[1. CALL TO ORDER IN PUBLIC SESSION]
[00:00:10]
GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THIS MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00 O'CLOCK. CAN WE DO A ROLL CALL?
REQUEST TO SPEAK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
SORRY I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE LAST MEETING BUT I DID WATCH THE VIDEO LAST WEEK AND I ENJOYED THE BUDGET PRESENTATION BUT AT THE END IT FELT STUCK AND THE DIRECTIONS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT WERE UNCLEAR AS TO WHEN WE WOULD KNOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BUDGET. I FELT PRESIDENT GARSON WASN'T HAPPY WITH AUGUST BEING WHEN WE GET THE INFORMATION.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE IT EARLIER BEFORE THE STATE BUDGET SO WHATEVER HAPPENS IN SACRAMENTO, THE INTERIM REPORT THAT WAS PREPARED FOR THE THREE YEAR BUDGET CYCLE AND LOOK NOW FOR BUDGET SAVINGS. THE 66 TEACHERS THAT RECEIVED A PINK SLIP, IT WAS AN AWFUL MEETING AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE. WE NEED TO BE PREPARED AND I'M AN EAGLE SCOUT SO LET'S BE PREPARED. THANK YOU.
[2. CLOSED SESSION]
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL ADJOURN TO CLOSED GOOD EVENING D
[3. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION/CALL TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. AT THIS TIME WE WILL NOW RECONVENE TO THE OPEN SESSION AT 6:38 P.M. TO RESUME THE REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS. THE BOARD CLERK WILL NOT GIVE US AN UPDATE YET ON THE CLOSED SESSION TOPICS AS WE WILL BE GOING BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION AFTER OUR REGULAR MEETING SO WE WILL GO TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.MR. ANTHONY MARTINEZ PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE THIS EVENING.
>> IF EVERYBODY WOULD FACE THE FLAG, STAND AND PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR
RIGHT HEART. >> IT'S TIME FOR RECOGNITIONS.
[5. RECOGNITIONS ]
DR. STEINMAN? >> AT THIS TIME I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO COME DOWN FROM THE DAIS FOR RECOGNITION AND MRS. CARTER SMITH WILL
ASSIST WITH RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING. >> THIS EVENING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE ATHLETES AND TEAMS WHO GOT THE CIF TITLE. STAFF AND STUDENTS PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I CALL YOUR NAME. THE MAYFAIR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WRESTLING TEAM HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPRESENTING BOYS AND GIRLS WRESTLING FROM MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE COACHES. BOTH SQUADS PERFORMED BRILLIANTLY DESPITE SEVERAL KEY INJURIES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. THEY SENT A TOTAL OF 12 WRESTLERS TO THE MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOUR OF THEM QUALIFIED FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN BAKERSFIELD. THE GIRLS WANT ANOTHER LEADERSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH IS THEIR SIXTH CHAMPIONSHIP IN TEN YEARS. ALTHOUGH ALL OF THEM ARE SOME OF
[00:05:08]
THE MOST HUMBLE ATHLETES AND MAYFAIR AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MAYFAIR IS VERY PROUD OF EVERYTHING THEY DO ON AND OFF THE MAP. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR T THAT, THAT'S WONDERFUL. THIS EVENING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS PROUD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING WRESTLERS.FINISHING SIXTH AND QUALIFYING FOR MASTERS. SAM PLACED FOURTH AND ALSO QUALIFIED FOR MASTERS. JOSH FINISHED RUNNER-UP AND WRESTLED AT MASTERS. CULT PLACED SIXTH AND QUALIFIED FOR MASTERS. TJ ALVAREZ WHO PLACED FOURTH AND THEN FOR WHICH QUALIFIED HIM TO WRESTLE AT THE CALIFORNIA THEY CHAMPIONSHIPS. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR GIRL CIF CHAMPIONSHIPS. WE ARE GOING TO DO BOYS AND TAKE A PICTURE. CONGRATULATIONS. LET'S RECOGNIZE OUR CIF GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLERS. HAYDEN FINISHED RUNNER-UP AND THEN PROCEEDED TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP AT MASTERS. QUALIFYING HER FOR THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT BAKERSFIELD. CARRINGTON MENDEZ PLACED FOURTH AT MASTERS. ALANA CAME IN THIRD AND ALSO WENT TO MASTERS. REINA FINISHED SECOND AT CIS AND A CHAVEZ AND SHE ALSO REPRESENTED MAYFAIR. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR GIRL WRESTLERS AS THEY TAKE A PICTURE. ONE LAST ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR ATHLETES, CONGRATULATIONS. THAT
