The Coronado School Board has changed course and only is allowing public comment on non-agendized items for 20 minutes during the later part of its meetings.
The move expedited the monthly school board meeting on March 9.
Prior meetings this year had public comment on non-agendized items at the beginning of the meeting and public comment on agendized items moving through each section, allowing various community members to talk into the evening.
Now, public comment will be heard after staff presentations.
Coronado USD Board President Renee Cavanaugh said the intent was not to change the individual amount of time for each person or the total amount of time for public comment.
Instead, she said, it was to have public suggestions come right before board discussion about future topics and to keep track of information on items that could appear on future agendas.
Not well received
This policy change was not well received by some who usually attend the board meetings.
“They’ve done it before with the previous board,” said Coronado parent and resident Jim Fabiszak.
Attending CUSD monthly board meetings on a regular basis, Fabiszak considers this change impactful to the community.
“I think it’s a negative impact,” he said. “Moving it to the end of the day may flow better, but it’s definitely a lot more of impact on parents and community members because that agenda item might not become available until 3 ½ hours, sometimes 4 hours after the start of the meeting.”
Other regular board meeting attendees mirrored concerns, considering it unfortunate for working parents.
Trustee Whitney Antrim, however, expressed her appreciation for the board and rearranging agenda items to really put the focus on students first, the business of the board, and efforts to interact and engage with the community, she said.
Turnover issues
A public hearing was available regarding a new collective bargaining agreement between the district and teachers union. However, no public comment was made.
Moving forward, Superintendent Karl Mueller said the public should reach out to Human Resources Director Armando Farias for any questions.
In a report from Association of Coronado Teachers President Jennifer Landry, she shared that Village Elementary Education Specialist Nicolette Pavila is the newest hire.
She also expressed concerns regarding turnover and said that 116 educators have left since 2017, with 32 being members of the district’s special education department.
Reasons for the departure include retirements, COVID, and personal decisions like family planning or wanting support, she said.
According to Farias, 92 general educators and 23 special education employees have left the school district since 2017.
Farias said 13 separation survey responses from employees show the top reasons for resigning are a promotion/opportunity for advancement, relocation out of the area, or family reasons.
“When asked if they would consider reemployment with CUSD, over 84% state they would,” he said.
4X4 Committee
During Board comments, Trustee Alexia Palacios-Peters shared updates on the 4×4 Committee, which is performing a comprehensive evaluation of the new block bell schedule at the high school.
Palacios-Peters said there will be opportunities to meet with the committee and provide feedback beginning in April, including in person and survey responses to gather data for the report to be presented May 18.
She encouraged audience members to attend corresponding public forums to be held at the Wynn Room at the Coronado Public Library, on April 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. for parents of high school students.
There will be a meeting on April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., for the community.
Parents will have an additional opportunity to meet with the 4×4 committee individually in 10-minute time slots from 3 to 6 p.m. on April 5.
Faculty and students will have the opportunity to attend one of the on-campus feedback sessions this month and next.
For more information people may visit the CUSD Website which lists items with corresponding dates and links, she said.
Money for transportation
Other issues discussed at the March meeting include:
The board approving the Coronado USD Transportation Plan for the 2023-2024 school year.
Superintendent Mueller said this plan positions CUSD to be eligible to receive compensation from the state of California to help offset transportation costs.
Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca added that the plan was developed so the district would be able to offer free services to low-income students, English learners, and foster youth.
Salamanca said school districts are eligible to receive up to a 60% reimbursement on transportation expenditures from the prior year.
“Our plan meets all of the mandated requirements,” he said. “This plan is the compliance requirement that makes sure that we’re eligible for that.”
Board and public comments
The only public comment on non-agendized items came from Carolyn Rogerson who urged the board to consider looking into pending assembly bills from the Legislature which may affect the school board in future matters.
Trustee Scot Youngblood acknowledged Rogers’ comment and considered discussing assembly bills important for discussion because most board policies are reactive to assembly bills approved in the past.
Antrim said most assembly bills are premature and the district is only responsible for items on the agenda that can be within board jurisdiction
The board cannot “agendize” something that it can’t make a decision or vote on, she said.
No action was taken other than the suggestion of another committee to discuss assembly bills.
“Spotlight” presentations
“Spotlight” presentations in the meeting included Coronado Middle School’s Advanced Performing Arts students sneak peek of “Willy Wonka Jr.,” a musical on the main stage at Coronado Performing Arts Center on March 24 and 25.
A second presentation was four artwork pieces from the CoSA Visual Art Exhibit on display at the Coronado Community Center (C3) Art Gallery from mid-April through May in partnership with Coronado Arts Council and City Council.
An opening reception and unveiling of the student work exhibit will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 18.
The next regular board meeting will be April 20, at 4 p.m. at the Coronado Unified School District office.
