Summary of the Board of Education Meeting on May 24th, 2023
The May 24th, 2023 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of closed session:
- The Board took action in closed session to appoint Edith Navarro to Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources/Labor Relations.
- The Board took action in closed session to appoint Javan Childs to Assistant Superintendent, Human Relations/Labor Relations.
- 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.
- 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 certificated employee.
- The Board took action in closed session to approve dismissal charges for a certificated employee.
- The Board took action in closed session to approve dismissal charges for a certificated employee.
- The Board took action in closed session to approve dismissal charges for a certificated employee.
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education, including:
- Superintendent Nelson started his remarks sending our deepest condolences to our Fresno Unified family who lost two of their beautiful children to rushing waters below Pine Flat Dam last weekend. Additional supports are being provided to the family and to the staff and students who have lost their friend and student. Superintendent pleaded with our community to please stay away from all closed rivers, canals, and recreation areas as this year the conditions are more unpredictable and dangerous than ever with our huge melting snowpack. Superintendent led the room in a moment of silence in honor and remembrance of our student Victoria and her brother Santiago.
- Superintendent then provided a bargaining update. Superintendent shared that in order to meet the requests of FTA in providing a full proposal, we have moved back to traditional, position-based bargaining. With that move we can now begin to publicize our ongoing negotiation efforts. Last week, we provided a full response to FTA’s almost 30 pages of interests and we look forward to sharing our first full initial proposal publicly by June 1st. Superintendent is confident that our proposal will take into consideration the transformative work needed to support our students in this post-pandemic world AND be a historic, mutually beneficial offer to our amazing teachers whom we appreciate and value. As we have been, we will continue to meet with FTA leadership every week and will provide negotiation news updates following meetings.
- Superintendent shared that graduation season kicked off this week with Design Science’s graduation ceremony on Monday. He shared more graduations happening next Thursday and Friday, and our comprehensive and specialty high schools on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week. He shared our excitement to celebrate alongside our seniors and their loved ones.
- Superintendent then shared his excitement that we have over 11,000 summer camp spots filled with just less than 800 spots still available. Superintendent shared with families that if you have not yet signed up your student for summer camps, it’s your last chance to get one of those final 800 spots! Families can register their children through this link on our Fresno Unified website.
- Superintendent reminded all 22/23 retirees it is time to RSVP for our annual retirement celebration! This year’s event will be held on June 23rd indoors at the Belmont Country club. Retirees attend for free and all other guests are $50 per ticket. There will be dinner, recognition, and dancing – you don’t want to miss this amazing night as we honor your incredible career! RSVP now to Vangie Carrillo in our Communications department by calling 457-3733.
- Superintendent then congratulated Doua Vu, manager in our English Learner Services department. Doua is being recognized nationally by the Association of Two-Way and Dual Language Education, receiving the 2023 Promoting Bilingualism Award. Doua’s work in growing our Hmong Dual Language Immersion and Heritage programs is of particular note – programs that have been recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as trailblazing curriculum for a language at risk of being lost.
- Superintendent also congratulated the 130 Edison graduates who have earned the state’s Seal of Biliteracy for their proficiency in at least one language other than English during their academic careers. In addition to the 130 graduates at Edison who have earned their seal, another 323 graduates throughout the district have earned this recognition. Our students have earned Seals of Biliteracy in Spanish, Hmong, Latin, French, Arabic, Vietnamese, Russian and Chinese. Superintendent shared this video of Edison’s Seal of Biliteracy event.
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
- Adopted Resolution Proclaiming May 2023 as Better Hearing and Speech Month
- Adopted Resolutions Delineating Authorized District Agents to Sign on Behalf of Fresno Unified School District
- Approved Revised 2022/23 Certificated Management Schedules
- Approved Revised 2022/23 Classified Y-Rated Hourly Salary Schedule
- Approved Revised 2022/23 Operations Hourly Salary Schedule
- Approved Proposed Revisions for Board Bylaws
- Approved Agreement with Central Valley Regional Center, Incorporated
- Approved Agreements for Extended Learning Summer Camp Enrichment Services
- Approved Agreement with Mindsets Learning, Inc.
- Approved Agreement with The Regents of University of California
- Approved Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions for Property Located at 2011 Fresno Street, aka 1212 Fulton Street and 2015 Fresno Street
- Approved Award of Bid 23-16, Manchester, Pyle, and Vinland Elementary Schools Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Energy Management System Replacement
- Approved Award of Bid 23-29, Duncan Polytechnical High School Electrical Panel Upgrade
- Approved Award of Bid 23-48, Turf Rehabilitation at Various Sites
- Approved Award of Bid 23-54, Muir and Winchell Elementary Schools and Sequoia Middle School Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Energy Management System Replacement Project
- Approved Award of Request for Qualifications 23-21S, Custom Printing
- Approved Rejection of Request for Proposals 23-45, Event Planner Services
- Ratified 2022/23 Agreement with The Resiliency Center of Fresno
- Ratified Agreement with Grafton School, Incorporated
- Ratified Addendum to Agreement with Education Behavior Consultants
- Ratified Addendum to Agreement with PresenceLearning, Incorporated
- Ratified Addendum to Agreement with New Life Physical Therapy Services, dba Goodfellow Therapy
- Ratified Addendum to the Agreement with The Stepping Stones Group
- Ratified Change Orders
- Ratified the Filing of Notices of Completion
The Board of Education discussed the below conference/discussion agenda items:
- Presented and Discussed English Language Learners Sign on Letter Presentation by GO Public Schools
- Discussed and Adopted the Proposed Curriculum Recommendations for Elementary Science
- Presented and Discussed the State’s May Revised Budget Proposal
- Presented and Discussed the 2023/24 Strategic Budget Development
- Discussed and Approved the Fresno Unified Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Funding Plan
The Board of Education received the following Information or Reports at this meeting:
- Received Constituent Services Quarterly Reporting
- Received the Fresno Unified School District Third Quarterly Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 for a board workshop on facilities. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at board.fresnounified.org.