Santa Ana Unified School District, CA

Special Board Meeting - Canceled

The Special Board Meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026, was canceled. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and a notice for the next meeting.

Regular Board Meeting - *Revised Agenda 7/18/2026

The Board will receive a presentation on the Opening of Schools Readiness and First Two Weeks Plan for the 2026–27 school year. The meeting also includes a first reading of revisions to Board Policy 5131.4 regarding student disturbances.

• Presentation on 2026–27 Opening of Schools Readiness and First Two Weeks Plan
• First reading of revised Board Policy 5131.4 - Student Disturbances
• Closed session regarding labor negotiations with SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, and CWA
• Closed session regarding personnel matters for Director of Budget and Accounting and Assistant Director of Business Services
• Closed session regarding real property disposition or acquisition for multiple parcel numbers

Regular Board Meeting

The board will hear a presentation on the Special Education Department's programs, services, compliance, and funding. Two board policies will be presented for first reading: BP 5146 on Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students and BP 5148 on Child Care and Development. An information update on 2025-2026 Local Indicators will also be provided. Closed session includes labor negotiations, personnel actions, litigation, and real property negotiations.

• Special Education Overview presentation (informational, no fiscal impact)
• First reading of Board Policy 5146 – Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students
• First reading of Board Policy 5148 – Child Care and Development
• 2025-2026 Local Indicators Progress Update (information item)
• Closed session: labor negotiations, personnel actions, existing and anticipated litigation, real property negotiations (54 parcels listed)

The Santa Ana Unified School District board approved its 2026-2027 proposed budget and Local Control Accountability Plan. The board also adopted revisions to the Special Education Local Plan Area for the upcoming school year. Additionally, nine new principals were appointed across high schools, elementary schools, and alternative education programs. Several contracts for student transportation, enrichment programs, and district services were awarded or renewed.

• Approved 2026-2027 proposed budget (5-0)
• Adopted Local Control Accountability Plan (5-0)
• Adopted Special Education Local Plan Area revisions (5-0)
• Appointed nine new principals across district campuses (5-0 each)
• Renewed previously awarded bids and RFP contracts for 2026-2027 fiscal year (5-0)
• Awarded elementary enrichment programs to multiple vendors including Discovery Cube (5-0)
• Awarded sports enrichment programs to TGA Sports, UK Soccer School, and CNJ Sports (5-0)
• Awarded student transportation contract to Durham, JFK Transportation, and Zum Services (5-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education met to approve student field trips and physical education waivers. The board also held a closed session to discuss labor negotiations, legal counsel, and real property disposition.

• Approval of 3 extended field trips for Segerstrom and Valley schools costing $22,700
• Approval of High School Physical Education Permanent Waivers for Fall 2026 affecting students at 9 high schools
• Closed session discussion regarding District-wide Real Property Disposition or Acquisition for multiple parcel numbers
• Closed session conference with labor negotiators for SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, and CWA Bargaining Units
• Closed session discussion regarding the appointment, reassignment, or discipline of the Director of Special Education

The Board approved updated salary schedules for educators, classified employees, police officers, and management. Action was also taken in closed session to appoint a new Director of Special Education and release two administrative employees from their current positions.

• Appointed Jeanette Andrews as Director of Special Education (5-0)
• Released Principal and Assistant Principal (ID 17303, 14333) from administrative roles (5-0)
• Approved extended field trips (4-1)
• Approved attendance for CSBA meetings in San Diego (4-0-1)
• Approved Santa Ana Educators' Association salary schedules (5-0)
• Approved Classified School Employees Association, Chapter 41 salary schedules (5-0)
• Approved Santa Ana School Police Officers' Association salary schedule (5-0)
• Approved Management salary schedule (4-1)

Regular Board Meeting

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations with multiple bargaining units, personnel matters, anticipated litigation, and district-wide real property dispositions or acquisitions. The open session includes recognitions for the outgoing student board member Eduardo Abascal, the Godinez Fundamental High School theatre program selected for the Macy's awards, and several employees of the year. No action items are listed for the open session beyond these recognitions and a report on closed session actions.

• Closed session: conference with labor negotiator for SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, CWA bargaining units and unrepresented employees
• Closed session: public employee discipline/dismissal/release/reassignment/appointments for Director of Support Services, Coordinator of Student Achievement Programs, and Coordinators of Special Education
• Closed session: anticipated litigation (one case) and real property negotiations for 50+ assessor parcel numbers district-wide
• Recognition of student board member Eduardo Abascal with a plaque for his service as one of the first student board members
• Recognition of Godinez Fundamental High School Theatre Arts for selection to perform at the 'Spirit of the Macy's' Awards on May 23, 2026

The Board appointed four staff members to new administrative roles and approved a series of routine items including contracts, payments, and personnel changes. One item regarding extended field trips was pulled for discussion.

