[00:00:03]
>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:01.
[2. CALL TO ORDER]
ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS. THE PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS. THE BOARD MAY LIMIT THE TIME FOR EACH SPEAKER TO 3 MINUTES, AND THE TOTAL TIME FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM TO 20 MINUTES.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM MAY BE GRANTED UP TO 3 MINUTES AT THE TIME, THE ITEM APPEARS ON THE AGENDA.
IN THE CASE OF A NON AGENDA ITEM, COMMENTS MAY BE MADE UNDER REQUEST TO SPEAK ON NON AGENDA ITEMS, COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC.
PRIOR TO ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE FILL OUT THE REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD CARD, WHICH MAY BE PICKED UP FROM MARGARET MCDONALD, SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ANY PERSON ADDRESSING THE BOARD SHOULD FIRST STATE THEIR NAME AND ASSOCIATION WITH THE DISTRICT.
WE HAVE NO CARDS. WE WILL CONVENE.
[5. CLOSED SESSION AGENDA]
THE BOARD WILL CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:02.[BACKGROUND] WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED.
[7. CALL TO ORDER]
I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE RECONVENING INTO OPEN SESSION AT 6:00 P.M. WE HAVE A REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION.[8. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION]
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS SAN. IN CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD TOOK ACTION TO APPROVE A FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE BETWEEN PARENTS OF A E AND THE BENITA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, CASE NUMBER 202-510-0089, PURSUANT TO WHICH THE DISTRICT HAS AGREED TO FUND AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, TO THE STUDENT AND THE STUDENT'S PARENTS HAVE RELEASED CLAIMS AGAINST THE DISTRICT IN EXCHANGE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AS SPECIFIED IN THE AGREEMENT.
THE MOTION WAS MADE BY BRITTANY SECOND BY DERICK, AND THE ROLL CALL VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS.
>> THANK YOU. WE NOW HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, IF YOU'LL ALL STAND.
SAVANNAH MORA FROM BONITA HIGH SCHOOL IS GOING TO LEAD US.
>> WE NOW HAVE THE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER AND CONTENT.
[10. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER AND CONTENT]
IS THERE A MOTION?>> ANY DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OUR PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING.
[11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING]
WE NEED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 29TH, 2025 SPECIAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. IS THERE A MOTION?>> SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? WE NEED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2025, REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? NO. NEXT, WE HAVE THE ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
[12. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - BOARD OF EDUCATION]
WE NEED TO DO FOR THIS COMING YEAR, STARTING TONIGHT, THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OFFICER OF PRESIDENT.I'M GOING TO CALL FOR NOMINATIONS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? NO? WELCOME PRESIDENT. THANK YOU.
NOW WE HAVE THE ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICER VICE PRESIDENT.
I'M CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS. THERE A MOTION?
>> I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE JIM. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? WELCOME, NEW VICE PRESIDENT.
NOW WE HAVE THE ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICER CLERK.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
I GET TO HAND THE GAVEL TO THE NEW PRESIDENT WHO NOW GETS TO TAKE OVER THE MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO STAY IN OUR SEATS, BUT HE'S NOW IN CHARGE.
NEXT, WE HAVE COMMUNICATIONS FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
ALTHOUGH JUST DO WE DO THIS NOW ACTUALLY?
>> AT THE END? PERFECT. COMMUNICATION FROM STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES,
[13. COMMUNICATIONS FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES]
AND FIRST ONE, SAVANNAH MARULA [APPLAUSE].[00:05:12]
>> GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT HORSLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT WEEN, CABINET MEMBERS, AND AUDIENCE.
OUR DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT RECENTLY WRAPPED UP WITH AN EXCITING FINAL MATCH.
THE STUDENT TEAM, Y VILLE WENT UP AGAINST THE STAFF TEAM IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
WITHOUT SURPRISE OF COURSE, THE STAFF TEAM CAME OUT ON TOP AND CLAIMED THE TITLE.
IN ATHLETICS, A BIG CONGRATULATION GOES OUT TO OUR BOYS WATER P TEAM FOR WINNING THE DIVISION 3 CIF CHAMPIONSHIP.
[APPLAUSE] IN ADDITION, WINTER SPORTS ARE OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY, AND TO START US OFF STRONG, OUR BOYS WRESTLING TEAM BROUGHT HOME THE OW ROAD TIDE IN THE RIVALRY MATCH AGAINST SANDY MIS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THREE HARDWORKING STUDENT ATHLETES, RALI NAVARRO, KEANA CRAWFORD, AND CODY MCKINNEY, WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO PLAYING THEIR SPORTS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL.
WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THEIR DEDICATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
OUR ARTS PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO SHINE AS WELL.
CHOIR IS PREPARING FOR THEIR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE TIDE AND ARE GETTING READY TO TAKE ON MAIN STREET OF DISNEYLAND THIS WEEKEND TO PERFORM IN THE CANDLELIGHT SPECTACULAR.
IN ADDITION TO THIS, AUDITIONS FOR OUR SPRING PRODUCTION UP INTO THE WOODS ARE TAKING PLACE, AND STUDENTS ARE GETTING READY TO BRING THIS BELOVED MUSICAL TO LIFE.
ACADEMICALLY, OUR BAR CATS ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR FIRST SEMESTER FINALS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 18 NINE 19TH.
BOTH DAYS WILL BE MINIMUM DAYS LEADING IT TO THE START OF WINTER BREAK.
WE ARE PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS, SPIRIT, AND DEDICATION SHOWN ACROSS ALL AREAS ON CAMPUS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING NEXT MONTH WITH EVEN MORE BEAR CAT NEWS TO SHARE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT, WE HAVE RACHELLE TORRES. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT WEEN, PRESIDENT HORSLEY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CABINET MEMBERS, AND AUDIENCE.
ON NOVEMBER 14, WE HELD OUR STUDENT OF THE MONTH RALLY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
OUR TOP CREDIT EARNER FOR OCTOBER IS EMILY NUNEZ AND OUR STUDENT OF THE MONTH, FOR OCTOBER IS L GONZALEZ.
ON THE SAME DAY, WE ALSO CELEBRATED NATIONAL PICKLE DAY, NATIONAL PICKLE DAY.
ONE STUDENT, JACK IS ACTUALLY WORE A PICKLE COSTUME WHILE WE PUT TOGETHER PICKLE BAR WITH, CHAO PICKLES, MEXICAN CANDY.
YES, I TRIED IT, AND IT REALLY WASN'T SO BAD.
AS WE ENTER THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE FIRST SEMESTER, OUR EARLY GRAD SENIORS ARE HARD AT WORK, SUBMITTING THEIR WINTER SECTION COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, AND GETTING IN FEW FINAL PRACTICE ROUNDS FOR THEIR SENIOR PRESENTATION ON DECEMBER 9.
IN NOVEMBER, 33 OF OUR JUNIORS AND SENIORS TOOK TO ASBAB WITH ONE SENIOR, RYAN DELGADO EARNING A REMARKABLE SCORE OF 95, THE HIGHEST IN THE CHAFRO IS THE HISTORY.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MILITARY CITRUS AUTOMOTIVE AND MALT SACK VISITED OUR CAMPUS TO REVIEW SCORES, WITH STUDENTS AND INTRODUCED THEM TO POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS, AFTER GRADUATION.
LOOKING AHEAD, MOORE'S STACK WILL BE ON CAMPUS DECEMBER 4 TO HOST THE FIRST OF FOUR CONNECT FOR WORKSHOPS.
ON DECEMBER 5, SOPMUS MEMBER KAREN WILL ALSO BE VISITING TO PRESENT A SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR SENIORS INTERESTED IN PURSUING A NON TRADITIONAL POST HIGH SCHOOL ROUTE.
FOR ART, WE ARE STARTING OUR UNIT ON PINSON PAINTING, WHERE STUDENTS WILL BE CREATING AN IMAGE USING ONLY DOTS.
DIGITAL ART IS LEARNING TO CREATE THEIR OWN COLORING PAGE.
