Board of Education — October 11, 2022

Good evening, everybody. I'd like to welcome you to the regular open session meeting of the Board of Education for Redlands Unified School District. I would ask Miss Maria Norton from Redlands East Valley High School, one of our student trustees, to please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, let's do a quick roll call for the record. Mrs. Ayala Quintero. Mr. O'Neill is also present. I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the September 27th meeting.

So moved. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. So approved. We're up to item seven on our agenda, public participation, community input for agendized items. This is the time that any member of the public may address the board on any agenda item before or during the board's consideration of the item, provided the person submits a completed registration card to address the board to the clerk of the board or his or her designee prior to the time the chairperson calls the items for the board's consideration. This is not meant to be a debating period. Complaints and problems relating to policy matters will be referred to the superintendent. I would ask that the person wishing to address the board, when recognized, shall step up to the podium and announce his or her name and trustee area if known. The chairperson shall, in the interest of facilitating the business of the board, limit the amount of time which a member of the public may use in addressing the board to three minutes, unless the chairperson or a majority of the board determines that a different time limit is appropriate. We have one person that wishes to address the board on an agenda item. Nicole Prasad. Thank you, Nicole.

Hello. I've been coming here for a while and I just have a question about this agenda. Who puts it together and how can you get something on this agenda?

Well, you're here to comment. Well, it's a question about the agenda. Well, that's a great question. I'd love to share that with you. Can I have a sidebar with you after the meeting? Or I'll email you or call you and give you all that. It's a very simple process. No problem for that. It's on our website as well. But I'd be happy to tell you in person on that.

Perfect.

OK. All right. Thank you. Can I call you on your cell phone? Yeah. All right, we'll do. Same one as last time. Good point. Good job. All right. We have no public hearing tonight. We have no presentations tonight. But we have our student trustee, Maria Norton from Redlands East Valley High School. Welcome, Maria.

Hi.

It's great to see you. I'm glad you could make it tonight and we're anticipating and excited about your report.

Hi, yeah, I'm here to report about all the high schools that are within our school district, which includes Orangewood, Redlands E Academy, RHS, CVHS, and REV High School. And I'm here to report about RHS, CV, and REV. And so first off, RHS, they just were able to have their juniors and seniors be able to get the poll worker applications. And this Saturday is actually their homecoming, which is really exciting for them. And then along with homecoming, they also have their Friday, which is a block party which has clubs promoting and selling items to help with homecoming. With CV, they just had some of their prior events included choir, which they had a fundraiser, which included face painting at the football game. their last previous football game. Their band recently had a concert. It was last week. Their cross country just recently had a Brea Field tournament. And the new news is that they have a band fundraiser, which is today at Chipotle, the one in Mountain Grove. Their Alice in Wonderland tickets went on sale yesterday. Their choir will continue to do face painting at their upcoming football game. There's more details on that later. And then their senior shirts started selling yesterday. For Rev, which is my home school, I'm from Rev, their JV volleyball game started today. It was actually against RHS. Tomorrow they have their senior night water polo game against RHS. Today we have a Chaco fundraiser, which is to help support the cross-country team. It ends at nine. You guys should stop by before you go home. They have an Applebee's fundraiser to help support Possibilities Club on October 15th. Their theater will be presenting their show the first weekend of December. And ASB is introducing a new fact to include support and inclusivity with other clubs around REV this year. Marching band has an upcoming field tournament on October 22nd, and this past weekend, on Saturday, they just placed second in their tier division, and their color guard placed first in their division. They also have an upcoming football game against Seavey, which is also called the Grove Bowl. So my home school and Seavey are going against RHS. You guys should show up and show support. That's it. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Any comments or questions from Well done, appreciate it. All right, let's move on to our board committee reports. Cryerock.

Okay, RUSD highlights for CRIROP. We had robotic software has been added to the three metal school exploration classes in Runland Unified School District. The REV High School and RHS have newly painted murals for auto tech and advanced manufacturing. I don't know if you had a chance to see it in recent, but it looks really great. The CVHS culinary arts students obtained 425 total culinary SP2 CTE industry certifications. And the child development at CVHS hosted the lunch meeting for 25 community classroom students. And then there also is new career readiness specialists and from Redlands East Valley, we have LaShawn Belton. And from Katrina Bolander for Citrus Valley High School. And Redlands High School has Claire Schumady. And I'll leave these here in case you want to see them.

We also have the culinary class at Rev High School is getting their equipment installed. So they're going to be up and running for more. That'll be great. Waiting for their invitation for lunch or something over there. Redlands Compact. Michelle.

things so intently I forgot what I was going to do. Okay, Compact Club had their mixer on October 5th, and it was a huge success. 35 adults were interviewed by 31 students, and 16 U of R basketball players came. The students did a great job, as well as the basketball players, with their newly acquired networking skills. Mark your calendars for the next mixer. It will be held on February 16th. So if you all could be there, it will be I believe in the Casa Loma room. Steering Committee will meet on November 3rd, and mock interviews will be between January 17th and 25th, if any of you are interested in being on that panel, being one of the interviewers.

I'm sorry, what's the date again?

Trial 17th to the 25th. 17th to the 25th. January. In the new year. And each school is lining up their career speakers for the year. So if you have a inkling to be a career speaker, just get in touch with one of the advisors, and you can be a career speaker. And that's all for compact.

Are they going to do Zoom speakers this year, or are they going to be in person?

I don't know. The end of last year, some schools were still doing Zoom, and some were doing in person. So I'm not really sure what they've decided this year.

All right. Thank you. The Rep Foundation?

meeting is tomorrow. So I'll have a report for you next time.

Arts Commission hasn't met this month yet. Parks and Rec?

The commissioners went on a tour of all the parks this last Sunday. And so I will bring details of that tour at our next board meeting. And next Parks and Rec meeting is Thursday, this Thursday. So I'll have more information next meeting.

Sandabs? No report for Sandabs this time.

