[00:00:01]
>> OUTSTANDING. [NOISE] AT 5:15, LIKE TO CALL THIS REGULAR BOARD MEETING TO ORDER.
[I. OPEN SESSION]
PLEASE NOTE THAT BOARD PRESIDENT MICAH GRANT IS PARTICIPATING REMOTELY AS NOTED AT THE TOP OF THE BOARD AGENDA.HELENE, COULD YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
>> NUSD BOARD MEETINGS ARE LIVE-STREAMED AND RECORDED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD.
THE LIVESTREAM IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT NATOMASUNIFIED.ORG, AND THESE RECORDINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING THE DAY AFTER THE BOARD MEETING.
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE SHOULD EXPECT THAT THE RECORDINGS WILL CAPTURE ALL ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER MEETINGS.
THE BOARD WILL BE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION THIS EVENING FOR THREE ITEMS TO
[V. CLOSED SESSION]
CONFERENCE OF LABOR NEGOTIATOR REGARDING THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING NTA, CONFERENCE OF LABOR NEGOTIATOR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING CSEA, AND TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW TWO STUDENT EXPULSION MATTERS.IS THERE ANYONE HERE THIS EVENING THAT IS HERE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OF THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS.
WITH THAT, THE BOARD WILL BE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION AND WE WILL RECONVENE AND OPEN AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM.
GOOD EVENING. WE ARE RECONVENING OPEN SESSION PROMPTLY AT 5:30 PM.
[VI. RECONVENE IN OPENSESSION]
PLEASE NOTE THAT BOARD PRESIDENT MICAH GRANT IS PARTICIPATING REMOTELY AS NOTED AT THE TOP OF THE BOARD AGENDA.HELENE, CAN YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?
>> GREAT. WITH THAT, IF STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SWAILIM WILL PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
[IX. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION]
>> TONIGHT IN CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT RELATED TO STUDENT EXPULSION NUMBER 2425I, THE BOARD ALSO VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT RELATED TO STUDENT EXPULSION NUMBER 2425J.
BEFORE MOVING ON, JUST A REMINDER FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE THAT ACCORDANCE WITH BYLAW 9323: MEETING CONDUCT, INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED PUBLIC COMMENT CARD PRIOR TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM AND NO LATER THAN THE FIRST ACTION ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE ALLOWED TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AND THE BOARD SHALL LIMIT THE TOTAL TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON EACH ITEM TO 20 MINUTES.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE FILL OUT A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD AND HAND IT TO THE STAFF MEMBER AT THE TABLE OUTSIDE OF THE BOARDROOM.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MEETING, WE ASK MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM APPROACHING THE DAIS TO PROVIDE BOARD MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER THEIR BELONGINGS, SIGN DOCUMENTS, AND SECURE ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
BOARD MEMBERS MAY MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY STEPPING DOWN FROM THE DAIS AND ENTERING THE AREA FOR AUDIENCE SEATING.
WITH THAT, I'M LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
[X. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA]
>> MOVED BY MORA, SECONDED BY MEHTA. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
GREAT. MOVING ON TO COMMUNICATIONS.
[XI.a. California School Employees Association (CSEA)]
CSEA, PRESIDENT ESMERALDA FERNANDEZ.>> COMMUNITY. MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. IS THERE AN ECHO?
>> MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
AS WE STEP INTO MARCH, WE RECOGNIZE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, A TIME TO CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY AND WITHIN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
THIS MONTH SERVES AS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF RESILIENCE, INNOVATION, AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SHAPED OUR WORLD IN COUNTLESS WAYS THROUGH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, THE ARTS, ACTIVISM, AND BEYOND.
IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES, WE ARE FORTUNATE TO WITNESS THE DEDICATION OF WOMEN WHO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND LEAD.
WHETHER IN THE CLASSROOMS, OFFICES, OR BEHIND THE SCENES, THEIR IMPACT IS INVALUABLE.
FROM TRAILBLAZERS OF THE PAST TO LEADERS OF TODAY,
[00:05:03]
WE HONOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE PATH THEY HAVE PAID FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S MONTH, LET US TAKE TIME TO REFLECT, UPLIFT, AND SUPPORT THE INCREDIBLE WOMEN IN OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES.
LET'S ALSO CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS A FUTURE WHERE EQUITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND EMPOWERMENT REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT.
IN THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN CSEA AND DISTRICT LEADERS IN NEGOTIATIONS.
WE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO SECURE MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
THROUGH CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AND TEAMWORK, WE HAVE ACHIEVED KEY SUCCESS THAT ENHANCE WORKING CONDITIONS, PROVIDE BETTER SUPPORT, AND RECOGNIZE THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR CLASSIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
THESE ADVANCEMENTS REINFORCE OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO CREATING A FAIR AND SUPPORTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
I ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK DAN, FOR WORKING DILIGENTLY ON MAKING SURE THAT OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NTA, PRESIDENT MARA HARVEY.
[XI.b. Natomas Teachers Association (NTA)]
>> [BACKGROUND] THAT'S ONLY ON THE INTERNET.
GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO. I FEEL LIKE OUT OF BOUND.
ONE IS UP THERE. I WANT TO BEGIN BY HONORING THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF THIS REGION.
SACRAMENTO IS SITUATED ON THE TRADITIONAL HOMELANDS OF THE NISENAN PEOPLE.
WE OFFER GRATITUDE FOR THE LAND ITSELF FOR THOSE WHO HAVE STEWARDED IT FOR GENERATIONS AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY, LEARN, WORK, AND BUILD COMMUNITY HERE.
WE ALSO HONOR THE WILTON RANCHERIA, THE ONLY FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY, AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN THE SPACE TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN THIS LAND SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.
I ALSO WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ALL HAVE REACHED OUT, AND I ENJOYED OUR CONVERSATIONS ON THIS TOPIC OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
IT IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND CTA HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR EDUCATORS ONLINE, VARIOUS THINGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT YOU CAN USE FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY.
THEN, IN ADDITION, WE ARE SO GLAD TO BE CELEBRATING NATIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WEEK.
THESE ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY PIVOTAL PEOPLE TO SUPPORT AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR OUR STUDENTS, SO WE'RE PROUD TO INCLUDE THEM IN OUR BARGAINING UNIT.
TONIGHT, I WANT TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING THAT I HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A CRITICAL ISSUE WITHIN NATOMAS UNIFIED, OUR LACK OF EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS. IN NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS, WE HAVE DISCUSSED HOW THIS DEFICIENCY, ESPECIALLY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THESE SYSTEMS NEGATIVELY IMPACTS BOTH OUR STUDENTS AND OUR EDUCATORS.
RECENTLY, IN A STAFF MEETING TO THE ENTIRE STAFF, A SECONDARY ADMINISTRATOR TOLD MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD NOT ENFORCE THE STUDENT HANDBOOKS PUBLISHED EXPECTATIONS AROUND GETTING TO CLASS ON TIME BECAUSE, IN THEIR WORDS, CONSEQUENCES DON'T WORK.
HERE'S THE REALITY. IF AN EXPECTATION IS NOT ENFORCED, IT CEASES TO BE AN EXPECTATION AT ALL.
RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO USE AN EXAMPLE USING THE NUMBERS FROM NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL.
I COULD DO THIS FOR INDERKUM AS WELL.
JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT PICKING ON NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, I GO THERE FIRST.
AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 36,652 RECORDED TARDIES THIS YEAR.
THAT'S AVERAGE IS ABOUT 280 TARDIES PER DAY.
THAT'S JUST THE RECORDED DATA.
INDERKUM IS AT 48,370, AND THE PERIOD-BY-PERIOD AVERAGE IS ABOUT THE SAME.
THE SCHOOL HAS A PUBLISHED TARDY POLICY.
BOTH SCHOOLS HAVE THE SAME ONE, OUTLINES INTERVENTIONS THAT TEACHERS MUST IMPLEMENT BEFORE REFERRING STUDENTS TO ADMINISTRATION.
THE TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERVENTIONS UP TO THE FIFTH TARDY, AND THEN, "UPON THE FIFTH TARDY TO WHAT CLASS STUDENTS MAY BE REFERRED TO ADMINISTRATION FOR CONSEQUENCES SUCH AS AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION, TUTORING, SATURDAY SCHOOL, OR OTHER INTERVENTIONS." ACCORDING TO MEMBERS AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, THIS IS NOT FOLLOWED, AND WHEN IT IS, NOTHING IS RETURNED TO THE TEACHER CONFIRMING ATTENDANCE AT AFTER SCHOOL OR SATURDAY SCHOOL FOR THE TEACHER.
THERE'S NO WAY TO VERIFY THAT SOMETHING HAS BEEN SERVED.
THERE'S NO MECHANISM THAT'S ENGAGED IF STUDENTS DON'T SERVE IT.
THIS CREATES A BREAKDOWN BETWEEN TEACHERS AND ADMIN, AS MANY TEACHERS FEEL THAT THE BURDEN OF ALL MANAGEMENT FALLS ON THEM.
WHICH MAKES SENSE AS OUR ADMIN CONTINUALLY TO MESSAGE THAT IF WE WERE JUST MORE ENGAGING, THE KIDS WOULD SHOW UP AND THEY WOULD BEHAVE.
THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANY ISSUES.
DESPITE THE POLICIES STATED IN THE HANDBOOK, TEACHERS ARE LEFT TO MANAGE TARDINESS WITHOUT MEANINGFUL COHESIVE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
OF THE 36,000 PLUS TARDIES, APPROXIMATELY 13,000 OCCURRED DURING FIRST PERIOD.
[00:10:01]
I ALWAYS TAKE THOSE ONES OUT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT FOR US, IT'S VERY HARD TO CONTROL HOW AND WHEN STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL, I DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS PART OF THE SYSTEMS FAILURE.HOWEVER, THAT STILL LEAVES 23,000 INSTANCES OF STUDENTS BEING LATE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY.
THAT'S 23,000 DISRUPTIONS TO INSTRUCTION DUE TO TARDINESS.
NOT TO MENTION BATHROOM BREAKS AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING CLASS TIME.
NOT ALL THE TEACHERS EVEN RECORD THESE TARDIES, AS MANY FEEL DISCOURAGED FROM ENFORCING ACCOUNTABILITY THAT LACKS ADMINISTRATIVE BACKING.
FREQUENT TARDINESS DISRUPTS INDIVIDUALS AND COLLECTIVE LEARNING.
WHEN STUDENTS ARE LATE, TEACHERS MUST STOP INSTRUCTION, REPEAT CONTENT, LOSE VALUABLE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME, AND THIS NOT ONLY SLOWS THE PACE OF THE LESSON, BUT IT CREATES A CHAOTIC AND DISRESPECTFUL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.
CONSIDER THE SCENARIO THAT OUR DOORS MUST REMAIN LOCKED FOR SAFETY.
WHEN LATE STUDENTS ARRIVE, A TEACHER HAS TO STOP INSTRUCTION OR THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL ROUTINE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE STUDENT WHO'S COMING IN.
OR YOU CAN ASK A STUDENT TO ACT AS A DOOR MONITOR, BUT I'M SURE THAT NONE OF US WANT OUR KID TO BE THE KID WHO SITS BY THE DOOR AND HAS TO OPEN IT 10 TIMES DURING A DAY WHILE THEIR TEACHER IS TEACHING.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND US THAT THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THIS.
ADMINISTRATORS MUST COLLABORATE WITH EDUCATORS TO CREATE CAMPUS-WIDE SYSTEMS THAT WORK FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
TOP-DOWN DIRECTIVES FAIL WHEN THEY LACK TEACHER BUY-IN.
SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSED TARDINESS HAVE DONE SO THROUGH TEACHER-LED INITIATIVES WITH ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
WHEN STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN SHAPING AND ENFORCING CONSISTENT POLICIES, SYSTEMS FUNCTION MORE EFFECTIVELY AND REDUCE CONFLICT.
THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF PBIS, WHICH TOUTS THE IDEA THAT A SYSTEM HAS TO HAVE AT LEAST 80% STAFF BUY-IN TO BE FUNCTIONAL.
I ACTUALLY THINK THAT NUMBER IS TOO LOW.
I THINK YOU NEED TO GET TO 100% STAFF BUY-IN AND I'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.
I ADVOCATE STRONGLY FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND SAFE AND CIVIL BECAUSE THEY BOTH WORK ON DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS WHERE EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE BUY-IN IN THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU'RE RUNNING.
UNFORTUNATELY, ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT HAVE ADVOCATED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN ENSURING OUR SCHOOLS REMAIN SAFE AND CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING.
FEARING THAT THEY MIGHT BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF DISCIPLINE REFORM, IT FEELS THAT THEY HAVE RETREATED FROM ENFORCING ACCOUNTABILITY ALTOGETHER, UNLESS A STUDENT'S MISBEHAVIOR ESCALATES TO AN ED CODE VIOLATION REQUIRING SUSPENSION.
RESEARCH SUPPORTS THE IDEA THAT CONSEQUENCES ALONE DO NOT SOLVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.
HOWEVER, THE CURRENT APPROACH OF DOING NOTHING IS NOT A SOLUTION.
THIS FAILURE TO ACT INCREASES TEACHER BURNOUT, WORSENS STUDENT'S OUTCOMES AND FURTHER EXACERBATES OUR DISTRICT'S TEACHER RETENTION CRISIS.
TO TRULY SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, OUR SCHOOLS MUST BE FULLY STAFFED WITH BEHAVIORS, COUNSELORS, THERAPISTS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.
WHILE WE WORK TOWARDS THIS GOAL, DISCIPLINE REFORM MUST BE IMPLEMENTED THOUGHTFULLY, NOT THROUGH IN ACTION.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT MUST GO HAND IN HAND.
IF WE REACH A FUTURE WHERE EVERY STUDENT'S NEEDS ARE MET THROUGH INTENSIVE INTERVENTION, WE CAN CONTINUE REFORMING DISCIPLINE IN A MEASURED WAY.
BUT UNTIL THEN, ADMINISTRATORS MUST FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION TO UPHOLD POLICIES THAT CREATE STABLE, FUNCTIONING, LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.
THEN BEFORE I END TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO WISH OUR COMMUNITY A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL RAMADAN FILLED WITH JOY, REFLECTION, AND TOGETHERNESS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TO STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SAMARAH SWAILIM.
[XI.c. Student Board Member]
>> GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT GRANT, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, AND GUESTS.
SO DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL IS FINISHING UP QUARTER 3 THIS FRIDAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOG TEAM WHO ARE OFF TO A GREAT START WITH FOUR WINS AND ZERO LOSSES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CULINARY HOSPITALITY CLASSES AS WELL WHO HOSTED THIRSTY THURSDAY THIS WEEK, WHERE THE CLASSES COOKED AND SERVED BOXED LUNCHES FOR SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THE INDERKUM HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS ARE GROWLING INTO THE THIRD QUARTER WITH SENIORS HAVING BEEN ASSESSING FOR THE STATE SYLLABI LITERACY.
THE MUSIC PROGRAM ALSO COMPETED IN THE MUSIC AND WINTER GARDEN COMPETITION OVER THE WEEKEND.
IN ATHLETICS, THE TIGERS ARE SUPER PROUD OF ALL WINTER SEASON TEAMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MADE ROUND TWO OF D1 PLAYOFFS, INCLUDING BOYS BASKETBALL AND FEMALE WRESTLER CARINA DELGADO, WHO MADE IT TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE TOURNAMENTS.
OVER AT LEROY GREENE ACADEMY, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BLACK LIGHT BASH WAS A BLAST.
LAST WEEK, LION BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL WON THEIR GAMES, INCLUDING ONE SHUTOUT.
SOME LIONS HAVE STARTED THEIR SBAC ASSESSMENTS AND POSITIVE ACADEMIC WEEK PA BEGAN THIS WEEK TO PREPARE FOR THE END OF THE QUARTER.
NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY RECRUITING STUDENTS TO ATTEND SACRAMENTO STATE'S ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESSIE COLLEGE DAY, WHERE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TOUR THE SCHOOL AND ATTEND WORKSHOPS.
[00:15:01]
THE COUNSELING TEAM IS ALSO WORKING HARD TO RECRUIT COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO COME SPEAK AT THE NIGHTHAWK'S FIRST CAREER FAIR LATER THIS MONTH.IN ATHLETICS, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO SHYRA RANDLE FOR BEING THE FIRST FEMALE WRESTLER TO WIN THE SECTION CIF CHAMPIONSHIP AND NHS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR COMPETING FOR THE SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP AT GOLDEN ONE LAST FRIDAY.
FINALLY, NATOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL'S SEVENTH AND EIGHTH-GRADE BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS WON THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES.
THE FIRST EVER NMS GOT TALENT SHOWS LATER THIS MONTH AND OPEN TO STUDENTS AND STAFF.
THE EVENT WILL BRING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE AND SHOWCASE THE TALENTS OF THE NATOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.
[XI.d. Board Members]
>> THANK YOU. AND AS ALWAYS, I WANT TO APPRECIATE ALL OF THE REPORTS THAT CAME BEFORE MY REPORT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD INFORMATION AND GOOD NEWS IN THEM.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER RECOGNITION WEEK.
I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE BASKETBALL PLAYOFF GAMES.
OUR BASKETBALL TEAMS HAVE BEEN DOING REALLY WELL, IF ANYONE, HASN'T HEARD, ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THAT YET.
I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE NIGHTHAWKS BASKETBALL GAMES AT GOLDEN ONE CENTER.
I HAVE TO SAY BEFORE BEING A TRUSTEE, I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WOULD JUMP OUT OF THEIR SEATS FOR SPORTS GAMES, AND THAT WAS JUST BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO WATCH IT WITH MY DAD, NOT SO MUCH THAT THERE WERE TEAMS THAT I JUST FELT REALLY INVESTED IN.
I TELL YOU THAT MY HEART RATE WAS JUST OUT OF THE ROOF.
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK.
THEY WERE WITHIN TWO POINTS OF EACH OTHER.
THE STUDENTS PLAYED REALLY, REALLY WELL AND THEY CONTINUED TO PLAY, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.
