Schools

Two Gavilan College students in the Computer Graphics and Design program—and their instructor—walked away from the California State Fair in Sacramento last month with top honors, extending the program’s winning streak for a fifth straight year.

Two of the three Gavilan College trustee positions that represent the San Benito County area are up for re-election this November and one of the incumbents has decided not to seek a second term.

A team of educators, volunteers and administrators involved with the Gilroy Unified School District’s free educational summer camp want to prove that children born from low-income households and those already struggling in school are not destined for failure.

Some said they’d otherwise be hanging out at McDonald’s, riding roller coasters at Disneyland, sleeping or watching TV.

GILROY—This time last year, Gilroy High was scrambling for a solution for its condemned bleachers. The home side bleachers had been deemed “not structurally sound” by San Jose-based Duquette Engineering and were said to be out of commission until April 2014. 

Gilroy Unified School District Measure P funds are hard at work this summer.

A pair of retiring Gavilan College employees—Rachel Perez and Natalie Miranda-Juarez—were recognized at the July Board of Trustees’ meeting for their more than four decades of service in education.The duo received framed certificates of recognition handed out by Daniel Dodge, aide to California Assemblymember Luis Alejo, who represents the assembly’s 30th district.Perez, who most recently served as Interim Dean of Student Learning and Engagement, has held various positions at Gavilan since 1993, including Director of Extended Opportunities Programs and Services, Director of Special Projects, and Acting Vice President of Student Services.The long-time leader developed Gavilan’s Noncredit Education Program, establishing the Computer Technology Center in partnership with Gilroy Unified School District, where adults learn English for the workplace and citizenship, and prepare for GED exams, according to a press release from Gavilan College staff.Prior to joining the Gavilan College staff, Perez—who holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Counseling and Student Personnel from San Jose State University as well as a California Standard Teaching Credential in Secondary Teaching—worked as a teacher, counselor and administrator for GUSD.Juarez—who holds an Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts from Gavilan—was hired in 1972 as an Administrative Secretary while still a Gavilan student. She has also held Gavilan positions as Financial Aid Assistant, Instructional Secretary, and Senior Departmental Assistant. For the past seven years, she’s worked as a Program Services Specialist at Gavilan’s Hollister campus.

State auditor Elaine Howle slammed the accreditation commission responsible for the controversial shutdown of City College of San Francisco. She said the commission—on which Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella serves as vice president—lacks transparency and consistency.

Christopher High School’s top administrative post will be filled by a promotion from within, one of three changes in leadership starting next school year pairing in-house experience with 21st century learning savoir.