Brad Wright led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Rosie Montague, speaking on behalf of her colleagues at ECR, expressed their need for a financial commitment for their hard work. She highlighted the dedication of teachers who often work outside of regular hours, citing examples such as volunteering at open houses and providing free virtual tutoring sessions. 

She emphasized the desire for fair financial compensation, particularly in light of the high cost of living in California. Ms. Montague noted the lack of cost-of-living adjustments in their salaries and advocated for regular raises to ensure teachers can afford basic necessities. She underscored the importance of retaining excellent teachers and called for compensation levels to be at least on par with LAUSD, noting that they were currently behind in this regard.

Ms. Audra Herrera, shared her family's struggle with low income and periods of homelessness, highlighting her parents' hard work to provide her with a better future. She expressed concern about the skyrocketing housing costs in California, which have risen approximately 374% since 2005, making it challenging to afford basic necessities like rent and daycare. 

Despite seven years of teaching, her income alone falls short of meeting these expenses. Miss Herrera emphasized her dedication to her role as a teacher at ECR and stressed the importance of a strong financial commitment from the administration to help her achieve the dream of providing her own child with a life free of financial burden, echoing the aspirations her parents had for her.

Ms. Herrera, pointed out the concerning economic factors affecting teachers in California. She highlighted the high inflation rate of 3.5% over the past year and California's ranking as the third highest cost of living state in the country in 2024. 

Ms. Herrera highlighted the additional workload teachers undertake beyond their contracted hours, often extending into nights and weekends, while noting the constantly changing nature of their job duties and expectations. Despite these challenges, she remarked on the inadequate pay rates for teachers, which have become a subject of ridicule even in popular culture. 

Ms. Herrera lamented that the stipend offered fails to cover even the minimum payments on her student loans, as evidenced by her bank statements. She posed a crucial question: How can educators effectively convey the importance of education and a better future to their students when they witness their teachers struggling financially?

Mr. Manuel Velarde highlighted the significant rise in inflation over the past few years, citing a 25% increase in grocery prices since 2020. He emphasized the financial strain on single-income households and the challenges faced by teachers with master's degrees, who cannot afford to move out of their parents' homes due to high insurance rates and living costs.

Mr. Velarde pointed out the school's focus on attendance and student retention, emphasizing the importance of retaining teachers by providing them with a livable wage. He stressed that teachers leaving due to housing issues negatively impact the community and student morale.

Mr. James De Larme , a veteran social studies teacher, expressed appreciation for the board members' dedication and stressed the need for fair compensation for teachers. He highlighted the trend of talented educators leaving El Camino for better opportunities and emphasized the importance of competitive salaries and benefits in retaining experienced teachers and attracting new talent to ensure a quality learning environment.

Ms. Melissa Harr, expressed her dedication to attending the meeting despite her illness. She shared her personal journey at ECR over the past 8 years, highlighting milestones such as marriage, motherhood, and further education to better serve the students. Melissa emphasized her commitment to ECR, describing it as her second family, and her role as co-chair of her department.

She stressed that her motivation stems from a genuine care for the students' future and her desire to provide opportunities for her own daughter. However, Melissa expressed the financial challenges she faces in maintaining her lifestyle while striving to support her family and fulfill her responsibilities as a teacher.

Ms. Harr passionately advocated for a strong financial commitment from the board to support teachers like herself, who invest their hearts and souls into helping students prepare for the real world. She emphasized that supporting teachers ultimately benefits the students, who in turn contribute positively to the community.

Mr. Albert Vazquez urged the board to take action by giving teachers what they are asking for, not out of appreciation or a sense of entitlement, but because it's the smart thing to do. He acknowledged the potential hesitations based on enrollment projections and financial considerations but emphasized the importance of considering the broader context.

Mr. Vazquez highlighted the challenges teachers face in the current societal landscape, including technological advancements, social media influences, and political climate, which have contributed to a declining appeal of the teaching profession. He cited alarming statistics of teacher turnover rates and emphasized the need to address morale as a crucial factor in retaining high-quality educators.