ON NOVEMBER 12TH, WE HAD OUR SIXTH ANNUAL HUGS AND KISHA DAY.
KISHA GREETED EACH STUDENT AND STAFF MEMBER AT THE GATE IN THE MORNING WEARING A PURPLE 22 AND OFFERED EITHER A FREE HUG OR A FREE HUG WITH TWO GS, LIKE THE HERSHS CANDY.
IT WAS A REALLY GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY.
THE FRIDAY PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING, WE HELD OUR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING OLYMPICS.
THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF NINE DIFFERENT TEAMS, SENIORS TEAMED UP WITH FRESHMAN TO COMPETE AGAINST THE SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR TEAM.
THERE WERE TEN EVENTS INCLUDING MUSICAL CHAIRS AND FIVE TOGETHER WHERE FIVE STUDENTS HAD TO LINK TOGETHER BACKWARDS, MAKE A CIRCLE AND TRANSFER BALLS FROM ONE BASKET TO ANOTHER.
BY THE WAY, I WON THE MEDAL IN THE BUCKETHAD COMPETITION, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.
HOWEVER, THE SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR TEAM WON THE OVERALL COMPETITION, WE WANT TO THANK THE FOOD SERVICES FOR PROVIDING THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WITH THE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING LUNCH FOLLOWING OUR OLYMPIC GAMES.
ON NOVEMBER 19, WE HELD OUR ANNUAL TURKEY TROT WHERE STUDENTS RUN AROUND THE ENTIRE PROPERTY, THROUGH THE MAINTENANCE AND THE TRANSPORTATION YARDS AND BACK TO THE GATE TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE.
THIS YEAR, THE FIRST TIME WE HAD THE CHAMPION REPEAT AS NATHAN GONZALEZ WON THE TURKEY TROT FOR THE SECOND YEAR STRAIGHT.
THANK YOU, SANDM ROTARY FOR DONATING SIX TURKEYS AS WE GAVE THE TURKEYS TO THE TOP RUNNERS.
INCIDENTALLY, ALSO FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR, NATHAN GAVE HIS TURKEY TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
OUR SOFTBALL TEAM IS CURRENTLY UNDEFEATED AND WE
[00:10:01]
WILL PLAY OUR FINAL GAME THIS THURSDAY AGAINST SIERRA.TOMORROW, THE TEAM OF MR. WEEN AND MILO LOPEZ, ALONG THE THREE OTHER TEAMS WILL PLAY IN THE SEMIFINALS FOR OUR ANNUAL HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT, WE HAVE JACOB PARTS FROM SAN [INAUDIBLE] HIGH SCHOOL.
>> JAKE. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BOT [INAUDIBLE] AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT WEEN, CABINET MEMBERS AND AUDIENCE.
I HOPE YOU ALL A WONDERFUL BREAK AND ENJOY THE SEASON OF GRATITUDE, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW ABOUT SANDY MISS HIGH SCHOOL.
I WILL BEGIN WITH UPDATES ON OUR ACADEMICS.
OUR FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP CLASS RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW PEER MENTORING PROGRAM CALLED FRESHMAN OF PROMISE, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT NINTH GRADE STUDENTS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE THREE OR MORE [INAUDIBLE] OR [INAUDIBLE].
THE PILOT GROUP MEETS ONCE A WEEK DURING FIFTH PERIOD IN THE MEDIA CENTER, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MR. [INAUDIBLE] AND OUR COUNSELING TEAM.
THEIR FIRST MEETING BROUGHT IN 35 FRESHMEN AND THE FEEDBACK SO FAR HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY POSITIVE, WITH MANY STUDENTS EXPRESSING THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT HOW ABOUT THE SUPPORT AND MOTIVATION THE GROUP OFFERS.
OR SANDY MISS [INAUDIBLE] HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY ACTIVE THIS YEAR.
THEY EARNED AN IMPRESSIVE SECOND PLACE AT LONG BEACH'S MATH DAY AT THE BEACH, IN THE NEW TEAM DIVISION, FINISHING JUST BEHIND ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY CONTINUED BUILDING THEIR SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE AT THE [INAUDIBLE] MATH COMPETITION, AGAINST SOME OF THE STRONGEST MATH PROGRAMS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
IN ADDITION, OUR MTHLETES PARTNERED WITH THE BONITA MATH CLUB TO TAKE ON THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION, ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS MATH CONTESTS IN THE NATION.
BSD HAD A STAND OUT PERFORMANCE WITH ONE STUDENT SCORING 144, OUT OF 150.
A SCORE ACHIEVED BY FEWER THAN 40 STUDENTS OUT OF NEARLY 300,000 PARTICIPANTS NATIONWIDE.
BEYOND ACADEMICS IN THE CLASSROOM, OUR 12TH AND 11TH GRADE AVID STUDENTS, VISITED THE UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE FOR A CAMPUS TOUR, WHERE THEY HAD MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AND COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY.
OUR CULINARY PROGRAM IS PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS, WHILE OUR VIDEO PRODUCTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAMS ARE ORGANIZING STUDENT GROUPS TO SUPPORT CAMPUS COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND CONTINUE PRODUCING MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS.
OUR SPORTS MEDICINE STUDENTS ARE GETTING READY FOR THE UPCOMING COMPETITIONS.
OUR CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM IS PREPARING FOR ITS UPCOMING WIRING TECHNOLOGY LESSON, AND OUR VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM IS EXPLORING PARTNERSHIPS WITH ASP AND STUDENT CLUBS, TO DESIGN SIGNAGE AND GRAPHICS THAT WILL BE CREATED BY STUDENTS.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS IS PREPARING FOR AN UPCOMING FIELD TRIP THAT WILL EXTEND THEIR LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
THE SANDY MS SAINTS GIRLS GOLF TEAM HAD AN IMPRESSIVE SEASON THAT LED THEM TO CAF, WITH SENIOR SOPHIA NGRAN AND JOSIN RIVER, ALONG WITH JEREMIAH CASTDA, QUALIFYING FOR INDIVIDUAL CAF, WHILE THE ENTIRE TEAM ADVANCED TO TEAM CAF, AN EXCITING MILESTONE FOR THIS GROWING PROGRAM.
OUR FOOTBALL TEAM ALSO HAD A STRONG POSTSEASON RUN REACHING THE CAF DIVISION NINE SEMIFINALS, BEFORE COMING UP SHORT AGAINST VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL, THE EVENTUAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS.
NOW FOR THE ARTS. OUR ARTS PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY AND DOING SOME GREAT WORK.
TOMORROW DECEMBER 4TH, WE WILL BE HOSTING OUR JAZZ SHOW, HAVE YOURSELF A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, FEATURING LONE HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL, SANDY MISS HIGH SCHOOL, AND CITRUS COLLEGE BLUE NO ORCHESTRA.
OUR ART STUDENTS CREATED THE HOLIDAY DESIGNS FOR THE PROMOTIONAL FLIERS, AND THE WORK WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE LOBBY OF THE BCA DURING THE EVENT.
IN THEATER, AUDITIONS FOR THIS YEAR'S FAMILY SHOW, CINDERELLA, ARE COMPLETE, AND PERFORMANCES WERE RUN IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
EARLIER THIS FALL, THE ODD COUPLE WAS A BIG SUCCESS WITH MOST SHOWS SOLD OUT.
OUR CHOIR PROGRAM HAD A STRONG FALL DEBUT CONCERT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE, AND THEIR WINTER FESTIVAL WITH LON HO CHOIR IS COMING UP THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, WITH THE SHOWS AT 53730.
WE ALSO HAD OUR ADVANCED DANCE SHOWCASE ON NOVEMBER 19.
FINALLY, A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO DESTINY H, VANESSA M, AND ANGELICA A FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE LA COUNTY LIBRARY BOOK PARK CONTEST.
THEIR ARTWORK NOW MOVES ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF JUDGING.
OUR ACTIVITIES PROGRAM HAS BEEN QUITE ACTIVE THIS MONTH.
