Nov 28, 2022 County Board of Education

AND I WANT VERY MUCH TO THANK TRUSTEE KAMEI FOR BRINGING THIS UP.

FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AT THIS LOCAL SCHOOL LEVEL, WE HAD A PROGRAM FROM PROJECT CORNERSTONE AND IT TALKED ABOUT BYSTANDERS.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE PRESENCE OF BULLYING? WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE PRESENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS BEING ABUSED AND BERATED AND DIMINISHED AND INSULTED? AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF BECAUSE I BELIEVE I WAS A BYSTANDER.

OUR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, IT'S OUR ONE EMPLOYEE, AND I, AS A TRUSTEE, DID NOT SPEAK UP WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF FOR BEING A BYSTANDER.

AND I THINK THAT THE DECORUM AND JUST THE RESPECT FOR OUR COMMON DIGNITY AND HUMANITY REALLY, REALLY CALLS US TO NOT BE BYSTANDERS.

SO I WANT TO THANK TRUSTEE KAMEI FOR THAT AND TO OFFER MY SINCEREST SUPPORT FOR YOUR WORDS TRUSTEE KAMEI.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TRUSTEE ROSSI.

TRUSTEE ROSSI IF I COULD PLEASE ASK ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS TO VOTE UTILIZING BOARD DOCS OR PLEASE VOICE THEIR VOTE THROUGH A VERBAL.

THE VERBAL. YES FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO VERBAL YES, PLEASE.

A VERBAL YES.

I'M SORRY. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S TWO MORE VERBAL YESES, ONE FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI AND ONE FROM TRUSTEE KAMEI.

THANK YOU. AND THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

ON BEHALF OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE FOLLOWING.

TONIGHT'S URL IS AS FOLLOWS

[00:05:02]

HTTPS://SCCOE.TO//SCCBOEMEETINGS22.

YOUR ZOOM APPLICATION MUST BE UPDATED TO THE MOST RECENT VERSION TO PROVIDE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

IF YOU PREFER TO CALL IN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE CALL 1-669-900-6833 FOLLOWED BY THE MEETING ID NUMBER 96801847827.

OH POUND SIGN. SORRY, NOT HASHTAG.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DIALED IN PHONE NUMBERS WILL BE VISIBLE AN PUBLICLY DISPLAYED.

BLOCKED NUMBERS WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED FOR COMMENT.

ONE PUBLIC COMMENT PER PERSON IS ALLOWED FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM.

IF YOU PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT IN SPANISH, PLEASE NOTIFY THE MODERATOR BEFORE BEGINNING A COMMENT.

TO LISTEN TO THE SPANISH INTERPRETATION OF THE MEETING, PLEASE CALL 1-669-900-6833, FOLLOWED BY THE MEETING ID 727334810 # SIGN.

SPANISH] # SIGN.

PERSONS WANTING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO THROUGH THE WEBINAR MEETING LINK OR PHONE NUMBER SHOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

THIS INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS ARE ALSO POSTED ON THE BOARD AGENDA AND THE SCCOE WEBSITE.

NOW ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

[2. PUBLIC COMMENTS OF PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION]

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON A TOPIC NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA AND WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHOULD HAVE THEIR HAND RAISED AT THIS TIME TO BE HEARD.

HANDS MUST BE RAISED BY THE TIME PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINS.

ONE PUBLIC COMMENT PER ITEM IS ALLOWED, AND AS A REMINDER, THE RAISE HAND ICON IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ZOOM WINDOW OR CALLERS MAY PRESS STAR NINE ON THEIR SMARTPHONE.

MODERATOR DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES, WE HAVE THREE HANDS RAISED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. IF WE COULD PLEASE PRESENT THE ONE MINUTE TIMER AND YOU MAY PLEASE BEGIN.

OUR FIRST THREE SPEAKERS ARE JEFF OSHLYNN, SARA JUNICHIRO AND MARILYN DE ROHAN.

YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE UNMUTED.

YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

THE TIMER WILL START ONCE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.

COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS JEFF OSHLYNN, PLEASE BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.

MY NAME IS JEFF OSHLYNN.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED WE DIDN'T GET INTO EDUCATION TO GET RICH AND OUR PASSION HAS BEEN EXPLOITED TO SUPPRESS OUR WAGES.

SO WHY IS IT THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE SCOE WHO ARE IN THE TOP 5% INCOME BRACKET FOR THE STATE BASED ON THE WAGES WE PROVIDE? IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO CLAIM THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO LIFT UP THE WORKERS WEALTH, TURNING AROUND AND APPROVING RAISES FOR ADMINISTRATORS THAT ARE NEAR THE YEARLY SALARY OF SOME OF THEIR WORKERS. LEADERSHIP IS BEHAVIOR AND CRYING POVERTY WHILE MAKING MORE THAN THE ELECTED GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE TELLS US THE COE HAS THE MONEY BUT WOULD RATHER GIVE IT TO THE ADMINISTRATORS THAN PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE TO THOSE WHO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND THE TOILETS CLEAN.

RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP WOULD DEFER THEIR GRATUITOUS RAISE SO THE REST OF US CAN BEGIN TO PUT A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS AND FOOD IN OUR STOMACHS.

IF THERE IS NO MONEY FOR EMPLOYEES, THERE SHOULD BE NO MONEY FOR ADMINISTRATORS.

IF ADMINISTRATORS GET THEIR RAISES, DO NOT EXPECT US WORKERS TO ACCEPT IF WE ARE THEN TOLD THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FOR OURS.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARA JUNICHIRO.

SARA, YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR YOUR COMMENT.

YOU MAY BEGIN. HI, I'M SARA JUNICHIRO, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND SCIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT .

ON BEHALF OF MY 1089 MEMBERS, AS WELL AS OUR CLASSIFIED SUB, SAFETY NEEDS TO BE OUR PRIORITY MANAGEMENT RESPONSE TO OUR INJURY STORIES BY ATTEMPTING TO CUT US OFF STATING IN WRITING THAT WORKERS ARE NOT ASKED TO DO ANYTHING RISKING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND COMPLETELY IGNORING OUR COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS THE CRISES IN OUR CLASSROOMS. THEIR FAILURE TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND EFFECTIVE ACTION IS APPALLING.

[00:10:01]

WE BELIEVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RAISE SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE SAFETY ISSUES ARE RESOLVED AND ALL BARGAINING UNITS HAVE A CONTRACT.

WE BARGAINED THE DAY AFTER THE LAST BOARD MEETING AND DESPITE HAVING 4 HOURS AFTER THEY LEFT, WE DID NOT RECEIVE A COUNTERPROPOSAL AND ARE NOW WAITING UNTIL DECEMBER 8TH'S BARGAINING SESSION, LEARNING THAT MANAGEMENT ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR INCREASED BENEFIT CONTRIBUTION AND WILL RECEIVE A 10% RAISE WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED RETROACTIVE TO JULY ON THEIR DECEMBER CHECK IS APPALLING.

A VOTE FOR A RAISE NOW TELLS THOUSANDS OF WORKERS WHO'VE TOLD YOU THEIR STORIES ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES TO SURVIVE AND THE INJURIES THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THAT THEY DON'T MATTER.

YOU ALL MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE TO DEFER HER RAISE DECISION LAST TIME AND YOU SHOULD DO IT AGAIN NOW.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE MARILYN [INAUDIBLE], RAMIRO GOMEZ AND JOE HERTY. MARILYN, YOU ALL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK AND YOU MAY BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.

MARILYN [INAUDIBLE] CHAIR, SEIU, [INAUDIBLE] CAUCUS.

LISTEN UP NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND DO NOT BE MANIPULATING EVERY PUBLIC DOLLAR TOWARDS DEWAN'S RAISE IS $1 TAKEN AWAY FROM DIRECT SERVICES IMPACTING A CHILD'S EDUCATION.

BE REMINDED THAT THE SCOE IS A DISTRICT WITH CHILDREN ENROLLED IN IT.

HER SALARY SHOULD BE BASED ON SEVERAL BENCHMARKS.

SUCCESS OF YOUTH HER PROGRAM IS CREATED TO SERVE BEING ONE.

HOW ARE YOU MEASURING HER JOB PERFORMANCE? OUR SPECIAL ED YOUTH OUTCOMES IN IT? ARE YOU [INAUDIBLE] COE PROGRAM SITES? I KNOW YOU ARE NOT, EXCEPT FEW PROGRAMS MANY ARE NOT SUITABLE.

IMAGINE YOUR CHILD, YOU WOULD DEMAND HIGHER QUALITY FACILITIES, STAFF SUPPORT AND RESOURCES.

YOU WOULD NOT GRANT PUBLIC DOLLARS TO FATTEN THE POCKET OF A RACIST POLITICAL OUTSIDER NOT NATIVE TO THIS AREA.

SO HOW ARE YOU, PETER, CLAUDIA, ROSEMARY, MEASURING HER SUCCESS AND HOW ARE YOU JUSTIFYING HER RAISE? ARE YOU LISTENING TO STAFF, PARENTS AND STUDENTS? ARE YOU MEASURING HER ABILITY TO LEAD, FACTORING SHE HAS CREATED THE WORST EVER WORKPLACE EMPLOYEE MORALE, STAFF RETENTION, OFFICE PRACTICES, LEGAL CASES FILED DIRECTLY? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RAMIRO GOMEZ.

RAMIRO, YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

PLEASE BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.

I AM RAMIRO GOMEZ.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF JESUS SALAZAR TO JOIN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.

I'VE KNOWN JESUS SALAZAR FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND I HAVE KNOWN HIM TO BE A VERY RESPONSIBLE, HARDWORKING PERSON, HE'S A STRONG MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAS ALWAYS KEPT HIS COMMUNITY IN HIGH REGARDS.

AND I'M JUST CALLING HIM TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE HIM ON THE BOARD, BECAUSE I KNOW HE'D DO WELL FOR US.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOE HERTY.

JOE, YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

YOU NEED TO LET HIM KNOW. OKAY.

I HOPE Y'ALL CAN HEAR ME.

AND I'M SORRY FOR THE CRYING BABY IN THE BACKGROUND.

JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY MAKE COMMENT THIS EVENING IN SUPPORT OF JESUS SALAZAR'S CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT THREE, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A PROCESS TO GO THROUGH AND CERTAINLY RESPECT THAT. BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO'S REALLY BEEN WORKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF BRINGING LIVED EXPERIENCE INTO CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC SYSTEMS TO ENRICH THOSE SYSTEMS, JESUS HAS BEEN A PARTNER IN THAT WORK.

AND FROM HIS TIME IN AT CITY YEAR THROUGH HIS WORK NOW FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH, JESUS HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS IN HIS EFFORTS TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT REFLECTS HIS BACKGROUND AS THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS AND FARM WORKERS AND SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN WORKING TO DO ORGANIZING AND COMMUNITY AND STRENGTH AND EDUCATION FOR YOUNG FOLKS.

AND SO IN SERVICE OF REPRESENTATION AND ENSURING THAT COMMUNITIES ARE WELL REPRESENTED.

I HOPE YOU MAY CONSIDER HIM AS YOU MOVE THROUGH YOUR PROCESS.

THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE ROSSI, I SEE YOU HAVE YOUR HAND RAISED.

YES. THANK YOU. PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I LOVE HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY.

I'M CERTAINLY GRATEFUL THAT THEY CAME OUT, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ITEM CURRENTLY IS FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA AND THAT WE WILL HAVE A SEPARATE TIME FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT.

AM I WRONG ABOUT THAT? YEAH, YOU'RE CORRECT. THAT WAS THE LAST OF THE COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. AND JUST FOR EVERYONE THE PUBLIC APPOINTMENT IS AGENDIZED TODAY AND WILL BE FORMALLY RECEIVING COMMENTS LATER ON IN THE AGENDA.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. MODERATOR DOES THAT CONCLUDE PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES, THAT DOES.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NOW ONTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, INFORMATION ITEMS.

[3. INFORMATION]

DR. DEWAN, COULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR INFORMATION ITEM FOR THE EVENING? YES, THANK YOU.

AT EACH REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, WE PROVIDE AN UPDATE RELATED TO THE 22 COUNTY BOARD AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS. THIS EVENING, WE ARE JOINED BY OUR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, DR.

[00:15:06]

MICHELLE JOHNSON, WHO WILL PROVIDE THIS EVENING'S UPDATE.

DR. JOHNSON.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

BOARD PRESIDENT ORTIZ, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT DR.

DEWAN, STAFF AND COMMUNITY.

I AM DR. MICHELLE JOHNSON, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FAIRLEY IS AWAY ENJOYING TIME WITH HER FAMILY.

AND I AM PROVIDING TONIGHT'S UPDATE.

THIS EVENING THERE ARE TWO ITEMS ON WHICH I WISH TO UPDATE YOU.

THE FIRST IS SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ON NOVEMBER 19TH SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDED A STATUS REPORT ON THE THREE REMAINING CHARGES PENDING BEFORE PERB.

EACH CHARGE HAS BEEN IN ABEYANCE SINCE OCTOBER 2021 AND THE WRITTEN UPDATE INDICATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING NEW TO REPORT.

THE SECOND ITEM IS THE CSBA ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE PRESENTATION.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FAIRLEY AND I WILL PRESENT AT THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE, ALONG WITH OUR CHARTER AUTHORIZER SUPPORT INITIATIVE, COLLEAGUES FROM THE CALIFORNIA CHARTER AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONALS AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

OUR WORKSHOP SESSION IS ENTITLED CHARTER AUTHORIZING AND OVERSIGHT 101 FOR BOARDS.

IT IS PART OF THE LEADERSHIP THROUGH GOVERNANCE STRAND AND IS INTENDED TO GIVE BOARD MEMBERS HIGH LEVEL VIEWS OF THE CHARTER AND BASICS OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZING BY FOLLOWING THE LIFE CYCLE OF A CHARTER SCHOOL.

OUR WORKSHOP IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 1ST AND WILL BE HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER IN ROOM 16 A AT 3:45.

SO WE'LL START ON THURSDAY.

AND THIS CONCLUDES MY REPORT FOR THE EVENING.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM OUR FELLOW TRUSTEES? TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

DR. JOHNSON, I WAS WONDERING IF OUR DOCUMENT, THE CHARTER SCHOOL REPORT THAT WE GIVE THAT ANNUAL REPORT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THAT WORKSHOP? SO IT WILL BE MENTIONED DURING THE PRESENTATION.

WE DO HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF MATERIALS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HIGHLIGHT AS A BEST PRACTICE. I ASK THAT QUESTION AND SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT DOCUMENT IS EXEMPLARY AND IT TOOK US MANY YEARS TO GET TO THE POINT OF WHERE IT IS TODAY.

SO I THANK YOU.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, TRUSTEE DI SALVO FOR YOUR QUESTION.

ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORT.

THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM FOUR CLOSED SESSION.

[4. CLOSED SESSION]

THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO ENTER CLOSED SESSION, AND A CLOSED SESSION INVOLVES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

ONCE IN CLOSED SESSION, I WILL CALL THE SESSION TO ORDER AND REQUEST THAT EACH TRUSTEE STATE THEIR NAME TO RECORD WHO IS IN ATTENDANCE TO AFFIRM AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARAMETERS OF THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN CLOSED SESSION.

CLOSED SESSION MUST BE CONCLUDED IN WAYS TO ASSURE CONFIDENTIALITY AND ADHERENCE TO THE BROWN ACT AND TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

EACH TRUSTEE IN OUR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS SHALL ENSURE PRIVACY.

OUR CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEM INCLUDES TWO ITEMS CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND CONFERENCE WITH COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES.

THANK YOU. THE BOARD WILL NOW ENTER CLOSED SESSION.

WE WILL RETURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5:50 P.M..

THANK YOU. WELCOME BACK.

[5. OPEN SESSION (IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION)]

WE ARE READY TO RESUME THE OPEN SESSION.

UPON COMPLETION OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

THERE ARE NO REPORTABLE ACTIONS.

NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM SIX CONSENT ACTION ITEMS, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM

[6. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]

6A THROUGH C.

MOVE TO APPEAR. SO MOVED. SECOND.

SECOND IT.

MOVED BY TRUSTEE ROSSI.

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

WE WILL NOW VOTE.

IF TRUSTEES CAN PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE UTILIZING BOARD DOCS OR PROVIDE YOUR VERBAL.

VERBAL YES.

VERBAL YES. FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

VERBAL YES FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

AND VERBAL YES FROM TRUSTEE KAMEI.

ALL RIGHT. THREE VERBAL YESES.

ONE FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI.

ONE FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

ANOTHER FROM TRUSTEE KAMEI.

[00:20:01]

ALL RIGHT. THE AYES HAVE IT.

THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS PASS.

WE ARE NOW MOVING INTO SEVEN, ACTION ITEMS.

[7. ACTION ITEMS]

OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS ACTION ITEM REGARDING COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT COMPENSATION.

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953, SUBDIVISION C THREE AND PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE APPOINTMENT SALARY AGREEMENT, THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IS ELIGIBLE FOR A PAY INCREASE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2022.

THE PAY INCREASE IS CALCULATED ON THE CPI OF 5.7%.

THE NEW BASE SALARY IS $390,373.18.

THE ADDITIONAL SALARY OF 5,000 FOR THE DOCTORAL DEGREE FOR THE AGREEMENT IS ADDED TO THE BASE.

THE NEW ANNUAL SALARY IS $395,373.18.

THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE HEALTH, WELFARE, RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS AS PROVIDED TO CERTIFICATED MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES.

MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF JOB RELATED EXPENSES.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT COMPENSATION? I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

MOTIONED BY TRUSTEE ROSSI.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I WOULD SECOND THAT.

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE KAMEI.

BOARD MEMBERS, IF I COULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE VOTE.

AND TRUSTEE MAH.

YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION, RIGHT? YEAH, SURE. YOU RAISED YOUR HAND, SO.

ABSOLUTELY. OKAY.

THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO STATE, AS I DID AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, THAT MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE WAGE DISPARITY, WHICH IS NOT ONLY CHRONIC ACROSS OUR NATION, CERTAINLY IN SILICON VALLEY, BUT LARGELY IN OUR COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

AND THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BUDGET A DELAY IN THIS COMPENSATION UNTIL OUR BUDGET IS FINALIZED FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

AND SO I AM NOT GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MAH.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I HAD A CLARIFICATION QUESTION FROM WHAT TRUSTEE MAH JUST SAID.

SO. YOU WERE SAYING THAT.

WHAT WAS YOUR COMMENT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR? I WASN'T. I JUST DIDN'T CATCH THAT.

YEAH, NO, SURE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE BUDGET IS FOR NEXT YEAR, HAVE THAT KIND OF FINALIZED BEFORE WE PUT IN THIS COMPENSATION, BECAUSE THE COMPENSATION GOES TOWARDS THE BUDGET AND WE HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BUDGET.

AND SINCE THIS IS A MAY GIVE A RAISE, WHATEVER EXACTLY THE PHRASING IS, IT MAY BE DONE.

IT CAN BE DONE IN THE FUTURE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN APPROVED BUDGET AS THIS AFFECTS OUR BUDGET.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN DID YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? YEAH, I JUST HAD A COMMENT, YOU KNOW.

I BELIEVE IN PARITY WAGES AND COMPETITIVE WAGES AS WELL AS TRUSTEE MAH JUST SAID.

AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN INVEST IN ALL OF OUR STAFF.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION BECAUSE I SEE THIS AS A COLA INCREASE TIED TO A CONTRACT, TIED TO AN EVALUATION THAT WE HAD AND WITH THE SATISFACTORY EVALUATION.

THIS IS OUR NEXT STEP.

SO THANK YOU.

THAT'S IT FOR ME.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

TRUSTEE. DI SALVO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I AM KIND OF IN THE.

AGREE WITH TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN ABOUT WHAT SHE JUST SAID, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION.

I AM GLAD THAT THE CONTRACT GIVES US PERMISSION WITH STIPULATING MAY INCREASE THE SALARY BY THE COLA OR BY THE COST OF LIVING BY THE CPI CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, WHICH IS 5.7% THIS YEAR.

[00:25:07]

IT GIVES US PERMISSION TO OFFER THAT OR NOT AFTER AN EVALUATION OR AT SOME TIME IN THE CONTINUUM OF EMPLOYMENT. AND BECAUSE IT GIVES US THAT MAY OPTION AND IT ISN'T ONE THAT SAYS SHALL AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION DUE TO THE TIMING OF THE INCREASE.

SO THAT'S ALL I WISH TO SAY AT THIS TIME.

AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT? JUST TRUSTEE DI SALVO'S POINT BROUGHT SOMETHING UP, SO I WOULD ACTUALLY DISAGREE AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT DOES GIVE US THAT LEEWAY, WHICH IS WHY I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

I THINK IT COULD ACTUALLY OPEN US UP TO LARGER ISSUES FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, I DON'T BELIEVE IT DOES GIVE US THAT LEEWAY BETWEEN MAY AND SHALL. NOT SURE IF WE CAN GET CLARITY ON THAT, BUT THAT'S I WOULD RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH TRUSTEE DI SALVO'S UNDERSTANDING.

THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM WITH RESPECTFULLY DISAGREEING.

IF WE COULD, WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS, I SEE COUNSEL MEOLA HAS TURNED ON HER CAMERA.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED YOU COULD PROVIDE SOME COMMENTS TO THAT AND PLEASE TO YOUR ABILITY, PLEASE, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THIS ITEM.

YES, I CAN.

I THINK THAT IT IS CLEAR FROM THE WORDING OF THE CONTRACT THAT THE PARTIES THAT IS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT CONTEMPLATED THAT ONCE THE EVALUATION IS COMPLETED, IF THE EVALUATION IS NOT SATISFACTORY.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF IT'S SATISFACTORY OR BOTH, THAT THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION TIED TO CPI.

THAT IS WHAT IS CONTEMPLATED BY THE CONTRACT, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE REFERRING TO AT THIS MOMENT.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO YOU HAVE YOUR HAND RAISED? YEAH. VERY BRIEFLY.

I HATE TO DISAGREE WITH THE LEGAL OPINION WE JUST RECEIVED AND MY COLLEAGUE.

HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE BOARD ENTERED INTO THE WORDING OF THIS CONTRACT, WHICH IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT.

ANYBODY COULD SEE THIS DOCUMENT.

THE REASON WHY IT IS MAY IS BECAUSE IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHEN WE WOULD EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHEN THERE'S A REDUCTION IN FORCE NOTICES GOING OUT TO EMPLOYEES WHERE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN COMPENSATED FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, AND THE TIMING OF AN INCREASE IN SALARY FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

SO I THINK THAT IS THE CONTEMPLATION THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE WORDING OF THE CONTRACT THAT IT CURRENTLY EXISTS AND NOTHING ELSE.

SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

THANK YOU TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

TRUSTEE MAH. THANK YOU PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME HISTORIC BASIS IS THAT THERE WAS IN PRIOR CONTRACTS FOR PRIOR SUPERINTENDENTS DISCUSSION OF WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE AN EVERGREEN CLAUSE WHICH A NUMBER OF SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE COUNTY AT THE TIME AND PROBABLY EVEN NOW I'M NOT SURE SHOULD HAVE THE AUTOMATIC IF YOU WILL, RAISE INCLUDED.

AND SO IN DISCUSSIONS OF THIS CONTRACT AND OF PRIOR BOARDS WITH PRIOR SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACTS, VERY SPECIFICALLY, WE DID NOT INCLUDE AN EVERGREEN AUTOMATIC THING IN THE CONTRACT.

SO I AGAIN TAKE EXCEPTION AND DISAGREE THAT THERE WAS ANY CONTEMPLATION OF AN AUTOMATIC OR, YOU KNOW GIVEN INCREASE GIVEN THAT SPECIFICALLY THE MAY.

I'M SORRY. I WAS MUTED.

OKAY. OKAY.

I'LL START OVER. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I WANTED TO GIVE SOME HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE IN THAT WE HAVE IN THE PAST WITH PRIOR SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRIOR BOARDS, CONSIDERED CONTRACTS WITH A CLAUSE TO WHAT'S WHAT IS CALLED AN EVERGREEN CLAUSE, WHICH DOES GIVE KIND OF AN AUTOMATIC RAISE IF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION IS SATISFACTORY OR ABOVE.

AND THAT A NUMBER OF SUPERINTENDENTS AT THE PREVIOUS TIMES HAD THAT CLAUSE.

AND SO IN DISCUSSING THIS CONTRACT, EVERY TIME WE'VE HAD IN THE PREVIOUS THREE SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACTS THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH,

[00:30:05]

WE'VE CONSIDERED THE EVERGREEN CLAUSE AND WE'VE SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT WE WANTED THE MAY IN THERE SO THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN AUTOMATIC RAISE. SO I UNFORTUNATELY ALSO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE THAT THERE WAS A CONTEMPLATION THAT THIS WOULD BE AUTOMATIC WHEN THIS CONTRACT WAS DONE BACK IN 2019 OR WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, MANY YEARS AGO, THAT THERE WAS NO CONTEMPLATION, THAT THERE WAS AN AUTOMATIC, AT LEAST AMONG THE BOARD MEMBERS, WHO ARRANGED AND DISCUSS THE CONTRACT AT THAT TIME.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE MAH.

JUST FOR THE RECORD, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD SHOWS THAT YOU ARE DISAGREEING WITH THE LEGAL ADVICE THAT OUR BOARD IS RECEIVING AT THIS MOMENT.

JUST SO THAT THE RECORD IN THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF THAT YOU ARE DISAGREEING WITH LEGAL ADVICE.

KATHRYN MEOLA, PLEASE.

YES. PRESIDENT ORTIZ, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT TO CLARIFY, THAT EVERGREEN CLAUSE IS REFERRING TO AN EXTENSION AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT.

IT IS NOT REFERRING TO AUTOMATIC COMPENSATION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

EVERGREEN CLAUSE REFERS TO AN EXTENSION WHICH IS NOT PRESENT HERE.

BUT IT DOESN'T. IT'S DIFFERENT AND DISTINCT FROM A CONTRACT THAT HAS AUTOMATIC INCREASE IN COMPENSATION WHERE THE WORDING IS SHALL. HERE THERE IS THE PARTIES CONTEMPLATED AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION TIED TO CPI BASED ON THE EVALUATION RESULTS PERIOD.

CALL THE QUESTION. LET ME JUST LISTEN TO A FEW MORE TRUSTEES WHO HAVEN'T SPOKEN AND THEN WE'LL BE SURE TO COME BACK TO TRUSTEES WHO HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN.

SO LET'S START WITH VICE PRESIDENT.

NO, NO. VICE PRESIDENT CHON HASN'T SPOKEN.

SO VICE PRESIDENT CHON. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I AGREE WITH TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY THIS WAGE DISPARITY IS A DIFFICULTY AND I THINK WE ARE WORKING HARD AND I JUST RESPECT EVERYBODY THAT'S DOING ANY WORK IN ANY TYPE OF EDUCATION RIGHT NOW, AS EDUCATOR MYSELF, IT'S NOT EASY BEING ANYWHERE FROM INSIDE THE CLASSROOM AND OUT. BUT I ALSO, LIKE TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN SAID, AND IS RESPECTING OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

AND SO BECAUSE OF THE RESULTS OF OUR EVALUATION PROCESS, I DO WANT TO STATE THAT I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION AS WELL.

AND I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

LET'S DO TRUSTEE KAMEI AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM TRUSTEES WHO HAVE SPOKEN ALREADY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING A PROCESS, A SET PROCESS ON EVALUATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, AND WE SET GOALS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND EITHER SHE MEETS OR EXCEEDS OR DOES NOT MEET THESE GOALS.

WE HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS.

AND I THINK THAT IF THERE ARE ANY GOALS THAT NEED TO BE SET, IT IS THROUGH THIS PROCESS THAT WE SHOULD DO THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, WE AS A COUNTY BOARD, UNLIKE SCHOOL BOARDS, DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.

SO I THINK THAT THIS IS A BIG DISTINCTION.

I TOO BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A FAIR WAGE.

BUT I THINK THAT AS TRUSTEES, THIS IS NOT OUR ROLE.

SO I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE A QUESTION? THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. NO, I WAS SAYING I'D CALL THE QUESTION BECAUSE I THINK OH, OKAY. FOREGONE CONCLUSION.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

OKEY DOKEY. THANK YOU ALL.

LET'S CALL THE QUESTION IF YOU COULD ALL PLEASE VOTE IF YOU HAVE NOT IN BOARD DOCS.

AND IF NOT, PLEASE PROVIDE A VERBAL AT THIS MOMENT, I SAY OUR.

SORRY. PRESIDENT ORTIZ IF YOU COULD TAKE A VERBAL YES.

YES, VERBAL YES FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI.

IF YOU COULD TAKE A VERBAL NO FROM ME, PLEASE.

VERBAL NO FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS.

NOW ON TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

[8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT]

[00:35:01]

DR. DEWAN. YES.

JUST A FEW ITEMS. SINCE OUR LAST MEETING ON NOVEMBER 17TH, WE HELD A MEETING WITH THE PROJECT CORNERSTONE TEAM TO TALK ABOUT BRINGING THE SURVEYS BACK.

IT'S BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE WE'VE DONE THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS SURVEYS WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OUR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING THAT BACK FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE COUNTY.

ON NOVEMBER 18TH, WE WERE REALLY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE STUDENTS FROM BLUE RIDGE SCHOOL AND THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM.

THEY CAME TO THE COUNTY OFFICE AND THE EXPRESSION OF THANKSGIVING TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY OFFICE LEADERSHIP AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS HERE AT RITTER PARK.

THEY PREPARED SOME MUFFINS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS THAT THEY DISTRIBUTED TO STAFF HERE AT THE SCCOE.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR STUDENTS.

ONE OF THE STUDENTS WAS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBER, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WHO WAS ABLE TO COME HERE IN PERSON AND SEE THE BUILDING FOR WHICH HE HAD SERVED ON THE BOARD.

AND HE EXTENDED HIS GRATITUDE TO EACH OF YOU TRUSTEES AS WELL.

ALSO, THAT DAY I PARTICIPATED IN A VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION WHICH WAS HELD BY BLUE SHIELD, AND IT WAS ABOUT OUR SCHOOL WELLNESS CENTER INITIATIVE AND OUR CAPACITY BUILDING WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN SUPPORT OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND TODAY WE HAD OUR CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS WEEKLY MEETING.

THIS WAS A SPECIAL MEETING TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS WHO ARE RETIRING AND SEVERAL WHO ARE RETIRING AFTER 40 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE TO EDUCATION.

SO IT WAS QUITE A WONDERFUL MEETING.

I WANTED TO REMIND THE BOARD ABOUT A COUPLE UPCOMING ACTIVITIES.

THE FIRST IS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD'S ASSOCIATION MEETING IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK, DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH 3RD IN SAN DIEGO, AND TO ALSO CONGRATULATE THE SILICON VALLEY READS TEAM.

WHILE WE ARE AT CSBA, WE WILL BE RECEIVING A GOLDEN BELL FOR OUR SILICON VALLEY READS INITIATIVE, AND THAT CEREMONY IS ON DECEMBER 1ST.

SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE STAFF WHO WORKED SO HARD ON THAT INITIATIVE.

ON DECEMBER 8TH AT 5:00 HERE IN THE SAN JOSE ROOM, WE WILL HAVE OUR OPPORTUNITY YOUTH ACADEMY FALL GRADUATION.

ALL TRUSTEES ARE INVITED, SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND.

I WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE RELATED TO TERMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS.

THE NOVEMBER ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE CERTIFIED ON DECEMBER 8TH.

SO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND JUST IN 2019, THE LAWS CHANGED REGARDING THE SET TIME OF TERMS WHEN THEY BEGIN AND END.

AND NOW WITH THE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT, ELECTIONS ARE NOT CERTIFIED UNTIL DECEMBER 8TH.

SO NEW TRUSTEES WILL ASSUME OFFICE ON DECEMBER 9TH, WHICH MEANS THAT OUR OUTGOING TRUSTEES TERMS END ON DECEMBER 8TH OR DECEMBER 9TH. WE WILL HAVE AN OATH OF OFFICE AND SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR OUR NEW TRUSTEES, INCLUDING OUR RETURNING TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AT 3:30, AND THEN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 14TH.

AND ALSO, JUST TO CLARIFY THAT TRUSTEE KAMEI'S TERM WILL END ON DECEMBER 21ST.

WHEN HER DEFERRED RESIGNATION TAKES EFFECT.

SO THOSE ARE THAT CONCLUDES MY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR.

DEWAN, FOR YOUR REPORT. TRUSTEES, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR.

DEWAN? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT ITEM IS NUMBER NINE.

[9. INTERVIEWS/POSSIBLE ACTION - PROVISIONAL SCCBOE APPOINTMENT]

INTERVIEWS, POSSIBLE ACTION, PROVISIONAL SCCBOE APPOINTMENT.

TONIGHT, THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL TAKE ACTION TO MAKE A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT IN BOARD TRUSTEE AREA 3. WHEN WE ARE READY TO INTERVIEW THE APPLICANTS, WE WILL BEGIN WITH AN OVERVIEW AND BRIEF STAFF REPORT PROVIDED BY DR.

DEWAN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

[00:40:03]

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

APPLICANT INTERVIEWS AND THEN BOARD DISCUSSION AND ACTION.

ORIGINALLY THERE WERE FIVE APPLICANTS.

ONE OF THE APPLICANTS, BASIL SALEH, WITHDREW HIS APPLICATION ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH AT 4:54 P.M..

THE FOUR APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY LAST NAME AS FOLLOWS.

JILL LUTES, DONALD ROCHA, MICHELLE RYAN, AND JESUS SALAZAR.

THE APPLICANTS WERE PROVIDED WITH THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE OF TONIGHT'S MEETING.

WHILE AN APPLICANT IS BEING INTERVIEWED, THOSE WAITING FOR THEIR INTERVIEW WILL BE LOGGED IN A SEPARATE ZOOM ROOM.

EACH APPLICANT HAS SIGNED AN ATTESTATION AGREEING THAT THEY WILL NOT OBSERVE THE BOARD MEETING WHILE THE INTERVIEWS ARE IN PROGRESS.

HOWEVER, ONCE EACH APPLICANT HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE MEETING.

APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES.

I, AS BOARD PRESIDENT, WILL OPEN AND CLOSE EACH INTERVIEW.

THERE WILL BE SIX QUESTIONS WITH EACH TRUSTEE ASKING A SINGLE QUESTION.

THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED ONE TO EACH TRUSTEE TO ASK IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY THE TRUSTEES LAST NAME AS FOLLOWS.

QUESTION ONE VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

QUESTION TWO TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

QUESTION THREE TRUSTEE MAH.

QUESTION FOUR PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

QUESTION FIVE TRUSTEE ROSSI.

QUESTION SIX TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

IF, AFTER RESPONDING TO THE FIRST SIX QUESTIONS, TIME REMAINS WITHIN THE 30 MINUTE ALLOCATION, APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED UP TO TWO FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS.

THE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED ONE TO EACH TRUSTEE TO ASK IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY THE TRUSTEES LAST NAME AS FOLLOWS.

APPLICANT ONE VICE PRESIDENT CHON, QUESTION SEVEN AND TRUSTEE DI SALVO QUESTION EIGHT.

APPLICANT TWO TRUSTEE MAH, QUESTION SEVEN.

AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ, QUESTION EIGHT.

APPLICANT THREE.

TRUSTEE ROSSI, QUESTION SEVEN AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, QUESTION EIGHT.

APPLICANT FOUR VICE PRESIDENT CHON, QUESTION SEVEN AND TRUSTEE DI SALVO, QUESTION EIGHT.

APPLICANT FIVE TRUSTEE MAH, QUESTION SEVEN AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ, QUESTION EIGHT.

BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH AN INTERVIEW SUMMARY SHEET TO RECORD THE RESPONSES OF EACH APPLICANT.

THE USE OF THIS SHEET IS OPTIONAL.

PLEASE NOTE SUMMARY SHEETS AND ANY OTHER WRITTEN NOTES WHETHER ON THE SUMMARY SHEET OR NOT MUST BE COLLECTED AND ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, DO ALL TRUSTEES HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR SUMMARY QUESTIONS, THE INTERVIEW SHEETS? TRUSTEE ROSSI.

MY APOLOGIES, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I CANNOT FIND THE QUESTIONS.

I WONDERED IF THEY COULD BE RE-EMAILED TO ME.

DR. DEWAN. YES.

I'LL SEND YOU ALL ANOTHER EMAIL WITH THE QUESTIONS AND THEN PRESIDENT ORTIZ IF YOU CAN REMIND ME AGAIN WHEN I'LL BE ASKING MY APOLOGIES.

I HAVE COVID AND I'M REALLY NOT NO WORRIES. SORRY ABOUT THAT. I'M NOT AS ALERT TODAY.

NO WORRIES. TRUSTEE ROSSI I ACTUALLY HAD COVID LAST WEEK, SO I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.

YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.

SO IF YOU COULD KINDLY REMIND ME, I HAVE QUESTION NUMBER FIVE.

YOU SAID? CORRECT.

QUESTION NUMBER FIVE.

AND THEN IF WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO ASK.

SECOND ROUND. 7 AND 8 YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE THIRD APPLICANT, QUESTION SEVEN.

YEAH. OKAY, SO IF THERE'S A SECOND ROUND OF THE THIRD APPLICANT, I WOULD ASK QUESTION NUMBER SEVEN.

FOR THE THIRD APPLICANT IF THE TIME GOES TO IF WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO ASK A SEVENTH QUESTION FOR THE THIRD APPLICANT, THEN YOU WILL BE ASKING THE SEVENTH QUESTION. OKAY.

MY APOLOGIES. NO WORRIES.

TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.

YEAH. ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.

DR. DEWAN IS. YEAH.

[00:45:08]

YEAH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER TRUSTEES WHO NEED QUESTIONS OR ANY OF THE ITEMS? NO. OKAY. WELL, JUST CONTINUE WITH THIS SCRIPT.

AS BOARD PRESIDENT, I WILL FACILITATE A BOARD DISCUSSION CENTERING ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH APPLICANT.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOARD DISCUSSION CENTERING ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH APPLICANT, EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL, BY VERBAL ROLL CALL, BE ASKED TO STATE THEIR TOP APPLICANT. IF ANY APPLICANT RECEIVES FOUR OR MORE NOMINATIONS, THE BOARD PRESIDENT WILL CALL FOR A MOTION SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT.

ONCE SECONDED EACH BOARD MEMBER BY VERBAL ROLL CALL VOTE RESPONDS TO THE MOTION.

IF THERE IS NO MAJORITY NOMINATION FOR ANY APPLICANT, THE TOP APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS.

AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE ALL DOCUMENTS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM TRUSTEES.

TRUSTEES ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR NOTES TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE BY NOVEMBER 30TH, 2022.

AND ON BEHALF OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF THE APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST IN SERVING ON THE BOARD.

NOW, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE TRUSTEES? NO. OH. TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

WELL, I HAVE AN OPENING COMMENT.

OKAY. IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT THAT? ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

I WROTE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR, AND IT WAS PRINTED IN THE MERCURY NEWS ABOUT MY AND I'VE TALKED TO DR.

DEWAN ABOUT MY FEELINGS THAT THIS PROCESS THAT WAS DECIDED ON OVER TWO WEEKS AGO IS KIND OF A RUSHED PROCESS. AND I THOUGHT THAT ONLY THOSE IN THE KNOW IN SUCH A SHORT TIME TURNAROUND FROM NOVEMBER 3RD TO THE END OF NOVEMBER WOULD APPLY.

AND THAT SEEMED TO HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE FOUR CANDIDATES CERTAINLY HAVE MANY GOOD CREDENTIALS, AND THAT'S WHY I'M GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS TONIGHT. HOWEVER, WE'VE GOT MOSTLY PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE KNOW, PEOPLE THAT ARE TRUSTEES, PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED IN THE SYSTEM AND NOT THE BROADER COMMUNITY. AND FOR ME, SINCE THE POLITICIANS ARE GOING TO DECIDE THIS, INCLUDING ME AS ONE AND NOT THE PEOPLE, I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BROADER EFFORT TO RECRUIT AND TO HAVE A LONGER TIME PERIOD FOR THIS PROCESS.

SO I'VE SAID THAT BEFORE.

I SAID IT IN A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT PUBLIC TONIGHT AND THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

ALSO, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ME ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE WITH VICE PRESIDENT CHON AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.

I APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY.

NO WORRIES, TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

I DO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DO SEE AN APPLICANT AND STILL IN THE ATTENDEES.

IS THAT THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AT THIS POINT? AND IT'S FINE EITHER WAY.

ALL RIGHT. IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION, WE CAN TAKE IT.

BUT OTHERWISE, THE CANDIDATES NOT BEING INTERVIEWED WILL BE MOVING SHORTLY.

OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD.

DR. DEWAN, ARE WE READY TO PROCEED? YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

JUST TO ALSO PROVIDE A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

FIVE APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED.

WE DID HAVE THE ONE APPLICANT WHO DID OPT TO WITHDRAW AND WE DID RECEIVE THE WITHDRAWAL NOTICE ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD AT THE END OF THE DAY, ABOUT 4:54 P.M..

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE BECAUSE THE BOARD AGENDA HAD ALREADY BEEN FINALIZED FOR POSTING ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY.

SO THE ORIGINAL BOARD AGENDA ITEM DID INCLUDE THE APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR ALL FIVE OF THE APPLICANTS.

THE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE MET AND WE WERE ABLE TO VERIFY ELIGIBILITY OF ALL FIVE APPLICANTS TO SERVE ON THE COUNTY BOARD.

ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON CRITERIA SUCH THAT THE APPLICANT MUST BE A RESIDENT IN TRUSTEE AREA THREE.

THEY MUST BE A REGISTERED VOTER AND THEY CANNOT BE EMPLOYED BY THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OR IN ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUR APPLICANTS TO BE INTERVIEWED THIS EVENING SUBMITTED THEIR ATTESTATION THAT THEY WOULD NOT WATCH THE BOARD MEETING DURING THE TIME THAT THEY ARE AWAITING THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW.

[00:50:02]

DEWAN. NOW ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON A PARTICULAR APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE THEIR HAND RAISED AT THIS TIME TO BE HEARD.

HANDS MUST BE RAISED BY THE TIME PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINS.

ONE PUBLIC COMMENT PER AGENDA ITEM IS ALLOWED, AND AS A REMINDER, THE RAISE HAND ICON IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ZOOM WINDOW OR CALLERS MAY PRESS STAR NINE ON THEIR SMARTPHONE.

MODERATOR DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES, WE HAVE FIVE HANDS RAISED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

PLEASE BEGIN. OUR FIRST THREE SPEAKERS ARE LUPE RUIZ, EXCUSE ME, HELEN JUAN AND JENNIFER GARCIA.

YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE UNMUTED.

THE TIMER WILL START ONCE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.

COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS LUPE RUIZ.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN.

YOU MAY BEGIN. I JUST WANTED TO SAY SOME WORDS IN REGARDS TO CANDIDATE JESUS SALAZAR.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT HE IS ONE OF THE KINDEST PERSONS THAT I'VE KNOWN.

JESUS IS VERY DEDICATED TO HIS COMMUNITY AND WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL STUDENTS GET THE EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE.

NOT ONLY DOES JESUS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, BUT HE ALSO HAS THE KNOWLEDGE.

GRADUATING FROM LUTHER BURBANK, ATTENDING DELMAR HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE AND KNOWS WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE.

JESUS CURRENTLY IS A LUTHER BURBANK SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TRUSTEE AND IS VERY INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.

JESUS MAKES A WONDERFUL MEMBER, TEAM MEMBER AND HAS GREAT IDEAS AND VISIONS.

JESUS ATTENDS ALL OF OUR EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERS AS MUCH AS HE CAN.

HE IS NOT ONLY VERY TALENTED, HE'S A VERY TALENTED YOUNG MAN WITH MANY ASPIRATIONS, AND HE WOULD MAKE A GREAT ASSET AS A TRUSTEE FOR AREA THREE.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HELEN JUAN.

HELEN, YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE MUTED.

HELLO, MY NAME IS HELEN JUAN AND I'M A PROUD PARENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBER.

AFTER LEARNING MORE ABOUT ALL THE APPLICANTS, I FELT THAT JESUS SALAZAR REALLY RESONATES WITH OUR FAMILIES.

THIS BOARD NEEDS DIVERSITY AND JESUS IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO BRINGS THAT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO THIS BOARD.

ACCORDING TO THE SEC 2021 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT RELATIONS, 39% OF THE COUNTY'S RESIDENTS ARE IMMIGRANTS, AND 60% OF THE CHILDREN HAVE AT LEAST ONE IMMIGRANT PARENT.

JESUS HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO ELEVATING THE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND HE UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND THE HARDSHIP OF OUR COMMUNITIES WITH HIS LEADERSHIP AT SCCOE WE CAN ADVANCE EFFORTS TO BRIDGE THE EDUCATIONAL CHASM BETWEEN THE WORKING AND AFFLUENT CLASSES.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JENNIFER GARCIA.

YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO TALK TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

EXCUSE ME. YOU MAY BEGIN.

MY NAME IS JENNIFER GARCIA.

I AM A PARENT, CONSTITUENT AND LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY.

AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IS MADE UP OF 40% LATINO, AUTHENTIC LATINO REPRESENTATION IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE MAKEUP OF THIS BOARD. DIVERSITY IS KEY FOR ANY SPACE, AND I AM ASKING THIS BOARD TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND ENSURE DIVERSITY WHEN APPOINTING OUR NEW REPRESENTATIVES. THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER, OUR NEXT FEW SPEAKERS ACTUALLY, OUR NEXT THREE ARE GEMMA GARCIA, EVA HEREDIA AND RIGO ROSAS.

YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

YOU WILL. YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE UNMUTED AND YOU MAY BEGIN.

GEMMA GARCIA, YOU MAY BEGIN.

WE MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING A MINOR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY AT THIS MOMENT.

WE'LL COME BACK TO GEMMA.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS EVA HEREDIA.

[00:55:02]

YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

EXCUSE ME. EVA, WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU AS WELL.

EVA, WE WILL.

BUT PLEASE, HANG ON.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RIGO ROSAS.

HELLO? CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? YES, I CAN. YOU MAY BEGIN YOUR COMMENT.

HI. THIS IS A COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF JESUS SALAZAR.

I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT THREE.

AS A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, I'VE KNOWN THIS FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, AND I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE IMPACTS OF COVID IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE LEARNING LOSS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR LATINO POPULATION THAT IT'S CREATED.

SO IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR US THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE COMMUNITY, SOMEONE WHO IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND SOMEONE WHO'S WITNESSED, YOU KNOW, TRACK RECORDS SUCH AS, JESUS, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP GIVING BACK AND ORGANIZING COMMUNITIES.

SO HE WILL BE A GREAT CANDIDATE.

AND ALSO IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY AS A TRUSTEE.

THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK WORD TO GEMMA.

YOU DO NEED TO UPDATE YOUR ZOOM IF YOU'D LIKE TO UPDATE AND COME BACK IF YOU'RE ABLE TO DO SO.

OUR NEXT FEW SPEAKERS ARE NATALIA CARO.

YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

PLEASE BEGIN.

NATALIA CARO.

HMM. SORRY.

NATALIA. ONE MOMENT. I'M SO SORRY.

WE CAN. IF WE CAN PAUSE HER TIME, WE'RE ABLE TO GET A TRANSLATOR.

EXCUSE ME? AN INTERPRETER FOR HER.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

WE'RE WAITING FOR STAFF TO BRING UP THE TWO MINUTE TIMER, SO PLEASE BEAR WITH US.

TRUSTEE KAMEI AND I ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE TRANSLATION SERVICES IF NEED BE.

SHE'S GOING TO START AGAIN.

OK OKAY.

NATALIA.

HI. HELLO.

MY NAME IS NATALIA, AND I AM THE MOTHER OF TWO STUDENTS.

COMMUNITY.

FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

BECAUSE WE MADE UP 25% OF THE WHOLE POPULATION OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

JESUS.

WE NEED MORE LEADERS THAT LOOK LIKE US AND THAT LOOK LIKE OUR STUDENTS.

WATCHING THESE MEETINGS, MEMBERS HERE.

[01:00:07]

TO HAVE OUR CHILDREN INVOLVED IN OUR COUNTY.

BEING REPRESENTED WITH THE PEOPLE WITH THE EXPERIENCE TO REPRESENT US AND TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

PLEASE TAKE JESUS INTO CONSIDERATION.

OKAY. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS EVA HEREDIA.

HELLO. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS EVA AND I HAVE TWO STUDENTS.

I'M QUITE DISAPPOINTED TO SEE A FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, DON ROCHA, SEEKING THIS OFFICE.

HE LEFT THE CITY OR THE SAN JOSE [INAUDIBLE] WATER AFTER NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY RACE.

IT'S CLEAR HE'S ONLY SEEKING THIS APPOINTMENT SO HE CAN RUN FOR THE CITY OR THE SAN JOSE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

I ASK THIS BOARD TO BE DILIGENT IN APPOINTING MEMBERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO STUDENTS AND NOT PEOPLE SEEKING PERSONAL POLITICAL AGENDAS.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GEMMA GARCIA.

GEMMA, YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

PLEASE BEGIN. HELLO, MY NAME IS GEMMA GARCIA.

THIS ENTITY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY HAS NAMED ONE OF ITS GOALS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

THE MAKEUP OF THIS BOARD IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH HINDERS THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT REPRESENTED.

IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE SPECIFIC GOAL, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THIS BOARD TO APPOINT DIVERSE MEMBERS WHO BRING A DIVERSE POINT OF VIEW.

WE NEED LATINO REPRESENTATION ON THIS BOARD, AND PREFERABLY SOMEONE WHO IS SPANISH SPEAKING, SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS OUR COMMUNITY AND SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS OUR LANGUAGE.

THANK YOU. AND THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

I DO SEE ONE MORE HAND RAISED IN PUBLIC COMMENT, I BELIEVE.

MODERATOR. HELLO.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ I'M NOT SURE.

CAN I MAKE A POINT OF ORDER PRESIDENT ORTIZ? YEAH. YEAH.

TRUSTEE MAH. IS PRESIDENT ORTIZ THERE? OH, I DON'T THINK THEY CAN HEAR US.

HELLO? CAN EVERYBODY HERE ME? OKAY. OH, NO, I WAS JUST.

I DON'T KNOW IF STAFF HEARD ME.

THE MODERATOR HEARD ME, BUT I JUST MENTIONED THAT I SEE SOME HANDS RAISED THAT WEREN'T CALLED ON.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

THANK YOU. JOE HERTY ALREADY MADE HIS COMMENT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT IN REGARD TO THIS ITEM.

AND I SEE NOW WITH A HAND UP, MARILYN [INAUDIBLE].

MARILYN, YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK TO PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND YOU MAY BEGIN.

MARILYN DURON, SEIU [INAUDIBLE] CAUCUS CHAIR.

I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT.

THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS THAT ARE LEAVING.

YOU KNOW, JUST IT MAY SOUND DISRESPECTFUL, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ON THAT BOARD FOR YEARS.

YOU'RE LEAVING AND YOU STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR JOB WAS.

I'M REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THE NEXT THREE BOARD MEMBERS THAT COME ON THIS BOARD STAND UP AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR ROLE IS ON THE BOARD.

NO, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHT TO EMPLOYEES OR WHATEVER, BUT YOU DO HAVE HER AS YOUR EMPLOYEE AND YOU AGENDIZE THE MEETING, NOT JUST COME THERE WITH THE TITLE. PETER, YOU HAVE BEEN PRESIDENT AND THEN VICTORIA VICE PRESIDENT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT A TITLE AND MOVING ON TO YOUR NEXT POLITICAL JOB AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE.

SHE'S PUT YOU IN THE LIMELIGHT OF POLITICAL.

THEN YOU GUYS ARE MOVING ONTO THE CITY COUNCIL TO JUST SIT THERE, TOO.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO DO, BUT PLEASE.

AND NOW THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ I HAVE AN ITEM OF CONCERN RELATED TO ONE OF THE APPLICANTS THAT I NEED TO RAISE FOR THE

[01:05:09]

BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.

ABSOLUTELY. AND WE WERE JUST APPRAISED BY ONE OF THE APPLICANTS THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO STAY FOR THE INTERVIEW. THEY ARE REQUESTING TO BE ABLE TO SEND THEIR WRITTEN RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO READ.

THEY WOULD ALSO NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE IN THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM DURING THE TIME PERIOD WHEN OTHER CANDIDATES ARE BEING INTERVIEWED.

SO MY QUESTION TO THE BOARD IS, AND POSSIBLY DIRECTLY TO THE AD HOC COMMITTEE IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU WISH TO PERMIT SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE POSTED PROCESS AND THE ESTABLISHED PROTOCOL THAT'S ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED? THAT'S QUESTIONS FOR THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, CORRECT? SO THAT'S FOR I WOULD START WITH THE AD HOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THEN TO THE BOARD.

COULD YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION, PLEASE DR.

DEWAN? YES, WE HAVE ONE OF THE APPLICANTS IS HAD BEEN HERE IN THE MEETING AND HAS INDICATED THAT THEY ARE LEAVING FOR ANOTHER COMMITMENT AND WOULD NOT BE PRESENT FOR THEIR INTERVIEW.

THEY ARE REQUESTING TO SEND THEY WROTE RESPONSES TO THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS.

THEY ARE REQUESTING TO SEND THOSE QUESTIONS.

THOSE RESPONSES TO ME AND TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT TO BE READ DURING THE TIME OF THEIR INTERVIEW.

AND ALSO, THEY WOULD NOT BE PRESENT IN THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM THAT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE INTERVIEWEES.

I DIDN'T WANT TO PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO THE APPLICANT.

I THINK THIS IS A DECISION FOR THE BOARD SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE ESTABLISHED PROTOCOL AND ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE PROCESS THAT WE HAD POSTED.

DO WE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE GREATER BOARD? VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

YES. I JUST HAVE A QUICK CLARIFICATION QUESTION.

WERE WE JUST NOTIFIED OF THIS? YES, I WAS JUST NOTIFIED A FEW MOMENTS AGO.

OKAY. AND THEN HAS THIS SITUATION HAPPENED BEFORE? AND NOT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'LL LET TRUSTEE DI SALVO GO IF HE HAS ANY QUESTIONS.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO. THANK YOU.

I AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME SERVE ON THE AD HOC COMMITTEE.

I THINK THAT IF THE CANDIDATE IS NOT ABLE TO STAY, IF THERE ARE NO LEGAL ISSUES FOR US RELATIVE TO THIS, I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE CANDIDATE SHOULD NOT HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS READ.

WE HAVE NO ABILITY FOR FOLLOW UP, AS WE WILL WITH THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

SO I THINK THAT THE PERSON, WHOEVER THAT MIGHT BE, HAS ELIMINATED THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS.

UNLESS THERE ARE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

AND LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID, I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY, SO I DON'T KNOW.

VICE PRESIDENT CHON ANYTHING FURTHER TO ADD BEFORE WE OPEN IT UP? ARE THERE? I GUESS I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION, ARE THERE ANY LEGAL IMPLICATIONS WITH THIS? ARE WE ABLE TO GET? I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT.

I APOLOGIZE I KNOW COUNSEL MEOLA IS PRESENT, BUT SHE ALSO WE WEREN'T GIVEN A HEADS UP ON THIS.

SO I DON'T.

OKAY. I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR THE REST OF THE BOARD.

TRUSTEE MAH AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I GUESS I'M JUST CURIOUS IF THERE WAS KIND OF FURTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS CANDIDATE OR APPLICANT IS NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE? I MEAN, AND I ONLY ASK BECAUSE IF IT WAS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I ASKED.

YES, I CAN RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION IF YOU'D LIKE PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

SO THAT THERE IS A LONG STANDING COMMITMENT FOR AN EVENT THAT BEGINS AT 7:30.

AND THAT IS THE REASON IT'S NOT A MEDICAL REASON.

[01:10:04]

AND NOT AN EMERGENCY.

THANK YOU. I SEE NO OTHER HANDS.

SO TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T PUT.

I FEEL PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT IT.

AND I DON'T THINK THIS CANDIDATE WHO'S LEAVING FOR ANOTHER MEETING AT 7:30 HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD.

SO I WOULD SAY TO ELIMINATE THAT PERSON.

AND LET'S GO WITH THE NEXT THREE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I ALSO WOULD SUPPORT THAT NO OFFENSE TO ANY CANDIDATE, BUT WE DO A LOT OF MEETINGS AND I'M SURE THAT THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE MADE IT A PRIORITY TO BE HERE.

SO, YOU KNOW, LET'S TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

I MEAN, DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS DR.

DEWAN OR? I THINK I'M GOING TO DEFER TO COUNSEL MEOLA.

DOES THE BOARD NEED TO VOTE.

I WOULD THINK NOT.

I THINK JUST CLARIFICATION, BUT KATHRYN.

YES, I AGREE. I AGREE WITH TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

I AGREE WITH PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THE COMMENTS AND THE BOARD HAS SET ASIDE THIS TIME TO INTERVIEW CANDIDATES AND THIS PERSON IS NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THOSE INTERVIEWS, WITH ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

AND SO THEREFORE, BY THAT PROCESS, THEY HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR CANDIDACY TO THE BOARD.

AND SO THAT WOULD BE.

I THINK THE ONLY VOTE WOULD BE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE DISAGREES WITH THAT APPROACH.

SO FAR, YOU'VE GOT, I THINK, THREE BOARD MEMBERS AGREEING WITH THAT APPROACH.

AND SO THE ONLY VOTE WOULD BE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS AN OBJECTION SPECIFICALLY THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE THE PERSON BE CONSIDERED, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THEY CAN'T BE PRESENT TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. SORRY.

YOUR VIDEO IS NOT ON, SO I MISSED YOUR HAND BEING RAISED.

DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION? NO, I WAS JUST.

THE POINT IS MOOT BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO OFFER.

IF IT'S OKAY WITH ALL OF YOU TO OFFER TO TAKE THIS PERSON UP OUT OF ORDER TO ENABLE HIM TO INTERVIEW BUT IT SEEMS THAT IT'S ALREADY 7:00, CLOSE TO 7:30.

SO I AGREE WITH TRUSTEE DI SALVO WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

WELL, I THINK THAT'S.

AND IF WITH NO ONE ELSE RAISING ANY SORT OF DISAGREEMENT, I THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION THIS BOARD IS GOING TO GO.

OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD.

NOW WE WILL BEGIN OUR INTERVIEWS.

OUR FIRST APPLICANT, INTERVIEW, IS JILL LUTES.

THE OTHER APPLICANTS WILL JOIN THE SEPARATE MEETING WAITING ROOM.

AND JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS IF YOU'RE AN APPLICANT, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT IN THE ATTENDEES DURING THIS OTHER THAN JILL LUTES.

SO, JILL, ARE YOU READY? OH, THERE YOU ARE. CARMEN, PLEASE SET THE TIMER FOR 30 MINUTES.

VICE PRESIDENT CHON, WHEN YOU ARE READY, PLEASE BEGIN WITH QUESTION ONE.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING, JILL.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE EACH.

CAN YOU HEAR ME BETTER NOW? OKAY. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

GOOD EVENING, JILL.

EACH CANDIDATE WAS ASKED TO PREPARE A CANDIDATE STYLE STATEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PROMPT.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COUNTY BOARD AND WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU BRING TO THE POSITION? PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CANDIDATE STATEMENT AT THIS TIME.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE AND A VERY ENTERTAINING EVENING SO FAR.

I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS AND THIS WILL SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

I ACTUALLY APPLIED BECAUSE I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT HE WROTE, AND THEN I SAW THE ADVERTISEMENT AND THOUGHT, WELL, THIS WOULD BE FUN TO APPLY FOR. I GREW UP IN SAN JOSE.

I ATTENDED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HERE.

I GRADUATED FROM SAN JOSE STATE.

MY BOTH MY PARENTS TAUGHT IN THE CAMPBELL UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

MY GRANDMOTHER TAUGHT IN EVERGREEN.

I REALLY HAVE MY ROOTS HERE AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER ATTENDS NOW THE SAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT I ATTENDED.

SO I DO HAVE A STRONG HISTORY AND CONNECTION.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'VE BEEN A TEACHER IN THE SANTA RITA SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 30 YEARS.

BEFORE THAT, I WAS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER.

[01:15:02]

BEFORE THAT, WHILE I WAS TEACHING, I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNION, THE TEACHERS UNION, AT A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO BRINGING THOSE SKILLS I WAS ALSO A DELEGATE TO THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTING SALINAS, NORTH SALINAS, NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY, ALL THE WAY OVER TO CASTROVILLE AND DOWN PARTS OF THE SOUTH VALLEY.

SO AND I SERVED ON THE [INAUDIBLE] SCHOOL BOARD FOR FOUR YEARS AS SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH 99% MINORITY STUDENTS, 75% ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, AND 25% OF FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

SO THAT'S MY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT I'M BRINGING.

BUT I ALSO SERVED 18 YEARS ON THE SALINAS CITY COUNCIL AS MAYOR, ALSO AS MAYOR PRO TEM.

I SERVED ON A NUMBER OF REGIONAL AGENCIES, SO I FEEL LIKE I'M BRINGING A LOT OF PUBLIC POLICY ABILITY AND ALSO A LOT OF TEACHING TO THE BOARD.

I AM AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL SCHOOL BOARDS NEED TO BE THE PUBLIC VOICE DEMANDING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS.

AND SO I BRING MY EXPERIENCE AS A VETERAN TEACHER AND A PUBLIC POLICYMAKER TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF, ADMINISTRATORS, AND THE COMMUNITY.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO, QUESTION NUMBER TWO? SURE. THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE.

SO MY QUESTION IS, HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO BRING TOGETHER THE COUNTY BOARD WHEN YOU ARE NEUTRAL ON AN ISSUE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY BOARD IS EVENLY SPLIT? YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT ON THE YES. AND, YOU KNOW, IN POLICY MAKING, BOARD MEMBERS MUST ALWAYS, ALWAYS MEASURE THE POLICY WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS.

