Erika Guardado

The Board of Trustees discussed and approved various items, including a data sharing agreement with RMC Research Corporation for AVID program evaluation, a literacy plan under the LCRSET Grant, and a Memorandum of Understanding with SEAL Early Learning for 2025-2026. Other approvals included the Local Agreement for Child Development Services, Orosi High School and Alternative Education student handbooks, renewal of the Aeries student information system, and various collective bargaining agreements. The Board also addressed personnel matters in closed session, including employee appointments, resignations, and retirements, as well as student disciplinary actions and budget-related resolutions.

The Board meeting agenda covered various financial and operational items including the approval of accounts payable, the cash balance report, and a budget revision. Several agreements were presented for approval, including a professional services agreement for auditing, a memorandum of understanding for summer youth programs with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Laton Arts Central CA, a program proposal for an entrepreneurship academy, an AI-powered feedback platform agreement, and an AVID college readiness system agreement. The agenda also included personnel actions such as employee appointments, promotions, resignations, retirements, and leaves, as well as public hearings regarding collective bargaining proposals.

The Board meeting included discussions on the Comprehensive Support and Improvement Plan for Esperanza High School, the Agency Service Agreement for the K12 Strong Workforce Program, and the Central Valley Community Foundation Grant Agreement. The Board also held public hearings regarding the initial bargaining proposals for 2021-2022 from both COUTA and CSEA, as well as the District's initial proposals to these organizations. Furthermore, the meeting addressed various administrative items including employee waivers, the hiring of COVID-19 funded staff positions, the purchase of outdoor shelters, and a review of personnel items during a closed session, such as new appointments, reassignments, and resignations.

The board discussed and reviewed numerous consent items including accounts payable, budget revisions, and cash balance reports. Academic and extracurricular approvals were granted for alternative schools evaluations, an out-of-state dance teacher conference, an AmeriCorps agreement for tutoring, a children's theatre program, and a technology-based leadership partnership with CSET. Additionally, the board reviewed staffing changes, school plans, Board Policies related to suicide prevention and individualized education programs, and held public hearings for the 2025-2026 Local Control Accountability Plan and the district budget.

The Local Control and Accountability Plan for Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District is a roadmap to educate minds and inspire futures, ensuring all students are college and career ready. It focuses on achieving academic excellence and supporting student well-being within a safe environment by addressing learning loss and enhancing mental health services. The plan prioritizes building human capacity through comprehensive training and coaching for staff, parents, and the Board, alongside fostering efficient and innovative systems for 21st-century learning, including advanced technology and facilities. A core component involves utilizing targeted funds to provide direct, individualized services to high-needs students, specifically aiming to improve college and career indicators and reduce suspension rates for English Learners, Hispanic, and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students at Lovell High School, foster school connectedness at Community Day School, and reduce achievement gaps at Esperanza through instructional support.