Fullerton School District: June 11 and 18 Board Meetings

Safety Report

Deputy Superintendent of Human Services Dr. Chad Hammett presented a facilities and technology safety update. Dr. Hammett said almost all FSD schools have complete fencing, which creates a single entry point for visitors during the school day. Inner door locking mechanisms received annual updates, and a voice-over-internet call service and emergency satellite phone access connect schools with emergency responders and the district office. The district increased the number and types of school site emergency drills, including a parent reunification drill. Mari Montgomery, Director of Risk Management and Safety, developed communication plans and drills between FSD, emergency responders, and FJUHSD in emergency response actions. The two districts and emergency responders conducted an emergency drill last March on a nonstudent attendance day.
Joshua Holmes, Director of Networking, Information, and Data, installed a districtwide 2-factor authentication system for ransomware attack prevention. He cites 80% of the staff using it, saying he will train the last holdouts this summer. Jeremy Davis, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Instructional Services, explained that ransomware attacks are twofold because attackers can erase a system’s data or change data and ruin a system’s authenticity. The district would not share the protective systems they use to protect system integrity. However, they mentioned they focus on supplying encrypted system entry and solid closed system data backup records in case of attack. The elementary district runs “penetration” drills to test their protection against attacks. The high school district experienced a ransomware attack in November 2023, but they have not shared any information on technology safety in public meetings since the attack.

Districtwide Cell Phone Use Policy Enforcement

The trustees discussed an updated policy concerning student cell phone usage. The proposed policy encompasses personal devices, including cell phones, watches, smart glasses, and game devices. The trustees’ goal was districtwide consistency, compliance, and expanded parent policy awareness.
Trustees agreed that daily student personal device usage causes academic distractions, added new research on brain development and social media, and instances of recent student bullying behavior have led them to request a policy requiring personal devices to be turned off for most of the school day. The updated policy needs easy accessibility, takes enforcement responsibility off individual teachers, and allows principals some flexibility. Parents can connect with students by email, and medical exceptions for personal device use will be respected. The ed code states that students have access to their devices during the school day in case of school emergencies, but now, family emergencies are channeled through parents calling the school front office.
Turning off personal devices during the school day lowers distractions from notifications, text messages, and internet temptation, allowing students to focus on learning and socially interact with one another face to face. Current schools enacting these rules, like Anaheim Union High School District, find teachers and students report greater academic focus and fewer classroom management issues. The trustees plan to vote on the new policy on July 30.

2024/25 LCAP and Budget

In addition to numerous programs and services, the FSD 2024/25 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) addresses the chronic absenteeism issue that affects 13 out of 20 district schools. Chronic absenteeism is when a student is absent from class 10% or 18 times during a school year. The LCAP outlines options the district is implementing, addressing why some families are keeping school-age children home and what services, incentives, or repercussions are necessary to get children back to the classrooms. Solutions include parent education about the importance of daily school attendance, attendance recovery and tutoring, and home visits with social services support.
The LCAP aligns with the elementary district’s projected $188 million income from state, federal, and local revenue, including a 1.07% cost of living increase (down from 3.75%), and is $1.6 million short of the projected $189 million of district expenditures. The deficit is due to the state education funding fluctuations this year, previously contracted teacher and staff compensations, and rising costs. The difference is covered by the district’s healthy $22 million reserve.
The trustees passed the LCAP and budget 5-0.

FSD Facilities Bond

Trustees approved registering for a facilities bond to be placed on the November 2024 election ballot. Voters will consider approving a $30/per $100,000 assessment of all residential property in the FSD area. The last elementary school facilities bond passed in 2002 and will be completely paid off before this bond takes effect if it is approved, so taxpayers will pay off one FSD bond at a time. The projected $262 million bond will be used to update old buildings, replace bungalows with permanent buildings, update infrastructure like updating HVAC and electrical systems, and safely remove asbestos and replace lead pipes throughout the district, making the environment safe while teaching children in a modern STEAM friendly environment with updated labs and academic settings.
The next regular FSD board meeting is July 30.

Fullerton High School District

June 11 and 18 Board Meetings

Graduation Celebration

At the June 4 FJUHSD board meeting, trustees celebrated districtwide graduation ceremonies including 174 La Vista and La Sierra High School graduates. This is the largest single year number of graduates from the continuation and alternative high schools’ programs.

Superintendent Update

Superintendent Dr. Steve McLaughlin mentioned ongoing summer school sessions for student enrichment and intervention. The district’s summer bridge programs are expanding to support 9th graders in English and math. Additionally, he announced the retirement of Director of Education Steve Zamora at the end of July.
Mr. Zamora led the teams writing the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and will mentor the new Director of Education, Dr. Josh Porter, this summer. Dr. Porter graduated from La Habra High School, taught math, science, and social science, and was recently the Principal of Brea Olinda High School.

LCAP and Budget

Mr. Zamora presented the FJUHSD 2024/25 LCAP, which outlines district goals for student programs and support services aligned with the budget. The programs include work-based learning opportunities and resources for English learners. The district expanded college credit access programs, offering dual enrollment at BPHS and LHHS, and allocated funds for new curriculums and a new Education Services Coordinator position. Troy High School also welcomed its own family liaison. The overall district goal is to “empower future-ready students.”
In 2024/25, FJUHSD’s budget plans $237 million in expenses with an income of $227 million. The district holds a $81 million reserve to cover any funding shortfalls.
The trustees did not ask any public questions about the LCAP. Trustee Marilyn Buchi mentioned that after reviewing 11 years of LCAPs, she believes they improve how districts serve students’ needs. Trustee Lauren Klatzker expressed gratitude for the LCAP and is keeping an eye on rising transportation and other program costs. Trustee Joanne Fawley appreciates the sustainable spending plan that will support academic programs and long-term mental health support, such as wellness centers.
Dr. McLaughlin stated that the LCAP aims to simplify communication between the district and families about district goals and money allocation. Despite state templates making that difficult, he was grateful that Director Zamora consistently made the process as transparent as possible.
The LCAP and budget were approved 5-0.

District Policy Review

Dr. Karl Zener, the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, presented the completed update of the Comprehensive Board Policy. Eleven months ago, the board approved a complete update of all policies except for 10. These ten policies, including the new dress code policy, were recently rewritten and did not need to be reviewed. In March, 664 new and updated policies were sent to the board members for review.
The policies cover nine areas, including business practices, instruction, safety, and board bylaws. Dr. Zener emphasized that the policies will be reviewed quarterly and will change due to legislation and cultural shifts. Trustee Buchi expressed excitement about the searchability of the policies, had thoroughly read through all of them, and stressed the importance of updated policies to effectively run and protect the district.
Next FJUHSD board meeting July 23, 2024