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>> I'd like to call the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. All board members are present,

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and number 4, the public has the opportunity to address the board on agenda items.

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the board may limit the time for each speaker to three minutes and a total time for each agenda item to 20 minutes.

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any person wishing to speak on an agenda item may be granted up to three minutes at the time the item appears on the agenda.

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in the case of a non agenda item, comments may be made under request to speak on non agenda items,

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communication from the public. Prior to addressing the board, please fill out the request to address the board card,

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which may be picked up from margaret mcdonald, senior executive assistant to the superintendent.

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any person addressing the board should first state their name and association with the district.

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we're going to convene into closed session at 5:01.

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[noise] good evening. The board will now reconvene into open session at 5:58.

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you corrected this? >> I did. >> yes, 5:58 p.m.

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there is no report out of closed session. We need to do the pledge of allegiance. Would everyone, please stand.

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put your right hand over your heart. Ready, begin.

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>> >> well, now

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to the approval of agenda order and content. Is there a motion?

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>> moved. >> second. >> thank you. Any discussion?

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all those in favor? >> aye. >> any opposed? Number 11,

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approval of minutes of previous board meeting. Adopt the minutes of the october 8, 2025,

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regular board of education meeting. Is there a motion? >> moved. >> second.

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>> any discussion? No. All those in favor?

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>> aye. >> any opposed? I actually abstained.

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sorry, I wasn't here at the last one, so I can comment on that. Thank you.

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communications from student representatives. Hi, student representatives.

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I wasn't here last time. I was ill and I feel really bad. It's nice to meet you this evening.

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we're going to hear communications, and we're going to have savanna,

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now, help me, morua? Perfect, from bonita high school first. [applause]

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>> good evening, president horsley, and members of the board, superintendent wayne,

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cabinet members, and audience. Our annual dodgeball tournament starts tomorrow, and there are six teams playing this year.

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today, the national honor society launched our time of giving donation drive. Donations are transported to

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inland valley hope partners who serve the surrounding area and help those in need. On november 19th,

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we'll be continuing another bar catch edition by recording our third school wide lipub where

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all groups around campus have the chance to be highlighted. Last friday, we had our homecoming football game

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where we crowned tressa betty as our homecoming queen, and at the dance this past saturday, we crowned ohm shambag as king.

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the homecoming dance was hollywood themed and was definitely a night to remember. Banquets are being held for our fall sports celebrating our hardworking athletes.

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this year, our girls fog football and girls tennis teams were league champions. There are tries being held throughout this month for

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our winter sports as they're gearing up for a successful season. Our arts department has been working very hard on

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their upcoming fall play rumors by neil simon set in the 1980s. Our award winning coral music department has also been

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preparing for their fifth annual holiday spectacular, yuletide. Bonita is offering sat prep classes to students to help them feel prepared to excel.

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alongside this, our peer tutoring program is in session every day of the week, giving students a chance to get help from their own classmates.

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bonita has also hosted several college presentations from schools all around the country,

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helping students become prepared for the future. Lastly, I'd like to note that we are super proud

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of the bear cats who took the state test last year. Results just came out ad in the mount sack area,

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which has 40 comprehensive high schools, bonita scored first in english and third in math.

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bonita is on track for an amazing year and I look forward to giving you more bear cat news next month. Thank you. [applause]

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>> next, we have rachelle torres from chaparral vista. [applause]

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>> good evening, superintendent wayne, president horsley, members of the board,

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cabinet members, and audience. We had our student of the month rally for the month of september.

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our top credit earner once again is adrian and cowl, altogether. Adrian has earned 60 credits this year.

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our staff member of the month is miss keysha. Senior alexis rojas received the acsa region 15,

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every student succeeding award in scholarship. This recognition is a tremendous honor and testament to alexis perseverance,

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growth, and commitment to success despite challenges. We celebrated the end of the first quarter with the school wide version of family feud.

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all classes competed with miss lito's class taking first place. On october 21st,

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34 juniors and seniors took the asvab. It's been a busy exciting month for seniors

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as we continue preparing for life after high school. Recently, seniors had a chance to hear directly from

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representatives from both citrus college and mosul, learning more about about the programs and pathways available in the community.

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coming up on november 19, vanessa tilford will be taking a group of seniors on

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an off campus trip to an electrical field opportunity.

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the very next day, november 20th, we will welcome the asvab team along with

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our representatives from local colleges and military services. They'll sit down with students to review

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their asvab scores and help them map out potential post high school options,

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whether that's college, career training, or the service. Last week, economic students participate in a shark tank.

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students are asked to choose a new product and prepare a budget for manufacturing products for the sale.

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they're asked to create a presentation similar for what is seen on the show, shark tank.

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there's a tie between milo lopez, cameron hampton, and natalie gonzalez, rachelle torres.

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in our class, students are working on finishing up a unit on shading with using white chalk on black paper.

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in digital art, students are using photoshop to create double exposure portraits.

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from october 23rd-31st, we celebrated red ribbon week with classes competing each day at

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lunch in a variety of activities that represent living a healthy life,

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including water balloon toss and sack race. This year, the winter was mr. Chipili's class.

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we also painted pumpkins and decorated all of the classroom doors for halloween. We held our annual dodger day celebrating the beginning of post graduate post season.

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each month, we hold a class color day where each grade level wears a color designated to the year.

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seniors are red, juniors are black, both sophomores and freshmen are gray. Our horse tournament is ongoing with bester wayne's team still in and playing tomorrow.

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our softball team won its first game 25 to five with north view park high school. Thank you. [applause]

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>> and us, we have jacob partis from sandy miss high school. [applause]

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>> drake.

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good evening, president horsley, members of the board, superintendent wayne, cabinet members, and audience.

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thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I'll begin with academics. We successfully closed our first quarter on october 10th,

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and from october 21st-25th, our senior and junior class officers hosted our annual college week,

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where students engaged in activity centered around post high school planning and college reins.

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we also held a successful parent teacher conference day on october 30th, which provided meaningful conversations between families and staff.

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in our math department, our teachers on special assignment, miss segal,

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shared results from the first interim assessment block on algebra and functions.

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teachers will now review the data with students through re-teaching, reviewing activities, and practice strategies.

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they will meet again on november 13th to collaborate on the next steps. Our english department use our staff development day to refine curriculum,

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essential standards, and common formative assignments. They will have a poll day in december to calibrate and score student writing.

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additionally, one of our california state senators, susan rubio, visited shs and lead a civic lesson for over 50 of our seniors,

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which is a great real world learning experience. I, as well as our executive vice president, jen hansen,

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got a chance to speak to her personally about the importance of government roles and the effect we could have on those we represent.

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moving on to athletics. Our fall sports teams continue to make us proud.

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girls volleyball finished as league champions and finishing the cif division four playoffs.

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five football are in the title of undefeated league champions and advance the cif division two playoffs.

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our golf team is in playoffs and has now gone undefeated in league for two consecutive years.

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our girls tennis, are co-league champions, and will host ervine in the first time as af.

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san dimas football enters caf division nine playoffs on november 7th at rollin high school,

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and cross country is preparing for its final league meet on november 6th. Now for the arts.

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our theater department just concluded a fantastic run of the odd couple in the cloud 9 theater in the round setting,

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featuring students from both lone hill and san dimas. Looking ahead, auditions and preparations are already

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underway for their take on rodgers and hammerstein's cinderella. Earlier this month, our combined shs and

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lone hill choir performed to a sold out bca audience. Congratulations to our performers and our choir director,

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mr. Jared p. Our royal corps marching band also excelled at their recent competition at centennial high school,

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earning an impressive score of 81.4, their first time breaking 80 this season.

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congratulations to our musicians, student leaders, staff, and volunteers.

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lastly, activities. We've had a successful october donation drive and

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our first food frenzy saw around 30 clubs participating. Our homecoming festivities included our rally, parade,

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and dance, where we crowned our king, ryan lee, and queen, elena kintinia.

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we are gearing up for our annual fall rally where we will celebrate the fall season and our annual thanksgiving food drive,

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where we will partner with lone hill middle school to help families in our district. We're open to accepting food donations or gift cards in

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our front office until november 20th. Thank you again for your time. I look forward to sharing more updates

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next month. [applause]

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>> we're moving to our featured presentations. First, we have the recognition of the la verne-san dimas educational foundation teacher,

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mini-grant, award recipients. Annie.

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>> it's been our privilege since 1983 to partner with the la verne-san dimas educational foundation.

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I'm delighted to welcome them as they celebrate the spirit of innovation by formally awarding this year's teacher,

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mini-grants to deserving staff members, funding exciting new projects all across our district,

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representing the ed foundation tonight are michelle radel, vicky malchesky, and jamie skinner.

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[applause]

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>> thank you, annie, president horsley, our board,

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superintendent wayne, our beloved staff at the bonita unified school district and the members of our community.

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for over 40 years, we've been grateful to partner with the bonita unified school district and

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our ptas at each of our school sites to bring forth activities,

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fund raising, and programs to our schools. This mini-grant program is one of the programs that we are extremely thrilled to do.