BRINGS A CLOSE TO RECOGNITIONS TONIGHT. >> IF THE GIRLS COULD COME BACK I JUST NEED TO SEE THE NAME BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT ON THE LIST. WE WOULD NOW LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TEAM AS A WHOLE FORGETTING THE
[00:10:19]
TITLE. HE ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONGRATULATIONS.>> WHIL WOW THAT CLEARED UP PRETTY QUICKLY. DO WE HAVE ANY CORRECTIONS TO
THIS EVENING'S AGENDA? >> WE DO NOT. >> PRESENTATIONS FOR
[7. PRESENTATIONS FROM STUDENTS / STAFF / COMMUNITY ]
STAFF AND COMMUNITY. CAN WE HAVE PTA PRESIDENT COME FORWARD PLEASE?>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. THIS IS OUR REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH AND IT INCLUDES REFLECTIONS SO THAT WILL BE MY FIRST LINE ITEM. OUR THEME THIS YEAR WAS I BELONG. THIS THEME GREW THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AND IT TRULY TRULYRESONATED WITH OUR COMMUNITY. I'M TRY PROUD TO SHARE OVER 100 STUDENTS ENTERED THIS YEAR AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS PHOTO OF OUR RECENT REFLECTIONS, THESE WERE THE WINNERS FROM OUR DISTRICT ALONE. THERE IS KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH 12TH GRADE. ONE OF OUR STUDENTS WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO ONTO 33RD AND EARN A RECOGNITION. THESE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER WINNERS, IT WAS A GREAT DISPLAY OF THEIR ARTWORK AND WE GOT TO SEE THE ARTWORK FOR THOSE WHO HAD THE SCREENS UP. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE REPRESENTATION FROM ALMOST EVERY SCHOOL. THIS IS OUR MEMBERSHIP REPORT.
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 2900 MEMBERS. OUR GOAL IS TO GET TO 3000. THESE
[00:15:05]
NEWSLETTERS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR INSTAGRAM, THIS IS GOING TO SHOW YOU AVAILABLE UNITS. IT'S ALL THE WAY FROM BACKS THIRD SET MAYFAIR AND THESE ARE OUR UPCOMING EVENTS. VOLUNTEERING ACROSS THE DISTRICT FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE, WE ALSO HAVE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK. APRIL 19TH THROUGH THE 25TH AND THEN WE HAVE OUR SPRING AWARDS COMING UP ON THE 33RD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.[8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT]
>> THANK YOU MS. CORTEZ. SUPERINTENDENCE REPORT. >> THANK YOU. IT IS A PLEASURE TO MEET WITH YOU THIS EVENING. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO SHARE WITH YOU SEVERAL HIGHLIGHTS ACROSS THE BELLFLOWER UNIFIED. FIRST I WANT TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAMS AT BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL AND MAYFAIR HIGH SCHOOL WITH VERY SUCCESSFUL ACCREDITATION THROUGH 2029. THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THE DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFORTS OF OUR STAFF AND UNDERSCORES OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN KEY AREAS OF THE DISTRICT AND OUR THIRD GUIDING COALITION TOOK PLACE ON FRIDAY MARCH 20TH. AS WE CONTINUE OUR SHARED WORK TO SHAPE THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSION. OUR SECOND AI TEAM WAS HELD ON MARCH 25TH AND OUR SECOND SOMERSET WAS HELD ON MARCH 24TH FOR OUR SOMERSET STUDENTS. EACH OF THESE EFFORTS REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THE DISTRICT FORWARD. IN THE AREA OF ARTS AND EDUCATION OUR ELEMENTARY BAND HAS JUST CONCLUDED. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE IMPORTANT FOR OUR STUDENTS, NOT ONLY AS OUTLETS FOR CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION BUT ALSO EXPERIENCE THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE AND JOY. I AM ALSO IS TO REPORT OUR FACILITY MASTER-PLANNED SURVEY HAS RECEIVED OVER A THOUSAND RESPONSES. