Major changes in store for Gustine schools

GUSTINE – A major restructuring is in store for campuses in the Gustine Unified School District, where each campus with the exception of the high school will have a new grade-level configuration next year.

Superintendent Gail McWilliams said the new configurations will result in smaller school settings designed to expand learning opportunities and improve overall student achievement. McWilliams said the district will create K-3, 4-6 and 7-8 campuses which she referred to as universities – reflecting a change in educational strategies and environment that goes well beyond  a reshuffling of grade level assignments.

As envisioned, Romero School will become a K-6 campus housing separate K-3 and 4-6 schools, Gustine Elementary will become a K-3 school, the current middle school will house students in grades 4-6 and the former middle school campus become a junior high serving students in grades 7-8.

McWilliams had previously indicated that the district was studying restructuring options in light of its Program Improvement status and the lack of sufficient progress in student achievement.

When Gustine Unified became a Program Improvement district this year it was required to evaluate all programs and write a plan, she explained. That process included district and site level evaluations for all students and English learners in particular, McWilliams noted. She said the district is in the process of writing and submitting plans to the state.

“You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results, or keep adding onto the plate (for educators),” McWilliams reflected. “This is an opportunity to clear the plate and rebuild it with just the things we need. We really want to refocus.”

McWilliams said she met with school leadership teams in recent months to hear their input into what changes were needed and the direction schools should take.

“One of the things I heard when I went around was that we need to develop programs around student needs,” she noted. “What are the needs of our students…..who are they, and what do they need?”

The superintendent said she believes a smaller-school setting will provide an atmosphere conducive to better identifying and meeting those needs, focusing instruction and hopefully fostering more parent involvement.

While Gustine Elementary will have about 340 students, each of the other campuses involved in the restructuring will drop to below 300 students, McWilliams noted.

She said the focus in K-3 is teaching students reading skills and math concepts. The 4-6 grade levels are an opportunity to work with students who have not yet mastered those skills while at the same time giving students who are on track an opportunity to further excel, McWilliams explained.

By the time they reach seventh grade, she said, all students should be reading to learn rather than learning to read.

McWilliams said technology will be a focal point at all campuses, and the district will be revamping its staff development program as well.

She envisions some specialized academies embedded within the universities to provide a new range of learning opportunities, and believes the new settings will lend themselves to the project-based learning approach being instilled by the district.

“Some components that I think are the most exciting possibilities must still be negotiated (with employee groups),” McWilliams explained.

One benefit, she added, is that the now-vacant old GMS site will be put to use once again.

“Everybody has been very positive about the use of the old middle school,” McWilliams commented.

That will give seventh- and eighth-graders access to a campus gymnasium, which the current middle school site lacks. The district is in the process of renovating the gym at the old campus.

McWilliams said the restructuring should result in little if any increased operating expenses.

“It is the same number of students and the same number of teachers,” she explained. “There will be some movement of staff, but I don’t think new staff will be required.”

Teachers will have the opportunity to request school assignments.

McWilliams said the district is obligated to negotiate with its bargaining units on any affects of the restructuring.

She anticipates making a detailed report to the school board at its February meeting, and said she will begin meeting with site councils and parent groups to discuss the impending changes.

In addition to entering districtwide Program Improvement, Gustine Elementary is also a first-year Program improvement school. Romero and Gustine Middle School are Program Improvement schools which are under the restructuring level of sanctions, the superintendent said.

Parents seeking additional information about the restructuring may call the district office at 854-3784.