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we ask our teachers and they responded

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in flourish in ways to bring enhancements to their classrooms,

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tools for their students, and opening wonders and curiosity that

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will benefit not only the students in years to come, but also our communities.

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we were very thrilled to be able to accept 33 grants for our students,

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and our school district, bonita council pta is taking on an additional grant that we were not able to fund.

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this was over $13,000 worth of grants that we were able to do,

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and this was all done through our fund raising efforts largely in part by our spring fundraiser and our golf tournament.

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please check that out come this spring. But without further ado,

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as I announced your names, if you could stick, come up, receive your certificate and your money,

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most important part there, the check. If you can stay up here so we could have a quick pic with you afterwards.

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first is brooks salgado from allen avenue. [applause] emily o'connor from allen avenue.

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[applause] thank you.

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angela para, allen avenue. [applause] john mcluchy, from bonita high school,

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accepted by mr. Richie. [applause] courtney litle from chaparral vista.

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[applause] sarah davis.

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[applause] from mxtran.

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kelly sarah kohler from mxtran. [applause] elizabeth hutter, from mxtran.

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[applause] katherine calderon rojas from mxtran.

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[applause] robin turis, gladstone.

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[applause] brook wharton, gladstone.

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[applause] adrian wong, gladstone.

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[applause] amy benson, grace miller.

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[applause] april maidens, grace miller.

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[applause] emily duenas, grace miller.

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[applause] rubio lacio, grace miller.

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[applause] antonio garza, grace miller.

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[applause] carla iniguez, laverne heights.

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[applause] armando jaquez, lone hill.

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[applause] michelle cruz, lone hill.

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[applause] alicia saldana, lone hill.

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[applause] mitchell jacobs, lone hill. [applause]

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>> kevin amazinone hill. [applause] heather hoyes, oak mesa.

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[applause] alexander laslo, ramona middle.

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[applause] monica johnson, ryan.

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[applause] kristin mcdaniel, ryan.

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[applause] dinsman ryan.

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[applause] amanda nolte ryan.

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[applause] austin sill, san dimas high.

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[applause] sara louis is sam dems high.

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[applause] alyssa ferry, shoal elementary.

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[applause], and kelly montgomery from shoal elementary.

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[applause] thank you all.

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we are very excited to see what comes from this. We are expecting pictures so feel free to swap page,

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and congratulations to each of you. [background] now in a double layer.

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[background].

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>> thank you.

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>> I think that was the largest group you guys have ever awarded.

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I could be wrong, but that was just wow. >> we're excited.

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>> very exciting. Teachers, you do not need to stay for the next presentation.

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>> can if you want. >> but you can if you want. [background]

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we do have one more small presentation from the ed foundation.

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>> I need to keep my eyeballs on. >> we're thrilled to keep the educational foundation board up here as they present

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a generous check to the district here to receive that check as dr. Jamie avason from ed services.

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>> four hands on history. >> this check is dedicated to sustaining and enriching our popular hands on history.

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program, thank you again, to the ed foundation for your support.

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>> thank you. >> now, you two are free to go. That's really incredible because I know that that program gets at risk,

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it is quite costly so, but highly valued by parents. Thank you very much.

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>> we have another featured presentation. We have chet wang from kegent advisors.

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>> I'd like to welcome chet wang and nick hu from kegent to discuss, once again,

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our exploration of a general obligation bond, which would help the district improve our facilities district wide.

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tonight, we'll hear information on how bonds work, our bond capacity,

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and a relative placement on a list of la county districts regarding our existing tax liability for our residents.

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this presentation will help inform our process as we decide whether or not to place a measure on the ballot for 2026.

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welcome chet and nick. >> great. Good evening, president horsley,

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members of the board, superintendent wayne, cabinet, and community.

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as mentioned, this is a presentation for information just to review what bonds are,

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what the district has taken advantage of in the past, what current tax rates look like,

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and what opportunities exist should a bond be explored.

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we'll start with slide 1, just on an overview of general obligation bonds.

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technology is not my [overlapping]. >> you got it on. You're on the right.

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point it right there. >> that's why. Go bond is the most common method of

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debt financing utilized by school districts to finance capital projects.

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it's the mo because it's the lowest cost option, really,

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due to the fact that the repayment of bond debt service is the levy of

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property taxes against the assessed value of the district.

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now, when voters approve a bond measure, they're approving three things, the authorization amount,

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whether it's a $100 million bond measure or $150 million bond measure,

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the project lists, and an estimated tax rate. The way that we size bond programs is we're looking at a handful of variables.

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on one side is the district's project needs, the cost of the projects,

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and the timing and scope. On the other side is how we raise the funds to finance those project needs,

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and those are a function of your assessed valuation, interest rates, tax rates, and legal parameters.

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we'll look at each of those constraints in a little more detail.

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first is the district's assessed value. This is the value of all taxable property within district boundaries,

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so it excludes non-profits, governments, schools, and churches.

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the district's current assessed value is about $13.7 billion.

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you can see that the districts had two small years of decline during the great recession of about 1.1% in aggregate,

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so quite resilient, but since the great recession, the district's assessed value has pretty much doubled to the current rate.

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you can see historically, the averages are quite strong, your 25 year annualized growth rate,

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4.8%, your 35 year,4.6%. Those numbers are important because when we look at a potential new bond,

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we have to make some projection of future assessed value growth, and we do look to your history as a guide.

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the current interest rate environment, if you looked on the chart to the right,

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after quite historic lows during the pandemic, the fed raised rates 11 times from march of 2022-2023.

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then at the tail end of 2024, the fed cut rates three times, and in september,

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the fed cut rates, and just last week, the fed cut rates with another rate cut plan for the end of the year in december.

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if you look on the chart to the right, you might say interest rates have spiked,

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and that is true, and you see it with inflation, you see it with mortgage rates.

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if you look at a longer term history, and we've got the 60 year table to the left,

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you can see historically speaking, we're still on the lower end,

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similar to the interest rates we saw in the late 60s in the early 2000s.

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to the extent the district does issue any bonds, what helps your borrowing cost is your strong credit rating.

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there's three major credit ratings, moody's, standard and poor's, and fitch, and you're rated on your economy,

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your finances, the district management, and the districts debt profile, and you have a high grade rating with both standard and poor's and fitch of aa-.

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those are pretty fresh ratings recently updated as of 2024 and 2025.

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now, tax rate, the numbers are quite small, but bonita unified is highlighted in the orange.

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you're in the bottom 20, 25% of all unified school districts in the county.

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your current tax rate as of the 25/26 fiscal year is $67.89.

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I'll just pick a few of these. Dorte unified has the highest tax rate at $212,

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pomona unified at about $170, covina valley,

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$110, walnut valley, $105, azusa $90.

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a lot of your neighboring districts do currently have higher tax rates than where you currently sit.

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the districts had two prior bond measures. In 2004, that was measure c for $56 million.

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that passed at 62% above, comfortably above the 55% requirement.

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that has a final tax rate in 2031. Four years after measure c passed,

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you passed measure ab, and that was for $83.5 million,

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also with a comfortable margin at just shy of 61%,

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and that has a final tax rate in 2038. If you look at the chart on the bottom,

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you can see there's a drop in 2031, where measure c expires,

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and then a drop in 2038, where measure ab will expire.

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it's been 17 years since the district's last measure in 2008.

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we talked about assess value, we talked about interest rates,

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we talked about tax rates, and now we're into the legal parameters. There's two that we look at.

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on the federal side is how you spend your dollars, and when you're issuing bonds,

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you're likely issuing them as tax exempt bonds, which come at a lower cost of borrowing because

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investors are not paying taxes on the interest they receive, but in order to qualify for tax exemption,

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you have to meet these spend down requirements. Most school districts adhere to the three-year spend down rule,

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which requires that you spend 85% of bond proceeds within a three-year time frame.

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that's per series of bonds as opposed to the entire measure.

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if the district issued higher cost taxable bonds, there is no spend down requirement.

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on the state side, this law was not in place for measure c or measure a b,

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but when voters vote on a measure should one be presented in front of them,

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there's a 75 word ballot statement which talks about the projects, it names the district,

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and now we're required to use about 15 words of the 75 words to describe cost.

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tax rate, the amount of property taxes levied annually,

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and the duration of the tax. Here's two samples on top, and these are both successful,

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santo union high school district and bold italicize. Shall they issue 385 million levying $15.55 per 100,000 of assessed value,

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27.2 million annually while bonds are outstanding. Fremont unified on the bottom took a different tact.

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instead of quoting dollars per 100,000, they quoted cents per $100.

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in this case, shall they levy 919 million levying 4.9 cents per $100,

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53 million of annual property taxes while bonds are outstanding.

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a poll could help determine which is going to be more viable.

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in the case of fremont unified, quoting cents per dollar,

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gave them an increase of about eight percentage points, which is why they used that particular format

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versus san mateo high's dollars per 100,000.

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hypothetically speaking, as a starting point, what could bonita unified school district access with its current assessed valuation?

