PCS Board of Education Meeting: January 13, 2026

001And this is discussion. So none of them. Yeah. >> Oh, this is it. Yeah, exactly. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> it's funny to me that people from here go up there, but they >> love I turned 45 yesterday. Good evening everyone and happy new year a little late and I'm sorry that we started our meeting so late. I know all of you are very anxious for a lot of different reasons. So we'll begin uh with the pledge of allegiance. Uh we now have a public hearing on uh I'm ging open the public hearing on uh contract reopeners for the California School Employees Associ Association chapter 212 and the Pedaluma City Elementary and Pedaluma Joint Union High School Districts. Are there any comments? somebody that wants to come forward about our the contract reopeners. Okay, seeing none,

002I'm closing the public hearing. All right, now for the fun stuff. [laughter] Uh, we have recognition of students of the semester from Mary Collins at Cherry Valley. Okay. Hello everyone. My name is Cash Evans Reaper, an eighth grade student at Mary Colin School at Trey Valley. And today I will be talking about one of the students of the semester and my good friend Gideon Ranken. Gideon came to the school when he was in kindergarten and he is extremely smart and talented and we became close friends because of our shared interests and bubbly personalities. >> He is an excellent matician and coder and his fondness for board games even creating his own video and board games alike which my friends play fondly. Gideon plans to attend Tech High with hopes to become an engineer, and I

003could see him doing great things and making amazing innovations in science and technology. People describe him as goofy, very smart, very caring, and always willing to help andor try something new. His favorite hobbies are playing the trumpet and chess with him uh being a part of the chess club and frequently crushing all of our friends in games of chess. Miss Bailey, his history teacher, says, "Gideon exemplifies the best of what a Cherry Valley student can be. He is creative, kind, intelligent, and most importantly, authentic. He is a student who can be trusted to bring his best self to every opportunity. Whether it is to learn something new, support a peer, or contribute to a project that helps the that helps others. Gideon is willing to take the road that challenges himself, often producing results that

004truly impress. I couldn't be more proud of the person that he is and excited to witness the person he will become. And as you can see, he's the perfect choice for student of the semester. And I am ever so proud of him. And I am also uh very honored to be able to come up here and speak with the board members and the community members about the excellency of one of my best friends. >> Congratulations, Gideon. Thank you so much, G. Congratulations, Gideon. Can your family and friends please stand to so we can acknowledge you? Hello, my name is Hazel O'Neal, an eighth grade student at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, and I'm proud to be presenting Charlotte Thomas as the student of the semester. Charlotte came to our school in first grade and

005has made so many accomplishments here ever since. Charlotte is an amazing person inside and outside of school. Inside of school, Charlotte excels at writing and enjoys history. She takes every chance she gets to help out teachers and friends. Her friends enjoy her sarcastic sense of humor and willingness to say what's on her mind. Charlotte's core teacher, Mr. Redell, has said, "Charlotte is an extremely talented at her academics. She is thoughtful and has a strong voice in all of her writing. She is also extremely kind and is a reliable friend. She offers to help her teachers and helps to make the lesson successful by sharing her thinking and by stepping back whenever others demonstrate bravery by stepping forward. I was proud to nominate Charlotte to our team and they all unanimously agreed. Another teacher has said,

006"Charlotte is an exceptionally caring and kind human. She has a sense of humor to balance out her incredible academic performance. Charlotte is diligent, respectful, and genuinely interested in learning. It has been a true joy to get to work with her. When Charlotte isn't at school or at home, she's at the barn. Charlotte works at Monarch Stables, where she trains horses. Charlotte has said her favorite part of working there is the overall sense of community it has. Charlotte plans on attending Pedaluma High School next year and later in life she wants to continue to work with horses and compete. Charlotte is clearly an amazing choice for student of the semester. Congratulations Charlotte. >> Congratulations Charlotte. Can your family and friends please stand up so we can acknowledge you? Excellent job. Okay, so now we have students

007of the month and we start out with Kennallworth. Can North Junior High School is proud to introduce January student of the month, Ellie Vet. Ellie has been chosen student of the month because she is present present, brave, funny, and has excellent leadership qualities. Ellie is a 4.0 GPA student who has challenged herself at Kennaworth with with advanced English for both seventh and eighth grade. She is also an active participant in drama class and loves the supportive, friendly environment she has found with her peers in that space. Mr. Bean Ellie's drama teacher shared, "Ellie is a student in drama class that I can always count on to be a leader. She is talent. She is a talented actress and has even more talented director with her eye for the big picture and her ability to express

008her ideas to other students with clarity and grace. Ellie her work ethic is second to none. and our drama team has ex has excelled with her with her help and dedication. [snorts] Outside of school, Ellie ex extends her creative her creativity at the Young Actor Center in Santa Rosa. Having just completed a play over the break called An Enchanted Bookshop's Christmas when she is performing on stage, she spends time of gymnastics practice at Redwood Empire. In her downtime, Ellie enjoys reading, spending time with family, doing art projects, and making things. After high school, Ellie plans on attending college, and pursue a career she is passionate about. While she is open to all of the possibilities that lay before her, one thing is clear, she will be successful in all that she does. Congratulations, Ellie. >>

009Congratulations, Ellie. Can you Oh, yes. Take a picture. Can your family and friends please stand? We can acknowledge you. Hello, my name is Cassie Carr from Kennawick Junior High School. Kennorth Junior High School is proud to introduce our January student of the month, Yaslene Diaz Culon. Yasene was unanimously chosen by her teachers as Kennaworth student of the month because she is incredibly hard-working, a brilliant self- advocate, and one of the nicest students Kennorth has had the pleasure of knowing. At the same time, Kennorth chose Yasine as our student of the month. We found out her family is moving. We are also saying we are also also saying a farewell and good luck to this wonderful student. Yasine has be has been enrolled in English language development level one classes for both seventh and eighth grade.

010While she is new to learning English, she has maintained a 3.94 GPA during her junior high career and has shown a dedication and passion for learning that is inspiring to everyone around her. Mr. Chotatelli, Yaslyn's English teacher, reports, "Yene is an amazing student in English class. While learning the English language, she completed every assignment and worked hard to make it her best work. While I know that she may have the trouble following everything being taught in English during the lessons, she did not let that stop her. Her work was always complete, neat, and organized. I know that she will do well no matter where she goes. She will be missed in our class. Miss Street, Yasine's math teacher, shared Yaslyn is an amazing, hard-working student. She works so hard in math while also learning English.

011She does not hesitate to ask for clarification on concepts when she doesn't understand and checks it in on work regularly. All of her work is complete and turned in on time. She finished the fall semester with the highest grade out of all of my eighth grade students in math 8. She has an infectious smile and makes sure that she stops and thanks me on her way out of the room every day. I have been extremely fortunate to have her in the in class this year and I'm sure she will continue to accomplish great things in the future. Yasen's PE teacher, Miss Martin, says Yasine is amazing. She shows up every day with the best attitude. Yasine is so sweet and kind and just wonderful in every way. She is driven and focused in class, always

012wanting to do her best. She gets shy sometimes when she's not sure what the directions are, but she never hesitates to ask or approach an adult for guidance. Yasine has helped some of her peers be more proactive and involved in class. I've always gone her best effort in class and it shows in her grade and how well liked she is by her other students. She checks every box of the cult spirit. She is the sweetest and we will dearly miss her at school. Yasen's favorite class is science. As she loves discovering how things work in the world, her science teacher, Miss Croier, says, "Yazenine is a wonderful student. She consistently goes beyond what is expected and demonstrates an amazing work ethic. She maintains a positive attitude and is a delight to have in class. I

013will miss having her in science." Yasen is not a valued member is not just a valued member in her classes. She's also an active participant in the Kennaworth Crochet Crochet Club and the Sin Front Club. Yasine is kind to everyone she encounters on campus and has been a leader and role model for other students. She is brave, motivated, intelligent, and destined for success. Outside of school, Yasine enjoys drawing and art, working on her crochet skills, and attending church with her family every Sunday. Yasen loves being with her family. And while she is having to leave our community before she is ready to do so, she shared that even under the circumstances, she is maintaining a positive attitude because she is moving back to where her older sister lives, who's expecting a baby. Yasine will always

014be a part of the Kennorth family and it was an honor to have her as a cult. Kennallorth wishes you the very best in everything you do. We miss you. Congratulations, Yazine. I just wanted to give a quick update. We wrote that last Friday when we thought it was Jackson's last day at Kennallorth, but we just found out today that her family is able to stay here a little bit longer through this month. So, we're hopeful that she can finish out her eighth grade year here. And we wanted to make sure everyone knew what an amazing young woman we have. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Can your family can your family please come forward so we can recognize you and the wonderful job you've done? We have Pedaluma Junior High School. Pedaluma Junior High School

015is proud to introduce our January student of the month, Gavin Pulley. Gavin was chosen as student of the month because he demonstrates excellence in all of his studies at PGHS. Gavin's teachers say that he is conscientious, inquisitive, and focused. Gavin stands out as a leader in his math class. And Miss Chuchini says that Gavin is deeply thoughtful and creative student in advanced English. Gavin participates in the school band. He is excelling in his recent transition from clarinet to saxophone. Gavin enjoys many things about PGHs, from playing in the band to running track and cross country. Gavin plays the alto saxophone and band and may try wrestling this season. Gavin is excited about the expanded elective offerings in high school. Gavin is not yet sure what he would like to study after high school, but he

016definitely plans to attend a 4-year university after graduation. Gavin's family is incredibly proud of his achievements. In particular, they say that Gavin is responsible, kind, and curious. Gavin cares deeply about doing highquality work. He is involved in the school community as a member of the band, as well as the cross country and track and field teams. Gavin is thoughtful and likes to help others. He is interested in geography and cares about staying informed about current events. Pedaluma Junior High is is proud to is proud to introduce our Jan our January student of the month. Harper Blouse Harper is chosen by her teachers as a student of the month because she is an amazing student who works hard and and is successful in everything she puts her mind to. Harper is a kind Harper is kind

017and respectful to everybody. Harper is an explanary student in her exemplary student in her advanced math class. Miss Garvey says that Harper is always on top of the material and concepts in class and is a and is consistently helpful to others. Harper's demmers is polite, concentrate, and positive making her assist to any group she's a part of. Harper says that she enjoys the staff at PGHS because they care deeply about the students and make sure everybody feels safe. Harper says that she enjoys making connections with classmates and friends and she always does and she always does her best to try to treat everybody with love. Harper enjoys playing flag football in the spring and she's looking forward to make even more connections with peers and teachers in high school. After graduating, Harper's plans is to

018attend a university. Harper is also so proud of her achievements at home. Harper is a quiet presence who makes a meaningful impact. Harper's demonstrates kindness and willingness to help others outside of school. As well, Harper embodies maturity, empathy, and depth in a character well beyond her years. Her family jokes that in the evening, quiet Harper disappears, and Roblox Harper keeps the house awake. Congratulations, Harper. Congratulations, Harper. Can your family and friends please stand? Well done. Uh, next we have Kasa Grande High School. One of Kasa Grande's um one of Kasa Grande student of the month for January is Kevin Hansen. Kevin Hansen is a senior at Kasa Grande High School. He's a league champion cross cross country and track runner that also maintains a top 10 grade point average in his class. His fastest time

019in mile is 4 minutes and 32 seconds. He really enjoys math and science classes and plans on and in majoring in environmental engineering in college. His top choice is UC Berkeley. Fun fact, Kevin is also a a Carolina Panthers fan, stemming from watching Super Bowl 50. Unfortunately, the Panthers have not done well since. In his free time, he plays basketball and video games with his friends. Kevin also volunteers for his cross country and track teams and is currently an assistant coach at the seventh grade basketball team. He also enjoys playing board games with his family and beating them all in Mario Kart on the Wii. Kevin's favorite sport in basketball. Kevin's favorite sport is basketball and he's a huge Warrior fan. He's also very grateful for this recognition. Congratulations. >> Congratulations, Kevin. Can your family

020please stand? Our next student of the month is Miles Nicholas. Miles Nicholas is a senior at Kasa Grande High School. This is his fourth year at NASB student government where he is currently senior class vice president. It will also be his fourth and final season on the CASA basketball team where he has earned his varsity letter and 4.0 GPA scholar athlete recognition. Miles played for two years for B CASA basketball team and is now the team manager for the varsity boys basketball team. Last summer, Miles was invited to Washington, DC to accept the Congressional Awarded Gold Medal, Congress's highest honor for youth, recognizing voluntary public service, initiative, and achievement. After graduation, Miles plans to attend a 4-year university majoring in finance and sports analytics. His interest in numbers started for his love of baseball and

021d diving into stats, watching his favorite team, the San Francisco Giants. His curiosity in finding meaningful variables and patterns led him to pursue a financial management internship with Wells Fargo Adviserss and to take AP statistics, math, and economics and dual enrollment business courses. Miles was also selected for the competitive economics for leaders leadership program. Outside of school, Miles works at Lombardi as a catering server and likes going to major league baseball games, golfing with friends, working out, and playing fantasy football in his family league. Congratulations, Miles. Congratulations, Miles. Can your family and friends please stand? Great job. All right, Pedaluma High School. Hi. Um, okay. Jasine Mayha Andrade is currently a senior at Pedaluma High. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and discovering new hobbies. She likes trying new activities

022because they allow her to learn more about herself, and develop new skills. Whether she's trying something new or simply relaxing, she focuses on having a balance between making time for things that bring her joy while staying focused on her responsibilities. Her current academic interest is in the medical field and she hopes to become a doctor in the future. She is interested in ped pediatrics because she enjoys working with kids and making a positive difference in their lives. She's also considering dermatology as learning how to care for her own skin has inspired her to help others feel confident and healthy and healthy in their skin as well. Both path both paths reflect her desire to help people and make a meaningful impact. Congrats, Jez. >> Congratulations, Jasine. Uh, can your family please stand? and friends. Alan

023Sanchez has been at Pedal Luma High School for four years and has one older brother who graduated from PHS in 2023 and a younger sister who attends Wilson Elementary School. He enjoys drawing, playing video games, fashion design, photography, and cooking. Allan has several several jobs which includes helping neighbors and family with home repairs, yard work, and other duties as well as helping take care of his little sister when needed. At Pedaluma High School, Alan is always willing to help out with other Spanish-sp speakaking community with our Spanish speaking community by helping with translation. He is also willing to help out the counseling department with giving tourists and new students. Allan is very caring towards others and always makes the new students feel welcome. He specifically reached out to his own on his own to a

024new student from Korea and met him every day at lunch to make sure he felt welcomed and not alone. After graduation, Alan plans on creating new fashion designs and hopefully opening his own online clothing store featuring his creations. He also plans on traveling the world, taking photographs of the different cultures and architecture. On reflecting back on his four years at Pedaluma High School, he is most proud of his accomplishments by working hard and pushing himself to succeed and grow. Allan would like to thank Miss Guerrera, Miss Ransom, Miss Wetstone, and Miss Stole in counseling. They helped him stay motivated to continue to work and graduate. Congrats, Alan. Wow. Congratulations, Alan. Can your family and friends please stand? Thank you. San Antonio High School. I am proud to announce our January 2026 student of the month

025for San Antonio High School, Kayie Barahasa. We're proud to recognize Kay Barahasinos as a student of the month at San Antonio High School. Kaylee is a junior who began her high school journey at Kasa Grande High School before transitioning to San Antonio in search of a smaller learning environment and an opportunity to recover credits. Since enrolling, Kaylee has shared that she feels supported through individualized attention and values the close-knit school community. Academically, Kaylee has excelled consistently earning A's and B's while making significant progress towards graduation. So much so, so much that she is now on track to graduate early. She particularly enjoys history and Spanish for native speakers where she is preparing for the SRGC Spanish one credit by exam in March and the national Spanish exam in April. Miss Burroughs notes Kaye has a

026disconcerning knowledge of Mexican culture and regularly shares thoughtful insights and tra about traditions, religion and politics and the beauty of Hadisco where her family is from. Outside of school, Kaylee enjoys hiking at Hela Putnham Park, spending time with friends, working out at the gym, and helping her parents. After graduation, she plans to pursue a certified nursing assistant program, later earning a nursing degree. As Miss McGary shares, Kaye shows up ready to learn, takes risk to grow, and answers questions that are often too shy to ask. We are confident that Kaylee will be successful in whatever she chooses in life. Congratulations, Kaylee. Congratulations, Kaylee. Can your family and friends please stand? month, January 2026. Brian Mononttoya Perez. We're are pleased to recognize Brian Mononttoya Perez as one of San Antonio's high school students of the month.

