South San Francisco Unified School District Board - Regular Meeting

Fore! Foreign! Foreign! foridentific Forew. Hello. I'm calling this meeting of the South San Francisco Unified School District to order. Can I get a roll call, please, Joanna?

Yes. Trusty Amy. Trusty Amy. Trusty Lamb. Love it. Trusty Anthony here. Trusty Murray here. Trusty Richardson.

Can we all rise for the pledge of allegiance, please? Item D, land acknowledgement statement. We acknowledge that the South San Francisco Unified School District is located on the unseated ancestral homeland of the Ramatu Shalomi peoples who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el el elders and relatives of the ramatush community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. All right, moving on to item E, board of trustees reorganization. The superintendent assumes the chair. Thank you very much, President Anthony. I will now assume the chair. According to board policy 9100, the board will select the president first, then the clerk, and then the vice president. I will facilitate the reorganization tonight using roll call votes. And now I will open up nominations. Are there nominations from the board for president of the South San Francisco Unified School District for 2025? I would like to nominate Pat Murray for board president. I'll second that.

Dina Richardson or is there any discussion from the board? Okay, I will Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm asking the board for the opportunity to lead the the meetings for one year the next year based on uh the fact that the for the past three years the ones that have set in front of this body to carry out the protocols and norms and just the rules um has been um often times ignored. And I want the opportunity and tell the board that we must um be part of the uh governance process that is called upon us as board members to follow every rule and proto protocol that we have uh taken an oath to. And I've noticed that what has happened in the past uh few cycles, some of the board members have taken it upon themselves to call on and ignoring some of these roles. And this is the important thing about sitting here and to avoid landmines that are a part of this process and dealing with the pro with the public. We need to acknowledge that fact that we need to have someone that understands the rules, avidly follows them. And if I have not

followed the rules, I would appreciate a board member to um uh uh to bring it to my attention. But as I have seen uh board members taking on more responsibility multiple years against the education code rules and norms and protocols. I am uh in the belief that they there has to be some recourse and someone had that can unite this board and to um promote good governance through following all our policies, norms, protocols. So I I asked the board to give me your support for this because this is um also an equity issue. Um, I have been passed up for years of not having the opportunity to sit before and represent my district, which is one of the most marginalized districts in the whole city. And I want people to understand that it's important for my district to have somebody voice their opinions. And that's all I have to say. Thank you.

Thank you, Trusty Richardson. Any other comments from trustees? All right. I am now going to administer a roll call vote. We have two people who have been um nominated. And so I would like for each of you to indicate which nominees you wish to vote for for the role of president when your name is called. Trustee Anthony, who is your nomination? Pat Murray. Trusty Richardson, myself, Trusty Murray, and Trusty Lamb.

What What is her vote? Trustee Murray's vote was Trusty Murray. Oh, okay. And Trusty Lamb. Respectfully, Pat Murray.

Oh, thank you. I have a a point of order. um nominating uh this member goes against our policy of equity and I move to take the gavl in regards to that because the um the the rules that we have uh we have agreed as a board to follow are that we have our core values are that we have equity and I have not had the opportunity and based on that I would like to uh call that this vote um cancels because of it's in a violation of our policy of uh equity policy.

So our equity policy doesn't have a clause about um the board reorg and who can take on which roles. So, I I'm unclear on it being a violation, but we do have um a majority vote that has been made. Um and so we have three votes for Trustee Murray and one vote for uh Trustee Richardson. Yes.

So, but the vote cannot violate my uh the policy that this district has set for itself that um board members like it myself was never always been passed over. We have that policy which is our core value and that cannot that cannot ignore my right to sit at and take the gavvel.

I understand trusty Richardson. Thank you. Um the board policy does talk about uh th those individuals who will assume the presidency role and it does indicate that for South San Francisco unified the board president role is not a rotational one. Absolutely. So the board policy that you all have adopted indicates that the board president is not a rotational role and so it may not rotate through all the members of of correct

but that doesn't um excuse or um uh um overlook the uh opportunity that other board members have not had based on the policy that we follow since that was passed in 2019. We've had renewed uh policy for um uh that was part of our mission statement and our core values that the board voted on and that covers board member appointments. Uh respectfully, I am not understanding what you're saying or seeing it as in the same light. So, we do have a majority vote. Three votes for Pat Murray and one vote for Trustee Richardson. And so with that, Trustee Patricia Murray has been elected as the 2025 president of the South San Francisco Unified School Board of Education.

