[1. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:06] GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M CALLING THE APRIL 8TH, 2025 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ORDER. PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54950. IT'S ECUADOR AND CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE 35140. EXECUTOR AT 3:33 P.M. WE WILL BE ADJOURNING TO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING MATTERS 3.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. DISCIPLINE. DISMISSAL. SUSPENSION. RELEASE. LEAVE ASSIGNMENT. NON REELECTION. NON REAPPOINTMENT. RESIGNATION. REASSIGNMENT. PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 54957. 3.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATIONS. DOCTOR ALAN SERINO, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT JOAN VELASCO, INTERIM ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. YOLANDA MENDOZA, ACTING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. HUMAN RESOURCE WITH CSEA, APL, MPL 3.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 2 OR 3 OF SUBDIVISION D OF SECTION 54956.92 CASES. COMPLAINTS FILED BY FORMER DISTRICT EMPLOYEES. 3.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. EXISTING LITIGATION. SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 2 OR 3 OF SUBDIVISION D OF SECTION 54956.91. CASE MCALINDON VERSUS PYLUSD 3.5 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 549 56.9. SECTION D POINT ONE, MAGNOLIA SCIENCE ACADEMY, ORANGE COUNTY VERSUS PLACENTIA-YORBA LINDA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES. 3.6 CLAIMS CLAIMANT TIMOTHY GRAY AGENCY CLAIMED AGAINST PLACENTIA-YORBA LINDA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE AMOUNT OF $55,000 AND GENERAL LIABILITY CLAIM NUMBER 652442. [2. CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENTS] WE ARE TAKING BLUE CARDS FOR COMMENT. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE CLOSED SESSION, WE WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO COMPLETE A CARD AT THIS TIME. COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ARE LIMITED TO ITEMS ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ONLY. AND RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE UP TO 16 PUBLIC COMMENTS, SO THAT WILL GIVE EVERYBODY A MINUTE AND A HALF CLOSED SESSION. OKAY. YOU WANT TO. YEP. WE'LL CALL YOU UP AND PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR WE'LL CALL UP FOUR AT A TIME AND THEN GIVE US YOUR NAME WHEN YOU COME TO THE PODIUM. THANK YOU. SO YOU WANT ME TO CALL FOUR AT A TIME TO TAKE THE FRONT? OKAY, OUR FIRST FOUR SPEAKERS. GARY. NO LAST NAME LINDA COHN. DON MILLER AND SAM MAROVICH. GARY, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'VE BEEN GIVING OUT FLIERS ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DOCTOR CHERNUS AND DOCTOR GATES. FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE VISITED SEVERAL SCHOOLS LIKE ROSE DRIVE, KRAMER, MELROSE, MORRIS PINES, AND SIERRA VISTA, AS WELL AS PLACES LIKE THE NORTHGATE SHOPPING AREA AND VETERANS PARK. PARENTS WERE NOT ONLY GRATEFUL AND INTERESTED IN THE INFORMATION, BUT ALSO SHOCKED BY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT SINCE DECEMBER 2024. FAMILIES AT MELROSE WERE PARTICULARLY DISTURBED. THE QR CODE THAT LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERY USEFUL. WE ALSO INFORM THEM ABOUT PILL ALLOWING BOYS TO PLAY IN GIRLS SPORTS. THESE VOTERS WILL NOT NOW BE ABLE TO ACCESS YOUR EVERY VOTE AND NON VOTE, INCLUDING TONIGHT'S VIA THE QR CODE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ON WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU GARY. LINDA COHN PLEASE. YOU'RE THERE. YES. YEAH I JUST WANT TO EXPAND ON WHAT GARY