August 9, 2023 – Board Meeting Recap

Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on August 9th, 2023

The August 9th, 2023 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of closed session:

  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Patrick Jensen to Chief Financial Officer.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Yee Xiong to Assistant Superintendent in Human Resources.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Carlos Arredondo to Assistant Superintendent in Human Resources.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Thomas Williams to Principal III at Gaston Middle School.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Gilbert Villarreal to Principal III at Terronez Middle School.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Autumn Prestidge to Principal IV at eLearn Academy.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Angelica Espinosa to Principal II at Winchell Elementary School.
  • The Board took action in closed session to promote Lianna Silva to Principal II at Sunset Elementary School.
  • The Board took action in closed session to appoint Felicia Quarles Treadwell to Administrator in Human Resources.
  • The Board took action in closed session on a worker’s compensation claim.
  • The Board took action in closed session on a worker’s compensation claim.
  • The Board took action in closed session on a worker’s compensation claim.

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

  • Superintendent Nelson started his remarks with his excitement to welcome back our students to campuses on Monday, August 14th.
  • Superintendent shared some highlights of a successful summer where summer academies were held at most schools and almost 8,000 of our students were able to enjoy real-world learning experiences through our summer camp programs throughout July. Superintendent shared this wonderful highlight from CBS47 on our Dive Into Space summer camp, check that out here. Superintendent shared his thanks to all who have made these extended learning opportunities a reality for our students.
  • Superintendent also shared that just this morning he was with the full Extended Learning team, where Michael Funk, the Director of Expanded Learning at the California Department of Education, came in person to thank our team and share that Fresno Unified is the gold standard NATIONALLY for after school and summer programming use of extended learning funds.
  • Superintendent shared our readiness as a district to maximize the academic gains we began to realize last school year and the amazing success of our summer programming. He shared how we’re prepared to maximize that success through the additional $93 million of direct investments around our plans to improve students’ academic performance, expand their real-world learning experiences, and increase student engagement. Superintendent highlighted several investments including;
    • $20 million per year for the next 5 years into our concerted literacy efforts, specifically targeting our preschool through 1st graders with our “Every Child a Reader” plans,
    • $2.1 million in 15 additional literacy coaches to support early literacy,
    • $1.7 million in additional high school teachers to support smaller class sizes in literacy,
    • $7.2 million into school safety including campus safety assistants for every elementary school, more for comprehensive high schools, additional cameras, and a new Executive Director of Safety with more than 30 years of experience in safety and security,
    • Nearly $9 million additional investment into health and wellbeing including our first phase of ensuring a full-time school nurse at every school,
    • $9 million in technology upgrades including outdoor wifi expansions at campuses,
    • $8 million for facilities and maintenance improvements,
    • $13 million for arts and athletics,
    • Nearly $4 million in our Special Education services,
    • And much more.
  • Superintendent then shared his thanks to CSEA and our bargaining team for coming to some important agreements over the past week. Through side letter agreements we are realizing several important improvements for our Special Education Paraprofessionals including;
    • An additional four (4) days of professional development,
    • An increase for those working 6-hour duty days to 7-hour duty days to better align with student and school site needs,
    • And a 5-grade reclassification for all special education paraprofessionals as they take on additional responsibilities to best serve our students.
  • Superintendent shared that all these investments and improvements are targeted and strategic, fulfilling plans we have made to improve academic performance, increase student engagement, and expand opportunities for student-centered, real-world learning experiences. These plans have been made considering the feedback of our families, our teachers, our staff, and our students – specifically looking to meet the needs of our community. Superintendent used the English Learner Master Plan, where our teams are engaging to get critical feedback, using research and best practices, showing their increases in reclassification rate AND working to better their targeted services. Just last year, over 1,000 students were reclassified – a nearly 7% increase from the previous school year.
  • Superintendent then shared his gratitude to all team members who have been working hard through the summer to ensure our schools are clean, functional and beautiful for our students. We could not do this without our custodians, grounds workers, maintenance techs, and so many others.
  • Superintendent then thanked our teachers who all returned to campuses today and are readying their rooms and lessons for students next week. He also clarified that while he knows choice was provided regarding the removal of projectors, that if any teacher is now missing a projector and needs that to better their instruction, please speak with your site leader who can work directly with our IT department on options to ensure you have what you need.
  • Superintendent Nelson also acknowledged that a potential strike might be on the minds of our staff and families. He assured all that we are doing our absolute best to avoid a strike, as our students deserve to be in their classrooms with their teachers, especially after the impact of the pandemic on our schools. We will continue to engage earnestly in negotiations working toward an agreement that is best for students, mutually beneficial to both parties, and ensures the ongoing fiscal stability of our district. He also shared that if a strike does become a reality, we are committed to keeping our schools open, safe, and full of critical learning for our students.
  • Superintendent Nelson closed his remarks reminding families that they can find all their back-to-school information on our website at www.fresnounified.org. He also urged our community to be safe on the roads to ensure our students get to and from our schools safely each day. He shared this PSA that is airing on local channels now and asked all to do their part to keep our kids safe.

