Lemon Grove board directs superintendent to initiate legal action after federal mental-health grant cut; adopts resolution to sustain services

The Lemon Grove School District Governing Board on May 13 directed Superintendent Marianna Vinson to initiate legal action against the U.S. Department of Education after the federal government terminated the district’s School-Based Mental Health Grant, which the district has received since January 2023.

The action was reported publicly after the board’s closed session. The board also unanimously approved Resolution No. 2024-25-26, titled “Support of Sustaining School-Based Mental Health Services Following the Loss of Federal Funding,” a separate agendized item moved by Yajaira Preciado and seconded by Jasmin Smith and carried by the four members present. Cheryl Robertson was noted as not present for the vote.

The report to open session stated that the board had directed the superintendent to begin litigation; it did not provide additional public details about the legal strategy or timeline, saying only that “once formally commenced, more specific information shall be disclosed to each person upon inquiry.” The record identifies the action as arising from closed-session discussion authorized under Government Code provisions for anticipated litigation.

The district presented the mental-health item alongside a recognition of Vista La Mesa Academy’s Hope Squad and a series of routine agenda items. The board indicated through the resolution its intent to sustain school-based mental health services despite the federal funding termination; the resolution’s passage accompanies the closed-session direction to seek legal recourse.

Next steps: the superintendent has been directed to commence the litigation process; the board did not provide a public timetable for filings or further public briefings. Per the meeting record, additional specifics will be disclosed upon formal commencement and individual inquiries.