teachers really push us to ask questions and explore. Hi everyone, my name is Omeisa. Starting at OGMS as a new student from another country was

016one of the toughest and challenging I've ever faced. I didn't know the language. I was feeling like out of place and over and over um out of patience and going through so many thing um I use like knowledge and efforts and kind support of those around me like f my schools council people like member um they helped me um turning into growth I found my voice and more importantly I found the community that showed me how meaningful can be um how can be the communication can be um as a Muslim student I feel accepted and respect taught me the importance of kindness open-mindness and understanding core IV value I'll carry with me as I keep learning and growing because I got to experience kindness and openminds I wanted to make sure that other student had

017the same experience that's why I chose to focus my 8th grade IB community project on this going into sixth grade classroom to teach a lesson about belonging and in cultural understanding to make sure that those value continue here after I graduate. In this way, I could be more assured that OG group changed me for for my better and I changed them for their better. I truly love being at OMS. It was not only a place where I learn and grow, but a place where I made fun, beautiful memory memories that I'll never forget. Thank you. And next, Ignatio Valley High School. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Clark and members of the board. Thank you for the opportunity to highlight the incredible students and staff behind our growing IB program at Ignatio Valley High School. In addition

018to the program's continued growth, we're especially proud of the student leadership and voice at the heart of tonight's presentation. Our IB coordinators and vice principal will briefly introduce themselves and then three of our outstanding IB students will lead the presentation. At this time, I'll turn it over to our IB team to begin introductions. Good evening. Cararissa Winrab. I'm vice principal at Ignatia Valley High School. Hi board members and trustee. My name is Tabitha Box and I'm an IB coordinator here at YBHS. Good evening. I'm Julia Flanigan Schmidt and I'm the other IB coordinator at Ignesio Valley High School. We want to turn this over to three of our amazing students who are going to talk about their experiences. Uh hi. Uh, thank you for listening and my name is Christopher Rios and I will be

019giving you a brief summary about IB at YB. I think IB at YV is really great because there's there's a lot of classes to cover every single necessary subject at the school with some electives including our psychology and our art classes. And I also like how there is a huge variety of teachers between our IV program giving us about 18 total teachers in the program. And our program is only expanding from here as there has been a 50% increase and a 20% growth in four diploma students which I think is really great and I also really like IB for the voice and the power that I has given me and the confidence that I've gained from this program. And we we also have a growing math pathway between our two between our two math classes

020that we have for IB between AA and AI that I think is really great. Hello, my name is Michael Richowski and I will be talking about why IB is worth it. So, first off, I just want to say that uh YV Ignatia Valley is the only um is the only IB school in the county. All right. So, it's super cool that I don't know that fact is super cool to me. Um so, first off, IB is worth it because um we have smaller classes which means a tighter community um and it's easier to access uh teachers. Um secondly, um we have excellent teachers. Um so because we are an international um organization um we have uh like the top almost like the top uh teachers in in the world. Um uh then we also we

021also get a GPA boost. Um so if we have a um I don't know a B then we can also it can will be bumped up to an A. and the highest GPA we can actually or we can get more than a a 5.5 GPA. Um, and then we can also earn uh college class or college credits doing those classes if we meet a certain uh uh if we get a four out of seven on our IB exams. Um, and yeah, I'm going to pass it on to Erica. Hi, good evening. My name is Erica. Um, I know that might have seemed like a lot, but I can be quite fun. So here at YV um we have things called um field days which is like a community building um time for us as IB

022students to join together and um like learn new things about each other and communicate I mean build together as a community. Um a lot of like fun things that we can also do is like um we have a lot of friends. I mean we have a lot of classes with our friends and we have a lot of um chill teachers that uh really understand our commitment to this program. Um and we also get a lot of freedom. We have a lot of passion projects and we get to pursue our own interests and learn to be independent. Um, and yeah, so in the middle right picture, that is your psychology teacher. What do you mean? Who's that other teacher in there? Oh, that's Mr. Watts. He was there because um this was taken in my class

023and we were working on our IIA and there was this problem with um the statistics in our research and Mr. Watts um agreed to help us for free and um uh yeah we learned a lot during that time. Can you explain what an IIA is for people who don't know? Um, an IIA is essentially just a kind of like a project um that we um have time to do in class, but also outside of class. And a lot of it is something that we're interested in. Like in my history class, I got to do research on something that I'm very passionate about and that I I really enjoy doing that research. and I found a lot of um free time to really pursue into that um work I was doing. So yeah, what was my

024work? Um, I was researching fashion, which is something I really want to do. And, um, I learned a lot of new things about, um, not only myself, but also about like the stuff that I'm really passionate about, and I think Ivy really helped me with that in that research, too. Thank you, everyone. Uh, one of the new things that we did at YB this year is we co-taught some classes. So, we crosscurriculared a psychology class with a statistics teacher and a psychology teacher. And so, we're trying to build a community and crosscurricular items for our students. Um, so, thank you for your time and I hope you have a good night. Thank you. I just want to say thank you so much to all of the students who presented and all of the staff who

025presented about IB tonight. It's so exciting to see how much it's growing in all across our district and community. Um I'm a parent of an IB diploma graduate uh who's now at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service. Um so you've been an inspiration to uh to many many students. um and the sky's is the limit as far as where they can go from there. Um and I'm very excited to see in your presentation or in your slides about the um addition of um the higher level math um because I know that's something that um students were interested in but didn't have access to previously and so thank you for all of your work on making that that possible. So I think um adding higher level math and also integrating it math with other

026subjects so that um people see the connections and the reasons to study math is is really incredible. Um, and I also want to say thank you for the flyers. Um, because we um, oftentimes I'm out in the community and I'll mention international balorate and people will say, "Well, what is that?" And I will say, "Oh my gosh, you don't know that we have the only IB school in the whole Contracasta County." And they'll say, "What is that?" And so, thank you. Let's continue to get the word out. Um, there are a lot more people out there that are interested in this that just don't know about it. Um, and the sooner that they can know about it to be able to transfer in to our district and to uh, IGN Valley High School, the better.

027Thank you. So, I want to thank you all for coming. I put you um, first on the agenda so you can go home and do homework and and the parents the parents who were so uh, generous in bringing their students here. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. talking. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Have we got those comments? Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yes, I will. Give me a minute. Right. So, uh at this point in time, I will report out on the action taken in close session because we have some renumbering of the num uh uh items. Uh please be patient with me while I report do the report out. Um item 7.2 negotiations. Uh the board uh received information from our negotiations team for item uh 7.3 disciplined dismissal release or reassignment of public employees. Uh there were two

028instances. Uh in a close session by a vote of five to zero with no abstensions, the board took action to approve the resignation of one employee per the separation agreement. Um and then in uh close session, the board considered the reassignment of one principal under education code 44951 and voted by a vote of five in favor and no one against um to direct the district to send notice that this person will be reassigned to a position for which they are credentialed um at the end of the 2425 school year. Then we have um conference with uh legal council existing litigation uh that is now 7.4 in um the case of Roxan Molina versus Bay Area Kidsfest U Mount Diablo Unified School District at all. There is nothing to report. And um regarding um thea matter

029of MF versus Mount Diablo Unified School District, the Office of Administrative Hearings case number 2025 010141. Um the board approve a settlement up to the stipulated amount according to the seven uh settlement term. Um and the vote was five to zero in the matter. Um 7.5 there is uh nothing to report out. Uh 7 six uh is the um con request for a continuence um the for student 02-24 I'm sorry 25. The board approved the request for a second postponement for student 02-25 and the vote was 500 0 and then 7.6 um I'm sorry yes the subpoenas is next. Um the uh board approved a request for subpoenas. I'm I'm sorry. The board did not approve uh the request for subpoenas for student 02-25 and the vote on that matter was a 5000 vote. And

030then 7 um 8 the board uh received information and a 7.9 um uh information was provided to the trustees regarding the evaluation process. We are ready for public comment. Do we have um cards from our members of our public? It's always exciting when the students are here, isn't it? So, we have nine cards. Um, let me The public may address the board regarding any item not on the agenda. Uh, public comment will also be allowed on each specific agenda item prior to the board action thereon. Speakers must submit a speaker card to the board secretary and um, if there are multiple speakers on one subject, the public comment period may be moved to the end of the meeting. Speakers are not allowed to yield their time. Um, the first speaker is Christian Chiron. Please correct

031my pronunciation. Right. Good afternoon, Mount Too School Board. Uh, my name is Christian and uh, I'm the proud parent of uh, my do our daughter. Her name is Janessa Chicone. She's in fifth grade at um, Bankro Middle School. She's in the dual immersion program and I'm here to talk about just the fact that uh, she was part of this program uh, going back to 2018. she interviewed uh more lane for the dual immersion program. She speaks both English and Spanish and we wanted to keep her uh going that pathway. Um back in 2018, we were informed at that time that when she got in that she would be able to continue on with her cohorts from Bankro Middle School into Foothill. So we fast forward uh November 2024, we received an email saying, "Would you

032like to continue on?" So we put down yes, let's keep her going so she can stay with her cohorts, her class. Um it's been hard for her to make uh friends. since she was always kind of a little bit shy, especially with COVID. Um, she was in at home for about a year and a half. So, anyways, she's made a lot of friends and we submitted it. We were denied. So, fine. I went back and we we did the appeal. Uh, as stated, we made the appeal and then we just got the letter a couple weeks ago saying that it's been denied and for whatever reasons, you know, basically don't bother us. There's no other um way to appeal it. So, anyways, um I guess my question was why even have it on there? I

033think only one child got in. Only reason I know that is because I visited the morane um this past Friday and I talked to some of the people in the office and no I did not yell at anybody because that's one of the things they did told me that everyone yells and I did not yell at anybody. So um I just want to make sure that we're on the same you know we're still uh amicable. So I didn't yell at anybody. I just talked to um a couple people there and they told me that they could I could talk to um the director but by email or by they would send me a message. So I said I'll just do it myself. So, I sent um Felicia Stucky Smith a uh voicemail, but the voicemail

034leads to nowhere. So, I then decided, well, let me write her a letter. I found her email online because it was nowhere to be uh found. So, I sent her the email saying, "Hey, I need you to, you know, a let her be part of the cohort. It's been six years of her life. It's the longest um portion of her life with these kids." Uh middle school is what, three years and high school is four years if I don't do my math correctly. So, it's kind of a big uh deal. She's been one of the kids that actually helped all the kids out in school because she actually speaks Spanish and English fluently. A lot of the kids do not speak in the program because a lot of them came in later, but she's actually

035the one that helps a lot of the kids out and we got um letters from the teachers saying the reasons why she should be uh admitted to the school because she's actually been one of the, you know, good kids that have in the class for the class as well. So anyways, I sent a letter uh yesterday again to Felicia, but I never got a response back. And so I'm basically kind of like at this point like, okay, what do I do? So at this point, just to summarize it, um she's not being permitted to continue on with her cohorts, right? Six years kindergarten to fifth grade. Um she did she's not and and I'm not going to say she's deserving because she's actually not. She's actually worked hard for it. So that's one of the

036things I I want to make sure you all know that my kid is not somebody that's like, hey, she's special. She's not. She actually works really hard for everything she does and she's actually a really good kid. So anyways, last two things to summarize it. She's not being permitted to continue with the cohorts. It's fine. Number two, if that's the case, then let us release her from Mount a Unified School District and let her go to another school district that we have access to through a family member in Walnut Creek. And I was told you can't do that because of course there's only one um request per year. So, which I think is kind of a draconian law that's set up because it stops you from, you know, going forward. So, my request here is

037just to let you guys know is like, hey, I would love to continue on with the full tail and if not, just release her. I'll figure it out and go to another school district and get her education. So, I don't know if you have any other questions. Okay. I appreciate the next speaker is Demi Demias Johnson III. Greetings board members. I'm Superintendent Dr. Clark. As mentioned, my name is Dless Johnson III and I serve as the associate director of external affairs for Rocket Ship Public Schools. And just wanted to drop in and say um personally thank you to Dr. to Superintendent Clark as well as to Melanie Coslo for their continued partnership and we hope to see you all at some of our end of the year events taking place. Next month we have our

038neurodiversity celebration and then the following month we have our field day. Um specific details are in your inbox. Um and also please feel free anytime to drop by. We're over at 2351 Olive Road. Always happy to have you. Thank you for your time. Thank you for attending. I'm happy you came Demless because I thought there can't be two people with that name. It's got to be my friend. Our next speaker is Terry Fogazil. Good evening. Hello. My name is Terry Felito. I am a part-time credentialed ESL instructor at Mount Diablo Education. I have been here for five years. I would like to start off by thanking the board for their resolution of support and designating April 6th through 12th as adult education week. We are here to ask for inclusion in the Mount Diablo Education

039Association. Our school is unable to respond to the needs of our community due to extremely long wait lists since we have trouble recruiting and retaining teachers. For the last two and a half years, I've compiled a list of wages for 82 schools within California, including our consortium. Sadly, we are last on the list. We have been told that we are comparing apples and oranges. Logically, this isn't possible since the list includes schools of all sizes encompassing urban, suburban, and rural areas. Many schools have received the cost of living adjustments and raises. Our school received one cola in 2023, the only one to be passed on to us. An 8.22% increase was designated to adult education in 2024. K through 12 received it, but we did not. Also, there hasn't been a raise during my five

040years here. I am currently teaching at another adult ed school in our consortium to supplement the low wages I receive in my current position. I love our students and we have an amazing effective program that has a far-reaching impact throughout our community and beyond. As the daughter of a first generation American, I believe strongly in the power of education in changing the lives of immigrants. My colleagues have more to add regarding the incredible program at Mount Diablo. I ask you to vote in favor of our petition to join Media. Thank you. I have the Thank you. Our next speaker is Alisa Steckle. Thank you. Sorry, you're not alone. Um, first again, thank you all for your um recognition resolution. You know, recognition means a lot. My name, as you said, is Al Cystele and I

