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January 21, 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
The following are highlights from the January 21, 2020 Board of Trustee Meeting. These highlights are not intended to be meeting minutes or official record of Board decisions.
For meeting agendas and presentation documents, visit: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/cusdca/Board.nsf/Public.
For the certified Board report, visit: http://www.compton.k12.ca.us/board/agendas-and-minutes/current-year.
e-SPORTS CHAMPIONS RECOGNITION
Compton Unified School District’s first ever e-Sports Champions were recognized. Compton High School’s first place winning team and Compton Early College’s second place team received trophies. Jeff Harris, CUSD’s Director of Strategic Partnership presented he trophies alongside Alan Zack, founder of the Carrot Group, who administered the tournament. The students were a part of a district-wide program that exposed students to careers in e-sports through tournament play and mentoring. The tournament was co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Chargers.
“This is more than just about playing video games. The opportunities for our students to understand and learn about careers in esports industries, which is a multi-billion industry, are unparalleled--game design, art, sound, music, video game, and esports production,” said Harris.
Compton High School will receive $1,000 for school technology equipment, and each of the winning team members won new keyboards, headsets and other computer gaming gear. Click on the video link below for more information about the tournament.
ETHNIC STUDIES CURRICULUM UPDATE
Director of Secondary Education Dr. Greg Puccia and Dr. Christine Mendoza presented on the development of the ethnic studies curriculum, updating the Board on ethnic studies advisory committee’s work. The result of a Board resolution passed in 2017. Drs. Puccia and Mendoza introduced the curriculum: “Hub City: An Introduction to Ethnic Studies,” which presents curriculum in the context of the historical and social forces that have framed Compton’s identity. The advisory consisted of administrators, teachers, representatives from UCLA’s Center X, and the late Margie Garrett. The curriculum will be implemented in the 2020-2021 school year. For more information on the presentation, click here.
BOND UPDATE
The Director of Facilities provided an update on Measure S-related projects, including progress toward the building of the new Compton High School. Recently, work has been done to prepare additional lots for construction as well as related street work and offsite construction. The Director also reported on the construction accountability software being used by the district which tracks and reports all expenses and is monitored by fiscal services, the Bond Oversight Committee, and auditors. Measure S and Compton High School construction updates can be found at: http://www.compton.k12.ca.us/departments/business-services/facilities/measure-s-webpage/home.
CHRISTY WHITE ASSOCIATES– FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORT
A representative of the District’s independent auditor, Christy Whites and Associates, presented the annual financial audit report. Audit findings are as of June 30, 2019. The representative presented findings in three areas: financial statements, federal awards and state awards. In each of the three areas, CUSD received an “unmodified opinion,” which is the best opinion an audit can receive. The auditor noted two areas that need correction: one related to clerical errors in facilities maintenance reports at Compton High School, and one related to record-keeping for testing and reclassification of English Language Learners. The report is the most favorable the district has seen with the fewest findings requiring addressing.
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Janiya Gray shared about the Study Smart tutoring program at Centennial that is being provided to students in the area of Math. Centennial is also having a blood drive and coordinating students attending the Black College Expo. She also shared that Compton Early College has 75 scholars enrolled in winter college courses and has launched a project to secure recycling bins for every classroom. Finally, Ms. Gray reported that a number of Compton High School cheerleaders were selected to attend a cheerleading camp in Italy.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED
Resolution proclaiming African American History Month
Resolution commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Resolution proclaiming January 2020 as National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month
APPROVED DONATIONS
Several donations were approved to be received by schools throughout the district, including a donation from tech company Incipio Group of charging stations that will be used to charge student learning devices in the classroom. The donation is valued at over $366,000.
REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAM MEETING
SCROC Visit
On December 16, a team of educators from Compton USD went to the SCROC (Southern California Regional Occupation Center) in Torrance to discuss possible collaboration around sending Compton USD high school students to participate in their CTE programs. During the visit, team members received a guided tour of the facilities and learned about the programs they offer. The goal of the meeting was to inquire if their programs were a good match for providing work-based technical and soft-skills for our Chavez students who would then be better equipped to enter into a career upon graduating from the district. The program could possibly also benefit any Compton USD students.
WME Meeting
On Wednesday January 15, Dr. Brawley, Jeff Harris, and Mikle McBride went to the WME (William Morris Endeavor) and met with Food Network celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and her representatives to discuss ways that she can leverage resources to strengthen the Culinary Arts programs in Compton USD. The discussion focused on the culinary arts lab space at the new Compton High School. During the meeting plans for the school were shared with Giada and she spoke about the need to have a holistic approach to the program that not only focuses on food preparation and presentation, but also farm to table process, gardening organic food, and environmental impact and sustainability of food production.
