Quorum Established with 6 members present and one member absent.

Ms. Kyna Collins, Teacher, and UTLA Representative, led members and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America (USA).

There were three (3) requests for public comments, with a summary as follows:

1. Anita Gruen (Retired Teacher) - Reminded the Board of what she termed its promise and fiduciary responsibility to provide retiree health benefits that are equal to or better than LAUSD's benefits to its retirees.

2. Katie Tselesky (Student) - Urged the Board and administration to reduce an unnamed student's alleged "unjust punishment" in response to the student's alleged speaking out about an unsafe condition on our campus.

3. Kyna Collins (Teacher and UTLA Rep.) - Expressed support for ensuring that ECRCHS retirees receive retiree benefits that are equal to or better than LAUSD's benefits.  Noted that UTLA is in process of reviewing and responding to ECRA's side letter on retiree benefits.  Overall, we need to have conversations about we can do in classrooms to support teachers and in offices to support our counselors; requested conversations at a larger, structural level to ensure people are provided support; noted teacher shortage and stressful conditions.     

Mr. Hussey presented his Executive Director Update, with highlights as follows:

* ECRCHS and UTLA are in process of codifying a side letter with UTLA regarding retiree benefits and we are hoping to get this done.

* Charter School Operations noted that Student Services' compliance data has been "amazing," especially in response to the recent LAUSD technology breach that had prevented our Special Education staff from accessing the Welligent platform for about three weeks.  Thanked our special education staff for their efforts.

* School Band under the direction of Kevin Thurow was invited to participate in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Field Band Championships which will take place this weekend.  

* Data on School Based Therapists:  175 students assessed, totaling 550 sessions; have consulted 105 parents and 283 staff/counselors; have made 45+ classroom presentations on depression and suicide so over 1,380 students have seen these presentations; provided over 60 hours of crisis counseling and follow-up; 75 risk assessments completed; 40 completed safety plans; 13 high-risk assessments resulting in hospitalization and/or parent transport; 18 completed DCFS reports have been completed; Mr. Hussey noted that the school intends to add a fourth school-based therapist and he wanted to inform the Board about the work the therapists do and why the fourth therapist will be added. 

* Met with Councilmember John Lee during an educator's roundtable, wherein Crisis Prevention and Recovery was the main topic; the LA City Attorney also spoke about school safety; other topics and representatives present/discussed included "movies that matter," "enRich LA" School Garden program, and the Holocaust Museum (noted the rise in anti-semitic statements and acts); Mr. Hussey noted that the school will look into these programs/opportunities.

* Mr. Hussey noted that there are two and a half weeks until final exams after we return from the Thanksgiving Break. 

Mr. Wood presented his Chief Business Officer Update, with highlights as follows:

* Cafeteria continues to do well; we also expect an additional $190K in funds from the State to support the cafeteria and infrastructure; these funds will be restricted for equipment and services on the student side and staff side; intend to invite our Cafeteria manager to make a presentation for the Board and to get into the student council to help increase participation;  Mr. Wood noted that the food provided tonight was catered by the cafeteria.

* Mr. Hussey noted briefly that the cupcakes were provided by Ms. Gamez and students.

* Our enrollment is down 84 students from this time last year at this time, while our ADA is improved from last year; our ADA is down 43; we'll continue to provide monthly updates as noted in the materials. 

* Prop. 28 passed in the recent election, which means the school will receive new or supplemental funds next year for arts and music education; we'll need to put together a plan for spending these additional funds (supplemental, not supplanting); as of the time of the report, Mr. Wood noted that the estimated amount of funding we might receive is $508K.

 * Mr. Wood noted that the State Legislative Analyst noted that the State of CA is facing a $25B deficit for 23-24; our reserves will likely help us deflect some of the impact of this expected deficit; we'll find out more in January when the Governor proposes his preliminary budget. 

