[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6287491,"mediaKeyId","2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088","parentId",2551763,"title","Business office reports positive second‑interim certification; staff cite ADA improvement, small COLA changes and a behavioral‑health grant","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",4813000,"endMs",4953000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088&start=4813&end=4953","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088/thumbnail_4813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287491/California/Business-office-reports-positive-secondinterim-certification-staff-cite-ADA-improvement-small-COLA-changes-and-a-behavioralhealth-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287491-315e22072a0cda151f1954c8849895c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136518&Signature=foSUbB-i6oy~pf03R5dXLfQIV8~00Xja155m~rYLG4QAEtul1xIuHFYzbto3S74MJZTpeYkteBIpLewZg5zGx9CXmtxkVvZ7SQyWfLHp7-lDafXSjsJ-ZWKwxQgk3o5E8R0y9zI~lnzTxx5xGqX2yxbyRHoj2pSwF5H1jc-x4O8UGhQICXGkXWB94A29y8is9nPpO6lXNTSB4YHgst0pjFqafgzBdruQfVELJd0qEsp2XlOIkOu6DF4XJOrEUyrHhDZVZkAUU0JjqoNHuJlvG27SaAXDnRVDDWBDpTNVR0z2TpaxVD7kqlzS769k~BGowyJN4nX43lhmr7coE3j9yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Whittier City School District","date","2025-03-11T15:01:22Z","article","The East Whittier City School District business office presented its second interim budget update and asked the board to certify the financial projections for 2024–25 and the subsequent two years. Staff recommended and the board approved a positive certification.

Why it matters: a positive second interim certification signals that, based on current assumptions, the district anticipates it can meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and for the next two years. The presentation also lays out the risks the district is monitoring, including state revenue changes with the May Revise and federal funding shifts.

Key figures and assumptions presented by staff (as stated in the meeting):
- Attendance (ADA) estimate increased from 94.33% to 95.88%; staff said the change yields roughly $166,000 in the current year and $1.3 million in the next year in improved revenue projections.
- COLA assumptions: 1.07% for 2024–25, 2.43% projected for 2025–26, and 3.52% for 2026–27 (staff noted small year‑to‑year adjustments in the state numbers used in projections).
- Grant: the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative award (staff cited approximately $560,000) was described as funding two additional district social workers for two years, extending positions that otherwise might have been reduced under the fiscal stabilization plan.
- Vacancies: staff reported roughly 52 vacancies across classified and certificated positions (special education and supervising assistants noted specifically) and said the budget reflects midyear vacancy adjustments.

During the presentation Miss Sorrell described the certification: “we have a positive which means we can make our financial obligations in the current year and the 2 out years.” Board members publicly thanked the business office and emphasized plans to prepare a near‑final budget ahead of the May Revise so the district can adjust quickly to state changes.

Next steps: staff said they will produce a near‑complete budget draft before the May Revise, adjust the draft as necessary after the May numbers, and return to the board with recommended changes. The presentation reiterated ongoing work on the fiscal stabilization plan and said staff is seeking ways to stretch one‑time funding while protecting priorities like student services and school staffing.

