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The board approved an emergency resolution granting staff authority to accelerate HVAC repairs at Santa Monica High School and other district sites, as teachers and union representatives described classrooms reaching 80 degrees during a recent heat wave. The meeting also included a $5.87 million construction contract amendment for the Samohi student services building, adoption of a National Hispanic Latino Heritage Month resolution, and a presentation on academic progress at John Adams Middle School.
Key Votes and Decisions
Closed Session Report-Out
Board President Alicia Mignano reported that in closed session the board approved a settlement agreement with a classified management employee, providing for the employee’s resignation and release of all claims in exchange for a severance payment. Board Member Jennifer Smith made the motion; Board Member Maria Leon-Vazquez seconded. The vote was, with one member absent.
Agenda Approval (Agenda Item: Approval of Agenda)
The board approved the meeting agenda with one change: agenda item F1, a maintenance and operations study session, was postponed to a future date. Board Member Smith moved; Board Member Leon-Vazquez seconded. The agenda passed. Minutes Approval (Agenda Item: Approval of Minutes — Aug. 27)
The board approved minutes from the Aug. 27 meeting. Board Member Smith moved; Board Member Stacy Rouse seconded. The minutes passed.
Consent Calendar (Agenda Item: Consent)
The consent calendar passed. Board Member Smith moved; Board Member Leon-Vazquez seconded. Consent Highlight — Emergency HVAC Resolution: Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Gerardo Cruz confirmed that the consent calendar included an emergency board resolution granting staff authority to contract with outside vendors to evaluate HVAC systems and pay for repair work already underway at multiple district sites, including Santa Monica High School. Cruz said staff and vendors had been working 16-hour days on weekends to install temporary cooling units and were receiving a daily HVAC status report from the maintenance and operations office.
Amendment No. 5 — Samohi Phase 4A Student Services Building (Major Action Item 1)
The board approved contract amendment no. 5 for the Santa Monica High School student services building project. The amendment, in the amount of $5,877,482, covers increment 2A of the phase 4A construction scope — specifically grading and shoring work required before the new building can be erected. Presenter Steve Massetti said the amount is within the existing project budget. Board Member Smith moved; a second was recorded. The motion passed. —
Resolution No. 2608 — National Hispanic Latino Heritage Month (Major Action Item 2)
The board adopted a resolution recognizing National Hispanic Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). Board Member Leon-Vazquez read the resolution, which calls on the district to celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultural contributions and directs that “appropriate lessons and units of study about the contributions of Americans of Hispanic Latino descent take place in our schools, not only during this month, but throughout the school year.” Board Member Leon-Vazquez moved; Board President Mignano seconded. The motion passed. —
Policies and Administrative Regulations — Student Services (Discussion Item J)
A district presenter reviewed a set of 12 updated board policies and administrative regulations related to student services, described as part of an ongoing district-wide policy revision process (approximately 30 policies updated so far). The items were presented as a discussion/information item; the presenter noted the policies will return for formal action on Sept. 17. Updated policies covered:
- Tobacco-Free Schools (BP/AR 3543.3): New definitions of smoking and tobacco to include vapes and electronic cigarettes; updated Aug. 2011. – Promotion, Acceleration and Retention (BP/AR 5123): Reflects Assembly Bill 484 on retention indicators and AB 97 on LCFF supplemental instruction funding; adds a formal appeals process to the board. – Withholding Grades/Transcripts (AR 51225.2): Adds option for students to satisfy debt through voluntary work program in lieu of monetary payment; exempts students experiencing homelessness under McKinney-Vento. – Challenging Student Records (AR 5125.3): Adds hearing panel process and notification requirements when records are corrected or removed following appeal. – Student Conduct (BP 5131): Updated to reflect new state law requiring a policy limiting or prohibiting student smartphone use; cross-references mobile device policy updated in 2024. – Bullying (BP/AR 5131.2): New administrative regulation adopted (CSBA model from 2019); addresses cyberbullying prevention and reporting.
- Vandalism and Graffiti (BP 5131.5): New policy addressing reporting, cleanup, law enforcement collaboration, and student discipline; hate-motivated graffiti is reported to Santa Monica Police Department.
- Tobacco — Student Use (BP/AR 5131.62): Updated health-risk language and definitions for smoking and tobacco. – Weapons and Dangerous Instruments (BP/AR 5131.7): New law requires employees to immediately report threats or perceived threats of homicidal acts to law enforcement; adds staff training requirements.
- Mobile Communication Devices (BP/AR 5131.8): Clarifies dual beneficial/harmful effects; adds discipline cross-reference; adds Olympic High School to the “away for the day” pouch program.
- Dress and Grooming (BP/AR 5132): Updated to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles; requires bias-free enforcement; addresses gender identity and religious or cultural observance.
