DSUSD Future and Past Meetings

Agenda Issues--most recent agenda first.

August 12, 2025 Items of interest

Access full agenda at the DSUSD meeting page

Item 6 Land Acknowledgements--Marxist drivel undertaken because a Trans Activist said everyone is doing it! More here.

Item 18.1 2025 LCAP Update

Item 18.2 Budget Readoption:

General Fund (03-06) $545,906,336

Other Funds (09-67) $201,023,516

19. General Functions - Educational Services

Item 19.1 ICA with Catalyst Education Consulting, LLC. $256,500, to be paid from the Title II Fund for new principal mentoring.

Item 19.2 ICA with Classtime Inc. to provide testing platform for four schools. not to exceed $128,400, to be paid from the Educators Effectiveness Block Grant, Title I, and the Testing/Assessment Supplemental Concentration funds.

Item 19.3 ICA with The Desert Biennial to provide the Desert X Art Club (DXAC) after-school art and digital storytelling classes. not to exceed $159,000, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 19.4 a multi-year ICA with CDW Government LLC to provide a Google Workspace environment for staff and students. not to exceed $309,186, to be paid from the Technology Fund.

Item 19.5 first reading of revised Board Policy 5111, Students: ADMISSION:

Before enrolling any child in a district school, the Superintendent or designee shall verify the child's age, residence within the district, immunization, and other applicable eligibility criteria specified in law, the accompanying administrative regulation, or other applicable Board policy or administrative regulation. The district shall not inquire into or request documentation of a student's social security number or the last four digits of the social security number or the citizenship or immigration status of the student or the student’s family members. (Education Code 234.7, 49076.7) However, such information may be collected when required by state or federal law or to comply with requirements for special state or federal programs. In any such situation, the information shall be collected separately from the school enrollment process and the Superintendent or designee shall explain the limited purpose for which the information is collected. Enrollment in a district school shall not be denied on the basis of any such information of the student or the student’s parents/guardians obtained by the district, or the student's or parent/guardian's refusal to provide such information to the district.

School registration information shall list all possible means of documenting a child's age for entry into grades K-1 as authorized by Education Code 48002 or otherwise prescribed by the Board. Any alternative document allowed by the district shall be one that all persons can obtain regardless of immigration status, citizenship status, or national origin and shall not reveal information related to citizenship or immigrant status.

Item 19.16 First Reading of Revised Board Policy 0420.41, Philosophy, Goals, Objectives, and Comprehensive Plans: CHARTER SCHOOL OVERSIGHT Only significant change is the adding of the following language under "Monitoring Charter School Performance:"

The Superintendent or designee and the governing bodies of charter schools authorized by the Board shall review new laws and regulations applicable to charter schools.

Item 19.18 First reading of Board Policy on AI

20. General Functions - Personnel Services

Item 20.1 Counselor Preparation and Development Agreement with Winthrop University

24. Consent Items - Business Services

Item 24.5 Amend Independent Contractor Agreement for Professional Services with Campus EHS Solutions, LLC Payment in the total amount not to exceed $45,000, to be paid from the Self-Insurance Fund.

Item 24.6 Amend Agreement with Perry Weather, Inc. for Weather Monitoring Services Payment in the total amount not to exceed $41,185, to be paid from the Self-Insurance Fund.

25. Consent Items - Educational Services

Item 25.1 ICA with The BridgeWorks Group LLC not to exceed $10,000, to be paid from the Career Technical Incentive Education Grant fund.

Item 25.2 ICA with Damon Brown to support the Professional Music Pathway students with show and set design, as well as choreography, for the Spring Musical Production. not to exceed $8,300, to be paid from the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Fund.

