BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

January 13, 2023

The following Board Brief provides a recap from the January 12, 2023 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen provided a brief update to the Board and community about the reopening of the brand new Richland Elementary School campus. Dr. Johnsen shared that students and families were welcomed back from Winter Break to the state-of-the-art facility equipped for Future Ready learning. 

Moving to a new campus isn’t as easy as packing up your boxes; there are a thousand details. I want to thank so many staff for making this happen, beginning with Principal Julie Barbara, said Dr. Johnsen. We’re so proud of this amazing new home for our kids.

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Mental Health Program Update 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, began her update by sharing that the new mental health program, Let’s Face It. Together has launched. The mental health program consists of Wellness Teams for each campus to help students and families in need of support. The program also consists of a text line for teens, where they can access mental health support 24/7 from trained mental health professionals. Dr. Campbell shared an overview of the different communication strategies to build awareness with students, families and staff. 

Dr. Campbell also shared about upcoming enrollment dates, including:

• NEW student enrollment TK-12 opens: February 1, 2023
  • *TK eligibility expansion: Students turning 5 between September 2, 2023-April 2, 2024 are eligible to enroll in Transition Kindergarten (TK).
• CURRENT student residency verification: June 5, 2023-June 30, 2023

We are excited to release these enrollment dates to the community, and continue to share how great San Marcos Unified is, remarked Dr. Campbell.   

State Budget Outlook 

• Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, provided an update about the recently released January Budget proposal from Governor Newsom. Garcia explained that this is the beginning stage of a long budget process intended to signal the Governor’s priorities, with a final budget approved by the State in June. 
• As we all know, the economy is slowing down and the State no longer has large surpluses that schools have benefitted from the last several years, noted Garcia. In fact, Garcia shared that the Governor’s January budget reflects that the State is facing a budget gap of $22.5 billion heading into the 2023-24 budget year. However, Garcia explained the State is better prepared to weather a bad budget year due to savings, with little anticipated impact to schools at this time. While the Governor is planning to fund the 8.13 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA), he plans to make a 34 percent reduction to a large block grant the district was planning to receive. 
• At this time while there is an overall positive outlook for K-12 school funding, it is important that SMUSD take a thoughtful and disciplined approach to how we allocate funding, said Garcia.

Human Resources Update

• The new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia, began by expressing thanks to Dr. Johnsen and the Cabinet team for the warm welcome and support in his transition to the district. Dr. Garcia shared that since his arrival last week he has been meeting with HR team members, understanding current processes, engaging in staff team building, meeting with union representatives, and visiting school sites to express HRs commitment to staff and how they can support an excellent education for students. 
• I have been so impressed at the dedication and commitment of our staff in supporting our school sites. I am so happy and proud to be a part of the San Marcos Unified team, said Dr. Garcia.

3. Student Board Representative shared school update. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. During the January 12th meeting, Student Board Representative, Abby Coca from San Marcos High School, shared updates from her school.

Coca’s presentation began by sharing recent student activities including Cocoa and Cram right before Winter Break. Coca shared that a group of San Marcos High students recently attended Camp Lead, which was even featured on CBS 8s Zevely Zone. San Marcos High School also recently hosted the CIF Cheer Competition where they placed 3rd in the county and hosted a Cinderella themed Fall Dance Show. The Model United Nations team attended a conference where they received two awards, and senior Fiona Burns received a $180K NROTC scholarship from the USMC which allows aspiring Marine Officers the opportunity to complete their studies at a college or university. 

After Coca’s presentation, Dr. Johnsen noted that Ms. Coca is also a Student Board Representative for the San Diego County Office of Education, representing District 4. Last night I attended the County Office of Education Board meeting, which is really exciting to get an opportunity to work with county level leaders, said Coca. 

4. Principal Update: San Elijo Middle School. Barry Zeait, Principal of San Elijo Middle School, shared an overview of the school and programs with Assistant Principal, Cherryl Sestito, and Assistant Principal, Lisann Selph, along with several San Elijo Middle students. Principal Zeait began by sharing the core values of the school and the school’s instructional focus. Ms. Sestito shared about the school’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and taking a holistic view of the data to provide the best supports to students. ASB President, Frank Amador, then shared about Student Programs including lunch meets, school dances, and more. ASB Vice President, Savannah Smith, then shared about the different clinics that are offered on campus to foster a sense of belonging, which are created by and run by students. W.E.B leader, Vivian McHenry, then shared about the W.E.B., Where Everybody Belongs, program that helps incoming 6th graders feel comfortable on campus. Ms. Selph concluded the presentation by providing an update on co-curricular after school courses, including math, science, and social science, along with health and sports courses, offered four days a week after school. 

5. Dual Immersion Program Update. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell shared an update on the dual immersion program at SMUSD, which enables students to be immersed in another language, along with English, during the school day. Currently the program is available at Twin Oaks Elementary School where students learn half of the day in English and half of the day in Spanish, with the goal of students gaining a strong head start in biliteracy. 

The program started during the 2019-20 school year and has added a grade every year, with the goal of having all grades at Twin Oaks Elementary incorporated into the program by the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, plans are currently being considered to expand the program to Woodland Park Middle School by the 2025-26 school year, with the goal of students continuing in the program. Students would then have the option to take advanced language courses which would meet their high school foreign language requirement while in middle school. Students would also have the ability to take advanced Spanish courses in high school and earn the California Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation. Dr. Campbell concluded with a preview of future plans to add a high school Translation and Interpretation certification pathway to utilize in the workforce as well.

6. Board Adopts Resolutions for Community Facilities District Nos. 15 & 16. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for school facilities.

The Governing Board adopted two Resolutions to create funds for two recently formed CFDs, Community Facilities District No. 15 and Community Facilities District No. 16, for restricted capital projects use. 

7. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved personnel updates which were shared during the meeting, including:

• Executive Director, Maintenance and Operations, Ted Norman, was approved by the Board.

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses including Blackbaud and the Benevity Community Impact Fund.   

• For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.
• For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the February 9th San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

February 10, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen provided an update to the Board and community about the work at the District regarding Student Voice. Dr. Johnsen shared examples of how students share their experiences and feedback with District leaders to enhance their educational experience. This included a recent presentation at the San Diego County Office of Education Equity Conference by San Marcos High School student, Angela Rico, a spotlight of a Student Voice video, as well as a recent Equity Event at Mission Hills High School.  

As Dr. Johnsen concluded his presentation, he noted, education is not something that is happening to our kids, it’s happening with our kids.

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, began her update by sharing how the District was featured on the national stage as the Knowledge Matters Campaign School Tour made a stop at San Marcos Middle School, to spotlight how they are transforming science instruction with the help of high-quality science curricula. 

Dr. Campbell also shared about the inaugural Rising Stars program with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Each month a student from each high school will be selected as a San Marcos Chamber Rising Star and celebrated at a monthly breakfast at Palomar College. 

Dr. Campbell concluded by highlighting the celebration and surprise awards this week in honor of National School Counseling Week. The San Diego County Office of Education awarded Lezya Weglarz with the San Diego County Counselor Advocate of the Year, and The San Marcos Promise as the San Diego County Community-Based Organization of the Year. Dr. Campbell also expressed her gratitude to all SMUSD school counselors. 

Business Services Update 

• Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, shared some exciting news that after a longer than anticipated delay due to supply chain issues and rain delays, Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School now has their second new playground this year, which has been fully-installed and a welcomed addition for students and families.  

Human Resources Update

• Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia, began by sharing an update on employee wellness. Dr. Garcia explained that District and school site leaders, including school counselors and social workers, met to brainstorm ideas for how to provide ongoing wellness, support, connectedness and engagement to all employees throughout the District. Additionally, Lezya Weglarz, MTSS Coordinator and recent winner of the San Diego County Counselor Advocate of the Year award, provided training to the HR department about the new resource available for students, staff and families, Care Solace, to better expand this valuable resource to all staff.  

3. Student Board Representatives shared school updates. During the February 9th meeting, Student Board Representatives, Abby Coca from San Marcos High School, and Emily Crysler from Mission Hills High School, shared updates from their schools.

Coca’s presentation began by sharing about San Marcos High students recently attending the San Diego County Office of Education Equity Conference, as well as the California Association of Student Leaders Conference where they led small groups and made presentations to middle school students, including some at SMUSD. Coca also shared about recent ASB activities, Club and Elective Rush, Excalibur Knights taking a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance, recent wins for the Academic League, and a Sports Update.  

Crysler's presentation began by sharing a Sports Update, and the recent student-led School Supply Backpack Drive to benefit elementary students in need in SMUSD. Crysler also shared about the recent Disneyland trip for the Cardinal Alliance, an update on Academic League, and the CTE Careers in Education students who volunteer regularly at Richland Elementary School while simultaneously earn college credit. Crysler also shared how students are celebrating Black History Month, and concluded her presentation by expressing thanks to all the counselors in celebration of National School Counseling Week. 

4. Superintendent-Student Advisory Council Update. Student Board Representatives, Abby Coca and Emily Crysler, provided an update on the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council.

The Council, started by Dr. Johnsen last school year, was formed to encourage student leadership and provide feedback to the Superintendent on the student experience. 

Coca and Crysler shared about utilizing the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council to engage more diverse student voices in this group. This Council is currently tackling issues at all three high schools including, student activism & student voice, cultural advocacy, inclusivity, and the Portrait of Graduate implementation. They are working to bring more students to this group each month to make more widespread changes on school campuses. 

5. Principal Update: Discovery Elementary School. Daphne Eby, Principal of Discovery Elementary School, shared an overview of the school and programs with Assistant Principal, Heather Hartzell, along with the Discovery Student Council President, Jencarlo Marquez. Principal Eby began by sharing the mission and vision of Discovery Elementary, some data about their school community and enrollment. Principal Eby also shared that they are extremely proud of their STEAM program which includes art, music, a makerspace and innovation lab.  

Assistant Principal Hartzell shared about Discovery focus areas which includes, Differentiated Instruction, Professional Learning Communities, School Culture and Family Engagement. 

Discovery Student Council President, Jencarlo Marquez, shared about school clubs, activities and about his amazing time as a student at Discovery Elementary.

6. Community Schools Update. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, presented an Update on the Community School Initiative at San Marcos Elementary School. Dr. Campbell began by defining a Community School, which is a collaboration of school & District resources, outside community agencies, and social services, to ensure students are whole and healthy so they can be prepared to learn and thrive academically. 

Dr. Campbell explained that SMUSD has received a California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSSPP) planning grant to begin the process of transforming San Marcos Elementary into a Community School. San Marcos Elementary will use the CCSPP funding to enhance and elevate current practices, strategies, and partnerships to best meet the needs of students. 

7. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved personnel updates which were shared during the meeting, including:

• Principal, Mission Hills High School, Nathan Baker, was approved by the Board.
• Assistant Principal, Mission Hills High School, Tina Hernandez, was approved by the Board. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

• For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.
• For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the March 9th San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

March 10, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen shared a presentation beginning with the announcement of Board Member, Stacy Carlson, recently appointed to the California School Board Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly to represent the SMUSD at the State level. 

Dr. Johnsen then shared an update about the work taking place in our Portrait of a Graduate Strategic Promise regarding professional development. In the Strategic Promise, one of the Board Core Values is developing a highly-trained staff, and Dr. Johnsen shared highlights of how this is happening throughout the District. 

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update. Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, began her presentation by recognizing February's Rising Stars, which is a program in collaboration with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Campbell illustrated the Portrait of a Graduate in action by highlighting our Career Technical Education (CTE) Woodworking teacher, Chris Geldert, who recently conducted a presentation about our partnership with the Wounded Warrior Village Project, and how Future Ready skills paired with content specific skills, help meet needs in our community. 

Dr. Campbell concluded her presentation by recognizing National School Social Work Week which is March 5-11, 2023 and thanking all of the hard work, compassion and kindness of SMUSD social workers. 

Human Resources Update

Dr. Garcia shared about how the Human Resources department has begun streamlining processes with the use of technology, to improve the onboarding experience for new hires and increase efficiencies within the department.

Dr. Garcia also shared about the recent opportunity to speak to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), and enjoyed meeting parents and guardians who serve on the Committee, as well as sharing his own story as an emergent bilingual, and encouraged them to stay connected to their schools to best support their children.

3. Student Board Representatives shared school updates. During the March 9th meeting, Student Board Representatives, Abby Coca from San Marcos High School, and Yesenia Rodriguez from Twin Oaks High School, shared updates from their schools.

Highlights from Coca’s presentation included ASB students attending the annual Laurels for Leaders event, senior Malena Freeman being named National Merit Scholar Finalist, and a photo overview of the Winter Formal. Coca also shared how students are engaging in Future Ready activities, including the filmmaking students getting a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood filmmaking, an immersive robotics demonstration by MCAS Miramar, and eighty students who recently attended a CSUSM Next Steps program, and concluded her presentation with a Sports recap.

Rodriguez’s presentation shared her personal story, overcoming adversity, and thriving at Twin Oaks High School, which recently received the 2023 Model Continuation High School for the California Department of Education. 

4. Principal Update: Richland Elementary School. Julie Barbara, Principal of Richland Elementary, shared an overview of the school and programs with Assistant Principal, Julie Morgan, and student, Madison Mikus.

Principal Barbara shared how their school goals align with the Portrait of a Graduate, school community demographics, and the brand new school rebuild. In January 2023, the brand new campus opened, transforming the oldest school in the district. Assistant Principal Morgan shared about MTSS, curriculum and the Arts program. Student Council President, Madison Mikas, provided an overview from the student perspective about how Mustangs are leaders, kind, and engaged in their school. 

5. Model Continuation High School for Twin Oaks High School. Recently, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, announced that only 37 schools throughout the state were recognized as Model Continuation High Schools for 2023, including Twin Oaks High School. 

Deputy Superintendent Campbell, and Principal Garth Philips, shared a presentation about Twin Oaks High School and what makes them an award-winning school.

Model Continuation High Schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services. Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages sixteen through eighteen who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education.

6. Second Interim and Positive Budget Certification. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented the 2022-23 Second Interim Budget Report. Garcia began by sharing updated figures from the First Interim Budget presented in December 2022, including that we have filed a Positive Budget Certification, signaling that the district is in good financial standing. 

Total General Fund revenues total $329.1 million, and expenditures currently total $300 million. Garcia shared the General Fund Ending Balance of $77M and a 9.29% reserve. The State Budget is like a roller coaster, but when you have stable reserves it allows you the opportunity to not have to react, but keep things steady, and we are absolutely in this position now, said Garcia.

Garcia also shared an overview of the Enrollment & Average Daily Attendance, which is how our funding is calculated. Garcia explained that this school year marks the fourth year of enrollment declines, and while the State provided funding relief over the pandemic, this additional funding will begin to taper off. We are watching our enrollment and attendance rates and we’re not alone in this, nearly every district in the State is also seeing this trend, remarked Garcia. 

Garcia then shared about the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in relation to the revenues we anticipate in the Multi-Year Projections and how this is impacted by declining enrollment. While the COLA is applied to the per-student funding each district receives, and is intended to help districts keep pace with rising costs, when the district is experiencing declining enrollment, the actual dollar amount the district receives is reduced.

Next steps include monitoring the Governor's May Revision for the 2023-24 projections as well as developing the 2023-24 LCAP, Block Grant plans & Strategic Promise implementation. The Board voted to approve the Second Interim Budget and Positive Budget Certification. 

7. San Marcos Unified Home to School Transportation Plan. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, and Executive Director of Transportation, Michael Sawyer, shared a presentation with the Board and community about a proposed Home to School Transportation Plan. 

For the first time in more than 10 years, the 2022-23 enacted State Budget included additional funding for Home to School Transportation providing San Marcos Unified with additional funding of approximately $2,795,256 per year to either expand Home to School transportation or absorb the funds into the existing Transportation Budget.

Because there is no mandate to expand services, some districts are simply absorbing the funds. However, we have heard from our community this expanded service is something they want, which is why we are bringing a plan to the Board to expand Home to School Transportation for our highest-need students, said Erin Garcia. 

The State specifically requires school districts to prioritize the funding to provide Home to School Transportation to low-income students for free, while also giving non-eligible students the opportunity to utilize the transportation for a fee. 

Our plan is to roll this out in phases, potentially adding new routes and schools each year. We are working to implement Home to School Transportation as quickly as possible, with the first phase of the plan to begin this fall, at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, said Michael Sawyer. 

Due to a nationwide bus driver shortage, we are actively recruiting and have multiple trainings scheduled. Details and dates on the next training are available here. 

After discussion, the Board approved the Home to School Transportation Plan with regular updates to the Board in the future. 

View the full plan here. Watch the presentation here at the timestamp 2:03:47. 

8. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved personnel updates which are available here.

9. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses, including Mission Federal Credit Union.   

• For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.
• For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.
• For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the April 13th San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

April 14, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. 

Student Voice 

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing about Student Voice and the recent student groups he has had the opportunity to meet with including, the Black Student Union, Hispanic Latino Student Union, Asian Student Union, the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council and Equity listening sessions with students at Mission Hills High School, San Marcos High School, Woodland Park Middle School, with others scheduled. 

What we hear over and over again from our students is they want meaningful, strong relationships with teachers and engaging relevant content, and we are very excited we have a Strategic Promise that addresses those things, said Dr. Johnsen.

Portrait of a Graduate Strategic Promise Update 

Dr. Johnsen also shared a congratulations to Marci Davis for the recent 2023 Achieve Award from the Classroom of the Future Foundation for her innovative work in the Patient Care Pathway at San Marcos High School. Dr. Johnsen also explained the Systems Design Benchmarking work that the district is currently engaging in to ensure structures, systems and supports are in place to achieve the outcomes in the Portrait of a Graduate Strategic Promise. He also shared about his recent visit to communicate in Spanish the Portrait of a Graduate vision to parents involved in the English Learners Advisory Council at San Marcos Elementary School, with more parent and school presentations to come.  

Dr. Johnsen concluded his presentation by sharing a Legislative Update and priorities he plans to advocate for in the coming weeks, including continued support for stable school funding, adjustments needed to the Local Control Funding Formula, mental health funding, and more streamlined accountability with the Local Control Accountability Plan.  

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update. Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent,began her update by highlighting this year’s Rising Star recipients, which are students recognized by the San Marcos Chamber in a monthly event at Palomar College, who have demonstrated character, integrity, love of learning, involvement in school and community activities or the ability to overcome challenging life circumstances without compromising their education. 

Dr. Campbell also provided an update on the mental health program and campaign, Let’s Face It. Together. Sharing how students and families have been utilizing the program including texting the crisis line, receiving visits from the Wellness Teams, and services from Care Solace. 

Dr. Campbell also shared how we are investing in producing Future Ready Educators through the Executive Leadership Development Program. She concluded by thanking our Library Media Techs in honor of National School Library month.

Business Services Update. Erin Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided an update on how the District is partnering with the City of San Marcos on road and traffic improvements around Richland Elementary School, and sharing that the first baby animals have arrived at the new Ag Farm, currently in its final reconstruction phases. 

Human Resources Update. Dr. Joel Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, shared how they are actively recruiting for four school principal vacancies, as well as partnership efforts underway at Palomar College to recruit students for career opportunities at SMUSD. Dr. Garcia also shared that the HR team has finalized a project to digitize onboarding packets creating a more streamlined experience, just in time for the upcoming hiring season. 

3. Student Board Representatives shared school updates. During the April 13th meeting, Student Board Representatives, Abby Coca from San Marcos High School, and Rami Khalid from Twin Oaks High School, shared updates from their schools.

