Board unanimously updates immigration‑related board policy and accepts Measure M and financial audits

The Merced Union High School District board unanimously approved revisions to its board policy on immigration response and accepted two audits during the January meeting.

Miss Johnson presented the policy revision, explaining that California amended Education Code provisions to strengthen protections for students and staff; she said the updated policy expands prohibitions on disclosing education records and limits staff from granting access to a student to immigration officers without a valid court order. "The new language prohibits the district from disclosing the education records or information about a student's family or household without written consent," Johnson said while presenting the proposed language. The board voted to waive a second reading and approved the policy revision unanimously.

Superintendent and district auditors presented two audits: the Measure M performance audit reporting through 06/30/2025 and the district’s annual financial audit for the same period. The auditor’s summary for Measure M stated that "in all material respects, the district has properly accounted for the expenditures held in the building fund Measure M, and that such expenditures were made for authorized bond purchases." The general financial audit reported no material findings. Trustees moved and the board approved both audits by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: the record in the meeting shows unanimous approval (five ayes) for the policy revision and acceptance of both audits. The board directed staff to upload revised policy language to the California Department of Education portal by the statutory deadline noted in the presentation.