• Appointed Kristin Risberg as Director of Support Services (5-0)
• Appointed Hoa Thai as Coordinator of Student Achievement Programs (5-0)
• Appointed Michael Curtis as Coordinator of Special Education (5-0)
• Appointed Eskayla Mendoza as Coordinator of Special Education (5-0)
• Approved remainder of Consent Calendar (5-0)
• Approved listing of agreements/contracts for 2025-2026 (5-0)
• Approved listing of agreements/contracts for 2026-2027 (5-0)
• Pulled Extended Field Trip item for discussion

Special Board Meeting

The Board of Education will recognize three district schools for being named 2026 California Distinguished Schools. The meeting also includes a closed session regarding public employee performance evaluation for the Superintendent.

• Recognition of Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate as a 2026 California Distinguished School
• Recognition of Hector G. Godinez Fundamental High School as a 2026 California Distinguished School
• Recognition of Middle College High School as a 2026 California Distinguished School
• Closed session regarding Superintendent public employee performance evaluation

The Board of Education held a special meeting that included school recognitions and a closed session regarding personnel matters. No substantive votes or policy decisions were recorded in the minutes.

• Recognized three 2026 California Distinguished Schools

Regular Board Meeting

The board will first meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations, personnel, anticipated litigation, and real property negotiations involving over 50 parcels. In open session, they will recognize community partners and staff for the Immigration Support Plan and vote on a consent calendar that includes $170,065 in extended field trips for 79 students from Century, Saddleback, and Speech and Debate programs.

• Approval of $170,065 in extended field trips for 79 students from Century, Saddleback, and Speech and Debate (overnight/out-of-state)
• Recognition of community partners and SAUSD staff for support of the Immigration Support Plan (no fiscal impact)
• Closed session conference with labor negotiator for SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, CWA bargaining units
• Closed session conference with real property negotiators for district-wide disposition or acquisition (55 listed parcel numbers)
• Closed session regarding public employee discipline/dismissal/release/reassignment for Manager, District Safety Programs and Compliance

The Board approved several items from the consent calendar, including extended field trips and a graffiti arts grant. Lazaro Pita was appointed as the Manager of District Safety Programs and Compliance.

• Appointed Lazaro Pita as Manager, District Safety Programs and Compliance (4-0)
• Approved extended field trips (3-1)
• Accepted City of Santa Ana Bridging the Graffiti Arts Program Grant (4-0)
• Approved listing of agreements/contracts for the 2026-2027 school year (4-0)

Special Board Meeting - Annual Planning Retreat

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education will hold a special meeting as an annual planning retreat. In open session, the board will receive a presentation and discussion on district progress and development of goals for the 2026-27 school year, including a draft Strategic Plan for 2026-2029. The board will also recess into closed session to discuss employee discipline/dismissal/reassignment, anticipated litigation (one case), and real property negotiations covering 54 assessor's parcel numbers district-wide. No formal action items are scheduled on the open-session agenda.

• Progress update and development of goals and plans for the 2026-27 school year, with a draft Strategic Plan 2026-2029
• Closed session: Public employee discipline/dismissal/release/reassignment/appointments
• Closed session: Conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation (one case)
• Closed session: Real property negotiations for disposition or acquisition across 54 assessor's parcel numbers district-wide

Regular Board Meeting

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education is meeting to address personnel matters, real property negotiations, and legal claims. The board is deciding on reimbursements for students with disabilities and the acceptance of donor gifts.

• Approval of $26,500 for educational services and attorney fees (Augustine Egelsee, LLP) for a student with disabilities
• Acceptance of $7,780.00 in gifts, grants, and bequests
• Closed session discussion regarding the Executive Director of Facilities and Operations
• Closed session conference regarding District-wide real property disposition or acquisition for 59 parcel numbers
• Closed session conference with labor negotiators for SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, and CWA bargaining units

Regular Board Meeting

The Santa Ana Unified Board will first meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations, employee discipline, anticipated litigation, and real property negotiations. In open session, the board will consider a consent calendar including approval of minutes, acceptance of $9,930.35 in gifts, and authorization of extended field trips costing $101,830 for 100 students from five schools.

• Closed session: labor negotiations with SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, CWA and unrepresented employees
• Closed session: real property disposition or acquisition involving 55+ assessor parcel numbers district-wide
• Acceptance of gifts totaling $9,930.35 for school sites and district
• Approval of extended field trips for 100 students from Century, Saddleback, Santa Ana, Speech and Debate, and Valley schools at a total cost of $101,830
• Closed session: conference with legal counsel regarding one anticipated litigation case

The Board approved the certification of the Second Interim Report and a revised bylaw for Student Board members including a $250 stipend. Additional actions included appointing a new Purchasing Manager and approving several consent calendar items.

