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[Roll Call]
THE TIME IS NOW 11:00 AM AND WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN THIS MAY 13TH, 2025, 11:00 AM MEETING OF THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION.I'M GONNA TAKE ROLE, UH, MS. NEWBELL.
PRESENT, UH, BOARD PRESIDENT SCHON PRESENT.
AND I'LL NOTE THAT MS. CORTEZ LOPEZ, UH, OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER IS VERY BUSY TODAY TAKING AP EXAMS, SO SHE WON'T BE JOINING US, BUT SHE WILL BE DOING VERY WELL ON HER AP EXAMS TODAY.
NOW WE JUMP RIGHT INTO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND WHICH WILL BE LED BY BD TWO.
CIA RIVAS FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE STAND.
I FEEL LIKE SELFISHLY PUT YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE PUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATURE UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[Board President’s Reports]
I HAVE MY LITTLE STATEMENT.AND NOW THE MEETING IS YOURS, MR. BOARD PRESIDENT.
BEFORE WE START, I JUST WANNA READ A BRIEF STATEMENT FOR EVERYONE.
AND SO BEFORE I BEGIN, UH, I JUST WANNA ADDRESS SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED LAST MONTH AND OUR ASSURANCE TO OUR L-A-U-S-D COMMUNITY.
ON APRIL 7TH, 2025, IT WAS REPORTED THAT AGENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TRIED TO ENTER TWO L-A-U-S-D SCHOOLS, RUSSELL ELEMENTARY AND LILLIAN STREET ELEMENTARY.
FIRST, I LIKE TO COMMEND, COMMEND THE ONSITE STAFF WHO DEALT WITH THIS SITUATION SWIFTLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.
THOSE ARE OUR CLASSIFIED PEOPLE IN THE MAIN OFFICE.
FIRST, FIRST, EVERYBODY WAS PREPARED FOR A, AN ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL OF ANY, UH, FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
WE WERE READY TO GO AND WELL-TRAINED.
AND I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
SO, BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO REACT AND FOLLOW L-A-U-S-D PROTOCOL, THEY PRESERVED THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR, L-A-U-S-D IS A DISTRICT WHERE EVERY STUDENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION.
PUBLIC EDUCATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.
AND THIS RIGHT WAS BRIEFLY THREATENED LAST APRIL.
AND DISTRICT STAFF, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS RAISE CONCERNS AFTER THIS INCIDENT WAS MADE PUBLIC.
AND WHILE I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED HAS PROVOKED FEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY RESTATE THIS DISTRICT'S COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED WILL BE A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO A FREE EDUCATION IS NOT ONLY MORALLY RIGHT, BUT CONSTITUTIONALLY JUSTIFIED.
AND THE 1982 SUPREME COURT RULING AND PLY VERSUS DOE ASSURED THAT ALL STUDENTS, CITIZENS OR OTHERWISE HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS LAST MONTH WERE A SCARE TACTIC TRYING TO INSTILL FEAR IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WELL, FEELING FEAR IS NORMAL, WHAT THESE ACTIONS HAVE DONE TO THIS BOARD, AND OUR STAFF HAS ONLY MULTIPLIED OUR DETERMINATION TO PROTECT OUR L-A-U-S-D NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO WE'RE NOT HERE TO PLAY POLITICS OR CAUSE DRAMA BETWEEN OURSELVES AND ORGANIZATIONS OR ENTITIES.
OUR FOCUS IS ON THE WELLBEING AND EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS, AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THIS GOAL.
WE ARE EDUCATORS AND OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
I GUESS WE'RE READY FOR OUR LABOR PARTNERS.
DO WE HAVE LABOR PARTNERS TO SPEAK? WE, WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE SOME LABOR PARTNERS, BUT THEN THE NAMES CHANGED.
DO WE HAVE A SPEAKER HERE ON, ON BEHALF OF, UH, UTLA? YES.
PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE GROUP YOU'RE WITH AND WE WILL KEEP YOU TO
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A FIVE MINUTE TIME LIMIT, PLEASE.UM, GOOD MORNING BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT CARVALLO.
I'M A TEACHER AT SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.
LAST MONTH I STOOD HERE AND TOLD YOU THAT I RECEIVED A BIASED NON REELECTION FROM MY PRINCIPAL.
UM, I EVEN STOOD IN SILENCE FOR TWO MINUTES HOPING YOU WOULD FEEL THE WEIGHT I'VE HAD TO CARRY.
UM, IT REFLECTED HOW WE WERE BEING SILENCED.
WHILE THE DISTRICT HERE SHIELDS PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER AND FAILS TO PROTECT OUR QUEER YOUTH AND EDUCATORS.
TODAY, I'M NOT GOING TO BE SILENT.
UM, I ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT I WAS REPEATEDLY MISGENDERED BY MY PRINCIPAL, EVEN AFTER BEING OUT AT WORK FOR THREE YEARS.
WHEN HE READ THE OFFICIAL NON-REELECT LETTER, I ASKED HIM TO PAUSE.
HE INSTEAD RAISED HIS VOICE AND READ OVER ME TWICE USING MY DEAD NAME WITH ANOTHER ADMIN IN THE ROOM PRESENT.
WE KNOW THAT THE, THE DISTRICT HAS CLEAR GUIDELINES LIKE BULLETIN 1 4 1 5 0 9, WHICH IS MEANT TO PROTECT TRANS AND GENDER EXPANSIVE EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYEES.
BUT MY PRINCIPAL IGNORED THAT IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE.
IGNORANCE, ALLIED WITH POWER IS THE MOST FEROCIOUS ENEMY JUSTICE CAN HAVE.
I LEARNED THE NAMES, PRONOUNS, AND NAMES OF ABOUT 200 STUDENTS IN TWO MONTHS.
IF TEACHERS CAN DO THAT, THEN A PRINCIPAL WHO CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO LEARN HOW TO SUPPORT HIS QUEER STAFF ISN'T JUST NEGLIGENT AT THAT POINT.
THE BULLETIN REQUIRES HOW TO SHARE MY NAME, HOW TO HANDLE MISGENDERING.
INSTEAD, HE HID BEHIND THE SYSTEM TREATING THESE PROTECTIONS AS OPTIONAL.
HIS TITLE OF PRINCIPLE LETS HIM MASK THIS BIAS, THIS FAVORITISM, UH, THIS DISPARATE TREATMENT, AND IT'S BECOME SYSTEMIC.
MEANWHILE, I KEEP SHOWING UP FOR MY STUDENTS FOR A GSA AND TRYING TO SHIELD THEM FROM THE SAME HARM THAT I'M LIVING THROUGH.
THIS KIND OF DISCRIMINATION DOES NOT LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL, BUT IT DOES LEAVE MARKS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE A LONG, LONG TIME TO HEAL.
IT'S TAKEN A REAL TOLL ON ME, ON MY SENSE OF SAFETY, MY ENERGY, AND MY HOPE.
IT'S EXHAUSTING TO KEEP DOING THE WORK FOR OUR CORE STUDENTS WHILE CARRYING THE FEAR THAT I'M BEING PUSHED OUT FOR WHO, WHO I AM.
I JUST SUBMITTED MY CAL TPA A CYCLE TO LAST NIGHT, NOT EVEN KNOWING IF I'LL GET MY CREDENTIAL.
I'M TAKING MY LAST TWO CLASSES WITH IAB, NOT KNOWING IF THEY'LL BE WORTH ANYTHING IN THE END, YOU KNOW, TEACHERS WERE ALWAYS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.
MY LITTLE BOOK OF IDEAS, THIS JOURNAL THAT I HAVE ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE HAS NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN SINCE JANUARY 16TH WHEN I GOT THE NOTICE.
BECAUSE WHAT'S THE POINT? IS THERE GONNA BE A NEXT YEAR FOR ME? AND I'M ALSO SINGLE-HANDEDLY ORGANIZING OUR SCHOOL'S SECOND ANNUAL PRIDE FEST.
AN EVENT THAT IS GOING TO IRONICALLY BRING JOY, VISIBILITY, AND SAFETY TO QUEER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
IT'S SCHEDULED FOR JUST 25 DAYS BEFORE I AM FORCED TO LEAVE THIS DISTRICT.
THERE'S A MYRIAD OF QUEER EDUCATORS QUESTIONING WHETHER THE DISTRICT'S POLICIES ACTUALLY MEAN ANYTHING.
THERE'S THOUSANDS OF EMAILS IN YOUR INBOX.
THEY AREN'T JUST SPEAKING FOR MY JOB.
THEY'RE DEMANDING THAT THE DISTRICT RESPECTS US FOR WHO WE ARE AS HUMAN BEINGS.
YOU SAY THAT YOU SUPPORT QUEER STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.
YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION A FEW YEARS AGO TO SAY PUBLICLY, ACTUALLY, MR. SMER.
AND YOU JUST SAID, RIGHT NOW, LA UNIFIED WILL BE A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T ACT, WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS ONE OF US, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF PASSING THAT OR SEEING THAT AT ALL? RIGHT.
IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO INTERVENE HERE, WHAT HOPE DO MY STUDENTS HAVE WHEN THEIR SAFETY AND VISIBILITY IS ON THE LINE? SO YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THAT BY REVERSING THE NON-REELECT AND BY HOLDING THE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HARM CAUSED BY HIS BIAS AND INACTION.
AND YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE THE PROTECTIONS THAT YOUR OWN POLICY SAY EXIST AT LUSD.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE SILENCE FROM THIS BOARD HERE IS SAYING MORE THAN YOUR RESOLUTIONS COULD LOOK AT ME.
AND THIS TIME I DID NOT STAND IN SILENCE.
I AM THE UTLA CHAPTER CHAIR AND THE INSTRUCTIONAL COACH AT NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN BOARD DISTRICT THREE, REPRESENTED BY MR. SCOTT MURSEN.
I'M HERE TO TODAY TO ASK THE L-A-U-S-D SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA GAL'S RESOLUTION, ALIGNING SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT MODEL.
AS EDUCATORS, WE ALL KNOW THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS OF WORKING IN THE CLASSROOM.
WE WITNESS FIRSTHAND HOW STUDENTS LIVES ARE SHAPED BY THE LESSONS WE TEACH, THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE BUILD IN THE ENVIRONMENTS WE CREATE.
BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT TEACHING IS AN EVOLVING PROFESSION.
ONE THAT REQUIRES US TO CONTINUALLY ADAPT, LEARN, AND GROW.
AND THIS IS WHERE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BECOMES NOT JUST BENEFICIAL, BUT ESSENTIAL.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAN NEVER BE OVERSTATED.
IT IS NOT JUST A BUZZ WORD OR A BOX TO CHECK.
IT'S THE KEY TO UNLOCKING BOTH OUR POTENTIAL AS EDUCATORS AND THE POTENTIAL OF OUR STUDENTS.
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TO BE EFFECTIVE, IT MUST BE RELEVANT, MEANINGFUL, AND TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF BOTH THE TEACHERS AND THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO TRULY RESONATE WITH US, IT MUST BE RELEVANT.
TOO OFTEN WE ATTEND PD THAT IS GENERIC, DISCONNECTED FROM THE REALITIES OF OUR CLASSROOMS, AND FAIL TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE DAY TO DAY.
THE BEST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS ISN'T A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO OUR UNIQUE CONTEXT AND THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
AT NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE FOCUS, UH, AT NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR US TO UPLIFT OUR OWN SCHOOL COMMUNITY, WE MUST ABSOLUTELY FOCUS ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND BUILDING A STRONG AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR PLAN.
ONE THAT FOSTERS GROWTH AND STUDENT LEARNING.
OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ALIGNED WITH THESE GOALS, BUT IT SELDOM IS OUR PD TIME IS FILLED WITH US HEARING ABOUT ONE SIZE FITS APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND TO LEARNING AND DISREGARD EVEN THE MOST BASIC, UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL.
AND JUST LIKE ANY COMMUNITY, OUR SCHOOL THRIVES WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER TOWARD A COMMON PURPOSE.
A SCHOOL IS A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR DAYS, BUT WE SELDOM HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO HONOR AND PRIORITIZE THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
MY NAME IS LOES VEDO AND I AM, UH, I WORK AT MONROE HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M IN BOARD DISTRICT SIX WITH REPRESENTED BY MS. CONES.
UH, I SERVE AS A-U-T-L-A CHAPTER CHAIR, AND I'M ALSO A PROUD SCIENCE TEACHER.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY LIKE MIKE COMRADE HERE TO ASK THE L-A-U-S-D SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA REGO'S RESOLUTION ALIGNING SITE BEST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT MODEL.
UH, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THIS SCHOOL YEAR, L-A-U-S-D REVIS IT STANCE ON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTONOMY.
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE DISTRICT HONORED THE CONTRACT BY ALLOWING LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING ALL OF THEIR PDS.
HOWEVER, THIS YEAR WE'VE SEEN SCHOOL PD PLANS REJECTED AND HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED INSTEAD TO FOLLOW THE DISTRICT-WIDE PD PLAN.
THIS SHIFT DIRECTLY UNDERMINES WHAT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IS DESIGNED TO BE, TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUENESS, THE UNIQUENESS OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL PD PLAN.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE YOU THROUGH OUR PLAN FROM 20 23, 20 24 TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU PROVIDE SCHOOLS THE PURVIEW OVER PDS.
DURING THE BUYBACK DAYS, IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, WE WORKED ON SETTING THE TONE FOR THE YEAR.
WE PRESENTED AND EXPLAINED WHAT THE VIKING WAY WAS AND HOW THAT WOULD GUIDE US AS A SCHOOL THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR.
UH, AS A SCHOOL, WE SELECTED FROM A VARIETY OF OPTIONS TO FOCUS ON AND WE DECIDED TO FOCUS ON FOUR THINGS, WHICH WE CALL THE VIKING WAY.
'CAUSE OUR MASCOT IS THE VIKINGS INCREASING ACTIVE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WAS ONE OF THOSE GOALS, AMPLIFYING STUDENT VOICE AND ENGAGEMENT, SHARED LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION, RIGOROUS AND MEANINGFUL ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS.
AFTER MEETING AS A SCHOOL TO EXPLAIN OUR FOCUS, WE SPENT THE NEXT TWO PD MEETINGS IN OUR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS SO WE COULD HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE WOULD IMPLEMENT THE VIKING WAY AND ALL THE THINGS WE DO ACROSS OUR PROGRAMS AND COURSES.
MONROE HAS THREE PUBLIC SERVICE MAGNET PROGRAMS AND ENGINEERING AND DESIGN ACADEMY, AND A THRIVING CTE PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES CULINARY ARTS, WOODWORK, AND VIDEO PRODUCTION.
WE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED AN INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AND A DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT OUR GROWING POPULATION OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND NEWCOMERS.
SO AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE DIVERSITY OF OUR PROGRAMS, WE HAVE A VARIETY OF NEEDS ON OUR CAMPUS THAT CANNOT ALL BE MET WITH THE SAME PD.
THESE MEETINGS PROVIDED US TIME TO WORK ON SCHOOL-WIDE RESTORATIVE PRACTICE, INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS, INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION OPPORTUNITIES.
AND MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO OFFER MENU DAYS WHERE A PARTICULAR TOPIC OF IMPORTANCE WAS RELATED TO THE VIKING WAY OR BY TEACHER REQUESTS.
AND IT WAS PRESENTED THROUGH DIFFERENTIATION BASED ON TEACHER'S EXPERTISE.
NEW TEACHERS COULD BE INTRODUCED TO A TOPIC, LET'S SAY FOR EXAMPLE, TECHNOLOGY.
UH, THEY CAN GO TO A TRAINING WHERE THEY LEARN ABOUT SCHOOLOGY AND ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO IMPLEMENT IT IN THEIR CLASSROOM.
WHEREAS VETERAN TEACHERS COULD LEARN NEW PROGRAMS OR DIVE DEEPER INTO PROGRAMS THEY ALREADY WERE FAMILIAR WITH.
THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH DISTRICT MANDATED PDS.
EACH MONTH TIME WAS ALLOTTED FOR COLLABORATION.
SO TEACHERS COULD EITHER WORK ON THINGS THEY HAD LEARNED AT A PREVIOUS PD PAIR UP OR TEAM UP WITH OTHERS TO CREATE RIGOROUS AND MEANINGFUL ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS, MODIFY CURRENT LESSONS TO AMPLIFY STUDENT VOICE AND ENGAGEMENT, OR TO WORK ON THE PLANNING OF EVENTS THAT WOULD INCREASE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
WE ALSO DEDICATED A FEW PDS TO FOCUS ON BUILDING COMMUNITY WITHIN.
WE REALIZED WE COULDN'T CLAIM TO BE A COMMUNITY SCHOOL IF OUR STAFF DID NOT FEEL CONNECTED WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED TEACHERS AND ADDITIONAL OUT-OF-CLASSROOM STAFF, SO IT'S HARD TO MEET AND GET TO KNOW EVERYONE ON OUR SCHOOL SITE.
SO WE EMBEDDED TIME FOR STAFF TEAM
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MEET, BUILDING, AND MAKING CONNECTIONS.NONE OF THESE THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE HAD WE BEEN TOLD TO IMPLEMENT DISTRICT PDS ON 50% OF OUR TUESDAYS THIS YEAR.
SUCH TRAININGS HAVE BEEN ABSENT AND GREATLY MISSED BY STAFF.
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE STATEMENTS THAT WERE PLACED IN YOUR FOLDER.
YOU CAN SEE STATEMENTS FROM ACTUAL TEACHERS AT MY SCHOOL AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE PDS THAT WE USE TO OFFER.
WE WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE BUILDING AND GROWING PERSONALIZED PDS BASED ON OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL GOALS.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
SO JUST A REMINDER TO EVERYONE, WE HAD THREE IMPORTANT SPEAKERS, BUT THE TIME LIMIT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FIVE MINUTES TOTAL, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO INTERRUPT ANY ONE OF THEM.
SO LET'S JUST KIND OF REMEMBER FIVE MINUTES FOR LABOR PARTNERS, IF YOU WOULD.
I'LL ALSO NOTE QUICKLY THAT, UM, BOARD MEMBERS NEW BILL AND GO HAS JOINED US SHORT JUST SHORTLY AFTER THE 11 O'CLOCK HOUR TIME FOR COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DR. RIVAS, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT FOR US? OKAY.
BOARD PRESIDENT, UH, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MET ON APRIL 22ND, 2025.
THE MEETING INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING.
KEY PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS MEASURE US.
UH, WE WERE PROVIDED WITH AN OVERVIEW AND PRIORITIZATION OF THE FUNDS PRESENTED BY KA CHRISTINA TOS, UH, THE CHIEF FACILITIES EXECUTIVE.
THIS PRESENTATION FOCUSED ON PRIORITIZING MEASURE US FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES, UPGRADES, AND THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE EFFICIENT EXECUTION OF THE PROJECTS THAT IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
WE ALSO HAD A, UH, THE SECOND PRESENTATION, UH, SUPPORTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT.
UM, FRANCIS BAEZ, CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.
ALONGSIDE MR. ANTHONY AGUILAR, CHIEF OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS. UH, THEY DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGAGING PARENTS AND FAMILIES IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESSES TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS, PARTICULARLY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE IN SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS. THE NEXT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, MAY 20 20TH.
UH, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AT THE MEETING, WHICH WILL CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE OR HERE IN PERSON.
SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT, DR.
NEXT WE HAVE FACILITIES AND PROCUREMENT COMMITTEE.
MR. MELVOIN, ANYTHING TO REPORT? YES.
UM, WE HAD A MEATY FINAL MEETING.
ON APRIL 22ND, THE FACILITIES AND PROCUREMENT COMMITTEE MET FOR THE FINAL TIME THIS YEAR.
WE HEARD A MUCH ANTICIPATED REPORT, UM, FROM FOLKS AT MGT WHO HAVE BEEN REVIEWING DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH THE DISTRICT IS SIMILAR, IN WHICH IT IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
THEY'RE STILL FINALIZING THAT WRITTEN REPORT FOR THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC, BUT THEY SHARED SOME OF THEIR 25 PRELIMINARY FINDINGS WITH THE COMMITTEE, INCLUDING IMPLEMENTING CHANGES TO STREAMLINE OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS, IDENTIFYING CHANGES TO INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS, MAKING CHANGES TO THE ABATEMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS TO MINIMIZE EXPENSIVE CHANGE ORDERS, CREATING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE POOL OF CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS WHO ARE WILLING AND INTERESTED IN WORKING ON DISTRICT PROJECTS.
SO IN THE FALL, WE EXPECT TO HEAR AN UPDATE FROM THE DISTRICT FACILITIES AND PROCUREMENT TEAMS ON STEPS THAT THE DISTRICT WILL BE TAKING TO INCORPORATE THIS EXTERNAL FEEDBACK.
WE THEN HEARD AN UPDATE ON OUR DISTRICT'S HOUSING INITIATIVE AND SHARED SOME OF THE COST CONSIDERATIONS AND CHALLENGES THAT WE MIGHT FACE IN OUR NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT, UM, IN IDENTIFYING PROJECTS.
AND WE LOOKED AT TWO EXAMPLES ON THE EXISTING LIST OF NINE POTENTIAL SITES FOR FURTHER EMPLOYEE HOUSING.
UM, THE BOARD APPROVED THE CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT TO DESIGN RFPS TO GET THESE HOUSING PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD.
AND WE LOOK MORE, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT THAT WORK IN THE FALL.
WE THEN RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY PAIR OF UPDATES FROM THE FACILITIES TEAM REGARDING PAINTING IN THE DISTRICT.
WE LEARNED THAT THERE IS NO LONGER A DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM TO PAINT OUR SCHOOLS, UM, BUT THAT MOST PAINTINGS EITHER SCHOOL REQUESTED, INCLUDING IN LARGER NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OR TO MAKE REPAIRS.
UM, AND WE DISCUSSED THE NEED WE HEAR AND THE THE DESIRE WE HEAR FROM A LOT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND CONSTITUENTS TO ENSURE OUR SCHOOLS LOOK MODERN.
AND LOOKING AT SOME NEW STRATEGIES LIKE SPRAY PAINTING, NOT LIKE GRAFFITI, BUT SPRAY AS OPPOSED TO ROLLER PAINTING TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY.
UM, WE THEN LEARNED A BIT HOW THINGS LIKE PAINTING AND OTHER MAINTENANCE REQUESTS ARE BEING USED FOR JOB COSTING, WHICH IS A COMPLICATED PROCESS WE EXPLORED ON HOW THE DISTRICT ESTIMATES TIME FOR PROJECTS AND THEN AMORTIZES EVERYTHING FROM SALARY AND BENEFITS TO THE COST OF A LADDER TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH THE JOB SHOULD COST.
UM, SO WE'LL CONTINUE DIGGING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CHEAPER FOR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT, UM, STAKEHOLDERS TO GET THESE THINGS DONE.
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THE COMMITTEE'S PRIOR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD, UH, IN THE PAST.UM, AND, UH, WE'RE CONTINUING, UH, THIS INQUIRY.
SO, UH, STAY TUNED FOR THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MEETING DATES FOR NEXT YEAR, UM, WHERE WE'LL HAVE UPDATES ON HOUSING, ON THE FIRE REBUILD, AND THEN SOME OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMITTEE.
SO THANKS FOR GIVING US THE SPACE FOR AN UPDATE, AND THANK YOU MR. MELVOIN.
NEXT WE HAVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN EARLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MS. EZ.
UM, EARLIER THIS MONTH, JUST LAST WEEK, IN FACT, WE HELD OUR MEETING OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN EARLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
WE LEARNED ABOUT EARLY NUMERACY AND HAD THE CHANCE TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM A WONDERFUL EEC PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER ON WHAT NUMERACY INSTRUCTION LOOKED LIKE AT THEIR SCHOOL SITE, INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CGI OR COGNITIVELY GUIDED INSTRUCTION, HOW NUMERACY CAN BE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE AND PLAY-BASED TO ENSURE OUR LITTLEST LEARNERS, UM, SEE THEMSELVES AS MATHEMATICIANS AND CAN ENGAGE IN THE CONTENT AND MULTIPLE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES WE USE TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AROUND EARLY NUMERACY.
UM, WE ALSO LEARNED ABOUT OUR SPECIALIZED TREE PROGRAM, THE TRAUMA AND RESILIENCY INFORMED, UM, EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS A TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR OUR EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS.
TREE IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING ADULT CAPACITY TO INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDREN, STAFF, AND FAMILIES.
IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF AN AMAZING SPECIALIZED PROGRAM THAT WE OFFER WHERE WE CAN HELP SUPPORT OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS.
UM, WE ALSO LIFTED UP THE CURRENT FEDERAL ATTACKS ON EARLY EDUCATION, SPECIFICALLY AN EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN FEDERAL HEAD START PROGRAMS, UM, WHICH WILL DEVASTATE SOME OF OUR HIGHEST NEEDS FAMILIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND THEIR THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS, AND TAKE AWAY CARE FROM FAMILIES WHO REALLY NEED IT.
SO WE, AS AN EARLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE, ENCOURAGE ALL OF US TO REACH OUT TO OUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES TO ENSURE THAT THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM IS PROTECTED.
UM, AND AS ALWAYS, WE APPRECIATE OUR WONDERFUL EARLY EDUCATION TEAM FOR SUPPORTING US, OUR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS WHO JOINED OUR MEETINGS JUST FOR OFFERING SUCH INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVE.
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 29TH, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN US HERE IN THE BOARDROOM OR TUNE IN ONLINE.
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU MS. EZ.
AND OUR LAST REPORT WILL BE THE SPECIAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE BY MS. GRIEGO.
ON MAY 7TH, WE HELD OUR LAST, UH, SPECIAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM THE DIVISION ON THE LISTEN AND LEARN CAMPAIGN OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS.
THE DIVISION HELD 31 FOCUS SESSIONS ACROSS DISTRICT WHERE THEY ENGAGED OVER 1200 SURVEY PARTICIPANTS.
THE DIVISION SUMMARIZED THE KEY THEMES THAT CAME OUT OF THE SURVEY RESPONSES, AS WELL AS SHARED WHAT ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THEM.
THE DIVISION WILL SOON MAKE ACCESSIBLE THE LISTEN AND LEARN CAMPAIGN BOOKLET IN BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL FORMATS.
THANK YOU TO DR. JOSE SOTO, ALICIA HAAS, KRISTEN LAMBERT, AND THE DISTRICT STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS CAMPAIGN.
