February 2026 State SARB Meeting Minutes
Preliminary Report of Actions/Draft Minutes for the February 19, 2026, State School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Meeting.Preliminary Report of Actions/Draft Minutes
February 19, 2026
Agenda
Item 01: Call to Order/Opening Remarks
Item 02: Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Item 03: Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act Presentation
Item 04: State School Attendance Review Board Bylaws Review
Item 05: California Attendance Trend Data Presentation
Item 06: Supporting Student Engagement with Career Self‑management Tools
Item 07: Public Comment
Item 08: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Item 01: Call to Order/Opening Remarks
Type of Action: Information
Allegra Alessandri, Education Administrator I in the Career and College Transition Division (CCTD) of the California Department of Education (CDE), called the meeting to order at 9:46 a.m. Allegra Alessandri welcomed members and noted that State School Attendance Review Board (SARB) had recently transitioned back to the CCTD. Allegra emphasized the division’s commitment to supporting members throughout the year and expressed appreciation for member participation and engagement.
Action: No action taken.
Roll Call
- Members Present: Korena Hazen
- Members Participating Remotely: Ahmad Bahrami, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Jennifer Elenes, Ryan Gallagher, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Sheri Hanni, Jeff Harris, Cecelia Leong, Amalia Lopez, Melissa Parrett, Alisha Schoen, Christina Sepulveda, Mike Winters, De’Shawn Woolridge.
- Members Absent: Elizabeth Bahn, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Laura Faer, Sherman Garnett, Brent Malicote, Christy Miro, Tracy Neal, Jamie Parsons, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Antonia Torres.
Quorum was established with 19 members present, allowing the State SARB to proceed with business.
Item 02: Approval of Agenda and Minutes
Agenda
Type of Action: Information/Action
Allegra Alessandri presented the agenda for the February 19, 2026, meeting and reminded members that, in accordance with Bagley‑Keene requirements, agenda items could not be added once the meeting had been noticed.
Members offered no comments. Members of the public provided comments related to agenda transparency, advance distribution of materials, and follow‑up on prior State SARB recommendations.
Action: A motion to approve the agenda was made by Member Mike Winters.
Member De’Shawn Woolridge seconded the motion.
- Yes Votes: Ahmad Bahrami, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Nyeisha DeWitt, Jennifer Elenes, Ryan Gallagher, Sheri Hanni, Jeff Harris, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Amalia Lopez, Christina Sepulveda, Mike Winters, De’Shawn Woolridge.
- No Votes: None
- Abstentions: Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo, Melissa Parrett, Alisha Schoen.
- Absent: Elizabeth Bahn, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Laura Faer, Sherman Garnett, Brent Malicote, Christy Miro, Tracy Neal, Jamie Parsons, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Antonia Torres.
The motion passed with 15 votes.
Minutes
Type of Action: Information/Action
Allegra Alessandri presented the minutes from the November 19, 2025, State SARB meeting for approval.
Action: A motion to approve the agenda was made by Member Ahmad Bahrami.
Member Amalia Lopez seconded the motion.
- Yes Votes: Ahmad Bahrami, Samantha Blackburn, Bryan Campoy, Anna-Maura Cervantes, Jennifer Elenes, Ryan Gallagher, Sheri Hanni, Jeff Harris, Korena Hazen, Cecelia Leong, Amalia Lopez, Melissa Parrett, Alisha Schoen, Christina Sepulveda, Mike Winters, De’Shawn Woolridge.
- No Votes: None
- Abstentions: Nyeisha DeWitt, Josh Godinez, Jennifer Gomeztrejo.
- Absent: Elizabeth Bahn, Angela Chandler, Jane Claar, Laura Faer, Sherman Garnett, Brent Malicote, Christy Miro, Tracy Neal, Jamie Parsons, Lisa Salazar, Tracy Schmidt, Antonia Torres.
The motion passed with 16 votes.
