Travis school board requests waiver from state to search of new board member | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

The Travis Unified School District board decided to ask the state Board of Education for a waiver of the appointment timeline to allow additional time to seek a qualified applicant for the vacant trustee seat.

Zenobia Muhammad left the Trustee Area 1 seat in August. The board wanted to fill this vacancy by appointment, but no one applied for the position by the deadline, which was 60 days after Muhammad left.

The requirements for the position include that a person must be 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the state, a resident of the district and Trustee Area 1, a registered voter, and not otherwise be disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office.

Source: Travis school board requests waiver from state to search of new board member | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis board talks fencing around schools | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

The Travis Unified School District board discussed the idea of putting fencing around the perimeters of three schools – Vanden High School, Golden West Middle School and Travis Education Center.

This is not a new idea but it has seen increasing pressure from parents over the past few years with the number of school shootings rising across the country.

Gabe Moulaison, chief business officer, gave the presentation on the staff findings for the project.

Source: Travis board talks fencing around schools | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis school district approves Facilities Master Plan | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

Travis Unified school board approved the Facilities Master Plan at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The Kitchell Consulting group came to the meeting and gave a presentation on the assessed schools they looked at in the District for this report.

They went through the facilities from the roofs, through the multiple systems that run the schools.

Source: Travis school district approves Facilities Master Plan | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Local Friday Night Live groups take podium at youth summit | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden and Benicia high school students presented workshops at the recent California Friday Night Live Youth Summit in Anaheim.

Vanden’s Friday Night Live representatives presented a workshop titled “One Pill Can Kill,” about the dangers of fentanyl. The presentation was a collaboration with Drug Safe Solano and Solano County Public Health, the Solano County Office of Education reported.

Vanden representatives could not be reached Tuesday.

Source: Local Friday Night Live groups take podium at youth summit | News | dailyrepublic.com

‘Street Talk’ for road safety at Vanden: Organize, lobby political leaders – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

A Travis Unified trustee, two Fairfield City Council members, a Solano County Supervisor and concerned district parents met Saturday to discuss safe streets near Vanden High while they gathered in the school’s parking lot.

Two Fairfield streets at issue for the local elected leaders and the parents were Markeley and Viking lanes, which intersect. Markeley does not extend to the Peabody Road overcrossing, where for years a lone Markeley Lane sign has led to a grassy, undeveloped field.

Since Markeley does not reach to the four-lane overcrossing — and was never extended at the same time during the overcrossing’s construction — traffic backups are commonplace during the school year in the mornings and afternoons, when students arrive and depart, at four schools in the area. Besides Vanden, which has more than 1,600 students, the others are Golden West Middle School, with more than 700 students; Center Elementary, with more than 500; and the Travis Education Center, which has more than 70.

Source: ‘Street Talk’ for road safety at Vanden: Organize, lobby political leaders – The Vacaville Reporter

Parents seek answers on restoring a portion of Markeley Lane | dailyrepublic.com

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Street Talk 2023 became Straight Talk 2023 as several dozen people gathered in a Vanden High School parking lot Saturday morning to talk about restoring the portion of Markeley Lane that used to connect to Peabody Road.

The event was hosted by Matt Bidou, trustee of the Travis Unified School District and Fairfield Vice Mayor Pam Bertani. Catherine “Cat” Moy, Fairfield’s mayor, and Mitch Mashburn, Solano County supervisor, were guests.

All four told those gathered, mainly parents, organizing is the key to get the portion of the road restored. The portion of the road was closed when the Peabody Road overpass was built.

Source: Parents seek answers on restoring a portion of Markeley Lane | News | dailyrepublic.com

Supporting Travis Air Force Base’s Five & Thrive | dailyrepublic.com

By Sheila McCabe

The mission of Five & Thrive is to tackle the top five quality-of-life issues military families face because their quality of life is directly tied to the readiness, resilience, recruitment and retention of our armed forces.

The five areas that fall within Five & Thrive are (1) Childcare; (2) Education; (3) Healthcare; (4) Housing; and (5) Spouse Employment.

