Aug 05, 2026 County Board of Education

SEEING THAT NONE.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. IF YOU'RE STAND, PLEASE ABLE AND ABLE, PLEASE STAND WITH US TO DO THE PLEDGE.

[B. Pledge of Allegiance]

I PLEDGE OF 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.

THANK YOU. I WILL NOW RECITE

[C. Land Acknowledgement]

THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. LET US TAKE TIME TO HONOR THE ANCESTRAL CARETAKERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH WE STAND. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE OHLONE TERRITORY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY IN THE HOMELAND OF THE MUWEKMA OHLONE PEOPLE. TODAY, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE LAND. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS CULTURES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND REMEMBER THAT WE ALL GATHER, LIVE, LEARN AND WORK ON THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF OUR

[D. Set the Agenda]

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA. I SO MOVE. MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO.

TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE ON BOARD VERBAL AYE FROM TRUSTEE PACHECO. A VERBAL AYE FROM TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN.

AND THAT MOTION CARRIES WITH SEVEN YESES. THANK YOU

[E. Report of Actions Taken in Closed Session]

TRUSTEES. I'LL NOW REPORT ACTION ON CLOSED SESSION UPON COMPLETION OF AGENDA ITEM 3A ON A INTERDISTRICT APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF STUDENT. A MOTION WAS MADE BY TRUSTEE PACHECO AND SECONDED BY TRUSTEE LARI TO DENY THE APPEAL WITH FIVE NOS OR FIVE YESES.

ONE NO FROM TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN AND ONE RECUSAL FROM PRESIDENT CHON FOR ITEM 3B ON INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER.

APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF STUDENT MOTION WAS MADE BY TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN. SECONDED BY TRUSTEE PACHECO TO APPROVE THE APPEAL. THAT MOTION CARRIED WITH SEVEN YESES ON ITEM 3B

[00:05:03]

THERE OR 3C THERE ARE NO

[A. Announcement of 2026-2027 Student Board Member]

REPORTABLE ACTIONS. I WILL NOW MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 5, OUR SPECIAL RECOGNITION THIS EVENING. WE ARE NOW PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A 2026. 2027 STUDENT BOARD MEMBER.

FOLLOWING THE STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS, MR. MANUEL HAS BEEN SELECTED TO SERVE AS THE 2627 STUDENT BOARD MEMBER. THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WILL BEGIN PRACTICING IN COUNTY BOARD MEETINGS AT OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING AND WILL SERVE THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.

SHOULD THE TERM BE EXTENDED BEYOND THAT DATE, SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE WRITTEN BY THE COUNTY BOARD.

THE STUDENT IS IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING AND HAS COMPLETED THE REQUIRED AFFIDAVIT WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SHALL PERFORM DUTIES WITHIN SCOPE AUTHORIZED BY THE COUNTY BOARD. STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT MEMBERS.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR PURPOSES OF THE BROWN ACT SHALL NOT BE COUNTED TOWARD A QUORUM AND SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED IN DETERMINING THE VOTE REQUIRED TO CARRY ANY MEASURE BEFORE THE COUNTY BOARD. THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS VIRTUALLY AND SHOULD COUNTY BOARD MEETINGS EXTEND BEYOND 8PM THE STUDENT BOARD MEMBER WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXCUSED

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

AT THAT TIME. WE ARE NOW MOVING TO ITEM SIX. WE THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS FOR COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING. TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THE BOARD CAN CONDUCT THIS BUSINESS, WE ASK THAT ALL COMMENTS BE RESPECTFUL AND DIRECTED TO THE CHAIR RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF OR OTHER AUDIENCE MEMBERS. STATE LAW PROHIBITS THE BOARD FROM DISCUSSING OR ACTING ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. THE BOARD EXPECTS ALL PARTICIPANTS TO MAINTAIN RESPECT AND CIVILITY.

PLEASE REMEMBER IT IS IMPORTANT TO ADHERE TO THE TIME LIMIT, AVOID PERSONAL INHERITANCE OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS AND REFRAIN FROM APPLAUSE, STAMPING A FEAT OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR DURING THE MEETING. PUBLIC SPEAKER CARDS MUST NOW BE SUBMITTED AS NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS CAN BE ADDED ONCE PUBLIC COMMENT BEGINS TO UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5495 7.95, 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, SNAPPING, BOOING OR SHOUTING TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR A COMMENT. YOU MAY USE A UNIVERSAL SIGN OF APPRECIATION BY WAVING YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR LIKE THIS.

MODERATOR DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, WE HAVE 32 SUBMISSIONS. OKAY, THANK YOU.

AS THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW COMMENCING, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT ADDITIONAL COMMENTERS. PLEASE PRESENT THE ONE MINUTE TIMER.

IF LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED, TIME WILL DOUBLE. A TIMER WILL BE DISPLAYED. WHEN THE ALLOTTED TIME IS UP, THE BUZZER WAS SOUND, YOU WILL BE MUTED AND YOUR TIME TO SPEAK WILL END. MODERATOR, CAN YOU PLEASE BEGIN PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU. FOR THOSE IN OUR OVERFLOW ROOM IN THE CAFETERIA WHO FILLED OUT A SUBMISSION TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE SAN JOSE ROOM WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME. ONCE YOUR GROUP IS CALLED AS YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP FOR A PUBLIC COMMENT BEHIND THE PODIUM LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE ROOM. AS A REMINDER, ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN BE AT THE PODIUM TO PRESENT THEIR COMMENT.

UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER, THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING. COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.

TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE, ABOUT A HAND'S DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH. OUR FIRST 10 SPEAKERS ARE ERICA FABI, SAIDA ALCANTAR, ELIZABETH STRINGER, CHRISTINE HEATLEY, JACK MCCANN, EVELYN COOPER, LILA SALINAS, MARIA KIM, AMY BENNETT, AND VICKI. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS HEATHER BURNS.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR COMMENT.

HELLO, TRUSTEES. PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND TAKE YOUR ROLE AS A TRUSTEE SENIOR SERIOUSLY. THERE IS A REASON THAT TRUSTEE CONTAINS THE WORD TRUST. YOU ARE ELECTED BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY PUT THEIR TRUST IN YOU TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS.

AS A UNION EDUCATOR, I FEEL BETRAYED WHEN A POLITICIAN, WHEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE, REQUESTS AN ENDORSEMENT FROM MY LOCAL AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MY PAC, WHICH THEY RECEIVED. BUT ONCE AN OFFICE CONTINUALLY BREAKS THEIR PROMISES TO OUR COMMUNITY AND CONTINUES TO ALLOW COE MANAGEMENT TO SWEEP ITEMS UNDER THE RUG, INCLUDING FISCAL MALFEASANCE, AND CONTINUES TO ALLOW MANAGEMENT TO UNION BUST. YOU ARE ELECTED TO THIS OFFICE TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS, AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU'RE VERY DISENGAGED FROM YOUR DUTY AND YOU'RE ONLY USING THIS AS YOUR NEXT POLITICAL STEPPING STONE.

I'M HERE TO SAY THAT ACCOUNTABILITY STARTS AT THE TOP.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ERICA FABE.

[00:10:01]

I AM ASKING THE SCCOE FOR A HIGHER ONGOING SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND GREATER SUPPORT FOR OUR HEALTH CARE COSTS. I LOVE MY STUDENTS. I LOVE WHO I WORK WITH. AND I AM STRUGGLING ALONG WITH MANY OF MY PEERS TO JUST STAY ABOVE AND FUNCTION AS A HUMAN BEING IN SOCIETY WITH THE PAY THAT I'M GIVEN. I AM A VETERAN TEACHER. I'VE ALSO DONE LOTS OF THINGS FOR MY COMMUNITY, AS MANY OF US HAVE. AND I'M ASKING PLEASE OF THIS ESTEEMED GROUP TO THINK OF US WHEN WE ARE SERVING OUR STUDENTS AND HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM. I'VE WAITED TONIGHT WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE WE NEED HELP. PAY US WHAT WE DESERVE. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SAIDA ALCANTAR.

GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. MY NAME IS SAID ALCANTAR. I'M A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST GRADUATE STUDENT. I SIGN HERE NOT JUST AS A FUTURE CLINICIAN, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WITNESSED THE UNDERFUNDED SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CUTS AND LAYOFFS BEING PROPOSED. THESE CUTS WILL DISPROPORTIONATELY HARM WORKING FAMILIES AND STUDENTS WHO DEPEND ON CONSISTENT HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT. LARGER CASELOADS MEAN LESS INDIVIDUALIZED CARE, LONGER WAIT TIMES, AND GREATER EDUCATIONAL INEQUITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE ALREADY FACING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS. EVEN WHEN CLASSROOMS TECHNICALLY HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, THERE SIMPLY IS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR. OR CAPACITY TO PROCESS THE ADEQUATE, INTENSIVE SUPPORT THESE STUDENTS NEED.

WE URGE THE BOARD TO REJECT THESE CUTS ENTIRELY AND REAFFIRM YOUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION. WE EXPECT YOU TO ACT ON OUR CONCERNS.

OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER, AND SO DO OUR STUDENTS.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ELIZABETH STRINGER.

THANK YOU. A ONE TIME, 1% OFF SCHEDULE PAYMENT. IS THAT WHAT WE'RE WORTH? THE PEOPLE, THE TEACHERS WHO GO EVERY DAY AND SERVE OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. WE GIVE SO MUCH OF OUR TIME, OUR ENERGY, AND OUR LOVE TO THESE CHILDREN, AND THEY GIVE IT BACK TO US.

BUT TO ME, THAT FEELS, BEING DISRESPECTED, THAT MAKES ME FEEL THAT NOBODY THINKS THAT WE'RE WORTH ANYTHING. LOOK AT THE DISTRICTS. IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, THEY HAVE GOTTEN RAISES FROM 3% ALL THE WAY UP TO, I THINK, ALMOST 6%. IN SARATOGA, WE HAVE COUNTY CLASSES. IN SARATOGA, THEY TEACH COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILDREN ALONGSIDE THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION PEERS. BUT THEIR PEERS TEACHERS MAKE ALMOST 6% MORE. WHAT WOULD THAT. YOU KNOW, THAT DOES NOT SEEM FAIR.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRISTINE HEEDLEY.

GOOD EVENING. I UNDERSTAND THAT MUCH OF SCCOE'S FUNDING IS RESTRICTED AND MUST BE USED FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAM SERVICES AND ULTIMATELY THE STUDENT OUTCOMES THAT RESULT FROM SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS ARE LIMITED.

BUT LIMITED DOES NOT MEAN EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE THE LAST PRIORITY. ACE MEMBERS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CARRY OUT SCCOE'S MISSION.

EVERY DAY.

WE SERVE STUDENTS, SUPPORT CLASSROOMS AND PROVIDE THE SPECIALIZED SERVICES FAMILIES DEPEND ON.

WHEN EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES LEAVE BECAUSE COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS ARE NOT COMPETITIVE, STUDENTS ULTIMATELY PAY THE PRICE. I'M ASKING THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD TO CLEARLY EXPLAIN HOW AVAILABLE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS ARE BEING PRIORITIZED, WHAT OPTIONS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED, AND WHAT COMPROMISES SCCOE IS WILLING TO MAKE TO REACH A FAIR AGREEMENT.

PLEASE SHOW EMPLOYEES THAT RETAINING THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE STUDENTS IS NOT JUST AN EXPENSE, BUT AN EXPENSE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JACK MCCANN.

THE ADMINISTRATION NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FINDING ROOM IN THE BUDGET FOR THEIR BONUSES, THEIR RAISES, TO MAKE JOBS FOR THEIR FRIENDS. INSTEAD OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR WORKERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY, THE DISTRICT'S ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN REPRESSING TEACHERS THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS. THESE ADMINISTRATORS ARE CARRYING OUT THE MARCHING ORDERS HANDED DOWN BY DONALD TRUMP. CUTS FOR THE WORKERS, MORE MONEY FOR THE MANAGERS. PRESIDENT CHAN, ENACT A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST SUPERINTENDENT TOSTIN. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS EVELYN

[00:15:02]

COOPER. ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR FINALLY SHOWING UP.

MY NAME IS EVELYN. I'M A RESIDENT OF SAN JOSE AND I CONDEMN THE ATTACKS ON OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND UNIONS. WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN SUPERINTENDENT TOSTIN AS HE HAS SHOWN A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

ACTIVELY PUSHING FOR CUTS FOR PROGRAMS FOR THOSE IN NEED AND LAYING OFF TEACHERS NEEDED OF THESE STUDENT CHILDREN TO SUCCEED. THIS IS AFFECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. YOU NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. WE CAN'T WAIT. WE DEMAND YOU STOP THIS CLASSROOM CLOSURES, INVEST IN STUDENTS AND THE PROGRAMS THAT SERVE THEM AND STOP ELIMINATING MENTAL HEALTH SCHOOL WELLNESS SPECIALIST POSITIONS. PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH WITH AIDS TOWARDS A FAIR CONTRACT.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LILA SALINAS.

HI THERE. MY NAME IS LILA SALINAS. PRESIDENT CHON.

SUPERINTENDENT TAWSON IS YOUR EMPLOYEE AND IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BROUGHT US ALL HERE.

FROM SCHOOL CLOSURES AND LAYOFFS TO REPRESSION OF UNION LEADERS. IT IS CLEAR TOSTIN DOES NOT HAVE THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY IN MIND.

YOU CLAIM THERE IS NO MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WHILE YOU HAVE OVER $119 MILLION IN YOUR BUDGET AS A SURPLUS.

WHERE IS THAT MONEY? YOU CLAIM THAT THERE'S NO MONEY, BUT YOU CREATE THREE NEW EXECUTIVE POSITIONS IN THE LAST MONTH. PEOPLE WHO MAKE OVER OVER 200 TO $350,000.

YOU DO NOT CARE.

IF YOU WANT TO SHOW US THAT YOU CARE, THAT YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ELECTED YOU, BY THE WAY, AGENDIZE THE PETITION FOR A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AND STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA KIM.

THIS IS MARIA KIM, A TEACHER OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED. FOR A MOMENT I THOUGHT I WAS DONE DOING PUBLIC COMMENTS.

BUT SOON I REALIZED I HAVE TO BE BACK HERE TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE LINGERING ISSUE OF OF TEACHERS NOT HAVING FAIR CONTRACT AND HOW THIS ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR STUDENTS. WE SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES. WE TEACH AND ADOPT THEIR MATERIALS FOR LEARNING BASED ON THEIR UNIQUE ABILITIES. WE ARE IN FACT, A VERY SPECIAL ORGANIZATION.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, WOULD YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT WE DESERVE TO HAVE A FAIR CONTRACT? SPECIALISTS, THERAPISTS AND SKILLED TEACHERS LIKE US HAVING NO CONTRACT WILL BRING INSTABILITY TO OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE RELYING ON THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN ORDER FOR US TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS. I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU ONCE MORE TO PROVIDE SECURITY AND STABILITY TO OUR STUDENTS AND TO OUR HIGHLY SKILLED TEACHERS AND SPECIALISTS BY ALLOWING US THE FAIR CONTRACT THAT WE ALL DESERVE. OUR HEALTH BENEFITS AND SALARY NEED TO ALIGN WITH THE RAPIDLY INCREASING COST OF LIVING IN SILICON VALLEY IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

WE WILL BE GRATEFUL TO YOU WHEN YOU ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS.

BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKERS, I'LL CALL THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS. IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME AND LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM. PHILIP NGUYEN, SANDY FOUKOSI, SUSAN SALOP, KIM MANZO, STEPHANIE PADONI, RENEE LOU, BOB PROLA, LUIS VELASQUEZ, SARAH JANNACARO, CHRISTINA MOORE AND ART COHEN.

OUR NEXT SPEAK.

[00:20:01]

EXCUSE ME. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS AMY BENNETT. IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE TONIGHT REPRESENTING YOUR TEACHERS WHO ARE STILL OUT OF CONTRACT. IN ORDER TO MAKE MY ENDS MEET FINANCIALLY, I WAS TENDING BAR AT A SILICON VALLEY FUNDRAISER LAST SATURDAY NIGHT. I MET A PERSON WHO INTRODUCED THEMSELVES AS A FORMER DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION OF SUCH AND SUCH DISTRICT.

ONCE I DESCRIBED MY PROFESSION, THEY ASKED ME WHY THE COUNTY WAS CLOSING CLASSROOMS AND TURNING AWAY DISTRICT STUDENTS.

IMAGINE THEIR SURPRISE WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT WE HAD HAD MASS LAYOFFS, INCLUDING MYSELF, DUE TO WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS DISTRICTS TAKING BACK THEIR STUDENTS.

LET'S NOT TURN AWAY STUDENTS AND LET'S GIVE UNION MEMBERS A DIGNIFIED RAISE AND FREE HEALTH CARE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS VICKI.

VICKI GOING ONCE, VICKI GOING TWICE. ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ART COHEN.

HI, MY NAME IS ART COHEN.

I'M HERE TODAY AS A PARENT IN MORGAN HILL AND LEARNING THAT THESE NUMBERS.

3000-003320-00256,000 ADDITIONAL ROLES WHILE TEACHERS ARE GETTING WHAT I'M HEARING, A 1% POTENTIAL RAISE. HAVE THEY ALL CHECKED YOUR WATER BILL RECENTLY? EVERYTHING IS GOING UP, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO A FAIR CONTRACT FOR THE TEACHERS BECAUSE WHEN WE TAKE AN OATH AS A BOARD MEMBER, IT'S FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT IT'S THE TEACHERS THAT GIVE THE STUDENTS THE EDUCATION. SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY, I THINK, AND I HOPE YOU CAN DO THAT ON BEHALF OF THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS, BECAUSE IT'S FOR THE STUDENTS. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS PHILIP NGUYEN.

GOING ONCE.

PHILIP NGUYEN. GOING TWICE.

PHILIP NGUYEN. NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDRA FICOSI.

HI, I'M SANDY.

I'VE BEEN HERE AND TALKED TO YOU BEFORE. I'M NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. I ACTUALLY AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S TELEWORK POLICY. I DO WANT TO SAY WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS TO GET A COMMON SENSE WORK FROM HOME POLICY. AND I WANT TO THANK DR. TOSTIN FOR PUTTING OUT A POLICY IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO. AND I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT IN THE NEXT MONTH THIS WOULD BE ROLLED OUT IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR OUR MEMBERS AND WORKS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND HELPS TO IMPROVE OUR HOME AND WORK BALANCE. I'VE BEEN HERE TO COMPLAIN BEFORE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO COME HERE WHEN I NEED TO BE THANKFUL. SO I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS. CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE APPLICATIONS ROLL OUT SOON. THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SUSAN SALOP.

GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I URGE THE BOARD TO TAKE TWO IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO RESTORE TRUST AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS. FIRST, PLEASE AGE THE COMMUNITY PETITION EXPRESSING NO CONFIDENCE IN THE SUPERINTENDENT AND UPCOMING BOARD MEETING. MORE THAN 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIGNED THIS PETITION. YET THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT OR RESPONSE WHEN SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RAISED SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS.

THE BOARD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THEM OPENLY AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

SECOND, I ASK THE BOARD TO CONDUCT A DEEP DIVE INTO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO COMPREHENSIVE LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLAN AND TOO MANY DECISIONS ARE MADE REACTIVELY RATHER THAN PROACTIVELY. THIS HAS CREATED ONGOING UNCERTAINTY FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF.

AND IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BUILD STABLE, HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT CONSISTENTLY MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DESERVE TRANSPARENCY, THOUGHTFUL PLANNING, AND STABLE LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KIM MANZO.

WE'RE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME REASON.

TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS.

IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY.

[00:25:02]

EDUCATORS DESERVE A LIVING WAGE. EDUCATORS DESERVE PAID HEALTH CARE. THEY TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS. AND MANAGEMENT HAS THE POWER IN TURN TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR EDUCATORS. I URGE THE BOARD TO USE ITS POWER TO DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.

YOUR COMMUNITY IS WATCHING.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS STEPHANIE PADONI.

I APPRECIATE THE BOARD'S COMMITMENT TO TEACHING US THE VALUE OF ENDURANCE. UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERAL OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES HAD TO LEAVE WHILE THEY WERE WAITING, AND ALL THE ADULTS ARE STILL HERE. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE PODONI. I'VE BEEN A SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST FOR 28 YEARS, 18 OF THEM WITH THE COUNTY. THE POPULATION OF STUDENTS WE SERVE HERE AT SCCOE ARE AMONG THE MOST COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT STUDENTS TO WORK WITH THAT I'VE EVER WORKED WITH IN MY 28 YEARS. OUR EDUCATORS WORK TOGETHER EVERY DAY AS A TEAM, ALWAYS PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST.

TODAY, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO THE SAME. PUT OUR STUDENTS FIRST, KEEP OUR PROGRAMS OPEN, PROTECT THE SERVICES OUR STUDENTS DEPEND ON, AND KEEP PROTECTING THOSE SERVICES BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS ARE STILL GOING TO NEED THEM AFTER 2029. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF OUR STUDENTS.

WE CAN'T WAIT AND NEITHER CAN OUR STUDENTS. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RENEE LIU. GOIN ONCE FOR RENEE. GOING TWICE FOR RENEE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BOB PERLA.

GOOD EVENING, BOARD. 94%. 94%. 94% OF YOUR TEACHERS VOTED THIS CONTRACT DOWN. I'VE BEEN IN EDUCATION FOR 25 YEARS. YOU CAN'T GET 94% OF TEACHERS TO AGREE ON THE FACT THAT THE GRASS IS GREEN OR THE SKY IS BLUE. BUT THEY VOTED THIS CONTRACT DOWN. AND WHY DID THEY DO THAT? BECAUSE YOUR SUPERINTENDENT WENT BACK ON A DEAL THAT HE STRUCK AT THE TABLE. AND HE WENT BACK ON IT, WOULD NOT HONOR THE HEALTH CARE DEAL THAT THEY MADE AT THE TABLE. THAT'S BARGAINING IN BAD FAITH, DR. TOLSTON.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE FIND OUT TONIGHT THAT HE'S HIRING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT POSITIONS AT 200 TO $300,000 A POP WHILE HE'S LAYING PEOPLE OFF AND OFFERING HIS TEACHERS A PIDDLY RAISE. NO WONDER THEY VOTED NO. DO YOUR JOB AND HOLD THIS SUPERINTENDENT ACCOUNTABLE.

BEFORE OUR NEXT SPEAKERS, I'LL CALL UP THE NEXT GROUP.

IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE PODIUM. MELISSA URBANE. MICHELLE DUNGEON.

TINA CHANG. TYDA BERRY. ISSA TUBERRY. IBRAHIM BERRY.

LESLIE BANKS. MATEO DEPAULI.

PERLIKOR.

OUR NEXT.

EXCUSE ME.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LUIS VELASQUEZ.

THIS IS LUIS VELAZQUEZ REPRESENTING THE OGRE OF EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION AND THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. WE'RE HERE BECAUSE OUR COUNTY EDUCATORS DESERVE A DISTRICT THAT KEEPS HIS WORD ON CONTRACTS, ON TRANSPARENCY AND ON DUE PROCESS. WHEN LEADERSHIP RETALIATES AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK UP FOR EDUCATORS, THEY'RE NOT JUST TARGETING ONE PERSON, THEY'RE SENDING A MESSAGE TO EVERY MEMBER. STAY SILENT OR PAY THE PRICE. WE WON'T.

ACCOUNTABILITY STARTS AT THE TOP. IF THE SUPERINTENDENT WANTS TO HOLD EDUCATORS ACCOUNTABLE, THE BOARD SHOULD NOT HOLD. THE BOARD SHOULD HOLD THE SUPERINTENDENT ACCOUNTABLE TOO, INCLUDING FOR LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS.

WE'RE ASKING THIS BOARD TO MAKE GOOD FAITH LABOR RELATIONS A MEASURABLE EVALUATED PART OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW. NOT A TALKING POINT, A METRIC.

TRANSPARENCY ISN'T OPTIONAL.

DECISIONS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS WORKING CONDITIONS, SAFETY AND RIGHTS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH GIANNICARO.

SARAH GIANNICARO, SPEAKING FOR ARTURO FOSS, A LAID OFF FOSTER AND HOMELESS SERVICES SPECIALIST WHO'S WORKING AT HIS OTHER JOB. MY POSITION MUST BE REINSTATED AS THE WORK I DO IS SAIU BARGAINING UNIT WORK AND IS MANDATED AND FUNDED BY THE STATE. I BRING OVER 20 YEARS OF PROVEN EXPERTISE WORKING WITH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS PAIRED WITH INVALUABLE LIVED EXPERIENCE AS AN ADOPTED FORMER FOSTER YOUTH. MY OUTPUT OVER THE PAST YEAR HIGHLIGHTS THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF MY ROLE. I HAD A HIGH VOLUME EXECUTION COMPLETING 153 OF THE 177 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS INDEPENDENTLY MANAGING OVER 86% OF THE DEPARTMENT'S REQUESTS FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. MY

[00:30:01]

PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT EARNED OFFICIAL FORMAL RECOGNITION FROM THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

ELIMINATING THE CLASSIFIED SPECIALIST ROLE TO RETAIN ONLY CERTIFICATED MANAGERS AND LEADERSHIP CREATES OPERATIONAL INEFFICIENCY AND DUPLICATES WORK AND VIOLATES THE SEIU CONTRACT. COUNTY SOCIAL WORKERS, MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, SCHOOL SITE SUPPORT TEAMS AND EXISTING COMMUNITY PARTNERS ALREADY HANDLE CLINICAL OVERSIGHT AND STUDENT FACING TASKS. WHAT ARE DISTRICTS ACTUALLY? THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA MOORE.

I'M HERE TODAY WITH A WONDERING AS WE STRIVE FOR A FAIR CONTRACT, ACE HAS SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THROUGH OUR UNIFYING ACTIONS THAT WE VALUE OURSELVES, OUR STUDENTS AND THE JOBS THAT WE DO. BUT WILL YOU SHOW THAT YOU VALUE US, OUR STUDENTS AND OUR PROGRAMS WHEN THE SCCOE RETURNS TO THE NEGOTIATIONS TABLE? WILL YOU SHOW THAT YOU VALUE OUR STUDENTS BY STOPPING THE PLANNED CLASSROOM CLOSURES BY 2029 THAT EVEN SCCOE ADMINISTRATORS ARE SPREADING RUMORS ABOUT? WILL YOU SHOW THAT YOU VALUE FAIR LABOR PRACTICES BY ENDING THE UNION BUSTING RETALIATORY ACTIONS AGAINST OUR ACE PRACT PRESIDENT RIJU KRISHNA? WILL YOU DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU VALUE THE GREATER SANTA CLARA COUNTY BY DEMANDING ETHICALLY RESPONSIBLE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, BY INVESTING IN DIRECT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS INSTEAD OF INFLATED MANAGEMENT? ALTHOUGH EVERYONE WITH THE ABILITY TO IMPACT THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS IS DEFLECTING RESPONSIBILITY, I AM HOLDING THE ENTIRE BOARD ACCOUNTABLE AND IMPLORE THAT YOU TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO EFFECT THE CHANGE WE NEED.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MELISSA URBANE. MELISSA URBANE. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHELLE DUNGEON.

GOOD EVENING. I STARTED TEACHING IN 1999 AS A SECOND CAREER AND VERY PROUD TO BE TEACHING WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. PROUD TO BE TEACHING ALONGSIDE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH AT THE COUNTY.

I'M VERY SADDENED THESE DAYS, ALTHOUGH I'M STILL PROUD OF THE WORK THAT ALL THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH CONTINUE TO DO WITHOUT A CONTRACT. I'M SAD WITH THE LEADERSHIP. I HAVE SEEN IT CHANGE AND THERE'S A BIG DISCONNECT.

THE LEADERSHIP WHEN I FIRST STARTED WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE TEACHERS IN THE COUNTY, WERE PARAEDUCATORS WHO BECAME TEACHERS, WHO BECAME PRINCIPALS, WHO BECAME SPECIALISTS AND MOVED UP.

THERE'S A BIG DISCONNECT AND WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS DESERVE? THEY DESERVE TO BE HEARD.

THEY'RE NOT HERE THIS EVENING BECAUSE THEY HAD TO LEAVE AND THEY DESERVE A BETTER EDUCATION. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TINA CHANGING. GOOD EVENING TRUSTEES AND DR. TOSTIN.

MY NAME IS TINA CHANG AND THIS IS MY SON EVAN, WHO IS BORN DEAF PLUS OR HARD OF HEARING WITH MEDICAL COMPLEXITY AND WE'VE BEEN SERVED BY THE COUNTY SINCE HE WAS SIX MONTHS.

BECAUSE OF HIS COMPLEX NEEDS, WE NEEDED EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO HELP US NAVIGATE EDUCATION THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF WHAT TYPICAL TEACHERS. EVAN HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE SERVED BY MANY OF THESE SCOE TEACHERS.

ALTHOUGH PROGRESS FOR EVAN IS SLOW AND HE'S MANY GRADE LEVELS BEHIND, WE'VE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE THAT CAN BE MADE WHEN THE RIGHT TEACHERS ARE THERE TO GUIDE HIM.

HE'S ALSO EXPERIENCED THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS WHEN THERE'S TEACHER SHORTAGES OR BEING TAUGHT BY INEXPERIENCED SUBS WITHOUT PROPER CREDENTIALS. I URGE THE COUNTY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS LIKE HIM BY ENSURING OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE CONTRACTS AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITY STUDENTS.

AND THEY ARE REALLY IRREPLACEABLE. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TITA BERRY.

GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS TITA BERRY AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF REJU.

HER DEDICATION, KINDNESS, AND THE WAY SHE ADVOCATES FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. RIJU STANDS UP FOR STUDENTS JUST LIKE MY BROTHER, IBRAHIM BARRY. AND WITHOUT HER, HE WOULD NOT BE ATTENDING TRANSITIONAL ADULT SCHOOLS, DE ANZA COLLEGE, OR EVEN RECEIVING THE RESOURCES HE IS NOW. WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO REINSTATE RIJU TO RETURN TO HER STUDENTS, HER COLLEAGUES AND THE UNION SHE REPRESENTS.

DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ISATUBERI.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS

[00:35:01]

ISATU BARRY. WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO PUT YOUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEP TO RETURN RIJU BACK TO WORK IN A CLASSROOM SO SHE CAN CONTINUE SUPPORTING HER STUDENTS. SHE'S GONE THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF REDREW STATUS. DR.

TOLSTIN, YOU NEED TO DO BETTER. DR. TORSTEN, YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS AND BRING REDREW BACK TO THE CLASSROOM. THERE'S NO IF, NO BUT. BUT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION AND BRING HER BACK TO THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE SHE NEEDS TO BE WITH THE STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND THE UNION SHE REPRESENTS.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS IBRAHIM BERRY. HELLO EVERYONE.

HELLO, BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS IBRAHIM BARRY AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR REJU GETTING HER JOB BACK.

RIJU IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PERSON FOR ALL OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP THAT SHE'S ESTABLISHED. SHE LOVES THE CHILDREN THAT SHE WORKS WITH AND THE PARENTS THAT SHE INFLUENCES AND SHE ADVOCATES FOR THEIR RIGHTS. I'M SO THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING SHE'S DONE FOR US. AND SHE CONTINUES TO EDUCATE ME AND SUPPORT ME IN MY TRANSITION PROGRAM AT DE ANZA COLLEGE. SO PLEASE, I WANT YOU TO BE CONSIDERATE AND TO BE CAREFULLY THINKING ABOUT REINSTATING REJU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LESLIE BANKS.

GOOD EVENING. I'M GOING INTO MY 34TH YEAR IN THIS DISTRICT. I'M IN THIS JOB BECAUSE I LOVE OUR STUDENTS JUST LIKE EVERYBODY HERE.

I'M HERE NOW, THOUGH, BECAUSE WE. BECAUSE OUR BARGAINING TEAM IS AT THE TABLE IN GOOD FAITH.

AND WE NEED THIS BOARD TO DO THE SAME.

WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS BASIC PROTECTIONS, TIMELY BREAKS, SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION FOR DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS, AND FAIR COST OF LIVING INCREASES.

RECENTLY WE WERE OFFERED A 2% RAISE WHILE ADMINISTRATORS, ALREADY MAKING DOUBLE OR TRIPLE WHAT TEACHERS MAKE, RECEIVED 10% IN ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES WITH ALL THE INCREASES IN INSURANCE AND GROCERIES, GAS, YOU NAME IT. 2% IS NOT A WAGE INCREASE. IT'S A PAY CUT.

THIS IS NOT IN GOOD FAITH.

AFTER 34 YEARS, I'M ASKING YOU TO NEGOTIATE AND BARGAIN LIKE YOU MEAN IT.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MATEO.

HI, MY NAME IS MATTEO.

AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOU FINALLY GRACING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE.

WHILE SPED PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT, TEACHERS ARE GETTING LAID OFF AND SCHOOLS ARE GETTING CLOSED DOWN. SUPERINTENDENT TOSSEN HIMSELF IS GETTING PAID MORE THAN $400,000.

AND COUNTLESS EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT ROLES ARE BEING CREATED WITH SALARIES OF OVER $300,000.

NOT TO MENTION THE $119 MILLION OF SURPLUS THAT WERE FOUND IN THE BUDGET.

WHILE WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FUNDS TO KEEP ALL THESE SYSTEMS AFLOAT. I DEMAND PRESIDENT CHON. I MEAN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENACT A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST DR.

TOSTIN AND FINALLY TREAT THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS AS THE TOP PRIORITY THAT THEY OUGHT TO BE. THANK YOU.

AND OUR LAST SPEAKER IS.

IS DEEPALI PERLIKER.

INVEST TODAY'S SCCOE DOLLARS IN TODAY'S STUDENTS. WE, THE EDUCATORS HAVE ENTERED A SECOND YEAR OF SCHOOL WITHOUT A CONTRACT, WHILE SCCOE HAS POSTED ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS WITH A 20 TO 30,000 INCREASE IN THEIR PAY. THAT IS ALMOST A 10% INCREASE IN PAY.

THE EDUCATORS WERE OFFERED A MEAGER 2% INCREASE. AND FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN 2000 PER YEAR.

CONSUMER PRICES HAVE GONE UP BY 3.2%. INFLATION IS UP BY 3.8%. ENERGY PRICES ARE UP BY 28% AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. WHAT SCCOE HAS OFFERED DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PAY OUR BILLS AND BE ABLE TO SAVE? I WONDER? DOES SCCOE CARE ABOUT US EDUCATORS? ARE WE NOT WORTHY OF THE RAISE AND BENEFITS THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS ARE GETTING? TO ME, IT'S SIMPLE MATH. THE RICH WILL GET RICHER AND THE POOR WILL GET POORER.

THIS CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.

[A. Bargaining Units' Reports]

THANK YOU MODERATOR.

[00:40:01]

OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS BARGAINING UNIT REPORTS.

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

SARAH GIANNICARO, SU CHAPTER PRESIDENT REPRESENTING OVER 01,400 PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE CLASSIFIED STAFF AND A DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. THIS WEEK OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY START TEAMS RETURNED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SAN JOSE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BEGIN CLASSES TOMORROW. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE RETURN OF THE DEDICATED CLASSROOM DAY FOR ALL STAFF INCLUDING PARAPROFESSIONALS TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM TOGETHER.

THIS DEDICATED TIME HELPS ENSURE EVERYONE IS PREPARED WITH STUDENT SCHEDULES, GOALS AND BEHAVIOR PLANS. WE APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THE SEIU, PSWA, ACE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN RESTORING THIS VALUABLE PLANNING TIME. OUR OYA TEAM BEGAN THE SCHOOL YEAR EARLIER THIS MONTH. WE WERE RECENTLY INFORMED THAT STIPENDS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. THESE GRANT FUNDED STIPENDS MUST BE REINSTATED AS THEY PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT INCENTIVE FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS AND DEVELOP VALUABLE SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR PARAEDUCATORS WERE INFORMED THAT THEIR EXTRA CALENDAR DAYS WERE BEING RESCINDED THE DAY BEFORE SCHOOL RESUMED.

PARAEDUCATORS ARE ESSENTIAL STUDENT SUPPORT NOT ONLY WITH INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT, BUT SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT, ATTENDANCE AND NECESSARY PAPERWORK. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ACE PRESIDENT RUJU KRISHNA HAS NOW BEEN OUT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR OVER FIVE MONTHS DUE TO SCCUI'S RETALIATION AGAINST HER. OUR ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION TEAM GREATLY MISSES THE SUPPORT OF THE TWO LAID OFF COLLEGE LIAISONS. THESE CUTS DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR STUDENTS ACCESS TO THEIR COLLEGE COURSEWORK WHICH IMPROVES OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES AND OTHER SUCCESS METRICS. IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT SUMMER CAMP WAS CANCELED FOR JULY AT WALDEN WEST AND CONSTRUCTION HAS STILL NOT BEGUN. WE CANCELED PROGRAMS, WE REFUNDED PAYMENTS AND WE RAN NO PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE INTENDED TO HAVE CONSTRUCTION BEGIN.

YET WE COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. ANOTHER CHOICE ON MANAGEMENT'S PART.

ADDITIONALLY, THE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FUNDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 1.5 AND THREE MONTHS DESPITE HAVING NO STUDENTS OR STAFF TO SUPERVISE. WHILE THE PROGRAM CLAIMS IT NEEDS TO REDUCE ITS RELIANCE ON THE GENERAL FUND. AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, OUR FOSTER AND HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM WAS DECIMATED AND THE STAFF WHO DO THE FRONTLINE WORK ARE STILL LAID OFF. OUR DISTRICTS REQUIRE THE ON THE GROUND DIRECT HANDS ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SYSTEMS NAVIGATIONS THAT SPECIALISTS LIKE ARTURO UNIQUELY AND SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX BUS DRIVERS AND EIGHT ROUTES FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS LIVING IN HOSPITALS AND LICENSED CARE INSTITUTIONS.

THEIR SUPERVISOR HAS BEEN DRIVING ROUTES DURING ESY, WHICH IS A VIOLATION OF THE SEIU COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. THEY'RE ALSO ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR OUR SCCOE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS. PRESIDENT CHON, AS ANOTHER UNION PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THIS BOARD, WILL YOU STAY ON THE SIDELINES AND WATCH SCC? WE DECIMATE THESE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THE STUDENTS WE SERVE, OR WILL YOU JOIN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FIGHT AND DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION POLITICALLY? OUR MEMBERS ATTENDED THE CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF UNIONS BIANNUAL CONFERENCE YESTERDAY AND HAVE CONTINUED WITH ENDORSEMENT INTERVIEWS FOR CANDIDATES AROUND OUR REGION THROUGH OUR LOCAL AND THE SOUTH BAY LABOR COUNCIL. WE'RE PROUD TO STAND WITH ACE AND THEIR FIGHT FOR A FAIR CONTRACT, INCLUDING AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND AND CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR 94% NO VOTE AGAINST THE ERRONEOUS TENTATIVE AGREEMENT. AS FRONTLINE WORKERS, WE'RE INVESTED IN SCCOE FOR EVERY STUDENT, EVERY EDUCATOR, EVERY SCHOOL, EVERY PROGRAM. WE WILL NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN WHAT ALL OUR STUDENTS, MEMBERS AND FAMILIES DESERVE. SEIU IS READY TO START OUR REOPENER NEGOTIATIONS AND HOPE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT MUCH FASTER THAN WE DID THIS YEAR SO THAT WE CAN RETURN OUR FOCUS TO OUR PRIORITY, OUR STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES AND DISTRICTS WE SERVE. AS FRONTLINE STAFF, WE'RE DEEPLY INVESTED IN SCCOE. WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS, OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION BECAUSE WE CAN'T WAIT. OUR STUDENTS CAN'T WAIT, AND OUR FAMILIES CAN'T WAIT.

I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION FORWARD.

IS SHE HERE? OKAY.

SEEING NONE, I WILL NOW INVITE THE DESIGNEE OR PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY EDUCATORS FORWARD. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE AND PRESENT YOUR.

KRISHNA. ACE PRESIDENT, DEFENDER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SERVES OUR STUDENTS IN EVERY CAPACITY. OUR STUDENTS ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO, AND IT TAKES THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF EDUCATORS, STAFF, FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM LEARN, GROW AND SUCCEED.

WITH THAT SHARED COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS IN MIND, I WANT TO ADDRESS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AFFECTING THE EMPLOYEES WHO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. ACE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER AN EXPIRED CONTRACT SINCE JULY 2025. DESPITE THAT, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SHOW UP,

[00:45:02]

SERVE OUR STUDENTS WITH FIDELITY AND DEDICATION WHILE ALSO NEGOTIATING FOR A FAIR SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT.

OUR MEMBERS CAST THEIR RATIFICATION VOTES ON AUGUST 3 AND 4.

BEFORE I SHARE THE RESULTS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE HAS A CLEAR AND ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE AT HAND. THE HEALTHCARE LANGUAGE IN THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT, WHAT WAS INTENDED BY THE PANEL AND HOW IT IMPACTS MEMBERS HEALTHCARE BENEFITS. SO THE LANGUAGE IN THE SIGNED TA IS NOT WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN WRITING BY THE PERB NEUTRAL DURING FACT FINDING OR VERBALLY AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. THE NEUTRAL'S HANDWRITTEN CALCULATIONS REFLECTED SCCOE PAYS 90% OF THE PREMIUM INCREASE. WHAT THAT MEANT WAS THAT ESTIMATED MEMBER COSTS WERE APPROXIMATELY $365 PER YEAR. LANGUAGE IN THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TYPED UP BY SCCOE'S ATTORNEY. COE PAYS 90% OF THE KAISER HMO PLAN RATE, WHICH MEANT THE ESTIMATED MEMBER COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $2,541 PER YEAR. THE DIFFERENCE 365 VERSUS 2,541 FOR MEMBERS EARNING ABOUT $127,000 OR LESS AND ENROLLED IN THE KAISER HMO PLAN. THIS INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE COSTS COULD EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE NEGOTIATED 2% SALARY INCREASE, LEAVING THEM WITH NO HELP DURING THIS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. THIS ERROR WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE ACE BARGAINING TEAM AND WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FACT FINDING PANEL. THE COUNTY THEN DEMANDED ACE TO CONDUCT A RATIFICATION VOTE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE TABLE TO FIX THE ERROR. THE RESULTS OF THE RATIFICATION VOTE ARE IN.94% REJECTED. THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT. THIS VOTE SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE. OUR UNITED MEMBERSHIP SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE. ACE UNITED FOR EVERY STUDENT, EVERY EDUCATOR, EVERY SCHOOL, EVERY PROGRAM. WE WILL NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN WHAT ALL OUR STUDENTS, MEMBERS AND FAMILIES DESERVE. ACE IS READY TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE AND CONCLUDE NEGOTIATIONS SO THAT WE CAN RETURN OUR FOCUS TO OUR PRIORITY, OUR STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. AS FRONTLINE EDUCATORS, WE ARE DEEPLY INVESTED. WE LOVE OUR STUDENTS, OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DEFEND PUBLIC EDUCATION BECAUSE WE CAN'T WAIT, OUR STUDENTS CAN'T WAIT, AND OUR FAMILIES CAN'T WAIT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES OUR BARGAINING UNIT

[A. Request for Renewal Appeal Decision for the Escuela Popular Center for Training and Careers Family Learning Charter School]

REPORTS. OKAY, WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT AGENDA.

ITEM ITEM NUMBER 8. THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL NOW CONSIDER AND REACH A DECISION ON THE DISTRICT APPEAL RENEWAL PETITION FOR THE ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL. THIS ACTION IS A FOLLOW UP TO THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON MAY 20, 2026. THIS ACTION IS BEING CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO EDUCATION CODE SECTIONS 47605 AND 47607 AND 4760 7.2 AND BOARD POLICY 042 0.4. THIS ACTION WILL PROCEED AS FOLLOWS.

FIRST, THE BOARD WILL HEAR AN OPENING STATEMENT FROM STAFF WHO WILL BE GIVEN 10 MINUTES. SECOND, ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING WILL BE GIVEN 10 MINUTES TO COMMENT.

THIRD, EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT FOR NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.

FOURTH, THE BOARD WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT. PER BOARD BYLAW 9323, PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM WILL BE 20 MINUTES UNLESS EXTENDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD BYLAW 9323, WHICH STATES THAT WITH COUNTY BOARD CONSENT, THE COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE THE TIME ALLOWED ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC PRESENTATION, DEPENDING ON THE TOPIC AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WISHING TO BE HEARD. THE COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT MAY TAKE A POLL OF SPEAKERS FOR OR AGAINST A PARTICULAR ISSUE AND MAY ASK THAT ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS SPEAK ONLY IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING NEW TO ADD TO.

SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 1 MINUTE. SPEAKERS UTILIZING A TRANSLATOR SHALL WE HAVE 2 MINUTES? 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 AND THEREAFTER THE BOARD WILL DELIBERATE ON THIS MATTER AND MAKE A DECISION REGARDING THE CHARTER PETITION RENEWAL APPEAL FROM ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL AT THIS TIME, I'LL ASK DR. TOSTON TO INTRODUCE STAFF.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT CHON. I WANT TO INTRODUCE DR.

MICHELLE JOHNSON, THE DIRECTOR OF OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS DIVISION, AND ADRIENNE

[00:50:01]

CONAGHER MACKLIN, WHO IS GENERAL COUNSEL TO THE COUNTY OFFICE AS WELL AS THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WILL LEAVE IT TO YOU, DR.

JOHNSON.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CHAN, TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT, DR. TOSTIN, STAFF AND COMMUNITY. WE ARE HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT STAFF'S ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE RENEWAL APPEAL SUBMITTED BY ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL OR EPCTC, AN INDEPENDENT DIRECT FUNDED CHARTER SCHOOL WHOSE RENEWAL PETITION WAS DENIED BY THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON APRIL 13, 2026.

EPCTC WAS ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED IN 2004. ITS CURRENT CHARTER TERM BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2018 AND THROUGH OPERATION OF LAW WAS EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026. EPCTC IS REQUESTING A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS DESIGNATED EPCTC AS A DASHBOARD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL STATUS OR DOSS SCHOOL BECAUSE IT SERVES HIGH NEEDS STUDENT POPULATION IN AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL SETTING. THE SCHOOL'S CURRENT ENROLLMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 400 STUDENTS. IF THE COUNTY BOARD GRANTS THE RENEWAL APPEAL, THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WOULD BECOME EPCTC'S NEW CHARTERING AUTHORITY. EPCTC TIMELY SUBMITTED ITS RENEWAL APPEAL ON APRIL 23, 2026. ON MAY 20, 2026, THE COUNTY BOARD CONDUCTED THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING WITHIN THE STATUTORY TIMELINE.

FOLLOWING THE HEARING, SCCOE STAFF CONDUCTED A SITE VISIT CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE'S STANDARD RENEWAL REVIEW PROCESS ON JULY 9, EPCTC AND ESCUELA POPULAR JOINTLY REQUESTED A 30 DAY EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE FOR THE COUNTY BOARD'S DECISION. THE RENEWAL. THE REQUEST FOLLOWED A TENTATIVE RULING ISSUED BY THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT ON JULY 8 IN RELATED LITIGATION REGARDING REVOCATION ACTIONS BY ITS CURRENT AUTHORIZER.

STAFF GRANTED THE REQUESTED EXTENSION AND THE MATTER IS NOW BEFORE THE BOARD FOR FINAL DETERMINATION. THE CHARTER SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT, CONSISTING OF MYSELF AND SHALHOU SHARMA, CONDUCTED AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE RENEWAL APPEAL PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE, APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, AND THE COUNTY BOARD POLICY GOVERNING THE CHARTER RENEWAL APPEALS STAFF ACKNOWLEDGES THE EFFORTS OF EPCTC'S LEADERSHIP AND STAFF THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. OUR RESPONSIBILITY, HOWEVER, IS TO EVALUATE THE RENEWAL APPEAL OBJECTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY BASED UPON STATUTORY RENEWAL CRITERIA AND THE EVIDENCE PROVIDED. BECAUSE EPCTC IS DESIGNATED AS A DOS CHARTER SCHOOL, THE APPLICABLE RENEWAL STANDARDS DIFFERENCE FROM THOSE OF GOVERNING TRADITIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS UNDER EDUCATION CODE. A DOSH CHARTER SCHOOL SEEKING A RENEWAL MUST SATISFY THE SAME FOUNDATIONAL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL CHARTER SCHOOLS. THESE INCLUDE SUBMITTING AN UPDATED PETITION CONTAINING REASONABLY COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL REQUIRED CHARTER ELEMENTS, PRESENTING A SOUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, DEMONSTRATING THAT THE PETITIONERS ARE DEMONSTRABLY LIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED PROGRAM, AND SATISFYING THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING CHARTER PETITIONS. IN ADDITION, DOSS CHARTER SCHOOLS MUST DEMONSTRATE EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC GROWTH USING ALTERNATIVE METRICS APPROPRIATE FOR THE POPULATION THEY SERVE, WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED UPON BY BOTH EPCTC AND EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. IF THE COUNTY BOARD DETERMINES THAT THE SCHOOL HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THE REQUIRED GROWTH, IT MUST ALSO DETERMINE WHETHER CLOSURE OF THE SCHOOL IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS BEFORE DENYING RENEWAL ON THAT BASIS. SEPARATELY, EDUCATION CODE AUTHORIZES DENIAL OF RENEWAL IF SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS UNLIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL OR GOVERNANCE FACTORS OR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SERVING ALL PUPILS WHO WISH TO ATTEND. WHERE THIS BASIS IS RELIED UPON, THE STATUTE GENERALLY REQUIRES THE CHARTERING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO CURE UNLESS THE IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES ARE SO SUBSTANTIAL AND PERVASIVE THAT A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN WOULD BE UNVIABLE.

FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE COUNTY BOARD AS A RENEWAL APPEAL. IT IS NOT AS A STANDARD RENEWAL FOR ONE OF THE SCCBOE AUTHORIZED CHARTERS. AS A RESULT, SCCOE'S STANDARD PRACTICE OF RECOMMENDING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS THROUGH AN ADDENDUM TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IS NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS PROCEEDING. ANY SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS TO THE POSITION AT THIS STAGE WOULD CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL CHANGE TO THE PETITION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED AND ACTED UPON BY EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. ACCORDINGLY, THE DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED DURING STAFF'S REVIEW ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE PROPOSED WRITTEN FACTUAL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION BEFORE THE BOARD. THIS PRESENTATION

[00:55:01]

ADDRESSES THE MAJOR ISSUES WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE STAFF ANALYSIS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE EACH REVIEW FACTOR ONE BY ONE AND PROVIDE A SYNOPSIS OF THE FINDINGS. IN THE AREA OF UNSOUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, STAFF CONCLUDED THAT THE PETITION DOES NOT PRESENT A SOUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

THIS CONCLUSION IS SUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE DOCUMENTING CONCERNS RELATED TO AND INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO GRADE LEVEL PROGRESSION AND GRADUATION OUTCOMES, ACADEMIC RIGOR AND INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY, SPECIAL EDUCATION IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY, EDUCATOR CREDENTIALING AND OPERATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

COLLECTIVELY, THESE FINDINGS SUPPORT STAFF'S CONCLUSION THAT THE PETITION DOES NOT PRESENT A SOUND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

BASED ON ITS REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD, STAFF CONCLUDED THAT THE PETITIONERS HAVE NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AS PROPOSED. THIS CONCLUSION IS SUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO VIOLATIONS OF APPLICABLE LAW SUCH AS FAILURE TO ADOPT AND FILE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE AND DEFICIENCIES IN MAINTAINING REQUIRED STUDENT RECORDS VIOLATIONS WITH PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER, INCLUDING CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS, HEALTH AND SAFETY OBLIGATIONS AND ATTENDANCE, COLLECTION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF COMPLIANCE CONCERNS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE NOTICES OF CONCERN AND THE CURRENT AUTHORIZER'S RENEWAL DENIAL AND THE REVOCATION PROCEEDINGS.

STAFF ALSO EVALUATED THE PETITION'S DESCRIPTIONS OF THE 15 REQUIRED CHARTER ELEMENTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SATISFY THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT OF BEING REASONABLY COMPREHENSIVE.

BASED ON ITS REVIEW, STAFF CONCLUDED THAT NUMEROUS REQUIRED ELEMENTS DO NOT PROVIDE REASONABLY COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTIONS AS SUMMARIZED IN THE CHART ON THE SCREEN. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DAS REQUIREMENTS, STAFF REVIEWED EPCTC'S PERFORMANCE OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS DASHBOARD AND COMPARED THOSE RESULTS WITH OTHER DAS SCHOOLS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY AS WELL AS COMPARISON SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED BY EPCTC IN ITS NOVEMBER 2025 CERTIFICATE FOR ANNUAL FILING RELATED TO ITS BOND DOCUMENTATION.

BASED ON THE ANALYSIS, EPCTC'S REPORTED PERFORMANCE INDICATORS WERE LOWER THAN THOSE OF THE IDENTIFIED COMPARISON SCHOOLS IN EVERY REPORTED AREA EXCEPT SUSPENSION RATE. AS REFLECTED ON THE CHART BEFORE THE BOARD, EPCTC DID NOT RECEIVE DASHBOARD PERFORMANCE LEVELS FOR ELA OR MATH BECAUSE FEWER THAN 11 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE 11TH GRADE STATEWIDE TESTING ASSESSMENTS, WHICH IS BELOW THE MINIMUM NUMBER REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC REPORTING. STAFF ALSO REVIEWED THE ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE METRICS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED BY ESIGHT AND EPCTC AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHARTER TERM. STAFF INDEPENDENTLY ANALYZED THE DATA SUBMITTED BY EPCTC IN SUPPORT OF ITS RENEWAL APPEAL USING THOSE APPLICABLE ALTERNATIVE METRICS. STAFF'S INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS REACHED A DIFFERENT CONCLUSION. AS SUMMARIZED IN THE CHART BEFORE, THE BOARD AND STAFF FOUND THAT THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE THAT EPCTC MET THE ALTERNATIVE METRICS. AS STATED EARLIER, FOR THE COUNTY BOARD TO RECOMMEND DENIAL FOR A DOSS SCHOOL, THE COUNTY BOARD MUST FIND THAT THE CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS.

TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, STAFF MUST CONSIDER THE TOTAL TOTALITY OF THE EVIDENCE, INCLUDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, ALTERNATIVE METRICS, AND THE MYRIADS OF FINDINGS DOCUMENTED THROUGHOUT THE STAFF ANALYSIS. THUS, STAFF CONCLUDES THAT THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS FINDING IS SUPPORTS THE FINDING THAT CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS. FINALLY, THE EDUCATION CODE PROVIDES AN INDEPENDENT BASIS FOR DENIAL OF RENEWAL IF THE EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS UNLIKELY TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT ITS PROGRAM DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL OR GOVERNANCE FACTORS OR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SERVING ALL STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ATTEND.

IN THIS CASE, STAFF FOUND SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNANCE DEFICIENCIES SUPPORTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD.

THE EDUCATION CODE GENERALLY REQUIRES THAT THE THE CHARTERING AUTHORITY PROVIDES NOTICE OF SUCH FINDINGS AND OPPORTUNITY TO CURE UNLESS THE IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES ARE SO SUBSTANTIAL AND PERVASIVE THAT A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN WOULD BE UNVIABLE. ALTHOUGH SANTA CLARA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS NOT EPCTC'S CURRENT CHARTERING AUTHORITY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD REFLECTS THAT EASTSIDE IDENTIFIED GOVERNANCE CONCERNS DURING ITS RENEWAL PROCEEDINGS, THEREBY PROVIDING EPCTC NOTICE OF THOSE CONCERNS. BASED ON THE NATURE AND SCOPE AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THE DOCUMENTED GOVERNANCE DEFICIENCIES, STAFF CONCLUDED THAT THE DEFICIENCIES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SUFFICIENT AND PERVASIVE THAT A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN WOULD BE UNVIABLE.

IN SUMMARY, STAFF EVALUATED THE RENEWAL APPEAL PETITION USING THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE AND COUNTY BOARD POLICY.

BASED ON THE TOTALITY OF THE EVIDENCE CONTAINED

[01:00:01]

IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD, STAFF CONCLUDES THE PETITION DOES NOT SATISFY THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL.

ACCORDINGLY, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNTY BOARD DENY EPCTC'S RENEWAL APPEAL BY ADOPTING THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION DENYING THE RENEWAL APPEAL, INCLUDING THE WRITTEN FACTUAL FINDINGS SET FORTH THEREIN. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PETITIONER'S PRESENTATION.

SO, DOES ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL HAVE ANY COMMENTS REGARDING THE STAFF ANALYSIS AND WHO WILL BE SPEAKING FOR THE SCHOOL? JUST FOR THE RECORD, IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME INTO THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE.

IF I COULD ASK YOU TO PRESS THE BUTTON.

GO AHEAD.

ORLANDO RAMOS, CHIEF OF SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU. OKAY, YOU MAY BEGIN YOUR PRESENTATION.

THE RECOMMENDATION TO CLOSE REPORT CONTAINS MULTIPLE FACTUAL INACCURACIES. EXAMPLE ERRONEOUS CLAIM. EPCTC'S INTERNAL ASSESSMENT DATA ARE UNSUBSTANTIATED AND DO NOT DEMONSTRATE ACHIEVEMENT FACTS.

EPCTC SUBMITTED NWEA MAP GROWTH DATA IN ITS CHARTER RENEWAL PETITION THAT DEMONSTRATES MEASURABLE GAINS IN STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE NWA RESULTS WERE INCLUDED AS SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OF STUDENT OUTCOMES.

THEREFORE, THE CHARACTERIZATION THAT EPCTC'S INTERNAL ASSESSMENT DATA ARE UNSUBSTANTIATED IS FALSE. NEXT ERRONEOUS CLAIM. EPCTC DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM. EPCTC DOES NOT AND IS NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM BECAUSE EPCTC STUDENTS ARE ADULTS. NEXT ERRONEOUS CLAIM.

IN THE JULY 15 STAFF REPORT, IT READS, EPCTC'S RENEWAL APPEAL PETITION DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY REPORT TO COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE IX.

TITLE IX COMPLIANCE IS ADDRESSED ON PAGE 153 OF THE EPCTC RENEWAL APPEAL PETITION AS WELL AS OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE PETITION. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ERRORS AND INCONSISTENCIES. EPCTC, OUR ONE YEAR DOS GRAD RATE FAR SURPASSES THE OTHER DOS ADULT SCHOOLS. THEY GET A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL. WE GET RECOMMENDATION TO CLOSE. EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT DID NOT APPLY CHARTER RENEWAL STANDARDS CONSISTENTLY. SAME LAW, SAME DAC SCHOOLS, DIFFERENT OUTCOMES. THIS IS THE PETITION FROM SAN JOSE CONSERVATION CORPS. THIS IS FROM THEIR RENEWAL PETITION.

LOOK AT THE LACK OF DATA. THEY RECEIVED A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL.

SORRY, IT'S NOT OKAY. OKAY, HERE'S OUR DATA. WE HAVE GROWTH OVER THE FIVE YEAR TERM OF THE CHARTER. AS YOU CAN SEE UP THERE, WE HAVE OVER FIVE YEARS GROWTH IN READING. DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH IN READING. AS A MATTER OF FACT, HERE IS OUR DATA WHICH THE REPORT STATES WE DID NOT.

WHICH THE REPORT STATES DOES NOT EXIST. THIS IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE PETITION.

EPCTC SUBMITS ALL DATA. THE RECOMMENDATION IS CLOSURE. SJCC SUBMITS VERY LITTLE DATA. THEY GET A FIVE YEAR RENEWAL.

