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The board approves the amended agenda, hears a public comment on closed-session items, and then votes to enter closed session for labor negotiations and personnel matters.
one.
Uh from an action item to no action taken and also simultaneously moving
is amending itemtaken up u so that way it follows directly after the notice of public hearing.
Okay.Does the board have any questions?If not, we'll have a motion to adopt the amended agenda.
I'll move approval as amended.
Second.
Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson.
Yes.
Trusty Dannenberg.
Yes.
Trusty Rodriguez.
Yes.
Trusty Fredericks?
Yes.
And Trusty Foresight?
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries.5-0.
Thank you.So, next we're going to move on to um public comment for close session items.
Thank you.We do have public comment this evening.Give me one moment here.My apologies.
trying to do too many things at one time.
Um,
thank you.
As indicated in our civility statement that we've had the last couple of days, please remember that our students do watch these med meetings and attend and we'd like to keep all language as respectful as possible.We have one public comment for close session items and that is Mr.Ben Conn.
We can y'all hear me?Okay.
With tomorrow being Veterans Day, this is a good opportunity to remind the room that the military top four star officer with over 40 years of service only makes roughly 60,000 a year.I understand this is not a true applesto apples comparison as military benefits far outweigh district employee benefits.But something feels wrong when a school librarian makes twice as much as the top military leaders.Outside looking in, the rule the real disparity is not the pay difference between the superintendent and the teacher.The responsibility and the consequences are far different and pay should reflect.The disparity is a teacher in the same school teaching the same subject with far better results and gets paid so much less than another teacher two doors down that truly does not care about their students.If the union was true to its members, then it would advocate for those teachers who still have that passion and not for the teachers who are giving the teacher profession a bad name.
I'm sure I'm a day late and a dollar short, but here are some proposed solutions that I have not heard addressed.Any employee making over 150k in pay has a salary adjustment every three years or when there is a 3% increase in cost of living.Any employee making over 300K has a salary adjustment every 5 years or when there is a 5% increase in the cost of living.Teachers at each school for each position or subject taught cannot have a pay disparity between those teachers of more than 30K.No employee at any school can be given a pay raise at the school if the goals of the school plan for student achievement was not met the year prior.allow teachers to advocate for GoFundMe campaigns directly to the parents of their students.And lastly, and more and most importantly, provide incentive pay for teachers who still teach with passion irregardless of their pay.
Thank you.
That's all the public comment we have for close session.Thank you.
All righty.Thank you.Thank you, speaker.Okay, moving on to close session items.We have conference with labor negotiators and we also have public employee discipline dismissal and release.Do we have a motion to go into close session?
Move to close session.
Second.
Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson.
Yes.
Trusty Dannenberg.
Yes.
Trusty Rodriguez.
Yes.
Trusty Fredericks?Yes.
And Trusty Foresight?
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries 5.
All right.We're in close session.We'll be back at six o'clock.
The meeting resumes after closed session with the pledge, roll call, and a report that no action was taken behind closed doors.
Gentlemen, we'll go live in five, four, 3, two.
All righty.Welcome back to the Ventura Unified School District general board meeting.Uh let's go ahead and start this get this meeting going with the pledge of allegiance.Please stand if you are able.
To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Okay, thank you.Um, next up, roll call.
Thank you.President James Foresight,
present.
Vice President Shannon Frederick's
here.
Trustee Sabrina Rodriguez
here.
Trustee Dr.Jerry Dannenberg
here.
Trustee Calvin Peterson
here.
Superintendent Dr.Antonio Castro
here.
Student board member Mia Bavo
here.
Student board member Alexa Perez
here.
And student board member Henry Mattisich
here.
Thank you.
Okay.There.So there were no uh actions taken, nothing to report from close session.
Student representatives from Buena, Pacific, and Ventura High share updates on academics, athletics, campus events, and student life.
So move on to the superintendent's report.
Thank you, President Foresight.And we'll invite our student members, student board members to give their reports.
Hello board members, superintendent, and teachers.My name is Mia Bavo, and I am Buena High School's ASB president.Buena has a lot to celebrate this fall.both marching band and color guard placed first overall at the Camaro Classic and placed first in band percussion and high music in the semi valley band spectacular.For our sports, our boys water polo advanced to the semifinals and are actually competing today in Orange County.Our boys cross country took first in league and our girls in second.It's that time of year for our seniors.Buena has hosted college application workshops, college rep visits, and senior college night to ensure our Bulldogs are set up for success after high school.We also hosted our third annual college application essay workshop, which is where teachers volunteered their time to provide feedback on our students essays.I went and it was actually very helpful.
Our English learner pro progress has increased by 4.4% showing that more students are making good progress towards their English proficiency.Our college and career readiness has increased by 3.8%.And our graduation rate has increased by 3% reflecting the work of our student, staff, and families to keep our students engaged and on track towards earning their diplomas.Our CTE programs um continue to provide students with lots of hands-on learning experience.Our commercial photography created a Halloween photo booth which gave them experiencing experience managing a project from planning to execution.They also designed and marketed a 3D printed camera accessory through a partnership with Dexter's Photo, which gave students valuable entrepreneurial experience.Our students also attended the South Central Coast Trades Day field trip, where they learned about apprenticeship programs, trades, careers, and workforce opportunities that are available after high school.Some events we've had on campus include our homecoming which the theme was Miami nights holo fest diia dos mto celebrations and a student band performance in the quad.
A program that we are especially proud of is our unified bulldogs.This year 27 athletes and 25 peer peer partners have participated in unified sports so far.They compete in activities like kickball and basketball at home and away events.ASB also included unified participation in the homecoming court in order to ensure that all students have opportunities to be recognized and involved in our school traditions.Some upcoming performances will be our community band performance November 20th and our fall play puffs.Thank you.
Um hello, good afternoon.I hope you are all doing good today.Um my name is Alexa and I'm from Pacific and today I will be talking about Pacific High School and its recent improvements and events.Um first we'll start with academic improvement.We had 93 students make quarter one renaissance which means that like they have basically made a minimum of 20 credits in a quarter.We also had student student orientation for the new students joining us
for Hispanic Heritage Month.ASB created activities to celebrate Hispan the Hispanic Heritage Month and some of the activities included pin the mustache deal versus diia awa fresca day and we also got donated salsas from local Mexican restaurants.In this slide you can see them.We also had like a little group play music for us during lunchtime.And you can see in the slide someone pinning the mustache.
Flag football.Our flag football team played against Santa Paula and although we lost, but they really tried and another game against Santa Paula will be held on the 19th before break.And a tournament is currently being planned.And the schools involved are Santa Paula, Frontier, and possibly Gateway.And here's our flag football team.
For spirit week, ASB wanted to end off the quarter and they wanted to go into fall break in a fun way.Most of our students and staff participated in the activities.The themes were white lives, slump day, twin day, and a Halloween contest was added to it.In the pictures, you can see staff participating in twin day, and there's a picture of slump day and white lies and the Halloween costume contest.
Some events that are happening is the wellness fair which will be held next month and we will also have our annual Thanksgiving celebration game where all home rooms get to interact and build a connection with other classes.And we also had an art field trip.And we also had a child development field trip at Ventura College where our child development class got to observe children and take notes for their assignment and they also got to explore the campus and classes of interest.We also had a Pacific High School scarecrow shark bite art project.And we will also have our first quarter 1 Renaissance assembly which will be held on the 12th of this month.And we will also get more students for our new term which starts next week.Thank you.
Good evening.My name is Henry Mattisich and I am the ASB president at Ventura High School and I have a little presentation to show you all what we've been up to over at Cougar Country where every day is a holidayand every meal is a feast.So, first we had a rivalry game against Buena where we once again took down the Bulldogs and ended a four-year winning streak for all of our seniors to to revel in that great success.And then we had homecoming and our theme this year was a night in Rio.And we had a really great spirit week with a lot of participation from all of our students and staff members.Uh we had a great time at our rally and a really fun dance up at the top of our senior parking lot.We had our music department benefit concert and we got to support our wind and string bands to hear what they've been working on throughout the school year.
And it's always a pleasure because our department is just topnotch and always makes my night when I get to hear them play.We had our college fair.We were lucky enough to have a wider range of colleges and other career paths.Talk to students from the area about what the next steps after high school could look like for them.And it's a really great way to support all of our students here in Ventura.And then our winter sports are starting up and we're celebrating our fall sports.We had a lot of great runs on all of our teams and we're excited for soccer, basketball, wrestling, and girls water polo to get heated up.So, thank you all.
The county office reports that the district's unaudited actuals have been received and certified.
All righty.Thank you.Thank you, board members.Appreciate it to board members.Okay.Moving on to correspondents.Uh we have the county of office of education.
Yes.Thank you, President Foresight.Just to note that the county office uh received and certified our unodudited actuals.That's all.
Board members discuss how to handle an unusually large number of public speakers and agree to reduce each comment to one minute.
Thank you.
All righty.Thank you so much.Okay.So, we currently have how many speakers before we get into public comments?
Uh approximately 90.Um but before that if you want to excuse our students.
So you guys are welcome to stay but it's about 90 uh public comments.So you're welcome to go
on items
on items general some on general
some are general some are school closures but we have 90 total.So my first question to you is um how much time would you like to give to every comment?
So and and we probably the sheer number of of of individuals wanting to speak.Uh I propose limiting it to a minute um to make sure that we get through it.That's a 90.That would be 90 minutes added to the agenda if that's comfortable.
Can I ask how many are general public comments?
If you can hold a moment, I need to count them
17.
So, but if we public comments for every single item, not just the public, not just the general public comment.We have to apply it to the individual items.Is that correct?
Um, they want to know about the amount of time per person.Could they have general comment people give three minutes and this one?
So, what you can do is uh the the uh board's discretion is intended to make sure that everybody is able to speak and and and be heard.So that's why you would decrease the limit as which is the current of three minutes to either two minutes or one minute.So it's at the board discretion if you want to make sure that everyone gets to tonight uh instead of having to spend an extended period of time here.Um so I would suggest that you apply the time limit to all speakers because it's the same amount of time in general.
And I notice there's some some families some kids in a room.So, um, I suggest probably keep it at one minute.Do we have a consensus?
Okay, we have a consensus.
Okay, thank you.So, before I get started, I'm going to say the names before I start with the civility statement because I know some of these folks are in the other room, so they have time to walk over.Alex Leaven, followed by Katherine Pike, followed by Sarah Lombardo and oh, I cannot read this.Possibly Cindy Hernandez.Um, so I'm going to start with our civility statement.Good evening.Based on the number of public comment cards, as you heard, will be limited to one minute per person.Your time will be displayed on the Prometheian board at the front of the room and the timer will indicate when time is up.Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that the governing board recognizes the impact that civility has on the effective operation of the district, including its role in creating safe and positive school climates and enabling a focus
on student well-being, learning, and achievement.The board understands that the first amendment provides strong protection for speech.However, the board expects that all speech, expression, and action will follow the norms of civil behavior on district grounds and in district meetings.Please remember that this meeting is being recorded.Members of the media are in the attendance tonight, as are students.So, please make sure language is as respectful as possible.Please also note that due to the Brown Act, the board is listening, but they are not allowed to respond to public public comments as they are made.Let me just bring up the timer.
Speakers criticize district leadership, discuss contract negotiations and a possible strike, and urge the board to reconsider its direction.
Okay.Again, we will have Alex Leaven followed by Katherine Pike followed by Sarah Lombardo.
Alex is coming right now.Katherine Pike, Sarah Lombardo, Sydney Hernandez, Sarah Mclofflin.That will be the order.
All right.We have Alex Leven.
Okay.Good evening, school board members and the VUSD community.
Oh,
okay.
Yes.Good evening, schoolboard members and the VUSD community.I am here with you tonight to speak about VUSD's impending strike.The past few months, the community has been watching the ongoing contract negotiations that will directly impact students learning in the weeks ahead.If this strike takes place, students like me will ultimately suffer.Our educators will be replaced by underqualified strangers, which will undoubtedly lead to less learning in the classroom.For a district that pledges to advocate for the future of every student, VUSD is falling short of that promise.Rather than sacrificing my education to underqualified scabs, I will be out on the picket line supporting staff members.That's where the real education will be happening.Although BSD has repeatedly made the unions out to be the bad guys of this situation, students understand that these bad guys are the individuals that really care about us.
So yes, our students are not on the side of the district for this conversation.We will use our first amendment rights that we have learned about in our US history classes with highly qualified teachers, might I add, and stand by the people that support us.Thank you.
Katherine Pike, followed by Sarah Lombardo, followed by Sydney Hernandez, followed by Sarah Mclofflin.
And if we could uh when the speaker speaking, if we can kind of please keep it down because we're having a hard time hearing and also they only have a minute to speak.So, we want to make sure that we're hearing our speakers, please.
A grand and glorious evening to students, guardians, union members, and the community at large.Over the last year, I have had the SINCERE PRIVILEGE OF OBSERVING THE DILIGENT ORGANIZING that has occurred WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR UNIONS.IT HAS BEEN A GLORIOUS thing to BEHOLD THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT OUR teams have created by working together with the heavy boot of austerity upon the necks of students, parents, guardians, THE COMMUNITY, AND UNION MEMBERS.They have been organized into a force battling to save schools and ultimately their communities from a despicable lack of state funding and a disappointing lack of imaga imagination locally.It really is only the people who will save the people.Community power and labor solidarity have brought us every right that we have in the modern working world and THEY HAVE BEEN A BULLWARK against the dangerous working conditions that we have faced over hundreds of years.
They will continue to do so long after I have returned to the earth.And as organizing chair, I want to thank the USD's executive board and board of education for organizing our school district so effectively.With this range you have in cited, we will continue to grow up.
Sarah Lombardo, followed by Sydney Hernandez, followed by Sarah Mclofflin, followed by Carol Peak.
Good evening, Ventura Unifi.My name is Sarah Lombardo.I am a second grade teacher at Poinsettia.I've been teaching for 17 years.Before that, I served my country for seven years.On the day on the eve of Veterans Day, I want to talk about leadership.In 2014, an author was researching leadership within the ranks of the military and why it was so successful.Over and over again, he heard officers eat last.This leadership philosophy is expected of all officers and considered a golden rule.Not only do higher ranking officers line up at the back of the child line to eat last, everything that includes the safety, comfort, and well-being is a priority over themselves.This leadership philosophy is called servant leadership.Servant leadership is not selfish, deceptive or arrogant.Instead, this leadership encompasses humility, trust, and honesty.To the leadership sitting in front of me.
So much trust has been broken.Lines have been crossed.I am concerned at how we amend all this brokenness in our district.Your staff are concerned with their positions, paychecks, and healthcare.Our own schools have been pitted against each other.Our district has been dismantled.This leadership is not working.
Sydney, followed by Sarah, followed by Carol, followed by Maria Pyos.
Good evening, board members.I stand before you alongside with other concerned parents who refuse to accept that closing our schools is not the solution for the district's financial struggles.Our schools are more than buildings.They are foundation for our communities.They are providing stability, security, and a sense of belonging for the children and staff of VUSD.Elmherst Elementary is one of the only moderate to severe programs through special education for elementary students.Has the board truly considered the impact that these closures will have on students who depend on consistency, routine, and familiar environments?Citrus Glenn Elementary is equally vital, providing dedicated educators, staff, a home, and the home of LPCC, a critically important program offering academic assistance, afterchool care, and life skills essential with family support.These schools are not expendable and neither are the students who depend on them.Balancing a budget is your responsibility,
but our children deserve better.protect
Sarah followed by Carol.I'm sorry.Your time is up.Your time is up.Sorry.Sarah followed by Carol followed by Maria followed by Nathan Donnelly.
I want to start with something I think this board needs to hear.Trust is not something you get automatically from your employees and your community.It is something you have to earn.And right now that trust is eroding.Right now, this district is facing a growing crisis of disappearing trust.And that trust isn't being lost because people aren't paying attention.It's because it's being lost because people are paying attention.It's eroding because this board continues to stand behind a hard cap on health care rather than work toward a fair and equitable contract with the people who make this district function.And now it's eroding because families and employees are watching the process surrounding potential school closures.There's a growing disconnect between district leadership and the people who actually live and work in this community.And no amount of carefully worded communications or public presentations can cover that up.
The public doesn't buy it.So I have a message to not back down.
Carol, followed by Maria, followed by Nathan, followed by Sarah Viscara.Good evening.The unions in the district started these negotiation process in October of 2025.We've declared impass, gone through mediation and factf finding, which brings us here today with no agreement.The unions have always bargained in good faith, and never negotiated in the public forum.Considering the amount of money the district has allocated to attorneys, PR firms, subs, and Amazon deliveries, does a district have a hard cap on what they're willing to spend to not provide for their employees?The unions have been transparent, but most importantly, we've been honest.Our trust in the district is broken.Relationships are shattered.But one thing still stands true.Vespa and Vuea always stand together, and we're standing stronger.That bond will never break.Both unions have done what we can do to avoid a strike.It's not what we wanted, but our students deserve to have the educators taken care of.
VUA and VESPA will be announcing our strike date later this week.Thank you,
Additional speakers describe past strike experiences, argue that trust in the district has broken down, and call for stronger union solidarity.
Maria, followed by Nathan, followed by Sarah, followed by Robert Schaefer.Um, before you start the timer, I would like to ask for some grace.I drove 2 and 1/2 hours to get here today because I think you really need to hear from me.
I'm really sorry.I'm only allowed to give you one because I have to make sure it's equal amongst everyone.I apologize, but those are the rules.So, I will give you your one minute.
Good evening.I stand before you tonight not as an adversary, but as someone who has lived through what you are about to face.My name is Maria Grace Pelios and I'm the president of Little Lake Education Association.If I look familiar to you, it's because you probably saw me all over social social media.Six months ago, I led the third longest educator strike in the history of California since 19 I'm sorry, 1976.10 school days.That's how long our our strike lasted.10 days.And it changed everything in our community.We were fighting for our students.We were fighting for our teachers.We're standing up for what's right.But the school the school board couldn't see that until it was too late.It was that strike that they just it just didn't affect the bargaining table or the members.It tore through the heart of our community.
Our superintendent had to take early retirement not because he wanted to, but because the community lost faith in his leadership.Three of our board members, our neighbors, our parents, people that we trusted
resigned from their seats.I'm sorry.
President, I'm sorry.I know
it's important.
Okay,
ladies and gentlemen,
folks, please, we're if if we're going to have a disturbance,
the I I understand it's just we you can email us.We answer
something to be said publicly.
Okay, I can stop the meetings.This the issue is we have to give equal time to everybody.If I known that you were coming, I would love to have given a little bit more time to everybody, but we have to we have major issues.So, I'm sorry.I'm I truly am sorry.We if we have to stop the meeting, we have to stop the meeting and take a break.
So, I do apologize.I do apologize.We have to be equal.
We can't split time.I am so sorry.
We cannot We can't split time.I am so sorry.
I just want to let you know our school board ruined their legacy over 10 days.
Thank you.I know.
Community was destroyed over 10 days.
I heard that.Thank you so much.
I know.I know.I'm sorry.I have to move on.
I'm sorry.We have to get on.We have to move to other people.
Okay.I'm going to I'm about ready to stop the meeting
that I'm sorry.I'm sorry.Look, we have to move on.you are.There are a lot of people here.There are kids here that need to speak.There's families here that are sitting here.They're they're waiting to talk about their schools.We need to move on.I am so sorry.