OK. Let's see, for the delicate assembly, I think you got the information e-mailed from Carrie Ann about the meeting coming up at the end of the month. It's going to be at Riverside County Office of Education. Huh? The fall joint, I'm sorry, yes, the fall joint meeting. Was it the 24th, Carrie Ann? I think it was the 24th, yeah. Make sure you let her know if you're going to go to that. And the Coalition to Support the Completion of the REV Stadium. They did meet, but I was unable to attend that meeting. I was out of town last week when they met. And Jason's not here tonight, so we'll have to wait till the next meeting to hear what they met about. But I know they would want us to give them the commercial for their Facebook page and their GoFundMe page. So any alumni out there want to donate towards the stadium, they're ready to take some money for that. Item 10 on our agenda, superintendent's report.

I have no report tonight, thank you.

All right, we'll move to your recommendations. We'll start with the business services consent items. I'll entertain a motion to approve consent items 12B to 12R. So moved.

Second.

Any discussions or questions? All those in favor, say aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye.

Chair votes aye, so ordered. business services action items. I think we can take all three of those together. There's no objection. Item 13. We'll take A, B, and C. So a motion to approve and adopt A, B, and C. I'll move. Second. Tie, but we'll do it. OK, you win. I won. Any questions or comments? All right, thank you. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye, so adopted. For our ed services consent items on item 14, I'll take a motion to approve all consent items as detailed in items 14B to 14I.

So moved. Second.

Questions, comments?

Just thrilled to see all the kids going to science camp again.

It's great. Yeah, for sure. All right, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye, so ordered. We have one educational services action item. I'll entertain a motion to approve.

Move.

Second. Bring no comment. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Chair votes aye. And that's approved. We'll go to our human resources consent items. How about a motion to approve superintendents recommendations items 16B through 16AC.

I will move approval and I will abstain on item E, please, as an elephant.

Item E. Second. Any discussion? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. One abstention on E. Chair votes aye, so ordered. Item 17, there are no action items, however, In regard to the public employee appointment part of the agenda, I would like to report the following. In closed session, the board took action to appoint Janine Torres to the position of personnel technician, effective October 12th, tomorrow, at year three of the management team salary schedule with the following vote. Ayala Quintero, Houlihan, O'Neill, Renner, Vara, all voting aye. Are you here, Janine? Yay! Congratulations. And do you have supporters here, audience here? Well done. Congratulations. In closed session, the board also took action to appoint Christy Garcia to the position of secretary three, confidential, effective, to be determined at year five of the management team's salary schedule with the following vote. Ayala Quintero, Holahan, O'Neill, Renler-Vara, all voting aye. Is Christy here? How do you do, Christy? Welcome to the district. Well, you're meeting quite a few tonight just by being here. It's not required. Well, congratulations. All right. Did you have anybody that came tonight? Your people are not here, but that's okay. These are your people now. So congratulations and welcome. In regard to the public employee discipline dismissal release part of the agenda, I would like to report the following. In closed session, the board took action to terminate classified employee 2022-23-02, effective October 12, 2022, with the following vote. Ayala Quintero, Holahan, O'Neill, Renner, Vara, all voting aye. Okay, we have a couple of discussion items. The first one, board members, you see board policy and administrative regulation concerning volunteer revision. We've had discussions about this at the beginning of the school year. There were some issues that came up and thanks to some parent feedback and concerns. We've got to review an old board policy and make some suggested changes. So thank you, Superintendent Arellano, to your staff for recommending language here. I'll read out the part that's being suggested It's in green if that's okay for the record. Persons approved to serve as volunteers shall submit a valid tuberculosis skin test clearance indicating that they are free of active tuberculosis. The valid clearance must reflect a date that falls within 60 days of the submitted date to the district. Volunteers may commence service prior to board approval if the necessary documentation has been completed and verified by school site administration and or the superintendent's designee. volunteer applications and board approval must be renewed each academic school year. So I'd like to hear from the trustees if that's, if there's anything we'd like to add or change, we can ask the superintendent to put his staff on this and do the final version for the next board meeting. We can take action on that. As you remember, we, this is going to help volunteers, at the beginning of the year when the paperwork is coming in that if something's coming up at their school site they'll have an opportunity to volunteer in the classroom before formal board approval which will help the timeline as long as they've got the paperwork in. So anybody?

Yeah, I just want to make a comment that I'm glad that Working as an administrator, working in the education system, a lot of times we have a lot of red tape. And working together as a board and streamlining this process in order to have parents come in and are able to fill out the paperwork and immediately after completing the required paperwork and getting approval by the district, they're able to assist instead of waiting for us to have a board meeting. So I appreciate us working as a team and making sure that we allow parents that have the ability to volunteer to be able to volunteer at the schools at a much faster pace than usual. It was taking them about two to three months before they can actually come on board, so great job.

Okay, Patty? Just thank the parents who came up with this in saying that we were outdated. This hadn't been changed since 2005, so we were 17 years out. So it's great to be able to get this and as a team together come up with what needs to be done to correct this problem and to make sure our volunteers continue, which we'll be accepting tonight. Thank you.

So Mr. Superintendent, you have the green light to move ahead with your staff to put on the final wording on this for our reading at the next board meeting. That be all right? Sir. OK. Thank you for your work on that. Letter B, student trustee discussion. We had a meeting this month. I'm just continuing to be impressed with the young leaders that we have as our student trustees. Remember, we're blazing the trail. We have no handbook for this. We don't have a guide. We're just kind of working our way through it. all really capable young trustees who are coming up with some great ideas and suggestions. Don't you think, Maria? I'm not just saying this, right? Why don't you chime in and support me?

Yeah, it's going really well.

Yeah, and it's a process. You're learning about the process and the decision-making process and policies. Is it meeting your expectations so far on what you thought this experience might be?

Yeah, it definitely is. It's completely different than I thought it was going to be, but it's a really good difference.

Well, thank you, and we're listening. That's for sure. That's what we're here for, and that's what you're here for, is to help us. So Melissa also came, and it was great having her here. Any board member can come. We just can't have more than two there at one time. And Melissa, your thoughts on the meeting that you attended last week?