STEVIE WONDER CAN SEE SOMETHING THAT'S OFF HERE. NEXT SLIDE.

THE REPORT MEASURES EPCTC BASED ON NEW METRICS BEYOND THE PREDETERMINED METRICS THAT APPLY TO EPCTC AS A DA SCHOOL. THE REPORT RELIES ON COMPARISON OF EPCTC TO OTHER SCHOOLS, WHICH IS NOT A LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE BASIS TO DENY RENEWAL OF A DA SCHOOL. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT RENEWAL SHOULD BE SHOULD BE DENIED FOR SUBSTANTIAL FISCAL AND GOVERNANCE FACTORS.

BUT EPCTC WAS NOT GIVEN 30 DAYS NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO CURE. NEXT SLIDE. THE COURT'S DECISION FOUND THAT THE REVOCATIONS OF THESE CHARGES ARE UNLAWFUL ON BOTH PROCEDURAL AND AND SUBSTANTIVE GROUNDS. THESE ARE

[01:05:01]

THE WORDS OF A JUDGE, NOT OURS. CRUCIALLY, THE COURT FOUND THAT EASTSIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE REVOKED THE SCHOOL'S CHARTER BASED ON AN INCORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF CREDENTIALING LAW. ONLY EPCTC OFFERS FREE CHILD CARE FOR BOTH DAY AND NIGHT SESSIONS. ONLY EPCTC OFFERS INTEGRATED CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL SYSTEM. ONLY EPCTC OFFERS FREE LEGAL AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR ADULT DIE SCHOOLS UP THERE IN GREEN IS ALL THE SERVICES THAT EPCTC OFFERS THE OTHER COUNTY SCHOOLS SOME OFFER AND SOME DON'T.

BUT ONLY EPCTC DO WE OFFER ALL OF THOSE MENTIONED IN GREEN.

TONIGHT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL ALTER THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, THOUSANDS OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. A DECISION OF THIS MAGNITUDE DESERVES FACTS THAT ARE COMPLETE, ACCURATE AND BEYOND QUESTION IN ORDER FOR YOU TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION WHICH DRAMATICALLY AFFECTS THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REPORT RECOMMENDING CLOSURE IS NEITHER ACCURATE AS I HAVE DEMONSTRATED. IT IS NEITHER COMPLETE NOR NOR IS IT BEYOND QUESTION.

IN THE PRESENTATION, I HAVE SHOWN YOU EXAMPLES OF ONLY A FEW INACCURACIES.

THERE ARE MORE, MANY MORE. YOU HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE THAT ESCUELA POPULAR IS BEING HELD TO A DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT STANDARD THAN OTHER DA SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTY. A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE DETERMINED THAT, QUOTE, THE VERIFICATION OF THESE CHARGES ARE UNLAWFUL ON BOTH PROCEDURAL AND SUBSTANTIVE GROUNDS.

IN ADDITION, THE DECISION FOR REVOCATION IS BASED ON AN INCOMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF CREDENTIALING LAW.

UNQUOTE. THESE ARE THE WORDS OF A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE.

SHUTTING DOWN A SCHOOL IS EASY. THE HARD WORK AND THE WORK WE SHOULD ALL BE ENGAGED IN IS IMPROVING A SCHOOL.

OVER A MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY HAVE BEEN SPENT ON LEGAL FEES. AND IN THIS ENDEAVOR, AN ENDEAVOR WHICH IS BASED ON INACCURATE INFORMATION IN THE REPORT, I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY OFFER A WIN WIN SOLUTION. 1. I ASK THAT WE PAUSE. LET'S BRING IN AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR OR FACT FINDER TO SPECIFICALLY REVIEW THE ITEMS IN THE REPORT. DO YOU NOT WANT TO KNOW WITH CERTAINTY THE ACCURACY OF THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU BEFORE YOU DISRUPT THE LIVES OF OVER 120 EMPLOYEES AND 500 STUDENTS? 2.

WE CAN INITIATE AN MOU WHERE SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE AND YOU HOLD ME PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPLEMENTING ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS. I AM THE NEWLY HIRED ADMINISTRATOR OVERSEEING THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL. 3. I WILL REPORT TO WHOMEVER UNTIL WE RESOLVE ALL DEFICIENCIES. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MAJORITY OF ISSUES BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION BY ESIDE HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THIS IS RESOLVABLE. NONE OF THE DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THIS REPORT COME ANYWHERE CLOSE TO ESTABLISHING THAT ESCUELA POPULAT IS UNSAFE OR UNSOUND FOR STUDENTS. WASC APPROVED US FOR A SIX YEAR ACCREDITATION RENEWAL. WASC REPRESENTATIVES SPENT THREE DAYS, 10 HOURS PER DAY, ALL DAY IN EVERY CLASSROOM OBSERVING THE TEACHING AND LEARNING.

IN THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU RECOMMENDING CLOSURE, THE OBSERVER SPENT NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN THE CLASSROOMS. WASC OR AN INCONSISTENT AND INACCURATE REPORT? WHICH REPORT WOULD A REASONABLE AND LOGICAL PERSON CHOOSE? ESCUELA POPULAR IS SAFE. LAST YEAR WE HAD ZERO SUSPENSIONS. OUR STUDENTS CONTINUE COMING BACK. OUR GRADUATION RATE AND NWA SCORE SHOWED THAT WE OUTPERFORMED THE OTHER DAS ADULT SCHOOLS. WHERE IS THE LOGIC IN CLOSING A SCHOOL THAT IS FINANCIALLY SELF SUFFICIENT AND OUTPERFORMS THE OTHER DAAS SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN NO VS. PELDOMO THAT RACE CAN BE USED AS A FACTOR OF FOR BRUTALLY STOPPING A HUMAN BEING. THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT LIVES IN FEAR.

THESE ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TIMES FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED.

THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS US MORE THAN EVER. ARE WE REALLY GOING TO CLOSE THE DOORS AND DISRUPT THE LIVES OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE? YOU WILL NOT JUST BE CLOSING A SCHOOL, YOU WILL BE DISRUPTING THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS. THIS DECISION WILL HAVE LIFELONG IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL OF US. CLOSURE WILL BRING MANY FAMILIES TO THE EDGE OF DESPERATION. WHERE WILL THEY

[01:10:01]

GO? I HAVE SHOWN YOU IN THE PRESENTATION THAT NO OTHER SCHOOL OFFERS THE SERVICES WHICH ESCUELA POPULAR DOES.

ESPECIALLY FREE CHILDCARE DAY AND NIGHT. FORTY YEARS AGO, AN IMMIGRANT FROM BOLIVIA, LYDIA REGERIN BEGAN TEACHING ENGLISH TO 10 STUDENTS AT LA TRINIDAD CHURCH ON KING ROAD.

FORTY YEARS LATER, WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT OVER 1000 ALUMNI ARE SUCCESSFULLY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE OF HER PRESENCE, HER DREAM AND HER LOVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY. MANY IN THIS COMMUNITY HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN TO. LYDIA REGERIN TURNED NO ONE AWAY. LET'S CONTINUE THAT PRACTICE OF TURNING NO ONE AWAY. AND WE DO THAT BY KEEPING ESCUELA POPULAR OPEN. I DO NOT EXAGGERATE WHEN I SAY THIS.

CLOSING ESCUELA POPULAR WILL PUSH MANY TOWARD DESPERATION.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO REPLICATE AN INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, BUT YOU CANNOT REPLICATE 40 YEARS OF TRUST, 40 YEARS OF RELATIONSHIPS, 40 YEARS OF SHOWING THIS COMMUNITY THAT SOMEONE CARES. THESE ARE EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT TIMES FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE.

MANY OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE WITH FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY EVERY SINGLE DAY. WILL WE CONTINUE TO OFFER THE LADDER OF OPPORTUNITY OR WILL WE DROP AN ANCHOR? I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ARE THERE ANY REPRESENTATIVES FROM EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO WISH TO COMMENT AT THIS TIME? AND THEN CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? YES. GLENN VANDER ZEE, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. GOOD EVENING BOARD AND I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS. I'M GOING TO KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF TODAY.

THEY'RE ABLE TO BE BRIEF PARTLY HERE. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK AND THEIR DILIGENCE AND THEIR THOROUGHNESS IN THIS MATTER WHICH IS REFLECTED IN THE EXHAUSTIVE AND DETAILED 58 PAGE STAFF REPORT BEFORE YOU, ADDRESSES SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD IN BOTH PRESENTATIONS. IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE BRIEF BECAUSE YOUR STAFF REVIEW WAS INDEPENDENT OF US. IT WAS AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED RENEWAL PETITION.

NOTABLY, DESPITE ALONG WITH ITS INDEPENDENCE, YOUR STAFF'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDED FINDINGS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE FINDINGS ADOPTED BY THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN DENYING EPCTC'S RENEWAL PETITION. SADLY, THIS IS TRUE WITH RESPECT TO THE FINDINGS THAT EPCTC DEMONSTRATED PRACTICES OF NOT MOVING STUDENTS THROUGH GRADE LEVEL TOWARDS GRADUATION AND THAT EPCTC'S GRADUATION RATES AND STUDENT OUTCOME DATA COULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED.

IT'S ALSO NOTABLE, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT THE SCCOE STAFF, IN THEIR AGAIN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF THE RENEWAL PETITION PURSUANT THE EDUCATIONAL CODE FOR RENEWAL, FOUND ADDITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND CONCERNS BEYOND AND IN ADDITION TO THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FINDINGS AND ACTION. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH RESPECT TO SERIOUS CONCERNS RAISED BY YOUR STAFF REGARDING GOVERNANCE, NEPOTISM, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS AND OTHER AREAS, AS WELL AS TO THE SUBSTANTIAL GOVERNANCE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IN THE STAFF REPORT. YOUR STAFF IS INDICATED AFTER INDEPENDENT REVIEW THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE SO PERVASIVE AND SEVERE AS TO RENDER A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN UNVIABLE. AS I SAID IN MY REMARKS AT THE MAY 20 PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER, EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A LONG HISTORY OVER 20 YEARS SUPPORTING EPCTC AND TRYING TO WORK WITH ITS LEADERSHIP, ITS LEADERSHIP TO ESTABLISH SOUND PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES.

UNFORTUNATELY, NOW THESE SERIOUS SHORTCOMINGS IDENTIFIED IN THIS INDEPENDENT REPORT, SERIOUS SHORTCOMINGS IN ITS PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES CAN NO LONGER BE IGNORED, REGARDLESS OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.

THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOGNIZES THAT THE DECISION TONIGHT IS A NECESSARY PART OF A PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS, FROM WHATEVER COMMUNITY THEY COME OR WHOMEVER THEY ARE, ARE PROVIDED WITH A QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE. AND BY QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE, WE MEAN A SCHOOL THAT OPERATES TRANSPARENTLY, PUTS ITS INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ALL, A SCHOOL THAT ACTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND ITS OWN CHARTER. A SCHOOL THAT

[01:15:01]

PROVIDES GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF THE PUBLIC'S TRUST AND VALUABLE RESOURCES TO THE END OF THAT QUALITY EDUCATION THAT EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER DESERVES. AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, I SUPPORT YOUR STAFF'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU ADOPT THEM THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM WILL BE LIMITED TO 20 MINUTES UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE BOARD. SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE, AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE IF TRANSLATION IS NEEDED.

SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING COMMENTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.

SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD AND ARE URGED TO AVOID REPEATING POINTS MADE BY PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.

MODERATOR DO WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, WE DO. WE HAVE 25 COMMENT CARDS. OKAY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND BEGIN THAT PROCESS.

OKAY. I DID WANT TO ASK MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS.

WE HAVE 25 COMMENTS. WE DO STOP THE COMMENTS AT 20 MINUTES. SO DO WE WANT TO STOP IT AT 20 MINUTES IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PROCESS, OR WOULD WE LIKE TO JUST HEAR ALL SPEAKERS? ALL SPEAKERS.

FOR CONSISTENCY'S SAKE? WE.

IN OTHER CHARTER HEARINGS TO THIS EFFECT, WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. SO IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OTHER CHARTERS. THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST KEEP IT AT 20 MINUTES AND THEN.

MODERATOR, CAN YOU PLEASE JUST GO WITH THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OR 20 SPEAKERS? APOLOGIES, FOR SURE. 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 COMMENTS.

UNLESS LANGUAGE SUPPORT IS NEEDED BY AN SCCOE INTERPRETER OR ASL INTERPRETER. THE TIMER WILL BEGIN ONCE YOU START SPEAKING. COMMENTS EXTENDING PAST THE TIME ALLOTTED WILL BE MUTED AFTER TIME EXPIRES, AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PODIUM.

TO PREVENT SOUND DISTORTION, PLEASE KEEP THE MICROPHONE A SHORT DISTANCE FROM YOUR MOUTH. THE FIRST 10 SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ARE SERGIO MACIAS, OLGA JONATHAN RIOS, MARIA CABALLERO, MARIA HERNANDEZ, LADY CANAS, MAGDALENA NIETO, MICHAEL KEANE, ELOY RODRIGUEZ, AND EMELINA MENDOZA. THE FIRST SPEAKER IS SERGIO MACIAS.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SERGIO MACIAS AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL MEMBER PETER ORTIZ TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL. FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, ESCUELA POPULAR HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE FOR EAST SAN JOSE FAMILIES, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

THE SCHOOL HAS HELPED GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH BILINGUAL EDUCATION, CAREER TRAINING, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, AND A WELCOMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS OLGA.

ONE MORE TIME FOR OLGA. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JONATHAN RIOS. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

MY NAME IS JONATHAN RIOS AND I AM A STUDENT AT ESCUELA POPULAR. SOMETIMES WE FORGET HOW POWERFUL AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN CAN BE.

EDUCATION GIVES US THE CHANCE TO GROW, TO DISCOVER WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF, AND TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY NOT HAVE EXISTED BEFORE.

HAVING A PLACE WHERE WE FEEL SUPPORTED, SAFE, AND ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE OUR EDUCATION MEANS SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY. EPCTC GIVES US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW, AND MOVE FORWARD.

FOR MANY OF US, EDUCATION ALLOWS US TO BELIEVE

[01:20:01]

THAT WHERE WE BEGAN DOES NOT HAVE TO DETERMINE WHERE WE END UP. I HOPE WE REMEMBER THE VALUE OF KEEPING THIS OPPORTUNITY OPEN, NOT ONLY FOR US, BUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL COME AFTER US.

BECAUSE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE A LIFE.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA CABALLERO.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARIA CABALLERO. I'M THE PROGRAM CASE MANAGER AT ESCUELA POPULAR SAYS GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARIA CABALLERO. THIS CLOSURE HAS COST TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION IN DAMAGES IN LEGAL FEES AND CLIMBING.

THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIGID WITH INACCURATE AND UNBEARABLE OPTIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, SITE VISITORS OBSERVE LITTLE DIRECTION INSTRUCTION. I ASK YOU, HOW CAN A 10 MINUTE OBSERVATION PERIOD ESTABLISH THAT THE DIRECT INSTRUCTION IS ABSENT ACROSS THE PROGRAM? WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND SORRY AND INTANGIBLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARIA HERNANDEZ. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

GREETINGS. MY NAME IS MARIA HERNANDEZ. AGAIN, THIS CULTURE HAS COST THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES AND CLIMBING. THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLED WITH INACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, ENROLLMENT FLUCTUATIONS PROVE THE PROGRAM IS UNSTABLE. THIS STATEMENT IS INHERENTLY AND INTENTIONALLY SUSPECT, BIASED AND DISCRIMINATORY.

THIS IS A COMMON TONE THROUGHOUT THE REPORT. NOT TO DISCRIMINATION. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LADY CANAS. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

GREETINGS. MY NAME IS LADY CANAS AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE ISSUES WITH THE PROPOSED SHUTDOWN DISCLOSURE PROCESS HAS ALREADY CAUSED SANTA CLARA COUNTY TAXPAYERS APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES. FURTHERMORE, THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE REALITY OF OUR SCHOOL. FOR EXAMPLE, IT CLAIMS THAT EPCTC'S GRADE NINE CONCENTRATION SHOWS STUDENTS ARE NOT PROGRESSING. HOWEVER, ADULT STUDENTS HAVE DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL PATHS. MANY OF US BALANCE WORK, FAMILY AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES. SO AN INSTANTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF A SINGLE GRADE LEVEL AT ONE MOMENT IN TIME IS NOT AN INDICATIVE MEASURE OF OUR CUMULATIVE PROGRESS. WE HAVE PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THIS REPORT DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPRESENT OUR SCHOOL. I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MAGDALENA NIETO.

PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

HELLO. MY NAME IS MAGDALENA NIETO. ONCE AGAIN, THIS CLOSURE HAS COST THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES IN CLIMBING. THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLED WITH INACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, LONG TERM ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR 12 YEARS, ESTABLISHES PROGRAM FAILURE.

SELECTIVELY IDENTIFYING ONE STUDENT SHARED EXPERIENCE IN A FOCUS GROUP CANNOT REASONABLY ESTABLISH SYSTEMIC FAILURE. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHAEL KINNEY. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

[01:25:07]

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MICHAEL KINNEY. THIS CLOSURE HAS ALREADY COST THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES, AND THAT AMOUNT CONTINUES TO GROW. I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT. THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLED WITH INACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED CONCLUSIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE STAFF ANALYSIS STATES THE SCHOOL'S FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY CANNOT BE EVALUATED, YET THIS FINDING IS UNSUPPORTED BY THE RECORD. THE RECORD PROVIDES NO CLEAR EVIDENCE FOR THIS CLAIM AND IDENTIFIES NO SPECIFIC FACTS THAT WOULD JUSTIFY SUCH A CONCLUSION.

INSTEAD, IT OFFERS A CONCLUSORY ASSERTION THAT ASSERTION WITHOUT THE FACTUAL ANALYSIS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THAT DETERMINATION.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I'M GOING TO CALL OUR FINAL 10 SPEAKERS AURELIA SANCHEZ, LISETTE RAZO CORTEZ, NORBERTO PEREZ RIJANO, LUIS POLANCO, ERICA MORILLO, ASTRID HERNANDEZ, ELLEN DOTY, GERARDO EFRAIM TOLTO, VANESSA GUTIERREZ AND SUSAN SALEP. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELOY RODRIGUEZ. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS ELOY RODRIGUEZ AND I'M 71 YEARS OLD AT THIS TIME.

I NEVER HAD A SCHOOL IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, BUT I HAVE BECOME A STUDENT IN THE ESCUELA POPULAR AND IT HAS HELPED ME A LOT. SO I HEARD THAT IT HAS.

21 TEACHERS CAME OUT OF THE ESCUELA POPULAR, WHICH IS GREAT. BUT I FOUND OUT THAT THE BOARD HAS SPENT ON LEGAL SERVICES MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN FEES AND LEGAL AND DAMAGES AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. AND NOW I HEAR THAT YOU GUYS WANT TO CLOSE OUR SCHOOL. I THINK THAT'S WRONG BECAUSE WE WANT TO HAVE A SCHOOL OF POPULARITY AND OURSELVES AND OUR TEACHING.

NOW ARE YOU FEEL AND YOUR CONSCIENCE COMFORTABLE FOR WHAT YOU THINK THAT IS HAPPENING THERE? PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE THE ESCUELA POPULAR.

WE CERTAINLY NEED IT.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS EMELINA MENDOZA. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

GREETINGS. MY NAME IS EMELINA MENDOZA. THIS CLOSURE HAS CAUSED THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES, LEGAL FEES AND CLIMATE. THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS WRITTEN WITH INACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO STAFF ANALYSIS, THE PROGRAM LACKS ACADEMIC RIGOR BECAUSE MANY CLASSES FOCUS ON ELD. WHAT YOU HAVE STATED IN YOUR REPORT IS THAT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT RIGOROUS. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? I'M LEAVING PROOF THAT ESCUELA POPULAR IS RIGOROUS AND EFFECTIVE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LISETTE RAZO CORTEZ.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISETTE RAZO CORTEZ. THIS CLOSURE HAS COST TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES AND CLIMBING. THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLED WITH OCCURRENCES AND UNCERTAINTIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, IT INACCURATELY STATED THAT THE REQUIRED EMPLOYEE TRAINING WAS NOT COMPLETED UNTIL MAY 2026.

EPCTC EMPLOYEES COMPARED ALL THE REQUIRED AB BOARDING TRAININGS WITHIN THE REQUIRED 30 DAYS PERIOD OF FOLLOWING EMPLOYMENT. THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING IS NOT AN ONBOARDING REQUIREMENT. OBJECT TO THE 30 DAY TIMELINE. IT IS AN ANNUAL TRAINING REQUIRED UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. WE CAN GIVE YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NORBERTO PEREZ RIJANO.

[01:30:01]

GREETINGS.

MY NAME IS ROBERTO PEREZ AND ONCE AGAIN THIS CLOSURE HAS COST THE TAXPAYERS ON SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FIELDS AND CLAIMING THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOUTH RESULTS WITH ACCURACY AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, CLOSURE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF STUDENTS. WE HAVE A WAAS ACCREDITATION AND 89% GRADUATION RATE AND NO OTHER SCHOOL THAT I CAN ATTEND THAT PROVIDES CHILDCARE, INTENSIVE ELD AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

WHERE WILL I GO? WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE, UNINTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CAUSE A 40 YEAR OLD INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY? EDUCATION IS POWER AND POWER GIVES FREEDOM.

AND NELSON MANDELA CONFIRMED IT.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LUIS POLANCO. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT.

HI, I'M LUIS POLANCO.

I'M ONE OF THE NEWEST.

OH, JUST ONE SECOND. JUST ONE SECOND. I DO WANT TO REMIND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WE DO. IT IS FINE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, BUT IT IS OUR PRACTICE AT THE COUNTY OFFICE THAT WE DO THAT BY DOING OUR WAVE HANDS. AND I HAD SAID THAT AT THE BEGINNING, I DIDN'T REPEAT IT FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS SESSION. SO I'M JUST GOING TO REMIND YOU ALL OF THAT. SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

YES, EXACTLY. THANK YOU.

OKAY, WE CAN START THE TIMER OVER. THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

I'M LUIS POLANCO. I'M THE NEWEST BOARD MEMBER FOR AND GOING THROUGH THIS ENTIRE REPORT, I WAS REALLY SURPRISED BY THE LACK OF FACTS AND A LOT OF INACCURACIES AND ALSO THE DISPROPORTIONATE ACTION THAT THIS BOARD IS TAKING AGAINST ESCUELA POPULAR. IN FACT, I FOUND PERSONALLY A LOT OF INACCURACIES. FOR EXAMPLE, AN ALLEGED VIOLATION OF THE BROWN ACT. AND IN FACT THAT IS FALSE. ONE OF THE ACTIONS THAT WE TOOK AROUND COMPENSATION APPROVAL WAS IN A REGULAR MEETING. IT WAS SCHEDULED MONTHS BEFORE.

IT ALSO WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL CALENDAR AND IT WAS MARKED AS A REGULAR MEETING IN THE AGENDA. THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU PAUSE BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE ONE FACTUAL OR ONE ERROR, IT SHOULD ACTUALLY TELL YOU THAT THERE MIGHT BE OTHERS. AND IN FACT, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS REALLY ASK THIS BOARD TO REALLY LOOK AND MAKE A DECISION ON THE FACTS.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THE FACTS RIGHT NOW. SO I URGE YOU TO VOTE TO HAVE AUDIT.

OUR NEXT SPEAKERS.

IS ERICA MURILLO.

MY NAME IS ERICA MURILLO.

AND ONCE AGAIN, DISCLOSURE HAS COST THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES. AND CLAIMING THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLE WITH ACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, UNALLOWED LANGUAGE IS INSUFFICIENT OR DOES NOT REFLECT SCCOE'S PREFERRED PRACTICE. A PREFERENCE FOR DIFFERENT LANGUAGES IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO A STATUTORY DEFICIENCY.

SCCOE SHOULD IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENT OMITTED FROM THE PETITION. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELLEN DOTY. GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS ELLEN DOTY AND I'M AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING ESCUELA POPULAR. I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SHARE ABOUT THE LEGAL CONTEXT OF YOUR DECISION. IN JULY OF 2026, THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT ISSUED A TENTATIVE RULING TO OVERTURN THE REVOCATIONS OF BOTH OF ESCUELA POPULAR SCHOOLS BECAUSE IT FOUND THAT THE EAST SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD ACTED UNLAWFULLY IN BOTH PROCEDURE AND IN SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS.

WE ANTICIPATE THE RULING TO BE FINALIZED IN OR AROUND LATE AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. I RAISE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I SEE SOME OF THE SAME CATEGORIES OF MISTAKES OF FACT, LAW AND PROCEDURE IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY STAFF REPORT ON THIS EPCDC RENEWAL. THE STAFF REPORT'S ARGUMENT FOR NON RENEWAL USES THE INCORRECT LEGAL STANDARD, FAILS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED 30 DAYS NOTICE UNDER 47607 E AND RELIES ON AN INCORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF CALIFORNIA CREDENTIALING LAW. I URGE YOU NOT TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE THAT EAST SIDE DID. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GERARDO EFRAIN TOLTO. GREETINGS.

MY NAME IS GERARDO TOL AND I'M CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT ESCUALA

[01:35:02]

FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, THE BILINGUAL DESCRIPTION MAKES THE PROGRAM UNSUNG AND INTERNALLY INCONSISTENT. WHY IS STAFF USING THE TERM BILINGUAL TO DISCREDIT OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM? WE HAVE GIVEN YOU CONCRETE EVIDENCE THAT YOUR REPORT IS INACCURATE AND INTENTIONALLY BIASED.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SIMILAR SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY? THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VANESSA GUTIERREZ. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

GREETINGS. MY NAME IS VANESSA GUTIERREZ. THIS CLOSURE HAS.

AGAIN, THIS CLOSURE HAS COST THE TAXPAYERS OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION IN DAMAGES IN LEGAL FEES AND CLIMBING.

THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO YOU IS RIDDLED WITH INACCURACIES AND UNVERIFIED OPINIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO THE STAFF ANALYSIS, EPCTC IS PRIMARILY AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM RATHER THAN A DIPLOMA GRANTING HIGH SCHOOL. I HAVE MY OWN DIPLOMA THANKS TO ESCUELA POPULAR WITH FREE CHILDCARE, WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE ELD STRATEGIES THAT HAVE LED TO AN 89% DAS GRADUATION RATE.

THIS IS AGAIN EVIDENCE OF SELECTIVE INTERPRETATION AND NOT FACTS. AGAIN, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING TO CLOSE A 40 YEAR OLD BELOVED INSTITUTION THAT IS OUTPERFORMING AND SAFER THAN SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY? THANK YOU.

OUR 20TH SPEAKER IS SUSAN SALEP. PLEASE CLEARLY STATE YOUR NAME AND PRESENT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.

HELLO, MY NAME IS SUSAN SALOP AND I'M READING THIS COMMENT ON BEHALF OF OLGA AND CESO SMITH. ESCUELA POPULAR IS A VERY IMPORTANT SCHOOL IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY FOR THE IMMIGRANT AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO CLOSE A SCHOOL THAT IS OF GREAT VALUE TO ITS STUDENTS.

I WAS A FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER WHEN THE FOUNDER, LYDIA REGUERAN, STARTED ESCUELA POPULAR. I BELIEVED IN HER VISION AND SUPPORTED HER. I'M 82 AND THEREFORE AN ELDER IN THE COMMUNITY. SHE BEING FROM BOLIVIA, AND I FROM PERU, WERE COMMITTED TO OUR INDIGENOUS AND LATIN AMERICAN MIGRANTS TO FIRST LEARN ENGLISH AND THEN GET THEIR DIPLOMA. THIS MISSION VISION NEEDS TO CONTINUE FOR OUR PEOPLE.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER DAUGHTER, PATRICIA ROGERON, AN EDUCATOR LIKE HER MOTHER, CONTINUING THE LEGACY. I ASK YOU TO KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN AND AS EDUCATIONAL LEADERS WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION NEED YOUR SUPPORT FOR SUCH A FINE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

DO NOT CLOSE IT. THE MISSION VISION NEEDS TO CONTINUE FOR OUR PEOPLE AND FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU. GRACIAS.

THIS CONCLUDES OUR 20TH SPEAKER. THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD. EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS. WE WILL BEGIN WITH ONE TRUST, ALLOWING EACH TO TAKE A TURN ASKING ONE QUESTION. EACH BOARD MEMBER WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AND WILL ROTATE THROUGH ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS UNTIL EACH MEMBER HAS ASKED ALL OF YOUR QUESTION. TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE? WE'LL START WITH VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER AND THEN TRUSTEE PACHECO, TRUSTEE ROCHA, TRUSTEE BERTA. OKAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

MY FIRST QUESTION ACTUALLY IS FOR ESCUELA POPULAR.

THERE'S A FIGURE ACTUALLY FROM THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT $2 MILLION IN CLIMBING.

WHAT PART OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY IS SPENDING THAT MONEY? THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVE, OUR TAX DOLLARS WERE PUBLICLY FUNDED. THE LEGAL FEES FOR US HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO A MILLION. I IMAGINE THAT'S THE SAME FOR EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL AS DUE TO THE COURT RULING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO FILE FOR LEGAL FEES AND DAMAGES.

THAT WILL BE CLOSE TO 2 MILLION AS WELL.

THANK YOU. SO ONLY ONE QUESTION. TRUSTEE PACHECO.

IN 2024, 25, 589 OF 658 ENROLLED STUDENTS WERE IN GRADE NINE.

PRESIDENT CHUNK.

TWO QUESTIONS FOR STAFF.

WHAT DID THE REVIEW SHOW ABOUT WHY STUDENTS DO NOT ADVANCE THROUGH THE GRADE LEVELS? SO UTILIZING THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION, WE DON'T KNOW WHY THE STUDENTS DID NOT PROGRESS OUT OF NINTH GRADE.

