Grant Joint Union High School District

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Grant Joint Union High School District
Address
1333 Grand Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95838
Information
School board http://www.grant.k12.ca.us/district/board.asp
Superintendent Patricia Newsome (Interim)
Enrollment

12,617 grades 7-12 & 7,562 adults (2006-07)
Grades 7-12 & adult education
Area Sacramento County
Motto "The purpose of education is to free individuals from their personal limitations"
Founded 1931
Telephone (916) 286-4800
Homepage http://www.grant.k12.ca.us/

Grant Joint Union High School District is located in northern Sacramento County. It's considered an urban-suburban school district, serving approximately 12,000 students in grades 7 – 12. The district has nine comprehensive school sites—five junior high schools, three high schools and a 7-12 Arts & Design Academy. Grant District also has two adult education centers, two alternative high schools, an independent study high school, a special education school, charter schools and a maritime program.

Grant District covers over 100 square miles[1] and has approximately 1,400 employees.Superintendent Larry Buchanan was selected as the 2005 California Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators(ACSA). Grant Union High School teacher Virginia Avila was one of the state’s five Teachers of the Year for 2003 and went on to represent the state for the National Teacher of the Year competition. Grant District has an annual operating budget of $119 million.[2]

On November 6, 2007, the Measure B was passed by voters to merge the Grant Joint Union High School district with the local elementary school districts, including Rio Linda, North Sacramento and Del Paso Heights. On July 1, 2008, they will form Twin Rivers Unified School District that will serve about a total of 30,000 students.[3]

Contents

[edit] History of the Grant District

The dream of creating a new district to serve the students in the territory north of the American River began in 1931, when voters approved plans for the district with an overwhelming 750-25 vote. A bond, promoted through door-to-door canvassing by a citizen named William Rutherford, was passed by the taxpayers and the Grant Joint Union High School District was formed.

The enduring “can-do” spirit of Grant District and North Area neighborhoods has created educational programs, facilities and community resources that have continued to serve students families and communities—from building an Olympic-size community swimming pool in 1934, to starting the nations first school-run radio program in 1940, to establishing a resident school for Aeronautical Training—Grant Tech—which would later become American River College.

Today, Grant District continues its tradition of creating quality, multi-use facilities and resources. The Rio Linda High School Aquatic Complex, the new Community Room at Highlands and the Technology Room at Norwood all offer recreation, learning and meeting places for the entire community.

Ingenuity reigns at Grant District, where opportunities and excellence are promoted and encouraged through programs like the Criminal Justice Academy for students interested in law enforcement, Maritime Technologies Program, Renaissance (a program designed to motivate students and celebrate their accomplishments through assemblies and special recognition), the Highlands Business Academy, English Language Learner Program and AVID (a program designed to prepare underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students for college). [4]

[edit] District Timeline

1931 – The District name “Grant” was chosen in honor of the Ben Ali Haggin land grant, when the famous racing stables were located in the area.

1932 – Grant Union High School opens.

1939 – The Grant Wurlitzer organ was heard on-air for the first time, played by Grant alumnus George Wright, who would become the most famous theatre organist of the modern era.

1955 Norte Del Rio High School opens

1958 – Highlands High School opens.

1962 – Rio Linda High School opens.

1965 – Foothill High School opens.

2002 – Grant Union High School’s Criminal Justice Academy wins a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association in the School to Career category.

2003 – Grant District teacher Virginia Avila is named one of the California Teachers of the Year and goes on to represent the state for the 2003 National Teacher of the Year competition.

2004 – The new Foothill High School stadium opens.

2005 – Grant District Superintendent Dr. Larry Buchanan is named California’s Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.

2006 – The Rio Linda High School Aquatic Complex opens.

2007 - Measure B passes, merging Grant with Rio Linda, North Sacramento and Del Paso Heights school districts.

[edit] Board of Trustees

With the passage of Measure B, a new 7 member school board was chosen, who will take the place of the current board in July of 2008. The new board will consist of Janis Green, Michelle Rivas, Alecia Eugene-Chasten, Bob Bastian, Cortez Quinn, Roger Westrup and Linda Fowler. [3]

Linda Thompson (President) - Term 2002-2008

Board President Ms. Thompson was elected to the GJUHSD Board of Trustees in November 2002. Ms. Thompson attended American River College and is currently employed as an administrative assistant for a Facilities Management firm. She is married with one son who graduated from Foothill High School. Mrs. Thompson has been very active with students in the community and has worked on various councils and committees in the Grant District, having been honored as the Parent Volunteer of the Year for two years at Foothill High School. She has served in leadership roles in elementary, junior high and high school levels.

