[I. OPEN SESSION]
[00:00:05]
>> IT'S SO COOL. I'D LIKE TO CALL AT THIS REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS ORDER AT 5:15 P.M. HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> WE HAVE A QUORUM. NUST BOARD MEETINGS ARE LIVE STREAMED AND RECORDED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD.
THE LIVE STREAM IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ONLINE, AND THE BOARD MEETINGS RECORDINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING THE DAY AFTER THE BOARD MEETING.
THOSE IN ATTENDANCE SHOULD EXPECT THAT THE RECORDINGS WILL CAPTURE ALL ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSIONS BEFORE DURING AND AFTER THE MEETINGS.
THIS EVENING, THE BOARD WILL BE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION TO
[V. CLOSED SESSION]
DISCUSS ONE ITEM OF CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE.ON NATOMAS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, AND THEN ONE CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING ONE CASE OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE THIS EVENING TO SPEAK TO ANY OF THE ITEMS IN CLOSED SESSION? DOES NOT SOUND LIKE OR WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING UP HERE, SO WE WILL RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M. OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF CLOSED SESSION.
GOOD EVENING. WE ARE RECONVENING
[VI. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION]
OPEN SESSION AT 6:16 P.M. ELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?>> WE HAVE A QUORUM. NEXT UP IS THE PLEDGE.
YOU WANT TO ASK OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
THANK YOU. NO REPORTABLE ACTION WAS TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION THIS EVENING.
BEFORE WE MOVE ON, JUST TO REMINDER FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAW 9323 MINUTE CONDUCT, INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED PUBLIC COMMENT CARD PRIOR TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM AND NO LATER THAN THE FIRST ACTION ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE ALLOWED 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 WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE FILL OUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT CARD AND HAND IT TO THE STAFF MEMBER AT THE TABLE OUTSIDE OF THE BOARD ROOM.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MEETING, WE ASK MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM APPROACHING THE DAS, PROVIDE BOARD MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER THEIR BELONGINGS, SIGN DOCUMENTS, AND SECURE ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
BOARD MEMBERS MAY MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY STEPPING DOWN FROM THE DESK AND ENTERING THE AREA FOR AUDIENCE SEATING.
NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. AS THE MOTION.
[X. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA]
>> HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
NEXT UP, WE HAVE CELEBRATIONS.
[XI.a. Filipino American History Month]
FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.DIEDRE PAAL, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS IS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS GOING TO LEAD US IN THE CELEBRATION, RECOGNITION OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.
>> WELL, THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT GRANT, TRUSTEES, DOCTOR CASTILEO, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY.
TONIGHT, WE RECOGNIZE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH AS PART OF OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO VALUING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
NATOMAS UNIFIED IS A VERY DIVERSE DISTRICT WITH MORE THAN 80 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED, AND 60 LANGUAGES SPOKEN.
OUR STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS FILIPINO REPRESENT 4.5% OF OUR DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION.
WITH EARLY LITERACY BEING A MAIN FOCUS FOR THIS YEAR.
I WILL BE SHARING HOW WE ARE INCORPORATING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH INTO OUR ACTIVITIES, CELEBRATIONS, AND PARENT UNIVERSITY OFFERINGS DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
TO BEGIN, OUR FEATURED BOOK THIS MONTH IS LOLO'S SARI-SARI STORE.
IT'S BY SOPHIA LEE, AND IT'S A COLORFUL BOOK THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE, FAMILY AND TRADITIONS THROUGH THE MAIN CHARACTER AND HER GRANDFATHER, WHO SHE REFERS TO AS LOLO.
WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING TWO RIVERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHERE THE SCHOOL'S LIBRARIAN READ THE BOOK TO STUDENTS.
I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A SHORT CLIP OF THAT READ ALOUD AND SUMMARY ACTIONS FROM STUDENTS.
[00:05:06]
IT'S GOING TO CELEBRATE OUR HERITAGE.I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO READ BOOKS LIKE THIS BECAUSE IT SHOWS EVERYONE OUR DIVERSE CULTURE AND THE BEAUTY OF OUR RICH FILIPINO HERITAGE.
>> I LIKE THE BOOK, I'M GOING TO SHARE IT.
>> YOU SAID SHARING IS CARING?
>> THAT READING IS GOOD FOR YOU WHEN I NEVER STOPPED.
>> EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RECEIVED A COPY OF THE BOOK FOR THEIR LIBRARY, AND WE ALSO SENT THE LONGER VERSION OF THE READ OUT TO OUR FAMILIES ALONG WITH A ACTIVITY GUIDE THAT THEY COULD ALSO PARTICIPATE WITH THEIR FAMILY AT HOME TO REINFORCE.
LASTLY, I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU, THROUGH PARENT UNIVERSITY, WE HOSTED A FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK.
IT WAS HELD ON ZOOM TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESS TO FAMILIES.
WE HAD OVER 40 FAMILIES TO ATTEND.
SOME HAD MULTIPLE CHILDREN, AND THE AUTHOR READ THE BOOK AND ENGAGED WITH STUDENTS.
EACH FAMILY THAT ATTENDED RECEIVED A COPY OF THE BOOK.
WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY MANY PARENTS THROUGH OUR SURVEYS AND JUST THROUGH RANDOM E MAILS THAT THEY REALLY REALLY LOVE THE LITERACY NIGHTS.
THEY HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY POPULAR.
ONE THING THAT MAKES OUR STUDENT FEEL SO SPECIAL IS WHEN THAT BOOK IS DELIVERED TO THEIR SCHOOL, AND EVERYONE'S ASKING, HOW DID YOU GET THAT BOOK? THE STUDENT IS ACTUALLY SAYING, OH, I WENT TO FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT. IT'S EXCITING.
WE HAVE MORE PLAN FOR ALL OF OUR CULTURAL RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE DOING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN A TOMAS.
WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR ALLOWING THIS TIME AND SPACE TO SHARE HOW WE ARE CELEBRATING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN NATOMAS UNIFIED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, WE HAVE COMMUNICATIONS, CSCA.
[XII.a. California School Employees Association (CSEA)]
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT, COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS CHRISTY CONNOR, AND I'M HONORED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CSCA, CHAPTER 745 AS THE VOICE OF HARD DISTRICT'S CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
IN OCTOBER, CSCA PROUDLY CELEBRATES TWO ESSENTIAL GROUPS OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES WHO WORK DIRECTLY.
SUPPORTS STUDENT WELL BEING AND SUCCESS.
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK IS THE SECOND WEEK OF OCTOBER.
THIS WEEK, WE HONOR OUR NUTRITION SERVICES STAFF.
THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE FED EACH DAY.
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK ESTABLISHED BY PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY IN 1962, CELEBRATES THE FEDERAL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE IT PLAYS IN STUDENT HEALTH AND ACHIEVEMENT.
OUR KITCHEN STAFF PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WITH HEALTHY BALANCED MEALS THAT FILL THE BELLIES AND FUEL LEARNING.
THEIR CARE AND CONSISTENCY ENSURE THAT NO STUDENT STARTS THE SCHOOL DAY HUNGRY AND DISTRACTED, AND WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK IS THE THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER.
WE ALSO RECOGNIZE OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM, THE BUS DRIVERS AND AIDES WHO SAFELY CARRY OUR MOST PRECIOUS CARGO TO AND FROM SCHOOL.
THEY NAVIGATE BUSY ROADS, UNPREDICTABLE DRIVERS AND DOZENS OF ACTIVE KIDS EVERY DAY, ALL WHILE KEEPING SAFETY THEIR TOP PRIORITY.
THEIR CALM PROFESSIONALISM AND KINDNESS HELP SET THE TONE FOR STUDENTS DAYS AND GIVE FAMILIES PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN GOOD HANDS.
ON BEHALF OF CSEA, I WANT TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO BOTH OUR NUTRITION SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY DO.
CSCA CONTINUES TO COLLABORATE WITH DISTRICT LEADERS AND MAKE SURE OUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES HAVE THE SUPPORT, RESPECT, AND RECOGNITION THAT THEY DESERVE.
FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND NTA DURING THEIR CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS.
CSCA [APPLAUSE] 745 STANDS WITH THEM IN RECOGNIZING THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE, WHETHER IN THE CLASSROOM, ON A BUS, IN THE KITCHEN, OR ANYWHERE ACROSS OUR CAMPUSES, PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN CREATING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT OUR STUDENTS DESERVE.
WE VALUE THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF ALL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, AND WE HOPE A FAIR AND RESPECTFUL AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED SOON, ONE THAT HONORS EVERYONE'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
[XII.b. Natomas Teacher's Association (NTA)]
[APPLAUSE][00:10:07]
>> GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, AND TRUSTEES.
I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND HONORING THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF THIS REGION.
SACRAMENTO IS SITUATED IN THE TRADITIONAL HOMELANDS OF THE NEW SALON PEOPLE.
WE OFFER GRAD TO FINLAND ITSELF FOR THOSE WHO HAVE STEERED FOR GENERATIONS, AND WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY, LEARN, WORK, AND BUILD COMMUNITY HERE.
WE ALSO HONOR THE WILTON RANCHERIA, THE ONLY FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THE SPACE TO ENGAGE AND CONTINUED LEARNING ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO LIVED AND WORKED ON THIS LAND SINCE T MEMORIAL.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY I'M PROUD THAT NUSD IS HONORING FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH AS SOMEONE WHO'S PART FILIPINO MYSELF. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
TONIGHT, I COME BEFORE THE BOARD, JOINED BY HUNDREDS OF NATOMAS EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHARE THE SAME MESSAGE.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT WE DESERVE.
LET ME BE CLEAR. NATOMAS IS A GREAT COMMUNITY, AND WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE WHERE EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES CAN LAY DOWN THEIR ROOTS LONG TERM.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE WHEN NUSD DOESN'T PRIORITIZE FULLY STAFFING OR SCHOOLS.
THIS SUMMER ALONE, WE HAD 60 PLUS EDUCATORS RESIGNING FROM NUSD, AND AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, THERE ARE 15 VACANT INSTRUCTIONAL EIGHT POSITIONS AND 29 CERTIFICATED FULL TIME VACANCIES.
THIS IS A CRISIS. HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICTS ARE CURRENTLY GOING OUT A PERMANENT TEACHER OR NOT RECEIVING THE LEGALLY REQUIRED SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT THEY NEED.
DUE TO THE FAILURE TO OFFER COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS THAT RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF? THIS CRISIS DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
FOR YEARS, NSD HAS CONTINUED TO BE AT THE BOTTOM, WHEN IT COMES TO SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR CERTIFICATED STAFF AND CLASSIFIED STAFF AS WELL.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT GREAT TEACHERS TO REMAIN NUSD? WHEN THEY CAN GO TO NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS THEY ARE OFFERING $20,000 MORE? HOW MANY TIMES ARE TO SAY THIS? NUSD NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND RETAIN AND RECRUITING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS, NOT EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS, AND A BLOW TO CENTRAL OFFICE.
[APPLAUSE] THIS FALL, YOU APPROVED A 50 TO 20% SALARY INCREASE FOR TOP DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS WHO ALREADY MAKE A HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TEACHERS WORKING TWO JOBS JUST TO AFFORD HEALTH BENEFITS.
IT IS INSULTING WHEN ALL THE DISTRICT CAN PROPOSE IS A 2% SALARY INCREASE AND THE 50 TO $150 INCREASE THE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY SUPPORTING STUDENTS.