IN THE MONTH, SENIOR ELENA Q, JUNIOR ISABELLA D, SOPHOMORE, SHANNON T, FRESHMAN CHRISTOPHER T, CERTIFICATED STAFF MEMBER CRISTA ALVARA AND CLASSIFIED STAFF MEMBER NOY GRESS.
WE ALSO HELD OUR ANNUAL COLLEGE WEEK, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER AB, AVID, THE MENTAL HEALTH CLUB, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HELP GUIDE STUDENTS TOUGH THE COLLEGE PROCESS.
THIS YEAR, WE SAW A 79% INCREASE IN STUDENTS AWARENESS OF POST SECONDARY OPTIONS WITH 159 STUDENTS ATTENDING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
PARTICIPATION IN OSO ADMISSIONS WAS THE HIGHEST IT'S EVER BEEN WITH 55 STUDENTS RECEIVING DIRECT ADMISSIONS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE, AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, AND CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY.
ABOUT 70 PARENTS AND STUDENTS ATTENDED OUR FINANCIAL AID SESSION, GAINING HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT FAFSA, AND FINANCIAL OPTIONS.
STUDENTS ALSO HEARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LAVERNE AND CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE ADDED A TECHNICAL CAREER PATHWAY PRESENTATION, FROM THE AMERICAN FABRICATION ACADEMY.
[00:15:01]
JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK, WE HONORED ALL OUR FALL SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN OUR ANNUAL FALL RALLY, AND OUR ASP PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON APPLYING FOR THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AWARD, WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED CONSECUTIVELY FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THAT IS PRESENTED BY THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT LEADERS CASTLE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND AS ALWAYS, I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU ALL NEXT MONTH. [APPLAUSE]
[14. FEATURED PRESENTATIONS]
>> IN BONITA UNIFIED, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE WONDERFUL AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT REALLY JUST DO A GREAT JOB OF MAKING SURE THEY SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS. WE HAVE A RECOGNITION FOR THE LAVERNE ROTARY CLUBS TEACHER MINI GRANTS.
>> YES, WE'RE HONORED TONIGHT TO HAVE OUR PARTNERS IN THE LAVERNE ROTARY CLUB. ROTARY IS AN ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO SERVICE ABOVE SELF, AND THEY'VE BEEN A STRONG PARTNER IN SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO OUR CLASSROOMS. THEY'RE HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT THEIR ANNUAL TEACHER MINI-GRANTS, WHICH EMPOWERS OUR TEACHERS AND GOES RIGHT TO OUR CLASSROOMS. HERE ARE DEBBIE DAISY, CRAIG RUBIN, LAURA WEIMER, AND DIANA LAGUNA, TO HAND OUT THE AWARDS.
>> THANK YOU. IN 1998, THE ROTARY CLUB OF LAVERNE ESTABLISHED THE TEACHER MINI GRANT FUND TO AWARD TEACHERS IN THE LAVERNE SCHOOLS OF FUNDS FOR UP TO $500 TO ASSIST WITH INNOVATIVE SPECIAL CLASSROOM PROJECTS. THIS YEAR, WE ARE HAPPY TO AWARD EIGHT MINI GRANTS. TEACHERS, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INNOVATIVE IDEAS THAT ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS AND ENRICH THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND COLLECT YOUR AWARD AND YOUR CHECK, AND PLEASE STAY UP FRONT FOR A GROUP PICTURE AT THE END. FROM GRACE MILLER, WE HAVE FOUR RECIPIENTS. THE FIRST IS AMY POWELL, WHO IS RECEIVING $500 FOR NOVEL STUDIES.[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE HAVE GAIL SERVANTAS.
[APPLAUSE] $500 FOR OUTSIDE DRAMATIC PLAY. NEXT, WE HAVE JENNIFER SAVOTTA, $500 FOR [INAUDIBLE].
THE FINAL ONE FROM GRACE MILLER IS CHRISTIE SPRIGGS, $500 [APPLAUSE] FOR EVERYONE IS READING.
>> OAK MESA ELEMENTARY FOR THE K AND T K TEAM. ROBIN REISER, MARY FABELER, GABBY, MCGARY, HEATHER HYNS AND SANDY KRAUS, CAME TOGETHER, AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO A PROJECT IN OUTDOOR PLAY AREA.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE HAVE BOYNTON ELEMENTARY, AND I'M NOT SURE IF MEGHAN IS HERE, BUT MEGHAN ARIANO, $500 FOR DECODABLE READERS, PHONICS AND INSTRUCTION [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU. FROM BONITA HIGH, WE HAVE TWO.
THE FIRST IS RESIAN DAPHY, $170 FOR APPLE TV [APPLAUSE].
>> CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
>> AND OUR FINAL RECIPIENT IS JOHN MCLUKY, $150 FOR BRIDGING THE GAP WITH THE ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY OR SCANNING PA [APPLAUSE] THAT'S IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> [BACKGROUND] WAIT. WHAT ARE THE OFFICIAL ONE? [BACKGROUND]
>> I HAD THE PROBLEM. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TALKING TO MR. RICHIE EARLIER TODAY AND I HAD A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
I'VE BEEN A BOARD MEMBER SINCE, I THINK I WAS ON THE STAGE AT THE END OF 2018/2019, AND BONITA HAS WON CIF SO OFTEN IN WATERPOLO.
I HAD TO CLARIFY HOW OFTEN IT WAS.
WHAT HE SAID WAS JUST THE BOYS, TWO TIMES CIF RECENTLY, I THINK YOU HAVE ALL THE LETTERS, AND ONE TIME STATE, IS THAT CORRECT? WELL, THIS IS DEFINITELY AN AMAZING RECOGNITION.
WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THAT BONITA HIGH SCHOOL, WATERPOLO TEAM, CIF CHAMPION [APPLAUSE].
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT BOMANU, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT WEEN, O OUR STUDENTS AND OUR GUESTS.
THE BOYS THE BONITA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WATER POLO TEAM FINISHED THE 2025 SEASON WITH AN OVERALL RECORD OF 23-12 AND PLAYED SECOND IN THE PALOMERAS LEAGUE.
LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND. THE TEAM ADVANCED TO THE CIF PLAYOFFS WHERE THEY HAD THE NUMBER EIGHT SEED, AND AFTER FOUR ROUNDS OF PLAY AND A GOAL DIFFERENTIAL OF 68-49, BHS, BOYS WATER POLO, ADVANCED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST THE NUMBER TWO OVERALL SEE TEMECULA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE THEY WON THE DIVISION THREE CIF CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A SCORE OF 10-9. THE TEAM WAS COACHED BY DYLAN UNSOLD AND ASSISTED BY CODY LAHOKY, AND BRIAN RIO MAKI [APPLAUSE].
>> WELL, GOOD EVENING. BEFORE WE BRING EVERYBODY UP, I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE BOYS. I CONGRATULATE THEM ON A PHENOMENAL SEASON.
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN WATCHING YOU PLAY AND COMPETE EVERY SINGLE GAME AND TO SEE YOU GUYS HAVE THE COACHES JUMP IN THE POOL AT MOUNT.
IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME. I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COACHES.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START PAYING THEM. THEY BRING HOME CIF MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM [APPLAUSE].
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COACH, DYLAN, UNSOLD TO CODY LAHOKY, AND TO BRYCE RIO MAKI.
JUST THE TIME DEDICATION YOU PUT IN, REALLY IT'S SOMETHING TO SEE, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT AND TO ALL THE PARENTS, WE TRAVEL ALL OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND OUR PARENTS AND OUR BAR CATS TRAVEL VERY WELL. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT ALL OF OUR PARENTS GIVE THESE STUDENTS. IF I COULD HAVE DYLAN, CODY AND BRICE, PLEASE COME UP [APPLAUSE]. BOYS, YOU CAN SEND OVER HERE. BOYS, I CALL YOUR NAME, COME UP AND GET A CERTIFICATE, AND YOU CAN LINE UP OVER HERE, SO WE GET A PICTURE AT THE END. WE HAVE BRONX PONTE, CARSON SNYDER, JADEN DICKMAN, JAKE SPIELBLER, CARSON MEVILL, IAN BAIN, ANDRES PARA, BRADLEY REDA, MATTHEW HUMPER, ADAN MINTER, ETHAN BELTRAN, BRADEN SCOFINGER, EVAN ANDRADE, JOHN CARLO GARCIA, JULIAN FALK, ANTONIO, FINANOS, GARY WATSON AND JEFFREY HEATON. CONGRATULATIONS, BOYS.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME IN SO WE CAN GET A PICTURE [BACKGROUND].
