Apr 01, 2026 County Board of Education

[A. Call to Order]

[00:00:03]

ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START THIS MEETING.

GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING NUMBER 2681 OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST. THE TIME IS 5:01 PM. I AM VICTORIA CHON, PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND I WILL PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING. A LIVESTREAM OF THIS EVENING'S MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT HTTPS: //TINYURL.COM/SCCBOARDMEETING.

ON THE WEB PAGE, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM AND CHOOSE LIVE.

LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING IS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE. FOR SPANISH SUPPORT, PLEASE CALL 1-669-900-6833.

THE MEETING ID IS 727334810#.

AND FOR VIETNAMESE SUPPORT, PLEASE CALL 1-669-900-6833.

THE MEETING ID IS 937.

523-6196#. LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE IN ASL, SPANISH, AND VIETNAMESE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

HEADSETS FOR SPANISH AND VIETNAMESE MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE TABLE IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM, AND THE ASL INTERPRETERS ARE AT THE FRONT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOM AS WELL AS ON THE MONITORS. PERSONS WANTING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO BY COMPLETING A COMMENT CARD AVAILABLE AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR THE NEED TO EVACUATE THE ROOM, PLEASE ALERT OR FOLLOW AN SCCOE STAFF MEMBER WHO IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE YELLOW BADGE. WHEN OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PARTICIPATES VIA TELECONFERENCE, THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY EXCUSED AT 8 PM SHOULD OUR MEETING EXTEND BEYOND THAT TIME.

PREFERENTIAL VOTING BY THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS AUTHORIZED BY EDUCATION CODE SECTION 1000. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS MAY EXERCISE PREFERENTIAL VOTING RIGHTS BY STATING THEIR OPINION AND/OR POSITION ON AN ACTION ITEM, WHICH WILL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES BEFORE SEC, BEFORE THE BOARD VOTES

[B. Pledge of Allegiance]

EVERYONE, IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND AND PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[C. Land Acknowledgement]

THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD

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

WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.

VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER? HERE.

TRUSTEE BERTA? PRESENT.

TRUSTEE LARI? HERE.

TRUSTEE PACHECO WILL BE JOINING US LATER IN THE EVENING AROUND 6 PM. TRUSTEE ROCHA? AND TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN? PRESENT.

AWESOME. OKAY. NOW MOVING ON

[E. Set the Agenda]

YES, I WAS WONDERING AT THE VERY LEAST WHETHER WE COULD MOVE BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT, SO BETWEEN 3 AND 4, 6C, THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MYOSITIS AWARENESS MONTH. SORRY, VICKI.

SO JUST MOVING ITEM 6C BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT? YEAH.

OKAY, BOARD MEMBERS, CAN VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER GET A SECOND FOR THAT? OKAY, ANY OTHER ADDITIONS? OKAY, SEEING NONE, MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA WITH MOVING ITEM 6C BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARDDOCS. AND THAT MOTION CARRIES WITH 6 YESES AND 1 NOT PRESENT AT VOTE. THANK YOU,

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

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, COULD YOU PLEASE DO THE HONORS? AND THEN AFTER THE PRESENTATION, BOARD MEMBERS, CAN YOU PLEASE JOIN AT THE PODIUM FOR PHOTOS? OKAY, EVERYONE, WE HAVE A REALLY SPECIAL RECOGNITION, SO LET'S START CLAPPING. AND

[00:05:02]

ANGELICA GUZMAN, HEAD START TEACHER IN THE EARLY LEARNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS APRIL EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. SHE HAS WORKED AT THE SCCOE FOR 23 YEARS, AND IT IS WITH GRATITUDE THAT WE CONGRATULATE ANGELICA ON HER RECOGNITION. AS A FORMER HEAD START PARENT, ANGELICA SAW HOW THE PROGRAM SUPPORTED FAMILIES AND THEIR LONG-TERM GOALS. THIS INSPIRED HER TEACHING CAREER. AND IN HER OWN WORDS, SEEING THAT MADE ME WANT TO BE PART OF AN AGENCY THAT PUTS CHILDREN FIRST, SHE SAID. SO I STARTED TAKING CHILD DEVELOPMENT CLASSES THAT ULTIMATELY LED ME TO THE SCCOE. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, ANGELICA IS HAILED BY HEAD START SITE DIRECTOR, ROCIO LYTLE, AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE HEAD START MODEL. ROCIO NOTED THAT ANELICA ENGAGES WITH HER STUDENTS DAILY WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PLANNED FOR THEIR NEEDS. ONE SPECIFIC PROJECT RECALLS AS HER FAVORITE IS TEACHING HER STUDENT ABOUT HORTICULTURE.

"OUR CLASS GOT TO HAVE THEIR VERY OWN FARM-TO-TABLE EXPERIENCE," SHE SAID. THEY GOT TO SEE HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO ALL THE FOOD THEY EAT.

ANGELICA LEANS INTO HER LEARNER AND DEVELOPER STRENGTHS TO SUPPORT HER STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. HER TEAMMATE, ANNA RAMIREZ-MERRITT, APPLAUDED THE EXPERIENCES AND NOTED THAT GUZMAN PROVIDES HER STUDENTS THAT ENHANCE, EXPERIENCES THAT ENHANCE THEIR AWARENESS, TRUST, AND SENSE OF CONNECTION TO THEIR COMMUNITY. "SHE BRINGS LEARNING TO LIFE THROUGH THOUGHTFUL PLANNING, MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES, AND A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO HER STUDENTS' DEVELOPMENT," SAID ANNA. ANGELICA SAID SHE CAN'T IMAGINE NOT TEACHING. SHE ADVISES PEOPLE BEGINNING THEIR CAREERS TO GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION TO MAKE MISTAKES BECAUSE EVEN AS ADULTS, WE'RE STILL LEARNING TOO. SHE ACKNOWLEDGES THIS RECOGNITION; HOWEVER, SHE CREDITS HER ENTIRE TEAM.

WHO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE. AND IN HER SPARE TIME, ANGELICA LIKES TO THRIFT AND FIND UNEXPECTED TREASURES. AS EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH, WE ACKNOWLEDGE HER FOR HER OUTSTANDING SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE JOB, DEDICATION TO EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS, CONTRIBUTIONS OUTSIDE THE USUAL SCOPE OF THE JOB, AND OVERALL COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. AND TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION SHE WILL RECEIVE A PLAQUE RECOGNIZING HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCCOE, AN ENGRAVED CROSS PEN, AND A RESERVED PARKING SPOT. AND ANGELICA IS NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY, BUT HER SUPERVISOR, ROSIA LYTLE, IS HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

GOOD EVENING, THAT, IN A NUTSHELL, IS ANGELICA GUZMAN. SHE HAS AN AMAZING ABILITY TO ENGAGE CHILDREN, CONNECT WITH FAMILIES, AND SHOWS UP EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE AND A HUGE HEART.

HER CLASSROOM IS PEACEFUL, IT'S ENGAGING, IT'S JUST AN AMAZING PLACE TO BE IN HER PRESENCE AT CHRISTOPHER RANCH HEAD START.

THE OWNERS OF CHRISTOPHER RANCH HAVE ALSO JUST AMAZED WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT SHE DOES. SHE PLANTS GARLIC THERE ON THE SITE, THE CHILDREN PICK IT. IT'S JUST A LOT OF FUN, AND SHE IS EXTREMELY, SHE EMBODIES THE ENTIRE WORD OF A TEACHER WHO CARES. AND I, WITH HONOR, THAT I RECOGNIZE HER AND THAT WE ARE AS AN AGENCY RECOGNIZING HER AS THE TEACHER OF THE MONTH. AND I HOPE TO SPEND ANOTHER 10 YEARS WITH HER AS HER SUPERVISOR AND PART OF HER TEAM.

THANK YOU.

SO WE'LL, WE'LL SKIP THE PHOTO THIS EVENING

[B. Recognition of the County Mock Trial Tournament Winners]

THE SDCOE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY

[00:10:01]

AFTER THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE JOIN US AT THE SIDE PODIUM FOR A PHOTO. YEAH, OVER THERE IS GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CHON AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND DR. TOSTON. AS PRESIDENT CHON MENTIONED, THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, HOSTS THE ANNUAL SANTA CLARA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT. EACH YEAR, TEAMS STUDY A HYPOTHETICAL CASE THAT IS PROVIDED BY TEACH DEMOCRACY. THIS YEAR WAS AN EXTRA FUN ONE IT WAS A MURDER TRIAL, WHICH YOU'LL SEE CLIPS OF.

YES, OOH, I WAS RIGHT.

STUDENTS CAN BE BOTH HERE AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT IN DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE. SO BEFORE I TALK ABOUT OUR WINNERS, WE HAVE SOME VIDEOS FOR YOU TO SEE PARTS OF THE COMPETITION AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT THE STUDENTS DO.

I THINK I'M MOST EXCITED TO SEE THE WITNESS STATEMENTS.

I REALLY LOVE ACTING, AND I THINK IT'S SO COOL TO SEE HOW DIFFERENT PEOPLE TAKE ON DIFFERENT WITNESS CHARACTERS.

I AM A DEFENSE CLOSING ATTORNEY, AND THE HARDEST THING ABOUT MOCK TRIAL FOR ME, SPECIFICALLY FOR MY ROLE, IS PROBABLY THINKING ON THE SPOT, BECAUSE ESPECIALLY FOR CLOSING ATTORNEYS, YOU HAVE TO THINK OF YOUR REBUTTAL ON THE SPOT.

TWO GRUDGES, TWO MUSHROOM DISHES, TWO REASONABLE INTERPRETATIONS.

BECAUSE, YOUR HONOR, THE EVIDENCE WILL SHOW THAT ALDEN MITCHELL COULD HAVE POISONED THE PLATE AND IN TURN POISONED THE TRUTH.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE COURT.

I'M THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR A REALITY COOKING GAME SHOW ON THE FOODIE CHANNEL.

WHAT SHOW? I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN IT.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE DEFENDANT REACTED TO MORGAN SEARS' JUDGING.

