Board Briefs and Updates, Dec 15
December 15, 2023
Dear FCUSD Community,
Please read below for a recap of last night’s Board Meeting plus District updates, celebrating student and parent learning and important upcoming dates.
Board officers elected for 2024
Trustees nominated and voted fellow members for 2024 officer positions. The officers for 2024 are as follows:
- President of the Board: Tim Hooey
- Vice President of the Board: Jennifer Laret
- Clerk of the Board: David Reid
- Representative to the Sacramento County Office of Education Reorganization Committee: Kara Lofthouse
Other Board business included a Board selection of District committee participation and a review of governance and leadership roles and responsibilities outlined in the FCUSD Governance Handbook.
Negotiation agreements of salary and financial compensation presented
In recognition of the valuable and essential work done by our employees, the Board approved an increase to financial compensation negotiated by each of the three labor groups; Folsom Cordova Education Association (FCEA), California School Employee Association (CSEA), and Folsom Cordova Leadership Association (FCLA).
All staff are receiving a 4% increase in compensation retroactive to July 1, 2023, applied to the 2023-24 salary schedule and ongoing. Next school year, 2024-2025, all staff will receive a 2% increase to the salary schedule and ongoing.
Additionally, all staff will receive one-time bonuses:
- Certificated staff will receive a 2.5% one-time bonus
- Classified staff will receive a one-time bonus following these parameters:
- Unit members who earn $40,000 or greater annually will receive a 2.5% off-schedule, one-time bonus.
- Unit members who are contracted to work 4 hours per day (.5 FTE) or more and earn less than $40,000 annually will receive a one-time bonus of $1,000.
- Unit members who are contracted to work for less than 4 hours per day (.5 FTE) and earn less than $40,000 annually will receive a one-time bonus of $500.
All Staff will receive the retroactive payment check & one-time bonuses in late February.
Financial reports presented
Staff presented and Board approved the First Interim Financial Report for 2023-24 and the Staffing Ratios, Supplemental Funding Allocation to Sites Presentation, and Budget Guidelines for 2024-25
- Click here to see the First Interim Budget Presentation
- Click here to see the District Site Staffing Ratios, Supplemental Funding Allocation to Sites Presentation, and Budget Guidelines for 2024-2025
School boundary modifications 2024-25 school year: Priority (legacy) school choice policy
As the District continues to grow and as the newest school, Alder Creek Elementary will open next school year, it was imperative to redraw attendance boundaries to balance enrollment.
All families affected by boundary changes have been notified and were invited to participate in an information night and survey to gather their feedback. Families affected by this recent boundary change who wish to remain at their current school which is not in their assigned attendance area may follow the application process outlined in the Priority Choice Provisions for legacy students. For specific questions, please contact your school site front office.
Update on mobile communication devices policy implementation
FCUSD Board Policy 5131.8: Mobile Communication Devices states that students in grades TK–8 may not use mobile devices once they have entered campus for the instructional day.
Principals from Folsom Middle School, Sutter Middle School, Mitchell Middle School, Mills Middle School, and Kinney High School (who chose to adopt a no cell phone policy on campus) presented the results of the implementation of this policy which has been very favorable.
Highlights of results include:
- Fewer reports of social media bullying
- Students not texting to meet up during class time
- Fewer referrals from class due to cell phone or Yondr bag issues
- Students appear to be more engaged in lunch activities
Updates
In the Loop with the Supt! featuring Folsom Middle School
Join Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian for an exclusive look inside the innovative and creative classrooms of Folsom Middle School in the December ‘23 Edition of, “In the Loop with the Supt!"
Experience the magic of inclusive learning through the Exploratory Buddy Program, where students with special needs creatively collaborate with their peers in general education. Delve into the fusion of creativity and technology in robotics and media production. Get a glimpse of students participating in Speech and Debate elective courses. Plus, discover how educators are learning from each other to uncover the best teaching methods for every student's success.
Click HERE to watch "In the Loop with the Supt!" at Folsom Middle School
FCUSD Empowers Families with Parent Engagement Program
Eighty-two (82) parents from Cordova Meadows, Cordova Villa, White Rock, and Williamson elementary schools, were honored for completing a 9-week learning series, a joint effort with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), that empowers parents with strategies for supporting home learning, accessing community resources, boosting their child’s self-esteem, advocating for their children, and acquiring digital literacy skills. The learning series was conducted in Spanish to meet the needs of our Spanish language families and was funded through FCUSD’s LCAP plan. Parents were recruited and supported in the program by the FCUSD Community School leads at each site. Check out pictures HERE!
Next year, the PIQE program will be offered to middle and high school parents in Rancho Cordova.
Winter break
- All schools will be closed from December 18 - January 1
- The District office will be closed to the public from December 25 – 29, and January 1
Upcoming Board Meetings
- January 8 - Special Board Study Session: SFID 3 - continued facilities discussion on SFID #3
- January 18 - Regular Board Meeting
- January 20 - Special Board Meeting: annual Board self-evaluation
- January 29 - Special Joint Meeting with FCUSD, Folsom City Council, Rancho Cordova City Council: Presentation of the Feasibility Study on District Reorganization
- February 1 - Regular Board Meeting
NOTE: Details, meeting times and information for participating may be found on our website: www.fcusd.org/boardmeeting
***Agendas for Special Board Meetings will be posted on our website no later than 24 hours before the meeting***
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!