GALT, CA (MPG) - At its final meeting of 2025 on Dec. 17, the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District addressed a series of agenda items that helped set priorities heading into the new year, touching on leadership, city growth, student performance and transportation planning.

The meeting began with the district’s annual election of officers. Trustee Katherine Harper of Area 2 was unanimously re-elected as board president. Trustee Annette Kunze of Area 5 was elected vice president and Trustee Casey Raboy of Area 3 was elected clerk, with the two switching positions.

City growth and its long-term impact on schools was an item presented by Assistant City Manager Amie Mendes, joined by City Project Planner Kristyn Bitz. They presented an overview of housing developments that are completed, under construction or still in the planning stages.

Mendes noted the city recently issued its highest number of housing permits in a single calendar year, though she cautioned that the trend may not continue at the same pace. Many of the developments were approved more than a decade ago and still have years remaining until full buildout, while others are progressing more quickly.

The presentation included a breakdown of which schools will serve specific development areas. Mendes also connected residential growth to the city’s broader economic outlook, explaining that new housing can attract retail development, which in turn generates sales tax revenue to support city services and operations. She highlighted a proposed 45-acre commercial project, Galt Ranch, near the C Street interchange and Simmerhorn Road exit that is expected to go before the Planning Commission in February.

Student performance data followed, delivered by Director of Curriculum Stephanie Simonich. She shared results from recent reading assessments and reviewed progress toward districtwide academic goals, describing the outcomes as showing “outstanding data” and notable improvement. Growth was reported in English, English Learner Progress and science.

Math scores were slightly below standard, though trustees noted the subject has already been identified as an area for improvement. Board members discussed instructional strategies and targeted interventions aimed at helping students meet benchmarks. Overall, the board said it was confident in the results and encouraged by the positive trends reflected in the data.

District officials confirmed that 2025 student performance results mean the district will not require differentiated assistance, a county support system designed to support struggling districts.

 

Pictured are members of the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District transportation department and drivers, shown in a photo shared at the Dec. 17, 2025, meeting. Photo courtesy of Galt Joint Union Elementary School District 

Transportation Supervisor Michelle Trujillo then reviewed department goals and summarized work completed over the past year, including route planning, fleet updates and the number of students served. The district’s transportation fleet consists of 28 buses, three of which are electric. For the elementary district, 13 buses along with one car and one van are used to serve eight elementary school routes.

Trujillo outlined the projected transportation budget for the 2025–26 school year, noting that most funding is expected to come from state and local sources, with additional support from the city’s General Fund. Planned expenditures include $1,022,684 for salaries and benefits, $260,435 for supplies and $292,463 for services.

Looking ahead, Trujillo said the department plans to review traffic safety strategies and evaluate route effectiveness. She also highlighted new state laws related to passing school buses, emphasizing that traffic must stop on both sides of a two-lane road without a median and on roads with a center turn lane. On roads with a raised divider or median, vehicles on the opposite side of a stopped bus may continue, though drivers are urged to proceed cautiously.

The board also discussed the district’s continued transition to electric buses. Trujillo said current electric buses can travel up to 150 miles on a charge and seat as many as 78 passengers, with electric air and heating systems. Four additional electric buses are scheduled to arrive in spring, with two designated for the elementary district and two for the high school district.

Trustee Matt Ward raised concerns about the state’s 2035 emissions mandate, saying the topic came up at a recent school conference where he learned some districts may be eligible for waivers. Trujillo said she had heard similar discussions, noting that long field trips exceeding 150 miles can require two electric buses or reliance on the district’s remaining diesel fleet.

She added that newer electric Blue Bird buses offer higher quality and improved conditions compared to older buses that lack amenities such as air conditioning or heating.

“It’s nice to provide better quality services for students,” Superintendent Lois Yount said. “We should have some type of exception for diesel for those occasions, but providing better quality for students it makes a difference…”

Trustees also raised concerns about safety after referencing a news report from Los Angeles involving an electric school bus fire. Trujillo said all electric bus fires to date have occurred at bus yards while charging and not while buses were operating with students on board. She added that drivers are trained on how to respond in the event of a fire. The board agreed to continue researching the issue.

The meeting concluded with trustee reports from conferences and meetings, followed by updates from school principals on upcoming initiatives and events.

The next regular meeting of the GJUESD Board of Education is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 21.