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we've got a few assumptions here. We're looking at possibly a june 2026,

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fairly conservative interest rates today of 5-5.75%.

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if you issued bonds in today's environment, you'd be closer to the 4,4.25%,

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assessed value growth annually of 4% versus you'll recall your long term average is closer to 4.8%.

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we're only going to issue the lower cost current interest bonds. If you look at the schedule to the bottom left,

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if we issued equal increments, and those amounts can change and we can tailor them to a project cash flow,

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but we're issuing bonds in equal increments every three years. You can see 65 million,

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65 million, 65 million, 65 million totaling $260 million.

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graphically on the top right, the new measure itself would have its own $60 tax rate.

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the way we layer that is, you can see series a uses $60 for the first two years and it'll drop.

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series b will layer on and then leave room for series c, and then leave room for series d. It's like tetris really, but in aggregate,

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you'll see a level $60 tax rate, which if approved, would then be stacked on top of measure c and measure a b.

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you see that on the bottom right hand corner. Our approximately $65 tax,

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you would see increase to about $130 and then measure a gets paid off,

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measure c gets paid off, and then measure a b gets paid off, and then only the remaining green bars at the $60.

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a lot of numbers here, but this is part of the polling process,

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and this is a tax rate sensitivity. $60 or $0.06 per $100 generates 260 million,

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but if part of the poll says, well, voters might not be willing to support $60,

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what might $59 generate because it's on sale, if you will?

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less tax, less proceeds, our 260 becomes 256 million.

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if you have significant tax rate tolerance or don't have a lot of tax rate tolerance, then,

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for example, a $35 tax rate on the very bottom would generate about 152 million in proceeds.

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this is something that we work with district staff on and the pollster to determine

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what voter sensitivity there might be to any potential taxes.

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any questions before I pass it on for the legal side of this presentation?

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>> this might sound complicated. Back when you were talking about,

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you have the four years and you're releasing a certain amount,

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and it has to be spent in a climate where sometimes construction

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is difficult to get completed either because just the environment,

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getting materials, etc, what happens if it doesn't happen?

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>> that's a great question, and I will say that this is a reasonable expectation test,

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but we have our attorney here, so I'll invite nick to address the legal aspects of that.

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>> sure. That's a great question.

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the test is, the reasonable expectation to spend 85% within the three-year time period,

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it's an objectively reasonable standard. You'll have to have a demonstrated plan

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to spend the money within the three-year time period. If the end of the three years,

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you haven't spent the bond proceeds in across of that schedule,

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the danger would be, if if you're ever audited by the irs,

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you'll have to demonstrate that your expectations were reasonable.

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typically the irs is unsympathetic to

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arguments that there was a delay in construction or the weather was bad.

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it's usually something more like a pandemic or a fire or an earthquake,

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something in that nature. When we do each bond series,

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we work closely with the district staff to make sure that the plan that is demonstrated can meet that test and that we're all,

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as much as we can be fairly certain that we'll be able to meet those expectations.

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>> and this question, chet? >> yes. >> getting back to the tax rate sensitivity table,

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when you say it's determined by polling, can you tell us a little more about what that actually

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means and the methods that are used? >> that's a great question. So generally,

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as part of assessing the feasibility of a bond, a pollster will test the likely voters of a june 2026 measure.

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it won't be active parents that attend pta meetings, it won't be teachers.

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it'll be who is most likely to represent the voters on june 2026?

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in this voter survey and they generally do it through various modes, whether it's email,

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text messaging, or traditional phone calls. They'll ask voters or potential voters a series of questions,

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their opinions on the district, their prioritization of projects,

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for example, there might be a need. I'm going to totally make this up for a swimming pool,

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and that might be a popular project for the community, but voters might think we don't need a swimming pool,

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so it'll test what projects voters are willing to support,

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whether it's hvac, leaky roofs, things like that. Then also there's one side of the needs that they test,

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and then it's the cost sensitivity. Now that you know what the district's various needs are,

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what might you be willing to support by way of a property tax.

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so on this far right table, even though homes in the area are selling million dollar plus,

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the immediate assessed value of a single family home within bonita unified school district is $502,000.

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that has to do with proposition 13, where annually, your assessed value cannot increase by more than 2%.

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if you have long-term residents that have lived here since the '50, '60s '70s,

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their assessed value is far below the current market value and you pay property taxes on your lower assessed value.

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so $60 per 100,00 for a median homeowner of 502,000,

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that is $301 in that first year of the bond,

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which $25 per month is what that would equate to to the median homeowner.

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so when they're testing various tax rates, if they test $60 and support is soft at say 53%.

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but then they test for $49 and we go over that 55% threshold to sit to 60%,

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then $49 might be this is a viable bond measure that the community would actually pass.

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>> so the source of that data, the voters, the high propensity voters,

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is it a list or a source that we're familiar with as candidates,

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or is it another type of list from another source?

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>> it's a list that they obtain from the county registrar. And from that, they parse the data to assemble who is

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representative of your typical voter that would show up on a primary gubernatorial election,

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because that audience of voters will be very different from who might show up in a presidential election.

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so there is some science behind how they select who is on the voter role.

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>> chet, could you share with the folks in the gallery tonight and the folks watching at home,

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exactly what capital means in this context.

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folks see us with crews working on our schools,

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replacing roofs, and painting and all the rest. For our purposes tonight, for this discussion,

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what does capital mean and why do we need to raise money from a different source?

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>> that's a great question, and part of nick's presentation will cover what you can use bond proceeds are,

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but I'll touch on this briefly, bonds can only be utilized for capital projects,

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and these 275 word statements give pretty good examples,

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improve school safety, provide modern classroom technology,

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construct, repair classrooms, facilities, sites, and equipment. These are capital expenditures, hard projects,

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as opposed to things like operational costs like

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maintenance or salaries or things of that nature.

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>> I think more specifically we have capital expenditures when we buy a new bus.

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>> that's correct. >> we have a capital expenditure when we buy a new piece of equipment for the central kitchen.

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what's the distinction? Is there a threshold? Is there an amount?

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>> not an amount, but nick, would you like to talk about the equipping part of the bond expenditures?

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>> the point of the question, guys, is I'm trying to communicate.

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this goes along with the dialogue and trying to communicate why a voter should support this, right?

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you guys, your school sparkle, they look beautiful. My kids are getting a great education.

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the environment is amazing. Why do we need to do this?

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we're going to make the case. But how do you attach the dollars?

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I understand the formula. But from a voter's perspective, what's the threshold?

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so capital for these purposes, is that different than a capital expense when we buy a new vehicle?

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>> I'm starting to follow you. Apologize for the misunderstanding earlier. So I think every district has needs,

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whether it's updating district facilities, and the districts your general fund wouldn't otherwise be able to support

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those projects that do need to be supported from an external source of revenue.

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so it really goes above and beyond what the district can finance from its own general fund,

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which is really allocated towards the operation of the school district.

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>> to put that in context. Our general fund unrestricted is about 110 million,

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85% of that is swallowed up on day one with salary and benefits.

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you look at the list of projects that we have that we need, mostly infrastructure, hvac, plumbing,

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new buildings, new science, safety security. Even that list of projects is going to exceed $200 million.

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we would never be able to use our general fund unrestricted to do that.

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>> even if you tried, it would take [overlapping]

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>> one last additional comment, I had on this topic, is I've spoken to someone who's at

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the very top of the list of school districts in terms of their bonds, and yet they're going to go out for another bond because

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they still have more capital improvements to do. Even when we're lower,

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we're going to go higher, but some of those higher are also going higher and they'll help bonds drop off for us.

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we will be lower than what we're asking of our property owners today in 12 years.

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we will drop below that, so something to think about. >> it is interesting when you look at that list of districts,

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if we take our current tax liability at 67 and add 60 at that's the max,

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we'd only be in the upper quarter of the list of la unified districts, we still would not be at the top.

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>> thanks. Sonia, is it $5,000?

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>> it's 5,000. In the accounting world, anytime we talk about a capital expense versus a normal expense,

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the threshold is up to $5,000, and what that means it's put into a different category and we depreciate that asset.

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so that's me in accounting role. >> picture terms, operations versus we're building a building.

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the difference in scope, and the definition of capital can

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mean depending on the context can mean something different. Thanks, fellows. I appreciate your try.

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>> nick, come on.

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>> there you go. >> good evening, president horsley,

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members of the board, superintendent wayne, cabinet. My name is nick yeager from stradling yocca carlson & rauth,

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the district's bond council. I'll go over some of the legal considerations that the board,

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will want to consider as it decides whether it wants to place a measure on the ballot.

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so if the decision is made to place the measure on the ballot, the election will be conducted under the auspices of proposition 39,

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which was approved by voters in november of 2000, and it lowered the voter threshold from

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the previous two-thirds voter requirement to the 55% supermajority requirement.

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and it had three educational goals in mind and then the accountability goals. So the educational goals were to ensure

402
00:43:07,800 --> 00:43:10,200
that students learn in a safe and secure environment. To implement class size reduction and to prepare students for the 21st century.