I am so sorry.I am so sorry.Thank you.Nathan Donnelly, followed by Sarah Viskar, followed by Robert Schaefer, followed by Holly Riddle.
The district and the school board do not care about you.If they did, as your representative, they would say, "This is what the people I represent in my area want."Yes, they say they read your emails, but a representative democracy would mean voting based on what your constituents want in spite of what you think.Instead, you hear them talk a lot about themselves.They walk in the snow.They teach elementary school, special ed.They make spreadsheets.They manage stores.That's irrelevant.The only thing that is relevant is what is best for the community and what the community in your area wants.Also, this financial freefall is completely fabricated.The last 3 years, the district has systematically understaffed the schools.The drastic layoffs have meant the remaining staff has had to work twice as hard for the same pay.Meanwhile, the budget surplus has risen from 6% to 9% and now it's 11%.
Force them to actually represent you.
Time is up.Sarah Viscara, followed by Robert Schaefer, followed by Holly Riddle, followed by Joel Leven.
I'm really happy that I'm not going to have to see some of you so so soon.And some of you will be gone and others soon after.Hi, I'm Sarah Viscara.You know me.If you don't, I'm here to actually talk to the staff.Um, I want because you guys aren't listening anymore.You almost shut down the meeting.So, I'm here to say union solidarity.It takes everyone.If we all decide to strike, it's going to be over really quick.You guys have more than four times the reserve that you need.I remember when Trudy in 2014 and her executives took a pay cut.You're not willing to do that.Hasn't even been mentioned.Okay, this is just awful.And you know, I'm going to be here another 20some years in this district before I retire.My my goal is to outlast you.And it's going to be a long outlasting.
Are you guys ready for this?Are you ready staff?Are you ready?Are you ready Vespa?Because it's on.
Commenters raise concerns about school closures, budget priorities, and district transparency while also highlighting specific school programs and staff efforts.
Robert Schaefer followed by Holly Riddle followed by Joel Leven followed by Heather Layo.
Robert Schaefer may have left.So, Holly Riddle followed by Joel Lean, followed by Heather Lyo, followed by Austin Nostrap.
Good evening.I'm here this evening to give a shout out and oh, sorry.Good evening.I'm here this evening to give a shout out and a I also have a question.Our office manager at Buena High School, Ricky Jimenez, created a new form that works um in regards to the LCFF forms, also known as the Pinks.um and it worked so well in getting um families to turn in the information that it was then launched districtwide.She worked with technology.Um she said on Buena's part when they did a second pass a lot of the families said yes.So my question is did the LCFF forms make an impact on the budget now that most schools have collected 100% of the pinks?So I would like that to look into and to know if that's what that's going to do for the district.And again to Ricky Jimenez and technology for creating that.
Thank you so much.
Joel Leven followed by Heather followed by Austin followed by Ben Conn.
Good evening board of education and VUSD community.Apppropo of nothing.I want to talk to you tonight about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.A quick refresher.Ebenezer Scrooge is an embittered millionaire who does not respect or appreciate the work of his employees.Scrooge is a man more concerned with counting coins than the welfare of his workers.Ba humbug indeed.I am here tonight to plead with you, Dr.Castro, please stop counting coins and start prioritizing the welfare of your workers.
It's not too late to redeem yourself and it's not too late to do the right thing.And to the trustees of the VUSD school board, if Dr.Castro needs some guidance from spirits who can point him in the right direction.I hope that you can help him see the error of his ways.If the Ebenezer Scrooge of Ventur Unified refuses to change, you will be the only spirits who can sway him.The Bob Cratchets of our district don't want to strike, but we will if we are forced to.
Sorry, Heather, followed by Austin, followed by Ben, followed by if Robert Schaefer is here.I'm finishing Maria Pelios's speech.There are no winners in a strike.Our superintendent took early retirement, not because he wanted to, but because the community lost faith in his leadership.Three of our school board members, neighbors, parents, people we trusted have resigned from their seats.They weren't strangers.They stepped up to serve, but the strike in the community's lack of trust destroyed their ability to continue.They ruined their legacy.Instead of being remembered as beloved, the community now sees them as untrustworthy and persona non grata.The teachers were still here, but we no longer trust the district we once believed in.And the district is working, struggling really to rebuild a working relationship that took years to build and only 10 days to shatter.All because of their inability to rep prioritize their budget to meet teachers needs and keep the children at the forefront of their concerns.
Everything has changed and not for the better.The children lost 10 days of learning.Families scrambled for child care.Parents had to choose sides and they chose the teachers.Friendships fractured.The fabric of our community.The trust, the respect, the sense that we were all in this together was torn apart.
Austin, followed by Ben, followed by Robert.Chair Foresight, members,
Chair Forsythe, members of the board.Uh, the fact that I'm here tonight is a bad sign.I'm a parent of two students in this district and this is not something that I do.I do not come to board meetings and make public comment.But you all need to change course.You are ruining this district.
The teachers and the students accomplish so much in spite of the district office, not because of it.You need to address their needs.You need to pay teachers a fair wage and you need to address school closures in a reasonable way.In the last 72 hours, you've changed the list three times.If you're going to adopt a process, follow through.It's unbelievable.You're failing.You're failing the community.Do better.
Up next.Up next will be Ben Cohen.If I can ask Jose Hernandez to please make their way up here to see me as we do not have an agenda item number for you.So Ben Cohen followed by Robert Schaefer.Only at Ventura Unified could school librarians make twice as much as a four-year, four-star military officer.Ventura Unified has a school system where two out of three students fail academic state standards.As an example, Buena High School has a state testing failure rate of 80% in math.That failure rate is directly on the teachers unit.It's not on the district.As a parent first and a property owner second, I would support you all, but not at the expense of my child.Do better.
Up next, Robert Schaefer.And is Jose Hernandez here?
Are you Robert or Jose?
Are you here for general public comment or for school closures?
General.
Okay, come on up.Y.All right.
Okay.
Thank you so much.I won't take a lot of your time up there.I just want you to um know that if you can just keep Hana Maria open, please.That is that is a very wonderful school.My nephew goes there since kindergarten and they've done an amazing job with him.Okay.And I'm not going to take any more time.I just want you to have consideration for Juan Maria.
That's it.I'm going to go I'm going to go
maybe.Yeah.This way.
Thank you.
Um Robert Schaefer, last call.
Okay.Robert Schaefer is not in the house.That is all we have.If someone believes they put one in for general public comment, let me know.But we still have all of our public comments for school closures when we get to that agenda item.
The board receives a notice of public hearing for a personnel commission appointment and then moves the school closure report up on the agenda.
Okay, thank you so much.Thank you public commenters.Okay, moving on to um there was a there was a change in the agenda.Um actually, no, we're going to get to public hearing first.So, we have uh item 14, which is a notice of public hearing, announcement of intended appointee to the personnel commission.
Thank you, President Forsythe.Uh this is a notice of public hearing uh which would be held on which would be held on December 15th um should the district or excuse me should the board identify a potential intended appointee.Thank you.
Okay.Thank you.Okay.Now we have a change to the agenda.We moved up 15D4 which is our school closure uh report.So we'll go ahead and move on to uh Dr.Castro.
Okay.Thank you once again, President uh Foresight.At last night's meeting, uh the board reviewed criteria, generated a um a a list of schools that are continue to be considered for school closure.At the end of that meeting, um staff uh uh tried to elicit some additional information that the board would like.Um those comments revolved mostly around special education programs.Uh so the the uh staff is here to answer any questions that you have uh in anticipation of a special board meeting that is not yet posted but is planned for next Tuesday where we would go further intothis issue um in a in a study session format.Uh so that's where we left off and that's where we're prepared to pick up.
Staff explains that the board is revisiting the school closure list and is prepared to answer questions, especially about special education programs at the remaining sites.
Uh there's no formal presentation as there was no time uh to add any additional information nor was any uh at least initial information able to be added till yesterday's presentation.Okay, sounds good.Okay, thank you.So, we're going to move on to um Calvin.Do you have any questions regarding our continuing our conversation?
Uh no, I don't have any questions at this time.
Okay,
Jerry.Yes.Uh the last couple of nights and even tonight, we're hearing about, you know, getting some participation from the community members and looking at alternatives to school closure.And I believe there are some things that the board can look at.Before we really got into the school closure thing, one of the things we did is we committed money funds that we haven't always had prior to CO for things like the counseling, the um wellness centers, the college careercounselors.If we just knock those things out still of services we would lose, we could keep schools open.And I think we ought to be looking at that.Plus, I know we've we've addressed this issue already, but I think it needs to be said again.The impact of mound on the surrounding schools.It would increase it would increase Citrus Glenn's enrollment by 42, Elmhurst by 91, Wan Maria by 64, Sarah by 31, Lemong Grove by six, Poinsettia by 58, and Atlas by 61.
I think we really have to look at that if we want to be honest with ourselves about
Okay, sorry.If we could please keep it down.I I understand.I I I understand your point and I I agree.I think we need to kind of look at how we're going to uh structure the schools if we decide to do this.That might take a little bit more time.
Right.Right.
The the other thing I would suggest is there there are
staff members out there can't hear.Ladies and gentlemen, I'm getting text messages that they're having a hard time hearing the people that are speaking on our live stream and next door and outside.So, I understand, but we are getting some feedback that they can't be heard.
There are a number of our teachers and other employees that would like to make recommendations of things we could at least look at before closing schools.So, I think maybe we might want to think about devising some type of committee where they could come forward and give their ideas.Not that we have to live with their ideas, but just we have to hear their ideas and try to work with them.
Okay.I find that is a great plan.I'm going to turn over to Sabrina.
Um, thank you.And, uh, Jerry, I I feel like we both are on the same page on this.Um, so I just want to kind of recap because we have, I think, some new folks here.Um, in early 2025, we began having these conversations and it really stemmed from our conversations around layoffs.When the board was having to lay off um staff for budgetary reasons, we realized that that's not the way we want to run our schools.And so we started having these conversations.Um, we know that there are ongoing demographic changes that have changed this community, but I really agree with what Jerry's saying.I think we need to look at um our process.We need to look at at the way we've gone through this and I think we need to take um a pause.One of my frustrations over the last four meetings that we've had on this topic is that we've never we have not had a structure.
There has been no clear process for how we will move from the committee's recommendation to a decision by this board.We haven't established clear or consistent or transparent criteria for closures or exclusions.Um to me, once the middle schools and high schools were removed, it feels like we're balancing this on the backs of our youngest students and their families, and I don't feel comfortable with that.Um I don't think we are addressing in the current list the overconentration of unduplicated students at particular sites which is something that federal guidelines and state guidelines suggest that we do if we are looking at school closures.Um I think right now we are looking at a very thin layer of data that is broad but not deep and it really isn't giving us the type of conversation or outcome that that we can stand behind.Um, I I recognize that the committee's process was long, but I feel like right now we have an opportunity to actually have meaningful community input because folks are paying attention and we should take that opportunity.
Um, and then lastly, I recognize that any delays in this, you know, we have put people through a roller coaster of emotions and I I we have to own that.But I don't think that moving forward just to not have people stay uncomfortable in the uncertainty is the right decision.U Maryanne, would you mind pulling up the document that I sent you?
Well, the board hasn't seen it, so it's not a violation, right?Oh, yeah.Oh, yeah.Okay.Yeah.No, I'm just
Yeah, Anthony.So, the board member provided some information to share with uh the fellow board members and the public.Um, is that something that we can share?It's not for part part of a formal presentation.
Do we have um my concern would be that we don't have uh available copies for the public?
That's why I gave it to her digitally so she can project it.
Not everybody has access to the screens,
but the board doesn't have printed copies either.They would just be looking at the screen.
But it's not online for for those who can access it.
It would be online if she's projecting it.Well, it would be zoomed, right?But it wouldn't be able to download from an agenda.That's my concern.
I think I don't mind doing it, but I want to make sure that we're we're on board.
The issue would be is whether or not everybody who is participating in the meeting, regardless of the screens and projections, would have access to the document.Um, that would be the issue.So, the board can do what it would like, but uh take into consideration that not everybody's going to have access to this document.I think I think we can take it in consideration and if we need to distribute it later and make sure we printed copies from everybody, but this is a time where the community and ask us to come upwith different opinions on what we can do.So right now we have a board member kind of putting herself out there saying I have an option that we can look at and I'm going to support it.And I think we also support it because one of these days one of us is going to have that same opportunity to come up with a creative decision and we're are a fivep person team but we still need
to support each individual that's coming up with ideas that the community want to hear.So whatever repercussions that we got to do or to fix it I think we can go that route.But I'm for supporting our board member to coming up with a creative idea to not close schools, delay it, make a better decision cuz we're at a point where we we need to do something and she's giving usan idea.I think we should listen.
And I I I I agree 100%.I just want to make sure that we are legal in this process, right?We need to make sure that we're not violating some kind of Brown Act or some kind of agend code.So I want to make sure that does can we put it on the website?Can we put it somewhere for us to for the public to access it would we could we're it's going to go in the minutes if we decide to put it in this you know agenda.However I want to make sure that the hold of Ventura can access it not just those who are watching or in this room.That's that that that is the
everybody please we're just trying to make sure that we do this legally right the way that you have asked us to do that from day one.So please let us have the final conversation so we can figure out what we need to do.
That's to the board's discretion.In no way what's in in no way at all am I making a judgment on the content of the document.It's just whether or not there's going to be access.Can you do it?Yes.I've already advised the board uh about um the fact that we don't have we may not have everybody have access to the document even though we present it and it's not attached to the agenda item.So the board can go ahead and make the decision and and as board member Peterson said um deal with the consequences if any afterwards.
Okay.Do we have a consensus on the board?We
have consensus for me.So let's go ahead and display it please.
Thank you.And sorry, Maryanne, I didn't finish it until like 3:45.So,
I'm just trying to figure out how to bring it up.
It's a PDF.Um, so I'll just at for the board.Um what I did is I just looked at where we started in this process and the state guidelines.So I looked I pulled up um ED code around school closures which basically identifies nine criteria that are required when you're looking at closing a school and then kind of the process and
Okay.
Is it just Is that the only document on there?
Yeah.
It's just a It's a PDF.
So, in the meantime, Shannon, I want to kind of kind of skipped over you.
Go ahead.
I'd really like to didn't have my mic on.Um, one of the things I did want to address and get some more information on our sped because I understand that we have some significant populations at the five schools that were on the list.So, excuse me.Can you please We're really trying to have a meeting here.I appreciate that you're here and I understand your passion, but we really need to be able to have a conversation.Um, so if I don't know, I know we had a quick turnaround from yesterday's meeting to today's meeting, but I'm hoping that you guys might be able to illuminate.We have some concerns about like our mod severe program and um you know also I understand like one of the programs that was moved to Citrus Glenn just last year and now potentially on a list to be moved
again.So I would just like maybe a little bit more information on the sped program.
Yes.Thank you.So our our team is prepared to provide a verbal update and if this information is something that we want to revisit we would absolutely bring it forward in visual form um to add to the the context of today'sconversation on Tuesday.Um so if we're ready to Dr.Bailis, do you want to go ahead and kick us off in terms of the discussions since uh uh yesterday?So yeah, we met last night and then today Dr.Bis and his team uh prepped for the conversation today.So if you would
Yeah, specifically with the request about information about the specialized um special education programs at the five sites that remained after the elimination of other sites.Um, I'll try to provide some information and feel free to uh stop me at any point and tell me if you want more of that or or less of that.So, the five sites that remain on the list all have specialized um special education programs, specialized day classes.Um, VOD has a total of eight elementary sites with regionalized special education programs.And all of these special education programs at the five schools are regionalized programs which means that um through the the SULPA uh we can uh we accept we can and do accept students from other um districts by virtueof our umou and then we bill for excess costs um and that's the way regionalized programs work bill other districts from the um uh uh students district of origin.
So um uh all 17 of our elementary sites and therefore these five sites also have typical non-specialized resource special education programs in addition to these um regionalized programs and uh all all five on this list because of theirspecialized programs have additional facilities um such for example all five have sensory rooms.So even if if if there's four or five or three classrooms at all five of these sites, there's an additional classroom at least used for um students that um benefit from having those that sensory room and those umum those accommodations.So um all five of these sites programs have been a part of um considerations of keeping specialized program size at a threeclassroom max size.So, um, several years ago, we looked at all of our specialized, um, special education programs districtwide, and we made a a commitment to try to, um, have a maximum classroom, uh, number at each site at of three.
And so, the movement of two classrooms from Mound last year to Citrus Glenn was the first step in that initiative to draw um, sites down to three.Now, we still have sites that have more than three.Um, and on this list, Elmherst is one of those sites, and we had planned as time went on to to shift some of those classrooms elsewhere so that we would have a maximum of three.So, I think that's uh something I wanted to include.Um something else that we uh just thought of that might be relevant for the board.All five of these sites uh can have a student aloping concerns and therefore any new um program site would need to include those kinds of precautions with respect to gates and fencing and things that keep students safe.So um I can now sort of address uh one by one uh if that's the pleasure of the board uh each of these fight sites and a couple of um facts.
Okay.
Administrators detail the specialized programs, staffing, transportation, and facility needs at Citrus Glenn, Elmhurst, Wan Maria, JSerra, and Lemon Grove.
Just just before we go before we go too far I just want to say something for the quorum that our president what what you just saw happen what was supposed to happen.James is a president so if something gets shown he's supposed to talk to legal legal is supposed to give the advice to the president then it comes back to the board.So, I don't want you to think that we're divided.Each person did their individual job and then they advise us and then the board has consensus.Do we want to move forward?So, I don't want you to think there's any fracture, but you just saw two people doing what they're supposed to do and then we decided to go forward.I just wanted to say that before we got too uh too far in this process.
I appreciate that.Thank you, Calvin.Uh thank you.Go ahead, Dr.
B.Yeah, let's start with um Citrus Glenn.So, prior to this current school year, Citrus Gland had no specialized special education program.Of course, they had a a typical special education uh resource program as all of our sites do.Um, and so we moved two classrooms from Mound and we added a third from the early intervention center, the EIC center.So, that's what makes up their um three classrooms.Um so there it's a primarily an um um program for students with autism and uh we have approximately we in the 30 range of students.So we have um classrooms a TK classroom we have um a 23 and a 45.Um the overall uh sort of staffing landscape is outside of those um specialized special education teachers.We have 22 total para profofessionals at um Citrus Glenn only a few of which are serving outside of that specialized program.
So it's predominantly um pair of professionals working in the specialized program.Um this is it's a it's a mild um mod pro autism program.There's no um ESN or extensive support needs students there.But um another thing I think that is important to that I didn't mention earlier on is that all five of these sites have speeched programs have um spe special education rates at their school that is higher than thedistrict average.So the district average is 16.So um at Citrus Glenn it's um 19%.And that of course is a result of those specialized programs.So, um, the board had asked last night to to include one of the comments I got was, well, what would where would we go if Citrus Glenn were to be, um, on the closure list?How what would happen to this particular program?So, uh, again, it's three classrooms and, um, uh, uh, Elmhurst, as I'll talk about in a little bit, currently has five classrooms.
