The American Indian Education Plan took center stage as the board reviewed the program’s achievements and future goals. The district boasts an 86.1% graduation rate for indigenous students, surpassing the state average of 62.8%. Attendance rates were also commendable, with a 68.3% consistent attendance rate for indigenous students compared to the state’s 51.8%. The district is eligible for the American Indian education aid program, which is expected to increase funding to approximately $222,000 for the 2025-26 school year.

Efforts to incorporate indigenous perspectives into the curriculum were highlighted, with strategies including distributing culturally relevant books and involving the Indigenous Community Coordinator in curriculum development. The district also organizes professional development sessions for teachers and events to engage families in indigenous culture, such as storytelling events and indigenous game nights. The program aims to honor graduating indigenous seniors with a dedicated ceremony and to provide regular cultural learning activities for students.

The board also discussed the Achievement and Integration Plan, which aims to promote racial and economic integration while enhancing student achievement. The district, labeled as racially isolated, has set goals to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed, benefit from responsive educators, and foster a sense of belonging among families. Strategies include employing academic success coaches and cultural liaisons, and participating in the AVID program, all designed to support students from diverse backgrounds.

Transportation issues were another significant topic. The district faces late bus arrivals, especially to Eastridge High School, New Frontier, and Valley Crossing, attributed to a tight schedule, driver shortages, and increased student numbers. The board acknowledged that adding more routes was not feasible given the current shortage of drivers. The anticipated expansion of the math and science academy is expected to complicate the existing schedule further. To mitigate delays, the board considered implementing staggered arrival and departure times between academy sites.

The director of transportation reported that approximately 14,000 students rely on district transportation daily, with staffing levels including 98 full-time bus drivers and 12 substitutes. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, with local advertising and job fairs used to attract applicants. The district offers a competitive salary starting at $28 per hour, with benefits for employees working a minimum of 20 hours weekly. However, the challenges of recruiting and retaining drivers persist, with an average absentee rate of 8 to 10 drivers daily.

Additionally, the board explored financial matters, focusing on the pre-sale report for the 2026A series of bonds, totaling $217,265,000. These bonds will fund ongoing construction across the district and support the 10-year facility maintenance plan. The report highlighted anticipated savings for taxpayers through bond refunding, amounting to over $3.3 million. The district plans a competitive sale approach for the bonds.

The meeting also included the first reading of proposed policy changes, with updates on policies related to family and medical leave, harassment, and student discipline. Changes to the student discipline policy, particularly the incorporation of the term “willful,” were discussed for their potential impact on increasing student inclusion.