Board approves five-year renewal for Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion charter
May 15, 2026 | Buckeye Union Elementary, School Districts, California
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Acting Board President Melissa Keyzer and the Buckeye Union School District Board of Trustees voted 4-0 on April 8 to approve Resolution #26-11 renewing the Buckeye Union Mandarin Immersion (BUMI) charter for a five-year term from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031.
Assistant Superintendent Jackie McHaney opened the required public hearing under Education Code §47605(b) to gauge community support for the charter; no members of the public offered testimony during the hearing. McHaney summarized the staff recommendation and commended Principal Lu Zhai for the program’s leadership and outcomes.
Principal Lu Zhai reported that BUMI has grown substantially since inception, projecting enrollment near 280 students for the upcoming year and describing the dual-language model that emphasizes Mandarin in early grades before moving to a balanced Mandarin–English curriculum. Board members expressed support for the program’s academic performance and family engagement during the discussion before the motion.
Board Member Brenda Hanson-Smith moved to approve the resolution; Jon Yoffie seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
The resolution authorizes the charter for up to 500 students in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade and sets the five-year renewal period. Copies of the submitted charter and staff report were made available to the public per the Board’s materials.
Next steps noted by staff include routine implementation planning for the coming school year and continued monitoring of enrollment and program capacity.
Assistant Superintendent Jackie McHaney opened the required public hearing under Education Code §47605(b) to gauge community support for the charter; no members of the public offered testimony during the hearing. McHaney summarized the staff recommendation and commended Principal Lu Zhai for the program’s leadership and outcomes.
Principal Lu Zhai reported that BUMI has grown substantially since inception, projecting enrollment near 280 students for the upcoming year and describing the dual-language model that emphasizes Mandarin in early grades before moving to a balanced Mandarin–English curriculum. Board members expressed support for the program’s academic performance and family engagement during the discussion before the motion.
Board Member Brenda Hanson-Smith moved to approve the resolution; Jon Yoffie seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
The resolution authorizes the charter for up to 500 students in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade and sets the five-year renewal period. Copies of the submitted charter and staff report were made available to the public per the Board’s materials.
Next steps noted by staff include routine implementation planning for the coming school year and continued monitoring of enrollment and program capacity.
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