Lemong Grove has two, Wana has two.we would have to find a way and we'd work with facilities of course to look at where these three classrooms could go.We'd like to keep these three classrooms together um uh for uh purposes of um collaboration with for teachers and for um scheduling purposes, transportation, etc.Um, so I if this approach that we've initiated and committed to over the last couple years, which is trying to maintain a maximum of three classrooms per site, if it were still viable, we'd have to take that intoconsideration.So we'd look around the district and see which um schools did not have specialized programs and that um currently would be Sheridan Way specialized special education programs.Sheridan Way, EP Foster, Lincoln, Will Rogers, Sunset, Portola, Puront, Montalvo, and Atlas would be um candidates based on that criteria of trying to keep a maximum of three.
So um it would be anywhere that we could put four classrooms because again, we have those three classrooms and we have a need for a sensory room um from Citrus Glenn.um 33 students.So all of our 3 um two plus students including an additional student receive transportation as an IEP service as a um out of Citrus Glenn.Um and I think that that uh maybe is where we could end and happy to take any questions on Citrus Glenn or I I'm happy to go to the next um four schools.
Any questions on Citrus?Okay, we'll go ahead and move on.Okay.Um let's transition to Elmer.So Elmer has technically two specialized programs.Um these are the extensive support needs.Um and there's approximately 40 students in those those programs.Uh they have of course um specialized facilities to serve the needs of those students.And um their special education rate again the district average is 16.The special education rate at Elmherst is 27%.Um so uh of course um we could talk more in depth if you want to know about some of those specific um facilities needs that we have there but um I think it suffice it to say there arespecific facilities that would have to be um considered in transitioning um to a new site.Um this would be um arguably the most challenging to move because it represents the highest number of classrooms uh because it would we would need seven classrooms if we were to keep these two together.
Again, we would um keeping with our uh past initiative trying to reduce to three.We just don't know if that would be possible in a school closure environment.Um but we would need um speech room and a sensory room.And so, um, we would have to consider how we would break up those, um, those those those five classes and those additional, um, uh, sensory room needs.So, um, I think it's important to say that, um, while many schools have, um, sort of inclusive oriented new playgrounds, Elmherst does have a very specifically designed new inclusive playground.Um and it Elmharst is the only site where there is a full-time psychologist.All all sites have um psychologist um support and services, but um that's when just trying to talk about some of the differences there.And we have also 50 students receiving IEP based transportation at Elmherst.
Um any thoughts or questions on Elmharst?
Okay, no thoughts.Next one.
Okay.Okay.
Actually, one more second.I missed one of the details.Um I caught the two ESN classes at Elmherst.Can you tell me what the other classes are?
I'm sorry.Yeah, total of five.Um we have um uh there's one extensive support needs non-categorical and then there one program I think it's three classrooms and we have two um extensive support needs specifically for students with autism.
Four class
total.Thanks.
Okay, moving on to uh Wan Maria.So, Wan Maria uh and Lemong Grove are somewhat similar in this regard, but Wan Maria's specialized special education program has decreased over the past couple years as a result of a couple things.Lower um transitions from the EIC and also uh with our TKK um inclusion initiative.So it's a it's a mild moderate uh program and uh so whereas in years past a few years back there were uh four classrooms and maybe in some cases even further back five but four classrooms in recent memorythere are now two um and uh they also have a sensory room and again it's a similar program to that of Lemong Grove and so arguably if one or the other were closed, you could move classrooms there, butthen we would have to um sort of wrestle with our three classroom um self-imposed ideal maximum.
Um Wan Maria's uh sped rate again the district's average rate is 16.Wan Maria's special education rate is 24 and they have 25 students at Wanomaria receiving IEP based uh transportation.
Okay.J Ser.
Okay.Yes,
J Ser.Um, Uniproa is the home to um the um ETP program, emotional therapeutic program, formerly the um ED program.It has two classrooms with a total of 10 students.Um and this is the only school in the district to have that specialized program.Again, all of these are regionalized that um may or may not at any given year have um students from other um districts.Um uh let's see here.Uh 12 paras.They have uh two calming rooms that are sort of a join.They're not full classrooms, but they're are joined rooms to the uh existing classrooms.And um sensory classrooms are really important for this program.um they have a really high rate of clinician service.Um all of our schools of course have um clinician support.Um the school has uh the most and so to move it anywhere we would need four available classrooms and right now we have nine students receiving IEP based transportation at um Jerah.
Did I did you give the percentage of students?I missed that.uh the percentage is 17% so it's slightly above and I just want to circle back I appreciate the uh the clarifying text for Elmherst um we were right on when we said five ESN classrooms but um just interms of the distribution um four of them are non-catategorical um extensive support needs and one of them is extensive support needs categorical or autism program so I want to clarify that.Okay.Lemon Grove uh again similar to Wan Maria with a mod uh mild mod um um SDC program decreased over the past couple years again as a result of decreased metriculation from EIC and um also our TKK1 inclusion initiative.Um they currently have two classrooms uh 26 students kind of and a grade split of two three and a 35 um even 13 students in each.
Um they also have a sensory room so that would be three classrooms.Um and again it could be moved anywhere where there are three classrooms.I listed off those schools that did not currently have specialized programs.Um but also considering that um Lemong Grove and Wana have um sort of analogous parallel specialized programs.That's um something uh for consideration.The Lemong Grove uh schoolwide uh special education rate again it's uh this is includes 68 not just elementary it's 25%.And um they have 29 students at Lemon Grove receiving IEP based transportation services.
Board members explain the timeline and urgency behind the closure process, including school choice deadlines and bond projects that are on hold.
All right.Any questions?
Not questions.I would love if you could um make sure that we get that data typed out.I I know that I missed a few details.Felt like I was in a college classroom for a minute there.Um but I would appreciate just being able to have a visual on that at some point.
We absolutely will.And when we post the agenda for the for Tuesday, um we we'll make sure that happens.
Okay.Any other questions about If not, we'll we'll go into uh we'll go back to Sabrina.Um, and Sabrina touched on this though before we get into that of kind of like how we got here and why we're here, why we're trying to make a decision.Um, and the timeline of of the school closure process actually started when Roger Rice was superintendent and he had that discussion.We were looking at declining enrollment and then COVID hit and then that disrupted a lot.So now we're seeing a declining enrollment was very significant.So the board issued a school closure committee that lasted about eight months and we received a report The board then asked if we can modify those that criteria with the data available and come up with our own listand we basically got that done last night as our final list and comparative and comparing those two.
Now, now is kind of the time and why are we here?Why are we uh rushing to a decision?there's a couple things that are are pressing for us and we need to make a decision whether it's to actually go through with the process which it doesn't sound like it or we put it off and we actuallymake a a structured plan which I'm in favor of.However, we do have to keep in mind we have school choice that's coming up.So, we need to tell the parents something.These parents are going to be waiting.they're going to be waiting with their with their uh finger on the mouse waiting to to submit their new child's school choice.And that's we can't drain schools.We can't put parents and families in limbo like this because this is really detrimental to our community.So that's why we're here.
There's another aspect too is that we have a bond and that bond money is being spent currently and now we had to stop that process about nine months ago.And so those playgrounds, which is playgrounds, HVAC, which we just had 90° temperatures several times, um roofs, uh you name it, fields, that's all on pause as we're trying to figure this out.So that's the urgency that we're facing as a board is your tax dollars.You all approved of this bond and it's sitting.We have a playground for Sheridan Way that's actually here at the ESC that's sitting waiting for us to make a decision.So that's the urgency.That's why we got to this point why we're having several meetings and we're coming to this point.I really do want to hear Sabrina's uh um uh plan because I think that's important, right?And I think that we all have to understand what what are the consequences of stalling or waiting if we implement a new plan or we take action now because there's always going to be consequences.
President Forsad, I know you didn't mean the term action in this way, but if you can also clarify for people um that are watching or in the audience about during agenda adoption, what was decided although this was originallyposted as an action item.
So, this is origed as an action item, meaning that we were going to supposed to take action one way or another.That's why we're kind of here at this point.Uh we've since um uh modified the agenda to a no action item.So, it's more like a conference item, but not really.Okay.So there's no action to be taken today because we have new information.We want to hear the sped information and we do have a special board meeting on the 17th if the board decides to go that route.
Sabrina presents a proposal to pause the closure process, form an ad hoc committee, and create a clearer timeline and vision for future decisions.
Okay, I'm going to kick it back over to Sabrina.
Yeah, good.Thank you.So, um again, my focus was um on the process.I really feel like um you know overwhelmingly what we've heard from folks is we need clarity in what the process is going to be, what the what the categories are that the board is considering and um I havethis digitally.Thanks.um and and what parents can expect in terms of knowing the information in a timely way, what staff can expect in terms of um you know, displacement programs, that kind of thing.So anyway, I went back to ED code.Um this is what um governs this process.It's typically used for districts that are in financial distress, which this district is not in in financial distress as identified by the state board of education, but certainly we are looking at this because of our financial situation andum that has has been a factor.
So these are the nine factors that the board shall and I'm not Anthony, but I will tell you that when the ED code says shall, it doesn't mean you you might.It means you shall conduct an equity uh impact analysis and um it should it must include all of these factors which were all things that were in the criteria that our committee looked at.If you can go to the next one.Um, and then it prescribes that after you have done those steps, you will share all of that information with the with the public.Um, including some things that we have not yet done.And so this was to me part of where if we're looking at our process, um our process hasn't included some of the things that are required in order for families and staff to have clarity around what's being doneum how it's being done, when it's going to be implemented, and what those how we're going to mitigate the impacts on students.
Right?So um I just wanted to call that out.And specifically when we look at um equity impact analysis, there's a some some real clarity that I don't think um the board um understood around how how we are supposed to analyze that information and kind of how umhow we're supposed to communicate that analysis to the public.Um next slide, Marian.
And then just before we go on, because you've stated this a couple different ways, um Anthony, we've talked about the Bonta analysis and that's what this is.Can you comment on when we talk about Shell, it is true for districts that meet this criteria, it is a shell, but given that we don't meet the criteria, it's it's optional.So, if you can weigh in on that,
it u it doesn't apply to Ventura Unified.How
you're not on Yeah, there you go.
It doesn't apply to Ventura uh unified since we're not technically defined as a district of financial distress.However, uh uh the attorney general does say that it is good practice.So it's it even though it says shall it it doesn't apply to us but it doesn't mean that we don't have to follow the the recommendations in the ED code.I just wanted to make that clarification that we are not a district in financial distress as defined by the code.
Thank you.Yeah, I just wanted to make sure that if we were to adhere to this, it would be best practice and optional but not required.
And throughout this process, we've said our goal was to be consistent with best practice.Um and then um so next slide.Um when I went back and looked at the presentation from school services um when we were adopting this um and appointing the committee um I I felt like again in hindsight one one of the things that I hadnot really um internalized is that the we actually did give the committee some charge that I don't think they actually um felt that they could do.And on the next slide, so you'll see, you know, most of what is here is um what they did, but on the next slide um specifically based on the above criteria in blue, it says provide the board andadministration with recommendations on new school boundary areas, educational programs at specific sites, and other factors that could maintain or improve enrollment in the district and its schools.
Um, so that was part of the feedback that we got from the committee was that they felt like they wanted to do some of this, but that they were um they weren't that it wasn't in their charge, butactually it was in their charge.And so there I think there's a disconnect.And that's important to me because as we go to the next slide, sorry Marian, um, what I'm proposing is that we take a breath, reorganize ourselves.Um, as you all know, we have two new board members who will be joining the board um, in December.What I'm proposing is that we create an ad hoc committee for our board that would include one of the three um, existing board members and one of our newly elected board members.Um the advantage of an ad hoc committee is it allows those committee members to go deeper and to to really spend time and do more investigation um on these issues and bring back some of that information to us
and the community in some synthesized ways.Um I would propose that as a first step we identify what our priorities and our vision are which is a step that I think we've heard over and over again the community does not have clarity on and Iwould I would say even the board does not have clarity on that.Um that ad hoc committee could meet with the members of our um school closure advisory committee to get you know understand better their process.What were some of their frustrations?where were some things that they felt like there was u missing resolution.Also, we've heard from community members about the declining enrollment committee that met during COVID.Um you know, if they want to meet with some of those declining enrollment folks to see were there were there good ideas that didn't get brought forward.Was there some, you know, really out of the box thinking that that we're missing out on in our haste?
Um they can also look at the new data that this board has asked for and potentially other data that um that we might feel is important and then spend the next few months looking at that data having thoseconversations and bring back a revised recommendation to the larger board with some summary information in March.Next slide.Um, we could then have board presentations and community input in the month of April with a board decision in May.Um, boundary discussions over the course of the summer and this would be postponing implementation by a year.Um, I want to just say that this is just my in an hour I had this afternoon rough draft of a process, right?But I think we need to begin to have a conversation about what is it we need to have a meaningful conversation and that's been a part of this conversation that's been missing.
Um, next slide.I only have three more slides.I promise.I'm trying to be brief.Um, when we f I know Greg I got I think I got nine, so I'm good.Um when we when we started this process, one of the things that we were talking about was looking at how do we restore some of the cuts that we've had to make.Um and so when I was thinking about what what we're trying to achieve, if we look at the restoration of site staffing, um you know, that was depending on what positions would be brought back and how we woulddo it, anywhere between a million and a half and two and a half million.Um if we we you know, we've talked about reducing class size, right?So, in the elementary school, if we wanted to reduce class size, um, you know, to have a meaningful impact, you're talking about more than $2 million.
I I came up with a 2.5 million by by assuming we would add on average one teacher to every elementary school.We use as a common number $150,000 per elementary school teacher.So, that's that's how I got the 2.5.We haven't seen numbers on what it would look like to reduce class size in our secondary schools.So that would be information that this committee, the ad hoc committee could could certainly request.Um, one of the board priorities in having again this school closure conversation was to reduce maintenance costs, reduce um the this the breadth of our bond investments to be able to focus more on individual sites.Um, so that is something that I think is a value and a priority for us.Um, you know, we need to have a conversation with our two new board members about what does it mean as a district to maintain choice, right?
Like Jerry, you talked about Mound.Um, we've had conversations about TWWI programs.We've had conversations about K8s.You know, that has been a value for this district for many years, but but maybe that's not the same kind of value.And I think that's a communitywide conversation that needs to be had as we have the conversation about school closures.Um I do believe that we need to look use this process to address ine inequities um both inequities in terms of resource allocation but also inequities in terms of um kind of unduplicated population concentrations, right?Like we know that we have some schools in our district that have very low unduplicated populations that are not representative of who we are as a community and we have some that are very high.So, how do we try to sort of spread that out and make sure that all of our schools are diverse, all of our schools are places where everyone feels welcome?
Um, and then there are other priorities that this board can can decide um are part of what we would want to see in these, you know, improved and strengthened schools um moving forward.Uh, next slide.But um what I came away with last night and what really just um honestly was super frustrating to me um is the five schools that are on that list um that's the projected savings um from our uh youknow from our our uh data set.That's really honestly the max savings and we know that that wouldn't be achieved because that doesn't take into account transportation costs.It doesn't take into account students leaving because we closed their school and they choose to go outside of our district, right?So, this is really like best case scenario.If we close two schools from that list, best case is we save ourselves $1.8 million.
Um, I guess what I walked away with is I can't stomach the heartache we're causing for $1.8 million because I think we have other ways.
Okay, if we could just that would that would be great please.Thank you.
And so I think that requires us to have a more comprehensive conversation about what is it we are trying to achieve and are there other different better alternative ways to get there.
Board members debate transparency, community input, and whether an ad hoc committee with new board members would improve the process.
I do uh I do have a question about the ad hoc committee.You know at the onset of this process we wanted to have community voice.Um, an IHA committee is just two board members and there's no and it's it's not a public committee and the the the committee that we had was a public committee and also had 30 uh members of the community.So I'm not in necessarily in favor of a ad hoc in its in its form currently.So I I would want to see if you wanted to have more of a community focused community voice focused um committee that is uh streamed that that the community that the community can attend.
So um the purpose of an ad hoc committee is to be able to do research and bring that back on regular intervals to the rest of the board.Right?So it's not that they're making decisions for the board.An ad hoc committee just h because it's only two members they can meet more regularly.they can, you know, meet more kind of nim nimly.And um so the goal would be for them to be able to meet with the school closure committee members, right?To to be able to gather more information than is practical in this format because the reality is and you know we we welcome public engagement.Like I really do love hearing your public comments, but this process takes forever.Every comment we make sends people's emotions through roller coasters, right?And I would like to avoid as much as possible this sort of hubbhub of it, right?
And get to the actual like let's have a really meaningful conversation.And I think if we can do that by having a few members of ours go deep and then report back, we might be in a better place than I mean we could do that as a whole board, butit's going to take us five times as long, right?
Yeah.I'm still just concerned about community input in the process.I want to make sure that our I mean I I assume the community wants to have that input into their school closure process.
Well, I'll tell you why I the ad hoc committee because I obviously I haven't had time to digest the whole um packet because we just got it right now.But when I read the ad hoc committee, I thought about it and so the community has already spoken, right?the community has spoken and said that we have two new members coming in.So, they're saying that's a representative of the community.And the reason why I think the ad hoc committee is a good idea because unlike political races, this is a nonpartisan board, right?If someone I think we have two members that are coming in that are qualified to do the job.So, I'm not against it of having their input come in in into the board.And I think that that's the community input that you're going to get is because those two people were voted in by the community.
So right now we know that the community has those two people.They have their trust right now because they just put them they just put them on the board.So when you combine the person that just had the community input and you have someone that's experienced on the board that can help that person along, I actually think that's a great idea and a great communication.And that would to me that would be the experienced board member saying I do want the community input because I'm putting a new person on the ad hoc committee that was sent by the community.So the only thing that I've been thinking about is that ad hoc committee.I think the ad hoc committee bringing in the two board members is going to do a lot for the board because regardless if I'm here or not, I still have a stake in Ventura Unified School District.
So I want everybody to succeed whether it's a new board member, a old board member.I want VUSD as a whole to succeed.So, I think I actually think that's a good idea.The ad hoc committee.I haven't looked at everything else, but that's all I've been thinking about is like, man, that's to me that's a brilliant idea to bring that new board member in and to merge um the boards like that.So, I'm only 20%.Obviously, we need to have more discussion about
it.Really goes back and the community has been screaming at us about being more transparent.Ad hoc committees aren't transparent in nature because it is not something that is televised.It's not something that's recorded.It's not something that's displayed.It is something that happens at the district level with our board.And we had this with we've had this with um a PLA.We had this with um our special ed board.They they don't know that we had a special ed committee or project labor agreement committee.And I'm just saying it's not as transparent as a more open committee.That's my concern is transparency through this process.
Well, I think actually it helps us because we just heard in public comment today that that us five has lost trust regardless if we think we lost trust.They told us they lost trust, right?So now they sent Wait, hold.I'm not I'm I'm not doing this to to to receive claps because you got to remember I'm leaving.I'm doing this because I do care about Ventura Unified School District.And the reason why I think it helps the community is because you can't scream louder than replacing somebody, right?So they put their trust in those two people.So we have to trust them and say they believe in those two people to make decisions.So bring them on the ad hoc committee and let the experienced board person and the person that just got the trust, they have the trust.You know, they're telling us that we didn't.
