[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6547817,"mediaKeyId","3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f","parentId",3783210,"title","Votes at a glance: key board actions and outcomes","audioSeconds",1397,"startMs",6000195,"endMs",7398135,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f&start=6000&end=7398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f/thumbnail_6000195.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6547817/Amador-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-key-board-actions-and-outcomes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547817-0b5dffdc95b0b3ef4513881d08a2b005/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522969&Signature=BevhG3ao2rep4xsvCNzI5Y7twE~WTNamixuhDkjhxxQAI1nR3rdGZVcQ67S68PJTQOE8oYA123IeYH38TkehZg3VwkrWvGwF-TyomXfi-J9yqrh2xUC4Q152VOW0teMVs5m8wuvPmp1b7OlCiFScd96cNFdT~N1Rh7KunuwGWowpoH-dsZl1CGuWq6K1LqJ4aiEWWqiT1bUjaCZwQv6ktvwrcXjVsZ4ydnjY-pouHIkT8xcg0IRQuoqlk8zMh0LuEg~m15hh33sa8U9TxWPX8ApgANFQCaiQIRq4lz8sbtEkkno6xOPEXC3jsog7~z0pJMA5PCweM1ECch~s3vqyng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-12T13:14:59.54Z","article","At its public meeting the Amador County Unified School District board recorded the following formal outcomes in open session. (Where the transcript recorded a roll call, the tally is shown; where speaker motion/second were not recorded in the transcript the maker/second fields are listed as not specified.)

- Consent agenda (item 12, general consent): Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call sequence; transcript shows chair and trustees voting in the affirmative.

- Item 14.1 — Capital outlay request (purchase of an 8‑passenger SUV for Community Schools): Outcome: approved. Vote: unanimous in roll call (tally reported in transcript as yes by trustees present).

- Item 14.2 — Handwriting Without Tears curriculum adoption: Outcome: approved. Vote: unanimous in roll call (transcript records affirmative votes in standard sequence).

- Item 14.3 — Revised 2023–24 district audit report (long‑term liabilities/COP update): Outcome: approved. Board approved the revised audit with vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 14.4 — MOU: UC Merced Extension Education Program (teacher preparation partnership): Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 14.5 — Agreement for student placement: CSU Sacramento (teacher/counselor placements): Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 14.6 — MOU: University of the Pacific (placement and licensure partners): Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 14.7 — Tentative agreement with California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 239: Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 14.8 — Tentative agreement with Amador County Teachers Association (ACTA) / teacher bargaining unit: Outcome: approved. Vote recorded in roll call.

- Item 10.1 — Sammy Circuit (ELOP/SEL pilot purchase and three‑year contract): Outcome: approved.

- Item 16.1 — Global adoption of facilities‑series board policies (7000 series): Outcome: approved.

For each action above: the transcript records the motions and roll‑call vote readouts in the meeting transcript. Some items referenced dollar amounts or grant funding in staff presentations (for example: Handwriting Without Tears $34,401.98; capital outlay vehicle paid from the Community Schools Planning Grant; Sammy Circuit three‑year contract funded from ELOP revenues), and the board recorded approvals in open session. Several other items on the agenda (notably the district and county budget adoptions and the health‑and‑welfare benefits decision) remained discussion items or were scheduled for future action and therefore were not adopted that night.