>> JUMP IN THE BACK [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE].
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU ARE FREE TO BE DISMISSED AT THIS TIME.
BYE GUYS. YOU MAY STAY IF YOU LIKE, THOUGH. NO WORRIES. NOT AT ALL.
>> WE'LL READJOURN. REQUEST TO SPEAK ON OPEN SESSION AGENDA ITEM.
THE PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS. THE BOARD MAY LIMIT THE TOTAL TIME FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM TO 20 MINUTES.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM MAY BE GRANTED UP TO 3 MINUTES AT THE TIME THE ITEM APPEARS ON THE AGENDA. IN THE CASE OF NON AGENDA ITEMS, COMMENTS MAY BE MADE UNDER REQUEST TO SPEAK ON NON AGENDA ITEMS, COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC.
PRIOR TO ADDRESSING THE BOARD, PLEASE FILL OUT THE REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD CARD, WHICH MAY BE PICKED UP FROM MARGARET MCDONALD, SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ANY PERSON ADDRESSING THE BOARD SHOULD FIRST STATE THEIR NAME AND ASSOCIATION WITH THE DISTRICT. MOVING ON, CONSENT AGENDA. MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD TO BE ROUTINE OR SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORTED BY PRIOR OR ACCOMPANYING REFERENCE MATERIAL, AND INFORMATION AS TO NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION.
IF ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD, SO REQUESTS, AN ITEM SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THIS SECTION AND PLACED IN THE REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS WILL BE APPROVED WITH ONE MOTION, WHICH IS NOT DEBATABLE AND WHICH REQUIRES A UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR PASSAGE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. DISCUSSION ACTION AGENDA, BUSINESS SURFACES, THE FIRST INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR WITH A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
>> HI. GOOD EVENING. WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT OUR FIRST INTERIM REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR '25/'26.
THIS IS, AS USUAL, ONE OF THREE ANNUAL REPORTS THAT WE DO. THIS IS THE FIRST LOOK AT WHERE WE STARTED AT ADOPTED BUDGET AND WHERE WE ARE AS OF OCTOBER 31ST, THE FIRST INTERIM PART PORTION OF IT. WE REPORT BACK ON ANY CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE TO THE ADOPTED BUDGET THUS FAR, ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS THAT WE MAY HAVE CHANGED. EVERYTHING WAS BASED ON ESTIMATES AT ADOPTION. LOOKING AT THE BUDGET AT ADOPTION, WE ESTIMATED ENROLLMENT, WE LOOKED AT OUR SALARY AND BENEFITS AS THEY WERE BACK IN MAY. DEFINITELY THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
NOW LET'S LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AT FIRST INTERIM. LIKE I MENTIONED, WE WENT FROM ADOPTED TO NOW.
SINCE THEN, WE'VE ACTUALLY OFFICIALLY CLOSED THE BOOKS. WE STARTED THE YEAR OFF WITH AN ESTIMATE OF OUR BEGINNING FUND BALANCES. NOW THAT WE'VE CLOSED THE YEAR, WE WENT IN AND UPDATED OUR GENERAL LEDGERS WITH OUR ACTUAL BEGINNING FUND BALANCES.
WE NOW HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT ENROLLMENT, WE WENT AHEAD AND UPDATED OUR ESTIMATES BASED ON THAT. WE HAD A COUPLE OF SLIGHT CHANGES IN OUR LCFF CALCULATION BASED ON SOME CHANGES, FOR EXAMPLE, TK FUNDING THAT HAPPENED AFTER OUR
[00:20:01]
ADOPTION. WE ALWAYS ARE LOOKING AT CATEGORICAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BEST ESTIMATE OR ANY CHANGES IN AWARDS.OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO UPDATE THE BUDGET FOR ARE FOR ANY NEW DONATIONS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY SCHOOL SITES SINCE JULY 1ST. WE AGAIN, I MENTIONED THAT WE LOOK AT WHAT WE DID ADOPT FOR SALARY AND BENEFITS, AND NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR ACTUAL EMPLOYEES IN PLACE, WE UPDATE THEM FOR ANY CHANGES IN THEIR SALARIES OR MOVEMENT ON THE SALARY SCHEDULE.
[16. CONSENT AGENDA]
[17. DISCUSSION/ACTION AGENDA]
[00:31:38]
>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT REVENUES FIRST.
[00:31:42]
CREATED A LINE BY LINE COMPARISON.THE FIRST CATEGORY IS OUR LCFF, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ADOPTED 118 MILLION, AND WE UPDATED THAT TO REFLECT THE CHANGE IN THE TK FUNDING.
SO WE WENT AHEAD AND ADDED 683 AND SORRY, 684,000 DOLLARS TO OUR LCFF ESTIMATED REVENUE, AGAIN, ALWAYS BASED ON ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BUDGETED.
THE OTHER MAJOR CHANGE WAS IN OTHER LOCAL REVENUES.
WE RECEIVED SOME FUNDING FOR A SPECIAL PROGRAM FROM THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
SO WE WENT AHEAD AND RECORDED THE REVENUE THAT WE RECEIVED FOR THAT.
WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME LAST YEAR.
WE RECEIVED MORE THIS YEAR, BUT THE TOTAL OF THE TWO, WE ACTUALLY EXPENDED IT THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE TO FIND A CONTRACT, BUT I'LL GET INTO THAT IN JUST A BIT.
DOING THE SAME LINE BY LINE COMPARISON OF OUR EXPENDITURES, WHAT WE STARTED OFF AT ADOPTED BUDGET AND WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY, IF YOU LOOK DOWN AT THAT BOTTOM CORNER, 1.7 MILLION IS AN INCREASE TO OUR EXPENDITURE BUDGET.
BUT WHAT THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF IS US ADDING IN TO OUR EXPENDITURE BUDGET THE CARRYOVER FOR VARIOUS CATEGORIES FROM OUR SCHOOL SITES.
WE HAD ABOUT 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS IN CARRYOVER.
THESE ARE SCHOOL SITE BUDGETS.
SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOL SITES EARNED FUNDING FOR THE, SORRY, ATTENDANCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT WE'VE DONE.
THEY DIDN'T EXPEND IT ALL IN THAT YEAR THAT IT WAS EARNED, SO THEY'RE ALLOWED TO CARRY IT FORWARD.
WE ALSO ALLOCATE A BUDGET FOR BAND AND ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT, AND A LOT OF THE TIMES EVERY YEAR, THEY TRY TO SAVE SOME OF THAT PORTION TO FUND LARGER EQUIPMENT PURCHASES FOR THE SCHOOL SITE.
OF COURSE, THE DONATIONS THAT EACH SCHOOL SITE COLLECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHAT THEY EARN, IF THEY DON'T EXPEND IT IN THAT YEAR, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO THE CARRYOVER IN THE NEXT YEAR.
WHEN WE CLOSE THE BOOKS, ALL OF THOSE CARRYOVERS FALL INTO FUND BALANCE.
WE'VE ALREADY ADOPTED A BUDGET.
AT FIRST INTERIM, WE TAKE WHAT THEY'RE ENTITLED TO AND WE ADD IT BACK TO THE EXPENDITURE BUDGET.
BUT WE KNEW THAT IS THE MONEY THAT THEY'VE EARNED AND THEY'RE ALLOWED TO GO AHEAD AND CARRY THAT FORWARD.
SO THAT MAKES UP THE BULK OF THAT INCREASE.