BUT HOPE EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO CATCH EITHER NATOMAS OR INDERKUM HIGHS BASKETBALL GAMES COMING UP.
I HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND A FUNDRAISER AT TWO RIVERS ELEMENTARY, AND I'LL JUST KEEP IT SHORT.
IT WAS NICE TO BE IN COMMUNITY, IT WAS NICE TO SEE PEOPLE WIN PRIZES, AND IT WAS NICE TO JUST MEET MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF THE SCHOOL.
LASTLY, I WANT TO ALSO SHARE THAT I HEARD THAT WE HAVE AN ACCELERATED COLLEGE ENTRANCE PILOT PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS ACE.
>> I READ ALL THE MATERIALS THAT WE GET AS TRUSTEES, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE OF OUR LEADS WAS GOING TO BE IN ATTENDANCE, BUT THANK YOU TO DR. KING AND MR. RODRIGUEZ FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS WHO GO THROUGH A PROGRAM LIKE THIS WILL GET INTO COLLEGE AND GRADUATE COLLEGE A LOT FASTER EVEN.
THAT'S ONE THING THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT DURING THIS BOARD REPORT.
I RARELY MENTION UPCOMING EVENTS BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS FOR THAT INFORMATION TO GET OUT THERE, BUT TWO, UPCOMING EVENTS THAT I HOPE EVERYONE HAS ON THEIR CALENDAR TO MENTION TO STUDENTS, TO MENTION TO PARENTS, IS SATURDAY, WE HAVE THE SECOND ANNUAL LGBT STUDENT CONFERENCE AT NATOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL, A COLLABORATION ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
I THINK IT'S MONDAY WE HAVE THE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATION FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES IN COLLABORATION WITH SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THAT'S IT FOR MY BOARD REPORT.
>> LET THE RECORD REFLECT HE IS NOT SICK.
THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MORA. PRESIDENT GRANT.
>> LIKEWISE, NO REPORT OTHER THAN I WILL SAY, I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION ON NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND TO SAY HOW BLESSED I FEEL TO WORK IN A DISTRICT SURROUNDED BY SO MANY TALENTED, STRONG WOMEN WHO MAKE THIS DISTRICT BETTER EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THANK YOU ALL. WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE ON TO TRUSTEE MEHTA.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO BE QUICK AND SHORT.
THANK YOU TO PRINCIPAL KRYSTLE AND PRINCIPAL DANISHA.
I HAD A GREAT VISIT AT NATOMAS PARK ELEMENTARY AND JEFFERSON LAST WEEK.
THANK YOU, CHRISTINA FOR TAKING ME ALONG.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ A BOOK TO THE STUDENTS, A LITERACY NIGHT AT WITTER RANCH.
THANK YOU, SHARON AND MR. JONES FOR INVITING ME FOR THE SAME, PLUS A COUPLE OF RECOGNITIONS, WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, NATIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER MONTH, AND HAPPY HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MEHTA. WITH THAT I'LL MOVE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR HER REPORT.
[XI.e. Superintendent's Report]
[00:20:05]
>> THANK YOU. ALSO MUCH APPRECIATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.
I CAME FROM A DISTRICT WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS, SO WHEN I CAME HERE, THAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND IT'S SO NEEDED AT OUR SCHOOL SITE.
SO HAPPY TO HAVE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT THEY DO.
THEY WERE DOING A LOT OF FOCUS ON STANDARDS-BASED INSTRUCTION, SO IT WAS GREAT TO VISIT THE CLASSROOMS, SEE A LOT OF GREAT WORK THERE.
AMERICAN LAKES HAS SOME NEW BRANDING IN THEIR AMPHITHEATER WITH THEIR STAGE.
IT SAYS EAGLES ACROSS THE BACK AND THEY'RE SUPER PROUD OF THAT.
IT LOOKS VERY SHARP IF YOU GO ON CAMPUS THERE.
I WENT TO VISIT THE CONSTRUCTION PATHWAY, AND IT WAS A REALLY COOL OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE HAD A FOURTH GRADE CLASS FROM NATOMAS PARK ELEMENTARY THAT WERE VISITING, AND MR. BAILEY WAS TALKING TO THEM ABOUT CONSTRUCTION AND HOW MATH WAS INVOLVED IN SAFETY.
THEN THE INDERKUM STUDENTS CAME OVER AND THEY HELPED THE NATOMAS PARK STUDENTS MAKE SOME TOOLBOXES IN THE SHOP.
THE KIDS LOVED IT, BOTH THE BIG KIDS AND THE LITTLE KIDS.
IT WAS A GREAT, COLLABORATION AND MR. BAILEY WAS JUST WONDERFUL WITH EVERYBODY.
THEN ALSO, TODAY, I WENT TO HEREDIA-ARRIAGA, AND IT WAS JUST GREAT TO SEE HOW THAT SCHOOL IS DEVELOPING AND THE USE OF THE SPANISH LANGUAGE, THE STRATEGIES THE TEACHERS WERE USING.
IT WAS A GREAT MORNING. PLAYOFFS. INDERKUM WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE SEMIFINALS, NATOMAS HIGH WENT TO GOLDEN 1, AS YOU'VE HEARD, AND BOTH TEAMS LAST NIGHT WON THE FIRST ROUND OF THE STATE PLAYOFFS IN BASKETBALL.
THAT WAS EXCITING. GOT TO SEE THE NIGHTHAWKS.
IT'S HARD WHEN YOU CAN'T BE IN TWO PLACES IN ONE, SO DIVIDE MY TIME A LITTLE BIT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AT HALF TIME OF THE NIGHTHAWK BASKETBALL GAME, THEY RECOGNIZED SHYRA RANDLE.
I THINK PEOPLE, YOU UNDERESTIMATE HOW MANY WRESTLERS THERE ARE ACROSS THE STATE, AND THEY ARE NOT IN DIFFERENT DIVISIONS.
ALL THE SCHOOLS COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER NO MATTER WHAT DIVISION YOU'RE IN.
I MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO STATE 10 DIFFERENT TIMES, I THINK.
TO COME OUT A PLACE IS AMAZING.
LASTLY, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
ONE THING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND A PASSION THAT I HAVE IS LITERACY.
WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR DATA IN NATOMAS UNIFIED, WE KNOW THAT THAT'S AN AREA WHERE WE NEED TO IMPROVE.
WE ARE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING AN EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEARING MORE OF THAT AS WE COME OUT THIS SPRING, BECAUSE WE NEED TO TAKE SOME ACTION TO REALLY LOOK AT OUR TK-2 INSTRUCTION BASED ON THE SCIENCE OF READING, LOOK AT OUR PHONEMIC AWARENESS, PHONICS, VOCABULARY, FLUENCY, COMPREHENSION, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM WITH TRAINING, COACHING, THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND IN FACT, IN ONE OF OUR BUDGET ITEMS THIS EVENING, YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING ATTACHED TO THIS LITERACY INITIATIVE.
BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A BIG KICKOFF AND ROLL OUT THIS SPRING, AND SO YOU WILL BE HEARING MORE INFORMATION.
MY MASTER'S DEGREE IS IN READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS, SO THIS IS A PASSION OF MINE, AND I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH OUR TEACHING STAFF AND OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF AND OUR ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS LITERACY IN THE NATOMAS UNIFIED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REMINDERS AT TOMORROW NIGHT IS BIG NIGHT FOR THE NIGHTHAWKS.
IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT NIGHT TO BE A NIGHTHAWK. THANK YOU.
I WAS RIGHT THERE. ABSOLUTELY, I LOVE BOTH MY KIDS THE SAME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS.
[XII. CONSENT ITEMS]
>> MOVED BY SWAILIM, SECONDED BY MEHTA. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
WITH THAT, WE GET TO MOVE ON TO CELEBRATIONS.
[XIII.a. National Women's History Month]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEIDRA POWELL, DIRECTOR IN CAFE WILL LEAD US THROUGH THIS CELEBRATION FOR NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, TRUSTEES, DR. CASTILLO, STAFF AND COMMUNITY.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE MARCH AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
FROM OUR TRUSTEES TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT, TO THE WOMEN ON CABINET, TO OUR DEPARTMENT, AND SITE LEADERS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF.
WOMEN ARE REPRESENTED AT EVERY LEVEL WITHIN THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
TONIGHT, I WANT TO CELEBRATE AND HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR YOUNG WOMEN AT OUR HIGH SCHOOLS MAKING STRIDES AND BREAKING BARRIERS.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH OUR OWN STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, SAMARA SWAILIM.
IN ADDITION TO HER ROLE AS A STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, SAMARA IS AN IB STUDENT AT INDERKUM AND MEMBER OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM, WHERE SHE PLANS AND EXECUTES THE RALLIES AND ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS.
[00:25:03]
WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY'AUNI BROWN.SHE IS IN THE AP CAPSTONE PROGRAM AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE SERVES AS THE SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT AND MEMBER OF OUR STUDENT VOICES ADVISORY COUNCIL.
YNALY RIVERA HAS DUAL ENROLLMENT AT LEROY GREENE ACADEMY AND AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE.
SHE IS LGA SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT AND A TWO-YEAR MEMBER OF OUR STUDENT VOICES ADVISORY COUNCIL.
