The May 9, 2018 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:
- Lateral move of Joy Nunes, Principal II, Anthony Elementary School, to Principal II, King Elementary School
- Promoted Kacey Sanom, Vice Principal II, Bullard Talent K-8 School, to Principal II, Kratt Elementary School
- Promoted Jennifer Her-Yang, Vice Principal I, Lowell Elementary School, to Principal II, Lowell Elementary School
- Promoted Kelley Klassen, Vice Principal I, Wilson Elementary School, to Principal II, Wilson Elementary School
- Promoted David Jansen, Executive Director (General) Data Science and Application Systems, Research Evaluation and Assessment, to Executive Officer, Equity and Access
Next, Keerat Riar, student board representative, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Student Mackenzie Rivera from Hoover High School shared with the board that currently, Hoover’s pathway program is competing in the national wind and turbine competition in Chicago. The competition focuses on renewable energy education, allowing students to get hands on experience with experimentation kits, more curriculum and workshops. Hoover also just wrapped up it’s fourth annual powderpuff that had more than 1,000 people in attendance. The night concluded with a performance by the teacher band and fireworks. Students also wrapped up college signing day for seniors, who are eager to see what the future has in store for them. Mackenzie also congratulated Hoover’s Varsity Men’s Volleyball team for being North Yosemite League champions. The team has gone undefeated this season and is currently in the first round of playoffs. Girls’ lacrosse also recently battled Fresno High and came out on top, allowing them to participate in the playoffs. Also, students from Ahwahnee Middle School shared with the board what they love about Ahwahnee and their future goals.
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education including:
- Thanking the district’s more than 4,000 teachers and substitute teachers who play such a pivotal role in educating our youth. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day and the contributions our teachers make to our community cannot be measured. You truly do shape our world for the good.
- Recognizing National School Nurses Day. Fresno Unified is proud and grateful for the work of our 57 credentialed school nurses who work alongside our licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and health assistants daily to serve our students and their families. We’re committed to expanding school-based health centers and providing health services staff at all schools as well as adding 10 credentialed school nurse positions next school year. Our health services staff are committed to both preventing and treating illnesses so students can stay healthy and in school.
- Congratulating six Fresno Unified teachers and one site administrator for attaining one of the highest accomplishments an educator can achieve – National Board Certification. Congratulations to Janet Hatch from Thomas Elementary, Megan Bremer from Forkner Elementary, Janna Kam from Anthony Elementary, Mahkefa Brown from Centennial Elementary, Luz Todd from Ewing Elementary. National Board is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. Thank you to these seven rock stars for the personal commitment it took to achieve this milestone! Your student and colleagues will forever benefit from this accomplishment.
- Congratulating the first graduating class of Steve’s Scholars. The special ceremony took place at Tehipite Middle School with Francine and Murray Farber and their general family. Six years ago, the Farber’s launches Steve’s Scholars, providing each eligible graduate $1,000 for the first two years of college. Participating students begin their journey as 7th graders at Tehipite Middle School and must maintain a 3.5 GPA, a 95% attendance rate and engage in ongoing community service projects. This year, 26 Steve’s Scholars students were awarded college scholarships to help jump start their post-secondary education. Thank you to the Farbers for providing resources and honestly, your time to Tehipite Middle School students.
- Acknowledging the 46 deserving seniors who were awarded with scholarships during last night’s Fresno Unified Scholarship Awards Banquet. $61,000 in scholarships were awarded to students who all shared personal stories of achievement despite adversity. Each scholarship recipient evoked pride amongst all of those in the room last night. Nelson congratulates the district’s scholarship recipients and thanks many in the greater community who continue to support the Fresno Unified Scholarship Fund. There are so many deserving students who need our support as we work to increase the number of available scholarship opportunities down the road. Consider providing a donation for future graduates like those who were awarded last night. Nelson then shared a recap of last night’s celebration.
- Congratulating student board member Mackenzie Rivera who was recognized this week with the North Yosemite League CIF Athlete Award.
The Board of Education took the following actions on the below consent agenda items:
- Approved personnel list
- Adopted findings of fact and recommendations of the District Administrative Board
- Approved the minutes from the January 29, 2018 special meeting, February 7, 2018 regular meeting and April 25, 2018 regular meeting
- Approved request for qualifications for underwriter services
- Moved approval of renewal agreement with J. Elliot Marketing to a future board meeting
- Approved the adoption of Resolution HR 17-47 Behavioral Intervention Specialist Position, Job Description, Designation as Management, Exempt
- Approved the adoption of Resolution HR 17-48 Clinical School Social Worker Position, Job Description, Designation as Management, Exempt
- Approved proposed revisions for Board Policies (BP) 5141, 5141.1, 5141.6, 5146, (NEW) 5148.2, 6143, 6161.1 and 6170.1
- BP 5141 Health Care Emergencies
- BP 5141.1 Accidents (Deletion)
- BP 5141.6 School-Based Health And Social Services
- BP 5146 Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students
- (NEW) BP 5148.2 Before/After School Programs
- BP 6143 Courses of Study
- BP 6161.1 Selection And Evaluation of Instructional Materials
- BP 6170.1 Transitional Kindergarten
- Approved appointment to Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
– Brian Andritch, nominated by Board Member Mills - Approved appointment to Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
– Arthur Koster, nominated by Board President Jonasson Rosas - Approved award of Bid 18-24 Sections A-E, Water Conservation and Irrigation Improvements at Various Schools. Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270.
- Approved award of Bid 18-25. Roosevelt High School Construction of new Aquatic Center. Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to Board Bylaw 9270.
– Mark Wilson Construction, Inc. (Fresno, CA) $6,005,832 - Approved award of Bid 18-31, Storey and Viking Elementary Schools, and Tioga Middle School, Boilers and Chiller Replacement
– Lawson Mechanical Contractors (Fresno, CA) $550,818
Next, staff made presentations to the Board in the conference/discussion section of the agenda as follows:
- Presented and discussed the 2018/19 Strategic Budget Development
- Held a public hearing in the matter of the School of Unlimited Learning renewal petition
- Adopted the Factual Findings Resolution and decided not to renew Kepler Neighborhood School petition
- Discussed and approved naming of Southeast Elementary School
– Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary School - Discussed the April 2018 GO Public Schools Fresno Choosing Our Future Report and will consider accepting the recommendations at a future board meeting
The Board of Education received no information or reports.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Fresno Unified Education Center, located at 2309 Tulare St. in Fresno. Complete minutes and agendas are available online at https://go.fresnou.org/board.