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Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for Castaic Union. We found 8 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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District to Fund ‘Behavioral Intervention’ in Student’s Home
The district is paying Behavior Insights, Inc. $13,724 to provide ‘behavioral intervention support in the home’ for a student with ‘chronic absenteeism.’ While intended as a support, this brings district-contracted staff into a family’s home to monitor and modify behavior. This represents a significant expansion of the school’s reach into the private lives of families.
Recommended Action Plan
DRAW THE LINE: Contact the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Item XVI.2.g, which funds behavioral interventions inside a student’s home, crosses a line between school and family. What are the clear boundaries and parental consent requirements for these home-based services, and what data is this vendor collecting on families?’
💰 Impact: Your Child’s Privacy
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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District Approves $181k for Out-of-State Treatment Center
The board is approving a contract for up to $181,462 for one student to attend The Heritage Schools, Inc., a residential treatment center in Utah. The center’s ‘Spark Academy’ brochure describes a highly structured therapeutic program focused on ‘co-regulation’ and ’emotion recognition.’ This is a significant expenditure for an out-of-state placement with a specific psychological model.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Contact the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item XVI.2.e, the $181,462 cost for one student’s placement at an out-of-state facility requires public justification. What local options were considered and why were they deemed insufficient before approving this significant expenditure?’
💰 Impact: $181,462
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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New Policy on Artificial Intelligence in Schools
The board is introducing a new ‘District Technology Plan’ policy that includes rules for using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The summary acknowledges ‘potential negative consequences’ but the actual policy document was not included in the agenda packet. Parents have a right to know how AI will be used with their children, what data it will collect, and what safeguards will be in place.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: The policy document for Item XVI.1.d was not provided. Email the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Before the First Reading of BP 0440, please make the full text of the proposed policy public. Parents must be able to review the rules for student use of Artificial Intelligence, including data privacy and parental consent provisions, before this policy moves forward.’
💰 Impact: Student Data Privacy
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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New ‘Equity’ Priority for Student Transfers
A revised policy on student transfers would allow the district to offer priority to the ‘lowest achieving students from low-income families’ when transferring out of schools identified for ‘comprehensive support and improvement.’ This introduces equity-based criteria into student placement decisions. This is a first reading, giving parents a chance to weigh in on whether transfers should be based on need or other factors.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK FIRST: Contact the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding the proposed changes in Item XVI.1.e, is the district planning to adopt the optional language giving transfer priority based on income and achievement levels? Parents deserve a voice in how student transfer policies are structured.’
💰 Impact: Equity-Based Placements
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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District Hires Vendor for Before & After School Care
The district is approving a service agreement with Right At School, LLC to provide before and after school care and ‘enrichment services.’ The program is linked to the district’s ‘Multi-tiered System of Support’ (MTSS) goal, which is often a pathway for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) content. Parents should verify what ‘enrichment’ curriculum this national vendor will be using with their children.
Recommended Action Plan
VERIFY THE VENDOR: Email the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding the agreement with Right At School in Item XVI.2.b, please provide a list of the specific ‘enrichment’ curricula that will be used with students. Will this program include Social Emotional Learning content, and if so, will parents have the right to review materials and opt out?’
💰 Impact: Potential for SEL
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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District Renews Student Data & Instruction Platform
The district is spending $14,000 to renew the ‘Ellevation’ online platform from Curriculum Associates. This is a student-facing software used for monitoring English Learners and providing ‘instruction strategies.’ This adds to student screen time, replacing direct instruction from a teacher.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND PROOF: Email the Board (see Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Before renewing the Ellevation contract in Item XVI.2.j, please publish independent, non-vendor-funded evidence that this software produces academic gains. How many minutes of daily screen time does this add, and what direct teacher instruction does it replace?’
💰 Impact: $14,000
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Board to Nominate Representative to State Lobbying Group
The board will nominate a representative to the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Delegate Assembly. The CSBA is a powerful organization that lobbies the state legislature on education policy, often opposing parental rights. Parents need to know who the board is sending to represent their interests at the state level.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK THE BOARD: Contact the Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item XVI.1.c, who does the Board intend to nominate to the CSBA Delegate Assembly? What is this candidate’s position on parental rights in education, and how will you ensure they represent the values of Castaic families, not the political agenda of the CSBA?’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| ALERT (LEVEL 4) |
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Vague Update to Extracurricular Activities Policy
The board is holding a first reading to adopt a revised policy for all ‘Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities.’ The agenda provides no details on what is changing, only that the revisions are recommended by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). The policy document itself was not attached to the public agenda.
Recommended Action Plan
INVESTIGATE: Open the file for Item XVI.1.f attached in the Official Agenda (linked above) to confirm whether it contains sensitive policy changes regarding student clubs, activities, or participation requirements. The district should not vote on policies parents cannot see.
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Policy Changes
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