Citizens for transparency in AUHSD

Campaign Contributions filing for AUHSD School Board Candidate in Area 3 Dr. Jose Paolo Magcalas show his largest individual donor to his campaign for the November 5th election is a board member of eKadence Learning Foundation, Apitchat Treerojporn. Early this year the AUHSD paid eKadence $450,000 for the development of an AI Bot. This was controversial with both teachers and the community as the AUHSD Administration has refused to consider any other Learning Management Systems (aka LMS). AUHSD has been beta testing this system for several years. The decision for a public school district to spend close to half a million dollars on the development of an AI bot, while the district was in a financial crisis that lead to the potential termination of over 100 classroom teachers this past spring. Treerojporn & eKadence appear to have a vested interest in ensuring their candidate wins the election on November 5th.

Great article from the LAist explaining the AUHSD Measure K Bond on our November 5th Ballot. Read the full story at https://laist.com/news/politics/2024-election-california-general-anaheim-union-measure-k-bond-for-school-facilities

This Thursday AUHSD Agenda Public Hearing on Contract for ASTA (teachers union), Health Care Costs for All Unions, Appointments to Personnel Commission, Board Revisions to the Conflict of Interest Policy and Fiscal Services Internal Controls Presentation, among others. Meeting is a 6pm at the District Office & is open until to the public Read the full agenda at https://www.auhsd.us/District/Department/14174-BOARD

Come together on Tuesday, October 15th to familiarize ourselves with the October AUHSD School Board Agenda. Learn about the processes and procedures for school boards and discuss crucial items that the board is deciding on this month.

The next AUHSD School Board meeting is Thursday, October 17th, at 6pm. The agenda will be posted on the AUHSD School Board’s website sometime between Friday and Tuesday. Please come to the meeting to keep informed about the policies and activities affecting our children and our community. https://www.auhsd.us/District/Department/14174-BOARD

AUHSD has a $496 Million Dollar Bond Measure on the November 5th Ballot. What do you think? Are you supporting this measure? Thanks to student journalist, Haley Nguyen at the Oxford Academy Gamut for covering this important story. Read the full story at

New bond Measure K aims to upgrade AUHSD school campuses The upcoming Nov. 5 general election ballots will see the addition of Measure K, a $496 million bond measure reserved for improving AUHSD school facilities and resources. According to the ballot statement published on OCvote.gov, Measure K intends to “repair and upgrade older schools and improve q...

Read The Cypress Spotlight’s article about AUHSD’s Preventative Measures to Stabilize the AUHSD Budget and prevent teachers layoffs. Great coverage by student editor, Zoe Chung at

Preventative Measures Stabilize the Foreseeable Future for AUHSD Teachers Following the sudden uncertainty of layoffs during the school year of 2023-2024, teachers and students in the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) have combined their efforts to protect the education system. In March 2024, high school students attending Cypress High School formed a united fron...

Read about AUHSD’s Directive Teachers to use eKadance Exclusively from the Cypress High School Newspaper. Thanks to staff writer Tony Rodriguez for this article. Read it here at

AUHSD Teachers Instructed To Use eKadence Exclusively The district’s decision to move from Aeries to eKadence gradebook has produced mixed feelings from teachers, with some likin g the transition to eKadence and its interactive features and others finding it less intuitive compared to Aeries. While the shift is meant to increase communication between...

Quirk-Silva Bill Increasing Transparency of Public Funds Signed by Governor Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D—Fullerton) announced that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 3130 into law, enhancing transparency and accountability in the use of public funds by requiring county Boards of Supervisors to disclose any known family relationships with nonprofit entit...

Las seis personas que se postulan para los puestos vacantes de la Junta Directiva Escolar del Distrito Escolar Secundario de Anaheim (AUHSD) pronto llegaran a tocar a su puerta y les pedirán que vote por ellos. Todos estos candidatos dirán que quieren mejorar las escuelas para nuestros niños y que apoyan la educación pública. Pero, ¿cómo diferenciar realmente a estos candidatos entre sí? ¿Cómo sabrán lo que representan? Es importante hacerles preguntas sobre los problemas importantes que actualmente enfrentan nuestras escuelas. Hemos creado esta lista de preguntas para ayudarle a comprender lo que realmente representan estos candidatos. Guarde esta lista para cuando aparezcan en su puerta.

Anaheim Union High School District AUHSD has 6 candidates running for 3 seats for the November 5th election. Do you know who these candidates are and how they will represent your interests? AUHSD is one of the largest school districts in California. Schools not only effect our children’s education, but also impact home values, communities and standards of living in the neighborhoods surrounding them. Find out about the candidates who are running for this important election in November.

