Mr. Kofahl led Members and other attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America (USA).

Public Comments included the following:

Written:

Parent Erica Budniak - Expressed frustration with what she described as upheaval in the athletics program and an unacceptable lack of communication from the school to ECR Stakeholders regarding the status of investigations.  She also expressed frustration with the 

scheduling of the Advanced Placement (AP) Euro course in 2022-2023 only during 5th period.

Parent Alejandra Berumen - Expressed concern about rumors and speculation regarding the alleged firing of coaches in different sports.  Also has questions about athletics funds and fundraising, how the funds are used.  Cited concerns about weight room and alleged safety hazard; non-working football field speakers, cheer banquet lack of funds for an end-of-year banquet, suggested having one banquet for all athletes with recognition for all athletes and coaches.  Ms. Berumen asked that these items be addressed at the next board meeting. 

Parent Gavin Wolfe - Asked if there is a candidate in line to take over as athletic director.  Asked who handles athletics department budget, if each department/sport is given "x" dollar amount each year or if each department's budget is based on how much they fund raise each year and/or performance.  Asked who is in charge of hiring and firing athletic coaches.

Parent Letty Zane on Behalf of entire FoECR PTO Board  -  Thanked ECRA Board for the significant time and effort they put into their volunteer service to the ECR School Board.

Regarding Board Committee updates - FoECR PTO hopes there will be a public update today from the Ad Hoc Capital Improvement committee during today's meeting.  

Also expressed hope that the ECR administrative team and the Ad Hoc Capital Improvement committee consider completing a few recommended campus safety improvements per the recommendation of our Campus School Police Officer Miranda, including the following:

These recommendations include:

·        Obtaining / creating architectural drawings and site plans for the entire campus for use by emergency personnel who are not familiar with our extensive campus.

·        Labeling the rooftops of our buildings for emergency aircraft.

·        Clearly labeling all the buildings outdoors by Building number or letter.

·        Clearly labeling all hallways, classrooms and office doors with room #s.

·       A more recent recommendation from Officer Miranda is to install a dedicated and direct phone line that is monitored continuously by ECR safety personnel during all school hours so that teachers and staff can easily reach campus security in case of an emergency.

FoECR PTO notes that prior to the campus closing due to the COVID pandemic in March 2020 ECR administration was working on completing these safety items, and they ask administration and the Committee to get started on seeing the projects through to completion on behalf of ECR stakeholders. 

Lastly, FoECR PTO recognized Teacher Appreciation Week next week, stating, "Our valued ECR teachers deserve to be recognized for their dedication and professionalism during these turbulent times in our education system."

ECR Athletic Booster Club Founding Board Members (501(c)3 status pending as of time of email received) - 

Dr. Lowry prefaced his reading of the emailed comments from the ECR Athletic Booster Club Founding Board Members by noting that "this group is not affiliated with ECR or Friends of ECR at this time."

ECR-ABC wished to introduce the formation of the ECR Athletic Booster Club (501(c)3 status pending).   Noted that the current state of ECR Athletics is in disarray.  Cited a recent survey wherein over 100 Parents, students, and coaches indicated that they wanted to be a part of an Athletic Booster Club.  Cited a recent "Solidarity Rally" solidified the interest.  Stakeholders expressed some of the following concerns:

• "there is a lack of support from school administration"
• "Mr. Hussey did not attend one Basketball game, not even Senior Night; yet he is a constant supporter of Soccer and even made a speech at one of their games"
• "we need cohesion across the programs"
• "parents are willing to help but are constantly told NO"
• "my student came to ELCO for sports and now we are ready to leave"
• "the weight room is a safety hazard"
• "kids are intimidated and afraid of retaliation when their parents ask questions"
• "there is a lack of communication when it comes to athletics. Water Polo showed up to a meet with no opponent present"
• "there has been a significant EXODUS of athletes leaving ECR to attend other local schools"

Stated the purpose of the ECR Athletic Booster Club (ECR-ABC) is to foster Community, Collaboration, Equity, and Advocacy for All Student Athletes enrolled at El Camino Real Charter High School.  Noted that the organization is open for membership by all Stakeholders including: student athletes, parents, staff, alumni and community members.  Stated that the organization does not discriminate nor offer preferential treatment to any person/team no matter race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or class.

