[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6246637,"mediaKeyId","3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470","parentId",3217016,"title","Board approves settlement in OAH special‑education case","audioSeconds",68,"startMs",232000,"endMs",300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470&start=232&end=300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470/thumbnail_232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246637/California/Board-approves-settlement-in-OAH-specialeducation-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246637-0bc61704800c2fc64897f78e4126808c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775069515&Signature=essqEQYLk-NF1S1ejnzuOAYBYpiIw0Q718GnTLlyfWPqJdu4tnQKF2F0QbzmwIsuqderz1SOZbHOkhMbxcDLyaL1yv4VF8p8bE9XxXzKGO8YnwbGS1A0n7n28YH~fM0gxDGcZSIthIJ0WP3HZ7QynrlN5DqLj9-BCv2ptsMKGnh1OxchP164g6P3EsIVeK2SaC5WB-oEbMroMjCfZyx-ZRuP4E0cHIVkVFlA6KugVa8mvMudlwaXif8wnBhf2FP6B4CJhrATkCPBUOd3qHYzRTWz1PMgs7kFCUNyNNOGlKv7Xht2LPimWGi2gVU7AS175-xDX3i5ylXfd-1~epE~1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Atascadero Unified","date","2025-05-07T05:15:33Z","article","The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the administration’s recommendation to settle Office of Administrative Hearings case number 2025010625 regarding a special‑education student, as reported in the meeting’s closed‑session report of action.

At the board’s open‑session report of closed‑session action the board president asked for a motion. A trustee moved “that the board approved the administration's recommendation of the settlement of OAH case 2025010625 regarding a special education student.” A second was received and the board proceeded to roll‑call voting. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from all trustees present: Mister Arnold; Missus Ellis White; Missus Kosenick; Missus Coonley; Missus McGrew Kane; Missus Pierce; Missus Taylor.

Nut graf: The board announced the settlement in open session after closed session deliberations; the item itself was a confidential special‑education settlement and the board released only the motion and the roll‑call outcome.

Ending: The board did not read settlement terms in open session; the meeting record identifies only the case number and that the board approved the administration’s recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","AUSD Board Meeting 5/6/2025 - Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Atascadero Unified board approved the administration’s recommendation to settle Office of Administrative Hearings case 2025010625 concerning a special‑education student; the board voted by roll call.","taxTitle","Atascadero Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",65679,"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},6246642,"Board approves Measure B first series and awards summer bond projects, including AHS parking lease‑leaseback",908,7024000,7932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470&start=7024&end=7932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470/thumbnail_7024000.jpg","/articles/6246642/California/Board-approves-Measure-B-first-series-and-awards-summer-bond-projects-including-AHS-parking-leaseleaseback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246642-171018cccd07ba7a113c86dda4348bb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775069515&Signature=YaBdQvnFhrKrqiNiZUPzQwCQ0KXXfYCQIZ6q4eabClvt~Nb-gx30g6IwfMjQ2pz7EcBLPw0iiQCDNJlhGV1W~XwzUzG28rTBKQleLNGQyDH7z19rtUX1ZgfPdK7cKb-dQqTGyRwolSflBYz5Ykd7cpyffd9~-z66B9U-6K9OYq3Fhh00oIECAvCZWw4RXRdnb9I5IprjbH0594O4Q0rPpecdYKJmaJh-0qy7tzcbfjNgkDuWIiPqriRzq2ENziwSx9ewtLDLmJ33NbQT1cArBVDqrwSGJ6U45vNEkQ3V36J1GMLQMctGrE7qvA3x8jB-3vHDCZDa1ev-8qKDzgewPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees adopted multiple Measure B‑related actions and approved several construction contracts tied to the bond program.

The board adopted a resolution certifying the county’s election results for Measure B (general obligation bond). The board then adopted bylaws establishing a Measure B citizen oversight committee to review expenditures and ensure bond funds are spent on voter‑approved projects.

Nut graf: Trustees authorized issuance of the first bond series and approved several summer construction contracts, including playground replacement at Santa Margarita Elementary, HVAC and roof replacement at the district office, and a lease‑leaseback arrangement for Atascadero High School parking and site improvements.

