James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees

Minutes

BOARD MEETING

Date and Time

Thursday April 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM

This Board Meeting is open to the public.IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDERS FROM GOVERNOR NEWSOM, THIS BOARD MEETING WILL BE ONLINE.  James Jordan Middle School ("School") welcomes your participation at the School's Board meetings. 


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The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Trustees ("Board") is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our School.

To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:
1. Agendas are available to all audience members on the home page of www.jamesjordanms.com.  
2. ONLINE Board meetings will still have time reserved for PUBLIC COMMENT.  If you wish to make a public comment, expect to be limited to 3 minutes.  To speak, send an email to bsmith@jamesjordanms.com with a Subject of PUBLIC COMMENT.

a. Non-agenda items: any person may address the Board concerning any item not on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (or 6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 20 minutes (provided that the President may grant additional time if circumstances permit). Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to such presentations and no action can be taken as the Board is allowed to take action only on items on the agenda. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation or calendar the issue for further discussion. Individuals may also request that a topic related to school business be placed on a future agenda and once such an item is properly agendized and publicly noticed, the Board can discuss, respond, and possibly act upon such an item. 
b. Agenda Items:The presentation to the Board shall be made at the time a specific item is under discussion.  Any person may address the Board concerning any item on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 30 minutes (provided that the Board Chair may grant additional time if circumstances permit).  Speakers are requested to state their name and address and adhere to the time limits set forth herein. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes in English and 6 minutes with translation. Spanish translation will be provided by the school at every board meeting. If you need translation for another language, please contact the school 48 hours in advance to allow us to find a translator. 
4. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, the School may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Principal (lara@jamesjordanms.com, 818-882-2496)

Trustees Present

A. Bierman (remote), B. Smith (remote), M. Flores (remote), N. Mondragon (remote)

Trustees Absent

H. Blunt

Guests Present

Antonio Gonzalez (remote), Darrow.Isaacman-VanWertz@self-help.org (remote), E. Hodes (remote), G. Lara (remote), J. Chavez (remote), J. Green (remote), Kcardillo@mac.com (remote), M. Marsh (remote), P. Reyes-Guerrero (remote), Ponti@artrebel.net (remote), S. Griego (remote), T. Baier (remote), ehodes@exed.org (remote), rich.edelen@gmail.com (remote), shanonbelle@gmail.com (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

B. Smith called a meeting of the board of trustees of James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees to order on Thursday Apr 15, 2021 at 7:02 PM.

C.

Take public comment

D.

approve minutes

N. Mondragon made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-17-20.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bierman
Aye
N. Mondragon
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
M. Flores
Aye
B. Smith
Aye

E.

Approve minutes

B. Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from BOARD MEETING on 03-18-21.
N. Mondragon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Blunt
Absent
N. Mondragon
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
M. Flores
Aye

F.

RECRUITING for the JJMS Board of Trustees

B. Smith made a motion to give Mr. Ponti Lambros immediate board membership, additionally, nominating Shannon Belle, Rich Edelen, and Anthony Cardillo.
N. Mondragon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
B. Smith
Aye
M. Flores
Aye

G.

Lead Teacher Report

Mr. Chavez- 
  • All grade levels are hosting award ceremonies
    • Kids are excited about awards
  • A large group of 6th & 7th-grade kids on campus
    • 8th grade is a smaller group 
    • Kids on campus are doing much better academically 
  • 8th Grade culmination plan 
    • Drive-in style 
  • Section 7/8 8th graders are on campus 
  • 8th Grade- struggling to get kids on campus 
  • Struggle- Apathy, willingness to discuss on Zoom 
  • Mr. Lambros suggested to spearhead an 8th grade art project

II. Financials

A.

Financial Report

B. Smith made a motion to approve the February Financial Report including the cash flow, check register, and balance sheet as presented by Evan Hodes.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
Ponti Lambros- Aye 
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Flores
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye

B.