041am a credentialed part-time ESL teacher at LMA Vista where I've been for 10 years. Many of us, all of us are credentialed. Many of us have advanced degrees. As you've heard and as you'll see when you look at the handouts, our wages are dramatically below those of our peers in other districts. And as Terry mentioned, this is this situation has really led to problems with several young, talented, bright, energetic teachers either leaving quickly because they can't survive on the salary or just not being interested in teaching at our school at all. All the other members of Mount Diablo Adult Ed, the clerical staff, the janitors, the bus drivers, they're already part of a union. Admin has their own association and they get me too raises, I think, when K12 instructors get a raise. Only the

042adult ed instructors are left out of raises and COLA adjustments. We teach in a variety of programs, ESL, healthc care training, adults with disabilities, high school diploma and equivalency programs, computer technology, job preparation, and citizenship classes that really enable our students to become productive members of the local community. Many of our students go on to work in local restaurants, businesses, health organizations. Some of my ESL students have gone into our healthcare training programs to become CNAs um or medical assistants. Some have completed our computer tech and admin assistant programs and found jobs in local nonprofits or for-profit organizations. Locally, a lot of the EMTs that respond to emergencies in Contracasta come from the really great EMT program that we have. On a personal note, the dental assistant in my dentist's office was trained at our

043school. Um, I have a pile of papers that I'm not going to hand out to you. This is a pile of letters, cards, little scraps of paper from students to me about how grateful they are and how meaningful our programs have been to them. I'm not alone. Every single one of our teachers has has appreciation from the students. Many of our students have children in the K12 system. So there's a ripple effect to our work as parents gain language skills and job skills. The um you know the children benefit and the whole community benefits in the specific programs I mentioned above. We've served 3,731 students um so far this year and 3,87 students last year. Now you'll you'll I think you'll see it on the papers that we handed out. Mount Diablo Adult Education received

044the largest state cape funding and serves the largest student population in our Contracasta Adult um ed consortium. Yet we are the lowest paid instructors. Our attempts today to raise our wages have not been fruitful. And so here we are asking you to vote in favor of our petition to to join the union so we can secure higher pay, get paid prep time, and get stipens for advanced degrees, and also so we can continue to really support and be part of this Mount Diablo community. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is Amanda Sicatus. Good evening trustees and Dr. Clark. My name is Amanda Sakatch and I teach family literacy ESL classes for Mount Diablo Adult Education. Although I am a member of the Pleasant Hill City Council, I'm speaking tonight in a private capacity as

045a teacher for Mount Diablo since 2012. I hold certificates in adult education, teaching English to speakers of other languages, and a master's degree in Tessle from St. Mary's. As this board stated in its proclamation proclaiming April 6th through 12th Adult Education Week, quote, "The impact of adult education is felt across generations, particularly for early childhood learners. I am part of the team of early childhood educators at Mount Diablo. I'm passionate about teaching English to all the fantastic immigrant parents of preschoolers and our culturally diverse program. Our free program exists at Cambridge Meadow Homes and Loma Vista. The parents learn English through life skills and school readiness lessons. And the children also learn important pre-iteracy, science, and social skills. Principles at schools where we operate have told us how prepared our preschoolers are for TK and

046kindergarten. I love my job wholeheartedly, but it's hard to continue working for a school where I don't feel valued. The last time we received a pay increase was 2022 following the difficult COVID period of teaching online. I'm at the highest step and my step for salary went from $3824 an hour to $41.36 an hour. It has stayed frozen at that level for the last 3 years. Using the inflation calculator at bls.gov, my current salary should be a minimum of $44.50. 50 cents an hour just to equal my 2022 salary adjusted for inflation. That's without an increase in salary for merit. To put it simply, I have taken a pay cut for the last three years. Additionally, unlike other adult schools in the area, we receive no vacation pay and no prep time. During the last

047few years, I have seen numerous highquality teachers depart for other schools who pay better salaries. I personally went from full-time to part-time at Mount Diablo because I can tutor in the afternoon and evening and make more money than teaching additional classes. Instead of being a leader, Mount Diablo is at the bottom of a list of more than 80 schools for adult education pay. Our director has not acted on our behalf to ask the board for raises. We are therefore joining together to collectively bargain for better working conditions and we ask the board to show its commitment to adult education by approving our petition to join media at your next meeting. Thank you. Thank you. The next speaker is um Maren Anton, Dr. Clark, school board members, we uh my name is Maran Anton, and I

048just want to thank you very much for your letter um that you wrote during adult education week. We really appreciated all the points you delineated about adult education and how we serve our community. Thank you. Um I'm here actually to read a letter from a colleague Suanne McGovern who's working tonight and um I've been working for Matt Diablo for 10 years and she's been working a little bit longer. So I would like to read her letter. Uh good evening members of the board. As an adult ESL teacher at Mount Diablo Adult Education, I've had the privilege of working with students who are newcomers to this country, many of whom arrive with little English, but with big hopes and dreams. I've taught English, but also vital job skills that help students support their families, gain independence,

049and become active members of our community. I've also worked in partnership with Mount Monument Impact, an incredible organization that supports immigrant and lowincome families. Together, we help students navigate not only the classroom, but the larger systems around employment, housing, and health, things essential to building stable, meaningful lives. This is lifechanging work, but it is not valued the way it should be. Adult educators at Mount Diablo are the lowest paid in the entire state of California. Despite our qualifications, experience, and the deep impact we have, we continue to work without the protection and advocacy we deserve. That's why union representation is so important. A union gives us a voice to advocate for fair pay, professional respect, and working conditions that allow us to give our best to our students. When educators feel secure, supported, and respected,

050we can show up more fully, not just as teachers, but as mentors, role models, and advocates. Union Protection isn't just about us. It's about building a stronger, more stable learning environment for our students, and they deserve that. Thank you. Thank you for your presentation. Wendy Okota is the next speaker. Hi, good evening. My name is Wendy Okata. I'm a part-time ESL teacher, formerly full-time for beginning low and literacy instructor with Mount Diablo Adult Education. First, I want to thank the board for recognizing the value of of adult education to our community. I know the power of adult ESL education, not only as a teacher, but also as the daughter of immigrant parents and the granddaughter of refugees. I've seen firsthand what it means to rebuild in a new place and start over from scratch. That

051lived experience is what fuels my deep commitment to this work. I hold two master's degrees. I'm a credentialed ESL teacher and a TEL specialist. And I speak multiple languages. I'm triilingual. Throughout my career, I've primarily worked with literacy level adult learners, students who often arrived in the US with little or no formal education. Many had never held a pencil or written their name before stepping into my classroom. They never had that opportunity up until now. And I've loved every moment. It is an honor and a joy to be their teacher. Teaching ESL, especially at the literacy level, is about so much more than instruction. It's about advocacy, and showing up as a steady, compassionate guide for students navigating unfamiliar and an occasionally hostile world. It's paperwork, interpretation, traumainformed care, and family outreach. This work is

052vital, vital. It's meaningful, and it matters deeply. Unfortunately, our low wages as adult educators in Mount Diablo have had a direct impact on all of our programs. Dedicated educators such as myself are unable to remain full-time in this field. And it's not just a personal loss. It's a loss for our programs, our students, and ultimately and most importantly, our communities. That's why I asked the board to support our petition to join Media to support our adult school educators. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable foundation for adult ESL education, one that honors both the students and the educators who served them. Thank you so much. Thank you. Next speaker is Joe Anton. Welcome. Good evening, board members. Um, my name is Joe Anthem and I'm a I'm a registered nurse. I work in a

053local hospital in the cardio cardiovascular center. Um, I am also a former Mount Diablo dual education student. Yes. Yes. My story. Uh, thank you for letting me share my story. I came to I immigrated to United States many years ago and um my first and uh experience with education was Lama Vista. I went to I landed in Lama Vista and here I am not talking to you guys. But when I first came I couldn't even say hi. I couldn't even say hello start sweating you know just like right now problem start sweating you know. Not really. Not really. It was very hard for me to be an adult and thinking that I'm going to learn uh another language. But I remember my teachers, I remember the school and all the passion that they put into

054just adult students, you know, trying to help us out to learn the language. I'm glad that they did and I'm happy that I went to that school because that teacher helped me help me to develop to be a member of of of this society, this culture, this American culture. You know, I actually um uh right now I'm working on a in a cardiovascular unit in a local hospital and uh I used to run a I used to run a a cardiovascular unit with many many nurses, many patients and u and every time I saw a new nurse coming up, I treat him like the way my teacher treated me, you know, with try to teach him the best I can. And um I guess you guys is an um I am a living proof of

055what adult education can do for you know for people like me, immigrants like me. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next speaker is uh Peter Fuller. Welcome sir. Uh thank you Dr. Clerk and members of the board of trustees. Uh my name is Peter Fuller. Uh I am a retired professor of mathematics. Um, you know the adage that uh if you see something wrong e uh if you don't rail against it then you're complicit in it. I came tonight to speak on behalf of uh a teacher at Sequoa Elementary and not elementary sorry middle school name of Andrew Tong. Uh my son went to Sequoia Elementary and transferred into Sequoia Middle School. He had Mr. Tong for like the twoe class to introduce him introduce him to middle school. Uh Mr. Tong has

056been a tremendous influence in my son's life. Uh in last year when I went to pick him up, I could always find him in Mr. Tong's classroom. Mr. Tong has I spoke to one of my son's friends and his friends said, "Well, he speak he speaks middle schooler." I have not found anyone who just does not like Mr. Tom. Uh uh there's was a rumor which has been confirmed by Mr. on that he's being pushed out of his job. I'm here to rail against it. If I had half of the rep um relationship with my students as Mr. Tong has with his, I would be very blessed. I'm asking you not to let Mr. Tong not to let this valuable asset out of your hands. Keep Andrew Tong. Thank you very much. Thank you for

057your comments. That concludes uh public comment for this evening. The next item is communications uh district organizations. A regular person uh um a single spokesperson of each recognized district organization may make a brief presentation. Items are limited to those which areformational and we have two speakers tonight. Uh the first is Mark Jones. Mr. Jones, welcome. Feels like it's been a minute since I've been up here. So, good to see everybody. Um, good evening, Dr. Clark, board members. Um, since Ed and I were not able to be here last week, we were actually on a flight. Um, wanted to speak to um, an item that came up in last week's meeting and and really wanted to take a a moment to talk about the skilled trades that was recently approved by the board. On behalf of

058Teamsters 856, we appreciate your support on this agreement. These increases were long overdue and righteous for classifications that face serious recruitment and retention challenges. It was an important step when the district brought in FICMAT over two years ago to conduct an independent review of maintenance and operations. That report confirmed to us and the public what our members had been saying for years that this was a systemic problem and they've been working short staffed spinning their wheels. From there we bargained um that a compensation study be performed for highlighted um which highlighted one of the symptoms of the problem and where and where adjustments were most needed. Skilled Trades has been plagued by high vacancy rates and these increases rightfully address a long-standing problem that has impacted both staff and services. As part of this process,

059we were able to update 15 skilled trades job descriptions that were badly out ofd. This was no easy lift. We want to especially recognize Melanie Coslo and her due diligence and care she brought to that work. listening to her employees, our members, and collaborating with them tediously to get them right. We also thank Kimiana, Ryan, Shehy, Leani, Medina Estrada, and Adrienne Vargas for their role in finalizing this agreement and recognizing the need for these adjustments. We want to acknowledge and thank our negotiations team and the table throughout this at the table throughout this process. Ken Olsson, Brett Penny, and Jojo Miguel. Their voice, experience, and commitment were critical in reaching this outcome. Most of all, we thank our members, the employee, the employees of this district who continue to show up day after day, keeping

060these schools running because they take pride in their work and in serving the students and fellow staff. We're happy that this we're happy that their work is properly being recognized. This agreement and others like it represent meaningful progress. We appreciate the shared commitment that brought us here. And although the work's not done, we look forward to continuing to work together. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mark, to you and your team for your collaboration and hard work as well. Thanks, Teamsters. Our next speaker is Linda Ortega. Welcome. Good evening, trustees, Dr. Clark, members of the audience. I just want to say I'm glad they had a positive outcome. Two, I expect a perfect attendance from you all because I've been here every every meeting. Anyways, I just thought I I'd throw that out

061there. First, I want to thank the MDUSD adult educators for attending tonight's school board meeting and to share their desire to join a union and be represented by Media. Thank you for attending. I appreciate those words. Yes, as your president, as the president of media, I would welcome them to our bargaining unit and I would hope you would approve, the trustees would approve their request. Now, regarding negotiations, I do want to thank both parties for all the long hours they spend in negotiations and preparing for the meetings. I know that we've been together for many me of these meetings. I know how exhausted both parties are. Um, this is the work that we do. Thank you to our media bargaining team, those who are listening, I know you are, and to our media members also

062who are listening who have been waiting for a positive outcome. Unfortunately, the two parties were not able to ta a contract today. Therefore, media has declared an impass. It is unfortunate that the district continued to deny many of our asks at the table as many articles did not have a cost associated to them. Our media executive board has spent many hours reviewing our original proposals and have made many changes so that we can find some common ground. I am very disappointed that the district did not feel the same way. From what was shared with me, the common response from the district was the the words status quo. This language does not support the needs of our students and the working conditions of our educators. As always, I am available to any trustee and Dr. Clark,

063thank you for keeping your door open to me. I appreciate that. For coffee or a chat, if any of you would like to discuss this further, thank you. Thank you. We are now ready to move on to uh item 10, recognition and resolutions. Item 10.1 uh is the resolution 24-15-59 in support of National Foster Care Month. Dr. Clark. Thank you, President Mayo. I appreciate that. I just want to um I want to acknowledge um these resolutions that the board regularly votes on and and brings forward. It really tells our community, tells our students, tells our staffs that um we support all who come through our doors. Um so, first one I have to you for you tonight is resolution 24/25-59 in support of National Foster Care Month. Whereas all children deserve a safe, loving, and

