[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",6263069,"mediaKeyId","3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a","parentId",3108064,"title","Public commenters urge transparency on district spending and propose returning Bassett swap meet and community space uses","audioSeconds",387,"startMs",2693000,"endMs",3080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a&start=2693&end=3080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a/thumbnail_2693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263069/California/Public-commenters-urge-transparency-on-district-spending-and-propose-returning-Bassett-swap-meet-and-community-space-uses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263069-a3c136bae3ca6f20cb27997bfd76232a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142198&Signature=coi9lhjVAGqpw9hcSb4GCZSrjHaYizUXmcK-vyEnOg9RTnoEcoCvWNSu6PmzCZJ-WTFUHv9GbIn5NJCE8a-ZVDd0TWPNLBHUPIbZ4zMx9V2rnN4CBL2MjXtS4DgXn2ofjeKFLCMyPKkOc7ITtorH3Xdmh-tWuc-Z6djJiSSbqAWub-2wHu~-3RGGEbDPDoOkurbpYbI48KCGad5GWQrI3FJ3AH48QBsSIAhgfNSj21I~rstbpa6dH5IBNmeGn7SUPRKvXelBkwcAxeAWZk6DNJ~mwIdlphl1S-haKKy0nTh0To8Q5YWGv1gVfoDFO21wklPGVtMisFmBMOW3nyu-gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bassett Unified","date","2025-04-24T08:35:58.53Z","article","During public comment at the April 22 Bassett Unified board meeting, two members of the public urged greater transparency on district spending and suggested community uses for district property now that the new pool is open.

Fletcher Johnson spoke during the closed‑session public‑comment period and again during open session. Johnson said he was speaking on his own behalf and called for openness around significant fund decisions. He asked for clarity about an $88,848 expenditure tied to \"AB 300,\" saying he believed that amount had gone to paperwork and that the public had not been adequately informed what the expense covered. He also said he had not seen documentation of legal services fees related to a referenced Delta lawsuit and characterized the district's legal spending as an \"open check\" from his perspective. Johnson raised a concern he said he observed at a school site council meeting where a budget meeting was postponed and parents were not able to participate in decisions.

Johnson also identified himself as a construction superintendent and expressed concern about the size of a track under construction at Don Julian Elementary School; he said if the track is not to standard size it could negatively affect youth athletes.

A second commenter, who identified herself as Gabriela, thanked the board for opening the aquatic center and asked the district to consider revisiting a community swap‑meet model (referred to as the \"Bassett Swap Meet\") now that the pool project is complete. She described informal weekend vendor activity along Amar and Vineland and suggested a district‑supported or district‑facilitated market could provide revenue for student athletics and create communal space for families and local vendors. She also urged the board to reconsider future uses for a now‑vacant site to create a \"third space\" for youth activities and art rather than losing the opportunity to repurpose that land.

Why this matters: Public commenters raised both fiscal transparency concerns and community development ideas. The board later directed staff to provide missing documentation for an agenda item (the HR amendment) and reiterated that formal public records requests and the district website are available for many documents; however, the specific financial clarifications Johnson requested (detailed attorney invoices for the litigation and a line‑item explanation for the AB 300 entry) were not produced during the meeting and remain outstanding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bassett USD Board Meeting 04-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public raised concerns about transparency in district spending, cited an $88,848 line item connected to AB 300, questioned legal fees for litigation and urged the board to consider community uses for district property including reviving a local swap meet.","taxTitle","Bassett Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",72566,"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},6263073,"Superintendent highlights aquatic center opening and flags potential federal education funding cuts",285,3133000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a&start=3133&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a/thumbnail_3133000.jpg","/articles/6263073/California/Superintendent-highlights-aquatic-center-opening-and-flags-potential-federal-education-funding-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263073-4882e199637811686cd88bb59a675327/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142198&Signature=Xo4dpBoScJdXEvIWkGNuzd7TNoVDIukvp6TfgkGkjZij0unNiEEITfVAgpK6tV3VBpTdanR0QflT5XbbrccIjadKfrxSbVnV0bkLSbytdRhmfXJscoFy26zgGgbLTxP~8smmyyNuOJf1CUwqVLk-V2mItcv0AuGl8s69Ene2XQe7P-7pd7zTei17AktqVCbhJS3HG8k9ZP5~1L9oiVTsNvUczggYkGy4YDUaGxnQ2ucmS5MYU1FQQaZtUQjvsxVICwxQvNWsHxTSUQK~ZpUorbFmwVWnMma~Hny6itTKZzqgbf8~0GpPq1oBlxjsUkUjJkuayXMJSeK-51KJe~HeeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Alejandro Alvarez reported on April 22 that the district's new aquatic center cost close to $13,000,000 \"when all is said and done,\" and described the facility as a community landmark. He said the district plans to prepare a packet for the board detailing federal funds the district receives and how those funds are spent, noting uncertainty about projected federal education budget cuts beginning in 2026.

Alvarez told the board he and other local superintendents met with a U.S. representative’s office to discuss federal funding uncertainties. He said the 2025 budget year is expected to remain stable but that proposals being discussed could require substantial reductions over the next decade; he relayed a figure discussed in the meeting that, as presented to the board, quantified proposed education and labor reductions at about $330 billion over 10 years. Alvarez said staff will return with documentation showing current federal funding streams (Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, child nutrition, special education and child development funds) and their fiscal impacts so the board can plan for contingencies.

Board members and staff praised the aquatic center's ribbon cutting and thanked staff, contractors and community partners for the event. Board member Dina Flores thanked the community for passing Measures V and BB and said the pool represents the community’s investment in students. Board members noted state and local representatives attended the opening, including a state senator and representatives from local offices; the transcript names attendees from Senator and Assembly offices, Supervisor Solis's office, La Puente officials and several district staff and PTA leaders.