NOW, AS A JUDGE, WHAT DID MORGAN SEARS SAY ABOUT THE DEFENDANT'S COOKING? THE DAY BEFORE CHEF SEARS DIED, HE SAID HIS COOKING WAS BAD.

HE SAID THAT HE HAD NO ORIGINAL IDEAS AND THEN SLAPPED HIM ACROSS THE FACE WITH PARSLEY.

DURING YOUR TRIP, DID YOU PICK UP A HEARTSTOPPER MUSHROOM? NO, NO, OF COURSE NOT. AGAIN, I KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT MUSHROOMS. I WAS MAINLY TRYING TO FIND THE OYSTER MUSHROOMS AND THE HEDGEHOG MUSHROOMS THAT ALDEN MITCHELL POINTED OUT TO ME. IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE STATEMENT THAT YOU POISONED THE PLATE? NO, NO.

GOD, WHY WOULD I INTENTIONALLY SABOTAGE MY DREAM? MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHY WOULD I HURT SOMEONE WHO I CONSIDERED A FRIEND? THE DEFENDANT TRIED TO COVER HIS TRACKS. NOW, HE TOLD US IN COURT TODAY, "I WOULD NEVER KILL MORGAN SEARS." BUT LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THE DEFENDANT DID. HE RESEARCHED POISONOUS MUSHROOMS, THEN DELETED EVIDENCE THAT HE SEARCHED FOR THEM. HE CLAIMED HE WAS SICK, BUT THEN HIKED OVER A MILE. HE PICKED A POISONOUS MUSHROOM AND HID IT IN HIS POCKET. THERE'S ONE MOTIVE, ONE SUSPECT, ONE REASONABLE CONCLUSION.

FIND JUSTICE FOR MORGAN SEARS. FIND THE DEFENDANT.

GUILTY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

YOUR HONOR, THEIR OWN WITNESS, EMORY RODRIGUEZ, ADMITTED ON CROSS-EXAMINATION THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ANYTHING IN THE BAG. THAT'S REASONABLE DOUBT. THEIR OWN WITNESS, ALDEN MITCHELL, WAS IMPEACHED ON THE STAND, POISONING THE TRUTH OF THIS COURTROOM. THAT'S REASONABLE DOUBT. THE PROSECUTION TRIED TO TELL YOU THAT MY CLIENT RESEARCHED, BUT YOU KNOW WHO DIDN'T NEED RESEARCH, YOUR HONOR? THE MUSHROOM EXPERT, ALDEN MITCHELL. THAT'S REASONABLE DOUBT. THEY TOLD YOU THAT MY CLIENT PICKED UP THE MUSHROOM, BUT YOUR HONOR, ONLY ONE PERSON ADMITTED TO ACTUALLY PICKING ONE UP: ALDEN MITCHELL. THEY TOLD YOU THAT MY CLIENT POISONED THE PLATE, BUT YOUR HONOR, ALDEN MITCHELL'S STATION IS ARM'S REACH AWAY FROM HALEY FARMS. THE ONLY THING POISONED IS THE PROSECUTION. CASE

[00:15:02]

SO THOSE WERE SOME CLIPS FROM THE TRIALS. AND WE ALSO NEXT HAVE JUST A LITTLE MONTAGE OF, IN THIS TOURNAMENT, WE ALSO HAVE COURTROOM ARTISTS WHO SKETCH OUT DURING THE TRIALS.

AND SO WE PUT A LITTLE MONTAGE OF ALL THE ARTWORK BECAUSE THESE KIDS ARE SO TALENTED.

AND SO YEAH, THAT'S THE COURTROOM ARTIST.

SO THIS YEAR WAS A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR AND A YEAR OF MANY FIRSTS. WE HAD 26 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS COMPETE IN OUR SENIOR DIVISION, AND IN ADDITION TO OUR USUAL COURTROOM ARTIST COMPETITORS, WE ALSO HAD OUR FIRST-EVER COURTROOM JOURNALIST COMPETITORS AS WELL. WE ALSO HAD 3 MIDDLE SCHOOLS COMPETE IN OUR FIRST-EVER JUNIOR DIVISION, ALSO WITH COURTROOM ARTIST COMPETITORS. SO THIS YEAR FOR THE SENIOR DIVISION, FREMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT'S LINDBROOK HIGH SCHOOL'S DEFENSE TEAM DEFEATED CAMPBELL UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL'S PROSECUTION TEAM IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT. LINDBROOK HIGH SCHOOL THEN ADVANCED TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN OAKLAND HOSTED BY TEACH DEMOCRACY. AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO SAY THAT THEY WON THE 2026 CALIFORNIA STATE MOCK TRIAL FINALS AND TO REPRESENT CALIFORNIA AT THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN MAY IN DES MOINES, IOWA. SO YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE. AND ALSO, SIDE NOTE, THEY'RE THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL IN OVER 5 YEARS TO WIN THE CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. SO PRETTY AWESOME. DIVISION MOUNTAIN VIEW-WISMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CRITTENDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL'S DEFENSE TEAM. YEP, I HEAR Y'ALL SHOUTING. MOUNT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S IDA JEW VALLEY VISTA ACADEMY, THEIR PROSECUTION TEAM. CRITTENDEN'S MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM WILL ADVANCE TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT UCLA, ALSO HOSTED BY TEACH DEMOCRACY, ON APRIL 18TH, 2026. SO THEY'RE OFF TO STATES PRETTY SOON. SO BEFORE WE CALL UP THE TEAMS FOR PICTURES, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE SOME OF OUR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT COMPETITORS THAT ALSO ADVANCED OR ARE ADVANCING TO STATE COMPETITIONS. SO STUDENTS, AS I ANNOUNCE YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME UP FOR A PHOTO BY THE SECOE BACKDROP. SO OUR SENIOR DIVISION COURTROOM ARTISTS IN FIRST PLACE, AS YOU SAW, WAS LIGHT FROM PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL. I'M NOT SURE IF SHE'S HERE, BUT PLEASE GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. AND THEN WE HAVE VALERIE FROM CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL, WHO I KNOW WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT, BUT STILL, LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. HAD OUR TWO SENIOR DIVISION JOURNALISTS. WE HAD YUNA FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN, COME ON UP, AND THEN IN SECOND PLACE, AYANNE, ALSO FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN.

TRUSTEES, WE CAN ALSO JOIN OVER THERE.

YEAH, LET ME INVITE UP THE JUNIOR DIVISION COURTROOM. SO FIRST PLACE FOR A JUNIOR DIVISION COURTROOM ARTIST WAS

[00:20:01]

AND THEN WE WERE ALSO PLEASED TO INDUCT PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL'S COACH NICHOLAS COTTER INTO THE MOCK TRIAL COACHES HALL OF FAME.

ON BEHALF OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, I ALSO WANTED TO THANK OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, JEN MADRIAGA, FOR HIS WORK DEDICATED TO, AND THE MOCK TRIAL STEERING COMMITTEE, WHICH WE HAVE ONE IN THE AUDIENCE HERE, FOR ALL THEIR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRAM. BUT WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S INVITE UP THE TEAMS FOR A TEAM PHOTO WITH THEIR COOL PLAQUES. SO LET'S START WITH OUR JUNIOR DIVISION, CRITTENDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

YEAH. OKAY, SO WE'RE GONNA PAUSE ON THAT ONE BECAUSE THE OTHER TEAM IS STUCK IN TRAFFIC, AND THEN WE WILL RESUME THAT PHOTO LATER. SO, OKAY, BUT WE DO HAVE ANOTHER RECOGNITION THIS EVENING. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I LOVE THE VIDEO.

THAT WAS AMAZING. I RECENTLY SAT ON A JURY, AND THAT VIDEO LOOKED EXACTLY WHAT THE COURTROOM LOOKS LIKE, SO IT WAS LIKE THE REAL DEAL.

SO AMAZING JOB. GREAT JOB, STUDENTS. I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE SOME BRIGHT FUTURES AHEAD, SO IT'S JUST AMAZING TO SEE ALL THAT WORK. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EDUCATORS THAT HELPED PUT THAT TOGETHER. SO,

[C. Recognition of the ACSA Region 8 Awardee from SCCOE]

[00:25:02]

THIS YEAR'S ACSA REGION 8 AWARDEE INCLUDES SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION'S COORDINATOR OF HISTORY, SOCIAL SCIENCE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CHRISTINA RAVO. SHE IS RECEIVING THE VALUING DIVERSITY AWARD, AND IN ADDITION TO THE VALUING DIVERSITY AWARD, CHRISTINA HAS ALSO RECEIVED THE JOHNNY GOGO AWARD. THIS IS A PRESTIGIOUS HONOR IN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION, NAMED AFTER JUDGE JOHNNY C. GOGO IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS LONGSTANDING DEDICATION TO THE PROGRAM. THE AWARD CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS WHO DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT, PERFORMANCE, AND LEADERSHIP. IT RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS WHOSE COUNTLESS HOURS AND MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS HELP MAKE THE PROGRAM AN OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS.

TONIGHT WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE CHRISTINA FOR BOTH OF THESE INCREDIBLE RECOGNITIONS.

SO,TRUSTEES, CAN YOU PLEASE JOIN AT THE SIDE PODIUM SO WE CAN SHARE CONGRATULATIONS AND TAKE A PHOTO.

OKAY, SO WE'LL WAIT. WE WILL GO ON

[D. Recognition of the Homestead High School Future Business Leaders of America]

HOMESTEAD FBLA IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR, FOR ITS COMMUNITY SERVICE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION THROUGH STUDENT-LED ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS, EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, AND THOUGHTFUL UPCYCLING INITIATIVES.

THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, STUDENTS HAVE REACHED THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INSPIRING GREATER AWARENESS OF THE IMPACTS OF FAST FASHION AND ENCOURAGING MORE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES. I WILL INVITE TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN TO COME FORWARD TO PRESENT THE CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION TO HOMESTEAD HIGH SCHOOL FBLA. TRUSTEES, AFTER THE CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED, PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE SIDE PODIUM FOR A PHOTO.

