Board of Education — April 11, 2023

Good evening, and welcome to this Board of Education meeting. We are going to go ahead and get started at 707 PM. I would like to call this meeting to order. Thank you for coming. Before we do the Pledge of Allegiance, we'd like to have a moment of silence for the following individuals. Immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance, please remain standing. I'm going to go ahead and read it, and then when I'm finished reading, we'll go ahead and have Aditi say the Pledge of Allegiance, and then please stay standing. Wendy Millet. Former Bryn Mawr Elementary School office manager, Wendy Millet, passed away early Christmas morning surrounded by her loving family after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. Wendy was born October 31st, 1982 in Concord, California. She married her high school sweetheart soon after, graduating from RHS. She had a magnetic personality and displayed love, strength, kindness, efficiency, and wisdom beyond her years in all that she did. After 11 years, she left the district to be a full time mom for her growing family. She was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and after appearing to have conquered it, an aggressive brain tumor developed last year. Being born on Halloween, she embraced it by dressing up in amazing costumes. Her untimely departure from us leaves a hole in countless hearts. Everett Molino. Everett was a freshman student at Redlands East Valley High School. He tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident. Even though he was non-verbal, Everett was well known by his peers and participated in life to the fullest. His life is a testament to all of us about the importance of faith, friends, and family. Everett will be missed by all who knew him. Juan Sotelo, a senior student at Redlands East Valley High School. Juan tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident, which also injured his brother, Julian. Juan was a talented musician that participated in band, and he loved cars. He will be remembered for his great smile and personality. Juan will be missed by family, friends, and staff. All right, Aditi, we'll have our moment of silence after the privilege, so if you wanna go ahead and lead us.

if everyone can put their right hands over their hearts. 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.

Please be seated. Please note for the minutes that all board members are present and accounted for. Our next item is the approval of the minutes. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2023 Board of Education regular meeting?

So moved.

Second. Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Patty. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Moving on to public participation. This section of the agenda is meant for any member of the public to address the board on any agenda item listed tonight. Are there any cards? Thank you, Carrie Ann. Public hearing. Public hearing regarding the adoption of the Inspire Earth Science textbook by McGraw-Hill for grades nine through 12 to be implemented beginning the 2022-2024 school year. The public 2023 to 2024 school year. Thank you for that. The public hearing is now open. Is there anyone who would like to comment? This hearing is now closed. We have no presentations this evening, so we're going to move on to the student trustee report. Welcome to our student trustee, Aditi Patlola. Did I say that right? Yes. OK. You can correct me. It's OK. From Redlands High School, we're so glad you could be here. And this is your opportunity to report on your school and any other school you may have a report for. So thank you.

Thank you. So I'll start off by saying happy Earth Month everyone. So today at RHS seniors had their graduation cap and gown pickup and they were very excited. There was also a very long line. Our prom is scheduled for April 22nd. This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, our school's theater class is presenting Treasure Island. Throughout April, the Terrier Thrift Shop is accepting donations and will be selling everything for $1 each. The RHS Literary Journal is open for submissions and any children interested can get their works published. Moving on to Citrus Valley, this week is their prom spirit week, and yesterday was their twin day. Link Crew applications for the 2023-2024 school year are open now. Thursday, seniors pick up their cap and gowns during lunch. The 15th of April Pals for Paws Club is attending and supporting the Yucaipa Animal Placement Society at their Walk a Dog fundraiser. Their spring musical Mamma Mia is open on the 28th of April with additional shows on the 27th, 29th, May 5th, and May 6th. For more information, visit Black Hawk Theater Company and websites. The auditions for the 2023-2024 CV Choir will also be held the week of the 17th. moving on to Orangewood. They won their first boys soccer game of the season yesterday. So congratulations to them. And their next one is this Thursday. They're also hosting a fire fair which is a grand fair on back to school night on the 18th. And there will be games and delicious food. So that's all for the school reports.

Thank you, Aditi. And up next, we will move on to board committee reports for CRIROP. We actually have a meeting tomorrow, so we can update after that. Compact, Mrs. Renner.

Rev and RHS clubs have been very busy. RHS invited Ricky McLaughlin, the SRO, to be their career speaker. And at the end of the month, they'll have Mrs. Mitchell's brother from England. He will talk about his job at Goldman Sachs. And the students from RHS and Rev also spoke about what they learned from Dave Maupin at his seminar, The Inside Secrets of How to Be a Millionaire. And indeed, he could tell you Some more stuff about that. Mark interviews with the Rochford students are in two weeks, and RHS students are turning in their certification files on May 16th at lunchtime, and then REV students will turn theirs in on May 15th at lunchtime. The year is winding down, and that's it for compact.