Abby Coca began her update by sharing about the recent Spring Musical, and the powerful Every 15 Minutes two-day presentation on campus, which provides an immersive experience for students to educate them on the importance of sober driving and responsible choices. Coca also shared about the recent 8th grade visits, Future Ready work happening with the Filmmaking Academy, FFA, and Robotics students, as well as a Sports Update. Cocoa also shared that this would be her final Student Board Update for the year, expressed thanks for the opportunity, and shared her future plans, which includes attending Northeastern University in the fall. 

Rami Khalid, Twin Oaks High School, took the opportunity to share his personal story and how Twin Oaks High School has impacted his journey and future plans. Khalid described how changing schools, coupled with the pandemic, left him unmotivated for school until he attended Twin Oaks High School. I was shocked at how nice everyone was; the staff was really genuine and passionate about their jobs. I felt a comfort I had never felt in a school environment before, remarked Khalid. He further shared that thanks to the support of the Twin Oaks team and his family, he is graduating in June and will attend Palomar College in the fall. 

4. Student Demographics & Enrollment Projection by Davis Demographics. SMUSD has contracted with Davis Demographics to conduct a Student Demographics Report for the purpose of identifying trends occurring in the San Marcos community and how these trends could affect future student populations and potential shifts in district’s student population. 

David Kaitz, from Davis Demographics, shared an in-depth presentation beginning by explaining the methodology and the type of data included in the report, including analyzing past and current student enrollment data, residential development in and around San Marcos, mobility rates, birth rate data, and student yield factors. 

Based on this data, Davis Demographics projected that enrollment in SMUSD is projected to decrease over the next 10 years, largely due to declining birth rates and outward migration. 

Kaitz also suggested that it will be important for SMUSD to consider adjusting school zones and boundaries to better balance our current enrollment across our school sites, as well as to continually monitor future development plans so SMUSD can adjust accordingly. 

After the presentation, the Board engaged in a discussion and directed staff to come back with a timeline and next steps for how to move forward during the May Regular Governing Board Meeting.

Watch the presentation here at the timestamp 43:21. 

5. Contract Approval with Frantz Law Group and SMUSD to join Social Media Litigation. Frantz Law Group is in the process of beginning litigation on behalf of school districts against Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube, alleging these companies have contributed to a mental health crisis among children and teens, which affects their ability to succeed in school.  The goal of entering into the mass-action lawsuit with Frantz Law Group is to hold these companies accountable for their contributions to the youth mental health crisis. There is no cost to the district to participate in the lawsuit, and should there be a settlement SMUSD stands to obtain funding to support mental health services to SMUSD students. 

The Governing Board unanimously approved to enter into the social media litigation with Frantz Law Group.

6. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved personnel updates, including: 

• Adam Dawson, Assistant Director of Special Education, was approved by the Board. 
• Mandy Bedard, Principal on Special Assignment, was approved by the Board.  

7. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the May 11th San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

May 12, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen shared a brief presentation beginning with an overview of the recent Advocacy trips. Dr. Johnsen shared he was recently at the State Capital to meet with legislators and their staff advocating for the District�s top priorities, including stabilizing LCFF funds, mental health supports, and streamlined accountability. Additionally, the Superintendent and Board met with federal legislators in Washington, D.C. to advocate for District interests including special education funding, extended mental health funding when current federal funds expire, as well as cybersecurity. Dr. Johnsen then shared a preview of other presentations on the meeting agenda. 

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Business Services Update. Erin Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided a brief update regarding an upcoming State press conference to release the Governor�s May Revision of the budget, which is the most recent proposal for the 2023-24 year. Because State revenues have continued to come in lower than projected, coupled with an extended tax filing date of October 15th which will delay an accurate count of State revenues, this will create greater budget uncertainty. However, the SMUSD budget team is currently developing the 2023-24 Budget that will be presented to the Board on June 15th, and will primarily utilize the assumptions in the May Revision. 

Human Resources Update. Dr. Joel Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, provided an overview of the updated hiring process for principals, including adding additional assessments to the selection process, which received a lot of positive feedback. �As a result, we have a really strong group of highly-qualified principals joining our team, or current staff promoting into principal positions,� remarked Dr. Garcia. 

Dr. Garcia also shared in celebration of Classified School Employee Week, CSEA and District Administrators including the Superintendent�s Cabinet Team, will be participating in ACE, Appreciating Classified Employees, where Administrators job shadow a classified school employee to receive a day-in-the-life experience of a classified staff member. 

3. Student Board Representatives shared school updates. During the May 11th meeting, Student Board Representative, Emily Crysler, Mission Hills High School, shared an update.

Emily Crysler, Mission Hills High School, provided a review of the 2022-23 school year including Athletics highlights, ASB events including pep rallies, spirit week, dances, a staff karaoke event, Discovery Bowl Week, and more. Crysler then shared highlights from extracurricular activities including the Mock Trial program club, the Iron Kodiaks Robotics Club, as well as the Varsity Dance Team. Crysler also introduced the new Student Board Rep for next school year, Nikita Jadhav. To conclude, Crysler shared that she has been accepted and is committed to attend Penn State University in the fall.

4. Principal Update: La Mirada Academy. Principal Dana Spencer, along with Assistant Principal, Kelly Ezzard, provided an update on K-8 school, La Mirada Academy. Principal Spencer began by sharing an update on the school�s future plans. After analyzing school data, and reviewing feedback, it was clear the International Baccalaureate (IB) model is not providing students with the type of course content that will help them succeed in high school, and does not offer the variety of options that students are communicating that they would like in their school day. As a result, in the next school year La Mirada will begin to transition away from this model and will have a new framework for the school community. 

The new framework will offer a number of Pathways for students including an Music & Arts Pathway, a Language Pathway, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Pathway, three levels of band, choir, as well Avid and Avid Excel, which are college preparatory courses that help students succeed in high school and increase organizational skills. La Mirada will also offer ASB (Associated Student Body, also known as student leadership) and Yearbook courses, which are also offered in high school to prepare students to stay engaged at the next level.

�We are very excited about our Pathways forward and foresee some incredible engagement for our students,� said Principal Spencer.  

5. SMUSD Boundary Study Update. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, shared that after a recent demographics study presentation at a previous Board meeting, it was clear some schools are reaching capacity and it is time for SMUSD to adjust school boundaries. Garcia provided an update on the tentative action steps and a timeline for a boundary study by explaining the steps and phases of the plan. 

Phase 1 would be developing new boundary recommendations, which would include SMUSD entering into a contract with Davis Demographics in May 2023, followed by assembling a Technical Boundary Study Committee comprised of five to six District Office staff which will analyze the criteria of the boundary change based on Board Policy, meeting in May-July 2023. An Extended Boundary Study Committee will then be created, comprised of 10-12 District Office staff & principals of impacted schools in August-September 2023. Then in October-November of 2023, Community Input will be sought to gain input and feedback on 3-4 map options. Community Input will be obtained through in person meetings and online opportunities for feedback. 

Phase 2 would be the approval and implementation and consist of an Information Item to the Board with the final recommended map in December 2023. In January 2024, the final map changes will come before the Governing Board for possible approval. Should the final map be approved, in Spring 2024 students would be registering for the new school of residence with the updated map in place. 

�We�ve had members of our community speaking on this issue for some time, and I�ve been taking notes, and this process provides an opportunity to address those feeder pattern issues our community has been sharing with us,� said Garcia. 

6. SMUSD Strategic Promise Data Update & Needs Assessment. Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, provided a data update directly related to the Strategic Promise, on Future Ready goals, specifically with the Deeper Learning milestones. 

Deeper Learning Milestone: Elementary Foundational Literacy. Dr. Campbell shared midyear iReady reading data and Report Card data, which indicate an increase of students now reading above grade level as compared to the fall. Dr. Campbell also shared the work completed this school year to reach this goal, including: all K-2 teachers have been trained in the Orton Gillingham approach, K-5 timelines updated, phonics/sight word progression for K-2 now aligned district wide, the creation of an articulation of SMUSD�s approach to literacy, determined proficiency levels for current assessments, and the Curriculum Council identified essential ELA standards at all grade levels.   

�We have to build the supports for staff, to help students to reach these goals,� said Dr. Campbell. 

Deeper Learning Milestone: Middle School Redesign. Goals for middle school include Future Ready Students who are engaged in rigorous academic content and relevant experiences, and Future Ready Learning Environments that are welcoming places that promote academic, social-emotional, and physical wellbeing. Dr. Campbell shared some middle school reading and math data, which is fairly stagnant. �Not only in our school district, but we see in these transition years, that academic data doesn't look great. Students are moving from an elementary setting of one teacher, to multiple teachers and a huge campus; it's all of it that�s tough for them. Seeing the data stagnation is concerning, and that is why we are working to redesign the middle school experience,� said Dr. Campbell. �We will see a transformation in the data, when we transform the middle school experience for our students.�

Dr. Campbell also shared the work completed this school year to reach this goal, including: Professional development in math instruction, vertical alignment between middle school and high school ELA teachers, new curriculum in science with OpenSciEd, identified and purchased college & career platform called Xello, and Systems Design Benchmarking work. 

Priority Area: Campus Climate & Student Belonging. Director of Student Services, Christi Frias, shared recent Hanover Survey and Panorama Survey results and discipline data, which gauges student engagement, perception of belonging, and desire to be at school, as part of the Future Ready Learning Environments goal. 

While there are several concerning data points regarding belonging at the secondary level, overall students feel they have supportive relationships on school campuses. �Our goal is to take strides toward increasing these scores. Based on work being done this year, we have new survey data coming out again, where we hope to see increased numbers� remarked Frias. 

Work this year to support safe and welcoming school sites for all students included Inclusive & Safe Schools training at all sites, Trauma Informed Care training for all administrators, school social workers, school counselors, and psychologists; Diamond Safety training for teams from all school sites, and training in Restorative Practices across campuses.

7. Presentation from The San Marcos Promise. The San Marcos Promise Executive Director, Lisa Stout, shared a presentation about their services. As a non-profit organization, The San Marcos Promise provides services to help students plan and prepare for life after high school. These programs and services help students learn about themselves and their options to help them make informed choices about their future. Stout shared that establishing three Future Centers in the District, which provide college and career planning and support, has been one of their proudest accomplishments. Stout also provided an overview of other programs including Promise 360, which helps students looking to head straight into the workforce after high school, and Connect2Careers, which provides students with opportunities to hear from and network with professionals in the community. 

The presentation concluded with a request for financial support from the District. After discussion, the Board directed staff to begin working on an updated MOU for the 2023-24 school year with TSMP that is compliant with fiscal requirements for the expenditure of public funds and labor relations law, and that clarifies the nature of the partnership moving forward.

8. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved personnel updates, including: 

Lisann Selph, promoted to Principal of La Costa Meadows Elementary School, was approved by the Board. 

Angelica Barragan-Su, Principal Twin Oaks Elementary School, was approved by the Board.  

Katie Buffum, promoted to Principal of Woodland Park Middle School, was approved by the Board. 

Jesse Schuveiller, Principal of San Marcos High School, was approved by the Board. 

9. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the June 15th San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

June 16, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen shared a brief presentation beginning with an overview of the recent graduation ceremonies at all three high schools. Dr. Johnsen shared San Marcos High School had 837 graduates, Mission Hills had 645 graduates, and Twin Oaks High School experienced the largest graduating class in history with 176 graduates. 

Dr. Johnsen also shared about the recent Classified School Employee Association job shadow event which invites administrators, superintendents, and school board members to "job shadow" classified employees to see the essential work they do every day. During this event SMUSD leaders shadowed jobs including Bus Drivers, Child Nutrition Services, Custodial and Maintenance staff, Technology staff and more. �We all came back at the end of the day to celebrate, and we heard from our CSEA partners that employees felt really acknowledged and valued. It was so successful we are now planning to make it an annual event,� said Dr. Johnsen. 

Dr. Johnsen concluded by sharing that San Marcos Unified recently brought home two Classroom of the Future Innovation Awards. Marci Davis, San Marcos High School Healthcare Pathway teacher won the Achieve Award for her work bringing Future Ready learning and internship opportunities to students, and Chris Geldert, San Marcos High School Construction and Woodworking CTE Pathway Programs teacher won the College & Career Pathways Educator of the Year Award.

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update. Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, shared about the recent Reclassification Ceremony to celebrate 510 English language learners who, in addition to their native language, have become proficient in English & are now reclassified as an English speaker. 

Dr. Campbell also shared that this is the first year 5th grade and 8th grade Bilingual Awards were introduced. Staff is extremely proud 32 students received awards, signifying they have demonstrated age appropriate biliteracy skills for their grade level, and are on the path toward pursuing biliteracy with the goal of earning their California Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation. This year, 137 SMUSD seniors were awarded the California Seal of Biliteracy.  

Business Services Update. Erin Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided a brief update stating the summer months are the busiest time of the year for the Business Services departments. Garcia shared some of the work taking place includes the Nutrition Services team now serving free summer meals to anyone 18 years old and younger who arrive on site to San Marcos Elementary School and La Mirada Academy. The Facilities team is working to complete construction projects, asphalting, painting, resurfacing and implementing the Engie lighting project. 

Human Resources Update. Dr. Joel Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, provided a recruitment update stating that 122 certificated staffing changes for the upcoming school year including promotions, site changes, and more have been processed. The HR team is working to fill the remaining 40 vacancies before the 2023-24 school year begins.   

3. Public Hearing for the Local Control Accountability Plan. Director of Special Projects, Dr. Spencer Wavra, provided a presentation and update to the Board, which also serves as the public hearing, regarding the specific actions and expenditures proposed in the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). 

School districts receive funding from different sources from the State under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) which provides school districts flexibility, or local control, on how to best spend these funds. As a result, school districts must work with parents, educators, students, and the community to develop the LCAP, which is a three-year plan illustrating how funds will be used to serve students. 

The plan must outline goals to improve students� overall achievement as well as how they will serve specific student populations including foster youth, homeless youth, English learners, and low-income students.

Dr. Wavra explained the 2023-24 LCAP is the last year of the current three-year plan and has multiple priorities with four main goals: High-quality teaching and academics, providing supports to students to address opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all students, providing safe, welcoming and inclusive school climates for all students and their families, and facilitating parent and family engagement. 

Feedback on the LCAP is still being accepted and can be submitted on the website by clicking here. 

4. Public Hearing for SMUSD�s 2023-24 Adopted Budget. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, shared a presentation and update to the Board, which also served as the introduction to the public hearing for the District's 2023-24 Adopted Budget & 2022-23 Estimated Actuals Budget Report.  

Garcia explained at this time the State Budget is pending, �I can share that just today the Legislature approved Senate Bill 101, which is the budget bill they are passing forward to the Governor,� said Garcia. She explained the Governor now has 12 days to either sign or veto the proposed State Budget.

Due to the State Budget not yet being finalized, Garcia outlined the budget assumptions used to create the District�s 2023-24 budget, including the Governor's May Revise, reducing the amount of one-time block grants, utilizing the projected cost of living adjustment (COLA) percentages, the Transportation reimbursement to expand home-to-school bus service, and special education estimates. Garcia explained the District is projecting to receive $292.6 million, which has been larger the last couple years due to one-time COVID funding which is now over. Garcia also detailed how declining enrollment in the district is impacting Budget revenues. 

Additionally, Garcia shared several items impacting the Budget expenditures, including continued increases in the STRS & PERS retirement system contributions, the negotiated 4 percent salary increase, and the final spending of all COVID-related funding by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year. Garcia also shared Multi-Year Projections which will require careful planning and prudent management of District funds to support students, staff and long-term stability. 

Garcia presented an overall positive budget and recommended the Board approve the budget at the next Governing Board meeting to take place on June 22, 2023 to meet the statutory deadlines. If there are significant differences in the final enacted State budget and the district�s Adopted budget, an update will be presented at the August Board meeting.

5. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Special Meeting

June 23, 2023

1. Adoption of the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, by the Governing Board. During the June 15, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Governing Board a Public Hearing was conducted to review the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, which shows how SMUSD will use State funds to serve students. 

During the June 22, 2023 Special Meeting, the Board moved to approve the adoption of the LCAP, which is the final year of a three-year LCAP plan, and shall include a description of annual goals and the specific actions to meet state and local priorities.

2. Adoption of the 2022-23 Annual Budget by the Governing Board. During the June 15, 2023, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, presented the 2023-24 Adopted Budget and the Governing Board conducted a Public Hearing. 

During the June 22, 2023 Special Meeting, the Board unanimously approved the adoption of the 2023-24 Adopted Budget and 2022-23 Estimated Actuals Budget Report. 

3. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved several personnel updates, including: 

Tricia Storey, Principal of San Elijo Middle School, was approved by the Board.

Joseph Funk, Assistant Principal of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School, was approved by the Board.

Juana Lopez, Assistant Principal of La Mirada Academy, was approved by the Board. 

Joshua Knudson, Assistant Principal of San Marcos High School, was approved by the Board. 

Carisa Froelich, promoted to Assistant Principal of San Marcos High School, was approved by the Board.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

August 11, 2023

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. During the August 10, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Governing Board, Dr. Johnsen shared a brief update on how the SMUSD staff team has been gearing up for a fantastic 2023-24 school year professional development opportunities for staff and hosting the SMUSD Equity Conference. 

Dr. Johnsen closed his update by sharing that a recent San Diego Union-Tribune article highlighted the San Diego County school districts that send the most high school graduates directly to college. �We are proud that we have the third highest rate of students going directly to a two-year or four-year college right after high school,� said Dr. Johnsen. �This speaks to our promise to help all students become Future Ready.�

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, shared a presentation highlighting the work of Educational Services over the last couple months. In June, a districtwide Systems Design Benchmarking process was completed which helped identify key priorities for the 2023-24 school year. 

Educational Services staff also attended the California MTSS Professional Learning Institute to dive deeper into providing multi-tiered systems of support for students. 

Unique to SMUSD, new teachers to San Marcos Unified engaged in staff onboarding focused on the district�s instructional framework, Essential Elements of Instruction (EEI). This professional development is designed to develop high quality instruction amongst all teachers. 

Our students were also busy with five high school students participating in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Internship in partnership with Engie. SMUSD student interns were: Melina Eftekhari, Justin Walsh, from Mission Hills High School and Antonio Galloway, Kai Goodman, and Lucas Leung from San Marcos High School.

Students were active participants and moderators in the recent Educational Services Equity Conference: The Power of Story. Nearly 600 teachers and staff learned about building deeper connections with students and building an environment that fosters belonging. 

Business Services Update 

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, shared a presentation providing an update on the 45-day update, which is not necessary due to the minimal impact of the final Enacted State Budget and the SMUSD Adopted Budget. The next 2023/24 budget update will  take place at the December Board Meeting where Garcia will share the First Interim Budget Report.

Garcia also shared a Facilities Update on work that has taken place over the summer. There have been several traffic flow improvements made to Richland Elementary School in collaboration with the City of San Marcos. These include: a 3-way stop sign, new light signal, and bus lane. �Please keep in mind these improvements also take time for drivers and pedestrians to get used to,� said Garcia. �We will have City traffic engineers and SMUSD staff out there on the first day of school to help with the traffic flow as well.�

The new Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten wing at Double Peak School is now complete, as well as new exterior painting of Woodland Park Middle School and Mission Hills High School. 

Garcia also shared that many other campuses throughout the district received facilities improvements including: flooring replacement, asphalt repair in parking lots and blacktop areas, deep cleaning and landscaping. 

