Fortuna Elementary School District

Superintendent’s Report

November 2025

Continuous Improvement Feedback:

A survey will be sent to students, parents/guardians, and staff, and will be open from November 6th-21st. As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, we are partnering with Studer Education to gather input about the school experience across our District. The feedback we receive helps us identify what is working well and where we need to focus our efforts to better support students and staff. When you receive the survey link, please take a few minutes to complete it - every response matters and will directly inform our work going forward.

Curriculum and Instruction:

The first trimester ends on November 7th. It’s hard to believe we are already one-third of the way through the year. These first months have been focused on establishing routines, supporting students, and continuing to strengthen instruction across classrooms.

All four school sites are wrapping up the fall STAR Reading and Math Assessments. These assessments continue to be an important tool for us. They help us identify where students are performing, what support they may need, and how to set meaningful goals moving into the second trimester. Teachers and principals will use this data as part of their regular collaborative work to plan instruction and monitor growth over time.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 17th-21st. During this week, all schools will follow their early dismissal schedules, and after-school programs and bus schedules will be adjusted accordingly. Conferences are a key opportunity to connect with families and partner together to support student success.

Budget:

There are no new updates regarding the budget at this time. The First Interim Report and the 2024–2025 Audit Report will be brought to the Board in December for review and approval.

Construction and Maintenance:

Construction continues to move forward on the new Administration Building at Toddy Thomas. Interior work is progressing, along with coordination among subcontractors to keep the project on track. However, due to a combination of scheduling and material-related delays, the anticipated completion date has been extended. As a result, the plan for the new office to open over winter break has shifted. We will continue to monitor progress closely and will provide updated timelines as the project advances.

Miscellaneous:

Our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) over the school breaks is scheduled for December 29-31, February 18-20, and April 7-10. The program will be held at Walker Elementary and is available to all current TK-6th grade FESD students. Registration was sent out to families via ParentSquare on October 31st, with a sign-up deadline of November 14th. This will help us determine enrollment and staffing needs for the upcoming sessions.

The annual FMS Art & Literacy Night (An Enchanted Evening) was held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Fortuna Middle School. FMS provided art activities, crafts, music entertainment, free books, a Book Fair, and food for all. A Mariachi band played during the first hour, and LOUD! Neighbors Brass Band performed during the second hour, which was especially fun, as one of our own teachers, Ms. Dekat, is a member of the band. The highlight of the evening was once again our students, with the choir and band performing to a full gym. It was a great night for families and community members of all ages. Thank you to all staff and community partners who helped make the event possible!

We continue to encourage parents, guardians, and community members to volunteer at our schools. Those interested in volunteering may contact their school office for more information.

Important Dates:

11/10/25:  Local Recess - No School

11/11/25:  Veterans’ Day - No School

11/17-11/21/25: Conference Week - Early Dismissal

11/24-11/28/25: No School

12/22-1/2/26:  No School - Winter Break

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy Betts

Highlights from the 11-13-25 Board Meeting:

• Congratulations to our November Superintendent Award recipients!

  • Ambrosini Elementary: Skylar Crotty

  • Walker Elementary: Will be presented in December 

  • Toddy Thomas: Adeline Kleiner

  • Fortuna Middle School: Ariana Velasquez

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

• The Board approved the Consent Agenda.

• The Board approved the Revised Title I Parent Involvement Policies for AES, WES, TTMS, & FMS.

• The Board approved the Annual Reports on Effectiveness of Title I Programs for AES, WES, TTMS, and FMS.   

• The Board approved Resolution 25-06: Designation of Certain General Funds as Committed Fund Balance (Verkada Licensing).

• The Board approved the Superintendent’s Contract.

• The Board approved the Superintendent’s Goals/Actions for 2025-26.

• The Board selected December 10th as the date for the Annual Organizational Meeting.

• The Board approved the following Policies, Regulations, and Bylaws: BP 3515, AR 3515, BP 3515.4, AR 3515.4, AR 3516.1, BP 5113, AR 5113, AR 5113.11, BP 5141, AR 5141, BP 5141.4, AR 5141.4, BP 5142, AR 5142, & BB 9005.

Next Regular Board Meeting:  December 10, 2025