THE TRUTH IS, THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR EDUCATORS, BUT TIME AFTER TIME, THE DISTRICT IGNORES OUR PLEAS FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.
WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE THE DISTRICT CAN EITHER INVEST IN THEIR TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS OR THE DISTRICT CAN CONTINUE TO LOSE HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS, WHICH NEGATIVELY AFFECTS THEIR STUDENTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
STUDENTS BENEFIT WHEN THEY HAVE QUALITY TEACHERS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, NOT FROM FREQUENT TURNOVER AND A HIGH VOLUME OF VACANCIES.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE OVERFILLED CLASSROOMS, EVOLVING DOOR OF SUBS, AND A SEVERE LACK OF ADS AND OTHER CRITICAL SUPPORT STAFF IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES.
[APPLAUSE] INSTEAD OF OFFERING REAL SOLUTIONS, THE CENTRAL OFFICE SEEMS TO THINK THAT INEFFECTIVE CONSULTANTS AND REDUNDANT CURRICULUM WILL MAGICALLY TEACH OUR KIDS.
WHEN TEACHERS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT SERIOUS BEHAVIORS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS GOING UNADDRESSED DUE TO SHORT STAFFING, THEY ARE TOLD TO CALL CONSISTENT CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT NOTHING CHANGES.
IF THE DISTRICT PRIORITIZE COMPETITIVE WAGE AND BENEFITS OR TEACHERS, INSTEAD OF THE OVER $17 MILLION SPENT LAST YEAR IN PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
I ASK YOU TONIGHT TO LISTEN TO THE HUNDREDS OF EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SHOWED UP TONIGHT AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPRIORITIZE NUSD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SAFE, STABLE, FULLY STAFFED SCHOOLS, OUR STUDENTS DESERVE, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO SHOW UP TILL OUR DEMANDS ARE MET.
[APPLAUSE] I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT PUBLIC COMMENT HAS TO BE AT THE END TONIGHT WHEN WE HAVE PARENTS AND TEACHERS HERE READY TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. NEXT UP IN COMMUNICATIONS,
[XII.c. Student Board Member]
[00:15:04]
WE HAVE OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT GRANT, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO, AND GUEST.
DHS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE JUST COMPLETED OUR SITE VISIT FOR MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL VALIDATION.
DISCOVERY HAS BEEN NAMED MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE LAST TWO CYCLES, AND WE'RE GOING FOR NUMBER THREE.
WE SHOW KNOW THE RESULTS IN JANUARY SO STAY TUNED.
STUDENTS ARE WINDING DOWN THEIR FIRST QUARTER CREDIT RECOVERY AND HAVE BEEN DOING EXCELLENT.
>> OUR RECENT DATA INDICATES THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTENDING 90% OF THEIR CLASSES ARE EARNING OVER 85% OF THEIR CREDITS.
OUR CULINARY CLASSES TOURED THE KIKMAN FACILITY LAST WEEK, AND WE WERE TREATED TO THEIR AMAZING SOY PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION PLANT RIGHT HERE IN SACRAMENTO.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST PARENT PAINT NIGHT COMING UP ON THURSDAY EVENING IN OUR DISCOVERY CAFE.
ENDERC TIGERS ARE GROWLING INTO THE SECOND QUARTER.
LAST WEEK, IHS STUDENTS CELEBRATED HOMECOMING WITH A LARGE PARTICIPATION IN THE DRESS OF SPIRIT.
THE ROARING RALLY AND HUGE SHOWING OF OVER 1,000 100 STUDENTS FOR THE DANCE.
A HIGHLIGHT FOR THE WEEK WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME AND SHOW, COMPLETE WITH CHEER BAND, FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, THE CLASS KITS, A TIGER ZONE, AND THE FIREWORKS.
THE ENGLISH LEARNERS RECENTLY WERE CELEBRATED FOR GROWING ATTENDANCE AT AN ELAC MEETING.
THE TIGER MARCHING BAND KICKED OFF THE SEASON OF COMPETITION AT THE FRANKLIN BAND REVIEW ON SATURDAY, LOOKING FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT, AND THEIR ATHLETES IN FALL SPORTS ARE GEARING UP FOR SENIOR NIGHTS.
LGA STUDENTS HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE COUPLE OF WEEKS FILLED WITH ACADEMIC FOCUS, SCHOOL SPIRIT AND TEAMWORK.
DURING THE POSITIVE ACADEMIC WEEK, STUDENTS SHOWED STRONG DEDICATION AS THEY PREPARED FOR FINALS, WHILE THEIR ATHLETIC TEAMS REPRESENTED LGA PLY GAME AND VOLLEYBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, AND SOCCER.
THEIR FALL MUSIC CONCERT WAS A FULL HOUSE WITH FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FILLING THE MPR TO CELEBRATE THEIR TALENTED STUDENT PERFORMERS.
THEY ARE CLOSING THIS WEEK WITH FINALS AND STUDENTS SHOWING THEIR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO LEARNING AND SUCCESS.
TOGETHER, LIONS CONTINUED TO EMBODY EXCELLENCE BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND WITHIN THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
THE NIGHTHAWKS ARE WRAPPING UP A BUSY QUARTER.
THEY HAD A GROUP OF STUDENTS ATTEND THEIR FIRST ARC ADLEC CONFERENCE, WHERE STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THEIR AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN AND WELDING PROGRAMS. STUDENTS WERE EXCITED TO TOUR THEIR NEW CTE FACILITY.
THEY ALSO HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL HOMECOMING SEASON.
THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR WAS A NIGHT IN NEW YORK.
THEY CELEBRATED THE WEEK WITH THE DRESS SUB SPIRIT DAYS.
THEY WRAPPED UP THE WEEK WITH THEIR HOMECOMING DANCE.
IN THE COLLEGE AND CAREER ARENA, THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR CAMPUSES AND ADMISSIONS.
TO HELP OUR FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS, THEY HAD A FINANCIAL AID EXPERT FROM UOP OFFER A WORKSHOP.
LASTLY, THE NIGHTHAWKS ENDED HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH A CELEBRATION THAT BROUGHT OUT STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS.
NATOMAS MIDDLE KICKED OFF ITS FIRST FUN FRIDAY WITH THE GREAT SUCCESS, AND STUDENTS MADE SLIME, PLAYED SPORTS, AND VIDEO GAMES, AND ENJOYED CONNECTING WITH ONE ANOTHER.
THEIR LEADERSHIP STUDENTS HELP ORGANIZE THIS EVENT THAT SHOWCASES PANTHER PRIDE AND THEIR CLAW EXPECTATIONS.
THEY ALSO LAUNCHED THEIR NEW POSITIVE LUNCHES, REWARDING STUDENTS WHO EARN TICKETS WITH WALKING TACOS AND CELEBRATING THOSE WHO CONSISTENTLY MODEL POSITIVE BEHAVIOR.
IN ADDITION, LEADERSHIP STUDENTS ATTENDED THE SACRAMENTO SIERRA BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES CAREER FAIR, A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WHERE THEY EXPLORED CAREERS IN CARPENTRY, ELECTRICAL WORK, PLUMBING, AND WELDING.
STUDENTS TRIED REAL TOOLS, MET UNION REPRESENTATIVES AND APPRENTICES, AND LEARNING ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THAT OFFER TRAINING, INCOME, AND LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. A GREAT REPORT.
NEXT UP, BOARD MEMBERS. TRUSTEE MOORE.
[XII.d. Board Members]
>> THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER LEESHA AND HAPPY FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH.
I HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS TO SHARE AS PART OF MY REPORT TODAY.
THE FIRST ONE IS RELATED TO SOME OF THOSE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAMES.
SO I HAD A CHANCE TO SEE BOTH OUR NIGHTHAWKS AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEN ALSO THE INTERCOM HIGH SCHOOL GAME THAT HAPPENED REALLY RECENTLY.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK MISS FERDINAND FOR INVITING ME TO BE A GUEST READER AND SPEAKER TO HER CLASSROOM STUDENTS, AND IT'S ALWAYS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S REALLY SPECIAL TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO AS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WITH STUDENTS,
[00:20:01]
ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE GETTING READY TO FINISH THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEYS AND HEAD ON INTO LIFE AND CAREERS.AND SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO CONCLUDE MY BOARD REPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MOORE. TRUSTEE HARDEN.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GRANT.
I'VE HAD SOME WONDERFUL SITE VISITS.
THIS SCHOOL YEAR. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT AND SPEND A LOT MORE TIME WITH THE STUDENTS, SO IT'S BEEN AMAZING.
I WANT TO THANK MY FAB FIVE FROM NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH ME ONCE A WEEK SINCE SCHOOL STARTED AT OUR LOCAL LIBRARY, KEEPING ME INFORMED, SHARING THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE IT.
TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF CSA'S REPORT.
WE HAVE A PHENOMENAL, AWARD-WINNING NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SO KUDOS TO THAT COMING UP FOR THEM FOR NEXT MONTH, AND AN OUTSTANDING TRANSPORTATION STAFF.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING BOTH OF THEM IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS.
THURSDAY AT THE DISCOVERY PAINT PARTY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PAINT, BUT I PLAN ON BEING THERE.
I'M NOT SURE HOW IT'S GOING TO COME OUT, BUT I'LL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED.
AND THAT IS IT FOR MY REPORT. THANK YOU.
I HAVE NO REPORT. TRUSTEE DOSICK.
I FORGOT TO MENTION THE LAST MEETING, BUT WE'VE ALL SEEN IN THE NEWS THE STRUGGLES THAT ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS IS HAVING FINANCIALLY, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN THIS DISTRICT FOR THE STEPS THAT WE'VE TAKEN TO ENSURE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR BUDGETING PROCESS SO THAT WE'RE NOT PUT IN A POSITION OF POTENTIAL LAYOFFS, CUTTING BACK ON STAFFING OR PROGRAMS. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE FEEDBACK I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM ALL OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT I INTERACT WITH IN THE DISTRICT ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM HOW THINGS ARE GOING IN THE CLASSROOM TO THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD AND THE CAFETERIAS.
JUST HEARING A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK, AND I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS A GOOD START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GREAT THINGS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO BE SHOT.
THIS WEEK, MANY FAMILIES, TEACHERS AND STAFF ACROSS OUR DISTRICT ARE CELEBRATING DIWALI, A FESTIVAL THAT SYMBOLIZES LIGHT, LEARNING, AND THE VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER OF HOW DIVERSITY ENRICHES OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR COMMUNITY.
I JUST WANT TO WISH HAPPY DIWALI TO EVERYBODY WHO CELEBRATES HERE.
AND I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO TONYA, GERALYN, AND BRANDON FOR TAKING ME AROUND AN HLN HIDE.
IT'S AN IMPACTFUL WORK DONE BY OUR TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM THAT I VIEWED.
ESPECIALLY, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION ONE LITTLE THING ABOUT, I HAD NO IDEA GROWING UP IN INDIA, HOW THE PHONICS WORK.
SO I WAS IMPRESSED BY MISS BAINES' CLASS DOING THE MIRROR SOUNDING.
AND I HAD TO ASK MISS GERALD BECAUSE MISS BAINES WAS WITH THE CENTER, WHAT'S WITH THE MIRRORS, AND SAY, OH, THAT'S THE SOUND, AND THEN MISS BAINES EXPLAINED IT TO US.