Key actions and projects approved:
- Resolution to issue Measure B 2024 Series A bonds, not to exceed $40,000,000; staff said proceeds are anticipated by June 2025.
- Adoption of citizen oversight committee bylaws; staff reported multiple community volunteers and said appointments will come to the board for final approval.
- Santa Margarita Elementary playground replacement and new shade structure: the district awarded the construction contract to RSH Construction for the apparent low bid of $830,000. The work includes a new TK/K play structure, rubberized fall surfacing, asphalt repairs and a new shade structure.
- District Office HVAC and skylight/roof replacement: the board awarded the contract to RSH Construction for $526,500; work is funded through deferred maintenance and is planned for summer.
- Atascadero High School parking-lot and site improvements (stadium/front parking, ADA pathway, stormwater and perimeter work): the board approved Edwards Construction Group as the best‑value contractor and authorized lease‑leaseback documents for a project sum cited at $4,142,360. Administration described lease‑leaseback mechanics and said the district will take occupancy at project completion; staff also told the board that state matching funds will fund a large portion of bond‑eligible projects.

Board members asked about timelines, contractor prequalification, and whether summer scheduling would interfere with athletics; staff said projects are scheduled to begin once school ends and that site coordination plans are part of contractor negotiations.

Ending: Trustees approved the bond actions and awarded the construction contracts; staff said they will form the oversight committee and return to the board with appointments and project timelines.","The board adopted resolutions to certify Measure B election results, create a citizen oversight committee and authorize issuing up to $40 million in the first bond series. Staff also presented and the board approved construction contracts and a lease‑leaseback agreement for high‑school site improvements and summer projects.",{"_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},6246647,"High-school art teachers retiring; parents and teachers urge district to keep two hands‑on visual‑arts positions",268,2011000,2279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470&start=2011&end=2279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470/thumbnail_2011000.jpg","/articles/6246647/California/High-school-art-teachers-retiring-parents-and-teachers-urge-district-to-keep-two-handson-visualarts-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246647-95440ec951e45e5e539f43a9f3008dce/orig.mp4?Expires=1775069515&Signature=kQFYOrAgoTlZQwld1XeoUi3Us1tu2zLXZiLHi5NACJ9gyAmKEjijZmDbE5brb8Bxko8DbYzDO2PWYniEA~EACPIiq4Ot0gJCAHKZYB4lpwsLIDiZDKFQ7yD3PotBtKUCrVFJgZJKEJH~mxzcAA~X1a~18G9Qclq7b3yT3zmo0nU~qJ5158eI2fytYMltpQ0jnxhgJeJG-heySTmy~IUczRb~WR7~DgBuwX8EPTn~DYGfWrcvu5B1HJsXkr03PHJftkdAahnhYX7rDHcNXGHfMIPKDp5K-yIEZ3Jmd-dMJdlonp9jAFWBP2d-lroqAkkX-506VvQN-x2XpOSpFjNnnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two long‑time Atascadero Unified School District teachers and a community art teacher told the board that Atascadero High School’s hands‑on visual‑arts staffing is at risk after retirements and urged the district to preserve two positions to maintain programs such as ceramics, AP art and public exhibitions.

Carolyn Balo, an art and independent study teacher at Fine Arts Academy and a parent of two district graduates, said she learned one of the two popular, hands‑on visual‑arts/ceramics positions at Atascadero High School “is slated to be cut” after retirements. Balo emphasized arts classes support academic outcomes and college readiness. “The arts promote a more sophisticated and creative learning process that allows them to succeed in other subjects,” she told trustees during oral communication.

Tess Harbach, one of the retiring teachers, said a single hire cannot replace the current two‑teacher program and warned a single teacher assigned six different hands‑on classes plus after‑school shows, field trips and community events would face burnout. “A part‑time position must be provided at bare minimum to adequately meet the needs of our students,” Harbach said.

Nut graf: Teachers and community advocates strongly urged the district to preserve two art positions at the high school, citing full enrollment in art classes and the role visual arts plays in student engagement, advanced coursework and community partnerships; district leaders said they will review staffing requests as part of broader staffing and budget decisions.

Harbach said AP art and an advanced ceramics class were growing: she reported an advanced‑ceramics class had “17 students” and said “29 students are projected to be in that class next year” (as spoken on the record). Both speakers emphasized that strong introductory courses feed advanced classes and that losing hands‑on classes could weaken the pipeline for AP and advanced offerings.

Superintendent Butler and trustees thanked the speakers and said the district would review staffing and the retirements as part of upcoming personnel decisions. Butler told the board, “We’ll be looking into our staffing as well,” and acknowledged the district would examine requests shared during public comment.

