[00:00:05]
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR FINDING YOUR SEAT WE'RE READY TO GET STARTED.
[A. Livestream the Board Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/sccboardmeeting]
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING NUMBER 2449 OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024, AND THE TIME IS 5:00 P.M.
I AM MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA, PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND I WILL PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING.
OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATES VIA TELECONFERENCE, AND THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY EXCUSED AT 8:00 P.M SHOULD OUR MEETING EXTEND BEYOND THAT TIME.
PREFERENTIAL VOTING BY THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER IS AUTHORIZED BY EDUCATION CODE SECTION 1,000.
STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS MAY EXERCISE PREFERENTIAL VOTING RIGHTS BY STATING THEIR OPINION AND OR POSITION ON THE ITEM.
ON AN ACTION ITEM, WHICH WILL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES BEFORE THE SCCBOE VOTES ON THE ITEM.
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA WILL NOW LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[B. Pledge of Allegiance]
EVERYONE, PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE AND PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA, PLEASE BEGIN WHEN YOU ARE READY.
THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA.
[C. Land Acknowledgement]
WOULD YOU PLEASE PRESENT US OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT?>> LET US TAKE TIME TO HONOR THE ANCESTRAL CARETAKERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH YOU STAND.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN A LONE CREATOR.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY IS THE HOMELAND OF THE [INAUDIBLE] PEOPLE.
TODAY, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE LAND.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS CULTURES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND REMEMBER THAT WE ALL GATHER, LIVE, LEARN, AND WORK ON THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
>> THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA.
[D. Roll Call (Including Action on Absences if Necessary)]
I WILL NOW CONDUCT A ROLL CALL.I PRESIDENT BERTA AND PRESENT.
WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RESPOND ACCORDINGLY, TRUSTEE CHON?
>> STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA?
>> THANK YOU. I WILL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA,
[E. Set the Agenda]
AND I BELIEVE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, YOU HAD AN ITEM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL.>> PRESIDENT BERTA, I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.
I CAN ACCEPT THEIR PULL, THOUGH.
I'LL MAKE THE MOTION AND REMOVE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WHAT HE'S PULLING AND THEN I CAN DEFER TO YOU.
THANK YOU. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL PREFERENTIAL VOTING.
>> OKAY. ITEM 5F WILL BE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS. THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER. TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN?
>> YES, I WILL MAKE A MOTION WITH THAT INCLUDED IN REMOVING ITEM 9A FROM THE AGENDA.
>> OKAY. A MOTION TO REMOVE ITEM 9A AND THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS ASK TO MOVE 5F INCORPORATED INTO THAT MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? HEARING NO SECOND, I WILL ENTERTAIN AN ALTERNATE MOTION.
>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE ITEM REFERENCED BY OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.
>> OKAY. A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH ITEM 5F PULLED FOR DISCUSSION. IS THERE A SECOND?
AT THIS TIME, I WILL ASK TRUSTEES TO VOTE IN BOARD DOCS.
THAT MOTION PASSES WITH SIX AYES AND ONE NO.
WE WILL NOW GO TO OUR NEXT ITEM.
A LIVE STREAM OF THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT TINYURL.COM/SCCBOARDMEETING.
ONCE ON THE WEB PAGE, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM, AND CHOOSE LIVE.
LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING IS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE VI PHONE.
FOR SPANISH SUPPORT, CALL 1-669-900-6833.
[00:05:06]
THE MEETING ID IS 727-33-4810 POUND FOR VIETNAMESE SUPPORT, CALL 1-669-900-6833.THE MEETING ID IS 9218-153-9516 POUND.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE IN ASL, SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.
HEADSETS FOR SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE TABLE AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
THE ASL INTERPRETERS ARE AT THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOM, AS WELL AS ON THE MONITORS THROUGHOUT THE ROOM.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE LANGUAGE SUPPORT TEAM FOR THE AMAZING WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING TO ENSURE INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY.
PERSONS WANTING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO BY COMPLETING A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD AVAILABLE AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR THE NEED TO EVACUATE THE ROOM, PLEASE ALERT AND FOLLOW A SCCOE STAFF MEMBER THAT IS IDENTIFIED WITH A YELLOW BADGE.
A REMINDER THAT OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATES VIA TELECONFERENCE AND WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXCUSED AT 8:00 P.M. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE UTILIZING OUR OVERFLOW ROOMS THIS EVENING.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND ALL ATTENDEES THAT THE OVERFLOW ROOMS ARE EXTENSIONS OF THIS MEETING.
THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THE SAME MEETING BEHAVIOR EXERCISED IN THIS MAIN ROOM WILL ALSO BE EXERCISED IN THE OVERFLOW ROOMS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR COOPERATION.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM TWO SPECIAL RECOGNITION.
[A. Recognition of the SCCOE Employee of the Month]
AS WE RECOGNIZE THE SEPTEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE TRUSTEE DI SALVO, OUR HONOREE, AND THEIR SUPERVISOR TO THE PODIUM.TRUSTEES AND DR. DEWAN AFTER THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH IS INTRODUCED AND HONORED, I WILL ASK THAT YOU PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PHOTO BACKDROP. THANK YOU.
>> WE COULD APPLAUD FOR MIKE BROMBERG, MIKE.
[APPLAUSE] MIKE BROMBERG, THIS IS MY FOURTH TO THE LAST MEETING AFTER 16 YEARS IN THE COUNTY OFFICE AND I THANK DR. DEWAN FOR ASKING ME TO DELIVER THIS TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'VE MADE ME LOOK BETTER THAN I AM ON ALL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY OVER THE YEARS, SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT.
NOW, I'LL READ FROM THE FORMAL DOCUMENT THAT I HAVE BEFORE ME.
TOP FIVE STRENGTHS, CONNECTEDNESS, CONSISTENCY, ADAPTABILITY, EMPATHY, AND BELIEF.
PRETTY GOOD START.[APPLAUSE] OUR BOARD RECOGNIZES 10 SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEES EACH YEAR FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO STUDENTS, TO PARENTS, TO CO WORKERS, AND CUSTOMERS.
MIKE BROMBERG, A GRAPHIC DESIGNER IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE SERVICES DIVISION IS THE OCTOBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
MIKE BROMBERG HAS WORKED AT THIS DOESN'T SAY SCCOE.
I THINK IT SPELLS IT OUT FOR ME.
IT SAYS S-C-C-O-E FOR NEARLY 24 YEARS.
24 YEARS? WOW. [APPLAUSE] BEFORE JOINING SCCOE, MIKE WAS A DESIGNER FOR MULTIPLE AD AGENCIES AND A LEAD DESIGNER FOR A TECH MAGAZINE.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE.COM BOOM IN 2000, HE FOUND THE DESIGNER POSITION AT THE SCCOE AND DECIDED TO STAY WITH THE ORGANIZATION.
IN HIS CURRENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER ROLE, MIKE DESIGNS AND CREATES PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC ARTWORK FOR A VARIETY OF PROJECTS SUCH AS PUBLICATIONS, EVENT MATERIALS, ILLUSTRATIONS, LOGOS, GRAPHIC WEB CONTENT FOR THE SCCOE AND ITS PARTNERS, AND MAKING BOARD MEMBERS LOOK BETTER THAN THEY ARE.
HIS LONGEVITY IN THE ROLE IN PART IS BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR CREATING ART THAT HAS AN IMPACT.
I PROMOTE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENTS AND EVENTS THAT HAVE REAL EFFECTS ON PEOPLE'S LIVES MIKE SAID.
MIKE'S TOP STRENGTHS OF EMPATHY AND CONSISTENCY ARE DEMONSTRATED THROUGH HIS WORK WITH COLLEAGUES AT THE SCCOE.
MIKE HELPS ADVANCE THE GOALS OF THE COE BY GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR CUSTOMERS BY TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH THEM FOR A CONSULTATION, PROVIDING SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, AND FOLLOWING UP ON FEEDBACK, SAID JEMMA ALVAREZ, MANAGER OF IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE.
HIS SUPERVISOR, KELLY WILEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SHARED THAT MIKE IS A PASSIONATE DESIGNER WHO TAKES PRIDE IN HIS WORK.
HIS CREATIVITY IS ONE OF A KIND, AND HE HAS DEFINITELY LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON THOSE HE HAS WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS, SAID WILEY, INCLUDING THIS BOARD MEMBER.
IT IS WITH GRATITUDE THAT WE CONGRATULATE MIKE ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS OCTOBER'S EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
AS WITH ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH, WE ACKNOWLEDGE MIKE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE JOB,
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DEDICATION TO EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS, CONTRIBUTIONS OUTSIDE THE USUAL SCOPE OF THE JOB, AND OVERALL COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.PLEASE, THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION.
[LAUGHTER] NO, MICHAEL RECEIVE A PLAQUE RECOGNIZES HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCCOE, SIGNED BY OUR BOARD PRESIDENT AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT, MIKE.
[APPLAUSE] AND ENGRAVED CROSS PEN AND A RESERVED PARKING SPACE.
[APPLAUSE] MIKE AND KELLY WILEY ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING, I'D LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
MIKE. KELLY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MEASURE PART OF PARKING SPOT, RIGHT.
GOOD EVENING. I'M KELLY WILEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MIKE SUPERVISOR.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO HONOR MIKE.
MIKE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOR NEARLY 25 YEARS.
HIS DESIGN WORK HAS LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION, A LEGACY WITH BOTH OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM AND THE SCCOE ORGANIZATION.
HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS WORK AND DEDICATED TO THE INDIVIDUALS, CAMPAIGNS AND PROJECTS HE WORKS ON.
WHAT HE DOES IS DEFINITELY A WORK OF HEART.
A FEW PROJECTS TO NOTE, THE BRANDED HEAD START VANS, THE CHILDREN'S DATA BOOK, THE LGTBQ+ GUIDEBOOKS, AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE TRAN TRIP CARNIVAL, WALDEN WEST, AND EDUCARE ASIDE FROM HIS CREATIVITY, MIKE'S TEAMMATES AND I HAVE COME TO RELY ON HIS DISTINCT LAUGH, HIS QUICK WIT, AND OVERALL SENSE OF HUMOR.
WHEN MIKE RETIRES, IT WILL MOST DEFINITELY LEAVE A GAP IN OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM.
CONGRATULATIONS, MIKE ON BEING NAMED OCTOBER'S EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
THE ENTIRE PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM IS PROUD OF YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> GO ME, I MUST SAY EVERY TIME I SEE ONE OF THOSE HEAD START VANS, IT MAKES ME HAPPY.
THANK YOU, KELLY, THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS, THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN.
IT'S DEFINITELY AN HONOR TO BE CHOSEN THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
AS WAS MENTIONED, THERE'S ONLY 10 OF US EACH YEAR.
I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO BE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, BOTH BECAUSE I WAS ONCE BEFORE IN 2011 AND ALSO, BECAUSE I DON'T SEE MYSELF AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
I SEE MYSELF AS SOME GUY IN A CAVE IN A CORNER TRYING TO GET THROUGH ALL THESE PROJECT REQUESTS AND NAVIGATE MY WAY THROUGH IT ALL AND MAKE THE SCCOE LOOK GOOD.
NOW, LAST TIME I WAS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, I SPOKE FOR SIX MINUTES ABOUT GRAPHIC DESIGN THEORY, AND I HAD SIGNS AND EVERYTHING.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN.
I'M SURE, JOSEPH, THAT IS INDELIBLY IN YOUR MEMORY AND GRACE WAS HERE, TOO AND ALSO, LEON BEACHMAN IS HERE SPECIFICALLY FOR ME BEING EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
HE'S HERE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE REASON.
[LAUGHTER] THERE'S TWO THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB.
THE FIRST IS THAT AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND PHOTOGRAPHER, EVERYTHING I GET IS LIKE A PUZZLE.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE NEXT PROJECT REQUEST IS GOING TO BE. IT COULD BE A GRAPHIC.
IT COULD BE A BROCHURE. IT COULD BE AN EVENT.
IT COULD BE A PHOTOGRAPHER. IT COULD BE AN ORG CHART, AND EVERYTHING IS A PUZZLE I HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.
THE OTHER THING IS, AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE PROJECTS THAT THE SCCOE, I GUESS I SHOULD SPEAK TO THE BOARD IN ADDITION TO EVERYONE.
PROJECTS THAT THE SCCOE HAS, THE PROGRAMS ARE REALLY AWESOME, AND I GET TO BE A PART OF PROMOTING THESE REALLY AWESOME THINGS.
WHEN I THINK ABOUT OIA OR EDUCARE, WHICH GIVES PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, WE ASSIST YOUTH 16-24 WHO DON'T HAVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS TO GET HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.
THAT'S AMAZING. IF SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, THEIR OPTIONS ARE REALLY LIMITED IN LIFE.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE WORKED WITH EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAM HERE IN THE LAST 24 YEARS, BUT IT'S PROBABLY BEEN MOST OF THEM.
THERE'S GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING, I APPRECIATE THAT AND AT OUR SITES.
I'M TOTALLY EXPECTING, LIKE IN THE GANG SHOW THAT
[00:15:03]
THE HOOK WILL COME OUT AND PULL ME OFF TO THE SIDE, SO I WON'T KEEP YOU FROM DISCUSSING CHARTER SCHOOLS ALL NIGHT.KELLY IS MY 14TH SUPERVISOR [APPLAUSE] AND I'LL DEFINITELY SAY TWO THINGS.
ONE IS THAT I HAVE DEFINITELY LEARNED VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS FROM EVERY ONE OF MY SUPERVISORS AND I'LL ALSO SAY I'M PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PEOPLE TO SUPERVISE, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
[LAUGHTER] I HAVE TO THANK MICHAEL KEN, MIKE K, THE OTHER MIKE, AND ALSO ALI, OUR OTHER GRAPHIC DESIGNER.
[APPLAUSE] MIKE WAS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, BUT HE WAS DURING COVID, SO HE DID NOT GET TO STAND HERE, SO I'LL KEEP GOING A FEW MINUTES TO COVER.
NO, I'M JUST KIDDING. I REALLY LEAN ON THEM A LOT.
THEY KNOW A LOT OF THINGS THAT I DON'T.
THERE'S THINGS THEY'RE BETTER AT.
THERE'S THINGS I'M BETTER AT AND IF THEY WEREN'T HERE, ALL THE PROJECT REQUESTS WOULD JUST GO TO ME, AND I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN, SO THANKS AGAIN TO BOTH OF THEM.
DR. DEWAN, I MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS COMMENT.
[APPLAUSE] I HAVE APPRECIATED OUR COLLABORATION ON A VARIETY OF PROJECTS, AND PEOPLE SAY STUFF, BUT ACTUALLY I DO MEAN THAT.
THERE'S THINGS THAT YOU'VE SAID THAT I ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT ALL THE TIME.
I'LL SPARE EVERYONE GOING THROUGH ALL THESE EXAMPLES I COULD GO THROUGH.
I WANTED TO DO A SHOUT OUT TO BOTH THE UNION AND MANAGEMENT FOR COMING UP WITH GREAT CONTRACTS. [APPLAUSE]
>> I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE CONTRACT.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ALLOWING ME TO RETIRE, SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE, WHO IS INVOLVED WITH ALL THE LENGTHY AND I'M SURE, VERY DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS THAT GO ON ABOUT THOSE.
EVERYONE'S INVITED, DECEMBER 17TH, TO MY RETIREMENT PARTY IN THE ERC.
[APPLAUSE] INCLUDING BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. DEWAN ACTUALLY, IT'S ON YOUR SCHEDULE.
[LAUGHTER] OH AND JUST TO SHOUT OUT TODAY IN CASE PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW IS NATIONAL CUSTODIANS DAY.
[APPLAUSE] IF YOU DID NOT KNOW THAT AND SUCH DID NOT THANK YOUR CUSTODIAN TODAY, I'M SURE THEY'LL BE OKAY IF YOU THINK THANK THEM TOMORROW, THEY WON'T HOLD IT AGAINST YOU.
I'LL KEEP GOING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, TRYING TO KEEP SCCOE LOOKING GOOD AND COLORFUL AND BRIGHT AND ALL THAT.
YOU DON'T KNOW THIS. I'M USUALLY THE ONE TAKING THE PICTURES.
I'VE BEEN TAKING THE EMPLOYEE-OF-THE-MONTH PHOTO FOR LIKE 20 YEARS, SO IT'S REALLY WEIRD TO BE HERE AND NOT BE THERE.
YES, ACTUALLY, THAT IS WRAPPING IT UP.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE POINT WHERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY STEP FORWARD AND WE'RE PHOTOGRAPHED TOGETHER.
>> OKAY. WHICH IS NOT MY PLACE TO INVITE THEM UP, SO I THINK THIS IS WHERE I GIVE UP THE MIC AND IT GOES BACK TO YOU THE BOARD.
>> THANK YOU FOR HELPING US OUT WITH THAT.
YES. BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT.
[00:20:49]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, ONCE AGAIN, MIKE.
OUR SECOND RECOGNITION THIS EVENING IS FOR AANYA DHRUV.
[B. Recognition of Student for Environmental Justice Work]
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN AND HONOREE TO THE PODIUM.CAN WE PLEASE GIVE A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR AANYA DHRUV, OUR STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CHAMPION? [APPLAUSE] SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND OUR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, DR. MARY ANN DEWAN RECOGNIZES AANYA DHRUV FOR HER ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORK.
AANYA, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS THE FOUNDER OF EJ GRASSROOTS, AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NONPROFIT COMMITTED TO CREATING AN EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS, AND COMMUNITY-ENGAGED PARTNERSHIPS.
SHE HAS BEEN A VALUED PARTNER OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING AND ALIGNING A FRAMEWORK FOR VISUALIZING CONSTITUENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
I SEE DIRECTOR MATHIA HERE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH AANYA, I SEE AANYA'S FATHER TAKING THE VIDEO THERE.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LESSONS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED ACROSS BOTH SANTA CLARA AND SAN MATEO COUNTIES BY, GET THIS, OVER 700 EDUCATORS.
[APPLAUSE] THEY'VE FOUND THE LESSONS TO BE ENGAGING, INFORMATIVE, AND STANDARDS ALIGNED.
AANYA HAS ALSO SERVED AS A PANELIST FOR THE SCCOE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY SUMMIT AND HAS WORKED WITH CLIMATE-RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.
ADDITIONALLY, SHE HAS SUPPORTED A VARIETY OF YOUTH-LED SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AND CONTINUES TO UPLIFT YOUTH VOICE BY ENGAGING WITH HER PEERS THROUGH HER SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS.
THIS EVENING, WE RECOGNIZE AANYA'S WORK AND ALIGNMENT WITH OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION PRIORITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE LITERACY, WITH A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION.
>> HI, EVERYONE. SORRY, I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE HIGH.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO SAY I'M SO GRATEFUL TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE, AND FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, IT TRULY, TRULY MEANS THE WORLD.
I STARTED MY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE JOURNEY AROUND TWO YEARS AGO, AND I STARTED BY HOLDING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORKSHOPS INDIVIDUALLY WITH A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS AT SCHOOL.
I INITIALLY WAS GOING TO MY FRIENDS SCHOOLS AND DOING A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS.
LATER ON, I REALLY WANTED TO GET THE WORD AND LESSONS AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OUT THERE TO A LOT MORE STUDENTS THAT I COULDN'T POSSIBLY DO ALONE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS, AND SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO GO TO A MORE LARGER SCALE WAY TO APPROACH THE PROBLEM, SO THAT'S WHY I CREATED THIS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM.
I'M JUST SO REALLY EXCITED AND PROUD OF WHERE IT'S GOT.
I'M SUPER GRATEFUL TO MS. [INAUDIBLE], OF COURSE, FOR OUR WEEKLY MEETING.
SHE'S ALWAYS MORE THAN HAPPY TO MEET WITH ME.
SHE'S HELPED ME ALIGN IT TO STANDARDS, IMPROVE THE CURRICULUM, MAKE CORRECTIONS THAT WOULD REALLY BE BENEFICIAL TO TEACHERS.
I'M, OF COURSE, IMMENSELY GRATEFUL TO DR. DEWAN AND MS. TARA SREEKRISHNAN FOR ALL OF THE ENDLESS SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE.
OF COURSE, MY TEAM OF SIX HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE HELPING OUT.
I'M JUST VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL SO SO MUCH.
[00:25:06]
DR. DEWAN AND TRUSTEES, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PHOTO FOR A BACKDROP.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, MIKE BROMBERG AND OUR STUDENT CLIMATE ADVOCATE, AANYA.
WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR AGENDA.
AT THIS TIME, I INVITE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
[A. The student member of the Board may give reports on activities related to their duties as a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Education]
DELAROSA AGUILERA TO GIVE HIS BOARD MEMBER REPORT.>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, SUPERINTENDENT DR. DEWAN, AND ESTEEMED BOARD MEMBERS.
THROUGHOUT MY LAST BOARD MEETINGS, I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SHARE THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
I FELT THAT THIS WAS A POSITIVE MOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS TO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE AMERICANS.
AFTER SHARING THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT, THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, MY PEERS AND I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO BE EDITED TO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE NATIVE AMERICANS AND COULD BENEFIT FROM ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS TO ENHANCE THIS DEBT.
LAST WEEK, I WAS HONORED TO PRESENT MY PROPOSAL FOR A NEW LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO OUR CABINET.
ALTHOUGH I WAS NERVOUS, I TRIED MY BEST TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE NATIVE AMERICANS IN OUR COUNTY.
LOTS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.
AT OSBORNE, STUDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A NEW CTE PROGRAM CALLED ROOTS OF SUCCESS.
THIS PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON EXPOSING STUDENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND GREEN CAREERS.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
LAST WEEK, OUR CTE TEACHER, MS. HERNANDEZ HELD A COOKING DAY FOR THE HORTICULTURE STUDENTS.
THIS WAS TO COMPLIMENT OUR GARDEN HARVEST [INAUDIBLE] AND OUR APPRECIATIONS TO THE STUDENTS WHO COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE GARDEN SPACE.
THEY MADE TACOS WITH [INAUDIBLE] USING INGREDIENTS FROM THE GARDEN.
THIS WEEK, STUDENTS WILL BE USING THE PUMPKINS THEY GREW IN THE GARDEN THIS SEASON TO MAKE PUMPKIN PIE.
I AM ALSO EXCITED TO SHARE THAT WE HAVE A NEW TEACHER HERE AT OSBORNE SCHOOL AND A NEW WELLNESS COORDINATOR.
WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING FROM THEM.
AT BLUE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, THE LIUNA PRE-APPRENTICESHIP COHORT ENDED.
THIS SEMESTER, THE CTE TEACHERS RECOGNIZED THE TOP PERFORMERS AND AWARDED THEM WITH SOME CONSTRUCTION ATTIRE.
WE RECENTLY HAD A SCHOOL-SIDE COUNCIL MEETING FOR OUR COURT SCHOOLS.
IN BUDGET REVIEW, STUDENTS VOTED ON PURCHASING NEW VIRTUAL CTE EQUIPMENT AND ADVOCATED TO HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AT BOTH SIDES.
ALSO AT BLUE RIDGE, THEY WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE AN EXCAVATOR AND SKI STEER LOADER.
WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR NEW EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS NEW WEIGHTS AND TREADMILLS.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AT SONO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, THEY HELD A PROGRESS-RAISING FLAG CEREMONY.
THIS FLAG IS A SYMBOL OF WELCOMING AND BELONGING IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
SCCOE IS THE FIRST COUNTY TO FLY THE PROGRESS FLAG A YEAR-ROUND AND NOW SONO IS A PART OF THIS TO SHOW ACCEPTANCE AND UNITY TO OUR LGBTQ-PLUS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
[INAUDIBLE] THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR CALDWELL-HOLDEN, AND PRINCIPALS, MR. [INAUDIBLE] AND MR. [INAUDIBLE] RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM MEMBERS OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY AS A MODEL PROGRAM FOR INCLUSIVITY AND WORK WITH LGBTQ-PLUS YOUTH.
THIS WEEK AT SONO, STUDENTS WITH EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE, ACADEMICS AND BEHAVIOR GO TO TAKE
[00:30:02]
A TRIP TO THE SPINA FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH WITH THE SONO PRINCIPAL.THEY ENJOYED VISITING THE PATCH, PICKING PUMPKINS AND GETTING READY FOR THE HARVEST SEASON.
THIS MONTH, OUR ACADEMICS COUNCILORS HAVE PLANNED VARIOUS ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH, INCLUDING A COLLEGE DAY FOR BOTH COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AT SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL ON OCTOBER 22ND.
VARIOUS COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE THERE TO SHARE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE.
FROM ALL THE STUDENTS HERE AT OSBORNE SCHOOL AND WITHIN THE OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A CONGRATULATIONS TO MIKE BROMBERG FOR THIS WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION.
WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE COMING TO OUR SITES AND SUPPORTING US AND TAKING OUR SENIOR PHOTOS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK DR. DEWAN AND WOULD LIKE TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO HER FOR SHOWING US AND PROVIDING US WITH ALL THESE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAMS AT OUR SCHOOL SITES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER DELAROSA AGUILERA, FOR YOUR REPORT.
WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AT EACH OF OUR MEETINGS AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND INPUT ARE REALLY ESSENTIAL TO OUR WORK.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN AT THE FARM.
THANK YOU, AGAIN. NEXT, WE WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[A. At this time, members of the public may address the Board on any issue within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board that is not listed on this agenda.]
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA AND WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE SCCBOE.STATE LAW PROHIBITS THAT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM DISCUSSING OR ACTING UPON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. IT IS THE EXPECTATION OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT EVERYONE BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND CIVILITY.
SPEAKER COMMENT CARDS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THIS TIME.
ONCE WE BEGIN TAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS.
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.95, THE SCCBOE STRIVES TO MAINTAIN THE ORDERLY AND CIVIL CONDUCT OF ITS MEETING AND TO AVOID UNLAWFUL DISRUPTIONS.
THEREFORE, DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE INTEND TO KEEP A RESPECTFUL AND PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT.
PLEASE NOTE THAT VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS, PHYSICAL VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ENGAGE IN THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE ROOM.
WE ASK THAT THERE BE NO CLAPPING, CHEERING, SNAPPING OF FINGERS, BOOING, OR SHOUTING.
IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU MAY SIMPLY DO SO WITH THE UNIVERSAL SIGN FOR APPRECIATION, WHICH CAN BE DONE LIKE THIS.
MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> YES, WE HAVE 51 CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. AS THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW COMMENCING, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS.
THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THE ONE-MINUTE TIMER.
IF LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED, TIME WILL DOUBLE.
WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME IS UP, THE BUZZER WILL SOUND AND YOU WILL BE MUTED.
>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE IN OUR OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA WHO FILLED OUT A CARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM ONCE YOUR GROUP IS CALLED.
PLEASE LISTEN FOR YOUR NAME TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.
AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
THE FIRST 15 SPEAKERS ARE [INAUDIBLE], BRITTANY O'BRIEN, ANUPAMA GUPTA, ALBERTO VERDUZCO, RANDY [INAUDIBLE].
>> SANDYA LOPEZ, GAY KRAUSE, [INAUDIBLE] BERRY, DAVID PUTNEY, VERONICA GARZA.
>> NARASIMHAN GANESH, ANNA MENDOZA, ROCHELLE VELAZQUEZ, IBRAHIM BARI, SANDRA FAKAOSI, KELLY GUEVARA, IRENE SOTTO OR SOTO, TAYLOR BERRY, JOANN VAARS, ERIS YUMO, AND KIRSTEN SARGINGER.
[00:35:04]
IF YOU'VE HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM.PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M DR. YEE WAN, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE AND REGIONAL PROJECTS AT THE SCCOE.
RECENTLY, OUR VERY OWN DR. DEWAN RECEIVED THE PRESTIGE AESA OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, WHICH HONORS INDIVIDUAL AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.
THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES DR. DEWAN'S TIRELESS EFFORT IN ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY AND PROMOTING EQUITY FOR ALL CHILDREN ACROSS CALIFORNIA.
IN ADDITION, THE SCCOE WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE LARGE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION OF THE YEAR AWARD, AS VOTED BY COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.
THESE AWARDS TRULY UNDERSCORE DR. DEWAN'S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. DEWAN AND THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THESE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN, FOR CONTINUING TO BUILD A STRONG REPUTATION FOR THE SCCOE AND ADVANCING OUR MISSION TO SERVE AND UPLIFT EVERY STUDENT.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS BRITTANY O'BRIEN.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS BRITTANY O'BRIEN, LITERACY COORDINATOR FOR LEARNING ACCELERATION HERE AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT.
THANK YOU, ROCKETSHIP ROCKETEERS, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AS WELL.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REALLY RECOGNIZE DR. DEWAN, AND TRUST ME WHEN I SAY, WHOSE LEADERSHIP HAS HAD A HUGE PROFOUND IMPACT, NOT ON ME, BUT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND YOUR KINDNESS AND YOUR REACH.
YOUR REACH DOESN'T ONLY JUST CENTER HERE, BUT IT DOES EXTEND OUTWARD INTO THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW TEACHERS AND TACOS, YOU GREETED EVERY SINGLE TEACHER THAT WAS PRESENT.
YOU ALSO MADE AN EFFORT TO REALLY GET TO KNOW EVERYONE AT EACH TABLE.
YOU HOSTED OUR SUPERINTENDENTS OF 31 DIFFERENT DISTRICTS HERE, SHOWCASING ALL THAT WE PROVIDE, ALL OUR SERVICES.
JUST WITHIN THE LAST WEEK, WE HOSTED A VIETNAMESE CURRICULUM EVENT AND LGBTQ SHOW.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ANUPAMA GUPTA.
PLEASE CLEARLY SAY YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M THE EDTECH COORDINATOR AT SCCOE.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR OUR SUPERINTENDENT DR. MARY ANN DEWAN.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GETTING TO KNOW HER WHEN I FIRST HOSTED THE TEACHERS AND TACOS EVENT IN 2023, WHICH RECOGNIZES AND APPRECIATES TEACHERS THROUGH STEM ACTIVITIES AND, OF COURSE, FREE TACOS.
I WAS THRILLED WHEN SHE AGREED TO ATTEND AND SPEAK WHILE GENEROUSLY DONATING MEANINGFUL PRIZES IN TEACHER APPRECIATION.
HER CONFIDENCE IN ME AS A NEW EMPLOYEE WAS HUMBLING, AND I ADMIRED HER ABILITY TO SEE THE GREATER PURPOSE, THE IMPACT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS AT THIS EVENT.
SHE UNDERSTOOD HOW HER PRESENCE WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THIS EXPERIENCE WAS A TREMENDOUS BOOST FOR ME AS IT EXEMPLIFIED HER COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING TEACHERS.
IT GAVE ME CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AS I PROUDLY WALKED ALONGSIDE HER SHOWCASING THE AMAZING WORK AND OUR SHARED PASSION FOR SUPPORTING TEACHERS.
SINCE THEN, SHE HAS ATTENDED SEVERAL EVENTS.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALBERTO VERDUZCO.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ALBERTO VERDUZCO, DIRECTOR OF THE OPPORTUNITY YOUTH ACADEMY. GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.
DR. DEWAN'S UNWAVERING VISION AND ADVOCACY HAVE TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF PROMISED YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 16-24-YEARS-OLD WHO MAY HAVE BEEN WRITTEN OFF AT ONE TIME.
WHEN OTHERS GAVE UP, DR. DEWAN STOOD UP AND FOUNDED THE OPPORTUNITY YOUTH ACADEMY AND GAVE HOPE TO HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS.
DR. DEWAN MADE AND IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, AND WHEN OTHERS SAW THE WORST IN THEM, DR. DEWAN SAW THE BEST IN THEM.
THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN, FOR YOUR RELENTLESS COMMITMENT TO ALL STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTY AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THAT HAS MADE AN ENORMOUS IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RANDY DRABMAN.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS RANDY DRABMAN, AND I'M A TEACHER AT SOUTH COUNTY.
BEFORE THAT, FOR 14 YEARS, I WAS AN ED TEACHER.
DURING THAT TIME, I WAS ABLE TO HAVE BEFORE THE BOARD THREE STUDENTS WHO WERE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR.
[00:40:02]
I'M GIVING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT TO DR. DEWAN BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTED MY PROGRAM, SHE SUPPORTED THE STUDENTS, AND SHE'S AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR.THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. DEWAN.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDYA LOPEZ.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
WE'LL GIVE HER A MOMENT TO GET OVER THERE.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M PART OF THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE, AS WELL AS A PARENT OF TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS.
WELL, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE PROGRAM MILESTONES WITH YOU BEFORE.
TONIGHT, I WANT TO FOCUS ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH DR. MARY ANN DEWAN.
SHE CONSISTENTLY SEEKS TO UNDERSTAND OTHERS AND VALUES INPUT BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS.
WHEN SHE ENTERS THE SPACE, SHE HAS A UNIQUE ABILITY TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN AND HEARD.
FOR ASPIRING LEADERS AND LEADERS LIKE MYSELF, SHE IS SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO.
ALWAYS CALM, COLLECTED, AND THOUGHTFUL IN HER APPROACH.
DR. DEWAN IS APPRECIATIVE, INCREDIBLY HARD WORKING, AND A MODEL LEADER.
SHE IS A MASTER FACILITATOR, AND WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME THE MOST IS HER GENUINE INTEREST AND THE ATTENTION SHE PAYS TO EACH PERSON'S STORY. THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GAY KRAUSE.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.
I'M HERE AS AN EDUCATOR, A LONG TIME EDUCATOR.
I STARTED OUT MY CAREER AS A FOURTH GRADE TEACHER HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING EVER SINCE.
I FOUNDED THE KRAUSE CENTER FOR INNOVATION, WHICH HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE.
MARY ANN DEWAN HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR TO ALL OF OUR EVENTS AS WELL AS THE EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN SHE DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO BE THERE, WITHOUT A LOT OF EGO AS WELL.
TO ME, THAT'S REALLY CRITICAL.
I HAD WRITTEN A TWO-PAGE SPEECH, BUT ONCE I GOT HERE, I FOUND OUT IT WAS ONLY ONE MINUTE, SO I'LL PUT SOME OF MY COMMENTS IN WRITTEN FORM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY ANN FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT SHE'S DONE.
I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE HER A VERY GOOD EVALUATION WHEN YOU MEET WITH HER LATER THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER ISACHU BARI.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
I'M HERE AGAIN TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR MY SON, IBRAHIM BARI, SO HE CAN ATTEND THE ADULT TRANSITION PROGRAM.
DURING A MEETING WITH JENN ANN, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, I WAS ASKED TO SIGN AN NDA BEFORE SHE CAN MEET WITH ME.
SINCE I REFUSED TO SIGN AND SHE SAYS SHE'S LIMITED TO WHAT SHE CAN DISCUSS, I GET AN EMAIL AND A CALL YESTERDAY FROM TERESA SHIPP, WANTED TO MEET WITH ME SAYING THEY WANT TO ENROLL HIM IN THE PROGRAM, SO SHE CAN ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND HE WILL START ON MONDAY.
TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THE IEP DOES NOT FOLLOW THE POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM, WHAT I WANT TO FOLLOW WITH THE 504 PLAN FOR MY SON.
UNDER THE ADA, HE QUALIFY FOR ACCOMMODATION.
I HAVE TO RESEARCH MORE ABOUT THE PLAN BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING WITH TERESA SHIPP.
BOARD MEMBER, I WANT TO ASK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A QUESTION.
IF THIS WAS YOUR SON, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT, JUST LIKE WHAT I AM DOING. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVID PUTNEY.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, TRUSTEES.
MY NAME IS DAVID PUTNEY, THE DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIP HERE AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
I'D LIKE TO APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE DR. DEWAN'S LEADERSHIP.
