Superintendent warns of aging HVAC units; highlights test-score growth and CTE 'Passport to Success' plan
Summary
Superintendent reported that several HVAC units installed in 2006–2008 need replacement and said she will use fund balance to pay initial costs while staff seeks contractor quotes; presenters also detailed improvements in growth metrics and outlined a CTE 'Passport to Success' plan with parent meetings.
The Humboldt City School Board received a facilities and academic update from district administrators, who described urgent HVAC repairs at several campuses and detailed how recent student-growth results contributed to an improved state report-card profile.
Superintendent (recorded as Speaker 4) said contractor assessments show about 10 HVAC units were installed across district campuses in 2006–2008 and that "we really have 6 that need to be replaced," though the district plans to replace five units immediately and leave the band-room system as configured, pending quotes. She described short-term repair and replacement cost estimates: "To fix it, patch it, it's like $4,200. But to get a new 1, it's like somewhere between 6 and 6,500." The superintendent said she will initially take money from fund balance to pay for replacement work and will seek to recoup costs later from savings; board members asked staff to obtain firm quotes before finalizing any transfer.
Administrators emphasized that safety and uninterrupted instruction are priorities. A board member asked how many funds would be required; one speaker discussed a figure "33,000" in the conversation, and another referenced the district fund balance as "close to 30,000,000"—both figures were spoken in the meeting but were not clarified or adopted as formal budget actions during the session.
The meeting also included a detailed explanation of the state accountability 'wheel.' Data presenter Jozelle walked the board through how the state composes letter grades: achievement comprises 50 percent of the grade, growth 40 percent and an index for the lowest-performing 25 percent is part of the calculation. Administrators said growth gains were a major driver of the district’s movement "from an F to almost a C," and credited targeted teacher professional development and attention to the lowest-performing students.
Career and technical education (CTE) leaders described a new "Passport to Success" effort. Miss Rutherford, introduced as CTE director, said staff will meet individually with parents of ninth graders starting next week and with parents of eighth graders in January to finalize students' high-school-and-beyond plans. Presenters explained that students who complete CTE sequences and earn credentials count as "completers" for state funding purposes, and completion rates directly affect the district's TISA CTE funding.
Administrators ended by inviting board members and the public to visit campuses and teacher and student professional development events and said the district submitted a required December threat assessment to the state with a minimal threat rating. Staff will return with contractor quotes and any requested budget details at a future meeting.