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR FAMILY, STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TAKE THE TIME TO PROVIDE INPUT AS WE PLAN THOUGHTFULLY FOR THE YEARS AHEAD. I'M ALSO EXCITED TO SHARE WE WILL HAVE OUR FIRST SPORTS DAY. MANY YEARS AGO THERE WAS AN ANNUAL SPORTS DAY THAT TOOK PLACE. IF WE ARE GOING TO BRING THAT BACK AND WE HAVE AN AMAZING STUDENT IN FOURTH GRADE WHO HAS PUSHED THIS INITIATIVE AND THE GATHERED NOT JUST MYSELF AND OUR DEPUTY AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT BUT ALSO PRINCIPLES AND PTA SITE REPS TO PLAN AN AMAZING DAY ON MARCH 27TH AND THIS WILL TAKE PLACE AT A FOSTER ELEMENTARY FOR GRADES FOUR THROUGH SIX. AGAIN, SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS DAY THAT IS UNFOLDING AND IT IS GOING TO BE AMAZING FOR OUR STUDENTS. ON THE PERSONAL NOTES, AND JUST KNOW IF IT WAS UP TO ME I WOULD NOT BE ANNOUNCING ITS. I AM HONORED TO SHARE I WAS SWORN IN AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUPERINTENDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS. I ACCEPT THAT RESPONSIBILITY WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY AND I AM PROUD TO REPRESENT BELLFLOWER UNIFIED AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR WELL WISHES, YOUR SUPPORT OR ITIT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. AS WE APPROACH THE SPRING RECESS I WANT TO EXTEND MY SINCERE WISHES TO ALL OF MY STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILY AND BOARD MEMBERS
[00:20:03]
FOR A RESTFUL AND A WELL-DESERVED BREAK. I HOPE THIS TIME PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECHARGE AND RETURN RENEWED TO THE IMPORTANTWORK AHEAD. THANK YOU ALL I APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU SUPERINTENDENT SIMON. NOW WE WILL GO ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT -- I'M SORRY
[9. COMMITTEE UPDATES ]
COMMITTEE UPDATES. DOES THE BOARD HAVE ANY AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES THISEVENING? >> I HAVE WON. I JUST WANT TO SAY WE THROUGH THE CAL OPTIONAL GRADE WENT THROUGH OUR LOSS IN ACCREDITATION AND IT WENT THROUGH -- IT WENT REALLY WELL AND I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
>> ANYONE ELSE? THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
[10. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
TONIGHT WE DO HAVE REQUEST ADDRESSING AGENDA ITEMS. FROM JOHN, WOULDYOU PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM? >> GOOD EVENING, MY ITEM IS PUBLIC COMMENTS. I JUST COMPLETED MY SECOND WALK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I GREW UP AND SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THE PARENTS EXPRESSED TO ME IS WHEN THEIR CHILD TURN TO FOR IT WOULD BE EASIER TO UNDERSTAND WHICH SCHOOL THEY ARE GOING TO. IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE IF WE HAD MAPS OF WHERE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTENDANCE IS TO PROMOTE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A WAY YOU CAN TRACK WHO HAS A FOUR -YEAR-OLD SO WE CAN IMPROVE OUR ENROLLMENT. SOME PEOPLE CALLED ME AND ASKED WHERE DO WE GO. PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT BUMPING. I KNOW THERE WAS A SPEECH ABOUT THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE AREA WERE BUMPED TO ANOTHER SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF IT WHERE THEY CAN'T EVEN WALK TO THE SCHOOL. A PARENT EXPRESSED TO ME THAT IF THE BATHROOMS AREN'T WORKING, IF THEY ARE BEING REPAIRED CAN WE HAVE A BACK UP BATHROOM BECAUSE OF THE LINES GOING TO THE BATHROOM AND A BUMPING ADD MAYFAIR FOR SPECIAL ED. YOU GOTTA MAYFAIR FOR SPECIAL ED AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME PROGRAMS. CAN WE WORK TOWARD HAVING THE SAME PROGRAMS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL? I SAW A LOT OF SIGNS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS. THEY ARE GOING TO DIFFERENT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. COULD WE HAVE SIGNS? SOME PEOPLE HAVE SIGNS SAYING PROUD BUCCANEER ON A ROLL BUT THEY ARE OLDER SITES, THEY ARE NOT RECENT. WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME BACK. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO IMPROVE OUR DISTRICT SO PLEASE CONSIDER COMING BACK TO BELLFLOWER UNIFIED. I WENT DOOR- DOOR TO DOOR TWICE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
YOU. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE MOVING ON TO CONSENT AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS TO WITHHOLD FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL 11.5 STUDENT EXPULSION CASE 26 -- 17 -- 0006.
