The Santee School District Board of Education met at 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Meeting highlights included:
Reports and Presentations
- Spotlight on Education: Chet F. Harritt School staff presented an update to the Board using this year’s District theme of Collaborate, Cultivate, and Champion.
Public Hearings
- Compliance with Education Code Section 60119 (Williams Settlement): K-12 Textbook and Instructional Materials Funding Realignment Program
- Waiver to the California Department of Education to Reduce Extended School Year (ESY) Days
Discussion and Action Items
- Appointment of Coordinator, Special Education: Shawna Benge was appointed as Coordinator, Special Education. Prior to her current role as a Project Specialist in the District, Ms. Benge served students in Cajon Valley in administrative positions for six years, as Program Specialist for Student Development and an Interim Assistant Principal. Ms. Benge has over 25 years of experience optimizing learning environments through the design, administration, and evaluation of educational programs and services; and the ability to identify and address barriers to education while creating supportive, inclusive learning environments that meet the academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of the whole child.
- Appointment of Coordinator, Payroll Services: Jennifer Caesar was appointed as Coordinator, Payroll Services. Prior to her current role as Accountant in the District, Ms. Caesar served as an Accounting Assistant, Bookkeeper, and Office Manager. Ms. Caesar is detail-oriented finance professional with extensive accounting and financial management experience. She brings expertise in budgeting, financial reconciliation, compliance reporting, and risk management, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Ms. Caesar’s commitment to sound financial stewardship, ethical governance, accountability, and the effective execution of organizational priorities, will be an asset to this position.
- Appointment of Members to Board Advisory Committees: Applicants were appointed to Board Advisory Committees per the Superintendent's recommendations. Applications are open until September 30.
- Approval to Submit a Waiver to the California Department of Education to Reduce Extended School Year (ESY) Days: The approved, condensed schedule supports a more targeted instructional approach. The shortened ESY schedule also supports improved student attendance by providing families greater flexibility for summer travel and activities. It will also help retain staff who choose to work ESY by providing a greater portion of their summer break, while reducing the impact on school sites for summer cleaning and maintenance and creating a more manageable schedule for related services.
Board Policies and Bylaws
Approved: Revised/New Board Bylaws (BB)/Board Policy (BP):
- BB 9010 – Public Statements
- BB 9012 – Board Member Electronic Communications
- BB 9200 – Limit of Board Members of Authority
- BB 4362 – Management/Confidential Vacation
First Reading: New Board Policies (BP) and/or Administrative Regulation (AR):
- BB 9124 – Attorney
- BB 9260 – Legal Protection
- BB 9321 – Closed Session
- BB 9321.1 – Closed Session Action and Reports – Delete
- BB 9323 – Meeting Conduct
- BB 9323.2 and Exhibit – Actions by the Board
The next regular meeting of the Santee School District Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Educational Resource Center, 9619 Cuyamaca, Santee. Meetings can also be live-streamed at santeesd.net/LiveBoardMeeting.
Note: These are not official meeting minutes of the Board of Education but rather a brief recap of the Board’s actions. For meeting recordings and official meeting minutes, click here.