Annette Emery (Clerk)- Term 2002-2008

Board Clerk Ms. Emery was elected to the GJUHSD Board of Trustees in November 1998 and was re-elected in November 2002. Ms. Emery served as president of the Governing Board in 2001 and 2004. She is a retired senior transportation planner for Caltrans and recently obtained her teaching credential in special education. A former substitute teacher in the Grant District, she has served on the Grant High School Site Council and on the Business and Technology Academy Advisory Committee. She attended Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz (History and Education). She is married with two children and one foster child. Ms. Emery is actively involved in her role as a Board member and displays her dedication in the community and school district functions she attends.

Patrick Kemp Term 2001- 2008

Board Member Mr. Kemp was elected to the GJUHSD Board of Trustees in November 2000 and was re-elected in 2004. He served as President of the Governing Board in 2002 and again in 2005. Mr. Kemp is currently employed as the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Finance at the California Resource Agency. He formerly served as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and as acting Superintendent of GJUHSD. He attended California State University, Sacramento (Public Administration). He is married with three daughters who attend or have attended Rio Linda Junior High School and Rio Linda High School. Mr. Kemp's involvement in the district revolves around his family's school activities.

Frederick Gayle Term 2004-2008

Richard Standley Term 2006-2008

[edit] District Mission Statement

The Grant Joint Union High School District will provide a new education for a new economy and will graduate students who are lifelong learners and productive citizens; maximizing individual development in mind, body and spirit.

[edit] District Goals

Graduation: Increase the percentage of students scoring proficient or above on the California High School Exit Exam.

Reality: Increase the number of students who are prepared for employment as a result of the District’s Career and Technical Education Programs.

Academic Achievement: Increase the number of students scoring proficient or above on the California Standards Test (CST).

National Recognition: The District will use exemplary models of effective education.

Technology: Increase the accessibility, training and use of data and technology.

[edit] High Schools

[edit] Junior High Schools

[edit] Alternative Programs

[edit] Special Education School

[edit] Grant Adult Education

Grant Adult Education (Est. 1937) consists of:

  • Las Palmas Center for Adult Education
  • Winona Center for Adult Education
  • Allied Health Program

[edit] Other Programs

[edit] Charter Schools

[edit] Where Students Go After Graduation

Recent graduates from the Grant Joint Union High School District are enrolled at: Stanford University, USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Arizona State, Grambling State University, University of Oregon, UC San Diego, Cal Poly Pomona, University of the Pacific, Pepperdine University, Coast Guard Academy, Mills College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Sacramento State, University of Oregon, Texas Southern and Morehouse College.

[edit] Notable Students and Staff

There have been several students and staff members of the Grant Joint Union High School district that have noteworthy status.

  • Virginia Avila - Grant Union High School Teacher - California Teacher of the Year 2003[5]
  • Larry M. Buchanan, Ed.D - California Superintendent of the Year 2005[6]
  • Sean Chambers - Highlands High School Class of 1993, Current Highlands High School Basketball Coach - Alaska Aces (PBA) star player[7]
  • Grantland Johnson - Grant Union High School graduate - Former California Secretary of Health and Human Services[8]
  • Dr. William H. Lee - Grant Union High School graduate - Owner/Publisher of The Sacramento Observer[9]
  • Rob Vernatchi - Grant Adult Education NCOA Referee Graduate - NFL Official (Field Judge)[10]
  • George Wright - Grant Union High School Graduate - Organist

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ WASC Self Study Report, Grant Adult Education, 2006 
  2. ^ GJUHSD: District Facts & Figures. Grant Joint Union High School District (2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
  3. ^ a b Rosenhall, Laurel. "Historic school merger approved", Sacramento Bee, November 7, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-07. 
  4. ^ Gerald, Zenobia. "Reaching a Milestone, 1931 to 2006", Grant Today, August 2006. Retrieved on 2007-07-17. 
  5. ^ Thomas, Mary Lou. "Eastin Announces Five California Teachers of the Year 2003", California Department of Education News Release, November 20, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. 
  6. ^ Bucceri, Elizabeth. "Superintendent of the Year", EdCal, September 16, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-17. 
  7. ^ Davis, Regina. "Where Are They Now?", Grant Today, March 2004. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. 
  8. ^ "Call for Unity", Sacramento News & Review, November 11, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. 
  9. ^ "Dr. William H. Lee Biography", The Sacramento Observer, June 14, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. 
  10. ^ Rob Vernatchi - NFL. Football Officials Camp, LLC. Retrieved on 2007-06-25.