Central Unified board approves McKinley modernization architecture, expanded learning plan, bus purchase and other actions; audit shows no findings

The Central Unified School District Board of Trustees approved a series of operational and budget items on Jan. 27, including school modernization work, expanded learning program funding, a bus replacement, personnel actions reported from closed session and a process to fill a board vacancy.

Key actions

- McKinley Elementary modernization: The board approved architectural services by Darden Architecture for McKinley Elementary’s modernization project after trustees discussed scope and add‑alternate options (motion by Trustee Singh; second by Trustee Kerfan). Director Rodriguez and the architect said most classrooms and the administration building (except most portables) will be modernized and estimated the construction schedule at roughly 18 months.

- Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP): Doctor Lopez presented the three‑year ELOP plan, noting enrollment growth from 948 (2022–23) to roughly 3,813 students currently. The board approved the plan and budget (motion by Trustee Kurfon; second by Trustee Sidhu). The presentation included budget line items presented by staff (personnel salaries and benefits $2,000,000; contracted enrichment and services $2,000,000; program operational supplies $10,000,000; facilities/infrastructure ~$1,000,000; total grant figure presented as $17,000,647).

- FCSS MOU amendment: The board approved an amendment to the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools MOU to increase staffing support for expanded learning, an increase described in the presentation as $2,662,000 to accommodate the additional students.

- Bus replacement: Director Boff recommended replacing a 16‑year‑old bus at a cost of $223,643.24 using a piggyback purchase; the board approved the purchase (motion by Vice President Sellers; second by Trustee Sidhu). Staff explained the new 36‑passenger bus will remain diesel for operational range reasons and that the district remains compliant with state fleet requirements.

- Gifts and personnel reports: The board accepted a $10,000 donation from the Joseph Keith Burgess Foundation for Central High’s ASB fund and reported closed‑session personnel actions (certificated and classified personnel approvals and a unanimous rejection of claim GHC0092528).

- Student discipline and Williams complaint: The board approved an administrative recommendation on student discipline case 25‑26‑004 and approved the quarterly Williams Uniform Complaint report (no complaints this quarter).

- Board vacancy: The board voted to proceed with an appointment process to fill the vacancy created by Trustee Natalie Chavez’s resignation (effective 01/23/2026), adopting a proposed timeline for applications and interviews with a recommendation to have applications open through Feb. 27 and interviews on March 10; the board discussed cost tradeoffs between appointment and special election and approved proceeding with appointment.

- Independent audit: The district’s independent auditor reported no findings for the fiscal year ended 06/30/2025.

What happens next: Several of the information items (Herndon Barstow modernization, Scholar First strategic planning, and other ELOP vendor contracts) will return for action on the Feb. 10 agenda or under consent as presented; the ARIES renewal was tabled pending vendor responses.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the meeting): - Consent agenda items 1–7 and 9 — approved (unanimous). - McKinley Architecture (Darden Architecture) — approved (motion carried). - Student discipline case 25‑26‑004 — approved (unanimous). - Williams uniform complaint report — approved (unanimous). - Accept gift $10,000 (Joseph Keith Burgess Foundation) — approved (unanimous). - Table ARIES/Aeries renewal — approved to table (majority vote). - Approve ELOP 3‑year plan and budget — approved (unanimous). - Approve FCSS MOU amendment (+$2,662,000) — approved (unanimous). - Bus replacement $223,643.24 — approved (unanimous). - Proceed with appointment process for board vacancy — approved (unanimous).

All motions, vote outcomes and related speaker attributions in this article are drawn from the official meeting transcript and the board’s public roll calls.