Cajon Valley Union board approves financial reports and bus purchase, debates policy changes tied to Mahmud v. Taylor

At its Sept. 9 meeting the Cajon Valley Union School District board approved several administrative and financial items and debated policy language related to recent court guidance.

Fiscal and procurement actions: Miranda (business staff) presented the district’s 2024–25 unaudited actuals showing revenues slightly exceeding expenditures by about $3 million and carryover of several restricted grants. Trustees voted to accept the unaudited actuals (vote recorded as 4–0). The board also authorized use of a cooperative bid to purchase eight school buses (vote recorded as 4–0). In earlier closed session the board approved settlement of case O2025041256 (motion reported as passing three with two absent).

Policy packet and legal review: Trustees conducted second readings and adopted a package of updated policies. During discussion Trustee Schwarm asked staff and counsel to revisit AR 6142.1 because of concerns the draft language may not fully reflect the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmud v. Taylor and related state guidance. Counsel said the district will work with legal advisers and the California Department of Education on refinements. The board approved the overall policy packet but recorded a 3–1 vote on the motion tied to that amendment/pull request; staff will track and return with revisions and legal guidance.

Restorative-practices clarification: Trustees also discussed AR 5144 and asked staff to bring clearer, victim‑centered explanatory language back to the board so the community better understands how restorative processes will protect victims and define parental involvement.

What’s next: staff will return with the legal analysis and proposed revisions to AR 6142.1, a report on nonprofit field‑use fees following public comment, and an implementation update for the K–2 screener pilot.