Regular Meeting

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Introduction

  • Regular Board Meeting held on 2024 at NUSD boardroom, streamed via YouTube. Key themes included:
    • Swearing-in of three newly elected board members.
    • Annual reorganization of board leadership.
    • Public concerns about academic integrity (Apex program) and student cell phone use.

Agenda Items

New Board Member Swearing-In Ceremony

  • Description:
    • Aiden Hill (incumbent), Austin Block, and Gabriel Anguiano Jr. sworn in for 4-year terms.
    • Ceremony included family members and students administering oaths.
  • Decisions made or actions taken:
    • Formal approval of new board members.

Annual Board Reorganization

  • Description:
    • Election of officers: Katherine Jones as Board President, Nancy Thomas as Vice President.
    • Approval of 2025-2026 meeting calendar (1 regular meeting + 1 study session monthly).
    • Committee appointments finalized (Audit, LCAP Advisory, SELPA, etc.).
  • Decisions made or actions taken:
    • Superintendent Tracey Vackar appointed as Board Secretary.
    • Meeting times set: 6 PM for study sessions, 7 PM for regular meetings.

Public Comments

  • Key themes:
    • Academic Integrity: Brian Foster raised concerns about the Apex credit-recovery program, alleging grade inflation. Called for an independent investigation.
    • Cell Phone Policy: Foster recommended stricter policies citing The Anxious Generation research.
    • Civic Engagement: Leslie Wong urged respect for diverse viewpoints in board deliberations.
    • Staff Recognition: NTA President Cheri Villa acknowledged newly elected city officials with ties to NUSD.

Follow-Up and Commitments

  • Apex Program Audit: Superintendent Vackar committed to investigating Foster’s claims.
  • Cell Phone Policy Development: Align with upcoming state mandates; consider Foster’s book recommendation.
  • Committee Work:
    • Audit Committee (Nancy Thomas + Gabriel Anguiano Jr.) to review financial practices.
    • LCAP Advisory Committee (Katherine Jones + Gabriel Anguiano Jr.) to oversee 2024-2025 budget/plan.
  • Website Updates: Bios for new board members and student representative Joy Lee to be added.

Conclusion

  • Outcome: Transition to new leadership with focus on fiscal accountability, academic rigor, and community collaboration.
  • Next Steps:
    • January 2025: First meetings under new schedule; LCAP/budget workshops.
    • Ongoing: Address Apex concerns, finalize cell phone policy, and engage with city officials via liaison committee.
  • Closing: Board and staff exchanged holiday wishes, emphasizing rest and readiness for 2025 initiatives.

Formatting verified: Consistent H3/H4 headers, bulleted lists after colons, flat structure, neutral tone.