Trustee Highlights

Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue (top, second from right) presented the Board of Trustees with a proclamation in honor of School Board Recognition Month. As designated by the governor, January is the time to celebrate the more than 5,000 school district and county office of education board members across California who play a vital role in supporting student success.

The Trustees received information on the District's chronic absenteeism rates. Student attendance is not just essential to academic success, it is the foundation of building skills such as responsibility and commitment in our students. Each day a student is in school is another opportunity to learn, grow, and feel connected within the greater school community.

By tracking attendance weekly, we can identify patterns early and offer support to students who may need it, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The Trustees also received a facilities update, focusing on the final stages of the Measures G&H-funded Sherwood bus turnaround and restroom improvement project. The project is in its final stages and is expected to be completed at the end of February.

The Board of Trustees approved the tentative agreement between the California School Employees Association and the District, and approved the AB100 Public Disclosure for CSEA for the 2024-2024 contract year.

The Board of Trustees approves revisions to existing Board policies 4118 (Certificated Dismissal Suspension Disciplinary Action), 4121 (Certificated Temporary Substitute Personnel), 4212 (Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers), and 6116 (Classroom Interruptions Action). The Board also approved a new board policy, 4215, which covers Classified Evaluation Supervision.

The Trustees nominated three organizations for consideration by the Monterey County School Boards Association (MCSBA) Executive Council for the 2025 MCSBA Excellence in Education Award. The Trustees selected the Read to Me Project, which helps children achieve kindergarten readiness and coaches students in grades 4-6 how to read to younger children; the Bob Hoover Academy, a public-private partnership with the Monterey County Office of Education that teaches students about flying, and the science and engineering behind flight; and Rancho Cielo's Drummond Culinary Academy, which offers students comprehensive culinary arts curriculum and hands-on instruction.

Board Vice President and Area 3 Trustee Belia Garcia, Area 1 Trustee Art Galimba, Board Clerk and Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish, and Area 2 Trustee Jennifer Zanzot attended the Board's study session, which took place on Jan. 13 at the District Office and focused on strategic planning and effective board governance.

Board Clerk and Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish attended the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, and acknowledged the statements made at the Board meeting by DELAC President Ulyses Galicia, that families are under stress due to sudden and unclear changes in national immigration policy. "I hope we can in our own small way do something to alleviate it,' Trustee Ish says.

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