064permanent home. And the primary goal for the foster care system is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while working to provide a safe, loving, and permanent home for each child. Whereas, there are approximately 437,000 children living in foster care nationally, more than 60,000 in the foster care system in California in 2024. And currently, we have 65 students in MDHD in foster care. So whereas uh May is designated as foster care month to provide an opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments of the child welfare workforce, foster parents, advocacy community, mentors, and educators for the positive impact they have on the lives of foster youth. So therefore, be it resolved that the Mount Diablo Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education recognizes National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges

065that children face in the foster care system. Madame President, this resolution is in the hands of the board. I'd like to make a motion to approve resolution 24-2559 in support of National Foster Care Month. Second that. So, we have a motion made by Trustee Mason with a second by Trustee uh McDougall. Um, any further discussion? I just want to thank our sore team and all of our staff and Dr. Clark for putting a focus on this to make sure that all of us are looking for who are our foster youth in our schools, how can we best support them, how can we best build those deeper relationships with them and anyone in their network who's supporting them. So, thank you all. Yes. And uh I want to acknowledge the number of 60,000 has been um

066a number that I've heard for many years starting with my work in PTA uh a number of years ago and um that there in my own community there were several families who were foster parents and it was a blessing for our entire community. So uh uh trustee OOA how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. The resolution for fost uh in support of national foster care month is adopted on a 5000 vote with the support of trustee ooa. Dr. Clark. Yes, madam president. I speak often about our um about our school meals programs and um the many students that they that they touch. I also just want to thank um the state of California for providing um free meals to all students um regardless of um of financial need. Um we've seen tremendous um increases to

067students accessing um healthy nutritious meals at our campus because of that. So with that said, I have resolution 24/25-60, which is school lunch hero day. So whereas nutritious meals at school are an essential part of the school day and whereas the staff of the Mount Alaba Unified School District food and nutrition services um and they're all Teamster members and so should have thanked Mark Jones while he was here nourishes students for academic success every day. Whereas the day of Friday, May 2nd, 2025 is recognized as school lunch hero day. And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Mount Alba Unified School District governing board expresses deep appreciation to these valuable employees and commends their tremendous work on behalf of children and encourages all to celebrate nutrition professionals and their one-of-a-kind superpowers. Madame President, this item

068is now in the hands of the board. I'll make the motion in a second, but I just want to say that um it's a misnomer. It's school lunch hero, but luckily, especially in California, it's school breakfast, school lunch, school snack, and supper. Um and summer meals. Um and we take it for granted. I feel so good that at least here in our district and throughout California, we do everything we can to make sure at least as long as children are in our care, they are not hungry. Um, but we cannot take it for granted as that is not um a value that all of us hold in this country and many and in fact food and the right to not be hungry is under attack. Um, with that I move to approve resolution 2425-60 in

069recognition of school lunch hero day. Second. So we have a motion by trustee and zi with a second by trustee count of regarding uh the school oops pardon me recognition of school lunch hero day. uh further discussion. I just want to say it's really um it was really fun for me as a parent on a school campus to recognize our food service workers. Sometimes they get forgotten when you're doing people's doors or you know recognizing other staff on campus. So don't forget them. Um it's a really great day to be able to point them out. Um, and also just thank you to um the leadership of our district um for better supporting our food service workers and improving all of the food that we're able to provide to um to our students in a in

070a much healthier way. So very exciting work being done in our district. Trust Choa, how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. So the res jumping too quickly. So, the resolution um on uh recognition of school lunch hero day is adopted on a 5000 vote with support from our student trustee OOA. Um Dr. Clark. Yes, Madam President. one of the um one of the organizations that I um that I serve, we're also partnered with another organization called Kapple, and that is the California Association of Asian and Pacifica Leaders in Education. And I've learned so much about um about the um about the AsianAmerican Pacific Islander experience in in California public education. So tonight I am extremely um proud to bring forward this resolution um resolution 24/25 um-61 in recognition of May as Asian-American and Pacific Island

071or Heritage Month. And I have a bunch of things highlighted but the thing that isn't highlighted are all the different 20 distinct Asian-American um identities. And so I'm going to read those instead. So the US uh since whereas the US Census Bureau reports over 20 distinct Asian-American and over 30 distinct NHPI which is Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander ethnic groups including Asian Indian, Bengali, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Guatemian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, uh my Milan, Okinawan, Pakistani, Samoan, Thai, Vietnamese, and others. And so whereas in the Mount Alaba Unified School District, 13.9% in 2023 um of the student population identified as Asian, Filipino, or Pacific Islander, the third highest demographic. Yet studies have found that the academic needs of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders are frequently overlooked. So now, therefore, be it resolved that the governing

072board of the Mount Alba Unified School District hereby recognizes the month of May as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and calls on all schools to commemorate this occasion accordingly with appropriate instructional materials, discussions, presentations, and projects. Uh, Madame President, I now put this in the hands of the board. Thank you for reading all the which is only a fraction like that we're recognizing that each of these peoples are distinct languages distinct cultures distinct foods distinct music distinct dancing just all of it um so I and even though it's and others so we didn't say it all but I appreciate I know no I know that I know that but I appreciate that at least to the extent that we did that we recognize that Asia and the Pacific is vast, large, and not one

073people. Um, I move to adopt resolution 2425-61 in recognition of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I'll second that. So, we have a motion by trustee and with a second by Trustee Mason on the recognition of Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Is there further discussion hearing? None. Trustee OA, how do you vote? Yes. The motion is adopted with a 500 vote and support with Trustee OA. Dr. Clark, the next We're getting there. We're We're going through these. Got lots of people out there. So resolution 24/25-62 recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Whereas National Jewish American Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, education in all areas of American life. So now, therefore, be it resolved that the governing board of the Mount Ela Unified School District hereby

074recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month and supports opportunities for all students, staff, faculty, and members of the public to honor and learn more about Jewish American history and culture. Madame President, I now leave this resolution in the hands of the board. Madame President, I move to adopt resolution 242562 recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Second. So we have a motion by Trustee Count with a second by Trustee McDougall on the recogn recognition of May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Is there further discussion? I just want to say this this resolution like many of our resolutions came to us from um parents and families in our in our schools and in our communities that asked us to recognize recognize them. Um and so I I'm appreciative of this board for continuing to do so.

075Trustee OA, how do you vote? Yes. And this resolution is adopted on a 5000 vote with the support by trustee OOA. Dr. Clark. Great. Madam President, I now bring before you resolution 24/25-63, which is school nurses day, which is May 7th, 2025, and school nurses week, which is May 6th through the 12th. Whereas school school school nurse day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of nurses in the educational setting and is celebrated annually on the Wednesday within national nurses weeks. And now therefore be it resolved that the governing board of the Mount Alba Unified School District hereby recognizes May 7th as school nurses day and the week of May 6 to May 12th as National Nurses Week. Madame President, I now leave this in the hands of the board. I move

076to approve resolution 2425-63, school nurses day, May 7th, 2025 and National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12, 2025. I'm sorry, I laugh because I'm like, that's my eldest friend's 50th birthday. I'll second that. So we have a motion by trustee and zi with a second by trustee count on the recognition of school nurse day and national nurses week. Is there further discussion? Hearing none trustee OOA, how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. The recognition of our school nurses is uh adopted as a 5000 vote with support from Trustee Oaha and Dr. Clark. Yes. So now I have resolution 24/25-64 in recognition of California Day of the Teacher which is May 14th and National Teacher Appreciation Week which is May 5th through 9th. Whereas May 14th, 2025 is California Day of the Teacher and the week

077of May 5th uh through the 9th is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Whereas the governing board of the Mount Alba Unified School District recognize the invaluable contributions of educators to the success of our students and the strength of our community. So be it further resolved that all students, parents, and school district employees should bring Starbucks and Pete's coffee to No, I'm joking. uh be it further reserved that all students and parents and school district employees are encouraged to participate in in observances that express and show appreciation to the instructional staff at schools throughout the Mount Diablo Unified School District. Madame President, I now leave this resolution in the hands of the board. Madame President, I move to adopt resolution 242564, California Day of the Teacher and National Teacher Appreciation Week. Second. We have a motion by

078trustee count and a second by trustee McDougall um with the recognition of California Day of the Teacher and National Teacher Appreciation Week. Is there further discussion? I'll just emphasize especially as we're winding down the school year and we've all survived, especially the teachers dealing with all these children. Big thank you to all of our teachers out there for all of your hard work. And yes, especially these last uh this last stretch is a hard one, but you'll make it. Trusty Choa, how do you vote? Yes. The resolution in support of our teachers is adopted on a 5000 vote with support from Trustee OA. All right. Um, our next resolution will be handled by our human resources department. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Clark, Madame President, and trustees. Var variable term waivers provide applicants with additional time

079to complete certain requirements for the credential that authorizes the service. The waiver request is made when there is not a properly credentialed person for the position. All requests for a variable term waiver must be presented for approval to the governing board of a public school district. This evening we present two to you. With that, I leave this item in the hands of the board. Madam Chair, I move to approve resolution 24/25-66 for variable term waiverss. Second. So we have a motion by trustee Mason with a second by trustee and Zwi regarding the resolution 2425 number 66 for uh variable term waiverss. Further discussion trust ooa how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. Did your vote come up? Cuz mine is not. I think my screen is frozen. Shows you are the only one. Thank you.

080So the motion on the variable term waiverss is adopted on a 500 vote um with support of trustee OOA. Dr. Clark. Great. Next we have item 10.8 and we have our um CBO Adrien Vargas and guest. we will take this next item two items. Thank you Dr. Clark. Um so we have a short presentation and this is related to uh items 10.8 and 10.9. Um so with that we we are going to be uh reviewing the refunding of the geo bonds which is related to um well the refunding of the geo bonds and then the last issuance of measure J. And with me tonight is Rachel Chang Quay from FieldMen ROAP. And so I will um go through the overview and then pass it on to Rachel and she'll go through the the numbers. Um

081so as you're aware we you know we have facilities funding program um that is comprised of geo bonds or general obligation bonds and then we do um look for matching facilities funding from the state. Um and we are proactive in taking advantage of bond ref financing opportunities. And so as I stated earlier, we do have one available which is related to the 2010 measure C series A. And um also at the same time we um to create efficiencies and primarily staff time and costs um we're also going to issue out the remaining 55 million in measure J. Um and that is in order to finish out the projects and like I said um you know we we talked about that in terms of saving staff time and then issuance costs. So, with that, I'm going

082to turn it over to Rachel. And, um, just one thing I do want to point out in terms of the new issuance. Uh, Rachel will be going through three different options that we talked about. And really, it's just more of an illustration of kind of the process and then kind of the things that that I was looking at with Rachel. Um, we will be going with option C, but she will walk you through that. Thank you, Adrian. Good evening again. Um, pleasure to be here supporting you as your financial advisor. I'll move on to the next page. As Adrian mentioned, I'll dive into some of the numbers. I'll start with the proposed refunding or refinancing. It's very similar to refinancing a home mortgage. We now have an opportunity to lower the interest cost on your

083outstanding bonds and therefore providing taxpayer savings as you have done many many times before. So the 2010 measure uh measure C bond series A was originally issued back in 2010 and now we have a chance to lower the 5.65% interest rate with the current market. As you probably read on the news headline, we're seeing tremendous volatility in the financial market. We'll continue to monitor that. These numbers are a snapshot in time, but something that we continue to monitor. We're ve very active in the market and and certainly would want to make sure you execute and achieve the best interest rate possible. But here just as a illustration what you can see is that we're not extending out the term of the original bond. So that stay in 2035. But the numbers here that we can

084share with you is that on a uh gross aggregate level we're estimating over 11 million of taxpayer savings. So since it's save over time, we also look at it on a net present value basis. So that in terms of percentage is close to 11%. Some of the best practices in the market were recommend financing uh to proceed with one if you see net present value savings greater than three or 5%. So well well above that and as I mentioned earlier um these will not extend out the terms. We also have a little graph to illustrate how the savings will look like which is a common way to restructure the saving. So you save a similar percentage of savings every year to the taxpayer. And I'll move on to the next slide if there are no

085questions there. as Adrian introduced uh we evaluated and in fact more than these three options but these three is a good illustration to show the spectrum of the options that we looked at for the measures J series C bonds. So to quickly walk through some of the items for the different options you will see that the first three line items they're they're exactly the same. First and foremost is on the assessed valuation growth. So these bonds are repaid by property taxes. So how the assessed valuation of the properties are projected is a important component and we're staying very conservative here projecting only 2% of annual growth going forward while historically you have seen greater than 5% or uh 4.5% for the 33y year average. So we're being conservative and certainly want to outperform these projection

086when it comes to actual tax rates showing up on people's tax bills. Next item here is the tax rate estimate on a per 100,000 of assessed valuation basis. Again, this is based on the assessed value, not the property or resale value, but how the county is currently assessing the property. And that is $15 per 100,000 as communicated to the community back in 2010 uh of 2018 when measure J was approved. And then um the principal amount is exactly the same throughout all scenario to access all remaining 55 million. And starting with line four, you will see the difference here. So we started with the uh bond term structure of 25 years. So 25 year to 30 year is very commonly utilized by school district issuing their geo bonds. And looking at that knowing that you

087have tax rate capacity, your assessed valuation has grown greater than what was previously projected. So we looked at what if we were to shorten those terms. Similar to a home mortgage, shorter the term, lower the interest cost, but in return your monthly payment or in our case the annual repayment will be slightly higher. So we look at the term to shorten it to 20 years or 18 years and in return the tax rates are slightly higher on an annual basis that ranges from five to over 6.8 dollars uh per 100,000 for series C and on a measure uh basis for measure J on an aggregate level those are slightly higher as you go out to the different terms. Nevertheless, if you look to uh line eight, looking at the repayment, principal interest service repayment for

088Siri C, the shorter the term, the lower the repayment, and they vary significantly. Um, if we were to do 25-year bonds, it's over $103 million total repayment. That's principal and interest. But if we were to do option C with 18-year term, that lowers it down to roughly 76 million. Another way that uh in our line of work to look at uh evaluate a financing cost is looking at the repayment ratio for every dollar you borrow, how much are you paying back? So those numbers are summarizing down here as well with option A at $ 1.9 to1 and now ranging down to option C at $1.38. So you may ask why option C 18 years not 15 years not some other uh numbers right so on the next page here we have a depiction of the

