January 15, 2020

Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on January 15, 2020

The January 15 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session

  • The Board took action on one workers’ compensation claim

​Next, Meredith Ellis, a parent that has had a positive impact at Lawless Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, Alison Sahakian, ASB representative from Bullard High School, shared that they are planning a rally on January 31, 2020, with the theme The Greatest Show on Earth: Bullard’s Big Top. Students have started creating decorations and signs for the upcoming event. Student also shared that this week, students who received honor roll last semester received incentives. Last, student Sahakian recognized the Fighting Knights Athletes; the Boys Basketball Team who had their first game of the league on Tuesday and the Girls Soccer team currently 2-0 in the league.

Students from Bullard Talent School were present and spoke about what they love about being a student at their school.

Next, the board recognized Hoover High School Soccer Team – North Yosemite League Champions, Head Coaches Mike Hill and Nic Peterson as the High School Athletic Team for the 2019/20 School Year – Fall Season.

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

  • Highlighting the ACSA Region 9 nominees, Amy Smith, Bruce Thele, Carson Wood, Maiyer Vang and Julie Severns. These five outstanding leaders will be recognized at the ACSA Region 9 Awards Dinner on Monday, February 24. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, we are so proud to have you on our team and know you will represent our region well at the State Finals.
  • Next, Superintendent shared that CART’s Annual Showcase will take place January 16. Students from all labs will showcase their Fall projects. Our teams will have three opportunities to show their work – the morning session is from 8am-10am, the afternoon session is from 1pm-3pm, and the evening session is from 5pm-7:30pm.
  • Superintendent shared that next week the district’s pilot deployment of 900 free hotspots to our high school students through out a partnership with the One Million Project foundation. The foundation is working to bring free internet to one million high school students across the nation to help them in their academic journeys. With more than 7 out of 10 high school teachers across the nation assigning online homework, bringing free internet access to our students is crucial to their continued success. Thank you to the One Million Project for including us in this pilot. 
  • Next, Superintendent invited the community to join the Southeast Asian Family Conference taking place this Saturday at Fresno State. The event is a collaboration between Parent University, The Fresno Center, and Fresno State. This year, Tou Ger Xiong, a Hmong artist, educator and activist, is the keynote speaker. The event is from 9am-2:30pm in the Satellite Student Union. Childcare, lunch, parking, and transportation will be available for attendees.
  • Superintendent Nelson shared that the Fresno Unified Scholarship Fund has opened for applications. The application can be found on our website and all applications must be submitted with letters of recommendation and transcripts by Friday, February 28. Students can apply online or can talk to their high school counselor for more information.   
  • Superintendent shared that the much-anticipated Excellence in Education Awards are coming up on February 4. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 17, this event is always a total sell-out so make sure to grab your colleagues and get your tickets. 
  • Lastly, superintendent acknowledged that we are in the midst of the LCAP Community Engagement Workshops. Thank you those that have already attended our meetings at Duncan, Edison and Bullard regions. Next week, we continue with meetings at Hoover on January 22, Patiño on February 4, Fresno High on February 13, Roosevelt on February 19, and ending at Sunnyside on February 20. Here is a video on the importance of our LCAP meetings. 

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

  • Approved Personnel List
  • Adopted Findings of Fact and Recommendations of the District Administrative Board
  • Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
  • Adopted State of California, Fresno Unified School District Resolution 19-01
  • Approved Memorandum of Understanding for a Consortium Established to Participate in t Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.
  • Approved Agreement with Bruce J. Berger Law Firm, Inc. for Legal Services
  • Approved Use of Individual Piggyback Contracts
  • Approved the Naming of the Figarden Elementary School Baseball Field
  • Denied Claim GL19-0710-4483
  • Ratified Grant Award from the California Department of Rehabilitation for the We Can Work Grant
  • Ratified Amendment to Agreement with Avante Health
  • Ratified Change Orders for the Projects Listed Below

Bid 19-10, McLane High School Construction of New Aquatic Center

Bid 19-55, Phoenix Secondary Academy Portable Infrastructure and Site Development

  • Ratified the Filing of a Notice of Completion

Bid 19-18 Phase 2B, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools (Addams, Ericson, Ewing, Greenberg, Jefferson, Lincoln, Robinson and Winchell)

  • Ratified Purchase Orders from October 01, 2019 – October 31, 2019 – Primary Report

Ratified Purchase Orders from October 01, 2019 – October 31, 2019 – Supplemental Report (Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas abstained pursuant board Bylaw 9270)

Next, the Board of Education discussed and took action on the below conference/discussion agenda items:

  • Held a Public Hearing in the Matter of the Endeavor Charter School Petition
  • Presented and Discussed Update on Fresno Unified Personalized Learning Initiative: Results from the Year Three, Update on Year Four, and Rollout Plan

Discussed and Decide in the Matter of the Aspen Ridge High School Charter Petition (Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas abstained pursuant board Bylaw 9270)

  • Presented and Discussed Overview of the Governor’s 2020/21 Proposed State Budget
  • Discussed and Approved the 2020 List of Board Member Committees and Organizations
  • Discussed and Approved Master Agreement with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District for Payment of Drainage Fees
  • Discussed and Considered Modifying Resolution No. 19-18 to Censure Trustee Major Slatic

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

  • Received Proposed Academic Calendars for the 2020/21 and 2021/22
  • Received the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 2019-2022 Initial Proposal to the Fresno Unified School District
  • Received the Fresno Unified School District 2019-2022 Initial Proposal to The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
  • Received Proposed Revisions for Board Policy
    • BP 5125 Students Records

​The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Fresno Unified Education Center, located at 2309 Tulare Street in Fresno. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at https://go.fresnou.org/board

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