There are three positions on the November 5, 2024 Ballot for the five-member school board that governs 21 campuses in Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, LaPalma and Stanton.

Questions to ask school board candidates

The six people running for the open AUHSD School Board seats will soon be knocking on your door. They will be asking you to vote for them. Everyone of these candidates will say they want to make schools better for our children and that they support public education. But how do you really differentiate these candidates from each other? How will will you know what they stand for? It is important to ask them questions about the important issues facing our schools. We have put together this list of questions to help you understand what these candidates really stand for. Save this list for when they show up at your door. Register to vote at https://registertovote.ca.gov/?t=s

Current Lexington Jr High band teacher, formerly taught at Loara High School and Ball Jr High School, terminated after former students come forward about inappropriate sexual conduct. Anaheim Police Department is asking for other victims to come forward.

Anaheim Teacher Accused of Relationships with Underage Students - MyNewsLA.com A Lexington Junior High School band teacher, who is on administrative leave, is being investigated for fathering a child with one of his underage students about 35 years ago, police said Thursday. Steve Graves, 61, was accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students who came forward...

Todays AUHSD School Board Meeting is today at 6pm. The Meeting Agenda is 545 pages long.
Missing from the agenda is the Financial Oversight Presentation that was requested by Trustee at the August 8th Board meeting. Other critical items include Public Hearings on Textbooks and Instructional Materials Item 11.6 and 11.7.
Another contract for Vital Link $75K for the College and Career Fair.
The full agenda can be found at www.auhsd.us
The meeting can be attended in person or watched on the districts YouTube https://bit.ly/2KEiCDA

Según la Ley Williams, las escuelas públicas deben proporcionar a todos los estudiantes los libros de texto y materiales educativos necesarios para todas sus clases. Este es un estándar mínimo para cada estudiante. Pregúntele a sus hijos si tienen los materiales requeridos para sus clases. Pregunte a los maestros si tienen los libros y materiales necesarios. Si no los tiene, venga a esta importante audiencia pública, el jueves 12 de septiembre a las 6:00 p.m. en la Oficina del Distrito Escolar de AUHSD y participe. Si no puede asistir a la audiencia pública, puede enviar un correo electrónico al director de la escuela de sus hijos y al oficial de información del distrito, Juan Bautista, a [email protected] y al superintendente Michael Matsuda, a [email protected]. Asegúrese de escribir William 's Act en la línea de asunto del correo electrónico.

Per the Williams Act, public schools are required to provide all students with the textbooks and instructional materials required for all their classes. This is a minimum standard for every student. Ask your children if they have the required materials for their classes. Ask their teachers if they have the required books and materials. If they don’t have them, please come to this important public hearing, Thursday, September 12th at 6:00pm at the AUHSD School District Office and speak up. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you can email the School’s Principal and the district’s information officer Juan Bautista at [email protected] and Superintendent Michael Matsuda at [email protected] Make sure you put William’s Act in the subject line of the email.

Free training for anyone interested in learning how School Boards are supposed to work. Sign up today for the next class on September 26th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAq5RX0PFAz71lsLTYUshSctn9ukbMLifNqFokijxNKamkKg/viewform

OC Register article on Sunday, September 1st by columnist Teri Sforza states “Some OC public schools spend twice as much as others per child”. According to the latest AUHSD’s School Accountability Reports (2022-23) AUHSD spends only $10,543 per student. While Garden Grove Unified spends almost double this amount. The academic results correlate with this spending. AUHSD’s percentage of students meeting the State Standards for Math is barely half of the county’s results at only 24% and English Language Arts 42%. According to Sforza, Orange County as a whole has 47% of students meeting the state standard for Math and 57% for English.
With all the funds AUHSD gets from the State of California and the LCFF funding why isn’t more money being spent on our students? If not on our students, what is AUHSD spending this money on?
Read the full article at Orange County Register

https://enewspaper.ocregister.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=Orange%20County%20Register&edid=884514e0-e4f0-4b63-9f64-06de49bf4882&pnum=1&utm_email=946DA461044D2451746384A868&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fedition.pagesuite.com%2flaunch.aspx%3feid%3d884514e0-e4f0-4b63-9f64-06de49bf4882%26pnum%3d1&utm_campaign=scng-ocr-e-edition&utm_content=e-edition

