Board Meeting Highlights: October 23, 2024 (Regular)

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7.1 Superintendent Report

Superintendent Erik Burmeister shared the following:

This fall, 101 seniors representing each of Fremont’s five comprehensive high schools were named 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists! For the fourth year in a row, the City of Fremont is in the top three California cities in terms of total semifinalists. I am incredibly impressed by the achievement of Fremont Unified students, and this is just one of many indicators that the instruction and support each of our students receives at each of our schools is outstanding.

Thank you to everyone who joined our Balanced Budget Input Sessions last week to learn more and provide input as the District considers budget reduction options for the 2025-26 school year. I appreciate the students, staff, Board Trustees, and community members who attended one or more sessions, with a special shout out to SURFBoardE for hosting a Student Forum and to a Parkmont student who attended a session and presented his priorities to attendees! I also want to thank everyone who is adding their voice to this process through the Budget Input Portal, which is open through October 31 to collect initial feedback from our community. Please find current information, a timeline for input and decisions, answers to frequently asked questions, and a recording and the slides from last week’s sessions at fremontunified.org/balancedbudget. While the Budget Input Portal will close on October 31, I fully expect the Board will request a second round of input following the November 20 introduction of initial budget reductions, please stay tuned.

Fremont Unified is considering changes to the grades 6-12 math pathways for the 2025-26 school year. Math pathways support student access to appropriate and enriching math courses that meet graduation requirements and students' learning goals. Through November 14, Fremont Unified is collecting responses about the proposed changes via our Math Pathways Community Feedback Form. The feedback will be shared with the Board of Education and discussed at the November 20 Board meeting.

The Fremont Education Foundation (FEF) is hosting its Run 4 Education on Sunday, November 3 at Quarry Lakes in Fremont. Fremont Unified elementary schools receive funds based on registrations, and proceeds support FEF’s mission to enhance educational excellence for all students and teachers in Fremont Unified!

This is the final meeting for two members of the Superintendent’s team: Associate Superintendent Daniel Hillman and Public Information Officer. Daniel Hillman is leaving the District to take a similar position closer to home, his final day is October 31. Laura Forrest is moving to a teaching position at Centerville Middle School as of October 28. The Associate Superintendent role will be split between two current directors: Director of Accounting Services Robert Pascual, and Director of Maintenance, Operations & Grounds Tom Ekman. The PIO position is open for an interim appointment and closes tomorrow.

I am proud and excited to share that the California School Boards Association has named Fremont Unified’s Climate Literacy and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) a 2024 Golden Bell Award Winner! The Golden Bell Award promotes excellence in education and school board governance throughout California, and was awarded to CLEAN in the Climate Change Innovation category in recognition of its outstanding work to coordinate the implementation of student-initiated Board resolutions on climate matters. Since CLEAN was founded in October 2021, Fremont Unified has expanded and strengthened its environmental leadership and partnerships, increased waste reduction efforts, and launched TK-12 climate literacy and environmental education that informs, educates, and empowers students. This work is a collaborative effort amongst many District departments, with coordination through CLEAN to align efforts.

Some of the leaders in this work are here this evening to be recognized for this honor.  These individuals are stand-ins for the hundreds of employees around the district engaged in making FUSD greener and cleaner.

• Instructional Coach Nate Ivy, Curriculum & Instruction Department
• PIO Laura Forrest, Superintendent's Office
• Grounds Supervisor Jeremy Schneider, Operations and Grounds
• Director Johannes Van Der Pool, Child Nutrition Services
• Recycling Coordinator Stephanie Willits, Business Services
• Director Ernest Epley, Transportation Department

7.2 Student Member Report

Student Member Anika Jain, in the stead of Sriya Neti, noted that schools are preparing for homecoming dances.

13.1 Brier Elementary School Showcase

Principal Tammy Pachote, two students, and the school’s FTC President presented the Brier School Spotlight, highlighting the school's accomplishments, areas of focus, unique characteristics, student perspective, and parent/guardian and community perspective.

At Board meetings during the school year, one school will present to the Board a brief presentation highlighting the school's accomplishments, areas of focus, unique characteristics, student perspective, and parent/guardian and community perspective.

16.1 October Budget Update

Director of Budget James Arcala presented the October Board Budget Update.

The budget naturally fluctuates throughout the year especially between Adopted Budget and First Interim. The zero based budgeting process for Adopted Budget starts in April of the prior fiscal year and is based on state and district information and projections we have at a moment in time. After the budget is adopted by the board in June, various milestones occur including the state approved budget in July, Unaudited Actuals, carryover for grant funding, the opening of school, hiring during the summer and fall, negotiations, actual enrollment, etc. All of these factors impact the budget and provide a clearer picture of our fiscal status at First Interim.

