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Stockton Unified board finds KIPP cannot be accommodated on single site, votes 5–1 to offer two sites
Summary
After staff analysis and legal counsel, the board adopted a Prop 39 finding that KIPP Stockton’s requested 9th‑grade program cannot be accommodated on one contiguous site and authorized a two‑site offer (Merlot Institute and Stockton Alternative High) on a 5–1 vote; trustees raised transportation concerns.
The Stockton Unified School District board voted to adopt a written finding under Proposition 39 that KIPP Stockton K‑12 cannot be accommodated on a single contiguous district site for its requested 9th‑grade program and to offer two sites instead.
Legal counsel and staff summarized the district’s capacity analysis, explaining the district evaluated multiple sites for square footage, condition, safety and program fit and concluded that two separate sites (Merlot Institute of Environmental Technology and Stockton Alternative High School) best meet state law requirements. Counsel explained district obligations under Prop 39 and the statutory preference for single‑site accommodation absent a viable option.
Board members pressed staff on what a two‑site solution would mean operationally: whether KIPP students would shuttle between campuses, how schedules would be structured (block A/B days to limit travel) and who would provide transportation. Counsel said KIPP would provide school leadership and staff; the district discussed options including KIPP‑provided transportation and city bus routes. Trustees expressed concern about families who chose KIPP because it was near home and might face travel burdens if programming requires use of both sites.
The resolution passed on roll call: five in favor, one opposed (President Kenitha Stevens), and one absent (Trustee Flores). Staff emphasized the two sites are within roughly three miles of each other and that schedule design (A/B day blocks) would limit the need for daily travel between campuses.
Representative quote: “We evaluated all options...ultimately we determined that it would neither be feasible nor in the best interest of students to house KIPP on a single site,” legal counsel said. President Stevens voted no, citing unresolved transportation and student‑experience concerns.
Next steps: staff will deliver written notice and the district’s statement of reasons to KIPP as required under Prop 39 and work with the charter to finalize site logistics, transportation plans and any mitigations to reduce family burden.
