Notes on PUSD BOE Meeting - 09/12/2024 - Financial Problems Ahead, Candidates for Seats A & E

PUSD BOE Meeting - 09/12/2024 - 6:00PM 

2024 Board Meeting Agenda, Minutes, Video

Summary

Here's a summary of the key contributions from each participant and items voted upon during this school board meeting:

Board Members:

- Kylie (Student Representative): Reported on positive start to school year, student activities, and enthusiasm across campuses.
- Dr. Patel: Expressed gratitude for staff handling challenges like HVAC issues and new e-bike safety program. Emphasized continual improvement efforts.
- Kuet: Reviewed financial information and contracts. Attended special needs advisory committee meeting. Highlighted Suicide Prevention Month.
- Plotsky: Discussed superintendent search survey results. Expressed support for e-bike safety efforts. Mentioned budget committee starting.
- Sytsma: Welcomed Mr. Magnuson. Discussed transportation department concerns. Attended back-to-school nights. Highlighted upcoming community events.
- O'Connor-Ratcliff: Discussed Access Diploma program and inclusion specialists' work. Thanked cabinet members for stepping up during transitions.

Staff:

• - Joy Romero: Presented detailed unaudited actuals financial report for 2023-2024.
• - Peterson: Presented items on instructional materials sufficiency and Arts/Music funding report.
• - Jimenez: Presented items on new executive assistant position and interim associate superintendent appointment.
• - Misel (Interim Superintendent): Thanked staff for work during transitions. Gave special thanks to Christine Paik who is leaving.

Public Comments:

Several members of the public spoke on topics including:

• - Requests for DEI program data
• - Support/opposition for school board candidates
• - Concerns about book content/selection
• - Requests for trimming trees near a school

Items Voted On:

1. Approval of consent calendar (minus two pulled items)
2. Award of contract to Burnham for benefits consulting
3. Approval of updated board policies 5000 series
4. Approval of new executive assistant classification
5. Approval of interim associate superintendent appointment and agreement
6. Approval of 2023-2024 unaudited actuals financial report
7. Approval of resolution on sufficiency of instructional materials
8. Approval of Arts and Music in Schools annual report

All items that were voted on passed unanimously. 

Staff Presentations:

Here's an expanded description of each staff presentation:

1. Joy Romero's Financial Report Presentation:

• - Presented the 2023-2024 unaudited actuals financial report
• - Covered unrestricted and restricted general fund details
• - Highlighted a $5.8 million negative net activity in the combined general fund
• - Reported an ending fund balance of $119.5 million in the general fund
• - Detailed carryover amounts: $6.8 million unrestricted, $46.8 million restricted
• - Reviewed remaining balances of one-time block grants:
•   - Arts and Music Instructional Materials: $13 million remaining
•   - Learning Recovery Emergency: $8.4 million remaining
•   - Educator Effectiveness: $5.9 million remaining
• - Provided an overview of 12 other district funds and their balances
• - Requested board approval of the unaudited actuals report and 2024-2025 beginning fund balances

2. Peterson's Presentations:

• a) Instructional Materials Sufficiency:
•    - Introduced annual resolution for sufficiency of instructional materials
•    - Explained materials include standards-aligned textbooks for core subjects
•    - Mentioned teacher-developed materials and open educational resources
•    - Emphasized ensuring student access both at school and home
•    - Noted this was a public hearing item requiring board action
• b) Arts and Music in Schools Annual Report:
•    - Discussed Proposition 28 funding for arts and music in schools
•    - Explained the requirement for an annual expenditure report
•    - Noted the state did not provide a reporting template
•    - Clarified the report only covers 2023-2024 funds in their first year of allocation
•    - Mentioned anticipation of more detailed state reporting requirements in the future

3. Jimenez's Presentations:

• a) New Executive Assistant Classification:
•    - Introduced a new classification for Executive Assistant Confidential
•    - Explained it was created due to reorganization in Business Support Services
•    - Detailed that the position will support the Executive Director of Finance, Budget, and Accounting
•    - Noted the confidential nature of the role due to access to labor relations information
•    - Mentioned the job description was approved by the Personnel Commission
•    - Recommended placement on step 9 of the confidential employee salary schedule
• b) Interim Associate Superintendent Appointment:
•    - Presented the recommendation to appoint an interim Associate Superintendent of Business Support Services
•    - Introduced Gregory Magnuson as the candidate
•    - Explained the need for board approval of the employment agreement and resolution
•    - Noted the interim nature of the position while recruitment for a permanent replacement occurs

These presentations provided detailed information on the district's financial status, compliance with instructional material requirements, implementation of new arts funding, staffing changes, and leadership transitions.

