BCS - new lawsuit, other items

It often feels like our time is consumed by the BCS issue.  I'm so pleased that our staff is able to focus heavily on our students, and I try to write about that work as much as I can.  While BCS continues to consume a great deal of Board time, we are doing some fantastic things in the classroom.  However, I do still want to keep people posted on what's going on with BCS, and it's time for an update.


Negotiations
The Long Term negotiating teams did meet last night, and also on Oct 30.  Some progress has been made, but there remain some significant "sticking points".  I cannot yet predict whether these discussions will bear fruit.  We will continue to take video and post them to the District website for those who are interested in watching the sessions. 

All of the video can be found here


FO/FUA Violations
Next week at the Board meeting, we will be holding a public hearing on how to address the BCS violations of the terms of the Final Offer, and the Facilities Use Agreement that they signed.  One BCS Board member has been quoted in the MV Voice as saying that they have not violated the terms of the agreement, and BCS Board Chair Ken Moore has accused the district of "inventing its own alternate reality".  We have had BCS parents speaking in open session of our board meeting, admitting to BCS actions in violation of the FO/FUA and substantial evidence from the community and staff of the numerous violations.  The Courts have already ruled that the conditions we imposed were legal, so the only question remaining is what we should do about it.  I will be very interested to see if BCS has any light they can shed on this, but I don't think the District are the ones not inhabiting reality.

Here is the notification we sent to them for the hearing
and the recent MV Voice Article
and the Town Crier Article


New Lawsuit
Finally, we received service today of another lawsuit from BCS.  (we receive notice it was coming on Nov 1, along with the facilities request for next year).  Once again they are using CEQA to challenge District actions.  I find this an odd disconnect.  In the negotiations, BCS Board members have told us that we have the ability to essentially ignore CEQA and do whatever we want.  In these lawsuits, though, they allege that we haven't followed it properly.  That's a very strange set of positions to take.  This latest lawsuit from BCS challenges the placement of a portable on the Egan campus, in space not used by BCS.  That building is used to conduct classes for special needs students.  I don't think I could conceive of a n action from BCS that would paint them in a less flattering light.  Start with a law BCS is currently violating, a law which they claim the district has the power to ignore.  Use that law to attack services we provide for a group of students that not only need additional services, but are part of a legally protected group (special needs).   Top that off with community allegations that BCS doesn't serve that same group of students.

I can't imagine what their highly paid PR firm must think of all of this, but I sure wouldn't want to have to explain it to the public if I were in their shoes.  (cue the music to mission:Impossible)

Here is the paperwork for the lawsuit
Bullis Summons
Verified Petition for Writ of Mandate (the actual lawsuit)
Notice of Election to Prepare the Administrative Record
Notice of Related Case  (asks the court to join this lawsuit with the existing CEQA lawsuit)
Civil Case Cover Sheet
Notice to the Attorney General
Proof of Service