Board Briefs: May 12, 2026

Here are a few highlights from the May 12 board meeting (the agenda packet is available):

Board hears update on literacy

Staff provided a report regarding the district's literacy curriculum, instruction and professional learning in grades TK-2. Over the course of the school year, the Professional Learning and Curriculum Innovation Department, in partnership with school sites, has implemented a range of actions to advance science-of-reading practices. These strategies include: 

• Purchasing supplemental instructional resources aligned with the science of reading 
• Providing professional learning opportunities focused on the different components of the science of reading 
• Developing site leaders' knowledge around the science of reading 
• Leveraging assessments to identify and respond to student needs 
• Engaging family and community partners 

Current achievement data from i-Ready indicate that progress is being made. Cohort data for first- and second-grade students show a 1.55% increase in the number of students reading at or above grade level. Non-cohorted data for first and second grades show a 2.77% increase in the number of students reading at or above grade level. 

Update shared on Citrus Heights schools

Staff shared an update on Citrus Heights schools and efforts to strengthen community and city partnerships. This work is grounded in multiple data sources and reflects a comprehensive effort to improve academic achievement, strengthen school climate and safety, increase family and community engagement and expand access to programs. The report also provided an overview of current initiatives, coordinated site and district actions and student outcomes for schools in the Citrus Heights area. These efforts are guided by continuous improvement practices, with school and city leadership using evidence to monitor progress and refine strategies, resulting in more connected and student-centered schools in the Citrus Heights community. 

In other news…

• The board adopted resolutions recognizing the week of May 17-23 as Classified School Employee Week and May 18 as National Speech Pathologist Day.
• The board recognized Angela Spalding and Angela Nicholas as San Juan Unified School District’s 2027 Teachers of the Year. Spalding is a dual language immersion teacher at Thomas Edison Language Institute, and Nicholas is a second-grade teacher at Carmichael Elementary School.

The next regular board meeting will be held on May 26 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.