February 21, 2018

The February 21, 2018 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:

  • Took action on workers compensation case

Next, Julius Tennison, a parent who has had a positive impact at Gaston Middle School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Students Kathalina Lee, Arianna Del Rel and Mayra Carillo from McLane High School made a presentation to the board.  They thanked Trustee De La Cerda and Board Clerk Davis for attending their SAB meeting.  The students then shared some recent happenings at McLane including their 2nd annual Unity Assembly hosted by McLane’s Black Student Union Club. The event included performances, guest speakers and the African American Mobile Museum.  The students also recognized student Elijah Neals for finishing 3rd in the D1 Valley Championship in Wrestling.  He also made McLane history by becoming the only three-time League Wrestling Champion for their school.  Neals is ranked 25th in the state and will compete in the State Championships this week. Also, both boys and girls soccer as well as boys basketball went to playoffs. McLane is also hosting future Highlanders from Scandinavian and Yosemite middle schools. McLane students are looking forward to their Sadie Hawkins Dance happening next month. Also, students from Scandinavian Middle School shared with the board the activities they enjoy taking part in and their future plans.

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

  • Thanking Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer and the Fresno Police Department for their continued partnership in addressing social media threats.  Last week, after the horrific events in Florida, schools across the country experienced copycat threats on social media, including our own Edison and Sunnyside high schools. Local law enforcement worked throughout the night to ultimately determine that the threats were not credible.  They also ensured there were additional police officers monitoring our schools.  The district and the Fresno Police Department take these threats seriously and will continue this partnership to ensure our schools are safe.  Nelson also encouraged parents to monitor their child’s social media activity and report anything suspicious.  He also encouraged parents to ensure their child’s emergency cards are up-to-date and to sign up for Rapid Alert emergency text messages. Parents and guardians can register from their cell phones by texting “YES” to 76587.

  • Congratulating our soccer and basketball teams’ achievements for making it to the playoffs.  #8 Sunnyside defeated #5 Bullard in penalty kicks to advance to the Central Section Division 1 Final against Clovis North.  Edison High’s girls soccer team advanced to the Central Section Division II Final against Tulare Western.  In basketball, Edison’s boys will host Clovis North tomorrow, Edison will travel to Bakersfield on Thursday and Sunnyside beat Buchanan and will play Clovis West tomorrow.  In boys Division II #8 Roosevelt will travel to #1 SJM, #10 Fresno High beat Independence to play Hanford.  In Division II, #7.  Nelson congratulated all athletes for their hard work this season.

  • Tonight’s agenda includes an item to name Roosevelt High School theater after 1988 alumnus Audra McDonald. Ms. McDonald is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winning singer and actress. She has enriched the global arts community with her talent and skills and serves as a Broadway icon.  Audra McDonald even tweeted about this honor over the weekend.  The Roosevelt High School community and I are excited and in full support of honoring Ms. McDonald with the Board’s approval tonight.

  • Applauding the district expanding Dual Immersion programs for next school year.  On Monday, February 26, the district will hold a special press conference to share our newest schools in the community, including a new opportunity at Vang Pao Elementary.

  • Recognizing Darryl Du’Chene, project manager for the Men’s and Women’s Alliance program.  Mr. Du’Chene will be inducted to the “Wall of Honor” at Fresno City College hosted by State Center Community College District and the African American Historical and Cultural Museum.

  • Encouraging the public to provide their input in the naming of the district’s new southeast elementary school.  The district is accepting suggestions for the naming of this new school located on 5090 E. Church.  Fresno Unified is prioritizing Measure X funds to build the new school which is targeted to open in time for the 2020/21 school year.  A survey has been created to collect community input and is available on our district website in multiple languages.

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
  • Approved minutes from the October 23, 2017 special meeting and November 8, 2017 regular meeting
  • Approved renewal agreement with Medical Eye Services
  • Approved agreement with SMG: Save Mart Center
  • Approved addendum to Independent Contractor Services Agreement with the Education and Leadership Foundation
  • Approved award of Bid 18-17 A-E, Installation of Exterior Lighting Upgrades at the following schools: Addams, Anthony, Ayer, Bakman, Bethune, Cambridge, Chavez Adult School, Del Mar, DeWolf, Eaton, Ewing, Forkner. Fremont, J.E. Young, Lawless, McCardle, Olmos, Powers-Ginsburg, Roeding, Thomas, Viking, Webster, Wilson and Yokomi.
  • Approved award of Bid 18-18, Sunnyside High School Irrigation Booster Pump for Landscaped Areas and Turf
  • Approved Roosevelt High School Dedication of the Audra McDonald Theater
  • Approved agreement for California State University, Fresno Unified School District
  • Approved proposed revisions for Board Policy (BP) 0410
  • Ratified Change Order for the following projects (Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270):
    • Turner Elementary School New Classroom and Administration Buildings
    • Fresno High School – Royce Hall Acoustical Improvements and Remodel
  • Ratified purchase orders from December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and Zero Dollar Contracts. President Jonasson Rosas and Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270

Next, staff made presentations to the Board in the conference/discussion section of the agenda as follows:

  • Provided opportunity for Public Disclosure and ratified the 2016-2019 Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and Fresno Teachers Association – Building Trades Professionals
  • Moved the opportunity for Public Disclosure and ratification of 2017/18 reopener Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and California School Employees Association and its Fresno Chapter 125 White Collar (CSEA) to a future board meeting.
  • Presented and discussed the 2018/19 Strategic Budget Development

The Board of Education received the following information and reports:

  • Fresno Unified School District’s Second Quarterly Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2017/18
  • Proposed Board of Education Meeting Dates for the 2018/19 and the 2019/20 school years
  • Constituent Services Quarterly Reporting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, March 7, 2018 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.

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