Category Archives: Vallejo City Unified School District

Council debates location of ELITE Public schools – Times Herald Online

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By David Arias

A crowded Vallejo City Council chambers — including representation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — saw the welcoming of new Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall and heard of a proposed downtown public charter high school at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell gave a brief welcome to Marshall, warranting a long applause from audience members.

Marshall will be the fourth city manager for the city in a four-year period. Mike Malone, who retired last week, was appointed City Manager in April 2022, following Anne Cardwell and Greg Nyhoff. Cardwell had served as the assistant city manager prior to being appointed interim city manager in July 2021. She resigned three months into the position.

Source: Council debates location of ELITE Public schools – Times Herald Online

State legislative committee OKs school district fiscal health bill – Lake County News

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By Elizabeth Larson

Legislation advanced on Wednesday from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help protect the finances of California public schools faced with the challenge of declining enrollment by extending the authority of local school boards to consider the fiscal impact of new charter school applications.

“When it comes to educating our children, locally elected school boards must decide how our precious resources are spent,” Sen. Dodd said. “They must have the tools to recover from financial setbacks due to declining enrollment and focus their funds where they will have the greatest benefit. I appreciate the committee support for my bill, which will help rebuild strong schools and ensure everyone has access to the best education possible.”

Enrollment in California public schools has declined over the past two decades because of several factors including a declining birth rate and migration from California.

Source: Lake County News,California – State legislative committee OKs school district fiscal health bill

Former St. Helena school district head appointed next schools superintendent for Vallejo – Vallejo Sun

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By Scott Morris

Former St. Helena Unified School District Superintendent Rubén Aurelio has been hired as the new superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District, the district announced on Wednesday.

Aurelio’s hiring will be effective July 1 and he will succeed Superintendent William Spalding, who is retiring at the end of this school year, the district said in a press release. He was unanimously chosen during a special closed session of the Board of Education on March 16 and his appointment was confirmed this week.

Aurelio previously served in various capacities across nearby districts. For the last two years, he was superintendent of St. Helena Unified, an affluent and high performing but much smaller district in Napa County of 1,199 students, according to his LinkedIn profile. There are about 10,000 students in the Vallejo school district.

Source: Former St. Helena school district head appointed next schools superintendent for Vallejo

Scholarship to honor beloved Vallejo teacher who died last year – Vallejo Sun

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By John Glidden

Nancy Orpilla was meant to be a teacher. Described as being patient, calm, and never having a bad word to say about any of her students, Orpilla’s death of cancer last year left a hole in the Vallejo school district that will likely never fully heal.

A beloved 1st grade teacher at Federal Terrace Elementary School, Orpilla died of lung cancer in April 2023. Her family, former colleagues and students are on a mission to support the next generation of teachers with a scholarship fund in her memory.

“Nancy loved being a teacher in Vallejo. She loved her students, she loved her colleagues,” said Orpilla’s husband, Mel Orpilla, who helped spearhead the memorial scholarship to honor his late wife.

Source: Scholarship to honor beloved Vallejo teacher who died last year

Jesse Bethel High School dealing with terrible field, court conditions – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Jesse Bethel High School baseball players want a field of dreams. What they have is a field of streams.

The Jaguars’ home field has suffered from poor conditions for years, but over the last two years, alarming deteriorations have prompted the team to install a temporary plastic fence that is approximately 230 feet from home plate — leaving around 80 feet of marsh between the new wall and the one that stands beyond it. The water comes from the flooding of a nearby creek at the base of a hill just behind the third base dugout.

When the baseball team held a playoff game last season, Vallejo Sports Hall of Famer and Bethel Physical Education teacher John Baptista’s first words over the P.A. system were, “Welcome to the swamp.”

Source: Jesse Bethel High School dealing with terrible field, court conditions – Times Herald Online

Ruben Aurelio named new Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The Vallejo City Unified School District has hired Ruben Aurelio as its new superintendent.

The district’s Board of Education announced Aurelio’s hiring at Wednesday night’s regularly scheduled meeting. Aurelio will replace William Spalding, who announced he will retire on June 30.

