The April 3 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session, with the Board promoting:

  • Andrea Alvarez, Vice Principal I at Easterby Elementary to Principal II at Hidalgo Elementary
  • Jennifer Thomas, Vice Principal I at Jefferson Elementary to Principal II at Jefferson Elementary
  • Jeremy Ward, Principal IV at Duncan Polytechnical High School to Executive Officer, College and Career Readiness

Next, Aura Convers, a parent that has had a positive impact at Duncan Polytechnical High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, Ashley Valle and Erik Ramirez, ASB representatives from Cambridge High School shared the success of their credit recovery opportunities. So far, this year with Edgenuity  students have recovered 4,123 credits and 715 APEX online program credits. Combining online courses and direct instruction classes, students have recovered 17,447 credits. Valle and Ramirez also shared that Cambridge currently has 25 graduates and 27 students who went back to their comprehensive high school this year. The Alliance program recently organized a book and craft donation to Valleys Children’s Hospital and the Academic Decathlon team has earned a total of 17 medals, the most ever at Cambridge High School. 

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

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

  • Highlighting that last week, high schools were administering the SAT, while students in all grade levels are in the midst of the California Science Test and Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments or SBAC testing.
  • Nelson also shared that early learning registration for the 2019/20 school year is now open. Research shows that children who participate in high quality early learning programs are better prepared for kindergarten and beyond. Fresno Unified offers a pre-school/pre-kindergarten program for children during the year at most elementary sites. Classes are available in the morning and afternoon. Registration packets are available on all of our elementary school websites. Once the forms have been completed, parents or guardians can make an appointment with early learning registration team. Superintendent shared a short video featuring insight from a few of our early learning parents.  
  • Superintendent shared that this weekend is the District’s 12th Annual Middle School Tournament of Technology. More than 500 students will compete in technology-based competitions, the largest of its kind in the state. Students compete in 14 categories—Robotics, Video Productions and Design. Favorites include 3D Printer Racecar, 3D Printer Bridge-Builder, Blockbuster Video Trailer and BattleBots.
  • Last, Superintendent acknowledged that April is National Autism Awareness month and schools around the district are holding special events to bring awareness and promote inclusion. From providing parents newsletters, resources and classroom instruction to hosting assemblies, dances, coffee hours and special meals to wearing blue and hosting sensory recesses and more. Autism Awareness Month provides the opportunity to teach our students and staff about autism to further build a positive, accepting environments for all.

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 in Honor of CĂ©sar E. Chavez
  • Adopted Resolution 18-18, Requesting an Exemption from the Education Code Definition of “School Building” for a Suspension Tutoring Center through the African American Academic Acceleration Program
  • Approved Independent Contractor Services Agreement with CADA Central
  • Approved Agreement with Trauma Resource Institute
  • Approved Amendment to Agreement with Envision Insurance Company for Retiree Prescription Services
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-23 Sections A and B, Yosemite Middle School and Duncan High School Gymnasium Bleacher Installation
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-25, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) School Buses
  • Ratified  the Filing of a Notice of Completion

Bid 18-22, Rata High School Modernization

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

  • Discussed and Approved Revised Fresno High School Long-Range Master Plan
  • Presented and Discussed the 2019/20 Strategic Budget Development

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, April 10, 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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