 Human Resources Update

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia, shared a presentation highlighting the work of District leadership and Union partners to work together collaboratively, including attending the California Labor Management Initiative June Conference together. The conference promoted troubleshooting issues through trust, communication, and listening. 

Dr. Garcia also shared that SMUSD staff and union leaders attended the recent Kaiser San Marcos Grand Opening event. �With over 1200 staff and nearly 200 retirees currently Kaiser members, it was important to see these expanded medical services and new healthcare innovation right here in San Marcos, and understand these expanded care options for staff,� said Dr. Garcia. 

3. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board September 14th Meeting

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. During the September 14, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Governing Board, Dr. Johnsen shared a brief update ​​​​​​​on several successes to mark the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. These include a successful first day of school, new General Education bus routes at five elementary schools, and the official dedication of the new Richland Elementary School.

Dr. Johnsen also shared a Board Policy update and that a series of upcoming strategic study sessions would be upcoming in October. �We work tirelessly to ensure what we are doing throughout the District is aligned, from the Boardroom to the classroom,� said Dr. Johnsen. �This is intentional and takes a lot of effort to keep our 2023-24 goals front and center.� 

Dr. Johnsen also shared about a new way to highlight our Classified staff, through a video series �Superintendent Spotlight�. 

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, shared an update regarding building on our Strategic Promise of the Portrait of a Graduate this year. This includes building and refining systems and practices to enhance the student learning experience, engaging staff in professional learning that builds capacity to create Future Ready learning environments, and increasing a sense of connection and belonging for every student.

Dr. Campbell emphasized the importance of belonging at school and shared about working with a new partner, Community Wraparound, a gang prevention program coming to secondary schools. 

Business Services Update. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, provided an update on a project at Carrillo Elementary School. The extensive long-term solution is underway which entails a new drainage system so the blacktop and field areas can be replaced. 

Human Resources Update. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia, shared a presentation on professional growth opportunities for staff to support the goal of Future Ready Educators. This included staff recently participating in the San Diego County Office of Education FRAME (Fully Realize your Administrative Management Excellence) Leadership Academy to cultivate leadership skills, coaching strategies and employee engagement. 

Dr. Garcia also shared about a California Department of Education Student Mental Wellness Conference, and shared an update on a Staff Wellness survey. Finally, Dr. Garcia also shared an update on the recent social media and technology training for site administrators, directors, and key leaders at our schools. 

3. Principal Update: Double Peak School. Erica Obrist, Principal, along with Assistant Principals, Kylie Lewis and Barry Zeait, shared an overview of Double Peak School. 

As a TK-8th grade school, Double Peak offers opportunities to allow older students to mentor younger students in a variety of ways  and also offers a variety of leadership, music and innovative programs. One program that specifically exemplifies the Portrait of a Graduate, is the Leader in Me Lighthouse School program, which focuses on building leadership, social and emotional skills. School leadership also shared their schoolwide goals and individual student goals. 

4. The Unaudited Actuals Report approved by the Board. Each year during the summer, the District goes through the process of closing the financial records for each fund that it operates. The financial results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 are summarized in the 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals Report. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, shared a presentation reviewing the Unaudited Actuals Report for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

As required, this report will be submitted to the San Diego County Office of Education and to the California Department of Education. The Unaudited Actuals are subject to audit by the District's independent auditor, and the auditor's opinion is due by December 15, 2023.

Garcia noted that the District�s total revenues for the 22/23 fiscal year came in at $323.1 million, while total expenditures at year end were $277.9 million. This places SMUSD in a solid financial position heading into this next fiscal year with a balanced budget and reserves at 9.8 percent. 

The Board unanimously approved the 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals Report. Garcia also shared her next Budget Update to the Governing Board and community will take place in December to share the 2023-24 First Interim Budget Update.

5. 2022-23 Employee of the Year Recognitions. Dr. Joel Garcia shared multiple employee recognitions for 2022-23 school year which include three District Employees of the Year: Certificated Employees of the Year, Danielle Dorsey and Darshell Norman (pictured below), and Administrator of the Year, Lisann Selph (pictured below). Although she could not attend the meeting, Classified Employee of the Year, Martha Duarte, was also recognized at the meeting.

6. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board October 12th Meeting

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. During the October 12, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Governing Board, Dr. Johnsen shared a brief update including the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council is now back in session, the recent press conference about the mental health program Let’s Face It Together., and the latest video to highlight Classified staff, �Superintendent Spotlight� featuring Gregorio Vega of San Marcos Middle School. 

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendents. 

Educational Services Update. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, shared an update on the Portrait of a Graduate Strategic Promise, focusing on the work of Early Literacy Goal to have all students reading by third grade, and developing Future Ready Educators. 

For a video of Dr. Campbell�s update, please click here scroll to 1:16 in the video.

Dr. Campbell also shared the news that SMUSD has been named a recipient of the national �Speak Up Hero� Award from Project Tomorrow for amplifying stakeholder voice when making educational technology decisions in the district. SMUSD is one of ten school districts in the nation to receive this award. 

Business Services Update. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, announced the expansion of General Education Home-to-School bus service. The additional schools to receive bus service beginning in January will be Discovery Elementary, Double Peak School, Knob Hill Elementary & Richland Elementary. 

Human Resources Update. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia, shared an update on the upcoming district Open Enrollment season and ongoing professional leadership development for staff. 

3. Student Board Representatives shared school updates. During the October 12th meeting, Student Board Representatives, Nikita Jadhav from Mission Hills High School, and Kaylin Ocheltree from San Marcos High School, shared school updates.

Jadhav�s presentation included how MHHS is emphasizing Connection & Belonging in their classrooms, and covered recent campus events, celebrations and pep rallies. She also shared how MHHS is bringing the Portrait of a Graduate to life through Future Ready learning including college readiness workshops, campus visits and the various Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways at Mission Hills. She concluded by acknowledging the recent San Marcos Chamber Rising Star, Alexa Montes, and shared an Athletics Update.  

Ocheltree�s presentation shared events on campus illustrating how they are also emphasizing Connection and Belonging, including the recent Welcome Day, Link Crew, and No Place for Hate events. SMHS is also engaging in Future Ready learning including recent CTE field trips to the Miramar Air Show, the new Translation & Interpretation courses, internships with Kaiser San Marcos and a Leadership Development Conference. She concluded her presentation with a Homecoming recap. 

4. Principal Update: San Marcos Middle School. Principal Nicole Scott, along with Assistant Principals Fernando Ramirez and Ryan Gallego, social worker Dushawn Powell, history teachers Jesse McAteer and Dr. Brandon Moore, and student leader Alex Boral, provided an update on San Marcos Middle School. The presentation shared student demographics, academic achievement, including 988 junior scholars, and highlighted work around Connection & Belonging on campus, and how it helps bring the Portrait of a Graduate to life at San Marcos Middle School. 

5. First Reading of Global Board Policy Adoption. Beginning in Spring 2022, SMUSD began work with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) to review and update board policies. SMUSD staff has identified policies that require revision to ensure ongoing compliance with changing state and federal laws. This process entailed a comprehensive policy development workshop and review of recommended revisions by both SMUSD and CSBA staff for legal compliance. This fall, a subcommittee of the SMUSD Board reviewed recommended revisions and were presented to the Board for a first reading. Next steps include bringing the policies to the November 2023 Regular Meeting to finalize and adopt policy changes. 

6. Public Hearing and Approval of Memorandum of Understanding between SMEA & CSEA to increase the health benefits cap for all employees. After a public hearing, the Governing Board approved the collective bargaining agreements between the San Marcos Unified School District and the San Marcos Educators Association (SMEA) as well as the California School Employees Association (CSEA). The major provisions of the agreement, include but are not limited to, costs that would be incurred by the District under the agreement for current and subsequent fiscal years, which must be disclosed at a public meeting. The disclosure documents include the cost impacts of the agreement which includes health benefit increases, to help all employees with the unanticipated rising costs of health insurance. 

7. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved several personnel updates, including: 

• Arazele Salazar, Executive Director of Fiscal Services, was approved by the Board.

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the January 18, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community. 

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation sharing the exciting return and welcome of students back to school after Winter Break. Dr. Johnsen also explained upon the return from break we immediately began to experience the unfortunate surge in COVID cases. However, Dr. Johnsen noted the district’s very successful testing program over the break, which administered 2,800 tests to staff & students, and the first week back from break, administering 2,500 tests to staff & students, as well as receiving and distributing state test kits to students. 

COVID Update

Dr. Johnsen further shared the current COVID surge has also caused staffing shortages.The Monday returning from Winter Break the district experienced 139 staff members out, which increased during the week, and like nearly every industry the district is moving ahead with outreach and recruiting to fill critical positions like substitute teachers, bus drivers, and nutrition service staff. 

Dr. Johnsen also detailed additional measures SMUSD is taking to keep staff healthy and working, including social distancing of at least 6 feet, moving to virtual meetings, limiting contact that exceeds 15 minutes, as well as complying with a current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) order to wear masks indoors. 

Dr. Johnsen acknowledged the frustration of families and staff with the many Decision Tree changes and detailed staff protocols with every new Decision Tree, that causes staff to stop, meet, evaluate changes, and then work to effectively communicate to staff and families. “Last year we had a one-page Decision Tree; this year we have a four-page Decision Tree. At one point, in the course of about a week, the Tree changed 11 times. We understand and share the frustrations of our families at the complexity and frequency of changes coming down to us,” shared Dr. Johnsen. 

He also specifically clarified that the emergency legislation allowing districts to engage in virtual or distance learning is no longer in effect, and school districts do not have the option to conduct distance learning. “We’ve heard that parents are overwhelmingly happy to be back in-person, but realize some families are wondering why we don’t just pivot back to distance learning temporarily, but that simply isn’t an option for us,” said Dr. Johnsen. “We are working extremely hard to keep all schools open safely.” 

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen shared a budget update, recapping the December action of the Board directing staff to identify $15.5 million in budget reductions, along with guiding principles to develop the budget. Two main factors that are driving the budget adjustments are declining enrollment and how we are funded. “I have heard the question ‘we always hear cuts are coming, but why is this year different?’, and the answer is that we have lost 1,200 students and do not receive the same funding as our neighboring districts,” explained Dr. Johnsen. 

The funding formula is an issue the Board and Superintendent have been advocating to change, including a recent CalMatters article featuring Dr. Johnsen vocializing concerns based on how budgets are currently funded. “Budget right-sizing must occur to create a stable & sustainable budget so we do not find ourselves in this situation again.” Additionally, Dr. Johnsen highlighted another point of frustration is the conflicting timelines between when the Governor finalizes the state budget and the SMUSD budget deadline. “Per education code, we need to make staffing decisions before we know how the Governor’s budget will settle out, this is a real constraint we are under,” stated Dr. Johnsen.

For a complete Budget FAQ and details, please click here. 

Portrait of a Graduate

Dr. Johnsen then switched gears to highlight the recent launch and kickoff meeting of the Portrait of a Graduate work of SMUSD. Dr. Johnsen shared that 83 community members, comprised of elected officials, administrators, teachers, parents and most important of all, students, were present in the recent kickoff meeting, which aims to create a portrait of the skills and attributes of every SMUSD student upon graduation. 

“We cannot allow COVID or budgetary concerns to take away from our core work of educating students,” remarked Dr. Johnsen. He also stated this work is intended to be specific to our community and our San Marcos Unified students. 

There are three remaining meetings that will occur over the next several months. For details and updates on our progress, please visit our Portrait of a Graduate webpage here. 

2. Governor’s January Budget Proposal Update. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented an overview of the Governor’s January Budget Proposal. Garcia shared overall budget themes pertaining to K-12 education. 

In addition to a cost of living increase funded by the state, the Governor’s budget proposal did not offer any changes to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base funding, which is the largest funding source school districts receive from the state.

In terms of relief for declining enrollment and the average daily attendance, or ADA, which fuel the funding formula for districts, there are some options in the proposal to address how ADA is calculated. These proposed calculations could provide some financial aid to school districts in California, to address the sweeping declining enrollment phenomenon across the state. However, these proposed changes would only help temporarily ease the financial cliff to give school districts time to re-adjustment their budgets in subsequent school years. 

The Governor’s budget proposal also addressed ongoing funding to expand transitional kindergarten, special education, child nutrition, and the expanded learning opportunity program, providing a 9-hour school day for low income students in TK-6th grade..

Next steps include monitoring state budget negotiations through June 2022, while moving forward developing the SMUSD second interim budget due by March 15, 2022. 

An FAQ regarding why budget adjustments in SMUSD are necessary, can be found by clicking here. 

3. Student Board Representative Update. 

In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The January 18th meeting featured student representatives, Ren Casillas from Twin Oaks High School and Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School.

Casillas’s presentation provided an overview of Foothills High School and San Marcos Adult School.  Foothills High School is an independent study program that offers flexible, self-paced online instruction, ideal for those who cannot attend school in-person due to  learning disabilities, social anxieties, or students in need of credit recovery. Due to the pandemic, Foothills expanded to now serve grades TK-12, with a growing wait list. Additionally, Casillas shared an overview of San Marcos Adult School, which offers adult learners, age 18 an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, not a GED. Due to the unique structure of the program, there are no electives required so students can graduate faster, with in-person support with teachers. These flexible learning options offer non-traditional students the opportunity to graduate and achieve educational goals. 

Davis’s presentation included an overview of activities since resuming school from Winter Break, as well as upcoming student social activities. Davis also shared that their philanthropic efforts, raised through a Giving Tree donation drive, garnered over $10,000 for students and families at San Marcos High School. Davis concluded that the ASB recently sponsored a staff lunch to show their appreciation for all of their hard work and dedication.  

4. Principal Update: Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School.

The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. Principal Linda Heinrich, provided an update on Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School. The presentation highlighted an overview of the student body as well as Heinrich outlining the goals of the school, which are to increase the academic achievement, create a safe and welcoming environment, strengthen teachers through professional learning communities, and implement research-based strategies to support student engagement. Assistant Principal Todd Marquette highlighted community-building efforts and events, and how students are taught to lead with empathy and kindness. 

5. The San Marcos Promise Overview & Update.

Lisa Stout, Executive Director of The San Marcos Promise (TSMP), shared a presentation providing an overview of the San Marcos Promise and current upcoming initiatives. The mission of TSMP is to work with the district to establish more partnerships and provide resources and tools to help students successfully launch their careers. By providing programming from elementary to high school students, TSMP works with key community partners to provide experiences and opportunities. One specific program is the launch of the coming Future Centers at both San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School. By refurbishing the old College & Career Centers at both schools, the Future Centers will serve as a one-stop shop for resources and questions. This central hub has been designed by students, for students, and will offer partnerships with local companies and serve as the go-to place for future planning.

For details and how you can get involved, please click here. 

6. Census and Trustee Area Maps Update

Following each federal census, the Board must approve adjustments of trustee area boundaries, to better reflect our community and ensure demographic equity for each area.

School districts with trustee area systems are required to review and, if necessary, adjust their trustee area map by March 1, 2022 to ensure population balance. As a result, SMUSD is partnering with Cooperative Strategies and Fagan, Friedman, and Fulfrost to make minor adjustments to the SMUSD Trustee Areas to obtain the needed population balance. 

This presentation outlines how the area has grown and offers three conceptual options for new trustee area maps. The Governing Board is currently in the process of gathering community input. To share your feedback regarding the minor adjustments needed to the trustee area maps, please click here. 

The Board plans to adopt final trustee area maps at the February 15, 2022 Governing Board meeting.

7. New High School Courses 

Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, shared a presentation detailing new proposed high school electives courses. Dr. Campbell began by sharing the background of how new courses are developed and the requirements they must meet. Proposed new high school courses include Ag Physics, Esports Marketing, Video Production II, and Pre-AP World History. The new proposed courses will return to the Board for approval at the February Governing Board meeting. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations to purchase instructional materials and supplies, support for the Adult Transition Program, iPads, and a new batting cage for Mission Hills High School.  

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

February 17, 2022

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the February 15, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing an exciting Athletics update highlighting the achievements of both San Marcos High School and Mission Hills High School. He also announced San Marcos High School alumnus, Terrell Burgess, recently won the Super Bowl as a player for the LA Rams. 

COVID Update

Dr. Johnsen proceeded to share a COVID update highlighting data from the COVID Dashboard noting the spike in January and that SMUSD is currently down to pre-surge numbers. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to teachers, counselors, and staff for all of their work during the Omicron surge.  

Dr. Johnsen also shared a school masking update, explaining that the outcome of the recent press conference held by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was not expected. 

“This was a highly-anticipated announcement about the future of masks in schools and I was disappointed to hear that there would be no change,” stated Dr. Johnsen. ”I am disappointed because after nearly two years into the pandemic and a lot of COVID fatigue, our families need to know, and we need to know, when or if we can anticipate this change occurring. The most difficult and frustrating part is that we don’t have answers for our staff and families.” 

Dr. Johnsen also highlighted various advocacy efforts taking place in our county to obtain clear timelines from the state, and shared the CDPH’s announcement of another press conference on February 28, 2022 where more information on the state school mask mandate is expected. 

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen shared that a full second interim budget update is planned for the March Governing Board meeting and further explained the district’s current budget situation. For the past two years school districts across the state have experienced declining enrollment due to the pandemic and to provide temporary relief, the state has been continuing to fund districts based on the 2019-20 school year attendance numbers. The state had also been communicating with districts that beginning in July, 2022, they would be funded on actual attendance and needed to prepare to experience revenue loss accounting for two years of declining enrollment all at once. Due to SMUSD’s loss of 1,200 students over the past two years, SMUSD leadership began planning to make necessary reductions for the 2022-23 school year budget. 

However, SMUSD just received an update from the state that the legislature may give districts more time to prepare for a decline in revenue and that the projected funding decrease for school districts will likely come over a period of several years. While budget adjustments may now take a phased approach, SMUSD must still rightsize staffing and adjust to serving fewer students. 

Portrait of a Graduate

Dr. Johnsen shared that the work to create a Portrait of a Graduate continues to move forward, which aims to create a portrait of the skills and attributes of every SMUSD student upon graduation. 

“While COVID and budget issues are important to a school district, we must stay focused on our primary mission, that our students are here to get a high-quality education,” said Dr. Johnsen. 

He shared the four competencies that have currently emerged from the group, comprised of teachers, parents, students, elected officials, administrators, and local business representatives, along with the potential graphics to represent the Portrait of a Graduate work. 

For details and updates on our progress, please visit our Portrait of a Graduate webpage here.

Superintendent-Student Advisory Council

Dr. Johnsen shared the launch of the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council, which has been created to cultivate leadership skills amongst students, and provide the Superintendent with input to improve the school experience of all students. Dr. Johnsen also shared that this group would be providing feedback and input in the Portrait of a Graduate process.

2. Future demographics projections & enrollment report. Davis Demographics provided a report to the Governing Board to share trends occurring in the community, and how these trends may affect future student population. 

Demographer Adrian Lopez presented highlights from the 2021-22 school year report and explained the data and methodologies used to generate the projections. Overall, the TK-12 student population for the San Marcos Unified School District is expected to decrease annually for the next seven-year period by -1.63% on average. Lopez specifically noted that SMUSD has been one of the last districts to see this declining enrollment trend, and went on to note that the other districts they work with in San Diego county have been declining for years. 

Additionally, the latest Enrollment Report was shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, to monitor the ongoing declining enrollment situation. The report highlighted that SMUSD continues to see enrollment decline, with this month’s report illustrating a decrease of 160 students from this time in the previous school year.

