>> THAT'S RIGHT. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS REGULAR BOARD MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:00 PM.
[I. OPEN SESSION]
[00:00:08]
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?>> WE HAVE QUORUM. NUSD BOARD MEETINGS ARE LIVESTREAMED AND RECORDED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD.
THE LIVESTREAM IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ONLINE AND THE RECORDINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING THE DAY AFTER THE BOARD MEETING.
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE SHOULD EXPECT THOSE RECORDINGS WILL CAPTURE ALL ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE MEETINGS.
THIS EVENING, THE BOARD WILL BE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION.
[IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CLOSED SESSION ITEMS]
I DO HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT CARD HERE ON THAT CLOSED SESSION ITEM, SO WE WILL TAKE THAT COMMENT FROM MRS. SHARON THURMAN.>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, BOARD SUPERINTENDENT. HERE I STAND AGAIN.
I'M HERE THOUGH AS AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER, A GRANDMOTHER.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M ASKING OUR BOARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE WONDERFUL HIGH HOPES FOR A IMPROVEMENT THAT IS SIGNIFICANT, ESPECIALLY FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN.
AS WE'VE SHOWN IN ON THE DATA FOR OTHER CHILDREN.
I'M ASKING YOU AS THOSE WHO SET THE POLICY ON THE STANDARDS TO RAISE THE STANDARD TO RAISE THE EXPECTATION.
WE STILL HAVE A CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OUR SPECIAL ED WHO APPARENTLY ARE NOT DOING THE JOB THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
YOU SET THE EXPECTATIONS, AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE.
YES THESE ARE DIFFICULT TOPICS.
I WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DISCUSS THEM.
BUT WHAT BETTER PLACE TO DO THAN IN PUBLIC? WE'RE ADULTS. WE CAN DO THIS.
WE CAN HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
BUT WE CAN'T KEEP ALLOWING OUR STUDENTS TO SLIP IN CLASS.
WE CAN'T KEEP ALLOWING STUDENTS TO HAVE AS AN ETHNIC GROUP AT 10% MATH LEVEL, 30% READING LEVEL.
AS YOU SIT AND DO THE EVALUATION, MY ASK IS THAT YOU RAISE THE STANDARD OF EXPECTATION AND HELP ENSURE THAT NEXT YEAR, WHEN WE'RE HERE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO BOAST AND BRAG ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS, NOT THE LESS THAN 3%. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MRS. THURMAN. IF THERE'S NOT AN OBJECTION, I'D LIKE TO RE ESTABLISH A ROLL CALL VOTE.
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE'S ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE ITEMS IN CLOSED SESSION SO WE WILL RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 PM OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF CLOSED SESSION.
[V. CLOSED SESSION]
[VI. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION]
>> WE HAVE A QUORUM. I'M GOING TO ASK MR. OR TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
THERE IS NO ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION THIS EVENING.
BUT BEFORE WE BEGIN, JUST A REMINDER THAT FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAW 9323 MEETING CONDUCT.
INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED PUBLIC COMMENT CARD PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM AND THEN NO LATER THAN THE FIRST ACTION ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE ALLOWED 2 MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD, AND THE BOARD SHALL LIMIT THE TOTAL TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON EACH ITEM TO 20 MINUTES.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE FILL OUT A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD, WHICH I THINK IS OUTSIDE ON THE DESK OUTSIDE THERE AND
[00:05:03]
HAND IT TO A STAFF MEMBER AT THE TABLE OUTSIDE OF THE BOARD ROOM.AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MEETING, WE POLITELY ASK MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM APPROACHING THE DAIS BECAUSE THAT GIVES BOARD MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER OUR BELONGINGS AND SIGN DOCUMENTS AND SECURE ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
BOARD MEMBERS CAN ALSO MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY STEPPING DOWN FROM THE DAIS AND ENTERING THE AREA FOR AUDIENCE SEATING.
NEXT UP IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[X. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA]
IS THERE A MOTION?HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
CSCA AVAILABLE. DOES NOT LOOK LIKE CSCA IS HERE. NTA.
[XI.b. Natomas Teachers Association (NTA)]
>> LOOK, I KNOW HOW TO TURN ON THE MICROPHONE NOW.
HELLO, BOARD MEMBERS, TRUSTEES, AND SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO.
I'LL BEGIN TONIGHT BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND HONORING THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF THIS REGION, SACRAMENTO IS SITUATED ON THE TRADITIONAL HOMELANDS OF THE NISENAN PEOPLE, AND 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 ALONGSIDE THE NISENAN COMMUNITY.
AS YOU ALL REVIEW YOUR BUDGET TONIGHT, I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT NTA WILL BE LOOKING FOR A BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES STUDENTS.
THIS IS A BUDGET WHERE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL SPENDING IS ON EDUCATORS AND STAFF WHO PROVIDE DIRECT STUDENT SUPPORT TO STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM AND A BUDGET THAT MEETS THE STATE STANDARDS FOR SPENDING IN CLASSROOMS. THIS IS A BUDGET THAT SHOWS A COMMITMENT TO DIRECTLY EMPLOYING STAFF RATHER THAN CONTRACTING OUT FOR HIGH PRICE ATTORNEYS, CONSULTANTS, AND OTHER STUDENT SERVICES.
THIS IS A BUDGET THAT FUNDS EMPLOYER PAID FAMILY HEALTH CARE FOR EMPLOYEES, AND A BUDGET THAT SPENDS THIS YEAR'S FUNDS ON THE STUDENTS THIS YEAR AND DOES NOT HOLD ONTO EXCESSIVE RESOURCE RESERVES.
WE KNOW OTHER DISTRICTS DO THIS, AND WE BELIEVE THAT NUSD CAN AS WELL.
IN REGARD TO TONIGHT'S PRIDE RESOLUTION AND THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY, WE URGE EACH OF YOU TO LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO THESE RESOLUTIONS UNANIMOUSLY, EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
AS WE REPRESENT THE NUMEROUS LGBTQ STAFF MEMBERS, AND AS WE TEACH NUMEROUS LGBTQ STUDENTS, WE NEED YOU ALL TO PUT YOUR SUPPORT BEHIND OUR MEMBERS AND OUR STUDENTS RIGHT NOW.
THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR ALLIES AND THEY NEED US TO BE LOUD AND SOLID IN OUR SUPPORT AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TARGETS THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS.
WE HAVE TO FORM A WALL PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.
WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE SEE HAPPENING IN THE WORLD, WE ALL NEED TO STAND TOGETHER.
WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS FROM BEING ATTACKED BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT.
THAT IS OUR JOB. WE NEED TO BE HERE FOR THEM, AND THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
LASTLY, I WANT TO SHARE THAT THIS WEEKEND I WAS ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
I'LL GET EMOTIONAL OVER THIS, BUT THIS MEANS THAT THIS SUMMER, I'M GOING TO BE TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATOMAS TEACHERS AND INTO STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP FOR OUR UNION.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO THIS COMMUNITY FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THEM.
IT'S BEEN REALLY ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF MY LIFE.
I WILL REMAIN AN EMPLOYEE AND A MEMBER OF NTA SO I COULD COME BACK BECAUSE THESE ARE LIKE THREE YEAR TERMS SO JUST BE READY.
BUT I AM REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE HERE AND THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE TOGETHER.
I WILL ALWAYS BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS DISTRICT AND SUPPORTING THEM.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS, MARA. BOARD MEMBERS.
[XI.c. Board Members]
TRUSTEE MORA.WELL, WE CAN START THE OTHER WAY.
TRUSTEE MEHTA. ALL RIGHT, TRUSTEE MORA.
>> I'M MAKING AN EFFORT TO NOT HAVE AS MUCH OVERLAP SINCE I GO FIRST, SO I JUST FORGOT TO ASK IF OTHER COLLEAGUES WERE MENTIONING SOMETHING.
I WANT TO START BY WISHING EVERYBODY A SUMMER BREAK, AND AT LEAST IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS IN EDUCATION, SUMMER ISH BREAK FOR EVERYBODY, WHETHER IT'S A SUMMER BREAK OR A SUMMER ISH BREAK, I THINK IT'S JUST NICE ESPECIALLY NOW WE CONCLUDE THE MEETING, AND THERE'S STILL SUNLIGHT OUT, AND THAT'S A WELCOME SURPRISE.
[00:10:01]
THE ONLY MAJOR ACTIVITY THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT HAVING DONE WITH AS A TRUSTEE IS I HAD A CHANCE TO BE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR A YOUTH WORKFORCE EVENT IN A NEIGHBORING SCHOOL DISTRICT.THE CROWD THAT MAKES ME THE MOST NERVOUS TO BE A SPEAKER IN FRONT OF IS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.
YOU JUST GET NOTHING, A LOT OF THE TIME IN TERMS OF REACTION, BUT YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE LISTENING THEN AFTERWARDS, THE CONVERSATIONS ARE REALLY GOOD.
I WAS ABLE TO JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT MY FIRST JOB WAS, AND THEN ALSO WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE DOING THE WORK OF A SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE.
THEY WERE REALLY INTERESTED IN, ME TELLING THEM THE BEHIND THE SCENES.
THEN ALSO I HAD A CALL TO ACTION FOR THEM TO STEP UP WHENEVER THEY FEEL KNOWLEDGEABLE AND COMMITTED TO SERVING AS LEADERS.
I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT IN CELEBRATION OF JUNE 10, I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT OUR DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS GOING TO BE AT THE NATOMAS THIS FRIDAY, BUT THERE'S A LOT TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH, INCLUDING THIS IMPORTANT DAY.
BEFORE I GET TO MORE THINGS TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH, I JUST WANTED TO REALLY THANK OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF FOR ENSURING THAT OUR KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATION IS VISIBLE AND POSTED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S WEBSITE, ESPECIALLY WITH RECENT EVENTS.
I THINK A LOT OF THE TIME IT'S EASY TO THINK THAT WE HAVE VERY LITTLE THAT WE CAN DO TO PROVIDE RESOURCES OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR JUST SOME SENSE OF LEGITIMATE INFORMATION, BUT I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE CAN DO, AND THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT.
IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, PLEASE LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE PRESENTATION ITSELF IS AVAILABLE ON THERE.
THEN THE LAST TWO THINGS THAT I WANT TO CELEBRATE ARE, OF COURSE, PRIDE MONTH THIS YEAR. I'M STILL HERE.
HOW DO THEY SAY? I'M STILL HERE? I'M STILL QUEER WE PERSEVERE.
I JUST MADE THAT LAST PART UP, ACTUALLY.
I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT I WANT TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR AND REALLY FOCUS ON IS BEING PART OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THERE AREN'T THAT MANY, OPENLY LGBT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE, PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE TO ANYONE.
BUT BEING PART OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHERE NOT ONLY CAN I SERVE IN THIS RESPONSIBILITY, BUT ALSO BE INCLUDED, AND I HAVE FELT INCLUDED.
FOR THAT, I THINK THAT THAT'S WORTH CELEBRATING, AT LEAST FOR ME, IT IS.
THE LAST THING IS, I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.
I DID ASK MY DAD BEFORE I CAME HERE IF I COULD SHARE THIS, AND HE SAID, YES.
I AM ALSO FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FATHER WHO IS AN ALLY, JUST CONNECTING IT BACK TO WHAT I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, HIGHLIGHTED PRIDE MONTH.
I THINK, ESPECIALLY IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY, NOT EVERYONE IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE, SUPPORTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND PARENTS, ESPECIALLY SO MY PARTNER IS ALWAYS INVITED TO THE [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED.
I AM DEFINITELY VERY APPRECIATIVE OF FATHER'S DAY AND THIS YEAR TOO.
>> THANK YOU TRUSTEE MORA. TRUSTEE HARDEN.
>> NOTE YOUR REPORT. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MORA FOR ASKING IF I WAS GOING TO SAY ANYTHING.
YOU MENTIONED THE JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL THAT NSD WILL BE A PART OF.
JUST TO MENTION ON JUNETEENTH, THERE IS THE PEOPLE'S JUNETEENTH KICKBACK THAT VICE MAYOR KARINA TALAMANTES WILL BE A PART OF.
THAT IS AT THE SOUTH NATOMAS COMMUNITY PARK.
FREE FOOD WHILE IT LASTS SO COME ON OUT WE'LL SEE HOW THAT ALL GOES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARA HARVEY.
WE'LL MISS YOU, BUT CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.
I DO HAVE SOME OTHER THINGS, BUT WE WILL WAIT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG EVENING. THANK YOU.
I HAVE NO REPORT. TRUSTEE DOSICK.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE MORA, THANK YOU FOR THE SHORT REPORT TODAY.
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH AND HAPPY SUMMER BREAK.
I'M HAPPY BECAUSE MY BABY'S COMING BACK HOME TODAY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SPEND MY SUMMER WITH HIM.
THE LAST TIME WE MET WAS BEFORE THE GRADUATION SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE SENIORS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO WEST LAKE FOR THEIR FIRST SENIOR GRADUATING CLASS.
I THINK THAT IS IT AND JUNETEENTH.
[00:15:03]
THE GOOD THING ABOUT JUNETEENTH AND THE NUSD IS THAT WE HAVE TWO DISTRICTS CELEBRATING.WE HAVE DISTRICT 1 HAVING AN EVENT AND DISTRICT 3 HAVING AN EVENT.
IT'S SO MUCH NICER FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE EVENTS. THANK YOU.
[XI.d. Superintendent's Report]
JUST A FEW THINGS SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING, WE HAD OUR LCAP PARENT ADVISORY MEETING, AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR BEING GREAT PARTICIPANTS AND ASKING A LOT OF GOOD QUESTIONS.
A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS GOT POSTED WITH OUR LCAP, WHERE WE ANSWER THOSE.
REALLY ENJOYED THE PROMOTIONS AND GRADUATIONS.
IT'S ALWAYS SO AMAZING TO SEE OUR STUDENTS IN GOLDEN 1 AND WALK ACROSS THE STAGE AND ALL THE FAMILIES CELEBRATING WITH THEM.
ONE STANDOUT PROMOTION MOMENT FOR ME WAS AT HERON, WHERE ONE OF THE EIGHTH GRADERS SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
VERY, TALENTED, A BEAUTIFUL SMILE ON HIS FACE AND JUST REALLY ENJOYED HIM BEING PART OF THAT CEREMONY.
I ATTENDED THE CSBA SUPERINTENDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING.
I'M A PART OF THAT ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR ABOUT BUDGET UPDATES COMING FROM THE MAY REVISE AND SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES, AS WELL AS THINGS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH FUNDING, A LOT OF IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOLS.
IT WAS GOOD TO GET THAT INFORMATION.
A HIGHLIGHT ALSO FOR ME IS I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE STATE TRACK MEET.
WE HAD SIX QUALIFIERS FROM INDERKUM HIGH SCHOOL THAT ALL COMPETED ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
THEN WE HAD TWO THAT QUALIFIED FOR DAY 2.
JOSIAH AMY EARNED EIGHTH PLACE IN THE 110 HIGH HURDLES.
THAT WAS GREAT. THEN JAYDEN GOODMAN WAS SECOND PLACE IN THE HIGH JUMP.
IT WAS GREAT. THERE ARE SO MANY STUDENTS THERE FROM SCHOOLS ALL OVER CALIFORNIA, AND TO BE EIGHTH AND SECOND IS QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.
WE WERE THERE SATURDAY NIGHT AT 9:00 PM.
I THINK HE WAS ON THE METAL STAND.
BUT IT WAS GREAT TO CELEBRATE WITH OUR STUDENTS.
THEN WE'VE HAD OUR LEADERSHIP WRAP UP WITH OUR SITE LEADERS, AND SO IT WAS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR, AND NEXT STEPS FOR NEXT YEAR, INCLUDING OUR LITERACY INITIATIVE.
THEN, LIKE TRUSTEE MORA, I WAS ASKED TO BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE WORKFORCE FOR NATOMAS UNIFIED.
IT WAS GREAT TO GO AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT MY JOURNEY, GOING INTO EDUCATION AND THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS THAT I'VE HAD.
I EQUATED IT TO A STORY AND HOW EACH OF THEM, THERE ARE MANY CHAPTERS IN THEIR LIVES, AND THAT THEY CAN HELP WRITE THAT STORY AND DETERMINE WHAT THEIR FUTURE IS AND THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO TO BE PROACTIVE LIKE ATTENDING THE YOUTH WORKFORCE.
REALLY ENJOYED THAT, AND I DO HOPE EVERYBODY GETS A LITTLE BIT OF REST AND RELAXATION DURING THE SUMMER.
INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT THAT'S GOING ON AT THE ED CENTER BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
BUT VERY EXCITED AND HOPE PEOPLE ENJOY THE SUMMER.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT CALENDAR,
[XII. CONSENT ITEMS]
A HEFTY ONE. IS THERE A MOTION?>> WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS A COMMENT.
>> WE HAVE A COMMENT ON CONSENT.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE ONE FROM JEN SUSA.
>> IT'S ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
>> WELL, YES, THIS WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO THAT?
>> I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE NATOMAS HIGH CIPSAS, SPECIFICALLY THE GLARING OMISSIONS WHEN IT COMES TO TUTORING AND SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
DESPITE HAVING NEARLY 19% OF STUDENTS IDENTIFY WITH DISABILITIES, THE PLAN CONTAINS NO DEDICATED TUTORING PROGRAMS, NO STRUCTURED INTERVENTION BLOCKS, AND NO TARGETED READING OR MATH SUPPORTS.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT NATOMAS HIGH ARE CURRENTLY 132.9 POINTS BELOW STANDARD IN ENGLISH, AND 214 POINTS BELOW STANDARD IN MATH.
YET THE CIPSA INCLUDES NOTHING FOR THESE WORTHY STUDENTS.
STUDENTS WITH IEPS ARE FAILING TO MEET BASIC PROFICIENCY AND THEIR GRADUATION RATE HAS DROPPED BY NEARLY 15%.
[00:20:01]
THERE'S ALSO NO CLEAR INVESTMENT IN PARAPROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, ADAPTIVE CURRICULUM, OR PUSH IN SPECIALISTS.NO TIER 2 OR TIER 3 INTERVENTIONS ARE OUTLINED DESPITE ALARMING DATA THAT CALLS FOR URGENT INTERVENTIONS.
I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEAK ON BOTH CIPSAS.
I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ON THE HERON CIPSA WHERE MY SON IS ASSIGNED TO GO TO SCHOOL.
I URGE THE BOARD TO DO BETTER WITH FUNDING, TO REQUIRE A DEDICATED GOAL AND FUNDING PLAN FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL CIPSAS, TO AUDIT VAGUE AND DUPLICATIVE SPENDING, TO RE-ALLOCATE FUNDS TO INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM MODELS, AIDS AND ACCESSIBLE CURRICULUM, AND TO EMBRACE UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING PRACTICES.
THE CALIFORNIA DASHBOARD SHOWS THAT STUDENTS AT HERON ARE 65 POINTS BELOW IN ELA AND 95 POINTS BELOW IN MATH IF THEY HAVE A DISABILITY.
BOTH OF THOSE AREAS ARE ALSO DECLINING.
BUT THE CIPSA ALSO DOES NOT HAVE A TARGETED GOAL, CLEAR INTERVENTION OR FUNDING STREAMS. WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS AT HERON, SHE JUST NEEDED A LITTLE HELP TO GET OVER HER DYSLEXIA.
SHE CAME AND SPOKE TO YOU GUYS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
I PAID FOR THAT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET BECAUSE OUR DISTRICT DOES NOT OFFER A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES.
THERE IS NO MTSS, AND WIN TIME IS ABSURD WITH UP TO 50 CHILDREN IN ONE WIN CLASS.
THIS WAS TRUE AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL IN HERON.
THERE'S NO INVESTMENT IN CO-TEACHING, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, OR CLASS ROOMMATES, NOTHING THAT DEMONSTRATES A TRUE COMMITMENT TO ACCESS OR EQUITY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] I'M NOT SEEING ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. IS THERE A MOTION?
HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
LOOKS LIKE NEXT WE HAVE PRESENTATION.