089tax rate structuring how the repayment of all of measure J's bonds are layered and then you can see that uh with option A will where in fact with all three option well we are well under the $15 tax rate line while statutoily you can issue up to $60 per $100 000. So we're very conservative here. And then the uh blue bars are the current 2022 series B bonds that are currently outstanding. And those green bars that were layering is the proposed series C issuance. So the first chart is for option A, second chart for option B. And if you're looking at option C, you would see that the green bar ends exactly the year as your outstanding 2022 series B. So, we're not extending out even existing term of your measure J. That's why we

090u prepare option C for a 18-year bond term. Lastly, to go through some of the financing timelines, um we started a process to prepare for the GEO financings back in February. We have uh prepared legal documents that are on the agenda for the board's consideration tonight. We also procure credit rating for the financing which is a required process as we access the capital market. And here is also to share the good news with you. Uh we got our uh double A3 which is a very high credit rating affirmed by Moody's investor service and we also got the rating outlook revised from stable to positive all uh attributed to the great work on managing your finances at the district. here. Here we are at the board uh for you to consider the two geo financings on

091the agenda tonight. Next steps would be to go to the county board of supervisors to for them to consider a consent resolution. That's their standard process for uh specifically the series C measure J bonds. If we were to achieve all those steps, uh we will be starting the pre-arketing period to solicit investor interest starting in the end of April and then we'll be uh entering the market if the market cooperates and interest rates stay uh relatively advantageous. That is currently targeted for May 5th and 6th. we hit those target, go through the closing process, we'll be uh refinancing the bonds and then also delivering measure J proceeds for projects on May 22nd. Those concludes all this slides. So, we're open for any questions. I like option C. Anytime we can get rid of debt faster,

092that's the way to go. What happens if the market doesn't cooperate with plan B to C? That's a great question. Uh unfortunately that's something we are having to deal with more frequently than say in prior years. Uh so what will happen is by approving the the financings tonight do not obligate you to enter the market. Um I will be discussing it with staff with Adrian on setting some of the thresholds and parameters on what we are trying to achieve and we will make sure unless we achieve those um targets we do not enter the market. What we'll do is we will stay flexible and make sure that when the timing is right then we act quickly to execute them. That was my first question. That was my question as well. Thank you very much. So,

093I appreciate uh the information. It's very well presented. Um I want to share publicly that I have received no comment regarding this item um as a trustee and um um do we have any public comment cards on this agenda item? No. Okay. Thank you. We um appreciate that. Uh perhaps I know there are many people that watch for these uh items on our agenda and if there isn't public comment uh that's usually a positive sign. All right. Anything else? No. So with that, I will make the motion to approve the resolution authorizing issuance of 2025 refunding general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed $90 million. Second. So we have a motion by trustee uh count with a second by trustee and zi uh to approve the resolution 24-/255067 authoriz authorizing the

094issuance and sale of the refunding uh general obligation bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $90 million for the purpose of refunding outstanding um debts. So, um, Trustee Ooa, how do you vote? Yes. I failed to ask. Is there further discussion? I just want to say thank you for looking out for the taxpayer dollar um and for the most efficient way to do both of these finance financial um actions at the same time. And the resolution on item 10.8 8 is adopted uh with a 500 vote and support from our student trustee. Thank you. We move on to um the next item. Still Mr. Vargas. So this is this resolution is related to the issuance of the new money for measure J. I move to approve resolution authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds 2018

095election series C in the principal amount not to exceed $55 million. Second. So we have a motion by trustee and Zwi with this a second by uh trustee McDougall um on the resolution 242568 authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds for the 2018 election series C in the principal amount not to exceed $55 million. Further discussion. Trusty OOA, how do you vote? Yes. And the motion is adopted on a 5000 vote with the support of Trustee OA. Thank you very much. Thank you for your presentation and um we'll keep our fingers crossed and it was really great to see the positive Moody's rating to for the public to know that we are managing your finances very carefully and very well. I believe I recall that recently another district in Contracasta County's rating was

096lowered recently. So we're going to keep plugging away here in Mount D. Thank you. Um so um so we have someone back to um give us an update on Proposition 28. We have um you know the dynamic Kelly Hoover who um you know this this position if you could just build somebody for this position it would be Kelly. And I know she shared many times her experiences and and all her credentials and uh and what has prepared her for this moment. So, um, so Miss Hoover, tell us about, uh, Prop 28, Art and Music in Mount Viato schools. Hello. Good evening again, Madame President, board trustees, Dr. Clark. Thank you so much for taking the time to um, hear our presentation tonight. My name is Kelly Hoover, and I'm the visual and performing arts curriculum

097specialist. Uh, tonight, Gustavo and I will be sharing an update on our Prop 28 funds districtwide. Um, as we go through our slides, you will see many photos of some of our visual and performing arts programs throughout the district. On November 8th, 2022, California voters approved an annual funding stream to support visual and performing arts in public and charter schools. $938 million annually was released in February or March of 2024, which was about 5 million additional than was previously estimated in May 2023. These are the programs that the CDE defines as arts education which the money can be spent on to support. Prop 28 funds are equal to 1% of Prop 98 funds. Any changes to Prop 98 will cause adjustments to Prop 28. We received the funds as part of our monthly principal aortionment.

098And I just want to highlight this project here is from Braftoft where the kindergarteners created the drawings and then the fifth graders uh sewed the actual um stuffed animals for them. So it was it's really really cute. If you're at Braftoft, pop in and see if you can see some of those. Prop 28 distributes funding based on enrollment. 70% to schools based on their share of statewide enrollment and 30% to schools based on their share of economically disadvantaged students. The guidelines of this funding state that at least 80% of the funds must be used for additional certificated or classified FTE. 19% can be used for instructional materials, supplies, equipment, as well as arts, education partnerships, and contractors, and up to 1% may be used for administration or indirect costs. Schools are required to certify that

099the funds were spent in addition to existing district funding for arts education programs. School site administrators make the decisions for how to spend the funds with input from their various stakeholder groups. This allows sites to provide programs that their communities would like to see grow. And it also means that our programs are going to vary from sight to site. One of our district goals from our strategic arts plan was to provide more arts offerings at the elementary level. Um we've been able to hire 20 and counting with some additional vacancies still that we are filling um new arts staff to provide more arts access for our students. Here are some of our wonderful team members at our monthly collaboration. At the elementary level, we've also been able to um provide experiences with our local artists

100and contractors, which has also helped us increase our arts partnerships. We've also been able to provide new instruments and art supplies with these funds. Another goal we're working on is exploring new spaces for the arts. And you can see here some of our new art spaces at the secondary level. At middle school, so far we've added 25 additional sections of the arts. And at the high school level, we've added nine sections of arts with more to come. We've also added five art specialists to provide art support within our art classes. Here are some of our secondary additions in the arts. Uh Mount Diablo High School has brought back their music program this year, including drum line and choir. Um Ignatio Valley High School has been able to provide piano this year and is planning to

101create a chorus class for next year. We've also been able to purchase new instruments, kils, art supplies, lighting and sound equipment, etc. I'll share with Gustavo here who will share a little bit of the uh the numbers so far. Thank you. Um so I'll be providing an update on the funding and expenditures for the art and music and schools. Uh the funding amount for the 2324 uh fiscal year uh is 4,72,821 and for 2425 is $4,10,391. Uh this table represents the actuals and and encumbrances for the 2324 funds that are not fully expended yet. Um however these funds must be spent within three years or they must be returned to uh C CDE. Um so far 78% of the funds have been spent on personnel uh 21% on goods and services and um 0.06% on

102indirect cost. Uh we're on track to meet the the 80% minimum um for personnel spending and continue to pri uh prioritize hiring uh s certificated and classified art instructors. Um today our waiver request was approved for 2324 and this gives us a flexibility to use the um supply funds to create dedicated art spaces and expand instruction um where it's needed most. And now I'll turn it over to uh Kelly. Thank you. All right. So, our next steps, we will be returning to you in June to present our annual report that will be filed with the CDE. We're going to continue to grow and hire more staff as we move through the summer. Um, and again, our first year of funding will expire in June of 2026. So, our focus right now is making sure that

103we are spending all of those money to create new art experiences for our students. Thank you. You know this question. do have a quick question. Do you kind of have a roster of the different things that are happening? Because I used to love to go to the high school plays on a weekend when they were having their and I don't know when they are anymore till after they've happened because we used to have a lot of kids come share here and now we have a student rep. So, it'd be really cool if there was a way to let the board know of upcoming events so we can go out and see how these funds are being enacted in our programs. Absolutely. We do have a district of VAPA calendar and I can make sure that

104you're all um attached to that so you can see our events. Go ahead. I don't know. I don't have a lot. All right. I thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Um I think I asked the question the similar question when you presented the strategic plan um last year like time is a construct I don't know whenever it was it was last year um and it has to do with like concerns for me around the local control which is how the prop position was written and the local being local control being the school site and ensuring that there is true equity across school sites of what's offered um and the opportunities. So, I don't know I don't know how to phrase my question. I don't know what it is, but how how are we controlling

105for like a a school community that is really engaged in the arts and and a school community that isn't because they haven't had it. And so they wouldn't even know what to ask or fight for from their school site money. Yeah, that's where I come in. I'm able to help with the principles. I've met with many of them to develop and craft plans looking at the data from their um their parent meetings, from their students, from their staff to help determine which direction they'd like to go. Um, so I'm I'm happy to meet with anybody at any of the sites to help support them in figuring out the best way to go because you're right, it is a site decision and so the programs are going to vary um from site to site because it's

106not a district um decision that that makes the choices for the money. So you're right, it is it is an interesting way that it was worded. Have you seen in our district any example of school sites who have engaged the students and the teachers and the community in figuring out what they want that's different or that's added the add-on because this is an add-on. Correct. Yeah. I definitely think at the secondary level they are because it's such a student-driven schedule and so finding out what the students are interested in and how can we use the prop 28 money to provide sections for classes that maybe don't have a ton of enrollment yet but we could start them small to start growing the program and some of our sites have taken um that opportunity. I'll leave

107the rest for June. Okay. Um, I just want to say first of all, thank you to the voters for voting yes on Prop 28 because having this opportunity is incredible to have this funding above and beyond our original um, funding and thank you to your team um, and all the school sites for taking taking on this role of how are we going to best spend these funds. Um, I'm especially I was looking back through our our strategic plan um and kind of comparing and I'm just especially excited about the gaps that have been beginning to close in terms of the offerings that we've been able to provide. you know, Mount Diablo High was one of the things that the strategic arts group planning group specifically pointed out as um lacking in providing these opportunities and

108so seeing the pictures from Mount Diablo High of the coral and the instrumental music there um you know is just so wonderful and long overdue. Um uh I think along similar lines, I was thinking about um how how how do we best look at the equity issues across the district and how we're spending our funds and um that we have about 2 million that we have to make sure to spend by 20 June 2026 because we don't want to give it back. Um but with that structure of each school um making their own decisions. So, one thought I had is going forward, and I don't know if this is already in your upcoming report, but um I think it would be helpful for us to see a chart of all of our schools, um maybe

109with columns for like here's the amount that that school is allocated from Prop 28. Here's how much they have spent so far, and then by fiscal year. Um and then a few words on like what were that school's priorities. Um so then schools can see what each other are doing and we can also catch if there are some schools that are um you know way behind in spending their allocation um then we can make sure to focus on that school make sure that they can u make some big investments before June of 2026 because I think that's how it has to be spent right by school. So it's not just that we have 2 million that we need to spend by June but like it's little pockets of money at all the different sites close

110to the 2 million. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And sometimes it can be hard to spend money. Um, can I add a question to just to that? So if a school if a school doesn't spend money, can that money go to another school? Okay. No, it has to be spent at that school site. Um, but one thing we do have is I we've created uh spending plans for every site and that's how the the administrator and I communicate is through the spending plan. So that's always something I can share with you as well. We have a whole folder of spending plans where you can look and see how each of the sites are are planning to spend and can they see each others? They can see each others as well. Yes. Okay. Yes. Great. It's a whole

111folder. All right. Um, and then I'm just um always cognizant of the fact that prior to um prior to us creating the strategic plan um and Prop 28 passing um you know we did have to make some drastic cuts back in 2020 um including to fourth grade instrumental music. And so that's always something in the back of my head. Um and it is also in our strategic plan um that says that we'll explore options beyond the pull out model to expand access to fourth and fifth grade students districtwide and explore different scheduling models for instrumental coral music at the elementary level. So that's what our plan says. I know you've made a lot of wonderful progress on other parts of the plan and that this is one of the most complicated pieces to do. Um

112particularly because the funding goes to each individual school and when we do an inter instrumental music program it is a you have to collaborate. Everybody has to agree essentially to put all of their money into that specific. Right. Right. Right. And so one of the um things that that that this group had talked about was the goals of bringing back instrumental music to elementary school would be we want it accessible to everybody. So not a pullout program um that disrupts other um academic subjects. Um, but then the other sort of out-of-the-box thinking that was talked about there was um that um like I remember when I was a parent new to this school district, I was surprised that we had a short day Wednesdays in our elementary schools because not all districts have that. I

113actually came from a neighboring district that did not have that. Um so from the parents and famil family's perspective, that's that's disruptive to have a short day one one day a week, right? So the thinking was what if you were able to fill in that time period, teachers still get their collaboration time, but students um are occupied during that time by the arts by other teachers that come in, right? Um and that's the kind of scheduling idea. And so that might not be Prop 28 though because if that's technically afterchool time for students, maybe it's ELOP funds, right? Um because it's actually after school. Um, so anyway, I just don't want that um that sort of big picture out of the box thinking ideas um to uh fall by the wayside. Um and so if