Financial Status

Based on the financial report presented by Joy Romero, the district's financial status can be summarized as follows:

1. Net Activity:
   - The general fund combined had a negative net activity (deficit spending) of $5.8 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
   - This deficit was expected due to spending down one-time categorical grants.
   - The unrestricted portion of the net activity was positive at $1.2 million.

2. Ending Fund Balance:
   - The general fund combined ended the year with a balance of $119.5 million.

3. Carryover:
   - $53.6 million of the ending fund balance consists of unexpended budget that will be carried over to the current year.
   - This includes $6.8 million in unrestricted carryover and $46.8 million in restricted carryover.

4. One-time Block Grants:
   - Significant balances remain in several one-time block grants:
     - Arts and Music Instructional Materials: $13 million remaining
     - Learning Recovery Emergency: $8.4 million remaining
     - Educator Effectiveness: $5.9 million remaining

5. Other Funds:
   - The district maintains 12 other funds besides the general fund, most of which were reported to have healthy balances.

6. Budget Concerns:
   - There were mentions of a $15 million budget deficit that needs to be addressed, suggesting some financial challenges ahead.

Overall, while the district has a substantial fund balance and carryover amounts, there are indications of deficit spending and upcoming budget challenges. The district appears to be in a stable financial position currently, but may need to address budget deficits in the near future. The significant amounts in one-time block grants provide some financial cushion, but these are restricted funds that must be used for specific purposes.

Voted Items

 Here's a detailed description of the items voted on and any associated discussion:

1. Approval of consent calendar (minus two pulled items):
   - Voted on and passed unanimously without significant discussion.

2. Award of contract to Burnham for benefits consulting (Item 5.2D):
   - Mr. Jimenez explained this was a change in consultant following an RFP process.
   - Burnham will manage finances of the benefits program, negotiate with carriers, and assist with the benefits admin platform.
   - Dr. Dee Vashista (public comment) praised this as an example of fiscal responsibility, noting annual savings of $120,000.
   - Passed unanimously without further board discussion.

3. Approval of updated board policies 5000 series (Item 5.4C):

• Ms. Peterson explained updates to several policies:
• BP 5113: Ensures students with excused absences receive comparable assignments.
• BP 5126: Adds language ensuring no fees for student awards.
• BP 5146 & 5145.7: Mandated changes related to Title IX, addressing rights of married/pregnant/parenting students and sex discrimination/harassment.
• A public commenter (Relle Babler) criticized the lack of public access to policy documents and questioned disciplinary actions for false accusations.
• Board members agreed on the importance of posting materials online for public access.
• Passed unanimously.

4. Approval of new executive assistant classification:

• Mr. Jimenez explained this new confidential position will support the Executive Director of Finance, Budget, and Accounting.
• Clarified it's a promotional opportunity, not an additional position.
• Passed unanimously without significant discussion.

5. Approval of interim associate superintendent appointment and agreement:
   - Board President O'Connor-Ratcliff summarized the employment agreement for Gregory Magnuson.
   - Terms included: September 12, 2024 to February 28, 2025 (or until permanent hire), $139.66 hourly rate, no benefits/sick leave/vacation.
   - Passed unanimously with a comment welcoming Mr. Magnuson's expertise.

6. Approval of 2023-2024 unaudited actuals financial report:
   - Following Joy Romero's detailed presentation, the board voted to approve the report.
   - Passed unanimously without additional discussion.