ADDITIONALLY, MY OFFICE WILL BE PUTTING TOGETHER A YEAR IN REVIEW IN COLLABORATION WITH PRESIDENT SMLS SON'S OFFICE, WHERE WE WILL ELEVATE THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ALL THE SPECIAL ED COMMITTEE MEETINGS THIS YEAR.
I HOPE TO SHARE THAT REVIEW WITH ALL OF OUR OFFICES.
UM, I'M ALSO HAPPY TO SHARE THAT AT THAT COMMITTEE MEETING WE HAD A STUDENT WHO CAME AND SPOKE ABOUT HIS CONDITIONS AT HIS SCHOOL.
MY DREAM IS THAT NEXT YEAR WE HAVE A BOARDROOM FULL OF PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT, AT OUR SPECIAL ED COMMITTEE MEETINGS, AND THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE US US INSIGHT AND INPUT INTO HOW WE SHOULD BE DOING THINGS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I'M GONNA WORK HARD TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
UM, I ALSO WANNA THANK EVERYBODY, SCOTT, FOR YOUR SUPPORT, THE OFFICE FOR SUPPORTING US IN THIS TRANSITION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.
OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER IS STUDYING FOR HER EXAMS OR TAKING EXAMS, AND, UH, SO WE WILL NOT HAVE A REPORT FROM HER, BUT WE WILL GO
[Superintendent’s Reports ]
ON NOW TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS.THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
UM, PROBABLY ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME FOR US TO RECOGNIZE A GREATNESS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND GREATNESS IS REFLECTED THROUGH THE DEDICATION, THE PERSEVERANCE, THE COURAGE, THE PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR WORKFORCE, AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN LOS ANGELES.
AND THAT APPLIES EQUALLY TO BOTH CERTIFICATE AS WELL AS CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
UH, ARE WE PERFECT? NO, WE'RE NOT.
BUT THE WORK WE DO SEEKS PERFECTION, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WE, UH, INSPIRE AND EDUCATE EVERY SINGLE DAY AT
[00:25:01]
TODAY.UH, WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING, UH, AND IT IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE EACH MAY WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF CELEBRATING THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
SO, UH, IT IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME, UH, FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO SO MUCH FOR SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FOR BERI, A BASE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES, DISTRICT LEADERSHIP, ONCE AGAIN, WILL BE OFFERING YOU LUSD FAMOUS COFFEE CAKE NEXT MONDAY MORNING ON THE YEAH, LIKE YOU'VE NEVER TASTED IT BEFORE.
I DO BELIEVE THAT WE WORK HARD, UH, AND WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE, UH, THOSE WHO DO THE WORK ACROSS THIS DISTRICT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, CELEBRATING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO YOU, TO THE MORE THAN 30,000, 30,000 CLASSIFIED COLLEAGUES WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.
YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES HELP CULTIVATE A SAFE, CLEAN, INCLUSIVE, INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL IN LOS ANGELES.
YOU ARE ESSENTIAL TO WHAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WITH THIS BEING CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE MONTH, I WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY AS PART OF MY REPORT TODAY, TO ACTUALLY RECOGNIZE AND PUT A FACE AND A NAME TO OUR EVERYDAY HEROES WHO EVERY DAY CONTRIBUTE AND DO SO MUCH IN OUR DISTRICT.
THESE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE AMONG OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF.
I'M TOLD BY DAVID GRECO AND HIS TEAM, UH, WE WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE FOR ALL NINE OF THEM TO BE WITH US TODAY.
SO I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE, UH, MR. DAVID GRECO AND KRISTEN MURPHY, OUR NINE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR, AND ANY OF OUR CLASSIFIED LABOR PARTNERS UP TO THE PODIUM, UH, FOR OUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR.
WHEN I SAY YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT OF THE GROUP.
I WILL THEN SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MAGNI MAGNIFI MAGNIFICENT WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS YOU DO EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THUS YOUR RECOGNITION AS A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.
CARLA IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT REPRESENTED BY SEIU, UNIT B AT CARLSON HOME HOSPITAL, UH, WITHIN BOARD DISTRICT SIX REGION NORTH.
UH, CARLA SERVED OUR DISTRICT FOR 12 YEARS.
SHE'S A ROLE MODEL TO CARLSON'S NEWEST PARAPROFESSIONALS AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
I CAN TELL YOU THE MOST TOUCHING WORK DONE IN OUR DISTRICT IS IN ENVIRONMENTS LIKE THE ONE AT CARLSON.
SHE MENTORS THE NEW SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONALS ASSIGNED TO THE SCHOOL.
SHE'S ALSO HELPED MANY STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL NEEDS GRADUATE ON TIME AND RECEIVE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.
PREVIOUSLY, SHE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS ON THE CARLSON SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL, SERVING IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AS NEEDED.
NEXT UP WE HAVE MARA INION, SENIOR OFFICE TECHNICIAN REPRESENTED BY CSCA, UNIT D AT OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT SIX, ONCE AGAIN, REGION NORTH.
UH, MYRA HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 17 YEARS.
SHE MENTORS OFFICE STAFF SUPPORTS SUBSTITUTES WHEN OFFICE STAFF IS OUT AND ENSURES OFFICE SYSTEMS ARE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.
ALWAYS WILLING TO LAND SUPPORT IN ALL AREAS.
NEXT UP JORGE JIMENEZ, SCHOOL OFFICE COMPUTER COORDINATOR REPRESENTED BY CSEA, UNITY AT VENICE SKILL CENTER BOARD DISTRICT FOUR REGION WEST.
JORGE HAS WORKED WITH US FOR 10 YEARS, CONSISTENTLY GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ASSIST STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND STAFF, ENSURING THEY RECEIVE THE,
[00:30:01]
THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.EX EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE APPROACHES EVERY TASK IN A PROFESSIONAL AND POSITIVE WAY IS A PROBLEM.
SOLVER IS SKILLS, IS ATTENTION TO DETAIL.
CERTAINLY SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE.
BRIAN IS A SCHOOL SUPERVISION AIDE REPRESENTED BY SEIU UNIT G AT MOUND GLEASON MIDDLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT SIX, AGAIN, REGION NORTH.
THERE'S SOMETHING, THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WATER IN BOARD DISTRICT SIX THIS TIME AROUND.
UH, BRIAN'S BEEN WITH US FOR NINE YEARS, ALWAYS AT HIS POST ON TIME AT CONTINUOUSLY CIRCULATES, UH, THE CAMPUS LOGGING OVER 20,000 STEPS A DAY.
SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CANNOT GET TO THE 10,000, SHAME ON YOU
HE ENCOURAGES ALL STUDENTS TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES AND TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
NEXT UP DOUGLAS LINDSAY, SENIOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN REPRESENTED BY SEIU UNIT, C, M, AND O CENTRAL SHOP.
SPECIAL SERVICES, YOU KNOW, THESE FOLKS ARE, THEY ARE THE LAST REPAIR SHOP.
THIS IS THE, THE OSCAR WINNING DIVISION OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
UH, DOUGLAS HAS BEEN WITH US FOR FIVE YEARS.
HE'S A TALENTED TECHNICIAN AND A TRUE TEAM PLAYER BRINGS INVALUABLE EXPERTISE IN INSTRUMENT REPAIR, COMPUTERS AND COMMUNICATION.
I AM TOLD THAT EVERYONE IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REPAIR SHOP KNOWS THAT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, DOUGLAS IS THE GO-TO GUY.
BENJAMIN IS A LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE REPRESENTED BY CSEA, UNIT D WORKS IN MANHATTAN, PLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITHIN BD ONE REGION.
SOUTH BENJAMIN HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 19 YEARS.
HE TAKES INITIATIVE WHEN THERE'S AN AREA OF NEED THAT IMPACTS STUDENTS OR HIS OWN COLLEAGUES.
HE WILL SPEAK OUT TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A RESPONSE TO THOSE IN NEED.
NEXT UP, PHA EDIN EDDI, EDDI FOOD SERVICE MANAGER REPRESENTED BY TEAMSTERS UNIT S AT ANN STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT, BOARD DISTRICT TWO REGION EAST.
SEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE WITH LOS ANGELES UNIFIED.
UM, WORKS TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES A NUTRITIOUS MEAL WHILE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS WARM AND WELCOMING FOR ALL.
GREAT SPIRIT, PROACTIVE, ALWAYS CONSISTENT, UH, IN HER WORK.
ROSA IS A LIGHT BUS DRIVER REPRESENTED BY SEIU UNIT C.
BAY SCHOOL IS MARLTON SCHOOL WITHIN BD ONE REGION SOUTH, UH, 14 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH L-A-U-S-D.
SHE'S ALSO LAKOS CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR IN A TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CATEGORY.
NOT ONLY DOES SHE DO GREAT WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY, SHE ALSO VOLUNTEERS AT HER SCHOOL COORDINATING SPECIAL EVENTS, WHETHER IT IS GETTING YOU THERE OR KEEPING YOU HAPPY WHILE YOU'RE THERE, ROSA IS THE PERSON.
CONGRATULATIONS NOW, ISAAC ROMERO.
ISAAC HAS BEEN A BUILDING AND GROUND WORKER REPRESENTED BY SEIU UNIT C AT ALTA LOMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
BD ONE REGION WEST ISAAC HAS BEEN WITH US FOR FIVE YEARS, WORKS WITH INCREDIBLE EFFICIENCY, AND GETS THE JOB DONE QUICKLY WITH WITHOUT SACRIFICING QUALITY.
[00:35:01]
HE ALWAYS DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH HIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHOOL'S, COMMUNITIES, EVENTS.CONGRATULATIONS, ISAAC, PLEASE.
LET'S GIVE ALL OF THESE RECIPIENTS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
WE'RE GONNA WAIT A LITTLE BIT FOR, UH, PICTURES.
SO WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'RE GONNA RECOGNIZE THE ADDITIONAL THE OTHER EMPLOYEES AND THEN WE'LL GO UP, WE'LL GO DOWN, UH, TO TAKE PICTURES WITH BOTH GROUP, UH, GROUPS OF, UH, OF, UH, AWARD THE RECIPIENTS, AWARD RECIPIENTS.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR REMARKABLE CLASSIFIED STAFF.
NOW, I'D LIKE TO, UH, MOVE ON TO THE SECOND RECOGNITION WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE.
UM, LOS ANGELES UNIFIED'S 2024 ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHINGS.
CARLTON CARTON, OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF AMERICA HONOREE.
OH, THIS PERSON'S NOT HERE YET.
WE'RE GONNA WAIT FOR THIS PERSON TO ARRIVE.
I THINK WE OWE IT TO THAT PERSON.
SO THAT'S IT FOR THE RECOGNITIONS.
SO SHOULD WE TAKE THE PICTURE NOW OF THE ONES THAT ARE HERE? MAY I JUST SAY ONE THING? YES, SIR.
BEFORE YOU KNOW CLASSIFIED PEOPLE, NOT ONLY AWARD WINNERS, BUT ALL OF OUR CLASSIFIED PEOPLE, NOT ONLY DO YOU DO AN EXCELLENT JOB, BUT YOU ARE OUR EYES AND OUR EARS.
IF YOU'RE A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE, YOU ARE THE ONES WHO TELL US, HEY, I SAW THIS GIRL IN THE CAFETERIA LINE AND SHE'S ALWAYS SO HAPPY TODAY.
THE MAIN OFFICE, SOMEONE WHO'S ABSENT A LOT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'RE COMING BACK AND THEN THEY'RE ABSENT AGAIN.
SO YOU ARE OUR EYES AND OUR EARS FOR THE KIDS.
SO YOU ARE TEACHERS TOO, JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
SO WE'RE GONNA KEEP GOING WITH, UH, MY REPORT, AND THEN WHEN OUR LAST, UH, INDIVIDUAL, UH, SHOWS UP, WE WILL TAKE THE PICTURE.
IT IS WORTH THE WEIGHT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY ONE OF US GETS RECOGNIZED.
AFTER ALL, WE ARE ONE AT LOS ANGELES UNIFIED.
WELL AFTER THIS, UH, THIS GREAT SET OF RECOGNITIONS AND, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY THE BEST AMONGST US.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE SECOND REPORT IS NOT SO, SO PLEASANT.
DECISIONS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL HAVE CONSEQUENCES, PARTICULARLY AS THEY IMPACT THE VIABILITY OF SERVICES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'D LIKE THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY TO BE AWARE OF WHAT SOME OF THOSE CONSEQUENCES AND POSSIBLE THREATS TO FUNDING AND THE CONSEQUENTIAL PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT ARE.
THE FIRST SET OF CONSEQUENCES ARE CONSEQUENCES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE SECOND SET OF CONSEQUENCES ARE CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY OCCUR BASED ON CONGRESSIONAL VOTE, WHICH WE EXPECT, UH, WILL TAKE PLACE SOON AS CONGRESS DEBATES AND EVENTUALLY WILL APPROVE, UH, ITS, UH, BUDGET.
THESE ARE CONFIRMED CUTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE PENDING THE OUTCOMES OF LAWSUITS FILED BY A NUMBER OF ENTITIES, INCLUDING OUR VERY OWN CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR. BANTA, AS WELL AS OTHER STATES.
WE VALUE MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND FORTUNATELY, THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECENTLY NOTIFIED LOS ANGELES UNIFIED OF ITS INTENT TO DISCONTINUE A FIVE YEAR CLOSE TO $6 MILLION GRANT INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES BY DISMANTLING THE MENTAL HEALTH CAREER PATHWAY.
GRANT, WE WERE IN THE THIRD YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS GRANT, WHICH FUNDS FULL-TIME PERSONNEL.
THE LOSS OF THIS FUNDING IS IMMORAL.
IT IS IMMORAL AND HAPPENS MIDSTREAM THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS GRANT, WHICH MEANS IT'S NOT FAIR OR JUST THE SECOND GRANT IS ONE THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN BECAUSE IF YOU COMPROMISE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THEN YOU GO AFTER WHAT OUR KIDS NEED AND EAT IN OUR SCHOOLS, YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING TO CHILDHOOD HUNGER, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
THE LOCAL FOOD FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM WAS A PROGRAM UNDER THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ENDED THIS YEAR.
[00:40:01]
THIS CEASES, UH, THE FEDERALLY FUNDED AND SUPPORTED OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR DISTRICT TO ACQUIRE LOCALLY PRODUCED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, WHICH BY THE WAY, STIMULATES THE LOCAL ECONOMY FOR OUR LOCAL FARMERS.AT ANY LEVEL, THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
IT IS CRUEL, IT IS PUNITIVE, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE, AND IT IS IMMORAL.
THIS IS A LOSS OF UP TO $10 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR LOS ANGELES'S UNIFIED.
AFTER CURTAILING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND FOOD, WHAT COULD BE NEXT AND WORSE? WELL, CURTAILING SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS.
WE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE TEACHER TRAINING GRANTS, GRANTS ADMINISTERED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TERMINATED THIS YEAR.
THIS MEANS IN EXCESS OF $600 MILLION ALLOCATED ANNUALLY, INCLUDING 15 MILLION EARMARKED FOR TEACHER STIPENDS FOR PROGRAMS AT UCLA AND CAL STATE LA.
THE IMPACT OF LOS ANGELES UNIFIED WILL BE FELT IN OUR ABILITY TO HIRE THE TEACHERS THAT THESE GRANTS HAVE PROVIDED.
THIS TOO IS IRRESPONSIBLE, PUNITIVE, AND IMMORAL.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COVID-19 RELIEF EDUCATION FUNDS.
COVID-19 IS BEHIND THIS, BUT ITS IMPACT IS NOT.
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RESCINDED THE LIQUIDATION PERIOD EXTENSION.
IT HAD GRANTED FOR COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS, INCLUDING THE ONE-TIME FUNDS ALLOCATED TO LUSD FOR EARLY EDUCATION.
LUSD HAD BEEN USING THE FUNDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS, STAFFING OF POSITIONS IN THESE CENTERS, AND HAD A REMAINING BALANCE OF ABOUT $4 MILLION.
THIS TOO IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND IMMORAL, MY FRIENDS.
THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE MADE NOT IN CONSULTATION WITH ANYONE.
THEY WERE MADE IN A NICK OF TIME AND ANNOUNCED WITHOUT ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NATION TO PREPARE TO REACT, TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THESE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO THESE FIVE SPECIFIC GRANTS, WE HAVE DEEP CONCERNS ABOUT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS MOVING FORWARD.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? TITLE ONE PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR AMONGST US.
IDEA FUNDING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
JUST IN TITLE ONE ALONE, WE RECEIVE AROUND $460 MILLION.
EVEN A SMALL REDUCTION OR FLAT FUNDING CONSIDERING INFLATION AND INCREASED COST OF LIVING IS TANTAMOUNT TO A REDUCTION, CAN WE SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPROMISE AND HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS WHILE REDUCING THE SERVICES THAT POOR KIDS WOULD RECEIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY? THAT IS HEARTLESS, IRRATIONAL, AND IMMORAL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
OUR DISTRICT RECEIVES AROUND $177 MILLION PER YEAR.
ANY REDUCTION TO THESE PROGRAMS WILL COMPROMISE THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES FOR SOME OF THE MOST FRAGILE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN THIS NEW AMERICA TITLE IV, WE RECEIVE CLOSE TO $48 MILLION PER YEAR.
TITLE IV SUPPORTS IN SCHOOL BASED, UH, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKERS.
THIS CANNOT BE A WAY OF REDUCING FEDERAL SPENDING, TARGETING OUR CHILDREN, WHAT THEY EAT, THE SERVICES THEY GET, OR THOSE WHO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES IN OUR SCHOOLS.
TITLE THREE, SUPPORTING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, A $40.4 MILLION INVESTMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNUALLY INTO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, BENEFITING THOSE IN OUR DISTRICT WHO ARE PURSUING FLUENCY IN ENGLISH.
ANY REDUCTION TO THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS INSUFFICIENT TO BEGIN WITH, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE DIVERSE NATURE OF OUR DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT WOULD BE IMMORAL AND UNFAIR.
TITLE II, A $40 MILLION INVESTMENT PER YEAR SUPPORTING TEACHER PATHWAYS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS.
THAT'S OF COURSE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE MEDICAID SUPPORT THAT OUR KIDS GET.
A $50 MILLION ANNUAL INVESTMENT INTO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM PROVIDING FOR THE MEDICALLY
[00:45:01]
NEEDY WHO HAPPEN TO BE ALSO POOR.I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN WE READ THIS LIST OF POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS, THERE'S ONE THING IN COMMON.
IT TARGETS, IT TARGETS THE NEEDIEST AMONGST US, THE POOREST AMONGST US, THE MOST FRAGILE AMONGST US, THE SICKEST AMONGST US.
WHERE IS THE MORALITY, THE JUSTICE, OR THE FAIRNESS IN THAT? ARE THERE NO BETTER WAYS OF REDUCING FEDERAL SPENDING THAN BY STARTING WITH THE NEEDIEST AMONGST US? UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE REALITY WE ARE FACING TODAY, BUT WE ARE ONE AT LOS ANGELES UNIFIED.
WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO PROTECT OUR PROGRAMS, TO PROTECT OUR WORKFORCE, TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS.
IN FACT, THIS BOARD RECENTLY AGREED REGARDLESS OF THESE IMPACTS, WE COMMIT TO NO REDUCTIONS IN FORCE THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR.
WE ARE AMONGST ONE OF VERY FEW DISTRICTS THAT CAN ACTUALLY COMMIT TO THAT PROMISE.
IT IS THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME, CONSIDERING THE CHALLENGES AND THE ATTACKS WE ARE UNDER.
SO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS, BUT THIS IS THE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY CURRENTLY FACE IN LIGHT OF THE FEDERAL DECISIONS CURRENTLY BEING MADE IN WASHINGTON DC.
WITH THAT SAID, MR. MCLEAN IS OUR LAST AWARD RECIPIENT HERE? NOT YET.
SO I THINK IT'S TIME, UH, TO, UM, MAYBE, UH, GO DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH, UH, OUR REMARKABLE CLASSIFIED, UH, EMPLOYEES.
UH, PLEASE COME FORWARD ONCE AGAIN AND LET'S ASK THE BOARD MEMBERS TO JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS FOR A PICTURE FOR HISTORY
[00:54:31]
BACK UP SHORTLY FOR THE NEXT AWARD RECIPIENT.
[00:55:52]
HEY, UH, HERE, HERE WE GO.OUR LAST, UH, RECOGNITION, UH, NOW THAT I THINK EVERYONE IS HERE, UM, IS A RECOGNITION OF, UH, LOS ANGELES UNIFIED'S 2024 ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHINGS.
UH, AND, UM, CARLSTON OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF AMERICA HONOREE.
UM, THIS RECOGNITION IS FROM ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHING.
EACH YEAR ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHING RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING CALIFORNIA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO TEACH IN DISADVANTAGED, URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND WHO CONSISTENTLY HELP THEIR STUDENTS EXCEED ACADEMICALLY AND PREPARE THEM FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHING.
RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR VERY OWN, WITH ITS 2024 CARLSTON OUTSTANDING TEACHERS OF AMERICA AWARD.
NOAH KLEIN, A TEACHER, A DORSEY HIGH SCHOOL, WAS ONE OF FOUR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS RECOGNIZED WITH THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.
WHAT MAKES THIS, UH, EXTRA SPECIAL IS THAT HE WAS NOMINATED, UH, BY ONE OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS, A CURRENT AND FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE, MAJORING IN CHEMISTRY AND A DORSEY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATE.
I'D NOW LIKE TO INVITE MS. BEVERLY YOUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH ABOVE AND BEYOND TEACHING, AND MR. NOAH KLEIN OF DORSEY HIGH SCHOOL TO THE PODIUM.
SO MS. YOUNG MAY PRESENT NOAH WITH THIS PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE, ESPECIALLY TO, UM, HONOR NOAH HERE, AS YOU SAID, ABOVE AND BEYOND, IT'S A, IT'S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS.
YOU MAY REMEMBER I WAS HERE LAST YEAR WITH, UM, ANOTHER WINNER FROM LA UNIFIED.
UM, OUR MISSION IS TO RECOGNIZE AND REWARD OUTSTANDING CALIFORNIA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THEIR STUDENTS.
UM, AS YOU SAID, NOAH WAS NOMINATED BY A FORMER STUDENT, BUT I ACTUALLY TALKED TO ALMOST A DOZEN OF NOAH'S FORMER STUDENTS FROM ACROSS DIFFERENT YEARS WHO TOLD ME OF VARIOUS WAYS THAT NOAH HAS CHANGED THEIR LIFE.
HE WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE AWARD LAST MAY, HE DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL NOVEMBER WHO THE STUDENT WAS THAT INITIATED THEIR AWARD.
BECAUSE AT OUR BIG BANQUET WHERE WE HAVE OUR, ALL OF OUR PAST WINNERS AND OUR CURRENT WINNERS COME, UM, THE, WE ALSO BRING THE STUDENT AND IT'S A SURPRISE TO THE TEACHER.
THE STUDENT MAKES THE SPEECH TELLING HOW THIS TEACHER CHANGED THEIR LIFE.
NOAH, FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY, I'M GOING TO GIVE HIM A COPY OF THE FILE THAT TELLS THE STORIES OF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT STUDENTS, AND THEY TELL ABOUT HOW NOAH CHANGED THEIR LIVES.
AND BELIEVE ME, THAT EVENING WHEN WE HEAR FROM THESE STUDENTS, THERE'S NEVER A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE TEACHERS LIKE NOAH, WHO NOT ONLY ENRICH STUDENTS' LIVES ACADEMICALLY, BUT CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIVES OFTEN IN SUPER DRAMATIC WAYS, ARE JUST SUCH SPECIAL PEOPLE.
AND IT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT I GET TO DO IS BE PART OF HONORING SUCH PEOPLE.
SO AS PART OF HIS AWARD, NOAH GOT THIS BIG OSTENTATIOUS THING THAT WE HOPE HE HANGS IN HIS CLASSROOM.
UH, HE ALSO GOT A CHECK FROM US FOR $10,000.
AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND THE BOARDS AND THE PRINCIPALS THAT NOAH GETS TO DECIDE
[01:00:02]
THE NEED AT A SCHOOL TO SPEND THIS $2,000 SOMETHING TEACHERS OFTEN DON'T GET TO DO.UM, AND I'M GONNA GIVE NOAH A COPY OF HIS FILE.
I BROUGHT ALONG WITH ME COPIES OF OUR PROGRAM FROM OUR NOVEMBER BANQUET, SO YOU CAN SEE THE WRITE UP ABOUT NOAH AND HIS STUDENT AND THE OTHER TEACHERS WHO WON THIS AWARD.
SO I'LL LEAVE THESE WITH YOU AND THEN I'LL LET NOAH SAY A FEW WORDS.
I WASN'T PLANNING TO SAY ANYTHING, BUT JUST, UM, I'VE BEEN A TEACHER AT DORSEY HIGH SCHOOL FOR, FOR 26 YEARS.
BEEN A COLLEAGUE WITH SHERETTE FOR, FOR THAT WHOLE TIME.
UM, SUCH AN HONOR TO BE, UH, TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE SHERETTE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD NOW, UM, AS, AS WE'VE BEEN COLLEAGUES FOR SO LONG.
AND, UM, YEAH, JUST TO SEE, UM, MY FORMER STUDENT NOMINATE ME, UH, KHADIJA, UH, KHADIJA SHAFI, WHO'S ABOUT TO GRADUATE FROM WILLIAMS COLLEGE WAS A REAL BEAUTIFUL HONOR.
AND, UM, YEAH, WE DO THIS AS TEACHERS.
WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE SO VERY MUCH.
WE CARE ABOUT THEIR, THEIR FUTURE.
WE CARE ABOUT THEIR CONDITIONS THAT THEY EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOLS.
UM, AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE TO, UM, EXERCISE THEIR VOICE, UM, OVER THESE 26 YEARS TO, TO, TO, TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS OF COLOR UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH, L-G-B-T-Q, YOUTH BLACK YOUTH.
AND KHADIJA IS JUST ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE, UM, PUT THAT INTO ACTION, UM, IN HER LIFE AND, AND IN THE MOVEMENT AND, AND AT DORSEY.
AND, UH, IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO GET TO, UH, WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HER.
AND ALSO JUST I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE ABOVE AND BEYOND, UH, ORGANIZATION AND DR. YOUNG FOR HONORING ME.
UH, I'M JUST ONE OF MANY INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE TEACHERS ACROSS THE WHOLE STATE.
