El Camino Real Charter High School
Minutes
Special Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday October 6, 2021 at 4:30 PM
Location
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING - Please see below
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
For board meeting materials, please go to the school's main office, or call (818) 595-7500. Some board meeting materials are also posted on the school's website (https://ecrchs.net - click the ECR Board tab).
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING The meeting of the Board of Directors will take place via a virtual/teleconferencing environment based on the following:
1. California Assembly Bill 361, signed into law on September 16, 2021;
2. Governor Newsom's State of Emergency Declaration issued on March 4, 2020; and
3. County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health's recommendation that social distancing be maintained in schools.
To join the virtual Board meeting, please register through GoToWebinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7356663394809551629, webinar ID 495-344-235. You must register for the event (note you do not need to enter your legal name to participate). Once registered, you can attend the meeting through the online link, or by telephone (a call-in number and audio PIN will be provided after you register and prior to the meeting).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
If you would like to make a comment during the Public Comment section or during an agenda item, you may do so in two ways: (1) click the "Raise Hand" icon on the control panel; or (2) email your comment to comment@ecrchs.net and it will be read on the record. Please note: your name will be read on the record along with your comment; if you do not wish to have your name read, please indicate on your email.
Please note that, in order to conduct an orderly meeting, all members of the public will be placed on mute during the Board meeting, except during public comments. Note that for those who elect to participate through the call-in number, you will not have the option of being unmuted during the meeting.
The Public Comments agenda item is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed thirty (30) minutes. A member of the public who requires the use of a translator, in order to receive the same opportunity as others to directly address the Board, shall have twice the allotted time to speak. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth. In order to maintain allotted time limits, the Board Chair may modify speaker time allocations or the total amount of allotted time for an item.
Consent Agenda: All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board votes on them. The Executive Director recommends approval of all consent agenda items.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, El Camino Real Alliance may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Requests for disability related modifications or accommodations shall be made 24 hours prior to the meeting to David Hussey, in person, by email at comment@ecrchs.net, or by calling (818) 595-7500.
For board meeting materials, please go to the school's main office, or call (818) 595-7500. Some board meeting materials are also posted on the school's website (https://ecrchs.net - click the ECR Board tab).
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING The meeting of the Board of Directors will take place via a virtual/teleconferencing environment based on the following:
1. California Assembly Bill 361, signed into law on September 16, 2021;
2. Governor Newsom's State of Emergency Declaration issued on March 4, 2020; and
3. County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health's recommendation that social distancing be maintained in schools.
To join the virtual Board meeting, please register through GoToWebinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7356663394809551629, webinar ID 495-344-235. You must register for the event (note you do not need to enter your legal name to participate). Once registered, you can attend the meeting through the online link, or by telephone (a call-in number and audio PIN will be provided after you register and prior to the meeting).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
If you would like to make a comment during the Public Comment section or during an agenda item, you may do so in two ways: (1) click the "Raise Hand" icon on the control panel; or (2) email your comment to comment@ecrchs.net and it will be read on the record. Please note: your name will be read on the record along with your comment; if you do not wish to have your name read, please indicate on your email.
Please note that, in order to conduct an orderly meeting, all members of the public will be placed on mute during the Board meeting, except during public comments. Note that for those who elect to participate through the call-in number, you will not have the option of being unmuted during the meeting.
The Public Comments agenda item is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed thirty (30) minutes. A member of the public who requires the use of a translator, in order to receive the same opportunity as others to directly address the Board, shall have twice the allotted time to speak. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth. In order to maintain allotted time limits, the Board Chair may modify speaker time allocations or the total amount of allotted time for an item.
Consent Agenda: All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board votes on them. The Executive Director recommends approval of all consent agenda items.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, El Camino Real Alliance may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Requests for disability related modifications or accommodations shall be made 24 hours prior to the meeting to David Hussey, in person, by email at comment@ecrchs.net, or by calling (818) 595-7500.
Directors Present
Brad Wright (remote), Daniela Lopez-Vargas (remote), Danielle Malconian (remote), Linda Ibach (remote), Steven Kofahl (remote)
Directors Absent
John Perez
Guests Present
David Hussey (remote), Gregory Wood (remote), Kurt Lowry (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
Brad Wright called a meeting of the board of directors of El Camino Real Charter High School to order on Wednesday Oct 6, 2021 at 4:30 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Hussey lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
D.
