Mr. Brad Wright led the Board members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America (USA).

No public comments were received for this meeting.

Mr. David Hussey presented the Executive Director Update.

1) Praise for Student Council and spirit week

• Student Council did a tremendous job running spirit week this week, successfully involving all classes.
• The seniors won the spirit week contest.
• To celebrate, Student Council is purchasing Raising Cane’s for the senior class tomorrow during lunchtime.
  • Encouragement to turn tomorrow’s lunchtime into a lively, fun event and watch the seniors enjoy the treat.
• Overall commendation: they did a great job and deserve recognition.
• Context: Student Council’s mission includes building school spirit and organizing events, which aligns with these efforts. 

2) Leadership mixer with neighboring schools

• Student Council invited leadership classes from three other high schools — Granada Hills, Calabasas, and Chatsworth — to El Camino for a mixer.
• Purpose: share ideas and connect with peer leadership groups.
• After conversations with many students, feedback suggests that El Camino’s Student Council is doing a solid job; students feel confident that their efforts are working well.

3) Arts and theater recommendation

• Strong recommendation: attend the school’s production of A Christmas Carol at the Greek Theatre.
• Showtimes mentioned: tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 7 p.m.
• Praise for the students’ performance and for Miss Hudson’s direction.

4) Athletics updates

• Girls flag football team is playing in the Division One final on Saturday at Garfield High School, kickoff at 5 p.m.
  • Coach Hayashida is in his second final in two years.
  • Hope expressed that the team can bring home another city championship.
• Fall sports season has concluded.
• Winter sports season is beginning.
• Overall, a positive tone around athletics and school spirit.

5) School year outlook

• As the year has progressed, feedback from teachers, staff, and parents has been very positive.
• Emphasis on this positive outlook continuing as winter sports start and school activities move forward.

Chief Business Officer Update presented by Fernando Delgado

Current Month Attendance Report

• Current enrollment stands at 2,801 students
• At the same time last year, enrollment was 2,937 students
• This reflects a decrease of 136 students year over year
• Despite lower enrollment, the attendance rate increased
  • Attendance improved from 93.78% to 94.90%
  • Higher attendance indicates improved student presence in class
  • Increased attendance positively impacts revenue

New Grant Funding – Assembly Bill 121

• Introduction of the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant (SSP Block Grant)
• Grant focuses on:
  • Student support initiatives
  • Professional development
  • English Language Arts and Mathematics framework training
  • Teacher recruitment and retention efforts
• Total grant amount: $841,262
• Funds received to date: approximately 75%, totaling $630,947
• Remaining funds are expected to be received and expended by 2026

Board Chair Update presented by Brad Wright

• Opened the floor for board members to share observations or concerns from time spent on campus
• Expressed overall satisfaction with the school’s development and progress
• Shared observations from a monthly campus walk-through
• Raised concerns about students displaying excessive physical affection in classrooms
  • Emphasized that the school is not a hotel and such behavior can lead to issues
  • Noted potential risk of allegations if boundaries are not maintained
  • Shared a specific instance where a teacher was advised to intervene and separate students
• Stressed the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries in classrooms
  • Teachers may be questioned if inappropriate behavior occurs under their supervision
• Encouraged administrators and teachers to:
  • Promote age-appropriate behavior
  • Discourage overly adult or emotional actions among students
  • Reinforce expectations so students can “be kids” in a safe, respectful environment
• Goal is to prevent future issues and maintain a professional, secure school setting

Agenda item presented by Board Chair Brad Wright

Background of the Vacancy

• Mr. Solkovits resigned from the board due to personal reasons
• The vacancy is for a certificated representative

Selection Process

• A committee convened to meet with and review potential candidates
• Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to support and represent teachers

Proposed Candidate

• Dr. Gunby was introduced as a potential appointee
• Currently a professor at USC
• Has a child enrolled at the school
• Has been an active member of the school community

New Board Member

• Dr. Norris Gundy was formally welcomed to the board
• Dr. Gundy was present at the meeting
• He was confirmed as an active board member, with:
  • Full voting rights
  • Equal authority to ask questions and participate in discussions
• Dr. Gundy was invited to take his seat at the board table
• He was given an opportunity to briefly introduce himself

Introduction of New Board Member – Dr. Norris Gundy

• Dr. Gundy introduced himself to the board

Background Information

• Recently relocated to California with his wife
• Their son is a senior and satisfied with his education and is a member of the Academic JV Team