SO THANK YOU. I LOVE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE WITH OUR TEACHERS.
SO HOPEFULLY WE CONTINUE THE SAME. THANK YOU.
[XII.e. Superintendent]
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FOR PUTTING ON OUR SUBSTITUTE APPRECIATION EVENT.
WE HAD A NICE ATTENDANCE OF BOTH OUR CLASSIFIED AND CERTIFICATED SUBS, AND IT WAS AN HONOR TO THANK THEM FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THEY GIVE US.
AND SO WE REALLY APPRECIATED THEM COMING.
I'VE HAD SEVERAL CLASSROOM VISITS.
I DID WALK BOTH NATOMAS PARK AND NATOMAS MIDDLE WITH OUR NTA LEADERSHIP, SO I APPRECIATED WALKING WITH THEM.
I'VE ALSO VISITED LEROY GREEN ACADEMY.
I HAD A FEW STUDENT AMBASSADORS THAT WERE TELLING ME ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND THINGS THEY WERE PROUD OF, AND VISITING THE CLASSROOMS. ALSO WENT TO TWO RIVERS, PASO VERDE.
I WAS AT WITTER RANCH THIS MORNING, AND I WAS ABLE TO GO TO DISCOVERY'S MODEL CONTINUATION VISIT AND TALK TO THE TEAM AND REALLY LET THEM KNOW THE AMAZING THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT DISCOVERY AND THE THINGS WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF.
FOR ATHLETICS, WE HAD OUR DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY SHOWDOWN FOR OUR FOURTH THROUGH EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS.
AND SO IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE ALL OF THEM RUNNING THROUGH THE PARK AND BEING REALLY PROUD.
AND I AM ALWAYS AMAZED BY THAT BECAUSE I COULD NOT RUN TO SAVE MY LIFE, AND THEY RAN THEIR HEARTS OUT.
SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM OUT THERE.
THEN AGAIN, THE HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES, I REALLY ENJOYED THE FLOATS AT NATOMAS HIGH AND THE SKITS AT INTERCOM, AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE ALL THE STUDENT PARTICIPATION.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO'S FOCUSING ON THE GOOD WORK,
[00:25:03]
AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT IS HAPPENING.SO THAT IS MY REPORT FOR THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILLO. ALL RIGHT.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[XIII. CONSENT ITEMS]
BEFORE THERE'S A MOTION, I HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND WE'LL TAKE THEM IN ORDER.>> HI. WE'RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS PRETTY SOON.
COMING OFTEN ENOUGH. I HAD TWO COMMENTS ABOUT THE CONSENT ITEMS. THE APPROVAL FOR THE SALE, RECYCLING, DONATION, AND DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS AND OBSOLETE DISTRICT PROPERTY.
JUST WONDERING WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO.
IS IT GOING TO FEED BACK INTO THE OVERHEAD, OR IS IT GOING TO COME DOWN AND TRICKLE BACK TO OUR STUDENTS? MY OTHER PIECE THAT I WANTED TO SAY WAS THAT THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED A WILLIAMS REPORT REVIEW.
THEY CAME TO OUR SITE AT NATOMAS PARK AND VISITED.
I HEARD FIVE CLASSROOMS, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE ALL VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFOREHAND.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY VISITED A SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING NICE TO HAVE INCLUDED IN THERE.
SO JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THOUGHTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, I HAVE JEFF RYAN WITH DONATED TIME.
SO IT LOOKS LIKE ONE DONATION, SO YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
MY NAME IS JEFF RYAN, AND I CURRENTLY TEACH PRE-ENGLISH AND AP CAPSTONE AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL.
I TATA NHS FOR WHAT'S GOING ON FOR 13 YEARS, AND IT HAS BEEN MY DISTINCT HONOR TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN THAT SHORT TIME.
IN FACT, 13 YEARS ISN'T ALL THAT LONG, WHICH IS WHY I FIND IT ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING THAT MY SHORT TENURE HAS BEEN LONGER THAN NEARLY 80% OF ALL OTHER CERTIFICATED STAFF IN OUR DISTRICT.
HOW ON EARTH IS THAT THE CASE? EACH MONTH, ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MY COLLEAGUES AND I RELUCTANTLY CHECK THE PERSONNEL ITEMS ON BOARD OF GENUS TO SEE IF IT'S STILL TRUE THAT NUSD STRUGGLES TO RETAIN ITS STAFF.
IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT OUR DISTRICT HAS TROUBLE HIRING STAFF, SO WE'VE SEEN SEVERAL POSITIONS GO FILLED.
RETENTION CAN BE A COMPLEX ISSUE, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT OUR DISTRICT STRUGGLES TO HIRE AND RETAIN STAFF BECAUSE WE DON'T OFFER COMPETITIVE WAGES.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR TOTAL COMPENSATION, TAKING SALARY AND HEALTHCARE AND ACCOUNTS, IT'S RATHER SIMPLE.
WE LAG BEHIND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE REGION.
THIS IS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF OUR RETENTION ISSUE, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE CHOICES ARE INSTABILITY AND TURNOVER.
I WOULDN'T BE AT MY PLACE IN SENIORITY IF WE WEREN'T LOSING SO MANY TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF, OR AT LEAST I SHOULDN'T BE.
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT NUSD HAS NEVER REALLY BEEN CLOSE TO MEETING ITS GOAL TO HIRE AND RETAIN HIGH-QUALITY STAFF.
THE PERSONAL ITEMS ON THESE BOARD AGENDAS CONTINUE TO CONFIRM THIS TRUTH.
I CALL ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO DEMAND THAT THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TAKES IMMEDIATE ACTION TO VALUE OUR COMMITTED, COLLABORATIVE, CARING AND EXEMPLARY EMPLOYEES.
RIGHT NOW, THIS MEANS BRINGING NUSD'S TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE IN LINE WITH OTHER DISTRICTS.
THIS WILL NO DOUBT MEAN THAT SOME OF THE DISTRICT'S LONG HELD PRACTICES WILL NEED TO GO, SUCH AS HAVING A LARGER ADMINISTRATOR TO TEACH RATIO THAN ANY OF ITS NEIGHBORS, SUCH AS SPENDING MILLIONS ON OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS, SUCH AS HOARDING RESERVE FUNDS BEYOND THE LIMITS OF ANY OTHER DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA, SUCH AS OFFERING SOME OF ITS HIGHEST LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS DOUBLE DIGIT RAISES WHILE MAKING BARGAINING OFFERS TO TEACHERS THAT ARE INSULTINGLY INSUFFICIENT.
IF THIS REORGANIZATION, REPRIORITIZATION DOESN'T HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE STAFF LEAVE OUR DISTRICT AT A RATE THAT SHOULD MAKE ANY DECISION MAKER WHO SAYS THAT WE DON'T HAVE A RETENTION PROBLEM BLUSH WITH SHAME.
WE ABSOLUTELY CAN BE COMPETITIVE, AND WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT RIGHT AWAY.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU, OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TO INSIST THAT NUSD'S ADMINISTRATORS MAKE THESE CHANGES SO THAT WHEN WE CHECK THE BOARD AGENDA PERSONAL ITEMS AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL FINALLY AND TRULY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE VALUED. THANK YOU.
I'M NOT SEEING ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[00:30:01]
SO, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT? CALENDAR.>> MOVE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
HARDEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
[XIV.a. Theory of Action for Student Success (BP/AR 0100) with Context Slides]
WE HAVE A BOARD REPORT ON THE THEORY OF ACTION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS WITH CONTEXT SLIDES.THIS BOARD REPORT WAS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A BRIEF PRESENTATION BY TANYA DERA, OUR ASSOCIATED SUPERINTENDENT.
GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COMMUNITY.
TONIGHT WE'RE HERE FOR THE ANNUAL UPDATE ON THE THEORY OF ACTION ADMIN REGULATION 0100.
AR 0100 IS THE WORK THAT MOVES ACROSS ALL OF OUR DISTRICT GOALS, AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SHARE TONIGHT ARE THE ANNUAL UPDATES ON ACADEMIC PROGRAM ENROLLMENT.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUR E2 TEAM, AND WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW KEY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENT CENTERED PROGRAMS. SO WHAT WE WANT TO LOOK AT FIRST IS THIS OVERVIEW THAT WAS ALSO IN THE BOARD REPORT AROUND THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT ARE PART OF THE DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS ACROSS SCHOOL SITES.
WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACADEMIC PROGRAM ENROLLMENT INCREASES.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR BOARD REPORT AND THE WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT YOU'LL NOTICE IS INCREASES IN CECA AND DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS FROM STUDENT GROUPS.
SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR AR 0100 IS THAT WE LOOK ACROSS STUDENT GROUPS AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS DISAGGREGATE DATA, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW WE MEET STUDENT NEEDS AS WE GROW AND CHANGE AS A DISTRICT.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT PSAT AND SAT PARTICIPATION, THERE ARE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO CALL OUT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE FOR OUR SAT PARTICIPATION OF 11TH GRADERS, A 6.4% INCREASE IN STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFIED AS SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND A 3.1% INCREASE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE IS A LARGE INCREASE IN CTE ENROLLMENT AT DISCOVERY AND LIKE OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER MENTIONED, THEY'RE AGAIN UP FOR RECOGNITION AS A MODEL CONTINUATION SITE BECAUSE OF THOSE CTE PROGRAMS. IN OUR PAID FEES FOR THE UC AND CSU APPLICATIONS, YOU'LL NOTICE SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES.
FOR EXAMPLE, DISTRICT WIDE, THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST FOR UC FEES TO BE PAID AT NHS INCREASE AT 3.5%, AND FOR DISTRICT WIDE, OUR BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AT ALMOST 4.5%.
THEN FOR CSU FEES WHERE WE PAY FOR THE APPLICATION FEES AT NHS, A 23.1% INCREASE WHICH IS INCREDIBLY SIGNIFICANT, AND DISTRICT WIDE, 7.1% FOR BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AND 8.5% FOR STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.
THOSE ARE CELEBRATIONS ACROSS OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM ENROLLMENT THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT STAFFING, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, OUR INVESTMENTS INTO OUR DIVERSE FUTURE EDUCATORS AND OUR ASPIRING LEADERS.
WHEN YOU SEE THIS TABLE, WE'RE ONLY GOING BACK TO '23 '24.
THE INCREASES HERE IN DIVERSE STAFFING ARE EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT WHEN YOU GO BACK TO 2019 TO 2020, WHEN WE INVESTED HEAVILY IN OUR DIVERSE FUTURE EDUCATORS AND STARTED THAT AS WELL AS ASPIRING LEADERS.
SO JUST SINCE '23 '24, WE HAVE SOME PRETTY INCREDIBLE NUMBERS FOR US TO CELEBRATE AS A DISTRICT.
5.4% INCREASE IN DIVERSE STAFF ACROSS STAFF, 5.7% IN CERTIFICATED, 2.2% IN CSA CLASSIFIED, AND 7.9% IN MANAGEMENT, AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE INVESTMENT OF OUR BOARD IN THESE PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT IN AR 0100 AROUND EDUCATOR CAPACITY BUILDING.
I'M PLEASED TO BE PART OF A DISTRICT THAT CONTINUES TO PRIORITIZE CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE MODELS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT SUPPORTS.
OUR STAFF HAS CONTINUOUSLY ASKED FOR DR. SHARROKY HOLLIE TO COME BACK AND SO WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR AND WORKING ON STRENGTHENING OUR CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICES ACROSS OUR CORE INSTRUCTION.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE OUR THIRD ANNUAL.
