Mar 05, 2025 County Board of Education

[A. Livestream the Board Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/sccboardmeeting]

[00:00:04]

GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING NUMBER 2459 OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2025, AND THE TIME IS 5:00 PM.

I AM MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA, PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND I PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING.

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 BY PHONE.

FOR SPANISH SUPPORT, CALL 1-669-900-6833. THE MEETING ID IS 727-33-4810 POUND. FOR VIETNAMESE SUPPORT, CALL 1-669-900-6833.

THE METING ID IS 921-8153-9516 POUNDS. 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 THE MONITORS THROUGHOUT THE ROOM.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR LANGUAGE SUPPORT TEAM FOR THE AMAZING WORK THEY ARE DOING TO ENSURE INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY.

PERSONS WANTING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD, COMMENT CAN DO SO BY COMPLETING A SPEAKER 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 AN SCCOE STAFF MEMBER WHO IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE YELLOW BADGE.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PASTRANA JIMENEZ. WE INVITE YOU TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

[B. Pledge of Allegiance]

PLEASE BEGIN WHEN YOU ARE READY, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.

THANK YOU STUDENT BOARD MEMBER. I WILL NOW READ THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT.

[C. Land Acknowledgement]

WE ARE CURRENTLY IN ALONI TERRITORY. SANTA CLARA COUNTY IS THE HOMELAND OF THE MUWEKMA OHLONE PEOPLE.

TODAY, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE LAND.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE INDIGENOUS CULTURES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND REMEMBER THAT WE ALL GATHER, LIVE, LEARN AND WORK ON THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

[D. Roll Call (Including Action on Absences if Necessary)]

THANK YOU. CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO EXCUSE TRUSTEE, OUR VICE PRESIDENT CHON? I SO MOVE. SECOND. A MOTION AND A SECOND TO EXCUSE VICE PRESIDENT CHON.

AND WE'LL DO A VERBAL ROLL CALL. I, DID IT COME UP? OKAY. THANK YOU.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS IF YOU'RE ABLE TO.

AND THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM ONE E SETTING THE AGENDA.

[E. Set the Agenda]

SO MOVED. THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO AND A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE ROCHA.

BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS.

THAT MOTION ALSO PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

MOVING ON TO OUR SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS, WE HAVE TWO SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING.

[A. Recognition of the SCCOE Employee of the Month]

OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH IS YOLANDA TYNA. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOLANDA, TRUSTEE SPEISER AND MONICA BRAVO,

[00:05:02]

TRUSTEE SPEISER, WILL YOU DO THE HONORS AFTER THE PRESENTATION, BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PODIUM FOR PICTURES.

THANK YOU. THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES TEN SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION EMPLOYEES EACH YEAR FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, COWORKERS, AND CUSTOMERS.

YOLANDA TYNA, AN INCLUSION SPECIALIST IN THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DIVISION, IS THE MARCH EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. YOLANDA W ORK WITH THE SCCOE BEGAN IN 2001 AS A PARAEDUCATOR IN THE EARLY START PROGRAM. IN THAT ROLE, SHE WORKED WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

AFTER 17 YEARS, SHE BEGAN WITH WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS HER DREAM JOB AS AN INCLUSION SUPPORT SPECIALIST.

COMING TO MY NEW POSITION, MY WORK EXPANDED. I SERVE ALL CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES, PARENTS, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND TEACHERS. I LOVE IT, THIS IS MY PASSION.

THIS IS MY DREAM JOB, SAID YOLANDA. AS AN INCLUSION SUPPORT SPECIALIST, YOLANDA ANSWERS WARM LINE PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS RELATED TO INCLUSION AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. HER WORK INCLUDES PLANNING AND CONDUCTING TRAINING FOR STAFF, STUDENTS AND PARENTS. SHE ALSO ASSISTS FAMILIES WITH COMPLETING AGES AND STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SCREENING FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN BIRTH AND AGE SIX. YOLANDA IS AN INVALUABLE ASSET, ALWAYS READY TO SUPPORT HER TEAM IN THE WARM LINE COMMUNITY WITH DEDICATION, WARMTH, AND A WILLINGNESS TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.

HER COMMITMENT TO HELPING OTHERS SHINES THROUGH IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES, MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON EVERYONE AROUND HER, SAID MONICA BRAVO, EARLY LEARNING SERVICES SPECIALIST IN THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE DEPARTMENT.

THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE IS BRIGHT LIGHT WOULD BE DIMMER WITHOUT YOLANDA.

BEING PART OF THE TEAM, YOLANDA'S PASSION FOR THE FOR THOSE SHE SERVES HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED.

SHE LEANS INTO HER TOP STRENGTHS, INPUT AND LEARNER.

ONE OF THE THINGS PEOPLE APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT YOLANDA IS HER ABILITY TO TRULY LISTEN, SHOW DEEP EMPATHY, AND PROVIDE JUST THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME.

WHETHER SHE'S GUIDING A PARENT, NAVIGATING A NEW DIAGNOSIS, OR AN EDUCATOR SEEKING STRATEGY.

SHE BRINGS WARMTH AND KNOWLEDGE AND IS ALWAYS DEDICATED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

HER WORK IS NOT JUST A JOB, IT'S A CALLING. AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AS SHE DOES ALL SHE DOES TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES, EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY, SAID SONIA LOPEZ, DIRECTOR OF THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE.

SHE ADVISES THOSE EARLY IN THEIR CAREER TO CONNECT WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES AND LISTEN TO THEIR ADVICE.

IT IS WITH GRATITUDE THAT WE CONGRATULATE YOLANDA ON HER MARCH EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.

RECOGNITIONS. AS WITH ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH, WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOLANDA FOR HER OUTSTANDING SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE JOB, DEDICATION TO EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS, CONTRIBUTIONS OUTSIDE THE USUAL SCOPE OF THE JOB, AND OVERALL COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION, YOLANDA WILL RECEIVE A PLAQUE RECOGNIZING HER CONTRIBUTION TO THE SCCOE IN A GRAVE CROSS PEN AND A RESERVED PARKING SPACE.

YOLANDA AND SONIA LOPEZ ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

GET TO TALK ABOUT YOU. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY AND CELEBRATE A TRULY REMARKABLE COLLEAGUE, SOMEONE WHOSE DEDICATION, EXPERTISE, AND HEART HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON ALL OF US.

OUR VERY OWN YOLANDA. MY NAME IS SANDHYA LOPEZ.

I GET TO WORK WITH YOLANDA IN THE INCLUSION COLLABORATIVE DEPARTMENT. IF YOU KNOW YOLANDA, YOU KNOW THAT SHE IS HUMBLE AND UNASSUMING. BUT DON'T LET THAT FOOL YOU.

SHE IS A POWERHOUSE IN THIS WORK. SHE IS SHARP.

SHE'S EMPATHETIC AND DEEPLY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS.

YOLANDA HAS BEEN WITH SCCOE FOR 23 YEARS, AS WAS MENTIONED AS A PARAEDUCATOR IN THE EARLY START PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. AND AFTER 17 YEARS IN THAT ROLE, SHE MOVED INTO WHAT SHE CALLED HER DREAM JOB AS AN INCLUSION TRAINING SPECIALIST, SUPPORT SPECIALIST. AND I THINK THOSE OF US WHO ARE HERE THAT WORK WITH HER CAN SAFELY SAY THAT IT WAS ALSO A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ALL OF US TO GET TO MEET AND KNOW YOLANDA.

I'M JUST GOING TO SHARE A BRIEF MOMENT THAT, FOR ME, SHOWS EXACTLY WHY YOLANDA IS SUCH A GEM TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND TO THE EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES SHE SERVES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO THE CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES SHE TOUCHES.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING HER IN ACTION FIRSTHAND WHEN I VOLUNTEERED TO HELP WITH THE TRAINING IN SPANISH AS A ZOOM HOST WITH MY VERY LIMITED SPANISH,

[00:10:07]

SHE COMMANDED THE ROOM NOT JUST WITH HER DEEP KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE, BUT WITH HER WARMTH, HER HUMOR AND ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH EVERY SINGLE PARTICIPANT.

THERE WERE OVER 50 PEOPLE IN THIS SPACE. IT WAS INCREDIBLE TO WATCH.

THE TRAINING WAS THE VERY FIRST TRAINING IN A SERIES OF SESSIONS, SO I THINK WE BOTH WERE A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT THIS, BUT YOLANDA SET THE TONE. SHE ENGAGED A ROOM OF OVER 50 ATTENDEES AND SHE LED WITH CONFIDENCE, CLARITY AND CONNECTION. AND AFTER WITNESSING HER NATURAL ABILITY TO ENGAGE AND EMPOWER OTHERS.

I KNEW THAT SHE HAD TO DO MORE TRAININGS A LOT MORE.

AND SO SHE HAS WHETHER YOLANDA IS THRILLED ABOUT THAT OR IS SHE SECRETLY ANNOYED WITH ME? I DON'T KNOW, BUT SHE SHINES IN THAT CAPACITY.

AND THAT MOMENT IT STANDS OUT FOR ME BECAUSE IT REALLY ILLUSTRATES WHO SHE IS.

SHE'S QUIET BUT MIGHTY HUMBLE, YET DEEPLY SKILLED AND AN EXPERT, NOT JUST IN CONTENT, BUT IN LIKE WHAT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE IN TRULY LISTENING AND RESPONDING WITH CARE. RECENTLY, DURING A ONE ON ONE CHECK IN, WE WERE DISCUSSING A NEW ROLE, ANOTHER NEW ROLE SHE'S TAKEN ON MENTORING APPRENTICES WHO ARE EARNING THEIR TEACHER PERMITS.

I COULD SENSE THAT SHE WAS FEELING A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY, STEPPING INTO YET ANOTHER LEADERSHIP ROLE.

BUT AT THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION, SHE SMILED AND SAID, WELL, I DO GET EXCITED TO LEARN NEW THINGS AND GROW MY SKILL SET.

AND THAT RIGHT THERE IS YOLANDA IN A NUTSHELL.

ALWAYS LEARNING, ALWAYS GROWING, ALWAYS RISING TO THE CHALLENGE, EVEN WHEN IT FEELS JUST A LITTLE SCARY.

HER IMPACT IS JUST IS NOT JUST SOMETHING WE RECOGNIZE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS FEEL DEEPLY. AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE OF PIECES OF FEEDBACK FROM THE TRAINING SHE'S GIVEN. WE ALWAYS GET FEEDBACK AND DATA RIGHT. DATA IS IMPORTANT. SO PEOPLE HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM HER TRAINING SAYING THINGS LIKE, THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED THE WAY I SEE MY STUDENTS.

I FEEL MORE PREPARED TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND EVERY TRAINING I ATTEND WITH YOLANDA HELPS ME GROW.

AND YET, DESPITE ALL OF THIS, SHE REMAINS HUMBLE.

SHE IS SOMEONE WHO NEVER SEEKS THE SPOTLIGHT.

SHE WORKS TIRELESSLY BEHIND THE SCENES AND WHO ALWAYS DEFLECTS PRAISE TO OTHERS.

BUT TODAY, WE MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS JUST HOW VALUED SHE IS.

YOU'RE A TRUE GEM, YOLANDA, TO THIS DEPARTMENT, TO EVERYONE THAT GETS TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO THE PEOPLE WHOSE CHILDREN GET TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT YOU PROVIDE THEIR FAMILIES.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS WELL-DESERVED HONOR. WE LOVE YOU, YOLANDA.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I WAS NOT PREPARED TO HEAR ALL THOSE NICE THINGS.

THANK YOU, SANDHYA. WELL, I JUST WANTED TO THANK SANDHYA LOPEZ, MY DIRECTOR.

SUSANNE, AND MY DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUES THERE, YOU KNOW, THAT NOMINATED ME.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY FOR SUPPORTING ME ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.

I WANT TO THANK THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOR ALLOWING ME TO ACCOMPLISH MY PROFESSIONAL ASPIRATIONS AND MORE.

IT IS A GREAT HONOR FOR ME TO BE NOMINATED FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AND TO BE CHOSEN FROM, AMONG OTHER CANDIDATES, TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION.

SERVING PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND THE COMMUNITY HAS ENRICHED MY LIFE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEES, IF YOU COULD ALSO JOIN US AT THE SIDE PODIUM.

[00:15:35]

OUR SECOND RECOGNITION THIS EVENING IS FOR THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

[B. Recognition of SCCOE Recipients of the ACSA Region 8 Award]

ACSA IS THE LARGEST UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION FOR SCHOOL LEADERS IN THE UNITED STATES, SERVING MORE THAN 17,000 CALIFORNIA EDUCATORS.

ONE OF ACSA'S PRIORITIES IS TO ENSURE THAT SCHOOL LEADERS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE THROUGH ITS ANNUAL AWARD PROGRAM, ASCA HONORS STUDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC EDUCATION AT BOTH REGIONAL AND STATE LEVELS. THIS YEAR, THE SSCOE, WHICH IS PART OF AXA REGION EIGHT, AND THE SCCBOE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THREE MEMBERS OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS RECIPIENTS FROM REGION EIGHT.

STEPHANIE GOMEZ, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS SERVICES, WAS SELECTED AS BUSINESS SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR.

STEPHANIE'S LEADERSHIP AND FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING SCHOOLS, STAFF AND STUDENTS. STEPHANIE'S DEDICATION TO ENSURING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND EFFICIENT RESOURCE ALLOCATION MAKES A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY. CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHANIE. JOANN VARS, DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH, WAS SELECTED AS A CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR.

WE ARE PROUD TO CELEBRATE JOANNE VARS FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS AXA REGION EIGHT CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR.

HER UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION SERVICES HAS MADE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS. JOANNE'S LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED.

CONGRATULATIONS. DAVID WU, HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY, WAS SELECTED AS THE TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR. HIS LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION IN THE EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, DAVID, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO ADVANCING DIGITAL LEARNING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION.

WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH SOME CERTIFICATES.

IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE JOIN US AT THE SIDE PODIUM FOR A PHOTO.

CONGRATULATIONS. BOARD, IF YOU WOULD KINDLY JOIN US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE.

[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]

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DOCTOR HINMAN AND ESTEEMED BOARD MEMBERS AT OSBORNE SCHOOL. WE HAVE A WELLNESS COORDINATOR WHO HAS BEEN COMING INTO THE UNIT CLASSROOMS TO CONNECT WITH US AND PROVIDE SEL LESSONS.

[00:20:04]

LAST WEEK, OUR WELLNESS CENTER WAS OFFICIALLY READY.

IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE WELLNESS CENTER.

I ENJOYED GOING TO THE WELLNESS CENTER BECAUSE THERE WAS A VARIETY OF THINGS YOU COULD DO IN THERE, FROM DRAWING TO PLAYING WITH DIFFERENT FIDGETS AND LISTENING TO MUSIC.

I THINK THIS BENEFITS STUDENTS, BECAUSE THIS GIVES STUDENTS A SPACE AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM AND HELP SUPPORT OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE WORKING ON DESIGNING AND PAINTING A NEW MURAL FOR THE SPACE.

MARCH IS YOUTH ART MONTH. STUDENTS FROM THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE THEIR ARTWORK ON DISPLAY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH AT 70 WEST HEADING. THE ARTWORK INCLUDES PIECES FROM THE OPIOID AWARENESS PROJECT, COURT SCHOOL, POINTILLISM PROJECT, ADAPTED YARD AND STAIRWELL PROJECT.

