Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on February 17, 2021

Virtual Meeting

The February 17, 2021 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session

  • The Board promoted Tami Lundberg, executive director at Information and Technology, to Chief Technology Officer.

Next, Justin Shaw, SAB representative from J.E. Young Academic Center, shared that the school is off CSI status. Their 2020 graduation rate was 83%, the highest since the school was redesigned in 2013 when the graduation rate was 35%. Justin shared that during the 2019-20 school year, students completed 365 college units and 1,209 high school elective credits. This year they are on track to surpass those numbers. Also, they added another college course option for students, bringing the total to six dual enrollment courses offered at J.E. Young. 

The School Student Ambassadors from Fort Miller Middle School also shared what they love about Fort Miller Middle School.

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

  • Superintendent Nelson started by sharing that our small on-campus cohorts that were operating up until winter break will be restarting this coming Monday, February 22. We are excited to bring these students back to campus and look forward to expanding these small on-campus cohorts as our case counts continue to decline.
  • Next, the Superintendent also shared that next week our simultaneous teaching pilots from before the winter break will re-start. For these pilots, teachers have volunteered to test out various forms of technology in the classroom to facilitate simultaneous teaching. This helps us to be prepared with best practices when we start a hybrid schedule with teachers teaching some students on campus at the same time as they are teaching students through distance learning. We also have been working to gather information from our teachers as to who voluntarily wants to return to campus to provide more in-person supports for students on Mondays each week. So far, we have over 400 teachers who would like to return to provide those in-person supports for students, and if you are a teacher interested in coming back to campus, please make your intentions known to HR by the end of this week.  
  • Superintendent Nelson shared that much is happening in the district to get our students and staff back to campuses safely. As the virus decreases in our county, we can continue moving forward in the right direction for our students’ and staff’s safe return to in-person learning. So please keep doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19; it is working.
  • Superintendent shared with everyone that the district is currently surveying parents, staff, and students in grades 4-12 on a handful of school climate and culture indicators. The survey is an opportunity for you and your students to tell us about your experiences with their school and how we can better support your student’s learning. Promoting a positive school climate is central to our district’s vision of success for each student. For more information, check your email or contact your child’s school directly. 
  • Superintendent Nelson celebrated two outstanding Fresno Unified Family members. First, a huge shoutout to Jane Banks, our Director of Health Services, who was recently recognized with the President’s Above and Beyond Award from the California School Nurses Organization. Jane has been a vital force in our district, helping us to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic safely, and she has been a leader and a resource across the state at this time. Next, I want to recognize Clare McGarvin, a teacher-librarian at McLane High School, who was recognized with the President’s Award from the California School Library Association (CSLA). Clare, we are so grateful to you for your dedication to your students, community, and service at the state level through CSLA.   
  • Last, Superintendent Nelson took a couple of minutes to remind all our seniors that our Fresno Unified Scholarship Fund is open for applications. Make sure to connect with your academic counselor ASAP to help you get your application in before the deadline of March 4. Take a look at this video for more info.

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

  • Approved Personnel List
  • Adopted Resolution Proclaiming March 2021 as Arts Education Month
  • Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
  • Approved the 20201/2021 Certificated Management Competitive and Negotiable 261 Duty Days Revised Salary Schedule
  • Denied Appointment to Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
  • Approved Amendment to Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Rev.com
  • Approved Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Taylor English Duma, LLP
  • Approved Agreement with United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley
  • Ratified an Agreement between Fresno Unified School District Early Learning Department and Tulare County Office of Education
  • Ratified Independent Contractor Services Agreement with American Ambulance
  • Ratified Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Riddell Football
  • Ratified Independent Contractor Services Agreement with San Joaquin Valley Officials Association – Central California Amateur Arbiters Sport Officials
  • Ratified Grant Application to the California Community Schools Partnership Program
  • Ratified Change Orders for the Project Listed Below

Bid 20-30 Roosevelt High School Cafeteria Modernization (Board member Jonasson- Rosas abstain pursuant Board Bylaw 9270)

  • Ratified the Filling of Notices of Completion 

Bid 19-51 Sections B and C, Mechanical Improvements for Malloch Elementary School and Tehipite Middle School 

Bid 20-55, Modular Classroom Infrastructure for Centennial, Eaton, and Pyle Elementary Schools

Bid 21-02, Brawley Service Center Automotive Lift Installation 

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

  • Discussed Student Voice Collaborative for the 2020/21 School Year 
  • Presented and Discussed the 2021/22 Strategic Budget Development

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

  • Received Constituent Services Quarterly Reporting
  • Received Fresno Unified School District’s Second Quarterly Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2020/21

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be a teleconference meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at board.fresnounified.org

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