4-1-1 On The October 3, 2023 IUSD Board of Education Meeting

The Agenda for the October 3, 2023 IUSD Board of Education meeting can be found here. The video replay of the meeting can be found here.

***Note: I was not present in person for this meeting. My 4-1-1 assessment below is based on watching the live stream, watching the replay and reviewing the meeting transcript.***

The October 3 IUSD Board of Education Meeting was a standard IUSD Board meeting which followed the traditional flow for IUSD Board meetings. It was called to order at 6:33 pm and was adjourned just after 8pm lasting only one hour and 33 minutes. All 5 Board Members were present as were five Student Board Members. An alternate student Board Member, David, sat in for and gave the read out for Alexis Tran from Irvine High. A total of 3 public comments were shared at the beginning of the meeting. There was a special presentation given by Irvine Unified Council Parent Teacher Association (IUCPTA) at the beginning of the meeting. Three items of business were discussed during the meeting (details on those items can be found towards the end of this post).

Special Presentation

Jim Leung, President of the Irvine Unified Council Parent Teacher Association (IUCPTA), presented on PTA’s mission, objectives, and priorities for the 2023/24 school year. The PTA’s mission is to  positively  impact the  lives  of  all  children  and  families. He shared that the IUCPTA is celebrating its 35th anniversary this school year and looks forward to growing its membership base to 20,000. The IUCPTA consists of 420  Exec  board  members with representation from all 43  of  the IUSD schools. Board Member Brooks acknowledged the remarkable accomplishment of 100% of IUSD schools having a PTA chapter. Mr. Leung reminded the audience of the PTA’s role as follows: Advocacy, Support student  programs,  provide/support  enrichment, provide/sponsor extra  curricular activities, provide classroom  support, help the  teachers, host community  building  events and host parent education sessions. Audience members were reminded that equity, diversity  and  inclusivity are in the DNA of the PTA and are a central to the organization. It was stated that the IUCPTA has raised  over  $3 million in aggregate from all the IUSD PTA chapters. If volunteer hours put in were quantified in dollars and cents, it would equate to $4.2 million. Mr. Leung closed the special presentation by presenting a gift to IUSD Board and Administration. The gift was a handmade wall decoration that contained the handprints of each of the PTA Chapter presidents forming the shape of a heart.

General Public Comments followed the special presentation.

Erin, IUSD Mother of 3, was first to share public comments. Erin advocated for IUSD Board to adopt a policy that would allow for the exclusive display of the American flag in IUSD classrooms and on IUSD campuses noting that its  presence  in our  classrooms  is  a  symbol  of  unity, patriotism,  and  respect for  our  nation's  history. She noted that the LGBTQ flag is hanging in classrooms and common areas on campus and when she questioned the purpose of its presence on campuses she was told by IUSD staff that it is present “to  foster an  atmosphere  that  is both  inclusive  and  educational, and  to  recognize  and  respect the  diversity  of  our  student  body”. She pointed out that by displaying the pride flag in classrooms IUSD is making a political statement and actually excluding a part of the student body- opposite of the intentions explained by staff. She concluded her comments by stating a single  unified  flag (the American Flag) represents IUSD’s commitment  to  a  shared identity  as Americans, promotes  inclusivity  among students  from  the diverse  backgrounds, and  unites  us  all  the melting  pot  that  makes  us  nation.

Debbie Kamm followed Erin in sharing public comments. Ms. Kamm exposed questionable behavior for IUSD’s Dispute Resolution Director Ms. Jennifer O’Malley stating that it was unacceptable. Ms. Kamm read directly from public records excerpts she had obtained from IUSD. The crux of the issue Ms. Kamm brought forward was that Ms. O’Malley had been withholding information from a family whose child with special needs was involved in a health and safety incident on campus while under IUSD’s supervision. Ms. O’Malley had used the excuse that the staff statements provided from the incident were deemed confidential personnel records which could not be shared. It was pointed out to Ms. O’Malley that witness statements are not in fact personnel records and there is no legitimate reason to withhold such information from a requestor. Ms. Kamm questioned the ethics of Ms. O’Malley’s decision making, the level of authority and control she maintains without any Board oversight and the $215,000 salary she makes that is funded by local tax payers. Ms. Kamm concluded her remarks by questioning the Board on why Ms. O’Malley is withholding  information from  parents  who  have children  with  special  needs, especially  in  regard to a  health  and  safety  incident.

Another IUSD Mom, Geneva (not sure if I have spelling correct) followed Ms. Kamm in public comments. Geneva raised concern about Irvine Unified School District and with how reported incidents had been handled at College Park Elementary. Geneva indicated there is a pervasive issue of dishonesty especially as relates to the Leadership and the IEP process. She sited evidence to support her claims. Last January, her daughter had been attacked by her teacher at College Park and was restrained by several IUSD staff members but Geneva was never notified. Geneva saw the video footage from the incident and IUSD now denies that such footage exists. Geneva indicated that the Principal, the IEP Team and the District have been unwilling to work with her on a Behavior Implementation Plan for her daughter in spite of multiple outreach attempts on Geneva’s part. Only limited options were made available to her daughter and she was ultimately pressured  into  participating  in group  therapy which she does not benefit from. She no longer feels safe at school. In closing her public comments she reiterated her concern about dishonesty at College Park Elementary.

Student Board Member reports followed general public comments. Each of the five shared updates on the happenings around their campuses as well as updates on athletics, visual & performing arts, student council (ASB) initiatives and homecoming. Gabriel Mutsvangwa from Portola High was second to share his read out. During his read out he acknowledged the homecoming court that had been nominated and shared his gratitude for being nominated homecoming  king**.