So when you combine those two, I think it actually helps to heal that relationship of the trust because they put them there.So I believe that this will I believe this will help the board actually gain some of that trust back in in my in my opinion, but my opinion is only valid through December 15th.
Jerry,
yeah, I I I think the ad hoc committee could be a good idea.You just have to figure out a way to communicate what they're doing and maybe a a detailed report at every board meeting would work, you know, but I think we're missing something in this before you even start.What's the goal?Is it to save a million dollars?Is it to close one school?Is it to close two schools?Is it to save $5 million?Until you have a specific goal, the rest of it's just garbage.
Marian, can you go back?
Yeah.
So, it's it's to the first blue one.Thank you.And that Yeah.
So Jerry and that that's exactly why to me this is where we need to start right in this process is what what is what is the goal not only goal financially but what's the goal programmatically from this process.
Well and that's and that's why I suggest you know there are members of our staff out there that would like to give input on other ways to save money.you know, besides some of these things, there's a million other ways to save money that that might help the district.Um, one thing that I would like to to point out just, and I know we're probably not going to go with this right now, but with the five schools on this, and I know we don't usually say thingslike, "Oh, but that's my trustee area."Two and a half of those are in trustee area four, putting an undue burden on the east end.So, I think you need to find a way to uh make sure it's evenly spread across the district, but more importantly, you need a clear goal what you're trying to accomplish.And I haven't heard that as of yet other than to it started out to save money and then it turned out to be strengthening schools.
I haven't heard a clear goal of even what any of that means at this point in time.
The board continues discussing the need for a clear framework, the value of community committee work, and whether the process should be slowed down.
So, as long as the the process is transparent, that's where I'm at.It has to be as transparent as possible because we're talking about schools that our taxpayers are funding and they need to know the process that we're we're doing and it can't be behind closed doors be in this buildingand they're unaware.So I like the idea of continuous reports from the committee about whatever there won't be any action but there will be research there will be discussions who are they discussing with you know that's the important part like whoare they asking uh questions from because we're kind of changing the process we want to make sure that we're uh uh having a good swath of the community in this input process.
So as long as it's transparent I'm I'm okay.
Yeah.And I know we want to be transparent, but sometimes when you get that input with three people or four people and two of them are not actually decision makers, you kind of have that conflict.But if we trust that the two new board members do have the confidence of the community, then when they're suggesting things, we can just kind of infer that they're suggesting things that the community would want.So the ad hoc committee to me, because you know, we started one for their property.The reason why it's so valuable is because we have trust among us.So when I come and say, "Hey, I think these two plans are the best for the board."You know, 20% said it, you're at 40% said it.So if you're trusting us, we need that other person to come along.When you add a person from the community, you're really not giving them any power to make the decision because it's still going to come to us five.
And I think that's what makes the ad hoc this ad hoc committee is a little different than the ones we ever we've ever had because we have two people that have the trust of the community.So I I think is I think it's going to work and I understand your point.Um but I I think this is something unique that we've never faced this before, but I I think this is a positive things to have that new board member with the trust and the older board member with theexperience and merge those two together.So, um, I'll just say I don't personally really care if it's an ad hoc committee or not.What my sort of my main point is, we need a process.So far, we've had nothing put forward as a process for us to follow.And so, if somebody else wants to come up with a better process, I am fine with that.
But this is a starting point.Like, let's, you know, have the conversation about what a process looks like.agree that we need a framework for a process and a timeline for the process and then begin the work because we've had three meetings where we've not really had a structured conversation, right?Like it's and and yesterday's meeting for me was, you know, very frustrating because it came out of the blue.I felt like community members were very surprised and um and it resulted in really shock and horror for five school communities and that's that is not the way we typically make decisions.It's not who we are as a district and we should expect better from ourselves.Well, we did we did start with a process and we we essentially rejected that process and that process was our school uh our uh school closure committee and that was best practice and we said no to it.
We said no to the data, no to the work that they did.And that really frustrated me because we asked 30 comm community members to come out, take all their time and participate in this process and we just said, "No, we don't we don't value the data that you just did.We're doing it ourselves."And that frustrated me a lot.
Well, I I think to that and even before uh I found out I wasn't going to be on a board, we talked about the town hall.I did talk about where best practices, the practice that we followed were for cookie cutter schools.And we all know that Ventura Unified has put a lot of effort into making our schools neighborhood schools.So we took a cookie cutter process that was best practices for a cookie cutter school district and tried to apply it to a neighborhood school school district.So I think that's why it it really didn't work.We did what we thought was best because we've never done this before.So I'm right now I feel better about saying what we tried to do using best practices didn't work for Ventura Unified School District.And so now we're saying let's do what works for Ventura Unified School District.
So if the next neighborhood school people have to do it, they can look at our model.So I do agree with taking the time to make sure we get it right then than than guessing about it.
And actually I mean sorry um I take issue with that.I mean I I feel like we were given a report and basically it it was okay well now you can vote to approve the recommendations or not but at the minute that we said we're not going to approvethis as it came from the committee then there was no process right then there was no like okay so here's what you do then next if you want to revise here's what you do next if you since sincewe received the report and not like I never would throw away community member effort.So, like I appreciate the work the committee did, but it only took us so far.And from the time that that process was done, we've we've just been here like, you know, we've had a number of conversations that have not resulted in like a framework, next steps, anything that that community can follow with
confidence or that even the the five of us know what to expect in each of these conversations.And again, I I'm just putting an option.I don't I'm not married to it.We can we can change it.We can do whatever this committee uh this the board thinks will work.I just sure
am offering an option.
Yeah.However, we we immediately disavowed the information.We immediately pushed it aside.We immediately took their work and said, "No, we're going to do our own criteria."Almost the same meeting.And that was not I felt like that was a real slap in the face to 30 community members that spent their time.I'm sorry.I I I held it long enough and I'm I'm I'm frustrated.I am also frustrated by this process.But I'm also frustrated that we did not we did not honor them.We did not honor their their time.
But but here's here's the good thing.As board members, we can change it, right?So we can start the process now.like I'm I'm truly I this board as an individual changed me being with you guys for for four years.And so I think that we're saying right now is like, hey, it didn't work out the way we wanted to work out.But we still have time to fix it.And if if if the board doesn't want to rush, don't rush.If the board want to makes the decision, make a decision.And I understand you have outside pressures, but when it's all said and done, the five of us or the five of the adding the other two that come in, we're responsible for the decision.So, we have to make a decision to make a decision because if we don't, we're just going to keep on putting this into um perpetuity.
So I I you know for my time left I think the ad hoc good decision um is a good idea and maybe those two people work on the process and present that to the rest of the board andthen you take consensus on do you believe that that their process their work.So maybe let the ad hoc committee um decide the process and make a presentation to the to the board and you guys decide on it.
Members raise concerns about bond implementation, the need for a district vision, and the trade-offs involved in any closure or delay.
Okay.Um, couple things.So, um, one, I the transparency is really important to me as well.So, I, you know, like to Sabrina's point, I don't care if we call it ad hoc, I don't whatever.I really do like the idea of having someone who's newly elected, someone who has the experience that for me I have found in some of our other ad hoc committees that that was my frustration is that as thenewbie on the board I was kind of you know dumped into a process that was already in full swing.So for me, making sure that one of our newer trustees is included, I think is really important.Um, clearly the community has spoken and I really look forward to being able to get that new input.Um, I always think we can do better.So, um, a so one of my questions I think for Dr.
Castro would be, um, you know, not necessarily tonight.I know you're just seeing this for the first time as well, but moving forward if we do try to create some kind of a committee to address this differently.Um, if you could give us recommendations on how we can make that more transparent, I would really appreciate that going forward.Um, I do have a couple concerns about the timeline, but obviously this was a back of the napkin kind of a thing.So um you know I would want our um team to be able to give us kind of some more details about how that would work.Um the big glaring concern for me is what about the bond?So my concern and I will say my concern coming into this again because until December 15th I'm the newbie on the board and um one of my concerns is that when I came in and we had this severe
declining enrollment and I started before I became a board member on the bond committee as a citizen on the bond committee And one of my concerns was as we were talking about all of the money that we werespending on the bonds and we were talking about declining enrollment and the potential like are we going to need to consolidate schools, close schools, reconfigure schools, whatever word you want to use.Like we are already spending tens of millions of dollars on schools that could potentially be closed.So, my concern going forward is my fiduciary responsibility to our taxpayers, which is where would we stand with our bond dollars?I don't want to waste taxpayer dollars.Um, I don't want schools to languish with needed repairs and upgrades.I So, I just have a lot of concerns in regard for the bond and I don't know if you can speak to that, but that
and then I do have one more comment, but if you want to speak to that.Okay.Why don't you finish your comment because I'm going to try and bring this to some consensus going forward.Yes.
So then my other comment is with regard to the school closures advisory committee and I know I have said this in many many meetings.I literally carry my binder around with our letters from our members and I have them all tabbed.I've reached out to many of the members of the committee in order to get more insights from them and um in order to have ongoing conversations.I want to be clear that just first of all, we did take the advisory committee's recommendations on our secondary schools.So, I want to make that preliminary.We did take those recommendations.If any of the committee members are watching, which I'm hoping you're still following this and that we didn't burn you out totally, um you are greatly appreciated and I hope that we have been very clear in expressing thatevery step of the way.Um we have different parameters that we're able to work in that the committee did not have or were was not given.
whether or not they were entitled to some of those like boundary things.Um, you know, that's new information I think all the way around.But I I just would not like any of our um committee members from school closures or any of our potential future candidates when we call upon our community in order to speak out and give us their opinion.Like, we want you to know that we value that.And I hope in all of this that is not lost that your current board as well as I'm assure your future board we do value that community input.So um the fact that we did not take those advisors those advisories and directly um rubber stamp them even the committee giving them to us said you guys need to do more work on this.So I agree that the process has not been ideal but um I just want to make that that clear that we do absolutely value the work that that um committee did.
So thank you
and I you know and and a lot of the the uh frustration I had with not accepting the the work of the what the committee did because I sat on the declining enrollment committee and um we our voicewasn't heard at the end.our our committee was cut off and I was the chair of the committee and I wasn't able to present to the board our findings.Um and that's where my frustration lies.We we had a lot of work.We had teachers, we had principles that spend a lot of time on that committee and um it didn't it didn't materialize.So I I I'm really protective of our committees of our community communities and um and so that's where my frustrations and I do apologize.I don't mean to be so frustrated, but it was a frustrating process during the declining enrollment committee and and I wanted to make sure that our school closure committee was heard and that their their voices are valued, their
work is means it means something.And I felt like we we did accept the secondary recommendations, but oh, we didn't finish it and it was it just kind of harkked back to the declining enrollment committee for me.Uh Mr.Henry, sorry.Yeah, Dr.Castro, but I want I want to hear it from our board member.
Um, so just from the beginning kind of with this proposed ad hoc board committee, uh, I've been thinking about like community involvement and transparency when that was uh, brought up.And so I've been thinking about like what Mr.Peterson said with our new board members coming in with new trust from the community and what Mrs.Lombardo said of Poinsettia with having an existing board member to show off some of that servant leadership that we can hope for.um like with regular reports with new and existing research if there's frustration coming from that like the issue of community transparency and involvement like when I had to park behind the buses I'm pretty sure the community is prettyinvolved and when there's 90 public comments I'm pretty sure the community is involved so I feel like having this uh way of constructing this like committee to do this research and present to our community and to the board
I really think that we wouldn't struggle with community involvement because like they're right here so Yeah,
Dr.Castro.
Yeah.Um, so a lot's been said in terms of process.Uh, we've been uh clear with the community uh and with the school closure advisory committee from the beginning.Their work has been utilized, has been honored.Um, it has taken a different form because as we shared with that committee all along, the board has complete discretion to use that report in part or in whole or not at all.Uh so the board is at this phase in terms of the suggestions or the ideas that are being proposed.During Tuesday's meeting we can start to touch on what the framework is and I think that's a positive step.But before that there are two elements that I I see as essential.The first part is the bond.the the staff needs some clear direction from the board in lie of if these results are to be put off for another school year.
We need to be able to come and give you some pros and cons about how we would approach the bond implementation plan for let's say you don't postpone.Here are recommendations.If you do postpone, here are recommendations.So that's that's the first part.The second part is before we move into what I'll just call a decentralized potential process of the ad hoc that vision piece is something that is essential.Um so I I really don't see if we're waiting for our new board members to be seated.There need to be at least a couple of meetings with public in input into that process so the public is helping shape the new board's vision for this process.I think that's critical.Um, I also think that some special board meetings and study sessions around getting those new board members up to speed because a lot has been learned in this process.
And I think that's critical for the community also to see what are the things that the board this this next board is saying are important from a vision perspective to have input before you hand it off potentially toan ad hoc process.And that the third part of that is as a staff at that point, I think it's important for us to give the board some trade-offs because the board did have this discussion.and it was a long time ago.There were trade-offs initially um and we haven't revisited those.We're in a new place now.And so with a new board and potentially a new vision, uh it is important that we get that because at the end of that process, it is highly likely that depending upon the outcome, you could end up ina very similar place which is the community could still be divided.
Board members could potentially be divided, especially if that we'll call what for now what we'll call an ad hoc committee.Um just as Dr.Dr.Dannenberg said if the recommendations that come forward out of that ad hoc are not representative of the entire community um there there will be complications.Um so I think that's everything that feels relevant for right now.
The board weighs financial savings against program cuts, class size, and neighborhood school values, while also considering parcel taxes and other revenue ideas.
Okay.Any other discussion points?
Just I can't emphasize enough more than priorities and values you need to have some clear goals and objectives set out at the start of the process so that you know what you're shooting for.I don't care if it's a million dollars.I don't care if it's $10 million, but just not, you know, and and if you do that, what are you going to do with that money so that the community can start to weigh is is that worth closinga school or closing two schools or closing three schools, you know, or if the if the the board just wants to say, "Oh, we want to close just one."You know, that you know, that changes your discussion.But you have a an object that you're going for.We never had an object what we were going for.It was just sort of let's close schools.
Well, I I do want to just I don't want to wind back the clock too much, but there were several conversations at the time, and we've we've resurfaced this in a couple of ways.The board was presented with the alternatives to school closure, which are generally less resource schools.And uh Trusty Fredericks, you've brought this point up a couple of times more recently.Um if schools are not closed then it is not an issue of resource allocation from a um consolidated schooling perspective.It's an issue of the board needing then to decide how are we spreading resources across more schools and that it will always be the central issue in this conversation.Either if there are fewer schools to serve, you have more resources to serve them um in terms of uh being able to serve higher concentrations of students in pockets.Or the alternative is to continue to spread them out as we go through declining enrollments.
and that this board and future boards will just need to confront that.Um, but I want to wind back back to the bond implementation plan during that time if the board continues or if the board gives staff direction to continue to implement the bond.That was another constraint that this board dealt with.This the sense of urgency was we need to get to a particular point in time and we are here.We're right on track as we had projected um because of the delayed uh approach to bond implementation plan.And so that's another constraint that still needs to be addressed as I already stated.
Can I just add on to the bond implementation plan?If Ryan came to this board meeting, presented November 6, on that list, it gives you your HVAC projects, your playground projects, your roofing projects for the elementaryaries that have not been completed and they've been essentially delayed until thisdecision is made.If the board decides to forego this, we would need a clear path.If our plan was still to double up this coming summer, we need to move like soon.And if it's if the decision is to hold off, we need a direction.And do you want us to continue moving forward with these projects or else one the con would be the sites will not get those HVAC roofing playground projects or the audio enhancements.They'll have to wait another year or do we move forward with it while you guys wrestle with
Thank you, Dr.M.And so because this new uh process or uh type of committee would then also need to have open eyes uh and an open heart potentially to a closure of a middle school or a high school.That also calls into question the board's previous clearance or direction and green light to move forward with our secondary bond projects.So my recommendation at this point having said all of that is next Tuesday to really start with the bond implementation plan.get the board up to speed because we were only giving you highlevel versions of that to inform the school closure process.But if we if it seems like there may be consensus to to have some form of delay and if that's the case we as Dr.Mirrors has said we need some additional guidance not just for elementary schools.We need to um really get some clarification on the secondary schools and dedicate some time to that before we dedicate time to this potential new process because this is going to take some time for the bond implementation plan.
We we don't have that time to wait.We need to either procure contracts and move forward or double up or stop that because otherwise we will be um as you said um not as good of stewards of our of our of our public funding.And uh before I get to Shannon, HVAC is the biggest concern for me is huge concern because we having students I I've how many times I went to pick up my daughters and their faces are completely red andthe whole class is dying of heat.This is a safety concern.So I I'm 100% for starting those programs again.I think we're just we're just going to have to eat it if we decide to close the school that we put HVAC in.It's a safety concern and also roofing.We're going to be hitting a new storm coming in here pretty soon and EP Foster is always leaking.
So, I'm just it's I think we've kind of stopped this process.We need to restart it.Uh the especially for the safety aspects of what the bond provides.
Shannon, sorry.
No, I just I wanted to reiterate something that Dr.Dannenberg said earlier, you know, about programs that um we used COVID monies in order to beef up counseling, beef up wellness, beef up so many different programs.Um and we have heard from the community very robustly about the importance of those programs and I can tell you those are important programs for my students as well in in my own classroom.So, um, you know, realizing that like those are really important programs that if we are not moving forward with school closures, I I want I just want the public to kind of let that sit with you for aminute.Like the whole point if we are looking at strengthening our schools and not thinning out our resources.I mean there could potentially be some really difficult disc decisions about continuing programs that are important and well loved.
So
yeah, I mean I I don't disagree.Again, I I just think we have to ground this in the actual numbers, right?So, when we removed middle schools and and high schools from the discussion, those are the schools that actually yield a significant savings, right?So, and I'm not that's not me saying we should close a high school, but I'm just saying that like the minute we said we're not going to I pulled up Cababrio because I mean, you know, so Cababrio umif it were to close, which obviously no one is advocating for, would be $2.3 million in savings um from staffing reductions.That's from one school.You could close three elementary schools and not yield that same amount of money and you're you're impacting kids who are at a site for six or seven years, right?And I'm not saying middle school isn't important because we all know middle school's like a really pivotal time.
But I'm just saying I don't think this board has had the conversation at the level that it needs to have if what we're saying is in order to pay for elementary school counseling, which we all value, we arewilling to close a middle school, right?Like if that's the conversation that we're going to have, then then we should have it and you know, publicly gather feedback and all those things.But we I I don't if we just close two or three of the schools that are on this list, we are maybe going to yield what it would cost to maintain elementary school counselors at their current level andthat's it,
right?And so we go through all of this and at the end of the day, nothing feels better at the rest of the schools.And again, I to me that that is not a trade-off I can live with.
And I think the middle school conversation centered around those are big.Those are big schools with 700, 600 students.And I personally went to every single middle school, comprehensive middle school to see what the capacity was and there wasn't enough capacity.Balboa has the largest capacity to take on new students and it's only 360.Only 10 classrooms that are free.So, and the investment it would take to add that extra student body, those hundreds of other students from let's say Anakappa or whatever the plan was would have cost more than closing the school.So, that's where we drifted away from middle schools because of the fact that they're huge and we would make a very big middle school.And we all know statistically and we all know uh uh from practice that large middle schools have declining uh outcomes and it really affects students ability to learn.