• Issued notice of non-reelection to one probationary employee (5-0)
• Appointed Yvette Sanchez-Miranda as Purchasing Manager (5-0)
• Approved extended field trip policies (3-1)
• Approved listing of agreements and contracts for 2025-2026 (4-0)
• Adopted revised Board Bylaw 9150 regarding Student Board members with a $250 stipend (4-1)
• Extended meeting duration to 11:00 p.m. (4-1)
• Certified the Second Interim Report (5-0)
• Approved MOU with Santa Ana Educators’ Association for coach positions (5-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with multiple bargaining units, existing and anticipated litigation, and real property disposition or acquisition across numerous parcels. Following closed session, the board will reconvene for open session to approve a consent calendar including acceptance of $35,819.39 in gifts and a $10,750 payment for special education services.

• Closed session: labor negotiations with SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, CWA bargaining units and unrepresented employees
• Closed session: litigation case numbers 30-2025-01464104, 30-2024-01418579, ADJ15898445
• Closed session: real property negotiations on 50+ assessor parcel numbers
• Consent calendar: acceptance of $35,819.39 in gifts for 2025-2026
• Consent calendar: approval of $10,750 payment for special education services per settlement

The Board approved personnel actions including the release of two administrative employees and the appointment of Javier Diaz and Alma Braga. The Board also approved two settlement agreements totaling $1.05 million and approved the remainder of the consent calendar.

• Released employee #28185 to lower position (4-0)
• Released employee #17031 to certificated assignment (4-0)
• Released one probationary employee (5-0)
• Appointed Javier Diaz as Coordinator of Student Achievement Programs (5-0)
• Appointed Alma Braga as Assistant Principal at MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School (5-0)
• Approved $300,000 settlement for case 30-2024-01418579-CU-PO-CJC (5-0)
• Approved $750,000 workers compensation settlement for case ADJ15898445 (5-0)
• Approved remainder of consent calendar (5-0)

Special Board Meeting - Governance Workshop

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education is convening a special meeting solely for a Governance Workshop. The workshop will review board and superintendent roles, develop communication protocols, and identify team strengths and growth areas. There is no fiscal impact. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2026.

• Governance Workshop for Board of Education (discussion/presentation only)
• No fiscal impact associated with the workshop
• Next regular board meeting set for February 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
• Public comments allowed on agenda items during this special meeting

The Board participated in a governance workshop focused on collaboration, communication, and roles. Members reached consensus on operational commitments and directed facilitators to draft a governance handbook for future review.

• Reached consensus on operational commitments for governance practices
• Directed facilitators to draft a governance handbook for future Board review

Regular Board Meeting

The board will vote on approving $221,480 in extended field trips for 399 students from seven schools and accept $20,855 in gifts. Closed session will discuss labor negotiations, employee discipline, anticipated litigation, and district-wide real property transactions. The meeting also includes approval of prior meeting minutes.

• Approval of $221,480 in extended field trips for 399 students from Century, Greenville, Guzman, King, Saddleback, Santa Ana, and Valley schools
• Acceptance of $20,855 in gifts per Board Policy 3290
• Closed session: conference with labor negotiator for SAEA, CSEA, SASPOA, CWA bargaining units and unrepresented employees
• Closed session: public employee discipline/dismissal/release for Assistant Principal IV and Coordinator of Special Education
• Closed session: conference with real property negotiator for district-wide property disposition/acquisition (multiple APNs)

The Board approved several administrative appointments, including an Assistant Principal and a Coordinator of Special Education. Members also voted on multiple consent calendar items regarding field trips, contracts, and purchase orders.

• Appointed Timothy Somers as Assistant Principal at Santa_Ana High School (5-0)
• Appointed Kimberly O'Toole as Coordinator of Special Education (5-0)
• Approved extended field trips (4-1)
• Approved agreement with The Regents of the University of California, Irvine (4-1)
• Approved remainder of 2025-2026 school year agreements and contracts (5-0)
• Approved 2025-2026 no-cost community partnership agreements (5-0)
• Ratified purchase order summary for Nov. 19 – Dec. 9, 2025 (5-0)

Special Board Meeting - Study/Discussion Session

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education will hold a study session to receive a presentation on the 2025 California School Dashboard. The presentation explains state performance indicators, including ELA, math, graduation rate, English learner progress, and college/career readiness, and presents SAUSD's current outcomes. No action will be taken; the board will discuss the data as part of strategic planning.

• Presentation on 2025 California School Dashboard – SAUSD performance outcomes across academic and engagement domains
• Overview of state accountability metrics: ELA, Mathematics, Graduation Rate, English Learner Progress (ELPI), College/Career Indicator (CCI)
• No fiscal impact or action item; solely a discussion and information session

The Board held a study session to review the 2025 California School Dashboard, focusing on five key performance indicators: English Language Arts, Mathematics, English Learner Progress, Graduation Rate, and College and Career Indicator. No formal decisions were made.

• Meeting called to order at 5:14 p.m.
• Pledge of Allegiance led by Superintendent Dr. Perez
• Land acknowledgement read by Ms. Brazer Aceves
• No public presentations were made
• Superintendent Dr. Perez presented Dashboard overview
• Discussion focused on ELA, Math, ELPI, Graduation Rate, and CCI
• Moment of silence held for Jesus Alejandro Valdez
• Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.