[XIII.a. District Progress Report Update]
THE DISTRICT PROGRESS REPORT.AS I UNDERSTAND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVEN FONG WILL LEAD US THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
TWICE ANNUALLY, WE COME AND PRESENT ABOUT THE DISTRICT PROGRESS REPORT.
IT'S A KEY PART OF OUR DISTRICT'S WORK TO MAKE OUR RESULTS ACROSS NUSD, INCLUDING SOME OF OUR INDEPENDENT CHARTER SCHOOLS TRANSPARENT.
AS WE SHARED LAST TIME IN THE FALL, THE DISTRICT PROGRESS REPORT HAS MOVED FROM A STATIC HARD COPY FORMAT TO SOMETHING THAT'S NOW PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE ALL THE TIME, AND IT'S BEING CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED.
TONIGHT, WE'LL BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE SOME OF WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE THE FALL.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO GROUND OURSELVES AND OUR GOALS.
THERE WILL BE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT THAT TO OUR LCAP LATER AS WELL.
THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DPR.
THIS EVENING, AGAIN, REALLY REMINDING OURSELVES ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND THEN BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE METRICS THAT WE'VE UPDATED SINCE THE FALL BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT DIFFERENT PIECES OF OUR DPR ARE ANNUALLY RENEWED AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE YEAR.
WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THIS WORD FOR WORD, THE DPR IS SOME OF THAT CCLI IN ACTION.
NATOMAS UNIFIED REALLY PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING ABLE TO SHARE WHAT'S GOING WELL AND ALSO WHERE WE STILL NEED TO WORK.
IN THE DPR, WE TRANSPARENTLY SET GOALS FOR THE FUTURE AND WE TRACK OUR PROGRESS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO MEET THOSE GOALS AND DIG IN AS WELL ACROSS STUDENT GROUPS.
AS WE GET INTO THE DPR PAGES, REALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW ALL STUDENTS ARE DOING, BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW OUR DIFFERENT STUDENT GROUPS ARE DOING.
WE SHARED LAST TIME AND BROUGHT SOME OF THESE SLIDES BACK.
AS A REALLY BIG REMINDER THAT THE DPR, OUR LOCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN, WHICH WE'LL SHARE LATER THIS EVENING, OUR DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY AND RECOGNITION TOOL, WHICH IS AN INTERNAL PROCESS WE'RE USING, AND THE STATES DASHBOARD ARE ALL VERY TIGHTLY ALIGNED.
HERE FOR THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE A REMINDER OF WHAT THOSE TOOLS ARE.
THEN THE FOLLOWING SLIDE, WE JUST SHOWED THAT WE'VE MADE A BIG EFFORT, AND THIS IS GOING BACK MANY YEARS IN THE DISTRICT TO REALLY ALIGN ACROSS THESE TOOLS.
THE METRICS YOU'LL SEE THAT WE HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO IN THE LCAP ARE THE SAME THINGS WE'RE USING WITH OUR SITES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR IMPROVEMENT, AND THE THE SAME THINGS WE SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE DPR, AND THEY'RE TIED TO THOSE THAT ARE ALSO SHARED AT THE STATE.
I'M GOING TO PASS OFF TO DR. CYPHER WHO'S GOING TO SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE SINCE THE FALL.
>> THIS IS JUST A REMINDER LIKE STEVEN SAID, EVERYTHING IS ONLINE, BUT THIS IS HOW YOU VIEW THE METRICS AND THE ONLINE LOOKER STUDIO DASHBOARD.
THE FIRST THING THERE'S DROP-DOWNS FOR ALL THE METRICS, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THE DESCRIPTION OF IT,
[00:25:01]
THE OVERALL, AND THEN BY STUDENT GROUP.THEN BECAUSE SOME OF THEM HAVE DIFFERENT SITES INCLUDED, GRADE SPANS, AND THEN ALL THE ACTIONS THAT WE'RE TAKING TO MEET THAT TARGET THAT'S LISTED THERE.
IN THE SPRING, IT'S NOT AS HEAVY AS THE FALL BECAUSE WE'RE NOW DOING ALL OF OUR END OF YEAR METRICS, SO WE JUST FINISHED CAASPP, JUST GRADUATED ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, ALL OF THAT.
BUT IN THE SPRING, THESE ARE WHAT WE DO HAVE TO SHARE.
WE UPDATED CONNECTEDNESS AND SAFETY FROM OUR CO-VITALITY SURVEY, OUR ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION RATE, OUR I-READY AND IXL DIAGNOSTIC DATA, OUR DISTRICT WRITING ASSESSMENT.
THEN LAST TIME WE SHOWED YOU, WE HAVE A BOX THAT JUST SHOWS CURRENT WHAT WE THINK CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND SUSPENSION WILL BE, AND SO WE'RE ABLE TO UPDATE THAT IN REAL-TIME JUST TO SHOW WHERE WE'RE AT.
BUT THOSE WILL ALSO BE THE STATE REPORTED ONES WILL BE IN THE FALL.
I'M JUST GOING TO GO INTO THE ONLINE DASHBOARD.
IT'S UP. VERY NICE. THIS IS HOW IT STARTS OUT.
THIS IS THAT SCREENSHOT OF EVERYTHING.
I'M JUST GOING TO SHOW A FEW EXAMPLES OF DATA THAT'S BEEN ENTERED.
WHEN WE LOOK AT ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION RATE, CAN I GET IT A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.
YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'VE INCREASED AND IT'LL SHOW NOW THE '24-'25.
WHEN YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, TOO, ACTUALLY WE'RE ABLE TO JUST LIST EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE ADDING TO IT.
AS WE GET MORE DATA, WE'RE ADDING TO IT, SO THIS IS ONE OF THEM.
THIS JUST SHOWS OUR ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION RATE INCREASING, WHICH IS REALLY COOL.
THEN I WANTED TO SHOW YOU OUR DISTRICT WRITING ASSESSMENT.
IN THE FALL, WHEN I SHOWED THIS METRIC, THERE WAS NO DATA HERE FOR SPRING '24-'25 BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE IT, BUT NOW IT'S THERE.
YOU CAN NOW HOVER OVER AND YOU CAN SEE FALL TO FALL AND FALL TO SPRING.
YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE METRIC.
WE'LL JUST CONTINUE ADDING TO THAT AND ADDING YEARS ON.
BUT IT'S REALLY NICE TO SEE OVERTIME AND FALL TO SPRING.
THEN I'LL SHOW YOU HOW THAT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM LOOKS.
IT'S ALSO ON THE SUSPENSION RATE METRIC, WHERE IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'LL JUST HAVE A PERCENTAGE THAT WE HAVE INTERNALLY PULLED.
THE ONE FROM '23-'24 IS WHAT WE ACTUALLY REPORT TO THE STATE, BUT WE KNOW INTERNALLY BECAUSE WE MEASURE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND SUSPENSION RATES EVERY DAY.
THIS BOX WILL BE ON THIS ONE AND SUSPENSION RATE, AND WE'LL JUST UPDATE THOSE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SO THERE'S A MEASURE THERE.
IT'S REALLY NICE TO HAVE IT, I THINK, ONLINE BECAUSE IT MAKES IT EASY TO UPDATE IT.
LET ME GET BACK TO THE SLIDE SHOW. NEXT STEPS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THE PROGRESS REPORT WEB PAGE.
AS WE GET MORE DATA AS WE'RE SUBMITTING TO CALPADS AND CERTIFYING EVERYTHING, WE'LL HAVE THOSE NUMBERS AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO UPDATE IT IN REAL-TIME.
I WANT TO POINT THIS OUT, BUT DETERMINE IF ANY TARGETS HAVE BEEN MET AND NEED TO BE ADJUSTED.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED, BUT ON THE WRITING, WE HAD A TARGET THAT WE'VE ALREADY EXCEEDED, SO REALLY LOOKING AT THOSE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE SET PROPERLY.
THEN USING EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE ALIGNED TO JUST RECOGNIZE THE GROWTH AND ASSESS ONGOING NEEDS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
>> QUESTIONS? I'M NOT SEEING ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SIDE.
HOW MANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, TRUSTEES? TRUSTEE, DOSICK.
>> FIRST, THANK YOU, AND ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOU WALKING THROUGH HOW TO GET ACCESS TO THE DATA.
AN ONGOING REQUEST RELATED TO THIS.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I STRUGGLE WITH AT TIMES IS WE DO SO MUCH IN THIS DISTRICT.
WE DO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
CASE IN POINT, WE TRACK SO MANY DIFFERENT DATA POINTS.
SOMETIMES IT'S CHALLENGING TO CONNECT SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE DATA WITH THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE TAKE THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO DRIVE SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
I DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC SUGGESTION OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT THAT WE COULD HELP MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT TO CORRELATE THE ACTIVITIES WITH THE DESIRED OUTCOMES, BUT ALSO TO THEN CORRELATE THE NOT TO OVERSIMPLIFY TOO MUCH, BUT WHAT'S WORKING? WHAT'S HAVING A MEASURABLE IMPACT? BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DPR, SOMETIMES WE SEE SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT IN NUMBERS, SOMETIMES WE SEE A SMALL MOVEMENT IN THE GROSS SCORES, BUT A MORE SIGNIFICANT PERCENT WITHIN THE PERCENT.
WHEN IT MOVES FROM 9-10%, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S A ROUGHLY 11%.
INCREASED FROM THE BASELINE, BUT IT'S STILL A DISTURBINGLY LOW NUMBER DEPENDING ON THE STAT.
IF I THINK THAT MAKES CLEAR WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT, IS TO SEE THAT CORRELATION, ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH WHAT WE THINK FRED IS GOING TO TELL US ABOUT THE ENTERTAINING BUDGET TIMES THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THESE DAYS.
[00:30:04]
THESE ARE GOING TO BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT DATA POINTS FOR US.>> I APPRECIATE THAT. LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM EVALUATION, IS THAT WORKING? THANKS, SCOTT.
>> TRUSTEE DOSICK, I THINK YOU PRETTY MUCH COVERED EVERYTHING.
I THINK WE ARE ALL LOOKING MORE FOR JUST THE OUTCOMES.
THE DISTRICTS ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT THE DIRTY DATA.
WE JUST NEED TO SEE IT, WHETHER IT'S GOOD BAD OR UGLY.
THAT'S MORE OR LESS WHAT WE TRULY WANT, ESPECIALLY THIS GROUP.
WE WANT IT RAW AND UNCUT SO THAT WE CAN JUST REALLY GET DOWN AND DEAL WITH IT SO WE CAN GET TO IT.
WE'RE PREPARED FOR WHAT IT IS.
THIS TEAM WANTS TO DEAL WITH IT AND START MAKING THE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.
>> APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NUSD LOCAL PLAN FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
[XIV.a. NUSD Local Plan for Special Education Public Hearing]
THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE NUSD LOCAL PLAN FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IS OPEN AT 7:06 PM.THERE IS NO PRESENTATION FOR THIS ITEM.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM OR A FEW OF THEM RATHER.
FIRST, WE'LL HEAR FROM THESE AND THEN WE'LL GET TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
THE FIRST PERSON I HAVE SPEAKING IS LINDSAY, IS IT MONDRAGO? GOOD.
>> I KEEP BENEFITS IF I DO WELL.
MOST PRESSING TOPIC IS MY EXPERIENCE FOR THE SECOND SUMMER AGAIN IS MY SON IMMEDIATELY BEING EXPELLED FROM SUMMER PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S VERY CLEAR THE PATTERN THAT NO ONE IS PREPARED TO HANDLE KIDS THAT AREN'T ROBOTS AND OR FIT IN A BOX.
>> JUST ONE SECOND, I'M JUST GOING TO PAUSE THE TIME.
IT'S MY DUTY AS PRESIDENT TO MAKE SURE TOPICS ARE GERMANE.
THIS IS ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN?
>> YEAH, AND THERE'S NO SPECIAL EDUCATION, LIKE, HELP DURING SUMMER.
SUMMER SCHOOL IS A PART OF THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> IT IS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMENTS ARE GERMANE.
I'M NOT TRYING TO INTERRUPT YOUR [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE'LL JUST RESUME THE CLOCK.
>> YEAH. MY SON HAS AT 5:04 AND [OVERLAPPING].
>> MY APOLOGIES FOR INTERRUPTING. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CLOCK.
>> FROM THE SECOND SUMMER SCHOOL STARTED, THIS HAS HAPPENED ACTUALLY TWO SUMMERS IN A ROW.
FROM DAY 1, FOR THE VERY FIRST DAY, HE WAS EXPELLED BY DAY 2 OR 3, BOTH SUMMERS.
I WAS BEING CALLED EVERY SINGLE HOUR FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS, AND IT WAS ALL HIS SYMPTOMS FROM HIS ODD AND ADHD.
IMMEDIATELY, I'M VERY ACTIVE, TALK TO THE PRINCIPAL, TALK TO THE WHATEVER TEACHER, AND THEY'RE JUST LIKE, HE CAN'T ACT LIKE THIS, HE CAN'T DO THIS.
WELL, HE HAS A 504. WHO'S THERE TO SUPPORT? DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE 504? NO ONE HAS ANY CLUE ABOUT ANYTHING.
I'M JUST LEARNING THIS MYSELF, TOO.
I LOST A ENTIRE MONTH'S INCOME BECAUSE HE GOT EXPELLED AND I LOST A CONTRACT.
FOR A SINGLE MOTHER, THAT'S DEVASTATING.
THAT'S JUST ONE A PATTERN I NOTICED NOW THAT IT HAPPENED FOR A SECOND SUMMER.
WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THAT? THESE PEOPLE, THESE OUTSIDE PROGRAMS, THEY'RE AWESOME, AND I LOVE THAT NATOMAS HAS THAT, BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY KID WITH CHALLENGES OR HOW TO HANDLE THAT.
MY KIDS LEFT FEELING I'M REJECTED AGAIN, I HAVE TO LEAVE AGAIN. THAT'S OTHER THING.
ALL OF THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS LIKE WITH LEAP AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
ANOTHER TOPIC WAS THAT IN THE CLASSES, THERE'S NO AIDS.
>> YOU'RE AT TIME. FOR THIS, DON'T LEAVE.
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ON THIS VERY SPECIAL IMPORTANT ITEM.
BOARD PRESIDENT DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO EXTEND YOUR TIME.
I'M GOING TO ASK FOR JUST TWO ADDITIONAL MINUTES FROM THIS BOARD.
THERE'S A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> MOTION BY ME, SECOND BY TRUSTEE DOSICK.
ANN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MOTION CARRIES 50, PLEASE SET THE CLOCK BACK FOR TWO MINUTES. GET TWO MINUTES.
>> YES. AT SIX AND SEVEN, ALL THE STAFF DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE 6-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS KINDERGARTEN AND A 7-YEAR-OLD IN FIRST GRADE.
LOOKING TO ME, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER IF HE NEEDED THE SPECIAL HELP.
[00:35:04]
THEN THIS SUMMER NO ONE KNEW THAT HE HAD A 504.WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE KIDS THAT HAVE IEPS AND 504S.
IN ADDITION, IF HE WAS NOT CONSTANTLY DENIED HIS IEP THAT I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR SINCE HE WAS FOUR WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED AT THIS SUMMER SCHOOL WOULD HAVE BEEN AVERTED BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE HAD AN AID TO HELP HIM WITH THE PHYSICAL REDIRECTION AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE TOP SYMPTOMS OF HIS DISORDERS.
THERE'S OTHER KIDS IN THE CLASS TOO.
THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY AN ISSUE BECAUSE NO ONE'S BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER THAT FOR ME.
JUST IN THIS CLASSROOM, I SEE THAT THERE'S TEACHERS, THEY'RE EDUCATED IN EDUCATION, NOT IN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS.
UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE TIRED AND SHORT WITH THESE CHILDREN AND IT'S NOT FAIR BECAUSE THEN THEY'RE LEFT TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE NOT LIKED, SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THEM.
I DO SEE ISSUES WITH KIDS OF COLOR TOO, A LITTLE BIT MORE DISMISSED WHEN THEY HAVE THESE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, AND I CATCH THAT BECAUSE I HAVE TO BE IN CLASS WITH HIM. THAT'S NOT THEIR FAULT.
IT'S JUST THE TEACHERS AREN'T TRAINED IN THAT.
AIDS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT SO THAT IT'S NOT ALL PUT ON THE TEACHER WHO IT'S NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE TRAINED IN THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE TO JUST BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT JUST LIKE PARENTING WITH THESE KIDS.
THE TEACHERS ARE THERE TO EDUCATE, NOT TO BE TRAINED IN THESE THINGS THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT DEGREE.
THANK YOU. MY SON WAS LET BACK IN SUMMER SCHOOL.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? SORRY. I'M NEW AT THIS.
JUST TIRED OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.
>> THANK YOU. IF STAFF HASN'T CONNECTED WITH MS. MONDRAGO, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.
NEXT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IS RAY BEL.
GOT IT. JUST TO CHECK IS THERE A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD ON THE LATER ITEM OR? I HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT FROM JEN SUSA.
>> YOUNG MAN SITTING THERE JUST SAID SHE'S SPEAKING TWO TIMES.
I DO WISH THERE WAS A VOICE FOR PARENTS VOICES TO BE HEARD MORE OFTEN AND NOT JUST HERE WHERE WE CAN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION.
THE SELPA, I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MILD TO MODERATE DISABILITIES.
THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION SETTING.
THERE ARE MANY SKILLED EDUCATORS WHO WANT ALL CHILDREN TOGETHER, BUT THOSE CHILDREN NEED MORE SERVICES.
ONLY $50,000 IS ALLOCATED TO THEM OUT OF OVER TWO MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.
THERE ARE 50 SERVICE CATEGORIES MARKED NOT CURRENTLY PROVIDED.
WHY? THESE AREN'T OPTIONAL EXTRAS, THESE ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
IF THESE AREN'T BEING DELIVERED UNDER OUR DISTRICT OR BEING DELIVERED UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME, WE NEED TRANSPARENCY.
IF WE'RE VIOLATING RIGHTS UNDER IDEA, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES STILL HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHY AREN'T WE GIVING CHILDREN EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO SUCCEED? EVEN MORE TROUBLING IS VAGUE LANGUAGE LIKE AVAILABLE ON THE CONTINUUM, BUT WHERE IS THE CONTINUUM? IN MY EXPERIENCE AS A PARENT IN THIS DISTRICT, THERE IS NOT A CONTINUUM.
WE DON'T HAVE TIER 2, WE DON'T HAVE TIER 3.
WE HAVE MODE SEVERE, AND $50,000.
IF 57% OF OUR STUDENTS AREN'T READING AT GRADE LEVEL, AND OVER 75% OF OUR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AREN'T, WE'RE NOT PROVIDING BASIC SUPPORTS FOR ANYONE, LET ALONE THOSE WITH IEPS, AND WE'RE FAILING EVERYONE.
I URGE THIS BOARD TO REVISIT THE APPROVAL OF THIS BUDGET AFTER JULY 1.
I KNOW YOU HAVE RULES AND THINGS YOU NEED TO DO.
BUT WE NEED A FULL AUDIT OF THESE SERVICES.
WE SHOULD NOT BE GROWING ADMINISTRATION AND DIRECTORS.
WE SHOULD BE GROWING FRONT LINE STAFF AND THOSE THAT ARE SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN.
RE ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM BASED SUPPORTS, WHERE THEY BELONG, AND WHAT THEY ARE SET ASIDE FOR.
>> I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE COMMENT WITH THE SERVICE PLAN WHERE THE SERVICES ARE OUTLINED, AND IT DETAILS IN THE PLAN.
[00:40:01]
IF WE DO NOT OFFER IT, IT IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT LISTED ON A STUDENT'S IEP.IF A STUDENT DOES HAVE A SERVICE LISTED ON THEIR IEP, THEN IT IS INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE PLAN.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT CILOS.
TRUSTEES. ANY COMMENTS ON THE LOCAL PLAN FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION? I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS. I WAS HERE WHEN NATOMAS UNIFIED DECIDED TO GO TO A SINGLE DISTRICT SELPA, I VOTED FOR IT.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT AND IT DOES, IT BRINGS A LOT OF MONEY BACK LOCALLY TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
NOW, WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I'M ALWAYS OPEN IN JANOME.
