John Bowes

The public meeting agenda includes an action item for the Personnel Commissioner Appointment related to the CSEA appointment, approval of the 2026-2027 Personnel Commission Budget, and approval of several eligibility lists for positions including Ground Supervisor, Instructional Assistant-EDP, Instructional Assistant-IBI, Instructional Assistant-TK, and IT Network Engineer. The meeting also featured oral and written communications from Commissioners, Administration, Employees/CSEA, and Citizens. A subsequent meeting is scheduled for February 23, 2026. Separately, the minutes from the December 15, 2025, Personnel Commission Meeting detailed discussions on potential appeals to disciplinary charges, including explanations of the Skelly hearing process, and the unanimous approval of eligibility lists for various Instructional Assistant roles and Food & Nutrition Services Assistant.

The meeting commenced with a closed session to address labor negotiations with MBUTA and CSEA, personnel evaluations, disciplinary matters, existing and anticipated litigation involving Case Number 22-23-40 and OCR complaints, and real property negotiations concerning District sites and Polliwog Park with the City of Manhattan Beach. The open session included recognitions for Classified Employees of the Year and CAC Award Recipients. Key action items involved the adoption and purchase of Savvas enVision Math Instructional Materials and the adoption of a resolution designating May 21-27, 2023, as Classified School Employee Week. Further action items included approving the final GMP for the Measure C Preschool HVAC Project and approving several change orders and inspection services for the Grand View Elementary Modernization Project (Measure C). The consent calendar covered personnel assignments, the 2023-2024 Personnel Commission Budget, approvals for various student and team travels to national competitions, volunteer approvals for the District Community Advisory Committee, ratification of Purchase Orders, and review of amendments to Board Policies and Bylaws.

The board meeting included discussions and actions on various topics, such as ordering an election and establishing its specifications, appointing a principal for Manhattan Beach Middle School and a vice principal for Mira Costa High School. The board also addressed the annual declaration of need with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, approved a Healthy Schools Agreement with Beach Cities Health District, and reviewed services agreements with Swing Education and Soul 2 Soul Healing, LLC. Additionally, the meeting covered the approval of the Consolidated Application for 2024-2025, a contract with Air Tutors, LLC for academic support services, energy options, and the ratification of purchases and installations, including a Nyquist system and a walk-in freezer. The consent calendar included personnel actions, agreements with universities for counseling and student teaching programs, purchases of Chromebooks and licenses, and various proposals and agreements related to facility maintenance and funding.

The meeting included a closed session with discussions on labor negotiations, public employee appointments, and anticipated litigation. Action items included approving a superintendent search firm, a resolution regarding certificated employees, a resolution denouncing hate and bigotry, and an expanded learning opportunity grant plan. Additional actions involved approving changes in EDP and Preschool Tuition fees, a preliminary GMP for the Pennekamp Elementary modernization, and payments for school board election costs. The board also addressed appointments to the Measure C and Measure EE Citizens' Bond Oversight Committees. The consent calendar included personnel actions, purchase orders, appropriation transfers, and agreements for student transportation services.

The board meeting included discussions on MBUSD Schools in 2020-2021, high need hybrid learning at MBMS and MCHS, and a report from the Music Subcommittee. Revisions to the Measure C Grand View Modernization and New Construction Project scope and budget were also addressed. Action items included approving a deductive change order for the Meadows ES modernization project, approving the Notice of Completion for the Measure C Meadows Elementary Modernization Project, approving the Preliminary GMP for Manhattan Beach Preschool, and ratifying a purchase order for Winix America, Inc. The consent calendar included personnel actions, ratification of purchase orders, approval of a minimum wage increase for student workers and Classified Schedule I, and contracts with the Center for Leadership, Equity and Research (CLEAR) and the UCLA Culture & Equity Project at Center X. Board business involved revising and adopting policies related to education for English Learners and the selection and evaluation of instructional materials.