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West Sacramento News-Ledger

WUSD Talks Tech, New Field

Oct 15, 2024 02:14PM ● By Angela Underwood

At the Oct. 10 Washington Unified School District meeting, officials thanked parting student board members while welcoming new ones. Photo courtesy of Washington Unified School District


WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - New state-of-the-art fields, student board members and more had officials' attention at the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) Board meeting.

On Oct. 10, board trustees began the night recognizing and honoring the 2023-2024 Washington Unified School District student board members while welcoming in the new. By involving students in governance, executive communications director Giorgios Kazanis said, the district is not only improving current policies but also nurturing the next generation of community leaders.

“They serve as a direct link between the student body and the school board, ensuring that student voices are heard and considered,” Kazanis said. “It's also a fun way for our student board members to share regular updates highlighting various activities and achievements representing each of our schools districtwide.”

Following, officials held a public hearing on the Cool Schools Grant slated for Westmore Oaks Elementary, Riverbank Elementary, Yolo High School and River City High School. 

As for action and consent agenda items, officials approved the Disney Imagination Campus Field Trip, an overnight opportunity for River City High School students to record a professional ensemble piece with Disney industry professionals.

Speaking of music, trustees approved a contract with Nariman Percussion Inc., for Washington Unified School District Expanded Learning Programs, which introduce students to different musical instruments.


Children play on the new grass fields at Westmore Oaks Elementary School, with officials reporting outdoor activity enhances and increases social skills. Photo courtesy of Washington Unified School District


Trustees continued sharing the love of liberal studies, renewing a contract with Nor Cal School of the Arts for classroom instruction and after-school and summer programs. The contract will provide 20 weeks of theater arts workshops integrating social-emotional learning through culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices. 

Students are not the only ones who get to travel, as board trustees approved an out-of-state conference, allowing four social workers to attend the National School Social Work Conference in Atlanta in April 2025.

According to a staff brief, “The conference offers a diverse range of breakout workshop sessions designed to provide practical strategies and best practices that can be applied directly to the work of a social worker.”

Security was also addressed. Trustees approved additional security cameras for the Westfield Village School Modernization project to better monitor the campus and approved the 2024-2025 Washington Unified School District Comprehensive School Site Safety Plans.

The mandated annual update includes protocols for child abuse reporting, disaster preparedness, student entry and exit safety, sexual harassment prevention and school discipline, among other required safety measures.

Tech talks stopped when officials tabled a proposed Data Sharing Agreement between the City of West Sacramento and Washington Unified School District for a future board meeting.

The meeting ended on a green note, with officials approving a change order for the Westmore Oaks Field Project's newly-installed irrigation system.

According to a staff brief, “to obtain proper water coverage, the irrigation system was improved beyond what was originally planned.”

Kazanis said that the project’s scope was comprehensive, including clearing and grading the area, installing an irrigation system and laying grass sod.


Officials announced the long-awaited installation of a new grass playfield at a K-8 school at the Oct. 10 school district meeting. Photo courtesy of Washington Unified School District


“These steps were necessary to create a sustainable and safe play environment,” Kazanis said of the nearly $200,000 project funded through Measure V State Facilities Program matching funds. “While the timeline was extended, the result is a significant upgrade that will benefit our students for years to come.”

Along with a safer playing surface for sports and physical education activities, the new fields offer an improved environment for outdoor learning and social activities, according to Kazanis.

Enhanced aesthetics of the field contributes to school pride and creates a more inviting atmosphere for the entire school community, Kazanis said.