WE ASKED ALL THREE WHAT WOMAN INSPIRES THEM, AND THEY ALL HAD DIFFERENT QUOTES.
BUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THESE QUOTES IS THEY'RE GOING TO BE PROFILES THAT WE'RE GOING TO SHARE IN OUR NEWSLETTERS, IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS THAT WE USE TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.
WITH THAT, WE ALSO WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU, SOME OF THE YOUNG LADIES THRIVING AND GAINING SKILLS AND SOME OF OUR, I WOULD SAY CTE PATHWAYS THAT HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MALES.
WELL, THESE LADIES ARE GOING TO SHARE WHY THEY ENJOY SO MUCH THE PATHWAYS THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN. TAKE A LOOK.
THE VOLUME. WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE THERE WHILE HE JUST TRY IT AGAIN. GO BACK.
>> AGAIN, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE VIDEO WILL BE IN THE BOARD HIGHLIGHTS THAT WILL BE SENT OUT AND WE WILL ALSO BE SHARING THAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA SO YOU CAN HEAR IT AND JUST REALLY HEAR THEIR EXPERIENCES AND HOW WE'RE HELPING TO BREAK BARRIERS IN THOSE FIELDS WITH THESE YOUNG LADIES.
THEN LASTLY, WE HAVE MENTIONED THIS A COUPLE TIMES TONIGHT, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THE HISTORICAL WIN FOR SHYRA RANDLE OF NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL AS THE CIF MASTERS WRESTLING.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY THAT A WOMAN TOOK THAT FIRST PLACE POSITION.
AS OUR SUPERINTENDENT EXPLAINED, SHE WENT ON TO COMPETE AGAINST WRESTLERS ACROSS THE STATE AND THERE SHE PLAYED SEVENTH.
CONGRATULATIONS TO HER AND HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO ALL. THANK YOU.
>> NOW WE WILL MOVE TO OUR RECOGNITION OF REBECCA MARSANGO,
[XIII.b. Recognition of Rebecca Marsango, Natomas High School Teacher, as a 2024 Geography Teacher Fellow by the American Geographical Society]
NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, IS THE 2024 GEOGRAPHY TEACHER FELLOW BY AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, DAVID RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND PRINCIPAL BAKER. GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH.>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, SENIOR LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE TO STATE.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE MS. REBECCA MARSANGO, AS THE 2024 GEOGRAPHY TEACHER FELLOW BY THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.
THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY IS A LEADING ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR GEOGRAPHY AND GEOSPATIAL SCIENCE NATIONWIDE.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE MS. MARSANGO TO JOIN US AT THE PODIUM WHILE I SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT HER.
[APPLAUSE] AS PART OF THIS RECOGNITION,
[00:30:06]
SHE WAS WELCOMED AT THE AGS FALSE SYMPOSIUM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY WITH PEOPLE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING GEOGRAPHICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.MS. MARSANGO'S PARTICIPATION IN THE AGS FALSE SYMPOSIUM AND TEACHER FELLOW WORKSHOPS PROVIDED AN INVALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH LEADERS FROM ACADEMIA, GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY, AND THE SOCIAL SECTOR.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER HONOR, SHE SHARED, I'M TRULY HONORED TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF 10 EDUCATORS NATIONWIDE TO BE CHOSEN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, WHICH IS AN [INAUDIBLE] [APPLAUSE] I LEARNED WAYS TO HELP BRING EMPATHY AND AWARENESS TO THE ISSUES THAT ALL HUMANITY FACE WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
I RECOGNIZE THIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE AND THIS OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED SOME INSIGHT INTO HOW I MAY BETTER BE PREPARED TO BRING THESE ISSUES TO HER STUDENTS, HER SCHOOL, AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, REBECCA MARSANGO.
>> THANK YOU. REALLY, JUST THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, SO WEIRD TO LIKE YOUR BACK TONE.
I DON'T LOVE THIS, BUT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.
THIS PARTICULAR COURSE, HUMAN UNDERSTANDING OF GEOGRAPHY, I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE COURSE FOR EVERY SINGLE HUMAN.
IT'S ALWAYS RELATABLE, AND IT GIVES AT LEAST THE KIDS IN FRONT OF ME AND THE COMMUNITY THAT I TEACH WITH AN ABILITY TO SEE THE CONNECTION TO THINGS THAT THEY CAN'T QUITE EXPLAIN YET.
THEY GET TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO START TO MAKE SENSE OF IT AND TAKE THAT INTO THEM BECOMING ADULTS AND BECOMING CITIZENS AND PARTICIPATING IN THEIR WORLD.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS HELPING ME GET THERE.
>> AT THIS TIME, TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, PLEASE JOIN US IN THE FRONT OF THE DIAS AS WE TAKE A QUICK PHOTO WITH MS. MARSANGO, PLEASE.
[XIV.a. Petition for Renewal of Leroy Greene Academy's Charter]
MOVING ON TO ITEM 14, PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND I BELIEVE I WILL NOW OPEN THE HEARING.PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN TO THE PETITION FOR RENEWAL OF THE LEROY GREENE ACADEMY'S CHARTER ANGEL HERRERA, CAO.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE. I'LL GIVE A LITTLE CONTEXT BEFORE I ASK MS. PERRY TO COME UP.
LEROY GREENE ACADEMY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2012 AS A CHARTER SCHOOL IN NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IN MID FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, LEROY GREENE SUBMITTED THEIR INITIAL DRAFT OF THEIR PETITION RENEWAL FOR CONSIDERATION WITH THE DISTRICT.
THEY ARE SEEKING TO RENEW THE CHARTER FOR A FIVE YEAR TERM FROM JULY 1, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2030.
THERE HAVE BEEN UPDATED REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE PROCESS FOR CHARTER RENEWAL, SO I WANTED TO WALK THROUGH THOSE VERY QUICKLY TO EXPLAIN.
WITHIN 60 DAYS OF RECEIVING A PETITION FOR RENEWAL, WE ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT A BOARD MEETING TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT OF THE RENEWAL PETITION AND TO OBTAIN ANY PUBLIC INPUT.
AT A SUBSEQUENT BOARD MEETING IN APRIL, WE WILL HOLD A SECOND PUBLIC HEARING WHERE COLLEEN PERRY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL LEROY GREENE, WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT IF DESIRED, SHE WILL BE SHARING A FEW SLIDES TONIGHT.
AFTER THAT SECOND PUBLIC HEARING, THE BOARD WILL BE ASKED TO TAKE ACTION ON LEROY GREENE ACADEMY'S CHARTER RENEWAL AT THE SAME BOARD MEETING.
AT THIS TIME, THE DISTRICT WILL WORK IN CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CHARTER THAT'S BEEN SUBMITTED,
[00:35:04]
AND WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE PETITION AT LEAST 15 DAYS PRIOR TO THAT APRIL BOARD MEETING.AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO INVITE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLLEEN PERRY, WHO WAS ALSO THE PRINCIPAL OF LEROY GREENE ACADEMY TO JOIN ME, AND SHE'S JUST GOING TO SHARE A BRIEF BIT ABOUT LEROY GREENE.
>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, PRESIDENT GRANT, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO.
AS ANGELA MENTIONED, WE WERE ESTABLISHED IN 2012.
WE CAN SERVE STUDENTS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE.
CURRENTLY, WE SERVE STUDENTS THROUGH SIXTH AND 12TH GRADE.
THIS IS A MEASURE OF OUR ACADEMIC PROGRESS AS MEASURED BY LAST YEAR'S CAST.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'VE INCREASED IN ELA, AND WE MAINTAINED IN MATH, AND OF COURSE, THAT IS DEFINITELY BOTH AREAS IN WHICH WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
OUR SUSPENSION RATES STARTED AS VERY HIGH IN 2022, AND YOU CAN SEE THEY'VE GONE DOWN MARKEDLY OVER THIS LAST YEAR.
WE DECLINED BY 8.6%, WHICH HAS GIVEN US A RATING OF YELLOW ON THE DASHBOARD.
HERE IS A LOOK AT OUR ENROLLMENT.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IT CONTINUES TO INCREASE, AND THESE ARE OUR DEMOGRAPHICS.
YOU CAN SEE THEY CLOSELY ALIGN WITH THOSE OF OUR DISTRICT.
OUR DUE ENROLLMENT ALSO IS CONTINUALLY INCREASING.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE UP TO 45 DIFFERENT OFFERINGS.
AVID WAS PREVIOUSLY ELECTIVE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEGUN AVID SCHOOL-WIDE.
OUR GRADUATION RATE CONTINUES TO BE 100% AND HAS BEEN SINCE 2017.
WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS THAT ARE NOT ONLY FOR OUR STUDENTS AT OUR SCHOOL BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND ARE WELL ATTENDED BY THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THESE ARE JUST SOME PICTURES OF OUR STUDENTS AT SOME OF THESE EVENTS.
THIS IS OUR BUDGET AND THREE-YEAR CASH FLOW, AND YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE A POSITIVE CASH FLOW THERE, TOO.
>> THESE ARE JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHARTER.
