Nick Jones

This document is a case study detailing how Livingston USD strategically implemented and expanded school counseling services to become a cornerstone of student support. Faced with challenges such as low graduation rates and limited career awareness among students from hardworking families in a rural setting, the district made a significant investment. This initiative focused on increasing accessibility to counselors, providing mental health support, college and career guidance, and in-classroom counseling instruction. The strategic shift led to notable improvements in student well-being, engagement, and a substantial increase in graduation rates.

The meeting agenda included discussions and actions on various operational areas. New business items focused on the presentation of findings and recommended actions from the Business and Human Resources Operations and Efficiency Study, an update on school counseling services, the mid-year progress report for the Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP), and ratification of audit findings and recommendations. The Board also planned to take action on Budget Development Guidelines for 2026-2027, resolution regarding the increased federal micro-purchase threshold, updates on school facilities concerning portable classrooms replacement, annual updates to comprehensive school safety plans, and initial proposals for contract negotiations with the Livingston Elementary Teachers Association (LETA). Furthermore, the Board was set to adopt a new board policy on responding to immigration enforcement and take action on a resolution honoring Black History Month, as well as vote in the CSBA Delegate Assembly Election.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda included discussions and potential actions on several important items. The Closed Session focused on Conference with Legal Counsel regarding two existing litigation cases (OAH Case Nos. 2025090674 and 2025091029), Conference with Real Property Negotiators concerning the Winton Parkway Extension, and Conference with Labor Negotiator regarding LETA and CSEA Chapters. In Open Session, after public comments, the Board addressed New Business items, including the presentation and requested approval of the 2024-2025 External Audit Report. Other new business involved staff presentation on districtwide literacy improvements, ratification of the MCOE After School Education & Safety (ASES) Grant Program renewal at the elementary and middle school levels, consideration of the 2026-2027 School Calendar and the 2026-2027 Budget Development Calendar, ratification of the CEA exemption application for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and adoption of a resolution in support of National School Counseling Week. The Consent Agenda included personnel matters, purchase orders, the Williams Quarterly Report, and School Accountability Report Cards.

The board meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. The agenda covered items such as a stipulated expulsion case, labor negotiations, and reports from the superintendent. The board also reviewed and approved the consent agenda, which included personnel employment reports, regular board meeting minutes, and encumbered purchase orders. Additionally, the board approved the interim financial report for the first period of 2025-2026, renewed the MCOE After School Education & Safety (ASES) grant program for 2026-2027, and reviewed the Livingston Elementary Teachers Association (LETA) initial proposal for contract negotiations with the district for 2026-2027. The meeting also included a presentation and discussion on the 2025-26 state budget and its impact on the district.

The meeting included the election of board officers for 2026, setting the 2026 regular board meeting schedule, delegation of authority to sign district payment orders, authorization and verification of signatures for fiscal operations, contracts, and other district business, establishing the monthly compensation rate for board members, board member compensation and benefits election, filing of the Registry of Public Agencies, and Merced County School Boards Association Executive Board representation. Additionally, a draft of the school calendar for the 2026-2027 school year was presented for board review and input.