Trustee Highlights

Student leaders from Mission Park, accompanied by Principal Anna Padilla, Vice Principal Ruby Baloca and teachers and other staff, recited the Pledge Of Allegiance in English and Spanish, followed by the Mission Park promise, to open the Oct. 20 Board of Trustees meeting.

The Trustees acknowledged October 12–18 as the Week of the School Administrator, and extended its heartfelt appreciation to the District’s school administration teams. Each day, these leaders welcome students, support staff, partner with families, and navigate challenges with care and dedication. Their work often reaches beyond the school day, and their influence is felt in the relationships they build and the sense of belonging they cultivate.

The Trustees received a report from District Innovation Coordinator Krysta Bradley and student leaders from eight schools, describing leadership opportunities available to them, and how those opportunities help them grow.

More than 200 students are involved in leadership at their schools, each guided by a leadership advisor. "Students are given meaningful opportunities to find their voices, take initiative, and make a positive impact on their school community," Ms. Bradley said. "Our student leaders are doing some pretty incredible things."

Each student leader present at the meeting spoke briefly about their school's unique opportunities.

In February 2027, the District will hold its inaugural Student Leadership Summit at Boronda Meadows School. The morning event will give students time to collaborate on leadership opportunities across sites.

The Board received a report from Community Schools Coordinator Lourdes Infante, parents and District School-Community Liaisons about their experience at the Community Schools EMPOWER Summit in September. The liaisons are building awareness of the Community Schools model across the district, developing community partnerships and building authentic collaboration with families and students.

Earlier in the meeting, the Board also approved the hiring of nine Community Schools coordinators—one for each District site to attain Community School status and funding from the California Department of Education. These coordinators will be embedded at each site, to help implement individual Community School plans, and work with families, leadership and staff to ensure fidelity to those plans.

President and Area 3 Trustee Belia Garcia attended the Family Leadership Conference, held Oct. 3 at El Gabilan School, as well as the Salinas City STEAM Academy Color Run and Book Fair.

Vice President and Area 4 Trustee Amy Ish attended the Family Leadership Conference, the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting and three "Golden Ticket" assemblies, held to award certificates and cash to 4th grade students who tested at or above grade level in reading on the CAASPP test taken in the Spring of their third grade year. Ms. Ish noted the excitement among the students at finding out they were to receive money for their accomplishment.

Board Clerk and Area 2 Trustee Jennifer Zanzot attended the Family Leadership Conference, and noted the dance performances by University Park students, as well as a Folklorico dance performance. She also attended the STEAM Academy Color Run and Book Fair. She also attended Kammann's School pop-up attendance event, in which students who came to school, and on time, on the Oct. 9 Power Day got to throw water balloons at the site administrators. She also attended the site council meeting at Boronda DIAS, and noted the great improvements in the school's library.

Area 1 Trustee Art Galimba attended the Family Leadership Conference, and sat in on a parent panel about the District's Dual Immersion program, led by DI Coordinator Diana Dietrich. He also attended the EMPOWER Community Schools Summit in September, held in Ontario.

Area 5 Trustee Jessica Powell visited Sherwood and Roosevelt schools in person (and Los Padres via Zoom) and discussed instruction and preparation for Winter storms.

The next regular Board meeting takes place on Nov. 17, 2026. All meeting agendas are posted to the District website the Friday before the meeting.