The October budget is showing an increase of enrollment compared to projections, revenue adjustments, vacancy savings due to the slowing down of hiring after September, and a tentative agreement between one of our bargaining units. These factors provide a preliminary picture of First Interim. Please note, our First Interim presentation in December will be based on all transactions between July 1 - October 31 so the upcoming interim report will have changes.

This was an informational item, no action was taken.

16.2 Consider Reprioritization of American HS and Irvington HS Pools

Director of Facilities & Construction Adam Lint presented the Pool Reprioritization Presentation.

The Fremont Unified School District’s current Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP or Plan) was adopted by the Board of Education on August 28, 2024. The Plan identified approximately $2.6 billion in facility projects. The Prioritized Project List (Appendix C of the Long-Range Facilities Plan) was approved by the Board on June 26, 2024, and outlines the priority projects within that $2.6 billion in identified needs.

On September 25, 2024, the Board requested that the American HS and Irvington HS pools be brought before the Facilities Advisory Committee and Board for consideration.

On October 1, 2024, the Facilities Advisory Committee reviewed and provided meaningful feedback on the educational specifications presented.

On October 9, 2024, the Board adopted the educational specifications for lunch/shade structures and requested that the American High School and Irvington High School Pools be brought for reprioritization.

On October 15, 2024, the Facilities Advisory Committee held a special meeting to reconsider reprioritizing the American HS and Irvington HS Pool to above the line.

The Board was asked to consider reprioritization of American HS and Irvington HS pools in the Prioritized Project List in the Long Range Facilities Plan.

The Board voted by 4 to 1 (nay from Trustee Jones) to reprioritize both American HS and Irvington HS above the line on the Long Range Facilities Plan from Measure M funds.

16.3 Approve New Course Proposals for Middle School and High School

Secondary schools annually submit requests for new courses of study to be added to the course catalog. The courses being brought forward will meet the needs of the following sites: Centerville Middle School, Horner Middle School, Hopkins Middle School, American High School, Irvington High School, Kennedy High School, Mission San Jose High School, Robertson High School. The courses have been approved by all necessary parties. Secondary Education will ensure that all schools within FUSD are aware that they may offer these courses going forward.

The following new courses will be offered as listed:

• Food, Nutrition and You: Centerville Middle School
• Hindi 2: Horner Middle School and Irvington High School
• Mural Painting: Horner Middle School
• Art and Design: Hopkins Middle School
• Gaming Concepts: Broadcast Journalism Through Streaming & Shoutcasting: American High School
• ASL 4: Kennedy High School
• AP Seminar: Mission High School
• Calculus 101A: Mission High School
• Calculus 101B: Mission High School
• Choir 3 Honors: Mission High School
• Choir 3 Honors: Mission High School
• Advanced Band 2 Honors: Mission High School
• Advanced Band 3 Honors: Mission High School
• Orchestra 3 Honors: Mission High School
• Orchestra 4 Honors: Mission High School
• English Composition: Robertson High School

Click here to view Course of Study documents for details.

The Board unanimously approved the new course proposals for middle and high schools.

16.5 Tentative Agreements between Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) and California School Employees Association (CSEA)

A public hearing was held on January 17, 2024, to present sunshine proposals from FUSD and CSEA on article re-openers.  The CSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement as well as Government Code 10.7 sections 3540-3549, provide FUSD and CSEA to submit re-openers for contract bargaining.

FUSD and CSEA reached tentative agreements that include:

• Article 4: Leaves: Update language to include bereavement leave for pregnancy loss.
• Article 5: Vacations: The supervisor and unit member shall find a mutually agreeable time for the unit member to take their earned vacation.
• Article 7: Evaluations: Probationary members who complete an initial probationary period not to exceed six months or 130 days in paid status, whichever is longer shall be deemed permanent in the classified service.
• Article 9: Salary: One-time off schedule payment equal to three and a half (3.5%) percent of the unit members base salary, excluding overtime, stipends, and any extra pay, effective July 1, 2024, for employees employed as of July 1, 2024.
• Article 10: Fringe Benefits: The District shall pay the full cost of the unit member's dental premium at the higher single plan rate, prorated for full-time employment status.
• Article 12: Transfers: A bargaining unit member may transfer up to two (2) times per school year. A bargaining unit member on a performance improvement plan is precluded from transferring.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): FUSD and CSEA reached an agreement to align clerical staff at the expanded middle school campuses.
• School Attendance Clerk Job Description : FUSD and CSEA reached an agreement to revise the existing School Attendance Clerk job description.  The last revision was February 2003.

The Board unanimously approved the tentative agreements between FUSD and CSEA.