SHE TALKS ABOUT HOW WORK GETS DONE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP.
TRANSFORMATION OCCURS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP.
THIS LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING COLLECTIVELY WITH THE BAY AREA URBAN SAFETY INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP A SCHOOL SAFETY SYMPOSIUM.
WE COLLABORATED AND WORKED ACROSS OUR PARTNERSHIPS THAT MARY ANN DEWAN HAS DEVELOPED AND ESTABLISHED SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY, WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SHERIFFS, WITH ALSO OUR COUNTY COUNCIL, AS WELL AS NOW WE BROUGHT IN SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH THE FBI AND THE SECRET SERVICE TO PROVIDE UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON SCHOOL SAFETY IN ADVERTING TARGETED EVENTS IN SCHOOLS.
THROUGH HER LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION, WE HAVE PLANS TO HELP SCHOOLS DEVELOP CONSISTENT MODELS OF SAFETY TO ENSURE SAFETY. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS VERONICA GARZA.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, TRUSTEES, AND SUPERINTENDENT DEWAN.
MY NAME IS VERONICA GARZA, AND I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF DR. DEWAN AND THE WORK WE'VE
[00:45:03]
ACCOMPLISHED UNDER HER LEADERSHIP PERTAINING TO EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION.IT'S THROUGH DR. DEWAN'S GUIDANCE THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL STRATEGY TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CARE AND EDUCATION ACROSS SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
CENTERED IN EQUITY AND PARTNERSHIP, HER VISION HAS PROPELLED THIS WORK FORWARD IN THE AREAS OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, FACILITIES, FAMILY EDUCATION, PROVIDER AND LEA SUPPORTS, DATA AND TECHNOLOGY, AND POLICY.
THROUGH HER GUIDANCE, WE'VE GROWN THE PROVIDER WORKFORCE TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, HAVE PROVIDED ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION TO NEARLY 50,000 FAMILIES, AND HAVE ALSO PROVIDED NEARLY 900 ADVISING SESSIONS TO PROSPECTIVE EARLY EDUCATORS.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NARASIMHAN GANESH.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M NARASIMHAN GANESH, DIRECTOR OF DATA AND ANALYTICS DEVELOPMENT IN THE TECHNOLOGY DIVISION AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
I LEAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED STUDENT DATA WAREHOUSE AND RELATED SERVICES THAT SERVE THE STUDENTS AND DISTRICTS IN OUR COUNTY.
AS PART OF MY ROLE, I REGULARLY INTERACT WITH OTHER COUNTY OFFICES, TECHNOLOGY LEADERS, AND VENDOR PARTNERS.
ONE THING THEY REALLY APPRECIATE IS THE INITIATIVE THAT WE HAVE TAKEN TO SPIRIT AND SUPPORT THE STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.
THIS IS ALSO PROMPTING A LOT OF THEM TO TAKE SIMILAR INITIATIVES ON THEIR PARTICULAR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES.
THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING WITHOUT THE STRONG LEADERSHIP AND CONVICTION AND PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE FROM DR. DEWAN AND HER GUIDANCE TO OUR TEAM.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ON BEHALF OF MY ENTIRE TEAM, AND THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNA MENDOZA.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD SAYINGS ABOUT DR. DEWAN.
BUT IF YOU HAD OLD STAFF, THEY WILL COME HERE AND STATE HOW THEY FEEL OR PRESENT.
THAT'S THE REASON YOU SEE THAT.
IT'S ALL PEOPLE IN HIGHER POSITIONS TO COME AND SPEAK HIGHLY OF YOU BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL POWER YOU HOLD.
IT'S REALLY SAD TO SEE YOU TODAY, TARA, VOTE TO REMOVE 9A.
IT'S ALL POLITICAL FOR YOU GUYS.
SCCOE, IT'S NOTHING WITHOUT STUDENTS.
SCCOE, IT'S NOTHING WITHOUT PARAPROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS.
IF I WAS HOLDING A POSITION WHERE I'M GETTING A GOOD JOB, PAY MONEY, OF COURSE, I'M GOING TO SPEAK UP FOR YOU, BUT I AM A PARENT THAT REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITY.
ALSO THOSE, THEY HAVE A JOB SAME AS YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ROCHELLE VELAZQUEZ.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT BERTA AND ESTEEMED TRUSTEES.
MY NAME IS ROCHELLE VELAZQUEZ.
I'M A SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IN THE BUSINESS FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS DIVISION.
I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT SUPPORT AND GRATITUDE FOR DR.
DEWAN FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO FOSTERING A SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF.
I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE FOR 27 YEARS.
SEVENTEEN OF THOSE YEARS, I HELD A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN SEIU, AND FIVE OF THOSE, I WAS THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT.
DURING THAT TIME, WE WORKED TOGETHER TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT ALL CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES HAD A FAIR CONTRACT, FAIR WAGES, AND GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS.
HER COMMITMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH SEIU BACK THEN WERE INVALUABLE.
HER VISION AND LEADERSHIP CONTINUE TO IMPACT STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF ALIKE.
HER EFFORTS TO ENHANCE PROGRAMS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND WELLNESS IS EVIDENCE OF HER GENUINE CARE FOR EVERYONE.
TOGETHER, WE CAN TRANSFORM CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS IBRAHIM BARI.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> HOLD ON. NEED AN INTERPRETER.
>> ONE MOMENT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE ASL INTERPRETERS HERE TO SUPPORT.
SORRY. HELLO. I AM IBRAHIM BARI, AND I'M HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT MY SITUATION.
I AM STRESSED ABOUT MY FUTURE AND DEPRESSED.
I CAN'T BEGIN TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS SITUATION IS.
[00:50:03]
THIS ADULT TRANSITION PROGRAM IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ME BECAUSE IT'S MY SECOND CHANCE AT FURTHERING MY EDUCATION.I'M HEARING A LOT OF MIXED INFORMATION.
WHY IS IT A DISCUSSION ON WHETHER I CAN GO TO THIS PROGRAM? WHY DO STUDENTS LIKE ME HAVE TO FIGHT FOR MY RIGHTS? BOARD MEMBERS I AM UNSURE ON WHAT MY FUTURE WILL LOOK LIKE.
I WANT TO BE ENROLLED AS A STUDENT BECAUSE THAT IS MY RIGHT.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDRA FAKAOSI.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> HELLO, I'M SANDY FAKOSI, AND HELLO, DR. DEWAN AND TRUSTEES.
I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED AT SCCOE FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN A UNION LEADER FOR ABOUT 20 OF THOSE YEARS, PAST PRESIDENT AND CURRENT CHIEF STEWARD.
I AM COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF HERE AT SCCOE.
I AM, AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WILLING TO STAND UP AND SPEAK UP WHEN I BELIEVE SOMETHING IS WRONG.
I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE WRONG TO RELEASE DR. DEWAN.
IF YOU DO SO, DO NOT DO IT IN LABOR'S INTERESTS.
DO IT DON'T USE US AS YOUR RATIONALE.
DR. DEWAN HAS SHOWN US IN NUMEROUS WAYS, INCLUDING OUR LMI COMMITTEE THAT SHE IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH US.
I BELIEVE SHE TRULY CARES ABOUT HER STAFF AND THE STUDENTS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH MANAGEMENT, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH DR. DEWAN IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER TO RESOLVE OUR ISSUES WHEN WE FOLLOW PROCESSES THAT ARE IN PLACE.
AGAIN, DO NOT RELEASE DR. DEWAN USING US AS [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KELLY GUEVARA.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS KELLY GUEVARA.
I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE COE FOR OVER 13 YEARS, AND AS A PROUD SEIU MEMBER, I AM WORKING ON MY THIRD CONTRACT AS A BARGAINING TEAM MEMBER. I'M A JOB STEWARD.
I'M AN ELECTED SEIU EXECUTIVE BOARD DELEGATE.
I SERVE AS A DELEGATE ON THE SOUTH BAY LABOR COUNCIL, WHICH REPRESENTS OVER 100,000 UNION MEMBERS IN AND AROUND SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
LET'S BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR TODAY.
OUR UNION HAS NEVER AND WILL NEVER TAKE A STANCE ON THE TERMINATION OR DISMISSAL OF DR. DEWAN OR ANY SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEE.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO STAND UP FOR OUR WORKING CONDITIONS.
THIS MEANS ENSURING A SAFE AND RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE FOR ALL, FIGHTING RELENTLESSLY FOR FAIR AND LIVABLE WAGES, DEMANDING ALIGNMENT WITH MANAGEMENT ON LONGEVITY PAY, AND SECURING AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR CLASSIFIED WORKERS.
OUR UNIT WILL NOT WAIVER IN OUR PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I SUPPORT YOU, DR. DEWAN. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS IRENE SOTTO.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS IRENE SOTTO.
I AM AN ASSOCIATE TEACHER WITH EARLY LEARNING SERVICES.
I HAVE BEEN WITH COE SINCE 1989.
I HAVE BEEN ACTIVE OVER 15 YEARS WITH SEIU.
MY CURRENT POSITION IN UNION LEADERSHIP IS HEAD START DIRECTOR AND STEWARD.
I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF DR. DEWAN.
I BELIEVE SHE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE AND SINCERE IN COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMITTEES HERE AT COE.
SHE HAS BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED WITH LMI AND HAS SHOWN GREAT INTEREST IN ESTABLISHING HEALTHY, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE TEAM FOR ITS SUCCESS.
SHE REMAINS STEADFAST IN HER DEVOTION AND CONCERNS REGARDING COE EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN, FOR DEMONSTRATING GREAT LEADERSHIP.
>> BEFORE OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO CALL THE NEXT 15 FOR THOSE IN OUR OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA WHO FILLED OUT A CARD TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT.
PROCEED TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM ONCE YOUR GROUP IS CALLED.
PLEASE LISTEN FOR YOUR NAME TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.
AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR A PUBLIC COMMENT BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
THE NEXT GROUP FOR THE 15 SPEAKERS ARE ANNIE HO,
[00:55:02]
MARIA MENDOZA, CASSANDRA GONZALEZ, RODY FLORES, DAISY GONZALEZ, LEONORA BACHMAN, TARA GUERRERO, KUMBA BANGURA, RIGO KRISHNA, DR. ANGELA BALU, [INAUDIBLE], SARAH STEINBERG, DAN MASON, MARIE BOBIAS, AND JEN MURCH.THANK YOU FOR THOSE FIVE FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE ALLOW OTHERS TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TITA BARRY.
CLEARLY, STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> I'M HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT MY BROTHER, IBRAHIM BARI.
IT HAS BEEN YET ANOTHER WEEK, AND MY BROTHER HAS NOT BEEN ENROLLED IN SCHOOL.
WHY IS IT THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE ALLOWING STUDENTS TO NOT BE ENROLLED IN SCHOOL? IN WHAT WORLD IS THAT LEGAL? WHY IS IT A STRUGGLE TO GET A STUDENT ENROLLED IN SCHOOL? IT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A CONVERSATION.
IT'S FRUSTRATING AND DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY MY BROTHER AND HIS CLASSMATE, RODY CAN'T ATTEND THIS PROGRAM.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT DEAF AND HARD HEARING STUDENTS, AND ESPECIALLY STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE BEING DENIED EDUCATION.
IT IS AN INJUSTICE. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOANNE BARRES.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DR. JOANNE BARRES, AND I HAVE WORKED AS AN EDUCATOR IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY SINCE 1997.
I AM COMPELLED TO SPEAK THIS EVENING AS TO THE DEEP SKILL SET OF OUR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, DR. MARY ANN DEWAN.
ONE EXAMPLE OF HER SKILL SET IS THE RESPECT, SUPPORT, AND RELATIONSHIPS SHE HAS BUILT AMONGST COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THIS SKILL SET IS THAT IN LESS THAN TWO BUSINESS DAYS, 16 OF OUR 31 SCHOOL DISTRICTS FULLY EXECUTED A CONTRACT FOR FOSTER YOUTH TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA.
ADDITIONALLY, THREE SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE SIGNED, BUT ARE WAITING FOR THOSE AGREEMENTS TO BE ROUTED THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, WHILE THE OTHERS WAIT FOR THE CONTRACTS OFFICE TO SEND THEM.
THESE MOUS REQUIRE ROUTING NOT ONLY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, BUT TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA'S SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, AND COUNTY COUNCIL.
DUE TO DR. DEWAN'S LEADERSHIP.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ERIE ZAMEL.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
YESTERDAY IN THIS VERY ROOM, WE HAD THE HONOR TO HEAR FROM LEGENDARY FORMER COUNTY SUPERVISOR [INAUDIBLE], AS HE TOLD US ABOUT SANTA CLARA'S OWN PERSONAL LGBTQ+ HISTORY AND HOW'S CONTINUE TO SHAPE NATIONAL PROGRESS, DR. DEWAN RECOGNIZES THIS.
IT'S THROUGH THE POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP THAT SHE HAS MADE WITH SPACES SUCH AS HISTORICAL BILLY DEFRANK CENTER THAT WE CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN SHAPING HISTORY, NOT JUST FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, BUT FOR A NATION AS A WHOLE, THAT CONTINUES TO LOOK TO US FOR LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE WHEN IT COMES TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND ACCEPTANCE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
DEAR BOARD OF EDUCATION, DR. DEWAN, LET'S CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER TO BUILD UP OUR LEGACY FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT UP THIS LEGACY FROM OUR PAST. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KIRSTEN SARGINGER.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
MY NAME IS KIRSTEN SARGINGER, AND I'M A SANTA CLARA COUNTY RESIDENT RESIDING IN AREA 3.
I WORK AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AND I'M HERE THIS EVENING SPEAKING ON MY OWN BEHALF.
I'VE WORKED AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOR 23 YEARS.
A FEW YEARS AGO, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO MAKE A CHANGE.
I'VE BEEN THE SAME ROLE FOR 21 YEARS, AND IT WAS TIME.
I BRIEFLY THOUGHT ABOUT GOING TO A DIFFERENT AGENCY, BUT THEN I THOUGHT, WHY WOULD I LEAVE WHILE DR. DEWAN WAS MY SUPERINTENDENT.
IT WOULD BE THE WORST TIME TO LEAVE.
DR. DEWAN HAS BEEN THE BEST SUPERINTENDENT THAT I HAVE HAD DURING MY TIME YEAR.
AND BELIEVE ME, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THEM, AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OVER THE YEARS.
I HAVE WORKED WITH DR. DEWAN IN MANY EVENTS DURING MY TIME HERE AND FIND HER COLLABORATIVE, AND ACTIVE LISTENER AND EASY TO WORK WITH.
SHE'S A VISIONARY AND KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.
I LOVE THE STABILITY THAT DR. DEWAN PROVIDES OUR AGENCY, AND I STAND BY HER.
I SUPPORT HER, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL, TOO.
WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS OUR LEADER.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNIE HO.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ANNIE HO, AND I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK DR. DEWAN FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION.
[01:00:04]
I'M PROUD TO WORK AT SCCOE.WHEN I WAS AN ADMIN IN THE EXECUTIVE SERVICES DIVISION, I SAW HOW DR. DEWAN WORKED TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY CHILD.
HER COMMITMENT TO THE WELL BEING AND EDUCATION OF ALL STUDENTS IS TRULY INSPIRING.
DR. DEWAN HAS MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY, INCLUDING SCCOE STAFF.
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER AS OUR LEADER.
I APPRECIATE YOU, DR. DEWAN. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA MENDOZA.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HEY, MY NAME IS MARIA MENDOZA.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CASSANDRA GONZALEZ.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WANT TO START BY MENTIONING JEN, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, TERESA, THE ASSISTANT OF SUPERINTENDENT AND TASHA, THE PRINCIPAL FROM THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM.
AS SEEN PREVIOUSLY, THE PARENTS OF RODY AND IBRAHIM ARE TRYING TO BE MUTED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS.
THEY TRIED TO OFFER SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS UNDER CONFIDENTIALITY.
WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ERRORS OCCURRED IF IT WAS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR THE DISTRICT OR EVEN THE PERSON ABOVE THE INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED EARLIER.
I ASKED FOR YOU TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF THE PARENTS, OR WOULD YOU GUYS BE OKAY IF IT WERE YOUR CHILD IN DISPOSITION OF THESE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS.
DR. DEWAN, PLEASE HEAR AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE DEAF STUDENTS.
DO NOT LEAVE THEM BEHIND. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RODY FLORES.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAISY GONZALEZ.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER, RODY FLORES, FOR THE THIRD TIME, AS YOU'VE SEEN HIM WITH TAPE, TO SHOW WHAT JEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION, TERESA ASSISTANT OF SUPERINTENDENT, AND TASHA, PRINCIPAL OF THE HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM ARE TRYING TO DO SILENT HIM, NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDENTS IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY TO EXCEED THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH THE ADULT TRANSITION PROGRAM WITH THEIR IEP.
THE PEOPLE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED HAVE ASKED TO SPEAK WITH RODY WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION,
[01:05:01]
EVEN THOUGH HE'S HARD OF HEARING, WHILE BEING A MINOR AS WELL.THEY ARE BEING INCONSIDERATE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
YOU GUYS SHOULD REALLY REVIEW THE DEAF COMMUNITY'S STUFF. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LEONORA BACHMAN.
>> I THINK YOU MEANT LEON BEACHMAN.
ANYWAY, MY NAME IS LEON BEACHMAN.
AS I THINK MOST OF YOU KNOW, I WAS ON THIS BODY FOR 15 YEARS.
I SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME AGO.
I'M HERE TO THANK DR. DEWAN FOR THE SUPPORT THAT SHE HAS GIVEN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY ALLIANCE OF BLACK EDUCATORS.
I HAPPEN TO BE PRESIDENT OF THAT ORGANIZATION, AND WE CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT PARTNERSHIPS HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
DR. DEWAN AND THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION HAVE BEEN STARWARK IN HELPING US RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WERE AWARE BEING A SUPERINTENDENT IS A TOUGH JOB.
WHILE I WAS ON THE BOARD, WE HAD ABOUT FOUR OF THEM.
MAYBE IT WAS FIVE. LET ME SAY THERE IS NO PERFECT SUPERINTENDENT.
I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT IT'S A TOUGH JOB. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TARA GUERRERO.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
OF COURSE, I WOULD KNOCK IT OFF.
>> GOOD EVENING, DR. DEWAN AND TRUSTEES.
I'M TARA GUERRERO, 20 PLUS YEAR TEACHER FOR COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR LEADER, DR. DEWAN.
I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU GUYS SEVERAL TIMES AS A TEACHER AND A UNION LEADER TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR HER, WHICH ONLY TWO OF YOU HAVE ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED.
I ALSO HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY OF YOU IN MY CLASSROOM OR EVEN ON MY SITE.
YOU DON'T TALK TO ANY OF US ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON.
YOU HAVE NOT SOUGHT OUT OUR OPINIONS.
WE ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF COE.
YOUR ACTIONS SHOW THAT YOU DO NOT VALUE OUR INPUT.
YOU'VE NOT DONE YOUR DUE DILIGENCE.
YOU'RE PROVING TO BE SELF-SERVING AND ONLY USING COE AS YOUR PERSONAL STEPPING STONE TO HIRE ENDEAVORS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KUMBA BANGURA.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>>HI, GOOD EVENING. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE.
I'M HERE ADVOCATING FOR MY NEPHEW, IBRAHIM BARI, AND HIS FRIEND.
ALL I'VE HEARD IS, LIKE, HOW GREAT DR. DEWAN IS. I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M MEETING YOU, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M HERE.
ALL I'VE HEARD IS HOW GREAT YOU ARE.
BUT IF YOU'RE SO GREAT, WHY ARE THESE TWO KIDS AT HOME? KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
YOUR JOB IS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE KIDS. IT DOESN'T MATTER.
ESPECIALLY KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
WHY ARE THEY AT HOME? WHY ARE THEY NOT IN SCHOOL? THEY'RE REGRESSING AT HOME.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO MAKE SURE LIKE EVERY KID IN THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA IS IN AN STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THEY'RE THRIVING.
IS HE THRIVING? HE'S REGRESSING AT HOME.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT IS YOUR JOB? WE, THE PEOPLE, THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA HIRED YOU TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL KIDS. WHY?
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RIGO KRISHNA.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> MY NAME IS RIGO KRISHNA, AND I AM A DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF LMI WHEN PEOPLE ARE SINGLED OUT OR SUBGROUPS OF EXPERTS TREATED INEQUITABLY AND MICROMANAGED? FOR ME, LMI ALSO HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE SEIU PRESIDENT SARAH AND I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY ATTACKED AND HUMILIATED.
FOR ME, AS A SOUTHEAST ASIAN, I KNOW I AM THE WRONG COLOR.
WHY DO PARENTS AND STUDENTS HAVE TO BEG FOR HELP? IBRAHIM AND RODY HAVE ALREADY LOST THREE MONTHS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
THEY'RE AGGRESSING. THEY NOW FACE SERIOUS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
I AM ASKING EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IF RODY AND IBRAHIM WERE YOUR OWN CHILDREN WHO ARE LEFT HOPELESS WITH NO FUTURE.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND THE ONE MINUTE GIVEN TO YOU IN THIS MEETING? WILL YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING? WHY DO WE HAVE TO BEG FOR HELP ALL THE TIME. WHY?
[01:10:12]
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DR. ANGELA.
>> MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING OUR.
SORRY. I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANGELA BALU.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I'M DR. ANGELA BALU, 22 YEAR EMPLOYEE AND SEIU REPRESENTATIVE.
RECENTLY, I HEARD THAT DR. DEWAN WAS THE REASON SEIU HAS WON OUR LAST TWO CONTRACTS.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO REWRITE HISTORY.
TWO CONTRACTS AGO, WE ORGANIZED SEIU MEMBERS TO WIN A 10 YEAR FIGHT TO MATCH PARA EDUCATOR HOURS TO THE STUDENTS HOURS.
WE SPENT NINE MONTHS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE WITH NO PROGRESS ON HEALTH INSURANCE UNTIL A GROUP OF 30 PLUS WORKERS CAME TO A BOARD MEETING TO ADVOCATE FOR LOWERING HEALTHCARE COSTS.
OUR HISTORIC SALARY INCREASE IN THE LAST CONTRACT WAS ALSO NOT A GIFT.
ONLY ONE AFTER NINE MONTHS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF WORKER ACTIONS, HIGH STATE COLAS, OUR DATA SHOWING HOW POOR OUR WORKERS ARE, AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO RESCIND AN OSHA COMPLAINT AND AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE.
WORKER ACTIONS BROUGHT CONTRACT WINS.
EQUITY WOULD COST ABOUT ONE MILLION, WHICH IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE 110 MILLION IN UNSPENT FUNDS THAT WERE ROLLED OVER FROM LAST YEAR, EQUITY.
>> BEFORE OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO READ THE NEXT GROUP.
NOEMI NOKONO MATSUMOTO, SHALLY SIEKA, ROSA KIM, REED MEYERS, MICHAEL ELLIOTT, JOHN HORNER, CHRISTINA MOORE, RODERICK ANG, TERESA BOND, TAMMY DENOTA, ERICA VELASQUEZ, ISABEL JUBEZ FLAMERICK SARAH GENO CARO, TIFFANY TWEET.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH STEINBERG, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SARAH STEINBERG, AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT DR. DEWAN.
I'VE BEEN A TEACHER HERE AT THE COUNTY FOR 13 YEARS.
I FOUND DR. DEWAN TO BE AN EXCELLENT, COLLABORATIVE, AND COMPASSIONATE LEADER WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED HER COMMITMENT TO THE SCO EMPLOYEES AND THE DISTRICTS THAT SHE SERVES.
ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVEN'T HEARD BROUGHT UP BEFORE IS THAT DR. DEWAN WASN'T BROUGHT IN WITH THE HEAD HUNTER.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
SHE WAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS AND THE STAFF AT SCCOE.
I THINK THAT YOU'VE ALSO HEARD ABOUT ALL OF THE ACCOLADE SHE'S GOTTEN, NOT JUST FROM DISTRICTS WITHIN THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO STATEWIDE.
I THINK RELEASING HER WOULD BE A HUGE DISSERVICE TO BOTH THE EMPLOYEES.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNIE CREDWITZ.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> DR. DEWAN, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M A VERY PROUD TEACHER AT OIA.
I'M A VERY PROUD UNION MEMBER.
I'M PROUD TO CALL DR. DEWAN MY SUPERINTENDENT.
THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBERS FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME WITH A COMMON COURTESY, JUST TO REPLY BACK.
I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY AS I AM, AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR MY PERSPECTIVE.
ONE THING I REALIZE IS THAT EVERYTHING ENDS UP WORKING OUT.
I REALIZE THAT SOMETIMES EVEN BETTER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.
REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU'RE IN A HARD PLACE OR FEEL LIKE YOU'RE BEING CHALLENGED THE MOT.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, DR. DEWAN, I DO. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAN MASON.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'VE BEEN A SCCOE EMPLOYEE SINCE 2001.
CONGRATULATIONS, DR. DEWAN FOR RECENTLY RECEIVING
[01:15:01]
THE LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR LARGE COUNTY OFFICE OF THE YEAR FROM THE CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS, AND AS WELL FOR RECEIVING THE ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY'S NATIONAL OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR YOUR VISION AND EFFORTS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND PROMOTE EQUITY FOR ALL YOUTH.YOU AND SCCOE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO NAVIGATE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS, AND YET OUR FORWARD MOMENTUM CONTINUES AS THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF OUR EXPANDING EFFORTS TO TOUCH NEW ASPECTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS AND POSITIVELY AFFECT MORE LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR LEADING WITH HUMILITY, GRACE, AND TACT, AND FOR CONTINUALLY BEING AWARE OF SO MANY PIECES OF THIS IMPOSSIBLY COMPLEX PUZZLE AND FOR MAKING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THESE PIECES YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIE BOBIAS.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I'M MARIE BOBIAS, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE DR. DEWAN FOR HER INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE WALDEN WEST OUTDOOR SCHOOL AND ITS FOUNDATION.
HER COMMITMENT TO OUTDOOR SCHOOL IS INSPIRING, AND HER LEADERSHIP DURING COVID HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT WHERE OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ED PROGRAMS WERE SHUT DOWN.
WALDEN WEST PERSISTED BECAUSE OF HER SUPPORT.
SHE TRUSTED MY TEAM AND I TO OPERATE SAFELY DURING COVID.
WHAT STANDS OUT MOST ABOUT DR. DEWAN IS HER KINDNESS AND THOUGHTFULNESS AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF.
SHE GENERALLY CARES AND ENSUES, THEY FEEL VALUED AND SUPPORTED DURING THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.
SHE PERSONALLY THANKED CHECKED IN WITH MY SON BECAUSE HE DID GRADUATE FROM OUR INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM.
AS A BIPOC LEADER, I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED HER RESPECT AND ENCOURAGEMENT, AND IT EMPOWERS ME TO LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND PURPOSE.
DR. DEWAN EMBODIES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE ADVOCATE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR PLANET, AND LET'S RECOGNIZE HER FOR CONFIDENCE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JEAN MACH.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD. MY NAME IS JEAN MACH, COORDINATOR FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND I'M READING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF BARB FLORES, AND YOU'VE GOT THE FULL LETTER EMAILED TO YOU.
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, MY NAME IS BARB FLORES, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED STEAM AND LEARNING ACCELERATION AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF ED, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT IN AREA ONE AND PURSUED A CAREER IN EDUCATION FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS.
I'M WRITING TO YOU TODAY TO HIGHLIGHT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LEADERSHIP OF A GENUINE AND AUTHENTIC INDIVIDUAL, DR. MARIANNE DUAN.
SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO OUR LOCAL STATE, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND TO ME PERSONALLY.
DR. DEWAN IS NOT ONLY A BEACON OF INSPIRATION, BUT ALSO A TESTAMENT TO WHAT DEDICATION, PASSION, AND LEADERSHIP CAN ACHIEVE.
SPEAKING TO MANY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTY, REGION, AND STATE, SHE'S BEEN A ROLE MODEL AND CHAMPION FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP.
DR. MARIANNE DUAN IS A LEADER WITH NUMEROUS ACCOLADES, AS YOU'VE HEARD EARLIER, AND REPRESENTS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION WITH DISTINCTION ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS, FOCUSED ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSIVE IN IT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHALLY SIEKA.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS SHALLY SIEKA.
I AM A TRUSTEE IN LASALTA SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT TONIGHT, I AM ONLY REPRESENTING MYSELF.
MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE READING A LETTER THAT WE HANDED THE BOARD TONIGHT.
DEAR PRESIDENT OF BERTA AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEES.
AS DISTRICT TRUSTEES, ELECTED OFFICIALS, EDUCATION ADVOCATES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT DR. MARIANNE DUAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
WE COMMEND HER EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT SHE HAS HAD ON STUDENTS, DISTRICTS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE STABILITY AND PROGRESS SHE HAS BROUGHT TO THE SCCOE DURING HER TENURE.
AS YOU EVALUATE HER PERFORMANCE FOR THE 2023/24 ACADEMIC YEAR, WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HER VISION AND EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY STUDENTS.
THIS MONTH HAS BROUGHT WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION OF DR. DEWAN'S LEADERSHIP AT THE STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL LEVELS FOR HER WORK THIS PAST YEAR.
LET ME STOP. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BUZZ ME, SO.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ROSA KIM.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M ROSA KIM, A TRUSTEE AT FREMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'M GOING TO READ THE LETTER SIGNED BY ABOUT 60 ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THE CALIFORNIA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OVER THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY, THE LARGE COUNTY OFFICE OF THE YEAR AWARD.
ADDITIONALLY, THE ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCIES, WHICH SERVES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AGENCY IN 45 STATES, PRESENTED DR. DEWAN WITH OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.
YEAR AFTER YEAR, DR. DEWAN AND HER TEAM RAISED THE BAR FOR EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS.
[01:20:06]
WITH HER SERVICE LEADERSHIP VISION, THE COUNTY OFFICE CONTINUES TO OFFER REMARKABLE PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND MODELS FOR COUNTIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.SINCE ASSUMING HER ROLE AS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN 2018, DR. DEWAN HAS BEEN A VISIONARY LEADER WHO HAS BROUGHT INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHAEL ELLIOTT.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> TRUSTEES, THANK YOU. I'M MICHAEL ELLIOTT, PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION, SPEAKING ON MY OWN ACCORD TONIGHT.
THE THOUGHT THAT IS COMING TO MY MIND IN LISTENING TO THE COMMENTS TONIGHT IS A THING NONE OF YOU NEED REMINDING OF, WHICH IS THERE'S A BIG NATIONAL ELECTION IN A MONTH.
THE OUTCOME OF THAT ELECTION MIGHT MEAN SOMETIME IN 2025, THERE ARE DEPORTATION FORCES IN OUR SCHOOLS, IN THIS COMMUNITY, THREATENING OUR STUDENTS, THREATENING OUR FAMILIES.
IF THAT HAPPENS, WE'RE GOING TO WANT DR. DEWAN IN THAT CHAIR.
BECAUSE IN MY EXPERIENCE, DR. DEWAN IS SOMEONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO WORK WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS, WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, BECAUSE SHE SPENT SO MUCH TIME BEING AN EFFECTIVE PARTNER TO ALL OF US.
I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THE THREATS THAT FACE ALL OF US IN THE FUTURE AND TO PRIORITIZE STABILITY FOR THIS INSTITUTION. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS REED MEYERS.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M REED MEYERS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND CITY BELLE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.
I'M ON MY TOES. I'M GOING TO FINISH READING THE LETTER.
DR. DEWAN'S FOCUS ON TARGETED INTERVENTION STRATEGIES AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY MITIGATED THE CHALLENGE OF PANDEMIC RELATED LEARNING GAPS.
UNDER DR. DEWAN'S GUIDANCE, THE SCCOE PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO DISTRICTS THROUGH TEACHER AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN KEY AREAS LIKE CURRICULUM, DEVELOPMENT, COLLEGE, AND CAREER READINESS.
THANKS TO DR. DEWAN'S TIRELESS LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES AND ADVOCACY, CALIFORNIA CHILDCARE IS MORE INCLUSIVE, INCARCERATED YOUTH IN CALIFORNIA ARE MORE ENSURED EDUCATIONAL ACCESS.
THROUGH HER DEDICATED SERVICE AND CAREFUL MANAGEMENT, DR. DEWAN HAS TRULY TRANSFORMED THE LANDSCAPE OF EDUCATION THROUGHOUT SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
AS YOU CONDUCT DR. DEWAN'S 2023 24 EVALUATION, WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE PROFOUND IMPACT SHE HAS HAD ON OUR DISTRICTS AND THE STUDENTS WE SERVE.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND HER CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
>> OUR NEXT COMMENT COMMENTER IS JOHN HORNER.
PLEASE PRESENT AIR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN, JOHN HORNER WITH THE MORGAN HILL BOARD OF EDUCATION, BUT SPEAKING ON MY OWN BEHALF.
I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE HERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AGAIN.
BUT THE RUMOR MILL IS RIFE WITH THIS NOTION THAT AT LEAST SOME OF YOU WANT TO TERMINATE DR. DEWAN TONIGHT.
I HOPE THE RUMOR MILL IS WRONG. I DON'T KNOW.
YOU'VE BEEN GOING AROUND ON THIS TOPIC ON YOUR AGENDA FOR MORE MONTHS THAN I CAN RECALL.
BUT AS I'VE SAID HERE BEFORE, WE DON'T NEED TO RETURN TO CHAOS IN THIS OFFICE, AS ONE COMMENTER JUST SAID, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NATIONALLY IN NOVEMBER.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN UP HERE IN NOVEMBER, EITHER.
WE KNOW THAT WILL BE CHANGE, DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH CHANGE.
AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WE ARE YOUR PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING, AND YOU'RE REALLY YOUR FIRST LEVEL OF CUSTOMER.
OF COURSE, THE STUDENTS ARE ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
I HOPE YOU'RE LISTENING TO US WHEN WE SAY, WE VALUE THE SERVICE DR. DEWAN AND THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDE, AND WE DESPERATELY NEED STABILITY. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA MOORE.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> EQUITY AND INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE BEEN TOUTED AS A PRIORITY AN AREA OF ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
I MUST SAY THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THESE AREAS, AND I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO ADDRESS IN ONE MINUTE.
BUT THE MOST EGREGIOUS EXAMPLE IS THAT WE HAVE CLASSROOMS WHERE STUDENTS DON'T EVEN HAVE ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS, WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE NECESSARY CHANGING TABLES, WHERE THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED IN THE CORNER OF THE CLASSROOM OR SOAKED THROUGH THEIR DIAPERS BECAUSE A DESIGNATED BATHROOM IS 197 ADULT STEPS ACROSS THE SCHOOL CAMPUS.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME VISION AND LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS THESE WELL KNOWN AND REPEATED TIME AND AGAIN ISSUES BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT AWARDS FOR INCLUSION.
THIS IS MY INPUT AS A TEACHER ADVOCATING FOR ALL STUDENTS.
JUST FOR CONTEXT, IT WAS BARELY OVER 120 STEPS FROM THIS PODIUM TO THE OVERFLOW ROOM.
IMAGINE 197 STEPS FOR A KINDERGARTNER OR CHILDREN IN WHEELCHAIRS, ADULTS PUSHING CHILDREN IN WHEELCHAIRS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RODERICK ANG.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[01:25:01]
> HI, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS RODERICK ANG.I'M THE PRODUCT MANAGER AT SCCOE.
I LIKE TO SAY FOR DR. DEWAN, FOR US AS EMPLOYEE AT SCCOE, WE ALL LIKE HER AS WELL AS REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR US.