7. Approval of resolution on sufficiency of instructional materials:
   - Ms. Peterson explained this annual resolution ensures students have access to required instructional materials.
   - A public hearing was opened and closed with no comments.
   - Passed unanimously without board discussion.

8. Approval of Arts and Music in Schools annual report:
   - Ms. Peterson presented on the Proposition 28 funding report.
   - Noted this was the first year of reporting and future state requirements may be more detailed.
   - Passed unanimously with minimal discussion.

Overall, most items passed with little to no discussion from the board. The most significant discussions centered around public access to policy documents and clarifications on new positions. All votes were unanimous.

Seat A Candidates

Tim Daugherty's Input

Tim Daugherty's public input can be summarized as follows:

1. Introduction: He introduced himself as a school board candidate for Area A in the upcoming November election.

2. Community engagement: Daugherty mentioned that since announcing his candidacy in the spring, he has had the privilege of meeting many community members, including teachers, parents, business owners, and civic leaders.

3. Gratitude: He expressed sincere gratitude to various groups and organizations that have participated in the nonpartisan election process through discussions, forums, Q&A sessions, and endorsements.

4. Specific acknowledgments: Daugherty thanked several groups, including:
   - Teachers, parents, administrators, and school board members
   - His campaign volunteers
   - PTA
   - Poway Federation of Teachers
   - PSA Green Valley Civic Association
   - Poway Chamber
   - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
   - The Lincoln Club
   - The West Un Nexus newspaper
   - The Union Tribune and its associated newspapers
   - Pure K12
   - San Diego Asian-Americans for Equality organization (whose endorsement he said he was especially proud of)

5. Community concerns: He mentioned that his conversations with the community and the superintendent survey indicate a growing sense of distrust and dismay with the current leadership, including the board.

6. His position: Daugherty positioned himself as an outsider, stating that unlike his opponent, he has no ties to current board members. He claimed to bring an outside view and pragmatic approach, along with community experience needed to rebuild trust and focus on fundamentals.

7. Closing: He invited people to get involved or learn more about his campaign by visiting his website (timdforpusd.com).

Daugherty's input was primarily focused on introducing himself as a candidate, highlighting his community engagement, and positioning himself as an outsider who can bring fresh perspective to address trust issues in the district.

Dr. Devesh Vashishtha

Dr. Devesh Vashishtha's public input:

1. Introduction:
   - He introduced himself as "Dr. Devesh Vashishtha."
   - He stated he is a candidate for the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) board trustee position for Area A.

2. Endorsement Announcement:
   - He announced that his campaign had just received the endorsement of the Poway Federation of Teachers.
   - He expressed that this endorsement means a great deal to him personally.

3. Personal Background:
   - Dr. Vashishtha mentioned he is a product of strong K-12 public education.
   - He currently serves as an educator in his clinic, teaching medical residents about excelling as primary care doctors.

4. Understanding of Teachers' Role:
   - He acknowledged the significant effort required to excel as a teacher, including late nights and emotional labor.
   - He recognized that teachers are often undercompensated for their work.

5. Commitment to Teachers:
   - He stated he takes the Poway Federation of Teachers' endorsement very seriously.
   - He reaffirmed his commitment to fair wages and benefits for PUSD teachers.

6. Awareness of Challenges:
   - Dr. Vashishtha noted that as a young person in an increasingly unaffordable society, he understands the challenges teachers face.
   - He specifically mentioned issues like student debt, astronomical housing costs, and high childcare expenses.

7. Appreciation for Teachers:
   - He commended teachers for continuing to show up day after day despite these challenges.
   - He referred to teachers as "standard bearers of the excellence that defines PUSD."

8. Future Plans if Elected:
   - He pledged to work collaboratively with teachers if elected to the board.
   - He promised to ensure teachers' concerns are addressed by district leadership.

9. Philosophy on Teacher Support:
   - Dr. Vashishtha expressed his belief that when teachers are well-supported, it ultimately benefits PUSD students and families.

10. Closing:
    - He thanked the Poway Federation of Teachers again for believing in his campaign.
    - He expressed his belief that he can help lead toward a brighter future for all students.
    - He reiterated his campaign slogan: "Devesh for PUSD Area A."

