Soquel Union Elementary School District

The Regular Meeting agenda included a closed session to discuss a student discipline matter (Stipulated Expulsion Case Number 2024-25-01) and a labor negotiation conference with the Soquel Education Association. Key discussion topics in the open session included an update on Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Goal 1 regarding Family Survey Results. Action items focused on approving resolutions to reduce or lay off certificated, classified, and classified management employee services for the 2026-2027 school year due to projected enrollment decline and fiscal pressures. The Board also considered approval of the 2026-27 and 2027-28 School Year Calendars, acceptance of the Annual Fiscal Audit for 2024-25, approval of the Mid-Year LCAP Update, approval of the 2025-26 Comprehensive School Safety Plan, Part 1, reaffirming the district's values as a welcoming district, accepting public donations, approving a contract for entry door and window system replacement at Main Street Elementary School, and voting for a California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly Representative.

The meeting included informational updates regarding the Measure P Program and Project Activities since April, covering project priorities, overview, and next steps. A financial report detailing activity from January 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, was presented. Committee members inquired about project phasing, contingency plans for exceeding cost thresholds, the Lease-leaseback contracting methodology, concerns regarding a scoreboard issue at Main Street Elementary, and the scope of work for the historical Soquel Elementary building modernization. Further discussion addressed inquiries about construction progress since April, the distribution of funds across schools based on need, duplicate expenditures noted from IT Management Corp., and missing links in financial spreadsheets.

Key discussions during the meeting included introductions of new committee members and staff, a program update presentation on Measure P projects given by the Superintendent, and an overview of Brown Act requirements. New business primarily involved the election of officers, resulting in Ngan Tran becoming Chair, James Chubb as Vice Chair, and Les Forester as Secretary. The committee also decided to hold quarterly meetings.

The Board of Trustees meeting agenda included both Closed and Open Sessions. Closed Session topics involved discussion of the Comprehensive School Safety Plan Part II and a Conference with Labor Negotiator concerning the Soquel Education Association (SEA). During the Open Session, the Board held a public hearing on the 2025-26 Comprehensive School Safety Plan, Part I. Key action items included accepting the Annual Fiscal Audit for 2024-25, approval of Board Policy 1445 (Response to Immigration Enforcement) and deletion of Policy 5145.13, approval of a resolution reaffirming district values as a welcoming district, approval of a resolution to decrease certificated employees due to service reduction, and approval of a contract with Cen-Con, Inc. for door and window system replacement at Main Street Elementary School. The Mid-Year Update to the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) was tabled to the next meeting. Standing reports covered updates from the Superintendent, Business Services, CSEA, and SEA, including reports on recent community voice gatherings and contract negotiations.

The meeting included closed session discussions regarding two appeals of interdistrict transfer denials and a conference with the labor negotiator. The open session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and agenda adoption. The consent agenda covered the approval of personnel actions, receipt of the quarterly investment report for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, ratification of bill payments, approval of a master contract for speech therapy services, and approval of two board policies related to health education. Public communications were accepted both before and during the meeting. Standing reports were given by the Superintendent, labor associations, and trustees. Presentation items included an update on school programs by the Main Street Elementary School Principal, discussion on the Governor's Budget updates for 2026-27, TK/K schedules, the District's Fiscal Prioritization Team, and discussion regarding Board Policy 1445 concerning the response to immigration enforcement. The main action item was the consideration and recommended approval of the Mid-Year Update to the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).