The ECR-ABC stated its intention to partner with school administration to raise funds that support all athletic programs, improve facilities, and attract qualified and caring athletic staff. The Planning Committee members include parents, community members, student-athletes and coaches from a variety of athletic programs. Our first general meeting will take place in late May and all are welcome to participate.

ECR-ABC made the following three requests:

1) We would like a copy of the current Student Body Athletic Budget for 2021-22 Year as well as copy of the Athletic Trust Account Balances.

2) We would like a space and opportunity to meet with Athletic Coaches (or their designee) to hear their vision, program needs and financial goals for the 2022-23 school year.

3) We would like to meet with the Administrator in charge of Athletics as well as Athletic Director (interim) to discuss the mission and vision of ECR-ABC so that we can work as PARTNERS to move the department forward.

Verbal Comment(s) from Attendee(s):

Parent Michael Aronis -  Asked what the school is going to do about the anxiety that has arisen in our students that has been around prior to COVID, but has been exacerbated by it. He also wanted to know what ECR was going to do about the drug problem on campus and cited concerns about the ease with which students are able to buy or use drugs in the bathrooms "all day long" and that kids are getting access to drugs via SnapChat app, etc. 

UTLA Report (Read aloud by ECRA Board President Brad Wright, after being notified by Mr. Carlos Monroy, UTLA Co-Chair, that neither Ms. Kyna Collins, UTLA Chair, nor Mr. Monroy would be able to join the virtual meeting) - 

• With the semester winding down, educators are extremely busy with final grades and making sure that students are adequately prepared for upcoming finals, it is disheartening to hear reports from several members that Mr. Brad Wright has been interrupting the instructional time to talk / visit / sit with educators while they are in the middle of instruction. This is unacceptable and unprofessional. As UTLA reps, we ask all stakeholders and volunteers like Mr. Wright, that if they wish to speak to or connect with an educator, to make an appointment with them like everybody else OUTSIDE of their assigned instructional time and duties. Our educators are teaching and frankly do not have the time for anything else during the instructional time. We look forward to hearing that this will be remedied immediately. 
• We want to express our appreciation and support for our Classified Staff union members represented by AFSCME as they are in the middle of negotiations with administration and this board. We implore the board to ensure that, unlike with UTLA, this process is not dragged out over a long period of time. Our classified staff are essential in the day to day operations of the school and are a factor in the success of this academic institution. 
• Finally, we look forward to finally meeting in person for these public board meetings. Thank you for your time and please do right by the classified union.

No AFSCME update was provided.

UTLA Update was read aloud during Public Comments by ECRA Board President Brad Wright as a result of UTLA Chair K. Collins and Co-Chair C. Monroy not being available for today's virtual Board Meeting.  

Mr. Hussey provided his Executive Director Update, with some of the highlights, as follow:

* ECR had completed the regular Statewide/CAASPP testing, with make-up testing to continue next week; he thanked Ms. Clark, Ms. Harris, parents, teachers for their work and support.  He reminded stakeholders of the importance of students arriving on time to test.

* AP testing begins next week; refer to testing calendar.

* Congratulations to Boys Lacrosse for their CIF City Championship (Back-to-Back championships)

* Tennis team is in the quarterfinals/playoffs

* Welcomed new Boys Basketball Coach, Shawn Kalani, to the ECR athletics program.  Getting processed as soon as possible.

* CSD annual oversight visits continued a couple of weeks and CSD Financial will issue a report will be provided on or about June 30th.

* Annual UCLA Blood Drive here at ECR tomorrow.  Students and staff do a tremendous job.

* Mrs. Larew wrote and had funded three (3) special education grants to secure funding for Behavior intervention and a placement at a Non-Public School (NPS) support of our students with identified disabilities.  Over $37K was secured.

* To address parent's concerns expressed via public comment about anxiety, ECR has Psychiatric Social Workers (PSWs), school counselors, and two school psychologists, peer counseling opportunities to support any students or staff members who may be dealing with anxiety or other needs.

Mr. Wood provided his CBO Update, with highlights as follow:

RE: ASB Balances/TRUST Account Balances:

* Mr. Wood previewed ASB balances/TRUST Account balances, noting the Business Office tracks these balances.  We have over $500K in various trust accounts.  We will provide this as part of our report to our Finance & Investment Committee (53 trust accounts).  

