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Parents and community leaders push for accountability on Black Student Thrive as board approves vendor contracts
Summary
Public commenters accused the superintendent of stalling the Black Student Thrive plan and raised concerns about vendor transparency; the board approved a pool of community-partnership contracts — including one with Black Rocket Productions for Hoover Elementary — as part of LCAP Goal 6 funding.
Several community members urged Stockton Unified trustees on Tuesday to hold the district accountable for implementation of the Black Student Thrive initiative and to improve transparency around program funding and vendor selection.
"This pattern is deception, neglection, disrespect, and unacceptable," said Sheree Wilburn, who identified herself as president of the Stockton Unified Parent Advisory Committee, during the public comment period. Wilburn criticized Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rodriguez for not hiring a promised consultant and for promoting a program the parents said was not vetted for African-American students.
Kisha Boyd, speaking for APAC and NAACP-related committees, pressed the board on funding transparency and cited California Education Code sections 52060–52077, saying, "Transparency and budget allocation [are] essential for accountability." Janice Nyung, a local provider who bid on RFPs, told trustees she was concerned that the district selected organizations that she perceived as less culturally aligned than local, hands-on providers.
The public comments came before a series of contract approvals related to community partnerships and the district—xpanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP). Among the items the board approved was an agreement with Black Rocket Productions for Hoover Elementary (agenda item 12.13); the roll-call vote recorded President Ka Stevens, Vice President Sophia Colon, Clerk Donald Daire, Trustee Angelanne Flores and Trustee Isabelle Perez voting yes, passing the item 5with two trustees absent.
District staff described the RFP and vendor-selection process during discussion and said the initial pool includes seven approved organizations; sites will select partners based on school-site goals in their Single Plan for Student Achievement. Melissa Sigers, director of curriculum and professional development, and other staff said the vendor pool is available to school sites and that some providers that missed the deadline may resubmit. Staff also said the district used a per-pupil allocation for Black Student Thrive site funding and is reviewing whether per-site funding levels should be adjusted to make a meaningful impact.
Trustees did not take formal disciplinary action against district leadership in response to the public comments. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize community-led solutions and to send clearer communications about how funds are allocated to support high-need student subgroups.
The board approved the vendor and consultant agreements as part of the consent agenda; votes were recorded in roll call throughout the meeting.