Item 25.3 ICA with Childrens Playtime Productions to provide an after-school Adventures in Theatre and Karaoke program for TK–5th grade students. not to exceed $48,600, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.4 ICA with Coachella Valley Symphony to provide an after-school string instrument program for TK–5th grade students. not to exceed $10,300, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.5 ICA with Dom & Mark, Inc., dba Escape Room Palm Springs, to provide an after-school program for TK–8th grade students focused on critical thinking, stand-up improv, and robotics. not to exceed $73,900, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.6 ICA with Girls on the Run Riverside County Inc. dba, Girls on the Run Inland Empire to deliver lessons that build social, emotional, and physical skills in girls while promoting healthy habits for life. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K run, reinforcing goal-setting, confidence, and perseverance. not to exceed $4,000, to be paid from the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.7 ICA with Go with the Flow Yoga to provide Pilates training. Students will work toward certification in Mat Pilates 1, while returning students will continue with certification in Mat Pilates 2. not to exceed $25,000, to be paid from the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant fund.

Item 25.8 ICA with Christina Grady LLC to provide the “What It Takes” workshops for Dance Pathway students not to exceed $18,650, to be paid from the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Fund.

Item 25.9 ICA with Jared Guebara, dba, JG Music CO, to provide an after-school early introduction to music and marching band program for TK-5th grade students. not to exceed $81,810, to be paid from the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.10 ICA with Mariano Noriega, dba, Mobile Fun Gymnastics, to provide an after-school gymnastics program for TK–5th grade students. not to exceed $4,030, to be paid from the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Fund.

Item 25.11 ICA with Powerkids Sportplex, Inc., to provide a gymnastics program for TK-5th grade students. not to exceed $55,700, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.12 ICA with Robin Hood Archery Academy and Games, LLC, to provide an after-school archery program for TK–8th grade students. not to exceed $74,175, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.13 ICA with STEM Center USA, Inc., to provide a hands-on, individualized Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program for TK–5th grade students. not to exceed $15,000, to be paid from the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.14 ICA with Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, dba Palm Springs International Piano Competition, to provide an after-school keyboard instruction program for TK–5th grade students. not to exceed $25,200, to be paid from each of the school site’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Fund.

Item 25.16 ICA with Pacific Lightwave to provide a management portal, network administrative support, and high-speed internet service for up to 2,000 Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile WiFi devices that are being sent home with students with no WiFi access at home. not to exceed $60,600, to be paid from the Technology Fund.

Item 25.17 Agreement with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools to provide professional development services for secondary assistant principals and school district staff, with a focus on leadership coaching. not to exceed $38,700, to be paid from the Supplemental Concentration Fund.

Item 25.18 Agreement with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools to provide a series of Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) professional development workshops for teachers. not to exceed $2,600, to be paid from the Professional Development Fund.

Item 25.19 Purchase Agreement with Solution Tree, Inc., to provide professional development for staff focusing on Professional Learning Communities. not to exceed $7,100, to be paid from the Educator Effectiveness Block Grant and the Title I funds.

Item 25.20 multi-year Agreement with T-Mobile for Education EmpowerED to provide 150 lines of service with unlimited 4G Long Term Evolution data for students with no WiFi access. not to exceed $81,918, to be paid from the Technology Fund.

Item 25.21 multi-year Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of the Children to provide mentorship for students on three long-term goals: graduate from high school, avoid juvenile justice system involvement, and avoid teen parenting.

Item 25.24 received the Anderson Children’s Foundation grant award in the amount of $10,000.

The funds will be used to create a new mural as part of the school’s rebranding.

Item 25.25 Palm Desert High School received the Anderson Children's Foundation grant award, in the amount of $6,614.

The funds will be used to create student wellness zones that support emotional regulation, stress management, and resilience for all students.

Item 25.26 Shadow Hills High School received a grant from the Anderson Children’s Foundation in the amount of $15,000.

The funds will be used by the Theatre Arts to purchase, deliver, and install two shipping containers on the Performing Arts Center loading dock to be used for scenery storage.

Item 25.27 Summit/Horizon School received a grant from the Anderson Children’s Foundation in the amount of $17,464.

