January 11, 2017

The January 11, 2017 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:

  • Karen Walker, Principal II at Ericson Elementary promoted to Director of Instructional Services
  • The board took action on a workers’ comp settlement

Next, Alissa Vasquez from the McLane High School region and 2016 recipient of the Nadine M. Lambert Outstanding School Psychologist Award led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Naida Montes ASB Representative from DeWolf High School provided a report to the Board of Education, sharing details of yesterday’s SAB meeting and ongoing events at De Wolf. Montes thanked Trustee Mills for attending yesterday’s SAB meeting and thanked her for answering questions and supporting their Human Element project. Montes announced that SAB voted and adopted a new Human Element project to conduct 15,000 Acts of Kindness before the last SAB meeting of the school year.  SAB will use #bekindbealeader as part of their campaign, details will be out soon. In addition, Baird Middle School student ambassadors were also introduced and given the opportunity to share highlights of various school activities and experiences. Baird Co-Campus Culture Director Elly Alvarado read a special thank you letter to Superintendent Hanson from Baird.

The Board of Education approved the minutes from the November 28, 2016 regular meeting.

​Kings Canyon Middle School and Manchester GATE were recognized as having the highest percentage of students participate in December’s Hour of Code Week. Over 60 schools participated in this worldwide event encouraging students across the globe to learn to code. 

Next, Superintendent Hanson welcomed everyone back from the holiday break and provided a brief report to the Board of Education including:

  • Superintendent thanked the community for their kindness over the holidays as employees donated 300 coats for students in need; community members provided each of our 360 students at Kirk Elementary a wrapped gift; students and adults alike around our district gave their time at food banks, volunteering, donating and giving of their time for the students and families of our district. Thank you.

  • Students returned to Baird Middle School on Monday to a new building. While there are still a few final touches being made, the new classrooms are home to outdoor life sciences and an agriculture garden area.  Hanson shared a video showcasing the new classrooms.

  • We’re weeks away from opening the new building at Bullard High School with 24 more classrooms. When combined with the new classrooms that opened this time last year at Bullard, 30 portable classrooms will have been replaced.  All made possible by Measure Q dollars approved by voters in 2010. The district looks forward to continuing these important facilities improvements with funds from the recently passed Measure X.

  • Later this month the district will roll out a new emergency notification system. The text system is designed to quickly alert parents/guardians when safety issues have developed that require early dismissal or changes that will potentially disrupt the school day. Superintendent made a plea to parents and guardians to make sure their emergency cell phone numbers are updated in the system. More to follow on this new communication tool in the coming weeks.

  • Superintendent Hanson spoke of a new partnership with CBS47, Fresno County Sherriff’s Department, Internet Crimes Children Task Force and EECU launching the CyberSafe Parent Program. Through a series of public service announcements (PSA) that will air on channel 47 and sister station KSEE 24 the program promotes safe and responsible use of the internet with online tips for parents.

  • Hanson concluded by sharing that the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), Region 9 serving school districts in Fresno, Merced, Madera and Mariposa will be honoring a number of staff at their Administrator of the Year awards in February. Finalist include: Edith Navarro, Principal Kings Canyon Middle School; Miguel Arias, Chief Information Officer; Paul Idsvoog, Chief Human Resources/Labor Relations; Yolanda Jimenez-Ruiz, Administrator Adult Education; Tammy Townsend, Executive State and Federal.  Congratulations and best wishes to all the finalist on February 27th.  Board President Ashjian added that Superintendent Hanson is also being recognized by ACSA with their President’s Choice Award. 

Following Superintendent Hanson’s remarks, the Board of Education took the following actions on the below consent agenda items:

  • Approved personnel actions for Fresno Unified employees
  • Adopted findings of fact and recommendations of the District Administrative Board
  • Adopted a resolution to certify Measure X Bond election and designate existing Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to act as such for Measure X Governing Board
  • Approved a renewal agreement with ChiroMetrics, Inc. for Chiropractic and Acupuncture Administration Services
  • Ratified change orders for water conservation and irrigation improvements at Thomas, Homan and Roeding Elementary schools; Turner Elementary school new classroom and administration buildings. (President Ashjian abstained due to a remote business conflict, board bylaw 9270).
  • Ratify the filing of notices of completion for water conservation and irrigation improvements at various schools; Installation of exterior lighting at various sites. (President Ashjian abstained due to a remote business conflict, board bylaw 9270).

After the consent agenda, staff made a presentation to the Board in the conference/discussion section of the agenda as follows: 

  • Presented and discussed Gaston Middle School Health and Wellness Center, and potential expansion of School Based Health Centers
  • Provided opportunity for public discussion on the International of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) proposal to Fresno Unified School District for the 2016/17 school year.
  • Discussed and adopted the Fresno Unified School District proposal to International Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) for the 2016/17 school year. 

The Board of Education received the following information and reports: 

  • Received Valley Preparatory Academy Charter Renewal Petition​

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. 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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