OUR PRINCIPAL, WE WILL BE ACCEPTING PROCLAMATION FOR STUDENT ART MONTH FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON MARCH 10TH.

BOTH OF OUR CORE SCHOOLS HAVE RECENTLY SET UP A DRIVING SIMULATOR.

THE SIMULATOR WILL OFFER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL VIRTUALLY OF A VEHICLE AND PRACTICE DRIVING THE ROUTE.

THE SCHOOLS WILL ALSO OFFER THE STUDENTS A DRIVER'S ED CLASS WHERE THEY CAN GET THEIR DRIVING PERMIT.

AT BLUE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL, ANOTHER COHORT OF LIUNA, PRE-APPRENTICESHIP STARTED STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON A VARIETY OF PROJECTS AROUND THE CAMPUS. ONE OF THE PROJECTS IS FOR THE CULINARY PROGRAM TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE AREA FOR A PIZZA OVEN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PASTRANA JIMENEZ FOR YOUR REPORT.

WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AT OUR MEETINGS, AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND INPUT ARE REALLY ESSENTIAL TO OUR WORK.

SO, 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.]

SPEAKER. PUBLIC SPEAKER 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 MEETINGS AND TO AVOID UNLAWFUL DISRUPTIONS.

THEREFORE, DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE INTEND TO KEEP A RESPECTFUL AND PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT.

PLEASE NOTE THAT VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS AND 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, PLEASE DO SO WITH THE UNIVERSAL SIGN OF APPRECIATION WHICH CAN BE DONE LIKE THIS.

MODERATOR DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? YES, WE HAVE 19 CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AS THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW COMMENCING, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS, PLEASE PRESENT THE ONE MINUTE TIMER. IF LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED, TIME WILL DOUBLE.

A TIMER IS DISPLAYED WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME IS UP, THE BUZZER WILL SOUND.

YOU WILL BE MUTED AND YOUR TIME TO SPEAK WILL END.

MODERATOR. YOU MAY BEGIN. THANK YOU. 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 ABOUT A HAND'S DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.

THE FIRST TEN SPEAKERS ARE IBRAHIM BARRY, ALEJANDRO ESPINOSA, MANA PAULA GUTIERREZ, FABIOLA PAZ, TRINA MOORING, ELSA GUTIERREZ, DIANE CAPELLI, TINA CHANG, YADIRA RIOS, EXCUSE ME, GRACE PEREZ.

PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS IBRAHIM BERI.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

HELLO. MY NAME IS ABRAHAM. I'M REACHING OUT AGAIN TO ASK YOU TO REVIEW THE AGREEMENT GIVEN TO ME AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES SO THAT I CAN ATTEND THE POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL FOR ME TO DEVELOP THE LIFE SKILLS, RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING,

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THIS PROGRAM AND THE TRAINING IT OFFERS ARE CRUCIAL IN HELPING TO PREPARE ME FOR THE FUTURE AND TO GAIN THE SKILLS I NEED TO SUCCEED IN LIFE.

A 19 YEAR OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEG FOR HIS EDUCATION.

PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE. MY FAMILY AND I ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEJANDRO ESPINOSA.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

DEAR SCHOOL TRUSTEES, MY NAME IS ALEJANDRO ESPINOSA, AND I'M HERE TO SHARE THAT THIS MONTH MARKS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOOD BANK AT THE SCHOOL OF JOSÉ HERNANDEZ. FOR A DECADE, ALPHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS PARTNERED WITH SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY TO PROVIDE FREE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH.

CURRENTLY, WE'RE SERVING 390 FAMILIES PER MONTH.

EVERY MONTH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR STUDENTS MUST LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WITH RELIABLE AND CONSISTENT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR THEM TO THRIVE ACADEMICALLY. BY OFFERING BOTH A GOOD EDUCATION AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY IN EVERY WAY WE CAN. I KNOW THIS IS LAST MINUTE, BUT I WANT TO INVITE YOU ALL TO JOIN US THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH FROM 9 TO 11 A.M.

TO CELEBRATE OUR VOLUNTEERS AND WITNESS FIRST HAND THE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MANA PAULA GUTIERREZ.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

OKAY. MY NAME IS MARIA GUTIERREZ.

HELLO, I'M MARIA GUTIERREZ, I'M THE MOTHER OF ADRIAN HERNANDEZ.

HE'S A SPECIAL ED STUDENT. HE'S EXPERIENCED SO MANY INCONVENIENCES AT HIS SCHOOL.

THEY WANT HIM TO KEEP GOING TO HIS SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT ABLE TO EXPRESS HIMSELF.

AND HE HAS A LOT OF SPECIAL NEEDS.

I HAVE ASKED MISS KING AND REBECCA TO CHANGE MY CHILD'S SCHOOL, BUT THEY HAVEN'T WANTED TO COMPLY.

THEY JUST TELL ME THAT MY CHILD IS AGGRESSIVE AND HE'S ACTUALLY NOT AN AGGRESSIVE KID.

I ASK YOU TO PLEASE COLLABORATE WITH ME SO THAT WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE FOR AN ADEQUATE SCHOOL FOR MY CHILD.

IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS AND HE HASN'T BEEN IN SCHOOL.

I REALLY NEED THIS CHANGE TO BE MADE. MUCHAS GRACIAS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS FAVIOLA BOTAS.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

IT'S ALL HERE. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS FABIOLA VARTA'S, MOTHER OF ALEXANDER.

I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE, BUT I'M BACK. I'M HERE WITH JULIAN'S MOM.

I'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH HER IEPS. UNACCEPTABLE.

EVERYTHING IS IN ENGLISH, AS YOU CAN SEE, SHE SPEAKS SPANISH.

THE PROTOCOL, THE PROCESS. YOU GUYS HAVE THAT, WHO HAS TO BE IN THAT TEAM.

SHE'S BEEN USED TO JUST HAVING 1 OR 2 PEOPLE IN THOSE IEP MEETINGS.

I'VE TAUGHT HER YOU NEED TO HAVE THE WHOLE TEAM, BECAUSE IT'S A TEAM THAT NEEDS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL KID.

EACH KID IS DIFFERENT. IF YOU JUST GET THE CHANCE TO MEET JULIAN, HE'S NOT AN AGGRESSIVE CHILD.

HE'S MISUNDERSTOOD. ALL RIGHT. I'M JUST HAPPY THAT I'M ABLE TO SAY THAT I'M THIS LITTLE KID'S AUNT NOW.

AND I'M GOING TO BACK UP MOM AND ALL SHE NEEDS.

I'VE BEEN GOING TO IEPS AND I WILL BE CONTINUING GOING TO IEPS. I'VE SENT YOU AN EMAIL SUPERINTENDENT, ABOUT THE SITUATION. HAVEN'T GOT ANYTHING BACK.

AND IT'S OKAY. I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY, BUT RIGHT NOW I ALSO HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, GETTING RID OF ALL THESE TEACHERS AND ALL THESE AIDES THAT WE STILL NEED,

[00:30:02]

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TRINA MOORING. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

HI, I'M TRINA MOORING. I'M GOING TO KIND OF SUPPORT BOB HERE A LITTLE BIT.

I WAS PART OF THE MEDIATION TEAM THAT MET WITH SANTA CLARA COUNTY, TARA DEWAN BEFORE SHE LOST HER JOB.

WE FINISHED MEDIATION. WE HAVE NOT SIGNED THAT AGREEMENT AND THAT AGREEMENT FOR IEPS.

WE DID NEGOTIATE THAT EVERY FAMILY, SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILY WOULD RECEIVE AN ENGLISH AND SPANISH PAPERWORK.

AND OBVIOUSLY WE'VE COME TO THIS TIME AND EVERYTHING IS FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.

WE HAVEN'T SIGNED THIS AGREEMENT YET, AND I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE FUTURE OF THESE SPECIAL ED KIDS AT GATEWAY SCHOOL AND ABROAD THAT THEIR LIVES WILL BE IN DANGER LOSING TEACHERS BECAUSE OF A 25% CUT TO STAFF.

SO BETWEEN THE GATEWAY AGREEMENT, MR. HINMAN AND TARA, WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

WHY HAVEN'T WE SIGNED THIS AGREEMENT? THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ELSA GUTIERREZ.

PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM CLEARLY, STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

HELLO, MY NAME IS ELSA GUTIERREZ. I AM AN ASSOCIATE TEACHER AT HEAD START.

I'M ALSO A COSTCO EMPLOYEE. I WORK FROM 6 TO 11 JUST TRYING TO HAVE TWO JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET, LIKE MANY OF MY COWORKERS. I'M HERE JUST TO EXPRESS THAT MANY OF US ARE EXTREMELY STRESSED OUT, EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT OUR FUTURE SINCE WE HAVE CAREERS HERE MORE THAN 15-30 YEARS.

I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ALL NEED OUR JOBS TO BE SECURE.

WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO FEEL SAFE. WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE EDUCATED.

IT'S MY CALLING. IT'S THE CALLING OF ALL MY COLLEAGUES.

WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT, THAT THEY ARE VALUED, THAT THEY ARE WORTH THE WORLD.

PLEASE DON'T HAVE US TURN OUR BACKS ON THEM AS YOU ARE THINKING OF DOING THE SAME TO US.

GOOD EVENING. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DIANE CAPELLI.

PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM CLEARLY, STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

HELLO, DOCTOR HINMAN AND TRUSTEES, MY NAME IS DIANE CAPELLI, AND MY TEN YEAR OLD SON COLIN, WOULD BE ONE OF THE 916 STUDENTS DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE LOOMING SCCOE SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF LAYOFFS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE LAYOFFS WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS FROM THE PAST BOARD MEETING SAID THAT WHEN THE OCCASIONALLY THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH STAFF IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT'S LIKE KEEPING THEIR HEAD ABOVE WATER. THE STUDENTS ARE NOT IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

THIS REALLY RESONATED WITH ME IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY SON'S CLASSROOM IN THE PAST, THE CLASSROOM WAS OCCASIONALLY SHORT STAFFED.

IT WAS ALMOST ALWAYS DAILY SHORT STAFFED. I DRIVE MY SON TO SCHOOL.

I DRIVE MY SON TO AND FROM SCHOOL, SO I'M ABLE TO SEE FIRSTHAND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE CLASSROOM.

NOT ENOUGH STAFF TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS IN WHEELCHAIRS TO ASSEMBLY.

I'VE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENT REPORTS. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE I OPTED TO TAKE MY SON BACK HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TINA CHANG. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

HI, MY NAME IS TINA. I'M READING THIS ON BEHALF OF MY FRIEND WHO COULDN'T BE HERE, LAURIE ESTRIDGE.

I AM HERE AS BOTH A PARENT AND AN ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE THE PROPOSED LAYOFFS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WILL HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE VERY STUDENTS THIS BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVING.

LAST YEAR, MY SON ZACHARY MOVED FROM A DHH PROGRAM FROM SACRAMENTO TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY DESPITE NEEDING SPECIALIZED SUPPORT HE WAS UNABLE TO ENROLL IN THE COUNTY'S DHH PROGRAM BECAUSE CLASS WAS FULL AND THERE WASN'T ENOUGH STAFF TO OPEN ANOTHER.

INSTEAD, HE WAS PLACED IN A DISTRICT, A SPECIAL DAY CLASS, AND LACKED SUPPORT IN ASL AND ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

HE WAS WRONGLY PLACED, DENIED COMMUNICATION, AND ULTIMATELY PUSHED INTO A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL NOT BECAUSE IT WAS THE BEST OPTION, BUT BECAUSE THE COUNTY PROGRAMS DID NOT HAVE STAFF AND SPACE AVAILABLE TO MEET HIS NEEDS. THE BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING STUDENTS LIKE ZACHARY RECEIVE EDUCATION THEY ARE ENTITLED TO, BUT HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN WITH FEWER TEACHERS AND STAFF? SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE ALREADY STRETCHED TOO THIN. IF LAYOFFS MOVE FORWARD, MORE STUDENTS WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BEFORE THE NEXT TWO SPEAKERS GO.

I'M GOING TO CALL UP THE NEXT BATCH TO START LINING UP.

WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.

ENRIQUE MUNOZ, SUSAN ROMERO, ROBERTA TARA OR TARA, TAMI.

PAZ, CYNTHIA PUNO, MISS NANCY PRADO, KELLY GURERRA,

[00:35:08]

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

HI. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS YADIRA RIOS AND I AM A HOME VISITING SPECIALIST FOR THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IN THE EARLY LEARNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

AND I'M HERE IN REPRESENTATION OF THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM, A HOME-BASED PROGRAM AND THE FAMILIES AND THE CHILDREN THAT I WORK WITH. AND THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GRACE VANESSA PEREZ.

I AM AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER IN A FULL INCLUSION HEAD START CLASSROOM AT FOOTHILL PRESCHOOL AND HEAD START IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE OF MY KIDS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE SPECIAL NEEDS.

WITHOUT A HEAD START, MANY CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY WILL LOSE ACCESS IN EARLY INTERVENTION AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE PROVEN SUPPORT THAT SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENT. FAMILIES WHO RELY ON THESE CRITICAL SERVICES WILL BE LEFT WITH LIMITED OPTIONS, FORCING CHILDREN WITH SEGREGATED SETTINGS OR WORSE, LEAVING THEM WITHOUT STRUCTURED LEARNING AT OR WITHOUT STRUCTURED LEARNING AT ALL.

WE MUST STAND UP FOR THESE CHILDREN. INCLUSION IS NOT A PRIVILEGE.

IT IS A RIGHT. EVERY CHILDREN DESERVES A CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT VALUES AND SUPPORTS THEM.

I URGE POLICYMAKERS TO STAND UP AND INVEST IN HEAD START, BECAUSE WE WILL.

WHEN WE INCLUDE ALL CHILDREN, WE BUILD STRONGER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE FUTURE FOR EVERYONE.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS US ALL. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ENRIQUE MUNOZ.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

MR. HINMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MY NAME IS ENRIQUE.

I'M A PARA AND WORK THIS JOB FOR 15 YEARS. I AM PISSED OFF BECAUSE THE COUNTY MAKES MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKES.

FOR EXAMPLE, MARIANNE DEWAN. HER WAGES WERE HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

A TOTAL PAY OF OVER 480 K. HER SIX ASSISTANTS WERE PAID 200 K, AND THEY DID NOTHING.

NOW THE COUNTY IS STRAPPED FOR CASH AND NEED TO ELIMINATE WORKERS.

SO, I'M HERE TO POINT OUT WHO NEEDS TO BE ELIMINATED.

START AT THE VERY TOP. THE TEACHERS AND PARAS WHO WORK DIRECTLY AND CARE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS SHOULD BE SHOULD NEVER BE CONSIDERED EXPENDABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE THE LEAST PAID AND HARDEST WORKING.

STOP GIVING SUPERINTENDENTS AND MANAGEMENT HIGH SALARIES.

IF YOU LAY OFF TEACHERS AND PARENTS OR KIDS AND COMMUNITIES SUFFER.

REMEMBER, WHEN THERE ARE FEWER TRAINED, SEASONED EDUCATORS ON STAFF, THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY AND POTENTIAL ABUSE SIGNIFICANTLY RISES, WHICH WILL COST THE COUNTY EVEN MORE. DON'T MAKE ANOTHER MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SUSAN ROMERO. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

HI. YES, MY NAME IS SUSAN ROMERO. I DIDN'T COME PREPARED, BUT I'M GOING TO TRY TO DO MY BEST.

