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Superintendent reports summer programs, facility upgrades and fall start dates
Summary
Lodi superintendent Jerry D'Amico summarized summer academic programs, staffing, building upgrades and technology improvements ahead of the 2025–26 school year, including a renovated STEM lab, theater overhaul and a 1-to-1 Chromebook roll-out for select grades.
Superintendent Jerry D'Amico reported on summer programming, facilities work and fall start dates Tuesday as the Lodi Board of Education concluded a special meeting at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
D'Amico said the district ran extended learning and enrichment programs this summer, including a special-education extended school year (ESY) program and a four-week STEAM/LEAD program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Rising seventh- and eighth-grade students attended STEM boot camps at Lodi High School where instruction included entry-level programming and rapid prototyping.
“Students had a great time learning something new and applying those skills immediately,” D'Amico told the board.
Other summer offerings included Title I remediation and ESL supports at Lodi High School, a summer anatomy and physiology course for students pursuing pre-med pathways, college-credit courses through the Felician Academy and a summer music program for grades 4–12 that concluded with a concert.
D'Amico highlighted facility projects completed or underway: a reimagined STEM lab at Thomas Jefferson Middle School equipped with 3-D printers and laser engravers; a renovated student restroom at TJMS; and an extensive theater upgrade at Lodi High School that will add new lighting, sound, acoustical paneling, flooring, seating and an extended stage.
The district also replaced older interactive boards with Promethean flat panels in 61 classrooms and will issue Chromebooks under its 1-to-1 initiative to students in grades 3, 6 and 9 at the start of the school year.
D'Amico noted progress on assessment results, saying the district’s math scores rose 9% on spring state assessments and that English language learners showed steady gains on ACCESS for ELLs tests.
He reviewed graduation numbers for the Class of 2025: 241 of 242 eligible seniors graduated; 43 students passed an alternative competency assessment in ELA, 141 passed an alternative competency assessment in mathematics, 36 students were IEP exempt and 10 used a portfolio process to show proficiency. One student was denied graduation.
Administrative notes: the district welcomed a new Wilson School principal, Dr. Jared Fowler; hired more than 20 new educators at orientation; and thanked community partners for donations of backpacks. The superintendent closed by reminding the board that faculty orientation begins Sept. 2, students return for a half day on Sept. 4 and the first full day is Sept. 5.
Why it matters: The report outlines investments in STEM, arts and student supports, key elements for instructional planning and budget oversight as the district begins a new school year.