You want to go ahead and go on to REV Foundation?

Rep is having a meeting tomorrow, but I want to remind everyone to buy their tickets to the Harlem Wizards game. And you can go to repforschools.com and do that. I hope everybody shows up and you'll get to see Dr. Wagner play. What was that date again? Next Friday, the 21st. I'm sorry, I didn't say the date. The 21st, next Friday.

Thank you, and we'll skip Jim for a second. We'll stick with Parks and Rec, if that's okay.

And meeting is on Thursday, so I have nothing to report. Okay, back to Jim.

All right. And CSBA, nothing for both? Okay. All right. Well, I guess that's everything. Let's see. This portion of the agenda is where we would typically do the superintendent's report, but as you can see, Superintendent Arellano is not here this evening. Most of you know that Superintendent Arellano is going to be moving over to San Bernardino City Unified to be the new superintendent, and we wish Mr. Arellano the best of luck. And he will be surely missed. With that said, our interim superintendent is here in the audience tonight, and we are very excited to welcome Mr. Patrick Kelly. At this point in the agenda, we'd like to take item 17A, human resources action item, out of order to approve the contract. To approve the contract of Mr. Kelly. Item 17A, approve employment contract for Patrick Kelly as interim superintendent effective April 17, 2023 through June 30, 2023 at a rate of $1,250 per day, three days per week for a maximum of 39 days or until a permanent candidate is appointed. There are no health and welfare benefits appointed provided in the contract, excuse me. Affirm Patrick Kelly as secretary to the board. Can I get a motion? I'll move.

Second.

Okay, thank you Michelle, and I think I'm going to give that one to Patty. All those in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Mr. Kelly, congratulations and thank you for agreeing to act as the interim superintendent. Would you like to join us?

Madam President and Board of Education, I just want to thank you so much. I have had the opportunity to spend three or four days in Redlands thus far, and I cannot tell you how special a place this is. You know, but this is new for me, and I see a lot of different places. It's a very healthy place and very special place, and I just am honored to be able to walk alongside you for the next couple of months as the board does their very, very important work of finding the permanent superintendent to replace Mauricio, who is just an outstanding leader for students. A little bit about myself, I've been in education 35 years and I retired officially in June. And I have been a teacher, a coordinator, an assistant principal, Director, Assistant of HR, and then my last gig was Superintendent for 10 years of Marietta Valley Unified School District, in which I spent 31 years in that school district. So I understand, and one of the things that I've appreciated so much in my first few hours with Redlands, I understood the value of making roots and loving a community for a long period of time. And you come across so many people here, so I understand. appreciate and will honor just how special this community is to all of you who have put in so many hours, days, times for the students of Redlands. On a personal level, I have a wonderful wife who sadly was fine with me coming back to work for a little while. I don't know what that says. We've been married for 33 years, we have four wonderful grown children who are products of public education. And at the core, I'm a firm believer in public education as a key cornerstone of our nation and the freedoms that are there within. Two boys, two girls, they are terrific, but our most special news is that we'll be expecting our first grandchild in September. So that's a very special time, so I will be staying retired for certain. In my short, even though I'll only be with you just for a couple of months, I very much look forward to meeting the staff which I have done to a large extent at the district office and the principals. And once again, very impressive people who are just committed. But getting to know community members, parents, and most importantly the students because this is such an important time in the calendar year of the school district and want to be right alongside in the celebration of those important milestones that really need to be celebrated for students and for their parents and to do it with a lot of strength as we finish the year and a lot of safety. But thank you, I'm just honored to be able to walk alongside you, even though it's just for a couple of months and I look forward to that time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kelly. We are happy to oblige your wife in keeping you busy and congratulations on the grandchild. We are now going to move on to superintendent's recommendations. First up will be consent items under business services. Mr. Hill, do you have any additions or changes?

No, President Aielecantaro, no changes or additions tonight.

All right. Can I get a motion to approve item A, consent items B through R?

I'll move.

Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Jim. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Any discussion? Chair votes aye and so ordered. We'll now move on to business services action items. Item A, adopt revised resolution number 26, 2022-2023 authorizing the use of California multiple awards schedule CMAs for the playground equipment in accordance with California multiple awards schedule contract number. 420-00009 2B, to procure playground equipment from game time to be funded by maintenance and operation funds. Authorized Jason Hill, Assistant Superintendent Business Services, and Amy Drummond, Purchasing Director 1, to sign related documents on behalf of the board. Is there a motion?

So moved.

Thank you, Patty. Thank you, Michelle. Any discussion? Okay, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Item B, adopt resolution number 31, 2022-2023, resolution to authorize temporary borrowing between funds of the school district, appendix item. Is there a motion?