027Brian joined our school at the beginning of this year as a junior, arriving after facing several significant obstacles that left him credit deficient. Determined to stay on track and graduate with his classes, Brian made a complete turnaround and has since become a star student. Through consistent effort and strong commitment to his education, Brian's grades and attendance are now one of are now among the best at San Antonio High School. His perseverance and focus has placed him on a clear path to complete all graduation requirements on time and proudly graduate with the class of 2027. Outside of school, Brian balances his academics with the job at HomeGoods in Paluma, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility and work ethic. When he is not in school or not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and his

028beloved dog, Max. Brian also has a passion for soccer, regularly playing pickup games with his friends on the weekends, and enjoys hiking and exploring nature, especially in the mountains. Looking ahead, Brian plans to attend the Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to a 4-year university. He aspires to pursue a career in politics with the goal of advocating for and protecting human rights. Brian teachers consistently describe him as an active and engaged participant in class as well as a supportive peer who is always willing to help others succeed. With his renewed dedication and positive outlook, Brian is well positioned for continued success and all that he chooses to pursue. Congratulations, Brian. >> Congratulations, Brian. Can your family and friends please stand? Oh, those are beautiful roses. Congratulations to all of you. What an accomp. You are

029all so accomplished. Can't wait to hear where you all go. Um, okay. Okay, we're moving on to our site reports from Penrove Elementary. Let's get this set up. Be a good spot. Let's check it. I'll move it. Testing. Testing. Good. Good evening board members, staff, and community members. Thank you for being here tonight. My name is Michael my currently play the role as principal over at Pangrove Elementary. And I want to begin uh by expressing my gratitude. But first, well, my gratitude to the board for your stewardship and your care for our students, for our community, for our staff. And what a testimony I just saw here seeing these young leaders come in. Wow. Impressive. I I just want to give another round of applause for all the students and I also want to take

030a moment to honor the land that we are on and the original stewards of this land, the coastal Miwok and the Pommo people. We give thanks for your care, for your culture, for your ceremonies, for the way that you have walked on this earth. We offer our gratitude. This year is our 100th year and it is a very special year because our theme is in the heart of the grove. And just like grove trees have deep roots, we've been focusing on deepening our roots, our relationships with our community, with our staff, with one another, and more importantly with ourselves. Students have been demonstrating this through our life skills. We focused on respect, gratitude, and now responsibility. Now, while I could share many of the great things happening at Pen Grove and on our campus, the

031most powerful voices are the students here tonight that I'm honored to introduce. I invite you board members to listen through the lens of student experience and student voice. We'll begin first with Miss Leila. >> Hello, my name is Leila Marie Bears. I am in second grade. Today, I would like to talk about leadership and responsibility. Leadership and responsibility means helping others and taking care of our school. At Pangrove, we show leadership in many ways. One way is helping new students. When a new student comes to our school, someone helps them find their classroom and feel welcome. Another way is through buddies. We have buddies and little buddies. Big buddies help feel safe and comfortable or big buddies help little buddies feel safe and comfortable. Big buddies learn responsibility because they take care of someone else.

032We also have classroom jobs. Classroom jobs help our classroom run smoothly. When we do our jobs, we are being responsible. I feel proud to be a leader at Penro. Thank you for listening to Penro. >> Good evening. My name is Alex and I am in sixth grade. This is my last year as a Panther, but I wanted to tell you what I love about Penro is how we use our imagination, creativity, and our connection with each other. One place I really feel good in is our playground. We have a brand new playground. I wanted to say thank you for the care and resources that went into making it a special place for us. The playground is where we play, welcome others, and feel like we belong. On our playground, we have a buddy bench. The

033buddy bench is a rainbow bench where students can go to when they feel they want to feel connected or when it feels hard to join a game. As Panthers, we take pride inviting students from the buddy bench into our games so no one feels left out. Another thing that brings us together is Penro in motion. Every Thursday we start our morning together by listening to announcements, celebrating birthdays, and moving our bodies as a school community. It takes a it helps our feeling it helps us feel energized, connected and ready to learn. We also have a school play every year. The school play gives students a chance to be correct creative and work as a team and to be seen for who they are. It's another way to support each other and grow together. These are

034some reasons Pen Grove is such a pleasure special place to learn and grow. I'm proud to be a Panther Panther. Thanks for listening. I caught the ball, stood frozen, not sure what to do. Everyone around me was saying, "Go that way. Take a step. Go, go, go." So I did. And everyone started screaming, "Touchdown!" My name is Anna Royce and I'm in fourth grade. I'm new to Pengrave. I started last school year. The teachers at Pengra always seem to go above and beyond like Mr. Ze. He runs inter murals during snack and lunch. First, we start with a meeting to discuss the rules on how to play. Then, we create teams and our team names. I never had played football before, but because of Mr. Z's love of sports and dedication, I scored my first

035touchdown. We we start we started with volleyball and right now are playing basketball. My team's going to championships. Not only do we get to play games, but we also get to meet new people and learn to play on a team. We cheer each other on and have fun while doing it. Pengrave teachers are the best. They make us feel safe, accepted, and encourage us to try new things. Thank you. Hi, my name is Carter and I am in fifth grade. Pangover Elementary School is a special place to learn. You can learn responsibility and leadership skills. Some students volunteer to pick up balls after recess or to pick up garbage after lunch. When I was in TK, I had an older buddy and I thought that was awesome. Now I enjoy being a bigger buddy just

036as much. Being a bigger buddy has taught me both leadership and responsibility. My little sister is now experiencing what I experienced in kindergarten by having an older buddy. She also enjoys it very much, too. In grades TK through 3, teachers choose two kids a week to help bring their whole lunches class to the lunch tables. This is another great way for the students to practice being responsible. These are some ways the Pangrove Panthers demonstrate responsibility and leadership on our campus. I personally personally really love being a student here because I get chances to grow, help others, and be responsible. Thank you. >> So, I just want to give another thank you to our students for sharing your heart and your voices and giving the board members a chance to see through the lens of a

037student why Pen Grove is a special place. So, thank you. You all you all did an excellent job. You you uh presented yourself so well. I see you as definitely future leaders wherever you go. It's amazing. Very good job. If your families are here, we'd love to acknowledge you also. Please stand. Thank you so much. Okay. Um we're going to um take a quick break. I'm sorry. Oh my god. Adult school. I'm so sorry. M I love you. >> Okay. So, we're going to have a wonderful presentation by the Pedalum Adult School. Please everyone stay so you can hear it. You didn't forget us. >> You came home for two seconds. >> Thank you, board of trustees and cabinet for allowing Paluma Adult School to share a little bit about our program. We serve approximately

0382,000 adults throughout Paluma. each year through our range of programs. We are the only K12 adult education in the county and we have been going strong since 1912. At Paluma Adult School, we create a web of connections between each of our programs and we're proud of the warm handoffs we do to provide vital support as our community members move from one program to the other and find life success. We are here to share a handful of examples very quickly of our diverse programs. >> Pedaluma Adult School serves 150 high school diploma completion students all across Sonoma County at four different sites in Pedaluma, Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Sonoma. We currently have 21 new grads, although I'm told in about 10 minutes it's going to be 22. We are the only typing test center in Sonoma

039County and we are free. We also offer MS office training and computer literacy in Spanish. We have so many amazing community partners across Paluma, Sonoma County. And tonight I'd like to highlight a couple of those community partners, both the city of Paluma and Home First. With their support, we have transitioned 10 PCS families into stable housing. Thanks to our community partner, First Five, we began offering car seats to families in October 2023. The grant was renewed for this year, and we are happy to be able to continue to offer car seats and installation educations to more families. Medalum Adult School educates 150 students to pass their high school equivalency tests. We offer high flex classes in both English and Spanish and we currently enjoy a 91% pass rate. So, we're doing a pretty good job.

040We have eight folks who will receive their high school equivalency and we are hoping to have that number be 11. We'll know tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. >> Okay. In 2025, we had seven uh dedicated community volunteers who came every week to help 13 people in Paluma become new citizens this past year. So excited about that. And as you may have heard, the test is getting harder, but we are prepared to help everyone succeed who comes through our program. >> I wanted to talk to you a little bit about our know your rights work. >> Hi everyone. We're offering those with the support of IIBA, VAS, legal aid, and secure families. We are able to offer those onsite. We we have offered them in both uh Creole and of course in Spanish. We are also

041offering family preparedness workshops and clinics, one-on-one clinics. >> Yay. Hi everyone. Petalum School of the Pimeitos program for children's to 18 months to four years old and their parents. These program are a playgrounds that focus on providing fun activities to provide a school readness. We are very very happy to announce that we are creating a new parenting program called Cresendo Hunto. Uh we want to respond to pedaluma families need. We are focused to empowering the parents and caregivers of children from zero to four. uh in social and emotional development, parent resilience, stress reduction, knowledge of parenting and child development, social connection and early literacy. >> Panaluma Adult School is the local education agency for Bay Area roofers and waterproofers. Uh we have been doing this for 23 years. Um, we just this year acquired um

042and became the LEA, local education agency for Trends Academy, cosmetology and barbering. They have apprenticeship programs. They're um authorized to operate up and down the entire state of California. And these uh LEA relationships generate funding for Paluma Adult School, but more importantly, they help people find their lifelong career connections. Our commu our community ed program is self- sustaining and some of our students have taken classes for more than 25 consecutive years. Mrs. Arlene Bernie, our band director. >> The Pedaluma Community Band has a long and storied history, but it started as the Silver Cornet Band around 1894. Over the next hundred years, the band went through many name changes along with disbanning and coming back together from the 1930s to the 1990s until my late husband and I started it up again in the fall

043of 1996 and renamed the ensemble the Pedaluma Community Band. I took over as director in 2009 and today we have a solid band of 55 members with waiting lists for most instruments. Sharon Morgan, one of our first clarinetists, is one of our founding members and has been with us for the past 29 and a half years. The oldest member today is our principal tubist, Jerry, and he's 91 years old. Paluma Parent Nursery School is almost [laughter] is um coming up on its 80th anniversary. We are we serve 20 families currently and we are very close to self-sustaining. >> Okay. We are so proud to offer beginner and intermediate level English as a second language classes. We serve about 150 students in 20 from 20 countries. So when you hear about a country in the news,

044they are probably represented in our program. And I also want to mention that one reason that our program is so fantastic is because we offer free highquality child care during all of our classes. So anybody who wants to study is able to do that without barriers. Pedaluma Adult School is proud to partner with Cal Regional, a company that trains folks for careers in healthcare like the ones that you see on the board. Pedaluma Adult School High School completion graduates um have the opportunity to apply for scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, allowing them to more easily enter into the workforce. Good afternoon. My name is Bella Hawkins and I am the outreach specialist for Pedaluma Adult School. My main duty is to contact students in our high school completion programs and provide them with

045consistent support throughout their educational journeys. I also maintain our social media sites which aim to catalyze community engagement. I am here to make sure that students know someone believes in them. The Taluma Adoul School offer our staff the opportunities to continue their education. A staff member have studied English, obtained a high school diploma and have became American citizens. PAS also support is a staff in taking college classes. Pedaluma Adult School recently reaffirmed its accreditation with Wasque in a very smooth process this past December. Thanks to the excellent work of our family resource center members Carla Luna Bus and Anna Bell as well as Katherine Karate. Katherine Kra has secured $365,000 in grants with community partnerships this year. Um allowing us to have full wraparound support for people who are most in need. Last slide. Board

046of trustees. Oh, what an amazing web of support we offer to to empower our community. We are proud of our ability to conduct warm handoffs from each of our programs to get people to the next level of whatever they need with wraparound support. We serve our adults and therefore students and children alike. Our adult students are your students. They attended PCS elementary, middle, and high schools. They have children in PCS middle and elementary and high schools. Uh they reside in our neighborhood. Our adult school uses classroom or district space um to offer classes. Um and we are one of you. We're not outsiders using space. We have our students and they are your students. We have an entirely separate funding model than K12. Um our revenue stream is based on $1.7 million from California adult

047education program funds, the state of California. And this year we received $148,000 from the federal WEOA Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act as well as additional funding that comes from being the LEA for two apprenticeship programs and other partnerships such as Cal Regional. We are so fortunate to have such a truly amazing community. All of this would not be possible without the work that this amazing staff does. This group of people care so very deeply and they exemplify going above and beyond to do whatever it takes to serve our community. Thank you tonight for letting us present. >> Well, thank you so much. It's a incredibly valued program and I love you all and um I'll see you in a couple of weeks at graduation. [laughter] >> So, thank you again. What a program. Wow. Okay. So,

048we're going to take a short break for uh till um about 10 after 7. Hello. All right. Are we ready? Um, okay. Okay. So now we can Can you count the This is for budget that we need to uh add to the nine. All right. Um going on with our meeting. Uh I uh have comments from the public on non-aggendaized items. So these this is just public comment for something that is not on the agenda. So, I'm going to read our public comment um card and just so that you know you kind of know the rules and then um and then we'll proceed with the adoption approval of the agenda. Uh, and we do have a um non-aggendaized uh public comment um that will that we'll hear. Under government code section 54954.3A, members of the

049public have the right to address the governing board on any items of interest providing it relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of the school district. While government code allows speakers to criticize the district's policies, procedures, programs, services, and/or employees, the district does have a policy BP1312.1 specific to complaints against employees. Um, should comments from the public pertain to a specific district employee, the board requests that the complaint first be submitted in writing to the employees immediate supervisor for investigation. If the comment is about something that is not on the agenda, it will be heard only during the public comment on non-aggendaized item period, which is now. Once the part of the meeting is over, comments will only be taken on agenda agenda items during the discussion of those items. So I know many of you

050are here for action items. So we have a time to hear public comment for action items that will be coming up not not too far in the future. Um, the board values public comments and although we cannot take action or discuss items not on the agenda, we listen carefully and we appreciate input from the public. Public comments are subject to a three minute per person limit or a 20 minute limit per subject matter. Um, commenters may not secede their sorry commenters may not seed their time to others. So just so you know um we have uh several for the budget which is expected and so because we have so many and we have to divide it into 20 uh each we have 15 so you'll have 90 seconds. So if you need to cut down

051on you know something that you wanted to say we still will hear everybody that has submitted a card. It's just going to only be 90 seconds. So, that's still a lot of time. And then, um, for the pride [laughter] for the pride flag resolution, uh, we have eight people that have submitted cards. So, your time will be two and a half minutes. Okay. All right. I need, uh, Jesse Redfield to come up. And you're talking about ethnic study. What happened? >> Wow. [laughter] >> Oh, I'm sure. I know. I saw teach English at Pedaluma High. Um, I was also part of the ethnic studies committee and I was so very thankful that we were given the opportunity to push for a full year requirement in our district despite the fact that our state requirement is

052only one semester. Um, I do want to bring it to the board's attention that there has been multiple conversations at site and district admin levels about cutting back to one semester. Um, and this has frustrated me to no end. Um, I know we have your support. I wanted to bring it to your attention. Um, anything we do should be an addition to and not removing from, especially given the climate that we currently exist in in this country. Um, our current teacher Jessica Leseawn is doing an amazing job. Her students are going to be working with the McNair, I think TKers to do an MLK march on Friday. Um, they'll be writing children's books that go to the McNair kids, I think. Um, and we would love to I'm sure she would love and her kids

053would love to present to you all about what she's been doing. Um, at the I'm going to admit something slightly embarrassing. Um, last night on Tik Tok at the age of 37, um, I learned that our gun control laws in California are based on, uh, a movement against the Black Panther Party and against the the oppressed. And if I who I consider to be a relatively educated person and uh progressive person learned at 37 via Tik Tok that this group that I was taught was bad and have had to unlearn. Um if I learned that and I had to go and I checked in with my history teacher friends who of course know and were like of course why don't you know that I can't imagine what our kids are getting off of Tik Tok

054and not off of Tik Tok. And so I only hope that in a community where we do have such support from the board that we continue to actually increase our um expectations, increase the amount of classes we offer and not decrease the expectation. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, moving on with the agenda. I need a motion to adopt and approve the agenda. >> I move to adopt and approve. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right, we have an agenda. Uh, now we have reports on activities and correspondence of our school board members. Even though we've only been in school for a week, [laughter] people have been busy. Um we have um the Kasa basketball games, Kasa football field um ribbon cutting. Yay. Um Wall-E

055snack shack and the garden bed build day with regenerative education alliance. Uh we have the westside winter concert. Uh the budget advisory meetings of which there were many. um wildlife museum uh final and tour civics classes final presentation and you wanted to comment on the civics uh classes. >> Well, actually actually I wanted to comment on several things I did. Um so I went I want to congratulate I guess or name um three teachers. by uh Cliff Eivelyn who does the band. Um he's at three different schools and the winter concert was fabulous. Um Kevin Jackson is the government teacher and he got people from the community to come talk to his government class of which I did and it was great. And then they did presentations and he invited us back and they were

056amazing. And then I went on the museum tour and Shireen Jackson is the teacher there and I wanted to mention them because our students are amazing and it's because of our amazing teachers. Um so I just wanted to mention that and then I also wanted to thank the uh budget advisory committee for all their hard work. It was a long process. There were tears. There were arguments. they were okay. Um, and a lot of the recommendations they came up with were supermajority recommendations. And I just want to thank those community members and faculty um, for giving their time for a very very difficult conversation. Thank you. Here. Here. Um, okay. Um, we also had uh board members go to the McKinley winter first vest. I'm sorry, can't read my own handwriting. Um, and then the

057annual meeting of the SCO committee uh county committee on school district organization and our student board members. Uh, Jessica, do you want to re report on yours from CASA? Yeah. So, Kasa Grande. Um, I do want to say that Kasa Grande basketball is better than Paluma High. I'm sorry, Paige. I bet your school is amazing. Um, but we did take a win the varsity team. So, I'm very proud of our varsity basketball team. And along with that, we are in a friendly competition with Paloma High School. Tomorrow is the youth truth survey. And for Miss Noon, for Miss Noon, if our school wins, then Mr. Napoli, the Pedaluma principal, he has to come to Kasa Grande in green and gold and serve us hot cocoa. But if Kasa Grande loses, which is not likely, Miss

