Add Freidman comment summary

The board retuned to open session at 5:42PM.

The Evaluation Committee recommended to consider the eleventh amendment for the Employment Contract for the Executive Director/Principal.

Maria Thorpe, Project Manger for LAUSD Facilities, as well as an additional architect presented updates. 

Despite varying opinions, the Board and the school, with the support of LAUSD, have decided to proceed with the construction of the new fencing, a project that has been in development for over five years. The existing fencing is not compliant with DSA (Division of the State Architect) or ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, and this fencing aims to bring it into full compliance.

The fencing plan includes the installation of an Aiphone (camera callbox) at the main gate for controlled entry, aligning with a previously approved board plan. Certain modifications were implemented to ensure code compliance, and several board members expressed their views on these adjustments.

The Pali High mural at the stadium tunnel will remain uncovered, with a new gate to be installed at that landing. Perimeter gates, with the exception of the service road, will also be addressed as part of this update. Students may have the opportunity to design steel decals to enhance the aesthetic of the new fencing.
 

The fences around the M building will not be modified. Fencing will be added to the patio in the tunnel to prevent students from climbing. The current chain-link fences will be replaced with iron/steel fences in a "Pali blue" color. A request can also be made to update the Temescal side pool fencing to match the new color scheme.

Once approved, the Request for Proposals (RFPs) can be opened, with an estimated project start time in early 2026. The timeline for completion is projected to be between six weeks and six months.

Presentation from LAUSD: Scott Singletary, Deputy Director of LAUSD Asset Management (Planning and Development), Lorena Padilla-Melendez (Director of Community Relations), Jennifer Flores (Deputy Director of Environmental Safety), and Jake Martinez (Design Manager).

The design concept community meeting has commenced, with another planned for the summer, indicating rapid progress. The LAUSD board approved the project on June 3rd, with an allocation of $266 million to replace the destroyed facilities. Phase 1 of the project involves the temporary village.
 

Jake Martinez clarified that the tennis courts and fire road will remain as is, with new buildings to replace the old ones, and the currently remaining portables are planned to stay in place. Sustainability is a key aspect of the rebuild process, incorporating considerations for airflow, wind, fire-resistant materials, and greenery. This initiative is currently in the high-level early planning phase, with efforts focused on programming the building around these environmental considerations. The new construction will be larger than the original footprint, with specialty programs expanding their square footage from 1,000 sq. ft to 3,000 sq. ft, adhering to LAUSD CTE standards.

A significant issue regarding the bungalows is funding, as rapid fundraising of several tens of millions of dollars will be required to remove them and expand the new construction. The plan includes 16 general education classrooms, a flex lab, an engineering lab, multimedia classroom. Additional spaces will include three special education suites  as well as other support spaces (IEP rooms, conference rooms, workspaces),including offices.

Amir Ebtehadj inquired if the current remaining bungalows could be moved to the tennis courts to open up construction space, the team said they could explore that possibility. 

Meetings with the school administration, including Dr. Magee and Mr. Negroe, are held weekly. Architects are expected to present the design in the third week of July, with the final design anticipated 40-45 days thereafter. The general public has been invited to participate in the process and provide feedback. A QR code is available for feedback submission until August 14th, and the collected patterns will be reported at the next meeting.

Some board members expressed concerns regarding potential public funds waste and frivolous spending.

Efforts are progressing rapidly on campus, with buildings D, E, and F cleared for re-occupancy after re-cleaning and testing for fire contaminants as a precautionary measure. The pool contractor determined it was best to keep water in the pool until a decision is made to pump it out.

Jennifer Flores, provided an update on air testing. She explained that while some results can be assessed within two to three days, others may take several weeks. Testing is conducted immediately after each building is cleaned, with cleaning and testing occurring simultaneously. Citadel is handling asbestos and lead testing, while TRC is conducting fire-related chemical testing. It was noted that clearance does not indicate readiness for re-occupancy in terms of utilities or other essential aspects, and efforts are underway to restore power. Test results will be made public as each phase is completed. Testing for other chemicals, including 17 heavy metals, mercury, hydrocarbons, PCBs, and dioxins, is also being conducted. Soil testing results for the hillside and baseball field will be released on the OEHS website for public viewing.

Scott Singletary stated that the campus is not expected to be ready for reopening by August 14th due to issues with heating and venting systems not yet being turned on, and a burned section of a hallway. Larger spaces are being explored for expedited readiness. All HVAC systems are currently undergoing re-cleaning. The Gym presents a more complex situation due to its newer heating and cooling system. Pali Elementary will remain at Brentwood Science Magnet for the fall. Opportunities for the community to tour the Bowdoin site will be provided to help them feel comfortable with students returning.