Yes, so the meeting was last Monday and it was my first and I think it was amazing to see so many of our students interested in this process and there was fantastic conversation. They brought about a lot of interesting points. They did mention how, even though they all attend different schools, how there was an interest across all the schools to attend each other's events, big games, you know, like traditions that other schools have. Maybe there are kids who don't know what the sponge pot is. So they were all talking about how maybe that there's something that we can do to maybe facilitate some sort of pass that they can go visit each other's games and cheer on different schools. So that was something that they all seemed to have wanted and I thought that was fantastic. There was also interest in having maybe some sort of voting workshop, not just for the kids that turn, that are 18, you know, come November, but even those that turn 18 after November. And, you know, they're citizens and they would like to have more information and education on how to go about that. So that was wonderful to hear. We also talked about, we heard them talk about possible ways that they were gonna try and figure out how to engage more students to come to their student board meetings. I mean, that's what they're there for. So they would really like to hear more about what their constituents have to say. There was some discussion about CSBA and them attending the student board member conference on Friday, December 2nd. There are some logistical issues. They do have school, and it would be a very, very, it's an all-day event. Unlike ours, which is, you know, broken up over a few days, theirs is only one day. So they it's a little bit more of a commitment for them and we haven't quite figured out details So we're still having that discussion the one thing that they did ask about which I would love board input about is they would like to Find out how they would go about possibly getting a preferential vote on agenda items so if I can get any feedback on that as to see how you guys feel and

I'll go ahead and respond. She's looking at me. No, see, I think that's a great idea and what a preferential vote is when we are, let's say when we're going through the agenda items. Any agenda item that we go through, what we do first is we call on the student board member and we say, you know, student board member, you know, what's your preferential vote? And that's just, you know, the vote doesn't count but it allows you to participate and go through the process, you know, that we normally go through. So we would ask you, We would make sure that you get the agenda items, read through it if you have any questions. And then you can also, when we have an opportunity to discuss the items, we would ask you to go ahead and make comments if you had any comments on anything. And then we would say, you know, Maria, for a preferential vote, what's your preferential? And then you would say aye or abstain or nay. you know, but that's the process. And it's fairly simple, but at least you're able to participate more with us. You know, that way you don't sit next to us and just yawn.

So we did, Maria did get the agenda this time. We did email that out. That's going to be a new process. Carrie Ann's going to make sure that they get a copy of the brief agenda, you know, the bullet ties, not our big thick thing. and they're going to get it ahead of time obviously because you know we get ours friday and we have a weekend look at it i don't know if they want to have to spend all weekend looking at theirs but we'll make sure that they get that same courtesy and yeah and and it's part of the learning process so I think one of my responsibilities or any one of us could do it is to make sure that they understand what's on the agenda and how the superintendent's recommendations work and so forth. So I think it's part of that great learning process that we have for them. Yes, Michelle?

When the agenda goes to the student board members, is it going to all of them or just the one who's going to be reporting...

It went to all of them, including the alternates because we don't know sometimes if somebody might not be...

So I would suggest that maybe somehow they get together somehow after they get the agenda and look at it and sort of come to a collective preferential vote?

I think it's been lucky so far to get together once a month. What do you think? I don't know. Maybe we could do a Zoom thing or something.

We could do Zoom or something like that just to sort of get a collective so that it's not just the person coming here each Tuesday deciding what the vote is.

Well, you notice the other student board members reached out to Maria and made sure that her report tonight included reports from the other schools, which I think, thank you very much, that was great and good for them. So, Maria, what do you think about having an opportunity to go over the agenda after you receive it? I know it's hard for people, transportation, everything, but would a Zoom work that we could get together for What's your schedule like and do you think other students would buy into that?

I know we're all like individually really busy with our own outside of school activities and things because it's senior year for all of us and we're really busy. Like tomorrow's our SAT and BSAT is going on but I think it's a good idea to maybe like meet up maybe a little bit more. I know it's like really hard because of how much time we really do have But I think it would be a good experience to maybe meet up more and get to talk over the overall agenda. But maybe it's something we can mention at our next meeting that we have all together.

Definitely will, yeah. Maybe throw in a couple pizzas, maybe that'll be some incentive, I don't know.

Senator O'Neill, does that include alternatives that go to that meeting too, everyone?

No, the alternates don't come to the meeting, but they get the minutes. And Maria is the clerk, and she's been having experience taking minutes. So it's been, I mean, it's as real as we can make it, because it is real. Let's face it, it's the real deal.

Mr. O'Neill, one quick second. So the next meeting is November 1st. I know we probably don't get that information out fast enough to you guys. So if any of you would like to attend, let Jim or I know, and we can coordinate so that no more than two of us are there at a time. And you might just have to sit this one out, Jim.

I feel like they've really, as a group, they've really come together, and you're doing a good job.

OK. November 1st.

making a note of Maria's comment. OK. All right. So you just laid it on us that you're really, really, really, really busy. So the next thing on our agenda is our community input. I'm going to give you the opportunity to stay as long as you can. But if you need to leave, we totally get it. OK? That'll be up to you.

And when you leave, make sure you get an escort to Wauwis

Yeah, one of our security people will definitely make sure you get out safely, OK? So we're ready for public participation. This is item 19 on the agenda. This is the time that any member of the public may address the board on anything that falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education. We ask that they submit a completed registration card to the clerk of the board prior to the time chairperson calls the item or calls the person to the podium. This is not meant to be a debating period. Complaints and problems relating to policy matters will be referred to the superintendent. The person wishing to address the board shall when recognized by the chairperson of the board step up to the podium, announce the his or her name and trustee area if known. The chairperson shall limit the amount of time which a member of the public may use in addressing the board to three minutes unless the chairperson or a majority of the board members determine that a different time limit is appropriate. So we have quite a few tonight. I would like to remind everybody that your comments are directed to the board. We're here to listen to what you have to say. It's not a town hall meeting, so please maintain your professional in the manner of speaking, and we appreciate your comments and for being here to participate. So first up, if I mispronounce your name, I'm totally sorry, but I think it's Leah Rademacher. Yes, that's right. Can someone else go for me because she has to, I mean, go before me because she has to leave? Of course. Well, I don't mind doing that. Is it Maria Montes that wants to go next? Welcome.

