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Board Briefs: May 23, 2023

Here are a few highlights from the May 23 board meeting (the full agenda packet is available):

Board hears update on the expanded learning opportunities program plan

The board heard an update on state funding for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). Expanded Learning programs provide academic support and enrichment, as well as social-emotional learning and growth to thousands of San Juan Unified students outside of traditional school hours. Expanded Learning programs, historically funded by the After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st-century grants, have been expanded with ELO-P funds to offer increased access to before and after school programs districtwide for students most in need. Approximately 2,800 students participate in the Bridges program and over 4,200 total students are served with ELO-P funding. 

Update provided on innovative school program

Staff provided the board with an update on the design of an innovative school. Toward the end of the 2021-22 school year, it was decided that San Juan Unified would embark upon a design process for an innovative program to reside at one of the district’s existing elementary or K-8 schools. After this decision, a leadership team composed of labor partners and district staff was formed. Shortly thereafter, an Innovative School design team composed of San Juan Unified practitioners and an administrator was established. The charge of the Innovative School design team is to learn about the design process, engage with and gather community and staff input and develop innovative school prototypes for consideration and testing. 

To date, an extensive outreach and input gathering process has been conducted. The process consisted of more than 18 community and staff meetings at each elementary and K-8 school in Citrus Heights to identify each community's interests and level of readiness to engage in innovative design work. Using the data collected from the community and staff outreach meetings, Woodside K-8 was selected to house the Innovative School program. Staff shared a high-level overview of the purpose, site selection, design process and next steps. This will be the first of a few presentations and updates that will be shared as the design and implementation process continues. The full presentation is available. The innovative school at Woodside is expected to launch in August 2024. 

In other news…

  • The board adopted a resolution recognizing retiring Superintendent Kent Kern for his more than 30 years of service to San Juan Unified. 

  • The board recognized Mira Loma High School’s Science Bowl team for placing fifth at the National Science Bowl.

  • The board discussed revisions to the Special Education Community Advisory Committee bylaws. Action is anticipated at the June 13 board meeting.

  • The board heard public comment and adopted the district’s bargaining interests with several employee groups, including the California School Employees Association Chapter 127, the San Juan Supervisors Association and the San Juan Professional Educators Coalition for 2023-24.

  • The board approved amended contracts for cabinet members and approved the employment contract for general counsel. 

The next regular board meeting will be held on June 13 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.