Asserting his commitment to staying at El Camino, Mr. Vasquez urged the board to invest in teachers like himself and send a clear message to other high-quality educators that El Camino is where they want to be. He urged the board to make an offer that would be irresistible to other teachers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing morale and creating an environment where teachers feel valued and supported.

Mr. George Borgardt shared his perspective as a teacher deeply involved in various aspects of school life, including teaching multiple classes in the social studies department and serving on committees such as PBIS and Tech. He also dedicates his time to coaching the softball program, foregoing prep periods to support the team.

Highlighting the significant amount of unpaid hours he has devoted to coaching over the past two years, Mr. Boargardt emphasized the sacrifices made by teachers who go above and beyond for their students. He noted that the stipend received for coaching amounts to a mere fraction of the time and effort invested, equating to approximately $7 an hour or less when calculated.

Expressing the desire for a fair contract and compensation that reflects their level of education, dedication, and passion, Mr. George called for recognition of the contributions made by teachers and coaches to the school and its students.

Ms. Tibor addressed the board, expressing her frustration and disappointment with the handling of a situation involving her daughter and allegations made by Brad Wright, highlighting his unethical behavior and the impact it has had on her family. She recounted her previous testimony before the board in December 2022, where she raised concerns about her daughter being used in an investigation to fire a teacher based on false accusations.

Miss Ally revealed that she and her daughter were served subpoenas by Mr. Wright’s attorneys, allegedly in response to their public statements regarding Brad Wright's actions. She refuted Brad's claims and highlighted his unethical conduct, including lying to investigators and sharing inappropriate content on social media platforms.

Ms. Tibor also criticized the board's inaction despite complaints from other parents and staff regarding Brad's behavior. She urged the board to hold Brad accountable for his actions and expressed her willingness to provide detailed testimony to the attorneys.

Ms. Tibor expressed a deep personal connection to the school, having been a student there in the 1980s, with family members also attending. He reminisced about the school's former reputation as a standout institution within the LAUSD, characterized by a strong sense of community among faculty. However, he lamented the loss of that spirit due to internal conflicts and scandals, attributing declining student enrollment partially to these issues. He urged the board to demonstrate respect and transparency by adequately compensating teachers.

Mr. Carlos Monroy, expressed gratitude for being acknowledged as the chapter leader by his colleagues. He emphasized the dedication and compassion of the educators at the school, stressing the importance of financial support for their efforts. Mr. Monroy urged the board to make a morally correct decision by providing adequate compensation to teachers, highlighting their role in creating a nurturing and safe learning environment. He urged the board to heed the message conveyed by the sticker worn by the board chair, advocating for an educator-led charter school model, and emphasized the moral imperative of supporting teachers.

Dr. Clark, on behalf of Mr. Hussey, gave the updates highlighting the following:

State testing for SBAC: She announced that the school had achieved a 95% testing rate for the SBAC assessments, expressing gratitude to the teachers, staff, and students for their efforts. AP testing: She noted an increase in AP testing this year, with 2105 tests scheduled, thanking teachers and counselors for their support in preparing students.

Field update: Dr. Clark mentioned ongoing work over the weekend to prepare for turf installation starting Monday, with an expected completion date of May 20th. 

Powder puff: She informed the attendees about the upcoming Powder Puff event, scheduled for Friday, April 26th, at Calabasas High School, wishing luck to the juniors and seniors. 

Senior awards: Dr. Clark then announced the Senior Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 30th, inviting everyone to honor the seniors for their accomplishments over the past four years. 

Prom: She shared details about the upcoming prom on Saturday, May 25th, at the Santa Ana race track from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and invited teachers interested in chaperoning to email her.

Graduation & Grad night: Lastly, she mentioned the graduation ceremony set for Friday, June 7th, at 6:00 p.m., followed by Grad Night on Sunday, June 9th.

Medical premiums,bus services, cafeteria proposals: He mentioned that there would be increases of 4.5-5.5% in medical premiums for health benefits starting in October, based on new information and proposals received. Additionally, proposals were being requested for bus services, security, and cafeteria providers to ensure optimal services.

