Highlights from Board of Education Meeting 1/13/15

·       RUSD Receives Highest Opinion “Unmodified” on Annual External Financial Audit Report for 2013-14: A comprehensive external audit report of RUSD’s 2013-14 Fiscal Year was presented by the firm of Vincenti, Lloyd & Stutzman at the January 13, 2015 school board meeting. The firm’s Senior Manager, Priscilla Osborne Flores, shared that the extensive audit meets the requirements of both the accounting profession and the California State Controller’s Office, which has oversight responsibility for all local educational agency audits. The audit was performed over the last nine months and was completed by a team of auditors that spent more than 500 hours examining internal controls, meeting with RUSD staff, and reviewing supporting documents for revenues and expenditures across all funds. The firm issued the highest auditor report opinion – “Unmodified” on the District’s financial statements. (There are four opinions that can be issued – “Unmodified,” “Modified,” “Disclaimer,” and “Adverse.”) The issuance of “Unmodified” means they believe the financial statements are fairly presented. The firm also thanked the RUSD Fiscal Services staff and RUSD personnel who helped during the audit process.  Click HERE to view the Rowland USD Audit Report 6-30-14.

·       Mr. Scott Jensen, Director of Special Education

Mr. Jensen comes to us with a great deal of experience in the area of Special Education. He has served as an SDC Teacher, Home/Hospital Teacher, Intervention Specialist and Program Specialist. He has coordinated various professional development activities, provided support for Autism programs and has served successfully in many areas in education. He has also served as a Coordinator of the Young Athletes Program Collaborative in a partnership with the Special Olympics. 

          The Board recognized the following organizations and community members for their generosity and outstanding service to RUSD students and families and as partners with the Family Resource Center (FRC). Jennifer Kottke, Coordinator of the Family Resource Center presented certificates to:

Ecolab – Ecolab has long served the students and teachers of the Rowland Unified School District with grant opportunities. Over the past couple of years, the FRC has established a relationship with Ecolab, who has been so generous with hygiene products for many of our McKinney-Vento students and families who are in hardship situations. Ecolab employees have also generously adopted families at Thanksgiving time providing Thanksgiving Baskets and adopting families during Adopt N Shop. Ecolab employees have also been generous with their time and volunteer at many events. 

Faith Community Church – Faith Community has been an amazing partner. Over the past two Thanksgivings, Faith Community Church members have donated more than 300 turkeys to our RUSD Families. Also, they provided an amazing donation of $10,000 to the FRC to further our homeless work. Faith Community has also supported many of our families on-site at their church through their many programs and services. (Pictured: Pastor Kelly DuPee & Mel Giangrande with Board President Judy Nieh and Superintendent Mitchell.)

Kiwanis Club – Kiwanis Club has always been willing to volunteer for our many events. They have also sponsored an event called “Heart N Sole” for the past three years, giving away hundreds of pairs of shoes to students who have been identified as McKinney-Vento within RUSD. (Pictured: Hacienda Heights Kiwanis Club President Victoria Davidson.)  

Mr. and Mrs. Malkin – Not only have their involvement in Kiwanis helped to set up the “Heart N Sole” program, but Mr. David Malkin and Mrs. Teri Malkin (pictured) have volunteered at many FRC events. Mr. and Mrs. Malkin have also been very generous in their donations of gently used clothing. They have provided the FRC with many warm jackets, shoes, slacks, business shirts and other miscellaneous items that have all been given to our families.

Shezad Ramjan of Ashika Shoes became a partner of the FRC through Kiwanis. Shezad has been important because he provides great shoes at a low cost. Shezad has given us great deals on a large quantity of shoes so that we can stretch our McKinney budget and serve as many students as possible. The FRC has purchased hundreds of pairs of shoes from Shezad in the past several years.  Shezad’s shoes are “hip” and the kids love them! (Pictured: Shezad Ramjan from Ashika Shoes).