UM, AND IT'S REAL HUMBLING TO BE, TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD.
AND NOAH, I BELIEVE THAT THE BOARD MEMBER GRIEGO HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.
CONGRATULATIONS, NOAH LIPPY KLEIN.
SO, SO EXCITED AND SO PROUD OF THIS MOMENT.
I'VE KNOWN NOAH, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING NOAH FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
UM, AND NOAH IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT, OF THE POWER OF BEING A TEACHER ORGANIZER.
UH, NOT ONLY HAS HE BEEN DOING AMAZING WORK IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT HE'S ALSO BE DO BEEN DOING THE WORK OUTSIDE TO TRANSFORM OUR SCHOOLS TO MORE JUST SCHOOLS FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS.
NOAH'S A LEADER IN UTLA AND THAT'S WHERE WE CROSSED PATHS.
HE WAS A BOARD OF DIRECTOR ON THE BARGAINING TEAM, MY FORMER UNION COLLEAGUE AND PARTNER AND FRIEND.
AND, UM, HE WAS ALSO A LEADER IN THE COALITION FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE, WHICH IS NOW STUDENTS DESERVE.
NOAH SHOWS THAT A LEADER BUILDS LEADERS, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT THEMSELVES.
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING WITH OUR STUDENTS, HELPING THEM USE THEIR VOICE, FIND THEIR VOICE TO ADVOCATE AND FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY DESERVE.
AND, UM, YOU ARE A MODEL NOT JUST FOR EDUCATORS ACROSS CALIFORNIA, BUT ACROSS THE US AND FOR ME PERSONALLY, YOU HAVE HELPED MY OWN DAUGHTER THROUGH HER COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS, OFFERING TIME LIKE YOU DO FOR SO MANY STUDENTS AT DORSEY AND SO MANY STUDENTS ACROSS THE, THE DISTRICT HELPING THEM WITH THEIR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND THEIR ESSAYS.
AND SO PERSONALLY, I THANK YOU FOR THAT, BUT I'M SO, SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE BEING RECOGNIZED.
YOU REPRESENT SO MANY EDUCATORS THAT ARE DOING THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK OF NOT ONLY DOING THE WORK INSIDE OUR CLASSROOMS, BUT ALSO TAKING THE EXTRA HOURS TO ORGANIZE AND FIGHT FOR WHAT OUR STUDENTS DESERVE.
I THINK, UH, CAN I GET A PHOTO, PLEASE? A PHOTO IS GONNA, IS, UH, APPROPRIATE.
[01:05:07]
THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD BE MOST PROUD ABOUT.THAT'S A GOOD LUCK MATTER PROTEST RIGHT HERE.
IT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE, UH, YOU KNOW, PLATINUM RECORDS, YOU KNOW, OVER HERE.
OH, YOU ARE? COME DOWN AND HONOR NOTES.
BUT YEAH, WOULD YOU MIND TAKING THAT? THIS IS AWESOME.
YOU WANT TO BE HERE? PICTURE? YEAH, I GOT ONE.
I WAS JUST THINKING, I WAS JUST LIKE PICTURING LIKE, OH MY GOD.
WHAT I DIDN'T SHARE WAS WHEN YOU MADE THAT CALL TWO YEARS AGO.
WHERE'S CECE? YOU TRY THE OFFICERS.
OKAY GUYS, ARE WE WAITING FOR ANYONE? UH, I MAKE SURE FITS IN HERE.
I NEED YOU GUYS TO SQUEEZE IN A LITTLE BIT MORE.
OKAY, FOLKS, AS SOON AS THE, UH, BOARD MEMBERS ARE BACK, WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE, UH, CONSENT CALENDAR.
[01:11:15]
WELCOME BACK.TIME IS NOW 1211 AND I BELIEVE WE'RE GONNA DO THE CONSENT
[Consent Items]
CALENDAR.SO ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, UM, WILL GO DIRECTLY ONTO ONE VOTE FOR EACH ITEM.
IF THERE IS DISCUSSION OR COMMENT OR QUESTIONS ON AN ITEM, IT WILL GO ON THE REGULAR CALENDAR FOR ACTION.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH THEMSELVES CAN GO ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
WE WILL JUST NEED TO HEAR IT, UH, FROM THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS FOR EACH ITEM THAT GOES ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR PRIOR TO TAKING IT.
AND I, I'D LIKE TO START A NEW PRACTICE OF MOVING THE CONSENT CALENDAR BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE IT.
SO CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE THE CONSENT CALENDAR? MOVE IT SECOND.
SECONDED BY BOARD PRESIDENT MURSON.
ALRIGHT, TAB ONE ADOPTION OF READING DIFFICULTIES.
RISK ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT DISCUSSION.
UH, TAB TWO, APPROVAL OF ADULT EDUCATION, CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
TAB THREE, DEFINE AND APPROVE.
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER OUTDOOR CLASSROOM PROJECTS.
TAB FOUR, DEFINE AND APPROVE 86 PROJECTS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES OF SCHOOL BUILDING SITE SYSTEMS. CONSENT.
TAB FIVE, DEFINE AND APPROVE TWO PROJECTS TO PROVIDE ADULT AND CAREER EDUCATION FACILITIES UPGRADES.
TAB SIX, DEFINE AND APPROVE SIX.
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENT ENHANCEMENT DEVELOPMENTS FOR SCHOOLS.
TAB SEVEN, DEFINE AND APPROVE 17.
BOARD DISTRICT PRIORITY AND REGION PRIORITY PROJECTS.
TAB EIGHT, DEFINE AND APPROVE THE 20 25 20 26 EDUCATION CODE SECTION 4 7 6 1 4, PROPER 39 FACILITIES RENOVATION EFFORT AND AMEND THE FACILITIES SERVICES DIVISION.
STRATEGIC EXECUTION PLAN TO INCORPORATE THEREIN CONSENT.
CONSENT TAB NINE, APPROVAL OF PROCUREMENT ACTIONS QUESTION.
SO WE'LL PUT THAT ON DISCUSSION.
APPROVAL OF FACILITIES, CONTRACT ACTIONS.
OH, SO, SO NUMBER EIGHT IS GOING TO COME OFF CONSENT AND GO ON TO DISCUSSION.
UM, AND SO FOR NUMBER NINE, WHO HAD, UH, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WAS IT, UH, DR. RIVAS, DR. RIVAS AND FOR 10 AND FOR 10 AS WELL.
OKAY, TAB 11, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING APPROVAL OF RENEWAL PETITION FOR ALFRED B NOBEL JUNIOR CHARTER, I'M SORRY, NOBEL NOBEL CHARTER MIDDLE CONSENT, APPROVAL OF RENEWAL PETITION FOR A DEARBORN ELEMENTARY CHARTER CONSENT.
CONSENT TAB 13, APPROVAL OF RENEWAL PETITION FOR EL ORO WAY CHARTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES.
APPROVAL OF RENEWAL PETITION FOR NCINO CHARTER ELEMENTARY.
CONSENT TAB 15, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR HAMLIN CHARTER ACADEMY.
CONSENT TAB 16, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR LOUIS ARMSTRONG MIDDLE THAT CONSENT TAB 17, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR SUPERIOR STREET ELEMENTARY.
CONSENT TAB 18 APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR TOPEKA CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES.
CONSENT TAB 19 APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR WILBUR CHARTER FOR ENRICHED ACADEMICS CONSENT TAB 20 APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR WOODLAKE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY CHARTER CONSENT.
UH, TAB 21, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR WOODLAND HILLS ELEMENTARY CHARTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES
[01:15:01]
CONSENT AND TAB 22 APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED MATERIAL REVISION FOR COLLEGIATE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES.QUESTIONS? SO THAT WILL GO ON DISCUSSION.
AND WE'VE GOT, UH, MS. NEWBELL, MS. EZ, I HAVE QUESTION TOO, DR. RIVAS.
AND THE ONLY REASON I ASK FOR THE NAMES IS JUST TO, FOR THE ORDER.
I MEAN, ANYONE CAN ALWAYS JUMP IN AT ANY TIME IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE MASTER CONTRACTS.
CONSENT QUESTION, QUESTION FROM MS. CONEZ.
UH, 24, APPROVAL OF ROUTINE PERSONNEL ACTIONS.
CONSENT, UH, TAB 25, PROVISIONAL INTERNSHIP PERMITS CONSENT.
THERE WAS, UH, 24 IS ALSO ON CONSENT, IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD.
TAB 26, DONATIONS OF MONEY TO THE DISTRICT CONSENT TAB 27 IMPACT FEE POLICY UPDATE QUESTION.
DISCUSSION, DISCUSSION FROM DR. RIVAS.
DISPER DISBURSEMENTS REQUEST TO REISSUE EXPIRED WARRANTS CONSENT.
WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN AND TAB 30, I HAVE A TIME, CERTAIN IN THE PAST WE'VE PUT THEM ON CONSENT AND I THINK THAT THAT CAUSES SOME CONFUSION.
THEY CAN ALL BE VOTED ON AT ONCE, BUT SINCE THESE ARE TIME CERTAINS, IT'S, WE'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON THEM MORE SO IT SEEMS MORE APPROPRIATE TO PUT IT ON DISCUSSION AND TAKEN AT THAT TIME AND VOTED SPECIFICALLY.
SO I'LL DO THAT FOR TABS 29 AND TABS 30.
UM, TAB 31, MOTION DECLARING SALARIES INDEFINITE TO COMPLY WITH LAW AND ALLOW FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF LABOR AND GRIEVANCE.
UH, TAB 32, REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING WILLIAMS UNIFORM COMPLAINT, QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY, ALSO PUBLIC HEARING, CONSENT, CONSENT, UH, TAB 33 MINUTES FOR BOARD APPROVAL.
I WAS GONNA SAY YOU HAD ME NERVOUS.
OKAY, SO, SO TAB 33 IS MINUTES GOING ON CONSENT.
I WILL NOTE OUT LOUD AND CLEARLY I WAS EXCITED FOR THAT ONE.
UH, TAB, TAB 34, ADOPTION OF THE 25 26 BOARD MEETING.
SCHEDULE, DISCUSSION, DISCUSSION JUST TO, YEAH, AND I'LL NOTE THAT I HAVE A, A MINOR CHANGE THAT I'D LIKE TO RUN BY THE BOARD ON THIS ITEM AS WELL.
UM, TAB 35, UH, RECOGNIZING MAY'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND FOCUSING ON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.
THIS IS JUST, OH, YES, THIS IS WITH ALSO WITH A RULE 72 WAIVER CONSENT.
AND TAB 36, RECOGNIZING MAY, 2025 IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH, ALSO WITH THE WAIVER BOARD RULE 72.
OKAY, I'M GONNA READ THROUGH THE LIST.
I KNOW IT'S LABORIOUS, BUT WE'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT I GOT EVERYTHING RIGHT.
UM, NUMBER ONE IS A TAB, ONE IS DISCUSSION.
TAB 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ARE ON CONSENT.
TABS EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 ARE ON DISCUSSION TABS.
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 ARE CONSENT.
TAB 22, DISCUSSION TAB 23, DISCUSSION TAB 24, 25, AND 26 ARE CONSENT.
TAB 28, CONSENT TABS 29 AND 30 TIMES CERTAINS FOR DISCUSSION.
UH, TABS 32 AND 33 ARE ON CONSENT.
TAB 35 AND 36 ARE ON CONSENT, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE, UM, GENERALLY WE TAKE THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
AND WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN OF 1230, SHOULD WE TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS? SURE.
SO ON TAB TWO WE HAVE, UH, ONE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE APPROVAL OF ADULT EDUCATION, CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ARE YOU HERE, MR. MA GANDHI? I MAY, I MAY HAVE SEEN YOU.
CHECK ONLINE FOR MR. MA GANDHI.
I DO NOT HAVE MR. MA GANDHI ONLINE.
SO FOR TAB THREE, WHICH IS ALSO ON CONSENT, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER.
UM, MAY I HAVE A MOMENT TO SET UP A MORE APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE FOR YOU? OR I'M GONNA STAND, I'M GONNA STAND.
[01:20:08]
MY NAME IS JOEL BLOCK, AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M DISABLED IT THIS MONTH IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH AS WELL.
UH, SO I TRIED TO REGISTER IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC SPEAKING 'CAUSE I HAVE TWO ITEMS, BUT BECAUSE OF MY, I CAN ONLY UNPACK BY THE TIME I HUNT, PACK THE INFO, IT WAS TOO LATE.
I'M I, I'M AN ACTIVE ATTORNEY STATE BAR NUMBER 9 6 3 7 9.
BESIDES MY JURIS DOCTORATE DEGREE, I HAVE AN LLM IN LABOR UNEMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM AT NYU LAW SCHOOL DURING THE YEARS 1970 TO 19 70 97.
AS A UNION LEADER AND ATTORNEY, I REPRESENT UNIONS AND EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING L-A-U-S-D EMPLOYEES AND OTHER EDUCATION EMPLOYEES IN THREE STATES.
FOR 12 YEARS, I SERVED THE CSU CHANCELLOR AS CSU, CHIEF NEGOTIATOR AND CSU REPRESENTATIVE IN ARBITRATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDS AND TESTIMONY BEFORE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES.
USD IS IN DANGER OF VIOLATING APPLICABLE LAW IN AT LEAST TWO PENDING MATTERS.
ONE IS THIS BOARD ITEM NUMBER THREE CONCERNING 16.8 MILLION FUNDING OF THREE PRE-K OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS. MORE ON THIS LATER.
THE SECOND IS THE ONGOING CLOSURE AND CONSOLIDATION OF OPTIONS PROGRAM SCHOOL SITES SERVING VULNERABLE STUDENTS.
CENTRAL HIGH TRI-C IS ADVERSELY IMPACTED, ESPECIALLY THE CLOSING, UH, POTENTIAL CLOSING OF ANGELS FLIGHT TRI-C, WHICH SERVICES HOMELESS SCHOOL CHILDREN.
PLEASE READ THE EMAILS AND PETITIONS SENT TO YOU BY STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADVOCATES.
NOW, THERE'S GUIDELINES THAT THE AG AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ED HAVE GIVEN TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WHEN THEY'RE DOING CLOSURES IN RE, RE, RE, UH, MO UH, MOVEMENTS OF STUDENTS, SORRY.
SO THE ITEM THREE L I'LL ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ITEM THREE ISSUE TO ANYBODY IN THE BOARD AFTERWARDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, SIR.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE DOWN THE LIST TO, LET'S SEE, TAB 11.
SEE WE HAVE, SO THIS IS TAB 11 APPROVAL OF THE PETITION FOR ALFRED B NOBEL CHARTER MIDDLE.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND READ THE PUBLIC STATEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH TABS 11 THROUGH 22.
APPROVAL OF CHARTER RENEWAL PETITIONS BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING BOARD REPORTS, A PUBLIC HEARING ON EACH MUST BE HELD.
THIS CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC HEARING ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING APPROVAL OF THE RULE RENEWAL PETITION FOR ALFRED B NOBEL JUNE NOBEL CHARTER MIDDLE.
APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR DEARBORN ELEMENTARY CHARTER ACADEMY, UH, EL ORO WAY CHARTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG, MIDDLE SUPERIOR STREET ELEMENTARY, TOPEKA CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES.
WILBUR CHARTER FOR ENRICHED ACADEMICS.
WOODLAKE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY CHARTER IN WOODLAND HILLS ELEMENTARY CHARTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES.
A MAXIMUM OF 15 INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON EACH OF THESE ITEMS, UH, SHALL BE HEARD.
UM, THERE ARE 15 SPEAKER SLOTS OPEN FOR EACH OF THESE ITEMS. DISCREETLY THOSE WHO WISH TO SPEAK SHOULD SIGN UP ONLINE SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED BY NAME.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, ONE SPEAKER FOR THIS.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BOARD OF ADMIN, SUPERINTENDENT.
UH, I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE RENEWAL OF A DISTRICT AUTHORIZED, AFFILIATED, FORMERLY KNOWN AS A DEPENDENT CHARTER IN ITS SUCCESSES OVER THE YEARS.
BUT I MARVEL AT THE FACT THAT THE BOARD OF ED AND THOSE WHO WANT TO GROW ENROLLMENT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT INCREASE ENROLLMENT.
DON'T LOOK AT THESE AFFILIATED CHARTERS AS A MODEL OF IN-DISTRICT REFORM, WHERE
[01:25:01]
YOU HAVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE NEAR OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUCH AS WESTCHESTER HIGH, SUCH AS SCHOOLS IN TORRANCE, WHICH ARE, UH, PART OF LA UNIFIED, THAT YOU DON'T FIND WAYS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE INCREASING STAFF IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING OFFICE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT INCREASING AFFILIATED CHARTERS LIKE THE ONES THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO APPROVE.THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW ENROLLMENT, WHICH WOULD BE A GOAL, NOT ONLY OF THE BOARD, BUT WHEN THE SUPERINTENDENT CAME TO THE DISTRICT, THERE WAS A PLEDGE ABOUT GROWING ENROLLMENT, NOT JUST IMPROVING ATTENDANCE, BUT GROWING ENROLLMENT.
AND THESE AFFILIATED CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHICH ARE DEMOCRATICALLY RUN BY THE FACULTY AT THE SCHOOL, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.
IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY OF SIGNIFICANCE THAT CONTINUES TO BE NEGLECTED, AND IT'S BLATANTLY, UH, REVEALING THAT THERE IS NOT A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GROW THE ENROLLMENT.
THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD COME IN WOULD OUTPACE ANY OF THE INITIAL FIVE GRANT MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE MEETING OF MILLIONS, IF NOT TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT GROWING ENROLLMENT AND USE OF AFFILIATED CHARTERS.
I'M JUST GONNA EXPLAIN ONE PART OF OUR BOARD RULES HERE.
MR. TOSKI IS ALSO SPEAKING ON EACH OF THE SUBSEQUENT, UH, PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UM, OUR BOARD RULES HERE, THE DISTRICT STATE THAT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD A TOTAL OF ONE TIMES.
THAT'S EITHER, UH, ITEM SPECIFIC COMMENT OR IN GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND UNDER STATE LAW, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SPEAK TO EACH PUBLIC HEARING ITEM ON THAT SPECIFIC PUBLIC HEARING TOPIC.
SO HERE WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TABS 11 THROUGH 22, AND ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN SIGN UP TO SPEAK ON IT AS MANY ON EACH ONE, UH, MORE THAN ONE IF THEY WANT.
SO HERE WE HAVE, UH, MR. TOSKI STILL WITH US FOR TAB 12.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES ONCE YOU BEGIN.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE.
I SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR AFFILIATED CHARTER, AND YOU WILL SEE THE SIGNIFICANT ENROLLMENT IN THIS, UH, SET OF SCHOOLS.
MR. SCHMO SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THE AFFILIATED CHARTERS.
HE'S OVERSEES THE LARGEST CHARTER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE, BIGGER THAN GREEN DOT CHARTERS, BIGGER THAN THE ALLIANCE CHARTERS.
THEY'RE ALL SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NOT AN ENROLLMENT OF 120 OR 150 KIDS.
SOMEBODY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE SMALL DECLINING ENROLLMENT AREAS THAT BORDER OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, LINWOOD, PARAMOUNT, INGLEWOOD, HAWTHORNE, TORRANCE, UH, RANCHO PALOS VERDES, WHERE WE DO HAVE SCHOOLS IN THOSE CITIES AND ARE PERFORMING BASED UPON DATA DIGS BETTER THAN THE SCHOOLS IN LARGE PART IN THOSE OTHER DISTRICTS.
IF ONE WERE TO BELIEVE IN THE OPPORTUNITY OF PARENT CHOICE, PARENT OPPORTUNITIES TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOLS IN LA UNIFIED, THAT IN MANY CASES ARE PERFORMING BETTER THAN THEIR HOME SCHOOLS, THESE AFFILIATED CHARTERS OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES WITH SIGNIFICANT CHOICE TO NOT DO ANYTHING, IS TO EVALUATE THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR NOT SEEING THE G OR ONE OF THE MANY GYMS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IN FACT, SOME OF THESE, UH, SCHOOLS THAT ARE AFFILIATED CHARTERS THAT ARE NOT BEFORE YOU TODAY ARE ALSO MAGNET SCHOOLS.
THEY'RE BOTH MAGNET AND CHARTER, AND THEY ARE DOING FAIRLY WELL, NOT JUST BASED ON SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, BUT ALSO DOING WELL BY PARENTAL DEMAND AND CHOICE.
SO I OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS AT LENGTH TODAY, UM, AS YOU, UH, APPROACH THESE RENEWALS TODAY AND TO ASK WHY.
WE'RE GONNA GO TO OUR TIME CERTAIN NOW AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU FOR, UH, TAB
THANK YOU FOR YOUR, FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
OKAY, SO NOW WE ARE ON TO TIME CERTAIN, UH, TAB 30.
I JUST BRIEFLY WANNA MAKE SOME REMARKS BEFORE WE TURN TO A VIDEO AND PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, YOU KNOW, I STARTED ON THE BOARD IN 2020
[01:30:01]
AND MET AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF MOMS WHO WERE ADVOCATING FOR CHILDCARE DURING THE PANDEMIC.THEY GOT STIPENDS FROM THIS DISTRICT AND IT HELPED BOTH THEIR CHILDREN AND THE STUDENTS OF LA UNIFIED.
SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD MY OWN TWO BIRTH OF CHILDREN, ONE OF WHOM IS AN LUSD STUDENT, AND I'VE MET COUNTLESS EDUCATORS, SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE HAD CHALLENGES WITH THE WHOLE PARENTAL PACKAGE, WITH HEALTHCARE, WITH CHILDCARE, WITH PARENTAL LEAVE.
AND SO THIS REALLY, THIS RESOLUTION REALLY BORE OUT OF THOSE STORIES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES TO CHANGE LA UNIFIED TO BE THAT EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR PARENTS SO THAT EMPLOYEES CAN BE RETAINED AND SUSTAINED IN A DISTRICT THAT SERVES CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM TO BE HERE SERVING THEM.
SO WE'LL TURN TO ABOUT A SEVEN MINUTE VIDEO TO HEAR SOME OF THOSE STORIES, SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WILL SHARE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS.
THEN I'LL INVITE MY COLLEAGUES, UH, TO POTENTIALLY CO-SPONSOR.
AND THANK YOU TO MY CO TWO CO-SPONSORS ALREADY, MS. EZ AND MS. GRIEGO, UM, FOR THIS PARENTAL PACKAGE.
L-A-U-S-D IS AN EQUITABLE EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR THRIVING FAMILIES.
NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY, HISTORICALLY AND CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A CULTURAL AND PRACTICAL PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING EMPLOYEES TO BECOME PARENTS AND THRIVE IN BOTH THEIR WORKPLACE AND IN THEIR HOME.
HEALTHCARE PLANS STILL DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH TO HELP PEOPLE CONCEIVE, DELIVER, AND CARE FOR BABIES.
PREGNANCY, FAMILY AND SICK LEAVE STILL DON'T STRETCH FAR ENOUGH TO GIVE PARENTS THE TIME TRULY NEEDED TO SET UP THEIR FAMILIES FOR SUCCESS.
AND CHILDCARE IS STILL TOO EXPENSIVE AND INACCESSIBLE.
THIS PARENTAL PACKAGE RESOLUTION AIMS TO CULTIVATE L-A-U-S-D AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR THRIVING FAMILIES, SUPPORTING OUR 70,000 EMPLOYEES TODAY AND THE THOUSANDS TO COME IN THE FUTURE WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO HEALTHCARE, FAMILY LEAVE AND CHILDCARE INTERN SUSTAINS OUR EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS ARE READY FOR THE WORLD.
AS A FORMER EDUCATOR OF OVER 20 YEARS, I FULLY SUPPORT THE PARENT PACKAGE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED BECOMING A NEW MOM WHILE BEING EMPLOYED AS A TEACHER IN LOS ANGELES UNIFIED.
AS A NEW MOM, I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND THE MANY GAPS IN SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEE PARENTS.
OUR EMPLOYEES DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
AND AS A DISTRICT, WE NEED TO LEAD THE WAY IN MAKING A CAREER IN EDUCATION, A SUSTAINABLE ONE FOR THOSE LOOKING TO BUILD A FAMILY.
THAT IS WHY I AM CO-SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION, WHICH WILL HELP CREATE A DATA-DRIVEN PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A MORE EQUITABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYEE PARENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER GOING FROM ONE TO TWO CHILDREN NEAR THE START OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN THERE WAS LIMITED CHILDCARE AND I COULDN'T GET SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY TRYING TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR REMOTE BOARD MEETINGS, UM, WHILE I ROCKED AND NURSED MY NEWBORN SON AND FEELING LIKE, WOW, THIS SYSTEM WAS NOT BUILT FOR ME.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS MUCH NEEDED RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE CHANGING AND RESHAPING THE SYSTEM SO THAT IT TRULY CENTERS AND SUPPORTS MOMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
UM, I RECENTLY HAD A BABY LAST YEAR IN MAY, UM, AND SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME WAS THAT, UM, WE DON'T PAY INTO EM UNEMPLOYMENT.
SO, UM, I WASN'T ABLE TO LIKE COLLECT MONEY.
UM, MONEY WAS VERY MUCH A STRESSOR DURING MY PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM PERIOD, UM, BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GETTING PAID UNDER HALF OF MY FULL PAYCHECK AT ONE POINT.
UM, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I DID NOT TAKE THE FULL 12 WEEKS OF PARENT BONDING.
UM, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY.
UM, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE, UM, FULL TIME SICK DAYS.
I ONLY HAVE HALF PAY SICK DAYS, UM, AND I HAVE A FAMILY.
BECOMING A PARENT IS ONE OF THE MOST LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCES THAT MANY OF US WILL HAVE.
AND WHEN I BECAME A PARENT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AND EVEN BEFORE THAT DURING MY PREGNANCY, I HAD SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEAVES AND ALL OF THE PAPERWORK THAT WAS REQUIRED TO ACCESS THOSE LEAVES.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL REALLY HELP MEMBERS OF THE L-A-U-S-D COMMUNITY ACCESS THEIR IN FULL ENTITLED LEAVE SO THAT THEY CAN REALLY MAXIMIZE TIME WITH THEIR NEWBORN BABY.
I'M SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES DEEPLY IN WHAT THIS DISTRICT SAYS, THAT IT STANDS FOR EQUITY FAMILY AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES.
