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Teachers and after-school program leaders highlight student projects and college access as union flags safety, class-size priorities
Summary
A fifth-grade teacher and district program staff described student mission projects, virtual observatory trips and full enrollment at an after-school program; the Weaver Teachers Association urged attention to safety, class size and existing grievance history during the same meeting.
At the Weaver Union School District meeting, program staff and a classroom teacher described hands-on mission projects and virtual field trips that have engaged students, and the district reported a full roster at one after-school site while the teachers' union emphasized safety and staffing concerns.
Peter Vitiamsa, a fifth-grade teacher from Higher Talent High School, told the board that fourth-grade mission projects and a virtual Griffith Observatory experience allowed students to present models, participate in rotating question-and-answer sessions, and engage via typed chat during live observatory sessions. "My name is Peter Vitiamsa. I'm from Higher Talent High School. I'm a fifth grade teacher," he said in public comment, describing classroom activities and student interaction.
District staff and site presenters summarized work under an IYT partnership launched in March 2021 designed to increase college attendance among young men of color. The staff member reported that one site is operating at 100% capacity (50 of 50 students) with a waiting list of roughly 13 students and that recent college tours have included UC Davis and UC Merced.
During the Local Control Accountability Plan midyear review, staff explained changes to the LCAP presentation and noted a $100,000 midyear budget increase to purchase sixth-grade Chromebooks; staff said this adjustment will change a reported $3.74 figure to $4.74 once the purchase is made. The board and staff also discussed ongoing bus-driver shortages and the possibility of temporary contracting to maintain routes.
Theresa Drew, identified in the record as president of the Weaver Teachers Association, summarized a January survey of paid staff that ranked safety as the top concern, followed by class size and benefits. She also raised a history of grievance and arbitration over a reassignments/sunshine article, noting prior arbitration outcomes and a recent court filing. "Amazingly enough, our number 1 article that came up this year was safety," she said.
District staff reported operational items including a quoted estimate of about $77,000 to repair a bus damaged by fire; the staff member said the damage would be covered. Board members asked for data on program outcomes and requested that staff provide a report with percentages showing students who have successfully transitioned from middle to high school and onward to college, which staff said will be shared when available.
What happens next: Staff will continue to track program transition data and provide requested reports; union concerns flagged in public comment will remain part of negotiation and board oversight discussions at upcoming meetings.
