Board approves special-education extended school year waiver and a $75,600 wellness consultant contract

The Santa Maria Bonita School District board approved two agenda items that affect student supports and school nutrition policy.

For special education, administrators presented a renewal of the extended school year (ESY) waiver that reduces the number of ESY days from 20 to 15 while increasing daily service hours so students meet the state’s minimum ESY hours requirement. A district presenter (Mr. Uribe) said the change is intended to provide more inclusive, concurrent ESY programming through Camp Elevate and that the revised schedule would meet or slightly exceed the state's 80-hour requirement for extended services. The board opened a public hearing, received no public testimony on the issue and voted to approve the waiver.

On nutrition and wellness, the board approved a contract with Kirsten Criswell Consulting for an amount not to exceed $75,600 to support school meal marketing, Smarter Lunchroom assessments at an initial five sites and to assist with the district's triennial wellness assessment and updates to Board Policy 3050 (student wellness). The consultant described work that includes cafeteria layout recommendations, signage and nutrition-promotion materials, and technical assistance to complete the USDA- and state-required wellness review. Trustees asked for examples and suggested staff return with a report on findings and sample materials after initial assessments.

Both items passed on recorded motions; district staff said implementation details and timelines will be reported back to the board.