Alvarez said the district will consider how to operate surrounding space near the pool, including whether to repurpose it for parking, courts or other uses, and emphasized that no final striping or permanent configuration will be installed until the district has a clear long‑term plan. He also said the district hopes to convene partners to explore community access and programming for the facility.

Why this matters: The aquatic center is a major capital investment that will affect programming and operations at Bassett High School and district facilities. Alvarez's warning about potential federal budget reductions signals the need for the district to catalog federal revenue sources and prepare contingency plans for possible mid‑term cuts.","Superintendent reported the district's new aquatic center cost nearly $13 million, praised community partners and said potential federal education funding cuts in 2026 will require district planning and a packet to the board on federal funds.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6263078,"Bassett Unified board approves seven proclamations, settles workers' comp claim and approves consent calendar; legal amendment item tabled",200,249000,449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a&start=249&end=449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108064-6597d883700617ddb44fd8ab2989a55a/thumbnail_249000.jpg","/articles/6263078/California/Bassett-Unified-board-approves-seven-proclamations-settles-workers-comp-claim-and-approves-consent-calendar-legal-amendment-item-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263078-311e83547073c873f53b779827f73293/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142198&Signature=ivJE4ns5TvmHQIBYut6uoMsfFaEzuQxISTLW4Nqbqfs4eFdRxiHwkxWZ6NIa~aGHfPtRXHkrJnLQks54cMwhf~qzw2s1sBMQLXEyIt8ZftQx-MBMjDUfNAMiKiDtH4hfQQ3SHG2U9sbspkOgRMBadF9XsAfCnkPYiT3Qa0m3OprjCkD6hybxO9n86nwAdfOm4B-KSijbdfErCXGHDoCYJsDqWqibvhEZWPibsRwswyNGQYMCczP-nqLl2vOA64HFClHbzeK~NSHd28IUf-VYnn8wkxKJhfLNYq-s8V5gTZCX3cJiTEaiq1evtuHfuAwA3LpU-lGS8q-m2zKY00sINw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bassett Unified School District Board of Education on April 22 approved seven resolutions recognizing heritage and staff appreciation months, approved a closed‑session workers' compensation compromise and adopted the consent calendar. The board tabled consideration of a first amendment to a legal services agreement after members said the amendment language was not attached to the agenda materials.

The board's report of action after closed session says that on a motion (maker not clearly identified in the transcript) and a second by Norma Gonzalez the governing board approved, by a 5‑0 vote, a compromise and release to resolve an employee's workers' compensation claim for $150,000 plus a medical set‑aside. The board then took an omnibus vote to approve seven resolutions on the open agenda.

The seven resolutions considered together and approved by roll call were: Resolution 36‑25 (Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month), Resolution 37‑25 (Military Appreciation Month), Resolution 41‑25 (Administrative Professionals Day), Resolution 42‑25 (Classified School Employees Week), Resolution 43‑25 (Day of the Teacher), Resolution 44‑25 (National School Nurse Day), and Resolution 45‑25 (Autism Spectrum Acceptance Month). The motion to approve the bundle was made by Ms. Rivera and seconded by Ms. Flores; roll call recorded unanimous “aye” votes.

The consent calendar — a multi‑item package of routine purchase orders, personnel actions and contracts — was approved by a single motion (moved by Ms. Flores, seconded by Ms. Rivera) and carried on a roll‑call vote. During consent calendar review board members identified one consent item for follow‑up: Human Resources item number 6, described on the agenda as a “First Amendment agreement for legal services.”

Board members questioned item HR‑6 because the agenda referenced an amendment but the only attachment available online was the existing 2023 agreement; members said the proposed amendment text was missing. A motion was made to table the HR‑6 item and instruct staff to return it with the actual amendment language attached. The transcript records motion and a second and subsequent discussion instructing staff to provide the amendment; the transcript does not include a clear roll‑call tally for that tabling motion but the item was not acted on that night and was left to return later with the supporting document.

Other procedural actions recorded in the meeting minutes included an adjournment in memory of former Bassett High School administrator Carolyn Pruitt.

Votes at a glance
- Closed‑session workers' compensation compromise (employee XD1707765): Approved; motion maker not clearly identified in public transcript; second by Norma Gonzalez; tally 5 yes, 0 no. Settlement amount: $150,000 plus medical set‑aside.
- Resolutions 36‑25, 37‑25, 41‑25, 42‑25, 43‑25, 44‑25, 45‑25: Approved en bloc; motion by Ms. Rivera, second by Ms. Flores; unanimous roll‑call recorded as “aye.”
- Consent calendar: Approved en bloc; motion by Ms. Flores, second by Ms. Rivera; unanimous roll‑call recorded as “aye.”
- HR item 6 (First Amendment agreement for legal services with “vulgaras and reguda law organization, LLP” as named in the agenda attachment): Tabled for lack of the amendment language attached to the agenda; board instructed staff to return the item with the amendment document. Vote tally not clearly recorded in the public transcript.

Why this matters: The workers' compensation settlement resolves a personnel claim in closed session and was publicly reported; the board’s unanimous adoption of multiple resolutions formalizes district recognition of community and staff observances. Tabling the legal‑services amendment highlights the board's practice of requiring full, supporting documentation to accompany proposed contract amendments before formal approval.","At its April 22 meeting the Bassett Unified Board of Education approved seven resolutions, authorized a closed‑session workers' compensation compromise and approved the consent calendar; the item to amend a legal services agreement was tabled for lack of an attached amendment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge transparency on district spending and propose returning Bassett swap meet and community space uses

Superintendent highlights aquatic center opening and flags potential federal education funding cuts

Bassett Unified board approves seven proclamations, settles workers' comp claim and approves consent calendar; legal amendment item tabled