001Order. Please stand for the flags. >> Ready. Begin. Okay. Roll call, please, to establish a quorum. >> President >> here. >> Vice President Mos >> Burton >> here. >> Member Robin, >> present. >> Member Scottson >> present. >> Okay. And uh inspirational reading. >> Good afternoon. Good afternoon. As we head into tonight's educa educ educator of the year celebration, it's a great time to pause and recognize what this evening represents. It's a reminder that every success story in Fresno County begins with our educators. Our educators show up every day with heart, determination, and belief in our kids. New state data shows our students are making real progress. Behind those numbers are educators who believe in every child, show up every day, and adapt to everchanging needs. Tonight, we honor a few extraordinary individuals, but their
002work reflects the strength of thousands across Fresno County. Let this evening remind us of why our role matters so much. Because when we support educators, we strengthen every classroom and every future they touch. Thank you. just uh acknowledge our student representative Teresa. >> Hi everyone. I'm excited to share some of the amazing things happening here at CEK lately. First, we had an unforgettable moment Tuesday night, the girls and boys basketball championship game. The games were intense, exciting, and full of energy. Our families and students came out in full force to cheer at the school spirit. And the school spirit was truly incredible. What made it even more amazing is that both teams won. This year was also historic because it was the first time we had an all girls basketball team and they absolutely crushed
003it. >> That moment that that's a moment that will always be remembered here at CEK. Yesterday we hosted a level up career in a volunteer trip. Students had the chance to meet with colleges, trade programs, industry partners, local agencies, nonprofit, and military leaders. It was such a great opportunity to explore different career pathways and post-graduation programs. We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support our students to help them see what is possible after CEK. Right now, we are in the middle of the second game of Turkey Bowl. Students have been looking forward to this all week, showing their school spirit and cheering on their teams. Our CEK Titans love to show their school pride. Whether it's a school um it's a sport event, competition, or campus activities. It's a part it's part
004of what makes our school community so special. Tomorrow, our metal works club competition team will be competing at High School. This is a highlight of the year for our welding team. Every member spends weeks preparing and when we get there, everyone works together to build their projects. Seeing the finished product after all the hard work is such a a rewarding feeling. Um, we have three teams competing, two all boys teams and one all girls team, which is amazing because it really showcases the talent and dedication of our female welders. With four weeks left until showcase, I wanted to get an input from students in each grade level about what they're working on. For freshman, I interviewed Alana Swan. In ninth grade integrated project, students are making toys. In math class, they are calculating markups and
005estimating sales in English. They're learning the difference between genderneutral toys and toys specifically made for boys or girls. Gender neutral toys are this designed for all kids like Legos. Instead of being targeted to one gender for sophomores, I spoke with Antonio Diaz Rodriguez in the construction pathway. who's in the construction pathway in biology. They are working on an experimental design for their fall integrated project. Their research question is how can using the scientific process help us create a better product. This connects to construction because they are currently framing walls according to floor plans and the designated walls recording both quantitative and qualitative data in their journals. Over time, this helps them refine their designs and improve their construction projects. For juniors, I interviewed Gavin Lynch. The junior class is exploring American history through music, blues,
006jazz, folks, rocks, and protest music, hiphop, and country. Each genre helps students understand how Americans express struggles, identity, resistance, and change. They are applying this knowledge to a music themed fire pit. has designed for their projects. Connecting history to hands-on fabrication. It's a really creative way to make history come alive. Finally, for seniors in our advanced courses like advanced construction, advanced manufacturing, advanced welding, and advanced engineering, half of the projects are already finished. Seniors are applying everything they've learned to create highlevel professional quality projects. It's amazing to see their skills and creativities in action as they prepare for graduation and beyond. In short, CEK students are working hard, learning a lot, and showing incredible school spirit every day. From sport championships to career fairs, from welding competitions to hands-on projects in every grade, our students
007continue to impress and inspire. Thank you. Teresa, could I one moment, please? Teresa, could you come back for a moment, please? >> Thank you, my love. >> I just would like to say something real quick and then have you share a point of interest. Could you share with us that you have recently attended a county training? Could you just share a little bit about that? >> Oh, yeah. The Zoom lesson. >> Yeah. Um I got to speak with incredible students and their mentors and I got to really understand what my meaning or my role over here is and that I understand now that I am a voice with students um for Fresno County and it was just training on how we can approach new ideas, how we could bring up some concerns that we have
008at the school and um it was a good understanding for me and the rest of the students and we got to share some of the things we're looking forward to this year and some things we want help from. >> Thank you and thank you for attending and representing us. You did a great job. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Chair will entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> President K. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimo? Yes. >> Member Burton? >> Yes. >> Member Robin? >> Yes. Member Topcott Mson. >> Yes. >> Okay. Chair will entertain a motion for adoption of the minutes from the October 16th meeting. >> I'll move approval. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Roll
009call vote, please. >> President Cry. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimoto. >> Yes. >> Member Bernie. >> Yes. >> Member Robz. >> Yes. >> Member Tap Scottmanson. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now, a fun one. Uh, employee of the month. Okay. >> Yes. All >> right, Brenda, we get to turn the spotlight on you. >> Today, we honor Brenda Perkins, administrative assistant and curriculum instruction as the employee of the month for November 2025. Brenda is the heart of the curriculum instructive instruction administrative team. Since becoming their admin assistant in March of 2024, she has created a culture of inclusivity and teamwork. Even though the team is spread across four floors, she makes sure no one feels left out and is always there when they need her. Bindle lives the FCSS norms every day. She shows accountability
010by helping the team build an accountability tracker with the right tools to keep everything on track from start to finish. Brenda demonstrates respect and listens with intention by noticing when a team needs extra support and bringing people into the monthly meetings to help them grow. She creates transparency by keeping them informed and making sure processes are clear. She pursues growth by streamlining their work and finding ways to make their jobs easier. She celebrates and encourages others by showing gratitude whenever a team member steps in to help. At events, Brenda is always the first one to jump in. Whether it's behind the scenes or front and center, making sure everything runs smoothly. She is a calming, supportive leader who always helps the team find solutions. Brenda, your leadership, kindness, and dedication make you the perfect choice
011for employee of the month. Congratulations. Brenda, we're so excited to celebrate you. And when I say we, look at this. Standing room only in this space. It's really beautiful. It's a beautiful testament of your impact in our office. So, for the next few minutes, we're going to affirm you. We're going to tell you how much we appreciate you, how much we value you. It's going to get very uncomfortable >> and then you're going to feel the love from the room and then there will be a chance for you to step up and and sort of accept uh your recognition. Uh and certainly at that point we'd love for you to introduce your family. Uh but let me again just say uh with regard to everything Jenny shared, you are um so so incredibly important and
012valuable to this organization. We have 1,700 employees, but I don't know a department that is as big, robust, impactful, energetic, innovative. I mean, pushing the envelope in so many different ways. I am I'm just looking around the room and I every single one of you are so impressive and you harness all that incredible energy and make sure they have everything they need to shine and deliver. And boy do do they deliver. So this team is pretty special. And again, we just are so grateful that you have the role that you have. The level of growth in this particular department, which means that you have been figuring things out as departments are growing and hiring and doing more events is just been incredible. Incredible particularly in the last two to three years. So, uh I just
013I'm indebted to you honestly because again this this whole department is so special, so important, so impactful and you take care of everybody with a smile on your face. You never look like there's chaos going on behind a smile and I know for certain there is. So with that, thank you very very much for all that you do and we are so honored to be able to recognize you as our employee of the month. Congratulations. Um, one of the things I do want to highlight, uh, Brenda, is making sure that you create a culture of inclusivity and and teamwork because it's so important. Um, I think when we go to work, we always want to feel like we like our job, that, you know, we're doing something great and that it doesn't feel like work
014when we go to work. And so, I want to thank you for for doing that and for building on that. And I hope you continue, you know, doing that and and that your team recognizes that of you. Um, so you are very deserving of this honor. So, congratulations. I'll chime in. Um, you know, you started in this position only in March of 24. That means you've made a massive impact in the amount of time you've been in that role. I don't know how long you've been at FCSS, but to make that kind of impact, to have a standing room only crowd here for you, um, is quite remarkable. I will say that I came up the elevator with two people that are here to celebrate you. More important than the cake, right guys? >> All
015right. >> Anyhow, I I I was struck by uh the term used in the in the description that you are the heart of the organization. And it, you know, that to me just says it all and all the smiley faces behind you are all nodding their heads uh in agreement. So thank you so much for being um you know doing all those things that you do uh to ensure that that division is working at top level. Um congratulations. So proud of you. >> I guess we're we know where the arts are. Um, so I I think of curriculum and instruction and um, you know, there's a one of the items in here I see it's keeping everything on track from start to finish. Um, I particularly think of um, the changing landscape of curriculum in
016the state of California. >> Um, and that this is that's where I think of the critical role of this area and keeping things on track and the role that that notes that you play in this. Um, we have a very evolving item from people at the state level of curriculum to deliver to students and the role that you play in keeping that on track of all these items that these people behind you get to develop to be implemented and keeping those items so they're deployed in classrooms and they're brought to students and they're in compliance with those items that the state's asking us to do. Um, so for that I thank you. Um, and I think people don't realize sometimes, um, uh, somebody has to be the person to say, "Where is it? Um, these
017are the deadlines. Um, this is where they have to be." And that that's where kind of I keyed in on this of of keeping it on track from start to finish and reminding people those deadlines. Um, that's a critical role that happens. And thank you for doing that, >> Miss Brenda. I tell you, I think this is the first time we've had such a full brew, but so deserving of you. And it's evident by the faces that are surrounding you on four floors. How impressive is that to manage not just the department but four levels. So when they said four floors, I saw four levels. And when you think of four levels, what's at the top of the level of the crown jewel, not just the heart of the department, but the crown jewel of
018the department. Did you like that arts department? >> She she is the retired school librarian, the poet as well. And I know we will hear from one tonight, the Laurate. But I am so pleased that we get to honor you today, Miss Brenda, for your heart, for your joy, for your compassion, for your leadership skill set. That is evident today. And we thank you for that. and continue to shine bright like the diamond you are around all those that gather that come towards your bright light of love and compassion and leadership and we thank you for that and your integrity cuz I know that's what it is that everyone sees in you and we thank you for it bravo to you >> how How many uh employees do we have in the curriculum and development?
