Dear RUSD,

 

This week is a great time to think about how much we LOVE our school district and how thankful we are to be in such an incredible place. Enjoy your mid-winter break and we’ll look forward to seeing you on Monday, the 24th.

  • New State Mandate: Screening K-2 Students for Reading Difficulties - The California Department of Education is requiring all schools to screen students in kindergarten through second grade for reading difficulties, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This screening will help identify students who may need extra support to develop their reading skills. Parents will receive their child's screening results and information about available resources and next steps if their child is identified as being at risk. We will need to adopt a screener and create a process, but we see this as a productive mandate.
  • Negotiations between RUSD & RDTA are Underway - The District and the teacher’s association opened negotiations on February 6. The group established norms and communication protocols. The group reviewed the general interests behind their respectively opened articles. The parties reached a conceptual agreement on an Alternative Evaluation procedure for permanent certificated employees. Additionally, parties agreed on language regarding bargaining unit participation in the hiring process for instructional aides. The parties agreed to establish a subcommittee to draft evaluation tools and protocols for non-teaching certificated employees. The parties reached agreement on the 2026-27 draft School Calendar and intend to develop a draft 2027-28 School Calendar in the upcoming sessions. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025.
  • Principal Position for Reed Elementary - Due to Dr. Niesyn’s retirement at the end of the school year, the position of Principal is currently being advertised. The first round of interviews will take place on March 20th. Thanks so much to everyone for your valuable input on the qualities that you’re looking for in our next principal.
  • Congratulations to Del Mar’s Robotics Team! - They won the NorCal-FTC Pen League Tournament and now they are headed to the NorCal championship in San Jose!

Kind regards,

 

Dr. Kimberly McGrath
Superintendent
Reed Union School District
"We are even stronger together!"
 

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The Board of Trustees reviewed the following items at the RUSD Board Meeting on February 11:

  1. Administrative Update – Reed Elementary Principal Dr. Mary Niesyn and Reed Music Teacher Ms. Carolyn Balfe shared a wonderful update about the music program at Reed, with personalized drawings and voices of Reed students, and led a heartwarming live performance with Reed first graders as they sang “Everybody” to the Boardroom.
  2. Board of Trustees Update – The Board of Trustees wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year and celebration of Black History Month, and reported on their recent activities including, enriching site visits at Reed and Del Mar, The Ranch Board meeting, and the Changing Perspectives Parent Education Webinar.  The Board also shared sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr. Niesyn for her years of dedication and service to the Reed Schools as she prepares for retirement at the end of this school year.
  3. Superintendent Update – District Superintendent Dr. Kimberly McGrath provided updates on the OPEB Trust contribution, ELOP funding, negotiations commencing, Federal funding impacts, Food service RFP and legislative talking points, funding for tutoring, and the Governance Handbook that has been updated and posted to the website.    
  4. District Library Media Center Annual Report – Del Mar Middle School Teacher Librarian Mr. Ryan Sonneville, Bel Aire Elementary Teacher Librarian Ms. Lisa Brigulio, and Reed Elementary Teacher Lindsey Smith provided an update on the school libraries across campuses including library access, checking out materials, staffing, library collection, programs, space, and funding.
  5. Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Mid-Year 2024-25 School Year Report – Coordinator of Educational Services Ms. Nicole Trickett and Director of Student Services Mr. Brian Lynch presented the LCAP Mid-Year 2024-2025 School Year Report with expenditures.
  6. Current Enrollment Report – Chief Business Official, Dr. Chris J. Kim, provided a report on the current enrollment information along with class size projections for the 2025-2026 school year with historical class size information for comparison.
  7. Reserve Policy Approved – The Board of Trustees finalized and approved language for a New Board Policy 3105.1 Reserve Policy to safeguard fiscal sustainability and the continued support of high-quality education in the District in the event of economic uncertainties.
  8. Reed District Teachers’ Association Collective Bargaining Presentation – Mr. Shea O’Brien, Del Mar Middle School Science Teacher and RDTA Representative, presented a report to the Board to commence the 2025-27 Collective Bargaining.
  9. Approval of Job Descriptions – The Board approved the job descriptions for Elementary Principal, Instructional Teacher-on-Special Assignment (TOSA), Music & Art Teacher-on-Special Assignment (TOSA) funded by Prop 28 and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent.

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 11, 2025.
 

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.
 

Dr. Kimberly McGrath, Superintendent

Tel: 415-381-1112

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