HAS JUST SAID. WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN PASSING OUT A COUPLE OF THOUSAND FLIERS. WE'VE HIT 14 SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT SO FAR, AND AS OF TODAY, AND WE PLAN TO CONTINUE. WE ALSO PLAN TO BE KNOCKING ON DOORS AND VISITING AREAS THAT GARY REFERENCED. AGAIN, I WANT TO EXPRESS THE SURPRISE THAT WE EXPERIENCED, I WOULD SAY 80 TO 90% OF THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY LOOK AT THIS FLIER, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THEY'RE SEEING A FLIER THAT IS GOING TO SPEAK POSITIVELY OF DOCTOR CHERNISS [00:05:01] AND GATES. AND THE TYPICAL REACTION THAT WE GET IS A SMILE. AN ENTHUSIASTIC THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS. SOME OF US, SOME OF THEM ENGAGE US IN CONVERSATION. I'VE HAD SEVERAL ASK FOR ADDITIONAL FLIERS TO PASS OUT, AND I THINK THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION THAT I KNOW I'VE BEEN ASKED IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS DISTRICT? AND THEN I GET A FOLLOW UP QUESTION, AND IT'S TYPICALLY, WHY DO THEY WANT TO FIRE THESE GUYS? WHY? MY TYPICAL ANSWER IS I DON'T KNOW. I SIMPLY DON'T KNOW. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DOCTOR CHERNUS AND GATES. THEY CALL THEM INCOMPETENT. THEY CALL THEM CORRUPT. BUT THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATCH UP WITH THE FACTUAL INFORMATION ON THIS FLIER. AND THAT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT TO UNDERSCORE THE FACT VERSUS NAME CALLING AND INNUENDO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LINDA DON MILLER, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AGAIN. MY NAME IS DON MILLER. AS PER BOARD POLICIES, 2009 THOUSAND SUPERINTENDENT BOARD. JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO VALUE, ADVOCATE AND SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS. ACT WITH DIGNITY. TREAT EVERYONE WITH CIVILITY AND RESPECT, AND TO WORK AS A GOVERNANCE TEAM TO ASSURE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BUILDING A UNITY OF PURPOSE. COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATING A COMMON VISION AND CREATING A POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE. I WILL ANSWER LINDA. DOCTOR CHERNISS HAS FAILED TO FOLLOW ALL PARTS OF THESE BOARD POLICIES, WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE REQUIREMENT FOR BEING A SUPERINTENDENT IN THIS DISTRICT. I BEGAN WATCHING LIVE TELEVISED BOARD MEETINGS AFTER I HEARD SHOCKING REPORTS FROM PARENTS AND STAFF ABOUT HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL THIS DISTRICT WAS BECOMING. NEVER BEFORE HAD I SEEN A SUPERINTENDENT SPEAK SO DISRESPECTFULLY TO SPECIFICALLY MISS BUCK AND MISS ANDERSON. EVEN DURING THE ELECTION TIME PERIOD, HE PUBLICLY SUPPORTED BOTH VERBALLY AND FINANCIALLY, TO BOARD MEMBER LEANDRA BLADES, WHILE CONTINUALLY TO SHOW DISRESPECT FOR MISS ANDERSON AS SHE TOO WAS RUNNING FOR REELECTION. HE HAS DISMISSED BOARD MEMBERS WHEN THEY HAVE ASKED FOR DISTRICT INFORMATION, AND THAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. HE IS ALSO, WHEN ADDRESSING THE COMMUNITY AND STAFF, HE HAS DEMONSTRATED ACTS OF RETALIATION OR THREATS OF LAWSUITS. I WAS AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. I KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE BRINGING AN ACTION ITEM TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL. I NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALL INFORMATION TO OUR BOARD BEFORE THEY EVEN STEPPED INTO A BOARDROOM. AND IF DURING THE DISCUSSION, AN ITEM REQUEST FROM A BOARD MEMBER WAS MADE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNEW I'D BE GETTING THE INFORMATION TO THIS BOARD. THANK YOU, MISS MILLER. SAM