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Stockton Unified board denies KIPP Stockton High School petition, 6–0 (Trustee Perez recused)
Summary
After presentations from KIPP and district staff and extensive public testimony both for and against the proposal, the Stockton Unified School District board adopted Resolution 25-61 to deny KIPP’s petition to establish a high school at University Park. Trustee Perez recused from the matter.
The Stockton Unified School District board voted to deny a charter petition from KIPP Public Schools Northern California that would have added a KIPP Stockton High School at a University Park location.
The board adopted Resolution 25-61 on a 6–0 roll call; Trustee Perez was recused from the vote. KIPP representatives had asked the board to approve the five-year petition so families and staff would have a clear, long-term facility plan. "We are deeply committed to the South Stockton community," KIPP leader Beth Thompson told the board, asking trustees to "approve our high school location" to preserve students’ pathway from TK through grade 12.
District legal counsel Leslie Locker summarized staff concerns and the prior hearing record, noting the review team's determination that the petition did not meet the district’s minimum standards for approval and reiterating that any decisions about KIPP’s internal grade-configuration choices are the charter organization’s to make. "KIPP is attempting to put pressure on this board to make a decision that would avoid the elimination of its middle school grades," Locker said, describing the district's view that KIPP’s proposed course of action to shift students is a KIPP choice rather than a district-imposed necessity.
Public testimony at the hearing ran strongly in both directions. Dozens of KIPP students, parents and staff described the school as a stable environment that supports students and urged approval; several students described academic gains and community ties. In contrast, Dr. Christopher Anderson, a local educator who identified himself during public comment, told trustees: "The data tells a different story. It's a story of broken promises from a mid-performing school to a low-performing school," urging the board to require KIPP to address existing performance issues before expanding.
Board members asked legal and staff clarifying questions about geographic alignment with the original authorization and the procedural steps that would follow either approval or denial. KIPP’s counsel and staff acknowledged an appeal path to the San Joaquin County Office of Education if the petition were denied.
The denial means KIPP may pursue an appeal, revise the petition or pursue other facility strategies. The board closed the public hearing on the petition, recessed briefly, and moved on to other business.