SO IF THE GOAL LIKE THE GOAL FOR THIS ORGANIZATION IS IMPROVING ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

SO IN AN EVENLY SPLIT VOTE, I THINK THAT AS THE THE BOARD RE-EVALUATES THE POLICY TO TWEAK OR COMPROMISE TO BETTER MEET THE GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION, YOU CAN GET TO A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE REGIONAL BOARDS THAT I'VE ACTUALLY CHAIRED, THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY, THE SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE, THESE ARE BOARDS THAT REPRESENT A REAL ARRAY OF DIVERSE INTERESTS AND CONCERNS AND ISSUES.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, IN TRANSPORTATION, WE HAD CARMEL THAT WAS SAYING WE NEED ROADS BUILT FOR OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE OF TOURISM AND SOLEDAD SAYING WE NEED THE ROADS BUILT FOR OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE TWO PRISONS THAT ARE LOCATED IN SOLEDAD.

SO HOW IS ONLY ONE POT OF MONEY AND HOW DO YOU DIVIDE IT WITH COMPETING AND SOLID GOOD INTERESTS? SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT AS A BOARD MEMBER, YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT COMPROMISE AND WORKING TOGETHER AND DIALOG IS QUITE FRANKLY THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO YES.

ONE OF THE OTHER BOARDS I SERVED ON THE SOLID WASTE IS, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY HAS GARBAGE, EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET RID OF THEIR GARBAGE, BUT NOBODY WANTS THE GARBAGE DUMP IN THEIR TOWN. SO HOW DO YOU DO THAT AND HOW DO YOU DIVIDE UP THAT POT OF MONEY TO MAKE THAT WORK? SO, AGAIN, IT'S REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE IS IF I WAS THE DECIDING VOTE, I WOULD MAKE A DECISION ON HOW MATCHED THE POLICY IS TO THE GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THEN I WOULD VOTE AND MOVE ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMPREHENSIVE ANSWER.

I APPRECIATE IT. QUESTION NUMBER THREE TRUSTEE MAH.

MY NEXT QUESTION IS THAT THE GLOBAL IMPACT, THE GLOBAL COVID 19 PANDEMIC HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT THIS IMPACT AND YOUR IDEAS FOR ADDRESSING THEM? THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LONGEST ANSWER BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CLASSROOM WHEN ALL THIS CAME DOWN.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS WE RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC AND REALLY PREPARE TO ENTER A WHOLE NEW ERA OF EDUCATION, WE'RE GOING TO AND I'M SURE OF THIS, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A REAL PARADIGM SHIFT IN HOW WE TEACH AND HOW WE APPROACH EDUCATION AND HAVING TAUGHT BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER SHELTER IN PLACE.

[01:20:02]

BOY, I HAVE SEEN IN THE CLASSROOM THE PROFOUND IMPACT ON STUDENTS.

AND I HAVE TO ADD ON TEACHERS.

WE SEE THAT WITH TEACHER BURNOUT AND WE SEE IT WITH THE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

BUT THE IMPACTS THAT I'VE SEEN WITH THE CHILDREN IN MY CLASSROOM DISRUPTED LEARNING, TRAUMA, STRESS, LOWER TEST SCORES, HIGHER MISBEHAVIOR, HIGHER SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION RATES.

AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY THIS, THAT THE PRE-PANDEMIC INEQUALITIES IN EDUCATION HAS DEEPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT HAS FURTHER IMPACTED STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF COLOR, STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME BACKGROUND, HOMELESS STUDENTS, MULTI LANGUAGE LEARNING STUDENTS, LGBTQ STUDENTS, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

SO IT'S MORE CRITICAL, ABSOLUTELY MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REALLY RECOGNIZES THAT YOU ARE THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION THAT IS AT THIS POINT GOING TO NEED TO BE VERY TRANSFORMATIONAL TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE COHESIVE AND A UNIFORM STRATEGY AT A COUNTY WIDE LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE EQUITABLE RECOVERY. WE NEED TO FOCUS THE BOARD NEEDS TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC. WE NEED TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE STRUCTURES THAT HAVE ALLOWED FOR INEQUITIES TO EXIST IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LOOK AT IS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, AND IT PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES, FEDERAL RESOURCES, TO AND I'M GOING TO READ THE STATEMENT BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE BASED STRATEGIES TO ACCELERATE LEARNING THROUGH INTEGRATED AND TARGETED SUPPORTS.

AND SO WHAT CAN THE COUNTY DO? THE COUNTY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL DISTRICTS BY SUPPORTING LEARNING ACCELERATION PROGRAMS, APPLYING FOR AND USING FEDERAL FUNDS AND STATE DOLLARS, AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, CSBA, OUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO FULLY RECOVER FROM ALL THE PANDEMIC LOSSES THAT THAT WE'VE ALL SUFFERED FROM.

THANK YOU. LET ME GO AHEAD AND ASK QUESTION NUMBER FOUR.

PLEASE DESCRIBE AN OCCASION WHERE YOU PROPOSE SOMETHING OUT OF THE BOX AND FACED RESISTANCE.

HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THE SITUATION? IF YOU HAVEN'T PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS SITUATION, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW YOU WOULD RESOLVE IT.

I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S ANYBODY WHO'S EVER SERVED ON AN ELECTED BOARD THAT HASN'T BEEN IN THAT POSITION WHERE YOU HAVE REALLY AN IDEA YOU WANT TO PROPOSE NEW LEGISLATION, BUT IT REALLY PUSHES THE ENVELOPE OF FORWARD THINKING.

ISSUES FOR WHICH I'VE ADVOCATED AND GOTTEN PUSHBACK, HAVE BEEN PROMOTING NEW URBANISM IN OUR CITY GENERAL PLAN, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE AND INCLUSIONARY UNITS IN OUR BUILDING PLAN, PUSHING FOR WALKABLE STREETS, AND THE BIGGEST ONE, WHICH THE ONLY ONE I LOST ON, BY THE WAY, WHICH IS A MOOT POINT, BUT LEGALIZING MEDICINAL MARIJUANA AND ON THE SALINA CITY COUNCIL.

AND BUT THE WAY THAT I APPROACH IT IS WHAT I DID IS I ALWAYS WORKED WITH THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL EXCUSE ME AND THE CITY MANAGER.

IS THAT ME? OH, SORRY. AND THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WERE NO SURPRISES.

AND OF COURSE, ADHERING VERY CAREFULLY TO THE BROWN ACT, MAKING SURE THAT I KIND OF GOT AN IDEA OF WHAT SOME OF THE OBJECTIONS WERE FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH.

AND SO SITTING DOWN AND SEEING HOW DO WE MITIGATE THOSE PROBLEMS. AND SO WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR THE ITEM TO BE HEARD AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL, A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE STRUGGLED WITH HAD ALREADY BEEN HAMMERED OUT AND POLLING IN THE COMMUNITY WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WITH THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE.

WE HAD PATIENTS, WE HAD DOCTORS COME IN AND TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS.

NOW, IT DIDN'T PASS THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A MOOT POINT NOW.

BUT THE POINT IS, IS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK, TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT OTHERS MIGHT HAVE AND TO ABSOLUTELY PULL IN ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE.

[01:25:07]

THANK YOU. QUESTION NUMBER FIVE TRUSTEE ROSSI.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR APPLYING MS. LUTES.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SERVES AS AN APPELLATE BODY FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS DENIED BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE A LOCAL IMPACT.

KNOWING THAT, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS? THIS IS REALLY A HARD ONE FOR ME TRUSTEE ROSSI.

THE REASON IS, IS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS DRAW FUNDING FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS EDUCATE ABOUT 10% OF ALL STUDENTS IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY RECEIVE 90% OF THEIR FUNDING FROM LOCAL SOURCES.

AND FOR ME, THAT'S A CONCERN.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY NEEDS TO REALLY CONSIDER AND MUST DEMAND NOW.

YOU KNOW, THEY MUST DEMAND FROM CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING SHOULD BE HELD TO THE SAME EXCELLENCE, EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY STANDARDS AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DISTRICT RUN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE TO WORK FOR ALL STUDENTS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO TAXPAYERS AND THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SERVE.

NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLICLY FUNDED AND PRIVATELY MANAGED, AND IN CALIFORNIA, THEY MUST ADMIT ANY STUDENT WHO APPLIES COMPLY WITH DISCRIMINATION LAWS, STATE STANDARDS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

BUT THE KEY DISTINCTION BETWEEN A CHARTER SCHOOL AND A PUBLIC SCHOOL IS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT OVERSEEN BY AN ELECTED BOARD.

AND FOR ME, THAT'S I THINK THAT'S VERY PROBLEMATIC.

AND SO WHEN I HEAR OF A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD SAYING DENYING A CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST, THEN I THINK THAT THE COUNTY BOARD REALLY HAS TO TAKE THOSE THAT DENIAL UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND REALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT'S COMING FROM AND WHY THAT DECISION WAS MADE.

I THINK THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY CORPORATE RUN CHARTER SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, RESEARCH HAS BEEN PRETTY CLEAR THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY GETTING THE EDUCATION THAT HAS BEEN PROMISED.

AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THEY REALLY DO DRAIN MONEY FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THANK YOU. QUESTION NUMBER SIX, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU. HOW DO YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DECISIONS? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY BOARD WORKING AS AN APPELLATE BODY IN THE AREA OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS OR EXPULSIONS? WELL, OF COURSE, THEY HAVE TO YOU KNOW, THE LOCAL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY BOARD HAVE TO WORK HAND IN HAND.

I MEAN, WE'RE HERE FOR THE STUDENTS.

BUT LET ME FOCUS IF I MIGHT, ON EXPULSION, BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT AS A VETERAN TEACHER, OF COURSE, WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED THAT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE SUCH A BIG INCREASE IN STUDENT SUSPENSION AND EXPULSIONS SINCE COVID.

THE TREND HAD BEEN STARTING TO GO DOWN AND NOW IT'S GOING UP AGAIN.

AND YET YEARS, YEARS OF RESEARCH HAS CLEARLY SHOWN THAT EXPULSIONS NOT ONLY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT AND IMPACT STUDENTS OF COLOR AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, BUT THEY'RE INEFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING SCHOOL SAFETY.

AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY INEFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH THE MISBEHAVIOR OF OUR STUDENTS.

SO EXPULSION JUST DOES NOT CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN NEW APPROACHES TO RESOLVING CONFLICT.

SO WE NEED.

WELL, THERE JUST NEEDS TO BE MORE.

AND I THINK THIS IS WHERE I WOULD SAY WE NEED TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICTS SO THAT WE CAN BRING IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAMS. WE NEED TO BRING IN ANY EVIDENCE BASED ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO TEACH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS.

I WAS LISTENING TO NPR THE OTHER DAY AND THEY HAD AN INTERVIEW WITH SOME PEOPLE FROM OVERFELT HIGH SCHOOL IN SAN JOSE.

SO I'M SURE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT.

AND I MISS THE PROGRAM THAT THEY OR THE PROGRAM THAT THEY WERE THAT THEY HAD BROUGHT IN.

BUT I DID HEAR A STUDENT INTERVIEWED AND SHE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR FIGHTING AND FOR NOT GETTING ALONG.

AND SHE WENT THROUGH THIS KIND OF A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM OR AT LEAST A CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM.

[01:30:01]

AND IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE SHE SAID AFTER THE PROGRAM, AFTER SHE WENT THROUGH THIS, AFTER SHE ENGAGED IN THIS, SHE FOUND THAT SHE GOT ALONG WITH PEOPLE.

SHE SAID, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT.

AND IT WAS STUNNING.

IT WAS STUNNING THAT THIS GIRL, RATHER THAN BEING SUSPENDED YET AGAIN FOR FIGHTING, WAS PUT INTO THIS PROGRAM AND TURNED HERSELF COMPLETELY AROUND.

AND THAT'S HOW WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WE NEED TO BRING IN THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT HAPPENS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL OR AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

IT'S GOT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WE'RE DOING OUR STUDENTS A REAL DISSERVICE BY TURNING TO SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS.

SINCE WE DO HAVE ENOUGH TIME, WE WILL BE ASKING YOU A SEVENTH QUESTION.

AND THE PERSON ASKING THAT QUESTION WILL BE VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HAVE MADE THE EXPANSION OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, SUPPORTING SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES, ADDRESSING THE FENTANYL POISONING AND OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC AND ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND CLIMATE SCIENCE AS KEY PRIORITIES.

PLEASE SELECT ONE OF THESE PRIORITY AREAS AND DESCRIBE YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT THE PRIORITY.

OKAY. SO UNDERSTAND, I WAS A FIFTH GRADE TEACHER FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS TEACHING SCIENCE, AND I WAS A READING SPECIALIST.

SO OF COURSE, I'M GOING TO GO WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, CLIMATE SCIENCE.

IT'S GOT TO BE A PRIORITY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

EVEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

STUDENTS REALLY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS BECAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE IS A GROWING THREAT TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LIFE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUE STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN HOW INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES USE USE OF CARBON IS COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF AGRICULTURE TO FEED THE WORLD AND IS IMPOVERISHING DEVELOPING NATIONS.

WE SAW THAT IN THE COP 27 CONFERENCE THAT JUST TOOK PLACE IN EGYPT.

THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, VALUES AND ATTITUDES THAT WE TEACH WHEN WE TEACH CLIMATE SCIENCE, WHEN WE TEACH ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, WILL TRULY EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME GLOBAL LEADERS, AND IN BRINGING OUT THE NECESSARY CHANGE, BRINGING ABOUT THE NECESSARY CHANGE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE NOW.

NOW SO I THINK THIS ISSUE IS OF ABSOLUTE PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN OUR SCHOOLS NOW.

AND ASKING OUR EIGHTH QUESTION WILL BE TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR ANSWERS.

AND HERE'S YOUR LAST QUESTION.

ACTUALLY, IT'S NOT A QUESTION.

IT'S REALLY DO YOU HAVE A CLOSING STATEMENT OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE TO ENHANCE YOUR CANDIDACY? YOU KNOW TRUSTEE DI SALVO, I THINK HOW I WOULD ANSWER THAT IS JUST TO REITERATE THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THE CRITICAL NEED AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COUNTY BOARD TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A COHESIVE AND UNIFORM STRATEGY THAT'S COUNTY WIDE FOR AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? WHAT DO I THINK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS? WELL, I THINK WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS THAT THE COUNTY BOARD FACILITATES TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO ADVANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PRINCIPLES THAT WE REALLY, TRULY PARTNER WITH THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION TO WORK TO SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THE CREATION OF DISTRICTWIDE EQUITY WORK PLANS, AND THAT WE PRESENT STRATEGIES TO ENGAGE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES WITH THROUGH THIS LCAP PROCESS AND TRAIN ADMINISTRATORS ON THE BEST PRACTICES TO ENSURE WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES THAT CAN'T ATTEND MEETINGS THAT THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD.

THAT WE FOCUS ON AREAS IN SCHOOLS THAT NEED THE MOST HELP, THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE THESE SUPPORT SERVICES.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL MOMENT FOR COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS, AND THEY ARE THAT CONDUIT BETWEEN THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND TONY THURMOND'S OFFICE AND OUR STATE LEGISLATORS OFFICE, AND WORKING WITH THE LOCAL

[01:35:03]

DISTRICTS, WITH TEACHERS, WITH ADMINISTRATORS, AND MOST OF ALL WITH THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN SEE REAL, REAL STRUCTURAL CHANGE HAPPEN.

AND I MEAN, A PARADIGM SHIFT IN WHAT WE THINK ABOUT AND WHAT WE TEACH ABOUT EDUCATION.

AND THAT WOULD BE MY CLOSING STATEMENT, JUST WRAPPING UP EVERYTHING I FEEL AS I'M LOOKING AT YOUR QUESTIONS.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S BEEN A REAL PLEASURE.

YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JILL, FOR ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS.

IT WAS EXTREMELY INSIGHTFUL AND YOU MAY STAY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING.

OH, GREAT. THANKS.

THANK YOU. GOOD LUCK.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

THE SECOND APPLICANT IS MR. DONALD ROCHA.

STAFF IF WE COULD PLEASE BRING MR. ROCHA FROM THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM.

THAT'S A GOOD. I TURNED MY ARE YOU READY? YEAH.

CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME OKAY? YEAH, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

CARMEN, IF WE CAN, PLEASE SET THE TIMER FOR 30 MINUTES.

OH, AND I SEE YOU'VE ALREADY DONE THAT.

AND VICE PRESIDENT CHON, PLEASE BEGIN WITH OUR FIRST QUESTION.

GOOD EVENING. EACH CANDIDATE WAS ASKED TO PREPARE A CANDIDATE STYLE STATEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PROMPT.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COUNTY BOARD AND WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU BRING TO THE POSITION? PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CANDIDATE STATEMENT AT THIS TIME.

WELL, I HAVE DEVOTED MY ENTIRE CAREER TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO CONTINUE MY SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS TRUSTEE AREA THREE. IN ADDITION TO CONTINUING MY PATH OF PUBLIC SERVICE, THIS IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON IN THE PAST.

THOSE SERVICES THAT OFTEN HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED, WHICH TO ME IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF WHAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS.

AND IF SELECTED TO SERVE I WOULD CONTINUE MY WORK IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, WHICH AS A PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM HAVE BENEFITED FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ME. THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS THAT I BRING TO THIS ROLE INCLUDE MY PAST EXPERIENCE WORKING AT THE CITY, COUNTY, AND STATE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, ALL OF WHICH IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION OFTEN WORKS WITH AND ON OCCASION PARTNERS WITH.

FURTHERMORE, MY EXPERIENCE WITH POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PROVIDES ME THE SKILLS TO HELP CONTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY TO THE BOARD'S WORK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEGISLATION AND ALSO THE ADVOCACY NEEDED TO SEE IT THROUGH TO IMPLEMENTATION.

SO IN CLOSING, AS AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I ALSO HAVE DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACTING CHILDREN NOW MORE THAN EVER.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. THANK YOU.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO. CAN YOU PLEASE ASK OUR SECOND QUESTION? I SHALL. THANK YOU AND THANK YOU, TRUSTEE ROCHA, FOR BEING PART OF THIS INTERVIEW PROCESS.

HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO BRING TOGETHER THE COUNTY BOARD WHEN YOU ARE NEUTRAL ON AN ISSUE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY BOARD IS EVENLY SPLIT? THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION. IT'S ALWAYS AN INTERESTING ONE TO ASK AND A GOOD ONE.

I WOULD USE AN EXPERIENCE WHERE MY EXPERIENCE ON THE SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL IS A REFERENCE FOR THIS QUESTION.

AND WHILE, YES, THERE ARE OFTEN POLITICAL DIVIDES, I PREFER TO CALL THEM DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.

TO ME, THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH ON BRINGING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TOGETHER IS THE TIME TESTED LOOKING FOR COMMON GROUND.

WELL, THIS IS A POPULAR ANSWER AND VERY COMMON THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT BECAUSE IT CAN WORK AND DOES WORK.

AS LONG AS PEOPLE HAVE OPEN MINDS AND ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE.

EVEN WITH THIS APPROACH, IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST THE COMMON GROUND AND COMPROMISE THAT I'VE MENTIONED.

IT TYPICALLY TAKES THE PERSON PRESENTING IT TO HAVE THE CREDIBILITY OF BEING OPEN MINDED AND WILLING TO COMPROMISE THEMSELVES.

YOU CANNOT ASK OTHERS TO DO WHAT YOU YOURSELF ARE NOT WILLING TO DO.

SO FINALLY, IT NEEDS THAT PERSON PROPOSING THE SOLUTION TO ALSO DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

MEANING THAT PERSON NEEDS TO HAVE DONE THE RESEARCH NECESSARY TO BOTH UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND THE TWO SIDES THAT ARE BEING DEBATED AND ALSO POSSESS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SUGGEST SOMETHING THAT ACCOMPLISHED EVERYONE'S GOAL OR NEEDS, OR AT LEAST AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET TO THAT.

SO I AM COMMITTED TO YOU THAT I WILL DO MY HOMEWORK AND JUST AS IMPORTANT WORK TO BUILD THE TRUST OF MY COLLEAGUES BY BEING OPEN MINDED ON EACH AND EVERY ISSUE THAT COMES BEFORE THE BOARD, AS I HAVE ON EVERY ELECTED BOARD I'VE SERVED.

TRUSTEE MAH, IF YOU COULD PLEASE ASK OUR THIRD QUESTION.

[01:40:01]

THANK YOU. PRESIDENT ORTIZ THE GLOBAL COVID 19 PANDEMIC HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT THIS IMPACT AND YOUR IDEAS FOR ADDRESSING THEM.

WELL, THIS ONE, I APPROACHED IT FROM A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT ANGLE, AND IT WAS A VERY PERSONAL ANGLE TO ME.

SO ON MY CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD, I'M THE ONLY MEMBER WITH A CHILD CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE REASON I SHARE THAT IS BECAUSE I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT THAT REMOTE LEARNING HAD ON A CHILD.

ONE OF MY SONS, THE YOUNGEST ONE AND OFTEN THE YOUNGEST ONE, IS THE MOST SOCIABLE AND OFTEN THE MOST COMPETITIVE.

