As the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District tries to get back
to business with the start of the school year, community members
are still getting into heated debates at the district’s monthly
meetings.
Wednesday night’s meeting was no different with fiery arguments
over a presentation on a possible Gifted and Talented Education
(GATE) program, disruption of Aromas School neighbors and the
results of a parent survey at Anzar High School.
As the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District tries to get back to business with the start of the school year, community members are still getting into heated debates at the district’s monthly meetings.
Wednesday night’s meeting was no different with fiery arguments over a presentation on a possible Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, disruption of Aromas School neighbors and the results of a parent survey at Anzar High School.
After last month’s request to look into participating in the state’s GATE program, Superintendent Jackie Munoz presented information on the program, requirements and costs. After, trustees discussed the benefits and disadvantages of instituting GATE at the district’s campuses. Most of the trustees were against such a program because it labels certain students as gifted or talented.
“I feel it predetermines somebody’s identity,” said Trustee Sylvia Rios-Metcalf. “I don’t know if the label is worth the price.”
The district would receive approximately $3,000 per school to run the program.
Trustee Jeff Hancock supported a GATE program, saying he sees it as “a cold, hard practicality of life” that some students excel while others don’t.
Other trustees, the two K-8 school principals and the Anzar director argued teachers participate in differentiated teaching that tries to meet all levels of learning in a classroom. At the high school level, Advanced Placement classes are available as well as the required exhibitions.
Wednesday’s meeting was the continuation of a problem involving noise levels around Aromas School due to an Aztec dance class that meets twice a week at the school. Part of the class involves the beating of a drum that is disruptive to neighbors and those trying to go to sleep at night. Twelve neighbors signed a petition asking the district to move the class to another location. While everyone agrees the music is loud, more than one measurement has been taken, with the noise being around 75 decibels. The legal limit is 85.
Neighbor Warren Pierce and the class’ teacher, Sergio Martinez, went back and forth at the meeting. The Board asked Aromas School Principal Ercilia Zavala to look into other rooms for the class – a room that is far away from homes and one that has linoleum for the dancers. One thing everyone could agree on – they can’t wait for the gym at Aromas School to be built.
Anzar High School Director Charlene McKowen presented preliminary results of a survey completed by parents last spring. The survey asked parents about the school’s resources, communication, climate and curriculum. About 190 surveys came back, McKowen said.
“We wanted to know what parents thought of different issues,” she said.
Areas that received high satisfaction marks were the newsletter, report cards, progress reports, English classes and safety at school. Areas that scored lower included the school’s Web site, having questions and phone calls answered promptly, having parents’ opinions valued by the school, exhibitions and students respecting other students and teachers. Overall, 89 percent of respondents were satisfied with their child’s educational experience at Anzar, a high point for McKowen and the trustees.
Anzar staff will continue to review and analyze the results as well as those for parents who answered questions from indirect contact – based more on perceptions. All results will be broken down by grade, gender and question.
Hancock questioned McKowen on what was being done to fix the areas with low parent satisfaction. An audience member also questioned the randomness of the survey, which was sent home with students. Over 60 percent of surveys came back.
There will be a special meeting, open to the public Monday, Sept. 22 at Anzar High School at 6:30 p.m. that will focus on the No Child Left Behind Act. The next regular board meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Anzar High School starting at 7 p.m.