LIKE I MENTIONED, WE CONTRACTED WITH THE COMPANY, BUT THAT WAS A WASH FOR THE SERVICES FOR THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
SO THAT MAKES UP THE MAJOR PART OF THAT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE BUDGET.
>> EXPENDITURES. WHEN THE CARRYOVERS COME IN, THEY'RE NOT ALSO IN OUR REVENUES.
>> NOT THE CARRYOVERS THEMSELVES.
IN ONE CURRENT YEAR, WHEN A SCHOOL SITE RAISES MONEY, AND THEN THEY TURN IT INTO WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THEY'RE ABATING IT.
WE RECORD IT AS A REVENUE AND IN THAT SAME YEAR, WE RECORD IT AS AN EXPENDITURE.
[00:35:01]
SO THEY HAVE IT AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO PUT IN THE POS AND CREATE THE EXPENSES.BUT SOME YEARS, THEY ACTUALLY GENERATE THE REVENUE AND WE PUT IN THE EXPENDITURE BUDGET, BUT THEY DON'T ACTUALLY EXPEND IT IN THAT YEAR.
LET'S SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY'RE GOING TO GO ON A TRIP.
SO WE HAVE SECOND THIRD GRADERS WHO ARE FUND RAISING FOR THEIR FIFTH GRADE PARTY.
THEY'LL START GENERATING THOSE FUNDS EARLY ENOUGH IF YOU HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE CLASS, AND THEY CARRY THAT OVER EVERY YEAR.
SO THAT EXPENDITURE WILL ACTUALLY GET RECORDED WHEN THEY PLAN THEIR PARTY OR THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THEIR FIFTH GRADE YEAR.
BUT EVERY YEAR BEFORE THAT, IT'S CONSIDERED A CARRYOVER.
>> SO IT'S CONSIDERED A REVENUE ONE YEAR.
>> THEN UNTIL THEY EXPEND IT, IT CONTINUES IN THAT EXPENDITURE.
YEAH, FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS AS I GO ALONG.
WE LOOKED AT OUR REVENUE CHANGE, AND THEN WE HAD EXPENDITURE CHANGE.
SO THE NET DECREASE TO FUND BALANCE IS 331,000 DOLLARS.
THIS LEAVES US FOR JUNE 30TH OF 2026, AN ESTIMATED UNRESTRICTED ENDING FUND BALANCE OF ABOUT 15 MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH REPRESENTS 9.39 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL EXPENDITURES, AND WE ARE WELL ABOVE THE THREE PERCENT REQUIREMENT FOR THIS YEAR, ABOUT 10 MILLION DOLLARS ABOVE THAT REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE REQUIRES OF US.
>> SONYA REMIND US OUR POLICY THOUGH ON THAT.
>> SO WE AS A DISTRICT HAVE A INTERNAL POLICY OF MAINTAINING A SEVEN PERCENT FUND BALANCE AND SO THIRD YEAR OUT.
SO THE STATE REQUIRES US TO HAVE A THREE PERCENT BALANCE THIRD YEAR OUT.
SO WE ARE 10 MILLION ABOVE THE STATES LEVEL, AND MAINTAINING WHEN I GET TO MULTI YEAR PROJECTIONS, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'RE STILL ADHERING TO OUR INTERNAL LIMIT OF SEVEN PERCENT.
>> LIKE I MENTIONED, THE NEXT PORTION OF THE INTERIM IS ALWAYS LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT YEAR AND TWO YEARS OUT, OUR MULTI YEAR PROJECTIONS.
THESE ARE THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WE USE TO PREPARE OUR MULTI YEAR PROJECTIONS.
USUALLY, WE TAKE OUR CURRENT FUNDED ESTIMATE FOR ADA AND WE USE THAT FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE STATE, SCHOOL SERVICES, CALIFORNIA, WE RELY ON THEIR ESTIMATES FOR OUR FUNDED COLA.
THERE IS ALREADY CONVERSATION BY THE LAO ABOUT COLAS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, BUT THEY ARE VERY CONSERVATIVE.
SO WE'LL WAIT TILL WE GET THE OFFICIAL ESTIMATES TO UPDATE OUR RECORDS.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, THESE ARE THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WE ARE PREPARING OUR MULTI YEAR PROJECTIONS ON.
THIS IS JUST A QUICK LITTLE GLANCE AT OUR LAST 10 YEARS, AND WE ARE EITHER BUILDING OR MAINTAINING, SO THAT'S ENCOURAGING.
NOW WE JUST TRY TO ENCOURAGE AND WORK ON OUR ATTENDANCE.
AS ALWAYS, WE'RE UPDATING OUR MULTI-YEAR PROJECTIONS FOR ANY CHANGES IN OUR PERS RETIREMENT RATES.
THERE ARE SLIGHT INCREASES, BUT THEY'RE ALL INCLUDED IN OUR PROJECTIONS.
RIGHT NOW, STRS IS AT A FLAT RATE.
NO. I AM SORRY. WE DO ESTIMATE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES STEP AND COLUMN, AND WE DO USE THE STANDARD ESTIMATE FOR CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OR INFLATIONARY INCREASES.
SO LIKE I MENTIONED, THIRD YEAR OUT, WE'RE LOOKING AT A 10 MILLION DOLLAR ALMOST 11 MILLION DOLLAR ENDING FUND BALANCE FOR RESTRICTED ONLY, AND THAT REPRESENTS SEVEN PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR OUR FUND BALANCE PERCENT.
WITH ALL THAT SAID, WE ARE PLANNING ON FILING OUR FIRST INTERIM AS A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.
OUR NEXT STEPS IS TO FILE OUR P-1 ADA, WHICH IS ALWAYS GIVES US THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF HOW WE'RE DOING FOR THIS YEAR.
IT IS DUE AT THE END OF DECEMBER BEGINNING OF JANUARY.
WE'LL FIND OUT THE EXACT DEADLINE.
WE WILL FILE OUR FIRST INTERIM REPORT WITH LACOE FOR REVIEW.
WE WILL ANTICIPATE THE GOVERNOR'S NEW BUDGET RELEASE IN JANUARY.
WE WILL ALSO LAUNCH OUR LCAP DEVELOPMENT AND OUR BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR, WE'LL START BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
BUT WE WILL ALSO START WORKING ON OUR SECOND INTERIM REPORT BECAUSE WE JUST KEEP ON GOING. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.
IN THE REVENUE, WE CAN SEE THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING IN ALL THE FEDERAL FUNDING RIGHT NOW?
[00:40:06]
>> WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION FROM THE POWERS THAT BE ABOUT ANY FEDERAL FUNDING COMING OUR WAY?
>> SO THIS SLIDE HERE, I'LL JUST HOP BACK TO IT.
THIS SLIDE HERE IS THE UNRESTRICTED REVENUE.
WE'RE NOT EVEN LOOKING AT RESTRICTED REVENUES.
SO WHAT THE FEDERAL REVENUES LINE HERE IS FOR OUR FOREST RESERVE ADA REVENUE.
IT IS ONLY IMPACTED BY OUR STUDENTS IN THOSE DESIGNATED FOREST RESERVE AREAS.
>> SO THAT WASN'T IMPACTED BY ANYTHING BEING BROUGHT BACK?
>> NO. CORRECT? IT JUST FALLS IN THAT CATEGORY.
>> WHAT ABOUT OTHER FEDERAL REVENUES?
>> RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY CHANGES IN FUNDING FOR OUR FEDERAL PROGRAMS. EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE SAME.
SONYA, ON THE PERS RATE INCREASES?
>> THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING TO WATCH THE LAST FEW YEARS.
>> SO WE ALWAYS KNOW THAT THERE'S AN INCREASE FOR PERS, WHICH IS RETIREMENT AND THEN BENEFITS.
WHAT'S THE RATE OF INCREASE, RIGHT THERE?
I WAS LOOKING, IT'S NOT EVEN ONE PERCENT, BUT IT DOES INCREASE A LITTLE BIT EVERY YEAR.
I'M NOT GOING TO FIND IT IN TIME.
BUT I HAVE IT HERE SOMEWHERE IN THIS BOOK.
