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TUSD spotlights student success: TPSF grants, Visual Imagery CTE pathway and LCAP midyear gains
Summary
Board meeting included recognitions for TPSF leader Carol Burby Garrett, TPSF’s $234,612 in fundraising and grants, a detailed Visual Imagery CTE pathway presentation (articulation with Saddleback College) and a midyear LCAP report showing a 95.5% graduation rate and gains for students with disabilities.
The Tustin Unified School District board recognized community partners and student achievements and heard two district presentations on student programs and accountability data at its Feb. 25 meeting.
The board honored Carol Burby Garrett for 18 years leading the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, crediting her with helping grow foundation programs (summer academy, robotics support) and expanding the foundation’s budget. Kate Kirsten, president of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, reported the foundation has raised $234,612 to support district programs. Kirsten said TPSF allocated $28,000 to provide $1,000 library grants to each TUSD school, awarded more than $101,000 in 71 enrichment grants, and distributed roughly $84,000 in 28 principal grants.
The board’s “bright spots” segment featured the Visual Imagery Career Technical Education pathway. College and career coordinator Alita Ray described a multi‑course sequence offered at Beckman, Tustin and Foothill high schools that teaches photography, Adobe software and production skills, uses DSLR and iMac lab equipment, and is articulated with Saddleback College so qualified students may earn college credit. Ray also described partnerships with Coastline ROP and a new industry mentorship and internship program supported by eXp Opportunity Engine.
Students who participate in the pathway described hands‑on projects, portfolio development and real‑world client work. A student in the presentation said, “It’s made me more open to feedback because I’ve had to put kind of vulnerable work out for people to see.”
Dr. Villegas presented the 2024–25 midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan update, noting the district’s graduation rate remained at 95.5 percent and the graduation rate for students with disabilities rose from 79.5 percent to 85.6 percent. He also reported a 4.5‑point gain in the district’s collective student group for English language arts and a 7.2‑point gain in math on the California Dashboard. Villegas emphasized that these are midyear data and that some metrics are still in progress.
The meeting also included student reports from Beckman, Foothill, Hillview, Legacy Magnet Academy and Tustin High highlighting robotics championships, performing‑arts events and community service projects.