3. Student Board Representative Update. 

In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The February 16th meeting featured student representatives, Ren Casillas from Twin Oaks High School and Addai Vasquez from Mission Hills High School.

Casillas’s presentation included an overview of some of the staff who make the Twin Oaks High School campus so special. Casillas specifically highlighted social worker, Mr. Micah, who works with students on tough issues like homelessness, substance abuse, teen parenting, and more. He also shared that Mr. Micah hand delivers food to families every Friday after school. Casillas explained the structure of Twin Oaks as an alternative continuation high school, and all of the students are there for a specific reason that would prevent them from attending a traditional high school. Casillas concluded the presentation with an Athletics update and ASB events update. 

Vasquez’s presentation began by thanking the Governing Board for their dedication and gave each member a Mission Hills spirit pack. He also expressed thanks to his teachers for all of their hard work during the Omicron surge and tackling substitute teacher shortages. Vasquez then provided an overview on school activities including Club Rush, College Signing Day with students committing to universities including Augusta University, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Brown University, and more. Vasquez also shared the celebration of National School Counselor Week, and shared a Winter Sports update stating that several teams finished the season undefeated.  

4. Principal Update: Twin Oaks Elementary School. 

The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. Principal Carmen Madrigal, and Assistant Principal Christy Hussong, provided an update on Twin Oaks Elementary School. The presentation highlighted an overview of the student body and their dual immersion program which allows students to learn in both English and Spanish. The presentation also included an overview of school goals including culture & climate, aligning staff expectations, academic goals including math proficiency, and the 50/50 dual language immersion program. Principal Madrigal concluded the presentation by sharing that they are currently accepting transfers into their dual language program from inside or outside the district, with an information night coming in March.

5. Census and Trustee Area Maps Update

Following each federal census, the Board must ascertain whether adjustments of trustee area boundaries are required, and if so, adopt a revised map to accurately reflect our community and ensure demographic equity for each area.

School districts with trustee area systems are required to review and, if necessary, adjust their trustee area map by March 1, 2022 to ensure population balance. As a result, SMUSD is partnering with Cooperative Strategies and Fagan, Friedman, and Fulfrost to make minor adjustments to the SMUSD Trustee Areas to obtain the needed population balance. 

This presentation outlines how the voting-age population has grown and offers three conceptual options for new trustee area maps. This Trustee Area Map Update is not a school boundary or attendance map, rather this map impacts who can run for the Governing Board, when they can run, and who elects candidates for the Governing Board. 

After moving through the public hearing process, and with thoughtful consideration of all public input received, and applicable state and federal legal criteria, the Board unanimously approved to adopt the Trustee Area Map and demographic information described as the "Trustee Plan Map Option 1" as the adjusted trustee area plan establishing the boundaries for the trustee areas.

6. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. 

The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations of 44 plush footballs and 62 small teddy bear sweatshirts, received from The Bud Herbon Company, to be used for incentives for students at San Marcos High School. Gifts also included a donation of over $28,000 from the San Marcos Promise to purchase a Samsung Video Wall Display for the Mission Hills High School Future Center.  

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

March 4, 2022

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the March 1, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing several student successes including the recent student-led event at San Marcos High School celebrating Super Bowl champ Terrell Burgess, a spotlight on the Mission Hills High School girls’ basketball team making state playoffs, and a recent honorary luncheon for both high schools’ ASB presidents at the 65th annual Laurels for Leaders conference. 

COVID Update

Dr. Johnsen shared on Monday, February 28, 2022 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that beginning March 12, 2022 masking in school settings would move from required to strongly recommended, regardless of vaccination status. “We realize this is welcomed news for some, while others will question this guidance; for SMUSD, now we have the clarity from CDPH that we were seeking,” said Dr. Johnsen. He continued that after March 11th, he asks for everyone within SMUSD to please respect the choices of others, “There will be staff and students who will choose to discontinue their use of masks, and others who choose to continue to wear them. We ask that our students, staff, and school community please respect the masking choices that individuals make so we can continue our focus on teaching and learning.”   

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen shared that the budget picture has changed since the first interim budget in December 2021. At that time the district filed a qualified budget, driven by a structural deficit - which is an ongoing imbalance in revenue and expenditures. This structural deficit compelled SMUSD leadership to begin planning for necessary reductions for the 2022-23 school year budget. 

However, about six weeks ago the Governor included a provision in his January budget proposal that would allow school districts more time to prepare for a decline in revenue by decreasing funding over a period of several years rather than all at once as previously planned. Dr. Johnsen explained that it appears the legislature is likely to incorporate some version of this element of the Governor’s proposal in its adopted budget in June. This being the case, SMUSD budget reductions will still be necessary, but can now be undertaken in stages.

In alignment with the Board adopted Guiding Principles for Budget Development, non-staffing reductions are always made before staffing reductions are considered (examples include: reducing district office department budgets, canceling contracts not deemed essential at this time, considering funding sources and shifting resources when possible). When it is necessary to analyze staffing, staff first evaluates the feasibility of not filling vacant positions, then considers reorganization of positions or functions for increased efficiencies. Only after all of these measures have been taken are staffing reductions considered. 

A full second interim budget update will be shared at the March 15, 2022 Special Meeting.

2. Student Board Representative Update. 

In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The March 1st meeting featured student representatives, Addai Vasquez from Mission Hills High School and Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School.

Vasquez’s presentation began by sharing an overview of Black History Month celebrations, including an event featuring Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, as well as a Spoken Word event on campus. Vasquez also shared an overview of the recent Laurels for Leaders luncheon featuring ASB presidents in our county, an AVID Student Spotlight, and a brief overview of the I am AP club. Vasquez also shared about recent activities including color guard’s first performance in two years, a percussion competition, and a San Marcos Promise pickleball tournament raising $10,000 to help San Marcos students. Vasquez also shared that Demetrius Alleyne, a student in the band program, recently auditioned with other students across the state for a spot on the California All-State Wind Ensemble, where he earned a spot and recently performed with the ensemble in Fresno. Vasquez also announced the location of the upcoming Prom ‘22 venue at the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park. 

Davis’s presentation began by highlighting teacher, Ms. Tara Razi, who was recently featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune for her popular personal finance classes at San Marcos High School. Davis also shared an upcoming 8th grade visit to SMHS where students will share the exciting world of being a Knight, a Sports Update featuring boys’ & girls’ soccer, basketball, color guard, dance, as well as a recent Band Festival and JROTC earning a place to compete in the Academic Bowl this summer in Washington, D.C. Davis also provided a highlight of the recent student-led celebration for alumnus and Super Bowl champ, Terrell Burgess, that included performances from color guard, cheer, dance, and band. Davis concluded by sharing about Knights of the Round Table, which is a group of students that visit SMUSD elementary schools to discuss living a drug- and alcohol-free life while also participating in sports and activities.

3. Principal Update: San Marcos Middle School. 

The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. At the March 1st meeting, Principal Nicole Scott, and Assistant Principal Fernando Ramirez, provided an update on San Marcos Middle School (SMMS). 

The presentation began with a demographics snapshot, a review of their core beliefs, and that they were recently recognized as a “School to Watch'' by the Institute for Excellence in Education. The presentation also featured an overview of their school framework which encompasses four quadrants: instructional practices, quality learning environment, student staff relationships, and family engagement. They continued by sharing about school clubs including Model UN, CSUSM STEM Maker Space Alliance, Chess Club, JROTC and Aerospace program, and more. They also explained their unique VIP program which rewards students for stellar academic achievements, as well as their Mentor Program which seeks to empower students facing adversities to reach their full potential. With 78 mentees and 28 mentors, since instituting the program, in the 2013-14 school year SMMS experienced 113 suspensions, compared to the 2022-21 school year with only 1 suspension, as well as SMMS experiencing a significant increase in school attendance. Principal Scott concluded with how their staff regularly stays focused, “Every teacher in our weekly newsletter shares their ‘why’; it is the DNA of our school community.” 

4. Notices of preliminary staffing reductions. 

Assistant Superintendent, Henry Voros, shared a presentation giving background for three resolutions related to reduction in force. Assistant Superintendent Voros echoed Dr. Johnsen’s presentation, further explaining that SMUSD has been contending with rising costs and deficit spending, which has placed SMUSD in a position to correct these issues by reducing expenses. In alignment with our Guiding Principles for Budget Development, all staff positions across the district were analyzed and an Early Retirement Incentive Program was offered to eligible certificated staff in an effort to achieve savings and reduce the number of layoff notices needing to be issued. 

SMUSD has sought to soften the impact on schools and keep budget reductions as far away from our classrooms and students as possible. Per California Education Code, the district is required to send out preliminary notices of layoff on or before March 15, 2022, however a notice does not necessarily mean that a layoff will occur. A final list of staffing reductions will be brought back to the Governing Board during the Regular Meeting in May. 

5. Additional Graduation Seal for SMUSD students. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, provided an overview of a new administrative policy which introduces a new Academic Achievement, the State Seal of Civic Engagement. Students would be able to earn this new proposed seal based on achieving a set of criteria including demonstrating an understanding of civic engagement, government, and civic behavior. “This gives our seniors another opportunity to have an academic seal of achievement on their diploma,” said Dr. Campbell. 

Dr. Campbell also explained there are currently two other existing seals of Academic Achievement students can earn; the Golden State Seal and the Seal of Biliteracy. The administrative policy will come back to the Governing Board at the April meeting for final approval. 

6. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. 

The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from our school PTO organizations including Double Peak PTO, Paloma PTO, and Friends of Richland Club. 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here.

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Special Meeting

March 17, 2022

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. 

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the March 15, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Special Meeting:

1. Second Interim Budget Report and Board Resolution. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented the 2021-22 Second Interim Budget Report. Garcia began by sharing updated figures from the First Interim Budget presented in December 2021. Total General Fund revenues total $262.7 million, and expenditures currently total $261.8 million. Garcia also shared the district would again be filing a Qualified budget certification and an update on reductions needed to resolve the structural deficit. 

Garcia explained that the district would be filing a Qualified budget certification, meaning that unless budget corrections are made, the district may not be able to meet its financial obligations in one or more of the next two years. Out of over 1,000 school districts in the state, San Marcos Unified is one of 28 districts on both the California Department of Education and San Diego County Office of Education fiscal watch lists. SMUSD has been contending with deficit spending primarily due to rising costs, including employee pension increases, expanded services, and increases to utility, supply, and healthcare costs. Despite the state providing increased funding to schools, those increases will not keep pace with rising expenses in SMUSD unless spending reductions are made. As a result, staffing reductions are a necessary part of combating the structural deficit as staff salaries and benefits make up the largest portion of budget expenditures. Per California Education Code, the district is required to send out preliminary notices of layoff on or before March 15, 2022, however a notice does not necessarily mean that a layoff will occur. The staffing reductions included Certificated, Classified and Management positions, both at school sites and the district office. 

In December 2021 during the First Interim Budget Update, the amount of reductions projected was $15.5 million. However, after receiving the Governor’s January budget proposal with some relief for school districts, the necessary budget reductions are now projected at $10 million. Garcia also explained if we do not make these budget reductions now, deficit problems compound over time, making for larger reductions in the future. “At some point reductions will need to be done, but the longer you wait this $10 million reduction will be larger. By making these reductions we’re able to show a financially stable outlook for the district,” said Garcia. SMUSD leadership understands that the current budget situation is concerning and complex.

Due to the filing of a Qualified budget, the San Diego County Office of Education requires a Resolution to be passed stating SMUSD is committed to these reductions for the 2022-23 school year budget, which was approved by the Board. 

Garcia shared that next steps include moving forward making the $10 million of reductions and monitoring the Governor’s May Revise Budget. After this, a final list of staffing reductions will be brought back to the Governing Board during the Regular Meeting in May.

2. Proposed Annexation into Community Facilities District No. 14. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for new facilities.

The San Marcos Unified School District previously formed Community Facilities District No. 14 in 2020 as a “core-annexable” community facilities district into which additional property could be annexed. SMUSD  has received a request from Beazer Homes to annex the Solitaire development of 103 townhomes located in the City of Vista. Annexation into CFD No. 14 will provide additional special tax revenues to provide financing for needed school facilities. 

The Board approved the Resolution of Intention for the annexation, which is the first step in a three-step process to annex the property. The next step would be a Resolution of Formation to come back to the Board in April, and then a Second Reading of the Ordinance to come to the Board in June. 

3. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is brought to the board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. Garcia explained the latest report illustrates current enrollment at 19,606 students, which is 98 fewer students than the same time in the last school year. However, Garcia noted that the report reflects an additional 15 students enrolled from the previous month. 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

April 22, 2022

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the April 19, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing several student successes including both high schools hosting an 8th grade tour day to welcome incoming students, San Marcos High School JROTC students earning a spot to compete in the National Academic Bowl, and Mission Hills High School Varsity Dance earning a National Title & Mission Hills Indoor Percussion Ensemble earning a spot into the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Championships. Dr. Johnsen also shared a brief update on recent COVID guidance changes, the budget, and the Portrait of a Graduate process.  

COVID Update

Dr. Johnsen shared a few recent updates from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), including all student COVID quarantine options have expired, masks are now strongly recommended not required, and the CDPH has delayed the vaccine requirement stating it will not take effect for the 2022-23 school year. 

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen shared a brief update regarding the efforts to gain financial stability for the district. Since the last Governing Board meeting, the district has continued with efforts to stabilize the budget including non-staffing reductions, as well as a right-sizing of staffing that was approved at the March 1st Board meeting. After filing the second interim budget with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) last month, it was noted by the SDCOE that SMUSD “has taken proactive steps to ensure continued fiscal solvency.” Dr. Johnsen shared that while the work isn’t over yet, our budget is showing significant improvement and that we are headed in the right direction. 

“The goals we are working to achieve and experiences we have planned for students, cannot be achieved or sustained unless it is built on a solid financial backbone. I believe it will take sacrifices from all of us to work together to make the right decisions for the future,” said Board Member, Sarah Ahmad.

Portrait of a Graduate

Dr. Johnsen shared that the exciting work to create the district’s Portrait of a Graduate is currently being finalized and we are now transitioning into the Strategic Plan phase of this work, and creating a district that is “Future Ready”. Dr. Johnsen will continue to share updates on the progress of this work, and you can find out more by clicking on the Portrait of a Graduate webpage here.  

Dr. Johnsen completed his presentation by sharing that the district is planning to share the 2021-22 Annual Report at the Special Meeting to take place on May 24, 2022. 

2. Student Board Representative Update. 

In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The April 19th meeting featured student representative Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School.

Davis’s presentation began by sharing students will soon engage in CASAP, CAST, and AP testing over the next few weeks, Davis also shared an update on the recent Autism Awareness Month activities, a Sports Update, the recent student-led charity Farmers Market, and an upcoming event to welcome incoming Freshmen students to campus. 

3. Principal Update: Carrillo Elementary and Knob Hill Elementary. 

The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. At the April 19th meeting, Assistant Principal of Carrillo Elementary, Amanda Keeton, and Principal of Knob Hill Elementary, Dan Trujillo provided updates to the Governing Board and community. 

The presentation for Carrillo Elementary began with an update on the new student-led Peer Tutoring Program which was developed by students, with the goal of older students helping younger students on campus. This has not only resulted in successful tutoring and improvements in learning, but creating invaluable relationships among the students. 

The presentation for Knob Hill Elementary began with Principal Dan Trujillo sharing the mission and goals of the school and key professional development for the staff. Assistant Principal, Amy Sannella, shared demographics of the student body, community connections including the Arts Reach Program and the Green Apple Day of service, which created a new outdoor classroom and science garden at the school. 

4. Cost Savings Strategy: Enterprise Fleet Management Plan. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, shared that the Enterprise Fleet Management Plan is part of the district’s overall savings plan. 

Monica Marcelletti, from Enterprise Fleet Management, shared a presentation about the program which would, over time, replace all of the district's aging fleet of white vehicles including trucks, vans, and sedans. These would be replaced with newer vehicles that will provide enhanced safety, fuel efficiency and maintenance cost savings. Enterprise will continue to monitor the district's vehicle fleet to determine optimal replacement timing for cost savings and operational efficiency. The fleet management plan is projected to save the district over $272,000 over the next ten years. 

5. Proposed Annexation into Community Facilities District No. 14. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for new facilities. Local funding generated by CFDs is an important component that supplements SMUSD’s facilities program in order to better mitigate impacts on our school facilities as a result of new development.

SMUSD previously formed Community Facilities District No. 14 in 2020 as a “core-annexable” CFD into which additional property could be annexed. SMUSD has received a request from Beazer Homes to annex the Solitaire development of 103 townhomes located in the City of Vista. Annexation into CFD No. 14 will provide additional special tax revenues to provide financing for needed school facilities. 

After conducting a noticed public hearing and special landowner election, the Board approved the “Resolution of Formation” for the annexation, which is the second step in a three-step process to annex the property. The last step would be a Second Reading of the Ordinance to come to the Board in June.

6. Approval of collective bargaining agreement with the San Marcos Educators Association. The Governing Board approved the collective bargaining agreement between the San Marcos Unified School District and the San Marcos Educators Association, which also included a public hearing. The major provisions of the agreement, include but are not limited to, costs that would be incurred by the district under the agreement for current and subsequent fiscal years, which must be disclosed at a public meeting. The disclosure documents include the cost impacts of the agreement which includes a certificated and classified management salary increase of 3.5% effective July 1, 2021. 

7. Personnel Update. Personnel updates were also shared at the April 19th meeting, including the approval of Jillian Ryan as the new Assistant Principal at Mission Hills High School. Ryan has been a part of the Mission Hills family for the last 7 years, has served as Chair of the English Dept., and was recently named Employee of the Year. 

8. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is brought to the Board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. Garcia explained the latest report illustrates current enrollment at 19,621 students, while this is fewer students than this time last year, it does reflect a slight increase of 15 additional students from the previous month this school year.  

9. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. 

The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from our generous school PTO organizations including a $35,000 donation to include the Audio-Visual Systems in both the performing arts center and gymnasium at San Elijo Middle School. Additionally, SMUSD is grateful to private citizens like Carmen Day who donated a Nikon SLR Camera, various lenses, and camera bag, to benefit the Photography program at San Marcos High School. 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

May 6, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the May 3, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing several student successes, then provided a COVID update, and a budget update.

COVID Update

Dr. Johnsen shared a few recent updates from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), including that all student & staff COVID quarantine options have expired. Dr. Johnsen shared the COVID Dashboard illustrating our case rates remain low, less than 1% throughout the district. Dr. Johnsen also noted that SMUSD is still conducting testing and vaccination events. 

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen shared a brief update regarding California K-12 funding, highlighting the highly-unpredictable ‘feast or famine’ state budgeting cycle. Districts throughout the state are awaiting the state’s May Revise which will provide a more accurate picture of funding for schools, including if schools will receive more one-time money, an increase to the base funding, or other changes. In closing, Dr. Johnsen shared that with enrollment declines projected throughout the state, while districts may receive additional funding due to the large state surplus, SMUSD must be prepared to continue practicing fiscal discipline with regard to financial commitments, “Our goal is to achieve financial stability for our staff and our students,” remarked Dr. Johnsen. 

Dr. Johnsen completed his presentation by sharing that the district is planning to share the 2021-22 Annual Report at the Special Meeting to take place on May 24, 2022. 

2. Student Board Representative Updates. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The May 3rd meeting featured student representatives Addai Vasquez from Mission Hills High School and Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School.