Approve Tax forms for submission by the May deadline

N. Mondragon made a motion to approve tax forms for submission by the May deadline and approve as tax-exempt organization form 990.
B. Smith seconded the motion.
Ponti Lambros- Aye
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Mondragon
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
M. Flores
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
A. Bierman
Aye

III. Governance

A.

Report on progress of New School project

NOT A VOTING ITEM- Discussion only 
Dr. Marsh- Moving into our own building in the fall of 2022.
Tyler Baier assisted Dr. Marsh and Mrs. Lara in the selection of the project manager, Mr. Antonio Gonzalez. 
Self-Help Federal Credit Union 
Public Impact supporting academic program and performance review
"Once all lender requirements are satisfied, including a contract with the general contractor and a building permit from the City, the loan can close
Upon closing, JJMS will purchase the property and begin construction"
General Contractors RFQ
Reviewing bids in May and June
Key design and approval milestones 
  • Pick up and drop off will happen inside of the JJMS property 
Renderings were shared with the board of the face and courtyard of the new school. 
COVID-19 funds will strategically be used to improve the building's air quality. 

B.

Consideration and approval of creation of title-holding LLC.

B. Smith made a motion to to establish the legally necessary Phoenix Facilties LLC which will hold the Lanark property for the new school. As determined that Paola Reyes-Guerrero shall be listed as organizer and Agent. All attached documents shall be executed by Paola Reyes-Guerrero in consultation with the attorneys at YMC.
M. Flores seconded the motion.
Ponti Lambros- Aye
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Flores
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
N. Mondragon
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
B. Smith
Aye

C.

Public hearing: a discussion of a vaccine policy for JJMS staff for the 2021-22 school year

Dr. Anthony Cardillo- MEND Clinic 
  • ER Physician 
  • Responsible for COVID-19 reports to the public through a local news channel 
  • Vaccines are recommended for the public 
    • Some ill outcomes 
    • Usually, a vaccine takes many years
    • Usually, a vaccine is developed by taking a part of the virus and placed in the body. Exposing our bodies to the viral particle so that our immune system can recognize it as foreign to make an immune response. Antibodies are created. 
      • Pfizer & Moderna worked on new technology for vaccines.
        • Genetically material was taken. The spike features, protein, to translate into Rna. The Rna is taken into muscle cells and it codes it to translate it into our system. 
        • Research shows that those who were vaccinated were protected from the impact of the vaccine. Decreasing death and hospitalization. 
        • The risks of getting vaccinated are substantially less than getting the virus.
        • There will be adverse outcomes. 
      • Johnson and Johnson 
        • Followed the vaccine protocol 
        • On pause to ensure that there are not a lot more cases
          • 6 out of 7million people had an adverse effect as a blood clot. 
      • Dr. Cardillo recommends vaccines for all teachers.
Ms. Smith- How do we eloquently put a vaccine policy in place?
Dr. Marsh- 46% of our staff did not think it was appropriate for JJMS to have a mandatory vaccine policy while 82% of parents support vaccines for teachers.
Ms.Griego- Expressed a responsibility to her health and her choices. She expressed that a mandate is going beyond the boundaries. Willing to come back to campus without the vaccine. 
Mr. Lambros- Expressed agreeing to not mandate the vaccine. 
Ms. Smith- Tasked the JJMS admin team to check in with other schools and see what they are doing. 
The board will review the surveys. 
B. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:34pm.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
Ponti Lambros-Aye
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Mondragon
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
H. Blunt
Absent
A. Bierman
Aye
M. Flores
Aye

IV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
G. Lara
Documents used during the meeting
  • 02.2021 JJMS Board Package.pdf
  • James Jordan Middle School 2019-20 990 draft 03.16.2021.pdf
  • 21 04 06 PF LLC Attachment to Form LLC-1 (KR) (1).docx
  • 21 04 06 PF LLC Operating Agreement (KR). docx.docx
  • 21 04 06 PF LLC Articles of Org llc-1 (KR).pdf
  • 20 04 08 PF LLC Agenda (KR) (1).doc
  • Draft COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Policy 022621.docx
  • The National Law Review - EEOC Publishes Guidance on Employer Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policies (US) - 2020-12-16.pdf