Bryan Ballenger

The meeting commenced with an Open Session following a Closed Session. Key discussions included a recognition for a custodian's retirement after 38.5 years of service, and reports from the Elementary, Middle, and High School Student ASB Representatives detailing ongoing school activities. The Board also received reports from a Board Member regarding attendance at Christmas events, a pancake breakfast, and the AED CSBA Conference. The Superintendent reported on recent holiday celebrations, professional development sessions, and a presentation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff regarding human trafficking awareness and student engagement. Action items approved by the Board included the ratification of warrants, the purchase of specific bookcases for the Gustine High School Media Center, and the second reading and approval of updates to Board Policy 5030 (Student Wellness) and other Board Policy Updates from November 2025. In Closed Session, the Governing Board took action to issue a notice of release for several temporary certificated employees effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

The meeting included a closed session where the Governing Board took action to issue a notice of release for a temporary certificated employee (employee number 1580) and a notice of non-reelection for a probationary certificated employee (employee number 1519), both effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The advanced planning segment outlined dates for future regular board meetings in February, March, and April 2026.

The meeting commenced with Closed Session discussions concerning Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release and a Conference with Labor Negotiator regarding GRTA/CSEA. During the Open Session, following reports and presentations, the Consent Agenda included personnel actions (resignations and new hires/assignments for coaching positions), approval of minutes from two previous regular meetings, renewal of several yearly contracts, approval of the 25-26 Consolidated Application Winter Release, and acceptance of several monetary donations. Action items involved ratifying warrants, accepting the 2024-2025 District Audit, approving various travel and conference requests (including an FBLA trip), approving the purchase of a heat pump replacement, approving the 2026 Prom details, approving the surplus of outdated materials, and approving the ratification of the GUSD/GRTA Tentative Agreement. Furthermore, the Board held public hearings and approved the Disclosure Statements of Proposed Agreements with GRTA and Confidential-Management-Administrator-Unrepresented Group for specified school years, and approved the purchase of an articulating boom lift. Finally, Board Policy Updates for January 2026 were approved after waiving first and second readings.

This document is a mid-year update for the Gustine Unified School District's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2025-26 school year. It outlines four key goals: increasing student academic achievement, cultivating a positive school climate and culture, building strong parent, family, and community partnerships, and implementing an equity multiplier at Pioneer High School to boost college and career readiness and graduation rates. The update provides current data and implementation statuses for actions related to these goals.

The meeting agenda included a Superintendent Report and a Consent Agenda covering personnel actions (one hire and two resignations), a renewal for MCEO Regional Occupational Program Services, and several donations to GHS Boys' Soccer and Gustine FFA Floral. The Information/Discussion section featured a presentation on GHS Counseling Data and Activities. Action items recommended for approval included the ratification of warrants, the purchase of new bookcases for the Gustine High School Media Center, and the second reading and approval of updates to Board Policy 5030 (Student Wellness) and other Board Policy Updates from November 2025. Future meetings were also scheduled.