April 10, 2019

The April 10 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:

  • The Board promoted Carlos Castillo, Principal at Bullard High School to Instructional Superintendent
  • The Board promoted Ryan Coe, Vice Principal on Special Assignment to Director, Instructional Support, Curriculum Instructional Services
  • The Board took action on one worker’s compensation claim

Next, Sue Farmer, Athletic Director at Sunnyside High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, Raymond Ramirez, ASB representative from DeWolf High School shared that so far this year 20 students have graduated and another 30 will do so by the end of the school year. Ramirez also shared that DeWolf has two career pathways, Urban Innovations and Certifications—a new course that offers students the opportunity to earn credits and obtain certifications and Construction Technology-Exterior that provides students a hands-on construction experience for both commercial and residential projects. In addition, the school added another session to after-school tutoring for core subjects. This year’s first Project-Based Learning opportunity is an instructional strategy about teen homelessness.

Students from Fort Miller Middle School were present and spoke about what they love about being a student at their school.

Next, the Board recognized Fresno Unified School District High School Winter Sports Teams for the  2018/19 School Year

  • Edison Girls Soccer Team – CIF Division II Valley Champions- Head Coach Larry Hinz
  • Bullard Wrestling – CIF Wrestling State Qualifiers – Head Coach Carlos Urrea
  • Edison Wrestling – CIF Wrestling State Qualifier – Head Coach Gregory Scott
  • Hoover Wrestling – CIF Wrestling State Qualifier – Head Coach Todd Gonzales
  • McLane Wrestling – CIF Wrestling State Qualifier – Head Coach Brian Perreault

Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education including:

  • Congratulating the teams who competed in the district’s 12th Annual Middle School Tournament of Technology. Division I Champion was Sequoia Middle School, Kings Canyon took second and Computech third. In Division II, Tioga Middle School got the top spot, while Baird took second and Hamilton followed in third. More than 500 students participated with over 70 volunteers. IT team produced a video highlighting memorable moments from the tournament. 
  • Nelson also shared that this past weekend the California Department of Education held a special ceremony to recognized its 2019 Distinguished Schools. Among those celebrated were Baird Middle School and Design Science Middle College High School. The California Distinguished Schools program recognized secondary schools for their exceptional student performance for two consecutive year of closing the achievement gap between two school years. Only 162 middle and high schools earned this distinction this year. 
  • Superintendent shared that this Tuesday a national case study was published by Education Resource Strategies highlighting the board’s investments in more instructional time for students. The Fresno Unified Designated Schools model is one of eight national educational success stories featured.  The study goes to highlight the many academic shifts that have occurred over the last five years, including improving academic achievement gaps. To date, more than half of Designated Schools have improved their math performance ranking compared to other schools sites in the state. Additionally, every year our Designated School have seen student growth in both math and ELA.  The case study is available on the district’s website.
  • Superintendent acknowledged that tomorrow, Fresno Unified will join the community in celebrating the Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning. The event will kick off at William Saroyan Theatre with student performances and videos displaying students service-learning projects related to the ten core values of Cesar Chavez before hundreds march in celebration back to the Cesar Chavez Education Center. 
  • Last, Nelson took time to acknowledge that our Central Valley is home to many survivors and their descendent of the Armenian Genocide. Each April, staff brings forward a proclamation in remembrance of the existence of the Armenian Genocide and we failed to include that proclamation. We will be doing that at our next meeting in May.

Next, the Board of Education took the following action on the below consent agenda items:

  • Approved Personnel List
  • Adopted Findings of Fact and Recommendations of the District Administrative Board
  • Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
  • Adopted Resolution Proclaiming May 6-10, 2019 as Teacher/Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week
  •  Adopted Resolution Proclaiming April 2019 School Library Month
  • Approved Budget Revision No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2018/19
  • Approved Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Educations Elements for Learning Analytics Research Services
  • Approved Amendment to Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Shift3/Bitwise for Additional Development
  • Approved Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Gartner
  • Approved Agreement with Wonder Valley Ranch
  • Approved Award of Request for Proposal E22001, Network Equipment for Internal Connections
  • Approved Award Bid 19-26 Sections  A and B, Boiler Replacement for Various Schools (Balderas, Centennial, Cooper and McLane)
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-27 Sections A-D, Exterior Painting at Various Schools (Burroughs, Dailey, DeWolf, Greenberg, Kings Canyon, Starr, Terronez, Williams, Yokomi)
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-28 Phase 3A, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools (Bakman, Gibson, Heaton, Hidalgo, Kratt, Vinland, Williams and Yokomi)
  • Approved Climate and Culture Specialist Revised Job Description, Designation as Certificated, Exempt
  • Approved Revised Job Description for Clinical School Social Worker, Designated as Management, Exempt
  • Approved Revised Job Description for Executive Director, Special Education, Formerly Director, Special Education Local Plan Area, designated as Management, Exempt
  • Approved Revised  Job Description for Head Counselor, Designation as Management, Exempt
  • Approved Revised Job Description for School Counselor, Designated as Management, Exempt
  • Manager II, Social Emotional Support Salary Placement from E-25,228 Duty Days to E-25, 215 Duty Days on the Management Salary Schedule, Designated as Management, Exempt (Pulled from agenda by staff)
  • Ratified Agreement with Educational Testing Services
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from February 1, 2019 through February 28, 2019 – Primary Report
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from February 1, 2019 through February 28, 2019 – Supplemental Report (Board Clerk Mills and Jonasson Rosas abstained pursuant board Bylaw 9270)

Next, the Board of Education discussed and took action on the below conference/discussion agenda items:

  • Discussed and Approved  Revised Edison High School Long-Range Master Plan
  • Presented and Discussed the 2019/20 Strategic Budget Development for African American Academic Acceleration, Prevention and Intervention and Early Learning
  • Discussed and Approved California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly Vote

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Fresno Unified Education Center, located at 2309 Tulare Street in Fresno. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at https://go.fresnou.org/board

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