The funds will support the purchase of basic items and other essentials that may be necessary for our students’ daily well-being.

27. Consent Items - Student Support Services

Item 27.1 The School-Based Mental Health Services department requests to enter into a Contract with Portland DBT Institute, Inc., to provide training and consultation services for school-based mental health staff during the 2025-2026 school year. not to exceed $44,250, to be paid from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative: Trauma Informed Programs and Practices Grant.

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July 15, 2025

Analysis delayed due to high amount of agenda items. Please see this article for preview. Will update soon.

Update 7/18: For the second ELOP ICA vetting, please click here, or visit our Media page.

The following are summaries of most of the 33 Expanded Learning Opportunities Programs (ELOP) Independent Contractor Agreements (ICA) for outside vendors to provide before/after school daycare. Each will receive a more thorough vetting as time allows, feel free to join in! Email us what you find!

Hourly rate is figured by taking the most basic breakdown, or individual school contracts, that are provided as attachments (Scopes of Services) to the Agenda Item. Links provided. This is what DSUSD pays each ICA PER HOUR for their services.

19. General Functions--Educational Services

19.1 ICA with About Families (see California Globe OpEd). Founder/Owner/Operator is No Kings Activist. Contract is $218,070 for 15.2 hours a week of daycare.

19.2 ICA with Art Major

Contract is for $175,000 for cooking/Art daycare.

Breakdown: $8.750/10 hours =** $875 per hour**

19.3 ICA with Bollywood Dance Central

Contract is for $139,000 for STEM type programs from a dubious Empower Teaching LLC--not dance.

Breakdown: $5,000/9 hours = $555 per hour.

See here for more information.

19.5 ICA with Cruz Language Academy

Contract: $251, 300 to teach Spanish as a second language.

Breakdown: 15 hours a week x 32 weeks = $523 per hour

19.6 ICA with Dance Dimensions J&T INC

Contract: $111,700 for dance daycare at seven schools.

Breakdown: $7,400 / 10 hours =$740 per hour.

19.7 ICA with Desert Performing Arts (501 c 3 nonprofit)

Contract: $204,000 for Colorguard daycare at six schools.

Breakdown: $9,200 / 20 hours = $460 per hour.

19.9 and 19.10 (PENDING)

19.11 ICA with Music Education Services LLC

Contract: $111,860 for band daycare at four schools.

Breakdown:

19.12 ICA with Peninsula Activities, INC

Contract: $510,441 for "21st Century Skills" daycare.

Breakdown: $456,945 / 640 hours =$713 per hour.

19.13 ICA with Right At School, LLC--based in Evanston, Ill

Contract: $1,186,850 for "21st Century Skills" daycare for five schools.

Breakdown:

19.14 ICA with SCJV Worldwide LLC--dba The Flow Institute

Contract: $119,000 for Jiu-jitsu daycare at six schools.

Breakdown (Lincoln): $36,000 / 31 hours (45 minute hours) = $1,161 per hour

19.15 ICA with Sky High Designs--dba Pinot's Palette

Contract: $238,750 for "interactive art" by Houston, Tx based company.

Breakdown: $33,000 / 29 hours service = $1,137 per hour

19.16 ICA with Sky High Designs

Contract: $752,400 for 22 schools. *see 19.15

19.17 ICA with Windtree Foundation

Contract: $547,200 for STEM, ceramics, costumes, puppets, and stage play" for 22 schools. Pomona, Ca based.

Item 25--Consent Items

25.1 ICA with Michael Allen--dba Mindful Roots

Contract: $29,290 for Yoga daycare for 4 schools.

Breakdown: $2,150 / 9 hours =** $250 per hour**

25.2 ICA with Barry Dean Apple

Contract: $60,900 for Magic lessons daycare for four schools.

