Trustee Highlights

Student leaders from Kammann Elementary led the Board of Trustees, staff and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the March 11 Board meeting. Following the Pledge, the students told the Board and audience about growing their leadership skills through a program at Kammann called "Leader in Me," which helps students learn to prioritize, build positive habits and reach their full potential, both when working alone and as a team. "As a team, you get to achieve fun stuff and learn new skills," one of the students said.

And in honor of Music in Our Schools month, students (below) from Lincoln School, led by music teacher Marisa Salas, performed two brief songs on the recorder, treating the Board and audience to their renditions of "La Bamba" and "Merrily We Roll Along."

The Board acknowledged Sue O’Dell, MTSS Teacher on Special Assignment at Monterey Park, Brittani Schweninger, MTSS Teacher on Special Assignment and Academic Coach at Salinas City Virtual Academy, and Angelica Marquez, Academic Coach at Boronda DIAS, who were recently honored with the Lighthouse Literacy Award. As presented by Delta Kappa Gamma, the international society that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education, the award honors those who go above and beyond to support literacy, and help students learn to read to the best of their abilities. Below, Board President Jessica Powell with Ms O'Dell and Ms. Schweninger; Ms. Marquez was unable to attend.

The Board of Trustees unanimously passed Resolution 2024/25-23 and acknowledged March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day, an official state holiday in California that honor Cesar Chavez’s legacy as an educator, environmentalist and civil rights leader. Throughout his life of work and service, Chávez moved thousands for "La Causa," to stand together for their rights, and led our nation toward a fuller recognition of the dignity of work.

The Board received an information report from Director of Special Education John Dailey, Special Ed Coordinator Marty Northrip and Special Ed Academic Coaches Jen Okamoto and Alicia Beltrán Castañeda. The team presented an update on special education services and reported that over the past year, suspensions of students with IEPs are down 20 percent. In addition, Special Education staff participated in the March 7 Professional Development Day, resulting in excellent collaboration across general ed and special ed teachers. Special Education teachers now also have a monthly collaboration time due to GLRTs, or Grade-Level Release Teachers.

Trustees have had a very active Spring, visiting multiple sites and participating in special event days and learning opportunities. Top left, Board Clerk and Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish, Area 1 Trustee Art Galimba, Board President and Area 5 Trustee Jessica Powell and Area 2 Trustee Jennifer Zanzot having fun at the District's Family Resource Center Photo Spot at the March 8 Family Leadership Conference at Boronda Meadows. Top Right, Trustee Ish and Monterey Park Principal Sherry Villaneda met up at MP's Pink Shirt Day event. Bottom Left, President Powell delivered powerful opening remarks at the Family Leadership Conference, and Trustee Galimba visited with the Kammann PTO club.

The next regular Board meeting takes place on April. 15. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.