Board approves 45‑day budget revision and several personnel, policy and labor actions

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education approved its 2025–26 45‑day budget revision and a series of personnel and policy actions during its Aug. 13 meeting.

Key actions approved included the 45‑day budget update, a provisional internship permit application, a variable‑term waiver for a bilingual counselor, two revised enrollment policies, an employee/student technology policy update, a classified‑staff MOU and approval of meeting minutes. Several items were adopted on roll calls recorded during the meeting; other items were ratified after motions that were seconded and carried.

Budget: The board approved the 45‑day budget revision after staff described state and federal revenue risks and noted approximately $5.4 million in primarily one‑time state funding that will improve the district’s ending fund balance but is not ongoing. Superintendent August and interim CBO Luz Cazares said the 45‑day revise incorporates additional one‑time monies from the state budget act and that the district will review unaudited actuals and a multi‑year projection at the September meeting. Trustee Medina moved to approve the 45‑day revision; Trustee Casten seconded and the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Personnel and certification: The board approved a provisional internship permit (PIP) brought by Dr. Vicky Sands for a candidate presented as Kawai Nohekala Navares (referred to as Kauai) to fill a biology position pending credential completion; Trustee Medina moved and Trustee Casten seconded the motion, which passed on roll call. The board also approved a variable‑term waiver for Carlos Castaneda Avila to serve as a Title I counselor on special assignment covering Pioneer High School and Comstock Middle School; Trustee Jenkins moved and Trustee Casten seconded the motion and it passed.

Policies and labor agreements: Trustees approved updated board policies on interdistrict transfers (BP 5117) and intradistrict/open enrollment (BP 5116.1) after a motion to remove language on District of Choice and to clarify priority and capacity language. The board also approved updated technology policies (BP 4040 and BP 6163.4) to reference artificial intelligence and acceptable‑use expectations; staff noted professional‑development and acceptable‑use agreements will be rolled out. The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with CSEA Chapter 75 to provide up to 100 additional work hours for classified employees to support enrollment at junior/senior high sites; the MOU had been ratified by CSEA on July 8. Minutes of the June 25, 2025 regular meeting were approved as presented.

Public comment and follow‑up requests: During the budget discussion, public commenter Margie Brady Long urged the district to “keep cuts as far away from the kids as possible,” said site staffing has faced severe reductions and requested greater transparency on site‑level funding sources and consolidation savings tracking. Trustees asked staff to provide additional site financial detail. The board also directed staff to return with additional information on several matters raised during policy discussions, including pilot results and student‑survey data for cellphone policy, implementation plans for AI and technology guidance, and updates to enrollment windows and priority numbering.

No vote on cellphone policy: Staff brought Board Policy 5131.8 (mobile communication devices) to the board but the board did not adopt it tonight. Trustees requested more district‑wide data, student input, pilot feedback and implementation details; they directed staff to return with a version aligned to the more restrictive option (option 2) and to present plans for elementary and charter sites as well as parent outreach and enforcement approaches. The item will return for further consideration.

The board adjourned at 9:50 p.m.