VENTURA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Minutes Tuesday, May 26, 2015 Call to Order The Board of Education of the Ventura Unified School District met on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in the City of Ventura, Council Chamber, and 501 Poli Street, Ventura, California. President Debbie Golden called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Arriaga called roll and noted that Board Member Lomax is attending an award presentation for one of her students and reason arrival delayed. President: Debbie Golden Vice President: Barbara Fitzgerald Board Member: Velma Lomax Board Member: John B. Walker Board Member: Mary Haffner Superintendent: Dr. Trudy Tuttle Arriaga Deputy Superintendent: Joseph Richards, Jr. Asst. Supt. /Ed. Services: Jennifer Robles Asst. Supt. /Certificated HR: Kathy Asher General Counsel: Anthony Ramos Adoption of Agenda It was moved by Mrs. Haffner, seconded by Ms. Fitzgerald and carried to approve the agenda as presented. Aye 4, Nay 0, Absent 1/Lomax. Public Comment on Closed Session Items - None Closed Session It was moved by Mr. Walker, seconded Ms. Fitzgerald and carried that the Board adjourn to closed session to discuss conference with legal counsel anticipated litigation, public employee discipline/dismissal/release, conference with labor negotiators, and pupil matters. Aye 4, Nay 0, Absent 1/Lomax. At 7:15 p.m., President Golden called the regular meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Student Board member Evan Askar from Foothill read the Vision, Misael Rodriguez from Pacific High School read the Mission and Kayla Mangum from Ventura Adult and Continuing Education read the Governing Principals. Report of Action taken in Closed Session Good News Dr. Arriaga and Board members thanked the Student Board members; Evan Askar from Foothill Technology High School, Misael Rodriguez from Pacific High School and Kayla Mangum from the Ventura Adult Continuing Education for their excellence, poise and ability to articulate the sharing of school site news. Dr. Arriaga announced the 5th annual, 2014-15 Ventura Unified School District Volunteer of the Year: Ms. Georgia Perry. Ms. Perry no longer has students in the district but continues to volunteer in events like Summerfest, Festival of Talent, BRAVO Employee Event, School Attendance Review Board, and led the District in raising over $5,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dr. Arriaga presented Ms. Perry with a gift symbolizing that Volunteers are love in motion. Ms. Perry’s name will be added to the perpetual plaque that hangs proudly at the Education Service Center. The Board of Education personally thanked Ms. Perry for her service. Minutes of the Meeting of May 26, 2015 Ventura Unified School District Ms. Pattie Braga, Steve Brown, and Cary Swift representing the Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation were proud to present to the Board the Teacher of the Month recipients. This monthly recognition recognizes outstanding teachers that make a difference in the lives of VUSD students. The awardee’s present: Month of September-Carly Starn Cabrillo Middle School, October-Mike Stewart Buena High School, November-Talynn Pedroza Elmhurst Elementary School, December–Craig Michels Sheridan Way Elementary School, January-Petra Somar Sunset Elementary February-Shannon Paulis Juanamaria Elementary, March-Laurie Adams Montalvo Elementary, April-Angie Rodriguez Junipero Serra Elementary, May-Lu Anne Smith ATLAS Elementary and the June recipient will soon be surprised at their school. Public Comments Fourteen public speakers present to voice both negative and positive concerns over the recent resignation of Ms. Nancy Grubb, Buena High School faculty cheerleader advisor and the caustic state of the cheerleading squad. Ms. Gaby Rivas was one of the students appointed as captain and then within days dismissed as one of the varsity cheerleading captains. She noted appreciation and guidance of Ms. Nancy Grubb throughout her student years as a cheerleader and sadden that Ms. Grubb resigned as faculty advisor. She stated there is a lot of discontent, drama between the team and she does not understand. The current state of the team has affected her emotionally to the point she does not want to go to school. In her opinion, the principal of the school is not handling the current situation within the squad fairly nor does the principal seem to care. Mr. Brian Jaramillo parent is concerned over the rash decisions that are being made and the emotional affect to the team. The administration rescinded Ms. Grubb’s selection of captains based on a few parent complaints causing the team to be split and has fractured their spirit. He feels that the Coach is not responsible for the current state of the team and blames the school administration. He asked the Board to reconsider and revoke Mrs. Grubb’s