BUT, IT DOES INCREASE EVERY YEAR.
>> HOW DOES IT ENCUMBER OUR BUDGET?
>> OH, OKAY SO IT'S A PERCENTAGE BASED ON EVERY DOLLAR THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE PAID.
WHEN WE BUDGET FOR OUR EMPLOYEES SALARY, WE ALSO INCLUDE, I WANT TO SAY IT'S LIKE, LET'S SAY 25-26 PERCENT ADDITIONAL ON TOP FOR PERS RETIREMENT THAT WE SET ASIDE.
IT'S ABOUT 19 AND CHANGE PERCENT FOR STARTERS.
THAT IS ON TOP OF THE OTHER MANDATES THAT WE DO FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE.
ALL OF THOSE PERCENTAGES TOGETHER, IT'S FOR A CLASSIFIED.
IT'S ABOUT 33 PERCENT ON TOP OF THEIR SALARY.
THEN WE STILL HAVE OUR HEALTH AND BENEFITS THAT WE DO BUDGET FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE, ABOUT 14,000 DOLLARS FOR A FULL TIME EQUIVALENT.
>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IN JANUARY I'M SURE.
>> WHAT IS SCHOOL SERVICES TELLING US ABOUT ANY INITIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE '26, '27 BUDGET?
>> WELL, THEY'RE THE ONE SAYING THAT THE COLA SHOULD BE AROUND THREE PERCENT.
LEO IS ESTIMATING ABOUT 2.51 PERCENT.
THE THIRD YEAR OUT SCHOOL SERVICES IS AT 3.42 PERCENT, BUT LEO IS AT 3.7 PERCENT. WE JUST WAIT.
AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL ESTIMATE, WE BASE IT.
ONCE WE GET A BETTER ESTIMATE, THEN WE GO AHEAD AND BASE IT ON THE NEW INFORMATION.
>> EVEN THOUGH THE AMOUNT CHRISTIAN CALLED OUT EARLIER, THERE'S THE 9,000 DOLLAR REDUCTION FEDERAL FUNDING.
THAT'S DE MINIMUMS. THE OVERALL SCHEME OF THINGS, THAT'S 50 PERCENT.
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY IT'S BASED ON ADA?
>> YES. THAT ONE IS BASED ON ADA.
WE HAVE BEEN FUNDED AT 18,00 FOR YEARS, AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT'S ABOUT TIME.
>> WE STOPPED HOPING FOR THE 18.
LET'S DO AN AVERAGE OF WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED AND UPDATE OUR OWN ESTIMATE.
>> PLEASE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. CAN I GET A MOTION?
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
NEXT, WE HAVE APPOINTMENT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT OFFICES.
FIRST APPOINTMENT IS SAN ANTONIO REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE SAN ANTONIO REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTOR ALTERNATIVE REPRESENTATIVE.
>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR BRITTANY.
>> SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? EXCELLENT. NEXT, WE HAVE CITY OF LAVERNE ADVOC COMMITTEE.
[00:45:01]
TWO OF FIRST OF TWO REPRESENTATIVES.>> PERFECT. NEXT, WE HAVE CITY OF LAVERNE ADVOC COMMITTEE, SECOND REPRESENTATIVE.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE CITY OF SANDMS ADVOC COMMITTEE FIRST OF TWO REPRESENTATIVES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE CITY OF SANDMS ADVOC COMMITTEE SECOND OF TWO REPRESENTATIVES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE LAVERNE SANDES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE CITY OF LAVERNE YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTION COMMITTEE. CAN I GET A NOMINATION?
>> PERFECT. NEXT, WE HAVE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SCHOOL TRUSTEES ASSOCIATION.
>> AND FINALLY, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE TO ELECT MEMBERS TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS OR KNOWN AS LACCSO. CAN I GET A NOMINATION?
>> ONE SECOND. READ NUMBER 11, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. APPROVE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2026. MOTION?
>> QUITE IMPORTANT, DID WE GET A CALENDAR?
>> I DON'T THINK WE DID ACTUALLY.
>> SORRY. I GOT TOTALLY LOST THERE.
>> NO, BECAUSE WE'LL NEED TO DO IT FOR THE NEXT IN JANUARY.
>> ONE SECOND, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION.
>> IT WENT OUT ON THE [INAUDIBLE]
>> IT IS TYPICAL IT'S THAT FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH.
THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS IN THERE AND THERE ARE TWO IN JUNE.
>> THE DATES ARE JANUARY 7, 2026, FEBRUARY 4, 2026, MARCH 4, 2026, APRIL 8, 2026, MAY 6, 2026, JUNE 10, 2026, JUNE 24, SAME YEAR.
AUGUST 5, SEPTEMBER 2, AUGUST 7.
>> SORRY, IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, OCTOBER 7, NOVEMBER 4, AND DECEMBER 16.
IF YOU'D LIKE A COPY, I CAN JUST PASS IT DOWN.
>> DO YOU NOTICE, GREG, ANY ISSUES WITH THOSE DATES?
>> MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY, ONE OF THEM.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WHEN I HEARD. NO, IT'S FINE.
>> AND WE COULD ALWAYS MODIFY IT NEXT MONTH.
>> ALL RIGHT. CELEBRATE HER EVEN BETTER EARLIER.
>> THAN YOU NEED TO SEE IT'S ALSO AGENDA TOUCH THE [INAUDIBLE]
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? EXCELLENT. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT.
[18. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT]
LET'S START WITH JIM.>> THANK YOU, DEREK. WHATEVER YOUR FAITH TRADITIONS ARE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
FROM MY HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE, I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME. THANKS.
>> SEE NOW, I FEEL LIKE I'VE GOT TO BE JUST AS BRIEF.
NOVEMBER FELT SO FULL AND SO FAST AND BUCKLE UP BECAUSE THE NEXT THREE WEEKS ARE GOING TO FEEL LIKE EVEN MORE.
WHEN I REFLECTED BACK ON EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, MIND SPUN BECAUSE SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED.
ALL THE WAY BACK IN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, WE HAD THE LAVERNE-SAN DIMAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION WELLNESS FAIR.
I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY VENDORS AND MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT FOR THAT EVENT, AS WELL AS SUPERINTENDENT WEEN, SANDY MISS MAYER BADER, FOR COMING OUT TO SUPPORT.
THERE WAS A REALLY EXCITING TIME OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT.
WE HAD FOOD CATERED BY SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL AND BONITA HIGH SCHOOLS CULINARY PROGRAMS, AND BOY WAS AT TASTY.
WE HAD ENTERTAINMENT BY SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE, WHO HAS A CONCERT TOMORROW THAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND, AS WELL AS RAMONA CHOIR, WHO ALSO HAS A CONCERT COMING UP.
ALL ATTENDEES THAT CAME WERE NOT ONLY ABLE TO ENJOY THIS OPPORTUNITY CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WATCHING THESE PERFORMANCES, BUT THEY ALSO ENJOYED THE ABILITY TO EXPERIENCE A SOUND BATH, A GROUNDING MEDITATION EXPERIENCE, AND LAUGHTER YOGA.
IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST CONNECT WITH
[00:50:02]
THE COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATE WELLNESS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND IT WAS GREAT.I WANTED TO ALSO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND A PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT THAT'S HAPPENING TOMORROW FROM 5:00-7:00 PM AT ROYDEN ELEMENTARY.
I HEAR FROM PARENTS ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE NEED TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN, AND I'M SO THANKFUL FOR WORKSHOPS LIKE THIS THAT GIVE US AS PARENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND LEARN HOW TO BETTER SUPPORT THEM.
I WANTED TO, IF YOU WILL INDULGE ME, TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.
IT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING 101, A WORKSHOP TOMORROW AT ROYDEN.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IS OFTENTIMES CALLED THE BOSS OF THE BRAIN.
IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT HELPS US PLAN, STAY ORGANIZED, MANAGE EMOTIONS AND FOLLOW THROUGH ON TASKS.