2024-2025 budget: Mr. Wood indicated that the process had begun, with ongoing discussions to inform teachers about it. Textbooks were on the agenda for approval, with the aim of expediting the process to allow for early ordering of approved items by teachers. He mentioned that more information on the budget would be forthcoming, particularly in May, when revised documents from the legislature would outline funding levels for the next year.

Mr. Wright, reflecting on his personal background as a product of LAUSD and his family's deep involvement in education, expressed his understanding of the financial challenges faced by teachers. He emphasized his support for both the teachers and the school, acknowledging their value and importance. While recognizing his fiduciary responsibility to ensure job stability, he pledged to work collaboratively to address the needs of the community and the school. Mr. Wright affirmed his commitment to finding solutions to support the teachers and ensure the school's survival, expressing hope that his fellow board members would join him in this endeavor.

There were no Board chair updates

Mr. Wood, CBO, presented the March, 2024, ECRCHS Investment Update.

OPEB account: Mr. Wood provided an update on the financial status of the account as of March 31st. He reported that the account experienced a 4.5% increase for the first quarter of 2024, outperforming the benchmark by 15.5%. The account balance at the end of March was $29.9 million from $25.3 million beginning balance at the end of June last year, reflecting a gain of $2.9 million. 

Contributions of $220,000 per month had been made, totaling $1.98 million year-to-date. 

Additionally, retiree premiums of $307,000 had been paid on a year-to-date basis. 

Mr. Wood noted that these figures would be used by the actuary to determine the preliminary funding levels of the OPEB account, along with information on new premiums. The final assessment of the account's funding status would be determined in July based on the final investment balance and actuarial calculations.

General account: Mr. Wood provided an update on the general investment account for the first quarter of 2024, noting that it was up 2.3%. The account was up $7.5 million across all types of investments. However, he mentioned that there had been some market changes since March, leading to a slight reduction in the account balance. As of the most recent update, the balance had decreased to $29.3 million from its previous level of $29.9 million.

Mr. Wood, CBO, and Ms. Ilyas, Director, Accounting and Finance, presented the March, 2024, Financial Update. 

Attendance (ADA): Ms. Ilyas provided an attendance comparison for the school, indicating that enrollment as of March was 3,098 students, with an ADA of 2,895. Compared to the previous year, enrollment had decreased by about 300 students.

Mr. Wright inquired about projections for the next year, prompting Mr. Wood to explain that projections must consider factors such as graduating seniors and incoming freshmen. He expressed concern about the potential loss of students and emphasized the need to improve enrollment efforts. He explained that losing 841 seniors but gaining 680 freshmen would result in a net loss of 160 students, equating to a financial loss of over $2.5 million.

Mr. Wood emphasized the importance of addressing the decline in enrollment through enhanced marketing efforts and strategies to attract more students. He expressed concern about the financial implications of having higher enrollment in 12th grade compared to 9th grade, stressing the need for improvement in enrollment trends. Despite the decrease in enrollment, he noted a positive trend in attendance rates, with the ADA percentage increasing from 93.1% to 93.7%. This indicated that although fewer students were enrolled, a higher proportion of them were attending regularly, which was a positive development for the school..

Cafeteria Update: Ms. Ilyas reported that in March, approximately 35,000 meals were served, generating $156,000 in revenue. The program incurred expenses totaling $131,000, resulting in a net income of $31,377. She explained that any surplus in the cafeteria fund must be reinvested into cafeteria-related expenses, such as kitchen and infrastructure upgrades.

Mr. Wright sought clarification, asking whether the money made from the cafeteria could be used elsewhere. Mr. Wood clarified that the funds were restricted and could only be used for cafeteria-related expenses, such as repairs or upgrades. He mentioned previous investments in cafeteria infrastructure using these funds. 

Mr. Wood also noted that the state of California currently supports free meals for all students, but there could be changes in the future, potentially impacting the cafeteria's financial situation. He emphasized the need for budget preparedness in case of such changes.

Mr. Wright emphasized the importance of understanding the purpose of different funds, particularly in relation to teacher salaries. 