Public Comments
Dr. Lowry recognized the following comments:
* Teacher M. Webster via "live" comment - Comments reflected her desire to have included a teachers' voice on the board and a pay raise for UTLA members above the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
Dr. Lowry subsequently read email-based comments/statements from the following people and whose comments are summarized below:
* Carlos Monroy - Stated that UNESCO unveiled the theme for World Teachers' Day. It was "Teachers at the heart of education recovery." Stated that a year ago, teachers were praised as heroes and provided examples/quotes from parents. Stated ECRCHS has an opportunity to praise the work of educators here at ECRCHS by moving negotiations forward in a way that lifts educators rather than send the message that mediocrity is sufficient.
* James DeLarme - Expressed appreciation for Board Members' service as well as worry about the tension between teachers and administration, stating that we are on the same team. Expressed concern about negotiations between ECRA and UTLA, and is worried about ECRA not being sufficiently open to compromise.
Questioned whether or not the UTLA's leaders' statement that the ECRA Board had not given administration the approval to provide raises above 2% was true, and if true, asks why, given that LAUSD recently agreed to a 5% raise for their teachers. Cited apparent ECRCHS being in strong fiscal shape, per previous board meeting.
Further expressed concern about teachers' treatment as professionals and stated teachers deserve more respect. Feels that there is a new level of animosity between administration and teachers and decreased trust.
Cited UTLA chapter chair's report in which she alleges that ECRA legal counsel has made disrespectful and dismissive comments regarding union's requests.
* Eleanor Green - Stated she has never worked harder than during the past two years. Acknowledges mental strain felt by all. Cited administration has talked about showing grace to our students. Wants the same consideration for teachers who keep the school running.
Cited myriad pressures personally and professionally, traumas. Asks why ECRCHS does not consider it necessary to extend COVID leave policy. Cited constant Covid exposure risk due to students' poor mask-wearing discipline and no clear guidelines on how to manage that issue. Asks where is her grace, her consideration?
Cited insulting salary and new collaborative processes allegedly rolled out without proper allotment of time or resources. Feels greatly disrespected. Asserted that with expected 5% inflation this year, a salary offer of 2% is functionally being asked to take a pay cut. Cited LAUSD's 5% pay raise and stipend, and asked what makes ECRCHS staff less worthy.
Questioned whether or not this is a function of so many new teachers who are afraid to speak out because of their limited job protections. Claims that the message she hears loud and clear is that she does not matter to this school.
* Kyna Collins - Claimed ECR-UTLA negotiations had started over a year ago. Stated it is time to move negotiations forward and give ECRCHS educators the contract and compensation they deserve, and that time is of the essence.
Stated hope that in closed session, the ECRA Board directs ECRA bargaining team to act in good faith and submit compensation and health proposals that demonstrate ECRCHS teachers are respected and cared for as a staff. Cited morale as important for the school community and UTLA is awaiting fair proposals.
* Anita Gruen - Stated she is very disappointed by the current negotiations. Stated teachers work very hard and believes that ECRA's last offer does not show appreciation for how hard teachers are working. Claimed teachers work more hours now due to COVID, trying to bring students up to high school standards. Also claimed that ECRA salary proposal does not take inflation into consideration, either. Requests ECRA to do the right thing and increase teacher salaries appropriately.
###
After Public Comments concluded, Board Chair Wright asked Dr. Lowry to explain the procedures for entering the Closed session. Dr. Lowry so explained.
Board Chair Wright announced, "We are now going into Closed Session at 4:44 p.m."
II. Closed Session
A.
Conference with Labor Negotiators
No actions were taken during closed session.
Closed session concluded at 5:50 p.m.
III. Reconvene to Open Session
A.
Report on Actions Taken in Closed Session, If Any
Board Chair Wright stated, "We are now reconvened in Open session at 5:54 p.m."
Board Chair Wright stated, "No action was taken during our Closed session."
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Steven Kofahl made a motion to Adjourn meeting.
Daniela Lopez-Vargas seconded the motion.
All Board members present voice voted in the affirmative to adjourn.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kurt Lowry