Senait Berhe

This document outlines the Visalia Unified School District's 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals, focusing on three key areas: Academic Achievement, Belonging and Safety, and Communication and Family Engagement. The plan aims to advance student proficiency through innovative methods, ensure student engagement and well-being via equitable support, and strengthen community and family involvement through effective two-way communication and collaboration.

The meeting commenced with discussions regarding closed session topics, including recommended expulsions, suspended expulsions, reinstatements, public employee discipline, dismissal, release and complaints, conference with labor negotiator, conference with legal counsel, and litigation matters. Following the closed session, the regular session included the administration of the oath of office and installation of the student representative to the board for the 2025-2026 school year. Key agenda items involved public recognition for outstanding visual and performing arts achievements, including high school choir and orchestra students, as well as marching band and color guard ensembles from Golden West and Redwood High Schools. Additionally, fall athletics achievements were recognized, including individual golf and cross country accomplishments, and team successes for the Redwood boys cross country team, the LDE girls cross country team, and the Golden West varsity football team, which also received an academic team award. The meeting also featured a 'Spotlight on Good Things' report highlighting students honored for character matters, such as spreading cheer, leadership, and kindness, and mentioned community resource center partnerships over the winter break.

The meeting included closed session discussions on student expulsions, personnel matters, labor negotiations, and litigation. Action was taken to approve the non-reelection of probationary certificated employees, approve several leadership appointments for principal and director positions, and authorize a settlement agreement with a classified employee. Additionally, the Board adopted the meeting agenda, enjoyed a student performance from Golden West High School, and recognized students with achievement awards in various academic and extracurricular categories.

The Visalia Unified School District's Strategic Plan, 'Visalia Unified Forward 2030: A Community Driven Blueprint for the Future,' is a long-term commitment to student success and continuous growth, aiming for 'Every Student Learning Every Day.' The plan is guided by three core themes: High Expectations, High Achievement; Empowering Students, Engaging Families & the Community; and Organizational Efficiency & Effectiveness. It focuses on strengthening systems, preparing schools, and aligning practices to serve students, families, and staff. This report provides a transparent update on the progress made during the first half of Year 1, utilizing four progress indicator metrics to ensure clarity, consistency, and accountability.

The meeting commenced with announcements regarding closed session topics, including recommended expulsions, public employee matters (assignment, reassignment, appointment, discipline, dismissal, release, and complaints), conferences with labor negotiators and real property negotiators, and anticipated litigation. Following the closed session, the regular session reconvened. Key discussions included the appointment of several principals for the 2026-2027 school year: Jessica Paro to Annie R. Mitchell Elementary School, Britney Guerrero to Highland Elementary School, and Dr. Jesus Gonzalez to Mount Whitney High School. Actions taken in closed session also included the approval of a release and reassignment of certificated administrators, the dismissal of a classified employee (cafeteria worker 2), and approval of a settlement agreement. Agenda modifications were addressed, including revised enclosure items and the removal of several Memorandums of Understanding with the California School Employees Association regarding new classified positions and layoff processes. The meeting featured student performances by the Redwood High School Jazz Band. Spotlight segments highlighted numerous achievements, including midyear graduations from the adult school, celebrations of kindness and love week across campuses, FFA successes at the Great Westerner livestock show and citrus judging competition, Redwood's victory in the Mock Trial Championship, and achievements in FBLA, DECA, and Academic Decathlon. Athletic successes were also recognized, including CIF championships for cheer and wrestling teams. Staff recognition included Coach Allen being named Coach of the Year and several administrators receiving honors from the Association of California School Administrators. Updates were provided on the PTA luncheon and the positive impact of the winter math intersession, where all participating students passed Math 1, and progress in the Grow program at Four Creeks Elementary School. The expansion and positive impact of the afterschool programming, supported by state funding, was also spotlighted.