403
00:43:16,575 --> 00:43:16,575
and one of the ways that proposition 39 does that is that

404
00:43:22,260 --> 00:43:22,260
it expanded the types of projects that could be undertaken with prop $39.

405
00:43:27,465 --> 00:43:27,465
so eligible bond projects include the construction, reconstruction,

406
00:43:32,820 --> 00:43:35,570
rehabilitation and replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities.

407
00:43:39,110 --> 00:43:41,465
so prior to proposition 39, school districts could not acquire equipment with bond proceeds.

408
00:43:45,860 --> 00:43:45,860
the equipment piece was meant to satisfy that one of

409
00:43:51,170 --> 00:43:53,660
those education goals of preparing students for the 21st century because it meant technology.

410
00:43:57,200 --> 00:43:59,930
but it's not limited to technology. You can equip school facilities outside of the relevant technology,

411
00:44:02,630 --> 00:44:02,630
but that was one of the big purposes of proposition 39.

412
00:44:07,240 --> 00:44:10,160
under proposition 39, voters have to be presented with a specific list of school projects to be funded.

413
00:44:16,015 --> 00:44:18,360
in formulating that list, the school board has to require and evaluate safety,

414
00:44:21,075 --> 00:44:25,010
class size reduction, information technology needs of the district. You know that bond project list.

415
00:44:28,785 --> 00:44:32,505
I'll touch on later what the form of it is. But that's a prop 39 requirement that was not in place,

416
00:44:36,930 --> 00:44:36,930
prior to that in the prop 46 bond context.

417
00:44:41,930 --> 00:44:44,535
bond projects only be spent on projects of the type that are described in the ballot question.

418
00:44:48,180 --> 00:44:51,990
so the 75 or ballot question and the bond project list. So you can think of the ballot measure as two components with one package,

419
00:44:59,490 --> 00:44:59,490
and that constitutes the outer boundaries of the projects that can be undertaken.

420
00:45:03,510 --> 00:45:06,450
and the way that courts evaluate bomb projects list is determined based on the foothill-de-anza v. Emerich case,

421
00:45:12,525 --> 00:45:15,045
which was decided in 2006. There was a challenge to a bomb project list,

422
00:45:19,410 --> 00:45:19,410
and the allegation was that the list would lack the specificity requirement of prop 39.

423
00:45:25,260 --> 00:45:27,690
the court rejected that argument and said that voters approve the types of projects to be undertaken.

424
00:45:31,170 --> 00:45:34,440
they don't need to know the particular fire safety door to be improved or the roof that needs to be repaired.

425
00:45:38,190 --> 00:45:42,120
that's minutia that voters have no expertise in determining. So when you're thinking about the bond project list,

426
00:45:46,740 --> 00:45:46,740
I draft it in a manner that will classify projects by type.

427
00:45:51,990 --> 00:45:55,920
and if the district decides they want to be more specific, courts will hold you to that.

428
00:45:57,450 --> 00:45:58,770
so if you decide, no, we really do want to talk about a particular roof or a particular school site,

429
00:46:03,345 --> 00:46:06,975
you'll be held to that standard by the courts. Then the accountability goals of proposition 39 are satisfied

430
00:46:14,850 --> 00:46:17,790
by the requirement that the district establish a citizens bond oversight committee which it has had for prior bond measures,

431
00:46:23,445 --> 00:46:23,445
as well as the requirement to obtain annual financial performance audits.

432
00:46:29,900 --> 00:46:29,900
so in order to place a measure on the ballot,

433
00:46:35,880 --> 00:46:38,940
the board will be required to adopt a resolution ordering an election by two-thirds vote of the board.

434
00:46:42,840 --> 00:46:45,480
and that resolution will direct the county registrar voters to submit the ballot question to the voters and

435
00:46:48,480 --> 00:46:48,480
consolidate the measure with the wider election being conducted within the county.

436
00:46:55,365 --> 00:46:55,365
and it will also include as exhibits the 75-word ballot question,

437
00:47:00,390 --> 00:47:02,370
so what voters vote yes or no on. And it'll include the bond project list.

438
00:47:06,375 --> 00:47:06,375
so the 754 ballot question has to be a single sentence ending in the question mark.

439
00:47:11,115 --> 00:47:14,565
has to contain the phrase, shall the measure be adopted. It includes the name of the district,

440
00:47:16,320 --> 00:47:17,550
the purpose of the measure, the amount of the bonds, the maximum interest rate and the bonds,

441
00:47:20,700 --> 00:47:23,910
recite the oversight requirements of prop 39 and state

442
00:47:26,130 --> 00:47:28,770
the amount of money to be raised annually in the rate and duration of the tax, which is what was covering earlier in the presentation.

443
00:47:31,800 --> 00:47:35,070
the language of the ballot measure has to be cannot be argumentative or create prejudice against the measure.

444
00:47:38,160 --> 00:47:40,755
so it has to be drafted in neutral tone. And you have to deliver the resolution ordering election in person

445
00:47:44,700 --> 00:47:48,360
to the county registrar on the 88th day prior to the election. So that's march 6th, 2026.

446
00:47:50,910 --> 00:47:53,490
I would say don't wait to the last minute though. You don't want to be scrambling at the end.

447
00:47:56,595 --> 00:48:00,120
and then after that resolution gets delivered, you're also going to deliver the tax rate statement,

448
00:48:02,145 --> 00:48:05,280
and then the district will work with the county on the arguments in favor of the measure and the impartial analysis.

449
00:48:12,410 --> 00:48:15,960
in the planning phase for a measure, there's rules regarding what the district can spend public resources on.

450
00:48:22,080 --> 00:48:25,185
so prior to placing the measure on the ballot, district can spend money to prepare the facilities assessment,

451
00:48:29,070 --> 00:48:33,060
the facilities master plan, conduct the voter opinion survey, and communicate to the community,

452
00:48:34,680 --> 00:48:37,020
the district's need for facility improvements. However, the district may not use public funds to hire

453
00:48:41,550 --> 00:48:43,680
a consultant to develop implement a strategy for building a coalition to support the bond measure,

454
00:48:46,065 --> 00:48:49,440
or to seek financial support for the campaign. You can't spend money on activities that initiate the advocacy campaign.

455
00:48:56,030 --> 00:48:59,415
and the genesis of that rule, it's a constitutional requirement that's subject to all public agencies,

456
00:49:04,440 --> 00:49:06,750
but there's also a provision in the education code which says that school districts cannot spend their assets,

457
00:49:10,305 --> 00:49:10,305
cash or in kind assets advocating for the passage of the bond measure.

458
00:49:15,705 --> 00:49:15,705
however, it's very clear within

459
00:49:20,250 --> 00:49:20,250
the education code that just because there was that prohibition on advocacy,

460
00:49:25,575 --> 00:49:29,430
the district is able to spend public resources to provide information to the community about the possible effects of the bond measure.

461
00:49:34,710 --> 00:49:37,260
as long as those following conditions are met, that it's otherwise authorized by the constitution or in the state,

462
00:49:41,880 --> 00:49:41,880
and that the information presented constitutes a fair and impartial presentation of

463
00:49:45,930 --> 00:49:48,390
the relevant facts to aid the electorate in reaching a form judgment on the ballot measure.

464
00:49:52,130 --> 00:49:52,130
and when you're looking at informational mailers,

465
00:49:56,220 --> 00:49:59,910
for instance, these rules are strictly interpreted and it's enforced by the fair political practices commission.

466
00:50:05,720 --> 00:50:05,720
oftentimes, I'll be asked to review on behalf of

467
00:50:09,750 --> 00:50:09,750
the district, the informational materials.

468
00:50:14,810 --> 00:50:14,810
well, I review that and ensure that you're within the proper guard rails,

469
00:50:22,245 --> 00:50:22,245
I won't be able to guarantee you that there won't be a challenge wouldn't

470
00:50:26,910 --> 00:50:30,060
be met with a sympathetic ear from the fair political practices commission because ultimately,

471
00:50:33,840 --> 00:50:36,450
if there's a complaint, it's up to that commission to determine whether they think it's impermissible.

472
00:50:40,425 --> 00:50:40,425
and it's a totality of the circumstances type of analysis.

473
00:50:44,625 --> 00:50:44,625
so the factors that are considered are based on the supreme court case stanton v. Mott.

474
00:50:49,590 --> 00:50:52,140
so the fair political practices commission will look at the style of the tenor and the timing of the publication,

475
00:50:55,230 --> 00:50:58,125
and there's not any hard and fast rules. But generally speaking, we'll ensure that you don't use

476
00:51:02,550 --> 00:51:02,550
inflammatory language if you present positive potential impacts of the bonds,

477
00:51:08,880 --> 00:51:11,220
you also have to present the cost of the measure, which is the tax that will be levied to repay the bonds.

478
00:51:20,290 --> 00:51:20,290
>> the role of the board of trustees in planning for and voting on the measure,

479
00:51:25,790 --> 00:51:25,790
so the board will evaluate the need for the bond and be able to defend the bond package.

480
00:51:32,480 --> 00:51:34,280
if the board supports the package, vote to place the measure on the ballot.