IS SOMEBODY HERE? OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR ONE MORE PERSON,

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

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ANDINO, COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR REPORT WITH US? GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CHARLES SOUTHERLAND, SUPERINTENDENT DR. TALLEY, AND ESTEEMED BOARD MEMBERS. AS YOU

[00:30:02]

THESE STUDENTS WILL BE COMPETING AGAINST AGAINST OTHER SCHOOLS FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS. SONORA COMMUNITY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE GIVEN GREAT FEEDBACK REGARDING THE NEW BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENU. THESE CHANGES CAME DIRECTLY FROM STUDENTS' FEEDBACK REQUESTING MORE DIVERSE FOOD OPTIONS. AT OSBORNE, THE WELLNESS CENTER MURAL IS NOW OFFICIALLY COMPLETED. THERE WAS AN OPEN HOUSE TO CELEBRATE THIS AMAZING PROJECT. STUDENTS WORKED HARD FOR OVER 8 MONTHS FOR THE INITIAL PLANNING TO FINISH TO THE FINAL TOUCHES AND GET THIS PROJECT COMPLETED.

AT BLUE RIDGE, THE STUDENTS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY STARTED A NEW BEEKEEPING PROGRAM. THE LA JUNA PROGRAM IS STARTING A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THEY WILL BE CEMENTING A NEW FOUNDATION FOR THE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE PART OF THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OFFERED AT BLUE RIDGE. I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SHOUT OUT MIKE DEMPSEY, BOBBY WELCH, DARNISHA, AND JORGE.

THEY PUSHED ME TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON AND STUDENT EVERY DAY. AND YOU KNOW I CAN'T FORGET MY BOY DR. THORSTON. HE PULLED UP ON ME, WE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION, MAN. I LIKE THAT GUY. PULL UP ON ME, DR. THORSTON.

I WILL DO IT SOON.

THANK YOU, MAN.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, GREAT JOB.

THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER. THAT WAS, UH, PROBABLY THE BEST REPORT YET, SO THERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. THEY'RE HERE? I'M GOING TO MAKE THEM WAIT. I'M JUST KIDDING. I'M JUST KIDDING.

OKAY, THEY ARE HERE. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR WINNERS. AND THEN PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AND WE'LL TAKE THE PHOTO.

ALL RIGHT. I'M GLAD WE GOT THAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

CONGRATULATIONS, LYNBROOK, AND REPRESENT US WELL ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. ALL RIGHT, I DID WANT TO GO BACK TO OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT. TRUSTEE BERTA, YOU HAD A QUESTION FOR OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER? YES, AND JUST, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE, THE MOST VALUABLE ASPECTS OF OUR BOARD MEETING IS REALLY HEARING FROM OUR STUDENT BOARD MEMBER AND, AND THEIR VOICE AND PERSPECTIVE. AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ON, ON THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, AND I WAS JUST WONDERING IF HE'D BE WILLING TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE DUAL ENROLLMENT AND THE COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS, JUST HIS EXPERIENCES OR ANY INFORMATION HE'D LIKE TO SHARE ON, ON THAT IMPACT, IF HE'S INTERESTED. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER INDINO, NO PRESSURE, YOU CAN ALSO DO IT AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING AS WELL.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON, ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH THAT PROGRAM, THE DUAL ENROLLMENT OR COLLEGE ACCESS?

[00:35:01]

SO THANKS TO THEM, THEY MADE IT HAPPEN, AND I APPRECIATE THEM FOR IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES.

THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ANDINO, FOR SHARING.

ALL RIGHT, TRUSTEES, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 4, PUBLIC

[C. Request Adoption of Resolution Recognizing Myositis Awareness Month]

OUR COMMENTER FOR THE EVENING IS VICKI FAIRCHILD.

SUPERINTENDENT THORSTEN AND BOARD OF EDUCATION, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS RESOLUTION FOR MYOSITIS AFFIRMATION MONTH FOR MAY ON YOUR AGENDA.

I HAD NOT HEARD OF MYOSITIS UNTIL I GOT MYOSITIS.

AND THAT I WAS DIAGNOSED ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2025. THIS IS A RARE DISEASE. AND AS I LAID IN MY BED COVERED IN A RASH, UNABLE TO MOVE MY MUSCLES WITH A FEVER, I KNEW MY LIFE HAD CHANGED.

AND I'M SO GRATEFUL BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE ONES.

AND THAT I GOT MY DIAGNOSIS WITHIN A MONTH AND AGGRESSIVE TREATMENTS WITHIN 3 WEEKS.

MOST PATIENTS AREN'T THIS LUCKY.

SO I THANK YOU FOR PASSING THIS. THANK YOU. TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? YEAH, JUST WANT TO THANK, TRUSTEE FAIRCHILD.

SHE SERVES ON THE SANTA CLARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD.

PEOPLE SOMETIMES GET OUR BOARDS CONFUSED. BUT, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK THIS IS A REALLY GREAT ITEM TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE AWARENESS AROUND MYOSITIS IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE DELAYED DIAGNOSIS IS COMMON. AND THEN THAT CAN BE REALLY DANGEROUS. AND DELAYED DIAGNOSIS, MISDIAGNOSIS, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE. SO, JUST THANK YOU AGAIN, AND THANK YOU TO STAFF AND TRUSTEE FAIRCHILD FOR WORKING ON THIS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND TELLING US HOW TO CORRECTLY PRONOUNCE IT.

OKAY, TRUSTEES, ANY OTHER COMMENT? ALL RIGHT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND, OH, I DO NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THIS ITEM.

SO MOVED.

MOVED BY TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

SECOND.

SECONDED BY VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARDDOCS. AND THAT MOTION CARRIES WITH 6 YESES AND 1 NOT PRESENT AT VOTE. THANK YOU, TRUSTEES. AND THANK YOU, TRUSTEE FAIRCHILD,

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS OF PERSONS DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD]

PUBLIC ARDS MUST BE SUBMITTED NOW, AS NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS CAN BE ADDED ONCE PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINS. UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.95, THE BOARD STRIVES TO MAINTAIN ORDERLY AND CIVIL MEETINGS AND PREVENT DISRUPTIONS.

DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE WILL MAINTAIN A RESPECTFUL AND PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT. VERBAL ABUSE, THREATS, OR PHYSICAL VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING, CHEERING, OR SNAPPING, BOOING, OR SHOUTING. TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR A COMMENT, YOU MAY USE THE UNIVERSAL SIGN OF APPRECIATION BY WAVING YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR.

LIKE THIS.

MODERATOR, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? WE DO. WE HAVE 21 CARDS FOR COMMENT.

OKAY, THANK YOU. AS PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW COMMENCING, WE WILL NO LONGER

[00:40:01]

COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM. TO, EXCUSE ME, TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH.

ABOUT A HAND'S DISTANCE. OUR SPEAKERS ARE DREW DOUGHTY, ZHU BUI, JOE GABBARD, BRIAN DARBY, DAN MASON, ZEB FELDMAN, JOANNE BARS, CARLA COLLINS, SUZANNE SALK, WINNIE BURNS, TINA CHANG, STEPHANIE PADONE, CHRISTINA MOORE, ISATU BARRY, IBRAHIM BARRY, SARAH STEINBACH, SARAH GIANNOCCARO, MARIAH WRIGHT SABLON, ELEANOR HOPKINS, SOLEDAD,CUEROS, CHRISTINE K. SLOW. OUR FIRST S DREW DOTY.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WALDEN WEST. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, IT MEANS A LOT TO THE FAMILIES, THE CHILDREN OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY. SO THANK YOU. I ALSO WANTED TO READ FROM A BOOK THAT IS FROM STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN TO WALDEN WEST. THIS ONE IS FROM CASTRO ELEMENTARY. IT'S CALLED THE INNER ME. I GOT TO MY SPACE. I SAT DOWN. IT FELT LIKE SOARING IN THE SKY. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY. I START TO RELAX. THE INNER ME COMES OUT. I SUDDENLY FEEL THE URGE TO LOOK UP AT THE SKY. IT BECAME BEAUTIFUL. I THOUGHT HOW LIFE WOULD BE WITHOUT PLANTS. I SUDDENLY FELT ATTACHED. I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE. I KNOW I HAVE TO, BUT IT FINALLY LET OUT THE INNER ME. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU, BEAUTIFUL TREES. YOU LET OUT THE INNER ME. THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A 5TH GRADER THAT CAME TO CAMP, AND IT MEANS A LOT TO HER. I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE OTHER EMPLOYEES AROUND THE COUNTY THAT ARE GETTING LAID OFF, AND I HOPE THAT WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT WHERE THOSE CUTS ARE, VISIT THE SITES AND HOPEFULLY USE A— THE NEXT S XU FUI.

A LACK OF WORK OR FUNDS IS CITED AS THE REASONS FOR THE LAYOFF NOTICES THAT MYSELF AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE RECEIVED.

I CANNOT SPEAK MUCH ABOUT THE FUNDS AS THE IDEA OF MILLIONS GOING UNSPENT OR MISAPPROPRIATED GOES BEYOND ME, BUT I DO KNOW THIS: THERE IS NO LACK OF WORK WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION. SPECIAL ED CLASSES, ENVIRONMENTAL ED, AND OTHER VITAL PROGRAMS WHERE STUDENTS NEED THEIR STAFF.

MANY OF THESE LAYOFFS AFFECT FRONTLINE WORKERS, TEACHERS, PARAEDUCATORS, AND SUPPORT STAFF. AND WITH LAYOFFS, REMAINING POSITIONS ARE LEFT TO ABSORB MORE RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE HAVING FEWER TEAM MEMBERS. THIS LEADS TO EXCESSIVELY LARGE CLASS SIZES, LESS ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION, AND A MORE STRESSFUL CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL INVOLVED.

WE OWE IT TO OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE STAFF WITH INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO ENSURE QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

EVERY CONCEIVABLE SOLUTION SHOULD BE EXPLORED BEFORE EVEN CONSIDERING FIRING STAFF AND MAKE COUNTY EDUCATION POSSIBLE.