You are ignoring policy over the vote. That's that's uh policy over uh um overrides the a vote when it's the equity policy doesn't detail

it. It it can con it can when you ignore the um uh the biases that have been um I've been subjected to the past years and ignored in certain positions and taken away uh committee appointments. And that's what I'm referring to that there's been this abuse. Absent that abuse then it has not been fair for the certain members to uh uh um uh bring about or elect someone or to lead this body because of that. And there's uh inherent um uh abuses of myself throughout the years. And I could go back, but I'm not going to at this time. But just on based on that fact that you can't disparage another board member in order to take uh the lead on something. Um, this uh board member has had secret ballots in the ba in the past and has uh lobbyed other board members in

Can I stop here just because for this particular item we just want to make sure that we we're in the middle of a roll call vote which we just took and trusty Murray has been elected. But what I would like to recommend is to have this conversation at our board governance retreat that we have and maybe look at the policy

because the board governance acknowledges that those those uh practices are um abuse of the uh positions that they have. Trusty Murray is a delegate. She knows and understands standing rules that have been ignored through this year, private meetings, violation of open meeting laws. Those are not things that um we've talked to um attorneys about this and had audiences.

Yes. And I'm sorry to interrupt you, but some of these things that you're naming haven't been substantiated. And so with that, um I think we can as a community come back as a board governance team and look at the policy. The policy does say that it is not a rotational role. Um, I want to congratulate Patricia Murray who is our new president of the South San Francisco Unified School District and I want to honor what Trusty Richardson has said about how she is being made to feel as a member of this team and something that I think we will need to ex come together and discuss more fully at our next board retreat. With that, I am going to move us along. Um, our board policy does indicate that next is the election of the board clerk. Are there any nominations from the board for board clerk for the South San Francisco Unified School District for Board of Education 2025?

I'd like to nominate Amy Lamb. Oh, I'll second it. Who is the nominee? Trusty Lamb. Oh. All right. Thank you. Any discussion by the board? Okay. So, um I'm going to administer a roll call vote. Please indicate I or yes or no whether you wish to vote for Amy Lamb for the role of board clerk when your name is called. Uh Trusty Anthony. Trusty Lamb. Yes. Trusty Richardson. Yes. Trusty Murray. Yes. And Trusty Lamb. Yes.

Yes. So at 40 by vote a vote of 40, Trustee Amy Lamb has been elected as the 2025 board clerk of the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education. Congratulations. 4 Z. And now um we will have the election for the vice president. Are there any nominations from the board for vice president for the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Ed for 2025? I'll nominate Shayen Shay. Is there a discussion from the board? I need to second it. I'll second that.

Thank you. I am now going to administer a roll call vote. Please indicate by I or yes or no if you wish to vote for Dr. Charlene Sheay for the role of vice president when your name is called. Uh trustee Anthony. Yes. Trusty Shay. Trustee Richardson. Who is the nominee? Dr. Sheay or Vice President? Abstain. Trusty Murray. Yeah. Trusty Lamb. Yes. Thank you.

All right. By a vote of three and one three yeses and one abstension, Dr. Charlene Shay has been elected as a 2025 vice president of the South San Francisco Unified School District. Congratulations, Dr. Sheay. All right. And I am now going to uh we will now take a moment for you all to reorganize yourselves and then I will turn the meeting back over to our board president, Patricia Murray. Um, I just want to thank my colleagues for their trust in me. Um, this has been a great year and I thank you for all you've done over the past year and um, and I will try very hard to work with everybody. Hopefully, we can get together and hopefully we can get together and and um work on on relationships and making this the best board possible. So, thank you. Um next, an action item, resolution number 25-67, honoring President Amanda Anthony. Want to introduce it? Staff staff recommends the adoption of resolution 25-67 to honor trustee Amanda Anthony for her

service as president of the board 2024 to 2025. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. Roll call vote. Oh, second. Oh, wait. Uh, do we want to read the the resolution? Oh, I can read the um the clerk can read the clerk can read it. resolution. I I was going to invite all our trustees to what maybe not Amanda but um to read a portion of it if there if people are into that. Um what Trusty Rich would you I I I would like to invite you to read a portion of the resolution. We'll just go down. That's fine. Thank you.