>> SECOND. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
[11.5 STUDENT EXPULSION CASE #26-17-0006: It is proposed that the Board of Education expel student #26-17-0006 from all the schools in the Bellflower Unified School District for two semesters, the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year and the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year, effective March 26, 2026.]
[00:25:19]
>> METAL ONTO THE WITHHELD ITEMS. >> I MOVED TO CONTINUE
THIS ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING. >> SECOND.
[12. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS]
>> THE LAST TIME I WAS ON THE DIET I WAS 17 BUT THEN I TURNED 18. IT IS THE END OF LIFE'S FREE TRIAL AND I WANT TO FACE THE REAL WORLD. ONE LAST THING IS ON THURSDAY MARCH 19TH MAYFAIR INVITED NOAH HIGH SCHOOLS BOYS TEAM OVER FOR A GAME. THERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP TALENT IN CIF AND WE ALSO INVITED ALL OF THE TEACHERS, ALL OF THE STUDENTS TO COME WATCH AND IT WAS A BIG EVENT. WE HAVE PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT, I ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE THE LAST GAME. LIKE I SAID IT WAS CLOSED BUT WE ENDED UP LOSING TWO TO THREE. THAT WAS THE ONLY LOSS ON OUR RECORD AND WE STILL SUCCEEDED TO THE PLAYOFFS. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE CHEERING FOR US, EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT WERE CONFUSED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS
GOING ON. THAT'S IT, THANK YOU. >> I WENT TO CASA AND REPRESENTED WELL. THAT WAS A REALLY GREAT CONFERENCE TO SEE AS MANY SUPERINTENDENTS AND CEOS IN ONE PLACE. THEY ALSO HAVE BOARD MEMBERS AND A FEW TEACHERS AND TO KNOW THAT THE SUPPORT THAT THE SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. THEY HAVE AN ACADEMY WHERE THEY CAN NETWORK, THEY HAVE MENTORS AND THEY REALLY HELP AND UPLIFT EACH OTHER. THEY SAID THIS IS SOUL CENTERED LEADERSHIP AND WHAT THEY AIMED TO DO IS CULTIVATE EVEN MORE LEADERS. THEY TALKED ABOUT FIVE CORE ENERGIES THAT LEADERS SHOULD HAVE AND THAT IS PURPOSE, WISDOM, GROWTH, LOVE AND SELF-REALIZATION. I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THE DIFFERENT THINGS BUT AS LEADERS, EVEN AS WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR FOLLOW-THROUGH WHEN WE ARE REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE KIND OF THAT LIAISON. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND WE HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT. AND THEN, IT WAS A LONG STORY BUT WHAT CAME OUT OF IT WAS SOMETIMES WE HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE WE FEEL HOPELESS AND LIKE
[00:30:05]
WE CAN'T GET OUT OF THE HOLE THAT WE PROBABLY FELL INTO OR DUG OURSELVES INTO BUT WE SHOULD NEVER BE HOPELESS BECAUSE BEING HOPELESS IS THE ENEMY OF JUSTICE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS. WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING WET THEY NEED IN SCHOOL I'M GOING TO CUT IT OUT RIGHT THEIR BUT JUST KNOW THAT I KNOW YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE LOVED IT WITH OUR BOARD. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR TEACHERS AND WE ARE GOING TO PULL INTO USE AS MANY RESOURCES AS WE CAN. WE HAVE GREAT COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN FOR OUR STUDENTS,SIMPLE. >> THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER ARMSTRONG. BOARD MEMBER
