[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6104429,"mediaKeyId","2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1","parentId",2790611,"title","Fifth‑grade ‘Day of Peace’ project leads to county presentation and city proclamation; students to compete for county cash prizes","audioSeconds",426,"startMs",2804000,"endMs",3230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1&start=2804&end=3230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1/thumbnail_2804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104429/California/Fifthgrade-Day-of-Peace-project-leads-to-county-presentation-and-city-proclamation-students-to-compete-for-county-cash-prizes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104429-5a714a18f4592388976729f0b9caac29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605234&Signature=oBS2w0oJIFgUoicmN2k6WTurEhUgF0LsBSp6UikAb8m3OLXhRt2LUJp~Y6kR5~wiONngmjs8F~bkTRDFZxWbtVLPme39pPoxKUzlG2gAsk-zTcNg~7mUflN3j4CCTDgxIN0UVurCDWkYmqbca~2VERT1S5qNl241sG6DN6IIpjN8RzFGezCT86Q8UVWagJFz8x5bsLVHblQcvhx8IA0VTNwbspOq7VKNMfs5MZB9eTZEQLjuSwFhIDsbRrl-y~ZxY~RiJ1PIp9ZulVxoGRpIryKZhmi0Y2PR76F3Fa0-AhB-0wprXVLhJt5-wCa1cyISYfKBiQyw5qbKyYWG1l60NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Farmersville Unified","date","2025-03-27T09:03:30.617Z","article","Fifth graders from Freedom Elementary presented a student‑led Step Up Youth Challenge project focused on community safety and healing, culminating in a Peace Walk and a city proclamation declaring March 22 “a day of peace” in Farmersville.

Assistant/administrator Dr. Cindy Monroy (speaker introduced herself as part of the presentation) said three students will present project findings to Tulare County judges, competing against middle and high schools in categories that include sustainability, community impact and community partnerships; cash prizes awarded by the county would be added back to the Freedom ASB if the students win. The student project included research mapping local crime rates and identifying that five of the district’s six schools fall inside areas the students labeled as higher‑crime on their map. Students organized community partners, invited a guest speaker who shared a personal loss from crime, and staged a Peace Walk followed by community activities.

Mayor Tina Hernandez joined the collaboration and supported the students’ efforts, the presentation said. A short recap video of the Peace Walk was shown and district staff said the event included a morning ceremony, a procession along Citrus Boulevard and a community gathering at a museum and church that included prayer and performances.

Why it matters: student civic‑engagement projects that connect research, community partners and a public event can raise local awareness of safety and bring students into county‑level competitions that offer financial awards to support school programs.

Board response and next steps

Superintendent Mendez and trustees attended the event and praised student voice; district staff said they hope the students will return to present at a future board meeting should they place in the county competition.

Ending: The student team will take its presentation to Tulare County judges; the district will follow up with the outcome and any funds earned for the Freedom ASB.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting - March 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Freedom Elementary fifth graders organized a Peace Walk, received a city proclamation declaring March 22 a Day of Peace in Farmersville, and will present their Step Up Youth Challenge project to Tulare County judges.","taxTitle","Farmersville Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",54440,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104430,"Mayor and residents urge school board to retain community‑liaison staff, raise questions about resource‑center spending and nepotism",389,2011000,2400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1&start=2011&end=2400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1/thumbnail_2011000.jpg","/articles/6104430/California/Mayor-and-residents-urge-school-board-to-retain-communityliaison-staff-raise-questions-about-resourcecenter-spending-and-nepotism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104430-60813ac81570d04a7e6d44828945ff22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605234&Signature=mZoX1jH~2WYIVHpyxDy~WyOGGb0IP29jx7XNV8zJquML~A36PGA3K8tDT30fYWY89MZG4ozepoPVl9~4olCsWHYJ8g5LvvS24Hx5DMVKo9hnMRZ2eeBhFsf6SRhhmXEOoB4cjrNpULfDLZfhSnCt1hri62eXL4ooLiQQrcffFwmfaAxE4PTgpYwwt9NUYV2RB0dzT8aB0BSF8ktTppfJdf2RUdfz6bXL4LawD5az-m-4r5IDS4RZWjzEC2rKHkhH7F8d2PK-A-ci2ylgeboX8QFruX3eHIgjh0dFvoBD3AVECZtb8bxPHiNP-qMQyGBqlakv5nAaA52B-JdNFrEC1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several public commenters asked the board to reconsider a personnel decision involving a community liaison identified as Iris, urged the district to use available grant funds to stand up a local family resource center, and raised broader concerns about hiring practices in the small community.

Mayor Tina Hernandez told the board she has collaborated with the district and described the staff member as “an amazing person” who has helped connect the city and the schools. Hernandez said the liaison has “kept me updated and emailed me” and that replacing that person would be “pretty hard to fill.”

A second commenter, Judy Perez, said the staff member has helped families find housing, jobs and clothing and that the liaison has leveraged donations and services without relying on district funds. Perez told the board the district has a “$7,000,000” grant (she described it as a five‑year grant) and asked why so little of that money had been spent locally; she said the district had previously set aside roughly $330,000–$350,000 for purchase of a resource center building but that work had stalled because the site contains asbestos and cannot be used until abatement and remediation occur.

