Board of Education July 21, 2026

The New Kanan Board of Education held a special meeting on July 21, 2026, focusing on several key topics including technology use policies in schools, athletics program updates, staffing, lunch pricing, and capital improvement projects. A significant procurement-related discussion involved the adoption of advanced Faraday pouches to enforce a phone-free environment at the high school, with plans to budget for upgrading middle school equipment in the 2027-28 fiscal year. The board also accepted a donation of $51,980 from the New Kanan All Sports Booster Club to support additional coaching positions, highlighting ongoing funding partnerships outside the standard budget. Capital projects mentioned included a $1 million estimated press box renovation and a storage garage at Dunning Stadium, with funding strategies involving private donations and booster club support. Additionally, the board approved a 5% increase in school lunch prices to address inflationary pressures and maintain food service quality. Staffing updates indicated successful hiring efforts with ongoing recruitment in shortage areas. The board reviewed and planned to further discuss district goals and objectives, including technology use and student wellness initiatives, with no immediate votes on those goals. Meeting schedule revisions were also approved to accommodate calendar changes. Overall, the meeting addressed procurement and budget considerations related to technology upgrades, facility improvements, and program funding to support educational and extracurricular activities.