Bill Barcellos

Key discussions and actions for this meeting included a Second Reading Hearing and public comment concerning proposed Mendota Unified Policy (BP) 5131.8 regarding Mobile Communication Devices. Informational reports covered the Mendota High Marching Band and the California School Dashboard Aztecs. The consent calendar involved approvals for various fundraising activities by high school clubs, the creation of social media accounts for the Robotics Team, approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) for a Tobacco Prevention Youth Engagement Program, and the approval of warrants. Action items addressed personnel matters, including the promotion of an Instructional Aide-Caregiver, updates to Spring and Junior High School Coaches lists, approval of agreements concerning the Fresno Rural Teacher Residency Program and Summer School Stipends for both the Teachers Association (MTA) and Schools Employees Association (CSEA). Further action items included extending a facility use application, engaging auditing services, approving virtual speech services, approving a revised facilities application, and approving an agreement for an Infrastructure Assessment. Resolutions were adopted regarding the Summer School Stipend for Unrepresented Employees and the donation of surplus items to La Granja de Favian. The agenda concluded with provisions for Trustee Recognition, a Superintendent's Report, and sessions scheduled for Closed Session discussions concerning real property negotiation, public employment/appointment/transfer/reassignment, public employee performance evaluation, public employee resignation/retirement (including the approval of Notice of Non-Reemployment of Emergency and Probationary Certificated Employees), conference with labor negotiators, public appointment/employment/evaluation/discipline/dismissal, and consideration of two expulsion cases.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda for November 19, 2025, following the approval of minutes from prior meetings in October 2025. Key discussions involved public comments, including a WSL Sports Report and Chess Team results. Informational reports included the 2025 Annual Williams Report for MUSD and Fresno County. Public hearings were held for the second reading and public comment on proposed Board Policy (BP) 5145.13 and Administrative Regulations (AR) 5145.13 regarding Response to Immigration Enforcement, as well as public disclosure of proposed CSEA bargaining agreements for 2025-2026. The consent calendar involved approval of Comprehensive School Safety Plans for various district schools, approval of specific textbooks for Auto and Spanish courses at Mendota High School, and approval of multiple fundraising activities by various clubs and teams. Action items included approving personnel changes such as retirements, resignations, new hires for Instructional Aide positions, a transfer of an Instructional Aide, and the hiring of a Special Education Teacher. The Board also approved a 2% salary adjustment for Classified Employees retroactive to July 1, 2025, and authorized contract agreements. During Trustee Recognition, several members thanked departing staff, including Ren Watkins, for their long service. The Superintendent reported on progress for the new District Office and a construction project at McCabe, and announced the grand opening for the SPED building in Spring 2026. The Board convened in closed session to discuss real property negotiations, labor negotiations, public appointment/employment matters, and existing litigation.

The meeting agenda included a flag salute led by the Board President, followed by approvals for additions to the current agenda and public comment opportunities. Key discussion points involved a public notice and disclosure regarding the Quarterly Reports for Williams/Valenzuela Uniform Complaints for the period of October 1 to December 31, 2025. A first reading hearing and public comment concerning the proposed Board Policy (BP) 5131 Conduct were also scheduled. The Consent Calendar included approvals for various fundraising activities by school groups, payment authorization for legal services, certification of the 2024-2025 Annual Audit Report, approval of warrants, certification of 2024-2025 School Accountability Report Cards, renewal of a purchasing co-op membership, and several facility use requests from external organizations. Action items involved the approval to hire a new Math Teacher and an Information Technology Coordinator, approval of updated winter and spring coaches lists, approval of the 2026-2027 Instructional/Teacher Duty Day Calendar, and the passage of two resolutions authorizing individuals to apply for and administer the New Alternative Fuel Vehicle Purchase Program through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The agenda concluded with trustee recognition, a superintendent's report, and scheduled closed sessions for real property negotiations, labor negotiations, public employment/evaluation matters, and anticipated litigation.

Key discussions during this meeting included a first reading hearing and public comment regarding the proposed Board Policy and Administrative Regulations concerning the district's response to immigration enforcement. The consent calendar involved approvals for attorney's fees, a wrestling team fundraiser, a professional learning training agreement with Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, a Lease Agreement for the Migrant Head Start Program, a facility use request for a Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon, proposed contracts with Rise Utility Design, Inc. for design services and electrical work at the district office and preschool, approval of California State Preschool Program policies, and approval of the Revised Local Control and Accountability Plan Federal Addendum, along with warrants. Action items included the approval to hire a new Campus Monitor, approval of the revised Mendota Junior High Coaching list, and approvals for the Mendota High School Winter and Fall Coaching lists. The Board also approved Resolution No. 410-2526 setting the date for the Annual Organizational Meeting for December 10, 2025. Trustees shared communications regarding parent teacher conferences, construction progress on the new district office, turf repair, and local community efforts.

The meeting agenda included several key areas for discussion and action. The meeting began with roll call and a flag salute led by students who participated in the FFA National Convention. Public comment was reserved for addressing matters related to the District. The Consent Calendar involved approval for a speech therapy contract extension, two overnight wrestling competitions for the boys' and girls' teams, a service agreement for graduation and group pictures, payment of invoices from Lozano Smith Attorneys at Law, a consulting services agreement with Rural Prosperity Center (RPC)/Parent University, and approval of various warrants. Action items focused on personnel matters, including the approval of a teacher's retirement resignation and the hiring of a replacement Social Science Teacher. Additionally, the Board planned to approve revised salary schedules and a job description, the updated Winter Coaches List, and the appointment of a Head Varsity Girls Wrestling Coach. The Board was also scheduled to approve the First Interim Report for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the Annual Report of Developer Fees for 2024-2025. The Annual Organizational Meeting portion of the agenda covered the election of officers (President, Vice President, and Clerk) and appointments for representatives to the Fresno County Committee on School District Organization. The agenda concluded with discussions regarding regular meeting dates and communications, followed by scheduled Closed Session discussions on real property negotiation, labor negotiation, public appointment/employment/evaluation, and anticipated litigation.