Ending: board members praised the business services staff for transparent reporting and the Citizens Oversight Committee for its role in ensuring bond‑measure compliance; staff emphasized the budget remains sensitive to May Revise outcomes and to federal grant timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EWCSD Board of Education Meeting - Monday, March 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district’s business office presented a second interim report showing a positive certification. Staff cited a modest enrollment/ADA uptick, updated COLA assumptions, a $560,000 behavioral‑health grant to fund social workers and ongoing vacancy savings.","taxTitle","East Whittier City Elementary, School Districts, California","taxId",38264,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287496,"Teachers and speakers urge stronger behavior rules, cell‑phone limits and support for special‑education staff after on‑campus incident",826,3946000,4772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088&start=3946&end=4772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088/thumbnail_3946000.jpg","/articles/6287496/California/Teachers-and-speakers-urge-stronger-behavior-rules-cellphone-limits-and-support-for-specialeducation-staff-after-oncampus-incident","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287496-4fc80e911543f262bc8b0ea7a7b4e6be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174390&Signature=dFTpWQ1ldtDuAZYnr9f9xRDzD5rpNT0TkxXo619ByRbbJsCCESSLWi1kyHaEG--L2TLDhI7QxSzTpsvKanQVkFpcxixPTQaHi21XJYaRZh2inN1sXMvM2pGbSKEPZkbebkjuMhp9WZddJXWbiWvDWSFYao7dnadQPEeTs0A-F-~boM7MeO~tuBdAJ3TmqMt17pctDMbY7zOL8TETJoT2Pw2ZDkfQcSHuhoA-C9QVaraX9RjBwHzJivlmlxaKdMSMAk2HgmCkePnfkGuxLgpRzG~p3ch6NWzRLg25soLlNkcorONw9kfWrumWJjFtOO3ECi8GkPAGymtT7q1n2hnMXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several district teachers and members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the board for clearer behavior standards, stronger enforcement of cell‑phone recording rules and better support for special‑education staff after recent on‑campus incidents.

Why it matters: teachers said repeated incidents of aggressive student behavior — and the recording and online sharing of those incidents — are harming staff safety, student well‑being and the district’s reputation. Commenters called for clearer policies, more consistent discipline and additional staff supports to retain special‑education teachers.

What speakers said:
- Mark Mondragon, a teacher at New Smytheer Middle School, described videos of fights being recorded and shared on social media and said the lack of a clear, enforced cell‑phone policy has created a “vacuum” in which students record rather than seek adult help. He said students “instinctively reach for their cell phones and begin recording” and urged the board to act on a comprehensive policy.
- Jessica Sandoval, a teacher who said she was involved in the Feb. 14 incident at East Whittier Middle School, told the board she and a colleague separated students during a reward‑day event, instructed a student to go to the office and were met with escalating profanity. Sandoval said the student “physically shoved me with 2 hands in front of the gathered students.” She said police were called, a report filed and she was advised to press charges; the student received a four‑day suspension and later returned to school.
- Andrew Sansone, a teacher and parent, linked behavioral discipline to academic standards, saying, “Promotion should be a celebration of academic achievement, not a birthday party,” and argued the district should set measurable academic and behavioral expectations tied to promotion and consequences.
- Anne Barreto, a Hillview teacher, urged more support for new teachers in special education after a colleague was not rehired; she warned that some students are now facing their third teacher in three years and said the frequent turnover hurts vulnerable students’ continuity of services.
- Missy Michelle, representing the East Whittier Education Association, raised concerns about an updated seniority list and transparency about staff training and assignments; she also emphasized the importance of discipline and clear expectations to support staff and student safety.

District response and next steps: board and staff acknowledged the concerns and noted existing work on discipline, grading and student supports. Directors said staff are reviewing grading practices and considering gradual reinstatement of promotion criteria alongside enhanced communication and advising, and district leaders said training and policy updates (including cell‑phone guidance at the site level) will be revisited.

