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Gilroy Unified honors 28 top-scoring students; board elects president and vice president for next year
Summary
Gilroy Unified recognized 28 students who earned highest CAASPP/CAST scores and then completed its annual reorganization: trustees re-elected President Fayek and chose Michelle Nelson as vice president after nominations and discussion about continuity and leadership.
The Gilroy Unified Board of Education opened its December meeting by recognizing 28 students districtwide who earned the highest possible scores on California’s CAASPP and CAST assessments during the 2024–25 school year. Superintendent (speaker 5) said the honors span elementary and middle schools and invited principals to call students forward and receive certificates.
Principal Rafat (speaker 7) read the names for Las Animas, while principals at Luigi Preah, Rod Kelly, Rucker, Brownell, Solorzano and South Valley schools each presented students’ names and the subject areas for which they scored highest. Ivory Grama (assistant principal, speaker 11) and Anthony Fucella (assistant principal, speaker 12) also introduced honorees during the recognitions. “We are so proud of each of the students that we are going to honor this evening,” the superintendent said.
Following recognitions, the board moved into its annual organizational items. On the motion to continue the incumbent as board president, trustees spoke in support of continuity and leadership—citing recent work on the district’s strategic plan—and the motion carried. For vice president, Trustee Pacino (speaker 3) nominated Michelle Nelson; Trustee Moreno was also nominated but later withdrew. After discussion and a roll call-style process, the board elected Michelle Nelson as vice president (trustees recorded votes during the meeting). The board then appointed Dr. Munshi as board secretary by consensus.
The organizational votes were procedural and aimed to preserve leadership continuity as the board moves into adopting a strategic visioning framework. The meeting then proceeded to scheduled reports and action items.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026, with closed session at 5:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. open session.
