August 2026 State SARB Meeting Minutes
The preliminary report of actions/draft minutes for the August 2026 State School Attendance Review Board (SARB) meeting.Agenda
Item 01: Call to Order/Roll Call
Item 02: Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Item 03: Update on 2025 Recommendations to the Superintendent
Item 04: Review and Discuss 2024 Recommendations and Additional Recommendation
Item 05: State School Attendance Review Board Supervisor of Attendance Training Framework Subcommittee
Item 06: Implementation of the California Attendance Guidance—Part 1
Item 07: Model School Attendance Review Board Presentation
Item 08: Selection of Nominees for 2027 State School Attendance Review Board Officers
Item 09: 2027 State School Attendance Review Board Dates
Item 10: Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
Item 11: Public Comment
Item 12: Adjournment of Meeting
Item 01: Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call
Type of Action: Information/Action
The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:36 a.m. by Facilitator Mike Winters. Facilitator Mike Winters welcomed everyone and noted the importance of maintaining quorum throughout the meeting due to multiple action items.
Chairperson Allegra Alessandri, Education Administrator I in the Career and College Transition Division (CCTD) welcomed attendees, especially members of the public, and recognized Bijan Razvan for his years of service supporting the State SARB by running meetings, taking minutes, monitoring Zoom, and attendance ensuring the group met quorum. Chairperson Allegra Alessandri announced Bijan Razvan's promotion to an analyst position in the Academies, Apprenticeship, and Internship Office within CCTD.
Roll Call
Members Present: None.
Members Participating Remotely: Elizabeth Bahn, San Jose Unified School District; Samantha Blackburn, California State University, Sacramento; Bryan Campoy, Kern High School District; Ann-Maura Cervantes, Clovis Unified School District; Nyeisha DeWitt, Oakland Natives Give Back; Laura Faer, California Department of Justice; Ryan Gallagher, High Tech High; Sherman Garnett, California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance; Josh Godinez, California Association of School Counselors; Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Student Support Services Solutions, Inc. and California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance; Sheri Hanni, Butte County Office Education; Korena Hazen, Department of Social Services; Cecelia Leong, Attendance Works; Brent Malicote, Sacramento County Office of Education; Tracie Neal, Probation Department, Shasta County; Melissa Parrett, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office; Jami Parsons, Orange County Department of Education; Mike Winters, Ventura County Office of Education.
Members Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health; Angela Chandler, Los Angeles County Office Education; Jane Claar, Sacramento County Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission; Jennifer Elenes, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Jeff Harris, Del Norte County Unified School District/Del Norte County Office of Education; Christy Miro, Self; Amalia Pock, Humboldt County Office of Education; Lisa Salazar, City of Los Angeles Youth Development Department; Tracy Schmidt, San Diego County Office of Education; Christina Sepulveda, Boys and Girls Clubs of Garden Grove; Antonia Torres, San Diego County Child Welfare; De’shawn Woolridge, La Honda Pescadero Unified School District.
Quorum was established with 18 members present, allowing the State SARB to proceed with business.
Item 02: Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Type of Action: Information/Action
Facilitator Mike Winters explained that each item (agenda and minutes) requires a separate motion, a second, and a roll call vote.
Agenda
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Member Brian Gallagher
Member Elizabeth Bahn seconded the motion.
Public Comment: A member of the public made a request that two items be included/regularly included on future agendas:
- Budget update with actual numbers.
- Ongoing report on activities of the Chronic Absenteeism Steering Group, as its work intersects with State SARB’s legislative mandate.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Laura Faer, Ryan Gallagher, Sherman Garnett, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters.
No Votes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Tracie Neal, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 17 votes.
Minutes—February 19, 2026
Facilitator Mike Winters offered the opportunity to make corrections. None were offered.
A motion to approve the February 19, 2026, Minutes was made by Member Cecelia Leong.
Member Josh Godinez seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Laura Faer, Ryan Gallagher, Sherman Garnett, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters.