IT WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES TO KEEP EVERYTHING RUNNING SMOOTHLY, AND WE CAN STRENGTHEN THESE SKILLS OVER TIME.
IN THIS WORKSHOP, YOU WILL LEARN STRATEGIES TO USE IN THE HOME TO BUILD THESE SKILLS IN YOUR CHILDREN.
WE WILL IDENTIFY THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN YOU AND YOUR CHILD AND HELP YOU DEVELOP SPECIFIC PLANS BASED ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE INTERACTIVE WITH HELPFUL GUIDES AND HANDOUTS, AND GOODNESS GRACIOUS, THERE'S EVEN CHILDCARE.
PLEASE JOIN ME BECAUSE I KNOW I WILL BE THERE AT ROYDEN ELEMENTARY TOMORROW.
WE HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING BREAK TO GEAR US UP FOR THIS WHIRLWIND THREE WEEKS THAT WILL BE FILLED WITH TOY DRIVE, SPIRIT DAYS, WINTER SPORTS, AND SO MANY EXCITING PROJECTS AND INCREDIBLE SHOWS AT THE BCA.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE GO TO THE BCA'S WEBSITE AND SCROLL THROUGH ALL THE SHOWS THAT ARE COMING UP OVER THESE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS PUT ON SUCH GREAT SHOWS.
THEY WORK HARD AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GO WATCH AN INCREDIBLE SHOW AT AN INCREDIBLE VENUE, AND IT'S SUCH A JOY TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM.
MY LAST REMINDER, BEFORE I WISH YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS IS GOING ON THIS WINTER BREAK.
I WANTED TO PAUSE FOR MYSELF AND FOR EVERYONE TO REMIND US THAT THESE BREAKS ARE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TIME FOR FAMILIES, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US ALL TO USE THE TIME INTENTIONALLY TO MODEL FOR OUR CHILDREN WHAT OUR FREE TIME SHOULD BE FILLED WITH.
I KNOW MY HOUSE IS GOING TO BE FILLED WITH LOTS OF MOVIES.
SURE. BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE FILLED WITH LOTS OF OUTSIDE TIME, MEANINGFUL CONNECTION WITH OUR COMMUNITY, INTENTIONAL CONVERSATION AS A FAMILY, TIME WITH OUR HOBBIES, TIME IN A BOOK.
OUR KIDS NEED TO WATCH US DOING THESE THINGS SO THAT WHEN WE TELL THEM TO PUT DOWN THEIR DEVICES, THEY'VE SEEN THAT WE'VE PUT DOWN OURS.
THAT TALKING TO IS JUST TO MYSELF AS WELL.
I JUST WANT US ALL TO USE THAT BREAK BEAUTIFULLY, AND WHATEVER YOU ARE CELEBRATING, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MAY YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TODAY.
>> I WANT TO SAY A QUICK THANK YOU TO LAVERNE ROTARY FOR THE TEACHER GRANTS.
YOU DO REALLY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW WE GOT A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GO.
WE JUST HAD A NICE BREAK, BUT I FELT LIKE THAT WAS A LITTLE TOO QUICK.
WE'VE BEEN PUTTING IN THIS HARD EFFORT.
SORRY I HAVE TO GO. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
>> GOOD EVENING. I ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND MY WISHES AND HOPES FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY.
I KNOW OUR STUDENTS STILL HAVE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS HERE OF SOME REALLY INTENSE WORK.
ALONG THOSE LINES, I ALSO SERVE ON THE SAN ANTONIO ROP BOARD, AND WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER MEETING TOMORROW, AND I'LL BE SHARING WITH THEM SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ABOUT ALL OUR B USD PATHWAYS.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE.
IT'S NEVER A REST PERIOD FOR THEM.
OUR JUNIORS AND SENIORS, EVEN IN PLANNING, YOUNGER THAN THAT, OUR STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WHEN WE LEAVE BONITA? I JUST WANTED TO READ JUST A FEW OF THESE.
WE HAVE ONGOING CURRENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING IBEW ELECTRICAL UNION FIELD TRIP.
WE HAVE AFTERSCHOOL ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ACADEMY.
WE HAVE THE LAVERNE POLICE EXPLORERS PROGRAM, A UCLA MED REACH PROGRAM, AN MIT STEM ACADEMY, CASA COLINA HOSPITAL PROGRAM, WE HAVE THE MOUNT SACK ANIMATION FEST.
FUTURE EVENTS THAT ARE JUST GOING TO COME REALLY QUICK HERE, WE HAVE THE CARPENTERS UNION FIELD TRIP IN DECEMBER.
THE REGIONAL CENTER INTERNSHIP IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AND JUST A LOT MORE.
[00:55:03]
THERE'S SO MUCH FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE LOOKING AT BEYOND JUST WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THEIR ACADEMICS, AND I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS DISTRICT AND TO BE WORKING WITH OUR ROP PROGRAMS AT A BIGGER LEVEL.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR A GREAT YEAR AS YOUR PRESIDENT.
I'M SO GLAD TO SIT DOWN AT THE OTHER END, THOUGH.
I WILL ENJOY THE NEXT YEAR WATCHING YOU.
>> I HAVE TO SAY I LOVED HOW YOU HAD THIS STUDENT GIVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT WAS WONDERFUL.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO ECHO SOMETHING THAT ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS HERE HAVE SAID AND THAT'S JUST WHATEVER HOLIDAY YOU ASCRIBE TO, WHETHER IT'S HANUKKAH, CHRISTMAS, MOST PEOPLE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S, WHATEVER IT IS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU.
ONE OF THE GIFTS I THINK OUR STUDENTS GET, AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT.
THERE'S SO MANY WONDERFUL STAFF HERE.
I WAS TALKING TO A FOSTER STUDENT.
HE GOES TO SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL, SUPER SHY, NEW TO THE SCHOOL, AND HIS ENGLISH TEACHER, I GUESS, HAD SOME AMAZING READING ASSIGNMENTS AND THEN HAD THIS EVENT FOR STUDENTS.
THIS KID WHO WILL NOT SPEAK AND DOES NOT LIKE TO SPEAK WENT TO THIS EVENT IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND SHARED HIS OPINION.
I THOUGHT MR. COLTER DID AN AMAZING JOB WITH THAT AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE FRESHMAN OF PROMISE BECAUSE WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED EXTRA SUPPORT, AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE STAFF AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY REALLY GIVE THAT SUPPORT.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BENITA WATERPOLO, FOR WINNING.
I SHOOK EVERY ONE OF THEIR HAND.
THE REASON WHY I WAS SELFISH, ACTUALLY.
I'VE NEVER REALLY SHOOK IN THE HAND OF AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE.
I THOUGHT I SHOULD TRY NOW IF I SHAKE ENOUGH HANDS, EVENTUALLY, I'LL GET ONE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE LAVERNE ROTARY.
WE HAVE SO MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS DO SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS FOR OUR KIDS AND TAKES A VILLAGE AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE OUR VILLAGE, OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. REQUEST TO SPEAK ON [OVERLAPPING] ANOTHER AGENDA.
>> WE CAN SKIP ME IF [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT I DO JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE DEREK, JIM, BRITTANY ON YOUR NEW OFFICER POSITIONS FOR 2026.
VERY EXCITING, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.
THE SAME, I JUST WISH EVERYONE HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.
EVERYONE CAN RELAX AND RECHARGE AND GET READY FOR SECOND SEMESTER, WHICH BEGINS JANUARY 5TH, 2026.
>> THANK YOU. REQUEST TO SPEAK ON NON AGENDA ITEMS COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC.
[19. REQUESTS TO SPEAK ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC ]
THE PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. ANY PERSON WISHING TO SPEAK ON NON AGENDA ITEMS MAY BE GRANTED UP TO THREE MINUTES.THE BOARD MAY LIMIT THE TOTAL TIME FOR EACH TOPIC TO 20 MINUTES.
TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON NON AGENDA ITEMS, PLEASE COMPLETE THE REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD CARD, WHICH MAY BE PICKED UP FROM MARGARET MCDONALD, SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ANY PERSON ADDRESSING THE BOARD SHOULD FIRST STATE THEIR NAME AND ASSOCIATION WITH THE DISTRICT.