019>> 45 or 50. >> I mean 50 >> to get what you get done with 40, you know, 50 employees. That's saying a lot. And and uh and then your services are obviously used by other districts uh by districts throughout the county. And I'm more business outcome oriented. And when you start seeing the test scores improving on our students in Fresno County, it all backs up to the the quality of the uh curriculum uh development uh program that we have that you greatly enhance. So this start to finish thing is uh as as Brian said is is crucial. You can't. It's really easy to drop the ball along that line. And by your efforts to keep that thing moving in the right direction with a relatively small staff really do doing that type of work.
020I'm I'm impressed. I'm impressed. So, keep it up. We appreciate you and thank you. >> Your turn. >> No pressure. Take your time. Take your time. Yes. 20 minutes for rebuttals. >> Thank you everyone. Thank you to the board members. Thank you Dr. Oer for your kind words. I mean this is an amazing honor and I'm so happy to be a part of a company that does recognizes employees like this not just employees but of course students and um so when I got chosen I just was in complete shock. Dr. where you remember you were there and um I honestly really want to give it back to my team. I mean, look at them. They're helping me. I really appreciate you. Thank you so much for coming here today. Curriculum instruction is filled with tons
021of passionate, hardworking employees here. And I on days like this, we get to celebrate that once a month. And it's just so much fun to hear everyone's stories and all the work that they're doing. And in my position, I get to see everything that comes through that all the hard work that they're putting through. And um it's just amazing. Um so, thank you to my team for all being here today. I really appreciate you all. Um I also want to thank my support staff. They're here in the room. There's nine of them. they help me to make sure that all the directors and all of this team of people are um doing what they need to do as well. And um it's been amazing to lead you all and support you all. And um I
022just want to thank you all so much for for everything and being such a great group. Everyone um I want to thank my husband John Perkins and my son Rob Perkins. My daughter couldn't be here today. She's the right person to stay in a threehour like I'm so sorry but thank you guys so much for always supporting me and my career and everything that I do. It's because of you. So thank you so much and a special thank you to Allison. Um, she's been a great leader and I love our morning huddles and um, it's just been amazing and again this amazing team. I I just can't thank them enough for for showing up for me today. Thank you. I really feel loved. >> A second picture. All right, three. One, two, three. >> Now
023sitting down. Okay, now we'll move on to another fun one. >> Superintendent Superstar. >> It is our absolute honor to recognize Jesus Cruz is our November superintendent superstar. Jesus, a senior at Parlor High School, is an extraordinary student whose leadership, humility, and commitment to excellence have last left a lasting mark on the Panther community. His drive to serve others, his calm confidence, and his dedication to academics and extracurriculars make him a true model among his peers. As vice president of the associated students body, Jesus has been instrumental in shaping the culture and spirit of Parlor High School. From planning rallies and school dances to organizing the homecoming celebration, he leads with collaboration, vision, and heart. He is described as a leader who is approachable, respected, and always willing to listen. Jesus doesn't just care about
024himself. He mentors others and leads gently, making sure every student feels included. Jesus is Jesus's leadership extends far beyond ASB. As a proud member of the Naval Junior ROC, he exemplifies the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment in everything he does. Whether it's mentoring new cadets or guiding drill teams, he sets the tone for excellence and discipline. Jesus also made history on the athletic front. As one of the key student advocates behind the creation of boys volleyball at Parlor High School, he helped launch a program that continues to grow in its second year. His dedication to the sport and his determination to open doors to future athletes demonstrates his forwardthinking mindset and passion for community growth. Balancing academics, athletics, and leadership. Jesus continues to challenge himself with advanced placement courses, maintaining excellence in
025his studies while representing Parlor High School at district board meetings alongside his superintendent. These experiences have given him valuable insight into how leadership and service can have a lasting impact beyond the classroom. What truly sets him apart, however, is his humility, empathy, and ability in to inspire others into action. Jesus is living leaving behind a legacy of leadership, character, and kindness. He shows the students what it means to lead with purpose. Thank you so much, Mrs. Burell. And it is such a pleasure to get to spend a little more time with you, Jesus. Uh Dr. Masamoto and I had the chance of seeing you in action more than once at our numerous visits to Parlier, the new Parlier. Uh and I am so excited to have Dr. Inigus with us today. Uh, and also maybe
026the world's best interpreter on the face of this earth, Missy. >> Yes, you are. >> I told >> how happy I was that she was making sure that mom and dad were engaged with us. He said, quote, "I want them to laugh when we laugh. I want them to be in the mo." I was so touched by that. So, Miss Amy is interpreting about herself right now with that. Anyways, gracias Senora Esel, Gracias Senor Cruz, you have produced a really exceptional young man. And I am moved almost to tears to just congratulate and affirm you, Jesus. Uh when we got to chat a little bit, I asked you of all these leadership roles you have, which which ones resonate the most? And you said yes, I love volleyball. Which by the way, he created the
027signup sheet. He cajol the adults to let him have a a a space on the field and he talked him into coaching and then he signed up individual students all over campus to form a volleyball team. That's leadership. >> He said, "Well, that was fun." He said, "I also like representing student voice at the board meetings that the board members listen to me and they care about what I have to say." And he's even going to be at CSBA with us uh in December, friends. Uh so it's going to be awesome to have his voice represented. It's really really exciting. Uh and certainly leading his peers with ASB he mentioned as a as uh resonating as well. But um he um said that what really resonated was being the commanding officer for his NJ ROC
028program because he got to model, honor, courage, and commitment and that he had an intentionality about the freshman on campus and how each of them are so squirrely and young. We all know those 14-year-old freshman, right? And they so desperately need someone to guide them. and he said he got to lead his peers in the commanding role 50 kids by the way one of the biggest uh ROC programs in the state of California and most successful might I add in parlier um so he's very formidable and very impressive that he's the leader of that group uh and the fact that he said casually yes I just spend a lot of time with our freshman just speaks volumes so Jesus we honor you today as as the student of the month representing 26,425 students in all
029of Fresno County. Congratulations, young man. >> No, you get to go first. You know, I piggyback after you. You know the little team. Well, Jesus, um, it it it is very impressive. Um, you know, I kind of when I was reading through our agenda, kind of the first thing I picked out was the Navy Junior ROC program. Um, you know, it's a a big commitment. So, we're always going to ask, are your plans in the future to go into the Navy? >> You don't you don't have to stay. >> Go ahead. >> No. So yes, the Navy graduate. I plan on applying for the NRG scholarship which I'm post right now and I plan on attending UCLA uh for the NRC program as an officer graduate. >> We're pretty confident that you'll be a great
030representative. You know, I'm going to call it the Parlor Panthers, the blue and gold there. Um, and you know the the mentioned starting volleyball there, vice president of the ASB, being very involved in that program. Um, and so we know that you'll be away for a while in the Navy. Um, and we always say to bring those talents back to Fresno to represent Fresno. Um, the other item is, you know, it's a a great item. Um, you know, we're all generally representatives of our families. Um, and so it's a great commitment that your parents have made, you know, that we're representatives of what our parents have done and recognizing the sacrifices that our parents have made. And so many of us um, you know, we look back and we see what our parents sacrificed for
031us. And I'm sure that you see that in your parents. And so for us, it's a great item of gratitude for us to see um, what they've done and sort of what you've done with those sacrifices that they've made for you. And so we express our gratitude to your parents. Well, Jesus, Jesus is in the room. Finally, say it. I have I have a contractor. His name is Jesus. I'm calling him Jesus all the time. But Jesus, how impressive you are. The son of Parlier. Mhm. >> You know that's going to be your new title. >> Indeed it is because that is who you are. And hold the title proudly with pride and the honor that you hold in your confidence of your representation because we see it. And I am a Navy wife. My
032husband served in the Navy. came from Louisiana and his brother, younger brother followed him and became a high ranking commander serving 20 years in the Navy and was at the Pentagon. So, anything you desire, you can achieve. And you already know that because you're doing it and you're so impressive. So impressive. Continue to soar as high as you want to fly. and to your parents. What an honor and what a wonderful young man you have raised. The self-sacrifice that you have given to raise such an honorable son with all of the values you have poured into him. You are to be honored as well. And thank you. Thank you so very much, Mom and Dad. Yes. Thank you. We appreciate you. And continue to grow. Continue to grow. Continue to soar. Bring your talents back
033home. We tell all of our students, go forth, do great things, and bring your talents back home to make our community better. Thank you. Um, okay. So, I have the privilege of being able to speak Spanish and so I'm would like to speak directly to the parents in in Spanish. Um, Australia. for in If I may, Dr. Kofer and and board I would like to summarize um trustee um Robas pretty uh in a nutshell or summarize shared uh parents I would like to take the opportunity to speak in my primary language and to thank you for your beautiful sacrifice that you have done for not only your children but also for all in terms of his leadership and youth that he's inspiring. She shared that as a child um you learn to grow up and
034to appreciate the sacrifices that parents make in order for her children to be there as she did herself. When she took on this role in this seat with the board, her father was not able to attend because he was out working. But it's because of sacrifices like that and the sacrifices that her father made that we end up with children like Jesus Scurus who is now a leader and we hope that other students will be able to follow his footsteps. And again, thank you to the parents for all of your hard work, dedication, and having such an inspirational young man. >> Thank you. >> And I'm just kidding. >> I had to hear that twice. That was beautiful. It was beautiful. I understand a lot more Spanish than I can speak. Um, all I can
035say is felic. Um, Jesus, I am so so so enamored by you. I've saw you in action. I've seen you in action at uh your school. Um, I think on many occasions and but one that comes to mind is one where you spoke to the whole community representing your school at a at a ribbon cutting and um I was able to witness how the students responded to you. um not only the NJ RCT students but the other students and to me that speaks volumes of your leadership and the respect that you have earned on campus. Um, you're the kind of student that all these educators in the room dream of indeed. >> Um, and are proud of. And whether or not they've ever met you before, I can guarantee you all the educators in this
036room are feeling the same sense of pride that your superintendent is uh sitting behind you. Um, so very so very proud of you. Um, and I am excited to hear what comes next and and what you do. You know, it may be UCLA, hopefully so, but it may be something else. You know, sometimes things turn out differently than you dream, but I know that you will respond in the best way uh and representative of uh your family and of your whole community. So, thank you for being so special. I appreciate it. >> Well, Sus, what did you want to major in at UCLA? As for majoring, um, >> I don't know yet. >> That's fine. It's okay. >> I know that I want to do. >> I don't know what specifically. I do know that
037I want to be an educator. Uh, be a leader of some sort. Um, I know I want to do that. I just don't know what I want to do specifically in yet. Okay. >> That's really good. >> The reason why >> Arts wants you And and don't take elected official off the table because exactly when you stood up. We were over here. Can you say elected official? Official. >> So keep it open because you can be an advocate for your community at a higher platform with your voice in that field as well. So keep it open. And you're still young. You still have time to figure it all out. You're on a fantastic pathway. So, don't get stressed out. You're doing great. >> So proud of you. So impressive. So impressive you are. >> Bravo.