WE JUST FINISHED OUR THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER INSTITUTE WITH SAC STATE.
NOW, WHAT'S REALLY EXCITING ABOUT THIS MODEL IS OUR OWN TEACHERS CO-LEAD THIS INSTITUTE EACH SUMMER WITH SAC STATE FACULTY.
THE REVIEWS FROM OUR OWN TEACHERS WHO ATTENDED THIS YEAR, WE HAD ABOUT 35 EDUCATORS AND WE HAD ABOUT THREE ADDITIONAL CLASSIFIED STAFF WHO ATTENDED, IS FACULTY WORKING TO ADVANCE THEIR OWN INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES,
[00:35:04]
BUT REALLY THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS.THE WORK THOUGH DOES CONTINUE AFTER THAT INSTITUTE AT STATE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN A LESSON STUDY MODEL.
IN FACT, THOSE TEACHERS WERE HERE UNTIL LATE INTO THE EVENING LAST NIGHT REVIEWING THEIR OWN LESSONS AND SITTING AND PLANNING TOGETHER.
THIS IS A REALLY EXCITING MODEL OF CONTINUED COACHING WITH LESSON STUDY THAT'S BEING INCREASINGLY LED BY OUR OWN STAFF.
WE WERE AWARDED A CAL SERVES GRANT.
[BACKGROUND] WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE CAL SERVES PROGRAM IN THE STATE IS DESIGNED TO EXPAND THE STATE SEAL OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
WE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD NUMBERS INITIALLY OF STUDENTS WHO WERE AWARDED THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SEAL.
BUT WITH THIS GRANT, IT ALLOWS DONJA TO COME ON BOARD PART TIME AS A PROGRAM SPECIALIST, WHERE SHE EXPANDS THE ENGAGEMENT ACROSS SITES IDEALLY ACROSS GRADE LEVELS.
SHE HELPS SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS OF OUR ETHNIC STUDIES COURSES AND ALSO WORKS IN THE E2 TEAM TO SUPPORT A STAFF VOICES GROUP TO TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE SUPPORT AND INCREASE DIVERSE STAFFING IN NATOMAS UNIFIED.
WE'RE EXCITED THAT DONJA IS ON OUR E2 TEAM.
SHE BRINGS MUCH IN DEPTH AND EXPERTISE AROUND CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY RESPONSIVE EDUCATION.
I WON'T SHOW THE VIDEO THIS EVENING, BUT WE WANTED TO JUST REALLY HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PIECES THAT DONJA BRINGS TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE CURRENTLY HAVE STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY DOING MANY INTERNSHIPS AS PART OF THEIR STATE SEAL FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
DONJA EVEN WORKED WITH TWO STUDENTS OVER THE SUMMER WHO WORKED WITH SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE LIGHTS TURNED ON IN A PARK SO THAT STUDENTS COULD HAVE EXTENDED PLAY AND HAVE SAFETY AND A SAFE PLACE TO BE THROUGH THE SUMMER.
SO WE REALLY WANT TO THANK DONJA AND ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE HER ON OUR E2 TEAM.
THIS YEAR, DONJA AND MAURICE GOUSE, OUR PRINCIPAL WHO RUNS OUR E2 TEAM, BEGAN A STAFF VOICES GROUP.
SO NUSD WAS RECOGNIZED BY SKOY IN REPORT CALLED THE LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS, UNDERSTANDING THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCES OF BLACK STUDENTS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
MANY OF THE PROGRAMS AND WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN NATOMAS UNIFIED WERE INCLUDED IN THAT LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS.
BUT WE WANTED TO CONTINUE THAT WORK AND REALLY ENSURE THAT WE'RE CONNECTING WITH OUR STAFF.
SO THIS YEAR, MO AND DONJA STARTED THE STAFF VOICES GROUP AND IT IS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WE MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STAFF OF COLOR AND CONTINUE WORKING TO MEET STUDENTS FROM UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS SO THAT WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT, AND DIRECT VOICE FROM STAFF IN OUR DISTRICT.
AS PART OF CAFE, DIEDRE AND HER TEAM CREATED A FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TEAM AND WHEN THEY STARTED, THEY WERE PART OF A TEAM WHO ATTENDED THE STATEWIDE INITIATIVE.
BUT DIEDRE AND HER TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES OUR OWN MOGOUSE FROM E2, AS WELL AS STAFF AND OUR OWN PARENTS IN NATOMAS, THEY ARE NOW MENTORS IN THE STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AND LEADING WORK ON HOW TO INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.
SO THIS IS REALLY EXCITING THAT OUR OWN TEAM IS MENTORING OTHER DISTRICTS TO INCREASE CAPACITY, TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES IN OUR DISTRICT AND OUR SCHOOLS.
WE DO ALSO HAVE STUDENT FACING MENTORING AND ENGAGEMENT.
ONE OF OUR GROUPS THAT ALWAYS REALLY RECEIVES SO MUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS IS OUR ONGOING STUDENT VOICES ADVISORY COUNCIL.
THIS IS LED AND FACILITATED BY OUR INCREDIBLY DYNAMIC SUPERINTENDENT AND HAS DIVERSE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM IHS, LGA, AND NHS THIS YEAR.
THE STUDENTS PROVIDE DR. CASTILEO FEEDBACK ON OUR DISTRICT INITIATIVES, THEY ALSO REVIEW OUR LCAP, AND THEN THEY GO PRESENT TO STUDENTS IN OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
WE'RE CONTINUING OUR PARTNERSHIP IN STUDENT MENTORING WITH IYT, IMPROVE YOUR TOMORROW.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE OVER 300 STUDENTS WITH A FOCUS ON OUR MALES OF COLOR ACROSS SITES.
ON MOST OF OUR CAMPUSES, THEY'RE THERE TWICE A WEEK AND PRESENT MENTORING OUR STUDENTS.
THEY WORK WITH SEL PRACTICES WITH STUDENTS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO HELPING TO, FOR EXAMPLE, COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND FAFSA DOCUMENTS.
THERE ARE EXPERIENCES ON CAMPUS BUT ALSO EXPERIENCES OFF CAMPUS, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH COLLEGE FIELD TRIPS.
[00:40:03]
WE'RE CONTINUING ALL THINGS PRETTY, AND THIS IS A STUDENT FACING MENTORING GROUP FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC NEEDS OF FEMALES.CURRENTLY, IT'S AT ALL OF OUR SITES THAT HAVE LEAP AS WELL AS DHS, AND NATOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT SELF EMPOWERMENT AS WELL AS GROWING FEMALE LEADERSHIP.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE TYSON AMIR BACK WITH THE BLACK PROGRAM, BUILDING CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE.
FREEDOM SOLE MEDIA IS WORKING WITH STUDENTS AT NATOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH BANNON CREEK AND H ALLEN HIGHT.
HE'S ALREADY BEEN ON EACH OF THE CAMPUSES ONE TO TWO TIMES SO FAR AND HE'LL BE BACK AGAIN THIS MONTH.
THIS CONTENT IS REALLY ABOUT BRINGING HISTORY AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE IN AN AMPLIFIED WAY DIRECTLY TO OUR STUDENTS AND THINGS THAT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE INCLUDED IN THE WAY THAT OUR STATE STANDARDS REPRESENT HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE.
WITH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AS DIEDRE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TONIGHT THROUGH CAFE, OUR DIVERSE CONVERSATIONS ARE CONTINUING.
THESE INCLUDE QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
DIEDRE ALWAYS INCLUDES TRANSLATION SERVICES AND CHILDCARE, AND THERE'S A RANGE OF TOPICS THAT WE ASK OUR DIVERSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FEEDBACK ON THE DISTRICT, INCLUDES THINGS LIKE OUR LCAP AND INPUT TO SUCH PRACTICES AS SAFETY UPDATES ON OUR SCHOOLS.
FAMILIES FROM ALL OVER THE DISTRICT COME AND THESE ARE REALLY WELL ATTENDED, SO THANKS TO OUR CAFE TEAM.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE DO HAVE SOME SITES.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE FOUR SITES THAT HAVE EQUITY MULTIPLIER FUNDS AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE USE THOSE FUNDS ARE THROUGH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LIAISONS.
THESE POSITIONS ARE REALLY ABOUT BUILDING HOME SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONNECTIONS.
THEY OFFER POP UPS ON SITES THAT MAY BRING CLOTHING THAT STUDENTS NEED.
THEY HAVE DONE SOME THINGS RECENTLY THAT ARE PARTS OF THE FUN FRIDAY AT NATOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
SO THE EQUITY MULTIPLIER FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LIAISONS ARE REALLY PART OF THE E2 TEAM AND MO HELPS WORK WITH THEM AND COORDINATE THEIR WORK ON OUR SITES.
THEN I WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK WITH OUR COORDINATOR TOO, MISS SABRINA JACKSON.
THIS COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS THAT YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT A FEW TIMES IS THE PARENT ENGAGEMENT COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT.
WHAT SABRINA IS REALLY FOCUSING ON IS ASSISTING PARENTS IN UNDERSTANDING THE IEP AND 504 PROCESS.
SHE AND SUPPORTS PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, IN DECISION MAKING, BUT SHE ALSO CONNECTS OUR FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, SUPPORT SERVICES, TRAININGS AND IS REALLY ABOUT FOSTERING COLLABORATIVE AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND OUR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS.
SABRINA IS DOING PARENT TRAININGS.
SHE'S ALREADY COMPLETED TWO PARENT TRAINING SO FAR THIS YEAR, BUT FIVE ADDITIONAL PARENT TRAININGS WILL BE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE REMAINING PARTS OF '25 '26, AND SHE HAS A MODEL THAT'S BEEN WORKING REALLY WELL.
ON THURSDAYS, SHE HAS AN EVENING IN PERSON TRAINING HERE, AND ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS, SHE OFFERS THE TRAININGS AGAIN VIRTUALLY FOR ANY PARENTS THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON THE PREVIOUS EVENING.
THAT IS OUR REPORT ON AR 0100.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT BOARD, YOU HEARD HER? ANY QUESTIONS? I DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE CEA.
WHEN CEA WAS FORMED THE FIRST YEAR, I WAS IN THE TEAM WITH DIEDRE.
DIEDRE ARE YOU HERE? DIEDRE IS NOT HERE.
WE WENT TO A COUPLE OF TRAINING SESSIONS IN ONTARIO AND I'M SO GLAD THAT NOW WE'VE REACHED TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO MENTOR THAT TO THE OTHER FAMILIES IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE META.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.
NEXT UP ON THE AGENDA, WE WILL
[XV.a. Receive the Updated Teaching Assignment Monitoring Outcomes (TAMOs)]
RECEIVE THE UPDATED TEACHING ASSIGNMENT MONITORING OUTCOMES.NO ACTION IS NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM.
BUT PLEASE LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THIS ITEM RECEIVED BY THE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
NEXT UP ARE ACTION ITEMS, ACTION ITEM A,
[XVI.a. Present and Approve Natomas Unified School District's Deferred Maintenance Plan]
PRESENT AND APPROVE NATOMAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE PLAN.DOUG OR OUR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT,
[00:45:01]
WHO WILL LEAD US IN THIS PRESENTATION.THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GRANT, SUPERINTENDENT CASTILEO, TRUSTEES.