Item 03: Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act Presentation
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Mike Ambrose, Deputy General Counsel from the Legal, Audits, and Charters Branch of CDE, provided an overview of the Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act. His presentation reviewed the purpose and legislative intent of the Act, the definition of a meeting, restrictions related to serial meetings, and the appropriate use of electronic communications. Mike Ambrose also discussed public notice and agenda requirements, public participation rights, and the limited circumstances under which closed sessions may occur.
Special attention was given to the application of Bagley‑Keene Open Meeting Act requirements to subcommittees, including situations in which a subcommittee may constitute a majority and therefore be subject to the Act. Members asked clarifying questions related to subcommittee operations and compliance. Mike Ambrose concluded by sharing resources from the Office of the Attorney General, including written guidance and online training materials.
Action: No action taken.
Item 04: State School Attendance Review Board Bylaws Review
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Allegra Alessandri presented an overview of the State SARB bylaws, including the State SARB’s purpose, policies, membership provisions, and officer roles. Members discussed the need to update portions of the bylaws that reference outdated agency names and to clarify officer responsibilities, election timing, and subcommittee structures.
Several members emphasized the importance of activating the previously approved training subcommittee and expressed concerns about the limited number of full State SARB meetings each year. Discussion focused on balancing Bagley‑Keene requirements with the need to move State SARB work forward in a timely manner. Members also discussed the distinction between the CDE‑designated chairperson role and the elected meeting facilitator role described in the bylaws.
Staff indicated they would consult with legal counsel regarding subcommittee requirements and bring proposed bylaws updates to a future meeting for State SARB consideration. Options for increasing meeting frequency or scheduling additional meetings were also discussed.
Allegra Alessandri presided over the preliminary discussion of State SARB officer roles, particularly the meeting facilitator position. Several members were mentioned as potential candidates, including Mike Winters, Sheri Hanni, and De’Shawn Woolridge. It was agreed that formal nominations and elections would take place at a future meeting after members had additional time to consider the roles and responsibilities.
Action: No action taken.
Item 05: California Attendance Trend Data Presentation
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Brenda Tapp, Lead Customer Success Manager with SchoolStatus, presented mid‑year attendance trend data using a large, representative sample of California students. Brenda Tapp shared statewide patterns indicating modest improvements in chronic absenteeism compared to the prior year, with the most significant gains occurring at the elementary and middle school levels. Persistent attendance challenges at the high school level were noted, along with continued disparities among student groups.
Brenda Tapp also highlighted effective practices observed across districts, including early identification of attendance concerns, timely and personalized outreach, positive messaging, and strategic use of data. State SARB members discussed the complexity of secondary attendance issues, equity considerations, school type differences, and the lingering impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Requests were made for future data presentations that further disaggregate attendance trends by age, school type, and student program participation.
Action: No action taken.
Item 06: Supporting Student Engagement with Career Self‑management Tools
Type of Action: Information/Discussion
Laura Walls, Education Programs Consultant in the CCTD, presented on the California Career Resource Network and its role in supporting student engagement and attendance through career exploration and planning. Laura Walls described available state‑supported tools, including career exploration platforms, career action plans, and resume‑building resources, all provided at no cost to schools and students.
Laura Walls also shared data demonstrating higher attendance and graduation rates among students participating in career technical education programs. Members discussed the value of connecting students to meaningful career pathways and adult mentorship as strategies to improve engagement, particularly for secondary students experiencing chronic absenteeism.
Action: No action taken.
Item 07: Public Comment
Type of Action: Information
Members of the public provided comments related to accountability for State SARB recommendations, equity considerations in attendance interventions, and opportunities for collaboration with external partners and organizations.
Action: No action taken.
Item 08: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
Type of Action: Information
Allegra thanked members and presenters for a productive and engaged discussion. Staff committed to reviewing member renewal notifications, supporting the activation of subcommittees, and bringing forward formal actions related to bylaws updates and officer elections.
Action: No action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:26 p.m.
Note: These meeting minutes were generated with assistance from Microsoft Copilot.