* ASB also has a student store that sells water, snacks, supplies, clothing, that raises money to support student activities and programs.  We have over $52K in net fund balance that can be spent. 

* We're going to building these funds to support what ASB trusts cannot support.

* Mr. Solkovits asked if ASB Trusts accounts are fully funding their respective Athletics Teams, to which Mr. Wood replied, "No, they are not fully funding."  Essentially, the ASB Trust accounts are supplemental in nature.

* Mr. Solkovits noted that he was paid by the district, then basic supplies for bats and balls, etc., when he was a softball coach, and asked if ECR has something similar.  Mr. Wood noted that we have room for improvement due to pandemic.  School's general fund pays for uniforms for repeated use by students, for example, uniforms without names on backs of jerseys, etc. Trust fund accounts, based on fundraising, may provide supplemental funding for the purchase of additional items beyond the main requirements for participation (words to this effect).

* Mrs. Malconian noted that the Finance and Investment Committee is working diligently with CBO to ensure transparency and accountability regarding athletics funds and oversight, or words to this effect.

* Mr. Wood noted that he would like to see policy and procedures and feedback to improve ASB funding oversight, including ASB student leadership, to delineate general fund and ASB funds and purpose.

RE: Cafeteria Financial Summary:

* Mr. Wood noted that approximately 35% of our student population is eligible for Free and/or Reduced Price Lunch and Breakfast meals.

* We have a current profit of approximately $134K since going to universal free meals for all students.  This profit is considered "restricted" funding and is available only for use within the Cafeteria.   We are looking to work with our food service provider, whoever that ends up being, to make several major improvements and upgrades to equipment and efficiencies in the cafeteria over the next year or two.  We are projected to have upwards of $170K in profit.

* We currently have an active RFP (Request for Proposal) process such that we are required to receive bids from food services providers, the pool of which is comprised of three bidding companies, and from which pool we will select our food services partner for the next five years.  We recently conducted a taste-testing opportunity with over twenty students, staff, and one board member, Mrs. Malconian.   RFP proposals are due to the Finance/Business Office tomorrow and we received one RFP proposal today.  We will evaluate the RFP proposals, score them with a rubric, and share the results with the ECRA Board at the May Regular Board Meeting. 

RE: CARES Funding by Resources:

* Mr. Wood reviewed the CARES Categories/Spending deadlines.  Funds whose deadlines have not yet expired and/or that have a current balance include the following:  GEER, GEER II, ESSER II (CARES 2021), ESSER III, IPI Allocation, and ELO Allocation.  We have over $10M in supplemental funding.  As we're spending funds, we will prioritize the funds that have the earliest due dates, as long as the spending meets the needs of the school and the funding restriction/guidelines.

Capitalization Projects (Ad Hoc): Mrs. Malconian noted that the committee is meeting monthly.  We will provide an update on proposed changes that are in the works.  There is not too much to report at this time as we are still waiting for finalization. 

Executive Director Evaluation: N/A at this time. 

Finance and Investment (Standing): Mrs. Malconian noted that Mr. Wood will be presenting the information that was covered during the recent F & I Committee and that we will be discussing returning to in-person meetings. 

Technology:   N/A

Travel: N/A

Mr. Wright thanked staff, students, our unions, stakeholders for the work they are doing.   Welcomed Boys Basketball Coach Shawn Kalani.   

Ms. Ramirez wanted to acknowledge our administrative directors.  I'd like to congratulate 

Mrs. Larew on the writing of the successful grants (to support SWDs) and Ms. Clark, who took on our school's testing and has done a great job.  Congratulations to them both. 

Mr. Wood provided an overview of the March 2022 Investment Update, which he had provided in greater detail during the recent Finance & Investment Committee meeting.  Highlights included the following:

OPEB Trust Investment Account:

* OPEB Trust finished the month at $22,519,497

* Beginning Balance on 7/1/21 was $21,250,357

* YTD Contributions $1,980,000

* Due to market conditions, the account has lost a total of $710,860 for a 3.3% Loss

* Overall, the OPEB account has experienced a 6% gain due to contributions.

* OPEB has three (3) investment managers: Polen Capital Mgt.; Fiduciary Mgt.; and Beacon Pointe

General Investment Account:

* Gen. Inv. Acct. finished the month at $7,272,534

* Gen. Inv. Acct. has same three investment managers: Polen Capital Mgt; Fidicuiary Mgt.; and Beacon Pointe

* Two Annuities:

1. Midland - 3 yr. 8/23 Fixed @ 2.40%

2. Athene - 3 yr. 9/23 Fixed @ 1.95%

Month-end Combined $29,792.031.

