Kristina Bruce

The meeting commenced with roll call, followed by the motion and approval of the regular board meeting agenda for January 22nd, 2026. An addendum was added to closed session item 5C regarding a pending litigation compromise and release agreement. Discussions included potential closed session topics such as labor negotiations, discipline, and legal counsel conferences. Upon reconvening the regular session, the board reviewed actions taken in closed session, which included approving two settlement agreements and agreeing to reinstate a student. Public comments featured a parent advocating for the retention of current football coaches, noting the program's recent success, and expressing concern over the decision not to retain internal candidates for the head coach position. Reports covered upcoming character awards and student of the month recognitions, preparation for CAPS assessments, and dodgeball activities. Staff recognition highlighted individuals in food services, short-term independent study support, and instructional aid roles. Past events noted an essay contest winner and high attendance rates, with 33 students achieving perfect in-person attendance for the semester. Upcoming events included various workshops on emotional intelligence and raising resilient kids, student site visits, and the district spelling bee. Athletics reports detailed progress for soccer, girls' varsity basketball, and boys' varsity basketball, with the latter qualifying for CIF playoffs and a chance to win back-to-back league championships. Facility updates mentioned completed canopy installations and postponed roof repairs due to rain. The superintendent provided a report highlighting positive progress in the 2025 California School Dashboard data across several areas, including student behavior, English learner progress, and college/career readiness, while noting math results remained steady. Subcommittee reports covered facility/finance discussions on housing development fees and bus lease options, and education subcommittee analysis of the dashboard data, suggesting comparisons with surrounding districts. The board subsequently moved to discuss agenda item 11A concerning Mission Academy Charter School.

The meeting included a public comment segment where a member of the public shared drone footage related to traffic flow and vehicle backup onto a private road, discussing the need for assistance with traffic flow and next steps with county offices. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the New Housing Development update, noting conflicting information received from the developer's representative (Art Stanyan) and Public Works regarding project status. The subcommittee also reviewed bus leasing options versus purchasing used buses, concluding that leasing four new buses for a total annual cost of $212,954 offered better long-term maintenance cost savings compared to purchasing used buses ($55,000 to $74,000 annually in maintenance) and would save on annual outsourcing costs ($70,000). The subcommittee recommended bringing the leasing decision back for the February board meeting, pending clarification on mileage overage costs. Facilities project updates noted the completion of shade structures at Vasquez High School and renovations to the Little Owls kitchen and multi-purpose roof. The roof replacement at High Desert School was postponed due to rain, and a major leak in the girls' locker room requiring a $19,000 replacement needs board approval; further quotes will be sought. An upgrade to the phone systems at the Little Owls facility for emergency purposes was discussed, which will be reviewed in February.

The Education Subcommittee meeting focused primarily on facility needs and potential student reassignments, stemming from discussions by the Facilities and Finance subcommittee. Key discussions included the potential relocation of three kindergarten classes from Metalark to the Acton site, estimated to cost approximately $550,000 and take 9 to 10 months for architectural approval and construction, or alternatively, refurbishing existing space at the Acton site for about $50,000 to $60,000. Staffing implications, such as the transfer of instructional aides and teachers, and the necessity of a new administrator for the expanded Early Childhood Education area, were debated, with a preference expressed for avoiding new administrative hires. The committee also discussed a broad, multi-year plan for facility maintenance, including roof replacements at High Desert and Metalark Elementary, landscaping, classroom furniture upgrades, and replacing the Metalark playground structure, totaling nearly $1.6 million over four years. Furthermore, historical context regarding the original grade configurations for Metalark and Acton schools was reviewed, and the proposal to include a facility needs survey in the upcoming Facilities and Finance meeting agenda to explore restructuring grades K-2 at Metalark and 3-5 at Acton was noted.

The meeting, titled 'Lattes with Leadership,' included a review of the agenda which covered School Site Attendance Initiatives and an ADA overview. A significant portion of the discussion focused on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding calculations, detailing revenue streams such as base funding, supplemental, concentration funds, and specific adjustments for Career Technical Education and small class sizes, totaling an estimated $13.935 million under the Local Control Funding Formula. Discussion also addressed enrollment and ADA trends, projecting future attendance rates and the associated funding impact, noting that a one percentage point increase equates to approximately $160,000 in additional funding. Furthermore, the committee reviewed school attendance policies, defining truancy (three unexcused absences) and chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the school year, excused or unexcused). The team also discussed strategies for improving attendance and reducing tardiness, including implementing tiered intervention plans (MTSS model) involving School Attendance Review Teams (SART) and School Attendance Review Boards (SARB) for intensive support, and communication strategies for parents regarding the cumulative negative effects of absenteeism.

This document outlines the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2024-2027 period, with a focus on the 2025-2026 school year budget overview. The plan is structured around four main goals: ensuring students are career/college ready through high-quality instruction, fostering a safe and conducive learning environment, recruiting and retaining quality employees, and enhancing parent and guardian engagement. A significant emphasis is placed on improving services for high-needs students, including foster youth, English learners, and low-income students, through targeted actions and resource allocation.