058Non would have to dress up in purple and go to Pedlo High. So, let's go Kasa Grande and do that youth truth survey. All right. And then Ruby from San Antonio. >> May I just say that Ruby graduated from San Antonio in December and um she is now in her first week at the junior college and she but we all begged her and so she's going to stay with us until the end of the year. [laughter] Thank you. >> Well, um, as you guys heard, I just graduated, so it's been a little hard for me to keep up with everything at San Antonio, but I've still been trying my best to go to school and still be there with them to see what they've been up to. But from the week, I didn't come to

059our meeting December 9th. So, I'm also going to be talking about some things that I wasn't able to catch up. So from December 9th's meeting, I was going to talk about our scholarship applications that we have. And those are workshops that we hold every Friday for our students who are graduating. For example, like myself, students in December were able to get their applications done for their scholarships at those times every Friday. And we also had our students in site council, which we were able to figure out. And I'm also going to be involving myself in those meetings when we meet with the students in sight council. So I'm going to be meeting with them as well. And then we had our gingerbread staff pick. Um, we got staff pick for our winning. We didn't win

060a big prize, but it's okay if we still got staff pick. And then we I'm not sure how this works too much, but we do have four students working with the district technology and they're working on the department setup on Wednesdays. I'm not sure what they do. I'm not really much about that, but I know they're working with them. And then I was also able to go to the Copper Fields meet and greet and meet Dr. Davis and that was great. She was really sweet. She actually gave me one of her books so I've been enjoying that and it was great. It was nice meeting her. And we've also had 13 graduates since August at San Antonio. So I wanted to applaud those graduates. And then and I also just went back on January 7th

061because they did a little ceremony for the graduates that graduated in December. And we also had our what do you call it? We had like our students of the kind of like our students of the month for our San Antonio which students who have a lot of credits or who have a high GPA get their high honor role and we had that. So that's what I've been up to at San Antonio. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Paige, um I'll get you back with that one. The girls basketball team won by a landslide. um their only win of the season, might I add, so far. So, um we had a super strong holiday drive. We filled almost like 15 like huge like garbage bags full of jackets, coats, clothes, um food, female products for Unavita. So,

062that was really rewarding and um people showed up and that was great. Um ASB class is going on Friday to a field trip at CASA to train the whole school day on um kind of like revamping for this next semester. Getting kids involved, getting kids involved again, getting the community involved again, and just figuring out ways to like um be equitable and include everyone and make like s fun stuff like spirit days more enjoyable, everything like that. So that's exciting. And yeah, it's been for the last past like week. Yeah. Yeah, >> this has been a week. This is amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Uh and then uh moving on. Uh we have comments from the public on consent items. I got no cards. Okay. There are no um comments from the public on

063consent items. So I need a motion on the approval of consent agenda by consolidated motion. >> I move to approve. >> Second. Okay. Are there any questions or comments about anything on the consent agenda? >> Um, yeah. I was looking at the um overnight field trip and uh there's a great trip. They're going to France. My daughter did it with uh Sarah Woodsworth. But my problem is is that it's all parent paid for. And so of all the students that are in those classes, only seven can afford to go. And um I kind of found the and I'm really sorry to say this, but I found it very dismissive that well they can't afford it, but yet they they can sponsor students when they're here. And that just really bothered me. I don't want to

064say no to this, but it just bothers me that it's only parent donation, that there's been no fundraising or anything else. Okay. The uh was this the overnight field trip? >> Yeah, exactly. >> Okay. So, it's under action. >> I thought it was on the consent agenda. >> It's under action and under ED services. So, we will take that into account. >> That's fine. >> Yeah. This isn't true. >> Yeah. >> It just really hurt. >> Um All right. Any other comments about contracts or All right. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? All right. The motion passes. >> Now we have comments from the public on action items. Um, all right. So we now have Oh, this is the overnight build. Uh, all right.

065So, as I explained before, we have a 20 minute limit, which is really hard when this is a big um topic. So, I'm going to ask for 90 seconds. You'll see up there that we have a timer. Um, I'm just going by um what I received. Um, and we will start. Are we ready? Uh, we will start with Eliza Hoar. >> Hey, it's great. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Eliza Hushi. I have uh two kids uh at Cherry Valley Elementary. And uh I want to thank you for the work you've already done. And I know these decisions are extremely difficult. I know it's not easy for anyone. Um, but I am coming here tonight to just highlight the studentf facing positions in the primary grades that are on the chopping block. Um, because

066these are going to have effects on our young kids, you know, as they get older and I don't know what our financial situation is going to be in the years to come. It could be even worse than now and it's going to cost a lot more money later. Um, so we've got the assistant principles, the student advisors, the nurse position being cut. I've already seen at Cherry Valley two of those three positions uh leave this year because of attrition and I've watched how that's affected our students at our school and um I really don't and and our school is a privileged school. We know that. So how is this going to affect the schools in our district that are less privileged than ours? Um, especially I think about the nurse being the first contact for

067so many kids to notice issues that are going on that have slipped through the cracks. I don't I don't want that to happen to any student in our district. So, please please find a way. I know it's impossible, but I'm really hoping that we can make some magic here. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, Tiana. Hello, my name is Tiana Gresbe and I've been a teacher at PCS for 22 years and a parent of two successful graduates of Pedaluma High. I've had the privilege of teaching at San Antonio High School over these 22 years in working with our alted students. I'm here to advocate for our students. As educators, we know that all students learn differently, come to school with a variety of needs, and excuse me, and experience success differently. I am concerned

068and I am saddened that over the last few years, I have noticed the push from this board and our district to make students all fit in the same box for their educational experience. In my experience, when students come to our sites, they feel not only educational success for the first time, but they come with confidence in themselves. This is not to say that educators and programs at the comprehensive sites don't care or not doing their jobs, but it is acknowledging that all students learn differently and offering them a different educational pathway to success. I have sat through many district meetings and board meetings where we talk about each PCS student having the opportunity for equity, equity, inclusion, and access. So, I implore you not to take away these opportunities for some of the most vulnerable

069students in our district. These students deserve alternative pathways that our programs offer when they feel equal, included, and successful. They are just as valuable as other populations in our district. And you have the opportunity tonight as you consider budget cuts to show these amazing students through your actions that they are seen, valued, and also worthy of an alternative education. Thank you. >> Thank you. Monica Cavalo. Good evening. Um, I debated whether I was going to speak tonight. I'm not even going to read what I wrote. Um, I am one of four school nurses for PCS. Um, you guys heard from us last year. You know that there's a need. you know that my position was added with COVID funding and you know that our health needs have changed since COVID permanently. Um we're expecting more

070medically complex TK students next year and we're expecting to do it with less nurses. Um this week we're two days in. The nurses have had three health assistants call out sick this week and we've covered all of those absences. Agency nurses cost around $100 an hour. And when those agency nurses come in, they're only taking care of that student with diabetes. They're not responding to other emergencies. They're not seeing other students in the health office. They're not taking any compliance. They're not they're just that one narrow scope. So, eliminating one nurse and then relying on an agency nurse, you're drastically reducing the services and the safety of your students. Um, it's also going to interrupt the other services that the nurses can offer right now. And the amount of time, the limited amount of time

071we're allowed to be at our sites is going to be taken. Um, and the primary schools are going to hurt the most from this. Um, I covered the vast majority of the health assistant short absence. She was out on leave uh almost till December this year. Thank you, >> Kristen Bianke. >> We actually have 75% of the school nurses are here. Three of us are here today. So, I'm Kristen Bianke, one of the school nurses here at Paluma City Schools. I cover Kasa Grande and McNair. and I am here to speak upon the nurses and the budget cuts. Um, students are legally required to attend school including those with chronic and complex medical need medical needs. In turn, schools are legally obligated to provide the health services necessary to ensure safe attendance and equal access

072to education. School nurses are required to advocate for conditions that protect student safety while practicing within our professional standards. Reducing nursing staff would directly impede our ability to meet these obligations, resulting in unsafe care. The health and safety of our students must remain the priority. We are seeing an continued increase with students with comp complex medical mental health needs who rely on the clinical oversight and expertise of school nurses. Managing these responsibility with responsibilities with only the three nurses would violate standards of practice. >> 30 seconds. >> On the other hand, maintaining four nurses provides the dis district with predictable preventive pre preventative and cost-effective staffing. It reduces reliance on costly agency nurses, ensures consistent coverage across sites, maintains compliance with IEP 504 timelines, and helps avoid costly compensatory services. It, you know, retaining the

073fourth nurse would keep students safe, supported, and learning while preventing the far greater costs that arise when health needs go unmet. Thank you, uh, Nikki Jackson. Hi, my name is Nikki Jackson and I am a district guidance coordinator and I help to oversee the mental health program. I'm also a parent in the district and in the 12 years that I have had this position, I am the lucky one. I get to work with students at all four of our our alternative education sites. While there is a benefit to each of our sites, the aled sites in particular are life-saving. And I know this because I keep in touch with many former students and parents who often tell me about the impact these schools have had on their lives. from high trauma and living in constant

074survival mode, sometimes struggling with addiction and mental health and not enough community support to EMT classes and dental assisting classes, veterinary school, cosmetology graduates, jobs in law enforcement, joining the military, graduating from UC's as careers in social work, and even coming back to this very school district. We help get these kids from barely surviving at times to thriving. They are so grateful for an alternative lifeline on their path to graduation and beyond. We know that in this time of everything that is a mess right now that budget cuts have to be made and we know that we are expensive programs to maintain. But we also know that these kids are worth it. And I ask that you m not make the students who are the most vulnerable feel the majority of the cuts. And please

075consider this your formal invitation to the best day of the school year. Thursday, June 4th at 6 p.m. is the Alted Graduation. Ruby will be there. Um come meet these amazing students yourself. Please hear their stories. You will not regret it. Thank you. Thank you. Uh Lisa Manthy. Thank you for providing me um a moment to speak and for listening with openness. I'm Lisa Manthy. I'm a district guidance coordinator. I help to oversee the school-based therapy programs in several schools. I provide direct therapy service, clinical supervision, and crisis intervention. I'm a licensed marriage family therapist, board certified art therapist, and I have my doctorate in clinical art therapy. I serve all students in general ed and in special education. I'm humbling as humbly asking you to continue to align with the core values of PCS.

076Those values that strive to put students first and address issues of equity and barriers to learning by not creating vital cuts to school-based mental health. This program addresses student wellness and safety and positive culture on our campuses. This is an act of social justice. Cuts to mental health, such as the LMFT district guidance coordinators and other mental health positions, they directly affect our students and disproportionately affect those who have been marginalized. Thank you. All right, gotta go fast. Hello, my name is Dave Anderson and I'm a teacher at Carpedium and S Mountain high schools and I've been there for 11 years. Two years ago, there was a well-meing decision to move our designated principal away from our sites and instead of have assistant principles from each large high school cover the administrative responsibilities. I know

077this time well as I was given a position to act as the intermediary between the big sites and our small ones. Although everyone involved meant well and worked hard. The ex this experiment did not work. The admin assigned were often caught up in their other administrative duties and students and teachers rarely got the support they needed in a timely manner if at all leading to much confusion, apprehension, anxiety and stress. Not to mention the immense stagnation it caused of program development. During this year, we saw an increase in suspension rates, absentee rates, worsened youth truth survey results, and a decrease in graduation rates. Most of all, I distinctly remember the effect this had on students, including one statement from a student claiming this happened because they were the reject kids. Kids always notice. Now, to

078my knowledge, it is again being proposed to take away an alted principal. That means a return to the above failed model or having one designated altered principal left to cover the three sites that are split across town. Uh I believe it will be impossible for all students and teachers to be properly supported with this model and for the principal to be an effective administrator, instructional leader, community leader for the stu schools involved. I honestly believe that ALED does more than help kids get back on graduation track. We save lives. I know this because I've been told this. Um and I urge you to reconsider this cut and to give the alt task force some time to come up with some alternatives. Thank you. Ryan Pal uh Palmer or Palmer >> Palmer. >> I mean, I'll

079go by whatever. >> Okay. Palmer. >> Let record show. Uh so, I'm not up here necessarily to talk about the nurses and the therapists, but go go nurses and go therapists also. Um my name's Byron Palmer. Uh I've got a daughter and a son. They're both at Valley Vista Public Waldorf. I'm sure you could tell by the sweatshirt. Um, and I want to thank you for the time you guys put in and what the budget committee put in to put this all together. I want to start by acknowledging I it's just important to say out loud many [clears throat] of the parents at Valley Vista Public Waldorf. We understand the situation. We understand that everyone's going to be making cuts. Um, and we're grateful to be part of PCS and uh we know they're going

080to need to be made. But with that context in mind, I'm here to offer a very strong and focused show of support uh for Angie Sedaris, who serves as a student adviser and is one of the most critical members of our school. It would literally fall apart without her. And I'll never forget the first time I met her. Uh it was at a community gathering between Live Oak and Valley Vista during the charter transition. It was awkward. Um she wasn't awkward. The meeting was great, but the situation was awkward. You're not awkward, Angie. And um make [clears throat] sure you guys write that down. And uh she she looked at me >> and I looked at her and I I said, "You got to be in charge." And she looked at me and she laughed.

081She's like, "No, you got to be in charge." And neither of us were in charge. Um but we laughed. And in that moment, uh she made me feel, I want to just say, honestly, safe. And that's something she does for our kids every single day. If you know her, she's absolutely essential. Um, and we need to find other money for her pronto. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, Becky White. >> Hello board and community. I um I'm here to thank you and also um advocate once again for the school nurse position that um is disappointing to see once again put on um a vulnerable spot. So I am the mother of a type 1 diabetic child. Uh my son who's now in fourth grade was diagnosed in kindergarten. The day after the mask u

082mandate came off. he got COVID. Directly after COVID, he got type 1 diabetes. There's a huge uptick um of cases that were caused by COVID. And now um our PCS community has a greater number of diabetic kids. Um type 1 diabetics need insulin every time they eat. and insulin, if they're not in the right proportions, can send them into life-threatening situations. They need AIDS um to be with them at all times. And um you know, a lot of people think um >> that this is this is not something that you know once nurses when our aid is sick, a nurse needs to be there. We need trained health professionals and that's what keeps our children safe, our trained nurses and um it's that's that's what we think of as safety. So I I hope that

083you can reconsider this decision. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh Cecilia Vasquez Vasquez, I'm sorry. Vasquez School. Public. 30 seconds. Extra Thank you. I got a lot of that. [laughter] Uh, Michael Tatan. Tatain guitar. [laughter] >> Tatain. >> Hey there. Um, my name is Michael Tatone. I'm a tech support specialist with Pedaluma City Schools. Um, just want to give some background. Um we have had four tech support specialists between all of the school sites. Um we also serve the maintenance department, the transportation department, basically every part of PCS. And our job is to go out and resolve tickets for the for the all the schools and all the sites. Um we have been down a position. Um one of our uh previous tech support specialists has not been reef hired due to the hiring

084freeze. And I just want to advocate a little bit um that uh it is there there are a lot of sites there are a lot of tickets. We had 449 tickets um this last month and uh 75% of those are handled by the tech support specialist. So we now have three going between different sites. Um it's a lot of time in transportation. Um it's a lot of time sometimes to do larger projects and um it can be very difficult with a smaller number of folks. Um if staff is reduced there it could impact our ability to respond to tickets quickly and to resolve situations where for instance the internet's down. We've had to have like our network technicians and our systems technicians taking on school sites and that pulls them away from emergency situations. Um

085so I just wanted to give that a shout out. I know that it's really hard to staff all the schools and all the places appropriately and I really hope that we don't have to cut more positions, but thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Vicky Parks. Hello. Um, I'm Vicky Parks and Elementary Music and um, I'm hearing some word that music may be another thing that's going to be hard to fund next year. So, I just wanted to speak in support of our music program and why music is essential. Music class connects kids in singing and playing instruments together. They connect with interactive movement and singing games and children's folk dance. After co, it was hard to get them to hold hands again and we're there. Um, starting in kindergarten, K students engage in ensemble work,

086playing small percussion percussion instruments with more than one part as well as singing rounds. Later, they engage in challenging brain work that is as once physical, expressive, therapeutic, and social. Um, one might think that classroom teachers can put on recordings and make the best of things to fill the gap when a music class is not available, but that's far um far different than a structured music program that builds builds and grows skills from TK through 6th grade. Some of you might be familiar with the Michael Fonte song, everyone deserves music. I agree. Music should be something that is an essential right for every child. For families with means, they can resort to afterchool music lessons or dance lessons. For other families less fortunate, their only access to music education is likely to be Paluma City

087Schools elementary music program. This is my last year and I hope that the program will continue on. >> Thank you. Uh, Matthew Saran Sarinana. >> That was correct. Yeah, Sarinana. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, my name is Matthew Sinata and I am also one of the elementary music teachers for this program. And I was hired about four years ago coming into a program that just came out of COVID. And like what Miss Park said, it was a pretty bare-looking program at first. And so, one of the big things that kind of caught my attention was the band programs in this district. The big thing, Mr. Cleveland kind of expressed with us was the deficit in numbers that we faced because of COVID. And like Ellen said, we just saw a great concert. Um, my big

088focus in the past four years has been working on building this band program as well as teaching the TK through fourth grade students as well, which has been a joy. Um, like what Miss Parks or Vicky Parks was saying, there is such great benefits to what we do. The one thing that really sticks out to me is the support for our English learner students. uh music programs do serve as a strong foundation for our English learners as music functions as a language and is taught in ways that closely mimic how we teach language to them. So because that I've seen a lot of great stuff that comes from these students, you know, I might not be able to communicate with them with words, but teaching them a band instrument, we're communicating another language of music.

