Three years ago, the Denair Unified School District hired a Bay Area company to help it create what is known as a facilities master plan, or FMP. It was intended to be a road map that would guide district officials as they weigh how Denair’s classrooms, kitchens, libraries and sports facilities can best complement the district’s core academic mission.

In the time since the FMP was developed, a few of the items on the list have been addressed, but most remain. In some cases, the long-term needs have only come into sharper focus and are likely to become more expensive as time goes by.

Thursday night, Denair’s Board of Trustees had an initial discussion of how they might pay for a range of building improvements that are estimated to cost up to $22 million. And though there is some construction-related money likely available from the state, most of it requires school districts like Denair to put up what are called matching funds. The only way to do that typically is through school bonds, when voters agree to raise money through assessments added to their property tax bills.

“It’s not realistic to think we could fund the 92 projects (on the FMP list) from the general fund,” Daisy Swearingen, the district’s chief business official, told trustees. The general fund is the day-to-day operating account that pays teacher salaries and pension donations, equipment, textbooks, utilities, regular maintenance and transportation costs.

Property owners in the Denair district currently are paying off two bond measures – Measure P, passed in 2001, and Measure K, passed in 2007. The earliest another bond measure could be put on a ballot is November 2024. Should it gain the required 55% support for passage, Swearingen said the 2001 bond would be paid off before the new bond would go into effect.

That potential timing of one bond going away as another began, district officials agreed, would be critical to convincing local voters to approve a new bond. Swearingen said that If the new bond was worth $22 million, the annual amount to repay it would be less than the Measure P bond. In other words, property tax bills would not go up.

“We could start educating now that that bond is going to drop off,” suggested Trustee Ray Prock Jr. “It might change some minds in favor.”

Much has to happen before any final decision about a new bond would be made next spring.

Thursday, trustees directed Superintendent Terry Metzger and her staff to review and prioritize the FMP developed in 2020 by Caldwell Flores Winters, an Emeryville firm that specials in school facilities projects. An updated FMP and estimated cost is due back to the board in January.

The next step would be a community survey taken by phone in April to gauge potential support for a new bond. The survey results would be reported to the board in May and discussed in public. A board vote to place a bond on the November 2024 ballot would come in June.

“We need to see what the updated FMP looks like and what the community thinks,” said Trustee Carmen Wilson.

The timing of the next steps is important, Metzger told trustees.

“If we don’t get on the 2024 ballot, we would have to wait until 2026 because bonds needing 55% (to pass) are only allowed in even years,” she said. “In odd years, the threshold is 67%. It’s a big difference.”

High on the list of facilities needs is modernizing the Denair Elementary Charter Academy campus, which was built in the 1940s. Metzger said the electrical wiring infrastructure needs to be replaced, old classrooms updated to handle new technology, the kitchen upgraded and the restrooms renovated.

Also in need of work are the gyms at DECA, Denair Middle School and Denair High School, and other athletic facilities including the football stadium. In addition, the district also is committed to making additional improvements to safety and security at all its campuses.

“I know the community is interested in seeing that our campuses are as secure as possible. That’s the No. 1 thing I hear,” Metzger said. 

In other action Thursday, trustees:

• Heard a report from Anajanzy Montoya, the district’s English Language Development coordinator. There are 274 students in the district – including 131 at DECA – for whom English is a second language, she told trustees. The district develops a plan for each of them to help them progress through four stages of learning the language, become fully fluent and eventually get reclassified. Before any new student enrolls in the district, the family must complete a survey about whether other languages are spoken in their homes. For those who say “yes,” Montoya and her staff follow up with a home interview to assess the student’s English ability before he or she begins school.
• Listened to an update on the district’s special education program from Amanda Silva, the director of special education and student support services. She said 148 of Denair’s 1,275 students – roughly 12% — are in the special ed program. Depending on their needs, special ed students can be in the general education track or in smaller classes that focus on teaching academic as well as social and life skills. Though the district prides itself on providing many services, Silva said a handful of more targeted services are delivered through contracts with the Stanislaus County Office of Education.
• Heard an update about the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), which delivers additional tutoring to K-12 students before and after the regular school day at DECA, DMS and DHS. It begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. Much of the focus has been on math, Metzger said, but all subjects are covered. There are 160 ELOP students at DECA, 48 at DMS and 16 at DHS.
• Heard a report on the new iReady tests, which replaced NWEA as the way students are evaluated on how they are doing in relation to state standards. Metzger said iReady includes a computer platform for skills development and practice that is more closely aligned to what is being taught in class and ultimately measured by state tests three times a year. The district’s principals talked to trustees about the first round of iReady results, which showed many of Denair’s students are two to three grade levels behind in core subjects like math, English and reading. Intervention programs – like ELOP – are in place across the district to help students catch up.
• Approved a trip to Indianapolis Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 for the National FFA Leadership Convention for 10 Denair High FFA students, one ag adviser and one female chaperone. The district will pick up the $3,300 cost of registration for the students and teacher. The Ag Boosters to cover lodging, transportation and meals, and the FFA ASB to cover tours, entertainment and other group activities. 
• Accepted a $124,272 CalSHAPE Plumbing Program grant for upgrades at Denair Middle School. The application included 36 interior faucets, four toilets and one urinal. These are units that are currently non-compliant plumbing fixtures that fail to meet water efficiency standards.

