Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District

School Board Meeting Minutes

ACTON-AGUA DULCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT "Pursuing Excellence in Education" Minutes - Special Meeting of The Board of Trustees ACTON SCHOOL 32248 Crown Valley Rd. Acton, California 93510 Monday, June 30, 2008

1.0 CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING

1.1 Called to order by Mark Distaso at 9:32 a.m.

2.0 ROLL CALL

2.1 Members present: Mark Distaso (President) Ron Bird (Vice President) Deborah Jauregui-Rocha (Clerk) Leona Sexton (Member) Larry H. Layton (Member): via phone conference

2.1.1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by: Mark Distaso Action 3.0 APPROVE/ADOPT AGENDA FOR SPECIAL MEETING It is recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt, as presented, the agenda for the Special Board Meeting of June 30, 2008. Moved by: Ms. Sexton Seconded by: Mr. Bird (5-0-0) June 30, 2008

4.0 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL

4.1 Bond November 2008 Discussion Mr. Scott Gaudineer, Architect and Ernesto Flores, Financial Consultant (via phone conference): presented that the state funding are dwindling. The state changed bond 2008 1 D and moved it to 2010. The funds for new construction will run out by the middle of next year and we are looking at 2011 for matched funding. All we have been looking at is 50-50 match funding with the state. The last bond was for votes to pay $46.00 per $100,000.00 valuation of their property. He proposed to lower the $46.00 to around $20.00 or $30.00 per $100,000.00. That would be around 25 million dollars. If you do nothing, you get nothing and we should get the money before it runs out. Ms. Sexton: Are you saying that if we do not do this, we will have to wait 3 years? Mr. Gaudineer: With the state cut backs funding are getting low or will run out. I feel with the voters turn out at the last primary election was high and with the Presidential election in November voters will be even higher. Ms. Rocha: I am concerned if the money is gone, what we are going to say to the community. I would not promise something that the board can not deliver. Ms. Sexton: With the economy being the way it is and gas prices sky high I can not see voters wanting to payout more taxes to fund a general obligation bond to build up district schools at this time. Mr. Distaso: What about alterative building? What would the cost for a turn key facility? What can we get for tax rate of $20.00-$30.00?

Dr. Halperin: We can build a high school for 700 students with a gym for a tax rate of $20.00. Mr. Gaudineer: There is 30 million dollars in bonds. VHS will require 30 classrooms, administration, cafeteria, gym, and a library. Build in phases starting with classrooms, leaving the existing gym. Mr. Distaso: By bringing in the new portables, will it change the scope of work? Dr. Halperin: We should work on current needs. If growth comes, we use the new portables. Mr. Distaso: The board has been focused on a 40 year bond. Can we try 30 year bond? Dr. Halperin: The current hardship match is 9 million dollars. This could grow to be 23 million. We are credited development fees if they build or not.

(Mr. Gaudineer turned the meeting over to Ernesto Flores, Financial Consultant via phone conference. ) Mr. Flores: A suggestion is that we build within budget to accommodate existing students. 46 million dollars last bond and 25 million dollars this bond. Budget for hardship can build VHS on current enrollment. If you show the state your money, the state will show you theirs. The community has to live with a 25 million dollar high school but it will be better

2 June 30, 2008 then what we have. The writing of a 3 year hardship funding will be gone. This November will be the last shot for a better facility. Mr. Gaudineer: The state always rewrites or changes existing bonds, but we do not know what the state will do. We loose nothing by doing another bond. If we do nothing, we get nothing. We can build to budget. Mr. Bird: We need to build classrooms or we will not get state money. Dr. Halperin: The district has improved VHS by getting the land across the street from VHS for an equestrian facility and building DSA approved portables.

Mr. Distaso: I suggest that we try to move COC students from Acton School to VHS due to transportation between the sites. Mr. Distaso: I suggest that Mr. Gaudineer and Mr. Flores come back with an over all cost for $20.00-$30.00 per $100,000.00 valuation of their property and a budget. We would like to look into alternative building. We would like this proposal for the July 10 board meeting to discuss future action. Dr. Halperin: We might need a special meeting in August before the deadline. Ms. Sexton: We should walk a High School with high traffic that is constructed with alternative building. Mr. Shanefield: We found a Middle School with alternative building.