089Um and yeah, um another thing that really comes to my mind is the possibility of losing teams from or members from our team. 25 seconds >> with that is we do serve as the base of the music program in this district. Um, and the last thing you want to see is cuts to our team which will affect the junior high and high school music programs which we just worked to get a lot of numbers into them and we just saw some great results from the winter concert and we hope to be seeing some more positive results hopefully without a reduction in our workforce. So yeah, Thank you. Uh, Jesus Contreros. Hi, I am Oh, sorry about that. I'm Jesus Contros. I am the one of the members of the elementary music team. Um, as the

090third the well, one of and I just want to just cannot stress enough how much is important for music and stuff in the sense that it is what it reflects our community. It reflects what we're feeling, what we're doing. And it also when you know to see when the TK's right down to you know in the early ages while they're doing language um you know developing their language skills a lot of it it comes from music you know not every one of us in here can recite the alphabet because we sang it because we were going A B C D and for some of us olders might remember this one too. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12. And that all has to do. That's how I >> spicy. >>

091Yeah, I'm just a bill. I'm only a bill. All right. But anyways, I think it's it's it's sometimes it's so we don't realize that how much music builds into some of skills. It is. And when we were like I had just you know completed recently the it was a little while but it was credentiing and we were talking that they were you know saying how project-based learning and group projects was the ultimate thing to aim for. I'm like we've been doing this in music for a long time. >> 25 seconds. Sorry. And that's one of the things that you don't it's like like as my uh colleagues have said it's like not only does it develop you know for English learners but it also develops language in general and support like for example even just

092getting vocalizations getting uh students to learn how to you know uh enunciate things. So it's like oh you do that through um music and it's it's it's so anyway thank you. Thank you. >> Excellent examples. >> Yes. >> Um Cecilia, we're gonna call Cecilia uh Vasquez back up because we didn't realize she was going to do the pres her comments in Spanish and then we'll have a simultaneous translation by Esmeralda Sanchez Mosley, our student services assistant superintendent. Is it like 11%. >> So, you're gonna you're gonna need to give more time because >> Oh, yeah. And then you get five minutes. >> Yeah. >> Or double >> three minutes. Three minutes. Twice. >> Twice as long. Yeah. >> If they had three minutes, it would be five minutes. >> Okay. Perfect. Okay. My number is

093Cecilia Vasquez. >> Good evening again. My name is Cecilia Vasquez. >> I have two daughters who um attend school at Valley Vista Public Waldorf. I'm here representing the Latino community at Valley Vista Public Waldorf and also as the president of the ELAC um committee. It's been quite worrisome to me that the school nurse position and counseling position are at risk. We know these are really difficult times right now, but it's very important to preserve these two positions during these during these times. Miss Angie has been a fundamental part of our school. She was integral to uh unifying the two schools that came together, Live Oak and Valley Vista. She is like a counselor and she unifies the two communities to plan events and bring the community together. I hope you will maintain her position because

094she our students um look for her. We rely on her for translation. We can't do it without her. She is integral to our school, an important part of our Latino community and the entire community, our students. We can't make it without her. I will hope you will take everyone's comments into consideration knowing that our school nurse and our counselors and our student advisor um is very important to our school community. Gracias. Thank you so much all of you. This this is difficult decision. >> Um okay. So we're going to go on to um another set of public comments. Um it's about a pro proposed uh amendments to our pride flag resolution. Um, so we have uh eight I think nine people now. Um, so we're going to go for about two and a half minutes

095for each person. Oh, and guess what? We're gonna start with Jesse. It's a good thing I talk in front of groups for a living. Uh, all right. Hello again. I'm Jesse Redfield. I teach English at Pedaluma High. I'm also the GSA adviser and have been for 5 years. Um, and also I want to start by saying thank you for your support in um for the LGBT community because as the teacher who brought The Poet X, which is a book, to um our district in 2019, it has changed so many lives um and it's opened windows and eyes and all of all of those metaphors. Um, in GSA we celebrate Pedaluma Pride in October because it's when Pedaluma Pride um celebrates, but also because we only have one week um at at best to have our

096flags and everything up and the students joy at seeing themselves represented throughout the hallways, seeing themselves up on TBC, it's always it October becomes my favorite month because I get to see them on that. Um, additionally in my room, uh, we have not just the pride in the progress flag, but I have a variety of identity flags. We have by, pan, gender, queer, asexual, the gamut. Um, if you are ever at PHS in the morning, it is beautiful as the light comes through all of the pride flags. And the number of students who walk in and just go, "Oh, that's me." is innumerable. and it has actually helped many many students come out to me and tell me like this is their safe place. So I can only imagine that doing that year round at

097sites would be welcoming to these students. Um I will admit when I first put up my pride flags I was a little worried. Um again given the situation we are in in our society um I didn't know what the push back would be but I figured if anyone can take the heat it's the adults. We're there. We make the safe place for the kids, not the other way around. Um, the trade-off is worth it. I have had one student or one parent pull their student from my class because I had pride flags in my room. That child had to tell me in tears that they could not take my journalism class because their dad did not appreciate my pride flags. Um, that made me put more pride flags up. [laughter] Um, and I do really

098hurt for that child because she wanted to be in my class. But that's one parent and one student who saw a a teacher take a stand. And I can only hope that if we put up something where we don't have to tell kids, we're not afraid. We're here to protect you, they can just internalize that and know we are a safe place for them. Thank you. Okay. Michael to tone. >> Hey there. Um Michael Tatone, a tech support specialist. Um, I also support um the resolution and I um believe that it's really important to and especially not I don't want to say especially right now we really it's it's always been important to affirm people's identities um and to stand up to to bullies and against hate. And I think I think it's really important

099that that we continue to do that and not give in um when people make threats. That's not okay. That's not a reason to back down. Um, and I I completely agree with what the last speaker said. It's important for us to make a safe space um for the youth. Um, and that means taking on some risk and it means that we stand up. So, I just want to say those things. Um, and I think that getting up the pride, getting all the pride flags back up is just so important. Thank you. >> Thank you. Audrey, I'm sorry. Atia. Oh, Audrey. [laughter] >> No, no, no. You're good. >> Uh, hi. I'm Andre Tia. I am a uh junior at P High School. Um, and I'm here to again move to continue putting and wanting to

100put up all of our pride flags, but also this is not just for obviously that's super important, but also I feel like it is just one example of what we should and do do for everyone. It is about acceptance. It's about showing people that this is a safe space to be and that um again very similar to what the last speaker said that we are here to support everyone and we do it with openness. It is not a thing that someone has to go searching for. It is something that you walk in the hallway and go this is for me too. And I feel like if we continue pushing for putting up not only pride flags, but just every bit of representation we can get, it shows a united front again bullies and people who

101are willing to tear down students or parents or teachers or whatever for who they are as something they cannot change. Um, and I just want to say that I'm also incredibly proud to be in the community I live in to see just in general already how much representation and support we have um for everyone. But this would just be a further step into what we've already been seeing. And I think it would affirm even more just how much this community loves each and every person, each and every student, and how much each and every student matters to everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you, Audrey. Abby Hatton. Hello. Uh, my name is Abby Hatton and I'm a parent of a child at Cherry Valley. I'm here tonight to urge you to pass the new flag resolution

102and to keep the PI pride flag raised every day. I come to you with an unique perspective. I have two children and one attends a school in the old Adobe school district. This year, our family is managing the challenge of two schools on two very different schedules. Not by choice, but because of the safety and inclusion Cherry Valley provides. It provides a much better environment and fit for my child. At the other school, there's not a single flag, not one you're safe here sticker, not one pin worn by a staff member, no pride in the classrooms. The very first thing I heard when we learned about Cherry Valley was that they raised the pride flag every day. When we arrived for our tour, that flag was the first thing we saw and it was a

103welcoming beacon. As we walked the campus, we saw love and inclusion reflected everywhere. When I brought my child here for the first time, I showed her the flag flying high on the flag pole. In that moment, I knew my child would be loved. That flag does more than decorate a campus. It tells families, students, and the broader community that this district is committed to love, inclusion, and standing with the LGBTQ plus community. Paluma City Schools are truly leaps and bounds ahead of other districts. I see it every day, and I fight for it at other schools, and I'm deeply grateful for what you have already done. But we could not send our child to anywhere else and have her be safe and feel this sense of belonging. I'm asking you to keep the flag flying,

104not just for my child, but for the families who are still searching for a place where their children can be seen and protected. When other parents ask me where to send their children, I always tell them about Cherry Valley, and I tell them proudly about how the pride frag is up every day. Right now, so much is being taken away from the LGBTQ plus community. Visibility matters. representation there. >> Knowing that many children will grow up seeing themselves reflected on campus, seeing other kids like them and that they are accepted is so important for their mental health. While the greater world feels increasingly hostile, knowing the safe space exists gives me hope. Keeping the pride flag raised means more than you'll ever know. >> Thank you, Emily Vicero. Hello. Hi, my name is Emily Vicero.

105I'm a student adviser at Mary Collins at Cherry Valley. I'm also the adviser for Amore Baros, Cherry Valley's Middle School LGBTQIA2 plus affinity group. I'm a scout leader for two troops and I'm a mom of two. I'm telling you this because I want you to see how studentf facing all of my roles are. I asked my Amore Paratto students yesterday how it feels when they see the pride flag flying in front of a building they are entering. So I'm going to share with you some of the things they said. They said, "Yay! It makes me think that I will be supported. Happy that this community will support me. Super welcome. more appreciated. I would feel like this place is inclusive. I might have a really good time there. And the last one is it makes

106me feel relieved. I would know I am safe there. These are from students. Our focused focus must be on the safety of the kids. Flying the pride flag at school represents safety as well as inclusion. Schools should be a place where every student feels protected, supported, and free to be their most authentic self. For many LGBTQIA2 plus students, safety is not guaranteed. And the pride flag can be a visual sign that their school is a safe space for them. The flag reassures students that there are adults like me who will stand up for them because feeling safe is essential to learning. Flying the pride flag doesn't exclude anyone or force beliefs. It shows that our schools value respect, care, and safety for every student. So, I'm asking you to please consider the students when making

107your vote tonight. Thank you. Thank you, page Ry. Hello, my name is Kate Renie. I teach science, robotics, and it is my first time being the Pride Club adviser at Kennallorth Junior High School. Um, I want to tell you a short story about the pride flag at Kennallorth. Um, we be I am fairly new to Kennallorth and I love it and it was um right shortly after I started working there that we got a pride flag hanging in front of the school for the first time and that was thanks to Renee and I didn't know it at the time that she was responsible for it. So the next year I asked the principal how do we get pride flags in our classrooms? principal suggests I reach out to Renee. Renee said, "Yeah, we do that."

108And so I asked every teacher and staff member, "Who would like a pride flag?" Turns out 70 people wanted Pride flags that year. Um, so at our school, when you walk around, you probably will see one in almost every space now. Still, every year, I sent out the same survey. Who would like a pride flag for the classroom? Usually, some have gotten taken, some got misplaced. So, every year we get about 25 refresh pride flags. Um, so when I heard that there was a question about whether or not to hang a pride flag outside of a school, I got a little bit confused. Why not? Like, why wouldn't be flying a pride flag all the time? And so, I looked into it and it turns out that from my research in the state of California,

109it's a school board that decides. And I feel really proud to work in this school district. And the reason that I took on being the Pride Club adviser is so there was a safe space for those students. My room is packed every Thursday at lunch. You're welcome to come see the amazing group. And I'm still learning how to be a Pride Club adviser. I say to them like, "Hey, do you guys want to play bingo today?" And most of the time they're like, "Miss ready, we just want to hang out." They just want a safe place to be themselves. And I think when they walk into a classroom or a space or into a school grounds and they see that they're represented, they feel safe. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Cindy Bertram and Jasper

110Bertram. >> Hi everyone. Good evening to the board and to Superintendent Harris. Uh, my name is Cindy. I'm a proud Valley Vista parent. Also a big Angie fan and a big Lisa fan. Um, so I'm glad that they're here tonight. Um, and this is Jasper. Uh, they're up past their bedtime tonight. Um, I want to thank you all for your ongoing commitment to ensuring every student in PCS feels seen and supported. I deeply appreciate the care and collaboration you've brought to this work so far. um especially your long track record of support for our LGBTQIA and two spirit students, staff, families, and community members. Um tonight, I'm urging a yes vote on the flag resolution, affirming our district's commitment to inclusive education. One of our district's core values states that diversity is an asset that

111strengthens and enriches our learning community. To allow schools the choice to fly the pride flag would honor that value. It says clearly to our students, "You are safe here. You belong here, and you are seen." This support is needed now more than ever. Across the nation, LGBTQIA plus, especially trans youth, face rising hostility. Our response must be to meet this hostility by visibly visibly and courageously embracing our students diverse identities with love. And we wouldn't be alone in this response. State Superintendent Tony Thur uh Tony Thurman has said the progress pride flag is a celebration of our diverse community in California. The Sonoma County Office of Education echoes that recommending that pride flags are an important signal of affirmation and support that foster students sense of belonging at school. County Superintendent Dr. Carter also reaffirmed

112that pride flags are important symbols that serve to counterbias and to protect students. My own child when Jasper when we were talking about tonight told me that seeing the pride flag lets me know that the school that my school respects who I am as a community. Let's continue leading with courage and compassion to protect students well-being, safety, and their thriving. Please vote yes. >> Thank you. And thank you, Jasper. Uh, Andy Schrader. >> You know, you know, I'm not I'm not really scared of much. Um, but I'll be honest, as a dad in this political climate tonight, this vote scares the hell out of me. Just having this on the agenda scares the hell out of me. I have a kid at each of these schools and this agenda item means that whichever way the

113vote goes, it will be in the newspaper and featured prominently on Next Door and other biledriven social media outlets. There are lunatics everywhere and pride flags are one of the most effective ways to trigger their hatred. But there was no way I was wasn't going to come here tonight. My entire life, we've always looked back and asked, what would you have done in the time of the Nazis? What would we would we have stood up or fallen down? Would we let it happen again? Today in real time, we need to choose sides loudly and proudly. Are we on the side of hatred? Are we on the side of love? Are we on the side of our children and their emotional healthy future? Are we on the side of silence and complicity? I love each of

114the kids at our schools. I love Jasper like crazy. Regardless of who they are, they just regardless of who they are, they deserve our love and protection and advocacy. And they need to see that support clearly, brightly, visibly whenever they need it. Our principles are best situated to know those moments when they arise. So I want you as a board to raise a flag tonight, one whose rainbow colors can be seen all the way across the country, across the Ptoac River. send a clear message to the White House and beyond that every single student in our city schools, regardless of who they are and who they love, is welcome here in Paluma. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Sarah Sych. Good evening everyone. Nice to see you again. It's Sarah, not first time commenter. I'm

115going to be short because I already sent you all this letter. But one of the resol pieces of the resolution talks about having full support of the site councils or an advisory council at Cherry Valley's case um that the administration, the staff, the students and the families are all around and supporting this. So I'm going to go ahead and read that right now so that it is in the video and the whatever and you can get it and I signed it so you can have a real copy. Dear Superintendent Matthew Harris and school board members, on behalf of the advisory council of Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, we are writing to express our strong support in the amended resolution regarding flying the pride flag on school grounds to be reviewed during the January 13th

116board meeting. We would also like to confirm that once the amended resolution is approved, the MCCV advisory council will establish a policy of flying the pride flag year round from January 1st to December 31st on an ongoing annual basis. For many students, families, and staff, the pride flag is a visible affirmation that they are safe, seen, and valued. Consistent year-round visibility communicates belonging and support, particularly for the LGBTQIA plus students who may feel vulnerable and marginalized. Flying the pride flag throughout the year aligns with the district's commitment to equity, inclusion, and the student well-being. It reinforces that our schools are places where every student deserves dignity, respect, and safety every day. We respectfully urge the board to adopt the amended resolution and affirm its commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all students. Thank

117you for your leadership and dedication to the Paluma City Schools community. Sincerely me, chair of the MCCV Advisory Council. Since I have 46 seconds left, given that we have so many cuts in front of us right here, right now, and we are cutting safety services, safety net services, nurses, student adviserss, the places and the people that make these children's feel safe. Here in front of you is a resolution that is zero cost, no cost. It's free. It's lowhanging fruit. You can give it to us. Thank you. All right. Thank you very much all of you for coming and for speaking so eloquently um on both uh the difficult decisions before us on both budget cuts and uh the resolution. Um, I really appreciate that you've all been respectful, that your uh comments have all been