I AM COMING FROM I'M A STAFF MEMBER WITH HEAD START.

I'M A FAMILY ADVOCATE. MY THREE CHILDREN ENTERED INTO HEAD START IN 90, AND I'M COMING AS A STAFF. I WAS ABLE AS A SINGLE PARENT, I WAS ABLE TO RAISE MY CHILDREN ON THIS SALARY. AND I'M VERY PROUD AND VERY HAPPY FOR THAT.

PLEASE, I'M ON MY WAY OUT. BUT WE HAVE OTHER FAMILY ADVOCATES WHO ARE YOUNG PARENTS WHO HAVE MORTGAGES. THEY HAVE CHILDREN. THEY HAVE BILLS.

PLEASE KEEP THEM IN CONSIDERATION AND SAVE THEIR JOBS.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ROBERTA. EXCUSE ME ROBERTA TARA OR TARA? YES. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROBERTA.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE HEAD START PROGRAM AS AN ASSOCIATE TEACHER FOR 16 YEARS.

I MY CURRENT CLASSROOM IS HEAD START, FOOTHILL INCLUSION, FOOTHILL HEAD START PROGRAM.

I'M HERE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY JOB. I WORK WITH TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL STUDENTS FROM 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD, SUPPORTING THEM WITH THEIR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH ARE THE MAIN FOUNDATION OF LIFELONG LEARNING OF SKILLS OF GROWTH. OUR COMMUNITIES AND PARENTS TO WHO WE SERVE, THEY HAVE TWO OR MORE OR THREE JOBS AS A RESULT OF THOSE JOBS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO SPEND WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND READ A BOOK.

OUR CLASSROOM IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY THESE CHILDREN HAVE AS A PLACE OF LEARNING.

PLEASE, I URGE FOR SOME ALTERNATIVES TO AVOID LAYOFFS TO STAFFING, WHICH DEDICATE WITH LOVE, WITH PASSION TO THEIR STUDENTS AT THEIR EARLY AGE.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMMY PAZ. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

[00:40:08]

THEY PLACE IMMENSE STRESS ON OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE FAMILIES WE SERVE.

FOR MANY LOW INCOME FAMILIES OR SERVICES ARE NOT JUST AN OPTION, THEY ARE A NECESSITY.

WE PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION THAT ALLOWS PARENTS TO WORK.

CHILDREN TO LEARN AND COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE. WHEN THIS FOUNDATION IS SHAKEN.

WHEN FUNDING IS UNCERTAIN, WHEN LEADERSHIP FALLS, TO PRIORITIZE SUSTAINABILITY, WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE REAL IMPACT, IT IS THOSE MOST VULNERABLE WHO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.

THE RESPONSIBILITY NOW FALLS ON THIS BOARD TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FUNDING IS SECURED, AND THAT OUR PROGRAM CONTINUES WITH. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CYNTHIA PUGNO.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

MY NAME IS CYNTHIA PUNO, HOLD ON. GOOD AFTERNOON, TRUSTEE AND BOARD MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS CYNTHIA PUNO, AND I'VE BEEN A PARAEDUCATOR FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY FOR 25 YEARS.

I WORK WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ESY, HEAD START INCLUSION.

I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE UNION LEAD STATEMENT AND I WANT TO ADD THIS, THAT I WANTED TO OTHER PARENTS COME TO ME AND SAY THANK YOU. AND FOR, YOU KNOW, THEY WENT TO THE COLLEGE FOR INDEPENDENCY.

AND IT MADE A DIFFERENCE WHEN A PARENT COME TO ME AND THEY SAY THANK YOU EVERY TIME THEY SEE ME, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MISS NANI PRADO.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PROVIDE YOUR COMMENT.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BERNARDITA PRADO AND I HAVE BEEN AN ASSOCIATE TEACHER AT HEAD START FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.

IN THAT TIME, I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE PROFOUND IMPACT THIS PROGRAM HAS ON CHILDREN'S AND FAMILIES.

HEAD START PROVIDES MORE THAN JUST EARLY EDUCATION.

IT OFFERS A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN AND GROW WHILE THEIR PARENTS WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

FOR MANY, IT IS A LIFELINE THAT ENSURES THE CHILDREN RECEIVE THE CARE, EDUCATION AND STABILITY THAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

CLOSING CENTERS OR CUTTING JOBS WOULD NOT ONLY AFFECT THE DEDICATED EDUCATORS LIKE MYSELF, BUT ALSO THE COUNTLESS FAMILIES WHO RELY ON US.

I URGE YOU TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS BUDGET CONCERNS, ONES THAT DON'T TAKE AWAY CRITICAL RESOURCES FROM THOSE WHO NEED THEM MOST. I STAND HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF MY COWORKERS, OUR UNION REPRESENTATIVE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KELLY GUEVARA. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENTS.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KELLY GUEVARA. IT'S TRULY IRONIC THAT TONIGHT THERE'S A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA TO HONOR LABOR LEADER AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST DOLORES HUERTA.

WE'RE AT THE SAME TIME, THIS OFFICE IS ISSUING LAYOFF NOTICES TO MORE THAN 250 CLASSIFIED MEMBERS, SLASHING ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS LIKE HEAD START, MIGRANT AND EDITOR.

YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OUR MOST NEEDY STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES.

IT IS EQUALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO TREAT OUR CLASSIFIED UNIT IN THIS MANNER.

MANY OF US STAND HERE TONIGHT IN FEAR NOT ONLY OF LOSING OUR JOBS, BUT LOSING OUR LIVELIHOODS AND OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILIES.

THESE LAYOFFS DO NOT JUST IMPACT US AS INDIVIDUALS, THEY DISRUPT THE VERY STUDENTS WE ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING.

YET, THIS OFFICE HAS FAILED TO ENGAGE WITH US IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY TO MINIMIZE THESE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES.

WE SHOULD BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION, OFFERING SOLUTIONS, IDENTIFYING COST SAVINGS MEASURES, AND FINDING WAYS TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS WITHOUT SACRIFICING JOBS.

WE ARE THE BACKBONE OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND WE DESERVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LAQUITA BEE. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LAQUITA. MY DAUGHTER HAD A COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DISABILITY.

BY CUTTING THE CLASSROOM, OUR CLASSROOM STAFF, YOU ARE PLACING MORE DEMANDS ON THE REMAINING STAFF.

IF YOU EVER HAVE VISITED A SPECIAL NEEDS CLASSROOM, YOU WOULD KNOW IT HAS ITS MOMENTS.

AND IF A STAFF MEMBER IS SICK OR CALLED OFF DUTY, IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE REMAINING STAFF TO DO THEIR JOB AND TO KEEP THE CHILDREN SAFE. THANK YOU.

[00:45:03]

HI. YES, MY NAME IS CINA SABERI. WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE HIGHEST COST OF LIVING AREAS IN THE WORLD, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE NEW INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AND THE DECISION MAKERS ARE TAKING AUSTERITY MEASURES IMMEDIATELY APPLIED IN THE FACE OF THE EXTRALEGAL ACTIONS OF THE DOGE GOVERNMENT FUNDING FREEZE.

IS THAT WHAT'S HAPPENING? BECAUSE IT'S NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

EDUCATION CODES REQUIRE THAT THEY ACT PROACTIVELY.

DOES THE BOARD NOT UNDERSTAND THE LONG TERM DAMAGE THAT THESE SHORT TERM AUSTERITY MEASURES CAUSE TO REAL PEOPLE, TO THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS? WHY HAS THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT HIRED PEOPLE WITH HISTORIES OF EMBEZZLEMENT AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS? WITH AT LEAST ONE CASE WHERE THE COURT ORDERED THE SUPERINTENDENT OF MONO COUNTY TO RETURN THE STOLEN FUNDS, ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF THESE ACCUSATIONS BEING LAID AT DOCTOR DEWAN AND HER FORMER ADMINISTRATION.

THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL. THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS BARGAINING UNIT REPORTS.

[A. Bargaining Units' Reports]

SARA GIANOCARO, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME TAMARA HALL AS SEIU'S APPOINTEE TO THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION, REPLACING LONGTIME REPRESENTATIVE LIBBY SPECTOR, WHO RETIRED AFTER SERVING US SINCE 1996. LIBBY'S WELCOMING PERSONALITY, DEDICATION TO CLASSIFIED STAFF AND ADVOCACY WILL BE MISSED.

WE ALSO EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MEMBER, YOLANDA TYNA, FOR HER RECOGNITION AS THE MARCH EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.

CURRENTLY, WE'RE WORKING ON FOUR AREAS. FOR SOME OF YOU, THIS MAY SOUND FAMILIAR.

NUMBER ONE SAFETY. AFTER THE ARREST OF ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS AT WALDEN WEST IN 2015, WE RECEIVED A DIRECTIVE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT NO STAFF WERE ALONE WITH STUDENTS. ONLY TEN YEARS LATER, MANAGEMENT CLAIMS THERE IS NO DIRECTIVE AND THAT IS MERELY A BEST PRACTICE.

WE MUST PRIORITIZE COLLABORATION TO ENSURE THAT THIS DIRECTIVE IS A TOP PRIORITY AND THAT WE FIND WAYS TO WORK AROUND THE CHALLENGES IT PRESENTS.

THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF, BUT PROVIDING SPACE TO COLLABORATE AND FOR LEADERSHIP TO TROUBLESHOOT MORE WITH STAFF ABOUT THE CHALLENGING TIMES, LIKE WHEN STAFF ARE ON THEIR BREAKS OR WHEN THERE ARE SHORTAGES IN THE CLASSROOM.

IN LIGHT OF THE TWO RECENT ARRESTS OF BOTH THE CURRENT AND FORMER STAFF MEMBER, WE MUST ENSURE OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE PROTECTED AND ARE NOT WITH ONLY ONE STAFF MEMBER. WE'RE BARELY HALFWAY THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR AND OUR STAFF HAVE ALREADY FACED SEVERAL FALSE ACCUSATIONS.

FORTUNATELY, THEY WERE CLEARED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ALONE.

THE 2015 DIRECTIVE MUST BE A REALITY AND COLLABORATION WITH STAFF IS THE SOLUTION.

WE ALSO CONTINUE TO WORK ON IMPROVING OUR WORKPLACE CULTURE AND ENSURING EVERYONE HAS A SAFE PLACE TO WORK.

TO ADDRESS OUR MORE CHALLENGING WORK ENVIRONMENTS, WE'VE BEGUN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO HELP RESOLVE THESE ISSUES.

NUMBER TWO EQUITY. OUR ALTERNATIVE WORK LOCATION PILOT STARTED THIS WEEK, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS PILOT LEADS TO IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS LONG TERM.

NUMBER THREE ACCOUNTABILITY. WE ASKED FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION, WHICH ARE USED TO SUPPLEMENT SERVICES, NOT TO PAY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OR MANAGEMENT IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

WE WERE INITIALLY OPTIMISTIC THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION'S RESPONSE TO OUR CONCERNS WERE BEING ADDRESSED, AS THEY AGREED TO TRAIN COLLABORATIVE MEMBERS AND INCLUDE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY, OUR HOPES WERE STOMPED ON DURING TODAY'S MEETING.

ONLY MANAGEMENT'S HAND-PICKED CANDIDATES, OF WHICH THREE OF THE 13 GENERATE THIS REVENUE, WERE ALLOWED TO EVEN HEAR THE PROPOSALS, MUCH LESS VOTE ON THEM. THE PROPOSALS WERE SOLELY CREATED BY MANAGEMENT, AND NOBODY HAD ANY ADVANCE NOTICE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE PROPOSALS.

NON-VOTING MEMBERS WERE RELEGATED TO THE WAITING ROOM.

THE MIDDAY MORNING MEETING IMPEDED PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED PARTIES.

THE ENTIRE PROCESS LACKED FAIRNESS AND TRANSPARENCY, AND SEEMED DESIGNED TO ENSURE A RUBBER STAMP TO MANAGEMENT'S WISHES $300,000 IN ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS RELATED TO OUR BILLING SYSTEM, INSTEAD OF COMING OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATION REIMBURSEMENT FUND ARE NOW BEING SHIFTED TO FUNDS THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR STUDENT RELATED SERVICES.

NUMBER FOUR, TRANSPARENCY. WE'RE STILL WAITING ON OUR OUTSTANDING INFORMATION REQUESTS DATING BACK AS FAR AS SEPTEMBER.

WE'RE WORKING ON INFORMATION REQUESTS RELATED TO THE UPCOMING LAYOFF NOTICES, AND EXPECT SCCOE TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER AND TO NEGOTIATE WITH US.

PERSONALLY, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT DISTRICTS ARE ACTUALLY REDUCING STUDENTS BY AN ADDITIONAL 120 FROM THIS YEAR, WHEN NONE OF MY STUDENTS, EVEN THE HIGHEST ONES THAT WE'VE BEEN ADVOCATING TO RETURN TO THEIR DISTRICTS FOR OVER A YEAR HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY APPROVED TO RETURN TO THEIR DISTRICT.

WE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW EXTREMELY HIGH ROLLOVER BALANCES OF OVER $70 MILLION EACH YEAR FOR THE LAST FIVE PLUS YEARS IS NOW SEEMINGLY NOT AVAILABLE.

[00:50:02]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST AND SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION.

PSW FORWARD. SEEING NONE, I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY EDUCATORS, ACE FORWARD, PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENTS.

RAJ KRISHNA. ACE PRESIDENT. GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS, INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR HINMAN AND ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY GRATITUDE TO EVERY SCCOE EMPLOYEE FOR THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK, ESPECIALLY IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. WE'RE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEVERITY AND THE DEPTHS OF THESE BUDGET CUTS, PARTICULARLY IN SOME VERY HARD TO FILL POSITIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT STUDENT SERVICES.

OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES TRULY NEW, OR WERE THEY SIMPLY OVERLOOKED IN THE PAST.

WITH THIS, I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND SOME THAT I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND.

IF BUDGET WAS HEADING TO WHAT WE SEE TODAY, THEN WHY WERE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITIONS CREATED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT SALARY INCREASES? WHY WERE ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT POSITIONS ADDED LAST YEAR, INCLUDING ONE THAT WAS REPORTEDLY CREATED BECAUSE A MANAGER CLAIMED OPENLY THAT THEY COULD NOT FULFILL ALL THEIR JOB DUTIES IF FUNDS WERE SO LIMITED.

WHY WAS AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT SPENT ON EVENTS SUCH AS BACK TO SCHOOL? HAVE WE PURSUED REPLACEMENT GRANTS TO OFFSET BUDGET SHORTFALLS? IS DECLINING ENROLLMENT DUE TO STUDENTS LEAVING THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OR OUR DISTRICTS SHIFTING TO OPENING THEIR OWN CLASSES? WHY ARE WE CONTINUING TO HIRE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS EVEN NOW FOR WORK THAT COULD BE DONE BY BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES? HAVE YOU ASSESSED WHETHER PROGRAMS LIKE SPEECH CAM ARE THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO PROVIDE COMPENSATORY EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL ED STUDENTS? A PROPOSAL PRESENTED TODAY OUTLINES A PLAN FOR COMPENSATORY SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTED STAFF OR OTHER MEANS UNTIL FUNDS ARE SPENT.

THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE. THIS DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS SCCOE'S ASSURANCE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES, ACE MEMBERS WOULD BE PRIORITIZED OVER CONTRACTORS.

WHY ARE WE LAYING OFF OUR OWN EMPLOYEES WHILE BUDGETING FOR EXTERNAL CONTRACTORS? AND MORE? TO THIS, I ECHO WHAT SARAH, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT, QUOTED ABOUT THE SAME MEETING THAT WAS HELD TODAY.

I ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE ACCURACY OF THE DATA, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL AND HOW IT IS COLLECTED, ANALYZED, AND INTERPRETED. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT ALL BUDGET RELATED DECISIONS ARE BASED ON DETAILED ANALYSIS OF ACCURATE, THOROUGHLY VETTED DATA AND NOT JUST MERE INTERPRETATIONS.

AS WE PREPARE FOR UPCOMING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, ACE REAFFIRMS THAT SAFETY REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY.

A KEY DIRECTIVE THAT ENSURING NO SINGLE ADULT IS LEFT ALONE WITH A STUDENT OR STUDENTS WAS IMPLEMENTED AT GOLDENWEST AND INITIALLY APPLIED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION BEFORE BEING TOLD THAT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT THIS DIRECTIVE. WE DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS DECISION WAS REVERSED, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE AMONGST THE MOST VULNERABLE.

THEY OFTEN CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES AND MAY NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED CREDIBLE WITNESSES IF AN INCIDENT OCCURS.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING, BUT A NECESSARY SHIFT IN PRIORITIES.

OUR STUDENTS MATTER. PROTECTING STUDENTS AND STAFF MUST COME FIRST, NOT ONLY FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN, BUT ALSO TO SAFEGUARD EDUCATORS FROM POTENTIAL FALSE ACCUSATIONS.

WE URGE THE DISTRICT TO REINSTATE AND UPHOLD THIS CRITICAL POLICY.

WHILE SCCOE LEADERSHIP HAS ASSURED AND REASSURED US ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION, THE DEPTH AND URGENCY OF THESE CUTS MAKE US QUESTION THEIR NECESSITY.

THE RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL AND STAFFING CHALLENGES HAS BEEN DRASTIC.

WHILE IMMEDIATE ACTION MAY BE REQUIRED, WE MUST ALSO DEVELOP A THOUGHTFUL LONG TERM STRATEGY IN COLLABORATION WITH DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ONE THAT PRIORITIZES STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING THE STAFF WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEM.

THE CURRENT APPROACH SEEMS FOCUSED ON MAKING DEEP CUTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AGAIN, IF WE WERE HEADING TO THIS, WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, WHY WEREN'T THERE CUTS OR EVEN THE REMOTEST SEMBLANCE THAT CUTS MIGHT BE LOSING OR CUTS MIGHT BE HAPPENING? WHAT HAPPENED? HEARING ABOUT POTENTIAL LAYOFFS FILLS US WITH DEEP CONCERN IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

ACE HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED A CLEAR, DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE FACTS BEHIND THESE DECISIONS.

WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, WE EXPECT FULL AND PROMPT RESPONSES TO OUR OUTSTANDING INQUIRIES.

OUR MEMBERS DESERVE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THESE CHOICES ARE BEING MADE.

WE URGE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TO PROVIDE A TRANSPARENT BREAKDOWN OF THESE FINANCIAL DECISIONS,

[00:55:04]

FURTHERMORE, WE CALL ON YOU TO TAKE A MORE STRATEGIC, THOUGHTFUL APPROACH THAT MINIMIZES HARM TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION.

THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES PART OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT MAY I ADDRESS THE GROUP? WE'RE NOT TYPICALLY SUPPOSED TO RESPOND. I WILL DEFER IF I.

AS LONG AS THIS DOESN'T TURN INTO A DISCUSSION.

I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL OF THAT. NO, THAT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.

I'M NOT. YES. NO DISCUSSION. JUST SOME FACTS.

I JUST FEEL REAL COMPELLED. AND I KNOW THIS WILL SOUND ODD.

I DON'T DISAGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAID, AND THE PASSION AND THE PURPOSE AND THE WORK YOU DO WITH KIDS, BUT I THINK THERE ARE A FEW THINGS IN TRANSPARENCY I CAN SAY TONIGHT WITHOUT BREAKING ANY RULES.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ADMINISTRATION.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE FIRST THING THAT I DID UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD WAS LOOK AT ADMINISTRATION AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, WE ARE TOP HEAVY AND WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT, THAT THERE ARE SOME EXTREMELY HIGH SALARIES. WE'RE ADDRESSING THAT. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? IT'S GOING TO LOOK LOPSIDED IS UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS AND THE HEAD START AND EARLY CHILDHOOD.

AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE. BUT WE CAN'T ACT UNTIL WE KNOW WE HAVE FUNDING.

IF WE ACT AND WE ISSUE $40 MILLION IN CONTRACTS AND WE'RE NOT ISSUED THAT $40 MILLION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE WILL GO BANKRUPT. IT IS THE FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS BOARD AND ME AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE TO ENSURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

I BELIEVE YOUR JOBS WILL COME BACK, I REALLY DO.

I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO GET FUNDED. I THINK LIKELY THAT'S GOING TO BE A PASS THROUGH FROM THE FEDS, WHO NO LONGER WANT TO HANDLE THOSE FUNDS TO THE STATE.

AT WHICH POINT THE STATE WILL PASS THEM TO US.

I JUST CAN'T GUARANTEE IT. AND THAT'S THE RISK.

I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO BE REALLY HONEST WITH YOU. IT'S A BIG NUMBER, AND I'M ALL FOR COLLABORATING AND DISCUSSING HOW WE CAN MAKE SHIFT FUNDS.

BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SHIFT $40 MILLION. AND THAT'S KIND OF MY MY BIG CONCERN THERE.

BUT I WANT YOU TO BE ASSURED THAT WHEN THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE AND WHEN YOUR JOBS COME BACK, WHICH I BELIEVE THEY WILL, YOU'LL SEE EQUITY WITH MANAGEMENT, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE LOPSIDED ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

AND I ALSO WANT TO SHARE THAT THIS IS I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, WELL THAT'S THAT'S THEM.

THIS IS US. BUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

AND I JUST WROTE DOWN A FEW NAMES AND AGAIN, I DON'T I KNOW IT'S NOT IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S THEM.

BUT OAKLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, MASSIVE LAYOFFS GOING ON, LARGE UNIFIED DISTRICTS, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED, LOS, LOS ANGELES, SANTA ANA, FRESNO, SAN JOSE, SAN BERNARDINO, CONTRA COSTA.

IT'S IN THE NEWS EVERY DAY. SO. SO IT'S NOT A CONSPIRACY.

WE'RE NOT. THIS DIDN'T COME OUT OF RIGHT FIELD.

I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE PAST. AND AGAIN, IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WHAT HAPPENED THE YEAR BEFORE OR YEAR BEFORE? I CAN ONLY TELL YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW. AND UNTIL I HAVE IN WRITING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FUNDED IN THOSE GRANTS, I, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CAN'T OFFER THE CONTRACTS BY LAW.

I HAVE TO NOTIFY BY MARCH 15TH BY LAW, IF I DON'T DO THAT, THEN ALL OF THOSE CONTRACTS BECOME VALID AND PUT THE COUNTY IN PERIL IF THEY DON'T COME THROUGH.

I WATCH WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON. YOU GUYS, YOU GUYS ARE WATCHING.

IT'S CRAZY TOWN. AND TO THINK THAT WE CAN RISK THE FINANCIAL FUTURE OF THIS INSTITUTION BASED ON WHAT THOSE GUYS ARE SAYING.

I MEAN, I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE, AND I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO, BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO UP THERE.

SO THAT IS WHY I'M DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING. IT'S AS EASY AS THAT.

AND LET ME, LET ME TALK ABOUT SPECIAL ED REALLY QUICK.

SPECIAL ED PROGRAM IS OUR LARGEST FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT THAT RIGHT. SO WHEN DISTRICTS SEND US A STUDENT, WE CHARGE THEM A FEE.

RIGHT NOW, OUR FEE HAS BECOME SO HIGH THAT IT ACTUALLY OUT PRICES SOME OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

SO DISTRICTS ARE STARTING TO SAY MAYBE WE COULD RUN THAT PROGRAM BACK AT OUR DISTRICT AND MAYBE NOT SPEND AS MUCH FOR THOSE

[01:00:05]

I WILL TELL YOU, CAN'T SPEAK TO THE PAST, BUT WE'VE DECREASED IN NUMBERS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANY CUTS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BUT YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE CUTS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE SPECIAL ED PROGRAM. NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD UP TO POTENTIALLY.

I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS THE NUMBER UP TO POTENTIALLY 300 MORE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO COME OUT OF OUR PROGRAM.

WE CAN'T AFFORD WE'RE NOT GOING TO BRING IN THE MONEY FROM THOSE LOSING ALL THAT TO TO FUND OUR CURRENT STAFF RATE, WHICH IS WHY THOSE LAYOFFS ARE COMING. THAT BEING SAID, IT'S THE LAW.

WE'RE DOING WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ON APRIL 15TH.

IF WE DON'T, IF WE GET A NEW GRANT, WE CAN START MOVING SOME OF THOSE BY.

IF FOR SOME REASON THE FEDS SHIP THE MONEY TO CALIFORNIA, WE GET AN EARLIER NOTIFICATION ON HEAD START.

WE'LL, WE'LL WE'LL DO ALL THAT. I THINK HONESTLY WHERE GRANTS ARE GOING TO GET FUNDED, BUT THEY MIGHT BE AT A REDUCTION.

WE MAY NOT GET THE FULL FUNDS, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL ADDRESS.

AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO SHARE IS I WANT YOUR UNIONS DOING A GREAT JOB.

I RESPECT THE HECK OUT OF YOU GUYS COMING UP SPEAKING.

YOU SHOULD. IT'S YOUR RIGHT. AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT ELSE IS A BIG ALLY? THIS GROUP UP HERE, THEY'RE BEATING ME UP.

I GOT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. THEY LOVE YOU. THEY REALLY DO.

THEY DO CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU DO IT.

AND THEY'RE ALWAYS ASKING ME TO CHECK, CHECK? DOUBLE CHECK. ARE YOU SURE? I MEAN, I'VE HEARD THAT UMPTEEN TIMES.

EMAILS AND TEXTS. ARE YOU SURE WE HAVE TO DO THIS? MY RESPONSE IS. I BELIEVE WE'LL BE OKAY, BUT I CANNOT, IN GOOD FAITH, PUT THIS ORGANIZATION IN BANKRUPTCY BECAUSE I ROLLED THE DICE OR RISKED THAT WE'LL GET THESE GRANTS AND RESOURCES, OR THAT THE CHILDREN WILL, I WILL SAY, WILL IN FACT STAY IN OUR COUNTY SPECIAL ED SERVICES AND THEY WON'T START WITHDRAWING.

SO, RIGHT, WRONG OR INDIFFERENT. AND PRESIDENT BYRD, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I KNOW I'M MEETING WITH HEAD START TOMORROW.

TOMORROW MORNING YOU'RE HAVING A MEETING. I'LL BE COMING IN AND HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH YOU. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY MORE QUESTIONS THERE. THIS IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT I WANTED YOU TO HEAR FROM ME WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHY WE'RE DOING IT.

AND I WILL COMMIT TO YOU TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

PRESIDENT BERTA. THANK YOU, DR. HINMAN. I HAVE MY CARD UP TOO.

I IF HE SPOKE, I DID SAY I DID NOT WANT THIS TO GET INTO A DISCUSSION.

IF I ALLOW YOU, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ALLOW ALL THE TRUSTEES. AND SO I'M GOING TO DEFER TO COUNSEL ON IF I'M ABLE TO TAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.

WELL, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH OUR INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT, AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE JUST FOLLOWING THE LAW.

TRUSTEE I'VE GOTTEN THE INDICATION FROM COUNSEL.

I RESPECT WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM. I RESPECT THAT ALL OF US WOULD PROBABLY LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS RIGHT NOW.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE DO HAVE THE AGENDA AS IT'S SET, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT VIOLATING THE BROWN ACT IN HOW OUR AGENDA IS SET.

THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOARD MEMBER REPORTS LATER ON IN THE AGENDA FOR ANY TRUSTEE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

SO WITH THAT, WE ARE AT OUR ITEM SIX, WHICH IS OUR CONSENT ACTION ITEMS.

[6. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]

THE MOTION FROM TRUSTEE ROCHA AND A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE LARI.

I THINK TRUSTEE LARI WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. TRUSTEE LARI.

WE'LL DO IT RIGHT AFTER THIS. THANK YOU, TRUSTEES.

PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS.

AND THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE.

RECESS. YES. IF I MAY, YOU JUST APPROVED APPOINTMENT TO THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION, TAMARA HALL, WHO IS HERE. AND I'D JUST LIKE TO INTRODUCE HER VERY QUICKLY.

TAMARA, IF YOU COULD. THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME TO BE PART OF THIS COMMISSION.

[01:05:01]

YEAH. THANK YOU EVERYONE. I HAVEN'T MET YOU YET, BUT I'VE MET EVERYBODY ELSE.

AND I'M HAPPY TO BE THE SEIU APPOINTEE. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE AGENDA.

I KNOW WE ALREADY APPROVED THE AGENDA AS IT IS, BUT DID NOT ALSO WAS NOT AWARE ABOUT A BREAK, WHICH I'M NOT A FIVE MINUTE WASN'T OPPOSED TO.

BUT IT'S ALSO LEADING TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA.

AND WE HAVE SEVEN A IN THE BUDGET REVISIONS, WHICH COULD TAKE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I'M LOOKING AT THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND WE'VE GOT SOME STUDENTS HERE THAT ARE GOING TO BE SITTING HERE POTENTIALLY FOR A LONG TIME, I'M SURE THE AGENDA AND YOU AND THE VICE CHAIR WENT OVER THIS FOR A CERTAIN REASON AND SET IT UP THIS WAY. BUT I WAS CURIOUS AS TO.

WE DO WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S AH 6:06 P.M., WHICH IS SUNSET TODAY, AND THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OBSERVING RAMADAN.

I'M NOT QUITE SEEING THE BREAK I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE AGENDA ORDER, OKAY.

IT'S A FIVE MINUTE BIO BREAK AND WE WILL RESUME IN FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE READY TO RESUME.

I'M GOING TO ASK IF IT'S OKAY WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

GIVEN WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF STUDENTS HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN A PRESENTATION, I'M HOPING WE CAN JUMP AHEAD TO ITEM 8B, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, MOCK TRIAL, TOURNAMENT PRESENTATION, AND THEN WE'LL RESUME THE OTHER ITEMS. WE NEED A MOTION FOR THAT. I'M COOL WITH IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED ONE.

WE'LL DEFER TO COUNSEL ON THAT. SO WE NEED A MOTION TO OFFICIALLY.

OKAY. WE DON'T. SO WE'RE OKAY. DOCTOR HINMAN, WOULD YOU INTRODUCE ITEM EIGHT B, PLEASE?

[B. Civic Engagement - Mock Trial Tournament Presentation]

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DOCTOR HINMAN, TRUSTEES.

IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, AND I'M HOPING SHE'S BACK IN THE ROOM, CHRISTINA RAVO, WHO IS OUR COORDINATOR OF HISTORY, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

SHE AND HER TEAM LED OUR MOCK TRIAL EVENT THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS EVENT, AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH THE STUDENTS IN THEIR ROLES JUST WAS INSPIRING FOR ME.