038>> The reason why I brought that up is as I assume you're going to go intend to go to the Navy and I was a civilian contracted doctor in L more Navy base for 10 years. And my uh impression of the Navy personnel was they took advantage of a I hate to say boatload a cliche but a whole lot of opportunities uh that came their way. I mean I I knew some that were F-18 pilots in the morning and the afternoon. He went into the OBGYn clinic. He's a doc. And so they they crossrain each other all the time because there's opportunities for those that are go-getters. a whole lot of the Navy uh people that were flight surgeons and pilots because they want to be NASA astronauts. So, there's a ton of of opportunities
039within the Navy for kids, men and women, who are go-getters and and just just apply. And uh so I'm anxious to see how this works out for you. So, please keep in touch. >> Come back. Okay, Jesus, it's your turn to come up to the podium and Dr. Indigus, if you'd like to join him and maybe you could say just a word of introduction of him and then we'll have him say a word or two. I think he has something prepared. >> Indeed, he does. >> Good afternoon everyone, board of trustees of the county. My name is Rafael. the proud superintendent of party unified school district and thank you so much everyone for for validating and supporting what Jesus has been saying here and his families here with him tonight but I just want to
040say that parlor unified is a strong supporter of military uh science it's one of our pathways as as I was sharing with uh Dr. Kofer earlier, we have various pathways at the high school and this year we even expanded NJROTC down to Parlier Junior High School, >> making us one of the only schools in the whole country with NJ at the middle school level. And it's because of uh narratives of perseverance and inspiration like Jesus Cruz that we listen to students and what they wanted. And we have a superstar teacher that's uh Mr. Lowry who couldn't make make it today but he's our NJ instructor at the high school and also at Parlier Junior High School and I'm just uh as I shared in the room earlier today I'm just uh also a reflection as
041someone who grew up in Parlier and now serves in the role of superintendency I am a reflection I'm a younger version of what Jesus was right so when I hear your your advice to him to please come back to the community and expand opportunities that's a real thing right because often times people leave and they never come back and I also I loved all the comments from from the board and Dr. Kofer. I know that you were also inspired by the message. Your son is a graduate of the Navy and u I I'm just inspired by everything I hear and also thank you so much for addressing the the Spanish the the parents in Spanish. I know that you touched them as well, Miss Robas. So um I'm just proud to be here and with
042that I'm going to introduce Jesus Cruz. Uh, good afternoon everyone. I hope we're all having an amazing day so far. Um, as you guys know, I'm sus Cruz. I come from Parlor High School. I would like to start by thanking Dr. Michelle Kentwell Kofheer, the superintendent at the Fresno County Schools alongside with the office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools as well as the Fresno County Board of Education for this honor. I am truly grateful to be recognized and be here today. It is an honor to receive this award. It means a lot to me as it shows the hard work, support, and opportunities that have shaped me to be who I am and continue to be. It is a reminder to always be resilient and never think the impossible isn't impossible. >> Mason,
043sorry. >> Uh, I'd like to give a quick shout out to my mom and dad for always supporting me in my education and extracurricular activities. It's amazing knowing I can always count my parents for when I need a helping hand. And then just sing in Spanish. And again, thank you for this recognition. It is something I'll carry with great pride. >> A couple of photos. >> The board is in their ready position. Yes. >> Yes. Well, we'll get this picture and then Mr. Thank you. >> Yes, he's here. This is something very special. Make sure you go to yourself and graduate from >> keep up the good work. Fantastic young man. >> Appreciate all you're doing. >> Come back to Fres. Yeah, >> it's back. We got it. >> All right, one, two, three. >>
044Dr. Cooper, let him know what's in the envelope. Yeah. Oh, well I want everyone to know what >> see here. Okay, next item is a recess and so we'll retire out in the back and uh obviously he'll do meeting the media and we'll be back here at 2:25. Thank you. Community input section. Public may address the board pursuant to established procedures. No action shall be pursu shall be taken pursuant to California code ed section code 54954.3. Individual speakers will be allowed three minutes to address county board of education as per uh board bylaw 9323. I have not received any requests. So moving on to public hearing which there's no public hearing agendation and support. Dr. Green by members of the board. Superintendent Poper. This afternoon I'm presenting the 2025 annual Williams settlement compliance report which
045summarizes our fall monitoring of 122 schools across 23 districts. I'm pleased to report that all schools had sufficient instructional materials and every facility met good repair standards with no emergency conditions identified at all collected fire rulings information. this year's results continue to demonstrate our district's strong commitment to maintaining safe safe well equipped learning environments for every student. Happy to answer questions that you have and just differentiate to make sure that you remember that this is what we do annually for the entire county of Fresno as opposed to our orderly which is our ones that are districts that we go out that are identified by the state superintendent of public instruction. So this is the portal. It's gone to each one of their boards. Summary has and we send a specific individual reports to each district
046who had a Williams visit. Not all districts have schools that received Williams visits. So if you had a Williams visit for a district, we send your information back to them from that visit as well as some to >> I quick question. What portion of schools do you h have to report in this? >> So it it's based upon it's very complex process of identification. It's the state superintendent of public instruction as mandate to identify schools that are based on CSI which is one of our state level accountability measures as well as percentage of of teachers who fall in a specific category instead of being interns or newer teachers. So if they fall, it's about 15% or more. And so they look across all of the state and they put they choose schools who fall into
047that category and then that's who they assign back to these counties to go review. So I I I say to you that it's not really a number like it's not really a percentage that we do. It's really those who fall into this category that they have. And for us, we have about like I said it's about 120ish schools that we go and visit that falls into that which is fluctuated. We've had as few as 75 I think were at the most historically that we've ever had before it was based on API. So it's different from community different districts and those again remember Williams is a lawsuit legislation a lawsuit that resulted in legislation. general counsel can correct me on that if I'm wrong in stating that, but it's resulted in legislation that we use, but
048it's driven by a law that law. So, we satisfy the requirements of that lawsuit. And so the state likes to have a certain number of schools visited specifically around facilities around teacher requirements in the big qualifications are uh and then as well as our instructional materials driven in 2001 2002 this morning happened driven out of LA County but actually laid out actually out of Los Angeles by some school that they brought. Do we know how many schools we have in the county? >> We know 350ish about this is about a third of them. >> About a third, but it doesn't have to be. Yeah. It's just kind of who fits in those things. Yeah. >> A lot of work. >> It's a lot of work. >> And and we're looking at uh you know, everybody
049is, you know, good or exemplary. And uh that that's a far cry from where it started. >> Yes. >> And I remember when it started. I mean, there were ceiling tiles falling out and half the water fountains didn't work and bunch of kids didn't have textbooks. I remember it was a real eye opener when it started cuz it was an LA thing and lawsuit. We didn't really know much about it until bam, here came the judgment and then we then we had to audit and we thought, whoa, we got a ways to go. Yes. >> So, uh anyway, you know, the idea that we I mean, we have to because the lawsuit, but if we didn't, I'm afraid it would slide back. >> That's the point. unfortunate that we have to have things by law
050because they do a good job and our school districts do a great job. We have a great communication network with them where we work with specific folks from different schools. If there's a situation that arises any emergencies which have happened over the years period that looks like it's going to fall over a electrical box that has an open thing that a student touched it, you know, we call and I'll call the superintendent and they immediately fix it when it's done. It doesn't help get to the emergency stage. Our inspectors go through. They work very well with them. They're professional. They're excellent. Their school districts are great. Even President Biden work for me. Their attorneys over President Biden, she has just fantastic. It's just been a very good relationship with everybody to make sure that we're
051doing it's good for kids. And that's why this report is kind of boring because it's doing what we're supposed to do. Well, shall I say as a retired school librarian, thank you very much for being in compliance. And we appreciate the boring report that keeps us in compliance. That is what we want. And the whole purpose of this, it came down with not having enough textbooks for our students and making sure that our inventory communication was proper because we would show that one school didn't have textbooks. In actuality, in the storage room, there was. And then we had to move and circulate and recirculate books. And so that was back in the day before over 20 years ago. So this is all in compliance. It keeps us straight and make sure all of our students
052have the textbooks that they need and the inventory is correct. So thank you so much for doing a stellar job as always. >> You lived it. You know >> indeed I have been cycling. >> Indeed I have. Indeed I have. And during the time I had to call and they had to come and get inventory from my library at J Young uh at IMS and come and bring the trucks and get the textbooks and distribute them as needed. So yes indeed. So thank you so much. We appreciate you as always. >> And I remember that they didn't even have them in storage. They would order and the orders hadn't come in and it was like two months into school year before they actually got >> and then the storage the delivery delays for ordering and
