Spotlight Schools Newsletter: Jan. 2026

THE LATEST ON TK-12 EDUCATION IN ORANGE COUNTY

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026! If you’re new to us, here’s a quick overview of what Spotlight Schools does. We’re a hyperlocal newsroom dedicated to helping you better understand what’s happening in schools across Orange County. 

Our goal is to deliver accurate, factual information (no sensationalism or rage bait here) so you can feel better informed when making decisions about your own or your family’s experience in education. Learn more on our website.

A new year means new things for the newsletter. I hope you like the changes intended to deliver more stories in less space. Please let me know by responding to this email.

In this latest newsletter:

• 📢 Protests planned: O.C. students may walk out of school today to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) operations. How districts are responding.
• 🔦 Flash Feed: Updates on an arrested Brea Olinda USD trustee, potential layoffs for Cypress School District, and summer school changes in Los Alamitos USD.
• ⭐️ See how the only school in O.C. named after pioneering teacher Christa McAuliffe honored her legacy.

Did you know? Spotlight Schools is active on social media. We cover breaking news, school board meetings, and more on Instagram, X, and Facebook. Don’t forget to visit our website, SpotlightSchools.com.

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Yours in knowledge, 

Jeannette Andruss

Co-founder, Spotlight Schools

Districts Respond to Student Walkouts

Orange County residents, including students, are letting the world know how they feel about the Trump administration’s intensifying efforts to deport people suspected of violating U.S. immigration laws.

Increased activity from federal immigration enforcement agents locally, including in Anaheim, and the recent shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by federal law enforcement officers in Minnesota, have sparked student protests, with more expected today, January 30.

A post on social media encourages students from Valley High School and Godinez Fundamental High School in the Santa Ana Unified School District to walk out at 12:50 p.m. and call for I.C.E. to “get out of Santa Ana.” Many similar posts have popped up on Instagram referencing other O.C. high schools. The calls to action coincide with a "National Shutdown," where organizers are asking people to close businesses and stay home from work or school to protest I.C.E. activity.

Yesterday, SAUSD posted a statement on social media that said it was prepared for a potential student walkout but added, “While we respect students' perspectives, the safety of every student is our top priority. Students are safest when they remain on campus under the supervision of school staff, rather than navigating streets or unfamiliar situations.”

This follows recent demonstrations from Pacifica High School students in the Garden Grove Unified School District, as seen on a social media post from the O.C. chapter of the Party for Socialism & Liberation.  

“We’re out here because I.C.E. has become so much more hostile, and it's genuinely concerning. We are worried for the safety of our neighbors,” a Pacifica student said in the video. Days later, similar scenes played out as dozens of students protested in Anaheim and Santa Ana, according to The Santanero.

Today is a student-free day in the Brea Olinda Unified School District and for the Anaheim Union High School District. On Jan. 26, AUHSD Superintendent Jaron Fried, Ed.D., wrote a message to families addressing the actions of federal law enforcement: "We recognize the fear and uncertainty this activity has created, particularly for our students, families, and staff. Any actions that intimidate, harm, or destabilize our school communities are unacceptable."

He went on to say that the district does "not want to silence student voices" and is "committed to supporting student expression in constructive and meaningful ways." That includes students working with school administrators to help develop "thoughtful, safe, and impactful opportunities for civic participation on campus and in the classroom, given the uncertainty of safety risks created by recent I.C.E. activities."

Earlier this month, staff at a Fullerton School District campus were caught off guard after they found out through social media that federal law enforcement officers were in pursuit of a suspected gunman near the school, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

As of publication, Spotlight Schools is not aware of any activity by federal immigration enforcement officers at an O.C. K-12 campus. California law now requires schools to notify parents if immigration enforcement officers are present at a school.

Meanwhile, one local school board member is taking steps to express support for federal immigration officers. Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustee Leandra Blades said she has requested to add a resolution to the board’s February 10 meeting agenda that would affirm the board’s “support for local law enforcement officers and federal immigration officers who carry out their duties professionally and lawfully.”

"We have teachers badmouthing them and calling them murderers so it’s mainly to support law enforcement and help the community know their role and why they would come to our campuses," Blades wrote in a message via Instagram.

This is a developing story. Follow Spotlight Schools on Instagram for the latest coverage.

Cypress School District: Budget Cuts Proposed

• The Cypress School District is working to close a projected $3.3 million budget gap for the 2026-27 school year. With 83% of the district’s budget devoted to personnel, layoffs are on the table. 
• “No matter how we look at it, there is going to be a pinch of some sort,” Board President Lydia Sondhi, Ph.D., said at the Jan. 20 board meeting. The board is expected to vote on a layoff resolution at its Feb. 12 meeting.

Read more:

Speakers Urge Cypress School Board to ‘Keep the Cuts Away from our Kids’

Trustees could vote on authorizing layoffs at their Feb. 12 meeting to close a $3.3 million budget gap for next school year.

Spotlight SchoolsStaff Report

Brea Olinda Unified School District: Arrested Trustee's Seat Could be Declared Vacant

• BOUSD Trustee Christopher Becerra’s seat could be declared vacant if he does not appear at the next school board meeting scheduled for Feb. 12, Board President Carrie Flanders announced at the Jan. 22 meeting.
• Becerra, 42, was arrested on Dec. 18, 2025, on charges of possession of child pornography, annoying or molesting a child, and other alleged crimes. The district said Becerra has not responded to requests to resign and the board cannot legally remove an elected official from office. He did not attend the Dec. or Jan. board meetings.
• Becerra’s case is being reviewed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Read past coverage:

Brea Olinda Unified School District Board Member Arrested

The superintendent and some trustees are urging Christopher Becerra to resign amid allegations he sent ‘sexual messages’ to a juvenile and possessed child pornography.