THROUGHOUT THE EVENTS FROM WHEN THEY DID, THE KIND OF THE PRACTICE RUNS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FINALS, AND WE ARE VERY HONORED TO HAVE OUR CONTEST WINNERS HERE WITH US.

AND CHRISTINA WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH OUR PRESENTATION AND THEN INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT BERTA, DOCTOR HINMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND OUR CABINET.

IT'S WITH GREAT HONOR AND PLEASURE THAT I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT OUR AMAZING MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT.

AND THE GREAT KIDS SITTING BEHIND ME. BEFORE.

SORRY. THERE WE GO. I UNDERSTAND THAT. OR WE UNDERSTAND THAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS A PRIORITY TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. AND MOCK TRIAL IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW WE PROMOTE YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

IT PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL WORLD LEARNING, CIVIC AWARENESS, AS WELL AS BUILDING IMPORTANT SKILLS SUCH AS TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION, ORAL PRESENTATION AND PERSUASION, CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, GOAL SETTING, PLANNING AND PROFESSIONALISM.

IT ALSO INTRODUCES THEM TO COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.

BECAUSE THIS EVENT IS PROUDLY HOSTED AND COLLABORATION NOT JUST WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, BUT WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, FURTHER REINFORCING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EDUCATION, CIVIC INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR TOURNAMENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 2025.

IT WAS OPEN TO ALL SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND IT IS A YEARLY TOURNAMENT.

AND THEN THE WINNERS, WHICH WE WILL INTRODUCE IN JUST A FEW SHORT MOMENTS ADVANCED TO THE STATE COMPETITION.

IN MARCH THIS YEAR, WE HAD 22 SCHOOLS WHO ENTERED THE TOURNAMENT.

IT'S A SEVEN ROUND TOURNAMENT FOR NON-ELIMINATION ROUNDS, WHICH ARE HELD HERE AT THE COUNTY OFFICE, AND THREE ELIMINATION ROUNDS THAT ARE HELD ACTUALLY AT THE SUPERIOR COURT IN DOWNTOWN.

SO IT REALLY CREATES THAT LIVE EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS.

[01:10:02]

AND THE CASE THIS YEAR WAS PEOPLE VERSUS GOLD, WHICH WAS A KIDNAPING CASE.

AND SCHOOLS ALTERNATED IN COMPETING BETWEEN BEING THE PROSECUTION AND THE DEFENSE SIDE.

SO THEY HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM BOTH SIDES OF THE CASE.

SO THIS IS JUST A LIST OF THE 22 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S A WIDE RANGE OF SCHOOLS FROM OUR COUNTY, AND WE'VE ALREADY HAD SCHOOLS THAT DID NOT PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR REACH OUT, THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR. SO WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM.

SO THAT BEING SAID, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I WOULD LOVE TO INVITE UP AND INTRODUCE OUR WINNING SCHOOL, LYNBROOK HIGH SCHOOL. THEY PROUDLY AND HARDLY WORKED OR WORKED VERY HARD TO, ALTHOUGH THEY MADE IT LOOK EASY, SO MAYBE. BUT THEY WORKED VERY HARD TO DEFEAT THEIR DEFENSE DEFEAT CUPERTINO'S PROSECUTION IN THE FINALS DOWN AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE.

SO, LYNBROOK, WE'D LOVE TO WELCOME YOU UP. AND WE HAVE A NICE, LOVELY PLAQUE FOR ALL OF YOU.

[APPLAUSE] SO THEY WILL BE LEAVING NEXT WEEK, RIGHT? TO NEXT FRIDAY TO COMPETE IN THE STATE COMPETITION.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW HOW THEY DO. NEXT, WE WANT TO INTRODUCE OUR WINNING ARTIST.

WE HAD 16 ART ENTRIES, AND MAN, IT WAS DEFINITELY HARD TO PICK A WINNER.

THEY WERE ALL SO TALENTED. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME UP FAITH TRAN FROM CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU CAN SEE ONE OF HER WINNING PIECES HERE ON THE SCREEN.

SO FAITH, GO AHEAD AND COME ON UP.

HE'S SO PROUD. YEAH, YOU CAN SEE IT. YEAH. THIS THE ARTWORK IS DONE DURING THE TRIAL, SO.

YEAH. AND IT'S TURNED INTO ME AT THE END OF THE NIGHT. SO IT'S NOT LIKE THEY GO HOME AND WORK ON IT.

TWO HOURS. JUST TWO HOURS. I LIKE THE PRIDE. I LIKE THE PRIDE.

OH. ALL RIGHT. GREAT JOB. SO AGAIN, A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNBROOK AND FAITH. SHE WILL ALSO BE GOING DOWN TO THE STATE COMPETITION AS WELL.

WE HAD COURTROOM ARTISTS FROM FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THIS YEAR MOUNTAIN VIEW, HOMESTEAD, PROSPECT, CUPERTINO AND LYNBROOK. OUR SECOND PLACE COURT ARTIST IS ALSO ACTUALLY FROM LYNBROOK.

SO THEY JUST HAVE A GREAT TEAM THERE. AND WE HAVE A LITTLE VIDEO MONTAGE FOR YOU ALL SO YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS. THIS IS WHERE YOU PRAY THE TECH WORKS.

[01:15:29]

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST I THERE WE GO. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW OF SOME OF OUR UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES EVENTS. WE HAVE OUR SPELLING BEE THIS WEEKEND.

WE HAVE A PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINER OF TRAINERS SERIES COMING UP, AS WELL AS A CALIFORNIA MATH FRAMEWORK SERIES COMING UP IN MARCH.

WE HAVE OUR CLA CULTURALLY SUSTAINING PEDAGOGY CONTINUING.

AS WELL AS OUR ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY SUMMIT COMING UP IN APRIL.

AND ALONG IT'S NOT ON HERE, BUT ALONG THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LINES.

WE WILL BE HAVING OUR STATE SEAL OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT STUDENT RECOGNITION CEREMONY ON MAY 19TH, WHICH WE'LL SHARE MORE INFORMATION WITH YOU ALL ABOUT. SO HOPEFULLY YOU CAN JOIN US.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS, THE COACHES AND THE FAMILIES THAT SUPPORT THEM.

THEY ALL WORK SO HARD. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. ASK A QUESTION REAL QUICK.

I JUST WAS CURIOUS WHICH COURTHOUSE WAS THAT AND WHO THEY ALLOWED YOU TO USE THE SPACE, I'M ASSUMING, FOR THIS. YEAH. SO WE PARTNER WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, AND SO WE USE JUST WANT TO JUST I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME OF THE TRADITIONAL COURTHOUSE IS.

IT'S THE BIG SQUARE BUILDING ACROSS FROM FAMILY COURT.

AND THEN THE FINALS IS IN THE OLD COURTHOUSE.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THOSE PICTURES ARE FROM. BEAUTIFUL FACILITY. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL INSIDE. YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YEAH. WELL CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. WE ARE HONORED TO SHARE SPACE WITH ALL OF YOU.

IT'S REALLY COOL AND LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM. I'M ASSUMING THAT MIGHT BE THE TEACHER.

YES, I COULD, I COULD SENSE THAT THE PROUD TEACHER AND FAMILY ENERGY JUST.

JUST SO WONDERFUL. SO REALLY, REALLY JUST. CONGRATULATIONS.

I THINK SO, YES. TRUSTEE LARI. THIS IS REALLY WONDERFUL TO SEE.

I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE COMPETITION STRUCTURE.

LIKE HOW DOES THAT WORK? SORRY. SO, WITHIN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY TOURNAMENT, WE HAVE ALL SEVEN TEAMS COMPETE IN FOUR NON ELIMINATION ROUNDS.

AND SO, IN THAT PART PORTION THEY EARN POINTS BASED ON SCORING ATTORNEYS.

SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE LIVE ATTORNEYS COME IN AND SCORE THE ROUNDS.

AND SO THEY KEEP SCORE. THEY CALCULATE IT. AND THEN WE KEEP AN OVERALL SCORE AND USE THAT TO KIND OF PAIR THEM.

AND THEN ONCE WE GET PAST ROUND FOUR THAT'S THE ELIMINATION.

AND SO BASED ON THE SCORES WE TAKE THE TOP EIGHT RANKING SCORES OR SCHOOLS TO THE SEMIFINALS.

AND THEN FROM THERE IT'S WHOEVER WINS BETWEEN THOSE SCHOOLS.

AND SO, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, IF ITS MOUNTAIN VIEW VERSUS WILLOW GLEN.

WHOEVER HAD THE HIGHEST SCORE THAT NIGHT GETS TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ROUND.

AND THEN FROM HERE THEY GO ON TO THE STATE. SO.

TRUSTEE SPICER, JUST MORE OF A QUICK STATEMENT.

IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE THAT THE FINALISTS WERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU HAD I KNOW THAT THERE WERE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON THAT LIST, AND IT'S EVEN SOMETHING MORE REASON TO BE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AS MOST PEOPLE THINK IT'S BETTER TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE WINNING.

BUT NO, YOU GUYS WON AND GUYS AND GIRLS WON. SO REALLY PROUD OF YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN, CHRISTINA, FOR SHARING ALL OF THAT EXCITING NEWS.

AND TO LYNBROOK AND OUR CUPERTINO, RIGHT, PARTICIPANT FOR BEING HERE.

I KNOW IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LONGER OF AN EVENING THAN WE EXPECTED, BUT THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. SO, WITH THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE LEFT OFF WHICH WAS ITEM SEVEN A OUR ACTION ITEMS.

[A. Request Approval of the Budget Revisions for the Month of January 2025]

DOCTOR HINMAN, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE THAT ACTION ITEM.

YES. THANK YOU. PRESIDENT BERTA. THIS ACTION ITEM WILL BE PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND AWARD WINNER, STEPHANIE GOMEZ. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, DOCTOR HINMAN.

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THE RESTRICTED REVENUE FUNDING SOURCES THAT WE DID RECEIVE.

IT'S APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILLION. 962,000 WAS RECEIVED FOR A CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH EMPLOYER SUPPORT GRANT,

[01:20:05]

THESE WERE THE INCREASES IN OUR RESTRICTED REVENUE FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY UPDATE AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM, RIGHT? TRUSTEE PACHECO? YES. I MOVE TO. OKAY. DID HE MOVE? I MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET REVISIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2025.

WE HAVE A MOTION. SECOND ON ITEM SEVEN A AND A SECOND TO HAVE A QUESTION FOR.

ROCHA, TRUSTEE ROCHA. THANK YOU. THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY.

NOW I'M LOOKING AT THIS AND FORGIVE ME, YOU KNOW, AN INCREASE.

AND CAN HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS TO THIS STUDY.

IS IT THE 199,000? YES. SO THAT WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS AGREED UPON DURING THE PREVIOUS BUDGET CYCLE WITH OUR LABOR PARTNERS.

AND SO THERE WAS AN ASK FOR A COMPENSATION STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED AND PERFORMED JUST TO SEE WHERE THE CLASSIFICATIONS COMPARED TO MARKET.

SO THAT WAS PART OF THAT, I THINK TWO YEARS AGO.

SO THAT WAS COMPLETED. CORRECT. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

OKAY. YES. AND THEN THAT WAS USED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OR AS PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AS THE BASIS.

SO WAS IT COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THE RECENT CONTRACT? I THINK IT WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED AFTER WE HAD SETTLED THIS SECOND ROUND.

BUT THIS ITEM WAS FOR THE PREVIOUS ROUND, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

IT WAS PART OF THE BARGAINING. IT WAS PART OF THE PREVIOUS ROUND, BUT IT CAME OUT AFTER.

OKAY. YES. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. WAS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH IN THE BACK? ALL RIGHT. GOOD. ALL RIGHT. HEARING NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, WE WILL GO TO VOTE IN BOARD DOCS.

AND THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW GO TO ITEM EIGHT A, WHICH WAS THE 20 2425 SECOND INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT.

[A. 2024-25 Second Interim Financial Report]

OKAY. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA TRUSTEES, DR.

HINMAN AND STAFF. I'LL BE PRESENTING THE SECOND INTERIM REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425.

I ALSO HAVE LAUREN NGUYEN, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF IBS, WHO WILL ALSO BE CO-PRESENTING THIS ITEM.

LET ME GET OKAY. OKAY. SO I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH THE OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING PROCESS.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROCESS BECAUSE IT IS A TWO YEAR PROCESS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO DIFFERENT REPORTING PERIODS.

SO WE'RE CURRENTLY GOING TO PRESENT UPDATES TO OUR 2425 BUDGET, AND THESE ARE BUDGET UPDATES FROM THE MONTH OF JULY THROUGH JANUARY 31ST.

THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME BECAUSE WE'RE REQUIRED TO LOOK AT TWO DIFFERENT REPORTING PERIODS THROUGHOUT THE CALENDAR YEAR OR FISCAL YEAR, BUT IT'S TO LOOK AT OUR BUDGET IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, BUT ALSO LOOKING OUT AT OUR BUDGET AND THE OUTLINED TWO FISCAL YEARS.

SO IT INCLUDES OUR 25, 26, 26, 27 FISCAL YEARS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT BUDGETING FOR OUR 25, 26 YEAR.

AND THIS REPORT IS SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND ASSUMPTIONS WE UTILIZE TO DETERMINE OUR BUDGETARY STATUS IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.

AND IT ALSO IS USED TO DETERMINE IF WE NEED TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR BUDGET.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO LAUREN TO GO OVER OUR HIGHLIGHTS FOR SECOND INTERIM.

THANK YOU. STEPHANIE. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA, DOCTOR HINMAN AND TRUSTEES.

THIS SLIDE, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND RESTRICTED REVENUES AT SECOND INTERIM REFLECTS AN INCREASE OF APPROXIMATELY $9 MILLION FROM THE FIRST INTERIM BUDGET. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCREASE IN REVENUES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING SLIDE.

SO HERE IS THE SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN RESTRICTED REVENUES FROM THE FIRST INTERIM TO THE SECOND INTERIM.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE FLUCTUATION OF BUDGETED REVENUES IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

THESE RESTRICTED REVENUES INCLUDE A COMBINATION OF MULTI-YEAR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, AND ONE TIME FUNDING SOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES. A SLIGHT INCREASE IN FEDERAL CATEGORICAL FUNDS IN APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $94 MILLION, DUE TO ALLOCATION ADJUSTMENT FROM THE CDE FOR TITLE ONE, A FUND, AND HOMELESS CHILDREN EDUCATION GRANTS.

[01:25:01]

CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH EMPLOYER SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM.

TOBACCO USE PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM AN INCREASE OF APPROXIMATELY $7.7 MILLION IN REVENUES FROM LOCAL MULTIYEAR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, MAINLY FOR THE MEDICAL BILLING OPTION PROGRAM.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE CURRENT REVENUES FOR THE SECOND INTERIM ARE BUDGETED AT THE $431.65 MILLION, WHICH INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION IN NEW GRANTS AND CONTRACT REVENUES FOR THE CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH GRANT.

IN ADDITION, PRIOR YEAR CARRYOVER FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $15.78 MILLION HAS ALSO BEEN BUDGETED, WHICH INCREASES TOTAL FUNDING, BUDGETED TO $482.44 MILLION.

THAT ALIGNS WITH THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES BUDGETED FOR THE SECOND INTERIM.