Breakdown: $9,450 / 11 hours = $859 per hour

25.4 ICA with Art Flying Aerial LLC

Contract: $37,700 for Rope exercise daycare at three schools. See here for more details.

Breakdown: $6,280 / 8 hours = $775 per hour

25.5 ICA with Avenida Music LLC

Contract: $47,200 for keyboarding and DJ performance daycare for two schools.

Breakdown: $24,000 / 30 hours =** $800 per hour**

25.7 ICA with Camp of Champions A&M INC

Contract: $56,675 for drone soccer without drones for two schools.

Breakdown: $18,000 / 24 hours = $750 per hour

25.8 ICA with Andres Cervantes--dba Desert Musician

Contract: $16,200 for guitar lesson daycare for two schools.

Breakdown: $2,400 / 10 hours = $240 per hour

25.9 ICA with Desert Theatre Works

Contract: $15,500 for Social Emotional Learning theater daycare for two schools.

Breakdown: $5,250 / 9 hours = $583 per hour

25.10 ICA with Distance 2B Traveled

Contract: $42,400 for hiking slide show daycare by local educator who is a "hiking consultant".

Breakdown: $2,450 / 6 hours = $408 per hour

25.11 ICA with Flat Black Art Supply INC

Contract: $50,000 for art through street art (murals and lettering) for two schools.

Breakdown: $1,250 / 10 hours = $1,250 per hour

25.12 ICA with Mario Alberto Garcia Jr.--dba Coachella Urban Farms

Contract: $73,000 for gardens and micrgrow daycare for two schools.

Breakdown: $12,000 / 10 hours = $1,200 per hour

25.13 ICA with Adrianna Gomez

Contract: $14,250 for yoga daycare for two schools.

Breakdown: $2,500 / 10 hours = $250 per hour ** 25.14 ICA with Danielle A. Guerrero--dba Brushour**

Contact: $43,400 for art daycare.

Breakdown: $6,500 / 11 hours = $590 per hour

25.15 ICA with Karen Lin--dba Green Room Theater

Contract: $94,588 for Social Emotional Learning theater for four schools.

Breakdown: $

25.17 ICA with Old Town Artisan Studio INC

Contract: $37,440 for "healing and impactful" art for three schools.

Breakdown: $5,760 / 16 hours =$360 per hour

25.19 ICA with Spirit of the Desert Foundation

Contract: $34.016 for ukelele and recorder lessons daycare for four schools.

Breakdown: $2,000 / 10 hours = $200 per hour

25.20 ICA with Tools for Tomorrow

Contract: $65,646 for arts literacy daycare for three schools.

Breakdown: $4,363 / 15 hours = $290 per hour

25.21 ICA with Windtree Foundation--dba Windtree Education

Contract: $83,500 for art daycare for five schools.

Breakdown: $3,300 / 10 hours = $330 per hour

June 24, 2025

Item 18.1 The 2025-26 LCAP update is out, please look to the Finance page for a summary

Item 19.4 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Pre-Kinder with Victor Community Support Services

• Cost: $100,000, to be paid from the Medi-Cal Collaborative and the Quality Start Riverside County funds.

Item 19.7 2025-26 Consolidated Application

• Revenue: Receipt of funds, in the approximate amount of $10,325,525, for supplementary categorical funding.

• Protected Prayer Certification--DSUSD certifies they will not prevent persons from praying.

• Consultation on Page 8-- DSUSD has 670 "Immigrant" children enrolled and qualifies for extra money due to "significant growth" of migrant student population (1/2 of 1% or greater).

• 369 of those students are enrolled in the high schools.

• 25% of DSUSD student population are "immigrants".

Item 19.8 Hate Motivated Behavior Policy--concerning due to the inclusion of DEI/CRT/SEL/Gender ideologies--this could be used against those refusing to use the "correct pronouns" of an adult or student pretending to be another gender.

Item 25.2 Independent Contract Agreement with Buck Institute for Education (PBL Works)"... to provide professional development designed to create knowledge and understanding of Project-Based Learning."

