By Dr. Terry Metzger, Superintendent

Denair Unified School District (DUSD) has made a remarkable turnaround from the brink of financial collapse to becoming a model of innovation and community resilience. Through strategic leadership and strong community support, the district has transformed challenges into opportunities, emerging stronger than ever.

In 2012, Denair Unified faced a severe fiscal crisis that left the district nearly insolvent. With a significant budget deficit threatening the closure of schools and a potential state takeover, drastic measures were taken. The district made painful cuts to staff, programs, and services, leading to widespread concern among parents, educators, and community members about the future of education in Denair. As a result, many families sought other educational options for their children. The district’s enrollment dropped from over 1600 to 1250 students. 

The district’s recovery began with tough decisions and a clear commitment for the future. The school board and an interim superintendent initiated a comprehensive financial recovery plan, which included renegotiating contracts, consolidating resources, and prioritizing spending on essential programs. Faculty and staff took significant cuts in salary, and many left the district, leading to further instability in the system.

Fast forward to 2024, and the story of Denair Unified is one of resilience and renewal. The district has achieved financial stability, certifying a positive budget for ten consecutive years. This financial turnaround has enabled DUSD to reinvest in its schools, restoring and even expanding programs that were cut during the crisis. 

Denair High School, which once struggled with declining enrollment and low morale, is now a thriving campus with six Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, an innovative Project Life program for students with moderate to severe disabilities, strong student leadership, and a 100% graduation rate for the Class of 2024. Current enrollment at DHS is 311 compared to a low of 260 students in 2015-16. 

In 2018, Denair Middle School’s enrollment was just 200 students. Seven years later, 300 students in grades 6-8 learn in a positive, safe and fun environment, where teachers and staff value strong relationships to support students through the sometimes-tough middle school years. While maintaining its small-school feel, a variety of electives such as FFA, band, music production, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Spanish and Academic Pentathlon are offered to enhance the core academic program.

Denair Elementary Charter Academy and Denair Middle School offer a robust Dual Language Immersion program in grades K-8, with students entering high school as proficiently biliterate in English and Spanish and on track to graduate with the State Seal of Biliteracy. Currently, 35% of the district’s K-8 students participate in the program.

The district’s dual language program is complemented by a traditional English instruction program. DECA serves nearly 600 students in preschool to grade 5 and is a tight-knit community. Teachers and staff skillfully blend academics and social-emotional learning to provide students with “just right” support. Fun assemblies and activities provide students with many learning opportunities throughout the year.

Denair Charter Academy offers personalized learning through independent study and home school options for students and families who either need or prefer an alternative to a traditional school setting. DCA students have access to a wide range of courses, including CTE and A-G, keeping them on-track for college or career.

The district has also made significant investments in technology and infrastructure, ensuring that students have access to modern learning tools. These improvements have been crucial in enhancing the quality of education across the district.

As part of its commitment to the whole child, DUSD expanded its mental health services, recognizing the importance of supporting students beyond academics. A seven-member mental health team provides individual therapy and group counseling across the district as well as working with student club leaders to organize wellness activities and events.

Denair Unified School District’s journey from fiscal crisis to thriving success is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and strategic leadership. I am honored to be a part of this transformation. Our district’s recovery is a story of hope and determination. We have overcome significant challenges, and today, we stand stronger and more united than ever. The future is bright for Denair Unified, and we are committed to continuing our upward trajectory.

With plans for further academic enhancements, extensive facility upgrades, and community partnerships, DUSD is poised to build on its successes and continue to serve as a model of perseverance and excellence in education.

An evenly matched football game with the teams trading the lead ended up with Denair coming up just short of what would have been the tying score in Saturday night’s 36-30 non-league loss to Big Valley Christian of Modesto.

“Everybody thought it was exciting, but I didn’t like the outcome,” summed up Denair Coach Anthony Armas.

The Coyotes, trailing by six points, were threatening to knot the score late in the fourth quarter. They had third down and 1 on the Big Valley 3-yard line, but a mishandled pitch cost them four yards. Then on fourth down, sophomore quarterback Derek Potter couldn’t connect on a pass near the goal line.

Just like that, Denair’s comeback attempt was over.

Still, there were many positives for Armas to take away; in particular, the performances of Potter (9 of 13 passing, 188 yards and one touchdown), fullback Degan Butler (19 carries, 107 yards, three TDs) and the offensive line.

“Anytime you have a sophomore who shows the poise he did, that’s impressive,” Armas said. “He completed 70% of passes and threw the ball well.”

Armas also was impressed by Butler as well as the guys who blocked for him.

“Butler ran hard and our O-line played pretty well. We had long drives all night. We didn’t punt once,” he said.

 A back-and-forth first half featuring a lot of offense ended in a 22-22. Butler’s third touchdown – a 22-yard scamper to open the third quarter – followed by a two-point conversion put Denair in front 30-22.

Big Valley tied the game late in the third period, then took the lead with a nice drive in the fourth quarter. That led to Denair’s final possession, which unfortunately came up a few yards short.

“I thought our offense played really well, but the defense didn’t play up to its capabilities,” Armas said. “We didn’t tackle very well. We had guys running right by ball carriers. I think we can get better. If we had performed up to par, I think we win that game.”

This week, Denair faces another tough task with a road game against Summerville, which knocked off Ripon Christian 24-21 on Friday night.

“Summerville is pretty tough. They’re legit,” Armas said. “It’s going to be physical challenge. It’s a good measuring stick to where we’re at.”

