[{"_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",6173518,"mediaKeyId","5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a","parentId",5380123,"title","San Ysidro education collaborative and community groups present programs; superintendent warns of possible federal funding freeze impacts","audioSeconds",1720,"startMs",1320000,"endMs",3040000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a&start=1320&end=3040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a/thumbnail_1320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173518/California/San-Ysidro-education-collaborative-and-community-groups-present-programs-superintendent-warns-of-possible-federal-funding-freeze-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173518-5b05005d50b8460aee5f9b87679e30ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576230&Signature=ZEzmD3wCZK5MW-dBiK6gdVTOkqZvnKgG6v2uVzfW7-CgOY4WxYCDc1lJb2TIWWUI6StGf39fRWG91esd2kUENp1V4GvxCGE7GEARaISghB2MXkYJa4wwlgGoQUuqz7ZeInAQwT-3tbKGIOzb2-wl11gVBH4plnI~3ZIsUbK5y~hnBpGQ6I-ihlIx-mIXzFbXaDAwdC9R0tDfVs9erXB1jA2NE0rYgPXx00he5sD5da1Tg1Wd~3FW1kEk3X0xjHwCvTmyYui0Sr57HsFq~MPMLqD8pw2GmsAoo9w5HrDZb7GzjrSt7Xna-SLhdeNJ~d4A~1YeMOhjWXpBQm0OocKu-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Ysidro Elementary","date","2025-07-11T16:17:14Z","article","Representatives of local community groups presented partnerships, youth programs and awards at the San Ysidro School District board meeting on July 10 while Superintendent Gina Potter told the board the district is monitoring a federal funding freeze that could reduce tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in program money.

Cynthia Negura, chairperson of the San Ysidro Education Collaborative, described the collaborative’s decade-plus work connecting schools with business and community partners to support students “from cradle to career.” The collaborative’s activities include a San Xavier STEM Festival, intergenerational STEM nights and committees focused on parent engagement, youth pathways and mental wellness.

Eric Meyer, assistant director of education and engagement at the Fleet Science Center, said the collaborative’s STEM festival “this past year is the fourth year of the festival. It's over 2,500 attendees, 40 exhibitors, and over 25 volunteers,” and described the festival’s role linking classroom learning to career pathways.

Gabby Yan, executive director of the Team Drive Foundation, described career-exploration programs and a signature seventh-grade internship day that brings about 120 students to Las Americas for hands-on workplace exposure and public-speaking practice. The San Ysidro Women’s Club and other civic groups also described longstanding volunteer work in the district.

During board remarks Superintendent Gina Potter warned the board about federal actions affecting education funding. She told the board a recent freeze on some federal education funds this year could reduce California’s allocations by about $6,000,000,000 and San Diego-area districts by tens of millions. Potter provided district-level estimates for categories that could be affected this year or next: “Title 2 part A... our district will lose $160,000 with this funding freeze. Title 3 part A English language learners... our district is set to lose for our English language learners $300,000. And then Title 4 part A... our district is set to lose $100,000. In federal special education funds next year, we receive as a single school district $1,500,000,” she said.

Potter also warned that next-year risks include a possible loss of roughly $2,600,000 if the National School Lunch Community Eligibility Program were eliminated and that Title 1 funding for the district could be at risk in the next school year. The superintendent asked the board to mobilize as a united voice to protect federal funds that support high-need students.

Presenters and trustees emphasized that the collaborative’s volunteer-run work augments district efforts on parent engagement, STEM exposure and career pathways. Board members thanked the collaborative and the Women’s Club for longstanding volunteer contributions to the district.

Separately, a community member asked for records and public documentation related to the Greater Community Resource Center project and how Measures T and U bond funds were presented to voters; she requested that the district put the request on record and provide documents showing public engagement and clarity on the use of bond proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SYSD Board Meeting (7/10/25)","oneSentenceSummary","Community organizations presented partnerships, STEM festivals and parent engagement work; Superintendent Gina Potter briefed the board on a federal funding freeze that could cut millions from district programs tied to Title allocations and school lunch eligibility.","taxTitle","San Ysidro Elementary, School Districts, California","taxId",55177,"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},6173523,"Trustee urges caution before replacing the term 'disability' with 'exceptional needs' in district IEP policy",165,1200000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a&start=1200&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a/thumbnail_1200000.jpg","/articles/6173523/California/Trustee-urges-caution-before-replacing-the-term-disability-with-exceptional-needs-in-district-IEP-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173523-fe8d31f95c722a078166b5f002fee657/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576230&Signature=hU~Oi4adiMdx2-tttYMx1wYthjilguRQI-6wQV9CG-DtTBmMNfUwk0BjyB8wQjFpX6Kt-~inuprUz8kXkYt1owUgkSEVE3XTqjCcjnUMjdfbb9naoJSyMd3vKPy4pp4vJVlSHFWF0t2wTEMKm4uoC265e3NVNVDET34kZ0wURAfROJjIo8Z2aFP-0eoCfcYaVOyelaZzXNtev1LbBBp4p853j8VGGn3DF80KvVHAtIptdVZSb2G47SR19-F8YnvbN9SprU45y1R0r6HXsdDXPrLRxOPggQWfNzvWZKM2~5vWmGMb70BBAPzGUaFdyhYy7XuDo~AsdyvJ3HbInLH4Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustee Enrique Peraza asked the San Ysidro School District board on July 10 to slow a proposed policy change that would replace the term “disability” with “exceptional needs” in the district’s individualized education program policy, saying the swap could create legal and practical confusion without a formal legal review.