Vasquez’s presentation began by sharing a few student success stories including a Mission Hills High School alumnus, Chris Olave, drafted by the NFL for the New Orleans Saints. Vasquez also shared an Arts and Music update, a Spring Sports update, and shared the exciting day for the Grizzlies recently as the baseball team received an opportunity to play at Petco Park and student SeRi McMahon opened the game by playing the National Anthem with her violin. As this was Vasquez’s last meeting as a student Board Representative, he shared that he will be attending Cal State San Marcos in the fall, and also introduced the next Mission Hills High School Student Board Representative for next year, Emily Crysler. 

Davis’s presentation began by thanking the San Marcos High School staff and acknowledging Teacher Appreciation Week. Davis then shared a Spring Sports update, highlighting San Marcos High alumnus, Kyle Philips, was recently drafted into the NFL for the Tennessee Titans. Davis also shared a variety of School Spirit events, as well as Discover SM, an event to welcome 8th grade students who will be incoming freshmen. Davis also announced the opening of the first Future Center at SMUSD on the campus of San Marcos High School, which will serve as a one-stop hub for all things related to college, career, and future planning, and provided a preview of the remaining end of the year events. Davis also shared this is also her last meeting as a Student Board Representative, and she will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall.  

3. Principal Update: Double Peak School. The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. At the May 3rd meeting, Principal of Double Peak School, Erica Obrist, along with Assistant Principals Kylie Lewis and Katie Buffum, provided updates to the Governing Board and community. 

The presentation for Double Peak School began with an update on an overview of the school including their unique TK-8th grade model, a music and innovation program, peer tutoring, and more. Obrist explained the school’s commitment to foster character, curriculum, and culture amongst students. An overview of music and the arts, as well as how the innovation classes, including coding and robotics, fits into the learning environment was also shared.  

4. Special Presentation: California Fiscal Outlook by guest speaker Kevin Gordon. Kevin Gordon, with Capitol Advisors Group, a team of experts in California politics, education policy and finance, provided insight on California state funding for schools.

Gordon began by sharing the confusion with the unprecedented funding from the state, and the perception that this should combat any financial issues schools have, “With unprecedented economic growth, school districts throughout the state need to cut their budgets, and people wonder ‘what’s going on?’”. Gordon explained that the majority of this unprecedented projected funding is in two forms, one-time money or restricted money, which districts should never spend for ongoing costs. 

Gordon also shared that Dr. Johnsen has been advocating to legislators to raise the base funding for school districts, not only one-time funding. Gordon explained the biggest funding help the state can provide is to raise the base, “The way the state funding formula is structured, it has disadvantaged this district. This is why you have to make budget choices other districts don't. How schools get the money, and how schools are able to use the money, makes all the difference,” said Gordon.

Gordon then explained the large COLA, or cost of living adjustment, from the state is only designed to keep pace with providing the same services from the year prior, “A COLA keeps you level to where you were the prior year, it doesn't give you a penny to make progress beyond where you were,” stated Gordon. With inflation at an all-time high, Gordon shared this COLA will not allow for increased programs or services. “We know this type of funding doesn't last forever and are anticipating a downtown in the next few years,” stated Gordon. 

Gordon pointed out another major budget strain is the retirement systems that are mandated for school districts to fund, but districts do not receive additional funding from the state to cover this rising cost. Gordon also shared that in addition to this fiscal strain, declining enrollment is a huge issue across the state for school districts and a factor for school budget issues. “When we go to Sacramento, we articulate two things, the state has to address retirement funding and declining enrollment for schools,” said Gordon.

Gordon also explained that school districts are in a difficult position to have to create a budget and notice any employee of potential layoffs by March 15th, but the state doesn’t provide the final budget to school districts until June. “We are advocating moving this layoff notice deadline until after the state budget is finalized, which means most layoffs would never have to be issued. Districts can't spend money they can't count on - hope is not a plan,” stated Gordon.

To watch the entire update from Kevin Gordon, please click here and go to 1:06 in the video.

5. Third Interim Budget Report. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented the 2021-22 Third Interim Budget Report. Garcia began by sharing updated figures from the Second Interim Budget presented in March 2022. General Fund revenues total $263.2 million, and expenditures currently total $266.9 million, bringing the district’s unrestricted budget just shy of being balanced. While the district will be filing a ‘Qualified’ budget certification, SMUSD is on track to file a ‘Positive’ budget certification by the end of the calendar year, which is the highest certification and signifies a district is in good financial standing.

Garcia explained that next steps include continuing to monitor the state budget and the Governor's May Revise, continue to work on our LCAP, Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate, as well as continue to implement the reductions per the Board Resolution.  

6. Notices of final staffing reductions. Assistant Superintendent, Henry Voros, shared an update explaining the two resolutions relating to final staffing reductions. The resolutions outlined hearing details, bumping rights, along with settlement details. Assistant Superintendent Voros explained that per California Education Code, the district is required to send out preliminary notices of layoff on or before March 15, 2022, however a notice does not necessarily mean that a layoff will occur. While the final resolutions were approved for both certificated and classified staff, layoff notices are still able to be rescinded for numerous reasons, including improved budgetary projections from the state. 

7. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is brought to the Board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. Garcia explained the latest report illustrates current enrollment at 19,620 students, a slight decrease from the previous month this school year.  

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from our generous school PTO organizations for supplies, instructional materials, after school programs and more. 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

June 24, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the June 21, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing about the three recent high school commencement ceremonies for the class of 2022 at Mission Hills High School, San Marcos High School and Twin Oaks High School. 

Portrait of a Graduate

Dr. Johnsen shared an update on the final Portrait of a Graduate, which was also approved by the Board during the meeting, and the coming Strategic Plan which will serve as the plan to implement the Portrait of a Graduate throughout the District. 

The Portrait of a Graduate clearly outlines the skills, mindsets, and competencies SMUSD students will have upon graduation, or what a Future Ready student looks like, and what a Future Ready school district looks like. 

“Our Portrait of a Graduate is the North Star, but what it is really going to do is help inform our decisions as a Board. They will be based on this process that was community and stakeholder led, and is really exciting and important work,” - Board President, Stacy Carlson. 

“I’m so proud of our kids, and throughout this year I kept thinking about how we can improve their experience, and this is why I am so excited about the Portrait of a Graduate. I am so glad we are ending this year in a forward facing momentum,” – Board Member, Sarah Ahmad. 

Budget Update

Dr. Johnsen also shared a brief update regarding the District’s 2022-23 Budget. Dr. Johnsen shared that the District will be filing a positive budget by this December, which is the highest level of budget certification that can be achieved and signifies a District is in good financial standing. “As you know we have done a lot of work this year around the budget, and we are now better positioned fiscally going into the next year,” said Dr. Johnsen. He also encouraged thoughtfulness with fiscal decisions going forward, in light of the predicted economic downturn and potential declining enrollment impacts on SMUSD budgets.

2. Public hearing for the Local Control Accountability Plan. Director of Special Projects, Spencer Wavra, provided a presentation and update to the Board, which also serves as the public hearing, regarding the specific actions and expenditures proposed in the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP. 

School districts receive funding from different sources from the State under the Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, which provides school districts flexibility, or local control, on how to best spend these funds. As a result, school districts must work with parents, educators, students, and the community to develop the LCAP, which shows how they will use these funds to serve students. The plan must outline goals to improve students’ overall achievement as well as how they will serve specific student populations including foster youth, homeless youth, English learners, and low-income students.

The LCAP has four main goals: High-quality teaching and academics, providing supports to students to address opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all students, facilitate parent and family engagement, and providing safe, welcoming and inclusive school climates for all students and their families. 

Feedback on the LCAP is still being accepted and can be submitted on our website by clicking here.  

3. Public hearing for the District’s 2022-23 Adopted Budget. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, shared a presentation and update to the Board, which also served as the introduction to the public hearing for the District's 2022-23 Adopted Budget & 2021-22 Estimated Actuals Budget Report.  

Due to the State Budget not yet begin finalized, Garcia outlined the budget assumptions used to create the District’s 2022-23 budget, including the Governor's May Revise, projected COLA, or cost of living adjustment percentages, special education estimates, and did not include any projected one-time funds the District may receive from the State. Garcia also outlined the current differences between the Legislature's current proposed budget and the Governor’s current proposed budget. The Legislature approved its proposed budget on June 13, 2022, and the Governor has 12 days to either sign or veto the proposed State Budget once he receives it.

Garcia also detailed how declining enrollment in the district is impacting Budget revenues. Although the district will receive an increase to the per student LCFF funding allocation next year, because funding is based on enrollment and student attendance, if enrollment declines, it will dramatically affect the amount of dollars the District actually receives.

Additionally, Garcia shared several items impacting the Budget expenditures, including a 12% increase from last year in the STRS & PERS retirement system contributions, and the purchase of four school buses and school bus cameras. Salary increases were not included in the District’s Budget as negotiations for the next year have not yet begun. Garcia also shared Multi-Year Projections which will require planning and a fiscally conservative approach to keep the District stable in the long run.

Garcia presented an overall positive budget and recommended the Governing Board approve the budget at the next Governing Board meeting to take place on June 28, 2022, to meet the statutory deadlines.  If there are significant differences in the final enacted State budget and the district’s Adopted budget, an update will be presented at the August Board meeting.

4. Second Reading & Adoption of Community Facilities District 14. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for school facilities.

The San Marcos Unified School District previously formed Community Facilities District No. 14 in 2020 as a “core-annexable” community facilities district into which additional property could be annexed. SMUSD has received a request from Beazer Homes to annex the Solitaire development of 103 townhomes located in the City of Vista. Annexation into CFD No. 14 will provide additional special tax revenues to provide financing for needed school facilities. 

The final step in the process is the Second Reading of the Ordinance which came to the Board during the June 21st meeting, and was approved.

5. Governing Board Meetings date changes beginning July 2022. Several changes were made to update existing Board bylaws, including updating the Governing Board meeting days to the first or second Thursday of the month, beginning in July 2022.The Governing Board meeting time will remain at 6:30pm. Click here for the updated meeting dates. 

6. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared during the meeting, including:

A new Principal for Knob Hill Elementary School, Amy Sannella, was approved by the Board.     

A new Principal for Carrillo Elementary School, Amanda Keeton, was approved by the Board. 

A new Principal for Paloma Elementary School, Todd Marquet, was approved by the Board. 
A new Assistant Principal for San Marcos High School, Jesse Mindlin, was approved by the Board. 

Finally, the Board approved  Nick Brizeno, as the new Director of Purchasing.

7. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is brought to the Board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. Garcia explained the latest report illustrates current enrollment at 19,555 students, a slight decrease, which are normal declines that take place at this time of the year. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from our generous school PTO organizations, Lusardi Construction, Hansen Surfboards, Mission Federal Credit Union and others, for supplies, printing, enrichment and more. 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Special Meeting

June 29, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the June 28, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Special Meeting:

1. Adoption of the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, by the Governing Board. At the June 21, 2022 Governing Board meeting a Public Hearing was conducted to review the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, which shows how SMUSD will use State funds to serve students. 

During the June 28, 2022 Special Meeting, the Governing Board moved to approve the adoption of the LCAP, which shall be effective for a period of three years, and shall include a description of annual goals and the specific actions to meet state and local priorities.

2. Adoption of the 2022-23 Annual Budget by the Governing Board.  On June 21, 2022, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, presented the 2022-23 Adopted Budget and the Governing Board conducted a Public Hearing. Since that time, the Governor has approved the State Budget. “There were some significant differences between the recently adopted State Budget and our 2022-23 Annual Budget, and we will be addressing these when we bring the Budget back to the Governing Board for the 45-day Budget revision presentation in August,” said Garcia.

Garcia noted that some of these differences are an increase to LCFF Base grant funding, help for Districts with Average Daily Attendance, or ADA, relief and additional one-time funds. 

The Governing Board unanimously approved the adoption of the 2022-23 Annual Budget. 

3. San Marcos Unified receives grant-funded electric buses and partners with Engie Energy Solutions for Cost & Energy Savings across the District. The San Marcos Unified School District has received grant funding to purchase seven electric buses through the Air Pollution Control District. As a result, SMUSD is in need of updating the charging and energy infrastructure for these buses, and to meet the State mandate of a carbon neutral bus fleet by the year 2035. SMUSD has been working with Engie Energy Solutions to identify a plan to upgrade the Transportation Yard and bus fleet, as well as identifying other cost and energy saving measures so that these upgrades can be done at no-cost to the District.

Engie Energy Solutions Senior Manager, Nancy Rorabaugh, shared a presentation that outlined an initial assessment of several energy conservation measures (ECMs) throughout the District to help pay for these upgrades. This includes utilizing the energy savings from upgrading to energy-efficient LED technology throughout the District, Solar and battery storage at the District Office, and irrigation controls. 

The Governing Board approved a Resolution authorizing Engie Energy Solutions to conduct a Final Comprehensive Program to identify energy savings at no-cost to the District.

4. SMUSD rollout of the State’s Universal Pre-K. Deputy Superintendent, Tiffany Campbell, provided an overview of the rollout of the State’s Universal Pre-K, also known as Transitional Kindergarten (TK), at SMUSD. 

The State of California is providing funding to Districts that are willing to implement equitable, early, inclusive education for their youngest learners, especially the year prior to Kindergarten. Universal means that by the year 2025-26 regardless of background, race, zip code, immigration status or income level, every child will have access to a quality learning experience the year before Kindergarten. 

The San Marcos Unified School District is now enrolling for Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, for the 2022-23 school year. TK will be available at all SMUSD elementary and K-8 schools for students who turn 5 between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023, with both morning and afternoon sessions offered. 

For more information or to enroll, please click here. 

5. Governing Board adopts SMUSD Endemic Plan. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Garcia, shared the San Marcos Unified Endemic Plan outlining the District’s ongoing response to mitigate COVID-19. Although not required, the SMUSD Endemic Plan is in alignment with the Governor’s SMARTER plan, and outlines how SMUSD will continue to implement mitigation strategies to manage COVID-19 while moving the District forward in a safe and secure learning environment.

Click here for the Endemic Plan.  

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

July 15, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the July 14, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. San Marcos Unified receives a K-12 Health Education Grant from the San Diego County Office of Education.  San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) in partnership County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has granted over $150,000 in funds to SMUSD to update the District’s health education programming in alignment with the California Health Education Framework. 

Districts throughout the county submitted applications to receive these grant funds, which aims to improve six content areas of health education in K-12 schools, including: identifying and providing leadership to update health education instruction, providing health education professional learning and technical assistance to teachers, implementing skill-based health education instruction with students, purchasing instructional materials, and more. 

SMUSD will complete this health education programming update in both middle and high schools no later than May 1, 2023. 

“As a district, we recognize the deep connection that physical, social emotional, and mental health have to our students’ academic growth and achievement. We are fully committed to comprehensive health programming for all of our students at every grade level, so we are grateful to the San Diego County Office of Education for providing us the additional resources to ensure our program continues to be stellar,” said Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell.

2. The Board approves Community Facilities District (CFD) Resolution for Special Tax Assessment. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for school facilities.  

CFD’s, or special tax areas were formed to issue bonds to provide needed financing for school facilities. Local funding generated by CFDs is an important component of the District's overall facilities program. It is the responsibility of the District to annually establish the special taxes for each unit within the CFDs pursuant to the legal provisions.

As a result, the Board adopted a Resolution establishing annual special taxes for Community Facilities District Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16. 

3. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared during the meeting, including:

A new Assistant Principal for Carrillo Elementary School, Shannon Williams, was approved by the Board. 

A new Assistant Principal for La Costa Meadows Elementary School, Traci Barnhill, was approved by the Board. 

A new Assistant Principal for San Marcos Middle School, Kristin Anderson, was approved by the Board.     

A new Assistant Principal for Woodland Park Middle School, Steve Chavez, was approved by the Board. 

4. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District. Gifts include donations from our generous school PTO organizations and businesses for STEAM and fine arts education, instructional materials, supplies, and more.  

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

August 15, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. 

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the August 11, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community.  Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by welcoming staff and students back to the new 2022-23 school year starting next week, August 16, 2022. Dr. Johnsen also shared that throughout the summer many staff have been in professional development conferences and retreats to plan and prepare for the new year, as well as students working hard to lead registration and welcome back events on their campuses. 

COVID-19

Dr. Johnsen provided a brief update on COVID-19, sharing that per our SMUSD Endemic Plan, over the summer staff has worked to optimize indoor air quality, clean and sanitize facilities, hosted vaccination events, as well as free COVID testing for all of our staff, students and their families. Dr. Johnsen also reiterated that as we have done throughout the pandemic, we are following guidance from public health officials, and that masks remain strongly recommended, not required, at SMUSD campuses as we open the 2022-23 school year.  

Safety Update

Dr. Johnsen was proud to share that our SMUSD staff safety team, as well as our law enforcement partners, have been hard at work ensuring our campuses are as safe as possible, including San Marcos Sheriff’s Office conducting two active shooter drills on our Mission Hills High School campus this summer while student and staff were off campus. 

Portrait of a Graduate

Finally, Dr. Johnsen shared an update on San Marcos Unified’s vision for the future, also known as our Portrait of a Graduate. With the final Portrait of a Graduate vision in place, outlining how our students will become Future Ready, SMUSD is now shifting gears to implement this vision throughout our school by engaging in a Strategic Planning process. This process will help ensure SMUSD becomes a Future Ready System, that supports the growth and development of Future Ready educators, who create Future Ready learning environments that produce Future Ready students. 

2. The 45-Day Budget Update presented to the Board. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, provided a 45-day Budget Update to the Board, which is the first opportunity to revise the SMUSD’s revenues and expenditures based on the enacted State Budget.

Garcia began the presentation by outlining what has changed in the SMUSD Budget since the State Budget has been finalized, as per Education Code the District must submit a final budget before the State Budget passes. Garcia shared that SMUSD has updated its Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base grant funding to the full 6.28% that was approved in the final State Budget, as the District only budgeted 2.5% in its Adopted Budget.  She confirmed that the State budget did include COVID attendance rate relief funding which is reflected in the current SMUSD Budget. However, the state has made additional one-time funding available to school districts, which are currently not yet reflected in the SMUSD Budget.

Garcia further explained details regarding two one-time grants from the State, a Learning Recovery Grant and an Arts, Music and Instructional Materials grant. Garcia shared that while both grants will bring welcomed revenue, they have specific time limitations to use them by and restrictions on the funding. “The District will need time to plan for the best ways to utilize these funds, while not incurring additional ongoing expenses,” said Garcia. 

Garcia also shared that the State provided additional ongoing funding to support student transportation within the District. Requirements of the funding include providing low-income, homeless, and students with disabilities in grades TK-6th grade with transportation service. While there is no mandate to provide this service, SMUSD will be working to create and submit a plan to the Governing Board no later than April 1, 2023 which will further outline how this funding will be utilized.

Garcia also shared that during her next Budget Update to the Governing Board and community, she will present the Unaudited Actuals from the 2021-22 school year, which will take place during the September Board meeting, followed by the 2022-23 First Interim Budget Update presentation in December. 

3. Board heard an update on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. Director of Special Projects, Spencer Wavra, provided a presentation and update to the Board on the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, or ELOP. 

All school districts in the state are required to develop an expanded before and after school program that is offered to unduplicated students in TK-6th grade. Unduplicated students include English learners, foster youth, or students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The focus of the program is to help develop the academic, social, emotions and physical needs of these students through a hands-on, engaging learning experience. 

Wavra explained that the ELOP plan will roll out in a phased model, by first expanding the current programs already in place at school sites, these include Joli Ann Elementary, San Marcos Elementary, La Mirada Academy, San Marcos Middle School and Woodland Park Middle School. The next phase would then expand the program on school sites that do not have any before or after school opportunities in place, and the final phase would expand the program into Transitional Kindergarten. 