BUT LET ME BE CLEAR RIGHT NOW, L-A-U-S-D IS FALLING SHORT FOR ITS WORKING PARENTS.
[01:35:01]
EVEN AS A TEACHER WITH STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT, I HAVE STRUGGLED TO HAVE AND RAISE CHILDREN.AS AN L-A-U-S-D EDUCATOR, I'VE SCRAMBLED EACH YEAR TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, TO BALANCE MY SICK DAYS WITH THE NEEDS OF MY CHILDREN, AND TO NAVIGATE THE GUILT BETWEEN FEELING LIKE I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BEING A GOOD MOTHER OR A GOOD EMPLOYEE.
THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT A FAVOR.
IT IS A NECESSARY AND OVERDUE INVESTMENT.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, REAL SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND ACCESSIBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE.
THESE ARE BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IN OUR SOCIETY.
IF L-A-U-S-D WANTS TO BE AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE, IT HAS TO ACT LIKE IT VALUES FAMILIES, NOT JUST SAY IT DOES.
WE SHOW OUR CHILDREN WHAT WE VALUE BY HOW WE TREAT THEIR PARENTS.
PLEASE PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND MAKE THIS DISTRICT A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES AND FUTURES CAN TRULY THRIVE.
UH, MY EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT, UH, FINDING OUT THAT WE WERE EXPECTING, UH, BUT I BELIEVE THAT TURNED TO TENSION REAL QUICK WHEN, UH, I KNEW MY POSITION WAS GONNA BE SAFE, BUT COMPENSATION DURING THIS TIME OFF, UH, WAS NOT IN THE CARDS.
UM, I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION GIVES PEACE OF MIND, UH, FOR EVERYONE, THAT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING, ENJOY IT.
AS BOTH A PARENT AND A TEACHER, I FULLY SUPPORT MATERNAL LEAVE AND PARENTAL LEAVE AND ALL SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS WHO ARE JUGGLING TEACHING AND SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN OF OTHERS WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
AS A PARENT, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE TO SAVE MONEY AND MANAGE MY TIME IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT MY CHILDREN IN THE WAY THAT WE WISH ALL OF OUR CHILDREN COULD BE SUPPORTED.
I HOPE THAT THIS MEASURE PASSES AND THAT ALL FUTURE PARENTS ARE AWARDED THE SUPPORT THAT THEY DESERVE.
AS A NEW PARENT, YOU ARE IN YOUR MOST MAGICAL PERIOD OF LIFE, WHICH I KNOW RIGHT NOW WITH A FOUR WEEK OLD, UH, AND ALSO YOUR MOST VULNERABLE AND MOST CHALLENGING.
NOW, CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM MY SECOND C-SECTION, I HAVE FELT PHYSICAL PAIN, EXHAUSTION, REAL BABY BLUES, AND THE CHALLENGE OF BREASTFEEDING AND, AND FEEDING MY CHILD.
I HAVE ALSO SEEN MY CHILD SMILE FOR THE FIRST TIME MY 2-YEAR-OLD PLAY WITH MY NEWBORN.
THE ABILITY TO BE FULLY PRESENT FOR MY FAMILY WHILE I'M HOME ON LEAVE ALLOWS ME TO FULLY RECOVER AND ESTABLISH A HEALTHY FOUNDATION FOR MY LITTLE ONE.
BUT I DO SO KNOWING THAT I'LL RETURN WITH A FULLY DEPLETED FULL-TIME PAY NO VACATION, AND THE MAJORITY OF MY LEAVE AT HALFTIME PAY AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, WE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SUPPORTS FOR OUR PARENTS AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
THIS RESOLUTION IS SO MEANINGFUL, NOT JUST TO ME AND MY FAMILY, UM, BUT IT JUST MAKES ME REALLY FEEL SEEN BY L-A-U-S-D.
AND, UM, I REALLY THINK AT THIS TIME AS WE'RE STILL FIGHTING FOR PAID PREGNANCY LEAVE HI, DEBBIE, AND STILL TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR LITTLE ONES AND ALSO SHOW UP FOR OUR STUDENTS.
ITS JUST REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ACTUALLY UPLIFT HOW WE'RE WHOLE HUMAN BEINGS AS EDUCATORS.
AND THESE SUPPORTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS WELL.
AND WITH THAT, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS AND THEN WE'LL TURN IT TO OUR COLLEAGUES.
I'M A 20 YEAR VETERAN TEACHER.
I'M A NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER, A PROUD U-T-A-U-T-L-A MEMBER AND A CHAPTER CHAIR.
I'M ALSO AN EATON CANYON FIRE SURVIVOR, A CERTIFIED LACTATION EDUCATOR AND A POSTPARTUM DOULA.
IN 2018, AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY FIRST DAUGHTER, I RETURNED TO THE CLASSROOM HAPPILY EXCITED.
I NURSED MY BABY DURING MY UNPAID LUNCH BREAK.
THAT WAS FINE UNTIL IT WASN'T.
AFTER A DIS DISAGREEMENT WITH MY ADMINISTRATOR, I WAS TOLD MY DAUGHTER WAS A LIABILITY.
NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES.
MY ADMINISTRATOR WAITED OUTSIDE MY DOOR, I WAS PUNISHED AND I WAS DISPLACED.
SO I ORGANIZED, I ORGANIZED NURSING TEACHERS, I ORGANIZE MOTHERS.
I STARTED A-U-T-L-A SUPPORT GROUP WITH OTHER UTLA MOMS TO HELP OTHERS NAVIGATE A SYSTEM THAT FAILS US BECAUSE HR DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO HELP US BECAUSE HR GIVES US A DIFFERENT ANSWER EVERY TIME.
BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ONLY PROTECT ITSELF BECAUSE MOTHERS ARE NOT SUPPORTED.
[01:40:02]
LET ME BE CLEAR.MOTHERS NEED PAID LEAVE, NOT SICK TIME, NOT BORROWED TIME, PAID LEAVE.
MOTHERS NEED SAFE PRIVATE SPACES TO EXPRESS MILK.
FAMILIES NEED POLICIES THAT PROTECT US, AND THOSE POLICIES MUST BE ENFORCED.
LATER IN MY CAREER, I BEGAN WORKING WITH PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS, AND I SAW THE SAME THING.
YOUNG MOTHERS IGNORED, DISMISSED, AND UNSUPPORTED.
WE NEED SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS AND PARENTING FOLKS.
THIS RESOLUTION IS A STEP FORWARD TOWARDS CHANGE.
MAYA SUZUKI DANIELS, ARE YOU HERE? COME ON UP.
SHE'S KNOWN AS A WARRIOR FOR L-A-U-S-D MOMS. HELLO, MY NAME IS MAYA SUZUKI DANIELS, AND I'M HERE AS A MOTHER, AN EDUCATOR, AND SOMEONE WHO DEEPLY BELIEVES IN EQUITY, FAMILY AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES.
RIGHT NOW, L-A-U-S-D IS FALLING SHORT FOR ITS WORKING PARENTS FALLING.
I PAY $1,600 A MONTH FOR CHILDCARE.
MY FRIEND ON THE WEST SIDE PAYS 2,800 FOR ONE INFANT THAT IS ALMOST 50% OF A STARTING TEACHER'S MONTHLY SALARY.
NEW TEACHERS CANNOT AFFORD TO BE PARENTS AT LA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
EVEN AS SOMEONE WITH RESOURCES AND STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORTS, I'VE HAD A HARD TIME HAVING AND RAISING CHILDREN.
AS AN LUSD TEACHER, I'VE SCRAMBLED EVERY YEAR TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE TO BALANCE MY SICK DAYS WITH THE NEEDS OF MY CHILDREN AND A WHOLE LOT OF DEEP BREATHING THROUGH THE GUILT OF TRYING TO BE EITHER A GOOD PARENT OR A GOOD TEACHER.
AS AN ADVOCATE, I'VE SAT WITH MANY PARENTS WHO STARE AT ME IN SHOCK AS I EXPLAIN THE IMPACT TO THEIR PAYCHECK, ILLNESS, TIME, AND RETIREMENT PROSPECTS ONCE THEY'RE PREGNANT OR GIVE BIRTH.
I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS PEOPLE QUIT THIS PROFESSION, NOT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR STUDENTS OR WERE NOT A VALUABLE AND BELOVED PART OF THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, BUT BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM FORCED THEM TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR PASSIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
TO BE CLEAR, THIS RESOLUTION, L-A-U-S-D AS AN EQUITABLE EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR THRIVING FAMILIES IS NOT A FAVOR.
IT IS A NECESSARY AND OVERDUE INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE POLICIES WHICH SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND ACCESSIBLE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE BASIC AND HUMAN NEEDS.
I KNOW THAT MY CHILD LEARNS AS MUCH ABOUT THE WORLD FROM THE CHALLENGES HE SEES ME NAVIGATE AS HE DOES IN HIS L-A-U-S-D CLASSROOM.
WE SHOW OUR CHILDREN WHAT WE VALUE BY HOW WE TREAT THEIR PARENTS.
PLEASE PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND MAKE THIS DISTRICT A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES AND FUTURES CAN TRULY THRIVE.
DE DEANNA LEE QUILLA, ARE YOU HERE? DEANNA LEE QUINTANILLA QUINTANILLA, COME ON UP.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
AND THEN IS, UH, MARIA DAISY ORTIZ.
UM, I INITIALLY WANTED PUBLIC COMMENT.
I HAD SELECTED NUMBER 29, BUT GOT ASKED TO MOVE TO NUMBER 30.
MY NAME IS DINA LEE QUINTANILLA AND I AM THE PARENT OF 11-YEAR-OLD FIFTH GRADER AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN A PROUD AND ACTIVE PART OF EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY FOR NEARLY SIX YEARS AND 30 YEARS PRIOR, WHICH SHOULD BE A JOYFUL AND MEMORABLE FINAL YEAR.
COMING UP FOR MY DAUGHTER IS NOW AT RISK OF BEING CUTTING SHORT DUE TO ONGOING AND SEVERE BULLYING.
ON APRIL 17TH DURING A THERAPY SESSION, MY DAUGHTER DISCLOSED TO HER THERAPIST THAT SHE HAD FORMULATED A PLAN TO END HER LIFE AS A PARENT.
THERE ARE NO WORDS TO ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE THE DEVASTATION AND HEARTBREAK OF HEARING THAT YOUR CHILD NO LONGER FEELS SAFE OR VALUED IN A PLACE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE NURTURED, SUPPORTED, AND ENCOURAGED TO THRIVE.
I'M HERE TODAY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY DAUGHTER WHO IS AFRAID TO SPEAK FOR HERSELF.
DUE FEAR DUE TO FEAR OF RETALIATION.
I AM ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE MANY OTHER CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE FACING BULLYING ROOTED IN HOMOPHOBIA, RACISM, AND OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION.
THOSE WHOSE VOICES HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED OR IGNORED, NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.
NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REMOVE THEIR CHILD FROM A SCHOOL THEY ONCE LOVED TO PROTECT THEIR SAFETY AND WELLBEING.
AND NO COMMUNITY SHOULD REMAIN SILENT WHEN ITS MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS ARE SUFFERING.
THE EMOTIONAL TOLL THIS HAS TAKEN ON MY DAUGHTER AND OUR FAMILY IS IMMEASURABLE.
[01:45:01]
A VIBRANT, CURIOUS, AND CONFIDENT CHILD IS NOW A YOUNG GIRL STRUGGLING TO FEEL SAFE AND ACCEPTED.THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE INCIDENT OR ONE CHILD.
THIS IS ABOUT A SYSTEMATIC ISSUE THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE, COMPASSIONATE, AND SUSTAINED ATTENTION FROM SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
I URGE ALL DECISION MAKERS INVOLVED TO TREAT THIS ISSUE WITH SERIOUSNESS.
WE MUST DO BETTER FOR MY DAUGHTER, YOUR CHILDREN, AND FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS OF EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
MS. ORTIZ IS GONNA SPEAK IN SPANISH, SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT SHE'S SAYING IN ENGLISH, PLEASE PUT YOUR HANDS UP AND WE'LL GET YOU THESE TRANSLATION HEADSETS.
SO KEEP YOUR HANDS UP AND WE'LL GET YOU TRANSLATION HEADSETS BEFORE SHE BEGINS.
AND THEN AFTER, UH, MS. ORTIZ IS CHRISTIE WHITEHORSE, PREPARE YOURSELF.
AND REALLY, IT'S NOT THAT I'M AGAINST THE RESOLUTION.
THE EMPLOYEES, THEY NEED TO HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS THAT AN EMPLOYEE RECEIVES.
BUT I SEE THE INEQUALITY THAT THERE IS BECAUSE THE PARENTS, WE ARE VOLUNTEERS.
AND REGARDLESS, THIS SYSTEM HERE AND ALSO THE DISTRICTS HAS FAILED THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THIS DISTRICT.
THE ONES THAT BRING THEM ARE OUR CHILDREN.
AND FOR THE PARENTS THAT ARE VOLUNTEERS, THE AUTHENTIC, THE ACTUAL PARENTS.
BECAUSE AN EMPLOYEE, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE A PARENT, THEY CANNOT FUNCTION AS A PARENT BECAUSE IT'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BECAUSE IT THEIR FAITHFULNESS AS TO WHO PAYS THEM.
AND LIKE YOU SIT IN THE VIDEO, MS. ORTIZ, THAT YOU DESERVE RESPECT, RIGHT? THAT THE EMPLOYEES AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PARENTS DO? NOT WHEN WE ARE VOLUNTEERS, THE WAY OF WHICH THE PARENTS ARE BEING TREATED RIGHT HERE IN THE DISTRICT, IT'S DEPLORABLE BECAUSE THE BOARD MEMBERS TO THE PARENTS, THEY DON'T EVEN, THEY'RE NOT EVEN MAKING A RESOLUTION TO TRY TO VALUE WHAT THEY PROVIDE.
AND ALSO THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PARENTS EFFECTIVE.
NOW, I HAVE NOT SEEN A RESOLUTION ON YOUR PART FOR US.
IN FACT, THE BOARD MEMBERS, I WAS AT THE OFFICE WITH MS. CARLA GRIEGO AND SHE TOLD ME, YOUR PARENTS, I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, I PAY TAXES.
AND AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, I HAVE THE SAME, RIGHT? BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE FUNDS COME FROM BECAUSE THEY ARE PUBLIC FUNDS.
YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT.
SO PLEASE STOP THIS INEQUALITY WITH PARENTS THAT ARE THE REALLY ASSOCIATES AND THEY'RE VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THE PARENTS, BECAUSE THEY GIVE THEM TO THE THREE MONTHS AND THEY ALSO APPLY 5 25 AN HOUR TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
AND YES, WE DO NEED MAKE A CHANGE, BUT WE DIDN'T MAKE EFFECTIVE CHANGES IN WHICH THE PARENTS, WE ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN TIME.
ARE YOU HERE? CHRISTY, COME ON UP.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
AND THEN AFTER MS. WHITEHORSE IS NADIA RAZZI.
THIS WAS ALSO THE SLOT AVAILABLE TO ME.
MY NAME IS CHRISTY WHITEHORSE.
I'M THE MOTHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THE OTHER AT THE EAGLE ROCK JUNIOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT WE HAVE A PROGRAM AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CALLED KIDS HOPE.
IT'S A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR KIDS, WHICH CONCEPTUALLY WONDERFUL.
HOWEVER, THIS ORGANIZATION IS RELIGIOUS IN NATURE AND SPECIFICALLY WORKS TO PAIR CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I FIND THIS DEEPLY TROUBLING AS THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE OF STUDENTS INITIATING OR WANTING TO EXPRESS THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AS ITS WEBSITE STATES.
FOUNDING PRINCIPLE IS BASED ON HOW CHURCHES CAN HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON CHILDREN, WHICH THE NEIGHBOR, WHICH THEY DETERMINED WAS WITH NIG, PARTNERING THEM, CONNECTING THEM WITH NEIGHBORHOOD, ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS AN LGBTQ PLUS FAMILY.
IN THIS CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE, WELCOMING A CHRISTIAN, AN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION ON CAMPUS TO MENTOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN FEELS ILL-ADVISED AT BEST AND DOWNRIGHT THREATENING AT WORSE.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT A PROGRAM FOUNDED ON ESSENTIALLY PROSELYTIZING IN SCHOOLS TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SOMEHOW IDENTIFIED BY OUR PRINCIPAL AND KIDS HOPE STAFF, IS DEEPLY INAPPROPRIATE AND CONTRARY TO LA USD'S OWN POLICY AGAINST ENDORSING OR PROMOTING ANY RELIGION.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED SUPPORTERS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION SINCE OUR CHILDREN REACH SCHOOL AGE.
[01:50:01]
IN A QUEER FAMILY, RAISING $2 IN NILA, WE FELT WE HAVE A LOT TO OFFER OUR COMMUNITY.I VOLUNTEERED TO TEACH A YOGA AND MINDFULNESS COURSE TO TK THROUGH SIXTH GRADE TK GUYS.
MY WIFE VOLUNTEERED AS THE COACH OF OUR SCIENCE OLYMPIAD, WHICH CAME INTO THIRD PLACE.
I MET BOARD MEMBER G'S DAUGHTER ON A FIELD TRIP TWO WEEKS AGO AND LEARNED SHE'S GONNA BE ATTENDING MY ALMA MATER IN THE FALL.
AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN SPEAK OPENLY AND WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION BECAUSE DESPITE OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE ARE TAKING OUR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.
I CANNOT IMAGINE A SITUATION WHERE SUBSTANTIATED COMPLAINTS OVER WAGE AND HOUR LAW VIOLATIONS, DEVASTATING PARENTAL CONCERNS OVER BULLYING AND AN ATMOSPHERE OF RACISM AND HOMOPHOBIA WHEN CONTINUE, WHILE SEEMINGLY BEING IGNORED BY THIS DISTRICT.
BUT FOR THE FACT THAT OUR PRINCIPAL IS MARRIED TO THIS DISTRICT'S CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER.
GOOD AFTERNOON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT CARVALLO.
MY NAME IS NADIA RAZZI, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND POLICY AT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS.
THE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS BOARD MEMBERS ORTIZ FRANKLIN GO AND GRIEGOS PARENTAL PACKAGE RESOLUTION, A CRITICAL STRATEGY IN SUCCESSFULLY RECRUITING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS TO SERVE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
AT THE PARTNERSHIP, WE COLLABORATE WITH THE DISTRICT TO SERVE 20 SCHOOLS IN SOME OF THE HIGHEST NEEDS AREAS IN L-A-U-S-D, BOYLE HEIGHTS, SOUTH LA AND WATTS, WHERE WE STRIVE TO UPLIFT AND EQUITABLY SUPPORT OUR EDUCATORS AND STAFF TO MAINTAIN A STABLE AND HEALTHY WORKFORCE.
A FEW YEARS AGO, UCLA AND CTA SURVEYED THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS, AND ONE IN FIVE OF THEM REPORTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKELY LEAVE THE PROFESSION IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
I RESPONDED TO THIS SURVEY AS A TEACHER AT FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL IN PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA JUST MONTHS BEFORE I MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO LEAVE TEACHING.
AFTER 10 YEARS, I MADE THIS CHOICE FUELED BY MY DESIRE TO START A FAMILY, AND THE REALIZATION THAT MY DISTRICT'S PARENTAL BELIEF POLICY WOULD CAUSE FINANCIAL STRAIN ON MY FAMILY AND PUT ME BACK IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE I WAS READY.
I KNEW IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE TEACHING THE WAY I HAD BEEN WITH MY WHOLE HEART, 60 HOURS PER WEEK AND EXHAUSTED WHEN I GOT HOME EACH DAY.
I LOVED TEACHING, BUT I KNEW THAT I COULD NOT BE THE BEST TEACHER AND THE BEST MOTHER TO A CHILD AT THE PARTNERSHIP.
MANY OF OUR EDUCATORS, OUR PARENTS, AND WE SEE A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR WELLBEING, SATISFACTION, RETENTION, AND STUDENT SUCCESS.
MANY OF OUR EDUCATORS RETURN TO WORK WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION OR OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS AND NEED MORE TIME TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.
FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENTS MAY NEED ADDITIONAL TIME OFF FOR BONDING OR ACCO OR TO ACCOMMODATE THE AD ABRUPT CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS THAT CHILDREN FACE.
WE APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION OF DATA COLLECTION TO IDENTIFY NEEDS OF L-A-U-S-D EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, EMPLOYEE PARENTS, LACTATION ROOMS AT EVERY SCHOOL SITE, AND STATEWIDE ADVOCACY TO GROW THE CAPACITY OF LONG-TERM SUBS.
WE RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE PARENTAL PACKAGE RESOLUTION AND COMMIT TO INVITING OUR EDUCATORS TO THIS CONVERSATION TO PROVIDE INPUT ON BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AND NOW WE GO TO OUR FOLKS WHO ARE CALLING IN REMOTELY, AEM HUSSEIN.
AEM HUSSEIN, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
UM, I WANNA, UM, APPLAUD THE BOARD FOR, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION.
I THINK OUR COUNTRY AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO DO BETTER FOR WORKING PARENTS, BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I THINK LASD IS ANOTHER VERY BIG PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING AND RETAINING STAFF.
I LIVE IN EAGLE ROCK, ONE OF MY KIDS ATTENDS AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY, A SCHOOL.
WE'VE BEEN HEARING ALL ABOUT THIS, THIS, UH, SESSION IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
WE HAD THREE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS THE COMPANY WE'RE TRYING TO RETAIN, QUIT SUDDENLY ALLEGING A TOXIC WORKPLACE AND WAGE THEFT UNDER PRINCIPAL RENEE BIAS.
ONE OF THEM EVEN PUBLISHED AN OPEN RESIGNATION LETTER TO WILLIAM DOWNING, CALLING THIS ALL OUT.
WE'RE NOW TOLD THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE WAGE THEFT CLAIMS. BUT THAT ONLY HAPPENED BECAUSE A WHOLE BUNCH OF PARENTS MADE A LOT OF NOISE.
THESE EMPLOYEES WERE RAISING ALARMS AND NO ONE LISTENED TO THEM.
WHY? AND THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED.
A NUMBER OF PARENTS AND EMPLOYEES HAVE STATED SPECIFICALLY THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT RETALIATION FOR SPEAKING UP IN THAT OPEN LETTER.
OUR PARENT LIAISON, WHO IS ALSO A WORKING MOM, WHO A KID AT THE SCHOOL ALLEGED THAT OUR PRINCIPAL RETALIATED AGAINST ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER DURING AN EXIT INTERVIEW AND SAID THAT SHE WAS SCARED THAT HER OWN KID MIGHT BE TARGETED 'CAUSE SHE WAS SPEAKING OUT.
AND THEN OUR PTA PRESIDENT AND OTHER PARENTS THAT HAD THEIR CAMPUS ACCESS AND THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE CURTAILED OR ELIMINATED BY PRINCIPAL BAEZ AFTER THEY RAISED CONCERNS INVOLVING HIM.
NOW, THESE ARE ALL ONLY ALLEGATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NUMEROUS AND THEY ARE WELL DOCUMENTED, AND THEY
[01:55:01]
ARE ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFIED BY THE CONCERN THAT THIS PARTICULAR PRINCIPAL MIGHT, MIGHT BE ESPECIALLY PROTECTED BECAUSE HE IS MARRIED TO FRANCE BY AS THE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER AT LASD.I AM NOT SAYING EVERYTHING ALLEGED IS TRUE, BUT NO ONE IN THE DISTRICT SEEMS TO BE GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE CONCERNS THAT A PRINCIPAL MIGHT BE RETALIATING AGAINST ITS CRITICS.
THIS IS BEYOND THE APPARENT SCOPE OF THE EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATION.
BY ALL MEANS, PLEASE APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION TO HELP AND HIRE RETAINED STAFF IN THE FUTURE.
BUT PLEASE TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
HELP US DEMAND ANSWERS AND PROTECT US, PROTECT STAFF, PROTECT PARENTS AND STUDENTS AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
LET'S SEE, WE HAVE OPHELIA RYAN.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
OPHELIA RYAN, PILLAR FIVE EMPHASIZES THE STAFF EMPOWERMENT AND WELLNESS.
YET A GROWING SENTIMENT AMONG PSA SUGGEST A SIGNIFICANT DISCONTENT BETWEEN THESE CALLS AND THE REALITY OF THEIR EXPERIENCES.
THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC DISREGARD OF SENIORITY AND AN UNFAIR DENIAL OF TRANSFER REQUESTS.
STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM DIRECTOR DENISE MIRANDA, TOLD US AGAIN, THERE ARE NO TRANSFERS ALLOWED.
WHY NOT ALL PSAS HAVE THE EXACT SAME QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM SCHOOL-BASED PSA STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS OR VISA DUTIES? THE DENIAL OF TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES USE A PERCEPTION OF INEQUITY.
AND MANY WONDER IF A G TAKING PLACE.
WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HIRING NEW COLLEGE GRADS INSTEAD OF ALLOWING C TSAS TO TRANSFER.
FIRST, WE ARE NOT EDS PROPERTY OR ROBOTS, AND WE SHOULD BE TREATED AS PROFESSIONALS.
TEACHERS USE A SENIORITY BASED SYSTEM AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMPLEMENT IT TOO ACROSS THE BOARD.
WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS, WE ALL HAVE THE SAME QUALIFICATIONS.
WE APPEAL TO THE SSP ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AS THE PSA ADMINISTRATOR FOLLOW THE REQUIRED STEPS.
AND WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING FILING COMPLAINTS WITH THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD.
HER, THE DEPARTMENT ON LABOR AND THE EEOC SHOULD LOOK INTO THESE ALLEGATIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN POLICY AND PRACTICE.
RESTORE FAITH IN A'S COMMITMENT TO EMPHASIZE THAT YOU RESPECT EMPLOYERS AND REAFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EQUITABLE WORKPLACE FOR ALL.
OUR SENIORITY MUST BE RESPECTED AND WE MUST BE ALLOWED TO TRANSFER.
LASTLY, REMEMBER, DISCRIMINATION IS ILLEGAL AND I SHOULD NOT GET FREEWAY THERAPY A PLACEMENT FAR FROM HOME ABOUT EVALUATION OR FACE MORE DISCRIMINATION FOR SPEAKING BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE BASIC RIGHT TO KNOW BEFORE WE LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER, WHAT OUR NEXT YEAR ASSIGNMENT IS TOO.
WE NEED TO BE TREATED WITH EQUITY AND RESPECT.