Family: Husband, John; daughters, Saylor and Isabelle

School: Denair Middle School

Subject taught: Seventh-grade math and seventh- and eighth-grade STEM

Experience and education:  Master’s degree in teaching middle grades mathematics and a bachelor’s in science materials engineering. I began my teaching career in Georgia in 2013.  

What attracted you to Denair? Denair Middle School has a welcoming and inclusive feeling immediately when you walk on campus. This is a positive reflection upon its students and their families.  I am excited to teach mathematics and develop a rigorous curriculum in STEM that will support all students in becoming critical thinkers and problem solvers.

What most inspires you about teaching? I am most inspired by the positive interactions that schools, their teachers and staff have with students and their families. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? My biggest challenge may be in choosing which colors to wear (or not to wear) once sorted into the DMS House System.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? A favorite activity is using project-based learning in which students learn to strengthen their skills as they work towards a common goal. 

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that their voices matter within our learning spaces.

How can parents support what you do? I would like families to support their students by encouraging them to actively participate in their education.  Families are an important part of a student’s success and I value their support.

What would surprise people about your job? I imagine that people would be surprised by the amount of listening we do as educators. 

What do you do for fun? For fun, I enjoy camping and hiking with my family.

Family: Dad, Jose Perez; mom, Raquel Franco; brother, Jose Victoriano Perez.

School: Denair Middle School

Subject taught: Mild/moderate special education and sixth-grade math intervention 

Experience and education: I hold a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in exceptional youth from Stanislaus State. Currently, I am enrolled in the mild/moderate special education program.

What attracted you to Denair? During my year of experience as a substitute teacher across the Central Valley, I had the opportunity to serve as a long-term substitute at Denair Middle School for four months. In that time, I discovered a strong and nurturing community. The supportive staff and administration made me feel right at home.

What most inspires you about teaching? My greatest inspiration in teaching comes from the ability to make a positive impact on my student’s lives and education. I am eager to collaborate with students and their families to help them thrive.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I am excited about the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and testing processes.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity?  I enjoy integrating technology into the classroom and helping students establish personal connections to the curriculum, which enhances their understanding and retention of knowledge.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that they matter and are cared for. In my classroom, they will always find a safe and supportive environment.

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support my efforts by maintaining open communication and reaching out with any questions or concerns. It’s important to remember that we are a team, dedicated to helping your child succeed.

What would surprise people about your job? Many may be surprised to learn that working in special education is both incredibly rewarding and highly intricate, requiring significant time and effort.

What do you do for fun? In my free time, I love going on long walks and trying new foods!

Anthony Armas has had a love affair with Disneyland most of his life, which is why before every football season (except for the COVID-influenced years of 2020, 2021 and 2022) he has arranged for his Denair High players and coaches to visit the theme park together.

This year, 23 of Armas’ 27 players accompanied him to Disneyland in mid-July. They spent parts of two days traveling and two full days in the park.

“Football is a tough sport,” he explained. “It’s just a team-bonding experience and a chance to get out and have some fun. The kids enjoy it.”

Unfortunately, the magical memories generated from the self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth” haven’t translated to success on the football field recently.

Since winning the state Division VII championship in 2019, the Denair program has fallen on hard times. In the past four seasons, the Coyotes are a combined 6-26. Denair didn’t lack talent; it lacked bodies. The past two years, Armas started with fewer than 20 players and watched as injuries inevitably thinned his roster even more. It wasn’t unusual for Denair to have more assistant coaches than reserve players on the sidelines in many games.

But this season – which kicks off Saturday night at Big Valley Christian in Modesto — is starting out differently. The Coyotes have 27 players – enough so the team can actually practice 11-on-11 for the first time in many years. There is actual depth, meaning Armas can rest players during games.

“It’s nice to have a first string and second string,” he said. “It means we can rotate guys. We’re finally getting through that COVID stuff. It really nuked our numbers.”

Still, the Coyotes will be young. There are 10 seniors, 15 juniors and two sophomores on the team.

One of those sophomores is quarterback Derek Potter, a left-hander “with a strong arm and good touch,” according to Armas. “He’s the kind of kid you like to coach.”

Potter will be joined in the backfield in Denair’s run-heavy Wing-T offense by backs Jesse Ruelas (a senior) and juniors Degan Butler and Alex Vargas. Opening holes for that group and protecting Potter will be senior right guard Even Coronel, right tackle Eduardo Zacharias and tight end Ernesto Silva, a junior who played last year as a sophomore.

Armas said the offense “didn’t miss any assignments” at last week’s four-way scrimmage with Riverbank, Franklin, Stone Ridge Christian in Riverbank, but he was most excited about his young defense.

“I thought we did well,” he said. “I’ll always say we need to get better, but our defensive line looked really good and our defense didn’t give up a score the entire night.”

Armas said the Coyotes’ defensive leaders include linemen Brody McFarland (a junior), Jose Mora (a sophomore) and Coronel as well as junior middle linebacker Degan Butler and junior safety Sebastian Esquivel.

The Coyotes’ schedule features four non-league games – this week at Big Valley, then home against Summerville on Aug. 30, at Bret Harte the following week and home against Pajaro Valley of Watsonville on Sept. 13. 

The revamped Southern League opens play on Sept. 20 with Denair on the road against the newest SL member – Stone Ridge Christian of Merced.

The Knights join SL holdovers Gustine, Mariposa, Waterford, Delhi and Le Grand on Denair’s schedule. Gone this year to the Trans-Valley League are Orestimba and Ripon Christian.

“Orestimba and RC were too big; they outgrew us,” said Armas. “As far as the rest of us, I really think everyone has a chance. It’s kind of even across the board. … We’re excited about the season.”