MAROVICH, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. IT APPEARS A CERTAIN MEMBER OF THIS BOARD HAS ONCE AGAIN DISCLOSED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS TO THE PUBLIC, AS EVIDENCED BY TWO SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS THAT APPEARS ON PAGES SHE HELPS RUN. WE WILL LEAVE IT TO THE BOARD TO DECIDE HOW TO CONTROL THIS LEAK IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG ACCORDING TO THESE POSTS. QUOTE, THE LONG AWAITED INVESTIGATION REPORT IS IN. UNQUOTE. THE POST GOES ON TO OPINE THAT, QUOTE, IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN TUESDAY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S INVOLVEMENT MAY BE INEVITABLE, UNQUOTE. IN THE EVENT THAT THIS LEAKED INFORMATION IS TRUE AND THE POTENTIAL REINSTATEMENT OF OUR FORMER SUPERINTENDENT IS ON THE CLOSED SESSION AGENDA, WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THIS BODY OF JUST A FEW OF HIS DIVISIVE, DANGEROUS, AND POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL ACTIONS ON TOP OF ANY ISSUES YOU ARE CONSIDERING REGARDING PENDING OR POTENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL HUMAN RESOURCE MATTERS. NUMBER ONE, RECALL THE DOCUMENTED MISTRUTHS AND REPEATED LIES HE TOLD BOTH THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE U. S I PROJECT BEING EXEMPT FROM DEPARTMENT OF STATE ARCHITECTURE REVIEW AND HIS NONSENSICAL POSITION THAT THE DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE FROM A THIRD PARTY WAS SOMEHOW PRIVILEGED AND COULD NOT BE DISCUSSED. HAS HE ADDRESSED THE BOARD OR THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS EVIDENCE? AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THESE DOCUMENTS WERE NOT PRIVILEGED? ISN'T DISHONESTY A CONTRACTUAL PROVISION TO SUPPORT A FOR CAUSE TERMINATION? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MARKOVICH. THE NEXT FOUR SPEAKERS, LESLIE ALEXANDER. DANIELLE VOGLER, ANGELA EHLERS AND ANITA LEE. LESLIE ALEXANDER, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. LESLIE ALEXANDER, NUMBER TWO. HE FACILITATED THE MIDNIGHT MOVE OF THE USC FROM CASA LOMA AFTER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HE DID, IN FACT, NEED DSA APPROVAL TO [00:10:02] BERNARDO YORBA DURING THE BOARD'S SUMMER HIATUS WITHOUT CONSULTING THE ENTIRE BOARD OR THE DSA, WE CAN SAVE FOR A LATER DATE WHETHER OR NOT THIS MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROJECT NEEDED FORMAL BOARD APPROVAL, SOMETHING THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT BRAGGED TO REPORTER WAS NOT REQUIRED. BUT IS THIS REALLY THE APPROACH THE DISTRICT WANTS TO SEE OR DESERVES? ONE INDIVIDUAL SPENDING MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON A SINGLE NONACADEMIC PROJECT HE KNOW DOES NOT HAVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT? NUMBER THREE, WITH RESPECT TO THAT MIDNIGHT MOVE, WE ARE INFORMED AND BELIEVE THAT TRUSTEE BLADES WAS AWARE OF THIS MOVE, WAS ON SITE DURING THE MOVE AND ACTIVELY CONSPIRED WITH CHERNUS AND POSSIBLY OTHERS TO KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURREPTITIOUS LOCATION FROM THE REST OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU, MISS ALEXANDER. DANIELLE ROLL, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. THANK YOU, BOARD AND ACTING SUPERINTENDENT, WE'RE SORRY FOR AIRING OUR DIRTY LAUNDRY. NUMBER FOUR, HE APPEARS TO HAVE WITHHELD RESPONSES TO PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS FOR PERSONAL REASONS AND PROVIDED SHAMELESSLY INADEQUATE, INCOMPLETE, DISORGANIZED AND UNTIMELY RESPONSES, INCLUDING APPARENTLY RANDOM REDACTIONS WITHOUT EXPLANATION, AS REQUIRED BY THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT, FAILED TO INCLUDE REQUESTED ATTACHMENTS AND PERFORMED