TONIGHT I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS PLAN THAT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER OVER THE LAST YEAR.
IT'S DEFINITELY IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOAL 3, CREATING A SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CONNECT TO SCHOOL.
TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO SHARE THE PROCESS WE USED TO UPDATE OUR PLAN, SHARE SOME OF THE PLAN CONTENTS.
IT'S AN OVERVIEW BECAUSE THE ACTUAL PLAN IS OVER 1,000 PAGES OF SPREADSHEET DOCUMENTS.
A FEW SAMPLES OF SOME OF THE SCHOOL OVERVIEWS AND SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS IN OUR PROCESS.
THE PROCESS THAT WE USE TO UPDATE THE PLAN, JUST SOME QUICK HIGHLIGHTS.
SO WE MEET WITH THE CONSULTANT PBK ARCHITECTURE.
>> THEY BRING OUT A TEAM, FOLKS.
THEY HELP US, FOR EXAMPLE, AT NATOMAS HIGH SCHOOL.
THERE'S OVER 140 AIR CONDITIONING UNITS ON THE ROOF.
WE GET DATA ON IT FROM WORK ORDERS, ANY MAINTENANCE HISTORY.
WE HAVE PICTURES AND WE CATALOG EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE, AND WE DO THAT AT EVERY SCHOOL.
NOW CARPET CONDITION OF PAINT, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE DOORS.
THAT'S WHY I SAID THERE'S OVER 1,000 PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION FOR EVERY SYSTEM AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOLS.
WE TALK TO THE STAFF AT THE SCHOOLS, WE ASK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMS, WORKING WITH THE PRINCIPALS.
WE LOOK AT OUR WORK ORDER SYSTEM.
THEN WE LOOK AT THE PRIORITIES FOR EACH SCHOOL AND IT'S BASED ON LIFE EXPECTANCY, FOR EXAMPLE, HVAC SYSTEMS TYPICALLY HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY 20-25 YEARS IF OPERATED EFFECTIVELY, AS YOU KNOW, AT WITTER RANCH, WE HAVE COTTONWOOD TREES THAT CAN SHORTEN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF SOME OF THE SYSTEMS THERE AND WE'VE LOOKED AT TAKING SOME DIFFERENT STEPS WITH OUR TREES TO HELP WITH THAT.
BUT THOSE ARE ALL THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT INFORM THIS PLAN.
THEN WE HAVE DIGITAL RECORDS OF THIS.
WHAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE PAST IS IN THE PAST, WE'D HAVE BASICALLY A BIG BOOK, AND ONCE IT'S WRITTEN, IT'S OUT OF DATE. NOW IT'S DIGITAL.
WHEN WE MAKE A REPAIR, IT UPDATES THE PLAN.
BEYOND THE DATA COLLECTION AND THE TABLETOP REVIEW, WE COME UP WITH THE PRIORITIES BASED ON IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT'S BROKEN OR ABOUT TO BE BROKEN, AND WE COME UP WITH THE PLAN.
WE LOOK AT OUR FUNDING, WHAT'S AVAILABLE, AND WHAT'S POSSIBLE.
GIVEN OUR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND ANY BOND FUNDING, WE CAN WORK ON MAKING SURE WE CAN REPLACE THINGS.
A COUPLE OF SCHOOL OVERVIEWS, FOR EXAMPLE, JUST AS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PLAN.
FOR EACH SCHOOL, WE'LL HAVE A PICTURE LIKE THIS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GENERAL INFORMATION, WHAT GRADES IT SERVES, HOW OLD IT IS, HOW MANY ACRES, ET CETERA.
YOU CAN SEE THERE, WHAT YEAR IT WAS BUILT, ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS AMERICAN LAKES.
FOR EXAMPLE, ON THIS ONE, THE NUMBER OF PORTABLES, THE GRADE LEVEL SERVED.
THEN WE GO A LITTLE BIT DEEPER WITH EACH SCHOOL.
WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT CONDITIONS OF DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN THEY'VE BEEN REPLACED, AND THEN IT GETS FURTHER AND FURTHER IN.
THEN WE GET INTO THE SPREADSHEETS FOR EACH OF THESE.
YOU CAN SEE THESE ARE JUST A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE SYSTEMS THAT WE TRACK AND MONITOR, EVERYTHING FROM FIRE ALARMS, PLUMBING, TECHNOLOGY TO THE INTERIOR FINISHES.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT THERE ARE FAR MORE EXPENDITURES NEEDED THAN WE HAVE MONEY, WHICH IS WHERE PRIORITIES COME IN.
THE STATE HAS LISTED OUT THE DIFFERENT PRIORITY CATEGORIES FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
YOU CAN SEE THEM LISTED THERE. I DON'T NEED TO READ THEM TO YOU, BUT WE'VE BEEN OVER THIS IN THE PAST.
PRIORITY ONE IS REALLY WHERE WE END UP SPENDING A LOT OF OUR TIME.
ANYTHING FIRE LIFE SAFETY, THOSE ARE CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THIS.
THAT'D BE HVAC SYSTEMS, FIRE SYSTEMS, VERGLAR ALARM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE NEXT STEPS IS WE'LL TAKE ALL THIS DATA IN OUR PLAN.
NOW THAT OUR FACILITIES MASTER PLAN IS ALSO DIGITAL, WE'LL INCORPORATE IT ALL TOGETHER, AND IT'LL HELP US COME UP WITH PLANNING FOR ANY FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE, OR IF AND WHEN WE PASS A BOND WHERE WE NEED TO EXPEND THAT MONEY.
WE'RE RIGHT NOW IN THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR THIS SUMMER, WORKING TO GET PROJECTS BID FOR REPLACEMENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THIS SUMMER, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF AIR CONDITIONING AND HVAC UNITS GET SWAPPED OUT.
ALSO A LOT OF OUR THERMOSTATS ARE PAST THEIR LIFETIME EXPECTANCY.
IT'S TIME TO FIX THOSE AND THAT'LL UPDATE OUR MASTER PLAN AND SO WITH THAT,
[00:50:03]
REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE PLAN.>> BEFORE WE GET TO BOARD DISCUSSION, WE DO HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM DOUG, SO JUST HANG BACK JUST A LITTLE BIT.
WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM FROM AMANDA HADAJI.
>> HELLO, AGAIN, I SAW THIS ON THE DOCKET AND I WANTED TO JUST MENTION THAT MY AIR CONDITIONERS IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAS BEEN BIPOLAR, YOU MIGHT CALL IT.
THEY FINALLY CAME IN AND GAVE ME A NEW THERMOSTAT, AND IT'S STILL BIPOLAR.
IT'S NOT TO SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE STAFF BECAUSE THEY'RE AMAZING.
BUT THAT FUNDING IS PROBABLY WHY IT TAKES SO LONG TO GET THE HOLE IN THE GROUND THAT THE KIDS AND STAFF ARE STEPPING IN AND ROLLING THEIR ANKLES FIXED, EVEN AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF ASKING.
THEY FINALLY DID IT LAST WEEK.
BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED BY MAKING SURE THAT FUNDING IS GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF FOR IT.
>> TRUSTEES, COMMENTS, DISCUSSION, TRUSTEE DOSICK.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT AND FOR THE THOROUGHNESS OF THIS.
I REMEMBER BACK IN THE PROBABLY 2010-ISH TIME FRAME, 2012.
BASICALLY, WHEN THE DISTRICT WAS UNDERGOING SEVERE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND FACING AN IMMINENT STATE TAKEOVER, THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE BUDGET WAS PRETTY MUCH ZEROED OUT, AND WE HAD SITUATIONS WHERE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THE MAINTENANCE UPKEEP ON AND WE HAD A, I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT'S THE TOMAS HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER ONE, BUT WHERE THE HVAC UNIT, HAD GOTTEN IN SUCH A CASE A DISREPAIR, AND THE COMPANY THAT HAD PROVIDED TO US WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, FORCING US TO DO A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT FOR AN ITEM THAT OTHERWISE COULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER DECADE OF LIFE SO I REALLY JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE THOROUGHNESS OF THIS AND KNOWING THAT YOU'RE ON TOP OF THIS IS GOING TO SAVE THE DISTRICT A LOT OF MONEY IN THE LONG TERM, BUT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T IGNORE.
>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT DURING THOSE LEAN TIMES, A LOT OF DISTRICTS HAD TO CUT, WHICH IS WHY THE STATE NOW IMPLEMENTS THE MANDATED SPENDING ON MAINTENANCE.
>> IT'S ONE I DID ON TRUSTEE DOSICK COMMENTS, AND ALSO JUST THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY SHARING THE PRIORITIZATION WITH THE PUBLIC.
IF YOU OPEN THAT DOCUMENT, IT IS OVER 1,100 PAGES.
FOR ANYONE JUST READING CASUALLY, IT CAN BE ALMOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND AS YOU KNOW, WE HIT THESE PROJECTS, JUST CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD.
>> IS THERE A MOTION? NO SEEING ANY FURTHER?
HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
ACTION ITEM B NEXT UP APPROVED CONTRACT WITH DLR GROUP FOR
[XVI.b. Approve Contract with DLR Group for the 2026 Facilities Master Plan Update]
THE 2026 FACILITIES MASTER PLAN UPDATE.IS THERE A PRESENTATION? IS THERE A MOTION?
THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE PRIOR ITEM.
WE NEED FOLKS TO COME IN AND HELP US WITH THESE PRIORITIES.
>> CORRECT. THEN ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER FOR US TO GO OUT AND GET A 2026 BOND ON THE BALLOT.
IS WE NEED TO HAVE A FACILITIES MASTER PLAN THAT WAS COMPLETED WITHIN TWO YEARS.
THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE, BRING US COMPLIANT AND TO ADD ANY PROJECT UPDATES THAT HAPPENED IN THE MEANTIME.
>> THANKS FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
THERE'S A MOTION IN A SECOND, HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
ACTION ITEM C APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 2538 AUTHORIZING
[XVI.c. Approve Resolution No. 25-38, Authorizing the California State Preschool Program Continued Funding Application and Signatory Authority for the 2026-27 School Year]
THE CALIFORNIA STATE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM CONTINUED FUNDING APPLICATION AND SIGNATORY AUTHORITY FOR THE 2026-'27 SCHOOL YEAR.I DON'T SEE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM. IS THERE A MOTION.
>> SECONDED BY TRUSTEE META. HELEN, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MOTION CARRIES 60. ACTION ITEM D. APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 2539,
[XVI.d. Approve Resolution No. 25-39 Designating the Week of November 3-7, 2025 as National School Psychology Week]
[00:55:02]
DESIGNATED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3RD-7TH 2025 AS NATIONAL SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY WEEK.I DO YOU HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? WE'LL TAKE THAT FIRST FROM AMANDA HADAJI.
>> I LOVE THAT WE'RE DESIGNATING A WEEK FOR OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
THEY'RE REALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DISTRICT WHERE WE HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE SO MANY SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO COME FROM TRAUMA.
IT'S AN AMAZING JOB THAT THEY DO AND IT'S REALLY CHALLENGING.
AT NATOMAS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE HAVE ONE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST FOR A SITE THAT HAS PROBABLY CLOSE TO 50% STUDENTS WHO ARE IN A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SITUATION, IF NOT MORE THAN THAT AND WE HAVE VERY UNIQUE NEEDS AT OUR SITE.
