Board Approves Clean Audit, Hears Calls to Preserve Mental Health Counselors

Martinez Unified's school board wrapped a dense January agenda that touched finances, facilities, and student wellness—but it was parents and teachers urging the district to keep counselors on staff that delivered the meeting's most emotional moments.

• Clean annual audit affirms district fiscal practices; board approves unanimously.

• Parents and a teacher union bargaining rep plead with the board to preserve MTSS counseling positions amid looming budget decisions.

• Alhambra High reports significant gains in college-readiness metrics, with A–G completion rising from 44% to 57%.

• First read of sweeping policy updates includes a TK–8 "phones away all day" rule and new protections for students on intradistrict transfers.

• Solar arrays continue saving the district roughly $567,000 annually, though vendor delays have taken some sites offline.

• Board green-lights new cafeteria tables at Morello Park Elementary, funded by remaining Measure R bond dollars.

Why it matters: With the district facing budget pressures, community members made clear they see mental health staff as essential—not optional.