Mountain View Whisman board holds first reading of policy updates tied to attorney general model language

Mountain View Whisman School District trustees received a first reading of revised board bylaws and policies that staff said adopt model language issued by the California Attorney General addressing immigration enforcement.

Superintendent Bair introduced the packet as a special update required to meet an implementation requirement, saying the revisions include a replacement of earlier policy language ("BP 5145.13" referenced in the packet) and related cascading changes across three other policies. He told the board the changes reflect the attorney general's model language and that the district must have updated policies in place by "03/01/2026." The superintendent characterized the changes as largely technical and consistent with prior district practice, while noting some clarifications to committee and board authority language.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the bylaw that governs policy approval and about whether the board may, in certain cases, waive committee review to expedite policy adoption. Staff said the first reading appears out of sequence because of the statutory timeline but that the board will return for a second reading at the next meeting to meet the March 1 deadline. The chair confirmed there were no members of the public present to comment on the item.

Because no formal action was taken at the first reading, the policies remain under discussion until the scheduled second reading. The item will return to the board on Feb. 12 for the second reading and potential adoption in order to comply with the stated 03/01/2026 implementation requirement.