053supply. >> Yep. that supposed to be >> that was the reasoning why. >> Yeah. >> Lack of >> Anyway, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now you can you can move on to >> the next one. Okay. >> Members of the board presenting the 2324 teacher assignment monitoring outcomes county superintendent scripts. This is called TAML. This is, you know, again for our internal sites as opposed to going out to the external districts and the rest. This is this is in addition to stuff that we have done in the past because this was just released. So this usually is something that's that's presented. It's available with our local indicators in June and the rest. But the state of California takes a long time to actually produce these data. So we present it the board meeting
054following when the state of California makes it available. So it's just made available. That's why you're seeing it here today. And it's a summary of the data for our our our actual schools and where our our teachers fall on the federal identification. So that's the reason I want you to see this because there's some words on here that I don't love. We don't get to pick those words. The state, the federal government has assigned these categories and has put specific definitions. So if you look at the report that you see on the second page of the report, it defines what some of those authorizations what they mean by that. Things like ineffective are a very misleading term that the federal government has put in that we do not have ineffective teachers. It's just a glory
055to the credentials are because of the lack of some of the specialized work. So you notice we had one missassigned teacher that's usually occurs in special education because of the highly specialized students that we serve that we cannot predict. At the beginning of the year there are times when we'll get a student comes in that's been identified through special education process and we have to scramble to find some as the correct authorization to serve that student. We still serve them but then we it takes a moment. So that's that's when you see that mis assignment, it's due to the really specialized services we provide to our our students that we have in there. We do a very good job our credentiing department downstairs and our team does a very good job of making sure that
056our teachers have the right credentials in the right place to serve the students that we get. Again, the transiency that we have with our students that we're leaving in and out with our community programs as well as with special education, this really can be a bit of a challenge for a county office. system is more set up district but that's we do what we can so you'll see the report we actually this is very good very consistent with what we've actually seen over the course of the time we work very hard to find highly qualified teachers and make sure that we provide opportunities for them to be able to clear credentials or receive the credentials they need to serve the students that we have here at county office any questions you have >> so incomplete
057does that mean in progress >> so if you look back if you look back at the other side here It's the alternate special ed placement per an IEP team. So basically it would be someone who'd be placed in there, but we need to serve the student, but we may not have a perfect authorization for that specific >> qualifying disability that falls on there. And so at times it's again because of I mean Dr. Ler can really speak to this, but just the nature of the specialized students we serve here is districts just don't have this. They come to us for these reasons and at times we just we do our best sometimes it takes a bit to be able to find those in. This is a point in time system. So you know you hit
058this date if you're not there. So then you the next year. >> So that's why it kind of resets every year. So on that date you have someone that's exactly for that person you'll be qualified as mission or something along those lines. That's what >> Did I say that right Dr. Lur? >> You sure did. >> Yes. Special ed is um very specialized, shall we say, with credentiing and services being provided. I have a strong background in special ed as well through Freso Unified. So, thank you. This is very nice. Very nice. Thank you. >> Say, could that be like an initial came in to special ed maybe like they're initially put with a mild to moderate, but they were >> severe. >> They were severe. Yes, we we have severe but someone who maybe
059has a specific disorder in OT something like that >> but they didn't have like that specialized on the severe >> because students that they the district is never going to come to us and it just sometimes takes a moment to find the special ed authorizations and credentials are incredibly complex and there's a lot of stuff to be able to do. So, we're working it out, but you can't just have something unstable to be nothing waiting for someone else. Sometimes it's a matter of finding >> finding that specialized person to fulfill that student's need. >> It kind brings me to my point is obviously school districts, especially the smaller ones, there's no way they can but it's even hard for us. >> I don't see how we staff to the need when the need moves all
060the time. and and uh but but I as far as local districts go, we we see those time to time. Uh they seem to be improving. I we don't see too many waiverss as we see them, but the numbers aren't as high as they used to be. Would you say that's fair? >> We're getting we're getting there. Some of those there's lots of reasons why potentially I wouldn't be able to speak to 100%, but yeah, it seems to be that it's they're getting better. proceed to kind of catch up on backlog after the co and some of the teachers impressed which is good and there could be a variety of reasons I could speculate but I think >> there's a lot there could be a lot of reason >> but I remember there's multiple pages
061and and >> yes >> and it was just and it kept coming up every year the same thing and and nothing much changed but it looks like it's changing now >> thank you very good thank you >> excellent >> okay now we get to move on to business services. Mr. Otto, good afternoon, Dr. Clyde and board members. The first report that I have is the quarterly retirement of fixed assets, >> which is from July 1st of 2025 through September 30th, 2025. You have the list in your packet, I believe. Um, a lot of them again are laptops, computers. I I would like to point out the servers that are towards the top of the page that we bought back in 2011. um got a good 14 years out of those servers, which is nice. But
062just to give you an idea of what things have increased in cost, we ordered new servers. Those back then were about 110,000. They were $992,000 to replace those servers. >> So, how many >> how many? >> Um I think we bought one more and we bought a little bit better ones because our Everest system is growing. Um but just you know in 14 years things have really increased in price and that's just hopefully we get 14 or 15 years out of these and um >> who knows what they'll be in that time but I just want to give you perspective on increased cost for what these cost operating. >> How many servers were there? >> There were four. I think there's four on the list on the top of the list. Anyhow, >> there's five
063total. I think we ended up buying six. Five total was a million bucks. >> Six total was a million bucks. Yeah. >> So anyway, just a little perspective on increased cost. Sorry, didn't mean to shell shock you with that. >> I was a little bit shell shocked. So with you, >> I just wanted to share that. But but we need those servers to continue to provide that support to our school districts with our financial system, our HR system, and all the all the things the networking services that we provide each of the schools. >> If there are no other questions, >> no thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Budget actuals. >> Yes. So, the next item is the 2425 budget to actual comparison report. And you have a packet in your your in your packet.
064I'm sorry. You have a report in your packet that shows the 2425 actual to budget. Keep in mind that again it's not the carryover from the previous year. This is the budget to actual. So if we look at item A, the budgeted ending fund balance was 86 million. The actual was 126 for an increase of 39 million. I will go over when what the actual increase in the carryover was um in a later report. It shows what each of the ending fund balances either decreased or increased by program for both the restricted and the unrestricted areas. Item C covers what the revenues and expenditures were budgeted and what the actuals came out to be. And then item D shows the additional funds that are housed at the county office of education such as deferred maintenance,
065the charter school, horse reserve, child development, adult ed, school facilities, retirement, and special ed pass through fund. >> You miss a s on pass. I missed the excuse me on pass. >> I didn't hear you. >> If nothing I'm talking I'll show you later. >> How is the retirees benefit? How's that the count on that? We stand good. Is that >> retirey benefit month? >> Yeah, we are. We are. We're we're ahead of the curve. you know, we will have the auditor the auditors in here hopefully by February or March because we will be seeking an extension due to some delays from the feds and what's required of the audit this year. It's kind of an issue statewide. There's going to be a lot of of late audit reports this year, but we will we
066will know more when that actuarial comes out or that information is included in the audit the audit packet. But we are doing well. We just increased that retirey benefit charge that we charged department um probably 3 or 4 years ago to keep up with the times, but it held steady for probably 12 or 13 years. So, we increase that to recoup more money to help to pay for those retirees. >> Are we still as a kind of a pay as you go or are we >> No, we're gaining ground. >> We're banking a little bit of money along the way and pay as you go, but we will we can adjust the amount as needed. Um, if we need to increase it in the future, we can we can do that and charge the department.
067>> Are we There was a big hump when we were going to have to start charging more. Are we past that? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Okay. Now we're in. >> So, go ahead. Move on to first inter. >> Thank you, uh, Dr. Clyde. Uh the next report is the 2520 26 first interim financial report and I have my slideshow that I will show you on the screen here. >> Thank you. >> So I'll talk a little bit about you see the ending fund balance history. It shows the first interim 2425 and 2324. Our ending fund balance as you can see went up by 24.2 2 million from 2324 to the end of 2425. And you might wonder that's that's a big jump. And I'll explain some of that. Actually, most of that.
