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EL SEGUNDO HERALD July 11, 2019 Page 11
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ESUSD from page 5
probably issue a second round of bonds “in a
couple of years.”
Next to the presentation podium was Southern
California Regional Occupation Center (SoCal
ROC) Superintendent Dr. Atlas Helaire, who
briefed the members on the current status of
his organization. SoCal ROC is based in Torrance,
serves six school districts and began
providing students with the career technical
education programs in 1967.
Helaire spoke about two distinct programs
currently offered, including regional occupational
centers designed for multiple school
districts to pool their resources to serve more
students; and regional occupational programs
that are only offered at specific schools. He
informed the Board of multiple courses available
and Career Pathway options offered by
SoCal ROC.
Helaire then presented information showing
a decline in program participation. He cited a
total enrollment (including adults and students)
during the 2013/14 school year of 3,393. In
comparison, the enrollment for the 2018/19
school year was 2,087. El Segundo increased
enrollment this past year to 75 students, up
from 45 participants the prior school year.
Helaire noted that most of the El Segundo
students take Health Service courses.
“Our enrollment trend has been steady,”
Moore said. “Some Districts have really taken
a decline.” The Inglewood Unified School
District, which had 377 participants in the
2017/18 school year, dropped out of the
program in 2018/19, not sending any students.
Helaire also cited statistics noting a scramble
for funding. The 2007/08 budget was $12
million. The 2017/18 budget dropped to $5
million. Much of the decline occurred when
the State of California eliminated SoCal ROC
funding after the 2014/15 fiscal year. Currently,
each school district pays $1,234 per enrollee.
Prior to the meeting School Board President
Nancy Cobb, a staunch supporter of SoCal
ROC and also a member of that organization’s
board, said that she receives complaints that
the high schools “no longer train for essential
jobs in society, such as auto mechanics,
construction and healthcare.” She noted that
the programs offered are free to the students
and can prepare them for a lifetime career.
Cobb also implored businesses who complain
that they can’t find trained workers fund a
SoCal ROC program that would address their
specific workforce needs.
Helaire said that while SoCal ROC faces a
challenging time, the key is for all involved to
“keep it positive” as they seek financial support
to build the enrollment base. Cobb spoke
Tuesday evening of the SoCal ROC option as
valuable and inspirational. “Truly important to
our students, and our community,” she said.
Moore made the evening’s final presentation,
focusing on the District’s “Goals for the
Future.” The plan is for the superintendent and
staff to reach out to stakeholders, including
“faculty, staff, association leaders, parents
and students” to garner feedback on the efficacy
of the proposed goals. Moore plans
to gather information during the months of
August through October and then bring the
final recommendation to the Board as an action
item at the Nov. 12 meeting.
Moore’s presentation delineated the District’s
motto, “Transforming education for a
changing world.” She mentioned ESUSD’s
“Graduate Profile” and then highlighted
the Board’s guiding principles, listing five
goals: (1) Ensure high-quality teaching and
learning to increase student achievement
and develop well-rounded students who are
prepared for college and career; (2) promote
a safe and respectful learning environment
while maintaining high expectations and
the social and emotional well-being of all
students; (3) Recruit and retain high-quality
employees and further build the capacity of
personnel; (4) Provide parents and community
active participation and engagement; and (5)
Maintain fiscal health and address long-term
infrastructure and facility needs.
Consent agenda items were next addressed
by the Board, including multiple items dealing
with District special education students,
and a hazardous materials survey prior to
the planned demolition of two buildings at
El Segundo High School -- including the
venerable Snack Shack.
Other items approved by the Board included
consultancy contracts with STAR of CA to
conduct “educationally related intensive counseling
services and assessment” to support
students with disabilities; and a somewhat
similar agreement specifically geared towards
the support of Arena High students.
Action items approved included consultancy
agreements with Premier Health Care Services,
LLC, to provide “educational-related special
school-based nursing services” for the 2018/19
school year; contracts with Discovery Ranch,
a residential treatment center based in Cedar
City, Utah, and Oak Grove Center, a residential
treatment center located in Murrieta,
CA; another contract with STAR of CA to
provide “direct behavioral services, consultation
services and behavioral assessments” to
“identified” District students; and an agreement
to participate in the Wiseburn Unified School
District-operated Success Learning Center.
Additional items approved included an
amendment to Moore’s employment contract,
which now runs until June 2022 and adds a
“longevity bonus;” acceptance of completion
paperwork for emergency roof repair
performed at El Segundo Middle School; the
award of a $192,000 bid to Signature Painting
for work on three District properties; and an
agreement with Graves Construction Services
Group for construction and services related to
the new Learning Connection facilities to be
constructed at Richmond Street Elementary
School. If all goes according to plan, that
project should come in under budget and
wrap up in December.
The Board additionally approved a contract
with EKC Enterprises to support personalized
learning at a cost not to exceed $180,000 that
will provide the District with new interactive
technology, including audio/video equipment,
interactive laser boards, and TVs for “screen
mirroring.” And finally, Board also approved
El Segundo High’s request to send the varsity
cross country team to Portland, Oregon to allow
members to compete in the NIKE Cross
Country Invitational on Sept. 28.
There were no information pending items
on the agenda. Moore, who is beginning her
sixth year on the job, then touched on the July
informational calendar, noting that the District
office will be closed on Fridays. Board member
reports then followed, with the comments
skewing towards wishing all a happy summer
hiatus and taking note of the accomplishments
made during the 2018/19 school year.
The next regularly scheduled El Segundo
School Board meeting is calendared for Aug.
27. Classroom instruction resumes the following
day. •
Film Review from page 6
fragile dachshund. Deciding to empower
himself through self-protection, Casey forgoes
purchasing a firearm (in a hilariously awkward
scene) and instead enlists in a local karate
class under the leadership of the confident (if
slightly delusional) Sensei (Alessandro Nivola).
From here, the film further examines (again,
in comically deadpan fashion) the concepts
of masculinity: Casey learns from Sensei
that to be tough – to be “a man” – one
must listen to heavy metal, own large dogs
and, essentially, be a jerk. Despite rising up
the ranks through harsh training from both
Sensei and Anna (Imogen Poots), the dojo’s
most qualified student, the still emotionallysensitive
Casey, questions whether he’s able
to transform himself in this newly adopted
lifestyle.
A smaller film with modest ambitions, The
Art of Self-Defense is one of the funniest
movies I’ve seen this year. Eisenberg as
Casey plays a version of his recognizably
neurotic movie self, but adds many more
intriguing layers here. As Sensei, Alessandro
Nivola is unforgettable and wonderfully wacky
in this supporting role.
Impressive stunts, exacted cinematography
and a fun visual style all combine like a skilled
karate combo to create a fun balance between
comedy and suspense. An entertainingly offkilter
look at toxic masculinity in today’s
world, The Art of Self-Defense is a striking
knockout that should be sought out this
summer movie season. •
Morgan Rojas
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