I'M ALWAYS OPEN TO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BEST USE OF THOSE FUNDS AND HOW WE'RE DOING AND HOW THEY'RE APPLIED. THIS IS NO EGO.
I'M HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED HOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO USE AND THAT PEOPLE FEEL SUPPORTED BUT ALSO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IN OUR STAFF AND OUR GOVERNANCE TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS FROM TRUSTEES ON THIS ITEM? I SEE TWO LIGHTS ON, SO TO ME, THAT MEANS YES.
>> SPECIAL EDUCATION IS VERY DEAR AND CLOSE TO MY HEART, AND YES, YOU WERE HERE WHEN THE SINGLE DISTRICT SELPA PASSED, AND IT DOES BRING A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO NEED TO BE HONEST AND TAKE A LOOK AT, AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO BOTH SUPERINTENDENTS AND I HAVE ASKED BEFORE, AND I WILL ASK AGAIN ON THE DIES.
I DO BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR US TO BRING IN AN OUTSIDE AUDIT TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
I HATE TO HAVE TO PUT IT OUT HERE LIKE THIS, BUT IT HAS NOT COME FORTH.
IF THINGS DO NOT SEEM TO GO INTO DIRECTION AS IT SHOULD, THEN WE MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE ON WITH THE SELPA.
I KNOW PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO LIKE TO HEAR THIS, BUT IT'S THE TRUTH.
I AM HERE FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE STAFF AND THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AND THE STUDENTS, BUT CALL A SPADE A SPADE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE HARDEN. TRUSTEE MORA.
BUT I'LL JUST SAY IF YOU CALL ON ME, I'LL SAY SOMETHING.
I HOPE THAT WE ARE INDIVIDUALLY, OF COURSE, INVITED TO COME AND VISIT DIFFERENT SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES AND PROGRAMS. I KNOW THAT DOESN'T COVER THE ENTIRETY OF EVERYTHING THERE IS TO CONSIDER RELATED TO SERVICES.
BUT JUST ECHOING THE OPENNESS TO NOT JUST HAVE CONVERSATIONS, BUT TO OBSERVE OPEN INVITATION TO VISIT.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT GOING AND VISITING NECESSARILY THE CLASSROOMS. IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, TRUSTEE MORA, THIS IS BECOMING AN ONGOING THING.
I DON'T WANT TO BE THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME A PROBLEM, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTINUOUSLY GO AND JUST HIDE UNDER THE CLOSET AND CLOSE THE DOOR TO THIS.
THESE AREN'T EVEN THE SAME PEOPLE COMING BACK AND FORTH IN HERE.
I HAVE A SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILD.
I'VE BEEN HERE. I'VE DONE THE WORK.
LUCKILY, I HAD A BIG ENOUGH MOUTH AND I SMILED HARD ENOUGH, SO I GOT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MY BABY NEED BECAUSE I PLAYED NICE.
EVERYBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE ME DOESN'T GET THE THINGS THAT MY SON GOT.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE, AND IT HAD A LOT TO DO BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I LIVED IN AND BECAUSE I KNEW HOW TO PLAY NICE.
EVERYBODY DOESN'T KNOW THEIR RIGHTS.
I'VE ASKED FOR IT TO BE BROUGHT HERE BEFORE.
WE'VE HAD THESE FOOD FOOD TYPE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN COME ABOUT, BUT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEIR RIGHTS.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE TO SAY, AND IT SADDENS ME TO KNOW, BUT I'VE SAT ON BOTH SIDES OF IEP MEETINGS, SO I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY DOES NOT GET WHAT THEY NEED.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
IT HAS NOTHING TO NECESSARILY TO DO WITH COLOR.
IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MORALS AND RIGHTS.
THE TIME IS NOW BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN GRADUATE AND LEAVE HERE, KNOWING NOTHING THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW, AND IT IS NOT FAIR.
THESE CHILDREN DID NOT ASK TO BE BORN THIS WAY AND WE DESERVE AND HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THESE PEOPLE DEPEND ON US TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
WE KNOW THE NUMBERS, AND WE MUST DO SOMETHING.
THESE PEOPLE COME HERE NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT, AND THEY ASK FOR US TO DO SOMETHING.
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT WHEN WE KNOW WHAT SOMEONE HAS ASKED US TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND SAY, HEY, MAYBE WE SHOULD WAIT ON IT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN, BUT NOW WE'VE BEEN ADVISED.
[00:45:01]
I'M SAYING THIS AGAIN WITH A NEW BOARD THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.>> LISTEN, TO ME, THIS IS A GOOD THING. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING.
THERE'S NEVER ANY PRESSURE ABOUT A PUBLIC BOARD HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.
TRUSTEE HARDEN, MAYBE IF THE BOARD IS OKAY, WE CAN INVITE TRUSTEE HARDEN AND ANOTHER TRUSTEE TO DO A WORKING SESSION WITH ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER TO MAYBE BRING SOME OF THESE CONCERNS OR DIRECT ACTION.
I'M A TYPE OF PERSON LIKE, HEY, YOU GOT TO TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED, AND WE'LL TRY TO GET IT DONE.
I DON'T LIKE TALKING ABOUT THINGS ETHEREALLY, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT ESCAPES FROM ON THE BOARD SIDE AND THE PUBLIC SIDE.
WE'RE GOING TO INVITE THAT CONVERSATION, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, WE'LL LEAVE IT TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT TO FIND THE BEST WAY TO ALSO RESPOND CONCERNS AND WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR SUPERINTENDENT TO DO THOSE THINGS.
>> I DEFINITELY HAVE CONFIDENCE.
I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE I DO.
>> I THINK TRUSTEE DOSICK, I'LL MOVE MY LIGHT SO YOU CAN SEE IT.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS HERE AND THE PROPOSAL TO HAVE A WORKING GROUP ON THIS.
I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THAT WORKING GROUP, NOT 100% GERMANE TO THIS, BUT TANGENTIALLY RELATED INTO SOME OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S ALSO, NOT TAKING AWAY FROM TRUSTEE HARDEN'S COMMENTS AT ALL, THERE IS A RESOURCE ISSUE.
THIS IS THE MOST WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED ITEM IN NATIONALLY, STATE, LOCALLY, WHICH DRIVES A LOT OF THIS.
I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE SOLUTIONS, BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE EXIGENCY OF WHAT TRUSTEE HARDEN IS BRINGING UP.
WITH THAT CONTEXT, TO ADD TO IT. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE.
WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT FROM THE PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY AND I'VE SEEN THIS AS WELL WHERE OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS OR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THESE THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS ARE NOT NECESSARILY EQUIPPED TO WORK WITH OUR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS.
I DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION, BUT I THINK THAT'S WORTHY OF CONVERSATION GOING FORWARD OF WHAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE SAME OPTIONS THAT REQUIRE PARENTS, A LEGISLATIVE WORKING CLASS AND SINGLE PARENTS, AS I HAVE BEEN, TO HAVE TO TAKE THE TIME OFF TO BE THERE BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER PROGRAM AVAILABLE.
I DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION. I RECOGNIZE IT'S A RESOURCE ISSUE, BUT I THINK IT'S WORTHY OF ADDING TO THE CONVERSATION.
>> TOTALLY. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE DOSICK. TRUSTEE HARDEN.
>> JUST TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT THE TERM SPECIAL NEEDS IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED OUTDATED AND INAPPROPRIATE TO USE.
I KNOW YOU DIDN'T KNOW. I'M JUST SAYING IT THAT WE DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE.
YOU CAN JUST SAY DISABLED. THAT'S JUST BETTER.
BECAUSE SPECIAL NEEDS JUST MEAN SPECIAL, AND WE'RE ALL SPECIAL IN OUR OWN WAY.
BUT SAYING SPECIAL NEEDS IS JUST DISRESPECTFUL.
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION HERE AND THIS IS A PUBLIC BODY, IS SPECIAL NEED IS A LEGAL TERM? WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SERVICES, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT STILL USED IN THE LEGAL SENSE NOW? WE JUST SAY DISABLED. ALWAYS APPRECIATE AN APPLICATION.
>> NO PROBLEM. BECAUSE I'M THE LEAST EDUCATED, SO THERE.
>> I THINK NOW WE'RE GOING TO START CROSSING OVER INTO JERMAINE.
I'M GOING TO LOOK FOR A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING. I THINK WE GOT.
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL.
>> MOTION CARRIES 5-0, AND THAT HEARING IS CLOSED AT 7:23.
THANK YOU. GOOD ROBUST DISCUSSION. PUBLIC HEARING B.
[XIV.b. Draft 2025-2026 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) as part of the 2024-2027 LCAP]
THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE DRAFT 2025-2026, LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN AS A PART OF THE 2024-2027, LCAP WILL OPEN AT 7:24 PM.I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PRESENTATION FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVEN FONG WHO WILL LEAD US THROUGH THIS ITEM.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF THIS PROCESS.
THIS HAS BEEN MY FIRST YEAR WORKING WITH THIS PROCESS IN NATOMAS UNIFIED.
I THINK AS WE'LL SEE WITH THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PRESENTATION, SO MUCH INCREDIBLE WORK WENT INTO THE STRATEGIC PLAN LAST YEAR AND THE LCAP LAST YEAR.
WE'RE ENTERING INTO THAT SECOND YEAR OF THE LCAP THAT WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY RELY UPON
[00:50:04]
AN EXTREMELY STRONG FOUNDATION AND BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THIS AS A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS AND BE ABLE TO REALLY CONTINUE FORWARD WITH ALL THOSE ACTIONS.THE LCAP ITSELF IS ANCHORED IN OUR VISION AND OUR CORE VALUES AND OUR GOALS.
AS WE'VE SHARED IN THE PAST, OUR DISTRICT GOALS ARE OUR LCAP GOALS.
WE SEE A COMPLETE ALIGNMENT IN TERMS OF THE ACTIONS AND THE PRIORITIES WE'RE SETTING.
JUST AS A GENERAL REMINDER FOR ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE LISTENING TO THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME, AT ITS CORE, THE LCAP IS A PROCESS THAT HOLDS DISTRICTS ACCOUNTABLE TO SHARING WITH THE PUBLIC WITH THE BOARD, WHAT OUR GOALS ARE FOR STUDENTS, HOW WE'RE GOING TO MEASURE OUR SUCCESS, AND THE ACTIONS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TO GET THERE AND THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO SPEND OUR MONEY IN THOSE ACTIONS.
REALLY THOSE FOUR KEY THINGS, YOU'LL SEE THROUGHOUT THE LCAP US DOCUMENTING WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO, WHAT GOALS WE WANT TO REACH AT THE END OF THREE YEARS, AND THEN HOW WE'RE GOING TO SPEND OUR MONEY AND TRACK OURSELVES ALONG THE WAY.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO SHARE THAT THIS IS AN ANNUAL PROCESS IN ADDITION TO BEING A THREE YEAR CYCLE.
BUT AGAIN, WITHIN THAT THREE YEAR PROCESS THAT WAS STARTED IN EXTREMELY STRONG WAY LAST YEAR, WE'RE ABLE TO ITERATE WITHIN THAT THREE YEAR CYCLE.
ONE KEY NOTE FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, WE INTRODUCED TWO NEW GOALS WHICH ARE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE DISTRICT GOALS, AND THOSE ARE PART OF THAT KEY REQUIREMENT FOR RECEIVING THE LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA, EQUITY MULTIPLIER FUNDS.
WITHOUT GOING INTO AN EXHAUSTIVE MINT OF DETAIL, THE STATE DETERMINES ANNUALLY WHICH SCHOOLS ARE ELIGIBLE.
THOSE GOALS WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO INCLUDE THE MOST RECENTLY IDENTIFIED SCHOOLS.
YOU CAN SEE HERE IN RED THAT WHERE WE HAD AMERICAN LAKE SCHOOL IDENTIFIED IN GOAL 6 LAST YEAR, WILL BE WITH BANNON CREEK.
WE'LL ALWAYS BE KEEPING OUR EYE ON THAT.
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE GET TO CHOOSE.
BUT WITHIN THOSE, WE'LL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS AND SPENDING THE MONEY THAT COMES FOR THOSE GOALS.
WITHIN THE LCAP, I THINK IT ENDED UP BEING JUST AROUND 200 PAGES, THAT IS A VERY LARGE DOCUMENT.
WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK TO TRY TO BREAK THAT DOWN FOR OUR EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS.
HERE WE JUST WANT TO SHARE WHAT COMPONENTS ARE IN THERE.
IF YOU LOOK AT THAT FIRST PART OF THE LCAP, YOU GET A NICE SUMMARY, YOU MOVE INTO A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF HOW WE ENGAGED OUR PARTNERS, HOW WE'RE ACTUALLY BREAKING OUR ACTIONS INTO GOALS.
THEN THERE'S A LOT OF VERY NICE EXPENDITURE TABLES IN THE BACK WHERE YOU CAN SEE DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR WHERE OUR ACTIONS ARE TRACKING.
THERE'S A VERY WEIGHTY SET OF INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BACK THAT ARE PART OF THOSE 200 PAGES THAT WE DON'T GET TO CHOOSE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE SHARED AT THE MID YEAR UPDATE AND BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH A LOT OF FOLKS ACROSS THE DISTRICT THROUGH VARIOUS BODIES IS ENGAGING OUR PARTNERS.
THAT AGAIN, THE KEY FOR THAT IS AN ANNUAL PROCESS.
IF SOMEONE COMES UP TO US TOMORROW AND SHARES A REALLY KEY PIECE OF INPUT, THAT'S IMMEDIATELY USEFUL FOR OUR LCAP PROCESS NEXT YEAR.
IT'S A CONSTANT ONGOING PROCESS.
BUT DURING MOST RECENT YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THESE PARTNERS.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO SURVEY OUR COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND LOOKING FOR SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THAT NEXT YEAR AS WELL.
ONE OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE LCAP IS LOOKING BACK.
SOME OF THAT DETAILED HOW WE ANTICIPATED SPENDING OUR FUNDING, AND THEN WE COME HERE AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND SHOW HOW WE SPENT THOSE FUNDS.
WITHIN THE LCAP ITSELF, IT GOES DOWN TO THE ACTION LEVEL.
SHOULD YOU WANT TO SEE THAT DETAIL IT'S IN THERE AS WELL.
YOU CAN SEE HERE, AS OF AT THE END OF MAY, WE'RE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB AS A DISTRICT SPENDING OUR FUNDS.
NOW HERE ON THE DOORSTEP OF '25-'26, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING NEXT YEAR AND WE PROJECT OUR EXPENDITURES WITHIN THOSE SAME GOALS.
THIS WOULD BE OUR PROJECTED EXPENDITURES ACROSS OUR SEVEN LCAP GOALS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL SLIDES, WE WANTED TO BRING BACK WITHIN EACH GOAL THE ALIGNMENT THAT WAS SHOWN LAST YEAR.
THIS SLIDE IS WHERE WE STARTED OUR FOUNDATION IN LAST YEAR'S PROCESS.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE IN DETAIL, BUT REALLY TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT A LOT OF GOOD THINKING WAS DONE IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO TAKE OUR DISTRICT GOALS, TO REALLY IDENTIFY THE LCFF PRIORITIES FROM THE STATE THAT ALIGNED TO THOSE GOALS, AND THEN ALSO TO IDENTIFY KEY AREAS WHERE WE GROUND OURSELVES.
WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO CALL THAT OUT.
THEN WITHIN EACH GOAL, LOOK AT OUR '25-'26 LCAP AND BE ABLE TO POINT TO SOME OF THE PLACES WHERE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ADJUST.
WE STARTED THIS PRESENTATION SAYING, WE ARE CONTINUING THE COURSE OF A THREE YEAR CYCLE.
WE'RE MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM OF ACTIONS THAT WE KNOW WE WANT TO INVEST IN FOR THE LONG TERM, BUT THERE'S ALSO PLACES WHERE THE DISTRICT FINDS OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND INVEST IN NEW THINGS.
THIS BOARD HAS SEEN MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS COME THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE FALL IN THE SPRING, WHERE YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT NEW INVESTMENTS IN CURRICULUM, NEW INVESTMENTS IN MATH AND LITERACY INTERVENTION.
WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THOSE JUST TO BE ABLE TO CALL OUT THE FACT THAT THE LCAP IS REALLY BEING BUILT CONTINUOUSLY.
IN THE PRESENTATIONS YOU SEE AND SOME OF THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE, WE'RE CAPTURING AND DOCUMENTING THAT IN THE LCAP AS WELL.
[00:55:01]
WHICH REALLY FOCUSES ON THAT SEL AND WELL BEING, A GOOD EXAMPLE ARE THE ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.THOSE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE BOARD RECENTLY, THOSE ARE A NEW ACTION.
WHILE MANY OF OUR ACTIONS IN THE LCAP WILL CARRY THROUGH SIMILARLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE THREE YEARS, WE ARE ACTUALLY ADDING NEW ACTIONS.
THERE'LL BE NEW ACTIONS THAT WE'LL SUBMIT TO THE COUNTY TO SAY, WE'VE GROWN THE AMOUNTS OF SERVICES AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO ADAPT THE WAY WE SERVE OUR STUDENTS.
IN THE CASE OF GOAL 3, WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT, THERE'S NO NEW ACTIONS, BUT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT HOW TO CONTINUE INVESTING AND DEEPENING THE WORK ACROSS SOME REALLY KEY THINGS INCLUDING MENTORING AND SOME OF THE SAFETY SUPPORTS THAT WE PUT OUT A SITES.
GOAL 4, WE SHARED THE FACT THAT WE'RE ENGAGING ACROSS ALL THESE GROUPS, THAT'S NOT LIMITED TO THE LCAP.
WE ENGAGE THROUGH ALL METHODS.
GOAL 4 REALLY FOCUSES ON THAT AND IN PARTICULAR, FOR THIS YEAR, TRANSITIONING TO SOME OF THE WAYS WE USED TO ENGAGE JUST SOME MORE ALIGNED METHODS WITHIN OUR SYSTEMS, BEING ABLE TO TAKE WHAT WAS A LAUNCH OF A WELCOME CENTER AND TRANSITION THAT INTO THE SUSTAINING OF A WELCOME CENTER.
REALLY IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO CONTINUE THAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL.
GOAL 5, REALLY FOCUSED ON OUR ABILITY TO HIRE, TO RECRUIT, AND TO RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF.
REALLY KEY NEW ACTION 511 IS REALLY IDENTIFYING THAT THE INCREASE IN SUBSTITUTE PAY THAT CAME FORWARD TO THIS BOARD, WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THAT.
WE KNOW THAT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT COMPETITIVE PLACE IN THE LANDSCAPE TO BRING QUALIFIED SUBSTITUTES.
THEN FOR GOAL 6 AND 7, THERE ARE A LOT OF CHANGES IN GOAL 6 BECAUSE WE'RE SWITCHING BETWEEN SCHOOLS.
THAT'S A KEY PLACE TO SAY, GOING FROM AMERICAN LAKES TO BANNON CREEK, SOME OF THAT SITE SPECIFIC NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.
WE WILL CALL OUT THAT FOR THE '25-'26 YEAR, AMERICAN LAKES DOES HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUNDS REMAINING.
THEY STILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS GOAL AT LARGE, THOUGH THE GOAL ITSELF IS PRIMARILY NOW ABOUT BANNON CREEK AND LGMA.
THEN GOAL 7, STILL THE SAME TWO SCHOOLS.
DISCOVERY NATOMAS MIDDLE, REALLY CONTINUING THE COURSE OF THE WORK THEY STARTED THERE.
THAT WAS A QUICK PRESENTATION FOR THE SIZE OF THE DOCUMENT.
BUT AGAIN, REALLY ANCHORING IT IN THE FACT THAT A STRONG FOUNDATION WAS BUILT, WE'RE MOVING INTO THE NEXT YEAR OF THE CYCLE, AND WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE GOING INTO THIS NEXT YEAR TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THOSE NEW ACTIONS, DEEPENING THE WORK.
