Fortuna Elementary School District

Superintendent’s Report

May 2025

Curriculum and Instruction:

CAASPP testing is underway.  Students in grades 3rd-8th are taking the ELA and math assessments, while students in grades 5th & 8th will also take the science assessment. 

For the 2025-26 school year, we will continue piloting Amplify Desmos mathematics while we await the updated State Board of Education (SBE) approved curricula list, expected in November 2025.  The pilot extension will allow us to gather additional data on student outcomes and teacher feedback as we continue evaluating the program’s effectiveness.  In English Language Arts, we are beginning to explore new curriculum options for grades 6th-8th for next year, with a full review of TK-5th grade materials planned throughout the 2025-26 school year.  Our goal is to ensure a thoughtful selection process focused on high-quality instructional materials that meet the needs of our students.

Budget:

There have been no major updates since my last report.  We’re continuing to work on the LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) and budget development for the 2025-26 school year. Once the Governor’s May Revision is released, we’ll have a clearer picture of the state’s financial outlook for next year.  Jennifer Goodner, our Budget Manager, and I will attend the School Services of California May Revise Workshop on May 21st to gather additional information.  FESD’s proposed LCAP and budget will be presented at the Public Hearing on June 10, 2025, with adoption scheduled for the regular meeting on June 12, 2025.

We begin negotiations with the Fortuna Elementary Teachers’ Association for the 2025-26 school year on May 7th.  We’ll begin negotiations with the California School Employees Association Chapter 889 after the Board approves the District’s initial proposal at the May meeting.

Enrollment for 2025-26:

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open for new TK-8th grade students.  Families can register online by visiting our website at fortunaesd.com, where they will find the enrollment link and additional information.  Transitional Kindergarten (TK) eligibility applies to children who turn four years old before September 2, 2025.  We encourage families to watch the informational video on our website to explore our TK and kindergarten programs at Ambrosini and Walker Schools.  We look forward to welcoming new students and families to our District!

Successes:

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Fortuna Elementary PTO Carnival on April 3rd a success!  The rain held off for our families to enjoy an evening of games, food, and community.

Congratulations to Sofia Baker, 8th grader at Fortuna Middle School, for placing 3rd at the California Science and Engineering State Fair with her project titled, “Mussel Mayhem: The Impact of Ocean Acidification on Mussel Calcification”—well done!

This is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of our staff.  I’m grateful for our dedicated classified staff, certificated staff, and administrators who continue to go above and beyond for our students.  Thank you!

Let’s keep the momentum going as we wrap up the final stretch of the 2024-25 school year!

Important Dates:

April 21st-May 2nd: ELOP Enrollment Window for Summer 2025

May 26th:  No School - Memorial Day

June 4th:  FMS 8th Grade Graduation 4:00 p.m.

June 5th:  Last Day of School

July 7th-Aug. 1st: Summer ELOP TK-6th - Ambrosini School’s Campus

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy Betts

Highlights from the 5-8-25 Board Meeting:

• Congratulations to our May Superintendent Award recipients!

  • Ambrosini Elementary: Jaxon Frits

  • Walker Elementary: Aynessa Girsback

  • Toddy Thomas: Logan Freitas

  • Fortuna Middle School: Michael Bott-Thurston

• Thank you, Mateo Herrera-Cortes (Toddy Thomas) and Sofia Baker (Fortuna Middle School), for providing ASB updates.    

• The Board approved the Consent Agenda.

• The Board approved the Initial Proposals of the LEA to the California School Employees Association for Contract Negotiations.  

• The Board approved the CSEA MOU for ELOP.

• The Board approved the FETA MOU for ELOP.  

• The Board approved moving the regularly scheduled meeting in August from August 14, 2025, to August 7, 2025.

• The Board approved Resolution 25-03 Total Base Rent for the Lease-Leaseback Agreement with Pierson Co. for the TTMS project.  

• The Board approved dry rot repair at TTMS this summer to prepare for painting the school. 

• The Board approved the following Policies, Regulations, Bylaws, and Exhibits:  BP 1312.2, AR 1312.2, E(1)1312.2, BP 1340, AR 1340,

BP 3311, AR 3311, BP 3311.1, AR 3311.1, BP 3312, BP 3516.5, BP 3580, AR 3580, BP 4151, BP 4251, BP 4351, BP 4158, BP 4258, BP 4358, AR 4158, AR 4258, AR 4358, BP 5125, AR 5125, BP 5131, BP 5131.6, AR 5131.6, BP 5131.8, BP 5141.5, BP 5141.52, AR 5141.52, BP 5145.13, AR 5145.13, BP 6142.93, BP 6142.94, BP 6159, AR 6159, BP 6159.2, AR 6159.2, BB 9150, BB 9224, BB 9260

Next Regular Board Meeting:  June 12, 2025