Kathleen Elizabeth Banta

This superintendent's update focuses on the organizational scorecard, a tool designed to track leading data and progress toward strategic goals. The update reports significant achievements, including a 10% increase in literacy scores, resulting in 1,912 more students reading at grade level, and a 3.9% reduction in chronic absenteeism, representing 1,146 fewer chronically absent students. While overall system-wide improvements are noted, the scorecard identifies persistent achievement gaps for students with disabilities, homeless, and foster youth in both literacy and chronic absenteeism. The update showcases successful initiatives such as data-driven literacy interventions at Winchester Elementary, positivity cards and parent engagement strategies for attendance at Whittier Elementary, and student-feedback informed menu development by nutrition services to boost breakfast participation. The overarching goal is to improve student outcomes by identifying and addressing pain points through continuous improvement cycles.

The meeting included reports from site DELAC representatives, a presentation from the Mexican Consulate, and an overview of the Local Control Accountability Plan. Dr. Jones provided updates regarding the Wellness Center, staffing compliance requirements, and the Consolidated Application, along with proposed meeting dates for the 2025-2026 school year. Discussions also covered various federal funding titles, including Title I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, which support professional development, student support, and academic achievement for English learners, migratory students, and American Indian students. Additional information was provided on district procedures for uniform complaints and college and career readiness services.

The committee held a formation and regular meeting to discuss the Measure X Citizens' Oversight Committee bylaws, roles, and responsibilities, including training on the Ralph M. Brown Act. Project status reports and financial updates were presented for various school site modernization and facility upgrade projects. The committee reviewed budget allocations, interest transfers, and expenditure details for bond-funded projects and discussed future meeting dates.

The committee meeting included presentations on the importance of preserving a student's home language, a review of attendance procedures and policies, and information regarding the Parent Resource Center. Other topics discussed included the Local Control Accountability Plan and the annual evaluation of the district's parent involvement policy (BP620). Additionally, the meeting covered DELAC president nominations and responsibilities.

The committee meeting covered several key topics including college and career readiness initiatives, local control accountability plan goals, and the importance of preserving student home languages to support bilingualism. Discussion also included attendance procedures, policies, and the availability of resources at the Parent Resource Center. The committee conducted an annual evaluation of the district parent involvement policy, held nominations for the committee president, and reviewed performance data from the California School Dashboard.