THEN REALLY AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE LCAP, AND THEN SUBMITTING IT TO THE COUNTY WHO ULTIMATELY APPROVES AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AS WELL.
>> YOU MIGHT WANT TO HANG AROUND BECAUSE I'M GOING TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST IF THAT'S OKAY WITH THE BOARD.
ON THIS ITEM, I DO HAVE A FEW PUBLIC COMMENTS.
FIRST UP, I HAVE SHARON THURMAN.
>> GOOD EVENING TO OUR ESTEEM BOARD AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
I AM HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO HEAR THE WISDOM OF THE COMMUNITY, AS WE URGE YOU TO MODIFY THE CURRENT DRAFT, LOCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE BUDGET REFLECT ITEMS THAT ACTUALLY BRING IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR STUDENTS.
AS ESTEEM DOSICK MENTIONED, IN THE MAJOR AREAS OF READING AND MATH, THE CURRENT PROGRAMS MUST BE EVALUATED.
IS THE WRITING LITERACY PROGRAM ACTUALLY INCREASING THE READING ABILITY OF OUR STUDENTS? ACCORDING TO THE CASB DATA, IT IS NOT.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO INCREASE THE STANDARD.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE EXPECTING OR HAVE SET A STANDARD OF 3%.
WHY NOT 20% EACH YEAR IN IMPROVEMENT SO THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN WE ARE HERE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO REPORT THAT BLACK STUDENTS ARE NOW ABLE TO READ AT A RATE 50% AS OPPOSED TO CURRENTLY 30%.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER SET THIS GOAL, AND PERHAPS THAT IS WHY WE ARE NOT HAVING THE ADVANCEMENTS THAT WE NEED.
AFTER VIEWING THE APRIL 16TH VIDEO OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHO SHARED THEIR STORIES, I IMAGINE THAT YOUR HEARTS ARE STILL REELING.
THERE MAY EVEN BE A TENDENCY TO FEEL A CERTAIN KIND OF WAY.
I ONLY HOPE THAT YOU FELT COMPELLED FROM A PLACE OF COMPASSION, TO TREAT THIS LIKE A CRISIS AND TO USE THE LCAP TO ADDRESS THAT CRISIS BY EVALUATING PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT WORKING,
[01:00:04]
REPLACING THEM WITH PROGRAMS THAT ARE, AND ALLOWING OUR STUDENTS AN ACCELERATED RATE OF LEARNING AS OPPOSED TO A MEDIOCRE RATE.ONE OF OUR OTHER FOLKS HAD TO LEAVE, AND WE WILL SEND HIS COMMENT TO YOU.
BUT, IN ESSENCE, HE WAS ASKING THAT WE NOT [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] THE STANDARD SUCCESS RATE THAT WE SEND TO THE STATE AS SOME THAT'S COMMENDABLE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP, I HAVE CAROLYN JACKSON.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME AND ALL OF US TODAY.
ON BEHALF OF THE NATOMAS BLACK PARENTS UNITED COALITION, AS A CONCERNED TAXPAYER AND COMMUNITY MEMBER, I WANT TO RAISE A CRITICAL CONCERN.
THE LACK OF CONSISTENCY, HIGH QUALITY, ACADEMIC INTERVENTION ACROSS OUR DISTRICT THAT SUPPORTS OUR THIRD TO 12TH GRADE SCHOLARS.
YES, IT APPEARS THAT THE EARLY LEARNERS INITIATIVES WILL HELP K-2 STUDENTS.
>> LEARN TO READ, BUT TOO MANY STUDENTS ARE FAILING THROUGH THE CRACKS.
BLACK STUDENTS AT THE RATE OF 70%, HISPANICS AT THE RATE OF 63, ASIAN STUDENTS AT THE RATE OF 45, AND WHITE STUDENTS AT THE RATE OF 42 ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL.
CASB RESULTS SHOW THE MAJORITY OF EVERY STUDENT HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY SUPPORTED.
WE KNOW THAT JUST AS A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS, STARTING WITH AREAS, THE DISTRICT IS FAILING MOST WILL HELP ALL STUDENTS IMPROVE.
IN FOUNDATIONAL AREAS LIKE READING AND MATH, THERE'S NO CLEAR DISTRICT WIDE PLAN TO INTERVENE EARLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE CHILDREN IN THE THIRD THROUGH 12TH GRADE ARE RECEIVING EFFECTIVE INTERVION BEFORE THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
NUSD IS FAILING OUR SCHOLARS WHO WHEN PROPERLY SUPPORTED CAN ACHIEVE CASB RESULTS SHOW.
THE MAJORITY HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY SUPPORTED.
INTERVION SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON WHICH SCHOOL A STUDENT ATTENDS OR WHETHER THERE'S LEFTOVER FUNDING.
IT SHOULD BE A GUARANTEED PART OF THEIR EDUCATION.
>> I'M SORRY, NICHELLE JACKSON.
>> I ADD $1 FOR EVERY TIME SOMEBODY A.
>> SHE HAS A FULL, TWO MINUTES BECAUSE I BUT YOU HER NAME.
>> THAT TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, ON BEHALF OF THE NATOMAS BLACK PARENT UNITED COALITION, I'M ASKING YOU TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE IB PROGRAM AND TO CONSIDER PAUSING ITS IMPLEMENTATION ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THE PROPOSED LCAP ALLOCATES MORE THAN $2,000,000 TO A PROGRAM THAT SERVES A SMALL PORTION OF STUDENTS.
WITH LIMITED DATA TO SHOW BROAD ACADEMIC BENEFITS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, WHERE ONLY TWO DOZEN STUDENTS EARNED A CERTIFICATE AND WHERE IT IS ESPECIALLY INEFFICIENT AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL.
IS THIS A WISE OR EQUITABLE USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDS.
PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDS, EXCUSE ME.
IB DEMANDS A SPECIALIZED PHILOSOPHY, EXTENSIVE TRAINING, AND A DEEP LEVEL OF BUY IN.
IT SHOULD NEVER BE IMPOSED ON ENTIRE SCHOOLS WHERE FAMILIES AND STAFF MAY NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE SIGNING UP FOR.
INSTEAD, IB SHOULD BE AN OPT IN PROGRAM AVAILABLE ONLY TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS WHO ACTIVELY CHOOSE AND ARE FULLY PREPARED FOR THE COMMITMENT.
WHILE WE CONTINUE TO STRETCH OUR RESOURCES THIN, WE HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE SCA AND AVID THAT ARE INCLUSIVE, COLLEGE PREP, AND OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS.
IF WE ARE TRULY COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE, IT'S TIME TO SHIFT OUR PRIORITIES.
LET'S PAUSE IB DISTRICT WIDE, LIKE WE HAVE AT HELLEN HIGH AND BANNON CREEK SCHOOLS.
LET'S ASSESS IB'S REAL IMPACT, EVALUATE WHO'S TRULY SERVING AND DECIDE WHETHER IT'S THE BEST USE OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OR CONVERSELY, WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS WOULD MEET THE NEEDS AND BENEFITS OF MORE STUDENTS AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME.
[01:05:04]
IN THE MEANTIME, WE MUST REINVEST IN PROGRAMS LIKE EVIDENCE BASED, READING INSTRUCTION, AND READING, TUTORING THAT SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS, NOT JUST TO SELECT FEW.THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IS TO SUPPORT EVERY CHILD, K THROUGH 12 AND LEARNING TO READ A SKILL THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE, NEVER GOES OUT OF FOCUS AT GRADE LEVEL AND THROUGHOUT THEIR K THROUGH 12 YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. NEXT STEP IT LOOKS LIKE I HAVE GEORGE HARRIS.
HE HAD. HE LEFT ME HIS STATEMENT.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEND THAT TO HELENE AND THEN SHE WILL CIRCULATE THAT TO THE BOARD.
THANK YOU. WE MOVE ON. JEN SUSA.
>> AGAIN, IN LOOKING AT THIS BUDGET, I'M VERY CONCERNED.
WE ARE SPENDING, AS WAS MENTIONED, TWO MILLION ON IB, $400,000 ON IRD AND EXCEL, WHICH IS A PROGRAMS THAT DUPLICATE THEMSELVES.
THEY DIAGNOSE AND ASSIGN PERSONALIZED PRACTICE TO READING AND MATH, BUT THE PROGRAM IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ELS TO ACCESS.
THE SOFTWARE IS THE SAME ALMOST.
SCHOOLS STILL LACK ADEQUATE ADS AND INTERVENTION TEACHERS.
WE SHOULD NOT BE PLOPPING THEM IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.
THE VALUE IN AN EDUCATION IS THE TEACHER.
WE LEARNED THAT FOR SURE OVER THE PANDEMIC.
WE'RE ALSO SPENDING OVER $200,000 ON CONSULTANTS, ASPIRE WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE THAT THIS IMPROVES OUTCOMES OR INSTRUCTION.
THESE CONSULTANTS DUPLICATE SERVICES ALREADY PROVIDED BY PRINCIPALS AND THOSE OVERSEEING PRINCIPALS.
MEANWHILE, AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE FALLING FURTHER BEHIND.
BUT THE PLAN IS TO KEEP OUTSOURCING DUPLICATIVE WORK FOR LUXURY CONSULTANTS.
SDC CLASSES GO WITHOUT TEACHERS AND WITH RAT INFESTATIONS, YET YOU REFUSE TO OFFER INCENTIVES NEEDED TO KEEP THOSE CLASSES FULLY STAFFED.
IT'S ABOUT HOW WE DECIDE TO SPEND THAT MONEY, AND THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T LOOK LIKE OUR CHILDREN.
THE BOARD LOOKS LIKE OUR CHILDREN.
THE BOARD LOOKS LIKE MY SON AND DAUGHTER'S CLASSROOMS. OUR DISTRICT OFFICE DOES NOT TEACHERS OF COLOR COME TO THIS DISTRICT, AND THEY LEAVE.
HAVE WE ASKED THEM WHY? WE NEED TO STOP APPROVING LUXURY PROGRAMS WHILE THE BASICS, LITERACY, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY ARE STILL BROKEN.
I URGE YOU TO REJECT THIS WASTEFUL BUNDLE, DEMAND CLEAR DELIVERABLES, AND REALLOCATE FUNDING TO WHAT MATTERS, READING INSTRUCTION, DIRECT SERVICES, DIRECT INSTRUCTION, EQUITABLE SUPPORT FOR ALL STUDENTS.
A MOTHER SPOKE THIS EVENING, $2 MILLION ON IB COULD PROVIDE MANY AIDS FOR HER SON TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THE CLASSROOM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M SORRY. HOLD ON. RAY BEL? OH, I'M SO RUDE. I WAS NOT INTENTIONAL. RAY BEL.
CAN YOU GET YOUR MINUTES. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> THAT'S OKAY. VOICES A LITTLE IN AND OUT.
GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT.
MY NAME IS RAY BEL, AND I'M HERE TO SHARE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE 2025-26 LCAP AND ITS SUPPORT OR LACK THEREOF FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PLAN, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT OUT OF OVER FIVE MILLION AND POTENTIALLY RELATED FUNDING, ONLY $10,000 IS EXPLICITLY ALLOCATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND THAT'S ONLY FOR AID TRAINING.
THERE IS NO FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE OR FOR INCLUSIVE TEACHING PRACTICES.
WHILE INCLUSION IS MENTIONED IN THE THEORY, THE LCAP HAS NO ACTION FOR CO-TEACHING, UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING, OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WHO SERVE STUDENTS WITH IEPS.
EVEN MORE CONCERNING, THERE'S NO ACTION ADDRESSING TRANSITION PLANNING FOR STUDENTS AGE 14 AND UP, AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW IDA.
THESE STUDENTS NEED SUPPORT WITH JOB TRAINING, LIFE SKILLS, AND COLLEGE PLANNING, YET NO FUNDS OR GOALS ARE SET ASIDE.
THE PLAN ALSO FAILS TO ALIGN BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS LIKE PBIS AND MTSS WITH IEPS AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION PLANS.
IT MAKES NO MENTION OF STUDENTS WITH LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES, SUCH AS THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, BLIND,
[01:10:02]
OR ORTHOPEDICALLY IMPAIRED, WHO REQUIRE ACCESSIBLE MATERIALS AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.FINALLY, MANY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE EXCLUDED DURING RECESS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BECAUSE SUPPORTS AREN'T IN PLACE TO ENSURE ACCESS.
I URGE THE DISTRICT TO ALLOCATE.
I DID HAVE A NUMBER THERE, BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO ALLOCATE ACCORDINGLY TO THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO CARRY THESE SPECIAL DISABILITIES AND IEPS AND 504.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION THAT THE LCAP IS NOT OUR ONLY SOURCE OF FUNDING, SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE ACTUALLY FUNDED IN OTHER PLACES, AND SOME OF OUR OTHER SERVICES ARE OUTSIDE OF WHERE THE LCAP IS.
JUST TO CLARIFY THAT, WE HAVE MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION AND THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
TRUSTEES. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?
>> A QUESTION. MRS. FONG, WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SURVEYS.
I WANTED TO CHECK WITH YOU, HOW ARE WE DOING THE SURVEYS? HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE WE ARE ENGAGING THE PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS? ARE WE DOING THE SURVEY DIGITALLY OR ARE WE ARE HOLDING COMMUNITY MEETINGS?
>> BOTH, THE SURVEYS WE'RE USING OUR THOUGHT EXCHANGE TOOL THAT WE'VE USED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT THE LAST FEW YEARS.
THE VARIOUS GROUPS WE ENGAGE WITH, THOSE ARE IN PERSON MEETINGS THIS YEAR, WE HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH DOING SOME VERY HANDS ON GALLERY WALKS AND THEN TOOK SOME OF THOSE PIECES OF DATA AND ACTUALLY UTILIZED THE TOOL TO BE ABLE TO SYNTHESIZE AND FIND THOSE PRIORITIES THAT ROSE OUT ACROSS THE GROUPS THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN OUR ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL PARTNER SECTION.
>> HOW PERIODICALLY DO WE DO IT? DO WE DO IT ONCE IN A YEAR? ONCE?
>> I KNOW THAT THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS WERE A LOT, AND I'M CERTAINLY NOT PERSONALLY PRESENT AT ALL OF THEM.
THERE ARE OTHER COLLEAGUES WHO ARE MEETING WITH THESE GROUPS ONGOING.
>> BUT I THINK WE HAVE A CYCLE THAT WE GET FEEDBACK IN THE FALL AND THEN THE WINTER, AND AGAIN, IN THE SPRING AS WE'RE PROCESSING.
WITH ALL OF THE GROUPS THAT WERE LISTED IN THE SLIDE, THERE IS A CYCLE THREE TIMES A YEAR TO GET FEEDBACK FROM ALL OF THOSE GROUPS.
MOVE TO CLOSE. MOVED BY TRUSTEE DOSICK.
HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
I'M CLOSING THIS HEARING AT 7:47 PM.
ALL RIGHT. ACTION ITEM C. THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR
[XIV.c. 2025-26 Proposed Budget]
THE 2025-2026 PROPOSED BUDGET WILL OPEN AT 7:48 PM.OUR INTERIM CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICIAL, FRED VAN BLACK, WILL LEAD US THROUGH THIS ITEM.
I AM NOT A MAC PERSON, SO I NEED HELP.
THANK YOU. THIS EVENING, I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THE ACTUAL BUDGET THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
AS WE GET STARTED IN THIS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I RECOGNIZE THE STAFF IN THE FISCAL SERVICES WORLD HERE IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGE OVER IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL VERY WELL AWARE OF.
WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT, IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT GIVING THIS PRESENTATION, SO I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THEY PUT INTO HELPING ME GET HERE THIS EVENING AND HAVE A BUDGET READY FOR YOUR PREVIEW AND HOPEFUL FINAL ADOPTION AT OUR MEETING AT THE END OF JUNE.
COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER THIS EVENING IS WE'RE GOING TO OVERVIEW THE BUDGET, THE HIGHLIGHTS, THE ASSUMPTIONS.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REVENUES, THE EXPENDITURES, THE RESERVES, AND THE COMMITTED FUNDS.
THEN WE'LL WRAP UP BY TAKING A LOOK AT THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION SHOWING WHAT WOULD BE A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION IF THERE WAS SUCH A THING ON A BUDGET BECAUSE WE DON'T ACTUALLY CERTIFY A BUDGET.
MUCH OF THIS PRESENTATION SHOULD LOOK FAMILIAR TO YOU, THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR A WHILE, BECAUSE I FOLLOWED THE SAME TEMPLATE THAT WE HAVE HISTORICALLY DONE JUST TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AND MORE STREAMLINED FOR ALL OF YOU TO FOLLOW ALONG.
THIS SLIDE HERE, HOWEVER, IS ONE THAT WE UPDATED THIS YEAR, AND THIS IS THE BUDGET CYCLE AND HOW THE BUDGET CYCLE WORKS.
WHAT WE DID WAS WE OUTLINED ON THE LEFT, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BUDGET, AND WE OUTLINED ON THE RIGHT,
[01:15:02]
WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SERVICES INSIDE THE DISTRICT TO HELP US GUIDE THE BUDGET AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY END UP PUTTING IN THE BUDGET AT THE END OF THE DAY.IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S OUTLINED IN RED THERE, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS BUDGET IS BUILT UPON THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR'S MAY BUDGET REVISION.
NOW, WE KNOW THAT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT COME TO FRUITION.
I JUST ALWAYS WANT TO GIVE THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT IT'S BUILT ON SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T KNOW IF IS GOING TO BE REAL OR NOT.
WE WILL HAVE AN ACTUAL BUDGET, HOPEFULLY HERE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO BECAUSE OUR ASSEMBLY AND SENATE HAVE COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL, AND THEY'RE BUSY NEGOTIATING RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY LARGE MATERIAL DIFFERENCES, BUT IF THERE WERE MATERIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MAY REVISE AND WHAT WE BUILT A BUDGET ON WHAT ACTUALLY GETS ADOPTED, RATHER, WE WOULD DO A 45 DAY BUDGET REVISION.
AGAIN, I SAID EARLIER, THAT IF THIS BUDGET WERE TO BE CERTIFIED, IT WOULD RECEIVE A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
WE DON'T DO THAT ON A BUDGET, BUT I DID WANT TO GO OVER AND TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THE THINGS THAT IT INCLUDES, SUCH AS THE STATE REQUIRED MINIMUM 3% RESERVE THAT'S IN THERE, ALONG WITH THE ADDITIONAL 6% THAT THE BOARD POLICY REQUIRES FOR AT LEAST A TOTAL OF 9% INSIDE THE DISTRICT.
I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT DISTRICTS OF SIMILAR SIZE AROUND THE STATE HAVE ON AVERAGE ABOUT A 20% RESERVE.
THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS A BOARD AS YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE WE SIT WITH OUR RESERVES IN THE DISTRICT.
OUR ENROLLMENT IS PROJECTED TO BE AT JUST A SCOTIA OVER 11,000 STUDENTS, AND THEN THE ADA IS AT ABOUT 10,000 STUDENTS.
HOW WE GO FROM 11,000 TO THAT 10,000 NUMBER THAT WE HAVE UP THERE IS WE SIMPLY TAKE OUR ATTENDANCE RATE AND MULTIPLY IT BY THE ENROLLMENT.
THEN I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE SLIGHT INCREASE IN OUR UNDUPLICATED COUNT UP TO JUST ABOUT 69.3%.
>> LET ME START EARLY BECAUSE THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TRADITIONALLY, ACROSS THE STATE HAVE A 20% RESERVE?
>> SURE. AS YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, 3% IS A REQUIRED RESERVE FOR A DISTRICT OF OUR SIZE.
IT COULD BE >> ANYWHERE FROM 1% FOR A VERY LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICT LIKE LA UNIFIED TO 4% FOR A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER 1,000 STUDENTS.
WHERE WE SIT AT 3%, AND THAT'S HARDLY ADEQUATE TO DO ALMOST ANYTHING AT ALL.
I'LL GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT WOULDN'T DO.
