Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on August 12, 2020

Virtual Meeting

The August 12, 2020 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session

  • The Board took action on four workers’ compensation claim

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

  • Superintendent welcomed everyone to the first board meeting of the 2020-2021 school year and continued to share that we know online learning can present many challenges, but our team of educators are ready to dive in and make this year of learning the best it can be. We have been preparing for months, and while we know that won’t mean everything is perfect, we also know that you can’t learn to surf on the beach – we’ve got to jump in the water! Thank you to all your teams for weathering this time of crisis and for everyone out there doing all you can to make sure our students have the best when we start school on Monday.
  • Next, the Superintendent shared that this was our first year of 100% online summer learning and I am proud to share that we had 10,993 students participate in our summer academies and 4,167 students participates in our summer camps. Of the 6,254 high school students in our summer academies they earned a total of 38,786 credits and we celebrated 147 graduates. Great job to all involved in making summer learning a success and great job to all students who participated.
  • Superintendent Nelson stated that he is thrilled to announce that we have broken ground just last month on our new elementary school, Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary. Our facilities team has been working so hard during school closures, taking full advantage of empty campuses to start and complete many improvements to our district’s sites. Great Job Karin Temple and our entire facilities team for your outstanding work – we can’t wait to see Herrera when it’s complete.
  • Superintendent thanked the Fiscal team for their accomplishments. Our team maintained as Aa3 stable credit rating through Moody’s Investors Service. This at a time of economic crisis due to Coronavirus pandemic is a huge accomplishment and could not be done without the fantastic work of our Fiscal team under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent, Ruthie Quinto. Moody’s noted. “The district benefits from a stable and strong management team, with prudent fiscal practices and a consistent track record of outperforming budget.” Great job Fiscal team – thank you for your ongoing dedication.
  • Superintendent Nelson shared that our teams have been working hard to provide several virtual opportunities for our families to participate in to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. We are so thrilled to see thousands of our Fresno Unified Family to join us last week for our Virtual Town Hall on the reopening of schools. The turnout was unlike anything we have had in the past and I want to say thank you to all our teams that made this Town Hall happen. With that overwhelming engagement, we hit a news snag in our virtual capacity that we have not foreseen where our Spanish speaking parents line reached its limit of users. I just want to apologize formally to all our Spanish speaking parents that were unable to join the meeting last Thursday. Our teams immediately went back to the drawing board and schedule a Spanish Virtual Town Hall that took place yesterday evening with a great turnout. Our teams also have scheduled a Hmong Virtual Town Hall set this Friday at 6:00 p.m. and we hope that you can join us. Thank you again parents and families for your engagement, please continue to engage with us as we all learn side-by-side through distance learning.  
  • Next, Superintendent mentioned that our technology teams and sites are getting out more than 60,000 devices to our students as we transitioned to online learning. However, we know that means that about 11,000 of our students did not opt-in for a district device during those distribution times and would now like to get a district laptop or tablet as we start the 2020/21 school year in a distance learning format. Over the last week or two our Family Learning and Technology Support Center has been overwhelmed with sometimes over 6,000 calls in one day. To meet the overwhelming demand, we have increased our staffing dramatically at the center and we have created and online request form for families to expedite the process. Go to our homepage and click on the icon that reads, “Request a Device or Hotspot” under Popular Resources you can complete a form that is immediately sent to our Technology department. They will fill out your order as quickly as possible and get your device straight to your door through FedEx expedited service – NO CALL NECESSARY.
  • Superintendent reminded parents that immunizations are required to start school next week. Even though we will be stating the year 100% online learning format, immunizations are required prior to the star of the start of the school on Monday, August 17 as they have been in years past. If you are unsure of what immunizations ae required for you student you can check http://www.shotsforschools.org/for more information. Proof of immunizations is required to start school next week so please get in with your primary care doctor as soon as possible. 
  • Next Superintendent Nelson shared that starting on the first day of school, Monday, August 17th we are expanding our meal distribution to 63 of our school sites. These 63 school sites will still be serving on a grab and go basis and both breakfast and lunch will be available for pick up from 7am -9am on weekdays. To see the full list of meal sites please click here. We are continuing to enroll for Early Learning. If you’d like to have your child registered you can enroll online at our website or call us at (559) 4573862.
  • Last, Superintendent Nelson announce that many of our staff have returned to work, whether that be at home or physically on site, I want to remind all staff of our requires safety practices while working on visiting ANY of our district sites. We are asking the same of any parents or students who visit our campuses as well. First, please complete your self-health screen prior to leaving your home and if you are presenting with any COVID-19 symptoms please DO NOT come to the district site. If you are symptom-free please ensure at least 6 feet of distance between you and anyone else that is not part of your household. For more information let’s check out this short video about the health screening tool and how to properly wear a mask or face covering. 

