October 28, 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 October 28, 2025.

Meeting Opening and Agenda

• Call to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. [16:40].

• Roll Call & Pledge: All five trustees were present, establishing a quorum [16:48]. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Clerk Kyer [17:09].

• Adoption of the Agenda: Several clerical corrections were made to the agenda, including updates to consent items 11, 14, 17, and 5 [17:43]. The agenda was adopted with the noted adjustments [18:47].
  

Staff Presentations: School Plans for Student Achievement

Principals from three schools presented their School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

• Columbia Middle School [20:13]: Principal Keri Cozart reported that past instability led to CAASPP scores dipping into the "red zone" for ELA and math [22:13]. However, the school is now on a "clear upward trend" [22:43]. Their new mantra is to "level up" [23:36], focusing on instruction, culture, and systems. They are a gold medal-winning PBIS school [24:17] and are working to reignite their AVID program [24:23].

• Donald F. Bradach Elementary [25:51]: Principal Dr. Christina Valenuela noted that while there was a reduction in performance in most areas [27:01], key subgroups like English Learners, Hispanic, and African-American students showed growth [27:08]. Math remains a significant area of concern [27:32]. The school's top three focus areas are literacy strategies, math strategies, and reducing chronic absenteeism [28:42].

• Gus Franklin STEM Academy [29:46]: Principal Nicole Peterson shared that ELA is an area of strength, with over 52% of students meeting or exceeding standards [30:47]. Math is a primary focus for improvement, with 37% meeting or exceeding [31:10].

• Special Announcement [34:16]: Principal Peterson announced that Gus Franklin is being recognized as a California Blue Ribbon School for its success in closing the achievement gap [34:37].

The board members uniformly praised all three principals for their leadership, the positive culture at their sites, and the academic gains [35:11].

Public Comments on Closed Session Items

Several speakers addressed the board, with most comments focused on the recurring agenda item for the superintendent's performance evaluation.

• Diane Lynn (CSEA): Thanked the board for the no-cost health insurance plan, stating it provided significant financial relief to members [44:16].

• Kimberly Smith (Teacher): Spoke as "The Lorax," arguing that the constant evaluation of the superintendent on the agenda "looks like over evaluation" [47:41] and harms staff morale. She presented Superintendent Walker with a Joshua tree as a symbol of resilience [48:59].

• Bev Tony (Teacher): Discussed the Brown Act and transparency, questioning the need for what she heard might be a third evaluation of the superintendent [52:14].

• Lauren Benson: Congratulated Gus Franklin [53:35] and echoed sentiments that the repeated evaluations seem like an attempt to "find anything to pick at" and are stopping the district from moving forward [54:48].

• Christine Turner (via Zoom): Clarified that she did not initiate the recall effort against Trustee Krause but does support it [57:13]. She also called the repeated superintendent evaluations as "ridiculous" and a "head hunt" [59:29].

The board then recessed to closed session at 6:19 p.m. [01:05:46].

Reconvene and Closed Session Report

• The board reconvened to open session at 8:28 p.m. [03:14:25].

• They reported approving a recommendation to expel student ID #345009, with an accepted rehabilitation plan [03:14:54].

Consent Agenda and New Business

• Warrant Report Discussion [03:16:58]: Trustee Kyer pulled item 11.10 (Warrant Report) to question numerous Cal-Card payments from the previous fiscal year [03:18:34].

  • Staff initially stated payments are processed when receipts are turned in [03:19:45].

  • It was later clarified that some delays were due to audits and processing, not necessarily late receipts from all users [03:23:02], [03:24:08].

  • Superintendent Walker acknowledged the district lacked a "true system" for Cal-Card submissions and is implementing new procedures [03:29:29].

  • The warrant report was approved 4-1, with Trustee Krause voting no [03:35:16].

• Transportation Contracts: The board approved an agreement with JFK Transportation for supplemental services [03:35:52].

• Board Policy: The first read revision of BP 5116.2 (Involuntary Student Transfer) was approved [03:37:52].

Board Member and Superintendent Reports

• Trustee Krause [03:38:29]: Congratulated Gus Franklin but expressed concern that the school had to ask the Adelanto City Council for science camp funding [03:40:06]. He then requested consensus to renew two previously failed agenda items: the student trustee and Resolution 2526-03. President Soto gave consensus to add them to the next agenda [03:41:44].

• Trustee Stewart [03:45:48]: Shared positive experiences from school visits and gave a strong defense of Dr. Walker, stating the board should "give her a chance" and that the constant scrutiny is unfair [03:48:39].

• Trustee Love-French [03:50:48]: Echoed support for Dr. Walker, praising her reputation and work ethic [03:51:19]. She also requested a public report on all board member conference spending [03:55:19].

• Trustee (Clerk) Kyer [03:57:01]: Thanked PTAs for their work on fall festivals. She pleaded for the district to release ELOP funds and find missing lottery funding for schools [03:58:08]. She urged the board to stop "attacking each other" [03:59:26].

• Trustee (President) Soto [04:00:04]: Highlighted recent board accomplishments, such as establishing new budget and policy committees and setting formal superintendent goals for the first time [04:01:23]. He transparently addressed his own travel budget, admitting he exceeded his allocation but stating the trips resulted in new initiatives [04:02:24]. He also announced plans to agendize an update to trustee stipends, which haven't been adjusted in over 40 years [04:04:14].

• Superintendent's Report [04:06:16]: Dr. Walker highlighted recent district events, including the first African-American Parent Advisory Council meeting [04:07:31] and professional development. She again congratulated Gus Franklin on its Blue Ribbon award [04:08:04] and thanked all principals during National Principal Month. A video highlighting district activities was shown [04:09:39].

The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. [04:12:43].