Board reports three closed-session approvals
The Long Beach Board of Education disclosed action on a student matter, a public employee appointment, and a personnel item tied to employee number 0067153.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — report out of closed session actions, amend facility use permit for centro, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
In open session, the board made public a set of closed-session decisions that touched student discipline, staffing, and another personnel matter.
Three decisions surfaced from behind closed doors. The Long Beach Board of Education reported that it had taken action on three agenda items during closed session, then disclosed those votes in public. The report covered a student matter tied to student ID 21011745, a public employee appointment or assignment, and a separate personnel item identified as employee number 0067153.
The chair said the board had acted on agenda items 3.1, 2.1, and 3.3. On item 3.1, the board approved an action connected to the student matter. On item 2.1, the board approved an appointment involving a public employee. On item 3.3, the board approved an item linked to employee number 0067153.
The report-out did not add detail beyond those descriptions, which is typical for closed-session actions involving student and personnel matters. The chair also noted that some people recognized during the meeting might leave before the meeting ended because of other plans, and said the board understood. The practical next step is simple: the actions are now part of the public record, even if the underlying details remain limited.
Amend facility use permit for Centro CHA to operate the Latino Cultural Center at the Jenny Orpeza Community Center (401 Golden Ave.)
A long-planned cultural center cleared another city hurdle. The Council approved an amendment to let Center CHA operate the Latin Cultural Center at the Jean Orpeza Community Center, 401 Golden Avenue, in the 1st District.
City staff said Center CHA already works at the site under a facility use permit and needed temporary space to expand services and programming. The amended agreement centers that work on arts and cultural exhibits, programming, and activations. Staff said the city began funding community engagement in 2019, a 50-member steering committee helped shape the vision and business plan, and the Council identified Center CHA in 2021 as the lead nonprofit for the project.
The city described the arrangement as shared use, not a handoff. Parks, Recreation and Marine will keep its own programming and staff presence at the community center, while the agreement adds city oversight, financial reporting, and separate accounting for Center CHA and Latin Cultural Center operations. Staff said the city has set aside $4.5 million across several budget cycles for infrastructure work, including signage, structural improvements, and restroom updates.
Families press district on Poly playoff
Parents, a student-athlete, and a family member used public comment to challenge the cancellation of a Long Beach Polytechnic High School football playoff game. They said families got little explanation, seniors lost a final chance to play, and the board could listen but not respond because the issue was not on the agenda.
leadership change
Board approves school safety changes
District leaders outlined a school safety update built around diversion, less reliance on outside police, staff training, transparency, and hiring challenges. They said the work includes a $1 million grant over three years, and the board later approved the related changes under item 16.1.
School safety rules affect how student incidents are handled, who responds, and how grant money is used.
Board discloses litigation closed-session action
The board reported a closed-session vote tied to agenda item 3.3 and a legal case identified as 22 STCV 47. The public report confirmed action was taken, but the transcript did not clearly identify the parties or spell out the underlying claims.
litigation
Board seeks clearer list of school programs
A board member asked whether elementary program contracts actually reach students across the district and which campuses receive which services. Staff said many programs are chosen site by site and referenced a total of $50 million, but did not provide a school-by-school list during the meeting.
large dollar figure ($50,000,000)
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
LONG BEACH had 330 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEBudget Discussion: 2024–2025 Financial Report and Fund Balance/Spending Variance. The board discussed the 2024–2025 budget figures, including a stated $379 million and a $46.4 million figure described as related to ending balance/variance. Staff explained the figures as reflecting multi-year carryover and spending variance rather than simply “extra money.”
- GOVERNANCEBoard approves settlements in multiple education-related cases. The board reported votes to settle several claims and lawsuits, including case 5060129 and lawsuit 22 STCV 3175. The matters were described as resolving disputes involving the education department.
- GOVERNANCESELPA compliance and Annual Determination Letter indicators (LRE and separate settings). Dr. Claudia Sosa Valderrama presented key state compliance indicators from the Annual Determination Letter, focusing on least restrictive environment (LRE) access and separate settings. She explained how LRE is documented in IEPs and shared district performance against state targets, including 64.86% for LRE 80%+ and 3.24% in separate settings.
- GOVERNANCEContracts for homelessness operations and supportive services (total annual aggregate amount not to exceed 9,). The Council adopted specifications and awarded contracts to multiple contractors for operations and supportive services supporting adults, youth, and families with minor children experiencing homelessness, with a total annual aggregate amount not to exceed 9,, and authorized execution of necessary documents and amendments.
- GOVERNANCEBoard appoints David Zaid and approves superintendent contract. The board added a June 15 meeting to its 2025–2026 schedule to support the superintendent appointment timeline, then approved David Zaid as superintendent effective July 1, 2026. It also approved the superintendent employment agreement for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026, with annual salary stated at $398,000, and approved related leadership contract actions on the consent calendar.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment (Non-Agenda) — High School Course Placement/Program Access (Fashion pathway) and Graduation/Credit Concerns. Speakers raised concerns about course placement changes after enrollment, including removal from a multi-year fashion-related class/program, and about policies affecting credit completion and participation in graduation when students face health or other barriers.
- GOVERNANCEContract for painting and electrical infrastructure at Long Beach Amphitheater (total contract amount not to exceed ). The Council adopted a resolution and authorized a contract and documents for painting and electrical infrastructure installation at the Long Beach Amphitheater, with a total contract amount not to exceed (District 1). One speaker opposed the spending and criticized amphitheater costs and contracting outside the city.
- GOVERNANCEBoard approves expanded learning program plan. The board approved a multi-year Expanded Learning Opportunities Program plan for after-school and related services. Staff discussed eligibility, funding limits, differences from other grants, and the role of site-based decisions in program design.
- GOVERNANCEBioWatch funding acceptance and expenditure for biothreat detection field operations. The Council approved accepting and expending U.S. Department of Homeland Security BioWatch funding to maintain biothreat detection field operations. Health Department staff explained the program’s daily air sampling and noted the contract scope was limited to three months with a later return for a full-year contract.
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