California State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell will
make an appearance at Anzar High School Friday Sept. 24, where
he’ll talk about issues like state standards and high school
achievement scores, and participate in a question and answer panel
at the 2004 Education Summit.
San Juan Bautista – California State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell will make an appearance at Anzar High School Friday Sept. 24, where he’ll talk about issues like state standards and high school achievement scores, and participate in a question and answer panel at the 2004 Education Summit.
The summit, which is organized by State Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, gives local students, parents and community members an opportunity to ask a panel of elected officials and teachers questions about key issues. Joining San Benito County residents at the summit, will be community members from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, as well as some from Gilroy. Aromas San-Juan Unified School District Superintendent Jackie Munoz is thrilled about having it held at Anzar.
“It’s a real honor to have the superintendent come, and be able to hold a tri-county gathering,” Munoz said.
The summit’s panel will consist of Denham , O’Connell, Assemblyman Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, and a teacher who hasn’t been selected yet.
Having the summit in San Juan Bautista is not only a middle point for everyone to meet, but Munoz says it’s also a great place for local school districts to get solid answers to their questions and concerns.
“We’re a small rural district so we always have questions about funding,” Munoz said. “And I’m sure there will be questions about No Child Left Behind accountability. It will be interesting to hear his (O’Connell’s) speech before asking questions.”
Ann Bancroft, spokesperson for O’Connell, said the superintendent plans on discussing the challenges of No Child Left Behind, a federal required proficiency rate that many California schools aren’t reaching because of a difference between federal and state standards, among other things.
“One of his big areas is improving high school achievement,” she said. “He’ll probably also discuss the importance of teaching to the California standards.”
Debbie Padilla, principal of San Benito High School, is looking forward to the summit and she said aside from achievement, she’s concerned about the state budget for secondary schools.
“I’m interested in seeing how the state will offer support academically and socially to the schools, to help the students go on after high school,” she said.
This is the second year the summit has been held, and Denham said after the success of last year, he’s looking forward to getting more input and ideas from the public.
“I think it’s important for people to know exactly the direction we’re going in as a state, and the most important part is hearing from the schools what’s going right,” he said. “Last year we got some great ideas and good bi-partisan support. What we want to do is get input from across the board, students, teachers, parents and administrators. We’re hoping for a great turnout.”
The summit will begin at 9am at the gym at Anzar, and wrap up at 11:30am. For more information about the summit, call the County Office of Education at 637-5393.
