Kaela Tempest: My name is Kaela Tempest, I’m a senior, and my classmates and I think Pali High should consider switching our landscape gardening tools from gas-to electric. 

According to the California Air Resources Board, using a gas-powered lawn mower for 1 hour produces as much smog-forming emissions in our neighborhood as driving a 2016 Toyota sedan 300 miles from LA to Las Vegas. The Pali grounds are managed on weekends, so neighbors, students, staff, and anyone else who might be around or on campus are susceptible to harmful air pollutants like VOCs such as benzene – which the EPA says is not safe at any level - and other as cancer-causing toxins like formaldehyde. They also emit high levels of particulate matter 2.5, which has been linked to lung cancer, dementia and even cardiac disease. The people driving or handling these vehicles are the most at risk to these health impacts and could potentially face long term effects. The wellbeing of our fellow human beings and Angelenos is at risk, but they will be protected if we make a switch to electric gardening equipment. 

Furthermore, studies show that refueling this equipment results in spillage of gasoline and oil, which students then come into contact with. This also infiltrates into the soil, ruining the soil quality, water, and as a result, the ecosystem. 

Multiple other schools have already taken the initiative to go gas free. LAUSD has begun transitioning all its campuses to gas-free maintenance. Universities, including USC and UCLA, have committed to working to eliminate gas tools. If schools that have over 30,000 students and stretch multiple acres, can make a change, our own school can surely make a difference. Additionally, on an even bigger scale, Washington DC, Miami Beach, and Evanston have banned gas-powered machines completely.

There are so many reasons why we should switch to electric gardening equipment, but most importantly, Pali would be leading by example, and standing for a better and greener future to others. 

Thank you.

Eve May: My comment is in addition to the previous one. Exhaust from gas powered tools release carcinogens and there is much noise pollution from gas powered tools. The future is electric and Pali must lead an initiative toward an all electric campus.

Rustin Kharrazi: Frosh class president election week and we will select 2-3 representatives to start next semester. Winter Spirit week will be starting after Thanksgiving break and the leadership show will have a new show coming out on Friday. There will also be a wellness event during finals week to support students. ASB is winding down and have many great things in store for next semester.

Saken Sherkhanov, Melissa Schilling: Nothing to report at this time.

Andy Paris: Nothing to report at this time.

Karen Ellis: Nothing to report at this time.

Tyler Farrell, David Pickard IV, Maggie Nance: Report stands as submitted.

Dr. Martha Monahan: Report stands as submitted.

Report stands as submitted.

Brooke King: We are currently working on an updated safety and security plan, which will be ready for the January meeting. We had a power outage at the end of October and the school community worked together incredibly. We had a hold during that day and faculty, staff, and students were great at initiating that protocol. We have a hold activity tomorrow and we will talk about different scenarios for when that might be necessary. We are also looking at generators in case of emergencies. We are currently evaluating different options and will have updates soon.

Kiumars Arzani: Do you feel that there was anything that you learned from this emergency to use in the future?

Brooke King: We learned a lot and there are many updates ot our safety plan as a result.

Dr. Pam Magee: I just want to give a huge shoutout to Brooke, Oscar, and every member of the team that helped ensure that day ran smoothly and working to be sure we are prepared for the future.

Report stands as submitted.

Juan Pablo Herrera: Report stands as submitted.

Dr. Pam Magee: Report stands as submitted. Thank you to our facuilty reps for bringing issues and concerns on campus directly to administration so we can all work together to handle any problems and find solutions.

Sara Margiotta: Do we have a copy clerk yet?

Dr. Pam Magee: Yes, they just started today.

Tyler Farrell: Report stands as submitted. 

There are some potential tasks in the report, so please take a look. The committee was tasked with a 2 year review of the academic departments on campus. This has been completed and the committee would like direction on if this task should continue. We included additional questions and concerns for continued evaluation on academic departments.

Sara Margiotta: I believe that Academic Accountability Committee should continue reviewing the academic departments on an ongoing basis.

Sara Margiotta: Report stands as submitted.

David Pickard IV: We will begin meeting in January.

Sara Margiotta: There is no update again. The renewal has extended by a year, so we do not have to meet yet.

Sara Margiotta: 

Audit Committee: We are still waiting on audit data, so we will be meeting once we have that.

Grade Appeal Committee: We have been meeting throughout the semester. 3 grades have been upheld, 1 grade has been overturned, and 1 that is currently pending.

Risk Management Committee: Has not met yet.

Survey Committee: We will meeting in January.

Dr. Chris Lee and Randy Tenansnow presented the PCHS Programs Incorporating Virtual Learning, which can be found in the board materials.

Agenda item has been tabled.

Juan Pablo Herrera presented the 2023-2024 Budget vs. Actuals Update, which can be found in the board materials.

Juan Pablo Herrera presented the 2023-24 Revised LCAP, which can be found in the board materials.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 in Gilbert Hall.

Entered closed session at 6:58 p.m.

Returned to open session at 7:51 pm.  

 It can be reported out of closed session that the Governance Board of Palisades Charter High School has voted to release employee number 99990, a management position, effective immediately.  The vote was unanimous as follows:  Yes - 5, No - 0, Abstentions - 0.