Ending: No formal personnel action was taken at the meeting. Trustees requested that staff review the staffing request and report back; teachers and parents asked for a part‑time or full‑time second hire to continue hands‑on visual‑arts offerings.","Two Atascadero High School art teachers are retiring and public speakers urged the district to retain two hands‑on visual‑arts positions to preserve ceramics, AP art and community partnerships; teachers warned a single hire would create untenable workloads.",{"_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},6246652,"Carissa Plains parents urge board to restore middle grades, trustees and staff outline funding, legal limits and next steps",751,3251000,4002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470&start=3251&end=4002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470/thumbnail_3251000.jpg","/articles/6246652/California/Carissa-Plains-parents-urge-board-to-restore-middle-grades-trustees-and-staff-outline-funding-legal-limits-and-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246652-d11e7ecbd51d79a0d5d12481cfd4598d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775069515&Signature=PdND2m7mpBSmMiX-2oCS8BDG2uFGt4HL9yBEYLE1vOAJttiZfY4sYfQW8uUSrVjcn6GAOsmzL8xBvCEeL2o26aSHfVVh6HH4E21oUwvYEq9ExnztbvxlEM72dzG-QfPruOaS-G2X8OGQZmOpW88QrbI6yfDAKxy0KKNbt2HOToy2nb~31AeziMSkIzd9Zbmkg~1QDooyjbESrDonas1xgVFFfSkeDTP3Io3hAtGuAvkmsep7WVARoe-9KLEUqIeaXS0H4-auTcj-9~7UBWHjFemP2ASt8aSCClslb-gM-jexLKN4aCsTaBnhJH9-MjxG0I22T4Xdd8X-MJH18yQWAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and community members from Carissa Plains pressed the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees to restore local seventh‑ and eighth‑grade instruction at Carissa Plains Elementary and to hire a third teacher, arguing long bus rides and loss of community programs harm students.

At a packed public comment segment, Adrienne Twissleman, speaking as a spokesperson for the Carissa Plains Teachers and Friends group, outlined the community’s history of local schooling and said the district made the middle‑school busing decision without a supporting study. “Decisions that impact an entire community should rest totally on transparent actions and community input,” Twissleman said.

Several other parents and former students described the educational and social benefits of local middle‑grade programming. Patty Hermosillo, a Carissa Plains parent, told trustees long bus rides can harm middle‑schoolers’ mental health and that parents bear additional time and expense driving children. She also said private donors had pledged funds contingent on district direction: “California Valley Solar Ranch has already donated $5,000. Another solar ranch is ready to help fund a third teacher,” she said.

Nut graf: The board heard heartfelt appeals for restoring local middle‑grade instruction, while district staff and legal counsel cautioned that state funding rules, average daily attendance (ADA) thresholds and staffing and credential requirements for secondary courses complicate any immediate change.

District administration provided historical context and a technical explanation of small‑school funding. Superintendent Butler and district staff recounted a history of reorganizations and said the district successfully pursued a state carve‑out — described in the presentation as “Senate Bill 13 21” — that allowed Carissa Plains to qualify for necessary small‑school funding after prior exclusion. Business services staff (Miss Darnell) explained necessary small‑school funding is based on ADA (not raw enrollment) and on the number of teachers assigned to the site. She said, under current rules cited to the board, the district’s P2 average daily attendance at Carissa Plains was 20.13 (k–6); that ADA places the school in the first tier of funding (1–24 ADA) and does not meet the threshold staff described for three‑teacher funding. “To reach a tier for three teachers, we would need an average daily attendance rate in K–6 of 49,” she said.

Board members and staff said they were hearing the community’s concerns and agreed more study is needed. Trustees acknowledged the emotional and logistical burdens parents described but also raised credentialing and programmatic issues for seventh‑ and eighth‑grade instruction (secondary classes typically require subject-matter credentials). Trustee members asked staff to place a formal action item on a future agenda and to work with Carissa Plains families on possible models.