Mr. Negroe expressed his opinion that the Bowdoin campus could be repopulated in August. However, he emphasized that many smaller details must be completed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Discussions were held regarding the ideal timeline for returning to Bowdoin, with a recommendation to use a school break as a transition or trial period to minimize disruption for students. A concern was raised that a post-Thanksgiving break return might be too close to December finals, causing potential issues. It was noted that the primary logistical challenges would occur outside of instructional hours, specifically before 8 AM and after 3 PM.

The student representative emphasized the importance of providing students and their families with advance notice regarding the plan for the upcoming semester to ensure certainty within the community. Virtual learning was not favored, as Zoom proved difficult for many students and resulted in learning loss. If the school remains at Sears, students requested that WiFi and other infrastructure be improved and that the return not be rushed. 

Strong approval and consensus was recached to prioritize the repair and re-opening of extracurricular facilities for the fall, namely the pool and football field, with the entire campus opening in November at the earliest, or after Winter Break.

ASB students are currently working on securing a homecoming venue for the fall, considering either the Sears location or Barker Hangar. Student unions are set to reconvene once schools resume.
 

The graduation ceremony was highly impressive. The Special Education department was happy in having contributed to logistically.

The administration and management team extended their gratitude to the board and staff for their support throughout this challenging year.

Faculty members reported that graduation was amazing, and the return to normalcy at the end of the semester, including finals, studying, and socializing, was truly necessary for students. There is still much insecurity among faculty regarding classroom and class subject assignments for the fall. Concerns were also raised about supplies and resources for teachers.

Deep cleaning is underway, and a security company has been engaged. The Great Shakeout exercise was conducted in May. LAUSD decided to retain the surviving classrooms. Brooke has met with insurance contractors to facilitate the restoration of the MGAC to normal.

Regarding fall sports facilities, it is believed that LAUSD aims to deliver them in August, at which point Mr. Negroe will determine the refurbishment schedule. The prioritization of zones for restoration is based on a color map indicating severity.

When the stadium is handed over to PCHS, the bleachers, lockers, football office, and ticket booth will not be ready for immediate use. Mr. Negroe's primary goal is to ensure the facility is returned and usable for student occupancy.

EDP Magee reported that current enrollment stands at 2,436 students, noting fluctuations from the usual enrollment of approximately 3,000. She acknowledged Mr. Farrell's dedicated efforts in this area. Dr. Magee extended gratitude to everyone in the community, including staff, community members, parents, and the Board, for their collective assistance during this unprecedented semester.

The committee unanimously voted to recommend the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It was noted that there is no research indicating IB students are admitted to better colleges than AP students. The discussion included the necessary funding for the program's implementation and how it would be allocated.
 

The IB coordinator would require training this summer. The Budget and Finance Committee approved the proposal but did not take a vote on its approval. The EDP has approval to include the program once the Governor's allocation is submitted. A preference was expressed for the coordinator position to be posted rather than selected, to ensure greater equity in hiring for the role.

Discussions also addressed how to handle Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for support from the deans' office and administration, focusing not just on detection but on broader strategies for addressing AI use. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) also discussed this topic.

The coordinator position for this school year would be a single period. Newbury Park was mentioned as the only school that replaced its AP program with IB due to the program's significant size. The proposed program is a diploma track, where students would receive an IB diploma upon completion. Granada and Agoura high schools were noted for offering a mixed AP/IB program.

Next steps include training six teachers and having two coordinators at present, in addition to an authorization fee. The plan involves moving to six teachers and one coordinator. Educator effectiveness funds, which are separate from the general education fund, would be utilized. The coordinator position will be "floated out," and opportunities for teacher training over the summer will be explored, offering various options and flexibility. The committee plans to prioritize teachers from various subjects, with at least one from each core subject. This training is expected to help the IB team determine if the Diploma Program (DYP) is the better route or if a mixed AP/IB program offers greater flexibility. 

Students expressed support for this opportunity. The IB program would include six teachers, one coordinator, a certification fee, and one period out of class.

Stands as submitted.

Roger Crystal has resigned as a parent trustee. An ad-hoc special election committee must be formed. The timeliness on this is important and the composition of the Trustees cannot exceed 50% interested members, therefore a special election is likely needed to take place prior to the first regular scheduled board meeting of next year. 

The Audit Committee met and reviewed its findings, with approval anticipated later in the meeting. A constructive plan was discussed.

Ms. Karen Ellis, Director of College Advising, presented an annual review.

In college admissions, grades, test scores, and numerical data are becoming less significant as many applicants present similar profiles, with essays now playing a larger role. The Common Application opens on August 1st. The college application timeline for students begins in their junior year with an initial meeting, and the earliest letters of recommendation are due by October 15th. This past year, over 400 letters were written, and more than 800 teacher recommendations were completed.