RESTORING A CLASS FOR OSTER AND RELOCATING WALDEN WEST ARE STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT IF THE SECOE IS STANDING BY ITS COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS, IT MUST ALSO STAND BY THE WORKERS WHO SERVE THEM.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S JOE GABBERT.

GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS JOE GABBERT, AND I'M A 5TH GRADE TEACHER AT FAIRWOOD EXPLORER ELEMENTARY IN SUNNYVALE. AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT AND THE SUPPORT OF ALL TEACHERS IN THE SUNNYVALE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR COMPLETING THE LEASE AGREEMENT, UH, FOR THE VIA WEST SITE SO THAT PROGRAMMING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES CAN CONTINUE WHILE THE MUCH-NEEDED RENOVATIONS TAKE PLACE AT THE CURRENT CAMPUS.

I'VE BEEN TAKING MY STUDENTS, MY 5TH GRADERS, TO WALDEN WEST FOR 15 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN WHAT A POSITIVE, LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE IT IS.

THE AMAZING STAFF PROVIDE HANDS-ON SCIENCE EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING, AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

TO CHILDREN FROM OFTEN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO THESE THINGS AS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED IN THE CLASSROOM. IT IS ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE RECOGNIZING THAT WALDEN WEST IS AN INVALUABLE AND TRUSTED COMMUNITY ASSET, AND CONTINUING IT VIA WEST WILL AVOID UNNECESSARY LAYOFFS AND MAINTAIN THE STRONG TIES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT OVER MANY DECADES. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S BRIAN DARBY.

HELLO.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MR. ROGERS. I WAS A SPECIAL ED STUDENT IN THE '60S, 1965. BACK THEN IT

[00:45:03]

BEING SMACKED IN THE HEAD, BEING TOLD YOU'RE STUPID, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, AND I CAN'T REPEAT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS. AND THAT WAS BY THE STAFF. IT'S GOTTEN A LOT BETTER SINCE THEN. WELL, I STARTED WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHEN I WAS 20. 65 NOW, AND I HAVEN'T STOPPED. I WORKED AT AGNEWS, I WORKED IN GROUP HOMES, I WORKED AT PSYCH FACILITIES. YOU DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS. YOU DON'T.

YOU CANNOT SAVE A BUCK, YOU'RE GOING TO WIND UP SPENDING A MILLION LATER, AND THAT IS NOT A FAR GUESS.

SO I WOULD TELL YOU THAT THE WAY THE SPECIAL ED PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED, JUST STOP, THINK ABOUT IT. IT REALLY DOES HAVE AN EFFECT, AND IT'S NOT COST EFFECTIVE.

IT'S ALSO VERY CRUEL. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S DAN MASON.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DAN MASON, AN EMPLOYEE HERE SINCE 2001. I HAVE A MESSAGE OF CONCERN AND HOPE TO SHARE.

THE LATEST ROUND OF LAYOFFS HAS RECREATED AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR AND HESITATION. I HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO WANT TO BE HERE ENDORSING A LEADERSHIP UNION, BUT THEY ARE AFRAID TO IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT. I AM HERE SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS A LEADERSHIP UNION AND CONSISTENCY. WE HEARD AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED THE POSITIVE COMMENTS MANY TRUSTEES MADE IN FEBRUARY ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP UNIONIZATION EFFORT.

THANK YOU. YOUR SUPPORT IS, YOUR SUPPORT PROVIDED BOTH EXCITEMENT AND REINFORCEMENT.

EVERY TIME A TRUSTEE EXPRESSES SUPPORT, MORE LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR OWN SUPPORT.

OF UNIONIZATION. PLEASE JOIN ME AND THE FINE FOLKS FOLLOWING ME IN BACKING THE RECOGNITION OF A LEADERSHIP UNION WITHOUT DELAY. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S ZEB FELDMAN.

GOOD EVENING, ZEB FELDMAN WITH SEAMA OE3. I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE MORE THAN 50% OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM SUPPORT CARDS FOR UNIONIZATION. SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US IN THE PROCESS? WE'VE CLEARED THE FIRST HURDLE TOWARD RECOGNITION, AND ADMINISTRATION HAS REASONABLY REDUCED THE SIZE OF OUR UNIT, DECLARING 10 POSITIONS AS CONFIDENTIAL, LEAVING US WITH AROUND 180. MUCH TALK HAS OCCURRED ABOUT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF RECOGNIZING CIMA WITHOUT A VOTE, SOME IN ADMINISTRATION CALLING IT IMPROPER OR EVEN UNALLOWABLE.

SINCE MAJORITY OF THE UNIT WANT A UNION, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF WHAT'S PROPER, BUT OF WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE. SEMA CAN BE SMOOTHING OVER THE LOOMING LAYOFFS WITHIN 6 WEEKS WITH RECOGNITION, OR AS LONG AS 10 MONTHS WITH A FORCED ELECTION. I URGE ALL TO ACKNOWLEDGE SEMA OUTRIGHT SO WE MIGHT NEGOTIATE A FOUNDATIONAL CONTRACT INCLUDING LAYOFF RIGHTS AND FOUNDING A PARTNERSHIP IMMEDIATELY.

THANKS FOR YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION.

THE NEXT S JOANNE VARS.

GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES. I AM JOANNE VARS, A CURRENT LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER HERE AT SCCOE AND FUTURE CMAA MEMBER.

WHEN I LAST SPOKE TO YOU, I REQUESTED YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM'S UNIONIZATION EFFORTS. I TOLD YOU MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF THIS EFFORT. WHILE THAT FEAR CONTINUES TO PERSIST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING OUT AND STATING SUPPORT FOR THIS EFFORT. YOUR PUBLIC STATEMENTS ARE HELPFUL TO ADDRESS THE FEAR THAT IS RIFE WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION.

MANY OF MY LEADERSHIP TEAM COLLEAGUES ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS UNIONIZATION.

DURING TIMES OF CHALLENGE SUCH AS THESE, A CONTRACT WITH CLEAR AGREEMENTS WILL ENSURE THAT LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS MAY SPEAK UP WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THEIR JOBS. UNIONIZATION WILL ALLOW US TO ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS AND PROVIDE IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR OUR AGENCY AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO SERVE PUBLIC EDUCATION TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THE NEXT S CARLA COLLINS.

GOOD EVENING, I'M BOARD CARLA COLLINS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SEEMA AND A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER. SO SOMEONE ONCE SAID THE BEST NEGOTIATIONS LEAVE NO WINNERS OR LOSERS, ONLY PARTNERS MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER. I KNOW THIS AS A BOARD MEMBER IN A UNION DISTRICT THAT LEARNED HARD LESSONS FROM A BANKRUPTCY IN THE '80S AND I'VE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND THIS YEAR AS WE TACKLED SCHOOL MERGERS AND CLOSURES. NO EASY ISSUES, NO EASY ANSWERS, BUT FOR, BUT FAR BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL, ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS, WHEN THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE DISTRICT STAFF ARE TRULY WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP STUDENTS CENTERED.

THAT IS WHAT SEMA CAN ENSURE, WHETHER IN THE BEST OR MOST DIFFICULT TIMES. AND AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM OTHERS TODAY, NO JOKE, THIS IS HAPPENING. THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHEN. PLEASE DEMAND THAT THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT DELAY SO THAT THERE ARE ONLY PARTNERS MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER HERE AT SCOE DOING WHAT YOU DO BEST: UPLIFTING, AMPLIFYING, AND STRENGTHENING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

[00:50:01]

HI, GOOD EVENING.

SINCE THE BOARD MEETING 2 WEEKS AGO, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROMISING UPDATES. I WAS RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT THE DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING CLASSROOMS WILL NOT BE CLOSED. AND THANK YOU TO THE BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT. IN TERMS OF WALDEN WEST, THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT SIGNALS THINGS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT THERE'S STILL UNCERTAINTY AS STAFF WERE NOT MENTIONED IN PLANS OR TBD. COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WALDEN WEST STAFF WOULD LIKE TO SEE A DEFINITIVE PLAN IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE STAFF ARE RETAINED AND STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN WALDEN WEST PROGRAMS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. WE ALSO NEED THE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST ROLES RESTORED TO ENSURE THE STUDENTS GET THE BEST MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY NEED.

FINALLY, I HOPE THIS WAS A LEARNING MOMENT FOR SCOE.

THERE HAS TO BE BETTER PLANNING FOR MAJOR CHANGES WITH INPUT FROM PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND FRONTLINE TEACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF. WHEN DECISIONS AND CHANGES ARE MADE WITHOUT INPUT FROM KEY CONSTITUENTS, THERE'S CHAOS, LOSS OF TRUST FROM THE COMMUNITY, UNDUE STRESS FOR STAFF, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S DETRIMENTAL TO THE STUDENTS. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD WITH STUDENTS AT THE CENTER OF ALL DECISIONS.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S WINNIE BURNS.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M A PARENT OF A WALDEN WEST CAMPER, FORMER AND ALSO CURRENT CAMPER, AND I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS SOME FEELINGS ABOUT WALDEN WEST. IT'S NOT JUST A SCIENCE CAMP, IT'S NOT JUST A SUMMER CAMP, IT'S REALLY A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS, LIFELONG SUCCESS FOR OUR YOUTH. AS A PARENT, WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL, RESPONSIBLE, INDEPENDENT, KIND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WALDEN WEST FOSTERS THESE CHARACTERISTICS AND PROVIDES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR KIDS TO EXPLORE, LEARN, AND GROW. IT DOES THIS OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM TECHNOLOGY—NO PHONES, NO COMPUTERS—WHICH IS NOT VERY OFTEN THAT WE FIND THAT THESE DAYS. MY YOUNGEST—MY OLDEST CHILD STARTED AT WALDEN WEST WHEN HE WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND WENT THERE THROUGH 18 YEARS. HE DID SUMMER CAMP, SCIENCE CAMP, LEADERS IN TRAINING, COUNSELORS IN TRAINING, AND THEN AS A COUNSELOR. IT'S A VITAL ASSET.

THE NEXT S TINA CHANG.

GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES AND DR.