114there are if there's a small group of schools that wanted to collaborate to try something out, I hope we're we're still continuing to do that um along the way um and that schools don't get too even though they get their own funds that they don't get too kind of blind blinded um and not collaborating with others. Um, I think we have to be careful not to micromanage because the whole point is for the school to be able to decide and why I might think this school needs fourth grade music. They might think they want ballet glorica. So, it's a it's the way you're managing it seems to be working. I think it's not a criticism at all. I think trusty count it's not this not to do anything instead of anything else. It's about the

115pull out model itself. And for the children who want to participate in music that their only option is to miss an hour or whatever of of whatever um their classroom teacher would be teaching at that time. A funny not funny story. The word my own child was in a pull out and it was a whole month before I found out that she hadn't been going to her instrumental music because um and then and so she was lying. this was to me whenever I said how is music today but the point being once we you know got through the moment she didn't want to miss math um and that's the choice that that we're forcing students to make and families to make is to miss some what every minute is important some important part of their

116day um is to make that choice and that's not the choice that anybody should be making they should have the option the opportunity for ballet for chlorico or uh instrumental or coral music or whatever and not have to do a pull out model if there is a creative solution to it without micromanaging and making people doing whatever. Yes. And all of that is a yes and you've done tremendous work. This is not instead of at all. Um, this, you know, for for the first year of having this funding and being able to get off the ground as many things as you have managed to do across all school sites is incredible and we're off to a fantastic start. So, thank you. So, if you all have directions and questions, if you can email those to

117me. Kelly is doing a presentation and it's really hard to take all that input and stuff and and write write it down and all that stuff. So we were discussing it among ourselves discussion. Yes, we can forward that. Thank you all. Follow that. Want to see family purpose in the audience. Oh, where is she? Oh, okay. Hey, Monnique. I was wondering. I didn't see you. All right. Good. Good. Well, you know, this is Family Purpose and and I've talked about them before. They they provide a very unique service to us. They um talk to kids um and support students that um don't receive that support in other places. And so we contract with some individuals to do that. And so um so this is Mon'nique and she's going to share a little bit about their

118work um with Mount Diablo District. So thank you Mon'nique. Yes. Well, thank you um Dr. Clark, Superintendent Ed Rivers trustees. Thank you so much for having us continuing to partner with us. We appreciate that. We thank you so much. Thank you as well to you um our student trustees. So um we're going to do a quick and I'm going to run through it. Um so I have it on paper this time. Last time I didn't, right? So that that way it's not so you're going to click too. Okay. Yeah. Here's the clicker. So it's not so long but just so I kind of know what was happening. Okay. So um just to start so this year we actually did a couple of things different. So since um last year you know we was work I

119was working closely with teachers more but since this year um we have Dr. Shelley Ho Shelley Holtz that was working with teachers. What I did was I was able to now um add in more bodies. What that means is I was able to bring in more people to provide more services to our students, right? And so what I like to do is I'm really a um problem solver, right? So I like to see like there's all if there's a need, how do we fix that need? How do we fill that void? And so that's what we were able to do um with some of our different groups of students. And so you'll see here um so what we offer, we offer a lot of things, right? The emotional support, academic tutoring. So, the sore support,

120that was something that we was able to add. Um, we do the community service opportunities, EOD support, that was another thing that we were able to add this school year. And so, really excited about that. The teacher admin support, the FASA, um, scholarships, college applications, job search, and entrepreneurship. Um so when we say the number of students the interactions that means that right that our classroom door is a revolving door and so that can be during lunchtime after school before school or during class time right um we know that a lot of students are sent to us and they also self-send self-preer um being that they're in class and just say you know what they don't they feel like they can't focus so then now they'll want to come and focus in our classroom. One

121thing that we do hear and don't hear from a lot of teachers is, "Oh, well, they don't they won't do the work in our class, but at least they'll come in your classroom and do the work, right? And still turn the work in." And then sometimes with some of our students, we have a problem with that, right? But our biggest thing is that if that is a problem, then you can't then you can't come to our classroom, right? Um but students are not allowed to come without a pass, right? So all these interactions are with a pass. 97 um parent interactions, 46 conflict mediations, two were unsuccessful. But what does that mean? That just means that we have to either do another one or it did end up resulting in in a fight after the

122mediation. Um so really excited about the growth this year of the academic piece, right? Um and I really believe that that has a lot to do with that now we have three to five people in the schools. And so that has really made a significant change because now there's just different people for people to connect with, right? like everybody might not connect with me, but now they might connect with Miss Monica or Miss Danielle. And now we even have males in the school. So that's been really good, right, to run our boys groups and to work with our um male population. So as you see, our um first semester was 207 um well 2.7, I'm sorry. And then for the second semester, we had a 3.515. So that's really good because normally we're not in

123the 3 for second semester. Um, so I'm excited about that, especially with high school. And then, so for Mount Diablo, um, our numbers are lower again. So what you can see, what it shows too is the schools that we have been at, right? So why we YBD we've been at, um, Mount Diablo, we're new to Mount Diablo and so our numbers are really low. Um, well, not really low. That's still a lot of interactions, right? But when it comes to the conflicts, so we're not being um we're not the the primary main source yet for that. And so um I'm hoping that that changes, right? Because that really is our expertise when it comes to resolving conflicts. And so same thing. So now you see the the data was the same and I was like

124that can't be right. But as you see the percentages are different, right? And so that's how that ended up right. Um and then so for O grow same thing. We have the 53 parent 2,000 over 2,000 interactions and conflicts 27 three unsuccessful real and you guys have access to that but really excited that the suspension rate has gone down significantly at Oak Grove right and what we know is last year it was higher but it was higher we didn't have counselors right and so that that's really exciting to see and to know and so as you see started off really low at a 1.63 63, but now we're up to a 3.17, which is really good. We've implemented something at Oak Grove that has really been really great, which is um this school year we

125have this, we don't we haven't put a name to it yet, but with the support of our amazing teacher um that helps us support and organize where we do one month is um tardies. So, when we first started it was 20 tardies, I believe. So the first month you can have anybody that had 20 tries or less, you were able to participate in this Friday monthly event, right, that we do. And so it's really fun. Everybody that had the 20s or less, you get to come out and participate in a lot of games and activities. And then the next month it was um the academics and we started at a 2.5. Now we're up to a 3 point I think a 3.25. And yeah, 3.25. And what's exciting about this you guys is that we've

126had like 200 and something 300 and something students, right? And so that's really good. That's really good. That's like a third of the school with that are having um great attendance as well as great academic success, right? So really excited about that. And so then the Riverview our interactions as you can see very high when it comes to parent as well as um our conflict mediations. Now, at Riverview, we also have our um what do we like to call it? The uh oh, I can't think of the room. They call it something. Um I'll just say our reprocess room, our refocus room, right? And so that's why Riverview is a lot higher, I would say, is because we do a lot more work when it comes to Riverview just by having that um refocus room.

127And so we started at a one point one um 21 and then now we're at a 2.97 which is really good and especially for Riverview. And so these are the extra services that I was talking about that we've been able to add right which is our ELD and our soar. And so our case load for that is really good at all around the board. We're we don't have soore at Riverview and that is because um Miss Rosie said that you know the counselors and the staff that are there have it and so we want to be um double pulling the kids out and so um with that okay so those are some of our ELD students just the different little groups. So here. Okay. And we couldn't I wanted uh oh I want to be

128able to we didn't couldn't for some reason it wouldn't go on for you to see what that was. So blue is principal, red is VP, yellow is counselor, green is teacher, right? And so the principal and this is the redirection room that refocus room that I was talking about. So as you see we have majority um the students that are being referred there from our principles, right? And then um this is from five. So this is a new way that we just started to collect the data. This is student um responses. So which is really good. Um so then as you can see here too, right, a lot of the sendouts are from disrupting the class, right? And so we're are going to do more work and more groups and more um connections with teachers.

129So next year the plan is again if we um are blessed enough to have the partnership again right with seeing this data and seeing that where we're at with the percentages and stuff again by this being new now what it does is it allows us to be able to see where we need to bring changes and where we need to implement more work and so what I see with that is this that I want to do more pushins and when it comes to the teachers so at that school we will start back to doing more work with with the teachers because we see that that's a big thing that's needed right Um and then um that's the gender and the grades response. So majority of the students coming in there right now are from seventh

130grade, right? Majority are male and this is why we also have a male um have a male um staff up there as well. Ulysius who's doing an amazing job from what I always hear, right? And then just again some of our college that you can y'all see amazing Dr. Frances then our gig groups because we do have our gig groups which is our greatness, inspiring greatness, our toy giveaway. So this year we didn't Miss Rosie she told us later so we didn't get to do it at the um the center here but what we did do is we drove around. So me, Miss Rosie, we drove around and passed out um bikes and toys to the families in the community and the Bayoint community. We went to the um I forget the name of that

131center but to the Yeah. Yeah. Um and then know there's a um on Willow Pass Road that the shelter that's there. Love a child. Yes. Yes. And so we went there and we were able to pass out stuff. And then also we also did I did um families from each school. And so what we did is I went and gave to toys, shoes, clothes, right, to our high school students and junior high students that needed some, you know, clothes. And then um our black joy night um again that was at YV Oak Grove our girls group vision board. So every group every school has um boys groups and girls groups and then see this is our field day you guys. So see how amazing that is like so many students are out there and having

132a good time. When I tell you that we have not had not one fight one altercation by and the first one that we had was over 400 students. We were scared. We were nervous. We were so nervous and Dr. almost was like, "Oh, no. We have to figure out a better system." But it worked. It it did work. We we we we got out successfully. But from there, you know, we definitely have figured out new systems. And then um the boys group, the tutoring group, and so we're doing the tutoring. Um Miss Monica at YB, she likes to do every month when there's something. So, our women's history month. And then that's our conclusion. And so, um, yeah, I'm really, um, excited and happy with where our program is this year, just like I said,

133just because of the extra services that we've been able to implement, mainly for our ELD students. We know that right now is a very hard time for our families, right? And so, really being able to have somebody at the on campus that is supporting our students um, under our program, I know that you guys have your own people that are supporting it, but under our program has just been very um, rewarding and fulfilling. Any questions? Yes. on your slide here you say our goal is to maintain our 100% graduation rate. Can you explain the graduation rate? Um so for us all of our students that have gone through our program have graduated and so that for us from our schools at grade 12. Yes. Yeah. From our schools at grade 12. Yes. And um even

134when we first started we were at the Diablo day, right? And all of my students from Diablo Day graduated. actually had had five graduate early because we were closing the school and so that was very very exciting. Yes. Yes, it was. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions? Okay. Appreciating. Great to hear. Great to hear about all the great work. Thank you so much. Well, thank you so much. I look forward to continuing to do more. Thank you. You guys have a good night. Thank you. I appreciate all that you're doing. Yeah. Oh, we're ready for board member reports. Who's my first victim? Trusty Ooa, you are [Laughter] smiling. Hello. Next Wednesday and the following Wednesday, I plan to host informational Zoom sessions for students interested in becoming the next student board member. During these

135sessions, I will share the main responsibilities of the position, talk about my own experiences, and answer any questions students may have. Students can find the flyer in the information to join on the district website. This is this is an important leadership opportunity, and serving on this role has been an rewarding experience. I'm excited to talk with other students who may be interested. Thank you. Great. Thank you for all your work. Trusty Enzi, I do not have anything to report today. Right. Trusty McDougall. Okay. Um on the 17th of April, I attended a all day Zoom meeting for new board trustees and this was put on by CSBA. So, I thought it was good discussion with other new board members from around the state. Uh, they showed us the good resources they have on LCFF, the

136Brown Act, California School Dashboard, and one that intrigued me, board self- evaluation. I don't know if we do that. Okay, good. Um, and then the Pacer program, liaison program between CSBA and the schools. Uh, so that was very good. On the 19th, um I took four of my grandkids to the Young Eagle flights over here at Conquered Airport and um they get to fly for half an hour or so with um pilots who donate their time and their planes and their gas. And u at the same time they had uh some boots from uh kids who were from the Civil Air Patrol and this is age 12 and up. I was very impressed with them because these guys go out on emergency search and rescue and help in crisises like earthquakes. Um they're really dedicated.

137A couple of 15-year-old girls were really enthusiastically describing how they'd been um working with the group and to me I never knew civil air patrol. So this was interesting. I knew scouts but civil air patrol was something new. So I was glad to see the excitement there. There was also a 17-year-old girl who was ready to get her flight uh licensing. So, I think this is something that uh um what I noticed was there were a lot of parents involved in bringing their kids to these flights and these other activities. So, I was real glad to see that excitement and I thought, man, how can we get these parents excited and doing it in our schools because that's really what's going to get the kids to be thinking about these sorts of projects when they

138have opportunities to to look at other fields to to study or exciting activities. Um, on the 20th was Easter, so we had a resurrection Sunday service. Really enjoyed that. on the 21st went to the with the rest of the staff here um MDBEA meeting at the Serendipity restaurant at Mount Diablo High School. And I found this to be very um information informative as well as um showed us where we might have some things to improve on. uh I participated in the transportation segment and that's not as popular as the healthcare and that sort of thing. So I think there are um things that can be improved on and I've even talked to uh the director and I think we'll have a session on that. Maybe we can improve it all around. Anyway, that's my report.

