Trustee Highlights

Students from Boronda Meadows Elementary School joined the Board meeting to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English and Spanish, as well as the Boronda Meadows Promise. Thanks to 6th graders Natalia Navarro, Caleb Guzman Rocha and Kendra Morones De Anda, who were joined by teacher Vicente Navarro and Principal Paul Rodriguez, for giving of their time and talent.

At the start of the Board meeting, President Art Galimba made the following statement to clarify misinformation regarding overnight science camp: "As the Board President, I want to clarify that the Board has not denied outdoor overnight field trips for our 5th and 6th graders. We understand the value of these experiences and the positive impact they have on our students' growth and learning. In accordance with Board Policy 6153, any requests for such trips must go through the established process for review and approval. We encourage our schools to continue planning meaningful, safe, and educationally enriching trips that align with our Board policies. Thank you to all for your commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our students."

The Board of Trustees made the following appointments and offers of employment at the Aug. 20 meeting:

Amna Javed as Director of Maintenance, Facilities and Bond Projects.

Martin Gutierrez as Principal of El Gabilan School.

Teresa Morales as Vice Principal of University Park School.

Krysta Bradley as Coordinator for Innovation.

Marty Northrip as Coordinator for Special Education.

During the Board meeting, the Trustees received information on the District's Extended Learning programs, including Summer STEAM Camp and the inclusion of Extended School Year, Migrant and Dual Immersion students; nine-hour field trip Saturdays; and intersession experiences. This year the After School program will focus on invention, as part of the larger California Invention Convention.

During the Board meeting, the Trustees:

Approved a resolution in Support of Proposition 2, Kindergarten through Grade 12 Schools and Local Community College Public Education Facilities Modernization, Repair and Safety Act of 2024;

Approved the Emergent Bilingual Master Plan;

Approved a new Board Policy regarding District and School websites;

Approved revisions to existing Board Policy 1325 (regarding advertising and promotion);

Approved revisions to Board bylaws and Exhibits regarding Board elections and filling a vacancy.

At the meeting, the Board acknowledged and thanked Compass Church, United Way of Monterey County, Taylor Farms and Family Giving Tree for their generous donations of new backpacks and school supplies to students in the District and the District's Family Resource Center. In all, the organizations donated nearly 4,500 backpacks (stuffed with supplies) to help our students start the year off ready to learn.

Area 1 Trustee and Board President Art Galimba visited with Interim Principal Mary Magaña and staffers at El Gabilan on the first day of school.

Area 3 Trustee and Board Clerk Belia Garcia (center) with Loma Vista Principal Susana Vargas (left) and District Director Liz Lopez (right), visited Loma Vista on Aug. 8 to welcome students and families on the first day of school.

Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish visited Mission, Monterey Park and University Park schools at each of their Back to School events

Area 5 Trustee and Board Vice President Jessica Powell stuffed backpacks along with her service organization, the AMT Foundation, so students in Salinas and Marina could start the school year off ready to succeed.

The next regular Board meeting takes place on Sept 17. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.