n
REDON
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DO BEACH
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
May 29, 2024
Honorable Jim Light, Mayor and Members of
the Redondo Beach City Council
Attn: Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk
Email: [email protected]
City ofRedondo Beach
415 Diamond Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Re: Redondo Beach Unified School District Board of Education's Recommendation Regarding City Charter Amendments
Dear Mayor Light and Members ofthe Redondo Beach City Council:
I am writing to inform you of a change in the perspective ofthe Board of Education (the "Board") of the Redondo Beach Unified School District ("RBUSD") regarding a specific provision within the City Charter.
The Board's review of this matter was prompted by the City Council's deliberations at its May 7, 2024 meeting. Upon further consideration, the Board recommends that the City initiate the process of putting a measure on the November 2024 ballot that would amend Section 16.1 ofthe City Charter to delete the following language: "without compensation, except necessary expenses when acting as a designated representative ofthe Board of Education as provided in the Education Code ofthe State of California." The Board reached this recommendation at a regularly scheduled meeting on May 16 and May 28, 2024. It arises from an acknowledgment that the California Education Code and the California Government Code aptly regulate the issue of school board compensation. These statutes provide a standardized framework for offering modestremuneration to Board members, including provisions for necessary expense reimbursements.
The language in question, a relic of the 1940s, is at odds with the current statutes of California's Education Code and Government Code. This misalignment has sown confusion and ambiguity regarding the application of compensation and expense reimbursement for the RBUSD Board members. By removing this outdated language, we aim to harmonize our practices with those of nearly every other school district in the state, promoting equity and clarity in our governance structure. 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
It is important to emphasize that the possible compensation outlined in the Education Code and Government Code is nominal and intended to reflect our Board's ongoing commitment to public service and the common good, rather than personal gain. However, offering a modest compensation to Board members may broaden the pool of candidates seeking office, fostering greater diversity and inclusivity within our ranks. We believe that providing nominal compensation acknowledges the significant responsibilities shouldered by school board members and ensures that individuals from all economic backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to our community. This aligns with our overarching goal of maintaining a Board that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences within the Redondo Beach community.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the City Charter Review process. The Board looks forward to working collaboratively with the City Council to advance this proposed amendment to a vote of the electorate for the betterment of our district.
Sincerely,
REDONDO BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
ur Flinn, Board President
cc: Michael Webb, City Attorney, 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: Superintendent of Schools:
Chloe Caywood Dr. Nicole Wesley