139Thank you. Trustee Mason, it's only been a minute since we were here last time, but um I went to the Apac meeting out in Baypoint and basically we just kind of talked about plans for next year. I too went to the business alliance and I just have to say to Dr. Fontineella um my little protege Anna did a fantastic job with her presentation. She made me so proud and um that I went to the pack meeting last night where we heard from our student services and I'm always I know this I've been with the district forever but always to see the list of all the services they provide is always very impressive as also Dr. Clark was very impressive with his update. I didn't want you to feel left out. Trusty K. All right. I

140too attended the business alliance meeting and it was just I I think uh Anna and the team um of teachers did a really great job summarizing the projects of the year um that each career pathway had which was really really great to see and it's been growing um over time. I think the transportation is is fairly new now. So definitely grow growth area there. Um and they talked about the outreach to middle schools um to eighth grades um which I think has been a great new ad the last couple years. Um, and it did get me thinking about um, you know, as we continue to grow that maybe seventh grade would be a place we could outreach to because um, families and students need to decide if they want to transfer to a different high

141school than than their neighborhood school. Um, they have to turn in that paperwork by November of their eighth grade year. So 8th grade is a little bit late unless you're doing it right like in August, September. Um, so maybe seventh grade in the future, too. Um, I also attended Northgate Open House and their um 50th anniversary celebration last night. So, that was really cool to see um alumni coming out um and uh uh alumni from their very first year from 50 years ago was there as well. Um and I'm excited for this Friday. Um, I can't go to the Sequoia Multicultural Fair because there's also the Walnut Acres Multicultural Fair. Um, where it just so happens a um, Diablo Tao drumming group that I'm in is going to be performing. So, I'm committed to that

142one. Sorry, Seoia. Um, but I'm excited for Walnut Acres. Um, I'm also excited for Mount the Mount Diablo Education Foundation Botchi Tournament that's on Saturday, May 3rd. Um, I think that the teams are full. I do have a team there. If anyone wants to still join a team, I might have a spot. Um, but you don't have to be on a team. You guys are all welcome to also just come by and join us for lunch. Um, and you know, buy a few raffle tickets to benefit our Mount Diablo schools. It's on Saturday, May 3rd, and you can see information at mdeedf.org/events. Thank you. It's amazing to see uh to listen how involved this board is in attending events and u being out there with our community. Um I want to u recognize that uh

143tomorrow night is the community advisory committee special education celebration of success at 6 pm at conquered high school. Um students will be recognized uh for their growth. It's always an outstanding event and um emotional as well. And tomorrow night is the DACA meeting which begins at 5:30 at Willow Creek Center. Uh May 1st uh the Diablo Business Education Alliance has a career pathway showcase at John Mir Hospital in Conquered from 11 to 2 and that's always outstanding to see the student presentations at that particular event. I appreciate your call out of the botchi ball tournament. It's fun to see other adults just being silly and having a lot of fun. Uh so and there are currently 16 teams competing. So it will be a full day of botchi from 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Clayton.

144And in regards to the Civil Air Patrol, two of my daughters were involved in that particular program and one of them actually got to fly a C5A out of Travis airport um out of you know the Travis air base there and uh it was an amazing experience for my daughters. So if uh folks are interested in aviation uh the Civil Air Patrol is a great place for them to start. Uh Dr. Clark Great. Thank you. Thank you. Um, obviously lots going on. Um, there is, um, you know, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty and just challenges in public education right now and especially in um, in California, but for some reason, I don't know why, um, it tends to, um, in here in Mount Diablo, we just continue to just plug along and continue to

145to serve our students and our communities. So extremely um extremely proud of the of the work that we're doing and I'm just going to highlight a couple things in my um in my presentation. First of all, as always, you know, this is LCAP season and so as we are looking at refining our goals, um collecting input from our um you know, from our community, from our employees, from our students, um from from staff. Um that LCAP survey is on our well is on our our website on the front page of our website. You can access that and you can and you can provide input. Um and it's an enhanced survey. So we're excited to see um what type of information we get back from this survey. Um so so again these LCAP goals are extremely

146important because it really does guide the work that we do and allocate the resources towards the important work that's happening. But I always like to focus on goal one, that all students will receive a highquality education regardless of where they attend school, regardless of their address, um, in a safe and welcoming environment with high expectations regardless of where they go to school and regardless of their address and rigorous instruction in the California state standards that prepare them for college and career. And so that is really at the at the foundation of all that we do. Um just as we go on, we're we're getting a little more granular here where we're calling out um some specific student groups that have not historically been successful and also some programs. I do want to um I do

147want to highlight that we attended um the Wasque uh visit over at Crossroads High School on Monday morning and um the the visiting team was very impressed by the facility and by the support and by the resources that we provide our young teenage mothers. So, um, I let them know that I would come back and thank this board for that continued support. And it was nice to have, um, um, it was nice to have Samantha Allen there who had so much historical knowledge on the program and and how it came about. And, um, and I don't want to leave out Christina Filios, who was also we we plucked her from leading that program to her current position right now. Um and and I do have good news that they did surprisingly pass their wasp and

148got um got glowing um glowing results. And um of course, you know, there's always room for improvement and we we accept that. And um so we will look at um at ways that we can support them to continue to to improve. And so we are calling them out in in that um attendance and graduation rates. And I can tell you just from our time down there that the folks at this school know about that goal all the way from the administrators down to the to the students. I can't say that the little babies know it just yet, but the babies will benefit from them coming to school um coming to school every day. Again, our our CCE kind of visual here. We still continue our work with CCE. We meet with them seems like weekly

149either through Zoom or either I'm going to Sacramento or Samantha's going to Sacramento. And then we bring together our teams and have meetings with CC and the county. Again, always looking at our instructional practices, always looking at our student groups and ways that we can um ways that we can get better. I do want to acknowledge these two resolutions that we received um from the California State Assembly members. Um this one is from the 15th district assemblywoman Anna Marie Ailla uh Ferris. Hope I'm pronouncing that right, but it says this is for um we have one for Elizabeth Swanson and one for David Pentado. They say the same things. Um it is my honor to present this decorated award throughout the district. You have proven to be someone who embodies passion, dedication, and an unwavering

150commitment to your students. Your impact goes beyond the classroom, which has inspired minds, built confidence, and shaped futures. Thank you for, uh, thank you for your commitment to education. So, um, we're going to deliver those to those two, but I did want to, um, put both of these resolutions into the record and thank our, um, assembly woman Um, I just I just pulled these these pictures off just because they um, you know, instruction is at the is at the foundation of everything that we're doing. First time and good first time, high quality first-time instruction beats any intervention, beats any supplemental program, beats any other experience our students can get rather than that good first instruction in our classrooms. And the picture you have on the left, you have those students who are reading non-fictional text,

151which is, you know, which is difficult for all students. They love reading fairy tales. They love reading, you know, fiction and things like that. But when they can read non-fiction text and like follow directions and so here it's a it's a um they're doing a reading on how to build an airplane. So these students are are it may sound simple but like they're reading the directions on how to do it and stuff and so real impressed by that. Then again over on the over on the right there you have groups of students working together in collaboration and obviously they're looking at text looking at cause and effect. So just um um those two pictures just kind of stood out to me and I wanted to wanted to share those. Um we have we have calfs

152testing um that's starting and this is our you know this is our our state testing and um you know I've placed in my evaluation that we are going to improve our test scores. 45% of our students reading at or above grade level is um you know is not acceptable to me and 38% of our students at or above grade level in math is is not acceptable. And so we have been um focusing 100% on on how we are going to not only create environments where our students can be successful but where we can equip those who are serving our students with the necessary skills to be able to um to be able to successfully teach our students the grade level state standards that they um deserve and are entitled to learn. Later on tonight, we're

153going to be presenting our um recommendation for math adoption. And so that's just part of that work. But I always talk about that our our our testing is not everything. I never want us to get to a point where we're teaching to the test, but our students should be prepared. And it's um and it's easier said than done. It takes commitment. It takes work. It takes training. It takes um that plan, do, study, act sort of um you know, sort of process. And um and we are all in on this and we are looking forward to our students engaging in the standardized testing because if they want to go to college, if they want to go to trade school, they're going to have to pass standardized tests. So why don't we um make that um

154process enjoyable to them and why don't we give them the skills to um be able to navigate that and be successful on that. so excited to to be embracing our our state testing. And I know that our schools are doing a lot of work with communicating to parents about getting kids to bed early, getting them to school early, making sure that they're eating meals, not creating a whole bunch of distractions, keeping our students nice and calm as they come in for um for state testing. And I'll be sharing those results wide and far when they come, regardless of what the outcomes are. But we are shooting for improvements. Um, as an organization, what we produce is young people that walk across the stage with a with a a jacket with an uh with a diploma

155in it. And so we take our graduations extremely serious and we're very very proud of our graduations. And so this is on our website, it's on our social media, but this is a list and times of all of our graduations. and we start on uh May 27th and we go all the way to June 7th. And so um hopefully this board has had an opportunity to to sign up for your graduations. As I was meeting with uh Trusty McDougall, I assured him that we would give him the script uh to certify the class. I told him that's the most important thing at the graduation is to make sure we certify the class. So, we're going to make sure um if ever I have to read it, I have at least three copies on me in

156case I in case I lose it or can't get to it. But, we want to make sure that we certify our classes properly. And um and it's just such a a magical time, such a celebratory time, and we're really looking forward to our students graduating and moving on. Um, I want to recognize some of the, you know, we do these resolutions and it always says at the bottom of it, you know, hopefully at the schools that they'll, you know, do programs and materials and activities that, um, that really align to this. Um, you know, I am really at at I stand for a lot of things. Um, but one of the things that I really stand for and I'm really committed to and something that brings me great joy and enjoyment is when I see

157young people enjoying nature, enjoying the outdoors, enjoying wildlife. And so, Earth Day is something that just really stands out to me. So, this is um these are middle school students over at uh Valley View. And um just when you look at this picture and you blow it up and you just see the diversity of the students who are there and to know that these are middle schoolers and they could be off playing video games or doing whatever, but they're at their school participating and be beautifying their school with Earth Day. Um I just really wanted to highlight that. I also had a I I learned a new area in our in our community. What area is this? Mitchell Canyon. Mitchell Canyon. So, this is me um yesterday over at uh Mitchell Canyon. Um and I

158was giving um I was giving an Earth Day talk to seventh graders from um from Diablo View who were getting ready to um to go on a hike and um they do an all day hike. Um they I asked if they go to the very top of Mount Diablo, but they don't. It's a different, you know, different mountain or whatnot, but still all the same thing. uh they were extremely excited and um you know the uh one of the educators there in the background started this hike 20 years ago and so um so anyway so we were sharing that with the students and in this picture is sort of the where's Waldo picture so someone in that picture doesn't belong but you got to look real closely to find that person and so um so

159if you can't um if you can't see him there's a Okay, thank you. But it's um there's a there's a bald guy right there in the middle there um who wanted to go on the hike, but I had other duties. I had other duties that I had to do. Otherwise, I really would have enjoyed um going on that hike with those students. So, um um and then this is this is Earth Day over at Walnut Acres. And again, you know, I just I just love how like elementary teachers like they got everything organized. They got those kids sitting over there like just, you know, it's going to be a very structured. I'm sure they had a ton of parents over there ready to volunteer and help, but just different ways that we were that we

160were celebrating that special day. And it was neat to see how the different sites were were celebrating it. Um, this is some of our Mount Diablo students. These aren't all our Mount Diablo students, but they took a trip to Stanford and I believe we had um we had students from the from the Greek from the different Greek organizations provide workshops for our students and activities over in the St. Stanford campus. So again, if you don't see it, then you can't be it. And so it's important that we get our students um you know, on the college campuses. Um you know, obviously we do a lot of work with DVC. It's right across the street from from our from our schools, but getting our students out to to Stanford, Cal, San Jose State, CSU, East Bay,

161all of those things. Um you know, is again when we're preparing them for college and career, they got to be able to see it and experience it. So wanted to highlight that. I also, she didn't know I was putting this in there, but I got our own trustee at Choa over there. And this is this is Trustee AOA, which I'm just I just can't tell you just how proud I am of this that, you know, this is real stu getting real students voice, right? I could go talk to students, which I do all the time, and we could talk to students, but it's nothing like, you know, a high school student, a high school senior coming and talking to middle school students and, uh, you know, getting their input on what's working, what's not working,

162and just being someone creating that connection. And so, um, so this picture really stood, I know she shared at at the last meeting that she had done this, but I found this picture and and wanted to highlight this. And look at all those faces there. So, good work and thank you for for doing that and and much much much appreciated. Um, I also, you know, I want to I want to call out um, you know, principal Katie Coun. Um, she's an elementary principal Gregory Gardens and um, and you know, she just she is really the epitome of just someone who just it's always students, right? every time, you know, every time you go, every time you go by that school, she is out with students and um and this is she does something over there

163where she has principles of the day. And I just know the type of leader that she is that she has a hard time just picking one. So, here she has five principles of the day. But one of the things I wanted to highlight here is that during autism acceptance month, um and you you see it's autism acceptance. So, how do we accept students who have autism? They they learn differently. They're um you know the minds work a little maybe maybe differently and oftent times in our district or in you know in educational settings they are um you know um their behaviors um are often misinterpreted and so we have to have a month where we actually try to convince people to accept them and I think that's really sad that we have to do that

164but I also think it's important that we do do that and so this month is dedicated to raising awareness promoting and understanding and fostering acceptance of individuals on the autism spectrum. And so, um, what she was doing was she was having her principles of the day read in the announcements facts about autism and things like that. And so, that's what started she and I with this conversation. So, again, we have tons of principles out there who do great things. And I just wanted to just show an example and expectation of what I have of our principles is that they are number one they're student centered and they're focused on the student experience and she's doing a great job at that. I also just, you know, this was this was next door and this is actually

165a clip from a video and um you know I I had the I had the fortune experience growing up to I'd spend several summers on on Indian reservations in Utah, one Indian reservation, the Ute you ute Indians and um Native Americans. And so I they called themselves Indians, but um but when I saw the video, it just really just stood out to me and just grabbed me. Um, and just what a gift for those students. And you see, I mean, you've always seen it in the back of their heads, but they are engaged. They are engaged in this dance. And it was an incredible dance that they were doing. And so I just, you know, and this was the this was the title of the tweet, right? Celebrating inclusivity with Native American culture and stuff.

