Fowler Unified School District

This document details how Fowler Unified School District will strategically utilize federal funds to complement its Local Control and Accountability Plan. The core strategy is to address learning gaps among high-risk student populations, including low-income, homeless, foster youth, and English Learners, with a focus on enhancing mathematics, literacy, and English language development through targeted interventions. The plan aligns with broader goals to provide rigorous teaching and learning experiences, cultivate a positive and inclusive environment where individuals feel valued, and fully engage families and the community in supporting educational outcomes.

This document outlines how the Fowler Unified School District utilizes federal funds, specifically from Titles I, II, III, and IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to complement its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The plan focuses on enhancing core educational programs, improving instructional effectiveness, providing comprehensive student support, and ensuring language instruction for English learners and immigrant students. Key areas include addressing learning gaps in mathematics, literacy, and English language development, promoting academic outcomes for underserved student populations, fostering effective parent and family engagement, and supporting teacher and school leader professional development. Additionally, it details activities related to safe and healthy school environments, comprehensive education opportunities, effective technology use, and facilitating student transitions across educational levels.

The board meeting included the recognition of district employees of the year and the presentation of the Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc. scholarship. A spotlight presentation focused on current initiatives at Sutter Middle School, followed by a report from the student board representative. The consent agenda included the adoption of financial audit reports, personnel actions, various service agreements, comprehensive school safety plans, and an updated transportation services plan. Additionally, the board received the third semi-annual update on the district's Facilities Implementation Plan and conducted discussions regarding initial contract reopener proposals with the California Schools Association (CSEA) Chapter 452.

The Regular Meeting addressed several items including the recognition of a $5,000 sponsorship from the Masumoto Community Education and Leadership Fund supporting the Safety & School Climate Student Advisory Committee. A presentation highlighted Fremont Elementary's Science Education and Social Emotional Supports. During public comment, a student requested the reinstatement of a Physics Class at Fowler High School. The Superintendent's report noted the success of two students advancing to the Fresno County Spelling Bee and outlined the need for high school students to make up instructional minutes lost due to weather. Action items included the approval of the agenda and several items on the Consent Agenda: Minutes of the January 21, 2026 Board Meeting, Accounts Payable Report, Personnel Action Report, disposal of Obsolete Vehicles from Transportation, Amendment No. 09 for BMY Construction Group, and the Revised Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant. Discussions included a Facilities Update and the mid-year update to the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the Local Control Funding Formula Budget Overview for Parents (BOP). The Board also convened into Closed Session to discuss Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release/Complaint.

The meeting, which included the Annual Organizational Meeting and a Regular Meeting, involved several key actions during the reorganization segment, including the election of the Board President for 2026 (Trustee Kandarian), the election of the Board Clerk for 2026 (Trustee Martin), and appointments for the Superintendent as Secretary and representatives for the Fresno County Committee on School District Organization (FCCSDO) elections. Key discussion topics included the Student Board Representative Report and public comment regarding a request to restart an investigation into a July complaint due to alleged errors in the final report. The Superintendent provided reflections on the winter break and upcoming events. The consent agenda saw approval for the minutes of the November 12, 2025 meeting, various financial and personnel reports, updates to the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), and the adoption of several updated Board Policies and Bylaws. Under discussion items, presentations were given on 2024-25 Student Performance Data and Academic Focus, and Curriculum and Instruction/Student Services Department updates. The Board also presented and approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 First Interim Financial Report. Updates to various Board Policies and Bylaws were received for first reading, followed by a Closed Session to confer with labor negotiators.