Tara Aroz

The meeting began with a moment of silence for a former teacher and board member, Ronna Eaton. The Superintendent provided updates on upcoming school events, including multiple music programs and performances for various grades, and announced the start of Winter Break. The enrollment report indicated 1369 students currently enrolled, with 1441 across all groups. A communication from the public included information about the free tutoring service Tutor.com and details about the upcoming Winterfest event. Key action items included the adoption of the First Interim Report and Budget Revisions, certifying the district's fiscal solvency. The board also approved several WSD Board Policies and accepted the Williams Act Visitation Review. An action item to accept the 2024-2025 Audit and approve its findings was tabled pending receipt of the final audit report. The session concluded with closed session discussions regarding labor negotiations and the performance evaluation of the Superintendent.

The meeting agenda for the open session included routine reports and communications from the Superintendent and Chief Business Official, followed by a period for public communication on non-agenda items. The Consent Agenda covered approvals for previous meeting minutes (December 11 and December 18, 2025), payroll register, personnel listing, bills and warrants, and the Williams Uniform Complaint Act Report. Action items included the approval of SARC reports for various schools, and the approval of employment agreements with CSEA & Local Chapter #626, management employees, and confidential employees. Additionally, the Board was set to approve a county proposal for Superintendent Search and conduct a first read of several WSD Board Policies. The session concluded with Board Comments and a subsequent Closed Session for labor negotiations direction.

Key discussions included the Superintendent's update regarding upcoming school events, minimum days for parent conferences, immunization status leading to potential student exclusion, and recognition for Lone Tree School and Wheatland Charter Academy being selected for the California Honor Roll 2025. The enrollment report indicated a total of 1369 students. The Chief Business Official provided updates on budget timelines, year-to-date reports, and audit updates. Public communication involved expressions of gratitude following a government shutdown and recognition of military families. Action items included setting the date for the December Board Meeting and Annual Organizational Meeting (set for December 18, 2025), approval of the 2025-2026 Salary Schedules, approval of the 2026-2027 Student Attendance Calendar, and a first read of WSD Board Policies. The Board also entered a closed session to confer with the labor negotiator regarding negotiations with W.E.S.T.A., CSEA #626, W.E.S.S., and unrepresented groups.

The key discussion topics for this meeting included the organization of the Board of Trustees, specifically the election of the President, Clerk, and Trustee Representative to the Special Education Council. The agenda also covered setting the time, date, and place for the 2026 Board Meetings, the appointment of the Superintendent as Secretary to the Board of Trustees, and authorizing the Superintendent and designees to sign Warrants and Contracts. A specific action item addressed the retirement of Craig Guensler effective June 30, 2026.

The report provides a financial overview of the Wheatland Elementary School District, including the First Interim Report for the fiscal year 2025-26. It covers the state budget, LCFF, and other components such as the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and block grants. The report also discusses the Routine Restricted Maintenance Account, district reserve requirements, and primary budget components like ADA and lottery revenue. It details the Education Protection Account, operating expenditure components, and contributions to restricted programs. The report projects a total operating deficit of $1.6 million and discusses cash flow and fund summaries. It includes multiyear projections with revenue and expenditure assumptions, estimating deficit spending in future years but maintaining the district's ability to meet its financial obligations.