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

  • Approved Personnel List
  • Adopted Resolution No. 20-02 in Support of an Ethnic Studies Program in Fresno Unified School District
  • Adopted Variable Term Waiver
  • Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
  • Approved Budget Revision No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2020/21
  • Approved Revised Job Descriptions for the Benefits Eligibility Assistant, Disability Retirement Technician and Child Welfare Attendance Specialist Positions
  • Approved Provisional Internship Permits
  • Approved Appointment of Fresno Unified School District Representatives to the State Center Adult Education Consortium Executive Board
  • Approved Annual Agreements for the 2020/21 School Year
  • Approved The College Board Agreement-Advanced Placement
  • Approved The College Board Agreement-PSAT/SAT
  • Approved Hanover Research Agreement
  • Approved United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley as a Qualified Healthcare Services Provider
  • Approved Award of Bid 20-05, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
  • Approved Award of Bid 20-28, Ready-to-Serve Pizza
  • Approved Award of Bid 20-58, Dry and Frozen Food Products
  • Approved Award of Bid 21-01, Hoover High School Event Center Painting and Fireproofing
  • Approved Award of Bid 21-02, Brawley Service Center Automotive Lift Installation
  • Denied Claim GL20-0722-5025
  • Ratified Agreement with Cumulus Media-Fresno
  • Ratified Memorandum of Understanding between Fresno Adult School and the San Joaquin College of Law to Implement the 2019-2021 Citizenship Assimilation Grant through September 30, 2021
  • Ratified RATIFY Change Orders for the Projects Listed Below
  • Bid 19-10, McLane High School Construction of New Aquatic Center
  • Bid 19-17 Phase 2A, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Balderas, Birney, Burroughs, Jackson; (Section 2) Malloch, Sunset, Thomas, Wilson
  • Bid 19-28 Phase 3A, Sections 1 and 2, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Bakman, Gibson, Heaton, Hidalgo; (section 2) Kratt, Vinland, Williams, Yokomi
  • Bid 19-32 Phase 3B, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Calwa, Fremont, Holland, Lane; (Section 2) Mayfair, Norseman, Powers-Ginsburg, Storey
  • Bid 19-40 Phases 4A (Sections 1 and 2) and 4B (Sections 1 and 2), Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: Ayer, Bullard Talent, Centennial, Columbia, Del Mar, Eaton, Figarden, Forkner, King, Lowell, Manchester, McCardle, Olmos, Roeding, Rowell and Vang Pao
  • Bid 19-41, Wawona K-8 School Classroom and Restroom Additions
  • Bid 19-50 Section B, Modular Classroom Relocation and Infrastructure for Phoenix Elementary, Sunset and Wilson Elementary Schools
  • Bid 19-51 Sections B and C, Mechanical Improvements for Malloch Elementary School and Tehipite Middle School
  • Bid 20-15, Viking Elementary School Portable Classrooms and Restroom Infrastructure
  • Ratified the Filing of Notices of Completion
  • Bid19-10, McLane High School Construction of New Aquatic Center
  • Bid 19-17 Phase 2A, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Balderas, Birney, Burroughs, Jackson; (Section 2) Malloch, Sunset, Thomas, Wilson
  • Bid 19-28 Phase 3A, Sections 1 and 2, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Bakman, Gibson, Heaton, Hidalgo; (Section 2) Kratt, Vinland, Williams, Yokomi
  • Bid 19-32 Phase 3B, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: (Section 1) Calwa, Fremont, Holland, Lane; (Section 2) Mayfair, Norseman, Powers-Ginsburg, Storey
  • Bid 19-40 Phases 4A (Sections 1 and 2) and 4B (Sections 1 and 2), Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools: Ayer, Bullard Talent, Centennial, Columbia, Del Mar, Eaton, Figarden, Forkner, King, Lowell, Manchester, McCardle, Olmos, Roeding, Rowell and Vang Pao
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from May 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 – Primary Report
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from May 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 – Supplemental Report (Board member Jonasson- Rosas abstain pursuant Board Bylaw 9270)

Next, the Board of Education discussed the below conference/discussion agenda item:

  • Discussed and Adopted Resolution 19-44, Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Election of 2016, Series C, in the Aggregate Principal Amount of Not to Exceed $90,000,000, and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of Documents and Actions in Connection Therewith
  • Discussed and Adopted Resolution 19-45, Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of 2020 Refunding General Obligation Bonds to Refund Outstanding General Obligation Bonds, Election of 2010, Series D, and Outstanding 2012 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, and Approving Related Documents and Actions
  • Discussed and Adopted Resolution 19-46, Authorizing Execution and Delivery of Amendments to Site Lease and Facility Lease Agreements with Central Valley Support Services Joint Powers Agency Relating to the Central Kitchen Facility, Approving the Issuance of Refunding Lease Revenue Bonds by the Agency, and Approving Preliminary Official Statement and Related Documents and Actions
  • Discussed and Adopted Resolution 19-47, Authorizing Debt Service Estimate to be Provided to the County of Fresno Respecting Unsold General Obligation Bonds of the Fresno Unified School District Relating to the Measure X and Measure M Authorizations for 2020/21
  • Conducted a Public Hearing and Adopted Resolution 19-48, Making a Determination to Submit a Waiver Request to the California State Board of Education with Respect to Certain Provisions of the California Education Code Relating to the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds, and Approving Related Documents and Actions
  • Presented and Discussed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Praxis Collaborative
  • Discussed and Considered Adoption of Resolution Reconsidering Censure of Trustee Slatic

Finally, the Board of Education received the following Information and Reports:

  • Received 2019/20 Report of Gifts to Fresno Unified School District

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be a teleconference meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at http://board.fresnounified.org

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