resignation and allow her to continue as the faculty advisor for the team. Ms. Carmen Luna thanked Mrs. Grubb for her leadership, guidance and successfully guiding the team. She is very upset that principal Irving revoked Ms. Grubb’s selection of captains based on two parent complaints. His decision has negatively impacted the emotional well being of her daughter. Ms. Jade German noted this to be her second year on cheerleading squad and noted the many positive contributions Ms. Grubb has made to the team. She does not feel that having a new coach is in the best interest of the team and that administration should rescind Ms. Grubb’s resignation and allow her back as the team faculty advisor. Ms. Theresa Pollara is a concerned citizen and friend of Ms. Grubb. It upsets her that Ms. Grubb’s decision to resign is based on the lack of support from her school principal. He overturn her decision on captain selection based on a few parent concerns. She feels that the Board has the power to rescind her resignation and allow her to return to work and continue to do what she does best. Ms Nancy Grubb shared that supervising a squad of 30 to 40 students can be challenging but has enjoyed being the the faculty advisory for the past seven years without issues and has led a very strong squad. Her resignation is a result of the impass between administration. She is asking that the Board rescind her resignation as it is not in the best interest of the squad for her to leave. She explained that the Impass issue was due to her selection of captains based on academics and attendance. She noted that Principal Irving told her that a couple of parents complained and that changing her new process of captain selection was not in the best interest of the squad, nor was it approved by administration. The captains that she choose, one to be her daughter, were questioned by administration with questions about boyfriend and attractive appearance rather than on academics and leadership skills. 2 Minutes of the Meeting of May 26, 2015 Ventura Unified School District Ms. April Poole’s daughter, Aimee Poole is a current varsity cheerleader. Ms. Poole is one of the many parents that spoke to Mr. Irving regarding the waste of time taken by squad team to complete a detailed package of questions referring to selection of new squad captains, when in fact Mrs. Grubb had already made the selection. She clarified that parents did not ask for Ms. Grubb’s resignation, they just wanted a fair process in selection of squad captains. Ms. Aimee Pool, varsity cheerleader clarified that the process was not fair. The girls that wanted to be captains were deceived thinking that they had an equal opportunity to be selected. The night before they were given a thick packet of questions to complete, and after they turned them in, were informed by the selected captains that they already knew they would be the team captains. Ms. Whitney Grubb, noted that she ran for captain during her sophomore year, and if Ms. Grubb wanted her to be captain she would have changed the process at that time. She noted that administration has no business getting involved in their process as they do not supervise other sport issues. She mentioned that administration claims they spoke to other students, but they did not. Mr. Irving questioned her regarding personal relationship with her older boyfriend instead of leadership skills needed to be captain. She noted that the team is falling apart because of the girls that were not chosen as captains and their drama. Ms. Haile Browneller was the past captain of the squad. In her opinion, Mrs. Grubb is not fully committed to support the best interest of the program and reason she resigned. Ms. Megan Banales also participates on squad and noted Mr. Grubb favors certain students and reason for current hostile environment. Mrs. Grubb is not a positive role model, and therefore Board should not rescind her resignation. She noted that at least 20 members of the squad felt the process was not fair. Ms. Amy Rhoden parent of a former cheerleader involved in the Buena program spoke in support of Ms. Grubb. Mr. Dan Pollara spoke in support of Ms. Grubb’s ability to lead the cheerleading program and asked the Board to rescind Ms. Grubb’s resignation. Ms. Bianca Barajas noted that the process in choosing the cheerleading captains was not made in the best interest of the entire program. She noted that Mrs. Grubb changed the process because she wanted her daughter to be one of the captains. In conversation with the principal, Ms. Barajas was told that Mrs. Grubb should have had a second person help make the decision in order to keep process impartial and fair for all who applied. Correspondence - None Report on Board Appointed Committees Dr. Golden noted that due to the number of items on the agenda pending, this item will be addressed under Board and Superintendent Comments.