THE FIRST CARD WE HAVE IS FROM MARIA PLACENTIA.
DID I GET THAT RIGHT? WONDERFUL.
>> THANK YOU. HELLO, EVERYBODY.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER ME, BUT I WAS HERE LAST MONTH AND TALKING ON THE BEHALF OF MY NEPHEW, WHO IS EIGHT-YEARS-OLD AND ATTENDS SHULL ELEMENTARY.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVEN'T HAD A POSITIVE RESOLUTION, SOMETHING THAT WE COULD LIVE WITH.
HE HASN'T ATTENDED SCHOOL SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WHEN HE HAD A SEIZURE AND BECAME VERY ILL FROM THE SEIZURE BECAUSE HE BANGED HIS HEAD AGAINST THE HOT CEMENT, AND AN ADULT DID NOT NOTICE THAT UNTIL A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN THE KIDS CAME SCREAMING IN AN ELEMENTARY TELLING THEM THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON WAY OVER THERE IN THE PLAYGROUND.
WE'VE ALL RECEIVED THE RESIDENTS OF THE BONITA SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVED A FLYER, ASKING US WHAT WE THINK OF PROPOSING NEW SCHOOL BONDS.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF CONCERNS THAT I HAVE.
ONE IS THAT THERE ARE MANY ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS SUCH AS MY PARENTS IN THEIR 80S, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THEY'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
FROM MY FAMILY'S MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THIS DISTRICT, THIS BOARD HAS BEEN USING FUNDS TO PAY FOR EXPENSIVE LAWYERS TO FIGHT PARENTS.
AS WE JUST HEARD AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, THE BOARD APPROVED TO FUND A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, INSTEAD OF WORKING WITH US FOR THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ASKED.
JUST FOR OUR KIDS TO BE PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
IN THIS DISTRICT, IF THIS DISTRICT WOULD WORK MORE COOPERATIVELY WITH PARENTS, THEN MONEY, WHICH SHOULD BE GOING TO STUDENTS WOULD NOT BE SPENT ON LAWYERS.
WE HAVE CALLED OUR REPRESENTATIVE, CISNEROS AND OTHERS, OUR US REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE TO ASK IF HE IS AWARE OF HOW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR IDEA IS BEING SPENT AT BONITA UNIFIED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
[01:00:04]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT, WE HAVE MICHAEL MCCURT.
DID I PRONOUNCE THAT CORRECTLY? MCCURT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I LIVE IN BONITA SCHOOL DISTRICT AREA.
I'M A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ASKING ABOUT INTERESTS IN NEW SCHOOL BONDS.
HOWEVER, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, THE SERVICES PROVIDES TO SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN THIS DISTRICT, IS LESS THAN I HAVE SEEN IN ANY OTHER DISTRICT I'VE WORKED IN.
THUS I HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT PASSING ANY EXTENSION OR FURTHER SCHOOL BONDS.
NIA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WILLING TO PAY FOR ATTORNEYS INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR STUDENTS TO RECEIVE SERVICES.
ALTHOUGH SCHOOL BONDS ARE MEANT FOR MAINTENANCE.
MY CONCERN IS HOW THE FUNDS ARE BEING SPENT IN GENERAL.
FOR INSTANCE, SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WORKED WITH.
TO PUT LIGHTLY, I'VE BEEN QUITE UNDERWHELMED AND UNIMPRESSED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'VE WORKED IN MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT BONITA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT PROVIDING SERVICES TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
THERE ARE COMMON SENSE IN OTHER DISTRICTS. THANK YOU.
DID I GET THAT ONE RIGHT? EXCELLENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. AS I SAID LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS HERE, I'M A RETIRED EDUCATOR, FOOTBALL PLAYER, COACH, WRESTLING COACH.
I COME TODAY BECAUSE 30 DAYS AGO WHEN WE WERE HERE.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR MY NEPHEW FOR WHAT SERVICES HE WAS NEEDING TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL.
WE REALLY WANT HIM TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL.
IT OCCURRED TO ME LIKE 30 DAYS IS A LONG TIME IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
THIRTY DAYS WITHOUT SCHOOL, I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE, BUT HE'S BEEN GONE FOR THOSE 30 DAYS.
IN THAT 30 DAYS WE'VE CELEBRATED OUR VETERANS, WE'VE GATHERED AROUND THE THANKSGIVING TABLE, WE'VE BROKEN BREAD TOGETHER, AND HE'S STILL NOT IN SCHOOL.
SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED IN THOSE DAYS.
I GOT TO CELEBRATE MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY.
MY LIFELONG FRIEND, MY BEST MAN AT HIS WEDDING, HE WAS BEST MAN AT MINE.
HE CAME TO VISIT, AND WE WERE SITTING REFLECTING AND I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN WE FIRST BECAME BUDDIES, AND IT WAS THE SAME AGE AS MY NEPHEW IS NOW, ON THE PLAYGROUND, BOTHWELL ELEMENTARY, OVER IN ONTARIO, OUT THERE PLAYING.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, WHAT IS MY NEPHEW MISSING? NOT JUST THE EDUCATIONAL PART.
WHAT ABOUT THE BONDS THAT HE MIGHT BE CREATING? IS HE MISSING OUT ON THE LIFELONG FRIEND? THIS FRIENDSHIP THAT WAS CREATED 50 YEARS AGO, WITH ME AND MY FRIEND, MY BEST MAN, MY BEST FRIEND, HAPPENED ON THE PLAYGROUND, AND HE'S NOT GETTING THAT BECAUSE HE'S STILL NOT IN SCHOOL.
AS I SAID, I'VE OFTEN WORKED WITH WRESTLING PROGRAMS IN THE SUMMERTIME.
PARENTS OFTEN COME UP TO ME AND THEY ASK, HEY, HOW'S BONITA UNIFIED? SHOULD I SEND MY KIDS THERE? PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY I'VE ALWAYS SAID IT'S AN EXCELLENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
NOW WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY NEPHEW, I WONDER WHAT I MIGHT SAY THE NEXT TIME, SOME PARENT COMES TO ME AND SAY, HEY, HOW DO YOU LIKE BONITA UNIFIED? IF YOU WERE ME AND SOME PARENT CAME UP TO YOU AND YOUR NEPHEW WASN'T IN SCHOOL SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR THEM? KNOWING THAT THIS SMALL CHILD WHO SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL ISN'T BECAUSE HE'S NOT GIVING A SIMPLE BASIC SERVICE AND HELP TO GET BACK IN SCHOOL. I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THAT QUESTION.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER IT? BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW I ANSWER IT NEXT TIME.
SOME PARENT COMES TO ME AND SAY, HEY, HOW'S BONITA UNIFIED, KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW WITH THE EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE HAD WITH MY NEPHEW. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE HAVE DANIEL GONZALEZ.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. MY NAME IS DANIEL GONZALEZ.
I AM A GRADUATE FROM BONITA HIGH SCHOOL AND I'M NOW STUDYING COMPUTER ENGINEERING AT CAL POLY POMONA.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY COUSIN AT SHULL ELEMENTARY BECAUSE HE HAS NOT ATTENDED SCHOOL SINCE THE FIRST DAY.
WHEN HE HAD AN EPILEPTIC SEIZURE AND WAS BADLY HURT AS HE REPEATEDLY BANGED HIS HEAD ON THE HOT CEMENT, AND NO ADULT WAS PRESENT TO BE AWARE OF IT.
AS OF NOW, THE DISTRICT WILL NOT PROVIDE SAFETY MEASURES, WHICH THE LOS ANGELES CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HAS SAID IS REQUIRED FOR HIS SAFETY.
WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS BOARD TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THANK YOU.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PTA, BUTA, CSEA, BUMPED FUTURE MEETING DATES.
[20. FUTURE MEETING DATES]
THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WILL BE ON JANUARY 7TH, 2026.[01:05:01]
MEETING IS ADJOURNED? [NOISE]