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>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
[A. Call to Order]
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING NUMBER 2575 OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, AND THE TIME IS 5:03 PM.
I AM A MONO SILBERTA, PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND I WILL PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING.
A LIVE STREAM OF THIS EVENING'S MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT TINYURL.COM BACKSLASH SCC BOARD MEETING.
ONCE ON THE WEB PAGE, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM AND CHOOSE LIVE.
LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR THIS EVENING'S MEETING IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE VIA PHONE.
FOR SPANISH SUPPORT, CALL 1-669-900-6833.
THE MEETING ID IS 727-334-810 POUNDS FOR VIETNAMESE SUPPORT CALL 1-669-900-6833.
THE MEETING 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'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR LANGUAGE SUPPORT TEAM FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THEY'RE DOING TO ENSURE INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY.
PERSONS WANTING TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO BY COMPLETING A SPEAKER COMMENT CARD AVAILABLE AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM.
IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR THE NEED TO EVACUATE THE ROOM, PLEASE ALERT AND FOLLOW AN SCCOE STAFF MEMBER WHO IS IDENTIFIED WITH A YELLOW BADGE.
OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER IS UNABLE TO ATTEND TONIGHT.
IF YOU'LL PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE,
[B. Pledge of Allegiance]
PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE AND PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.>> I WILL NOW RECITE THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
[C. Land Acknowledgement]
LET US TAKE TIME TO HONOR THE ANCESTRAL CARETAKERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH WE STAND.WE ARE CURRENTLY IN ALONE TERRITORY.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY IS THE HOMELAND OF THE MEK MALONE 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 LAND OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
[D. Roll Call (Including Action on Absences if Necessary)]
I, PRESIDENT BERTA, PRESENT.WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. VICE PRESIDENT CHAN?
>> TRUSTEE ROCHA. TRUSTEE SPISER.
>> I WILL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA.
[E. Set the Agenda]
>> PRESIDENT BERTA, I WILL MOVE THAT WITH THE REMOVAL OF ITEM 12 A, OUR CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION FROM VICE PRESIDENT CHAN. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> QUESTION. THE REASON FOR THAT OR IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN'T SPEAK ABOUT?
>> THERE WILL BE CORRESPONDENCE WITH COUNSEL.
>> THERE WILL BE CORRESPONDENCE OR INFORMATION ABOUT THAT FROM COUNSEL.
THANK YOU. THAT WAS THE SECOND TRUSTEE ROCHE?
>> THANK YOU. ANY TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARDS.
>> THAT MOTION PASSES WITH SIX AYES AND ONE NO VOTE.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE WILL GO TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[2. PUBLIC COMMENTS OF PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD]
THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS RESERVED FOR PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA AND WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE SCCBOE.STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM DISCUSSING OR ACTING UPON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. IT IS THE EXPECTATION OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT EVERYONE BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND CIVILITY.
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 54,957.95, 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.
[00:05:02]
IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT A PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU MAY SIMPLY DO SO WITH THE UNIVERSAL SIGN FOR APPRECIATION, WHICH CAN BE DONE LIKE THIS.MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> YES, WE HAVE 17 CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> 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 WILL BE DISPLAYED, AND WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME IS UP, THE BUZZER WILL SOUND, YOU WILL BE MUTED, AND YOUR TIME TO SPEAK WILL END.
>> 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.
COMETS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRED, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
THE FIRST TEN SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ARE MERCEDES HILL, STEPHANIE PEDONI, AVIOLA BATAZ, TODD COLLINS, YODERA, OROSCO.
DELIA KLEIN, RIGO KRISHNA, KELLY GUVERA, SARAH, MORIN, AND TERESA DELGADO.
MERCEDES HILL, THE FIRST SPEAKER, PLEASE STEP FORWARD, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME, AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, DR. TASTIN AND BOARD TRUSTEES.
MY NAME IS MERCEDES HILL, AND I'M A HEAD START OFFICE SPECIALIST HERE AT THE SCCOE.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND DR. TASTIN FOR FORMING THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SCCOE GOVERNANCE.
THE FINDINGS ARE ASTONISHING BUT NOT SURPRISING GIVEN THAT I AND HEADSTART STAFF HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS STILL HAS CONTROL OVER OUR FINANCIAL WELL-BEING WHILE THERE STILL HAS BEEN NO TRANSPARENCY UNDERPINNING HER DECISIONS TO LAY OFF STAFF LAST YEAR, AND NOW HER REJECTION OF THE 3% SALARY INCREASE PRESENTED BY THE SEIU.
SHE HAS COUNTERED WITH A RAISE THAT IS EQUIVALENT OF LESS THAN $1000, WHICH IS A SLAP IN THE FACE GIVEN THAT THE COST OF LIVING IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY IS RANKED IN THE TOP 2% OF THE ENTIRE NATION.
WE ARE SEEKING JUST A 3% RAISE TO COUNTER THAT HARSH STATISTIC.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF THE BEST MEDICAL COVERAGE IN THE COUNTY AND HAVE FOUGHT HARD TO EARN THE RIGHT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
THESE ARE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND NEEDS WE ARE FIGHTING FOR, AND WE MUST AND WILL BE HEARD. THANK YOU.
>> STEPHANIE PEDONI, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PEDONI.
I HAVE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 28 YEARS AND A PROUD MEMBER OF ACE AND PART OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS TEAM.
OUR NEGOTIATIONS ARE ABOUT STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS THAT SERVE THEM.
A ONE-TIME OFF-SCHEDULE NON-PENSIONABLE PAYMENT DOES NOT SUPPORT STABLE SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
IT DOES NOT HELP US RETAIN SPECIALISTS.
IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE COST OF LIVING THAT PUSHES EDUCATORS OUT OF THIS COUNTY.
STUDENTS RELY ON CONSISTENT, QUALIFIED STAFF.
WHEN EDUCATORS CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY, STUDENTS' LEAVE SERVICES AND FALL BEHIND.
FAIR, PENSIONABLE, ON-SCHEDULE COMPENSATION IS DIRECTLY TIED TO STUDENT SUCCESS.
ACE IS ADVOCATING FOR STABILITY, CONTINUITY, AND EQUITY FOR STUDENTS BY ADVOCATING FOR THE WORKFORCE THAT SERVES THEM EVERY DAY.
DOCTOR TASTIN, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE THE STABLE, EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS THEY DEPEND ON?
>> AVIOLA BATAZ, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M AVIOLA BATAZ, MOTHER ALEXANDER.
I'M JUST GOING TO INVITE YOU GUYS THIS FRIDAY AT 12:00 AT GATEWAY.
WE HAVE A GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE PLAYGROUND THAT WE FOUGHT SO HARD TO GET.
NOT ONLY A SAFE BUT FUN, EDUCATIONAL LITTLE AREA FOR THEM.
I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU GUYS HELP INVEST MONEY ON THE CORRECT PLAYGROUND.
NOT AT LITTLE SWING, THAT YOU CAN GET AT WALMART OR TARGET.
A SWING THAT'S PERFECT FOR THEM AT ALL TIMES, NOT ONLY SAFE, BUT I HAVE THAT PEACE OF MIND THAT MY KID WON'T GET HURT.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT: THE KIDS.
THE TEACHERS, THE AIDES, YOU GUYS.
TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE, TO GIVE US PARENTS THIS PEACE OF MIND THAT MY KID WILL NO MATTER WHERE HE'S AT, WHAT SCHOOL HE'S AT, HE'LL BE SAFE, HAPPY.
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WHEN HE'S HAPPY, I'M HAPPY.WHEN HE'S UNHAPPY, I'M MAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'M TODD COLLINS.
I'M A FORMER BOARD MEMBER IN PALO ALTO UNIFIED, AND A ORGANIZER OF FAIR FUND IN CALIFORNIA.
THE SINGLE LARGEST INEQUITY IN SCHOOL FUNDING IN OUR STATE IS EXCESS ADVANTAGE DISTRICTS, A SUBSET OF BASIC EIGHT DISTRICTS.
THEY'RE A HOLDOVER FROM A TIME LONG AGO WHEN SCHOOL FUNDING WAS BASED ON A COMMUNITY'S WEALTH INSTEAD OF THE NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS.
THESE DISTRICTS HAVE FIVE,10, OR EVEN $20,000 PER STUDENT MORE THAN THEIR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS, DRAWING AWAY PRECIOUS RESOURCES FROM HID DISTRICTS.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, YOUR COLLEAGUES IN SAN MATEO COUNTY FORMED A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THIS EXACT ISSUE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY HAS THE STARKEST FUNDING DISPARITIES OF ANY COUNTY IN THE STATE.
WE ARE GROUND ZERO FOR THIS PROBLEM.
WE NEED TO TAKE THE LEADERSHIP IN ADDRESSING IT.
I HOPE YOU'LL MAKE THIS A TOP PRIORITY AND CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY AND REPORT.
OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DEPEND ON IT. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS YADIRA OROSCO.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS JADA OROSCO, AND THIS IS MY THIRD YEAR SERVING AS A CHAIRPERSON FOR THE HEADSTART POLICY COUNCIL.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET STARTED BY THANKING DR.
TASTIN AND DR. WAYNE FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE PROGRAM.
I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ITEM 5B, SPECIFICALLY THE IMPACT IN THE HEADSTART PROGRAM.
DR. DUAN PRETTY PUT OUR PREVIOUS DIRECTOR THREE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE WHEN HE WAS UNWILLING TO FULFILL HER UNETHICAL REQUESTS.
S WE ALL KNOW, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH SOME HARDSHIPS THIS PAST YEARS.
DUAN AND HER CABINET INFORMED THE BOARD THAT ANTONIO WAS ON PERSONAL LEAVE, WHICH WAS A LIE, NOT TO MENTION HOW SHE SENT AN ATTORNEY TO INTIMIDATE THE PARENTS AND SILENCE OUR VOICES.
I RESPECTFULLY ASKED PRESIDENT BERTA AND TRUSTEE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND AND CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE HEAD START.
FORMER TRUSTEE GRACE MALL UNDERSTOOD HER ROLE AND STOOD FOR A PROGRAM DESPITE HER CHALLENGES.
TODAY, WE HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 20 MONTHS WITHOUT A DIRECTOR.
>> DELIA KLEIN. PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS DELIA KLEIN.
I'M A PARA EDUCATOR TRAINER FOR SPECIAL ED.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK, SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED SEIU AND OPPOSED THE LAYOFFS LAST YEAR.
RECENTLY, A COUPLE OF PARA EDUCATORS TOLD ME THAT THEY FINALLY RECEIVED THE CALL THAT THEY ARE RESCINDED AND WE'LL BE BACK ON PERMANENT STATUS IN A FEW WEEKS.
WHILE I'M HAPPY THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO SUB IN THEIR FORMER POSITIONS THAT THEY HELD, I AM SAD BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN LAID OFF IN THE FIRST PLACE.
NOW MANAGEMENT WANTS TO ADD INSULT TO THEIR INJURY BY OFFERING THEM A 1% OFF SCHEDULE, ONE-TIME PAYMENT.
THESE PARA EDUCATORS WHO WERE LAID OFF AND STAYED AND PATIENTLY WAITED FOR MONTHS TO BE RESCINDED ARE WORTH MORE, AND SO ARE ALL OF OUR CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> RIGO KRISHNA, DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR AND PRESIDENT OF AS.
YESTERDAY, COE PRESENTED ITS COUNTERPROPOSAL ON SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR THE APPROXIMATELY 257 CERTIFICATED EDUCATORS AND ACE. LET ME BE CLEAR.
IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL, ILLOGICAL, AND DISMISSIVE OF THE VERY EDUCATORS THAT RUN OR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. YOU OFFERED A ONE-TIME OFF-SCHEDULE, NON-PENSIONABLE, A TOTAL OF 400,000 FOR APPROXIMATELY 260 CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES COMBINED FOR SALARIES AND EVERYTHING, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 1,550 PER AC MEMBER.
SCI RECEIVED SOMETHING SIMILAR.
MEANWHILE, NOTE, COE BEGAN THE YEAR WITH 109 MILLION CARRYOVER.
SUPERINTENDENT'S BASE SALARY IS $410,000, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT CELL PHONE STIPEND ALONE IS $100 PER MONTH.
SUPERINTENDENT TUSTIN, YOUR PUBLIC STATEMENTS PRAISE EDUCATORS.
YET YOUR ACTIONS CONTRADICT THAT IS DISMISSING THE NEEDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF EDUCATORS COE'S PRIORITY NOW. THANK YOU.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. BOARD MEMBERS AND DR. TASTIN.
I'M KELLY GUVERA, SEIU, OTB VICE PRESIDENT, AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLASSIFIED WORKERS.
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THIS LAST YEAR, THE COUNTY OFFICE ENDED THE '24/'25 FISCAL YEAR WITH OVER $109 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND.YET, CLASSIFIED STAFF ARE BEING TOLD WE'RE WORTH ZERO.
ZERO SALARY INCREASE AND ZERO INCREASE TO THE MEDICAL CAP.
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES KEEP THE COE RUNNING.
WE SUPPORT STUDENTS, FAMILIES, PROGRAMS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
TO SAY OUR VALUE IS ZERO IS NOT ACCURATE, AND IT'S NOT RESPECTFUL.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS SIMPLE: FAIRNESS, RECOGNITION, AND A COMPENSATION PACKAGE THAT REFLECTS THE REAL VALUE OF THE WORKFORCE THAT MAKES THIS OFFICE FUNCTION.
DR. TASTIN, PLEASE INVEST IN THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES WHO INVEST IN THIS INSTITUTION EVERY DAY. THANK YOU.
I'M TALKING ON BEHALF OF SARAH MORIN.
SHE WORKED FOR OVER 16 YEARS, AND THAT'S HOW I MET HER.
WE WORKED TOGETHER AT RITA PARK, LC.
RISING WAGES AND PROVIDING PRE-HEALTH CARE HERE AT SCCOE STRAIGHTENED THE ECONOMY.
WHEN PEOPLE EARN ENOUGH TO LIVE HER IN THE SILICON VALLEY AND DON'T GO BANKRUPT FROM THE MEDICAL BILLS, THEY CAN SPEND MORE, STAY HEALTHIER AND CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE WORKFORCE AT SCCOE.
HEARING AND LISTENING, NEEDING OUR CONCERNS.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. GOOD NIGHT.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD. THANK YOU FOR HEARING. MY NAME IS TERESA.
I WORK AT SANTI ONE OF THE BIGGEST SITES.
IT HAS SEVEN CLASSROOMS. WE ARE FEELING THAT WE ARE BEING DISRESPECTFUL, OVERWORKED AND STRESSED BECAUSE THERE'S NO SUBS WHEN THERE'S SOMEBODY OUT.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT CHILDREN ARE TRANSFERRING FROM CLASSROOM TO CLASSROOM, AND THEY'RE ALSO SUFFERING, CRYING AND OVERSTRESSING.
WE WANT TO KNOW THE REASON WHY SUBSTITUTES ARE NOT BEING SENT.
I MAKE MY RESEARCH IN THE GOOGLE AND THEN HEAD STARTS ONLY PAYING 22.51 AND OTHER PLACES LIKE IN DANGO ARE THEIR SALARIES 29.40 UP TO 24 OR $37.
ALSO, THE LIVING COSTS HERE, SILICON VALLEY IS SUPER HIGH.
IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT YOU WANT TO CUT OUR INSURANCE AND THEN INCREASE IT TO ONLY GIVING US 1,000.
>> OUR NEXT SEVEN SPEAKERS ARE CYNTHIA PUNO, CARIN RICHIE, KELLY SHEPHARD, MICHAEL FAUST, SANTO BARRY, DR. VERONICA RAMOS, SARAH JENA CARO.
CYNTHIA PUNO, PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, THIS IS CYNTHIA PUNO, I WORKED FOR 25 YEARS AT SCCOE AS A PARA EDUCATOR A PRE-SCHOOL ELC.
TODAY, I HAVE SCCOE, THIS PROPOSAL SIGNALS THAT OUR WELL BEING IS NOT PRIORITY.
WE ARE ALL PROFESSIONALS WHO DESERVE ONGOING SUBTAINABLE SUPPORT.
A FAIR OFFSET MUST INCLUDE REAL HELP AND MEDICAL PREMIUMS, NOT SYMBOLIC AMOUNT THAT DISAPPEAR IMMEDIATELY.
HEALTHY EMPLOYEE ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HEALTHY ORGANIZATION.
WE EXPECT SCCOE TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO MAKES THEIR PROGRAMS POSSIBLE.
SCCOE OFFERS IS JUST DISAPPOINTING. IT'S INSULTING.
LESS THAN 1,000 DOES NOTHING TO OFFSET THE REAL FINANCIAL PRESSURE THAT.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CARIN RICHIE.
I'VE BEEN A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST FOR 26 YEARS.
I WORKED ALMOST 20 YEARS FOR THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM.
I WANTED TO SAY THAT I'VE SEEN A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS AT THE SITE THAT I'VE WORKED AT AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROFESSIONALS COME INTO YOUR ROLES.
[00:20:01]
I'M JUST VERY GRATEFUL.I WANTED TO SAY AT FIRST, VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE A PLAYGROUND AGAIN FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT'S ADAPTED AND APPROPRIATE.
WE REALLY STRUGGLED WITH NOT HAVING APPROPRIATE FACILITIES.
ALSO GIVE US THE PAY THAT WE DESERVE.
IT'S EXPENSIVE HERE, AND IT'S INAPPROPRIATE TO NOT DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR TEENS.
WE'RE ALL HERE TO HELP AND SUPPORT EVERYONE. THANK YOU.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HI. MY NAME IS KELLY SHEPHARD.
I'M A SCHOOL NURSE FOR THE COUNTY OFFICE OF ED.
I HAVE BEEN SO FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, BUT TOTAL OF 26 YEARS AS SCHOOL NURSE, AND COMING UP ON 40 AS A REGISTERED NURSE IN GENERAL.
MY CONCERNS LIE WITH THE FACT THAT TWO NURSES POSITIONS WERE CUT LAST SPRING.
NUMBERS WERE LOOKED AT PREMATURELY.
IN REVIEWING OUR EQUITY NUMBERS LAST MONTH, WE REALIGNED THE NURSES ASSIGNMENTS.
WE'RE ALL HANGING IN THERE AT A CERTAIN NUMBER, WHICH IS FINE.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO ALL OF YOUR ATTENTION, AS I DID WITH AN EMAIL TO DR. TOSTON BACK IN THE SPRING, THAT I'M CONCERNED THAT WE ARE BEING PUSHED PAST OUR LIMITS.
THE ACUITY OF STUDENTS IS JUST RISING HIGHER AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I'M ABLE TO-
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'M A TEACHER OF THE DEAF AND HEART OF HEARING PROGRAM, AND I WANTED TO COME UP HERE TODAY TO SHARE MY APPRECIATION FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR RIGIO, THE PRESIDENT, MENDY AS WELL OR OUR REP, AND OUR CURRENT INTERIM PRINCIPLE AS WELL.
YOU CAN TRULY SEE HOW WE WANT TO IMPROVE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND SHE TRULY SEES THAT.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY, AND WE DEAL WITH A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT DAILY, EVEN AT THIS MOMENT, I'M SIGNING, BUT THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS DEFINITE HEART OF HEARING COLLEAGUES ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS MY MESSAGE.
IT'S INACCESSIBLE TO THEM WITH THE POSITIONING.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT THAT DON'T HAVE DIRECT EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH DEAF AND HARD HEARING PEOPLE, AND WE WANT TO DEMAND A CHANGE FOR THAT.
WE KNOW THAT THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS MADE ME DISHEARTENED.
>> I THINK THAT WAS ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO BE.
THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DOUBLED BECAUSE OF THE INTERPRETATION DELAY.
>> SORRY. YES. I WAS LOOKING AROUND WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON? I WANTED TO SAY THAT RECENTLY, THE NEGOTIATION MADE ME A BIT DISHEARTENED.
I WAS HOPING TO SEE A CHANGE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF POSITIVE CHANGES OCCURRING SLOWLY, YES, INCREMENTALLY.
BUT NONETHELESS, SCCOE IS A PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO GROW, LEARN, THRIVE AS MUCH AS THEY'RE ABLE TO.
WE NEED EVERYONE SUPPORT IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SANTO BARRY.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SANTO BARRY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS IN INVESTIGATING THE MISUSE OF FUNDS.
THIS FUND SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.
ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY SON IBRAHIM LIKE YOU KNOW ME.
SORRY IF I PRONOUNCE IT WRONG, AND THE BOARD FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING.
I HOPE THIS LEADS TO POLICY CHANGES TO ENSURE THAT THESE FUNDS GO TO THE RIGHT PROGRAM AND STUDENTS WHO NEED THEM MOST. THANK YOU.
>> DR. VERONICA RAMOS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DR. VERONICA RAMOS, AND I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 29 YEARS, AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE AC NEGOTIATION TEAM.
OUR TEAM HAS DEDICATED COUNTLESS HOURS TO FOSTER HOPE AND SOLIDARITY AMONG OUR NEARLY 260 MEMBERS.
YET OUR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MET WITH SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, INCLUDING NEWS WE RECEIVED YESTERDAY.
WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TEAM WOULD RECEIVE A TOTAL OF $400,000 TO BE ALLOCATED AMONG ALL MEMBERS.
THIS AMOUNT MUST COVER EVERYTHING FROM STIPENDS TO SALARIES TO BENEFITS.
[00:25:04]
I ASK YOU, HOW CAN THIS BE DEEMED FAIR WHEN OUR NEW SUPERINTENDENT WHO LACKS SUPERINTENDENT EXPERIENCE, RECEIVES A SALARY AND BENEFITS THAT EXCEED THIS ENTIRE AMOUNT? THIS REFLECTS A TROUBLING IMBALANCE, ONE THAT DISRESPECTS THE VERY EDUCATORS WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES DAILY.HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY THIS DISPARITY? THE SUPERINTENDENT'S FAMILY SEEMS TO BE WELL COVERED, BUT WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY DAY IN AND DAY OUT? WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH JENA CARO.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M SARAH JENA CARO, SCCOE CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
I'M READING THIS COMMENT ON BEHALF OF ROBERTA TANA, ONE OF MY SEIU MEMBERS WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT.
LIKE MANY OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS, THEY CAN'T ATTEND A FIVE O'CLOCK BOARD MEETING.
ROBERTA SAYS, I'M A HEAD START TEACHING EMPLOYEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LEADERSHIP, PARTICULARLY BOARD PRESIDENT BERTA, AS WELL AS THE SEIU MEMBERS WHO FOUGHT SO HARD TO KEEP THE HEADSTART GRANT SO THAT WE COULD KEEP OUR JOBS.
I'M ALSO HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR MY CO-WORKERS AND MYSELF BECAUSE OF SHORTAGES IN STAFFING.
WE ARE BEING OVERWORKED SERVING YOUNG CHILDREN, THREE-YEARS-OLD, WHO ARE STILL IN DIAPERS, SOME OF THEM WITH EXTRA NEEDS, WHICH DEMAND EXTRA SUPPORT, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF WHO CAN HELP US.
PLEASE CONSIDER REVIEWING THE SALARY RATE BECAUSE THEY THINK IT'S JUSTIFIED IN THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE.
KEEP IN MIND THAT AN OFF SCHEDULE PAYMENT MEANS THAT SUBSTITUTES WILL GET NOTHING.
IT'S ALREADY HARD ENOUGH TO FIND SUBS. THANK YOU.
>> THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM,
[A. Bargaining Units' Reports]
WHICH IS OUR BARGAINING UNIT REPORTS.PLEASE NO STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM DISCUSSING OR ACTING UPON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. WE WILL PRESENT A FIVE-MINUTE TIMER.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE PRESIDENT OR DESIGNEE OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, SEIU FORWARD.
PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENTS.
>> ON BEHALF OF SEIU LOCAL 521-1423 PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE CLASSIFIED STAFF HERE AT SCCOE.
I'M SARAH J. MACARRO, CHAPTER PRESIDENT AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
SCCOE STARTED THIS YEAR WITH $109 MILLION CARRYOVER AND IS PAYING DR.
TOSTON AN ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF 414,000 PLUS PERKS AND AN ADVISOR, A COST OF MORE THAN 90,000 OVER HIS PREDECESSOR.
YET SEIU IS BEING OFFERED LESS THAN $1,000 PER PERSON ONE TIME.
WITH THE COLA OF 2.3% IN THE STATE ALREADY LOWER THAN INFLATION, SCC WAS DEMANDING A SIGNIFICANT PAY CUT FROM SOME OF THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS.
LAST YEAR'S LAYOFFS WERE ALLEGEDLY TO REDUCE THE HIGH NUMBERS OF MANAGEMENT POSITIONS, BUT IN FACT, IT APPEARS TO BE RETALIATORY IN MANY WAYS AND HAS INSTEAD IMPACTED THE BARGAINING UNITS AND THE STUDENTS MORE.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WE'VE REQUESTED THE DATA, HOW MANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WERE CUT AND HOW MANY WERE BROUGHT BACK.
THAT INFORMATION IS STILL MISSING.
YET WE CAN SEE THAT THESE POSITIONS ARE BEING FILLED IN CERTAIN CASES BY THE VERY PEOPLE THAT WERE LAID OFF.
SCE CAN MORE THAN AFFORD THIS RAISE.
THEY'VE ALLOCATED AN INCREASE OF OVER $5 MILLION IN CLASSIFIED SALARIES IN THE BUDGET, WHICH MORE THAN COVERS OUR REQUESTED RAISE AND ANY ADDITIONAL STEP INCREASES FOR STAFF WHO AREN'T YET AT STEP 7.
THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUES TO ENGAGE IN THE SAME SUSPECT BUDGET HIGH, SPEND LOW, AND BUDGET HIGH AGAIN, WHICH THEY USED TO SUPPORT THE LAYOFFS AND DENYING OUR RAISES.
THIS IS NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TRANSPARENCY, OR RESPECT.
WE WERE HOPEFUL THAT A NEW SUPERINTENDENT WOULD END THIS TREND, BUT SO FAR, NOT ONLY HAS HE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL FOR THE OFFICE, FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN REMEMBER, AND THAT MY MEMBERS CAN REMEMBER.
SOME OF US HERE FOR 30 PLUS YEARS, NO RAISE OR COVERAGE FOR INCREASED MEDICAL COSTS HAS BEEN OFFERED.
WHILE DR. TOSTON HAS STATED HIS INTENTION TO MAKE THE UPCOMING BUDGET PROCESS TRANSPARENT, THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUESTED INFORMATION REQUESTED AS FAR BACK AS LAST YEAR, CONTINUES TO CONTRIBUTE TO A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE LAST TWO BUDGETS AND EXPENDITURES.
IN FACT, MULTIPLE REQUESTS, EVEN FOR BASIC INFORMATION HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED BY BUSINESS SERVICES OR PERSONNEL SERVICES, DESPITE MULTIPLE REQUESTS FROM US AND THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS POINTING THE FINGER AT EACH OTHER.
YOU MUST HOLD WHOMEVER IS RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE.
THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM, NOR DID IT STOP WITH THE CHANGE IN SUPERINTENDENTS.
WHEN WILL RE ACCOUNTABILITY? DR. TOSTON AS A SUPERINTENDENT, RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH YOU.
IT'S A STRONG AFFIRMATION OF WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS.
THE GRANT FUNDING WAS BEING USED IMPROPERLY, AWARDING OF CONTRACTS WE'RE FOLLOWING PERSONAL FAVORITISM, PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT AND AWARDING EXTRA COMPENSATION, AND THAT INVESTIGATIONS WERE OFTEN BIASED WITHOUT INTERVIEWING ALL THE RELEVANT PARTIES AND POTENTIAL WITNESSES.
LOOK AT TONIGHT'S CONTRACTS ON AGENDA ITEM 10A SHOWS THE SAME PATTERNS OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, INCLUDING SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTS TO AGENCIES THAT SIMPLY DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLE SOURCE, INCLUDING SELLER SIGNING, A CONTRACT THAT WE SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
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IN FACT, EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT, AND THIS YEAR, IT WOULD GO OUT FOR BID.YET HERE WE ARE AGAIN, ANOTHER SOLE SOURCE.
THERE ARE AT LEAST SIX LOCAL AGENCIES PROVIDING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION, INCLUDING PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION, WHICH IS PROVIDING INTERPRETATION TONIGHT.
THE OFFICE MAY ARGUE THAT STELLAR SIGNING ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING TO ASL INTERPRETERS WHO HAVE NOT YET BECOME CERTIFIED, NEITHER OF WHICH QUALIFIES STELLAR SIGNING AS A SOLE SOURCE.
ADDITIONALLY, STELLAR'S MENTORING AND TRAINING EFFECTIVENESS IS ALSO QUESTIONABLE GIVEN THE LOW RATE OF OUR EDUCATION INTERPRETERS ONE, ACHIEVING SCORES NECESSARY TO BECOME EDUCATION INTERPRETERS TWO.
THE CONTRACT SHENANIGANS MUST END.
ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR SOLE SOURCE MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVES AND IS NOT BEING USED AS A LOOPHOLE FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.
AS PART OF OUR OWN INVESTIGATION, WE WERE REASSURED THAT NEW PROCEDURES WOULD BE PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE PROPER OVERSIGHT.
CONTINUED PATTERNS SHOW THAT IF THEY ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED, THEY'RE EITHER INEFFECTIVE OR THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE ARE CHOOSING TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.
LEADERSHIP MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, NO PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, NO EXCEPTIONS.
THESE CORRUPT PRACTICES WERE INHERITED, DR. TOSTON AND THE BOARD, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEY END AND THAT THE PEOPLE ENGAGING THEM ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
WE MUST PRIORITIZE SAFETY, EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY FOR ALL.
REMOTE WORK, 3%, AND $147 FOR HEALTHCARE.
THE BARGAINING UNITS STAND TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST AND SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION, PSW A FORWARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE DESE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY EDUCATORS AS FORWARD, PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENTS.
>> THIS IS KRISHNA DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR AND PRESIDENT OF A.
WHEN WE WRITE EVEN A SMALL CHECK OF $40 WITH AN A, AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE MUST APPROVE THE EXPENSE.
OUR OFFICE STAFF IS THE THIRD CHECK AND BALANCE.
THIS LEVEL OF MISUSE, AS WE SEE IN AGENDA ITEM 5 B CANNOT POSSIBLY BE THE WORK OF ONE SINGLE INDIVIDUAL, SUPERINTENDENT TOSTON, THE PUBLIC AND YOUR EMPLOYEES DESERVE ANSWERS FROM YOU.
WHO ELSE PARTICIPATED IN APPROVING, REVIEWING OR IGNORING THESE EXPENSES? WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF BUSINESS SERVICES IN THIS? WHICH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR SIGNED OFF AND WHO HAD DIRECT OVERSIGHT? WHERE WERE THE CONTROLS THAT SHOULD HAVE PRESENTED THIS? MOST IMPORTANTLY, SUPERINTENDENT TASTIN WHAT IS YOUR PLAN NOW? STEP BY STEP, WHAT TIMELINES TO REBUILD FISCAL OVERSIGHT, REPAIR THE DAMAGE, AND ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO HOLD THOSE INVOLVED ACCOUNTABLE? TRUSTEES, HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE SUPERINTENDENTS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND NOT ABLE TO ABUSE THE SYSTEM? BECAUSE DECISIONS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE INFORMATION YOU'LL RECEIVE.
AS WE HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED, THE DATA PRESENTED TO YOU IS OFTEN INACCURATE, MISLEADING, OR CLOSED.
WHAT SAFEGUARDS WILL YOU PUT IN PLACE TO GUARANTEE TRANSPARENCY, ACCURACY, AND REAL OVERSIGHT SO THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
THIS MISUSED MONEY COULD HAVE SAVED STUDENT SERVICES AND COULD HAVE RESTORED THE NURSING POSITIONS THAT YOU ELIMINATED.
THE SLPS AND AP STAFF THAT WE BEGGED YOU TO KEEP, VISION OMM AND OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES BECAUSE STUDENTS SUFFERED BY INTERNAL MISMANAGEMENT WAS HAPPENING.
HOW WILL YOU REPAIR THIS HARM DR. TOSTIN? EVEN TONIGHT, WE SEE SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTS PRESENTED WITHOUT VALID JUSTIFICATION, COE IS AGAIN CLAIMING THAT STELLAR SIGNING IS THE ONLY ASL INTERPRETER AGENCY AVAILABLE FOR A $1 MILLION CONTRACT.
MULTIPLE AGENCIES OPERATE IN THE BAY AREA.
WHY IS THIS PATTERN STILL CONTINUING, ESPECIALLY AFTER AN INVESTIGATION INTO FINANCIAL MISUSE? IN RESPONSE TO UNION COMPLAINTS, ATTORNEY CASEY HAS STATED THAT ISSUES WITH THE SOLE SOURCE WOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ENSURE FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
THEN WHY ARE THE SAME OBJECTIONABLE CONTRACTS AGAIN ISSUED AS SOLE SOURCE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO FIX A DR. TUSTIN? FOR MONTHS, A BROUGHT SERIOUS CONCERNS TO YOU AND EVERY TIME WE WERE DISMISSED.
INCORRECT FINANCIAL DATA, AND WE WARNED YOU REPEATEDLY THAT DATA FROM BUSINESS SERVICES WAS INACCURATE.
WE REPEATEDLY SHOWED YOU THE ERRORS IN THE REBENCHING PACKET THAT PAINTED COES TOO EXPENSIVE.
WE WANTED TO BE A COLLABORATOR IN THE PROCESS.
INITIALLY, YOU AGREED AND THEN SAID IT'S A SLPA PROCESS.
THE RESULTS, LAYOFFS OF SLPS, AP, NURSES, VISION SPECIALISTS, AND EXISTING VACANCIES.
NOW WE'RE CONTRACTING OUT SERVICES AT A HIGH COST, AND 168,673 MINUTES OF COM TIME FOR SPEECH AND LINGUA WITH SERVICES.
WHO IS MISSING THE STUDENTS, WORSENING SHORTAGES HARM STUDENTS DAILY AS THEY'RE NOT GETTING THEIR SERVICES.
WE'RE TOLD ENROLLMENT IS DECLINING, BUT DISTRICTS TELL US THAT COA CLAIMS TO BE AT FULL CAPACITY AND CANNOT TAKE MORE STUDENTS.
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WHAT IS TRUE? COA CLAIMS WERE FULLY STAFFED, BUT OUR MEMBERS REPORT CHRONIC VACANCIES IN BOTH CERTIFICATED AND CLASSIFIED POSITIONS.NOW, MEANWHILE, MANAGEMENT POSITIONS CONTINUE TO BE CREATED AND FILLED.
THROUGHOUT BARGAINING UDENT REPORTS AT BOARD MEETINGS, IS AS RAISED EVERY ONE OF THESE CONCERNS.
WE HOPE THAT YOU OR SOMEONE WILL ASK ABOUT OUR REPEATED CONCERNS THAT WE BRING FORTH DURING THIS MEETING.
THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED TILL NOW.
THIS MEANS THAT THE BOARD NEVER GETS THE FULL PICTURE.
STAFF CONCERNS ARE BURIED AND ISSUES ARE ALLOWED TO GROW UNCHECKED WITHOUT DUE DILIGENCE.
SUPERINTENDENT TUSTIN, WE NEED CLEAR ANSWERS, CORRECTIVE ACTIONS, TIMELINES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM YOU.
THE EDUCATORS OF THIS COUNTY, THE BOARD, AND THE PUBLIC ALL DESERVE TO KNOW, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THIS MESS? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HOLD THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS IS BEING BROUGHT TO YOU.
IT DOESN'T TAKE PARSEC TO TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH COE.
WE ARE TELLING YOU THERE IS A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN SCCOE, AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP.
THE BARGAINING UNIT STAND TOGETHER BECAUSE WE ARE A, PSWA, AND SEIU. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES OUR BARGAINING UNIT REPORTS.
NEXT, WE WILL GO TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.
[A. Public Hearing on the Discovery Charter II Charter School Renewal Petition]
THE COUNTY BOARD WILL NOW CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RENEWAL REQUEST OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL PETITION FOR DISCOVERY CHARTER 2 CHARTER SCHOOL.MY NAME IS MAIMONA AFZAL BERTA.
I AM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND I WILL BE ACTING AS CHAIRPERSON OF THIS HEARING.
THIS HEARING WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS.
FIRST, THE BOARD WILL HEAR AN OPENING STATEMENT OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES FROM STAFF.
SECOND, DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL 2 WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A PRESENTATION OF NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
THIRD, SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE REQUEST FOR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.
FOURTH, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
FIFTH, BOARD MEMBERS MAY ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.
THEREAFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CLOSED.
THE BOARD ANTICIPATES RECONVENING TO ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL UPON DR. MICHELLE JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT, TO PRESENT WITH HER TEAM.
YOU WILL HAVE MINUTES 10 MINUTES, EXCUSE ME.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT AFZAL BERTA TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT DR. TOSTON STAFF AND COMMUNITY.
WE ARE HERE THIS EVENING FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL REQUEST AND MATERIAL REVISION FOR DISCOVERY CHARTER 2 OR DISCOVERY CHARTER FALCON CHARTER SCHOOL.
THE RENEWAL PROCESS CONSISTS OF ONE, THE CHARTER SCHOOL SUBMITTING A RENEWAL PETITION TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HOLDING THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RENEWAL PETITION REQUEST.
THREE, SCCOE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF, ANALYZING THE RENEWAL REQUEST AGAINST THE STANDARDS FOR RENEWAL SET FORTH IN THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT.
FOUR, THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT PUBLISHING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING RECOMMENDED FINDINGS AT LEAST 15 DAYS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING AT WHICH THE SCC BOE WILL ACT ON THE REQUEST, AND FIVE, THE SCC BOE ACTING ON THE RENEWAL REQUEST.
THE MATERIAL REVISION REQUEST IS TO FORMALLY CHANGE THE NAME OF DISCOVERY CHARTER 2 TO DISCOVERY CHARTER FALCON.
IN MARCH 2013, DISCOVERY FALCON WAS INITIALLY APPROVED FOR A THREE YEAR TERM AS A K 8 CHARTER SCHOOL ON APPEAL FROM SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPENED IN AUGUST OF 2013.
DISCOVERY FALCON WAS MATERIALLY REVISED IN MARCH OF 2015 TO PILOT A BLENDED HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND AGAIN, IN APRIL OF 2016, TO FULLY ADD THAT BLENDED HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM TO THE SCHOOL AND UPDATE ITS LOTTERY PREFERENCES.
FALCON WAS RENEWED IN 2018, AND ITS CURRENT TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30TH, 2026, AND BY IT AND ITS TERM WAS EXTENDED BY OPERATION OF LAW FOR TWO YEARS IN 2021, AND BY AN ADDITIONAL YEAR IN 2023.
ITS CURRENT ENROLLMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 450 STUDENTS.
DISCOVERY FALCON, DESIGNATED AS A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SUBMITTED ITS RENEWAL PETITION ON NOVEMBER 7TH, 2025, AND IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEAR TERM, WHICH IS THE ONLY TERM AVAILABLE TO A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL.
SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT DEEMED AS HIGH PERFORMING OR
[00:40:04]
LOW PERFORMING ARE AUTOMATICALLY PLACED IN THE MIDDLE PERFORMANCE TIER.WHEN DETERMINING WHETHER TO GRANT A RENEWAL, AN AUTHORIZER MUST GIVE GREATER WEIGHT TO THE SCHOOL'S PERFORMANCE ON MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IE, THE ELA AND MATH INDICATORS, THE EL PROGRESS OR ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRESS INDICATOR OR COLLEGE AND CAREER INDICATOR.
THE AUTHORIZER MUST ADDITIONALLY CONSIDER CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, SHOWING EITHER A, A CHARTER SCHOOL ACHIEVED MEASURABLE INCREASES IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, DEFINED BY AT LEAST ONE YEAR'S GROWTH FOR EACH YEAR IN SCHOOL, OR B, THE CHARTER SCHOOL HAS ACHIEVED STRONG POST SECONDARY OUTCOMES AS DEFINED BY COLLEGE ENROLLMENT, PERSISTENCE, AND COMPLETION RATES EQUAL TO SIMILAR PEERS.
THE CHARTERING AUTHORITY MAY DENY A MIDDLE PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL ON THE BASIS BY MAKING WRITTEN FACTUAL FINDINGS THAT THE SCHOOL FAILED TO MEET OR MAKE SUFFICIENT PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING STANDARDS THAT PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO THE PUPILS OF THE SCHOOL, THAT CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUPILS AND THAT THE DECISION PROVIDED GREATER WEIGHT TO PERFORMANCE ON THE MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
HOWEVER, ANY SCHOOL REGARDLESS OF PERFORMANCE CATEGORY, MAY BE NON RENEWED BASED ON EDUCATION CODE 47607E, IF THE AUTHORIZER FINDS THAT THE SCHOOL IS DEMONSTRABLY UNLIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL OR GOVERNANCE ISSUES OR IS FAILING TO SERVE ALL STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ATTEND AND PROVIDES THE SCHOOL NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDIATE THESE CONCERNS.
ON OCTOBER 3RD, A CCOE ISSUED DISCOVERY FALCON, A NOTICE OF CONCERN AND 47 607E NOTIFICATION FOR NOT SERVING ALL STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ATTEND.
ON NOVEMBER 3RD, DISCOVERY FALCON RESPONDED TO THE NOTICE AND PROVIDED A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE DEMOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES FROM SAN JOSE UNIFIED, THE DISTRICT IN WHICH DISCOVERY FALCON IS LOCATED.
CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT PROVIDES NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A PETITION.
THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER, AT WHICH TIME THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER THE LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR THE RENEWAL PETITION BY TEACHERS, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.
THE COUNTY BOARD'S DECISION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE CHARTER SHOULD OCCUR WITHIN 90 DAYS OF RECEIPT UNLESS THAT TIME IS EXTENDED BY AN ADDITIONAL 30 DAYS BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
DECISION HEARING FOR DISCOVERY FALCON WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026.
SCCOE STAFF HAS COMMUNICATED THROUGH E MAIL WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT, SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, VIA ITS SUPERINTENDENT NANCY ALBAN.
SAN JOSE UNIFIED HAS EXPRESSED THAT THEY WILL NOT PRESENT TONIGHT, AND STATED THAT ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT HAVE A FORMAL POSITION ON THE RENEWAL PETITION, WE TRUST THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH AND THOUGHTFUL REVIEW, AND WE DO NOT OPPOSE THE SCHOOL'S RENEWAL.
SUPERINTENDENT ALBARN FURTHER STATED, I ALSO WANT TO SHARE THAT THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN A DEPENDABLE TENANT AND CONSISTENTLY EASY TO WORK WITH, WHICH WE APPRECIATE.
THE SCCOE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT STAFF HAS BEGUN ITS PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS FOLLOWING CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE AND THE BOARD'S GUIDELINES OF 0,420.4 BOARD POLICY REGARDING THE CONSIDERATION OF DISCOVERY FALCONS CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION.
FULL ANALYSIS WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE COMING WEEKS, AND THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND RECOMMENDED FINDINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE SCCOE CHARTER SCHOOLS WEBSITE BY JANUARY 20TH.
THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S OPENING STATEMENT.
>> THANK YOU. IS DISCOVERY CHARTER 2 CHARTER SCHOOL READY TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION? GREAT. WHO WILL BE SPEAKING FOR DISCOVERY TO?
>> I WILL, AND KELLY BROWNVILLE.
>> PLEASE PROCEED. YOU WILL HAVE 10 MINUTES.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, AND TRUSTEES OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD AND THE FALCON COMMUNITY.
I'M CARLA LAND OLSNER, DIRECTOR OF DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL FALCON CAMPUS.
PRESENTING WITH ME THIS EVENING IS KELLY BROWN, OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, AND IN ATTENDANCE, OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM.
WE'RE HONORED TO PRESENT THE RENEWAL OF OUR CHARTER FOR THE 25-31 TERM, A RECOMMITMENT TO OUR THRIVING FALCON COMMUNITY.
NEXT SLIDE. DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOLS BEGAN
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20 YEARS AGO WITH A SIMPLE YET POWERFUL BELIEF THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST BY DOING.IN 2012, AS THE WAIT LIST FOR DISCOVERY PHOENIX GREW, THE DISCOVERY BOARD INVITED FAMILIES TO PARTNER IN FOUNDING A SISTER SCHOOL.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES, A PARENT, A VOLUNTEER, AND A DREAMER, WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH OTHERS TO BRING THAT VISION TO LIFE.
IN 2013, THE SCCOE BOARD APPROVED OUR PETITION AND DISCOVERY FALCON OPENED ITS DOORS.
THIS YEAR, THE FALCON COMMUNITY CELEBRATES 13 YEARS OF INNOVATION, BELONGING, AND JOYFUL LEARNING. NEXT SLIDE.
OUR PROGRAM IS BUILT AROUND THE WHOLE CHILD PHILOSOPHY, SUPPORTING EVERY STUDENT, ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
WE BELIEVE LEARNING IS MOST POWERFUL WHEN IT CONNECTS THE MIND AND THE HEART AND WHEN STUDENTS ARE KNOWN, CHALLENGED, AND SUPPORTED AS INDIVIDUALS.
WE PARTNER WITH FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO DEVELOP PERSONALIZED EDUCATION PLANS.
EACH PLAN IS CENTERED ON GOALS THAT ENCOMPASS ACADEMICS, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL GROWTH, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND REFLECT EACH LEARNERS INTEREST, STRENGTH AND AREAS FOR GROWTH.
NEXT SLIDE. WE BELIEVE BELONGING IS AT THE FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING, AND THAT STUDENTS THRIVE WHEN THEY FEEL SEEN, SAFE AND VALUED.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING IS WOVEN THROUGH DAILY PRACTICE FROM MORNING COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO WAY FINDER LESSONS, ZONES OF REGULATION, AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES.
EVERY STAFF MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER IS TRAINED IN POSITIVE DISCIPLINE, ENSURING A CONSISTENT AND CARING APPROACH THAT FOSTERS EMPATHY, REFLECTION, AND CONNECTION ACROSS CAMPUS. NEXT SLIDE.
>> PROJECT BASED LEARNING IS AT THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM.
EACH GRADE LEVEL DESIGNS THREE MAJOR PROJECTS ANNUALLY, GROUNDED IN REAL WORLD INQUIRY AND AUTHENTIC APPLICATION.
THIS YEAR, WE'VE ENHANCED OUR PROGRAM WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL INTENSIVES.
TEACHER DESIGNS MULTI WEEK DEEP DIVES IN STEM, HUMANITIES, AND THE ARTS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO EXPLORE PASSIONS THROUGH REAL WORLD INQUIRY.
OUR STUDENTS ARE ACTIVE CREATORS OF KNOWLEDGE.
EACH PROJECT CULMINATES IN A SHOWCASE, GIVING STUDENTS OWNERSHIP PURPOSE AND PRIDE IN THEIR LEARNING. NEXT SLIDE.
LEARNING EXTENDS BEYOND OUR WALLS THROUGH FIELD STUDIES, SERVICE LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
STUDENTS APPLY CLASSROOM CONCEPTS IN REAL WORLD CONTEXT.
FOR EXAMPLE, A THIRD GRADE CLASS STUDYING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, VISITED LOCAL RESEARCH CENTERS, THEN RETURN TO CREATE ART AND WRITING INSPIRED BY THEIR DISCOVERIES.
THESE HANDS ON EXPERIENCES TRANSFORM CURIOSITY INTO UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE INTO WISDOM. NEXT SLIDE.
OUR PROJECT BASED MODEL IS BEAUTIFULLY COMPLEMENTED BY OUR INSPIRATION FROM THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH.
THE ENVIRONMENT IS CONSIDERED THE THIRD TEACHER.
EVERY SPACE INVITES CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY, AND COLLABORATION WITH MATERIALS THAT EVOLVE ALONGSIDE LEARNING.
WE ALSO IMPLEMENT STORY WORKSHOP, A LITERACY FRAMEWORK THAT BEGINS WITH IMAGINATION AND PLAY, BRIDGING CREATIVE EXPLORATION, WITH STRUCTURED LITERACY.
THROUGH THIS APPROACH, STUDENTS PRACTICE SETTING, CHARACTER, AND DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE WHILE DEVELOPING THEIR UNIQUE VOICES AS AUTHORS. NEXT SLIDE.
OUR COMMUNITY IS LINGUISTICALLY RICH AND LANGUAGE LEARNING IS CELEBRATED AS A STRENGTH.
USING GUIDED LANGUAGE ACQUISITION DESIGN, TEACHERS INTEGRATE ACADEMIC LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT DAILY INSTRUCTION.
OUR ELD TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT, CO TEACHERS LEAD SMALL GROUPS AND SUPPORT STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY.
THIS COLLABORATIVE MODEL ENSURES THAT STUDENTS ARE BOTH SUPPORTED AND CHALLENGED.
DASHBOARD DATA CONFIRMS STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRESS, VALIDATING THIS INCLUSIVE APPROACH. NEXT SLIDE.
OUR STAFF ARE LIFELONG LEARNERS WHO MODEL CURIOSITY AND REFLECTION FOR THEIR STUDENTS.
EACH WEEK, OUR TEAMS ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES TO ANALYZE DATA, CO DESIGN LESSONS, PLAN SUPPORTS, AND REFINE PRACTICES.
WE INVEST IN ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PBL, GLAD, SEL, MTSS, AND SAFETY PRACTICES THROUGH HANDLE WITH CARE TRAINING.
MANY OF OUR TEACHERS LOOP WITH THEIR STUDENTS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS CREATING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND A SENSE OF CONTINUITY THAT ALLOWS FOR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CHILD'S JOURNEY.
NEXT SLIDE. FAMILY PARTNERSHIP DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO STUDENT'S CONFIDENCE AND ENGAGEMENT.
WE WORK WITH FAMILIES TO FIND MEANINGFUL WAYS TO
[00:50:02]
ENGAGE WHETHER VOLUNTEERING IN CLASS, READING WITH STUDENTS, HELPING BEHIND THE SCENES OR LEADING ENRICHMENT SUCH AS CERAMICS, CODING, COOKING, AND CREATIVE WRITING.FAMILIES ALSO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN STUDENT GOAL SETTING CONFERENCES, CHAPERON ON FIELD TRIP, SERVE ON OUR PROGRAM SITE COUNSEL, AND PARTICIPATE IN PARENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES LIKE POSITIVE DISCIPLINE AND FAMILY ACADEMY.
NEXT SLIDE. FALCON FAMILIES SHAPE OUR CAMPUS CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS THAT BRING US TOGETHER.