Opportunity to file for School Board candidate includes AUHSD Trustee Area 3 (Katherine Smith), Area 4 (Brian O’Neal) and Area 5 (Anna Piercy / Ron Hoshi) extended to Wednesday, August 14th. Additional for the Elementary School Boards Anaheim Elementary Area 1 & 3, Buena Park Area 3 & 4, Centralia School Area 3, Cypress School Board Area A & E, Magnolia School Board Areas 1, 3 & 4

https://voiceofoc.org/2024/08/candidate-filing-period-extended-through-august-14-for-select-school-and-special-district-offices/

At the AUHSD School Board meeting last night, trustee Katherine Smith requested that staff present at the September 12th Board Meeting, on the processes and procedures the district has in place to prevent employees from embezzling from the school district like what has happened at the Magnolia School District. This is a positive step forward in creating a transparent and accountable school district. Thank you to Board Member Smith for holding our district administration accountable. Come out on September 12th at 6pm.

Summary of the Agenda for this month’s School Board meeting.
The full agenda with all the exhibits can be accessed at https://www.auhsd.us/District/Department/14174-BOARD

The Board Meeting is open to the public or can be watched on the AUHSD YouTube channel.
ANAHEIM UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Closed Session-3:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting-6:00 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER-ROLL CALL​
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA​
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS, CLOSED SESSION ITEMS​
4. CLOSED SESSION The Board of Trustees will meet in closed session for the following purposes:

