Kelly Avants

The meeting commenced with the public portion after a closed session where the board discussed the appointment of Matt Hernandez to Administrator of Facility Services effective July 1st, 2026, and reviewed routine personnel matters. The Superintendent's report highlighted numerous activities: celebration of Black History Month, including the African-American Student Success Conference and Clovis High's choir performance at Unity Fresno Festival; kickoff of Lunar New Year and Ramadan; recognition of National School Resource Officer Day; a successful district LCAP night; upcoming Crystal Awards ceremony; and nominations for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Educator of the Year Awards. The Superintendent also noted National School Breakfast Week is upcoming and announced the district as a recipient of the 2026 State Model SARB Award for attendance support. The Student Board Report featured updates from various high schools: Buchanan High School celebrated numerous drama awards and recognized Coach Tom Orlick for 900 career victories, along with upcoming Special Olympic softball tournament and blood drive. Clovis High School detailed their second annual career fair and the girls' basketball team's track championship victory, and highlighted kindness initiatives. Clovis East celebrated a Performing Arts Showcase and kindness week activities, alongside the annual Winter Wishes rally. Clovis North highlighted their focus on the code of the north, a successful Bronco Roundup for sixth graders, and their Varsity Competition Cheer team advancing to UCA Nationals semifinals. Clovis West recognized a basketball scoring record and its mock trial team's success, along with the Pom Cheer team heading to USA Nationals. Finally, special presentations included recognition for outstanding students and staff from Gateway High School for their community civic education project, which involved organizing a blood drive and donating homegrown vegetables to the Fresno Food Bank and Jefferson Elementary food bank.

The meeting reconvened for public session after closed session discussions concerning personnel matters, including the appointment of Denver Stairs to Associate Superintendent of Human Resources and Employee Relations, effective July 1st, 2026, and the appointment of Megan Young to Director of Special Education, effective January 15, 2026. Student discipline related to student 26-06 was also discussed in closed session. The Superintendent's report highlighted student and staff recognition for participation in the New Year's Tournament of Roses Parade, successes in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Contest, details about the upcoming annual job fair for classified and certificated positions, and ongoing work analyzing the governor's preliminary budget release. The student board report provided updates from Buchanan High School (athletics, theatre productions, winter formal), Clovis High School (end-of-semester activities, basketball tournament wins, DOC B wrestling tournament, winter formal), Clovis East High School (community support donations, club rush, Coralers Ensemble performance, blood drive), Clovis North High School (Powderpuff game fundraising for Boys and Girls Club, basketball success, winter rally, winter formal), and Clovis West High School (club rush, winter athletics updates, esports invitational, winter formal, annual blood drive). The Inner School Council (ISC) officers also presented their midyear report, focusing on the planning and facilitation of the annual leadership camp at Sierra Outdoor School, which this year included freshmen from Clovis South High School for the first time.

The meeting included several discussions held during closed session concerning personnel matters. Key discussions involved the appointment of Nicholas Mel to Assistant Superintendent of Facilities effective July 1st, 2026, and the appointment of Dr. Josh Shapiro to Assistant Superintendent of the Clovis North area, also effective July 1st, 2026. Routine personnel matters were also reviewed. The superintendent provided updates highlighting achievements, including Clovis Community Day School being designated a School to Watch, and successful civic education projects by Gateway High School seniors, notably raising over $4,000 for the Central Valley Honor Flight. Updates were also provided on innovative programs at Mickey Cox Elementary School and preschool activities. Following the student board report, a special presentation honored numerous 2025-2026 fall CIF champions from Buchanan, Clovis High, Clovis East, Clovis North, and Clovis West High Schools across various sports, recognizing team and individual achievements.

This document outlines Clovis Unified School District's progress and ongoing commitment to cultural proficiency initiatives. It details efforts to maximize student achievement through various student success conferences, leverages the Intercultural Diversity Advisory Council (IDAC) for accountability, and updates curriculum with multicultural education and ethnic studies. The plan also focuses on hiring, developing, and retaining a high-quality diverse workforce. These initiatives aim to foster equitable and engaging classrooms, enhance academic achievement and social-emotional wellness, and ensure a diverse learning and working environment.

Key discussions included the introduction of new staff members in their respective roles, the nomination and approval of Burke as Chair and Darrell as Vice Chair for the committee. A summary report on the 2012 Bond Measure detailed that funds are nearly exhausted, but ongoing committee meetings are necessary due to matching state dollars; the related bond sales were postponed to February 2018. A comprehensive update on current design and construction projects, funded partly by bond dollars, was provided for several schools including Clovis Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Reagan Elementary, Woods Elementary, Buchanan High School, Clovis East, Clovis North, and the District Office. Future meeting locations were discussed. Additionally, four specific projects slated for 2018 at Dry Creek, Jefferson, Ft. Washington, and Pinedale Elementary schools were outlined.