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REDON
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DO BEACH
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
October 24, 2023
Charter Review Advisory Committee
City ofRedondo Beach
Attn: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Email: [email protected]
Re: Redondo Beach Unified School District Board of Education's Recommendation Regarding City Charter Amendments
Dear Charter Review Advisory Committee:
The Board of Education (the "Board") of the Redondo Beach Unified School District ("RBUSD") would like to express its gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the City Charter review process. We commend your efforts to ensure that the City Charter aligns with the needs and values ofthe Redondo Beach community.
After careful deliberation, the Board has decided not to recommend any changes to the sections of the City Charter that pertain to RBUSD for the following reasons:
1. Preservation of Term Limits: Leaving the Charter would remove term limits for Board members, which were approved by Redondo Beach voters in 1997. This would allow Board members to serve unlimited terms. In 2014, however, Redondo Beach voters rejected a measure to extend these term limits. Therefore, the Board believes that removing RBUSD from the Charter, and consequently eliminating these term limits, would not align with the preferences ofRedondo Beach voters.
2. Reimbursement for Necessary Expenses only: The City Charter stipulates that Board members serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for necessary expenses.
While taking RBUSD out of the City Charter could enable Board members to receive a monthly stipend under Education Code § 35120, the Board prefers to continue the practice ofreceiving reimbursement for necessary expenses only. The Board sees no reason to change compensation at this time.
1401 Inglewood Avenue, Redondo Beach, California 90278 / Tel: 310.379.5449 / Fax: 310.372.5269 Board of Education:
Byung Cho • Dan Elder• Raymur Flinn • Rachel Silverman Nemeth • Rolf Strutzenberg Student Board Member: Superintendent of Schools:
Chloe Caywood Dr. Nicole Wesley
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REDON
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DO BEACH
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
3. Preference for At-Large Elections: The City Charter provides that Board elections are atlarge. Leaving the Charter could result in trustee-area voting. But, at thisjuncture, the Board believes that the District is best served by at-large elections that encourage Board members to have a broader perspective and consider the interests ofthe entire community, rather than focusing on narrow or parochial issues.
4. Consolidation of Elections: The City Charter provides that Board elections are to be consolidated with the local City elections which occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year. Should we deviate from this Charter provision, the Board could be compelled to reschedule its elections to a different date, potentially incurring additional costs separate from the General Municipal election outlined in the Charter. The Board's preference, however, is to maintain this consolidated approach because it brings cost savings and reduces administrative complexities associated with separate elections, ultimately benefiting taxpayers and preserving resources. The Board would rather see the funds that might otherwise be earmarked for separate Board elections redirected towards essential educational needs. Moreover, consolidated elections streamline the voting process, preventing voter confusion and inconvenience.
The Board reached this recommendation after conducting four Board discussions at regularly scheduled meetings on April 25, 2023, May 9, 2023, July 25, 2023, and August 18, 2023, as well as participating in a Board workshop with the City Attorney and RBUSD's counsel on September 27, 2023.
The Board remains open to input from the public and the City and seeks to maintain a collaborative relationship with the Review Committee and City Council. However, at present, the Board is not inclined to propose any changes to the City Charter provisions concerning RBUSD.
Thank you for your ongoing understanding and consideration.
Sincerely,
DO BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Ra hel Silverman
tr
Nemeth, Board President
cc: Michael Webb, City Attorney, City of Redondo Beach
Mike Witzansky, City Manager, City of Redondo Beach
Nicole Wesley, Ed.D., Superintendent, RBUSD
1401 Inglewood Avenue, Redondo Beach, California 90278 / Tel: 310.379.5449 / Fax: 310.372.5269 Board of Education:
Byung Cho • Dan Elder• Raymur Flinn • Rachel Silverman Nemeth • Rolf Strutzenberg Student Board Member:
Chloe Caywood
Superintendent of Schools:
Dr. Nicole Wesley