by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

The first Claremont Unified School District Board of Education meeting of the 2025-2026 school year wrapped up in just 15 minutes.

The abbreviated session saw the first reading of new board policies pertaining to awards budgeting, updated observances, and summer course crediting, and the approval of a consent calendar item explaining the district’s use of federal dollars.

Board Vice President Richard O’Neill and Clerk Alex McDonald were not in attendance.

Board policies

Kevin Ward, CUSD assistant superintendent, student services, outlined proposed amendments to board policies 5126, awards and achievement, 6115, ceremonies and observances, and 6177, summer learner programs.

Proposed changes to policy 6177 include amending it so that foster youth and homeless students receive priority enrollment for summer school programs, and the district providing transportation for students from their schools to sites that have expanded learning opportunities programs.

“This is suggested language from [California School Boards Association] to address programs at all districts, so it is recommended,” Ward wrote in an email. “During the summer, CUSD operates one summer program that serves all elementary students at one site. This summer it was offered at Mt. View. This has been our program design for many years, due to our small size. So, transportation of a student during the summer, which this part of the policy references, would not be an issue at CUSD as all elementary students attends one site. As for secondary, there have been no summer programs for El Roble students and CHS serves both CHS and SAHS students during the summer (so again, no transportation needed).”

Ward also noted another change in summer school attendance that would make the board policy consistent with Claremont High School practice. He said the policy needed to be updated as secondary summer courses at CHS have changed from six-week sessions to mostly four-weeks.

“The updated policy would state that students are dropped from a course if they miss once for a 5 credit course and twice for a 10 credit course,” Ward wrote. “This is due to the condensed summer program where students take more hours per class each day than during the regular semester to achieve the same course hours and credit.”

Board policy 5126 aims to clarify that students qualifying or working toward district achievements will not incur any fees, while also giving CUSD the ability to establish a budget specifically for awards. It would also grant its superintendent or other designee the power to present district awards for biliteracy and the State Seal of Civic Engagement to qualifying students.

The language of board policy 6115 begins with it recognizing the importance of cultural events, holidays, historical events, and outstanding individuals in society, and would introduce the following: “On days designated by the Board, and as required by law, staff shall provide students with appropriate commemorative exercises and educational experiences so that they may acquire the knowledge, skills, and principles essential for informed, responsible citizenship in a democratic society.”

The proposed policy amendments are subject to change at later meetings.

Every Student Succeeds Act and Local Control and Accountability Plan

On the consent calendar was the 2025-26 Every Student Succeeds Act and Local Control and Accountability Plan Federal Addendum, an annual report by CUSD that outlines how federal dollars are spent.

“This LCAP Federal Addendum provides [local education agencies] with the opportunity to align program services to maximize the impact of federal investments in support of underserved student groups,” read the agenda item. “The implementation of ESSA in California presents an opportunity for LEAs to innovate with their federally funded programs and align them with the state’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to ensure the most effective use of state and federal resources for underserved student populations.”

Federal revenue for CUSD for the 2025-26 school year is projected at $2,631,295.

Classified personnel actions

Finally, consent calendar item 14.12, “Classified personnel actions,” was pulled by board president Kathryn Dunn citing a conflict of interest with one of the names listed, Lisa Schlick.

“She’s my sister and as a board member I’m not allowed to vote or approve her for employment,” Dunn said at the meeting.

Schlick’s name was subsequently removed, and the amended list was later approved.

The next CUSD board meeting is Thursday, August 21, at 170 W. San Jose Ave., Claremont. A special study session is set for 3:30 p.m., followed by a 5:30 closed session and the open session at 6.