Cost: $19,000, to be paid from the school site’s Comprehensive Support and Improvement Fund.

• Non profit--IRS EIN # 68-0160429
• Full of harmful and ILLEGAL DEI and SEL concepts
• Models are built around propagandist and fake news outlets, social media influencers, and peddlers of disinformation such as : Vox, The Atlantic, NPR, and Greta Thunberg.

Item 25.4 Independent Contractor Agreement with Conscious Discipline to train Early Childhood Development staff in order to "...lead school to Fidelity"

• Cost: $22,881, to be paid from the Head Start and the California State Preschool Program funds.

• Holds an "Engage with Equity" Conference

• Has a "CASEL SELect Program Designation" described as:

Conscious Discipline has achieved CASEL’s SELect Program designation, recognizing Conscious Discipline as a leader in impactful social and emotional learning (SEL). Conscious Discipline meets CASEL’s SELect Program designation, the highest designation for evidence-based programs, in the CASEL Guide to Effective Social and Emotional Learning Programs. This designation indicates that Conscious Discipline can play a central role in a school’s approach to promoting student social and emotional learning. The CASEL Program Guide identifies well-designed, evidence-based SEL programs that offer comprehensive programming, ongoing training and support, and a demonstrated statistically significant positive impact on student behavioral outcomes and/or academic achievement.

• Program: " Rather than focusing on external markers of kindergarten readiness such as academics, gross and fine motor skills, etc., Conscious Discipline emphasizes building safety, empathy, connection, and resilience in adults and in children."
• "Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive, trauma-responsive approach rooted in this, centralized idea: creating an environment built on safety and belonging promotes social development, emotional intelligence and self-regulation, resulting in higher functioning, executive brain states."
• Brown University, on its "What is Conscious Discipline page Describes it as INDOCTRINATION as can be seen at this link.

Item 25.6 Independent Contractor Agreement with David Ramos to provide three "Family Strengthening" workshops for English Learner parents.

• Cost: $17,600 to be paid from the Title I Fund.

• DSUSD Describes Ramos in the Agenda:

_David Ramos is a Program Advisor for Childcare Providers and Parent Engagement for the Merced County Office of Education’s Early Education Support Programs. He has worked extensively with both, early education, and parent engagement programs for over 25 years. Mr. Ramos is a huge proponent of high-quality early education based on equity, diversity, and inclusion for all children, as well as culturally responsive training opportunities for parents and guardians in effective parenting, leadership, advocacy, and engagement. _

• According to a 2016 Merced Sun Star article with the title "Dozens celebrate end of program, start of new leadership roles," the program was for "...for parents and community members who want to learn about civic involvement." Also the program existed to "...partner and to create change in the community."

Item 25.15 Public speaking contract for Till360, LLC intended for LQ middle school staff

• Cost: $9,000 to be paid from the school site’s Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant Fund.
• Focuses on "Whole Child" and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

June 10, 2025

See full agenda here.

Points of Interest

1. Item 22.1 Title IX Resolution. Please visit this link for complete breakdown:
2. Item 17.1 Public Hearing No. 14/2024-2025 Local Control and Accountability Plan The Desert Sands Unified School District’s Board of Education will hold a public hearing on June 10, 2025, at which time parents, teachers, members of the community, and bargaining unit leaders are encouraged to make comments regarding the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

The State of California has adopted the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), and legislation has established a set of requirements relating to school districts and accountability. Districts are required to adopt an LCAP by July 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, to review the progress toward meeting the LCAP goals and include the following:

State Priorities: Conditions of Learning State Standards Parent Engagement Parent Involvement Pupil Engagement School Climate Course Access Pupil Outcomes

3. Item 17.3 Public Hearing No. 16/2024-2025, 2025-2026 Budget Adoption

The Board of Education is holding this public hearing to receive public comments regarding the 2025-2026 Budget. Adoption of the Budget will be presented as a General Function item, at the June 24, 2025, Board meeting.