THE REASON I AM HERE AS WELL IS BECAUSE AS A PRODUCT MANAGER, WHAT DOES IT MEAN? IT MEANS EVERY PROJECT HAS TO FINISH ON TIME, NO DELAY AND ALL THOSE THINGS, AND DR. DEWAN HAS HELPED ME.
I GUESS SHE DOESN'T KNOW THIS, BUT SHE'S BEEN ADVOCATING PROJECT MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT SCCOE.
I'M VERY HAPPY BECAUSE IT MAKES MY JOB VERY EASY TALKING TO EMPLOYEES HERE TO GET ALL THE PROJECTS FINISHED ON TIME AND NOT MUCH DELAY OR EVEN WITHOUT DELAY.
LAST THING, I'D LIKE TO SAY ALL THE DEPARTMENTS DIVISION HERE ARE USING SOME FORM OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN SCCOE DUE TO HER LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANKS. BYE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TERESA BOND.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. I'M TERESA BOND, I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF.
THIS IS MY 14TH YEAR AS A BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEE MOST RECENTLY IN THE LASCADO SARATOGA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR DEVOTION TO STUDENTS AND THE TIME THAT YOU PUT IN THAT IS INVISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING A VERY RARE AND WONDERFUL JOURNEY UNDER THE SUPERIOR LEADERSHIP OF DR. DEWAN.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW THE MOUNDS OF DATA YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS TO AID IN YOUR EVALUATION OF OUR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
THE PUBLIC HAS DRAFTED A 360 EVALUATION FOR YOU.
HOW WONDERFULLY AMAZING IS THAT? MY TENURE HAS AFFORDED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW MANY SUPERINTENDENTS.
I HAVE SEEN THE REVOLVING DOOR AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, AND NONE COME CLOSE TO DR. DEWAN.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMMY DENOTA.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TAMMY DENOTA.
I'M SCA LOCAL 521 VICE PRESIDENT, AND I'M HERE WITH OUR LOCAL WHITE PRESIDENT MELISSA WILLETT IN THE BACKGROUND.
IN THE PAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH THE MEMBERS HERE AT SCCOE, THERE'S MANY TIMES THAT DR. DEWAN AND I HAVE DISAGREED WITH LOTS OF THINGS, AND I HONESTLY DON'T EXPECT THAT TO CHANGE.
THIS IS HEALTHY BECAUSE IT'S DIVERSE OPINIONS.
THAT COME TOGETHER AND IT FOSTERS NEW IDEAS AND ENCOURAGES OUTSIDE THE BOX THINKING.
HOWEVER, WE, AS A LOCAL WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT TO MAKE CLEAR TODAY THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN OUR POSITION AS A UNION TO TAKE A STANCE ON THE DISCIPLINE, RELEASE, OR DISMISSAL OF DR. DEWAN OR ANY SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.
IT'S OUR JOB TO FIGHT FOR THE BEST WORKING CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDES A SAFE WORKPLACE, LIVING CONDITIONS, EQUITABLE LONGEVITY PAY, AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.
THEREFORE, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO REPRESENTING OUR CLASSIFIED WORKFORCE AND OBTAINING THE BEST POSSIBLE CONTRACT THAT WE CAN TODAY AND FOREVER. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ERICA VELASQUEZ.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ERICA VELASQUEZ.
I AM A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST AND SOCIAL WORKERS BARGAINING UNIT.
I AM NOT HERE REPRESENTING MY UNIT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR MYSELF, TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AND SUPPORT FOR DR. MARIANNE DUAN.
I AM PROUD TO SAY I HAVE BEEN WITH THE SCCOE CLOSE TO 10 YEARS.
I WAS FIRST HIRED AS OIA COMMUNITY LIAISON WHEN OIA HAD ONLY ONE SIDE AND ONE TEACHER.
THANKS TO DR. DEWAN'S CONTINUED SUPPORT AND BELIEF IN THE PROGRAM, OIA HAS GROWN TO BECOME THE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IT IS TODAY.
WHILE AT OIA, I WAS ABLE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY.
THE SCCOE ALLOWED ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE MY PRACTICAL HOURS AND WORK AND LATER WAS HIRED AS AN INTERN.
THIS CHANGED MY LIFE TREMENDOUSLY, AND IT'S THE BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE.
I HAVE ALSO SEEN HOW COLLEAGUES HAVE GONE FROM BEING PARAPROFESSIONALS TO FULLY CREDENTIAL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS.
THIS IS POSSIBLE, THANKS TO DR. DEWAN'S CONTINUOUS SUPPORT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ISABEL [INAUDIBLE] FLEMERG.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ISABEL [INAUDIBLE] FLEMERG, AND ONLY BY REFERENCE, I AM A PART OF THE SNELL SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT DR. DEWAN, WHO HAS BEEN A MODEL OF TRANSPARENCY AND A GREAT COMMUNICATOR FOR EVERY DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY.
SHE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE COUNTY SURVIVED THE PANDEMIC, ORGANIZING RESOURCES, AND QUICK RESPONSE FOR GUIDANCE DURING UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.
SHE OPENED CHANNELS THAT ARE STILL OPEN, AND WE'RE STILL USING IT CONTINUOUSLY PERIODICALLY.
[01:30:02]
THEY ARE VERY INFLUENTIAL IN THE WAY HOW DISTRICT COLLABORATE AND SHARE RESOURCES, INCLUDING HER LUNCH AND LEARN PRESENTATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITY THAT SHE BRINGS IN THOSE FOR EVERY DISTRICT AND HOW WE CAN USE THEM.SHE CREATED AND SUPPORTED PROGRAMS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY, INCLUDING PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED YOUTH, WHICH I REMEMBER GIVING THEM AN AWARD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, FOR MACINIVENTO STUDENTS, FOR THE DAYCARE, EXPANDING DAYCARE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH GENO CARO.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> SARAH GENO CARO, SIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
EVERY COMMENT, EVERY ADVOCACY, AND EVERY MESSAGE HAS BEEN ABOUT ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS.
MY PERSONAL AGENDA IS ALIGNED WITH OUR UNION AGENDA, ADVOCATING FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
IT'S ABOUT SAFETY, EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY, ISSUES THAT OUR MEMBERS FEEL DEEPLY AND RECOGNIZE REQUIRE STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE.
AS LEADERS, WE MAY NEED TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS WITHOUT ALL THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US, WHICH IS THE SITUATION I FIND MYSELF IN TODAY WITH COMPETING VOICES AND INTERESTS, ALL ADVOCATING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU FROM WORKING THE FIELD AND REPRESENTING THE MEMBERS THAT THERE'S A LARGE PORTION OF OUR MEMBERSHIP, WHO ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE STRUCTURES THAT ALLOW OUR MEMBERS TO BE THREATENED, HARASSED AND INTIMIDATED.
THEY ARE FRUSTRATED THAT APPEARS THAT LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS IS ALLOWED TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
THE THREATS, HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION ARE REAL.
WORKERS ARE AFRAID TO EVEN BE SEEN TALKING TO A UNION LEADER.
WE'RE UNITED IN OUR FIGHT FOR SAFETY, EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, AND IT'S MY PERSONAL OPINION THAT SOMETIMES ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS DISCIPLINE, BUT NONE OF OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS MATTER.
WE PUT OUR TRUST IN THE BOARD TO EVALUATE THE FACTS AS SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE IN ALL CASES OF POTENTIAL DISCIPLINE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TIFFANY TWEET.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. HELLO. THIS IS AGENDA 6.
MY KIDS STARTED ROCKET SHIP IN 2022.
MY YOUNGEST ARIANA FACED MANY CHALLENGES IN HER PRIOR SCHOOL.
ARIANA STRUGGLED TO EXPRESS HER EMOTIONS AND RELEASE THEM IN A HEALTHY WAY WHILE IN THE CLASSROOM.
WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT ROCKETSHIP, THE STAFF ALL CAME TOGETHER AND CAME UP WITH A PERSONALIZED PLAN TO SUPPORT HER.
THE STAFF DO A CHECK IN AND CHECKOUT SYSTEM TO HELP GUIDE HER IN NAVIGATING EMOTIONS AND PUSH HER TO COMPLETE HER CLASSWORK.
SHE NOW WANTS TO DO HER HOMEWORK, FOLLOWS DIRECTIONS AND ACTUALLY WANTS TO TRY.
EVER SINCE MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ATTENDING ROCKETSHIP, THEY HAVE BEEN EXCELLING, NOT ONLY ACADEMICALLY, BUT ALSO SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD THAT ATTENDS ROCKETSHIP IS BLOOMING INTO BRIGHT YOUNG CHILDREN.
MY CHILDREN HAD MULTIPLE CHOICES TO MOVE SCHOOLS, BUT THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THEIR EDUCATORS.
THEY LOVE THEIR SCHOOL, AND SO DO WE.
AS A MOTHER, I KNOW THAT MY CHILDREN WILL EXCEL IN LIFE DUE TO THE ROCKETSHIP FOUNDATION. THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 4, CONSENT ACTION ITEMS.
[5. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]
>> MOVE TO APPROVE ITEMS A THROUGH E AND G WITH THE EXCLUSION OF F FOR DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION FROM TRUSTEE DI SALVO TO APPROVE ITEMS 5A THROUGH G WITH THE EXCEPTION OF F AND A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE CHON.
THANK YOU. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[F. Request Adoption of Resolution Recognizing Indigenous People and Tribal Communities During Indigenous Peoples' Day and Native American Heritage Month]
WHICH WAS POLLED BY OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE YOUR PREFERENTIAL VOTING AND SHARE ANY COMMENTS WITH US?
>> YES. AS THE BOARD MEMBER, FOR APPROVING THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS CULTURES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
CONSISTENT WITH OUR VALUES OF COMMUNITY AND DIVERSITY, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND MAKE VISIBLE A RELATIONSHIP TO NATIVE PEOPLE.
>> THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER FOR YOUR INPUT.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT ON THE TOPIC.
TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
I ALSO JUST WANTED TO THANK OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM AND FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AS WELL.
[01:35:01]
THANK YOU SO MUCH.>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS, AS WELL AS AGAIN, JUST REAFFIRMING MY APPRECIATION ON DOING THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THIS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT OUR BOARD IS JUST MAKING EFFORTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE SILENCED VOICES. THANK YOU.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION FROM TRUSTEE CHON AND A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE LARRY.
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE A PREFERENTIAL VOTING ON THIS ITEM? > NO.
>> WE WILL MARK THAT AS AN I FROM OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.
>> THANK YOU AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS SIX, OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
[A. Public Hearing on the Rocketship Alma Academy Charter School Renewal Petition]
THE COUNTY BOARD WILL NOW CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RENEWAL REQUEST OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION FOR ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL.MY NAME IS MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA.
I'M THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND I WILL BE ACTING AS CHAIRPERSON OF THIS HEARING.
THIS HEARING WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS.
FIRST, THE BOARD WILL HEAR AN OPENING STATEMENT FROM STAFF OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
SECOND, ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A PRESENTATION OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
THIRD, WE WOULD GO TO SAN JOSE UNIFIED.
I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE REQUEST FOR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
HOWEVER, NO REPRESENTATIVES FROM SAN JOSE UNIFIED WILL BE PRESENT TONIGHT.
FOURTH, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
FIFTH, BOARD MEMBERS MAY ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS TO STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, OR ANY OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS.
THEREAFTER, THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CLOSED.
THE BOARD ANTICIPATES RECONVENING TO ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024.
AT THIS TIME, I CALL UPON SUPERINTENDENT DEWAN TO INTRODUCE STAFF.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA. THIS EVENING.
OUR TEAM FROM THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARICELA GUERREROTO PROVIDE THAT STATEMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. DEWAN, STAFF AND COMMUNITY.
WE ARE HERE THIS EVENING FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL REQUEST FOR ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY, CHARTER SCHOOL.
AS YOU KNOW, CHARTER SCHOOL RENEWALS WERE ON HIATUS FOR THREE YEARS DUE TO THE LACK OF STATEWIDE ACADEMIC TESTING DATA RESULTING FROM COVID.
IN THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR, WE ARE RESTARTING THE CHARTER SCHOOL RENEWAL PROCESS.
THIS PROCESS CONSISTS OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL SUBMITTING A CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION.
THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HOLDING THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL PETITION REQUEST, SCCOE, CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF ANALYZING THE RENEWAL REQUEST AGAINST THE STANDARDS FOR RENEWAL SET FORTH IN THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT.
THE CHARTER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, PUBLISHING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDED FINDINGS, AT LEAST 15 DAYS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING AT WHICH THE SCC BOE WILL ACT ON THE REQUEST, AND FINALLY, THE SCC BOE ACTING ON THE RENEWAL REQUEST.
IN NOVEMBER 2021, ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY OR ALMA WAS INITIALLY APPROVED FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM AS A COUNTY WIDE K5 CHARTER SCHOOL LOCATED IN SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE CHARTER WAS MATERIALLY REVISED TO COMBINE ALL ROCKETSHIP SCHOOLS UNDER ONE GOVERNING BOARD, AND IT WAS RENEWED IN 2016.
ALMA'S CURRENT TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2025, AS THE TERM WAS EXTENDED BY OPERATION OF LAW FOR TWO YEARS IN 2021, AND BY AN ADDITIONAL YEAR IN 2023.
CURRENT ENROLLMENT AT ALMA IS APPROXIMATELY 540 STUDENTS, ALMA SUBMITTED ITS RENEWAL PETITION ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2024, AND IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEAR TERM.
THE CDE HAS DESIGNATED ALMA AS A MIDDLE-PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF THIS RENEWAL, BASED ON AN ADDITIONAL CRITERION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ON THE STATEWIDE DASHBOARD.
IF RENEWED THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR A MILE A MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR A MIDDLE-TIER CHARTER SCHOOL IS FIVE YEARS.
AS A MIDDLE-PERFORMING SCHOOL, THE RENEWAL IS SUBJECT TO THEIR USUAL STANDARDS AND FINDINGS FOR
[01:40:03]
DENIAL APPLICABLE TO NEW COUNTYWIDE CHARTER PETITIONS, AND THE SCHOOL IS REQUIRED TO UPDATE ITS CHARTER TO INCLUDE A REASONABLY COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW LAWS APPLICABLE TO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS SINCE THE CHARTER WAS LAST RENEWED.ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTY BOARD IS REQUIRED TO CONSIDER ALMA'S SCHOOL WIDE PERFORMANCE ON THE STATE INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD, AS WELL AS ITS PERFORMANCE ON LOCAL INDICATORS.
GREATER WEIGHT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL'S PERFORMANCE ON ACADEMIC INDICATORS.
THE COUNTY BOARD MUST ALSO CONSIDER CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATED BY VERIFIED DATA SHOWING EITHER ALMA ACHIEVED MEASURABLE INCREASES IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, DEFINED BY AT LEAST ONE YEAR'S PROGRESS FOR EACH YEAR IN SCHOOL, OR THE SCHOOL HAS ACHIEVED STRONG POST-SECONDARY OUTCOMES AS DEFINED BY COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, PERSISTENCE, AND COMPLETION RATES.
BECAUSE ALMA IS A TK THROUGH FIVE SCHOOL, THE STRONG POST-SECONDARY OUTCOME FINDING IS NOT APPLICABLE.
HOWEVER, THE COUNTY BOARD MAY DENY A MIDDLE-PERFORMING SCHOOL ON THE BASIS OF THIS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE CRITERION ONLY IF IT MAKES WRITTEN FACTUAL FINDINGS, SETTING FORTH SPECIFIC SUPPORTING FACTS THAT THE SCHOOL FAILED TO MEET OR MAKE SUFFICIENT PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING STANDARDS THAT PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO THE THE SCHOOLS STUDENTS.
I'M SORRY, AND THAT CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PUPILS, AND THE DECISION TO DENY PROVIDES GREATER WEIGHT TO THE PERFORMANCE ON ACADEMIC MEASURES.
A CHARTERING AUTHORITY, SUCH AS THE COUNTY BOARD MAY ALSO DENY RENEWAL OF A CHARTER SCHOOL IN ANY OF THE PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES.
UPON FINDING THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS DEMONSTRABLY UNLIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM SET FORTH IN THE PETITION DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL FACTORS, SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNANCE FACTORS, OR NOT SERVING ALL PUPILS WHO WISH TO ATTEND.
THE AUTHORIZER MUST FIRST PROVIDE THE CHARTER SCHOOL NOTICE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATION, AS WELL AS A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDIATE THE CONCERNS.
FURTHER, ALMA IS A COUNTY-WIDE BENEFIT CHARTER AND IT HAS NO APPEAL RIGHTS.
THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT PROVIDES FOR A COUNTY-WIDE CHARTER, NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE PETITION.
THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER.
AT WHICH TIME THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE RENEWAL PETITION BY TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE THE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITIONER PROPOSES TO PLACE ITS SCHOOL FACILITIES, WHICH IN ALMOST CASE IS SAN JOSE UNIFIED.
THE COUNTY BOARD'S DECISION ON THE CHARTERS RENEWAL PETITION SHOULD OCCUR WITHIN 90 DAYS OF RECEIPT UNLESS THAT TIME IS EXTENDED BY 30 DAYS BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
THE ALMA DECISION HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024.
SCCOE STAFF HAS ALREADY COMMUNICATED THROUGH EMAIL WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT, WHICH IS SAN JOSE UNIFIED, VIA SUPERINTENDENT.
FIRST THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF HAS BEGUN ITS PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS FOLLOWING ED CODE AND THE BOARD'S GUIDELINES REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF ALMA'S CHARTER PETITION.
A FULL ANALYSIS WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS, AND STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND RECOMMENDED FINDINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE SCCOE WEBSITE ON NOVEMBER 5TH.
THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S OPENING STATEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. IS ROCKETSHIP ALMA CHARTER SCHOOL READY TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION.
AND WHO WILL BE SPEAKING FOR ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL?
>> WE BOTH WILL, JANINE RAMIREZ, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ROCKERSHIP, CALIFORNIA, AND.
>> ABEL IBARRA PRINCIPAL AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES, PRESIDENTS, AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS JANINE AS I MENTIONED, AND JUST SUCH AN HONOR TO BE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ONE OR MORE OF OUR SCHOOLS, ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY, TO BE HEARD FOR OUR FIVE YEAR CHARTER RENEWAL.
CORE PILLAR AT ROCKETSHIP IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE IS ONE OF THE MANY WAYS WE BUILD COMMUNITY.
SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES TO HELP EVERYONE FROM PARENTS WHO OBTAINED THEIR BACHELOR DEGREES AND EVENTUALLY BECOME A TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.
OTHER TIMES IT LOOKS LIKE DIFFERENTIATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRACKS WHERE OUR TEACHERS ARE LEARNING HOW TO MASTER THEIR CRAFT.
BY INVESTING IN PEOPLE, WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A SPECIAL PLACE WHERE ROCKETEERS CAN THRIVE AND STAFF CAN CALL IT HOME.
[01:45:02]
IT'S WITH GREAT HONOR THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE INCREDIBLE LEADERS HERE TODAY, OUR VERY OWN PRINCIPAL ABEL IBARRA.>> THANK YOU, JANINE. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, AND TRUSTEES.
I AM HONORED AND HUMBLE TO REPRESENT ALL OF THE FAMILIES, STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT ARE THE SOUL OF ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY.
MY NAME IS ABEL IBARRA, AND I'M THE PROP PRINCIPAL OF THE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
A LITTLE OVER 12 YEARS AGO, AS PART OF A LARGE INITIATIVE CALLED THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
THERE WAS A DESIRE TO CREATE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD HAVE POSITIVE BENEFIT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THAT IS HOW ROCKETSHIP ALMA STORY BEGINS.
FOUNDING FAMILIES ALWAYS CHOOSE THE NAME OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR FOUNDING FAMILIES CHOSE ALMA, WHICH MEANS SOUL IN SPANISH.
WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE DOORS OF ROCKETSHIP ALMA, YOU IMMEDIATELY FEEL THE SOUL.
OF OUR SCHOOL THROUGH OUR PEOPLE.
THE EDUCATORS FROM OPERATIONS HOURLY STAFF, TO ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND TUTORS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
THE DEDICATION AND LOVE THAT OUR TEAM HAS FOR OUR ROCKETEERS IS VISIBLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF OUR BUILDING FROM SMILING FACES, GREETING YOU AT THE CAR LINE DURING ARRIVAL, TO SEEING TEACHERS GIVE ROCKETEERS HIGH FIVES AS THEY ENTER THE CLASSROOM TO LAUGHTER FLOATING IN FROM THE PLAYGROUND.
AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA, OUR SOUL IS MADE UP OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKS TO SERVE OUR LARGER LITTLE ORCHARD, SAN JOSE, AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY REGION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
IN 2017, I STOOD BEFORE YOU RIGHT IN THE SAME BOARDROOM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AS A TEACHER DURING ROCKETSHIP ALMA'S RENEWAL.
TODAY, AFTER BEING DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, I AM NOW HONORED TO STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE PRINCIPAL, REQUESTING THE SAME FIVE MORE YEARS.
ALONGSIDE COUNTLESS OTHERS, I AM THE PRODUCT OF ROCKETSHIP INTENSIVE FOCUS ON TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS.
MY JOURNEY FROM TEACHER TO PRINCIPAL IS A DIRECT RESULT OF PRIORITIZE SYSTEMS, SUCH AS RISING LEADERS AND ASPIRING PRINCIPAL PROGRAMS FOR GROWTH AND EDUCATED DEVELOPMENT WITHIN ROCKETSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
EVERY YEAR, OUR STAFF ENGAGES IN HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF RIGOROUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH SUBJECT AND GRADE LEVEL.
MY JOURNEY FROM TEACHER TO PRINCIPAL IS A DIRECT RESULT OF PRIORITIZE SYSTEMS. I'M SORRY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP ON MY GROWTH AND PARTNERSHIP WITH MY COACH THROUGH OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATIONS THAT PUSH MY DEVELOPMENT WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND, OUR STUDENT SUCCESS.
NOW, AS A PRINCIPAL, I ENSURE THAT OUR TEACHERS CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT, JUST AS I ONCE DID.
WE MAINTAIN THE SAME PARTNERSHIP BASED COACHING MODEL, OFFERING ONE AND ONE COACHING, CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS, REWARD TIME FEEDBACK, AND DATA DRIVEN PRACTICES THAT LEAD TO ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS TO SUPPORT FOR STUDENT TEACHER, BOTH STUDENT AND TEACHER GROWTH.
ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING EXCELLENT EDUCATORS THAT WILL SUPPORT STUDENTS IN REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
BUT ABOVE ALL, ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS ABOUT OUR STUDENTS.
WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE FOR A COMMUNITY THAT REFLECTS MY OWN STORY, PREDOMINANTLY SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND HISPANIC OR LATINO.
MORE THAN SIX OUT OF EVERY TEN STUDENTS OF ROCKETSHIP ALMA ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, JUST LIKE I ONCE WAS.
THIS SHARED EXPERIENCE IS WHAT VIEWS OUR WORK AND SHAPES OUR MISSION.
WE DON'T JUST TEACH ACADEMICS, WE CULTIVATE A SENSE OF IDENTITY AND BELONGING. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD THAT 82% OF ROCKETSHIP ALMA STAFF IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF COLOR, A REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
NATIONALLY, 80% OF EDUCATORS IDENTIFY AS NON-HISPANIC WHITE.
BUT AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA, WE ARE TRULY CHANGING THAT NARRATIVE.
WE ENSURE THAT STUDENTS NOT ONLY SEE THEMSELVES IN THEIR PEERS, BUT IN THEIR EDUCATORS, LEADERS, AND ROLE MODELS.
AS NOTED EARLIER, INTENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS A CORE PILLAR.
WE PROVIDE TARGETED RELATIONSHIP-BASED COACHING AND SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT OUR TEACHERS GROW IN WAYS THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
THIS IS KEY TO MAINTAINING A DIVERSE STAFF THAT MIRRORS OUR STUDENT POPULATION.
REPRESENTATION IS MORE THAN A STATISTIC FOR US.
IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF FOSTERING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND THE WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE PUSH OURSELVES EVERY SINGLE DAY TO GET ROCKETEERS WHAT THEY NEED TO EXCEL IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND.
WE PERSONALIZED LEARNING FOR EACH STUDENT TO MEET THEM EXACTLY WHERE THEY NEED, USING DATA AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AREAS AND FIND SOLUTIONS.
ALSO, WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BE A HELP FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WELLNESS AND TRANSFORMATION.
OUR FIFTH CORE VALUE IS SERVICE, AND THIS LIFTS EVERY SINGLE PART AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
FROM CANNED FOOD DRIVES TO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FUNDRAISERS, TO GIRLS ON THE RUN, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP PROJECTS, TO SOCK DRIVES FOR OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
WE WORK TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS, NEIGHBORS, AND CITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THE CALIFORNIA STATE DASHBOARD FROM LAST YEAR'S SHOWS THAT
[01:50:01]
ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY EITHER OUTPERFORMS OR MATCHES STATE AND LOCAL DISTRICTS IN EACH MEASURE.WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR OP, THIS MEASURE MARKEDLY IMPROVED IN 2024 DUE TO OUR ELEVATED DESIGNATED AND INTEGRATED ENGLISH LEARNER INSTRUCTION TIME.
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR LOW SUSPENSION RATE AND IMPROVING MATH RESULTS, BUT NO, WE HAVE ROOM TO GROW IN OTHER AREAS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WHEN LOOKING AT THE ACADEMIC RESULTS OF ALL ROCKETSHIP ALMA STUDENTS ON THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSESSMENT, WE SEE A FAR TOO COMMON PICTURE, THAT OF PERSISTENT PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS.
WE'RE WORKING HARD TO BOUNCE BACK A ROCKETSHIP ALMA AND ARE ALWAYS PUSHING HIGHER TO GET OUR ROCKETEERS BACK TO THE INCREDIBLE RESULTS OF THE 18,19 SCHOOL YEAR AND BEYOND.
WE ARE SO PROUD THAT IN THE 18,19 SCHOOL YEAR, MORE THAN 60% OF ROCKETEERS WERE AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL IN MATH AND ARE READING.
WE KNOW WE CAN ACHIEVE THOSE RESULTS AGAIN THROUGH OUR PERSONALIZED INSTRUCTION, INVESTMENT IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY POWER. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
REGARDLESS OF PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS, WHEN IT COMES TO SERVING OUR SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATION, ROCKETSHIP ALMA STUDENTS OUTPERFORM STATE AND LOCAL DISTRICTS EACH YEAR BY A SIGNIFICANT MARGIN.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE HOW BEHIND THE RESULTS IS ALL ABOUT THE SMALL HABITS THAT OUR EDUCATORS IMPLEMENT EVERY SINGLE DAY AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY.
WE CRAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE DATA AND PROGRESS MONITOR FREQUENTLY SO THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES INTENTIONAL INSTRUCTION.
OUR STUDENT TO SERVE ACCESS TO GREAT LITERATURE AND TO DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING.
THROUGH VARIOUS CELEBRATIONS AND INITIATIVES, WE MAKE JOINING AND LEARNING PART OF OUR DNA, JUST LIKE OUR WORD MILLIONAIRE CHALLENGE, IN WHICH STUDENTS WHO READ ONE MILLION WORDS GOT TO GO ON A SPECIAL FIELD TRIP, WRITING ON A SPECIAL LIMO, OR LIKE READING BINGO IN WHICH WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO GET CAUGHT READING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS DO NOT JUST HAVE ACADEMIC NEEDS.
THEY HAVE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED EACH AND EVERY DAY.
OUR ROBUST SUPPORT SYSTEMS PROMOTE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND CREATE POSITIVE SCHOOL CULTURES THAT MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP KIDS IN CLASS LEARNING AT ALL TIMES.
WE HAVE NEVER EXPELLED A STUDENT AT ANY OF OUR SCHOOLS AND BELIEVE THAT PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IN NEED IS A LONG-TERM, HEALTHIER AND MORE BENEFICIAL APPROACH THAN SUSPENSION.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I AM HUMBLED TO BE A PART OF THE ROCKETSHIP ALMA COMMUNITY.
YES, I'M HERE REPRESENTING OUR SCHOOL, BUT I'M ALSO REPRESENTING THE ALMA, THE SOUL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR COMMUNITY IS MADE UP OF AN INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY OF EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, AND NEIGHBORS WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO UNLEASH THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY SINGLE ROCKETEER.
ROCKETEERS LIKE GIO, WHO STARTED IN THEIR MEANINGFUL INCLUSION INTEGRATED SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.
GIO STRUGGLED WITH COMMUNICATION, BUT THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF HIS CASE MANAGER, CLASSROOM TEACHER, AND SCHOOL LEADERS.
HE LEFT US AFTER FIFTH GRADE ON FIRE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EVERYONE HE MET.
OR DIEGO, WHO STARTED AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA OUR FOUNDING YEAR, AND IS NOW IN HIS SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE HE'S ALREADY TAKING COLLEGE COURSES AND BEING RECRUITED BY TOP COLLEGES.
DIEGO STILL COMES BACK TO ALMA TO TELL MYSELF AND HIS OTHER TEACHERS, SOME OF WHO ARE STILL HERE, HOW ROCKETSHIP ALMA OPENED UP CHOICES FOR HIS FUTURE.
THAT'S WHAT ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS, PREPARING OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE CHOICE, HOW THEY SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT, AND PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY BY RENEWING OUR ROCKETSHIP ALMA ACADEMY CHARTER FOR FIVE MORE YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
COMMENTARIES ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE HAND IN A SPEAKERS CARD.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> YES, WE HAVE 14 CARDS FOR 6A.
>> PLEASE PROCEED A PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE IN OUR OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA WHO FILLED OUT A CARD TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM ONCE YOUR GROUP IS CALLED.
PLEASE LISTEN FOR YOUR NAME TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.
AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
[01:55:01]
OUR 14 SPEAKERS ARE MARIBEL ALOYAN, MERCEDES FLORES, MOISES VIAMAR, MERCEDES TORRES, MARIA SERLA, WENDY PADILLA, AUDREY KERR, LORENA RAMIREZ, ISABEL JAIMES OR JAIMES, LINA LARIONOVA, MOISES VIAMAR, TIFFANY TWEET, JENNY MADRIGAL, AND SOPHIA RUBIO.PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME CALLED.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MARIBEL ALOYAN.
MARIBEL ALOYAN? WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT PERSON.
WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE COMING FROM THE OTHER ROOM.
I BELIEVE MAYBE LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION IS ALSO NEEDED.
WE'LL GIVE ONE MOMENT AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
IF MERCEDES FLORES IS READY TO GO, YOU MAY PROCEED TO THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROCEED WITH YOUR COMMENT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MERCEDES AND I HAVE BEEN AT ALMA FOR THREE YEARS.
I CHOSE ALMA BECAUSE I HEARD IT WAS A GOOD SCHOOL AND MY FIRST IMPRESSION CONFIRMED IT.
I LOVED HOW MUCH THEY FOCUS ON TEACHING THE KIDS AND HOW MUCH MY KIDS ARE LEARNING.
ONE OF THE THINGS I APPRECIATE MOST IS HOW THEY CATER TO STUDENTS BASED ON THEIR NEEDS.
WHEN MY SON JADEN STARTED SCHOOL, HE WAS COMPLETELY NON-VERBAL.
THE TEACHERS COMMUNICATED WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND I SOON SAW JADEN STARTING TO SPEAK ON HIS OWN.
I TRY TO MAKE ATTENDING MULTILINGUAL LEARNING READING SESSIONS A PRIORITY.
MY KIDS FACES LIGHT UP WHEN I READ TO THEM AND THEY HAVE STARTED READING MORE AT HOME THANKS TO THE PROGRAMS HERE.
IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO SEE JADEN AND ALIA COME HOME FROM SCHOOL TO READ SOME BOOKS.
ONE OF MY BIGGEST GOALS FOR MY KIDS IS FOR THEM TO ATTEND COLLEGE, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS.
THANK YOU, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VOTE.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MERCEDES TORRES.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT PERSON.
>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS MERCEDES TORRES.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA SERLA.
PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROCEED TO MAKE YOUR COMMENT.
[02:00:05]
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MARIA SERLA, AND THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR WITH ALMA.
RODOLFO, MY SON, WHO IS IN FIFTH GRADE AND IS AUTISTIC, HAS RECEIVED THE SUPPORT HE REALLY NEEDS HERE.
I FOUND OUT MY SON HAD AUTISM WHEN HE WAS ONLY 4-YEARS-OLD, AT FIRST I FELT A MIX OF SADNESS.
MY MAIN GOAL WAS TO FIND A SCHOOL WHERE HE COULD LEARN, READ, AND SOCIALIZE.
SINCE HE STARTED AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO PICK HIM UP BEFORE.
THEY HAVE ALWAYS FOUND WAYS TO SUPPORT HIM.
AT FIRST, HE WAS SHY, BUT NOW HE IS HAPPY TO GO TO SCHOOL.
IT IS HEARTWARMING TO SEE HIM GROW AND MAKE FRIENDS.
ALMA REALLY FEELS LIKE A SECOND HOME TO HIM, AND THAT BRINGS ME SO MUCH JOY.
THANK YOU, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MOISES VIAMAR.
>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS MOISES VIAMAR.
MY FAMILY HAS BEEN A ROCKETSHIP FOR FOUR YEARS.
WE MOVED TO SAN JOSE A FEW YEARS AGO, AND MY DAUGHTER ANNA STARTED IN TK.
I WAS WORRIED SHE MIGHT STRUGGLE WITH SPEECH IN HER LANGUAGES IN SPANISH, AND SHE WAS STILL LEARNING IN ENGLISH.
DOCTOR SAY SHE WOULD TAKE TIME.
BUT AFTER JUST ONE YEAR ROCKETSHIP ALMA, I SAW A HUGE CHANGE.
THE ONE ON ONE CONNECTION SHE HAD WITH HER TEACHERS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
DESPITE STARTING DURING COVID, THE TEACHERS WERE INCREDIBLE.
THEY ALWAYS GAVE ANNA THE ATTENTION SHE NEEDED AND ACCOMMODATE HER LEARNING STYLE.
NOW IN THIRD GRADE, ANNA LOVES SCHOOL AND IS EXCITED TO LEARN EVERY DAY.
HOMEWORK TIME AT HOME IS SMOOTH BECAUSE MY WIFE AND TEACHERS COMMUNICATE SO WELL.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT ANNA HAS RECEIVED.
I HOPE THERE'S MORE YEARS OF ALMA OPEN SO MORE KIDS CAN TAKE PART OF THESE EXPERIENCES.
WE HOPE TO COUNT ON YOUR PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS WENDY PADILLA.
>> HI. MY NAME IS WENDY PADILLA, AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING THE ROCKETSHIP ALMA COMMUNITY AS AN ISC SPECIALIST FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
LIKE MANY OF THE FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, I AM DRIVEN BY A SENSE OF ADVOCACY.
MY PURPOSE AT ALMA IS TO PROMOTE A MEANINGFULLY INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO NAVIGATE THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
THIS CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE SUPPORT, TRUST, AND COLLABORATION OF OUR FAMILIES.
FAMILIES LIKE GIO'S, WHOSE ONLY GOAL WAS FOR THEIR SON TO BE CHALLENGED AND INCLUDED ALONGSIDE HIS GENERAL EDUCATION PEERS.
DESPITE HIS LEARNING DIFFERENCES AND THE CHALLENGES BROUGHT ON BY DISTANCE LEARNING, GIO WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD AT SCHOOL AND HIS FAMILY DEDICATED TIME TO HELP HIM LEARN HIS SIGHT WORDS.
HIS CONFIDENCE IN READING GREW AND HE WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS.