Mr. Wood reiterated that it's crucial to recognize that these funds are restricted and can only be used for cafeteria-related expenses. He explained that in years when the cafeteria doesn't perform well, general funds may need to be used to support it, potentially impacting individual salaries. Mr. Wood emphasized the one-way nature of the relationship between cafeteria funds and their impact on the budget. 

He highlighted the monthly reporting of cafeteria finances to ensure transparency and awareness among stakeholders. Additionally, he mentioned that fund balances, including restricted ones like special education funds, are clearly indicated in quarterly reports to ensure clarity on fund usage restrictions imposed by the state.

P2 Attendance report: Mr. Wood provided an update on the attendance report recently submitted to LAUSD. He explained that the report covers attendance data for the first eight months of the academic year, with the P2 being the basis for state funding. The report includes ADA figures broken down into various categories, including classroom-based, ESY, and summer school ADA.

He stated that they projected to be funded for 2,941 students based on the P2 report, slightly lower than the budgeted figure of 2,956 students. This discrepancy of about 15 students translates to a decline of approximately $200,000 in budgeted revenue once the state incorporates the report.

He mentioned a potential increase in ADA due to a correction related to a shortened school day, which could add approximately 800 students to the count. However, even with this correction, the budget would still be off by about 15 students from the original projection.

Prior to the vote, Greg Wood, CBO, presented the 2024-2025 Textbook Budget.

Mr. Wood outlined the budget process, explaining that the budget packet compiled by Ms. Ilyas included requests from various departments totaling $566,000 for textbooks. After review by the finance committee, most requests were approved as submitted. However, there were two exceptions:

Firstly, the English department's $54,000 textbook request was conditionally approved pending further details regarding curriculum alignment and educational goals.

Secondly, the Math department's request for $337,500 in textbooks, primarily for different algebra books, was put on hold. While $57,000 was approved for exploration purposes, $50,000 of that was allocated to assess textbooks options until the state budget is finalized. 

He emphasized the need for due diligence in selecting textbooks and indicated that more specifics regarding math textbooks would be presented to the board once finalized.

Mr. Wood explained that a placeholder of $42,884 was allocated to provide administrative flexibility for unforeseen expenses that may arise and were not included in the budget. This measure was implemented to avoid the need for frequent board approvals for minor expenditures.

When asked by Mr. Solkovits about any mandate from the district to acquire new math textbooks, Mr. Wood clarified that it's not a district mandate, but rather a state initiative to adopt new standards, curriculum, and textbooks for the math department. He emphasized that the math department is awaiting guidelines for these new textbooks, which will inform their teaching approach and materials. While there is no specific mandate to use particular textbooks, the school aims to explore various options and select the best learning tools through due diligence and investigation.

Mr. Wood, presented the 2022-2023 ECRCHS Tax Returns

Mr. Wood provided an update on the preparation of the tax returns by the auditors, noting that an extension had been granted until May 15, 2024. 

He explained that part of the tax return process involves confirming whether the governing body has been provided with a complete copy of the form before filing, as outlined in item 11a 49:46.

The presentation of the tax returns to the board fulfills the obligation to the government, ensuring that the board has had the opportunity to review, observe, and ask questions about the document. 

A minor correction was made following a meeting with the finance and investment committee, where a typo was identified in the types of services provided. This correction has been addressed by the tax auditors.

The tax return includes salary information, details of board members, officers, highly compensated employees, vendors, independent contractors, and the highest compensated vendors. This information is required as part of the tax return submission.

1. Rehabilitation We Can Work

Prior to the vote, Ms. Lenderman, DOTS Coordinator, presented the Proposed 3-Year Contract for Department of Rehabilitation We Can Work

Ms. Lenderman, a transition teacher since 2002, expressed her dedication to her job and her students, referring to the school as her second home. She highlighted a favorite activity of providing paid work experience for students receiving special education services, such as those with learning disabilities or autism.

She sought approval for a three-year contract called "We Can Work," which is a partnership between the school and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, a state agency. The contract, totaling $158,000 for the next three years, would provide up to 100 hours of paid work experience annually for approximately 17 students. The experience could be on campus or in the community, with students earning up to $1700 over 10 weeks.