068Um at the end in June, we received a mental health capacity grant that is in Trina Fraser's area. We actually received a cash of $7.8 million >> and which is fantastic. ABS. Kudos to Trina's department. They do an amazing job gathering grant funds. What didn't come out of 2425 were all the salary negotiations that were completed in I believe it was for CSEA in in July or late June and for CSEA in August or September. So keep in mind that we have a retro that was paid out in the current year that actually was for last year. So those charges are going to be in this year's budget. Also a healthcap increase for last year that's in this year and a one-time payment that we paid out to all employees that depending on what year
069you look at it, we still had to pay it out. That total is about $10 million. So that money didn't come out of last year. It's going to come out of this year. >> So if you add those two together, that's eight it's $19 million. And then also in this year are the negotiated increases for the salaries and benefits for this year that are additional costs. So that explains kind of why our ending fund balance jumped up as much as it did because we didn't have all the cost in last year and we got some grant money right at the end of the year that's going to be spent over the next two or three years I believe. So, you're going to have the pass pay within this budget, this next one, and then you're
070going to have the 3% thrown in on top. Correct. >> So, do you think that'll still come out even? >> It'll be close. >> It's going to be close. >> Yeah, it's >> going to be close. And then we'll start up negotiations in April for next fiscal year since we did a two-year deal. So, we set we settled last year and this year. >> So, we're good till uh end of June, >> correct? >> Okay. and and then we're going to start in April for uh >> 26 27, >> right? >> And well, maybe a two-year deal. We'll see what happens. >> We'll see what happens. >> Uh >> we have our lady partners in the room. >> I can see a big hit on >> They're looking both at me right now. >> But
071I can see a big uh paper hit on on by the >> for this year. Yes. >> Right. So the next slide shows the revenues and expenditures year-over-year. Um as you can see where where the actuals have hit. We bring in more than we spend. Um again, >> thank you. >> The the revenue for last year was was a little bit higher versus the expense. We didn't have the $10 million in in negotiated salaries and benefits that hit in that proper year, plus the additional influx of cash of 8 million towards the end of the year. Um, as always, we budget more expenditure than we bring in. We allow departments to budget their full carryover. And that's that's why that bar looks like that. But as you can see, history has shown that that is
072not the trend. You know, we don't we necessarily don't want to make money. We're in the business of educating kids. Dollars in, dollars out should go to kids. That's what we try to do, but timing kind of throws that off sometimes. The next chart shows the budgeted revenue summary. chose to be restricted or targeted and non-targeted. And I always say and I was out in the the breezeway talking with Jeff and Jeff could give this speech. It's the opposite of a school district. Most of school district funds are are not non-targeted or unrestricted. Ours are mostly targeted. Um bigger areas being special ed, after school, migrant programs. The next slide shows the components of those budgeted revenue. You can see the LCFF revenue, local income, state and federal. Again, at a school district, the large
073portion of that pie would be LCF LCFF revenue. But due to how we bring in mostly restricted funds, you got local and you have state and you have federal that take up the majority of our revenue pie. >> The next So, can I ask a question? So, like there's been a couple things that you I've seen a couple news stories lately where they talk about school districts and not meeting like their obligation of dedicating like 55% of their revenue to staff salaries for like classroom staff and is that related directly to that the majority of their revenue is the unrestricted LCFF funds whereas for us it's all it's restricted funds and that's basically all being spent on programs and So like the office of ed isn't necessarily like where we're like that but like the
074those districts are coming to like the office the superintendent of schools saying like we need a waiver for that 55% mandate. That's because their LCFF is the majority of their funding and it's unrestricted funds. Um whereas for us it's all restricted funding and it's going directly to programs. That's our real difference is is we're not unrestricted. we are restricted. They're going directly to services to students. And so that's really our difference is we are putting funds directly into services to students. That's the majority of everything that we do. >> Right. >> This has already changed. Is that 267? >> That's it was 24 something before we started. So it's already >> we're seeing >> based on adoption, >> right? >> Yes. Yes. So this these numbers reflect all the changes since July 1st or since
075you all adopted the budget in June board. >> So it's about you know 20 million >> right and and it's going to usually goes up. So it's going to go up you we'll be back at second interim in February to to report the same report and majority of the time it does continue to go up as grants and new dollars come in. >> But we should have it all by then for this fiscal year. majority of it, you know, unlike the the capacity grant that that Trina got at the end of last year, you know, that that didn't make it into our budget last year because it was a lastm minute thing and we weren't even sure we were going to get the funds in last year, but we ended up getting them. >> Right.
076Okay. >> Okay. But we got it, but the eight wasn't it 8 >> 8 million? >> Yes. >> Okay. So then that we got it, but obviously we couldn't spend it yet. >> No. No. >> So So it's going to kind of skew our >> It's reflected in the budget, >> right? It'll skew it. Um, but it's going to be skewed the other way because like we just talked about with with the payouts on the on the retropay. >> So, >> quick question. Were there any anticipated monies either delayed or expected to be delayed because of the government shutdown? >> Not us. >> Not that I'm aware of. The only money that that we was delayed was the migrant funding for probably two or three weeks back in July August and you know everybody was
077uncertain whether those money they were impounded with the federal government and which was illegal so then they released those funds. We haven't heard any any federal funding that would affect our office as it you know coming from a delay in the in the federal government shutdown. >> What about the the shutting down department of ed? are we going to see shift over to the states uh and block grants? >> You know that that's hard to tell. We we just received an email from capital adviserss two yesterday as a matter of fact or two days ago. We sent it out to superintendents yesterday. Um title one dollars are going to go to the department of labor and it talked about where other >> responsibilities are going to be shifted to departments that have never administered a
078K12 program before. So that's going to be >> that'll be interesting. >> That'll be very interesting in itself. Um, I believe the total of the it was $31 million that was going to be shifted out of the US Department of Ed, which then pretty much decimates the US Department of Ed to not very much left, which down the road, what are they going to do with that? So, it's all up in the air for now. We're being advised and we're advising the school districts to just continue to do what you do and once we hear more, we'll we'll keep involved. >> And that was 31 million >> Billion. Okay. I million. That's not good. >> Um, okay. So, then that leads to our my next question is is if if uh if if because of
079that confusion and school districts don't get their money on time, are we going to be getting into some uh serious cash flow problems for not us, but >> I it's hard to tell the future. I don't know how efficient the Department of Labor is going to be in getting the Title One dollars sent out to the states. >> I mean, I can see a potential hardship coming. not a train wreck, but a hardship, >> right? >> And uh uh we'll see how this smooths out. >> The good news is that that that funding is not going away. So that's that's good news cuz Title One is huge dollars for the state of California and the school districts in the state. >> That was a 30 something billion >> 31 31 billion total. >> Total. >>
080Yeah. >> Nationwide or California? >> Nationwide. >> But we don't know California's cut on that. >> I I don't remember the number. Okay. Thank you. >> I'm We're just hearing stuff about districts already getting uh squeezed because they, you know, didn't make the cuts postcoid cash and running out of cash and and now they're looking like they're in trouble and >> and and I did do some research. >> Oh, you guys. >> Yeah. >> So, in March of 2025, there were seven negative school districts. Negative is the worst >> in our county. >> No, statewide. Statewide. >> Statewide. In our county. I don't know. >> I'm so sorry. I should have prefaced that. There are seven negative statewide school districts. The high water mark for that was 16 back in 1112. Um, there are 32
081that are qualified, which means you're kind of on the watch list statewide. Back in 1112, there was 176 that were qualified. So I don't think much has changed in the last >> It hasn't hit. >> No, it really hadn't. >> And it may not, but it hasn't been yet. >> Right. >> Out of what? 1,200 1500 district school districts. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Actually, that's not bad. >> No. >> So far, >> percentage wise, it's not bad. I mean, it's it's really it's bad that seven are negative. Absolutely. A couple of them are big and I think three of them are fairly big and four are pretty small districts. >> Well, they're going to have to get their act together. Yeah. as far as what they're and make tough decisions. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
082>> Sure. >> Were you done or >> No, no. I saw >> you have 131 pages here. Let me know if you want to do that. Uh this slide shows the budgeted revenue detail for the targeted areas. Um as you can see, special ed, Selpa, safe and healthy kids are the biggest areas. Um cyber high, career teched. Gosh, I really I don't know my CL. I can't see anymore. Why not make it >> court schools um >> look on your screen >> lottery routine restricted maintenance I don't want to turn around >> look on your screen >> the next slide shows the budget revenue detail for non-targeted of internal operations school district services activities and unrestricted lottery >> the next slide kind of mirrors the revenue as far as non-targeted and targeted but it's the
083expense side. Again, most of our expenditures are targeted, meaning they're restricted dollars. >> So, so we're looking at 292 against 264, >> right? And that's why the gray bar is taller than the blue bar. Next is components of budgeted expense. These are the object categories. Salaries and benefits, other supplies, other operating expense, other outgo. Next we have the budgeted detail expense for each of the areas. You have cord school, special projects, safe and healthy kids, migrants, cyber eye, career tech ed, special ed, and some other smaller areas. And I believe the last one shows the budget expense detail for the non-targeted or unrestricted dollars. Uh services of school districts, internal operations, and special activities make up the majority of that chart. And that's it. >> So, I can see that our baseline I think we
084start at 240 something. I can see that hitting 300 before we're done. >> We're getting real close. >> Yeah. I mean, we it depends on the grants that come in the >> county superintendent. >> What about extra grants? I mean, we if you add all that stuff in, we were over 400. If you add any in the extra funds, the pass through dollars for special ed, >> the adult fund, the child development fund, we're close to 500. >> We're getting close to 500. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah, >> that'll be a first if we hit that mark. I think I don't think we've been that high. >> I don't know if we have either. >> Yeah, I don't remember it. >> Okay, very good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All righty. Any other questions?
085>> This stuff's pretty important. This is This is what makes this place beautiful. >> Understand? >> Yeah. >> Fiduciary responsibilities. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we'll move on to uh uh facilities. >> No, no, >> no. You got another action. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry. >> Hey, thank you, Dr. Budget revisions. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um here to consider approval of the 24 2025 26 budget revisions. And you have a packet in your packet. I don't know why I say that. um a report in your packet that shows the changes since the July 1st budget was adopted back in June at the meeting. Um if you look at item B, it shows the changes in budgeted revenue for each of the categories, LCFF, federal revenue, state and local revenues. It shows the changes in expenditures.