- Gangs (BP/AR 5136): New administrative regulation added; reflects best practices from the National Gang Center and LAPD; references district partnership with Santa Monica Police Department’s Gang Reduction Youth Development program.
Public Comment
On Consent Item — Facilities/HVAC:
A speaker identifying herself as a teacher in the Discovery Building at Santa Monica High School, participating online, said her classroom had been 80 degrees every day for two weeks and that temporary cooling units had not been placed in classrooms on the second floor south of that building. She called the situation “untenable” and “unsafe for all of our kids.”
On General Items — Artificial Intelligence in Education:
A speaker who identified himself as a PTA president and described co-authoring a state PTA resolution on AI and education with a Malibu High School teacher urged the board to move beyond a “communication plan and an IT working group report” on artificial intelligence. He cited a recently published essay by Bill Gates and argued that within five years every K-12 student would need foundational AI skills. He called for aligned learning outcomes, new curriculum resources, and significantly enhanced teacher professional development.
Communications and Reports
John Adams Middle School Presentation: Principal Dr. Martha Chacon presented on JAMS academic progress, noting that the school was recognized as a California Distinguished School and that at least 60% of students met or exceeded ELA standards at every grade level. She highlighted a significant jump in seventh-grade test scores — 71% meeting or exceeding ELA standard, 24 points above the prior cohort, and 54% meeting or exceeding math standard, up from 45% the prior year. Dr. Chacon attributed gains in part to strong sixth-grade preparation, effective PLCs, and high family engagement, including parent-led advocacy for a no-cell-phone policy. She noted that teacher Jorge Sierra will be honored Sept. 17 by Teach Democracy for civic education work. Board Member Jon Kean asked that when the school digs further into the seventh-grade data, it share a longitudinal comparison with prior cohorts.
Student Board Member Reports: Chase Noble (Santa Monica High School) reported on fall events including homecoming week Sept. , Back to School Night Sept. 24, and college representative visits. Student board member Parker (Malibu High School) described ongoing construction challenges — some classes held on the middle school campus, parking displaced roughly a 14-minute walk away — while noting high school spirit ahead of the first home football game Sept. 11.
SMMCTA Union Report: An English teacher at Santa Monica High School, speaking on behalf of SMMCTA, detailed five years of recurring HVAC failures in the Innovation and Discovery buildings — including leaks, flooding, inadequate cooling and heating, a persistent sulfur odor, and mold — and said the Innovation building had generated 186 HVAC-related work orders since 2015, 51 in the past two years alone. She asked the district for a written long-term repair plan, a timeline, and accountability. Superintendent Antonio Shelton and Assistant Superintendent Cruz both responded during the superintendent’s report (see consent item highlight above).
PTA Council Report: The PTA Council representative reported that Will Rogers Elementary PTA was named a 2025–2027 National PTA School of Excellence and one of three recipients of the National PTA Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family School Partnership Award. The council also noted it submitted a letter to the City of Santa Monica requesting collaboration on proposed Greenway projects to protect student safety near schools. The representative announced a Board of Education Candidates Forum co-hosted with the League of Women Voters on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom, and said the SMMPTA website has added a page with information on Measure ES.
Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Shelton recognized district staff member Jessica Rische, who received a Rotary public employee recognition award after 30 years with the district. He noted September is Attendance Awareness Month and reminded the community that middle school Back to School Nights are the following Thursday.
Advisory Committee Reports (Discussion): Board liaisons reported on recent District Advisory Committee meetings. Board Member Smith reported that the Curriculum and Instruction DAC (CDAC) divided committee roles and is awaiting board approval of its charges. Board Member Rouse reported that the Early Learning DAC is continuing prior-year charges focused on expanding early learning program awareness, staffing, and fiscal stability. Board Member Leon-Vazquez noted that the Special Education DAC created a new charge around neurodiversity-affirming practices. Board Member Smith added that the committee plans to focus on parent education about neurodiversity this year, with student-led programming planned for a future year, and intends to document the history of the committee’s work.
Next Steps
- HVAC repairs: District staff are continuing emergency repair work; an external vendor evaluation of HVAC systems is underway per the emergency resolution approved at this meeting. No specific completion timeline was stated in the transcript. – Student Services policies: Updated board policies will return for formal action Sept. 17; administrative regulations will be presented as information items the same day. – Samohi Phase 4A construction: Increment 2B — construction of the building itself — will return to the board for action at a future meeting, according to the presenter. – M&O Study Session (F1): Postponed; no rescheduled date stated. – Board of Education Candidates Forum: Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., district boardroom. – Next regular board meeting: Sept. 17 (implied by policy action timeline). —
Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