EVENTS SUCH AS MONTHLY MOVIE NIGHTS, CAMPUS CAMPOUTS, LAPS FOR LEARNING, THE WINTER FAIR, IFTAR, AND BOX CITY, SHOWCASES THE RICH DIVERSITY OF OUR SCHOOL, AND THE DEEP CONNECTIONS THAT DEFINE US.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON DECEMBER 10TH FOR OUR WINTER FAIR WHEN OUR CAMPUS TRANSFORMS INTO A WONDERLAND OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY PRIDE.
THE STORY OF FALCON IS TOLD NOT ONLY THROUGH OUR VALUES AND PRACTICES, BUT ALSO THROUGH THE MEASURABLE GROWTH OF OUR STUDENTS.
DISCOVERY FALCON'S DATA TELLS A STORY OF SUSTAINED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE.
ON THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DASHBOARD, OUR STUDENTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORMED STATE AVERAGES IN BOTH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THIS PROGRESS IS EVIDENT ACROSS MOST STUDENT GROUPS AND REFLECTS INTENTIONAL CYCLES OF DATA ANALYSIS, TARGETED SUPPORTS, AND COLLABORATIVE REFLECTION EMBEDDED IN OUR SCHOOL CULTURE.
OUR YEAR TO YEAR GROWTH TRENDS SHOW CONTINUED UPWARD MOVEMENT.
ELA GROWTH HAS MATCHED OR EXCEEDED STATEWIDE EXPECTATIONS WHILE MATH GROWTH HAS SURPASSED STATE TRENDS.
TEACHERS USE DATA DAILY TO TAILOR INSTRUCTION, AND STUDENTS SET AND TRACK THEIR OWN LEARNING GOALS.
THROUGH WIN TIME, FLEXIBLE GROUPING, AND SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION, WE PERSONALIZE LEARNING SO THAT EVERY CHILD CONTINUES TO PROGRESS.
NEXT SLIDE. OUR INTERNAL IRD BENCHMARK DATA CONFIRMS THESE GAINS.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, OUR DATA SHOWS AN INCREASE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS MEETING THEIR YEARLY GROWTH TARGETS.
THESE RESULTS REFLECT THE STRENGTH OF OUR ALIGNED SYSTEMS, OUR INTERVENTIONS, COACHING, AND PERSONALIZED GOAL SETTING, ENSURING EQUITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL LEARNERS.
THROUGH THESE SYSTEMS, WE ARE ABLE TO TARGET SPECIFIC SKILL GAPS TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. NEXT SLIDE.
OUR CONTINUUM OF DELIVERY ENSURES THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.
SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION, DATA DRIVEN PLANNING, AND HANDS ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE PART OF EVERY CLASSROOM EVERY DAY.
THIS CONTINUUM ALIGNS DIRECTLY WITH OUR MTSS FRAMEWORK, ALLOWING US TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY NEEDS WITH DATA, IMPLEMENT INTERVENTIONS, AND CELEBRATE GROWTH ACROSS ALL TIERS OF INSTRUCTION.
NEXT SLIDE. DEMOGRAPHICS. FALCON PROUDLY REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR SAN JOSE COMMUNITY.
OUR DEMOGRAPHICS ALIGN CLOSELY WITH THE SURROUNDING ZIP CODE 95123, CREATING A MICROCOSM OF OUR BROADER CITY.
WE CELEBRATE THAT OUR CLASSROOMS MIRROR THE DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE SEE THIS REPRESENTATION AS CENTRAL TO CREATING AN INCLUSIVE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
WE ALSO SERVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND LOW INCOME STUDENTS THAN MOST SCHOOLS WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS OF OUR SCHOOL.
THAT REPRESENTATION IS INTENTIONAL AND CENTRAL TO OUR MISSION.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION ARE NOT SEPARATE INITIATIVES.
THEY ARE EMBEDDED IN THE FABRIC OF OUR DAILY PRACTICE.
AS WE PRESENTED IN AN EARLIER SLIDE, THESE SUBGROUPS ARE OUTPERFORMING STATE AVERAGES.
OUR ENROLLMENT DATA REFLECTS OUR FOUNDING PROMISE TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY LEARNER, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND OR NEEDS.
DISCOVERY FALCON WAS BUILT BY FAMILIES AND IS SUSTAINED BY LOVE.
IT IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN GROW WINGS THROUGH WONDER, BELONGING, AND JOYFUL LEARNING.
ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION.
WE WELCOME YOU TO EXPERIENCE OUR CLASSROOMS,
[00:55:01]
MEET OUR STUDENTS AND WITNESS THE CURIOSITY, COMPASSION, AND CONFIDENCE THAT DEFINE DISCOVERY FALCON.>> THANK YOU. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S REPRESENTATIVES FROM SAN JOSE IFIED.
NEXT, WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE.
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE HAND IN YOUR SPEAKER'S FORM.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.
MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> YES, WE HAVE 13 CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR THE 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 SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
OUR FIRST GROUP OF SPEAKERS ARE CHRISTOPHER FOISY, ANTHONY D PANETTA, EILEEN URBAN, HEMA MIO, JASON SANDSTORM, ARIANA HILLSBRAD, TONY GIM, HOWARD FRIEDMAN, LISA WORRELL AND MAGNUS OSNER.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD, CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS CHRIS FOS, AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD FOR DISCOVERY CHARTER, AS WELL AS A FALCON PARENT OF A CURRENT STUDENT AND AN ALUMNI WHO COMPLETED THE DISCOVERY PROGRAM.
MY MOTHER WAS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR FOR SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED FOR 30 YEARS, SO I LITERALLY GREW UP IN A CLASSROOM.
THIS GAVE ME EARLY INSIGHTS INTO WHAT IT TAKES FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF TO CREATE AN INCREDIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
MANY YEARS LATER WHEN I FIRST TOURED DISCOVERY FALCON AND SPOKE TO THE STAFF OF THE INFORMATION NIGHTS, I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MY FAMILY.
AFTER STARTING AT THE SCHOOL AND GETTING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLASSROOM, IT SOLIDIFIED MY BELIEF IN OUR PROGRAM 100%.
THE RESULTS HAVE SPOKEN FOR THEMSELVES AS MY SON IS TRANSITIONED INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND IS DOING EXTREMELY WELL.
AS A PARENT OF DISCOVERY AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, I KNOW OUR PROGRAM INSIDE AND OUT.
PLEASE REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AS WE ASK FOR RENEWAL OF OUR CHARTER IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE DISCOVERY LEGACY.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANTHONY D PANETTA.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING TO OUR BOARD PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES, STAFF AND EVERYONE JOINING US TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS ANTHONY PANETTA, AND I'M THE DEAN OF STUDENTS FOR DISCOVERY FALCON, PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE FALCON COMMUNITY FOR 4.5 YEARS.
I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR DISCOVERY FALCON FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY.
I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SERVE THROUGH DIFFERENT CAPACITIES FROM OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, LEAD, AND PARA PROFESSIONAL IN THE CLASSROOM, SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHER, AND NOW AS THE DEAN OF STUDENTS.
MY FAVORITE PART OF OUR PROGRAM IS WORKING WITH OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF.
WALKING WITH THEM THROUGH THEIR CHALLENGES AND CELEBRATIONS HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME.
WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO COME SEE WHAT OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS AMAZING COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> EILEEN URBAN, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR LISTENING AND FOR CONSIDERING OUR CHARTER RENEWAL.
MY NAME IS EILEEN URBAN, AND I'M A SECOND AND THIRD GRADE TEACHER AT DISCOVERY FALCON, AND I'VE HAD THE JOY OF BEING HERE SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING IN 2013.
IT HAS TRULY BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WATCH OUR SCHOOL GROW AND EVOLVE, ALL WHILE STAYING GROUNDED IN OUR VISION AND OUR PHILOSOPHY.
FROM DAY 1, I FELT TRUSTED, BELIEVED IN, AND SUPPORTED NOT ONLY BY MY COLLEAGUES AND ADMINISTRATION, BUT BY THE AMAZING PARENTS WHO INVEST SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME, RESOURCES, AND HEART INTO THE DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE.
TOGETHER WITH OUR STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR STAFF, WE CREATE SPACES ON CAMPUS AND OFF WHERE EVERY STUDENT IS VALUED AND TRULY BELONGS.
[01:00:04]
SEEING CHILDREN EXPLORE, PLAY, COLLABORATE, AND SOLVE PROBLEMS WITH JOY AND CONFIDENCE, ALONGSIDE OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY IS MY FAVORITE PART OF DISCOVERY, AND I INVITE YOU TO COME EXPERIENCE IT WITH US. THANK YOU.>> HEMA MIO, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES AND STAFF.
I AM THE FAMILY LIAISON OF FALCON AND ALSO A PARENT FOR SIX YEARS.
THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD ABOUT FALCON, BUT I WILL FOCUS ON ONE THING, SOMETHING BEYOND ACADEMICS.
ACADEMICALLY, MY CHILDREN ARE THRIVING AND I SEE THEIR LOVE OF LEARNING.
WHAT'S BIGGER THAN THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE HEART OF FALCON, A COMMUNAL SENSE OF NURTURE AND CARE FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS.
WHEN NEW STUDENTS TO OUR SCHOOL, NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL, I LOVE SHARING THAT PARENTS GROW HERE TOO BECAUSE THEY GET TO BE IN THE CLASSROOMS. I LEARN TO BE A BETTER PARENT AND HOW TO HOLD SPACE AND TREAT ALL STUDENTS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF MODEL.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS DEVELOPING AT THE SAME TIME WAS A SENSE OF CARE FOR EVERY CHILD IN THOSE CLASSES.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR STUDENTS WHEN WE SEE THIS UP TO A WHOLE COMMUNITY LEVEL? IT MEANS THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LEARN AND TO GROW, A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE VULNERABLE AND THEIR AUTHENTIC SELVES.
THIS TO ME IS THE BIGGEST GIFT THAT DISCOVERY HAS GIVEN MY CHILDREN. THANK YOU.
>> JASON SANDSTORM, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS JASON SANDSTORM. GOOD EVENING.
BOARD PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES, AND STAFF.
MY WIFE AND I ARE ONE OF MANY FOUNDING FAMILIES FROM DISCOVERY FALCON.
WE MADE A TRIP HERE ALMOST EXACTLY 13 YEARS AGO, FEW TRIPS, IN FACT, IN SUPPORT OF GETTING OUR CHARTER INITIALLY ACCEPTED.
MANY SINCERE THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSORS FOR APPROVING OUR CHARTER AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SCHOOL, WHICH MEANS WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT MOSTLY THE KIDS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ULTIMATELY BENEFIT FROM THE SCHOOL.
MY DAUGHTER, I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH DISCOVERY.
ONE STILL IN SIXTH GRADE, SHE'S STILL THERE.
THE OTHER ONES, SHE'S A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE WENT FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND GRADUATED WITH A PRETTY LARGE COHORT THAT ALL WENT TO THE SAME COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL.
ONCE THERE, IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT THE ACADEMIC CHALLENGES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FACE AND HOW THEY'RE PREPARED, PLEASE KNOW THAT ALMOST THE WHOLE COHORT, FOR EXAMPLE, EXCELLED IN THEIR MATH PLACEMENT AND WERE SKIPPED FRESHMAN MATH.
>> ARIANA HILLSBRAD, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. BOARD PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES, AND STAFF.
MY FAMILY HAS BEEN AT DISCOVERY FALCON FOR TEN YEARS AND PLANNING FOR ANOTHER NINE.
AS YOU CONSIDER RENEWAL, I'D LIKE TO SHARE WHY DISCOVERY FALCON IS SO SPECIAL.
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
ONE OF THE GREATEST EXPERIENCES IS COLLABORATING WITH STUDENTS ON SCHOOL MURALS, HELPING TO SHAPE A SHARED VISION AND INSPIRE OUR SCHOOL VALUES.
RECENTLY, MY FAMILY WAS SET BACK BY MY CANCER DIAGNOSIS.
THIS COMMUNITY IMMENSELY HELPED TO REPLENISH OUR STRENGTH.
WHEN FAMILIES ENGAGE, STUDENTS FEEL SUPPORTED, TEACHERS FEEL VALUED AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECOME STRONGER.
THIS COMMITMENT ISN'T JUST PART OF OUR SCHOOL, IT'S A FOUNDATION.
A FOUNDATION MY FAMILY BUILT MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS FROM AND A FOUNDATION MY CHILDREN ARE BUILT AND THRIVE FROM. THANK YOU.
>> TONY GIM, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HELLO BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT AND TRUSTEES.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF DISCOVERY FALCON.
MY NAME IS TONY GIM, AND I HAVE A FIFTH GRADER AND SECOND GRADER AT DISCOVERY FALCON, AND WE'VE BEEN THERE FOR SIX YEARS NOW.
>> ACTUALLY, I JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T WRITE.
THIS IS A GOOD PLACE FILLED WITH AMAZING PEOPLE WHO DO SO MUCH WITH NOT ENOUGH.
I THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE PLACES LIKE DISCOVERY.
I KNOW I'M VERY LUCKY FOR MY KIDS TO BE THERE BECAUSE EVERYONE THERE LOOKS OUT FOR THEM, NOT JUST ME.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY HARD TO CONVEY WITH WORDS.
YOU HAVE TO SEE IT AND EXPERIENCE IT.
YOU HAVE TO BE THERE. I HOPE YOU COME OUT AND VISIT ONE DAY AND GET TO SEE THAT LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC. THANK YOU.
>> HOWARD FRIEDMAN, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENT.
I'VE BEEN A VOLUNTEER AT DISCOVERY FALCON FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.
I'VE WORKED FOUR DAYS A WEEK, FOUR HOURS A DAY.
AS A RETIRED TEACHER, I'D LIKE TO SHARE THIS.
[01:05:03]
I'M AMAZED AT THE STAFF FOR WHAT THEY DO EVERY DAY WITH LIMITED FUNDING.THE TEACHERS KNOW THEIR STUDENTS AND HAVE DEEP COMPASSION FOR THEM.
I FIND THE STAFF OVERALL IS DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY HAS HIGH EFFICACY IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. THE OFFICE STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE CARING AND SUPPORTIVE.
THE OFFICE STAFF HELPS THE CHILDREN AND THE STAFF THERE DAILY IN MOST CARING MANNER.
THE ENTIRE OFFICE STAFF HAS A WARM AND UNDERSTANDING MANNER WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS ALIKE.
THE CHILDREN'S ARE CREATIVE, CONNECTED, AND INTELLIGENT.
THE CHILDREN HAVE SO MANY STRONG ATTRIBUTES.
THE STRONGEST IS THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT EACH OTHER AND GET ALONG.
I GET A SENSE OF HOPE AND PROMISE FROM EVERYONE AT DISCOVERY FALCON. THANK YOU.
>> LISA WORRELL, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, SUPERINTENDENT, TRUSTEES, AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS LISA WORRELL, AND I'VE BEEN A DISCOVERY FALCON PARENT FOR SIX YEARS, AND MY CHILD IS IN THE HYBRID HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF DISCOVERY BECAUSE IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE.
WE CHOSE DISCOVERY BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENT PARTICIPATION MODEL.
I WANTED MY CHILD TO BE AT A SCHOOL WHERE I WAS WELCOME TO VOLUNTEER AND HELP IN THE CLASSROOM.
HOWEVER, I QUICKLY CAME TO SEE THAT PARENTS ARE SEEN AS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST HELPERS OR VOLUNTEERS AT DISCOVERY.
WE ARE TREATED AS VALUED PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN.
WE ARE SUPPORTED WHILE WORKING ALONGSIDE TEACHERS, STAFF, AND FELLOW PARENTS.
MY CHILD SEES ME IN THE CLASSROOM AND HE SEES AS FRIENDS PARENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.
THIS SHOWS OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY HAVE A WHOLE TEAM OF TRUSTED ADULTS WHO CARE ABOUT THEM AND WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.
THIS MODEL OF PARENT PARTICIPATION CREATES A STRONG COMMUNITY WHERE CHILDREN LEARN, FRIENDSHIPS GROW, AND SCHOOL IS A HAPPY PLACE, AND THAT IS WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT DISCOVERY, AND I HOPE YOU WILL ALL COME VISIT AND SEE THAT FOR YOURSELVES. THANK YOU.
>> MAGNUS OELSNER, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
MY EXPERIENCE AT DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL BEGAN IN KINDERGARTEN IN MISS KATIE'S CLASS, WHICH WAS ALSO THE SCHOOL'S FIRST YEAR.
I REMEMBER LEARNING TO READ AND WRITE, BUT WHAT STANDS OUT THE MOST IS THAT LEARNING NEVER FELT LIKE A CHORE.
DISCOVERY'S UNIQUE APPROACH KEPT ME EXCITED EVERY DAY.
STORY WORKSHOP WHERE WE TURN PLAY INTO STORIES HELPED ME BECOME A CONFIDENT WRITER AND TAUGHT ME THAT LEARNING CAN COME FROM CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION.
I ALSO TREASURE THE COMMUNITY EVENTS.
MY FAVORITE WAS BOX CITY, WHERE WE BUILT CARDBOARD BUSINESSES AND SOLD HANDMADE GOODS FOR BOX BUCKS, AND UNFORGETTABLE HANDS ON WAY TO LEARN BASIC ECONOMICS.
I ALSO LOVE LAPS FOR LEARNING, ESPECIALLY THE T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST IN WHICH I WON AND I'M WEARING TODAY.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS I LOVE DISCOVERY, TOO MANY TO SHARE IN ONE MINUTE.
WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT DISCOVERY GAVE ME STRONG FOUNDATIONS, ACADEMICALLY, CREATIVELY AND PERSONALLY.
I HOPE YOU WILL RENEW DISCOVERY'S CHARTER SO THAT OTHER CHILDREN CAN BUILD THE SAME MEANINGFUL.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VITA PERI.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD PRESIDENT, TRUSTEES, AND SUPERINTENDENT.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL.
I'M IN EIGHTH GRADE, AND THIS IS MY NINTH YEAR ATTENDING DISCOVERY.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS I'VE BEEN THERE.
DISCOVERY HAS TAUGHT ME TO BE INDEPENDENT, TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF, AND TO BE CONFIDENT, WHICH IS WHY I RAN FOR PRESIDENT, AND ALSO WHY I'M HERE MAKING THE SPEECH.
BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVELY SMALLER STUDENT POPULATION THAT DISCOVERY HAS ALLOWS TEACHERS TO FOCUS ON EACH STUDENT'S NEEDS INDIVIDUALLY.
FOSTERS A TIGHT KNIT COMMUNITY THAT IS GENUINE, SUPPORTIVE, AND HELPFUL.
WHENEVER I STRUGGLED WITH ANYTHING, MY PEERS WERE ALWAYS QUICK TO JUMP IN AND HELP DO THE SAME.
DISCOVERY ALSO HAS SUCH A NEW WAY OF TEACHING WITH HANDS ON ACTIVITIES, LOTS OF FIELD TRIPS, AND OUT OF THE BOX METHODS THAT MAKE IT TRULY INTERESTING AND FUN TO LEARN.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING DISCOVERY HAS TAUGHT ME, AND I'LL DEFINITELY MISS IT WHEN I GRADUATE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MACKIE NAGAI.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MACKIE NAGAI, AND I'M IN SEVENTH GRADE, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SHARE WHY I LOVE AND VALUE DISCOVERY FALCON CAMPUS.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BOARD PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES.
I LOVE HOW MUCH DISCOVERY VALUES AND FOSTERS THE LOVE OF LEARNING, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US STUDENTS TO BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT AND TRUST WITH THEIR PEERS AND THOSE AROUND THEM.
THE SUPPORT I'VE RECEIVED FROM THE PEOPLE ON CAMPUS FEELS GENUINE AND MEANINGFUL.
NOT JUST A SMALL AFFIRMATION WHILE PASSING BY, BUT GOOD RESPONSES OF HEARTFELT ENCOURAGEMENT.
THE VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ALL TRY TO HELP SUPPORT US STUDENTS AND HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HOW TO TEACH US TO PROBLEM SOLVE ON OUR OWN.
[01:10:04]
BUT FROM WHAT I KNOW PERSONALLY, THIS SCHOOL HAS BROUGHT OUT THE VERY BEST IN ME THROUGH FAIR AND FUN LEARNING STYLES, I BELIEVE OUR PHILOSOPHY CAN HELP US POSITIVELY CHANGE OUR COMMUNITY, AND I HOPE YOU ALL WANT TO COME AND VISIT US SUNDAY. THANK YOU.>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HAMEL GEDLU.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HELLO, BOARD PRESIDENT AND SUPERINTENDENT.
I AM A STUDENT AT DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL.
WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT DISCOVERY IS A SCHOOL THAT WELCOMES ANY PERSON FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO LEARN TOGETHER IN HARMONY.
OUR TEACHERS ARE RESPECTFUL AND REASSURING AND ALWAYS HELP YOU WHENEVER YOU NEED IT.
IT IS ALSO A SCHOOL THAT HAS MANY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ARTS, COOKING, WOODWORKING, OR CERAMICS.
DISCOVERY HAS 10 EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS EVERY YEAR TO HELP STUDENTS HAVE FUN AND GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN REAL LIFE AND EXPLORE THE ASTONISHING NATURE OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, SCIENCE, OR MORE.
RENEWING DISCOVERY ALLOWS US TO THRIVE WITH INSPIRATION AND KNOWLEDGE.
I HOPE YOU SUPPORT THE RENEWAL OF OUR SCHOOL SO WE CAN LEARN AND THRIVE MORE, AND I HOPE YOU COME TO VISIT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
SEEING NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS MATTER, PUBLIC COMMENT IS CLOSED.
NEXT, WE WILL GO TO CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD.
BEFORE WE DO SO, I DID IN CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL, I WANTED TO PUBLICLY DISCLOSE, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT A TECHNICAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR FINANCIAL INTEREST, MY CURRENT EMPLOYER HAS PROVIDED TRAINING SERVICES TO DISCOVERY IN THE PAST, AND SO I WANTED TO PUBLICLY DISCLOSE THAT AS WELL.
WE WILL GO TO CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD.
TRUSTEES. I'LL GO TO TRUSTEE LAURIE AND THEN TRUSTEE SPEISER.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
COULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO THE INDEPENDENT STUDY HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE, WHEN DID IT START AND WHAT IMPACT HAS IT HAD ON STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AS WELL AS COMIC ABSENTEEISM?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.
THIS IS KARLA LUND OELSNER, RESPONDING.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I CAN SPEAK WELL TO THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM.
I'M WONDERING IF THE QUESTION IS REGARDING THE SHORT TERM OR THE LONG TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY.
IS IT SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM COULD YOU SPEAK TO BOTH?
>> YES, I CAN. I WAS LUCKY TO BE A PARENT, A VOLUNTEER, AND ALSO I TAUGHT IN THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM AS A TEACHER FOR FIVE YEARS.
I'VE TAUGHT KINDER THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND THE ON-SITE PROGRAM, STUDENTS VISIT OUR CAMPUS TWICE A WEEK.
WE HAVE A K2, A THREE, FOUR, A FIVE, SIX, AND A SEVEN, EIGHT CLASS, AND THEY FUNCTION PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS A REGULAR FIVE-DAY PROGRAM.
THEY COME IN IN THE MORNING, HAVE THEIR MORNING MEETING, THAT'S FOLLOWED UP WITH MATH, AND THEN THEY GO INTO PROJECT WORK.
REALLY, THEY FUNCTION VERY MUCH LIKE A REGULAR SCHEDULE IN A REGULAR CLASSROOM.
WHAT SETS IT ASIDE IS THAT THE STUDENTS, OF COURSE, LEARN AT HOME THREE DAYS A WEEK.
DURING THAT TIME, THE PARENTS ARE THE MAIN TEACHER.
THE PARENTS MAY CHOOSE TO ENROLL THEIR STUDENTS IN OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR OR PROGRAMS. WE MEET EVERY 20 DAYS WITH EACH FAMILY TO GO OVER THE LEARNING THAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST 20 DAYS AND GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY COULD DO NEXT.
WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION DATA IN TERMS OF WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE AT AND THEIR INTERESTS AND THEIR LEARNING PREFERENCES WHEN WE PLAN WITH THE PARENTS.
IN TERMS OF EXTRACURRICULAR IN THE PROGRAM.
THEY ALSO GO ON A LOT OF FIELD TRIPS.
THEY GO ON THE SAME AMOUNT OF FIELD TRIPS AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
IN FACT, SOMETHING VERY BEAUTIFUL CAME FROM OUR HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH WAS NATURE DAYS WHERE EACH SEASON, THE HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM HAD A DAY OUT IN NATURE, AND SO THEY WOULD VISIT THE SAME SPOT AND INVESTIGATE THE CHANGES OF THE SEASONS AND LEARN ALONGSIDE KINDER THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.
[01:15:02]
THAT ACTUALLY HAS NOW EVOLVED INTO A WHOLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.MOST OF OUR CLASSES NOW TAKE NATURE DAYS WHERE THEY GO OUT EACH SEASON TO GO AND EXPLORE NATURE AND LEARN ABOUT THE SEASONS AND THE WEATHER AND ANY SCIENCE THAT COMES WITH BEING OUT IN NATURE.
IN TERMS OF THE SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM, IT HAS BEEN A REALLY VALUABLE TOOL FOR US AND WE WORK WITH EACH FAMILY DIRECTLY ON IF THEY HAVE TO EXTEND A TRAVEL, IF THERE ARE EMERGENCIES, THEY HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY UP TO 15 DAYS, THAT THEY CAN TAKE FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY.