I'M OPHELIA SOPHIA RYAN, PSA COUNSELOR.
WE HAVE ONE LAST SPEAKER SIGNED UP.
ARE YOU IN THE ROOM? NICHOLAS PI DON'T HAVE YOU ONLINE AT THIS TIME.
SO THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT ON TAB 30.
UM, THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR SPEAKERS, BOTH ON VIDEO AND IN PERSON.
TO MY CO-SPONSORS, I'D LIKE TO INVITE, UM, MY COLLEAGUES TO SHARE THOUGHTS AND I BELIEVE THERE'S A, A PARTICULAR THOUGHT THAT MIGHT LIKE TO BE SHARED BEFORE WE GET TOO DEEP INTO THIS.
IF, IF THAT'S OKAY, I'LL TURN IT TO DR. RIVAS, US.
SO I HAVE A FEW WONDERFUL COMMENTS AND GRATEFUL FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
SO THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER, UH, ORTIZ FRANKLIN FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BE ADDED AS A CO-SPONSOR.
SO I JUST HAVE A FEW WORDS, UM, TO SAY.
AND I ALSO SUBMITTED, UM, SOME FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS.
UM, SO BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY AND PERSONAL POSSIBILITIES IS CHALLENGING, UH, FOR ANY PARENT.
AND IT'S CRUCIAL THAT OUR DISTRICT'S POLICIES REFLECT THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF ALL FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF OUR, UM, OUR EMPLOYEES.
I AM FULLY COMMITTED AND ENSURING THAT WE PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORTS FOR PARENT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE JUGGLING THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ENSURING FAIR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NEW PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
THE PARENT, UM, PACKAGE RESOLUTION IS A VITAL STEP FORWARD.
UM, MAKING L-A-U-S-D NOT JUST A SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT A MODEL PUBLIC EMPLOYER.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT PAID LEAVE.
THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE, ABOUT RETAINING GREAT EDUCATORS, ABOUT RESPECTING OUR WORKFORCE AND ABOUT BUILDING A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR FAMILIES, NOT AGAINST THEM.
[02:00:01]
AND MOST CRITICALLY, IT ADVANCES EQUITY BECAUSE THE REALITY IS NOT ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCESS TO LEAVE.NOT ALL EMPLOYEES CAN AFFORD TO TAKE IT.
AND THAT BURDEN FALLS HARDEST ON WOMEN, ON SINGLE PARENTS, ON LOW, LOW WAGE WORKERS, AND THOSE FROM HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
THIS RESOLUTION DOES MORE THAN OFFER LEAVE.
IT BUILDS A SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM, CHILDCARE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY.
IT CREATES LACTATION ACCOMMODATIONS, HELP NAVIGATING BENEFITS, AND A BACKUP BACKUP CARE OPTIONS FOR THE INEVITABLE EMERGENCIES OF LIFE.
IT'S ALSO COST EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG RUN.
INVESTING IN FAMILIES NOW REDUCES ABSENTEEISM, TURNOVER, SPECIAL EDUCATION, REFERRALS, AND HEALTHCARE COSTS LATER.
AS PARENTS, WE WANNA GIVE OUR CHILDREN THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.
AND TO DO SO, WE NEED SYSTEMS THAT UNDERSTAND AND ACCOMMODATE OUR UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE ABILITY TO WORK WHILE MANAGING THE NEEDS OF A CHILD, PARTICULARLY WITH DISABILITIES, SHOULD NOT BE A BARRIER TO SUCCESS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, NOR SHOULD IT BE A SOURCE OF ADDED STRESS.
WITH THIS IN MIND, I'M, I'VE SUBMITTED FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS, ESPECIALLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
BOARD MEMBER ORTIZ FRANKLIN FOR ACCEPTING THESE AMENDMENTS.
THESE AMENDMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICIES AND SUPPORTS ARE INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, AND TRULY REFLECT OF THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, I KNOW WE HAVE COPIES OF, OF THE AMENDMENTS.
UM, SO JUST TO, UM, SAY WHAT, WHAT THESE RE WHAT THESE AMENDMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY, UM, TO ADD TO THE THIRD RESOLVE, IT ADDS A DESEGREGATION OF, TO ADD THE DESEGREGATION OF DATA, WE'RE LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO ASSESS WHETHER THEY FACE DISPROPORTIONATE BARRIERS OR UNMET NEEDS RELATED TO LEAVE BENEFITS OR CHILDCARE ACCESS.
AND WE'RE ALSO ADDING TO THE LAST RESOLVE, UM, FOR A FOCUS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND CORRESPONDING SUPPORTS FOR EMPLOYEE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
AND IT HAS LIKE OTHER, UM, BULLET POINTS ON THAT, SO I'M NOT GONNA READ ALL OF THEM, UH, BUT THERE'LL BE SOME COPIES.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT THESE AMENDMENTS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE IMPACT OF THIS RESOLUTION, ENSURING THAT ALL EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE DISABILITIES, ARE SUPPORTED, EMPOWERED, AND ABLE TO THRIVE BOTH AT WORK AND AT HOME.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LEAD WITH EMPATHY, EQUITY, AND REAL SOLUTIONS.
AND I'LL BE MORE THAN PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS EFFORT THAT ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS NOT, THIS IS NOT JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
IT'S A SMART THING TO DO FOR OUR STAFF, OUR STUDENTS AND THE FUTURE.
BOARD MEMBER, YOU, DR. RIVAS FOR THE ADDITIONS.
UM, AND JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE TEAM, LOOKING AT, UH, THE VERSIONS.
SO LAST WEEK WAS POSTED VERSION TWO WITH THE RED UNDERLINE, UM, EDITS.
AND THIS MORNING WE PASSED AROUND A VERSION THREE WITH A COUPLE OF GREEN EDITS.
AND THEN DR. RIVAS IS PASSING AROUND THE BLUE EDITS.
SO OUR TEAM WILL MAKE SURE TO, TO, UH, INCLUDE THEM ALL.
UM, BUT JUST WHAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM APRIL TO TODAY WERE A COUPLE WHEREAS IS ON, UM, THE SURGEON GENERALS, UH, ADVISORY ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF PARENTS, UH, STRESSING THE URGENCY OF EMPLOYERS TO MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES.
UM, A A BIT MORE ON, UH, ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND THE COST OF REPLACING, UH, TEACHERS, UM, AS WELL AS, UM, SOME IMPROVED PRACTICES.
UM, LET'S SEE, RELATED TO ENROLLING EMPLOYEES, CHILDREN INTO OUR SCHOOLS, NOT JUST IN THE EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS, BUT INTO K 12, BECAUSE WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS RESOLUTION WILL ALSO HELP EMPLOYEES, UH, WHEN THEIR CHILDREN ARE OLD ENOUGH TO, TO STAY WITH OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM.
AND THEN THE GREEN RESOLUTION, THE GREEN EDITS, SORRY, WERE VERY TINY.
UM, ONE ABOUT ADDING, UM, SURROGACY TO THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF FAMILY PLANNING.
AND A REQUEST TO SHIFT THE TIMELINE FOR NOVEMBER 25 TO FEBRUARY 26TH TO ACCOUNT FOR THE JANUARY, UH, GOVERNOR'S BUDGET COMING OUT NEXT YEAR.
SO THESE WILL ALL BE COMBINED, UM, BUT I WOULD ASK OUR COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER VERSION THREE WITH DR.
REVA'S, UH, FRIENDLY AMENDMENT ADDED.
AND I INVITE OTHER COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES, MR. SCH CHARLESON.
YES, I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.
IT, IT REALLY MEANS SOMETHING.
IT'S IMPACTFUL WHEN I HEAR FROM YOU PERSONALLY LIKE THIS, SO I WILL CO-SPONSOR.
I'LL, I'LL ECHO, UH, MY COLLEAGUES.
I'LL, UH, JOIN AS A CO-SPONSOR AS WELL.
[02:05:01]
AND BELATED HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE MOTHERS ON THIS BOARD AND ALSO IN THE AUDIENCE.UM, YEAH, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS PART OF THIS PLAN AND THE, UM, THE RESEARCH THAT GOES INTO IT, I THINK THERE ARE THINGS AT THE STATE LEVEL.
YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TEACHERS AT THE DISTRICT OF PAIN TO STATE DISABILITY THAT COULD HELP COVER IT.
I MEAN, THIS IS ONE WHERE, UM, UH, AS, AS WE'VE NAVIGATED BOTH SEEING COLLEAGUES WHO ARE TEACHERS, BUT ALSO SEEING, UM, COLLEAGUES ON MY TEAM WHO HAVE TO NAVIGATE MATERNITY LEAVE, IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.
AND WE WANT TO BE A DISTRICT OF CHOICE FOR NOT JUST STUDENTS, BUT EMPLOYEES.
AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTFULNESS THAT WENT INTO THIS.
I WAS EATING LUNCH, BUT WATCHING THE VIDEO, IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY COMPELLING TESTIMONY TO HEAR FROM COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD AND ALSO, UM, COLLEAGUES AND FOLKS I KNOW THROUGH, THROUGH THE WORK OF THIS DISTRICT.
SO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHERE WE CAN GO TO FROM HERE.
AND THEN ADVOCATING AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
I THINK STATE WILL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN FEDERAL RIGHT NOW, UM, BUT TO GET THE REQUISITE RESOURCES TO DO THIS AND SUPPORT OUR STAFF.
SO THANKS FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD AND, UM, EXCITED TO SUPPORT.
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-SPONSORSHIP,
UH, JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
OBVIOUSLY AS WE SIT ON THIS BOARD AS MOTHERS AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND KNOW THAT IT'S NOT EASY, UM, TO NAVIGATE AND NEEDING SOME, SOME GUIDANCE, UM, THIS IS DEFINITELY STARTING THAT CONVERSATION TO THAT GUIDANCE AND PUTTING SOME ACTUAL, UM, MARKERS AND PARAMETERS IN, IN PLACE.
AND TO MY COLLEAGUE'S POINT THAT WE CAN GET SOME SUPPORT FROM OUR STATE AS WELL TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT THIS, UM, IS STABLE AND SUSTAINABLE.
SO, UM, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO CO-SPONSOR.
WELL, I LOVE ALL THE CO-SPONSORSHIP.
AND I'LL SEE IF MY CO-SPONSORS WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANY WORDS.
UM, I WAS VERY GLAD TO CO-AUTHOR THIS WITH TANYA AND KELLY.
AND, UM, IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO WHEN I HAD MY, WHEN I STARTED TEACHING AND WHEN I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST CHILD, WHICH WAS IN 2001.
AND I WAS SO SCARED OF TELLING THE DISTRICT THAT I WAS PREGNANT.
I WAS THREE MONTHS PREGNANT AND I BATTLED FIGURING OUT HOW I WAS GONNA GET MY TB X-RAY DONE BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT
AND I JUST REMEMBER IT WAS SO HARD.
AND FINALLY I JUST TOLD THE DISTRICT DOCTOR, I'M PREGNANT SO I CAN'T TAKE THE, THE TB.
AND I WAS ABLE TO GET PREVIOUS MEDICAL RECORDS.
BUT THAT STRESS OF TRYING TO, TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM WHILE YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING THAT WE ALL SHOULD BE ENJOYING AND, AND, AND WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO IF, IF WE WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN.
UH, BUT IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL.
AND THEN I TAUGHT FOR TWO YEARS AND MY KIDS WERE GETTING SICK ALL THE TIME, LIKE ALL CHILDREN AND TODDLERS GET SICK.
SO I WAS USING UP MY SICK TIME EVERY YEAR.
AND THEN WHEN MY SON WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER HAVING A FEBRILE SEIZURE AT 6:00 AM I CALLED MY AP AND I TOLD HIM I CAN'T COME IN.
MY SON IS IN THE HOSPITAL IN THE ER, AND HE JUST GAVE THE BIGGEST SIGH FINE.
AND I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T DO THIS.
I CAN'T, I CAN'T TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS AND WORK.
AND SO I WAS, I WALKED AWAY FROM, FROM TEACHING FOR THREE YEARS AND THAT SET ME BACK CAREER WISE.
I WENT, I WASN'T ABLE TO, TO TAKE COURSES TO MOVE UP THE SALARY SCHEDULE.
SO, UM, THAT'S WHY I'M GLAD THAT FINALLY, LIKE SOME OF YOU GUYS HAVE SET HERE, THAT THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND THAT IT'S NOT A FAVOR, IT IS WHAT WE ALL DESERVE.
AND ESPECIALLY LIKE ROCIO SAID, THIS FALLS ON WOMEN.
I KNOW THAT THIS, UH, COVERS ALL, UH, FAMILY MEMBERS, BUT LET'S BE REAL THAT THIS IS FALLING ON WOMEN.
AND, UM, AND WE HAVE TO SET OUR CAREERS BACK.
WE ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO CALL IN SICK.
WE ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO STAY UP LATE, UM, WITH OUR CHILDREN.
AND I WAS MOVED BY HEARING KELLY DESCRIBE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE NURSING AND TRYING TO BE ON A BOARD MEETING AND TRYING.
I KNOW I USED TO DRIVE HOME FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I MADE IT IN 30 MINUTES TO NURSE MY BABY AND COME BACK.
THEN I SAW THIS AS A TEACHER WITH OUR PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS, HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT PROVIDING, UH, APPROPRIATE SPACES FOR THEM TO PUMP, HOW WE ARE NOT PROVIDING THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO THIS VERY SPECIFIC POPULATION WHEN WE KNOW THAT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IS A REAL THING, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE A YOUNG WOMAN.
[02:10:01]
AND WE ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO, TO DO THAT FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.SO THIS RESOLUTION IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME.
IT IS, AS A MOM, AS A WOMAN, AND AS A TEACHER AND AS AN EDUCATOR OF YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND PARENTING, I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR STARTING THIS PROCESS, TANYA.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU, KELLY, FOR BRINGING ME IN BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED AND I'M VERY PROUD TO BE CO-SPONSORING THIS.
I'M SAD TO HAVE TO FOLLOW YOU.
UM, WELL, I'M, I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO, UM, TO BOARD MEMBER FRANKLIN FOR HER LEADERSHIP.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR CLOSE TO TWO YEARS NOW.
SO, UM, I'M, I'M REALLY, REALLY GLAD THAT WE'RE TRYING FINALLY TAKING THIS STEP.
UM, IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
SIMILARLY, IT IS, IT IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME.
I DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN WHEN I WAS IN THE CLASSROOM.
ALL OF MY BABIES HAVE BEEN, WELL, I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD AND EVEN AS BOARD MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, BEING TOLD, UH, THAT, UH, WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO, TO LEAVE BECAUSE LIKE, WE SIMPLY DO NOT QUALIFY.
UM, AND ALL OF THE TIMES THAT MY YOUNG KIDS HAVE BEEN SICK TAKING MEETINGS FROM HOME, I MEAN, THAT'S A FLEXIBILITY THAT'S OFFERED TO ME AS A BOARD MEMBER.
WE KNOW THAT THAT DOESN'T EXIST FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AT OUR SCHOOL SITES.
AND THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE, UM, WELL, CERTAIN FOLKS WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE CHILDBEARING.
THEY DON'T WANNA SUPPORT FAMILIES.
UM, THEY DON'T WANNA SUPPORT WOMEN WHEN THEY HAVE KIDS OR THE CHILDREN.
UM, AND THOUGH THIS DISTRICT, UH, HAS TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS, YOU KNOW, OFFERING HEALTH BENEFITS THAT COVER OUR CHILDREN, WHICH I VALUE SO, SO MUCH, UM, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'VE DONE ENOUGH.
UM, I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO DO TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN THE WOMEN IN OUR SYSTEM BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT TEACHING IS DOMINATED BY WOMEN.
WE ARE A WOMEN DOMINATED PROFESSION, AND YET THE THE SYSTEM IS NOT BUILT FOR THE NEEDS OF MOMS. UM, AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IS WHAT WE EXIST TO DO AS AN INSTITUTION, AS TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND INVESTING IN OUR EMPLOYEES, MAKING OUR DISTRICT A PLACE THAT FAMILIES WANT TO CHOOSE, UM, IS A BENEFIT NOT JUST TO THOSE FAMILIES, BUT TO ALL OF US IN THE DISTRICT.
WE KNOW THAT WORKING IN SCHOOLS REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST SHOWING UP AND CLOCKING IN.
IT TAKES YOUR WHOLE HEART TO WORK WITH KIDS, UM, AND TO SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS.
AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR, OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY AND FOR OUR KIDS AND FAMILIES TO FEEL THAT SUPPORT.
AND SO I KNOW THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS GOING TO DO SO MUCH TO UPLIFT THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEE PARENTS.
UM, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS AND I APPRECIATE, UM, DR.
REVA'S, UM, ADDITIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PARENTS OF KIDS WITH DISABILITIES OR WHO SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS ARE INCLUDED, BECAUSE OF COURSE, THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION THAT OUR, OUR PARENTS NEED TO ADVOCATE.
BUT, UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN, BOARD MEMBER ORT FRANKLIN, THANK YOU TO THE MANY FOLKS WHO'VE BEEN ADVOCATING IN THE FIELD FOR SO MANY YEARS BECAUSE YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE THIS HAPPEN IN SUCH A BIG WAY.
UM, AND I'M EXCITED FOR THIS TO PASS.
UM, AND REALLY TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES.
WE HAVE A BIG VISION IN THIS DISTRICT FOR OUR KIDS TO ACHIEVE AT REALLY HIGH LEVELS.
AND WE KNOW THAT OUR STAFF NEEDS TO BE WELL TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
AND THIS IS GOING TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR JOURNEY TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS IN, IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY.
SO I SEE THE SUPERINTENDENT ALSO WANTS TO WEIGH IN, SO I'LL INVITE YOUR THOUGHTS.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY, GOOD ORGANIZATIONS, UH, DEVELOP AND SUPPORT AND ENHANCE, UH, PROTECTIVE POLICIES FOR THEIR WORKFORCE AND THE END USERS OF WHATEVER IT IS THEY DO.
UH, WE ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF, BUT IN A VOCATION OF PROTECTING STUDENTS.
AND THERE ARE NO STUDENTS WITHOUT MOTHERS, WHETHER THEY ARE, UH, OUR OWN WORKFORCE OR OTHERS.
UH, SO I BELIEVE THAT, UH, THIS STAFF, THIS TEAM CERTAINLY WELCOMES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE FLEXIBILITY, UH, THE DATA, THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ADVANCE, UH, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROTECTIONS, CERTAINLY, UH, PARENTING, ADDITIONAL PARENTING SUPPORT, AND, UH, THE MENTAL, UH, HEALTH SUPPORT, UH, FOR, UH, FOR MOTHERS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND WITH THAT, MR. MCLEAN, I'D LOVE TO HEAR HOW THIS BOARD WILL VOTE.
[12. Board of Education Report No. 311-24/25 Charter Schools Division (Approval of the Renewal Petition for Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy) Recommends approval of the renewal petition for Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy, located in Board District 3 and Region North, for six (6) years, beginning July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2031, to serve up to 548 students in grades TK-5 in each year of the charter term. ]
ONE 30 THAT GIVES US 15 MINUTES TO PROCEED WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS RELATIVE TO TABS 13 THROUGH 21.SO WE'LL, WE'LL GO TO TAB 13 AND SEE WHO WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THERE.
[02:15:01]
13 APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR DEARBORN ELEMENTARY CHARTER.IT LOOKS LIKE MR. DAVID TOSKI IS ON THE LINE.
MR. TOSKI, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK TO TAB 13.
CONGRATULATIONS, UH, TO THE BOARD ON THE PREVIOUS MOTION, UM, WITH NEARLY $9 BILLION.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I AM SUPPORTIVE AGAIN, IF YOU HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT, UM, THE GROWTH AND SUPPORT, UH, THE VERY LITTLE CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT TO AFFILIATED CHARTERS.
UM, BUT, UM, THE MOTION THAT JUST PASSED IS, IS, UH, VERY HELPFUL.
AND WITH $9 BILLION OF FACILITIES MONEY, UH, MENTIONED BEFORE AT BOARD MEETINGS THAT, UH, THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE LA COUNTY HAVE ALREADY SET UP, UH, LACTATION STATIONS AT SCHOOLS.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, TWO OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS HAD TO CRAWL INTO BACK ROOMS IN THE MAIN BUILDING IN ORDER TO HAVE THE PRIVACY, UH, REQUISITE.
SO, UH, ONE WOULD HOPE WITH LEADERSHIP IN, UH, AT THE VERY TOP OF THIS DISTRICT, FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF, UH, TO, UM, THE HEADS OF FACILITY THAT THE LACTATION STATIONS BASED UPON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S INSTRUCTIONS COULD HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY TO EMBODY THE, TO MOTION.
UH, TODAY THERE ARE 10 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY OF LA AND I AM THE LONE PERSON SPEAKING.
UM, THAT IS, UH, UNFORTUNATE THAT WE DO NOT ADVERTISE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND THAT WE ALSO, UM, TELL THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE GONNA BE CONSENT CALENDAR THAT THEY DON'T EVEN NEED TO SHOW UP AS IF THEY HAVE NOTHING IMPORTANT.
LIKE THE FAMILIES FROM EAGLE ROCK HAVE TO TELL US ABOUT THEIR SCHOOLS FOR WORSE OR FOR BETTER, UH, TO LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC IS WHAT MR. SCHMEAR SAID WE NEED TO DO.
AND SO WHEN WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS, JUST LIKE THERE ARE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR ALCOHOL LICENSES AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSTRUCTION IN CITIES AND COUNTIES, WE SHOULD PUT OUT GREATER ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS SO THAT THE DEMOCRACIES OF OUR COMMUNITIES CAN PARTICIPATE AND GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK.
AND THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE IN THIS PARTICULAR CHARTER AND OTHER AFFILIATED IS THAT IT IS POPULAR AND, UH, COULD BE SPREAD TO OTHER DISTRICTS IF THERE WERE SOME LEADERSHIP ABOUT AFFILIATED CHARTER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MR. TOSKY.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO, UM, SO THAT CONCLUDED YOUR TAB 13 COMMENT.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AS WE LACK QUORUM.
WE HAVE TWO BOARD MEMBERS HERE AT THE DEUS AND I THINK FIVE OUTSIDE, ALONG WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TAKING A PHOTO.
SO WE ARE GOING TO, UM, WAIT UNTIL THEY'RE BACK.
PERHAPS I COULD GIVE A LESSON ON WHAT QUORUM IS WHILE WE'RE ALL WAITING.
AND IF WE DON'T
SO WHAT IS YOUR CHANGE? SO WE'RE JUST, AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY BACK, UM, WE HAVE TO PAUSE BECAUSE NO ACTION OR BUSINESS CAN TAKE PLACE WHILE WE DON'T HAVE A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD.
AND NOW WE HAVE 1, 2, 3, AND FOUR ARE HERE, WHICH CONSTITUTES A MAJORITY.
MR. TOSKI, YOU ARE BACK ON DECK.
SIR, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF, AND YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ON TAB 14.
PETITION FOR ENCINO CHARTER ELEMENTARY.
AGAIN, I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THESE HIGHLY ENROLLED, UH, AFFILIATED CHARTERS.
BOARD MEMBERS COULD ALSO ASK FOR A LIST IF THERE ARE WAIT LISTS TO THESE SCHOOLS, UH, AND FIGURE OUT A, THROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, A PROCEDURE TO EXPAND THE SUCCESSES AND REPLICATE THE SUCCESSES OF THESE SCHOOLS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT ALONG THE BORDERS.
UM, AND TO USE THESE AFFILIATED CHARTERS TO EXPERIMENT, UH, THE MOTION THAT CAME BEFORE YOU, UH, JUST NOW, WHICH IS WONDERFUL IN ITS, UH, INTENT.
AND I'M GLAD THAT FIVE WOMEN STEPPED OUTSIDE, UM, WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.
BUT WHY NOT ALTER THE CHILD, UH, EARLY ED, UH, REQUIREMENTS IN THIS DISTRICT? UM, THAT IS TO SAY THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ENROLL THEIR KIDS IN EARLY ED WHO DO NOT MEET THE ECONOMIC REQUIREMENTS AS SORT OF A CHEATING TO GET IN.
AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EARLY ED, BUT WE HAVE NO SLIDING SCALE.
IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED, I KNOW BY MR. MELBOURNE AND OTHERS WHY NOT FIGURE OUT AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO GROW ENROLLMENT.
I KNOW THAT'S A GOAL OF SOME BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO START WITH A, A GREATER GROWTH IN HOW MANY FAMILIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE, UH, AGE FOUR, THREE, AND TWO PARTICULARLY SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS, WHICH WAS PART OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S, UH, UH, CONCERNS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOARD MEETING.
SO I THANK YOU, UH, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
[02:20:01]
TO SPEAK ON AFFILIATED CHARTERS.AND I HAVE JUST A COUPLE MORE COMMENTS.
SO THAT CONCLUDES COMMENT FOR TAB 14.
SO TAB 15, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ALSO HAVE YOU, MR. TOSKI.
I WOULD MOST RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU STICK TO THE TOPIC AT HAND AS YOU'VE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB SO FAR OF, AND THAT'S TAB 15, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR HAMLIN CHARTER ACADEMY.
THE TIME IS SET ASIDE, SPECIFICALLY SET ASIDE FOR THAT ITEM.
UH, MR. TOSKI, WE'RE ALL WAITING ON YOU FOR TAB 15 TO SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR HAMLIN CHARTER ACADEMY.
I WAS, UM, RESPONDING TO THE, UH, REQUEST I, THIS ONE AGAIN.
UH, I'M THE ONLY ONE OUT OF 10 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHO SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT GROWING ENROLLMENT AND AFFILIATED CHARTERS.
I I SUPPORT THIS, UH, MOTION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S TEAM, I'M NOT SURE WHO IS IN CHARGE OF AFFILIATED CHARTERS AND WILL SPEAK TO THESE 10 CHARTERS, UH, ON, ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT SUCCESS HERE.
BUT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, THERE'S A SPRAY PAINTED, UH, UH, CHARTER SCHOOL, UH, THAT COULD BE USED CALLED MIRAMAR OR GARCIA, UH, CHARTERS.
IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM LA UNIFIED.
UH, AND TODAY YOU RECEIVE IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE A MANDATE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CALIFORNIA IN THE CORRESPONDENCE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT SCHOOL.
I KNOW IT WAS TRIED TO DO AN AFFILIATED CHARTER IN THERE.
