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Board of Education — December 12, 2023

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The Redlands Unified School District Board of Education held a regular meeting on December 12, 2023, focused on organizational matters and policy adoption. The board elected new leadership positions, including Alex Farah as President, Michelle Renner as Vice President, and Jim O'Neill as Clerk. The meeting included approval of board policies, designation of regular meeting dates (second and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m.), and adoption of multiple resolutions related to financial reporting, banking services, and supplementary retirement plans. A student trustee report highlighted achievements at E-Academy including a winter concert and college tour programs. The board also heard public comment regarding school safety concerns following an incident at Cope Middle School, as well as concerns about public comment guidelines and various policy issues.

Key decisions

  • Elected Alex Farah as Board President for one-year term
  • Elected Michelle Renner as Vice President for one-year term
  • Elected Jim O'Neill as Board Clerk for one-year term
  • Affirmed Juan Cabral as Secretary of the Board
  • Reaffirmed Melissa Ayala Quintero as representative to CRIROP governing board for year two of two-year term
  • Reaffirmed Alex Farah as representative to CRIROP governing board for year two of two-year term
  • Adopted all existing board policies, bylaws, and administrative regulations effective December 12, 2023
  • Designated second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. as regular board meeting dates and location
  • Approved consent items 14B-T (all passed)
  • Adopted Resolution 13 (2023-2024) regarding annual and five-year reportable fees report
  • Adopted Resolution 15 (2023-2024) authorizing state applications for projects
  • Adopted Resolution 16 (2023-2024) authorizing banking services for student body accounts
  • Adopted Resolution 17 (2023-2024) authorizing agreement with PARS for supplementary retirement plan
  • Approved and certified first interim financial report H251
  • Accepted nominations for CSBA delegate assembly Region 16B (7 nominees: Heather, Joe, Mickey, Tom, Barbara, Cindy, Jim, Scott)
  • Approved consent items 16B-M
  • Approved management position establishment for school occupational therapists effective December 13, 2023
  • Approved Human Resources consent items 18B-AM (with member abstaining from item F)

Public comment

Public comment included concerns about school safety following an incident at Cope Middle School, with a parent requesting information about tangible safety measures and weapons detection protocols. Another commenter raised concerns about public comment guidelines, arguing they suppress parental speech regarding library materials, and announced a ballot initiative (protectkidsca.com) related to parent notification of gender transitioning, sports participation, and medical procedures for minors. A third commenter expressed concerns about an organization's float at the Christmas parade. A student trustee expressed interest in learning about safety measures being implemented at Cope and requested clear communication about any new protocols.

Notable speakers

Alex Farah (elected Board President), Michelle Renner (elected Vice President, provided committee reports on Redlands Compact and Parks/Recreation), Jim O'Neill (elected Board Clerk), Juan Cabral (Superintendent of Schools), Ethan Morris (Student Trustee, provided E-Academy report), Valerie Tabor (public commenter on public comment guidelines and ballot initiative), Joshua Hall (public commenter regarding Safe Redlands Schools parade float), Cope Middle School parent (public commenter on school safety measures)

Topics: Board organization and elections · Policy adoption · Student trustee program · School safety and weapons detection · E-Academy programs and activities · Financial reporting and resolutions · Supplementary retirement plans · CSBA conference reflections · Golden bell awards · Superintendent's Awards program · Committee and commission appointments · Public comment guidelines · School facilities improvements (gymnasium air conditioning) · Regional Occupation Program representation