Notes: School Board masking, pubic not required to mask
Public Comments: Community member wearing a mask implores board to remember that after BLM riots, kids marched at school sharing their stories of bullying, etc., and it is time to “redouble our efforts” to make sure that all students feel safe. Safety goes hand-in-hand with academic excellence. It is our job to take care of the “whole student.” (G)
Jim Fabiszak recounts graffiti / vandalism on CUSD school property twice last year (June and November) and asks Board to install security cameras. And request agenda item to discuss how to prevent protests / vandalism at school in future.
Kevin Schaeffer requests information on COVID recovery plan.
Community member talks about masking being a political science issue not a medical issue. (CR)
Community member asked why school board did not adjust masking guidance for students as directed by CA Health Department and CDC. Why did the school board not have the courage to readdress MOU with teacher’s union? CUSD did not make any adjustments when the guidance encourages adjustments. It does not make sense kids having to wear masks in school when no one in the public is being asked to do so. (BP)
Scott Youngblood physician, negative health effects and lack of efficacy in masking. No medical benefit and only harm to children.
When are we going to assert local control? I don’t want to see closed schools, forced masking, forced vaccinations. The board had a chance to end masking prior to Mar 14, and to assert local control. Masking children was used in negotiations with teacher’s unions. Are children is not a pawn. (LE)
Bruce Shephard makes point of order…is speaker talking about agenda item or non-agenda item? When should speakers speak to agenda items? Decision by EVC to discuss later during Board protocols, but effectively anyone can speak on any topic at any time. (The written Public Comment direction is contradictory: “Anyone wishing to speak on an agenda item may come forward when that agenda item is called or during nonagenda items.” One positive, is parents who cannot stay for a whole meeting can speak to the agenda item during nonagenda public comments which occurs earlier than the agendized items.
During 6.1. Deputy Superintendent briefs Governor’s Budget Proposal. Add additional students via Universal TK down to 3 years old. Funding motivates us to expand TK to get more money, recoup lost enrollment. We see a decrease in pre-school , when we expand TK . Interest in serving all students at all levels, it will help us get back to baseline (Pre-pandemic levels). Watch prudently the TK population, plan to accomodate when we flip to basic aid and stop getting revenue. Trustee W. Antrim makes it clear, every child in this district we have to educate each them. Superintendent states strategic decisions will have to be made on Interdistrict transfer students (average 12-19%) to balance smaller class sizes and sustain programs. Trustee B. Sheperd asks what is the right time to start projecting what our reserves and revenues will be when we go into basic aid; how much additional revenue will we have?
6.2.-6.13 adoption of resolutions and approval of agreements
6.7 Community member asked what kind of computers? are we taking advantage of sliding scale discounts? School district spends money on technology items all the time without thought; and I would prefer the money goes to teachers. We are spending $1577 per computer and the Board is voting on items that they do not know what they are buying. (BP) Trustee W. Antrim follows up with a couple of questions which were answered with satisfaction, as the Board summarily voted to approve expenditure.
6.12 No community members spoke out for or against Mueller. Trustee W. Antrim says KM is a “great Superintendent” 14 years in the District approved contract amendment. “lucky to have him” 3%, $6300 increase in pay. Trustee E. Valdez-Clayton describes KM efforts as “faithfulness, diligence”; Trustee B. Sheperd: I hope the community will join the Board in applauding KM. The budget situation is masterful.
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