Board Service

• Dr. Gundy expressed enthusiasm about serving on the board
• He is serving as a full board member
• Shared that he feels positive and enthusiastic about joining and contributing to the board

October 2025 Investment Update

• Report reviewed at a high level with focus on portfolio performance

OPEB Portfolio Overview

• Total value: Just under $34.8 million as of end of September 2025
• Third Quarter 2025 return: 4.7%
• Year-to-date (three quarters of 2025): 11.9%
• Trailing 12-month return: Just under 10%
• Trailing 3-year annualized return: 15.4% per year
• Since inception (Q3 2021): 4.7% annualized
• Overall performance reflects strong absolute returns, despite challenging market conditions in 2022

Asset Class Performance Highlights

• International equities were the top performer in 2025:
  • 21.5% year-to-date
• U.S. equities returned 12.5% year-to-date
• Bonds: 6.5% calendar-year return
• Alternative investments: 7.7% return
• Noted shift from prior years, with international equities outperforming U.S. equities in 2025

OPEB Asset Allocation

• Portfolio allocation:
  • 60% global equities
  • 40% bonds
• Allocation aligns with the benchmark and Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
• All asset classes are within allowable IPS ranges

General Account (GA) Portfolio Overview

• Total value: $7.58 million as of end of Q3 2025
• Portfolio allocation:
  • 30% global equities
  • 70% bonds
• Designed as a more conservative, defensive portfolio

GA Portfolio Performance

• Third Quarter 2025 return: 3.6%
• Year-to-date 2025 (three quarters): 9.3%
• Trailing 3-year annualized return: 10.5% per year
• Lower returns reflect the reduced equity exposure

• Presentation delivered by Fernando Delgado, Chief Business Officer
• Item presented prior to the board vote

Background and Review Process

• Discussion previously held at the Finance Committee meeting
• Committee reviewed multiple U.S. Treasury investment options
  • Options ranged from 1-year to 10-year Treasury notes
• Interest rates discussed were as of November 6, with acknowledgment that rates are fluid and change daily

Recommended Investment

• Proposal to invest in a U.S. Treasury bill
• Fixed interest rate: 3.5%
• Investment term: Two years
• Expected maturity date: November 20, 2026
• Investment to begin by the end of the current month

Board Action Requested

• Administration recommended approval of the two-year Treasury bill investment
• Board approval requested to proceed with the re-investment of General Account annuity funds

• Board Chair Comments presented by Brad Wright
• Clarified that the regular board meeting agenda provides a broad overview of all topics
• Noted that investment-related discussions are covered in greater detail during Finance Committee meetings
• Finance Committee Meeting Details
  • Held on the second Wednesday of each month
  • Chaired by Ms. Ramirez
• Encouraged board members and attendees to:
  • Attend Finance Committee meetings for more in-depth discussions
  • Ask questions and engage in detailed review of financial matters
  • Submit questions via email if unable to attend meetings

• Presented by Fernando Delgado, Chief Business Officer, and Janneyra Verduzco, Director of Accounting and Finance

Interim Financial Reporting

• Typically, the first interim financial report is presented around this time of year
• An extension was granted, moving the reporting deadline from November 14 to November 28
• The first interim financial report will be presented at the December 18 board meeting

Reason for Extension

• Several outstanding invoices from prior years required reconciliation
• Limited time frame (approximately two weeks) provided by the district for reconciling:
  • Credit card transactions
  • Invoice processing
• Extension allowed adequate time to complete reconciliations accurately

Next Steps

• Reconciliation work is expected to be completed by the following week
• Full financial details will be included in the December interim report presentation
• No additional questions were noted at this time

• Presentation delivered by Fernando Delgado, Chief Business Officer
• Item included time for questions and clarification

Original Audit Timeline

• Original audit report deadline was December 15

Reason for Extension

• A federal closure prevented the auditing firm from obtaining all required reports
• As a result, the audit could not be completed by the original deadline

Review and Approval Process

• The extension request was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting the previous week
• An email request was submitted to LED for an audit deadline extension

Extension Approval

• The request was approved
• New audit report deadline granted through January 30

