The September 18 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, Eva Douglas a grandparent at Anthony Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, Mary Thomas, Sueheide Maciel and Jade Johannes ASB representatives from Hoover High School shared that they are currently prepping for their Homecoming 2019 which is next week. The theme is “Around the World” with Freshman being Paris, Sophomores being Dubai, Juniors being Beijing and Seniors being Tokyo. Students shared that they recently had their regional football night were 12 of their feeder schools were recognized at halftime of the football game. ASB representatives highlighted that regarding campus culture one of their biggest part are the clubs they have on campus. They recently had their Annual Fall Club rush with 55 clubs recruiting students to join. The goal is that this year at least 85% of the students are engaged in at least one thing on campus.   

Students from Tioga 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 week marks the sixth week of school year. The first reporting period ends in two weeks with report cards heading home beginning the week of October 7. Progress reports should have gone home last week to give parents a glimpse into how students are progressing academically.  We asked parents to registered for EduText (grade and attendance updates through text messages) and to get an ATLAS account so they can review their child’s progress reports and see how they are doing in the classroom.
  • Nelson also shared that Fresno Unified is one of six California school districts chosen to participate in a new video pilot program that highlights CAASPP test results. CAASPP stands for the California Assessment of Students Performance and Progress and is the state test that students took last spring.  In the past, parents will receive a letter showcasing how their child perform academically now, the state is in the process of turning those printed reports into interactive videos designed to engage parents on a whole new level. The videos will be delivered via text if parents are an EduText subscriber and will be available through ATLAS parent portal starting October 17. The videos personally designed will come in the family’s home language and even feature closed caption.
  • Next, Superintendent shared that we are less than a month away from our annual State of Education luncheon at Double Tree Hotel. The event will take place Monday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m. being this, the district’s single largest fundraiser for the Fresno Unified Scholarship Fund. In addition to raising money to help support many or our graduating seniors with aspirations for a post-secondary education, the luncheon also provides an opportunity to showcase student success and hear about the district’s future plans. To learn more about the event, including how to purchase tickets, please visit our website at Fresnounified.org
  • Nelson also shared that UCSF Fresno will be hosting an informational meeting for Fresno Unified students and parents interested in learning more about our Sunnyside Doctors Academy. The meeting will be Thursday, September 26 from 6 to 7p.m. in the Sunnyside High School Library and is open to 8th graders who are interested in careers in health and medicine.
  • Superintendent also thanked Every Neighborhood Partnership and Reading Heart for partnering with us on the unveiling of a Little Free Library book box at Heaton Elementary last week. Fresno High construction students helped install the box. Several Little Free Libraries were built las summer by Fresno High and alt ed students in Construction and Geometry classes in preparation  for installing the boxes at schools in all regions of our district to promote reading and community sharing, this is a  great way to encourage reading and work-based learning opportunities in our Fresno High region. You can see pictures of the installation here.
  • Lastly, Nelson shared that with the support of the Communications Department, Parent U, the California Highway Patrol, the Fresno Fire Department and the Fresno County Bike Coalition came together to host a Bike Safety Rodeo at Leavenworth Elementary. There was a great turnout as students even beyond the immediate neighborhood learned bike safety, were given helmets and got in some good exercise. Here is a short video showcasing last Saturday’s rodeo.

​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
  • Adopted Resolution 19-20 Proclaiming October 2, 2019 as California Clean Air Day
  • Adopted Variable Term Waiver for Career Technical Education Credential Holders
  • Approved Agreement with The Hanover Research Council, LLC
  • Approved Amendment to Education Testing Services Agreement
  • Approved Annual Increase in Board Member Monthly Stipend
  • Approved Provisional internship Permits
  • Ratified Agreement between Quid Labs and Patiño School of Entrepreneurship
  • Ratified Change Orders for the Projects Listed Below
    • Bid19-47, Pyle Elementary School Portable Restroom Relocation and Infrastructure
    • Bid 19-49, Calwa and King Elementary Schools Portable Classroom Infrastructure

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

  • Public Hearing and Adopted Resolution in the Matter Sufficiency of Instructional Materials to Comply with the Requirements of Education Code sections 60119
  • Discussed Proposed Revisions for Existing Board Bylaws 9005 and 9130 and Drafts for Two Proposed Board Bylaws Regarding Complaints Concerning Board Members and Censure Policy and Procedures and Adopted Resolution 19-03 Providing for the Issuance and Sale of 2019 General Obligation Refunding Bonds

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, October 2, 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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