481
00:51:36,725 --> 00:51:36,725
campaigning for the measure is permissible.

482
00:51:41,885 --> 00:51:41,885
unlike district staff activities

483
00:51:46,220 --> 00:51:46,220
during normal work hours is limited during the bond campaign.

484
00:51:51,425 --> 00:51:54,650
you're not technically an employee of the district, so you're not constrained in that way in the same way that staff is.

485
00:51:59,300 --> 00:51:59,300
you can summarize activities during the bond campaign at board meetings,

486
00:52:04,220 --> 00:52:07,775
but from the dais, you won't be able to advocate for the measure. You can't say vote for measure in b

487
00:52:11,690 --> 00:52:11,690
but you can report to the community that you attended an event,

488
00:52:16,040 --> 00:52:18,425
you see enthusiasm in the community, etc, so you can report, but not advocate.

489
00:52:22,085 --> 00:52:25,940
then when you're in the campaign mode, you should avoid using district assets in that endeavor.

490
00:52:30,615 --> 00:52:30,615
happy to answer any questions about the legal considerations.

491
00:52:37,435 --> 00:52:40,465
>> I think that was really good advice. Is there any other questions?

492
00:52:42,435 --> 00:52:45,260
>> actually, just a couple of questions. Made it really clear that we have to tell

493
00:52:48,350 --> 00:52:51,560
folks what they're voting for upfront by way of projects, and we can't really vary from that.

494
00:52:53,885 --> 00:52:53,885
whatever we think we want based on the total bond proceeds,

495
00:52:58,820 --> 00:53:00,290
and how the series are working. All that has to be decided before the campaign,

496
00:53:03,650 --> 00:53:07,445
before it goes on the ballot. There's a bond oversight committee. We cannot spend public funds on a campaign but we can give information,

497
00:53:13,760 --> 00:53:13,760
who decides what's informational versus campaign material?

498
00:53:18,680 --> 00:53:21,200
I understand the law, but who decides? >> it's ultimately it's the district's decision about the information that gets released.

499
00:53:25,415 --> 00:53:28,760
I will advise the district in the manner that I believe will most protect you from a challenge.

500
00:53:33,170 --> 00:53:35,090
but it's ultimately the district's decision, what gets disseminated to its constituents in the public.

501
00:53:41,770 --> 00:53:44,840
>> one last question. >> sure. >> if we can't use public funds,

502
00:53:47,750 --> 00:53:51,235
in other words, tax money to run a campaign. >> that's correct.

503
00:53:52,045 --> 00:53:54,150
>> how do you pay for it? >> normally, there will be a bond campaign committee that's formed and they will fund

504
00:53:58,840 --> 00:53:58,840
raise and solicit donations to the bond campaign.

505
00:54:04,305 --> 00:54:06,770
>> traditionally, who supports that? >> usually, it's members of the community.

506
00:54:11,165 --> 00:54:11,165
vendors and contractors of the district might want to give to the bond campaign,

507
00:54:18,220 --> 00:54:18,220
the foundation could be a entity that supports through financially the bond measure.

508
00:54:25,895 --> 00:54:25,895
although if they do contribute to the bond campaign,

509
00:54:30,320 --> 00:54:33,875
there's complex tax rules related to that. >> especially for a nonprofit.

510
00:54:35,360 --> 00:54:38,465
>> for a nonprofit so they can preserve their tax deem status. I have a memo I can provide the district.

511
00:54:40,475 --> 00:54:43,775
if the foundation wants to give to the bond campaign, I'll provide you that memo to detail the requirements.

512
00:54:47,390 --> 00:54:49,360
>> thanks. >> other question? No? Thank you.

513
00:54:54,490 --> 00:54:57,140
>> thank you very much. >> thank you very much. >> thank you.

514
00:55:01,120 --> 00:55:01,120
>> moving to the request to speak on open session agenda items.

515
00:55:05,810 --> 00:55:09,395
the public has the opportunity to address the board on agenda items. The board may limit the total time for each agenda item to 20 minutes.

516
00:55:13,385 --> 00:55:16,640
any person wishing to speak on an agenda item may be granted up to three minutes at the time the item appears on the agenda.

517
00:55:20,045 --> 00:55:22,040
in the case of a non-agenda item, comments may be made under request to speak on non-agenda items,

518
00:55:25,490 --> 00:55:28,790
communication from the public. Prior to addressing the board, please fill out the request to address the board card,

519
00:55:30,920 --> 00:55:33,080
which may be picked up from margaret mcdonald, senior executive assistant to the superintendent.

520
00:55:35,810 --> 00:55:37,850
any person addressing the board should first state their name and association with the district.

521
00:55:42,370 --> 00:55:45,020
moving to the consent agenda. Matters listed under the consent agenda are

522
00:55:47,540 --> 00:55:50,840
considered by the board to be routine or sufficiently supported by prior or accompanying reference materials

523
00:55:53,780 --> 00:55:57,050
and information as to not require additional discussion. If any member of the board so requests an item shall be removed from the section and

524
00:56:01,070 --> 00:56:01,070
placed in the regular order of business following the approval of the consent agenda.

525
00:56:05,240 --> 00:56:09,230
items will be approved with one motion which is not debatable and which requires a unanimous vote for passage. Is there a motion?

526
00:56:13,865 --> 00:56:17,090
>> moved. >> second? >> second. >> all those in favor.

527
00:56:18,500 --> 00:56:19,360
>> aye. >> aye. >> aye. >> any opposed? No. Thank you.

528
00:56:23,950 --> 00:56:23,950
we now move to our discussion action agenda.

529
00:56:27,980 --> 00:56:31,730
the superintendent is going to approve the first amendment to employment agreement for the assistant superintendent of

530
00:56:35,990 --> 00:56:38,930
human resource development and the second amendment to employment agreements for the assistant superintendents

531
00:56:42,890 --> 00:56:45,860
of business services and educational services. >> last month's meeting the board approved

532
00:56:48,260 --> 00:56:51,875
a 1% off schedule payment for all busd employees. Executive cabinet members are not automatically included in that.

533
00:56:55,460 --> 00:56:55,460
this action allows our assistant superintendents to receive the one time 1% payment.

534
00:57:00,860 --> 00:57:04,625
>> is there a motion? >> moved. >> second? >> second.

535
00:57:05,375 --> 00:57:09,260
>> any discussion? All those in favor. Aye. >> aye. >> aye. >> aye. >> any opposed? No. We're going to receive our first reading of board policy.

536
00:57:14,780 --> 00:57:18,305
>> we had a stock of them this time to go through for first read. Revisions reflect changes in the law.

537
00:57:20,900 --> 00:57:20,900
>> thank you. We now move to reports from members of the board and superintendent.

538
00:57:26,645 --> 00:57:30,605
request to speak on non-agenda items, communication from the public. The public has the opportunity to address the board on non-agenda items.

539
00:57:34,250 --> 00:57:34,250
any person wishing to speak on a non-agenda item may be granted up to three minutes.

540
00:57:38,525 --> 00:57:42,050
the board may limit the total time for each topic to 20 minutes. To address the board on non-agenda items,

541
00:57:44,120 --> 00:57:46,370
please complete the request to address the board card, which may be picked up from margaret mcdonald,

542
00:57:48,290 --> 00:57:50,930
senior executive assistant to superintendent. Any person addressing the board should first state

543
00:57:53,390 --> 00:57:57,275
their name and association with the district. >> ms. President, point of order, did we skip over reports?

544
00:57:58,835 --> 00:58:00,830
>> did I? >> number 17. >> I'm sorry, reports from members of the board

545
00:58:03,080 --> 00:58:05,480
and superintendent, you're absolutely right. I was thinking. Where are we down there?

546
00:58:07,490 --> 00:58:07,490
[laughter] [overlapping] we're going to move right back up to the top then to 17.

547
00:58:14,465 --> 00:58:17,675
reports from members of the board. We'll start down on that end. >> is that me? I can't see. I'll keep it short though.

548
00:58:21,080 --> 00:58:22,790
first off, go dodgers. [laughter] that was stressful.

549
00:58:26,240 --> 00:58:29,570
second off, it's national school psychology appreciation week. Thank you to all you sykes out there, fellow sykes.

550
00:58:32,150 --> 00:58:35,105
hope you got spoiled with some starbucks gift cards and whatnot. I see one waving at me.

551
00:58:36,695 --> 00:58:36,695
I feel you. You do so much to support our students. Lot of is behind the scenes.

552
00:58:41,300 --> 00:58:44,870
I know a lot of job now is writing reports and presenting group reports, but you do have that connection with the students that does go a long way.

553
00:58:47,420 --> 00:58:49,715
thank you, everyone out there. I did see last night on the news all these news mayors and governors getting elected,

554
00:58:56,375 --> 00:59:00,290
which made me just realize that us here, we're a liaison to you guys. When we get concerns from you guys from emails or speaking,

555
00:59:04,355 --> 00:59:07,775
that's us where we represent you. Thank you for that. I'm not here just to tell you about my events coming up what I'm looking forward to,

556
00:59:11,180 --> 00:59:11,180
but it's really to be a liaison for you to benefit the community for the district.

