Tag Archives: Denair Unified School District

Community Members Learn How to Oppose Boundary Change

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

More than 70 people turned out Thursday night to learn how they can fight a proposal by a Turlock home developer to redraw the Denair Unified School District’s boundaries. The initiative could cost the district more than $2 million in the first year and hundreds of thousands of dollars annually after that, Superintendent Aaron Rosander told the crowd.

“That is a game-changer, folks,” said Rosander.

The boundary initiative involves 169 homes to be built at the northwest corner of Tuolumne and Waring roads by developer Ronald Katakis. The property in question is about a half-mile from the Denair schools complex on Lester Avenue, but more than two miles away from Turlock High School.

The land has always been within the Denair district, but Katakis petitioned the Stanislaus County Office of Education to move it to the Turlock Unified School District.

The county office formed a 10-person committee of current and former school board members to consider the change. The panel will hold back-to-back meetings on Wed., Oct. 28 in Turlock (5 p.m.) and Denair (6 p.m.) to hear public comment about the proposal.

Not surprisingly, the parents, students, staff members and Denair residents who showed up Thursday were unanimously against the idea. They listened as Rosander and a district attorney explained the financial and legal implications of the proposed boundary change, and then had a chance to ask questions.

Rosander assured the crowd that “I’m going to fight to the bloody end to make sure this boundary doesn’t get changed. We would argue this is not reasonable or proper. This is territory that belongs in the Denair Unified School District.” Continue reading “Community Members Learn How to Oppose Boundary Change” »

Generosity Reflected in Community Response to Fire Relief Efforts

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Denair Middle School student Logan Pierce unloads items from a pickup. Teacher Rosanne Cantwell looks on.

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

The Denair community as well as students at two campuses contributed in a big way to an impressive relief effort for people affected by the Butte fire in Calaveras and Amador counties.

Water and non-perishable food. Clothing, blankets and bedding. Toiletries, toothpaste and diapers. Toys and games. Pet food. Even 60 to 70 100-pound bales of hay for hungry horses.

It will take a small convoy of trucks, trailers, SUVs and other vehicles to transport it all Friday afternoon to various places in Calaveras County.

Since it began Sept. 9, the Butte fire has burned more than 71,000 acres, destroyed 365 homes and 261 outbuildings, and damaged 26 structures. Friday morning, Cal Fire estimated containment at about 60%.

The idea to help fire victims began Monday among students and staff at Denair High School and Denair Middle School.

At the high school, student Destiny Silva organized the effort. At the middle school, campus supervisor Melissa Oei – who used to live in Valley Springs, not far from the fire — has friends who have lost their homes. Students in the leadership club found out and decided they wanted to pitch in.

By midday Friday, donations were overflowing from the middle school library into the hallway outside Principal Travis Manley’s office. At the high school, cartons of water, boxes of food, piles of blankets and other items were stacked high in a vacant room across from Principal Alecia Myers’ office. Continue reading “Generosity Reflected in Community Response to Fire Relief Efforts” »

Denair Students Collecting Donations to Benefit Sierra Fire Victims

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FEMA News Photo / Andrea Booher

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Students and staff at two campuses in the Denair Unified School District are leading a community relief effort to help people affected by the Butte fire in Calaveras and Amador counties.

Donations of clothing, toiletries, water, non-perishable food, blankets and other basic necessities will be accepted at the main offices at Denair High School and Denair Middle School between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Both campuses are located on Lester Road.

The Butte fire has burned more than 71,000 acres since it began last week. An estimated 135 homes and more than 80 other buildings have been destroyed, and thousands of people were told to leave their houses over the weekend.

The impetus to help fire victims began Monday among students and staff at both campuses. At the high school, student Destiny Silva organized the effort. At the middle school, campus supervisor Melissa Oei – who used to live in Valley Springs, not far from the fire — has friends who have lost their homes. Students in the leadership club found out and decided they wanted to pitch in.

Donations will be accepted through lunch time Friday.

High school Principal Alecia Myers said Silva and her family intend to take what is collected to one of the relief stations in Calaveras County. Middle school Principal Travis Manley said he will drive the goods from his campus to a friend from Calaveras County and she’ll take it to the Red Cross or Resource Connection in San Andreas.

Anyone with questions should call the high school office at (209) 632-9911 or middle school office at (209) 632-2510.

Strong Elementary Enrollment Growth
 Good News for DUSD

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

After three years of decline, enrollment in the Denair Unified School District is leveling off thanks to strong growth at the elementary campus. More students boost the bottom line since average daily attendance, or ADA, is the key measurement linked to state funding.

Superintendent Aaron Rosander and Chief Business Officer Linda Covello went over the important financial and enrollment numbers at Thursday night’s DUSD board of trustees meeting.

Covello said the district finished the 2014-15 school year with 1,265 students, a 9% decline from the previous year. Still, thanks to tight fiscal controls and cooperation from labor groups, the district finished the school year with an overall fund balance of $852,403.

And, Rosander explained, this year has started off very well, particularly at the new Denair Elementary Charter Academy. Already, enrollment has exceeded projections by 40 students. The first-ever Spanish immersion program in kindergarten has proven to be especially popular. Thirty-two youngsters signed up, creating the need for a second class. An additional teacher has been hired and the district intends to advertise that it has room for another dozen or so students in the program.

“It’s been a fabulous start to the year,” Principal Sara Michelena said. “Our enrollment is up across all the grade levels.”

Covello’s budget projections show that thanks to enrollment growth and some one-time funding from the state, Denair should end this school year with a fund balance of more than $1.5 million.

Rosander couldn’t help but smile Thursday night when he considered the progress the district has made in a few short years.

“The picture looks very, very good. It appears the plan we put in place about a year and half ago is gaining traction and coming to fruition,” he said. “It’s really a nice trajectory that we’re on.” Continue reading “Strong Elementary Enrollment Growth
 Good News for DUSD” »