STUART? >> FOR CLARIFICATION, I REPORT OUT AND MY BOARD REPORTS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE AMAZING THING IS THAT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE DOING EVERY DAY. I REPORT TO CELEBRATE STUDENT SUCCESS AND I HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT THANKED ME, THEY'D TEXT AND CALL AND THANK ME THAT I PROVIDED A LOT OF INFORMATION AND PRESENT BECAUSE THEY WORK SO HARD FOR OUR STUDENTS. MY BOARD REPORT IS NOT GOING TO BE SHORT AND SWEET TONIGHT AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL BECAUSE I WILL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE STUDENT AND STAFF AND I ATTEND A LOT OF EVENTS AND I AM VISIBLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. YESTERDAY I ATTENDED A MEETING REGARDING OUR FACILITIES MASTER PLAN AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PRIORITIZED FOR FACILITIES IF WE HAVE FUNDS TO DO IT. MY ANSWER TO THEM WAS TO IMPROVE REST ROOMS, PROVIDE MORE SHADES ENTRIES FOR STUDENTS, A SCIENCE LAB ABOVE OUR HIGH SCHOOL, EACH SCHOOL HAVING THEIR OWN ACCENTS, THEIR OWN MURALS, SOMETHING THAT IS INVITING FOR THE KIDS AND TO GIGIVE THEM THEIR OWN IDENTITY. FLOORING IN THE SCHOOLS, THE INTERIOR CLASSROOMS NEED UPDATES, IT WOULD ALIGN WITH THE EQUITY OF BOTH SCHOOLS HAVING WON AND BELLFLOWER HAS SOME GREAT PROGRAMS SO MAYBE EVEN A SECONDARY SMALL GYM THAT IS USED FOR WRESTLING OR OTHER TEAMS TO PRACTICE WHEN THEY CAN'T GET GYM TIME.
I ATTENDED THAT MR. BUTT CONTEST AND I WAS PUT ON BY BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL AND I REALLY WANT TO REPORT ABOUT THIS EVENT. WHAT THE MR. BUTT CONTEST WAS, IT IS KIND OF SATIRE OF A BEAUTY PAGEANT FOR BOYS. THEY ALL CAME OUT INDIFFERENT SPIRIT WEAR, THEY ALL WORE JERSEYS, ONE HAD THE MASCOT HEAD ON, ONE HAD A CHEERLEADING HEAD ON. THEY SHOWED THEIR SCHOOL SPIRIT AND IN THE NEXT ONE WAS A TALENT SHOWCASE. AND THE LAST CATEGORY WAS THE FORMALWEAR AND THE INTERVIEW. MR. ANGELA'S CROWD OF MR. BUTT 2026 AND MR. JONATHAN WAS RUNNER-UP AND MR. SEBASTIAN LEWIS ONE FOR FORMALWEAR. CONGRATULATIONS FOR WINNING MR. CONGENIALITY AND I THOUGHT HIS AWARD WAS REALLY COOL. HE GETS A SPEECH SPOTLIGHT AT THE SENIOR FAREWELL ASSEMBLY AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY COOL. ETHAN MARTINEZ ONE FOR THE PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD WHERE THE AUTHOR GOT TO VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITE PERSON. I FOUND IT REALLY
[00:35:09]
REWARDING THAT THE ASD RECEIVED SOLD MANY RESPONSES BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT. THE PERSON THAT ONE-ON-ONE A FREE CLASS MAR RING, A FREE PRIME TICKET PLUS ONE GUEST, A FREE TUX RENTAL, A FREE CHEESECAKE FACTORY GIFT CARD AND A REALLY IMPRESSED ME THAT THEY TIED IT TO THE ACTIVITIES ALREADY HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL AND I THINK IT WILL INCREASE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AS A JUDGE AND I APPRECIATE THE OTHER JUDGES, KUDOS TO YOUR STAFF MRS. CUMMINGS FOR BRINGING THIS BACK AND THIS IS PART OF THE CELEBRATION THIS YEAR IT IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOLS OPENING, SO THAT WAS PRETTY AMAZING. ON MARCH 23RD I ATTENDED THE CITY OF SAN CERRITO CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND I RECEIVED A PROCLAMATION FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MO MONTH. I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR HIS SERVICE. THERE WE'RE SO MANY PARTNERS FROM THE CITY THAT WERE CELEBRATED. I WANT TO THANK THEM SO MUCH FOR THE RECOGNITION AND PARTNERSHIP OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND LASTLY I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO ESMERALDA, OUR STAFF AND TEAM FOR THE ENROLLMENT VIDEO, IT ALMOST MADE ME CRY. IT WAS SO GOOD, THEY'RE WE'RE SO MANY STUDENTS INVOLVED. ONE OF OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT SAID IT WAS FABULOUS AND SHE SHARED IT WITH EVERYONE. IT WAS NO GOOD AND I THANK YOU AND EVERYONE INVOLVED, I LOVE SEEING ALL THE STUDENTS ANDEVERYTHING WE HAVE TO OFFER. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU BOARD MEMBER