While this program is not mandated to be put in place until the 2023-24 school year, Wavra outlined in his presentation that SMUSD already has this program in place and shared the next steps of the plan which includes notifying parents and guardians that their student qualifies for the program, solidifying memorandums of understanding with key partners, and continuing to fine tune the schedule for this year. 

4. Board receives staff recommendations for updates to the Student Dress Code Policy. The Governing Board regularly reviews existing policies to ensure they continue meeting the needs of the District. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell shared a presentation regarding the Student Dress and Grooming policy, along with the Director of Student Services, Christine Frias, and Mission Hills High School student Sierra Stanley, who shared student feedback regarding recommended dress and grooming policy changes. 

After reviewing the data, and conducting staff and student focus groups, key takeaways included an agreement that there are some attire that is not appropriate for the school setting, and that little change was actually needed to the policy, with the focus shifting to create consistent enforcement of the policy. As a result, staff will be trained on equity with regard to the enforcement of the dress code and communicating with mutually respectful exchanges.  The recommended changes to the policy will come before the Governing Board for approval at their September meeting.

5. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared during the meeting, including a new Assistant Principal for Knob Hill Elementary School, Stephanie Higginbotham, was approved by the Board. 

6. Increase of Daily Pay Rate for Substitute Teachers. San Marcos Unified is always seeking to attract and retain the most qualified professionals. As a result, the Board approved an increase in the substitute teacher pay to $185 per day, and $200 per day for long-term assignments. 

7. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous business partners, including Mission Federal Credit Union and Cooperative Strategies, to support several professional development events.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

September 9, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. 

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the September 8, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community.  Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing about a successful start to the new school year, with noted excitement and positivity about the upcoming year across school campuses. 

COVID-19

Dr. Johnsen provided a brief update on COVID-19, sharing that per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) & San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) they have relaxed some guidance allowing students to return to school more quickly. Schools also have a supply of at-home test kits on hand for students & staff, and have vaccination events scheduled throughout the fall.   

Budget Update & Moody’s credit rating upgrade

With regard to the current budget, Dr. Johnsen explained that the State has given a large increase to the LCFF base funding for school districts, while also noting that a recession or economic downturn of some type is likely on the horizon. Dr. Johnsen stressed that it is in the District’s best interest to continue to maintain prudent management of District funds to support students, staff and long-term stability. 

Dr. Johnsen also shared that due to the painful but necessary budget reductions taken this last school year, Moody’s recently announced the San Marcos Unified credit rating increase from negative to ‘stable’. In its published credit opinion, Moody’s noted that the “difficult but necessary” budget reductions were approved by the Governing Board in 2022, and the “new leadership team has shown commitment to improving operations through the implementation of tighter position controls, an emphasis on transparency and engagement with the board and community.” For details and the full announcement, please click here. 

Portrait of a Graduate & Strategic Plan

Finally, Dr. Johnsen shared an update on San Marcos Unified’s vision for the future, also known as our Portrait of a Graduate. Currently, staff is working to create the Strategic Plan to implement this vision across all schools. Next steps include a Strategic Plan Board Study Session on September 29th to further discuss goals, action areas, gain input, to ultimately finalize a Plan in October. 

2. NEW - Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, provided a brief update to the Board and community regarding districtwide multi-tiered systems of support, which are focused on student connectedness, student academic performance, and positive behaviors, that are rooted in the foundation of equitable practices.

Erin Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, explained that the improved credit rating from negative to ‘stable’ was driven by successfully eliminating structural deficits and will provide savings to San Marcos taxpayers in the future. Garcia also shared a brief update on enrollment, noting that SMUSD currently has a better outlook than initially projected. 

3. The Board welcomes new Student Board Representatives. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. During the September 8th meeting, the Board welcomed two of this year’s new Student Board Representatives: Abigail Coca of San Marcos High School and Emily Chrysler from Mission Hills High School.

Coca’s presentation began by sharing that she has been a student with SMUSD since Kindergarten, as well as sharing all of her extracurricular involvement, and her goal to keep the community engaged in the happenings at San Marcos High School. Coca then kicked off her presentation with Welcome Day, Knighthood Freshman Assembly, as well as sharing about student activities including the Homecoming Theme: Las Vegas. She then shared a Sports Update including the Blue Crew coming out in record student numbers at the first football game. 

Chrysler’s presentation began by sharing about welcoming new students to the school with the Link Crew Orientation as well as sharing an update on the first day at Mission Hills High School. Chrysler then shared an update on the strong start to the Athletics season, Student Activities including an exciting first Pep Rally that included the Homecoming Reveal: Under the City Stars. Students also enjoyed Senior Sunrise, Senior Spirit Week, Club Rush featuring over 50 clubs for students to join, and Yellow Ribbon Week to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. 

4. Principal Update: San Elijo Hills Elementary School. At the September 8th meeting, Principal of San Elijo Elementary, Gary Pope, and Assistant Principal, Mara McLeod, along with student Hank Gilchrist, provided an update to the Governing Board and community. 

Principal Pope’s presentation began by sharing an update on the culture and excitement in the staff, families, and students at San Elijo Elementary School, including a collaborative new vision and mission for the school that is in alignment with the Portrait of a Graduate vision for the District. Assistant Principal McCleod discussed this year’s goals for the school, including systems alignment, social-emotional learning, strengthening professional learning, and school safety. Finally Hank Gilchrist, 4th grade student, provided an overview of Leadership Opportunities at the school including Student Council, STARs Tutoring, the SEES Newspaper, and Big Buddies. 

5. The Unaudited Actuals Report approved by the Board. Each year during the summer, the District goes through the process of closing the financial records for each fund that it operates. The financial results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 are summarized in the 2021-22 Unaudited Actuals Report. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, shared a presentation reviewing the Unaudited Actuals Report for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

As required, this report will be submitted to the San Diego County Office of Education and to the California Department of Education. The Unaudited Actuals are subject to audit by the District's independent auditor, and the auditor's opinion is due by December 15, 2022.

Garcia noted that out of the District’s $270.4 million in revenues, some additional funding in the form of new state grants totaling $6.8 million was recognized, bringing the revenue budget accuracy to 97.4 percent. Additionally, for Budget expenditures the budget accuracy was 99.5 percent. This places SMUSD in a solid financial position heading into this next fiscal year with a balanced budget and reserves at 8.78 percent. 

Garcia also shared how the additional COVID funding allocated to schools was spent at SMUSD, stating that the District has spent 70 percent of the $62.1 million received, leaving $18.6 million as the remaining COVID fund balance. To date, COVID funds have been used to provide additional temporary staffing through the height of the pandemic, substitute teachers, independent study teachers to help with student learning loss, PPE, cleaning supplies, instructional software and materials, and improved ventilation. 

The Board unanimously approved the 2021-22 Unaudited Actuals Report. Garcia also shared her next Budget Update to the Governing Board and community will take place in December to share the 2022-23 First Interim Budget Update.

6. Public Hearing and initial proposals. A public hearing is required before negotiations between the District and labor unions may commence, also known as sunshining, to publicly disclose the issues that will be discussed. Two public hearings were held in order to allow the public an opportunity to comment on the Initial Proposal of the San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) to the San Marcos Educators Association (SMEA) as well as the Initial Proposal of the San Marcos Educators Association (SMEA) to the San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD).

The initial proposal of SMUSD to the SMEA expressed the intention to negotiate an agreement, which included six articles in the initial proposal. ​​​​​​​

The initial proposal of SMEA to the SMUSD expressed the intention to negotiate an agreement, which included five articles in the initial proposal. ​​​​​​​

There was no public comment made on the proposals and the public hearings were closed. 

7. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared during the meeting, including a new Manager for Maintenance & Operations, Christina Thames, was approved by the Board. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous business partners, including the Knob Hill PTO, Mission Federal Credit Union, Inspire Diagnostics, Keenan, and Balfour Beatty to support schools & professional development events.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here.

BOARD BRIEF: Recap from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Special Meeting

September 30, 2022

The commitment from our Governing Board is to provide our staff, families, and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. 

The following Board Brief provides a recap from the September 29, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Special Meeting:

1. Portrait of a Graduate and Strategic Plan Update. The Special Meeting began with Superintendent, Dr. Johnsen, providing an overview on San Marcos Unified’s vision for the future, also known as the Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the skills and competencies students will need to be Future Ready.

Dr. Johnsen shared the reasons behind creating this vision, and an overview of the journey to create it. This consisted of engaging nearly 100 business & community leaders, local elected officials, parents, students, and alumni to discuss the relevant skills students need, and the aspirations our community has for our young people. After months of work, SMUSD adopted five skills that are critical for all students to embody before graduating from San Marcos Unified, these are: Leadership, Adaptability, Communication, Critical Thinking and Empathy. The final visual that represents this work can be seen by clicking here. 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, then provided the Board an overview of the work to bring this Portrait of a Graduate to life through the Strategic Planning process. Dr. Campbell shared that staff has been hard at work through a series of three Strategic Planning workshops over the last few months, and shared the draft plan with the Board for feedback, discussion and further insight. 

The Strategic Plan consists of four Strategic Goals that will be implemented over the next five years at the District.  

Goal One: Future Ready Students. From the earliest ages, SMUSD students engage in the purposeful integration of rigorous academic content and relevant experiences that develop the competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate. Every graduate will leave SMUSD prepared for the future they choose.

“This is new for us, and is extremely exciting, but will require some shifting,” said Dr. Campbell, regarding the deeper learning milestones for all students. “Rigorous academic content is what we do well here at SMUSD, but the development of these skills & mindsets will allow us to create deeper learning in our students.”

Goal Two: Future Ready Learning Environments. All SMUSD classrooms and campuses are welcoming places where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Academic and social-emotional learning experiences are engaging and designed to develop the competencies in the Portrait of a Graduate.

“We are known around the state for our strong essential elements of instruction, or EEI, model,” said Dr. Johnsen.

Dr. Campbell explained that all incoming SMUSD teachers currently go through a two-year program where they are taught about research-based methods for effective instruction, which does not happen at other school districts. 

Goal Three: Future Ready Educators. SMUSD teachers, administrators and support staff are supported by professional learning and training that enables them to create Future Ready learning environments and systems that support those environments.

Goal Four: Future Ready System. All SMUSD systems are designed to support the successful development of Future Ready students, educators and learning environments. This includes: Fiscal Stewardship, Human Resources/Hiring, Business Services, Educational Services and Governance.

“We are committing to this for our District and it will require resources, training and a whole new way of thinking and learning, which is exciting, but also requires an all-in commitment to be successful,” said Board President, Stacy Carlson. 

After continued discussion, and overall agreement on the direction of the Strategic Plan from all Board Members, staff noted they would take the feedback from the Board and will bring back a final Strategic Plan for adoption at the October Board Meeting. 
 

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

Due to a technical issue, the September 29th Special Meeting will be available in two videos. Please click here for the beginning of the meeting, and click here to resume the meeting.

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

October 14, 2022

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the October 13, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1.  Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. 

Educational Services Update 

Dr. Tiffany Campbell, Deputy Superintendent, provided a brief update to the Board and community sharing that a safety team from each SMUSD school site and the District Office is undergoing Diamond Safety Training through the County Office of Education. 

“We are literally the first school district in the county to have every school and District Office personnel undergo this type of intense and realistic training, including Stop The Bleed and Active Assailant training. These staff can now literally save a life, it’s amazing,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Campbell. “They are now focusing on Violence Prevention training and Threat Assessment training. I am so impressed with the seriousness and thoughtfulness of our staff as they approach this work and their role on these safety teams.”

Dr. Campbell then thanked all school site staff for their dedication and hard work, as research has shown that October is the hardest month for educators. “If you have the time to say a kind word or share a note of thanks, October is a great month to do it,” remarked Dr. Campbell. 

Business Services 

Erin Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, provided two brief updates explaining that the district has been working with outside external auditors who have been reviewing all of the financials from the last school year that ended on June 30, 2022. The final audit report of their findings will be available in December. 

Garcia also shared that the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) will be sharing findings of their recent visit in August, and plan to present their report during the November Board Meeting. 

And finally, Garcia shared an update on the status of the new playground at Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School. While new playground equipment had been delayed due to global supply chain issues, the equipment is now confirmed to arrive during the second week of November. Construction crews will begin work at the end of the month to demolish the existing structure, and pour new footings, so as soon as the new equipment arrives it will be ready to install. 

“We know the Joli Ann community has been waiting for some time for this new playground and we are excited to get this installed for them as quickly as possible,” said Assistant Superintendent Garcia. 

2. Student Board Representatives share school updates. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. During the October 13th meeting, Student Board Representatives Samantha Campos from Twin Oaks High School and Emily Chrysler from Mission Hills High School shared updates from their schools.

Campos’s presentation began by sharing that Twin Oaks High School is an alternative high school that provides a safe environment for students that is free from judgment. She also shared about the tight knit and caring relationship teachers foster with students, which propels student success. Campos also provided an Athletics update featuring the soccer team, a coming new dance class, as well as a variety of afterschool activities students have participated in. 

Chrysler’s presentation began by sharing an update on Fall Athletics with a preview of the upcoming Discovery Bowl against San Marcos High School. Chrysler also shared about recent campus activities including a Teacher Karaoke event hosted by the ASB, a recap of their most recent Pep Rally, and a Hispanic Heritage Month event that involved a variety of students on campus. Chrysler closed her presentation with several Staff Spotlights including ASB Director, Mrs. O’Neil, Mrs. Filice who teaches Child Development and Psychology, and Mrs. McKinney who teaches Social Sciences. All three spotlights were selected by students because these teachers go above and beyond for students and make them feel seen and heard in class.  

3. Principal Update: Woodland Park Middle School. At the October 13th meeting, Principal of Woodland Park Middle School, Daniel Smuts, along with Assistant Principals Steve Chavez and Jennifer Gutierrez, shared a presentation to the Governing Board and community. 

Principal Smuts began his presentation by sharing an overview of the school including students demographics and the commitment of staff to academic success, student safety and wellness. Principal Smuts then shared how Woodland Park is aligning instructional practices to embody the vision of our district, our Portrait of a Graduate. 

Assistant Principal, Steve Chavez, shared about extracurricular activities including Athletics, Band, STEM Club, and intramural sports. He shared that Woodland Park also offers a robust ASB program with over 60 students in participation, and aims to create greater connection with the community. Finally, Assistant Principal, Jennifer Gutierrez, spoke about the schoolwide culture focus to re-engage students in the fun and activities of middle school that was missed during the pandemic. She also shared about two special programs, Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) which provides a transition from elementary to middle school, and AVID Excel, which is an academic course focusing on advancing reading skills as well as academic vocabulary development to prepare English Learners for rigorous high school courses. 

4. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is brought to the Board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. Garcia explained the latest report illustrates current enrollment at 19,551 students, a decrease of 115 students from this same time last year. “Overall elementary school enrollment is up, while our upper grades are down from last year,” said Assistant Superintendent Garcia.

5. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared during the meeting, including:

• Special Education Coordinator, Mallory Thau, was approved by the Board. 
• Special Education Coordinator, Monica Davey, was approved by the Board.  
•  A new Assistant Principal for Mission Hills High School, Josh Garcia, was approved by the Board.

Additionally, two Memorandum of Understandings were approved by the Board for a new grant funded position for a School Mental Health Counselor and Family and Community Engagement Liaison, to provide mental health support to students and families. 

6. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses, including Kroger, Frontstream, Nordson Corporation and the California League of Schools.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

To watch a video of the Board meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Recap from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Special Meeting

October 28, 2022

The following Board Brief provides a recap from the October 27, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Special Meeting:

1. San Marcos Unified Governing Board approves the adoption of the Strategic Plan. During the September 29, 2022 Special Meeting, the Board heard a comprehensive update regarding the Portrait of a Graduate, and how this vision will be brought to life through the Strategic Plan. The Board provided overall agreement on the direction of the plan from all Board Members, and shared feedback on key areas of the plan. 

During the October 27th Special Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Johnsen began the presentation by outlining a final Strategic Plan for adoption. Dr. Johnsen began by sharing about the �why� behind the Portrait of a Graduate vision, including the district�s new Equity Statement. 

�Our school systems decades ago were not set up for this type of innovative education. Our Portrait of a Graduate vision is really a commitment to create a school system that works for all students at SMUSD, not just some,� said Dr. Johnsen. 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Campbell then shared about the Strategic Promise of the school district to achieve 21st century deeper learning to develop skills and mindsets, and engage students in rigorous and relevant content. Dr. Campbell explained that Classroom Commitments have been added to the Strategic Plan that detail how deeper learning will be achieved in every classroom in the district. 

�This isn�t about turning the pages of the textbook anymore, but about relevant meaningful tasks, really listening to students and allowing students to facilitate their learning; it�s a very different way of thinking,� said Dr. Campbell.  

Dr. Campbell then shared a brief overview of the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan that will be implemented over the next five years at the District.  

Goal One: Future Ready Students. From the earliest ages, SMUSD students engage in the purposeful integration of rigorous academic content and relevant experiences that develop the competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate. Every graduate will leave SMUSD prepared for the future they choose.

Goal Two: Future Ready Learning Environments. All SMUSD classrooms and campuses are welcoming places where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Academic and social-emotional learning experiences are engaging and designed to develop the competencies in the Portrait of a Graduate.

Goal Three: Future Ready Educators. SMUSD teachers, administrators and support staff are supported by professional learning and training that enables them to create Future Ready learning environments and systems that support those environments.

Goal Four: Future Ready System. All SMUSD systems are designed to support the successful development of Future Ready students, educators and learning environments. This includes: Fiscal Stewardship, Human Resources/Hiring, Business Services, Educational Services and Governance.

After discussion,the Board unanimously approved the adoption of the Strategic Plan. 

2. Update on Facilities Projects. Director of Facilities, Tova Corman, provided a presentation to the Board and community on facilities projects currently in progress throughout the District.

The presentation began by sharing an update on the Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School playground replacement, which will include two playground areas. Demolition of the current equipment will take place next week, so the playgrounds will be ready to install the new equipment arriving in November. 

Corman then provided an update on the reconstruction of the SMUSD Agricultural Farm. The project includes demolition of the existing farm, as well as new construction of an upgraded and expanded farm for cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, turkeys and llamas. The farm will also receive one small barn, one large barn, and a poultry barn. The program now has over 600 students, and is growing. 

Corman also provided an update on the new Double Peak School kindergarten construction project. Every elementary school in San Marcos Unified was able to offer a full-day kindergarten program this year, except at Double Peak School due to space constraints. This project is expanding the area for kindergarten students, including two single-story buildings which will offer five new classrooms, a bike rack, work room and more, to expand kindergarten to a full-day program. 

Finally, Corman shared an update on the reconstruction of Richland Elementary School. The project will provide a brand new school which will include five new buildings with more than 91,000 square feet, 44 classrooms, a Makerspace, professional development rooms, new play structures, fields, a new parking lot and three new drop off areas. 

3. Personnel Update. One personnel update was shared during the meeting, including:

•  Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Susan Boynton, was approved by the Board.

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

November 14, 2022

The following Board Brief provides a recap from the November 10, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by sharing a word of thanks to SMUSD staff, �I am very pleased with where things are with our District right now on a variety of levels. What we have in our District is some of the most exceptional, professional, and student-focused work taking place, and we know it's not that way everywhere,� said Dr. Johnsen. 