I WAS A CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICIAL THROUGH THE GREAT RECESSION OF 2008, AND IF ANY DISTRICT ENTERED INTO 2008 WITH A RESERVE OF 3%, THEY LIKELY WOULD HAVE GONE INTO STATE RECEIVERSHIP.
WHAT THAT RESERVE IS THERE FOR IS TO PROTECT US IF WE GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE REVENUES FROM THE STATE DIFFER.
I WOULD SAY AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT, THERE'S A REAL QUESTION, ESPECIALLY IN THE OUT YEARS, WHETHER OR NOT THE COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES WILL BE FUNDED.
THANKFULLY, WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION LIKE WE WERE IN 2008, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT MID YEAR CUTS WHERE YOU BUILD A BUDGET IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR AND I CAN GO ON FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME YOU TELL ME HOW FAR TO GO AND WHEN TO STOP?
>> JUST ONE MORE SET THIS IS PROBABLY SUFFICIENT.
>> SURE. THE NEXT PIECE ABOUT THAT THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS CASH FLOW, BECAUSE WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT A BUDGET, EVEN THOUGH THAT WE'RE BUILDING A BUDGET RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET $200 MILLION TO SPEND IN OUR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, THAT DOESN'T ALL SHOW UP ON THE DOORSTEP ON JULY 1.
WHAT IT DOES IS WE GET APPORTIONMENTS FROM THE STATE, AND THEN WE GET OUR PROPERTY TAX APPORTIONMENTS AS WELL.
THAT HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND IF WE DON'T HAVE A SUFFICIENT ENOUGH RESERVE, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CASH IN THE BANK TO ACTUALLY MAKE PAYROLL.
>> SURE. A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS.
PRS IS STAYING FLAT AT THAT 19.10%.
WE DID HAVE, THIS IS NICE, I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS IN A LONG TIME, A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE PRS RATE.
REMEMBER, STRS IS THE STATE TEACHER RETIREMENT AND PRS IS THE CLASSIFIED RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SLIGHT DECREASE FROM 27.4-26.81%.
THE BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES YOUR PRIOR ACTIONS, AND THOSE ARE ACTIONS DECIDING ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE CONVERT THINGS FROM ONE TIME FUNDS, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP, WHAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP INSIDE THE BUDGET, THINGS YOU'VE HISTORICALLY APPROVED EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
IT ALSO INCLUDES $100,000 CONTRIBUTION TO OTHER POST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. THAT'S OPEB.
HISTORICALLY, YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THIS DISTRICT IS A PENSION STABILIZATION ACCOUNT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE USE TO PAY TEACHERS WHO RETIRE BECAUSE IF THEY'VE WORKED IN THE DISTRICT LONG ENOUGH, THEY RECEIVE BENEFITS BETWEEN THE DATE THEY RETIRE AND THEIR 65TH BIRTHDAY.
IT INCLUDES A SALARY INCREASE THAT WENT OUT TO CSEA, ALONG WITH THE YEARS OF SERVICE PAYMENT, THE ONE TIME EXPENDITURE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS IN
[01:20:03]
THE HEREDIA-ARRIAGA FURNITURE WHEN YEAR 305 ON THAT AND THE BRIDGE STAFFING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT.I DO WANT TO POINT OUT WHAT'S NOT IN THIS BUDGET, THOUGH, ON THE ADVICE OF SCHOOL SERVICES IS TO CONTINUE TO NOT PUT THE FULL TRANSITIONAL KINDER FUNDING INSIDE THE BUDGET.
WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WILL COME THROUGH, BUT AS I SAY, HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY SO WE DID NOT INCLUDE THAT.
IF THAT DOES COME THROUGH, THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF JUST OVER $1 MILLION ONGOING THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.
ALSO NOT INCLUDED IS I HAVE UP HERE AND IT'S ALREADY OUTDATED, JUST AS OF TODAY, THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL FUNDING BY ABOUT 15% AND WHAT I HAVE UP HERE RIGHT NOW IS 12% SO THERE'S LIKELIHOOD THAT IT COULD BE HIGHER THAN THAT, BUT WE DON'T KNOW THAT HAS TO BE NEGOTIATED THROUGH ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
REMEMBER, THEIR FISCAL YEAR DOESN'T WORK THE SAME AS OUR FISCAL YEAR.
THEIR FISCAL YEAR STARTS ON OCTOBER 1 SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN OURS.
THEN FINALLY, THE OTHER THING THAT'S NOT INSIDE THE BUDGET IS WE HAVEN'T CONCLUDED OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION YET SO THERE'S NOTHING BUILT INTO THE BUDGET TO ACCOUNT FOR ANY TYPE OF INCREASE IN COMPENSATION, EVEN THOUGH IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THERE'LL BE SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE BUDGET.
THIS GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT OF PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHERE OUR REVENUES COME FROM, AS I SAID EARLIER, ABOUT A $200 MILLION BUDGET.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE WHERE OUR EXPENDITURES COME FROM AND YOU'LL NOTICE RIGHT AWAY AS WE LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, OUR EXPENDITURES DO OUTPACE OUR REVENUES AGAIN, WHICH MEANS THAT WE DO HAVE A DEFICIT IN THE BUDGET, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER ON IN THE PRESENTATION.
THE OTHER THING THAT'S IN HERE THAT I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO IS WE'RE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT AROUND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WE'RE SPENDING IN THAT 80S RANGE, AND SO I WOULD CONSIDER US TO BE AN AVERAGE DISTRICT BECAUSE SPEND SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ABOUT 80 AND 85%.
WE'RE RIGHT AT 81% FOR OUR STAFFING COSTS OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
THERE IS ANOTHER LITTLE CHANGE THAT COMES IN OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR, AND THAT IS OUR ASSUMPTIONS AS WE LOOK AT OUR ENROLLMENT AND OUR AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE AS WE LOOK OUT INTO THE FUTURE YEARS.
WHEN WE DID THE SECOND INTERIM, WE HAD AN ASSUMPTION THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR GROWTH IN ATTENDANCE, BECAUSE AS YOU THINK POST COVID, OUR ATTENDANCE RATES UNFORTUNATELY SLIPPED, AGAIN, JUST LIKE THEY'VE HAPPENED ALL ACROSS THE STATE.
I THINK YOU ALL KNOW I'VE BEEN IN MULTIPLE DISTRICTS, AND SO THIS IS NOT A PHENOMENON THAT'S JUST HAPPENING HERE LOCALLY, BUT IT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE.
WE TRIED TO, PIN IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCURATELY AS TO WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE AT, AND WE'RE PREDICTING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FLAT ENROLLMENT AND FLAT ADA AS WE MOVE OUT INTO THAT MULTI YEAR PROJECTION.
A FEW THINGS THAT WE PUT IN HERE FOR OUR PLANNING AND WE USED IN THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION.
WE ALSO USED IN THE BUDGET, JUST WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION.
THE FIRST LINE IS THE ONE THAT I THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT TO SPEND A MINUTE ON, AND THAT IS THE COLA.
WE GET SOMETHING FROM SCHOOL SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, AND THAT'S WHAT WE FOLLOW AS WE LOOK AT THOSE OUT YEARS.
YOU CAN SEE 25/26, THE 2.3 26/27 THE 3.02, AND THEN FINALLY WITH A 3.42.
THAT'S OUR BEST GUESS. WE DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO COME, BUT WE HAVE TO USE SOMETHING WHEN WE BUILD THAT MULTI YEAR PROJECTION, AND SO WE PUT IN THOSE NUMBERS THAT COME FROM SCHOOL SERVICE, AND IF THOSE DON'T GET FUNDED, THAT CERTAINLY CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHERE THIS BUDGET ENDS UP AT THE END OF THE DAY.
WE ALSO WANTED TO INCLUDE SOME WORK THAT WE DID IN THE DISTRICT, AND WE REALLY WANTED TO CALL THIS OUT TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE AREAS WHERE WE HAD SOME INTENTIONAL ACTIONS THAT RESULTED IN SOME BUDGET SAVINGS.
THAT'S A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER THAT WE HAVE UP THERE, 5.1 MILLION DOLLAR THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS THAT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO DOWN EVERY SINGLE ONE ON THE LIST, OF COURSE, UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO, BUT I'LL LET YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT FOR A SECOND.
>> ACTUALLY, IF THE BOARD DOESN'T OBJECT, I'D LIKE TO GO THROUGH IT.
BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL ACTION BY THE BOARD TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND FIND COST SAVINGS THAT WE CAN APPLY TO PROGRAMS OF CURRICULUM THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I'M GOING TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION.
THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO SLIDES THAT GO WITH US.
THE SECOND SLIDE DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAVE COSTS WITH IT, BUT I'LL COME TO THAT IN JUST A SECOND.
THE FIRST SLIDE ACTUALLY HAS SOME COST SAVINGS THAT ARE THERE.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE DECREASE IN COMMITMENTS TO THE OPEB.
I TALKED EARLIER THAT WE'RE CONTRIBUTING $100,000 TO OUR OTHER POST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
HISTORICALLY, WHAT WE'VE CONTRIBUTED HAS BEEN $500,000 SO WE PINCHED THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
WE DIDN'T COMPLETELY CUT THAT OFF, BUT WE WENT 500,000-100,000 WITH A $400,000 SAVINGS.
[01:25:03]
THE NEXT NUMBER THAT WE HAVE UP THERE IS A REDUCTION IN OUR TECHNOLOGY RELATED EXPENDITURES.WE PULLED 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR OUT OF THE COMMITTED FUNDS ON THOSE MOVING FORWARD.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE STOPPING TO FUND TECHNOLOGY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IT JUST SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE AS HIGH A CONTRIBUTION RATE TO THAT.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAVE ANY DIRECT IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS INSIDE THE CLASSROOM AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS HAPPENING THERE.
THERE'S ALSO A $200,000 DECREASE IN EXPENDITURES TO THE WELCOME CENTER AND THAT IS REDUCING SOME ONE TIME FUNDS AND JUST TIGHTENING SOME THINGS UP IN THE BUDGET OVER THERE.
WE HAD $100,000 DECREASE IN THE EDUCATIONAL CENTER MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.
WE ALSO REDUCED SOME TOSA POSITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN JUST OVER $1 MILLION SAVINGS.
$350,000 REDUCTION IN OUTSIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS.
WE HEARD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT EARLIER THIS EVENING AND THIS IS AN ACTUAL AREA THAT WE DID DECREASE.
THERE WAS A $250,000 DECREASE IN THE IB PROGRAMS AS WELL.
AGAIN, ANOTHER THING THAT WE HEARD ABOUT EARLIER IN THE EVENING, AND WE DID HAVE A DECREASE IN THAT AREA.
WE DID HAVE THE MOVE OF SIXTH GRADE AND MERGING THEM ONTO SOME OF THE SITES.
THAT WAS A SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS FOR THE DISTRICT AS WELL, COMING IN AT THAT $1 MILLION MARK.
WE HAD A $55,000 SAVINGS WHEN WE SWITCHED FROM AN OUTSIDE VENDOR TO AN IN HOUSE ON TRACT TO COLLEGE COMMUNICATION TOOL, A $50,000 SAVINGS JUST BY CHANGING A LANDLINE PROVIDER FOR PHONE SERVICES.
THEN FINALLY, $100,000, WE'RE CALLING THIS AN INCREASE, AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A GUESS.
YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT LATER ON THIS EVENING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRYING TO RECUPERATE SOME OF THE COSTS ON OUR FACILITY FEES.
ONE THING THAT I WANT TO CALL OUT ABOUT THIS IS THIS ISN'T ACTUALLY A PROFIT.
WHAT THIS IS IS JUST REDUCING WHAT THE DISTRICT IS SUBSIDIZING WHEN FOLKS USE OUR FACILITIES.
THE SECOND SLIDE HERE IS A SLIDE THAT TALKS ABOUT THINGS THAT WE REALLY CAN'T PUT $1 AMOUNT ON, SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO QUANTIFY IT IN THAT REGARD, BUT I WILL GO OVER THOSE.
THE FIRST ONE IS A REPLACEMENT OF HIGH WATER USES LANDSCAPE TO HARD SCAPE TO REDUCE OUR WATER COSTS.
ANOTHER ONE IS A CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY, SUCH AS LIGHTING AND THERMOSTAT CONTROLS.
CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT THIS YEAR SO WE CAN HAVE THAT ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
THEN WE'RE ALSO INVESTING IN ATTENDANCE RECOVERY ACTIONS BECAUSE ONE OF THE BEST WAYS WHEN THINGS GET TIGHT IS TO TRY TO INCREASE OUR ATTENDANCE.
ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T BUDGET FOR THAT INCREASING, WE'RE CERTAINLY HOPEFUL, AND WE ARE NOT GIVING UP OUR STRATEGIES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
WE ALSO HAD A REDUCTION IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONFERENCE TRAVEL.
I NOTED IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, BUT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
>> I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT A RECENT REDUCTION IN BOARD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO PICK OUR SPOTS TOO AS A BOARD.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S COMPLETELY A GOOD THING BECAUSE YOU NEED COMPETENT PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO FIND WAYS TO EDUCATE OURSELVES TOO.
>> EXCELLENT. THEN FINALLY, WRAPPING IT UP, ONE OF THE THINGS, AND I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY A COOL IDEA, PUN INTENDED.
WE ARE BRINGING OUR HVAC FOLKS IN.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PERSON ON SITE ACTUALLY CHANGING OUR FILTERS RATHER THAN CONTRACTING THAT OUT.
NOT ONLY WILL WE GET A BUDGET SAVINGS OUT OF THAT, BUT WE WILL ALSO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THEM DOING SOME OF THE LOWER LEVEL MAINTENANCE ON THE UNITS SO WE CAN GET THAT TAKEN CARE OF.
NOW, THIS ONE, CAN YOU ALL READ THAT SLIDE? HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE THAT WELL.
I KNOW YOU CAN'T READ THAT SLIDE, AND THAT'S OKAY.
HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A CLOSE UP OF THE AREA THAT WE'LL FOCUS ON FOR JUST A SECOND.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO, OF COURSE, IS ENDING FUND BALANCE.
THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE LOOKS AT OFTEN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO ME, JUST EMPHASIZING THIS IDEA OF THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE.
BUT THANKFULLY, THAT REALLY GOES AWAY OUT IN THAT THIRD YEAR OF THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION.
THE FIRST YEAR, IT'S PRETTY HEAVY, AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A SECOND.
THE SECOND YEAR, IT CONTINUES, NOT AS MUCH, BUT AS WE GO OUT INTO THAT THIRD YEAR, WE'RE ABLE TO GET BACK IN THE BLACK WHERE WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN WE'RE TAKING IN.
BUT AGAIN, A COUPLE OF DISQUALIFIERS WHEN WE GET TO THAT THIRD YEAR, WE'RE ASSUMING THAT THOSE COLAS WILL BE FULLY FUNDED.
THEN ALSO, WE HAVEN'T PUT WHATEVER WE END UP SETTLING WITH OUR TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS AND TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AS WELL INSIDE OF THE BUDGET YET.
THAT DEFICIT EXPLAINED, YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S ABOUT A 5.9 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AS WE LOOK AT 25/26.
THERE'S A LIST OF THINGS THAT GO DOWN THROUGH THERE.
MOST OF THOSE ARE ONE TIME THINGS THAT WILL COME OFF.
BUT THERE IS ONE ON THERE THAT I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO,
[01:30:03]
AND THAT IS SPECIAL EDUCATION.THE CONTRIBUTION THAT WE HAVE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IS AN INCREDIBLY A CHALLENGING THING FOR US TO MAKE.
WE HAVE TO LIVE BY IDEA, WHICH IS A FEDERAL LAW SO INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WITH STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO FUND WHAT WE DID THIS YEAR.
THERE'S A LAW THAT SAYS THAT THERE'S A MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENT THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT AS WELL THAT'S AN AREA THAT YOU RARELY, IF EVER, CAN GET ANY BUDGET SAVINGS OUT OF.
ACTUALLY, YOU ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE COST ESCALATION IN THIS AREA.
BUT AS I SAID EARLIER, I'VE BEEN IN MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE AND TALKED WITH MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE, AND I JUST WANT TO COMMEND THIS DISTRICT IN THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE CONTRIBUTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION BECAUSE IN MANY DISTRICTS, WHAT THAT'S DONE IS PUT THEM IN A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION IN THIS DISTRICT, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF WORKING ON BEING EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IN YOUR COST WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION.
IN TURN, THAT ALLOWS YOU TO DO MANY OTHER THINGS IN THE DISTRICT THAT ARE PRIORITIES FOR THE DISTRICT.
THIS IS ONE THING THAT LOOKS JUST A TOUCH DIFFERENT THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST WHEN YOU'VE BUILT YOUR BUDGET IN THE PAST.
YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN A LIST OF COMMITTED FUNDS IN THE CURRENT YEAR, AND WE'VE ACTUALLY ENCUMBERED THOSE, AND SO YOU WON'T SEE THAT LIST.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.
IT JUST SIMPLY MEANS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN ENCUMBERED BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS IN THE CURRENT BUDGET YEAR THAT WE'RE BUILDING.
BUT AS WE LOOK IN THOSE OUT YEARS, YOU WILL STILL SEE THOSE AS COMMITTED FUNDS, AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU'LL SEE THAT COME AT OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING IN JUNE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE COMMITTED FUNDS AS WELL BECAUSE IT TAKES BOARD ACTION TO COMMIT THOSE FUNDS.
WE'RE STARTING TO DIG INTO THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION NOW, AND THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR OUT OF THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION, AND IT TALKS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE REVENUE ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WE HAD A DECREASE COLA IN THAT FIRST YEAR OUT.
IT WAS ORIGINALLY BEFORE WE GOT TO THE BUDGET, SUPPOSED TO BE AT 3.5% IT'S REDUCED DOWN TO ABOUT 3%.
I SAID EARLIER THAT WE HAVE THAT FLAT ENROLLMENT THAT'S FIGURED IN THERE.
THEN, OF COURSE, THAT CONCERN, JUST THAT CAUTIONARY CONCERN OF WHAT THE FEDERAL REVENUE WILL LOOK LIKE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
WE ARE ASSUMING THAT 2% INCREASE BASICALLY FOR BOTH CLASSIFIED AND FOR CERTIFICATED.
KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS NOT A NEGOTIATED INCREASE TO EITHER OF THOSE GROUPS.
THIS IS JUST ON THE NATURAL WHERE PEOPLE MOVE AND STEP AND COLUMN AS THEY MOVE ACROSS THE SALARY SCHEDULE.
THE STRS RATE REMAINS UNCHANGED, AND AS I CALLED OUT EARLIER, THE PRS RATE DECREASES, ALSO IN THAT OUT YEAR FROM 27.5-26.9.
>> I SAID EARLIER THAT IN THE CURRENT YEAR, THE COMMITTED FUNDS ARE UNCOVERED.
IN THE OUT YEARS THERE STILL IS COMMITTED FUNDS, AND SO THERE'S A LIST OF THOSE COMMITTED FUNDS AND HOW WE HAVE THOSE ALLOCATED IN THAT YEAR.
I SAID EARLIER, ALSO THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DEFICIT IN THAT FIRST YEAR OUT OF THE MULTI YEAR PROJECTION.
THIS JUST EXPLAINS THOSE PIECES THAT ARE IN THAT $5.4 MILLION DEFICIT.
IN OTHER WORDS, SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN WE'RE BRINGING IN IN THAT YEAR.
AS WE MOVE INTO THE '27-'28 YEAR, YOU'LL SEE THE SAME ASSUMPTIONS, THE ADJUSTED COLA, EXCUSE ME, THE ENROLLMENT REMAINING FLAT, ADA MAINTAINED AT THAT 92% RATE.
STEP AND COLUMN, WE'RE ASSUMING THAT SAME RAISES IN STEP AND COLUMN AT ABOUT 2%.
YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH STRS REMAINING STABLE AND CALPERS, REDUCING A TOUCH FROM WHAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY AT 28.5 DOWN TO 27.8 AND THE SAME COMMITTED FUNDS OUT THERE IN '27-'28 AS WE HAD IN '26-'27.
