District board elects Denise McGrew-Kane as president

ATASCADERO — For the first time in three weeks, the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees convened for its regular meeting, and heard from the principals of two district schools to hear the progress of their educational programs.

Principals Marshawn Porter, of Santa Margarita Elementary School, and Sarah Betz, of Santa Rosa Academic Academy, each gave a presentation outlining the strategy each school uses to get students to achieve and excel, and how their schools are meeting it.

“Thank you for having me; I get to brag about Santa Margarita, which is a pretty incredible place,” said Porter, who was the first to give her presentation. “We’re in our own little bubble, so it’s nice to get to brag and talk about our school a little more.”

Porter explained to the board how her school teaches its students through it graduate profiles — Teamwork, Self-Directed Individual, Responsible and Contributing Citizen, Effective Communicator, and College Career Ready — through projects unique to each profile.

For instance, for Teamwork, students contribute “quilt squares” containing positive messages and goals, which are then stitched together. Also, for Effective Communicator, Porter said, students create a comic strip that illustrated a problem and proposed solution, and use the strip that lead to the solution in four panels.

For College Career Ready, the principal explained, the student makes a pennant that can display the college they want to go to, or the career for them to pursue.

“They can make a pennant of what college they want to go to, or what career they want to pursue,” she said. “We also want to convey that college is great, but it’s not for everyone, and some students might look at trade school or some other way to pursue a career.”

Porter went on to explain how the school uses “intervention” teachers and aides to identify and help students who may struggle and need extra attention, and points out activities and awards, like “Mustang Bucks” that the students earn for good behavior, all under the concept of RITE, which stands for respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

After that, Betz came forward to talk about Santa Rosa Academic Academy in Atascadero, which shares a lot of the same goals and strategies as Santa Margarita Elementary.

“It is an honor to share how our students are growing, leading, and thriving this school year,” Betz said. “At Santa Rosa we believe every student deserves high-quality learning, meaningful relationships, and authentic opportunities to lead.”

The SRAA principal went on to disclose how her school operates under the same graduate profile used by SMES.

Betz cited student mentors who come over from Paloma Creek High to guide the Santa Rosa students, as well as offering classes like art, cycling, and gardening. In fact, she said the school has its own garden, which the students and faculty take great pride in.

In both presentations, the school principals, cited the importance of parents and their respective PTAs, which offer support and funds for many of the activities the students enjoy. They both also cited their objectives of perfect or near-perfect attendance.

“When constantly showing up, the students establish deep connections and stay engaged,” Betz told the board.

After hearing the presentations, the trustees thanked the principals for speaking and lauded their efforts.

“I’m so proud of you two; you truly put students first,” said Trustee Corrine Kuhnle. “I don’t know how you do it.”

In another presentation, the Trustees recognized Atascadero High School wrestlers Cole Loney and Kaden Pryor, who recently won state titles in their respective weight classes. AHS Athletic Director Sam DeRose introduced the two wrestlers, along with coaches Dan Loney and Jack Robinett. DeRose said that Loney will be going to college at Simpson University, located in Redding, while Pryor, a three-time state champion, will be going to Cuesta in the fall, and join a strong Cougars wrestling program.

In Administrative Items, the Board of Trustees solidified its administration by naming Denise McGrew-Kane as board president. McGrew-Kane has been searching as acting president since previous Board President Tracy Ellis-Weit resigned as president at the end of the March 4 board meeting. In accepting the president’s position, McGrew-Kane vacated her spot as clerk, but that position was filled by Trustee Rebekah Koznek.

In other business, AUSD Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services E.J. Rossi announced that Carissa Plains Elementary School, Santa Rosa Elementary School, and Paloma Creek High School would be the schools in the district to get Title I funds, which are geared towards school’s student body is made up of at least 40% who are from low-incoming families. It was also announced that the funds would be implemented as a School-Wide Program, which is meant to improve academic achievement throughout the school so that all students, including low-income ones, can reach state academic standards.

Also, the council voted to accept a collective bargaining proposal from the teacher’s union, the Atascadero District Teachers Association, and the California School Employee Association, Local 124, representing the AUSD’s classified employees. The board also approved the district’s collective bargaining proposals to each of those unions.

The AUSD board will next meet on Tuesday, May 6, with closed session starting at 5:30 p.m., and open session at 7 p.m.