Ending: commenters asked the board for clear timelines and stronger district‑level direction; several speakers requested more explicit consequences for aggression toward staff and more intentional supports for special‑education teachers to curb turnover.","Multiple teachers and community members urged the board to adopt clearer cell‑phone rules, stronger behavioral consequences and more support for special‑education staff after an on‑campus assault and ongoing disciplinary concerns were raised at East Whittier Middle School.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287501,"Board approves audit with no findings, affirms positive budget projection and dozens of routine contracts and resolutions",0,6254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088&start=6254&end=6254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2551763-f5d09d17a95a3b9c486e67ea86ed9088/thumbnail_6254000.jpg","/articles/6287501/California/Board-approves-audit-with-no-findings-affirms-positive-budget-projection-and-dozens-of-routine-contracts-and-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287501-d40a6d1822a8b8b6b538ea2c682b4b2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174390&Signature=Nrzx5Gz3SEXdYPDXf5mwXj0lkOqKdJaoAHMuHiEzpF3tJ1-tSD9JSaTxV6ivkJamwH~LtGJ7WRgtJrG0j-u1~CKklbZOtGQzzRmTGA4w6x4wQ5rM-B9xw~yQwN2k2TgJNGeyjIbQ6hKXfOCVD2lvFprxeoLzc2s2bSbJHl9S-JwDRrTYybMns~mxL3jkfccppNTOnCG1KXB059Amg~wdaaeEd-18tZnhk2GVTLhuphkKp84Gq7yChxmMCRvnnc0dkfTwWNlRMfP~CeN3r0YyRZ4TZ0JNuJtZWRvMxti18p7yFLd8eJsnryx1s8KvyBlhPvJHTrvUKv3SMX~epnlRPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Whittier City School District Board of Education on March 18 approved an independent auditors report showing no findings for bond measures R and Z, certified a positive second interim budget for 2024–25 and approved a package of routine contracts, resolutions and personnel actions.

The auditor’s report from Christie White and Associates was presented to the board and accepted with no findings, a result Superintendent Patterson called a point of pride for district staff: “We once again have an audit report where there were no findings,” he said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the audit finding and the board’s positive second interim certification together signal that bond funds and the district’s operating finances were managed within the parameters presented to voters and the board, while the district continues to implement a fiscal stabilization plan.

The board’s action items on the consent and regular agendas were largely procedural: accepting the auditors report, approving the district’s second interim financial report and passing several resolutions (including proclamations for April) and infrastructure contracts. The board also recorded a closed-session personnel action and approved an internal staffing appointment.

Key details:
- Independent auditors report for 2023–24 (measures R and Z): accepted; the audit firm was Christie White and Associates; the report included no findings according to the presentation. The board discussion highlighted the district’s Citizens Oversight Committee and business services work that produced the result.
- Second interim report (fiscal year 2024–25): certified as positive for the current year and the two subsequent years after staff presented updated assumptions on attendance (ADA), COLA and a new behavioral-health grant (discussion item; formal certification was approved). The district’s presentation noted a modest improvement in the projected net change in funds driven in part by an ADA increase and updated COLA figures.
- Contracts and capital: the board awarded a concrete/asphalt replacement contract to Eagle Paving LLC and approved multiple E-Rate and fiber/internet connection bids to improve district connectivity and build redundancy, with a plan to do work over the summer and at night to avoid class disruption.
- Routine approvals: the board adopted resolutions proclaiming April 2025 as Public Schools Month and as Child Abuse Prevention Month; approved the 2025–26 infant program calendar; approved the district transportation services plan; and authorized filing applications for state allocation board administered programs (prop 2 / state matching funding steps).
- Closed-session personnel action: the board reported it had voted, in closed session, to release/non-reelect a first‑year probationary certificated employee identified in the record as employee number HP5610634 pursuant to “ed code section 44,929.21 b,” effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year, and directed the superintendent or designee to send required legal notices. That resolution passed by a recorded 3–0 tally.
- Appointment: the board voted 3–0 to approve Sean Jaramillo as Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) coordinator.

Board votes on these items were unanimous where recorded (tally: yes 3, no 0 for the listed action items unless otherwise noted in the record). The meeting included routine motions to approve minutes and consent‑agenda items; those motions passed without extended discussion.

Ending: staff said the district will continue to monitor the May revision of state funding and adjust the budget plan as needed; the business office indicated it will bring a nearly finished draft budget into May so the board can respond quickly to state changes.","At its March meeting the East Whittier City School District Board approved an independent audit showing no findings for bond measures R and Z, adopted a positive second interim budget certification, confirmed personnel and contract actions and passed routine proclamations and bids.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Business office reports positive second‑interim certification; staff cite ADA improvement, small COLA changes and a behavioral‑health grant

Teachers and speakers urge stronger behavior rules, cell‑phone limits and support for special‑education staff after on‑campus incident

Board approves audit with no findings, affirms positive budget projection and dozens of routine contracts and resolutions