HE IS NOW THRIVING AS HE ENTERS HIS FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.
FOR STUDENTS LIKE GIO, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO ENSURE THEY HAVE A PLACE LIKE ALMA TO CALL HOME. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS AUDREY KERR.
I'M IN FOURTH GRADE, AND I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WHY I LOVE ROCKETSHIP.
I'VE BEEN A STUDENT AT ALMA FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT I'VE BEEN A PART OF THE ALMA COMMUNITY MY WHOLE LIFE AS MY MOM AS A SCHOOL LEADER.
BEING A PART OF THE ALMA COMMUNITY HAS LED ME TO HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS AND FRIENDS.
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT ALMA ARE ALL THE SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING STAFF, AND I KNOW THAT IF I HAVE ANY HELP, ANYONE WHO IS HERE TO SUPPORT AND HELP ME.
AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS WHEN I WAS IN MY LAST CLASS OF DISMISSAL, AND I'LL STUCK ON A MATH PROBLEM.
I ASKED ONE OF TEACHERS WHO ARE WALKING BY AND THEY STOPPED TO HELP ME AND SUPPORTED ME AND UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM AND I HAD TO GET TO THE SOLUTION.
THIS KIND OF SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS GET.
I KNOW ONCE I GO INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL, ALMA WILL CONTINUE TO HELP ME BE SUCCESSFUL IN MANY WAYS, AND WHEN I GROW, IT WILL HELP ME TO REACH MY FUTURE GOALS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I HOPE I HAVE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LORENA RAMIREZ.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LORENA RAMIREZ.
MY TWO CHILDREN WENT TO ROCKETSHIP FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIVE GRADE.
I LIKE THE SCHOOL BECAUSE THE SCHOOL PAYS A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILDREN.
MY CHILDREN HAD A SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THEY FOCUSED A LOT ON THEIR NEEDS.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF MY CHILDREN WERE NOT LEARNING, THE SCHOOL GAVE THEM MORE ATTENTION LIKE ONE ON ONE MEETINGS, SMALL GROUPS, AND MORE.
THE SCHOOL DID THE BEST, THEY COULD.
NOW MY CHILDREN ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.
FOR ME, IF ROCKETSHIP WAS AVAILABLE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL,
[02:05:04]
MY CHILDREN WOULD BE THERE. THANK YOU.>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ISABEL JAIMES.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS ISABEL JAIMES AND I ATTENDED ROCKETSHIP ALMA FROM 2013-2018.
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE A PART OF A GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT WAS ABLE TO SKIP FOURTH GRADE DUE TO SEATING TEST SCORES.
THE TEST SCORES ALONE WERE NOT THE DECIDING FACTOR USED TO DETERMINE SUCH A DECISION.
MATURITY, WILLINGNESS TO LEARN, AND OVERALL ENTHUSIASM WERE DECIDING FACTORS AND SHOWING THAT I COULD HANDLE THE WORK AND THE TRANSITION INTO FIFTH GRADE.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MY RIDERSHIP CAREER, IT WAS INSTILLED IN ME THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW A GREAT EDUCATION HAD SET ME UP NOT JUST FOR COLLEGE, BUT ALSO FOR EVERYTHING AFTER.
RIDERSHIP PROVIDED A GREAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INVOLVED.
THE STAFF ALWAYS CHALLENGED ME TO PUSH MYSELF TO LEARN AND DO MORE.
THEY FOSTERED MY LOVE FOR LITERATURE BY PROVIDING ME WITH BOOTS, THAT WOULD BE CHALLENGING AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO BE MY BEST SELF.
TIMER ALMA PREPARED ME FOR THE CHALLENGES OF ATTENDING AN ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.
I AM CURRENTLY A SENIOR AND I WILL BE GRADUATING IN MAY.
THANKS TO MY FAMILY, THE SUPPORT AT ALMA, AND MY HARD WORK AND DEDICATION, I'LL BE APPLYING TO SEVERAL COLLEGES WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ATTENDING UCLA.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LINA LARIONOVA.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LINA LARIONOVA AND THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR WITH ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
DESPITE BEING A NEW MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, I FELT EMPOWERED TO BE INVOLVED WITH SCHOOL.
LAST YEAR, I WAS VICE PRESIDENT OF A SCHOOL SIDE COUNCIL.
I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE SCHOOL BUDGET, MET WITH ROCKETSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SHARED INPUT ON THE FIVE YEAR ROCKETSHIP STRATEGY, HELPED CONDUCT INTERVIEW FOR PRINCIPAL CANDIDATES, AND MUCH MORE.
LAST YEAR, I SPENT OVER 100 HOURS VOLUNTEERING WITH SCHOOL.
ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY SON'S LIFE BRINGS ME JOY AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.
WHILE WORKING WITH OUR CITY FOREST TO BRING TREES TO OUR SCHOOL, I FELT A GREAT CONNECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.
KNOWING THE TREES WOULD PROVIDE SHADE BEAUTY AND A SENSE OF PRIDE FOR YEARS TO COME FILLED ME WITH DELIGHT.
THIS YEAR, I PLAN TO LEAD AN AFTER SCHOOL CODING CLUB, BRED A COMMUNITY GARDEN TO ALMA, AND KEEP WORKING WITH STAFF AND OPERATIONS ON BRINGING ENRICHMENT FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JENNY MADRIGAL.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JENNIFER MADRIGAL, AND THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR TEACHING AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
HOWEVER, MY JOURNEY AT ALMA ACTUALLY BEGAN IN 2011 WHEN MY YOUNGER SISTER STARTED KINDERGARTEN.
WATCH MY SISTER, HERDE ALMA WITH EXCITEMENT AND JOY, DANCING AND SINGING, SOMETHING I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE GROWING UP, IGNITED MY PASSION FOR TEACHING.
WHEN I CHOSE TO START MY TEACHING CAREER, I PICKED ALMA BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE A PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS THAT SAME PASSION IN STUDENTS AND IN STAFF.
AS AN IMMIGRANT FROM A LOW INCOME COMMUNITY, I COULDN'T AFFORD AN UNPAID INTERNSHIP AS A STUDENT TEACHER BUT ROCKETSHIP GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE TO PURSUE MY DREAM OF TEACHING BY PROVIDING BOTH EDUCATION AND A CLEAR CAREER PATH.
I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE ROCKETSHIP ALMA COMMUNITY, AND I'M COMMITTED TO HELPING MY STUDENTS DISCOVER THEIR OWN EXCITEMENT FOR LEARNING AND TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. THANK YOU.
>>THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SOPHIA RUBIO.
>> [FOREIGN] SOPHIA, AND I'M IN FIFTH GRADE AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA.
I REMEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN I DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.
NOW I'M HAPPY TO SPEAK IN ENGLISH.
MY TEACHERS, MISS DIANE, MISS G WERE SO KIND TO ME.
THEY TOLD ME THAT I WASN'T THE FIRST NEW STUDENT, AND THEY TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN ME EVERYTHING.
I LOVE MY TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE KIND AND MAKE ME FEEL WELCOME EVERY DAY.
MATH IS MY FAVORITE SUBJECT, AND THEY MAKE SCHOOL SO MUCH FUN.
ROCKETSHIP ALMA CELEBRATES ALL CULTURES, WHICH HAS HELPED ME TO MAKE A LOT OF FRIENDS.
I'M HAPPY TO BE AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA. THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL COME BACK TO MARIBEL ALOYAN.
I DON'T SEE OR HEAR FROM THIS PERSON.
THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
SEEING NO FURTHER SPEAKERS IN THIS MATTER, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
ARE THERE ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD TO STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ALMA CHARTER SCHOOL OR ANY OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS? WE'LL START WITH TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, AND I'LL GO AROUND TO THE TRUSTEES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU TO
[02:10:01]
THE STUDENTS AND FAMILY AND STAFF THAT CAME OUT TODAY.I WANTED TO ASK ROCKETSHIP ALMA ABOUT ANY TARGETED STRATEGIES WHEN IT COMES TO ABSENTEEISM AND IMPROVING ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGING FAMILIES IN THAT PROCESS.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? NOW. RIGHT THERE? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FIRST OF ALL, I'M SO SORRY IF I TAKE A WHILE TO PROCESS QUESTIONS.
TWO LANGUAGES, SO I'M PROCESSING AT THE SAME TIME, SO I APOLOGIZE.
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS.
ONE OF OUR BIGGEST THINGS IF STUDENTS ARE NOT AT SCHOOL, THEY'RE NOT LEARNING AND SO WE'RE DOING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO REALLY ENSURE THAT WE'RE REALLY TARGETING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.
NUMBER ONE, WE'RE TRULY TRYING TO BUILD PARENT PARTNERSHIP.
THAT'S OUR ULTIMATE PILLAR, NUMBER ONE, ESPECIALLY AS ROCKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT LIKE I SAID, ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS ALL ABOUT THE SOUL AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SO REALLY LEVERAGING THOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH FAMILIES.
HOME VISITS ARE ALSO, LIKE A GREAT STRATEGY THAT WE UTILIZE AS WELL IN REGARDS TO GETTING FAMILIES INVESTED AROUND, WHETHER ARE SOME SUPPORTS THAT WE CAN HELP YOU WITH.
WHETHER ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH IN REGARDS TO COMING TO SCHOOL ON TIME, COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WE ALSO LEVERAGE OUR CARE COPS PROGRAM.
WE HAVE A CARE COPS PROGRAM THAT'S ALSO DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AROUND LIKE ANY TIER TWO, TIER THREE SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED.
AND SO THE CARE COPS TEAM CONNECTS WITH FAMILIES AS WELL AND PUTS IN PLACE ANY EXTRA SUPPORTS.
SOMETIMES OUR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING WITH TRANSPORTATION, SO WE PROVIDE THEM BUS PASSES FOR THEM TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL, SO REALLY LEVERAGING CARE CORPS AS WELL.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY ALSO TALKING WITH TEACHERS AROUND ATTENDANCE.
WHO IS HERE? WHO'S NOT HERE? PERSONALLY, REACH OUT TO THOSE FAMILIES AS WELL TO BUILD THAT CONNECTION OF LIKE, HEY, WE MISS YOU AT SCHOOL TODAY.
WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO SEE YOU.
I PERSONALLY ALSO WHEN I SEE KIDS WHO ARE NOT CONSISTENTLY THERE.
ONCE I SEE THEM, I'M LIKE, GREAT JOB THAT YOU'RE HERE.
LIKE, WE MISSED YOU YESTERDAY LIKE, THOSE SMALL MOMENTS ALSO ARE THINGS THAT WE ALSO SEE IMPACT ATTENDANCE AS WELL.
>> I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO ASK THAT SAME QUESTION ABOUT THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.
I DID SEE THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN FOR THAT IN 2022, BUT I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS IMPROVED, SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT AND HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE STRATEGIES THAT YOU HAVE DONE AS A SCHOOL TO FIX THAT, SO I THINK THAT'S AWESOME.
I DID HAVE A QUICK QUESTION JUST BEFORE I GET TO MY ACTUAL QUESTION, I NOTICED THAT ON THE TABLES THAT ARE GIVEN TO US IN FOR THE CALIFORNIA DASHBOARD, AND I DON'T KNOW WHICH GROUP CAN ANSWER THIS.
THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE WRITTEN, ORANGE, BLUE, YELLOW, RED, BUT IN 2002, SPECIFICALLY, THEY'RE COLOR CODED, BUT SAY VERY HIGH, VERY LOW MEDIUM.
IS THERE A REASON OR DOES IT MEAN THE SAME THING? I DON'T KNOW WHOEVER.
>> DUE TO THE DASHBOARD, NOT HAVING BEEN IN EFFECT FOR TWO YEARS, THE DASHBOARD WHEN IT CAME BACK WAS ONLY FOR STATUS AND SO THEY GAVE US THE PURPLE CELL PHONE BARS.
>> THE PURPLE CELL PHONE BARS DO NOT EQUATE TO THE RED, ORANGE, GREEN, YELLOW., ANYWAY THEY'RE NOT THE SAME.
>> NO, NOT THE PURPLE CELL PHONE BAR I THINK.
>> BUT THEY WERE EQUATED AS HIGH, MIDDLE LOW.
>> YOU CANNOT TAKE VERY HIGH AND EQUATED TO BLUE, THE ONLY ONE THAT EQUATES TO A SPECIFIC COLOR WOULD BE VERY LOW, AND THAT'S RED.
THAT'S GOOD FOR MY UNDERSTANDING.
GIVEN THAT TRUSTEE SHEE CHRISTENAN ALREADY ASKED THE QUESTION I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES, WHEN THE SCHOOL IS DOING THE FOLLOW UPS AND TOUCHING BASE WITH FAMILY, WHO HAS THAT RESPONSIBILITY? DOES IT FALL ON THE ADMINISTRATION, THE TEACHERS, LIKE, HOW IS THAT REACH OUT DONE?
>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.
IT STARTS OFF, SO EVERY DAY, OUR OFFICE STAFF IS IMMEDIATELY CONTACTING FAMILIES WHO OF STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT THERE.
THAT'S WHERE IT BEGINS AND SO MY OFFICE MANAGER, MISS MADISO SHE DOES A GREAT JOB OF REACHING OUT TO EVERY SINGLE FAMILY JUST TO SEE, HEY,
[02:15:02]
WE NEED TO SEE YOUR STUDENT HERE, TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND IT STARTS THERE AND THEN FOLLOWED UP BY TEACHERS AS WELL.BECAUSE AGAIN, TEACHERS ARE ALSO THAT DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES TOO AND SO THEN TEACHERS ALSO HAVE THAT SUPPORT.
NOW, WHEN IT COMES TO MORE THE CHRONIC ABSENTEES IN PEACE AS WELL, IT'S STILL A COMBINATION OF BOTH, BUT IT BEGINS WITH CARE CORPS.
CARE CORPS SUPPORTS FIRST IN CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES AND FROM THERE, THEN IT IS TRANSFERRED OVER AS WELL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL, WHICH IS MYSELF AROUND LIKE, WHETHER ARE SOME OTHER NEXT STEPS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY IN GETTING THE STUDENT TO SCHOOL.
>> THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT ROCHA.
THANK YOU. I ACTUALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
MY QUESTIONS WERE ASKED AT THE LAST ONE, AND ALSO ON SITE WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT YOUR FACILITY.
THANK YOU FOR HOSTING ME AND THANK YOU FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME AND ALSO FOR THE PARENTS TIME IN SHOWING UP AND TALKING TO ME ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCE AT THE SCHOOL.
I'LL JUST SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
BUT BEFORE I GET TO THAT, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO SPOKE, PARENTS WHO SPOKE AND ALL THE PARENTS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT TO ADVOCATE FOR HIGH QUALITY ELEMENTARY EDUCATION FROM TK TO FIFTH GRADE.
ONE OF THE THINGS I REMEMBER ABOUT THIS INITIAL AUTHORIZATION OF ROCKETSHIP, WAS HOW SAN JOSE UNIFIED, AND THEY'RE NOT HERE TONIGHT, AM I CORRECT? HOW THEY WERE SO CONCERNED AND THIS IS MY QUESTION.
THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW IT WOULD IMPACT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY.
THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD IMPACT THEM ADVERSELY WHEN PARENTS SHOW TO PERHAPS ATTEND ALMA.
DO YOU, EITHER OUR STAFF OR ROCKETSHIP, HAVE ANY INFORMATION IF THERE HAS BEEN AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON ALMA SINCE YOU'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
>> IF YOUR SCHOOL, ALMA ROCKETSHIP HAS HAD AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT AND MAYBE ROCKETSHIP.
>> IT WAS A HUGE ISSUE FOR SAN JOSE UNIFIED AT THE TIME.
THANK YOU, TRUSTEE DI SALVO IS THERE HAS BEEN SOME IMPACT, AND WE THINK IT'S VERY POSITIVE IMPACT.
WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE[OVERLAPPING] CITY OF SAN JOSE TO RE ESTABLISH A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AROUND OUR ALMA TO INCREASE TRAFFIC SAFETY.
WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF SAN JOSE AND WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRAFFIC, I BELIEVE, ONE TO GET CROSSING GUARDS ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO TO JUST INCREASE SOME OF THE MEASURES AROUND TRAFFIC SAFETY.
ADDITIONALLY, WE HOST FOOD BANKS AND WE HOST COMMUNITY CLEANUPS ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN JOSE.
FOR US, I'M NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE CAMPUS OF WASHINGTON ON ELEMENTARY.
I BELIEVE THAT ROCKETSHIP ALMA HAS IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY AND IT HAS DONE POSITIVELY STAYING TRUE TO OUR MISSION OF BEING A COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF GOING INTO COMMUNITIES, BEING PART OF COMMUNITIES.
IN ADDITION, I WOULD SAY ALL THE ROCKETEERS THAT LEAVE OUR CAMPUS, ALL THE TEACHERS THAT COME THROUGH OUR CAMPUS, AND YOU HEARD ABEL.
HOPEFULLY, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT WAS HIM IN THE SLIDE THAT WAS HIS PICTURE OF EIGHT YEARS AGO.
HE STARTED AS A TEACHER THERE AND IS NOW LEADING THE SCHOOL AS PRINCIPAL.
>> I GET IT AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT, INTERIM DIRECTOR RAMIREZ.
THAT WAS THE GOAL OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL ACT OF 1992.
THAT ALLOW PARENTS TO WORK WITH ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS, ETC TO COME UP WITH SCHOOLS THAT MAY CHANGE THE STATUS QUO FOR CHILDREN.
I WAS HOPING YOU'D SAY THAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID BECAUSE WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO BRING BACK, IF YOU COULD, AS I LEAVE THIS BOARD IN THREE MORE MEETINGS FOR MY OWN EDIFICATION, MAYBE ANECDOTALLY OR MAYBE LESS ANECDOTALLY AND MORE QUANTIFIABLY WITH WASHINGTON, SAN JOSE UNIFIED.
YOU'VE MENTIONED TONIGHT THE DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR PRESENTATION, THE DEVELOPMENT OF POWERFUL LEADER,
[02:20:02]
COMMITTED LEADERSHIP AT YOUR SCHOOL, AS EVIDENCED BY THE PRINCIPAL SITTING TO YOUR RIGHT, WHO WAS IN TEARS A FEW MOMENTS AGO.I HOPE I'M NOT EMBARRASSING YOU.[LAUGHTER] BUT I WANT TO CRY SO MUCH ABOUT THESE STORIES OF SUCCESS THAT WE RIDICULE IN SOME PLACES.
YOU'VE MENTIONED CHANGING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A TK SCHOOL THAT DEVELOPS AND ENCOURAGES PARENT LEADERSHIP.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW THAT HAS WORKED AT WASHINGTON WITH YOUR PROXIMITY TO THEIR SCHOOL.
YOU'VE MENTIONED BUILDING A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MAYBE WASHINGTON HAS MODELED GOING AFTER MORE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHERS AND STAFF MEMBERS.
YOU'VE SHOWN US DATA THAT YOUR RESULTS EXCEED THE DISTRICT OF SAN JOSE UNIFIED AND EXCEED THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THAT'S WHY THE COUNTY BOARD EARLY IN MY TENURE, DECIDED WE WOULD APPROVE FIVE ROCKETSHIP AT ONE TIME, AND THEN NOT TOO MUCH LATER, APPROVED 20 ROCKETSHIP, BECAUSE WE FELT CHILDREN IN SAN JOSE DESERVE THE BEST INSTRUCTION THAT THEY COULD HAVE AND THE BEST SCHOOLS THAT THEY COULD HAVE AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK YOU'VE PRESENTED TO US TONIGHT.
WHETHER YOU'RE THE SOLE OR NOT, I THINK YOU YOU THE SOUL OF THAT COMMUNITY.
I PASS IT EVERY DAY, ALMOST EVERY DAY, I PASS ALMA ROCKETSHIP BECAUSE I LIVE IN WILLOW GLEN AND YOU'RE JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF WILLOW GLEN TOWARDS DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE.
I'M DELIGHTED THAT I'M HERE TO LISTEN TO YOUR STORY AND BE HERE HOPEFULLY FOR YOUR REAUTHORIZATION WHEN THAT COMES OUT.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION AND THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE SUPPORTS YOU HAVE IN PLACE THAT ENSURE THAT YOU NOW HAVE ZERO EXPULSIONS AND SUSPENSIONS BECAUSE YOU MOVE FROM ORANGE TO BLUE, I THINK. THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE HAVE A DIVERSE SUPPORT SYSTEM, BOTH SUPPORT SYSTEM AT [INAUDIBLE] AND BROKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
FIRST OF ALL, WE'D LIKE TO START OFF THAT WE KNOW THAT THERE'S RESEARCH THAT SAYS THAT SUSPENSION IS NOT THE ANSWER TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, BUT ALL STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE AND SO THEN BEING SCHOOL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR THEIR ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
WE HAVE A MULTI TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS IN WHICH WE SUPPORT STUDENTS FROM SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING WITH TIER ONE ACROSS ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS FROM THE MORNING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY TO A WELLNESS COUNSELOR THAT'S ON CAMPUS, AS WELL, SUPPORTING STUDENTS WHO NEED MORE TIER THREE SUPPORTS AND WE ALSO HAVE TIER TWO SUPPORTS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
EARLIER, ONE OF OUR FAMILIES WHO SPOKE UP HERE TALKED ABOUT A CHECK AND CHECK OUT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A TIER TWO SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE A POSITIVE MENTOR ON CAMPUS.
EVERY MORNING THEY CHECK IN WITH AN ADULT OUTSIDE OF THEIR DAY TO DAY CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND THEN CHECK OUT WITH THEM AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH, LIKE, SPECIFIC GOALS THAT ARE TAILORED TO EACH STUDENT.
I'M GOING TO PASS IT DOWN TO MR. ACHIVERI TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL AROUND THE SUPPORTS THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IN PLACE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRINCIPAL BARRO. TRUSTEE LARRY.
I CAN SPEAK JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF OUR REGIONAL SUPPORTS THAT ARE IN PLACE AS WELL.
>> MR. ACHIV,ERI CAN YOU JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF?
>> I'M SORRY, I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.[LAUGHTER] MY NAME IS DANNY ACHIVERI.
I'M A SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SUPPORTS AND OVERSEE OUR MULTILINGUAL SUPPORTS, OUR ISC DEPARTMENT, OUR INTEGRATED SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS OUR MULTI TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
WE HAVE MANAGERS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL AND AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR WHO HELP TO GUIDE AND ADVISE THE WORK OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ON EACH CAMPUS.
WE ALSO ON THE ISC SIDE, HAVE PROGRAM SPECIALISTS, OUR INTEGRATED SPECIAL EDUCATION SIDE, WHO COME TO CAMPUS TO GUIDE OUR PRACTICES THERE.
WE ALSO HAVE BCBAS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO COME THEIR BEHAVIOR TECHNICIANS WHO COME TO CAMPUSES AND ADVISE.
FOR THE STUDENTS WHO WOULD HISTORICALLY OR TYPICALLY BE SUSPENDED, AND AS PRINCIPAL IBARRA MENTIONED,
[02:25:02]
WE SEE HIGHER RATES OF SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.WE ARE REALLY PROUD AT ROCKETSHIP TO SAY THAT WE'VE TAKEN A STANCE ON ZERO SUSPENSIONS, AND WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORTS FOR SCHOOL LEADERS AND TEACHERS AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT A PART OF THAT SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, AND THAT WE CAN SUPPORT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEVEL OF NEED.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
THE ONE THING THOUGH THAT I DID NOTICE FOR ROCKETSHIP ALMA IS THAT IT WAS READ IN ELPI AND SO THAT WAS BELOW THE STATE AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BUT I DON'T COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE TEXT WHICH IS IN THE PETITION, PAGE 23, ABOUT THE ELPI.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THAT METRIC WAS ACTUALLY CREATED OR MEASURED BECAUSE IT SAYS THAT IT'S BASED ON PERCENTAGE OF EL STUDENTS MAKING SUFFICIENT PROGRESS.
BUT WHAT IS SUFFICIENT? I MEAN, IS THERE A NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THAT? AND HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO A RED COLOR VERSUS YELLOW AND ORANGE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. ELPI OR ENGLISH LEARNER PERFORMANCE OR PROGRESS INDICATOR TALKS ABOUT STUDENTS WHO ARE CLASSIFIED AS ENGLISH LEARNERS AND THE RATE AT WHICH THEY ARE GROWING.
IN ALL OF THE DOMAINS, SPEAKING, LISTENING, READING, AND WRITING, MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS TAKE AN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, AND IT GIVES YOU A RANK SCORE 1-4 ONE BEING A VERY BEGINNING LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN THOSE AREAS, FOUR BEING ADVANCED AND REALLY READY FOR RECLASSIFICATION.
RATHER THAN JUST LOOKING AT THE RECLASSIFICATION RATE, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS INSTITUTED THIS LP MEASURE, WHICH ALLOWS US TO MEASURE, STUDENTS MADE PROGRESS IN A YEAR, BUT THEY HAVEN'T YET REACHED THE POINT OF RECLASSIFICATION.
IT GIVES YOU A REALLY GOOD METRIC TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER OR NOT A SCHOOL IS MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY GOALS.
AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE DASHBOARD, IN 22,23, WE SAW A DECLINE IN OUR SCORES, AND BASED OFF OF THOSE METRICS, IT CATEGORIZED ROCKETSHIP ALMA AS RED.
I'M REALLY PROUD THOUGH TO SAY THAT WE'VE TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS.
THAT WAS A RED FLAG FOR US, LITERALLY, A RED FLAG FOR US AND SO, BOTH AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL, AND HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PRINCIPAL IBARRA AND HIS TEAM FOR REALLY DRIVING ON ENGLISH LEARNER PROFICIENCY LAST YEAR.
THE RESULTS ARE NOT YET PUBLIC, BUT WE'VE SEEN A DRASTIC INCREASE BY OUR INTERNAL MEASURES TO THE TUNE OF 28%, SO WHEN THAT NEW DASHBOARD COMES OUT, THAT RED MIGHT JUST BE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER, SO STAY TUNED.
>> WHEN IS THE DASHBOARD COMING OUT APPROXIMATELY?
>> TYPICALLY COMES OUT IN DECEMBER, ALTHOUGH THEY HAD AI GRADING THINGS THIS YEAR, SO IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL ADD MYSELF TO THE QUEUE.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND PARENTS AND EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK TODAY.
WELL, I'M GRATEFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE A LOT OF YOU ANSWERED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD AROUND WHAT'S WORKING WELL IN SUSPENSIONS.
THAT'S IMPRESSIVE DATA AND AROUND LP.
THE OTHER AREA I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT WAS THE ELA WAS IN THE ORANGE COMPARED TO SAN JOSE UNIFIED IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, AND I'M JUST TRYING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING AND ANY STEPS THAT YOU'VE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THAT NEED.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
WE DO HAVE SOME ROOM TO GROW IN REGARDS TO OUR ELA DATA.
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR AS WELL.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE HAD IS MAKING SURE THAT THE DATA IS REALLY TARGETED TO STUDENTS AND THEIR SPECIFIC READING LEVELS.
SOME OF OUR READING INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE ROLLED OUT IN REGARDS TO LIKE,
[02:30:04]
WE'RE MILLIONAIRE, READING BINGO, HAVE REALLY GOT KIDS REALLY EXCITED FOR READING BUT ALSO OUR TEACHERS ARE REALLY INVESTED AS WELL IN THOSE INITIATIVES, WHICH THEN HAS ALLOWED US TO ALSO THEN DIVE IN MORE SPECIFICALLY TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE READING LEVEL ON THEIR BOOK.SOMETIMES KIDS WERE HAVING BOOKS AND NOT ON THE SPECIFIC LEVEL.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THAT DIRECT INSTRUCTION WITH PERSONALIZED LEARNING.
I'M GOING TO PASS IT OVER TO MR. MALTZ TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL.
>> HELLO, JUANATS. I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOLS, SERVING THE FAMILIES STAFF AND STUDENTS HERE TODAY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THAT QUESTION.
IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN TOP OF MIND FOR US, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, 63% OF OUR STUDENTS AT ROCKETSHIP ALMA WERE MEETING OR EXCEEDING THE STATE STANDARD AND JUST AS A COMPARISON POINT, THE STATE WAS AT ABOUT 50%? OF COURSE, WE'VE SEEN THE WAY THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE GET TO SERVE AND UNJUSTLY IN A LOT OF WAYS AND DISPROPORTIONATELY FOR THE ONES THAT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH.
SO THERE'S A COUPLE OF PLACES WHERE WE'VE MADE SOME KEY INVESTMENTS.
MR. IBARRA SPOKE ABOUT OUR APPROACH WITH MAKING LOVE OF READING COME TO LIFE.
WE'VE ALSO DEEPLY INVESTED IN SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DIFFERENTIATING OUR SUITE OF SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS, SO THAT EVERY SINGLE STUDENT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY NEED, WHETHER IT'S FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS, WHETHER IT'S COMPREHENSION, THAT THEY'RE GETTING THAT.
WE KNOW WE HAVE ROOM TO GROW, BUT WE'RE PROUD OF THE 43% OF STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY REACHING GRADE LEVEL MASTERY FOR READING AND EAGER TO BUILD ON IT.
IF I MAY, WHAT WE'RE MOST PROUD OF IS THE POPULATION THAT WE GET TO SERVE, ABOUT 79% ARE IDENTIFIED AS SOCIALLY ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.
FOR THAT SUBGROUP, WE HAVE 43% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE REACHING OR EXCEEDING MASTERY IN 22-23.
JUST AS A COMPARISON AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT'S 32%.
>> THANK YOU. JUST AS A NOTE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT AROUND.
I KNOW YOU MENTIONED LIKE A SUITE OF SERVICES.
ONE OF THE OTHER AREAS I NOTICED THAT MENTIONED ON PAGE 61, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HOW YOU'VE ADOPTED A SUITE OF CURRICULAR RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
YOU DON'T NEED TO PROVIDE IT NOW, BUT JUST IN THE INTERIM BEFORE OUR DECISION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT SUITE LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF THOSE TARGETED SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH MORE MODERATE TO SEVERE NEEDS.
THEN IN ADDITION, I WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A BREAKDOWN.
I KNOW I SAW THE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF ANTICIPATED TEACHERS AND CREDENTIALS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
I BELIEVE IT WAS THREE TEACHERS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION CREDENTIALS SPECIFICALLY AND THEN ADDITIONAL FOR PAIR EDUCATORS.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE HISTORICALLY, JUST TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS NOW, WHAT IT HAS BEEN IN THE RECENT PAST.
AS WE ALSO LOOK TO FORWARD, AS WELL AS THE BREAKDOWN OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY BY CLASSIFICATION, AND ALSO UNDERSTANDING THE PERCENTAGE, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED, AS WELL AS THE CORRESPONDING TEACHER CREDENTIALING ON BOTH PRESENT AND HISTORICAL, JUST TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR YOUR SITE.
THANK YOU. TRUSTEES, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WELL, THANK YOU. HAVING RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ALMA CHARTER SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE PUBLIC.
THE BOARD NOW CLOSES THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE TO ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024.
ANY FURTHER DELIBERATIONS BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO ACTING ON THIS MATTER, WILL BE IN CONFORMANCE WITH ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT.
THIS HEARING PORTION IS NOW CLOSED.
NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ROCKETSHIP ALMA BRILLIANT MARINES CHARTER SCHOOL RENEWAL PETITION. THANK YOU AGAIN.
THE COUNTY BOARD WILL NOW CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RENEWAL REQUEST.
IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO LOSE CONES.
I WILL GIVE A COUPLE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.
WE'LL RESUME FOR TRANSITION, SO AT 7:40.
[02:35:04]
COUNTY BOARD WILL NOW CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RENEWAL REQUEST OF[B. Public Hearing on the Rocketship Academy for Brilliant Minds Charter School Renewal Petition]
THE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION FOR ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER SCHOOL.MY NAME IS MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA.
I'M THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND I'LL BE ACTING AS CHAIRPERSON OF THIS HEARING.
THIS HEARING WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS.
FIRST, THE BOARD WILL HEAR AN OPENING STATEMENT FROM STAFF OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
SECOND, ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A PRESENTATION OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
THIRD, ALUM ROCK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THEIR REQUEST FOR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
HOWEVER, NO REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ARUSD WILL BE PRESENT TONIGHT.
FOURTH, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
FIFTH, BOARD MEMBERS MAY ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS TO STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER SCHOOL, AND ANY OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
THEREAFTER, THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CLOSED.
THE BOARD ANTICIPATES RECONVENING TO ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024.
AT THIS TIME, I CALL UPON SUPERINTENDENT DEWAN TO INTRODUCE STAFF.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
THIS EVENING, OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT IS PRESENT TO PROVIDE AN OPENING STATEMENT.
THAT WILL BE DONE BY OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MFA FAIRLEY.
>> PRESIDENT BERTA, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT DR. DEWAN.
THIS EVENING, WE ARE GOING TO HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL OF THE REQUEST FOR ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS.
JUST A REMINDER THAT RENEWALS WERE ON HIATUS FOR THREE YEARS DUE TO THE LACK OF STATEWIDE ACADEMIC TESTING DATA.
IN 24-25, WE ARE RESTARTING THE CHARTER RENEWAL PROCESS, AND THE PROCESS CONSISTS OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL SUBMITTING A CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION, THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HOLDING THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL PETITION, THE SCCOE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF ANALYZING THE RENEWAL REQUEST AGAINST THE STANDARDS SET FOR RENEWAL.
BY THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT, THE CHARTER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT PUBLISHING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING FINDINGS, AT LEAST 15 DAYS BEFORE THE SCCBOE MAKES ITS DECISION AND THE SCCBOE ACTING ON THE RENEWAL REQUEST.
IN NOVEMBER 2011, ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS OR BRILLIANT MINDS WAS INITIALLY APPROVED FOR OUR FIVE-YEAR TERM AS A COUNTY WIDE K5 CHARTER SCHOOL, LOCATED IN THE ALUM ROCK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ITS CHARTER WAS MATERIALLY REVISED TO COMBINE ALL ROCKETSHIP SCHOOLS UNDER ONE GOVERNMENT GOVERNING BOARD, AND THE CHARTER WAS RENEWED IN 2016.
BRILLIANT MINDS' CURRENT TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30TH, 2025, AS THE TERM WAS EXTENDED BY OPERATION OF LAW FOR TWO YEARS IN 2021, AND BY AN ADDITIONAL YEAR IN 2023.
CURRENT ENROLLMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 480 STUDENTS.
BRILLIANT MINDS SUBMITTED ITS RENEWAL PETITION ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2024, AND IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL FIVE-YEAR TERM.
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS DESIGNATED BRILLIANT MINDS AS A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE PURPOSES OF RENEWAL, AND THAT IS BASED ON THE CRITERION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ON THE STATEWIDE DASHBOARD.
IF RENEWED THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL IS FIVE YEARS.
AS A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL, THE RENEWAL IS SUBJECT TO THE USUAL STANDARDS AND FINDINGS FOR DENIAL APPLICABLE TO NEW COUNTY WIDE CHARTER PETITIONS.
THE SCHOOL IS REQUIRED TO UPDATE ITS CHARTER TO INCLUDE A REASONABLY COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW LAWS APPLICABLE TO CHARTER SCHOOLS SINCE THE CHARTER WAS LAST RENEWED.
ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTY BOARD IS REQUIRED TO CONSIDER BRILLIANT MINDS SCHOOL WIDE PERFORMANCE ON THE STATE INDICATORS, AS WELL AS ITS PERFORMANCE ON THE LOCAL INDICATORS, AND GREATER WEIGHT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL'S PERFORMANCE ON THE ACADEMIC INDICATORS.
