Wednesday

The new board members all enrolled in the conference’s Orientation for New Trustees. Consistent themes were around developing unity of purpose for the board, so that the board has guideposts. Putting each and every kid first in our decision-making through agreed upon values and governance principles. More practical were the detailed governance calendars, as many events and timelines are dictated by the education code in California.

Since election season has just wrapped up, there were plenty of newly-elected board members in attendance. We were able to meet and hear about the experiences of board members from nearby (MVLA, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Palo Alto) and from further away (Woodlands, Ventura, Dublin, San Marino).

Policy Development: The Importance and Process

One of the core responsibilities of the board is as the legislative body for the district, meaning that we pass the policies that govern the functioning of the district. Reasons for policy updates can vary, from state and federal legislation, judicial decisions, errors in the existing policies, or simply a desire for change.

Regular policy update batches come in quarterly. While we may have sample policies from CSBA, it is ultimately our responsibility as a Board to modify them as necessary to ensure these are aligned with the needs and features of our district, within the confines of the law. We’re not just a rubber stamp, and each of these should be fully considered.

Governing Boards and Superintendents: How to Navigate in a New Political Landscape

This opened with a reference to a study, The Costs of Conflict, which I first heard about on an episode of the podcast Have You Heard. The study discusses the direct and indirect costs associated with divisive conflict and its impact on school districts.

Present were Superintendents from Morgan Hill and Cajon Valley, and a board member from Washington USD, in Yolo. The panel was each of them discussing their individual experiences, but a key message they had was: Continue to listen to the stakeholders you are serving.

Navigating the Instructional Materials Adoptions Process for Math and More

With the new California Math Framework having been adopted last year, the next steps are statewide materials approval. The current schedule has materials reviewers convening in July 2025, with a finalized list to be approved in November 2025.

Adoption of math instructional materials in California is ultimately a local decision, but the state’s approved materials list and their Guidance for Local Materials Adoption (GLIMA) can help choose materials that are compliant with standards. Important points the panelists highlighted were focusing on local priorities, involving the community, and ensuring well thought-out pilots along with implementation plans, including professional development for teachers. They recommended study sessions and a consistent communication plan with timeline information during the process.

To keep you reading, I will save the Friday sessions for a future newsletter, but here are the sessions I attended:

• Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

• Superintendent Evaluation Training – Best Practices

• Brown Act Basics

Stay tuned!

Organizational Meeting

After closed session, we will have our annual organizational meeting, where, after the new board members take our oaths of office, we will:

Financial Controls and Processes Update

The presentation has three sections for actions by the district: “Steps Taken,” “Steps Already Underway,” and “Future Steps.” I won’t dive into the specifics here, as it will be important to hear the details directly during the meeting.

Superintendent Search

While we are in good hands with our Interim Superintendents, one of the important jobs for the Board is to hire a permanent Superintendent. This item begins that process, and if approved, will set the timeline for selecting a search firm, with proposed meetings in late January to select and interview finalists. Hiring an effective Superintendent is one of the most critical choices we will make as a Board, and ensuring we find the best fit for our district will set us up for success in the long-run.

Board Bylaws and Board Policy Updates

As I mentioned in the discussion about the CSBA AEC, policy making is one of the central responsibilities of the board. Reviewing and enacting these policy updates will ensure we’re staying up-to-date, as they cover a wide range of topics. The staff responsible has reviewed the CSBA recommended policies and made adjustments/additions to reflect our district’s needs.

After board discussion of the policies, those without need for revisions will be placed on the consent agenda of the January 16, 2025 meeting for approval. Staff also anticipates a January policy update from CSBA, which they will bring to the board for consideration.