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Board approves agenda and minutes, and adopts updated independent-study policy after debate on public‑hearing requirement
Summary
The San Bernardino County Board of Education approved an amended agenda, approved March 10 minutes after a member raised accuracy concerns, and adopted an updated independent‑study board policy at second reading after members debated whether state regulations required a separate public hearing.
The San Bernardino County Board of Education handled routine business and a contested policy change during its public meeting.
Adoption of the agenda: The board approved the meeting agenda after a staff correction removed agenda item 11.3, a student expulsion and transfer workshop, because the presenter was unavailable. A board member moved to approve the agenda with that postponement and the motion carried by voice vote.
Approval of minutes: The board then considered approval of the March 10 minutes. Member Raja (identified in the record) said the minutes inaccurately summarized her comments on a charter approval and said she would submit a memo to Superintendent Ted Alejandre to correct the government record. After discussion the board approved the minutes; one board member abstained citing concerns about language accuracy in the minutes.
Independent study policy, second reading: At item 13.1 the board considered a revised board policy on independent study. Board members debated whether the revisions required a separate public hearing under Title 5 regulations. Trustee Fernandez Loof asked whether a public hearing had been held; staff said California Department of Education guidance they received did not require a separate public hearing for updating the board policy itself and that the policy could be adopted at a public meeting following standard policy readings.
Trustee De Leon said the Education Code and Title 5 require the local governing board to “consider in a public hearing the scope of its existing or prospective use of independent study” and expressed concern the required hearing had not occurred. The transcript shows an extended exchange between board members and staff about which code sections apply.
After the discussion a motion to adopt the policy at second reading passed by voice vote. The meeting record later shows Trustee De Leon said she did not vote and would abstain; at least one voice vote opposition was called during the roll call. Staff committed to follow up as necessary if additional procedural steps were required.
Ending: The board carried routine business and adopted the revised independent-study policy but members requested clarity and staff follow-up on whether the Title 5 public‑hearing requirement had been satisfied.