THE COUNTY BOARD MUST ALSO CONSIDER CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATED BY VERIFIED DATA, SHOWING THAT EITHER BRILLIANT MINDS ACHIEVED MEASURABLE INCREASES IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, WHICH IS DEFINED BY AT LEAST ONE YEAR'S PROGRESS FOR EACH YEAR IN SCHOOL, OR THE SCHOOL HAS ACHIEVED STRONG POST SECONDARY OUTCOMES AS DEFINED BY COLLEGE ENROLLMENT,
[02:40:04]
PERSISTENCE, AND COMPLETION RATES EQUAL TO SIMILAR PEERS.BUT BECAUSE BRILLIANT MINDS IS A TK THROUGH FIVE SCHOOL, THE STRONG POST SECONDARY OUTCOMES FINDING IS NOT APPLICABLE.
HOWEVER, THE COUNTY BOARD MAY DENY MIDDLE PERFORMING SCHOOLS ON THE BASIS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE CRITERION ONLY IF IT MAKES WRITTEN FACTUAL FINDINGS SETTING FORTH SPECIFIC SUPPORTING FACTS THAT THE SCHOOL FAILED TO MEET OR MAKE SUFFICIENT PROGRESS TOWARDS MEETING STANDARDS THAT PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO THE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL, AND THAT CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUPILS, AND THE DECISION TO DENY PROVIDES GREATER WEIGHT TO PERFORMANCE ON ACADEMIC MEASURES.
A CHARTERING AUTHORITY SUCH AS THE COUNTY BOARD MAY ALSO DENY RENEWAL OF A CHARTER SCHOOL AND ANY OF THE PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES UPON FINDING THE SCHOOL IS DEMONSTRABLY UNLIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM SET FORTH IN THE PETITION DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL FACTORS, SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNANCE FACTORS OR NOT SERVING ALL PUPILS WHO WISH TO ATTEND.
THE AUTHORIZER MUST FIRST PROVIDE THE CHARTER SCHOOL NOTICE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATION, AS WELL AS A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO MEDIATE THE CONCERNS.
FURTHER, BRILLIANT MINDS IS A COUNTYWIDE BENEFIT CHARTER AND HAS NO APPEAL RIGHTS.
THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT PROVIDES FOR COUNTYWIDE CHARTER, NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A PETITION, THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER AT WHICH TIME THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE RENEWAL PETITION BY TEACHERS, PARENTS, OR GUARDIANS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE THE CHARTER PETITIONER PROPOSES TO PLACE THE SCHOOL FACILITIES, WHICH IN BRILLIANT MINDS CASE IS ALUM ROCK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE COUNTY BOARD'S DECISION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE CHARTER SHOULD OCCUR WITHIN 90 DAYS OF RECEIPT UNLESS THAT TIME IS EXTENDED BY 30 ADDITIONAL DAYS BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
THE DECISION HEARING FOR BRILLIANT MINDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024, AND SCCOE STAFF HAS COMMUNICATED THROUGH EMAIL WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT ALUM ROCK VIA ITS NEW SUPERINTENDENT.
CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF HAS BEGUN ITS PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS FOLLOWING ED CODE AND THE BOARD'S GUIDELINES REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION.
A FULL ANALYSIS WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS AND THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS, AND RECOMMENDED FINDINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE SCCOE WEBSITE ON NOVEMBER 5TH.
THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S OPENING STATEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. IS ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER SCHOOL READY TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION? WHO WILL BE SPEAKING FOR ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY FOR BRILLIANT MINDS CHARTER SCHOOL.
>> HELLO, AGAIN, JANINE [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M LISA GREENE, THE PRINCIPAL AT RBM.
WE'RE JUST REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE WITH ANOTHER CAMPUS AND CONTINUE TO SHOWCASE OUR MODEL AND WHAT WE TRULY BELIEVE IN THROUGH OUR TEACHERS, THROUGH OUR ROCKETEERS, THROUGH OUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES THAT YOU SEE HERE.
ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE PILLARS OF ROCKETSHIP IS OUR PERSONALIZED LEARNING MODEL.
FOUNDED IN THE DEEP BELIEF THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LEARN, AND THAT MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE IS PART OF THE SCIENCE AND THE ART THAT REALLY BUILDS A STRONG ACADEMIC FOUNDATION.
STRONG SUPPORTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALLOW OUR ROCKETEERS TO CONTINUE ON THE RIGOR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL AND REALLY BEYOND CREATING THE LIFE THAT THEY DREAM OF AND THE LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE.
IT'S EXCITED FOR YOU TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE THROUGH ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS LED BY OUR INCREDIBLE PRINCIPAL, LISA GREENE.
>> THANK YOU, JANINE. GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, PRESIDENT BERTA, SUPERINTENDENT DEWAN, AND ALL THOSE GATHERED HERE THIS EVENING.
MY NAME IS LISA GREENE, AND I HAVE HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS PRINCIPAL OF ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MIND SINCE 2020.
AS AN EDUCATOR WHO TAUGHT ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL, I CAN TESTIFY TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF ROCKETSHIP'S EMPHASIS ON AN ELEMENTARY ONLY MODEL.
WE ARE SEEKING TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL STUDENTS FROM THEIR EARLIEST EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND BEYOND SO THAT OUR ROCKETEERS, CHILDREN FROM A HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOOD ARE ABLE TO SIDESTEP A HISTORY THAT HAS LIMITED THE OPTIONS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE THEM, AND ARE INSTEAD ABLE TO NAVIGATE A PATH WITH OPEN DOORS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. RBM IS SITUATED ON STORY ROAD IN THE SHADOWS OF THE ALUM ROCK HILLS.
[02:45:03]
THOSE HILLS MAKE FOR A BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP, AND THEY'RE AN EVER PRESENT REMINDER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY THE SAME NAME THAT WE SEEK TO BOTH SERVE AND REPRESENT.IT'S A COMMUNITY OF CULTURE OF VIBRANT COLOR, FOOD, AND MUSIC.
IT'S ALSO A COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED.
AT RBM, WE'RE SEEKING TO CHANGE THAT.
WE WORK TO BUILD SOLID FOUNDATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS, SUCH THAT THEY ARE READY TO BE ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL AT THEIR NEXT SCHOOL WHILE ALSO HAVING THE SOCIAL SKILLS AND PERSONAL CHARACTER TO BE KIND TO PERSIST THROUGH CHALLENGES, AND TO SEEK SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT THEY ENCOUNTER.
MOREOVER, WE WORK TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES WITH THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR STUDENTS' FUTURES NOT JUST NOW, BUT THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATION.
WE'RE PROUD TO SERVE THE ALUM ROCK COMMUNITY.
>> WE'RE ALSO PROUD TO REPRESENT THE ALUM ROCK COMMUNITY, 88% OF OUR ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS STAFF IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF COLOR.
THIS IS OPPOSITE OF THE NATIONAL NORM WHERE 80% OF EDUCATORS IDENTIFY AS NON HISPANIC WHITE.
THE GRAPH HERE DEPICTS A BREAKDOWN OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION ON THE RIGHT, AGAINST THAT OF OUR STAFF ON THE LEFT.
WE BELIEVE THAT AS A PROUD PART OF OUR ALUM ROCK COMMUNITY, OUR IDENTITY ALIGNS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WALK IN AND OUT OF OUR DOORS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE SERVE A LARGE STUDENT POPULATION FROM HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY GAINS ITS VIBRANCE, ITS BRILLIANCE THROUGH THE WEAVING TOGETHER OF THESE DIFFERING HISTORIES, LANGUAGES, AND CULTURES.
WE VALUE OUR DIVERSITY AND TAKE PRIDE IN SERVING ALL STUDENTS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHEN IT COMES TO ALL STUDENTS, WE MEAN ALL STUDENTS.
IT IS AN HONOR TO SUPPORT ANY RACKETEER WHO JOINS OUR FAMILY, AND THAT INCLUDES GETTING TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
OUR MODEL EMPHASIZES MEANINGFUL INCLUSION.
THE 13% OF OUR RACKETEERS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES THAT ARE MEANT TO BEST MEET THEIR NEEDS WHILE SETTING A HIGH BAR AND SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.
WHILE STUDENTS WITH IEPS COLLABORATE WITH THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION PEERS IN THE CLASSROOM, THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CUSTOMIZED SERVICES, SUCH AS THE UTILIZATION OF VARIOUS CO TEACHING MODELS AND SMALL GROUP INTERVENTION.
AT ANY POINT IN THE DAY, YOU CAN WALK INTO RBM AND FIND THIS CO TEACHING MODEL, SUPPORTING THE INCLUSION OF OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INTO OUR GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS. WHETHER YOU ENCOUNTER MS. SIEBERT AND MS. LOPEZ CO TEACHING CLOSE READING TO FOURTH GRADERS, OR YOU GET TO SEE MR. PEDROZA AND MS. LUPE, SUPPORTING ALL OUR LEARNERS IN FIRST GRADE.
IT MAKES CLEAR HOW WE SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH MORE MODERATE TO SEVERE DISABILITIES, THEY ARE ALSO INTEGRATED AS A MEANINGFUL PART OF THEIR COHORT COMMUNITY AND SHARE TIME WITH THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION PEERS AT TIMES THAT ARE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR GROWTH AND LEARNING.
WHEN NOT IN A GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM, THEY WORK WITH OUR INCREDIBLE SPECIALIZED INCLUSION PROGRAM TEAM, GAINING INDEPENDENCE, PRACTICING ACADEMIC SKILLS, AND PARTICIPATING TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY CIRCLE TIME.
ULTIMATELY, WE BUILD SCHEDULES THAT CREATE THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE WHILE KEEPING THE BAR HIGH FOR OUR STUDENTS CAPABILITIES.
THAT OFTEN COMES THROUGH THE MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION OF OUR TEACHERS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. EVEN STUDENTS WITHOUT IEPS EXPERIENCE A PERSONALIZED APPROACH AT RBM.
OUR TEAM WORKS HARD TO BOTH GATHER AND ANALYZE STUDENT DATA, DETERMINING HOLDBACKS AND CRAFTING INTERVENTIONS TO OVERCOME THEM.
WE WORK TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, SUCH THAT STUDENT GROWTH IS ABLE TO BE CELEBRATED TOGETHER AND CHALLENGES ARE ABLE TO BE SOLVED TOGETHER.
THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT OF OUR SCHOOL TEAM AND OUR FAMILY PARTNERS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
OUR STRONG EDUCATOR TEAM AND ROBUST SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES HAVE HELPED US REACH ACHIEVEMENTS THAT WE'RE PROUD OF AS A COMMUNITY.
WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE OUTPERFORMING THE STATE IN FOUR OF THE FIVE DASHBOARD INDICATORS.
WE ARE TIED WITH THE STATE IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, AN AREA THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WHEN LOOKING AT THE ACADEMIC RESULTS FOR ALL STUDENTS ON THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSESSMENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT BRILLIANT MINDS RACKETEERS SIGNIFICANTLY AND CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORM OUR LOCAL DISTRICT.
WE ARE PROUD THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE LARGELY BOUNCING BACK FROM PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS, BUT WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO TO CONTINUE TO OUTPERFORM THE STATE AVERAGE FOR ALL STUDENTS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHILE WE'RE PROUD OF THE GROWTH IN OUR ACADEMIC OUTCOMES OVERALL, WE'RE EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD TO BE A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES WHO ARE SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FEEL SAFE, SUPPORTED, AND SUCCESSFUL.
[02:50:01]
THREE QUARTERS OF OUR STUDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AS SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.AS YOU CAN SEE ON THESE GRAPHS, THEY'RE RAISING THE BAR ON WHAT CAN BE TRUE IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES COMPARED TO OUR NON CHARTER NEIGHBORS AND THE STATE OVERALL.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OVER HALF OF OUR COMMUNITY IDENTIFIES AS MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS, WHICH ENRICHES OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR SCHOOL CULTURE.
MOREOVER, THE STRENGTHENING OF ENGLISH SKILLS WHILE REINFORCING THE IMPORTANCE OF A STUDENT'S HOME LANGUAGE IS SETTING THEM UP FOR LIFELONG OPPORTUNITIES AS A PERSON WHO CAN HARNESS THE POWER OF MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.
WE SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS THROUGH BOTH INTEGRATED AND DESIGNATED APPROACHES.
ALL OF OUR CLASSROOMS, INTEGRATE GLAD STRATEGIES, SUCH AS COLOR CODED ANCHOR CHARTS, CLASSROOM DISCOURSE WITH PROVIDED SENTENCE FRAMES, AND AMPLE PROCESSING OPPORTUNITIES.
FURTHERMORE, OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE MULTILINGUAL RECEIVE DESIGNATED ENGLISH INSTRUCTION FROM THEIR HUMANITIES TEACHER.
IN THIS SMALL GROUP, OUR TEACHERS ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE DIRECT INSTRUCTION IN SPEAKING, LISTENING, READING AND WRITING WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THESE SUPPORTS HAVE BENEFITED STUDENTS LIKE EMMA WHO GRADUATED FROM OUR FIFTH GRADE LAST YEAR.
EMMA GREW AN LP LEVEL EACH YEAR FROM KINDERGARTEN ONWARDS, AND IN PARALLEL, WENT FROM READING IN THE 41ST PERCENTILE ON NWA TO THE 87TH PERCENTILE AS A FIFTH GRADER, BUT EMMA IS NOT THE ONLY ROCKETEER AT RBM TO SHOW THIS GROWTH.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE MULTILINGUAL, ARE OUTPERFORMING OUR NON CHARTER NEIGHBORS AND THE STATE OVERALL.
THE GRAPHS HERE DEPICT THAT STORY, BUT THE REAL CELEBRATION IS THE PROUD SMILE ON A FAMILY'S FACE WHEN WE DISCUSS THEIR CHILD'S ACHIEVEMENT IN A FAMILY CONFERENCE.
IT'S THE CHEERS DURING A SCHOOL WIDE ASSEMBLY AT WHICH WE RECOGNIZE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED, HONORING THEM WITH A CERTIFICATE, A RIBBON, AND A MULTILINGUAL BOOK IN THEIR HOME LANGUAGE.
IT'S ROCKETEER SPEAKING PROUDLY IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS ENGLISH WHEN PLAYING TOGETHER ON THE PLAYGROUND.
MULTILINGUALISM IS A POINT OF PRIDE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
I KNOW, I SPEAK FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES AND ROCKETEERS, WHEN I SAY, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS TO ORIGINALLY OPEN ITS DOORS OVER A DECADE AGO.
WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE GROWING AND DEVELOPING OUR PRACTICES SUCH THAT OUR ROCKETEERS BECOME EVER MORE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE THAT THEY FACE.
WE'RE THRILLED TO CLOSE THE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY GAP, ONE BRILLIANT MIND AT A TIME.
ON BEHALF OF THE BRILLIANT MINDS COMMUNITY, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE RENEW OUR CHARTER FOR FIVE MORE YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE HAND ANY SPEAKER'S CARD.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE IN OUR OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM ONCE YOUR GROUP IS CALLED.
AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR COMMENT BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
OUR SPEAKERS ARE NANCY PEREZ, BRUNI HERNANDEZ, PEARL MAGA, MARIA BARRERA, ADEN, PLAN CART, L. THOMPSON, HANNA GONIAS, VU HONG, EMMA MEDRANO, DORA SALAS, NOAH CASSIANO, AND HUGO CASTANEDA.
PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS NANCY PEREZ.
[02:55:25]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ROCKETSHIP COMMUNITY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS NANCY, AND I HAVE LIVED IN THIS AREA FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN WITH ROCKETSHIP SINCE IT OPENED.
CURRENTLY, I HAVE A FOURTH GRADER MATTEO.
MY TWO CHILDREN NEVER ATTENDED PRESCHOOL AND CAME TO SCHOOL NOT SPEAKING ENGLISH.
LAST YEAR, I STOPPED WORKING AND WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LOS DITROS MULTILINGUAL READING PROGRAM, AND THAT MOTIVATED MATTEO TO READ MORE.
HE STARTED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS A CHALLENGE, I KNOW THAT THE TEACHER SUPPORTED HIM.
THE TEACHER SUPPORT HIM IN INTERVENTION GROUPS, WHICH REALLY HELPED.
I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THAT MY SON HAS NOW GROWN MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN HIS LAST NWEA TEST.
ALTHOUGH OUR FAMILY IS ABOUT TO FINISH THIS EDUCATIONAL STAGE, WE BELIEVE THAT THE CHILDREN OF SAN JOSE DESERVE A COMPLETE AND GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION.
WE APPEAL TO YOUR GOOD JUDGMENT TO GIVE US YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BRUNI HERNANDEZ.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS BRUNI HERNANDEZ.
I AM A PROUD FOUNDING STAFF MEMBER AT OUR AMAZING SCHOOL ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS.
I'VE BEEN A PARA EDUCATOR, ART TEACHER, AND THEN I PARTNERED WITH ROCKETSHIP THROUGH RIVET SCHOOL, AND GRADUATED WITH MY BACHELOR'S ARTS.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM STANDING BEFORE YOU AS A FIRST GRADE MATH TEACHER.
I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING STUDENTS LEARN AND GROW HERE FOR OVER 12 YEARS.
THE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE AT OUR SCHOOL INSPIRE ME IN SO MANY WAYS.
MY FAVORITE STORIES ARE ABOUT THE STUDENTS THAT ARRIVE AT OUR SCHOOL, SPEAKING VERY LITTLE ENGLISH.
I TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT THEY MUST FEEL LIKE IN A NEW PLACE WITH NEW PEOPLE.
I ALSO IMAGINE THE COURAGE THEIR FAMILIES HAVE TO ENTRUST US WITH THEIR, THEIR MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS.
I SEE THESE SAME STUDENTS BLOSSOM IN THEIR SELF CONFIDENCE.
AS THEY LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR PEERS AND PROCEED.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS PEARL MAGA, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> HI. MY NAME IS PEARL MAGA, AND I'VE BEEN AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS FOR SIX YEARS NOW, BUT IT'S NOT JUST ME WHO I'M SPEAKING FOR.
MY SISTER SAW I GRADUATED LAST YEAR.
I ALSO HAVE YOUNGER SISTERS IN THIRD AND FIRST GRADE.
WE ALL HAD MR. JUNI FOR KINDERGARTEN MATH CLASS.
WE ALL HAD MS. HERNANDEZ, MS. RACHEL, AND MR. CHAVIS.
THERE ARE MORE THAT I CAN NAME, BUT THE IDEA IS WE'RE A TIGHT COMMUNITY AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE TEACHERS HERE WHO HAVE A STRONG LEGACY FOR FAMILIES LIKE OURS.
THIS SCHOOL ALSO RESPECTS AND WELCOMES OUR CULTURE.
LAST SPRING, MY SISTERS AND MY COUSINS AND I PERFORMED A HISTORICAL SALMO AND DANCE CELEBRATING ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC IN LITTER MONTH.
IT HELP OTHERS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HERITAGE.
PLEASE VOTE TO RENEW OUR CHARTER SO THAT OTHERS CAN HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES THAT MY SISTERS AND I DID, BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING.
WE STILL HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD SISTER AT HOME WHO NEEDS TO BE A FUTURE ROCKETEER. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA BARRERA.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARIA BARRERA.
I HAVE BEEN WITH ROCKETSHIP FOR FOUR YEARS, AND I HAVE TWO ROCKETEERS OF MY OWN AND LOTS OF ROCKETEERS, NIECES AND NEPHEWS.
AT ROCKETSHIP, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED CARE CORPS.
WHEN I WALK INTO THE SCHOOL, I ALWAYS SEE MR. MIKE OUR CARE CORPS COORDINATOR.
ONE DAY HE APPROACHED ME AND TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ONLINE PARENTING MENTAL HEALTH CLASSES.
HE ENCOURAGED ME TO ATTEND AND EVEN SENT ME REMINDERS.
ONE OF THE TOPICS WAS ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH BULLYING AND HOW TO SUPPORT KIDS WITH MENTAL HEALTH.
I LEARNED HOW TO TALK TO MY KIDS OF ALL AGES.
THIS TOPICS THAT WE DON'T NORMALLY TALK ABOUT.
OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT ACADEMICS, BUT WE'RE A COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
IT'S NOT JUST SCHOOL HOURS WHERE WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE STAFF, BUT ALL HOURS.
THEY'RE THERE FOR US AND FIND THE RESOURCES FOR OUR FAMILIES AT ANY TIME.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THE SCHOOL HAS TO OFFER OUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ADEN PLANCARTE.
>> HI, I'M ADEN PLANCARTE, AND IN MY FOURTH GRADER AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS.
RBM IS A SCHOOL THAT HELPS US WITH BOTH SMALL GROUPS AND WHOLE CLASS LESSONS.
OUR TEACHERS HELP US SPEED UP OUR LEARNING AND KNOW
[03:00:03]
WHAT WHAT SKILLS WE NEED TO WORK ON, FOR EXAMPLE.MR. JUNI, A SMALL GROUPS THAT TEACHES US ABOUT THE CHARACTERS, ACTIONS, AND FEELINGS SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE LESSON THROUGH THE STORY.
IN OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS EACH MORNING, WE USE BOOKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BE GOOD PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AT RBM, OUR FIFTH CO VALUE IS INITIATIVE.
IF WE SEE A PROBLEM, WE TRY TO FIX IT.
I HAVE PERSONALLY TAKEN AN INITIATIVE IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT MARKER PLASTICS AND THE WAY THEY HURT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
I'M EXCITED TO KEEP LEARNING AT RBM, AND I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP IT OPEN FOR FIVE MORE YEARS.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS L. THOMPSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS L. THOMPSON.
I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATION SPECIALIST AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
AS A PERSON OF COLOR WHO GREW UP IN POVERTY AND FACED REJECTION FOR THINGS BEYOND MY CONTROL, I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW ESSENTIAL IT IS TO FEEL WELCOMED, SAFE AND SUPPORTED.
ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS IS A PLACE WHERE THOSE VALUES ARE EMBEDDED INTO EVERYTHING WE DO.
I FOUND A TRUE HOME HERE WHERE DIVERSITY IS CELEBRATED AND INCLUSIVITY DRIVES OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.
RBM, WE SERVE STUDENTS WITH ALL 13 QUALIFYING DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, MEANING OUR STUDENTS VARY WILDLY IN THEIR NEEDS AND STRENGTHS.
WE ARE PROUD TO ACCEPT ALL STUDENTS.
I HAVE WITNESSED INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATIONS.
STUDENTS WHO WANT CONSTANTLY, WHO LOOKED FROM CLASSROOMS AND ESCALATED.
NOW ASKED TO SIT WITH ME DURING LUNCH AND USE THE STRATEGIES THAT TAUGHT THEM TO CALM DOWN.
WE MAKE REAL LASTING CHANGES HERE.
OUR COMMITMENT TO BOTH EMOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC GROWTH IS WHY OUR STUDENTS THRIVE AND WHY THE SCHOOL IS SO VITAL TO THE COMMUNITY.
ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS REPRESENTS A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS.
IT DESERVES FIVE MORE YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS HANNA GONIAS.
>> HI. MY NAME IS HANNA GONIAS AND I'M A FOURTH GRADER AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS.
RBM TO ME IS A SECOND HOME, A PLACE TO LEARN, AND A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN LEARNING BY TERRIFIC TEACHERS.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN MY HUMANITIES CLASS, THE SECOND THAT MY TEACHER, MS. HIPPER, MENTIONS THE TEXT READ AND THE WHOLE CLASS STARTS CHEERING.
FROM JUST THIS FIRST NOVEL OF THE YEAR, WE'VE ALREADY LEARNED ABOUT WORLD TOPICS LIKE REFUGEES MOVING TO SKATE OR AS WELL AS LIFE LESSONS LIKE THE FACT THAT A PERSON'S FEELINGS CAN CHANGE, BUT MS. HIPPER IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HELPS US GROW.
ALL OF MY TEACHERS HAVE DEVELOPED MY LOVE TO READ.
MY OLDER BROTHER ALSO RECEIVED THIS GREAT EDUCATION, AND NOW MY YOUNGER SISTER IS AS WELL.
WE HAVE ALL RBM AND ITS TEACHERS.
PLEASE VOTE TO RENEW RBMS CHARTER SO THAT THE YOUNGER KIDS LIKE MY SISTER CAN GET THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS VU HONG.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS VU HONG, AND I'M PROUD PARENT OF A STUDENT AT ROCKETSHIP.
I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT AS A PARENT OF A STUDENT WHO IS IN A SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I HAVE HAD PRIVILEGE OF WITNESSING FIRSTHAND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT ROCKETSHIP HAS HAD ON MY CHILD LIFE.
MY SON DOES NOT SPEAK AT ALL AND DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SUBTRACT.
HIS TEACHER SHOWED HIM HOW TO DO SUBTRACTION BY DOING DOT DRAWING, AND THEY TAUGHT HIM HOW TO CALCULATE USING HIS HAND.
NOW HE MEMORIZED THE NUMBER AND CALCULATION.
ROCKETSHIP GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND.
THEIR COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, AMAZING PROGRAM, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE HAS HELPED SHAPE MY CHILD INTO A CONFIDENT AND CURIOUS PERSON.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR EDUCATION AND EXPERTISE.
ROCKETSHIP IS MORE CHARTER SCHOOL.
CHARTER SCHOOL IS A COMMUNITY, A PLACE FOR STUDENT, SOCIALIZED RESPONSIBILITY, EXPLORE THEIR PASSION, AND PLACE TO DELIVER THEIR YOUTH.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EMMA MADRNO.
>>HELLO, MY NAME IS EMMA MADRNO.
I'M A ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS ALUMNUS.
I AM NOW IN MY FIRST YEAR IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
I'M A PROUD ROCKETEER FOR MANY REASONS.
ROCKETSHIP WAS THE SCHOOL THAT TAUGHT ME TO SPEAK ENGLISH AND NOW I CAN SAY THAT HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON MY LIFE.
IN ORDER TO EXCEL, OUR TEACHERS PULLED SMALL GROUPS OF STUDENTS THAT HELP ME KNOW MY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AND TAUGHT ME HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS, A SKILL THAT IS HELPFUL IN MY MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AS I NAVIGATE WORKING WITH A VARIETY OF PEOPLE AND INDEPENDENTLY.
ONE SPECIAL MEMORY THAT STANDS OUT ABOUT ROCKETSHIP WAS AT THE END OF MY FOURTH GRADE YEAR.
WE HAD A PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING AN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT PARTY, WHICH I WAS IN CHARGE OF PLANNING.
THIS WAS THE WORKS OF PEERS AND TEACHERS COLLABORATING TO BRING OUT A NICELY ORGANIZED EVENT.
THIS MOMENT HELPED ME GAIN TRUST IN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR EDUCATORS.
THANK YOU TO ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS FOR TEACHING ME I COULD TRUST EDUCATORS AND EXPRESS YOUR IDEAS AS WE WORK TOWARDS COMMON GROUNDS.
[03:05:03]
THANK YOU.>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DORA SALAS.
I HAD BEEN WITH ROCKETSHIP FOR SIX YEARS.
I HAVE TWO STUDENTS WHO LOVE THEIR SCHOOL AND ARE HAPPY TO LEARN.
LAST SCHOOL YEAR, MY SON, CARLOS HAD DIFFICULTY STAYING IN HIS CLASSROOM.
WHEN I BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE, I TALKED TO THE OFFICE AND THEY ACTED QUICKLY.
I HAD SUPPORT FROM THE ONSITE WELLNESS COUNSELOR, TEACHERS, AND THE OFFICE STAFF.
WHEN STAFF WILL SEE CARLOS OUTSIDE OF HIS CLASS, THEY WILL STOP BY AND ASK IF HE WAS OKAY AND HOW THEY COULD SUPPORT HIM TO REINTEGRATE INTO THE CLASS.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT HE'S DOING MUCH BETTER.
THERE ARE STILL DAYS WHEN HE IS A BIT ANXIOUS, BUT HIS TEACHERS SUPPORT HIM WITH A HUG AND COACH HIM ON UNDERSTANDING HIS EMOTIONS AND PROVIDING HIM A PERSON TO TALK TO IF HE NEEDS IT.
I WANT YOU ALL TO KEEP IN MIND THAT ROCKETSHIP HELPS ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO NEED EXTRA LOVE. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NOAH CASSIANO.
>> HI, MY NAME IS NOAH CASSIANO, AND I'M A FIFTH GRADER AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS.
I FIRST JOINED RBM AS A FIRST GRADER DURING THE PANDEMIC.
AND I HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO BE A ROCKETEER AT RBM EVER SINCE.
I LIKE THE TEACHERS HERE LIKE MR. WAN, MR. LUNA, AND MISS MUSKIE, AND MISS NET.
I'M ALSO THANKFUL FOR OUR WELLNESS COUNSELOR, MISS ABBEY, WHO HAS HELPED ME LEARN TO CALM DOWN THROUGH MY DEEP BREATH BECAUSE I LEARNED THAT SKILL AND NOW I'M BETTER RECOGNIZING MY EMOTIONS.
I AM ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WITH MY PEERS BETTER IN CLASS AND NOW I'M ABLE TO BE A CLASSROOM LEADER.
I AM PROUD OF THE GROWTH I HAVE MADE.
PLEASE VOTE TO KEEP MY SCHOOL OPEN FOR FIVE MORE YEARS.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS HUGO CASTANEDA.
>>HELLO, MY NAME IS HUGO CASTANEDA.
I'VE PROBABLY BEEN PART OF THE BRILLIANT MINES COMMUNITY FOR 10 YEARS.
THROUGH THIS TIME, MY FOUR CHILDREN HAVE ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
SINCE 2018, I'VE PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHOOL SIGHT COUNCIL, AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
I LOVE BEING PART OF A GROUP OF PARENTS AND STAFF THAT COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOL LEADERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
AS A PARENT, I LOVE READING WITH MY KIDS AND TAKING THEM TO THE LIBRARY.
ONE OF MY PROUDEST MOMENTS WAS SUGGESTING A COMMUNITY BOOK SHARING BOX IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL, ALLOWING MY KIDS TO SHARE THEIR LOVE OF READING WITH OTHERS.
THROUGH THE SCHOOL SIGHT COUNCIL, I LEARNED ABOUT THE POWER OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT, WHICH INSPIRED ME TO BECOME A BOARD MEMBER AT ROCKETSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE IN MY OWN LEADERSHIP, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM IN DEVELOPING THOSE SKILLS.THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. SEEING NO FURTHER COMMENTS ON THIS MATTER, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, WE APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT AND PARTICIPATING, AND YOU ARE NOW EXCUSED.
>> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOODNIGHT.
>> WE WILL MOVE TO IF THERE ARE ANY CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD TO STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY, BRILLIANT MINES CHARTER SCHOOL, OR ANY OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
START WITH TRUSTEE CHON THIS TIME.
>> I'LL JUST ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION.WELL, THANK YOU.
I DIDN'T SAY IT EARLIER, BUT THANK YOU, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY AND STAFF FOR BEING HERE.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT STAYED, AND IF NOT, WELL THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDS TO SLIDE 13.
THERE WAS A VERY LARGE JUMP IN THE ELA CAST SCORE IN 2021, AND THEN FROM 2018-19 TO THE 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR, OBVIOUSLY, THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR IS REMOVED FROM THERE, BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN JUST SOME STRATEGIES THAT YOU USED IN ORDER TO INCREASE THAT JUMP SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, TRUSTEE I APPRECIATE IT.
TRANSPARENTLY, I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT DID OCCUR PRE PANDEMIC.
[03:10:03]
I CAN SAY THAT RETURNING FROM THE PANDEMIC AND EVEN DURING, WE HAD A GREAT INTENTIONALITY ON MAKING SURE THAT WE UNDERSTOOD OUR STUDENT NEEDS AND RESPONDED TO THEM AS URGENTLY AS POSSIBLE.WHEN THINKING ABOUT RETURNING FROM THE PANDEMIC ITSELF, IT WAS REALLY ABOUT GATHERING DATA, RESPONDING TO THAT DATA, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE.
THAT MEANS LIKE OUR SCHOOL TEAM AS COLLABORATORS, BUT ALSO FAMILIES AT HOME SO THAT THEY CAN BE PARTNERS WITH US.
I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT ALONG THAT PATH AS WELL, EVEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE'VE ALSO LEANED INTO NOT JUST READING FOR THE SAKE OF READING, BUT READING FOR THE SAKE OF LOVING IT AND ENJOYING IT AS WELL.
WE DEFINITELY HOPE TO CONTINUE PROPELLING THOSE NUMBERS FORWARD.
>> I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP.
THIS LOVE OF READING WAS MENTIONED, AND I KNOW IT'S TWO DIFFERENT PROPOSALS, BUT I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF CURRICULUM OR PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE USING IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THAT MINDSET.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TODAY IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.
>> OTHER TRUSTEES, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, I BELIEVE?
BUT MY OTHER QUESTION WAS, GIVEN THAT ROCKETSHIP OPERATES MULTIPLE SCHOOLS OBVIOUSLY, I WANTED TO ASK HOW THE NETWORK SHARES BEST PRACTICES ACROSS SCHOOL SITES.
I THINK I AM A GREAT BENEFICIARY OF SHARING BEST PRACTICES, BUT I THINK IT'S A GREAT QUESTION FOR AND TO ANSWERS.
IT'S PART OF WHAT I THINK IS SPECIAL ABOUT GETTING THE CHANCE TO BE IN COMMUNITY AS A NETWORK OF SCHOOLS, BECAUSE JUST LIKE EVERY STUDENT THAT WE GET TO SERVE, ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE DIFFERENT, AND THEY COME WITH DIFFERENT STRENGTHS, AND WE GET THE CHANCE TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF SPECIFIC STRUCTURES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE.
OUR PRINCIPALS CONVENE REGULARLY AND GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH EACH OTHER, SOME OF THE PRACTICES THAT ARE WORKING ON THEIR CAMPUSES AS A NETWORK.
WE ALSO HOLD SOME OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOGETHER, WE HOLD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOGETHER TO ALSO MAKE THE SPACE FOR FOLKS TO COME TOGETHER AND SHARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST WORKING ACROSS PLACES.
>> THANK YOU. THE OTHER QUESTIONS, VICE PRESIDENT ROCHA?
>> THANK YOU, I'LL JUST DO A DITTO TO MY LAST COMMENTS.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK MY QUESTIONS AT THE LAST SCHOOL SITE VISIT, AND FOR ME, THEY'RE GENERALLY ONE OF THE SAME.
THANK YOU FOLKS WHO ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY TO YOUR POINT AND ALSO WORKING WITH THE FAMILIES.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL ONCE MORE FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
AGAIN, THANKS EVERYBODY FOR SPENDING YOUR TIME WITH US TONIGHT.
AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EXCEPTIONAL DASHBOARD FOR THIS LAST YEAR.
I DON'T LIKE THE CURRENT SYSTEM THE STATE USES IN DASHBOARD AND COLORS.
I SAID, WELL, LET ME TRANSLATE THE COLORS INTO NUMBERS.
ORANGE BEING TWO, YELLOW BEING THREE, GREEN BEING FOUR, AND BLUE BEING FIVE.
WHEN YOU DO SO, AND YOU TAKE THE SUM OF THOSE NUMBERS FOR EACH OF YOUR AREAS AND COMPARE IT TO THE DISTRICT OR THE STATE.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS. SO ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINDS IS 19 OUT OF 25, WHICH IS 76%.
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS 12 OUT OF 25, WHICH IS BELOW 50%, WHICH TO ME, THAT'S AN F GRADE, AND ALAM ROCK, SIMILARLY, TEN OUT OF 25, WHICH IS NOT A PASSING GRADE, LESS THAN 50%.
WE USED TO TALK ABOUT ALMOST EVERY MEETING WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS CREAMING, DISTRICTS CAME AND SAID THEY'RE CREAMING STUDENTS FROM OUR DISTRICT.
