Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Reed Union School District Board Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026

The Reed Union School District (RUSD) Board convened on January 13, 2026, focusing on feedback from closed sessions and updates on various district initiatives. The board voted unanimously, 4-0, to reject a claim related to DOE v. RUSD, marking a significant decision during the meeting.

Approval of Agenda and Public Comment

The board approved the meeting agenda after removing item J7 and proceeded with public comments, where Nina, a parent, addressed the board. She expressed gratitude for the district's emphasis on inclusion, equity, and belonging, and highlighted issues regarding accessibility at Bel Air Elementary School for children with disabilities. Nina also suggested making board meetings accessible online to encourage broader community participation.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda unanimously without further discussion. This agenda included routine items recommended for approval by the superintendent.

Information Items

Several updates were provided, starting with reports from the PTA and foundation. The PTA is focusing on increasing volunteer engagement and organizing events across all schools, while financial updates from the foundation highlighted their ongoing fundraising efforts and upcoming events. A significant achievement celebrated was the presentation of a $1 million check to the board from the foundation.

Spanish Integration at Bel Air

Bel Air Principal Mr. DeCosmo and Spanish Teacher Jeanette Matilda presented on the Spanish language integration initiative at Bel Air, aligned with the RUSD strategic plan. The integration includes Spanish lunch tables, Spanish-language content on the Bel Air TV show, and a collaboration with the Rotary Club for language exchange programs.

Trustee Reports

Trustees discussed their participation in the annual governance workshop and expressed gratitude for the community's response to recent challenges. A focus was stated on legislative action plans and the exploration of potential live-streaming the meetings for remote participation.

Superintendent Report

Dr. Kim provided updates on behalf of the absent Superintendent. Key topics included the successful launch of the new food service provider, Revolution Foods, the board’s continued exploration of a potential bond measure for facility improvements, and the use of district facilities by community groups.

OPEB Actuarial Study Presentation

Dr. Kim summarized the actuarial study on the district's retiree health liabilities. The district's total post-employment benefit liability as of June 30, 2025, was $3.2 million, with a fiduciary net position of $1.768 million. He explained that the district budgets $200,000 annually toward this trust to eventually fully fund its liabilities.

Next Steps

The board plans to continue exploring facility improvements through potential bond measures and additional architectural consultations. Amendments to agreements with entities using school facilities are under review with future updates expected. Outreach will continue for the Youth Truth survey, encouraging community participation. The exploration of the live streaming of meetings will proceed with attention to legal and logistical challenges.