Spotlight SchoolsJeannette Andruss

Los Alamitos Unified School District: K-8 Summer School Changes

• Citing a lack of interest from families and the availability of other programs, Los Alamitos USD will no longer offer a traditional K–8 summer school program starting this summer. 
• The district will still offer credit recovery summer school for 9–12 grade students and the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program for qualifying students.
• Paid options include the extended day care program’s Camp Fun in the Sun and the Los Alamitos Education Foundation’s Summer Enrichment Institute, which will offer scholarships.

Fullerton School District: Superintendent Retiring

• After more than 13 years leading the Fullerton School District, Bob Pletka, Ed.D., is stepping down as superintendent effective Feb. 1. The district celebrated Dr. Pletka this week
• The district is actively searching for its next leader and has gathered input from the community through a survey and a meeting.

Read past coverage:

Fullerton School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Pletka Announces Retirement

After more than 13 years with the FSD, Dr. Pletka will step down in February.

Spotlight SchoolsPress Releases

Laguna Beach Unified School District: Classroom Screen Time Limits Discussion

• At its Jan. 22 meeting, the board heard a report from staff related to an effort to create classroom screen time limits for LBUSD students.
• Staff identified three types of screen time usage in class:
  • Sustained: "The activity is centered on the technology itself."
  • Intermittent: "Device is on as part of a wider activity but intermittently referenced/used."
  • Shared: "One device is being shared between a group of students in a mostly in-person activity."
• Survey results from Fall 2025 showed the average daily classroom screen time varied across grade levels:
  • 12% of class time per day for grades K–2 (38 minutes on average);
  • 21% of class time per day for 3–5 graders (68 minutes on average);
  • 31% of class time per day for middle school students (90 minutes on average);
  • 29% of class time per day for Laguna Beach High School students (68 minutes on average). 
• Draft guidelines presented by staff recommend less than one hour per day of screen time for K–2 elementary students, less than two hours a day for grades 3–5, and less than three hours per day for middle and high school students.

Read more from StuNewsLaguna.com.

Press Releases on Spotlight Schools

Submit news about your school by emailing hello@spotlightschools.com.

Employee Devotes 68 Years to O.C. School District

The Huntington Beach Union High School District honors longtime employee Kay Nakauchi upon her retirement.

Spotlight SchoolsPress Releases

Anaheim Union High School District to Host First Annual Esports Regional Tournament and Invitational

Event showcases student talent, industry partnerships, and new Game Design & Esports Career Pathway

Spotlight SchoolsPress Releases

Other Stories We're Reading

Note: some links may have a paywall or require a subscription to read.

• Santa Ana USD campus officially renamed after parents that fought segregation  // The Orange County Register
• O.C. private schools are highest in area in new ranking of best high schools for athletes in California // Niche // Patch
• Anaheim Union School Board open to repurposing of Hope School campus after students move // The O.C. Register
• O.C. Board of Education Trustee shares thoughts about Trump’s second term // KQED
• O.C. Supt. of Schools launches podcast // OCDE Newsroom

High School Highlights - reporting from O.C.'s student journalists. 

• Splashing into spectacle: Concerns about senior assassin game // LAHS Griffin Gazette
• Fountain Valley High School club rules may violate Equal Access Act // Baron Banner 
• "Say Something" anonymous reporting system goes live for Brea Olinda USD // Brea Olinda Wildcat
• Pros and cons to early graduation for NCAA sports // Triton Times

Middle School Honors Legacy of its Namesake, Christa McAuliffe

Forty years ago this week, New Hampshire high school teacher S. Christa McAuliffe captured the attention of students nationwide as the first educator to be part of NASA’s Teacher in Space project. 

Tragically, McAuliffe and the other six crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger never completed their mission on January 28, 1986, as the orbiter exploded shortly after launch.

McAuliffe Middle School in the Los Alamitos Unified School District marked the anniversary by shining a light on a teacher whose enduring legacy continues to inspire students. The campus is the only school in Orange County named after McAuliffe, and one of seven statewide. 

“For our school, this is more than a date in history; it is a time to honor the memory of an educator and pioneer whose name we proudly bear,” Principal Eddie Courtemarche wrote in a message to families.

On Jan. 28, students delivered special messages during morning announcements, led a moment of silence, and contributed to a video that was shown in classrooms. They also created and staffed an interactive legacy wall featuring hand-drawn posters sharing McAuliffe's story.

Students added their own reflections to the wall in response to questions that paid tribute to McAuliffe’s values. During lunch, dozens of sixth graders crowded around the legacy wall, scooping up the paper cutouts of astronauts and stars to write their responses. “Curiosity means to me everything that I want to learn,” read one. “Be bold. Never give up,” wrote another student.

"A lot of kids don’t know why we’re named McAuliffe,” eighth grader Emmy Kim said. She explained student leaders opted for an interactive experience for students to take part in. They thought it would be more impactful than just putting posters up around campus that students may not take the time to read. “We’re giving them the opportunity to teach themselves something," Emmy said.

Read the whole story on SpotlightSchools.com.

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