118very um uh persuasive. Um, uh, you may not really love all the decisions that we have to make tonight. I just want you all to be very clear that none of this is easy for anybody and nobody wants to do any of it. So, um, but it's necessary, uh, to for our district to continue. You've all talked about how our district is, uh, a wonderful district and we've provided great support and education to you, to your children, and that's certainly been our goal. Um, so to to have that continue, there's some difficult decisions that we'll be making over the next few months. Um, so with that, um, I'm going to go on, um, to the action items. Um, I plan on moving on action item 16.1.3 on the resolution 2526-26 reaffirming the district's committee commitment

119to inclusive education. You're all not going to like this, >> Maddie. Oh, >> are we going to wait till we get there or not? >> No, I'm going to do it at the beginning. Um >> where >> at the action items just to to say that I want to table it. >> Oh, >> wait till we get there. >> Yeah. >> Do you want to wait until we get there? >> Wait till we get >> 16.1.1. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> All right. So, the next thing on the item is January uh approval of resolution 2526-21 recognizing the mo the month of January as school board appreciation month. >> You want to read it? >> So, yes, I just um I'll bring this up. This is January is designated in California as

120board of education recognition month. provide an opportunity to formally acknowledge the essential role of local boards of education in advancing student achievement and well-being. Pedelma City Schools benefit from the leadership and government governance of trustees who advocate for students, support equitable and inclusive educational practices, and work to ensure that all students receive a highquality individualized education. Adoption of this resolution allows the board of education to publicly recognize their collective commitment to meeting the academic, social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs of students and to affirm the importance of public education to the to the vitality of the pedalum community. For these reasons, staff recommends adoption of the resolution recognizing January's board of education recognition month and the the tr the we talk about the the political times that we're in right now, the challenges of

121being a school board member and the um a volunteer school board member and the difficult decisions um that are before you tonight and and every board meeting. Um, so I would be I would love to read the resolution into the record. [snorts] Whereas California has designated January as board of education recognition month, a time set aside to recognize the contributions of boards of education and school boards to the academic, social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs of students. And whereas an excellent public education system is vital to the quality of life for all California citizens and communities. And whereas school board trustees advocate for the students in our community to thrive. And whereas local school district board members are committed to students and believe that all students can be successful learners and that the best

122education is tailored to the individual. And whereas public schools serve to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society in an everchanging world is more poignant than ever before. And whereas the PCS Board of Education is dedicated to improving access to inclusive, equitable, highquality education by helping create thriving learning environments for students. Now therefore, be it resolved that Pedelma City Elementary and Pedma Joint Union High School Districts Board of Education does hereby adopt this resolution to recognize January as board of education recognition month. Thank you for your service. >> Thank you. >> Do I have a motion? >> I move to approve, although it feels really weird to do it. [laughter] Thank you. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose?

123All right. We have we the resolution has passed. And now we have the approval of resolution 2526-22 recognizing the month of February as Black History Month. read it. >> You want to read it? >> Okay. I Does anyone else want to read it or I'm happy? I'm happy to do it. >> Ellen will read it in for the record. Always forget that. Whereas Black History Month is celebrated every February as a tribute to the achievements of black Americans who have shaped American history from 1619 to the election of the first black president and vice president of the US of America in 2008 and 2020 respectively and beyond. And whereas black Americans have played a pivotal role in the history and shaping of America and their contribution should never be understated or marginalized. And whereas black

124Americans have been pivotable in pivot pivotal in the creation of a massive number of inventions and are recognized for achievements in education, social services, public safety, health, business, fine arts, entertainment, science, politics, law, engineering, and technology. And whereas black Americans have continually enriched and contributed to our society through their long-standing commitment to resilience, justice, equality, civil rights, and economic and social equality for all. And whereas black history is a part of American history. And as educational leaders, we have responsibility to educate students about the role and contribution of black Americans in history throughout the entire year, including embracing aspects of black American history that are all too often ignored. And whereas the history social science framework for California public schools kindergarten through grade 12 states that the history curriculum of community, state, region, nation, and

125world must reflect the experiences of people of different racial, religious, and ethnic groups and must be integrated at every level. And whereas the Paluma City Schools Board of Education recognizes that each student needs an opportunity to understand the common humanity underlying all people to develop pride in their own identity and heritage and to understand, respect, and accept the identity and heritage of others. Now therefore, be it resolved that Pedaluma City Elementary and Paluma Joint Union High School District's Board of Education does hereby adopt this resolution to recognize Black History Month, honor the contributions of Black Americans, support the educational attainment of black students, and support the professional success of black staff members. The for the foregoing resolution Oh, that's I don't read that. Do I >> I move to approve the resolution. >> I'll second.

126>> Right. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? No. The motion passes. So, so the next steps will be to send this out to school sites and have our our schools celebrating February as Black History Month and and um our print will be sharing this with our principles of course as well and community. >> Okay. So, uh the next uh action item is 16.1.3 and now the reaffirming the district's commitment to inclusive education. Uh and I am making a motion to table the action item. >> Point of order. The other two resolutions get to be read into the record and we can't even entertain a discussion. I'm >> just saying you don't have to. >> I'm just saying if we're tableabling it, it has been it has been um on the website. It's

127on the agenda. It's posted. Do you want to read it first? >> No, I want to discuss it because it's on the agenda. >> Okay. Well, I'm asking to table it until May. You can vote no. Um I when I wanted to I making a motion to table the resolution until May when we consider renewing our 2025 resolution which is 25 2425-60 that declares June as LGBTQ plus pride month beginning on May 22nd Harvey Milk 's birthday and ending June 30th. It was passed unanimously in May 2025. >> Okay, this is longer than a motion. >> I'm making a motion >> to be a second >> since the Well, I'm making the motion. >> A very long motion. >> Since the proposed resolution amends the existing resolution, the appropriate time to bring the re revisions

128forward would be when we consider reaffirming the 2025 resolution. In addition, it will give staff and board members time to consider the impacts of amending our existing resolution and give the district time to create board policies and administrative regulations that will define the process by which these amendments would be implemented. These can be brought forward at the same time as the revised resolution. That's my motion. I'll second. >> I have a point point of order. >> Now we have discussion. >> Caitlyn, uh, when did you initially make the administration aware uh, of this potential resolution? >> I've been talking about this issue with Matthew since like October. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I I think >> and I think we brought it up as future business at the last the last meeting. Yeah.

129Did you have a followup to that, Brian, or Okay. Um, I just have concerns about the revisions. I know we talked about this, Kaitlin. Some of the revisions to to it, like the opt out policy. I feel like we have a very strong opt out policy already that we all fill out during data confirmation time. So I want I would I guess I would want to know also along with when we bring this back what specifically is our opt out policy and making sure that it does not target any specific student group because that's what it feels like here saying that we are doing that. I just want to make sure we're not because I'm signing off on it every year and I'm I'm pretty sure I'm not signing off on that part of it

130um of children like opting out of a spec specific curriculum and also the part about the school site council. I don't know how I feel about that. Um because that part that last part be it further resolved feels like a policy change and typically a policy change has a board policy and administrative regulations brought with it. So I want to know specifically when we're talking about school site council superintendent designate which I assume is principal um like what is the process for that? School site council brings it forward. Is it unanimous? Is it brought forth every year? Is it majority? Etc. I don't think anyone's talking about taking pride flags down anywhere. I mean, people said that they see them all over the school some versus other districts where they're not anywhere. We're not talking

131about taking anything down, but I would just want really clear guidelines about that, especially if because that does feel like a policy change and typically that's done differently. So, I'd want that brought back with a policy um potential policy change with the parameters. Um forgot what else I was going to say, but that's yeah, that's what I'm thinking for now. Just as a point of clarification, when we passed the initial one, I was explicitly told that school sites would never be ordered to take their pride flags down, and that has not been the case. That has not been the case. So I feel extremely lied to >> during that time period. >> No, I was told that a pride flag would never a school site would never be instructed to take a pride flag down

132even if it was flying outside of those days. I remember that conversation specifically in that room with Sheldon and Matthew. I know Right. So, I think this is I I we're having a discussion now. I think this is why it's also important for us to be very clear about all of this and have it be specific. Um because I think typically the resolutions pertain to all schools and this feels specific which is fine in theory but I mean we're only going to be on the board for another 11 months. If we want a policy change, I think it needs to be stated and codified in policy so that everything is clear because like I don't know if this is what you're getting at, Ryan. I had not heard anything about this until we started getting

133emails about this and a lot of different things were being said in the emails. Um, and I just want to make sure there's a clear understanding what's happening and what's not happening. Um, of course I understand representation because I am underrepresent even in this room. I don't see anyone else who looks like me. So I mean of course I would love more representation and I yeah I that's all you want discussion. >> Yeah. Um I want to put on the record that I am in uh strong support of this resolution. I'm in strong support of allowing each school site to uh pick certain dates to uh fly uh the the pride flag in coordination with the school site council with the superintendent. Um I think that is it's a pretty clear and uh does not

134need specific regulations on how to uh execute or implement. I think small uh school you know design decisions are made all the time. Um and there's a freedom uh to allow uh each school to yeah I mean I think represent their community and their values um and uh to recognize you know important moments in time and in history uh just today. Um and I think this this also is pertinent to this moment in time. Uh the the current administration, the current climate is uh attacking minorities and attacking values that have not been etched into stone. It was 10 years ago, only 10 years ago that all members of uh this country uh whether gay, straight, um transgender were given the right to marry. 10 years today, the Supreme Court was hearing cases on transgender um

135uh rights in schools, and it seems like they are going to start rolling back the clock on rights. I think it is uh timesensitive. I think it's pertinent to bring up uh and to support all members of our community. So maybe maybe it's not May. If we do need some specific uh additional language uh or clarity, um I would ask that it's brought back sooner than that, but I'm fine with moving forward with it today. Um, I just uh wanted to say that one of the reasons that we created the resolution in the first place was because there were some real um problems at different sites when some people really wanted to have the um the pride flag flown and others and other people other uh parts of that school's community did not and there

136was a real conflict and the the staff and the principles were kind of trapped in the middle and they needed to have a policy. They needed to have a resolution so that to guide them. So this is what we came up with. Um and I'm certainly not opposed to the resolution. Um, I just want to make sure that it doesn't create more of that conflict, um, and put our staff and sometimes our parents um, in a very difficult position um, and, um, in terms of whether or not to fly the flag at different times. Um, also, you know, as most of you know, there was a a a threat of um, you know, execution specifically um that what that uh was directed at us and specifically one of our um, staff members um, because of

137the pride flag. you know, I don't I'm not somebody who would want to cave to that. On the other hand, I don't want to put our staff in any kind of risk. So, I just want to make sure that the resol the first time I saw the resolution was a few days ago. I just would like some time. Uh it doesn't have to be May. We can amend my motion. Um but I need some time to make sure that the same problems that existed before don't happen again. Um that's my feeling. And to be clear, I can't talk about it with all of you because of the Brown Act. >> The Brown Act is why you wanted to talk to me. >> I know I couldn't talk to you about it. >> And to be

138clear, I don't feel like I've been supported with this resolution at all until I finally forced it onto the agenda. Even if you look at the other resolutions on the agenda, it says approval of, approval of, and then mine is consideration of, like you're setting it up to fail. I've never seen it say consideration of until now. So, it's these little things that make me really hesitant to accept any amendment to table it. I mean, if everyone needs it to be tabled a month, that's fine by me, but then I don't I just I don't really have words. Um, >> yeah, I we're operating out of fear. We're operating, we're letting we're centering the views of the people full of hate and fear. We're not centering the feelings of our students and our teachers and

139our staff and our families. And yes, the death threat was terrifying. I'm not going to pretend that it wasn't. I I'm the openly queer board member. Like, I take it very seriously. I cried in the closed session about it. But we no one once when that death threat was happening suggested taking the flag down because we know that flying the flag is not the problem. The hatred and the fear are the problem. So yes, we can get all finicky about all the administrative regulations. We can take our time with that if we really need to. But I don't understand why we can't at least in the meantime make a resolution that affirms our support even if it has to be tweaked. That's why it's on the agenda so we can tweak it if we need

140to. Um just outright going straight into tableabling it. I even had a whole speech written up and I'm not going to bother with it now. Um you all can vote to table it and then we can see what where that lands. I I mean I haven't said anything that centered the fear of any other person at all. Yeah. >> So I just want to make that clear. I did say >> this our support is not going away. >> I want to have time for our site administrators >> and for us to understand what our site council what it's going to be. Sorry I am you know I'm very much about logistics. I want to know if site council proposes it and there's five people that want it and three people don't or five people that

141do and seven people that don't. I don't know. Then then what do we do? Then do we say no? Do we move forward? Never did I say to center the fear of anyone. I'm sorry. I once again I'm the only black person in this room. I live with fear every single day and for my children as well. So I don't I don't need the affirmation either. I don't need that. What I want just to say very clearly is this is not taking away our support at all. >> Because what I do see like someone else said, I see pride flags. I was at McNair day. I see pride flags on every school campus in most classrooms. What I don't see is black faces, Latino faces, indigenous, Asian. That's what I don't see. So, >> sorry.

142I've never said to center the fear of anyone. That's not So, I just want to make that clear. >> Yeah. >> Since like Ryan said, it's in the paper. Somebody said it's going to be in the paper. I just want to make that clear. I am not centering the fear of of any person ever. I'm also concerned if it's not codified that we have a new school board who overturns it. I would like to I would like to see it so that it is part of a board policy rather than a resolution so that when we have a new board which we will have in in less than a year that they will not then overturn it overturn both of them. This one or the one that recognizes Harvey Milk and gay pride month. So

143I would rather see it as a board policy. >> Uh call the question. Although um I would like to amend uh my motion to um would the end of February give you enough time? So is that the 27 24th February 24th? >> Also, is it possible to change it from a resolution to a board policy? >> February 24th, >> Matthew. >> Well, it sounds like we'd have to create a policy to go along with this. >> Um, I also want to uplift Caitlyn. Sorry, that was not present direct at you, but >> to be fair, sometimes things do take a while [laughter] when they're brought forth later. So, I understand you're concerned about it not ever being brought back. So, I just want to acknowledge that. >> I want to bring it back, but I

144want to bring it back. >> I want it to be a board policy rather than a resolution. >> Yeah. And I and I apologize, Caitlyn, for that that feeling. I um I think when I read that B when I read the resolution right it's very clear and part of part of the issue for me is we have a resolution that's very clear every single school site what was happening in the past is some sites are flying it other sites are not flying the flag right there so you have this difference between some sites well I'm sorry but there are LGBTQI plus students at every site, not just at some sites. And so when you have a so you can have a site council says, "We want to fly it every single day." Okay, then that's

145on that site. But and then you got another site that's not flying it at all. This the resolution that we have currently is very clear. May 22nd to June 30th, every single site is going to be flying it. This has nothing to do with pride flags in the classroom or signs or symbols. It's the flag pull out front of the school. That's all we're talking about here. And so either we're one united district and everyone does the same thing. This the district the district office from May 22nd to June 30th is flying the pride flag. Every single school site in across our district from CASA to Penro to Grant is flying in. If someone has a problem with it, they're going to come to me and I'm going to say here's our board resolution. This

146is what we're doing. If we start to differentiate, which I'm not saying is is the end of the world, it's it is uh then it's the the onus is not necessarily here. It's on the site council. It's on the principal. And so you start to see these differences in our school when LGBTQIA plus students are in all of our schools. And so we are one district. So we we should be supporting saying, hey, this is what we do. If the resolution is fly the pride flag every single day at every single school, okay, we're then you've got this a sort of a uniform policy. It's not about do we support and affirm students. Yes, we do. And the the question becomes how do you do that in a district with uh you know multiple sites

147and district office and transportation? We fly it in every single one of our buildings the same just like um and we wouldn't say well we fly it here but we're not we're going to fly it at CASA but not at Pedal Mahai that's not what we do. We fly it every single site. So again it doesn't have to be uniform throughout. I'm not saying that if we want to create something that says and a school site council can do this fine but just realize that there are there are LGBTQIA plus students at every single site. And so I want to make sure that it's not just some students see that and come to school and say oh I see that you know some of the the speakers that spoke about oh I come here and

148I see that sign and I feel welcome what about it all all the sites and so that's the that's the only concern that I want to raise not about whether we do it or not it's how we do it as an united district. Does that make sense? Well, I'm amendable to an amendment that would fly it every day. I I never thought that would pass. So, >> and I would just like to say that it's um >> or or the month of October with, you know, the month of October and the month of May. I mean, I those like then you say great, we're doing it at every single site. This is how we do it as a district. This is this is the way that we're doing it. Or I don't know. There's a

149lot of ways you can do that. So, sorry Joanna. >> No, it's okay. I'm just saying as when I was president, you know, when people would come to me mad about the pride flag being flown, I could be like, "Here's our board policy. It's June. Hello." Like, "It's Pride Month." I even had people come to me, black parents, who didn't want us to recognize Black History Month. Well, here's our resolution. It's June. Sorry, it's not June. What month is February? Whatever. >> Um, it's Black History Month. Um, and so I just think having the strong resolution with very clear, but then if someone comes to me in September, why is this school flying the pride flag? I'm like, I don't know, Melissa, why are y'all flying at McNeer? Let me see your school site council.

