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Board approves settlement, appointments, curriculum and several resolutions; pulls and amends one vendor contract
Summary
On April 9, 2026, the Santa Clara Unified Board approved a $40,000 settlement in AO v. SCUSD, appointed a new Director of Secondary Education, adopted a middle‑school DLI curriculum, passed a series of heritage and awareness resolutions, approved a Laurelwood change order and approved a limited increase to a vendor contract after Trustee Fairchild pulled I14.
The Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees recorded several formal actions on April 9, 2026.
Litigation settlement: In closed session the board approved the settlement in AO v. Santa Clara Unified School District (Case No. 22 CV-409331). Trustee Andy Ratermann moved the settlement motion and Trustee Vickie Fairchild seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve a $40,000 settlement and dismissal of the case, with votes recorded in open session by all trustees (7–0).
Contract I14 (ProCare Therapy): Trustee Vickie Fairchild pulled Consent Item I14, an amendment to a 2025–26 services agreement with New Direction Solutions, LLC, dba ProCare Therapy, citing a multi‑year increase in vendor spending (she said the district spent over $4 million with the vendor over five years and that the original agreement was for $600,000 this year). Fairchild moved to limit the current amendment to an increase of $75,000 and to require staff to return with a vendor‑spending plan; Trustee Canova seconded. The motion passed 6–0 (Student Trustee Suresh voted yes; Trustee Watanabe was absent for the vote). The board directed staff to provide analysis of vendor spending trends and consider whether services should be provided by district employees.
Appointments, curriculum and change order: The board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Marissa Coite as Director of Secondary Education; unanimously approved Change Order Number 1 for Balter Companies (food service equipment revisions at Laurelwood Elementary, Patrick Henry site); and unanimously adopted the proposed 2025–26 middle‑school Dual Language Immersion (DLI) curriculum.
Resolutions: The board approved a series of proclamations and resolutions recognizing heritage and awareness months: Resolution 26‑22 (April as Arab American Heritage Month), 26‑23 (May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month), 26‑24 (May as Jewish American Heritage Month), 26‑25 (May as Mental Health Awareness Month) and 26‑26 (May as Foster Care Awareness Month). Most were approved 6–0 with Trustee Watanabe initially recorded absent; the Mental Health Awareness Month resolution passed 7–0 when Watanabe participated.
Votes at a glance (selected): - AO v. SCUSD settlement (closed session): $40,000; mover Andy Ratermann; second Vickie Fairchild; outcome: approved, 7–0 (SEG 175–179). - Contract I14 amendment (ProCare Therapy): limited increase of $75,000 approved; mover Vickie Fairchild; second Canova; outcome: approved, 6–0 (Student Trustee Suresh voted yes; Trustee Watanabe absent) (SEG 1274–1314). - Appointment: Dr. Marissa Coite, Director of Secondary Education; outcome: approved, 7–0 (SEG 1444–1478). - Adoption: Proposed Middle School DLI Curriculum; outcome: approved, 7–0 (SEG 1497–1514). - Change Order M1 (Balter Companies): outcome: approved, 7–0 (SEG 1479–1496). - Resolutions K1–K5 (heritage and awareness months): outcomes recorded across SEG 1360–1443 (various votes recorded 6–0 or 7–0).
The board adjourned in memory of Ron Diridon Sr. at 10:02 p.m.