WE PLAN THE CURRICULUM FOR THEM AND ONCE THEY ARRIVE BACK, THEY DELIVER THE LEARNING TO US MUCH AS A LEARNING RECORD MEETING THAT WE HAVE IN THE LONG-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM, AND WE GO THROUGH THE LEARNING RECORD AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE LEARNING SAMPLES FROM EACH CONTENT AREA, AND THEN THAT IS SUBMITTED TO DISCOVERY FALCON AS EVIDENCE OF LEARNING DURING THEIR SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY.
>> THAT SOUNDS REALLY EXCELLENT.
WHAT PROPORTION OF YOUR ENROLLMENT IS AN INDEPENDENT STUDY LONG AND SHORT TERM?
>> AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE IS A PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS THAT CAN BE IN THE LONG-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM.
I CANNOT AT THE TOP OF MY HEAD, REMEMBER THAT PERCENTAGE, BUT I BELIEVE CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT 45, 50 STUDENTS, 45 MAYBE IN THE LONG-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM.
>> DO YOU THINK IT HELPS WITH CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE? DO YOU FIND IMPROVEMENT?
>> MOST DEFINITELY THE SHORT-TERM INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM HAS BEEN AMAZING.
IT'S ACTUALLY WONDERFUL THAT THE PARENTS ARE WILLING TO TAKE THIS TIME TO LEARN AND TEACH THEIR CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE ON EXTENDED LEAVE OR THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY ELSEWHERE.
IT'S REALLY BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US.
>> WE'LL GO TO TRUSTEE SPEISER NEXT.
>> ACTUALLY I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT I WANT TO PIGGY BACK OFF OF TRUSTEE LAURIE'S QUESTION.
WHAT ARE THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE LONG TERM HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS? BOTH, ARE THEY SPECIAL EDUCATION, ARE THEY ETHNICITY SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, ETC?
I DO NOT HAVE THE PERCENTAGES, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM IS EXCEPTIONALLY DIVERSE.
WE HAVE HAD STUDENTS THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER THE PROGRAM, BUT STANFORD HAS A PROGRAM THAT STUDENTS CAN GO INTO AFTER EIGHTH GRADE AND WE HAVE HAD STUDENTS THAT ARE REALLY HIGH AND GO INTO VERY HIGH LEVEL PROGRAMS AFTERWARDS.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE, OF COURSE, STUDENTS WITH LEARNING CHALLENGES AND DIFFERENCES, AND WE SERVE THEM ALONGSIDE EVERYBODY ELSE THAT ARE IN THE FIVE-DAY PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU. FIRST QUESTION ACTUALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE NOTICE OF CONCERN.
I DID HEAR FROM STAFF THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RESPONSE, BUT CAN WE HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS, I GUESS, FROM STAFF?
>> CERTAINLY. WE DID RECEIVE A RESPONSE WITHIN THE TIME FRAME, AND THERE IS INCLUDED IN IT A PLAN FOR LOOKING BACK AT ADDRESSING THE DISPROPORTIONALITY BETWEEN SAN JOSE UNIFIED AND DISCOVERY FALCON.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ADDRESSING THE PLAN, AND IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN OUR RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> GREAT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.
VICE PRESIDENT CHON AND THEN TRUSTEE PACHECO.
>> I JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS.
MY FIRST ONE IS PIGGYBACKING OFF THE SAME LONG TERM QUESTION.
I UNDERSTAND YOU DON'T HAVE THAT PERCENTAGE.
IF YOU COULD BRING IT BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING, THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.
BUT HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE THESE STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE LONG TERM HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM LIKE, SEE THEM PHYSICALLY IN PERSON?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR ASKING.
WE HAVE EVERYONE THAT IS IN THE LONG TERM PROGRAM COME TO CAMPUS TWICE A WEEK.
THEN THEY ALSO ARE INVITED TO ANY EVENTS SUCH AS EPS FOR LEARNING
[01:20:04]
OR ANY EVENT THAT IS DURING THE DAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT ON CAMPUS.I CAN SHARE THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS COME TO CAMPUS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS.
>> THEN IS IT FOR, FOR THEM TO HAVE OTHER STUDENT INTERACTION?
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S A FULL CLASS.
>> WE HAVE TWO INDEPENDENT STUDY TEACHERS AND EACH OF THOSE TEACHERS TEACHES TWO CLASSES.
I BELIEVE THE 7-8 GRADE CLASS HAS ABOUT 12 STUDENTS THAT LEARN IN A GROUP TOGETHER ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY I DO APPRECIATE HEARING THAT.
I WILL SAY FULLY ONLINE LEARNING AS A TEACHER MYSELF THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WAS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST FOR STUDENTS.
I WILL SAY ONE OF THE CONCERNS.
I HAVE NOT SAYING THIS HAPPENS AT SCHOOL, BUT WAS ALSO THE REPORTS AND CPS WERE VERY LOW DURING THAT TIME, SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT PHYSICAL INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THEY HAVE THAT AND THAT SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS IS ALSO GREAT.
THE SECOND QUESTION I HAD WAS IN REGARDS TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION OR THE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES DATA THAT YOU HAD PROVIDED ON SLIDE 17.
WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT THE SCHOOL?
>> HI. WE HAVE MANY A CONTINUUM OF PROGRAM, ESSENTIALLY.
WE HAVE RSP PULL OUT AND PUSH IN SERVICES.
THAT IS FOR OUR MORE MILD TO MODERATE NEEDS STUDENT.
ALSO, WE DO HAVE A POPULATION OF STUDENTS WITH MORE MODERATE TO SEVERE NEEDS, AND WE DO NOT HAVE A SPECIAL DAY CLASS IN OUR ORGANIZATION.
WE'VE WORKED ON DEVELOPING MORE PROGRAMMING, MORE SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS WITH THE MOST INTENSE NEEDS IN OUR PROGRAM AND REALLY TRY TO HAVE THE CONSULTATION WITH THE TEACHERS, INCREASE SERVICES WHEN WE CAN, THAT WOULD BE QUITE A BIT MORE THAN THE MILD TO MODERATE STUDENTS.
>> WILL THOSE BE LIKE INCLUSION SUPPORTS THAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE IF THEY'RE NOT IN A SEPARATE SPECIAL D CLASS, ARE YOU DOING AN INCLUSION MODEL THEN?
>> A COMBINATION OF INCLUSION AND THEN THE PULL OUT SUPPORT.
THESE ARE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NEED MORE THAN 30 MINUTES A WEEK.
MAYBE THEY NEED AN HOUR SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK.
IT'S A WAY THAT WE CAN REALLY BUILD THEIR FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS SO THAT THEY CAN ACCESS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM, AND THEN ALSO THE CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE SPECIALISTS AND THE GENED TEACHERS TO HELP WITH THE DIFFERENTIATION.
BECAUSE WE KNOW THE STUDENTS ARE IN THE GENED CLASS FOR MOST OF THE TIME AND WE WANT THAT TO BE REALLY MEANINGFUL TO THEM AND AT THEIR LEVEL.
THERE'S A LOT OF TRAINING, A LOT OF COLLABORATION AND DATA ANALYSIS TO HELP REALLY IDENTIFY WHAT THE NEEDS ARE, WHERE THE STUDENTS AT, AND HOW WE CAN BRIDGE THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES WITH THE GENED INSTRUCTION. GREAT.
>> THEN MY LAST QUESTION OR MAYBE IT'S JUST A CONFIRMATION.
I'M NOT GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT TOO.
I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, BUT IN REGARDS TO THE NOTICE OF CONCERN THAT TRUSTEE SPISER WAS TALKING ABOUT, THAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER AND HOW THE ENROLLMENT PRACTICES WILL CHANGE OR BE IMPROVED, WILL THAT BE PRESENTED OR IS THAT ONLY GOING TO BE IN THE STAFF REPORT AT THE NEXT MEETING?
>> THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE STAFF REPORT.
I WILL GIVE THE LETTER TO DR. TOSTON SO THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF THE FURTHER INFORMATION SO THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF THE PLAN AND ALL OF THAT AS WELL.
>> I'LL JUST PUT IT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT PRESENTED AT THE NEXT MEETING. I'LL JUST SEE IT LIKE THAT.
>> THANKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND ALSO FOR SHARING THE AWESOME SUCCESSES YOUR SCHOOL, AND ALL THE SUCCESS THAT YOUR STUDENTS GET TO EXPERIENCE.
FOR MYSELF, I KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE VOTING ON THE RENEWAL UNLESS I VISITED THE SCHOOL.
I'M EXCITED TO VISIT YOUR SCHOOL.
I'LL MAKE TIME TO DO THAT BEFORE FEBRUARY ROLLS AROUND.
I'LL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'LL BE LOOKING OUT FOR AND WHEN WE MEET, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT, I'LL FOCUS ON.
I'LL ASK SOME QUESTIONS TO STAFF, BUT THEN JUST TO HIGHLIGHT FOR WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME.
[01:25:03]
CERTAINLY,, WHAT YOUR PLAN WILL BE TO GROW AND EVOLVE YOUR SCHOOL FROM THE MID TIER TO THE HIGH TIER.I KNOW YOU HAVE AN EXTENSIVE PLAN FOR THAT.
JUST LIKE SEEING WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE AND HOW THAT WILL BE EXECUTED AND HOW THAT IS BEING REFLECTED IN YOUR CURRENT INSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS WHETHER HOW WE APPROVE THE RENEWAL.
>> THE SECOND THING FOR ME IS ALSO REGARDING OPERATIONAL SUCCESS IS JUST HOW YOUR TEACHERS ARE FARING REGARDING TEACHER WELLNESS, HOW DO THEIR SALARIES COMPARE TO NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS? HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT THAT THEY SERVE? THAT FOR ME IS PART OF OPERATIONAL SUCCESS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK INTO AND ALSO LOOKING INTO YOUR RETENTION RATES.
THEN THE THIRD IS ALSO DEMOGRAPHICS.
MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS, BALANCE WITH OUR ENGLISH LEARNERS AND OUR LATINO STUDENTS.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE ASKING ABOUT, AND I SEE YOUR OUTREACH STRATEGIES, I SEE YOUR RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH OBJECTIVES, ETC IN YOUR RENEWAL PETITION.
I'D BE HAPPY TO DIVE INTO THAT AND SEE YOU HAVE A LOFTY GOAL OF INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION FOR THE EXACT GROUPS I'M CONCERNED ABOUT BY 10%.
A FALL 2031, AND SEEING HOW THAT HAPPENS AND WHAT GROWTH YOU'VE MADE SINCE THEN AND WILL BE WHAT I'LL BE LOOKING INTO.
I KNOW THE LAW SAYS THAT THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE TO BE REFLECTIVE OF THE GENERAL POPULATION RESIDING WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO WHICH THE CHARTER PETITION IS SUBMITTED, THEY SHOWED A SLIDE, DEMONSTRATING ETHNIC, RACIAL AND ETHNIC INFORMATION FOR ZIP CODE 95123.
IS THAT STANDARD PRACTICE? IS THAT LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE? OR LIKE DOES IT STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE EDUCATION CODE?
>> THE LAW SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH MEANS ALL OF SAN JOSE UNIFIED.
JUST INCLUDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED DOESN'T FULFILL THE FULL REQUIREMENT.
HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DOES GIVE US ONE PICTURE, BUT WHEN WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH IS THE FULL DISTRICT.
>> GOT IT. FOR ME, SEEING THAT DATA SLIDE, DOESN'T SHOW THE FULL PICTURE JUST YET.
THEN THE SECOND THING IS, IF THE LAW IS SEEN AS WITHIN SAN JOSE UNIFIED ETHNIC AND RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS, IS THAT THE POPULATION IN GENERAL OR THE STUDENT POPULATION?
>> IT'S THE POPULATION IN GENERAL.
>> I SEE. IF SAN JOSE UNIFIED HAS A STUDENT POPULATION OF LATINO STUDENTS OVER 50%, BUT THEN THE SCHOOL SITE AND THE COMMUNITY LIKE THE ZIP CODES THAT COMPOSE SAN JOSE UNIFIED SHOW 30% OR SOMETHING FOR HISPANIC LATINOS.
IT'S THE 30%, THAT WOULD BE THE COMPARISON. HYPOTHETICAL.
>> BECAUSE SAN JOSE UNIFIED ENCOMPASSES MULTIPLE ZIP CODES, IT CAN'T JUST BE THE ONE ZIP CODE IN WHICH FALCON IS LOCATED.
BECAUSE SAN JOSE UNIFIED COVERS SO MANY DIFFERENT, WE WOULD LITERALLY USE SAN JOSE UNIFIED NUMBERS.
>> AGAIN, THAT'S GENERAL POPULATION, NOT STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS.
THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL MY COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> ON THAT ITEM SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO CALL OUT THERE IS THE LAW THAT REQUIRES THE COMPARISON TO THE DISTRICT.
IN THE CHARTER COMMUNITY IN CALIFORNIA AS WELL AS NATIONALLY, THERE WAS A REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE, I WANT TO SAY, 2013- 2015 RANGE THAT HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AS A COMPARISON POINT AS WELL IN TERMS OF PROVIDING INSIGHT BECAUSE YOU MAY SEE DIFFERENCES IN THE SCHOOLS WITHIN SAN JOSE UNIFIED
[01:30:01]
JUST BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY ARE SERVING.LOOKING AT NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS IS AN ADDITIONAL INSIGHT, BUT CURRENTLY DOES NOT SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS IN CALIFORNIA LAW.
>> THANK YOU, BOARD PRESENT. I'LL START WITH A THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES, THE PARENTS, AND THE STUDENTS, AND ALSO THE STAFF THAT SHOWED UP TONIGHT TO CONVEY YOUR SUPPORT FOR YOUR SCHOOL.
TO ME, EACH AND EVERY TIME WE HAVE ONE OF THESE COME BEFORE US JUST TO SEE THE FACES AND SEE THE EMOTION FOR FOLKS AND HOW COMMITTED THEY ARE TO THE SCHOOL. THANK YOU.
I OFTEN ASKED THIS AROUND SUMMER PROGRAMMING. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? FORGIVE ME IF I MISSED THAT SOMEWHERE, I DID GO THROUGH THE SLIDE DECK.
THERE WAS ALSO A SUBMITTAL OF 600 PAGES AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS SOMEWHERE IN THERE.
>> PROBABLY WAS. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
THE REASON WHY I WAS POINTING TO KELLY IS THAT SHE SERVED AS A SUMMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ONE YEAR.
YES, WE DO HAVE A SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT OUR SCHOOL, AND I BELIEVE LAST YEAR WE SERVED ABOUT JUST UNDER 50 STUDENTS, AND IT'S A ABOUT A FOUR WEEK SUMMER SCHOOL, AND WE SERVE ESY AT THE SAME TIME.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE SUMMER CAMPS WITH OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM RUNNING CONCURRENTLY SO THAT WHEN SUMMER SCHOOL ENDS, IF SOMEONE NEEDS AFTER CARE, THEN WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND THEY GET TO DO SOME REALLY FUN PROJECTS AFTER SUMMER SCHOOL.
I THINK I TOOK IT AS YOU WERE EXCITED THAT YOU WERE PRINCIPAL, NOT THAT YOU LOST YOUR SUMMER.
>> WERE THERE ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES THAT I MISSED ON QUESTIONS? WELL, I DO ALSO WANT TO JUST ECHO THE COMMENTS OF JOINING US THIS EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THE COMMUNITY AND CERTAINLY STAFF TO PRESENT THE PRESENTATION. I THINK.
MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ADDRESSED A NUMBER OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD.
INCLUDING THE NOTICE OF CONCERN, THE RESPONSE TO THAT.
JUST TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT OF OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE THE NEW DASHBOARD RESULTS.
I GUESS THAT'S ONE CLARIFICATION I WANTED TO ASK OF OUR STAFF, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FACTORED IN, OR ARE WE STRICTLY LIMITED TO WHAT'S BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RENEWAL?
>> WE LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF ALL OF THE DATA, THE NEW DASHBOARD IS BASED OFF OF THE 2425 CAS INFORMATION, AND SO WE DO FACTOR THAT INFORMATION IN.
IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE HIGH MIDDLE LOW CATEGORIES, BECAUSE WE ARE BOUND BY WHEN THE PETITION WAS SUBMITTED AND BECAUSE TO TRUSTEE PACHECO'S QUESTION OF, WELL, CAN YOU GO FROM MIDDLE TO HIGH OR CAN YOU GO FROM MIDDLE TO LOW? THE LAW BASICALLY SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE NOT HIGH OR NOT LOW, YOU FALL INTO MIDDLE.
THERE ISN'T REALLY A WAY OF SWITCHING TO TRY AND GET OUT OF THAT, AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR TWO YEARS.
BECAUSE THEY WERE MIDDLE PERFORMING LAST YEAR, EVEN IF THEY EXCEEDED THEIR PERFORMANCE AND MOVED DID GREAT THINGS WITH REGARDS TO THEIR DATA, THEY WOULD STILL BE IN MIDDLE PERFORMING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SURPASS REQUIREMENTS FOR TWO YEARS.
THERE'S NO REAL WAY OF GETTING BASED ON WHERE THEY WERE FOR LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS MIDDLE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE A CHANGE TO EITHER HIGH OR LOW AT THIS MOMENT.
THE NEW DASHBOARD WE'RE EXPECTING TO COME OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT NOT THE NEW DASHBOARD, THE NEW LIST IS EXPECTED TO COME OUT, BUT THAT IS WE DON'T EXPECT TO SEE A CHANGE AT THIS MOMENT.
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT I'D LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT EITHER PRIOR TO THE NEXT MEETING OR AT THE NEXT MEETING, JUST IN TERMS OF THE TRENDS THAT YOU'RE SEEING AND ALSO THE RESPONSIVENESS TO THAT DATA FOR THE DIFFERENT STUDENT SUBGROUPS, AS WELL AS THE DATA THAT YOU INCLUDED IN THE PETITION WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THE SUSPENSION RATE.
JUST TRYING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE STRATEGIES THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN A DIRECTION WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS.
GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT I WILL CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP AS WELL WITH OUR STAFF AND TO SHARE WITH YOU AS WELL ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
I LIKE TO TRY TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR TIME WITH THE SCHOOL NIGHT AS WELL WITH EVERYONE HERE.
THANK YOU AGAIN. JUST ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRUSTEES.
HAVING RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM STAFF,
[01:35:01]
DISCOVERY TO, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE PUBLIC.THE BOARD NOW CLOSES THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE AND ACT ON THIS REQUEST ON FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026.
ANY FURTHER DELIBERATIONS BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO ACTING ON THIS MATTER WILL BE IN CONFORMANCE WITH ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT.
THANK YOU. I'LL GIVE JUST A MOMENT.
I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY SOME SHUFFLING.
>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ON.
THIS BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM 5 A.
[A. Committee members may provide or report on recent committee activities.]
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HEAR COMMITTEE REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES THAT HAVE MET FROM OUR LAST MEETING.THE HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL FROM TRUSTEE SPEISER, WE WILL BE GIVING THAT UPDATE, THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE JLAC.
I WILL PRESENT AN UPDATE ON THAT AS WELL AS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, SCCSBA BY TRUSTEE LARI.
WE'LL START WITH TRUSTEE SPEISER.
>> YES, SO WE HAD HEAD START POLICY COUNSEL LAST NIGHT.
WELL, I HAVE ONE THING TO ADD OVER WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE BOARD PACKET ALREADY BECAUSE THAT'S A LOT OF WHAT WE GET IN POLICY COUNSEL.
BUT DOCTOR WAYNE IS GOING TO BE REGULARLY SHOWING UP AT HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL PART OF IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HIRE A DIRECTOR.
BUT HE IS REALLY, RIGHTFULLY TAKING INTEREST IN THE PROGRAM AND MADE SURE THAT THE POLICY COUNCIL UNDERSTOOD THAT IT IS A PRIORITY FOR OUR OFFICE, AND I APPRECIATED HIM SHOWING THAT TO OUR PARENTS WHO ARE VERY DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM THAT WE ALL KNOW WORKS. THAT'S IT.
>> IF I MAY ADD, REGARDING THE VACANT DIRECTOR POSITION.
THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH COMPLETE ROUND OF INTERVIEWS, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY A CANDIDATE THAT EVERYONE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH, AND SO WE'RE RECRUITING AGAIN. NOT FOR LACK OF EFFORT.
WE DID MEET THE JLAC COMMITTEE AND MY COLLEAGUES ON THAT COMMITTEE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN.
WE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF UPDATES ON THE BUDGET AND JUST STATE LEVEL DEVELOPMENTS, OBVIOUSLY TRACKING EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING FEDERALLY, AS WELL AS, I GUESS, INCREASE IN REVENUE FOR THE STATE AND RECAPPING THE LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS LAST YEAR THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL, SO IT'S GREAT TO HEAR A SUMMARY OF THAT AS WELL.
AS WE DID AT OUR BOARD RETREAT, BUT WE TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF A DEEPER DIVE AND HAVE SOME PACKETS, I SHARE AVAILABLE IF OTHER TRUSTEES ARE INTERESTED.
BUT WE DID BRIEFLY TOUCH WITH CAPITAL ADVISORS A MODEL THAT THEY USED WITH PLACER COUNTY, AND WE'RE EXPLORING THAT MODEL TO TAKE A LOOK AT TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO PURSUE OR FURTHER DEVELOP IN TERMS OF CONTINUING TO KEEP THE FULL BOARD INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND ALSO ESTABLISHING THE TIMELINE.
[01:40:01]
FINALLY, THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SURVEY GOING OUT PRETTY SOON ABOUT THE ADVOCACY DAY, SO PLEASE STAY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT.COLLEAGUES, ANYTHING I MISSED ON THAT.
>> ALSO THAT JLAC EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HAVING THE BOARD EXPLORE POLICY PLATFORMS, PRIORITIES SO THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO PRIORITIZE WHAT LEGISLATION JLAC WILL AND WILL SUPPORT OR OPPOSE OR WHATEVER FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.
LOOK OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION ON.
>> THANK YOU. TRUSTEE LARI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE THE SCCSBA UPDATE?
>> ACTUALLY, THE SCCSBA MEETING IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
SO I COULD NOT ATTEND, BUT NEXT YEAR, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A CONFLICT WITH THEM. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.
WE WON'T HOLD THAT AGAINST YOU.
TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THOSE COMMITTEES? THEY'LL BE A SURVEY.
WE'RE THINKING APRIL, I THINK WAS THE GENERAL TIMELINE EARLY APRIL, BUT THEY'LL BE A SURVEY FOR US TO SHARE PREFERENCES.
HEARING NO OTHER QUESTIONS ON COMMENTS ON THAT.
[B. Governance Ad Hoc Committee Report]
THE GOVERNANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT.EXCUSE THE INTERRUPTION, PRESIDENT BERTO, WE HAVE CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GREAT. LET ME JUST INTRODUCE THE ITEM AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE WE GO TO DISCUSSION FROM THE BOARD.
I JUST WANT TO START OFF BY INTRODUCING THIS ITEM AT THE TIME.
IN MY TIME ON THE BOARD, IN THE LAST 22 MONTHS, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ITEMS THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING, AND FOR THAT REASON, I DO WANT TO READ THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT INTO THE RECORD TO DOCUMENT THE PROCESS THAT WE UNDERTOOK TO REALLY ENSURE THAT THE BOARD'S GOVERNANCE OVERSIGHT REALLY PROTECTS THE STUDENTS INTERESTS ABOVE ALL ELSE.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THAT INTO THE RECORD NOW.
WE HAVE OUR ADMINISTRATOR, DOCTOR DAVID AND TOSTON SENIOR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND GOING INTO THE BACKGROUND.
THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, SCCOES PURPOSE IS TO SERVE INSPIRE, AND PROMOTE STUDENTS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS SEVEN MEMBERS WHO SERVE FOUR YEAR TERMS AND ARE ELECTED FROM DIFFERENT TRUSTEE AREAS IN THE COUNTY.
IN CALIFORNIA, THE BOARD IS THE DULLY CONSTITUTED GOVERNING BODY OF THE SCCOE, VESTED WITH POLICY MAKING AND BUDGET OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE DAY TO DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCCOE CARRIED OUT BY THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
PURSUANT TO THE BOARD'S APPOINTMENT POWER OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, WITH THE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION CODE SECTIONS REFERENCED.
SINCE 2011, THE SCCOE HAS CODIFIED IN ITS POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS, CODE SECTION, SPECIFICALLY BP 2111, TITLED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNANCE STANDARDS, WHICH PROVIDES IN PERTINENT PART, AS FOLLOWS, THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT IS EXPECTED TO HOLD HIMSELF, HERSELF TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT AND PROFESSIONALISM, TO ACT WITH DIGNITY, TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE COUNTY BOARD, AS A GOVERNANCE TEAM, AND TO COMMUNICATE OPENLY WITH TRUST, INTEGRITY, INCLUDING ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BOARD WITH EQUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION, AND TO ACCEPT LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING THE VISION AND GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE COUNTY BOARD.
IN LATE 2023, THE BOARD STARTED TO RECEIVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT SCCOE ADMINISTRATION, REGARDING THE FEDERAL HEAD START PROGRAM AND SEVERAL SCCOE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THEREAFTER, THE BOARD RECEIVED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT'S HANDLINGS OF SUCH MATTERS AND VOTED TO TERMINATE THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT WITHOUT CAUSE IN OCTOBER 2024.
