Roger Phillips' Stockton Education Blog

Stockton Arena hosts tonight’s visual and performing arts event, which is free to the public.

Saturday’s “faire” is at Barnes & Noble.

Details here.

The event is tomorrow (May 17) so if you’re interested, sign up your young Boris Spassky.

Here’s the agenda. Everything was approved. The Merlo kids are heading to Kansas City and a bunch of other field trips were approved. I’m now heading off on a field trip to my sofa. Good night at 8:30 p.m.

Risk manager Bill Shook said full implementation of “Obamacare,” once it occurs, will be costly for the district. He said, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” Steve Smith asked for a “ballpark figure” of the cost to SUSD. Shook said providing such a number is complicated and did not provide a guess.

As for board comments:

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Denise Jefferson from Stockton is Magnificent wants to partner with SUSD to teach students about the city’s history.

Retired Principal Eugene Jackson spoke about principal notices/releases and asked why the board has approved personnel moves. He said principal contracts basically are worthless. “You owe these unit members an explanation as to how their employment conditions are being manipulated outside of the contract.” He said the district should let principals who might be affected know now so they can pursue other jobs elsewhere. To not do so, Jackson said, would put into question whether the district lacks “a modicum of decency.”

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Assistant Superintendent Kirk Nicholas gave a presentation on the district’s efforts to raise student achievement. It’s a presentation of district data. I will try to get a copy of the PowerPoint and post it, but not until tomorrow (if Nicholas remembers to send it to me).

Also, Merlo Institute valedictorian Lisved Gonzalez spoke about her school. Incidentally, she wants to be a pharmacist and she said she is waiting and hoping to be accepted to UOP. Not to put any undue pressure on UOP, but cmon, do it.

Item 1.1, 1.2 — approved 6-0. 1.4 — Discussion. 1.6 — Settlement approved 6-0. 1.7 — Discussion only.

There was a presentation on the Summer Success Leadership Academy at UOP. Christopher Prado (pictured): He said the program was founded “in direct response” to homicides in the city. Michael Tubbs and Ty-Licia Hooker were founders.

Rodolfo Buenrostro, Franklin alum, UOP freshman, spoke about fundraising done as a team with other students who benefited from the  SSLA. “We have basically come up with ideas of what can be the most impactful in making an impact for students. Basically they can see we care for them.” He said “music is a pivotal experience every student should have.” He said his group raised about $4,000 … and they presented a check to the district.

Francisco Guiao, Franklin alum, UC Davis freshman: “We realized we were passionate about music. Music was our salvation, and fine arts. We realize we have become better leaders for the community through the Summer Success Academy. We leave the check here today as a beacon of hope.

This story ran last week. The I Am Ready youth conference is scheduled for June 8 at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium

Lee invited everyone on the board to attend. He also said he is putting on the upcoming youth conference with Councilman Michael Tubbs. Tickets are $15. There’s also an affiliated event, a comedy roast of Mayor Anthony Silva, scheduled for the same night. Tickets to that event start at $25.

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The announcement came at this afternoon’s memorial service for the late trustee at Franklin High. To contribute make a check out to the Sara Cazares Memorial Scholarship and send it to:

Stockton Unified
Student Support Services Department, Attn: Scholarships
1144 East Channel Street, Room 205
Stockton, Calif. 95205

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