Mr. Wright inquired about supervision when students are off-campus.

Ms. Lenderman clarified that managers at the stores where the students work supervise them, while she checks in, monitors, and acts as a liaison between the students and employers. She hand-picks the students, ensures their grades are on track, interviews them, communicates with parents for support, and assists with resumes and interview preparation.

In response to Mr. Solkovits' question about liability coverage if a student were to be injured during training, Ms. Lenderman stated that El Camino has liability insurance and workers' compensation, which are provided to the employer along with a letter outlining her responsibilities and theirs. She confirmed that this coverage is included as part of the contract and is updated annually.

Ms. Lenderman explained that due to the increase in minimum wage over the next few years, a significant portion of the budget goes towards student wages, which ultimately reduces the cost of her salary. Regarding Mr. Solkovits' inquiry about ensuring the safety of students, she mentioned that a recent state mandate requires all workers in a workplace where students are employed to undergo fingerprinting. She offered to share information about the places where students are placed if that would help ease the worry.

When Mr. Laws asked about the types of jobs students are placed in, Ms. Lenderman stated that they are entry-level positions such as stock roles, with students not typically operating cash registers unless they are scanning items. She emphasized that students are placed in reputable companies, citing examples such as Advance Auto Parts, Walgreens, and Joann Fabrics. While she aims to align student interests with job placements, she prioritizes larger, well-established businesses for safety and stability.

In response to Mr. Wright’s question regarding liability, Ms. Lenderman confirmed that parents sign permission slips for their children's participation in the program. She ensures that students are not being taken advantage of by regularly communicating with both the students and their managers on a weekly basis, particularly during paycheck distribution every two weeks. If students are fired from their positions, she encourages them to approach her for support and guidance.

Regarding the age of the students, Ms. Lenderman stated that they are typically juniors and seniors, at least 16 years old. However, she also extends the opportunity to students on alternative curriculums, who may be older, up to ages 19, 20, or 21. Most parents of these older students decline participation due to concerns about how it may affect their Social Security Income (SSI) benefits. She reiterated that the program primarily serves special education students who must have documentation of a learning disability, an IEP, or a 504 plan.

Mr. Solkovits expressed concerns about ensuring that staff working with students in the program are not sex offenders, emphasizing the potential legal and safety ramifications. Ms. Lenderman reassured him that prioritizing student safety is paramount and indicated that she and her supervisor are actively seeking clarification on this issue from LA Unified Workability, with whom they have collaborated for decades. 

In response to Mr. Wright's inquiry about alternative options if certain employers refuse to comply with safety measures, Ms. Lenderman suggested on-campus work opportunities during non-instructional hours or even during instructional hours for seniors not receiving academic credit. This approach would involve monitoring students' activities to ensure their safety.

 Top of Form

Prior to the vote, Mr. Wood presented to approve LAUSD Police Services to provide One (1) School Police Officer for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

Mr. Wood provided an update regarding questions raised in the previous meeting regarding the service levels of a school police officer assigned to the campus. He mentioned that, in response to the board's concerns, he and Mr. Hussey contacted the head of the LAUSD school police for clarification.

They learned that for the four days when the campus will be serviced by the LAUSD police, the school can select the day with the least impact. Additionally, there were concerns about the coverage during 10-hour days, particularly during peak traffic times at 7:30 am. However, they were assured that the school police officer would be available during these times once the officer is identified.

Mr. Wood, Executive Director, presented the allowance of attendance due to Emergency Conditions for August 21st, 2023.

Mr. Wood provided an update regarding the approval received for submitting a relief for attendance due to conditions on campus. The earlier day, August 21st, which the school had to close, was approved by LAUSD and the state. Although this resulted in the school year having 179 days instead of the required 180, it still meets the required number of days. However, it is crucial to submit the form to auditors to ensure compliance with the state's requirement for the total number of minutes in the school year.

He also mentioned that the school is awaiting approval for the second J-13A form, as they experienced a loss of over 800 students on a normal day. This form is expected to be processed in the coming month or two.

Reconvened at 7PM. Board has nothing to report.