Clovis Unified Board approves consent agenda, sets easement hearing and opens bargaining talks with ASL interpreters

Clovis Unified School District’s Governing Board met Oct. 23 and unanimously approved a multi-item consent agenda and several routine action items, including a resolution to convey an easement to the Fresno Irrigation District and a sunshine proposal for collective bargaining with ACE ASL Interpreters.

The board convened in closed session at 5:01 p.m. for legal and personnel matters and returned to public session at 6:30 p.m. President Hugh Awtrey presided and Student Board Representative Miranda Renteria led the Pledge of Allegiance. Superintendent Corrine Folmer delivered the superintendent’s report, and Renteria gave the student representative report; open-session summaries did not list further specifics for those reports.

Why it matters: The board’s unanimous approvals advance routine district business and move several items into the public-notice or bargaining process. The easement resolution identifies a parcel (APN 550-020-47T) and directs staff to set a public hearing; the sunshine action formally opens negotiations with ACE ASL Interpreters, making the district’s initial proposals public under labor rules.

The consent agenda approved routine items spanning conference requests, fundraisers, student trips, community recreation programming, meeting minutes, the ratification of purchase orders and contracts, change orders and a notice of completion, the Annual Concurrent Public Higher Education Program for the first semester of 2024–25, and the Williams Settlement Complaint Summary Report for the first quarter of the 2024–25 school year. Each consent motion was moved by Board Member Deena Combs‑Flores, seconded by Vice President Yolanda Moore, and carried 7–0.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (conference requests; fundraisers; student trips; voluntary community recreation program; Oct. 9, 2024 minutes; purchase orders/contracts/check register; change orders; notice of completion; Annual Concurrent Public Higher Education Program; Williams Settlement report): Moved by Deena Combs‑Flores; seconded by Yolanda Moore. Passed 7–0. • Recognition of 2021 and 2022 federal Juneteenth holidays: Moved by Steven Fogg; seconded by Clinton Olivier. Passed 7–0. • Provisional internship permit: Moved by Steven Fogg; seconded by Clinton Olivier. Passed 7–0. • Resolution No. 4019 — declare intention to convey easement to Fresno Irrigation District (APN 550‑020‑47T) and set public hearing: Moved by Steven Fogg; seconded by Clinton Olivier. Passed 7–0. • Public hearing and sunshine proposal for collective bargaining between Clovis Unified School District and ACE ASL Interpreters: Moved by Steven Fogg; seconded by Clinton Olivier. Passed 7–0.

Board members also received informational reports on facilities matters slated for future action, including construction costs for Increment Five of the Terry P. Bradley Educational Center; a planned appointment of an architect for portable and shade structure projects; Resolution No. 4017 regarding acquisition of easements and rights-of-way for the Bradley Education Center; and an award of bid for construction. The open-session transcript did not specify dollar amounts, vendors, or the timing of the public hearing for Resolution No. 4019.

Board Member Deena Combs‑Flores reported on the Fresno County Trustees Association meeting, noting a Career Technical Education program showcase at Reedley High School. President Awtrey adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

What’s next: The easement item (Resolution No. 4019) will proceed to a public hearing as set by the board; the sunshine action places bargaining proposals for ACE ASL Interpreters into the public record and begins the formal labor process. Other informational items will return to the board for later action as staff brings costs and bid details forward.