I mean it's just it's a warehouse of kids and so that was the discussion that we had of middle schools and we had that discussion.I think we need to revisit high schools and and that is going to be even more challenging because we have two large comprehensive high schools that are nearly 2,000.They're probably going to be 1500 or 2,000 students.and we also have another comprehensive 900.How are we going to fit those kids?And I think that's what the committee came to a conclusion.That's why they said no, we shouldn't because there's not a viable path there because there's just not enough room and it would cost more money to put those kids and portables and build that portable structure than it wouldbe to just leave the high school as it is.So that was that was where we came from.
But I think the committee can analyze that a little bit in more detail.Um and but I think the conclusion is going to be the same to be honest.
Well, one of the se suggestions that I was given today and I'm not saying it's a good suggestion.I'm just saying it need things like this need to be explored was we could help our elementaryaries by moving back to a K6 model.help your help help your junior highs out by not having quite so impact on them by making them a seven eight and it's a structure that might be worth looking at.I mean but this is coming out of the community as an idea and I think it's a type of thing that we ought to have some group exploring what other ideas you know then we talk about you knowI'm not saying counseling is not worth it you know we all sat here and said we value counseling I'm saying would the community rather have counseling or would they rather have us close a school
and I think they're very clear they don't want schools closed
But we need the counselors.
Well, but again, you know, I last yesterday did my back in the napkin math on if if if the community is saying we don't want to close neighborhood elementary schools, then we need to look at ways to increaseour funding.If we did a parcel tax specifically targeted towards maintaining our elementary school neighborhood schools, we could generate more than we would save with closing three schools.And it would allow stable local funding for maintaining something that the community values.But you know that that takes time.That takes working with our associations, working with our community groups, right?To figure out what what the right balance is.We don't have that kind of time currently with the with the you know timeline that we have.But I I don't think that that should be ignored.I mean I do think we need to think about if the community is saying we don't want to close our neighborhood schools.
We value that the way they build community.We value those connections.Then we need to figure out how we keep them.And that might not be just within this the money that we get from the state because that is not always consistent.I mean, especially as we look at, you know, insecurity in the in the job market moving forward.We don't know what next year is going to have.So, that's why people do parcel taxes because it's local money that you can count on.
The board briefly pauses and asks staff to return with clearer direction before the next round of public comment.
Okay.Any other further discussion?I think we need to take a break and then we're going to come back for public comment.
Yes, we currently have 60 public comments.Okay.
Um, I think that some have been texting me wanting a little clarification on the route you might be taking because they may or may not make their public comment depending, but we do have 60.
Well, I think we're in agreement that we need to have a we need to have some kind of process and if we want to have that conversation now, we could, but I I I do want to hear publiccomment, right?
Especially now that we have that new idea, I want to hear what they have to say.Well, although it's not an action item tonight, you know, I think I think we're all sitting here saying we need to slow down and not close schools next year.
Thank you.
But we also need to give staff direction.That's the main thing.Okay.Because we need to get this going.
I I would just ask it I I feel also there's clear majority of to take some process that slows down.I would just ask the board to allow us to come back to you next Tuesday.So you can weigh the trade-offs of that process in particular as it relates uh to the bond implementation plan.So that way you're you're not then saying oh if only we had known if only we had known this was the trade-off maybe we would have made a different decision.I just would uh request that
my only concern is and I know we have to get a break but um I do think if if we are going to um move forward with a delay that we need to have very clear language for theschool of choice to to be able to say nobody is on the list.do choose according to what's right for your family, what's right for your kid, and then know that any decision will be communicated, right?Because I heard from our Lemon Grove families yesterday and others, right, that like, you know, that prejudice of just even being mentioned will impact their numbers, right?So, if if we are going to delay, the communication needs to be super clear that we are not, you know, it's not a a secret list that might come back.It's it's everybody's equal.We're moving forward and choose, you know, choose what's right for your kid.
Okay.So, let's go ahead and do go on a break.We'll come back at 8:16.
Thank you.
After the break, speakers ask for clarity that the closure list is being reset and that no school is currently singled out.
Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, we are past our break time and it's time to get back to work.Okay, clap once if you can hear me.Clap twice if you can hear me.Thank you very much.We're going to go ahead and get started.Caps, are we ready?
We're going to go live in five, four, three, two.All righty.Thank you so much.If you all can find your seats, we're going to go ahead and get started from our returning from our short break.Um, any other board comments before we move on to our public comment?So, we're going to move on to our public comment.Um, Marian, please.
Great.Thank you.I had done the civility statement earlier, so please keep that in mind.We do still have students here this evening.We are at one minute a piece.So, we are first up is Ruby Gardner, followed by Jessica Gardner, followed by Cara Miller, followed by Anna Bolitzky.Oh, and I forgot to mention, too, there are some people who are choosing not to do their public comment anymore.That's fine.just don't come up to the podium and we'll move past that.So, first up, Ruby, Jessica.I don't see them.I think they may have left.They left.Okay.Thank you, Cara Miller.
So, I'm completely confused of what I'm speaking about because it sounds like that's going to be scrapped.But I think that needs to be extremely clear because my big concern was that um being on the list then it's going to be completely devastating because the families aren't going to choose Citrus Glenn because they'd be worriedthat the school is going to close.And um so I just really want it to be crystal clear that that is like we're totally starting from scratch because there's been so much like now every now families from all all the other school you know everyschool it feels like has been on the chopping block at one point.So it just I just really want complete clarity and complete transparency that you're starting from square one.So please do that.Thank you.
Speakers from JSerra and Citrus Glenn describe their schools' strengths, neighborhood ties, and the importance of preserving current programs.
Anna Bitzky, followed by Laura Dixon, followed by Lisa Abau, followed by Jessica Holt.
Good evening.I also am doing a little bit of a pivot here.Um, but I would love to take the opportunity to just share about the wonderful things at J Ser.I'm Anna.Um, nice to see you all again.At J Serah, um, we have had a heavy heart all day.Um, we're hoping to feel a little lighter at the end of this, but I do want you to know that at J Serah, every child is welcomed at the gate every morning by a trusted adult.Our teachers prioritize meaningful relationships because we know that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and connected.Our dedicated teachers have strengthened research-based literacy instruction, significantly reduc sign significantly reducing the number of students needing reading intervention.We prioritize students mental health through our wellness through the arts program.We have earned our second consecutive PBIS gold recognition and we provide every student access to the arts including visual arts, theater and dance.
We also serve a unique population of students in our special day class and we thank you for your consideration.
Laura Dixon follow Laura Dixon followed by Lisa followed by Jessica followed by Lindseay Gusk.Good evening, VUSD school board members.My name is Laura Dixon and I am the current PTA president at Huniperosa Elementary School.I have been a homeowner in the neighborhood since 2018 and a parent at J Sarah since my son entered TK with the fabulous Mrs.Strickland in 2019.Throughout my time here, I've seen Sarah recover from the demands and changes during COVID.And I am confident that Sarah can continue to push forward through the ripple effects of school clo closures.This confidence is largely due to our strong community and our united teaching teams.It's true that we don't have a TWWI program, that we're not a school of choice with all the resources and support that can come with that designation.However, our neighbors choose to be here every day.
We choose to be here every day, something that is supported by our green designation for attendance in criterion 14.We travel by bike, by foot, by scooter, and skateboard.Our children's bodies are healthier.Our neighborhood is safer and more connected because we are a true neighborhood school.It is our strong community values that will allow us to propel forward.
Time is up.Lisa followed by Jessica Lindsay followed by Nicole Warner.
Good evening.My name is Lisa Abalo and Citrus Glenn has been a part of my community for 11 years now.When my husband and I moved into the neighborhood, we chose our home in part because of Citrus Glenn.We were looking for a diverse school with a neighborhood feel where families felt connected and children could grow.And we found exactly that.I became a parent at Citrus Glenn 7 years ago when my oldest started kindergarten.And in 2023, I had the pleasure of becoming the Citrus Glenn principal and now know the campus as both a parent and a site leader.Citrus Glenn is a title one school serving approximately 500 students making it the third largest elementary school in the district.With our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.Our students bring different backgrounds, experience, and perspectives that enrich our classrooms and our community.
Our campus is also the new home to three classrooms serving students in the district's autism program, adding another important dimension to the inclusive community we built.We are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated staff.Several of our educators have been here at Citrus Glenn since it opened.Time is up.Thank you,
Jessica.Followed by Lindsay, followed by Nicole, followed by Brett Clopton.
Um, good evening.My name is Jessica Holt.I'm the president of the Citrus Glenn PTA and I've been on the board for nine years, parent there for 10 years.Um, so I know the school pretty well.Um, first of all, thank you for pumping the brakes on this.I think, uh, it's the right decision.um we don't want to get it wrong and it's important we get it right.Um I love the idea of exploring the K through six option.Um it worked well for me.I think it's a great model and no to uh reducing counseling because as you saw the last time you guys tried to do that, we came out in force and we will again.
Lemon Grove supporters highlight the success of the TK-8 model, rising PTA participation, and strong fundraising growth.
Um I implore you to look at not just the numbers but also the context of those numbers because a lot of your datadriven analysis is missing the nuance.And so things like capacity or utilization are not fully um explained just by looking at a chart.So if we have SDC classes um that are only 10 versus 35 um students then you're looking at it as a third full time as
Lindsay followed by Nicole followed by Brett followed by Jennifer Day.Hello, I'm Lindseay Guzzik, the proud principal of Lemongrove TK8.Before coming to Lemongrove, I spent eight years at Sunset TK8, where I helped grow a middle school program from just 17 eighth graders into a thriving, sustainable, and full program.I've seen firsthand the value of this model.Not every child thrives in a comprehensive middle school.Some benefit from additional time to build confidence, develop relationships, and become a leader in a familiar environment.Together, Sunset, Atlas, and Lemongrove create a network of TK8 opportunities across Ventura, providing meaningful educational choices for families throughout our city.Even amid this uncertainty, Lemong Grove's middle school enrollment has continued to grow, demonstrating a need for this option in Midtown.Our staff has built a cohesive TK8 culture, and our partnerships with Atlas and Sunset continue to strengthen that foundation.
As you reconsider the future of our schools, I ask that you recognize the value of preserving this connected TK8 model and this network.Thank you.
Nicole, followed by Brett, followed by Jennifer, followed by Melissa Freley.
All right.Hello.My name is Nicole Warner and I'm the current PTA president at Lemongrove.I want to take a moment to highlight the growth and momentum we've seen within the Lemong Grove community.Having been involved in the PTA for the past six years, I have seen this firsthand.In 2021, our first year as a K through eight, we had approximately 70 PTA members and did not have a PTA president until the very end of the school year.Today, we have 106 members.That's a 51% increase.We've also seen that same growth in our fundraising.Our color one run went from raising about 3,400 in 2021 to nearly 23,000 this year.That's an increase of more than 560%.
Speakers defend Elmhurst and Wan Maria, emphasizing inclusion, special education services, neighborhood identity, and school community stability.
That's incredible.But what I'm most proud isn't just the numbers.It's seeing more parents volunteer.Classroom connections strengthen.Families show up.School spirit grow.Lemon Grove is building something special.We are a connected, engaged, and invested community where everyone feels welcome.Thank you,
Brett.Followed by Jennifer, followed by Melissa, followed by Anita Fleming.
Good evening.I'm humbled and honored to stand before you on behalf of the Elmharst community tonight and I'm proud, incredibly proud of the progress our school is making on all of our school goals.Our talented, dedicated, and caring staff and our increasingly involved families have made this progress possible.Elmherst serves a remarkably diverse student population with nearly threequarters of our students identified as unduplicated pupils.Elmherst is a school on the rise.Our enrollment is on the rise.Between 202122 and the 2526 school year, while VUSD experienced nearly a 9% enrollment decline, Elmherst actually grew by 5% in our enrollment.Our attendance is on the rise.We've reduced chronic absenteeism nearly 14% in the last three years.When students show up, they learn, and that shows, too.Our academics are on the rise.We've built our instructional day around what we call win time.what I need to prioritize core academic instruction while also carving out space for students unique learning needs.
This restructuring is paying off.Our English learners time is up.Sorry.Jennifer Day followed by Melissa followed by Anita followed by Nikki Duran.
Good evening.My name is Blanca Fernandez.I am treasure of the PTA Mhers.Sorry, I'm gonna speak for her.So I'm here today as a mother and as a part of this community.Amherst is more than a school building.It is a place where children's from different backgrounds, language and abilities grow together.It is a place where every ch children can feel welcome.These are not just numbers.These are kids.They they need sorry they need care, support and safe place to learn.Elmor also has an inclusive playground.This is more than a place to play.It is a place where childrens in different abilities can play togethers, make friends and feel inclusive.For kids who need extra support, this community is very important.The teachers they they need teachers.They know daily routines and friendly and friends they trust.Moving this children's to another school could mean losing support.
Thank you so much.
Melissa followed by Anita Nikki Duran and Michelle Glenn.
Hi, I'm Melissa Freley.I'm the interim principal of Wana Maria.It's my pleasure and honor to speak on behalf of our school community.Our motto at Wan Maria is dolphins have heart and that's truly the case when you walk onto our Wan Maria campus.It feels like home.That is not something that is easily replicated.It is the intentional process of cultivating a school and community culture.Wanamaria is not fancy or full of frills.We have hardworking families and teachers and staff that show up every day for our students and families.My list of things that make Wan Maria unique is the generation of families that we have coming through our doors.The longevity of our staff.They come to work there and they don't want to leave.We have an amazing special ed program that supports all types of learners.We're a neighborhood school that many families bike and walk to.
We also are a neighborhood school with broad diversity.In fact, our latest data shows that 56% of our students come from
time is up.
Thank you,
Anita.Followed by Nikki, followed by Michelle, followed by Michelle Darwish.So, Michelle Glenn, then Michelle Darwish.
Hi, good evening.My name is Anita Flleming.Um, I have the privilege of serving on the board at Wania PTA as well as the Ventura Council of PTAs.My son's in the fifth grade at Wan Maria and during his time there we've had five principles.Um it has been very difficult for our school to um have a source of leadership and a rudder.Um the PTA at our school quite frankly has been dauntless supporter of our um our community.Um we have been the glue that has held our school together through um the lack of leadership.I don't know why the district hasn't settled on something more permanent.I know there's uh different issues involved there and unfortunately um one of my son's classmates died um in kindergarten and she was the the principal's daughter and that really um bonded us I think uh gave us a very
strong sense of community.Um, okay.Times up.
Parents and staff from Sarah describe its multigenerational culture, inclusive playground, strong academics, and deep neighborhood roots.
Nikki, followed by Michelle Glenn, Michelle Darwish, and Jennifer Chen.Hi, good evening everybody.My name is Nikki Duran and I am a TK teacher at J.Sarah Elementary.And I do have one student in the EP program that does push in.I just wanted to make that clear because it wasn't said earlier.Um, J Ser is more than a school.It is a neighborhood.It's a safe place and a community that shows up for every child and their families.It serves children through TK through fifth grade.provides opportunities and our our EP program is incredible and an incredibly counsel program with um our incredible Miss S.It supports students with diverse learning needs and our social emotional needs.It is a school that recognizes that educating children means more than just educating a child, but the whole child.I know that closing any school is an incredibly difficult decision and we are all heartbroken that our schools are even on this list.
But schools are so much more than enrollment, numbers, and data.their relationships, its stability, its friendships, and the people who make children feel safe like this incredible staff and our amazing principal.I'm a temporary teacher, second year.I have no guarantee of a position at this school, but I'm speaking out because this school is amazing.I'm also a mom with three kids that have gone through elementary schools, and I'm telling you, through student teaching, through volunteering, nothing is like J.Sarah.Thank you,
Michelle Glenn, Michelle Darwish, Jennifer, and Trisha Bey.
Okay.
Hi, my name is Michelle Glenn and I'm the proud parent of two former Sarah students and have also been the health technician here at Sarah for the past 27 years and have been proud to be a part ofthis wonderful caring staff and generations at Sarah School.Sarah School is like a family and has been my second home for 30 years.Just an example, Sarah's school presently has at least 18 staff members who either have their who have have had their children attend school in the past or they are now there presently and we even have one with agrandchild a few of them with grandchildren.Um, which shows how much school affects generations.In 1995, my oldest child started Sarah and it was the largest elementary school in B USD with over 800 students until Citrus Glenn opened in 1999.The reason I bring this up is that Sarah School has the land, the space to allow students and me.
Time is up.
Michelle, followed by Jennifer, followed by Trisha, followed by Lupe Alpuche.
Good evening.I wish I could say I'm happy to be here, but honestly, I'm exhausted.Everyone's tired.I'm a second generation Sarah family.I started when Miss Michelle was a nurse there and she's still there and it's amazing.We chose to buy our home in this neighborhood because of the school.Sarah is a family.Ask anyone who's ever stepped foot on this campus.Sarah is a true neighborhood school surrounded by homes now backed up by a freeway, busy street, deeply rooted in this community with a park as well.We have the only inclusive playground on the east end.Our upp is 54.5% and growing.Yet, our students continue to perform above average in math and ALA.We're a gold award-winning PBIS school because of the commitment of the entire staff.They are amazing.They truly are.We have a principal who has found creative ways to provide a full-time counselor and have a librarian on campus.
And in the last three years I've been there, I haven't seen a week with attendance below 95%.These numbers represent real families, real children, and a community that shows up and wantsJennifer followed by Trisha Lupe and then Darcy Duffy.A few days into the school year, my second grade daughter came bounding towards my cart at pickup and announced with pride and excitement, "Mrs.Abalo knows my name."And it's true.Mrs.Abalo, our principal at Citrus Glenn Elementary School, does know her name because she greets her students at the gate at at drop off.My name is Jennifer Chen and I am the mother of a second grader and a kindergartener at this school and I'm asking you to consider not closing Citrus Glenn.Citrus Glenn is a special school.My husband and I are PTA members and I serve on the school site council and it is incredible what the school has been able to accomplish with the resources that it has.
Despite not having a school librarian, Miss Balikica, a second grade teacher, keeps the library running.Mrs.Mr.Williamson uses art and other tools to provide counseling.Our students have enrichment classes such as art, performance art, dance, martial arts taught by excellent instructors who are genuinely loving their craft.Miss Mary, our nurse tech, comforts students and takes care of all the boo boos.Miss Jen monitors students and ensures their safety on on the playground.Our kindergartenner Steven loves school and he was sad that he was enrichment at
Additional speakers argue for preserving Wan Maria, Lemon Grove, and Sarah, stressing special education impacts, neighborhood access, and community services.
Trisha, followed by Lupe, followed by Darcy, followed by Caitlyn.
My name is Trisha Batty and I've been a teacher at Guadia for the past 30 years.Gina and Dr.Dannenburgg, you both had the privilege of being principles there, so you know what a gem that it is.Looking at your unique facilities slide, I was shocked and frustrated to see uh nothing listed next to Wania and I fear that we have been under reppresented in this process.So, let me give you some examples so that you can add them to your slide and make it equitable.One of Maria has an amazing reading garden that is used by students on a daily basis.We've got businesses across the street that we partner with, one being Pizza Chief, who welcomes us for walking field trips to learn how a business is run.We don't have an inclusive playground listed like others because it was paused on the installation this past summer.