THAT'S A QUESTION FOR EPCTC.

[01:40:04]

BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT OVER THE YEARS, THAT NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN 9TH GRADE HAS REMAINED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN ANY OF THE OTHER GRADE LEVELS. AND BECAUSE THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROGRESS FROM GRADE LEVEL TO GRADE LEVEL TO GRADE LEVEL THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE CAREER.

INSIGNIFICANT NUMBERS ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT'S BEING REPORTED.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE 500 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN NINTH GRADE, YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT TO SEE A VERY LOW NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ACTUALLY PROGRESS AND GRADUATE ARE IN THE 12TH GRADE.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT WE'VE NOTICED IS THAT THERE ARE FEWER THAN 11 STUDENTS. SO THERE'S NO REPORTABLE DATA FOR HIGH SCHOOL.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

SO THE STATEWIDE TESTING FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS FOR MATH AND FOR SCIENCE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL ONLY TAKES PLACE AT 11TH GRADE.

SINCE EPCTC HAS LESS THAN 11 STUDENTS, THEY HAVE NO REPORTABLE DATA ON THE STATEWIDE TESTING.

MY LAST QUESTION FOR STAFF IS, IF THE BOARD DENIES THIS APPEAL, WE'RE DOING ONE.

OH, ONE QUESTION.

SORRY. GO AHEAD, TRUSTEE ROCHA.

THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

YOU KNOW MY THOUGHTS ON THIS, THOUGH I'M HAPPY TO DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUES IF THEY HAVE A FEW.

I'LL STICK TO THE ONE QUESTION. IT'S FOR STAFF. AND I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO SPECULATE A LITTLE BIT. NOT ENTIRELY, BUT FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION ON SOMETHING. AND AT THE LAST MEETING, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE TWO DIFFERENT ENTITIES PRESENT AS WELL. AND EAST SIDE UNION HAD PROVIDED SOME OF THEIR FINDINGS, SO TO SPEAK, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. CAN I ASK YOU TO GIVE YOUR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT ON THE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE FINDINGS THAT YOU FOUND AND THE ONES THAT THEY DID? AND WERE THEY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT? THE SAME? IDENTICAL? PRETTY CLOSE.

AGAIN, I'M TRYING TO GO BACK AND RECALL EXACTLY WHAT THEY PROVIDED. AND I WENT THROUGH OUR STAFF REPORT, BUT I'M TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF HOW CONSISTENT OF WHAT YOU FOUND WAS WHAT EAST SIDE UNION HAD BASED THEIR OPINION ON.

SO EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MADE ONE FINDING FOR THEIR DECISION FOR DENIAL, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TO HAVE ONE. THEY ALSO RAISED OTHER ISSUES.

YES.

WHEN WE RAN OUR INDEPENDENT REVIEW, WE NOT ONLY FOUND SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS THAT MIRRORED EAST SIDE, WE ALSO FOUND OTHERS.

OKAY, SO YOU DID FIND SIMILAR ONES THAT THEY MENTIONED OR CITED, AND THEN ALSO ADDITIONAL ONES BEYOND THAT, WHICH ARE ALSO IN THE REPORT.

CORRECT.

GREAT. THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEARING WITH ME ON THAT REQUEST. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MY QUESTIONS FOR EPCTC. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED AHEAD OF TIME. MY QUESTION IS REGARDING THE GRADUATION PERCENTAGES. I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU PROVIDED PERCENTAGES AND THAT DIDN'T ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE QUESTION IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS. SO IF YOU COULD, TO HELP THE BOARD UNDERSTAND THE STUDENT OUTCOMES, CAN YOU PROVIDE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO EARNED A DIPLOMA FROM EPCTC AS WELL AS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OR EXITED WITHOUT COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THIS TIME? I CAN'T GIVE YOU LIKE SPECIFIC NUMBERS. I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR WANTING TO GET AT AS FAR AS IT'S AGAIN TO HELP THE BOARD BETTER UNDERSTAND STUDENT OUTCOMES.

YEP.

AND IT WAS A QUESTION THAT HAD BEEN ASKED, I BELIEVE AHEAD OF TIME WAS THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE EARNED A DIPLOMA.

SO AS A DOS SCHOOL, BECAUSE IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO ESCUELA POPULAR, WE SERVE A VERY UNIQUE POPULATION THAT COMES IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL. SO THE STATE HAS DECIDED THAT YOU NEED TO LOOK AT A ONE YEAR GRADUATION RATE BECAUSE YOU'RE REENGAGING STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT ONCE THEY REACH THE 12TH GRADE THEY CAN COMPLETE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WHICH IS A DOS. THE DOS ONE YEAR GRADUATION RATE FOR US IT IS 89.5%. AND SO ALSO TO GO TO THE QUESTION ABOUT ENROLLMENT OR GRADE LEVEL PROGRESSION, WE ALSO, LIKE I, LIKE I STATED IN MY RESPONSE, IT'S A SNAPSHOT THAT YOU GET AN ENROLLMENT NUMBER. BUT FOR A DOS SCHOOL OR ANY SCHOOL WHERE YOU HAVE STUDENTS COMING IN AND OUT, WE HAVE ADULTS LIKE MANY OF YOU MAY UNDERSTAND THAT HAVE MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD COME IN AND OUT OF THE PROGRAM

[01:45:01]

AT ANY TIME. WE DO RUN OUR PROGRAM VERY PARTICULARLY TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AS THEY BEGIN TO TAKE THE HIGHER CORE CLASSES FOR A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. WE DON'T WANT A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO GRADUATE NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE THEIR ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. AND THAT DOES HAPPEN WHEN YOU JUST PUSH STUDENTS ALONG BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE OR THEIR CREDITS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO MASTER WHAT WE HAVE STUDIED TO BE THE PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH. SO WE ENROLL STUDENTS EVERY NINE AND A HALF WEEKS.

SO DEPENDING ON THE TIME AND THE NEED STUDENTS WHO ENTER OUR PROGRAM, AT ONE POINT WE WOULD GET 150 NEW STUDENTS EVERY NINE AND A HALF WEEKS. AND WHEN THEY DO COME IN, THEY ARE NINTH GRADERS. YOU COULD LOOK AT SAN JOSE CONSERVATION CORPS, THEY HAVE ZERO 11TH GRADERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DECIDED BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH A POPULATION THAT IS GOING TO COME IN AND OUT THAT THEY ONLY CLASSIFY THEM AS 12TH GRADERS. IT'S ALL GOING TO BE DEPENDENT ON HOW A SCHOOL RUNS, THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. SO IT'S NOT LIKE THE CHARACTERIZATION THAT WE DON'T PROGRESS STUDENTS OR THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HOLD THEM BACK.

THERE IS NO REASON TO HOLD STUDENTS BACK. THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE STUDENTS BEHIND US, THEY WOULDN'T ATTEND A SCHOOL THAT WASN'T DOING RIGHT BY THEM. THAT'S WHY THESE ANALYSES ARE NOT GOING DEEP ENOUGH. THEY'RE NOT ASKING THE QUESTIONS. THEY'RE NOT COMING TO VERIFY INFORMATION FROM US. ALL OF THIS IS FIXABLE, UNDERSTANDABLE. WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON HOW, BUT WE CAN, WE CAN SAY, OKAY, LET'S MAKE ALL STUDENTS 12TH GRADERS. THAT'S WHAT OTHER SCHOOLS DO. OTHER EAST SIDE DOS SCHOOLS ARE ONLY 11TH AND 12TH GRADERS. ALL DOS SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T LOOK AT US LIKE A TRADITIONAL SCHOOL AND THAT YOU HONOR THE FACT THAT THE STATE HAS GIVEN US THE CLASSIFICATION OF A DOS SCHOOL.

JUST TO REITERATE MY QUESTION, IT WAS SPECIFICALLY TO HELP THE BOARD UNDERSTAND STUDENT OUTCOMES. IF YOU COULD PROVIDE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO'VE EARNED A DIPLOMA OR HOW MANY YEARS. DO YOU MEAN LIKE LAST YEAR FOR THE ONE YEAR PERIOD THAT REPRESENT THE 89%.

I WASN'T REFERRING TO THE PERCENTAGE, JUST THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

FOR 25-26. THE CLASS OF 2026 WAS 40 STUDENTS. IS THAT A COMBINATION OF EPA, FLC AND CTC? IS THAT RIGHT? OH, SORRY, 46. A COMBINATION 40 FROM EPCTC.

SO THAT'S SPECIFIC TO EPCTC.

EXCLUSIVELY, 40 STUDENTS? YES. YES.

SO I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO VP SPEISER OR TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN OR TRUSTEE LARI.

DID YOU HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO THROUGH SEC ROUND 2? SO IS THAT OUR STAFF? DID YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO THAT? SO ACCORDING TO WHAT I JUST HEARD, THEY SAID THAT THE 46 WAS FOR BOTH EPA, FLC AND EPCTC.

SO IT'S NOT JUST FOR EPCTC.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I HEARD, OR THOUGHT I HEARD.

I JUST CLARIFIED THAT THAT WAS A CTC NUMBER 40.

TRUSTEE LARI, DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES, PLEASE. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ESCUELA. SO COULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO THE EMERGENCY PERMITS THAT YOU GIVE OUT TO TEACHERS? HOW DO THEY WORK AND HOW WERE THEY USED AT YOUR SCHOOL? TRUSTEE LARI, CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR QUESTION ONE MORE TIME? SO I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE EMERGENCY PERMITS FOR TEACHERS. HOW DO THEY WORK AND HOW ARE THEY USED? SO HOW ARE THE EMERGENCY PERMITS FOR YOUR TEACHERS? HOW DID THEY WORK AND HOW WERE THEY USED? SO IF THERE WAS A TEACHER WITH AN EMERGENCY PERMIT, IT COULD BE A SHORT TERM STAFF PERMIT. SO THEY HAVE TO.

THEY'RE ALLOWED TO TEACH IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY WORK WITH OUR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE MENTORED AND HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR IT TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM.

BUT ALL THOSE TEACHERS HAVE TO APPLY TO THE CTC TO GET THOSE APPROPRIATE CREDENTIALS.

SO WE HAVE A FEW THAT HAVE A

[01:50:04]

STSP. I THINK IT WAS TWO TEACHERS. WE HAVE TEACHERS ON INTERN CREDENTIALS. I THINK THAT WAS LIKE FOUR TEACHERS.

AND THE REST HAVE THEIR PRELIMINARY CLEAR. AND WHEN THERE WAS A VACANCY, WE HAD A 30 DAY SUBSTITUTE CREDENTIALED TEACHER. AND ANY 30 DAY SUBSTITUTE CREDENTIALED TEACHER IS ALSO WORKING WITH AN INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR THE CLASSROOM. SO WHO GIVES OUT THE EMERGENCY PERMIT? IT'S THE SCHOOL ITSELF. NO, THE COUNTY CAN ISSUE TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES AND THEN THEY'RE BROUGHT INTO THE COMMISSION ON TEACHING CREDENTIALING WHICH PROVIDES THOSE CREDENTIALS.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

SO I JUST HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION ON THE SHORT TERM PERMIT. SO THE STIPS, THE INTERN CREDENTIALS AND THE PRELIMINARY CLEAR CREDENTIALS. SORRY, JUST THE STIPS AND INTERNS, THOSE ARE USUALLY JUST ONE YEAR CREDENTIALS. SO OF YOUR ENTIRE STAFF, HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE CLEARED CREDENTIALS? I'M SORRY, YOUR ENTIRE TEACHING STAFF THAT HAVE FACE TO FACE WITH STUDENTS, HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE CLEARED CREDENTIALS? SO MEANING PRELIMINARY AND CLEAR CREDENTIALS. BECAUSE THE PRELIMINARY IS THE OFFICIAL CREDENTIAL. ONCE YOU FINISH YOUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, YOUR TEACHING PREPARATION PROGRAM, YOU GET A PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL AND THEN YOU'RE GIVEN FIVE YEARS TO CLEAR THAT CREDENTIAL.

SO I'M ASKING ABOUT THE CLEARED. SO AFTER THE FIVE, YOU'RE GIVEN THE FIVE YEARS.

OH, AFTER THE FIVE YEARS.

YEAH, BECAUSE YOU'RE GIVEN THE FIVE YEARS IN ORDER TO DO AN INDUCTION PROGRAM AND THEN IT WOULD BE CLEARED. SO AFTER THAT HOW, WHAT? HOW MANY OF PEOPLE ON YOUR STAFF HAVE CLEARED CREDENTIALS? I CAN LOOK AT THAT INFORMATION, GIVE IT TO YOU RIGHT NOW. I'LL JUST PULL OUT MY LAPTOP.

I MEAN A ROUGH ESTIMATE IS FINE. WOULD YOU SAY LESS THAN HALF? I WOULD SAY ABOUT HALF.

OKAY. IF WE COULD GET THAT NUMBER, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'M CURIOUS. AND THEN IN COMPARISON.

AND YOU'RE ASKING FOR JUST EPCTC? YES. AND THEN THOSE THAT HAVE THE STIPS AND THE INTERN CREDENTIALS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THEIR ONE YEAR PROGRAMS AND THEN. AND THEN WHAT? BECAUSE THE STIP IS ONLY ONE YEAR AND THEN YOU CAN'T RENEW IT, YOU CAN'T HAVE ANOTHER ONE. SO WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT? THEY ENTER AN INTERN CREDENTIAL. SO WHILE THEY'RE IN THE STSP, THE STIP, THEY'RE EITHER DOING THE PREREQUISITE FOR THE INTERN CREDENTIAL, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THEY'RE TO BE ENTERING AN INTERN CREDENTIAL. SO THEY'RE ISSUED AN INTERN.

OH, SO THEN YOU'RE GOING.

YOU'RE HAVING THESE EDUCATORS START WITH STIPS AND THEN INTERNS.

YEAH, THAT IS. THAT IS A WAY THAT THEY. IN ORDER TO ENTER AN INTERN CREDENTIAL, IF YOU ARE MISSING A CSET, YOU HAVE. YOU'RE GIVEN A YEAR TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE PREREQUISITES FOR THAT. SURE.

OKAY. WE'LL START FROM THE BEGINNING AGAIN, VICE PRESIDENT SPICER. AND IF YOU WANT TO ASK A COUPLE, THAT'S FINE. MORE IN THE GENERIC SENSE.

A LOT OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS HAD TO DO WITH UNVERIFIED DATA. WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THE DATA FROM IN EVERYTHING THAT BACKED UP YOUR DECISION RECOMMENDATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. AS AN EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR OVER 30 YEARS WHO HAS WORKED AS AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS A SUPERINTENDENT, AS A PRINCIPAL, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN STATED THAT YOU CAN'T GET AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF A CLASSROOM WHEN YOU WALK INTO A CLASSROOM IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES, YES, YOU CAN. YOU KNOW, WHEN A SCHOOL IS DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING. WE ATTENDED THE MORNING CLASSES.