“I am thrilled and honored to work with our Board of Trustees in the Vallejo City Unified School District,” Aurelio stated in a news release. “One aspect of VCUSD that drew my attention was the commitment to equitable outcomes for all students. So much so that the district has purposefully named it as the first pillar in their strategic plan. I’ve spent the majority of my career fighting for equitable outcomes. Vallejo feels like home.”

Source: Ruben Aurelio named new Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent – Times Herald Online

Vallejo school district, educator union reach pay agreement after impasse – Vallejo Sun

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By Zack Haber

Following about five months of bargaining and two days negotiating with the help of a state appointed mediator, Vallejo’s teachers union ratified an agreement with the city’s school district this week.

The agreement between the Vallejo Education Association (VEA) and the Vallejo City Unified School District gives 470 teachers and other certificated school staff like nurses and counselors a 5.5% salary increase, bonuses, and increased contributions to medical health plans and stipends for union members.

Source: Vallejo school district, educator union reach pay agreement after impasse

Vallejo Planning Commission approves controversial downtown charter school – Vallejo Sun

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The Vallejo Planning Commission approved a plan to open a charter school in a vacant downtown office building on Monday, despite complaints from some residents that the building is not big enough for the planned school and that a school is incompatible with the city’s plan for the neighborhood to be an arts and entertainment district.

The planning commission voted 6-1 to approve the proposal by Elite Public Schools to convert the 34,819-square-foot office building that spans a half-block of Georgia Street between Santa Clara and Sacramento streets into a 400-student high school.

Source: Vallejo Planning Commission approves controversial downtown charter school

As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation – Vallejo Sun

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By Zack Haber

Vallejo teachers and school staff have declared an impasse over stalled salary negotiations with the school district and rallied for higher pay at a Board of Education meeting last week as the two sides enter mediation in the hope of resolving the stalemate.

The Vallejo City Unified School District has offered Vallejo Education Association (VEA) members, which include over 400 classroom teachers, nurses, counselors and other certified employees, a 4.5% raise. But union members say they need a higher raise to make their jobs more sustainable and to help stop high staff turnover.

Source: As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation

Vallejo educators to rally for more pay, student success | EdSource

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Members of the Vallejo teachers union will be rallying and addressing board members at Thursday night’s regular meeting to push the district to better serve students and increase pay.

After five months of negotiations, the Vallejo Education Association (VEA) and the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) declared an impasse at the end of February and have a state-appointed mediator, according to the California Teachers Association (CTA). The first mediation will be next week.

Source: Vallejo educators to rally for more pay, student success | EdSource

Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Thomas Gase

NAACP Vallejo branch secretary Lynda Daniels knew she was in the right place Saturday to educate others on Black History. As for the right time, well, she said that’s any time.

“Black History is not just February of every year — it’s 365 days a year and this year it’s 366,” Daniels said. “And that’s 24 hours, seven days a week.”

From noon to 5 p.m. Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo was a hub for education on Black History. More than a dozen vendors showed up to spread awareness as part of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District’s Black History Month “Homecoming” Block Party.

Source: Black History Month celebrated at Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo – The Vacaville Reporter

Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation on Wednesday aims to protect the finances of California public schools faced with the challenge of declining enrollment by extending the authority of local school boards to consider the fiscal impact of new charter school applications.

The bill comes with enrollment in California public schools declining over the past two decades because of several factors including a declining birth rate and migration from California. Due to school districts receiving their funding based on the number of students they educate, the loss of students has serious financial effects, which require local leaders to make difficult budget choices, including the closing of schools.

Source: Bill Dodd seeks to bolster school district fiscal health – Times Herald Online

Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | dailyrepublic.com

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Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced legislation that he said would help protect the finances of public schools with declining enrollment.

Senate Bill 1380, co-sponsored by the California School Boards Association and supported by the Vallejo City Unified School District, would extend the authority of local school boards to consider charter school applications that would negatively impact the districts’ financial stability.

Source: Vallejo school district throws support behind Dodd legislation | News | dailyrepublic.com

Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | dailyrepublic.com

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A soft launch was held Friday to introduce about 80 educators, community leaders and others to the future Vallejo Early Learning Center.