I THINK WE'RE ALL VERY WELL ACQUAINTED WITH HOW CONNECTED THEY ARE WITH THE DISTRICT, AND THE STUDENTS THAT THEY SERVE, AS MS. PERRY TALKED ABOUT, REALLY REFLECT THE STUDENT POPULATION WITHIN THE NATOMAS COMMUNITY.
THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT UNLESS THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FROM TRUSTEES.
>> TRUSTEES, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
I'M LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING.
WELL, WE NEED TO FIRST BEFORE WE CAN SECOND.
>> MOTION BY MORA, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE MEHTA. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> MOTION CARRIES 5-0. THIS HEARING IS CLOSED.
[XV.a. Present and Approve 2024-25 Second Interim Budget Report and Positive Certification]
WHICH WILL BE THE SECOND INTERIM BUDGET REPORT AND POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT BILL YOUNG. TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES AND DR. CASTILLO.
PRESENTED BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS JUST THAT: THE 2024/25 SECOND INTERIM BUDGET.
LEADING UP TO THIS POINT OF THIS PRESENTATION, SEVERAL INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO TRUSTEES IN PREPARATION FOR THIS PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE SECOND INTERIM AND THE STATUS OF OUR FINANCIALS.
TODAY'S OBJECTIVES IS TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERIM REPORTS AND REMIND TRUSTEES ABOUT THE INTERIM REPORTS.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS AND ASSUMPTIONS AS WE FORECAST OUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS, PRESENT REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND RESERVES, AND THEN ALSO TALKING ABOUT COMMITTED FUNDS AND THEN MULTI-YEAR PROJECTION ASSUMPTIONS.
BECAUSE AS YOU MAY RECALL, ONE SCHOOL DISTRICTS PRESENT THIS INFORMATION AS A THREE-YEAR BUDGET PROJECTION, THE CURRENT IN THE TWO OUT YEARS.
AS YOU CAN NOTE ON THAT THIRD BULLET, THE SECOND INTERIM REPORT IS DUE MARCH 17TH FOR THE PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 31ST; THE EXPENDITURE INFORMATION THAT YOU'LL SEE TONIGHT IS UP AND THROUGH JANUARY 31ST.
PLEASE TO REPORT, THIS IS A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
WE WORK VERY DILIGENTLY, AND THROUGH YOUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, WE FOCUS ON STAYING POSITIVE.
WE ARE SEEING MORE DISTRICTS FILE FOR QUALIFIED.
WE MAY SEE THAT MORE IN THE FUTURE THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS MORE DISTRICTS ARE LEANING TOWARDS QUALIFIED STATUS OR NEGATIVE STATUS.
LOCALLY, A NEIGHBOR DISTRICT SAC CITY IS A QUALIFIED STATUS AS A FIRST INTERIM.
LOOKING BACK TO OUR CONTINUOUS CYCLE OF BUDGET DEVELOPMENT, YOU CAN SEE HERE, NOTED IN BLUE IS WHERE WE ARE AT IN THAT CYCLE, AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE THIS PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE COMING DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS.
[00:40:01]
THAT MEANS WE CAN MEET OUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THEN THE TWO SUBSEQUENT YEARS.THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE WE WANT TO BE WITH FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND BUDGET MONITORING AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THIS INCLUDES A REQUIRED 3% RESERVE FOR ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES.
ENROLLMENT IS FORECASTED AT 11,029, AND THEN OUR AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE IS RIGHT NOW HOVERING JUST OVER 92.64.
THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT'S USED IN THIS FORECAST.
OUR UNDUPLICATED PERCENTAGE TARGET IS UP TO 69.59%.
PREVIOUSLY, I REPORTED THAT THIS WOULD BE INCREASING BASED ON TODAY'S DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION.
THIS INCREASES OUR SUPPLEMENTAL CONCENTRATION FUNDING IN THE LCFF FUNDING SOURCE.
L-CAP ADJUSTMENTS ARE FORTHCOMING, AND THOSE WILL BE PRESENTED IN JUNE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
COST OF LIVING THIS YEAR IS 1.07%.
THAT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, AND IT IS FACTORED IN THIS PRESENTATION.
THEN YOU CAN SEE THE OTHER ITEMS LISTED HERE AS OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AS WE LOOK AT THE SNAPSHOT IN TIME OF THIS MOMENT. BIG PICTURE.
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUND REVENUES.
WE'RE FORECASTING $154 MILLION IN REVENUE THIS YEAR.
WITH OUR RESTRICTED FUNDS IS JUST OVER $201.5 MILLION FOR BOTH UNRESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PIE CHARTS BELOW, ON THE LEFT SIDE, THE BULK OF OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUE IS LCFF FUNDING SOURCES.
THAT IS OUR STATE REVENUE CONTINGENT UPON AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE, ENROLLMENT NUMBERS, THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST.
WHAT DOES EXPENDITURES LOOK LIKE FOR US THROUGH JANUARY 31ST AND FORECASTING OUT THROUGH THE REST OF THIS YEAR? YOU CAN SEE $137 MILLION ON THE UNRESTRICTED SIDE IN EXPENDITURE FORECASTS AND THEN A TOTAL OF 212 MILLION.
ON THE LEFT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE 83% OF THE UNRESTRICTED REVENUES OR EXPENDITURES IS STAFFING COSTS, THAT INCLUDES SALARIES AND BENEFITS.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WHEN WE INCLUDE ONE-TIME CATEGORICAL FUNDS OR CATEGORICAL FUNDS, WE'RE HOVERING AROUND 76%, BUT THERE'S QUITE A FEW ONE-TIME FUNDED POSITIONS IN THERE.
WHEN THOSE POSITIONS EXPIRE BECAUSE THE GRANT FUNDING EXPIRES, THAT 76% WILL INCREASE LIKELY JUST OVER 80%.
FOR THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES THAT WE'RE FORECASTING FOR THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR, YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS LISTED UP THERE.
WE HAVE THE STATE-MANDATED RESERVE OF 3%, IT'S JUST OVER $6 MILLION.
THE BOARD HAS BEEN VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND PLANNING FOR SEVERAL POSSIBLE UNCERTAINTIES THAT WE CAN FACE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE NEWS, HEARING THE NEWS, READING THE NEWS, YOU WILL SEE A THEME ACROSS THE BOARD THAT THERE IS A HIGHER AWARENESS OF STATE AND FEDERAL FISCAL UNCERTAINTY.
WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
THE BOARD HAS TAKEN PREVIOUSLY IN THE PAST AND RECOMMENDED TONIGHT ON THE NEXT ACTION ITEM TO COMMIT STABILIZATION ARRANGEMENTS TO BOOSTER THE 3% RESERVE.
I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.
THIS IS A CHART THAT WE'VE SHARED BEFORE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO MONITOR AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
IT INDICATES HOW WE GROW OR DECLINE AND HOW THAT BUDGET GETS ADJUSTED OVER TIME.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE PROJECTING FLAT ENROLLMENT AND SLIGHT ADA GROWTH OF ABOUT HALF A PERCENT EACH YEAR FOR 25/26 INTO 26/27.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS AND BOARD COMMUNICATIONS HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH TRUSTEES IN PART OF THE COMMITTING FUNDS IN DECEMBER, THE TRUSTEES COMMITTED FUNDS, $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT MAJOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND UPKEEP, SUCH AS FLOORING, PAINT, ETC, INTO THE FUTURE AS WE MAINTAIN OUR FACILITIES AND INVESTMENTS.
ALSO, INTO FUND 40, TRANSFERS FOR FUTURE REPLACEMENT OF ATHLETIC FIELDS AND SYNTHETIC TURF INTO THE FUTURE.
WE STILL HAVE $5 MILLION FOR FUTURE PROPERTY ACQUISITION.
THAT COULD BE A SCHOOL SITE OR OTHER.
AS YOU MAY RECALL, UPPER WEST SIDE IS STILL VERY MUCH A DISCUSSION IN THE REGION.
WE WILL NEED THREE SCHOOL SITES IN UPPER WEST SIDE IF THAT COMES TO FRUITION.
THE BONDING CAPACITY IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH IN THAT REGION FOR, ACTUALLY, FOUR SCHOOLS THAT NEED TO BE BUILT PLUS THE PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING SCHOOLS.
[00:45:03]
THEN A CONTINUED SAVINGS TO REPLACE THE GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT OVER TIME.AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE STATE RESERVE FOR ECONOMIC CERTAIN UNCERTAINTY, WE MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF 3%, BUT AS YOU MAY RECALL, I'VE SHARED BEFORE, TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, 3% RESERVE IS ONLY ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF OF EMPLOYEE PAYROLL AND BENEFITS.
IT'S NOT A LARGE AMOUNT, BUT IT IS HELP DURING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY.
BOARD POLICY REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 9% RESERVE, SO BASED UPON THE COMMITMENT FOR STABILIZATION FUNDING, YOU MEET THE MINIMUM BOARD POLICY OF 9%.
ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE INCREASED STATE AND FEDERAL FISCAL UNCERTAINTY.
LOOKING INTO 25/26, YOU CAN SEE WE'RE FORECASTING A COLA OF 2.43%, AS WE PRESENTED LAST MONTH WITH THE JANUARY BUDGETS UPDATE.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE FISCAL UNCERTAINTIES THAT WE'RE FACING.