FINALLY THE ONLY EFFORT I'VE SEEN.
BUT THAT COULD BE A COMBO INDEPENDENT CHARTER AND AFFILIATED IN THE SAME BUILDING, RATHER THAN SPEND, UH, ONE TO $2 MILLION PLUS PAYING THE STATE BACK AND HAVING NO USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY OF A COMBO AFFILIATED INDEPENDENT CHARTER RIGHT NEXT TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND, UH, ONE OTHER ISSUE I WANNA BRING UP UNDER THE AFFILIATED, YOU COULD REALLY USE ALL OF THESE AFFILIATED TO WORK ON YOUR CHILDREN YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE, WHICH WOULD BE THE MONIES NECESSARY, UH, TO, UH, KEEP YOUR SOCIAL WORKERS, YOUR PSAS, NURSES, AND OTHER, UM, MENTAL HEALTH, UH, EMPLOYEES IN THIS DISTRICT.
UH, THIS WAS ELIGIBLE TO THE DISTRICTS IN SEPTEMBER, AND YOU COULD INITIATE AN EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR AFFILIATED CHARTERS TO MOVE FASTER.
TOMORROW MORNING, THE GOVERNOR WILL SPEAK.
NOW IS TAB 16 APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR LOUIS ARMSTRONG MIDDLE.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME FINE? SURE CAN.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE CUTTING IN AND OUT.
THIS IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE AFFILIATED THAT DOES HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS PERFORMANCE IN VARIOUS SUBCATEGORIES.
UM, THERE'S APPARENTLY NOBODY ELSE GONNA SPEAK ON IT, BUT THERE, THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ONE.
AND I WAS BEGINNING, UH, TO SAY, UM, THAT, UM, THAT, UH, TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 AM AND I'M HOPEFULLY THE BOARD TODAY AND THE SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE THE END OF THE MEETING CAN GIVE SOME IN, IN, IN, IN, UH, UM, IN ADVANCE OF THE, UH, BENEFITS OF GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S MAY REVISION.
WE HEARD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, UH, THE OBVIOUS, UH, CONCERNS, UH, THAT ARE HAPPENING FROM WASHINGTON DC.
BUT THERE IS, UH, SOME, UH, WORDS OF GOOD NEWS FROM, UH, SACRAMENTO THAT, UH, HOPEFULLY, UM, WILL BE ANALYZED BY THE STAFF AND GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE CONSTITUENCIES OF LA UNIFIED.
SO THAT FROM AFFILIATED CHARTERS TO INDEPENDENT CHARTERS, TO EVERYONE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM NOW TO THE BUDGET APPROVAL THAT WE CAN ALL BE ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, UH, AND TO GET SOME OF THE HELD BACK MONEY FROM THE STATE.
BUT, UH, THERE WILL BE A COLA THAT IS A FULL COLA AT 2.3%.
UM, AND HOPEFULLY, UH, MANY OF THE SIGNATURE, UH, ELOP AND SCHOOL MEALS THAT ARE MAKING UP FOR THE FEDERAL, UH, ATTACK ON SCHOOL MEALS AND TK AND EARLY ED WILL STILL BE MAINTAINED BY THIS GOVERNOR COMMITMENT UNDER PROP 98 TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AT THE STATE LEVEL, WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY, MOST OF THE MONEY, NEARLY ALL OF THE MONEY COMES FROM SACRAMENTO.
UH, NOT FROM WASHINGTON, DC THANK YOU.
AND NOW TAB 17, APPROVAL OF THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR SUPERIOR STREET ELEMENTARY.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE MR. TOSKY ON THE LINE.
UM, AGAIN, THE BOARD, UH, SHOULD MAKE SOME ACTION TO HAVE A STRATEGIC GROWTH AND SUPPORT A CHARTER SCHOOL LIKE THIS ONE AND OTHERS.
IN AREAS WHERE ENROLLMENT IS DECLINING AND IS CLOSE TO, UH, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT MAY UPSET ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT, UH,
[02:25:01]
TO OPEN UP THE FLEXIBILITY, WHICH EXISTS IN LARGE PART, BUT IT'S NOT ADVERTISED.AND IN SOME CASES, LIKE CONTINUATION SCHOOLS, WHICH THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT'S QUITE FAMILIAR WITH, STUDENTS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS COME INTO OUR CONTINUATION SCHOOLS 'CAUSE WE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN LA UNIFIED USING THE AFFILIATED MODEL.
AND IN SOME DISTRICTS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, BOLD SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE STEPPED FORWARD AND TURNED THEIR SMALLER DISTRICTS INTO ENTIRE AFFILIATED CHARTER, WHICH GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY OF STUDENTS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE 80 PLUS DISTRICTS IN LA COUNTY AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO HAVE A HASSLE-FREE WAY OF ENROLLING IN THE GOOD SCHOOLS, UH, THE IMPROVING SCHOOLS OF LA UNIFIED.
SO AGAIN, UH, I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AS, UH, ONE VOICE, UH, OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE ISSUE OF THE GROWTH OF ENROLLMENT AND ALSO TO THE GREAT GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER PROPOSITION 98, UH, THAT IS MUCH MORE UPBEAT THAN THE DIRE, UH, INFORMATION PRESENTED AT THE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOARD MEETING THE ELO MONEY.
UM, $500 MILLION PLUS FOR THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT EACH AND EVERY YEAR, FAR OUTPACES, UH, THE ONE, TWO, AND FIVE, UH, MILLION ON THE GRANTS THAT THE, THAT THE, UM, PARSIMONIOUS, UH, UH, PRESIDENT IS, UH, PURSUING AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON SPENDING OUR MONEY WISELY HERE AT LA UNIFIED AND TO AFFECT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND THE GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT'S ENROLLMENT.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, FOR EMPHASIZING, UH, UH, ENROLLMENT GROWTH AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
THESE ARE IMPORTANT TOPICS AND AFFILIATED SCHOOLS PREDOMINANTLY.
UH, MR. TOSKI, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ON TAB 18, THE RENEWAL PETITION FOR TOPEKA CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES.
I, TOPEKA, CHARTER TOPEKA, UM, FOUNDER BOARD OF ED.
UH, THIS IS ANOTHER AFFILIATED CHARTER.
AGAIN, MOST OF THESE SCHOOLS WERE GOING TO BE INDEPENDENT CHARTERS AND BREAK AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
DURING MR. MOLSON'S PREDECESSOR'S TIME, UH, SUPERINTENDENT THEN AND BOARD WORKED TO, UM, ENTICE TO, UH, THE FAMILIES TO STAY WITH THE, UM, AFFILIATED MODEL.
UM, WITH OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND, UH, STUDENTS STILL IN INDEPENDENT, UH, CHARTERS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE ECONOMIC AND INSTRUCTIONAL CHALLENGES, PUTTING FORWARD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT CHARTERS TO BECOME LIKE THESE AND BECOME AFFILIATED CHARTERS WITH THE DISTRICT SUPPORT HAS NOT HAPPENED.
THERE IS NO RFP TO FIGURE OUT WHY INDEPENDENT CHARTERS WILL NOT BECOME AFFILIATED.
AND WHAT WE CAN DO UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND THIS SUPERINTENDENT TO DO SOMETHING, TO MOVE OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND STUDENTS THAT ARE IN INDEPENDENT CHARTERS TO BECOME PART OF THE DISTRICT.
IN MANY CASES, UH, THE, UH, CHARTERS IN THE DISTRICT THAT ARE AFFILIATED ARE ENTIRELY UNION FROM EVERY EMPLOYEE, WHEREAS THE INDEPENDENT CHARTERS OCCASIONALLY HAVE A TEACHER'S UNION, BUT VERY OFTEN DO NOT HAVE CLASSIFIED UNIONS THAT WE WERE CELEBRATING TODAY.
FOR THE GREAT EMPLOYEES IN LA UNIFIED THAT ARE CLASSIFIED, THAT DOES NOT EXIST IN INDEPENDENT CHARTERS IN LARGE PART, AND FINALLY AN EMPHASIS ON THE BUILDING RIGHT NEXT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVE.
AND I HOPE THAT, UH, THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT ENDEAVOR TO DO SOMETHING THOUGHTFUL AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SENT YOU A WRIT OF MANDATE IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE TODAY.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONCLUSION OF TAB 18, TAB 19.
MR. TOSKI, YOU ARE THE ONLY SPEAKER.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
MR. TOSKI HAS DECLINED TO SPEAK.
ALRIGHT, WHAT ABOUT FOR TAB 20? IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER OF MR. UH, TOSKI FOR, UH, WOODLAKE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY CHARTER.
MR. TOSKI HAS DECLINED TO SPEAK ON TAB 20.
UM, AGAIN, UH, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ONE OF 10 MILLION.
UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN A LOCAL, UM, BUSINESS IS, UH, EXPANDING OR CHANGING ITS LIQUOR LICENSE OR A LOCAL PER, UH, CITY IS BUILDING SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE PUT OUT, UH, ANNOUNCEMENTS WHEN WE WERE BUILDING SCHOOLS IN LA UNIFIED, UH, OVER A HUNDRED SCHOOLS, WE ANNOUNCED IN THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF AN AREA, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH BOTH THE WILLIAMS CASE WHERE WE DO NOT POST, UH, PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UH, AND WE DO NOT POST A WILLIAMS, UH, OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS TO ANNOUNCE THINGS.
THE THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS IS BROKEN AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE TAKEN UP, UH, IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE EVALUATION, HOW WE
[02:30:01]
CAN IMPROVE THAT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MR. MCLEAN REACHING OUT TO A GREATER AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS.THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND WE DO HAVE A TIME CERTAIN OF 1:30 PM FOR TAB 29.
FOR THOSE WONDERING, WOULD A TIME CERTAIN IS A BOARD OFFICE REACHES OUT SPECIFICALLY TO HAVE THEIR ITEM HEARD AT A SPECIFIC TIME TO FACILITATE SPEAKERS OR OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO HEAR IT? I MOVE.
WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, FOR THIS, UH, MOMENT AND THIS TIME.
I'M VERY EXCITED TO BRING FORTH THIS, UH, MOTION, THIS RESOLUTION TO YOU ALL ON ALIGNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, UH, AT OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND PILOT SCHOOLS.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT A COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS, AND USUALLY THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE.
UM, BUT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.
AND, UH, THEIR GOALS, ESPECIALLY HERE IN L-A-U-S-D, IT FOCUSES ON CREATING COMMUNITY DRIVEN SHARED DECISION MAKING, UH, PROCESS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE CHILD, INCLUDING MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
THIS APPROACH AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS, ENSURING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE FULL PARTNERS IN DECISION MAKING.
HERE IN L-A-U-S-D, WE EMPHASIZE COLLABORATION, EQUITY, AND EXCELLENCE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL.
BECOMING A COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS INTENTIONAL.
TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS MAKE A CHOICE TO BECOME A COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
THEY HAVE TO APPLY, THEY HAVE TO COLLABORATE, THEY HAVE TO GET A HUNDRED PERCENT SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
AND ONCE THEY BECOME A COMMUNITY SCHOOL, THEY ENGAGE IN A VERY DEEP AND BROAD PROCESS OF ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY TO ASSESS WHAT THE NEEDS ARE AND WHAT THE ASSETS ARE.
THEY DON'T JUST DO SURVEYS, PAPER SURVEYS, THEY DO FOCUS GROUPS.
THEY DO ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS AND THEY GATHER THIS INFORMATION AND CREATE A REPORT.
AND THIS GUIDES WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING.
THIS GUIDES THE PROGRAMS THEY'RE BRINGING THE SERVICES, THEY'RE BRINGING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT THEIR STAFF FEELS THEY NEED AND WANT WHERE THEY DESIRE TO GROW AND HOW IT MEETS THEIR MISSION AND THEIR GOALS.
I WAS, I'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT IN MY CAREER I WAS BOTH AT A PILOT SCHOOL AND A COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR.
I WAS PART OF THE TEAM THAT, UH, WROTE THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL'S PLAN.
AND SO I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OFFICE OFFERS TO OUR EDUCATORS.
AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU, I LEARNED MORE IN THOSE PDS THAN IN ANY OTHER PD IN MY CAREER.
AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE A COACH WHO IS ASSIGNED TO YOU, WHO SUPPORTS YOU ONE-ON-ONE.
YOU MEET AS A COHORT TO GET EVEN MORE SUPPORT IN THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED.
AND THEN EVERY, I THINK IT'S EVERY MONTH YOU GET A PD THAT IS SPECIFIC ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING SO MEANINGFUL AND SO RELEVANT.
SO THE ONLY THING THAT'S BEEN MISSING THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN THAT FLEXIBILITY FOR OUR EDUCATORS TO NOW APPLY ALL THAT LEARNING, ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY'VE BEEN GROWING IN AND TO LEARN MORE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN THEIR PDS OR TO SELECT THE PDS THAT THEY WANT.
AND SO THIS RESOLUTION COMES FROM A PLACE WHERE EDUCATORS ARE ASKING FOR THIS, THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT A MANDATE FOR ALL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO DO THEIR OWN PDS.
IT IS AN OPTION FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT.
AND AS AN EDUCATOR, I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO PLAN A PD.
YOU GET PAID TWO HOURS, BUT YOU WORK 10 AND IT'S NOT A JOKE.
AND PEOPLE WHO DO IT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.
AND LIKE I SAID EARLIER, WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS THAT ARE PILOT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
SO THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THESE PAST FEW YEARS THEY'VE BEEN HELD BACK AND THEY WANT THAT TO CHANGE.
AND I THINK THAT AS A DISTRICT, WHEN WE SEE INNOVATIVE, UH, INITIATIVES,
[02:35:01]
WHEN WE SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVEN TO DO THIS, WE SHOULD SUPPORT IT.AND THAT'S WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS DOING.
IT IS SUPPORTING THAT WORK THAT SOME OF OUR TEACHERS, SOME OF OUR SCHOOL TEAMS WANT TO DO.
AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THAT.
UM, I'M GONNA PAUSE RIGHT HERE BECAUSE, UM, I WANNA GIVE SPACE FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE WHO WANNA SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORY.
I WANT YOU TO SHARE WITH ALL OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS THE WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING AT YOUR SCHOOL SITES AND WHAT MORE YOU COULD DO IF YOU WERE ABLE TO HAVE THIS FLEXIBILITY.
AND FOR OUR, UM, PRIORITY SCHOOLS, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE GETTING THEIR SUPPORT FROM ETO, WHICH IS THE UNIQUE PART OF BEING A PRIORITY SCHOOL, RIGHT? IS YOU GET THIS SUPPORT, THEY WILL CONTINUE DOING THAT.
SO I ALSO WANNA SAY THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS SUPPORTED BY ADMINISTRATORS.
ALLAH'S PRESIDENT SENT US A LETTER OF SUPPORT.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SEEN THAT FEATURES? THIS IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE AT A SCHOOL SITE, AT A COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
UM, SO WITH NO FURTHER ADO, I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR FIRST SPEAKER.
WE HAVE, UH, EMILY ALVA, ARE YOU HERE? EMILY? WOO.
UM, HELLO, MY NAME IS EMILY ALVA AND I AM THE PROUD COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR OF MENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M HERE TO ASK THE BOARD TO PLEASE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
WE ALL KNOW THAT AS MS. GRIEGO MENTIONED THAT PART OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS THAT COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS AND ASSET ASSESSMENT, WHICH WE MONITOR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THIS ASSESSMENT TRULY REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, FAMILY, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY.
WE TALK A LOT ABOUT A WHOLE CHILD APPROACH, BUT ONE AREA OF GROWTH IN OUR DISTRICT IS IMPLEMENTING A WHOLE EDUCATOR FRAMEWORK.
OUR EDUCATORS ARE TALENTED, AWARD-WINNING AND DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS.
THEY MODEL WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LIFELONG LEARNERS.
WHEN ASKED WHAT PDS MENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL STAFF WOULD WANT, BUT CURRENTLY CANNOT, THEY SAID COLLABORATIVE PLANNING, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES, TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES, LITERACY AND MATH INTERVENTIONS TAILORED TO OUR SPECIFIC STUDENT POPULATIONS.
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, NAVIGATING AI AND THE EVER INCREASING TECHNOLOGY OUR STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO.
THE LACK OF MEANINGFUL PD IS FORCING OUR EDUCATORS INTO GENERIC TRAININGS THAT DOES NOT REFLECT OUR STUDENTS' NEEDS, OUR SCHOOL'S GOALS, AND OUR COMMUNITY'S DREAMS. OUR EDUCATORS ARE BECOMING FRUSTRATED.
THEY ARE UNABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN WAYS THAT COULD TRULY SUPPORT AND INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS.
L-A-U-S-D INVESTS AND PROMOTES PROGRAMS SUCH CTE AND LINK LEARNING FULL INCLUSION FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
BUT IN ORDER FOR THESE PROGRAMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND SUCCESSFUL, OUR EDUCATORS NEED TIME TO PLAN AND DEVELOP THAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING.
IT IS PROVEN BY RESEARCH AND EXEMPLAR MODELS THAT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WORK WHEN THEY ARE GROUNDED IN LOCAL VOICE, SHARED LEADERSHIP, AND SITE-BASED DECISION MAKING.
THIS RESOLUTION RESTORES THOSE VALUES AND ENSURES OUR PD SUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU EMILY MARIA ALCARAZ.
AND IF YOU CAN ALSO STATE YOUR SCHOOL AND BOARD DISTRICT IF YOU KNOW IT.
HI, MY NAME IS MARIELLE CARRA AND I WORK AND I'M A PROUD PARENT OF A FIRST GRADER AT LUCILLE ROAL ALLARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A PILOT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN BOARD DISTRICT FIVE.
I SERVE AS THE INTERVENTION PREVENTION SUPPORT COORDINATOR.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK THE L-A-U-S-D SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA REGO'S RESOLUTION, ALIGNING SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT MODEL.
AS THE INTERVENTION COORDINATOR AT LUCILLE ROY ALLARD, I WORK CLOSELY WITH TEACHERS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR CLASSROOMS. I HEAR THEIR CONCERNS FIRSTHAND AND ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT NEEDS THEY VOICE IS A LACK OF TIME AND STRUCTURE FOR HIGH QUALITY, MEANINGFUL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
CURRENTLY, WE ARE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE CRITICAL PD SESSIONS THAT WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT TEACHING AND LEARNING.
THESE INCLUDE SESSIONS LED BY OUR PBL CHAMP, CLIMATE LITERACY CHAMPION, OUR TWO CKLA AMBASSADORS AND DATA CHAMPION TO NAME A FEW.
WE ALSO NEED TIME FOR PD FROM OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARTNERS, AS WELL AS SESSIONS FOCUSED IN INTEGRATING COMPUTER SCIENCE INTO THE CURRICULUM AS WE ARE ON TRACK TO MEET THE 20 HOURS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTRUCTION.
[02:40:01]
AWARDED THE MTL GRANT, WHICH BRINGS EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING, BUT ALSO REQUIRES TIME FOR STAFF TO LEARN, TEACH, ANALYZE, AND REFLECT.AS A LEADER IN ME SCHOOL, WE ALSO STRUGGLE TO FIND THE TIME TO EMBED PD ON THE SEVEN HABITS, WHICH IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR SCHOOL CULTURE.
OUR ATTEMPTS AT SELF-SELECTED PDSA CYCLES HAVE STALLED BECAUSE REVISITING OUR WILDLY IMPORTANT GOALS HAS BECOME VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THIS DEDICATED TIME.
DESPITE THOSE BARRIERS, OUR TEACHERS ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED.
MANY INVESTOR PERSONAL TIME TO ATTEND PDS IN EGI.
ULY ULY 2.0, JOYFUL DISRUPTION DEFINE LEARNING AND THE LAD'S WRITING CADRE.
SOME EVEN TRAINED WITH AMAZON ENGINEER BUDDHA AND RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN 3D PRINTER WORKSHOPS.
YET ALL OF THESE, ALL OF THIS KNOWLEDGE REMAINS IN SILOS BECAUSE WE LACK THE STRUCTURED TIME TO SHARE, REFLECT, AND IMPLEMENT COLLABORATIVELY.
WE KNOW IN THE CLASSROOM THAT ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH DOES NOT WORK.
AND THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR OUR PDS.
OUR TEACHERS ARE EAGER TO LEARN AND TO LEAD.
BUT WITHOUT TIME AND SUPPORT, WE ARE UNABLE TO ALIGN OUR EFFORTS AND OUR SCHOOL'S VISION OR MEET OUR STUDENTS' NEED EFFECTIVELY FOR THE SAKE OF OUR EDUCATORS, OUR PROGRAMS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ARE STUDENTS.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
I AM THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR AT LUCILLE ROY BALL ALLARD.
UM, MY COLLEAGUE MARIA JUST SPOKE.
WE ARE A COMMUNITY AND PILOT SCHOOL IN LOCAL BOARD DISTRICT FIVE WITH CARGO AS OUR FEARLESS LEADER NOW.
AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION FOR FLEXIBILITY IN OUR PDS.
UM, AS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL, WE WROTE, WHEN WE ORIGINALLY OPENED THE SCHOOL IN 2012, WE WROTE IT WITH THE INTENT TO BE A COMMUNITY SCHOOL BEFORE THAT WAS EVEN OFFERED.
THEN WE BECAME A PILOT SCHOOL BECAUSE WE WANTED THE AUTONOMY TO REALLY TRANSFORM AND ACCOMPLISH ALL THE THINGS WE WANTED.
IT GOES BEYOND THE WHOLE CHILD, IT GOES TO THE WHOLE FAMILY AND PROVIDING THOSE SUPPORTS, OVERCOMING BARRIERS, AND ALSO ENRICHING AND ADDING TO THEIR LIVES, PRODUCING THESE YOUNG LEADERS THAT, THAT'S OUR MANTRA, THE CREATING OUTSTANDING WORLD LEADERS.
'CAUSE WE WANNA PREPARE THEM NOT JUST FOR HERE, BUT FOR BEYOND.
SO WE HAVE MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AT CIO, ROY BALL ALLARD, A DREAMS MAGNET, A DUAL LANGUAGE.
AND WE JUST CHANGED THE NAME OF OUR RESIDENT SCHOOL, UM, OR THE VISION TO THE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY BECAUSE WE REALLY ARE STRIVING TO BUILD THESE LEADERS.
WE'VE LOOKED AT THE STR STRATEGIC PLAN, WE'VE ANALYZED IT, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE BENCHMARKS, WE'VE TAKEN THE BEST PRACTICES FROM ALL OVER, AND WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR OWN THING.
AND IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT WITH THE PDS THAT WERE GIVEN.
AS SUPERINTENDENT CARVALLO WAS SAYING EARLIER, WE'RE GOING, WE'RE HEADED INTO SOME DIFFICULT TIMES OF THE BUDGET CUTS.
WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH TITLE THREE, WITH OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, WITH OUR SPECIAL ED STUDENTS, EVEN MORE SO NOW THAN EVER.
WE NEED THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED, NOT A COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH.
SO WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
WE ARE A COLLABORATIVE TEAM, SO CHRISTIE KERICK AND ESTHER MARTINEZ WILL SPEAK.
SO CAN WE HAVE FOUR MINUTES? TWO AND TWO? YOU GET TWO AND TWO.
HI, MY NAME IS CHRISTIE KERICK, THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR.
AND I'M ESTHER MARTINEZ, THE CHAPTER CHAIR AND SECOND GRADE TEACHER.
WE WORK AT TOWN AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ONE OF EIGHT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN LOCAL BOARD DISTRICT SEVEN, TANYA ORTIZ FRANKLIN'S BOARD DISTRICT.
WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ASK L-A-U-S-D SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA GRIEGOS RESOLUTION, ALIGNING SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT MODEL, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS LIKE TOWN.
ALONG WITH THE FLEXIBILITY TO SHAPE IT IS A CONTINUOUS COMMITMENT.
SO HERE'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR JOURNEY AT TOWN.
TO TRULY FUNCTION AS A COMMUNITY, WE DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND CONDUCTED THE SURVEYS WITH ALL THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS.
LIKE MS. GRIEGO WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION TEAM AND LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
AND WE REVIEWED OUR STAKEHOLDER INPUT ALONGSIDE OF SCHOOL-BASED DATA
[02:45:01]
TO COLLABORATIVELY CREATE A PD PLAN ALIGNED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF TOWN AVENUE.IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE DISTRICT HONORED THE CONTRACT BY ALLOWING LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE ALL OF THEIR PD.
HOWEVER, THIS YEAR WE'VE SEEN SCHOOL PD PLANS REJECTED AND HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED INSTEAD TO FOLLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PD BULLETIN.
THIS SHIFT DIRECTLY UNDERMINES WHAT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE DESIGNED TO BE.
THE GOAL OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS TO CREATE A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE CHILD ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY, WHILE RESPONDING TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
PASSIONATE TEACHERS AT TOWN AVENUE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO DELIVER MUCH NEEDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS SUCH AS THE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, DATA ANALYSIS AND LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH, FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS, AND IDENTIFYING SCHOOL-WIDE TRENDS THAT REQUIRE COLLECTIVE ATTENTION.
SO WHAT HAPPENED IS, THIS YEAR, UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE JUST NOW GETTING TO SOME OF THOSE PDS THAT WE NEEDED THAT WERE ORIGINALLY PLANNED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, NOW IN MONTH 10.
SO THIS DELAY UNDERSCORES THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCING THE DISTRICT MANDATED PD REQUIREMENTS WITH THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM SITE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING.
SO AS A TEAM, WE'RE MAKING A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SHIFT FROM BEING REACTIVE TO PRO, A PROACTIVE APPROACH, ENSURING THAT FUTURE PDS ARE SCHEDULED WITH INTENTIONALITY ALIGNED TO THE DATA AND DELIVERED IN A TIMELY WAY THAT SUPPORTS CONTINUOUS GROWTH BOTH FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS.
SO RIGHT, RIGHT NOW, FOR THE 25 26 SCHOOL YEAR, TOWN AVENUE HAS DEVELOPED A STRUCTURED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND CREATED A COLLABORATIVE PLANNING SCHEDULE THAT GIVES TEACHERS ADDITIONAL TIME THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL, TO MEET REGULARLY BY GRADE LEVEL.
WHERE AM I AT THE NEXT PAGE? THIS BUILT IN TIME ALLOWS TEAMS TO FOLLOW UP ON PD TOPICS AND ADDRESS AREAS OF NEED IN A MORE MEANINGFUL AND SUSTAINED WAY.
