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Board Briefs: Jan. 24, 2023

Here few highlights from the Jan. 24 board meeting (the full agenda packet is available):

Board workshop held on the Brown Act and board governance

California’s Ralph M. Brown Act is designed to ensure the public can remain informed of the actions, debates and views of local elected representatives and to provide a procedural framework for local legislators to meet, debate, act and listen collectively to their constituents. Standing committees created by the Board of Education are also subject to the Brown Act unless specifically exempted by other legislation. The workshop covered the basic elements of the Brown Act including what constitutes a meeting, communication between board members including the use of social media, requirements of meeting agendas, public input requirements and the proper use of closed session. 

Concurrently, the Board of Education has established a Board Governance Handbook which denotes its norms and standards of operation. During the Dec. 13, 2022 meeting of the board, members discussed potential changes to the handbook including public input processes, recusal processes, proper reflection of a focus on academic success and establishing rules of order to further clarify meeting processes. The board discussed desired changes. Action on the governance handbook is anticipated on March 14.

Board hears update on district’s bond program

Staff provided the board with an update on current construction projects for Bond Measures J, N and P. John Barrett Middle School opened up the 2022-23 school year with a modernized campus, and construction is currently underway at Earl LeGette Elementary School for a campus modernization. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2024. Additionally, construction is well underway for Mesa Verde High School’s signature project, a brand-new sports stadium complex. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2023. Construction has also just begun at Arcade Fundamental Middle School for its full campus modernization. Additionally, demolition work has begun at the Creekside location for the construction of the new Katherine Johnson Middle School. The full presentation is available.

In other news…

  • The board recognized the district’s 2023 Classified Employees of the Year: Rita Cornelison, human resources analyst (District Office); Sally Garcia, custodian (district office); Michelle Fingold, instructional assistant for the visually impaired (Casa Roble Fundamental High School).

  • The board passed a resolution proclaiming Feb. 6-10 as National School Counseling Week.

  • Staff provided the board with an update on the district’s government affairs program, significant K-12 legislation taking effect in 2023, and an overview of state education policy and budget matters to monitor during the current legislative cycle. 

  • The board held a public hearing and passed a resolution declaring the conveyance of a permanent easement at John Barrett Middle School to the County of Sacramento.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Feb. 14 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.