TOSTON. MY NAME IS TINA CHANG, AND I AM THE PARENT OF A DEAF DISABLED CHILD WHO ATTENDS OSTER. I'M ALSO AN ACTIVE PART OF THE SELPA CAC. FIRST, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING THE REGIONAL DHH CLASSROOM AT OSTER OPEN FOR THE COMING YEAR. TRULY, THESE STUDENTS' LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENTS IS ONE WHERE THEY CAN HAVE ACCESS TO LANGUAGE AND PEERS. WE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS WITH LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES WITHIN OUR SELPA AND ASK OE TO CONSIDER ITS KEY ROLE AS THE REGIONAL PROVIDER FOR, VERY SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR OUR MEDICALLY FRAGILE, DHH, AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS.

ALREADY THE CLOSURE OF VIA PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTY HAS RESULTED IN MANY STUDENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY WITHIN OUR REGION AND RECORD NUMBER OF APPLICANTS FOR STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND. OUR 31 DISTRICTS SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SERVE THESE STUDENTS SOLELY IN A MAINSTREAM SETTING. THE CLOSURE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS AND REDUCTION OF HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF IN OUR COUNTY WILL ONLY PUSH OUR DISTRICTS TO PAY THE HIGH COST OF SENDING STUDENTS.

THE NEXT S STEPHANIE PEDONE.

GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PEDONE. I SERVE AS ACE VICE PRESIDENT. CAN YOU IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE THE GIFTS OF HELEN KELLER WERE NEVER REALIZED? A WORLD WHERE STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS WERE OVERLOOKED, UNSUPPORTED, UNHEARD? I'M STARTING TO SEE THAT WORLD TAKING SHAPE HERE AT SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. CLASSES ARE BEING COMBINED, PROGRAMS ARE BEING DESTABILIZED, AND STUDENTS ARE GOING WITHOUT SERVICES. COMPENSATORY EDUCATION HAS GROWN INTO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINUTES OWED.

AT THE SAME TIME, NEGOTIATIONS ARE AT A STANDSTILL WHILE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS CONTINUE TO GROW.

NOW THE ACE VICE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. SO I HAVE TO ASK, AS VICE PRESIDENT, AM I NEXT? WILL THE NEGOTIATIONS CHAIR BE AFTER ME? BECAUSE OF THIS, BECAUSE, EXCUSE ME. I'M GOING TO SAY THIS CLEARLY. MY HERITAGE IS GREEK AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE STORY OF THE HYDRA. WHEN YOU TRY TO SILENCE ONE OF OUR HEADS, THE REST OF THEM ARE GOING TO GROW BACK.

THE NEXT S CHRISTINA MOORE.

TITLE V OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATES THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO RETALIATE AGAINST ANYONE, WHETHER THEY HAVE A DISABILITY OR NOT, BECAUSE THEY FILED AN ADA COMPLAINT, SUPPORTED SOMEONE ELSE IN FILING A COMPLAINT, OR ADVOCATED FOR RIGHTS PROTECTED BY THE ADA. IN ADDITION,

[00:55:03]

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ISATU BARRY. I'M THE PARENT OF IBRAHIM BARRY. I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR FOR RIJU.RIJU HAS NOT ONLY ADVOCATED FOR MY SON, BUT I KNOW HE ADVOCATES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND WE'RE SINCERELY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. EDUCATORS LIKE RIJU WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THEIR STUDENTS IN THIS WAY ARE RARE AND INVALUABLE. I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU, DR.

THORSTEN, TAKE A CAREFUL AND FAIR LOOK AT THIS SITUATION AND CONSIDER REINSTATING RIJU SO SHE CAN CONTINUE SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES LIKE MINE. THANK YOU, BUT PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.

THAT'S HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

THE NEXT S IBRAHIM BARRY.

HI, MY NAME IS IBRAHIM BARRY, AND I'M HERE ONCE AGAIN IN SUPPORT OF RIJU. RIJU IS BEING, UH, HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF, THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER APPEAR TO BE RETALIATORY AND REPRESENT A DIRECT RESPONSE TO HER ADVOCACY. AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, MAN I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED SORRY HER SUPPORT. SHE STOOD WITH ME AND MY FAMILY TO HELP ENSURE THAT I COULD ATTEND A POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM, AND HER IMPACT IS REAL AND MEANINGFUL.

DR. TOTTSON, I'M ASKING YOU DIRECTLY TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THIS SITUATION AND TAKE ACTION TO RETURN RIJU TO THE CLASSROOM SO SHE CAN CONTINUE SUPPORTING HER STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT S SARAH STEINBECK.

I'M READING THIS TONIGHT FOR MICHELLE OLIVER. SHE'S BEEN WITH SCULLY SINCE 1998. SHE'S NOT HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE SHE'S TEACHING A COURSE FOR OTHERS WORKING TO EARN THEIR TEACHING CREDENTIALS.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THOSE WHO STRIVE TO WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS HAS BEEN HER LIFE'S WORK. I'M PROUD OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WE SERVE.

I'M SADDENED AND DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE CORRESPONDENCE FROM COE TODAY REGARDING RETIREMENT INCENTIVES. THIS INCENTIVE IS NOT BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL BARGAINING MEMBERS, AND COE'S EMAIL WAS MISLEADING.

APPARENTLY, THE 27 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THIS ORGANIZATION DOESN'T WARRANT THE RESPECT OF AN INCENTIVE.

SHE'S PROUD OF HER TIME HERE AND HAS DISAGREED WITH DECISIONS IN THE PAST BUT DID THINK THAT ALL STAFF WAS VALUED. SHE NO LONGER FEELS THAT WAY. CLE IS NOT SHOWING GOOD FAITH OR RESPECT FOR ALL STAFF.

THE NEXT S SARAH GIANNICARO.

SARAH GIANNICARO, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT REPRESENTING OVER 01,400 PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE CLASSIFIED STAFF AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

DURING THE MARCH 18TH BOARD MEETING, AGENDA ITEM 8C, REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE HOME-TO-SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, SHOWS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY TRANSPORTING 17 STUDENTS AND THE REIMBURSEMENT INCREASED FROM $13,000 LAST YEAR TO $146,950 PROJECTED FOR THIS YEAR, AN INCREASE OF OVER 1,000%.

YET THE OFFICE PROPOSES TO ELIMINATE ALMOST HALF OF OUR BUS DRIVERS, INCLUDING TWO WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 9 AND 10 YEARS. WITH 2 TO 3 STUDENTS PER ROUTE, THIS

[01:00:01]

OUR DRIVERS ALSO REPORT THE USE OF CONTRACT BUS COMPANIES PICKING UP STUDENTS FROM THE SAME HOSPITALS. THESE STUDENTS LIVE IN A HOSPITAL, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE CHALLENGING FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM WHEN THEY HAVE LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS' TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULES. THE LONGER BUS RIDE MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE MORE DYSREGULATION, MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGENCIES ON THE BUS, AND THEIR ACCESS TO THE FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MOIRA WRIGHT-SABLAN.

HELLO AGAIN. I'M MOIRA WRIGHT-SABLAN, OR BLACK WIDOW. FIRST, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR PROVIDING AN UPDATE FOR WALDEN WEST. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THIS DIALOGUE.

QUICKLY, I WANT TO CHECK IN, THOUGH, BOARD MEMBERS. DID YOU RECEIVE THE MY PLACE IN NATURE BOOK THAT I LEFT LAST TIME? AWESOME. IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT YET OR YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET, I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO. THE IMPACT IS REAL. DREW READ FROM IT, AND IT'S INCREDIBLE.

JUST IN FACT, BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO CAME AS A 5TH GRADER EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT THE FAVORITE PART OF HER 5TH GRADE YEAR MIGHT NOT HAPPEN FOR OTHERS.

WITH THAT SAID, I WANT TO NOT JUST APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS, BUT I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT HURDLES WITH VERY LITTLE TIME THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED WITH MORE FORWARD PLANNING. I THINK ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS. WHEN DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT FULL TRANSPARENCY OR LONG-TERM CONSIDERATION, IT, IT ERODES TRUST, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OUTCOME PUTS STUDENT-CENTERED PROGRAMS AT RISK.

THE NEXT S ELEANOR HOPKINS.

SECOND TIME FOR ELEANOR HOPKINS. NEXT SPEAKER IS SOLEDAD QUIROZ.

GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES AND SUPERINTENDENT TRESTON. MY NAME IS SOLEDAD AND I AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FOR ALPHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE PARENTS WANTED TO THANK TRUSTEE JORGE PACHECO FOR YOUR TIME THIS PAST FRIDAY. OUR PARENTS WERE GRATEFUL TO CONNECT WITH YOU AND WE HOPE THAT YOU HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW THEM AS WELL. MOST OF THE PARENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETING HAD NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AND WERE VERY NERVOUS, SO I WAS PERSONALLY ENCOURAGED BY HOW MUCH CONFIDENCE OUR PARENTS GAINED AS THE MEETING WENT ON. HEARING ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY, CHALLENGES, AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM REALLY TOUCHED THEM. IT'S REASSURING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE HARD WORK PARENTS PUT INTO MAKING SURE THEIR CHILDREN GET THE BEST EDUCATION AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO FIND THE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

WE'RE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING VISIT TO THE SCHOOL WHERE YOU'LL FIND A CHANCE TO MEET THEM IN PERSON.

THANK YOU.

AND OUR LAST SPEAKER IS CHRISTINE KAYSLOW HELLO, I'M CHRISTINE KAYSLOW.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK IN VERY TRYING TIMES.

HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT GIVEN THE HANDLING OF RECENT SITUATIONS IN SCOE, THAT MANY STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS ARE VERY CONCERNED. THIS INCLUDES HANDLING OF WALDEN WEST COMMUNICATION, HANDLING OF THE CUTS TO LOW-INCIDENCE SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS. I COULD GO ON FOR A WHILE.

