The Oakdale High School drama program will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year.

That was the message of Oakdale Joint Unified Superintendent of Schools Larry Mendonca during the OJUSD April board meeting.

“OHS drama will still continue as it was before,” Superintendent Mendonca stated, “and will afford students the opportunity for participation after school as an extra-curricular activity. It will not require students to be enrolled in a particular drama class during the school day.”

The statement was made as a follow up to the March meeting when students and community members addressed the board during public comment. The concern had been raised that the program would be changing to a block class schedule in the 2026-27 year with no option for after school participation.

“We will still continue with the program as is,” Mendonca emphasized. “I also want to make clarification to the public, when there is public comment, please understand the Brown Act prohibits the board from making any comment in public. They cannot discuss any of those items that are not agendized for that meeting.”

Mendonca further explained that the public needs to be aware of any items that may be discussed by the board during the public portion of the meeting. The agenda serves as notification to the public of all that will be discussed by the board, allowing individuals opportunity to attend the meeting if they should so choose.

“Please understand it’s not a lack of interest, it’s not due to indifference, it’s not due to any interest of the subject matter,” Mendonca said of board members not directly addressing speakers’ concerns at the March session, referring again to the restrictions of the Brown Act.

Additionally, Mendonca offered praise for the drama students who spoke during the March meeting, sharing he felt they spoke respectfully and professionally.

“I get the interest of their concerns. We received their concerns, we took them seriously and we want to make sure that that program remains the way it is,” he stated.

Board member Diane Gilbert added that, as a board, they felt it important for Mendonca to share the public comment and Brown Act information with the community.

“It’s really hard to sit up here and be like deaf mutes when there’s so much passion expressed,” Gilbert admitted, adding on to Mendonca’s appreciation for the professionalism and passion of the students, coupled by the frustration of the legality which prohibits them from speaking on non-agendized items.

“Hopefully the word will get communicated back to the students and all those who spoke last meeting,” Gilbert continued. “It’s important for us as board members to communicate that we heard what they said.”