A mix of special and routine business played out at the November 20 Claremont Unified School District Board of Education meeting, including persons of the year recipients announced and a unanimous vote to spend $6.9 million for safety and security equipment.

Kudos

Three CUSD staffers received “spotlight on excellence” recognition from the district: Claremont High sports medicine teacher and athletic trainer Jonathan Snapp was recognized in the certificated category; information services specialist Bobby Arciga, classified; and Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Executive Director Terryl Noreen, management and confidential.

More info on the award winners is at cusd.claremont.edu.

Resolution 06-2026

The board unanimously approved a $6,889,115 funding agreement and payback plan to cover the cost and installation of safety, security and student-staff technology upgrades throughout the district. CUSD is set to pay back the money through a lease with Asset Finance Group in five annual $1,377,823 installments. CUSD spokesperson Elaine Kong will clarify how the district plans to fund its lease by December 1.

Among the items approved for purchase are 100 outdoor cameras, data networking switches, firewall defense, and professional, architectural design, and installation services by the NWN Corporation. An itemized list is viewable at cusd-claremont.community.highbond.com.

“This project involves the installation, configuration, and testing of network switches, access points, firewalls and voice system across the eleven (11) Claremont School campuses plus District Office,” read a scope of work report prepared by NWN. “The goal is to enhance network performance, security, and coverage for students, faculty, and administrative staff by upgrading existing infrastructure, optimizing the environment and providing enhance performance capabilities. This project will involve installation and configuration of all network infrastructure components. This includes network switches, firewalls, InformaCast Fusion local servers, wireless access points, security cameras, and all other pertinent network devices and software necessary to ensure a modern, secure, and efficient IT environment. All hardware, software/licensing, and services included in this project are covered and is supported by NWN.”

Desiree Reyes, the district’s assistant superintendent of business services, said the work is part of the district’s ongoing technology upgrades.

“On June 19, the board approved phase one of the district technology upgrades which included upgrades to phones, bells and clocks throughout the district,” Reyes said. “The second phase includes upgrading network connectivity across all sites to improve speed, reliability and overall security.”

Other items

The board also:

• Heard school plans for student achievement from staff and students at Mountain View and Chaparral elementary schools. The plans are mandated by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and are updated annually to track and find ways to improve academic achievement. Full reports are attached to the agenda posted at cusd-claremont.community.highbond.com, navigate to the November 20 meeting, and select “agenda packet.” The reports are hyperlinked under agenda item 14.01.

Terryl Noreen, CUSD facilities, maintenance, and operations executive director, rises to accept his excellence award at last week’s Board of Education meeting. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

• Approved agreements between Claremont Faculty Association and CUSD to revisit topics such as hours, compensation, health and welfare benefits, working conditions, special education caseloads, and secondary schools ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

• Voted unanimously to approve the consent calendar, which included school plans for student achievement reports for Claremont and San Antonio high schools.

The Board of Education’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, December 11 at the Kirkendall Center, 170 W. San Jose Ave., Claremont.