Modesto school board wraps up school year with key decisions, changes. What to know

The Modesto City Schools Board of Education held its final meeting of the school year Monday night, tackling teacher contract negotiations, a potential bond measure, physical education policies and student representation. Education reporter Atmika Iyer and student reporters Neha Prahbakar and Anna Herbst covered the decisions that will shape the district heading into the 2026-27 school year.

Here are key takeaways:

• Hundreds of teachers rallied outside the meeting over healthcare costs that are the sticking point in ongoing union negotiations. The Modesto Teachers Association requests a district contribution of $1,681.50 for employee-plus-one coverage and $2,242 for family plans, while the district is proposing $1,121 and $1,350-$1,400 respectively.
• The board heard a draft resolution for a $250 million bond measure that could appear on the November ballot to fund classroom upgrades, career training facilities and infrastructure repairs, with final approval expected at the June meeting. Voters may see two other bond measures on the ballot: one for Sylvan Unified School District one for the Yosemite Community College District.
• The board unanimously approved the first reading of a new PE policy that accommodates students observing religious fasts through alternative assignments and modified grading, and establishes weather protocols for extreme heat and inclement weather.
• Julianna Garcia was reappointed for a second term as student representative — a first in district history — while incoming senior Rudra Patel of Modesto High School was welcomed as the new student representative. Outgoing student representative Sabrina Toor, who is headed to UC Berkeley, and Garcia spent the year promoting the “Be The Change” campaign and advocated for a partial phone ban, though the board ultimately approved a full-day ban against student opinion.