4. Item 25.2 Independent Contractor Agreement with ConnectED, LLC.

Contract with Hayward Unified educator, Lili Velo, steeped in restorative justice, earth based healing, "ancestorial healing," and other DEI tenants, for English Learner parents: "ConnectEd, LLC., is led by a full-time trauma-informed educator and parent trainer. Miroslaba Velo draws on over 10 years of experience, as both a mother and educator—to help families and educators understand the impact of trauma. Her approach supports children in processing their emotions, developing self-regulation skills, becoming lifelong learners, and thriving in school environments."

Visit Lili's Hayward page here.

May 20, 2025

See full agenda here.

Points of interest:

1. LCAP Indicators PDF boasts of "Certified Mental Health Therapist" access at every school. Elementary schools share Therapists, while secondary school have a full-time Therapist on-stie. This is concerning as Public Schools should not be practicing Mental Health Care. In addition, past research has shown most therapists are LGBTQ+ Activists.
2. Item 24.4 is a contract, with a sizable grant, to replace six (6) diesel powered busses with electric ones. Cost to the DSUSD is $172, 057 while the grant is over $2 million. There are no contingency plans for mandatory California blackouts when the energy grid is overloaded (often).
3. Item 25.3 is for remedial instruction with DSUSD students that attend Xavier--I don't get that one. Remediation consists of taking a final, receiving instruction on weak areas, and retaking same final. Grade can be no better than C-.
4. Item 25.4 is an agreement with Emily N. Stewart Consulting. While Stewart's website demonstrates an unflinching dedication to all things DEI, here "Transitional Kindergarten Training" follows the CDE guidelines exactly. Problem here is with the California Department of Education.
5. Item 32-Future Agenda Items. I have been informed by Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmar, that the board will bring up the public's request to place a Title IX Resolution on a future agenda. The public can urge the board to do so during the open comments section of the meeting.

May 6, 2025, General Board Meeting Agenda Points of Interest.

DSCW notes in Bold See full agenda Here

1. Land Acknowledgement after Pledge of Allegiance—Complaint filed with the Department of Education
2. Item 17 Public hearing, items 1 and 2 for DSTA contract negotiations-**-See attachment below for DSTA concerns **
3. Item 18.7 General Functions - Business Services--Application for Exemption from the Required Expenditures for Classroom Teachers' Salaries: Required to spend 55% of budget on teacher salaries but overly spent on mental health and counselling services, plus covid era Expanded Learning Opportunities.
4. Item 19.15 General Functions - Educational Services--First Reading of Revised Board Policy 1312.2, Instruction: COMPLAINTS CONCERNING INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Reflects new law SB 153 (2024) see BP 1312.2 below. Changes include considering if parents just “dislike ideas” and materials will NOT be banned if they are considered to have “diverse and/or inclusive perspectives”.
5. Item 19.16 General Functions - Educational Service--First Reading of Revised Board Policy 6142.93, Instruction: SCIENCE INSTRUCTION: Policies must change to conform with California Next Generation Standards. Changes include causes and effects of climate change (hoax and scam) and methods to mitigate
6. Item 19.17 General Functions - Educational Service--First Reading of Revised Board Policy 6142.94, Instruction: HISTORY-SOCIAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTION: Policies must change to conform with California Next Generation Standards. Focus on “appreciation of different ethnicities” and mandatory Workplace Readiness Week lessons from the Ca. Dept. of Education—Week of April 28 each year
7. Item 20.2 General Functions - Personnel Services--2. Independent Contractor Agreement for Professional Services with Trudy Arriaga, Ed.D.: $14,400 for DEI and LGBTQ+ Equity based training for classified staff. Arriaga is the former Dean of Equity and Outreach at Cal Lutheran University. Arriaga believes that men pretending to be women are women