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Banning Unified approves hires, expulsions and grant application; band booster raises marching program concerns
Summary
At its April 10 meeting the board appointed Anna Torres as data and assessment coordinator, voted to expel a student for two semesters, authorized applying for a state/local grant to buy up to six electric buses, approved routine contracts and resolutions, and heard a public comment from a band booster urging action on marching-band issues.
BANNING, Calif. — The Banning Unified School District Board of Trustees on April 10 approved several personnel appointments, disciplinary actions and routine business items and heard public comment raising concerns about the marching-band program.
In a closed-session report the board announced the appointment of Anna Torres as the district’s new data and assessment coordinator; the motion to appoint her was made by Trustee Novellis and seconded by Trustee Trautman and carried on a 4-1 vote. Torres, introduced publicly after the closed session, thanked the board and community and said she was excited to begin the role.
The board voted 5-0 to expel student case 2024-25-07 to community day school for two semesters following a motion by Trustee Trautman and a second by Trustee Novellis.
On finance and operations, the board approved the consent calendar (items 5.2–5.4), ratified contractual agreements, adopted monthly fiscal reports, approved a notice of completion for the Central Elementary emergency asphalt repair with JB Bostick LLC, and adopted resolutions recognizing California Day of the Teacher (Resolution 25-013) and Classified School Employee Week (Resolution 25-014). All of those votes were unanimous (5-0).
The board also authorized staff to apply for the South Coast Air Quality Management District lower-emissions school bus program (Resolution 25-018), allowing the district to apply for grant funding for up to six electric buses. District presenters said the grant would cover about 85% of each bus, that buses now have roughly a 15-year useful life and about a 150-mile range, and that batteries carry an 8-year warranty with potential replacement costs in the range of $150,000 per vehicle (presenter-provided figures). Board members asked how charging infrastructure and long-term maintenance would be handled; staff said grant funding can include some infrastructure costs and that the district plans a separate meter for EV charging to track usage.
During the public-comment period, Renee Torres, speaking for the Banning Broncos marching regiment boosters, described multiple operational problems: a mid-year director change, a shortened band camp, inconsistent communication from the director to administrators and parents, cancellation of the competitive season and concerns about the color guard’s ability to continue. She asked the district to follow up; Trustee Trautman asked Torres to provide documentation and staff said they would follow up.
BTA President Anthony Garcia used his remarks to congratulate Torres on her promotion and to criticize district labor negotiations, saying recent actions and the handling of a community schools grant process did not reflect the district’s stated collaboration goals. Superintendent Davis acknowledged the concerns and said he and the board were listening during the district’s ongoing site listening tours.
The meeting closed at 9:11 p.m. after board members offered thanks and congratulations to staff and students.
