September 19, 2018

The September 19 meeting of the Board of Education began with the following announcements out of Closed Session. 

  • The Board gave the Superintendent a positive evaluation with a 7-0 vote.
  • The Board voted to promote Philip Neufeld from Executive Director to Executive Officer of Technology.

Next, John Harris, a parent that has had positive impact at Cambridge High School led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next Alysah Díaz and Mercédez García, ASB representatives from Roosevelt High School, introduced themselves to the Board.

Next, Students from Tehipite Middle School were present to talk about what they love about their school, and being a Tehipite student.

Alysah Díaz and Mercédez García continued to share with the Board that:

  • SAB members had a presentation on technology, which informed them that in late October, Fresno Unified will distribute tablets to students in TK and Kindergarten, and 9th-11th grades as Learning Companion Devices.  Students will need to watch a video and sign a contract, then use their student ID to check the tablet out as if it were a book.  The IT department asked for SAB help in developing the student video. SAB students formed a committee and student board members will be leading the production.
  • Students also share the efforts of the Prevention and Intervention Department on Student Attendance to get and keep all kids in school every day. SAB members were challenged to make a video to encourage students to come to school, hoping to improve their attendance. The video is due in four weeks.
  • Alysah and Mercédez also spoke on how they learned about Williams Act and how students can contact site leaders if they are missing any necessary classroom materials or supplies, or if facilities are in disrepair. 
  • Students shared with the board that at Roosevelt High School they celebrated Perfect Attendance, Honor Roll, High Honor Roll and Honor Society students this past week during Academic Awards Assembly.  The students were honored with a certificate for their hard work and academic dedication during the 2018 Fall Semester. 
  • In regards to campus culture, they shared that they have incorporated Picnic Fridays, where students have been encouraged to bring a blanket so that they can sit with their friends and enjoy a designated treat of the week in a family style setting.  This is a way to promote kindness and caring amongst our Rough Rider brothers and sisters.

Next, Superintendent Nelson provided a brief report to the Board of Education including

  • Sharing that the district’s executive team is currently engaged in the strategic planning process. While there are District Goals and Core Beliefs that guide the district’s work, there is not a formal mission and vision statement.  The team is searching and identifying collective values that will build upon already established goals and core beliefs. This will provide deeper clarity within our system, and guide the district as we proactively plan for the future, building upon the district’s accountability, transparency and overarching goal of developing college and career ready graduates.
  • Nelson also updated the board regarding professional learning that kicked off this week under the larger umbrella of cultural responsiveness. After engaging in deep research and study, the Instructional Division has designed a three-year plan to approach culturally responsive teaching and implicit bias.   Training includes a multi-faceted approach including gender awareness that was first launched with our board and district leaders last spring, and this week began engaging site leaders around inclusion with our LGTBQ community.  In addition, this week climate and culture specialists, instructional coaches and teachers on special assignment embarked on learning around implicit bias, or what some might call the subconscious bias.  This work is grounded in three of our Board Policies that speak to Accountability, Professional Learning, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  It also aligns with our larger Multi-Tiered Support System Framework as a way to respond to various student needs.
  • Superintendent reminded employees that our WellPATH program is partnering with Kaiser Permanente to offer free flu shot clinics at sites across the district. The vaccine is free and available for employees with district medical insurance, covered spouses, domestic partner’s dependents age 18+, early retirees, and Medicare-eligible retirees. A number of clinics will be held at school sites this month throughout the district.  For a complete list of locations, visit JHMBhealthconnect.com

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, August 22, 2018
  • Approved Comprehensive Safe School Plans for 2018/19
  • Approved Award  of Bid 19-03 and Rejected Bid 18-36

      (Trustee Ashjian abstained pursuant to board Bylaw 9270)
  • Approved Provisional Internship Permits
  • Approved Proposed Revisions for Exhibit (E) 9270-Conflict of Interest
  • Denied Claim #GL18-0627-1344
  • Denied Claim #GL18-0627-1345
  • Ratified Service Agreement with WestEd for Training and Technical Assistance on the Desired Results Developmental Profile System
  • Ratified Change of Order and Filing of Notice of Completion for Bid 18-06, Section E Bid 18-06 Sections A-F, Playground Equipment Installation For Columbia, Edison-Bethune, Jefferson, Kirk, Lane and Storey Elementary Schools

Next, the Board took the following action during the discussion portion of the agenda:

  • Adopted Resolution in the Matter Of Sufficiency of Instructional Materials to Comply with the Requirements of Education Code Section 60119
  • Discussed The Teacher Development Pipeline
  • Discussed Update on Fresno Unified Personalized Learning Initiative: Results from Year Two and Expansion in Year Three

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is Wednesday, October 3, 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.

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