150No, it's just it makes it more difficult because again, we're not going to be here in a year. And I just think it the clearer we can be, the better if we really want to protect and represent all students. That's >> at all sites. >> Okay, we need to call the question. Um, we have a motion on the table to table. Um, consideration of resolution 2526-26. Um, and then I amended it to February 24th. Uh, do I have a second on the amendment? Okay. Okay. All those in favor? I >> All those opposed >> opposed. >> Nay. >> Yeah. Three to two. >> So, can I just be clear on what what the amend So, asking it to come back February 24th with a clearer resolution with with >> Does that That's what I meant.

151Does that give you enough time >> policy or what? I >> I think it, you know, just um that's why I was wondering if February 24th was going to be enough times to develop something like that. >> We could bring it back on the 10th if you if we want to just change the dates and say, for example, you add uh we work with Jesse Redfield on okay, is it the month of October that you want to add in? Do we want to add in dates or do you want it to be year round every site? Do you want it to be I I don't know what you want that >> see a board policy >> that pottifies >> that we're going to fly it or schools are able to fly it year round. >>

152So So in other words, >> and how is that determined by school? >> So in other words, everyone is flying it from I'm just I'm just asking the question. Everyone is flying it from May 22nd to June 30th. Plus, any school site council can vote by uh majority, supermajority, however we want to frame it, to fly fly the flag during certain times, year round. They can decide. Is that is that what I'm Is that what I'm hearing? Um well, if it's policy, it has to be brought back for a first and second, right? Um >> just so we have time to determine what's best. Um just for myself, if it's for specific times like you're saying October and then May 22nd through June June 30th, I don't know how I feel about it being like,

153oh, someone was bullied. Fly the flag. that feels performative instead of like a substantive school climate change. So, it's like, you know what I mean? Like, I don't want to do performative stuff, but I also want to make sure that we're honoring certain months as well. So, that's that's just my two cents. That's why I think having it in a policy with the specifics is better >> for whatever we decide. >> I think it seems more divisive to let schools decide. I know the climate of ped some some pedalumah high parents and I can see it being a very big deal of pedalumah high for example was the only school flying the flag and then I can also see kasa flying it and us not flying it because we're getting death threats to our teachers

154and that just seems way more divisive than just having a very clear everyone does it every day everyone does it in May you know >> um may I suggest that Caitlyn work with someone from the majority on the motion with Matthew to clarify uh these topics or these dates. Um and we bring it back on February 24th. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Jessica, what do you think? >> Personally, um I took a class last year and it was full of LGBTQI2 plus students. Um it was very eye openening seeing the struggles that they go through daily. Um and about the bullying about the students about how harsh their lives are every day. I think we do definitely need to have the flag up. I think Jenz is such a good generation. We need to and Gen

155Alpha, they need to learn that this is normal. This is who people are. This is love. And I don't think we should hide that. I don't think that should be a touchy conversation. It should be a conversation for all ages and for everyone. And I do not think we should be hiding that whatsoever. So let the flag fly. Okay. So then we will have um one of the majority work with Caitlyn and Matthew on um policies and you know that whether or not we're going to go forward. I mean we will >> with the resolution we're going to have it just on certain months every day. Um, how do we want to do that? And then policies to go forward if we're going to have it site council based. >> Yeah. Does that make sense?

156>> Be great to have some student couple student board members as well join us. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. I need a break. We're breaking for five minutes. All right. >> We're a very lively group tonight. >> I'm calling the meeting to order. Sorry. >> I'm calling the meeting to order. Can everyone please be seated? >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're continuing with our action items. 16.2 business services.1 approval of capital facility contracts for January 2026. >> All right, Amanda, thank you so much. Tonight we bring forward um contracts specific to capital facilities which a few months ago we moved to action items. Um I do want to point out everything that is listed as these contracts. We're using restricted facilities funds that are only for those allowable uses.

157>> Okay. Thank you. Are there any uh comments or questions about the um capital facility contracts? >> Okay. >> Facility. >> Correct. Okay. Do I have a motion? >> I move to approve. >> I'll second. All those in favor? >> I I >> Any opposed? Thank you. The motion passes. Uh 16.2.2 two six uh approval of resolution 2526-23 of the board of education of the Paluma City Elementary and Pedaluma joint union high school districts of the county of Soma state of California regarding accounting of developer fees for 2324 fiscal year in the following fund or account capital facilities fund government code section 660001 1 D and 660006B. Would you like to explain that? >> Yes, thank you. Um, this is an annual report on how we have spent our developer fees in the previous year.

158Developer fees are fees that are levied on reconstruction and new buildings that are over 500 square ft. um with the thought that if building is happening in a city that there will be a greater need for schools either adding to schools or rehabilitating them for new students. >> Thank you. Uh any questions about this? Yeah, Ellen, >> I what I read and I'm not very good at this stuff, but so they the developer fees have been covering a lot of our portables. Yes. >> Yes. >> So, we don't have to use bonds for that because we've got this. >> Yes. Developer fees are being used for interim housing as we build new housing. >> Thank you. >> School housing. Sorry, >> I was going we have housing. I'm so happy. All right. Any other questions?

159>> All right. I need a motion. >> I move to approve. >> Second. >> Okay. Um, all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. The motion passes. Okay. We move on to 16.2.3, 2.3 acceptance of the Pedaluma City Schools independent annual financial audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025. Great. Thank you. Tonight we bring forward um our audit for that um has been completed by independent auditors. Once accepted by the board, our unodudited financials become our audited financials. I do want to point out though we've seen a lot of progress um from previous years that um were brought up as flags. We did have a couple of findings um this year. It one finding we had in our procurement of our for some of our non-public school contracts. We

160do use federal funds and um what we need to do in order to decide on what the non-public school how we're going to get that and federal procurement do look a little different. Um generally with federal procurement you get three quotes and um that's not something it's not generally how we decide on how we're going to go our students are going to go to non-public schools. So it is it's not a financial finding but it did come up as a finding. Another finding that we received was on our attendance accounting for the year. Um it was to our advantage. Um we so there we are continuing to work on our attendance procedures and um what that looks like at the sites and reporting here at the district office. So we did end up with a

161little bit more ADA once um attendance was pulled. Yes. Very small amount. Um and then we did receive a finding last year. Our LCAP annual annual update which needed to come in February was not presented to the board until March. Um so that was a finding. It was not a financial finding, but that is something that the auditors will look at in our current year. Anything that was a finding the year before could become financial and material if it's practice that continues. So, we've worked with all of the departments to ensure that we have plans in place so anything that we were um audited on does not happen again. Um and I did leave one off. We do have one more. Um we were we did receive a finding in our ELOP program for um

162not offering full instructional days. Um we need to to do a 9-hour day and last summer for transportation um our buses ran at like 8 hours because that was when the staff were available. Luckily, we um because we're still in the the school year, we are able because we have summer on both sides, we can make those days up in this year and we will clear that. Thank you. Very understandable and thorough. Okay. Any questions or comments? All right. Do I have a motion? Move to approve. >> I second. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. Uh oh. Okay. >> Always a good way to start. >> Yeah. >> All right. 16.2.4. for approval of resolution 2526-25 affirming commitment to implement budget reductions identified for fiscal year 202627.

163>> So I just I want to start off we'll start off by framing framing the the kind of the process that we're in and then uh um I'm going to invite Amanda to to finish up to do the large majority of it. Um, the recommendations before you tonight are not driven by desire. I want to be really clear about that. They're driven by necessity. This is not something that any of us want to be doing right now. It's what we have to do. If anything, we should in our in our schools right now. We should be talking about adding support for students. Their needs are increasing. As you heard tonight from many speakers, they're increasing needs, not shrinking. These potential reductions are very upsetting. and and um I know many of the amazing people that

164that came and spoke tonight and these t these types of reductions and eliminations pit critical programs like music's music music and the arts against nurses and LMFTs and all critical programs and people in that are that are that are in our budget. Even as we all long to move beyond the pandemic, the reality is that we continue to face a mental health crisis, ongoing physical and emotional health concerns at our sites, and a persistent opportunity and ach and achievement gap. Yet, the state and federal funding required to meet these needs is not keeping pace, and the one-time pandemic funds that temporarily helped us bridge the gap are now gone. These are terrible budgetary times for public schools. On one hand tonight, and this is what I shared with budget advisory, on one hand, we have

165bad decisions and on the other we have worse decisions. The worst decision is that we we are not fiscally solvent. And I'm sorry to put the five of you in this position. To give a little bit of a larger context, I think the truth is simple and stark. School districts are not funded at a level that matches the expanding role we are expected to play in our communities. Every year more is asked of our teachers, more is asked of our staff and our administrators, our schools and our district. But the resources do not match those expectations. To put it in concrete terms, we currently contribute over $7 million from our general fund to support special education. This is obviously necessary and something that we are happy to do, but it highlights the fact that we

166are not adequately funded. As a school district, under the LCFF, the local control funding formula, we received 17,900 per student. Meanwhile, some of our neighboring basic aid districts, those with higher property tax bases per student, receive dramatically more. St. Alina 42,500, Hillsburg 40,000, Shoreline 34,500, Mil Valley 27,4400, Miller Creek 24,600. We run a tight responsible budget, but we don't have the same per pupil funding that other these other districts have. I five years ago, I predicted we were going to be in this position when we started to receive the one-time funds. The positions that we've added have become invaluable, as you've heard tonight, to our students, staff, and schools. We eaked it out for five years, and now the funding's gone. Many positions funded with that those one-time dollars have already been eliminated. The board

167has taken action over the last few years to eliminate many of those positions, but at the end of the day, we have to operate with it within the funding provided by the state and federal government. People are feeling out of control right now and it's human nature to look for someone to blame. I understand that these reductions are painful. They represent people. They represent support for students and eliminating them is going to have an impact in our students, our staff, and our community. There's no way to soften that truth. But this is not a crisis unique to Pedleman City Schools. As we look at sur some of our surrounding districts and you read the newspaper, Santa Rosa, Rinken Valley recently moved into negative budget certifications. Roner Park is preparing reductions similar in scale 5 to6

168million and Sonoma Valley has closed a school and is facing significant financial strain. Everyone is going through this pain unless you're a basic aid district maybe. Um it's a statewide funding problem for education, not a local mismanagement problem. One essential role of the school board is fiscal oversight. The county gives school districts one of three possible budget certifications, positive, qualified, or negative. The county has just recently informed us that we now have a qualified budget. That means that they are requiring a detailed plan showing how we will make the the necessary reductions to remain solvent. So, let me be clear. Making the reductions is not an op is not an option. It's a it's a requirement. It's our legal and ethical obligation to act. Failing to act will lead to far more severe consequences for

169our students and community. We recently I want to acknowledge the disappointment many feel after measure I. We went out the board asked us to go out for a parcel tax. Uh despite receiving 64% of voters saying that they wanted to tax themselves, it fell short of the 67% threshold. It which is heartbreaking. The passage of measure I would have brought in approximately $3 million per year, which would have put us into a very different reality right now. But it didn't pass. So we have to accept our current reality. Over the past few months, the budget advisory group representing teachers, classified staff, site, district administrators, community members met eight times. Two board members sat in as as observers eight times for many hours. These were not easy meetings. They were thoughtful, rigorous, and often emotional. The

170group wrestled with the complexity and weight of these decisions, always centering our district goals around district goals and what's best for students. Their service reflects the very best of this community and I want to thank them sincerely. Members of my team and I reviewed the budget advisor's recommendation and support this recommendation. I want to be clear about the process. This moment marks the board's first look at the at the budget advisory recommendation. It's a first look. It's not a we're voting on this tonight where it's a it's a resolution that we're going to it'll come back to the next meeting or a February meeting after discussion from the board tonight and any direction and action item will come back in a February meeting. Lastly, the next steps for budget advisory will be to discuss and

171prioritize what positions we would recommend bringing back if we receive additional funding to to share with the board. So, if there's additional one-time funding, how would we bring positions back in a sort of a structured prioritized way? Um, so at this time, I want to invite our chief business official, Amanda Boner, to stay seated because it's be a long presentation uh to present the recommendation from our budget advisory committee that was we discussed as a c as a as a cabinet and I'm endorsing um to um to share with you all tonight. Thank you. All right. Um, thank you so much. So, tonight, um, I do have a presentation prepared. Generally, I know I go, um, I generally do the whole presentation and then we discuss it at the end, but this is going to

172be broken up into four parts. And I think we probably probably want to pause. Um so I'll pause after um each slide to see if there are any questions. That way we can keep the conversation going. Um and I did want to start by thanking the budget advisory committee for their work and for the two board members who sat on the committee. Um, this has been a really hard decision for everyone, but um, as Matthew said, it's necessary. So, um, we'll start with a current year budget outlook. We'll move on to budget, the budget advisory committee, then the recommendation they made made and um, options to move forward with our parcel taxes. All right. Um, I wanted to start the conversation. Um, there we've had a lot of meetings discussing the budget. Um, we first

173brought the budget to the board June 26th that showed that in next fiscal year we needed to cut at least $5 million. Um, shortly after that, we had a board study session where we brought forward the resolution affirming that five at least $5 million at that time. We also made current year cuts. Um, and I think we're starting to see there's been so many actions that have taken place, they're starting to get confusing. So, I know we've received a lot of emails recently. People were under the impression that we needed to eliminate $3 million. um it has always been $5 million. We often talk about needing to maintain 3% minimum reserve. And then when we talked about the current year, the cuts that we made at the beginning of the year that included the rating

174specialist, that was because we had almost $1 million of salaries that we needed to add to the current year budget. And at that time, our fed federal funding was frozen and we didn't know if we would even be receiving the tax the funds from the year before. So, um, we've continued to move forward with the $5 million. Um, as Matthew said, our budget outlook from the outlook from the county has changed. And I'm going to present a little bit more information to show why the budget advisory moved forward with just over $6 million instead of the initial $5 million. All right. Um the last budget update that I brought to the board was December and this is just a snapshot of our multi-year projections. Um you can see that for fiscal year 2627 which is

175next year we show that we will be reducing our budget by $5 million. What I want to point out with this slide is even with the $5 million reductions, if you look at our change in fund balance right before that, we are still deficit spending the plan deficit spending in next fiscal year of $2.3 million. A lot of that we are spending down restricted and one-time funding. But this shows that um we are moving into a true structural deficit where even when we are looking for cost savings, we are not balancing our budget as part of a cost savings measure in this year. Um, in about October, we did go to the board uh as cabinet and the superintendent and ask the board to implement a hiring freeze in this year or um to hold

176off on hiring any positions that we deemed I don't want to say not necessary because that is not the case any um we we've only been moving forward with positions that we needed to maintain for compliance. science and legal reasons. Everything else has been frozen. These hiring freezes represent temporary reductions for this fiscal year only. Some of the frozen positions are refle reflected later in this presentation as options for permanent reductions beginning in next year and I will point those ones out as we discuss them. >> [clears throat] >> And I also wanted to point out that the work has been deliberate, transparent, and ongoing from the budget advisory committee. As Matthew alluded to earlier, um when we presented first interim to the board, we gave ourselves a positive certification knowing that we planned on

177making the $5 million in reductions in January and February. The timeline has been in our original resolution, which was 2526-01. Um, it wasn't until about a month after we adopted this resolution, that the county wrote us a letter that they wanted to see a different timeline. They wanted to see what reductions we were going to make by first interim. And from August until, we would have had to make that decision in November. there was no way for us to be able to build into our multi-year projections the what those positions were. So, we still selfcertified under ED code. Um, we do have a plan in place that we technically do have a positive budget, but the county office did override that decision and they have made that because we have not identified what position the

178positions are. So, as we go through tonight passing the resolution reaffirming that we need to make the cuts um in February, Jason will bring forward the assistant super human resources will bring forward the resolution and the PKS's on the specific positions that will line us up and um in our second interim which will come back to the board by March 15th. I believe our B March board meeting is around the 10th. Um, we then will build in the specific positions into our multi-year projections and that should put us back in a positive certification. All right. Um, were there any questions or anything that we needed to add on kind of where we've started the year with the budget for anyone? Okay. All right. Moving on to the budget advisory committee. are this is the makeup

179of our voting committee. We have three PFT members, three CSVA members, three site administrators, three community or parent members, and one classified administrator. The goals and objectives of the committee was charged with developing guiding principles and identifying at least $5 million in reductions. recommendations were aligned with district goals, the LCAP and student needs. Um, we talked a lot about that all recommendations are advisory and subject to board approval. These um the we met multiple times between October and January. Several of the meetings were joint sessions with LCAP advisory and the later meetings were limited to voting members only to be able to finalize the recommendations. Um as part of the next steps as our meetings will continue the voting members will develop and prioritize a list of positions to be restored if future budget or

180funding conditions allow. So, the original hope was when we brought forward this list tonight that we could also bring forward the list of the positions that they would like to bring back and in the order that they would like to bring them back and time did not allow and it it we didn't want to rush rush that conversation, but we will be able to bring that forward um at one of the February meetings um with the goal of knowing that likely a lot of these decisions won't be able to be made until May or even June once we see what next year's budget is. Um, we also do have some restricted fund, one-time funding that we have received in this year. We've talked a little bit a little about it. Our learning loss recovery block

