Larry Bonds

The Board of Trustees held a regular meeting covering several agenda items, including student recognition for Honor Band and Honor Choir participation and organization reports from OTA, CSEA, and the Student Board Member. Key discussions included a presentation on LCAP mid-year review goals and metrics, as well as a first reading of several board policies and administrative regulations, including policies on Education for Homeless Children, Comprehensive Safety Plans, Firearms on School Grounds, Disruptions, and Response to Immigration Enforcement. The Board also approved resolutions proclaiming Arts Education Month, the purchase of a portable building from SCOE, and various visitor and safety-related policies. Additionally, the 2026-27 board meeting calendar was adopted, and various employment and personnel actions were approved.

This document outlines the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2026, a state-mandated framework detailing the district's goals, actions, and funding allocation over a three-year cycle. The plan's objectives include ensuring K-12 academic excellence for university and career readiness, providing strategic academic and wellness interventions for at-risk students, maintaining secure and well-equipped learning environments through facilities, transportation, and technology infrastructure, and utilizing equitable funding to boost academic achievement at East Stanislaus Continuation High School.

The meeting included organizational reports from the OTA and CSEA regarding ongoing negotiations and excitement about the governor's budget proposal. The Student representative reported on upcoming school events and scholarship opportunities. During public comments, several individuals addressed concerns related to health benefits, cost of living adjustments, negotiation processes, and classroom behavior staffing/training. A public comment also raised concerns about the decision to close the Fair Oaks Learning Lab based on Title I form completion rates. Action items approved via consent calendar included the adoption of minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting, approval of various reports (Williams Complaints, SARC Publication, Quarterly Developer Fee Report), interdistrict transfers, athletic schedules, consultant agreements, student body accounts, and personnel actions (retirements, employment, transfers, promotions, resignations). The Board conducted a first reading and discussion for revisions to multiple board policies/administrative regulations, including BP/AR 5145.5 Response to Immigration Enforcement, and the second reading and adoption of BP/AR 6163.4 (Technology Use Agreement), BP/AR 6174 (English Learner Program), BP/AR 5148.2 (Before/After School Programs), and BP 3452 (Student Activity Funds). Approvals were also granted for the 2024/2025 Annual Financial Report, the architect contract for the Cloverland Window Project, and an addendum to the PPM Program and Construction Management Contract. Two new one-semester courses at OHS were approved: Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence.

The OJUSD Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a state-mandated three-year roadmap detailing goals and actions for the district. It outlines four primary goals: ensuring academic excellence and college/career readiness, providing strategic academic, mental, and behavioral health interventions for identified at-risk students, maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment through robust facilities, transportation, and technology, and leveraging Equity Multiplier funds to boost academic success at East Stanislaus Continuation High School.

The meeting began with a Closed Session, followed by Open Session where the Pledge of Allegiance was led by elementary school students who received Certificates of Appreciation. Actions taken from Closed Session included the approval of a stipulated expulsion for a student. The annual organizational meeting resulted in the election of Board Officers: Clayton Schemper as President and Bill Duvall as Clerk, and the designation of Terri Taylor as the Trustee Representative for the County Committee on School District Organization. Authorization was granted for specific District Office employees to sign orders and warrants, and Superintendent Larry Mendonca was designated as the authorized agent. Key agenda items approved unanimously included the Consent Calendar, the minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting, the SELPA Local Plan, interdistrict transfer requests, the Student Discipline Report, the Comprehensive School Site Safety Plan for Magnolia, several financial warrant approvals, consultant agreements, ASB accounts, and the E-Rate agreement for Internet Access Service. Approvals also covered CSEA Memorandum of Understanding for Alarm Call Back, job description modification for Director of Maintenance & Operations & Transportation, a certificated job share, classified employment changes (hiring, promotions, and acceptances of resignation), and travel for the Director of Nutrition Services. Reports included an overview of the California Schools Dashboard data, noting improvements in College and Career Readiness but declines in Chronic Absenteeism and English Learner Progress. First readings were conducted for revisions to administrative regulations and board policies concerning student technology agreements, English Learner Programs, Before/After School Programs, and Student Activity Funds. The proposed 2026-27 School Calendar was adopted, and authorization was granted for the purchase of a replacement school bus. The First Interim Financial Report for 2025-26 was approved and certified, highlighting General Fund revenues, expenditures, and multi-year projections. The meeting concluded with information items and setting items for future agendas.