Perez also raised concerns about “nepotism,” saying that in a small community it can be difficult for applicants who are not related to established networks to secure positions; she asked the board for clarity about hiring processes.

Why it matters: public‑comment concerns bear on how the district deploys community liaisons and grant funds intended for family‑resource programming; requests for transparency and local access to services affect families who rely on nearby supports.

Board response and next steps

Trustees received the public comments but did not announce an immediate decision on the staff matter during open session. The item that prompted the speakers’ remarks appears related to staffing and to ongoing program development; the board later listed public‑employee discipline/dismissal/release (GC 54957) among its closed‑session topics and recorded “No action taken” after closed session.

Ending: Commenters asked the board for reconsideration or an explanation; the board did not report a change in personnel action in open session and recorded no reportable action from closed session.","Farmersville Mayor Tina Hernandez and resident Judy Perez urged trustees to reconsider letting a district community liaison (identified as Iris) leave the position, raised concerns that grant funds (referred to as $7 million) were not being spent, and asked for updates on a resource center purchase with asbestos issues.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104435,"Farmersville Junior High principal cites gains on California Dashboard; chronic absenteeism falls, ELA and math scores rise",272,412000,684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1&start=412&end=684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6104435/California/Farmersville-Junior-High-principal-cites-gains-on-California-Dashboard-chronic-absenteeism-falls-ELA-and-math-scores-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104435-4b8e774b0b010c81ef2b97a68566abf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605234&Signature=Nd6ZfeIdwEfxFq6UdPkYbrgE3PIUBtfocDPK8VcKtEkdkbPr3intq-41OC36X1ZYh0XwqXtQZsaEk~dbk-TvbBmw2kiQSbzRHTWrwjxUvl~9nM0guMeZfOhGIKfX7NhjlwpX4EtjkpCMOJQKOTdwOZXYgRkPJbDCZw6zcFW9JTe~uXPOpui8LkQk0LTzNcUW0Q17Un4VHiGGF44cYPrEbqj0vh7tRLQTqxJaoKt1tV2UTkffaj8ZFjeiKzVm51rsdO4fh8iVvgRDnM0MLOx0jOp0FRahuliwPToE0lQ5am8MHoZp4na1Jq5eQsPqk6BQs4XBZL4fab8XsWZJIOcV1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Farmersville Junior High Principal Sanchez reported measurable academic and attendance gains to the district board, citing the California School Dashboard and local interventions that the site credits with recent improvements.

Sanchez told trustees the school's English‑language arts performance rose by 24% and math by about 16% compared with the last Dashboard cycle; the school was removed from the state’s CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement) designation in March 2024, he said. Sanchez also said the school’s chronic absenteeism rate improved from about 36% (a post‑COVID figure) to about 12.3% in the most recent Dashboard snapshot. He said 38 English‑learner students have been reclassified, which the school expects will expand students’ access to elective and career pathway classes at the high school.

Why it matters: growth on the state Dashboard and reduced chronic absenteeism affect Title I eligibility, program planning and the allocation of site intervention resources. Reclassification of EL students changes course placement and supports available to those students.

What Sanchez described

Sanchez outlined site strategies linked to improvement: implementation of a site‑level Student Engagement Rally, a homeroom period each Monday for social‑emotional learning and attendance work, targeted interventions (outside support from a firm called Corwin to review suspension practices), expanded parent‑engagement events, and after‑school programming that draws participation from neighboring districts. He credited a district‑level focus and partnership with staff for the gains.

Sanchez also described routine recognition programs that aim to increase motivation—student of the quarter, perfect‑attendance recognition, and incentives such as “Falcon Bucks”—and said the school hosts family engagement events including a College and Career night on April 10 and a Family Resource Fair on April 2.

Board reaction and follow‑up

Trustees praised the principal’s report and asked clarifying questions; trustees and the superintendent noted that other districts in the region sent representatives to observe Farmersville Junior High’s after‑school programming. Trustees asked the principal to continue reporting results as the site implements next‑step strategies.

