Calexico Unified honors CTE and FFA winners; board approves consent agenda and multiple agreements

Calexico Unified School District trustees opened their May 28 meeting by recognizing students from the district’s Career Technical Education programs and Future Farmers of America for regional awards and industry certifications.

President Avina and Superintendent Jimenez presented the RISE Champions—students who placed first at a San Diego State University conference—calling them “our shining stars.” Calexico High School teachers Norma Galindo and Dr. Viega described the students’ project on local unhoused populations and the hands-on work students completed with the mayor’s office and police ride-alongs. Superintendent Jimenez also noted that Enrique Villarreal was a Gates Scholarship finalist and has been accepted to the University of Chicago.

The board then recognized FFA students and thanked Maureen Pollens, who listed FFA fair placings and named students who earned Elanco veterinary and animal-science industry certifications. Scores of students came forward to receive certificates and photo recognition.

No members of the public offered comments during the meeting’s public-comment period. The board moved quickly through its consent agenda after pulling item 45 for separate consideration; trustees voted to approve the consent agenda as amended (motion passed 4-0).

During the consent discussion administrators described an amended classified employment report and explained the district’s professional-growth pay program for classified employees. Superintendent Jimenez said employees who complete approved post–high-school coursework submit it to a review committee; approved coursework yields an ongoing salary increase that accrues in approximately 5% increments, up to a district maximum ("you could get it up to 25%"), and the increase follows the employee through their career in the district.

In information items Jimenez highlighted district student achievements in art, robotics and CTE and previewed upcoming graduation and promotion ceremonies, including a planned 250‑drone light show for high‑school graduation.

During board reports trustees praised CTE/FFA programs and also raised safety concerns after "a few violent incidents last week at one of our school sites," trustee Escalera said, thanking staff and law-enforcement partners and requesting a near-term presentation on response protocols for the board and community.

Under action items the board approved first readings of policies and administrative regulations addressing differential graduation standards for students with disabilities (BP 6146.4) and a set of 6173 series items covering education for unhoused children, foster youth, children of military families and juvenile court school students; each motion passed unanimously. The board also approved multiple agreements—including summer guitar lessons with Concord Education, pool‑use arrangements with the city, facility upgrades and classroom furniture purchases for elementary sites, and partnerships with Imperial Community College and Stand for Children Leadership Center—each by 4-0 votes.

Administrators reported completion of a state-funded transitional kindergarten building at Kennedy Gardens Elementary and asked the board to accept notice of completion; trustees approved the item and adopted a related resolution on disposition of surplus classroom furniture.

The board adjourned the open session to convene a closed session at the end of the meeting.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved with item 45 pulled (4-0); multiple first-reading policy approvals and contract/partnership agreements approved (each 4-0); notice of completion and disposition resolution approved (4-0).

What’s next: the district will proceed with the approved agreements and administrators expect graduations and award ceremonies next week; the board requested a forthcoming presentation on safety protocols and the classified employment report changes will be reflected in district records.