AFTER THE TERMINATION, THE BOARD WITH THE HELP OF INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS AND LEGAL COUNSEL, INITIATED A SERIES OF FACT FINDING INVESTIGATIONS AND THE ANALYSIS OF SCCOE POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND OPERATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT FAILURES.
THESE FACT FINDING INITIATIVES AND ANALYSIS REVEALED SEVERAL PRACTICES AND CONDUCT IN CONTRAVENTION OF SCCOE POLICIES, AND WELCOME, FOLKS TO TAKE A LOOK AT EXHIBIT A.
THAT PROMPTED THE BOARD TO IDENTIFY AND WORK TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRICTER SCCOE FISCAL CONTROLS AND POLICY REFORMS, MANY OF WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED IN 15 YEARS.
TO COMPLETE THIS TASK, THE BOARD APPOINTED PRESIDENT MAIMONA FZAL, VICE PRESIDENT VICTORIA CHON, AND TRUSTEE JESSICA SPEISER, TO SERVE ON AN AD HOC GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE WITH SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR DAVID M TOSTON SENIOR SERVING AS EX OFFICIO SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
[01:45:01]
AS SET FORTH HEREIN, THE COMMITTEE PRESENTS THIS REPORT WITH A SERIES OF RECOMMENDED POLICY UPDATES AND ADDITIONS FOR THE FULL BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.ADDITIONAL AREAS FOR REFORMS ARE BEING ANALYZED BY THE BOARD'S STANDING POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION.
TONIGHT, WITH THE RELEASE OF THE INVESTIGATED FINDING SUMMARY.
THE FACTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND OUR SCCOE COMMUNITY.
THOSE FINDINGS DETERMINED NOT BY THE BOARD, BY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT THE BOARD HAS AN OBLIGATION TO ENACT CLEAR, STUDENT CENTERED, AND PUBLICLY RESPONSIBLE OVERSIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES.
AS I WRAP UP MY SECOND TERM AS BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTY OFFICE, I WANT TO SPEAK FOR A FEW MOMENTS IN MY CAPACITY AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER, AND NOT ON BEHALF OF MY BOARD, BUT SPECIFICALLY INFORMED BY MY EXPERIENCE.
IN THIS ROLE, I'VE WITNESSED DISMANTLE CONDUCT, UNLIKE ANYTHING I'VE ENCOUNTERED, MY NEARLY EIGHT YEARS OF ELECTED SERVICE IN THIS COUNTY, OVER A DECADE TEACHING IN OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS CONFIRM THE FACTS SURROUNDING THESE ACTIONS, AFFIRMING WHAT OCCURRED IN OUR PUBLIC AGENCY.
OUR POLICIES REALLY EXIST TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR WORK, AND NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW OR ABOVE THESE PRACTICES.
FOR THAT REASON, I DO WANT TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS THAT THIS ITEM WENT THROUGH.
OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS, LOOKED INTO COMPLAINTS FOR WHISTLE BLOWERS.
WHEN FACED WITH THE FINDINGS OF THOSE REPORTS AND DETERMINING HOW TO RESPOND TO TROUBLING DETAILS, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPOINTED TRUSTEE SPEISER TO JOIN THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDED MYSELF AND VICE PRESIDENT CHON.
TOGETHER AND WORKING WITH DOCTOR TOSTON, THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE FINDINGS AND FACTS, WHICH WERE DERIVED DIRECTLY FROM THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS AND NOT FROM THE AD HOC WORK.
BOARD MEMBERS INVOLVED APPROACH THE WORK FROM VERY DIFFERENT LENSES, AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES, VICE PRESIDENT CHON, AND TRUSTEE SPEISER, FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP.
I TRULY SEE THAT AS A STRENGTH OF OUR WORK AND A TESTAMENT TO ITS OBJECTIVITY, TO TRULY FOCUS ON THE GAPS OF OUR OUTDATED POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD'S OVERSIGHT CAN REALLY NEVER BE CIRCUMVENTED AGAIN.
OVER THE COURSE OF MANY MONTHS, WE REVISE POLICIES BASED ON BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER AGENCIES.
MOVING FORWARD, THE SCCOE WILL HAVE COMMON SENSE OVERSIGHT MEASURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE NO INDIVIDUAL CAN UNDERMINE THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REALLY SAFEGUARD PUBLIC DOLLARS, PUBLIC TRUST, AND THE WELL BEING OF THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE REPRESENT.
I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING PERIOD FOR THE BOARD AND OUR ORGANIZATION.
I REALLY WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO CAME FORWARD, WHO ASKED TOUGH QUESTIONS, AND ULTIMATELY HELP BRING THESE NECESSARY REFORMS TO LIGHT.
I WILL ALSO TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE AD HOC FOR ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, AND I'LL AS WELL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM AS WELL.
WE'LL START WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND THEN I'LL GO TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE AD HOC FOR ANY COMMENTS AS WELL BEFORE THE FULL BOARD.
MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
>> YES, WE HAVE NINE CARDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM.
AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER.
THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING.
COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.
TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.
THE SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ARE RAJ ASHMI SAJ.
STEPHANIE PEDON, CHRISTINA MOORE, RIGO KRISHNA, GRACE MA, ABBY O'NEAL, KG RANDALL, MINDY SHEPHARD, MICHAEL FAST.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS RAJA LASHMI, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS RAJI, AND I AM AN INDIAN IMMIGRANT.
I HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON HOW RACE INFLUENCES MY TREATMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.
FROM SUBTLE COMMENTS TO MOMENTS, WHEN MY ACCENT HAS BEEN MARKED BY LEADERSHIP, I HAVE EXPERIENCED REAL PAIN AND HURT.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK WE DO, THE FINDINGS OF THIS INVESTIGATION ARE DEVASTATING.
AS A PARENT OF AN ADULT CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, I ALSO KNOW,
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HOW MUCH TRUST FAMILIES PLACE IN THE SYSTEM.TO SEE UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR FROM THOSE MEANT TO PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN IS HEARTBREAKING WHEN LEADERS FAIL TO UPHOLD BASIC STUDENT FIRST PRINCIPLES, OUR CHILDREN ARE THE ONES WHO SUFFER.
MY FAITH IN THE SYSTEM, AS AN EDUCATOR, AS A PARENT AND AS A COLLEAGUE HAS BEEN DEEPLY SHAKEN AND I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE.
I ASK, DOCTOR TOSTON WHAT COMES NEXT? WHAT IS THE CONCRETE TRANSPARENT PLAN OF ACTION? HOW WILL ACCOUNTABILITY BE ENSURED AND WHAT SAFEGUARDS WILL BE PUT IN PLACE SO THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> STEPHANIE PEDON, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PEDON, AND I'VE BEEN AN SLP FOR 28 YEARS.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR SHARING THE INVESTIGATION FINDINGS AND FOR YOUR TRANSPARENCY.
STAFF, FAMILY, AND OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
THE FINDINGS OUTLINED, EXCUSE ME, IN THE BOARD AGENDA.
ITEM FIVE ARE NOT SMALL MISSTEPS.
THEY REPRESENT SERIOUS BREACHES OF TRUST.
AS EDUCATORS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW STRICT ETHICAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS EVERY DAY.
WE DOCUMENT EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY SERVICE.
THE INVESTIGATION MAKES CLEAR THAT THE SAME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY HAS NOT BEEN WITHHELD AT THE TOP.
WHEN LEADERSHIP CONCEALS LEGAL ACTIONS, MISUSES OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AND DIRECTS SHARED COUNSEL WITHOUT BOARD KNOWLEDGE, THE HARM LANDS DIRECTLY ON OUR STUDENTS.
IT SHOWS UP AND DELAYS SERVICES, INCONSISTENT STAFFING, AND FAMILIES WHO LOST FAITH IN OUR SYSTEM.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HI, I'M CHRISTINA MOORE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE CONSTANTLY DEMEANED AND CHASTISED FOR HOW EXPENSIVE WE ARE AS IF WE ARE GREEDY AND DEMANDING.
I FIND IT DISGUSTING, REPREHENSIBLE, APPALLING TO HEAR AN INVESTIGATION FOUND PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES AND THAT GRANT MONEY WAS USED FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN INTENDED.
IRONICALLY, THE STAFF THAT THE SCCOE BOX AT PAYING THEIR FAIR WAGES OFTEN SPENDS THEIR PERSONAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLASSROOMS AND STUDENTS, NOT STEAL FROM STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS. HOW UTTERLY SHAMEFUL AND EMBARRASSING? I HOPE THAT THE SCCOE WILL BE TRANSPARENT ON THE DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND THAT JUSTICE WILL BE TRULY SERVED.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY AN APOLOGY.
IN MY EARLIER PUBLIC COMMENT, I STATED THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT CELL PHONE STIPEND $1,000.
IN FACT, IT IS THE AUTOMOBILE STIPEND THAT IS $1,000 PER MONTH, NOT THE CELL PHONE STIPEND.
YOU CONFIRM WHAT EDUCATORS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE FALL FOR YEARS.
SERIOUS LAPSES THAT DIRECTLY HARM STUDENTS.
ACKNOWLEDGING THESE FINDINGS IS NOT ENOUGH.
WE NOW RESPECTFULLY INSIST ON VISIBLE ACTION.
WE URGE THE BOARD MEMBERS TO UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT AND SIGN THE AMENDED BOARD POLICIES WITHOUT DELAY.
APPROVING, SIGNING, AND ENFORCING BOARD POLICIES IS NOT OPTIONAL.
IT IS YOUR LEGAL AND ETHICAL DUTY, ALL OF YOU.
THESE POLICIES ARE THE SAFEGUARDS THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE MISUSE OF FUNDS, THE HIDDEN CONTRACTS, AND THE UNAUTHORIZED COMPENSATION THAT'S IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT.
THIS MUST BE IN PLACE NOW, NOT LATER.
PLEASE, WE DESERVE A COE WE CAN TRUST, WITHOUT FEAR, WITHOUT RETALIATION.
>> GRACE, MA. PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> HELLO. GREETINGS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DIAS.
PRESIDENT BERTA, BOARD MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT TOTSON.
I'M GRACE MALL, FORMER COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT COUNTY BOARD MEMBER.
THANK YOU ALL TO THE AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE WORK ON THE SIX REVISED BOARD POLICIES BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
I DID NOTICE THAT THE STANDARD RED LINES WERE NOT INITIALLY INCLUDED IN THE PACKET, BUT I SEE NOW THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND PROVIDED FOR TRANSPARENCY.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE 14 INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND THE BREACH OF PUBLIC TRUST ARE UNACCEPTABLE.
I APPRECIATE THE THOROUGH WORK THAT BROUGHT THESE ISSUES TO LIGHT.
THE PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES ARE AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS PREVENTING THESE ABUSES FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN.
WHILE STAFFING CHANGES HAVE ADDRESSED SOME OF THE MOST TROUBLING BEHAVIORS, REBUILDING TRUST REQUIRES CONTINUED ACCOUNTABILITY.
I URGE THE BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION TO UPHOLD THE HIGHEST STANDARDS TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THIS INSTITUTION AGAIN. THANK YOU.
[01:55:02]
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, TRUSTEES, AND.
MY NAME IS ABBY O'NEIL, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
THIS COMMUNITY MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER WAS EVEN BORN JUST DOWN THE ROAD AT KAISER SAN JOSE.
I'M A FORMER TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER HERE IN SAN JOSE, AND NOW SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY FOR THE BAY AREA WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
CCSA IS A STATEWIDE NON PROFIT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS SO THAT NO CHILD IS DENIED THE RIGHT TO A GREAT PUBLIC EDUCATION.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
WE KNOW THE CHALLENGES YOU'RE NAVIGATING ARE COMPLEX.
AT TIMES, THIS BOARD HAS HAD TO MAKE DIFFICULT YET COURAGEOUS DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF ALL STUDENTS.
YOUR DILIGENCE HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE AND TO CONTINUE BUILDING A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP. THANK YOU.
>> KETCHI RANDALL, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KETCHI RANDALL IS MY LAST NAME.
I'M A DEAF TEACHER THERE, AND WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ONGOING INTERPRETING SERVICES.
OFTEN OUR REQUESTS ARE DENIED, AND WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE VERY ISOLATED AND THE HEARING STAFF THAT COMES IN TO VISIT US CAN'T COMMUNICATE WITH US.
FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, FOR COMMUNICATION IN THAT WAY.
WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? THE ADA AND IDA HAS IT WRITTEN THAT WE HAVE A RIGHT TO ASL INTERPRETERS AND WE NEED MORE ASL INTERPRETERS.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE DIRECT COMMUNICATION. THANK YOU.
>> MINDY SHEPHARD, PLEASE PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> MY NAME IS MINDY SHEPHARD, SPEECH LANGUAGE SPECIALIST AT SCCOE AND THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING DHH PROGRAM.
SCCOE ONLY HAS ONE CONTRACT FOR ASL INTERPRETERS, DENYING OUR DHH STUDENTS AND STAFF THEIR RIGHTS AND ACCESS.
THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR INTERPRETERS REPEATEDLY AND HAVE BEEN DENIED BECAUSE SCCOE SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INTERPRETERS.
THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INTERPRETERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T PAY OUR SEIU INTERPRETERS COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT DONE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE OF CONTACTING ADDITIONAL INTERPRETING COMPANIES IN THE AREA, BUT RATHER THEY LABELED STELLAR SIGNING AS A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT.
SCCOE DID NOT FOLLOW THE RULES OF SOLE SOURCING, CAUSING THE DENIAL OF FULL ACCESS TO DHH STUDENTS AND STAFF DURING THEIR TIME WITH THEIR SPECIALISTS LISTED IN THEIR IEPS BY NOT PROVIDING INTERPRETERS DURING THESE SESSIONS.
DENYING ACCESS IS AN ADA COMPLIANCE ISSUE.
THE NEED FOR INTERPRETERS WITHIN THE DHH SETTING GOES WITHOUT SAYING AND IN FACT,.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHAEL FEST.
PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IN CASE YOU MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN, I AM MICHAEL FEST, AND I AM A TEACHER IN THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM.
BEFORE I WAS A TEACHER, I WAS ALSO CONTRACTED AS A DEAF INTERPRETER.
PRIOR TO THAT, I WAS A TEACHER'S AIDE, A PARA.
I HAD SEVERAL ROLES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
CURRENTLY, I AM HERE BECAUSE I HAVE NOTICED THAT WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT WITH AN AGENCY FOR INTERPRETERS.
THAT IS CORRECT. YET WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH INTERPRETERS.
WE WANT TO CLARIFY THAT STELLAR SIGNING IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, AND IT IS A UNIQUE AGENCY.
JONATHAN SILVA RUNS THIS AGENCY, AND I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH HIM.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT HE IS AN INCREDIBLY TRUSTWORTHY PERSON IN WHAT HE DOES, AND HE IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND HE WALKS THE TALK.
HE HELPS SO MUCH WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE.
MY FEAR IS THAT IF WE WERE TO CONTACT WITH ANOTHER AGENCY,
[02:00:04]
INDIVIDUALS UNDER OUR SCOE WILL JUST PICK UP A RANDOM INTERPRETER OR A CHEAP AGENCY THAT WILL NOT MEET OUR NEEDS.JONATHAN SILVA AGENCY STELLAR SIGNING MEETS OUR NEEDS.
FOR WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE EXPERIENCE, IF WE WERE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS, WE WANT TO HAVE A COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE INTERPRETATION SERVICES IN THIS AREA TO INFLUENCE OUR POLICIES, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT AGENCIES TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
I IMPLORE THAT YOU ALL STAY WITH STELLER SIGNING AND CONTINUE TO NOTICE THESE NEEDS.
THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL.
>> THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW OFFER THE FLOOR TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE GOVERNANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE TRUSTEE SPEISER.
>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TO ADD.
I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE WE DID SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS, MANY HOURS OVER MANY MONTHS ON THIS, AND THIS IS TRULY THE BEST COMPROMISE WE COULD COME TO WITH DIFFERING OPINIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT MATTER, KNOWING THAT OUR BOARD IS NOT 100% ON THE SAME PAGE ON THE ISSUE.
I JUST REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING THESE BOARD POLICIES AND PUTTING THIS BEHIND US.
THE BOARD POLICIES WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY, ETC AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN NOW GO BACK TO FOCUSING ON THE KIDS SOLELY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK TRUSTEE SPEISER AND PRESIDENT BERTA FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AD HOC COMMITTEE AS WELL AS DR. TOSTON AND THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS.
I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT WORK THAT WE DID.
AGAIN, I ALSO VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD IN MOVING FORWARD AND TURNING A NEW PAGE AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, BUT ALSO JUST WE'RE ALWAYS AS A BOARD.
IT'S YOU CAN'T IMPROVE IF YOU'RE NOT CHANGING PRACTICES AND LOOKING AND REFLECTING.
I THINK WE TRULY REFLECTED ON WHAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THIS IS HOW WE'RE NOW PLANNING ON MOVING FORWARD IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO BECOME A BETTER SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO AGAIN THEN REFOCUS ON THE STUDENTS AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED TO THEM AND THAT WE ARE A SUPPORT OF SEVEN AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT MOVING FORWARD IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO BE A PREMIER ORGANIZATION.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE WORK BECAUSE IT WAS MONTHS AND MONTHS OF WORK.
IT WASN'T EASY BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERING OPINIONS, BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT WE COULD FORM IN ORDER TO REALLY CONTINUE ON AS A BOARD AND AS AN OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES.
STEVE TRUSTEE ROCHA AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE DOWN.
>> I'LL START WITH A THANK YOU TO THE GOVERNANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE AS WELL FOR YOUR WORK AND TIME AS MENTIONED.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEGAL SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
I BELIEVE THAT'S TRULY INSTRUMENTAL TO THE OUTCOME THAT WE HAVE TODAY.
I DO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WAS NOT EASY.
IT'S BEEN ALMOST AN ENTIRE YEAR SINCE WE STARTED DOWN THIS PATH, AND A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, BUT FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, THE BOARD HAS SHOWN IT BETTER UNDERSTANDS ITS ROLE IN THIS AGENCY, AND THAT ROLE IS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BEHOLDEN TO THE PUBLIC FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THEN THE STUDENTS WE SERVE, WHICH I FEEL FOR A TIME WAS NOT OUR FIRST PRIORITY, UNLESS IT WAS THROUGH WORDS AND TALK AND WORDS AND TALK ARE EASY TO COME BY.
ACTIONS SHOW YOUR TRUE COMMITMENT AND INTENTION.
HOW DO WE AS A BOARD OF EDUCATION DO THAT OR ENSURE THAT? THAT IS THROUGH OUR GOVERNANCE OF THIS AGENCY ON A BUDGET LEVEL AND MORE DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHO HAS DIRECT OVERSIGHT, MANAGEMENT OF THIS ENTIRE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
I HAVE ALMOST 15 YEARS OF ELECTED OFFICE EXPERIENCE JUST MYSELF AND OVER ANOTHER 10 YEARS OF SUPPORTING OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THEIR ROLE, ENSURING THAT THE PUBLIC IS SERVED FIRST AND FOREMOST.
TO ME, THIS MEANS PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS ARE NOT SERVED FIRST, NOR ARE SPECIAL INTERESTS SERVED FIRST, NOR IS ONE PERSON SERVED OVER OTHERS LIKE WE CURRENTLY SEE IN WASHINGTON, DC.
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE HAVE FAILED.
FAILING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC IN YOUR CONSTITUENCY, NO MATTER WHO IT IS, IN YOUR ROLE AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, GOES AGAINST THE VERY REASON WE ARE IN THIS ROLE.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO THAT ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, THEN AT THAT POINT, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD LOOK TO ANOTHER VOCATION AND LET SOMEONE ELSE WHO CAN PUT THE PUBLIC FIRST STEP IN.
[02:05:03]
IN MY 30 PLUS YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, I'VE NEVER SEEN A PUBLIC AGENCY THAT WAS AS FOCUSED ON SERVING INTERESTS OTHER THAN THE PUBLIC AND THIS CONSTITUENCY AS THIS AGENCY WAS.TAKE THAT AS YOU LIKE. I'M ENTITLED TO MY OPINION AS IS EVERYONE ELSE WHO IS HERE TODAY, BUT THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY, AND I'M GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN.
THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, UNLESS YOU CHOOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY FOR WHATEVER PERSONAL REASONS THAT IS. LET ME BE CLEAR.
HAS THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND ITS EMPLOYEES AS A WHOLE, SERVED OUR STUDENTS AND THIS COMMUNITY WELL? YES, IT HAS.
I THANK EVERY PERSON AND AN EMPLOYEE AND ALSO ALL OF OUR FELLOW PARTNERS FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO ENSURE THAT IN SPITE OF THE CULTURE THAT EXISTED HERE.
JUST LIKE I CAN EXPLAIN TO MY CHILDREN, THAT WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HAPPENING ACROSS THIS COUNTRY WHERE ITS OWN GOVERNMENT IS NOW BEING USED AS A WEAPON AGAINST ITS OWN CITIZENRY IS NOT NORMAL.
I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME EXPLAINING TO AN OUTSIDER, OUTSIDE OF THIS AGENCY OR A PERSON NEW TO ELECTED OFFICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE THAT WE CAN DO BETTER THAN WHAT WAS HAPPENING HERE.
BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN, AND I HOPE OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND OUR EMPLOYEES FEEL THE SAME.
I ALSO FEEL THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION ALREADY.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR PAST INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT, CHUCK HINMAN FOR HIS WORK AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR HIS COURAGE STANDING UP TO PRESSURE, AND SADLY, PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL AND POLITICAL ATTACKS.
THIS IS IN THE INTEREST OF WHAT WAS JUST AND RIGHT, AND HE STOOD UP STRONG AND THIS ALL IN THE FACE OF AMOUNT OF PRESSURE.
HE PUT HIS OWN INTERESTS SECOND AND NOT EVERYONE IN THIS AGENCY HAS DONE THAT, AND UNFORTUNATELY, SOME STILL AREN'T.
I EXPECT, LIKE LAST TIME THAT WITH THESE ACTIONS AND STATEMENTS HERE TODAY, I MAY EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, RETALIATION YET AGAIN, AND I WILL NOT BEND DO IT, AND I WILL SUFFER WHATEVER THE CONSEQUENCES I HAVE BEFORE.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST CAUSES PEOPLE TO FEEL THEY NEED TO PUNISH YOU.
BUT THAT IS SADLY THE STATE OF AFFAIRS NOW, AND I HOPE IT CHANGES.
I HOPE IT CHANGES SOON BECAUSE THIS IS A DARK PATH WE'RE TRAVELING DOWN AND NO ONE WINS, BUT THE RICH AND POWERFUL.
THE INTEREST OF TIME, I THINK I'LL HOLD MY QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND THE SPECIFICS REFORMS FOR NOW.
HOWEVER, THAT MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
I DO WANT TO THANK AS OUR BOARD PRESIDENT DID, EVERYONE WHO HAD THE COURAGE TO MAKE A STAND TO COME FORWARD AND SHARE THEIR TRUTH, NOT SOME VERSION THAT WAS BOUGHT OR MANIPULATED IN AN ETHICAL MATTER, OR WAS INTENDED TO HARM TO OR SERVE THOSE OTHERS THAN OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
YOU HAVE MY GRATITUDE, AND LASTLY, I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE POLITICAL COURAGE THAT FORMER TRUSTEES, JOSEPH DI SALVO AND GRACE MALL SHOWED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, TRUSTEES TARA SREEKRISHMAN?
>> YEAH, I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS.
TRUSTEE LAURIE, DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>> WELL, I HAD A FEW CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.
THE FINDINGS AS THEY'RE ATTACHED IN THE AGENDA, WERE THOSE WRITTEN BY AND I GUESS MY QUESTIONS FOR DR. TOSTON OR OUR COUNSEL.
WAS THAT WRITTEN BY OUR BOARD COUNSEL OR OUR JOINT COUNSEL, WHO WROTE THE FINDING?
>> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FINDINGS LISTED ON EXHIBIT A ARE SUMMARIES FROM THE DIFFERENT REPORTS THAT ARE INTENDED TO CONVEY THE INFORMATION, BUT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE A DIRECT QUOTE OR CITATION FROM ONE OF THE INVESTIGATIONS.
>> I DEFER TO THE GOVERNANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS TO SOME DEGREE, GROUP INPUT IN TERMS OF THE FRAMING OF THE ITEMS ON THAT REPORT.
>> TO CLARIFY, THESE ARE FACTUAL STATEMENTS THAT WERE DERIVED WITH COUNSEL PROVIDING CONTEXT DIRECTLY FROM THE REPORTS.
IS MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I WELCOME COUNCIL TO CLARIFY ANYTHING THAT I'M MISREPRESENTING.
>> I ASKED BECAUSE IT'S JUST A LIST OF FINDINGS, AND SO WE DON'T SEE THE ACTUAL REPORT.
I JUST I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CAN BE SHARED TOO.
>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION WITH RESPECT TO YOU.
>> CAN THE FULL REPORT BE SHARED?
>> THERE ARE SOME REPORTS WHICH CAN BE SHARED AND THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS WHICH ARE STILL IN DRAFT, WHICH CANNOT BE SHARED YET.
THE REPORTS THAT WERE PREPARED BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT, THOSE REPORTS, IF THEY ARE TO BE SHARED AND THEY'RE CONFIDENTIAL,
[02:10:03]
MUST BE WAIVED BY THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.THOSE PREPARED BY THE BOARD OR ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD CAN ONLY BE WAIVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE BOARD.
THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS WITH PERSONNEL INFORMATION IN THEM AND THAT'S PERSONAL AND THAT INFORMATION CANNOT BE SHARED.
WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAFTING OF THE REPORT, THE BOARD RETAINS OUTSIDE COUNSEL OR OTHER COUNSEL WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND GAVE INPUT, BUT THERE HAS BEEN INPUT BY A NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS, INCLUDING ME.
>> IT WAS OUR BOARD COUNSEL AND OTHER ATTORNEYS THAT DRAFTED THIS.
I'M SORRY, WILL WE OR WILL WE NOT SEE THE FULL REPORT BECAUSE I JUST SEE A LIST OF 14 FINDINGS?
>> IT'S TAKEN FROM VARIOUS REPORTS.
THERE ISN'T ONE CENTRAL REPORT, BUT THAT INFORMATION IS GATHERED OVER THE SPAN OF A NUMBER OF REPORTS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER DOCUMENTS WHICH WERE AVAILABLE.
IT GOES BACK TO THE PUBLIC REPORTING THAT WAS PRIOR TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS REPORT AND THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE, DEVELOPED THE ENTIRE REPORT.
>> I GUESS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REPORTS, SOME FROM DR. DEWAN, SOME FROM US, AND THEN WE GAVE IT TO OUR BOARD COUNSEL AND THEY DRAFTED THIS LIST OF 14.
>> NOT NECESSARILY FROM DR. DEWAN, BUT DR. HINMAN, IF YOU'LL RECALL, HE COMMISSIONED A NUMBER OF REPORTS.
THERE WERE OTHER THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY IN PLACE PRIOR TO DR. HINMAN, AND THEN THAT INFORMATION WHICH WAS GATHERED AS A RESULT OF THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO HEADSTART.
>> WELL, SO ALL THAT IT'S NOT SUPER CLEAR TO ME.
I KNOW THAT TENSIONS ARE HIGH.
I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THEM HIGHER, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY IF WE'RE ENTERING STATEMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE BANNER OF TRANSPARENCY THIS DOESN'T FEEL FULLY TRANSPARENT TO ME, AND I KNOW EVERYONE HAS THEIR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS, BUT THE AGENDA.
IT DOESN'T REFLECT THE EVENTS AS I EXPERIENCED THEM AS IT'S WRITTEN IN THE AGENDA.
I HAVE TWO MORE QUESTIONS, BUT I DIDN'T NEED TO CUT SOMEONE OFF, ARE THEY TRYING TO SPEAK? NO.
>> WERE YOUR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR ME OR FOR THE BOARD?
>> WELL, DID YOU DRAFT THIS REPORT, ADRIAN?
>> NO. I DID NOT DRAFT THE REPORT.
I HAD INPUT IN THE REPORT, YES.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW, BUT I KNOW THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WE SENT A LOT OF THIS TO DA ROSEN AND I BELIEVE THE POLICE AND MAYBE OTHER AGENCIES I'M MISSING.
I KNOW DA ROSEN'S OFFICE SAID THEY'RE NOT PURSUING THIS.
THEY SAID THAT TODAY, BUT DID WE HEAR BACK FROM ANY OF THE OTHER THIRD PARTY AGENCIES THAT HAVE REVIEWED THESE ALLEGATIONS?
>> I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY AGENCY THAT REVIEWS THESE ALLEGATIONS AS CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNANCE REPORT.
IF THERE ARE OTHER AGENCIES OR OTHER THINGS THAT THEY REVIEWED, I'D BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT WITH THE BOARD IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD, WE DID HAVE THE FEDERAL REVIEW OF OUR HEAD START PROGRAM WITH YOUR OWN REVIEW AND REPORT THAT WAS ISSUED?
>>THAT WAS THE DOCUMENT AND REPORT THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER.
>> THAT'S NOT THIS REPORT, THOUGH.
THAT WAS THE WHOLE SEPARATE THING.
>> THE FEDERAL REVIEW OF HEADSTART WAS A SEPARATE REPORT.
>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT REVIEWED THE REPORT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY?
>> WELL, I'LL LEAVE MY COMMENTS FOR LATER. THANK YOU.
>> NOT THAT I KNOW OF. TRUSTEE LARI.
ARE WE ABLE TO SHARE DETAILS ABOUT EACH FINDINGS WITH THE BOARD AND WITH THE PUBLIC FOR TRANSPARENCY? WHEN WE SAY PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED FOR NON SCCOE PURPOSES, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW WHAT NON SCCOE PURPOSES THERE WERE.
HOW CAN WE GET THAT INFORMATION?
>> IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY, IT DEPENDS ON WHICH REPORT WAS WRITTEN AND BY WHO AND WHO HOLDS THE PRIVILEGE CONCERNING THE REPORT, AND WHETHER OR NOT IT CONTAINS PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT HAS TO BE REDACTED.
EACH REPORT STANDS ON ITS OWN MERITS AND IT
[02:15:03]
ALL IS DETERMINED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE REPORT, WHETHER OR NOT IT CAN OR SHOULD BE RELEASED.MOST OF THEM HAVE SUMMARIES WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BEING RELEASED, AND ANY REPORT CAN'T BE RELEASED UNTIL IT'S IN FINAL FORM.
IF YOU HAVE DRAFT REPORTS, THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNTIL THEY'RE FINAL.
>> CAN SOMEBODY SPEND SOME TIME FIGURING OUT WHAT CAN BE REVIEWED BECAUSE IT'LL BE NICE TO HAVE SOME DETAILS.
>> I WILL TAKE THAT AS AN ASSIGNMENT OR A REQUEST AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.
>> WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THIS TALKING ABOUT IT.
MANY THANKS TO THE GOVERNANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR, HELPING US GET TO THIS POINT.
OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF THIS STUFF HAPPENED BEFORE.
I JOINED THE BOARD, AND YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH THE THINGS THAT THIS INSTITUTION WENT THROUGH WITHOUT LEARNING THE LESSONS THAT WE NEEDED TO LEARN FROM THIS, WHICH I SEE ARE NOW WRITTEN IN THESE DOCUMENTS.
I FIND THAT ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY BECAUSE FOR ME FOR TRANSPARENCY SAKE, THAT IS ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PUBLIC AGENCY THAT IS COMPOSED OF THE FUNDING OF TAXPAYERS, AS WELL AS THE TRUST FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO VOTE US IN AND WHO TRUST THAT WE ARE HOLDING THEIR STUDENTS FIRST.
I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND LEARN FROM THESE LESSONS AND THAT EVERYBODY ON THIS TABLE RIGHT HERE.
I KNOW I CAN TRUST, ABSOLUTELY TO HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS IN THIS ORGANIZATION.
I JUST FEEL VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M IN THE SEAT NOW LEARNING ABOUT THIS, AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN WITH YOUR TEAMWORK, EVERYBODY HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE REFORMS ARE IMPLEMENTED AND HONORED AND THAT WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL NEVER BE MARKED BY FEARS OF RETALIATION, MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, OR ANY DISCREPANCIES THAT WOULD BESMIRCH THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND OUR MISSION TO EDUCATE ALL STUDENTS.
WITH THAT, THANK YOU AGAIN, EVERYBODY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO JUST SEEING THE FUTURE OF WHAT'S NEXT?
>> NOW THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO ASK THROUGH THE CHAIR, IF WE CAN MOVE ON BECAUSE IN THE SAKE OF MOVING FORWARD, I'D RATHER FOCUS ON THE POLICIES THAT WE'VE BROUGHT FORWARD.
SO IF WE CAN MOVE ON TO ITEM 6A TO START OUR FIRST READINGS OF THE POLICIES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THIS REPORT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN GO TO OUR FIRST INFORMATION ITEM,
[A. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9005 – Governance Standards]
WHICH IS ITEM 6A.THIS IS OUR FIRST READING OF REVISED BOARD BYLAW 9005, WHICH IS ON GOVERNANCE STANDARDS.
AGAIN, THE POLICY CLARIFIES ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT, AND YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE BOTH RED LINE VERSION AND THE CLEAN VERSION OF THE POLICIES ATTACHED.
ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS BOARD BY LAW 9005?
>> GO AHEAD IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS?
>>YES, I DO, BUT YOU CAN GO TO ME LAST IF THAT'S HELPFUL, OR I CAN DO THEM NOW.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS, SO GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANT SOME CLARITY ON WHEN TRUSTEES CAN SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC OR AT PUBLIC MEETINGS, BECAUSE I PERSONALLY DO HAVE SOME FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS JUST FROM MY READING OF THIS.
AFTER THIS MEETING, SAY WE VOTED ON ITEM, AND THEN I GO SPEAK AT A COMMUNITY MEETING.
CAN I TELL PEOPLE, HEY, I DIDN'T SUPPORT THIS ITEM ON THE BOARD BECAUSE SUCH AND SUCH, ETC, OR AM I NOT ALLOWED TO SAY THAT? IF I'M A DISSENTING VOTE ON THE BOARD, CAN I SPEAK TO WHY I DISSENTED?
>> COMMITTEE MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
>> IT SEEMS LIKE A QUESTION FOR LEGAL COUNCIL, CORRECT?
[02:20:03]
>> YEAH. I THINK THIS ONE IS PROBABLY FOR ADRIAN OR WHOEVER OUR COUNCIL IS.
>> I'LL JUST READ THAT SECTION.
IT SAYS, I THINK AND IF YOU COULD CLARIFY IF THIS IS A SECTION REFERRING TO TRUSTEE SHARIAN, AT SECTION 7 THAT SAYS, ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAWS RELATING TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WHEN SPEAKING PUBLICLY, THE COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS MUST INDICATE WHICH VIEWPOINTS ARE PERSONAL AND MAKE CLEAR WHICH PERSONAL VIEWPOINTS ARE NOT THE VIEWPOINTS OF THE COUNTY BOARD.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, MAY A COUNTY BOARD MEMBER REPRESENT THE POSITION OF THE BOARD OR THE COUNTY OFFICE WITHOUT THE EXPRESS APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD.
>> THEN IT ALSO SAYS IN THE NON RED LINE 1 THAT COUNTY BOARD DEBATE SHALL ABIDE THE MAJORITY DECISION.
JUST IN GENERAL, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT VIOLATING THE POLICY.
FOR INSTANCE, CAN I GO AND SAY HOW I FEEL BUT I JUST HAVE TO SAY CLEARLY, I'M SPEAKING AS A INDIVIDUAL OR AM I NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY IT AT ALL?
>> AS A BOARD MEMBER, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ON ANY POLICY THAT IS BEFORE THE BOARD.
YOU SHOULD INDICATE THAT THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL VIEW AND NOT THE COLLECTIVE CONCURRENCE OF THE BOARD WHEN YOU SAY WHATEVER IT IS YOU HAVE TO SAY DURING THE DISCUSSION PERIOD.
I BELIEVE THAT'S THE QUESTION.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS ON THIS POLICY?
>> IT'S ALONG THE SAME LINES, AND IT'S SECTION 8 AND I HIGHLIGHTED IT BECAUSE IT JUST SEEMED I DON'T KNOW.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. A BOARD MEMBER MAY BE SUBJECT TO A MOTION FOR RECUSAL IF THE BOARD MEMBER HAS MADE A STATEMENT THAT IN THE MINDS OF REASONABLE PEOPLE WHO WOULD CREATE A PERCEPTION THAT THE BOARD MEMBER'S ABILITY TO HEAR AND ACT UPON A MATTER BEFORE THE COUNTY BOARD WITH IMPARTIALITY INTEGRITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.
HAVING SERVED, AS I'VE MENTIONED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, I'VE SEEN MANY DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE A STATEMENT ON AN ITEM COMING BEFORE THEM THAT THERE'S NO WAY IN HECK THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT IT.
WHO'S THE JUDGE THAT THAT IS GROUNDS FOR RECUSAL IF THEY'VE ALREADY MADE A DECISION BEFORE THE MEETING THAT IT'S BASED UPON THEIR OPINION AND THEIR POLICY RESEARCH.
THAT'S A STRONG STATEMENT FOR AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO HAVE TO RECUSE HIMSELF.
AGAIN, WHO'S THE JUDGE AND JURY ON THAT?
>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, AND IT'S A VERY GOOD ONE.
GENERALLY, THE RECUSAL SECTION REALLY REFERS TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND NOT ANYTHING MORE OTHER THAN THAT.
PERSONAL OPINIONS, PRIVATE OPINIONS, DISCUSSIONS ARE ALL WITHIN THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF BOARD MEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THIS SECTION OR STATEMENT IS FROM CSBA, OR THE GOVERNORS AD HOC.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I'M JUST MORE LOOKING FOR WHERE THIS ORIGINATED FROM?
>> I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT STRICKEN, BUT I DON'T EXPECT IT.
WELL, I'D HATE TO SAY I DON'T EXPECT IT WOULD IMPACT ANY OF US, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW, SO THAT WOULD BE MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE. THANK YOU.
>> TALK ABOUT THAT. THAT'S AN INTERESTING POINT.
FOR ME, I THINK LET'S SAY THAT THERE IS A PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
WELL, LET ME ASK THE QUESTION.
ACCORDING TO THAT SENTENCE THERE, ANY ONE OF US COULD SAY I MOTION THAT TRUSTEE ROCHE IS RECUSED.
IS THAT HOW THAT STATEMENT? IT SAYS, SUBJECT TO A MOTION FOR RECUSAL.
HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? IS MY QUESTION?
>> BASED ON THAT LANGUAGE, ONE OR MORE TRUSTEES WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO RECUSE ANOTHER TRUSTEE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST OR A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OF SOME SORT.
AT THAT POINT, THE BOARD WOULD THEN VOTE ON THAT CONFLICT.
>> THAT IS STANDARD PRACTICE WITH GOVERNING BODIES, IS IT?
>> SOME. YES. THERE ARE MANY REITERATION OF THAT.
CSBA HAS A STANDARD THAT THEY RECOMMEND, AND THEN SOME OTHER BOARDS HAVE DECIDED TO CHANGE THAT STANDARD.
>> AGAIN, YOU ALREADY SAID THIS IS FROM CSBA.
>> THE WAY I SEE THIS WORKING IS IN A SUPER RARE CIRCUMSTANCE,
[02:25:01]
BUT LET'S SAY PRESIDENT BERTA HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND DOESN'T WANT TO RECUSE HERSELF.THEN I SAY, WELL, I THINK YOU SHOULD RECUSE YOURSELF AND I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION.
THEN IN DIRE SITUATIONS, I GUESS THE QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU IS, IS THAT AN APPROPRIATE POSSIBILITY.
>> WELL, I THINK THE LANGUAGE DUE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS REALLY KEY HERE BECAUSE AS IT READS, IT'S JUST WHETHER OR NOT I'M IMPARTIAL OR I HAVE INTEGRITY ON THE TOPIC.
>> THE INTEGRITY PART FOR ME IS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BUT SORRY I CUT SOMEONE OFF. I'LL STOP.
>> VICE PRESIDENT CHON AND THEN WELCOME.
>> I THINK IF THE FOCUS IS ON CONFLICT OF INTEREST, I'M JUST GOING TO ASK THIS IS A FIRST READING.
CAN WE JUST LOOK INTO THAT AND BRING IT IF NECESSARY FOR A SECOND READING BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF POLICIES.
I ALSO WANT TO REMIND US ALL THAT WE GET THAT, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE TRAINING, BUT WE GET THAT TRAINING.
THANK YOU, WHERE WE ARE REQUIRED TO RECUSE OUR SELF IF THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR FINANCIAL AND DIFFERENT MATTERS LIKE OUR INNER DISTRICT TRANSFER OR STUDENT APPEALS.
I THINK THAT'S ALSO OUR CIVIC DUTY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND NOT HAVE OUR BOARD MEMBERS, OUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE THEY ARE MOVING TO RECUSE OURSELVES.
BUT I'M JUST GOING TO ASK FOR THE SAKE OF DISCUSSION.
I THINK THERE'S SOME WANTING FOR CLARITY.
WHEN IT COMES BACK FOR A SECOND READING, MAYBE WE CAN EITHER ADD THE LANGUAGE IN OR HAVE A REASON WHY WE DIDN'T.
THAT'S JUST WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THAT ITEM.
>> IF I MAY. BUT IF WE DID DO THAT, WE MADE IT EDIT AT THE SECOND READING, WE'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND START OVER.
BECAUSE THE FIRST READING, IF IT CHANGED, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND THAT'S NOT.
>> YES. I'M NOT. I DON'T NEED IT.
>> SECTION THAT ORDINANCES, SO I JUST ASSUME IT WAS THE SAME.
>> THIS SECTION, AS I READ IT, BEGINS WITH TALKING ABOUT APPLYING REVIEW STANDARDS FOR APPELLATE MATTERS BEFORE THE BOARD.
INTER DISTRICT APPEALS, EXPULSIONS, AS WELL AS CHARTER SCHOOL APPEALS.
I SUSPECT, JUST GIVEN THAT IT TALKS ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE COMING ON APPEAL, IF A TRUSTEE SAID, I WILL NEVER VOTE TO OVERTURN AN EXPULSION.
I WILL NEVER APPROVE OR DENY A CHARTER SCHOOL.
THAT'S A STATEMENT THAT SAYS, I'VE MADE MY MIND UP AND THE INFORMATION DON'T MATTER THUS LEADING SOMEONE TO REASONABLY SAY, DAVID WILL NEVER VOTE DIFFERENTLY, NO MATTER WHAT THE INFORMATION SAYS FOR MATTERS ON APPEAL.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THIS CLAUSE IS FOCUSING NOT ON CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BUT THINGS THAT COULD COME TO THE BOARD ON APPEAL, IF THAT PROVIDES ANY CLARITY?
>> IT DOES. IT'S STILL THE SAME.
I KNOW MY COLLEAGUE IS NOT GOING TO EVER SUPPORT SOMETHING.
DO I RECUSE HIM OR HE OR SHE EVERY SINGLE TIME.
THIS VOTE COMES UP BECAUSE I'M A BIG SUPPORTER.
BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> MS. SPEISER, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?
>> HELP HIM AS IT RELATES TO BOARD POLICIES.
AFTER THE FIRST READING, IF THERE ARE CHANGES, THEY CAN BE BROUGHT BACK AND CAN BE APPROVED AT THE SECOND READING.
>> JUST ALSO TO SAY, I LIKE THE LANGUAGE THE WAY IT IS, BUT IF PEOPLE WANT TO BRING SOME EDITS TO IT, COME TO THE NEXT READING WITH SOME EDITS SO THAT WE CAN CHECK IT OUT.
SUBMIT IT TO LEADERSHIP ON TIME.
>> THAT'S A BOARD NORM. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR THAT INPUT.
[B. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9007 – Censure Policy and Procedure]
WHICH IS OUR FIRST READING OF REVISED BOARD POLICY 9 THAN 7, THE CENTURY POLICY AND PROCEDURE.ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD ON THIS ITEM.
>> PRESIDENT BERTA. I WANTED TO ASK IF WE FOLLOWED CSBA GUIDANCE ON THIS ONE OR HOW WE GOT TO THIS.
>> ARE YOU ASKING FOR INPUT FROM THE AD HOC OR FROM COUNCIL OR FROM DR. TOSTON?
>> PROBABLY THE AD HOC AND THE COUNSEL WHO DRAFTED IT.
WAS THIS A CSBA RECOMMENDATION? BECAUSE I THINK IT DEVIATES FROM CSBA AND GOOD GOVERNANCE, SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING.
[02:30:03]
>> I KNOW, I'LL JUST SHARE THAT AD HOC DID CONSULT CSBA'S POLICIES AND ALSO LOOKED AT BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES.
THAT WAS THE PROCESS FOR LOOKING AT THAT.
>> I'D ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE CONCLUSION OF THIS POLICY UNDER NOTICE.
THIS POLICY IS UNIQUE TO THE SCCOE AND IT IS NOT CONNECTED TO AN EXISTING CSBA SAMPLE POLICY OR INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR QUARTERLY UPDATES FROM CSBA.
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT OUR BOARD PRESIDENT SAID, DOCTOR.
IS IT CSBA BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S NOT?
>> I CAN GIVE HER THE HISTORY.
I ACTUALLY CHECKED MY EMAIL, I HAD SLIGHTLY REMEMBERED THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR A CENTURY POLICY, AND SO I ASKED LOCAL DISTRICTS THAT I HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH, AND WE USED SANTA CLARA UNIFIED CENTER POLICY FOR THIS.
THEN ALSO THE RED LINES, I THINK, ARE ACTUALLY THE EDITS TO OTHER THAN NAMES, BUT SANTA CLARA CENTER POLICY.
>> YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE AT THE BOTTOM, IT'S NOT CSBA.
BUT UNDER THIS FRAMEWORK, COULD A SUPERINTENDENT IF THEY THOUGHT A CRIME WAS BEING COMMITTED BY A BOARD MEMBER, FOR INSTANCE, COULD THEY INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION?
>> THE QUESTION IS, IF THE SUPERINTENDENT WITNESS WRONGDOING, COULD THEY INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION UNDER THIS POLICY?
>> IT'S NOT INTENDED FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO HAVE ANY INVESTIGATORY RESPONSIBILITY OR OVERSIGHT FOR THE BOARD.
>> THE REASON I ASK IS, I KNOW IN A DISTRICT IN OUR COUNTY, THEY DO HAVE THIS CLAIM THAT PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED OR MISAPPROPRIATED OR USED FOR NON-PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND THE DA IS LOOKING INTO THAT ONE CURRENTLY AND I BELIEVE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD TO INVESTIGATE THE BOARD MEMBER.
I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SUPERINTENDENT TO INVESTIGATE THE BOARD MEMBER IF THERE WAS LIKE A SERIOUS CRIME GOING ON.
>> WELL, THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD NOT BE THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING THE BOARD.
THE BOARD IS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EMPLOYER.
THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD HAVE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION IF HE DISCOVERED SOME WRONGDOING AND THEN THAT WOULD BE TURNED OVER TO EITHER THE BOARD PRESIDENT, IF SHE IS NOT THE ONE BEING ACCUSED OR THE VICE PRESIDENT, IF SHE IS, BUT THEN THE BOARD WOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE ITSELF.
>> WHAT IF THE BOARD PRESIDENT IS DOING THE CRIME?
>> THEN IT GOES TO THE BOARD VICE PRESIDENT.
THEN THERE'S A DETERMINATION THAT WOULD BE MADE ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS REFERRED OUT TO ANOTHER AGENCY.
>> ON OUR END, CAN THE BOARD PRESIDENT START INVESTIGATIONS ON ANY STAFF?
>> NO. THE BOARD HAS ONE EMPLOYEE.
THE BOARD UNDER YOUR EMPLOYEE THE BOARD GOVERNANCE HANDBOOK, AS WELL AS THE POLICIES, DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO DISCIPLINE OR OTHERWISE HAVE ANY CONTROL OR AUTHORITY OR OTHER EMPLOYEES.
>> IF WE WANTED TO INVESTIGATE DR. TOSTON, WOULD THAT HAVE TO COME TO A FULL BOARD OR COULD THAT JUST BE THE BOARD PRESIDENT?
>> I THINK YOU'RE ASKING FOR LEGAL ADVICE AT THIS POINT, WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE COVERED BY A CLOSED SESSION EXCEPTION.
>> WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT SOME OF MY QUESTIONS SPEAKS TO SOME OF MY CONCERNS ON THIS ONE. THANK YOU.
>> I'D BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THEM WITH YOU IF YOU'D LIKE OFFLINE.
>> NO. ALL OF THE POLICIES WERE BY THE COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE.
THE COMMITTEE GOT POLICIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CSBA, OTHER COUNTY OFFICES OF ED, EVEN SOME CITIES TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT BEST PRACTICES SHOULD BE.
IT WAS A COLLABORATIVE AND COLLECTIVE EFFORT.
THERE IS NO ONE PERSON WHO DRAFTED IT.
>> BUT THERE WERE LAWYERS CONSULTED, I ASSUME?
[02:35:06]
>> THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS POLICY?
>> AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE PREMISE OF THESE POLICIES ARE REVIEWING FINDINGS AND FACTS AND RESPONDING TO THOSE TO ENSURE THAT THE SAME PRACTICES DON'T CONTINUE.
I THINK THAT'S THE REALLY, IN TERMS OF THE WORK THAT TRUSTEE SPEISER WAS REFERRING TO, REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE STRONGEST POLICIES WE HAVE, AND HOW DO WE ENSURE WE ARE LEADING THE AGENCY WITH THOSE PRACTICES IN MIND.
WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT POLICY, WHICH IS 6C,
[C. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9011 – Disclosure Confidential/Privileged Information]
THE FIRST READING OF BOARD BY LAW 9011, THE DISCLOSURE CONFIDENTIAL PRIVILEGED INFORMATION.CLARIFIES THE BOARD'S OBLIGATION FOR PROTECTING CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED INFORMATION, INCLUDING PERMISSIBLE DISCLOSURES AND RELATED PROCEDURES WITH THE REVISED AND REDLINE VERSIONS ATTACHED.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS POLICY?
>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S CHANGING HERE IN THE RED LINE?
>> IT IS ATTACHED FOR YOUR REFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL RED LINE VERSION, I THINK IT'S.
>> BUT CAN COUNCIL EXPLAIN WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS?
>> THINK THAT WE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE RED LINE VERSION TO DETERMINE WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE.
I CAN BE HAPPY TO DO THAT PRIOR TO THE FINAL ADOPTION, IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> CAN SOMEONE JUST EXPLAIN THE POLICY CHANGE TO ME?