THAT'S WHY THEIR SCORES ARE HIGHER.
I DON'T HEAR THAT TERM ANYMORE, EVEN IN THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE, BUT COULD SOMEBODY COMMENT ON THAT, PLEASE? EITHER OUR STAFF OR ROCKETSHIP.
[03:15:04]
>> I CAN DEFINITELY ANSWER TO OUR PROGRESS.
>> COULD YOU DEFINE IT? BECAUSE SOME MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
>> I THINK WHEN I HEAR YOU SAY THE WORD CREAMING, IT'S A COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT HAD BEEN SPREAD AROUND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN GENERAL, I THINK YOU QUOTED IT, THAT THE REASON THAT SCHOOLS ARE PERFORMING A CERTAIN WAY IS BECAUSE THEY'RE ONLY ALLOWING CERTAIN STUDENTS TO ENTER THEIR CAMPUS.
I THINK WE HAVE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP FOR A LONG TIME AND WE CONTINUE TO NOT JUST IN THIS SPACE, BUT IN ALL SPACES, NOT ONLY SHARE THE REALITY OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THIS CONVERSATION, I'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT WE DO HERE AT ROCKETSHIP.
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAS A LOTTERY PROCESS AND THAT LOTTERY PROCESS INDICATES OR DICTATES EXACTLY HOW STUDENTS CAN BE ENROLLED IN THE CHARTER PROCESS.
THAT LOTTERY PROCESS WASN'T DESIGNED BY ROCKETSHIP, BUT WE DEFINITELY ADHERE TO IT.
IN ADDITION TO ADHERING TO IT, WHICH MEANS WE CANNOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON ANY FACTOR, RACE, GENDER, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ETC, IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DO SO.
WE HAVE SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT OUR LOTTERY PROCESS.
WE ACTUALLY OPEN UP OUR LOTTERY PROCESS IN NOVEMBER.
IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE WILL BE OPENING OUR LOTTERY PROCESS, AND IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO EITHER THE LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY OR THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH, IT'S AROUND THAT TIMELINE.
THE REASON THAT WE HAVE A LOTTERY PROCESS, AND THIS AGAIN, IS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE TO ROCKETSHIP.
THE REASON WE HAVE IT FOR SO MANY MONTHS IS, IT ACTUALLY CREATES A SPACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN COME AND LEARN ABOUT ROCKETSHIP.
THEY CAN COME AND VISIT OUR CAMPUS, THEY CAN TALK TO OTHER FAMILIES, THEY CAN GET TO KNOW THE STAFF.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU DROP YOUR APPLICATION IN NOVEMBER, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU DROP YOUR APPLICATION IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY, UP UNTIL THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS.
THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE GROUPED IN TOGETHER, AND IT'S GOING TO GO BASED ON THE PREFERENCES.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE WITH ME A FEW YEARS AGO AND US AS A COMMUNITY, YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WHEN WE WERE HERE BEFORE THE DEFERMENT OF RENEWALS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE MADE A COMMITMENT AND WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO ADD SOCIOECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE AS A PREFERENCE.
IN THAT MOMENT WE SHARED, IT WILL NOT JUST BE FOR OUR SSCOE AUTHORIZED SCHOOLS, BUT IT WAS A COMMITMENT BECAUSE IT WAS ALIGNED AND WHO WE BELIEVE, WE ARE AND WHO WE HAVE BEEN SINCE DAY ONE AND WHO WE REALLY WANT TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
IN THAT PROMISE, EVER SINCE THAT DAY, WE HAVE BEEN ADDING THAT PREFERENCE TO ALL OF OUR SORRY, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS GOING IN AND OUT.
WE HAVE ADDED THAT PREFERENCE INTO OUR CHARTER LOTTERY PROCESS, IF YOU WILL.
AND WE HAD A SCHOOL, NOT IN THIS BOARD, BUT IN FMSD, AFTERWARDS, AND WE ALSO ADDED THE PROCESS.
THAT IS A COMMITMENT THAT WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS AS ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH THE LOTTERY PROCESS.
BUT ALL THAT TO SAY IS WE SERVE ALL STUDENTS, WE ACCEPT ALL STUDENTS.
WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE, NEVER WILL NEVER HAVE, AND WE ARE STAYING TRUE TO WHAT WE BELIEVE IN IN SERVING THE MOST NEEDIEST STUDENTS AND HENCE OUR CONTINUED PROMISE TO OUR PREFERENCE CHANGES THERE.
>> THANK YOU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RAMIREZ, FOR THAT COMMENT.
ALL THE MORE REASON, WE SHOULD CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS, AND WE SHOULD TRY TO REPLICATE YOUR SUCCESS IN OUR TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL, BECAUSE I SPENT A LOT AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATOR, AND I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR SINCE I STARTED TEACHING FOR THE COUNTY OFFICE WHEN I WAS 23 AT JUVENILE TO THIS MOMENT TONIGHT ON OCTOBER 2ND.
>> BUT IN THOSE 50 YEARS, I'VE ADVOCATED FOR MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT IT AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FOR 18 YEARS.
I WAS ALWAYS ARGUING WITH JOHN DANNER IN THE EARLY DAYS OF ROCKETSHIP, THAT IT SHOULD BE A TK THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE SCHOOL, JOHN.
YOU SHOULDN'T JUST HAVE THIS TK AT THAT TIME, IT WAS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 5, BECAUSE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITION IS GOING TO BE SO HARD FOR YOUR ROCKETEERS, KNOWING MIDDLE SCHOOL LIKE I DID, I THOUGHT THAT WAS GOING TO BE TRUE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS TODAY, AND MY QUESTION IS THEN, DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA ABOUT HOW SOME OF THEM? WE HAD A SIXTH GRADE STUDENT SPEAK TONIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TO GIVE YOUR TESTIMONY.
BUT WHAT IS IT LIKE WITH YOUR FIFTH GRADERS GOING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL? JOHN DANNER ALWAYS SAID, THE MARKET WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
HE'S AN ENTREPRENEUR. HE SAID, THE MARKETPLACE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.
[03:20:01]
THERE WERE CHARTER SCHOOLS STARTING IN FIFTH GRADE AND STARTING IN SIXTH GRADE, SO THAT TRANSITION WAS NOT GREAT TO A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL.ANYHOW, ANYBODY THAT COULD GIVE ME INFORMATION FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE TABLE.
>> WHAT I CAN SHARE IS THAT OUR COMMITMENT SINCE DAY ONE EMBEDDED TRULY IN OUR THEORY OF CHANGE IS TO BECOME PART OF COMMUNITIES.
OUR DESIGN OF FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY AND ESPECIALLY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
WHAT YOU'RE SHARING ABOUT, WHY DON'T WE DO MIDDLE SCHOOLS, OUR FAMILIES WILL TELL US ALL THE TIME.
I KNOW THAT WHEN THE CHARTER STAFF GO FOR THE SITE VISITS, IT COMES UP, AND THEY'RE LIKE, WHY DOESN'T ROCKETSHIP EXTEND TO MIDDLE SCHOOL? BUT THAT WAS OUR PROMISE SINCE DAY ONE, AND WE CONTINUE TO LIVE BY IT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WE WANT TO IMPACT THE ECOSYSTEM.
BY PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATION, BY PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY POWER, WHICH YOU SEE DEMONSTRATED HERE TODAY, AND BY PROVIDING THAT PILLAR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOCUSING AND SPECIALIZING SPECIFICALLY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE FEEL THAT WE'RE CREATING SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL WITH ROCKETSHIP, AND THEN OUR ROCKETEERS, OUR FAMILIES, TEACHERS, EVERYONE, ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
WHETHER THEY STAY WITH US, ONE YEAR, WHETHER OUR ROCKETEERS LEAVE AFTER FIFTH GRADE, FOURTH GRADE, AND ENTER THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
I WAS TALKING TO A PARENT NOT SO LONG AGO, AND THE MOM TOLD ME AND SHE ENTERED A TRADITIONAL DISTRICT SCHOOL, AND SHE TOLD ME, I'M SURPRISED THERE'S NO PARENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
BUT I KNOW THAT WE CAN HAVE PARENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I LEARNED AT MY ROCKETSHIP CAMPUS.
SHE BROUGHT WHAT SHE LEARNED IN HER I THINK IT WAS ONE WHATEVER ROCKETSHIP CAMPUS IT WAS.
SHE BROUGHT THAT BACK TO HER DISTRICT SCHOOL AND NOW THERE'S PARENT COMMITTEES AND SHE WAS TELLING ME BECAUSE SHE'S LIKE, IN THAT PARENT COMMITTEE, WE DECIDED TO DO MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCES, BECAUSE THAT'S EXCITING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
ALL THAT TO SAY, I KNOW YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT THE DATA, I WANTED TO SHARE THE INSIGHT OF WHY WE FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS PART OF OUR DESIGN OF IMPACTING THE ECOSYSTEM AS A WHOLE AND THEN LETTING THAT CONTINUE.
IN REGARDS TO DATA, I KNOW WE'VE STARTED TO TRACK SOME OF OUR ALUMNI AND FOLLOW THEIR STORIES OF WHERE THEY'RE ENDING UP, AND SO WE'RE HEARING REALLY COOL STORIES OF THE DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE ATTENDING.
TO GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC DATA POINT WOULD BE, I DON'T HAVE THAT.
BUT I KNOW WE'VE STARTED TO TRACK SOME OF OUR ALUMNI, BUT IT'S MORE OF A NEWER PROCESS.
IT HASN'T BEEN AROUND FOR THE LAST 15, 16 YEARS SINCE OUR INCEPTION.
>> I WON'T BE HERE VERY MUCH LONGER, BUT I WOULD LIKE MY COLLEAGUES TO TRACK THAT.
LET'S FIGURE OUT IF THESE STUDENTS ARE DOING INCREASINGLY BETTER THAN THOSE WHO MATRICULATE FROM A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC IN THEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL LIFE, BECAUSE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHEN YOU GROUP CHILDREN BY HORMONE IMBALANCE AND ACNE, IT'S NOT A GOOD THING, AND WE DO THAT.
I DON'T KNOW, I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD DO IT, PAY FOR THE CONSULTANCY TO FIND OUT THAT DATA, BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE THAT DONE.
MAYBE I'LL COME AND BE A SPEAKER ONE NIGHT AND SAY THAT TO THE BOARD.
>> IF I MAY, TRUSTEE DI SALVO.
>> I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE ASKING THAT QUESTION, BECAUSE FOR US, AS A NETWORK, WE'RE COMMITTED, NOT JUST TO OUR STUDENTS DISCOVERING THEIR UNLIMITED POTENTIAL FROM TK THROUGH FIFTH GRADE, BUT THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'VE SET UP TO HELP FACILITATE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
WE GET TO HOST A MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPO EVERY YEAR WHERE WE WELCOME HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES, NOT JUST FROM ROCKETSHIP, BUT FROM ACROSS SAN JOSE ALSO TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THE OPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE.
AND A FEW YEARS AGO, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH SRI, STANFORD RESEARCH INDUSTRIES, I BELIEVE.
>> INSTITUTE. THEY STUDIED OVER 02,000 STUDENTS AND FOLLOWED THEM THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL AND BEYOND, AND WHAT THEY FOUND WERE, I COULDN'T GET YOU THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT THEY FOUND SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THEIR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND IN THEIR CONFIDENCE LEVELS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
FOR US, BEING COMMITTED TO EQUAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY LIKE MS. GREEN AND THE TEAM AT ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINES, IT WAS VERY HEARTENING TO SEE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BUILD ON THOSE WINS.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR THE TIME AND THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED ME.
I'M GOING TO CARRY IT FORWARD IN MY RETIREMENT.
>> TRUSTEES. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I WILL TRY TO MAKE MINE BRIEF.
JUST GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE DATA, AND I APPRECIATE TRUSTEE DI SALVO BRINGING UP THE DATA.
THE DATA POINTS THAT I WAS LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF I BELIEVE IT'S ONE OF THE TABLES THAT COMPARES DEMOGRAPHIC DATA TO COMPARISON SCHOOLS.
I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
THIS IS FOR THE 22/23 SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HAD ROCKETSHIP BRILLIANT MINES AT 10 PERCENT, THOMAS P RYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT 18 PERCENT.
LINDALE ELEMENTARY AT 16 PERCENT, MOUNT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT AT 17 PERCENT, ALUM ROCK UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT AT 13 PERCENT.
[03:25:05]
I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE AS PART OF THE CRITERIA, WE DO WANT TO SEE THE REFLECTION OF THE STUDENTS BEING SERVED OF THE DISTRICTS.I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOTTERY PROCESS.
CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'VE MADE PROGRESSION IN ENSURING THAT YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, ESPECIALLY IN COMPARISON TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS THAT SURROUND IT.
>> I'M HAPPY TO. I HOPE THAT MY PRIDE IN OUR INCLUSION PROGRAM CAME ACROSS IN MY PRESENTATION EARLIER.
THIS YEAR, WE SERVE 13 PERCENT.
I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS FOR OUR SURROUNDING SCHOOLS, PARTICULARLY FOR THIS YEAR.
BUT I DO WANT TO NAME THAT, AS YOU SAID, IN OUR LOTTERY PROCESS, IN GENERAL, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ASSESS THAT DATA PRIOR TO A STUDENT ACTUALLY ENROLLING WITH US.
IT'S INFORMATION THAT WE LEARN ONCE THEY ARE PULLED FROM THE LOTTERY AND FULLY ENROLLED.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL THAT OUR ISC, BOTH MILD MOD AND MODERATE TO SEVERE HAS SUPPORTED OUR STUDENTS WELL ENOUGH, AND I THINK GREAT ENOUGH THAT HONESTLY, OUR FAMILIES SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR PROGRAM.
WE DO GET A LOT OF FAMILY FRIENDS WHO ARE JOINING THE LOTTERY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT ALL STUDENTS TRULY ARE SUPPORTED AT RBM.
>> THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS RELATED TO STAFFING.
I THINK IT'S PART OF THE 23/24 LCAP.
THIS IS ON PAGE 611, RELATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORTS.
IT NOTED THERE WAS A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100,000 DUE TO INCREASED NEED FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION CONTRACTORS DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES, CONTRACTORS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN HIRING INTERNAL STAFF.
JUST CURIOUS ON WHAT HAVE THOSE SHORTAGES BEEN LIKE AND WHAT ARE YOUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THAT LONG TERM?
>> THANK YOU. DANNY H BERRY, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SPORTS.
I WILL SAY THAT COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING TO STAFF SCHOOLS, AND THAT IS NOT A CHALLENGE THAT WAS UNIQUE TO ROCKETSHIP IN ANY WAY.
WE SAW A NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND CERTAINLY ACROSS THE STATE.
OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS NOT IMMUNE TO THAT.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE A MANDATE TO SERVE STUDENTS IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE MEETING OUR OFFER OF FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION OR FIT.
WHEN WE HAVE A STAFFING VACANCY OR WE HAVE A POSITION THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED, WE HAVE A TEAM OF TALENT RECRUITERS WHO SUPPORT WITH OUTREACH, MS. GREEN, AND SOME OF OUR SPEAKERS EARLIER SPOKE ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL INTERNAL TALENT PATHWAYS.
WE HEARD FROM A FIRST GRADE TEACHER WHO WAS ONCE PARA EDUCATOR AND NOW AN ART TEACHER AND THEN FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
BUT IF WE ARE UNABLE TO FILL A VACANCY, WE DO SEEK TO FILL IT WITH CONTRACTORS.
IT IS MORE COSTLY, AND SO WE HAVE HAD TO ADJUST BUDGETS FOR THAT.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THOUGH THAT ACROSS OUR REGION, WE HAVE JUST TWO OR THREE VACANCIES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION RULES RIGHT NOW AT A PARA EDUCATOR LEVEL, SO WE'VE RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC, AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO BE FULLY STAFFED AT RBM IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT ADDITIONAL CONTEXT.
I FEEL LIKE I'M ASKING THIS OF EVERY SCHOOL BECAUSE I ASK OF OUR COUNTY PROGRAMS AS WELL, BUT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE AGAIN A BREAKDOWN OF STUDENTS BY DISABILITY CLASSIFICATION, PERCENTAGE, NUMBER OF STUDENTS SERVED, THE TEACHER CREDENTIALING BY TYPE, BOTH PAST AND HISTORICAL, JUST IN THE RECENT PAST DOESN'T NEED TO GO BACK.
16 YEARS, BUT JUST TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL PICTURE.
I JUST WANT TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO CAME OUT.
I KNOW IT GETS TO BE A LATE EVENING.
I THINK ABOUT MY OWN KIDS AND MY FAMILY, AND I KNOW IT TAKES SACRIFICES TO BE HERE, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES WITH US.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, HAVING RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM STAFF, ROCKETSHIP ACADEMY, BRILLIANT MINES CHARTER SCHOOL, THE PUBLIC, THE BOARD NOW CLOSES THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE AND ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024.
ANY FURTHER DELIBERATIONS BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO ACTING ON THIS MATTER, WILL BE IN CONFORMANCE WITH ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT, AND THIS HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU.
[03:30:27]
>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE.[BACKGROUND]
>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE ON WITH OUR MEETING, SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US.
THIS BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 7,
[A. Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution Regarding Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials]
IS OUR HEARING AND ACTION.THE COUNTY BOARD WILL NOW CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIAL EDUCATION.
MY NAME IS MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA.
I AM THE BOARD PRESIDENT, AND I WILL BE ACTING AS CHAIRPERSON OF THIS HEARING.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EDUCATION CODE SECTION 60119.
THE SCC BOE SHALL ANNUALLY HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO AFFIRM THAT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, SCCOE HAS PROVIDED EACH PUPIL IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION WITH SUFFICIENT TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.
LIST OF APPROVED TEXTBOOKS ARE POSTED ON THIS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WEB PAGE.
WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE HAND IN A SPEAKER'S FORM.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
MODERATOR, ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS?
>> YES, WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT CARD.
>> OUR PUBLIC COMMENTER, SARAH GENO CARO, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> SARAH GENO CARO, SCAU CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
CURRENTLY, SPECIAL EDUCATION HAS ACCESS TO UNIQUE STARS OR LINKS AND TOUCH MATH.
AS GREAT AS THESE CURRICULA ARE, THEY DO NOT COME WITH MATERIALS READY TO GO.
OUR STAFF NEED TIME TO ACTUALLY CREATE AND PREPARE THEM SO THAT THEY CAN BE USED DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS.
OUR STAFF NEED TIME TO COLLABORATE WITHIN THEIR CLASSROOMS TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE RIGHT MATERIALS FROM THE CURRICULUM.
WE ALSO NEED BETTER ENGLISH LEARNER MATERIALS LIKE THE OXFORD EL CURRICULUM.
A FEW BOXES OF PICTURE VOCABULARY CARDS FROM LAKE SHARE ARE NOT A CURRICULUM.
OUR STAFF NEED MORE SUPPORT IN MORE LANGUAGES.
FOR EXAMPLE, A STUDENT IN THE HEAD START WAS HAVING MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE CLASSROOM STAFF.
A SIMPLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE THAT A STAFF MEMBER CREATED ALLOWED THE STAFF TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIM IN MANDARIN, HIS HOME LANGUAGE, AND ALSO HAD THE ENGLISH WRITTEN ON THERE SO THAT THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE TELLING AND COMMUNICATING TO THE STUDENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. HEARING NO OTHER COMMENTS.
I DECLARE THIS HEARING CLOSED.
DR. DEWAN, WILL YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE THE ACTION ITEM?
>> PRESIDENT ALBERTA, THE ACTION ITEM IS THE RESOLUTION PRESENTED IN THE AGENDA ITEM THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR ADOPTION.
TRUSTEES MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF TEXTBOOKS AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND? THANK YOU.
I HAVE A SECOND FROM VICE PRESIDENT ROCHA, AND I BELIEVE I HAVE A SPEAKER CARD FROM TRUSTEE MAH BEFORE WE GO TO A VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
I GUESS I DO HAVE A QUESTION WITH RESPECT TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM OR BOOKS, I GUESS, THAT COULD BE DESIGNATED OR DEVELOPED FOR SPECIAL ED RATHER THAN WHAT'S DESCRIBED HERE, WHICH IS A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS, BUT DOESN'T REALLY IN THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER PART OF THE TEXTBOOKS LIST, TEXTBOOKS.
IT JUST TALKS ABOUT THE TOUCH MATH PROGRAM AND THE UNIQUE LEARNING SYSTEMS PROGRAM? IF THE PUBLIC COMMENT WAS CORRECT IN THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT REFINED ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY USE IN CLASS.
IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN INCLUDE THAT, SCOOT THAT ALONG SO THAT WE DO EITHER ADD TIME FOR TEACHERS TO DO THAT OR PURCHASE, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
[03:35:08]
>> DR. DEWAN, DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE?
>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIST IS TO IDENTIFY THE PROGRAMS, AND AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND OUR PROGRAMS, THEIR CURRICULUMS ARE INDIVIDUALIZED BASED ON THEIR IEP.
>> BUT I MEAN, IS IT INDIVIDUALIZED BASED ON HAVING TO MODIFY THE EXISTING PROGRAMS, OR THE EXISTING PROGRAMS ACTUALLY DIFFERENTIATED AND READY TO GO FOR THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DISABILITY, IF YOU WILL.
>> THE DIFFERENT FRAMEWORKS ARE SUPPORTED TO BE ALIGNED TO THE STANDARDS, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO BE INDIVIDUALIZED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THEIR IEP, DEPENDING UPON THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
>> THEN IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL MODIFICATION FOR EVERY STUDENT THAT MUST BE DONE BY EACH TEACHER FOR EVERY STUDENT.
[OVERLAPPING] OFF IN THE SAME WAY.
>> CORRECT. IF YOU'VE DONE SOME SITE VISITS WITH US, AS I KNOW YOU HAVE, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL BINDERS AND FILES THAT TEACHERS HAVE THAT SHOW HOW THEY'VE DESIGNED UTILIZING THE CURRICULUM AND THE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS TO PREPARE THE INDIVIDUAL LESSONS FOR THE STUDENTS.
>> IS THAT INFORMATION WHEN IT'S DONE FOR EACH STUDENT, FOR INSTANCE, CARRIED FORTH IN THE NEXT GRADE WHEN THE KIDS, MOVE UP?
>> I BELIEVE THAT THE INFORMATION MAY BE SHARED AND THEIR IEPS AND THEIR GRADE PROGRESS.
ALSO, MANY OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE THE STUDENTS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS.
>> I JUST HAD A FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
I DON'T THINK THAT A LOT OF CURRICULUMS THAT ARE PURCHASED IN GENERAL HAVE, HERE'S THE GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM, AND HERE'S THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT TRUSTEE MAH WAS GOING TOWARD, LIKE TEACHERS, MAYBE THE PARENTS EVEN ARE SUPPORTING AND BUILDING THE CURRICULUM FOR THE SPECIFIC NEEDS TO THEIR STUDENTS, DEPENDING ON THE IEPS.
WHAT SUPPORTS ARE WE DOING FOR OUR TEACHERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT? BECAUSE I KNOW MYSELF AS A GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHER.
I JUST GET CURRICULUM AND I CAN TEACH IT AND I CAN MODIFY IT.
BUT THERE'S MORE EXTENSIVE NEEDS FOR OUR MOST HIGHLY NEED STUDENTS.
WHAT SUPPORTS ARE WE DOING IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION EDUCATORS ARE RECEIVING TIME OR TOOLS IN ORDER TO INDIVIDUALIZE THE CURRICULUM.
THEN I DID HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT AFTER THAT TOO.
>> SURE. OUR TEACHERS DO RECEIVE TRAINING IN THE FRAMEWORKS, SPECIFICALLY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
ALSO THE IEP TEAMS AND THE OTHER STAFF IN THE CLASSROOM WORK TOGETHER ON SOME OF THOSE MATERIALS, AND DEPENDING ON THEIR SCHOOL SITE, THE GRADE LEVEL OF THE CAMPUS THAT THEY'RE ON, THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS.
EACH OF THE TEACHERS HAVE A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE, WHICH COULD INCLUDE PREP TIME OR COULD INCLUDE EARLY RELEASE DAYS.
IN OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THEY GENERALLY FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE OF THE CAMPUS THAT THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH.
>> I THINK TRAINING IS AWESOME, ALWAYS, OF COURSE, BUT I THINK THE TIME IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST THE TOOLS THAT WE LEARN AS EDUCATORS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, SO WHATEVER WAY WE CAN DO IN PROVIDING THAT SUPPORT, GIVEN THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION HAS A VERY SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS AND HIGHER EDUCATORS, AND WE WANT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO RETAIN THEM.
WHATEVER WE CAN TO DO TO SUPPORT THAT.
I ALSO DO WANT TO SAY, FOR ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO VISIT OUR COURT SCHOOLS YET, BEING ABLE TO SEE THE LIBRARIES THERE.
THIS RESOLUTION REALLY MADE ME THINK OF THAT AND HOW OUR STUDENTS ARE UTILIZING IT.
PROBABLY COULD HAVE ASKED OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK IT'S GREAT TO SEE HOW MUCH WE HAVE PRIORITIZED THAT AS A COUNTY BOARD BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION OUR STUDENTS ARE IN, THEIR EDUCATION STILL MATTERS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IT'S GREAT.
THE LIBRARY IS AMAZING FOR THEM.
I'VE SEEN IT WHEN IT WAS BEING BUILT TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW AND JUST HOW MUCH IT'S EXPANDED AND THE GREAT QUALITY OF BOOKS THAT WE HAVE IN THERE FOR OUR STUDENTS.
[03:40:02]
I JUST WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU, DR. DEWAN FOR DOING THAT WORK, AS WELL AS OUR COURT SCHOOL TEAM.>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WELL, I WILL ALSO ECHO THOSE COMMENTS, I THINK, ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN WE LOOK AT CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOKS, TRUSTEE LARRY AND I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE DHH PROGRAM AT LEE HIGH SCHOOL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED WHERE THERE ARE VARYING LEVELS DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STUDENTS NEEDS ARE, WHAT THEIR IEP GOALS ARE.
YOU SAW A LOT OF DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION AND THAT DOES REQUIRE EXTENSIVE PLANNING TIME.
I WANT TO JUST ECHO THAT I THINK IN ORDER FOR THE IEP TEAM TO WORK ON RELEVANT MATERIALS, INDIVIDUALIZED MATERIALS, THAT TAKES DEDICATED OF ALLOCATED TIME AND SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE A CHALLENGE JUST HAVING BEEN IN THAT POSITION OF FINDING THE TIME TO DO ALL OF THAT INDIVIDUALIZATION.
THE OTHER PIECE I JUST WANTED TO NOTE IS, WORKING TOWARDS GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS AND RECOGNIZING WE HAVE TO MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY'RE AT.
THERE WEREN'T A TON OF TEXTBOOKS, MAYBE IN THAT SNAPSHOT OF TIME, THAT BRIEF MOMENT THAT WE WERE IN THE CLASSROOM, BECAUSE I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF MODIFICATIONS THAT WERE BEING MADE TO THE CLASS, AND SO THE LEVEL OF RELEVANCE OF THOSE PARTICULAR TEXTBOOKS OR CURRICULUM OR MATERIAL, I THINK GREATLY VARIES FROM CLASSROOM TO CLASSROOM, AND WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THERE'S RELEVANT AND SUPPORTIVE CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOKS.
ACCESS TO THE GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM AND STATE GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS, ABSOLUTELY, BUT ALSO THINGS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED AS SUPPORTS FOR THE EDUCATORS DOING THE WORK IN THE CLASSROOMS. TRUSTEE MAH.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT JUST TRIGGERS ONE THOUGHT IS, WOULD IT BE NECESSARY OR REQUIRED TO ACTUALLY STATE IN THIS DOCUMENT FOR THE SPECIAL ED TEXTBOOKS TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE OTHER GENERAL ED TEXTBOOKS THAT ARE LISTED FOR THE OTHER CLASSES.
DO WE NEED TO EXPLICITLY STATE IT OR JUST MAKE SURE WE DO?
>> IN TERMS OF COMPLIANCE, I'LL DEFER TO DR. DEWAN IN TERMS OF WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BE LISTED ON THIS TYPE OF DOCUMENT?
>> WELL, WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE LISTED IS WHAT IS IN THE RESOLUTION, AND ALSO DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM, WHAT THE SUFFICIENCY IS CAN VARY.
FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE WORKING TOWARDS DIPLOMA, WE ACTUALLY WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE STUDENTS ARE FOLLOWING THE CURRICULUM OF THE ADOPTED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION IS FOR OUR ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND THEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE PROGRAMS FOR WHICH WE NEED TO HAVE SOME MORE INDIVIDUALIZED AND DIFFERENT FRAMEWORKS FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
PRIMARILY OUR STUDENTS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES.
>> DO WE GUARANTEE, EITHER IN THIS DOCUMENT OR IN SOME DOCUMENT AGREED WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE THE KIDS ARE LOCATED, THAT IF THEY ARE ON DIPLOMA TRACK, THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE TEXTBOOKS AVAILABLE TO THEM, FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?
>> STUDENTS THAT ARE ON DIPLOMA TRACK, AND WE DO VERIFY THAT THE TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO THE MATERIALS, BUT ALSO THOSE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADOPT THEIR OWN RESOLUTIONS FOR SUFFICIENCY.
>> BUT WE HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE BOOKS WE CAN USE AT THE SCHOOL?
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THIS ITEM.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WE'LL MOVE TO A VOTE IN BOARDDOCS.
>> A VERBAL I BECAUSE IT'S NOT SHOWING.
>> A VERBAL I FOR TRUSTEE LARRY.
THAT MOTION PASSES WITH FIVE YESES AND TWO ABSTENTIONS.
WE WILL CONTINUE ON TO OUR INFORMATION ITEMS.
[A. Head Start Program Update on Director Vacancy]
DR. DEWAN, WILL YOU INTRODUCE OUR FIRST INFORMATION ITEM?>> SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION.
WE HAVE TWO CARDS FOR ITEM 8A.
[03:45:03]
>> YES. WE'LL DO THE INTRODUCTION, THEN I'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR FIRST INFORMATION TONIGHT IS AN UPDATE ON THE HEAD START PROGRAM DIRECTOR VACANCY.
OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TERESA SHIPP WILL PROVIDE THE UPDATE.
AS WE HAD SHARED WITH THE BOARD AND COMMUNITY AND A PREVIOUS PRESENTATION THAT WE WOULD PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES AS APPROPRIATE TO THE BOARD AND COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S WHY THIS ITEM IS PRESENTED TONIGHT.
PRESIDENT BERTA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO PUBLIC COMMENTS FIRST OR HAVE THE UPDATE?
>> WE CAN GO THROUGH YOUR PRESENTATION FIRST.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DR. DEWAN, TRUSTEES.
TONIGHT, I WILL BE PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON THE DIRECTOR III EARLY LEARNING SERVICES VACANCY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE APPROVED THE DIRECTOR VACANCY AND JOB DESCRIPTION ON SEPTEMBER 16TH.
THE VACANCY WAS ANNOUNCED TO THE POLICY COUNCIL AT THE SEPTEMBER 24TH MEETING.
LAST NIGHT, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED AGENDIZING THE ACTION ITEM OF THE VACANCY FOR THE OCTOBER 5TH POLICY COUNCIL MEETING.
THE FILLING OF THE POSITION WILL FOLLOW OFFICE OF HEAD START REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS THE SCCOE POLICY COUNCIL BY LAWS AND PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
IT WILL BEGIN WITH INTERVIEWS, THEN GO ON TO OBVIOUSLY THE NEXT ROUND INVOLVING VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS.
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT MEETS WITH THE FINALIST, THE POLICY COUNCIL, AND ULTIMATELY, THE OFFICE OF HEAD START REVIEWS THE QUALIFICATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CANDIDATE THAT HAS BEEN SELECTED MEETS THE OFFICE OF HEAD START QUALIFICATIONS AND THEY APPROVE THE FINALIST.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE WE GO TO QUESTIONS, CAN WE HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT? MODERATOR, CAN YOU PLEASE HEAR THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM?
>> YES. THANK YOU. OUR TWO SPEAKERS ARE RIGO KRISHNA AND SARA GIANCARLO.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS RIGO KRISHNA.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS RIGO KRISHNA, TEACHER AND A DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
AS YOU SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR FOR HEAD START, WE MUST ENSURE THAT ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED, AND THERE WAS A LITTLE CONFUSION LAST TIME ABOUT GOVERNANCE, SO I HOPE THAT'S CLARIFIED BY NOW.
WITH ONLY 10% OF PARENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE SPECIAL ED LCAP, HOPE THERE WERE MORE PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATED FOR THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THEIR PROGRAM.
ELS TEACHERS AND ASSOCIATE TEACHERS ARE OUR LOWEST PAID EDUCATORS, BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET WITH POOR WORKING CONDITIONS, WHICH ARE ALSO OUR STUDENT'S LEARNING CONDITIONS.
WE NEED A LEADER WHO DOES NOT INSTILL FEAR AND ENGAGE IN RANDOM PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, RETALIATION, AND MICROMANAGEMENT.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE NEW DIRECTOR IS KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN EARLY LEARNING SERVICES AND IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE ELS DEPARTMENT, COLLABORATES WITH THE LABOR PARTNERS, AND AT THE BARE MINIMUM, AT LEAST ANSWERS OUR EMAILS, AND THAT THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF TREATING WORKERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SARA GIANCARLO.
PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> ONE MOMENT, MAYBE THE MIC MIGHT HAVE DIED OR IT'S OFF.
>> WE TRY AGAIN. HOPE IT'S BETTER.
>> SARA GIANCARLO, SCU CHAPTER PRESIDENT, DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
MARTIN LUTHER KING ONCE SAID, "INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE." I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU THAT JUST THE LAST MEETING, WORKERS SPOKE UP ABOUT RETALIATION AND INTIMIDATION IN EARLY LEARNING THAT LED TO SCUC REHIRING AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR, DESPITE KNOWING ABOUT THESE ISSUES FOR MANY MONTHS.
I STAND UP FOR THESE WORKERS BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO WHEN THEY'RE TOO AFRAID TO SHOW THEIR FACES HERE AGAIN.
BECAUSE AN INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY MADE A PUBLIC COMPLAINT WOULD NOT BE DELAYED DESPITE OUR REASONABLE REQUEST TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE WORK DAY TO FIND REPRESENTATION WHEN WE HAD COMMITMENTS WITH DR. DEWAN FOR LMI AND NEGOTIATIONS.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE NEXT LEADER HAS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD THIS PROGRAM.
THE NEXT LEADER MUST BE ABLE TO DISMANTLE THE SYSTEM THAT HAS DISENFRANCHISED WORKERS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
WITH LITTLE TO NO COMMUNICATION IN A DEPARTMENT LED BY MULTIPLE INTERIMS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO ACT AS DIRECTOR, THE WORKERS ARE STRESSED BY THE CHAOS.
THEY FEAR FOR THEIR JOBS, AS TASKS THEY HAVE COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY FOR YEARS ARE REASSIGNED TO MANAGEMENT WITH NO EXPLANATION.
THUS, THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT THE ELIMINATION OF THEIR WORK WILL LEAD TO THE ELIMINATION OF THEIR POSITIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL GO TO TRUSTEES FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. TRUSTEE CHON.
>> I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
WHO IS ON THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE ON THE SECOND SLIDE,
[03:50:02]
THE FIRST ONE WITH A LOT OF WORDS.MEET WITH THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE.
>> IT IS A SUBSET OF THE POLICY COUNCIL.
