Fresno Unified School District
CAC Meeting Minutes August 26th, 2025
Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Meeting
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Adult Transition Program, 3132 E. Fairmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93726
MINUTES
Welcome (Chair Wong) – 5:30 pm
CAC stands for the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, a volunteer group composed predominantly of parents of children with special needs who attend school within the Fresno Unified School District. CAC is a group of parents, school personnel, and other community members who work together to ensure that children with special needs receive the best education available. CAC meets once a month to identify the needs of students with special needs in our district and advises the district on issues relating to special education. CAC works to provide information to parents and also listens to parents’ concerns. CAC’s ultimate purpose is to participate in a partnership with the school district that enhances the education of each child with special needs. Fresno Unified is required by law to have a CAC.
CAC Respect Agreement:
· Recognize and respect differences of perspective and style of the CAC among members, staff, students, parents/guardians and the community.
· Act with dignity and understand the implications of demeanor and behavior.
· When speaking of your concerns, please do not use your student’s name or the school location. Please respect the confidentiality and needs of your student.
Roll Call (Vice-Chair Aoki)
When roll was called, 16 members were present; quorum was met. 8 arrived late (probably due to meeting time change); 24 total members were present.
Agenda Approval (Chair Wong)
Motion to accept: 1st Steven V., 2nd Monica S. – 16 Yeas/0 Nays
Previous Meeting Minutes (Julie Wong)
June 12, 2025 - Motion to accept: 1st Steven V., 2nd Monica S. – 16 Yeas/0 Nays
Membership (Vice-Chair Aoki)
Ruth Reyes was present.
Motion to accept: 1st Steven V., 2nd Patricia C. – 16 Yeas/0 Nays
Tina Vang, Angela Jimenez, Melissa Zubia submitted applications during meeting.
Motion to accept: 1st Kathy E., 2nd Cara F. – 18 Yeas/0 Nays
Old Business (Patrick Morrison)
In response to limited parent access to Atlas, Patrick is in the process of getting parents more access by creating a parent-only portfolio. However, still trying to navigate digital privacy laws and other limiting factors.
Special Education Department Stucture (presented by Patrick Morrison, Executive Director of Special Education)
Fresno Unified School District’s Special Education system has 10,000 students, the third largest in the state of California. SpEd administration is currently down staff; open SpEd Superintendent position and only 4 of 8 Manager III’s from last year. For SpEd concerns, please first build the relationship with teachers and/or case managers. Concerns unmet can then be directed to site administrators. Regional Instructional Managers (RIMs) would be the next point of contact. Manager III’s oversee the RIMs (please see handout of 2025-26 RIM Assignments), and Patrick Morrison is the Executive Director of Special Education. For specific program locations, please refer to the 2025-26 Regional Program Placement diagram. Both handouts are located on the Special Education website and are updated regularly with any changes in personnel or programs. Another useful communication tool is “Let’s Talk”. This tool tracks communication and keeps a permanent record.
Q: How is the search for a Special Education Superintendent going?
A: The job is posted, but no interviews yet. There is a board meeting tomorrow so hopefully be next month.
Q: With so many openings, what is that saying about the culture of all schools?
A: The openings should not be attributed to school culture; managers got new jobs, career changes, retirement. This is not an indicator of problems.
School Safety (presented by Charlene Cardoza, Safety & Security Office)
FUSD has 213 security positions. Each elementary school now has a Campus Safety Assistant (CSA). They receive training in crisis prevention and complete a restorative practice course. 7 Regional Safety Specialists oversee all of the campuses, with two Managers, and David Rey as the Executive Director.
There is a new visitor management system (replacing Raptor). Please check in to the campus office. It enables campus staff to see who is on campus in an emergency as well as ensuring that each individual should be allowed to enter the campus. Surveillance systems are not adequate as kids find the blind spots. Cameras are not allowed inside classrooms.
Patricia C. – I’m at several school sites, and all of the CSAs are interested and ask to help/support students.
One CSA has started an afterschool program for girls to learn physical fitness. CSAs can also be in IEP meetings if necessary as they provide extra support for administrators, counselors and students.
Patrick S. – Why did the shirts (uniform) go from yellow to blue? They aren’t as visible/noticeable.
A: Blue seemed more professional, less of a danger/in trouble color than the yellow. CSAs chose for the whole department.
Edith R.: The CSA works really well with students.
The new system screens for sex offenders and lets administrators know not to let them on site. One scan is good for all schools, first picture is used. You are notified by text on sign in, lets you check yourself out.
Michelle S. – Husband signed in; there is a sex offender with the same name. Campus security hunted him down on campus. The new security works.
Araceli S. – I was waiting in the school office for 30 minutes; no one helped me. It’s good to have better technology, but customer service seems to get worse when relying on technology.
A: The office staff was probably not used to the new system and probably trying to figure out how to use it. Must work on customer service as well. Unfortunately, the new technology was dropped off over the summer without much training.
CSAs now work all day, previously they were staggered. They also work closely with probation.
Metal detectors aren’t particularly useful at most school sites as they do not have one-point entry. The most important way to protect students is to speak up about violent acts; most give clues beforehand.
Paras are now being CPI trained. School Psychologists are the CPI trainers and periodically train staff. The behavior management program stresses verbal de-escalation techniques, identify triggers, holds to restrict movement for the safety of others and self. Behavior emergency report must be filled out within 24 hours and student/family offered an IEP meeting.
Educational Partners Forum
Tina V. - Student was dropped from sports and 7th grade trips because needed someone to go with him.
Patrick M. – Please talk to me afterwards and let me get your information.
Araceli S. – I requested a school transfer, but the IEP still said transportation would be provided. There was no notification that there was no transportation for my student.
Patrick M. – Special Education provides transportation to home school or if the district transfers the student to a different school based on necessary program. Parent Choice Transfers do not have SpEd transportation. However, this should be a talking point for transfers and should have been mentioned when transferring.
Julie W. – Züm notification to sign up went out on Parent Square.
Patrick M. – We will have Züm out to present soon.
Parent – My student goes to a Specialty Education site. There is a 15-minute wait policy and the nurse had to leave. My student was not able to go to school.
Parent – King buses have a hard time finding parking.
Jen D. – Policy about bus routes.
Carmen T. – Students cannot register if not immunized, can be dropped from school.
Announcements
Next Upcoming CAC Meeting: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Closing & Adjournment (Chair Wong) – 7:30 p.m.