This summer, Dixon Unified School District, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Travis Unified School District, and Vacaville Unified School District joined forces to address one of the barriers related to education – summer registration.

Source: Civic Leaders: Supporting Travis Air Force Base’s Five & Thrive | Lifestyle | dailyrepublic.com

Travis governing board looks to fill vacant seat at next meeting | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

The Travis Unified School District Governing Board will consider the selection process to replace board member and clerk Zenobia Muhammad at its next meeting.

Muhammad tendered her resignation on Aug. 31.

The options going forward are to either provisionally appoint or call a special election to fill the vacancy.

The board will discuss the best course of action on Tuesday. If they decide on an appointment, then they will conduct applicant interviews at the Oct. 10 meeting. To choose a special election means the seat will be vacant until the next election in 2024.

Source: Travis governing board looks to fill vacant seat at next meeting | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis school board takes a look at future use of lands | dailyrepublic.com

Money was one of the main topics at the Travis Unified School District’s Tuesday night meeting.

Gabe Moulaison, chief business officer for Travis Unified, covered several issues which will fiscally impact the school district.

First, the school board approved a California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing and Efficiency Program resolution which will give the district staff authority to sign the CalSHAPE Grant agreement. This grant provides $348,000 to replace plumbing fixtures throughout the district, according to Moulaison.

Source: Travis school board takes a look at future use of lands | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis board looks at changes for graduation requirements in American Government course work | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

Tiffany Benson, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, brought a proposal to change the graduation requirement for social studies to the Travis School Board.

Her proposal was to change the social studies course from its current schedule to give students the option of either taking one semester of American Government or one full-year course of it.

“The idea is to align with the California graduation requirements,” Benson said. “This way it gives students the option of doing one semester or one year of American Government.”

Source: Travis board looks at changes for graduation requirements in American Government course work | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis Unified to serve free meals during next school year – Daily Republic

Travis Unified School District will continue to serve free meals under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs during the 2023-24 school year, the district announced.

All TK-12 students will be served lunch and breakfast at no charge at Center, Travis and Scandia elementary schools in Fairfield; Cambridge and Foxboro elementary schools in Vacaville; as well as Golden West Middle School and Vanden High School, both in Fairfield.

Source: Travis Unified to serve free meals during next school year

Council forms subcommittee to explore funding for Markeley Lane – Daily Republic

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

The city council opted to form a subcommittee to pursue finances and support for a new Markeley Lane, off Peabody Road.

Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, who serves the district, and Mayor Catherine Moy are the subcommittee. Moy has been meeting with Solano County Supervisor Mitch Mashburn and Vacaville Mayor John Carli. “They will do everything they can to help us fund this,” she said.

Source: Council forms subcommittee to explore funding for Markeley Lane

Vanden grad hopes his electronic timing device catches attention of catchers, coaches – Daily Republic

By Matt Miller

Laid up with a severe back injury after helping his invalid father into the house, Matt Ceriani thought his baseball days might officially be over.

Ceriani, a 1994 Vanden High School graduate, played many years as a catcher and had successfully turned it into a coaching career, mainly working with those hoping to succeed at his favorite position. Then an idea came to mind.

“I was lying there one night, looking out into the dark, and I could literally see it,” Ceriani said. “I wanted a device that could be used online where kids couldn’t lie about their throwing times. It was a pipe dream, but it was an idea I thought, ‘I can do this.’”

Source: Vanden grad hopes his electronic timing device catches attention of catchers, coaches

Isom bids farewell during his last Fairfield school board meeting – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield Board of Trustees said goodbye to board president David C. Isom, who is soon moving to Missouri.

A longtime member of the community, he served on the board five separate times as president since being first appointed to the Fairfield-Suisun school board in September 2010, and has added additional four-year terms over the years.

“It has been an honor to serve this district and serve the community,” Isom said. “I appreciate the trust that was bestowed on me by members of this community.”

