The December 13, 2017 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcement out of Closed Session:
- Place one permanent classified employee on compulsory leave of absence
Next, Lucy Luttrell and Tammy Shouse, parents who have had a positive impact at Webster Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board of Education approved the minutes from the September 13, 2017 regular meeting.
Student Raymond Ramirez from DeWolf High School shared some recent happenings from DeWolf including the school and other SAB students from other high schools collecting more than 1,000 items as part of the Be a Santa to a Senior project which provides gifts for seniors who are identified as being alone this holiday season. The school’s CTE construction class spent last Thursday participating in a community service project by installing solar panels on low income houses in the city of Fresno. Ramirez also thanked DeWolf’s principal, Frank Duran, for always believing in students and being supportive. Student Board Representatives Mackenzie Rivera and Keerat Riar shared their positive experiences at the California School Board Association Conference. They appreciate the district’s trust in them and valued the new information they took away from the conference including the need to hear more from younger peers. They appreciate the close access they have to board members and feel their voices matter. Also, students from Tenaya Middle School shared with the board the classes and school activities they enjoy participating in and their future plans.
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education including:
- Thanking everyone for joining the district for its last board meeting of 2017.
- Thanking community leaders for participating in the Hour of Code with Gaston Middle School students. CoderGirlz used tutorials to teach basic coding to community members and district leaders. Teachers and students across the district took part in Hour of Code as part of Computer Science Education Week. Fresno Unified is committed to inspiring more female students to find careers in STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math
- McLane ArtVenture Academy unveiled its new exhibit focused on the Japanese Internment. The students not only learned about the Japanese Internment during history classes but then applied what they learned into an art project. The exhibit debuted during ArtHop on December 7th at the district’s M Street Art Complex and runs through January.
- Last week, Nelson spoke at the Parent University Recognition Reception, which truly celebrated the hard work of parents over the last year. We know family engagement is a key strategy to increasing student achievement — we’re only as strong as our parents. Students have better attendance rates, test scores and more likely to attend college. Since its inception, more than 38,000 parents have participated in courses at Parent University. This is about encouraging parents to become comfortable with the district and engage with their students, teachers and staff. Our entire community has to engage and be involved. Here’s a video of the recognition ceremony.
- Finally, as we head into winter break, Nelson thanked everyone for their hard work and commitment to Fresno Unified. He remains hopeful the state appointed fact finding panel will help the district find resolution with our teacher’s union. He encouraged all to unplug from work and take time to connect with family and friends. The holiday season can also bring on additional stress so make relaxation and recreation a priority.
Next, the Board of Education conducted its annual reorganizational meeting. After a call for nominations, Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas was elected as the next Board President. Trustee Valerie Davis was elected as Board Clerk.
The Board of Education took the following actions on the below consent agenda items:
- Approved personnel list
- Adopted findings of fact and recommendations of the District Administrative Board
- Postponed resolution to approve Fresno County plan for providing educational services to expelled youth to a Board of Education agenda in January.
- Approved amendment to the agreement with Marsh and McLennan Agency
- Approved amendment to the agreement with Envision Pharmaceutical Services
- Approved renewal agreement with Envision Insurance Company for Retiree Prescription Services (Envision Rx Plus)
- Approved amendment to the agreement with Delta Fund Administrators
- Approved renewal agreement with Delta Health Systems (Plush Care/Tele-Health)
- Approved agreement with Community Medical Providers for Enhanced Primary Care Services
- Approved renewal agreement with Claremont Behavioral Services
- Approved agreement with BridgeHealth Medical, Inc.
- Approved parental leave test claim appeal
- Approved provisional internship permits
- Approved agreement with Fresno City College establishing an educational partner relationship
- Approved award of Bid 18-05, McLane High School Bioretention Basin Project
- Approved award of Bid 18-06 sections A-F: playground equipment installation for Columbia, Edison-Bethune, Jefferson, Kirk, Lane and Storey elementary schools
- Approved award of Bid 18-09, Construction of New Classroom Buildings and Modernization of Administration Building for Slater Elementary School. Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270.
- Approved award of Bid 18-10, Construction of Classroom Building for Figarden Elementary School
- Approved award of request for proposals 18-11, US Department of Agriculture Commodity Processed Turkey and Cheese Products
- Approved grant of easement and agreement for and underground pipeline easement at Greenberg Elementary School
- Denied Claim #17-0927-0339
- Denied Claim #17-0517-0345
- Denied Claim #GL17-0516-34
- Ratified Grant Funds from First 5 Fresno County: Unified Framework for Success – Developing an Integrated Approach to Early Childhood System of Care
- Ratified Grant Funds from the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing – Classified School Employee Credentialing Program
- Ratified Article 20 waivers for various schools for the 2017/18 school year
- Ratified change orders for the following projects (Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270):
- Bid 17-27R, Section A, Roosevelt High School Tennis Courts Improvements Rebid
- Bid 17-39, 2017 Summer Portable Relocation and Infrastructure
Next, staff made presentations to the Board in the conference/discussion section of the agenda as follows:
- Provided opportunity for public discussion and adopted the Fresno Unified School District Proposal to California School Employees Association (CSEA) and its Fresno Food Services Unit Chapter 143 for Re-Opener Negotiations for the 2017/18 School Year
- Provided opportunity for public discussion on the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and its Fresno Food Services Unit Chapter 143 Proposal to Fresno Unified School District for Re-Opener Negotiations for the 2017/18 School Year
- Provided opportunity for public disclosure and ratified the 2016-19 Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association (FASTA)/SEIU Local 521
- Discussed and approved the 2016/17 Audited Financial Statements Prepared by Crowe Horwath, LLP
- Discussed and approved the 2017/18 First Interim Financial Report with a Positive Certification
- Presented and discussed 2016/17 Measure Q and Measure X Annual Report
- Conducted a public hearing regarding Energy Service Contracts Being in the Best Interest of Fresno Unified School District and Adopted Resolution 17-11 Approving Energy Service Contracts with FFP BTM Solar, LLC (ForeFront Power) for Development of Solar Energy Projects at Comprehensive High Schools and Brawley Service Center, Pursuant to Government Code Section 4217.12; Approved Piggyback of School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR) Contract for Solar Energy Services; and Found Such Contracts to be in the Best Interest of Fresno Unified School District.
- Discussed and approved appointment of Board Member representative and Alternate Voting Representative for Fresno County Committee on School District Organization Elections
The Board of Education received the following information and reports:
- 2016/17 School Facility Fee Public Information Report. Out of an abundance of caution, Trustee Cazares recused herself from any consideration of the receipt of this report.
- 2018 List of Board Member Committees and Organizations
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, January 10, 2017 at the Fresno Unified Education Center, located at 2309 Tulare St. in Fresno. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at https://go.fresnou.org/board.