Notes from the Board Meeting - 2/24/2026
At the last FMSD Board meeting on 2/24/2026 there were three (3) Items I requested to question; one (1) of the items I requested to pull for further discussion with the Board members and the Superintendent:
Action Item 6.02: Resolution No. 2026-11- Reduction/Elimination of Classified/ Classified Management - Layoff
My Comments and Questions:
I remember 3 years ago when I was elected to the FMSD School Board, several Teacher Union representatives at the public high school where I am currently teaching, made comments to me, “I’m glad you were elected to the FMSD school board because we know you will stand up for us teachers!”
Then last year, I remember (look at previous Board Meeting notes) the FMEA President told the school board that the presumed false and/or misleading projected budget figures presented by the school district administration led to the termination of “dozens of teachers.”
I also remember one district employee (maintenance) we school board members voted NOT to terminate his employment with FMSD, and then two weeks later at the next school board meeting, his position was connected to an agenda item the board voted on, which included terminating this employee (I voted NO because I saw what they were doing to this employee!).
Needless, to say on this Action Item 6.02, I asked the HR Director, “What will happen to these 3 employees who will be terminated? Will they still be employed by FMSD? Will they still have a job?” His response was “I think they should be kept.” “We hope…”. “It should be no problem…” Those words of uncertainty concerned me, and I pressed further for a confirmation these employees (two of them were bilingual Dual-Language Immersion Spanish and Vietnamese paraeducators) would remain employed by the FMSD. The HR Director could not give assurance but only presumptions at best. I realize that these people who have families and rely on the incomes they have. Plus, I realize the importance of having bilingual teachers in our Dual Language Immersion programs in the FMSD, which we pride ourselves with the services we offer our Spanish and Vietnamese speaking families and students.
Trustee Rodriguez (also running for reelection in 2026) stated that these were “just positions we were eliminating.” Again, these are valuable people to our district, and they are people who have families.
I was the only trustee who voted NO on this item!
I have always and will always stand up for our employees: teachers, classified, and administration. They are more than positions! They are people!
Consent Item 8.06 (Over $25,000): Purchase of Classroom Supplies and Furniture from Lakeshore Learning for Early Learning Classrooms Lakeshore Learning Supplies List
My Comments and Questions:
I remember over a year ago, a similar request was made to purchase classroom supplies and furniture from this vendor. I asked the same types of questions then.
I reminded the board that the amount requested is $180,697.26. I simply asked “have we considered other vendors and/or have we thought about opening this up to taking bids for this needed and necessary classroom supplies and furniture for our Early Learning Classrooms?”
I communicated that this is a very large amount of money, and that Lakeshore is a fine company, but is also very expensive!
The superintendent responded, “This is the vendor we have a contract with” and that “Everyone uses them (Lakeshore).” I took that answer to imply “No, we have not looked at other vendors”.
I thanked the superintendent for sharing with the school board his comments, but I reminded him that it is very unlikely that he or anybody would know that “everybody uses them (Lakeshore).”
I Abstained from voting on this Consent Item! I don’t believe enough diligence has been demonstrated by the administration to find the best classroom equipment and supplies at the lowest, cost-effective prices.
Action Item 10.06: First Reading of Board Policy Updates
Policy 5145.6 Parent/Guardian Notifications.pdf
Draft Policy 5145.6 Parent/Guardian Notifications.pdf
Policy 5020 Parent Rights And Responsibilities.pdf
Draft Policy 5020 Parent Rights And Responsibilities.pdf
Exhibit 5145.6-E Parent Guardian Notifications.pdf
Draft Exhibit 5145.6-E(E (1)_1) Parent Guardian Notifications.pdf
My Comments and Questions:
I commented that I had read all the draft copies of the revisions. I mentioned that I appreciate we are following Ed Code and state laws in the revision of these policy revisions on parent notifications, parent rights and parent responsibilities. I also mentioned that I noticed these notifications are given mostly once a year and at the beginning of the year.
I voiced my concern that whenever a lesson, reading, assembly, school activity, or class activity (which may cause objections to occur from parents and/or community members) happens throughout the year, that parents should be immediately contacted and given opt-out opportunities.
I reminded the superintendent and the board members of a recent court case where the school district was sued and lost 1.5 million dollars in a settlement with parents who were NOT informed of LGBTQ+ reading to their students in a school. (https://www.christianpost.com/news/montgomery-county-to-pay-15-million-after-supreme-court-ruling.html)
Trustee Rodriguez (running for reelection in 2026) communicated that “I want to remind the board trustees (referring to me, but he didn’t want to say my name specifically), that we are always following the laws in our board policies.”
I brought this to the superintendent and the other board members’ attention, because 1) It is ALWAYS the parents’ right to know WHAT their children are taught, read, and exposed to in their classrooms! EVERY DAY! EVERY ACTIVITY! and 2) We as the FMSD, do NOT want to risk being sued because we did not take due diligence to have board policies in place which protect our children and their families’ best interests and rights!
The Board meeting and the comments can be viewed at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/QPHXuEWh_tA?si=-xbz4ABA6vMqzxFd