Welcome, good evening. I think Mr. O'Neill, you know me. I'm here to bring up and discuss the regarding concerns us parents have here at the Rowland School District. One will be the disgusting involvement that AVID at REV has with all this drag queen that they're promoting where I'm to the point where I'm going to remove my daughter off of AVID if this is what you guys are promoting. I mean, you might otherwise tell them go to a strip bar because flag money to these little kids in their faces. That's one that I'm very disgusted. I hope you guys investigate who, what, when, where, how, who approved this because we didn't and we're not okay with it. Second, I do have another issue. I'm still disappointed to hear that there are still gay flags in classrooms, especially at Cope. I had an incident with my son where the principal, Ms. Locke, said there is, quote, no policy whether or not they can have one. I said, well, you know what, then my son is going to have a Bible and a rosary in front of his desk every single day for this teacher to see, to feel how uncomfortable it is to see a gay flag in the classroom. It's like you guys are ripping out our morals that we teach our kids here. How do you feel, me teaching all this stuff to your own kids, your own grandkids, how do you feel about that? I mean, you guys make it seem like it's nice and pretty and stuff. Yes, Redland School District is a great school, but underneath your noses, there's a lot of things that is happening that you guys are not addressing, and it should be addressed. I mean, why? Why? So I'm asking to have this investigated. Again, Ms. Locke should know because her remedy to do what to do is just switch my son out of the classroom, but it's still there. I have messages from teachers that says, yes, there's many gay flags in this school. That's just at Cope. What other school? Just be aware, there's a lot of teachers, a lot, a lot of teachers, especially you and your stomping grounds, Mr. O'Neill, that are not okay with this. And I spoke with many, many parents, and they're surprised to hear the things they're trying to bring in this school district. And, but word by mouth, they're being told what's happening, and they might not be here, but at home, They don't agree with this kind of stuff. Again, another thing I don't agree is the first day of school, why are they asking a teacher, asking my son, do you have pronouns? What are your pronouns? How is that acceptable? My son asking me, mom, what is a pronoun? These minds, this little mind of my son, You guys are corrupting it. I mean, what are we going to do? What are you going to ask them next? How are you guys allowing this to happen again? It's all nice and pretty, but behind your noses, there's a lot of things that are happening that you guys are, I'm assuming you guys are aware of it. And then please vote for Erin.

She's not sold to the lobbyist union. Thank you. Thank you. Leah Rademacher.

Wait, do I start? Ready, yes.

OK. We're ready for you. Thank you.

OK. Good evening, board members. I'm coming here tonight to speak to you about an event that occurred this weekend and was promoted and sponsored by some of the schools in the district. In fact, one of them even gave credit to students who attended. The event was the Latina Festival held at the Ed Hales Park on Saturday. There is a video behind the picture that I passed out to you all that was posted as public. What you are seeing are little children taking a picture with a drag queen holding dollar bills. These children were dancing while the drag queen was performing, and a man came to each of them while dancing and gave them money. Would any of you be OK with someone coming up to your children or grandchildren while they were dancing and giving them money? I know. I sure wouldn't be. This is a very dangerous line we are crossing with children. I don't understand why these adult performances have suddenly made their way into family-friendly events. When I was in my 20s, I attended many drag performances. In fact, I had a good friend that would perform. But the major difference is I was an adult. The issue is that the performance itself and being against this should not be labeled as anti-LGBTQ. This has always been considered adult entertainment until recently and not for our children. There are many members of the LGBTQ community who are totally against all of this being introduced to children. They are constantly fighting all over the country for this to stop. Why can't we just let kids be kids? Why are some in society normalizing this? What next, family-friendly strip clubs? Where do we draw the line? I have also seen drag queens themselves speaking up recently against all this and saying this is not a world you want to expose your child to. Keep adult entertainment for the adults and let kids be kids. Parents that are against this and are watching, this is now in Redlands. A lot never believed it would come here, but here we are. This event was promoted and sponsored by some of our schools, a few of our city council members, and by some local businesses. Wake up and please get involved before it's too late. Our children's future depends on it. Thank you.

Thank you. Andy Olson.

So I thought a lot about what to say tonight, and I changed it several times because there's just so much to say. I'm just so disappointed at the lack of, you know, there's no report for us about these books on our shelves to be removed. There's no update from the Super – how come we don't have an update about the porn that your student mentioned last time? How come it's not removed? convoluted process to get books out that are inappropriate. And you're putting the burden on the parent to have to do all of these ridiculous steps. Why can't you guys take porn out of the library? I went up just a few minutes of my time. I didn't have time for it all. Just very quickly, I found three out the gate that are more porn in your libraries. Push, it's about a father who rapes his daughter, and the daughter becomes pregnant with two of his children. It's in RUSD Library. Lucky recounts a graphic rape story. And Sold, it's a story about a 13-year-old sex slave with human trafficking and prostitution. And I can get these books and read them to you, and we can all be uncomfortable up here. We don't want our kids reading this, and I don't know why this isn't a universal theme. This event here was sponsored by REV, Redlands High School, REV Cultural Club, Orange Wood, and Citrus Valley. That is the sponsors of this adult entertainment that has an adult dancer who's a drag queen, okay, and REV Wildcats promoted it, REV Avid, REV Cultural Club, and what is this? REV Fashion Club. Okay? All of those are Instagram rev accounts that promoted the event with the adult entertainer. It is not for children. You are advertising this to children who are under the age that they cannot enter a drag queen show. What is going on in the schools? I don't get it. You guys need to wake the hell up and figure this out. influenza in children, look at this, you've got a place here, free HIV testing, free condoms, lube education, and how to prepare yourself for being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases. This is in there, there's the children with the dollars, there's the drag queen, and community service hours. For participating in this adult event, I have no problem with gay people. I have family members who are gay. I have dear friends who are gay. This is not a war against gay people. This is a war against indoctrinating our children who are too young for this. I have no problem with how people want to live their lives, and that needs to be clear. You can do whatever you want. This is America, is a free country. But don't you dare start indoctrinating our kids. This is why your enrollment is dropping. It's on the farthest downward steep hill you've ever had in your history of this district. Why is that? People are sick of this.