Ending: The board’s roll‑call approvals advance multiple program contracts, MOUs and tentative bargaining agreements; staff noted funding sources where applicable and will proceed with implementation steps as required by each item’s terms.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ACUSD/COE Board Meeting of 6/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the board approved consent items and multiple routine and labor agreements, curriculum and program purchases, and several MOUs with higher‑education partners. Below is a concise list of formal actions recorded in open session and their outcomes.","taxTitle","Amador County, California","taxId",26727,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6547822,"Board approves grant‑funded SUV for community‑schools outreach; vehicle will serve McKinney‑Vento, foster and other vulnerable students",555,6032625,6588610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f&start=6032&end=6588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f/thumbnail_6032625.jpg","/articles/6547822/Amador-County/California/Board-approves-grantfunded-SUV-for-communityschools-outreach-vehicle-will-serve-McKinneyVento-foster-and-other-vulnerable-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547822-a69651da16f058b89a5b2248a7b490f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522969&Signature=Voe-BS21I6OIPmZZzpFlrQxWgHFLg6-~TqO8gwL0-TeQ9sBSHSP0CtCgi-x16RJeYxJlFV-xNcFyevgYK7GaGarZTp01ru5TFaBDnjSkDMl6rOg6j1q0PlB6C4xDDaydKmnCiCOFb4fRtqiLldDFI5Dd6ho8mptL6hzuLkP85N1ABqMTc2cs1zHEZC37CcIO2qte563YSHxWuVPUJs4vK6WOoK4EJtCQ9OmT70Rwx9x-21EgV-pOZ6cOK8WrtqW18o9rt46hAcgwkcvywztqcQ3FL9MUymKKeGF~vK2fYkHZ1l1gpMP9Y3mbbX4E1GRX1SoV6sXVyzWUB~GzXm197A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amador County Unified School District board voted to approve a grant‑funded capital outlay request to purchase an eight‑passenger sport‑utility vehicle for Community Schools outreach.

Amanda Avila, who works with community schools, told trustees the vehicle will transport students and deliver essential resources to unhoused students served under the McKinney‑Vento definition, foster youth and other students with unduplicated pupil needs. “This comes from the Community Schools Planning Grant…there’s no impact on the general fund and the request would be fully funded through the Community Schools Planning Grant,” Avila said.

Specifications and operations: Avila said the district requested a base model Tahoe with four‑wheel drive and maximum mechanical seating (fold‑down seats) because of upcountry winter conditions and the dual use of the vehicle for people transport and cargo. The vehicle will be stored at the resource center and at Plymouth Elementary and will be assigned to school community outreach liaisons who serve all district schools. Staff said the vehicle would not be loaned out for other uses.

Board action: Trustees moved to approve the request and voted in favor; the transcript records the motion carried with the board voting yes in the standard roll‑call sequence.

Ending: Staff said the vehicle will reduce the time spent securing transportation from the transportation yard for urgent student needs and will provide immediate, district‑controlled capacity to pick up students for school, appointments and other emergent needs.","Trustees approved a capital outlay request to purchase an eight‑passenger 4x4 SUV (base Tahoe) to support the district’s Community Schools program. The purchase is fully covered by the Community Schools Planning Grant and will not impact the general fund, staff said.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6547828,"Board approves Handwriting Without Tears curriculum for elementary grades; district official says teachers recommended continuation",798,6598370,7397135,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f&start=6598&end=7397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f/thumbnail_6598370.jpg","/articles/6547828/Amador-County/California/Board-approves-Handwriting-Without-Tears-curriculum-for-elementary-grades-district-official-says-teachers-recommended-continuation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547828-f15141fc1b7d19f26c116a26b32707a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522969&Signature=SNzWjeJlq-G6IeZCz2C~JhpZj69DgNzDU~NT9PraHnWFVY0fWLt44O1m1WgGqFbuZKj-TA63lrjhvRgIKMQd9MPxkoDqJCNll6SnVRTAAMMyvXc81BrRAKDiOnlIyccf0XX3anlb3JKzeDfOxeRiq~WVIE4TZVW6PqbrrherWi-mU2xZ7v7P9ABKW8RmJya36KPv1YwJDPiqqyEZtG9UNBPKibsW~-08z8HY5nvA1tj0OG0W~2VBFn2V8kkqEarUR7fBFk9F6CsTg9csHKTWVlJVRMNS17qs8YpEPIweeH-DUkpxXhtH~Z43VCMn2w~vIq6URKJZCtWiwIhMYprjQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amador County Unified School District board unanimously approved adoption of the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum to provide a consistent approach to handwriting and fine‑motor instruction across elementary classrooms.

Special education teacher and curriculum lead Jenny DeWalt described the program’s occupational‑therapy roots and said the curriculum uses manipulatives and a progression of shapes that precede pencil use. “Handwriting Without Tears was actually originally developed by occupational therapists,” DeWalt said. She told trustees the program had been piloted with state preschool, TK and kindergarten classrooms and that a district survey of teachers who had used the program returned a 100% recommendation to continue.

