Desert Sands Unified trustees approve consent packages, report expulsions and appoint supervisor of grounds

At its March 17 meeting, the Desert Sands Unified School District board moved through a number of formal actions, approving grouped consent items, reporting closed‑session student discipline outcomes and taking personnel actions.

Trustees voted to approve grouped consent packages across business services, educational services, personnel and student support services; the motions to take items as groups and the subsequent roll‑call approvals were recorded as unanimous (5‑0) for the grouped blocks of items. The board also approved the minutes of its March 3 meeting in an earlier vote recorded as 6‑0.

In closed‑session call‑outs the superintendent reported the board approved several stipulated expulsion cases: case 25/26‑26, 25/26‑27 and 25/26‑25; those motions were made and seconded by trustees and carried unanimously, with the board accepting the recommendations of the administrative hearing panel. The board also reported it approved a general release and settlement agreement (SSS 6/2025‑2026) and approved the reinstatement of a certificated employee with back pay to comply with an administrative hearing decision.

The board announced an appointment: Guadalupe Espinosa was approved as supervisor of grounds following a unanimous vote. Human‑resources staff also announced multiple retirements in certificated and classified ranks, naming individuals and years of service.

Trustees requested follow‑up information for future agenda items, including an updated chart showing which elementary schools currently have music programs and how grant funds are distributed across schools. "Please consider expanding your music programs in your elementary schools," public commenter Holly Robbie urged earlier in the meeting, and trustees asked staff to return with the requested arts distribution information for a future report.

The board scheduled its next regular meeting for April 21, 2026 and adjourned at 8:06 p.m.