Mr. Solkovitz is no longer with the board. He step down from his position as the LAUSD board representative.

Ms. Malconian lead the pledge of allegiance

Mrs. Larew called individuals that would be speaking in the public comments. 

1. Melissa Harr - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is the unhoused/foster youth liaison for ECR and has worked with the families for the last two years. These families tend to need more resources both emotionally and financially. There were very few resources when she started in the position. With the support of Mrs. Endres and Dr. Clark, she opened a trust for stakeholders to donate. Despite her fundraising efforts, she turned to FOECR for support. FOECR donated food, water, and other supplies for the families. They also have bought prom tickets for students who are unable. FOECR stepped up when ECR could not. She asked ECR to support but was unable to do so... 

2. Barbara Stanoff - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. To do away with FOECR is a major staff injustice. They are a much-needed branch of ECR. They are always ready to help students in need, support programs on campus, and allow students to attend events -- please rethink about disbanding the FOECR at ECR. 

3. Susan Niven - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is not a retired teacher and said shame on the board for taking something that is wonderful in the school. FOECR always made everyone welcome. It doesn't surprise her because there are so much more things and doesn't know how long can the school exist with these types of policies. Whether it's FOECR and why schedule this meeting when teachers are on vacation. Between lack of discipline now you are taking something that is wonderful for the school. 

4. Patty Elliot - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is an alumnus from the class of 83' and she wanted to know why is ECR disaffiliating from FOECR. From what she heard FOECR has done a lot of great things for the school. She felt that there should have been more time and opportunity for discussion before the vote and all stakeholders should have a say. FOECR granted many scholarships to families and students. She asked the board to clarify the rationale why ECR wants to cut ties with FOECR. Used church metaphor. 

5. Mariah Benson - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is disgusted with what is happening to ECR. They moved specifically to this area so that her kids can study at ECR and she is disappointed. She does appreciate the teachers that's why her daughters are still studying on campus. She wants to know specifically why there is a disaffiliation is happening, what are the reasons and everyone should know? Right now, they would not be bringing his son to ECR. 

6. Letty Zane - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. Parent of two recent ECR graduates and board member of FOECR. She requests that the item for disaffiliation from FOECR be removed and if not removed, have ECR board members please vote no. Having some parents express their disapproval of current FOECR bylaws which currently does not allow ECR parents and teachers to have a direct vote for the board position openings. She wants to assure that there is no malicious intent from FOECR board to be exclusionary. The structure has been in place since 2007 and the FOECR board is in agreement that the bylaws should reflect its goals in being a parent teacher organization. They share same concern regarding the recent anonymouse emails and mails sent to private home addresses with the most recent stating that they would use the latest FOECR board meeting as a vehicle to raise discontent amongst its parent supporters. FOECR is actively working on refreshing its bylaws and will be ready by the beginning of the school year. Patience would be appreciated as they draft the bylaws. FOECR are committed to the best interest of parents.

7. Helen Foras - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is the president of FOECR and she has been for a number of years. She find it really hard to speak as after being committed for 7 years with the school and having 3 graduates and having 1 more to go. In the last couple months we had 1 email in total, we answered it as best as we can at the time and FOECR never had to hide anything. This is public comments, but there is no recourse for us to be able to say for discussion and ECR board can say whatever they want with no recourse. Two people built FOECR  and in 7 years we had 1 problem and this is what ECR board would do. Speak to us directly at the same time and at the same time, ECR board is also the same thing. Except for 1 position, baord members are only being voted by the school board.  

8. Erin Sanders - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She has an incoming sophomore this school year. She is very sad that she's spending her Saturday for this sentiment. She cleared her schedule for this meeting. She is concerned about the FOECR being disaffiliated and hoped this session could be live-streamed for other parents. She hopes that clarity is provided in this meeting and that future meetings will have an allowance. FOECR is an important part of the school and has helped parents, teachers, beautification of the school, etc. Without the school and FOECR working together, she fears that certain activities and experiences will not function in a smooth manner. FOECR has a wealth of knowledge and experience. They have PTO presidents.

9. Andreas Fouras- Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. He is not an active member of FOECR . He got a lot of positive interactions with other people regarding the FOECR. He have great experience in his life. He is also a university teacher and learned at the time the difference between when people say they do things versus people say they are doing those things and some times more often it is not the same thing. 