THE $50.78 MILLION WAS EARMARKED FOR THE FACILITY, PROJECTS, GRANTS AND CONTRACTED SERVICES, SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND THE DESIGNATED PURPOSES.

SO, THESE SLIDES WILL SHOW THE COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND RESTRICTED EXPENDITURE AT THE SECOND INTERIM REFLECTS AN INCREASE OF $10.69 MILLION FROM THE. I'M SORRY. YEAH, FROM THE FIRST INTERIM BUDGET.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE UPCOMING SLIDE.

YEAH. SO HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHANGES IN EXPENDITURE FROM THE FIRST INTERIM BUDGET TO THE SECOND IN INTERIM BUDGET DUE TO THE BUDGETARY PROGRAMMATIC REALIGNMENTS AS REQUIRED TO MEET THE PROGRAM NEEDS, THE BUDGET FOR BOOKS AND SUPPLIES HAS INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY $1.5 MILLION DUE TO THE BUDGET REALIGNMENT FOR THE HEAD START PROGRAM, SERVICES AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENDITURES HAVE RISEN BY $10.83 MILLION, REFLECTING ADJUSTMENT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. MEDI-CAL BILLING OPTION PROGRAM, REAL LIFE BUDGET OF HEAD START PROGRAM, ONGOING FACILITY MAINTENANCE, LEGAL SERVICES, AND NEWLY AWARDED GRANTS AND CONTRACT AFTER THE FIRST INTERIM RETURN OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES HAS SEEN A SLIGHT INCREASE OF APPROXIMATELY 210 K FROM THE FIRST INTERIM TO THE SECOND INTERIM.

THE CHART BELOW ILLUSTRATES THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES THAT SCCOE HAS RETURNED TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER FROM FISCAL YEAR 2013-14 THROUGH 20 22-23. FOR THE 24-25 FISCAL YEAR, WE ESTIMATE THE RETURN OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAX AT $52.35 MILLION, AND TO DATE, SCCOE HAS REMITTED A TOTAL OF 285 AND MILLIONS IN LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES TO THE STATE COMPTROLLER. NEXT SLIDE. SO THIS SLIDE I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT JUST OUR COUNTY SCHOOL SERVICE FUND.

THIS INCLUDES OUR RESTRICTED MONIES WHICH ARE PRIMARILY GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

AND THEN IT ALSO INCLUDES THE 37 MILLION BASE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE EVERY YEAR.

AND THAT'S THE UNASSIGNED PORTION. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, AS YOU CAN SEE, 2425 WE HAVE OUR AMOUNTS, YOU KNOW, FOR OUR RESTRICTED. THOSE ARE GOING TO THOSE ARE PROJECTED TO REDUCE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF GRANTS. IT COULD BE A FLUCTUATION IN DIFFERENT GRANTS OR YEARS DECREASING IN GRANTS.

IT COULD ALSO BE A COMBINATION OF GRANTS THAT WE'RE PROJECTING TO GET THAT MAY HAVE REDUCTIONS IN FUNDINGS.

OUR ASSIGNMENTS ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ASSIGNED THAT WE HAVE TO ASSIGN OUR BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO HAVE FUNDING FOR OUR FACILITIES. SO THOSE WERE SOME OF THOSE ASSIGNMENTS THERE.

OUR ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY THAT IS REQUIRED BY CODE AND BY THE STATE, WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AMOUNT THERE IN THE EVENT THAT WE NEED FUNDING, WE HAVE THAT'S ONLY TAPPED IN FOR SPECIFIED RESTRICTED PURPOSES.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY THE UNASSIGNED IS THE DESIGNATED PURPOSE.

AND I PUT AN ARROW THERE BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE, 24-25, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A BUMP.

IT GOES UP A LITTLE BIT FLUCTUATION 25-26 BUT 26-27, WE'RE PROJECTING $174,000, WHICH IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY BASED ON THE COST FLUCTUATIONS.

AND THAT MONEY IS THERE TO COVER ONE TIME EXPENSES.

IF WE GET ANOTHER 20% INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL COSTS, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO PULL THAT FUNDING FROM.

SO THAT'S WHY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST INTERIM AND SECOND INTERIM REPORTS ARE REALLY CRITICAL BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO FORECAST OUTLINE TWO YEARS, BUT IT ALSO IS A TOOL FOR US TO LOOK AT WHAT ADJUSTMENTS AND EXPENDITURES WE NEED TO MEET.

I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNASSIGNED IS THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE GET FROM THE STATE FOR OUR MANDATED OPERATIONS.

[01:30:03]

ALL OF THOSE ARE IN THE RESTRICTED COLUMN. THIS IS SOLELY THE AMOUNT THAT WE GET TO DO OUR MANDATED OPERATIONS TO RUN THIS OFFICE.

SO THIS IS A REALLY CRITICAL SLIDE, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A POSITIVE AMOUNT IN THAT THIRD YEAR IN OUR UNASSIGNED TO BE POSITIVELY CERTIFIED.

IF WE DON'T, THEN THAT TELLS THE STATE THAT WE'RE UNABLE TO MEET OUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AND OUR CURRENT AND OUTLINED TWO YEARS, AND WE CANNOT BE IN THAT STATE BECAUSE IT COULD RESULT IN THE STATE COMING IN AND TAKING OVER OUR OFFICE.

I'VE NEVER SEEN SCCOE HAVE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SET THE STANDARD AND PROVIDE THE OVERSIGHT TO OUR DISTRICTS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN, WHICH IS WHY WE DO THESE PROJECTIONS. BUT THAT'S WHY FOR THE 25, 26 YEAR, THIS IS THE INFORMATION THAT WE'RE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT LOOKING AT EXPENDITURES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT ARE FROM THE LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE.

SO IT'S VERY SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM ANY OF THE FEDERAL GRANT HEAD START DOLLARS.

IT'S VERY SEPARATE DOLLARS. SO, I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT A COUPLE OTHER POINTS OF CLARIFICATION FOR SECOND INTERIM.

THIS IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US. IF WE GET GRANT DOLLARS OR CONTRACTS.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY GETTING DIFFERENT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS THROUGHOUT OUR OFFICE. IF WE GET THEM AFTER THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 31ST, THEY'RE REFLECTED IN THIS REPORT. SO IT'S A SNAPSHOT IN TIME FOR US TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF OUR BUDGET TWICE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE BECAUSE IT GOES TO ACCOUNT FOR ANY NEW CONTRACTS, CONTRACTS THAT ARE EXPIRING.

BUT THEN IT ALSO GIVES OUR PROGRAMS AN OPPORTUNITY AND US TO HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE OUR HEAD START PROGRAM.

THEY REALIZE, HEY, WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STUDENTS HERE NOW WE NEED TO UP OUR BOOKS AND SUPPLIES BUDGET. SO IT'S ALSO THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO MONITOR THEIR BUDGETS. AND SO IT'S A GOOD TOOL. SO JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THAT THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON OUR BUDGET TO ENSURE THAT THAT AMOUNT INCREASES BECAUSE WE ARE EXPECTING COST TO INCREASE. I'M SURE WE'VE SEEN THE NEWS.

I MEAN, JUST EGGS IN GENERAL ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE, SO THAT WITH ELECTRICITY AND OTHER COSTS, WE DO NEED TO HAVE FUNDING THERE FOR THOSE ONE TIME COSTS.

SO NEXT STEPS ON THIS. OH, ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WHEN WE ENTERED INTO THE SOLAR PROJECT THAT WE HAVE HERE AT RITTER PARK AND THREE OF OUR OTHER SITES, WE HAVE OUR PAYMENT THAT WE OWE FOR THE ESCROW INCLUDED.

IN THAT YEAR, WE DID NOT INCLUDE THE $2 MILLION FEDERAL REBATE MONEY BECAUSE WE DON'T BUDGET THINGS UNLESS WE HAVE MONEY.

AND, YOU KNOW THE CONFIRMATION WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE IT.

I HAVE TO ATTEND SOME IRS WEBINARS IN THE NEXT COMING WEEKS TO MAKE SURE THAT MONEY WILL STILL BE THERE, AND TO MAKE SURE THERE WON'T BE ANY IMPACT TO THOSE FUNDS.

SO IF WE DO GET THAT MONEY, IT WILL OFFSET OUR PAYMENT.

THAT UNASSIGNED BALANCE MAY BUMP UP LIKE THREE 400,000, BUT THAT IS NOT FACTORED IN THERE BECAUSE WE ONLY BUDGET WHAT WE'RE GUARANTEED TO GET MONEY ON. SO ON THE NEXT SLIDE, THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

SO AS I MENTIONED WE DO HAVE A POSITIVE CERTIFICATION.

AS A SECOND INTERIM, WE'RE ABLE TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR OUTLINING TWO FISCAL YEARS, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE. AFTER WE HAVE THIS PRESENTATION TONIGHT, WE SEND THIS TO THE STATE.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LOOKS AT THE 187 PAGE DOCUMENT YOU HAVE.

THEY ACTUALLY GET A DIGITAL COPY OF THAT. THEY VALIDATE OUR ASSUMPTIONS, THEY VALIDATE OUR NUMBERS.

AND THEN WHAT THEY DO IS DOCTOR HINMAN WILL GET A LETTER IN LIKE A MONTH OR TWO SAYING, WE AGREE WITH YOUR ANALYSIS THAT YOUR BUDGET IS POSITIVE. SO ONCE IT LEAVES HERE THERE IS A SECOND PAIR OF EYES. AND THEN THEY MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY POSITIVE.

SO THAT WILL BE THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS.

WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO GET NEW REVENUE STREAMS THROUGH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS RIGHT NOW.

BUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT DECLINING STUDENT ENROLLMENT. IT IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE SOME LOCAL DISTRICTS THAT ARE IN THAT SAME STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEIR STUDENT ENROLLMENT HAS DECLINED, BUT EXPENDITURES HAVE INCREASED. SO IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING NOT ONLY COUNTYWIDE BUT STATEWIDE. WE'RE SEEING A DECREASE IN LOWER ADA, WHICH ALSO IMPACTS OUR PROGRAMS. AND THEN ALSO THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.

WE'RE SEEING DISTRICTS WANTING TO NOT ENROLL IN OUR OPTIONAL SERVICES.

SO ONE OTHER POINT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT ON THE LAST BULLET POINT, I JUST SAY TO REMAIN FISCALLY PRUDENT AND POSITIVE FOR UPCOMING YEAR, THAT THAT THAT UNASSIGNED BALANCE NEEDS TO BE INCREASED FOR THE OUTLYING TWO YEARS.

AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WITH YOUR SUPPORT THAT WHEN WE BRING OUR BUDGET, YOU WILL SEE THAT THAT IS POSITIVE. AND WE DO HAVE A HIGHER AMOUNT IN THAT COLUMN.

SO THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE LARI. THANK YOU. SO, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SLIDE SEVEN.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A SUMMARY OF CARRYOVER FUNDING.

SO IS THIS FUNDING FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES IN DESIGNATED PURPOSES FOR THE YEAR BEFORE, AND IF SO, THEN THE PROJECTS GET DELAYED OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE CONTINUED THIS YEAR? LIKE HOW DOES IT WORK? YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

SO, THESE ARE A COMBINATION OF STATE AND LOCAL GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE ENTER INTO THESE AGREEMENTS, THEY'RE MULTIYEAR. SO IF THERE ARE, IF THEY ARE MULTI-YEAR, THEY WOULD CARRY ON INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO CARRY OUT THAT WORK UNTIL THE GRANT OR CONTRACT EXPIRES.

AS FAR AS SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SUPPORT SERVICES, THAT'S MONEY THAT WE HAVE, ASIDE THAT WE ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH OUR DISTRICTS FOR

[01:35:01]

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR FACILITIES. SO OUT OF THAT UNASSIGNED BALANCE THAT I SHARED, WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF FACILITY PROJECTS WE HAVE TO DO FOR SOME OF OUR SITES THAT NEED TO HAVE UPDATES LIKE THIS BUILDING, FOR EXAMPLE, NEEDS TO HAVE THE ELEVATOR REPLACED IN THE FUTURE.

SO WE HAVE THOSE FUNDS. YES, IT'S A REQUIREMENT.

OSHA REQUIREMENTS. SO WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON THAT BECAUSE THIS BUILDING IS AGING.

AND SO WHEN OUR FACILITIES AGE, ONE OF OUR CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY, LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TO PASS A BOND OR A PARCEL TAX.

SO THE LIMITED DOLLARS WE GET, WE HAVE TO ALLOCATE OUT OF THAT SAME 37 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FUNDING FOR THOSE PROJECTS.

SO YES, I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. SPECIAL EDUCATION MEDI-CAL.

CORRECT. SO THAT IS FUNDING THAT WE GET THROUGH THE MEDI-CAL PROGRAM.

IT IS VERY RESTRICTIVE FUNDING THE FUNDING. WE GET AN AUDIT DONE, I WANT TO SAY EVERY COUPLE YEARS AND THEN THEY'LL COME BACK AND SAY, ALL YOUR EXPENSES ARE REIMBURSABLE. HERE'S YOUR AMOUNT.

WE'VE HAD SOME YEARS WHERE THEY'VE COME BACK AND SAID, ACTUALLY THAT AMOUNT WE THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO GET, YOU NEED TO GIVE US BACK. SO THAT'S MONEY THAT'S REALLY RESTRICTED. AND THAT IS FOR SPECIALIZED SERVICES THAT ARE NOT EVERYDAY ONGOING EXPENSES THAT CAN BE USED.

SO THAT'S VERY RESTRICTIVE MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO REALLY WATCH HOW WE USE IT FOR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU. THAT YOU'RE WELCOME. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM TRUSTEES? TRUSTEE ROCHA. THANK YOU. A QUESTION AROUND OUR CHARTER SCHOOL OVERSIGHT AND DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVE FOR THAT OR NONE. I WAS TRYING I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE SACS AND THE OTHER ONE JUST I DID SEE REFERENCES TO IT, BUT AGAIN, I HAVEN'T NOT THIS IS MY SECOND TIME AROUND ON THIS.

OR IS IT SECOND I THINK, CAME IN. YES. SO JUST TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT STRUCTURE, PLEASE. CORRECT. SO OUR OVERSIGHT FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS, THERE IS FEES THAT THEY, THEY BRING IN FROM THE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT DO HELP SUPPORT AND FUND THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR THE STAFF THAT PROVIDE THAT OVERSIGHT.

AND IS IT A SET RANGE PROVIDED BY THE STATE, OR DO WE DETERMINE WHAT THAT IS? THERE'S A SPECIFIC RATE, AND IT'S BASED ON I DON'T HAVE THE CRITERIA OFF TO BRING IT BACK.

BUT IT'S JUST PROBABLY COST RECOVERY. EXACTLY.

IT'S COST RECOVERY TO SUPPORT THAT OVERSIGHT.

SO THAT'S WHAT THAT THOSE MONIES ARE FOR. WE NEVER HAVE A BALANCE LEFT OVER I SHOULD SAY.

USUALLY IT'S THE COST OF WHAT THE SUPPORT IS FOR THE STAFFING FOR THAT OVERSIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. AND IT'S ONLY FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORIZED CHARTERS AS WELL.

OH, GOTCHA. YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION TOO.

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

YOU'RE WELCOME. IT'S A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO HIS BECAUSE HE PIQUED MY INTEREST.

