Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Reed Union School District (RUSD) Board Meeting Summary - August 19, 2025

The Reed Union School District board meeting on August 19, 2025, commenced with the introduction of new staff members and focused on a range of administrative and operational updates for the upcoming school year. New initiatives and updates regarding both school facilities and student services were key highlights of the meeting.

Roll Call and Approval of Agenda

The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM. Board members present were Shelby Pasarell Tsai and Liz Webb, with Sandeep Sahai absent. The agenda was approved unanimously.

New Staff Introductions

The board welcomed several new staff members across different schools, including a new principal and teachers for Reed Elementary, Bel Air, and Del Mar schools.

Public Comment

No public comments were made during the open session.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the June 3rd and June 10th meetings were approved unanimously without any amendments.

Summer Facility Projects Update

Eduardo Santana and Mr. McKay presented on various summer projects, including waxing floors, shampooing carpets, and painting across the district's schools. Repairs were made to drainage issues at Del Mar, and a new gym curtain divider was installed. Upgrades to outdoor areas and installation of new drinking fountains were also completed.

Technology Update

The RUSD technology team presented updates on new developments, including the implementation of a new web filter, updates to software on school devices due to the Windows 10 end of life, and installation of new cameras. Additionally, the team introduced an initiative to form an AI task force to explore the integration of artificial intelligence in education.

Foundation and PTA Updates

Mickey, the new Director of Development for the Reed Schools Foundation, discussed the goal of raising $2 million, reflecting a per-student funding gap estimate of $1,893. Jessica Echeveres, new PTA president, outlined their focus on increasing membership, clarifying PTA vs. foundation roles, and leveraging reserve funds for school projects.

Board of Trustees and Superintendent Reports

Trustees shared updates on ongoing projects, including public opinion surveys about potential school bonds and engagement with local traffic authorities over CalTrans developments. The Superintendent provided a summary of the district's strategic priorities and highlighted improvements in school food services with a new vendor.

District Enrollment and Staffing

Current enrollment figures were reported as exceeding projections, particularly at Bel Air School. Discussion centered on monitoring class sizes and ensuring adequate support for affected grades, particularly regarding social-emotional learning.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs

Dr. Kidd provided an overview of SEL programming across the district, aligning it with strategic goals and elaborating on specific programs like Kimochi's and Second Step, among others. Emphasis was placed on analyzing and improving SEL effectiveness in alignment with students' needs.

The next steps include continuous evaluation of enrollment impacts on class sizes, monitoring the AI task force's research, and beginning the new food service implementation. Further observations and data analyses on SEL implementation effectiveness are anticipated in future meetings.