10. Cheryl Dorries - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She is the former FOECR VP of communications and she does not agree with the current FOECR bylaws. She recently resigned when she learned that the FOECR members are not voting members. FOECR can elect whomever they choose without any oversight. If the board believes it's not a good fit, or would be a conflict, since it's not an open general meeting. The meeting does not follow any basic parliamentary, procedure or authority.  Also, only the FOECR board can vote. Also, the FOECR can also review the FOECR records. Parents and teacher are led to believe that they are voting member. She voiced that she would publicly post on social media that parents and teachers are not allowed to vote to elect the new board members and she received blatant disagreement from FOECR board members because it will cause problems. She has researched other schools, PTO and parents do vote at parents. That is why she is asking that the ECRA board suspend FOECR until they change their bylaws which should be fair and current board to be removed and nominate a voting election can be done by current ECR parents, current teachers, and alumni.

11. Charne Tunson - Spoke regarding the disaffiliation of FOECR. She has been an avid supporter for a parent group that has the best interest of all parents in mind. One that acts with integrity, transparency and inclusion. Unfortunately, this has not been her experience with FOECR. As a parent of now the third child coming to school. Her interest of need and areas of support is now bigger than just her child but for the community at large. There is a lack of trust towards the organization who has the history of handpicking its affiliates and officers and make decision based upon rumors and personal opinion and has been hiding a lot of truth from the parents. More specifically -- this is not a member based organization. A lot of the parents are here today because they are frustrated how the way things are being done. It is important that parents are continuously being updated, educated, and made to feel welcome at this very school where we invested on the future development of our children. There is more than just being a parent organization than just planning events, fundraising, and moderating a facebook group. It must reflect and be the voice of all parents not just the select few.

Mr. Hussey lead the discussion. Currently there is no Director of Human Resources on the management salary table and he would like readd that position. 

Mr. Hussey would also like reorganize the current position to make them more effective and to focus on the academic position in El Camino which is redefining the Chief Operation Officer and Chief Academic Officer for the upcoming year. These are not new positions just positions that are being renamed for the correct person to the correct position.

Mr. Hussey made a comment that we are keeping the same days which is the four Thursday of every month. Except for November because we are out on Thanksgiving break, December because we go out on winter break, and March because we have spring break. but otherwise, it is always the 4th Thursday of the month. Finance Committee will be the Thursday before the scheduled regular board meeting. 

Brad Wright mentioned that this is not an emergency board meeting but a special board meeting that only requires a 24 hour notice and he has Ms. Larew to share what ECRA board has heard from the administration, parents, and other stakeholders which is the reason why we are all here today. 

Ms. Larew shared what was on the Disaffiliation of FOECR packet. 

Kofahl asked if Ms. Larew can read that again.

Mr. Wright wants to have a discussion because the ECRA board has not voted to disaffiliate with FOECR. 

Ms. Malconian moved the discussion. she is extremely troubled on both sides of this -- it is one of the most difficult things she has to encounter in her term even on the vaccination vote and this seems to be a very difficult vote personally. She has known and participated with FOECR for more than 10 years when her kids were at school and it was a very robust organization especially during the 2012-2013. She thinks that things has gone awry a little bit and she is troubled by the reports of the exclusivity whether intentional or not - meetings are very poorly attended so the support from the school is not robust. I know there are supports here but there is 4,500 of  you so keep that in perspective. I am especially troubled about what has happened in the past year when FOECR was granted part of our ECRA's ESSER funds which was funds provided by the government where students can utilize for COVID. Two organizations, RISE and PADRES Latinos' use their funds appropriately to help students and FOECR declined to use the funds to help the students. MR. Wright asked how much was the funds and Malconian said $25,000. The comment was that it was the school's responsibility to do that but as a parent she also think that its their responsibility. So while she feels that ECRA board needs more time to actually make a decision, she would like to work with the group to see if they can make improvements and bring the organization back to where it was and make it more transparent. She welcomes other board members make comments...

Mr. Wright says that parents have mentioned that the ECRA board have not reach out to them and that this is new to them -- this is not new to them. 3 months ago, in April, when ECRA board met with FOECR, and the reason why ECRA felt that there's no need to talk to the ECR parents is because this issue can be resolved and move forward to talk about finances, where the money is, who is the person in charge, who is donating, where is it going as well as scholarships. How many recipients whom scholarships were awarded to in which case there is at least one. ECRA board ask to please report and ECRA board has not received anything and was asked 2 years of finances were requested and there was a time went there was no tax exemption and did not tell the parents. So if you donated to FOECR within the last two years and if you are audited, you can potentially go to jail depending on what you are ought to do due to tax evasion. Tax is one of the problem and turned to Mr. Wood for advisement:

Mr. Wood said that most recently FOECR got their tax filing reports into the IRS and to the state. 

