HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 1, 2001 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WITH THE LODI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE — PISANO ROOM
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2001
A. ROLL CALL
The Joint City Council meeting with the Lodi Unified School District of March 1, 2001 was called to
order by Mayor Nakanishi at 5:38 p.m.
Present: Council Members — Hitchcock, Howard, Land, Pennino and Mayor Nakanishi
Absent: Council Members — None
Present from the City: City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Management Analyst
Hamilton, Public Works Director Prima, Community Development
Director Bartlam, Parks and Recreation Director Baltz, Deputy City
Attorney Schwabauer and City Clerk Blackston
Present from the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education: Ken Davis, Richard Dean,
Dr. Norm Mowery, Dr. Ken Mullen, Harvey Robins, and Bob Weaver
Present from the Lodi Unified School District staff: Bill Huyett, Superintendent of Schools; Mamie
Starr, Assistant Superintendent, Facilities & Planning; Doug Barge, Chief Business
Officer; Len Casanega, Assistant Superintendent, Personnel; Rich Ferrara, Associate
Superintendent K-12 Schools; Irvin Jefferson, Coordinator of Human Relations; Dr.
Barbara Johnston, Administrative Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment; and
Sherry Leonard, Administrative Director, Special Services/SELPA
Present from the public: Greg Goehring, James Shoemaker, Bob Johnson, John Johnson,
Tony Paradiso, and Ted Barnes
B. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS OF MUTUAL CONCERN
Mayor Nakanishi welcomed the group and opened the meeting with an invocation.
LUSD Board Member Mullen reported that Lodi Unified School District (LUSD) has proposed a
$109 million bond for the construction of two middle schools, four grammar schools, and one high
school.
With the aid of overheads (filed), Bill Huyett, Superintendent of Schools and Mamie Starr,
Assistant Superintendent gave an update on the LUSD bond proposal and associated projects.
They emphasized the urgent need for additional schools and pointed out that it has been ten
years since the last elementary school was built. To illustrate the overcrowding issue, they offered
the following statistics:
• LUSD currently has 26,247 students with only 20,087 seats, and this shortfall is anticipated to
grow.
• From 1993 to 1998, LUSD grew by only 125 students; however, in 1999 it increased by 225
students, and in 2000 by 950 students.
LUSD has hired a consultant to prepare a master plan outlining the needs of the School District
over the next 10 years. It is anticipated that the plan will be completed by June 2001.
Ms. Starr updated the Council regarding Lincoln School, indicating that sale negotiations with the
Lodi Historical Society have been suspended. A proposal is currently being considered for use of
the building for community programs.
Parks and Recreation Director Baltz reported on the after school programs currently being offered
at nine school sites. It is the goal of the department to have an after school program in place at
every elementary school in Lodi, with Washington Elementary School being a high priority. The
programs run daily for grades K-6 from the time that school ends until 6:00 p.m., and have a 20-1
Continued March 1, 2001
student -instructor ratio, with 30 individuals who help run the programs. The cost to parents is $60
per month, with a 100% cost recovery to the City.
Management Analyst Janet Hamilton added that four school sites, specifically Lockeford,
Heritage, Lawrence, and Needham, are operated with grant money. These after school programs
have an added educational component of one hour of instruction each day. The City has received
positive feedback of improved homework completion rates and improved student attendance.
In response to questions related to the LUSD bond proposal, Mr. Huyett reported that the bond is
for the next 5- to 10 -year projected growth. The School District's architect has estimated a cost of
$60 million to build the proposed schools.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• Greg Goehring, 431 S. Ham Lane, Lodi, spoke in opposition to the bond proposal and stated
that the amount is unrealistic, as too often projects have cost overruns. He questioned how
much it cost to build Florin High School, which Mr. Huyett was involved in.
Mr. Huyett responded that the cost was approximately $26 million.
• James Shoemaker, 4959 Bear Creek Way, Stockton, spoke in opposition to the bond
proposal and pointed out that Governor Davis has already increased allocations for education.
He stated that it is an inopportune time to ask the public for more money, with the current
economic downturn.
• Tony Paradiso (address not given) announced that he was an aerospace engineer for 46
years and emphasized the need to build for the future so that bonds are not needed so
frequently.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
Council Member Howard thanked the School District for their informative presentation and
supported their plan to solicit public input regarding the bond proposal.
Council Members Land, Howard and Pennino all voiced their support for the school bond.
Mayor Nakanishi stated that education is very important to him; however, he would like an
opportunity to provide input before being asked to vote on the bond. He expressed concern about
taxing senior citizens.
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
LUSD Board Member Robins felt very positive that the bond would pass and believed that they will
get 70% of voters to support it.
Board Member Davis added that the City Council's support is needed in order for the bond to
pass.
Board Member Weaver expressed his opposition to the suggestion of identifying and separating
money between Stockton and Lodi schools. He hoped that students will be able to return to a
traditional school schedule and get away from Concept 6 with the passing of the bond and
subsequent construction of new schools.
Board Member Mowery also stated that he hopes Council will add its support for the bond. He
noted that there have been previous discussions about a joint venture between the City of Lodi
and LUSD for a high-tech watering system for school grounds and parks. Board Member Mowery
voiced his support of the after school programs, adding that they are a vital asset to the
community. Further, Dr. Mowery suggested that the Board of Education members, LUSD
representatives, and the Council Members lead the way by being the first to take the High School
exit examination.
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Continued March 1, 2001
Board Member Dean explained that Govemor Davis has promised money towards teachers'
salaries; however, he has not designated enough money to construct and repair existing schools.
He stated that the School District is not mismanaging money, as has been alleged by the public,
and stated that the District has no choice but to go forward with the bond.
Board Member Mullen emphasized the urgent need for the bond, due to overcrowded schools and
the resulting detriment to students by remaining on Concept 6.
C. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
Susan J. Blackston
City Clerk
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