It has taken more than six years, been the source of much angst for employees and been the highest
priority for the Denair Unified School District board, and now it’s on the verge of happening. Salary
restoration is about to become a reality if, as expected, trustees approve the 2019-20 budget at a
special meeting next week.
By now, most who are familiar with the district know the story. In 2013, facing a financial crisis rooted in
declining enrollment and reduced state reimbursements, Denair was threatened with state takeover if it
didn’t drastically reduce expenses.
That led to painful cuts in salaries for all employees – 12.75% for classified (non-teaching) staff and 8%
for teachers and administrators.
Almost from the moment those reductions were enacted, salary restoration became a mantra – not just
for employee unions, but also for board members and the past two superintendents. Little by little over
the past five years, salaries have been partially restored.
Summer school begins Monday for students of Denair High School and Denair Charter Academy.
Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the DCA campus for four weeks. Students in grades nine
through 12 may register at the DHS office through Friday.
Principals Linda Neely and Jamie Pecot are expecting up to 150 students, about equally divided between
independent study DCA students taking English, math and science courses for credit recovery and DHS
students taking cyber classes.
The morning session is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. After a 30-minute lunch break, the afternoon session
runs from noon to 3 p.m.
DCA students are required to meet on campus with their instructor once a week. The DHS students
report to class each day, with the bulk of their instruction happening online.
All classes are worth five credits; students can take two. To receive full credit, students can miss no
more than two days of summer school. The final day of class is June 28.
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. The meals will be served at the Denair Elementary Charter
Academy cafeteria adjacent to the DCA campus.
Contact: Linda Neely and Jamie Pecot, principals (209) 632-9911 or lneely@dusd.k12.ca.us or jpecot@dusd.k12.ca.us
Denair Charter Academy proudly celebrated the academic achievements of the 76 members of the Class
of 2019 at a graduation ceremony Wednesday night at Jack Lytton Stadium.
Students Jasmine Solorio, Eddie Gomez and Catalina Serpa all spoke in addition to Principal Breanne
Aguiar and Superintendent Terry Metzger.
Solorio delivered a welcome address for students, their families, Denair Unified board members and
others in attendance. Gomez dedicated a poem to his fellow classmates and Serpa provided a student
message.
DCA offers a rigorous independent study school option for students whose academic needs cannot be
met in a traditional environment.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of each and every one of our students,” Aguiar said. “They have
all traversed challenging obstacles, but have persevered and are on their way to pursuing their lifelong
goals. To see our students walk across the stage was powerful. This is when you know you are making an
impact. This is what we live for as educators.”
For the first time Thursday, May 23, 2019, the Denair Unified School District offered free medical and dental care for nearly 200 students thanks to a series of partnerships with regional providers.
The medical care – immunization
shots, sports physicals, primary and basic health screening – involved more
than 150 students. They were seen at a mobile health RV owned by Castle
Family Health Centers in Atwater. It was staffed by Castle nurses and medical
assistants along with medical residents from the UCSF Fresno training program.
The cost was picked up by Legacy Health Endowment, whose mission is to
provide financial and technical support to improve the health of people living
in Stanislaus and Merced counties. The nonprofit was created in 2014 as part of
Tenet Healthcare’s acquisition of Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock.
The dental clinic was provided
by Big Smiles, which
brings dental services to schools in 19 states.
In all cases, parents filled
out permission slips ahead of time allowing doctors, nurses and dental
professionals to treat the students. School officials created a schedule to
minimize wait times.
The timing of the clinics
occurring on the same day – which also was the final day of school – was
intentional, said Denair Superintendent Terry Metzger.
“We wanted to offer them both
together,” she said. “This allows us to get our student athletes to get their
sports physicals for summer practice and fall and winter sports. And our
principals tell us that dental care is actually a bigger need for our families
than medical care. It’s a gap for them.”
Jeffrey Lewis, the CEO of
Legacy Health Endowment, said the goal of the medical clinic is to “keep kids
healthy and help parents understand that they don’t have to pay for health
care, that we can use charitable dollars to help families access free medical
care.”
With that in mind, there
already are plans for the medical team to return to Denair on July 31.
The dental team was comprised
of licensed local dentists and dental hygienists. Services include an examination,
cleaning, fluoride, X-rays and sealants.
Each child received an oral
health report card to take home after the dental visit. Patient care coordinators
will contact parents of students needing additional follow-up by mail or phone.
One first-grader had such a positive experience
that he told a staff member walking him back to class that he likes the
dentist. “My teeth feel good,” he said. “I want to go back.”
It was the first step in a daylong series of
events, including a mid-morning graduation practice walkthrough, leading up to
Friday night’s commencement ceremony. Graduation begins at 7:30 p.m. at Jack
Lytton Stadium.
Thursday’s third annual Grad Walk was the
brainchild of high school Principal Kara Backman and middle school Principal Amanda Silva. It was modeled after similar events they saw
three years ago at a No Excuses University conference.
