
Trustee Highlights
February 26th, 2024

Students Join in at the Board Meeting
DIAS Student Klaya Otto led the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish.
DIAS student Adilenne Montelongo led the Pledge of Allegiance in English.
Joining the Team
The Board approved the following offers of employment:
School Nurse: Chloe Kiritz (start date of Nov. 18)
School Nurse Iniesesha Quinones (start date Dec. 9)
We welcome them to the SCESD community and look forward to their contributions on behalf of our students.
Acknowledging Success
Board President Art Galimba (third from right) accepted honors from the Monterey County Office of Education for the work of the District's Chronic Absenteeism team.
By implementing strategies that meld data with deep empathy, and the goal that all students and families should feel like a vital part of their school communities, the District has seen a reduction in chronic absenteeism across all schools and continues to work toward a pre-pandemic absentee rate of 9 percent. Above, from left: Dr. Esteban Hernandez, Executive Director of Pupil Services; school psychologist Ray Costello; Superintendent Rebeca Andrade, Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Ron Dillender, Mr. Galimba, Director of Assessment & Accountability Virginia Garza-Nuñez and Special Education Director John Dailey.
Equitable Learning Conditions for All Students
During the meeting, the Trustees received information on the District's recent LCAP (Local Control & Accountability Plan) Reflection event, held in conjunction with the nonprofit Building Healthy Communities. More than 200 parents and District staff members attended the gathering, held Sept. 25 at Los Padres School.
The LCAP is the District's roadmap to student achievement, and is formed with the collective input of families, staff and the greater community.
Among the findings from the Reflection meeting: Families appreciate having multiple opportunities to participate in school and District events, they appreciate engagement and community building opportunities at fun school events and that schools and the District strive to create welcoming spaces.
Their recommendations include holding more workshops for families, doing outreach to a wider circle of families and build capacity within families so they can facilitate LCAP discussions among each other and their school
Fostering Inclusive Academic Excellence
The Trustees approved new board policies and revisions to existing board policies as follows:
- Board Policy 1114: District-Sponsored Social Media
- Board Policy 6154: Homework/Makeup Work
- Board Policy 6162.5: Student Assessment
- Board Policy 6112: School Day
- Board Policy 6161.2: Damaged or Lost instructional Materials
- Board Policy 6142.92: Mathematics Instruction
- Board Policy 7214: General Obligation Bonds
Board Policy 1312.3: Uniform Complaint Procedure
- Board Policy 5145.3: Nondiscrimination/Harassment
- Board Policy 4119.11, 4219.11, 4319.11: Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment
- Board Policy 5131.9 Academic Honesty
- Board Policy 5144.1 Suspension And Expulsion/Due Process
- Board Policy 5147 Dropout Prevention
All new and/or revised policies will be available on the website at this link by the end of the day, Monday, Nov. 18.
Strong Relationships as a Community
Board President and Area 1 Trustee Art Galimba (at left, with Salinas City Virtual Academy's Omar Rebelledo) visited SCVA's annual STEAM Showcase, where students presented their research and work in a variety of medium.
Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Jessica Powell helped out at a family friendly Halloween night festival that took place at Mission Park.
Board Clerk and Area 3 Trustee Belia Garcia visited Lincoln School during the Nov. 1 professional development training for all District staff, and also visited Loma Vista, El Gabilan and Natividad schools. "It is gratifying to see kids actively engaged in learning," she says.
Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish attended Mission Park's Fall Carnival, held the Saturday after Halloween.
Next Meeting
The next regular Board meeting takes place on Dec. 17. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.
Phone: 831-784-2201
Information about School Board Meetings
The Board of Trustees establishes its meeting schedule for the coming year annually in June. Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of each month, with closed session occurring at 5pm and the public portion of the meeting starting at 6:30pm; the schedule is subject to change if the third Thursday of a month occurs during an official school holiday or on a national holiday.