June 2, 2025

Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative Executive Steering Committee

June 2, 2025

Link to Meeting Materials: https://bit.ly/4dC4PtJ

Meeting called to order by Acting Chair A. Reyna at 10:04am.

Attendees: Acting Chair A. Reyna (MCC), M. Delgado (FLDUSD), E. Cunha (NU), C. Corona Arroyo (FUSD), B. Duran (CVHEC), T. Overstreet (SCCCD), M. Vang (Madera WIB), M. Perez (EECU), K. Hatch (GVUSD), C. Tweed (Coalinga College), M. Salazar (UC Merced), K. Hammerstrom (FMK16C), L. Flores (FMK16C), S. Lambert (FMK16C)

  • Strategic Conversation: Governance Evolution and Election of Chair/Rotation of Chairs:
    • Dr. Goldsmith has served as Chair since the inception of Collaborative in 2020. While the board was restructured in December 2023, leadership has remained consistent. This is an opportunity to formalize governance practices by introducing staggered terms for board positions and developing formal bylaws, something most other Collaboratives across the state already have, to support and clarify the work being done. Co-Chairs will serve staggered two-year terms
  • Election of Chair/Rotation of Chairs (Action: M/S/A): B. Duran (CVHEC) nominated A. Reyna (MCC) to serve as Co-Chair. A vote was conducted by a show of hands, resulting in unanimous approval. A. Reyna will serve as Co-Chair of the FMK16C through the end of June 2027. Current Vice Chair S. Jiménez-Sandoval will be co-chair through the end of June 2026.
  • Executive Director Report: 
    • Discussion of potential 2025-26 Meeting Dates to proactively address any scheduling conflicts.
    • Staffing Update: Rachel Klassen, FMK16C Business Engagement Coordinator, has transitioned to a new role at Fresno State. We are actively recruiting to fill this position, with a formal posting on the Fresno State Auxiliary HR website and an informal posting on LinkedIn. We encourage partners to share the opportunity to refer any qualified candidates.
    • Extended Period of Performance: For Regional K-16 funds, we’re currently awaiting approval of the 2025-26 Governor’s Budget Education Trailer Bill (TBL). If approved as written, the TBL would give us the flexibility to offer no-cost extensions to our subrecipients. Once the TBL is approved, our K-16 team will begin reviewing project progress and evaluating extension requests to determine which projects may be eligible. Eligibility will be based on project progress and invoicing. At this point, any approved no-cost extensions would be extended through 2028 at this time. Heritage funds have also been granted a NCE.

Meeting adjourned at 10:31 am.

Central San Joaquin Valley K-16 Partnership Advisory Council

Meeting Minutes

June 2, 2025

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Link to Meeting Materials: https://bit.ly/K16P_June2_2025

Meeting called to order by Partnership Chair J. Preston at 10:57am.

Present: Chair J. Preston (LC), A. Reyna (MCC), C. Tweed (CC), J. Buckley (RC), B. Duran (CVHEC), L. Rodriguez (KCOE), B. Davis (TCOE), K. Hatch (GVUSD), C. Corona Arroyo (FUSD), E. Cunha (NU), N. Dodson (CTFF), M. Perez (EECU), M. Delgado (FLDUSD), G. Eddy  (EUSD), M. Snell (CTFF), M. Salazar (UC Merced), C. Ipsen (Healthforce), J. Gill (Healthforce), L. Salgado (Healthforce), T. Overstreet (SCCCD), A. Peck (Tulare WIB), J. Bautista (Tulare WIB), J. Martinez (Kings JTO),  M. Vang (Madera WIB), K. Hammerstrom (FMK16C), L. Flores (FMK16C), S. Lambert (FMK16C)

  • Partnership Business: Approval of November 14, 2024 Meeting Minutes (Action:M/S/A to Receive and File): Correct year to 2024. Motion made by B. Duran (CVHEC). Seconded by M. Snell (CTFF). Motion carried.
  • Partnership Updates: OPSC/FCCCC Site Visit May 7, 2025: 
    • Summary of sections of site visit:
      • Part 1: Region-Specific Follow-Up Questions – Collaboratives walked through their most developed pathways from a 9th-grade student perspective, highlighting required elements from both education and industry partners as outlined in the Clarification on Pathway and Recovery with Equity Implementation document. Discussions included identifying existing gaps, strategies to address them, and associated timelines. Additional topics included scaling and replicating effective subregional models and strategies for coordinating subregions and subawards to support a cohesive region-wide pathway. Provided an overview of the Health pathway from the perspective of a 9th-grade student, outlining what that experience would look like starting in freshman year.
      • Part 2: Collaborative Successes and Challenges – Participants shared key successes and ongoing challenges across the region, with a focus on highlighting effective practices, innovative approaches, and lessons learned through partnership efforts.
      • Part 3: Looking Ahead and Future Planning – Discussion centered on future planning across three key areas:
        • Sustainability
        • Jobs First
        • Master Plan Alignment
  • Partnership Updates: Governor’s Education Trailer Bill, Invoicing and Performance Progress: 
    • Governor’s Education Trailer Bill: The proposed updates would have three main potential impacts on the Partnership:
      • Pathway Flexibility: Would remove the current restrictions to four designated pathways (Business, Education, Engineering, Health), allowing for the creation of at least two occupational pathways based on priority sectors identified in collaboration with the CA Jobs First Council (S2J2). Note: OPSC still expects K-16 Collaboratives to meet the terms of their existing contracts.
      • Extended Timeline for Second Pathway Implementation: Would extend the deadline for the second pathway from June 2026 to June 2028. While we remain on track with our current Health pathway, this extension provides an opportunity to plan for an additional pathway aligned with Sierra San Joaquin Jobs Initiative (S2J2) priorities.
      • Extended Spending Deadline: Would extend the expenditure and encumbrance deadline from June 2026 to June 2030.
  • Partnership Updates: $479K additional funding (OPSC Announcement, Reversal, and Reinstatement of Additional Funding):
    • OPSC has reversed its prior decision and approved an additional $479k in funding.
    • TCOE and KCOE now have increased flexibility to extend spending beyond the original 2026 deadline.
    • A previous budget proposal with TKCCC included shared projects such as WBL videos, which have now been funded through other means. TKCCC has also agreed to share costs for a possible future convening.
    • In alignment with the Sierra San Joaquin Jobs Initiative (S2J2) and the Education Master Plan, FMK16C and TKCCC jointly recommend reallocating the $479k as follows:

Budget
OPSC Additional Funding – Additional Award Amount: $479,000

  • Partnership Updates: CTE Summit:
    • Over the past two years, TCOE has hosted a CTE Summit; this year, they are partnering with CVML Regional Consortium and FMK16C to expand the event’s regional impact.
    • The event will be consolidated into one large regional summit on September 16, 2025, at the Visalia Convention Center, with an expected attendance of approximately 300-400.
    • A “Save the Date” and registration link, along with a call for presenters, is expected to be released by June 4, 2025.
    • Event format will include a general welcome session, multiple breakout sessions, and a closing keynote by Dr. Kevin Fleming.
    • An invite-only workforce development session with Dr. Fleming will be held for college presidents and district superintendents.
  • Regional K-16 Collaboration: S2J2-Regional Investment Initiative:
    • K. Hammerstrom:
      • Notification of advancement to the pitch competition in San Francisco is expected on June 16, 2025; the competition will take place on June 23, 2025.
      • A total of $145 million in funding is available.
      • Karri has engaged with CVML colleges in discussions about workforce training opportunities, as related funding will be available.
    • A. Peck:
      • Emphasis on the importance of education and skill-building in regional workforce development.
      • Need for a collective system and aligned investments that address the specific needs of businesses.
      • Focus on building sector partnerships across the four-county region.
      • Utilization of Talent Pipeline Management and NextGen Sector Partnership frameworks.
      • Industry validation ensures tangible outcomes, increased buy-in, and responsiveness to actual workforce needs.
    • K. Hammerstrom:
      • Acknowledged ongoing challenges with employer engagement across K-16 initiatives; expressed optimism about improvements through this process.
      • Noted that our Partnership is more developed than many others in the statewide Collaborative, which may strengthen our unique collaboration with local Workforce Investment Boards.
    • B. Davis:
      • A K12 Strong Workforce grant last year supported teacher upskilling efforts. 
      • The Initiative identified gaps between secondary instruction and regional industry needs in the advanced manufacturing space to include pneumatics/electricity industry certificates.
      • Many instructors are eager to teach advanced skills (e.g, advanced manufacturing, logistics) but lack training from traditional teacher preparation programs.
      • 15 teachers were trained in collaboration with Reedley College, Lemoore College, and College of the Sequoias.
      • Plans are in place to expand training to 20+ additional teachers across the four-county region, including sectors such as agriculture and construction.
      • Efforts include consolidating training and supplies to ensure cost-efficiency.
      • Anticipating another round of K12 Strong Workforce funding, applications opening in September 2025, with goals of expanding collaborative opportunities across the region.
    • J. Buckley:
      • FAME Academy includes a paid internship component, with 85-90% of students placed in jobs with participating companies, resulting in high job placement rates.
      • $1.6 million allocated for purchase of supplies to support the program.
    • A. Peck:
      • Leverage overlapping funding streams to support on-the-job training, internships, and other transitional programs that embed participants directly into workplaces.
  • Strategic Conversation: WBL Employer Focused Video:
    • Featured employers include: Adventist Health (health), California Teaching Fellows Foundation (education), City of Visalia Planning Department (engineering, urban planning), Cornerstone Care Center (health), McGaughy’s Suspension (manufacturing, auto), and Kaweah Delta (health). 
    • The video will be shared with Chambers of Commerce to encourage more businesses to consider hosting students in the future.
    • Once finalized, the video will be shared with partners for broader use.
    • Partners are encouraged to email K. Hammerstrom with suggestions of businesses or organizations to highlight in future promotions.
  • Strategic Conversation: Partnership Metrics Across the Collaboratives and the Four Counties:
    • TKCCC metrics are reported annually and have been expanded to include the full four-county region, now incorporating FMK16C and the Partnership
    • Shout-out to Heather Elias (TCOE) for leading efforts to update metrics dating back to 2020 to support longitudinal tracking of growth.
    • The California Department of Education (CDE) has expressed interest in eventually integrating Work-Based Learning (WBL) into the statewide dashboard.
    • The partnership uses a standardized WBL definition, e.g., 30 students attending a guest speaker or tour equals one WBL instance.
    • 1:1 meetings were held with districts (in TKCCC) to review their data and discuss policy and procedural implications for continuous improvement.
    • Data is presented in an easily digestible format suitable for district cabinets and boards; some superintendents found it validated their awareness.

Meeting adjourned at 12:25pm.