YOU SAID THAT THERE'S NOT MONEY LEFT OVER. DO WE PAY MORE MONEY THAN WHAT IT COSTS? NO. TYPICALLY, WHEN WE BUDGET AND MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHEN WE DO THE ESTIMATES, IT'S THE AMOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF CHARTERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, AND THEY GET A FEE. AND SO IT'S A COST RECOUPMENT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDING FOR ANY OF THE SALARIES, BENEFITS AND ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHARTER OVERSIGHT.

SO IF THERE'S LEGAL, IF THERE'S DIFFERENT THINGS, THEY TRY TO BUDGET, IF THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY THERE BECAUSE WE CAN'T FORESEE EVERYTHING, THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF OUR 37 MILLION WE GET FROM THE STATE.

SO WE TRY NOT TO LET THAT HAPPEN. BUT THANK YOU.

YEAH. YOU'RE WELCOME. ALL RIGHT. HEARING NO OTHER TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

THANK YOU. SO LAYOFFS COME WITH HIDDEN COSTS.

YOU KNOW, UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND POTENTIAL REHIRING COSTS IF THERE ARE SHORTAGES OR SEVERANCE, AND SO ARE THOSE COSTS.

STUDIED IN AS PART OF THIS REPORT, THOSE COSTS WOULD BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FUNDING SOURCES.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE DO HAVE LAYOFFS AND THERE'S ASSOCIATED BALANCES FOR LIKE ACCRUALS OR WHATEVER THE COST MAY BE, THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF THAT RESPECTIVE FUNDING SOURCE, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT AS PART OF OUR GENERAL FUNDS, BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT. SO THAT WOULD BE FACTORED INTO THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT ARE REMAINING FOR THAT YEAR.

BUT IT'S NOT YET BEEN FACTORED INTO THIS REPORT.

THIS IS ONLY THROUGH JANUARY 31ST. OKAY. AND SO BECAUSE.

IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE MEETING OUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION FOR TWO FISCAL YEARS PAST THIS FISCAL YEAR. CORRECT. ON THE CORRECT ON THE ON THE UNASSIGNED SIDE.

CORRECT. BUT THAT THIRD YEAR, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT REDUCTIONS AND EXPENSES FOR OUR GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM A LOT OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT MAY NOT BE FUNDED.

IT'S DIFFERENT FUNDING FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, NOT WE, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING AT CUTS BEYOND JUST FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

[01:40:03]

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

I BELIEVE THIS IS A INFORMATION ITEM SO DON'T NEED ACTION YET.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM NINE WHICH IS OUR INFORMATIONAL UPDATE ABOUT OUR HEAD

[A. Informational Update on the Head Start Program]

WE HAVE AN INFORMATION UPDATE ON THE HEAD START PROGRAM.

THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY KRISTEN LEE AND REINA DOMINGUEZ AND WHILE THEY'RE MAKING THEIR WAY UP, KRISTEN, IF YOU NEED SUPPORT, REINA CAN COME UP AND SUPPORT YOU.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS, AND I KNOW THE BOARD'S AWARE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE STATEMENT.

WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE BACK IN OCTOBER, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I WAS ASKED LITERALLY ON THE FIRST DAY WAS, WHAT WAS THE WHAT WERE THE FINDINGS OF THE HEAD START REPORT INVESTIGATION? AND REALLY NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE REFERRING TO.

AND THEN I LEARNED THAT, IN FACT, BACK IN JUNE, JULY, THE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT GROUP OF HEAD START CAME TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE TO DO AN INVESTIGATION BECAUSE A WHISTLEBLOWER HAD REPORTED SOME MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

SO THEY CAME OUT AND DID AN INVESTIGATION. I ASKED AROUND AS TO WHAT THE FINDINGS WERE OF THAT, AND BASICALLY, I WAS AT ODDS, WE'RE GOOD. WE'RE GOOD.

SO I SAID, WELL, WHAT DOES THE REPORT SAY? AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE, IN FACT WAS NO REPORT AND IT WAS STILL PENDING.

SO I CALLED PRESIDENT BERTA AND I BOTH PARTICIPATED IN A CALL TO THE OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL OVERSEERS, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT'S CONTINUATION WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE ONLY REALLY BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS A QUESTION OF FUNDING.

NOTHING ELSE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A ONE TOPIC SUBJECT AND WE WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE, A REPORT TO COME OUT TO DETERMINE WHAT THE FINDINGS WERE OF THE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT CAME OUT AND SPENT A WEEK HERE.

TO MY SURPRISE, I THINK TO EVERYONE'S SURPRISE, THERE WERE ACTUALLY FIVE ITEMS THAT WERE ISSUED IN THE REPORT THAT RETURNED.

ONE OF THEM, OF COURSE, WAS OVERSIGHT OF THE PROGRAM, BOTH FOR OUR PARENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND ALSO THE BOARD. IT WASN'T IT WASN'T A DEATH KNELL, BUT IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT WARNING TO CONTINUE THE HEAD START PROGRAM, WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT WERE ISSUED BY THE FEDS.

SO STAFF IS GOING TO BEGIN THIS EVENING, AND WE'RE GOING TO UPDATE YOU ON WHAT THOSE CONCERNS ARE, MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING THOSE CONCERNS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

SO, IN FACT, WHEN WE DO OUR FINAL REPORT BACK TO THE HEAD START PROGRAM, WE'LL HAVE A CLEAN SLATE AND MOVING FORWARD, AND HOPEFULLY WE BELIEVE FUNDING FOR THE 25, 2526 SCHOOL YEAR.

I DO WANT TO COMMEND KRISTEN AND RAINA. FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

AT ONE POINT, BASICALLY, WE HAD TWO MANAGERS RUNNING THE ENTIRE PROGRAM WITHOUT A DIRECTOR OR A THIRD OR A FOURTH MANAGER, AND THEY REALLY HELD THE SHIP TOGETHER. I CANNOT TELL YOU ENOUGH THE GREAT WORK THAT THE TWO OF THEM DID WHILE THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS. WE'RE STARTING TO RIGHT THE SHIP.

THIS IS PART OF THAT PROCESS, IS INFORMING THE BOARD.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP YOU INFORMED. WE'LL DO, MY PLAN IS TO HAVE THIS UPDATE AS NEEDED, BUT BASICALLY FOR THE SHORT TERM MONTHLY UNTIL WE'RE ALL CAUGHT UP AND ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, DOCTOR LEE, IF YOU ARE READY.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT BERTA TRUSTEES AND INTERIM COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

SO AS MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING THIS EVENING WE'RE PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON THE ACTIONS TAKEN REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THE HEAD START MONITORING REPORTS THAT WERE RECEIVED ON FEBRUARY 2025.

THE UPDATES YOU CAN FIND EMBEDDED INTO YOUR AGENDA ITEM.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH IT.

I'M MORE THAN I CAN GO THROUGH IT WITH YOU. OTHERWISE, AT THIS TIME, I'D LOVE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND ANSWER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. CAN YOU GO THROUGH THEM, PLEASE? OF COURSE.

[01:45:05]

THE SCCOE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF HEAD START REGARDING THE RESULTS OF A MONITORING RISK ASSESSMENT THAT WAS CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 22ND.

THAT REVIEW RESULTED IN A DEFICIENCY UNDER SAFETY, AND THE CORRECTION IS SET FOR 30 DAYS AND ON FEBRUARY 18TH.

AGAIN, SCCOE RESERVES IT RECEIVED ANOTHER SET OF MONITORING RESULTS FROM THE MONITORING REVIEW THAT WAS CONDUCTED IN 2024 OF JULY 15TH AND THAT WEEK, WHICH DOCTOR HINMAN HAS BEEN REFERENCING.

FROM THAT, WE HAVE RECEIVED FIVE AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE, WHICH WERE UNDER THE PERFORMANCE AREAS OF PROGRAM GOVERNANCE, ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION. WITH THE CORRECTION SET FOR 120 DAYS.

SINCE THE NOTIFICATION, WE DID RECEIVE A POST-MONITORING MEETING, WHICH WE MENTIONED IN THE LAST BOARD MEETING, WHICH OCCURRED FEBRUARY 26TH. AT THAT TIME, THEY WERE GIVING US NEXT STEPS AS TO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RESULTS AND HOW WE CAN RECTIFY THOSE DEFICIENCIES. SINCE THEN. WHAT WE'VE DONE ACTUALLY ON THIS AGENDA IS WE'VE KIND OF PARSED IT DOWN AND SUMMARIZED IT. IT IS, EACH ITEM IS A 1 TO 1 CORRELATION OF WHETHER IT'S THE DEFICIENCY OR THE AREA OF NONCOMPLIANCE.

SO, THE FIRST AREA IS SAFETY PRACTICES. AND REALLY IN SUMMATION THE FINDING WAS THAT WE NEED TO ENSURE FACILITIES WHERE CHILDREN ARE SERVED ARE FREE FROM HAZARDS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND THAT COULD ENDANGER THEIR SAFETY.

AND SINCE THIS NOTIFICATION AND PRIOR TO THIS NOTIFICATION, WE ACTUALLY HAD ALREADY TAKEN A LOT OF PREEMPTIVE STEPS BECAUSE AS SOON AS WE WERE NOTIFIED, IT'S THE HIGHEST PRIORITY THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

SO EVEN WHEN WE WERE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO OF THIS INCIDENT, WE'VE ACTUALLY CONDUCTED A LOT OF FACILITY CHECKS OF ALL OF OUR PARTNER CENTERS.

WE REVISED A LOT OF THE PROTOCOLS WITH OUR PARTNERS, AS WELL AS DONE AN INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF OUR OWN PROTOCOLS, AND WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TRAINING STAFF AND MONITORING A LOT OF THE INITIAL CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THEN.

WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER TNTA SESSION THIS MORNING, SO A TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH OUR REGIONAL OFFICE AND THE HEAD START, AND WE WILL BE WORKING ON AND COMPLETING OUR QUIP, OR WHAT WE CALL A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHORTLY, WHICH WE WILL ALSO SHARE UPDATES ON. THEN FOLLOWING THE AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE, THERE WERE FIVE DIFFERENT ITEMS AND AGAIN IT'S A 1 TO 1 CORRESPONDENCE. SO ITEM ONE REALLY FOCUSED ON OUR INEFFECTIVE PROCESS FOR ENGAGING THE POLICY COUNCIL AND OUR PARENT COMMITTEES WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING LOCAL PROGRAM POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES.

ITEM TWO AGAIN, FALLING UNDER PROGRAM GOVERNANCE.

IT REALLY REVOLVED AROUND INSUFFICIENT TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNING BODY AND TO THE POLICY COUNCIL.

SPECIFICALLY ON A LOT OF THE HEAD START PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

THE THIRD ITEM IS AGAIN RELATED TO PROGRAM GOVERNANCE, AND THAT AREA IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE NEED FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNING BODY AND POLICY COUNCIL TO ADDRESS, OVERSEE AND SUPPORT IN THE CORRECTION PROCESS.

THE FOURTH ITEM IS RELATED BOTH TO PROGRAM GOVERNANCE AS WELL AS A SECTION OF OUR ENROLLMENT OR UNDER SELECTION OR ELIGIBILITY. AND THIS ITEM IS REALLY TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRAINING TO THE POLICY COUNCIL SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE INFORMED AND BETTER DECISIONS. THE LAST ITEM IS AGAIN RELATED TO ENROLLMENT OR ELIGIBILITY, RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE, BUT SPECIFICALLY UNDER SELECTION.

AND THIS ONE REVOLVES AROUND THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY POINTS.

SO THOSE ARE THE FIVE DIFFERENT AREAS OF NONCOMPLIANCE THAT WE DID RECEIVE.

MAJORITY OF IT WAS SURROUNDING AROUND PROGRAM GOVERNANCE.

AND WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT REALLY THE ROOT CAUSE WAS OUR COMMUNICATION, OUR COLLABORATION AND OUR TRAINING, NOT JUST WITH THE GOVERNING BODY, BUT ALSO WITH OUR POLICY COUNCIL.

EVEN PRIOR TO THIS NOTIFICATION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IS TO BE ABLE TO REBUILD AND REESTABLISH THOSE COMMUNICATION LINES, AS WELL AS TO BUILD A LOT OF TRUST WITHIN OUR POLICY COUNCIL AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING.

SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, WHAT WE DID WAS A LOT OF THESE ITEMS ARE INTERSECT ONE ANOTHER.

SO INSTEAD OF INUNDATING YOU WITH REDUNDANCIES, WE WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT ACTION ITEMS THAT WE'VE ALREADY CONDUCTED AND

[01:50:05]

AND THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

WE PROVIDE YOU WITH A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT AREAS IN WHICH WE'VE KIND OF STARTED THIS, ONE OF WHICH IS SOMETHING CALLED AN OFFICE OF HEAD START CORRESPONDENCE.

SO ON A MONTHLY BASIS DURING POLICY COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE PROVIDE ANY CORRESPONDENCE WE RECEIVE FROM HEAD START WITHIN THAT MONTH PERIOD TO OUR POLICY COUNCIL. ALSO, WE'VE DONE PRESENTATIONS TO OUR PC PLANNING COMMITTEE REGARDING THE FULL ENROLLMENT INITIATIVE.

SO, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IN IN DECEMBER AND PREVIOUS WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON OUR FULL ENROLLMENT INITIATIVE.

SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICY COUNCIL WAS ENGAGED AND INFORMED OF ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAM DECISIONS WE'RE MAKING WITHIN THAT.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS WE'VE ALSO DONE PRESENTATIONS ON CHILD OUTCOMES, PARTICULARLY OUR FALL OUTCOMES AND OUR PC MEETING IN DECEMBER, SO THAT THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT DATA WE'VE BEEN USING, THE TOOLS THAT WE'RE USING TO ASSESS STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING OUTCOMES, AND HOW WE UTILIZE THAT TO BETTER SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR INDIVIDUALIZED OR DIFFERENTIATED CURRICULUM.

LASTLY, WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF ANOTHER PRESENTATION THAT WE DID ABOUT THE GRANT APPLICATION.

SO IN OUR COMMITTEE, IN OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE IN FEBRUARY, WE HAD ALSO DONE A PRESENTATION ON OUR GRANT APPLICATION SO THAT THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT WE ARE EMBEDDING INTO OUR NEW GRANT APPLICATION, WHICH IS THAT TO BE DUE APRIL 1ST. AND AT THAT TIME, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM THEM, WHICH WAS REALLY FUN AND EXCITING FOR US. OTHER ACTION ITEMS THAT WE'VE DONE WAS WE'VE PROVIDED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNING BODY, AND THAT ONE ACTUALLY APPLIES TO ITEM TWO.

AND WE HAD PROVIDED AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNING BODY.

A VERY QUICK PRESENTATION AND WE HOPE TO DO MORE.

AND WE DID THAT BOTH IN SEPTEMBER AND FEBRUARY.

AND ANOTHER THING THAT WE'VE STARTED DOING AS AN ACTION ITEM IS THE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL AS WELL.

AND THAT REALLY HITS ITEMS TWO AND FOUR. AND SOME OF THE EXAMPLES THAT WE HAVE IS WE'VE ACTUALLY PROVIDED GOVERNANCE TRAINING FOR OUR PC MEMBERS BY REGISTERING THEM IN A REGION NINE WEBINAR THAT SPECIFICALLY IS A TWO HOUR WEBINAR THAT FOCUSES ON THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PC.