WE ATTENDED THE EVENING CLASSES. WE REVIEWED ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US. WE HAVE. WE LOOKED AT EVERYTHING. THERE'S ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. THERE IS ALL OF THE FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

THERE'S THE CREDENTIAL DOCUMENTS. WE DID FILE REVIEWS OF STUDENT RECORDS AT THE SCHOOLS. WE PULLED STUDENT SPECIAL EDUCATION FILES. YOU NAME IT, WE DID IT. AND WE SPENT TWO DAYS, WELL, TWO PARTIAL DAYS AT THE SCHOOL SITE, AS WELL AS INTERVIEWED PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME PRACTICE THAT WE DO WITH ALL OF OUR RENEWAL PROCESSES FOR ALL OF OUR SCCBOE AUTHORIZED SCHOOLS. WE REVIEWED THE STATE DASHBOARD. WE LOOKED AT THE EDUCATION DOCUMENTS, THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. WE REVIEWED CDE DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. WE LOOKED AT THE PETITION DATA.

WE TOOK THEIR DATA AND COMPARED

[01:55:01]

IT SPECIFICALLY TO THE ALTERNATIVE METRICS THAT WERE CREATED BETWEEN EAST SIDE AND ESCUELA POPULAR. WE TOOK THEIR DATA AND APPLIED IT TO THOSE METRICS. WE DIDN'T GENERATE ANY NEW DATA. IT WAS WHAT THEY GAVE US.

AND THAT ALSO HOLDS TRUE FOR THE FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE ISSUES.

WE LOOKED AT WHO WAS EMPLOYED THERE IN THE RELATIONSHIP AND WHEN WE WERE MADE AWARE OF THEIR CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE ADHERING TO THE POLICY THAT THEY HAD IN EFFECT AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF FOLKS TO ONE ANOTHER IN GOVERNING THE SCHOOL.

ONE, ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION ALONG THE LINES OF A LOT OF ACCUSATIONS OF BIAS IN YOUR. IN YOUR DECISION, DID YOU. DID YOU WORK WITH EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN YOUR REVIEW OF THIS CHARTER? NO, I'M NOT ALLOWED TO. I'M SUPPOSED TO DO A DE NOVO REVIEW, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DID. I DID NOT TALK TO EAST SIDE. I DIDN'T LOOK AT THEIR DOCUMENTS. I LOOKED AT THE PETITION AND THE FOUR CORNERS OF THAT DOCUMENT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT. SO WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THAT DOCUMENT IS WHAT WE ANALYZED. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. GOING BACK AROUND, TRUSTEE PACHECO, IF THE BOARD DENIES THIS APPEAL, WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE STUDENTS? I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE ADULT ED PROGRAMS THROUGH EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT, THROUGH THE CITY COLLEGE.

THERE ARE.

WE ARE JUST. WE ARE ASKING ANSWERS FROM OUR STAFF. SO WE WOULD ASK THAT WE PLEASE RESPECT THAT. THANK YOU.

SO WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL. AND YES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED. HOWEVER, THE FOCUS OF THE SCHOOL IS RECEIVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. YES, IT IS SERVING AGES 18 AND ABOVE THROUGH AN EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION ACT.

HOWEVER, IT IS STILL A HIGH SCHOOL AND IT IS DESIGNED AS A HIGH SCHOOL AND IT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS A HIGH SCHOOL. THEREFORE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE FACT THAT THIS IS A HIGH SCHOOL.

THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK FOLLOW UP TO COUNCIL. CAN YOU STAY FOR THE RECORD THE BOARD'S AUTHORITY TO ACT UNDER SECTION 47607E AS THE APPELLATE BODY RATHER THAN THE CHARTERING AUTHORITY? RIGHT.

UNDER 47607, THE LANGUAGE IN THERE REFERS TO THE CHARTING AUTHORITY, WHICH IS EAST SIDE UNDER THE BOARD POLICIES AND BOARD RULES.

AND 47607, AS THE APPELLATE BODY, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO A DE NOVO REVIEW, WHICH MEANS THAT WE LOOK AT THE SCHOOL IN ITS TOTALITY WITHIN THE FOUR PARAMETERS.

WE LOOK AT THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, AND WHILE SOME OF THE OTHER AUXILIARY THINGS THAT ARE PROVIDED, THEY ARE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WHICH YOU'RE CHARGED FOR MAKING A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE DEMONSTRABLY LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND PROVIDE THE EDUCATION AND THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDED.

AS A HIGH SCHOOL, YOU HAVE BROAD AUTHORITY TO MAKE THAT DECISION UNDER YOUR OWN POLICIES AS WELL AS THE CODE OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS WHICH STATES THAT YOUR REVIEW IS BASED SOLELY ON THE REASONS FOR DENIAL STATED BY 47605.

THANK YOU. GOING BACK AROUND, TRUSTEE ROCHA? NO.

TRUSTEE BERTA? YES. ALSO FOR EPCTC. BECAUSE THE BOARD IS EVALUATING WHETHER THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS SOUND AND WHETHER THE SCHOOL HAS THE CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED. I'D LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW EPCTC IDENTIFIES AND SERVES AS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. SO CURRENTLY, AND YOU CAN CORRECT THE RECORD, DOES EPCTC SERVE CURRENTLY SERVE ANY STUDENTS WITH IEPS?

[02:00:02]

CURRENTLY, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY STUDENTS AT EPCTC WITH IEPS.

AND CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY THAT IS AND HOW STUDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REFERRED FOR EVALUATION? SO THE STUDENTS TO QUALIFY ALSO NEED TO BE UNDER THE AGE OF 22, AND SO WE HAVE A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS THAT ARE UNDER THAT AGE. WE HAVE OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, AND WE WORK WITH THE EL DORADO SELPA SO THEY HELP WE FOLLOW ALL THE RULES IN THE CHILD FIND AND THE. I CAN'T BELIEVE I CAN'T REMEMBER THE OTHER TERM, I THINK. BUT ALL THE PROCESSES WE'RE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW, WE DO. AND WE'VE GOTTEN A LETTER OF GOOD STANDING FROM OUR EL DORADO SELPA.

BEYOND HAVING FEWER STUDENTS THAT ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 22, ARE THERE ANY OTHER REASONS THAT WOULD HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ARE NO STUDENTS WITH IEPS CURRENTLY BEING SERVED AT EPCTC? WE DON'T HAVE ANY STUDENTS THAT HAVE COME TO QUALIFY FOR THOSE SERVICES. WHEN WE'VE HAD SOME IN THE PAST, WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES EITHER THROUGH OUR OWN STAFF OR CONTRACTED SERVICES.

TRUSTEE SREEKRISHNAN, DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE LARI, DID YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? DOCTOR JOHNSON, DID YOU WANT TO.

AS WE WRAP UP, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE PASSION AND SUPPORT FOR ESCUELA POPULARA AND WOULD EMPHASIZE THAT STAFF WENT INTO THE REVIEW WITHOUT BIAS AND WITHOUT THE INTENT TO BE DISCRIMINATORY. OUR ROLE IS PRETTY WELL DEFINED IN STATUTE AND OUR TEAM RELIES ON THOSE STATUTES AS GUIDANCE SO THAT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS ARE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE MAKE TO THE BOARD CAN BE MADE WITH INTEGRITY AND CONFIDENCE THAT POLITICS ARE NOT PART OF ANY RECOMMENDATION. SO I WANTED TO SAY THAT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

SEEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS.

SEEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD. I'LL CALL THE QUESTION.

I DO HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.

OH, THANK YOU. I'LL TAKE THAT.

YEAH. SO 11 OUT OF 26 TEACHERS HAVE THEIR CLEAR CREDENTIAL.

OKAY, THANK YOU. DO YOU KNOW OTHER CAUSE? TRUSTEE PACHECO, I MOVE TO DENY THE RENEWAL APPEAL PETITION AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION DENYING THE CHARTER RENEAL RENEWAL APPEAL FOR ESCUELA POPULAR CENTER FOR TRAINING AND CAREERS FAMILY LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL.

AND IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.

I'LL TAKE IT FROM VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER. TRUSTEES, PLEASE VOTE IN BOARD DOCS.

JOINT CAN HAVE A VERBAL DENY? DID YOU SAY A VERBAL AYE? DENY? OH, SHE CAN.

SO. SO.

TRUSTEE LARI, ARE YOU VOTING AYE? IN SUPPORT OF TRUSTEE PACHECO. OKAY. MOTION.

OKAY. A VERBAL SUPPORT FROM TRUSTEE LARI. AND THAT MOTION

[9. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS]

CARRIES WITH SEVEN AYES. THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO ACTION ITEM NINE, CONSENT ACTION ITEMS. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT ACTION ITEMS A THROUGH D MOVED BY TRUSTEE ROCHA AND SECONDED BY VICE PRESIDENT SPEISER.

[02:05:47]

TIFFANY, ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEBODY? VP SPEISER AND TRUSTEE PACHECO, YOUR VOTE.

SORRY, I CAN'T GET TO THAT PART OF MY SCREEN RIGHT NOW.

I'M A VERBAL.

THERE WE GO.

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

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

AND THAT MOTION CARRIES A 7 YESES. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 10, CONSENT INFORMATION. THESE ITEMS ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR TRANSPARENCY. THERE IS NO PRESENTATION OR ACTION REQUIRED

[A. Approval of the Budget Revisions for the Month of July 2026]

UNLESS THERE'S COMMENTS. WE'LL MOVE TO OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM.

SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 11. THIS ACTION ITEM IS PRESENTED BY LAUREN NGUYEN, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL BUSINESS SERVICES. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT CHONG, DR.

TOSTON AND TRUSTEES.

THE JULY 2026 BUDGET REVISIONS REPORT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTED REVENUES THAT WERE RECEIVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $114,000 THAT SUPPORTS THE EXPANSION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZERS.

THE REPORT ALSO REFLECTS A CARRYOVER IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,000 IN THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT THAT SUPPORTS SECURITY MODERNIZATION PROJECTS. THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUDGET REVISION REPORT FOR JULY.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEES. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? TRUSTEE ROCHA, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTATION. SO THE CARRYOVER IS FROM THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR.

AND THAT'S THE ENTIRE TOTAL OF THE CARRYOVER.

THIS IS NOT THE ENTIRE TOTAL OF THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.

THIS IS JUST A PARTIAL OF IT.

THEN WHY WOULD WE ONLY REFLECT THE PARTIAL? THE REASON? BECAUSE DURING THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT, WE ALREADY USED PARTIAL OF THE CARRYOVER WE PROJECTED.

AND THEN THIS IS THE REMAINING BALANCE THAT WE PROJECTED AFTER WE CLOSE THE BOOK, AND WE USE IT TO UTILIZE THE FUNDING SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THE FACILITY PROJECT.

THE TOTAL IS MUCH MORE LARGER THAN THIS.

THAT IS CORRECT.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET REVISIONS FOR JULY.

APPROVED.

MOVED BY TRUSTEE ROCHA. AND I WILL SECOND.

OH, TRUSTEE LARI CAN SECOND.

AND THAT MOTION CARRIES WITH SEVEN YESES. OKAY, MOVING TO ITEM 12, OUR INFORMATION ITEMS. THE FIRST INFORMATION ITEM IS OUR HEAD START. EARLY HEAD START OFFICE OF HEAD START MONITORING UPDATE. THIS INFORMATION ITEM WILL BE PRESENTED BY KRISTIN LEE, MANAGER OF PLANNING AND SUPPORT FOR THE HEAD START PROGRAM OF EARLY LEARNING SERVICES AND HER TEAM.

[A. Head Start/Early Head Start Office of Head Start Monitoring Update]

GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

DR. TOSTIN, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS DR. HEATHER FERGUSON. I'M THE INTERIM ASSISTANT SUP OF ED SERVICES AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE REST OF MY TEAM. THIS IS PROGRAM MANAGER KRISTEN LEE OR RAINA DOMINGUEZ. SHE'S SET IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. AND ARACELI, FRANCESCA. GOOD EVENING.

PRESIDENT CHUN FORD AND SUPERINTENDENT. DR. TOSTON.

WE'RE JUST HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A QUICK UPDATE REGARDING OUR CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN THAT DERIVED FROM A FINDING THAT WE HAD IN OUR FOCUS AREA.

I KNOW PREVIOUSLY DR.

TOSTEN HAD REPORTED THAT WE DID REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION THAT WAS MADE TO THE OFFICE OF HEAD START.

WE WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT WE DID RECEIVE THAT EXTENSION AND THAT EXTENSION IS EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 28TH. AND THAT PROVIDES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO ADDITIONAL CYCLES OF MONITORING TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS IS STABLE.

SO THAT'S IT.

ANY QUESTIONS?

[02:10:03]

ALL RIGHT.

[B. Employee Compensation Increase Exceeds the EC § 1302(a) Limit]

SEEING NONE. THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY EFFICIENT REPORT.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY. THE NEXT INFORMATION ITEM IS THE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION INCREASE THAT EXCEEDS THE EC 1302 LIMIT.

DR. KANIKA WHITE, ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.

SUPERINTENDENT TOSTON, PRESIDENT CHAN. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THIS ITEM FOR YOUR REVIEW IS FOR THE SALARY INCREASE FOR TWO SCCOE EMPLOYEES.

THE REPORT IS THERE.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. I SEE THAT BOTH OF THESE ARE FROM.

ARE FOR PROMOTION. THE NEW SALARIES ARE THOSE. DID THOSE SALARIES MATCH THE PREVIOUS SALARIES BY THE PEOPLE HELD IN THAT POSITION? DOES MY QUESTION MAKE SENSE? YES, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAD IN TERMS OF 1% RETRO TO JANUARY WERE IMPLEMENTED. BUT WE HAVE NOT MODIFIED THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THESE POSITIONS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROMOTION.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THAT WAS THE ONLY QUESTION I

[C. Future Agenda Items]

HAD. OKAY. SEEING NONE. I ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFICIENT REPORT.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. WE ARE NOW MOVING ON TO OUR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWN ACT, ITEMS MENTIONED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE BEING SUGGESTED SO THEY MAY BE CONSIDERED AND EXPLORED FOR FURTHER FOLLOW UP.

ACCORDING TO OUR BOARD BYLAWS, TOPIC RAISED UNDER THIS ITEM ARE NOT AGENDAS OR BOARD DISCUSSION, BUT RATHER CREATE A SPACE FOR TRUSTEES TO MENTION TOPICS FOR REVIEW FOR CONSIDERATION AS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. TRUSTEES, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION AT THIS TIME? ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NONE.

PROPOSITION THREE.

IS THAT SOMETHING THREE? IS THAT LIKE A JLAC THING? MAYBE.

I THINK SO. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE DONE RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT. BOARD OF PROPOSITIONS.

YEAH. I'LL JUST TALK TO JLC.

YEAH, BUT WE CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THAT. OKAY. AND THEN I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANY INFORMATION ON THE 711 COMMITTEE. WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THAT IN A WHILE. IF THERE WAS ANY UPDATES ABOUT THAT.

YES. PLANNING MY PRESENTATION IN THE FUTURE.

WITH THE TRANSITION OF STAFF IN THE BUSINESS DEPARTMENT, WE ARE FOCUSING ON PRIORITIES CLOSING THE YEAR RIGHT NOW, BUT PLAN TO INITIATE THAT IN THE FALL.