Fresh off its first Southern League football victory of the season, Denair will try to make it two in a row Friday night when it hosts Delhi to cap Homecoming Week.

The Coyotes relied on two rushing touchdowns by wingback Jayden Hensley and a swarming defense to shut out Mariposa 14-0 on the road last week. 

“It was definitely one of our better games of the year,” assessed Denair Coach Anthony Armas. “We defended the run very well and were efficient on offense. In our Le Grand game (a 35-17 Denair loss), we played a great first half. This was first time we put together a full game.”

The closest Mariposa (0-4, 0-7) came to scoring was in the fourth quarter when the Grizzlies drove to inside Denair’s 10-yard line. But Coyote cornerback Angel Rosas – defending a fade pattern — ended that threat when he intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Interestingly, both of Denair’s wins this season have come when the Coyotes (1-3, 2-4) held the opposing team scoreless. The first shutout was in the second game when they blanked Riverbank 20-0.

This week’s Homecoming festivities include a parade through downtown Friday at lunch featuring floats decorated by the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes. Kings and queens will be announced at a pep rally.

On paper, Delhi (1-3, 1-5) looks like an even matchup with the Coyotes, but Armas thinks that’s misleading. The Hawks got into a brawl against El Capitan of Merced in their first game when players as well as people from the stands were fighting on the field. The Sac-Joaquin Section shut down the program for three weeks – costing Delhi a forfeit loss to Ceres – and suspended eight starters for five games. Those players all are expected to be available Friday.

“They’re very physical,” Armas said. “Their record doesn’t indicate how good they are.”

As has been the case all season, Denair again will be at a disadvantage, numbers wise. The Coyotes’ 19-player roster is one of the smallest in the league, even with two players having joined the team when they became eligible after first-quarter grades were released. All of Denair’s players play on offense and defense; some of them never come off the field during a game.

“We’ve always got a couple of kids banged up,” Armas acknowledged. “I’m hoping we have 15 or 16 ready to go Friday night.”

After this week, there will be only two games left in the regular season. Denair will finish its Southern League schedule in Newman against Orestimba (3-1, 4-3) on Oct. 20 and then home versus Waterford (1-3, 2-5) on Oct. 27.

In collaboration with the non-profit organization She Became, Denair Unified School District’s mental health department is pleased to report that we had our first Empowering Denair Girls group on Saturday, September 29, 2023. Female students and their families from DECA, DMS, and DHS participated in the event. Dr. Metzger, the District’s superintendent, provided an inspiring opening message to everyone attending the Rally.  She referenced the book “She Believed She Could, So She Did” by Kathy Weller, which discusses how the author celebrates inner strength, belief, and the power of dreaming big. Also, Dr. Metzger Mentioned in her inspirational speech another book by Don Miguel Ruiz to master your life’s dreams. The book emphasizes The Four Agreements: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, and Always Do Your Best. Dr. Metzger stated that these four principles are fundamental to people’s success. Dr. Metzger’s passion for advocating for leadership development and the mental health well-being of her District’s students was noticeable. 

Additionally, the DUSD staff was excited to welcome She Became, a prominent organization dedicated to empowering young girls, which hosted an inspiring girl empowerment rally at Denair Middle School. The event, aimed at fifth to twelfth graders and their mothers, focused on fostering identity, self-empowerment, and envisioning a bright future. By creating a safe and supportive environment, She Became aimed to encourage girls to believe in themselves and their dreams while also fostering connections between generations.

