Here are a few highlights from the May 9, 2023 board meeting. The full agenda can be viewed here:

Click here to watch the meeting recording on the AUSD YouTube channel. 

Recognitions

CommUNITY Arts Festival Contest Winners

18 AUSD elementary and secondary students were recognized by the Board of Education for submitting winning entries to the 2nd Annual CommUNITY Festival Art Contest. Congratulations to the following winners. 

Elementary:                                         

Maria Fernanda Armas Muñoz, Penny-Lane Camarillo-Gonzalez, Shanti Felix, Aliyah Lopez-Delgado, Madison Ni, Adriel Leyva Garcia, Karina Medina-Castillo, Ivanna Noguez-Estrada, Ellie Reyes, Nevaeh Santos, Leilani Salvador, Emmanuel Vargas Morales

Secondary:

Jacob Isaias Amador Ramos, Wilder Butz Choj, Adanely Chub, Melody Mendez, Azul Salazar, Alia Torres

CALI Reads Improvement Grant 

The Board of Education recognized 17 teachers and administrators for participating in the CALI Reads Improvement Grant to improve student outcomes in literacy. They committed time over the last five years to focus on professional learning and high-quality instructional practices. Thank you to the following teachers and administrators. 

Teachers:

Griselda Berry, Norma Canche, Justin Comstock, Jann Garcia, Maribel Gonzalez, Alice Huelskamp, Teresa Monjaraz, Roneice Parchment, Cristina Rivas, James Rosales, Tracy Spencer

Administrators:

Stephen Bisuano, Anthony Contreras Ed.D., Carol Fieri, Anna Kwak Ed.D., Sam Perdomo, Yvette Walker

Regular Agenda Items

• Educational Services presented the Board of Education with information on AUSD’s attendance support system, which includes three tiers of support to help prevent chronic absenteeism. 
  
  

• The Board of Education received an update on the Surplus Property Committee. The next meeting of the Surplus Property Committee will be held on May 16, 2023, at 5:00 PM. The committee will receive information on the costs to modernize each surplus property, and they will receive information on the Board of Education’s thoughts on potential surplus property usage. 
  
  

• The Board of Education approved the month of May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
  
  

• The Board of Education approved the month of May as National Mental Health Month. 
  
  

• The Board of Education approved a contract for Safe and Sound Security. This will add an additional layer of safety to our schools with a cloud-based video intercom system to provide visibility and control with the buzz-to-enter concept.
  
  

• The Board of Education approved a contract with Leonida Builders to construct a new eight-foot wide pedestrian pathway from Foothill Middle School to Azusa High School. This will allow for a safe path of travel between campuses. 
  
  

• The Board of Education awarded a bid for underground utilities at Lee Elementary School to Golden Sun Enterprises. This will bring in new water, sewer, gas, low voltage, and electrical conduits and pipes. The project will give new pathways for improved technology, drinking water, and waste.

Here are a few highlights from the April 25, 2023, board meeting. The full agenda can be viewed here:

Click here to watch the meeting recording on the AUSD YouTube channel. 

Yazmin Quintana-Hinojos Recognized
Yazmin Quintana-Hinojos from Slauson Middle was recognized for creating the winning design that will be featured on the AUSD budget book cover for the 2023-2024 school year.

2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Recognition
AUSD’s 2022-2023 Teachers of the Year were recognized for their contributions to AUSD students. Congratulations to the District Teacher of the Year, Esther Campos-Ball, from Azusa High School.

Regular Agenda Items

• The Board of Education received an update from Azusa Police Department Chief Renwick, who acknowledged staffing issues related to School Resource Officers. Chief Renwick advised of a newly instituted practice of police department staff stopping in to visit AUSD schools.
  
  
• The Board approved a contract for fireworks at the Azusa High School graduation.
  
  
• Superintendent Ortega gave an update on the Surplus Property Committee’s second meeting. The committee received information on the surplus properties. The committee has requested information from the Board of Education on their thoughts for use of the surplus properties.
  
  
• The Board of Education approved May 8, 2023 – May 12, 2023, as Certificated Employee Week.
  
  
• The Board of Education approved May 21, 2023, - May 27, 2023, as Classified Employee Week.
  
  
• The Board of Education recognized April as Armenian Genocide Commemoration Month.
  
  
• The Board approved the new Azusa High School mascot/logo design.
  
  
• The Board of Education approved a contract with Safe and Sound Security for surveillance cameras covering exterior walkways between buildings, multi-purpose rooms, and entry points in front offices at all of the sites that will remain open next year.