WE HAVE 30 PLUS STUDENTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS EVERY DAY WHO ARE NOT YET ON THE PSYCHOLOGISTS CASE LOAD.
THAT'S JUST BEYOND HER CASELOAD.
THERE'S NO NIGHTTIME OR DAYTIME.
I LEFT VERY LATE THE OTHER DAY STRICTLY BECAUSE I HAD THE TIME TO SPEND TO DO SOME THINGS AND I WALKED PAST HER OFFICE AND SHE WAS STILL THERE HEAD DOWN WORKING ON IT.
SHE'S A PERSON. SHE HAS A FAMILY.
OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS NEED OUR SUPPORT, IF THAT MEANS THAT WE NEED TO BRING IN A CONTRACTOR TO PICK UP THE SLACK WITH THOSE KIDS THAT AREN'T YET BEING SERVED, OR IF THAT MEANS THAT WE NEED TO HIRE PART TIME PSYCHOLOGISTS THAT CAN SPLIT BETWEEN SITES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE CAN'T JUST SAY THAT WE'RE HONORING THEM WHEN THEY'RE DROWNING.
WE'VE LOST A PSYCHOLOGIST AT OUR SCHOOL ALREADY BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING.
[APPLAUSE] WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THIS ONE TOO, AND SHE'S AMAZING AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH AMAZING PSYCHOLOGISTS TO DEAL THEM LIKE CARDS. THANK YOU.
IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, CAN WE SUBSTITUTE THE PRIOR UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE? NO OBJECTION. MOTION CARRIES 60.
[XVI.e. Approve Resolution No. 25-40 Recognizing October as Filipino American History Month]
APPROVED RESOLUTION NUMBER 2540, RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.IS THERE A MOTION IN A SECOND?
>> MOVED BY STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, ACTUALLY AND IS THERE A SECOND?
IF THERE'S NOT AN OBJECTION, WE CAN ALSO SUBSTITUTE TO PRIOR UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION. MOTION CARRIES 60.
NEXT. WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[XVII. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
THIS IS DISORGANIZED. I'M SORRY GUYS.HOW MANY YOU HAVE? WE HAVE ACTUALLY 20.
[APPLAUSE] FOR A PUBLIC COMIC CARD TRIED THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAW 9323, WE'LL BEGIN CALLING INDIVIDUALS TO THE PODIUM IN ORDER TO PUBLIC COMIC CARDS WERE RECEIVED.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE APPLAUSE. HI, MY NAME IS NICK LANOS.
I'M HAPPY TO BE ADDRESSING THE BOARD TONIGHT.
I NOTICED REAL QUICK THOUGH THAT THE CAMERAS ARE POINTED AT YOU, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE ARE TYPICALLY ALSO POINTED AT US, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF FACULTY HERE IN SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER AND AWESOME.
ONLINE, YOU CAN'T SEE THAT YOU CAN DO [INAUDIBLE].
[APPLAUSE] JUST POINTING THAT OUT. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS NICK.
I'M AN UPPER MANAGER AT THE STATE, AND I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THAT'S CRITICAL TO WHAT I TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT.
I SPEAK TONIGHT NOT JUST AS A CONCERNED PERSON, BUT ALSO AS A DAD.
MY KIDS GO TO PVS, AND THEY HAVE SOME WONDERFUL TEACHERS.
SOME WHO'VE STAYED THERE A LONG TIME, AND IT'S PRETTY FANTASTIC THAT THEY'VE STAYED THERE A LONG TIME.
I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN DO BETTER FOR OUR TEACHERS, SO THEY IN FACT DO THAT MORE OFTEN.
I ALSO SPEAK AS SOMEONE WHO IS A MANAGER AT THE STATE, LIKE I MENTIONED.
I LIVE THE REALITY OF HAVING FAIR COMPENSATION PRACTICES FOR MY PEER MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES AND ALSO OUR PEER RANK AND FILE STAFF.
[01:00:04]
AT THE STATE, WE MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES RECEIVE THE SAME PERCENTAGE INCREASES AS STAFF WE OVERSEE.[APPLAUSE] MR. DOSICK, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE REALLY CONCERNED WITH THE FINANCIALS OF THE DISTRICT, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED TWICE.
AS THESE OTHERS WHO'VE SPOKEN, HAVE MENTIONED, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
I THINK THAT THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT.
WE DON'T GIVE SPECIAL CARVE OUTS OR SPECIAL DEALS OR OUTSIZED PAY INCREASES TO CERTAIN SPECIFIC EXTREMELY HIGHLY PAID INDIVIDUALS [APPLAUSE] AND THAT'S OKAY.
I'M NOT REPRESENTED BY BARGAINING UNIT 1, WHO REPRESENTS THE SEIU 1000 WHO REPRESENT ALL MY STAFF BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THE BARGAINING AMOUNT THEY GET, I GET, AND THAT'S OKAY.
HERE AT NATOMAS, YOU HAVE AUTHORIZED DOUBLE DIGIT PAY INCREASES OF NEARLY $40,000 FOR THE HIGHEST PAID PEOPLE.
>> THOSE PEOPLE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE LAST COUPLE OF SENTENCES.
I REALLY WANT TO RESPECT THE PROCESS.
>> WE'VE OFFERED NEARLY $40,000 FOR THE FOUR HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEES, BUT NEARLY $600 FOR SOME TEACHERS.
I THINK THAT'S UNFAIR, AND I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD DO BETTER.
>> THANK YOU, NICK. APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH.
NEXT UP, I HAVE AMANDA HADAJI WITH SOME DONATED TIME FOR A TOTAL OF 4 MINUTES HERE.
>> I'VE COME UP BEFORE YOU MANY TIMES TALKING ABOUT THE EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVE.
I AM VERY DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT AFTER SIX MONTHS OF ASKING TO BE PART OF IT, I FINALLY GOT DELIVERED MATERIALS YESTERDAY. SIX MONTHS.
I OPENED THE BOX AND I ALMOST CRIED BECAUSE I SPENT SO MUCH OF MY OWN MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO GIVE FOR MY STUDENTS, AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH LAST YEAR, AND IT WAS TWO BOXES.
I ATTENDED THE UFLI TRAINING LAST WEEK.
IT WAS UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING IN ITS FINEST.
THE DAY AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF TRAINING.
I WENT INTO MY CLASSROOM AND I TAUGHT MY LESSON LIKE THE UFLI LESSON TO MY STUDENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE LEARNING DISABILITIES, AND WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF TEACHING THEM POUND AND SOUND, WHICH, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, IS SAYING SOMETHING LIKE CAT.
I TAUGHT THIS TO MY STUDENTS, WITHIN 20 MINUTES, ONE OF MY STUDENTS WHO LIKES TO SCRIPT SAYING THAT SHE'S FRUSTRATED AND SAD WAS OH, I'M FRUSTRATED, I'M SAD.
I'M FRUSTRATED AND THEN SHE SAID, MS. H. I'M SAD, S-A-D. [APPLAUSE] THAT SAME CHILD COULD NOT HAVE SOUNDED OUT CAT OR SAD IN THAT WAY LAST WEEK.
THE NEXT DAY, SHE'S ALSO BEING TESTED FOR HER TRIENNIAL.
SHE GOT 100% READING CVC WORDS.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR HEARING, FOR SUPPORTING.
IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE DIFFERENT, WE ARE ABLED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, WE CAN STILL RECEIVE WHAT OTHERS RECEIVE.
WE DON'T NEED ALWAYS DIFFERENT.
WE NEED THE ACCESS TO THE SAME AND DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION.
WE NEED AS TEACHERS ACCESS TO LEARNING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE GENET CLASSROOM, SO THAT WHEN OUR KIDS GO TO INCLUSION, THEY'RE NOT LOST AND FRUSTRATED AND SCARED AND CONFUSED AND SCREAMING AND ACTING LIKE WILD BEASTS.
THEY'RE SITTING THERE LIKE, "OH, I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.
I HAVE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO SEND THOSE CHILDREN IN DURING UFLI LESSONS IN INCLUSION, AND THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
IT'S AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THAT.
IT IS HARD TO BE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION BECAUSE WE'RE NEVER THOUGHT OF FIRST.
THE OTHER DAY, I WAS AT THE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS FOR EVERYBODY.
[01:05:05]
I RAISED MY HAND AS A SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEMBER AND SAID, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE SDC CLASSES? MY HEART WAS WARMED BUT SHOCKED TO HEAR MY PRINCIPAL SAY, "WELL, YOU ARE A CLASSROOM TEACHER.I WOULD ASSUME THAT YOU'RE PART OF THAT." IT WAS SHOCKING THAT WAS HER RESPONSE.
I WENT UP AFTER THE MEETING AND SAID, "HEY, CALM DOWN.
IF THAT IS THE CASE, CAN I ALSO GET THE INDIVIDUAL COACHING THAT EVERY OTHER TEACHER IN THE DISTRICT IS GETTING?" SHE WAS LIKE, "YEAH, GO PUT YOUR NAME ON HER SCHEDULE." SIX MONTHS LATER.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP I HAVE HELEN HUMPHREYS. SORRY ABOUT THAT. [APPLAUSE]
I TEACH SIXTH GRADE AT NATOMAS PARK ELEMENTARY.
THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR IN YOUR DISTRICT.
I AM THE THIRD GENERATION OF EDUCATORS IN MY FAMILY.
I AM THE SIXTH TEACHER IN MY FAMILY.
MY FATHER TAUGHT FOR 28 YEARS, MY GRANDPARENTS EACH FOR 32, AND MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER FOR 35.
MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS PRIORITIZED EDUCATION, AND I WANTED TO COME AND GIVE THE BOARD A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT INTO THE RIPPLE EFFECT THAT HAPPENS WHEN UPPER MANAGEMENT AND UPPER DISTRICT DECISIONS ARE TAKEN WITHOUT TEACHER STUDENT OR PARENT INPUT.
MY SITE HAD SIXTH GRADE ADDED THIS YEAR, WHICH IS WHY I AM THERE, AND I AM GRATEFUL THAT I AM THERE.
HOWEVER, WE INITIALLY STARTED THE YEAR WITH THREE SIXTH GRADE TEACHERS.
THE DISTRICT WAS UNABLE TO HIRE A TEACHER TO FILL THE EMPTY FOURTH GRADE POSITION.
THEIR DECISION WAS TO FORCIBLY COLLAPSE A SIXTH GRADE CLASSROOM, REMOVE THAT TEACHER FROM SIXTH GRADE AND SEND A TEACHER TO FOURTH GRADE.
THEY DID NOT GIVE US A CHOICE.
NOW MY CO TEACHER AND I HAVE 30 STUDENTS EACH.
THE ATTENTION THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO PAY TO 20 SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS WHO ARE 11-12-YEARS-OLD AND GOING THROUGH ONE OF THE ROUGHEST PARTS OF THEIR ADOLESCENCE, BAR NONE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE ATTENTION YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATION WHEN THERE ARE 30 OF THEM IN A ROOM.
I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD TO CONSIDER, AS THEY PROCEED THROUGHOUT NTAS BARGAINING PROCESS, THAT HIGHER TEACHER RETENTION, BETTER TEACHER HIRING PRACTICES, AND THE 100 YEARS OF DEDICATED AND CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT SMALLER CLASS SIZES RESULT IN BETTER STUDENT OUTCOMES, MAY BE ASSISTING OUR ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN FINDING IMPROVEMENTS WHERE WE HAVEN'T FOUND THEM YET.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, I HAVE JEWEL BRUFTON.
