Public speakers urge Jefferson Union board to renew Sam Shasta charter; board asks for demographic data

Jefferson Union High School District trustees heard more than a dozen public comments and a staff presentation Tuesday evening during a public hearing on a five‑year renewal petition for Sam Shasta, an alternative charter high school in the district.

Anita Rabbi, identified in her presentation as executive director of the school, described Sam Shasta's instructional model as built on four components — mentoring, project‑based learning, self‑directed work and expedition‑style learning — and said the school prepares students for college and careers. Rabbi told trustees that "100 percent" of students meet A‑G coursework requirements and that ‘‘100 percent’’ of graduates have been accepted to four‑year colleges; she also said students take multiple Advanced Placement courses while enrolled. Those figures were reported by the presenter and were not independently verified during the meeting.

Supporters — current students, parents and alumni — gave two‑minute statements describing small cohort mentoring, expedition projects, internship opportunities and frequent direct contact with staff. Parents and alumni said the school creates a community that helped students gain confidence and apply to four‑year universities. Students explained the "circle" mentoring practice as a weekly group meeting where participants share reflections and goals, and described "Expeditions" as short, focused, externally partnered learning blocks (two weeks in November, February and April) that culminate in public presentations.

Trustees asked for additional data and clarity. Trustee Walker and others requested that future slide decks include demographic breakdowns to show how the charter's student population compares with district subgroups — including English learners, students with disabilities and students experiencing homelessness — and to document efforts to ensure the school reflects the district's diversity. Superintendent Presta remarked that early program measures had improved and thanked the presenters for addressing items the board had previously raised.

No formal vote on the renewal was recorded in the portion of the transcript provided. The public comments and presentation constituted the public hearing and information‑gathering phase recorded in the minutes; trustees requested follow‑up information to be supplied when the item returns for board consideration.

Questions and answers during the hearing focused on mentorship structures, internship placements and the process by which students select expedition tracks. Presenters said the school maintains graduate tracking and mentors support students through the college application process; one presenter stated the program would graduate its seventh cohort this year and described a mentor‑to‑student structure that tracks students over four years.

The hearing drew multiple speakers representing students, parents and graduates. Those speakers praised the school for individualized supports, project‑based learning, and for partnering with local institutions for internships and field experiences. Several speakers asked trustees to approve the five‑year renewal.