SLOPPY REDACTIONS, RESULTING IN THE DISCLOSURE OF THE NAMES OF MULTIPLE MINOR STUDENTS. NUMBER FIVE. HE APPEARS TO HAVE OFFERED A POSITION AND SALARY MATCH TO AN INDIVIDUAL PRIOR TO POSTING THE JOB HE WAS DISCUSSING, APPARENTLY IGNORING THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE POSTING OF OPEN POSITIONS AND INTERVIEWING PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES. WE ARE INFORMED AND BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. NUMBER SIX, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMPAIGN OF AND CONTRIBUTED TO A SINGLE CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOL BOARD. DESPITE HOLDING WHAT SHOULD BE A NEUTRAL OFFICE AND NOT LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS MAY NOT BE PER SE ILLEGAL, QUOTE UNQUOTE, BUT IT CERTAINLY IS A BAD LOOK FOR SOMEONE HIRED TO SERVE IN A NONPARTISAN ROLE. HOW CAN THE DISTRICT TRUST A SUPERINTENDENT WHO SO EAGERLY INTERJECTS HIMSELF INTO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND STROKES OF BIPARTISAN DIVIDE? NUMBER SEVEN, HE HAS AND CONTINUES TO BERATE AND BULLY PERSONALLY AND THROUGH HIS APPARENT AGENTS DURING WORKING HOURS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE PUBLIC AND SELECT SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, HE SHAMELESSLY SHARES INFORMATION WITH THE SELECT FEW POLITICAL ALLIES IN ORDER TO STOKE DIVISION AND DEMAND ACTION FROM HIS MINIONS, AND HE REPEATEDLY THREATENS LITIGATION AGAINST ALMOST ALL WHO OPPOSE HIM OR EXPRESS CONTRARY THOUGHTS. THANK YOU, MISS ANGELA EILERS. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. HE PERPETUATES LIES REGARDING THE VIABILITY AND LEGALITY OF USC IN GENERAL. HE SUPPORTED THE MOVE TO ESTABLISH BERNARDO YORBA AS AN INDEPENDENT CHARTER, WHICH WOULD ABSORB USC ALONG WITH ITS STAFF AND EQUIPMENT, THEREBY PROTECTING IT FROM FURTHER SCRUTINY AND AUDIT. IGNORING THE ILLEGALITY OF GIFTING PUBLIC FUNDS, HE SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT STUDY PROGRAM AT THE CHARTER, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN ENROLLMENT DECLINE OF 150 STUDENTS, A NEARLY 2 MILLION LOSS IN ADA. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SUSPECT, GIVEN THAT THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT STATED GOAL WAS TO INCREASE DISTRICT WIDE STUDENT ENROLLMENT THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS LIKE USC AND THE CHARTER SCHOOL TEN. HE REPEATEDLY LIED TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT INCREASES IN ENROLLMENT, FIRST CLAIMING A 400 STUDENT INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR YEAR. THEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPRESENT AN ALLEGED 250 STUDENT INCREASE AS 480 STUDENTS OVER PROJECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ALL KEEP UP WITH THAT MATH. HOWEVER, AT THE FIRST INTERIM WE WERE, WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A 22 STUDENT INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT, AND AS OF THE SECOND INTERIM, THOSE 22 STUDENTS DISAPPEARED, IN ADDITION TO FOUR OTHERS. AS ENROLLMENT IN THE POOL USD CONTINUES TO STAGNATE LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTY, AT LEAST, HIS ATTEMPTS TO MANIPULATE THE PUBLIC WERE NOT AS DRAMATIC AS TRUSTEE FRAZIER'S PODCAST CLAIM OF NEARLY 1000 STUDENT POSITIVE SWING. ALL THESE ASSERTIONS WERE MADE AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF STATE MANDATED INCREASES TO TK. THANK YOU, MISS EILERS. ANITA LEE, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. GOOD AFTERNOON. OKAY, NUMBER 11, DOCTOR CHERNISS FAILED TO NOTIFY THE BOARD OR THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE MAGNOLIA CHARTER. APPLICATION. 