February 7, 2018

The February 7, 2018 meeting of the Board of Education began with no announcements out of Closed Session.

Next, Paige Yebisu, a parent who has had a positive impact at Sunnyside High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Student Anna Cervantes from Sunnyside High School made a presentation to the board.  She thanked Trustee Davis for attending their SAB meeting and for encouraging students to never forget who they are and where they come from.   Cervantes and members of the Black Student Union shared some recent happenings at Sunnyside High School, including that the school will have a BSU Showcase on February 22 at 5:30pm in the cafeteria in celebration of Black History Month.  There will be different performances from stomp, spoken word, poetry and much more.  The goal is to spread positivity and awareness of Black History.  BSU students also thanked the board for their support. Also, students from Kings Canyon Middle School shared the extra-curricular activities they participate in and the schools they’d like to attend in the future.

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

  • Commending all high school students and coaches who participated in the annual Fresno County Academic Decathlon this past weekend.  In division 1, Edison came in second place, followed by Bullard as overall winners. Edison also outscored University High on seven written tests.  In Division 2, Sunnyside placed third and in Division 3, Duncan was third and won Most Improved.  In Division 4, Cambridge placed third.
  • Yesterday, the district received exciting news in its effort to provide every high school senior with an I Am Ready college packet.  The packets are personalized by providing each student their eligible colleges based on their academic profiles.  This effort increased college applications by 50% the first year and college acceptance rose by 53%.  97.5% of those seniors who applied to both a UC and CSU were accepted to at least one matching their academic profile.  Thanks to our Equity and Access team for continue to dive deep into these data points.  Nelson looks forward to sharing more data in the coming months.
  • Gaston Middle School held an annual assembly to kick-off Black History Month.  He encouraged everyone to take the time to celebrate and recognize the positive impacts that African Americans have had on our nation, state and community. Nelson then showed a video of the event at Gaston.
  • Updating the public on the district’s computer refresh program which provides new laptops and computers for teachers and principals every three years.  This school year, during Phase 1, the district provided new laptops to 574 teachers.  Phase 2 will begin in a few weeks with 510 teachers receiving their high-end HP laptops with touchscreens.
  • Last night the district hosted the 2018 Excellence in Education awards at Golden Palace Banquet Hall. It was a full house with 45 employees celebrated for their outstanding work.  It was great to highlight amazing people who give so much of themselves for our students.  Of the 45 finalists, five employees won a district award in their category.  Nelson then congratulated Myra Ramirez, home school liaison from Del Mar Elementary for winning Classified Employee of the Year, Carlanda Williams, a third grade teacher from Greenberg Elementary for winning Elementary Educator of the Year, Gaston PE teacher Minith Real for winning Middle Educator of the Year, Duncan ROP-CNA teacher Laurie Wehner for winning High School Educator of the Year and Joy Nunes, principal of Anthony Elementary for winning Administrator of the Year.  Of these five, Myra Ramirez, Minith Real and Joy Nunes will go on to represent Fresno Unified in the Fresno County Office of Education event this fall. You can find all of the 2017/18 honorees at www.fresnounified.org.

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 10, 2017 special meeting and October 25, 2017 regular meeting
  • Approved Budget Revision No. 3 for Fiscal Year 2017/18
  • Adopted Academic Calendar for 2018/19 and 2019/20
  • Approved Renewal Agreement with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC for Affordable Care Act (Employer Mandate) Services
  • Approved Independent Contractor Services Agreement with Quiq Labs
  •  Approved Memorandum of Understanding with Carter G. Woodson
  • Approved master contract with Judge Rotenberg Educational Center for Nonpublic School and Residential Placement
  • Ratified purchase orders from November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017.  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 an opportunity for public disclosure and ratified the 2016-2019 Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and Fresno Teachers Association
  • Provided an opportunity for public disclosure and adopted changes in wages and health benefits to non-represented, management, confidential, and supervisory employees consistent with bargaining unit members
  • Presented and discussed the 2018/19 Strategic Budget Development
  • Presented and discussed Personalized Learning Initiative Year 1 Results and Continued Expansion

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, February 21, 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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