Students press board to rethink grading and ask for an astronomy pathway; board seats new student member

At the meeting, two student speakers urged the board to consider substantive changes to district practice and curriculum.

Bella Maj delivered a presentation titled the "broken blueprint," urging the district to reduce the mental‑health harms she links to high‑stakes testing and traditional letter grades. She proposed replacing letter grades with digital learning portfolios defended in conversation with mentors, modular schedules that prioritize learning over bells, and capstone assessments instead of testing. "Grades were intended to be feedback. Instead, they become a judgment on our intelligence and worth," she said, urging trustees to include student representatives in any policy review.

Another student, Kavan Nandakumar, asked the board to explore adding an astronomy program to middle‑school curriculum as a multidisciplinary avenue to teach math, physics and engineering. The superintendent praised both students, noted ongoing committees (grading and bell schedules) and welcomed further direct discussion with staff to explore feasibility and resourcing.

Separately, the board formally seated its new student board member, Samira Sha Alamova, a rising senior at California High School; trustees expressed appreciation for her experience and committed to monthly check‑ins to orient her to the role.