12 HE REJECTED AN OFFER FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO HOLD A NEUTRAL CANDIDATE FORUM WITHOUT CONSULTING THE CANDIDATES AGAIN INJECTING HIMSELF INTO THE POLITICAL PROCESS. NUMBER 13, HE DIVERTED MONEY PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO EXPAND, NOT SIMPLY REPAIR, AS SOME HAVE ARGUED, THE VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL KITCHEN TO MEET A GROWING DEMAND FOR STUDENT MEALS SQUARELY WITHIN THE STATUTORY PURPOSE OF DEVELOPER FEES IN FAVOR OF A NEW VANITY PROJECT. HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY INCREASED DEMANDS ON THE DISTRICT 14, HE DIVERTED GRANT MONEY PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED [00:15:01] AND VOTED UPON WITHOUT A PRIOR DISCUSSION OR BOARD VOTE. 15 HE HAS REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF DEVELOPER FEES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION. ONLY A GROSS MISSTATEMENT OF THE LAW, INTENDED TO CONVINCE HIS ALLIES THAT PREVIOUS ALLOCATIONS WERE INAPPROPRIATE. 16 HE ARGUABLY ENGAGED IN AN INEFFECTIVE NO BID CONTRACT FOR USC, IN VIOLATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC CONTRACTS CODE, AN ISSUE WE WILL ADDRESS IN MORE DETAIL SHORTLY. 17 HE ARGUABLY SUPPORTED A GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS WITH RESPECT TO THE USC PROGRAM ITSELF, AND 18. HE LIKELY APPROVED THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE TRAINING LAB WHEN THEY WERE INELIGIBLE TO DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I PERSONALLY CALLED. THANK YOU, MRS. LEE. OUR NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS, MELANIE LOW, NO LAST NAME CARRIE BRUNELL. MISTY JANSSEN, AND DAVE R, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. CARRIE. MELANIE. RATHER. I'M SORRY. MELANIE, 19, HE ARGUED, ARGUABLY APPROVED THE RELEASE OF APPROXIMATELY $1.2 MILLION TO THE TRAINING LAB PRIOR TO THE RECEIPT OF ANY INVOICES DIRECTLY VIOLATIVE OF THE EXPRESS TERMS OF THEIR WRITTEN CONTRACT. 20 HE HAS MADE, SUPPORTED AND FAILED TO PUSH BACK AGAINST REPEATED OFFENSIVE AND BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF QUOTE UNQUOTE ANTISEMITISM AND QUOTE UNQUOTE RACISM AGAINST THOSE THAT HAVE DISAGREED WITH HIM, INCLUDING AGAINST A SITTING BOARD MEMBER. 21 HE HAS ACCUSED BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ACTIONS HE KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN DID NOT INVOLVE THE TARGETS OF HIS WRATH, NO CLAIMING THAT HE ONLY, QUOTE UNQUOTE, HEARD SOME OF THESE ALLEGATIONS WHILE CALLING FOR SPECIFIC ACTION BY HIS ALLIES IN THE COMMUNITY, DOES NOT RELIEVE HIM OF RESPONSIBILITY OF HIS RECKLESS ASSERTIONS. 22 HE APPEARS TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN AND SUPPORTED A BLATANT BROWN ACT VIOLATION BY FORMER TRUSTEE SHAWN YOUNGBLOOD, AND ARGUABLY SUPPORTED A NONSENSICAL LEGAL THEORY THAT STOOD IN STARK CONTRAST TO MULTIPLE EMAILS SENT BY HIS OWN OFFICE TO TRUSTEE YOUNGBLOOD MONTHS PRIOR TO HIS ARROGANT FLAUNTING OF THE BROWN ACT FOR A SECOND TIME DURING HIS TERM. RECALL THAT THE FIRST INSTANCE REQUIRED A BOARD RESOLUTION AND TRAINING TO CORRECT. CLEARLY, NO LESSONS WERE LEARNED IN THAT TRAINING. THANK YOU, MELANIE CARRIE BRUNELL. 23 HE PERSONALLY RESPONDED TO A SINCERE GET WELL MESSAGE RECEIVED AND AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE BY BERATING AND BLAMING THE AUTHOR FOR HIS MEDICAL CONDITION, NUMBER 24, HE REPEATEDLY CONTRACTED OTHER DISTRICTS REGARDING FORMER PYLUSD EMPLOYEES AND OTHER RESIDENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY WORKING IN ANOTHER DISTRICT, IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO SILENCE THEM OR OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH THEIR LIVELIHOODS. NUMBER 25. HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE DEMOTION, INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER, CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION AND OUTRIGHT RELEASE OF AT LEAST TWO DOZEN PROVEN LEADERS DUE TO THEIR RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT DISTRICT FINANCES, QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES, POLICIES OR ADVOCATING FOR OTHER DISTRICT STAFF AT ODDS WITH WITH HIS UNYIELDING POSITIONS. 