WE NEED ADMINISTRATION TO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE. WE NEED STAKEHOLDERS, ALL OF THEM, TO BE HEARD, AND THERE NEEDS TO BE GOOD COMMUNICATION OF WHEN AND WHERE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HEARD ARE. WE NEED CHANGEMAKERS, NOT REACTIVE MANAGERS. I ASK TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COOPERATION MYSELF AND A GROUP OF PARENTS ASKED THE BOARD TO ADD AN AGENDA ITEM WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH TO DEFINE A QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT ON ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS FOR THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

[A. Bargaining Units' Reports]

PLEASE NOTE STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM DISCUSSING OR ACTING ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. A 5-MINUTE TIMER WILL BE PRESENTED AND COMMENTS SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE 5 MINUTES. I INVITE, INVITE THE SEIU PRESIDENT OR DESIGNATED TO COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME, TITLE, AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

SARAH GIANCARLO, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT REPRESENTING OVER 01,400 PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE CLASSIFIED STAFF AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANGELICA GUZMAN ON HER RECOGNITION AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. AND SHE WAS FORTUNATELY QUICK TO RESPOND AS WE DOUBLE-CHECKED THE PRONUNCIATION OF HER NAME. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF ACE, PSWA, AND THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING OUR STUDENTS AND PARENTS, IN SUPPORT OF SEIU'S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND OUR PROGRAMS: SPECIAL EDUCATION, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION, SPECIAL EDUCATION, FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH. HOW CAN SEIU BE CONFIDENT THAT SCCOE IS BARGAINING IN GOOD FAITH WHEN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT GOMEZ CONTINUES TO FAIL TO PROVIDE RELEVANT AND NECESSARY INFORMATION TO THAT IS CRITICAL FOR US

[01:05:02]

THIS ITEM WAS AGENDIZED ON NOVEMBER 19, 2025, AND THERE STILL APPEARS TO BE NO PLAN AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY. NOT ONLY THAT, REPORTS FROM OUR MEMBERS IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE SUGGEST THAT FINANCIAL WRONGDOING IS STILL TAKING PLACE AND THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE HAVE NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WHAT ARE WE TO BELIEVE WHEN WE CLEARLY SEE THAT ACE DID NOT ACTUALLY REFUSE A RETIREMENT INCENTIVE, YET GALIZZI CLAIMS THEY DID? HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN DR.

TOSTEN'S WORDS WHEN WE WERE PROMISED TRANSPARENCY IN BUDGETING, YET NO BUDGET STUDY SESSIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THE UNIONS? WHEN OUR MEMBERS ARE TOLD BY THEIR SUPERVISORS TO KEEP BUDGET CONVERSATIONS IN THE ROOM, THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE NUMBERS CAME FROM, AND THERE WAS DEFINITELY AN ILLEGAL MOVEMENT OF MONEY? WHEN MEMBERS ARE TOLD THEY NEED TO RESIGN OR BE LAID OFF, YET THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY ON THE LAYOFF LIST AND HAVE SENIORITY THAT WOULD MEAN THEY WOULDN'T BE LAID OFF? WHEN THE LIST OF ELIMINATED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS STILL HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED, WHAT ARE YOU HIDING AND WHY? WE KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE PSWA POSITION BEING ELIMINATED, 24 LAID OFF IN ACE, AND 117 LAYOFFS TO SEIU, NOT INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 59 IMPACTED STAFF. MANAGEMENT JUST SAID THAT THEY HAVE 180 PEOPLE IN THEIR GROUP, WHICH IS MORE THAN HALF OF THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS, YET WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ARE ACTUALLY BEING ELIMINATED.

ONCE AGAIN, IT APPEARS THAT THE LAYOFFS ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE BACKS OF SEIU AND ACE.

NOT ONLY IS PUBLIC EDUCATION UNDER ATTACK RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, BUT OUR UNIONS AND OUR MEMBERS ARE TOO.

WEINGARTEN RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED. THE COMPLAINT PROCESS AND DISCIPLINE PROCESSES ARE BEING WEAPONIZED AGAINST OUR MEMBERS. WORKERS ARE BEING DENIED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ARTIFICIAL REASONS, LEAVING THE ORGANIZATION INCREDIBLY SHORT-STAFFED. WE HAD ONE WORKER WHO WAS APPROVED FOR 3 MONTHS, YET WHEN SHE NEEDED A RENEWAL, SUDDENLY THE OFFICE CAME UP WITH ALL SORTS OF REASONS WHY THEY COULDN'T POSSIBLY ACCOMMODATE HER REMOTE WORK.

AT THE SAME TIME, HER PROGRAM WAS ALREADY SHORT-STAFFED, WHICH MEANS THAT A STAFF MEMBER IS ATTEMPTING TO DO BOTH HER WORK AS WELL AS THE WORKER WHO IS OUT, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND SUBS FOR THE VACANCIES THAT ARE ALREADY WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENT. THOSE WHO SPEAK UP, RAISE CONCERNS, OR SIMPLY SUPPORT STUDENTS AND THEIR COWORKERS FACE HARASSMENT, VEILED THREATS, AND CONSTANT FEAR. THE PROGRAMS AND THE STAFF ARE LAID OFF, AND THEIR COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE SUPERVISOR ARE NEVER INVESTIGATED. SCCUE MUST INVEST IN STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES NOW, RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN OUR FISCAL PROCESSES AND TRANSPARENCY, DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND STAND AGAINST THESE DECISIONS THAT ARE DEVASTATING TO OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY. WE CAN'T WAIT.

THANK YOU. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION FORWARD. I SEE NO REPRESENTATIVE. WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT ONE. UH, I'LL NOW INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF ACE, ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY EDUCATORS, FORWARD.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PADONI, AND I AM ACE VICE PRESIDENT.

I'M PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF OUR ACE PRESIDENT, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE DUE TO HER SON'S CRITICAL MEDICAL CONDITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MEMBER ANGELICA GUZMAN FOR HER RECOGNITION AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.

HELEN KELLER. A RAY OF HOPE DURING THE LAST TWO BOARD MEETINGS HAVE SHOWN THAT HOW WE ARE NOT ALONE AND THAT TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.

FOR EXAMPLE, KEEPING THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CLASSROOMS OPEN AND SHIFTING WALDEN WEST TO VIA WEST SHOW US THAT ACTION, WHEN ACTION HAPPENS, CHANGE IS POSSIBLE, AND THAT SYSTEMS CAN RESPOND TO URGENT NEEDS WHEN LEADERSHIP IS PUSHED TO ACT.

BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH. WHEN YOU ADVOCATE RELENTLESSLY, WHEN THE STAKES ARE HIGH AND DECISION-MAKERS REMAIN SILENT, DISMISSIVE, OR UNRESPONSIVE, THE BURDEN DOESN'T DOESN'T JUST GROW, IT ISOLATES, AND YOU BEGIN TO CARRY THINGS ALONE THAT YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE CARRYING. CLASSROOM REALITIES DEMONSTRATE THAT SECOE IS WRONG WHEN CLAIMING THAT PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS WILL NOT AFFECT STUDENTS BEING PLACED IN INAPPROPRIATE OR NON-COMPLIANT SETTINGS, AS IT DID IN A RECENT MEDIA ARTICLE.

STUDENTS WHO REQUIRE BASIC SUPPORT LIKE CHANGING TABLES ARE ASSIGNED TO CLASSROOMS WITHOUT THEM. TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTNERS BEING GROUPED IN WITH MUCH OLDER PEERS. IN UNSAFE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY INAPPROPRIATE WAYS, DEPRIVING THEM OF AGE-APPROPRIATE LEARNING AND THEIR RIGHT TO A FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND MORE: FAMILIES REMAIN UNINFORMED, MISINFORMED, DENYING PARENTS ANY CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. DIDN'T WE LEARN OUR LESSONS FROM GATEWAY AND IBRAHIM BARRY? AND MANY MORE. THIS WEEK, INSTEAD OF SCCOE LEADERSHIP ACCEPTING THEIR SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

[01:10:02]

BECAUSE ACE ADVOCATED FOR AN EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE THAT HONORS ALL EMPLOYEES, SCCOE WITHDREW THE MOU COMPLAINING ARE CLAIMING THAT ACE REFUSED THE INCENTIVE. WHY WOULD THEY OFFER AN INCENTIVE TO ONLY HARD-TO-FILL POSITIONS? ALL ACE POSITIONS ARE HARD TO FILL. THIS CULTURE OF BAD FAITH INTERACTIONS NEEDS TO STOP BECAUSE WHEN BAD FAITH BECOMES THE NORM, TRUST COLLAPSES, AND WITHOUT TRUST, NOTHING ELSE CAN STAND, AND WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD SOMETHING. TODAY WE ARE UNITED IN SUPPORT AND PROTECTING OF OUR CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. WE ARE UNITED IN OUR DEMAND FOR ASKING FOR YOUR PLAN REGARDING HOW TO ENSURE THAT THE PHYSICAL IMPROPRIETIES AS REPRESENTED DURING AGENDA ITEM 5B WERE NOT REPEATED AND HOLDING THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE. WE ARE UNITED IN ENSURING SCAPEGOATS DON'T BEAR THE BRUNT OF OTHERS' DECISIONS. ACE CONTRACT IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. IT IS DESIGNATED TO MEET THE REAL DAY-TO-DAY NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND IS ABOUT PROMOTING PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND RETAINING HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATORS. FOR THIS REASON, TODAY'S STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EVERY DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE STAND TOGETHER WITH ACE AS IT IS FIERCELY ADVOCATING TO STOP CLASSROOM CLOSURES. WE CAN'T WAIT, AND OTHER OTHERS CAN'T WAIT. AND HERE'S A MESSAGE FROM RIJU KRISHNA.

MY NAME IS RIJU KRISHNA, DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR ACE.

AFTER TWO MEDIATION SESSIONS WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT, ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY EDUCATORS HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED TO A NEUTRAL FACT-FINDING PROCESS. ONCE A PANEL CONVENES AND A REPORT IS RELEASED, IF NO AGREEMENT HAS BEEN MADE, ACE MAY LEGALLY GO ON STRIKE.