557
00:59:16,955 --> 00:59:20,330
I know I'm a parent of two kids in the district as well, we might see things from a different lens than our staff or admin.

558
00:59:23,660 --> 00:59:23,660
it's good to have that communication.

559
00:59:28,240 --> 00:59:28,240
I appreciate all the emails and comments because we're doing great as

560
00:59:33,200 --> 00:59:34,850
a district with everything that we're doing with our scores and whatnot but there's always room for improvement.

561
00:59:38,195 --> 00:59:41,630
thank you out there, and I'm here for you guys as well. >> thanks. This week is interesting because I feel like everything that I like to

562
00:59:51,110 --> 00:59:51,110
talk about and share and celebrate is clouded with

563
00:59:55,115 --> 00:59:55,115
the concern that I have for those that are currently experiencing food insecurity.

564
01:00:00,725 --> 01:00:00,725
I'm thrilled to see the community show up

565
01:00:06,065 --> 01:00:06,065
and follow mr. Rogers famous advice to look for the helpers.

566
01:00:12,590 --> 01:00:12,590
I've seen our school district share resources to help families in need.

567
01:00:18,395 --> 01:00:21,860
I've seen our local food pantries step up, and I do see the increase for calls of action to donate, to volunteer.

568
01:00:29,135 --> 01:00:29,135
I just left reminded as we enter into this season of gratitude and of thankfulness,

569
01:00:36,190 --> 01:00:36,190
that I take that to be a call of action for us to show up and

570
01:00:42,430 --> 01:00:42,430
help in whatever way that we can and also to get help in whatever way you need.

571
01:00:49,405 --> 01:00:49,405
I'm a big fan of community strengthening one another,

572
01:00:54,995 --> 01:00:54,995
and I wanted to start with that.

573
01:00:59,060 --> 01:00:59,060
this morning, I had the fun privilege and honor

574
01:01:03,065 --> 01:01:03,065
of going alongside chris anne to a community

575
01:01:07,910 --> 01:01:11,540
coalition building behind bringing and launching imagination library to our eastend gabriel valley.

576
01:01:17,405 --> 01:01:20,615
if you're not familiar, imagination library is dolly parton's dollywood foundations flagship program that sends

577
01:01:24,860 --> 01:01:24,860
a book to a kid every single month from 0-5.

578
01:01:29,945 --> 01:01:29,945
while I was in this meeting with folks all across san gabriel valley,

579
01:01:35,060 --> 01:01:35,060
it reminded me of that same adage of showing up in whatever capacity you can,

580
01:01:42,500 --> 01:01:42,500
about whatever issue is near and dear to you.

581
01:01:47,570 --> 01:01:50,750
if it's about food insecurity, find that pantry that needs your help and show up.

582
01:01:52,910 --> 01:01:56,135
we heard from one of our student reps. San dimas is having a drive, a lot of local schools are having drives.

583
01:01:58,430 --> 01:02:00,020
if it's early literacy, show up and help get books in hands of our kids.

584
01:02:04,280 --> 01:02:04,280
if it's special education and if it's neuro-divergency, show up.

585
01:02:09,320 --> 01:02:09,320
I just am reminded of the need for us all to show up.

586
01:02:14,735 --> 01:02:18,665
I plan on showing up on november 16th, the la verne – san dimas educational foundation,

587
01:02:21,140 --> 01:02:21,140
the same one that was here giving out many grants to our teachers,

588
01:02:25,370 --> 01:02:28,250
is hosting a community wellness fair at san dimas high school and that's an opportunity to show up.

589
01:02:33,050 --> 01:02:33,050
there's the golf tournament where you can play golf and raise funds.

590
01:02:37,505 --> 01:02:37,505
there's a community wellness fair where you can experience local community vendors,

591
01:02:43,145 --> 01:02:46,250
our culinary programs will be selling their food, we'll have student performers coming to show all of

592
01:02:49,760 --> 01:02:49,760
the things that make this school district so incredible and this is all

593
01:02:54,230 --> 01:02:58,190
done in a spirit of celebrating wellness and raising funds so that we can continue to support those initiatives inside of the school district.

594
01:03:03,560 --> 01:03:06,920
I'm excited to show up for each of those things, and I am wanting to invite everyone in the audience today and everyone that

595
01:03:12,830 --> 01:03:12,830
is listening to consider what it is that you are showing up for in our community.

596
01:03:19,175 --> 01:03:19,175
>> thank you. Special thanks to the la verne – san dimas educational foundation.

597
01:03:25,775 --> 01:03:29,000
as you heard earlier over 40 years, it's local nonprofit supported by fund raising and each and every one of

598
01:03:34,070 --> 01:03:37,430
the dollars that they raised goes directly into the classroom as requested by that classroom teacher.

599
01:03:41,465 --> 01:03:41,465
it's something that we should all be very proud of and consider ourselves fortunate.

600
01:03:46,385 --> 01:03:50,345
thank you to the foundation. Thank you, sonya. I really appreciate you trying to decipher my scribbles on the policies.

601
01:03:55,235 --> 01:03:55,235
I wrote it while I was on an airplane and so it was a little messy and I

602
01:03:59,930 --> 01:03:59,930
appreciate your good work in your response. Thank you for that.

603
01:04:05,720 --> 01:04:05,720
special thanks to all of our us military veterans,

604
01:04:10,040 --> 01:04:12,290
when we remember them for their service to our great nation coming up this november 11th,

605
01:04:16,025 --> 01:04:19,025
the 11th day of the 11th month. I'm looking forward to the ongoing dialogue, information sharing,

606
01:04:22,670 --> 01:04:22,670
and the momentum we will need to fully inform the communities we serve of the need for

607
01:04:28,490 --> 01:04:31,670
a general obligation bond as the only means to pay for much needed facilities and infrastructure.

608
01:04:35,600 --> 01:04:38,240
stay tuned. It's informational, but we're going to be talking a lot about that.

609
01:04:41,165 --> 01:04:44,855
whatever your traditions and however you celebrate, I wish all the very best to you,

610
01:04:47,930 --> 01:04:47,930
your family and friends this upcoming thanksgiving holiday. Cheers. Thanks.

611
01:04:53,810 --> 01:04:57,410
>> hello, everyone. I'm going to try to make this quick. I agree with a lot of what my colleagues have said.

612
01:05:00,800 --> 01:05:04,730
we have some great school psychologists and people who really care for our kids. Thank you for the work you do.

613
01:05:06,890 --> 01:05:06,890
as an angels fan, this is slightly hard to say but congratulations,

614
01:05:11,870 --> 01:05:11,870
dodgers, you guys demonstrated grit and got a well deserved championship.

615
01:05:16,775 --> 01:05:18,905
it was a great series to watch. I would prefer not to stay up as late,

616
01:05:21,020 --> 01:05:23,645
but it was still a fun series. Great baseball. Thank you to the ed foundation and all our community groups for all the work you do,

617
01:05:27,695 --> 01:05:29,840
you make a difference in our kids' lives. The food insecurity one,

618
01:05:32,090 --> 01:05:33,800
that's a huge issue, and kids are hungry not just on thanksgiving and christmas.

619
01:05:37,325 --> 01:05:40,910
they need food every single day, multiple times a day. I just thank those people who are fighting the good fight

620
01:05:43,670 --> 01:05:46,100
to make sure that our families and kids get to eat. A couple of other ones.

621
01:05:49,880 --> 01:05:53,735
let's see. Went to an extended family night. Thank you to all the staff who helped put that on.

622
01:05:56,930 --> 01:05:58,370
it was a great event. I was looking at the numbers for the bonds.

623
01:06:00,980 --> 01:06:04,085
I just wanted to share some percentages with you. We're I think at the bottom 20 of this chart, I see.

624
01:06:08,150 --> 01:06:11,435
I think for every $100,000 made, we get 32% of what dari takes in,

625
01:06:14,915 --> 01:06:17,135
38% of what pomona takes in, 56% of what lusd takes in,

626
01:06:20,360 --> 01:06:20,360
67.8% arcadia, 64% walnut.

627
01:06:25,160 --> 01:06:28,925
I want to make sure arcadia and walnut are there because I feel like in test scores, those are the schools we're chasing and they've invested more money in

628
01:06:32,570 --> 01:06:35,180
their infrastructure and making sure their kids get the materials they need for success than we're able to.

629
01:06:38,450 --> 01:06:38,450
we also have other school districts that are taking a lot more money for facility needs,

630
01:06:45,425 --> 01:06:48,440
including beverly hills, temple cities, redondo beach, huston la puente, culver city,

631
01:06:50,390 --> 01:06:53,420
south pasadena, el segundo, manhattan beach. We have west covina,

632
01:06:54,590 --> 01:06:55,925
pasadena, torrance, and two neighboring school districts, glendora and claremont.

633
01:06:59,255 --> 01:06:59,255
all these school districts have a higher property tax liability than we

634
01:07:03,320 --> 01:07:03,320
do and I think that gives their kids an advantage.

