Trustee Highlights

Students from the Salinas City Virtual Academy (top photo), accompanied by Principal Erika Tumminelli, led the Board of Trustees' April 15 meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and then sharing their thoughts about their school. Thank you to SCVA students Aiden G., Ezra V., Dominic M. and Julyssa D., for opening the meeting.

And at the May 6 Board meeting, students from El Gabilan's EGTV production team (bottom photo) opened the meeting by leading the attendees in the Pledge, in English and Spanish, then interviewed the Trustees about their views on a number of aspects of the District and of public education. Thank you to EG Principal Martin Gutierrez, Vice Principal Jennifer Moreno, Academic Coach Jeremy Galimba and students Madelyn G., Allison G., Abigail S. and Aria G. for participating with their time and talent.

The Trustees in April acknowledged the District's Migrant Speech & Debate Team, which had a strong showing at the 14th Annual Regional Speech & Debate tournament.

Maite M. from Boronda DIAS won 3rd Place in extemporaneous speech, while Joseph L. from Monterey Park Elementary won 1st Place in extemporaneous speech and continued onto the state tournament, where he took the top prize in two categories: English prepared speech and English extemporaneous speech. Congratulations to all the participants: Maria C., Elian D., Atzin J. Sandra M., Alexander S. and Esmerelda N.

And at the May 6 meeting, the Trustees acknowledged and honored those District employees who are retiring at the end of this school year (below, featuring four of the 11 retiring employees who were able to join in at the meeting), and also honored the District's Employees of the Year, as determined by a vote of by their peers. Congratulations and best wishes to our retirees and our Employees of the Year.

At the April meeting, the Board unanimously passed a resolution to accept a donation from Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. under the "Golden Ticket Reading Incentive Program," which will reward third grade students who attain third grade level reading proficiency. The Board also unanimously passed a resolution to support the extension of California Prop. 55, The Children's Education and Health Care Protection Act. The resolutions can be found below.

At the April Board meeting, District Innovation Coordinator Krysta Bradley presented on computer science integration, including a professional development series with the Hartnell College Foundation. She also discussed the District's Spring Intersession day camp experience, which featured a STEAM-centric curriculum with a special track for migrant students, and the Student Leadership Panel from the Spring Family Leadership Conference (below), in which student leaders from multiple sites discussed their educations and relationships with peers and adults.

Board Vice President and Area 3 Trustee Belia Garcia attended the District's Second Annual Student Film Festival, which took place on April 25 at Sherwood Hall.

Board Clerk and Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish attended the Open House event at University Park, and also visited with administrators, teachers and students at Monterey Park and El Gabilan.

Area 1 Trustee Art Galimba represented the District at the Monterey County School Board Association Annual Awards Dinner.

Area 2 Trustee Jennifer Zanzot visited with administrators, staff and students at Los Padres and Monterey Park.

And all trustees, led by Board President Jessica Powell, thanked and praised teachers everywhere during National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9).

The next regular Board meeting takes place on May 29. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.