Board Briefs: Oct. 22, 2024

Here are a few highlights from the Oct. 22 board meeting (the agenda packet is available):

Board adopts land acknowledgment

The board approved the recitation of a land acknowledgment at three board meetings each year (first, organization and last), at high school graduations and printing on board agendas. The board agenda will be printed with the land acknowledgment for the Nov. 19 board meeting and will be recited at the Dec. 17 organizational meeting. The land acknowledgment was developed collaboratively in partnership with local tribes and the district’s American Indian Education parent advisory committee.

Board hears report on cellphone restriction policies and practices

In response to interest by the Board of Education and recent legislation, staff reviewed cellphone restriction policies and practices. AB 3216 was signed by Governor Newsom in September 2024 and requires that all local education agencies develop and approve a policy restricting student cellphone use. The bill specifies that the policy is to be developed with significant engagement of students, parents/guardians, staff and community members with implementation occurring no later than July 1, 2026, and updates every five years. The bill also affirms existing law that would limit when cellphone restrictions can be put in place. 

Current Board Policy 5131 on student conduct specifies that cellphones and other devices are to be turned off during class time. Implementation of this policy currently varies based on the needs and instructional practices of schools and classrooms. 

San Juan Unified will utilize a comprehensive engagement strategy to collect voice on potential modifications to the district's policy before returning this spring with a recommendation for board consideration. 

In other news…

• The board approved a resolution proclaiming the week of Nov. 11-15 as National School Psychology Week.
• The board received a 2023-24 end-of-year data summary that included the results of the 2024 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). 
• The board held a public hearing and discussed the Visions In Education charter renewal petition. Action is anticipated on Dec. 17.
• The board held a public hearing and adopted a resolution declaring the conveyance of a temporary construction easement at Northridge Elementary School to the Fair Oaks Water District. The board also adopted a resolution declaring the intent to convey a permanent easement at Katherine Johnson Middle School to the Sacramento Area Sewer District and will call a public hearing on Nov. 19.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Nov. 19 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.