Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on June 14th, 2023
The June 14th, 2023 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of closed session:
- The Board took action in closed session to promote Courtney Curtis to Principal V at Hoover High School.
- The Board took action in closed session to promote Pamela Taylor to Administrator in Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning.
- The Board took action in closed session to promote Patrick Morrison to Executive Director in Special Education.
- The Board took action in closed session to lateral Natanska Valtierra to Principal II at Addams Elementary School.
- The Board took action in closed session to appoint Paul Rosencrans to Director in Transportation.
- The Board took action in closed session to promote Abigail Arii to Director in Prevention and Intervention.
- The Board took action in closed session to appoint Nancy Her to Principal II at Easterby Elementary School.
- The Board took action in closed session to promote Kimberly Villescaz to Executive Officer in Leadership Development.
- The Board took action in closed session to approve dismissal charges for a classified employee.
- The Board took action in closed session to approve dismissal charges for a classified employee.
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education, including:
- Superintendent Nelson started his remarks by wishing everyone a happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Superintendent shared that Pride Month started as just a day over 50 years ago following the Stonewall Uprising where LGBTQ+ community members fought for their rights and equality. President Clinton was the first president to recognize June as Pride Month and Superintendent shared that we celebrate here at Fresno Unified each year as we call for unity, visibility and equality for our LGBTQ+ community. Superintendent applauded our students and staff who marched in the annual Pride Parade and recognized our GSA leaders who were interviewed by Teen Vogue earlier this month.
- Superintendent Nelson recognized the wrap up of the 22/23 school year last week, including beautiful celebrations, promotions, and graduations. Superintendent shared his pride and congratulations to our graduates and their families. Superintendent also shared his gratitude to all the teams and organizations that made our graduations happen, including special thanks to those who brought the first Latinx graduation ceremony to life and those who continued the African American graduation celebration this year.
- Superintendent Nelson then recognized the start of our summer academies this week at almost 90 of our school sites. Superintendent thanked the many staff, teachers, and leaders that are making our summer academies a reality, providing critical summer learning and opportunities for our students to continue their academic gains. Superintendent Nelson also reminded the community that free summer meals are available at all of our summer academy school sites. Anyone ages 1-18 are welcome to enjoy lunch on-site at our summer academy schools from 11am-1pm on weekdays. To find the full list of summer academy school sites offering lunch on site please visit our website at www.fresnounified.org or through this direct link.
- Superintendent Nelson then acknowledged that our teams are deep into planning for the upcoming 23/24 school year. In preparation, Superintendent encouraged staff to check their Employee Zone email newsletter for great professional learning opportunities including the New Teacher Training, the PL Summit, and our Classified Fall Conference all coming up in August.
- Superintendent Nelson also encouraged leaders and teachers to take advantage of upcoming ParentSquare trainings, as our SchoolMessenger service ends on June 30th. There are tons of trainings available, and staff may also reach out to Celeste Corona Arroyo in the Communications Office to set up customized trainings for your teams. You can reach Celeste at Celeste.CoronaArroyo@fresnounified.org.
- Superintendent then made a few shoutouts including;
- Congratulations to the office teams at Wilson, Burroughs, and Easterby Elementary Schools for receiving the Golden Heart Award for Customer Service. Golden Heart Awards are given quarterly based on customer service feedback from parents on staff friendliness, timeliness of response and professionalism,
- Congratulations to Edison graduate Samaria Simpson who received the single largest scholarship from Fresno Unified ever! Samaria received a $4,500 scholarship plus enhancements due to Trustee Thomas’ amazing Giving Tuesday fundraising for the Foundation – taking Samaria to more than $10,000 in scholarships, and
- Recognition to our Communications and Media Teams for the hard work they are currently putting into our special graduation issue of the digital Faces of Fresno Unified Magazine! At the end of this month, we’ll release the graduation edition which will include a spread on every high school graduation, highlights of valedictorians and scholarship recipients from every school, and much more. Instead of one compilation video of all of our high school graduations, this year every single school will have their own graduation video featured in the digital magazine! A print version of the magazine will also be mailed out in July as a keepsake to every single scholarship recipient.
- Superintendent Nelson then shared the Edison graduation video as a teaser for the graduation issue of the digital Faces of Fresno Unified magazine, which will be released at the end of June.
- Last, Superintendent Nelson reminded all staff, students, and families that on Monday our district will be observing the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. We’re proud to be celebrating this holiday in our district and all offices and sites will be closed, including summer meals, on Monday, June 19th.
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 District Administrative Board
- Approved Minutes from Prior Meeting
- Approved Comprehensive Safe School Plans for 2023/24
- Approved the 2023/24 School Plans for Student Achievement
- Approved Position and Adopted Job Description Executive Officer – Leadership Development and Approved Revision to the Certificated Management 261 Duty Days Salary Schedule for Executive Officer – Leadership Development
- Approved Revised 2022/23 Classified Hourly Schedules
- Approved Addendum to Agreement with CBIZ Valuation Group, LLC.
- Approved Use of Individual Piggyback Contracts in 2023/24
- Approved Award of Bid 23-58, Exterior Painting at Various Sites
- Approved Award of Bid 23-67, Bullard Talent K-8 School Site Improvements
- Approved Award of Request for Proposal 23-36, Safe Route Site Assessments
- Approved Award of Request for Proposal 23-40, Fresh Fruit, and Vegetable Program
- Approved Award of Request for Proposals 23-41, Fresh Produce
- Approved Award of Request for Qualifications 23-53, Tree Services
- Approved Agreement with Education Elements – Wave Six Year Two and Three
- Ratified Agreement with Education Elements – Wave Six Year One
- Ratified Agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools – California Statewide Early Math Initiative Grant
- Ratified Amended Agreement with the California Department of Social Services
- Ratified Purchase Orders from March 01, 2023, through March 31, 2023 – Primary Report
- Ratified Purchase Orders from March 01, 2023, through March 31, 2023 – Supplemental Report
The Board of Education discussed the below conference/discussion agenda items:
- Held Public Hearing, Presented and Discussed the Fresno Unified School District 2023/24 Local Control and Accountability Plan
- Held Public Hearing, Presented and Discussed the Fresno Unified School District 2023/24 Proposed Budget and Education Protection Account
- Presented and Discussed the Literacy Task Force Recommendations
The Board of Education received the following Information or Reports at this meeting:
- Received the California School Employees Association, Chapter 125, 2023/24 Initial Proposal to Fresno Unified School District
- Received the Fresno Unified School District 2023/24 Initial Proposal to the California School Employees Association, Chapter 125
- Received the California School Employees Association, Chapter 143, 2023/24 Initial Proposal to Fresno Unified School District
- Received the Fresno Unified School District 2023/24 Initial Proposal to the California School Employees Association, Chapter 143
- Received Proposed Revisions for Board Policies
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at board.fresnounified.org.