Move. Thank you.

Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Jim. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Item C, adopt resolution number 32, 2022-2023, resolution continuing authority to hold virtual meetings pursuant to AB 361. Is there a motion?

So moved. Second. Third.

Thank you, Patty. Thank you, Alex. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Moving on to consent items under educational services. Dr. Wagner, do you have any changes or corrections?

Thank you, President Aiella-Catero. No changes or corrections.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve item A, consent items B through I?

Moved.

Thank you, Alex. And we'll give this one to Jim. Any discussion? All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. On to educational services action items. Approve the adoption of inspire earth science textbook by McGraw Hill for grades 9 through 12 to be implemented beginning the 2023-2024 school year. Can I get a motion? Moved. Second. Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Patty. Any discussion?

One question. Ken, Mr. Wagon, does that mean the earth science class is coming back to the high schools?

went away. We've been going through all of our science adoptions for secondary schools. It was just one that hasn't been done yet. But earth science we have kind of focused more on 10 through 12 earth science. And so we just the textbook for it needed to be renewed.

I want to thank the committees that work on these curriculum, choosing the curriculum that we have. And Dr. Wagner, thank you for your, where are you, Dr. Wagner? Oh, there you are. You need a mirror down there so we can see you. Pass on our appreciation for the hard work and extra time that they put in to find the best curriculum for our students, so appreciate it.

I would like to also just kind of comment that Julie and I are very happy to have one of our science representatives here tonight.

Where is she?

Oh, she just stepped out. Oh.

Can I ask a question? Do we get a lot of public reviewing of the materials? Was there much interest in that this time?

All of our textbook adoption processes have a committee, and then once a committee settles on a textbook, then that textbook gets displayed typically in our office for a couple-week period of time for public review or anything like that. And unfortunately, we do not usually get very many public reviews. And that's advertised and posted and all that kind of stuff when we do adoptions.

Well, I kind of said that just to make the public aware that those materials are available for review.

All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. Moving on to consent items under human resources, Dr. Robertson Phillips, do you have any changes or additions?

I have no changes or additions this evening, thank you.

All right, is there a motion to approve item A, consent items B through AI?

I will move approval on items B through AI, and I'm gonna abstain on letter G as in girl.

I'll second. All right, thank you, Patty, and thank you, Michelle. Any discussion other than Patty's abstention? All right, all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Chair votes aye and so ordered. We already approved the human resources action item, so we'll move on to our closed session readouts. In regards 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 Renee Knody to the position of principal Kingsbury Elementary School effective July 1 2023 at step 3 of the management team's salary schedule with the following vote. Ayala Quintero, Holohan, O'Neill, Renler, Barra. Voting aye. Renee are you here tonight? Welcome, did you bring anybody with you tonight? Welcome, love to see that much family here. Also in closed session, the board took action to appoint Gary Cooper Smith to the position of safety manager effective TBD at step five of the management team salary schedule with the following vote. Ayala Quintero, Holohan, O'Neill, Renler, Vara, voting aye. Gary, are you here tonight? Welcome. Did you happen to bring anybody with you tonight? We love to hear that, thank you. Okay, we will now be moving on to the community input portion of the agenda. Do we have any cards? Okay, wow. All right, quick meeting. I would like to acknowledge receipt of an email from Tim Lassner. And yes, we have all received it. And now I guess it's just time for board member comments. Okay, we'll start with Jim.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Well, I don't have a lot tonight, but I will tell you that I think I'll give a report to the board, and of course to our audience here tonight, that the student trustees have a meeting once a month, and it's been my honor and privilege to be able to meet with them and listen to what's on their mind about their schools and it's been a great experience. This is our first year, our inaugural year of starting with our student trustee board because there are five of them. And I see Christian from Orangewood out here. He's been to a couple of our meetings. So nice to see you, Christian. Thanks for coming tonight. And of course, Dede is here. So the discussion at our last meeting was what worked and what didn't work. And so I'm going to type up what they told me and how they responded to what we could do better and what was successful. And it was great. It was candid. I really appreciated their input. that we learned as well is that they can have a preferential vote in our meetings. So we're starting to send them, this is the first time we sent out the agendas to them, so they were able to see the agenda. So at our next board meeting, I would like to ask you, Madam President, to allow them to participate in a preferential vote. And that way, they can be part of the discussion. They can't make motions yet, but they can certainly comment on the motions that we make during the voting. So I'm excited for that level of participation from our student trustees. I think that's going to be an exciting time. And they also shared some things about what worked for them. And we didn't really have defined student roles in the student sessions. But they, whether they know it or not, help fill the blanks in that because as we work through it, we talked about what they could do and one of their concerns, which I think is a very valid concern, is what can they do on their own school sites to generate more involvement, more connections, so that they can better represent their constituents at their school sites. So I think that's something that we can work with them on and try to make that more successful. Aditi, was there any other highlight that you wanted to mention tonight?

