Hannah Blevins

The board meeting covered several operational and educational topics. The Superintendent reported on the recent leadership team retreat, ongoing summer school and camp programs, and preparations for the upcoming school year. Key actions included the approval of an MOU with the YMCA, the contract for Rhythm and Moves for PE support, and the independent contractor agreement for therapeutic development. Additionally, the board approved the 2025-2026 LCAP and district budget, reviewed the annual Proposition 28 arts and music funding report, and approved an addendum to the district and site safety plans in accordance with Senate Bill 153.

The meeting featured a presentation from elementary school students who shared samples of their creative writing, followed by discussion on district accomplishments, including a literacy night, a science expo, and teacher recruitment fairs. The Board also discussed preparations for an upcoming 5K fundraiser and the schedule for open house events. Additionally, a final report on Measure G parcel tax expenditures was presented, confirming that funds were utilized as approved for classroom instruction, technology, and library services with zero funds allocated to administrative salaries.

The board meeting featured a recognition ceremony for three middle school students who were finalists in the spelling bee, and two high school seniors who received full-ride scholarships to Ivy League institutions. The superintendent provided reports on Read Across America Week, the district's music programs, the installation of a little free library, the digital distribution of assessment results, and an update on the development of a cell phone policy to comply with state law. Additionally, information was shared regarding the upcoming school board election cycle and various upcoming school events including a science expo, a teacher job fair, and a community race.

The meeting commenced in open session, which was accessible to the public both in person and virtually, and was recorded for potential future publication. A significant portion of the early meeting involved recognizing third-grade students presenting their wax museum projects on historical figures, including Pocahontas, Admiral Rick Hopper, Lionel Messi, Alex Morgan, Mahatma Gandhi, and Cleopatra. The Superintendent's report covered updates on budget roadshows conducted at school sites to promote transparency regarding the Governor's proposed budget, an art and poetry expo for Black History Month, a small group reading institute focused on foundational literacy skills, student participation in a high school band event, and student attendance at a Super Bowl opening night event. The report also noted that MEF announced spring enrichment grants totaling $7,500 for school programs and promoted the upcoming MEF5K event. Discussions among board members highlighted positive feedback on the budget presentation's transparency and the engagement of the Home and School Club. The board then took action to approve amended designations of meeting dates and times for both the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, specifically adding a board meeting date in February for both years. Finally, the board moved to discuss appointments to the Measure M Bond Oversight Committee.

The meeting included reports and actions on several important items. Key discussions involved the presentation of the 2024-2025 financial statement audit for the year ended June 30, 2025, which resulted in an unmodified opinion across financial statements, internal controls, and state/federal compliance areas. The board also addressed Resolution 62526, concerning the reduction of certificated staff for the upcoming year based on program needs and financial decisions, acknowledging the difficulty of these personnel-related actions. Additionally, updates were provided on community engagement activities, including parent tours at Morland Middle School, an upcoming Morland job fair, and the MEF 5K event. The board accepted the financial audit report as presented.