166And so this is that art school right next door, um, international balorate school. And, um, and again, I wish I could have been there. I wish um I wish I would have known or if I was around, I definitely would have snuck over there and um and and caught this. And lastly, um I really wanted to make it over to the Northgate 50th anniversary, but I was in I was in pack and by the time it ended um um Samantha kept us there until exactly 7 o'clock, so I could not get over there. But um I'm not afraid to I I want to celebrate my age, but I am a product of the class of 1986. And so I pulled out the picture that highlighted the um the 80s, which was the best years to

167to to really be a teenager and stuff. I know we might have some some I don't know, in this room, we probably got some 2010s and stuff here and stuff like that, but um Okay. Yeah, we might I wasn't going to go there, but I know I'm keeping my distance, but no, but just I I just think it's a neat thing, right? Like just celebrating. I know, you know, our schools have been around for a long time and just to just to see this and just to have the kids learn about history and just laugh. Oh, look how they used to dress. Not so funny when like they're talking about your dress and stuff like that, right? But um but anyway, just just wanted to wanted to highlight that and that these are just there's

168so many ways that that we can focus on the positive wonderful things going on at our at our schools. And like that's what my entire presentation was about, just an example of how um we have business to do in our schools, right? We have work to do. We we need to make sure our kids are reading. We need to make sure that they're they're writing and doing math and being able to, you know, deal with success and failure and all those all those different things. But we also need to teach our students how to be positive, right? And how to look at the glass half full rather than half empty. And unfortunately in um you know all too often in in public education we have so many that that I just can't believe that we

169have all these young people around and we have folks who see the glasses half empty. And so anyway, just a a brief presentation of some of the wonderful things taking place in your district in our district and um and um just looking forward to the next the next few weeks and finishing out this school year on a high note. So that I lost track, but we were we're right around 30 or 29 or somewhere around there. I'm not I'm not sure, but we're getting close. So, so lots of great things happening and um just super proud of our work of all of our work and let's uh let's let's keep it going during these uncertain times. Thank you for sharing that the glass is full in our schools. Okay. All right. Uh we're ready for

170the consent agenda uh which is item 14.1. Um items listed under the consent agenda are considered routine will be approved or adopted by a single motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. However, any item may be removed from the consent agenda upon the request of any member of the board and acted upon separately. And as a reminder, 14.8 was pulled. So items after 14.8 have been renumbered. Um, are there any further are there items that you would like to see pulled? I'd like to pull 14.5. 14.5, please. 14.5. Is there a motion regarding the consent agenda? I'll make a motion. We approve the agenda with the removal of 14.5. Second. So, we have a motion by Trustee Mason and a second by Trustee McDougall uh regarding the consent agenda with item uh

171148 pulled by staff and 145 pulled by trustee count. Uh Trustee OA, how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. Motion was uh Trustee Mason, second by Trustee McDougall, and Miss Count asked that 145 be pulled. So, it'll take just a moment while 145 is pulled up. Miss K, would you like to um Yeah. Yes. Thank you. Um 14.5 was um purchase of do the math digital resource kit supplemental math materials. And since we're talking about math tonight, I just wanted to ask about this particular purchase and how it fits in with the overall math plan. Absolutely. Um, good evening. Um, I'm Megan Girtz, curriculum specialist. I've been up here a few times. Um, so do the math is a curriculum that is specifically it's very targeted intervention focused. Pardon? Oh. Um, so it's it's very

172strategic. So, what our intent is for summer school to have um use data that we have from STAR, from I Ready, from all of the assessments that we've given toward the end of the school year to identify what specific needs students have for summer and then be able to implement whichever whatever their their need is. Um the way they do the math is set up is set up in modules. So, like if they need number sense, early number sense, then that's what we would do for those students. students that need fractions, they have a module that well, three different levels of fractions. So, we would be focused. It's very skill-based, hands-on. The digital component of it is for the teachers to be able to access it, but it's a very hands-on, inquiry based, which is

173all aligned with the new framework. Um, and it would really be focused on shoring up skills that students maybe are missing right now so that then moving into their next grade level, they'd be ready to roll in whatever area they were they were missing skills in. Awesome. Thank you. So, it's for summer school, all the schools that have summer school. Then the intent is since we'll have the materials moving into the next school year if there's you know looking at some of our sites that have maybe significant needs and skills we've t I've talked with after school program is it something we want to use there in the school day is it something that we want to use um with spec specific grade levels around a specific kind of depends what the school's goals are

174so each school is building um a math what their ILT with their math ILT building out what is the what are their focuses going to be or folky going to And so this can be a part of that. They could use these materials to support maybe they're working on just uh you know first graders that are having trouble with number sense. So these materials can be used for that. That sounds so kind of a dual purpose. Yeah. Summer and then we can use them during the school year as needed. Great. And it's and is it something that we've used in our schools before or is it totally brand new? Yeah. No, it's we're people are familiar. Okay. Great. Okay. Um, with that I would like to move to approve. Um, just a simple question before

175you do. Uh, what grade level is this does this incorporate? Is it K12? Is it It's K5. K to five. And it's like I said, it's it's more focused on what are the skills. So, it could be different grade levels. So, like if I have students who are in third grade, but they need support in a foundational skill that say adding or subtracting, it doesn't it's not necessarily it has to be used in third grade. It could be third grade students working on a skill that they, you know, whatever they need because it's not focused on grade level. It's focused on what is the content that they need support in. Yep. Okay. Yeah. Thank you very much. So with that, I move to approve item 15.1, purchase of do the math digital resource kit, supplemental

176math materials. Second. So we have a motion by trustee count and a second by trustee and zwi regarding um the purchase of do the math digital and resource kit supplemental trustee ooa how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. And that item is adopted on a 5000 vote with trustee OOA in support. Okay. So now we are moving on to the business items. 17.1 trustee Dr. Clark. Yes. So we have Kim Bayana is going to um present this on behalf of our agreement with CSCA. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Clark, Madame President, board of trustees. I'm honored to present to you tonight the tenative agreement between CSEA and the district for a new contract term from July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2027. This agreement includes a settlement of salaries for the next two school years and

177the extension of the increase in health benefit contributions through December 2026. This agreement is a testament to the collaboration between the district and CSEA. I'd like to thank the members of the CSEA bargaining group and the members of the district's team and all CSEA employees for their support of this agreement. With that, I leave this in the hands of the board. Madame Chair, I move to approve the tenative agreement between California School Employees Association Chapter 43 and Mount Dav Unified School District for the 2025 through 2027 collective bargaining agreement. Second. So we have a motion by trustee Mason with a second from trustee count uh regarding um the collective bargaining agreement with uh CSEA. Further comments or discussion just another thank you very much to CSEA team and district team for working collaboratively to come

178to this agreement. Much appreciated. Yes. Trustee Choa, how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. Well, the collective bargaining agreement with uh CSEA chapter 20 43 is adopted on a 5000 vote with uh Trustee Ooa in support. 17.2. Dr. Clark. Yes. So, um, tonight we bring before you, um, we want to review and potential approver of standards aligned mathematics materials for elementary and middle school mathematics instruction. And with that, we have uh, Megan Gers, we have we have Phyios's backup, we have Samantha Allen's backup, and uh, Megan is going to share not only our process, but also the recommendation. So, Megan, take it away. Thank you. Good evening. Thanks for having me tonight. Um, so I'm going to just walk you through our process um kind of some of the things that um our our teachers

179have talked about um how they came to the decision that they came to um in this math adoption. So um this year we did um K8 math adoption um and the one of the questions is why are we doing this? What is the purpose? Um so four main things um California adopted a new framework in 2023. um highlights in that framework are that the standards are all the same. So it's not what we're teaching, it's how we're teaching it. So um it's more focused the the new framework is more focused on um inquiry based instruction about students doing um a lot of the talking and a lot of the thinking. Um and so the materials that we looked at were shifted away from teachers standing and delivering content to students kind of wrestling with um

180concepts, wrestling with ideas, a lot of things in context, real world situations um provide students more access to be able to then remember what they did, right? Because we remember what we do. Um so the new framework was one reason. Second reason, the instructional shifts as I just mentioned in the framework um giving our teachers materials that then are aligned with that is going to help them be able to teach that way, right? Um so in in the past few years, we've had um our middle school, our third reason, our middle school adoption just our eight-year cycle for middle school just ended. Um for elementary we're in kind of a interesting situation because we had a bridge curriculum after the 2013 framework went into effect. So we used engage New York with the um expectation

181of the framework being adopted in 2018 which did not happen as we know and then something happened in 2020 and so things were postponed um and 2023 is when it was adopted. So, Elementary's been using Engage New York for for a while, which is a high quality material. Um, but it was it it got people got tired. Um, and that's not to that's not shame on teachers or anybody. It's just it was it was materials that we didn't totally have everything for. Um, but people used used it well. Um, so those are our reasons behind it. The steps in our process. Um, I'm not going to read all of these to you. Um but material we went through surveys were sent to publishers who were going to have materials provided that were um aligned with

182our California framework or um or a California specific um material. Um we consulted with CCE our county office um with TNTP because they do adoptions with other districts so they have a lot of resources. Um also the state has adop how do you do an adoption and what are the tools you use? um we looked at those as an internal team looked at those resources and reviews uh came up with our own tool. So our tool is based in the all of the things that the state was requiring um in addition things that we as Mount Diablo need to see in our materials. Um so our committee information was sent out to teachers. It was a voluntary committee. So the committee came together. Um we went through they reviewed the materials that we as the

183central committee took all of the ones that some were not as great as others. We kind of took it down to ones that would be great and would work and are aligned to the framework and those are the ones that we presented to the committee and we gave them all the reasons why the others were not brought forward. Um so the committee was trained on the tool that was again aligned with the um the the four criteria that the state has put forth. Um we had a public review twice actually where public could come and give comments. Those comments were shared with the committee. Um the committee was also um was given training from each of the publisher. Well they were given it's not training it's more of a sales pitch. Um but kind of

184what is their program from each of the publishers so they could learn more about each of them. Um and then they went and took a deep dive. So the tool that they used um obviously looked at what are the standards, how are they um how are they presented to students, are they in alignment with the framework. They went into what how are the standards for mathematical practice applied in the curriculum? So are students given opportunities to think to inquire to um are the problems in context of real world situations? Um do students have an opportunity to talk? Are there language routines? Those kind of things. Um so the teachers did a review they selected the four that we looked at al together um starting were McGraill Reveal math Savas experience math and imagine learning illustrative

185math both elementary and middle looked at them elementary also looked at bridges and middle school looked at Desmos so um they each looked at four um so as the adoption as we went through the process and the review there was discussion all along about all four and kind of the the benefits and things that teachers saw that they may struggle with. Um we had bridges is not going to have a California specific um curriculum but they are aligned with the California framework. Um so there was a lot of discussion around bridges because there's a lot of you know interest in the community for bridges and also we had teachers that we had two sites that were using it. So um there was a lot of discussion around you know how could this work? what do

186you like about it? You know, the teachers who are using it were very open with sharing. This is what I really liked. Here were the things that were difficult. Um some of the things that were and um some of these some of the things that they they they liked about it. Also acknowledging that it took probably two or three years of intensive training to get to that point. There were a lot of materials. It's very inquiry based and hands-on. um which is what we're looking for, but teachers on the committee had concern about is there too many materials and how would we manage all the materials? Um and then also support for m multilingual students and students with significant needs like would there is there enough support and they felt in looking through what was

187provided that there may not be enough support. So that was one of the reasons that that we didn't move forward with bridges and I know that was one of the things that we had community members who had questions about that one. Um people came in gave comments all of those comments went to the committee they read through all of them. Um so we looked at all of the data the the um the committee selected two to pilot. So, elementary piloted experience math and reveal and uh middle school piloted um I'm sorry they elementary piloted McGra reveal and savas experience math middle school piloted imagine learning illustrative of math and McGra so we had in looking at what they were piloting we had um an opportunity for a K8 adoption and we before we had looked

188at voting or what they what they felt was would support best. We did have a meeting with everybody and we did we put our vertical spaces up around the room and I think I put a picture in there and had them had a have a discussion K8 about what in materials what were they looking for in the materials and it was very interesting because the things that they saw in both and curriculum agnostic at that point um the things that they saw that they really enjoyed um or needed were it was K8. We all need we need to have tasks. We need to have language routines. we need to have support for multilingual students. So, regardless of how many um of of what what which way they were feeling about the different specific curriculum, it

189was interesting the conversations they had and it was a great it was great to get them together. So, um I went through this part. So, the committee members, we collected all the data. We presented the data back to the committee. Here's what you all said. We shared their comments. The raw data, there were lots of comments. We took did student um surveys. So we shared the student feedback with them as well. Um and committee got together and discussed came up with the two that they were going to pilot um and ultimately the one that they decided on and I'll share that in a second. Um these were the members of the committee. It was anybody. It was open to anybody at schools. Um teachers have a lot on their plates right now as we know

190and so it was a voluntary thing. Yes, they got they were we gave them subs to come be a part of it. Um but we don't we have every feeder pattern represented. Uh we don't have somebody from every single school or every single job description. Um it's just who was available and willing to come out and be a part of it. Um that said, every single student was we had them in our mind as we went through this process because we the tool that we used was looking at all different kinds of learners, all different kinds of needs and are there supports for those kinds of students. Um so the tool itself helped us be representative of everybody, not just I work at whatever school and I'm supporting only those students. Um so this is

191these are our elementary folks and our middle school. um middle school teachers that were a part of the process. And so once we went through there was lots of discussion toward the end, you know, what how do you feel which one we we did a lot of like pros and cons and um if there was a need or a lack in one program, how could we fill that need? So um instead of just like if we don't like something, what what is what is a way that we could fill that need? Who would fill that need? Um so whichever one was selected we would have a list of here's how we could fill the needs. Um so once they did their uh voting for elementary um it was almost unanimous um to select McGraill Reveal

192math as the math program. Um and I thought the number of years of teaching experience I like data. It was just a very interesting I asked the question just because I was curious because I knew a lot of them had been on the math committee. we did like many many many moons ago and sure enough they were because they've been here 20 years. Um so anyway this is an 8-year adoption so they will hopefully you know some of them will be able to do it again. Um and then their rationale for the decision and it's similar for elementary and middle um they have both both levels during the discussion me mentioned um parental support. They have letters that can go out for every single um unit. What are what are the topics that are covered?