**Its worth noting that exactly one year ago the Student Board members proudly proclaimed they had done away with traditional homecoming court titles such as “king” and “queen” in an effort to be more inclusive. Last year’s student board members had embraced the use of gender neutral/non binary royal court titles and pronouns. Evidently the pendulum has swung back towards more traditional social norms this fall.

The Superintendent’s report and individual board member reports followed the Student Board Member reports. Mr. Walker started his report by sharing positive news regarding legislation in support of mental health and wellness. He encouraged IUSD students to continue pursuit of intellectual risk taking and noted that IUSD continues to form local partnerships to better enable the pursuit. He promoted the new Wellness Centers on IUSD campuses and announced the expansion of the initiative to have a wellness center on every campus through partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and the Tsao family foundation. The plan will be implemented over the next four years. Mr. Walker went on to pay tribute to IUSD’s great HR Department who attract and retain the best and brightest staff members and teachers. In concluding his report, Mr. Walker emphasized the importance of community members having access to accurate information. He encouraged community members to reach directly out to the school district for information and not rely on social media. He reminded everyone that central to IUSD’s communication strategy is making sure  parents  feel connected  to  the  work  that's  being  done. IUSD plans  to partner  with  them (parents) and  communicate  very  clearly  as we  move  forward. 

Individual Board members shared their updates on campus visits, athletic and arts events attended, community meetings attended and trainings attended.

Cyril Yu’s readout was of significance because it broke his usual protocol of standard talking points. He acknowledged the growth of and interest in the Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) which is an after school program which IUSD receives federal funds to provide at no cost to qualified students (“unduplicated” low income, foster youth…etc). He encouraged student participation in the ELOP programs. Next Mr. Yu acknowledged some of the challenges IUSD is experiencing surrounding English language learners noting how diverse IUSD’s community is with students from all around the world many of whom do not speak English as their native language. He emphasized the volume of students enrolled in IUSD that have come from Ukraine and Russia without any background in English. He made an appeal to the administration and the PTA to bring these students into the fold in an effort to help them assimilate. He accepted responsibility for the concerns that have been brought to him noting that conversations are happening within the District to address these concerns and resources are being devoted to it. He didn’t shy away from noting that there are unique challenges in building relationships between Russian and Ukrainian students and their families given the two countries are at war with one another. Lastly, Mr. Yu dug into a policy concern that had been brought to his attention by multiple community members. He had been contacted with questions and concerns about the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) bylaws and about how the recent CAC election had been conducted. Although Paul Bokota is the Board delegate on this committee, Mr. Bokota was not present during the CAC elections and Cyril, as the alternate, had filled in for him. Mr. Yu took the concerns from constituents seriously and conducted his own investigation and formed his own opinion. The conclusions he drew were that the CAC executive cabinet elections for Secretary and Vice President were conducted in accord with the IUSD CAC by laws as written by CAC but that the bylaws need to be rewritten because they are not consistent with CA Ed Code. He is of the opinion that the IUSD Board should appoint members to the CAC similar to how they appoint members to other committees such as Measure E (application process, vetting….etc). He placed responsibility on the CAC to initiate a redrafting of the bylaws.

Mr. Bokota shared his read out after Mr. Yu and aside from thanking Mr. Yu for his attendance of the CAC meeting did not offer any commentary on CAC Bylaws or CAC Election concerns.

The consent agenda followed the board member read outs and Items of Business followed the consent agenda. The following items of business were discussed at the end of the meeting:

23(a). Public Hearing: Bargaining Proposal Regarding the 2022-2025 Agreement Between the California School Employees Association Chapter #517 and the Irvine Unified School District; OUTCOME: This is a standard annual routine item of business. There were no public comments shared during the hearing. When the public hearing was closed, the board voted unanimously to adopt the proposal of the California School Employees Association Chapter #517 in order to initiate the bargaining process of the identified Articles.

23(b). Public Hearing: Resolution No. 23-24-12: Statement of Assurance for PK-12 Instructional Materials Sufficiency for 2023-24 School Year - Roll Call; OUTCOME: This is another standard annual routine item of business. There were no public comments shared during the hearing. When the public hearing was closed, the board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 23-24-12 Statement of Assurance for PK-12 Instructional Materials Sufficiency for 2023-24 School Year.

23(c ). Resolution No. 23-24-13: Authorizing the Issuance of School Facilities Improvement District No. 1 of IUSD General Obligation Bonds, 2016 Election, Series 2023D - Roll Call; OUTCOME: This item of business has to do with a ballot measure that Irvine Residents passed during the 2016 election which gave IUSD the authority to issue Bonds to secure funding up to $300M for school improvements. Since 2016 IUSD has done 3 separate bond issuances, this one in the amount of $60M is the fourth. Adam Bauer, Chief Executive Officer of Fieldman, Rolapp & Associates gave a brief presentation on the bond issuance. Brad Neal, Shareholder with Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, acting as Bond Counsel to the IUSD, was available to answer questions. There was some general discussion about bond valuation and interest rates. Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 23-24-13, Authorizing the issuance of the School Facilities Improvement District (SFID) No. 1 of the Irvine Unified School District General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023D, in a principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000.

There were no public comments upon conclusion of the Items of Business so the meeting was adjourned immediately following the approval of item 23 (c )Resolution No. 23-24-13.

BUZZ WORD COUNT

Mental Health & Wellness- 5 mentions by Superintendent, Student Board Members & Board Members

Social Emotional- 2 mentions by Board Members

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion- 1 mention by IUCPTA

Affirmative Practices- 0 Mentions

Academics- 1 Mention by Student Board Member