Some facts to remember.Wan Maria is the only neighborhood school north of the 126 on the east end.We have room to absorb and welcome another school.We were rated structurally in good condition making it a lowcosts saving closure.Uh thank you for putting this process on hold until you have all the facts.
Lupe followed by Darcy Caitlyn and then Ashton Ali.Sheridan Way is bilingual, called bicultural and biliterate.Culturally, every morning we see students arriving to school with crips, iron clothes, girls with beautifully elaborated hairstyles, boys with hair perfectly jelled ready to learn.Then you hear
food is the heart of their culture.Students talk about pachangas, pole so mole, tortillas such as salmano and tahis on sportses.Almost every student wears a jersey a soccer jersey.They know every country, every flag, every root.They're resilient and full of family wisdoms.If you have a cold, they'll tell you if you're congested.If you have a fever, ponte, um, put beans, bean grounds on your feet, churning away is awesome.At the end of the day,
and thank you for those tips when the colds start up.Darcy Duffy, Caitlyn Ashton, and Talia Savin McCormack.All right, I didn't put my sweatshirt on because I'm cold, but I got to represent two schools because not only did I get upgraded from number one with Limer, I got both my kids schools on the newest list,but thank you for hearing our voice.I've attended the meetings, reviewed the data, and tried to trust the process.These decisions need more time.Thank you for doing that.As a parent and teacher at Wan Maria and Lemon Grove, I value inclusive communities.My family does not just talk the talk, we walk the walk.Moving special education programs disrupts relationships, routines, and belonging.Please examine how SDC programs changes affect the enrollment projections in the data you received.Evaluate schools region by region considering programs, capacity, and elementary and secondary boundaries together.
Look at school of choice together as one decision.Please preserve all the three K8 options and give Lo Mcgrow's growing program time to succeed.You have said closure should create something better.Before closing schools, families deserve a clearer picture of what better means.
Caitlyn, followed by Ashton, followed by Talia, followed by Britney Reelli.
I appreciate the board taking more time before moving forward with school closures.I hope this additional time allows for a closer look at what each school truly means to the community it serves.Sarah is more than a school serving a geographic area.It is an established part of the Ventura community.With a UPP of 54%, Sarah reflects the neighborhood it serves in the Ventur and Ventura as a whole.We are a neighborhood school.Our children walk the same streets where they live, play, and grow up.Sarah is woven into the everyday lives of these families.Our connection is extends beyond the school day.Along with Citrus Glenn and Lemong Grove, Sarah hosts an LPCC site providing child care and activities for roughly 300 students across these three schools.These are essential services working families depend on.We hope this time is used to find solutions that keep Sarah's doors open.
Our neighborhoods need their schools.Thank you,
Commenters urge the board to slow down, define goals, and avoid rushing a decision that could harm school communities.
Ashton.Followed by Talia, followed by Britney, followed by Allison Trio.
Hello.Uh, and good evening.Look around here.I'm exhausted.We're all exhausted.This process is tiring.It's chaotic.I'm short.It's sad.Tonight, I heard you say that we need to slow down.We need to set criteria and understand the why.Thank you truly.But I have to be honest.My kid's school, Sarah school, is still on the table.And how can I trust that you won't change course again on the 17th?You're looking at a community with whiplash.I've been at these meetings.I've told you the magic of Sarah.Largest campus in the district.Zero red or orange flags.PBIS gold test scores that climb every year.Here's what I'm asking you.If you're going to slow down to set criteria, slow down all the way.Give us a clear public timeline we can count on and stick to it.Please.We deserve that.
And please keep the heart of our neighborhood beating.Please keep Sarah School open.Thank you.
Talia, followed by Britney, followed by Allison, followed by Michelle Brown.
Should have brought my glasses.All right.Hi everyone.My name is Talia Savin McCormack and I'm here tonight as a parent and a teacher at Citrus Glenn.This school isn't just where I work.It's where my children attend.It's the heart of a community where my family lives.Citrus Glenn serves more than 500 students and is the second largest elementary school in the district.Where would these children go if our school closes?We already have students attending Mound where they're zoned to be attending Citrus Glenn based on where they live.Yet some of those families come to enroll at our neighborhood school.There won't be any room for them.How does that make any sense?How can we justify closing a neighborhood school when we cannot even accommodate all of the students who actually are zoned for that school?Citrus Glenn is also a community that embraces every child.
When our autism program joined our campus, our veteran staff welcomed those students and families and created opportunities for inclusion and belonging.For the past three years, our leader and me program has helped students find their voices, build confidence, and become leaders.And that kind of growth matters.I ask you to look beyond enrollment numbers and budget figures.Citrus is where our families love to send their children.
Thank you,
Britney.Followed by Allison, followed by Michelle, followed by Jenna Nevit.
Good evening.This community deserves confidence that every school has been evaluated using the same criteria and that the final decision is thoughtful in the best interest of our students and supported by a clear well-developed implementation plan.The lack of clarity surrounding this process in the district's goals should not be a reason to rush such an important decision.Thank you.
Speakers question the financial rationale for closures, emphasize bond investments, and argue that vulnerable students and after-school care would be harmed.
Thank you for that since I forgot to press start.Uh Allison followed by Michelle followed by Jenna followed by Monica Smith.I am here tonight to ask you to keep J Serah open.J Serah is more than a school.It is a true neighborhood school tucked right into the heart of our community without major cross streets bordering our campus.We currently serve 383 students and we have the capacity to welcome more.We can also add up to four additional portables.I ask that we consider these possibilities before making an irreversible decision.For me, this is deeply personal.I was a student here.My dad was the principal.My children attended this school.And after 25 years of teaching in this district, my dream was always to return to J Sah.I am now my 14th year there.This school represents generations of amies, memories, relationships, and community.
Closing J Serah would mean losing more than a building.It would mean losing a piece of our neighborhood's heart.Please look beyond the numbers and recognize the community that makes this school special.
Time is up.Michelle, followed by Jenna, followed by Monica, followed by Jamie Lurma.
So, my notes are a hot mess because every time you guys spoke, I crossed off, then I added, and crossed off and added.So, they're done.Um, I just want to say that I am a staff member at Sarah.I am a mom of three kids who have gone through Sarah with a fifth grader.So, I understand the school closure deadline.However, um bond money is also real and we invested as community members to pass a bond that was going to go into the schools we were voting for at the time.So, I really think that um we have a saying at our school when we get into a staff meeting where we're feeling like we're being hit with um obstacles.Creative solutions are possible and we are asking and you it sounds like you here that you come to us and ask the people in these schools to help come up with these creative solutions.
One of the things I've never heard the district talk about is independent studies and getting money in for absences.and we know that there's absences in our district, so we'd like to consider that.Thank you.
Oops.Jenna, followed by Monica, followed by Jamie, followed by Sasha Collins.
All right.Thank you all tonight for slowing down the process.I look forward to the updated vision and procedures moving forward.Uh my name is Jenna Nevit.My son Sam is in third grade at Sarah and his brother Cooper starts TK there next year.First of all, Sarah doesn't need to close.It has the largest capacity of any elementary in the district, 714 seats with room for 369 more students and we've grown successfully in the past as well.Um, closing it as we heard tonight saves less than a million dollars annually.So, I do not feel it is worth it.Second, taxpayers have already invested here.Measure East just spent $2 million on our brand new inclusive playground and $1 million on solar and earmarks 5 million more for our roof and fire alarm.Sarah is built to grow, not to close.Um, third, our culture looks took years to build as others have said.
This year we earned PBIS gold and every adult on campus is trained in it.
Time is up.Monica followed by Jamie followed by Sasha followed by Kelty Pasco.Good evening board members.I wanted to share what Juan Maria brings to our students and our community.Our PTA works hard to provide opportunities beyond the classroom.All of our PTA events and programs are free to families.From steam night, fall festival, multiple dances, talent show, and family fun events.We create experiences where every child can participate.Our impact also extends across the street to the East End Shopping Center.We partner with local businesses through fundraisers, events, and walking field trips while our families support them before and after school.We've personally spoken to businesses including pizza chief Mr.Softy and Two Trees.They have shared how much business slows down during the summer and how significantly close uh losing Wanomeia families would financially impact them.Wania is more than a school.
It is a community partner.Closing our school doesn't just affect students and teachers.It affects families, neighborhood connections, and local businesses.Wan Maria is worth protecting and investing in.Thank you,
Jamie.followed by Sasha Kelty and Jessima Jessica Mccertie.
Hi, I'm Jamie.I'm here to support my kids school, Wan Maria, but also to advocate for our most vulnerable students across the district.If three of the five schools on the district's top closure list have the highest percentages of special education students, we need to ask some very serious questions about the district's priorities.Wanom Maria alone has 26.2% of its students population receiving special education services, the second highest percentage among our elementary schools.Think about that.More than one in four of our students at Wan Maria receive special education services.A district's commitment to inclusion is not measured by what it says in its mission statement.It's measured by the decisions it makes for the students who need the most support.Our vulnerable students at all of our schools should never be collateral damage in a budget decision.I encourage you to slow down, set a clear goal, and create a process that supports that goal.
And when you do, keep our most vulnerable students in mind.Get creative.Find new ways to solve the financial problems.keep our schools open.Thank you.
More commenters criticize district finances, leadership, and the unclear closure process, while asking how delaying decisions can be justified.
Sasha, followed by Kelsey, followed by Jessica, followed by Ryan Denton.
Good evening.I'm Sasha Collins.I want to start by making a blanket statement that I do not want any schools closed.But what I want to share about today is my serious concerns regarding VUSD's fiscal management and the instability to the district as a whole.I was surprised to hear tonight that the board is not ready to make a decision, though I don't want schools closed.How can we afford to delay this decision?If we're in such a dire financial situation, how can we continue this decision-making?What does this mean for our students in school next year?What does this mean for the educators in those schools next year?If we can afford to continue this discussion until next year, are the financials really as dire as the district is representing to the public and our teachers unions.This process has been unclear from the very beginning and after tonight, I frankly feel like it's getting worse.
I hope that our incoming board members can assist with crafting this vacant vision because that's what they were elected to do.Kelty, followed by Jessica, followed by Ryan, followed by Heather Lyle.
Hello again.Um, I understand that the current closure list has been withdrawn and discussions postponed.However, when slash if closures are revisited, I asked the board to keep these concerns in mind.LPCC has been voted Ventura's number one childare provider for 12 consecutive years by the VC reporter.My boys attend the program at Lemong Grove.And since my boys have been enrolled, the program uses Sarah campus during holiday breaks and Citrus for summer camp.With three of the five schools under the previous consideration list, I am deeply concerned about what these closures could mean for LPCC and the families who depend on it.As a single mom of two boys, my children could potentially face not only a change in schools, but the loss of their beloved afterchool program.For single parents and working families, reliable and affordable afterchool care isn't a luxury.It's a necessity.
It directly affects our ability to work, support our families financially, and provide stability for our children.If closures return to the discussion, I ask that child care a availability, transportation.
Time is up.
Jessica, followed by Ryan, Heather, and then Michelle Allen.Uh, let me tell you about a about what happened at another California district that chose to close schools in the early 2000s.In the Santa Cruz City Schools district where I used to work, two elementary schools were closed after a period of declining enrollment.The district was able to keep one of the campuses open by moving several smaller schools to its campus, but the other elementary school was rented out to a county charter for 7th through 12th grade students.with a prime location.The county charter drew away secondary students and thus revenue from the Santa Cruz City Schools District.Please think about what you are doing if you close a school, especially in a prime location like all of the five schools that were on the list were.Um lost revenue affects our students, too.So, if we lose have a campus open that could change to a private or charter, that takes away from all of our students and then we're right back where we started.
The Stanford study found that that districts that closed schools for fiscal reasons pretty much had an an even net outcome.They lost money um from students that left um transportation.So, thank you
Ryan followed by Heather Michelle and then Eric Burquist.
Hi.Uh good evening everyone.Um, I had, like everyone else did, uh, I had a whole list of things I was going to talk about, but now that we've changed things, I have to go a little off script and so I'm a littlemore discombobulated.Um, so I'm a parent, a proud parent of two Lemongr students, uh, who also attend LPCC after school.And, um, like has been said already, that program is an asset to the the parents of the district, especially the working parents.U, my wife and I both work we both work in Santa Barbara.We both drive an outreach way.Um, the thought of our kids having to potentially have a new school plus a new after school program that's really helped our kids grow and become better students and better VSD students is just something I even thought ofuntil last night.
Um, so yeah, just I I think just uh yeah, thank you for for slowing down.Thank you for making um I don't know, just going with the gravity of the situation and making really good decisions.And I appreciate you all for for kind of taking a different look at it.And I just hope that all the goals are set and guidelines are followed and all that.Um, thank you
Heather followed by Michelle Eric and then Briana Timman.This is a travesty.I'm not using notes.I'm just telling you what I believe and what I know to be true.Leadership has blown it.And I'm not telling the board that you've blown it.I'm telling you that leadership has blown it.You hired a superintendent to come in here for a lot of money who track record proven.I don't know.But the idea that the public voice matters is very very important to community which was one of his top three I uh core values.This community is being torn apart.This is not a city council meeting where you're running the meeting.This is a board meeting who is supposed to be listening to the public and getting accurate information from staff to make educated decisions.I ask you to please continue to do that.And by the way, there were two contradictions about the declining enrollment committee and I'm not going to talk about it.
But please do not feain, oh dear me, it was so terrible then without getting the facts right.
Speakers focus on special education populations, enrollment questions, and the need to protect schools serving vulnerable students.
Uh Michelle followed by Eric followed Briana and then Katie Lovado.
Hi, I'm Michelle Allen.I have a third, second, and kinder at Citrus Glenn.I had a speech prepared with the endless number of positive aspects of Citrus Glenn.It's a thriving micro community celebrating diversity, encouraging students, and building character.It is a bright and happy campus where students learn firsthand how to support each other and build community.Sitting through this media, I'm left with so many unanswered questions.mainly why are we closing a school at all?If we are not a district in financial distress, why are we having school closure discussions?Why are these discussions happening while our teachers are facing facing financial uncertainty and a strike?I beg of you, please drop the school closure conversation and until it is the last option, you will force students out of the district.With this looming over us, please look more into K through 8 and K through six.
Please don't force our teachers into a strike.They deserve better from all of us.
Eric, followed by Briana, followed by Katie, and then Michael Dano.
All right.Well, my name is Michael Dono.I'm taking Eric's time since he's left already.I'm a 1996 Wan Maria alumni parent, PTA treasure.Uh, I grew up in this district.I volunteer at the school all times.I've made lifelong friends.I will tell you, I've sat basically where you are during the PTA.It is extremely difficult.So, you know, appreciate you guys uh stepping back and kind of hearing everybody's thoughts here.The main thing that I want you guys to understand is closing a neighborhood school like Wan Maria.For us, it doesn't just disrupt the families.We also support a whole business center across the street.That is one of those things that you guys are not going to find in your graphs in the slides.You need to talk with the business owners.U personally, I've emailed them.I'm awaiting some information back.
Um, but you guys have taken the the right steps right now, which is to take a step back.You can find money other ways.What I have not heard is how much do we need to save?How much can the school possibly raise?What are the different avenues for us to keep our schools open?Um, but throughout the entire process that I've watched as a treasurer, I watched money and nothing has been told other than
it wasn't about money.
Briana followed by Katie followed by Dora Herrera followed by Kristen Denton.
Okay, Briana, not here.Katie.
All right.Thank you.I'm extremely nervous, so I'm sorry if I sound shaky, but uh good evening board members.I stand before you as both a PAR educator at Wan Maria and a parent of a Wan Maria student.I fell in love with this school instantly.So much so that I transferred both of my students from other schools within the district.My son who is in who was in special education made so much academic growth in less than a year that he was able to move to a general education classroom.My daughter moved from one of the top rated schools in your district.She felt overlooked and struggled academically at Wana Maria.She felt heard and supported.She too experienced tremendous growth and would move on to honors classes in her secondary level.My personal experience is just a small example of the amazing commitment and environment that Wan Maria has to offer.
Something that is really concerning to me as a mother of a child with disabilities is the fact that all of the schools on this shortened list have special education programs.
Dora, followed by Kristen Denton, followed by Connie Salazar, followed by Jill Wong.
Commenters from Lemon Grove and Citrus Glenn stress feeder patterns, neighborhood access, and the need for more information about enrollment and closures.
Hi, my name is Dora and I am the office manager of Lemon Grove TK8 School and I'm also the parent of a sixth grader here at our middle school program.I know that you have all read all so many emails and we all love our schools and our communities, but the fact is that Lemong Grove is not just a T8 TK8 school, but it's also a feeder schoolfor Will Rogers and Cababrio.I know you have your list and your numbers, but I I put something together right there.Um, I've worked at EP Foster as well as the office manager there for over 12 years.And I always said that EP and Sheridan Way are sister schools because we always shared so many kids.And the same can be said for Will Rogers and Lemong Grove.And although we are school of choice for sixth to 8th grade, Cababrio is our boundary for Lemong Grove and most of our our students at Lemong Grove Middle School are boundary to Cababrio.
Um, the facts are that Lemong Grove is a TK8 school.We are a feeder school.Will Rogers, we have 39 interest and um school of choice.For Cababrio, we have 21 interest in school of choice.We have my mod.
Time is up.
Thank you.
Kristen, followed by Connie Jill and then Char Dailyaly.
Sorry.Uh Kristen's not here.Connie,
hi.Like many of my peers, a lot has changed and my speech is no longer relevant.But if we have an enrollment issue, why are we not talking and spending this time and energy on the enrollment issue?Um, if it's a money issue, how much do we want to save?You owe the community this time and our voices to be heard, and that's what we want to know.How much money do we want to save?And why are we not focusing on the problem, which is enrollment?Um, if people are choosing to go outside of the district, why have we asked them?Have we found out?Um, I would like to see more information around that.Um, we also talked a lot about the bond money.When people voted for the bond money, we thought it was going to be invested in our community schools.
We are a community that values our neighborhood schools.Let's keep them open.All of them.
Jill, followed by Char, followed by Liv Brunette, followed by Christina Pitch.
Hi, my name is Dr.Jill uh Hang.Um, I'm a parent of two kids at Lemong Grove.We learned today that we're not in a dis that we are not a district in financial distress.So, I'm in favor of slowing down and creating a process and transparency and goals of how much money do we want to save?Um, and and why that amount amount of money.Um, school closure is not the only way to save, but it is a lazy way to save.You need to work harder um and slow down as as we're doing, which is great.Um, can we cut or reduce programs instead of closures?Pro programs can be rebuilt, schools cannot.If we want to boost enrollment me numbers, can we figure out how to attract homeschoolers, private schoolers?Can we figure out how to attract the families from other cities, poach them, uh, build that build us up so they will come.
And then for the in the discussions about school closures, it feels like a divide and conquer making us fight with each other and the ruling class getting us to fight so that they we don't see what they're doingis veryshallowed by Liv Christina and then Michelle Johnston.
Last night Citrus Glenn was shocked to learn that they were on the latest closure list.Now it is our turn to be the pleading voices that you hear.You have heard all of the heartfelt messages again and again from the schools who have come under your sights before.So what can I say that you haven't heard before?What makes Citrus Glenn more special than any other school in our district?Facts, maybe.Citrus Glenn is one of two Title One schools left on your list.We are a neighborhood school surrounded by the homes and apartments of the families we serve.Our school is beautifully diverse community.Look into it.Citrus Glenn has just come welcomed this school year a new expansion of the autism program.Are we really going to move those families again?We are one of the largest elementary schools with high enrollment of over 500 students.