“I truly appreciate the intent to reduce the stigma and promote dignity for students. However, I believe this proposed change needs to be more carefully considered,” Peraza said during discussion of agenda item 12.4, which included revisions to the 6000 series policies and a specific exception to Board Policy 6159 (Individualized Education Program).

Peraza pointed to federal law—“the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA”—and noted that federal protections and documentation use the term “disability.” He said recent state action to change terminology (citing Assembly Bill 2173’s modification of a term in 2024) kept the word “disability” in federal contexts and that the district should not proceed without staff and legal analysis. “If we begin using different language locally, we risk creating a disconnect between our policies and the federal framework that guarantees protection and services for students,” he said.

Superintendent Gina Potter acknowledged the concern and told the board staff could prepare a legal analysis of federal and state terminology and report back whether federal law or U.S. Department of Education guidance indicates a move away from the word “disability.” Potter said she would return the analysis regardless of the board’s immediate vote. The board held discussion on whether to approve the revisions with the listed exception and the transcript indicates a roll call recorded after discussion.

The transcript records a subsequent roll-call-style result reported immediately before agenda item 12.5: \"3, yes, 1 no, and 1 is.\" The meeting record does not attribute each vote to named trustees in the public report shown in the transcript.

Trustees discussed the need to proactively inform families if the board adopts any language change affecting students with IEPs. Peraza asked that any final change be clearly communicated to families and that staff confirm alignment with federal protections and state regulations before the district adopts new terminology.

At the meeting the board also moved several items related to revised board policies across series 4000–6000; the transcript shows motions and votes across items 12.2–12.6, with separate motions for specific policy series and administrative regulations. Board members asked staff about timing, communication and legal alignment when policy language affects federally protected services for students.","Trustee Peraza and other board members debated a proposed change in board policy to replace the term “disability” with “exceptional needs.” The trustee said the change needs legal review to ensure alignment with federal IDEA and state law before adoption.",{"_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},6173528,"San Ysidro board approves settlement in Office of Administrative Hearings case after public calls for transparency",4198,348000,4546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a&start=348&end=4546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5380123-7aaff28eac8535f76f415d91f95b806a/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6173528/California/San-Ysidro-board-approves-settlement-in-Office-of-Administrative-Hearings-case-after-public-calls-for-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173528-75b9457b71d132c7fe2129b00f0a7bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773576230&Signature=Ys8WpytpbiS9JNibyrXykedhL9luJqfOj-qbXxb6s-jiQ5I4VmxNZckCcT8IySn1YG4r~M3DAkmdEEoGmOGZB9gj~Ghp97kJDB5bTncRK13ywGADlcfdqL-HKU85HmuZW3RCV8tEm8La4xMgEUrGUuxx~r~xyJHv2Vi6tfDahME4R0wjdUMxjerPyS~Evs2YNt8jiHIRQrGrYa697A1QB-H1c5EgYSdKb6Wuh6fNuxB61qwVGF8UGY6n1LFZaZI~1YPkg4qO3RFQmB9cJJobYHWz3oGAkSTey~P93HE3XfIQQ09QfpKZfajpcUTLQOCW4cSMdvXiWSNo67EHCVpbXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Ysidro School District Governing Board approved a settlement in Office of Administrative Hearings case number 2025040939 during its July 10 meeting, the board’s legal counsel reported after the board returned to open session.

The approval followed public comment demanding more transparency about litigation handled in closed sessions. “This board never reports back after closed sessions. You vote, you decide, you walk out, and leave parents and staff and students with zero information,” public commenter Roxanne Palastino told the board during the meeting’s public comment period.

The district’s legal counsel announced the closed-session action in open session. “With respect to closed session item 5.2, the board approved the settlement agreement in Office of Administrative Hearing case number 2025040939. Motion was made by Board President Rosario and seconded by board member Logan,” counsel said.

Palastino had pressed the board for nonconfidential summaries of litigation, asking what allegations were at issue, what corrective actions were underway and “what has it cost the district?” She said she was not asking for confidential strategy or private names but urged the board to provide general information after closed sessions so families and staff understand “what’s being done to fix” problems raised in litigation.

Board members had recessed into closed session early in the meeting under agenda item 5.1–5.4, which listed existing and pending litigation, labor negotiations and public employee discipline. The board returned to open session later in the meeting and the legal counsel provided the single-sentence report announcing approval of the settlement for the identified OAH case and recorded the maker and seconder of the motion.

The board did not provide additional details about the terms of the settlement, the parties involved, or the dollar amounts in open session. During public comment, residents and parents had repeatedly asked the board for general summaries after closed sessions and for clearer public updates when litigation or personnel actions could affect student safety or district operations.

The meeting record shows the board moved into closed session at about 5:10 p.m. and later returned to open session, where legal counsel reported the approval. The board did not provide the requested nonconfidential summary of the allegations or cost during the open-session announcement.","After public speakers asked for summaries of closed-session litigation, the San Ysidro School District board reported approving a settlement in Office of Administrative Hearings case 2025040939; the agreement was approved in closed session and announced in open session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

San Ysidro education collaborative and community groups present programs; superintendent warns of possible federal funding freeze impacts

Trustee urges caution before replacing the term 'disability' with 'exceptional needs' in district IEP policy

San Ysidro board approves settlement in Office of Administrative Hearings case after public calls for transparency