Braxton Foley

Hello, school board members. You might recognize me from last time when I talked about the gay pornography in your guys' libraries. And I've come back to tell you guys because I was informed after the meeting that no indoctrination in classrooms is allowed, including BLM flags, gay pride flags, and stuff of that nature. But the thing is, you can't actually get these removed out of the classroom because you guys consider it free speech. When you guys have these things at schools where kids are handing drag queen money and dollar bills, which is completely wrong. And the crazy part about all this is it's a school-sponsored event, like the last speaker pointed out, and it's counted as community service hours. So you're not allowed to read a Bible in the classroom, and you're not allowed to give your religious opinions, but you're allowed to sexually indoctrinate kids, and you're allowed to have these things up explicitly in your classroom. So I would encourage you guys to actually make a transparent policy on these type of things because the school board says, for example, that gay flags and LGBTQ flags aren't allowed in classrooms, but then the principal and the education at the school says a completely different thing and nothing happens because the process is so long and unbearable. So I ask you, superintendent and school board, to come up with a transparent policy so people know what's happening because it's nowhere on your website and it's very confusing to read. So please do that and I would love for you guys to get back to me because last time I tried to do stuff with the school and nothing came of it. So please and thank you for your time and get back to me later. Thank you.

Thank you, school board and superintendent. My name is Dale Broom, and I am a Christian and a local physician here in Redlands. And I too am appalled at the Redlands Unified School District Administration and student clubs that they were promoting an event where a drag queen would be appearing and interacting with children. Do you realize what effect this has on our young children? This type of event is designed to groom children to embrace the LGBTQ lifestyle. It desensitizes them to hypersexual images and situations, glorifies transgenderism, and destroys their sexual innocence. Drag Queen events are nothing short of risqué, adult humor at the expense of harming children's psyche and mental well-being. There is no doubt that children subjected to drag queen events are more likely to embrace transgenderism or homosexuality than those who have not participated. Because schools, movies, social media, and so many other areas are promoting transgenderism in our culture, we are having an epidemic of kids that are declaring themselves transgender or non-binary. unprecedented over our history of world history really, especially here in our country. Which of you would take your grandchild to a gentleman's club or a gay pride parade with scantily clad men or let them view pornography? Then don't host or invite school children to come to a drag queen event. Any administrator who is responsible for promoting this event should be reprimanded, and the board should pass an official policy forbidding the promotion and hosting of any drag queen events in the future. And finally, as a Christian, I would like to remind the board that the teaching and the promotion of the LGBTQ lifestyle by schools is not only offensive to those of the Judeo-Christian faith, but it is also an offense against God. So God commanded that homosexuality and transgenderism are both sins, Deuteronomy 22, 5 and 1 Corinthians 6, 9 through 10. And by promoting this drag queen event, you're leading our children into sin. Jesus had a special warning for people who lead little children into sin and he says it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and that they be thrown into the deep sea and That's out of mark 9 verse 42. So I want to encourage you to take steps to not allow hosting or Promotion of any drag queen events in the future. Thank you Thank you

Christine Caulisworth?

Hi, my name is Christine Collinsworth, and I live in Area 3, and I'm just here, I don't want to be a broken record, but I'm here just like everyone else, bringing to your attention the fact that the last school board meeting, Braxton Foley, brought to your attention the pornographic material that's in our libraries, and instead of thanking him for bringing this to your attention, or emailing him, or anything, any type of reaching out, didn't happen. In fact, towards the end of the meeting, Patty Holahan went off about eating ice cream sundaes and didn't ever address him, never thanked him, but instead thanked all the other speakers. But never thanked the child that she's supposed to represent in her area. And that's just really disheartening for the student. I mean, think about how that would feel. He's bringing pornographic material. He doesn't want to be here and be uncomfortable and do that. None of us do. We don't want to be here. I would rather be eating tacos right now. I don't want to be here. I have to come to every meeting to make sure you guys are doing your job. And it's really exhausting, because you don't do it. And Jim, you sent out to Candy the eight-step process to remove the materials. Why is the burden on the parents? We jump through hoops. I've been through this with Mauricio. I've been through this with all of you. I've emailed about other things and never get response. So how is this any different? Why are you guys not responding? Why are you not trying to get the material out of the schools? Can we all agree that it's absolutely absurd that it's in our libraries, and that we didn't know about it? I consider myself to be very involved, and I didn't know about it. And that makes me sad, because I feel like I'm a protector of the kids in our community. My kids are 18 and 16. I'm not here for that. I'm here for everyone else's kids. This is just absolutely crazy.

Stephen Becker.

Good evening, my name is Steven Becker. I was raised in this valley and have been a citizen of Redlands for the last 27 years. I'm here because I'm concerned about my community and schools and our children. And I think everybody that's here has that concern. I'm also concerned that this board is addressed as somehow you are separate from the rest of us. One of the things that is clear, even though you folks don't do your work perfectly, is that you're trying to address the very complicated problems of education and meeting the needs of our community. I'm very much concerned that there's many people here that have legitimate concerns, but there isn't a recognition of the difficulties in addressing them. I want to just to address one issue. I think taken aback by the young man who spoke today and who spoke two weeks ago in regards to a book which I think is called Beyond Magenta. And apparently at least in one of our high schools there's one copy of the book in the library. Kids have to make a decision to check the book out. Parents have a role in all of this. Parents can teach their children what they think is appropriate. The school's responsibility is to make information available. And book burning or editing or censoring is not part of what Americans do. There is a real danger that we are facing that kind of problem. Concerns are legitimate, but they need to be addressed at home. A parent can say don't check that book out, especially when there's only one copy there. Also, I'm concerned that the board is being addressed as if you were separate from the community. You're not. All of you, at least to my understanding, have deep ties and roots in this community. I think most of you have children that have gone to school here. You've been active in the community. It doesn't mean that every judgment that you make is correct. But when your motivation is challenged, I find that disturbing. I'm grateful for your hard work, and it's greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Michael Pazner. Did I say that right, Michael? Pazner, yes. Welcome.

