Members of the Oakdale Joint Unified School District (OJUSD) Board convened for their August meeting on Monday, Aug. 12 with just three of the five board members present. Two members were absent due to moving their children into college dorms.

The board swore in new student member Landon Arnold and approved the consent calendar unanimously. A public comment was made by a parent regarding a teacher’s inquiry about students’ preferred names, expressing concern as to the appropriateness of the inquiry.

Arnold, after taking his seat on the dais, shared his enthusiasm for the new school year, stating, “School is going great so far and I think everyone seems to be settling in. We have our first rally this Friday which will hopefully help to welcome the new freshmen and get everyone excited about school.”

Classes for all students resumed in the district on Thursday, Aug. 8 with the elementary, junior high, high school and alternative education programs kicking into gear for the 2024-25 school year.

In other board business, district officials presented a report on teaching assignment monitoring outcomes for the 2022-2023 school year, detailing teacher credentials and assignments. The board also approved the developer fee report for April-June 2024, which outlined fees collected from various housing developments in the area.

Upcoming back-to-school nights were announced for district schools, scheduled between Aug. 13-20. The board previewed future agenda items, including textbook sufficiency approval, financial reports, and public hearings on modifying agreements with teachers and staff associations.

The next OJUSD board meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m.