Cost and funding: DeWalt told trustees the initial purchase price for the district was $34,401.98 for class sets and consumable student workbooks; teachers’ materials are non‑consumable. Trustees were told the full purchase would not be an ongoing $34,000 annual cost because student consumables will be the primary recurring expense.

Board action: After questions about digital components and whether handwriting instruction would require student device work (DeWalt said it would not), a trustee moved and the board voted to adopt the curriculum. At roll call the transcript records that trustees voted yes (no roll‑call names were given in the vote readout beyond the standard roll call sequence used in other agenda items); the motion passed.

Ending: District staff said the three‑year rollout and professional development tied to the adoption aim to give teachers continuity and reduce the burden on individual teachers to design their own handwriting instruction.
","The board approved adoption of the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum (vendor materials and manipulatives) using LCAP and other designated funds; district staff said the purchase would cover class sets and teacher materials and that teachers who piloted the program recommended it.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6547832,"Ione community urges support for principal placed on leave; board reports 4–1 readmission of student after closed session",3992,335224,4328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f&start=335&end=4328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f/thumbnail_335224.jpg","/articles/6547832/Amador-County/California/Ione-community-urges-support-for-principal-placed-on-leave-board-reports-41-readmission-of-student-after-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547832-e42b4179b91379ddd7d73fd53ff31125/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522969&Signature=DNrGnQ260QvyKLhXw322evZt19cun90ZwjdcLV3iBO~i7ZHXjjJZVBFII9OiUsBZCWvt1n1qWCAf4f14sbf38u21ukzEuS1rOnu71fIODma1g62Iz0bo5gQ1raJYkKnwkEQFC3e0NE3M1Su80vGcg19h1SbZCIxzEdT5579BqN5uNdkCTSIfsQh-T5PsyzkCXlTm04EZbQYtZkDgpEYg8NASXezPS-8tlP9P2IlUae7R9RizsBkVdLfPa4SIaH18WQ-00fEohMSNoigdzsAEv63FXaHXsevOnuOpYuqDBHTQNXOUV8EUBgJzuJbukeqgeC6itTFGG5kaMSfhy9NmOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents, parents and former colleagues of Ione Elementary School packed public comment to back Principal Mike Huss after the district put him on administrative leave late in the school year.

Multiple speakers described long personal ties to Huss and said his work at Ione—ranging from janitor to teacher to principal—has been marked by community service and close ties to students. Retired teacher Julia Mandison told trustees, “I have known Mr. Hess since I started there in my student teaching in 1990… I would trust that man with my life.” Parent and former student Gabriel Pezzi and others said Huss had mentored and supported students at school and in community events.

Several speakers complained about the timing and communication of the leave. Mandison described a June 29 absence and said staff first learned of a replacement by a ParentSquare post the following Monday. Several commenters said they found the district’s communication lacking during the final week of school and asked the board to be transparent about the process.

Board report out of closed session: when the board reconvened, the president reported a closed‑session action on student discipline: “The board voted, 4 to 1 to readmit the student.” The transcript records the outcome (4–1 readmission) but does not show a public motion maker or second during the open session report. The board did not discuss personnel details publicly that evening; trustees noted that personnel matters were discussed in closed session, and public comment remained focused on community support for the principal and concerns about district communication.