Ending: No vote to change grade configuration or staffing was taken at the meeting. The board invited further community engagement and asked staff to return with options, data and possible funding scenarios for future consideration.","A group of parents and community members from Carissa Plains urged the Atascadero Unified board to restore local seventh‑ and eighth‑grade instruction and add a third teacher; district staff reviewed the site's funding history and the state rules that govern “necessary small school” funding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6246656,"Atascadero High wins six-year WASC accreditation; leaders outline instructional and behavioral interventions after state test declines",762,599000,1361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470&start=599&end=1361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217016-daea10086ea2e1867de21eebf2b60470/thumbnail_599000.jpg","/articles/6246656/California/Atascadero-High-wins-six-year-WASC-accreditation-leaders-outline-instructional-and-behavioral-interventions-after-state-test-declines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246656-8767fea8c5d0ff0bff7a7f06487c120b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775069515&Signature=SMPeZ4Km2vr8dPUB20r0v~a-KIHuRw92x1kv9SX99RaAZj0hbXpqvJy78smGUFA3q1kE7gb5IdfcScsmdEzG-X51aoLTyJyGsRJUfUOVWxxGgBPdULoy3Zs2xFnaEaXMvgTKijpVsA9zkotEUCkFChTNvkT2PO9gjHQDB3eyOf0C9H8vTnHR81YAYurM7HElq~ujrPur~BYZVaxjtszStiIlnJ6Htn5qm93IZ1BiBlATGoZyCKCW1RaTsfGZYWmjPn1fU3pD34bJHVeyzX9qOjpJcTuoO2Kt2kM8KL35dkCmyUkZXno5xbftJzpHKUL2omXuLplkw-VKYN7ROyQ7Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atascadero High School earned a six-year accreditation with a three-year midcycle review from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Principal Nikki Baca told the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees, and school leaders outlined new interventions after declines on state testing.

Baca said the visiting WASC team highlighted culture and climate and the counseling department but also recommended improved early identification for students who are falling behind and better representation of students with disabilities and English learners in AP and dual-enrollment courses. “We got a 6 year accreditation with a 3 year mid cycle, which is huge for Atascadero High School,” Baca said.

The nut graf: The school reported gains in graduation and engagement but also significant shortfalls on state assessments that administrators said they will address with added in-school interventions, instructional coaching and targeted math and English supports.

School leaders presented specific data and actions. Baca said the school’s English-language arts performance declined by 18.8 points and stands 7.8 points below standard on the state assessment for juniors. Math remains well below standard: “we are 87.2 points below standard,” she said. To address gaps, Atascadero implemented built‑in intervention time in the day, added an English lab course and hired a full‑time math interventionist, who “attends all of the department math meetings, and he also pushes into math support within the instructional setting,” Baca said.

Baca also described steps to make A–G (college admission) requirements more visible to students and staff: counselors and teachers held Google Meets, classrooms now display which A–G letter each course satisfies, and counselors proactively contact students who are falling behind. The school reported rising graduation and college-career indicators: Baca said graduation increased by 2.5 percentage points to “almost 96 percent” and the college and career indicator rose about 7 percent to “almost at 56 percent.”

Behavior and school climate were a central element of the presentation. Baca said the campus’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team achieved an 83% score on the Tiered Fidelity Inventory and qualified the school for “silver” status with the county PBIS partnership. The school’s suspension rate declined to 4.1% and the California Dashboard moved the school’s indicator to green, she said.

Baca also highlighted career and technical education and dual-enrollment efforts, and noted that student media and media-arts students produced materials that are being used to show course pathways and A–G alignments across campus. Student engagement, measured through an in-house five-star checkin system, was reported at 92%: “as of now, we have 92% of our students that have actively engaged in an event or an activity on campus,” Baca said.

Trustees commended the school presentation. Trustee Coonley said the PBIS and “Leader in Me” culture was visible on campus and praised the instructional work; other trustees and board members noted visits to classrooms and the quality of instruction observed by the WASC visiting team.

The district superintendent and trustees said they will continue to monitor assessment results and support the school’s plans for instructional coaching and targeted interventions.

The presentation finished with schedules of upcoming events — including graduation June 4 — and an invitation to community members to attend school activities.

Ending: Trustees did not take a formal vote tied to the report but thanked Principal Baca and school staff and asked administration to continue to report progress to the board.","Principal Nikki Baca told the Atascadero Unified School District board the high school earned a six-year WASC accreditation with a three-year midcycle review and described steps the school is taking to respond to declines on state assessments, boost college readiness and expand intervention supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves settlement in OAH special‑education case

Board approves Measure B first series and awards summer bond projects, including AHS parking lease‑leaseback

High-school art teachers retiring; parents and teachers urge district to keep two hands‑on visual‑arts positions

Carissa Plains parents urge board to restore middle grades, trustees and staff outline funding, legal limits and next steps

Atascadero High wins six-year WASC accreditation; leaders outline instructional and behavioral interventions after state test declines