I WAS IN A MEETING EARLIER TODAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE ANALYSTS' OFFICE.
THEY ARE INDICATING LIKELY AROUND 2-2.26%, AND WE'LL KNOW MORE COME MAY ON WHAT THAT COLA WILL BE, BUT IT IS TRENDING TO BE LESS THAN WHAT WE'RE FORECASTING RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALSO FORECASTING 3.52% COLA FOR 26/27.
IF IT'S GOING TO BE LESS IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, IT'S POSSIBLE, IT COULD BE LESS FOR 26/27 AS WELL.
WE'LL ADJUST OUR FORECASTING MODEL AT VARIOUS INTERIM REPORTS AND PRESENT THAT TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.
WHAT DO WE LOOK LIKE FROM A THREE-YEAR MULTI-YEAR PROJECTION? SIMILAR TO FIRST INTERIM, WE SEE A LOT OF RED.
SOME OF THESE ARE STRATEGIC TRANSFERS, AS I MENTIONED, PLANNING FOR FUTURE PROPERTY ACQUISITION, ATHLETIC FIELD REPLACEMENT, GEOTHERMAL.
THE INCREASE IN DEFICIT SPENDING FOR THIS YEAR AT $13.5 MILLION, THAT INCLUDES THOSE TRANSFERS.
IN THE OUT YEARS, WE'RE SEEING A DEFICIT SPENDING OF ABOUT $1 MILLION IN 25/26, AND THEN COMING BACK TO A POSITIVE PROJECTION OF 626.
THAT IS ALL SUBJECT TO WHAT THE ECONOMY BRINGS LOCALLY TO NATOMAS UNIFIED, FROM A STATE LEVEL, FEDERAL LEVEL, AND THEN ALSO NATIONAL IMPACTS TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AS REALLY THE FIFTH, SIXTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE NATION OR IN THE WORLD.
TARIFFS, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL IMPACT CALIFORNIA, WHICH COULD IMPACT REVENUES IN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IMPACT THE FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK LATER.
THIS PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT I JUST SHARED.
THEN AS WE PLAN INTO THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT WE CONSIDER? COST OF LIVING, YOU CAN SEE THERE, AS I MENTIONED, THE CALSTRS EMPLOYER RATE REMAINS FLAT AT 19.1%.
CALPERS CONTINUES TO INCREASE.
CURRENTLY, WE'RE JUST OVER 27%.
YOU CAN SEE IT IN 28, 29, GO UP TO 28.5, AND THEN BACK DOWN TO 28.2.
BUT IN THE INCREASE, WHICH IS INCREASED COSTS FOR NATOMAS UNIFIED, SUPPORTING THE CALPERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
THEN THE MINIMUM WAGE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IS ALSO A CONSIDERATION AS WE LOOK TO NEGOTIATE AND ADDRESS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS ACCORDINGLY, IN ALIGNMENT WITH MINIMUM WAGE OR WHATEVER IS DETERMINED IN NEGOTIATIONS. QUESTIONS.
FOR THE COLA FOR THE COMING YEAR, 25/26. EXCUSE ME.
CAN YOU REPEAT THE RANGE THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED? IT WAS 22.0-2.6% AS THE TOTAL EXPECTED RANGE FOR THE COLA.
WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE MAY REVISE?
>> MAY REVISE WILL BE MORE TELLING ON WHAT THAT FINAL NUMBER WILL BE.
IT'S CALCULATED BASED ON EIGHT QUARTERS OF INFORMATION TO FORECAST OUT WHAT THE COLA WILL BE.
THE RANGE COULD BE AS LOW AS 2%.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE FORECASTING 2.43, BUT IT COULD BE AS LOW AS 2% TO 2.25%.
WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION COME THE END OF APRIL, EARLY MAY.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM, BILL.
THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR THE THOROUGHNESS OF IT.
I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE SEEING THE ONGOING POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
[00:50:04]
WE KNOW THESE ARE GOING TO BE INTERESTING TIMES WITH CALIFORNIA'S BUDGET, UNCERTAINTIES OF WHAT FUNDING MAY OR MAY NOT BE COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON DC.THE BOOM AND BUST CYCLE OF THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET AND THE STOCK MARKET HOPEFULLY WILL REBOUND LATER THIS YEAR, SO THAT WILL HELP OUT FOR FUTURE YEAR BUDGETS.
I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I'D BE INTERESTED IN HEARING IN FUTURE REPORTS ALSO IS A BRIEF ASSURANCE ON CASH FLOW.
BECAUSE DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH CERTAIN FUNDING STREAMS, WE'VE CERTAINLY SEEN THAT IN THE PAST IN TOUGH TIMES WHERE THE BUDGET MIGHT BE FINE, BUT THE CASH FLOW BECOMES A DIFFERENT STORY.
>> WHEN DELAYS START KICKING IN, ESPECIALLY IF WE START SEEING DELAYS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, DC.
WITH THAT, I AM LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SECOND INTERIM BUDGET AND POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
>> MOVED BY SWAILIM, SIGNED BY MEHTA.
COLD THE ROLL, PLEASE, HELENE.
[XV.b. Approve Resolution No. 25-11 to Commit General Fund Balance, 2024-25 Second Interim]
I DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS.I'M LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-11 TO COMMIT THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS JUST PRESENTED BY BILL AS PART OF THE 24/25 SECOND INTERIM BUDGET.
>> MOVE BY GRANT, SECONDED BY SWAILIM.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, I'LL SUBSTITUTE A BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL.
OKAY. THEN I GUESS I WON'T BE DOING THAT. HELENE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MOTION CARRIES 5-0, AND PUT A REAL KINK IN MY STYLE.
[LAUGHTER] MOVING ON TO ITEM 15C,
[XV.c. Present and Approve the A-G, AMIM, and LREBG Plan Update and Other Budget Actions]
PRESENT AND APPROVE THE A-G. MM AND REGB PLAN UPDATE AND OTHER BUDGET ACTIONS. ANGELA, WELCOME BACK.>> THANK YOU. WE FONDLY REFERRED TO IT AS THE ALPHABET SOUP PRESENTATION.
THERE'S LOTS OF LETTERS IN THERE.
DEFINITELY, AS WE TALK ABOUT BUDGET DEVELOPMENT AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, WE REALLY FOCUS ON OUR VISION AS A DISTRICT AND OUR CORE VALUES, AS WELL AS OUR FIVE DISTRICT GOALS.
TONIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO BE REVIEWING THESE BUDGETS AND TALKING ABOUT USE OF FUNDS MOVING FORWARD, AND WE'LL BE SEEKING SOME APPROVAL ON SOME SEPARATE 25/26 BUDGET ACTIONS.
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT TO REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES.
THESE ARE GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND THEY ARE ONE-TIME FUNDING SOURCES.
ONCE WE'VE EXPENDED ALL OF THE MONEY BY THE EXPIRATION DATE, WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE SPOTS OF MONEY ANYMORE TO USE.
WE DEFINITELY USE THESE FUNDS STRATEGICALLY.
YOU HEARD BILL TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
IN MOST CASES, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC USES THAT THESE ARE INTENDED FOR, AND SO WE REALLY TRY TO USE THESE FIRST FOR THOSE AND THEN FREE UP OTHER BUDGETS.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION.
I'M NOT GOING TO READ THESE, BUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE THESE FUNDING SOURCES AND A REMINDER OF WHAT THE ORIGINAL ALLOCATION WAS, HOW MUCH WE HAVE LEFT, AND WHAT THE EXPIRATION DATE IS FOR EXPENDING THOSE FUNDS.
>> WITH OUR A-G GRANTS, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO, AND YOU SEE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION THERE, AND BOTH OF THEM MUST BE EXPENDED BY JUNE 30TH, 2026.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST ONE, WHICH IS THE A-G ACCESS GRANT, YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE EXPENDITURES THAT WE'VE MADE, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT FOR 25/26, WHICH IS THAT FINAL COLUMN, HOW WE ARE ALLOCATING SOME OF THESE FUNDS FOR POSITIONS THAT ARE DOING TARGETED WORK.
IN THAT AREA, A COSA, THAT IS A COUNSELOR ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING TO REALLY BUILD THE COUNSELING TEAM ACROSS THE DISTRICT, AND PROVIDE SOME COLLABORATION AND COHESION WITH THEIR WORK, AND SOME COACHING FOR OUR SECONDARY ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AS SOME TUTORING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, AND REALLY TRYING TO ENGAGE WITH OUR PARENTS ON COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FOR STUDENTS, AND SO A GUIDE THAT GOES OUT THAT TALKS ABOUT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
YOU CAN SEE THAT AS WE'VE BUDGETED, WE PLAN TO HAVE THOSE FUNDS EXPENDED BY THE END OF NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
THE SECOND A-G GRANT IS THE LEARNING LOSS MITIGATION GRANT.. AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE OTHER HALF OF THE COSA POSITION IS FUNDED THERE.
IN ADDITION, WE USE SUMMER SCHOOL AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS STAYING ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION AS WELL AS A-G REQUIREMENTS.
