Board Celebrates Unprecedented Administrator Retention as School Year Opens

The Jefferson Union High School District Governing Board breezed through a 30-minute session on Aug. 18, 2026, with every speaker — trustees, the superintendent, and the teachers' union — painting a picture of rare institutional stability heading into the 2026-27 school year. The board also introduced two sets of new policies for first read and nominated one of its own for a statewide leadership role.

• Every administrator returned this year — a first anyone in the district can remember, signaling strong organizational health
• New California law makes school volunteers mandated reporters for the first time in state history; district updates policies to require training
• Weather safety policy introduced to protect students during extreme heat and other dangerous conditions
• Vice President Rosie Tejada nominated for CSBA Director at Large, Asian Pacific Islander position

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A School Year Kickoff Unlike Any Other

Why it matters: Leadership turnover is one of the most disruptive forces in public education. Full administrative retention means the district can sustain multi-year initiatives — from curriculum improvements to campus culture — without the costly reset that comes with new hires.

Where things stand: Superintendent Toni Presta reported that for the first time in institutional memory, no administrators left over the summer. "This is the first time we kind of think ever — nobody can remember back far enough to a time where there were no new administrators. So this year we began the year with all administrators returning, which is really wonderful," she said.

Presta visited every campus on the first day of school and described an unusually orderly opening: "It was really nice to not see lines of students with no classes and lines of people waiting for things. Kids were in their classrooms and it was really positive on all the campuses, lots of school spirit."

The positive reports extended across stakeholders. Trustee Jerome Gallegos recognized Westmoor student Ryan Chow, who was selected as the San Mateo County Youth Commission liaison to the County Board of Education. Clerk Andy Lie praised employee milestones celebrated at the district's Welcome Back event, congratulating staff with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years of service.

AFT Local 1481 co-president Adam Kubi confirmed the upbeat tone from the labor side, reporting that the union used the Welcome Back event to engage new teachers through an interactive session on union values. "We talked about our values as an AFT 421 membership, but also what the union is about and how we are trying to represent not only our membership but the school district, the community and the students at large and their families," he said. The union's first executive council meeting of the year drew consistently positive feedback from every school site.

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California First: Volunteers Must Now Be Mandated Reporters

The basics: A new California Education Code change — the first of its kind in state history — now classifies school volunteers as mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Why it matters: Every volunteer the district brings on, including returning volunteers, must now complete mandated reporter training before serving. The requirement adds a new compliance layer but strengthens child safety protections.

Where things stand: Ms. Lujan from Human Resources presented the volunteer policy alongside three additional board policies for first read. "The Ed Code changed to make volunteers mandated reporters. This is the first time in California history that has happened," she said.

The three remaining policies clarify that unions are the exclusive representative of employees for bargaining purposes. Lujan noted that they also address strike-period protections: "In the event there is a strike, employees who are on strike are still entitled to their medical benefits."

Clerk Andy Lie asked whether volunteers receive training before serving. Lujan confirmed that all volunteers — new and returning — are now assigned mandated reporter training during onboarding. Board President Sherrett Walker confirmed that returning volunteers are included as well.

What's next: All four policies are on first read and will return for board approval at a future meeting.

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Weather Safety Policy Targets Extreme Heat Risks

Ms. Basino introduced Board Policy 514175 for first read, a new policy designed to prepare the district to "identify and respond to extreme weather events that may pose risk to the health and safety of students participating in physical activity during extreme weather conditions."

Once adopted, the policy would establish formal protocols to halt or modify outdoor student activities — including athletics and physical education — during dangerous weather. Board members had no questions. The policy will return for approval at a future meeting.

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Tejada Nominated for Statewide CSBA Post

Superintendent Presta informed the board that the California School Boards Association issued a call for nominations for director at large positions, including seats designated for Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander representation. She recommended Vice President Rosie Tejada for the Asian Pacific Islander director at large position.

"I have received a recommendation to nominate Trustee Rosie Tejada for a CSBA Director at large position. I posed this idea to her, and she said she would be happy to accept this nomination," Presta said.

Decisions: Clerk Andy Lie made the motion; Trustee LaSaundra Gutter seconded. The board approved unanimously (5-0, voice vote). If selected by CSBA, Tejada would help shape statewide education policy and organizational direction for the association.

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Minor Items

• Closed session report: Board reconvened with nothing to report.
• Consent agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0, voice vote) after being briefly overlooked in the agenda sequence.
• July 14 minutes: Approved unanimously (5-0, voice vote).
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:16 p.m.