Jody Gunderman

The meeting began with a recess to Closed Session to discuss student expulsion/reinstatement recommendations from an Administrative Hearing Panel, Interdistrict Transfer Requests, and Personnel matters, including numerous employment, resignation, and retirement recommendations, as well as discussions regarding two specific employee matters under Government Code Section 54957. Following the Closed Session, the Regular Session addressed actions taken in Closed Session, specifically the release of two probationary classified employees. The Consent Calendar approval covered previous meeting minutes (September 10 and September 24, 2025), the Personnel Report, payment of bills, student trip requests, resolutions authorizing the Chief Financial Officer and continued funding application renewal, and several agreements/grants including TCOE educational resources and the Restorative Practices Grant Program. Public forum included an athletic trainer discussing nutritional needs for athletes and a guardian raising concerns about student bullying. Discussion items included a Special Education Report, a presentation on the ProYouth Program, review of District Surplus Sale Items, and the first reading of the September 2025 Policy Manual Maintenance. Action items included approving the student expulsion recommendation with amended stipulations, approving an MOU with Walden University for a Master Level Social Work Intern, approving an MOU with CSEA regarding filling vacant Preschool Special Education Teacher Assistant positions, approving the Diligent subscription agreement (transitioning from BoardDocs), approving the August 2025 Special Policy Update, and approving changes to the authorized signer list, replacing Sandra L. Flores with Maria Lara. The Superintendent provided a report on attending the Connected Schools Conference, and the Assistant Superintendent noted upcoming ELPAC results and staff training. Follow-up items involved staff thoughts on ProYouth, the status of the athletic trainer's contract renewal, and a discussion on public track usage.

The board reviewed and acted upon a comprehensive personnel report, including various appointments, resignations, and retirements. Closed session items involved student expulsion and reinstatement recommendations, interdistrict transfer appeals, and public employee discipline matters. Key informational items included a presentation on the high school paint project, an end-of-year athletics report, a new logo initiative for the nutrition services department, and progress updates on the California Community Schools Partnership. The board also reviewed local indicators for the 2025 CA Dashboard and school plans for student achievement. Action items included approval of the 2025-2026 Declaration of Need, acceptance of donations, various service agreements and contracts, fee waiver requests from the City of Woodlake, out-of-state travel requests, the purchase of social-emotional learning curriculum, the LCAP federal addendum, and the adoption of the 2025-2026 district budget and LCAP. Finally, the board approved an amendment to the superintendent's employment agreement.

During the Open Session, the meeting was called to order, followed by the Flag Salute and confirmation of no open forum items. The Study Session was dedicated to Long-Range Planning and Organizational Review, where the Board and Superintendent discussed long-term strategic planning, reviewed the existing organizational structure, and analyzed a presented Organizational Systems and Capacity Building Chart along with proposed new positions to address future staffing needs.

The meeting commenced with a recess to Closed Session to discuss Interdistrict Transfer Requests and Personnel Reports, which included several employment recommendations, resignations, and retirements across management, certificated, and classified positions, as well as coaching staff changes and the Fall Coaches List. The Regular Session included approval of the Agenda Order. The Consent Calendar was approved, covering items such as the Personnel Report, payment of bills, and various agreements and grant renewals. Several Annual Resolutions were tabled or pulled for separate consideration. Discussion items included the WHS Athletic Complex Emergency Action Plan, a report on the 2025 TK-12 Summer Program, and a donation of orange trees. Action items involved approving the Policy Manual Maintenance for June 2025, the WHS Handbook Update for 2025-2026, a Variable Term Waiver for Michael Luna's administrative credential, an MOU between CSEA and WUSD regarding the Bus Driver/Trainer position, a Bus Trainer Contract for Services, the WFRC Lease Agreement, the CRES MPB HVAC Architect Contract, a Performance Audit for the Woodlake Valley Middle School Modernization Project, the updated Job Description for CFO, and a Temporary Added Duties Stipend for the Budget Analyst. The Superintendent's Report noted plans for naming CDS schools, acknowledged the service of Sandra Flores, scheduled interviews for a new CFO, and proposed a study session.

The board conducted a regular meeting covering numerous operational and educational topics. Key actions included the approval of an orange tree donation, authorization of cross-country overnight trips, and approval of the WHS Athletic Complex Emergency Action Plan. The board also addressed financial matters such as the approval of the annual financial statements, adoption of resolutions regarding textbook sufficiency and appropriations limits, and the approval of a budget revision for the A-G Completion Grant Plan. Additional discussions involved human resources reports, a fee waiver request for youth football, and the renewal of various agreements including booster club applications and contracts for afterschool and clinical programs. A public hearing was held regarding the sufficiency of instructional materials.