On January 19, CUSD held its first Common Faculty Board Assembly of the 12 months. This was the second common assembly for the reason that swearing-in of 4 new board members. The assembly began off with approval of the agenda, which was accredited with two modifications; one agenda merchandise being moved, and one other merchandise being pulled.
Transferring ahead, CUSD Director of Particular Packages Shane Schmeichel launched CMS Robotics and their head coach, Roberta Lenert, to present a highlight presentation. Just a few members of this system, which is within the high 20 within the state, had been current to talk on what they’ve achieved, how the Robotics program has affected them, and current among the robots they’ve created this 12 months. “Due to Robotics, I now need to turn out to be a NASA engineer, and it’s due to your guys’ funding that you just’ve been in a position to gas my desires,” mentioned one Robotics group member to the board. “Robotics isn’t just coding and engineering,” began Head Coach Lenert. “It’s public talking, it’s web site growth, it’s group outreach… They put in lots of, many hours and plenty of dedication.” The presentation was adopted by an enormous spherical of applause from each the viewers and the board. “Let’s develop these packages all the way down to the elementary [schools] and as much as the highschool,” concluded Superintendent Mueller.
The assembly then moved into board member feedback. Board members went down the road discussing their current web site visits together with visits to CoSA courses, Silver Strand Elementary, CMS’ STEM class, and the highschool’s newly transformed library. Subsequent, Superintendent Mueller gave a brief presentation on the state of the district. Mueller described it as a “snapshot of the place we’re at as we speak.” This presentation highlighted the present imaginative and prescient and mission of the district. Mueller, mentioning the district’s motto, claimed that “each baby, every single day” is linked, challenged, and championed. “And people will not be simply phrases on the wall,” mentioned Mueller. He then introduced the 4 objective areas within the district’s Lengthy Vary Plan; tutorial achievement, price range, help, and communication. Underneath the umbrella of educational achievement, Mueller famous that CUSD ranked first in English language arts, second in math, and second in science amongst all unified college districts in San Diego County, in keeping with 2022 CAASPP outcomes. In different district highlights, Mueller listed CHS’ spectacular 98.6% commencement fee, a rise of entry to new course examine throughout the district, new DoDEA grants, the addition of a brand new lead counselor, and extra. Superintendent Mueller’s presentation was adopted by a video that captured the joy and vitality at CUSD campus’.
Subsequent, the assembly moved right into a interval of public touch upon non-agendized objects. Shane Schmeichel approached the board once more to boost consciousness, and formally invite the board to the March 11, CoSA Basis Gala. He additionally used this time to talk a bit in regards to the CoSA Basis and its objectives. Coronado Historic Affiliation (CHA) board member Claudia Gallant then spoke on behalf of CHA to coach the brand new board members on the connection between CHA and the district. CHA is in its fifth 12 months of doing an internship program with Coronado Excessive Faculty college students. This 12 months 4 CHS college students interned at CHA, studying analysis abilities and understanding what it’s wish to work in knowledgeable, historic setting. These college students had been additionally in a position to interview 4 Coronado residents who had been chosen as “Island Icons.” The scholars might be writing an article from the Island Icon interviews that might be featured in an upcoming subject of Coronado Journal. “So on their resume and school functions they may be capable to put down that ‘I’m a broadcast author in an area journal’ in addition to having had this expertise as an intern, so we expect it’s actually a win-win,” mentioned Gallant.
Transferring on, the consent calendar was accredited unanimously. Subsequent got here motion objects. After a brief interval of board dialogue, the movement to undertake revised charges for the Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Middle (BBMAC) handed unanimously. This would be the first BBMAC fee improve since 2018. The subsequent motion merchandise on the agenda was to undertake revisions to board insurance policies, board bylaws, administrative rules, and/or reveals. A member of the group spoke throughout public remark to precise her perception that the board must be extra clear with the general public. Superintendent Mueller then talked about that shifting ahead there might be an government abstract included as a canopy web page to the agenda packets, starting in February. The movement then handed unanimously.
The approval of the 2023 Governance Protocol would have been subsequent on the agenda, however was pulled and might be mentioned within the February assembly. The subsequent agenda merchandise turned out to be a big subject of debate; a proposed citizen advisory committee concerning the CHS bell schedule (also referred to as the 4×4, or block schedule). The 4×4 schedule has been a polarizing subject throughout the group since its introduction three semesters in the past. In December, Trustee Youngblood launched the proposal of a committee that may give a 360 analysis of the 4×4 schedule. Although there might be an annual replace concerning this subject in Could, Youngblood would really like a committee of stakeholders to assemble extra data within the meantime. In accordance with Youngblood’s proposal, every board member would appoint a group member, and people 5 appointees would make up the committee. Youngblood acknowledged that he would additionally wish to see enter from college students, lecturers, and oldsters. “My intent can be to be sure that all of the stakeholders are represented,” defined Youngblood.
