The October 2 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session:
- The Board took action on one workers’ compensation claim
Next, Vanessa Mata a parent at Calwa Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next, Bella Beltran and RJ Romero, ASB representatives from Fresno High School, shared that they viewed a presentation regarding Cyber Safety with discussions centered on social media posts and online activity. They suggested the creation of a video about the consequences that come with negative posts and reinforcing the idea of thinking before you post. Students shared that this Friday their school will be celebrating students who achieved Honor Roll. ASB representatives highlighted that seniors are busy applying for financial aid and beginning their college applications. The Key Club planted drought tolerant plants in the upper and lower planter area of Warrior Park last Saturday. Campus is getting ready for their Wall of Champions dinner as well as their Regional Football game next Thursday vs. McLane.
Students from Hamilton 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 this month is Socktober, when October turns into a month dedicated to collect socks for local homeless shelters, school sites and departments can join this cause by reaching out to DPI. I encourage you to donate socks if you can; all sizes, fashions are welcome. Besides providing needed warmth, socks can really breathe new life into a person in need.
- Nelson also shared that October is LGBT History Month, celebrated for the first time in 1994 and was created by educators to help encourage openness and education about LGBT history and rights. Students can reflect in history and current public life through the unique contributions of positive LGBTQ role models, it increases their sense of value as a person and self-efficacy for sharing their own gifts with the world. Recognizing all children should be able to attend school in a safe, inclusive and affirming environment free from discrimination and fear, our board acted and began initiating change. In September 2017, a cross-departmental LGBTQ+ Work Team developed a comprehensive plan to create safe, supportive and inclusive schools that are culturally responsive to the needs of all LGBTQ+ students. In 2018, the board adopted the new Gender Identity and Inclusion Board Policy, which was developed with input from experts in the field, community members and the Student Advisory Board. This past summer, Fresno Unified was recognized for their work as students, staff, and board members served as grand marshals in Fresno’s Rainbow Pride Parade. Sunnyside High School, Gaston and Scandinavian Middle Schools are a few sites that have planned special events throughout the month to honor LGBT History Month.
- Next, Superintendent shared that October is a busy month as it’s National Principal Appreciation Month, an opportunity to recognize and thank site leaders for their hard work and dedication. Our principals and vice principals are keenly focused on the challenges their students face both academically and on the social emotional front. At the same time, they recognized the potential in their students and with support of courageous and committed teachers and staff, are creating healthy, safe and loving environments where learning is not only possible but flourishing. Thank you to all our site leaders.
- Nelson also shared that next October 28 is buy back day providing professional learning for our adults and a day off from school for students. This year we are providing our first professional learning conference opportunity for classified staff at Fresno Adult School with a variety of sessions related to safety and other important topics that directly align to the roles our classified staff play in our system. We worked with out labor partners from CSEA 125 and 143, SEIU, and FTA Trades to plan this paid day of learning.
- Lastly, Nelson shared that Fresno Unified is one of four California districts participating in a free pilot around our annual CAASPP test results. Each year, parents receive a printout explaining their student’s test scores and academic progress. Later this month, parents will receive a personalized CAASPP video that visually simplifies the report through a personalized explanation into how your child scored. Beginning October 17, videos will be available through your child’s ATLAS parent portal. In addition, parents who are registered for EduText grade and attendance updates will receive the video via text message. Videos will be provided in each family’s home language – English, Spanish or Hmong.
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 Proposed Revisions for Existing Board Bylaws 9005 and 9130 and Drafts for Two Proposed Board Bylaws Regarding Complaints Concerning Board Members and Censure Policy Procedures
- Adopted Variable Term Waiver for Career Technical Education Credential Holders
- Approved 2019/20 and Priors Years’ Certificated Salary Schedules
- Approved Position and Adopted Job Description for Paraprofessional- Child Development, Bilingual
- Approved Provisional Internship Permits
- Approved Legal Services Representation Agreement
- Ratified Memorandum of Understanding with State Center Community College District for the Adult Education Program Allocation
- Ratified the Filling of Notices of Completion
- Bid 19-27, Section A and C, Exterior Painting for Various Schools: Dailey and Williams Elementary Schools, Terronez Middle School and DeWolf High School
- Bid 19-27, Section B, Exterior Painting for Various Schools: Burroughs and Greenberg Elementary Schools and Kings Canyon Middle School
- Bid 19-33, Sunnyside High School Stadium Scoreboard Replacement
- Ratified Purchase Orders from July 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019, and Zero Dollar Contracts – Primary Report
- Ratified Purchase Orders from July 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019 – Supplemental Report (Board Clerk Mills and Trustee Jonasson-Rosas abstained pursuant Board Bylaw 9270)
Next, the Board of Education discussed and took action on the below conference/discussion agenda items:
- Public Hearing Determining Conformity of the Ventura and 10th Alternative Education Campus Development Project with State School Site Selection Standards; and Adopted Resolution 19-21, Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, Making Findings Required by Education code, And Approved the Project
- Approved Award of Bid 20-03, Ventura and 10th – Old Juvenile Hall Demolition and Remediation Phase 2
- Public Disclosure and Ratification of the 2019-2020 Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and California School Employees Association and its Chapter 143
- Public Disclosure and Ratification of the 2019-2022 Negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between Fresno Unified School District and Service Employee International Union, Local 521
- Global California 2030 Initiative in Fresno Unified (item pulled from agenda)
- Presented and Discussed Results of the Community Survey Regarding Schools Facility Investment and Potential 2020 Bond Measure
Next, the Board of Education received the following Information and Reports:
- Received Proposed Revisions for Board Policies
- (NEW) BP 0415 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- BP 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures
- BP6020 Parent Involvement
- BP 6142.6 Visual and Performing Arts Education
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, October 16, 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.