Okay. Okay then. I will. Okay. I will I will read the entire thing. So, uh, South San Francisco Unified School District resolution 2567 honoring board president Amanda Anthony, whereas trustee Amanda Anthony has served the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Trustees as its president from December 18, 2024 to December 16, 2025. And whereas throughout her tenure as president of the board, Trustee Anthony has conducted all meetings in a professional, productive, sincere, and diplomatic manner while staying focused on our students. And whereas Trusty Anthony has represented the board as its president in a distinguished manner at numerous meetings, functions, and other activities as an advocate for public education, the school district, and its students. hand. Whereas during her tenure as president of the board of trustees, trustee Anthony has encouraged community participation at meetings, strive for transparency in all manners, the board considered and made sure parents, staff, and students had a voice in the district. And whereas Trusty Anthony has dedicated her efforts while serving on the board of trustees towards ensuring each student was afforded a worthwhile education, which helped to prepare them for future career and personal goals. And whereas Trustee Anthony has based her decisions on issues brought before the board of trustees in relation to the welfare of all students in the best interest of the district and the betterment of the South San Francisco community. And whereas Trusty Anthony has completed a CSBA training program specifically created to educate board members in fulfilling their duties as an effective governance team member and as a masters in governance graduate continues to participate in several CSBA workshops and a diverse study sessions to help maintain a cohesive, collaborative and productive board. Now, therefore, be it resolved that her fellow board members do hereby recognize and honor Trustee Amanda Anthony for her year of service

as president of the board of trustees and extend their heartfelt appreciation for her dedication to the board, the students, and the entire South San Francisco Unified School District educational community. Regularly passed and adopted on the 16th day of December, 2025. We would also like to honor President Anthony um in deep appreciation of her incredible leadership with a plaque of a gavvel. Yes, we really appreciate all that you've done to lead the governance team. I guess I can give it to you. May not want it.

Okay. Well, uh I I think we should we still need to make a motion to or I made a motion. Is there a second? I'm not the chair. Yeah. Do we have a second? Second. Roll call. Trusty Lamb. Yes. Trusty Richardson. Yes. Trusty Anthony. President Murray. Yes. What was the vote? 4 Z. Uh. Oh, Madam President. What was the vote? 4 Z. Or is it five?

Four. She kept Oh, yeah. Well, maybe you should. Um 4 to thank Trustee Anthony. Huh?

She wants you to say Oh, motion carried. Are you guys going to take pictures down there or should we should we all do it? Trusty Anthony, do you have any remarks? Thank you for a wonderful year. Um, I know uh that we haven't been unanimous in our votes all the time this year, but I appreciate the thoughtful conversation that we've had and getting to the to the answers that we got to. Um, it's been my honor uh to to serve this board in this capacity and, you know, it's it's not a it's not a ceremonial role. There's

there's a lot of work that goes into being board president and um I'm uh I'm looking forward to taking a break respectfully. So looking forward to this year.

So no PTA council remarks tonight. Uh staff association representatives remarks. South San Francisco Federation of Adult Educators. She online. No. Uh South San Francisco Classroom Teachers Association. Thank you. and thank you for the congratulations. Um, CSEA chapter 197 Jolene Malfati said to say congratulations to whomever landed wherever. Um, but it's her son's birthday tonight, so she's not here. Um, do we have any public comments? No cards. So, I'm assuming we don't. Um, selection of board subcommittees participants. Board members will determine their participation on the following subcommittees. The board policies and bylaws subcommittee, the city school district subcommittee, and the facility subcommittee.

Can we ask Dr. Moore to outline our board policies on this?

Absolutely. So the board has a protocol and it gives everyone an opportunity to serve on various committees. And so what the board agreed to for the committee composition is that typically the board president and a returning member, preferably the clerk will sit on the city subcommittee, city school district subcommittee. The vice president will serve as the alternate. uh the vice president, another board member, preferably a new member if we have one, will serve on the bylaws committee. The final trustee and the vice president or clerk will serve on the facilities committee and additional appointments will be decided upon by vote of the board, but that's what the board uh developed in their board governance handbook.

Go ahead. I was going to I mean, so city school district subcommittee seems pretty straightforward. That's president. Yes. Patricia Murray and clerk Amy Lamb. Uh board policies and bylaws subcommittee. We had you said it was the vice president and another board member. That's correct. Um and then the facility subcommittee was vice president or clerk and another board member. Um, and right now on the policies and bylaws subcommittee is trustee Lamb and Trustee Murray. So we'll need to replace that probably completely. Yes.

And then the facility subcommittee is Trusty Murray and Trustee Sha, right? Trusty Murray and Trusty Shay currently. So uh on the facilities subcommittee. So facil subcommittee bylaw say

we haven't selected who's going to be on the committee yet. So the vice president would be trustee. So she she would continue on that committee. And would you like to be on the facilities committee? Uh, I I nominate Trusty Richardson. Okay. For the facility subcommittee meeting and then I think if we have Trusty Shay, she'd be willing to do the bylaws. I can do bylaws with Trusty Shay.

