During a recent school board meeting, a moment of silence was observed for victims of violence in Appalachia, Georgia, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in educational environments. The meeting also celebrated significant achievements in the district, particularly in the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) programs. Two schools, Mary Farmer and Robert Semple, received gold-level recognition, while Henderson, Turner, and Benicia High School earned silver status. These accolades will be displayed on the California PBIS website and at the upcoming California PBIS conference in Sacramento.

In addition to these accomplishments, the district reported impressive improvements in student performance. Recent NWEA assessments indicated that 90% of students in grades 3 through 12 met or exceeded growth targets in math, a substantial increase from 60% the previous year. In reading, 100% of students achieved or surpassed their projected growth, compared to only 50% last year. These results reflect the hard work of teachers and administrators, and the district emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum as they prepare for state testing in the spring.

The meeting also addressed mental health awareness, noting that September is Suicide Prevention Month, with a dedicated week from September 8th to 14th. The Kyle Hyland Foundation is organizing a walk on September 7th to promote this cause, starting near Benicia High School.

Furthermore, the district is implementing learning walks, where administrators observe classroom instruction to enhance teaching practices without evaluating teachers. These collaborative efforts aim to foster a supportive learning environment and ensure continuous improvement in educational quality.