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Board holds public hearings on renewal and governance changes for three Aspire charters; parents and students voice strong support
Summary
Aspire Public Schools presented renewal petitions and proposed governance revisions for Port City Academy, Langston Hughes Academy and Apex Academy; school leaders highlighted student outcomes and community ties and dozens of parents, staff and students testified in favor.
Stockton Unified trustees heard presentations and public testimony on renewal petitions and requests to materially revise the governance structure for three Aspire Public Schools campuses on Wednesday.
Aspire executive director Tony Selena described a proposed shift to a Central Valley regional office and a new 501(c)(3) governance layer intended to increase local control and resources for schools in Stockton, Lodi, Modesto and surrounding communities. The board opened separate public hearings for Aspire Port City Academy, Langston Hughes Academy and Aspire Apex Academy; each petition seeks a five-year charter term beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, and includes a material revision to governance.
Port City Academy principal Shelby Schmidt told trustees Port City serves 447 TK–5 students and has seen midyear growth in English language development and declines in chronic absenteeism and suspension. Parents and staff who spoke described long-term relationships with the school, special-education supports, and consistent leadership; one parent said all five of her children attended Port City and praised the school’s IEP implementation.
For Langston Hughes Academy, Dr. Nakamura presented student outcomes, including a cited graduation rate of 97.7% and high college-and-career-readiness rates. Parents and students favored renewing the charter, noting the small-school model, dual-enrollment opportunities and continuity from middle through high school.
At the Apex Academy hearing, Aspire officials acknowledged fiscal and facilities challenges tied to opening a new campus but said the organization had made contributions to stabilize the school (the presentation referenced a $1,800,000 organizational contribution). Principal Lane and numerous parents spoke about wraparound services, student supports, growth in ELPI and positive outcomes for African American students; parents urged trustees to approve renewal to maintain continuity for children who rely on the school’s services.
Board members asked clarifying questions about English-learner supports and program delivery; Aspire representatives detailed daily ELD instruction and regional support coordinators who visit sites. The board closed each public hearing; no final renewal votes were taken at this meeting — the petitions will return to the board for a future final action.
Next steps: The district will continue its charter review timeline and bring each renewal and material-revision request back to the trustees for final consideration at a future board meeting.