HE IS AN EXCELLENT STUDENT AND ALSO THE ONE THAT FEEDS OFF LEARNING WITH OTHER STUDENTS.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY KEY AND ALSO LEARNING FROM OTHER STUDENTS.

I BELIEVE IT'S NOT ALWAYS JUST ABOUT THE TEACHER IT CAN ALSO BE ABOUT THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

AS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT MOVED TO REMOTE LEARNING.

I WATCHED AS MY CHILD SLOWLY AND SLOWLY BECAME DISTRESSED AND ALSO WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS A FEELING OF DEFEAT, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD.

HE STRUGGLED IMMENSELY WITH REMOTE LEARNING.

IT WAS CLEARLY NOT THE TEACHING MODEL WHERE HE THRIVES.

DURING THAT TIME, AS I LEFT TO GO TO WORK.

I WOULD SAY GOODBYE TO HIM IN THE MORNING, LOOK IN HIS ROOM AND SAY, I'LL SEE YOU SOON.

AND I CAN STILL PICTURE AND IT GETS A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

THE IMAGE OF HIM LOOKING AT ME FROM HIS DESK WHILE HE'S STARING AT THE COMPUTER SCREEN YET AGAIN.

AND HE DID NOT SEEM LIKE HIMSELF NO MORE.

AND I COULD SEE IN HIS EYES THAT HE WAS NOT ONLY STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS WAS HAVING AN IMPACT ON HIM AS AN EMOTIONAL STATE, AS A CHILD.

THIS WAS HIS FIRST YEAR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, SIXTH GRADE.

AND THANKFULLY, UPON RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM, HE VERY QUICKLY BECAME HIMSELF AGAIN.

HE WENT FROM CS AND DS, WHICH HE GOT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN HIS LIFE BACK TO STRAIGHT A'S IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, JUST LIKE HE DID PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

I'M STILL PROUD OF HIM TO THIS DAY, AND I'M EVEN MORE HAPPY THAT WE HAVE OUR FUNNY CHILD BACK THAT WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE.

MY DAUGHTER, DIFFERENT STORY.

SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AT THE TIME AND SHE TOO STRUGGLED WITH REMOTE LEARNING.

THIS HAPPENED DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HER HIGH SCHOOL CAREER, BUT THIS WAS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

SHE BECAME EMOTIONALLY DEPRESSED AND WITHDRAWN DURING THIS TIME.

WHILE SHE IS CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND DOING FINE.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT SHE STILL HAS NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM THAT EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF HER MENTAL HEALTH AND PRETTY MUCH LOSING THE LAST TWO YEARS OF HER HIGH SCHOOL. I STILL WORRY ABOUT HER TODAY PROBABLY EVERY PARENT, BUT I'M SURE I'M NOT ALONE IN THIS EXPERIENCE.

THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES ACROSS OUR COUNTY WENT THROUGH THIS AS WELL.

WHILE MY SON WAS IN COLLEGE AT THE TIME, AND THE IMPACT ON HIM WAS LIMITED.

AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, HE WAS ABLE TO HANDLE IT VERY WELL WITH NO SHORT OR LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES.

THE REASON THAT I SHARED ALL OF THAT IS BECAUSE WHAT THIS TAUGHT ME IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS, AND ALSO THAT EACH CHILD LEARNS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE RECOGNIZE THAT AS AN EDUCATION COMMUNITY AND THAT WE PROVIDE THE SUPPORT SERVICES NECESSARY TO ALLOW EACH AND EVERY CHILD TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE MOST SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.

ALSO BEING AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ALONG.

AND BASED UPON THE ANALYSIS THAT I'VE SEEN IN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE IMPACT OF THAT WAS GREATEST UPON OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WHICH MAKES IT MORE OF A CRITICAL ISSUE FOR EVERYONE. THANK YOU.

I'M GONNA ASK QUESTION NUMBER FOUR.

TRUSTEE ROCHA, PLEASE DESCRIBE AN OCCASION WHERE YOU PROPOSE SOMETHING OUT OF THE BOX AND FACED RESISTANCE.

HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THE SITUATION? IF YOU HAVEN'T PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS SITUATION, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW YOU WOULD RESOLVE IT.

THANK YOU. SO WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST EXAMPLE IN TERMS OF THIS TOPIC, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.

IT'S THE MOST FITTING FOR THIS QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE ANSWER.

ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA COLLECTIVES ARE MOVING FORWARD FOR APPROVAL IN OUR CITY AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND NOW MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY OUR COUNCIL STRUGGLE COMING TO AN AGREED UPON APPROACH.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WAS MOST DEBATED AND NEVER COULD BE AGREED UPON INSTALL THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS WAS HOW MANY COLLECTIVES SHOULD WE LICENSE? SOME FOLKS HAVE SAID ONE, SOME SAID TEN, SOME SAID UNLIMITED.

SO IN SHORT, I TOOK A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT APPROACH AND I PROPOSE THAT WE TABLE THAT POLICY QUESTION OF HOW MANY AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON WHERE TO LOCATE THEM AND THEN HOW THEY WOULD OPERATE. I WANTED TO WORK BACKWARDS FROM THERE, BUT I THEN SUGGESTED WAS THAT WE FIRST IDENTIFY WHERE THEY COULD BE LOCATED.

AND I DID THIS BY PROPOSING THAT WE ONLY ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE CERTAIN ZONING DESIGNATIONS, NOT RESIDENTIAL, AND NOT IN THEIR COMMERCIAL COURSE, BUT RATHER CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL ZONE AREAS.

PLUS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SETBACKS FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS, SCHOOLS SENSITIVE USES SUCH AS HOSPITALS, ETC.

SIMILAR TO LIQUOR SALES.

I'M SORRY, LIQUOR SALES.

WHAT THIS DID WAS TOOK THE QUESTION AS TO HOW MANY OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE WE HAD JUST ESTABLISHED A LIMIT BY USING ANOTHER RESTRICTION, WHICH IS WHERE AND IT ENDED UP ARTIFICIALLY CAPPING THEM BECAUSE THERE WERE ONLY SO MANY SITES IN THE CITY THAT MET ALL OF THE RESTRICTIONS.

FINALLY, WE CAME TO AN AGREEMENT AS A COUNCIL, AND I BELIEVE WE ADOPTED A VERY GOOD POLICY FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE.

[01:45:01]

ALSO PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND RESIDENTS FROM UNWANTED IMPACTS DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE COMMERCIAL.

THANK. THANK YOU.

TRUSTEE ROSSI, IF YOU CAN ASK QUESTION NUMBER FIVE.

THANK YOU. WELCOME TRUSTEE ROCHA.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SERVES AS AN APPELLATE BODY FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS DENIED BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE A LOCAL IMPACT.

KNOWING THAT, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS? THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

WELL, WHEN I READ THIS, THE WORD THAT KEPT COMING BACK TO MY HEAD IS WHEN ONE SAYS AN IMPACT, SOME COULD ARGUE A POSITIVE IMPACT OR OTHERS COULD ARGUE A NEGATIVE IMPACT. I TEND TO AGREE THAT BOTH ARE POSSIBLE, GIVEN THAT I THINK THE ANSWER IS IN THE QUESTION.

YOU LOOK AT THE IMPACTS OF GRANTING THE CHARTER OR NOT GRANTED.

IMPACTS SUCH AS FISCAL TO THE HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH I BELIEVE IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW NOW, ALSO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS RECORD OF WORK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PERFORMANCE.

STUDENT SERVICES PROVIDED STAFF MANAGEMENT, A NUMBER OF THOSE ISSUES.

IN ADDITION, THE DEMOGRAPHICS THAT TEND TO BE SERVED BY THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL, THEY SHOULD REFLECT THE CURRENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

I WOULD ALSO LOOK TO LOCAL SUPPORT FROM THE EXISTING COMMUNITY.

THIS CAN TELL YOU A LOT ABOUT WHAT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS ARE AND IF AND IF OR IF NOT, THEY ARE ALREADY BEING MET.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PRIORITY HERE IS ABOUT THE STUDENTS, WHAT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST, AND I'M COMMITTED TO UTILIZING THAT FACTOR IN EVERY DECISION IN FRONT OF ME, JUST AS I DO ON THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL BOARD.

QUESTION NUMBER SIX FROM TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY BOARD WORKING AS AN APPELLATE BODY IN THE AREA OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS OR EXPULSIONS? SO AS FAR AS TRANSFERS OR ACTUALLY BOTH, I'LL START AGAIN THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE ABOUT THE STUDENTS FIRST AND FOREMOST AND WHAT'S IN THEIR BEST INTEREST, ESPECIALLY IN CONSIDERING TRANSFERS AND THE EXPULSIONS.

AND YES, WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES IN RELATION TO TRANSFERS.

WE CAN'T IGNORE THAT IMPACT, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT HISTORICALLY THE STATE HAS NOT FULLY FUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION, AT LEAST NOT IN MY PERSONAL OPINION OR FROM MY VANTAGE POINT.

AS FAR AS EXPULSIONS.

I HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS ISSUE AS WELL, AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIGHT THEMSELVES.

THESE ARE CHILDREN AND THEY WILL MAKE MISTAKES AND THEY WILL OFTEN LEARN FROM THEM.

AND THEY DO WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN THE END.

SO WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND I PERSONALLY AM FOREVER THANKFUL THAT I WAS GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY AND I HOPE I MADE THE MOST OF IT THE SECOND CHANCES THAT I WAS GIVEN.

AND I ALSO WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YEP. THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE ROCHA.

WE WILL NOW, DUE TO US HAVING ENOUGH TIME, WE WILL ASK A SEVENTH QUESTION AND TRUSTEE MAH WILL BE ASKING IT.

THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

THE QUESTION IS, THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HAVE MADE EXPANSION OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, SUPPORTING SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES, ADDRESSING THE FENTANYL POISONING AND OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC AND ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND CLIMATE SCIENCE AS KEY PRIORITIES.

PLEASE SELECT ONE OF THESE PRIORITY AREAS AND DESCRIBE YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT THE PRIORITY.

SO BASED UPON MY PREVIOUS ANSWER TO NUMBER THREE AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, IT'S LIKELY NO SURPRISE THAT I CHOSE SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT STILL NEEDS OUR FOCUS AND I THINK WILL FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

EVEN WITH THE PANDEMIC SHIFTING TO OUR REARVIEW MIRROR, SO TO SPEAK.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I THINK ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DEALING WITH.

THE REASON THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT A CHILD OR STUDENT IS IN NO POSITION TO LEARN UNLESS THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IS IN GOOD SHAPE OR BEING TENDED TO.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST BE LIKE TRYING TO LEARN AT SCHOOL WHILE A CHILD IS WORRIED ABOUT ISSUES THAT A YOUNG PERSON SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH, WHETHER IT'S HUNGER, ABUSE, SICKNESS OR LIVING IN FEAR OF DISPLACEMENT OF THEIR HOUSING SITUATION.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED.

THIS IS WHY I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL THAT THE BOARD AND OFFICE OF EDUCATION HAS INVESTED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND WELLNESS.

I WANT TO THANK, I'M SORRY, YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT AND THE FACT THAT IT'S EVEN SCHOOL BASED MORE INCREDIBLE.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THESE SERVICES, STAFF INCLUDED, AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SEEING THE SUCCESS.

AND I'LL ASK QUESTION NUMBER EIGHT.

[01:50:01]

DO YOU HAVE ANY DO YOU HAVE A CLOSING STATEMENT OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US TO ENHANCE YOUR CANDIDACY? WELL, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF MY APPLICATION AND MY INTEREST AND ALSO FOR YOUR TIME HERE TONIGHT AND ALSO FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THIS BOARD. YOUR WORK AND LEADERSHIP, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IS TO BE COMMENDED.

THIS BOARD HAS SHOWN ITS COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS IN THIS COUNTY AND ALSO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR TEACHERS AND STAFF.

I'M SURE YOU'VE SERVED ON THIS BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE GOOD PRESS.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE BAD PRESS.

AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE THE HIGHS AND LOWS.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM AN OUTSIDE VANTAGE POINT THAT YOU'RE ALL DOING A VERY EXCELLENT JOB AND THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES IT.

I WOULD BE HONORED TO SERVE WITH YOU.

AND IF I AM NOT SELECTED, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MY CONTINUED SUPPORT AND RESPECT FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WORK.

BUT IF SELECTED, I AM COMMITTED TO BEING A VALUABLE MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM, AND I WILL ALWAYS APPROACH EACH AND EVERY ISSUE WITH AN OPEN MIND.

I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT MY REPUTATION AND RECORD OF WORK HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS WHO I AM AND HOW I SERVE THE PUBLIC.

AND I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE NOW AND PUBLICLY I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

BUT I AM A QUICK STUDY.

I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE A BIT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES, BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY OF COMMUNITIES.

AND AS THE FIRST LATINO TRUSTEE ELECTED TO SERVE ON THE CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL BOARD IN ITS HISTORY, I WOULD BRING THAT PERSPECTIVE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS WELL.

NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ME PERSONALLY.

I COME FROM A HOUSEHOLD OF EDUCATORS.

MY PARENTS WERE BOTH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS.

AND MY BROTHER IS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.

I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO DID NOT PURSUE THE TEACHING PROFESSION, WHICH IS WHY I HOLD THE TEACHERS.

I HOLD TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS EDUCATORS IN SUCH HIGH REGARD.

AND THIS IS WHY I WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT I CAN TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MY COMMUNITY.

AND PLEASE KNOW, THE MOMENT I GOT ELECTED ON MY FIRST SCHOOL BOARD, I FINALLY WAS ALLOWED BACK AT THE DINNER TABLE BY MY MOM, MY DAD AND MY BROTHER.

AS A FORMER, AS A FORMER STUDENT IN THIS TRUSTEE AREA, I MYSELF WENT TO THE SCHOOLS IN TRUSTEE AREA THREE.

I ATTENDED CAMPBELL UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ALSO THE CAMDEN UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, AS I MENTIONED, AND I AM A PROUD PRODUCT OF THOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TRUSTEE AREA THREE, AS ARE MY CHILDREN.

I COULD SAY THAT MY ROOTS RUN VERY DEEP IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE THIS PROVIDES ME A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE.

I PERSONALLY KNOW THE SCHOOLS AND I PERSONALLY KNOW THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP AND I SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST 50 PLUS YEARS OF MY LIFE, JUST AS I'M SURE YOU DO IN YOUR DISTRICTS AS WELL.

MY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY WILL HELP ME BE AN EFFECTIVE TRUSTEE, INCLUDING THE RELATIONSHIPS I HAVE WITH MANY OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THIS COUNTY.

WHICH IS WHY I'M ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THE BOARD'S JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS DONE.

YOU'VE HAD MANY SUCCESSES.

THE WORK IS IMPRESSIVE, AND ANY WAY I CAN SUPPORT YOU WITH YOUR LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES, I WILL DO MY BEST TO HELP WITH THAT ADVOCACY.

FINALLY, I SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE STUDENTS, THE RESIDENTS, AND THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMUNITY THAT I SERVE.

AND THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN ACCOUNTABILITY.

I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE PUBLIC TO SERVE THEM NOW AND IN THE PAST, AND I INTEND TO DO THAT THE BEST OF MY ABILITY GOING FORWARD, REGARDLESS OF WHERE I SERVE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, VERY MUCH WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE ROCHA.

TRULY APPRECIATE IT. AND YOU MAY STAY IN THE MEETING FOR FUTURE APPLICANT SESSIONS.

THANK YOU. SO THE THIRD APPLICANT IS MICHELE RYAN.

STAFF IF WE COULD PLEASE BRING MICHELLE IN FROM THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ, MICHELE RYAN IS THE CANDIDATE WHO HAD TO LEAVE THE MEETING.

NO WORRIES. SHE'S NOT PRESENT FOR THE INTERVIEW.

THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

THE FOURTH APPLICANT IS JESUS SALAZAR.

STAFF IF YOU COULD PLEASE BRING IN JESUS FROM THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM.

HELLO JESUS OR TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

ARE YOU READY? I AM READY.

OKAY. CARMEN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE SET THE TIMER FOR 30 MINUTES.

ALL RIGHT. 30 MINUTES.

VICE PRESIDENT CHON, IF YOU COULD PLEASE BEGIN WITH A QUESTION NUMBER ONE.

GOOD EVENING. EACH CANDIDATE WAS ASKED TO PREPARE A CANDIDATE STYLE STATEMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING PROMPT.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE COUNTY BOARD AND WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU BRING TO THE POSITION? PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CANDIDATE STATEMENT AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

GOOD EVENING. BOARD TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF AND COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS JESUS SALAZAR AND I'M AN EDUCATION, LABOR AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE WHO IS COMMITTED TO UPLIFTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND ENSURING THAT

[01:55:07]

ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

I'M A PROUD SON OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS, THE YOUNGEST OF 12 CHILDREN WITH A FATHER WHO WORKED AS A FARM WORKER AND A MOTHER WHO WORKED AS A JANITOR TO PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY. GROWING UP AS AN UNDOCUMENTED BROWN BOY IN SILICON VALLEY WAS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.

MY PARENTS HAD NO CLUE HOW TO NAVIGATE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WITH TWO AND SOMETIMES THREE JOBS AND LEFT BEHIND AND LEFT EDUCATION FOR US TO FIGURE OUT.

WHILE GROWING UP, I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT I WAS GAY AND I WAS TERRIFIED.

BY THE TIME I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS SUFFERING WITH TWO IDENTITY CRISIS.

I WASN'T PROUD OF WHO I WAS AND WHERE I CAME FROM, AND I WAS SCARED ANYONE WOULD FIND OUT THAT I WAS GAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, MY STORY IS NOT UNIQUE, AND MANY OF OUR STUDENTS CONTINUE TO FACE THOSE CHALLENGES.

THEY CONTINUE TO FACE THOSE IDENTITY CRISIS.

THEY CONTINUE TO FACE THOSE BARRIERS PREVENTING THEM FROM BEING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

FOLLOWING HIGH SCHOOL, I WENT ON TO OBTAIN MY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND A MINOR COMMUNICATIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY, BECOMING THE ONLY SECOND CHILD IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE.

DURING MY TIME AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE, I WAS ABLE TO ORGANIZE STUDENT WORKERS ON CAMPUS TO DEMAND BETTER WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS.

OVER THE YEARS, I HELD NUMEROUS POSITIONS DEVOTED TO SERVING LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND CREATING CHANGE WHILE WORKING AS A LABOR ORGANIZER FOR SEIU UNITED SERVICE WORKERS WEST.

I MOBILIZED JANITORS ACROSS THE BAY AREA TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND HIGHER WAGES.

MY MOTHER, BEING HERSELF A JANITOR, HELPED ME DRIVE ME TO FIGHT FOR DIGNITY IN THE WORKPLACE, FOR JANITORIAL AND WORKING PEOPLE.

AT CITY YEAR, I RECRUITED 18 AND 25 YEAR OLDS TO DO A YEAR OF SERVICE IN SCHOOLS OF MOST NEED.

AFTER CITY YEAR, I WENT ON TO GRADUATE FROM THE GOLDMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AT UC BERKELEY, BECOMING THE FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREE.

TODAY I'M A SENIOR PROGRAM ANALYST WORKING ON THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH, WORKING ON THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RESILIENCE FUND, A PROGRAM AIMED AT TRANSFORMING OUR ECONOMY TO BECOME MORE INCLUSIVE AND RESILIENT.

THIS PROGRAM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES PREVENTING SO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES FROM BENEFITING FROM CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THROUGH ITS BOTTOM UP APPROACH TO ECONOMIC JUSTICE.

PRIOR TO WORKING WITH OPR, I WORKED WITH THE BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE, THE CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION AND THE UC BERKELEY LABOR CENTER ON A JUST TRANSITION FOR COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN CALIFORNIA.

I ALSO CURRENTLY HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO SIT ON THE LUTHER BURBANK SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A BOARD TRUSTEE.

LUTHER BURBANK WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY JOURNEY AND HELPED ME BECOME THE LEADER I AM TODAY.

AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IN COLLABORATION WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NOT ONLY MANAGE THROUGH COVID 19 RECOVERY CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO THRIVE.

DURING THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES RECEIVE THE ADDED SUPPORT THEY NEEDED TO FEEL SAFE, SUPPORTED AND VALUED.

TODAY, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO NOW PARTNER WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO CHALLENGE OUR STUDENTS, DEVELOP MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND TO PROVIDE THE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES.

WHAT HAS PROPELLED ME TO FILL THIS SEAT IS NOT ONLY THE LACK OF REPRESENTATION IN OUR BOARD, BUT ALSO THE UNDERPERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS OF COLOR ACROSS THE BOARD.

THIS ONLY PERPETUATES THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND DOES NOT PREPARE THEM FOR THE LABOR MARKET OF TOMORROW.

WE NEED TO OPERATIONALIZE EQUITY WITHIN OUR PROCESSES, PROGRAMS AND SOLUTIONS TO RECEIVE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL STUDENTS.

GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, I WILL BRING MY LIVED EXPERIENCE, STRENGTHS, SKILLS AND LEVERAGE MY POSITION TO BETTER SERVE OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS AND STAFF.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET ABOUT OUR STAFF.

WITHOUT THEM, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

NEXT, OUR SECOND QUESTION WILL BE FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST IN APPLYING TO TO OUR BOARD AND THE OPEN SEAT THAT'LL BE COMING VERY SOON.

MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO BRING TOGETHER THE COUNTY BOARD WHEN YOU ARE NEUTRAL ON AN ISSUE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY BOARD IS EVENLY SPLIT? THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AND MY ANSWER WILL ALSO BE SIMPLE.

WORKING AT CITY YEAR SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS CARRY WITH ME THAT WE USE WAS ALWAYS LISTEN WITH AN OPEN MIND AND AN OPEN

[02:00:07]

HEART. I DEFINITELY BE LISTENING TO OUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS ASKING VALUABLE QUESTIONS AND LISTENING TO THE STAKEHOLDERS DIRECTLY INVOLVED AND WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS DECISION.

I WOULD ALSO MAKE SURE THAT I GATHER THE FACTS AND THE EVIDENCE WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS.

AND LASTLY, CHECK ALIGNMENT WITH OUR PRIOR DECISIONS.

SO TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY PRECEDENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE DECISION I'M ABOUT TO MAKE ALIGNS WITH THE BOARD PRIORITIES.

OUR THIRD QUESTION WILL BE FROM TRUSTEE MAH.

THE GLOBAL COVID 19 PANDEMIC HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT THIS IMPACT AND YOUR IDEAS FOR ADDRESSING THEM PLEASE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

COVID 19 NOT ONLY REVEALED BUT EXACERBATED SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS OF COLOR AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

WHEN TRANSITIONING TO DISTANCE LEARNING, OUR STUDENTS WERE FORCED AND FACED WITH THE VERY REAL DIGITAL DIVIDE.

OUR PARENTS WERE FORCED TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN HOME ALONE OR GO TO WORK, FURTHER IMPACTING OUR STUDENTS.

WHEN OUR FAMILIES BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, OUR STUDENTS BECAME TO EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY.

AND ALL THOSE PROBLEMS HAVE HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON STUDENTS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

COVID 19 HAS WIDENED THE EDUCATION GAP AND FURTHER PLACING STUDENTS BEHIND.

AND OF COURSE, I CAN'T FORGET TO MENTION THE DECLINING ENROLLMENT, A CHALLENGE THAT EVERY EVERY BOARD ACROSS THE STATE IS FACING.

WHAT HAS COVID 19 TAUGHT US, THOUGH, IS THAT WE MUST ADDRESS EDUCATION IN A HOLISTIC WAY.

WE CAN'T EXPECT STUDENTS TO PERFORM WHILE SUFFERING FROM THESE IMPACTS.

WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND FAMILY IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CURRENT BOARD'S NUMBER ONE GOAL TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

WE MUST HAVE A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND CREATE SOLUTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARENTS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE.

WE NEED FULL SUPPORT FROM PARENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH GOAL NUMBER TWO TO PROVIDE QUALITY SUPPORT TO DISTRICT SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES. WE MUST ALSO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND PROVIDE SERVICES IN A NEW WAY THAT WORKS FOR OUR FAMILIES.

WE NEED TO FOSTER INCLUSION AND BELONGING IN OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT EVERY CHILD FEELS SAFE, SUPPORTED AND CELEBRATED.

AND THAT ALSO APPLIES TO PARENTS.

WE NEED TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS PREVENTING PARENTS FROM ENGAGING AND PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR PARENTS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH OR HAVE LIMITED ENGLISH ABILITIES.

ANOTHER WAY WE CAN RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGES OF COVID 19 IS TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION ON THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES OUR COUNTY IS FACING. LIKE SB 692, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION INCLUSION ACT, WE CAN ALSO ATTRACT MUCH NEEDED FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVELY PRESENT IN DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR STUDENTS.

I'LL BE ASKING QUESTION NUMBER FOUR.

TRUSTEE SALAZAR, PLEASE DESCRIBE AN OCCASION WHERE YOU PROPOSE SOMETHING OUT OF THE BOX AND FACED RESISTANCE.

HOW DID YOU RESOLVE THE SITUATION? IF YOU HAVEN'T PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW YOU WOULD RESOLVE IT.

ALL RIGHT, SO THE PROGRAM I CURRENTLY WORK WITH IS MANAGED BY AN INTERAGENCY TEAM COMPRISED OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

EVERY AGENCY HAS THEIR OWN PRIORITIES AND NOT ALWAYS SEES EYE TO EYE.

RECENTLY, I PROPOSED AN IDEA THAT WAS IMMEDIATELY REJECTED AND I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

THE FIRST STEP I TOOK WAS TO MAP OUT WHO I NEEDED TO TALK TO.

I WANTED TO LISTEN TO EACH PERSON AND REALLY UNDERSTAND THEIR HESITANCY ON THE TOPIC.

AFTER HAVING A ONE ON ONE MEETING WITH EACH PERSON.

I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUE AND DEVELOPED A PROCESS THAT ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

AFTER DEVELOPING A SECOND PROPOSAL, I HAD A SECOND MEETING WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE THEM FEEL HEARD AND PART OF THE SOLUTION.

ONCE I KNEW I HAD THE VOTES, I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE ISSUE BACK UP AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET APPROVED ON THE IDEA AND BEGIN WORKING ON IT.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS GOING TO BE COMING FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI.

[02:05:03]

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SERVES AS AN APPELLATE BODY FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS DENIED BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE A LOCAL IMPACT.

KNOWING THAT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO OR WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS? THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WELL, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE HERE TO STAY BASED ON LEGISLATION AND THAT MANY STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY NOT ONLY DEPEND ON CHARTER SCHOOLS TO FILL A NEED, BUT ALSO BELIEVE IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER INCOME AREAS.

HOWEVER, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE BOARD TO REVIEW EACH APPLICATION WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SCRUTINY TO MAKE SURE THE BEST INTEREST OF STUDENTS IS AT PLAY.

WE NEED TO HOLD CHARTER SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE OF THEIR PROMISES TO FAMILIES AND STUDENTS AND USE DATA AND FACTUAL EVIDENCE TO GUIDE OUR DECISIONS.

WE SHOULD EXPECT CHARTER SCHOOLS TO DELIVER ON THEIR PROMISES AND PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY ALWAYS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL CARE ABOUT STUDENTS AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES A QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHO YOU ARE.

QUESTION NUMBER SIX FROM TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD DECISIONS? AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY BOARD WORKING AS AN APPELLATE BODY IN THE AREA OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS OR EXPULSIONS? THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE DECISIONS MADE BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IT SHOULD EVALUATE AND EXAMINE THE FACTS OF THE CASE.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING AN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

LAST THING WE WANT IS TO UNDERMINE OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE DECISIONS IN CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IN TERMS OF INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS AND EXPULSIONS.

WE MUST GIVE EVERY STUDENT A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL AND MAKE THEIR CASE HEARD.

WE NEED TO WEIGH THE CIRCUMSTANCES, NEEDS, FACTS AND INTENTIONS.

WE NEED TO AGAIN HAVE AN OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PERHAPS FIND A SOLUTION TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO LEAN IN TO OUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND LISTEN TO EVERY PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW AND MAKE DECISIONS ON WANT THE BEST INTEREST IS FOR THAT STUDENT.

THANK YOU. AND SINCE WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME, WE ARE GOING TO BE ASKING YOU A SEVENTH QUESTION.

AND FOR THIS ROUND, IT'S GOING TO BE TRUSTEE ROSSI ASKING THE QUESTION.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HAVE MADE THE EXPANSION OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, SUPPORTING SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES, ADDRESSING THE FENTANYL POISONING AND OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC, AND ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND CLIMATE SCIENCE AS KEY PRIORITIES.

PLEASE SELECT ONE OF THESE PRIORITY AREAS AND DESCRIBE YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT THIS PRIORITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

IT WAS REALLY HARD TO CHOOSE TO NARROW IT DOWN.

HOWEVER, BASED ON THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE MUST APPROACH EDUCATION IN A HOLISTIC WAY AND MAKE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES A PRIORITY.

WITHOUT ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO PERFORM IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

AT LUTHER BURBANK WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MENTAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THIS KIND OF SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROFOUND IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE REALLY HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH TO OUR STUDENTS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, IF YOU COULD ASK.

QUESTION NUMBER EIGHT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CLOSING STATEMENT OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE TO ENHANCE YOUR CANDIDACY? YES, I DO.

AND I JUST ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT IN MY SUPPORT.

I WAS LITERALLY IN TEARS, TO SEE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY COME OUT.

SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PROVIDE YOUR SUPPORT.

[02:10:03]

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT.

AS A PROUD PRODUCT OF SANTA CLARA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE EXPERIENCES CONFRONTING STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADJUST TO NEW CONDITIONS.

WE MUST ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS THE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS TO SUCCEED THROUGH MEETING THE SOCIOECONOMIC, EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, DEEPENING OUR COMMITMENT TO A STRONG EARLY EDUCATION AND ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FAMILIES FACE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, FOOD INSECURITY AND OTHER BARRIERS THAT PREVENT OUR STUDENTS FROM FULLY PERFORMING AT SCHOOL.

STUDENTS OF COLOR CONTINUE TO UNDERPERFORM IN EVERY CATEGORY ACROSS THE BOARD, AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER.

WE MUST DO BETTER.

AS WE CONTINUE TO ADJUST AND PIVOT FROM IMPACTS CAUSED BY COVID 19.

WE MUST APPROACH EDUCATION IN A HOLISTIC WAY.

WE ALSO NEED TO ELECT BOARD TRUSTEES THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY AND WHO HAVE THE CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND HUMILITY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES.

GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, I WOULD BRING MY LIVED EXPERIENCE SKILLS AND LEVERAGE MY RELATIONSHIPS TO BETTER SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

I WOULD PRIORITIZE AN EARLY START EDUCATION, CAREER READINESS, AND WOULD ENSURE THAT STUDENTS OF COLOR FINALLY BECOME A PRIORITY.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO FAIL OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RICHEST REGION OF THIS COUNTRY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE SALAZAR, FOR YOUR ANSWERS AND YOU MAY STAY IN THE MEETING MOVING FORWARD.

THIS CONCLUDES THE INTERVIEW PORTION.

AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD MAY ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION OF THE STRENGTHS OF THE APPLICANTS.

ARE THERE ANY TRUSTEES WHO WISH TO SHARE THEIR OBSERVATIONS OF THE STRENGTHS OF THE APPLICANTS IN WHICH WE'VE REVIEWED TODAY? TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT ORTIZ AND ARE WE GOING TO GO APPLICANT BY APPLICANT OR SHOULD I JUST SHARE ALL MY COMMENTS NOW? SORRY I WAS MUTED.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS IN ONE COMMENT, PLEASE.

YEAH. AND I.

YOU KNOW, I WENT THROUGH A SIMILAR PROCESS APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS DURING MY APPOINTMENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

AND JUST AS PREVIOUS BOARDS HAVE CONCLUDED, A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHILE NOT IDEAL, AVOIDS THE EXPENSE OF A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $1.6 MILLION TO $3.9 MILLION.

BUT I WAS SO PLEASED BY ALL OF OUR APPLICANTS.

I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL FIND A QUALIFIED APPLICANT TONIGHT THAT WILL SERVE OUR STUDENTS WELL.

IT'S CLEAR THEY ALL HAVE VERY STRONG TIES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, AS WELL AS TRACK RECORDS IN WORKING TO IMPROVE CHILD WELLNESS.

SO JUST GOING IN ORDER FOR JILL.

UM, I THINK THAT WHAT STOOD OUT IS HER EXPERIENCE AS A TEACHER AND A TEACHER UNION LEADER AND A CSPA DELEGATE AS WELL, AND BEING AN EXPERIENCED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND JUST HER EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNANCE, THAT REALLY STOOD OUT.

AND FOR JOHN, I'M JUST GOING BY FIRST NAMES.

WHAT I NOTED WAS JUST BEING ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND COMPROMISE AND WORKING WELL WITH OTHERS. AND THE APPROACH HE TOOK WORKING WITH HIS COLLEAGUES, ESPECIALLY IN QUESTION NUMBER FOUR AND HOW HE NAVIGATED THE ISSUE COMING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE PLACEMENT OF THESE SITES AND THINKING ABOUT IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND I THINK THAT WILL REALLY THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

YOU KNOW, WE DEAL WITH REALLY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES AND JUST BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH ALL PARTIES.

AND I REALLY I ALSO NOTICE HIS ROOTS IN TRUSTEE AREA, THREE VERY STRONG ROOTS AND TIES TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND FOR JESUS, I WAS REALLY I REALLY APPRECIATED HIS WORK AT OPR, THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND

[02:15:06]

RESEARCH, BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY AT THE CENTER OF RESILIENT COMMUNITIES CLIMATE JUSTICE, ECONOMIC GROWTH, EQUITY.

AND THAT WOULD BE REALLY EXCITING TO HAVE THAT SORT OF POLICY ANALYSIS IN DEPTH WORK AND COMING WITH THAT EXPERTISE AND BACKGROUND. THAT'S SUPER EXCITING.

AND I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD I HEARD EQUITY, EQUITY, EQUITY, WHICH IS REALLY GREAT TO HEAR.

AND I THINK WHAT WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ME AS WELL AS REPRESENTATION AND WE HAVE FEMALE CANDIDATES, WE HAVE CANDIDATES THAT REPRESENT OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO I THINK THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I'M REALLY GLAD THAT FOLKS BROUGHT THAT UP ON OUR CALL TONIGHT.

SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

WE WILL GO TO TRUSTEE DI SALVO AND THEN VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

HOW LUCKY ARE WE, EVEN THOUGH I THOUGHT THE PROCESS WAS RUSHED.

THE QUALITY OF THE THREE CANDIDATES UNSURPASSED IN MY EXPERIENCE ON THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN TO TO APPOINT A COMMUNITY MEMBER TO OUR BOARD.

WE HAVE THREE VERY EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES.

TWO OF THEM SERVING CURRENTLY ON SCHOOL BOARDS, ONE OF THEM WITH CITY OF SALINAS AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND PRO TEM MAYOR.

HOW LUCKY ARE WE? I HEARD RIGHT ANSWERS TO ALL THE QUESTIONS.

AND I MEAN, IF THERE ARE RIGHT ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS.

YOU ALL DID AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB WITH YOUR YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCES THAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE [INAUDIBLE] REALLY HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD FOR MANY.

SO I AM VERY IMPRESSED.

I DO BELIEVE DIVERSITY IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION, ALTHOUGH I DO THINK PRESIDENT ORTIZ, OUR COUNTY BOARD, GOT SHORT SHRIFT IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FACT THAT WE NEED MORE DIVERSITY.

I THINK WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE GOVERNING BODIES IN THE COUNTY.

AND FOR THAT, I APPLAUD ALL THE VOTERS WHO HAVE SELECTED.

I'M THE ONLY KIND OF WHITE, NON-HISPANIC PERSON ON THE BOARD AND A MALE AT THAT.

AND SO BUT I DO THINK DIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR CHILDREN TO SEE AND FOR PARENTS TO SEE.

AND I JUST COULDN'T BE MORE DELIGHTED WITH THE SELECTION WE HAVE BEFORE US TONIGHT.

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY ONE.

BUT I THANK I THANK ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR THEIR TIME AND DEVOTION TO THE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE OF OUR TIME, WHICH IS THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR EACH AND EVERY CHILD, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE MOST VULNERABLE.

THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THEN I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME WORDS, AND THEN WE COULD RETURN BACK TO TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I AGREE WITH WHAT ALL MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS JUST SAID.

I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF CANDIDATES HERE.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ON DIVERSITY.

I AM SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF A DIVERSE BOARD, A BOARD THAT REALLY REPRESENTS SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

AND SO I THINK THAT IS AMAZING.

AND I'M GOING TO KIND OF FOLLOW BEHIND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN AND GO IN ORDER BY CANDIDATE AS WELL.

AND I'M GOING TO GO MY FIRST NAMES AS WELL, TOO.

SO, JILL, THANK YOU.

WELL, ALL THREE OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND TAKING THE TIME AND PREPARATION FOR FOR DOING ALL OF THIS.

I KNOW THAT THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS IS A RIGOROUS ONE.

AND SO I DO WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE TO MAKE THE EFFORT TO BE HERE AND AND TO PREPARE FOR THIS.

JILL, I REALLY RESPECT YOU BEING A TEACHER, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID AS WELL AS A LABOR LEADER.

I KNOW THAT WAS NOT EASY WORK.

AND SO THANK YOU FOR FOR DOING ALL OF THAT AND THEN TAKING THE NEXT STEP TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND JOINING A COUNTY BOARD.

AND EVEN WITH, YOU KNOW, AND EVERYBODY BRINGS SUCH GREAT EXPERIENCE TO ME.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE CLASSROOM.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S VERY UNIQUE AND A GOOD PERSPECTIVE TO BRING.

DONALD, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JUST FOR ALL OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND AND ALL THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO SHARE.

I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A PARENT, AND I KNOW YOU SHARED SOME SOME PERSONAL THINGS THAT YOU WENT THROUGH, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID.

[02:20:02]

AND I REALLY IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HEAR THAT AND JUST HEARING THAT PERSPECTIVE.

SO I APPRECIATED THAT GREATLY.

AND ALSO WHAT TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN SAID ABOUT YOUR OUTSIDE OF THE BOX THINKING.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY GREAT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND JESUS I DON'T WANT TO JUST REPEAT WHAT EVERYBODY SAID, BUT YOUR POINTS ON EQUITY IS IS AMAZING AND YOUR STORY OF WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

I THINK THAT IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION IN ITSELF.

PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THE UNDERDOG STORY AND JUST I MEAN, MY PARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS, TOO.

AND JUST HEARING, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE SO PROUD TO SEE US HERE, RIGHT.

AND DOING THESE THINGS. AND SO POWER TO YOU AND KEEP DOING THE GOOD WORK.

AND SO I WAS AMAZED BY YOUR STORY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT AND ALL THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF IT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE TONIGHT AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS FOR RIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT CHON, AND I'LL BE QUICK WITH MY COMMENTS.

BUT I JUST WANT TO ECHO, YOU KNOW, HOW EXCITED I AM FOR THE FUTURE WORK OF THIS BOARD AND HOW TRULY LUCKY I BELIEVE THE RESIDENTS OF TRUSTEE AREA THREE WILL BE TO HAVE EACH ANY ONE OF YOU AS AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU KNOW, HEARING ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS TONIGHT, THE WAY YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT FORTH YOUR PASSION AND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND PAST ENDEAVORS TRULY SHINES A LIGHT ON HOW EACH OF YOU ARE QUALIFIED FOR THIS ROLE. YOU KNOW, JILL, YOUR EXPERIENCE AS VICE PRESIDENT, CHON SAID, AS A TEACHER, THAT'S A LENS THAT MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES, DO NOT HAVE.

RIGHT. YOUR VOICE AND YOUR ABILITY TO ARTICULATE WHAT STAFF EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID, IS SOMETHING THAT IS OFTEN NOT HEARD IN BOARDROOMS. RIGHT. AND IT'S SO KEY.

AND THEN YOU'RE, OF COURSE, YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE CITY COUNCIL IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE A HUGE BENEFIT TO THIS BOARD.

TRUSTEE ROCHA, I MEAN, YOUR VAST EXPERIENCE, I MEAN, I'VE SEEN YOU HAVE ATTENDED SEVERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND IN PERSON RIGHT NOW, BOTH WORKING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOW AT THE WATER DISTRICT.

I KNOW THAT YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOUR THE WAY YOU APPROACH DECISIONS WITH VALUE TOWARDS WORKING PEOPLE, THAT'S THE MINDSET THAT WE NEED ON THIS BOARD.

AND I'M VERY GLAD THAT YOU THAT YOU HAVE APPLIED.

AND I THINK THAT YOU AS A PARENT RIGHT WITH STUDENTS AND IN THESE SCHOOLS IN WHICH WE'D BE GOVERNING, MAKING DECISIONS THAT WOULD AFFECT THEM IS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF A TRUSTEE.

AND OF COURSE, TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

I'VE SEEN YOUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY FIRSTHAND AS AN ORGANIZER FOR JANITORIAL WORKERS WITH SEIU.

YOU KNOW, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR PASSION.

HEARING YOU SPEAK JUST REALLY GOT ME PUMPED UP, YOU KNOW? AND AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, EQUITY IS IS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS HERE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

AND WE GOT TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THEM SERVICES REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY GO, REGARDLESS OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY CHOOSE AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THEY'RE ENROLLED IN. SO I'M REALLY, YOU KNOW, BLESSED TO BE A PART OF THIS DECISION.

