School Board Report: March 19, 2026

Here are the links to the agenda and the YouTube video of the  meeting.  Times noted are time stamps from the video.  All of the powerpoints can be found in the agenda.

• [1:28] IVd. District Recognition:  National Women's History Month.  Presentation from Chelsea C. Equity Team member from Mitchell MS.  Highlighted the origin and goals of Women’s History Month and highlighted 4 outstanding women including FCUSD’s own Linda Thurlo, Exec. Director of Admin Services.   [ppt]

• [1:32] IVe. Secondary School Spotlight:  FHS.  This student led  presentation highlighted the collaboration of FHS’ Stu. Gov. and CDSC [Culture and Diversity Student Council at FHS as well as highlighting many recent achievements of FHS students.   [ppt]

• [1:39] VII.  Following Agenda Consent 3 new FCUSD administrators for 2026-27 were introduced:  Dr. Shadi Safi will be an Assistant Principal at CHS next year.  Dr. Safi comes to us from Roseville City School District  Kendra Shelton will be the new principal at Theodore Judah Elementary next year; she is the parent of two FCUSD students and most recently has been the principal of Pershing Elementary in Orangevale..  Dr. Jason Javier-Watson will be the new principal at FMS next year.  Dr. Javier-Watson is currently an AP at Vista del Lago HS.

• [2:09] VIIIb.  Equitable Grading Presentation.  Jim Huber and Angi Carlamagno shared an overview from the grading task force last year and current board policies.  From the task force, grades should communicate student achievement as well as areas of growth and  focus on academic factors (not extra credit or behavior).  It was also announced that there will be a new protocol at secondary sites.  Several years ago the district stopped mailing home progress reports and end term grade reports.  To better communicate, an updated protocol for grade notification was announced.  Site Admin will email all families at grade reporting times to check PowerSchool.  Additionally teachers will be reminded to proactively email families to notify them if their student is not passing their classes.  Board comments included a note to remind parents to activate notifications in PowerSchool and a question about occasions when teachers have not kept PowerSchool up to date with information.  At the end of the presentation it was shared that the Grading Task Force will begin again  next year and when asked by one of our student board members indicated that students would be included in the process.   [ppt]

• X.  There was no FCEA report tonight

• [3:08] XI.  Native American Title VI Education Program Grant.  As part of this continuing grant there was a public hearing and presentation about Title VI and the work FCUSD is doing in cooperation with the NAPAC (Native American Parent Advisory Committee), in particular the Tuesday workshop series.  Workshop topics such as Story Telling and Drum/Rattle Making promote cultural awareness and highlight Native American Heritage.   [ppt]

• [3:21] XI/XII. Elementary Math Textbook Adoption.  This has been an extensive review and piloting process led by Kelly Dowd and Chris Stankeivicz.  The new adoption is for K-5 and follows the new CA Math Framework shift from procedural math to deeper conceptual understanding, problem solving and broad access.  The selected program, Innovatmat,  features hands-on learning for students.  This Spring the team is rolling out grade level trainings to prepare for next year.  The August PD day will formally roll out the new program and be followed up by a focus on assessment during the October PD day.  Next year there will be 5 Communities of Practice sessions throughout the year where grade level teams can work with neighboring schools to collaborate, analyze student thinking and refine instructional practices.   [ppt]

• [3:57] XIII.  Student technology Use:  Chromebooks and Personal Devices:  After a presentation featuring survey data from students, families and staff at the high schools, and a lengthy discussion of current cell phone policies and  a more general discussion of chromebook usage the board decided (1) to form a task force to review chromebook usage and look for recommendations that remove or greatly decrease screen time and (2) the high school policy will remain as is [no phones during instruction, but usage allowed during passing periods and lunch] with a campaign to reinforce uniform enforcement of this policy throughout our schools.   [ppt]

• [1:57] XIV.  CHS Baseball Field [This was moved up earlier in the evening for the sake of our visiting CHS Baseball team members]. Reviewing plans and working with the City of Rancho Cordova

• , were able to move up a new Varsity field as part of Phase 1.  There will be two additional phases.  Working on schematic designs and moving toward construction designs to go out for state approval this summer hoping to start building by the end of the calendar year.