If the lists are really being uh reconsidered once Sorry,
Liv.Followed by Christina, Michelle, and then Alyssa Barstead.
Speakers accuse district leadership of poor financial judgment and call for clearer answers, stronger accountability, and better communication.
Why is closing schools the answer when administrators like Castro and his assistant superintendent have reportedly received raises of up to 18%.How is there money for raises but not for schools?Most of you are educators or were educators.Why are families and teachers paying for your lack of financial knowledge and decisions?James, twice you posted about these closures.Twice I commented.And twice you deleted those comments.So I'll ask you here where you can't delete my questions.Why are schools not on the original list suddenly being considered?Where is the money saved by closing them going?Why are you making families fight over which school deserves to survive?Citrus Glenn, my children's school, chosen school.I attended it.My brother attended it.Now my children are thriving there thanks to their superhero teachers.
Closing it would hurt their mental health and tear apart a community.Generations have left.I am asking you again, superintendent to resign.Time is up.Christina, followed by Michelle, followed by Alyssa, followed by Lindsay Howery.While it's still unclear what dollar amount you find worth dividing and pitting the community against itself as they beg you to keep their school open, it's evident that the real costs of closing any school include the loss ofneighborhood stability, overcrowding at receiving schools, disruption for children who rely on a stable environment, long bus rides for students who once had safe walking routes, and ultimately the destruction of community trust in you.At JER, we maintain gold PBIS.Our ETP students thrive where they've established trust with staff and other students.When these specialized environments shut down, it severs trusted relationships and disrupts structured daily care for these vulnerable students who in turn often face sudden regression.
This is an educational and legal risk.We are a true neighborhood school surrounded by homes with children that attend our school in a park where parents meet after school and students celebrate birthday parties with classmates.We're a community cornerstone with multi-generational ties and family businesses with ties to our school that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.Our playground and our campus are inclusive where all are welcome.Last month, our PTA president welcomed you all to
Michelle followed by Alyssa, followed by Lindsay, followed by Holly Ruffley.
I would just like to say that I'm really disappointed because um last night was a shock to the Citrus Gun staff.um we're over 500 strong.Uh we have no room to right now we're we're maxed out.And so I think that it's been really sad to see that the leadership like these conversations you're having are wonderful, but these should have happened before the committee ever started.These conversations should have had an agenda, a a vision.That's leadership 101.So I don't know where the gap is, but that needs to be addressed because that's not good leadership.And um I have to say that uh Los Posa's child care center is fabulous.They've been in our district for almost 40 or about 40 years and we need to consider the impact that any kind of closing would do on our childare centers.Um I also want to say that we would really love it if leadership could start subbing in our classrooms and have about 10 days a year where you have to go in a TK through 12th grade different classrooms
and see firsthand what we're dealing with because our children are different.Our situation is different.Thank you.
Times up.
Commenters defend Elmhurst's inclusive culture, question facility rentals and revenue opportunities, and demand accountability from district leadership.
Alyssa, followed by Lindsay, followed by Holly, and then Candace S.I'm an Elmherst parent and an Elmherst teacher, and I'm hopeful as you reconsider the potential closure of our school.Elmherst is a place where every eagle matters, no matter ability level.I have the privilege of being a special education teacher in our ESN program.The level of inclusion the school provides to our district's most vulnerable students is unmatched.The culture of our school is built upon the pillars of inclusion, acceptance, and advocacy, and that is not something easily replicated.Elmer has built its inclusive campus from the ground up, and it's an honor to watch my students build genuine friendships and allies that grow with them from year to year.I also have the privilege of watching those from the parent perspective, and I've seen my daughters develop those meaningful relationships and become advocates for their special education peers.
From our fifth grade morning buddies who walk their ESN peers to class to specially designed accessible playgrounds, this school doesn't just tolerate our students.They welcome them as a valuable part of the school community.To close any school would cause a disruption to occur, but to close our school would cause added levels of disruption to our students in the ESN setting.There will be emotional, social, behavioral, and academic depression.Time is up.Lindsay followed by Holly Candace and then Amanda Jacobs.
So, no Lindsay.Holly.
Hi, board members.I'm Holly Reffley, a parent, small business owner, district employee, and arts educator.As a creative person, I can't help wondering, are we exploring every opportunity to generate revenue before closing schools?So many working families need child care, but don't qualify for free programs like Ocean and can't afford the high cost for the paid option.What if the district partnered with local businesses already providing these services and offered reasonable rates?I'm one of those business owners.I've already developed these kinds of things.But the district's current facility rental rates make it impossible to offer families affordable pricing.I've run the numbers.We already have the classrooms, playgrounds, and facilities.Why not make better use of them?Offering after school care or reasonable rental rates, the district could generate revenue.small businesses could thrive and families could access affordable child care right at their schools.
I'm not suggesting this solids everything, but before we close schools, let's get creative about keeping them open.You want to calm nerves, gain trust, make a decision to decide to close zero schools.Time is up.Candace, followed by Amanda, Craig Ralphing, and Courtney Cunningham.
Hi, I'm Candace Schmidt, and I'm a parent and a very concerned citizen.I was also a member of the school closure committee and have been following these schoolboard meetings since this issue first came to the community last year.Thank you for slowing down.What is happening is unacceptable to this community and most importantly to the children of Ventura.Our kids deserve better.You still cannot provide a clear dollar amount of how much money needs to be saved.Meanwhile, when you look at the top five highest paid positions in the district, you see significant salaries.Yet our schools are facing closure and our teachers are preparing to go on strike.We deserve better.Our children deserve better.It all starts with leadership and leadership starts at the top.Accountability matters.If a school closes, Dr.Castro should resign.
If our teachers go on strike, Dr.Castro should resign.
Our children, teachers, families, and community deserve leadership that is proactive, transparent, and accountable.We cannot continue to put the burden of these failures on our students, teachers, and families.Thank you.
Speakers suggest revenue ideas, urge the board to explore every option, and ask for detailed plans before any school is closed.
Uh Amanda, followed by Craig, Courtourtney, and then Blanca FB maybe.
You ready?Ready.Okay.Good evening everyone.I'm Amanda Jacobs.I'm from J Sah.Um Dr.Castra, I don't know if you remember, but when we were first hired in my group, you u met with all of us, and I think you know, too, and you handed us this blue mug, which I still havetoday, which is actually my daughter's favorite, so I wasn't able to bring it tonight, but with that mug, when you handed it over to us, you said welcome and that you hope that we would love being a partof this district.And you were both were right.Um, but I do think that you guys forgot something.You see, I drive 20 minutes plus depending on traffic um to come to J Sah Monday through Thursday where I could literally walk to a work um one minute away from where I live in this my city.
But I choose J Sah every day because it welcomes.Our staff welcomed me with open arms even though I'm an LA County transplant.I've been living in LA County or sorry LA County my whole life and they took me in.Our PTSA welcomes.It welcomes not only our staff but it brings our school together.Our school welcomes new ideas for academic success.We welcome PBIS and we
Time is up.Anyways, thank you.
Time is up.
Craig, followed by Courtney, followed by Blanca, followed by Jasmine Navaro.
All right, so looking to the future, I still hope we don't close any schools until we're absolutely certain it's the right solution.I like the questions you're asking about community input.We still haven't seen convincing evidence that closing schools will lead to better outcomes for our students.Before closures, we need smart district financial management, detailed projections showing exactly how consolidation will work.How will the money and resources be used among fewer schools?What about staffing?What about programs we can offer and class sizes?We don't need those microphones that mentioned on Friday if we have smaller classes.With all this actually strengthen schools and more importantly, the students for the schools that will potentially close will need to be our first priority.Those families should receive priority school choice.They need transportation assistance, opportunities to stay with friends, access to free after-school programs.We should be looking for ways to offer them something better, something that makes this difficult transition worthwhile.
This costs money.In the awful event of a closure, these children are still part of our district and will need to make sure they're taken care of.Oh, three more seconds.Teachers, I'm with you.
Courtney, followed by Blanca, Jasmine, and then Phil Armor.What a time to be alive.Thank you all.Um, you see my proud Sarah Merch and I believe our school could be a really strong part and key to our district's future.Um, we have a large well-kept footprint.Our staff has built a culture of achievement and there's ample room to welcome more.However, you guys what I my comments tonight were along the lines of please don't be hasty with such an important and weighty decision.let us trust a process and that's what you talked about tonight and I'm so grateful for that.Thank you to Sabrina and Jerry for first bringing it up, for showing leadership and thank you all for the way you confer with each other.I appreciate that thoughtfulness and I hope that it continues.Um what I heard tonight was priorities and vision.
Please look at the whole map.Perform site visits with context.Have plans for new boundaries as part of this process.understand the transportation consequences of any plan, have a real idea or at least a hope of what could happen with these properties because it matters to our neighborhoods that we have vacant properties.Thank you so much.
A final set of speakers describes the daily value of neighborhood schools, walkability, family history, and after-school care tied to the campuses.
Blanca followed by Jasmine Phil and then Jeff Wharton.
Sorry.Uh, no Blanca.Jasmine.
Okay.Thank you.Uh, Phil.Nope.Um, Jeff.And I'll keep going.Kelsey,
no.
Oh, okay.Then after that, JC Vasquez and Phil Willis Conger.Conger.
Hi.Hello.Hello, I'm Kelsey Urkins Buta.I'm a mother of three boys.Two of which go to a Wan Maria Elementary School and one will be coming up into Wan Wan Maria Elementary School.And Wan Maria is more than a school.It is the heart of our neighborhood.We walk our children to school.Within just a few minutes commute, our kids get more sleep and some exercise to start their day.It also means no traffic and no long drop off or pickup lines.It builds community.Our children work from walk from school to playdates with friends, join neighborhood activities with their classmates like the Halloween parade around our neighborhood, and attend school events because they are so close by, like the movie night taking placeon Friday night.It keeps our family support system working.The boy's 73-year-old grandmother can safely walk to pick them up from school as my husband and I are at work.
That is something that we wouldn't be able to do if our school was changed.I urge the board to weigh all options rather than simply choosing schools to eliminate.There is much more to this conversation and I really hope you take the time to consider all options.Thank you.
Is Jaci are you Jaci?
I I'm speaking for JC.She left.
Uh
yeah, we can't have I'm sorry.We can't have public speak.
WE ALREADY ALLOWED IT.
YOU GUYS allowed it like twice.I don't I don't know.
Okay, let's go ahead.
Okay.Thank you.
I'm pregnant and I've waited here just to
Oh, please go ahead.Please go ahead.
Absolutely.Go ahead.
Thank you.
Okay.I'm speaking for Huda Pro Sarah school that feels like home.I also am speaking on behalf of all the neighbors in the neighborhood.The front door of my house faces the school and the house I live in is the same house I grew up in as a child.I attended Hunipa Pro Sera with my brother Chris around 20 years ago and we would walk her bike to school.I now am able to walk my daughter to school and give her the same experience I had.We also attended after school care at LPCC which also has been and is the most amazing after school program on Sarah's campus.My daughter Rain is in TK and she has already been excelling all thanks to Mrs.Durant.The principal Anna acknowledges my daughter as if she's known her for years.I was so lucky to attend this school and I just want to be able to give not just my daughter but my son and the baby that I'm welcoming any day now the same experience I had generations of
local neighborhood families have been through this amazing school.Sarah is truly a family.
The board confirms that the closure list is paused, no schools will close before 2028-29, and staff will prepare clearer communication for families.
Okay.Because because we had people in three locations, I did promise that if folks did not come up, I would call them one last time.Phil Willis Conger, Jeff Wharton, Phil Armor, Jasmine Navaro, Blanca, Lindseay Howry, Kristen Denton, Briana Timman, Eric Burrquist, Ruby Gardner, and Jessica Gardner.I don't believe so.I believe that's the end of public comments.
All righty.Thank you.Thank you, public speakers.We really do appreciate and we hear your voice.Thank you.Uh moving on the um I think uh if there's any other discussion point we can we can touch on that but I think the community wants to know what's the plan going forward and I want to kick backto Dr.Castro in just a second to kind of explain how Tuesday can work.Um that was going to be a action item there but we can move it to conference.There is a no action today.So no action will be taken today.However, is there uh a way that we can coales around um a path forward without breaking Bron Act.
Yeah, absolutely.Um I I don't want to be too redundant, but the priorities are for next Tuesday uh the bond.Uh so we we will be prepared to come back by that um during break connected with our bond manager.uh depending upon how much time that takes either tonight or on that day.Uh staff needs clarity about the kinds of messaging that we will be expected to convey to the community prior to information night and on the night of information night.Uh one of the things that we've heard from the community is making sure that no schools are feeling disadvantaged by any rumors that are residual in the community.So we want to make sure that we do everything to communicate that the the upcoming school chase choice process is not affected.So, those are the two priorities and whether that takes place tonight or on Tuesday.
Um, tonight would be great for a school of choice.So, if you want to weigh in on that,
I Yeah, I have a number of things that I have to get out to our families as well as hand out at the event and presentations that need to be done.To have that information tonight would be lovely because if I only have it Tuesday, everything actually has to move over to Buena on Wednesday.Um, so I would really appreciate that solid information this evening.
Okay.And exactly what kind of language do you need as far as to get to
so I guess I need to know have you taken all of the schools off the list at this point?You're slowing down and you're starting over.
Well, I mean we're slowing down.We're taking it off the list and that that's a consensus of the board that we're going to forgo the list and we're going to put this process on pause until we could come up with a good strategy andplan to be implemented.
And that would be for the 2728 school year.will will continue as as okay.Prior
so no schools if so no schools are being schools were to close they would not close prior to the 202829 school year.
Correct.And that's a consensus.
Great.Thank you.
Okay.Thank you.
Okay.Are we good?Okay.Excellent.Thank you.
Board members thank principals, PTA leaders, and community members for their advocacy before taking a short break.
Yeah.Go ahead.Sorry.
Thank you.Um, I just wanted to thank our five principles um, who are still at the back um, for coming out and um, on very short notice to represent your schools.
And I also just really want to thank um, our PTA partners.I know that when we reached out and asked that you come and speak, it created a lot of stress for folks.It's very stressful to speak at a at a meeting and to feel the weight of representing your community.So, I apologize for putting you in that place, but I do think that this entire board really does re respect and appreciate those of you who volunteer, who give your time, who build community in our schools, whether you'restaff or families, both in both cases, we appreciate that that perspective.And so, I just really want to thank you for making time.We're here, you know, we've been here Friday night, Monday night, tonight.Um, that's our job.The fact that you choose to spend your time here advocating for your schools means the world to us.
And so, thank you for giving that time.
Okay.So, if not, I would like to take a fivem minute break because we're going to move on to the next agenda item if that's okay.Um, and it'll give the the the crowd a chance to to uh, you know, either leave or you can stay.That's it's up to you.It's a long night and I know there's a vacation tomorrow.Some of us are taking them.So I want to give that opportunity.So let's go ahead and take a fiveminut break.Uh and then we're going to come back for the next agenda item which is
it's the next agenda item.Thank you.
151.
The board approves the district representative for the county attendance review board and supervisor of attendance.
All right, everyone.We're going live in five, four, three, two.Oops.Thank you so much.We're going tohead return to our uh agenda, which is 15A1, which is a education uh services.uh the approval of um school district representative for the county schools of attendance review board and supervisor of attendance for Ventura Unified that was a mouthful and that is um Dr.Sorry.
Yeah.Thank you, President Foresight.So, this is um an an annual event if needed in the case of um shifting our SAR duties, which we have done as you know um shifted um our staff in student support services.So, we're pleased to bring uh Maria Lisa Ras, our um director of student support services forward.as our SARB chair.Uh we have reconstructed our SARB duties whereby she um is the overall coordinator for the district and um obviously the designate and she sits as the chair for all the elementary SARB um meetings and she supports our umindividual secondary assistant principles who are the designates for their um sites uh SAR duties.So, um, happy to answer any questions you might have about this recommendation.
Okay.Board, do you have any questions?
Hearing none, I'll move approval.
I'll second.
Thank you.But as follows, trusty Peterson,
yes.
Trusty Dannenberg,
yes.
Trusty Rodriguez,
yes.
Trusty Fredericks,
yes.
And Trusty Foresight,
yes.
Thank you.Motion passes 5-0.
The board approves provisional intern permits and waivers for hard-to-fill positions.
Okay, moving on to B1, which is the approval of provisional intern per uh permits and waiverss.first read and that's Gina Wallitz.Thank you.
Good evening board.Um we have two um staff changes um some unexpected changes in hard to fill positions and so the candidates that we um have requested to hire have some additional credentiing needs.Happy to answer any questions.
Okay, any questions?If not, we have a motion to approve.
Move to approve the list.I'll second.Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson.Yes.
Trusty Dannenberg.
Yes.
Trusty Rodriguez.
Yes.
Trusty Fredericks.
Yes.
And trusty foresight.
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries 5-0.
The board discusses the intended appointee to the personnel commission but decides to wait and bring the item back later.
Okay.Moving on to C1, which is the announcement of intended appointee for the personnel commission and notice of public hearing.
And this is the first read and it goes to um Mariana.Thank you.
And before Marina begins her presentation, I believe we have one recusal.
Uh Mr.President, I am recusing myself from this item to avoid any conflict of interest that might arise from my desire to be considered for this personnel commission appointment.
All righty.We'll go ahead and uh excuse Trusty Peterson.We're going to excuse Pet.
Okay, moving on to the presentation.
Okay.Good evening, Ford.I have a quick overview for you for this agenda item.As you know, our district uh administers the merit system for classified employment.As part of the process, we have a threebody personnel commission where one appointment is made by the board of education.The other member is appointed by the exclusive representative of classified employees uh Vespa and another is a joint appointee of the two.Uh the education code requires a two-stage process for this appointment.one making a public announcement of the intended appointee and then subsequently 30 to 45 days from the time of the announcement holding a public hearing which we announced to be held on the regular meeting of December 15th.Uh quick review of the eligibility requirements for this appointment.The individual must be a registered voter.They must reside within the boundary of the Ventura Unified School District and they must be a known adherent to the principles of the merit system.
Uh those who are not eligible to serve would be individuals who at the time that the appointment would begin which in this case would not be prior to December uh 16th.um if they're active members of a governing board of any school district, if they're an active member of a county board of education, or if they're a current uh employee.So that status uh would need to be reconciled prior to the appointment on the personnel commission.Uh with that um discussion,
maybe one more comment.So the the board uh is able to identify any individual that is known to them to be interested in this um service uh including the individuals who participated on October 20th um providing public statement of their interest uhJackie Lopez and Amy Callahan.
Okay.So we do have uh essentially three individuals that are interested but two that applied.So I um the way that we should handle this is someone would have to have a motion to approve one of the candidates that we've uh heard from from last meeting.Um if there is none then we'll move on to the next and so on.
And just as a a a point of clarification so tonight the board has the opportunity to take action of an intended appointee.Uh any action tonight is not the board take is if you can reiterate that
correct tonight's action is to announce the intended appointee at the time that the public hearing is held.Uh the board can either approve their the appointment of the individual that they announced today or uh present a different name uh to be appointed.
