The Santa Maria high school district board began the process Tuesday of withdrawing from the district's existing healthcare provider in favor of the Self-Insured Schools of California Health Benefits program.

Also Tuesday, the board addressed the renewal petition for Olive Grove Charter School – Orcutt/Santa Maria. The charter school is seeking a five-year renewal following recent changes to California state law that require local school boards, rather than the State Board of Education, to serve as the authorizing body.

The board heard public comment on the petition but did not take action; a vote will be scheduled for a meeting in November.

During the hearing Monica Ramos Ramirez, a teacher at Olive Grove, spoke in support of the school and shared feedback from students, parents, and a

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