AND I THINK TRUSTEE AREA THREE IS THE TRUE WINNER TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE THE RESIDENTS OF TRUSTEE AREA THREE WITH WITH WITH ANYONE THAT WE PICK.

TRUSTEE MAH AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I, I DON'T NEED TO REPEAT ALL THE ACCOLADES BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH POSITIVE OF EVERYONE THAT I THINK WAS ALREADY COVERED. SO I DO WANT TO SAY, THOUGH, THAT I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR APPLICATIONS, YOU'RE GREAT, GREAT APPLICANTS, AND I'LL LET THE NEXT PERSON GO THANKS.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN. YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT I BELIEVE ALL OF THE CANDIDATES WE HEARD FROM TONIGHT ARE PRODUCTS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND I THINK THAT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE.

GREAT THING TO ADD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

SO I'M GOING TO END THE DISCUSSION IF NOBODY HAS ANY FURTHER COMMENTS TO PROVIDE.

NOPE. OKAY. I BELIEVE ALL OF US HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED ANYWAY.

OKAY. NOW EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL, BY VERBAL ROLL CALL, BE ASKED TO STATE THEIR TOP APPLICANT.

[02:25:03]

IF ANY APPLICANT RECEIVES FOUR OR MORE NOMINATIONS.

I AS BOARD PRESIDENT WILL CALL FOR A MOTION SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT.

ONCE SECONDED EACH BOARD MEMBER BY VERBAL ROLL CALL.

WILL VOTE AND RESPOND TO THE MOTION.

DR. DEWAN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE CONDUCT THE VERBAL ROLL CALL AND TRUSTEES, PLEASE RESPOND WITH THE NAME OF YOUR TOP APPLICANT.

THANK YOU. I'LL BE DOING THE ROLL CALL IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION AND WE OBVIOUSLY CAN ONLY PICK ONE.

SO ALTHOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL THREE OF YOU ON THE BOARD THIS EVENING, I KNOW WE CAN'T DO THAT, BUT MY VOTE IS FOR JILL LUTES. TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

WELL, I AGREE WITH VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY TOUGH DECISION.

MANY TIMES I'VE WALKED INTO A VOTING BOOTH WITH MORE INFORMATION THAN I HAVE NOW.

BUT WITH THE INFORMATION I HAVE NOW, I'VE GOT TO GO WITH MY GUT.

AND MY GUT SAYS FOR ME AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME TRUSTEE JESUS SALAZAR.

TRUSTEE MAH. YES.

MY VOTE IS FOR TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ MY VOTE IS FOR TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

MY VOTE AND I SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING HERE WOULD BE FOR TRUSTEE ROCHA.

THANK YOU. AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU. AND THIS WAS A VERY, VERY TOUGH DECISION AND BECAUSE WE HAD THREE EXCEPTIONAL CANDIDATES.

BUT I ALSO WILL BE VOTING FOR TRUSTEE DON ROCHA.

SO, PRESIDENT ORTIZ, THE TALLY OF THE VOTE IS THREE FOR JESUS SALAZAR AND TWO FOR DON ROCHA.

YOU NEED FOUR IN ORDER TO CALL FOR A MOTION.

OKAY. SO WE HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION.

I MEAN, LET'S SEE HERE.

ACCORDING TO OUR PROCESS, THE BOARD CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION AND CALL FOR A SECOND ROLL CALL VOTE, OR THE BOARD CAN INVITE THE TWO CANDIDATES WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES TO ROUND TWO OF QUESTIONS.

OKAY. ANY ANY PREFERENCE FROM THE BOARD OF THE DIRECTION WE SHOULD GO? TO TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

YEAH. WELCOME.

ONE OF THE.

IF I. IF I MAY.

ABSOLUTELY. TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

SO I WANT TO GIVE SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MY DECISION WENT TO TRUSTEE SALAZAR THAT I DON'T KNOW IS BECAUSE THERE WERE FIVE, SIX OR SEVEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT GAVE UP THEIR TIME TO SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF.

AND THAT WAS REALLY CRITICAL FOR ME.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR ANY OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

ALTHOUGH BOTH JILL AND DON ROCHA DID DID EXCEPTIONAL JOBS THAT YOU'VE HEARD ME ARTICULATE BEFORE.

SO I'M STILL WITH CANDIDATE SALAZAR AS MY FIRST CHOICE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TRUSTEES WHO'D LIKE TO PROVIDE COMMENT? SEEING NONE I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES AND WE COULD I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE ANOTHER SET OF QUESTIONS, RIGHT, DR. DEWAN, THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH.

AND YOU KNOW, I WANT TO THANK JILL FOR YOUR TIME AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU HAD TO THIS PROCESS

[02:30:02]

AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. IF WE COULD HAVE A TEN MINUTE INTERMISSION.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE.

IF YOU NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM. GO AHEAD.

USE THE RESTROOM. I DIDN'T.

I DIDN'T PRINT THE THE SECOND ROUND OF QUESTIONS IF SOMEBODY COULD.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT. YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I'M ASKING FOR TEN MINUTES.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS ALL GET THE THE QUESTIONS.

GREAT. GREAT. THANK YOU.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT.

WELCOME BACK. I BELIEVE WE HAVE EVERYBODY.

TRUSTEE ROSSI, ARE YOU HERE? I AM. CAN YOU SEE ME? OH, THERE YOU ARE. SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I DO FEEL LIKE I'M FADING FAST.

NO WORRIES. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN. IT'S ALL GOOD, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

SO WILL WE BE DOING ANOTHER VOTE BEFORE THE QUESTIONS OR? NO WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE QUESTIONS FIRST AND THEN WE'LL VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. CANDIDATES WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY LAST NAME WHILE A CANDIDATE IS BEING INTERVIEWED.

THE OTHER CANDIDATES WILL WAIT IN THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE INTERVIEWED FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES.

THE BOARD PRESIDENT WILL OPEN AND CLOSE EACH INTERVIEW.

THERE WILL BE THREE QUESTIONS.

TWO MINUTES WILL BE ALLOTTED FOR EACH QUESTION.

THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED ONE TO EACH TRUSTEE TO ASK IN REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY TRUSTEES LAST NAME.

AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LAST INTERVIEW, THE BOARD PRESIDENT MAY FACILITATE A BOARD DISCUSSION CENTERING ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH CANDIDATE.

STAFF WILL SERVE AS RECORDER IF NECESSARY.

EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL BE ASKED TO ANNOUNCE THEIR TOP CANDIDATE.

IF ANY CANDIDATE RECEIVES FOUR OR MORE NOMINATIONS, THE BOARD PRESIDENT WILL CALL FOR A MOTION SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN OUR SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS.

OUR FIRST CANDIDATE IS TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

THE OTHER CANDIDATE WILL NOW BE MOVED TO THE ZOOM WAITING ROOM.

AWESOME. TRUSTEE SALAZAR, ARE YOU READY? I AM. OKAY.

AND I SEE, CARMEN, YOU'VE SET THE QUESTION UP FOR THE THE TIMER UP FOR TEN MINUTES.

OUR FIRST QUESTION WILL BE COMING FROM A TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU. IN WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU PURSUE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING NECESSARY TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER? AND FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU MIGHT ACCOMPLISH THIS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO I WOULD DO AN EVALUATION OF MY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES FIRST.

AND ONCE IDENTIFYING WHERE ARE THE AREAS WHERE I SHOULD BE IMPROVING ON.

BEING ABLE TO FIRST LEAN ON MY BOARD MEMBERS TO SEE IF THEY'RE PROBABLY STRONGER IN THAT SPECIFIC AREA WHERE I CAN LEARN FROM FROM MY PEERS, MY COLLEAGUES.

ONCE, YOU KNOW, IF I AM NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT TRAINING FROM MY FELLOW COLLEAGUES, THEN BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE GET ADDITIONAL TRAINING THROUGH A CLASS AT CSBA, AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO BE AT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THERE IS A ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR TRAINING THAT I CAN LEVERAGE TO BE ABLE TO FILL THOSE SKILLS.

OUR NEXT QUESTION IS GOING TO BE FROM TRUSTEE ROSSI.

TRUSTEE SALAZAR I HAVE QUESTION NUMBER TWO.

AS COUNTY BOARD MEMBER, YOU'LL BE ASKED TO MAKE DECISIONS WHERE YOU MUST PUT ASIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? THIS SHOULD BE THE UTMOST PRIORITY FOR ANY COUNTY, ANY BOARD TRUSTEE.

BEING ABLE TO APPROACH SITUATIONS AND DECISIONS NEUTRALLY, BEING ABLE TO WEIGH THE FACTS, NEEDS

[02:35:03]

AND SPECIFIC SITUATION FOR EACH EACH DECISION.

OF COURSE, WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND NATURALLY, IT'S REALLY HARD TO BE NEUTRAL, BUT WE DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE TO BE A NEUTRAL PARTY IN MAKING THESE DECISIONS.

THANK YOU. I'LL ASK THE THIRD QUESTION.

AFTER REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES, THE COUNTY BOARD OPERATES BY A MAJORITY VOTE.

WHEN THE MAJORITY VOTE IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR POSITION, HOW WOULD YOU REACT AND WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR ROLE AND ACTIONS SHOULD BE IN THAT CASE? ALTHOUGH THE DECISION MIGHT NOT BE WHAT I WANTED, I NEED TO RESPECT THE DECISION OF THE ENTIRE BOARD BECAUSE WE ARE A UNIT AND WE SHOULD BE A UNITED FRONT.

WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION CLOSED DOORS, BUT I THINK PUBLICLY WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE A UNITED FRONT ON DECISIONS AND REALLY UPHELD THE DECISION THAT THE REST OF THE BOARD IS TAKING.

I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES OUR CURRENT ROUND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

AND I BELIEVE YOU COULD STILL STAY IN THE ROOM NOW SINCE WE'VE ALREADY INTERVIEWED YOU.

OUR SECOND CANDIDATE WILL BE TRUSTEE ROCHAS.

AND HE'S BACK.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM STAFF THAT WE HAVE TWO GRACE MAH'S IN THE MEETING.

GRACE, COULD YOU ENLIGHTEN US ON WHO THE SECOND GRACE IS.

WAIT A SECOND. YOU ONLY GET ONE VOTE.

OH, ABSOLUTELY ONE VOTE.

YEA. YEA. ONE VOTE PER GRACE.

YES. NO, I WANT TO EXPLAIN.

I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? OR SHOULD I EXPLAIN WHY I HAVE TWO PEOPLE? YEA YEA YEA. THE STAFF HAS RAISED A QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THERE BEING TWO GRACE MAH'S.

YES. SO MY INTERNET CONNECTION WAS UNSTABLE ON MY LAPTOP, WHICH IS WHERE I STARTED AND HAD RUN EVERYTHING.

AND SO I ACTUALLY DROPPED AND MISSED PART OF TRUSTEE SALAZAR'S ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION AND JUST THE BEGINNING OF HIS SECOND QUESTION. SO WHEN I DROPPED, I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO RECONNECT WITH MY LAPTOP AND THEN AS A BACKUP CONNECTED WITH MY PHONE.

SO THAT'S MY THAT'S THE SECOND FACE THAT'S THERE.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHETHER ON MY PHONE I'M ON AS A PANELIST, BUT IF YOU COULD REMOVE YOUR PHONE OR DO YOU NEED BOTH, IS THERE A REASON WHY YOU NEED BOTH? I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I'M ON AS A PANELIST WITH MY PHONE.

AND SO WE HAVE.

WE HAVE YOU AS A PANELIST UNDER BOTH.

SO, YEAH, JUST LET US KNOW IF IF YOU NEED BOTH OR WHICH ONE YOU MIGHT WITHDRAW.

WE JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU AGAIN.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO.

WELL, I PREFER TO KEEP BOTH.

JUST IN CASE I GET LOST AGAIN ON THE ON THE LAPTOP.

AND SO I WENT AHEAD AND MUTED.

SO I DON'T HAVE THE ECHO PROBLEM, WHICH I STARTED WITH WHEN I FIRST GOT ON WITH THE PHONE.

BUT I THINK I'M ONLY GOING TO TALK THROUGH THE PHONE, WHICH SEEMS TO WORK, BUT I'M GETTING MY VISUAL.

YOU CAN SEE ME ON THE LAPTOP BECAUSE THE VISUAL ON THE PHONE IS NOT GOING TO BE VERY GOOD.

IS THAT IS THAT A CONCERN FOR STAFF? NO. OKAY.

NO AS LONG AS WE KNOW THAT BOTH DEVICES ARE NEEDED AND HOW TO MANAGE THE SOUND, IT SHOULD BE FINE.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

SORRY I GOT A LITTLE SIDETRACKED THERE.

OUR SECOND CANDIDATE.

IT WILL BE TRUSTEE ROCHA.

TRUSTEE TRUSTEE ROCHA.

ARE YOU READY? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YEP, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

AND THEN WE ALREADY HAVE THE CLOCK SET FOR TEN MINUTES.

EXCELLENT. IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE OUR FIRST QUESTION FROM TRUSTEE MAH.

YES. IN WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU PURSUE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING NECESSARY TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER?

[02:40:06]

FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU MIGHT ACCOMPLISH THIS.

WELL, ONE.

WELL, ONE OF THE STEPS THAT I HAVE LISTED IS TO WHAT I WOULD BE DOING IF I WAS SELECTED WOULD BE TO REACH OUT TO EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND ASK THEM A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AS TO THE BACKGROUND OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I WOULD THEN REACH OUT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SIT DOWN WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND ASK FOR A BRIEFING ON THE WORK.

I'D ALSO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE BOARD AGENDAS THAT YOU FOLKS HAVE HEARD FOR THE PAST.

I THINK SIX MONTHS IS WHAT I DID WHEN I JOINED THE CITY COUNCIL AND WENT THROUGH THE AGENDAS.

IT'S A VERY TEDIOUS TASK.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED TO SERVE OR CHOSEN TO SERVE, YOU'VE GOT TO DO WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO.

AND AS I MENTIONED IN MY OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENT, YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE PREPARED AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK EACH AND EVERY BOARD MEETING.

YOU SERVE THE PUBLIC AND THAT'S FIRST AND FOREMOST.

AND I TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

AS YOU HEARD IN MY OPENING SPEECH ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE.

SO IT'S A MATTER OF DOING MY HOMEWORK AND MY RESEARCH AND GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT ALL THE DOCUMENTS.

THANK YOU. THE SECOND QUESTION WILL BE FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON TRUSTEE ROCHAS COUNCIL MEMBER ROCHA FOR BEING A FINALIST.

AS A COUNTY BOARD MEMBER YOU'LL BE ASKED TO MAKE DECISIONS WHERE YOU MUST PUT ASIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU.

YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? WELL, YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

I DIDN'T MEAN.

I MEANT THAT IN A POSITIVE WAY, TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

YOU COULD PROBABLY LOOK BACK AND MAYBE TAKE A GUESS.

I'D GIVE YOU THREE CHOICES AS TO WHAT PARTICULAR POLICY ISSUE THAT I DEALT WITH IN MY EIGHT YEARS ON THE COUNCIL.

THAT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST DIVISIVE AND THAT WAS PENSION REFORM.

I WAS ELECTED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER WE HAD TO GO THROUGH OUR FISCAL REFORM DUE TO THE RECESSION AND MAJOR SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAD TO DO PAY CUTS FOR EACH AND EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE AND COUNCIL AS WELL.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE LOOKED AT THE LONG TERM FORECAST FOR OUR BUDGET AND WE SAW THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO SUSTAIN THE PENSION BENEFIT LEVELS THAT WE HAD IN OUR OWN RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

SO WE WENT DOWN THE PATH OF LOOKING TO CUT AND REDUCE PENSION BENEFITS RETROACTIVE AND GOING FORWARD.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, TOUCHING NOT ONLY PEOPLE'S PAY BUT PEOPLE'S PENSION AND BENEFITS IS A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE AND NOT A POPULAR ONE.

RIGHTFULLY SO.

BUT OUR BUDGET FORECAST SHOWED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY.

AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE KIND OF TALK ABOUT THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND BUSINESS INTERESTS AND LABOR AND UNIONS.

WELL, I DID HAVE UNION SUPPORT AND LABOR SUPPORT.

I WOULD SAY IT WAS TEPID AT BEST BECAUSE I'M A VERY INDEPENDENT THINKER AND I SPEAK MY HEART AND I CANNOT COMMIT TO SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GOING TO BE THE BEST INTEREST.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT ANY OF THOSE SPECIAL INTERESTS ASKED ME TO DO THAT.

I'M JUST SUGGESTING THAT I'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT MY POSITION AND IT BE IMPORTANT THAT I'M OPEN MINDED.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED IS WE WENT THROUGH THE PENSION REFORM EFFORT, NEGOTIATED WITH OUR BARGAINING UNITS, AND WE DECIDED TO ADOPT MEASURE B, WHICH WAS A VERY AGGRESSIVE REDUCTION IN PENSION BENEFITS.

WELL, IT WAS A 6 TO 5 OR 7 TO 4 VOTES.

AND THERE WERE MANY FOLKS WHO WERE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT I SUPPORTED PENSION REFORM.

AND I ONLY SUPPORT PENSION REFORM BECAUSE OUR BUDGET CALLED FOR IT.

I PAID A PRICE POLITICALLY.

I ALSO PAID A PRICE PERSONALLY ASKED ME ACTUALLY IN AN OFF ELECTION CYCLE SHORTLY THEREAFTER, SENT A MAILER TO EVERY CONSTITUENT OR AT LEAST FREQUENT VOTERS.

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IN MY DISTRICT THAT I RUN FOR DISTRICT DISTRICT NINE, CALLING ME OUT FOR WHATEVER IT MAY HAVE BEEN, PERSONAL ATTACKS OR QUESTIONS ON MY COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES, ETC..

SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PRICES YOU CAN PAY TO MAKE A DECISION IN AN ELECTED BODY.

AND I PAID THAT PRICE AND I WOULD MAKE THE SAME DECISION AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THE LEVEL OF PENSION REFORM THAT WE WENT THROUGH THE FIRST GO AROUND WAS TOO AGGRESSIVE. AND I SAID THAT WHEN I VOTED YES FOR IT AND SAID THAT I HOPE WE FIND A MORE REALISTIC PENSION REFORM.

[02:45:04]

AND WE DID EVENTUALLY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S A VERY GOOD ANSWER.

THANK YOU. AND OUR THIRD QUESTION WILL BE FROM VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

AFTER REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES, THE COUNTY BOARD OPERATES BY A MAJORITY VOTE.

WHEN THE MAJORITY VOTE IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR POSITION, HOW WOULD YOU REACT AND WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR ROLE IN ACTION SHOULD BE IN THIS CASE? OKAY, LOOK, I GOT TO UTILIZE MY TIME ON THE CITY COUNCIL, SAN JOSE.

AND THAT WAS A VERY CONTENTIOUS TIME.

AND I JUST CITED ONE OF THE REASONS WHY.

AND I SERVED UNDER MAYOR CHUCK REED.

I SERVED UNDER MAYOR SAM MERCADO.

AND OFTENTIMES I WAS IN THE MINORITY, BUT NOT ALWAYS.

AND I POINTED TO ONE ISSUE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER AS WELL, WHERE I FOUND COMMON GROUND FOR ALMOST ALL OF US.

I THINK IT WAS A 9 TO 2 VOTE ON ONE THAT WE COULDN'T MOVE AT ALL.

SO AS I'VE SAID, EVEN ON MY CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD, IF I'M IN THE MINORITY, I'M QUITE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS ARE NOT BAD.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS ARE GOOD.

THEY OFTEN LEAD TO BETTER DISCUSSIONS, BETTER OUTCOMES, AND SOMETIMES COMPROMISE.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU WERE DISCUSSING POLICY WORK AND HEARING DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AS LONG AS YOU'RE OPEN MINDED, THE WORK ENDS UP BEING BETTER AT THE END OF THE DAY. AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIDE I'M ON, SO WHAT ROLE WOULD IT BE? IT'S TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S JUST ONE VOTE ONE DAY, AND THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MY OPINION MAY OR MAY NOT BE ON THAT PARTICULAR SUBJECT OR ANY OTHER MATTER. SO NOW THAT'S A THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

THAT'S ONE THAT I FIND VERY EASY TO ANSWER ONLY BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE PRACTICED MY ENTIRE TIME IN ELECTED ELECTED OFFICE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, TRUSTEE ROCHA, FOR YOUR ANSWERS.

THIS CONCLUDES THE INTERVIEW PORTION.

AT THIS TIME JUST LIKE WE DID EARLIER, THE BOARD MAY ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS OF THE STRENGTHS OF THE APPLICANTS.

ARE THERE ANY TRUSTEES WHO WISH TO SHARE THEIR OBSERVATIONS OF THE STRENGTHS OF THE APPLICANTS? TRUSTEE ROSSI.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE COUNTY AND CITY PARTNERSHIPS RESULTED IN OFFERING OUR FAMILIES FUNDAMENTAL HELP IN SECURING MEALS, SECURE FOOD SECURITY AND HOTSPOTS AND DEVICES.

