Yoshua Belicha

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, which was amended to include adjournment in memory of Dr. Seth Pollack and Trustee José Antonio Jiménez. The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, including minutes from previous meetings, certificate approvals, and policy changes regarding nondiscrimination, mental health, and religious beliefs. The central focus was a public hearing and subsequent action regarding the Navigator Schools' Petition to Establish Monterey County Prep as a countywide charter school. After extensive presentation from MCOE staff, the petitioners, and public comments both in support and opposition, the Board deliberated concerns related to serving specific student populations, financial impact on local districts, and test score comparisons. Ultimately, the Board denied the petition. New Business included the request for Board Member Mendoza to participate in Leadership Monterey County (which failed for lack of a second motion), the adoption of a resolution for workers' compensation coverage for MCOE volunteers, approval of the 2025-26 Consolidated Application for Categorical Aid Programs (Winter Release), and approval of several 2024-25 School Accountability Report Cards. Non-action items included a presentation honoring Bruce Taylor and Taylor Farms for their contributions to the Dream Big Monterey: Science of Reading Academy, reports on staff attendance, budget calendars, statistical reports, and planning for a future Board Retreat.

This School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) outlines a strategic roadmap to maximize resources and increase student achievement, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged and Hispanic students and English Learners. The plan prioritizes improving graduation rates, enhancing college and career readiness, and increasing student engagement. Key focus areas include improving credit acquisition rates, strengthening academic outcomes, and developing skills in reading, writing, and research inquiry to prepare students for postsecondary pathways and successful transitions.

The meeting involved the opening of business, including the adoption of the agenda, which was passed 6-0. The primary focus was a presentation and subsequent public hearing regarding the San Lucas Union Elementary School District's proposal to reduce the size of its Governing Board from five to three members. The presentation detailed the district's historical difficulty in recruiting board members. The public hearing included testimony in opposition to the proposed reduction. The Chair announced that the final decision by the County Committee was scheduled for a subsequent meeting on November 17.

The meeting focused on the unification of Greenfield, identifying two impediments: a temporary I-Bank loan set to be paid off in 2029, and a structural impediment. The structural issue is that unification would leave the high school district with a single high school, which FCMAT testified is not supported by the state educational financing system, leading to a loss of financial stability and impairment of educational programs. The only path forward identified by FCMAT was the reorganization of the entire high school district into two unified districts. The committee's role, directed by the State Board of Education, is to develop plans and recommendations for this complete reorganization. Key discussion points for the forward plan include governance (number of trustees, trustee areas), fiscal issues (computation of LCFF, division of property, management of existing obligations/bonds), and the election process for the first governing board, with the goal of presenting plans by the end of April for a potential State Board approval in July.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda with a modification to adjourn in honor of two recently deceased educators: Dr. Seth Pollock and Trustee Jose Antonio Fimenez. Key discussions centered on item 8.1, the presentation of a resolution honoring Bruce Taylor and Taylor Farms for their transformative contribution to the MCE's Dream Big Monterey Science of Reading Academy, which recently won a Golden Bell Award. The board also heard feedback on the positive impact of the Science of Reading Academy on educator confidence and student literacy results. Separately, the board considered a request from Trustee Virginia Mendolosa to participate in the Leadership Monterey County program, which requires a $2,500 fee.