Highlights from the February 10 Board Meeting

At their regular meeting on February 10, the Board of Education honored Tustin Public School Foundation Executive Director Carol Burby Garrett as she enters retirement. The Board joins our community in gratitude for Carol's lasting impact on our students, staff and programs through her dedication to Tustin Unified. We wish her the very best in her next chapter.

The Tustin Public Schools Foundation also presented a generous check to the Board. We are grateful to TPSF for their ongoing support. From Enrichment Grants, support of elementary and middle school athletics, robotics and so much more, the Foundation's impact on our students, staff and programs is remarkable.

Following this, the Board of Education honored Pioneer Counselor JoAnne Kurtz in celebration of her recognition as 2025 Orange County School Counselor of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education. JoAnne was honored at the Orange County Counselor Symposium as one of only ten recipients, celebrated for her passion for advocating for what is best for students. 

In addition, the Board of Education heard reports from our student board members as they shared highlights from their campus. Presenting student board members included Sahana Shurpalekar (BHS), Morgan Park (FHS), Alejandro Sixtos (Hillview), Melanie Villalobos (Legacy) and Samantha Herrera (THS). Harshini Mahesh (THS) shared an update from our elementary and middle schools from the dias.

Moreover, Assistant Superintendent Grant Litfin and College and Career Coordinator Alita Ray shared an overview of our Visual Imagery Career Technical Education pathway in this month's Bright Spot. Lastly, Assistant Superintendent Maggie Villegas and Educational Services Director Stephanie Yang shared a mid-year update of the District's Local Control Accountability Plan.