I think we were just very excited to also look for next year's student trustees. So once those applications are put out to the high schools, I hope everyone is encouraged to apply because it's been a really good experience, I think.

And the students made it that way. You pat yourself on the back for all the work that you did and the time commitment that you made with all the trustees. So thank you for that.

Well, thank you. I appreciate that report, and I appreciate DDU and your fellow board members and their candor for being honest and open with us about what we could be improving on. And I do think it would be fantastic to have them have a preferential vote at our next meeting. So I'm sure that's something we can discuss a little further. And then there was one more thing that I am totally spacing out.

Was it May 9th we're going to honor them as a group? Yes. Yes. It's coming up at one of our board meetings.

OK. All right. Oh, that was the other thing. And I'm hoping that maybe we can get a schedule together so that we can have other board members participate. We can plan it out. That way we can make sure we all get to experience that. Because I only got to attend one meeting, but it was fascinating, and I loved it. So I think that's something we should all take part in. All right. Patty.

I will be brief since we're going back into closed session. But I do want to say congratulations to Renee. on your new position and to welcome Gary to Redlands Unified School District. And then especially welcoming Mr. Patrick Cowley. Welcome and thank you for being here with us. And then just a couple things, retirement. Carol Lemoine is retiring after 36 years, which is a long time. And then I noticed Mary Ann Boer for 27 years, I worked a lot with her at Redlands High School. And congratulations to all the retirees. And I hope you all had a rested spring break. Thank you. Thanks.

Just have a couple of comments. As you see, some of us have our laptops up here. Thanks to our oldest member of the board recommending that we use technology and save trees. So just know that we're trying to save some trees so that way we don't have to carry it. I mean, I'm going to use your- This thing, all right, exactly, yeah. So our board packets are pretty thick. But just so you all know, that's why some of us are trying to move more towards technology and kind of model what our teachers model on a daily basis through the use of technology. And I know towards the end of the school year, many times we go through spring fever. When I used to work at the high school level, spring fever was a time when we have to be extra careful with our students because what was happening is there's a lot more excitement because it's the end of the school year. You see some water balloons being tossed all over, the weather's improving. And there's just a lot more excitement, and along with that excitement, sometimes our babies make not so good choices. So I want to let the principals and administrators know to be patient, but be firm. continue to work with our students and staff and know that we are here to definitely support you. And thank you very much for all that you do.

Okay, first of all, Patty stole my thunder. Carol LeMoine is a personal friend, very dear to my family. I've known her for like 39 years, so actually 36 years, I think. Anyway, I just want to congratulate her openly in public on her retirement. We're going to miss her. McKinley's going to miss her. So just want to say that to you, Carol. And I want to also thank Christian and all the kids at Orangewood for allowing me to come and see their machine for the Rube Goldberg competition. It's finished and they made a lunchable. And the machine had to put the lunchable together. It was very cool. So I can't wait to see how far they go in this competition. Also, I want to remind everybody the Redlands Bicycle Classic starts tomorrow. We did school visits yesterday and today. In Redlands, we did 17 visits, 15 elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Had a ball, it was wonderful the last two days. Six schools in Yucaipa and six also in San Bernardino. So the public races on Saturday, the school duel that we do, competition between the schools. Parents, if you're listening, register your kids to enter the race and hopefully another school. I love Johnson and Brown dearly. I love them dearly, but let's get that trophy to another school. They've had it for nine years. So it's about time another school takes it away. Sorry Brian Zander for all your hard work, but we need to give it to another school. I'm looking forward to the Inspire Choir that's going to be happening at the end of the month and hopefully going to get to Citrus Valley and RHS for their musicals. I love watching those. I also want to Welcome you, Pat. Welcome and congratulate our two new hires. So thank you so much. Everybody have a good weekend and come out to the races. Thank you, Michelle.

I don't really have anything, but I just wanna remind everybody, not that you need reminding, but the weather has been changing pretty crazy. We were drowning and now we're melting. So make sure that you're checking your children's water bottles in the morning. Make sure they're full because mine will say it's full and then I'll hear at the end of the day that they were dying of thirst because they didn't fill it all the way. So I'm happy we have watery filling stations at all our campuses, Jason. Yes, okay, so there are water refilling stations. They can't tell you otherwise, but make sure they stay hydrated and try to get them to leave the hoodies at home. But with that, I will end this meeting and adjourn at 738. Thank you for everyone coming out tonight. And we are adjourning back into closed session.