STATEMENT regarding SPECIAL EDUCATION MEETING 09/21/2021
On Monday, September 20, 2021, after consulting with Vice President Dr. Clyde Lewis, I am calling a special closed session meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to take action that will impact the future direction of the Antioch Unified School District.
From the moment that I took my oath of office, I have made it my singular focus to create an environment that provides ALL of our students with a nurturing and supportive environment to ensure that they have the foundational skills to have long-term success.
However, the sad reality is that the students of the Antioch Unified School District are performing well below average, as compared to the rest of the state, especially Black and Latino students. Under the current superintendent, student performance has worsened.
As a board, we have the fiduciary responsibility to serve our students. In our opinion, the current set of facts at the district have made it so that a change must occur now as far as the leadership of the Antioch Unified School District.
To those who attack me for taking this position, you make my point, as anyone with an objective mindset could easily see that the scores continue moving in a downward trajectory. Regardless of the attacks, I will continue to fight for our students.
If we truly love Antioch, we must do everything in our power to protect our students, as our city’s future hinges on their success. This is no longer about old Antioch vs new Antioch. This fight is about whether Antioch will even exist as our school district's track record continues to crush the hopes and dreams of our students, and in the process, our city.
Antioch Unified School District Fact Sheet (CAASP 2018-2019)
Reading and Writing
45% of white students do not meet state standards for reading and writing
67% of Black students do not meet state standards for reading and writing
60% of Latino/Hispanic students do not meet state standards for reading and writing
Math
46% of white students do not meet state standards for mathematics
79% of Black students do not meet state standards for mathematics
71% of Latino/Hispanic students do not meet state standards for mathematics
Suspensions (at least once...)
4.9% of white students
14.2% of Black students
5.2% of Latino/Hispanic students