• Presented by Ryan Guinto, Director of Technology (Mr. Kevin Thurow, Band Teacher, unavailable)
• Previously reviewed by the Finance Committee
• Purpose
  • Refresh and acquire additional musical instruments for the band program
  • Ensures equity and access for students in music classes
  • Funding source: Block Grant
• Reason for Board Presentation
  • Total request exceeds $50,000, requiring full board review despite prior AMI funding approval
• Plan for Instruments
  • Instruments being purchased through Sweetwater
  • Some instruments are new additions, others will be retuned or replaced
  • Retired school instruments cannot be given away, but can serve as loaners for student practice
  • Surplus instruments may be considered for sale to generate additional funds
• Financial Details
  • Total amount requested: $74,197.21
• Next Steps
  • Band teacher to provide a detailed plan for instrument usage
  • Board discussion included questions on existing instruments and their reuse or replacement
• Outcome
  • Board reviewed and discussed equity, access, and proper use of funds
  • No objections or further questions noted during the meeting

• Presented by Fernando Delgado, CBO and Ryan Guinto, Director of Technology
• Previously reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee
• Any purchase over $50,000 requires board approval

Purpose of Refresh

• Teacher/Staff Laptops: Lenovo laptops past their useful life
• Computer Labs: Last upgraded in 2017, now in need of replacement
• Gaming Lab: New lab with higher processing capacity to support specialized programs

Procurement Process

• Three quotes obtained: Lenovo direct, Eric Jones, GST
• Chosen vendor: GST (same specifications, lower price)

Disposition of Old Devices

• Better devices kept as loaners
• Remaining devices sold to a third-party vendor, proceeds go back to the general fund
• Option for students to repurchase devices after graduation:
  • Free for students qualifying for reduced lunch
  • $50 for others
  • Devices wiped clean before leaving school

Outcome

• Board informed of funding, procurement, and disposal process
• Ensures both equity for students and efficient use of resources

• Presented by David Hussey, Executive Director
• Review of the 2025 California School Dashboard and related performance metrics
• Overall Performance
  • Dashboard includes seven performance categories
  • Prior year: 1 Blue, 3 Green, 1 Orange
  • Current year: 5 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Orange
  • Overall results indicate positive improvement and strong performance
• Suspension Rate
  • Rated Green
  • Suspension rate declined by 0.7%
  • Fewer student suspensions compared to previous years
  • Decline attributed to:
    • Improved student behavior
    • Proactive disciplinary practices
    • Teacher and staff intervention before issues escalate
    • Support from parents and counseling services
  • No student groups in the Red category
  • African American students identified in Orange this year
    • Previously, English Learners and Special Education students were in Orange
    • Administration is actively addressing subgroup disparities through counseling and proactive engagement
• English Learner (EL) Progress
  • Declined from Blue to Orange
  • Proficiency dropped from 75% to 60%
  • Decline attributed to:
    • Increase in recent-arrival English learners
    • Language acquisition typically requiring 2–3 years
    • Limited English use outside of school for some students
  • Supports include:
    • Two periods of English Language Arts
    • After-school tutoring and targeted interventions
• Graduation Rate
  • Rated Green
  • Increased by 1.4%
  • Current graduation rate: 93%
• College and Career Readiness
  • Maintained rating
  • Improved by 3%
• English Language Arts (ELA)
  • Improved by 11.9 points
  • Moved up from Yellow, reflecting strong academic growth
• Mathematics
  • Remained Yellow
  • Showed slight improvement, but not enough to move to Green
  • Focus areas:
    • Stronger alignment with Common Core standards
    • Improved test preparation strategies
    • Increased departmental focus beginning last year
• Science
  • Rated Green
  • School expressed satisfaction with science performance
• Staffing
  • No issues reported with teacher recruitment
  • Adequate applicant pool for open positions
• Enrollment Discussion
  • Decline in enrollment noted and discussed in relation to dashboard data
  • Similar enrollment declines observed at local middle schools
  • Student population composed of approximately:
    • 50% local students
    • 50% from surrounding areas via open enrollment
  • Board acknowledged some families may review dashboard data when making enrollment decisions
• Conclusion
  • Board noted steady improvement across most metrics
  • Commitment to continued growth, particularly in:
    • English Learner progress
    • Mathematics performance
    • Suspension rate disparities among subgroups

The board entered the closed session at 6:11 PM on the 20th of November, 2025.

The board reconvene to open session at 6:29 PM on the 20th of November, 2025.

Mr. Wright reported that there were no actions taken during the closed session and therefore nothing to report.