Student representatives recognized and able to make motions

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

The two student representatives to the Fallbrook Union High School District Board of Trustees were recognized with certificates of appreciation for their service at the May 23 board meeting. Damon Gallegos has represented Fallbrook High School and Savannah Homuth has represented Ivy and Oasis high schools since the beginning of the school year.

It was also a special occasion since for the first time, the senior representatives were able to make motions that could be acted on by the governing board, except matters dealing with employer-employee negotiations.

Gallegos asked the board at its May 9 meeting to consider the possibility. The pair have been able to make advisory votes on action items but Superintendent Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez researched the suggestion and informed the board members that the state government code allows for students to make motions on agenda action items if authorization has been approved by the board. The board voted 5-0 to make that allowance.

Later in the meeting, Gallegos made a motion on an agenda item waiving the graduation requirement of community service for the graduating class of 2022. The requirement was dropped because of COVID-19 restrictions making it difficult for students to achieve the required hours.

Gallegos also made the motion to approve the consent agenda, which the board voted 5-0 to approve.

The student representatives also report to the trustees about activities at their respective schools.

The board also approved two matters relating to solar panels at Fallbrook High School. It voted 5-0 to approve the finalized design build contract, service contract and performance guarantee for the solar project with Baker Electric as presented. It also approved a purchase agreement and maintenance agreement for the solar battery project with Telsa, Inc. Both votes were unanimous.

The next board meeting is on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bob Burton Performing Arts Center on the campus of Fallbrook High School.