No Votes: None.
Abstentions: None.
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Tracie Neal, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 17 votes.
Minutes—March 26, 2026
Facilitator Mike Winters offered the opportunity to make corrections. None were offered.
A motion to approve the March 26, 2026, Minutes was made by Member Melissa Parrett.
Member Brent Mallicote seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Laura Faer, Ryan Gallagher, Sherman Garnett, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters.
No Votes: None.
Abstentions: None.
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Tracie Neal, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 17 votes.
Minutes—May 21, 2026
Facilitator Mike Winters offered the opportunity to make corrections. None were offered.
A motion to approve the May 21, 2026, Minutes was made by Member Ryan Gallagher.
Member Jennifer Gomeztrejo seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Laura Faer, Ryan Gallagher, Sherman Garnett, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters.
No Votes: None.
Abstentions: None.
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Tracie Neal, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 17 votes.Item 03: Update on 2025 Recommendations to the Superintendent
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Facilitator Mike Winters summarized that over recent years, the State SARB has submitted multiple recommendations to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction via the California Department of Education (CDE). One recommendation related to attendance/chronic absenteeism data for independent study students was approved. Older recommendations were returned for updating and possible resubmission as 2026 recommendations.
Chairperson Allegra Alessandri reported on meetings with the CDE data team. The California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) does not tag individual students by school type (e.g. independent study, community day, traditional) in a way that allows separate statewide reporting of independent study attendance. Implementing such a tool would require new development and funding, which is not currently available. The CDE is exploring indirect approaches to estimate or approximate this data and will report back when more is known.
Facilitator Mike Winters added that at the district level, schools do know which students are in independent study. Districts can and should track chronic absenteeism among independent study students locally, even if statewide reporting is not yet feasible.
- Member Ryan Gallagher noted that in the
Student Absence Summary CALPADS file, districts already submit certain independent study data. Member Ryan Gallagher suggested CDE data staff review what is currently collected, as some relevant data may already exist without major added cost.
- A member of the public stated this has been a five‑year ongoing issue, possibly hindered by cost concerns within CDE. They criticized the current DataQuest absenteeism “reason” data as essentially not useful in its present form. They urged clarity on how much funding is actually needed to make the data usable, arguing that improved data on independent study absenteeism would be highly valuable for policy and oversight.
Item 04: Review and Discuss 2024 Recommendations and Additional Recommendation
Type of Action: Discussion/Action
Recommendation 1—California Education Code Section 48245 (Supervisor of Attendance Certification)
The recommendation is to remove “within an average daily attendance of 1000 or more children” so that all districts are required to have a supervisor of attendance certification.
It would require supervisors of attendance to be recertified at least every two years with training on causes of chronic absenteeism, problem behaviors, and recent attendance legislation.
One member voiced concern about gendered language (“he”) in statute; interest in making recommendation gender‑neutral ("they")
There was a suggestion to consult the Small School Districts’ Association and other small‑district leaders.
Recommendation 2—California Education Code Section 47610 (Charter Schools and Attendance Laws)
The proposal would add a new subsection (f) to require charter schools to comply with specified attendance related to California Education Code (EC) Section 48245.
A member expressed the concern that referenced EC range is overly broad. A recommendation was made to narrow and clarify specific sections and be more strategic.
A member recommended consulting charter organizations and building relationships before advancing the changes. The CDE Charter Schools Division and School Fiscal Services Division expressed similar concerns about breadth.
An idea was voiced to invite successful charters to present at SARB meetings and to consider a statewide charter webinar on attendance and chronic absenteeism.
Recommendation 3—Model School Attendance Review Board Recognition Program Validation Visits
The proposal would require validation visits as part of the Model SARB Recognition application, starting with the 2027 cycle.
The CDE currently lacks funding for travel for site visits for awards and grants.