THEN FINALLY, AS WE WRAP UP THE PRESENTATION THIS EVENING I SEE EYE STARTING TO GLOSS OVER, AND I START TO SMILE AS I THINK ABOUT ALL THESE GREAT NUMBERS.
WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS WE HAVE OUR MEETING AT THE END OF JUNE WHERE ACTUALLY WE'LL BE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AND THE LCAP AS WELL.
CERTAINLY LIKE TO OPEN IT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AND I ASSUME IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I GUESS I WAS WRONG. NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
QUESTIONS, TRUSTEES? COMMENTS? TRUSTEE HARDEN YOUR LIGHTS ON?
>> IT IS. I HAD SOME PEOPLE AT HOME ONE PERSON SAYING, THAT WAS AWFULLY LITTLE.
CAN YOU ASK WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PERSONNEL EXPENSE COVERS TEACHER VERSUS MANAGEMENT?
>> SURE. WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE AND IT'S BROKEN OUT IN THAT PIE CHART.
I'M NOW GOING TO HAVE TO GET GLASSES, SORRY.
YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THERE FOR CLASSIFIED SALARIES.
IT'S ABOUT 16% FOR CERTIFICATED SALARIES, ABOUT 33%, MANAGEMENT IS ABOUT 2%.
THAT'S CLASSIFIED MANAGEMENT, CERTIFICATED MANAGEMENT, ABOUT 5%.
[01:35:01]
THEN, OF COURSE, YOU SEE BENEFITS IN THERE AS WELL.THAT COUNTS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATUTORY SIDE OF THOSE.
>> HOPEFULLY, THEY CAN HEAR GOOD AND THEN THEY HAD A PART 2.
WHETHER THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE OR DECREASE FOR '24-'25.
>> AN INCREASE AS FAR AS THE PERCENTAGE OR THE ACTUAL DOLLARS PAID?
>> I'D HAVE TO TEXT BACK AND THEN THERE'S SOMEBODY ELSE THAT'S WATCHING AND SAYING, STOP TEXTING.
YOU CAN'T WIN FOR LOSING WITH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
>> YES, OF COURSE. THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER ON THE FLY, BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY ON THE NATURAL, THERE'S GOING TO BE ABOUT THAT 2% INCREASE TO THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT 2% INCREASE IN STEP AND COLUMN THAT COMES EACH YEAR.
WHAT'S DIFFICULT TO ALSO SAY ABOUT THAT IS AND I'M GOING TO GET INTO THE WEEDS HERE FOR A SECOND, SO HOPEFULLY I WON'T LOSE YOU.
THE RESERVE IS A REALLY CRAZY THING AND WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THIS BECAUSE IT'S FIGURED ON THE EXPENDITURES AS OPPOSED TO WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE REVENUE.
THE IMPACT THERE IS WONKY AS FAR AS THAT WORKS.
BUT SPECIFICALLY, I THINK THE BEST ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION WOULD BE ABOUT A 2%, NOTWITHSTANDING WHOEVER RETIRED.
>> THEM LISTENING AT HOME, OTHERWISE, COME ON DOWN SO YOU CAN FILL OUT A CARD AND BE ABLE TO ASK THEM YOURSELF.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU THAT.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE BUDGET SAVINGS WAS A DECREASE IN MANAGEMENT AT THE ED CENTER.
>> THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU BOTH.
>> I'M NOT SEEING ANY OTHER, I AM. TRUSTEE DOSICK.
>> I'D LIKE A BRIGHTER LIGHT. CAN WE BUDGET A BIGGER SCREEN? FRED, GOING BACK TO THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR A MOMENT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I READ THE SLIDE RIGHT BECAUSE, AGAIN, WITH THE SUPER SMALL FUND.
ROUGHLY 7.1 MILLION IN DIRECT FEDERAL FUNDING?
>> WHICH ONE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
>> ON THE REVENUES RIGHT THERE? YES.
>> IF, I TRY NOT TO USE A DEROGATORY TERM FOR OUR PRESIDENT, CHOOSES TO SOMEHOW UNILATERALLY SUSPEND 15%.
DOES THAT MEAN THAT 7.1 MILLION GOES DOWN BY ROUGHLY A MILLION BUCKS?
TO TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AS DIRECTLY AS I POSSIBLY CAN.
IF YOU JUST TOOK 15% AND WHACKED IT OFF OF THERE, THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.
>> BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO GET, USE YOUR BUDGETARY TERM, WHACKED.
FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE DO RECEIVE, I'M GUESSING THAT MOST OF IT IS FOR MANDATED ACTIVITIES.
>> OUR BIGGEST CHUNK WOULD BE AROUND TITLE 1 AND SPECIAL EDUCATION.
SPECIAL EDUCATION IS RUMORED AT THIS POINT TO BE A PART OF THAT PROPOSAL TO BE BASICALLY UNTOUCHED AS WE GET INTO TITLE 1.
AS YOU THINK OF FEDERAL FUNDS JUST TO THINK ABOUT THAT, IF IT HAS A TITLE IN FRONT OF IT, IT MEANS IT'S FEDERAL.
AS YOU THINK ABOUT TITLE 1, IT'S REALLY UNCLEAR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.
BUT WHAT I JUST READ TODAY THAT CAME OUT FROM SCHOOL SERVICES, AND CANDIDLY, I HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH IT WITH A COMPLETE FINE TOOTH COMB BECAUSE IT JUST CAME OUT TODAY WAS THAT THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM 12%-15%, AND THEN THEY OUTLINED A BUNCH OF PROGRAMS LIKE SOME OF THE IMMIGRANT PROGRAM.
BOPS. I GOT TO TALK WITH LESS HANDS.
WITH SOME OF THE IMMIGRANT PROGRAMS, REALLY BEING HIT HARDER IN SOME OF THE PROGRAMS LIKE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, NOT BEING HIT HARD AS MUCH, BUT OVERALL 15%.
THERE'S EVEN MORE GROUND TO COVER IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET THAN THERE IS IN THE STATE BUDGET TO SEE WHERE THE CHIPS FALL.
>> I'M NOT SEEING ANY FURTHER BOARD QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS, SO IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING?
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
THIS HEARING IS CLOSED AT 8:14 PM.
THANK YOU DR. VAN VLECK AND STAFF.
[XV.a. Approve NUSD Local Plan for Special Education - Sections D and E]
ACTION ITEM A, APPROVE NUSD LOCAL PLAN FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTIONS D AND E. DEBATE DISCUSSION. IS THERE A MOTION?SECOND. I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION.
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MOTION CARRIES 5,0. ACTION ITEM B.
PRESENT AND APPROVE THE 2024-2025 PROPOSITION 28 ARTS
[XV.b. Present and Approve the 2024-25 Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Funding Annual Report]
[01:40:03]
AND MUSIC IN SCHOOLS FUNDING ANNUAL REPORT.OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LISSET MIJARES, WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.
IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH ALL SPENDING MY BIRTHDAY WITH YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. APPRECIATE THAT AND DR. CASTILLO.
TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OUR PROPOSITION 28 ARTS AND MUSIC FUNDING ANNUAL REPORT FOR YOU ALL.
WE'RE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR VISION, OUR CORE VALUES, AND OUR DISTRICT GOALS.
TODAY'S OBJECTIVES IS REALLY TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET SUMMARY FOR THE '24-'25 PROPOSITION FUNDING, AND ALSO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT OUR SUMMARY WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR THE '25-'26 BUDGET YEAR.
THEN ALSO SEEK YOUR APPROVAL FOR THE PROP 28 ARTS AND MUSIC FUNDING ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR FOR '24-'25.
I WILL JUMP IN HERE, JUST GIVE A REMINDER WHAT PROP 28 IS.
ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022, CALIFORNIA VOTERS APPROVED FOR PROP 28 TO EXPAND ARTS AND MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS TO BUILD CAPACITY.
JUST ALSO, OUR FIRST ALLOCATION WAS GIVEN TO US IN '23-'24, WHICH WE USE THAT AS A PLANNING YEAR.
YOU'LL SEE WHAT WE ARE SPENDING IN OUR '24-'25 YEAR.
JUST TO POINT THIS OUT DURING OUR '24-'25 YEAR, OUR SCHOOLS HAD THEIR ALLOCATION AND HAD FULL ACCESSIBILITY TO USE THOSE FUNDING SOURCES, AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AT THE SCHOOL SITE LEVEL.
AS A REMINDER, EACH ALLOCATION, YOU HAVE A THREE YEAR SPAN TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR EACH OF YOUR ALLOCATIONS.
THE FUNDS, REALLY WHAT THEY ARE USED, REALLY, WE WANT TO JUST FOCUS ON THE 80 20% RULES SO 80% OF THE ALLOCATION NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON CERTIFICATED AND CLASSIFIED STAFF TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS AND THEN 20% OF THAT ALLOCATION IS FOR THE MATERIALS, FOR ANY PARTNERSHIPS THAT COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS AND PROGRAM.
AGAIN, THESE ALLOCATIONS ARE BASED ON THE ENROLLMENT OF THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED MEALS.
YOU'LL SEE SOME OF SCHOOLS HAVE DIFFERENT ALLOCATIONS.
SOME OF THE EXAMPLES THAT ARE ALLOWABLE FOR PROP 28, MUSIC THEATER, DANCE, MEDIA ARTS, VISUAL ARTS. YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE.
HERE IS WHERE WE LOOK AT OUR '24-'25 BUDGET SUMMARY.
HERE ON THIS SLIDE, YOU'LL SEE OUR SITES.
YOU'LL SEE THE SITE ALLOCATION, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THE BREAK OF THE 80 20% THAT I EXPLAINED, AND ALSO SHOWING WHAT OUR EXPENSES WERE FOR OUR '25 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE REMAINING BALANCE YOU SEE, LIKE I SAID, THEY HAVE A THREE YEAR, SO THEY HAVE UNTIL JUNE OF 2026 TO SPEND THAT BALANCE.
THAT WILL ROLL OVER TO THEIR '25-'26 ALLOCATION.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AHEAD FOR OUR '25-'26 SCHOOL YEAR IS REALLY TO CONTINUE EXPANDING IN THE PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED IN '24-'25, CONTINUE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPS, WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND AGAIN, TO CONTINUE WORKING IN RECRUITING OUR STAFF TO INCREASE OUR PROGRAMS AND BUILD CAPACITY, HAVE MORE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUR ARTS AND MUSIC PROGRAMS. HERE'S WHAT THE BUDGET ALLOCATION LOOKS LIKE FOR THE '25-'26 SCHOOL YEAR.
YOU'LL SEE THE SCHOOL, THEIR ALLOCATION, AND THEN THE BREAKDOWN OF STAFFING OF THE 80 20%.
I'M REQUESTING FOR THE BOARD APPROVAL TONIGHT FOR THE PROPOSITION 28 ARTS AND MUSIC SCHOOLS FUNDING ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF '24-'25.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GLAD TO SEE THESE FUNDS.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THESE ARTS PROGRAMS. THEY HELP WITH EVERYTHING FROM RETENTION TO GRADUATION TO CAREER, POSSIBLY SOMETIMES.
THEREFORE, THEY CAN BE REALLY LIFE CHANGING.
I WAS AN ARTS KID SO I'M MAYBE A LITTLE BIASED AND ALSO HAVE THAT PERSONAL INSIGHT.
WITH THAT, I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF MYSELF, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER LIGHTS.
>> EXCUSE ME. [LAUGHTER] TRUSTEE MORA.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO THAT TIME, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> STOP INTERRUPTING WHEN HE'S TRYING TO ACCELERATE THINGS, [INAUDIBLE]
>> BUT I'M SORRY, THERE IS GREEN LIGHT OVER HERE.
>> IF IT'S OKAY WITH PRESIDENT MORA, TRUSTEE MEHTA.
>> PRESIDENT MORA, ARE YOU OKAY? LISSET, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE SUMMER THING THAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THE SCHOOLS.
[01:45:04]
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU.>> I DID HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. COULD YOU JUST EXPLAIN THE METHODOLOGY, HOW WE CAME UP WITH OUR ALLOCATIONS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOLS?
>> IT'S ALL BASED ON FREE AND REDUCED NUMBERS ON STUDENT ENROLLMENT.
THE PRIOR YEAR, WE USED THAT ENROLLMENT AND FREE AND REDUCED, AND THEN THAT'S WHAT THE ALLOCATION IS PROVIDED.
>> LOVE IT. IS THERE A MOTION? LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A MOTION FROM PRESIDENT MORA.
THEN THERE'S A SECOND BY TRUSTEE HARDEN.
HELENE, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
NEXT UP, ACTION ITEM C PRESENT AND APPROVE AN INCREASE IN FACILITY USAGE FEES.
[XV.c. Present and Approve an Increase in Facility Usage Fees]
>> ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT DOUG ORR IS GOING TO PRESENT ON THIS ITEM.
>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO.
QUICK PRESENTATION TONIGHT, BASED ON THE WORK WE'VE DONE, COMMUNICATIONS WE'VE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU GUYS.
I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON OUR CURRENT FACILITIES USE FEES, AND THEN RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF UPDATED FACILITIES USE FEES.
THE LAST TIME OUR FACILITY USE FEE WAS UPDATED WAS 2009 SO IT'S BEEN A WHILE.
IT WAS SET AT $29 AN HOUR AT THAT TIME.
THAT COVERS THE COST BASICALLY OF A CUSTODIAN OR CUSTODIAL AND SUPPLIES.
IN THE 16 YEARS SINCE THAT UPDATE, THINK OF WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE 2009.
LOTS OF SCHOOLS BUILDING, OUR ENROLLMENT HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY.
WE HAVE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE USING OUR FACILITIES FOR EXTRA THINGS.
WE'VE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE RAISES TO BOTH OUR CERTIFICATED AND CLASSIFIED STAFF DURING THAT TIME, AND THAT HAVE EXCEEDED THAT $29 AN HOUR RATE THAT WE CHARGE.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THIS SCHOOL YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE THINK IT'S ABOUT $100,000 DEFICIT TO COVER THE COST OF WHAT IT COSTS US TO PUT A CUSTODIAN AND THE SUPPLIES AND THINGS IN THERE TO COVER WHEN PEOPLE USE OUR FACILITIES.
WE WANT TO MAKE OUR FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC.
THEY'RE FUNDED USING BOND DOLLARS, NOT ALL OF IT, BUT A LOT OF IT.
THEY ARE NOT JUST FOR SCHOOL USE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO PUBLIC USE.
A LOT OF OTHER DISTRICTS IN OUR REGION HAVE BEEN CHARGING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IN THAT TIME.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO CALL OUT THE NAMES, BUT YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE THREE LOCAL DISTRICTS, ONE CHARGING $57 AN HOUR, ANOTHER 47, ANOTHER 45.
>> AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON MULTIPLE DISTRICTS, LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT RATE, FOR EXAMPLE, CUSTODIAL, WE DON'T KNOW WHICH CUSTODIAN IS GOING TO COVER FOR OUR GROUP.
IT COULD BE OUR MOST HIGHLY TRAINED VETERAN CUSTODIAN, THAT COSTS A LOT, OR IT COULD BE A SUB, SO WE TOOK AN AVERAGE OF THE PERMANENT COST.
WE'RE ASKING TO RAISE IT TO $55 AN HOUR.
THAT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE SUPPLIES AND THE THINGS THAT WE USE IN THAT TIME.
WE'D MAKE THAT EFFECTIVE WITH THE NEXT ROLL OUT OF OUR FACILITY USE FEES IN JULY.
THE FACILITY RENTAL PRICES, WE'RE NOT RECOMMENDING A CHANGE AT THIS TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU WANT TO RENT THE STADIUM, THAT WOULDN'T CHANGE.
IF YOU WANT TO RENT A CLASSROOM OR A MULTIPURPOSE ROOM, GYMNASIUM, THOSE RATES WE'RE PROPOSING STAY FLAT.
THIS IS JUST TO COVER PERSONNEL COSTS AND SUPPLY COSTS, AS WE KNOW THROUGH COVID.
THE COST OF TOILET PAPER AND THINGS HAVE GONE WAY UP.
THIS IS JUST TO HELP US BREAK EVEN, AS YOU SAW IN THE EARLIER BUDGET PRESENTATION.
THAT'S IT, JUST SEEKING APPROVAL FOR THAT.
>> TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE A NO-BRAINER THAT WE'LL ENTERTAIN DISCUSSION OR DEBATE IF THERE IS ANY.
THANK YOU, DOUG, SO I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, CAN WE SUBSTITUTE THE PRIOR UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE? MOTION PASSES 5:0. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE ACTION ITEM D APPROVED
[XV.d. Approve Employment Agreement and Associated Salary Schedule with Heather Brown , Associate Superintendent - Administrative Services / CB]
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND ASSOCIATED SALARY SCHEDULE WITH HEATHER BROWN, ASSOCIATED SUPERINTENDENT, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, LAS CBO.DO YOU HAVE A QUICK STATEMENT TO READ BEFORE WE GET INTO DISCUSSION, POTENTIALLY? TONIGHT, THE BOARD IS ASKED TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH HEATHER BROWN TO SERVE AS THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICIAL.
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953 REQUIRES THAT THE BOARD RECEIVE A VERBAL SUMMARY OF ANY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT PRIOR TO TAKING FINAL ACTION AND
[01:50:04]
PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THIS REQUIREMENT.THE TERM OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT IS JULY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2028.
THE ANNUAL BASE SALARY IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH STEP 1 OF THE ATTACHED SALARY SCHEDULE, AND AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR A 223-DAY WORK YEAR, A MONTHLY AUTO ALLOWANCE OF $300 PER MONTH, EXPENSES NOT TO EXCEED 2,400 PER YEAR, AND A HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS COMMENSURATE WITH OTHER ADMINISTRATORS.
I DON'T SEE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
ANY DISCUSSION BOARD MEMBERS? THIS IS A POSITION WE NEED.
IT'S BEEN VACANT AND HAS BEEN FILLED IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY.
WE NEED A CBO. A LOT OF COMMUNITIES COMING TO US AND SAY, HEY, FIX THIS, FIX THAT.
I DON'T THINK YOU WANT TO TRUST MICHAEL GRANT SOLELY WITH BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS.
WE PROBABLY HAVE A BANKRUPT DISTRICT.
WE DO NEED A CBO WHO CAN GIVE US PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY, IN MY OPINION, A NECESSARY POSITION.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO TURN YOUR MIC ON.
>> YOU'LL ADJUST, WAS LETTING ME SHOOT, I GOT IT.
>> GOT IT. I THINK IT'S NEEDED, SO ABSOLUTELY WE'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS CONTRACT.
>> I SECOND THAT MOTION. I SIGNED IT.
>> FOR THIS ITEM, I'D LIKE TO GET A ROLL CALL VOTE.
ACTION ITEM E, RATIFY THE MOU BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND NTA REGARDING THE 2025,
[XV.e. Ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and NTA Regarding the 2025-26 Schedule and Compensation for Leroy Greene Academy Dependent Charter]
2026 SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION FOR LEROY GREEN ACADEMY DEPENDENT CHARTER.>> MOVED BY TRUSTEE DOSICK, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE MORA.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, CAN WE SUBSTITUTE THE PRIOR UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE? WITHOUT OBJECTION.
ACTION ITEM F APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 25,
[XV.f. Approve Resolution No. 25-26 for the Certification of the Number of Unhoused Pupils to be Housed by Various Charter Schools]
26 FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER OF UNHOUSED PUPILS TO BE HOUSED BY VARIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS.>> I'D JUST LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT AND THIS IS A VERY LEGAL.
SPECIFIC DEFINITION DOESN'T MEAN HOMELESS, IT MEANS INADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.
>> WE HAVE NOT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
GOT IT. THERE'S A MOTION IN A SECOND.
IF THERE'S NOT AN OBJECTION, WE CAN ALSO SUBSTITUTE A PRIOR ANONYMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.
NOT SEEING AN OBJECTION. MOTION CARRIES 5:0.