Trustee Sandie voiced his private help for the 4×4 schedule, stating that it’s forward of its time and higher prepares college students for school schedules. “I simply really feel like this [committee] is an try to take our faculties backwards, I don’t need to go backwards, I need to go forwards,” began Sandie. “This (4×4 schedule) immediately contributes to our mission of making ready our youngsters for increased training, so I’m going to vote ‘no’ on this proposal.” Pupil Board Consultant Luke Johnson additionally famous that he loves the 4×4 schedule, however wish to see this committee fine-tune among the present points with the schedule, primarily the way it could negatively have an effect on AP college students. An enormous concern amongst the board was deciding who would kind this committee. “I’m a bit involved about simply having a rogue group of group members on the market, I might really feel extra snug having two members of our board being in a sub-committee of the board. Not essentially led by the board, however there as that connection between all of us and the group,” advised Trustee Cavanaugh. Trustee Antrim agreed with Cavanaugh’s concept to have this be extra of a board sub-committee together with two board representatives. She additionally famous that she would love these representatives to be board members with college students in the highschool, “which are having actual expertise with it.” Trustee Palacios-Peters additionally voiced concern about who would man this committee. “One other concern I’ve is whether or not or not the committee would have the proper individuals on it who’ve the expertise to conduct the surveys/evaluations, get that knowledge assortment… not everyone is in a position to try this,” she acknowledged. Youngblood stood by his authentic proposal, claiming {that a} citizen advisory committee can be his desire over a board sub-committee. The board members went forwards and backwards for a prolonged interval earlier than the board moved to approve the proposal with two amendments; that it’s a board sub-committee fairly than a citizen advisory committee, and that the committee presents its findings in Could alongside the annual report. The movement handed with all voting sure apart from Trustee Sandie, who voted no.
Transferring ahead, California Faculty Workers Affiliation (CSEA) President, Marshall Redding, gave a quick presentation. Redding launched the affiliation’s members, its objectives and job duties, and gave perception into the significance of the affiliation. Luke Johnson then introduced the Pupil Board Member Report, updating the board on pupil studying and present occasions. This was adopted by Silver Strand Elementary Faculty’s Annual Report, introduced by Precept Jennifer Moore. Precept Moore took this time to reacquaint the board with Silver Strand’s present and future aims and objectives. Her report included enrollment demographics, pupil and employees statistics, evaluation knowledge, particular training program development, and different areas of focus.
Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca then introduced division updates. This included the attendance dashboard, by which Salamanca famous that funding is pushed by attendance. “We need to be clear and actually overly talk with the group the significance of attendance, now we have to employees our websites based mostly off of enrollment, however honestly we don’t recoup all the funds we may except all college students attend as a lot as potential,” he acknowledged. He additionally famous that the second Interim Funds might be introduced to the board in March, and any modifications to the price range might be mirrored at the moment.
Superintendent Mueller then introduced up the district’s security initiative as beforehand mentioned in previous conferences. The board had a fast dialogue concerning the security of every college web site and key parts that result in a safer campus.
Subsequent, an motion merchandise pulled from the consent calendar concerning the acquisition order for an fairness convention, that 25 CUSD employees members attended, was mentioned. Throughout public remark, a number of group members spoke out in opposition to the convention. One group member voiced his concern that the subject ought to have been mentioned earlier, as day one of many convention had already occurred on the day of this board assembly. “We’ve got a purchase order order that was put ahead and being voted on as we speak for an occasion that’s occurring as we speak, and individuals are already attending it.” One other group member acknowledged that “our faculties are doing a tragic disservice to college students by championing what has turn out to be a politicized idea of fairness, aimed toward forcing equal end result as an alternative of equal alternative for all college students,” referring to the themes being mentioned on the fairness convention. Trustee Youngblood agreed that this dialog and vote ought to have occurred months in the past fairly than on the primary day of the convention. He additionally agreed that he would, sooner or later, wish to see this funding go towards tutorial excellence, at the start. After a interval of debate amongst the board the movement to approve the acquisition order handed with all voting sure, apart from Youngblood, who voted no.
Transferring ahead, each group and board members had been in a position to suggest agenda objects for future conferences. This was adopted by a presentation and approval of upcoming assembly dates/instances. The assembly was then adjourned.
The subsequent Common CUSD Board Assembly might be held on February 16, at 4 p.m. within the District Workplace Board Room, 201 Sixth Avenue.
VOL. 113, NO. 4 – Jan. 25, 2023