Source: Isom bids farewell during his last Fairfield school board meeting

A jubilant passage — and tenacity — at Vanden graduation – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Moments after walking across a stage to hear her name called, Sherane Negre, a newly minted graduate of Vanden High School’s class of 2023 on Saturday, headed to an area behind Gammon Field to pick up her diploma.

“I’m scared for the future,” said Negre, 18, one of the Fairfield school’s five salutatorians. “But I’m also hopeful for the future.”

Earning a GPA of 4.0 or greater during her years at the Markeley Lane campus, she plans to attend Pacific Union College in Angwin, in Napa County, where she will pursue a nursing degree.

Source: A jubilant passage — and tenacity — at Vanden graduation – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden graduates head out for new adventures – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

The Vanden High School Class of 2023 are all on the way to next stage of their lives. On Saturday, the graduating class took to the George A. Gammon field in a sea of green and gold for one final high school milestone.

The band played the students in with traditional Pomp and Circumstance, followed by the Vanden High School JROTC presenting colors.

The principal greeted parents and students with a hardy thanks to all the staff, parents and families that helped make the day possible for the graduates.

Source: Vanden graduates head out for new adventures

11 Vanden student-athletes celebrated for college scholarships – Daily Republic

By Matt Miller

Eleven student-athletes headed to four-year colleges on scholarships were honored Tuesday night at Vanden High School in what athletic director Sean Murphy called “the most decorated class in school history.”

Murphy said that this group of Vikings has been a part of eight Sac-Joaquin Section championships during their careers and “numerous league championships.”

“It says a lot about what they put into their four years,” Murphy told the assembled athletes, coaches, family, friends and teammates. “I truly feel our staff has gotten them prepared for college. We’re very proud of all of them.”

Source: 11 Vanden student-athletes celebrated for college scholarships

Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

By Kimberly K. Fu

Warming temperatures signal the onslaught of summer and, just before that, the milestone of high school graduations.

Congratulations to outgoing seniors. We at The Reporter wish you the very brightest of futures.

Following is a partial list of northern Solano graduations. They include:

  • Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Maine Prairie, at Dixon High Theater
  • Thursday, 7 p.m.: Vacaville Christian Schools, at Falcon Field
  • Friday, 3 p.m.: Travis Education Center, at Gammon Stadium
  • Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dixon High, at Rams Stadium
  • Saturday, 10 a.m.: Vanden High, at Gammon Stadium
  • June 7, 6:30 p.m.: Muzetta Thrower AEC, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 8, 6:30 p.m.: Ernest Kimme, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 9 at 10 a.m.: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, at Zunino Stadium
  • June 9 at 6:30 p.m.: Will C. Wood High, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 10, 9 a.m.: Vaca High, at Zunino Stadium

Vacaville Unified School District will be livestreaming the graduations of Will C. Wood High, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, Vaca High, Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center and Ernest Kimme Charter Academy on both YouTube and Facebook.

Source: Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

Vanden ROTC earns Distinguished Unit with Merit award – Daily Republic

The Vanden High Air Force Jr. ROTC CA-20011 was selected as a Distinguished Unit with Merit. This year, only 12 percent of the 850 Air Force JROTC high schools across the United States and at selected schools in Europe, in the Pacific, and in Puerto Rico were recognized with the honor.

Worldwide enrollment includes more than 100,000 cadets who do over 1 million hours of community service each year. This award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed well above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force JROTC citizen development mission for America.

Source: Vanden ROTC earns Distinguished Unit with Merit award

Fairfield Police announce first Police Youth Academy – Daily Republic

The Fairfield Police Department is accepting applications for its very first Police Youth Academy.

This is a free program for Fairfield-Suisun and Travis Unified School Districts youths, 11 to 16, who have an interest in learning more about law enforcement. The program provides students with a greater understanding of the inner workings of a police department and police procedures, taught by law enforcement.

It also offers youths an opportunity to spend a week gaining insight into the jobs offered through the Fairfield PD, and to engage with their peers while honing their team-building and communication skills, and through critical thinking exercises.

Source: Fairfield Police announce first Police Youth Academy