Hi, my name's Michael Pazner. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. There is an upcoming election for school board members, as you know. In this election, the topic of diversity has been brought up and debated online. Some people, such as Ms. Stepien, falsely claim there is pornography in our schools. But what she is upset about is not pornography. It is diversity that she is uncomfortable with. I want to remind everyone just because a person's appearance or their clothes or who they are makes you uncomfortable, that does not make it pornography. The LGBTQ agenda she so blithely derives is to have the same rights and respect and sense of safety that she takes for granted. She seeks to impose her choices on everyone. In her own words, she said she would ban books and root out people and perspectives that she is personally uncomfortable with. This is her hubris, plain and simple. Anyone who has studied history knows what banning books and rooting out people and ideas leads to. In the most horrific example, this led to the Holocaust. Diversity makes us stronger. Engaging with people from different backgrounds and different perspectives gives us opportunities to learn and grow if we approach each other with curiosity and questions instead of accusations. I urge Ms. Stepien to talk to the people that make her uncomfortable rather than plaster Facebook and YouTube with her criticism of them. On the other hand, her opponent in the upcoming election, Ms. Holohan, supports diversity and helped navigate us through the most challenging time for our school in anyone's memory. I urge people to reject the bigotry and hatred of Ms. Stepien and urge people to vote for the diversity that Ms. Holohan supports. Thank you.

Good evening members of the board. My name is Tricia Keeling. I'm in trustee area four and I wanted to speak tonight to share my thanks and gratitude for the board's steps in making sure our district serves all students and staff through its policies and on diversity and equity. I've noticed that the district now has an African-American parent advisory council. and has hired Dr. Tyrone Howard to train staff on diversity and inclusion in education. Based on the last school board meeting, it seems the district's approach has angered a small minority of people. The fact that the district allows the LGBTQ community to meet in clubs, have literature in our schools' public libraries, as well as express their First Amendment right to free speech by displaying pride pins and flags, has continued to show the need for diversity and inclusion in education within our schools. Overall it seems that the district is making great strides towards its commitment to diversity and equity. I ask that you please continue to do so and not listen to the angry cries of a small minority of this community that often doesn't even have a stake in this community. Please do your part to protect LGBTQ children and staff from hatred and bigotry. I specifically want to thank Pally Houlihan as she has been a member of this board for a very long time and a member of the Redlands community for even longer. She supports every kid within the district and has shown that through her experience and policies. Thank you.

other holly boomy. No. How do you say that last name?

There's too many vowels in that last name.

It's close.

If you were German, it would be pronounced that. It's actually a long I. It's like Bible with an M. It's Bible.

Yeah. Okay. Well, welcome Heather.

Thank you. I want to thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. I've been a citizen of Redland since 1963, and my family has all come through Redland schools. We have four generations in this city, and I am very sad that I have to come here for the reason that I have to come here. I would love to say I'm proud of you. You're doing a great job, but you're not. because when I look at the statistics of the academics in the city of Redlands, I graduated in 1980, my brother's in the 70s, and I see that California ranks 42 in the United States and Redlands is in the 50% of that ranking, that stinks compared to what I had when I was raised when I went to school here. Another thing I want to ask about is we've got pornography in the public library. And when people say you need to ban books, yeah, we're going to ban Hustler, Playboy, and all those other things. They should not be in a school library. Those things were in a back room or in the liquor store when I was growing up. They were not in a public school classroom. We don't put the Happy Hooker in the school. We have to have censorship in the school to protect children. When children come to adults and ask for help and adults look at them with blank stares or say you have to go through the eight step process and a year later the book is not removed, I want to know what's going on. And I'm going to say this, there are no LGBTQ children. I am a business owner in this town, I'm a pastor in this town with my husband. That happens later on. We're not grooming children. I'm going to tell you, school district, you can train our children in academics, but you're not called to raise them. And Alex, when you spoke last time we had a school board meeting and you said you had to wear many hats. You're not qualified to counsel my grandchildren or my children. You're not qualified to be an attorney. You're not qualified to be a social worker. If you're going to teach science, you teach science and teach correct science. Now I was at the school board last year when you guys said that we have to put masks on children based on science. There's no science for a paper mask. It doesn't protect you from anything. But you got $63 million. to enforce those COVID mandates. And also I want to say, we're grooming children if we have $43 million paid out to survivors of sexual abuse in this district. It's astounding that you can sit there and say you're doing a good job and pat yourself on the back. You need to get to work because you answer to the citizens, the parents, the grandparents, and God Almighty for what you're doing. What Dr. Broome just talked about, that is what you need to realize. You will all give an account to God for what you're doing sitting in these seats and what you're teaching these children and what you're allowing in our schools. Redlands could be very high academics. I have tons of school teachers in my family. You need to wake up.

Thank you. Olga Romero.

