Trustee Highlights

Student leaders from Roosevelt Elementary recited the Pledge of Allegiance, in English and Spanish, to open the May 30 Board of Trustees meeting. Accompanying Student Council members Giovanni Duenas Morales and Julia Uccillo were 6th grade teacher and Student Council advisor Ashley Feather, Principal Hilda Huerta and Vice Principal Matthew Harris.

And since May saw the District having two Board of Trustees meetings in one month, students from University Park led the board and audience members in the Pledge of Allegiance at the May 21 meeting, at which the District honored the 49 staff members who will retire at the end of this year. Joining the group were students Ethan Lopez, Victoria Campos, Ricardo Casillas, Sofia Campos, and Samantha Alfaro, along with Vice Principal Ruby Baloca.

At its May 30 meeting, the Board of Trustees held two public hearings. The first was on the District's proposed 2024-2027 Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP), which is the District's roadmap to student achievement. It is constructed around the District's vision and mission and comprises five focus areas:

1. Academic Achievement;
2. Effective Instruction and Leadership;
3. Engaged Community;
4. Safe and Respectful Environment;
5. Optimized Resources.

The LCAP is renewed every three years, and requires the District to solicit input from teachers, staff, parents and families and the community. In total, the District received thousands of comments on the proposed LCAP, and held 30 meetings within the SCESD community.

The second public hearing was on the District's proposed budget for 2024-2025.

Both public hearings are necessary steps before the LCAP and the budget can be submitted for approval by the Monterey County Office of Education.

Trustee Belia Garcia (second from right) joined District staff for an employee appreciation luncheon on May 24 at the District Office. Ms. Garcia, who represents Area 3 and also serves as Board clerk, will complete her Master's in Governance course through the Monterey County Office of Education on June 1.

Trustee Amy Ish and District transportation coordinator Rick Enriquez accepted a proclamation from the office of County Supervisor Luis Alejo at a May 15 event introducing the District's new electric bus fleet to the community.

Jessica Powell, Area 5 Trustee and Board Vice President, delivered bouquets into the hands of the District's employees of the year during the May 30 Board meeting.

Area 2 Trustee Angela Der Ramos, a veteran teacher herself, embraces veteran teacher Lori Voogd during a celebration of District retirees at the May 21 Board meeting.

Board President Art Galimba strikes a selfie pose at El Gabilan Elementary School's Día del Niño celebration on April 30. Mr. Galimba, who represents Area 1, will also complete his Master's in Governance course through the Monterey County Office of Education on June 1.

The next regular Board meeting takes place on June 18. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.