086Again, you'll see the salaries and benefits. The increases are there. If we go to the second page, item D shows the overall changes for basically the restricted and the unrestricted programs. Item E shows the components that make up our ending fund balance. Item F shows the unappropriated fund balance or unrestricted and the amount that we set aside for economic uncertainty. I know Dr. Clyde likes to see that um unappropriated percentage and it's actually gone up a little bit which is good. And item G shows the activity for the other funds. >> So we're at almost 20%. >> Pretty close. 19.5. >> Yeah. Uh yeah, it hasn't been that in a little while. >> Yeah, >> it's been a lot less than that. Yeah. >> Good. Good. Cuz I cuz I'm, you know, I always plan
087on crappy times coming and then when they don't come near you, hooray. But I think just think it's wiser for all the kids we serve and the districts that look up to us on our budget is to be real conservative and and uh uh not not not you know tighten it up too much. The uh so now back on this this is reflecting the the expenditures out and from the salary negotiations >> correct? Yeah, that was the uh was that the 16 million? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> And that happens all the time, like every other year. It seems like we do a two-year deal and then we got catchup and then we got the next year. >> We'll do a one-year deal if it's if it's appropriate. But we were >> we were negotiating
088for such a long period of time that that it was it would behoove us we did a two-year deal. It was it was easier. >> We were doing two-year deals. We we've done quite a bit >> a couple in probably the last 10 years maybe. >> Yeah. And hopefully we'll do a we can do a three year. Just kidding. >> All right. >> Is it CEK uh revenue up? So is that that enrollment is up at CEK? Is that what that >> So that's that's really good. Um, are they getting close to their mark? >> Be completely honest with you. No. >> Okay. >> So, they actually we had to hire what was the we had to hire? I keep forgetting what >> we had to hire the automation specialist. >> Right. >> But just
089clarification, yes, enrollment is way up. >> Oh, yes. >> Yeah. But that's where versus what it was what was projected that at first interim the increase is 814,000 in revenue. So that would reflect a a big boost in enrollment >> in that I think they only take freshmans and sophomores right as new class. So that's a big increase in freshman and sophomores >> but the expenditures went up another 30,000 over the top of the revenue. Keep in mind that that includes the the negotiated salaries of >> salaries, all that >> is ending balance in this picture of time doesn't mean a whole lot. It's it's uh it's where the trend is. >> Yeah. Going to fluctuate. >> Yeah. >> No, but that's that's that's really good. >> It's interesting. >> That's really good there. >>
090Um >> Yeah. And and actually next year it won't reflect that ketchup ball. hopefully and uh that'll make a big difference on your bottom line on on your paper >> presentation. >> What can you give me some numbers on the freshman class and stuff? Where are they? Are they over 100 >> on the freshman? >> Yes. Yes. >> Really? >> Yes. >> Like what? >> I say 105 >> about 115. >> Oh, really? >> I say it's got to be amazing for that many. >> Yeah. Now I'm hopefully and pushing and and praying that they'll start getting a waiting list >> of qualified people and that's that's what uh that was the hope from the beginning >> is that we would a max fill out plus a waiting >> so we'll see. Good. Good. >>
091I mean winning competitions including first year basketball. I mean some students are going to be pretty happy about the potential to go there. >> Yeah. And that always was kind of a a an uphill fight for a school like CEK because they didn't have any sport teams at all and so kids would not choose to go there because of that. So I'm glad they do that. That's good. Um uh so anyway, I think that it's, you know, as your enrollment goes up, so do your expenses to an extent and it depends on your class sizes and where you can push the edges. And uh so it looks like they went up 30,000 >> the the expenses because did you have so you had to hire one more >> PE teacher part-time >> and then we
092had the automation specialists as well. >> That's what I was saying. Yeah. Okay. >> And then how well you won't you're kind of set now for the school year. So, you won't really know >> where you can go next year as far as you hopefully you get 110 in the freshman, but you're not going to be adding much to the sophomore cuz if you keep all those kids, you're going to be maxed. >> Is that fair statement? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> No, it's amazing. >> All right. Good. Thanks. >> This is action item, >> right? >> Yep. >> Uh any Okay. and up. I'd like to move to adopt the 202526 budget revisions as proposed. >> There a second. >> I'll second move and second. Any other discussion? Roll call, please. >>
093President Klein, >> yes. >> Vice President Masumoto, >> yes. >> Member Burton, >> yes. >> Member, >> yes. >> Member Topscot Mudson. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Kevin. >> Okay, now we'll get to move on to facilities operations. Mr. All right. Good afternoon, President Clyde, members of the board of superintendent. This first action item is related to the special education classroom where we are constructing at Kather's Elementary School for our special ed program. This is a SQUA notice of exemption uh the uh California Environment Quality Act. uh because it's just a single classroom we're adding it does qualify for a category for uh because it is a minor addition meaning it is less than 10 classrooms and does not increase capacity of the school site by more than 25%. Uh so we are seeking your
094adoption of a resolution determining that it is qualifying for that exemption and authorizing filing of the notes exportion. >> I'm happy to answer any questions. >> I that's a pretty wide margin that they over 10 classrooms and 25% of the and you could say under sequent >> yes >> that's that's pretty lenient. it it's taken advantage of quite a bit school districts quite it is a cumulative effect right so if you if you started with five classrooms you can't just keep adding one classroom at a time until you're up to 25 classrooms right it's a but this project does qualify for that >> perfect >> any discussion chair will entertain a motion >> I'll move approval of the categoric exemption from squa for corrupt Second. >> Second. >> Move. Second. No discussion. Roll call, please.
095>> President Klein. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimo. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Robas. >> Yes. >> Member Topscott Mson. >> Yes. >> We got another one for playground. >> Nice. >> This project again seeks an exemption. There are two different exemptions that this project qualifies under. So we listed both kind of the bills and suspenders approach. Uh the two exemptions that this project qualifies for is in it work on existing facilities and replacement or reconstruction of facilities. They they call that two different sections and again asking your adoption of a resolution making those findings and authorizing filing of a notice of exemption. >> Great. Any discussion? Questions? >> Try to entertain a motion. I'll >> move. >> I'll second. >> Moved and seconded. No other discussion. >> Roll call, please.
096>> President Clyde, >> yes. >> Vice President Masimoto, >> yes. >> Member Burton, >> yes. >> Member Roll, >> yes. >> Member tops. >> Yes. >> Very good. Move on to 2544. >> Thank you again, President Clyde. This resolution is seeking the board's acknowledgement that the state has started an applications received beyond bond authority list called the ARBA list. Uh and what this uh what this is is the the Proposition 2 bond funding that was approved by the voters a year ago last November. The modernization portion of that has been exhausted. how all modernization projects that districts submit for funding by a future bond must also be accompanied by a resolution acknowledging uh that there may not be a future bond. So it still behooves districts to and us to file and get in line
097and and put our applications in there, but the state is now requiring this resolution acknowledging that so that it doesn't create a liability on their side. So this again is seeking the board's acknowledgement that there is a lack of bond authority for the modernization project and we'll send that in as we submit applications to be on the list for future bonds. >> How um how much was that bond? How many billions was that? >> Uh the prop 2 was $10 billion total 8.5 for K12 uh and 4 billion of that was for modernization. >> So for that to be exhausted that quick they had to be doing catchup ball with Absolutely. There there was about $2 billion backlog right prior. So the state's very much in rears with these bonds and it causes these situations
098where you you pass a bond fairly recently but the money is already exhausted. There was a provision that we hope to take advantage of in province 2 that sets aside 400 million for small school districts and the state has not started accepting applications for that program. They'll accept those applications that year in November of 2026. So we may have projects in line on the applications received beyond bond authority list, but when that other program is fully developed and regulations passed, we may be able to move projects into that list within that $400 million authority. >> But the 400 million wasn't voted on. >> It it was >> it was part of the 2 billion. >> Yes, it was. Oh, >> uh, the 400 million that I I mentioned is the $4 billion that was in
099Proposition 2, >> 10% of that was set aside for small school districts to address the the perception that small school districts couldn't get their projects forward soon enough and always were left on the outside. So, they reserved a portion of that authority for them. >> Has that been dispersed so far? >> No. >> Do you think all of it still there or >> it is all still there at the moment? the state has to develop regulations which >> we're already a year into that process and and they anticipating having regulations adopted and notifications going out to eligible districts in November of 26 >> cuz I know Sierra Unified District in my area with their $24 million bond. They wanted to use match money against this small school and so you know they're definitely interested in
100that. >> Yeah. >> In in this this fund. So, what 6 months off before they can apply, do you think or a year? >> Uh, about a year >> in 2026. >> So, before they can uh actually most likely be able to tap in. >> Yes. And typically what will happen is districts will have applications on the regular list and they'll be given an opportunity to move those over to the other. So, it still is important to get in line as early as you can >> uh in case an opportunity comes where >> whether you're small or large. >> Yeah. whether it's small or large. Uh it's it's always a race to to get your marker down to be in line. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyway, any other discussion? Chair entertain a motion. >> I'll
101move approval. >> I'll second move and seconded. Any discussion? M. Roll call, please. >> President Clyde. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimoto. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Wales. >> Yes. Member Topscott Mson. >> Yes. Thank you. Great job as always. >> Okay. Now we'll move on to legal services. Mr. Parkin. >> Yes. Before the board uh for second reading and consideration of adoption are new and amended superintendent and board policies that were before the board last month for first reading. If you have any questions, I'm answer those or >> if not, chair will entertain a motion. >> So move second. >> We move and seconded. Roll call, please. >> President Clyde, >> yes. >> Vice President Masimoto, >> yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Romaness. >> Yes. >> Member
102Tab Scottson. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next item. Temporary certificates. >> Yes. for this item. Uh you have a list of issuances and cancellations of temporary certificates that occurred during the time period of August 1st, 2025 through October 31st, 2025. Uh we need to consider to ratify. >> I move ratification of the list. Second. >> Been moved and seconded. Any other discussion? Roll call, please. >> President Clyde. Yes. >> Vice President Masimoto. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Robin. >> Yes. >> Member Topscott Mudson. >> Yes. >> Okay. Move on. Uh number seven, adoption of board number 2539 regarding Fresno County board number compensation for missing a meeting. Board member Kimberly Tapscott Mudson absent and reasons are of record. Any no discussion? Chair entertain a motion. I'll move approval. >> Second. >> It's
103been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> President Clyde. >> Yes. >> Vice President Matsumov. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Bulan. >> Yes. >> Member Tabscott Manson. Abstain. >> Uh number eight. Uh 2540. Same condition. Uh compensation for missing meeting. Uh uh for Brian Burton and reasons all on record. Any discussion? If not, chair will entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> President Quad. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimoto. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Stain. >> Member Rollins. >> Yes. >> Member Tapscott Madson. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now we'll move on to uh resolution 2541. Recognize Quanza week as December 26th through January. Can we not? >> No, we did. Did we miss something? >> Oh,
