Items for Action
• Administered the oaths of office to newly elected board members: Interim Superintendent Cydney Vandercar administered the oaths of office to returning board member Judy Newman and new board members Laural O’Rourke and Maya Rabasa, who were elected in the May 18 special election. Their four-year terms expire in June 2025.
• Affirmed the 2021–22 board officers: The board voted to affirm the election of Judy Newman as chair and Martina Shabram as vice chair as board officers for the 2021–22 school year. The board elected the pair of officers during a special meeting on June 23, but agreed to hold a second vote so the two new board members could weigh in on the selections once they took office. The vote was unanimous.
Items for Future Action (board action is expected at a later meeting)
• Considered proposed findings of fact and proposal to purchase property: 4J is planning to launch a career technical education (CTE) program, called the Future Build Project, in which students will learn construction skills and help build housing. The program will provide students with hands-on experience building a home—teaching them about planning, budgeting, design and construction—under the supervision of a licensed teacher with support from community mentors. The home or homes built through the program then will be sold to a community partner to help economically disadvantaged families transition into home ownership, and the proceeds of the sale will be used to purchase property for the next home.
The board is considering buying two residential properties to launch the program. The neighboring lots are located between Northwest Expressway and Filbert Avenue on the block between Park and Cherry avenues in the River Road area. Neighbors of the properties have been notified in writing of the potential purchase and the board’s land use decision process.
The board reviewed the proposed findings of fact—a document that outlines a proposed property transaction and evaluation criteria for the public record. The proposed findings of fact assess how the selected property or properties meet the established criteria for the acquisition of property for the Future Build Project: district need for the property, suitability of property in light of the CTE project goals, impact to the neighborhood, conformity with applicable land use plans, and fiscal considerations.
At the previous meeting, on June 23, the board voted to initiate its land use decision process, the first step in a deliberative prescribed process that includes notification of the neighbors of the subject property and opportunities for public input. At its next meeting, on August 4, the board will hold a public hearing and vote on whether to approve the findings of fact and purchase of property.
Agenda and Materials
July 1 special meeting materials
July 1 special meeting audio recording
NOTE: This is a quick summary of the topics and actions at a meeting of the school board. This document is NOT the official minutes of the school board. Official minutes are posted after they are drafted, reviewed and approved by the board. Audio recordings of meetings are typically posted within two days after the meeting.
School Board Meeting Schedule & Information
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