“The ELC will provide an age-appropriate, safe-learning environment for children, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, (ages) 0-5, in a location that has age-appropriate, development-appropriate facilities, including bathrooms in each classroom,” Juan Cisneros, executive director of Child Start, said in a statement released on Monday.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors in June purchased the former Beverly Hills Elementary School site from Vallejo City Unified School District for $2.8 million. Additional administrative fees and closing costs added another estimated $7,281. Solano received $1 million in gap funding from the state to go toward the project.

Source: Sneak peek given at future Early Learning Center site | News | dailyrepublic.com

New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

As Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent William Spalding addressed the crowd at 501 Starr Ave. on Friday afternoon, he couldn’t help but be in awe of the new hardcourt floor inside the facility. It was shiny and new, without a single scratch.

He wants that appearance to change immediately.

“In my time being around schools, this is as good as it gets,” Spalding said, as laughs and cheers rang out from the audience — many of them local dignitaries. “But we want our kids in here, playing basketball, playing pickleball, whatever they’re doing. As this place gets kind of worn it means that it’s being used well. That’s good for everyone.”

Source: New sports gym opens in Vallejo – Times Herald Online

County approves contract for early learning center renovations | dailyrepublic.com

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The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday transferred the former Beverly Hills Elementary School property in Vallejo to Child Start Inc. to be used as an early learning center.

Supervisor Erin Hannigan called it a “proud moment” in the county’s history of supporting children 5 and younger, and Supervisor Monica Brown noted the need for such centers in the county.

“Early education is what the future of society rests on,” Brown said.

Source: County approves contract for early learning center renovations | Company | dailyrepublic.com

William Spalding announces he will be retiring in June – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Vallejo City Unified School District (VUCSD) Superintendent William Spalding has announced he will be retiring at the end of June.

According to a news release, Spalding will have his last day of his 37-year career on June 30. He’s been at the helm of the VCUSD for three years.

Spalding was not available for comment before the Times-Herald Friday deadline, but in a news release he expressed gratitude for the portion of his career in Vallejo, initially as a vice principal contributing to the establishment of Jesse Bethel High School and most recently as Superintendent.

“My return to the district granted me the privilege to reconnect with a community that holds a special place in my heart,” Spalding shared in the release. “The support and trust extended by the Board of Education have been instrumental in driving positive change and progress.”

Source: William Spalding announces he will be retiring in June – Times Herald Online

Girls on the Run North Bay hosts 5K fundraiser – Napa Valley Register

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It was smiles and high-fives as 900 participants ran, walked and skipped during the Girls on the Run Fabulous Fall 5K on Sunday at Mare Island in Vallejo.

Presented by Napa’s Community Projects Inc., the event raised $17,000 for Girls on the Run programs, which inspire girls in grades 3-8 to build their confidence, kindness and decision-making skills.

“This is by far the best ever GOTR 5K,” said “Magical” Michela Ward, a 10-year volunteer life coach at K.I. Jones Elementary School in Fairfield. “Running through the Wendy the Welder space was so empowering.”

Source: Girls on the Run North Bay hosts 5K fundraiser

Solano students, teachers prepare for the ‘big one’ – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Much of the nation and Solano County were like Bill Haley and the Comets on Thursday morning — ready to shake, rattle and roll.

A day after an earthquake hit Northern California, schools across the nation and in Vallejo prepared to deal with “the big one” by participating in the ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:19 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

According to www.shakeout.org, there were more than 56 million people participating in the drill globally. Of those, most came came the United States, with 10 million participants coming from California alone for the drill that began taking place yearly in 2008. Of the 10 million in California, Solano County had 45,938 participants, including 40,188 in K-12 schools and districts as well as another 1,287 in college universities and 579 in childcare and preschools. Non-profit organizations in the county had 1,220 people do the drill.

Source: Solano students, teachers prepare for the ‘big one’ – Times Herald Online

Vallejo shines in annual Glo Run – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

Dalton Melby began running recently in order to join his dad in the fight to lose some weight.

On Saturday night the only thing that Melby lost while running was his competition.

The American Canyon High School senior won the 2023 Vallejo Waterfront Weekend 5K Glo Run — a race for education presented by the Vallejo City Unified School District and Griffin Technology Academies.

Melby won the 5K run with a time of 24 minutes and 13 seconds.Melby, a member of his school’s tennis team, may have to think about another sport after his win.

Source: Vallejo shines in annual Glo Run – Times Herald Online