THE '23,'24 PERSONNEL COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED THE VACANCY AND THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
ACTUALLY, ON SATURDAY AT THE OCTOBER 5TH POLICY COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WILL BE A NEW PERSONNEL COMMITTEE SELECTED SINCE WE'RE IN THE '24, '25 YEAR NOW.
IT'LL BE A SUBSET OF CURRENT POLICY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> THERE'S A GROUP OF PARENTS ON THE POLICY COUNCIL?
>> THEN WHEN THE EDUCATIONAL PARTNER FOCUS GROUPS, ARE THOSE GOING TO BE THE PARENTS AND THE TEACHERS?
>> EXACTLY. IT'LL BE OPEN TO EVERYBODY.
WE'LL HAVE NOT ONLY ASSOCIATE TEACHERS, LEAD TEACHERS, LEADERS, PARENTS, POLICY COUNCIL MEMBERS, PARTNERS, ALL OF THE ARRAY, MAKING SURE THAT WE REALLY HEAR THE VARIETY OF VOICES.
>> IS THERE A SPECIFIC GROUP? IS THERE A SPECIFIC MEETING WITH JUST THE STAFF?
>> YES. THERE WILL BE SEVERAL.
BECAUSE WE WANT EQUITY OF VOICE, AND WE WANT FREEDOM OF VOICE.
WE WILL HAVE A LEADERSHIP STAFF FEEDBACK GATHERING.
WE'LL HAVE A ASSOCIATE TEACHER FEEDBACK GATHERING, WE'LL HAVE A LEAD TEACHER FEEDBACK GATHERING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL POINTS OF VIEW ARE HEARD AND THAT EVERYONE HAS THE FREEDOM OF VOICE.
>> GREAT. I DO ALSO AND OF COURSE, HOW THOSE ARE PUT TOGETHER IS UP TO YOU, BUT I ALSO WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THAT, OF COURSE, THE LABOR REPRESENTATIVES ARE IN THOSE MEETINGS BECAUSE ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE JUST THE HEAD START TEACHERS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE LEADERS THERE AS WELL.
HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO GO TO THOSE PARTNER GROUPS.
THEN TOWARD THE END, THERE IS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT AND POLICY COUNCIL APPROVE FINALIST.
IS IT A PROCESS IN WHICH THEY WOULD APPROVE SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER OR HOW DOES THE APPROVING FINALIST PROCESS WORK?
>> THEY ARE DEPENDENT UPON EACH OTHER.
THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT WILL SAY, YES, THIS CANDIDATE MEETS THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION.
>> IT'S POSITIVE. THEN FINAL APPROVAL GOES TO THE POLICY COUNCIL.
THERE WILL BE A MEET AND GREET FOR THE WHOLE POLICY COUNCIL AND FINAL APPROVAL.
NOW, ONCE THAT OCCURS, THE VERY NEXT DAY, WE NEED TO SEND IN THE NAME, THE RESUME, THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE CANDIDATE, BECAUSE OFFICE OF HEAD START, SINCE THEY ARE THE GRANTOUR, WE'RE THE GRANTEE.
THEY DO NEED TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AS STATED IN THE GRANT ARE MET.
YOU MENTIONED THE POLICY COUNCIL MEETING WAS ON SATURDAY.
>> PRESIDENT CHON, VERY GOOD. NOT PRESIDENT.
SORRY. TRUSTEE CHON. YES, SO THIS IS A TRAINING AND POLICY COUNCIL MEETING.
WE HAVE OUR GOVERNANCE TRAINING AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S A NEW POLICY COUNCIL.
WE HAVE OUR TRAINERS COMING IN FOR THE SATURDAY, AND WE ALSO HAVE A POLICY COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE THE TRAINING.
>> WAS ATTENDANCE STILL PRETTY GOOD ON A SATURDAY VERSUS A TUESDAY?
>> IT'S A MANDATORY TRAINING, SO YES.
IT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN QUITE GOOD.
>> BUT THEY'RE STILL MEETING ON TUESDAYS THEN? IT'S JUST THE TRAINING WAS ON SATURDAY?
>> YES. IT'S THIS COMING SATURDAY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. SORRY. I JUST ASKED A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS, BUT I'M DONE NOW.
>> THANK YOU. I WAS GOING TO SAVE IT FOR MY COMMITTEE REPORT, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ASKED AT THE LAST POLICY COUNCIL MEETING WAS, IF WE COULD ACTUALLY GET MINUTES FROM THE PERSONAL COMMITTEE, MEETING AS FAR AS WHAT DECISIONS WERE MADE, WHICH ORGANIZATION, FOR INSTANCE, WAS SELECTED AS THE HEAD HUNTER.
I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMEONE WAS SELECTED, BUT WE HAVE NO BACKGROUND OR IDEA WHO THEY ARE.
IF THE WHOLE PROCESS COULD BE SPELLED OUT, I THINK I MADE A REQUEST EARLIER THAT EVEN PARTS OF THE BYLAWS OR PARTS OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES THAT DESCRIBE BOTH THE HIRING OF THE DIRECTOR, BUT ALSO INTERIM DIRECTOR, IF THEY COULD BE EXTRACTED OUT AND SEPARATED JUST FOR THE POLICY COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND AND DIGEST SEPARATELY INSTEAD OF ALL THE REST OF IT.
BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION, CERTAINLY.
AND AS WAS EXPRESSED AT THE POLICY COUNCIL MEETING, A LOT OF IT WASN'T VERY CLEARLY EXPLAINED.
[03:55:01]
WHEN IT WAS ASKED FOR THEM TO APPROVE, A BUNCH OF STUFF, THEY SAID, NO, WAIT, WE HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS.IF WE COULD HAVE ALL OF THAT AGAIN, PRINTED OUT, SENT TO THE POLICY COUNCIL AHEAD OF SATURDAY SO THAT THEY HAVE TIME TO READ IT, UNDERSTAND IT, AND THEN BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE MEETING BEFORE THE TRAINING ON SATURDAY. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> YES. SO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL JUST MET LAST NIGHT TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AND TO GO OVER THE ITEMS THAT WILL BE INCLUDED.
YES, THANK YOU FOR THAT FEEDBACK.
>> GREAT. THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS, IS THERE GOING TO BE A HIRING PROCESS FOR THE INTERIM DIRECTOR?
>> THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE DID NOT APPROVE INTERIM DIRECTOR VACANCY.
SO ONCE THE NEW PERSONNEL COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED, THAT CAN GO BACK TO THEM.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE DID NOT APPROVE THAT, SO IT CANNOT BE BROUGHT TO POLICY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
>> HOW IS THE NEW PERSONNEL COMMITTEE GOING TO BE SELECTED?
WHAT HAPPENS ON SATURDAY IS THERE'S A VARIETY OF COMMITTEES.
THEY ARE EACH EXPLAINED, AND THEN THERE ARE SIGN UPS AND VOLUNTEERS.
>> THEN I GUESS IN THE EXPLANATION.
SORRY, I'M ALSO ASKING A BIT OF QUESTIONS.
IN THE EXPLANATION OF THE FILLING FOR THE HEAD START DIRECTOR, IT SEEMS THAT THE SECOND BULLET SAYS THAT ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND POLICY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILL INTERVIEW THE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND FORWARD TO THE NEXT ROUND OF INTERVIEWS.
DOES THAT MEAN THEY'LL BE FORWARDING SOME SUBSET, OR WILL THEY ONLY BE FORWARDING THE FINALIST, OR BECAUSE THE NEXT LINE SAYS THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD MEET WITH A FINALIST.
>> THERE WILL BE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS.
AGAIN, THE JOB ISN'T POSTED YET, SO WE'RE NOT SURE.
WE'RE HOPING FOR A WIDE RANGE OF CANDIDATES.
>> SO THERE WILL BE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS.
THE IDEA WOULD BE, YES, THAT THERE WOULD BE SEVERAL CANDIDATES FORWARDED TO THE NEXT ROUND.
>> BUT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW, SO I DON'T WANT TO [OVERLAPPING] RIGHT.
>> SO THERE WILL BE MULTIPLE FINALISTS SENT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AT LEAST?
>> FOR THE VARIOUS ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS, YES.
>> BUT THEN WILL THERE ALSO BE MULTIPLE CANDIDATES SENT TO THE POLICY COUNCIL, OR IS THE POLICY COUNCIL ONLY GOING TO GET THE ONE FINALIST TO APPROVE?
>> THE POLICY COUNCIL WILL BE INVOLVED THROUGHOUT.
BUT FOR THE WHOLE POLICY COUNCIL, WHICH YOU KNOW IS QUITE LARGE, THAT THEY WILL GET THE FINAL FINALIST FOR APPROVAL.
>> SO IT'LL BE A SUBSET THAT WE DO THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> AND THE SUBSET WOULD BE NOT ONLY A PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, BUT ALSO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE?
>> GREAT. THEN MY LAST THING, REALLY IS, CAN WE GET A TIMELINE AND SOME DATES AS FAR AS WHEN THE POSTING WILL GO PUBLIC AND HOW LONG THE POSTING WILL BE OUT.
ABSOLUTELY, I'LL BE PRESENTING A TIMELINE ON SATURDAY IF IT'S APPROVED, AND THEN MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.
BUT ONCE IT'S APPROVED, ABSOLUTELY.
>> RIGHT. I'M SORRY. IS IT GOING TO BE PRESENTED ON SATURDAY FOR APPROVAL OR WILL IT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BEFORE SATURDAY?
>> NO. THE NEXT POLICY COUNCIL MEETING IS SATURDAY, SO IT'S APPROVED TO BE AGENDIZED.
THEN WE WILL GO FOR APPROVAL, THEN.
>> SO THE POLICY COUNCIL WILL HAVE APPROVAL. WELL, HOPEFULLY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM TRUSTEES? I DID JUST HAVE A QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE BOARD'S ROLE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONS IN THE PAST, AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET A CLEAR COPY OF THE EARLY LEARNING PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
I KNOW THE ONE I HAVE THAT'S UPLOADED IS FROM 2011, AND IT'S GOT A LOT OF HIGHLIGHTING, SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO READ [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF THERE'S ANY WAY TO GET A CLEANER COPY OF THAT.
>> SURE. I CAN TAKE OR I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE OUT THE HIGHLIGHTING, BUT THAT IS THE LATEST VERSION, AND THAT IS A GOAL FOR THIS YEAR TO REALLY REVIEW ALL OF THAT.
>> IT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL COMING AT OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING, BUT JUST THE CLARIFICATION ON THE WAY THAT THE GOVERNANCE WORKS IN TERMS OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAD HAD AT THE PREVIOUS-
>> BOARD MEETING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
>> DR. DEWAN, WILL YOU INTRODUCE THE NEXT ITEM, PLEASE?
[B. Virtual School Presentation]
>> YES. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
OUR NEXT ITEM IS A PRESENTATION REGARDING VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.
[04:00:05]
WE'RE PROVIDING THIS UPDATE AS FOLLOW UP TO REQUESTED INFORMATION ITEM FROM TRUSTEE LARRY.WE'RE PROVIDING THIS UPDATE NOW AS EDUCATION CODE PER ASSEMBLY BILL 181, AND SENATE BILL 153 HAVE IMPACTED.
THE OPTIONS FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS IN CALIFORNIA, AND WE WANTED TO ALSO ADDRESS SOME OF THE GUIDELINES THAT GOVERN THESE OPTIONS TO STUDENTS.
PRESENTING THIS EVENING ARE DR. DEBBIE GORGULHO, OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, AND DR. JESSICA BANDERAS ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT.
PRESIDENT BERTA, DR. DEWAN, TRUSTEES AND COMMUNITY.
I'M DR. JESSICA BANDERAS ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT AND I AM ACCOMPANIED THIS EVENING BY ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT DR. DEBBIE GORGULHO.
WE WILL BE SHARING INFORMATION REGARDING VIRTUAL SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE.
TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION SHARED WITH YOU THIS EVENING, WE'LL START WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS AND EDUCATION CODE REQUIREMENTS.
THE PANDEMIC LED TO VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR MOST OF CALIFORNIA'S STUDENTS.
THIS DRASTIC CHANGE LED TO ABUNDANT RESEARCH REGARDING VIRTUAL LEARNING AND THE IMPACT OF STUDENTS.
THE RESEARCH OVERWHELMINGLY INDICATED THAT VIRTUAL SCHOOLING HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN.
DUE TO THIS RESEARCH, CALIFORNIA SUSPENDED THE REQUIREMENT THAT SCHOOLS OFFER A VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION.
IN 2021, THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE WAS UPDATED, MAKING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO VIRTUAL SCHOOLING OPTIONS AND INDEPENDENT STUDY POLICIES.
THIS INCLUDES THAT A STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT OF RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRICT PROVIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY OPTION.
IN JULY 2024, THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE WAS UPDATED AGAIN WITH CHANGES TO THE MINIMUM LENGTH OF LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY AND ATTENDANCE COUNTING.
THESE CHANGES CLARIFY HOW A DISTRICT SHOULD CALCULATE STUDENT WORK IN RELATION TO AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
ALL 2021 UPDATES REMAIN IN PLACE.
DUE TO RISING CONCERNS AND EVIDENCE OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON STUDENTS, THE STATE PASSED A LAW IN 2020, PLACING A MORATORIUM ON ESTABLISHING ANY NEW NON CLASSROOM BASED CHARTER SCHOOLS.
IN 2023, THE STATE EXTENDED THIS MORATORIUM THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2026.
>> CALIFORNIA ECO DOES ALLOW DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE THREE TYPES OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE HEARING. SORRY.
.>> SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY, LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY, AND HOME AND HOSPITAL.
SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY IS NOW DEFINED AS AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR 15 SCHOOL DAYS OR FEWER.
SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY AGREEMENTS MAY BE SIGNED AT ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM TAKES PLACE.
FOR A STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRICT SPONSORED LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM, ALL PARTIES, SCHOOL OFFICIAL, PARENT GUARDIAN, AND STUDENT, MUST SIGN A CONTRACT WHICH CLARIFIES THE ED CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM.
THESE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE REGULAR, PERIODIC LIVE INTERACTION TO MAINTAIN SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS, CONDUCT WELLNESS CHECKS, OFFER SUPPORT, OR MONITOR PROGRESS.
ALSO A TIERED RE ENGAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE UNDERPERFORMING, DISCONNECTED FROM SCHOOL, OR VIOLATING THEIR INDEPENDENT STUDY AGREEMENT, AND HAVE A TRANSITION PLAN TO RETURN THE STUDENT TO IN PERSON INSTRUCTION.
PARTICIPATION IN INDEPENDENT STUDY IS ALWAYS VOLUNTARY, AND THE STUDENT MUST HAVE AN OPTION TO RETURN TO IN PERSON INSTRUCTION AT ANY TIME.
HOME AND HOSPITAL INSTRUCTION IS TEMPORARY FOR A STUDENT WHO NEEDS A SHORT PHYSICAL PLACEMENT MODIFICATION.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR HOME AND HOSPITAL, A STUDENT MUST BE ABLE TO REASONABLY RETURN TO SCHOOL WITHOUT SPECIAL INTERVENTION.
FUNDING FOR ANY NON BASE SCHOOL PROGRAM IS PAID OUT OF A DISTRICT'S GENERAL FUND APPORTIONMENT AND IS BASED UPON A STUDENT'S AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
ATTENDANCE IS SHOWN BASED UPON THE DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF TIME VALUE OF THE STUDENT'S WORK PRODUCT.
THIS CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.
TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? TRUSTEE LARRY?
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS VERY INFORMATIVE.
[04:05:01]
SO I WAS ALSO CURIOUS TO SEE IF THE AVAILABILITY OF ONLINE OPTION WOULD HELP WITH ABSENTEEISM.I WAS WONDERING IF YOU FOUND ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT.
>> WE DID NOT DO A RESEARCH STUDY IN TERMS OF ATTENDANCE IN TERMS OF HELPING WITH THAT.
BASED ON INDEPENDENT STUDY REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION CODE, WHAT MUST HAPPEN NOW IS THAT IF A STUDENT GOES INTO INDEPENDENT STUDY AND IS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF THEY ARE NOT ATTENDING THAT PROGRAM AS WELL, THEY MUST BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO THE SCHOOL SITE.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT GOING TO CDC 40% OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN HAVE A CHRONIC DISEASE.
I ALSO WANT TO JUST EXPLORE IF HAVING AN ONLINE OPTION WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THEM.
>> BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS, THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS.
A CHRONIC DISEASE MAY BE COVERED UNDER SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE ILLNESS.
IT COULD BE COVERED UNDER HOME AND HOSPITAL.
AGAIN, DEPENDING UPON THE TREATMENT SCHEDULE AND THE NATURE OF THE ILLNESS, OR THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY AT THEIR DISTRICT AS WELL.
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS LIKE HOW LONG TERM MEANS LIKE FOR HOW IS THEIR LENGTH OF TIME? FOR LONG TERM ALSO.
>> FOR LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY, IT IS A MINIMUM OF 16 DAYS OR LONGER.
MOST DISTRICTS BECAUSE OF CONTINUITY AND WILL CREATE A CONTRACT THAT STATES THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY WOULD STAY IN THE PROGRAM.
HOWEVER, THAT IS MORE OF A CHALLENGE FOR DISTRICTS AT THE MOMENT WITH A CHANGE OF LAW, WHERE IF A STUDENT CHOSE OR THEIR FAMILY CHOOSES TO RETURN THEM BACK TO AN IN PERSON SETTING, THAT DOES HAVE TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY NOW.
>> IS THERE A MAXIMUM FOR LONG TERM STUDY, THERE'S A LIMIT.
>> LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY IS BASED ON A YEAR TO YEAR CONTRACT?
>> EACH YEAR, A STUDENT MUST SIGN THE UPDATED CONTRACT FROM THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS THE EDUCATORS AND THE PARENTS.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. TRUSTEE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE CHON? YEAH, I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT MORE OF THE SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDIES.
MAYBE IT APPLIES LONG TERM TOO.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM NUMBER PER ED CODE THAT STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO USE FOR SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDIES?
>> NO. HOW MANY TIMES A YEAR COULD THEY DO A SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY?
>> ED CODE HAS ALSO ADJUSTED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
IT USED TO BE THAT YOU COULD ONLY REQUEST THE SHORT TERM AT THE BEGINNING OF EITHER A YEAR OR A SEMESTER DEPENDING ON THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
NOW THE WAY ED CODE IS WRITTEN, THAT PARENTS MAY REQUEST THE INDEPENDENT STUDY SHORT TERM ANYTIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.
IT DOES NOT STATE HOW OFTEN THAT REQUEST CAN COME IN.
>> THEN WHEN PARENTS REQUEST IT, IS IT UP TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THEN EITHER ACCEPT OR DENY IT?
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM TRUSTEES OR COMMENTS? TRUSTEE LARRY?
>> I WAS ALSO CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT'S THE POSSIBILITY OF A HYBRID OPTION FOR STUDENTS? THEN IF THEY FEEL BETTER THEN THEY CAN ATTEND AND IF THEY DON'T, THEN THEY HAVE THE ONLINE OPTION AVAILABLE.
>> CURRENTLY FOR THE SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY OPTION, IT IS NOT NECESSARILY HYBRID, BUT EACH DISTRICT WRITES UP THEIR POLICIES IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR PROGRAM IS.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR PROGRAMS. BUT REALLY IT'S ABOUT ARE THEY AN INDEPENDENT STUDY, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT WORK? THEN THEY RETURN.
IF THEY CAN PHYSICALLY BE ABLE TO RETURN, THAT WOULD BE SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY.
IF THEY ARE NOT AND BASED ON WHATEVER IS HAPPENING WITH THEM AT THE TIME, THEY WOULD WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DETERMINE THE OPTION THAT IS BEST FOR THEM, WHETHER IT WOULD BE HOME AND HOSPITAL, SHORT TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY OR LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY.
[04:10:02]
>> HEARING NO OTHER QUESTIONS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND INFORMATION.
>> WE WILL GO TO OUR NEXT ITEM.
[C. Charter Schools Update]
DR. DEWAN, WILL YOU INTRODUCE THE CHARTER SCHOOLS UPDATE?>> THANK YOU. AT EACH OF OUR MEETINGS, WE PROVIDE THE BOARD AND COMMUNITY WITH AN UPDATE RELATED TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
THIS EVENING, IT WILL BE PROVIDED BY OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHARTER SCHOOLS MEFULA FAIRLEY.
>> PRESIDENT BERTA, TRUSTEE SUPERINTENDENT DEWAN.
TONIGHT I HAVE FOUR ITEMS ON WHICH TO UPDATE YOU.
THREE OF THOSE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO BULLIS CHARTER SCHOOL.
FIRST, THE APPEAL TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, BULLIS CHARTER SCHOOL SUBMITTED TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AN APPEAL OF SCCBOES AUGUST 26, 27, DECISION ON BULLIS' REQUEST FOR CHARTER RENEWAL STATING THE SCCBOE, CONSTRUCTIVELY DENIED BULLIS A HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOL.
BOTH THE SCCBOE AND THE SCCOE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE APPEAL VIA EMAIL BY BULLIS ON THE DAY THE APPEAL WAS SUBMITTED TO THE STATE BOARD.
SECOND, DATA REQUESTED BY THE SCCBOE AT THE JULY 17 PUBLIC HEARING FOR BULLIS.
ON SEPTEMBER 17, BULLIS AND THE SCCOE MET TO DISCUSS AND CLARIFY THE DATA REQUESTED BY THE BOARD AT BULLIS' PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN ON SEPTEMBER 30, BULLIS SUBMITTED TO SCCOE, THE REQUESTED DATA.
STAFF IS REVIEWING THE DATA AND WE'LL INCLUDE IT IN THE OCTOBER 4 THIS FRIDAY'S COMMUNIQUE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.
ADDITIONALLY, I MEANT TO SAY THAT THE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE BOARD WERE INCLUDED IN THE LAST FRIDAY COMMUNIQUE, AND IN ADDITION, YOU GOT IT VIA EMAIL.
THAT WAS BULLIS. ROCKETSHIP SI SE PUEDE, A STAFF ANALYSIS FOR ROCKETSHIP SI SE PUEDE'S RENEWAL REQUEST, WHICH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 22.
THIS MEETS THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO PUBLISH AT LEAST 15 DAYS BEFORE THE BOARD'S DECISION.
THE SCCBOE WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S PUBLISHED OR POSTED ON THE SCCOE WEBSITE.
THE CHARTER SCHOOL AND THE EFFECTIVE DISTRICT ARE NOTIFIED OF PUBLICATION BY THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF.
FINALLY, ALPHA: JOSE HERNANDEZ, THE STAFF ANALYSIS AND FINDING OF FACT FOR ALPHA: JOSE HERNANDEZ WAS PUBLISHED ON THE SCCOE WEBSITE YESTERDAY, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FARLEY.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM TRUSTEES OR COMMENTS? HEARING NONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
WE WILL NOW GO TO OUR NEXT ITEM.
[D. Spotlight: Workplace Violence Prevention Program]
DR. DEWAN, WILL YOU INTRODUCE THE NEXT INFORMATION ITEM.>> OUR NEXT INFORMATIONAL ITEM THIS EVENING IS A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
AS PART OF OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO OUR VALUES AS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND TO HELP US MAINTAIN A SAFE AND ETHICAL WORKPLACE, THE SCCOE ESTABLISHED A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
PROVIDING THIS REPORT THIS EVENING, ARE DR. JESSICA BONDURIS, OUR ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, AND HOWARD STISKIN, MANAGER OF RISK AND LIABILITY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DR. DEWAN, TRUSTEES, AND COMMUNITY.
THIS EVENING, HOWARD STISKIN, MANAGER OF RISK AND LIABILITY AND I WILL BE PRESENTING ON THE SCCOE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
>> ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, SENATE BILL 553 WAS SIGNED INTO LAW WITH NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLANS, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT AS OF JULY 1, 2024.
SCCOE HAD A WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN UPDATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
SENATE BILL 553, CALLED OUT NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR RECORD KEEPING, TRAINING, AND STATES THAT EMPLOYEES AND UNION REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT IN DEVELOPING THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN AND TRAINING.
>> THANK YOU. AS A COMMITMENT TO THIS WORK,
[04:15:02]
IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL OF 2024, DR. DEWAN HELD TWO WORKPLACE SAFETY RETREATS TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM EMPLOYEES AND UNION REPRESENTATIVES IN DEVELOPING THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN AND TRAINING SEQUENCE.ADDITIONALLY, INPUT ON CAMPUS SAFETY AND CULTURE WAS SOLICITED BY PARTICIPANTS.
DURING THE RETREATS, THE GROUP FOCUSED ON UPDATING THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN AND TRAINING SEQUENCE, AND REAFFIRMED OUR COMMITMENT TO ONGOING COLLABORATION WITH EMPLOYEES AND UNION REPRESENTATIVES TO PROVIDE INPUT IN DEVELOPING THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN.
>> AS PART OF THIS WORK AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SENATE BILL 553, WE HAVE REVISED AND UPDATED OUR PROGRAM AS IT RELATES TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROCESSES, REPORTING, AND TRAINING.
ON THIS SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE A PICTURE OF THE POSTER NOW PLACED AT RITTER PARK AND AT ALL SITES WITH A QR CODE TO EASILY ACCESS THE PLAN.
>> AS PART OF THIS WORK, THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY, AND IN ADDITION, WHEN THERE IS A DEFICIENCY, AN INCIDENT, OR AS NEEDED.
>> NEXT SLIDE. IT WAS REITERATED DURING THE RETREATS THAT EMPLOYEES SHALL IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE INCIDENTS AND/OR POTENTIAL WORKPLACE HAZARDS THROUGH ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS TO THEIR SUPERVISOR, THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR, THE MANAGER, RISK AND LIABILITY, FILING AN ANONYMOUS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE REPORT, AND/OR CONTACTING EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.
>> WE HAVE DEVELOPED SPECIALLY DESIGNED FORMS TO EFFECTIVELY DOCUMENT, EVALUATE, AND CORRECT INCIDENTS AND HAZARDS FREE OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION.
>> AS PART OF SCCOE'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A SAFE AND ETHICAL WORKPLACE, WE HAVE MADE IMPORTANT UPDATES TO OUR WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTIONS POLICY AND PROGRAM.
WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS CAN BE REPORTED 24/7, USING THE SCCOE HOTLINE, WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED USING THE QR CODE ONLINE OR BY USING A TOLL-FREE NUMBER.
THE POLICY ESTABLISHES PROCEDURES REGARDING THE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF SUSPECTED UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES AND THE PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION OF THOSE WHO MAKE SUCH REPORTS IN GOOD FAITH AND/OR ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION OF SUCH REPORT.
>> THIS INFORMATION LINKED TO THE FILE IS ACCESSIBLE VIA THE SCCOE REDESIGNED WEBSITE UNDER OUR WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT PROGRAM.
THANK YOU. THIS COMPLETES OUR REPORT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
TRUSTEES, ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. TRUSTEE LARRY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.
I WAS JUST WONDERING, WHAT IS THE PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION? COULD YOU JUST SPEAK TO THAT?
>> SURE, I CAN. THE OFFICE DOES NOT TOLERATE RETALIATION, AND THIS IS OUTLINED IN ALL OF OUR POLICIES, AND AGAIN, REITERATED ON THE WEBSITE UNDER ALL THE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS, TITLE IX, UNIFORM WILLIAMS AND WHISTLEBLOWER.
ANYONE WHO FEELS RETALIATED AGAINST, AS PART OF THE PROCESS, THEY WOULD MENTION THAT AND THAT WOULD BE FOLLOWED UP ON WITH AN INVESTIGATION, AND IT WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINE AND A VARIETY OF OTHER THINGS, BUT AS AN OFFICE AND AS AN ORGANIZATION, THERE IS NO TOLERANCE FOR RETALIATION.
>> I JUST HAD A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
WHO DOES THE INVESTIGATION, WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND WE HAVE ACTUALLY CHARTS AND FLOWCHARTS THAT TELL EMPLOYEES HOW THE INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE PLACE, BUT THE SHORT ANSWER IS IT DEPENDS AND DEPENDS ON THE SPECIFIC COMPLAINT.
BUT THE PERSON HOLDING THE COMPLAINTS AND RUNNING THE COMPLAINTS PROGRAM WILL DECIDE WHICH AVENUE THE COMPLAINT TAKES.
A LOT OF TIMES COMPLAINTS ARE INVESTIGATED THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCES, SOMETIMES AS AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR.
IT DEPENDS ON THE SPECIFIC COMPLAINT.
>> THANK YOU. I GUESS I'M A LITTLE CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER SOME OF THOSE FLOWCHARTS ARE ACTUALLY ONLINE SOMEWHERE, OR ARE THEY IN THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK OR HOW IS THAT ACCESSIBLE?
>> IT'S ACCESSIBLE AS PART OF OUR POLICIES.
IT'S IN OUR AR UNDER WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTIONS.
[04:20:02]
>> IN BOARDDOCS, BUT IT DOES IT HAVE THE FLOWCHARTS IN THERE, TOO? I DON'T REMEMBER THAT LAST TIME I [INAUDIBLE].
>> THERE WITH THE APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION OR POLICY OR AS AN EXHIBIT IN BOARDDOCS.
>> THEN, THIS IS A WEIRD QUESTION, BUT I'LL JUST ASK IT.
HOW ARE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE CATEGORIZED WHEN IT'S A CASE OF A SAFETY ISSUE FROM A SPECIAL ED STUDENT INFLICTING SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR PHYSICAL INTERACTION WITH A TEACHER?
>> THIS PROGRAM AND THE FLOWCHARTS AND THE TRAINING, THIS IS ALL NEW, BUT ESSENTIALLY, THE IDEA OF THE LAW AND OUR WORK AND THE RETREATS AND SUCH IS TO HAVE A WORKPLACE WHERE ALL EMPLOYEES FEEL SAFE, HONORED, AND SUPPORTED, AND WE BELIEVE THAT BY HAVING A VARIETY OF WAYS WITH WHICH TO REPORT INCIDENTS, THAT WE CAN RESPOND QUICKLY, WE CAN SOLVE ISSUES AT THE LOWEST LEVEL AND MAKE SURE THAT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL.
AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU JUST GAVE THAT INSTANCE WOULD JUST FOLLOW THE PARTICULAR FORMAT WITH WHICH WE INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THE COMPLAINT ACCORDINGLY.
>> SO IT WOULD FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESS?
>> VIOLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM WORKPLACE AS IT SO HAPPENS. THANK YOU.
>> TRUSTEE CHON. TRUSTEE DI SALVO.
>> THANK YOU. I WAS WONDERING IF WE GLEANED ANYTHING FROM THE COUNTY RELATIVE TO THE VTA WORKPLACE VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE A FEW YEARS BACK AT THE CORPORATION YARD, NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE.
>> I THINK WE'VE GLEANED A LOT OF THINGS.
ONE, IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE BOARD MEETING THAT WE JUST HAD A SAFETY SYMPOSIUM EARLIER THIS WEEK.
I THINK IT WAS MONDAY WHERE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS OF THE FBI, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MULTIPLE DISTRICTS, COME TOGETHER, AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE LEARNED IS AROUND THE COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS AND THE WARNINGS AND THE LIKE.
PRIOR TO AN INCIDENT, AND WE TALKED ABOUT A THREAT ASSESSMENT AT LENGTH AT THAT MEETING, AND SO MORE BROADLY, THAT'S BEEN A CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING AMONGST OURSELVES, BUT ALSO WITH ALL THE DISTRICTS AND OUR PARTNERS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED, I THINK IT STILL APPLIES TODAY AS PRINCIPAL.
IS IT STUDENTS WHO COMMIT VIOLENCE ON A SCHOOL CAMPUS OFTENTIMES TIP THEIR HAND TO SOMEBODY OR IN WRITING OR OTHERS KNOW ABOUT IT, AND THAT'S WHY WE SAY, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, HEAR SOMETHING, YOU MUST SAY SOMETHING.
IS THAT PART OF THE STRUCTURE OF OUR WORKPLACE PREVENTION VIOLENCE PROGRAM?
>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS, AND THAT'S WHY THERE'S A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES AND WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN REPORT ANONYMOUSLY AS WELL.
WE FEEL THAT PROVIDING THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO REPORT WILL ALLOW FOR SOMEONE FEELING LIKE, SHOULD I REPORT? THERE'S A WAY AND THAT'S WHAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE MENTIONED ALSO IN THE TRAINING IS TO SAY SOMETHING.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.
>> VICE PRESIDENT. THE QUESTION I HAD WAS SPECIFIC TO THE NEW PROGRAM WITH THE QR CODE, HOW DOES THAT WORK IN TERMS OF ONCE A COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED BY THAT PROGRAM? WHAT IS THE PROCESS? WHO HANDLES IT? WHAT'S IN PLACE THERE? IF YOU COULD JUST EXPAND.
>> IN TERMS OF THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN, THE QR CODE, IF IT GOES TO THE ANONYMOUS REPORT, IT ACTUALLY COMES DIRECTLY TO ME, AND I START THE PROCESS, AND THEN THE INVESTIGATION WILL DEPEND ON WHAT THE FACTS OF THE PARTICULAR SITUATION IS, AND THAT'S OUTLINED IN OUR WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN, SECTION 12.
>> THE DATA IS COLLECTED IN THE SYSTEM AND THEN IT GETS SENT TO YOU TO PROCESS AND DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH IT?
>> WELL, IT'S AN ANONYMOUS REPORTING SYSTEM THAT WAS CREATED BY OUR RT DEPARTMENT, SO IT'S NOT STORED IN THE SYSTEM, IT'S A FILLABLE FORM, AND IT COMES DIRECTLY TO ME.
[04:25:01]
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
GOT SOME QUESTIONS HERE, AND FORGIVE ME IF IT'S OBVIOUS IN THE POWERPOINT OR IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEMORANDUM, BUT I'M LOOKING AT THIS, AND TO ME, THEY SEEM LIKE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES, THE WORKPLACE VIOLENT PREVENTION PROGRAM, AND THEN THE WHISTLEBLOWER.
WERE THEY BOTH DISCUSSED AT THE FEBRUARY AND APRIL RETREATS, OR WAS IT JUST THE WORKPLACE AT THE RETREATS?
>> THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN RETREATS IS WHERE WE GATHERED INFORMATION, SHARED OUR EXISTING POLICY, AND MADE ADDITIONS.
PART OF THE ADDITIONS ARE WAYS TO REPORT INCIDENTS.
ONE OF THOSE WAYS IS THROUGH THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT PROGRAM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE PUT ON OUR WEBSITE.
IT'S MORPHED, AND ALSO WE HAD COMPLAINT PROTOCOLS.
WE HAD POLICIES IN BOARDDOCS ALREADY.
WHAT WE DID IS CALLED THEM OUT AND PUT THEM FRONT AND CENTER ON OUR WEBSITE AND PUT IT AS PART OF OUR OVERALL PLAN. THAT'S THE CHANGE.
>> I'M JUST TRYING TO AGAIN FOLLOW BECAUSE ALL I HAVE IS WHAT'S WRITTEN HERE.
THE RETREATS DID NOT INCLUDE A FOCUS ON THE WHISTLEBLOWER, IT WAS THE WORKPLACE, BUT OUT OF THAT, YOU HAD SOME CHANGES TO INCLUDE IN THE WHISTLEBLOWER BASED UPON THE FEEDBACK. IS THAT ACCURATE?
>> YEAH. THE NEW LAW HAD ALL THOSE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS.
>> THEN THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION 419-24 WAS UPDATED?
>> THAT WAS UPDATED WHEN? I DIDN'T SEE A DATE, MY APOLOGIES.
>> I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT WENT TO POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE.
NO, THAT ONE DIDN'T. SORRY, MY MISTAKE.