AND SO MUCH OF THE WORK THAT OUR COUNTY OFFICE UNDERTAKES RELIES ON STRONG PARTNERSHIPS AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS.

AND REALLY, FOR THAT REASON, I AM VERY EXCITED TO SUPPORT DON AS HE SEEKS A SEAT.

BECAUSE GOING FORWARD, WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES.

AND I THINK THAT DON WILL BE A HUGE ASSET IN THAT AREA.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH TRUSTEE ROSSI.

DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS? TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

AND THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SALAZAR AND TRUSTEE ROCHA.

I AGAIN, IT'S IT'S A GOOD POSITION TO BE IN.

I KNOW THAT I COULD WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH EACH OF YOU GENTLEMEN.

I DO THINK THAT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING THAT DISTINGUISHES TRUSTEE SALAZAR AND WHY I MAY PLACE MY NEXT VOTE FOR HIM IS THE WHOLE LGBTQ PLUS ISSUE IS AN ISSUE AS A FORMER PRINCIPAL THAT I WAS VERY INVOLVED WITH TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL CHILDREN FEEL SAFE AND VALUED.

AND IT'S AN ISSUE ON A MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS THAT IS.

THAT IS PRETTY PRONOUNCED AND PROFOUND AND WE DON'T DO ENOUGH.

IN FACT, I LEARNED WHEN I WAS AN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL THAT 50% OF TEEN SUICIDES ARE RELATED TO THAT ISSUE. SO I THINK THAT'S A REAL PLUS FOR TRUSTEE SALAZAR AND HIS WORK.

IF IT COMES TO THAT ON THE COUNTY BOARD.

AND I ALSO THINK THAT.

I AGREE WITH TRUSTEE ROSSI, TRUSTEE ROCHA HAS HIS CONNECTIONS OR ARE VAST IN THE CITY AND COUNTY, CITY OF SAN JOSE AND

[02:50:10]

COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA.

ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT TRUSTEE SALAZAR'S CONNECTIONS WITH THE STATE AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WOULD BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT FOR US GOING FORWARD.

SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS ABOUT STRENGTHS OF BOTH CANDIDATES.

THANK YOU TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

TRUSTEE MAH. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

THE OTHER ASPECT AGAIN OF DIVERSITY IN OUR BOARD THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION IN CASE PEOPLE DIDN'T QUITE GET THE SAME NOTE.

IS I BELIEVE THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF TRUSTEE SALAZAR, ESPECIALLY WITH HIS, IF YOU WILL, SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND LIVED EXPERIENCE IS SOMETHING THAT OUR BOARD, QUITE FRANKLY, IS LACKING.

AND I THINK THAT'S THAT'S A VERY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION WITH RESPECT TO WORKING WITH CERTAINLY OUR PARTNERS IN THE CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ETC..

I MEAN, I HOPE TRUSTEE KAMEI AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ, AS THEY GO ON TO THE CITY COUNCIL, WILL HAVE A SOFT SPOT WITH WORKING WITH THIS BILL. SO I DO RESPECT CERTAINLY TRUSTEE ROACH HAS EXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH TRUSTEE MAH.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM ANY FELLOW TRUSTEES BEFORE MOVING FORWARD? ALL RIGHT. GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE.

ALL RIGHT. NOW, EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL, BY VERBAL ROLL CALL, BE ASKED TO STATE THEIR TOP APPLICANT.

IF ANY APPLICANT RECEIVES FOUR OR MORE NOMINATIONS.

I, AS BOARD PRESIDENT, WILL CALL FOR A MOTION SUPPORTING THE APPOINTMENT.

ONCE SECONDED EACH BOARD MEMBER BY VERBAL ROLL CALL VOTE RESPONDS TO THE MOTION.

DR. DEWAN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE CONDUCT THE VERBAL ROLL CALL AND TRUSTEES, PLEASE RESPOND WITH THE NAME OF YOUR TOP APPLICANT.

IS THIS DONE IN REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER THIS TIME AROUND? YES, IT IS.

TRUSTEE ROSSI. SO, YES, PRESIDENT ORTIZ, AND I'LL BEGIN THE ROLL CALL VOTE WITH TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU. MY TOP APPLICANT IS STILL TRUSTEE DON ROCHA.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE ROSSI.

EXCITED TO SUPPORT TRUSTEE ROCHA.

BOTH CANDIDATES WOULD BE AMAZING.

I'M CASTING MY VOTE FOR TRUSTEE ROCHA.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE MAH.

I'M VOTING FOR TRUSTEE SALAZAR.

THANK YOU. AND TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

THE SAME. TRUSTEE SALAZAR, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. AND VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

IT WAS VERY CLOSE IN MY FIRST VOTE, SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO ALSO SUPPORT TRUSTEE ROCHA.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ THE OUTCOME OF THE ROLL CALL VOTE IS FOUR VOTES FOR TRUSTEE ROCHA AND TWO VOTES FOR JESUS SALAZAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THE APPOINTEE IS TRUSTEE ROCHA.

ACTUALLY, WE NEED A MOTION.

I'M SORRY. CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A MOTION? YES. I MOVE TO APPOINT TRUSTEE DON ROCHA TO DISTRICT THREE.

IS IT DISTRICT THREE.

DISTRICT THREE. TRUSTEE AREA THREE.

TRUSTEE AREA THREE.

THANK YOU TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

SECONDED BY VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

AND THEN IF WE CAN HAVE A VOTE.

AND I'LL READ THE MOTION AND THE MATTER OF THE PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY IN TRUSTEE AREA THREE, A MOTION WAS MADE BY TRUSTEE ROSSI AND SECONDED BY VICE PRESIDENT CHON TO PROVISIONALLY APPOINT DON ROCHA TO FILL THE VACANCY AND TRUSTEE AREA THREE UNTIL THE TERM EXPIRES IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.

THE TERM WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON DECEMBER 21ST, WHEN TRUSTEE KARMEI'S DEFERRED RESIGNATION TAKES EFFECT.

I WILL DO THE NEXT ROLL CALL AND THIS WOULD BE A YES NO VOTE TO AFFIRM THE MOTION.

VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

YES. TRUSTEE DI SALVO YES.

[02:55:03]

TRUSTEE MAH YES.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ AYE.

YES. AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN YES.

CONGRATULATIONS. THE APPOINTEE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

I KNOW IT'S LATE. THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THE APPOINTEE IS NOW TRUSTEE ROCHA.

WELCOME TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT FOR A DEFERRED VACANCY, THE PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT CONFERS ALL POWERS AND DUTIES OF A GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 21ST, 2022. THANK YOU TO ALL THE APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST IN SERVING ON THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND I THINK, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ALL APPLICANTS WERE QUALIFIED WHO DID EXCELLENT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND THEIR RESPECTED POSITIONS.

DR. DEWAN, IF YOU COULD PLEASE INTRODUCE THE NEXT ITEM.

[10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT]

YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

TONIGHT, WE WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO HONOR TWO SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEES, WHOSE TERMS WILL END ON DECEMBER 9TH.

AND WE'LL BE HONORING BOTH TRUSTEE ROSSI AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

SO FIRST WITH TRUSTEE ROSSI.

TRUSTEE ROSSI HAS SERVED ON THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SINCE 2014, SO EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE.

TRUSTEE ROSSI WAS BORN IN COLUMBIA AND IS THE OLDEST OF THREE CHILDREN.

SHE WAS NINE YEARS OLD WHEN HER FAMILY ARRIVED IN CALIFORNIA.

AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER.

SHE THRIVED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS WHERE HER FAMILY AND TEACHERS SUPPORTED HER.

SHE WAS ELECTED, AS I MENTIONED, IN 2014, AND SHE REPRESENTS TRUSTEE AREA SEVEN, WHICH INCLUDES MORGAN HILL UNIFIED, GILROY, EVERGREEN, AND A PORTION OF OAK GROVE, AND CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

PRIOR TO HER SERVICE ON THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, SHE WAS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE MORGAN HILL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FOUR YEARS.

WITH HER SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION, MANY THINGS HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, INCLUDING MORE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH COUNTY.

AS TWO PROMINENT EXAMPLES, THE MORGAN HILL INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND AND OUR SOUTH COUNTY ANNEX COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM AND SERVICES THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE IN SOUTH COUNTY.

SHE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ASSIGNMENTS AND LEADERSHIP ROLES ON SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEES, INCLUDING BUDGET STUDY, JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, POLICY DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE, AND THE HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL.

THIS EVENING, HOPEFULLY SHE HAS RECEIVED AND IF NOT, IT WILL BE DELIVERED SOON.

A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND LOOKS SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND ALSO A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION FOR SERVICE TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

TRUSTEE ROSSI, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE HONOR.

AND NEXT, WE WILL RECOGNIZE OUR BOARD PRESIDENT.

OH, I ALSO FORGOT TO MENTION THAT TRUSTEE ROSSI SERVED AS BOARD PRESIDENT FOR TWO YEARS AS WELL.

AND IN AUGUST 2013, SHE WAS AWARDED THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 30 PEACE AWARD BY ASSEMBLYMAN LUIS ALEJO, AND SHE WAS AWARDED THE MORGAN HILL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPY AWARD IN 2020.

ABOUT HER SIX YEARS OF INVOLVEMENT AND EFFORT TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM IN THE MORGAN HILL INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.

ALL RIGHT. AND NEXT, WE WILL HONOR OUR BOARD PRESIDENT PETER ORTIZ, REPRESENTING TRUSTEE AREA SIX.

IN ADDITION TO HIS SERVICE AS BOARD PRESIDENT, HE ALSO SERVED AS BOARD VICE PRESIDENT.

HE HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD SINCE 2018, COMPLETING FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

REP. AREA SIX INCLUDES ALUM ROCK, MT.

PLEASANT, AND FRANKLIN MCKINLEY, AND CORRESPONDING PORTIONS OF EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A SMALL PORTION OF SAN JOSE UNIFIED.

BEFORE PRESIDENT ORTIZ'S FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE MOUNT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND HE IS A PROUD ALUMNUS OF THE EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[03:00:01]

CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE POLICY DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE AND JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND HAS HAD MANY HOURS IN OTHER BOARD SUBCOMMITTEES.

HE'S BEEN A COLLABORATIVE SUPPORTER OF ETHNIC STUDIES, EXPANSION, CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND MANY OTHER POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO EQUITY.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE BOARD, TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND FOR YOUR TENURE AS BOARD PRESIDENT.

AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS TO COMMEMORATE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I'M GOING TO SHOW THEM AND THEN I'LL WALK OVER AND PRESENT THEM.

FIRST, THE HIGHLY COVETED GAVEL PLAQUE FOR YOUR SERVICE AS BOARD PRESIDENT AND A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND A CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION [APPLAUSE].

THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH ALL OF YOU THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

NEVER YOU KNOW, GOING BACK ON MY LIFE DID I EVER THINK THAT I WOULD SERVE ON A SCHOOL BOARD, LET ALONE AS PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. YOU KNOW, I'VE SHARED WITH MANY PEOPLE HERE I HAD A HARD TIME IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN A TRUSTEE WHO GOT AS SUSPENDED AS ME AS WHO WAS IN THE, YOU KNOW, THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE AS MUCH AS ME.

YOU KNOW, I EXPERIENCED THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE FIRSTHAND, THE CRIMINALIZATION OF MY OWN PERSON FROM, YOU KNOW, STAFF.

AND I'M SURE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE AND WHO MAY HAVE BEEN MY TEACHERS WOULD FIND OUT IF I WAS ON THIS BOARD, THEY'D PROBABLY HAVE A HEART ATTACK.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING FOR ME.

AND I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, MY VOICE ON HERE IS A TESTAMENT THAT THERE ARE SECOND CHANCES .

THAT THE YOUTH OF SAN JOSE MATTER, THAT OUR VOICES MATTER, AND THAT PEOPLE CAN, YOU KNOW, TURN THEIR LIFE AROUND.

AND AND WHEN YOU GIVE WHEN YOU GIVE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO DO RIGHT IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THAT ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE.

SO IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU.

I'VE TRIED TO DO MY BEST, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.

AND WHILE WE MAY NOT HAVE AGREED AT ALL TIMES, I'VE APPRECIATED EVERYONE AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD AND EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR BOTH CLAUDIA AND PETER.

I'M JUST GOING BY FIRST NAMES TONIGHT AND, YOU KNOW, SERVING MY FIRST YEAR ON THIS BOARD.

I SERVED WITH BOTH PRESIDENT ROSSI AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ AS MY BOARD PRESIDENT, AND I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR BETTER BOARD PRESIDENTS AS I NAVIGATED THIS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS MY FIRST YEAR AND NAVIGATED SERVING ON THIS BOARD.

AND THEY'VE BOTH BEEN SO PROACTIVE AND REALLY PRODUCTIVE IN THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN JUST THE ONE YEAR I WAS HERE, AND I WILL SAY PERSONALLY, EVERY INITIATIVE I BROUGHT TO THEM, EITHER ADMINISTRATIVELY OR AT A BOARD MEETING, THERE'S BEEN PROGRESS ON ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS, AND THAT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE.

AND FOR ALL OF US THAT WORK IN GOVERNMENT NOW THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THEIR LEADERSHIP, THAT'S VERY RARE.

AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT MYSELF THAT EVERYTHING THAT I BROUGHT UP, THERE'S BEEN PROGRESS MADE OR IT'S EXCEEDED THE EXPECTATIONS I EVEN HAD.

SO JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY ABSOLUTE RESPECT AND APPRECIATION AND ADMIRATION FOR BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU. I HAVE BEEN SO HONORED TO SERVE WITH WITH ALL OF YOU.

PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I AM ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT THE VOTERS SAW FIT TO ELECT YOU TO THE SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL.

YOUR VALUES ARE YOUR NORTH STAR.

YOU ARE CONSISTENTLY SOMEONE THAT IS LED BY A COMMITMENT TO ALLEVIATE IN OTHERS THE SUFFERING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED IN YOUR YOUNG LIFE.

AND I KNOW THAT ABOUT YOU.

YOU ARE THE SAME PERSON, WHETHER IT'S CLOSED SESSION OR OPEN SESSION.

YOU'RE DEEPLY COMPASSIONATE.

[03:05:01]

YOU'RE HUMBLE. AND I AM ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT WE WILL SEE MORE OF YOU ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

I AM HONORED TO HAVE BEEN MENTORED BY ROSEMARY KAMEI.

AS A FRIEND, AS SOMEONE WHO LEARNED FROM HER WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE GRACE UNDER PRESSURE.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK ROSEMARY FOR YOUR MANY, MANY KINDNESSES, YOUR GUIDANCE, YOUR SUPPORT AND THE FACT THAT YOU MENTORED THIS COLOMBIANA. I AM REALLY GRATEFUL TO KNOW THAT WE ARE LEAVING A BOARD THAT WILL NOW TRULY BE INCLUSIVE. WE HAVE RAEENA LARI, WE HAVE MAIMONA AFZAL JOINING THE BOARD AND THAT GIVES ME A GREAT DEAL OF HOPE WHEN I CONSIDER THAT VICTORIA CHON, WHO CAME IN AND WAS READY TO SERVE ON DAY ONE AS A DEDICATED AND DYNAMIC TEACHER.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT TARA AND THE STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, WHEN YOU APPLIED TO SERVE ON OUR BOARD, I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

AND SO AS I LEAVE THIS BOARD, I FEEL LIKE I'M LEAVING IT BETTER THAN I FOUND IT.

QUITE FRANKLY, I HAVE A LOT OF HOPE AND FAITH IN ALL OF YOU, AND I'M GRATEFUL I LEARNED FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

TRUSTEE MAH.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

AND I ALSO LEARNED FROM BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE KAMEI.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO BOTH TRUSTEE ROSSI AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ TAKING US THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BEING PRESIDENT, YOU KNOW, THE WORD UNPRECEDENTED HAS BEEN USED A LOT, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT HAS BEEN THESE LAST FEW YEARS DUE TO COVID.

BUT YOU PULLED US THROUGH THIS.

AND I THINK THAT WE ARE STRONGER.

I KNOW THAT I AM ALSO LEAVING SOON.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOARD AND WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE CHILDREN.

I KNOW THAT EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE BY EACH ONE OF YOU IS BECAUSE OF THE CHILDREN AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN. I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER, ESPECIALLY FROM YOU TRUSTEE DI SALVO, THAT IT IS ALWAYS THE CHILDREN.

AND AND SO AS WE GO THROUGH THIS TRANSITION, I SEE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS COMING OUT.

SO THANK YOU, PRESIDENT ORTIZ, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE ROSSI FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND I KNOW ALL OF OUR PATHS ARE GOING TO CROSS.

SO I KNOW THAT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES IN EACH OF OUR WAYS.

THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

THANKS, PRESIDENT ORTIZ.

I'LL BE QUICK. I KNOW EVERYBODY SPOKEN, BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JUST BEING A PART OF THIS BOARD AND SERVING YOUR TIME.

I LITERALLY DON'T KNOW THE BOARD WITHOUT YOU TWO.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT.

BUT THANK YOU JUST FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE INFLUENCE YOU HAD ON MY LIVES PERSONALLY.

YOU KNOW, YOU WERE THE FIRST TWO BOARD MEMBERS I SPOKE TO AND TRUSTEE ROSSI EVEN BEFORE I DECIDED I WAS RUNNING.

YOU KNOW, YOU LED ME AND GUIDED ME.

AND I ALWAYS WILL REMEMBER THAT AND APPRECIATE THAT.

AND PRESIDENT ORTIZ, I'M NEVER GOING TO FORGET THE FIRST DAY THAT WE ACTUALLY MET IN PERSON.

YOU WERE OUT THERE SUPPORTING THE ANTI-ASIAN HATE RALLY, AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT.

AND SO I KNOW, LIKE TRUSTEE KAMEI JUST SAID, OUR PATHS ARE GOING TO CONTINUALLY CROSS.

SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT GOODBYE AND JUST SEE YOU LATER.

BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH JUST FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND FOR MYSELF PERSONALLY I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE DI SALVO.

THANK YOU. I AM.

I HAVE MANY MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT THIS MOMENT.

TRUSTEE ORTIZ YOU HAVE GROWN SO MUCH INTO THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT AND I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK

[03:10:07]

IN YOUR CITY COUNCIL ROLE COMING UP IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

THERE'S LOTS OF WORK TO DO IN THE CITY OF SAN JOSE.

I THINK YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES BRING YOU TO A VERY GOOD POSITION TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE WORK THAT SAN JOSE NEEDS TO DO, PARTICULARLY FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE.

TRUSTEE ROSSI YOU AND I MET EIGHT YEARS AGO.

WE BROKE BREAD TOGETHER SEVERAL TIMES.

I AM DISAPPOINTED OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 2020.

VERY DISAPPOINTED.

AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT.

BUT I HAVE TO TRY TO FORGIVE AND MOVE FORWARD.

AND I THINK I HAVE IN THE LAST YEAR.

AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE COUNTY BOARD.

AND I'M DELIGHTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE WORK IN SOUTH COUNTY WITH THE INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND THAT YOU CHAMPIONED. SO I WILL PUT THE REST OF MY THOUGHTS IN A PRIVATE NOTE TO BOTH OF YOU.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR PATHS CROSSING IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE ROSSI.

IN CLOSING THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME.

I WANT TO.

I WANT TO THANK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THE WORK OF DR.

DEWAN. SHE BROUGHT TO THE REGION THAT I REPRESENT SERVICES THAT HAD LONG BEEN DENIED MY COMMUNITY IN SOUTH COUNTY. SHE SHE MADE SURE THAT THEIR EDUCATORS RECEIVED THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT THEY SO RICHLY DESERVED, WHICH HAD BEEN DENIED THEM BY OTHER SUPERINTENDENTS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FEEL VERY PROUD OF IS THAT THIS AMAZING WOMAN HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC, WORKING TIRELESSLY TO VACCINATE, TO FEED, TO SUPPORT, TO INFORM.

I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT OUR BOARD HAD AND PUT ITS FAITH ON A WOMAN LEADER THAT HAS LED WITH PASSION, WITH COMMITMENT, WITH GRACE, WITH PATIENCE.

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER MY WORK, BUT I WILL PARTICULARLY MISS WORKING WITH YOU DR.

DEWAN. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST, AND I KNOW THAT THE WORK THAT YOU UNDERTAKE IS NOT EASY. BUT YOU NEVER COMPLAIN.

YOU FORGE ON EVEN IN THE FACE OF I THINK WE WITNESSED SOME OF THAT IN THESE MEETINGS. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

IT IS THANKLESS WORK.

YOU STAY STRONG.

YOUR GRACE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE IS YOUR SHIELD.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.

AND OF COURSE, EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR SSCOE.

I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A TRUSTEE SERVING ALL OF YOU.

AND THANK YOU AGAIN.