YOU CAN SEE AGAIN THAT WE PLAN TO HAVE THOSE FUNDS EXPENDED BY THE END OF NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
THIS IS JUST A HIGHLIGHT OF THE AREAS THAT YOU SEE ON THE BUDGET SLIDES.
[00:55:02]
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT FOR EVERY GRANT SOURCE, JUST A SUMMARY.THEN WHAT WE CALL, IT'S THE ARTS, MUSIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BLOCK GRANT.
WE CALL AMIM OR AMIM, WHOEVER YOU'RE TALKING TO YOU MIGHT SAY IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE AREAS THAT IT ALLOWS US.
THERE'S SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH THIS FUNDING SOURCE.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAD AN ORIGINAL ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $6.3 MILLION.
I THINK WE'VE DONE A FAIRLY GOOD JOB OF SPENDING THAT MONEY.
WE HAVE ABOUT 1.5 MILLION LEFT TO SPEND BY JUNE 30TH, 2026.
THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE BUSY, BECAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE'VE UTILIZE THESE FUNDS FOR.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE '25/26, AGAIN, THAT END COLUMN, THAT WE REALLY ARE CONTINUING THE INCREASE TO HEALTH BENEFITS THAT WE AGREED TO WITH OUR UNIONS LAST YEAR.
THEN THE BOARD HAS REALLY GIVEN US DIRECTION ON UPDATING OUR LIBRARY MATERIALS FOR OUR STUDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN REALLY CONNECT TO THE MATERIALS THAT THEY ARE USING IN THE LIBRARY AND IN CLASS.
WE HAVE A MATH ADOPTION COMING UP, AND SO WE HAVE TO PLAN AHEAD FOR THAT.
WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THAT FULL PROCESS FOR K-12TH GRADE, THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
OUR THREE LVNS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND VERY THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS THAT HAVE VERY SPECIFIC NEEDS.
THEN HEREDIA-ARRIAGA, AS YOU WELL KNOW, THEY ARE DEVELOPING AS A SCHOOL.
THEY CONTINUE TO GROW EVERY YEAR.
TRUSTEES JUST APPROVED BRIDGE STAFFING AS THEY ARE ADDING ANOTHER GRADE NEXT YEAR, AND WITH THAT, THERE COMES A LOT OF FOCUSED WORK ON HELPING DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM AND TRAIN THOSE TEACHERS AT THAT SCHOOL.
YOU CAN SEE THE PURPOSE OF THESE FUNDS.
WE HAD AN INITIAL ALLOCATION THAT ACTUALLY WAS HIGHER THAN 12 MILLION.
IT WAS REDUCED TO 12.4 MILLION.
TO DATE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE VERY LITTLE LEFT TO SPEND.
HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION COMING.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT, SO THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN EXPECT US TO BE COMING BACK AND TALKING MORE WITH YOU ABOUT WHEN WE HAVE THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE TO EXPEND THESE FUNDS BY JUNE 30TH, 2028.
IF YOU LOOK ON THE SCREEN, AGAIN, THE FAR RIGHT COLUMN, YOU CAN SEE THE AREAS THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN PARTICULARLY WITH IXL AND IREADY.
THESE ARE THE PLATFORMS THAT WE USE TO NOT ONLY DO DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR, BUT THEY ALSO PROVIDE SOME REALLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING FOR STUDENTS ONCE THEY'VE IDENTIFIED WHERE THEY ARE AT AND WHAT THEY NEED MOVING FORWARD.
YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT LEARNING RECOVERY EFFORTS THAT WE'VE SUPPORTED FROM AS A DISTRICT.
THEN SOME THINGS THAT TRUSTEES DID WITH OUR SUB RATE INCREASES TO REALLY WORK TO ATTRACT SUBS IN THE DISTRICT.
THEN WE HAVE DONE SOME VERY FOCUSED WORK WITH OUR HOMELESS AND SUPPORTS A PROGRAM SPECIALIST THAT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS.
AGAIN, YOU'LL HEAR BACK FROM US AS WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY NEW ACTIONS ONCE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS WE MIGHT GET.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IN RELATION AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT OTHER BUDGET ACTION ITEMS, BUT JUST WANT TO SUMMARIZE, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR TRUSTEES TO APPROVE AS UPDATES TO THE PLANS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE ARE REQUESTING SOME ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
WE ARE ASKING FOR TRUSTEES TO APPROVE US PROVIDING TWO TEACHERS ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT THAT ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON WHAT DR. CASTILLO WAS MENTIONING EARLIER AROUND AN EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE AND REALLY INTERVENING FOR OUR STUDENTS AS THEY'RE ENTERING SCHOOL IN THOSE FIRST FEW YEARS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO USE THE ASSESSMENT DATA THAT WE'RE GETTING AND THEN REALLY HELPS US IN A TARGETED WAY INTERVENE FOR OUR YOUNG STUDENTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY IS NECESSARY IN THE DISTRICT, AND YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HEAR US TALK ABOUT THIS OVER THE SPRING.
IN ADDITION, VERY EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH WITTER RANCH ELEMENTARY TO HAVE AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AS WELL AS HEREDIA-ARRIAGA.
AT WITTER RANCH, IF YOU'LL RECALL, THEY'RE NOW ADDING SIXTH GRADE TO THEIR CAMPUS, AND THERE DEFINITELY IS GOING TO BE AN INCREASE IN SUPPORTS THAT ARE REQUIRED THERE.
THEY'RE AN AVID SCHOOL, AND THEY ALSO HAVE AN SES PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS AND ATTENTION, AND WE ARE REQUESTING AN AP TO BE PLACED THERE.
IN ADDITION, WITH HEREDIA-ARRIAGA, AS WE KNOW, IS GOING TO EXPAND TO BECOME A K-8TH SCHOOL, AND TRUSTEES, YOU MET WITH OUR PRINCIPALS AT A BOARD MEETING RECENTLY, AND YOU HEARD THE PRINCIPAL OF HEREDIA-ARRIAGA TALK ABOUT
[01:00:02]
THE REALLY FOCUSED EFFORTS ON DEVELOPING ALL OF THE STAFF, THE TEACHERS THAT ARE THERE AND THE INTENSIVE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING TO MAKE THAT A HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM FOR THEIR STUDENTS.WE ARE REQUESTING SOME SUPPORT FOR THAT CAMPUS SO THAT THEY CAN FOCUS BOTH ON MANAGING THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS AS WELL AS THE INTENSIVE WORK TO DEVELOP THEIR STAFF.
WITH THAT, WE'RE REQUESTING ACTION, BOTH WITH THE GRANT UPDATES, AS WELL AS THE OTHER BUDGET STAFFING ITEMS AS DISCUSSED AND I'LL DO THIS. THERE YOU GO.
>> YOU GOT TO GET TO THE QUESTION SLIDE.
[LAUGHTER] OTHERWISE, WE MIGHT NOT ASK ANY.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY FELLOW TRUSTEES?
>> JUST TO COMMENT. THANK YOU, ANGELA.
IT LOOKS VERY PROMISING, ESPECIALLY.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE TWO SUPPOSITIONS FOR THE LITERACY INTERVENTION.
IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE HEADING INTO A RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] OF JUST ONE MOMENT.
I WOULD LIKE FOR AS PART OF THIS MOTION FOR THE REPORTING ON THE TOSAS AND THEIR WORK AND WORK THEY'RE DOING ON THE EARLY INVENTION.
I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT. I GUESS THAT'S KIND OF A MOTION, BUT JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY TRUSTEE GRANT JUST TO CLARIFY TO APPROVE THE ALPHABET PLANNED UPDATE AND OTHER BUDGET ACTIONS AS PRESENTED, INCLUSIVE OF A FORTHCOMING REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TOSAS FUNDED THROUGH THIS ACTION?
>>MOVED BY GRANT, SECONDED BY MEHTA.
HELENE, WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> WE APPRECIATE THAT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE, CORRECT ME IF I'M MISTAKEN, BUT WITH THIS APPROVAL, EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL SITE WILL NOW HAVE AT LEAST ONE AP. AFTER THIS ACTION.
>> REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, MOVING IN THERE WERE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THAT AGENDA ITEM, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE WERE CLEAR ON THAT.
WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM D,
[XV.d. Approve Contract with Creekside Commercial Builders, Inc. for the Natomas High School Pool Renovation Project]
APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH CREEKSIDE COMMERCIAL BUILDERS INC FOR THE NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL LONG AWAITED POOL RENOVATION PROJECT.THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.
>> MOVE BY MORA. SECONDED BY MEHTA.
HELENE, CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
MOVING ON TO ITEM E. APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 25-12,
[XV.e. Approve Resolution No. 25-12 Recognizing March 2025 as National Women's History Month]
RECOGNIZING MARCH 2025 AS NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM, NO QUESTIONS.
>> MOVED BY GRANT, SECONDED BY MEHTA.
ONTO ITEM F. SELECT AND VOTE FOR FIVE CAMPUS SERVICE AS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CSBA,
[XV.f. Select and Vote for Five Candidate(s) to Serve as a Representative to the CSBA Delegate Assembly]
THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION, DELEGATE ASSEMBLY.DISCUSSION OR RECOMMENDATIONS. TRUSTEE MORA, I BELIEVE YOU CURRENTLY SERVE AS A DELEGATE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR ANY MOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD CARE TO MAKE?
