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

  • The Board promoted Rene “Eric” Martinez, Principal on Special Assignment to Principal at Duncan  Polytechnical High School
  • The Board took action on two worker’s compensation claims

Next, Maria de los Angeles Hernandez, a parent that has had a positive impact at Wilson Elementary School led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, the board of education recognized:

  • Student Board Members Malak Sarama , from Sunnyside High School and Eduardo Casarubias from Duncan Polytechnical  High School for serving on the board during the  2018/19 school year.
  • Middle and High School Academic Pentathlon/Decathlon Competition Champions for the 2018/19 School Year
  • Baird Academic Pentathlon Team – Fresno Unified Champions – Coach Willow Reed
  • Edison Academic Decathlon Team – Valley Champions – Coach Gary Mrkaich

Next, Mark Topoozian, ASB representative from Bullard High School, shared that all seniors at Bullard High School are focus on graduation. Campus has several events to celebrate their achievements like Grad  Bash at Universal Studios, Sober Grad and Night of Knights which is a senior award banquet. Topoozian also shared that girls’ softball and girls’ lacrosse teams are playing the Valley Champions this week. Lastly, Mark highlighted that the Speech and Debate Team is heading to the National Speech and Debate Tournament, this will be over 30 years that the school has made it to the tournament.   

Students from Wawona 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 we are 16 days away of the end of the school year. SBAC testing, scholarship banquets, College Signing Days and end of the year carnivals are all indicators that the school year is nearly over.  It is a time to reflect on all our efforts during this past year and to make time in these last weeks during all the activities to take a deep breath and acknowledge the incredible work you do on behalf of the youth of our district.

  • Nelson also shared that Thursday, May 16 the district will hold its annual CTE Summit at Duncan Polytechnical High School. Students from around the district will provide live demonstrations highlighting a number of CTE pathways. The summit  bring education  and industry leaders, along with parents, students and members  of the community, together to collaborate and provide feedback around our current CTE offerings-ensuring we meet the need of students and local employers.
  • Superintendent shared that Friday May 17; we will celebrate the completion of Facility improvements at Roosevelt High School. The event will start with an official opening plunge by several district and city leaders.  The new facilities area a great addition to campus and will be part of the ongoing Green Space-Blue Space partnership with City of Fresno.
  • Next, Superintendent shared that next week, May 19 -25, is Classified School Employees Week. While classified staff may not be in front of the classroom, our classified staff represents thousands of caring adults who area absolutely making an impact on the more than 74,000 students we serve. Our classified employees include bus drivers, food service workers, maintenance and trades staff, office personal, gardeners, custodians, paraeducators and more. Thank you for what you do to not only support our students, but the countless adults that support our sites and district departments as well. 
  • Nelson recognized that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, raising awareness of issues surrounding people throughout our country, particularly children with mental health concerns. While often seen like a taboo subject matter, mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and a focus on prevention and early intervention efforts greatly reduces the numbers of children experiencing serious mental health conditions. Mental health issues are a serious problem facing our community and we are bless to have countless district professional dedicated and committed to this work.
  • Lastly, Superintendent shared that the special education department hosted two community meetings   to share their proposed budget plans with staff, parents and the community. Assistant Superintendent Brian Beck presented the proposed budget and provided opportunity for stakeholder feedback.  One tool for such feedback includes an online survey that can be found on the district website. Survey is available in English, Spanish and Hmong through next Wednesday as staff and board prepare to discuss and adopt the district’s budget on June 12. Here is a short video highlighting some of that community outreach.

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
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-33, Sunnyside High School Stadium Scoreboard Replacement
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-38, Edison High School Gymnasium Floor Replacement
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-40, Phases 4A and 4B, Installation of District Video Security System at Elementary Schools  (Ayer, Bullard Talent, Centennial, Columbia, Del Mar, Eaton, Figarden, Forkner, King, Lowell, Manchester, McCardle, Olmos, Roeding, Rowell, Vang Pao)
  •   Approved Award of Bid 19-43, Fresno High School Gymnasium Locker Installation
  • Approved Award of Bid 19-47, Pyle Elementary School Portable Restroom Relocation and Infrastructure
  • Ratified Grant Application to the 2019 Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program
  •  Ratified Grant Application to the 2019 Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program for the Heart Zone System
  •  Ratified Grant Application to the  2019 Social Emotional Innovation Awards
  •  Ratified Second Amendment to the Manchester Center Lease for Fresno Adult School

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

  • Presented and Discussed  Update on Solar Energy Projects
  • Presented and Discussed Update on Proposed Juan Felipe Herrera  Elementary  School
  • Presented and Discussed Update on Fresno Unified eLearning Companion Device Initiative
  • Presented and Discussed the State’s May Revised Budget Proposal for 2019/20

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

  • Received the California School Employees Association and its Fresno Chapter 125 White Collar initial proposal to the Fresno Unified School District for the 2019-2020 Reopener Agreement

Received the Fresno Unified School District Initial Proposal to the California School Employees Association and its Fresno Chapter 125 White Collar for the 2019-2020 Reopener Agreement

Received Fresno Unified School District’s Third Quarterly Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2018-19

Received Proposed Revisions for Board Policies 0415 (NEW), 0420, 0460, 1312.3, 5148.3, 6142.3 (NEW), 6170.1 and deletion of 0411

  • (DELETION) BP 0411 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • (NEW) BP 0415 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • BP 0420 Schools Plans/Site Councils
  • BP 0460 Local Control and Accountability Plan
  • BP 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures
  • BP 5148.3 Preschool/Early Childhood Education
  • (NEW) BP 6142.3 Civic Education
  • BP 6170.1 Transitional Kindergarten

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, May 29, 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.

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