STUART. BOARD CLERK? >> I WANT TO SAY I REALLY ENJOYED THE READING ABOUT LEADERSHIP TODAY. IT IS DEFINITELY NEEDED. I LEFT MY NOTES AT HOME BUT I DID WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WRESTLING TEAMS, IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE WRESTLERS. I WAS A WRESTLER IN HIGH SCHOOL SO TO SEE THE GIRLS WRESTLE AND SEE HOW FAR EVERYTHING HAS GONE, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE AND I REALLY ENJOY SEEING OUR GIRLS FLOURISH IN OTHER WAYS. I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO THE COAST-TO-COAST CONFERENCE, THAT'S WHERE WE WILL BE UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING. I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT MORE LAST YEAR AND WE WILL REPORT OUT FOR SURE AGAIN BUT JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY, COAST-TO-COAST IS WHERE WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR LEGISLATURES, SIT WITH THEM AND REALLY GET OUR IN PINON AND SHOW THEM PROOF AND GIVE THEM STORIES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT AND HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT US. ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIME. THAT ALWAYS BRINGS ME TO WE CAN'T IGNORE WHAT'S HAPPENING POLITICALLY BECAUSE IT HITS CLOSE TO HOME, MORE THAN EVER FOR MOST AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING THIS GROUP -- OR GOING WITH THIS GROUP COAST-TO-COAST AND GOING TO WASHINGTON DC WITH A FEW OF OUR CABINET MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT HOLDING THE TITLE. TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE AND HOLD SOME PEOPLE TO THE FIRE BECOME BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOOD AT. ENJOY SPRING BREAK AND
[00:40:02]
LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES. IF I MISSED SOMETHING, SORRY BUT THAT'S IT FORME. >> THANK YOU BOARD CLERK. VICE PRESIDENT?
>> I ATTENDED THE COALITION, THANK YOU STAFF AGAIN I THINK IT IS GREAT WORK. VERY COLLABORATIVE WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND I AM EXCITED THAT THAT WORK CONTINUES. I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MAYFAIR WRESTLERS, VERY IMPRESSIVE AS ALWAYS. SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING I HAVE BEEN IN THE ICU WITH MY DAUGHTER AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO REACHED OUT. THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WORKED AND SHE IS BACK HOME NOW RECOVERING. AT THE OTHER DAY WE ARE PARENTS FIRST AND HUMANS TOO. WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH A LOT OF THINGS. IT IS ACTUALLY A PLEASANT DISTRACTION HAVING A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AS I GET TO MEET WITH DR. SIMON. WE ARE BACK HOME SO THANK YOU EVERYBODY WHO REACHED
OUT >> THANK YOU VICE PRESIDENT. FOR MYSELF I THINK EVERYTHING HAS BEEN MENTIONED SO I'M GOING TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I HOPE Y'ALL HAVE A RESTFUL AND ENJOY FULL SPRING BREAK AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK APRIL 23RD AT THIS TIME. THE DOOR THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO
CLOSED SESSION. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE CORRECTION THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30TH.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE DO HAVE A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING COMING UP MARCH 30TH. I FORGOT ABOUT THAT WON. AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION. THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN IN OPEN
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.