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Board ratifies PATA agreement, approves insurance renewal, SARC and student expulsion
Summary
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy District board reordered its agenda to ratify a PATA tentative agreement, appointed an audit committee member, approved a workers' compensation policy with a large premium increase, adopted the 2024–25 SARC and reported an expulsion after closed session.
At its regular meeting the Palmdale Aerospace Academy District board moved several action items: it reordered the agenda to take ratification of a tentative agreement with the certificated employee organization (PATA), appointed an audit committee member, ratified a new workers' compensation policy after a competitive RFP, approved the 2024–25 School Accountability Report Card (SARC), and reported an expulsion decision following closed session.
Agenda and PATA ratification: Board members voted to reorder the agenda so action item No. 5 (ratification of the PATA agreement) could be considered first. After discussion the board moved, seconded and recorded an affirmative vote to ratify the agreement with PATA; staff described the contract process and members present voiced congratulations to both sides for reaching an agreement.
Audit committee appointment: The board discussed bylaw requirements (the president may not serve on the audit committee) and appointed Justin Knowles to the audit committee by voice vote.
Workers' compensation insurance renewal: The district's insurance broker presented an RFP process after the prior carrier exited the educational market and said the academy received eight bids. The broker recommended the most cost‑effective option that met coverage requirements; the new workers' compensation premium rose from an estimated $188,000 to $405,000 year‑over‑year. The board moved to ratify the coverage and approved the recommendation.
SARC approval: Staff presented the 2024–25 School Accountability Report Card (SARC), which state law requires districts receiving state funding to publish; the SARC compiles demographic, safety, academic and fiscal data. The board moved and approved the SARC as presented.
Closed session and expulsion report out: After convening in closed session the board returned with a motion (moved by Knowles, seconded by Gardner) to approve the expulsion of student 25‑26‑05. The recorded vote listed Board Member Gardner, Board Member Lee, Board Member Knowles and Board President Nardi Lopez as voting 'aye.'
Votes at a glance: - Motion to reorder agenda to consider ratification of PATA agreement: passed (voice vote). - Ratification of agreement with PATA: passed (voice vote). - Appointment of Justin Knowles to audit committee: passed (voice vote). - Ratification of workers' compensation policy: passed (voice vote); premium rose from ~$188,000 to ~$405,000. - Approval of 2024–25 SARC: passed (voice vote). - Expulsion of student 25‑26‑05: passed (recorded: Gardner, Lee, Knowles, Lopez — aye).
Next steps: Several board members requested items be moved to future agendas for further review when more members are present; otherwise the board confirmed its next meeting and adjourned.