>> I CAN. WE CAN JUST READ THE SENTENCE THAT HAS BEEN ADDED.
LITERALLY, IT'S A SENTENCE AND I CAN READ.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT BOARD POLICY 9006.
>> THEY'RE ATTACHED TO THE DOCUMENT, 9006 IS? THEY'RE ALL AVAILABLE.
I KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, BUT 9006 IS JUST HONESTLY THE POLICY OF HOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BEHAVE AS BOARD MEMBERS.
IT'S LITERALLY OUR GOVERNANCE STANDARDS, AND IT IS A CSBA POLICY THAT OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE.
>> MAYBE IT ME I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS SENTENCE DOES.
>> I THINK YOU'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND LOOK LINE BY LINE, AND SO PERHAPS THAT'S SOMETHING IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING WITH COUNCIL.
SHE CAN GO THROUGH WITH YOU IF YOU LIKE.
>> YOU'RE AT A PUBLIC MEETING, CAN SOMEONE JUST EXPLAIN WHAT THIS POLICY DOES?
>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME WITH THESE POLICIES, AND SO FOR US TO GO LINE BY LINE ON EVERY POLICY, THAT'S THE INTENT OF HAVING IT UPLOADED TO [INAUDIBLE].
>> I'M LOOKING AT ONE RED LINE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS.
>> HER ISSUE IS THAT 9006 IS NOT ACTUALLY ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA.
>> I WOULD PRESUME THAT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD KNOW WHERE TO FIND OUR BOARD POLICIES, BUT IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC QUESTION.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT? I SAID THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU'VE DONE OVER TWO YEARS.
>> IF WE GO TO THE POLICIES DROP DOWN IN [INAUDIBLE] AND YOU CLICK ON THE NINE THOUSANDS, YOU'LL FIND 9006 WHICH IS TITLED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
THERE IT IS WRITTEN HOW WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COMPORT OURSELVES, AND THEN THE SECOND PART OF THAT POLICY IS VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT OF GOVERNANCE STANDARDS.
THE POLICY THAT WE'RE REVIEWING RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS BP 911 IS TELLING US TO JUST FOLLOW EXISTING POLICY THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS THE SECOND PART OF 9006, WHICH IS AGAIN IN THE DROPDOWN MENU IN THE POLICY SECTION.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S WHY I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS DOES.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE?
>> IT'S JUST EXPLICITLY POINTING IT OUT THAT WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THAT POLICY.
WE'RE JUST MAKING AN EDIT TO ANOTHER CURRENT POLICY.
WE HAVE A POLICY FOR THIS PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED? LET'S FOLLOW THIS POLICY.
>> WELL, THAT'S HELPFUL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF THAT, BUT IT'S HELPFUL TO KNOW. THAT'S ON MY COMMENT.
>> TRACY SHAKERS, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT ALL OF THESE POLICIES,
[02:40:04]
WE'RE UPDATING THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DONE.IN REGARDS TO THIS SPECIFIC POLICY, THE REASON THAT WE'RE UPDATING THAT LANGUAGE, WHILE YOU MAY FEEL LIKE IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE IS BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN HAPPENING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE JUST REMEMBER THAT WITH ALL THE POLICIES WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT, IS ANY UPDATE IS GOING BACK TO THE REPORT THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN ITEM 5B, AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE DOING ALL OF THIS.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM TRUSTEES?
>> OTHERWISE, THIS ITEM WE'LL BE COMING BACK FOR A SECOND READING AND ADOPTION.
[D. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9124 – Attorney]
THE FIRST READING OF REVISED BOARD BYLAW 9124 FOR ATTORNEY.THIS UPDATES PROVIDES CLEAR GUIDANCE ON THE ROLES AND ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM TRUSTEES?
>> I GUESS I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HATE YOU FOR THIS, BUT COULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS POLICY DOES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M INTERPRETING IT CORRECTLY.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT ED CODE ENVISIONS JOINT COUNSEL.
I KNOW THAT EVERY OTHER COUNTY BOARD AND DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE JOINT COUNCIL.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A DEPARTURE FROM THAT NORM AND AGAIN, THINKING ABOUT GOVERNANCE NORMS. I THINK THAT THIS INVITES SOME CONFLICT SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THIS POLICY CHANGES.
>> FOR ME, IT JUST MEANS THAT WE HAVE SHARED COUNCIL AND THAT THERE CAN BE SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE SEPARATE COUNCIL AND THAT'S WHAT THE POLICY SAYS.
>> IS IT JUST THE BOARD PRESIDENT THAT CAN GET SEPARATE COUNCIL OR WOULD THAT HAVE TO COME TO THE VOTE OF A BOARD?
>> NO, THIS POLICY IS DESIGNED SO THAT THE BOARD DOES NOT HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO LOOK FOR A COUNCIL IN THE EVENT THAT IT'S WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, A SECOND OPINION, OR THERE'S A CONFLICT WITH THE BOARD SHARED COUNCIL.
IT'S NOT JUST THE BOARD PRESIDENT.
IT CAN NEVER BE JUST THE BOARD PRESIDENT.
IT'S THE ENTIRE BOARD THAT IS ENTITLED TO HAVE COUNCIL.
THAT COUNCIL WOULD MEET WITH THE BOARD IN CLOSED SESSION AS A GROUP AND GAIN CONSENSUS FROM THE ENTIRE BOARD ON WHATEVER ISSUE IT IS.
>> I'LL SAY THAT, THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME GIVEN IT'S A DEVIATION FROM WHAT OTHER COUNTY BOARDS AND DISTRICT BOARDS DO.
I THINK THAT REALLY ENCOURAGES A CONFLICT WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION AND MAKES IT HARDER FOR US TO FUNCTION COLLABORATIVELY.
I GET HIRING OUTSIDE COUNCIL IF WE'RE TRYING TO FIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE CONTINUALLY FOCUSING ON OUTSIDE COUNCIL.
I THINK THAT ED CODE ENVISIONS JOINT COUNCIL SO THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.
>> A QUICK QUESTION. I DON'T THINK THAT WE ONLY GET JOIN SEPARATE COUNCIL FOR FIRING A SUPERINTENDENT.
THERE'S OTHER REASONS WHY WE WOULD OBTAIN SEPARATE COUNCIL.
BUT I WILL ASK OUR COUNCIL, IS IT COMMON THAT OTHER BOARDS HAVE SEPARATE COUNCILS?
>> THIS IS NOT DESIGNED SO THAT YOU ELIMINATE YOUR JOINT COUNCIL.
THIS IS JUST SO THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO ANOTHER ATTORNEY IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT JOINT COUNCIL CAN'T DO OR SHOULDN'T DO.
OR IF THE BOARD HAS A CONFLICT WITH THE JOINT COUNCIL ON AN ISSUE.
I MEAN, A LEGAL CONFLICT, NOT ANYTHING ELSE.
IF THERE ARE MATTERS THAT THE BOARD MAY WANT A SECOND OPINION ON.
IT BECAME PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THE BOARD CAN HAVE INDEPENDENT COUNCIL AFTER THE ORANGE COUNTY SERIES OF CASES, WHERE THERE WAS JOINT COUNCIL AND THE BOARD WANTED SEPARATE COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH PARTICULAR ISSUES.
AFTER SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THEY FINALLY AGREED AND THE COURT SAID, YES, YOU CAN HAVE SEPARATE COUNCIL IN ADDITION TO YOUR JOINT COUNCIL, IF YOU'D LIKE, TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC MATTERS.
IT'S NOT INTENDED TO BE A REPLACEMENT, BUT AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE.
DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> YEAH, THAT DOES. THANK YOU.
I HAVE NO MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POLICY, AND I'M READY TO MOVE TO THE NEXT ONE.
>> I'LL TAKE THE LAST COMMENT FROM TRUSTEE SPICER. COME IN.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR NEXT BOARD POLICY,
[E. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9322 – Agenda/Meeting Materials]
WHICH IS ITEM 6E, FIRST READING OF REVISED BOARD BY LAW 9322, THE AGENDA AND MEETING MATERIALS.[02:45:03]
THIS UPDATE PROVIDES CLEAR GUIDANCE ON THE RULES AND ACCESS, STRENGTHENS TRANSPARENCY AND CLARIFIES PROCEDURE FOR DISCLOSING AND AGENDIZING BOARD RELATED AGREEMENTS AND REFERRALS.ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS POLICY, TRUSTEE ROCHA.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL GO TO, I THINK IT'S SECTION 4, LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE NEWLY ADDED, AND IT STATES THE PRESIDENT SHALL MAKE A STATEMENT REMINDING CONTRACTOR THE REQUIREMENT.
THIS IS JUST PETTY STUFF, BUT I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAY IS BINDING US, AND LET'S SAY WE JUST SO HAPPENED TO MISS THAT.
EITHER WAY, THAT'S NOT MORE THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT TO ME.
ONE IS, IN TERMS OF THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THIS MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SPEAKING HAD A CONTRACT WITH THE COE.
I DON'T SEE IT REFERENCE AS TO HOW LONG AND YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE INFINITY.
YOU WOULD WANT TO SAY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR OR SIX MONTHS OR WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.
>> I THINK YOU'RE ON THE WRONG ONE.
>> I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT WE WERE ON 9323.
I'M ON 9322. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND NOW YOU KNOW MY NEXT QUESTION.
>> HEARING NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO GET AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT THIS 119322.
>> JUST REITERATING THE NEED TO ATTACH RELEVANT INFORMATION TO A BOARD ITEM WHEN YOU BRING AN ITEM FOR IT.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO HAVE A DESCRIPTION IN THE INFORMATION, BUT TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS? WE'LL GO ON TO ITEM 6F,
[F. First Reading of Revised Board Bylaw 9323 – Meeting Conduct]
THE FIRST READING OF BOARD VILA 9323 FOR MEETING CONDUCT.THE DATES ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY AND CLARIFY PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES AND THIS IS ALSO BEING PRESENTED FOR FIRST READING.
>> I HAD A QUESTION [LAUGHTER] AND I HAVE ALREADY POSED IT SO A REFERENCE TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME PRIOR THAT A SPEAKER HAD A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY.
I THINK IT'S SILENT ON THAT AND MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THERE'S A DATE ASSOCIATED WITH IT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
>> YOU CAN ADD THAT LANGUAGE TO IT.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DISCUSSING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGED EVEN ASKING.
I THINK WE SETTLED UPON THE CONTRACTS, HAVING A PROVISION IN THERE, WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO IDENTIFY AND I THINK IF WE WANTED TO PUT A TIME LIMIT ON IT, THAT WOULD BE REASONABLE.
>> I WOULD JUST SUGGEST WHAT I EXPERIENCE IS A YEAR AND THEN THE WORD SHALL I'D LIKE TO SEE MAY, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S ALREADY GOING TO BE IN A CONTRACT. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE MY HAND RAISED, PRESIDENT BERTA.
>> THIS ONE REALLY CONCERNS ME PROBABLY IT'S ONE OF THE MORE CONCERNING ONES.
I THINK IT COULD QUELL PUBLIC COMMENT, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.
IT'S ALSO I'M NOT SURE HOW WE WOULD ENFORCE THIS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A BOARD POLICY COULD BE ENFORCED ON A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.
CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THAT TO ME?
>> AS YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION.
BUT IF THERE ARE CONTRACTS WHICH THEY'VE ENTERED INTO, AND THEY VOLUNTARILY AGREE AS A PART OF THEIR CONTRACT THAT THEY WILL MAKE THIS STATEMENT OR THEY WILL SELF IDENTIFY, THEN WE CAN ASK THEM TO DO IT.
THE PENALTY FOR THAT WOULD BE WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BREACHED THEIR CONTRACT.
OTHER THAN THAT, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF WAYS TO ENFORCE IT UNLESS IT'S IN A CONTRACTUAL PROVISION.
THE LAW DOES NOT AFFORD PUBLIC AGENCIES THE ABILITY TO CENSURE OR OTHERWISE PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SPEAKING.
WE DID TALK ABOUT CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS TO THIS CONCERNING PARENTS WHO MAY WORK FOR ONE OF THE TECH COMPANIES.
[02:50:05]
IT'S NOT INTENDED TO DEAL WITH ANYONE, THAT IS JUST AN EMPLOYEE, BUT RATHER THOSE THAT SPEAK BEFORE THE BOARD THAT HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, MEANING A CONTRACT OR OTHER INTEREST.>> I WAS JUST TO SAY LIKE ALL THE STAFF THAT SPOKE TODAY, WOULD THEY HAVE TO SAY.
>> NO. THIS DOES NOT PERTAIN TO EMPLOYEES.
THIS PERTAINS TO THOSE THAT HAVE BUSINESS CONTRACTS WITH SCCOE, AND IT WOULD BE CONTAINED WITHIN THEIR CONTRACT THAT THEY WOULD SELF IDENTIFY.
UNDER THE LAW, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
LOBBYISTS ARE REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE.
UNLIKE THEM, THE ONLY LEVERAGE THAT WE HAVE OR THE ONLY WAY WE HAVE OF AFFORDING ANY TRANSPARENCY WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK TO KNOW WHAT THEIR INTEREST IS IF IT'S IN A CONTRACT AND THEY'RE OBLIGATED TO SAY IT.
WE WANT TO AVOID THE CHILLING EFFECT THAT IT MIGHT HAVE ON OTHER EMPLOYEES, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, SO IT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO THEM.
IF SOMEONE CAME AND SPOKE, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE AN EXECUTIVE WITH GOOGLE, IF THEY AREN'T SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF GOOGLE AT THE MEETING, THAT THIS WOULD NOT TRIGGER THIS REQUIREMENT.
>> NOW, WAS THIS A CSPA 1, DO OTHER COUNTY BOARDS OR SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS DO THIS?
>> I'M NOT SURE IF OTHER COUNTY BOARDS DO THIS.
THIS WAS NOT A PART OF THE CSBA POLICY.
I THINK IT WAS TAKEN FROM THE LOBBYIST POLICY FROM ONE OF THE LOCAL CITIES.
>> I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE WHERE THIS ONE'S COMING FROM.
I JUST THINK WE NEED TO DO CONSTANT REMINDERS, AND I JUST WANT TO OR ON THE SIDE OF ENABLING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORTING THAT SO I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT FOR THAT REASON.
>> I THINK THIS ONE ALSO HAS A REQUIREMENT THAT THE BOARD PRESENT WOULD MAKE A STATEMENT PRIOR TO INDICATING THE VOLUNTARY NATURE OF PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION.
>> I THINK IT ALSO [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO, YOU'RE PART OF THE CONTRACT?
>> NO. IT'S VOLUNTARY, BUT IT'S IN THE CONTRACT.
YOU VOLUNTARILY SIGN A CONTRACT OR AN AGREEMENT.
>> I APPRECIATE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.
I DON'T JUST PRACTICALLY, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
BUT THANK YOU, ADRIAN. TRUSTEE PACHECO?
>> FOR ME, IT JUST I APPRECIATE THE ANALOGY TO LOBBYISTS IN OUR MICROCOSM OF COMMERCE OF THE SCCOE, PEOPLE WITH CONTRACTS THEY SHOULD TELL US IF THEY'RE SPEAKING PUBLICLY THAT THEY HAVE FINANCIAL INTERESTS IN US.
I THINK DISCLOSING THAT IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE.
IF WE ASK THAT OF LOBBYISTS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, WE SHOULD ASK THAT OF OUR BUSINESS CONTRACTORS TO US.
>> WE'RE LIMITED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT, AND UNLIKE LOBBYIST, WE DON'T HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION OR THEY DON'T HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO TELL US.
WHEN YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT, WHERE CAN WE FIND A LEGAL OBLIGATION, IT WOULD BE THEM VOLUNTARILY AGREEING TO DO THAT IN THE CONTRACTS THAT THEY ENTER TO.
WE CAN REQUIRE THAT IF YOU WANT TO GET BUSINESS WITH US, THAT IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON IT, THEN YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
THAT'S WHERE THEY'VE AGREED TO IT.
NOW, THIS WOULD BE A CASE OF FIRST IMPRESSION, AND IT MIGHT BE SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE, BUT I THINK THAT WE'RE ON BETTER FOOTING WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WE'VE COME OUT WITH RATHER THAN HAVING A POLICY THAT REQUIRES IT.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A CHILLING EFFECT IN A FIRST AMENDMENT VIOLATION.
>> I SEE. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
>> I THINK IT ALSO OPERATE SIMILAR TO THE SCRIPT I READ IN TERMS OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WE ASK FOLKS TO FILL OUT A SPEAKER COMMENT CARD.
WE HAVE A PROCESS AND PROCEDURE.
OBVIOUSLY, IF AN INDIVIDUAL STILL WANTS TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT WITHOUT FILLING OUT A SPEAKER COMMENT CARD, THEY CAN DO SO.
THAT'S PART OF THE VOLUNTARY PRACTICE, SO I THINK IT OPERATES SIMILAR TO THAT.
HEARING NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? WE WILL MOVE TO OUR I GUESS WE'LL BE REVISITING ALL OF OUR FIRST READINGS.
THANK YOU FOR THAT INPUT FOR SECOND READING ADOPTION AT OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING.
NEXT, WE'LL GO TO OUR INFORMATION ITEM G, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
[G. Future Agenda Items]
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT.ITEMS MENTIONED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE BEING SUGGESTED, SO THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED OR EXPLORED FOR FUTURE FOLLOW UP ACCORDING TO OUR BOARD BY LAWS.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION THAT
[02:55:02]
THE COUNTY BOARD WOULD LIKE TO RAISE AT THIS TIME? PRESIDENT CHON AND THEN TRUSTEE PACHECO.>> I HAVE TWO. I WOULD LIKE TO WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE INTERPRETER SERVICES FOR OUR ASL AND I KNOW OUR ASL INTERPRETATION SERVICES ARE SOMETHING NEW THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST YEAR.
I THINK WE'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO.
I THINK JUST SEE I WILL SAY, I KNOW THAT ASL INTERPRETATION SERVICES ARE DIFFICULT TO GET.
BUT I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRACTICES AND THE INTERPRETATION SERVICES THAT WE USE FOR ALL OF OUR LANGUAGES TO SEE JUST HOW THAT IS WORKING AND HOW THEY'RE BEING UTILIZED.
AND THEN ALSO ACCESS FOR OUR STAFF BECAUSE I KNOW FOR MYSELF IN MY OWN DISTRICT, WE HAVE CHALLENGES WHEN OUR STAFF NEED INTERPRETATION SERVICES, AND SO I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT IT'S ACCESSIBLE AT THE BOARD MEETING, BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAT WHEN PARENTS AND OUR EDUCATORS ARE HAVING ONE TO ONE MEETINGS THAT THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM.
WE'D LIKE TO JUST SEE A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON THAT.
THE SECOND ONE IS, I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST THE RETURN OF FUNDS THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND SO I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO, I KNOW MENTIONED TODAY WAS A WORK GROUP, BUT ALSO IF WE CAN ACTUALLY FORM A WORK GROUP IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY AND LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN.
I KNOW RETURNING OF THE EXCESS OF THE PROPERTY TAXES IS PART OF HOW THE FORMULA IS FUNDED AND HOW WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT.
BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO SEE IF THERE'S WAYS WE CAN ADVOCATE FOR THAT.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE LIKE, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT IN JAC, BUT I THINK IF THERE'S A WORK GROUP THAT WE CAN DO, BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ONLY AFFECTING OUR COUNTY OFFICE, BUT IT'S ALSO FOR OUR OTHER LOCAL DISTRICTS AND HOW THEY'RE HAVING TO RETURN THEIR FUNDING, AND IT DOES CAUSE A BIG PROBLEM.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A POLITICAL CLIMATE WHERE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ED.
AND SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, I FEEL LIKE ARE THEN FEELING SO INSECURE ABOUT THEIR FUNDING, THEY'RE HOLDING THEIR MONEY.
WE NEED TO FIND BETTER PRACTICES TO PUT INTO PLACE.
IF WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN RETURNING FUNDS THAT WAY INSTEAD OF TO THE COURTS OR WHATEVER WE CAN DO, BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO FORM A WORK GROUP AND EVEN POSSIBLY PARTNER WITH SAN MATEO COUNTY, IF APPROPRIATE IN ORDER FOR US TO LOOK ON HOW WE CAN DO MORE ADVOCACY IN THAT WORK THAT'S ALL.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD SEGUE INTO MY SUGGESTIONS TOO.
BUILDING OFF OF WHAT VICE PRESIDENT CHON SAID.
IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT AT JAC.
WE CAN PROBABLY DO THIS AT THE RETREAT, MAYBE.
BUT A TIME FOR US TO DESIGNATE POLICY PLATFORMS, THEN STEP 2, LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, AND THEN STEP 3 WORKING GROUPS THAT CAN FOCUS ON SOME OF THOSE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE WANTED THAT ONE WORKING GROUP TO FOCUS ON THAT EXCESS PROPERTY TAX PROCESS, THEN WE CAN DESIGNATE THAT.
IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR BOARD DECIDING WHAT POLICY PLATFORM, LEGISLATIVE PARTIES WE WANT JL TO FOCUS ON.
I SEE THE WORKING GROUP AS BEING AN EXTENSION OF JL PERHAPS, BUT I THINK WE NEED A CONCENTRATED EXERCISE AND TIME FOR US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT VISION IS.
>> ANY OTHER I HAVE MY HAND RAISED, PRESIDENT BERTA.
I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE TALKED TO TODD COLLINS, AND SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT ITEM HERE AROUND LCFF AND FOR EVERYONE WHO'S WORKING ON THAT.
THIS MAY BE REALLY SPECIFIC, DR. TOSTON, BUT CAN WE ADD BACK IN STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD JUST BECAUSE IT TECHNICALLY HASN'T COME TO OUR AGENDA YET.
>> ESPECIALLY, THANK YOU TO TIFFANY FOR DOING ALL OF THIS. THANK YOU, TIFFANY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO DITTO WHAT VICKI AND JOE SAID ABOUT THE WORK GROUP, AND PERHAPS, YES, WE DO MAKE IT PART OF OUR RETREAT IF WE HAVE THE HOURS TO DO IT.
I THINK THAT SOME OF THE RETREAT WORK MAY ACTUALLY LED TO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, SO IT MAY NOT ACTUALLY BE DOUBLING OVER IN WORK. THANK YOU.
>> HEARING NO OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS THAT MOVES US TO OUR CONSENT ACTION ITEMS,
[7. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]
[03:00:04]
AND I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE.I HAVE A MOTION FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO.
IS THERE A SECOND, A SECOND FROM MS. ROCHA.
IF WE CAN VOTE IN BOARD [INAUDIBLE], PLEASE.
>> I THINK I MAY BE A VERBAL BECAUSE IT'S NOT POPPING UP.
>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE GOTTEN THAT PROMPT.
>> LOOKS LIKE BOARD DOCS MIGHT HAVE TIED OUT, SO WE'LL TAKE A VERBAL VOTE ON THIS VERBAL I FROM TRUSTEE SPEISER, TRUSTEE LORI, VERBAL WE COULD JUST I FROM VICE PRESIDENT CHAN. I VOTE AYE.
>> THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.
WE'LL GO TO OUR ACTION ITEM 8A,
[A. Interview and Appointment of Student Board Member]
THE INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.OUR BOARD WILL NOW INTERVIEW FOR THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER POSITION.
THE CANDIDATE IS MADELEINE CHENG.
THE PROCEDURE WILL GO AS FOLLOWS.
COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS WILL TAKE TURNS ASKING QUESTIONS FROM THE SAME PREPARED LIST.
SINCE THERE ARE ONLY THREE QUESTIONS, FOR ONE CANDIDATE, I PRESIDENT BERTA, VICE PRESIDENT CHAN AND JORGE PACHECO WILL ASK ONE QUESTION IN THAT ORDER.
AFTER THE QUESTION AND ANSWER, EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL INDICATE WHETHER THEY RECOMMEND THE CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT AS THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER? TRUSTEES, THE PRIMARY METHOD FOR SUBMITTING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS IS VIA THE GOOGLE FORM LINKED IN EXECUTIVE CONTENT.
IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE ACCESSING THE GOOGLE FORM, PLEASE USE THE PRINTED STUDENT BOARD MEMBER RECOMMENDATION FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE COUNTY BOARD SECRETARY DR. TOSTON.
THE COUNTY BOARD SECRETARY DR. TOSTON, WILL TALLY AND ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS, AND WE WILL NOW BEGIN BY ASKING THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS QUESTIONS.
I WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.
DO WE HAVE OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER OR OUR PERSPECTIVE OR CANDIDATE? RACHAEL, MATTY, ARE YOU HERE?
>> THANK YOU. I WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.
WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER FOR THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION?
>> GREAT QUESTION. JUST A QUICK INTRODUCTION.
MY NAME IS MATTY CHANG, AND I'M A JUNIOR AT LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL.
I THINK I'M REALLY JUST IN THIS RULE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER POSITION TO BE LIMITED TO RECAPPING EVENTS, WHICH IS THE DEFAULT IN A LOT OF AREAS, ESPECIALLY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
I THINK A LOT OF THE TIMES THE STUDENT REP GIVES A QUICK UPDATE ABOUT WHAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING AND WHICH IS OF COURSE, REALLY IMPORTANT.
BUT I THINK THAT STUDENTS IN OUR COUNTY, STUDENTS IN A COUNTY PROGRAM DESERVE A LOT MORE THAN THAT.