Alternative ideas given fiscal limits were shared: virtual (Zoom) conversations with applicants; greater documentation and sharing of best practices (videos, conference presentations, resource hub); use state conferences (e.g., California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance) to interview Model SARBs and showcase practices.
Recommendation 4—School Attendance Review Board Handbook
The proposal is to form a SARB subcommittee to update and revise the SARB Handbook; to publish a dynamic electronic version on the CDE website with appendices, links, and resources.
Recommendation 5—Revise California Education Code Section 48321(a)(1)
The proposal is to require all County Offices of Education to establish a County SARB in order to strengthen the SARB infrastructure and statewide attendance support systems, ensuring that all local educational agencies have access to county-level support.
Voting on Recommendations
Recommendations 1, 2 ,3, and 5
Member Cecelia Leong made a motion to table Recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 5 until the next meeting to allow time to incorporate feedback from this meeting, consult with the CDE and external partners (such as small school districts and county superintendent groups), and return with revised language and additional information for action, likely in November.
Member Samantha Blackburn seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Ryan Gallagher, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Tracie Neal, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters
No Votes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Laura Faer, Sherman Garnett, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 16 votes.Recommendation 4
A motion to form a SARB Handbook Subcommittee was made by member Jennifer Gomeztrejo.
Member Sherry Hanni seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Elizabeth Bahn, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Ryan Gallagher, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Brent Malicote, Tracie Neal, Melissa Parrett, Jami Parsons, Mike Winters
No Votes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: Ahmad Bahrami, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Jennifer Elenes, Laura Faer, Sherman Garnett, Jeff Harris, Christy Miro, Amalia Pock, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Christina Sepulveda, Antonia Torres, De’shawn Woolridge.
The motion passed with 16 votes.
Item 05: State School Attendance Review Board Supervisor of Attendance Training Framework Subcommittee
Type of Action: Information
Facilitator Mike Winters gave an update on the State SARB Supervisor of Attendance Training Framework subcommittee work. He reported that a subcommittee meeting was held on June 10, 2026, to further define components of the Supervisor of Attendance Training Framework. A follow-up meeting was planned prior to the August 2026 State SARB meeting but did not take place due to summer scheduling constraints.
Item 06: Implementation of the California Attendance Guidance—Part 1
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Presentation by Jami Parsons and Courtney Smith of the Orange County Office of Education, "Leveraging California Multi-tiered System of Support to Improve Attendance".
Item 07: Model School Attendance Review Board Presentation
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Laura Cortes of Lindsay Unified School District presented their Model SARB program.
Item 08: Selection of Nominees for 2027 State School Attendance Review Board Officers
Type of Action: Discussion
Facilitator Mike Winters reported that nominations for the facilitator, assistant meeting facilitator, and secretary for the 2027 State SARB officers will be collected via email in a forthcoming letter.
Item 09: 2027 State School Attendance Review Board Dates
Type of Action: Information
Announcement of the 2027 State SARB meeting dates.
- Thursday, February 18, 2027
- Thursday, May 20, 2027
- Thursday, August 19, 2027
- Thursday, November 18, 2027
Item 10: Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
State SARB members and members of the public provided suggestions for future agenda items.
- Provide an update on the State SARB budget.
- Regular presentations from a member of the Chronic Absenteeism Steering Group.
- Provide regular status updates on the SARB Handbook updating process.
- Provide regular updates on the State SARB Recommendation process.
- Continue Model SARB Recognition Program presentations and include Desert Sands Unified School District and Stanislaus County Office of Education.
- Revisit the Dashboard Alternative School Status accountability system for educational option programs while the State Board is reviewing it.
Item 11: Public Comment
Type of Action: Information
The public was invited to comment. No substantive comments requiring action were recorded.
Item 12: Adjournment of Meeting
Type of Action: Information
Future meeting date: November 19, 2026.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:34 p.m.
Note: These meeting minutes were generated with assistance from Otter.ai and Microsoft Copilot.