At the August 6 FJUHSD board meeting, trustees welcomed a new school year by inducting the new 24/25 Student Advisory Committee (SAC) President and Student Board Member, Fullerton Union High School senior, Noelle Lidyoff, and SAC Vice Chair and alternate Student Board Member, Troy High School senior, Oscar Deniz. Ms Lidyoff and Mr. Deniz thanked the trustees for the honor and said they were excited to start the new year.

Superintendent Dr. Steve McLaughlin announced this year’s FJUHSD theme is “Uniting Communities, Engaging Minds, Building Futures.” The trustees heard from Fullerton Council of PTAs Executive VP, Dr. Nivie Jhawar, who announced the PTA council’s new website, www.fullertoncouncilpta.org, where parents can find meeting dates, resources, and an easy way to join any of the PTAs in Fullerton. Sonora High and La Habra High Schools belong to the La Habra Council of PTAs.

Administrative Reports

Dr. Steve Mclaughlin welcomed the new school year and thanked all the staff and students who participated in summer school and leadership activities and showed their animals at the Orange County Fair. He thanked the maintenance and leadership staff for deep cleaning, refurbishing, construction work, and planning that happened over summer break. La Habra High School Principal Steve Garcia announced LHHS’s 70th anniversary by stating that the agricultural high school, founded in 1954, started its celebration by sending over 30 students to the OC Fair, showing and auctioning their prize-winning animals. Principal Sandi Layana from La Vista/La Sierra High School announced that 25 of the 27 late graduating seniors accumulated enough units to don their home school colors and graduate over the summer.

New Construction

Construction continued over the summer, building the Fullerton Aquatic Center and Troy High School’s new classroom building, parking lot, water system, and food service updates. Sunny Hills High School received a new Film Studio room and a new Agriculture Building with updated air conditioning and heating, easier student accessibility, and student drop-off access. Visit www.fjuhsd.org and scroll along the latest newsletter for additional details.  

Administration Announcements

After 7 years, Fullerton Union High School Principal Laura Rubio leaves FJUHSD, becoming the Director of Education in the Tustin Unified School District, where her own children currently attend school. The new FUHS Principal, Mr. Jon Caffrey, served four years as Assistant Principal and as a SHHS teacher. Assistant Principal Tina Wilde returns to FUHS from TRHS. FJUHSD welcomed back Assistant Principal Andrea Brumbaugh and hired Paul Valero as Director of Special Education. Dr. Katie Wright takes the new district office position coordinating College and Career readiness offices throughout the district school sites.

There were no reports at this meeting.

The next FJUHSD Board meeting is scheduled for September 10 at 6 pm.