>> HI. I'M A MOTHER OF A SPECIAL CHILD AS YOU SEE.
HE CURRENTLY GOES TO BANNON CREEK ELEMENTARY, AND HIS TEACHER IS BRIANA GILBERT.
TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER, SHE'S A GREAT TEACHER.
SHE GOT TEACHER OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER.
BUT MY INITIAL REASON WHY I'M HERE IS TO TALK ABOUT THE LEAST AND AFTER PROGRAM THAT MY CHILD IS NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND BECAUSE THERE'S NO STAFFING.
WE TRIED TO ASK HIM TO HAVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.
THEY SAID THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF TO ACCOMMODATE HIS NEEDS.
THAT'S ALWAYS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
TO MY ATTENTION, MS. GILBERT HAD BROUGHT TO US THAT SHE HAS 30 KIDS IN HER CLASSROOM.
SHE'S OVERWHELMED, BUT SHE DOES HER GREAT.
BUT MY ISSUE IS THAT WE NEED MORE HELP FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS.
WE NEED MORE STAFFING. WE NEED MORE APPRECIATION.
I MEAN, IN HIS FIRST YEAR OF KINDERGARTEN, WE HAD A OT THE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RBTS THERE TO HELP.
PLEASE HAVE INCLUSION FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHERS, AS WELL AS OUR STUDENTS FOR AFTER CARE, AFTER SCHOOL, SLUMBER SCHOOL CARE.
IS ANYTHING YOU LIKE TO SAY LOISE? PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.
[01:10:01]
NEXT STEP, I HAVE KIMBERLY STEPP.>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. I'VE HAD THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF TALKING TO MOST OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY ON MY OWN.
I'VE BEEN ALSO IN THE UNIQUE SITUATION OF HAVING MULTIPLE ROLES IN THIS DISTRICT WITHIN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN PART OF NUSD.
I'M A TEACHER, I'VE BEEN A TOSA, I WAS A PARENT IN THIS DISTRICT, AND I WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR.
I'M LOOKING AT THIS PICTURE ON MY PHONE OF THE POSTERS THAT HUNG ALL OVER THIS.
ACTUALLY, IT'S RIGHT UP THERE. YOU CAN TURN AROUND AND SEE IT.
WE VALUE OUR COMPETITIVE, COLLABORATIVE, CARING AND EXEMPLARY EMPLOYEES.
IT IS TIME TO START SHOWING IT.
YOU SEE THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU.
[APPLAUSE] THE PEOPLE SITTING OVER HERE MAKE SO MUCH MONEY.
YOU DIDN'T SIGN UP TO BE STEVE JOBS.
YOU ALL CHOSE, WHETHER YOU'RE ON THAT DICE OR SITTING AT THAT TABLE OR IN THOSE CHAIRS.
YOU ALL CHOSE JOBS AS PUBLIC SERVANTS.
WE ARE HERE FOR ONE REASON, AND IT IS THE CHILDREN.
IT IS NOT TO LINE OUR POCKETBOOKS.
WE DESERVE WHAT THEY'RE GETTING TOO.
PLEASE SUPPORT US. PLEASE HEAR US.
I HAVE SAT WITH ALL OF YOU, EXCEPT FOR ONE OF YOU.
PLEASE HEAR US. PLEASE LISTEN TO US.
WE DESERVE AS MUCH AS THEY DO.
>> NEXT UP, I HAVE EMMA KELLER.
>> EMMA'S AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD WHO HAD TO SPEAK IN THE NEWS ON BEHALF OF THEIR TEACHERS IN THIS DISTRICT TODAY.
SHE'S EIGHT. SHE HAD TO LEAVE.
IT'S TOO LATE. [BACKGROUND] THEY INTERVIEWED HER.
YOU'LL SEE WHAT SHE SAID THERE. IT WAS IN RESPONSE [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP, I HAVE NANCY SIRCY.
>> I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT. NANCY SIRCY FOR THE RECORD.
I'VE BEEN AN ELA TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT FOR 13 YEARS, SIX OF WHICH I TAUGHT AT THE MODEL CONTINUATION SCHOOL.
MY PURPOSE FOR COMING BEFORE YOU TODAY IS TO SHARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BECOME REAL IMPEDIMENTS TO THE INTEGRITY OF OUR IB PROGRAM AT PVS.
AS A RESULT, THE LACK OF SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY FOR NEW TEACHERS IN IB HAS BECOME ONE OF THE IMPEDIMENTS TO KEEPING MYP TEACHERS AT OUR SITE.
SPEAKING AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN PRESENT FROM THE INCEPTION OF THE IB PROGRAM AT OUR K-8 SITE, I HAVE SEEN THE FIDELITY OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION BECOME LESS AND LESS EFFECTIVE DUE TO A LACK OF SUPPORT AND CLARITY OF EXPECTATIONS FOR NEW TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY.
THERE ARE A FEW REASONS FOR THIS.
SINCE THE AUTHORIZATION OF OUR PROGRAM AT PVS, WE HAVE SEEN TURNOVER RATES THAT HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A COHESIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.
AFTER OUR INITIAL AUTHORIZATION, THE MYP PROGRAM HAS CONTINUOUSLY HAD 50% OR MORE OF OUR TEACHERS LEAVE AFTER AT THE MOST, TWO YEARS TEACHING IN THE IB PROGRAM.
A LACK OF IB TRAINING AND COMMITMENT HAVE LED TO OUR MYP IB PROGRAM SUFFERING.
FOR EXAMPLE, DUE TO A LACK OF A TRAINING, FIRST YEAR IB TEACHERS HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE YEAR AND STILL DO NOT KNOW HOW TO POST IB SCORES FOR STUDENTS AND DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN.
BUT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO AS A PART OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
OFTEN THIS PUTS TEACHERS IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY FEEL THEY ARE FORCED TO BE INAUTHENTIC ABOUT THEIR REPORTS.
FURTHERMORE, FIRST YEAR TEACHERS OFTEN DON'T EVEN HAVE CLEAR EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHAT LEVEL OF IMPLEMENTATION THEY WILL BE TRAINED FOR OR EXPECTED TO ALIGN WITH.
IF YOU ARE A MATH TEACHER IN OUR IB PROGRAM THIS YEAR, YOU ALSO HAVE NO DISTRICT BENCHMARKS IN PLACE TO GUIDE YOU AS A NEW TEACHER TO OUR DISTRICT.
THIS DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR CREATING HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS NOR RETAINING THESE TEACHERS FOR THE FUTURE.
NEVERTHELESS, I DO NOT PUT THIS SQUARELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF JUST THE IB COORDINATORS.
>> YOU'RE AT TIME. I'LL GIVE YOU A LAST SENTENCE HERE.
>> SURE. THIS IB PROGRAM REQUIRES SO MANY EXTRA DUTIES ON BEHALF OF THE TEACHER.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO RETAIN HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS AND TO TRAIN FIRST YEAR TEACHERS TO BECOME HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] NEXT UP,
[01:15:01]
WE HAVE RACHEL GREEN.>> HELLO, SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD TRUSTEES.
I TOO HAVE HAD LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK TO MANY OF YOU ONE ON ONE.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO FOR SOME OF YOU WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW.
I'M A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER IN THIS DISTRICT.
I'VE BEEN TEACHING IN NATOMAS FOR 10 YEARS.
AS AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER, I KNOW THERE ARE TWO TRUTHS ABOUT ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.
NUMBER 1, STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE THE ARTS AND TEACHERS AND NUMBER 2, TEACHERS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PREP TIME.
OUR STUDENTS NEED ENRICHMENT, THEY NEED MUSIC AND ART, AND DANCE.
THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
BY COMMITTING TO HIRING AND RETAINING QUALITY ENRICHMENT TEACHERS, NOT ONLY WOULD OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND PERSONALITIES, BUT IT WOULD ALSO GIVE TEACHERS MORE PREP TIME TO PREP MEANINGFUL LESSONS.
CURRENTLY, KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY GET 45 MINUTES PER WEEK OF PE AND NO REAL ARTS AND MUSIC INSTRUCTION FROM A QUALIFIED TEACHER.
THIS IS FAR LESS THAN WHAT STUDENTS IN SURROUNDING DISTRICTS RECEIVE.
WE KNOW THAT HAVING ACCESS TO ART AND MUSIC EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INCREASES STUDENT LITERACY AND GRADUATION RATES, 45 MINUTES A WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO PREP.
I OFTEN SPEND MULTIPLE UNPAID HOURS A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL OR ON THE WEEKEND GETTING READY FOR STUDENTS.
ON DAYS AND WEEKS, WHEN I HAVE LESS TIME, THE QUALITY EDUCATION I CAN PROVIDE TO STUDENTS SUFFERS.
THAT'S WHY INCREASING TEACHER PREP TIME PROVIDED BY ARTS AND MUSIC TEACHERS IS A WIN-WIN.
UNFORTUNATELY, SO FAR THE NUSD NEGOTIATION TEAM HAS REFUSED TO MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
ALL THEY HAVE OFFERED IS INCREASING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WORK DAY SO THAT WE CAN PREP AFTER SCHOOL, WHICH DOESN'T INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ENRICHMENT OUR STUDENTS WOULD RECEIVE.
I AM CALLING ON YOU TO DIRECT YOUR CHIEF NEGOTIATOR TO AGREE TO OUR UNION'S DEMANDS FOR INCREASED EARLY ELEMENTARY PREP TIME.
WE NEED ARTS AND MUSIC BACK IN SCHOOLS.
>> NEXT UP, I HAVE CHRISTEL PATTERSON.
I MISSED [APPLAUSE] I'M SO SORRY.
I DID THIS OUT OF ORDER. JUST REAL QUICK.
I GOT TO GET TO DARLENE RAMOS JUST FIRST.
THAT'S MY FAULT. I'M SORRY. IS DARLENE RAMOS AVAILABLE? I FEEL SO BAD BECAUSE I MAKE YOU TO GO BACK AND FORTH.
WE'LL PASS ON THIS ONE BECAUSE SHE'S NOT PRESENT AT APPEARS, SO WE'LL GET CHRISTEL PATTERSON NOW.
[APPLAUSE] THAT'S TOTALLY NOT INTENTIONAL. THAT'S NOT MY SWAG.
MY NAME IS CHRISTEL PATTERSON, AND I AM THE PARENT OF TWO NUSD STUDENTS.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ART TEACHERS.
I'VE ALWAYS HAD A REALLY DEEP RESPECT FOR TEACHERS, BUT THAT RESPECT GREW EVEN DEEPER DURING THE PANDEMIC.
AT THE TIME, I WAS WORKING ON A HIGH PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY PROJECT THAT SUPPORTED COVID-19 VACCINE SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, ALL WHILE HELPING MY CHILDREN NAVIGATE DISTANCE LEARNING FROM HOME.
IT MADE ME FEEL JUST HOW MUCH TEACHERS DO, HOW MUCH PATIENCE, CREATIVITY, AND CARE IT TAKES TO HELP OUR CHILDREN LEARN.
WHEN I HEAR THAT OUR DISTRICT LEVEL STAFF RECEIVED A 15-20% RAISE, WHILE OUR TEACHERS RECEIVE NEXT TO NOTHING AND THAT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL ISSUES WITH THEIR BENEFITS, I CAN'T HELP BUT TO FEEL DISAPPOINTMENT AND TO FEEL DISHEARTENED.
