Our purpose is to synchronize the work of our various teams to operationalize our vision for student success and theory of action by supporting CTE teachers with Work-Based Learning opportunities to support student achievement in and through the experience in the agricultural community.

Norms: Be on Time; Be Present; Be Decisive; Spread Joy; Live the Commitments

Commitments:

1. We agree to focus our discussions on the needs of Fresno Unified students and programs.

2. We agree to share ideas which serve to promote and grow the pathway.

3. We agree to network and promote the pathways and programs among peers in our professions.

Public Service CTE Advisory Sub-Committee Meeting

October 8, 2025 LOCATION: Hoover High School, Room 75 (Fire Sci.) & Online Via Teams

Attendance:

In Person:

Sgt. Officer Anthony Alvarado, Fresno PD

Juan Aldape, FUSD CTE

Leanne Cervantes, FUSD CTE

Jeff DeLong, FUSD CTE

Michelle Mar, FUSD CTE

Krishnna Reyes, FUSD CTE

James Obermire, FUSD CTE

Katie Wortman, Hoover CTE Coordinator

Nell Shelton, Hoover CTE Public Service Teacher

Eric Self, Farber CTE Teacher

Candice Hill, CART CTE Teacher

Max, Hoover CTE Student

Jeremy Ward, Assistant Superintendent of College and Career Readiness

Online: Peter Cacossa, Chair, Fresno City College; Martha Tessmer, Special Project Manager, Impact Teen Drivers; Alex Sosin, Roosevelt CTE Teacher; Carlos Chavez, Fresno City College

I.Welcome/Introductions

Welcome and thank you for coming. Introductions made. Grateful for strong partnerships and glad to have students here with us. Goal of this meeting is to collaborate and share about the things that are happening and what is possible. Purpose is to align teams to bring our vision for student success to life.

Please use sign-in sheet or Chat Box (online) to sign in and to include both name and organization. Motion to approve previous minutes-approved by Leanne Cervantes Johnson and Jeff DeLong seconded with none opposed. We need to nominate another Co-Chair, so Michelle Mar nominated Sgt. Alvarado, and Jeff DeLong seconded the motion. Sgt. Alvarado accepted the nomination and became the new co-chair. Juan shared that there were 282,764 WBL experiences last year, so thanks to all for partners who share in this work to support our students. Student highlights were shared by Hoover’s student, Max. Max shared that he is in his 1st year of Fire Science. His teacher Mr. Shelton has been a great help in guiding him along the process to preparing for and becoming a fire fighter. They participate in many events and stay physically fit on the road to becoming ready for this career. He is looking to go to Fire Academy and work for Cal Fire in the future. Other students who have more experience than him have been very helpful to getting him up to speed since it is only his first year. One of his favorite parts of the program is putting on the suits.

II.Industry Involvement/Connections: Industry partners in attendance then shared updates:

Martha Tessmer shared that Impact Teen Drivers (founded by CHP) has free curriculum and training that focus on distracted driving. Last May and this past summer they trained students from many of our sites, and those students have become Teen Leaders who are now training others. Oct. 19-25 is a National Campaign called Teen Safe Driver Week. Bullard students are running a Buckle Up Challenge that week. If you have students who want to do something like that, you can reach out to Martha for ideas and support. Create Real Impact runs a contest from October-April that students could enter, creating a 30-second PSA or create a poster. Winners could win between $100 to $10,000. See details at Createrealimpact.org. Martha will also share a flyer with more details.

Peter Carcossa shared a link in chat for the COYA Grant (California Youth Apprenticeship Grant) if we want to look to apply. Also, the CTE Expo is happening on Oct. 22 put on by FCOE, so hopefully many have signed up for that. Work Force Connection is starting an EMT Cohort that gives students wrap around services and it is sponsored and paid for by Work Force Connection and students receive a $1500 stipend. They have 22 students they will be supporting. He will forward the point of contact to us.

Sgt. Alvarado shared about First Responder Day here at Hoover today. Shout out to Katie Wortman for doing an amazing job! Females interested in a career in law enforcement can attend Hero Day on Tuesday, November 25. Flyer will be shared about signing up to that event. We are looking to the Pivot program in Middle Schools to branch out to elementary schools.

III.Classroom Connections: Teachers and CTE Coordinators in attendance then shared what was going on in their classroom:

Hoover-Public Service Day today was a success! Also a Forensic Science exercise is happening this week and on 10/14, the DOJ Crime Lab is coming to guest speak. Hoover also have Mock Interviews coming up in December. Give Katie Wortman your information if you are interested in supporting that event.

Roosevelt-Alex Sosin shared they have Breakfast with Blue coming up on Nov. 7. They don’t have a Fire Connection, so he could appreciate any connection anyone can give him for this.

Farber-Eric Self shared that they have looked at bringing a dispatch component into their Public Service Pathway. Students who are 18-21 can transition easily into this career pathway. There is AI software that help students better prepare for this. This will be added to the First Responder class. Did a tour of EMS on Herndon, so students will be taking a field trip there to get involved in the simulation and see what it is all about. Eric is part of the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) team and is interested in starting a Teen CERT. He has a friend in Texas who has started a Teen CERT program, so he is exploring what it would take to start that program here.

CART-Candice shared that it is her first year teaching at CART and is a CART alumni. Students are currently doing Moot Court presentations and are moving into Community Advocacy Projects, picking a topic of their choice and then address it from its legal and policy perspective. Each student group needs a mentor, so they need community volunteers to work

with students. It is a 6-week commitment, 1 hour per week in either the morning or the afternoon. Wednesdays Nov. 5-Dec. 15. Ends on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Time is 9:30 or 2:30. Role is to guide a small student team on project design, research and presentation. This project leads to the billboard. Winning group gets their project up for about 3 months. November 6 is CART’s Career Fair, both AM and PM, so they would like to add more volunteers from Public Service to come to CART’s Career Fair.

IV.Final Thoughts/Meeting Adjournment: Next meeting will take place at Roosevelt High School on January 28, 2026, from 4:00-5:00pm. Juan will send out a Save the Date for the next meeting. With no further questions or comments Jeff DeLong made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Sgt. Alvarado seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:03.