Does that sound right to everybody? So, let me repeat back because you guys are going to need to have a motion and a second. So right now for the city subcommittee uh what has been proposed is that uh board president Pat Murray and board clerk Amy Lamb would be on the city subcommittee meeting for the bylaws committee. What is proposed is that uh vice president Dr. Charlene Sheay and trustee Amanda Anthony would be on the bylaws committee for the facilities subcommittee. What's being proposed is that um trustee Richardson and Dr. Vice President Dr. Sheay would be on the facility subcommittee meeting and this is all aligned with your board governance protocol.

Do we know if Trusty Sheay has accepted to be in the facilities? She's already on it. She's currently on it right now, but she may not be available for next year. I think she is told cuz she's not here. That's that's her her punishment. She's getting volunte. She'll I think she'll accept it. Uh the board did not outline that we would have an alternate for the facility subcommittee. No alternate, but we said vice president or clerk vice president or clerk. If if trusty Shay is not interested, would you be interested? We can bring it back. Yeah.

Yeah. If we need to bring it back, then I would um Yeah, I'll serve however you need me to serve. So those are the that's the motion on the floor for the ones that I just outlined. Okay. Okay. Do I have a second? So, there's a motion on the floor for these um subcommittee assignments. Do you need a No. Do you need me to Oh, the one with with Trusty Shay. Trusty Shay did tell me whatever was decided she would support. So, I think we'll be okay. Yes.

Okay. So, do I have a motion? So, moved. Do I have a second? All in favor? I. Motion carried. Okay. So, do you have all those? Um, good and welfare. Happy holidays. I hope uh our whole community has a wonderful break um and is ready to get back at it on December 5th, January 5th. I want to I want to thank everybody for being here.

Yay. And uh stay warm and uh happy new year. We won't see everybody till next year. and our whole staff. Thank you for your hard work on our new what is it? Fiveyear plan. How many years has it been now? Are we on the fiveyear plan? No, we're we're not hit five years yet. This we're just starting year three. Okay. Thank you. We adopt we adopted it in February 2020. Yeah.

Oh, I see. But then we're implementing certain things first. This was the first year implementing certain things of it from it. Okay. Okay. Can you explain to me like I'm fine? Well, uh I did write some remarks but I don't know if I can try to read them. I I I wrote remarks just to mark the end of the year. So if you if anyone wants to indulge me to sure

couple minutes, I swear it'll be quick. Um yeah, first of all, congratulations everyone for um taking on the leadership positions. Um and thank you for picking me as clerk. Um and uh I just want to thank you um outgoing pro president Anthony for your dedicated leadership. Um you know like you were saying we made some significant decisions this year. Um you really kept us centered on what's most important which is the educational success of each and every child. Um my this is my first year um on the board. Um it's been a tremendous learning experience. Um I just really want to express my gratitude to um all my fellow trustees. Um like I I've really learned a ton from you. Um and al as well to uh Dr. Moore and the cabinet. Um yeah, thank you for showing me the ropes. Um and you know, we uh I really look forward to uh continuing this work with you um in the coming year. And uh want to thank my family uh for their love and support through my first year. Um my wonderful husband Mark, kids Aiden and Josephine, my in-laws Caesar and Virginia who are actually watching Josephine right now. Um and just a shout out to my mom Sandy and my siblings uh Pansy and Fred. Uh I also want to uh have a big thank you to the South San Francisco Unified School District uh community. It's been a privilege to meet all of you across the schools. I I really pledge to continue supporting your work in the years to come. Uh together we've support our talented staff and their professional growth, provide resources to cultivate and empower students who learn, impact their communities, uh navigate their futures with purpose, and thrive. Uh we have a lot to be proud of, but of course there's a lot more work to be done. Uh we uh we're not yet meeting the needs of all our students, but um you know, we are committed to protecting our students from uh uh you know, the headwinds that we may be facing in terms of u any

federal uh government uh shifting policies. Um we're uh building more equitable systems. Uh and um I really want us to recommmit to, you know, closing the achievement gap with renewed urgency. Um I'm really optimistic though that we uh uh will make these mean meaningful progress to improve the educational outcomes of all of our students. So um you know everyone's counting on us, our kids, our families, our community. Um so uh I hope again let's recommit to this work and uh we can really make a difference together. So happy holidays. Uh thank you. I just want to thank everybody again and wish everybody a happy holidays. Enjoy your time off and I hope you all have time to relax and enjoy the holidays. Um, again, thank you. And does anybody have anything to say on this?