193What are the standards that are covered? Um the vocabulary support and the math language routines both levels recommended or both levels acknowledged as a um big support that it aligns with the work we're doing with the maths and learning acceleration. Um there are tasks embedded in the program. Um so that was something that both um elementary and middle called out. Um, and that bo that it starts every lesson is started with an inquiry, some sort of inquiry, whether it's a picture and they have a discussion about it or it's a problem and they have a discussion. It's a notice and wonder. So, um, both levels actually called that out. And then middle school, this was their product recommendation. Um, and then again, years of teaching experience, that was just my interest in kind of who

194was on the team and give you an idea of um, we have a lot of experienced folks So the middle school um their recommendation is based in similar things. Um many opportunities for students to talk and that was a comment we heard over and over. My my most quiet student was discussing with people was was sharing their math was sharing how they solved something and so that was that was great to hear. Um the digital platform and teacher usability was big with this in both levels actually. Um their platform is very user friendly. they're familiar sort of with it because it's um we've used we use other products of theirs. Um so they've seen it before. Um and the delivery timeline. So um it's a new product and so year one we're going to get

195materials by June 30th. We'll have all the English materials. Um and we will have all everything by the time school starts. Um my goal in the next couple weeks is to get digital access set up for teachers so that they if they want to go in and look they can. Um I've had questions about that already. Um and since it's a new product sometimes year one you get something there's like oh there's a typo or oh there's something in it. Um so we'll get a new if it's if there's a typo if there's something that needs to be adjusted they'll send us um free ones for year two. Um the student edition is a work text. So, as they update every year, it's going to be coming to us new anyway. Um, that's just how

196things are rolling these days with um publishers. So, that will be updated each year anyway. And this is the program cost. So, again, it's an 8-year adoption. Digital print, uh, manipulative kits, um, all of the accessories that come, um, differentiation books, those kinds of things will all come with it along with professional development. So we've built in this year specifically professional development but then ongoing for the next number of years um we'll have sessions for new teachers and for ongoing for our own staff that have already been trained and then next year will be high school. So I will see you again. Um uh and again same reason high school is just um our big ideas adoption is up this year. So, we'll be extending it for a year so that we can look at

197new materials. And I believe that is the end. If you all have any questions, I'm happy to answer them. I've got a pen. We did receive one community comment about uh the special education um pro uh what format. Are are there um materials or did are teachers comfortable with the uh product that they will be able to serve our special education students well? Yes. So they have every lesson has a a they have anticipated student responses and what if a student if this is something student says here could be the misconception. They also have different levels of like this is how you could take this and level it in a different way. Um, so scaffolding, all the scaffolds are they give them options for what you could do to scaffold for students who need more

198support. Um, and so each each lesson has a huge number of resources actually. And then there's a whole separate book that has other things too. And is there u an access or tool for parents as well to support their children in the home? Mhm. So, they have there's letters that they have for each that the teacher can send and I believe they have um a like an online the portal that's a parent portal. Um it was newly I I haven't seen it because it was newly they were just developing it. Um but it's supposed to have all the you know it it's essentially what the letter has but it's in a digital format. Okay. Thank you. Yes. And translatable for sure. And I'm sorry I didn't offer questions to all of you first. All right.

199Okay. Um I just had um kind of one question. Um as this whole process was going through, um you know, I was I was just looking in general at our math scores being as low as they are, not only our district, but statewide. It feels like we need to do some dramatically different things um to change that, right? And so, um, so I love and want to appreciate the way that you were looking at this from the new math framework and the that kind of inquiry based learning and the types of engagement that we're talking about because I think though we have many teachers who've been trying to teach in that way, they didn't really have the materials to support it. And what I'm hearing is a lot of excitement about this new adoption and

200having those kind of materials. So that's really exciting. So thank you. Um, but as we go forward, um, one of the things I heard you say was, um, for any math adoption, um, if there's there will be some things that this curriculum doesn't cover. Um, and so I guess my question is how will we go about um, filling those like um, like what kind of things will we provide for intervention and support? Um, and if teachers in various parts of our school district have something that's really working for a particular thing, can they share that with you and then see if that's the something that could be a supplemental piece or how how is that going to work for intervention? We're kind of Christine and I have had many conversations about this and it's hard.

201You have a absolutely that's a great question because as we go through this the first year teaching these new materials the first year we don't know necessarily I mean no curriculum is perfect right we don't know exactly where the gaps are going to be um so our goal this first year especially is to teach with fidelity what does it look like the first year and then be able to identify okay here's a need at this grade level or at this grade level um we need to do you know I don't know what it could be it could be anything you know um what what is the best resource to fill that need? Is it a um you know, I don't know. Is it a different manipulative? Is it a you know, some a digital thing?

202Is it whatever? We aren't going to know what it is until we've actually taught the materials once. So, um and potentially more than once. So, um our kind of our our our mantra this through this process has been we need to try with fidelity what we have in a coherent manner. And that's been one thing we haven't done in a long time is everybody's using it. We're all going to use these materials and then we'll figure out what if there if there's a gap then maybe we need to find something else to fill it and um usually that would come through us and we would figure out you know if somebody has an need or an idea of what could work then absolutely we're all ears and they should come talk to you. Okay, sounds

203good. Cuz I know like when my so this has been a conversation our our math adoption has been a conversation for at least 10 years, right? So my now junior was in elementary school when we were talking about math adoptions and um thinking that it was coming soon. Um so it's been a while. Um so back then when and also you know the world has changed in so many different ways in those years and so when uh for example students were um needing to just get sort of more um automated with some of their tasks like if you can learn your multiplication tables it's going to make everything a lot faster right um and we do want students of course to understand the meaning behind multiplication and what that is but at some point just

204some basic practice and so back then they had the tall te's where you had to like do this timed test and it was like stressing kids out. It was not a great um model. Um but I think since then there are other ways where kids can practice in a more fun way like a gamified way their multiplication you know tables and stuff like that. So that's just one example of what I'm thinking of like if that something like that might not come in a standard curriculum but it would be an additional piece. Um yeah, and that's and those we've had that conversation has come up in the during this adoption process as well. And one of the things that we kept telling them is okay, let's use it first and see what the needs are,

205but we also want to have something that has data behind it that shows that it works, not that it's something that I've always used and I like it. Yes, because we all have our things that we like doing or we're used to doing that may not may or may not. We don't know necessarily unless we have data to show that it works. And even the fluency is an example of a place where there's been a shift in the framework. So microphone sorry sorry away from automaticity and more to conceptual understanding. So again we were just talking about this today. If you understand that multiplication is really adding a group of numbers over and over you can eventually get to that answer. We want kids to not struggle for hours with that. But on the other

206hand, if they have a strong conceptual understanding, they can approach any problem in that way with multiple ways of solving. So it is that balance between really shoring up they are number sense, right? And then figuring out if they just need some more repetitive practice or not without relying on the repetitive practice to um substitute for the the foundational the conceptual understanding. So I think to Megan's point, it's like once we are able to teach with fidelity uh and now it's exciting to be able to do this K8, we'll have a better understanding if we do need something to fill gaps. And that might look like something like the do the math that you approved earlier. That might be an example of something where we could use um more of a teacherled type of module

207activity to help with that. Right. Right. Right. This is a continuous discussion. So, I love the fact that you're engaging math teachers from all over the district. So, thank you. So, initiating a new curriculum at one level is a big lift, but lifting it at two levels is going to be even more astounding. Um, what are your how are how are you planning on implementing all of the professional development that's going to need to go with this? So we have our um so I' I've been working with multilingual department and their TOSAs our TOSA team um we also will have support from the publisher um and also I mean this work the work that we've done with TNTP for the past three four years is all in preparation for this actually having materials that support

208what we're doing. So, um I think it's it's going to be exciting because the teachers will have materials that then will it will make it will make the actual practice of it a lot easier. Um but the actual the the training piece of it, we will have support from the publisher for the the actual, you know, the nuts and bolts of the materials. Um but one piece that we're going to really lean in with is making sure that we are um guiding what does that look like? We want to make sure it's within the lens of what we what the the focus on the framework and have the materials support what we've been doing in the trainings that the teachers have been receiving so that we are in support of the framework. We have materials

209that support that. Now it's going to support student learning and students will be thinking in math and talking about I know you will be including the instructional leaders, the principles and vice principles of school sites in this process. Yeah, I'm hoping. Yeah, we'll be doing a training for them hopefully before school starts. Um, and I haven't talked to the publisher about what that looks like, but yes, for sure. I want to applaud you for bringing together the elementary school and the middle school uh math teachers to have the discussions that you have had because the transition between elementary and middle and between middle and high school are so important especially if the process or the instructional methods have been different and um I just think it's incredible that you've been able to do that and

210I want to really encourage encouraging you to do it between the middle and the high school teachers and maybe even throw in a few elementary school teachers too that are passionate about this work. And I want to applaud the our uh veteran math teachers who participated in this uh pilot as well as the newer math teachers. Um, they are the ones that have seen what has worked and they may have been the hardest people to move between the different from their favorite to something that's a little bit different because they see the value of what everybody wants to achieve. So, you've done some great work in bringing everybody together. Thank you. Yeah. And our pending tonight's um vote, we are also in our math team meeting in May. The plan is again pending the vote

211to discuss what does roll out look like at the school site. So they will have time. We will give them an a little bit of insight on what the curriculum looks like, how it's going to work. Um so that then they can be prepared to also lead it at their site as well. So or at least be a be an advocate. So great. Yeah. One one of the things that I learned over the course of this process as I was looking at the um the materials you know that you had to view um because I'm always hoping to do something something big and different right so I was like what about the UC Davis CE like where they combine robotics and math in a course like they have I was looking at it in middle

212school but I think they actually have it for all grade levels. Um and um in my conversations with teachers and with and with leaders um it's that is just not feasible to do districtwide at a moment like this. Um and so I understand that a little bit better now. Um so but what I'm hoping is that um this becomes the base for what we have across the district and we get it done with fidelity all the way across the district. But then in the years in the ensuing years after that in a place like if we have you know our sun terrace the STEM magnet school wants if they want to try something different um I hope that we're still open to that and then we don't see this as like the beginning and the

213end of the discussion you know um but I understand that some of the some of the more completely different types of things have to be done on a smaller scale they they can't be a full districtwide um adoption. So, well, so we can get there, I'll move to approve the standard align mathematics materials for elementary and middle school mathematics instruction and I will second that. Go there for Trusty Mason. Thank you. I saw everybody jumping here at the microphones. So, we have a motion from uh Trusty Mason with a second from Trustee Count uh regarding the approval of the standards aligned mathematics material for elementary and middle school math. Um Trusty Ooa, yes. Ready to take another math class? And that item is adopted on a 500 zero vote. Thank you very much to you

214and all of the committee members. Um 17.3 uh we have um some board policies that were presented at the uh last meeting or the April 16th meeting. Um, are you ready for uh to make a motion regarding that? I move to approve the revisions made to AR 3516 as presented. Second that. We have a motion by trustee in a second by trustee Mason uh regarding AR uh 3516 and its amendments. Further discussion? Trusty OOA. Yes. And the amendments to AR 3516 have been adopted as presented. That was item 17.3 on a and that was a 5000 vote. 17.4. Um there are several policies here that we reviewed at the last meeting. Is there a motion? I make a motion to approve revisions to BP5147, AR 3517, AR 5144.2 and E3517 as presented. Second. We have

215a motion by trustee Mason with a second by trustee McDougall on uh BP5147, AR3517, AR5144.2 and E3517. Further discussion. Yes. I just want to point out because I like to always point this out. I think it's fantastic that the state requires us to do this. Um but E3517 just for the public's knowledge um requires us to maintain um and supply an adequate supply of menstrual products available and accessible free of cost um for now um grades 3 through 12 inclusive. Um as well as to post a sign saying that we are supposed to be doing that. Um so just so that everyone's aware, we expect all of our schools to be made to be complying. Thank you. Thank you. Trusty Oah. Yes. Thank you. And item 17.4 is adopted on a 5000 vote with Trustee

216Ooa in support. Um item 17.5. Is that where we are? Yes. Uh there are several items here that were presented at the last meeting. I move to approve the revisions to BP 0460, BP 3280, AR0460 and AR 3280 as presented. Second. So we have a motion by trustee and zi with a second by trustee chem uh to re approve the revisions to board policy 0460 BP 3280 AR 460 and AR 3280. Further discussion trustee OOA how do you vote? Yes. Thank you. And item 17.5 is adopted on this 5000 vote with Trusty Ooa in support. 17.6. Uh we have several board policies here that were presented on April 16th. I move to approve revisions to BP 3311, BP 3311.1, AR 3311.1, and AR 3311.1 as presented. Is that a typo on the the fourth one?

217Oh, yeah, there's two. Um, I think it was just BP 33 111.1 and AR331.1. It should that's what it should be. I'm sorry I didn't catch this sooner. Um, it was just twice and accidentally. The attachments are both 3311 and also 3311.1. Each of those, the BP and the AR BP 3311 and AR 3311 and BP 3311.1 and AR 3311.1 is the motion as presented and the second. Second. So we have a motion by trustee and Zwi with a second by trustee Mason in the adoption of board policy 3311 um AR 3311.1 board policy shouldn't it be [Music] 33 A let's see that still isn't right would Like one of the BPs should be 3311.1 and one of the ARs should be 3311 or like two 3311s. Two 3311.1s, one each of BP and AR.

218Yeah, now it is correct. Thank you very much for the correction. Is it right? Um, right. So there should be two BPs, BP 3311 and BP 3311.1 and then AR 3311 and AR 3311.1. So change one of the ARs to a BP and one of the and take off a one off of it. That's correct. That is correct. Thank you. Tech support. All right. We have the motion by trustee and the second by trustee Mason. Trustee OOA. How do you vote? Yes. The motion to adopt the uh board policies and ARS is adopted on a 5000 vote. Um and that was item 17.6. We don't need a me uh meeting extension um or close session carryover. Uh would you uh do you have any um future agenda items 21.1 that you would like have considered?

219Thank you for the presentations today that were requested earlier, Dr. Clark. Uh with that, I will adjourn the meeting at 9:40 9:24 p.m. Thank you.