26 HE APPEARS TO HAVE EXHIBITED BIAS, PERSONAL FAVORITISM AND RETALIATION IN THE AWARDING OF CONTRACTS AND OTHER HIRING AND RELEASE PRACTICES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BRUNELL. MISS DE JANSEN. GOOD AFTERNOON. NUMBER 27. HE HAS LED OUR DISTRICT FROM A SLIGHT SURPLUS TO AN EIGHT FIGURE DEFICIT IN ONLY ONE YEAR DUE TO HIS RECKLESS SPENDING HABITS. THESE ARE MERELY A FEW EXAMPLES OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAVERNOUS DIVIDE AND PRECARIOUS FISCAL CONDITION OUR COMMUNITY NOW FACES. MANY OF THE ISSUES WE RAISED THIS AFTERNOON ARE DOCUMENTED IN SEVERAL PRA REQUESTS THAT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN WITHHELD FOR NEARLY A YEAR. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THOUSANDS OF PAGES, AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BRIEF THE BOARD ON OUR FINDINGS AT A LATER DATE. THERE ARE STILL MANY QUESTIONS, MISSING DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED, BUT THANK YOU FOR GETTING OUT WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HELD BACK FOR FAR TOO LONG WITHOUT LEGAL JUSTIFICATION. AT THIS POINT, A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THIS COMMUNITY HAS LOST FAITH IN OUR FORMER SUPERINTENDENT. HE'S DISMISSIVE, DEFIANT, AND DOWNRIGHT DISRESPECTFUL TO ANYONE WHO DARES TO PRESENT AN OPPOSING VIEW. HIS DEFAULT POSITION, ANY TIME THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT OR EVEN INQUIRY, HAS BEEN TO CLAIM THAT OTHERS ARE ENGAGING IN A SMEAR CAMPAIGN [00:20:01] FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES WITHOUT ADDRESSING ANY OF THE SUBSTANCE OR EXPRESSED CONCERNS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. ALEX CHERNUS IS NOT FIT TO SERVE THIS DISTRICT. HIS ARROGANCE, THIN SKIN, HOSTILE MANAGERIAL STYLE AND SELF-SERVING AGENDA DO NOT PUT STUDENTS FIRST OR PARENTS FIRST. HE CONTINUES TO EXPOSE THIS DISTRICT TO LEGAL LIABILITY, AND HIS RECKLESSNESS HAS PUT OUR VERY VIABILITY AT RISK. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO TURN THIS AROUND. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND PROTECT OUR BELOVED SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, MISS JENSEN. DAVE R, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND WELL, DAVE IS COMING UP. WE HAVE DIANE HANSON, BEN STUBBS, J B I CAN'T QUITE READ THIS, BRO. BRODOWSKI I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. JAY BRODOWSKI AND KAREN, NO LAST NAME. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY COINCIDENCES SURROUNDING THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TRAINING LAB'S WEBSITE AND THE RFP ISSUED FOR THE USC, CHERNISS DEFIANTLY RESPONDED AT A PUBLIC BOARD MEETING. WELL, THAT PERSON, THE OWNER OF THE TRAINING LAB, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS REPORT AND NEVER SAW IT. AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THAT ASSERTION. HE CAN DEFLECT AND DEFEND AND DISPLAY FEIGNED OUTRAGE UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME, BUT HE ACTUALLY DENIED NOTHING POSED BY TRUSTEE BUCK. WHY WOULD THIS UNNAMED COMMUNITY PARENT WHO WAS THE VERY SAME INDIVIDUAL. TRUSTEE BUCK WAS REFERRING TO IN THE COMMENT THAT SEEMED TO OFFEND CHERNISS HAVE TO SEE THE RFP BEFORE ITS ISSUANCE, OR FOR THAT MATTER, AFTER ITS ISSUANCE. WHEN HE