Ending: Community members asked trustees to weigh fairness and transparency as any personnel or investigatory processes continue. The district’s public record from this meeting shows the closed‑session readmission vote (4–1) but no further open‑session action on the personnel matter.","Multiple community members and former colleagues came to the podium to defend Ione Elementary principal Mike Huss after the district put him on administrative leave; the board reported after closed session that it voted 4–1 to readmit an expelled student (item reported as closed-session action).",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6547836,"Employees alarmed as district narrows medical-plan choices; broker search and CalPERS option remain",630,1006529,1637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f&start=1006&end=1637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3783210-ccb20e8db2671f300cf5c2596ee7523f/thumbnail_1006529.jpg","/articles/6547836/Amador-County/California/Employees-alarmed-as-district-narrows-medical-plan-choices-broker-search-and-CalPERS-option-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547836-b7799d3a797ac887217c12c848ddf6be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522969&Signature=FIAphte4ax-p6scuJ2k5Ph3gz59RS5NLEbDHQRj2wZkHhhgePCNr2Ps8yHm2yEZYURHgHC~pRLIyp3Rn~xX0GXNXxtzp6JLql3Ki-yOuotoHIJ8hg7DJYG7pBhLDj~j-yQa06hGD120k8UmfIVDsJCH95vIvmCmMukXeu77~sDpmjEnzswedNu94NdEaWD9sXrm8DNn12jsb0ZB3p~gXdbvQfkxtm9ETnDbJlc3PJ0dtnmSe6ppEwlGB2oPDL3FeW6zQ2uaD8De~VnlWZP0i8vYTXhUzANg3MNERzb6UFXGcsQkEP~VDly6KhT5BWC~VtD-wGqA2P~d0x1bGWgOx0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amador County Unified School District staff and community members urged the board to prioritize employees after the district’s health insurance transition left many workers facing sharply higher premiums and limited in-network access.

At a public hearing and through several employee speakers, the district’s chief business officer, Robert Norton, described efforts to replace the district’s current market arrangement after claims under the district’s self-insurance approach ran significantly over budget in 2023–24 and 2024–25.

The problem, Norton told trustees, is commercial market pushback: “CVT officially declined to quote” the district, and “CISC also declined to quote,” he said, leaving the large statewide administrator CalPERS as the principal immediate option for a fully insured plan in the district’s area. He said Alliant Insurance Services — a national broker the district already uses for dental and vision — has offered to become broker of record and to pursue additional marketplace options and a renewal with the captive (Pareto) used by the district’s current broker. Alliant is scheduled to present to the board on June 18.

Why it matters: several staff described concrete consequences. Classified employee Andrea Cruz said her current employer-paid PPO premium for a family of three is “around $1,800 a month, which is more than my mortgage.” Teacher Jessica Phillips said choosing any plan would leave her household finances strained: “I love teaching and I plan to stay until I retire, but with these costs it’s becoming unsustainable.” Public commenter Tracy Hinman told trustees she wanted to see the board “prioritiz[e] employees” in the budget.

Norton summarized the district’s near-term options and schedule: continue marketplace outreach through Alliant, evaluate a CalPERS conversion (which Norton said would create a small OPEB contribution for retirees and carries a five‑year reentry limitation), and present formal proposals in July so the board could act ahead of open-enrollment deadlines. He warned trustees that a CalPERS “Gold” option would not include the local Sutter Amador hospital in-network for many employees and that the only CalPERS plan that does include Sutter Amador is a more expensive “Platinum” option.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about alternatives. Norton said district staff and the broker were also exploring fully insured market solutions, other captive structures and “marketplace options” that could be structured differently (for example, age‑tiered pricing or different employer caps) but that, as of the presentation, no written alternative had been finalized.

The board and administration did not make a final decision at the meeting but set a process: Alliant will present options to the board, the district will provide rates once final 2026 plan rates are published (typically in mid‑June/July), and trustees expect to decide no later than the July board meeting so open enrollment and vendor transitions can occur in time for an October 1 implementation if necessary.

Ending: District officials emphasized the narrow set of viable vendor options given the district’s recent self‑insurance claims history and opt‑out levels. School staff and community members asked trustees to weigh the financial consequences for employees — including decisions that would force some staff to consider leaving the district — alongside district fiscal constraints.","Staff and parents pressed the Amador County Unified School District board about rising employee medical premiums as district leaders described limited marketplace options after two large vendors declined to quote. District staff proposed a broker change and set a timeline for next steps in June and July.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key board actions and outcomes

Board approves grant‑funded SUV for community‑schools outreach; vehicle will serve McKinney‑Vento, foster and other vulnerable students

Board approves Handwriting Without Tears curriculum for elementary grades; district official says teachers recommended continuation

Ione community urges support for principal placed on leave; board reports 4–1 readmission of student after closed session

Employees alarmed as district narrows medical-plan choices; broker search and CalPERS option remain