Mr. Wright said that ECRA board asked for tax return information and they have not received and these are the problems that was asked to FOECR to report by the end of school year and thus we have this meeting today. Even when its after the end of school year ECRA board gave more time and this is the end of the summer school year. There is still concerns that are yet to receive answers from regarding finances. FOECR have money in accounts around $110,000 in money markets and that money that has to sign off where that money is going to go -- if that money was donated to the organization then the organization should have full rights to do whatever it is that parents donated to the FOECR. If someone donates money to the FOECR, like what he has done, he expects that money to go directly to the school. Not to run a business because he knows that every year they will be going to raise money. When money is donated, it should be transparent enough to know where it will go... It is not been the case. 

Ms. Ramirez is disappointed with the whole exclusivity. She feels that as a parent organization, there is a question of the term limits for the board members. There should be term limit as part of your PTO. There have been multiple, request for the ESSER funds with the whole $25,000 not being used. While it's the school's responsibility to allocate, but as the PTO of the school using the name of the school, and on behalf of the school, you were granted that money to allocate those resources to the students. It's start the question if the allegations are true -- it has been a long time that the PTO is affiliated with the school. 

Mr. Wright asked Mr. Wood if the FOECR is in compliant with the financials and Mr. Wood responded by saying most of the financial just the general ledger recently for the last two years and also financial statements within the last two years from March he believes. Also, some of the catch-up of the tax returns have come in within the last month or so... 

Mr. Kofhal has nothing to say. 

Mr. Ibach cannot help but wonder if there is a support system where is some place to help guide  the parent organization and do follow rules and file taxes as this is a big endeavor no question about that. She knows that a larger organization have employed people to take care of these things to help mitigate become questionable. 

Ms. Malconian addressed the email that was sent April 18th. It was directly following the meeting ECRA board had with FOECR. 

The ECRA board requested to get response in advanced where FOECR will provide IRS form 990  where they show that they are in compliance from 2016 to present. If FOECR did not respond in time, FOECR will need to be incompliance in regards to the IRS regulations. 

FOECR will provide with the list of all recipients of scholarships funded by FOECR from 2016 school year to the present. 

ECRA asked that no FOECR relatives are eligible to participate to the scholarship or any gifting awards. 

ECRA is concerned about the relatives receiving scholarships as it was recorded that it was on one occasion. FOECR is notified to report past scholarship in the past from 2016 to present and if there is related to any FOECR board. 

FOECR will provide ECRA with the list of expenditures and financial statement to ECRA CBO Greg Wood from 2016 by check number by April 24th, 2023. 

ECRCHS is concerned about harmful FOECR posting on the FOECR website. FOECR assured us that it is monitoring the FOECR website making every effort to remove such post in 24 hours. 

ECRCHS is concerned that FOECR is not working in compliance to its mission statement which is to provide support and financial assistance to academic and athletic programs and promote life experience for both students and staff. Also functions with its booster club from its mission statement to an advocacy group from its various stakeholder group. 

FOECR claimed that it is the voice from every parent and student. 

ECRCHS will provide a letter of agreement with FOECR deliating the responsibilities of two entities. 

Mr. Wright reiterated that Ms. Larew read again the statement that Mr. Kofahl asked to reinstate. 

Ms. Larew shared again what was on the ECR packet in the disaffiliation of ECRCHS with FOECR> 

Mr. Wright asked the administration, if the ECRA board decides to disaffilate, what does the administration have in place?

Mr. Covarrubias said that if the board were to move forward with this, ECRCHS will have a website for the new parent group that could be effective immediately. The values of the new parent group will have a new vision and mission that aligns with ECRCHS. Everyone is included and everyone is welcome in the new membership and everyone can join. It can be available as soon as possible. If the ECRA board chooses to move forward with this it can be effective immediately today. 

Ms. Ibach asked if this is going to be a new PTO and Mr. Covarrubias acknowledged that it will be where any parent is included and have an equal opportunity. 

Mr. Hussey said it has to be a process and parents are important. We need to have a space for parents and we need to start a group to run at this point. 

Ms. Ramirez asked if we have people in mind to run this group. 

Mr. Hussey said there is no specific person that we can say to run this group and ECRCHS will sent out an email to inquire with the community. 

Ms. Malconian asked if there will be a fundraising since they will not have the 503 initially so there several thing that FOECR is capable of doing that this new parent group cannot do like help unfostered students. Is this something that can be replaced by some other program that we have? 

She is also concerned about the scholarships that were awarded and ECRA board has been waiting for the list. She is asking if the ECRA board is in the position to create a new parent group and do fundraising that FOECR currently does.

Mr. Wood declared that part of the LCAP is to provide funding for unhoused students and homeless group for Title I funding. There can be easily funds set aside for it.