January 16, 2019

The January 16 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:

  • The board promoted Matthew Richmond from Administrative Analyst to Director of Business Services Administration

Next, Robert Amaya, a parent that has had a positive impact at Leavenworth Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, AJ Villane, ASB representative from Phillip J. Patiño School of Entrepreneurship shared with the board that they received  an update from the Facilities Department on the Restroom Improvement Project for High Schools that included, lighting upgrades, new hand dryers, privacy partitions, and new mirrors. ASB representative Villane also shared that they are trying to incorporate middle and elementary school students to their Human Element Project, working along with the Department of Prevention and Intervention to develop tools and strategies to use if they see students being unkind to others. AJ highlighted that Patiño is hosting an upcoming Art Hop and reorientation to remind students what it means to be an entrepreneur and the skills needed for it. On Saturday, February 26, students will have a Formal in their multi-purpose room. The theme is Hollywood/Emmy’s. Juniors are preparing their MVP pitches for February and ASB elections will take place at the end of February.

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

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

  • Highlighting that Monday, January 7 district students returned from a three-week break.  Rata High School, which serves students with developmental disabilities—many of whom are medically fragile, returned to a renovated campus, with remodeled classrooms and improved facilities. For more than a year, Rata students conducted classes at McLane High School.  The $5.2 million project included remodeling the existing building, adding two classrooms; adding two fully equipped nurse stations; providing new conference, laundry and support spaces; extending and widening the outdoor walking track; installing an outdoor shade area and installing new concrete walks for access to the play courts and exercise apparatus.
  • Nelson also shared that on January 8, district leaders joined students and staff at McLane High School to celebrate the completion of their new quad area. The event kicked off with bagpipers and ended with McLane’s drum line as students officially opened the new space at the center of campus. The new quad provides students with additional green space, larger walkways, new benches, gathering areas and overall improved landscaping. Measure X funded the project.
  • Superintendent shared that on February 13, staff will bring forward another presentation on the Special Education Strategic Master Plan derived from the Council of the Great City Schools’ report.  The district’s plan addresses 14 recommendation areas outlined in the report under five focus areas:
    1. Prioritize Universal Inclusion and Support;
    2. Expand Student Learning Opportunities;
    3. Build Skills and Competencies for Staff;
    4. Engage and Empower Parents; and
    5. Implement Systems for Continuous Improvement
  • In November, the board of education took action to allocate an additional $1 million in one-time funds to provide student technology, student curriculum, student equipment, staff technology and staff professional learning.
  • Nelson also shared that, next Thursday, January 22, Fresno Unified will host its annual Teacher Hiring Fair in the McLane High School cafeteria from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  While walk-ins are welcome, applicants are encouraged to visit the district website to complete an advanced application. Staff will conduct interviews and give intent-to-hire commitments to qualified candidates.
  • Last, Superintendent highlighted that Fresno Unified’s annual Excellence in Education event will take place on Monday, February 4 at the DoubleTree Hotel. The event will celebrate 50 of the district’s top employees.  Colleagues who watch them in action every day and are witness of their remarkable efforts in the name of our 74,000 students have nominated these individuals.  I look forward to this night every year.  Tickets went on sale today. To learn more, visit Fresnounified.org.

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, November 14, 2018
  • Adopted Resolution 18-09 in Support of Full/Extended Day Kindergarten Instruction, and Resolution18-10 in Support of Applications to the Full Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program
    Approved Award of Bid 19-07, Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Services
  • Allied Waste Services (Fresno, CA) Estimated Annual Waste Disposal $1,141,400
  • Waste Management (Fresno, CA) Estimated Annual Recycling Services $211,400
  • Approved Agreements with SMG: Save Mart Center for Graduation 2019 and 2020
  • Approved Renewal Grant Application to the California Department of Education for the  After School Education and Safety Program
  • Approved  Award of Bid 19-10, McLane High School Construction of  New Aquatic Center
  • Approved Proposed Revisions for Board Policy 5127
  • Approved Provisional Internship Permits
  • Ratified  Change Orders for the Projects listed Below
    • Bid 17-14, Fresno High School’s Royce Hall Acoustical Improvements and Remodel Change Order 3: $ 80,736
    • Bid 18-09, Construction of New Classroom Buildings and Modernization of Administration Building for Slater Elementary School Change Order 5: $34,767
    • Bid 18-13, Duncan Polytechnical High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Center Building Construction and Alterations to Existing Shop Building Change Order 2: $68,453
    • Bid 18-17, Addams elementary School Portable Relocation and Infrastructure Change Order 2: $31,621
    • Bid 18-17, Sections A, B, D, E – Installation of Exterior Lighting Upgrades at Various Schools Changer Order 1: $ 0
    • Bid 18-25, Sections Roosevelt High School construction of New Aquatic Complex change Order 2: $35,821
    • Bid 18-28, Fremont Elementary School and Edison Computech Middle School Multipurpose Rooms HVAC Improvements Change Order 1: $4,567 Change Order 2: $ 0
    • Bid 18-33R, Fort Miller Middle School Gymnasium Make-up Air Units Replacement Rebid Change Order 1: $2,402
  • Ratified Purchase Orders from October 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018 (Trustees Jonasson-Rosas, and Mills abstained pursuant board Bylaw 9270)

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

  • Discussed the California School Employees Association Chapter 143 initial proposal to the Fresno Unified School District for the 201-2020 Reopener Agreement
  • Discussed and Adopted the Fresno Unified School District initial Proposal to the California School Employees Association for the 2019-2020 Reopener Agreement
  • Discussed 2017-18 Measure Q and Measure X Annual Report
  • Discussed Overview of Governor’s 2019/20 Proposed Budget
  • Discussed and Approved the  2019 List of Board Member committees and Organizations

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, January 30, 2019 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.

Back to top