BACK TO ITEM G. APPROVED RESOLUTION 25,
[XV.g. Approve Resolution No. 25-27 Recognizing June 2025 as Pride Month]
27, RECOGNIZING JUNE 2025 AS PRIDE MONTH.I DO HAVE A FEW PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
WE'LL HIT THE PUBLIC COMMENTS FIRST, IF THAT'S OKAY.
THEN WE GO TO THE BOARD. FIRST UP I HAVE LAURA, IS IT BARRIO?
>> HELLO, GOOD EVENING. I'M LAURA BARRIO.
I'M AN EDUCATOR IN NATOMAS SINCE 2000, AS WELL AS A PARENT OF A GRADUATE FROM NATOMAS SCHOOLS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE OPEN-MINDEDNESS OF THE BOARD IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE THEMSELVES IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING THE STUDENT CONFERENCE THAT WE HAD FOR LGBTQIA PROCESS THIS LAST FALL AS THE SECOND ANNUAL.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT IN THIS DIVERSE DISTRICT THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE.
I JUST APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NOW I HAVE ESTHER.
IS IT THE SAME BARRIO? GOT IT.
>> BEFORE YOU SAY A COMMENT, CAN I SAY SOMETHING?
>> ESTHER, I HAVE KNOWN SINCE ESTHER WAS 5 YEARS OLD, AND NOW SHE'S IN PACE UNIVERSITY MAKING A MOVIE.
[LAUGHTER] I'M NOT AS GOOD AT SPEAKING AS SHE IS, SO I WROTE IT DOWN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO RECOGNIZE JUNE 2025 AS PRIDE MONTH, AS WELL AS MARCH 31, AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY.
I KNOW YOU HAVE MANY TOPICS TO COVER AND ISSUES TO ADDRESS, BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ALUMNI OF NUSD, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT YOU'RE GIVING PRIORITY TO SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENTS AND STAFF FULLY.
WITH THIS GRATITUDE AND HOPE, I HOPE FOR YOU ALL TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION, AND I ALSO URGE YOU TO PUSH FOR THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT OF ALL YOUR STUDENTS AND STAFF, AND I HOPE YOU LISTEN TO THESE MEMBERS AND SUPPORT
[01:55:01]
THEM IN LIVING THEIR LIVES AS THEIR TRUEST SELVES. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, WE HAVE NICO.
>> GOOD EVENING TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO.
I'M HERE TONIGHT AS AN EDUCATOR AND A MEMBER OF THE NT EXECUTIVE BOARD.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I WORK IN A DISTRICT THAT SUPPORTS A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT WE LIVE IN.
THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SAID, BUT ON BEHALF OF NATOMAS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, I'M URGING THE BOARD TO ADOPT THE PRIDE RESOLUTION UNANIMOUSLY.
RE-AFFIRMING THE DISTRICT'S COMMITMENT TO OUR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.
CLASSROOM SHALL ALWAYS BE A PLACE FOR ALL STUDENTS SHOULD FEEL SAFE AND SUPPORTED, ESPECIALLY IN THE TIME WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE DHARIA MCGREW.
>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, AND SUPERINTENDENT.
I'M DHARIA MCGREW, A PARENT OF AN AMERICAN LAKE STUDENT, AND I ALSO SERVE ON THE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANNUAL RECOGNITION AND CONSIDERATION OF LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH AND YOUR CONTINUED DISTRICT COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION, AND BELONGING.
BELONGING AND SAFETY ARE SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
ATTACKS ON THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ARE RAMPANT, BUT LIKE IT OR NOT, QUEER FAMILIES LIKE MINE HAVE ALWAYS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST.
HONORING PRIDE MONTH IS ONE SIMPLE ACTION TO CELEBRATE AND IMPROVE BELONGING AND SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU, EQUALITY CALIFORNIA PUBLISHED THIS YEAR THE RESULTS OF THEIR SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS SURVEY, AND I'M PLEASED TO SEE THAT NATOMAS SUBMITTED A RESPONSE FOR THE 2024 SURVEY FOR THE FIRST TIME.
I WAS PLEASED AND HEARTENED TO SEE THAT NUSD SCORED IN THE 95TH PERCENTILE OF DISTRICTS THAT RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY BY EQUALITY CALIFORNIA.
THAT'S WONDERFUL AND GREAT TO SEE.
THERE ARE ALSO SUGGESTIONS THERE FOR ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE THAT CAN BE DONE.
CHILDREN, HEAR NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT LGBTQ PEOPLE FROM A YOUNG AGE.
MY DAUGHTER STARTED IN KINDERGARTEN, HEARING STUDENTS SAY THAT OUR FAMILY DIDN'T EXIST OR WASN'T GOOD SO THIS ANNUAL RESOLUTION IS AN IMPORTANT WAY THAT THE DISTRICT CAN DISPEL MISCONCEPTIONS, FOSTER EMPATHY, AND ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVITY, AND I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP I HAVE JOE WOOD.
>> I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT NATOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCES.
[LAUGHTER] I ACTUALLY WROTE SOME STUFF DOWN.
I SAY, GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES.
I'M HERE TONIGHT AS A MEMBER OF THE NATOMAS COMMUNITY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NATOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL, AND A PARENT IN THE COMMUNITY, SPEAKING IN THE SUPPORT OF THE PRIDE MONTH RESOLUTION AND THE TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY.
JUST A FEW TALKING POINTS, MY HUSBAND AND I MAKE AN INTENTIONAL DECISION EVERY DAY TO BRING OUR SON TO SCHOOL IN THIS COMMUNITY.
WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A BIRACIAL ADOPTED SON WHO HAS TWO GAY DADS, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT NATOMAS IS A COMMUNITY WHERE HE WOULD FEEL SAFE AND HE WOULD FEEL ACCEPTED.
SIMILARLY, AT NATOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL, WE HAVE 32 STUDENTS THIS YEAR WHOSE PARENTS IDENTIFIED THEM AS TRANSGENDER OR NON BINARY AS PART OF OUR ENROLLMENT PROCESS, REPRESENTING ALMOST 2% OF OUR OVERALL STUDENT POPULATION.
THAT'S LIKELY UNDER-REPORTING BECAUSE MANY STUDENTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY OUT TO THEIR FAMILIES, BUT THEY FEEL SAFE, THEY FEEL SUPPORTED.
THIS YEAR, TWO OF THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACTUALLY ASKED ME TO HELP THEM TO SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO GO AND MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS ACROSS CALIFORNIA FELT AS SUPPORTED AS STUDENTS HERE IN NATOMAS.
I SHARE THOSE STORIES BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE DOING A REALLY GREAT JOB AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF.
AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, WE LIVE IN REALLY UNPRECEDENTED TIMES FOR THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY, AND SIMPLE ACTS LIKE SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION OR LOOKING AT A TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY ARE IMPORTANT TO HELPING STUDENTS FEEL SAFE AND ACCEPTED.
I WILL ALSO ADD THAT IT'S AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR CISGENDER, STRAIGHT STUDENTS AS WELL.
MY OWN SON AND I, ALONG WITH A GROUP OF HIS FRIENDS WENT ON COLLEGE TOURS THIS SUMMER, AND I WILL TELL YOU THERE'S ONE COLLEGE THAT WE WENT TO THAT SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS, THAT THE DAY WE WERE THERE WAS HAVING AN ANTI-TRANS PROTEST.
ALL FIVE OF THE STUDENTS THAT WERE ON THE TOUR IMMEDIATELY TOOK THAT COLLEGE OFF OF THEIR LIST BECAUSE FROM THEIR EXPERIENCE, THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION IN A UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED IN NATOMAS.
LAST LITTLE THING I'LL JUST SAY, THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MY LAST YEAR AS A PARENT IN THE DISTRICT.
WE HAVE A GRADUATING SENIOR THIS YEAR.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT YOU'VE PROVIDED TO OUR SON AND OUR FAMILY AND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES HE'S HAD HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
[02:00:05]
>> COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION, BOARD MEMBERS.
>> WELL, I HAVE SOME COMMENTS.
DURING THE BEGINNING OF OUR MEETING, I HAD JUST STATED A REMINDER, THAT AS AN OPENLY LGBT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS, PERSPECTIVES AND INFORMATION RELATED TO PRIDE MONTH, OF COURSE.
WHEREAS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, I HAVE BEEN RATHER, LET'S SAY, SENTIMENTAL AND LONG WINDED.
I THINK THIS YEAR I HAVE SOME MORE BRIEFER COMMENTS THAT ARE REALLY JUST FOCUSING ON WHAT'S ESSENTIAL AND WHAT'S, I THINK REALLY IMPORTANT.
I WANT TO SAY, THAT PERHAPS IT MAY BE A LITTLE SURPRISING, BUT WHAT I FEEL MORE THAN ANYTHING IS JUST THE COURAGE TO BE JOYFUL THAT WE'RE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT HAS SUPPORT SERVICES AND STAFF THAT ARE PREPARED TO SUPPORT LGBT STUDENTS.
I THINK IN THE STATE THAT WE LIVE IN, THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT CAN SOMETIMES GET LOST, BUT AS WE'VE HEARD, PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR MORE STUDENT POPULATIONS EARLIER, WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO HAVE THE DIVERSITY OF OUR DISTRICT AND STUDENT POPULATION MANIFEST ITSELF INTO EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE TOO.
WITH THAT, I'M ALSO AGAIN, GOING TO CHOOSE TO BE JOYFUL MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE'RE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT HAS AN ANNUAL STUDENT LED LGBT CONFERENCE.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF STAFF IN LEADERSHIP THAT SUPPORT THAT.
BUT AGAIN, STUDENT LED AND REALLY STUDENT, FACILITATED CONFERENCE.
I KNOW THAT FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THIS EVENT, IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO THEIR PARENTS, FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A BELONGING HERE AND THAT THEY WILL BE INCLUDED HERE.
THE LAST POINT THAT I'M PROUD ABOUT WHAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT CURRENTLY DOES IS THAT WE HAVE SESSIONS FOR PARENTS TO ASK HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR STUDENTS WHO ARE PART OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S CRITICAL AGAIN, FROM LIVED EXPERIENCE.
IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT, NOW YOU DO AND YOU CAN SHARE IT WITH OTHERS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE THROUGH THE PACE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICT.
LOOKING FORWARD, WHICH I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO DO, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IS CONTINUE TO HAVE GENERAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, BUT REALLY SPACES FOR FOR COEXISTENCE, FOR UNDERSTANDING, AND TO FOSTER INCLUSION.
THIS YEAR, I'VE CHOSEN TO HIGHLIGHT AND TAKE INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING THAT I THINK IS CRITICAL THAT WE'RE DOING, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUE BUILDING UPON IT.
AGAIN, I'M REALLY JUST FOCUSED ON THE WORK THAT LIES AHEAD, AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND STAFF AND TEACHERS IN THIS DISTRICT.
THOSE ARE MY BRIEF COMMENTS TO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S STARTING THINGS OFF OR ENDING OR CLOSING THINGS OFF, BUT THOSE ARE MY BRIEF COMMENTS.
I REALLY FEEL THAT ALL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT SHOULD FEEL SUPPORTED AND SHOULD FEEL SAFE, INCLUDING A TRANS YOUTH, AND EVERY SCHOOL SIDE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING.
I'M SURE OUR TRUSTEES HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB TO MAKE SURE THIS IS THERE.
I SUPPORT RESOLUTIONS, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ACTIONS.
I WANTED TO SEE FROM A SUPERINTENDENT OUR DISTRICT STAFF, WHAT ARE THE POLICIES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW FOR OUR TRANS STUDENTS, AND IF THERE ARE ANY INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION HAPPEN IN LAST ONE YEAR THAT WERE REPORTED.
WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT WE CAN DO MORE TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE IT TO ME TODAY, ROBIN. BUT YES.
>> TO BE CLEAR, WE FOLLOW ALL OF THE LAWS AND GUIDANCES THAT WE ARE GIVEN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN FEEL ACCEPTED, AND STUDENT SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE DISTRICT.
THAT DATA OFFHAND, I DON'T HAVE FOR YOU, BUT WE CERTAINLY COULD PUT THAT DATA TOGETHER FOR TRUSTEES.
[02:05:01]
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MEHTA. TRUSTEE DOSICK.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GRAHAM.
NOW, I HAVE TO SAY IT'S TRULY AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO GET TO SERVE WITH YOU.
I WAS ALWAYS PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION IN THE PAST.
IT JUST MAKES IT THAT MUCH MORE POIGNANT AND TO SEE YOUR GROWTH AS WELL JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE ME CRY.
>> NO, I ACTUALLY WAS GOING TO COMMEND YOU FOR, I THINK IT'S A PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE TIME TO BE EMOTIONAL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE THAT YOU'VE EXHIBITED THROUGHOUT THIS.
JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MAYBE WAS A WEEK AGO, IT'S HARD TO KEEP TRACK.
WE HAD A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING GOING OVER BOARD POLICIES.
I SPECIFICALLY ASKED OUR MENTAL HEALTH STAFF I SEE HERE TONIGHT AS WELL.
THE PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS WITH OUR COUNSELORS WHEN I ASKED, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE? WHICH OF OUR POPULATION OR STUDENT GROUPS ARE YOU INTERACTING AND HAVING TO SERVE THE MOST? CONSISTENTLY, THE ANSWER COMES BACK, OUR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH.
AS WE EVEN STATE HERE IN THE RESOLUTION, LGBTIQA+ YOUTH ARE AN INCREASED RISK OF SUICIDE, HOMELESSNESS, AND BECOMING VICTIMS OF BULLYING AND VIOLENCE.
I'M SO PROUD TO BE PART OF A DISTRICT THAT STANDS BY ALL OF OUR YOUTH, BUT ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, AND PASSING A RESOLUTION LIKE THIS IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO TO REAFFIRM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENT GROUP THAT NEEDS TO HEAR US AND THEY NEED TO BE SEEN.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES AND STAFF FOR MAKING THIS THE PRIORITY THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE FOR OUR DISTRICT.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE DOSICK. TRUSTEE HARDEN.
BUT SUCH AN HONOR TO BE SITTING NEXT TO YOU.
JUST CONTINUE TO DO WHAT YOU DO AND DO IT WITH PRIDE AND JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND AND ME, BUDDY.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF AND TO ALL THE SCHOLARS AND EVERYBODY THAT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE.
I AM SO PROUD TO BE A TRUSTEE HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS EXTRA SUPPORT.
WE'VE BEEN AHEAD OF THE GAME, AND WHAT MAKES IT SO GREAT TO BE A TRUSTEE HERE.
WE'LL KEEP ON LEADING AND WE'LL KEEP ON DOING THIS.
I'M SORRY, I MISSED THE EVENT.
I HAD A PRIOR COMMITMENT, BUT WE'LL KEEP ON DOING GREAT THINGS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF YOU AND WE'LL MAKE THIS HAPPEN. THANK YOU.
>> I ACTUALLY WANT TO ADD NOEL AND ASTA, BOTH ARE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL STUDENTS AND BOTH ARE DOING AMAZING, SO PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU.
>> NOW YOU KNOW WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP COMING TO THE MEETINGS.
>> [LAUGHTER] AS LONG AS YOU'RE LIGHTS, YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY, LIKE THE MOTION?
>> [LAUGHTER] WE'D LOVE TO MOTION APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION.
>> EILEEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> I STILL NEED TOO SEE THE DATA.
>> YEAH, BECAUSE THIS WAS A DISCUSSION.
>> NO. THAT'S NOT A DISCUSSION. THAT'S A PRIVATE RESOLUTION.
LAST ITEM OF THE EVENING IS A DISCUSSION ITEM.
[XVI.a. Consideration of a Resolution to Recognize March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility]
IS CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 31 AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY.IN ACCORDANCE WITH NUSD BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK, AND I THINK IN OUR BYLAWS, EACH TRUSTEE IS PERMITTED TO REQUEST THE ADDITION OF UP TO TWO DISCUSSION ITEMS PER SCHOOL YEAR.
TRUSTEE MORA HAS SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION ITEM, CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 31ST AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY.
TRUSTEE MORA WAS INVITED TO LEAD THE DISCUSSION.
PLEASE NOTE THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSE ONLY, AND NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN THIS EVENING.
BEFORE WE HAVE A DISCUSSION LED BY TRUSTEE MORA, I DO HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND WE HEAR FROM THESE FOLKS FIRST.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT, DHARIA MCGREW, AMERICAN LAKE SCHOOL PARENT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION.
I FORGOT THAT COMMENTS WENT BEFORE THE DISCUSSION.
BUT I WANT TO ECHO MANY OF THE PREVIOUS COMMENTS OF PREVIOUS COMMENTS AND AND BOARD MEMBERS ABOUT THE PARTICULAR VULNERABILITY OF TRANS YOUTH.
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, WE'VE SEEN A PROLIFERATION OF ANTI-LGBTQ POLICIES
[02:10:03]
WITH PARTICULAR TARGETED VEHEMENCE AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE.IN 2025, STATE LEGISLATURES HAVE ALREADY PASSED 113 BILLS ROLLING BACK THE RIGHTS OF TRANS PEOPLE.
THAT'S ON TOP OF OR PART OF THE NEARLY 600 BILLS ATTACKING LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE BEING TRACKED BY THE ACLU.
THAT'S THEIR NUMBER. NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR TRANS YOUTH IN EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN.
CELEBRATING THE LIVES OF TRANS LEADERS IS ONE KEY WAY TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE VISIBILITY MATTERS.
VISIBILITY MATTERS FOR TRANS STUDENTS, SEEING THEIR IDENTITY ACKNOWLEDGED AND CELEBRATED CAN HAVE PROFOUND IMPACT ON THEIR LIFE.
TRANSGENDER YOUTH ARE SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
I HEARD ANOTHER COMMENTER ON ANOTHER TOPIC EARLIER SAY THEY DIDN'T ASK TO BE BORN THIS WAY AND THE SAME THING APPLIES.
THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RISK OF DEPRESSION DUE TO DISCRIMINATION, STIGMA, AND LACK OF SUPPORT.
SOMETIMES JUST KNOWING AND SEEING THAT OTHERS EXIST OR HAVE THRIVED CAN BE ENOUGH FOR THEM TO KNOW WHO THEY CAN GROW UP TO BE.
I URGE YOU TO WHEN THE TIME COMES, HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS NAME AT THIS SERVICE.
>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS ITSY LOPEZ.
I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING VICE MAYOR KARINA TALAMANTES AS HER COMMUNITY AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE.
HERE ON BEHALF OF HER, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GREAT SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION IN RECOGNIZING MARCH 31ST AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY, THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AS A QUEER NUSD ALUMNI, THIS RESOLUTION MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME PERSONALLY.
I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE EFFORTS OF THIS BOARD TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH LGBTQ+ STUDENTS.
IT'S ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE TO UPLIFT OUR TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AND SET THE EXAMPLE THAT INCLUSION IN DIVERSITY IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF AND CELEBRATED, BOTH WITHIN OUR NATOMAS SCHOOLS AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO.
IT'S HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. THANK YOU.
>>TRUSTEE MORA. THIS IS YOUR ITEM.
>> WELL, FIRST, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THERE ARE SO MANY ALUMNI AT TODAY'S MEETING JUST TO BEGIN WITH.
I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS THE GOAL TO GET MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, BUT REALLY ALSO YOUNG PEOPLE AND STUDENTS AND ALUMNI.
I'M GOING TO STICK TO SOME OF THE REALLY TO THE REMARKS THAT I WANT TO PREFACE THE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION AROUND THIS RESOLUTION WITH.
THEN I WANT TO READ THE ACTUAL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION OUT LOUD BECAUSE I THINK IT'LL BE HELPFUL.
FIRST, I REALLY JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THREE MAJOR REASONS FOR WHY I THINK THAT THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT OUR DISTRICT SHOULD HAVE.
THEN I ALSO WANT TO REALLY MAKE A QUICK NOTE ON THE TIMING AND WHY NOW.
BUT FIRST, BEFORE THAT, I WANT TO SAY, I'M PROUD OF A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.
