Vern Caruz

The board convened to address student attendance matters during a closed session. For one student, the board mandated improved daily attendance and punctuality, required doctor's notes for future illness, and established ongoing district oversight. For a second student exhibiting chronic absenteeism, the board directed the case to the District Attorney's office, mandated medical verification for all future absences, required the immediate submission of a signed contract, and continued monitoring of the student's daily attendance.

The board meeting conducted a study session focused on the Mandarin language program at Randall World Languages School. Discussions covered the current enrollment numbers, the curriculum used for instruction, and the school's focus on play-based learning techniques like songs and games to help students acquire language skills. Additionally, the presentation addressed future expansion plans, including extending the program to upper grade levels, and reviewed academic progress and English learner reclassification metrics.

The meeting featured a presentation on the Mandarin language immersion program at Randall World Languages School. Key topics included current student enrollment, curriculum choices regarding traditional versus simplified characters, and the integration of play-based teaching strategies. The board discussed plans to expand the program by adding grade levels and pursuing grant funding for upper-grade support. Additionally, the meeting covered academic progress, specifically the school's success in increasing English learner reclassification rates through strategic small-group interventions and cross-grade level regrouping.

The board conducted a study session regarding the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for phase 3 of a bond project. Key discussion topics included a review of construction process renderings for the early childhood education center and the workforce development center, an overview of the estimate versus bidding processes, and an explanation of factors contributing to cost increases, specifically related to electrical work and solar photovoltaic system integrations. Additionally, the board inquired about potential future needs for battery storage systems.

The board conducted a study session focused on the first interim budget report for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Key topics included the district's positive financial certification, statutory benefits costs (specifically CalSTRS and CalPERS), trends in health and welfare benefit expenditures, and enrollment projections. The board also reviewed the general fund revenue sources, which are heavily reliant on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding, and examined the breakdown of general fund expenditures, noting that a significant portion is allocated to personnel salaries and benefits. Discussion also clarified the distinction between contracted services and district-staffed maintenance roles.