The September 13, 2017 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session.
- Ratified one classified employee dismissal
- Promoted Brian Wulf, Principal II at Robinson Elementary, to Principal V at McLane High School
- Appointed Robert G. Nelson to Superintendent
Next, Noemi Rodriguez and Elizabeth Tarrazas, parents who have had a positive impact at Hidalgo Elementary School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board of Education approved the minutes from the May 24, 2017 special meeting and the May 31, 2017 regular meeting.
Next, the Board of Education acknowledged the Student Board Member Representatives for the 2017-18 school year. They are Keerat Riar and Mackenzie Rivera.
Next, students from Yosemite Middle School shared with the board what they love about attending school including having helpful teachers as well as their job aspirations. Next, Patiño High School student and Student Board Member Representative Keerat Riar provided an update to the board about what is happening at his school including a new partnership with Bitwise Industries, hosting the school’s first College Week and the school’s goal to increase club participation.
The Board of Education then adopted a resolution recognizing September 15, 2017 through October 15, 2017 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Board of Education adopted a resolution in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education including:
- Appreciating the community’s willingness to engage with the district and reminded everyone in attendance that we all must come together in a positive manner to show civility and mutual respect for everyone in the room. As a community, many have been embarrassed by the adult behavior in the board room and we should all remember that we are examples for the children in our district. Providing a safe place starts with all of us.
- Thanked the Galicia family for greeting attendees at tonight’s meeting. Mrs. Pamela Galicia teaches music at Jackson and Winchell and were here in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Reminded everyone that September 10-16 is Suicide Prevention Week. In California suicide is the 3rdleading cause of death for ages 10-24. Each one of us can play a role in providing a caring and safe environment for our students and colleagues. For many of our most vulnerable youth, you may be the first and only line of defense. Encouraged everyone to take time to engage and connect with students. Nelson then shared a video highlighting the work being done by our school site mental health teams to provide support and create awareness of suicide.
- Thanked his family, colleagues, and the countless leaders who have served as role models throughout his career. It is because of that guidance, support and love that he sits here tonight as Fresno Unified’s Superintendent. He believes he is here for a reason—to get the district back in a space where civility and students are the focus.
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 employment agreement for Robert G. Nelson, Superintendent
- Adopted Variable Term Waiver for Guadalupe Adriana Chirino-Paredes, Lucero Escareno Rosales, Maria del Rocio Gozalez Ramos and Aaron Jesus Faz Elizondo
- Adopted Variable Term Waiver request for Benjamin Eugene Piffero and Paola G. Guerrero-Jimenez
- Approved provisional internship permits
- Denied Claim #17-0228-0031
- Denied Claim #17-0822-0277
After the consent agenda, staff members spoke to the board during the Open Communications portion of the agenda. Here is their statement:
“Good Evening President Ashjian, Board Trustees, and Superintendent Nelson.
We are here tonight as site & central office leaders – united in standing for what’s most important inside and outside this Board room – our 74,000 students.
We are one district and one community. We stand behind our goals and vision of success for each and every student we are honored to serve.
We believe in respect, inclusiveness, diversity of thought, joy and in the importance of leading our district with compassion and confidence.
We stand for adherence to Board meeting protocols.
We stand for treating all employees, community, and students at the Dias with dignity and respect.
We stand for the acceptance of all students and staff independent of their background, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status, socio-economic status, or disability.
We stand for students being at the heart of all behaviors, actions and decisions.
We stand for providing our schools with leadership, stability, and direction on a daily basis to keep student achievement as our primary focus.
Our children are counting on us for civility, inclusiveness and dedication of every moment to their well-being and continued progress.
We love this district and give our hearts and souls because we believe in Fresno Unified – And we expect that our Board, our staff, and our community will continue to move the district forward in a positive, collaborative and respectful path on behalf of all our diverse students.”
Next, staff made presentations to the Board in the conference/discussion section of the agenda as follows:
- Discussed and approved the 2016/17 Unaudited Actual Financial Report, 2016/17 Year-End Budget Revision and 2017/18 Gann Limit
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. 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.