Martinez Unified board adopts CSBA policy updates after debate over staff texts and student press rules

The Martinez Unified School District Board of Education on April 13 approved two California School Boards Association (CSBA) policy updates — board policy 5145.2 and board policy 9322 — after public comment and extended trustee discussion about the limits of mandatory statewide language.

Public commenter Jen Fennel told the board that the proposed 4000/5000 series and policy 5145.2 („Employee Communication/Staff Conduct”) appeared "overly broad and overly restrictive," offering examples in which routine personal texts (for example, coordinating a family meal or a chaperone meeting) could be swept up by the policy's requirements. She also urged the board to reconsider how student expression rules — she cited the Supreme Court’s Hazelwood decision as context — could affect longstanding student publications and advised involving students in drafting any codes that would govern student outlets.

Superintendent Dr. Gigi Patrick responded that the district had reviewed CSBA guidance and that some of the 4000s and 5000s are presented as mandatory updates, meaning the district is required to adopt the language as provided unless legal counsel advises otherwise. She said the 9000s are not mandatory and had been retained for additional trustee discussion.

Trustees raised several procedural and substantive concerns during the discussion. Trustee Logan asked whether mandatory items could be amended; trustees noted the difference between language that must be adopted as written and district practices that could be clarified through policy or handbook language. Multiple trustees asked staff to consult district legal counsel about whether narrow, practical exceptions could be written or whether the mandatory designation prevents modification for routine personal communications by employees.

The board also debated policy 9323 (rules of order). Several trustees said they could not locate language formally establishing Robert’s Rules of Order in the district bylaws and recommended pulling 9323 for further review and possible placement of Robert’s Rules in a bylaw or clearly referenced policy.

After discussion a trustee moved and another seconded to approve policies 5145.2 and 9322; the board voted in favor as recorded in the public transcript ('I so moved'). The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. Trustees also agreed to pull policy 9323 and to request a legal review of whether the mandatory 5145.2 language allows any narrowly tailored clarifications for ordinary, non-substantive staff communications.

What happens next: The board approved the two policies on the record and directed staff to return with additional information on the pulled item and the legal options for clarifying 5145.2. Any future changes will be noticed on a subsequent agenda.

Sources: Public comments and board discussion at the Martinez Unified School District board meeting, April 13, 2026.