Board Briefs: Aug. 27, 2024

Here are a few highlights from the Aug. 27 board meeting (the agenda packet is available):

Update provided on the start of the 2024-25 school year

Staff provided the board with an update on activities and professional development opportunities provided for the start of the 2024-25 school year, including:

• The district started the year with 38,894 students enrolled in its schools as of Aug. 27. 

• More than 290 new employees were hired this summer.

• Numerous trainings and workshops were held for staff, including a classified office support training day, leadership summit, Smooth Start event for new teachers and the expansion of the Cultivating Leaders program.

• Schools held a variety of welcome-back activities for their school communities in anticipation of the first day of school. Get a glimpse into the first day of school, which was Aug. 15, by watching this video.

Board discusses the development of legislative priorities and advocacy strategies

Since the fall of 2022, San Juan Unified’s government affairs program has advanced the interests of district students, staff and families by building collaborative relationships with federal, state and local elected leaders, agencies, advocates and others whose partnerships and support are necessary to create conditions that foster student achievement. As one of the 10 largest school districts in California, San Juan Unified is uniquely positioned to help influence and strengthen public policy that impacts our school communities by playing a more active role in the decision-making process at all levels of government. 

In preparation for the upcoming legislative cycle beginning in January 2025, district staff recommended that the board adopt a set of overarching legislative priorities later this fall. These priorities will guide staff when considering whether to take any official district positions or implement advocacy strategies related to proposed legislation. Per the board’s direction, staff will look into creating a policy that defines the board’s role in setting legislative priorities. 

In other news…

• The board held a public hearing and adopted a resolution declaring the conveyance of a permanent easement at Katherine Johnson Middle School to the Sacramento County Division of Real Estate.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Sept. 10 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.