Dr. Johnsen also shared some school highlights, as well as thanked all of the dedicated PTO leaders who work behind the scenes to bring life to our schools. �These are completely volunteer positions at our school sites and I wanted to spotlight them for the amazing work they do,� remarked Dr. Johnsen. 

Portrait of a Graduate 

Dr. Johnsen also shared a brief update about the progress on the vision for the District, our Portrait of a Graduate, by highlighting some classroom examples of how teachers are already implementing this important work. Dr. Johnsen explained that he has also been sharing what the Portrait of a Graduate vision is with our community partners, including recent presentations he has made to the San Marcos City Council, Palomar College Governing Board, and the Chamber of Commerce �Community Connections� series. 

2. Student Board Representatives share school updates. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. During the November 10th meeting, Student Board Representatives Abigail Coca from San Marcos High School, and Emily Chrysler from Mission Hills High School, shared updates from their schools.

Coca�s presentation began by providing recognition to San Marcos High School�s National Merit Scholars, as well as a recap of the National Signing Day by recognizing student-athletes who will go on to compete at the college level. She also shared the award-winning Knights Regiment competed in Utah and placed first overall in California performing their Atlantis-inspired show. She also provided an update on the recent Future Fair, hosted by the San Marcos Promise, and the Drama Department�s production, Radium Girl. Coca concluded with this month�s Staff Spotlight, voted on by students as someone who goes above and beyond to make a student�s day better and is a supportive and encouraging figure on campus, this is: Ms. Masters, History teacher. 

Chrysler�s presentation began with a fall athletics update including Mission Hills High School's recent win at the Discovery Bowl, as well as winning the Chick-Fil-A challenge, but emphasized both schools won as they will split all the funds earned. She also shared an ASB update including the Community Outreach Commission bringing in Woodland Park Middle School students for a leadership development day including a motivational speech and the planning process of pep rallies, and provided an update on the recent Theatre Department�s play, She Kills Monsters. Chrysler ended with a few Staff Spotlights based on a student poll about which teacher they see as a role model for them, they are: Ms. McCredie, AVID teacher, Mrs. Meisinger, Science teacher, and Ms. Carrier, Algebra and Geometry teacher, all tied for first place.  

3. Preschool Special Education Update. Amanda Carlson, Coordinator of Early Learning and the current director of the SMUSD preschool program and Tricia Green, School Psychologist, shared an update on the Preschool Special Education program. Carlson explained how students are identified for the program as well as how the program adheres to California preschool learning foundations curriculum, while also incorporating play-based instruction. The presentation also shared information about the award-winning team who works with students and the process to prepare students for Transitional Kindergarten. The presentation concluded by illustrating the ongoing alignment with the Portrait of a Graduate vision at the preschool level. �There was a time when our system didn�t serve students with these needs at this age. The Preschool Special Education team does an exceptional job building relationships with families, and this is vitally important,� said Dr. Johnsen. 

4. Fiscal Crisis Management official report and Response to the official report from Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia. An official report from the Fiscal Crisis Management & Assistant Team, or FCMAT, provided an update on the financial assessment of SMUSD done in August, as well as a Response and financial update on actions taken by SMUSD by Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia. 

FCMAT�s John Von Flue shared that they performed a Fiscal Health Risk Analysis (FHRA) to determine the level of risk for fiscal insolvency present within the San Marcos Unified School District. Prior to last year�s budget reductions process, the District had previously filed three consecutive qualified budget reports in a row, which means the District may not be able to meet their financial obligations and automatically triggers a visit from FCMAT. �When we requested the documents and conducted our visit, our first impressions were immediately that the District�s quality of response and commitment to improvement were evident. SMUSD, at all levels, was one of the most responsive and engaging Districts I have worked with in the last few years,� said Von Flue.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Erin Gacia, then provided a response and financial update. Garcia shared that the District did embark upon a necessary budget reductions process last year, which included staffing reductions. Garcia also explained three areas of high risk identified in the FHRA report will be corrected by December of this year. The first is that SMUSD is on track to file a positive budget certification by this December, which is the highest certification and signifies a District is in good financial standing. Garcia then explained the District had not been monitoring multiple years of cashflow, which is in the process of being corrected. Finally, position control was an area that needed a system, which the team began this last year and have since developed a position control system which is now in place. Garcia explained that next steps include over the next 12 months, the team will continue to correct other items mentioned in the FHRA report, as well as self-monitor progress by completing the FHRA internally on an annual basis.

After Assistant Superintendent Garcia�s presentation, Mr. Von Flue gave her and the Finance team a standing ovation for all of the significant improvements made. 

5. Public hearing & approval of collective bargaining agreements with labor unions, SMEA and CSEA. After a public hearing, the Governing Board approved the collective bargaining agreements between the San Marcos Unified School District and the San Marcos Educators Association (SMEA) as well as the California School Employees Association (CSEA). The major provisions of the agreement, include but are not limited to, costs that would be incurred by the District under the agreement for current and subsequent fiscal years, which must be disclosed at a public meeting. The disclosure documents include the cost impacts of the agreement which includes a two-year agreement for salary and health benefit increases, with a salary increase of 5.25% effective July 1, 2022, and a 4% effective July 1, 2023, for all employees. The CSEA agreement also includes an equality clause outlining that all of the classified employees will receive the same salary increase as SMEA members receive in future years.

�Due to reductions last year, and the above normal state funding, as well as projected positive budget outlook, the District can afford this increase,� said Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia. 

6. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were approved, including the approval of the appointment of Dr. Joel Garcia as the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Pending successful contract negotiations, Dr. Garcia�s appointment will be effective beginning in January 2023. 

Dr. Garcia brings 21 years of educational leadership, with his last seven years of experience serving in Human Resources Administration in San Diego County school districts. In addition to Dr. Garcia�s numerous awards, he holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from California State University, San Marcos.

7. Calendars for the 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026 school years. The Board approved the school calendars for the following years: 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Briefs on the SMUSD website, please click here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

December 16, 2022

The following Board Brief provides a recap from the December 15, 2022 San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board Meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen shared a presentation to the Board and community with a brief update on the recent California School Boards Conference held recently in San Diego. Not only was this a time of learning and connecting, but each member of the Governing Board was in attendance, as well as our Student Board Reps. 

Strategic Promise momentum 

Dr. Johnsen also shared how the Strategic Promise is moving forward, including a new mental health campaign, a Strategic Plan update to focus on Staff Wellness, a new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, an Energy Conservation Project, as well as the Positive Certification from the first Interim Budget Report. 

SDCOE Lighthouse Award

Dr. Johnsen was also pleased to announce that Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, was recently announced as a recipient of the 2023 San Diego County Office of Education Lighthouse Award as an Equity Champion. Dr. Johnsen explained that the award is given to a district administrator who encompasses the light necessary for people to come together and create opportunities for all students and families, in pursuit of equitable outcomes.

2. Updates from the Deputy Superintendent & Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. 

Mental Health Program Update 

Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, along with Public Information Officer, Amy Ventetuolo, shared an update to the Board and community about the coming mental health campaign to launch January 2023. 

The campaign, �Let�s Face It. Together.� has been developed in collaboration with the City of San Marcos to help youth and teens get support from the District to address mental health challenges. The mental health program consists of wellness teams for each campus to help students and families in need of support. The program also consists of a text line for teens, where they can access mental health support 24/7 from trained mental health professionals. The campaign will be launched in early 2023 with a variety of communication to raise awareness with staff, students and parents.  

Winter Break Campus Maintenance 

Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, provided an update about several facilities and maintenance projects scheduled to take place over the Winter Break. Students recently conducted the last day of school at the old Richland Elementary campus, as over the break the furniture and equipment will be moved to the brand new school campus, which will be ready for full-time school operations on January 9, 2023. 

The Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School playground project is currently scheduled to be completed at the end of Winter Break, as long as weather conditions permit.

Garcia also shared there are many other projects and preventative maintenance taking place throughout campuses during Winter Break. 

3. Student Board Representatives share school updates. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. During the December 15th meeting, Student Board Representative, Emily Chrysler from Mission Hills High School, shared updates from her school.

Chrysler�s presentation began sharing a Fall Athletics recap, a Senior Spirit Week and Winter Spirit Week overview, a staff karaoke event, and student philanthropy events to benefit other San Marcos Unified families and the community. Chrysler�s Student Spotlight this month was student photographer, Natalie Ortega. The Staff Spotlights for the month, which are selected by students, were Mr. Barrette, as the teacher selected for motivating students the most. The second Staff Spotlight was Acting Principal, Mr. Baker, for doing an amazing job leading the school.

4. Principal Update: Carrillo Elementary School. Amanda Keeton, Principal of Carrillo Elementary School, and Assistant Principal, Shannon Williams, along with several Carrillo students, shared how student leadership is fostered at Rancho Carrillo. Assistant Principal Williams shared how the school has doubled in size since the opening of the school in 1999. Carrillo students then shared about school traditions and programs including, Leadership Launch which connects students' passions with leadership opportunities that also align with the Portrait of a Graduate. Older students also shared how they are ambassadors to younger Kindergarten students, as well as Playground Partners which emphasizes fair play, taking turns and community corner. They also shared about Bridge Crew, a place where students can wait after school for older siblings, as well as Student Council and Colt TV. 

5. SMUSD Recognizes Outgoing Board Member, Sydney Kerr, and swears in Incoming Board Member, Andr�s Mart�n. Board Member, Sydney Kerr, has served as the Board Member representing District in Area C for the last four years. At the December 15th meeting, Board Member Kerr was celebrated for all of her hard work and dedication to serving the students and families at SMUSD. After a brief recess, newly-elected Board Member, Andr�s Mart�n, was welcomed and sworn into office by Superintendent Dr. Johnsen, and then took his seat with the other Governing Board members to begin serving in his new role. 

To find out more about Board Member Mart�n, please click here.

6. Election of Board Officers including President, Vice President and Clerk. Each year the Governing Board nominates and elects officers of the Board. The Governing Board unanimously elected Board Member, Jaime Chamberlin, to serve as Board President. The Board unanimously elected Board Member, Dr. Carlos Ulloa, to serve as Board Vice President. The Board also unanimously elected Board Member, Sarah Ahmad, to serve as Clerk of the Governing Board. The Board then selected Andr�s Mart�n to represent the Board on the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) Trustee Review Committee.

7. First Interim Budget Report and Positive Budget Certification. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented the 2022-23 First Interim Budget Report. Garcia began by sharing the General Fund revenues totaling $327 million, and expenditures totaling $298 million. Garcia also shared the news, that after the hard work done last year to stabilize the district�s budgets, and after two years of filing �Qualified� budgets, this month the District will file the first �Positive� budget certification in two years, signifying SMUSD is in good financial standing. 

Garcia then explained the District has continued to experience a decline in enrollment and attendance, while not as sharp as last school year which immediately followed the pandemic. Enrollment and attendance both directly impact budget revenues. 

Garcia then shared the multi-year projection, or MYP, assumptions which serve as a calculation to plan for future budget years. Revenue MYP assumptions include a state increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, removing one-time state and federal funding, as well as the decrease in attendance and enrollment funding. Revenue MYP assumptions also include two large one-time Block Grants, the Learning Recovery Block Grant of $16.4 million and an Arts, Music & Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant of $12.1 million. Expenditure MYP assumptions include the CALPERS & CALSTRS retirement rates remaining steady, health benefit increases, employee attrition savings, as well as removing one-time expenses. With this, the District budget is projected to have an unrestricted ending fund balance of $29.3 million with 9.1% in reserves at the end of the fiscal year, putting the budget on track to receive a �Positive� budget certification this month, which is the highest level of budget certification that can be achieved and signifies a District is in good financial standing.

However, it was also noted that while progress has been made, with a recent update from the Legislative Analyst's Office issuing a cautious fiscal outlook for the State Budget, it is prudent for the district to continue to take a thoughtful and disciplined approach to fiscal decisions moving forward.

Garcia shared that next steps would be to monitor the Governor�s January Budget, and SMUSD staff will develop the 2022-23 Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, Block Grant plans, and Strategic Plan with stakeholder input. 

To view the 2022-23 Adopted Budget At-A-Glance, please click here. 

8. The Governing Board heard a presentation on Engie Energy Solutions and approved a Resolution to move forward with millions in cost savings. The San Marcos Unified School District has received grant funding to purchase seven electric buses through the Air Pollution Control District. As a result, SMUSD is in need of updating the charging and energy infrastructure for these buses, and to meet the State mandate of a carbon neutral bus fleet by the year 2035. SMUSD has been working with Engie Energy Solutions to develop a plan to upgrade the Transportation Yard and bus fleet, as well as identify other cost and energy saving measures so that these upgrades can be done at no-cost to the District.

Engie Energy Solutions Senior Manager, Nancy Rorabaugh, shared a presentation on a comprehensive program to pursue energy conservation measures (ECMs), funding for the program, outlined energy and cost savings, and next steps. 

Key energy saving measures that were identified, include: energy efficient lighting replacements at 19 schools, the Transportation Yard and the District Office; new sports field lighting at Woodland Park Middle School and a retrofit of existing sports field lighting at Mission Hills High School; solar installed at San Marcos High School, the District Office and the Transportation Yard; a new roof at the District Office; 17 EV (electric) Bus Chargers at the Transportation Yard to prepare for the coming grant-funded electric buses, a battery storage system at the District Office and Transportation Yard; a microgrid at the Transportation Yard for emergency back-up power; electrical infrastructure to support up to 75 EV bus chargers at the Transportation Yard and a 20-year maintenance of renewable systems. 

Ultimately, these energy savings projects at 19 schools, the Transportation Yard and the District Office, will generate $44 million in energy savings to the District over the next 30 years.

In order to proceed with the programs to realize the energy and costs savings, SMUSD is taking out a $23 million low-interest, tax exempt equipment lease with a 20-year financing term, which is paid for by energy and operational savings, utility incentives, and state and federal grants. The cost savings for the project is guaranteed by Engie Energy Solutions to ensure the District will realize energy savings and will not incur any budget impacts.

After conducting a public hearing, the Board unanimously approved the Resolution to move forward with Engie Energy Solutions and the Lease-Purchase Agreement and an Escrow Agreement to implement the program. 

9. Personnel Update. The Governing Board approved an employment agreement for the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Joel Garcia. Dr. Garcia brings 21 years of educational leadership experience to SMUSD, and has spent the last seven years serving in Human Resources Administration in San Diego County school districts. 

�I am honored to join the San Marcos Unified team, and I�m ready to serve our students, our staff, and our community,� said Dr. Garcia. 

In addition, several other personnel updates were shared during the meeting, including:

•  Transportation Coordinator, Andrea Mancino, was approved by the Board.
•  Foster Youth and Homeless Coordinator, Cynthia Flores, was approved by the Board.
•  Community Schools Coordinator, Adelita Gonzales, was approved by the Board. 

10. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the District from generous PTO organizations, community members, and businesses including Mission Federal Credit Union, Frontstream, and Gerardy Photography.   

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a video of the Board Meeting, please click here. 

The deep commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This new Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each Meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting. 

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the September 21, 2021 San Marcos Unified School District Board of Education meeting: 

1. Superintendent Update. Superintendent Dr. Andy Johnsen shared an update on the first few weeks of school to the Board and public. The presentation began with a report on the strong start to the year, with students and staff excited about being back to in-person instruction. Dr. Johnsen reported that sports and extracurricular activities have made a full return and school spirit is high. Dr. Johnsen also expressed thanks to the students, families, staff and trustees. “This school year, I’ve been to every campus multiple times and I can tell you our kids are friendly, focused and happy to be back in person,” said Johnsen. “We truly have the best kids and families.”

COVID-19 update. A COVID Update was also shared detailing that SMUSD currently has the most effective recommended COVID mitigation strategies in place districtwide. Additionally, SMUSD also has four COVID testing locations, three at school sites and one at the District Office, with over 400 tests occurring in the first week alone. 

It was also shared that the current COVID Dashboard on the district website is updated daily, and that district staff are currently working to revamp the Dashboard to make it more clear. 

In addition, the district has also recently added more contact tracers to make the process to identify close contacts more efficient. 

Currently, positive COVID cases in the district are less than 1% of staff & students. 

Dr. Johnsen also stated there are currently no plans to mandate vaccinations for students. However, Governor Newsom’s Public Health Order for school staff, which requires proof of vaccination or weekly testing, is currently in progress. This state mandate requires school districts to be in full compliance by October 15, 2021. 

Remembrance for Dr. Kevin Holt. An event to honor the life of previous longtime Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Holt, is currently being planned for October 19th at San Marcos High School. Details will be forthcoming on the SMUSD website.

For the full Superintendent presentation, please click here. 
2. Student Board Representatives Update. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The September 21st meeting included two student representative presentations: Mission Hills High School Student Representative, Addai Vasquez, and San Marcos High School Student Representative, Chanel Davis (both pictured below). Additionally, the third student representative, Ren Casillas from Twin Oaks High School, will be participating in the October Board Meeting. 

Vasquez’s presentation highlighted current and upcoming events at Mission Hills High School including a First Day of School Update, Grizzly Picnic, Suicide Prevention Week, Senior Events, Hispanic Heritage Month, Football & Fall Sports Update, and an upcoming Theater production scheduled for November.   

Davis’s presentation highlighted current and upcoming events at San Marcos High School including a Sports Update, Welcome Day, Knighthood & Fall Assembly, Cheer & Dance with the Knight, Teacher Appreciation Night, Senior Legacy Week, and Virtual Back to School Night. 

3. Proposed establishment of two Community Facilities Districts. Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for new facilities.

Local funding generated by CFDs is an important component that supplements SMUSD’s facilities program, to better mitigate impacts on our school facilities as a result of new development. On September 21st, the Board approved items associated with three separate CFDs.

CFD No. 15. Items 8.6 through 8.11 on the Agenda are associated with the formation of the new CFD No. 15, representing the second step in the multi-step CFD formation process. After conducting a noticed public hearing and special landowner election, the Board approved various items to form CFD No. 15 authorizing CFD No. 15 to levy special taxes within the CFD boundaries and setting a not-to-exceed amount for CFD No. 15 to issue bonds in the future.

CFD No. 16. Items 8.12 through 8.17 on the Agenda are associated with the formation of the new CFD No. 16, also representing the second step in the multi-step CFD formation process. All of these items are identical to those described for CFD No. 15.

CFD No. 8. Item 8.18 on the Agenda is for authorizing the issuance of CFD No. 8 bonds. Previously formed in 2019, CFD No. 8 has substantial development, and it is now prudent for the Board to issue bonds. CFD No. 8 bonds will provide funding for needed facility projects and will be repaid by CFD taxes collected within the CFD boundaries. These bonds are not repaid by the General Fund or taking resources away from classrooms.

Securing funds for school facilities, especially during these unusual times, continues to be at the forefront of SMUSD’s long-term planning. SMUSD believes that our CFD program is one important component that will allow us to better accommodate the facility needs of our students and community.

4. Personnel Update. Several personnel updates were also shared, including an elevated role for Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Campbell to Deputy Superintendent. Campbell’s new role will include an emphasis on leadership development for Principals, a broader role on district operations, as well as her continued oversight of Educational Services. 

Erin Garcia was also appointed as the new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Garcia joins SMUSD from the Lakeside Union School District and will oversee all financial and business services of the district.

Additionally, the Board approved a contract extension for the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Henry Voros, until 2024. 

A new Assistant Principal for San Marcos Elementary School, Christine Griley, was approved by the Board.

Finally, the Board approved Nathaniel Wulff to join SMUSD as the new Facilities Coordinator.

5. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved several gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners, to strengthen programs such as Art, Science, and Garden programs, Intervention services, and more. “We are so appreciative that these individuals and groups remain dedicated to providing these valued contributions, so we can continue to deliver an exceptional educational experience for our students,” said Superintendent Johnsen.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Expenditure Plan presented by Dr. Spencer Wavra, Director of Special Programs

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here. 

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Board of Education Meeting
October 21, 2021

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the October 19, 2021
San Marcos Unified School District Board of Education meeting:

1. The Board opened a discussion about virtual meetings. With many school boards around the county meeting virtually, the Board opened a discussion around the Governor’s proclamation, AB 361, extending the ability for school boards to meet virtually through January 1, 2024. After discussion, the Board unanimously agreed that San Marcos Unified School District Board meetings should be conducted in-person to allow for public and community engagement.

“It would be disingenuous to say we need to meet virtually, but tell our students it is safe to attend in person, and ask our staff to work in person every day,” remarked Board President Carlson.

“People have the right to address the Board publicly, despite having challenging topics on the agenda.”

The November Board meeting will be held on November 16, 2021 at 6:30pm at the North County Regional Education Center, 255 Pico Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069.

2. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provides an update to the Board and community. Dr. Johnsen’s presentation opened with successes this fall, including the consistent low positive COVID case rates, which are currently one-quarter of 1%, with the district maintaining less than 1% throughout this year. Dr. Johnsen also stated student morale is high with credit due to school site leaders and principals for offering targeted support to students, and all district employees for focusing on student success.

“I am very impressed by our leadership, principals and staff. We keep student success at the center of all that we do,” remarked Dr. Johnsen.

Dr. Johnsen also provided an overview on the recent announcement by Governor Newsom of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, reiterating this is not an SMUSD mandate. Dr. Johnsen explained that while there may be legal challenges to the mandate, SMUSD leadership is closely monitoring updates and anticipate further clarity once the district receives the official guidance.

“This is a mandate from the Governor, not SMUSD. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate specifics to our community as soon as possible.”

Dr. Johnsen also shared further impacts of COVID-19 in school districts throughout the state, and the nation, with regard to budgets and future financial outlook. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption for education, contributing to a statewide enrollment decline, placing San Diego county as one of the top ten declining enrollment counties in the state. Dr. Johnsen further explained the district has lost 1,200 students since the 2019-2020 school year, which will have budgetary impacts. Dr. Johnsen also emphasized focusing on students during these uncertain times.

“School districts have always faced challenges, and we will remain focused on our students and their learning, while we manage the challenges that come our way,” remarked Dr. Johnsen.

Dr. Johnsen also shared the vision and direction for SMUSD as it relates to the future of student achievement and how our students will be poised to excel.

“The question we must ask ourselves is ‘what does poised to excel look like?’ and ‘what are the skills and mindset our students need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?’,” said Dr. Johnsen.

“It is our moral imperative to ensure our students are prepared so they have options upon graduation.”

Dr. Johnsen explained an approach to best meet students and prepare them for a 21st century world, is by outlining the desired core competencies and creating short and long-term goals to achieve them. Dr. Johsnen explained the approach to accomplish this is to work with a variety of stakeholders to create a Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan. In response, the Board has authorized Dr. Johnsen and the district leadership to engage SMUSD stakeholders in the creation of an SMUSD Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan for the district, serving as the Board Goal for the 2021-2022 school year with finalization in June 2022.

3. Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Campbell, shares a Fall Data Snapshot.
Dr. Campbell addressed the Board and public with a Fall Data Snapshot presentation sharing the state of schools in these first few months, the first year after a global pandemic. The presentation highlighted instructional focus areas including multi-tiered systems of support which encomapsses academic, social, emotional and behavioral supports, as well as student demographic data, and a snapshot of student readiness data, as one of the several diagnostic forms of obtaining data.

Dr. Campbell also shared School Climate survey results on social emotional data which included categories such as feeling safe & welcome at school, feeling prepared to learn, having a positive mindset, and caring about others. Dr. Campbell’s presentation concluded with the projection that despite COVID, the daily instruction across school sites will result in the majority of students meeting grade level proficiency by the end of the year.

4. Principal Update: San Marcos Elementary School. The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. Principal Silvia Ventura-Jacobsen, along with assistant principal, Christine Griley, provided an update on San Marcos Elementary School. The presentation highlighted an overview of the student body and demographics, school goals to teach the viable curriculum, grow professional learning communities, increase student academic achievement and social emotional wellbeing, and support emergent bilingual students.

“Remember the faces of our students, because they will make the world a better place,” concluded principal Ventura-Jacobsen.

5. Student Board Representative Update. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The October 19th meeting featured student representatives, Ren Casillas from Twin Oaks High School, and Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School (both pictured).

Davis’s presentation included a sports update, ASB update, highlight of the recent outdoor Homecoming celebration, involvement for Red Ribbon Week at the San Marcos City Council, and the RSVP Summit which empowers students to get involved in community issues.

Casillas’s presentation provided an overview of Twin Oaks High School, an alternative high school which represents a system of schools in the district, including Foothills School, an independent study program, and San Marcos Adult School. Casillas explained whether due to learning disabilities, mental health struggles, or physical disabilities, Twin Oaks High School is an option for students to catch up on credits in a supportive environment. Casillas’s presentation also shared about four students this quarter who were able to catch up on needed credits at such an impressive pace, they were able to graduate early.

6. Board conducts second reading and adoption of two Ordinances for new CFDs.
Community Facilities Districts or CFDs, are special tax districts that enable local government entities and special districts to access certain public funding opportunities and financing for facilities.
Local funding generated by CFDs is an important component that supplements SMUSD’s facilities program, to better mitigate impacts on our school facilities as a result of new development. On September 21st, the Board conducted the first reading of the Ordinances for two new CFDs, CFD No. 15 and CFD. No 16. On October 19th, the Board conducted the second reading of the Ordinances, authorizing the two CFDs to levy special taxes within the CFD boundaries.
Securing funds for school facilities, especially during these unusual times, continues to be at the forefront of SMUSD’s long-term planning. SMUSD believes that our CFD program is one important component that will allow us to better accommodate the facility needs of our students and community.

7. Personnel Update. Personnel updates were also shared at the October 19th meeting, including the approval of Dr. Camren Madrigal as the new principal for Twin Oaks Elementary School. Dr. Madrigal is a bilingual leader and brings over 20 years of experience in education, including as a site administrator.
Linda Heinrich was also appointed as the new principal of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary. Heinrich has been a part of the San Marcos Unified School District staff family since 1997 and has served the last seven years as the assistant principal of Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary.

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from Mission Federal Credit Union to support Dr. Holt’s Remembrance Event, Lusardi Construction for the Innovation Lab at Double Peak School, instructional materials and supplies, walk-on coaches, specialty programs and more.

“We are so grateful for the businesses and individuals who step up and contribute to enhancing our school community. Their impactful generosity elevates the experience for all students,” said Superintendent Johnsen.

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Brief on the SMUSD website, please click here.

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting
November 18, 2021

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each Meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the November 16, 2021
San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.
Dr. Johnsen began his presentation by expressing thanks to staff, students and families for giving 100 percent in all aspects of both academics and activities this school year. Dr. Johnsen also specifically thanked the Governing Board for continuing to meet in-person instead of conducting meetings virtually. “It speaks volumes to have our Board engage with the community in-person and continue meeting in this setting, and we also thank our community for their respectful comments.”

In a brief COVID update, Dr. Johnsen highlighted that the district’s COVID numbers remain low, allowing the district to meet our primary goals for this year which are to keep students in class, keep schools open, and keep students and staff safe. Dr. Johnsen also shared that expanded testing launched this week, with mobile testing teams deployed to nearly all school locations throughout the week. This is in addition to continuing with four stationary testing locations at school sites and the district office. This will allow for unvaccinated staff to quickly and more conveniently access weekly testing. Dr. Johnsen also provided a brief update regarding Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, reiterating this is not an SMUSD mandate. Dr. Johnsen further explained that while emergency use has been given to allow for 5- to 11-year-olds to receive the vaccine, explained that full FDA approval has not been reached. San Diego county had advised parents interested in the vaccination for their children should work through their family physician. SMUSD also continues to work with community partners to conduct vaccination events for both COVID and the flu.

Dr. Johnsen also reiterated from the last Board meeting, the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has caused for education, contributing to a statewide enrollment decline. This statewide decline is felt particularly here as San Diego county is one of the top ten declining enrollment counties in the state. Dr. Johnsen further explained the district has lost 1,200 students since the 2019-2020 school year, which will have budgetary impacts.

Dr. Johnsen also provided a brief update from last month’s approved direction to embark upon the creation of a Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan. Dr. Johnsen further explained that district staff will begin this work by identifying key stakeholders in a variety of sectors to participate in this process as the Graduate Profile Design Team. Kick-off meetings for this team are scheduled to begin in January 2022, with the goal of having a Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan finalized in late summer of 2022.

2. Principal Update: La Costa Meadows Elementary School. The Board welcomed the addition of a regularly occurring presentation from school principals in the district as a monthly agenda item. Principal Mandy Bedard, and Assistant Principal Julie Morgan, provided an update on La Costa Meadows Elementary School. The presentation highlighted an overview of the school including demographics on the TK-5 student body, strengthening the professional learning community, whole child learning, and building community. “Each day we emphasize doing the right things, even when no one is looking, because we recognize we are shaping the future citizens of the world at large,” said Principal Bedard.

3. Student Board Representative Update. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The November 16th meeting featured student representatives, Addai Vazquez from Mission Hills High School and Ren Casillas from Twin Oaks High School.

Vazquez’s presentation included an overview of activities including Homecoming Spirit Week “A Night in Hollywood”, a Socktober Sock & Canned Food Drive to benefit Interfaith Community Services, and a proclamation from the San Marcos City Council for Red Ribbon Week. Vazquez also shared about student involvement in the San Marcos Promise “Connect to Careers” event which connected high school students with local real-world professionals over a networking lunch. Additionally, Mission Hills High School students catered the event through the Career Technical Education culinary pathway.

Casillas’s presentation described a robust electives schedule at Twin Oaks High School designed for the student body that include Veterinary Sciences in partnership with Pima Medical Institute, Graphic Design and Woodshop. Casillas also highlighted an Asset Schedule which allows students to make up credits after school. Casillas also highlighted a month-long schedule of activities in celebration of Native American Heritage Month and a Red Ribbon spirit week of activities.

4. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is a regular report that will be brought to the board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing enrollment decline situation. The report highlighted that while SMUSD is seeing a consistent enrollment decline, in the last month, six schools slightly increased in enrollment numbers. Assistant Superintendent Garcia emphasized that SMUSD is not alone regarding experiencing declining enrollment. Garcia further explained over the next decade the K-12 enrollment across California is projected to decline significantly, with San Diego county currently the 10th largest declining county in the state. As a result, SMUSD is engaging with a firm to help conduct a demographic study, looking at state projections, growth trends in the area, Transitional Kindergarten trends, and more.

“We are not alone, and some are experiencing it far worse than we are,” said Governing Board Vice President Sydney Kerr. “Not only is enrollment declining, but we are seeing a declining attendance rate due to quarantines, but have yet to hear of funding to aid us”.

5. Educators Block Grant. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Campbell presented an update sharing recent one-time funding SMUSD recently received through a state grant for professional development to promote educator equity, quality, and effectiveness. Over the next five years the district has been allocated $4.5 million dollars of restricted funds, with several requirements. SMUSD has identified five areas of focus for utilizing the professional development funding which include: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Literacy across disciplines, Standards-based Instruction, School Culture, and Leadership Capacity, which all align with the upcoming work on the Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan.

6. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from California Coast Credit Union to support instructional materials and supplies, The San Marcos Promise for the Music Program, several donations from school PTO’s to benefit a variety of programs including afterschool enrichment, fine arts, bike club, culinary arts, and more.

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

BOARD BRIEF: Top things to know from the San Marcos Unified Governing Board Meeting

December 17, 2021

The commitment from our Board of Education is to provide our staff, families and community with clear, open and transparent communication. This Board Brief has been created to share key decisions and outcomes from the Board after each meeting. The Board Brief will be distributed by the end of the week after each Regular Meeting.

The following Board Brief highlights important items from the December 14, 2021

San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board meeting:

1. Election of Board Officers including President, Vice President and Clerk. Each year the Governing Board nominates and elects officers of the Board. The Governing Board unanimously elected Board Member, Stacy Carlson, to continue her role as Board President. The Board unanimously elected Board Member, Sydney Kerr, to continue her role as Board Vice President. The Board also unanimously elected Board Member, Jamie Chamberlin, to continue her role as Clerk of the Governing Board. The Board also unanimously selected Vice President Kerr to represent the Board on the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) Trustee Review Committee.

2. Superintendent, Dr. Andy Johnsen, provided an update to the Board and community.

Dr. Johnsen’s presentation opened with school highlights from the month, and expressed thanks to staff, families and community partners for helping keep our COVID-19 positive cases the lowest they’ve been in months, and below 1% throughout the school year. Dr. Johnsen also specifically acknowledged school administrators, teachers, and school office staff for their ongoing dedication through the substitute teacher shortage that SMUSD and many districts are facing. “I want to thank our teachers, administrators, and support staff for stepping up to ensure our students get a normal, in-person school experience this school year,” said Dr. Johnsen. 

Dr. Johnsen's presentation also shared some context for the coming Budget Update agenda item. Dr. Johnsen’s overview shared the difference and inequities in how school districts are funded. Dr. Johnsen also provided some insight on the budget’s multi-year projection, or MYP, which is required by law. An MYP is a mathematical calculation or decision-making tool, not a forecast, which answers what finances will look like in the coming years. Dr. Johnsen also highlighted a preview of important upcoming conversations including a decline in enrollment, an upcoming demographics study, advocacy efforts at the State level to change the way school districts are funded, as well as the coming Graduate Profile and Strategic Plan, which will help focus the district’s efforts in the years ahead. 

3. First Interim Budget Report and Board Resolution. Assistant Superintendent, Erin Garcia, presented the 2021-22 First Interim Budget Report. Garcia began by sharing the total General Fund revenues totaling $264 million, and expenditures totaling $268.4 million. Garcia also shared declining enrollment and attendance figures which will significantly impact the budget over the next several years. 

Garcia explained that SMUSD was one of the few school districts in San Diego county experiencing steady enrollment growth, until the 2019-20 school year when the first slight drop in enrollment occurred. During the 2020-21 pandemic school year the district saw a significant decline in enrollment. Garcia noted the district has lost 1,200 students over the last two years. Declining enrollment has become a statewide phenomenon, with public school enrollment down in every county in the state except for one, Trinity County, which has grown by less than 1%. Additionally, San Diego county is one of the top 10 declining enrollment counties in the state. 

For more information on declining enrollment and how it affects district budgets, click here. 

Garcia also pointed out that due to COVID and quarantine requirements the average daily attendance, or ADA, has also declined. Garcia reiterated what Dr. Johnsen mentioned regarding the multi-year projections, or MYP, serving as a calculation, which highlights the 2022-23 school year revenues will drop significantly as a result of the declining enrollment and loss of 1,200 students. To accommodate the loss of revenue or declining enrollment, a budget adjustment of $15.5 million is needed.

If a budget right-sizing does not occur, the SMUSD budget would drop below the 3% required minimum reserves, and the district would run out of funds by the 2023-24 school year. 

While budget adjustments are necessary, there is news from the Legislative Analysts’ Office, or LAO, which conducts a separate independent projection of the Governor’s coming January budget. This preview forecasts a positive outlook which may provide additional funding for schools. However, SMUSD cannot craft the district budget on the LAO preview as it is unofficial. Once we receive the Governor’s January budget, it will allow us to re-assess and make adjustments. However, should the Governor's January budget reveal more funding than anticipated, the district must still address the loss of 1,200 students and right-size our staffing and budget.

Next steps include monitoring the Governor’s January budget, developing a Graduate Profile, Strategic Plan and required Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP, and developing a plan to reduce the 2022-23 expenditures by $15.5 million.  

As a result, the Board agreed on the next steps and approved a Resolution stating the Governing Board's commitment to make the necessary adjustments of $15.5 million by 2022-23, if required, in order to achieve the minimum 3% reserve requirement in the next two subsequent fiscal years (2022-23 and 2023-24) in accordance with the Education Code. Additionally, the Board also approved Guiding Principles for Budget Development which outlines the Board's values and guides district staff in the development of the district's budgets. 

An FAQ regarding why budget adjustments in SMUSD are necessary, can be found by clicking here. 

4. Enrollment Report. The Enrollment Report, shared by Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia, is a regular report that will be brought to the board on a monthly basis as staff monitors the ongoing declining enrollment situation. The report highlighted that while SMUSD is seeing a consistent enrollment decline, in the last month, SMUSD increased slightly in enrollment numbers, but remained down from this time in the previous school year. 

5. Program Update: Adult Transition Program. Peggy Zapata, Program Specialist for the Adult Transition Program, or ATP, presented an overview of the program. The presentation began by sharing the ATP program has been designed for students without a high school diploma who also have special and exceptional needs. The program serves 67 students, up to age 22, in three locations with the purpose to increase the students' independence in key domains: functional academics, domestic domain, community domain, vocational domain, recreation and leisure.  The ATP Opportunity Store is a resale store run by students that teaches real-world job skills. Zapata also brought reusable bags made by the students as gifts to each of the Governing Board members. “I have to say that I’ve visited the ATP program several times and the staff is so amazing and wonderful at meeting the needs of students; it’s a fantastic program,” remarked Dr. Johnsen.

6. Student Board Representative Update. In an effort to encourage student participation and cultivate student leadership skills, the Board has three student representatives that participate in Regular Board Meetings throughout the year. The December 14th meeting featured student representatives, Addai Vazquez from Mission Hills High School and Chanel Davis from San Marcos High School.

Vazquez’s presentation shared an overview of the beginning of Finals Week, a recent Fall Festival event, Dance Team Fall Showcase, Senior SZN Spirit Week including writing a letter to their future selves, a fundraiser and more. Vasquez also highlighted an all-school Winter Holiday Lunch Event, Toy and Blanket Drive, holiday grams, and a Winter Sports Update including student-athlete college signings. 

Davis’s presentation included a Student Spotlight of senior Kellen Bynes recently named one of the “25 Most Remarkable Teens in San Diego”, as well as Davis recently speaking to other youth at a California School Boards Association Conference. Davis’s presentation also included a Winter Sports Update, Knight Regiment update that featured an undefeated season for the first time in San Marcos band history. The presentation also highlighted Fall Shows for dance, drama, and a talent show, the 2nd Annual Student Film Academy, a Giving Tree donation drive, and a ASB-sponsored lunch for staff to show their appreciation. 

7. Personnel Update. Personnel updates were also shared at the December 14th meeting, including the approval of Todd Marquet as the new Assistant Principal at Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary School. Marquet began his teaching career with SMUSD in 2002 and has held various roles in the district. Most recently he comes to Joli Ann Leichtag Elementary as an Assistant Principal from Mission Hills High School. 

8. Gifts to San Marcos Unified School District. The Board also approved multiple gifts donated to the district from generous parents, business and community partners. Gifts include donations from Lusardi Construction to support field trips, San Marcos Elementary PTO for new lunch tables, San Elijo Middle School PTO to purchase, clean, and replace security cameras, as well as a variety of instructional materials and supplies, music & biking programs, and more.  

For a complete and detailed overview of any of the items above, please see the full Board Meeting Agenda by clicking here.

For a link to the Board Brief on the SMUSD website, please click here.