³ÉÈËÊÓƵ

The following answers to some frequently asked questions concerning the potential adoption of a Parental Notification Policy and similar matters is based on statements issued by the full Board and/or the Administration of ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ in recent months:

1. Does the District have a parental notification policy?

Yes, the District has a parental notification policy (5145.6) and can be found on the . This policy covers several areas of notification including student injuries, bullying, medical consent, media permission, and much more. For a complete listing of areas covered, please view (5145.6-E PDF (1).

These provisions are consistent with existing policies and laws.

2. Why hasn’t the Board placed an item on a Board meeting agenda to consider adopting a revised parental notification policy?

The Board decided that since the legality of the proposed policy is under question by the courts, the Attorney General, and the California Department of Education, it is better to wait. This is a matter of great legal uncertainty at the present time, and arguably outside of the Board’s “subject matter jurisdiction,” making it a topic that is better addressed at a later time. This decision is appropriate under the law and the Board’s Bylaws concerning agenda items.

3. Does the Board and FUSD support parental rights in education?

Absolutely! The Board and the District fully support the idea that education starts in the home, and parents have the right to direct the social and moral development of each child.  The Board supports, follows, and enforces all existing laws that establish parent rights in the classroom and the schools.  The Board also supports and follows all laws that establish student rights. This is a delicate balance that must be adjusted with changes in the law from time to time.

4. Does the Board or FUSD have a “secrecy policy” related to student information?

No. FUSD has Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5145.3, “Nondiscrimination/ Harassment,” which is similar or identical to policies in other school districts.  It addresses the parts of the law that make certain pupil information private. In limited situations, the law prevents certain pupil information from being disclosed. However, the District encourages all students to be fully open with their parents on any matters addressed in the nondiscrimination policy.

5. How much money does the District receive in Lottery funds?  How is it spent?

District’s receive two types of Lottery funding. 

• Unrestricted Lottery funds can be spent on any operational cost. Currently, FUSD receives $177 per average daily attendance (ADA) or $5,754,171.  This amount represents approximately 1.1% of the District’s total unrestricted revenues.
  • 100% of the unrestricted lottery funds are allocated to teacher salaries.
• Restricted Lottery funds must be spent on instructional materials. Currently, FUSD receives $72 per ADA or $2,340,680.  This amount represents approximately 1.3% of the District’s total restricted revenues.
  • 100% of restricted lottery funds are used to purchase textbooks.

6. What are the requirements for the Board for Special Board Meetings?

The Brown Act requires, Government Code section 54956(a) provides:

A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the legislative body of a local agency, or by a majority of the members of the legislative body, by delivering written notice to each member of the legislative body and to each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station requesting notice in writing and posting a notice on the local agency’s Internet Web site, if the local agency has one. The notice shall be delivered personally or by any other means and shall be received at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted or discussed…

The call and notice shall be posted at least 24 hours prior to the special meeting in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public.

These requirements are met any time the Board, through its presiding officer or a majority of its members, decides to call a meeting not otherwise scheduled as a regular meeting of the Board.  Notice must be given, and an agenda must be posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.  The Board does this on its Board of Education webpage under “BoardDocs Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes,” as usual, and in the physical locations regularly used for this purpose (in the bulletin boards outside of the District’s administrative offices).  It also does this in a single-click access from the District’s website home page, under “Current Board Agenda,” as required.

7. Board Compensation and District Salaries

Board Compensation is set by Board . While the Board did approve the same compensation as well as elective credit for the student board member, it did not increase its compensation.

Salary increases for both certificated and classified staff are negotiated through the collective bargaining process, and then approved by the Board. Management receives compensation adjustments consistent with those provided to other employee groups to ensure equitable treatment. The district’s long-term fiscal health is considered during the entire collective bargaining process.

8. When was the last time ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ laid off teachers and staff?

The last time it was necessary to do so was in the 2015-16 school year, effective for the following year.