181grant that needs to be built into our LCAP in order to spend it next year. We also have our student support block grant that um only a small amount is going to be spent in this year. So as at budget advisory we also talked a lot and you'll see in a further slide where we're we we constantly talk about you know you don't use one-time funds for things that eat and breathe because then you're in this situation. but also when you're giving given very restricted and one-time funding, we don't want to just buy a whole bunch of p paper or new furniture that is eventually going to become obsolete and we're going to throw away. So, I think it's about having a plan on using our most restricted dollars first and knowing that if we

182decide to pay for something that's been charged to our general fund, our unrestricted fund, say we can get two years out of a restricted funding, we write that into our plan and into our budget knowing that that could be $500,000 to a million dollars of cost savings of the general fund to help build up the reserves when that funding goes away. but clear guidelines on is this a temporary position? If it truly is a temporary position because we're using one-time funding, then that should be come up as part of the layoffs each year. And then if you have one more year of temporary funding, you bring it back or clear in the budget for two years, we are going to charge this to restricted funding. On year three in our multi-year projections, this is a

183necessary position. You now see it in our unrestricted and it's about building out that framework and that map so there's clear it's clear to everyone and then as things change and evolve we have the background and the timeline and where we came from in order to make sure um because it it did even last year and the year before the this is my third budget advisory it starts to get confusing on it was temporary funded it was co well we brought it back and we use this other it it it's hard to track. So I think that um being having a deliberate plan so we will be bringing plans forward that will use restricted dollars which right now I think there were a lot of questions in budget advisory because it's a lot of like

184we can't use restricted funding for this but there is a time and a place. Sorry I was using my hands and lost my clicker. So all right. So our voting protocols was we needed to make sure to set the quorums simple majority that we had at least seven of our 13 members must be present. Um I would like to point out that all of our members were present for the last voting meeting. So that that was good. um our voting threshold, we always strived for super majority, which was a twothirds vote um to ensure that we had broader consensus. And this year, all of our voting was done open voting by um a raise of hands. I think I look back to um my first year here with when Jason and I ran budget advisory

185and the first vote was done as a like a closed straw vote. I think that shows um quite a few of the members. This is our third year doing it together and the trust and partnerships that we've all built that we were able to have these conversations and um everybody in the room felt safe in order to speak up and that their voices could be heard um and everybody was collaborative through the conversations. Um I this is a slide of positions. I know um we often talk about keeping it as far from students as possible and we've made every effort over the years to do that and um we're getting to the point now where and sorry um coming from the facilities um food service transportation side I do generally make the argument that um

186all of our positions are about students. If we don't have payroll, we can't pay our staff who are in front of students. If we don't have food service, we can't feed our students. But, um, this does highlight positions that had originally been added with the one-time funding that like that were really centered around the the whole district and the district needs that have gone away um over the years. The other things on there are the reductions of the student, sorry, excuse me, the reading specialists that were made in this fiscal year and the district student in attendance specialist that was um we had that position became vacant in December and we knew that um it was a position that we could live without at the district office. That was a shared position between technology and

187business services. So that was eliminated in this year to help with some of the cost savings for this year. All right. Were there any questions on the budget advisory or the committee meetings? Okay, great. Thank you. Um this is just a broad calculation that we used um until we make the actual reductions. Our salary schedules are very broad in our ranges. So we don't know the actual costs. So these are just basic calculations that we use to make the estimates. Another reason why um the budget advisory committee felt like getting above it was very important to get above the $5 million is we don't know the actual cost savings until we implement the reductions. All right. as we get started. This information was shared as a part of a community update. I did have a

188mistake on that. There was this mistake on the slide that I had created, which is where the community information came from. So, I do want to point out that the reduction in maintenance and operations, it was actually at 500,000, not 400,000. And that does bring the total to just over $6.1 million. So what we will discuss each um group will represent a slide we have to discuss this evening remaining one-time funds restructuring alternative education reduce site funds restructure the seven period bell schedule reduce maintenance and operations eliminate the contribution to the parcel tax and other considerations. Every item on this list except for the other considerations did reach super majority. Um the other considerations did reach majority. All right. So I will get started with the remaining one-time funded positions. This did have super majority

189at for $2.1 million. This includes um nine FTE of student advisors, one FTE nurse. You will see the nurse later on in our slides when we discussed the parcel tax. Originally, the goal was to charge it there. That when the nurse was brought back last year, our parcel tax did not bring in the revenue that we anticipated. So, it's shown on this slide still as a one-time remaining and the amount will not be counted later on. We really wanted to make sure that we didn't double count everything. That's why you'll see some changes to the amounts over when this came to the study session. Um, this includes a reduction of our two assistant principles at our K8 schools, one school psychologist. Um we did meet in earlier today in cabinet and one of the hard

190things is originally for the school psychologists specifically um it was added with one-time funds during the pandemic and now we run into the needing to um we have mandates and timelines and minutes that we need to meet. So we are working um with special services to make sure that this is a cut the psychologist specifically that truly can be made um at that reduction. So we may when we bring it back to the board that one may look a little different. Um our there is a remaining COVID funded LMFT. Originally, when we brought this forward to the board, we had 38 secondary sections, but we've now um you'll see tonight that we have eliminated secondary sections here in the one-time remain infunded positions as part of restructuring the Bell schedule. And again, as part of

191the parcel tax that we were worried that we were cutting too too many sections and then they would not be able to actually um schedule the students um appropriately. So um this was reduced to 28 sections specifically in the one-time funded positions. Um this includes a district office receptionist and the vaposa position. So I'll stop here for qu for conversation. >> I just want to say I know the BAC didn't come up with the full list of things that we wanted to bring back but we did talk about student advisors and reading specialists as to things we wanted to bring back. I would also like to see if we can get um the Pedaluma Health District to help us keep our nurse. I don't know if that's possible, but I think they they've got plenty

192of money they can help. >> So, when we had our sacred cows, mine was the LMFT, so I'm surprised to see it out there. And I know I had I talked with uh you, Matthew, like if it got us over the 5 million, then we could keep it in the reductions, but since we're above the 5 million, um why is it still there? that's being reduced and I know we had talked about a potential other funding source for the LMFT but I thought that that would have like our sacred cows at the previous board for board meeting. >> So this is a I think we talked after about this is the one time these are the one-time funded positions. So, >> I think as part of the and I don't want to speak for the

193two board members that were on the committee, but we did talk a lot about um we us study session as a basis for our conversations moving forward. And their question was asked um like if anything ended up on the list because further down the line when we get to the parcel tax there were more than one options that didn't necessarily align um with that that um it it sounded like maybe the board would be open to discuss we were over the $5 million um the the positions that are still brought forward specifically the one-time funded I think the will of the committee was is as I said earlier it is getting really confusing on what is considered one-time funded positions anymore. So the thought was is that they felt um I will say that there

194was consensus on this specific slide. It was one of a few that we had full consensus that um anything that is called one-time funded needs to be removed from the budget and then our list of what is going to be brought back as part of the general fund. And so it's no longer one-time funded positions because I think um anybody whose position is on this list. I mean this is a list we it's coming up over and over that like at what point does it just become part of the budget. So I think unfortunately um that we didn't get to finish the conversation about the list of what is going to be brought back. That would have been ideal because I'm pretty sure that the LMFT would be on is on that list. Would be

195on that list. We haven't voted, but >> well, why were we asked if it's just, you know, out there anyway? >> That's my question. Superintendent Harris. >> So, so when we when we talked about this, John, remember you >> and I said if we needed to get above the five million, then keep it up there, but we're at six million. So that's what my that's my question. Just a question. Just wondering. >> I think when we when we >> sacred cow, >> we all [laughter] have our secrets. >> I don't have women. >> My sacred cow is the arts. >> No. >> Well, that's true. >> You wanted to keep everything, not just one. That's all. I'm just voicing my >> I think we want to keep everything as well. Let's >> keep I want

196to keep everything. >> Give the credit. >> But what I'm saying is we had a very specific conversation. That's what I'm talking about. This slide right here, >> right? And the majority of people said they wanted the LFT to stay. >> So I would just ask that funding source >> not to change it from LMFT to a lower uh you know. >> Yeah. And then I went back and watched the recording to make sure I said I want to keep the LMFTs. >> We can roll back. [laughter] >> So this is a this is this is the first view of it. So if that if that's what you want then we >> So what I would ask maybe I'm jumping ahead is I would ask because I am going to ask eventually how are we

197going to prioritize what we can bring back. So we just hope that we could prioritize this. Um and we have other things as well I would like for us to prioritize bringing back when we have the funding. I also know that we have the oh my god what is it called that the medical reimbursement money that we could potentially use that but I don't know if that's already earmarked for something else since that is generating dollars. >> That's a great question. >> Yeah. [clears throat] So I think um and we this will come up again um in a later slide about looking at and as I said earlier we know we have restricted funding that um I'm without looking at the learning loss recovery block grant um actual language I'm pretty sure the LMFT position

198would qualify for that. I do know the student support block grant it does qualify for that. So I think um that's what tonight we're looking for the direction to of like what um you know what should we be looking at our and and you spend your most restricted funding first, right? So that's also how you build up your unrestricted funds. But um absolutely it and we're not how it's going to be prioritized. We have not had that discussion yet as budget advisory just knowing um having to make really hard decisions. As Matthew said, this one I think was really hard for people knowing that this was one-time funded and at some point we have to put an end to rolling things forward without showing what funding is going to be. Um the student advi and

199I don't want to list because we've heard they're all important and I don't want to say anything right now because it was I don't want anybody to think any of those positions are less um important than the other. Um, but I think definitely we'll take note and when we bring a plan back, um, and I will take this to budget advisory, chances are they're all watching the city. If they're not here, they're watching at home, too. Um, that's been the great thing about this committee is their commitment to what the work we're doing. So, we can bring back with our restricted funding. >> Can we move the nurse into the medical restricted funding? Would that fit in there? >> I thought we looked at it last year and it did not qualify. I will double

200check. I'm not going to put anybody on the spot tonight. [laughter] Okay. Yep. >> Um Oh, sorry. Uh can I Okay. Um so I am not a taxpaying American yet. I am only 17. So, um, excuse me if my vocabulary and some of this is incorrect. Um, but I am 17 and I do know what it is like to be a high schooler. Um, especially a high schooler with a chronic illness. Uh, without the nurses, especially nurse Kristen, I would have not passed my junior year. Um, I missed five consecutive months of high school. But because of her, with my 504 she helped me put together, making teachers so accommodating to me with her introducing me to the home to hospital program, I was able to take tests from home when I wasn't feeling well

201and when I was at my weakest. And so because of her and because of all the nurses that work so hard in our district, I was able to be sitting here today and on track to graduate for high school. So, um, if we can, I know that the budget committee, it's very hard to make these decisions, but if you can try some way to incorporate this into the budget, um, there are so many other high schools with complex chronic pain issues just like me, and I would hate to see them struggle and potentially fail high school. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Jessica, and for, you know, highlighting. Um, I think everyone knows my opinion on the nurse position from last year. It's a top priority from for myself to retain um school safety, parents

202feeling comfortable for dropping their kids off at at school. Ensuring that that they have um you know, health professionals to take care of them is just top of mind. Um and it's I think one of our good calling cards. Um we talked about how there's districts are like, you know, I think more than double the amount of students per nurse. Um which is just awful. many of the awful things that happen uh in California uh funding um uh situations, but I wanted to kind of u Matthew, I don't know if you touched quite on a couple different things. You started on special education, how much money the this the district is paying now, $7 million a year, and do you want to can you describe a little bit on the growth on that? Um and

203like um you know I think when this federal government initially passed you know uh the federal legislation on special education they promised 40% of the funding and they now now they provide less than 10%. So it really has been kicked to the school districts and the state has picked up a little bit of the tab but it is what like 70% the school district now. My yeah my and my point was that school district we're $7 million contribution out of our general fund to help fund special education which we have se approximately 17% of our students qu um are students with disabilities so we have an IEP um my my point was that we're being asked to do so much as school districts to fund everything and and be the mental health supports and the

204the school the nurse. I mean, there's so many things that schools are being asked to do. My my point was we're not being appropriately funded to do all those things. >> Well, if the question Go ahead. >> Yeah, I think it's that, but it's also not only like inflation on >> Sure. not just like everyday costs just like at home like the school district has seen increasing costs to supplies, food go on but it's also uh one of the biggest growths in our spending has been on special education in recent years. Um I think the average in the state is about 12 to 13% of students. You said we're 17%. So that is something that we're we again need to I think take a hard look at to to kind of like figure out how

205do we yeah prevent I think or stop the growth on on uh on that that cost item because that's going to continue to put pressure on on their overall budget. Um I also want you know when we were looking at this like in November the state LAO's office had a much more dire picture or uh on the state budget the governor's budget is much more neutral. >> That is good news. Um, we still have to wait for the May revise. And so this is why you're I think you are being extra cautious with recommending 6.12 in in cuts or 6 point Yeah. 6.12 in cuts that then we can back or like take back um once we have the updated numbers, right? >> Yes. And um I want to there's also and Amanda's going to

206get to a slide that shows our spending right now and getting ourselves out of deficit structural deficit spending. Um which was also part of the impetus from budget advisory to say we want to we work as quickly as we can to get out of deficit spending to get into um start to accumulate the reserves that we need. Right now we have a, you know, state minimum is 3% reserves. We were hovering right at 3% this last summer. We're now at about 4%. Really, we should be between 8 and 10% reserves. So >> yeah, that will come back or not come back. It is >> expected or no. >> If it's not 10:30 by the time we get to discussion, we will be discussing it tonight. It's not part of this presentation. It's my ne it's

207next. Okay. >> I also um I read the good news and then I thought about it and I thought, do I trust um our governor to really be an education governor and and fulfilled those promises and not keep deferring the Prop 98 guarantee with so yeah so I don't you know it's it would be wonderful absolutely fabulous if we got the money he is saying he's going to give this, but I don't know if I trust him. >> I don't really want to get into ne into next fiscal year, your actual budget, but I do want to remind everyone that we we are still seeing defer deferrals in this fiscal year, >> state deferrals, >> the state deferrals, the go the in his January budget, um they will be paid back still in next fiscal

208year. So though the picture is looking a little I I feel like this is every January. Every January you're like we're on the uptick and then we get to May revision and it's like doom and gloom. Like this has been the last four years. So I think that's why working with budget advisory we have a plan. The goal is to have a plan that you will as a board approve of things that we can be bring back once we see what the actual budget is and not to keep bringing up um the federal government, but there's that there's that like what is funding going to look like next year. Um I do want to point out we've not seen any changes to our allocation since before the government shutdown. They've not updated current year. So,

209we don't even know what we're receiving this year for the federal government, which is really unfortunate because we've spent half of what we think we're going to get because we're in January. So, there's that piece of it, too. So, I think having the list, making the hard decisions now, um, having the list of what we would like to bring back, is there additional restricted money funding? Is there are there new grants available um that we can can we leverage our community partners to um offset the cost of things? I think is really the way to go right now and focusing on making sure um everything else we talk about later on. Everything we talk about the educational pieces I know we'll be bringing board policies and talking about courses and field trips. um if the

210state comes in because we have a qualified or negative budget, none of none of that matters when people um leave their positions. It doesn't matter if they're close to students or not. It doesn't matter if the director of HR or a student special services says, "No, we have to have that for our minutes." A hiring freeze becomes a hiring freeze when Fickmat is involved. And like this isn't like a scare tactic, but we're we're seeing it in other districts in our county. We're seeing it in Rinken Valley. We're seeing it in Santa Rosa. Like we everything that we're discussing is to not to not get there. When you look at Soma County versus other counties and the proportion of districts that are qualified are negative, it's it's odd. Soma is not a very big county

211and we have um there's only 20 districts at first uh before first interim there were only 20 districts in California that were qualified. So Soma Valley, Santa Rosa, >> Santa Rosa is negative. Well, they're negative now. Yeah, negative now. Rinken Valley and potentially our district, if there's 20, there are four right there. And it's a very big state. We have over a thousand school districts in California. So, I think like that we we have to look at that. Also, as far as special ed goes, the mandate, the federal government's mandate is to pay 40%. They have never paid their mandate, but yet we have to support our special needs kids. We don't have a choice, nor would I want to not support them. So, it's kind of it's always been that way. I'm not saying

212it's right, but you know, if the federal government paid their bills, >> go for another war first. Um the last thing is so you uh you said that the secondary sections was initially recommended at 38. >> So why 28? Why not 29? Why not 30? Why not 27? Why 28 versus some like again somewhere between 28 and 38? Mhm. Um that so the original 38 was a calculation um that we used to come up with and then the way we got to 28 is once we started looking at the compounding um when you see the reduction of the seven period bell schedule we were doing um quick calculations on we have class loads that we need to maintain and just so it is A for it is a it is a rough estimate um that