635
01:07:07,865 --> 01:07:07,865
it is unfortunate that our kids are getting not like

636
01:07:12,815 --> 01:07:12,815
our staff do a great job of making sure our kids get a great world class education.

637
01:07:18,200 --> 01:07:20,990
we have community groups that help make sure that our kids get a great world class education.

638
01:07:24,035 --> 01:07:26,180
but when I look at the disparity, I do think we need some facility improvements,

639
01:07:28,790 --> 01:07:31,220
and I'm not advocating either way, but I do think our location on this is notable. That's all I have to say.

640
01:07:37,100 --> 01:07:40,985
>> thank you, and I appreciate all the comments from the board tonight. You spoke on things that were important to me,

641
01:07:43,790 --> 01:07:45,905
too, so those were great to hear. I have been to a number of high schools this fall at

642
01:07:48,320 --> 01:07:51,905
different football games because a grandson is playing football out there. I have to say that when I visit

643
01:07:54,290 --> 01:07:58,265
the newer schools and I look at these really updated facilities, it really hit home how old some of our schools are and

644
01:08:02,960 --> 01:08:02,960
that the infrastructure beneath these schools and air conditioning,

645
01:08:07,730 --> 01:08:11,150
that they're in need of improvement. I also want to say, on a different thing, totally.

646
01:08:15,410 --> 01:08:15,410
congrats to water polo tennis and football for making it into the cif season,

647
01:08:20,030 --> 01:08:23,525
and I know our water polo bonita one. Yesterday, and tennis was competing tonight,

648
01:08:26,210 --> 01:08:29,150
and we'll see both of our high school football teams this friday compete so good luck to all of those athletes.

649
01:08:33,550 --> 01:08:33,550
>> I had the pleasure earlier this month to spend a saturday

650
01:08:40,355 --> 01:08:43,580
with 40 students across los angeles county that came from the california association of student councils.

651
01:08:46,985 --> 01:08:49,475
these are leaders in their schools, and it was so interesting to spend the day with them as they

652
01:08:52,580 --> 01:08:52,580
work to identify needs and create

653
01:08:57,950 --> 01:09:00,440
presentations that they practiced on three school board members so that they could then take them back to their communities.

654
01:09:07,900 --> 01:09:11,560
we had a student from bonita, chloe, who was there that day,

655
01:09:12,715 --> 01:09:16,060
and she had invited me to attend, and I got to hear presentations on student health,

656
01:09:19,420 --> 01:09:21,265
both physical and mental, on their concerns about civic education,

657
01:09:23,980 --> 01:09:27,410
encouraging students to be active in their community and to eventually be well-informed voters.

658
01:09:31,490 --> 01:09:32,930
they had concerns about continued concerns about their fellow students

659
01:09:37,130 --> 01:09:39,770
that might be suffering from drug or substance abuse. And also, about improving completely the student engagement on campus,

660
01:09:45,830 --> 01:09:45,830
that every child feels like they have a place on that campus and how important it was for

661
01:09:51,140 --> 01:09:53,875
all our campus leaders to want to educate other students about the students that they're going to school with.

662
01:09:58,210 --> 01:10:01,660
it was just a wonderful day and wonderful presentations, and I felt really blessed that I got to attend.

663
01:10:07,235 --> 01:10:10,670
also, I wanted to say, I love the season. We're going into thanksgiving and christmas,

664
01:10:12,515 --> 01:10:14,705
and I want to encourage you all to go to some of our bca choir concerts and band concerts,

665
01:10:18,815 --> 01:10:20,450
and go to the bca calendar, and it really does make you go into that holiday spirit.

666
01:10:25,385 --> 01:10:28,460
I highly recommend those that're coming up. And I think it did my list. We're good.

667
01:10:34,310 --> 01:10:36,290
>> all right, we are good. I do want to take a moment and follow up on the presentation from kegent,

668
01:10:39,365 --> 01:10:39,365
and do want to reiterate that we do have facilities that are in need of repair.

669
01:10:44,965 --> 01:10:47,020
the facility needs that we have really come down to five overarching categories, number 1.

670
01:10:49,480 --> 01:10:53,035
we do need to replace all the hvac units throughout the district. Number 2, we need to replace much of our plumbing throughout the district, number 3.

671
01:10:58,285 --> 01:11:00,825
we need to create additional classroom space, replace a number of portable buildings on our campuses.

672
01:11:04,235 --> 01:11:06,965
about a third of our buildings are at portables. Number 4, want to upgrade safety and security components on all campuses, and number 5.

673
01:11:11,225 --> 01:11:14,690
we want to build completely new science labs for the high schools to give our students the experiences they need to be competitive in the sciences.

674
01:11:18,725 --> 01:11:20,930
I look forward to the continued engagement with the board and our district community as we explore

675
01:11:23,240 --> 01:11:23,240
ways to keep but need to unified among the very best districts in the state. Thank you.

676
01:11:30,760 --> 01:11:30,760
>> do I have to read 18 all over? I do.

677
01:11:35,015 --> 01:11:38,630
okay. Request to speak on non-agenda items, communication from the public, the public has the opportunity to address the board on non-agenda items.

678
01:11:41,960 --> 01:11:41,960
any person wishing to speak on a non-agenda item may be granted up to 3 minutes.

679
01:11:46,205 --> 01:11:49,535
the board may limit the total time for each topic, 20 minutes. To address the board on non-agenda items,

680
01:11:51,500 --> 01:11:55,490
please complete the request to address the board card, which may be picked up from margaret mcdonald, senior, executive assistant to the superintendent.

681
01:11:58,550 --> 01:12:00,740
any person addressing the board should first state their name and association with the district.

682
01:12:03,860 --> 01:12:03,860
here we go, so we have several from the community.

683
01:12:09,860 --> 01:12:09,860
first would be monica mccurt.

684
01:12:21,610 --> 01:12:24,215
>> good evening. My name is monica, and I am a longtime resident of san dimas, about 20 years.

685
01:12:29,375 --> 01:12:29,375
I'd like to start by first saying what an exceptional board we have.

686
01:12:34,205 --> 01:12:36,770
our board members have a combined experience as teachers, principals, school psychologists,

687
01:12:40,895 --> 01:12:43,145
advocates for social justice, adjunct faculty, and healthcare professionals,

688
01:12:46,220 --> 01:12:47,615
and this is truly impressive. We appreciate you. I am a retired special education teacher,

689
01:12:54,890 --> 01:12:57,890
general education teacher, school psychologist, and instructor at the university of laverne,

690
01:13:01,220 --> 01:13:04,900
adjunct for school psychologists. Although my own children attended damien and holy name,

691
01:13:09,605 --> 01:13:09,605
I'm a strong proponent of public education of school bonds,

692
01:13:14,050 --> 01:13:17,230
especially because they keep our property values high. People want to move here because of our excellent board,

693
01:13:20,270 --> 01:13:21,845
because of our excellent school district. That's the reason that our entire family moved here is for bonita school district.

694
01:13:26,600 --> 01:13:28,550
we have a big family. Unfortunately, sadly, I'm sorry,

695
01:13:31,475 --> 01:13:33,305
I am here to be a donor. I have some concerns in there regarding special education.

696
01:13:37,630 --> 01:13:41,435
I wanted to share with you, my godson. Sadly, on the first day of school,

697
01:13:45,365 --> 01:13:48,515
this bright and happy little boy had a seizure. The school had been told about his health concerns prior.

698
01:13:53,765 --> 01:13:55,835
>> your microphone. >> sorry about that. The school had been told

699
01:13:58,640 --> 01:13:58,640
prior to the first day of school about this little boy having seizures.

700
01:14:02,825 --> 01:14:02,825
yet no adult noticed that he was on the ground,

701
01:14:07,925 --> 01:14:11,705
on the black top, banging his head repeatedly. The children had to witness this.

702
01:14:13,970 --> 01:14:16,850
they didn't know what to do. They finally sought an adult. We heard this from multiple parents.

703
01:14:18,170 --> 01:14:21,275
they finally searched an adult to come help them. They were pretty upset that we got many phone calls.

704
01:14:24,940 --> 01:14:24,940
he ended up having a concussion,

705
01:14:29,135 --> 01:14:31,400
lacerations, and bruising to his face. He was hospitalized for several days because of a concussion.

706
01:14:34,925 --> 01:14:34,925
not for the seizure, for the concussion from the seizure.

707
01:14:40,180 --> 01:14:40,180
as someone who supports schools and funding,

708
01:14:44,660 --> 01:14:46,700
I know you're not members of the iep team, but I do have some questions because I believe that

709
01:14:50,375 --> 01:14:50,375
the reason that this little boy is still not in school since the first day of school,

710
01:14:55,625 --> 01:14:59,285
the reason he hasn't been in school is because he needs somebody to monitor him to make sure that he is monitored if this happens again.

711
01:15:02,990 --> 01:15:05,420
I mean, they can't prevent anything, but they do have emergency medication.

712
01:15:07,940 --> 01:15:11,855
they could have even put their hand under his head, piece of cardboard under, and he wouldn't have been banging his head repeatedly.