Beacon Pointe provided what Mr. Wood calls an executive summary and overview of general market conditions. 

 Mr. Breller will be providing more detailed updates at next month's meeting on the investments we have and discuss whether or not they are performing within policy guidelines. 

Mr. Solkovits asked Mr. Wood if the losses incurred in March 2022 only or if the losses occurred each month in January, February, and March, to which Mr. Wood replied that the losses occurred in each month. 

Mr. Solkovits asked how far in advance the packet can be ready and Dr. Lowry replied that it depends on when he receives the final packet-ready documents that comprise the packet.  

Mr. Wood noted that the attachments can be viewed from the Finance & Investment Committee board packet that precedes the Regular Board Meetings.

Mr. Wood, CBO, provided the March 2022 Financial Update, which was provided during the previous week's Finance & Investment Committee meeting, with highlights as follow:

Balance Sheet Slide:

* Cash increased due to 20-21 One-Time Funds, PPP Loan, and 20-21 Deferral Payments

* State overpaid with Deferrals and will reduce cash for 21-22 LCFF ($2M)

* LT Debt decreased due to FMV adjustment to OPEB Accounts as well as PPP being forgiven

* Restricted Net Position:

   - Lottery - @233,711

   - ELO - $733,967

   - ELO PP - $239,972

* Unrestricted Net Position - Investigating allocation of New Assets into a Designated Fund for Deferred Maintenance (Capital Improvements)

Total Assets have grown by 21%

Cash Analysis Slide:

* Recommend having 90 days of Cash on Hand; ECR is at projected 200

* Correction noted to US Bank OPEB MMA #0852 amount: Should be $270,360.10 and not $400,659,24

* PPP Account #1309 was closed and transferred into Gen. Account #1761 on 3/1/2022.

Profit & Loss (Summary) Slide:

* Auditors removed the PPP Loan from Federal Revenue and placed it in last year's budget, so that his why the federal revenue is $3M less from 1st to 2nd interim.  We update our budgets as we move forward.  FMV reflect a big loss of $1.6M.

Profit & Loss (YTD) Slide:

*  LCFF Revenues down 2.61%

* FMV Adjustment down 147%

* In-person instruction and sport activities will incur additional expenses with the re-opening of school

* Additional CARES Related expenses for 21-22 will also increase expenses.

* Employee Benefits decrease due to STRS Refund.

* Mr. Wood noted a huge increase in local revenues compared to this time last year; also noted that Special education revenues had been listed on the State Revenues line in 2020-2021 while Special Education revenues are listed in Local Revenues in 2021-2022.

Mr. Solkovits asked about the STRS refund, to which Mr. Wood noted that STRS refunds rates were deducted at the higher rate and the amount is around $100K. 

Budget Comparison (YTD) Slide:

* Lottery Amounts went from $150 - Unrestricted / $49 - Restricted to $163 - Unrestricted / $65 - Restricted (more revenue)

* SEF Tax Rate went down from 1.23% to 0.50% (Savings)

* SPED Rates are projected to increase from the $689 - State /$267 - Federal (more revenue)

* Will adjust salaries and benefits due to Salary Negotiations for 2nd Interim

* Lower Enrollment/ADA from 21-22 Adopted Budget (approx. 94 ADA/$1M less)

*PPP Money was classified to 20-21 Revenue instead of 21-22 Revenue

* Mr. Wood noted that we are within an expected range for our expenditures, with the exception of our Books and Supplies which we want to have expended as soon as possible to get these materials into the hands of our students.  75% is a general benchmark at this time per year.  Books purchases should reflect spending at the beginning of the year.

Department Budget (4000s) Slide:

* Approved Textbooks & Core Curricula Materials Budget 89.89% spent.

* Instructional Materials and Supplies budget 99.11% expended.

* We track department spending on textbooks, materials, and supplies.  We are in our 2022-2023 budget calendar process and we will take a deeper dive into this process with our stakeholders. 

Other Matters Slide:

* 2021-2022 CSD Financial Review underway (Part II).  Additional Review to take place April 26 & 27.