I DO WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT I'M NOT NAIVE TO THE CONTINUED CHALLENGES EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY STUDENTS IN A VULNERABLE POPULATION AND POPULATIONS THAT GET TARGETED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND BY DIFFERENT GROUPS.
FRANKLY, THAT'S JUST THE REASON THAT WE HAVE THESE VOCAL SHOWS OF SUPPORT IN PLACE AND WHY THEY'RE NECESSARY.
WHAT I WANT TO SAY, RELATED TO THE MAJOR POINTS THAT I SEE ARE, THIS IS PROMOTING STUDENT SUCCESS AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT A STUDENT TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND IN OTHER WAYS, IF THE CONDITIONS FOR THEIR SAFETY, THEIR WELL BEING AREN'T IN PLACE? THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO BE SAID ABOUT THIS FOR THE PURPOSES OF OUR DISCUSSION TODAY.
IF WE WANT TO DELVE INTO ANY ONE OF THESE POINTS, WE CERTAINLY CAN.
BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO, THERE'S A SIZABLE BODY OF RESEARCH AND DATA POINTS THAT SHOW THAT INCLUSION.
[02:15:05]
AGAIN, VOCAL SHOWS OF SUPPORT LIKE THIS THAT ARE HELPING US GET TOWARDS MORE INCLUSION ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE.THEY'RE GOOD FOR ALL STUDENTS, AND THEY'RE GOOD FOR JUST OVERALL EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE IN THE DISTRICT.
THEN PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, AND IT'S ALSO THE LAST THING THAT I'LL MENTION RIGHT NOW IS THAT WHEN STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FEEL SAFE, AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS, WHETHER THEY'RE TEACHERS OR OTHER TYPES OF STAFF MEMBERS IN THE DISTRICT THAT ARE ALSO PART OF THE ENTIRE LGBT COMMUNITY, BUT SPECIFICALLY, NON-BINARY AND TRANS, WHEN WE AS A ORGANIZATION, AS AN EMPLOYER, AS A PUBLIC ENTITY, STICK OUR NECKS OUT FOR, AGAIN, A VULNERABLE POPULATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TIME IS PERHAPS THE TOUGHEST AND THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL TO DO SO.
ALTHOUGH, I THINK TODAY IS A GOOD MEETING TO DISCUSS THIS BECAUSE OF OUR PRIDE RESOLUTION, I THINK THAT THAT LEADS ME TO THE WHY NOW THAT MAY BE A LOOMING QUESTION.
I'M TEMPTED TO GO OFF OF SCRIPT, BUT I JUST WANT TO, I WON'T.
I WANT TO JUST EMPHASIZE AGAIN THAT, I THINK OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR BOARD REFLECTS BEING READY TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY STUDENTS AT A TIME WHEN THEY MAY NOT BE HEARING THAT FROM DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT OR FROM DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS, MAYBE NOT IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT JUST IN COMMUNITIES IN GENERAL.
AGAIN, THAT'S REALLY THE REASON THAT I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONSIDER MARCH 31ST HAVING A TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY RESOLUTION.
I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD OF MYSELF, SO I WILL PAUSE BEFORE MAKING ANY FINAL COMMENTS.
WELL, I DO WANT TO READ THE TEXT OF, WHAT A RESOLUTION LIKE THIS WOULD ENTAIL, AND BEING THE FORMER A STUDENT THAT I WAS, I HAVE IT PRINTED HERE.
LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THIS JUST REALLY QUICKLY.
IT WOULD READ THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOGNIZES MARCH 31ST OF NEXT YEAR AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY.
WHEREAS THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVES STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF MANY DIVERSE POPULATIONS, AND IT'S OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES IS VALUED AND RESPECTED, INCLUSIVE OF GENDER IDENTITY AND GENDER EXPRESSION.
WHEREAS THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD HAS FOR MANY YEARS APPROVED POLICIES REGARDING NON-DISCRIMINATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF ARE TREATED WITH FAIRNESS, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY.
WHEREAS THE DISTRICT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO FOSTERING SAFETY, BELONGING, AND INCLUSION FOR EVERY STUDENT TO LEARN AND THRIVE.
WHEREAS THIS DAY OF VISIBILITY WAS FOUNDED IN 2009, TO HONOR THE LIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY, AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD TOWARDS ACHIEVING CIVIL RIGHTS.
WHEREAS THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WILL NOT BE ERASED AND SHOULD BE AFFORDED, ALL OF THE RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL.
>> WHEREAS THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO STANDING UP AGAINST THE DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE THAT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY TO BE VISIBLE AND LIVE THEIR AUTHENTIC LIVES.
THEN THE LAST PART IS, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE DISTRICT HEREBY STANDS WITH THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY AND ACKNOWLEDGES MARCH 31ST, AGAIN AS INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY [NOISE].
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I READ THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE AS AN INDIVIDUAL, WOULD FIND IT DIFFICULT TO NOT SEE THE IMPORTANCE, AND REALLY JUST HOW ALIGNED IT IS WITH ALL OF OUR DISTRICT GOALS, WITH OUR DISTRICT CULTURE.
I WAS RAISED AS MANY OTHERS WERE RAISED TO AGAIN STAND UP FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO BE STOOD UP FOR OR NEED US TO STAND UP ALONGSIDE THEM, AND AGAIN AT THE TIME WHERE THEY NEEDED THE MOST, OR WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST.
[02:20:01]
REALLY, I JUST WANT TO LEAVE IT AT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A DISCUSSION.IT REALLY ISN'T JUST ABOUT ME PRESENTING THE BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE AND THE EXPECTED IMPACT. THOSE ARE MY REMARKS.
[APPLAUSE]. ANY DISCUSSION, BOARD, ON THIS DISCUSSION ITEM?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, FIRST OFF.
I DON'T KNOW HOW IT GETS MOVED FORWARD OR WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
I CAN SAY THIS, IF IT WERE TO MOVE TO CONSENT TODAY, IT'S DEFINITELY A YES FOR ME.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY I THINK THAT IF IT WERE TO BE ON THE AGENDA AS A CONSENT TODAY, IT WOULD PASS.
I DON'T THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT NOT PASSING.
THANK YOU FOR MOVING IT FORWARD.
ONE THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT IF AND WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO STUDENTS TO SEE HOW THEY'RE FEELING, AND MAYBE, I LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF, SEEING STUDENTS WRITING IT AND GETTING A CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED IN IT.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I LOVE THE MOST, BUT IT WAS WELL DONE, SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK I WAS WAITING UNTIL A LITTLE LATER, BUT THE WORDING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS IS THAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING STAFF IN THE FUTURE FOR THE NEXT MARCH 31ST, BRING FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION AS A RESOLUTION FOR THE BOARD.
I THINK THAT THAT'S THE MAGIC WORDING THERE.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MORA, TRUSTEE HARDEN.
ANY OTHER DEBATE, DISCUSSION, COMMENTS?
>> I'M GOING TO SAY THAT WERE YOU GIVING DIRECTION THAT YOU WANTED TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD?
>> LET ME JUST BE CLEAR. THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. THERE'S NO ACTION.
>> THIS IS JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM, SO BOARD MEMBERS ARE FREE TO COMMENT OR NOT.
>> THEN IF WE HAVE DISCUSSED OR NOT DISCUSSED IT THOROUGHLY, THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WHEN IT'S A DISCUSSION ITEM LIKE THIS, WHICH I THINK IT DOESN'T COME FORWARD AS OFTEN TO OUR AGENDA, WE DON'T HAVE A FORMAL VOTE, BUT AS INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS, WE CAN REQUEST STAFF THAT THERE IS STAFF DIRECTION TO BRING THIS FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
>> AS A DISCUSSION ITEM, I THINK WHAT STAFF IS LOOKING FOR IS A GENERAL DISCUSSION.
THEN FROM THERE, THEY WOULD USUALLY GLEAN BOARD DIRECTION AND THEN WOULD PROBABLY WORK ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, TO MAY BRING A ITEM BACK OR NOT.
IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS ON THE COMMENTARY DISCUSSION OF THE BOARD.
FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS, THAT'S JUST HOW IT WORKS.
>> LIKE I MENTIONED, I SKIPPED THE ITEMS, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT POLICIES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW FOR OUR TRANS STUDENTS AND THE INCIDENCE OF DISCRIMINATION REPORTED IN LAST YEAR FOR OUR TRANS STUDENTS SO WE CAN FURTHER GO.
IN SUPPORT OF YOUR RESOLUTION, JUST NEED TO HAVE MORE DATA.
>> NOEL, I'LL THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR ELOQUENCE ON THIS TOPIC.
MY FIRST YEAR ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, WE LOST A STUDENT IN THIS DISTRICT WHO WAS NOT SUPPORTED IN THEIR CHOICE IN BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE.
THEY WEREN'T SUPPORTED AT HOME.
THEY LEFT HOME WITH THEIR BIRTH GENDER AND THEN ARRIVED AT SCHOOL WITH THE GENDER WITH WHICH THEY IDENTIFIED, AND IT EVENTUALLY BECAME TOO MUCH FOR THAT STUDENT.
WE WERE NOT WHERE WE WERE AS A COUNTRY, AS A SOCIETY, OR AS A DISTRICT BACK IN 2013.
I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THIS DISTRICT.
I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS, AND I WOULD GUIDE YOU TOWARDS THE BOARD REGULATION 5145.3 THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THIS.
THIS DISTRICT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE REGION TO PROACTIVELY BRING A TRANSGENDER STUDENT ACCOMMODATION POLICY FORWARD.
IT'S A FLASHBACK IN TIME AS I LOOK AT THIS POLICY ORIGINALLY ADOPTED 2017 AND LAST REVISED AUGUST OF 2024.
[02:25:05]
NOEL, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, INCLUDING ON THIS VERY VITAL SUBJECT.I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF ADDING RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE AT A CERTAIN POINT, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN OTHER CONTEXTS, IF THE MORE WE EXPAND RESOLUTIONS IN GENERAL, AND I REMEMBER HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ALSO WITH STAFF ABOUT OUR DIVERSITY FESTIVAL, AT WHAT POINT DO WE START RECOGNIZING SO MANY INDIVIDUAL GROUPS THAT THE GROUPS THAT AREN'T RECOGNIZED START TO FEEL LEFT OUT OR DISCRIMINATED AGAINST? I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT HERE, BUT THAT'S JUST MY GENERAL FEELING ON RESOLUTIONS, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DISTRICT CONTINUES TO BE PROACTIVE WITH ITS POLICIES AND ITS ACTIONS TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR YOUTH.
SPECIFICALLY, AND I TALKED EARLIER ABOUT OUR LGBTQIA+ AS A LARGER GROUP, BUT WE KNOW OF THAT GROUP, THE STUDENT POPULATION TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS, IN PARTICULAR, ARE THE MOST TARGETED RIGHT NOW ON A NATIONAL SCALE FOR DISGUSTINGLY PREJUDICED AND DISCRIMINATORY ACTIONS.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE CONTEXT OF WHERE MY THINKING IS GOING TO BE.
FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE SOME TIME BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT SPRING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AND CONTINUING TO BE YOUR ALLY ON THE BOARD.
ADDING INTO WHAT YOU SAID, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE DO, WE HAVE ACTION IN PLACE.
IN CASE WE HAVE A LOT OF REPORTS, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO AT EACH SCHOOL SITE TO MAKE ALL THESE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE, SUPPORTED, AND SECURED.
THAT IS THE REASON I'VE REACHED OUT TO THE DISTRICT TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY INCIDENTS REPORTS WE HAVE, WHAT WE DID, WHAT WE CAN DO.
WE HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB AND THANK YOU TO ALL THESE TRUSTEES.
I'M JUST A NEW ONE, AND I'M HAPPY TO COLLABORATE AND DO MORE TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS FEEL SUPPORTED.
>> TRUSTEE MORA YOUR LIGHTS ON.
>> I THINK, MY UNDERSTANDING FOR WHY WE WOULD HAVE A RESOLUTION, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK GOES IN HEAVILY INTO THE CONSIDERATION OF THIS RESOLUTION, IS WHEN THERE IS A POPULATION THAT IS FACING A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF POLICIES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS TO DISCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ALL ASPECTS OF CIVIC SOCIETY, BUT ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATION AND AT SCHOOL SITES.
THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE A RESOLUTION, AND WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE.
I THINK FOLKS WILL REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE ANNUALLY RECOGNIZED AS PART OF OUR MEETINGS THAT ORIGINATED AS A RESULT OF A SPECIFIC POPULATION FACING THIS HEIGHTENED SENSE OF DISCRIMINATION.
I'M ALWAYS LISTENING AND I'M UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED, BUT THE REASON, I GUESS IT JUST COMES DOWN TO THE SENSE OF URGENCY THAT WE SEE FOR NEEDING TO MAKE A WRITTEN AND VERY VOCAL RESOLUTION AS A BOARD AND AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I DON'T MEAN THAT IN ANY PARTICULAR WAY.
I THINK THAT THAT IS THE FACT OF WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.
I SEE A SENSE OF URGENCY, I SEE NOT JUST WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SEES, THE NATIONAL NEWS, BUT HAVING BEEN A STUDENT IN OUR DISTRICT, I SAW IT THEN.
I THINK WE ALL SEE IT NOW AND HEAR IT NOW, THAT THERE IS A VERY REAL CALL FOR A SHOW OF SUPPORT LIKE THIS.
THE LAST THING THAT I WILL SAY IS THIS IS REALLY MEANT TO BE A STATEMENT.
LIKE MOST OF OUR OTHER RESOLUTIONS, IT DOESN'T REALLY GO DEEP INTO THE WEEDS FOR INCIDENT REPORTS OR INTERNAL DATA AND A LOT OF OTHER TYPE OF INFORMATION.
IT REALLY IS MEANT TO BE A RECOGNITION THAT THIS DISTRICT, I WISH I HAD ANOTHER PHRASE, BUT IT'S STICKING ITS NECK OUT FOR OUR TRANS STUDENTS AND THE TRANS COMMUNITY.
[02:30:04]
IT HAS AN INTRINSIC VALUE THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN MAYBE A REPORT OR A PRESENTATION, BUT AGAIN I'D LIKE TO REALLY FORMALLY STATE MY INTEREST IN HAVING STAFF BRING THIS TO THE BOARD AS A FUTURE RESOLUTION.>> BUT THERE A LIGHT ON. TRUSTEE HARDEN.
>> YES. I'LL MAKE IT QUICK, I MEAN, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TIME.
I DEFINITELY LISTEN TO ALL MY FELLOW TRUSTEES AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE ALL SAYING, AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, TRUSTEE DOSICK, WE HAVE TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE.
BECAUSE WE'LL END UP HAVING A MILLION RESOLUTIONS.
I JUST HOPE TO GOD THAT WE DON'T END THE LINE ON THIS ONE BECAUSE IT'S JUST LIKE WHEN WE SEE SOMETHING, WE HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING.
THIS IS TOO HUGE NOT TO LET THIS ONE BE THE ONE WHERE WE SAY NO, NOT NOW.
RESOLUTION IS WHAT A FIRM DECISION TO DO OR NOT DO SOMETHING.
RESOLUTION DOESN'T NECESSARILY GO FOR THE DATA OR SOMETHING.
TRUSTEE MEHTA, WE WANT TO SEE IT, BUT IT REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SEEING IT.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER OR NOT WE JUST HAVE ONE TRANSGENDER IN OUR DISTRICT AT THE TIME.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF WE HAVE NONE.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS EVERY PERSON, STUDENT, SCHOLAR NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTED.
OUR TRUSTEE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT HE IS SUPPORTED, AND HE KNOWS THAT HE TRULY IS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO HIM.
I HOPE THAT WHEN THIS DOES COME, THAT HE FINDS THAT SUPPORT.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS IS THE ONE THING THAT WE DON'T BACK HIM ON. THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE ACTUALLY PRIOR BY LAWS PAST 20 MINUTES.
>> NO, I DIDN'T KNOW WE'RE PAST 20.
>> NO, I'M JUST EXPLAINING ALSO PUBLIC NOTES.
WE HAVE A DISCUSSION AND WE HAVE A VERY COLLEGIAL BOARD.
THIS BOARD DOES NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING, AND DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE IMPORTANT TO TEASE OUT WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE.
I'LL JUST MAKE ONE BRIEF COMMENT.
I'VE STARED DOWN A LOT OF RESOLUTIONS.
I HAVE NOT SUPPORTED A LOT OF THEM.
THIS IS NOT ONE I'M GOING TO SUPPORT.
I THINK IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE REDUNDANT.
THEN ALSO, I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW THESE ISSUES ARE PHRASED.
THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS AND THEY'RE NOT DISCRIMINATION AND THEY WERE JUST RAISED DIFFERENTLY, AND I THINK THAT'S ALSO OKAY.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON FROM THIS ITEM AND WE HAVE ONE ITEM ON PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE'LL HEAR FROM THAT ONE PERSONALLY, AND THEN WE'LL ADJOURN. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MORA.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND YOUR INSIGHTS.
I HAVE, IS IT TANISHA WIGGINS? WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
[XVII. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
I LOST MY VOICE. I'M HERE AS A PARENT.
MY SON JUST GRADUATED FROM INDERKUM HIGH SCHOOL ON THE SPECTRUM WHEN HE'S CONSIDERED DISABLED.
HE WAS BULLIED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS WELL AS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.
MY SON NEVER DID NOTHING PHYSICAL.
WE WENT TO THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE OVER AT SPECIAL EDUCATION.
NONE OF HIS TEAM WAS CALLED WHEN HE WAS BEING BULLIED, CALLED DEROGATORY NAMES AND RACIAL SLURS.
THEY LAUGHED AT HIM, AND THEY ALL YELLED AT HIM EVEN THE STAFF.
NOBODY DID NOTHING, BUT KEPT CALLING ME AND MY HUSBAND CAME.
WE TRIED TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GO TO HIS SENIOR TRIP.
THEY TRIED TO STOP HIM FROM GRADUATING, NOT BECAUSE OF HIS GRADES, BECAUSE THEY JUST WAS BEING BULLIES TO MY SON.
I CAME UP THERE, I SAT IN THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE FOR 10 HOURS JUST FOR THEM TO SAY, OH, HE SUSPENDED BECAUSE HE SAID HI TO SOME GIRLS, THAT THEY FORCED HIM TO SIGN A NO CONTACT CONTRACT, WHICH I NEVER KNOWN.
HE'S 17. HE'S ON THE SPECTRUM. HE DON'T UNDERSTAND.
HIS SECOND SUSPENSION IS BECAUSE HE GOT ON THE WRONG BUS.
WHEN I REACHED OUT TO THE DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY SUSPENDED HIM BECAUSE HE HAD A MELTDOWN, THE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TOLD ME THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER AS PARENTS, AND HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER.
MY END RESULT IS, I HAVE TO GO TO ALL HIS SENIOR ACTIVITY EVENTS BECAUSE THEY TREAT HIM LIKE HE WAS A MENACE TO SOCIETY, AND THE ONLY THING HE DID WAS SAY, WHY WON'T YOU LIKE ME? LIKE EVERYBODY SAYS ABOUT THE OTHER TEAM, HE CAN'T HELP THE WAY HE'S BORN.
HE'S DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF HIS DISABILITY AND HE'S A BLACK MALE.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR NOTHING.
EVERY TIME WE CAME TO THE SCHOOL, THEY HAD SECURITY, EVERY TIME, AND WE NEVER GOT OUT OF LINE.
WE TRIED TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR SON, THE CASE MANAGER DROPPED THE BALL, THE DISTRICT DROPPED THE BALL, WE FILED COMPLAINTS.
NOTHING HAPPENED. HE GOT KICKED OUT, COULDN'T GO TO HIS SENIOR TRIP.
ALL THE GIRLS THAT CACKLED AND CALL HIM NAMES GET TO GO.
END RESULT, THEY NEED MORE TRAINING AND MORE BLACK TEACHERS.
LOOKS LIKE THAT'S IT FOR THE BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD.
[02:35:02]
IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, I'M GOING TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S REGULAR BOARD MEETING AT 9:10 PM. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.