TOLD THEM WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHY WOULD WITNESSES? YES. IT'S PLURAL. REPORT TO US THAT CHERNISS HAD WALKED THROUGH THE CASA LOMA SITE MULTIPLE TIMES, ONCE WITH CAVALETTO, THE OWNER OF THE TRAINING LAB, AKA THE ALLEGED DISINTERESTED PARENT SLASH EXPERT FROM THE COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH TRUSTEE BLADES AND ATTORNEY TERRY TAO. IN JANUARY OF 2024, AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER TIME THE DAY OF THE FEBRUARY 13TH BOARD MEETING, WHERE HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY, AGAIN CAVOLINA, BLADES AND TAO. BUT THIS TIME TRUSTEE YOUNGBLOOD JOINED BEFORE WE HAD EVEN DISCUSSED THE RFP ON THE USC. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE END OF THIS PART OF THE COMMENTS. SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS SUBMIT IT TO THE BOARD TO TAKE INTO CLOSED SESSION, BECAUSE I THINK THE ISSUE OF THE ONE BID CONTRACT IS VERY SERIOUS AND IS LOOMING OVER THIS DISTRICT, AND I THINK WE SHOULD ALL DISCUSS IT IN CLOSE. THANK YOU DAVE. DIANE HANSON, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. DIANE HANSON I HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENTS OTHER THAN TO THANK THE BOARD AND THE DISTRICT AND DOCTOR MAZZARINO FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MRS. HANSON. BEN STUBBS. NO, WAIT. YEAH. BEN. SORRY, I BEN STUBBS. GOOD AFTERNOON. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND COMMUNITY. THERE'S AN OLD JEWISH PROVERB THAT A HALF TRUTH IS A FULL LIE. AND I THINK YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT 30 OF THEM JUST NOW. SO MY COMMENT FOR TODAY IS THAT I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY A FORMER PYLUSD EMPLOYEE THAT TRUSTEES ANDERSON AND WELL HAD AN HR COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST HER, WHICH WAS SUSTAINED, MEANING THAT SHE WAS FOUND AT FAULT. YET DURING THE DECEMBER BOARD MEETING, SHE FALSELY CLAIMED THAT NO SUCH COMPLAINTS WERE EXISTING. IT'S ALSO BEEN REVEALED THAT BOTH TRUSTEES, ANDERSON AND BUCK, FACED FEDERAL HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT CLAIMS. SO MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN A BOARD MEMBER OR BOARD MEMBERS IN THIS CASE JUDGE EMPLOYEES BEHAVIOR WHILE ENGAGING IN DISRUPTIVE, POSSIBLY UNLAWFUL CONDUCT THEMSELVES? THE BOARD MAJORITY IS NOW BLOCKING DAVID HUFF FROM CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSIONS DESPITE PRIOR ROLE AS BOARD COUNSEL AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF KEY EVENTS INFORMATION THE CURRENT LEGAL COUNSEL MAY LACK. AND SO THE COMMUNITY IS FRUSTRATED BY THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, AND TRUSTEES. CONTINUED DISHONESTY AND RETALIATION AGAINST DOCTOR CHERNISS. UNDER ANDERSON AND BUCK'S, APPLE DICTATED CONTROL. THE DISTRICT IS WASTING FUNDS ON QUESTIONABLE INVESTIGATIONS, UNNECESSARY MEETINGS, AND SHADY HIRING PRACTICES, DRIVING THE DISTRICT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. SO REMEMBER OUR DISTRICT'S MISSION. PUTTING KIDS FIRST. AND LET'S BRING BACK DOCTOR CHERNISS TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. STUBBS. JAY BRODOWSKI, PLEASE. IS THAT CORRECT? DID I BRODOWSKI BRODOWSKI? OKAY. THE DECISION YOU'RE MAKING TODAY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO RETURN DOCTOR CHERNISS WILL DEFINE YOUR CREDIBILITY. SINCE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS COMMENTING HERE ARE SPEAKING ON THESE ITEMS. THE BOARD SHOULD PROVIDE CLARIFICATION ON EACH OF THESE POINTS. AS DOCTOR CHERNISS SITS ACCUSED WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND FOR THESE ALLEGED CLAIMS TO BE CLEARED. MARILYN, THERE ARE VERIFIED CLAIMS AGAINST YOU CLAIMS THAT YOU HAVE [00:25:04] NEVER ADDRESSED IN YOUR ROLE HERE. YOU'VE CREATED A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT, SPREAD MISINFORMATION AND DISMISS THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE SCHOOLS. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THIS BOARD IS WILLING TO GAMBLE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PROTECT EGOS AND NOT STUDENTS. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS WILL COST US. IF REAL ACCOUNTABILITY DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE, I HOPE YOU'RE READY TO BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE, BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT THERE DOESN'T HAVE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUR MISSTEPS HERE. SO IT'S A FREE RODEO FOR YOU. WE'RE WATCHING YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE GOOD ON YOUR CAMPAIGN, PROMISE TO DISMANTLE OUR SCHOOLS, AND GET RID OF DOCTOR CHERNISS TO BREAK THE TRUST OF THIS COMMUNITY. YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR TO ENGAGE IN VERIFIED, UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT TOWARDS EMPLOYEES OF PYLUSD IS STUNNING TO ME. YOUR DECISIONS AND YOUR REFUSAL TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY ARE NOTED AND WILL BE REMEMBERED NOT JUST BY ME, BUT BY THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THAT ONCE TRUSTED YOU AND BELIEVED THAT YOU HAD A SHRED OF INTEGRITY. THANK YOU, MISS BRODOWSKI AND OUR LAST SPEAKER, KAREN. NO LAST NAME. THE PYLUSD OC AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2024, IN JUNE WAS COMPLETED BY AN EXTERNAL ORGANIZATION, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, AND DELIVERED TO OUR ADMINISTRATOR IN CHARGE OF FINANCE LAST NOVEMBER. THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT THAT WAS DONE CORRECTLY INDICATES THAT WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT DOCTOR CHERNISS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. LOOKING AT THIS REPORT, IF ANYONE IS THE LEAST CULPABLE OF THE SUPPOSED DISASTROUS FINANCIAL SITUATION WE ARE IN, IT IS ALEX CHERNISS. UNDER CHERNISS AND GATES, TEST SCORES ROSE, ENROLLMENT ROSE, LOW INCOME STUDENTS RECEIVED SPECIAL TUTORING. THEY REINSTATED SUMMER SCHOOL, BROUGHT BACK MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS WALLS AT TRAVIS, LIGHTS AT EL DORADO AND MORE. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE FACTS. THEY'RE NOT DISPUTABLE. IN CONTRAST, THERE'S BEEN NO CLEAR EVIDENCE FOR EIGHT MONTHS NOW THAT THESE TWO ARE INCOMPETENT OR CORRUPT. ONLY RUMORS, OPINIONS AND ACCUSATIONS. THERE'S ZERO EVIDENCE THAT CHERNISS HAS BEEN SPENDING MONEY LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR. THE EVIDENCE OF THIS IS NONEXISTENT. SO WHY HAS THIS AUDIT STILL NOT BEEN PRESENTED OR EVEN RELEASED TO THE BOARD OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC? WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? THIS IS PUBLIC INFORMATION AND WE'RE ENTITLED TO HAVE IT. IT WAS RELEASED LAST NOVEMBER WHILE GARY STEIN WAS STILL HERE. WHY HASN'T IT BEEN PROVIDED? WHO'S BEEN HIDING IT? WAS IT GARY STEIN? JOAN VELASCO? BOTH THESE MEN HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY SLANDERED AND VILIFIED. NO MORE COVERING UP, NO MORE BLOWING US OFF, NO MORE INVESTIGATIONS. IT'S TIME TO ADMIT IT WAS JUST A WITCH HUNT. THIS WAS HIDDEN UNTIL NOW. UNTIL A COMMUNITY MEMBER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. BRING BACK CHERNISS AND GATES. THANK YOU KAREN. AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR COMMENTS ON THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. OKAY. WE WILL ADJOURN TO [3. CLOSED SESSION] CLOSED * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.