>> I RECOMMEND THAT WE APPROVE THE ITEM.
I'VE HEARD THAT THEY'RE ALL MOSTLY GOOD CANDIDATES.
THAT'S A REFERRING TO MYSELF. BEING [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> [LAUGHTER] YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION?
>> MOVED BY MORA, SECONDED BY MEHTA. COLD THE ROLL, PLEASE, HELENE.
EXCELLENT. NOW MOVING ON TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[XVI. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
AT THIS TIME, I HAVE THREE PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.THE BOARD WILL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS ONLY AND ENSURE THAT MEETING IS CONDUCTED IN ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT MANNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAW 9323.
YOU'LL SEE THE RED, YELLOW, AND GREEN.
GREEN WHEN YOU START. YELLOW IS ONE MINUTE REMAINING, RED MEANS THAT YOUR TIME IS UP.
I WILL CALL ON OUR PUBLIC COMMENTERS IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE RECEIVED.
OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTER TONIGHT IS EMILY SMITH.
EMILY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ISABELLA PATTERSON AND THEN SACHIKO KANATSU.
[01:05:05]
EMILY. COME ON UP.>> PERFECT. MY NAME IS EMILY SMITH, AND I'M A SECOND GRADE TEACHER AT NATOMAS PARK ELEMENTARY.
I'M HERE TO URGE THE BOARD AND DISTRICT TO RECONSIDER ELIMINATING THE TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT POSITION FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
ELIMINATING TOSAS ON SITE WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY, POTENTIALLY UNDOING THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
TOSAS HAVE PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN INCREASING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND LIFTING MAJOR DISTRICT INITIATIVES LIKE IREADY AND THE WRITING ASSESSMENT BY PROVIDING TRAINING BOTH DURING AND AFTER SCHOOL, CO TEACHING LESSONS AND FACILITATING DATA DRIVEN DISCUSSIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WRITING PROFICIENCY INCREASED FROM 19% IN FALL OF '23 TO 42% IN SPRING OF '24, AND K THROUGH IREADY SCORES ROSE 20-31% DURING THE SAME PERIOD AS NOTED IN OUR LCAP.
OUR TOSA IN NATOMAS PARK IS MISS ASHLEY COLLINS.
SHE SKILLFULLY RUNS THE EXTENDED DAY READING PROGRAM, WHICH HAS SERVED ABOUT 70 OF HER MOST VULNERABLE SCHOLARS THIS YEAR.
DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, MS. COLLINS, INDIVIDUALLY ASSESSED EACH STUDENT SHE IDENTIFIED AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED THEM INTO INTERVENTION GROUPS.
WITH APPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF OUR ENROLLMENT BEING ELS AND ANOTHER THIRD BEING STUDENTS WITH IEPS.
OVER 90% OF ENROLLED SCHOLAR SHOWING GROWTH, THIS TARGETED SUPPORT HAS BOOSTED ACHIEVEMENT AND EXPEDITED EL RECLASSIFICATION.
WITHOUT OUR ONSITE TOSA, WHO WILL CONTINUE THIS VITAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM AND ENSURE OUR LITERACY RATES IMPROVE? MS. COLLINS HAS ALSO IMPROVED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY PROVIDING TARGETED INTERVENTIONS, ALIGNING INSTRUCTION, AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVE COLLABORATION IN PLCS.
FOR EXAMPLE, OUR TOSA'S PUSH FOR FOUNDATIONAL READING INTERVENTIONS DURING WHEN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ENSURING OUR FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS DON'T SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS.
AS WE PREPARED TO ADD SELF CONTAINED SIXTH GRADE, OUR NEED FOR SPECIALIZED SUPPORT WILL INCREASE.
ELIMINATING THE TOSA POSITION DURING THIS CHALLENGING TRANSITION WILL HINDER OUR ABILITY TO ENSURE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND RETAIN STAFF.
OVER HER FOUR YEARS AT OUR SITE, MS. COLLINS HAS EARNED TRUST WITHIN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND PROVIDED COUNTLESS TAILORED INSTRUCTIONAL SOLUTIONS.
BEYOND INSTRUCTION, MS. COLLINS PROVIDES EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, COLLABORATES WITH TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, AND SERVES AS AN ACADEMIC LEADER.
HER DAILY SUPPORT, EXPERTISE, AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, HAVE EVEN HELPED RETAIN TEACHERS AT OUR SITE.
WITHOUT HER CONSISTENT PRESENCE, THESE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL FALL IN ALREADY OVEREXTENDED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS LEAVING GAPS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT STUDENT SUCCESS.
I ALSO HAVE TEACHER LETTERS FOR SUPPORT OF KEEPING OUR TOSA.
>> OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS ISABELLA PATTERSON.
MY NAME IS ISABELLA PATTERSON, A SENIOR AT NP3 HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY SENIOR PROJECT.
FOR MY SENIOR PROJECT, I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF KIDS BEING TOO DEPENDENT ON THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS TO DO THINGS FOR THEM, WHICH LEADS TO THEM NOT LEARNING BASIC LIFE SKILLS.
ONE SKILL IN PARTICULAR THAT CHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH LEARNING IS COOKING.
THIS IS A SKILL THAT I MYSELF HAVE LEARNED AT AN EARLY AGE, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT CHILDREN AROUND ME AREN'T BEING TAUGHT THIS.
FROM DOING MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT CHILDREN WHO DON'T LEARN HOW TO COOK ARE AT RISK OF NOT LEARNING OR GROWING IN OTHER SKILLS SUCH AS MATH, READING, AND COMPREHENSION, TIME MANAGEMENT, TEAMWORK, NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, CREATIVITY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CONFIDENCE.
I HAVE ALSO BEEN TEACHING THIRD GRADERS WHO ATTEND AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT MY MOM'S JOB AT LINWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HOW TO COOK AND AS WELL AS KITCHEN SKILLS.
BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING THEM, I HAD THEM TAKE A SURVEY AND I FOUND THAT THERE CLASS AVERAGE WAS VERY LOW, BUT THEN I HAD THEM RETAKE THAT SURVEY AND IT DID INCREASE.
JUST WITHIN TWO MONTHS, I WAS ABLE TO SEE GROWTH FROM THE STUDENTS I WAS TEACHING.
THIS IS WHY I'M URGING YOU ALL TO CONSIDER BRINGING HOME ECONOMICS INTO OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT STUDENTS CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE SKILL AS THEY WERE ONCE BEFORE.
I'VE WRITTEN A PETITION, I'VE COLLECTED SIGNATURES FROM MANY HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE NATOMAS AREA.
STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR INTEREST AND NEED TO HAVE THIS BE A CLASS IN OUR SCHOOLS.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS SHOULD BE A REQUIRED CLASS AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT, BUT I'M HOPING THAT YOU CAN CONSIDER MAKING THIS CLASS IN AN ELECTIVE, SO STUDENTS CAN HAVE THE CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND I HOPE YOU CONSIDER WHAT I'VE PRESENTED TO YOU TODAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING, ISABELLA.
OUR FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTER FOR THE EVENING [APPLAUSE] SACHIKO KANATSU.
>> I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH DR. ROBYN CASTILLO.
I HAVE SOME ADVOCATES THAT REACHED OUT TO YOU IN REGARDS TO MY DAUGHTER NEEDING AN IEE.
IT IS BAFFLING TO ME THAT MY CHILD HAS AUTISM, SEVERE ANXIETY, AND OTHER DISORDERS, AND YOUR SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT DEEMED THAT SHE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR AN IEP, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS THREE GRADES BELOW GRADE LEVELS.
YOU GUYS HAVE NOT SERVED MY CHILDREN IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM, AND THIS IS A TRAVESTY.
[01:10:01]
FOR THE FACT THAT YOU ALLOWED YOUR SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT PAPERWORK TO TAKE ME TO DUE PROCESS BECAUSE I ASKED FOR AN IEE.IT WAS VERY CLEAR WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR THEM TO BE TESTED AND YET YOU ARE DENYING MY CHILDREN THEIR RIGHT TO LEARN.
YOU NEED TO LOOK AT YOUR SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT AND REVAMP IT.
YOU NEED TO GET RID OF THE OLD REGIME, WHICH WAS CHRIS EVANS LEFTOVERS.
MY CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING, THEY ARE BEHIND.
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO HAVE LITIGATION YET AGAIN.
ONE THING THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THIS BOARD KNOWS, I WILL GET WHAT I AM DUE FOR MY CHILDREN WITHIN TIME.
THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANYTHING THAT I HAVEN'T FOUGHT FOR MY CHILDREN THAT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN YET BY THE SEATS THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> THAT IS OUR FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS EVENING.
>> MISS SERMON, I'M SORRY, BUT THAT'S IT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU. THAT'S IT FROM PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS EVENING.
I WILL REMIND EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE THAT WE DID GO OVER THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, THE RULES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND WHEN TO SUBMIT THEM IN ORDER TO BE HEARD AT THE MEETING.
WITH THAT AT 6:40 PM, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.