The rally, held at Denair Middle School, was a resounding success, attracting girls and women of all ages from the community. The event provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, explore their personal aspirations, and build a positive support system. She Became firmly believes that girl empowerment rallies are essential in creating a positive reinforcement environment for young girls. By supporting and lifting each other up, girls can develop a strong sense of self-worth and realize their full potential. The organization recognizes the importance of providing a platform where girls can freely express their feelings, imagine their future, and connect with others who share similar dreams.

During the rally, participants were invited to share their personal stories and experiences, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. Mothers and daughters had the chance to bond and create lasting memories while learning from the wisdom of women from older generations. The event featured a range of activities designed to inspire and empower attendees. From interactive workshops to engaging presentations, the rally offered a diverse range of opportunities for girls to explore their passions and discover their strengths. Through engaging discussions and thought-provoking exercises, participants were encouraged to create a vision for their future and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams.

She Became understands the importance of providing girls with a safe and fun space to explore their potential. By hosting events like this rally, the organization aims to break down barriers and create a society where girls feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to believe in themselves.

To learn more about She Became and their initiatives, please visit their website at www.shebecame.com. The organization’s dedication to empowering girls and fostering self-belief is evident in its efforts to create a positive and inclusive environment for young girls everywhere.

She Became’s girl empowerment rally at Denair Middle School serves as a testament to the transformative power of bringing girls and women together. By connecting generations and celebrating each individual’s unique strengths, She Became is paving the way for a brighter future where every girl can confidently pursue her dreams, build confidence & resiliency, and create a better world for herself and others.

Congratulations to Lina Maria Villegas, Rosaura Contreras, and Joanna Esparza who organized a successful event.

The Food Services Department in the Denair Unified School District has a well-earned reputation for churning out plenty of tasty options each day. The quality and breadth of its menu consistently draw rave reviews from hundreds of students of all ages.

And now, thanks to more than a half-million dollars in grant money it has received, the department is focused on serving even more youngsters from its kitchens on the elementary, middle school and high school campuses.

In the past year, district officials have aggressively applied for a variety of state and federal grants to help subsidize much-needed kitchen improvements. Their perseverance has paid off, with $546,222.98 flowing into the district. That money has been put to good use.

• At Denair High School, two double-stack convection ovens have been installed. On order are two cold box speed line units (a self-serve refrigerated unit for items such as pre-made salads), two milk boxes and a salad bar. The district is soliciting bids for a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, which will be located just outside the kitchen door.
• At Denair Middle School, two double-stack convection ovens already are in place and a hot speed line unit is on the way.
• At Denair Elementary Charter Academy, two retherm units have been installed and the district wants to add two salad bars and one hot speed line.

New appliances to replace obsolete ones also have been added at all three campuses. In many cases, the district has until June 2025 to spend the grant money.

“Better ovens, cold serving lines, milk coolers — these contribute to a better-tasting and more enjoyable meal,” explained Kim Fuentez, the district’s Food Services manager. “Without the funding we’ve received, we wouldn’t be able to do half the upgrades our kitchens need.”

The new equipment will allow the district to continue to grow what already is a popular food and nutrition program, which is free for all students. Between the three campuses, Denair currently serves more than 400 breakfasts, nearly 900 lunches and about 375 after-school snacks each day.

“We anticipate that we will be serving 500 meals at minimum at DECA alone with the new equipment,” estimated Daisy Swearingen, the district’s chief business official. “The new equipment would allow DECA specifically to create a more diverse menu. At DHS, the cold boxes at DHS will allow us to offer more cold meal options. At DMS, we will be able to offer actual salads (chef, sesame chicken, crispy chicken, chicken Caesar, etc.). Our kids at DMS love salad, so this will continue to expand the program.”

The Food Services Department also produces meals for Denair Charter Academy students as well as those at the Reyn Franca School across the street from the high school.

Commercial food equipment isn’t cheap. Items such as ovens, refrigerators and cold and hot serving lines can cost tens of thousands of dollars each. Smaller items, while less expensive, still add up. The beauty of the grants is that they have enabled the district to replace obsolete kitchen equipment without affecting the general fund.

“They allow the district to address immediate needs such as failing equipment without impacting the general fund, which is important because it allows the general fund to prioritize ongoing operating expenses such as employee salaries,” Swearingen explained.

For more on the Food Services team, please click on this link to a 3-minute video. It was produced using some of the grant money.

In collaboration with Stanislaus County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Denair Unified School District is proud to announce that 17 parents from across the district completed their Mental Health First Aid Training in mid-September. Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents. It also builds an understanding of the importance of early intervention and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The certificate is valid for three years.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID? Visit http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/