IN A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF OUR MEMBERS, 95% OF ACE MEMBERS WOULD BE WILLING TO STRIKE FOR BETTER WORKING AND LEARNING CONDITIONS. WE STAND PREPARED TO TAKE STRIKE ACTION IF SCCOE DOES NOT COMMIT TO A FAIR CONTRACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITIES, AND PARTNERS DESERVE THIS AND MUCH MORE.

WE CAN'T WAIT.

THANK YOU.

[6. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]

MOVED BY VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY TRUSTEE BERTA.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARDDOCS. AND THAT MOTION

[7. CONSENT INFORMATION ITEMS (Information items provided for review that do not require presentation or action.)]

[A. Future Agenda Items]

YEAH, THIS, I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS. ONE MAY NOT, IT MAY BE ANOTHER ITEM, BUT WE USED TO HOLD OUR BOARD RETREATS AT WALDEN WEST, AND SO I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO START THAT UP AGAIN. I THINK I'VE BEEN TO 2 OR 3 BOARD RETREATS THERE DURING MY TIME HERE. AND ALSO WANTED TO ADD, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE GOT OUR LAST UPDATE ON

[01:15:01]

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN. ANY, OH, TRUSTEE BERTA? YES, KIND OF ALONG THE SAME LINES, IT'D BE GREAT. I KNOW,TRUSTEE ROCHA VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER AND DR. TOSTEN AND I ALL ATTENDED THE, THE COUNTY BOARDS CONFERENCE AT SOME POINT LAST YEAR, AND IT WAS, THERE WAS A GREAT SESSION ON ACTUALLY ON DUAL ENROLLMENT AND COLLEGE ACCESS. AND SO IT WOULD JUST BE GREAT TO CONTINUE TO HEAR ABOUT, I KNOW THERE'S, THERE'S SOME TRANSITIONS THAT ARE, ARE BEING PLANNED, SO IT'D BE GREAT TO GET MORE INFORMATION OF WHERE THE EFFORTS CURRENTLY ARE, BUT ALSO THE, THE SENSE OF CONTINUITY WE HEARD. AND I WANT TO THANK STUDENT BOARD MEMBER ANDINO AGAIN FOR, FOR SHARING, YOU KNOW, THOSE, THOSE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCES, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR ALT ED PROGRAMS AND OUR, THAT, THAT ACCESS FOR STUDENTS HAS REALLY MEANT A LOT. AND SO TO ENSURE THAT CONTINUITY, I WANT TO THANK, DR. TOSTON DID SHARE SOME OF THAT INFORMATION WITH ME, AND I THINK THE ENTIRE BOARD AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WOULD BENEFIT FROM, FROM THAT INFORMATION IN TERMS OF CONTINUITY FOR STUDENTS AND ACCESS TO THAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE BERTA. AND TRUSTEE PACHECO HAS RETURNED.

YES, THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER? YEAH, ACTUALLY GOT AN EMAIL TODAY, AND THIS WILL LIKELY BE MORE FOR A BOARD POLICY SUBCOMMITTEE, BUT BE NICE TO LOOK AT, I I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER, BUT THE ONE THAT ACTUALLY TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW WE SET THE TIMER FOR SPEAKERS, ETC., AND ACTUALLY HOW WE'RE PUTTING SPEAKERS IN ORDER. WE HAD A SITUATION AT OUR LAST BOARD MEETING WHERE A STUDENT REALLY NEEDED TO GO AHEAD OF EVERYBODY, BUT BECAUSE WE HAD STRINGENT RULES OF FIRST COME, YOU KNOW, FIRST SERVE, WE COULDN'T ACCOMMODATE. I'D LIKE US TO CHANGE THOSE RULES, AT LEAST FOR STUDENTS.

LIKE PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT WHETHER STUDENTS GO FIRST, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THEN STUDENTS, THEN, THEN PARENTS, BECAUSE KIDS, YOU KNOW, HAVE TO GO TO BED AND STUFF. SO IT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO LOOK AT WHEN WE CAN.

SO THANK YOU. OKAY, THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. SEEING

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

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HEAR COMMITTEE REPORTS FROM THE COMMITTEES THAT HAVE MET SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.

TWO COMMITTEES HAVE MET, WHICH WAS THE BUDGET STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL. LET'S SEE HERE.

FOR THE BUDGET STUDY COMMITTEE, I THINK, PRESIDENT JOHN, ACTUALLY THE SCC SBA ALSO MET.

OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO DO YOUR COMMITTEE REPORT ON THAT FIRST, TRUSTEE LARI? YES, ABSOLUTELY. SO I ATTENDED THE EVENING ZOOM MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH WITH VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER.

HILLARY ARMSTRONG FROM THE COUNTY'S OFFICE OF SUPPORTING HOUSING SHARED THE COMMUNITY PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY. THE STRATEGIES INCLUDED ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS THROUGH SYSTEM AND POLICY CHANGES, EXPANDING HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION EFFORTS, AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

FOR UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS BY CREATING HEALTHY AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. SHE WELCOMED FEEDBACK FROM BOARD MEMBERS TO DEVELOP ACTION PLANS BASED ON FORMING A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND THE NEED TO ENSURE COORDINATION WITH EXISTING PLANS AND STRATEGIES.

AND THAT'S MY REPORT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, TRACI LARI. HEAD

[01:20:02]

OKAY, ALL RIGHT, THEN WE'LL HEAR ABOUT IT FROM THE NEXT ONE. THE BUDGET STUDY COMMITTEE, TRUSTEE PACHECO, ARE YOU PRESENTING FOR THAT ONE? YOU ARE NOT.

AND WE HAD IT BEFORE.

I CAN COULD YOU PRESENT, VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER? THANK YOU.

WE HAD IT BEFORE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING, AND, YOU KNOW, WE GOT SLIGHTLY MORE IN-DEPTH INTO THE BUDGET AS TO WHAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN PRESENTED SEVERAL TIMES FROM STEPHANIE AND TEAM. AND I KNOW THAT THEY'RE HARD AT WORK TRYING TO SET US UP FOR OUR NEXT BUDGET BUDGET FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, FOR '26-'27. BUT I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED EVERY TIME I GET THE BUDGET PRESENTED TO ME. I, I LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT HOW COMPLEX OUR BUDGET IS, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THE HARD WORK THAT THE TEAM PUTS INTO IT.

[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.]

TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY, SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS AGENDA ITEM 10, OUR COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER REPORTS. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT, COUNTY BOARD MEMBER REPORTS REPORTS MUST BE LIMITED TO ACTIVITIES DIRECTLY RELATED TO OUR DUTIES AS TRUSTEES ON THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF ED. WOULD ANY TRUSTEES LIKE TO REPORT ON THEIR ACTIVITIES AND THEIR OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION? TRUSTEE PACHECO.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT CHON. I MET WITH A GROUP OF PARENTS WHO HAVE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. DURING THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, AND IT WAS A REALLY PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION. THEY ARE, THEY WERE FILLED WITH IDEAS TO HELP US THINK ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE OUR OWN SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND ALSO HOW WE CAN STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO ENGAGE WITH PARENTS, SPECIFICALLY IN SELPA, AND, AND HOW TO REALLY AMPLIFY PARENT VOICE.

MORE THAN WHAT IT IS NOW. AND SO THEY HIGHLIGHTED THAT CURRENTLY THAT IS A BIT OF A GAP AND THAT THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN DO. SO I'M HOPING THAT WE AS A TEAM CAN ENGAGE WITH THOSE PARENTS MORE AND MORE BECAUSE THEY ARE QUITE ACTIVE, AND RIGHTFULLY SO, FOR THEIR KIDS THAT THEY ADVOCATE FOR SO MUCH. AND THEN THE SECOND GROUP OF FOLKS THAT I MET WITH ARE THE FOLKS THAT WERE BEING IMPACTED BY THE LAYOFFS IN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION OR COURT AND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. I'M INCREDIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA THAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS, OUR INCARCERATED STUDENTS, WOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO COLLEGE LIAISONS OR SUFFICIENT STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP THEM ON A DAILY BASIS WITH THEIR ACADEMIC TASKS. AND I KNOW THAT THIS, A LOT OF THIS IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL WITH PROBATION DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, FUNDING CUTS AND ALL OF THAT. BUT I AM HOPING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FIND AND EXPLORE WAYS TO NOT BREAK CONTINUITY AND ALSO FIND WAYS TO BALANCE THE SERVICES THAT WE GIVE FOR OUR MOST, YOU KNOW, HIGH-NEED STUDENTS IN OUR ALT ED, CORE AND COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE PACHECO.

ANY OTHER TRUSTEES? TRUSTEE SHRIKRISHNAN.

YEAH, THIS WEEKEND I ATTENDED A, I WANT TO THANK STUDENT ADITI JAIN FOR INVITING ME TO ATTEND. IT WAS PUT ON BY THE SAN JOSE YOUTH COMMISSION AND ADVISORY COUNCIL. THEY PUT TOGETHER AN EVENT AROUND INTERSECTIONALITY AND INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES, AND IT WAS REALLY INFORMATIVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS ACTUALLY REALLY INTERESTING. I DID SAY A FEW WORDS, BUT THE STUDENTS PRESENTED FIRST ABOUT RACIAL BIAS, RACISM, AND THINGS THAT YOU KNOW, EVEN NOW OR WHEN THEY GET OLDER, THINGS THEY EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD. AND THEN I WENT TO GIVE MY SPEECH AND I WAS LIKE, WAIT, I'VE EXPERIENCED THAT. WHOA.

BUT THAT WAS GREAT. ALSO, I WENT TO AN EVENT WAY OUT OF OUR DISTRICT IN LOS BAÑOS, BUT IT WAS WITH A NONPROFIT THAT SCCOE HAS WORKED WITH.

AND SO I GOT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT HOW WE WORKED

[01:25:01]

VASQUEZ. AND I WAS JUST LIKE, WOW, OKAY, WE HAVE SOME REALLY COMMITTED EMPLOYEES. THEY'RE HERE DOING PROGRAMMING. AND I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY SPECIAL. AND SO NOW I KNOW IN THAT COUNTY THERE, THEY HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THIS EVENT AND THEY SORT OF WANT TO REPLICATE SOME OF OUR WORK HERE OVER THERE.