713
01:15:14,825 --> 01:15:14,825
I wanted to ask the school board why the school board would approve funds to hire

714
01:15:22,580 --> 01:15:22,580
attorneys to fight a parent instead of providing what the child needs.

715
01:15:30,545 --> 01:15:30,545
why the school board would expect second-grade teacher with

716
01:15:35,900 --> 01:15:35,900
25 other students to continually monitor a student for silent and major seizures.

717
01:15:42,140 --> 01:15:42,140
this decision is putting the district at liability,

718
01:15:47,075 --> 01:15:51,005
not only in regards to faith, but also for tort claims. It really is because he's injured.

719
01:15:53,495 --> 01:15:56,540
I just wanted to assure you this is not going to go away. Bonita must support all general education teachers and students,

720
01:16:00,995 --> 01:16:02,405
and thank you for your time. I really appreciate. Thank you.

721
01:16:08,590 --> 01:16:08,590
>> mike mccurt.

722
01:16:17,680 --> 01:16:20,930
>> hello, my name is mike mccurt. Thank you again, board. You guys are a wonderful board,

723
01:16:24,260 --> 01:16:27,070
and we're very appreciative to have you. I'm a longtime homeowner in san dimas.

724
01:16:30,155 --> 01:16:34,085
for 20 years, I've been a special education teacher in high school. I just wanted to say that in my experience,

725
01:16:36,815 --> 01:16:40,640
it's quite common for students who have frequent seizures or other medical conditions to have a dedicated person monitoring them at school.

726
01:16:46,505 --> 01:16:46,505
agenda teacher can't be expected to be responsible for the learning of

727
01:16:51,410 --> 01:16:51,410
25 students and also closely monitoring one student with a health condition.

728
01:16:57,650 --> 01:17:00,815
how is one teacher going to call for help, manage the safety of the student, experiencing the seizure,

729
01:17:04,010 --> 01:17:06,515
administer the emergency medication, and supervise the other 24 students while this is happening?

730
01:17:10,880 --> 01:17:10,880
this is an unreasonable demand placed on one single teacher.

731
01:17:15,920 --> 01:17:19,745
a paraprofessional in the classroom is quite common. He or she helps all students with instruction and safety. Thank you very much.

732
01:17:27,250 --> 01:17:27,250
>> thank you. Derek cooper.

733
01:17:40,120 --> 01:17:43,385
>> good evening, board. My name is dre cooper. I am a retired teacher.

734
01:17:45,630 --> 01:17:49,330
I came to laverne. I married into this wonderful family, and we have two wonderful stepsons who both went to

735
01:17:51,910 --> 01:17:55,345
bina high school as well as niece who also, and two of them are at usc now and one is at cal poly, thank you for all you do,

736
01:17:59,575 --> 01:17:59,575
you do a great job and I share the concern that monica had mentioned earlier.

737
01:18:04,645 --> 01:18:07,155
I rise today to talk about my nephew, daniel. As has already been mentioned,

738
01:18:09,170 --> 01:18:12,035
he suffered a severe seizure on the very first day of school. This was a traumatic event for our family.

739
01:18:14,480 --> 01:18:14,480
this event was compounded by the fact that there was no adult nearby.

740
01:18:19,115 --> 01:18:19,115
the children playing with daniel didn't realize that he had fallen ill.

741
01:18:23,255 --> 01:18:25,835
they thought he was playing some weird game while he's there banging his head against the ground.

742
01:18:28,730 --> 01:18:32,240
clearly, if he had had a one on one, that could have been taken care of. Someone could have intervened,

743
01:18:33,770 --> 01:18:33,770
and not to mention the traumatic view of the students seeing this.

744
01:18:39,825 --> 01:18:42,295
as a retired teacher myself, I can tell you that you never forget when you have a student seize in your class.

745
01:18:47,095 --> 01:18:48,915
that memory stays with you forever. Not just for me, but for the students who will also witness it,

746
01:18:51,955 --> 01:18:54,250
and most importantly for the student who had the seizure, that stigma stays with them for a lifetime.

747
01:18:57,430 --> 01:18:57,430
as I rise today to ask that you do the best you can for us.

748
01:19:02,455 --> 01:19:05,950
as a family of educators, we just want to see this little boy get back to school as soon as possible. Thank you for your time.

749
01:19:10,260 --> 01:19:14,110
>> thank you. Maria [inaudible].

750
01:19:24,560 --> 01:19:27,320
>> good evening. Nice to see you here. I have taught general education science,

751
01:19:29,885 --> 01:19:33,830
and I am now a high school special ed teacher. I have about six years left of my career before I retire.

752
01:19:38,975 --> 01:19:42,830
I have also taught future instructional teachers, instructors at graduate university and for len university.

753
01:19:48,580 --> 01:19:51,470
most of these teachers went on to work. Some of them are my colleagues now.

754
01:19:53,420 --> 01:19:57,185
we work together at public education, so I teach in a public school.

755
01:19:58,895 --> 01:20:01,430
I've lived in laburn for more than 20 years. My boys attended okmsa elementary,

756
01:20:03,620 --> 01:20:05,915
ramona middle school, and bonita high school. They're now at usc and cal poly because of the great work that we do here at bonita.

757
01:20:11,795 --> 01:20:11,795
I'm here today to say thank you to all of you for having high expectations,

758
01:20:16,100 --> 01:20:19,370
holding our educators accountable, and supporting our community. We appreciate everything you do for all of our students,

759
01:20:22,460 --> 01:20:25,580
including those who require special attention, such as my nephew, daniel, who is in second grade and waiting every day to attend school.

760
01:20:29,855 --> 01:20:32,480
he's very sad without his friends. He's a very social little boy.

761
01:20:33,935 --> 01:20:36,500
he's a very intelligent boy, and he hasn't been able to be back at school because we're afraid that he'll fall,

762
01:20:40,985 --> 01:20:42,800
bang his head, get a concussion, or even worse, and there'll be nobody there to help him.

763
01:20:46,025 --> 01:20:46,025
and he's very sad because he's social and all of his friends miss him.

764
01:20:51,710 --> 01:20:51,710
thank you very much for having us here.

765
01:20:55,960 --> 01:20:55,960
>> thank you. Megan keene.

766
01:21:06,520 --> 01:21:09,350
>> good evening. My name is megan keene, and I'm a parent of a child at lone hill middle school.

767
01:21:12,965 --> 01:21:16,100
thank you very much for having me this evening. When my daughter started school at lone hill middle,

768
01:21:19,700 --> 01:21:22,685
she's a sixth grader, just a few months ago. I was surprised by two things.

769
01:21:25,370 --> 01:21:25,370
one, the weight of the backpack that she carries with her every day.

770
01:21:30,380 --> 01:21:32,720
it is full of five notebooks, a binder for loose papers,

771
01:21:35,255 --> 01:21:37,265
a textbook, a chromebook, and a book that she reads for 30 minutes per day.

772
01:21:41,330 --> 01:21:41,330
that's a minimum of the materials that she carries with her.

773
01:21:45,650 --> 01:21:48,920
every day, I've weighed it a few different times, and it measures between 16-19 pounds every day.

774
01:21:53,630 --> 01:21:57,560
the american academy of pediatrics recommends that kids only carry about 10% of their body weight.

775
01:22:01,805 --> 01:22:01,805
this 16 and 19 pounds is pushing 20 to 25% on any given day.

776
01:22:08,345 --> 01:22:08,345
this puts middle school kids at risk of developing spine problems,

777
01:22:14,645 --> 01:22:17,195
back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain. And the second thing that surprised me was that none of

778
01:22:21,110 --> 01:22:21,110
the bonita schools have lockers in the schools.

779
01:22:25,550 --> 01:22:27,350
I understand it's a policy, but I'm requesting that we put lockers back in the schools

780
01:22:30,410 --> 01:22:30,410
because the risk of medical problems due to kids having to carry

781
01:22:35,450 --> 01:22:35,450
everything around with them every day puts kids at

782
01:22:39,560 --> 01:22:39,560
risk of not being able to attend their sports activities,

783
01:22:44,045 --> 01:22:47,855
physical education, as well as school in general. It puts them at greater risk of needing to attend doctors' appointments during

784
01:22:51,440 --> 01:22:51,440
the school for problems that they're frankly too young to be experiencing.

785
01:22:56,030 --> 01:22:59,180
due to these reasons, I request that we give the kids some storage space and that we put lockers back in school.

786
01:23:04,360 --> 01:23:08,060
I also have a backpack for demonstration, if anybody would like to feel how heavy this thing is.

787
01:23:10,550 --> 01:23:12,215
it's surprising. >> thank you. We continue on with communication from the public,

788
01:23:20,015 --> 01:23:22,460
answer to anyone from pta. Buda, csca.

789
01:23:28,910 --> 01:23:32,750
bumped. Future meeting dates. The next regular board of education meeting will be on december 3, 2025.

790
01:23:37,190 --> 01:23:40,480
items for future agendas. We will adjourn the meeting at 7:21 p.m. Thank you.