November 18, 2025 AESD Regular Board of Education Meeting
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The Adelanto Elementary School District (AESD) Board of Education held a regular meeting on November 18, 2025.
Meeting Overview & Presentations
[00:27:01] Call to Order & Preliminaries: President Soto called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. The board established a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and adopted the agenda (5-0).
[00:29:26] Presentation - George Visual and Performing Arts Middle School: Principal Sataria Ridley presents the school's plan for student achievement, highlighting a diverse student body (85.6% Hispanic), growth in 4th/5th grade ELA and 7th grade math (up 13%), and goals focused on literacy, math intervention, and student engagement (attendance incentives).
[36:09] Presentation - El Mirage Elementary School: Principal Kento Johnson presents, noting the school’s small size (129 students) and progress in closing the achievement gap in math (reduced distance to standard by 30 points). Goals include improving ELA/Math using intervention personnel and increasing parent engagement.
[48:09] Superintendent’s District Update: Dr. Terry Walker presents "Progress in Motion," highlighting improved proficiency rates in 10 of 14 schools for ELA and Math. She notes a positive attendance trend ("Strive for 95") and aligns her goals with the district's LCAP and strategic framework.
Public Comment (Closed Session Items)
[01:11:30] Brian Hahn (ADTA): Spoke regarding Dr. Walker’s leadership, citing her "gratitude" and "humanity."
[01:21:02] Diane Lynn (CSEA): Addressed Item 13 (Trustee Compensation), noting the proposed change from $300 to $1,200/month, a "400% increase" while staff get minimal raises.
[01:24:12] Lauren Benson: Addressed district budget expenditures, specifically regarding labor and travel expenses. She questioned the status of union contracts in relation to board spending.
[01:27:26] Kim Smith: Spoke regarding district spending, stating resources should be directed to classrooms and staff rather than board expenses.
Closed Session
[01:30:15] The board voted to enter closed session to discuss litigation, personnel, and labor negotiations.
Reconvene to Open Session
[03:02:58] Reconvening: The board reconvened at 8:06 PM.
[03:03:26] Closed Session Report:
Settlement Agreement: The board voted 5-0 to accept a final settlement agreement for OAH case #2025070814.
Expulsion: The board voted 5-0 to expel a student (Case #33079) for the remainder of the current and next semester; a rehabilitation plan was approved.
Public Testimony (Open Session)
[03:05:36] Lauren Benson: Ms. Benson spoke via Zoom regarding President Soto's travel budget. She stated that expenses exceeded the $15,000 allocation and referenced 346 pages of receipts, including meals and transportation charges. She spoke in opposition to the proposed "Governance Resolution," stating it protected the board from criticism rather than threats. She requested an update on an investigation regarding Trustee Krauss.
Consent Agenda Items & Discussion
The board pulled several items for separate discussion and voting:
[03:11:58] Item 10 (Purchase Order Report): The board discussed $85,470 remaining in a legal services account for the firm Mune and Harbor LLP.
Trustees Krauss and Love-French asked why funds remained allocated if the specific services (a restraining order for an employee against a trustee) were concluded.
President Soto stated that further use of these funds should require board oversight, citing a potential conflict of interest involving the restraining order.
Vote: The item passed 3-2 (Soto and Krauss voted No).
[03:24:09] Item 13 (Negotiations Data Software): President Soto stated this item was for a data software tool to assist with transparency in union negotiations.
Vote: Passed 4-1 (Trustee Love-French voted No).
[03:29:24] Item 15 (Certificated Personnel): Pulled by Trustee Krauss. Passed 2-1-2 (Krauss voted No; Kyer & Soto Abstained). Motion passed by majority of those voting yes/no.
[03:29:42] Items 20, 22, 23 (New Hires & Personnel): Trustee Krauss stated that food service employees must be paid out of Fund 13 (Cafeteria Fund) rather than the General Fund. The board amended the motions to reflect the funding source.
Vote: All passed 5-0 with the amendment.
[03:35:48] Item 25 (Agency Access): Trustee Krauss inquired about the cost of $32.75 per person for fingerprinting outside agency staff.
Mr. Shifflet and Dr. Walker explain this is a new safety protocol to ensure the district conducts its own background checks rather than relying on outside agencies, citing recent issues in other districts (e.g., Hesperia).
Vote: Passes 5-0, with trustees agreeing the minimal cost is worth the safety assurance.
New Business
[03:40:46] Student Board Member: The board discussed the addition of a student trustee.
Trustee Krauss spoke in support of student representation.
Trustees Stewart and Love-French expressed concerns regarding the age maturity of K-8 students for the role and legal protocols.
Action: Motion amended to direct Dr. Walker to bring back a draft policy for review prior to implementation.
Vote: Passed 4-1 (Trustee Stewart voted No).
[03:56:07] Assembly Bill 1390: Item regarding trustee compensation was Tabled (5-0).
[03:56:45] Governance Resolution: The board discussed a resolution regarding board conduct and "attacks" on trustees.
Trustee Krauss: Read a statement supporting the resolution as a measure to protect the district from "bad actors" and "shadow operations."
Trustee Stewart: Opposes the resolution, calling it "hypocrisy" based on current board behavior and noting that criticism comes with the territory.
Trustee French: Questions the definition of harassment vs. accountability, stating there are no real consequences listed in the resolution.
President Soto: Spoke in support of the resolution, stating it addresses "institutional integrity" and "back-channel influence."
Vote: Passed 3-2 (Love-French and Stewart voted No).
Business Services & Personnel
[04:14:57] Tentative Agreements:
Agreement with unions passed 5-0.
Agreement regarding Cabinet was amended to remove Cabinet from the approval. Vote: Passed 3-2 (French and Stewart voted No on the amendment).
[04:19:45] Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations: A motion to create this position Failed (Motion to table failed; Motion to approve failed 3-2).
[04:20:31] Ratification of Classified Executive Management (CBO Position):
Context: The district sought to ratify the hiring of a new Chief Business Officer (CBO).
Controversy: Trustee Krauss strongly opposes, noting the candidate was the former CBO of Coachella Valley (which has financial issues) and was previously rejected by an interview panel. He characterizes it as "swapping CBOs" with Coachella Valley.
Dr. Walker’s Defense: Dr. Walker stated she vetted the candidate with five sources and defended her authority to hire qualified staff. She addressed the board's comments regarding the candidate's background.
Trustee Love-French: Supports Dr. Walker, stating the board should trust the Superintendent's accountability.
President Soto: Expresses concern over the process (ratification vs. prior approval) and the candidate's background.
Discrepancy: Clerk Kyer points out the agenda lists the fiscal impact as ~$222k, but the contract says ~$53k (prorated for 4 months). The meeting is extended to 10:30 PM to discuss this.
Vote: The motion to approve the hiring Fails 3-2 (Soto, Krauss, Kyer voting No).
Closing Reports
[04:54:36] Board Reports:
Trustee Krauss: Suggested expanding the "Hope" program and requested draft agendas be provided earlier (Wednesdays).
Trustee Stewart: Urges the board to support the Superintendent and stop "tying her hands."
Trustee Love-French: Stated the board was "micromanaging" Dr. Walker with excessive questioning, citing a high volume of questions from a single trustee.
Clerk Kyer: Expresses sympathy for the community regarding recent decisions and calls for better communication to prevent delays in union agreements (AB1200).
President Soto: Described the questioning as "fiduciary responsibility" and suggested moving the Board Reorganization meeting to December 12.
[05:23:01] Superintendent’s Closing: Dr. Walker shared a video regarding Thanksgiving celebrations and staff appreciation.
[05:26:16] Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:29 PM.
