The Board of Trustees met on February 7, 2024. Here are highlights of the meeting. To view the complete meeting, click here.
CORE VALUE: Committed, Collaborative, Caring, and Exemplary Employees
2024 Classified Employees of the Year Recognized
Congratulations to our Classified Employees of the Year for 2024! They were honored by our Board of Trustees and celebrated with a reception attended by their family members, friends, and colleagues. Natomas High School’s Roberta Silva, School Secretary II, was recognized for Classified Employee of the Year Districtwide. Eight other staff members were recognized for specific categories within the Classified Employee of the Year program. The honorees include:
- Custodial and Maintenance: Yugoslavia Aguilar, Custodian; Team Leader II, Jefferson
- Food & Nutrition: Nora Romero, Food Services Assistant III, Natomas Park
- Health & Student: Katie Garcia, Health Services Assistant II, Paso Verde
- Paraprofessional: Theresa Gallagher, Library Media Technician I, Heron
- Lawrence Quinley, Campus Safety Specialist II, Inderkum
- Skilled Trade: Corneliu Buduroi, Maintenance Specialist II, Maintenance & Operations
- Technical: Arthur Coronado II, Senior Systems Engineer, Technology
- Transportation: Jason Strom, Trip Coordinator/Bus Driver, Transportation
CORE VALUE: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
African American/Black History Month Celebrations
The Board of Trustees recognized February 2024 as African American/Black History Month in Natomas Unified and approved a resolution encouraging all schools to promote activities and lessons related to this special month. In addition to the actions and programs to promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the school year, there was mention of activities specifically for this month. Staff also shared districtwide events including the Annual Black History Poster and Essay contest, Read Aloud with local children’s author Crystel Patterson, and a video as part of our Feast and Learn series where Chef Vada Galvez, Culinary Arts Teacher at Discovery High School, demonstrates how to make macaroni and cheese, a popular dish in the African American and Black community. She has two student helpers from Discovery High School’s Hospitality Pathway.
CORE VALUE: Learning and Achievement for Each Student
The Board received a report on the 2023 California School Dashboard information released in December. The report provides a summary of NUSD’s performance results as they appear in the latest dashboard release. The dashboard includes the following state indicators: academic performance based on CAASPP state testing in English Language Arts and Math, graduation rate, suspension rate, chronic absenteeism rate, English learner progress, and college and career readiness. There are also local indicators which can be reviewed in the report available here.
English Learner Master Plan Update
The Board received a report on the five year English Learner Master Plan (2020 – 2025). The report includes actions that have been taken and a timeline of next steps as staff makes preparations to update the plan. The plan guides our services, support, and procedures for English learners in the district. To view the update, click here.
2024-2025 Enrollment Projections and Associated Staffing
After receiving information regarding enrollment projections for NUSD, the Board approved associated staffing for the 2024-2025 school year. Natomas continues to grow which is reflected in our projected growth in student enrollment for next school year. One key point that was noted in the presentation was that staffing represents 80-85% of the district’s budget.
Budget and Facilities Update
The Board received an update on the Governor’s 2023-2024 January budget and the budget development cycle. The presentation focused on the following areas:
- Potential impact of the Governor’s January Budget on NUSD
- Update on Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), covering new requirements, ongoing engagement initiatives, and next steps
- Update on where we are at in the budget development cycle
While the proposed state budget addresses a shortfall for 2024-25, the impacts to public education are manageable at this time with no mid-year cuts, cash deferrals, or programmatic rollbacks. In May, the Governor will provide a revised budget proposal called the “May Revise” that will come closer to what may be approved by the state legislature in June 2024. The Board will receive another update on the district budget at that time.
Recognition of Responsible Financial Stewardship and Possible Future Bond Measure
The Board received information about the district’s facilities bond history and details related to a possible 2024 Bond Measure to support the developing Facility Master Plan and future growth. There was no action to be taken. It was for informational purposes. Some key points that were shared include:
- Opportunity to refinance three prior bond series sales to save taxpayer dollars and shorten the duration of those particular bonds
- Timing for a public opinion poll
- Potential next steps for a future bond and/or refinancing
To review the entire presentation, click here.
NUSD Health Services Transitions Update
Staff presented an update on the health services in NUSD. The update included information on the transition of services as the NUSD Urgent Care Now facility, located near the Natomas Unified School District Education Center/Service Center, ends due to the expiration of pandemic-related funds. Staff shared that these services and more will continue to be offered at the new B. Teri Burns Clinic, located across the street from Natomas High School. The photo is a rendering of what the completed facility will look like once completed this year.
New Human Resources Information System Approved
The Board approved a contract with Helios Ed to provide Human Resources Information System Services. The new system will help to administer recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance management, and evaluations. It’s a five-year contract with a one time set-up at a cost of approximately $33,125, and an annual cost of approximately $65,192.
The next NUSD Board meeting is scheduled for February, 21, 2024.
