Los Alamitos board adopts agenda 5-0; McAuliffe students showcase ASB programs and volunteer honored
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Summary
The Los Alamitos Unified School District board approved the meeting agenda 5-0 and heard a McAuliffe Middle School presentation from Principal Eddie Quartermarsh and ASB leaders highlighting student committees, new programs, Prop 28 and donor-funded technology upgrades, and a Hero of the Heart award for PTA volunteer Ruth Ann Kirchen.
The Los Alamitos Unified School District Board of Education approved the evening's agenda by a 5-0 voice vote and then heard a presentation from McAuliffe Middle School staff and ASB student leaders about recent campus programs, fundraising and community engagement.
ASB representatives Cole Harris and Emmy Kim described the student-run Spirit, Multimedia, Culture/Inclusion/Awareness (CIA), Development, Recognition and Dance committees and highlighted recent activities — weekly dress-up and lunch activities, holiday events, a Pink Store fundraiser that raised more than $300 in a single day, and multimedia work that produces Monday morning videos and the student news site "Bird Watch." "We are McAuliffe's ASB representatives," Cole Harris said, introducing the report.
Principal Eddie Quartermarsh outlined instructional and extracurricular priorities, including a new SOAR elective taught by district teacher of the year Lori Avalos, a pilot supplemental math curriculum planned for next semester, and a first-ever sixth-grade trip to the Long Beach Aquarium scheduled for January. Quartermarsh said the school has added eight new teachers this year and named Wendy Hearn as an intervention TOSA supporting tiered interventions.
Quartermarsh also described recent investments and donations. He said McAuliffe used "over $50,000" of Proposition 28 funds to upgrade audio/visual capabilities and that community donors contributed "over $23,000" for media backdrops, virtual-reality headsets and interactive lab equipment. Quartermarsh said the district's new phone policy is "working," reporting a 50% decrease in phone-related disciplinary consequences since its implementation.
Board members and district leaders offered praise after the presentation. President Davidson, noting it was her final night serving as board president, thanked the McAuliffe community for the student performance and the reports on student leadership and academic supports. Board member Mister Bridal and others emphasized the value of the sixth-grade transition and ASB's role in creating an inclusive school culture.
During the program, Quartermarsh recognized McAuliffe parent and PTA volunteer Ruth Ann Kirchen as the school's "Hero of the Heart." Board members and Quartermarsh cited her fundraising and PTA leadership, saying she helped raise more than $50,000 across campus efforts and served as a resource for other PTA leaders. Kirchen accepted the recognition and thanked staff, volunteers and her family for their support.
The board paused for photos after the presentation and then gavelled back into the meeting to note there were no public speakers; it moved into a closed session and planned to return at 6:00 p.m.
Votes and formal actions: The meeting record shows the formal motion to adopt the agenda carried 5-0. No other formal votes were recorded in the public portion of the transcript.
