Residents raise concerns about outdated school billboards, early-arrival supervision and student nutrition

A member of the public told the Lodi Board of Education the district’s school billboards were not being updated with current meeting information and urged the board to ensure notices were posted for the public.

At the meeting Jimeno Chowa of Chatham Avenue said the marquee outside a school continued to show a January meeting posting and had not been updated. “It was not updated,” he said, adding the outdated sign made it difficult for some residents to find meeting information.

Chowa also raised several concerns about student supports: limited supervision for students who arrive early, questions about sports uniforms, and whether athletes receive appropriate nutrition guidance. He suggested hiring a nutritionist to support students involved in sports.

Board members responded that nutrition and health topics are covered in K–12 curriculum and that guest speakers, including hospital nutritionists and alumni, have previously spoken to students. Board Member Mastro Filippo said the district should consider bringing a nutritionist or sport-specific trainers to speak to athletes at the start of their seasons and recommended discussing the idea at the athletic committee.

Superintendent D'Amico said the district occasionally schedules campus visits and presentations by college admissions officers and that some field trips noted on the agenda may be competitions or campus visits; he said staff would check the trip request forms for specifics.

Trustees suggested multiple avenues: invite nutritionists as part of health classes, use pre-med program contacts to arrange speakers, and seek alumni or local trainers who might volunteer or be contracted to provide sport-specific guidance. The board agreed to consider the topic at a future athletic committee meeting.