Board hears Williams monitoring results and professional-development plans; facilities ratings improve

Amy Espinosa, presenting the Williams monitoring report, told the Martinez Unified School District Board on Oct. 14 that Martinez Junior High’s facilities ranking rose by 6 percent on the most recent visit and that one previously low-scored area (restrooms) improved to a "good" rating after work orders and custodial efforts.

"Good is the highest ranking," Espinosa said, adding that instructional materials and the school’s SARC were in compliance during the textbook visit and that county reviewers praised the principal’s preparedness and campus condition. Espinosa said the Williams visit is primarily a visual checklist that documents observable items such as broken tiles, light bulbs and window shades and that the district completes internal inspections and work orders to address findings.

Espinosa also presented the district professional development plan: focus areas include early-grade literacy (TK–3), math emphasis for grades 4–9, universal design for learning and multi-tiered systems of support. She said August and October PD days included a keynote and site-led sessions, and that staff received a four-hour standard response protocol safety training.

Board members asked for clarification on what the Williams electrical rating covers; Espinosa explained it covers visual electrical observations (lighting, fixtures) rather than intrusive testing, and noted the district conducts additional internal facility checks to generate work orders.

Trustees praised staff and volunteers for recent PD and community events and asked staff to follow up on specific bond and facilities accounting questions during implementation planning.