104I did, didn't I? Oh, we don't want to forget that. CSBA, I'm sorry. Uh, Regal County Delegate. Let's open that up for discussion. >> I'll just say so this is the role that I've been filling. Um, it represents four counties. This is a nomination process. Um, I asked it to be on even though it we could address it next month, I asked it to be on this month. Um, should there be uh need to secure nominations from other uh counties, the four counties will vote on who's nominated. I would love to be able to continue in that role if this uh board was willing to renominate. >> Okay. Um, unless there's any others, we're still under uh action items. >> Can we have more than one, Brett? so that we're covering the full length of
105the conference attendance. >> Believe it's just one seat that's open. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh I'd like to nominate Dr. Marcy Masamoto to continue to serve in this role. Thank you. Been doing an excellent job. >> Thank you. Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> President Clyde. >> Yes. >> Vice President Masimoto. >> I'll abstain. Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Rolex. Yes. >> Member Topscott Mson. >> Yes. >> Thank you. So, it's not a done deal. It goes to a vote with the Park County so that everybody realizes >> I'll complete all the documentation. >> You never know. >> You're doing a great job with all the emails and keeping us connected. And I'd just like to say with our student uh uh board member and
106the training and getting the email and the communication that Thank you. I appreciate you. >> Okay. Now, uh Dr. Cover. >> Yes. I'm pleased to bring to you a resolution celebrating Kowanza. It's an annual celebration of African-American culture, heritage, and values. It's observed from December 26th through January 1. It was founded in 1966. It uh in a nutshell emphasizes seven guiding principles. Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative, economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. All of which reflect values that strengthen families, schools, and communities. So, I recommend that the board of education and the Fresno County join me, the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in adopting this resolution recognizing Kowanza Week. I'd like to move approval of this um resolution recognizing Kanza week and thank you very much. We count these principles very valuable in our
107community. >> There a second. >> I'll second. >> Move a second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> President Clyde. >> Yes. Vice President Masimoto. >> Yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Robelz. >> Yes. >> Member Topscot Monson. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. And Dr. Copelon, the special educator. >> Yes. I quick history lesson for you. Uh December 2nd, 1975, President General Ford signed into effect the nation's first special education law. And I don't need to remind you before this time many of our students uh uh designated as special ed were denied access to public education and opportunities to learn. Uh this law is now known, it has evolved over time as the individuals with disabilities act or IDA which requires school districts to provide free and appropriate public education or FAP FAPE
108in the least restrictive environment or LRE to all children with disabilities. Nobody chuckled at how many acronyms are involved with our special education world. Uh in any case, uh this is particularly important to us at our office when um you know we have a high percentage of our our student enrollment has special needs and we are recognized across the state led by uh Trina Brazier as um one of the best um special education programs in the state as well as one of the best. So with that, I invite the county board of education to join me in adopting this resolution and rec in recognizing December uh 2nd, 2025 as day of the special educator. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Move to second. Any discussion? >> Thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> President, yes.
109>> Vice President Masimoto, >> yes. >> Member Burton, >> yes. >> Member Rob, yes. >> Member Toscot Meta, >> yes. Okay. Okay, now we'll move to close session with Carpent for real property negotiations. Any travel requests? >> Hearing none. We'll go on to any travel expenses and reimbursements. >> I didn't see travel request. >> Okay. receipt of correspondence. >> Nothing. >> Okay. Comments by board members. >> I'll start. Actually, maybe the first one is is correspondence and I forwarded on to all of you that you probably saw uh what Special Olympics sent to us. >> Yes, that was fantastic. Thank you. >> It was nice seeing our logo. >> Yeah. >> I love it. Yeah. >> Um, other things to report as you also have seen I I forwarded just this morning I think a
110number of emails from CSBA that were received yesterday. Um uh and the email about the capital advisors uh financial um projection >> the event that they're going to have at the end of January here. >> Yes. >> January 28 in our bill. January 28th >> which excuse me if you don't mind me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me mentioning uh our superintendents think that's not a convenient date for them because of the CSB. Is it? No, it's access. there's an access superintendent symposium that many of our soups would miss. >> Um, so that we're going to try to get it changed. >> Yeah. >> It'll be in January. It'll be similar time. >> Maybe the
111week before, the week after, some somewhere around there. >> Okay. All right. >> No, I just thought it was something that the the rest of the board would want to see. I got it because I attended something else last year, so I didn't know how broadly it had been. >> Yeah. Especially if it's here. >> Well, yeah, it's in our building, you know. So, um, please Yeah. let us know when it's rescheduled. Um let's see. Uh uh CSBA um regional delegates recently met with Assemblywoman Seria um to talk about uh issues of of importance. Um and it was a very nice event. Um the CSBA legislative committee has not started yet. I I this is uh Angela. This is the one that they're going to pay for my travel. It's not on the list that
112you gave me. So I get I need to get you those dates even. So >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um okay. Um just uh Fresno County Trustees Association, we've been really really really busy in the last um month uh updating bylaws just so that they can get out to everybody for feedback. So, if you uh have an interest, um anticipate uh receiving an email to review those bylaws and provide feed feedback. Um we're also in the phase of uh nominations for next year officers. Um and I just want to remind people that the Del Cedarquist award applications are out. So if anyone wants to um make a recommendation for the Delerquest award, I believe minimum have to have to have been on a a board for at least 12 years. Um I don't remember other requirements,
113but yeah, outstanding board member. Um, I did attend a couple two out of three of the ACCBE online webinars um related to uh court schools which I found really interesting. I missed the the last one. I couldn't attend that. Um, but uh I imagine that member Burton will be uh reporting more on that. I just wanted to say that I think that their um programs that they've been offering have been pretty outstanding. Um the last item at our last meeting, I brought up a couple questions uh related to uh our structures and committees and training. And I I did um reach out to a number of our colleagues in different counties and have received uh information back from them that I'm compiling about what committees do they have, what kind of training do they do
114um uh in you know board trainings, what kind of uh retreats and do they do? I just thought it would be interesting to hear from others other practices so that um for the upcoming year we might consider um whether we want to continue on as we have or if we wanted to make any changes in those plans. So I I'm I'm near completion of compiling that. So, um I'll be meeting with uh Superintendent Kofheer um soon and then we'll be sharing of course the information with all of you. Um I think that's it for me. >> Thank you. >> Uh member Burton. >> Uh no, they uh busy time during the year and uh yeah uh ACCB has been rather busy. I think they had an item out. They're expanding their board. Um because they're
115all volunteer. Um I think they they had a part-time employee that had a part-time employee left. Um I think that they were looking for another part-time employee, but I think that they they found a new part-time employee and but they're still looking to expand their board and move that word across more volunteers. Um but yeah, they've put together some pretty good trainings across. Uh they don't really have like a lot of board retreats or items like that. It's highly um volunteer based. I think that their legislative committee is starting to meet again or policy I think that they call it because um bills are going to start coming out again. So I think this is the first one's going to start to meet again um here in the next couple months. Um so some of
116those committees will start meeting back again as those um items start coming through. Um so we'll see where they come through with those. Um but yeah, trains have been good. I think they've really kind of come a long way in a short amount of time um as they've evolved. Um so we'll see who they come on. We got some new uh board members join them and where they move those. Um it's good time of year to get out and see some performances from the arts. Um we've got a great arts department here and a lot of the uh junior highs and high schools uh bands, orchestras, they are doing their performances during this time. It's a great time to get out and support them. Uh not just the athletic items that are going on. So
117uh encourage anybody to go out and see kids who've dedicated a lot of time to their craft. Thank you. >> Fantastic. >> And yeah, thanks to the Williams people who visited my wife's classroom. >> Who did? >> Yeah, they did a William's classroom. >> Fantastic. >> All right. >> Go ahead, Kimberly. >> Uh oh. Yes. So, uh I'll just give a little quick update about my capsy uh conference in Carlsbad. It was fantastic. Um we actually had representation from Freso Unified School District. Um um Miss Gloria Pon did a workshop and it was fantastic. Uh once I sent her the flyer, she was very uh diligent and quick about getting her proposal together and submitting it and was in attendance. We had some other um representatives from Fresno Unifi there as well and she presented
118a workshop and it was fantastic. and also as serving on the governing board past interim president, we had the honor of presenting Fresno Unified School District was selected and received an award for excellent school for K to2. So that was an honor we were able to uh present. Trustee Kesha Thomas and um Kimberly Lewis and um Gloria Pon were there to accept on behalf of Fresno Unifi. And we also honored um um Miss Betty Lusk um from our other organization CSBA uh current president. And so it was a wonderful event, excellent networking um African-American superintendent from the East Coast. It was um wonderful and um an experience that should have been had by all. And I will extend the invitation for Napa and um missed you all um being there. And also I would like
119to make a um a mention note um and a suggestion. I would like to um suggest after today's wonderful board meeting that we uh implement a Spanish translator to be here in chambers. I know we do have an opportunity for the public to speak with comments, but also when we have parents or uh members that are joining us here in our chamber that do speak Spanish. I don't think that Dr. Lura really should be doing the translating. But thank you so much for your impromptu um stepping up of doing that and translating for us because it's important in our chamber that of course everyone is welcome and that we're understanding the conversation that's happening in our chambers. But I think that it would be something that we need to look at having and implementing in
120our chamber on a um on a uh regular basis being present in every board meeting that we have to make the accessibility there. Thank you. >> Okay. I I just want to uh I went to the uh the Freso County first annual poet uh laurate uh finalist which I'm sure you're going to talk about and I'm kind of stealing your thunder I guess. >> Uh but Eevee Singh was uh the winner and uh and we had the Fresno uh poet laurate as well as the state poet laurate there in attendance and both spoke. That was pretty cool. and um >> Central >> and and and those of you who uh who go to tonight's event, you'll see Evie Sing, >> listen to her. She'll speak >> and she has a great reading and she was
121she was really good. I want to thank Dr. Ler for that very impro I assume it was impromptu uh translation. That was that was pretty good. I was impressed. >> Um uh anyway, so our translator is perfect. I mean, she she hit right up on it and and I'm hearing and and reading about the uh the this board compensation thing uh that went through both sides of the legislature and good news signed it from what I read and I don't know when it starts. I assume it's first of the year, but uh I'm not asking for it, but I just wanted you know just responsibility. Is that something we should look at it or uh is it a mandatory thing or you know just have you heard about it? >> A little bit but I
122haven't thought about it. >> I'm not familiar with >> talking AB 1390. >> Yeah, because I've asked Jason about it. He he wasn't so obviously hasn't gotten noticed but um it's it's something I hear about but I don't want us to drop the ball and not do it and then criticize for not doing because I think it's kind of like mandatory. I think I don't think you even have an option. And uh so I just if we could look into that and see if it's something that starts the first of the year or not. I don't know if you guys know the numbers. It has a specific one for county boards. Do you guys know you guys? Because I've heard it's like it's a little over 2,000 2100. >> I heard around 2,000. >> Yeah.
