Quite a lively discussion in the Times’ Editorial Board meeting this week about the upcoming school board vote on the Navigator Charter School application next week. A split 3-3 vote there will lead to a cautious acceptance newspaper editorial, but my position is hardly that. I’ve witnessed what Principal James Dent accomplished in Gilroy’s worst-performing public elementary school, Eliot, then I watched as the leadership continue to evolve when Dent and his team opened Gilroy Prep Charter School, a school that is anything but elitist with 64% English Language Learners, 65% Free and Reduced Lunch qualifying students, 75% Latino and 8% Special Education. The Board should not only approve, but support and welcome Navigator and Dent. This is a charter school that in its first year, posted a 970 API score becoming the highest-performing first-year charter out of 500 in the state of California since 2006. Navigator schools will work with the district to improve education across the board. It’s not a money-hungry business model conjured up to play on the poor public school system. Rather, it’s a bona fide effort to improve public school education. I’ve witnessed the push for innovation, expectation and progress for more than 5 years in Gilroy and believe the teaching methods and core philosophy are, in a sense, a magic bullet. It’s about absolutely making sure that students have a solid foundation of knowledge in subject areas. If you don’t know your multiplication tables inside and out, or your syllables, you’re never going to become a critical thinker, problem solver or capable communicator. Board trustee Amy Porter Jensen has it right when calling for “collaboration” between the staffs at Navigator Schools and MHUSD to make “both sides be successful in a way that will allow us to continue to move forward and reach all students and their needs.” Late word at presstime: Rocketship – a whole different charter school animal – is going to very soon announce its intention to open in Morgan Hill, too. Choices for parents are welcome.
“… the Ford store inPlenty of people applying for loans (myself and wife Miss Jenny included months ago) to get a new vehicle at the Ford Store in Morgan Hill. Press release from Danielle Vaticano – hmmm, wonder if she ever worked for a Pope? – confirmed the meteoric success of our town’s Ford dealership. Get this: little ol’ Morgan Hill is largest in the WORLD for all new CMAX and Fusion Energi models. Astounding. Have to say that Tim Paulus, the president, and Ashley, his daughter and marketing manager, really run a great ship. From Stephen Minchell in sales to GM Scott Pettitt to Dianne Duke in Finance to Kevin Riberdy in service, the experiences have been great. It’s a real asset to the community to have a well-run successful auto dealership that has customer-service friendly hours and attitude. Plentiful jobs, tax revenue for the city and a great place to buy a vehicle from a proud American company – love my F150 – that’s building the brand right.
Right she was when artist Janet Vanderhoof (see heartwarming story on today’s front page) told our reporter Scott Forstner that her hubby, Austin, and I played together on the Bellarmine tennis team many, many years ago. The reminder really took me back in time. Last time I picked up the racket and the fuzzy balls was at least 11 years ago. Oldest daughter Shannon who played at Notre Dame High in Salinas, challenged me. The stop/start killed me. My Achilles tendons revolted for at least a week during which I shuffled around trying not to moan too much. But that memory has faded and I might like to hit it around again for old time’s sake.
Old time cool idea that would support downtown on a slow evening – say Wednesday – during the summer would be to host free family-oriented outdoor movies. Bring some chairs, catch a flick, sample some local snacks for sale and make a night of it. A Philly steak sandwich from A-Jays before the movie would be perfect. Maybe the re-energized chamber could get involved …
Chamber, speaking of, is once again doing ribbon cuttings for new businesses. Yep, that’s a basic. Yep, that’s good news. Yep, look for the photos in your MH Times. Trumpeting new businesses is good for business and the news business.
Not sure how the business of possibly moving the Independence Day fireworks show out to the sports complex is going to be received. It’s listed on the mhfreedomfest website as 6 p.m. entertainment; fireworks at dark at Morgan Hill Community Park. But word is that, pending city approval, the fireworks show will move to the sports complex – more space means bigger fireworks. The Fourth is always a blast in our town.
Reach Editor Mark Derry at
ed****@mo*************.com