Good evening, board members. My name is Olga Romero. I am a parent of a student who attends Reynolds Unified, enrolled in a mod-severe special education class. I am here today to talk about the lack of services and support our special ed students and teachers receive. I hear time and time again of how much funding goes to regular students. However, I feel and I know that our special ed kids are in dire need of not only services and support, but also materials. Board members, you have overlooked our special ed children for far too long. Our special ed teachers and aids are suffering and need help. They are all very amazing and they need our support. Our children were greatly affected by your school closures and need help. Many regrets like I have told you in the past. You told us that you would help us when school started. I have yet to see that help. It seems that at every IEP meeting, all the district does is try to take away or reduce services. We parents are not being heard unless we hire attorneys or advocates. Why does Redland Unified fight us so hard when us parents, are only asking for faith. Special education students cannot continue to be overseen. They are also important. They are also our future. We parents are not going to sit around and allow you board members to continue to bully us into signing unfair IEPs. We will fight to ensure that our kids are treated fairly. I hear a lot talking about diversity and inclusion. In Redlands Unified, our special ed students are not included in anything. If anything, they are segregated. All of them are in special classes and do not have access to all the other regular ed kids. That is not fair. There needs to be attention in our board. There needs to be attention for special ed students. And Mr. Arellano, I have called you over and over and I never get a response from you. But we need our special ed kids to be included. We need funding for special ed teachers. We need funding for aids. We need funding for paras. You guys created this by closing our schools. Now is the time to help us the way you said that you were going to help. Thank you.

Thank you, Greg Britton.

Good evening, Greg Britton from Madeline's, I'm not sure which trustee area. Advisory, parental advisory will be discussing matters that are inappropriate for children. And unfortunately, those materials are in the public school libraries here in Redlands. I felt compelled to come down tonight after watching video from the last meeting in which one of your students pointed out and brought to your attention grossly inappropriate pornographic materials in your library. This board was completely and totally uninterested. I look at the agenda tonight. There is nothing about that. Are we looking into that? What kind of materials do we have in our libraries? And are they appropriate for children? Because not every book that's available under our First Amendment for adults, every video, every movie, is appropriate for children. Parents used to be able to trust when they sent their children to the government-run schools that the schools were not, you could trust your children, they weren't going to instill values that they opposed, they weren't going to try to sexualize your children. That's no longer the case. Parents can no longer have that trust and confidence in the government-run schools. And the lack of any response from this board, either last meeting, this meeting, or any investigation, the only reasonable conclusion that citizens and parents can come is that you and the board support materials like the student brought to your attention. By way of example of not porn, just diversity, What I mean by sexually mature is that I knew about sex. From 6UP, I used to kiss other guys in my neighborhood, make out with them, and perform oral sex on them. I liked it. I used to love oral, and I touched their you-know-whats. That is the material by this board's inaction that this board seems to think is appropriate for children. And it is not a small minority of hateful parents that think it is inappropriate for children. It is the normal, decent-thinking American parents who, yes, those things are out there. When you're an adult, you're going to deal with it, but not for my children, not in the government-run schools. Another example, another book called This Book is Gay in Your Library. It's got a picture of a naked man. The title is Boy on Boy Sex. And then it proceeds to give written instructions on how to do it. And the fact that you up there are doing nothing about it shows that you're OK with this. We're not. And we'll see if the voters think it's OK this November. Thank you.

Nicole, Prasad, you still here Nicole? Okay.

Good evening, Bard. I think what we're hearing, and every time I come here, there's always a good amount of parents that come, is that it's like Swiss cheese. There's a lot of things that you're doing real well, but the holes are what us parents are trying to enlighten you or bring to your attention. We're trying to help you. I think instead of looking at each other like the enemy, we should be getting with each other and responding to people. I know that I've already been here 100 times at least, and I've asked for somebody to address me, and nobody has. I know Mr. O'Neill said that he had my phone number and he'd reach out to me today. But I don't know that's going to happen because your previous actions don't dictate what you're saying. We look to you. We come here to take time out so that you know what's going on because you can't do it all. None of us can do it all. I'm here to advocate for children's health. If closing schools worked, we wouldn't need a vaccine. If a vaccine worked, we wouldn't need masks. And if your mask worked, I wouldn't need mine. No food served at our schools gives our children the minerals essential for brain function. In fact, going to fast food places, you won't get those nutrients either. You would have to cook with whole foods to get the nutrients, which is one of the reasons why I like Betty Crocker. She supports the goal. She has a great team. And she supports our local farmers. But our schools only focus on a caloric intake and saturated and unsaturated fats. Our body is comprised of 102 minerals. Not one mineral is mandated by public schools. If you're dealing with a public health problem and mental health, the focus should be getting those nutrients to those people. And if you're not doing that, you're not helping. After a health crisis, why are we not mandating key nutrients to help kids with mental health? Superintendent, you have spoken highly of your cabinet. You were re-elected and unanimously by this board. And I have asked you to reach out when it comes to mental health problems. I'm here letting you know. I know the problems are here. And if we get nutrients to our kids, they will be better able to be them. We don't want everybody to be the same. We want the best out of every person. I've spoken to teachers, parents, principals, and our director of CNS, and all have encouraged me to continue coming to advocate for better meals, all of them. The people in your systems, a lot of them know what's going on, and they're ready to jump on board. We just need you guys to be on our team as parents so we get the best results out of our children. And when we ask for you to reach out to us, it's for us to build a community, because I feel like that's what's lacking here is the community. Because we have people yelling here and people yelling here, and there's no one standing in the middle who's like, hey, let's talk about it.

Thank you. Holly Duvall. Kelly, Deval, welcome.

Hi, my name is Kelly Duvall. Last board meeting, as you guys have heard, we had a student talk about the sexual books in REV, and I have a question. I know it can't be answered now, but is the protocol to get a book removed the same as to get a book into the library? If it's not, I think that's a big red flag, and I think if it is, let's break down the system. So there's eight steps that we were informed of. And the principal has the reins in all of it on step two. It doesn't go any further unless he gives the go ahead. When we have sexual abuse in our schools with a student and a teacher, we get emails from the district, from principals, superintendents telling us how sorry you guys are, and all of the systems that you have in place to keep our kids safe. but let's add pornography to our schools for our kids to get a hold of and for teachers to maybe suggest for a kid to go read, in my opinion, that is grooming at its finest and it's just there. It's hiding in plain sight. If I were to give instructions right now on how to perform oral sex, I think that everyone here would squirm a little bit. How do you think our kids feel? There is no protecting going on. You are inviting sexual abuse. This may not resonate with any of you, but I hope when you wake up at night, it replays in your head. God warns, like our physician told us, very strictly about leading children astray. Matthew 18, six. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. That's heavy. Every one of you should be ashamed. And whatever you're not changing, you're choosing.