TEACHERS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURES EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THEY SPEND MORE WAKING HOURS WITH OUR CHILDREN THAN WE DO.
IF THEY'RE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, IF THEY'RE FEELING UNDERVALUED, IF THEY'RE STRETCHED THIN, IT AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO SHOW UP FULLY FOR OUR CHILDREN.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL, BUT I WANT MY CHILD'S TEACHER TO BE ABLE TO SHOW UP FULLY FOR THEM.
WE SHOULD BE PAYING TEACHERS LIKE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT THEY ARE.
HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW WHY A STARTING SALARY FOR A TEACHER ISN'T AT LEAST $100,000 A YEAR.
[01:20:01]
OUR FUTURE IS LITERALLY IN THEIR HANDS.>> YOU'RE AT TIME, GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR FINAL SENTENCE.
>> WELL, I WILL JUST SAY WE CANNOT EXPECT EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF OUR EDUCATORS.
PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
>> NEXT UP, I HAVE SABRINA MANNING.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS SABRINA MANNING.
I'M A PARENT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD.
I'M COMING HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE NEED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS, INVEST INTO OUR TEACHERS THAT INVEST INTO OUR CHILDREN SO THAT THE BURNOUT IS NOT OFTEN, SO THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN BE INCLUDED GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES.
IT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT'S AS FREQUENT AS TWICE A WEEK FOR 2 HOURS A DAY.
>> NEXT UP I HAVE, ANTHONY, IS IT MOSCHI?
>> MOSCHI? I'M SORRY. ETCH. [APPLAUSE] SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> THAT'S HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
I'M ALSO A PARENT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT, TOO, IN FACT.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR DEDICATED EDUCATORS WHO SHAPE THE MINDS AND FUTURES OF OUR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY.
OUR TEACHERS ARE NOT JUST INSTRUCTORS, THEY'RE MENTORS, COUNSELORS, ROLE MODELS, AND OFTEN THE FIRST LINE OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS FACING CHALLENGES, BOTH ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL.
IMAGINE THAT. YET, DESPITE THEIR CRITICAL ROLE, OUR TEACHERS ARE WORKING UNDER CONTRACTS THAT NO LONGER REFLECT THE REALITIES OF THEIR WORKLOAD, THE COST OF LIVING, THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.
MANY ARE SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY ON CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, WORKING WELL BEYOND CONTRACTED HOURS AND JUGGLING [APPLAUSE] INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY WITHOUT CORRESPONDING COMPENSATION OR SUPPORT.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT SALARIES, IT'S ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY.
WHEN WE FAIL TO INVEST IN OUR TEACHERS, WE ARE LOSING THEM TO OTHER DISTRICTS, OTHER PROFESSIONS OR BURNOUT.
WHEN WE LOSE GREAT TEACHERS, WE LOSE THE HEART OF OUR SCHOOLS.
A BETTER CONTRACT MEANS COMPETITIVE PAY, MANAGEABLE CLASS SIZES, ADEQUATE PLANNING TIME, AND ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
IT MEANS RECOGNIZING THAT RETAINING TALENTED EDUCATORS IS NOT A LUXURY, IT'S A NECESSITY.
BECAUSE WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO THRIVE, WE MUST ENSURE OUR TEACHERS ARE EMPOWERED, SUPPORTED, VALUED.
MAKE THIS RENEGOTIATION A TURNING POINT, ONE THAT REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.
MR. DOSE, YOU TALKED ABOUT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S MONEY IS GOING? WHY ISN'T IT GOING TO THE FRONT LINE?
>> YOU'RE AT TIME. I'LL GIVE YOU.
>> ONE LAST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY, IF WE'RE GOING TO CONNECT STUDENTS TO THEIR FUTURES, WHERE DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD START? [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP, I BELIEVE IT'S MAYS MENIFEE. DID I GET THAT RIGHT?
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MAYS MENIFEE.
I AM A MASAB SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.
I'VE BEEN IN OUR DISTRICT SINCE 2015 AS BOTH A PARENT EDUCATOR AND A TEACHER.
IN BOTH MY ROLES, THE DISTRICT HAS FAILED US.
BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF WITH STAFFING OUR CLASSROOMS OR THE LACK OF.
OUR STUDENTS ST TEACHER RATIO IS NOT SUFFICIENT OR EFFECTIVE IN SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS.
WE NEED MORE SUPPORT TO MAKE OUR CLASSROOMS EQUITABLE FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SAFETY.
OUR DISTRICT HAS FAILED TO RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF DUE TO THE LACK OF SUPPORT.
WE RECEIVE IN THE CLASSROOMS IN ADDITION TO THE LACK OF SALARY AND BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE.
[01:25:03]
MANY OF US DO NOT TAKE OUR FREE BREAKS AND LUNCHES TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE.[APPLAUSE] MANY OF US TAKE WORK HOME, UNPAID, WHICH ALSO THEN TAKES AWAY TIME WE SPEND WITH OUR OWN FAMILIES.
MANY OF US, MYSELF INCLUDED, WORK MULTIPLE JOBS TO MAKE UP FOR THE INSUFFICIENT FUNDS AND BENEFITS THE DISTRICT REFUSES TO INCREASE AND PROVIDE.
QUITE FRANKLY, I'M TIRED OF WORKING TWO JOBS.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR DISTRICT LEADERS DO NOT FIND IT AN URGENT MATTER TO HIRE THE UNFILLED POSITIONS, WHICH WE HAVE MANY OF ACROSS OUR DISTRICTS.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY DO NOT SEE THE URGENCY IN MAKING OUR COST SAFE AND EQUITABLE TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR OUR SPECIAL POPULATION STUDENTS.
IT'S EVEN MORE UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR DISTRICT LEADERS ARE NOT DIRECTLY IN THE CLASSROOMS AND RECEIVED A 50% RAISE.
>> MEANWHILE, MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE SHOWING UP, WORKING LONG HOURS, AND EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS DAILY FOR A SALARY THAT IS WELL BELOW WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY US.
WE CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW'S PROMISES.
>> NEXT UP, I HAVE ANTONETTA AVILA.
>> I COME FROM ONE OF THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY AND ONE OF THE STRONGEST UNIONS IN THE COUNTRY.
YET I AM GETTING PAID MORE HERE IN NATOMAS.
BUT MY TAKE HOME PAY IS LOWER THAN WHAT I WAS GETTING BACK THERE, BECAUSE I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS.
BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HAVING A PARTNER THAT HAS BENEFITS SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS AND FOR THE BENEFITS OF MY CHILD.
MY TAKE HOME PAY IS LESS THAN WHAT I WAS MAKING LAST YEAR.
THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR IN NATOMAS.
I'M THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COORDINATOR AT JEFFERSON, AND I HAVE SEEN WHAT A GREAT SCHOOL I'M AT.
YET I HAVE SEEN WHEN MY COLLEAGUES ARE TALKING ABOUT WHERE TURNOVER IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION, NEEDING EXTRA SUPPORT.
I HOPE THAT THE BOARD IS LISTENING TO US AND THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE SO THAT WE CAN STAY AND HOPEFULLY CONTINUE TO CREATE A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR US TO WORK.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE LISTEN TO THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT YOU HAVE AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US OR NOT.
>>THANK YOU. NEXT UP, I HAVE CELAS DAGHEA.
WENT HOME. NEXT UP, I HAVE ROSALIND KENNY.
MY NAME IS ROSALIND KENNY, AND I COME HERE AS A SUPPORTER OF NTA AND SADLY NO LONGER A MEMBER.
I'M ONE OF THE 60 EDUCATORS WHO RESIGNED THIS LAST SUMMER.
AS I TOLD YOU THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I'M A BIOLOGIST TURN TEACHER AND SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN AGES 11 TO 18.
I WORKED IN NATOMAS AS AN RSP TEACHER AND THEN A SPECIAL ED PRESCHOOL TEACHER.
I HAVE A MULTIPLE SUBJECT, AN ED SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL, AN ADDED AUTHORIZATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I ALSO HAVE A MAT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
NOT ONLY AM I HIGHLY QUALIFIED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF TEACHING POSITIONS, BUT I'M ALSO SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED BEING A PRESCHOOL SPECIAL ED TEACHER AND SAW TREMENDOUS GAIN IN MY STUDENTS.
I HAD SEVERAL EARLY READERS EVERY YEAR, GREAT GAINS IN THEIR SELF REGULATION TO WHERE I WORKED WITH THE GENERAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL TEACHER TO HAVE A ROBUST INCLUSION SCHEDULE TRANSFERRING SOME STUDENTS TO THAT CLASSROOM FULLY EACH YEAR.
I HAD GREAT COLLABORATION NOT ONLY WITH MY GRADE LEVEL, BUT ALSO WITH NEIGHBORING GRADE LEVELS THAT REALLY ENHANCED MY ABILITY TO PREPARE MY STUDENTS FOR THAT NEXT GRADE LEVEL.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE INCOME IN NATOMAS WAS TOO LOW FOR ME.
TO SUPPLEMENT MY INCOME, I HAD TO ADVERTISE ON MY CAR.
I HAD TO WORK AS A SUBSTITUTE ON MY DAYS OFF.
[01:30:01]
I HAD TO WORK IN AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING.REMEMBER, I SAID I HAVE THREE KIDS THAT I ALSO NEED TO TAKE CARE OF. I HAD TO LEAVE.
THE COST OF LIVING WAS TOO HIGH, MY NUSD PAYCHECK AND MY SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME WERE NOT ENOUGH TO MEET MY BASIC NEEDS.
WHILE I LOVED MY JOB, MY SCHOOL SITE, AND THIS DISTRICT, I HAD TO LEAVE TO GET A PAYCHECK AND BENEFIT PACKAGE THAT LETS ME PAY MY BILLS.
NATOMAS FAMILIES EVEN SAW MY STRUGGLE AND ONE FAMILY GIFTED ME A COSTCO MEMBERSHIP TO REDUCE MY GROCERY BILL.
A FAMILY IN THIS DISTRICT DID THAT FOR ME.
THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT I HAD FROM FAMILIES, UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE FROM YOU FINANCIALLY.
I HAD TO LEAVE FOR ANOTHER DISTRICT WHERE I HAVE A HIGHER PAYCHECK AND FULL BENEFITS FOR MYSELF AND MY THREE CHILDREN FULLY PAID, AND MY CO PAYS ARE ZERO FOR WHAT MY CHILDREN AND I NEED.
PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR TEACHERS NEEDS, OR YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE QUALIFIED EDUCATORS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP, I HAVE ZACHARY MUHLENBERG.
IS ZACHARY HERE? SOMEONE WANT TO GRAB HIM.
I'LL JUST TAKE THE NEXT ONE UNTIL HE'S PRESENT IF THAT'S OKAY.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE MEANTIME.
I DON'T WANT TO MESS UP THE FIRST NAME.
I DON'T SEE ANYONE HERE FOR THAT.
I CAN'T. I HONESTLY CAN'T READ IT.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTS WITH AN N. SOMEONE ELSE WANTS TO TAKE A SHOT AT IT UP HERE.
>> THERE'S NO ONE IN THE ROOM.
>> I'M WORKING TO THE AGENDA AS BEST AS I CAN.
LAST PUBLIC COMMENT I HAVE IS FROM HAMZA.
THAT'S GOING TO CONCLUDE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD.
GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:47 P.M. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.