Board Briefs: April 9, 2024

Here are a few highlights from the April 9 board meeting (the agenda and the agenda packet are available):

Board hears update on universal prekindergarten 

Staff provided the board with an update on the district’s current progress for Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) in alignment with state legislation. The district is in its fourth year of UPK implementation and planning, including expanding services for 4-year-old students in transitional kindergarten (TK). 

Currently, there are 33 TK classes in the district, with eight added at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. The district will continue to expand TK classes through a phased approach, by adding additional classrooms each year through the 2025-26 school year when students who turn age four by Sept. 1 will be eligible for TK. Newly added TK classroom schedules mirror the school kindergarten schedules to provide continuity and consistency in the early learning classrooms. Locations where TK will be added for 2024-25 are Carriage Drive, Cambridge Heights, Carmichael, Mary Deterding, Harry Dewey and Del Paso Manor Elementary Schools.

Board discussed the non-permitted use of facilities

Staff presented the board with information on the non-permitted use of facilities and the board discussed the topic. Currently, the district welcomes community members, groups and organizations to use district facilities through a permitted use of facilities process.

After discussion, the board gave direction to the superintendent on not proceeding with the exploration of the non-permitted use of facilities. Additionally, there was an interest from the board to explore ways that we can advocate for space in different ways in the community, as well as strengthen relationships and how we engage with the district’s board-appointed committees.

In other news…

• The board adopted a resolution proclaiming April 23 as California School Bus Driver’s Appreciation Day.

• The board adopted a resolution accepting the 2024 Level I Developer Fee Justification Study. Additionally, the board held a public hearing and adopted a resolution updating the district’s statutory developer fees and declaring the change in fees as exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

• The board discussed proposed edits to the Board Governance Handbook. Action is anticipated at the April 23 board meeting.

• The board approved the amendment to the employment contract for the Interim Deputy Superintendent, Schools and Student Support. 

• The board reviewed and approved the proposed board meeting dates for the 2024-25 school year.

The next regular board meeting will be held on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.sanjuan.edu/boardmeeting for details. You can also view videos of prior board meetings on the district’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/SanJuanUnified.