Martinez Unified OKs $725,000 Restrooms to Unblock Alhambra Track
Governing Board • Martinez Unified School DistrictOctober 26, 2026
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Alhambra High School's track and field athletes have been unable to use their facility for about two years. On Oct. 26, 2026, the Martinez Unified School District Governing Board approved a change order of up to $725,000 for restrooms that staff say state reviewers require before the project can move forward. The board also restored $42,000 in stipend cuts, endorsed Proposition 3 and heard that 52.7% of the district's homeless students are chronically absent.
- $725,000 restroom change order approved, clearing the way for state approval of the Alhambra track project
- Homeless students' chronic absenteeism hits 52.7%, while ELA and science scores rise
- Special education inclusion reaches about 65%, short of the 70% state target
- MEA presses for class-size limits as elementary specialist classes reach up to 45
- $42,000 in stipend cuts restored; board endorses Proposition 3
Track Restrooms Clear the Way for State Approval
The basics: The Division of the State Architect (DSA) reviews and approves construction plans for California public schools, including accessibility requirements. Measure O is the district's bond program.
Why it matters: Staff said DSA will not sign off on the Alhambra track without restrooms. Any delay could push construction into summer and raise costs. In the meantime, student athletes have no home facility.
Where things stand: Staff member Andy Cannon reported that the district's total allocated construction budget is just over $101M. He said Measure O allocations have not changed. Cost increases are being covered outside the bond, most notably at the Morello Park transitional kindergarten (TK) project. That project is running about $2.026M over its $3M budget. After the track change order, staff project about $1.8M left in Measure O contingency.
The other side: One trustee questioned the Morello Park overrun and asked whether DSA actually requires the bathrooms. Cannon said that if the board approved the restroom scope, "DSA will approve our application."
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: A trustee moved to approve the agreement with Hella Construction Inc. for $725,000. Board President Tania Brugger seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, and the tally was not announced. Brugger supported the item, noting that track and field athletes have been unable to use the facility for roughly two years.
The clearest winners are Alhambra athletes and their families, who have been without a home track. The tradeoff falls on the bond's cushion: about $1.8M in contingency remains. Meanwhile, the Morello Park overrun is drawing on funds outside Measure O. Bond watchers will want to track how those other funds absorb that overrun.
What's next: Track season starts Feb. 8. "They anticipate that they'll be able to finish the entire project before February 8th," Cannon said.
Test Scores Rise, but Homeless Students Miss School
Why it matters: The district's latest state data show academic gains overall. They also flag specific student groups that are falling behind: homeless students, African American students and long-term English learners.
Where things stand: Staff member Amy Espinoza compared the district's CAASPP results, California's statewide standardized tests, with county and state results. She reported growth in English language arts and science and a small decline in math. She then walked through California School Dashboard indicators by student group and by school.
The starkest figure was chronic absenteeism among homeless students: 52.7%. "That seems really, really, really high," said Board President Tania Brugger.
Asked what the district is doing about it, Espinoza said, "We do reach out to our homeless students." She said those efforts include outreach, gas cards, rideshares and a family liaison.
Trustees also asked how the dashboard assigns a color to suspension rates. Staff explained that the color reflects both the current rate and the change from the prior year.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The item was informational, and no vote was taken. Families of homeless students, African American students and long-term English learners have the most at stake as the district sets its priorities.
Special Ed Inclusion Climbs, Misses State Target
Why it matters: The state keeps raising its targets for including students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Martinez is making progress but has not yet met the bar.
Where things stand: Staff member Matthew Jensen reviewed federal special education law (IDEA), enrollment trends and three state indicators. Preliminary Census Day figures put the share of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at about 15.58%, down from prior levels. Those figures are not yet certified.
Inclusion stands at roughly 65%. That is about 10% growth over two years, but still short of the 70% state target. Students with IEPs graduated at a rate of 92.3%. The district also received no disproportionality finding, a state flag for over-identifying particular student groups for special education.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Jensen's next steps include professional development for staff and class sections supported by paraprofessionals, which could expand general education options for students with IEPs.
Union Presses for Smaller Specialist Classes
Why it matters: Elementary PE, music and art classes reach up to 45 students. MEA leaders said they have sought class-size language for three years.
Where things stand: MEA bargaining chair and co-president Jackie Benton and Jill Lyon addressed the board as the 2026-2027 bargaining cycle gets underway. They urged trustees to keep student interests central and to push management to address specialist class sizes.
They also reaffirmed MEA's support for the East Bay Coalition for Student Success. They said the coalition is focused on staff retention, salaries and health benefits. No other employee group or PTA spoke.
What's next: The next bargaining session is Nov. 17.
Stipends Restored, Prop 3 Endorsed
Where things stand: The superintendent recommended restoring a $42,000 stipend line after reviewing how the cut was implemented and the district's unaudited actuals, its preliminary year-end spending figures. The line was part of a $2.5M reduction package approved in February. Board President Tania Brugger called it a small amount that had caused confusion.
The restoration returns coaches' athletic stipends to last year's level. Staff said stipends that are currently unfilled, such as a junior high newspaper adviser, will remain unfilled.
The board also adopted Resolution 2027-08 supporting Proposition 3 on the November ballot and continued investment in California public schools. A trustee said the resolution came from the California School Boards Association (CSBA). The trustee added that the proposition's failure would greatly affect the district's budget. No public comment was offered on the resolution.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Both items passed by voice vote, and tallies were not announced. Brugger seconded the stipend motion. Coaches regain pay lost in February, and the board is now formally on record backing state school funding.
Minor Items
- Herbicide petition: Katie Colbath, of Palm Avenue and Neighborhood Group, presented a 62-signature petition asking the district to stop using chemical herbicides near John Muir Elementary and nearby trails. She urged the district to "replace the existing chemical herbicide program with safe and sustainable alternatives," such as weed whacking and goats. The board did not respond because the item was not on the agenda.
- Williams visits: All visited schools were rated good or exemplary in reviews of facilities, instructional materials and complaint policies.
- Student highlights: MJHS earned Education Results Partnership Honor Roll recognition. Alhambra students presented on homecoming and the drama club's upcoming Pride and Prejudice production.
- Minutes: The board approved the Oct. 12 minutes by voice vote, with a revision to the record of PTA comments.
Looking ahead: MEA returns to the bargaining table Nov. 17. Proposition 3 goes to voters in November. Staff expect the Alhambra track to be finished before the season opens Feb. 8.