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Ventura Unified board approves multiple policy updates, Aeries contract and emergency repairs in unanimous votes
Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting the Ventura Unified School District board unanimously approved several policy revisions, authorized a student information system contract with Aeries, accepted a construction notice of completion and adopted an emergency resolution to address wildfire-related repairs. The board also advanced several contracts and the consent calendar.
The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 19 to approve a set of board policy revisions, authorize a contract for the Aeries student information system and adopt an emergency resolution to expedite campus repairs after recent wildfire smoke. Trustees also approved a notice of completion for a completed restroom replacement contract and passed the consent calendar.
Board members first approved updates to policies covering Educational Services, Human Resources and Business Services after discussing operational details such as a district practice allowing students to purchase a second meal when timing creates hunger and the interplay between state Department of Transportation rules and nondiscrimination language concerning employees’ off-duty cannabis use. Trustees moved to approve the set of policies minus one item for further review; the motion carried, 5–0.
The board then considered Resolution 24-20 to enter a contract with Aeries (the district’s student information system). IT staff described data migration, mobile-app considerations and vendor experience; trustees asked about pilot testing and parent usability. The board approved the resolution and authorized staff to contract with Aeries, 5–0.
Trustees also accepted a notice of completion for the EP Foster modular restroom replacement project (contract awarded to Ardin Construction for $784,900) and unanimously adopted Resolution 24-21, a declaration of emergency that allows the district to bypass bidding requirements and contract immediately for districtwide smoke, fire and wind-damage remediation to restore healthy campus conditions after the Mountain Fire.
Finally the board approved a slate of contracts exceeding $25,000 and moved the consent calendar items (16 A1–16 E1) without objection. Several conference items and extended discussions were deferred to a special board meeting later in the week.
Next steps: Several of the discussed items will return to the board for additional review (including one policy removed from final approval). Separately, the board agreed to bring a conference presentation on the De Anza/IDE Academy concerns and a proposed student resolution on single-use plastics to a future agenda.
Votes at a glance (recorded on the meeting record): - Agenda approval and motions to enter closed session: 5–0 - Policy approvals (Action 1A, minus BP 5126): 5–0 - Aeries contract resolution (Resolution 24-20): 5–0 - Notice of completion (EP Foster restroom replacement): 5–0 - Emergency repair resolution (Resolution 24-21): 5–0 - Consent calendar (16 A1–16 E1): 5–0
The board adjourned after moving remaining conference items to a special meeting later in the week.
