Board Briefs: April 22, 2025

Here are a few highlights from the April 22 board meeting (the agenda packet is available):

Staff provides update on Citrus Heights schools

Staff provided an update on the district’s ongoing efforts to leverage district and city priorities and partnerships to strengthen Citrus Heights schools. Current strategies focus on student enrollment, enhancing academic achievement and enriching the overall student experience. The district is strengthening dialogue between schools, families and community leaders while expanding collaboration with city officials and staff, local organizations and businesses. Efforts are also underway to create more opportunities for civic participation, volunteer involvement and extracurricular engagement. 

Additionally, an update was provided on the successful launch of the Woodside K-8 Innovative School in August 2024. The innovative school has introduced a new model for student engagement and teacher planning, focusing on design thinking and iteration, community involvement and rebranding efforts that align with the district’s vision. Through these initiatives, the district is fostering a more interconnected, student-centered educational environment that prioritizes success and collaboration in all of the district's Citrus Heights school communities. 

Board discussed reading difficulties screener recommendation

On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 114, which requires local boards of education to adopt a reading difficulties screener by June 30, 2025. The purpose of the screener is to assess risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia. School districts will be required to screen students in kindergarten through second grade annually, starting in the fall of 2025. 

San Juan Unified assembled a committee to explore the state board of education-approved reading difficulties screeners and make a recommendation for the assessment our staff will use to screen K-2 students in the fall. Staff provided information on the process San Juan Unified used to review the approved screeners, the screener recommendation and implementation in 2025-26. The full presentation is available. Action is anticipated at the May 13 board meeting.

In other news…

• The board adopted resolutions proclaiming the week of May 6-12 as National Nurses Week, May 7 as National School Nurse Day and May 14 as the California Day of the Teacher.
• The board received a report on the use of instructional technology in San Juan Unified schools and classrooms. 

The next regular board meeting will be held on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.sanjuan.edu/boardmeeting for details. You can also view videos of prior board meetings at www.sanjuan.edu/boardvideo.