4.1. To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: Public employee performance evaluation, superintendent.
4.2 To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation (OAH Case No. 2021010585).
4.3 To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation (OAH Case No. 2024020946).
4.4. To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Conference with legal counsel, anticipated litigation (one confidential special education matter).
4.5. To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: Conference with labor negotiators Mr. Matsuda, Dr. Fried, Dr. Nien, and Mr. Jackson regarding negotiations and contracts with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Anaheim Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA), Anaheim Secondary Teachers Association (ASTA), California School Employees Association (CSEA), Mid- Managers Association (MMA), and Anaheim Military Instructors Union (AMIU).
4.6 To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: Public employee discipline/dismissal/release/appointment/reassignment.
4.7. To consider matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: Public employee administrative appointment/reassignment–assistant principal(s).
5. RECONVENE MEETING, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND CLOSED SESSION REPORT OUT
6. REPORTS: Student Speakers, Reports of District’s employee associations & Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Report
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS, OPEN SESSION ITEMS
8. PRESENTATION eKadence
Note: that the Item 10.10 includes a Purchase Order to eKadence for $450,000. and item 10.11 includes a check for $450,000 paid to eKadence this month.
9. ITEMS OF BUSINESS Action items
9.1 Resolution No. 2024/25-E-02, Chicano/Chicana Heritage Month - Exhibit A
9.2 Ratification, Lease-Leaseback Agreement, AP Construction Group, Inc. dba Air Plus, Western High School HVAC Replacements Phase 2, RFP #2023-08 Cost $7,758,307. Funding: ESSER Funds, Special Reserve Fund for Capital Outlay Projects, and/or other funds as appropriate
9.3 Rename the Kennedy High School varsity softball field - Sue Hall
9.4 Name the Loara High School wrestling room - Dr. John Dahlem
9.5 Name the Loara High School Gym - Ed Prange
9.6 Second Public Hearing, AUHSD Ethnic Studies Courses - Exhibit B​
9.7 Revised Board Policy, 91300 Parent and Family Engagement, Second Reading - Exhibit C
9.8. Public Hearing, Revised Board Policy 7807 (6158), Independent Study, First Reading – Exhibit D
9.9 Contract for BRISK Teaching is an AI Tool at Lexington Jr. High School Cost $7,598.15 Funding: LCFF – Exhibit E
9.10 Contract for Identity Automation’s PhishID product. Cost: $ Zero for 2024-25; after that missing from proposal. – Exhibit F
9.11. Contract for Class Technologies within Zoom for Cambridge Virtual Academy only Cost $ 9,500.00 Funding: LCFF. – Exhibit G
9.12 Contract for Dr. Alberto Miranda , Independent Psychoeducational Assessment Cost $6,000.00 Funding: Special Education Funds – Exhibit H
9.13 Contract for Lucca Petrucci, workshop for 90 Kennedy High School staff members & a two-day assembly in September 2024. Cost $7,500.00 Funding: Site Funds – Exhibit I
10. Consent Calendar
10.1 Contract for School Services of California Financial Consultants Cost $4,680.00 Plus Expenses Funding: General Fund – Exhibit J
10.2. AB 218 Revived Liability Funding Plan, Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF) 3rd Assessment $894,806 Funding: General Fund
10.3. Southern California Regional Liability Excess Fund (ReLIEF) General Liability Insurance Premium Cost $3,626,281 Funding: General Fund
10.4 Notice of Completion Western HS & Walker Jr High Abatement Project $35,000.00
10.5 Contract for Microsoft Campus agreement Cost $287,095 funding: General Fund.
10.6. Contract amendment Donald Krotee Partnership, Inc. (design assistance from a licensed architect or engineer) Cost increase from $300,000 to $400,000 Funding: Facilities Funds, Maintenance Funds, Congressionally Funded Community Projects Grant, and/or other funds as appropriate. – Exhibit K
10.7 Declaring Certain Furniture and Equipment as Unusable, Obsolete, and/or Out-of- Date, and Ready for Sale or Destruction including 613 Air Purifiers, 380 Chromebooks, 162 Laptops – Exhibit L
10.8 Declaring Certain Textbooks and Instructional Materials as Unusable, Obsolete, and/or Out-of-Date, Damaged, and Ready for Sale or Destruction – Exhibit M
10.9. Donations from Schools First $2,500 for Professional Development Day - Exhibit N
10.10. Purchase Order Detail Report and Change Orders – Exhibit O and P
​​ Purchase Orders $32,103,559.48
​​Change Orders $931,450.04
​​​ Total $33 Million Dollars
10.11 Check Register / Warrants Report – Exhibit Q
​ Total checks issued July 8th to 29th, 2024 $26,788,139.32
10.12 Supplemental information
ASB Funds June 2024 $3,250,883.83 – Exhibit R
Cafeteria Funds May 2024 $7,362,632.61 Current Year Profit – Exhibit S
10.13. Agreement Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Friday Night Live and Club Live Program at Dale, Lexington, and South junior high schools, Cypress, Gilbert, Kennedy, Magnolia, and Savanna high schools $5,000 Funding: Grant – Exhibit T
10.14 Contract amendment National Student Clearinghouse Cost $6,800 annually Funding: LCFF Funds
10.15 Tilly’s Life Center (TLC) at Savanna High School 9th Grade Students “I am Me” Curriculum $15,000 Funding: LCFF Funds – Exhibit U
10.16 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Waymakers, will recruit an estimated 850 District students per year to participate in the Elevate Youth Program for 2024 through 2027 – Exhibit V
10.17. Contract Natis House dba Neutral Ground, Inc pilot project at seven schools; Anaheim, Gilbert, Katella, and Loara high schools, as well as Ball, South, and Sycamore junior high schools. Costs range from $29,000 for two days to a maximum of $72,500 for five days, per school year per site. Funding: ?? District and site leadership is currently exploring funding sources, including grants, Title I Funds, LCFF Funds, and Community Schools Grants - Exhibit W
10.18 Contact Language Network, Inc. Translation Services Cost $90,000 Funding: LCFF – Exhibit X
10.19. Contract Alison G. Dover in collaboration with District staff will design and tailor the 2024-25 Saturday Language Academy (SALA) curriculum to fit the needs of the District's English Learner/Plurilingual students. Cost $7,500.00 Funding: Title III Funds – Exhibit Y
10.20 Contract Dr. Fernando Rodríguez-Valls, in collaboration with District staff will design and tailor the 2024-25 Saturday Language Academy (SALA) curriculum to fit the needs of the District's English Learner/Plurilingual students. Cost $7,500.00 Funding: Title III Funds – Exhibit Z
10.21 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), CTE Teacher Credentialing Program Cost $ Zero , as program tuition & other costs are the responsibility of the enrolled candidate – Exhibit AA
10.22. Agreement, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (BBBSOC) Sites ? Costs $18,000. Funding: AIME – Exhibit BB
10.23. Service Agreement, Strong Workforce Program (SWP) K12 Pathway Improvement Grant (Round 6) Revenue: $50,000 – Exhibit CC
10.24. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Orange County Superintendent of Schools Special Schools Program Cost Individual Student Basis Funding: Special Education Funds – Exhibit DD
10.25 Instructional Materials (aka Textbooks) Submitted for Adoption – Exhibit EE (pages 274-275)
10.26. Individual Service Contracts Nonpublic Residential Schools – Exhibit FF
10.27 2023-24 Employee Salary Schedules – Exhibit GG
10.28 Certificated Personnel Report – Exhibit HH
10.29 Classified Personnel Report – Exhibit II
11. Superintendent and Staff Report
12. Board of Trustees’ Report
13. Advanced Planning
13.1 Future Meeting – Thursday, September 12th, 2024 at 6:00 PM
13.2 Suggested Agenda Items
14. Adjournment

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