The Denair Unified School District’s board of trustees voted unanimously to enter negotiations with Stockton-based Valley Construction to handle construction-management duties for the district’s Measure Z improvement projects.
Local voters overwhelmingly approved the $34.3 million bond measure last November. Planned improvements include:
- Construction of two new classroom wings at the elementary school and a new two-story classroom building at the high school
- Relocation of the Denair Elementary Charter Academy (DECA) kitchen to the gymnasium
- Creation of drop-off/pick-up and bus zones on Madera Avenue
- Conversion of the old DECA cafeteria into an administration building and library
- Making DECA a single-point entry campus
A request for qualifications and proposals was posted in September and due by Oct. 6. Three proposals were received by the district.
Two firms – Cumming Group and Valley Construction – were selected to interview with the district’s five-member Project Management and Facility Advisory Committee, comprised of Superintendent Terry Metzger Ed.D., Chief Business Official Daisy Swearingen, Facilities, Construction, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation Director Mark Hodges, and board members Billy Myers and Jason De Muro.
“We all feel confident about recommending Valley Construction as the district’s construction management partner for the Measure Z building campaign,” said Metzger. “There was unanimous agreement that the team at Valley Construction was the best match for the district’s needs.”
In other business, Learning Director and ELD Coordinator Anajanzy Montoya provided the board with an update on the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) system, which is utilized to determine language proficiency among multilingual students.
Director of Student Support Services Amanda Silva followed with a presentation on the district’s special education programs, from health and nursing to special education for students ranging from 3 to 22 years old. She explained to trustees how the state monitors special education compliance and focused on one element: Least Restrictive Environment. At DECA, 70% of students in special education spend at least 80% of their day in the general education setting. At DHS and DMS, where the district has more extensive support needs programs, 48% of students in special education spend at least 80% of their day in the general education setting. The state’s goal for Denair is 64%.
Finally, Dr. Metzger provided the board with an overview of iReady exam data from the fall assessment window, in preparation for next week’s study session. As a district, foundational literacy skills are a strength in reading, while vocabulary and comprehension domains are areas for improvement. In math, the district continues to see that students are struggling in all four domains, with 58% of students scoring two or more grade levels below expectations.
Items on the agenda’s consent calendar – which included approval of the district’s September payroll ($1,058,684.90), minutes of the Sept. 11 board meeting, and proposed June 2025 policy updates and revisions – were passed unanimously.
During staff reports to the board, Montoya stepped in for DHS Principal Breanne Aguiar and updated members on recent homecoming festivities, which culminated with the homecoming dance on Oct. 4.
“There was a lot of behind-the-scenes work for homecoming,” said Montoya, who praised DHS instructor Robyn Hilton for her role in helping to coordinate events. “Students were heavily involved in preparations for the parade and connecting with community members to garner support.”
The meeting got underway with recognition of the DUSD employees of the month.
Norma Mendoza, a food service employee at DECA, was named the Classified Employee of the Month, while Clayton McDonald, a physical education teacher and activities director at Denair Middle School, was named the district’s Certificated Employee of the Month.
“Norma’s knowledge in all aspects related to the DECA kitchen is impeccable,” said Kim Fuentez, DUSD’s food service manager.
“When we talk about reducing barriers for our students, we’re talking about Mr. McDonald,” said DMS Principal Gabriela Sarmiento. “He doesn’t just teach; he actively works to create a safe and welcoming environment where every student can thrive and truly feel like Denair Middle School is their home.”
Jenna Lopez, a T-K paraeducator who was named Classified Employee of the Month for September, was unable to attend last month’s meeting and was also recognized during the October meeting.
The board took a brief recess about 15 minutes into the meeting to sing happy birthday to Superintendent Terry Metzger, who will officially celebrate her birthday Oct. 18.
