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Superintendent: windstorm and Eaton fire forced three-day closures; board approves Form J13A to seek reimbursement
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Hillman told the board that a windstorm, fire threat and power outages closed district schools for three days; the board approved Form J13A to request state reimbursement and praised facilities and food service staff for response work. Registration for TK/K 2025–26 opens next Monday.
Superintendent Dr. Hillman told the Duarte Unified School District Board on Jan. 22 that a windstorm, fire threat and resulting power outages forced the district to close schools for three days. He described the Eaton fire as a traumatic event for many families and staff and praised district personnel for cleanup and emergency response.
Dr. Hillman singled out director of facilities Jason Shaw and his team for cleanup work and director of food services Brian Volz for providing meals during the closures. “Hearts go out to the families and our staff members, who are most directly affected by the Eaton fire,” Hillman said, and thanked principals and administrators for preparing campuses to reopen.
To recover lost instructional funding the board approved Form J13A (a state claim/waiver for school closures) on a motion by Board Member Hasso, seconded by Board Member Reyes. Dr. Hillman explained that because the governor declared a disaster for the region the district expects the claim to be supported; he also said that at one point about 22 districts in the county had closed.
Other recovery and operational notes: Hillman announced registration for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten for the 2025–26 school year opens next Monday. The board received notice that the federal mileage reimbursement rate changed to $0.70 per mile effective Jan. 1, 2025 (information item). Board members publicly thanked staff and community volunteers for meal distribution and campus cleanup during the emergency.
Ending: Business Services will submit Form J13A to the state; Facilities will continue cleanup and safety checks. The board did not record any change to instructional calendars beyond the closures that prompted the waiver filing.
