On January 22, 2013, the Pomona Unified School Board voted 4-1 to deny two charter proposals to open schools in PUSD. In keeping with our motto of "Respect, Relationships, Responsibility, and Results," the review of these proposals focused solely on what would be best for district students and families.  The District would like to thank all those who turned out to express their views on the issue and school staff who contributed to the evaluation process. 

We are pleased to report that at the Board Meeting of December 18, 2012, Dr. Roberta Perlman was elected to serve as Board President and Mr. Frank Guzman was elected as Board Vice President. 

The Board of Education through December 2013 is as follows:

• Dr. Roberta Perlman, President
• Mr. Frank Guzman, Vice President
• Mrs. Adrienne Konigar-Macklin, Member
• Mr. Jason Rothman, Member
• Mr. Andrew Wong, Member

The Board of Education recognized Andre Pascua, Diamond Ranch High School student and Associated Student Body president, for services rendered as student representative to the Board of Education during the first semester of the 2012-2013 school year.  We would like to thank Andre for insuring that the Board and the community were current on student activities and events at all our high schools.

At the December 18^th Board Meeting the Board of Education approved a revision to Board Policy 5126 and new Administrative Regulation 5126, "Awards for Achievement," encourage excellence as a goal for all students and publicly recognize students for exemplary achievement.  The awards designated may include District and school awards as well as Golden State Seal Merit Diploma to be awarded upon graduation in recognition of outstanding academic achievement; Biliteracy Award to be awarded upon graduation in recognition of proficiency in a second language in addition to English; and Seal of Service to be awarded upon graduation in recognition of service to the community.  Jesus Mora of Ganesha High School highlighted the benefits of achievement awards focusing on the Seal of Biliteracy. 

In line with the state mandate for districts to develop procedures dealing with the topic of bullying, Pomona Unified School District has passed Board Policy and Administrative Regulations 5131.11 - Bullying Prevention to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Pomona Unified School District plans to be proactive by immediately offering opportunities for schools to get involved with programs and school-wide assemblies that address bullying at all grade levels. The board policy also encourages students to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying in a safe manner.  School sites will set guidelines on how to better address incidents of bullying, and how to address such behaviors.

The Board's approval of Professional Meetings and Conference attendance included several teachers' participating in upcoming AVID Conferences. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness program that prepares students (4^th grade through post-secondary) for success.  AVID students receive training in college-level reading and writing, academic strategies and study skills.  Students tour colleges on field trips, learn about financial aid options, and apply for scholarships.  In 2011-2012, in partnership with AVID/Parson's, PUSD received a grant to expand AVID to five new schools, despite budget cuts at the state level.  Currently we have 14 schools in AVID:  Lexington, Vejar, Cortez, San Jose, Pueblo, Emerson, Marshall, Simons, Fremont, Palomares, Garey, Ganesha, Pomona High and Village Academy.  Implementation of AVID takes a concerted effort school-wide, and teachers participate in continuous learning of the AVID curriculum.  Through participation in AVID conferences, we are investing in our Pomona students to be college and career-ready.

The Associated Pomona Teachers and the Pomona Unified School District have selected Patricia Borchard as Teacher of the Year for 2012-13.  Ms. Borchard is a Speech Specialist at Roosevelt Elementary School.  Her goal is to open up the world to students by helping them communicate clearly and effectively and she has helped make a difference for hundreds of children.  She also generously donates her time to the Boy Scouts and is currently President of the Federated East Valley Women's Club.  We congratulate Pat Borchard on her selection for this outstanding recognition.

The Board has approved Together We Read, which brings the students and community of Pomona together through literature.  This year, Isabel Allende's Zorro about a masked man who comes to the aid of the oppressed in 19^th century California, provides the theme for students to investigate early California history, art and film.  The event begins September 7 at the L.A. County Fair, with a kick-off on October 14 with the Pomona Historical Society at Palomares Adobe.  From September-November there will be a writing contest, projects on California missions, events at Western University (Nov. 1), and a Chalk Festival at Thomas Street Plaza (Nov. 10).  There will also be screenings of many Zorro film classics.  We hope you join us in celebrating a wonderful literary character - Zorro!

Andre Pascua, Senior from Diamond Ranch High School, was unanimously approved by the Pomona Unified Board of Education last night.  He was accompanied by school administration, family and friends from DRHS who came to support him as he was sworn in by Superintendent Richard Martinez.  Andre will serve for the Fall Semester as Student Representative keeping the Board of Education and community current with student activities at all our high schools. 

http://www.pusd.org/BOE/StudentMember

Gregory Bradbard, CEO of Inland Empire United Way and John Rogers, Development Executive provided an update of services the organizations deliver to families of the Inland Empire.  In addition, they acknowledged Pomona Unified employees who regularly donate to support students and families throughout the region.  Currently, there are 150 employees who make regular donations.  Thank you all for your supporting efforts that feed students, equip classrooms with supplies, and provide direct services to families. 

Pomona teachers and the district's school board have approved a two (2) year contract that includes new language on Catastrophic Leave and Job Share for elementary and secondary teachers.  In response to tough budgetary uncertainty, the agreement also continued seven (7) furlough days for the 2012-13 school year and if taxes fail in November, up to an additional seven (7) furloughs would be implemented based on funding reductions to the Base Revenue Limit (BRL).

Tyra Weis, APT President, reported that 84% of the Association's membership voted to approve the contract.  The agreement will run through from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014 with exception to the furlough days which are currently scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2013.

Both groups are scheduled to begin "reopener" negotiations for the 2013-14 school year on or after October 1, 2012.

Leslie Barnes, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, and Jesse Miller, HMC Representative provided an update regarding enhancements to football fields at Diamond Ranch, Garey, and Pomona High Schools.  Currently, plans are being finalized and the District is seeking authorization from the Department of State Architects to begin construction.  Renditions of each project were presented and the Board was informed that Phase 1 of the renovations will include artificial turf, synthetic track, lights, bleachers, and scoreboards.  Phase 1 is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2013 and to be completed by September 2013.  Phase 1 includes those items that the Board of Education promised our community.  Phase 2 of the project will include bathrooms, snack bars and ticket booths at each of the sites.  Consideration is being made to have these buildings look similar to the McCracken District Stadium.  Completion date of Phase 2 is September 2014.  The Board of Education requested staff to hold a community forum at each of the three high schools to clearly describe each renovation.

Board Member Frank Guzman requested that resolutions in support of Propositions 30 and 38 be placed on the agenda for Board consideration.  The Board of Education passed a resolution supporting the Governor's Tax Initiative (Proposition 30 - Schools & Local Public Safety Protection Act).  The Board also voted not to back the resolution in support of Proposition 38. 

Three students from DRHS were acknowledged by the Board of Education for stepping in to support a teacher and student in crisis in their classroom.  Hannah Hartung, Victor Cortez and Alexis Pena were presented certificates honoring their quick response and courage.