Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on April 7, 2021
Virtual Meeting
The April 7, 2021 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session.
- The Board took action on two workers’ compensation claims.
- The Board promoted Santino Danisi, Executive Officer at State and Federal Programs to Chief Financial Officer at Business Services Administration.
- The Board took action to lateral Miguel Naranjo, principal II at Burroughs Elementary school to principal II at Herrera Elementary school.
- The Board promoted Catherine Aujero, Manager III at Visual and Performing Arts to Principal III at Bullard Talent K-8 school.
Next, Ariana Reyes SAB representative from Cambridge High School, shared that they have been busy helping students earn has many credits as possible to help them get back on the graduation track. For the entire year, students have earned 8064 credits. We have 32 graduates and expect 63 more seniors to graduate by June. They welcomed students back on campus with signs and balloons, getting to know you activities and making sure students and staff felt safe. Also, leadership students are currently planning virtual activities for National Child Abuse Prevention Month and World Autism Awareness Day.
The School Student Ambassadors from Sequoia Middle School also shared what they love about Sequoia Middle School.
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education, including:
- Superintendent Nelson started by thanking Roosevelt High School for hosting the board meeting. With a first week of school, in April, it was a fantastic start to in-person instruction for our preschool through second graders and grades 7, 9 and our seniors. And next week, we welcome the remainder of our grades. From this starting place, we will continue to expand the number of students and the duration of time kids will be taught in person. We will continue adding arts, athletics, and activities to get our community to the greatest degree of normalcy that we can. We are planning for in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies as well as in-person summer education options. At the same time, we are finalizing plans for next school year – addressing unfinished learning with focus on literacy, credit recovery and providing on-campus social emotional supports. We look forward to sharing more details around graduations, summer learning and next school year’s plans over the next few weeks. Know that as a district we are dedicated to serving the needs of students and families, however they are feeling about the reopening process. As part of our reopening, I want to give a shout-out to EOC for their support in launching our COVID testing for student athletes. Their partnership is vital for our students to safely resume playing the sports they love. Here is a video highlighting our return to in-person instruction.
- Next, the Superintendent also shared that at times it may have felt like we were stuck in place this year, we have, however pushed forward in so many areas, and that includes the planning for our new alternative education campus at 10th and Ventura. Today, we launch the naming process for this innovative and exciting education complex. Please go to Fresnounified.org and let us know your ideas for naming our newest campus. The deadline to submit ideas is May 7.
- Superintendent Nelson took a moment to congratulate our newest cohort of National Board Certified teachers. Starting in 2015, Fresno Unified develop a support program for teachers who wished to pursue National Board Certification, one of the highest marks of teaching accomplishment. Since the start of the program, 39 teachers have successfully achieved certification. The district is proud to recognize this year’s newest recipients: Meagan Andrade, Donna Cardona, Debbie Downs, Lisa Milazzo, Terry O’Leary, Jacqueline Somers, Laura Vallejo, and Sidney Vang! Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
- Last, Superintendent Nelson took a couple of minutes to share that April is Autism Awareness Month. This in an opportunity to increase our knowledge of autism, as well as recognize the work our staff does to server our students with autism.
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 District Administrative Board
- Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
- Adopted Annual Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators
- Approved Provisional Internship Permits
- Approved Amendment to Agreement with Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
- Approved Grant Proposal to the Wallace Foundation – Equity-Centered Pipeline Initiative
- Approved Submission of Grant Applications to the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program, and Authorize Acceptance of Grant Awards and Entering into Grant Agreements
- Approved Award of Bid 21-37, Hoover High School Multipurpose Room HVAC Replacement
- Approved Use of Individual Piggyback Contracts
- Ratified Annual Agreement with Fresno County Early Stars Program
- Ratified Change Orders for the Projects Listed Below
- Bid 20-11, Ericson Elementary School Early Learning Building Construction and Interim Housing Infrastructure
- Bid 20-20, McLane High School Library Modernization
- Bid 21-08, Sunnyside High School Stadium Turf Installation
- Ratified Purchase Orders from January 01, 2021 through January 31, 2021 – Primary Report
- Ratified Purchase Orders from January 01, 2021 through January 31, 2021 – Supplemental Report (Board member Jonasson- Rosas abstain pursuant Board Bylaw 9270)
Next, the Board of Education discussed the below conference/discussion agenda items:
- Presented and Discussed Center for Advanced Research and Technology Student Presentation
- Public Hearing in the Matter of the Graham Yalle Academy Charter Petition (Pulled from agenda by petitioner)
- Presented and Discussed the 2021/22 Strategic Budget Development
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at board.fresnounified.org