* Investment Advisor will provide a complete quarterly report update at the May Finance Committee Meeting and Board Meeting.

Remaining Slides:

* Mr. Wood noted that these slides/pages provide details on where ICON came up with all of the financial report numbers/amounts.  This provides the details.

Mr. Solkovits asked Mr. Wood if the Department budgets are put together in collaboration with the department members, to which Mr. Wood replied "'no' for the current year," but "'yes' beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year and "through their department chairs."  

Mr. Wood, CBO, provided the ADA update, with highlights as follow:

* This is an important month as it is month number eight (8), which is used as the basis for the beginning budget for next school year 2022-2023. 

This is the P2 report and we submitted it today.  

* Our Month 8 ADA is $3,264.58

Mr. Wood, CBO, provided an overview of the 2020-2021 Tax Return (Form 990), with highlights as follows:

* p. 6  of return - Mr. Wood reviewed Question 11a., the requirement that the organization provides a complete copy of the Form 990 to all members of its governing body before filing the form.   Mr. Wood noted that we have done that.  

* p. 7 of return - Mr. Wood reviewed highly compensated employees (current officers, directors, and trustees). 

* p. 8 of return - Mr. Wood reviewed the five highest paid independent contractors who have done or do business with ECR during the calendar year ending with or within the organization's tax year.  Contractors include: Teqlease, Inc., Piece of Mind Care Services, Chartwells Dining Services, Kelly Services, Inc., and Shi Intl. Corp.

Filing date is May 15th, 2022.  Dean Bennett is listed as a teacher, which I need to correct to "Administrative Director."

Mr. Solkovits asked if this is an extension or a request for an extension, to which Mr. Wood replied that it an an extension through May 15th.  

Mr. Solkovits asked why would we need an extension because taxes are due April 15th, to which Mr. Wood replied that with organizations with fiscal years ending in June with an extension, the due date is May 15th.  He noted that we had extenuating circumstances regarding the filing of financial reports and as long as don't owe money, it is not uncommon for extensions to be filed and granted.   

Mr. Wood invited board and other stakeholders to provide comment and any possible corrections ahead of the filing deadline of May 15th.

Mr. Solkovits noted that the board only has two weeks to review this document prior to the filing date.

Ms. Ramirez noted that it is customary for tax CPAs to perform the tax work after audited financials are done.  Then they segue into their tax reports.  Mr. Wood noted that the auditors completed their financial audit at the end of January 2022.

Mr. Solkovits noted that he believes that the end of January 2022 to the end of April seems to have been sufficient time for the preparation of the filing. 

Mr. Wood provided the 2022-2023 Budget Updates, with highlights as follow:

* Mr. Wood noted that we had discussed this process earlier in the meeting and noted again, that as part of our 2022-2023 Budget process, we will be discussing with the F & I meeting and then presenting at the May Regular Board meeting the department budgets.  This process will include an audit trail and transparency.  

Mr. Solkovits commended Mr. Wood on this process, noting his previous experience as a teacher.

Mr. Solkovits asked if the finance Committee is going to make the determination for each department's budget and so as to keep departments from fighting with each other, to which Mr. Hussey replied that they have in place what amounts to a tiered textbook purchasing plan so that departments know when they are going to need to look at purchasing new textbooks.  

Mrs. Malconian noted that she was fine with what Mr. Hussey had stated and asked Mr. Wood if the Finance & Investment Committee would see the budgets/numbers at the next meeting, to which Mr. Wood replied in the affirmative.  

Mr. Wood noted that any edits and/or asks, there will be transparency in the process with regard to department budget preparation.  Wishes versus wants are two different things.

Mrs. Malconian noted that this item is perhaps the most important item on the budget given the fact that it reflects teachers helping our students and accordingly, we will do everything that we can to get the teachers what they are asking for. 

Mr. Wright agreed with Mrs. Malconian's comment.

Mr. Wood agreed, noting that textbooks and/or online subscriptions are critically important priorities for our students. 

This item had been discussed by Mr. Wood during his CBO report.

Mr. Wright announced that the Board was going to go into Closed Session at 6:18 p.m.

Item(s) discussed. 

Item(s) discussed. 

Item(s) discussed. 

Item(s) discussed. 

Item(s) discussed. 

Mr. Wright announced the Board's return to Open Session at 7:12 p.m.

Mr. Wright reported that there were no actions taken during Closed Session.