Robla reports gains for African American students; board approves expanded-learning vendor list after community input

District presenters described three years of work with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) and CASA focusing on African American student outcomes. The network work prioritized data analysis, attendance strategies, community outreach and evidence-based classroom practices. Presenters said Taylor Street — the site with the largest African American population — improved ELA and math outcomes for African American students (examples cited: district-level increases in the percentage meeting standards and site-level increases at Taylor Street) and reported reductions in suspension rates.

Principal Benjamin said focused interventions and a dedicated community-school liaison contributed to attendance and academic gains: “We meet every month with CCEE and CASA…we are held accountable to report our data,” she said, and staff noted a partnership with a data dashboard (Parsec) that helped district staff compare trends and identify effective practices.

Later in the meeting the board reviewed the district’s procurement for expanded learning opportunities (RFPs 26-107 and 26-108). Alexios Vakas, expanded learning coordinator, described a process that began with a parent survey (about 120 households in multiple languages), a parent feedback night, and review of 62 proposals by a nine-member panel. The scoring rubric emphasized family priorities — academic support, enrichment not covered in the school day, and safety/supervision — and gave additional points for prior partnership with the district.

During public comment, several applicants and community partners introduced themselves, including Brandon Gonzalez of Flawless Boxing & Fitness, a Roberts Family Development Center representative, and Evelyn Morales of the Food Literacy Center, all of whom expressed interest in providing after-school programming. The board approved the recommended vendor list; staff said final contracts and site assignments will come to the board in future meetings and that they will return with more detail on vendor-site matching and family engagement steps.

What’s next: staff will return with contract recommendations, explain how vendors will be assigned to sites, and describe how parent input will be integrated into final selections.