SO THAT WAS EXCITING. AND YEAH, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, TRUSTEE SRIKRISHNA. VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. I HAD A COUPLE THINGS.

I'M ON CSBA'S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND I HAD AN ALL-DAY SESSION RIGHT AFTER OUR LAST BOARD MEETING UP IN SACRAMENTO WHERE WE DISCUSSED A LOT OF THE LEGISLATION THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING, OPPOSING, OR SUPPORTING ONCE AMENDED.

ONE OF THE GROUPS OF LEGISLATION THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING IS THE CLOSED ACHIEVEMENT GAP BILLS THAT WE ALL GOT IN AN EMAIL THROUGH TIFFANY AND THROUGH THE CSBA IN ORDER TO GET SUPPORT LETTERS OUT TO THEM. SO, AND THOSE ARE ALL WAYS OF HOLDING THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE FOR CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BECAUSE LOCALLY WE'RE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

IT'S TIME FOR THE STATE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THEN I RACED BACK DOWN HERE TO GO TO THE VIVA MARIACHI EVENT AT THE MEXICAN HERITAGE THEATER. IT WAS AMAZING. THESE CHILDREN AND TEENS OF ALL AGES WERE JUST SO TALENTED AND, AND ADORABLE, AND THERE WERE GREAT FOOD TRUCKS. I ENJOYED THE EVENT IMMENSELY.

AND LET'S SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE. I WENT TO PROJECT CORNERSTONES ASSET CHAMPIONS CELEBRATION AT THE END OF LAST WEEK AND GOT TO CELEBRATE A BUNCH OF AMAZING SCHOOLS THAT ARE CARRYING ACROSS, UH, THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. TRUSTEE BERTA? YES, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CSBA'S LEGISLATIVE ACTION WEEK. IT WAS JUST GREAT TO SEE THE, THE COORDINATED EFFORTS ACROSS OUR COUNTY TO MEET WITH OUR LEGISLATORS AND LET THEM KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUES THAT ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTING US AND SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE, LIKE THE CTAG EFFORT WITH CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS AND HOW THAT REALLY PLAYS OUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMMUNITIES WE REPRESENT AND THE STUDENTS THAT WE SERVE AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK DR.

TOSTEN. I HAD SENT A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AROUND COLLEGE LIAISONS, WALDEN WEST, AND ABOUT CEMA.

AND THE RESPONSES THERE. I THINK I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SOME OF THE CIMA REPRESENTATIVES AND APPRECIATE JUST CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE RECOGNITION PROCESS.

I'LL JUST, I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF WHEN I SAY I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR AGENCY TO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS, ALL ELIGIBLE MEMBERS, HAVE THE REPRESENTATION THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO AND DOING THAT WITHOUT DELAY SO THAT THERE IS THAT TIMELY RECOGNITION AND WE CAN, CONTINUE TO WORK ON BUILDING THOSE EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE BERTA.

OKAY, ALL RIGHT, DID YOU WANT

[A. The superintendent may give a report on any activities related to his duties.]

DR. TOSTON.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. UH, IT'S BEEN EVENTFUL THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME HAS BEEN SPENT INTERNALLY OBVIOUSLY WORKING ON ISSUES LIKE WALDEN WEST, GETTING UPDATES WITH THE TEAM AND JUST NAVIGATING THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY REPORT, I WOULD SAY, IS TIME I SPENT WITH BOARD MEMBER OR TRUSTEE DINO THIS MORNING. IT WAS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY HE AND I HAD TO SIT DOWN FACE TO FACE, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIS TIME AND WILLINGNESS TO SHARE WITH ME HIS STORY AND HIS HOPES AND GOALS THAT HE HAS FOR HIS LIFE, AND I LEARNED SOME NEW WORDS IN LANGUAGE ABOUT EARNING THE CHICKEN, WHICH I TRANSLATE SCRATCH CHICKEN MONEY. SO I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION, AND HE AND I ARE GOING TO HAVE REGULAR CHECK-INS, MUCH AS I HAVE WITH ALL OF YOU AS TRUSTEES, AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO JUST GET TO KNOW HIM AND UNDERSTAND HIS PERSPECTIVES, AND HE HAS A WELCOME INVITATION TO SHARE WITH ME ANY THOUGHTS AROUND HOW THE PROGRAM CAN BE

[01:30:01]

[12. CLOSED SESSION]

ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM, CLOSED SESSION. THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO ENTER PRESIDENT JOHN, WE HAVE 2 COMMENTS FOR ITEM 12. CLOSED SESSION.

CORRECT.

I WILL READ MY SPIEL AND THEN WE WILL DO PUBLIC COMMENT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THE BOARD IS ABOUT TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION.

CLOSED SESSION INVOLVES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES AND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING INTERDISTRICT APPEALS THIS EVENING. HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT. WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, BOTH THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN AND THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE WILL ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION. WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED, OH, SORRY, EACH PARTY WILL HAVE 5 MINUTES TO PRESENT THEIR PERSPECTIVE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. IF INTERPRETATION IS NEEDED, AN EXTRA 5 MINUTES WILL BE PROVIDED.

AFTER BOTH SIDES SPEAK, EACH WILL THEN HAVE 2 MINUTES TO RESPOND TO THE OTHER. BOARD MEMBERS MAY ASK QUESTIONS TO ENSURE THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION. WHEN THE HEARING ENDS, THE BOARD WILL DELIBERATE IN PRIVATE, AND ONCE A DECISION IS MADE, BOTH PARTIES WILL BE INVITED BACK IN TO HEAR THE FINAL DECISION.

THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE 5 ITEMS THIS EVENING.

A, INTERDISTRICT ATTENDANCE APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF STUDENT, RESIDENT DISTRICT SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, DESIRED DISTRICT UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT. ITEM B, INTERDISTRICT ATTENDANCE APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF STUDENT, RESIDENT DISTRICT ALUM ROCK UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND DESIRED DISTRICT SUNNYVALE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

INTERDISTRICT ATTENDANCE APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF STUDENT, RESIDENT DISTRICT LOMA PRIETA J, JOINT UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT. DESIRED DISTRICT: LOS GATOS UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: GOVERNMENT CODE 54956.9(D)(2).

2 CASES: E, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS.

GOVERNMENT CODE 54957(B)(1) AND (B)(2). THE BOARD WILL NOW ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION AND WILL RETURN IN APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR OR AFTER 7:30. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE OUR PUBLIC COMMENT. MODERATOR, CAN YOU PLEASE START PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, OUR SPEAKERS ARE SARAH GIANCARLO AND CHRISTINA MOORE. OUR FIRST S SARAH GIANCARLO.

SARAH GIANCARLO, SEIU CHAPTER PRESIDENT REPRESENTING OVER 01,400 PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE CLASSIFIED STAFF AND DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. THERE'S LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY OVER THE CONTENTS, DISCUSSIONS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY OVER CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EVALUATION AND ANY COMPLAINTS BY ITS VERY NATURE OF BEING CLOSED SESSION. I HOPE THAT THE BOARD INVESTIGATES ANY COMPLAINTS RECEIVED WITH FIDELITY AND WITHOUT BIAS. IF THERE ARE ANY FINDINGS, THEY SHOULD HAVE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENCES. IT TAKES COURAGE FOR WORKERS TO FILE COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, ETC., AND THE PROCESS MUST BE FAIR.

TOO OFTEN WHAT WE SEE WHEN BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS FILE COMPLAINTS AGAINST SUPERVISORS ARE THEY'RE NEVER INVESTIGATED OR ONLY SUPERFICIALLY INVESTIGATED, INCLUDING FAILING TO INTERVIEW ALL NAMED WITNESSES.

SUPERVISORS ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE AT ALL.

CONSEQUENCES ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO CREATE CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR OR DO NOT REFLECT THE SEVERITY OF THE BEHAVIOR. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE AFFIRMED AGAINST THE SAME SUPERVISOR HAVE NO ESCALATION IN ACCOUNTABILITY. THE RETALIATION AGAINST RIJU CONTINUES TO RESTRICT HER ABILITY TO REPRESENT HER MEMBERS, MOST RECENTLY BY SAYING SHE SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN MEDIATION BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PUBLIC MEETING. THE PATTERN HAS INCREASED IN THE LAST YEAR DESPITE A STANCE PRIORITIZING PROFESSIONALS.

THE NEXT S CHRISTINA MOORE.

RETALIATION IS SUCH AN UNNECESSARY AND PETTY DISTRACTION. I'M STRUGGLING TONIGHT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL BE NEXT ON THE EMPLOYEE COMPLAINT OR IMPENDING LITIGATION LIST. HOWEVER, SINCE PARENTS ARE INTEGRAL MEMBERS OF THE IEP PROCESS, I ADVOCATE THAT YOU INFORM AND INVOLVE PARENTS IN ANY DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES REGARDING THEIR CHILD'S PLACEMENT. AND PLEASE DON'T RETALIATE AGAINST ME OR OTHERS FOR DOING THE SAME. AND PLEASE REVERSE RETALIATORY ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST RIJU KRISHNA. THANK YOU.

THIS CONCLUDES COMMENTS. ALL

[13. OPEN SESSION (Immediately Following Closed Session)]

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE READY TO RESUME TO OPEN SESSION. THE TIME IS NOW 9 PM, 8:55 PM.

UPON COMPLETION OF AGENDA ITEM A, A MOTION WAS MADE BY TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE PACHECO, I'M SORRY, ONE SECOND. OKAY, A MOTION WAS MADE BY TRUSTEE SHUKRISHNAN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE PACHECO, TO APPROVE THE APPEAL FOR RESIDENT DISTRICT SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO A DESIRED DISTRICT UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

UPON COMPLETION OF AGENDA ITEM 2B, RESIDENT DISTRICT ALUM ROCK

[01:35:01]

YEAH, AND I GOT IT IN, SO… ALL RIGHT, AND THAT MOTION CARRIES, AND WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED AT 8:57. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.