Dr. Vashishtha's input focused heavily on his connection to and support for teachers, positioning himself as a candidate who understands and will prioritize teachers' needs and concerns.

Other Public Input

Certainly. Here's a detailed summary of the other public input:

1. Stuart Cook:
- Questioned when the district would provide performance data for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, referencing a statement made by O'Connor-Ratcliff on June 13th.
- Criticized the lack of response to his requests for this data over the past 3 years.
- Questioned how "belonging" is measured and asked for objective data showing DEI program effectiveness.
- Expressed skepticism about the board's ability to provide "belonging" and "joy" to students and families.
- Noted declining academic performance among minority and marginalized students despite DEI programs.
- Requested objective documentation showing DEI performance by the next meeting.

3. Lenise See Christ:
- Criticized the short notice given for a public meeting about superintendent selection and survey results.
- Highlighted concerns raised in the community survey, including lack of trust, low morale, and ethical issues with the school board.
- Urged the board to pause the superintendent selection process, engage the community more, and let voters have their say in the upcoming election.

4. Relle Babler:
- Expressed concerns about district spending and the current $15 million budget deficit.
- Questioned specific expenditures like "Mending Matters" and "Concerned Parents Alliance."
- Raised concerns about ongoing litigation costs and settlements.
- Asked about changes in volunteer paperwork processes implemented by HR.
- Requested that emails be sent out for special board meetings to improve transparency.

5. Craig Pond:
- Introduced himself as a candidate for trustee seat of Area E.
- Discussed perception problems in the district, particularly regarding fiscal responsibility.
- Criticized proposed changes to spending limits for capital assets (from $5,000 to $50,000).
- Expressed concerns about HVAC upgrade change orders, suggesting poor estimating and loose management of funds.

6. Aden Hassan:
- Raised concerns about inappropriate sexual content in a book found in a 6th-grade classroom at Twin Peaks.
- Criticized the principal's response to his concerns.
- Questioned the selection of the teacher for ASB leadership and textbook screening roles.
- Called for review of the teacher's selections for student curriculum and activities.

7. Susan Van Winkle and Steven Kelly:
- Represented homeowners associations near Westwood Elementary School.
- Requested the district trim overgrown palm trees on school property that pose a fire hazard to nearby homes.
- Disputed claims of an agreement requiring the associations to maintain school property.
- Asked the board to take action to prevent potential fire disasters.

8. Elias Snider:
- Spoke in support of teachers, librarians, and schools that include books dealing with complex, real-world topics.
- Criticized "book banners" for focusing on shock value snippets without considering overall context.
- Defended the book "This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, citing positive reviews and its educational value.
- Quoted author Judy Blume on the dangers of censorship and the importance of addressing difficult topics.

These public inputs covered a wide range of topics, including candidacy announcements, concerns about district policies and spending, book content controversies, and specific requests for district action on various issues.

Awards Presented

Here's a list of the awards presented and their recipients:

1. Classified Employees of the Year:
   - Lamise Abu Salem - English Language Learner Instructional Assistant at Bernardo Heights Middle School
   - Augustine "Steve" Esteban - Custodian at Morning Creek Elementary School
   - Ava Peters - Administrative Assistant for Learning Support Services Department

2. Teachers of the Year:
   - Ross Kallen - Visual and Technical Arts Teacher at Rancho Bernardo High School
   - Elise Milling - 8th Grade Humanities and Performing Arts Teacher at Mesa Verde Middle School
   - Nicole Stow - Education Specialist at Sunset Hills Elementary School

3. Volunteers of the Year:
   - Evan Creek - Del Norte High School
   - Suzette Lamb - Pomerado Elementary School
   - Kim Snowski - Twin Peaks Middle School

4. District Award:
   - Poway Unified School District received the 2024 Outstanding Contribution to Inclusive Education and Disability Advocacy Award from the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability at Chapman University.

These awards recognized outstanding contributions from staff and volunteers across various schools in the district, as well as the district's overall efforts in inclusive education.