Santa Ana Unified board approves consent calendar, including three‑year NAC renewal and personnel settlements

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education voted on Nov. 18 to approve its consent calendar and a three‑year renewal with the Nicholas Academic Center (NAC), while reporting two closed‑session personnel actions.

Closed session: District staff reported two matters taken in closed session: approval of a resignation agreement for a permanent classified employee (employee ID 23872), effective Nov. 15, 2025, and approval of a settlement and general release for a retired certificated employee (employee ID 9402) in the amount of $98,318.64. According to the closed‑session announcement, the motions were moved by Trustee Lebsack and seconded by Dr. Alvarez and recorded as approved by the board.

NAC contract and consent calendar: The board heard student and organizational testimony supporting the Nicholas Academic Center before considering a three‑year multi‑year contract renewal (discussed as $646,650 across three years). Trustee Lebsack asked for program metrics and cost‑effectiveness; district staff (Dr. Alvarado) said the NAC partnership serves 419 SAUSD students this year (185 seniors), has operated locally since 2009, and included a cost reduction from the prior year. "We have 419 SAUSD students that are participating in the program," Dr. Alvarado said, and staff described higher college‑completion rates for NAC participants compared with national averages. After questions and praise from several trustees, the board approved the agreement on a 5‑yes vote.

Other actions: The board approved multiple contracts, grant listings and software license agreements (items 11.7–11.15 and related construction/bond items), adopted resolutions recognizing Native American Heritage Month and authorizing Proposition 2 CTE grant applications, and adopted revisions to several board bylaws. Specific consent votes were recorded in the minutes, including a 3‑yes/1‑no vote (Dr. Alvarez absent) on overnight field trip approvals tied to an ongoing federal court case the trustee referenced.

What board members said: Trustee Lebsack asked whether the district is getting the most out of expenditures and pressed for outcome data when renewing multi‑year contracts; trustee Magdaleno highlighted NAC’s alumni investments and scholarship totals. President Bustos and other trustees emphasized hearing directly from students as evidence of program impact.

Provenance: NAC briefing and contract discussion (topic intro SEG 1590; topic finish SEG 1907).