Mr. Wright presented his Board Chair Update, with highlights as follows:

On behalf of the Finance and Investment Committee:

* Ms. Malconian thanked Mr. Wood for the October 2021 ADA to emphasis the point that the students we have are coming to school.  She also informed the Board that the Dec. F & I Committee meeting will be canceled as it is too difficult for the Business Office to provide the necessary information in a short time window; the information will be presented to the full board at the Regular December Board Meeting.  Lastly, Ms. Malconian noted that the F&I Committee had recommended that the full board approve the Fiscal Policies and Procedures (FPPs); she noted that the FPPs had been discussed and open for comments/input to all stakeholders and hoped that the full board would approve the FPPs at today's board meeting. 

Mr. Wright noted that he is frustrated by what teachers have to go through on a day to day basis, noting that they are underpaid, and that is frustrates him that we cannot pay teachers more right now, but "we can pay attention to them."  Mr. Wright noted that our teachers and administrators have to deal with our students, some of whom call them "racists," "hard," "this and that," and that teachers did not go to school and do the hard work to get their masters degrees to be attacked.  Accordingly, when a teacher comes to administrators with a complaint or to vent, listen to them because if they cannot talk to you, they cannot talk with anyone and it leaves them in the stratosphere of nowhere.  We need to listen to our teachers, the students will always come, but without teachers we don't have a school.  Ms. Ibach and I discussed this; Ms. Ibach noted and I agree that our teachers deal with "vaping," "hazing," and being "attacked verbally."  So, we need to make a change.

Committee Updates included the following:

F & I Committee - see aforementioned comments above by Ms. Malconian)

School Site Safety - Nothing to report other than that with Mr. Hussey's guidance, kids are no longer able to walk around during 5th and 6th period; we're also addressing some of our adults who are walking around, too, and coming at our teachers. 

Athletics Oversight and Support - Ms. Malconian noted that they seem to be doing a good job.  Mr. Wright noted, too, that Mr. Russell will be our athletic director.

Capitalization Projects Committee - D. Malconian reported that many projects are in a holding pattern, as we are waiting for the LAUSD to have their DEC meeting. Everything is in place to get started; library, marquee, floor, etc., per Mr. Delgado; again, waiting on LAUSD; Mr. Wright noted that they are trying to push to get these items addressed.

Facilities Maintenance and Operations and Support - Nothing to report out at this time. 

Instruction and Data Analysis - Nothing to report out at this time. 

Travel Committee - Nothing to report out at this time. 

Instructional Technology - Mr. Wright invited Mr. Hussey to speak on the technology items, including the move over to Outlook from Gmail; Mr. Hussey acknowledged that and noted that with a transition this large, there are going to be some bugs to work out; praised the Tech. office for their hard work and noted that the change also adds another layer of security to our school.  

Mr. Wood, CBO, provided the Investment Report for Quarter Ended September 30th, with updates through October 31st, with highlights as follows:

* Beacon Pointe Investment Advisor, Mike Breller, was present during our Nov. Finance and Investment Committee Meeting last week wherein he presented this information which is also in the materials.  Mr. Wood noted that the market has been floundering which has impacted our OPEB and Gen. Accounts.  He noted that Beacon Pointe is in the process of restructuring investments as a result of market conditions and the fact that one of our investment advisors (Polen Capital) has underperformed general market indexes. Mr. Wood noted that our investments remain with our Investment Policy ranges and expectations. 

* Through October, the school moved $725K out of Polen Capital from the OPEB Account holdings and moved $125K out of Polen Capital from the General Account holdings. Funds were moved into the more broad and conservative Beacon Pointe investment funds.

* The overall OPEB account is up over $20.8M in October as opposed to 19.7; now up to $21.8M in the OPEB.  

* The Market is coming back and is reflected in the accounts.  

Mr. Wood, CBO, provided the Financial Update, with highlights as follows:

* Mr. Wood noted that at the last meeting the information for September had been presented. He noted that the business office hasn't closed October yet, and that he doesn't have anything substantive to add except for maybe the information that is on the IMA and Textbook budget. He noted that the school will continue to provide monthly updates to the Board, including actual expenditures for textbooks and Instructional Materials and Supplies (IMA).

The Board entered Closed Session at 6:25 p.m.

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The Board Reconvened to Open Session at 7:25 p.m.

Mr. Wright Reported that no actions were taken during Closed Session.