Vienna Nowell - recognizes diligent remediation efforts and expresses gratitude. Concerns about health and safety and the further testing recommended by the LA Fire Health Study. It would give everyone more peace of mind. 

Marc Goldberg - concerned that they didn't do further testing prior to taking occupancy.  Several carcinogens and other toxins that were not tested for so cannot confirm safety.  Issues of both testing methods and scope. We need an evidence based resolution to this issue as advised by several experts. 

Vida Azari - I am requesting a clear response from LAUSD and Palisades High School regarding the independent review from the L.A. Health Fire Study consortium received on January 24. The report includes recommendations for additional testing and follow up steps, yet there has been no communication about whether or when these will be implemented. I urge the Board to place this item on an upcoming agenda and provide a transparent timeline for action. Thank you.

Anonymous - I appreciate that the LA Health Fire Study consortium was contacted to do an independent review, shared with the school community by Dr. Magee on Jan. 24th. The report gave the school community some level of reassurance as students and staff returned to campus. However, the experts outlined additional tests and action items for LAUSD and Pali High to take. We expect that these recommendations will be followed immediately, and all stakeholders would like an update as to when these steps will be taken. Thank you.

Anonymous - What steps are being taken to implement the 6 recommendations outlined in the January 23 LA Fire Health letter? This letter has been quoted by Pali High’s leadership on many occasions, but the advice to undertake several steps for the safety of our students has so far been unaddressed. Students and parents are legitimately concerned about corners that were cut to reduce costs. It is not clear that the experts who signed the letter understand this. We now know that upholstered seats were not removed. The classrooms were not repainted. Broken and missing ceiling tiles were not replaced. Students, parents and staff have reported smelling smoke in the classrooms. And a 72-hour flush period was used for indoor air tests without letting the air return to the ambient air that our students would be exposed to on a regular basis, thus undermining the credibility of all indoor air testing. Our students deserve better. The Board said it had the funds to run further tests and take further action when it voted to terminate the Sears lease. The Board should now implement the LA Fire Health recommendations without further delay.

Anonymous - Dear Members of the Palisades Charter High School Board, We are deeply dissatisfied with the level of testing and remediation performed by LAUSD at Pali. The current situation has raised serious concerns about student and staff safety, and it is unacceptable that this work was approved without more rigorous verification. Pali’s unique location to the proximity of many large supermarkets, stores, and condo buildings warrants further testing of carcinogenic VOC’s.
We strongly urge the Board to require the recommended TO-15 testing immediately. Embarrassing and highly visible photos of the remediation are going to be circulated, further underscoring how inadequate this work appears to be. Parents are rightfully alarmed by how such remediation was given a greenlight in the first place. Parents are at their boiling point. Let’s avoid escalation and try to rectify this promptly.
Palisades homeowners undergoing remediation would never accept this level of work in their own homes, and neither should Pali accept it for a school filled with children and educators. Teachers are scared—and they are right to be.
The community is asking for transparency, accountability, and decisive action now. Please do not delay this testing and ensure the school environment is truly safe. Concerned Pali High parents

Anonymous - Parts of the gym have been closed off - parents and staff have a right to know what the issue is and what remediation is taking place. This school has a lack of transparency - parents have a right to make informed choices. It is important to give us notice of what is happening on campus - please send a notification ASAP to inform the school community as to what is going on (or has been completed) in the gym. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Anonymous - Please can we get a date and a timeline for the TO-15 testing that was recommended by the LA Fire Health Consortium in their letter? Can we also, please, discuss the removal of the ceiling tiles?

Anonymous - TO-15 Testing must be conducted so we know what we are dealing with. When will this be done? Also There are upholstered items throughout campus that have not been replaced. Standing homes and standing businesses have been guided by insurance and remediation companies to replace all upholstered, porous materials. When will this be done? Painting must be completed with full proper encapsulation. When will this be done? Where did all of the insurance money go if not to these important steps? We must know what we are dealing with and not kept in the dark as parents, teachers, staff, and most importantly students.

Anonymous - What is the proper process to be used if teachers, staff or students have any medical complaints such as a cough, nasal congestion, itching or rashes? Which medical professional on campus is monitoring symptoms as they are noted and analyzing trends?

Jessica W - Please assure us that Pali will be following the protocol suggestions laid out in the LA Health Fire Study review. Also…it would be ideal to have air purifiers in every room. Thank you

Anonymous - Agenda Specific Item (Please read when the agenda item is reached)

Environmental testing - Has the lawn (where all the kids do PE) been replaced completely since the fires? If not, has the soil been tested in several areas of the field for all standard substances tested for after an urban fire? If tested, where can we see these results?

