Board Briefs: May 13, 2025

Here are a few highlights from the May 13 board meeting (the agenda packet is available):

Staff provides update on the San Juan Youth Voice Advocates

The board heard an update from the San Juan Youth Voice Advocates (SJYVA) student leadership program, including an overview of the program and a summary of its work during the 2024-25 school year. The team also provided an overview of the qualitative data collected through listening sessions and outlined recommendations for actions based on districtwide findings. Additionally, SJYVA student leaders shared personal impact statements regarding their experiences in the program.

Board discusses proposed board policy on mobile communication devices

The Board of Education reviewed a proposed policy that would restrict student use of mobile devices during instructional time, in response to AB 3216, which requires school districts to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026.

The draft policy is the result of a months-long process that included input from more than 4,000 students, families, staff and community members through a ThoughtExchange, as well as over 700 responses to a draft policy survey. Feedback highlighted a shared desire for reasonable restrictions that support classroom learning while maintaining access for emergency, health and other essential needs.

Research on cellphone use and academic outcomes remains mixed, but studies and practitioner feedback indicate that limitations can positively influence classroom behavior, mental health and overall well-being.

The policy presented would prohibit student cellphone use during instructional time, while still allowing access as required by law. If adopted, an implementation plan for the 2025-26 school year would include clear guidelines, progressive responses to violations, a communication toolkit for schools, and continued evaluation of practices—including consideration of potential strategies for non-instructional time. Action on this is anticipated at the May 27 board meeting.

In other news…

• The board adopted resolutions proclaiming May 18 as National Speech Pathologist Day and the week of May 18-24 as Classified School Employee Week.
• The board held a public hearing and conditionally approved the Golden Valley - Orchard School Charter School Renewal Petition for a term of three years starting July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. 
• The board heard a report regarding a special education finding of noncompliance. 
• The board adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds, election of 2016, series 2025, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $205,080,000.
• The board discussed the bargaining interests of the California School Employees Association San Juan Chapter No. 127 and the bargaining interests of the San Juan Teachers Association, respectively. 

The next regular board meeting will be held on May 27 at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.sanjuan.edu/boardmeeting for details. You can also view videos of prior board meetings at www.sanjuan.edu/boardvideo.