A KEY FOCUS MOVING TOWARDS IS INTO INTEGRATING OUR SEL AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING INTO CORE CONTENT AREAS, WHICH REQUIRES INTENTIONAL PLANNING TIME AND A SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURE TO IMPLEMENT IT EFFECTIVELY.
SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT DOING THIS WELL MEANS MOVING BEYOND THE DRIVE BY TRAININGS, AND INSTEAD FOSTERING ONGOING CYCLES OF LEARNING, COLLABORATION, AND CLASSROOM APPLICATION THAT TRULY BENEFITS OUR STUDENTS.
WE ARE LOOKING TO ESTABLISH CONTINUITY AND A STRUCTURED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL SITE.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH THE CONSISTENT OPPORTUNITIES TO REFLECT ON THEIR PRACTICE, COLLABORATE MEANINGFULLY AND REFINE INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACHES OVER TIME.
THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT TOWN NEGATIVELY IMPACTS OUR SCHOOL BY FORCING EDUCATORS INTO ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
TRAININGS THAT DON'T ALIGN WITH OUR STUDENTS' NEEDS, OUR SCHOOL'S UNIQUE PROGRAMS AND OUR COMMUNITY'S GOALS.
IT DIMINISHES EDUCATOR AND COMMUNITY VOICE SLOWS DOWN THE PROGRESS WE'VE WORKED SO HARD TO ACHIEVE AND CREATES GROWING FRUSTRATION AMONG STAFF, MANY OF WHOM CLEARLY ALREADY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR STUDENTS NEED, BUT ARE NOW RESTRICTED FROM ACCESSING THE TOOLS, TRAINING, AND TIME REQUIRED TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WORK WHEN THEY'RE GROUNDED IN LOCAL VOICE, SHARED LEADERSHIP, IN SITE-BASED DECISION MAKING.
THIS RESOLUTION RESTORES THOSE VALUES AND ENSURES OUR PD SUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS.
WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU THAT, UH, THAT CONCLUDES THE, UH, THE SPEAKERS WHO WERE GUESTS OF, OF BD FIVE AND, UM, NOW I GUESS THE RESOLUTION'S OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
SO I WANT TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS, DR.
AND I'D LIKE TO OPEN UP SPACE FOR YOU ALL TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO OUR BOARD MEMBERS, UH, WHO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, DR.
REIS? SO, UM, I WANNA EXPRESS TO YOU ALL WHY STRONGLY AND PASSIONATELY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
ONE THAT IS NOT ONLY TIMELY, BUT VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS, THE EMPOWERMENT OF OUR EDUCATORS, AND THE WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT MERELY A POLICY SHIFT, IT'S A REAFFIRMATION OF OUR DEEPEST VALUES, THAT EDUCATION IS MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN IT'S ROOTED IN LOCAL WISDOM, DRIVEN BY COLLABORATIVE EXPERTISE AND TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WHEN STRUCTURED WITH FIDELITY TO THE FOUR ESSENTIAL PILLARS, ARE ENVIRONMENTS OF CARE, LEARNING, AND EMPOWERMENT.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE COMMON GOOD
[02:50:01]
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS POWERED BY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW OUR STUDENTS BEST, THEIR TEACHERS, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR SCHOOL LEADERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.THIS MODEL RECOGNIZES THAT THE PATH TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BEGINS NOT ONLY WITH RIGOROUS INSTRUCTION, BUT WITH THE TRUST, RELEVANCE, AND RESPONSE AND RESPONSIVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. THE MISSION OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE IS BOLD TO EDUCATE THE WHOLE CHILD ACADEMICALLY, COGNITIVELY, PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY.
TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY, WE MUST DO MORE THAN ACKNOWLEDGE COMPLEXITY.
WE MUST CREATE THE STRUCTURAL SPACE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO LEAD WITH CLARITY AND PURPOSE.
THIS RESOLUTION ENSURES THAT COMMUNITY SCHOOL, LOCAL LEADERSHIP COUNCILS AND PILOT SCHOOLS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO THEY NEED OVER SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? BECAUSE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS LOCALLY DESIGNED AND CONTEXTUALLY RELEVANT.
THIS LEADS TO BETTER INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES, STRONGER SCHOOL CLIMATES, AND ULTIMATELY IMPROVED STUDENT OUTCOMES.
LET'S BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT ABOUT DECENTRALIZING FOR THE SAKE OF IT.
IT'S ABOUT ALIGNING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE DATA WE ALL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ALREADY HAVE FROM ASSETS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS TO SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEYS.
IT'S ABOUT ENGAGING THE WISDOM OF OUR EDUCATORS, THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND THEIR EXPERTISE.
THEY LIVE THESE REALITIES IN THEIR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY WITH THEIR STUDENTS BY FORMALLY ESTABLISHING A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE UNDER THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL STEERING COMMITTEE.
THIS RESOLUTION BUILDS THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INTENTIONAL COLLABORATION BETWEEN L-A-U-S-D AND OUR TEACHERS THROUGH UTLA.
IT PROVIDES A FORUM FOR MEANINGFUL INPUT ON DISTRICTWIDE PRIORITIES WHILE MAINTAINING THE FLEXIBILITY AND AUTONOMY THAT LOCAL SCHOOL COMMUNITIES NEED.
LET US ALSO REMEMBER THAT AUTONOMY WITHOUT SUPPORT IS INSUFFICIENT.
THAT'S WHY THIS RESOLUTION ENSURES DIFFERENTIATED ASSISTANCE FOR PRIORITY SCHOOLS, THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.
THIS IS EQUITY AND ACTION BOARD MEMBERS.
ESTEEM BOARD MEMBERS WHEN YOU VOTE YES.
AND I HOPE YOU ALLALL VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
YOU ARE VOTING FOR MORE THAN POLICY.
YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION THAT TRUSTS OUR PROFESSIONALS, HONORS OUR COMMUNITIES, AND PUTS STUDENTS SUCCESS AT THE VERY CENTER.
LET US NOT MISS THIS OPPOR THIS MOMENT TO LEAD WITH COURAGE AND INTEGRITY.
LET US SAY TO OUR TEACHERS, WE SEE YOU, WE TRUST YOU, AND WE BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER TO SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.
I URGE YOU ALL TO PLEASE VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
AND, UH, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A FULL BOAT OF, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT ALSO THAT WE NEED TO GET TO.
SO WE'LL FINISH THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND RETURN TO, TO BOARD TO BOARD COMMENTS.
UH, MARIA T. VALDEZ, ARE YOU HERE? PLEASE COMMENT UP.
AND THEN AFTER MARIA IS, UH, CARMEL LEVIT LEVITON.
MY NAME IS MARIA TERESA VALEZ AND I AM A KINDERGARTEN DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHER AT FOURTH STREET PRIMARY CENTER, A SECOND YEAR COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN BOARD DISTRICT TWO ON THE EAST SIDE.
THANK YOU DR. RIVAS, FOR YOUR REPRESENTATION AND YOUR SUPPORT.
IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY.
ON BEHALF OF A VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION, I AM ASKING THE L-A-U-S-D SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA REGO'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION.
THE GOAL OF A COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS TO CREATE A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE CHILD ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY, WHILE RESPONDING TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
THIS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, WHICH I HELPED TO WRITE, LAYS OUT WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AS A SCHOOL COMMUNITY AT FORT STREET PRIMARY CENTER.
WE HAVE A DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN SPANISH, A COMPUTER SCIENCE FOR GOOD STUDENT CLUB, PENGUIN STUDENT AMBASSADORS LEADERSHIP GROUP AS SYMPHONIC JAZZ MUSIC PROGRAM, POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORT, AND THE STAR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.
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HAVE BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BECAUSE THEY REFLECT THE VOICES AND THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY.TIME IS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THEM.
WHAT'S NEXT IN OUR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN? WELL, WE WANT TO BE TRAINED IN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AND EQUITABLE GRADING AND INSTRUCTION.
WE ALSO WANT TO ADD RESTORATIVE PART TO OUR POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SUPPORT.
ALL INTEREST HOLDERS WOULD RECEIVE THE TRAINING, BUT IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS, TIME IS OF ESSENCE.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO FORCE EDUCATORS IN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT DO NOT ALIGN TO THEIR SCHOOL'S IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
FRANKLY, IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF EVERYONE'S TIME AND ENERGY.
AND THAT IS WHY MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE HERE TODAY.
GIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THE GIFT OF TIME SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
WE HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK AND THEN AFTER CARMEL IS LEE FU MOTO.
HELLO, I'M THE PARENT OF THE CHILD AT EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
I'VE BEEN WITH THE SCHOOL THROUGH FIVE PRINCIPALS, TWO STRIKES, AND EVERYTHING THAT THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC ENTAILED.
I'VE BEEN AN ACTIVE AND INVOLVED MEMBER OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING LAST YEAR.
I SERVED ON OUR LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME WITH PARENT ENGAGEMENT AROUND THE ISSUES DIRECTLY IMPACTING THE EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY, SOME OF WHICH YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT TODAY AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL.
THERE'S BEEN STONEWALLING AND EVASIVENESS.
I'VE BEEN REACHING OUT TO MY BOARD MEMBER'S OFFICE AND TO OUR COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS AND REGION EAST TO TRY TO GET HELP.
I FOUND FIDENCIO AND CARLA'S OFFICE TO BE A GREAT LISTENER AND I REALLY DO FEEL HEARD BY HIM, BUT ULTIMATELY HE CAN'T MOVE MOUNTAINS.
I'VE BEEN WAITING WEEKS FOR A COMMUNITY MEETING TO BE ORGANIZED WITH REGION EAST THAT HAS BEEN COMING SOON.
I HAD MY OWN FIRST ONE-ON-ONE MEETING YESTERDAY WITH SOMEONE FROM OUR COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS WHERE I ALSO DID FEEL HEARD, BUT I DIDN'T GET OFFERED THAT MEETING UNTIL I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT, WHICH I FELT COMPELLED TO FILE.
DUE TO OUR SITUATION FESTERING FOR WEEKS WITHOUT POSITIVE INTERVENTION OR EVEN ANY DIRECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS OR REGION EAST, I DIDN'T WANT TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT.
WHAT I REALLY WANT IS FOR THE DISTRICT TO TAKE A PROACTIVE RESTORATIVE APPROACH TO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND LISTENING TO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS AND STAFF WHEN THEY RAISE CONCERNS SO WE CAN DO BETTER.
I BELIEVE NEXT WEEK IS, UM, APPRECIATION RATE FOR OUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, WE LOST THREE OF THEM AND THEY WON'T BE HERE TO CELEBRATE NEXT WEEK, AND I'M REALLY, REALLY SAD ABOUT THAT.
LEE FUTO, ARE YOU HERE? LEE F UH, WILLIAM CHAVEZ.
AND THEN AFTER WILLIAM CHAVEZ IS MICHAEL GRAY, AND THEN RIA VAN ESH MICHAEL, AND THEN SHERIA AFTER WILLIAM.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
MY NAME IS WILL CHAVEZ SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AND UT A CHAPTER CHAIR AT WILSON HIGH SCHOOL, A COMMUNITY SCHOOL REPRESENTED BY, UH, DR. ROSS RIVAS IN BOARD DISTRICT TWO.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON, WELL, I'M SURE YOU CAN GUESS RIGHT ON, ON CARGO'S, UH, RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IT.
AND, AND IN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR STAFF.
AS EDUCATORS, WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS BEST.
WE SEE THE GIFTS THEY BRING ON OUR CAMPUS INTO OUR CLASSROOMS. WE KNOW WHAT THEY NEED.
WE UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL THEY BRING INTO OUR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.
AT WILSON, WE ARE A PROUD INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL.
WE ARE THE DISTRICT'S ONLY AVID NATIONAL GEN DEMONSTRATION HIGH SCHOOL.
WE HAVE THREE MAGNETS, THREE CALIFORNIA PARTNERSHIP ACADEMIES AND TWO CTE PATHWAYS.
HOW ARE WE EXPECTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THESE PROGRAMS AND ALSO SUPPORT OUR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, OUR ENGLISH LEARNERS, OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION POPULATION, THE BLACK STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PLAN, AND STRENGTHEN OUR RESTORATIVE PRACTICES WHEN HALF OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS NOT GIVEN TO US.
THE TRUTH IS THAT THE DISTRICT MANDATED PDS ARE TOO OFTEN GENERIC AND DISCONNECTED FROM OUR REALITIES AND SENT A MESSAGE THAT WE'RE NOT TRUSTED.
AND OVER TIME, THIS LEADS TO A LOSS OF THE VERY COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD.
BUT OUR EDUCATORS AT WILSON ARE STRONG, ARE POWERFUL, ARE THE EXPERTS RIGHT? THEY'RE EXPERTS AT DESIGNING POWERFUL AND RELEVANT PDS THAT ARE ENGAGING AND CENTERED AROUND OUR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS EXPERIENCES.
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IF WE'RE GOING TO LIVE UP TO THE VISION OF A COMMUNITY SCHOOL, THEN WE MUST BE TRUSTED TO GUIDE OUR OWN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH BECAUSE THIS IS AT THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR STANDING WITH US IN SUPPORT OF MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ROOTED EDUCATION.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MICHAEL GRAY, UH, AND I WORK AT THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL, UH, COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PRIORITY SCHOOL AND BOARD DISTRICT FIVE.
I SERVE AS THE CHAPTER CHAIR AND MUSIC TEACHER WRAPPING UP EIGHT GREAT YEARS.
TODAY I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT COLLEGE REGO'S RESOLUTION, ALIGNING SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THIS SCHOOL YEAR, THE PD PLAN DEMANDED BY L-A-O-S-D DID NOT FULLY ADDRESS OUR STUDENTS OR OUR TEACHERS' NEEDS.
THE FORMAT AND DELIVERY ARE INEFFECTIVE IN TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITY.
THE ONE SIZE FITS ALL CHECKLIST TOPICS, ROTATING OUT OF CLASSROOM PRESENTERS AND PDSA WORKSHEETS ARE NOT MEANINGFUL AND FRUSTRATE TEACHERS.
THIS MANDATED PD SERIES UNDERMINES WHAT CON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE DESIGNED TO BE COLLABORATIVE.
OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION TEAM HAS CONDUCTED COUNTLESS EMPATHY INTERVIEWS AND OUR TEAM HAS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THE GOAL OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL IS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS AND INCREASE PARENT ENGAGEMENT.
WE ALREADY HAVE AMAZING WRAPAROUND COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS. IT'S THE PDS WE NEED TO SCHEDULE, BUT CURRENTLY CAN'T.
THEY INCLUDE EQUITY GRADING AND INSTRUCTION, TRAUMA-INFORMED PEDAGOGY, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING.
IT'S OUR STUDENTS HAVE MANY STRUGGLES AND OFTEN THEIR BASIC NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET.
EL STRATEGIES FOR OUR SCHOOL, WE HAVE BOTH NEWCOMERS AND LONG-TERM ENGLISH LEARNERS.
MORE DEPARTMENT TIME TO COLLABORATE AND SHARE BEST PRACTICES WITH COLLEAGUES.
OUR TEACHERS REGULARLY PLAN COLLABORATIVELY AFTER SCHOOL.
AND THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL GRANT, OUR TEACHERS HAVE UTILIZED $75,000 OF COLLABORATIVE TEACHER X TIME OUTSIDE OF PED TIME.
OUR TEACHERS WANNA PLAN SO LONG AS WE ARE GIVEN THE TRUST THAT WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY BEST.
JEFFERSON TEACHERS CHANGED THE WORLD.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
I AM THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR AND UTLA CHAPTER CHAIR AT HORACE MANN, UCLA COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND BOARD DISTRICT ONE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK THE LUSD SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA GRIEGOS RESOLUTION.
OUR CENTENNIAL IS NEXT YEAR, SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF EYES ON US.
AND ALTHOUGH HORACE MANN IS WELL KNOWN IN SOUTH LA, WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS HAD THE BEST REPUTATION.
WHEN WE PARTNERED WITH UCLA AND EMBARKED ON COMMUNITY SCHOOLING IN 2017, THAT STARTED TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER AS A SCHOOL COMMUNITY DURING PAID PD TIME TO IMPROVE OUR CAMPUS CLIMATE.
STUDENTS, PARENTS AND STAFF REMARKED ON THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR STUDENTS AND FACULTY'S EXPERIENCE AT MANN.
HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOW A MEMBER OF LAD'S COMMUNITY SCHOOL INITIATIVE AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO ALIGN ALL OF OUR PD TO OUR SCHOOL'S NEEDS, WE HAVE LESS PURVIEW.
WE NEED FOCUSED PD TIME TO SUPPORT STUDENT, FAMILY AND STAFF WELLNESS.
BUT REQUIRED DISTRICT PDS HAVE LEFT LITTLE ROOM FOR THESE URGENT NEEDS.
DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF OUR POSITIVE BEHAVIOR TEAM AND OF OUR FACULTY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLNESS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COORDINATED.
THE LACK OF COLLABORATION TIME IS PREVENTING US FROM BUILDING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RESTORATIVE SCHOOL-WIDE SYSTEMS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED TO SUPPORT A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER MAN.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SHOW OFF OUR INCREDIBLE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FACULTY AND STAFF AT OUR CENTENNIAL.
BUT TO TRULY LIFT UP THE STRENGTHS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE NEED AND DESERVE THE PD TIME TO WORK ON OUR SCHOOL'S MOST URGENT PRIORITIES.
SO I URGE OUR BOARD MEMBERS TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.
SATE MANN, UCLA COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
ALRIGHT, THE NEXT TWO IN, IN-PERSON SPEAKERS WITH NANCY LOPEZ.
AND THEN AFTER NANCY LOPEZ IS IAN KIRKSEY.
I AM A PARENT OF TWO STUDENTS FROM EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
AS A PARENT, I AM DEEPLY INVOLVED IN
[03:05:01]
MY SCHOOL COMMUNITY.I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER TWO DECADES.
UM, I'VE HAD SEVERAL OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ATTEND THAT SCHOOL AND NOW MY KIDS.
I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE A, A MEMBER OF EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
I STILL AM VERY PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY.
UM, MY CONCERNS ARE THAT I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT COME TO ME AS I WAS EMPLOYED THERE BEFORE AND SAID VARIOUS THINGS.
UM, I'M SORRY, I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I FEEL LIKE I MIGHT GET, UM, I, UH, TAKEN AWAY MY OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE VOLUNTEERING AT MY SCHOOL.
SO I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE OF IT, SO I APOLOGIZE.
UM, MY INVOLVEMENT IN EAGLE ROCK ELEMENTARY EXTENDED BEYOND JUST SIMPLY VOLUNTEERING AT THE SCHOOL.
UM, I VOLUNTEERED TWICE, THREE TIMES A WEEK.
UM, BECAUSE OF THAT, I GOT OFFERED AN EMPLOYMENT THERE.
I DEVOTED TIME AND EFFORT EVEN BEYOND MY TIME THERE THAT I WOULD GET PAID.
UM, I ADDED A LOT TO MY COMMUNITY.
I GAVE A LOT TO PTA TO THE SCHOOL BECAUSE I LOVE THE STUDENTS AND I LOVE THE STAFF.
WHILE MAINTAINING AN OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNITY WITH COMMUNICATION WITH MY CHILDREN, UM, THEY HAVE COME TO ME WITH VARIOUS AND DISTURBING ACCOUNTS AROUND THE SCHOOL, HARASSMENT, FAT SHAMING, UM, NOT SEE SALUTES.
THE FACT THAT MY CHILD CAME UP TO ME AFTER SCHOOL TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, MY SON, NOW HIS, UM, PEERS HAVE TOLD HIM THAT DOES HE FEAR HIS DAD GETTING DEPORTED? MY HUSBAND IS NOT AN ILLEGAL, BUT YET BECAUSE OF HOW HE LOOKS, THEY THINK HE IS.
UM, CAN I GET A FEW MORE MINUTES? I'M SO SORRY.
SO, BUT IF, IF YOU WRAP UP YOUR THOUGHT, OKAY.
UM, AS A RESULT OF THIS, I HAVE LEFT MY EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF HARASSMENTS.
NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE STUDENTS, BUT BECAUSE OF HARASSMENTS WITH THE PRINCIPAL AS WELL.
TWO THREE OF MY OTHER, UM, COLLEAGUES HAVE ALSO RESIGNED BECAUSE DUE TO THIS, UM, AND BECAUSE OF RETALIATION, WE FEAR COMING FORWARD.
AND BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SAID, UM, I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO CONTINUE MODELING, UM, STANDING UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND FOR WHAT YOU STAND FOR.
AND I FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE SHUT US DOWN MANY TIMES AND I REFUSE TO SIT DOWN AND, AND IT LOOKED PRETTY.
I REFUSE TO GIVE THAT MODELING TO MY CHILDREN.
SO I AM HERE TALKING NOT JUST FOR MY CHILDREN, BUT FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY COLLEAGUES, THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE TREATED THIS WAY, THAT WE SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND WE SHOULD BE HEARD AND WE SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
I'M GONNA YIELD MY TIME TO AMIR KASSIR OVER HERE.
UM, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS RESOLUTION, UM, AND APPRECIATE, UH, THE BOARD MEMBERS CARLA GREGGO FOR INTRODUCING THIS.
RI AND KELLY EZ WERE CO-SPONSORING IT.
IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION THAT I'VE HEARD A LOT FROM EDUCATORS, NOT ONLY AS A STUDENT, UM, WHO USED TO GO TO A COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND A PILOT SCHOOL, BUT ALSO AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.
NOW THAT I'M MORE DIRECTLY WORKING AND INVOLVED WITH TEACHERS, RIGHT? WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AT L-A-U-S-D, I REMEMBER NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE INTENTION BEHIND PD TIME WAS.
LITTLE TUESDAY, A LITTLE BIT EARLY, YOU KNOW, GO DO WHATEVER I NEED TO DO.
UM, BUT I SEE NOW THE INTENT WHY I FELT LIKE THAT AS A, AS A STUDENT, RIGHT? A LOT OF TEACHERS FEEL THAT WAY.
A LOT OF TEACHERS FEEL LIKE THIS TIME ISN'T, UH, WELL UTILIZED, RIGHT? AND I'VE REPEATEDLY HEARD TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY AT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, CALLING FOR MORE RELEVANT PD COURSES, THINGS THAT WILL AFFECT AND RELATE MORE CLOSELY TO THE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE FACING AT THEIR SCHOOLS.
THINGS LIKE COURSES TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES OF RACIAL, UH, DISCRIMINATION PROFILING STUDENTS HAVING THESE, UH, BEING ATTACKED, RIGHT? AND BEING TARGETED FOR THEIR BACKGROUND.
AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS HAVE THESE, UH, COURSES BECAUSE THESE U NEW AND UNIQUE ISSUES THAT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FE SEEK TO ADDRESS ARE GONNA REQUIRE NEW AND UNIQUE SOLUTIONS, RIGHT? IT IS NOT GONNA JUST LOOK LIKE SUSPENDING STUDENTS.
IT'S NOT GONNA LOOK LIKE TAKING PEOPLE'S DIRECTLY OUTTA SCHOOLS BECAUSE THAT'S ANTITHETICAL TO THE MODEL THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD.
WE'RE TRYING TO BRING STUDENTS IN THIS, INTO THIS CLASS FROM THESE COMMUNITIES AND NOT TAKE THEM OUT, RIGHT?
[03:10:01]
AND THESE LESSONS ARE GONNA BE TAUGHT BY THE TEACHERS THAT ARE TEACHING US TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THESE THINGS, RIGHT? IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE OUR, TAKE OUR TEACHERS VERY SERIOUSLY.WE KNOW THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT, WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN, RIGHT? A LOT OF THE, OUR BOARD MEMBERS ARE TEACHERS AND VERY WELL UNDERSTAND HOW THAT LEADS INTO BEING MORE, UH, INTROSPECTIVE ABOUT WHAT WE NEED IN OUR CLASSROOMS. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE THE LEAD ON KNOWING WHAT WE NEED, JUST THE SAME WAY THAT STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT THEY NEED, AND WE HAVE STUDENT BOARD AND STUDENT ADVISORY, WE NEED TO DO THE SAME FOR TEACHERS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO DICTATE THEIR PET WHAT COURSES OF DEVELOPMENT THEY NEED TO BUILD THE SCHOOLS THAT STUDENTS DESERVE, AND THAT WE ALL KNOW THAT WE CAN BUILD AN L-A-U-S-D.
SO I URGE YOU GUYS TO VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
OKAY, WE HAVE TWO FOLKS LISTED AS SPEAKING REMOTELY.
IS BRIAN SIMILE HERE OR BRIAN SIMILE? COME ON UP.
WE HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
MY NAME IS BRIAN SIMILE AND I AM A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AND THE CHAPTER CHAIR OF WOODLAND HILLS ACADEMY.
A PROUD COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN BOARD DISTRICT FOUR, REPRESENTED BY NICK MELVOIN.
I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE THE LA USD SCHOOL BOARD TO SUPPORT CARLA REGO'S RESOLUTION, ALIGNING SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND DECISION MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT MODEL.
AT WOODLAND HILLS ACADEMY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MODEL, EXPANDED AND ENRICHED LEARNING TIED TO REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS, INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS, ACTIVE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP.
TO FULFILL THIS MISSION, WE NEED TIME FOR INTEREST HOLDER COLLABORATION AND PD TAILORED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
OUR TEAM HAS WORKED HARD TO ALIGN OUR PD EFFORTS WITH OUR SCHOOL'S VISION, WHICH INCLUDES CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PEDAGOGY, TRAUMA-INFORMED TEACHING, EQUITABLE GRADING, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, CENTERED ON REAL WORLD ISSUES, PBIS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL CLIMATE, MEANINGFUL DATA ANALYSIS, AND AUTHENTIC FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE DISTRICT MANDATED PD SCHEDULE HAS PREVENTED US FROM ADDRESSING MANY OF THESE PRIORITIES WHILE ALSO LIMITING THE DEPTH OF LEARNING ON THE TOPICS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE.
THIS HAS BEEN VERY DISCOURAGING.
LAST WEEK THOUGH, I TOLD MEMBERS OF OUR ILT ABOUT THIS WEEK'S RESOLUTION AND FEELING OPTIMISTIC AND FEELING VERY EXCITED.