Catherine Elsworth - Hello, thank you to LAUSD and the school for all your work testing and remediating the campus after last year’s fires. I am concerned, however, about the limited scope of the testing and what was not evaluated.
I urge the school to carry out the follow up testing called for by the LA Fire Health Panel including testing of indoor air in the coming weeks that includes the FULL SUITE of VOCs (EPA Method TO‑15 and TO‑17).
It is vital that we rule out the presence of benzene and other toxins that could be present in the building and potentially off-gassing from ceiling tiles ( some of which are damaged) or other non sealed materials. I believe the panel has suggested how these tests be done. 
Additionally, I and other parents would like to see a monitoring system put in place to track any symptoms pupils or staff may be experiencing after the return to the palisades. That way we can identify any patterns that may indicate the need for further remediation. Thank you

Anonymous - I am still very concerned about environmental issues with the campus. Will it be cleaned with regularity? Can we get HEPA filters in each classroom? Will there be additional testing at regular intervals? Thank you.

Anonymous - Many of us, a group growing stronger with each passing day, implore you to act quickly to protect the health of our children and teachers. We need you to test for VOCs. You cannot say a school is safe if you haven’t tested for carcinogens. Further, we are mouths agape at the condition of the school. We have many photos of missing ceiling tiles and just overall deplorable condition. It’s shockingly filthy. All those months and no protective paint applied. Porous wood desks remain. The list is long. We aren’t going away. We will fight for what’s right. I suggest all of you join the fight to keep our kids and teachers safe.

Concerned Parent - What is the plan to track symptoms students may have? When will the track be completed? What were the specific remediation completed in the gymnasium including the benches? Why weren’t the ceiling tiles changed? Pictures of the school site looked pretty concerning and Pali needs to ensure they are testing regular for decontamination with all the dust, dirt and debris and so forth observed on the pictures

Anonymous - 

1. Please let the school community know when LAUSD will be administering the TO-15 test panel for VOCs per L.A. Healthy Fire Study recommendation #3.
2. The symphony orchestra's rehearsal space is now being used by dance, which is the same period. The orchestra is stuffed into a small room where it is difficult for the musicians to play their instruments properly due to the lack of space. Would you please find a larger space for the orchestra to rehearse during 5th period?
Thank you!

Michael Friedman - We're all glad to be back. Most people on campus feel and look environmentally safe. As far as other safety concerns, logistical difficulties, and communication, it's time to batten down the hatches. We're home now so the following have been shared with me or directly observed by me.
*For the 3rd time to this board, we need copiers available to staff. Teachers should always be able to make copies.
*No one on crutches should be trying to make it back to the J area. We have golf carts, there's not that many students. If they fall, PALI will be to blame. Someone just has to be in charge of coordinating this. I don't mind.
*The school needs multiple trail cams stairs up to El Medio and other remote spots.They are not that expensive and can be solar or re-chargeable battery.
*The whole J area should be renumbered over the summer.
*The Dean's office either should have a secondary location or closer to the middle of campus and not practically on Sunset Blvd
*PALI period presentation of the campus & how it's supposed to operate including temporary evacuation spots, restroom locations, coming and going protocols along with a short quiz all students can take on Schoology.
Thank you
 

Proposed Behavior Health Referral Policy - Dr. Ian Sayer

• Follows CA Dept of Education guidelines from Senate Bill 153
• This will be incorporated into existing referral process for students with behavioral health needs
• Categories of high risk pupils have been identified based on Dept of Ed guidelines
• Referral protocols and procedures re referrals to behavioral health professionals and support services
• Needs Assessment and Capacity Building - annual assessment to identify trends, review resources, identify gaps in service. Quarterly reports. To be submitted to LEA so they can make improvements in procedures and services
• Training and professional development for teachers to identify students in need and how to move forward
• COST Referral Form - COST Team comprised of counseling, attendance, mental health, Nurse,
• COST Step by Step Guide beginning with teacher check in, parent outreach, COST Form, COST Team review, Referral. Have a google form. 
• Have presented this to stakeholders for feedback 
• Maggie asked about references in the materials to LEA and district staff - these mean Pali admin and staff since we don't have district governance and we have our own LEA. We should update our materials to have the correct references not just the boilerplate language. 
• Lisa - can we break out the line referencing pupils with disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse disorders into separate categories instead of combined in one line.
• Annual summary report to the Board to support transparency and improvement
• Minh Ha - important for this information to be shared with faculty and staff as well as the board. And for there to be follow up with the referring teacher or staff member to make sure the situation is being handled and some action being taken. Dr. Sayer says confidentiality and privacy limitations apply.
• Draft needs to be modified because it refers to "regularly scheduled meeting" of the board. We will approve it now and address it again at the February meeting.
• Lisa - How do we deal with time lags in implementation and with funding? Dr. Sayer says our 504 policy is very streamlined and this will be handled similarly. Can expedite when there's urgency. Quarterly review data will provide guidance about timing of handling issues, staffing needs, etc. 

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be February 24