AND THAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY AND WE RECEIVED SUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

SO WE HOPE TO DO THAT EVERY YEAR IF POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER THING THAT WE'VE DONE IS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND IN DECEMBER.

WE'VE PROVIDED TO OUR POLICY COUNCIL TRAININGS ON BYLAWS, ALSO AN OVERVIEW OF OUR HEAD START PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. AND WE'VE DONE THAT THROUGH INTERNAL PRESENTATIONS WITH OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM TO THE POLICY COUNCIL, AS WELL AS USING EXTERNAL SUCH AS WIPFLI. ANOTHER AREA THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON AND WAS COMPLETED BACK IN DECEMBER, WAS REVISING THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY POINTS, WHICH YOU WILL ALL BE ABLE TO SEE IN OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING.

AND SO IN THAT, THAT ONE ACTUALLY HITS THE LAST ITEM WHICH IS SURROUNDING THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY POINTS.

AND LASTLY, JUST LIKE WITHIN THE DEFICIENCY, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON OUR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE REGIONAL OFFICE.

AND THAT AGAIN WILL PROVIDE UPDATES NEXT MONTH.

AND SO NOW I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT OVERVIEW AND GOING INTO THOSE ITEMS WITH US.

NO, NO, TO MAKE US ALL AWARE, TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I JUST WANT TO THANK AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AS WELL.

THANK YOU. AND TO BE HONEST, WE CAN'T REALLY DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNING BODY.

SO WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US CONTINUOUSLY, NOT JUST THIS YEAR, BUT IN PREVIOUS YEARS AS WELL. THANK YOU. LOOK FORWARD, IF I MAY, JUST REALLY QUICK, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE TRUSTEE SPICER FOR JUMPING IN FEET FIRST TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN. BUT I'VE HEARD FROM POLICY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FROM MANAGERS THAT SHE'S, YOU KNOW, REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING THE BOARD.

SO THAT MEANS A LOT TO US. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE ROCHA.

[01:55:02]

AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE HAD A CLEAN RECORD THERE OR WE DIDN'T HAVE A CLEAN RECORD THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS FROM AFAR, I HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE, YOU KNOW, ON THE FRONT LINES, SO TO SPEAK. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAD SOME TURMOIL AND WE'RE DIDN'T REALLY GET A SENSE OF EXACTLY HOW THE IMPLEMENTATION WAS GOING. SO I GUESS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, FROM SITTING HERE NOT BEING ENGAGED AT THE FRONT LINE, WONDERING WHY A LOT OF THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING, NOT MORE ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION, AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION COMPONENT, BUT THAT SEEMS A LITTLE OF A STRETCH, RIGHT? IF WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GOVERNANCE AND THE TRAININGS.

SO MAYBE YOU CAN. IT'S NOT REALLY A DIRECT QUESTION.

IT'S JUST MORE OF AN OBSERVATION THAT I'M JUST KIND OF SCRATCHING MY HEAD ABOUT TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.

NO. AND WE THINK ACTUALLY THEY GO HAND IN HAND.

AND SO TRUSTEE ROCHA, I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH YOU.

A LOT OF THE TIMES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRAINING, THERE IS AN IMPLEMENTATION CONCEPT.

AND SO ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE FIND IS IT'S OFTEN DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION OR DECISIONS, OR IT'S A CHALLENGE TO MAKE BETTER INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE TRAINING OR UNDERSTANDING.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING MORE OF THE TRAINING MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE WE'VE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND WE'RE ALWAYS WELCOME FOR MORE.

BUT ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL KIND OF THEMES THAT KEEP ARISING IS TO HAVE A BASELINE UNDERSTANDING, FIRST OF THE PROGRAM AND THE ACTIVITIES AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS, BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEAD START PROGRAM, THERE ARE IT'S VERY COMPLEX. AND SO TO BE ABLE TO FIRST MAKE INFORMED CHOICES, YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE A FOUNDATIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT NUANCES THAT ARE HAPPENING. SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSING MORE ON TRAINING, AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM YEAR, BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING WE RECOGNIZED EARLY ON.

AND SO OUR HOPE IS THAT, OF COURSE, WITH THE TRAINING, YOU'LL START TO SEE MUCH MORE IMPLEMENTATION.

SO STAY TUNED. GREAT. AND I WILL ENCOURAGE AND I KNOW WE HAVE OUR LIAISON.

SO THAT COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD IS OFTENTIMES.

BUT I WOULD HOPE AS PART OF THE TRAINING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A PUBLIC AGENCY.

THESE ARE PUBLIC DOLLARS AND WE ARE A PUBLIC BOARD.

AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD IF THEY FEEL THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING HEARD.

YES. THAT'S OUR ROLE TO BE HERE AND TO HEAR THAT AND TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY, WHETHER IT'S WARRANTED OR NOT.

SO I HOPE THAT'S ALSO PART OF IT IN TERMS OF ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO FEEL FREE TO SPEAK TO WHOMEVER THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO.

YES. AND PART OF BEING IN THE HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL, FOR EXAMPLE, OR EVEN BEING IN THE HEAD START PROGRAM, WE TRULY ADVOCATE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE VOICE AND THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO MOLD AND SHAPE HOW THE PROGRAM IS STRATEGICALLY MOVING.

SO WE HOPE THAT CONTINUES AND WE DO NOT STOP IT.

AND WE ARE ACTUALLY VERY PROUD OF ALL THE STAFF, AS WELL AS OUR POLICY COUNCIL, IN THEIR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES. SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THEY HAVE THIS AVENUE OF THE BOARD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

GREAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND THANK YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, OFFERING ME YOUR FEEDBACK AND THOUGHTS BASED UPON MY KIND OF VERY HIGH LEVEL QUESTION THAT WASN'T REALLY SPECIFIC. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SPEISER. TO GO ON FOR PRAISES, HAVING JUST GOTTEN TO KNOW MISS LEE OR DOCTOR LEE. I'VE REALLY BEEN IMPRESSED WITH HER AND HER FACILITATING THESE MEETINGS.

THERE COULD BE THERE WILL BE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, AND SHE'S VERY EMPATHETIC AND THEN QUICKLY ADDRESSES THE ISSUES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS HEARD IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

SO, I AND I HAVE BEEN ALONG THE LINES OF YOUR QUESTION RELATED TO IMPLEMENTATION AND TRAINING, AND YOU KIND OF SLIGHTLY ANSWERED IT WHEN YOU WERE ASKING THE QUESTION, IF THINGS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED, WELL, THEN THEN WE KNOW THAT THE ISSUE AND WE DON'T SEE ANY MORE ISSUES, THAT IT WORKED.

IT'S THEN WHEN ISSUES HAPPEN, WE KNOW THE, IT DIDN'T WORK OR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A TWEAK WE NEED TO MAKE EITHER WAY.

BUT EITHER WAY, I'VE BEEN IMPRESSED IN THIS VERY NEW SPACE FOR ME, BECAUSE SHE'S ALSO TEACHING ME, AND I'VE BECOME QUITE THE SPONGE TO HEAD START.

[02:00:03]

AND SO THIS IS ALL TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT DIRECTOR IN HEAD START OR EARLY LEARNING SERVICES MANAGER.

THANK YOU. AND I JUST WANT TO ECHO THAT THE COMMENTS OF THE GRATITUDE AND ALSO YOU HAD MADE A COMMENT ABOUT POLICY COUNCIL RECEIVING MONTHLY UPDATES IN TERMS OF DOCUMENTS OR COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE REGIONAL DEPARTMENT OR THE REGIONAL OFFICE.

AND I THINK THAT'S A REALLY KEY CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT I JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK CONTINUING TO DO THAT AS WELL AS PROVIDING THOSE LEVEL OF UPDATES POTENTIALLY TO THIS BOARD, SO THAT WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THOSE CORRESPONDENCES.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN ITEM THAT COMES IN CONSENT INFORMATION.

SO PERHAPS THAT COULD BE AN AREA OR, YOU KNOW, CONSULTING WITH OUR COUNCIL AS WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT WE WILL MOVE RIGHT ALONG.

HERE WE ARE AT OUR BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS. AT THIS TIME.

[A. Committee members may provide or report on recent committee activities.]

ONE COMMITTEE HAS MET THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE, THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, JLARC.

AND I SEE MY NAME IS ADDED TO GIVE THIS UPDATE.

SO WE JUST MET TODAY. IT WAS A PRETTY PACKED MEETING IN TERMS OF ITEMS. WE WENT OVER DIFFERENT POSITIONS THAT WE WOULD BE TAKING ON LEGISLATION.

WE GOT STATE UPDATES, WE GOT FEDERAL UPDATES GOVERNOR'S BUDGET UPDATES.

AND SO JUST REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES ARE WHAT OUR COUNTY OFFICES PRIORITIES ARE AND HOW THAT TRANSLATES INTO THE RESOURCES AND THE PEOPLE POWER BEHIND POLICIES AND LEGISLATION THAT COULD REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AN IMPACT HERE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL.

SO AND CONGRATULATIONS TO TRUSTEE PACHECO FOR BECOMING THE CHAIR OF JLARC TODAY.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMITTEES THAT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED? WE TECHNICALLY HAD A SPECIAL MEETING OF HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL, AND IT WAS LITERALLY TO GO OVER EXACTLY WHAT WE JUST WENT OVER.

SO NOTHING TO ADD THERE. THANK YOU FOR THAT TRUSTEE SPEISER.

[A. The members of the Board may give reports on any activities related to their duties as members of the Santa Clara County Board of Education]

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT, INFORMATION SHARED DURING THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER REPORT MUST ONLY INCLUDE THOSE ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO OUR DUTIES AS TRUSTEES OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. WOULD ANY TRUSTEE LIKE TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO YOUR DUTIES AND WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. TRUSTEE LARI.

OKAY. ON FEBRUARY 22ND, I CO-ORGANIZED AND MODERATED AN EVENT FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, BAY AREA, ON ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TOXIC STRESS AND ITS IMPACT ON CHILDREN'S LONG TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES AND THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN.

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SYLVIA ARENAS SHARED HER INITIATIVES TO REDUCE PROTRACTED, PERSISTENT STRESS ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND DOCTOR GILGOFF, WHO ACTUALLY ALSO PRESENTED AT A STRONG START COALITION MEETING AT SCCOE, PROVIDED A REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACES SCREENINGS SO WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND MITIGATE HEALTH AND THE CONSEQUENT LEARNING ISSUES.

I ALSO ATTENDED A VERY LOVELY LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN [INAUDIBLE] ASSEMBLY ALEX LEE ON I THINK I'M THE DATES MIXED.

REVERSED. ON FEBRUARY 23RD AND ALSO MET TRUSTEE SPEISER THERE.

SO I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT MUSLIMS ALSO FOLLOW THE LUNAR CALENDAR AND THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, THE MONTH OF FASTING STARTED LAST WEEKEND. STUDENTS WHO ARE FASTING CAN APPEAR LETHARGIC AND SLUGGISH.

SO BECAUSE THEY'RE FASTING SO OPEN, COMMUNICATION ABOUT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OBSERVANCES IN SCHOOL AT THE TIME ARE IMPORTANT TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT. STUDENTS MAY ALSO NEED ACCOMMODATIONS AT THIS TIME FOR FLEXIBILITY WITH TESTS, LUNCH LOCATIONS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ETC..

SO AWARENESS AND SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENT WELL-BEING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE LARI. ARE THERE ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER REPORTS? TRUSTEE PACHECO I'LL JUST SIMPLY ADD THAT MUSLIM STUDENTS, BUT ALSO MUSLIM TRUSTEES REQUIRE ACCOMMODATIONS TOO.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S DEFINITELY ALL AROUND. BUT YES.

SO HAPPY RAMADAN. THANK YOU. AND I BELIEVE THERE'S ACTUALLY NEW STATE LEGISLATION THAT WAS JUST APPROVED LAST YEAR ABOUT NOT JUST SPECIFIC TO MUSLIM STUDENTS, BUT ANY STUDENT WHO IS FASTING NOW HAS EXCUSED PERMISSION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION LESSONS.

[02:05:09]

ALL RIGHT. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMITTEE OR TRUSTEE REPORTS, WE WILL GO TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS A SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. DOCTOR HINMAN.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BERTA. I THINK I SAID MORE THAN ENOUGH THIS EVENING.

SO THAT WILL BE MY REPORT. THANK YOU. WE WILL GO TO OUR NEXT ITEM, 13 A, WHICH IS OUR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.

[A. Future Agenda Items]

OKAY, GREAT. I'M GOING TO HAVE DOCTOR HINMAN IF YOU WOULD INTRODUCE THIS ITEM, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU. PRESIDENT BERTA. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT, ITEMS MENTIONED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE BEING SUGGESTED.

SO THEY MAY BE CONSIDERED AND EXPLORED FOR FOLLOW UP.

ACCORDING TO THE BOARD BYLAWS, TOPICS RAISED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE NOT AGENDIZED FOR BOARD DISCUSSION, BUT RATHER TO CREATE A SPACE FOR TRUSTEES TO MENTION TOPICS FOR REVIEW FOR CONSIDERATION AS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. MODERATOR. PLEASE PROCEED WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.

THE SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA MOORE. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM CLEARLY.

STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT. WE MAY NEED TO GIVE ONE MOMENT FOR THE TIMER.

OKAY. NO PROBLEM.

HI, I'M CHRISTINA MOORE, TEACHER FOR THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT WE HAVE DECLINING ENROLLMENT, IN PART BECAUSE DISTRICTS ARE NOT ELECTING TO REFER THEIR STUDENTS TO THE COUNTY ANYMORE.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN AUDIT OF HOW MANY STUDENTS ACROSS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE GONE WITHOUT, OR HAD SERVICES DELAYED BECAUSE THE COUNTY OFFICE OF ED SHUT DOWN, ACCEPTING REFERRALS AND LIED, SAYING CLASSROOMS WERE FULL. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC SUPPORTS THE COUNTY SUPPOSEDLY PROVIDES DISTRICTS IN SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES IN THEIR PROGRAMS. I HOPE THAT THE COUNTY AND DISTRICTS ARE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON SAVING MONEY, INSTEAD OF FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

ON A SEPARATE ISSUE, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN AUDIT AND REPORT OF HOW THE FIVE PLUS MILLION IEP GRANT, GIVEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, HAS BEEN USED. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEES. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY BOARD THAT YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION AT THIS TIME? TRUSTEE PACHECO I THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO EXPLORE THE NATURE OF THE ESTIMATED 300 SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS THAT WOULD BE WITHDRAWING FROM OUR PROGRAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND MORE OF THAT. THANK YOU.

AND I KNOW WE ALSO HAVE AN ITEM THAT I REQUESTED PROBABLY AROUND A YEAR AGO, THAT'S ON OUR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. IT'S LISTED. EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF A STUDY OR REVIEW OF THE SCCOE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

SO PERHAPS THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REVISITED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THAT REQUEST AS WELL.

ANY OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS. ALL RIGHT.

HEARING NONE. THAT BRINGS US TO ADJOURNMENT. THE NEXT SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 19TH, 2025 AT 5:00 PM. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION TO ADJOURN. OH, TIED. TRUSTEE LARI, A MOTION TO ADJOURN AND SECONDED BY TRUSTEE PACHECO.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS OR GIVE A VERBAL IF NEEDED.

AND THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.

WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 7:17 P.M.. THANK YOU TO STAFF.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.