WE MET AND WE CREATED A TENTATIVE CALENDAR FOR PDS FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR BASED AROUND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
SO WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THIS RESOLUTION PASSES TODAY.
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THRIVE WHEN ROOTED IN LOCAL VOICE, SHARED LEADERSHIP, AND SITE-BASED DECISION MAKING.
THIS RESOLUTION REAFFIRMS THOSE VALUES AND ENSURES OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRULY SUPPORTS STUDENT SUCCESS.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION.
THE LAST SPEAKER IS RACHEL WALLACE.
ARE YOU HERE IN THE ROOM? RACHEL WALLACE? I DON'T SEE YOU ONLINE.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND NOW BACK TO BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS, I BELIEVE, UM, WELL, I'M GLAD THAT WE HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM THE VOICES FROM THE FIELDS.
UM, I FEEL LIKE IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE LIFT UP, UM, OUR EDUCATORS VOICES EVERY DAY.
WE'RE WORKING AS A DISTRICT TOWARDS OUR BIG BOARD GOALS, OUR DISTRICT GOALS, AND THAT'S ACCELERATING STUDENT LEARNING AND MAKING SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR STUDENTS HOLISTICALLY, THEIR SOCIO-EMOTIONAL WELLBEING AS WELL AS THEIR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND I THINK THAT OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THAT EFFORT, BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT, UH, THE APPROACH IS NOT WORKING FOR EVERYONE.
I WAS SPENDING SOME TIME READING THROUGH, UM, THE LETTERS AND FEEDBACK THAT WE GOT SPECIFICALLY FROM THE MINE MONROE HIGH SCHOOL STAFF.
AND I WANTED TO JUST LIFT UP A COUPLE OF QUOTES THAT I FOUND.
ONE IS, YOU KNOW, OUR TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO DIFFERENTIATE CONTENT FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND YET OUR CURRENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPROACH DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE FOR OUR TEACHERS.
UM, ANOTHER THAT TALKS ABOUT THE LACK OF COLLABORATION TIME AND HOW, UM, DESPITE THE INTENDED EFFORTS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, IT'S ACTUALLY LEADING TO LESS EFFECTIVENESS IN THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE TEACHERS DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND WORK ON THE INITIATIVES THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SCHOOLS.
UM, I THINK BOARD MEMBER GRIEGO REALLY WALKED THROUGH ALL THE STEPS THAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
UM, WHAT STRUCK ME IN ENGAGING WITH MY BOARD DISTRICT SIX SCHOOLS IS THE TEACHERS THAT I WAS HEARING FROM, THESE ARE LEADERS ON THEIR CAMPUS.
THEY ARE WORKING SO HARD, UM, TO HELP UPLIFT NOT JUST THEIR CLASSROOM, BUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
YOU HEARD FROM MS. VELO EARLIER WHO SHARED WITH ME A VERY EXTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
AND SO THEY'RE PUTTING IN THE WORK AND THEY HAVE A VISION THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH ON BEHALF OF
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THEIR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES AND OUR SUPPORTS AS A DISTRICT SHOULD UPLIFT AND ENABLE THEM TO ACCOMPLISH THAT VISION, NOT UNDERMINE AND DETRACT FROM IT.WE KNOW THAT AS EDUCATORS, UH, TIME IS THE MOST LIMITED RESOURCE.
AND SO HAVING THE TIME AND THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHAT IS MOST IMPACTFUL FOR YOU, HOW CAN YOU BEST RESPOND TO THE EMERGENT STUDENT NEEDS, UM, ON YOUR CAMPUS, IN YOUR CLASSROOMS. UH, THAT'S A RIGHT THAT OUR, OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS NEED.
UH, FOR OUR PILOT SCHOOLS, THIS IS AN AUTONOMY THAT THEY HAVE THAT SHOULD ALREADY BE RESPECTED.
AND SO I THINK THIS RESOLUTION IS SUPER IMPORTANT.
IT'S ABOUT UPLIFTING THE LOCAL SCHOOL DECISION MAKING, UPLIFTING OUR TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW THEIR STUDENTS BEST, UM, AND ENSURING THAT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY RECEIVE IS RELEVANT, RESPONSIVE, IT'S MEANINGFUL.
YOU KNOW, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, IT'S WHAT IS THE CONTENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHEN IT'S DELIVERED BY A PEER.
WHEN IT'S A TOPIC THAT'S RELEVANT THAT'S GOING TO BE MEANINGFUL AND MAKE CHANGE, THAT'S NOT THE CASE FOR SOMETHING THAT'S SIMPLY PUT, PULLED OFF THE SHELF.
UM, SO I JUST REALLY WANT TO APPRECIATE THE, THE FOLKS FROM SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LIFTED UP THEIR VOICES AND CALLED FOR THIS RESOLUTION, UM, AND BOARD MEMBER GRIEGO FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE AND WORK WITH YOU.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESOLUTION PASSING AND ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT WILL HAPPEN AT OUR SCHOOL SITES BECAUSE OF THIS.
SO BEFORE SHE WAS ELECTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO CARLA GRIEGO WAS, BUT I LEARNED A LOT FROM HER SINCE SHE'S BEEN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, SHE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FROM THE MINUTE SHE GOT ON THE NO, BEFORE SHE GOT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD TALKING ABOUT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.
AND I KNOW THAT SHE KNOWS SHE'S DONE IT.
SHE'S AN HONEST PERSON, SHE'S TRUSTWORTHY, AND I SUPPORT THIS.
AND UH, I WANNA SAY JUST THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS, UM, FROM COMING FROM A COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND THE WORK THAT GOES INTO IT.
I KNOW, UM, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT AS MENTIONED BY ONE OF THE SPEAKERS ABOUT EDUCATORS AND BEING ABLE TO, TO DESIGN AND BEING ABLE TO BE HANDS ON.
AND AS A FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATOR, I KNEW IT WAS ALWAYS INTERESTING FOR PDS BECAUSE WE WERE ALWAYS TOSSED IN WITH THE ELECTIVES AND IT WAS LIKE, HEY, JUST FIGURE IT OUT, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, FIGURE IT OUT.
I WAS LIKE, WELL, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, UM, WE'RE NOT TALKING THE SAME LANGUAGE.
SO DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THAT THE COOKIE CUTTER MODEL DOESN'T WORK.
AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THAT ARE PILOTING THE WAY ALONG WITH OUR PILOT SCHOOLS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND JUST TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT WILL HAPPEN ON THOSE CAMPUSES AND TO SEE THE WORK BECAUSE AS WE IN THIS DISTRICT, AS WE ARE ONE, BUT WE ARE ALSO ONE THAT IDENTIFIES AND KNOWS THE NEEDS IN EACH COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT.
AND SO JUST WANT TO APPRECIATE THAT AND APPRECIATE THE VOICES THAT CAME TO SPEAK TODAY TO ELEVATE THAT SO THAT WE ALL CAN RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THOSE THAT HAVE BROUGHT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE BOARD AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO CHAMPION THAT.
AND WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE WORK DONE ON THOSE CAMPUSES.
I'LL JUST BRIEFLY, I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO BRIAN, UH, BOARD DISTRICT FOUR TEACHER IS ALSO MY TEACHER ADVISORY GROUP.
AND THANK YOU BRIAN FOR YOUR COMPELLING TESTIMONY, BUT ALSO FOR THE INPUT YOU GIVE, UM, AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AT YOUR SCHOOL.
I WAS THRILLED TO MEET, UM, WITH SOME TEACHERS AND ORGANIZERS AT WOODLAND HILLS, UM, ACADEMY JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND APPRECIATED, UH, THE THOUGHTFULNESS THAT WENT INTO THIS RESOLUTION.
AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY FROM EDUCATORS.
I THINK MORE BROADLY, UM, AND I'VE BEEN CONSISTENT IN THIS, UH, FOR MY TIME ON THE BOARD, WE NEED TO BETTER CALIBRATE KIND OF WHAT IS SCHOOL SITE, SCHOOL SITE DESIGN, WHAT IS CENTRAL IN THAT, UH, KIND OF HAVING A, UM, ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM AND A METRIC THAT HONORS THE INGENUITY AND CREATIVITY OF EDUCATORS AND ACTUALLY MAKES DECISIONS THAT ARE CLOSEST TO OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS, WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE WE'RE DRIVING THE WORK FORWARD.
I KNOW THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIS TEAM ARE WORKING TOWARDS THAT.
I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS, HAS BEEN DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, UM, WITH OUR LABOR NEGOTIATIONS, UM, AND, UH, PARTICULARLY AROUND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND, AND THE PILOT SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THEIR OWN AUTONOMY FOR A WHILE.
SO, UM, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS TODAY.
UM, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT KIND OF FINDING THAT RIGHT MIX, UM, AND UNDERSTANDING HOW WHEN OUR NORTH STAR IS ACHIEVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR SCHOOLS, WE KNOW WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE AS I THINK IT IS IN CASES LIKE THIS ONE FOR, FOR TEACHERS AND FOR EDUCATORS TO CREATE THE, THEIR DESTINY AT THEIR OWN SCHOOL AND WHEN WE MIGHT NEED SOME SUPPORT AND WHAT GUARDRAILS WE'RE PUTTING IN.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT I JUST HOPE AND, AND IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH, UM, THE EDUCATORS
[03:20:01]
AT WOODLAND HILLS, JUST AS ONE EXAMPLE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE'S A REALLY HEALTHY CULTURE THERE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL SITE LEADERSHIP, THE PRINCIPAL, THE TEACHERS, THE STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT'S NEEDED.UM, AND UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY KNOW, UM, THEY KNOW THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY THE BEST.
SO I HOPE THAT CAN BE A MODEL.
AND I KNOW THAT THIS WILL BE AN ITERATIVE PROCESS.
SO, UH, APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT.
SO THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING THIS.
UM, I JUST WANNA READ, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE COLLABORATION THAT HAS COME THROUGH IN, IN THIS RESOLUTION AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT WE HAVE THE SUPPORTIVE PRINCIPLES.
UM, UM,
HI, LET'S GIVE HER, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD TANYA, IF YOU WERE GONNA SAY SOMETHING.
JUST GONNA SAY, UM, THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS AND FOR LIFTING UP THE VOICES OF OUR LEADERS AT SCHOOL SITES.
I THINK A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF, UM, DECISION MAKING BEING CLOSEST TO THOSE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THOSE DECISIONS.
SO JUST MUCH APPRECIATION, UH, PARTICULARLY FOR TOWN AVENUE COMING UP EARLIER AND SPEAKING AND SHOWING ME THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING ON YOUR CAMPUS.
UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT COMES FROM THIS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO READ A FEW LINES FROM THIS LETTER THAT ONE OF OUR PRINCIPALS, UH, SENT TO US FROM LUCILLE ROY BALL AND SHE WROTE AUTONOMY OVER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT IS A KEY STRENGTH OF A COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND PILOT SCHOOL MODELS.
WHEN SCHOOLS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, THEY ARE BETTER POSITIONED TO CONNECT INITIATIVES TO RESEARCH-BASED BEST PRACTICES, ALIGN EFFORTS WITH SCHOOL-WIDE GOALS, AND DIRECTLY RESPOND TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENT, STAFF AND COMMUNITY.
THESE PRACTICES ALIGN WITH AUTHENTIC PDSA PLAN, DO STUDY ACT CYCLES THAT ARE GROUNDED IN THE SCHOOL'S, CLEARLY DEFINED OPPORTUNITY OF PRACTICE AND THEORY, THEORY OF ACTION.
THIS STRUCTURE ALLOWS COMMUNITIES OF TEACHERS AND LEARNERS TO ENGAGE IN DEEP INQUIRY, REFLECT MEANINGFULLY ON STUDENT DATA AND TAKE COLLECTIVE ACTION TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND INSTRUCTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS ACROSS THE CAMPUS.
IT REINFORCES A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THAT IS BOTH INTENTIONAL AND RESPONSIVE.
I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WONDERFUL THINGS COME OUT OF THIS WORK BECAUSE WE WANT TO, TO SHOWCASE ALL THESE MODELS LIKE NICK WAS SAYING, THAT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE WORKING.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING AND SEEING THE BEAUTIFUL WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE GONNA BE DOING.
SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES, UH, FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE EDUCATORS WHO CAME OUT AND SHARED YOUR, UH, YOUR WORK.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
OKAY, NOW IT'S TIME FOR VOTE ON TAB 29 THAT WAS MOVED BY, UH, MS. GRIEGO AND SECONDED BY MS. EZ.
AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THE CONSENT CALENDAR, PUBLIC COMMENT.
[24. Board of Education Report No. 305-24/25 Human Resources Division (Approval of Routine Personnel Actions) Recommends approval of 4,822 routine personnel actions (including, but not limited to elections, promotions, transfers, leaves, terminations, separations, permits and contracts).]
BRINGS US TO TAB 24, APPROVAL OF ROUTINE PERSONNEL ACTIONS.WE HAVE THREE SPEAKERS, UM, HENRY ZAHI, ARE YOU HERE? AND THEN AFTER HENRY, WE HAVE ASIF, ZAHID AND NADIA ZAHEED.
SO THOUGH IT APPEARS WE DON'T HAVE QUORUM HERE, WE HAVE ONE OTHER, UH, BOARD MEMBER WHO'S JOINING US REMOTELY FROM THE, UH, ADDRESS LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
[03:25:01]
GOOD.I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ FROM A LETTER THAT WAS SENT FROM, UM, THIS IS IN RELATION TO A NON REELECTION, WHICH IS HOW IT RELATES TO THE AGENDA ITEM.
UM, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND READ A PIECE FROM A LETTER THAT OUR TEACHERS WROTE TWO YEARS AGO TO OUR CSA AND I THINK IT TIES INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH ME TODAY.
UM, I'LL ALSO SEND IN COPY OF THIS LATER.
UM, OUR PRINCIPAL HAS A REPUTATION FOR TREATING MALES AND FEMALES ON CAMPUS.
DISPARATELY, HE BELIEVES IT IS OKAY TO REPRIMAND WOMEN FOR USING PROFANITY NOT IN FRONT OF STUDENTS YET HE DOES NOTHING.
WHEN A MALE ANNOUNCES OVER ZOOM THAT HIS WIFE IS K***Y, IT IS CLEAR THAT HE FEELS SUPERIOR TO WOMEN BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE INTERACTS WITH THEM.
UH, HE HAS EVEN MADE CONDESCENDING COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO WHY A FEMALE TEACHER DOESN'T COOK.
HE'S NOT ABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE HIS PERSONAL BELIEFS, ALTHOUGH ANTIQUATED FROM HIS PROFESSIONAL ROLE, HE HAS EVEN GONE AS FAR AS THREATENING A FEMALE ADMINISTRATOR IN FRONT OF STUDENTS', PARENTS AND STAFF.
THIS ADMINISTRATOR DID FILE A COMPLAINT, YET APPARENTLY VERBAL THREATS ARE NOT JUSTIFIABLE FOR MOVEMENT.
THIS SITUATION SENT SENT THE MESSAGE TO STAFF THAT HIS BEHAVIOR MUST BE DEEMED ACCEPTABLE BY THOSE WHO WERE MADE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINT, AND IT IS OKAY FOR HIM TO TREAT STAFF MEMBERS IN THIS MANNER.
UM, THIS WAS A LETTER WRITTEN IN 2022 SENT TO OSA.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF MY SIBLING TEACHER HENRY ZAHI, WHO ADDRESSED YOU JUST NOW AS WELL AS THE BE BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOARD MEETING.
AS A FELLOW QUEER EDUCATOR, I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE BIAS DISPLAYED BY SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL WHO RECOMMENDED HENRY'S NON REELECTION, NOT AS A RESULT OF HENRY'S COMPETENCE IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT BECAUSE OF THE PRINCIPAL'S OWN INEFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, HENRY WAS NOT PROVIDED TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK OR SUPPORT BY HIS ADMIN BEFORE HIS NON REELECTION WAS REVEALED.
SO THIS SEEMS AT BEST TO BE A RESULT OF POOR MANAGEMENT BY THE PRINCIPAL.
AT WORST, IT IS A RESULT OF THE BLATANT DISCRIMINATION THAT IS ALREADY EVIDENT IN THE PRINCIPAL'S CONSTANT MISGENDERING AND DEAD NAMING OF MY SIBLING.
IF A QUEER STAFF MEMBER IS NOT SAFE AT THEIR SCHOOL SITE, WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS SEND TO THE QUEER STUDENTS AT THAT SCHOOL? I URGE THE L-A-U-S-D BOARD TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND REVERSE THE DECISION TO NOT REELECT HENRY RESIDE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, RESPECTED SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS NADIA ZAHI, AND I'M TEACHER HENRY'S MOM.
I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND WAS PROUD WHEN MY CHILD CHOSE TO BECOME A TEACHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, I'VE SEEN THEM POUR THEIR HEART AND SOUL IN WORKING TOWARDS THEIR TEACHING CREDENTIALS.
THERE WERE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN THEY MISSED THE FAMILY GATHERINGS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR ASSIGNMENTS OR PLAN ENGAGING LESSONS FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH EFFORT A YOUNG TEACHER PUTS INTO GETTING THEIR TEACHING CREDENTIALS.
THERE'S ALSO A GREAT DEAL OF INVESTMENT ON THE PART OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PREPARING AND EXTENSIVELY TRAINING A TEACHER.
CONSIDERING THIS, IT DOESN'T MAKE AN, I WOULD OF SENSE TO LET GO OF A DEDICATED TEACHER PREPARED AND TRAINED BY THE DISTRICT JUST BECAUSE OF THE PRINCIPAL'S OWN INEFFICIENCY AND NEGLIGENCE AS AN ADMINISTRATOR, THE PRINCIPAL'S DECISION TO REMOVE A YOUNG AND PASSIONATE TEACHER FROM THEIR POSITION AND NOT RECOMMEND THEM FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING CREDENTIALS THEY WORKED SO HARD FOR IS UNFAIR, INCONSIDERATE, AND BIASED.
AS EDUCATORS, WE ARE ALWAYS ENCOURAGING AND FACILITATING OUR STUDENTS.
SO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, IS IT NOT YOUR DUTY TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE TEACHERS WHO JOIN THIS PROFESSION AND STAY IN IT DESPITE THE CHALLENGES WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I'D LIKE TO REQUEST YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND REELECT TEACHER HENRY SO THEY CAN RECEIVE THEIR TEACHING CREDENTIALS AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING AND IMPARTING EDUCATION TO THE STUDENTS OF L-A-U-S-D WHO NEED EMPATHETIC AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIVES.
SO WE HAVE COMMENT NEXT ON TAB 31.
MOTION DECLARING SALARIES INDEFINITE TO COMPLY WITH LAW.
G, HEIDI, INDIRA, ALLISON, ALLISON, BRIAN TENAYA.
[03:30:01]
ARE HERE AND THEY'RE NOT ONLINE EITHER.[32. Report of Correspondence including Williams Uniform Complaint Quarterly Report Summary (ROC-011-24/25) ]
TAB 32, UH, REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE, WHICH IS ALSO A PUBLIC HEARING.UH, HERE'S A STATEMENT TO BE READ ON TAB 32 BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN ON THE REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING THE WILLIAMS UNIFORM COMPLAINT QUARTERLY REPORT SUMMARY, A PUBLIC HEARING MUST BE HELD.
THIS CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REPORT AND A MAXIMUM OF 15 INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON THIS ITEM WILL BE HEARD.
THOSE WHO WISH TO SPEAK AND HAVE NOT ALREADY SIGNED UP SHOULD SIGN UP.
ONLINE SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED BY NAME.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE FIVE SPEAKERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE LISTED AS REMOTE.
UM, I WILL CALL FIRST ON ERLINDA MORTA ERLINDA MORTA.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF, AND YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
MY, I I SIGNED UP MY SON AT DOWNTOWN MAGNET.
IN THE BEGINNING, HE ENTERED THE NINTH GRADE IN ENGINEERING CLASS.
IN THIS CLASS, THEY HAD DIFFERENT PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF THEM MONTHLY WHILE THEY WERE TAKING THE CLASS IN LINE.
THE PERSON IN CHARGE COULDN'T HELP WITH ANY QUESTION THAT THEY WERE ASKING.
THEN THEY PLACED A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER THAT HAD NO GUIDANCE WITHIN THE TEACHING.
IN 2024, MY SON WANTED TO TAKE THE AP PHYSICS CLASS AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE.
WE HAD NO, THEY HAD NO PERSONNEL TO COME THROUGH WITH THE CLASS.
I REMOVED HIM FROM THIS CLASS.
I MOVED HIM TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESS MAGNET ON AUGUST OF THIS YEAR.
MY SON WANTED TO TAKE AP PHYSICS AGAIN OR UNIVERSITY PHYSICS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE NO PERSONNEL WITH A STRUCTURE GUIDE.
AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR TWO YEARS.
THEREFORE, IT'S GETTING WORSE EVERY TIME.
AND THE CLASSES THAT HE WANTS TO TAKE, HE CAN'T TAKE THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PERSON THAT HAS CREDENTIALED TO TEACH THEM CLASS.
TAKE ACTION AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.
PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
AND YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
YOU GONZALEZ WILLIAMS WILLIAMS COMPLAINT.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS POINT IS A VERY INTERESTING, BUT I HAD TO BE, I HAD TO TAKE LIKE A CANINE DIG AND DIG UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO FIND WHAT IT WAS ABOUT OR WHAT THIS TOPIC REFERRED TO.
EVEN THOUGH I'M INVOLVED IN THIS SCHOOL, I'M A MEMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS FROM SSC AS WELL.
NO ONE HAS TOLD ME WHAT THIS LAW IS ABOUT.
I BEEN TO MEETINGS WITH THE PRINCIPAL.
I'VE BEEN TO ELPAC MEETINGS, AND NO ONE TALKS ABOUT THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC AS PARENTS FROM DISTRICT STUDENTS.
WHAT'S HAPPENING? WHY ARE YOU HIDING THIS? WHY DON'T YOU WANT PARENTS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS? I ASK JUST LIKE YOU'RE INVOLVED IN IMMIGRATION TOPIC, TALK ABOUT THE WILLIAMS LAWS, ESPECIALLY AT THE SCHOOLS.
I ASK THAT YOU TALK ABOUT THIS IN EVERY SCHOOL.
PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW.
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW AND MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOLS MAINTAIN AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, REQUIREMENTS FOR LEARNING.
AND THE LAW REQUIRES THAT SCHOOLS GIVE INSTALLATIONS AND LIGHT THAT ARE WORKING ADEQUATELY.
THIS IS, YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON THE QUALIFICATION OF EVERY SCHOOL AND FOR IT TO BE IN THIS DISPOSITION OF THE PUBLIC.
WHERE CAN WE SEE OR CAN WE SEE SOMEONE INFORMING THE EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOLS? HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS COMPLAINT? NOTHING.
WHY? BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONVENIENT FOR YOU.
WE DEMAND THAT YOU APPROVE SOLUTIONS.
AUDIO IS BREAKING, AUDIO IS BREAKING VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
MARIA DAISY ORTIZ, PLEASE PRESS STAR SIX TO UNMUTE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK ONCE YOU BEGIN.
WHAT WAS THAT?
[03:35:02]
GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL.JUST AS MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ASKED FROM YOU AND YOU SHOULD BE REPORTING HOW MANY SCHOOLS HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS AND HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED THEM? PARENTS SHOULD RECEIVE TRAINING.
WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT APPLY TO WILLIAMS COMPLAINT? AND OF COURSE, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW, WHEN WILL YOU GIVE THE RESULTS OF THE THREE AREAS THAT THE DISTRICT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH? ACCORDING TO THE AUDIT THAT WAS MADE IN ONE OF THE AREAS IS TEACHERS.
UH, THERE ARE TEACHERS THAT JUST DO PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND THEY'RE TEACHING MATH AT A HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.
NOW ALSO, WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL PAR PARENT CENTERS LIKE FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY DON'T HAVE A SINK TO WASH YOUR HANDS.
AND I MADE A WILLIAMS COMPLAINT, AND AS OF NOW, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYONE.
AND LASTLY, A ROYAL SEKO SCHOOL.
THIS IS A SCHOOL THAT IS IN AN AREA WHERE IT SHOULDN'T FUNCTION AS A SCHOOL.
THIS IS A AREA WHERE THIS IS A KINDER THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH BATHROOMS AT THE SCHOOLS.
I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU MANAGE THIS, HOW YOU MANAGE WILLIAMS COMPLAINTS, BUT YES, IT IS TRUE.
YOU HAVE THIS VERY RESERVED, YOU NEVER GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, YOU NEVER GIVE INFORMATION OF THE AREAS AND WHAT RESULTS THEY HAVE.
FROM THE WILLIAMS COMPLAINT, THERE SHOULD BE A REPORT, HOW MANY WILLIAMS COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE A MONTH.
AND THE, SO THE SOLUTION, HONESTLY, TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK IS WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO THE MOST.
YOU KNOW, AND YOU JUST DO PAPERWORK AND YOU DON'T DO A FOLLOW UP.
THEREFORE, THIS WILLIAMS COMPLAINT IS NOT WORKING BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT WORKING IN A TRANSPARENT WAY WITH PARENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
UH, MR. DAVID TOSKY IS LISTED ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING, BUT I DO NOT SEE YOU ONLINE.
MR. TOSKY, ARE YOU IN THE ROOM, MR. TOSKY? NO, HE'S NOT IN THE ROOM.
AND THEN WE HAVE, UH, LET'S SEE.
NORMA GONZALEZ, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? NORMA GONZALEZ.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TAB 32.
WE'LL NOW GO TO, WE HAVE TABS 35 AND 36 THAT HAVE COMMENT ARE THE REMAINING TWO FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
UM, MARUS MOORE, CHERYL KONO, KHALIL SMITH, LAKEL WHITE, AMIR KAMIR, CHANNING MARTINEZ, JASMINE KONO SONG.
NONE OF THE FOLKS ARE ONLINE EITHER.
UM, OKAY, NOW LOOKING AT TAB 36, A PUBLIC COMMENT.
MACKEY, DRAPER, BRAXTON, JORDAN, CAMILA, LEO OR LEO, JOSEPH WILLIAMS, PATRICIA SAMARA, ALLISON MONTGOMERY, HENRY RA SKYE OR XAVIER GILROY.
THESE ARE ALL FOLKS LISTED AS SPEAKING IN PERSON AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ONLINE EITHER.
SO THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
UM, IT WOULD NOW BE APPROPRIATE TO VOTE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.