Public speaker, Tana Lampton: AADUSD tried 5 times, costing the people $30,000.00 each time. The people have spoken; funding local bonds violates ordinances approved by both Acton and Agua Dulce residents. A lot of people lost faith in the public school system. You have done your best; one more time will not make a difference.

Public speaker Cari McLane: If the community lost faith, what is their proposal on how we are going to educate these students? Mr. Layton: Let's move forward and get these kids a High School. Mr. Distaso: Let's add 4.1 to agenda on July 10 board meeting to discuss action on the bond.

Action 4.2 Enclosure School Facilities Planning & Management Contract regarding Hardship Application for Modernization and New Construction It is recommended that the Board approve the contract with School Facilities Planning & Management regarding Hardship Application for Modernization and New Construction. Moved by: Mr. Bird Seconded by: Ms. Sexton Tabled

3 June 30, 2008 Discussion Dr. Halperin provided the proposal for School Facilities Planning and Management contract. On page 4 provides new construction eligibility that we qualify for due to our size.

 Mr. Distaso It was fine to make a motin, but we need to discussion the fundind

Ms. Rocha We have not had enough time to over look the contract. See feels that we need some time to do our homework.

Mr. Distaso; Has anyone looked at the contract?

 Mr. Layton No I need more time

 Mr. Distaso We need to do this hardship if we want to get the bond.

 Ms. Rocha Can we table 4.2 until July 10 meeting because l. will not approve a contract without more informailon

 Mr. Distaso 4.2 is tabled until Ju.ly 1 0 meeting

 3 2008-2009 Consolidated Application for Funding Categorical Aid Programs (Part 1)

Tabled

The Board of Trustees recognizes that citizens of the community have the right and are encouraged to attend Meetings of the Board, and to observe its deliberations. Procedures have been established for citizens to place matters directly related to school district business on the agenda of any regular Board Meeting. Requests for placement must be made in writing and delivered to the office of the District Superintendent not later than 4:00 p.m. on the 6th business day prior to the Meeting. The position of the item on the agenda will be determined by the Superintendent, who may consult with the Board President on the matter. Items placed on the agenda by the public will be for information and discussion, so that the Board may be advised ofthe views of the community.

Members of the public may address the Board regarding items on the agenda before or during the Board's consideration of the items. Prior to the start of the Meeting, persons wishing to speak are requested, on forms provided, to indicate their name, address, and item on which they intend to speak. If the matter is listed as an item for Board action, the Board will not take action until persons who have requested to speak have done so. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, the total time allotted to all persons wishing to speak to an item will be 3 minutes. These comment time allocations cannot be assigned by one member of the public  to another for the purpose of extending the period of public comment by anyone person.

Each person who addresses the Board must first be recognized by the presiding officer. Comments must be addressed to the Board as a whole and not to individual staff Members or District employees. The Board and staff are not obligated to comment on or respond to addresses by the public.

Persons appearing before the Board are reminded, as a point of information that Members of the Board are without authority to act independently, as individual's, in official matters. No person is granted any privilege by the Board to make statements that may be considered defamatory or otherwise actionable by other persons, including District officers and employees.

To address the Board on an item not on the agenda, please fill out an Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District Comments Card available at the entry door and give it to the Board President. The President will recognize you during the Comments portion of the Meeting. Upon recognition, state your name and make your statement. For items not on the agenda, please note the following stipulation of the Brown Act.

Pursuant to the Brown Act, Governing Board Members cannot discuss any item which does not appear on the agenda. The Governing Board may provide a reference to staff or other resources of information, request staff to report back at a subsequent Meeting, or direct staff to plan an item on a future agenda.

Complaints against employees are addressed in closed session, and the District's complaint procedure should be followed before discussion with the Board.

6.0 Adjournment

I Action Moved by: Mr. Bird Seconded by: Ms. Sexton (4-0-1 ) Respectfully submitted, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD

6 June 30, 2008

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