Ending: The board acknowledged improvements but emphasized that while the data show progress the site continues to plan interventions to move performance further toward proficiency.","Principal Sanchez told the board Farmersville Junior High saw a 24% increase in ELA and a 16% increase in math on the California School Dashboard, chronic absenteeism improved from roughly 36% to 12.3%, and 38 English‑learner students have been reclassified.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104440,"Board approves budget revision, field trips, contracts and school events; awards $826,369 fire-alarm contract",5377,66000,5443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1&start=66&end=5443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790611-37afbcc4de62e02d2e7bc54a55e0d1b1/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6104440/California/Board-approves-budget-revision-field-trips-contracts-and-school-events-awards-826369-fire-alarm-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104440-d75ab5fd0f33f07633ff2c3f24a15aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605234&Signature=Gv1IdUsnfgT6ALnkuKxqq4bIA6vGujVppA8NsjbmshEgv-M97gJ1TOfVjLakNzsRqRz9N~FnFIxvX51iE2~tKdiq87zswf04Z2LFyCwp5hne4T2~grQSHZGvdpTCfspDjHSbZghRz11oCznHp~1qkvB6J2R~O0h436pXuOYFWkJ1ij7d5cJPi929n5cc6EYWTUevbg1Q6DEm0eyhcAPJ5qz~Z6JM~Qt-n7SDY2JYIOIqYqgY7I4N5Sbv5ZPPCauMzyxt0BopwppXW0LlmYE0TIMKaSnltc0f1-NiCXw2msep7jPAfY05gBhKWlh4qV1gPUaU1p9srFTwZt1jUyAFcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmersville Unified School District Board of Trustees on a unanimous vote approved a long list of routine and capital items, including a budget revision, several field trips and student events, multiple memoranda of understanding with partner colleges and agencies, and a contract award for a high‑school fire‑alarm upgrade.

The board voted 5‑0 to award a contract to MTech Telecom to upgrade the Farmersville High School fire‑alarm system, a contract listed in the meeting backup at $826,369. The board also ratified a Johnson Controls Fire Protection quotation for purchasing approved fire‑alarm devices and approved the final project cost statement for the high‑school central plant HVAC chiller upgrade (project no. 80‑08160).

Why it matters: the fire‑alarm and HVAC items are capital projects that affect high‑school safety and campus infrastructure and carry material price tags; budget and procurement approvals authorize district staff to proceed with awarded work and purchases.

Key actions and outcomes

- Approval of regular board meeting minutes for March 11, 2025 (motion carried 5‑0).
- Approval of release forms (listed backup amounts included $691,144.97 and other smaller amounts as printed) (motion carried 5‑0).
- Ratification/approval of numerous school events and field trips, including: Freedom Elementary Invitational Track Meet (04/03/2025), mother‑son dance at Farmersville Junior High (04/25/2025), fifth‑grade trout release at Slickrock Recreation (04/10/2025), Migrant Education math/STEAM trip to CSU Fresno (04/05/2025), theater‑arts field trip to Saroyan Theater (04/04/2025), FFA incentive trip to San Luis Obispo (May 22), AP Spanish/World Language Fair trip (04/26/2025), youth challenge team presentation trip to Tulare County Office of Education (03/26/2025), and other extracurricular travel (all motions carried, recorded as unanimous where shown).
- Approval of program and partnership items: memorandum of understanding with Fresno Pacific University; Tulare County CCGI partnership agreement (no. 250894); MOU for dual enrollment with Kern Community College District; approval of K‑3 schools designation for Hester and Snowdon; approval of A–G completion/improvement grant program acceptance (motion carried, unanimous where recorded).
- Personnel actions: certificated and classified personnel approvals, extracurricular/coaching personnel, and a revised job description/MOU for bus driver/utility worker (all motions carried 5‑0 as recorded).
- Business and facilities: approval of Budget Revision No. 4; approval of a transportation plan with state/county reimbursement component; travel authorization to the Caswell Conference (April 2025); award of the MTech Telecom contract for the high‑school fire‑alarm upgrade ($826,369); ratification of Johnson Controls quotation for DSA‑approved devices; and adoption of the revision to the 2025–26 instructional calendar (motions carried as recorded).
- Student discipline recommendation: the board moved and approved recommendation for expulsion (item listed as STU2) by recorded motion; the motion carried 5‑0.

Matters tabled or moved to closed session

- The Act V debt‑safety platform agreement (listed backup dated March 14) was discussed and the board agreed to table the item for a future meeting or to consider it in closed session at the request of a board member.
- The board adjourned to closed session to discuss labor negotiations (GC 54957.6), public‑employee discipline/dismissal/release (GC 54957) and anticipated litigation (GC 54956.9); the return to open session recorded “No action taken” on those closed‑session items.

Board procedure and votes

Most motions were moved and seconded on the record; where roll‑call tallies were recorded, the minutes show unanimous 5‑0 votes. The meeting record lists trustees participating as Alice Lopez (president), Merced Zamora, Freddy Espinosa, Sabrina Gomez and John Alvarez; where the record shows a 5‑0 outcome it is recorded as “motion carried 5‑0.”

Ending: The board took no reportable action in closed session and adjourned after the listed business was completed.","Farmersville Unified trustees voted unanimously on a slate of routine approvals — including multiple school trips and events, personnel actions, a budget revision and a high‑school fire‑alarm contract awarded to MTech Telecom for $826,369 — and took no action on closed‑session labor and personnel matters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fifth‑grade ‘Day of Peace’ project leads to county presentation and city proclamation; students to compete for county cash prizes

Mayor and residents urge school board to retain community‑liaison staff, raise questions about resource‑center spending and nepotism

Farmersville Junior High principal cites gains on California Dashboard; chronic absenteeism falls, ELA and math scores rise

Board approves budget revision, field trips, contracts and school events; awards $826,369 fire-alarm contract