123And um uh and it's a preset and and I guess that's all county boards of the same. I don't know if if LA County does the same thing. But anyway, it's the idea is to get people who on it who normally might not >> because of hardship, economic hardship. And so I just want to be for completeness just bring that to our attention. And we look in the legalities is something that we're forced to do. We better do it if we're forced to. But if not, no. It's up to you. It's up to the board. >> It just increases the maximum. It I don't know that there's any >> Oh, okay. So that's I for some reason I thought it was a a push. >> There's no requirement. It gives you the option. >> Correct.
124>> Okay. Well, then I don't really need to mess with then then uh >> Okay. That if that's all it is, then really unless the board wants to take up that issue, I'm not going to certainly not going to push it. But uh last thing I want to do is affect those numbers for poor Kevin. >> I'm sorry. Absolutely. >> I forgot one other item. Um January 21st is the next um county trustees association meeting and our speaker is going to be Lynn Ashback from uh Valley Children's Hospital. It's the first time we'll have anybody talking about health related to kids. So what what are they seeing? Her her goal is to share what are they seeing? What are they doing? and how can we um in the education system uh work together to uh
125enhance healthc care options for kids. >> Just putting a pitch because Miss Angela is going to need an RSVP from you by uh January 9th. >> January 9th. >> Uh uh when is it? January what? >> 21st. >> 20th. It's a It's a Tuesday. >> Tuesday. >> Thank you. My husband's birthday. I should be able to remember that. >> She's um >> You better take him with her. >> Yeah, she's Clovis City Councilman, too. >> She is. After the Golden. >> Okay. >> Thank you for the >> Dr. Coper. >> I'm super excited that Lynn's going to be our speaker because she has been a true partner of education for many years now. So, when we talk about health being a prerequisite or rather good health being a prerequisite to students learning, she understands our
126language. So, I'm really excited. I think you're going to get more than what keeps kids healthy. I think you're going to get the why >> and what we're doing in schools because she's very well versed. So, I'm very excited that Lynn's going to be our speaker. >> Good. >> Um, and Dr. Clyde, it was wonderful to see you at um the you the first uh ever the inaugural uh Fresno County Youth Poet laurate. I have to tell you that I think it was at least two and a half years ago. I was in a bigger community, a a larger county and they had a poet youth a youth poet laurate and I brought it back to our CNI team and I said we should have this. Our kids stories are incredible and um then I
127didn't hear anything about it for like a year and I kept going back. I'm like what's going on here? It took two years for us to uh be worthy of of being recognized as, you know, having jumped through all the appropriate hoops. It's not your average title. It has um it has some very high standards. And when we've had our um our nominations, if you will, uh self-nominated, uh it it sort of blew us away. So in honor of that, yes, Evie, our first ever uh po youth poet laurate um who is charming beyond uh not only she talented um and courageous, she is very very uh gracious, humble and and just lovely in general. She will have her um premier, you know, showing if you will or tonight and it will you have to
128wait for it. It's uh >> Don't give it away. I won't I won't say much about it except for to say she speaks right before the teachers um the nature announcement of the teacher of the year. So it's twothirds in if it's all right with you. I just want to read a few lines because it will move you and you need to hear them over and over and over again. One day I'll be an elementary teacher by Eevee Singh. One day I'll stand in a classroom where backpacks are almost bigger than the kids, where hand raising is brave and crayons still color outside the lines. And if I speak much more about it, I will cry. >> Oh, it is. It's right in there. You have your own copy. And it goes on and it
129is said don't read it. >> It is very moving and it's it's simply um you know serendipitous that she happened to speak about our profession. It's just really quite special. >> Winner winner winner. That's really quite special. >> Going to be an audience grabber. >> It is. And and we intend to take her everywhere. >> Fantastic. So, >> and she's just a real bubbly personality and all kinds of energy and >> somebody that make sure you go out of your way to say hi. >> Yeah. I will try to make sure she comes out to say hello to you all. If I can capture her at the VIP, I'll bring her around to all of you. That's good. if you're there. Uh I won't be I won't take too much time because I'm standing between
130us and and our the Academy Awards of our profession, our our uh educator of the year awards this evening, but I did want to underscore um the fact that the state of California released our dashboard results. So this time last month, I was sharing with you our CASP student assessment results. This month, it's only about two or three days old that the the state of California released our dashboard results. And to be clear, um the dashboard tells a more complete story about how well our students are doing. And so it essentially uh combines uh our academic performance with other school climate measures. And that's an important thing because we know it's not just test scores that raise up our our our students. So uh the dashboard just uh fleshes out the story about how kids
131are doing in Fresno County. And once again, we have some successes to to to really share and shout about uh English language arts, mathematics, and science. Our students again, just to reiterate, um are performing beyond the state's growth pattern. Uh and we have integrated those results with additional criter critical indicators including graduation rates. We're up a percentage of beyond the uh state of California. We have we're trending in the correct direction for chronic absenteeism and our suspension rates are lower in in in California rather in Fresno County. We have a lot of successes with our English learner progress and our college and career readiness and I'm going to commit to trying to give you more of those um details and data as we go forward in the future. Uh again, uh Fresno County's progress is
132reflecting our high school graduation outcomes. We talk all the time about the fact that what we do in our schools is to ensure our kids graduate with a plan for college, career, or service. And as I mentioned, we have a um I think a high, if you will, of 92.6% graduation rate compared to California's 91%. Uh, another um success is that the data released last week reveals substantial improvements in what we call the statewide system of support, which frankly is our DA work. And I could give you a lot of details about that. Uh but suffice to say, we we are seeing a lot of very very specific successes there. I am so proud of our African-American student progress. Fresno County has 9,205 African-American students and they make great gains across every core subject with
133particularly strong rese. Uh so the graduation rates for our African-Americans increased by 3.1%. >> And suspension rates declined. >> So all trending in the right direction. And then while we still have lots of work to do in the arena of chronic absenteeism, we did see some dramatic decrease in that arena. So uh we're we're going to stay at it. Um I'm always proud to say that what we believe is working. We believe that strengthening our English language development work in our schools and a deliberate focus on reclassification. If there's anything you want to share at a dinner party, I would recommend you say that we know that if we can exit our EELs from ELEL's and not ever become ELTELS, that means long-term English learners, um, and quickly get them into fluent English, their their
134bilingualism becomes a superpower and they can access those CTE, dual enrollment, and uh, A throughG and then they are off and running. Um so again I think that's an area of of great success to share. Uh we have uh our office has for years and years done extraordinary targeted professional development for our educators. We've always done that well with our teachers. We are expanding that to our paras because we know how important they are. Uh and we're looking at developing leaders as well. Uh we have uh for the last 10 or more years had a very robust early literacy program. And when you start at 10 years in the past, about now is when you start to see those those difference makers um in in in reading by third grade and so on. Uh and
135uh I think in our um county, we do community schools particularly well. I have shared with you that we went after those monies available by the state to the tune of $175 million and we have a model community schools program. the state regularly comes to see what's happening in Kinga and in um Fresno Unified and a lot of our school districts including our charters that have really implemented robust um and effective community schools programs. I will just uh uh wrap up by saying um I I would encourage you all to recognize that in the as we go into the holiday season and our kiddos have time to be at home a week at at Thanksgiving and two weeks sometimes three weeks at Christmas. Um as they're gone from us, sometimes they experience some sadness, some
136depression, some anxiety and they don't have the school system for support. So I will be out and about in the community for the next several weeks. I'll be on Great Day in the morning. I'll be talking on probably KJUL. I'll be doing everything I can to talk about the fact that even though we are not in session for schools um for those weeks, people can still call our all for youth line. And if they want to go around us to the county for different services, that number is 988. And gosh forbid if there's an emergency, it's 911. But parents, families, friends, if you see something, say something, keep an eye on our kiddos. It can be a very stressful period of time during the holidays uh for kids and adults. So, be gentle with each
137other. And uh once again, I just wanted to thank Diane and Kevin and Jason and Angela. Uh and uh anybody um Nathan, thank you. >> Uh anybody on our team that has anything you want to add before we wrap up November's report to the board? >> Okay. Well, it's a team effort here. Okay, thank you. Uh, next regular meeting will be held December 18th uh, at this office. Carol will entertain a motion for adjournment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. No discussion. Roll call, please. >> President, >> yes. >> Vice President Masimo, >> yes. >> Member Burton. >> Yes. >> Member Tom Scott. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Got it done by four. Yes.