I THINK THIS IS A REALLY UNIQUE ROLE TO ACTUALLY ADVOCATE FOR YOU AT THE POLICY LEVEL.
I THINK BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR ADVOCACY, I REALLY WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO START NEW INITIATIVES THAT REALLY INSTITUTIONALIZE YOUTH VOICE WITHIN ALL OF OUR SYSTEM, AS WELL AS REPRESENT THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AS BEST AS TO MY ABILITY.
THROUGH ACTUALLY TALKING TO THEM IN OFFICE HOURS OR GOING TO SITES DIRECTLY.
MOREOVER, I THINK MY PAST WORK IN YOUTH ADVOCACY REALLY PUSHES ME INTO THIS DIRECTION.
RECENT AS ALMOST A YEAR AGO, I WAS APPOINTED ON TO MY CITY'S SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION BY OUR CITY COUNCIL AND THROUGH THAT ROLE, HAVE ADVOCATED FOR YOUTH REPRESENTATION ON ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONS, CREATING A DEDICATED YOUTH SEAT, ADVOCATING FOR MORE CLIMATE EDUCATION WITHIN OUR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND HAVE DONE A LOT OF SUBSTANTIATIVE WORK THERE.
THOSE EXPERIENCES REALLY JUST TAUGHT ME THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY INFLUENCE REAL POLICY IF THEY'RE WILLING TO PUT IN THAT WORK.
I THINK BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO ELEVATE THOSE ISSUES THAT MATTER, THIS ROLE REALLY APPEARS.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MATTY.
YOUR SECOND QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR TERM AS A STUDENT BOARD MEMBER?
>> I THINK I HAVE A FEW CONCRETE THINGS THAT I WOULD AIM FOR TO ACCOMPLISH DURING THIS RULE.
THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE TO CREATE THIS COUNTY WIDE NETWORK OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS.
[03:05:01]
I THINK RIGHT NOW A LOT OF STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS SHC AND THE LA, PA USD, AND ALL OF THE SMALLER DISTRICTS OPERATE IN THEIR OWN ISOLATED SILOS.I WANT TO HELP CHANGE THAT, WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH HOSTING SOME COUNTY WIDE SYMPOSIUM AND THEN TURNING THAT INTO AN ONGOING COMMUNICATION NETWORK WHERE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND ACTUALLY EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE WITHIN THEIR OWN DISTRICT GOING BEYOND JUST EVENT RECAPS.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF ONE DISTRICT IS PUSHING THE MENTAL HEALTH AXIS, THEN THEY CAN GET SUPPORT FROM ANOTHER STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WHO'S DONE A SIMILAR THING IN THEIR DISTRICT.
I THINK THAT REGIONAL CONNECTION ACROSS OUR COUNTY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
THEN I ALSO WANT TO DO WORK REGARDING INSTITUTIONALIZING STUDENT INPUT.
I KNOW THERE WERE MENTIONS OF A STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD, BUT I THINK REALLY JUST MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL OF THIS GROUP BY INCLUDING REPRESENTATION, MAYBE TWO OR THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH SCHOOL, TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
CHARTER SCHOOLS, JUVENILE JUSTICE SCHOOLS AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S GUARANTEED REPRESENTATION FOR ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS, AS WELL AS COMPILING MAYBE SOME STATE OF THE STUDENTS REPORT, THIS COULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE PULLING SURVEY DATA, HAVING THESE DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVES ANALYZE EQUITY DAB, DO SITE SITE OBSERVATIONS, AND THEN REALLY JUST GIVE THE BOARD SOME CONCRETE DATA TO WORK WITH FROM THE STUDENTS INSTEAD OF JUST ANECDOTES.
THEN LASTLY, I THINK POLICY LITERACY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
ANOTHER FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE I WOULD PROPOSE IS HAVING A POLICY [INAUDIBLE].
IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN ASSEMBLY MEMBER AARONS POLICY AND PANCAKE EVENTS WHERE PEOPLE CAN PROPOSE LEGISLATION DIRECTLY TO HIM.
I THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE STUDENTS CAN PROPOSE LEGISLATION TO THE BOARD, SIMILAR TO HOW THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS THEIR STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD THAT CREATES RESOLUTIONS AND PRESENTS TO THEM DIRECTLY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO REALLY GET MORE STUDENT INPUT.
>> THANK YOU, MADELINE. THE LAST QUESTION IS, BEING A STUDENT BOARD MEMBER MEANS REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY OF THE COUNTY AND SPECIFICALLY PROVIDING INSIGHT ON SCLE STUDENT PROGRAMS. HOW WILL YOU GATHER FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM, WHICH I THINK YOU TOUCHED ON IT, BUT IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND.
>> FOR SURE. ACTUALLY ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS, I REALLY WANT TO BUILD REAL WAYS TO HEAR FROM THEM.
THIS CAN FIRST BE THROUGH COUNTY WIDE SURVEY THAT THE COUNTY BOARD MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONNECT THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WITH VARIOUS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, DISTRICT STAFF, AND PRINCIPALS TO SEND OUT DIFFERENT SURVEYS.
THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENT DATA ON WHAT STUDENTS ACROSS DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ARE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED.
I THINK ANOTHER GREAT IDEA IS TO START HAVING VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE STUDENT MEMBER WHO'S APPOINTED CAN HOST ONLINE MEETINGS HAPPENING MAYBE EVERY WEEK OR ONE HOUR AT A CERTAIN TIME SIMILAR TO HOW PRINCIPALS MIGHT DO LIKE COFFEE CHATS OR STUDENT OR BOARD MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT COFFEE CHATS.
BASICALLY HAVE THIS LINK ADVERTISED THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL THROUGH THE SCHOOLS DIFFERENT OUTREACH METHODS AND BASICALLY JUST HAVE A SPACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN HAVE A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS SO THAT THEY CAN ADVOCATE DIRECTLY FOR WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE CHANGE OR JUST CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE.
I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE GOING IN PERSON.
WHETHER THAT BE ORGANIZING DIFFERENT LISTENING SESSIONS AT EVERY TYPE OF SCHOOL, THE COUNTY TOUCHES, TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS, CHARTERS, JUVENILE JUSTICE, COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, SPECIAL ED.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY JUST TO EMPHASIZE THAT STUDENTS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO COME TO THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SHOULD GO TO THEM AND MAYBE WORK WITH THE TOWN BOARD TO TAKE A DAY, FOR EXAMPLE, OFF SCHOOL TO GO TO THESE DIFFERENT SITES AND REALLY TALK TO THE STUDENTS THERE BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO HEAR INPUT THAT'S REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL.
THEN GOING BACK TO THE FORMALIZED REPRESENTATION ON THE POTENTIAL CREATION OF A STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD.
I THINK YOU CAN DEFINITELY EXPAND ON THAT BY HAVING THEM PROVIDE REPORTS FROM EACH OF THEIR SITES.
MAYBE IF THERE'S A SCHOOL SITE REPRESENTATIVE, I KNOW A LOT OF DISTRICTS HAVE SOME OF COUNSEL WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM EVERY SCHOOL.
THEN I THINK THAT EACH REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REALLY DETAILED REPORT ON DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT THE SCHOOL
[03:10:02]
SPECIFICALLY IS FACING THAT THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER COULD BRING UP AND IF THE EXTREMELY MAJOR IS CONCERN OR IF IT'S SOMETHING FELT ACROSS MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MULTIPLE SCHOOLS, THEN IT DEFINITELY BE SOMETHING THAT TURNS INTO AN INITIATIVE THAT IF SELECTED, I WOULD HELP ADVOCATE FOR.THEN LASTLY, I THINK IF OUR WERE SELECTED COG AND WERE ABLE TO BRING CONCERNS TO THE BOARD, I WOULD CATEGORIZE ALL THE FEEDBACK FROM THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND PULL OUT THEMES THAT MATTER MOST TO THE STUDENTS AND THEN ALSO JUST FOLLOW UP WITH STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INPUT DOESN'T DISAPPEAR ONCE IT'S SHARED AND THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME TANGIBLE OUTCOME WITH ALL THESE STUDENT CONCERNS SO THAT STUDENT VOICES ARE ACTUALLY HEARD WITHIN OUR [INAUDIBLE].
>> THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE OUR VOTING PROCESS, BUT I DID WANT TO JUST THANK YOU, MATTY FOR THE RESPONSES AS WELL.
TRUSTEES, IS THERE ANY COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM?
>> I HAVE A FEW, PRESIDENT BERTA.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I REALIZE I KNOW MATTY BECAUSE SHE DOES A LOT OF CLIMATE LITERACY ADVOCACY.
GO, MATTY. SHE'S REALLY AMAZING.
SHE ALSO WAS PART OF THE YOUTH TAKEOVER THAT, BROUGHT A RESOLUTION TO OUR BOARD.
I THINK THIS IS LAST YEAR, I FORGET.
I WANT TO ASK DR. TOSTON ABOUT ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO START THE STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD WAS SO MORE STUDENTS FROM OUR DISTRICT COULD COME OUT AND REPRESENT.
WHEN WE PASSED THIS POLICY WAS THE INTENTION, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
I KNOW TRUSTEE VESTON WAS THERE, IT WAS TO HAVE A STUDENT IN OUR COURT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND OUR ALTERNATIVE ED PROGRAM AT THE SCCOE TO BE A STUDENT BOARD REP. COULD DR. TOSTON SPEAK TO THAT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE INTENT OF THE INITIAL POLICY WAS DESIGNED, AS YOU SAID, TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN OUR CORDON COMMUNITY AND ALTERNATIVE ED PROGRAM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BOARD.
THE POLICY DOES ALLOW FOR, IF WE DO NOT HAVE INTEREST FROM A STUDENT IN ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT THE PROCESS IS OPENED UP TO ANY ELIGIBLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN THE COUNTY.
THIS PROCESS OPENED UP THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF A TRANSITION WITH OUR PREVIOUS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
THERE WAS AN OVERLAP AND I'LL AVOID GETTING INTO THE DETAILS, BUT WE NEEDED TO GO THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS BECAUSE WHILE WE HAD A STUDENT IN PLACE, WE HAD NOT OFFICIALLY APPOINTED THEM AT THAT TIME.
SUBSEQUENTLY, A STUDENT BECAME INELIGIBLE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS FROM ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS.
>> I WOULD SAY THIS IS ALL THE MORE REASON THAT YOU NEED TO START UP THE STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD, DR. TOSTON, JUST TO PUT A PLUG FOR THAT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW THE BOARD WILL VOTE, BUT WE NEED TO GET MATTY ON THAT BOARD IN MY OPINION, AND EVERY OTHER ONE TO ARE WE JUST NOT DOING ENOUGH RECRUITMENT AND ALTERNATIVE ED FOR THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS OR IS THERE MORE WE CAN DO THERE, DR. TOSTON? CAN WE ALSO JUST SHARE FOR THE PUBLIC HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE IN THOSE PROGRAMS THAT COULD SERVE ON THIS BOARD?
>> SURE. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF INTEREST FROM STUDENTS IN OUR PROGRAM AND FILLING THE ROLE.
AGAIN, WE HAD A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT HAPPENED AFTER I BELIEVE PROCESS STARTED, AND PER POLICY, WE COULD NOT GO AND RE RECRUIT STUDENTS FOR OUR PROGRAM BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMELINES SPECIFIED IN THE POLICY.
>> NOW, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE, I SOMEWHAT FEEL BAD THAT BECAUSE AT LEAST FROM WHEN WE PASSED THIS POLICY I WAS ON THE BOARD AND VICKI AND PETER LED IT WAS TO GET AN ALTERNATIVE ED STUDENT.
NOW I'M SEEING YOU EXPLAINED IT TO ME HOW THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE.
THAT WAS EXCITING FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND THAT PILLAR OF OUR WORK.
[03:15:10]
HOWEVER, THIS GOES, LET'S PLEASE GET MATTY ON ONE OF OUR BOARD, PLEASE, DR. TOSTON AND THE REST OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU.>> ALONG THOSE LINES, I DO THINK THAT BOARD POLICY WAS MEANT FOR OUR OWN STUDENTS THAT WERE SERVED BY OUR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS. I DO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURE THAT BROUGHT THIS TO US TODAY.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY.
WE CAN TABLE IT AND WE COULD WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE DONE SOME RECRUITMENT WITHIN OUR OWN PROGRAMS.
>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBER COULD NOT BE HERE AND THAT CAN'T SERVE IN THAT ROLE ANYMORE.
I DO 100% BELIEVE THAT MATTY HAS AMAZING IDEAS FOR THE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
IF WE GET THAT GOING, IF I THINK WE SHOULD TRULY GET THAT GOING BECAUSE SHE'S GOING TO BE A FORCE.
BUT WE ACTUALLY OPERATE A BUNCH OF GREAT PROGRAMS AND WE HAVE HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS THAT COULD DO THIS, AND I'D LIKE US TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD ON THIS.
>> IS THAT A MOTION, TRUSTEE SPISER?
>> THAT IS A MOTION THAT WE TABLE THIS DISCUSSION UNTIL WE CAN RECRUIT SOMEBODY FROM OUR PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION FROM TRUSTEE SPISER TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION AS WELL AS A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO.
>> I HAVE A COMMENT, PRESIDENT BERTA.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD I TOTALLY AGREE WITH TRUSTEE SPISER, AND AGAIN, THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD.
I FORGOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.
BUT, THIS IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.
DOCTOR TOTIN, CAN WE HAVE TIFFANY AND OR OTHER FOLKS REACH OUT TO MADDY TO ALSO SHARE WITH THEM ABOUT WAG? I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OTHER STUDENT STUDENT GROUP THAT OUR OTHER ADVISORY BOARD THAT I'M FORGETTING RIGHT NOW.
LET'S PLEASE GET MADDY ON THOSE AS WE FOLLOW UP ON THIS, PLEASE.
>> ABSOLUTELY WE ALL HAVE A FOLLOW UP CONVERSATION IN SENSE IT'S THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD TO SUPPORT HER IN HER PURSUIT IN OTHER CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT AS THE BOARD MEMBER WHO WORKED WITH OUR PREVIOUS BOARD MEMBER PETER ORTIZ ON THIS POLICY.
IT WAS INTENDED FOR WHAT WAS SAID.
IT WAS INTENDED TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OUR STUDENTS IN THE COURT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND OUR ALTERNATIVE ED PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY NEVER BE GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE IN DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS, AND THAT WAS ALWAYS THE INTENT OF IT.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT MATTY HAS DONE, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS THAT ARE BOARD SPECIFICALLY REPRESENTS, IT IS THOSE STUDENTS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND WANT TO HEAR THE STUDENT BOARD REPORTS FROM THOSE PROGRAMS, THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OR STUDENTS OF THE PUBLIC.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO HEAR FROM THE STUDENTS THAT ARE ENROLLED IN THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEIR FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES.
JUST HOW THAT PROCESS HAS HAPPENED, VERY WELL, TECHNICALLY, HE WAS OUR SECOND BOARD STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, BUT BECAUSE OUR FIRST ONE ONLY SERVED FOR I THINK ONE MEETING.
BUT HE WAS THE FIRST STUDENT EVER TO GET THE SEAL OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON HIS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
THAT IS SOMETHING I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE IN SUPPORTING THAT IN HIS EDUCATION.
I'M SORRY. HE WAS NOT THE FIRST STUD.
HE WAS THE FIRST STUDENT IN A COURT SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT ON HIS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
HE GOT RECOGNITION FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES, AND IT WAS A VERY PROUD MOMENT, AND SO I THINK WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE THAT WORK.
I DO SUPPORT THE MOTION CURRENTLY. THANK YOU.
>> YES, MA'AM, I SUPPORT IT ALSO.
>> APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION, AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID IT VERY WELL, SO I WILL NOT REITERATE THE SENTIMENTS, BUT DO WANT TO THANK MATTY FOR BEING HERE AND FOR HER VERY THOUGHTFUL ANSWERS AND LOOK FORWARD TO HER CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT.
[03:20:04]
DO WE WANT TO VOTE ON BOARD DOCS.PERFECT. SEEING THE PROMPT IN BOARD DOCS.
THE TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS FOR THE MOTION.
>> WHILE YOU'RE VOTING, PRESIDENT BERTA, I SENSE A CONSENSUS TO DIRECT STAFF TO LOOK AT THE POLICY AND MAYBE ADD IT TO THE POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS TO BETTER REPRESENT THE BOARD'S INTENTION, UNRELATED STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.
>> I'M HEARING THAT CONSENSUS FROM MY COLLEAGUES, SO THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, SO THAT ITEM IS TABLED FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION.
[B. California School Boards Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly Nomination for the 2026-2028 Term]
THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION CSBA DELEGATE ASSEMBLY NOMINATION FOR THE 26 THROUGH 28 TERM.FOR THIS, THE CSBA DELEGATE ASSEMBLY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF CSPA'S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, THAT'S THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION.
DELEGATES SERVE AS A CRITICAL LINK BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES AND THE STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION ENSURING THAT THE INTERESTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COUNTY OFFICES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE STATE LEVELS.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY ARE ELECTED OR APPOINTED TO THE 21 GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS, AND I'LL PAUSE THERE.
TRUSTEES, IS THERE A NOMINATION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MYSELF.
I HAVE BEEN SO FOR THREE YEARS.
>> LET ME NOMINATE YOU INSTEAD.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE TRUSTEE SPISER.
I KNOW SHE'S DONE THIS WORK FOR THREE YEARS, AND I THINK SHE WOULD BE A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE FOR OUR ACCOUNTING BOARD.
>> JUST CLARIFYING, THIS IS THE AT LARGE POSITION.
>> WE CAN RUN AT LARGE FROM THE COUNTY.
>> GREAT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
CAN WE ACCEPT VICE PRESIDENT CHAN'S? I KNOW YOU NOMINATED YOURSELF, BUT WE CAN ACCEPT HER MOTION.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO BE TRUSTEE SECONDS, WE AFFIRM.
>> SORRY. I COULDN'T SHARE ARE THE TWO DIFFERENT MOTIONS?
>> NO, IT'S A MOTION TO NOMINATE TRUSTEE SPISER TO BE OUR NOMINEE, I GUESS, FOR CSVA DELEGATE.
>> THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU. I GUESS I DID JUST WANT TO ASK ON THIS ITEM.
I DON'T KNOW IF COUNSEL CAN ANSWER THIS IF WE CAN ALSO DO THE VOTE FOR THE COUNTY DELEGATE.
IS IT? WE'LL DEFER THAT TO WE'LL REFER BACK TO THAT AT THE NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE'LL GO TO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER REPORTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH
[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.]
THE BROWN ACT INFORMATION SHARED DURING COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER REPORTS.MOST ONLY INCLUDE THOSE ACTIVITIES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO OUR DUTIES.
IS THERE ANY TRUSTEE THAT WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON THEIR ACTIVITIES? JESSE SPICER.
I'VE DONE OTHER THINGS, BUT JUST THIS LAST WEEKEND, ON SATURDAY, WE HAD A SYMPOSIUM ON UNHOUSED LEARNERS THAT DOCTOR TOSTON SPOKE AT AND ACTUALLY SHARED PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A UNHOUSED LEARNER HIMSELF GROWING UP.
WE HAD SPEAKERS WE HAD JOAN VARS, TED LAMBERT AND HILARY ARMSTRONG FROM OFFICE OF SUPPORTING HOUSE IN GIVING US DATA OF ALL OUR HOUSE LEARNERS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TOWARDS HOUSING THEM.
THEN WE HAD A PANEL ON THE EMPLOYEES OF DIFFERENT LOCAL DISTRICTS FOR MCKINNEY VENTO STUDENTS, WHICH ARE ON HOUSE LEARNERS.
THEN A CASE STUDY OF MORGAN HILL ON REALLY THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES THEY'RE GIVING TO THEIR STUDENTS TO REALLY MAKE THEIR EXPERIENCE BETTER AND GET TO BETTER RESULTS.
[03:25:01]
WE HAD ABOUT 50 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING PRESIDENT BERTA.IT WAS A GOOD INAUGURAL EVENT FOR THE SUCCESS COMMITTEE OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SCHOOLS BOARDS ASSOCIATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. A REPORTS FROM TRUSTEES?
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK DOCTOR TOSIN AND TRUSTEE PFIZER, AND THERE WERE STAFF FROM THE INNOVATIONS CABORATIVE, SANDIA LOPEZ AND JENNIFER GRAVEM AND I THINK JESSICA SIMPSON CAME AS WELL TO THE GALA FOR GOOD.
INCLUSIVE WORLD IS A NONPROFIT THAT SUPPORTS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
AND SO THAT WAS JUST REALLY EXCITING TO HAVE THE TEAM OUT SUPPORTING GALA.
AND THEY DO DIFFERENT SKILLS PROGRAMS AND FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, MAYBE DOCTOR HOSKIN KANAB, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH OUR INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE, AND JUST I REALLY HAVE TO THANK THEM SO MUCH FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT PARTNER WITH INCLUSIVE WORLD.
I ALSO GOT TO SPEAK ON A PANEL OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONGRESSIONAL STUDIES.
FUNNY ENOUGH, SOME FOLKS FROM SAN MATEO, INCLUDING THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, DID TALK ABOUT THE BOARD'S EFFORT TO PARTNER WITH THEM ON SCHOOL FUNDING EQUITY.
>> ANY OTHER REPORTS THAT I MISSED? JUST ALSO WANT TO THANK TRUSTEE SPISER FOR HER ROLE PANEL AT THE EVENT AND DOCTOR TOSTON, FOR HIS COMMENTS AT THAT EVENT.
I WAS VERY WELL DONE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED EFFORTS FROM THAT EFFORT TO SUPPORT R AND HOUSE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
WE WILL GO TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, DOCTOR TOSIN.
[A. The superintendent may give a report on any activities related to his duties.]
A NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT I'VE PARTICIPATED IN OR ATTENDED HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHARED, SO I WILL SKIP OVER.
I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WE ARE UNDERSTANDING OUR SHARED PRIORITIES, GOING INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I ALSO SPENT SOME TIME WITH THE LEADERSHIP AT PARENTS HELPING PARENTS OF A TOWN HALL SESSION WHERE WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY HIGHLIGHTED, HOW THE WORLD CHANGES ONCE OUR STUDENTS FINISH WITH K 12 EDUCATION, AND HOW ISOLATING THAT CAN BE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MODERATE COMPLEX SUPPORT NEEDS, AND INVITED US TO CONTINUE PARTNERING, BUT ALSO TO LEVERAGE THEIR RESOURCES AND SERVICES, BY SHARING WITH OUR PARENT COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT AROUND THEIR GREAT WORK AND SUPPORT.
AS ALWAYS, I CONTINUALLY IMPRESSED BY MY TEAMMATES HERE AT THE RITTER PARK OFFICE, AS I'M WALKING AROUND, JUST SEEING GREAT THINGS HAPPENING FROM OUR TEAM AND GENERAL SERVICES, THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, THE BUSINESS TEAM, TECH, IT'S A VERY BUSY TIME OF YEAR, AND SO JUST GOOD REPORT OUT.
I'M INSPIRED AND APPRECIATIVE OF ALL MY TEAMMATES FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SHARE.
>> THANK YOU, DOCTOR TOSIN, FOR THOSE UPDATES.
>> YES. I JUST WANTED TO ALSO THANK DOCTOR TOSSIN FOR COMING OUT TO ALL THE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND THE COMMUNITY LOVES TO CONNECT WITH HIM OUT OUT THERE. THANK YOU.
>> WE'LL GO TO ITEM 12, WHICH IS CLOSED SESSION.
THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO ENTER A CLOSED SESSION.
CLOSED SESSION INVOLVES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
ONCE IN CLOSED SESSION, I WILL CALL THE CLOSED SESSION TO ORDER AND REQUEST THAT EACH TRUSTEE STATE THEIR NAME TO RECORD WHO IS IN ATTENDANCE AND TO AFFIRM AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARAMETERS FOR CONDUCT OF BUSINESS IN CLOSED SESSION.
THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA NOW INCLUDES JUST ONE ITEM, WHICH IS B, THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS ITEM. THANK YOU.
[10. CONSENT INFORMATION ITEMS (Information items provided for review that do not require presentation or action.)]
WHICH WAS A CONSENT INFORMATION.THAT ITEM AGAIN IS ON THE AGENDA FOR TRANSPARENCY.
THERE'S NO PRESENTATION OR ACTION REQUIRED UNLESS THERE ARE COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD ON THAT ITEM.
[12. CLOSED SESSION]
[03:30:01]
IT'S JUST ONE ITEM, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 549 57B1, AND THE BOARD WILL NOW ENTER CLOSED SESSION AND WE WILL RETURN IN APPROXIMATELY I'M GOING TO SAY HALF AN HOUR.>> THANK YOU. WE ARE READY TO RESUME OPEN SESSION.
[13. OPEN SESSION (Immediately Following Closed Session)]
UPON COMPLETION OF AGENDA ITEM 12 B, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.THERE ARE NO REPORTABLE ACTIONS.
THIS BRINGS US TO ADJOURNMENT.
THE NEXT SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 17.
THANK YOU. MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? A MOTION FROM VICE PRESIDENT CHAN AND A SECOND FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO.
>> VERBAL I FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO AND VICE PRESIDENT CHAN.
>> VERBAL I FROM TRUSTEE ROCHA.
>> VERBAL VERBAL EYE FOR MYSELF AS WELL.
THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY WITH THOSE PRESENT.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANKS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.