Lemon Grove School District

The Governing Board conducted a meeting involving recognition ceremonies for students and schools, including Vista La Mesa Academy, Mt. Vernon Dual Immersion School, and Monterey Heights STEAM Academy, and acknowledged support from the Cal Coast Cares Foundation and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The Board approved Memorandums of Understanding regarding early retirement and resignation incentives for the teachers' and school employees' associations. Additionally, the Board received a mid-year update on the Local Control and Accountability Plan and a presentation on district facilities. The session included the interview and appointment of a new Board of Education member to fill a vacancy.

The Governing Board held a workshop led by an external partner to review the roles and responsibilities of board members and the superintendent.

The meeting commenced with standard opening functions, including the approval of the agenda and a subsequent adjournment to closed session. Discussions during the closed session involved pending litigation, public employee discipline/dismissal/release for both a certificated and a classified employee (resulting in ratified settlement agreements), anticipated litigation regarding a claims act matter, and a Superintendent employee evaluation. Upon resuming open session, the Board provided recognition to students and staff from the Monterey Heights STEAM Academy and celebrated winners of the Holiday Card Art Contest. The Board also recognized its members for School Board Member Appreciation Month and introduced a new Assistant Principal. Action items included the approval of updated Board Policy 0510 (School Accountability Report Card), approval of various School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs), designation of an authorized agent for County Office of Education transactions, approval of updated Board Policy 3350 (Travel Expenses) with educational guidance, approval of the 2025 Facilities Master Plan (FMP), and approval, with one nay vote, of Resolution 2025-26-16 regarding an increase to Board Member Monthly Compensation. The information/discussion segment covered the Board Self-Evaluation and Curriculum Adoption Presentation. The consent agenda included the approval of minutes from December 9 and December 16, 2025, a Personnel Action Report, Commercial Warrants, Gifts to the District, ratification of contracts and purchase orders, reports on revolving cash, and agreements/summaries related to West Coast University Inc. and the Williams Settlement.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, which involved pulling item 7.E for separate action. Following a closed session concerning personnel actions and public employee discipline, the Board resumed open session. Highlights included recognition of San Miguel Elementary School students and an expression of gratitude to Trustee Antonio Davis for his service. Action items approved by the Board included updates to Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6174 (Education For English Learners), new Board Policy 4161.9 (Catastrophic Leave Program), a Memorandum of Understanding regarding catastrophic leave, a Variable Term Waiver Request, a Contract Approval for Digital Document Archiving, the 2025-2026 First Interim Report, the adoption of meeting times and locations for 2026, appointments of Board representatives to various committees for 2026, adoption of meeting information and rules for 2026, the election of Board Officers for 2026 (Dr. Javier Ayala as President, Yajaira Preciado as Vice President, Jasmin Smith as Clerk), the appointment of the Superintendent as Secretary to the Board, and the decision to utilize the appointment process to fill a Board vacancy. Discussion items featured a presentation on the 6th Grade Camp and an overview of the Positive Behavior & Discipline district-wide initiative.

The special meeting included opening functions where the agenda was approved. The primary discussion item consisted of student academic achievement presentations, specifically covering the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results from various educational centers and schools, presented by the Executive Director of Educational Services and site principals.