Thank you. Felipe. Is it Alberto? Alberto. Alberto? Yes.

OK. Perfect. Thank you. I'm Filippo Bertão. I live in Trustees on News Area 5, and I have a child attending a Redland Unified Public School. Until recently, my wife was also a public school teacher. I'm here because I value diversity and inclusion, and I want to share with you something written by a LGBTQ rights advocate. As an LGBTQ person, I get accused of indoctrinating children a lot. Real indoctrination is telling a kid that God does not love them exactly the way they are. Or maybe true indoctrination is instilling self-hate into a kid who makes them more easily parentable. or maybe indoctrination is convincing a child that everything that happens to them, including abuse, is their fault. LGBTQ people are simply living our truth and being openly ourselves. That's a metaphor and a message every kid needs to see. An abusive family or an unsafe religious community is more dangerous to kids than any pride event. Jeffrey Marsh. I praise the board for continuing to support cultural clubs, pride clubs, diversity, and inclusion trainees. I expect trustee O'Neill and the board to continue to fight for the first amendment rights, first amendment rights, first amendment rights of students and staff to wear their pride pins and keep flags in their classroom. I support Patty Holohan for school board. Thank you. Thank you.

All the cards I have for public comment tonight. So we will move to item 20 on our agenda, board comments. Before I ask the board to make some comments, I would like to address the people here for a couple of thoughts of my own. Not necessarily of the board, but of my own. So Mrs. Collinsworth, are you still here? Hi. So I just wanted to correct what you may have heard. Normally, this is not normally what we do, but I just wanted to reach out to you for everybody. I wanted to make sure that you knew that I did reach out to Braxton. Braxton, did I not reach out to you and talk to you on the phone? You did. I did. And we did discuss his comments at the board meeting. So I wanted you to know that that did happen. We were just ignoring what he had to say. I appreciated his comments. And the other thing was that The process for complaining about controversial issues within books or whatever in our schools, it's not an eight-step process to complain. It's a one-step process. So if there is something that's discovered by a parent or a student, and I think we have copies of the the regulation. Do we not, Carrie Ann, in the back? But complaints about books or other special materials may be initiated by students, parents, community or staff members and shall be submitted to the principal. That's it. That's a one-step process. And then the rest of it is the burden of superintendent staff and ultimately final decision of the board. Wait just a minute. This is my turn. I just wanted you to know that. So we have a process, it's a good process, it's part of our policies and regulations, and we want to hear from people if they have an issue with materials that are within our school libraries, okay? The other thing that the general public doesn't know, but things did happen, is that superintendent and his staff started an investigation identified, started to identify the allegedly objectionable content and materials and are in the process of confirming whether it is in fact in the library and we're awaiting an opinion on his staff whether it's objectionable, pornographic. But remember, it has to be objectively inappropriate. So that's an important word within the statutes and laws that we follow. But if it's determined to be unapproved after that, as a board, we're going to consider how to move forward with that material, whether to prohibit it or not based on the input and our own feelings up here as a board. But we need Braxton and anybody else who runs across material that offends them in some way, we need to start the process. We got a great process in place and we depend on that. So I would encourage you to write your thoughts down, submit it to your principal and it goes from there, okay? You know what? Start the process. And then you'll come back and tell us if you're not getting, you know, the process is not working for you. All right? We have no formal, at this point, we have no formal complaint about any books. So step one hasn't even been made yet. So that's where you need to start. OK? So we'll start with board comments. And thank you for all your comments tonight. We desire the feedback. We want the feedback. Sometimes you don't see some of the things that are happening, but we're definitely discussing and working on things to serve our students.

Michelle?

First of all, I just want to say that I take offense to people coming in telling us that we don't get back to them. Every person who has reached out to me, I have gotten back to them. And Braxton, I'm just going to say this to you, because you know I did get back to you. You did. I did. OK. So I'm up here, and I'm trying to do what's right for students, trying to do what's right for this community. And I'm working really hard. So on a lighter note, I'm really getting excited for homecoming festivities at RHS later this week. The mural's on Friday and then the game. So I'm looking forward to that. Tomorrow is a resource fair. Promises to be a fun afternoon and evening. If you all can come, it's at Clock Auditorium. on the lawn. And congratulations to Janine and Christy. I'm so happy that you're here, Christy, in our district. And Janine, congratulations on your promotion. That's very good. It's nice to see so many parents. We had over 100 this time being approved as volunteers. So I'm so happy that so many parents get a volunteer in our schools. And just thank you all for whoever came tonight to speak. Thank you very much. And that's all I have.

I have nothing to report.

Nothing. Thank you, I'd like to thank the PTA Council for hosting their wonderful and delicious welcome back PTA brunch last week. Thank you for hosting, it was great. I attended the CV homecoming, great job to CV, Citrus Valley. And then this week I look forward to Redlands High School homecoming, which would be actually my 44th homecoming here at Redlands High School. Yeah, that says my age. Okay, and that's all, thank you.

All right, you know I had a chance to look at the e-news that we're putting out. And so Christina Stevens, are you here, Christina? Oh, she's hiding back there? Yeah, she's our public communications person. It's a great publication, so thanks for putting that out. Puts everything in one spot, appreciate it. Appreciate the student board meetings that we're having. Very excited about being a part of that. As you can see at our next meeting, I think we'll have a lot to talk about. We want to have your input on all of those kinds of things that were discussed tonight. I want to thank everybody for coming tonight and for following our protocols. We really appreciate it. It gives everybody a chance to express themselves, clear, concise, and by following our protocols, everybody was heard tonight, and I thank you for that. You know, we're in an unprecedented time. There's so much division. So much confusion, so much misinformation, so I would ask that we all just be patient, work our way through this. It's difficult work, it's sensitive work, but it's our responsibility. Just wanted to say, I'm giving you our assurances that we will work diligently and stand by doing the right thing for your students, our students. I have nothing further tonight. I adjourn this meeting at 823. Thank you for coming.