Okay.
For final appointment.
Okay.So, okay.Is there any uh board member has any questions regarding the process?Yeah,
sorry.I just want to make sure I'm understanding.So, our options are um announce that we're going to move forward with one of the two applicants that were interviewed last time.Um or um consider an applicant that has not been considered before or option three, punt and do nothing at this meeting or if there's no consensus at this meeting then that option does not move forward and then canyou talk about what the that timeline looks like going forward?
So uh in the prior meeting there was a conference item where you essentially received interest from two individuals.Uh this evening it appears there is a third individual that has um specified interest in this appointment.So um you have at least three known individuals uh that are interested in service on the personnel commission.Uh so it would be at your discretion to nominate any that are known to you publicly or otherwise.
Okay.So I'll turn it back to the board for nominations.
Um so for me I just need more time with everything going on with school closures.That's really where my mind's been.I I need more time to think.
I agree.Jerry, more time.
Okay.So, we're going to go ahead and do a second read.
Okay.
Okay.Thank you.
Okay.
Staff answers questions about media coverage costs and clarifies that the new arrangement is an operational change rather than a general fund savings measure.
Now, we got to get Kelvin.
Okay.Thank you so much.Moving on to uh so there's no action taken Kelvin.So moving on to action item D1 which is the request of approval of contracts exceeding 25,000 and it's Dr.Mza.
I'll entertain any questions the board has.
I had a question about the caps media.I'm just wondering um what is the time frame of that charge?That would be for this academic year.That would include um all regular meetings and now all specials which averaged 40 last year as well as our information night and all of our graduations.
Okay.Thank you.
Brienne, if you can just remind us how much is it just for the graduations approximately.
Thank you.For the meetings and info night, it's 75,000 and for graduations um to attend all of them in the different locations with everything they need 25,000 total, not per graduation.So, I guess my follow-up question is um you know, we were looking at a potential cost savings on this one.I don't we're looking at a potential cost savings um and also being offer being able to offer better service as far as live streaming.So, I was wondering is this um the expected charge?We had talked we had um sorry not caps it's been a really long week vase thank you we had vase running our um meetings and everything and we have switched over to caps and one of the things thatI really appreciate is that we're able to offer more live feeds um our special board meetings and I'm just wondering originally we had said that there would potentially be a cost savings to this.
So I
Oh, go ahead, Maria.
Sorry.So there's two different things here.So VACE, when we were using VAS, it was out of adult ed funds.So if you're looking for a cost savings on the general fund, using CAPS media is not going to do it for you.It's going to be an additional expense for the district.So the question is it if we would have stuck with caps me or vase it would have been the expense would have been taken out of adult ed and it would not impact the general fund.
There was some uh money coming out of my budget which were the interns that assisted with the filming but that was a smaller amount compared to the base amount.And there's a another issue which is uh the availability of that personnel was time bound and I think in addition to potential cost savings it was also being able to reliably have people to do the things the numberof events uh so that way we the board wasn't uh constrained by availability especially as we're getting into this part of the year uh because the availability of those personnel uh will be limited after uh the spring.if you want to um add, Gina.
No, I mean and I would just add I I think for me the benefit of being able to have our special board meetings live streamed, recorded, all I mean it has I think been so much better for thecommunity to be able to have that flexibility that I'm not questioning the amount.I'm just wanting clarification.And that's why I just wanted to give the the full u answer because it isn't just a cost-saving measure is as you said it's an operational uh measure as well.
The board asks about a residential student placement, then approves the contract list.
And then um for item 11 the TLC child and family services um I just wanted to ask if that's like a fullear placement multiple students.Uh it is a fullear placement for one student and a residential placement.And uh this is a student with significant needs.
Thank you.
Okay.Any further questions?If not, I'll entertain a motion.
Move to approve.I'll second.
Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson.
Yes.
Trusty Dannenberg.
Yes.
Trusty Rodriguez.
Yes.
Trusty Fredericks.Yes.
And Trusty Foresight.
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries 5.
The board reviews major bond-funded construction projects at Ventura High and Anacapa, including stadium upgrades, ADA access, landscaping, and state matching funds.
Okay.Moving on to action item um business services uh number two award contract E14-25 Ventur Unifi I'm sorry Ventur High School stadium upgrades and site improvements.This is a first read and it's coming down to uh Dr.Mzone
this project to Arlon Construction.I don't think
Hello.Hello.Hello,
Caps.Is that microphone on?
Okay,
it's on.
You just want to hear my voice more.So,
yes.
Good evening, Dr.Castro.Board members.Um, I'm here to present and recommend uh the award of project E1425 Ventur High School uh stadium upgrades and site improvements to Ardolan Construction for 8.778 million.Um, if you're able to scroll down, it gives a representation of uh the bid, actual bid itself with the subcontractors and overview of the project.Um, I can expand more on the scope of work or take any questions.
Any questions?
Yeah, I would love for you to um highlight for the community the scope of work.
Sure.Um, so this project uh consists of a new static track uh turf field and track surfacing.um includes new drainage, electrical as well as plumbing.Um new accessible concrete ramps, stairs and retaining wall.Um new emergency egress and uh new widening of the stairs of the concrete bleachers itself with rails for easier access and um mobility for you know those massive concrete bleachers we have.Um it also consists of modification of um well including planting and irrigation.To expand a little bit more, our engineers estimate was at 9.3 million.So we came below our uh engineers estimate and art construction as well as the other biders did include a $250,000 allowance uh for any unforeseen conditions.We added that amount due to the uh not have any any asbuilt drawings of the the stadium itself since it was built in the 30s.So we made our best estimate of the thickness of the concrete and you know we don't know what's underneath there until we actually start diving into it.
Um so yeah,
we received an email from a community member concerned about some cracking in the concrete there.Is this going to address that cracking in that area?
Right.I did respond to that email.Um and maybe we can forward it to all the board members as well, but uh we we take a heavy consideration into the soil stabilization.So we hire geological engineers that do boring samples and get live data of the existing soils.Um they then recommend uh a design on how to um basically build uh the structural elements of this project.That's then reviewed with the California Geological Survey.uh once they approve it, we submit that to DSA further review and approval.So, we've gone through a pretty exhaustive u analysis and procedure to make sure that we build a structurally sound uh project.I
I guess I still don't understand.Is it part of this project or is it something more on top of?
It's it's part of every project quite honestly.I mean Ventura High School is unique where we have our own soils issues with baras and and fault lines but it's part of every project to ensure that we stabilize the soils again
in this $ 8.7 million bid are we fixing this problem now
we can only fix the soils we disturb we can't fix the soils throughout the whole entire you know footprint of the campus
Alita's email mentioned cracked concrete.That's his specific question.
The concrete's cracked throughout the whole entire site.I I don't know what she's exactly referring to.I can only talk about the soils we're disturbing ourselves.So, I can't stabilize soils under existing concrete.
Concrete cracks because of unstable soils.Um, so, um, my question, well, not so, well, question and then comment.Um,
can you, um, uh, talk a little bit about some of the ADA accessibility ramps that are going in because I know that's been an ongoing um, issue for that for that site.
Yeah, the the largest part of this project outside of this the stadium upgrades is emergency egress and ADA accessibility.Um, so if you're looking at the existing bleachers now, the homeside bleachers on the left hand side, uh, we're be will be there actually a picture if you scroll down a little bit more, Marian.Um,
we'll be installing ADA compliant uh, ramp to be accessible from the bottom of this of the Yeah, I'm trying to stall a little bit.
One more.
Um but AD accessibility was uh our priority.So on the right hand side of that picture, you can see the ramp we'll be installing.Um and it's hard to zoom in on the left hand side, but we will be um also installing new uh handicap seating on the lower part portion of the state of the bleachers itself.So, um, heavy consideration to ensure that, um, all of our community members are able to enjoy the events at Laravey Stadium.
Thank you.And I I know one of the chief kind of concerns or um complaints that we get every year at graduation time, right, is just how difficult it is to get out of that stadium when it's full.Um, so is the anticipation that adding these additional stairways to the field will make that a little bit more streamlined?
Yeah.And what you can't see on this side is we're also adding a ramp on the right hand side as well for egress.Um, so code compliant is they they looked at um the amount of uh people we can seat in the stadium, which is quite a lot for for a high school.I want to say it's like 6,000 people.So um there's a formula where we have to be able to provide x amount of uh egresses per y amount of uh seats.So we are now code compliant.Um so traversing and exiting the the stadium should be relatively easy comparison to now.
Then lastly, I just want to thank you because you made it sound easy, but Ventura High School is always hard to do anything because of the fault lines.And for years, we have wanted to address that stadium.We've had complaints and questions from community members for years and years and years.And it was always just too steep a price tag.And um so thank you to the generous donors who or uh voters who supported um the bond because it is only because of having the bond that we're actually able to address that stadium.
Correct.
I just had a quick question.I had the pleasure of touring um Buena's new field this summer as part of the Bond
um tour and um I'm just wondering are you doing similar um turfing and track and apples to apples
every Yeah, very cool.If you wouldn't mind explaining that briefly.It's such a cool system.
Sure.Um, for the stadium surfing itself, um, in the play areas, we'll actually be installing, um, a shock pad system underneath the turf, which will help reduce head injuries as well as soft tissue injuries for our athletes.Um, and the turf itself will have an infill of cork, which is a natural um um, I don't want to say Helen, but it's natural in comparison to the the rubber pellets we have now.So, the PASES and all the the long-term effects of that will be eliminated.
Okay.Any further questions?
Just what is the life expectancy of this turf?The
every turf, this is the highest turf we can find with the longest um manufacturers warranty.It's 10 years.So, with the package that's included as part of this um maintenance package that's included as part of this, we did purchase a 10-year maintenance package so that to help prolong that even further.
What's the estimated time frame of beginning construction and how long is it going to take to complete?
Yeah, thank you, Dr.Amirza.So, two things is I forgot to mention is we will be sending a a a letter courtesy letter to our neighbors um around Larabe Stadium just to give them notice that we will be under construction um if thisproject is approved shortly.Um the timeline is um coordinating with the site is to begin construction uh November 30th of this year all the way through uh summer of next school of 2027.So big project, a lot of timeline.Okay.
lots.Um estimate for this project was $ 8.5 million and this bid did include $120,000 allowance for empering condition unforeseen.So it's a lot of work.Um, Marian, if you can.Oh, there is a a a plan view of this as well.Um, but it's a it's a it's a lot of work, a lot of little things.Um, again, the state matching funds eligibility allowed us to expand this scope and and um give Anacappa a lot of love that they need.
Questions from the board.
Yeah.You alluded that we're going to get some money back from the state.
Yes.Can you define what that looks like, how much, and when you might anticipate getting it?
Sure.Um, the one benefit now having a bond for 20 plus years is the the state matching funds reset.So, Anakappa specifically, we're eligible for uh I believe $7.2 million in state matching funds, which this project will allow us to receive back into the bond funds.Um, at this time there is I don't want to put a timeline um because we have to wait until the project is complete and OPSC uh does give us approval.So um we're in the process of getting that approval now.You know with the Prop 2 funds it's kind of as the coffers get filled they release the monies.Uh we're in line for sure and uh we're just waiting patiently.So
on average it takes five to six years sometimes longer.Um Ryan, I was wondering um do you anticipate much in the way of impact to the parking at Anakappa, which is already kind of um you know, a mess.
Yes, I do.So um during the solar project, we did build a um auxiliary parking lot, just kind of a a temporary parking lot, which we'll still be we'll be using for this project.Um we've worked closely with site administration to phase this project out to help mitigate that.So the contractor doesn't have free reign over the whole site.We've given specific dates and timelines for five different phases which they'll need to meet or there'll be monetary um you know decisions to be made if they don't make those.Um and the idea of that is again the timeline is kind of similar to Ventura High School December through September.Um, and it take allows us to take advantage of the the breaks we do have.Um, and help mitigate as much of that impact to the the sites, the students, the teachers as as much as we can.
We've been forthright with admin that this will be impactful.It's not going to be easy, but you know, we're all here to work together and make sure that we can help where we can to help reduce that as best as we can.I just had a question about the aesthetics of the fencing.
Sure.
Um, can you tell me like what materials what the public can expect to see?I'm I'm assuming we are not doing chain link.
Uh, yeah.So, um, during our, uh, town hall meeting we had Anakappa, we received a lot of feedback.We will only be installing chain link fencing outside of the purview of the out of the public.So on the alleyway going the back side of the campus, we'll be installing 8ft fence for you know uh our friends who like to jump the 4ft fence.Now that'll be chain link.You will not be able to see it from the street.Um anything that's viewed from the street we decided to move with a a B-grade if you will of iron ornamental um fencing that's seen actually at Portola as well as um wire welded fencing that's typically seen at alot of our high schools and surrounding districts.Um, in front of the school, we opted to go with uh perforated panels to give it a little bit more um architectural feel and just really brighten up the entrance of the school.
So, we we we try to intentionally design the project not to go way over budget um but to install nice pieces where we can.
I guess then my follow-up question is does this include any landscaping in order to soften the looks of the
Oh, absolutely.California green law is a real thing.So, yeah, it the state requires us to.So, it's hard to see here, but the whole front of the school from the admin all the way to the north parking lot will be a whole new facelift with permeable pavers uh to help our groundwater detention umas well as all new landscaping.Work with our facilities team um to make sure that whatever planting we do install was easy to maintain and didn't put too much of a burden on them.But California green law does require that, you know, again, formulas, x amount of square footage of concrete or or or hardcape we install, we have to plant x amount of trees and bushes.So again, we're we're adhering to that code.Um, and it will be a whole new look in the whole front of the school.
And a lot of that too, uh, Miss Frederick, is to address the ADA needs.You guys have been anappa before.the ramp up towards the admin.It's way out of ADA compliance.So, we'll be addressing all of that.
Well, and since you say it's comprehensive, I wonder if this um might also I understand just before fall break they experienced some flooding at anap.Yeah.
Yes.So, I'm wondering if this will also be working to mitigate some of that.
Some if you look below the gymnasium, you'll see new ADA ramp.Um we will be addressing some of that.the classroom building 20 issues where we experienced the flooding in that library in that in that building.So, we will be addressing as much as we can um the flooding in that area that it when I was a contractor, we tried addressing that 15 years ago.So, it it has always flooded in that area.It's hard to recreate all the contours of a school to promote positive flow, but we're trying.We're trying.Yeah.Thank you, Miss Carr, if you're watching.I hope that you're drying out.So,
I was wondering if you could update on the basketball courts and the tennis courts.This plan does not cover that as far as resurfacing or any any kind of improvement to that as well.
It does.Okay.
It's part Oh, it's pickle ball right now.
Yeah.So, on the northern side, you'll see um pickle ball courts, tennis courts, um basketball courts, as well as a football court.
Okay.So, that's all being because you said up to the admin.the asphalt
and then and
to the east of the gymnasium, those existing basketball courts, we will not be touching those.
Okay.
Um, we wanted to DSA made a comment about ADA accessibility.
Yeah,
that's a little bit too much, so we backed off.Our intent was just to slurry coat and restripe
Yeah.
the basketball courts itself.
But as far as like upgrading it to an ADA, that's not
uh it would have tacked on probably another million dollars to the project.Sure.
So,
so the big question is what color house is like which houses colors are the pickle ball courts going to be painted?
Petra Petra's here for the support of the Anekappa community.So,
because I mean I still haven't been sorted into a house.I'm just saying like
those those decisions have not been made and they will have free reign on that.Um, yeah, it's that's part of the fun of it is litting the the site itself and and getting, you know, the kids involved if they want to and choosing those colors.
Okay, any other questions?If not, we'll entertain a motion.
Move approval.
Second.
Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson,
yes.
Trusty Dannenberg,
yes.
Trusty Rodriguez,
yes.
Trusty Fredericks, yes.And Trusty Forsight.All right.
Yes.Thank you.
Thank you.Motion carries 5 Z.
Thank you, board.All right.
A board member asks about the dashboard item, but staff notes there is not enough time and the discussion is postponed.
I think Henry had a question.
Yeah.Yeah.Sorry.
I did have a question.Uh, it's fine.But I was just wondering like the basketball courts that are on the north side, it looked like it was one full court and one half court.Is that correct?
Yes.
Cool.That's all my question was about those courts like every weekend.
Didn't see your hand raised.Sorry, buddy.Okay, moving on to uh we did the school closures.We're going to do A1 which is the conference item.Uh the dashboard Dr.
Sorry.So in light of the fact that um we only have a half an hour left.Are are we going to
I I I was just going to interject.We uh had signaled that we did not think we would actually have time for this agenda item on this meeting because we had um anticipated this day.But we wanted to honor the request that it be there so the information is public.The board has the opportunity to review it.Uh and if the board is content with uh postponing the actual discussion uh we staff is uh absolutely amendable to that.
The board approves the consent calendar without pulling any items.
Okay.Is the is there consensus to postpone?
Okay.Moving on to consent calendar.Is there any item that wish to be pulled?
If not, I'll entertain a motion.
Move approval.
Second.Thank you.Vote as follows.Trusty Peterson.
Yes.
Trusty Dannenberg.
Yes.
Trusty Rodriguez?
Yes.
Trusty Fredericks?
Yes.
And Trusty Foresight?
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries 5-0.
The board skips reports, then reviews upcoming meetings, holiday timing, and future district events.
Okay, moving on to board reports.Do we have a board report?Yeah, I can't.
Not at this time.
Okay.No.If no board reports, move on to coming events.
I think.Is that a typo?I think.Okay.Because I was Yeah, I was looking at my document.Uh
it's November 19th.
Yeah.So, VOC November uh 19th, as we've referenced a couple times tonight, uh we have our AAPC meeting on the 18th.Uh looking forward to everybody having a good Thanksgiving break on the 26th.Uh our uh ED services group leading the LCAP, SPED, and Sedak discussions.And then, uh we will meet with our pack again on December 11th.
Okay.Moving on to future board items.
None.Jerry, Sabrina,
and nothing.Nothing tonight.Okay.No.Uh, no future board items to be added.
Board members confirm that communication about the school closure pause will go out to families and that no further closed session is needed.
Move on to board and superintendent comments.Uh, comments.Okay.Jerry.
Yes.Um, so I just wanted to make sure that um we were like clear to the community because we did get some comments.um after our discussion about whether or not like we were going to send out some clear communication pre um school of choice night.Sorry, it's late.My brain's fuzzy, but um so I just want to like clarify for the community that yes, we are taking a pause and yes, we will send out that communication so that everyone will know
that communication will go out on Thursday.I'll put that together and make sure they also know about information night now that I have a little more breathing room there.Uh so that will all go out on Thursday to all of our families.
Okay.Thank you, Jen.
Okay, moving on.We don't need to go into close session.Is that correct?
No, we do not.
The board votes to adjourn, thanks the public and CAPS, and closes the meeting with a promise to return the following Tuesday.
So if not, we'll take a motion to adjurnn.
So move to adjurnn, please.
Second.
Thank you.But as follows, trusty Peterson,
yes.
Trusty Dannenberg,
yes.Trusty Rodriguez.Yes.
Trusty Fredericks.Yes.And Trusty Foresight.
Yes.
Thank you.Motion carries.
All right.Thank you so much.Uh thank you CAPS.Thank you public for appreciate you and we'll see you next Tuesday.