213we came up with just to make sure that we weren't um reducing too many sections knowing um that once we actually and we do not have ne our enrollment yet for next year. Um we have our enrollment projections at this point. So knowing that as we do our calculations, the goal is is to continue to look for cost savings um as we do them. >> So my concern is that if we are too cautious on this front, then we don't have again like the wiggle room like that we're trying to create everywhere else. You know, we have we're we're asking a lot out of our elementary schools. um uh they're are losing a lot of positions and a lot of and they already have lost a lot of positions and um so I want to

214make sure that we have maximum flexibility uh at our secondary sites again if there is enrollment shifts or again a new calculation comes in and goes okay actually we it'd be nice to cut 30 positions but we haven't again pink slip someone in February um so I just wanted to put that for consideration um but I think again more flexibility on that. If your initial projection was 38 and we all went all the way down to 28, then um again, totally we'll backfill it, you know, once we have the updated numbers, but I think we should have the secondary sites also, you know, >> totally on the chopping block. >> So, I agree. >> Yeah, I do. >> Um I I would say that they are you'll see at later slides. Um, we're also reducing

215the seven period, restructuring the seven period bell schedule there on the parcel tax. There have been teachers historically charged to the secondary there too. The thing is is when we look at each thing individually, yes, we could do 38 from here. We could have 500,000 cost savings here. We can reduce these three teachers. But when you do it all, they they kind of they act not kind of, they intersect like you're starting to count things twice. And the last thing we wanted to do was to bring forward five or $6 million. And then once we start doing our enrollment, saying, "Wait a minute. Actually, this is only a four $4 million cost savings because now we cannot it's too late to make the eliminations that we need to make. Um, one of the plans that

216we are moving forward with because the secondary is so hard anyways with all the credentiing and stuff like that for the initial eliminations. We have a plan to take um I'm just going to make something up. Um, this is not the plan, but if it was two FTE English teachers, I our plan on our initial is to bring forward three FTE because we're also running up against timing issues. We needed to take the time as budget advisory to have these conversations over months. We have to hit these March, February, March deadlines so HR can do their piece of it. At the same time, we need direction from the board. This this direction from budget advisory from the board in order for us to we have not even started giving the sites allocations for sections which

217I believe we opened enrollment, >> right? Like generally we give section allocations in December. So that's where the conservative approach for this specifically is coming from. The last thing we want to do is bring these forward and then have to say actually we had to increase all of these and then we're looking like I think speaking I probably for everybody in this room the the first horrible thing we had to do was make current year cuts in July. And unfortunately at that time because of the way we had hired our federally funded positions, we could not lay off or eliminate. Um we had to do anything that we could give. We had vacancies in Well, that's that's what that's really how the reading specialist happened is since they were elementary, we had vacancies. They were

218able to be moved in. Um we don't want that to happen again. the hiring freeze that we have in current year. Um the the amount of time that we spend every week trying to determine if a position can be frozen or we have to move forward. The energy that it is taking um the executive cabinet team and talking to other people involved it's it is starting to like run our days. um we can't keep living in this and the uncertainty if we do not cut enough sections at the secondary um is that will be next year and that's our fear. So that's how we came up with the conservative approach to the sections knowing we give an allocation it is a formula as soon as we know our enrollment and that's there is no there

219are no more extras so that that's where those came from. Um, Amanda, one thing I never and I kept forgetting to ask is how what are the how are 28 secondary sections one-time funded positions? >> Great questions. So, um, the one-time funded and I know we've talked a lot about COVID and like so we're trying to get away from the COVID funded language. So, there were additional sections added during the pandemic with onetime SSR funding. We've had numerous um specifically we've had some CTE grants that have ran out over the years and they just rolled into the general fund. We continued to pay for them out of unrestricted when the grants went away. We also have carried forward intervention and other which had historically been charged to federal funds and over the years you can

220see a decrease to our federal funds. Should I be talking? I we've lost two of our board members. Okay, [laughter] >> she's right there. >> Sorry, she's standing there >> like um we've lost federal funding and we didn't eliminate the positions. So that is how they all of these positions have rolled into the general fund. Another piece of it is over the years um we've seen changes to what has been allocated to our parcel tax. The amount we receive in our parcel tax has not increase though our salaries increase annually. So that is kind of where all of these one-time funded positions have come from. >> Thank you. >> Yep. So, I hear what you're saying about um being cautious, but then also I think what Ryan is alluding to, I don't know. um is

221when I look at like the the Sarkcs which are supposedly coming up later tonight some of the like I'm looking at CASA for 2425 and it's looking at average class sizes of like 19 and like almost 50 sections with um less than 22 students and so if we have um like I just don't want us to continue having these like all these sections that are not full. >> Um so I think that's where I'm um >> so um the SARC is information from last year. We did cut already sections in current year over last year. But we we are seeing that um one of the things that we keep talking a lot about where and not only at the secondary at the elementary too that we really need to do differently and we talked about

222it at the study session is that we need to staff to our enrollment. I think that that's tricky at the secondary. I I think I said in budget advisory, well, we could just make every student take math one each year and we could fill those classes, right? It unfortunately it doesn't it doesn't work like that. But knowing that we've eliminated it as many of these um additional sections as possible. And the what is coming forward as part of the seven period bell schedule. You'll see maybe tonight um is that it is freshman and sophomore take all seven and juniors and seniors are offered six and seven. So until we know what we're taking, there's that piece of it too. So, it's that's really the unfortunate piece of it when you're looking at staffing that um

223it it all fluctuates. And like I said, the last thing we wanted to do was bring forward here's $7 million and oh actually it's only four because the way the high school we do st we will need to do the bell schedule is we do live in a world where I might come back and say actually um we were able to save FTE or we were not able to configure the classes this way. we need to add a couple of sections and once that work starts on enrollment we will be able to better have a better estimate of that. But I think at this point this goal in the presentation tonight is to get us over to start the process of the eliminations and knowing that we can list more than and also make sure

224we make it to the $5 million mark. Did I I feel like I only answered half of that though went down. >> No, as long as we're sure that they're not going to be that we're that we don't have too many sections like I know two years ago there was a master schedule issue and >> it's one of just be sure. >> Yeah, it's something that I we're all hyper aware of definitely at the secondary. We've talked a lot about the elementary in pri in previous years we would see a waiting list. I I'll just say there an elementary teacher here so I can use you. What? McNair. No. Okay. McNair. We're going to use McNair. So, say we have two fifth grade classes at McNair and they did all of their enrollment and Bri

225comes to me. She's like, Amanda, we have two fifth grade classes, but we have 22 fifth graders on our waiting list. In in previous years, that might have been enough for us to open a class. Well, unfortunately, they were on the waiting list at four other schools, too. And it turns out they didn't actually 11 of them came, but we've had a teacher. So, like we've also seen that at the elementary, you see it at a couple of our schools. So, that's something else like it's it's a district. It's not just at our secondary during the sections, but we're well aware of um as we look at staffing for this year that we really could tighten up districtwide our staffing for cost savings though. Um it is 10:10. Okay. Our board policy is uh that

226we end our meetings at 10:30. >> Okay. And so, so we're gonna So, I was just wondering I definitely want to get through this. I mean, we have to get through this. >> And so, I was just wondering how much longer and then we need to decide we can extend it to a specific time or we can finish this by 10:30. I so and but and then um and then we'll add a meeting. We would have to add a meeting. >> Yeah. So I think I think we either have to add a meeting either after add a special meeting. >> Yeah. >> Or if there's a majority of the board who votes to extend this meeting until a specific time. We can go past 10:30. You can say till 11 till 11:30, whatever. Or we

227add another meeting. It's up it's up to a majority of the board. Well, yes. I I >> just So, yeah, we've been at this since four o'clock, by the way. >> And I I just Do we agree though that we need to get through the budget? >> Yes, I do think that's >> So, if we finish that, then it would just go to ED services. You're off the hook for tonight maybe. And then discussion um and then um future business. We could do it next week. So, >> and it would just be a short meeting like five o'clock. >> What I hear is on the remaining one-time funds, you would like for us to make sure that we the 28 can't be higher. Um, when budget advisory meets again, it >> No, no, no. I

228just I mean I think it's again like if we need to cut 34 >> or like potentially up to 34, we should list 34 like just and again like prepare for you know I I don't know what it is but like let's be >> on the staffing side of it, >> right? >> We we were we are planning on doing that. Great to do it on the staffing side. We just don't want to do it on >> I get okay and then >> that makes sense. >> Okay. For Yes. Um, >> this would be nice. Yeah. Um, are you looking for any like Matthews had last meeting sacred cows to be removed from the onetime funding list right now or do we have that conversation later with the adback? >> Ah, >> sounds like that

229was already denied. So, it's going to move on. I guess >> I think we need to have that conversation >> maybe at the second meeting. >> Yeah. I I mean I I think for for clarity if I mean I would love to get through all of this. We're all tired but I think if there's conversation I don't want to rush through everything and then come back to things. I think it starts getting confusing. So if there was more conversation on these specific I would prefer if if there was anything else now. So I >> So where I'm sorry we went off the rails for a minute. Um so >> so I discuss keeping the MF I think the >> the MF funding until >> I think we're eventually going to get to talking about um

230like finding another funding for that for tonight for this and maybe potentially for other ones if they fit within specific. >> Yeah. >> So, we can live with the list knowing that specifically looking for other funding for the LMFT potentially the nurse and then there are other conversations that budget advisory is already having. I just not going to list them all right now. >> Yeah. And I want to be clear also. So we are cutting over a million dollars more than like let's say like the neutral, you know, funding scenario from the state, you know, that we were expecting. Uh, you know, because our goal was to cut $5 million. So, we're cutting more than that and an abundance of caution because we still don't know what's happening in the state and we still have

231like um you know a lot to to find out and whether there's going to be an AI bust that's going to then freak out the state uh in a couple months and other things. But so but I do want to say if there is again we're in a neutral which what the governor just proposed funding scenario of again where we would likely then need to cut about 5 million like I do my my thought I would want to add back as many of these positions in particular at the elementary school sites as possible. So that's just I wanted to make sure that's clear to folks who are listening in and to the parents and teachers and staff that this is going to be an ongoing conversation. This is not like >> we're not done. We

232these are not like official at the 6.1, but we do need an abundance of caution in order to uh meet our statutory requirements to recommend or have these on the chopping block. Mhm. >> Well, also I mean at 3% reserves, what does that cover one month? >> No, not even a month. >> It's about half of our payroll. Not even half of our payroll for one month. >> So for one month. So if everything were to freeze and we needed to use our cash on hand, we would not meet payroll. So pro at it the whenever the next meeting is, we'll be talking about the reserve policy. Um, I do want to point out the reason why the original resolution said at least $5 million is because that was a snapshot in time on that

233day. Our current year budget has greatly changed and if you compare the multi-year projections from budget adoption to first interim like there are changes to that too. So that it the 5 million was a starting target and I think that's the other reason why we want to be super careful about not being right at it. Um there's a lot of potential expenditures in this year that are not currently built into the budget that could still happen. Emergencies, um negotiations, we have frozen salaries that we may not be able to. So anything that is increased in this budget automatically increases it into next year. meaning that $5 million is also still a target that way because we have to maintain the minimum amount. The other piece of it too, I think this what budget advisory felt

234too is like we've been so focused on this year um and the $5 million for next year that only puts our reserves. We're still only in the 4% at that and we need to maintain higher reserves than that. it's undetermined at of at least 8 to 10%. Districts our size go up to 17%. Not recommending that, but the only way to get there is to spend less than you're bringing in. And every million dollars of savings in year one is three million in three years out. So, I think that was the other piece of it, too. As as hard as it is to make all of these cut these cuts, um if we stick to just $5 million if everything remains the same, we're right back here next year discussing additional millions of dollars of

235cuts. As hard as that is to hear that, and I'm not saying that we cut it all today and be done with it, but this ongoing stress is very stressful. All right. Are we okay to move on to the No. Is that okay? All right. Um the next slide is restructuring alternative education. Um this slide does look a lot different from when it came to the board study session. I want to point out that this category reflects potential restructuring rather than the elimination of any of our programs. The savings shown are based on staffing adjustments across multiple roles. Um the exist there is an existing task force that is currently meeting to review alternative education programming details. They are the committee will make the recommendations to the board. So what we did here was because

236um what we heard was putting up the calculation of $800 to a million dollars felt not only impossible but it was really hard to wrap around. So what we did was we looked at if um some of the programs reduced um and potentially we could have a cost savings um we already had built into multi-year projections. I had spoken about this at the study session um to staffing our independent study closer to contract. So we knew that we could potentially go down to teachers um possibly. So that's why the multi-year on number one it's 500,000 but a reduction 310 knowing um with re that we could reduce four teachers. Um our we have alternative education sites that have two people in the office for schools that are at under 60. So knowing that we could

237go down on our classified staffing um the same with student advisors and POS custodian um in reducing a career center specialist and a bilingual program clerk that does maintain um at least one full-time office manager. And then the other piece of it is it looks like there's the potential to have a reduced number of students next year um and eliminating a certificated administrator um when we look at the total number of students between all four programs versus um the administrators at our other sites. So that is where the numbers came from. And so that task force is meeting on Thursday. So this would this is with a restructuring in mind, not just the way that it is structured right now. >> Correct. >> But it's with a restructuring in mind. >> Yes. >> Um in

238order for these reductions to happen. >> Yes. Okay. Right. Okay. Just to be clear about that, we're just not cutting four positions. >> No. No. >> The way that it is now. Okay. >> Correct. And we're at 663,000 instead of the 800,000 to a million. >> Yep. Um and that this is reducing site allocations by 25% rather than um right now we have kind of different pockets. We had talked about eliminating athletics or potentially field trips and things like that. The recommendation of the committee and there were site administrators on there was taking the total amount reducing it by 25% and letting them decide what pockets they want the remaining site discretionary funds to be in. Um restructuring the seven period bell schedule. This is one that we originally thought that if we weren't reducing

239in other places, it would be a $500,000 cost savings. We did reduce it for now to $300,000, but this is directly related to contract language and the enrollment. So, um depending on because the recommendation from the committee is for 11th and 12th graders to have the option to take six or seven classes. So once we know what that is, if they all opted to only take five, the cost savings would be 500,000. If every single Never mind, I was going to say if every single student took all seven, there would be no cost savings, but that's not going to happen. So um >> correct. Six. Six or seven. >> Oh, sorry. Sorry, sorry. Six or seven. Six or it's Yeah. Sorry. That's why I also have slides up so when I start talking wrong >>

240guys. >> We're gonna let them all Sorry. Yeah. Okay. So, potentially once we know what the juniors and seniors are going to take, there could be a higher cost savings for this. Reduce maintenance and operations. Give me one second. my computer closed and I don't have my notes and obviously I need my notes. I cannot be trusted. Okay, I'm going. Okay, these potential reductions focus on operational areas rather than classroom instruction. Um we are currently reviewing different alternatives with the maintenance and operation staff. We do know that um we have a couple areas that we could cut um custodians that it we have more time than the need at some sites. We do still currently have districtwide three floating custodians. Um the other thing that we're looking at is we currently have two district plumbers

241and um maintenance thinks that we could probably just have one for the work that gets done with irrig with onampus. Any really big jobs we don't have the equipment we have to bring crews in. So by being able to reduce a plumber we could see um savings of more custodians. So um that is just been I met with maintenance and operations today. So looking at that okay the parcel tax contribution um this this the other thing the committee voted on was to eliminate the district's contribution to the parcel taxes. These are approximate numbers because there is more than one option and They don't all equal question. Sorry, I thought we did that. Oh, the next this is it for the budget. The next slide would be going on to the title slide for the parcel

242tax conversation. So this is where this part was going to end. >> And Amanda, I think it's really important to point out that you met with every single department and talked about cuts for every single department. So >> this was not all you. [laughter] >> It was me. Yeah. >> So can I just ask you want to do we want to schedule another meeting to finish this? So, cuz if we if we try to put this all on the next and the next board meeting, I I fear that it's going to be way too much again. So, we could look at January 20th, next a week from today. Does that work for all the board members? No, doesn't work. How about uh the 27th, the following Tuesday, the 27th. Does that work for everybody? >>

243Well, I mean, we could do it at any time. It would only be about an hour. [laughter] I love your episodes. >> Oh, no. An hour and a half. >> I probably have a between parcel tax and the the next discussion the resolute for budget. I probably am pretty close to an hour between my two things. Sorry. This is school accountability reports. Yeah. >> Um >> Oh, yeah. >> And uh we have a full meeting. >> Yeah. Um, so, uh, the 27th, can you guys all check? >> I don't have my calendar with me. >> 5:30, like later 6:00. >> We don't have >> Let's go for 5:30. >> 5:30. >> On the 27th. >> Can I have a motion? >> I move to have another meeting on the 27th of January starting at 5:30.

244>> I second. >> Okay. >> All in favor? I >> any opposed? All right. >> You report out from close session. >> And I have to report out. >> Sorry. You seem Do we Do you need a vote on this particular motion this evening? >> Yes. >> Well, wait a minute. Oh, no. >> Oh, no. No. We haven't completed it. >> So, by the end of the month is okay. You're not We're not going to be in trouble. Okay. >> We've done it this year. >> Yes. Please vote. All right. [laughter] I'm reporting out on closed session. Pursuant to education code section 49070, the board unanimously voted to sustain the district's decision with an amendment. Thank you all so much for sticking through this. See you on the 27th.