>> IT WAS RECENTLY UPDATED, AND IT WAS ALONG THE PATH OF THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM UPDATES, AS WE DID IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
>> I NEED A MINUTE. YOU CAN GO FIRST.
I JUST REMEMBERED MY QUESTION, BECAUSE MY QUESTIONS WERE THE SAME AS TRUSTEE LARRY, SO THANK YOU.
BUT I DID HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION.
HOW ARE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS ADDRESSED? I UNDERSTAND THE PATHWAY, BUT MORE ALONG LIKE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S REPORTING IT, AND WHEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH COMPLAINTS IS, OF COURSE, INTERVIEWING THE COMPLAINANT, AS WELL AS ANYBODY NAMED.
HOW DO YOU ADDRESS COMPLAINTS WHEN THEY COME FROM SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT WILLING TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES?
>> WE GO OFF WHAT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
GENERALLY, WE'RE FINDING THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FOR US TO DO AN INITIAL EVALUATION AND PROCEED FROM THERE.
>> THEN WOULD YOU INTERVIEW THE PERSON THAT IS BEING COMPLAINED ABOUT? I WOULD ASSUME THAT IN AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT, THEY MAY SAY, I'M JUST GOING TO USE TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN AS AN EXAMPLE, JUST BECAUSE I'M SURE SHE WON'T MIND, BUT FILING AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT AGAINST HER, AND I SHOULD NOT SAY YOU, BUT WOULD THE INVESTIGATOR STILL INTERVIEW TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN IN THAT SITUATION?
>> EVERYTHING IS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS DEPENDING ON WHAT THE REPORT IS.
EACH SITUATION IS EVALUATED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THEN WE GO FROM THERE.
>> I KNOW THAT AT LEAST I ASKED FOR SOME OF THESE UPDATES.
I WANTED TO THANK STAFF, AND I KNOW THAT EVEN IN JANUARY OR UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE FOR THE BOARD POLICY WAS UPDATED.
I FORGOT ALL THE TIMELINES TO DR. VENDERS TO WHAT COMMITTEE IT WENT TO.
SAY, FOR INSTANCE, THE PERSON WHO MAKES A COMPLAINT, THERE'S ENOUGH OUT THERE TO START AN INVESTIGATION.
SAY THE INVESTIGATION ENDS, BUT THE PERSON WHO MADE THE COMPLAINT IS NOT HAPPY AND THEN SAY THEY EVEN COME TO US.
CAN WE DO ANOTHER INVESTIGATION OR HOW DOES THAT USUALLY WORK?
[04:30:06]
>> I THINK EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
THAT WOULD BE UNLIKELY BECAUSE WHEN SOMEONE DOES A COMPLAINT ABOUT A SPECIFIC SITUATION, AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S DONE WELL, WE'LL LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT PARAMETERS, DO THE INTERVIEWS OF THE NECESSARY PEOPLE AND SUBMIT AND IDENTIFY FINDINGS.
THAT'S THEN WHAT THE DECISION WILL BE RESTED IN THOSE FINDINGS.
IF MORE INFORMATION COMES UP, THEN ANOTHER INVESTIGATION COULD HAPPEN.
>> WE COULD DIRECT THEM TO THE HOTLINE.
IS THE INVESTIGATION DONE BY A THIRD PARTY OR DO THEY WORK AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OF ED?
>> IT'S DETERMINED BASED ON THE PERSON COMPLAINING, WHO THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT, THE SITUATION AT HAND, AND WHAT WOULD BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INVESTIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.
>> THEN SAY, FOR INSTANCE, THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT LET'S JUST SAY AS TRUSTEE JOHN, USING EXAMPLE, A MEMBER OF OUR CABINET.
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS HANDLED IF THERE COULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH WHOEVER THE COMPLAINT GOES TO? HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT'S ACTUALLY A LEGITIMATE THIRD PARTY THAT IS NOT GOING TO RETALIATE?
>> WELL, THE THIRD PARTY IS A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR.
THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY TIES TO THE ORGANIZATION AT ALL.
>> SAY, FOR INSTANCE, A STAFF MEMBER COMPLAINS ABOUT A MEMBER OF OUR CABINET.
THEN THEY WOULD USE THE WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE, AND THE HOTLINE, ASSUMING THERE'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN HERE, WOULD GO TO THE THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR.
>> WE WOULD ALSO FIRST CONSULT WITH COUNSEL TO ENSURE THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS SUPERVISED BY COUNSEL.
>> WELL, THAT'S HELPFUL TO KNOW.
I GUESS I WOULD ASK, SAY, FOR INSTANCE, A STAFF AT THE SCCOE COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT THEIR SUPERVISOR, AND SAID THEY'RE BEING RETALIATED AGAINST.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL WAY FOR ME TO DEAL WITH THAT WHILE SUPPORTING THE EMPLOYEE AND NOT OVERSTEPPING OR VIOLATING THEIR DUE PROCESS RIGHTS?
>> YOU COULD ASK THAT EMPLOYEE TO FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE WEBSITE, BUT I WOULDN'T DISCUSS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> WHAT IF THE COMPLAINT WAS ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, AND THAT IS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AS WELL.
>> WHAT IF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT YOU AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE CABINET?
>> IT COULD GO TO THE ANONYMOUS THIRD PARTY AND THEN WE WOULD WORK WITH COUNSEL TO ENSURE THAT AN EXTERNAL PARTY IF IT'S LEGITIMATE WAR THEN.
HOW DO WE GET THAT TO THE ANONYMOUS THIRD PARTY?
>> THROUGH THE WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE, YOU CAN DO IT ONLINE.
THERE'S A FORM. THERE'S ALSO A 24/7 PHONE NUMBER THAT CAN BE UTILIZED.
>> SAY SOMEONE WHO'S AN EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS TO ME ABOUT OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE CABINET.
THEY CAN GO TO THIS HOTLINE AND THEN BE CONNECTED TO A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR DIRECTLY.
>> THEY WOULD NOT BE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR, BUT COUNSEL WOULD BE CONSULTED, REVIEW THE ALLEGATIONS AND THEN A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR WOULD CONTACT THE COMPLAINANTS.
>> IS IT LEGAL FOR ME AS A TRUSTEE TO HEAR OUT ALL OF THEIR CONCERNS AND TRY TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH THIS PROCESS?
[04:35:01]
BECAUSE I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHEN AM I OVERSTEPPING AND VIOLATING OUR EMPLOYEE'S OWN RIGHTS.>> THAT'S NOT MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE, BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTACT THE ANONYMOUS HOTLINE.
DR. DEWAN, PLEASE INTRODUCE THE NEXT ITEM.
[E. 2023-24 County School Service Fund Unaudited Actuals Financial Report]
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT ITEM FOR INFORMATION THIS EVENING IS THE 23-24 COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICES FUND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, UNDER EDUCATION CODE 1628 ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15TH, WE'RE REQUIRED TO PRESENT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OUR ANNUAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
THIS EVENING, WE'RE PROVIDING THIS REPORT AS INFORMATION TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BEFORE WE SUBMIT OUR REPORT TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT.
PRESENTING WILL BE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, STEPHANIE GOMEZ, AND OUR DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL BUSINESS SERVICES LAUREN DEWAN.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DR. DEWAN, AND TRUSTEES.
THIS EVENING, WE WILL BE PRESENTING THE COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND UNAUDITED ACTUALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 23-24, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024.
NEXT SLIDE. BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING IS A TWO-YEAR PROCESS AS REFLECTED HERE.
IN JANUARY 2024, THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR THE 24-25 FISCAL YEAR BEGAN.
WHILE THE CURRENT YEARS BUDGET FOR 23-24 WAS UPDATED AT FIRST INTERIM IN DECEMBER 2023 AND SECOND INTERIM IN MARCH 2024.
IN JUNE 2024, THE BUDGET WAS ADOPTED FOR THE 24-25 FISCAL YEAR, WHICH INCLUDED THE ESTIMATED ACTUALS, WHICH ARE THE PRELIMINARY PROJECTIONS OF ACTUAL REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, ENDING FUND BALANCES, AND RESERVES.
NEXT SLIDE. THIS SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS WHERE WE ARE NOW IN THE BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING PROCESS, WHICH IS THE UNAUDITED ACTUALS FOR THE 23-24 FISCAL YEAR.
NEXT SLIDE. HERE IS A SUMMARY OF OUR RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED FUND BALANCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 23-24.
WHERE APPROXIMATELY 68.7 MILLION AND RESTRICTED FUND BALANCE IS BEING CARRIED FORWARD FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES IMPOSED BY GRANTORS, AND 46 MILLION AND UNRESTRICTED FUND BALANCE THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR DESIGNATED PURPOSES AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE BOARD POLICY OR TO MEET EXISTING OBLIGATIONS.
NEXT SLIDE. THIS TABLE HIGHLIGHTS THE VARIOUS MULTI YEAR GRANTS AND STATE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RESTRICTED FUND BALANCE THAT ARE DESIGNATED FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES.
SOME OF THE ITEMS LISTED HERE ARE MULTI YEAR GRANTS, AS I MENTIONED.
WE HAVE OUR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP GRANT, WHICH 3.4 MILLION DOLLAR IS BEING CARRIED OVER FOR A WELLNESS CENTER EXPANSION IS THE PURPOSE OF THAT GRANT, AND THAT COVERS FISCAL YEAR 7/1/2023, AND THAT GRANT GOES THROUGH 6/30/2028.
WE ALSO HAVE LISTED UP THERE OUR SOLAR PROJECT, WHICH IS THE ESCROW ACCOUNT THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE BOARD LAST YEAR TO GET THE ESCROW APPROVED FOR OUR SOLAR PROJECT.
WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 9.6 MILLION THAT WE ARE CARRYING FORWARD IN THE 24-25 YEAR WITH THE GOAL OF SPENDING THIS MONEY DOWN BY THE END OF 2025 WHEN THE SOLAR PROJECT ANTICIPATES TO BE FULLY COMPLETED.
WE HAVE OUR ROUTINE RESTRICTED MAINTENANCE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 9.7 MILLION.
THIS IS FUNDING THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE STATE TO BE SET ASIDE.
IT'S A CERTAIN 3% OF OUR OVERALL GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES WE'RE REQUIRED TO SET ASIDE FOR ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF ALL OF OUR SITES.
WE ALSO HAVE OUR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FUNDING, WHICH IS 16.9 MILLION, WHICH IS FOR FACILITY CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, OR REMODELING.
THIS IS BEING CARRIED FORWARD FOR A VARIETY OF PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE SCHEDULED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
WE HAVE A MEDI-CAL BILLING OPTION, WHICH IS 6.1 MILLION FOR HEALTH RELATED SERVICES FOR MEDI-CAL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.
THEN LASTLY, 13 MILLION OF THAT IS OTHER RESTRICTED FUNDING, WHICH INCLUDES OUR EDUCATOR EFFECTIVENESS GRANT, ARTS AND MUSIC GRANTS, OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GRANTS AND CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES.
THE BULK OF THIS FUNDING IS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS, AND IT COVERS THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2022-6/30/2026.
THANKS, AMY. ON THIS SLIDE HERE, IT PROVIDES A BREAKDOWN OF OUR UNRESTRICTED RESOURCE BALANCES.
THESE ARE THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS THAT ARE ENCOMPASSED.
WE HAVE 176,000 THAT WE ASSIGN ANNUALLY FOR OUR BOARD LEGAL FEES, IF NEEDED.
WE HAVE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, WHICH WAS THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT WAS AVAILABLE THAT THE STATE REQUIRED US TO SET ASIDE PRIOR TO TRANSITIONING TO ROUTINE RESTRICTED MAINTENANCE.
THIS IS SOLELY FROM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF FACILITIES.
WE HAVE OUR RESERVE FOR ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES, WHICH IS 15 MILLION, AND THAT IS 2% AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE AND INCLUDES THE ADDITIONAL 2% THAT'S REQUIRED BY BOARD POLICY 3,100.
[04:40:03]
WE HAVE FUNDING SET ASIDE FOR FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE REPAIRS, AND RENOVATION.WE HAVE 9.9 MILLION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SERVICES, AND THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT VARIOUS MOUS AND FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE UPGRADES FOR OUR EXISTING ENTERPRISE SYSTEM AND FOR FUTURE PLANNING FOR A REPLACEMENT.
WE HAVE 3.5 MILLION FOR VACATION AND SICK LEAVE, AND THESE ARE LIABILITIES THAT WE HAVE TO CALCULATE AT THE END OF EVERY FISCAL YEAR AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO COVER THESE LIABILITIES IN THE EVENT THAT WE HAVE TO PAY THEM OUT.
WE HAVE 5.1 MILLION IN UNSPENT FUNDS THAT ARE DESIGNATED FOR PURPOSES THAT HAVE ROLLED FORWARD TO 24-25 FISCAL YEAR.
THEN OUR UNASSIGNED ENDED AT 7.2 MILLION.
THIS FUNDING WAS BUDGETED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR 24-25 AND IS ALSO BUDGETED IN THE OUTLINE TWO FISCAL YEARS.
THIS IS TO PREPARE US FOR ANY OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES OR UNANTICIPATED COST INCREASES IN THE CURRENT AND OR OUTLINE TWO FISCAL YEARS, AND THAT TOTALS THE $46 MILLION.
I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO LAUREN TO GO OVER OUR FUNDS.
>> THE PIE CHART ON THIS SLIDE SHOWS US THE DIFFERENCE IN UNRESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED REVENUES COMBINED BETWEEN WHAT WE BUDGETED AT THE SECOND INTERIM AND THE ACTUAL WHEN WE CLOSED THE BOOK FOR FISCAL 23-24.
IN THE FOLLOWING SLIDES, WE WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON THE DIFFERENCES IN THE REVENUES BETWEEN THESE TWO REPORTING PERIODS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THIS CHART SHOWS US THE BREAKDOWN OF THE LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA, LCFF TARGET ENTITLEMENT, AND THE RETURN OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES IN THE COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND.
WE WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE ONLY RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY $38.5 MILLION FOR THE COUNTY OPERATIONS GRANT, ALTERNATIVE ED PROGRAM, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER TARGETED INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT BLOCK GRANTS, 141.4 MILLION OF PROPERTY TAXES WERE TRANSFERRED TO SELPA TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT OF RESIDENT STUDENTS, AND $47.7 MILLION IN EXCESS OF PROPERTY TAXES WERE RETURNED TO THE STATE.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS MAP ON THE SLIDE SHOWS US HOW THE PROPERTY TAXES DISTRIBUTED TO SCCOE BY THE COUNTY TREASURER SPLIT.
62.14% OF PROPERTY TAXES RECEIVED ARE ALLOCATED TO SELPA TO DISTRIBUTE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PURPOSES AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 602, 37.86% OF PROPERTY TAXES RECEIVED ARE SPLIT AGAIN INTO BUCKETS, AS YOU SEE ON THE SLIDE 17.85% OR 38.5 MILLION DOLLAR ARE ALLOCATED FOR LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA, AND 20.01% OR 47.7 MILLION DOLLAR ARE THE EXCESS PROPERTY TAX RETURN TO THE STATE.
THE STATE THEN USES THIS FUND TO OFFSET SANTA CLARA COUNTY TRIAL COURT COSTS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THIS CHART PROVIDES THE COMPARISON OF COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND, LCFF TARGET ENTITLEMENT AND RETURN OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES IN THREE DIFFERENT REPORT PERIODS, ESTIMATED ACTUALS IN JUNE OF 2024, WHEN WE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD UNAUDITED ACTUALS, THE FINAL NUMBERS FOR FISCAL YEAR 23-24, AND THE 24-25 ADOPTED BUDGET.
AS YOU CAN SEE, ON THE SLIDE, THE PROPERTY TAXES RECEIVED FOR COUNTY OPERATION GRANTS ARE ESSENTIALLY FLAT.
HOWEVER, THE RETURN OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES AND TRANSFER TO SELPA HAVE INCREASED SLIGHTLY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THIS CHART DEMONSTRATES THE FEDERAL MULTIYEAR GRANT AWARDS THAT ARE CARRIED OVER TO FISCAL YEAR 24-25 AND EXPLAINS WHY THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE FEDERAL REVENUES BETWEEN THE SECOND INTERIM AND THE UNAUDITED ACTUALS.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS TABLE PROVIDES MORE DETAIL ON THE FEDERAL MULTIYEAR GRANT AWARDS THAT ARE CARRIED OVER TO FISCAL YEAR 24-25.
INCLUDING HERE ON THE TABLE, YOU SEE THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL, HEAD START/EARLY HEAD GRANT, THE SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GRANT AND OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS THAT CARRY OVER TO FISCAL YEAR 24-25.
THESE GRANTS ARE ALLOCATED FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES.
FOR EXAMPLE, LET THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROFESSIONAL DEMONSTRATION GRANTS THUS TO SUPPORT THE SANTA COUNTY SCHOOL BEHAVIOR HEALTH WORKFORCE PIPELINE.
>> THE PIE CHART HERE PRESENTS THE CHANGES IN THE STATE REVENUES FROM WHAT WE BUDGETED AT THE SECOND INTERIM.
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THIS IS DUE TO THE MULTI YEAR GRANT AWARDS CARRIED OVER TO FISCAL YEAR '24, '25. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.THIS TABLE IS THE SUMMARY OF THE STATE MULTI YEAR GRANT AWARDS THAT ARE CARRIED OVER TO FISCAL YEAR '24, '25, SUCH AS THE EARLY EDUCATION TEACHER DEVELOPMENT GRANT, CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, CALIFORNIA CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE TEACHER CREDENTIALING PROGRAM AND OTHER STATE GRANTS.
THESE GRANTS SUPPORT A WELL TRAINED AND DIVERSE EDUCATED WORKFORCE, AS WELL AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS CHART HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL MULTI YEAR GRANT AWARDS THAT CARRY OVER TO FISCAL YEAR '24, '25. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THIS TABLE PROVIDES MORE DETAILS ON LOCAL MULTI YEAR GRANT AWARDS THAT ARE CARRIED OVER TO FISCAL YEAR '24, '25, THE BULK OF THESE GRANT ARE FUNDING TO SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION, EARLY INTERVENTION, AND TO PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THESE TWO PIE CHARTS HERE SHOW THE COMPARISON OF EXPENDITURES BETWEEN THE SECOND INTERIM REPORTING PERIOD AND THE UNAUDITED ACTUAL REPORTING PERIOD.
WE DO HAVE DECREASES FROM WHAT WE BUDGETED AT THE SECOND INTERIM DUE TO THE MULTI YEAR GRANT AWARDS, WHERE THE EXPENDITURE BUDGETED BUT DID NOT INCURRED AND THE BUDGET BALANCES CARRY OVER TO FISCAL YEAR '24, '25.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO STEPHANIE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS TABLE SHOWS THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES THAT THE SCC HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO RETURN, SO AS OF '22, '23, THAT'S THE 47.6 MILLION THAT WE REMITTED.
IT RUNS A YEAR BEHIND, SO THAT'S THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAD TO RETURN THIS YEAR.
THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE RETURNED TO DATE, SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LCFF FROM 2013-2014 TO '22-'23 IS INCREASED TO 284.7 MILLION.
WE ARE PROJECTING AN INCREASE FROM 47.6 TO MILLION-52.1 MILLION FOR '23, '24.
THIS NUMBER MAY CHANGE AS WE INTRODUCE INFORMATION DURING THE INTERIM, AND AS WE'RE ABLE TO CLOSELY MONITOR IF THE PROPERTY TAXES CONTINUE TO INCREASE, BUT AS OF THIS POINT IN TIME, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE PROJECTING.
NEXT SLIDE. THIS SLIDE HERE JUST GOES OVER THE COMPONENTS OF FUND BALANCE AND THE VARIOUS CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED FROM THE THREE DIFFERENT REPORTING PERIODS, SO THE GREEN IS THE ESTIMATED ACTUALS THAT WE HAD PROJECTED AND ARE INCORPORATED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
THE UNAUDITED ACTUALS ARE THE BLUE, SO YOU CAN SEE THERE WERE SLIGHT INCREASES IN RESTRICTED REVENUES, SO THAT WAS SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE SHARED ABOUT SOME OF THE CARRYOVER FUNDS, AS WELL AS IN THE ASSIGNED CATEGORY.
THE RESERVE FOR ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY FLAT.
WE PROJECTED 15 MILLION ON ESTIMATED ACTUALS AND FOR UNAUDITED ACTUALS IS AROUND 15 MILLION.
THE CHANGE THAT WE DID SEE WAS IN OUR UNDESIGNATED UNASSIGNED, AND AT ESTIMATED ACTUALS, WE WERE PROJECTING 10.6 MILLION.
WE ACTUALLY CLOSED THE BOOKS WITH 7.2 MILLION, BUT HAD TO DO WITH A VARIETY OF FACTORS TO INCLUDE THIS WAS OUR FIRST YEAR OF OUR NEW FORMULA.
WE HISTORICALLY, SINCE LCFF THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED, WE WERE WITH THE TRANSITION CALCULATION.
WE THEN SWITCHED TO TARGET CALCULATION FOR THIS 23,24 YEAR, WHICH ALLOWED US TO BEGIN TO START RECEIVING A COLA.
HOWEVER, IT ALSO HAS AN IMPACT ON COUNTY WIDE ADA, SO THE COUNTY WIDE ADA DID DECREASE, SO THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE DID GET FROM ANY COLA DID REDUCE, AND THEN WE ALSO HAD AN INCREASE IN OUR PROPERTY TAXES.
THAT INCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE MAH.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA.
I'M JUST CURIOUS ON THE SLIDE.
IT SAYS SLIDE 6 HERE, UNRESTRICTED RESOURCE BALANCES.
THE BOARD LEGAL FEES OF 176,000.
IS THAT THE BOARD'S SEPARATE LEGAL COUNSEL OR DOES THAT INCLUDE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE?
>> THAT DESIGNATION IS THERE IN THE EVENT IT IS NEEDED FOR LEGAL FEES FOR THE BOARD, SO IF WE DO UTILIZE THAT MONEY, IT DOES COME FROM OUR GENERAL FUND.
I DO KNOW THAT WE DID UTILIZE THAT WHOLE 176 FOR '23, '24, AND I BELIEVE WE'RE ALSO USING IT FOR '24, '25, SO IT'S SEPARATE FUNDING THAT WE DESIGNATE AND ASSIGN OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND.
>> DOES IT INCLUDE THEN LEGAL FEES FOR THE BOARD'S LEGAL COUNSEL OR ALSO INCLUDE THE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE?
>> PARTLY FOR THE BOARD'S LEGAL EXPENSES.
>> IS THERE A SEPARATE NUMBER OR QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE NUMBER FOR THE LEGAL COUNSEL FEES FOR THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE.
>> THERE IS NOT A SEPARATE NUMBER BECAUSE THIS
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IS NOT A BUDGET AMOUNT THIS IS A DESIGNATION.EACH YEAR BY BOARD POLICY, WE'RE REQUIRED TO SET ASIDE $176,000 OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR SCC BOE LEGAL EXPENSES.
WE DO USE THAT DESIGNATION TO PAY FOR LEGAL SERVICES THAT THE BOARD USES, BUT THAT IS NOT A BUDGETED AMOUNT, IT'S NOT AN EXPENDITURE AMOUNT.
IT IS PART OF THE WAY THE BUDGET IS BUILT.
IT'S A DESIGNATION, NOT AN EXPENDITURE OR A BUDGET ITEM.
>> THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION, DR. DEWAN.
THAT'S AN ASSIGNMENT, SO WHEN YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE 6, THAT'S WHY IT'S AN ASSIGNED BALANCE, SO WE ASSIGN THAT EVERY YEAR.
>> BUT THEN ARE WE ALSO TALKING ABOUT UNAUDITED ACTUALS? WHAT IS THE ACTUAL THEN FOR '23, '24 IN THE COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND, WHICH IS ON SLIDE 4?
>> THESE ARE THE ASSIGNMENTS THAT WE HAVE TRUSTEE MAH FOR THE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT WE ASSIGN, SO ANY EXPENDITURES WOULD BE SEPARATE.
THESE ARE JUST THE ASSIGNMENTS THAT WE HAVE, THE DIFFERENT BALANCES THAT ARE PART OF OUR FUND BALANCE.
THE FUND BALANCE IS WHERE WE HOUSE FUNDING THAT WE ROLL FORWARD FOR CARRYOVER, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, SO THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS.
>> RIGHT. ARE THERE SOME UNAUDITED ACTUALS IN THIS PRESENTATION OR ALL THESE ALL TARGETS?
>> THESE ARE ALL THE INFORMATION AND UNAUDITED ACTUALS.
THESE ARE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS THAT WE LANDED AND IN BARDOX THERE'S A BOOKLET IN THERE, BUT IT ALSO HAS THE SAX FORMS, WHERE THESE NUMBERS WERE OBTAINED FROM, AND THAT'S THE INFORMATION THAT GETS SENT TO THE STATE.
THIS IS JUST AN EASIER WAY TO LOOK AT THE INFORMATION BECAUSE THE SAX FORM IS ALMOST 200 PAGES.
>> IT DOESN'T SPELL IT OUT AS USER FRIENDLY AS THIS, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S THE ACTUALS, THEN 176, WHICH IS A TARGET OR A ASSIGNMENT.
WHAT IS THE ACTUALS? THAT'S MY QUESTION.
>> WHEN WE ROLLED THE BALANCES FORWARD, THAT WAS THE AMOUNT THAT WE DESIGNATED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD IT AS PART OF ADOPTED BUDGET FOR '24, '25.
WE DID HAVE TO REASSIGN IT, SO IT WAS PART OF THE '24, '25 BUDGET, SO IT ROLLS FORWARD.
>> WHAT WERE THE ACTUALS FOR '23, '24? IS THAT IN THE SAX REPORT?
>> THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION IN THE SAX REPORT, IT DOESN'T DRILL DOWN TO THAT LEVEL, BUT THIS IS JUST SHOWING YOU THE FUND BALANCES.
OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND BALANCE, WE ALLOCATE 176 THAT WE BUDGET EVERY YEAR FOR THE LEGAL BOARD'S LEGAL FEES.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT'S THE ALLOCATION, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE ACTUAL.
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR.
>> IF YOU COULD GET IT FOR ME I'D APPRECIATE IT AND WHETHER YOU COULD GET IT FOR WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT'S LEGAL BUDGET.
>> WE CAN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE BOARD IN AN UPCOMING WEEKLY, AND WE'LL BREAK IT DOWN BY THE AMOUNT SPENT FOR OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU. BRINGS US TO OUR CLOSED SESSION.
[9. CLOSED SESSION]
THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO ENTER IN CLOSED SESSION.CLOSED SESSION INVOLVES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
ONCE IN CLOSED SESSION, I WILL CALL THE CLOSED SESSION TO ORDER AND REQUEST THAT EACH TRUSTEE STATE THEIR NAME TO RECORD WHO IS IN ATTENDANCE AND TO AFFIRM AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARAMETERS FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN THE CLOSED SESSION.
ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR CLOSED SESSION?
>> THERE ARE. THERE ARE SEVEN CARDS FOR COMMENT.
>> OKAY. I'M GOING TO READ THROUGH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THE CLOSE SESSION AGENDA ITEM INCLUDES FOUR ITEMS, A, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE DISMISSAL RELEASE, GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.
B, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54,956.9D2, TWO CASES.
C, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 2 OF SUBDIVISION D OF SECTION 54,956.9 ONE OR MORE POTENTIAL CASES, COUNTY BOARD ACTION ON BULLISH CHARTER SCHOOLS RENEWAL.
D, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, EXISTING LITIGATION,
[04:55:01]
PARAGRAPH 1 OF SUBDIVISION D OF GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9, NAME OF THE CASE, BULLISH CHARTER SCHOOL APPEAL TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION'S ACTION ON CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION.MODERATOR, PLEASE PROCEED WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. OUR SEVEN SPEAKERS ARE.
ONCE YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
CHRISTINA MOORE, SUZANNE WHEATON, SHELLY CIRCE, ELIZABETH HALLIDAY, SAM HAGLER, RIGO KRISHNA, AND SARAH GENO CARO.
PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA MOORE.
PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.
>> HELLO, I'M CHRISTINA MOORE.
I STAND BEFORE YOU UNDER ITEM 9A NOT TO ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST THE DISCIPLINE DISMISSAL OF OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
THAT IS THE JOB OF THE BOARD TO DECIDE WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ON MANY FACTORS.
JUST KNOW THAT MANY OF US STAND HERE ONLY TO ADVOCATE FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS AND THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT US.
WHILE WE FEAR RETALIATION, JUST KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT BE GUILTED, BULLIED, OR COERCED INTO SILENCE DUE TO ANYBODY'S POSSIBLE DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL.
THIS IS NOT OUR JOB TO WORRY ABOUT.
ALSO KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT CONFUSE COLLUSION WITH COLLABORATION.
LASTLY, ALL SHOULD KNOW THAT ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS IS A PROTECTED ACTIVITY UNDER CALIFORNIA ED CODE, SECTION 56046, ID EEA, AND THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE WHISTLEBLOWERS ACT. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SUZANNE WHEATON.
IS SUZANNE STILL WITH US? DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SHELLY CIRCE.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SHELLY CIRCE, I'M SPEAKING ON 9A.
I'M A TRUSTEE IN LASALTA SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE VICE CHAIR OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION, BUT TONIGHT, I'M REPRESENTING ONLY MYSELF.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE SNEAK PREVIEW OF OUR SECURE TRACK YOUTH INSPECTION REPORT.
I HOPE YOU READ THE EDUCATION SECTION AS THAT'S MY SUBCOMMITTEE.
IT'S SO INCREDIBLE TO TELL YOU THAT SEVERAL OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.
UCB, UCLA, SEVERAL CSUS, THE COLLEGE LIAISON HAS REALLY SUPPORTED THEM THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS, CAMPUS VISITS, FAFSA.
THEN THE CONTINUES IN MAKING SURE THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED ON CAMPUS.
OVER THE YEARS, DR. DEWAN AND I HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH AND OUR FOSTER YOUTH.
HER SUPPORT IS INCREDIBLY CRITICAL, AND I'VE BEEN VERY GRATEFUL OVER THE YEARS FOR HER STRONG SUPPORT OF OUR JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH. THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ELIZABETH HALLIDAY.
I'M ELIZABETH HALLIDAY, I'M SPEAKING HERE ON MY OWN BEHALF AS A PARENT AND A COMMUNITY MEMBER.
I EMAILED EACH OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY THIS WEEK AND I WANTED TO THANK PRESIDENT BERTA FOR THE VERY KIND REPLY.
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A REPLY FROM EACH ONE OF YOU BECAUSE I EMAILED YOU EACH INDIVIDUALLY.
THE TIMERS CLICKING, IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET UP HERE IT'S HARD TO GET OUT HERE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW I FEEL ABOUT DR. DEWAN'S LEADERSHIP.
AS A PARENT OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE AN IEP AND A 504 PLAN I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT COME ABOUT FROM DR. DEWAN'S LEADERSHIP OF A SUPPORTING INCLUSION, STRENGTH BASED APPROACHES AND THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.
SHE IS A CHAMPION FOR OUR COUNTY AND OUR STUDENTS, AS WELL AS FOR WELLNESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SAM HAGLER.
>> MY NAME IS SAM HAGLER, AND I AM READING THE FOLLOWING ON BEHALF OF SUZANNE WHEATON, WHO COULD NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE.
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE FROM A LETTER UNDERSIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING.
DAVE CORTIZI, STATE SENATE DISTRICT 15, MARK BERMAN, STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 23, ASH CALRA STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 25, JOSH BECKER, STATE SENATE DISTRICT 13, AND GAIL PELLERIN STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 28.
DR. MARY ANN DEWAN IS AN EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL LEADER WHO DEMONSTRATES RESILIENCE, INGENUITY, AND PARTNERSHIP EVERY DAY.
SINCE BECOMING COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, DR. DEWAN HAS PARTNERED WITH THE SIGNATORIES OF THIS LETTER TO LEAD GROUNDBREAKING PROJECTS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY TO INCREASE EQUITY, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND ACCESS TO SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO HER WORK FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DR. DEWAN DEDICATES TIME TO MENTORING AND
[05:00:03]
SPONSORING UP AND COMING WOMEN LEADERS AND EDUCATION.IN SUMMARY, DR. DEWAN IS AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER WHO HAS CONSISTENTLY.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RIGO KRISHNA.
>> MY NAME IS RIGO KRISHNA, EDUCATOR FOR OVER 22 YEARS, AND A DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WILLIAM HAGEMAN SAID, IT IS EASY TO DODGE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT WE CANNOT DODGE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DODGING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES.
MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO CONTINUE BRINGING CONCERNS AND ADVOCATING FOR ALL THE STUDENTS AND ALL THE STAFF SERVE THEM.
I WILL NOT DODGE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND WILL CONTINUE WORKING FOR SAFETY, EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY FOR ALL, WHERE ALL MEANS ALL, NOT FOR SOME.
EVEN IF THIS MEANS THAT I MAY HAVE TO ENDURE RETALIATION, BEING GAS LIT, LIVE AND WORK IN FEAR, AND BE THE SUBJECT OF MICRO AND OR MACRO AGGRESSIONS WHILE ENDURING A TOXIC WORK CULTURE.
MY HOPE IS THAT IN YOUR CAPACITIES, YOU WILL DO THE SAME.
AS DEFENDERS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, WILL YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS FAIR TO ALL OUR STUDENTS AND ALL THE STAFF THAT SERVE THEM, WILL YOU?
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH GENO CARO.
>> SARAH GENO CARO, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT, DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND RESIDENT OF TRUSTEE AREA 4.
FOR FOUR YEARS, I'VE ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF MY MEMBERS WHO CAN'T ATTEND DUE TO THEIR OTHER JOBS OR FAMILY COMMITMENTS OR FEEL THEY CAN'T SPEAK FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION.
I NEVER WANTED THIS JOB, BUT I FEEL MORALLY OBLIGATED TO ENSURE THAT WE REPRESENT ALL WORKERS AND THEIR ISSUES FAIRLY.
POTENTIAL DISCIPLINE, DISMISSAL, RELEASE ARE NOT TRIED IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.
IT'S CONFIDENTIAL TO PROTECT THE WORKER.
THUS, WE MUST TRUST THAT THE BOARD IS EVALUATING ALL THE FACTS AND ISSUES, AND THAT WE WILL LIKELY NEVER KNOW WHAT THOSE FACTORS ARE.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GOOD THE ORGANIZATION OR EVEN THE SUPERINTENDENT IS DOING.
A SINGLE VIOLATION OF BOARD POLICY IS ENOUGH TO GET AN SEIU MEMBER FIRED, REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN EMPLOYED, HOW GREAT THEIR EVALUATIONS ARE AND REGARDLESS OF THEIR LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS, CO WORKERS, AND SUBORDINATES.
EVEN WHEN THE FACTS DO NOT APPEAR TO WARRANT DISCIPLINE, MOST SEIU WORKERS CHOOSE TO RESIGN RATHER THAN APPEAL OR FIGHT.
MEANWHILE, WORKERS EITHER SUBSTANTIATED COMPLAINTS OF RETALIATION AND HARASSMENT HAVE NO CHANGE, AND THEY STILL MUST WORK UNDER THEIR PERPETRATORS.
THE WORKERS ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO HELP CHANGE THE STRUCTURES THAT SUPPORT INEQUITY, FEAR, INTIMIDATION.
>> THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. THE BOARD WILL NOW ENTER CLOSED SESSION.
WE WILL RETURN IN APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HOURS AT APPROXIMATELY OR AFTER 12:45 AM. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.