Modesto Schools Revise Mental Health Policy, Yoga Still Concerns Some

Trustees and parents object to proposal of yoga and meditation as mental health coping strategies.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees approved the second reading of the district's new mental health policies, with a few more amendments. Trustee Jolene Daly and some parents expressed concerns about including yoga and meditation as coping strategies, arguing they are spiritual and religious practices. The board asked staff to clarify the use of "nonspiritual coping strategies" in the policy.

Why it matters

The debate over including yoga and meditation in the district's mental health policy highlights the ongoing tensions around the role of spiritual practices in public schools. While some see them as beneficial wellness tools, others view them as inappropriate for a secular school setting.

The details

The policy was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Trustee Daly opposed. She believes yoga and meditation should not be included in a poster displayed on campuses that offers coping strategies. Four parents also expressed concerns about the use of yoga and the circumstances in which a child might receive counseling without parental approval. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago said the district would clarify that any meditation or yoga used would need to be "nonspiritual in nature."

  • The Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees approved the second reading of the district's new mental health policies on February 12, 2026.

The players

Jolene Daly

A Modesto City Schools trustee who opposed the inclusion of yoga and meditation in the district's mental health policy, arguing they are spiritual and religious practices.

Vanessa Buitrago

The superintendent of Modesto City Schools, who said the district would clarify that any meditation or yoga used would need to be "nonspiritual in nature."

Abel Maestas

A Modesto City Schools trustee who said not all yoga adheres to spiritual practices, and that the district could add adjectives like "nonspiritual" to clarify the type of yoga being used.

Pamela LaChapell

A parent who expressed concerns about the proposal of yoga as a mental health coping strategy and suggested adding the Bible to the list of coping strategies due to its positive effects on mental health.

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What they’re saying

“If yoga and meditation was removed from that, I would vote yes on this. I would have no problems voting.”

— Jolene Daly, Trustee (The Modesto Bee)

“If yoga must stay, I would like you to please seriously consider adding the Bible to this list due to plentiful studies that show it has a powerful positive effect on mental health.”

— Pamela LaChapell, Parent (The Modesto Bee)

“I've done yoga that is very not spiritual yoga. It's hard work. Then I've done yoga where I'm going, 'This does feel like on the edge of that.' I don't want that to get confusing for anybody. So can we add stuff? Can we add adjectives like 'nonspiritual'?”

— Abel Maestas, Trustee (The Modesto Bee)

“I would argue that even though we've been talking about yoga, there are community members who could say the same thing about meditation. We could specifically just call it out that they can't be spiritual in nature.”

— Vanessa Buitrago, Superintendent (The Modesto Bee)

What’s next

The Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees will review the revised mental health policy, including the clarification on "nonspiritual coping strategies," at their next meeting.

The takeaway

The debate over including yoga and meditation in Modesto's school mental health policy reflects the ongoing tensions around the role of spiritual practices in public education. While some see them as beneficial wellness tools, others view them as inappropriate for a secular school setting, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and community input on such policies.