Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Voice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students and partners urge more outreach, anti‑bullying action and supports for multilingual and unhoused youth
Summary
Student leaders presented listening‑session findings and recommendations urging better communication of resources, anti‑bullying training, mental‑health education, and targeted supports for multilingual learners, newcomers, unhoused and foster youth; community members urged literacy interventions and continuity of 1:1 aides for students with disabilities.
Student leaders and community partners told the San Juan Unified Board of Education that district listening sessions reveal persistent concerns about bullying, awareness of academic supports and access to services for vulnerable student groups.
Students from the San Juan Youth Voice Advocates (SJYVA) presented themes compiled from site reports and listening sessions: increase college‑ and career‑focused opportunities in middle and elementary schools, improve communication of resources across campuses, invest in district‑wide anti‑bullying training and a clear reporting system, expand mental‑health education and counselor time, and scale targeted academic supports for multilingual learners, newcomers, foster and unhoused youth.
Ojahi, a junior at Encina High School and SJYVA member, said the program taught facilitation and data skills and helped elevate student perspectives: “Being part of SJYVA has helped me improve on my leadership skills and boost my confidence.” Madeline (Rio Americano High) and Ava (El Camino Fundamental High) described mentorship, peer facilitation and student‑led projects that grew from the program.
Community responses: Several public commenters urged action on related issues. John Taylor (Alpha Phi Alpha alumni) delivered a forceful public comment citing CAASPP and a landscape analysis and asserting low literacy and math rates for Black students in San Juan; he offered a report to district staff. Cassie Folmar asked the board to restore her son’s 1:1 aide and to review a staffing decision she described as inconsistent with district seniority rules; her son Eric Wilberg described serious medical needs and the critical role of consistent aide support.
Why it matters: Students and community partners called attention to gaps between resources that exist and awareness of those resources, and asked the district to make reporting and follow‑up more transparent while recognizing confidentiality limits in disciplinary or special‑education matters.
Board response and next steps: Trustees praised the youth presenters and Innovation Bridge partners, and asked for implementation checkpoints and alignment with the district’s LCAP goals. President Tanya Krawcheck and staff clarified that confidentiality limits mean the district cannot disclose details of individual discipline cases, but suggested student‑led education and improved communication could help address “perceived inaction.” Staff said a summary report of listening‑session findings and recommendations will be available by the end of the week and that SJYVA will expand district implementation next year in partnership with Innovation Bridge.
The public‑comment claims about district academic performance and staffing will require follow‑up and data verification by the district; trustees welcomed the offer of an external report and pledged to receive it and to work with community partners on next steps.
