Votes at a glance: Yucaipa‑Calimesa board approves principal appointment, safety upgrades, feeding programs and multiple facilities contracts

At its May 7 meeting the Yucaipa‑Calimesa Joint Unified School District Board of Education approved a range of consent and action items, most by unanimous vote.

Personnel and appointments: The board reported an appointment from closed session, voting 5‑0 to appoint Chris Rick as principal of Valley Elementary. Later, in a special meeting held after the regular session, the board approved a resolution terminating certificated services as presented.

Facilities and safety: The board approved a geotechnical investigation at Calimesa and Dunlap elementary schools related to potential growth; it also approved purchase of flooring materials for multiple sites and irrigation repairs at middle schools. On safety improvements, the board approved upgraded interior door locks (color‑coded locking indicators to allow quick securing without keys) beginning at the high school with plans to extend districtwide; the motion passed 5‑0.

Student services and partnerships: The board approved summer feeding agreements with the cities of Yucaipa and Calimesa (motions passed unanimously). The board also approved a master agreement for regional vocational programs and service contracts for 2024–25.

Labor and budget items: The board approved several bargaining openers and proposals from both the district and the teachers’ association, a classified layoff resolution, and a resolution redirecting previously committed funds back to the general fund to address projected budget shortfalls and to aid certification for the 2024–25 budget.

Votes and notable roll calls: Nearly all items were approved unanimously. One facility‑use extension tied to a charter renewal date change recorded an abstention (item discussion noted a single abstention). The larger energy conservation resolution (covered in a separate article) was also approved unanimously.

Community recognitions: The board publicly recognized a number of staff and volunteers, presented teacher grant awards through the Yucaipa‑Calimesa Educational Enrichment Foundation, and honored students who assisted a peer during a medical emergency.

Next steps: For procurement items, staff will return with installation‑bid results or final contracts where required; for labor items, negotiations continue according to negotiated processes and posted timelines.