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 Resolution 24-01, Authorizing Submittal of Grant Application, Acceptance of Funds, and Execution of Agreement to Implement the Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Projects
  • Adopted Resolutions 24-02, 24-03, 24-04, and 24-05 Authorizing Submittal of Grant Applications, Acceptance of Awards, and Execution of Agreements to Implement Projects from the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE); and APPROVE Professional Services for the CalSHAPE Ventilation Program
  • Adopted Resolution 24-06 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 M Authorization for Fiscal Year 2023/24
  • Approved Budget Revision No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2023/24
  • ITEM PULLED – Approve all 2023/24 Salary Schedules – Classified Food Services Hourly, Classified Hourly, Fresno Teachers Association – Trades, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Crafts Hourly, Confidential Hourly, Supervisory Hourly, Certificated and Classified Management, Nurses and Speech Language Pathologists, Teachers and Librarians, Teachers on Special Assignment, Designated Teachers, Career Technical Ed/Vocational Ed Teachers, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Instructors, Lori Ann Infant Center, Child Development Center and Pace Teachers, Adult Education, Pre-Kindergarten Teachers, and Classified Y-Rated Salary Schedule
  • Approved Position and Adopted Job Description of Supervisor, Environmental Health and Safety Services and Classified Management Salary Schedule 261 Duty Days
  • Approved Annual Hiring of Non-Credentialed Consultants for the 2023/24 School Year
  • Approved Credentialed Teachers to Coach One Period of Competitive Sport for Physical Education Credit for the 2023/24 School Year
  • Approved Retiree Contracts for the 2023/24 School Year
  • Approved Annual Agreements for the 2023/24 School Year – Primary Report
  • Approved Annual Agreements for the 2023/24 School Year – Supplemental Report
  • Approved Use of Individual Piggyback Contracts
  • Approved Award of Bid 24-11, Hyperconverged Servers and Accessories
  • Approved Award of Bid 24-12, Ahwahnee and Fort Miller Middle Schools Confidential Spaces Installation
  • Approved Vendor Designation Per Request for Qualifications 23-30, Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning Services
  • Approved Proposed Revisions for Board Bylaws
  • Approved Proposed Revisions for Board Policies
  • Ratified Agreement with California State University, Fresno for the Programs for Children
  • Ratified Amendment to Lease Agreement for Property Located at 3742 W. Gettysburg, Suite 102
  • Ratified Agreement for Request for Qualifications and Proposals 23-12, Design Build Services with Davis Moreno Construction, Inc.
  • Ratified Change Orders
  • Ratified the Filing of a Notice of Completion
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from May 01, 2023, through May 31, 2023 – Primary Report
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from May 01, 2023, through May 31, 2023 – Supplemental Report

The Board of Education discussed the below conference/discussion agenda items:

  • ITEM PULLED – OPPORTUNITY for Public Disclosure and RATIFICATION of the 2023/24 School Year Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and California School Employee Association, Chapter 125
  • ITEM PULLED – OPPORTUNITY for Public Disclosure and RATIFICATION of the 2023/24 School Year Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and California School Employee Association, Chapter 143

The Board of Education received no Information or Reports at this meeting.

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at board.fresnounified.org.

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