Overall, 89% of students applied to at least one college, with the goal being 100% (students applying to community colleges like Santa Monica College are not required to apply through a formal application process tracked by the center). Of those who applied, 84% received at least one acceptance. Among students who applied to four-year colleges (66% of the class), 55% received acceptances

A total of 152 students applied through Early Decision (ED) or Restrictive Early Action (REA) programs. The application deadlines for UC campuses and many other universities were prior to the Palisades fires, meaning many of these results were not impacted by the fires. This graduating class demonstrated extreme resilience and strength throughout a challenging school year, submitting over several thousand college applications.
 

Regarding AP testing, over 1,100 students were tested, and more than 2,000 exams were administered. Despite the shifts and modifications during the school year, only 125 students did not test or transferred out.

Given the immense challenges that many seniors faced this semester, Ms. Ellis is proud of the resilience, camaraderie, and achievement of the Class of 2025. She looks forward to guiding and empowering the Class of 2026 to do the same. 

Tyler Farrell presented the Instructional Continuity Plan. This plan is a state requirement and consists of two primary components: communication protocols for school closures and a framework outlining the structure of schooling during closures. The plan will also be integrated into the school's Comprehensive Safety Plan.

The initial pages provide a high-level overview intended for parents. The total projected revenue is $43 million, with approximately $34 million derived from LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) funds, of which 4% is designated as special funding. John Azzizzi provided an explanation of the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan), including its functionality and components.

The budget for the upcoming school year includes a hold harmless provision and incorporates the Governor's allocation. The audit has been cleaned up and submitted on time. The school will not receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and will not be penalized for lower enrollment. There are ongoing discussions in the state budget regarding additional funding. This marks year five of twenty for STRS (State Teachers' Retirement System) and PRS (Public Retirement System) contributions. A $650,000 contingency fund for additional relocation costs is included, which may require review given the extended time at Pali South. The budget is considered healthy and balanced.

A 2.3% COLA was noted. A faculty inquiry concerning a potential salary increase for the following school year was addressed, with conversations ongoing with UTLA (United Teachers Los Angeles) union representatives. The line item for math support was categorized as general support, and further discussion is needed to define the new support structure, though the same amount of funds remains allocated. There will be six FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) reductions, and a hiring freeze is in effect as the school assesses needs and support. Some of these positions may not be re-hired based on student class selections.

The Educational Protection Account (EPA), funded by Proposition 30 as part of the LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) funding, is generated by an additional tax on the top 10% earners in California, with these funds specifically appropriated for education. Approximately 6% of the $35 million in funding, totaling $4.6 million, will primarily be used to cover teacher salaries.

The 2023-24 Form 990 Informational Return compiles the organization's financial information and processes it into the required IRS format. The return was submitted on time and filed with the IRS.

The 2023-24 Audit Report was submitted five months late. It processes the school's financial information and sends it to the auditor and other relevant parties, covering aspects such as assets, cash flow, and program services. Two notable items were the audit adjustments, which resulted in a net of 1.635 in adjustments made to clean up certain accounts. The deficiency in closing the books and completing the audit was addressed.

Organizations must declare their intent to participate in Federal Title Programs by a specified date. The application includes Title I, Title II, and Title IV funding. The school is not eligible for Title III funding.

Issues have arisen concerning the Sole Occupancy Agreement (SOA) , specifically regarding insurance matters between CharterSafe and the school. While the school holds insurance for the contents within the buildings, LAUSD maintains insurance over the [building structure or property itself, based on common understanding of such agreements and previous minutes indicating LAUSD's role]. 

The school requires expert counsel to navigate this conflict. Expertise on this particular topic is crucial. During the Budget & Finance Committee meeting, a tentative cap of 75 hours was discussed, with a preference for senior attorneys to work on this contract. The insurance adjuster recommended retaining expert counsel.

The engagement involves Berkeley Research Group (BRG) and AALRR. Funds for these services can come from fire response funds. The operations department has been partnering with these groups to meticulously document the losses sustained from the fires.

This resolution was approved last year. However, due to changes in titles, re-approval is necessary to receive federal funding. This approval is a required step , and the Budget & Finance Committee also approved it earlier today.

Training requirements for public boards have been modified due to AB1234, now mandating a minimum of two hours of ethics training for all board members. Greta Proctor, counsel for Pali High, has advised breaking this training into multiple sessions. Brown Act and governance training are scheduled for September 8th and 14th.

The goal-setting retreat is scheduled for September 13th, which will serve in lieu of the previously planned July 12th meeting and training. A Zoom option will be available for attendance.