Tag Archives: Denair Unified School District

Budget Picture Brighter at Denair Unified

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Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Though the challenge of growing enrollment remains, the financial condition of the Denair Unified School District continues to improve.

District trustees and the public were briefed at Thursday night’s board meeting about Denair’s budget status, which required a loan of $1.3 million two years ago to avoid state intervention. Those dark days are well behind the district thanks to a series of necessary austerity measures, including an 8% pay reduction for teachers.

The district finished the 2013-14 fiscal year with a $73,000 deficit, much lower than earlier projections that were four times higher. In 2012-13, Denair operated at a deficit of $709,000. That’s when the Stanislaus County Office of Education stepped in with a loan to avert state takeover of the district.

The loan has since been repaid, a new administrative team is in place, staffing has been calibrated to match current enrollment and morale across all six campuses has markedly improved.

The revised 2014-15 general fund budget of $8.2 million anticipates a revenue surplus of $331,791, Chief Business Officer Linda Covello told Denair trustees Thursday. That will help to replenish the district’s reserves.

“I’m pleased that the budget report shows that our fiscal recovery plan remains on a proper and positive trajectory,” said Superintendent Aaron Rosander, who took over in February. “Based on this report, it appears that Denair schools may well be out of the red and into the black by or before the end of next school year. This is indeed good news for DUSD.”

Douglas Crancer, a school funding expert sent to Denair by the state, said while there are still uncertainties regarding state funding and future pension costs, “We’re definitely on our way to gaining fiscal health.”

One of the key revenue streams for any public school district is based upon average daily attendance, or ADA. The state pays Denair an average of about $7,600 per student enrolled in the district.

Denair’s enrollment this year is projected to be 1,287, down from 1,353 in 2013-14. The district’s enrollment peaked at 1,553 students in 2011-12. Continue reading “Budget Picture Brighter at Denair Unified” »

DUSD Hires Veteran Band Director

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Don Thissen

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Mr. Donald Thissen brings to Denair Unified School District over 28 years of music teaching experience in public schools and private lessons in California, Oregon and Nevada, with bands as small as six students to groups over 200 strong. Mr. Thissen will lead the high school band, the middle school band, fifth grade band, and elementary music.

Mr. Thissen graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Music Education after attending Chowchilla High School. He has performed professionally as a trombone player with the Merced Symphony (where he was also manager), Tulare County Symphony, the Fresno Philharmonic, the Eugene Opera and with community concert and jazz bands in California and Oregon. He has performed with jazz greats Don Ellis, Maynard Ferguson, and others from the Old Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

At Denair, Mr. Thissen would like to see the program grow back to a full time position. In time, he envisions the introduction of Beginning Guitar, Jazz Studies/Jazz Band, and developing greater continuity within the music program, to keep students who begin an instrument in elementary school continuing through high school graduation.

Mr. Thissen loves working with youth. His favorite moments are those “I got it” moments when his students’ faces beam with pride for what they have accomplished with music. He added, “It’s great to see them show what they have learned and express the love of music that I brought to them.”

Mr. Thissen has been married to his “best friend” Nancy for over 38 years. They met in college and have two sons who are both married. The Thissens have five grandchildren.

Motivational Speaker Inspires DUSD Staff

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HarveyAlston

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Motivational speaker Harvey Alston pumped up the Denair Unified School District staff Monday morning, punctuating his presentation to teachers, secretaries, custodians, food workers and administrators by urging them to “be the absolutely the best at whatever you are.”

Alston called the staff members heroes, saying, “A hero is someone who helps somebody; somebody who makes a difference in somebody’s life.”

“We are in the business of saving lives,” he told the 130 district employees. “We nourish children.”

Alston is a former teacher and coach from Ohio who has spoken to students and staff at more than 6,000 U.S. campuses in addition to businesses and other organizations. He is the author of the book “Be the Best” and his website is built around that theme. His presentation Monday was part of a staff development program. Denair welcomes nearly 1,400 students back to its six campuses tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Dressed in a tuxedo, his voice booming in the Denair Middle School multipurpose room, Alston used humor and examples from his own teaching career to deliver his message of empowerment, respect, honesty and responsibility. His words echoed those of Superintendent Aaron Rosander, who stressed the importance of a quality education and introduced Alston by saying, “We’re on a mission to start an epidemic of positive thinking.”

Rosander showed a popular “Shift Happens” video from YouTube comparing educational, population and technological trends from around the world to remind his staff of the rapid pace of change confronting students and those responsible for teaching them. Continue reading “Motivational Speaker Inspires DUSD Staff” »

Denair Week of the Young Child Festivities

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Week of the Young Child LogoDenair Unified School District will be celebrating Week of the Young Child, Friday, April 11, 2014, with a festival for their youngest students. Denair Elementary Preschool and Kindergarten students will enjoy a concert by Oklin Bloodworth, a children’s performer, beginning at 9:15, in the Elementary Cafeteria. Immediately following the music performance, festival activities will continue on the kinder/Preschool Playground with fun activities for students, including face-painting, bubble blowing cups, mural painting, an obstacle course, and musical instruments.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association, with nearly 80,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates.

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we – as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation – will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

In 2011, NAEYC celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child™. For more information about the history of the event and the 40th anniversary read Week of the Young Child Turns 40!

Below are photos from the event.