Votes at a glance: Central Unified Board, Jan. 14, 2025 meeting

This article lists key formal motions, outcomes and next steps recorded during the Central Unified Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 14, 2025. It is a concise reference for the actions the board took and staff follow‑ups the board requested.

Key votes and outcomes

- Adopt agenda: Motion carried (6‑0 as recorded early in meeting); agenda adopted with items M6 and M7 pulled from consent for discussion. (mover: Trustee Kerfon; second: Trustee Sellers)

- Consent agenda (items 1–5 and 8–10, excluding M6 and M7): Approved (7‑0). The board highlighted resolution declarations (Lunar New Year, Black History Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day) included in consent.

- Item M6 — Approve new secondary courses (ethnic studies, personal finance, etc.): Approved 7‑0. (mover: Trustee Carrillo; second: Trustee Kirk). See main article on ethnic studies for detail; staff to return with finalized curriculum and community/student feedback.

- Item M7 — Project Self / Stealth mentoring contract (Pershing High): Tabled to January 28, 2025 (motion to table passed 7‑0). Board requested measurable outcomes, expected caseload and accountability details before action.

- Accept gifts to district (donations reported in agenda): Approved (motion carried 7‑0 when presented).

- Adopt resolution — Board & Superintendent commitment to ensure safe learning for all (resolution number as recorded in packet/meeting): Adopted 7‑0. The resolution directs superintendent to ensure translations of materials and staff training and to inform families of rights.

- Out‑of‑state travel for teacher to National Art Education Association conference: Approved (vote recorded 7‑0).

- Adopt revised board policies (5113 and 5147) on make up work for absences: Approved (7‑0).

- McKinley/Blythe Complete Streets easements to City of Fresno: Board held public hearing and adopted resolution approving conveyance of easements (7‑0). City to proceed with project after recording easements.

- Renewal of garbage and recycling services with Mid Valley Disposal: Approved (motion carried 6‑1; Trustee Kerfon recorded as voting nay in the transcript at that point). (note: transcript shows one recorded nay)

- Emerge staffing contract expansion (additional not‑to‑exceed $350,000 from Learning Recovery Educational Block Grant): Approved (7‑0).

- Adopt resolution 2425‑32 certifying the November 5, 2024 general obligation bond election results and designate the citizen oversight committee: Approved (7‑0). Board directed staff to review oversight membership terms.

- Resolution to submit waiver request to the State Board of Education (seeking higher bond capacity than the standard 2.5%): Adopted (6‑1; recorded nay by Trustee Sellers). Board discussion confirmed no increase in tax rate is proposed and staff explained the waiver is intended to allow the district to access the $109 million the measure described. State approval of waiver is required.

- Extend meeting past 10:30 p.m.: Approved (7‑0).

Follow‑up directions requested by trustees

- For new course approvals: staff to finalize curriculum, collect and report student and community feedback, and present teacher PD and credentialing plan before schedules are finalized. - For the Project Self mentoring contract: vendor and staff to provide mentor qualifications, projected student caseloads and measurable outcomes and an invoicing/accountability plan by Jan. 28. - For the bond oversight committee: staff to provide oversight committee term lengths and open positions for board review.

If you need a copy of the full roll call for any item, contact the district clerk’s office. This summary captures the formal motions, tallies and the follow‑up items trustees requested during the meeting.