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Before they voted on issuing millions in bonds for school rebuilding and renovation at their meeting on May 14, San Juan-Aromas School District trustees took a moment to acknowledge something that may have been even more important to the packed audience of students and parents. They formally recognized 53 students from the three district schools who achieved reclassification as Fluent English Proficient.
“Our district is proud to reignite the cherished tradition of this celebration,” said Curriculum and Instruction Director Jivan Dhaliwal. “These students have worked very hard to meet the criteria, and their hard work and perseverance deserve to be in the spotlight.”
The students were called up by their respective school principals as English learner teacher Sara Perez distributed certificates attesting to their achievement in being reclassified. According to an earlier interview with Perez, the school year began with 300 English learners.
San Juan School had 16 student reclassifications, Aromas School had 27 and Anzar High School had 10. As previously reported by BenitoLink, the district will build on the success of its student English Learner program by holding free language classes for parents starting in August.
Later, the board unanimously approved issuing $19 million in general obligation bonds authorized by Measure O to finance the “acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping of school facilities of the District.”
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. will underwrite the bonds and the cost of issuance will be paid from the proceeds of bond sales.
The first phase of construction, also authorized at the meeting in an agreement with contractor Dilbeck & Sons, involves connecting electrical systems and gas lines from two buildings on campus before their demolition.
Dilbeck will also install a wildlife barrier, a temporary fence around the site and a temporary access road to the back of the school.
The project will cost about $3.76 million with a possible added fee of $572,213 if soil will need to be removed and hauled away. A contingency allowance of $188,189 brings the total cost to a maximum of approximately $4.5 million, a reduction of $400,000 from the previous estimate.
During the meeting, the trustees also authorized two agreements relating to the district’s summer programs to be paid through state grants. The first is with Youth Alliance to provide nine hours of daily Expanded Learning Opportunities Programming from June 11 to July 25. This follows the successful “Camp Casa” program held last year with participation from Youth Alliance.
The second agreement, with Silicon Valley Education Foundation, will provide a 23-day summer program at Anzar High School to support students who have demonstrated proficiency in Algebra 1 in 8th grade or high school geometry. The program will focus on preparation for Algebra 2 through advanced coursework.
Finally, the trustees also authorized an agreement with Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy to provide Aromas School and San Juan School with a year-long advanced enrichment program during the 2025-26 school year.
About 125 students from eighth grade classes in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties will participate in the immersive Algebra Academy program, which is hosted by Driscoll’s, Graniterock, Joby Aviation and Taylor Farms, and taught by CSUMB math and science majors.
The following Employees of the Year were also honored at the meeting:
Ruben Casteneda – Custodian/Grounds, District Office
Leonard Espinoza, Behavior Specialist, San Juan School
David Founds – Industrial Arts Teacher, Anzar High School
Teri Marshall – 3rd Grade Teacher, San Juan School
Carole Portrum – Special Education Instruction Aide, Anzar High School
Logan Shankle – Special Day Class Mild Moderate Teacher, Aromas School
Araceli Wahl – Secretary/Attendance Clerk, Aromas School
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